Battery inspection apparatus

• US 9,217,776 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2012
• Issued: 12/22/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SoftEnergy Controls Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sumitomo Heavy Industries Limited
• Inventors: Yuasa, Hideaki
• Primary Examiner(s): WILLIAMS, ARUN C
• Application Number:
  US13/680,576
• Publication Number:
  US 20130141107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,128 Days
• Field of Search: 324/426
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/364 Battery terminal connectors with integrated measuring arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A battery inspection apparatus includes: a battery inspection table having a plurality of inspection units each for inspecting a rechargeable battery; and a controller that is provided separately from the battery inspection table and configured to control the battery inspection table. Each of the inspection units includes: a contactor for inspection configured to contact a corresponding battery; and a measurement circuit that is connected to the contactor and configured to generate an analog measured signal by measuring at least one of a current, voltage, and temperature, based on an input from the contactor. The battery inspection table has a control board mounted, the control board being configured to convert the analog measured signal generated by each of the inspection units into a digital signal to output to a common communication cable, and the communication cable connects the control board and the controller together.

Claims

1. A battery inspection apparatus for use in a factory comprising:

a battery inspection table that is installable in a room of the factory, the battery inspection table including a plurality of inspection units each for inspecting a rechargeable battery and a moving mechanism provided in the inspection table to cause a relative movement between the inspection units and the battery;

an automatic conveyance system that is installable in the room of the factory to convey the battery to and from the moving mechanism of the battery inspection table; and

a controller that is installable in another or the same room of the factory and provided separately from the battery inspection table, the controller configured to control the battery inspection table, wherein

each of the inspection units includes;

a contactor for inspection configured to contact a corresponding battery by the relative movement; and

a measurement circuit that is connected to the contactor and configured to generate an analog measured signal by measuring at least one of a current, voltage, and temperature, based on an input from the contactor, and wherein

the battery inspection table has at least one communication unit mounted therein, the communication unit being configured to convert the analog measured signal generated by each of the inspection units into a digital signal to output to a common digital communication line, and the digital communication line connects the communication units and the controller together.

2. The battery inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the each of the inspection units includes mounting portions by each of which a mounting position of the battery is defined;

and wherein

the battery inspection table includes;

an inspection stage on which the mounting portions are arrayed in a matrix in order to hold a large number of the batteries; and

a contactor array in which the contactors are arrayed in an array corresponding to the matrix array of the mounting portions; and

wherein

the communication unit is provided at a position opposite to that of the inspection stage so as to sandwich the contactor array, and the measurement circuit is arranged between the contactor array and the communication unit.

3. The battery inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the battery inspection table includes a control board on which the communication unit and the measurement circuit are mounted.

4. The battery inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the communication unit converts a measurement result represented by an inputted analog measured signal into a data file, and transmits the data file to the controller through the digital communication line.

5. The battery inspection apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising an electric power device that is provided separately from the battery inspection table and configured to supply or collect power to or from the inspection units, wherein the controller is mounted in the electric power device;

and wherein

the battery inspection table has a plurality of buck-boost converters mounted, each the plurality of the buck-boost converters being configured to adjust a voltage to be provided to the each of the plurality of the inspection units, and the plurality of the buck-boost converters are formed as a buck-boost unit connected to the electric power device through a common power line, and the buck-boost unit is connected to the controller through the communication unit and the digital communication line.