JP2004179107A

JP2004179107A - Inter-cell connection method of lead acid storage battery, and lead acid storage battery using it

Info

Publication number: JP2004179107A
Application number: JP2002346980A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Hitoshi Morimitsu; 仁守光; Takeshi Kameda; 毅亀田
Original assignee: Yuasa Corp; Yuasa Battery Corp
Current assignee: Yuasa Corp
Priority date: 2002-11-29
Filing date: 2002-11-29
Publication date: 2004-06-24

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that it was difficult to make small the connection body on the upper part of the battery in order to avoid occurrence of welding defect in the electric welding of the inter-cell connection penetrating through the partition wall in a mono-block lead acid storage battery. <P>SOLUTION: An electrode tip for welding is made to start welding operation, in a state that a strap tied to the inter-cell connection body is depressed on the partition wall, thereby, even if the height of the inter-cell connection body is reduced by arranging the electrode tip at the bottom end of the electrode arm, welding defect is not generated in this inter-cell connection method, and a lead acid storage battery superior in mass and volume efficiency and low in internal resistance, and durable against vibration and impact, is obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は鉛蓄電池のセル間接続方法およびそれによる鉛蓄電池に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
【特許文献１】
特開平８−７８７３号公報
【０００３】
自動車用、可搬用等に用いられる鉛蓄電池は、通常、複数のセル（単電池）が集合して一体化したいわゆるモノブロック型の鉛蓄電池である。このようなモノブロック型の鉛蓄電池は、一般に、一体成形による隔壁によって区画、形成した複数のセル室を有する樹脂製の電槽と、それぞれのセル室内に配置された極板群とを備えている。
【０００４】
この場合、各セル室内の極板群を連結するセル間接続には、上記特許文献１にあるように、電槽のセル室を区画する隔壁の上部に貫通孔を形成し、この貫通孔を通して相隣るセル室のそれぞれの極板群のストラップに立設される互いに反対極性のセル間接続体を、該接続体の背面より電極チップで押圧して該隔壁の貫通孔内で該接続体同士を接触させて抵抗溶接する方法が、生産性の高い方法として一般的に用いられている。
【０００５】
このように直列に接続されたセルより成るモノブロック型の鉛蓄電池は、両端の残余の正、負のストラップには電池端子が接続され、電槽または蓋を気密、液密に貫通して外部に導かれている。
【０００６】
従来のモノブロック型の鉛蓄電池におけるセル間接続を図５および図６に示す。すなわち、図５のように、電槽９のセル室６を仕切る隔壁７に貫通孔８を設け、該貫通孔８を介して、隣り合うセル室６、６’内の極板群１２、１２’のストラップ１０、１０’に立設された、反対極性同士の極板を互いに接続するセル間接続体１１、１１’を向かい合わせて配置する。次に、図６のように、セル間接続体１１、１１’を背面よりセル間接続装置の電極アーム２、２’の電極チップ１ａ、１ａ’、１ｂ、１ｂ’で貫通孔８内に押し込み、これらセル間接続体１１、１１’が一定の接触面積を得た時点で電極チップ１ａ、１ａ’、１ｂ、１ｂ’に通電して溶接する方法（以下、抵抗溶接という）により接続する。
【０００７】
通常、この方法を採用する場合は、隔壁７に設けられた貫通孔８の直径より、電極チップ１ａ、１ａ’、１ｂ、１ｂ’の後背部にある台座３、３’の直径を大きくし、この台座３、３’によりセル間接続体１１、１１’を隔壁に押圧し、抵抗溶接の際に溶融し膨張した鉛が前記貫通孔８より飛散することを抑制している。
【０００８】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上記したセル間接続方法による鉛蓄電池では、より高さ寸法の大きいセル間接続体１１、１１’の上部を隔壁７に圧着するので、図６に示す如く、セル間接続体１１、１１’の下部と隔壁７との間に間隙１４、１４’を生ずる場合があり、振動や衝撃によって極板群１２、１２’が移動すると、その歪みやストレスがセル間接続部に集中し、それによってセル間接続部が破損する場合があった。
【０００９】
また、上記のような方法で鉛蓄電池のセル間接続を行うに際し、電極チップを１ａ、１ａ’、１ｂ、１ｂ’と台座３、３’とを同心にすると、ストラップ１０、１０’から貫通孔８までの距離を、図７に示した、電極アーム２の最下端から電極チップ１の中心軸までの距離ａに基づいたうえで、台座３の直径を考慮して設定する必要があり、この結果、ストラップ１０、１０’から貫通孔８までの距離が長くなり、セル間接続体１１、１１’の高さが大となる。すなわち、鉛蓄電池に求められる種々の特性を達成するために、可能な限り極板群１２、１２’より上の空間を圧縮し、セル間接続体１１、１１’を低くすることと逆行することになる。また、電極チップを１ａ、１ａ’、１ｂ、１ｂ’のような形状にし、台座３、３’によってセル間接続体１１、１１’を隔壁に押圧する際に、前記間隙１４、１４’によってセル間接続体１１、１１’と台座３、３’との間に隙間が生じて溶融した鉛が飛散しないようにする必要があり、電極チップ１ａ、１ａ’、１ｂ、１ｂ’の設計が複雑になるという問題があった。
【００１０】
本発明は、上記問題点に鑑みてなされたものであって、その目的とするところは、良好なセル間接続状態を得ることができる鉛蓄電池のセル間接続方法および質量、容積効率の優れた低い内部抵抗の鉛蓄電池を提供することにある。
【００１１】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明は、以上の課題を解決する為のもので、請求項１では、電槽の隔壁を介して隣接する極板群の反対極性同士の極板を互いに接続するセル間接続体を、該接続体の背面より電極チップで押圧して該隔壁の貫通孔内で該接続体同士を接触させて抵抗溶接する鉛蓄電池のセル間接続方法であって、セル間接続体と繋がり、極板群を連結するストラップを隔壁の方向に押圧する工程と、セル間接続体の背面に電極チップを当接する工程とを有する鉛蓄電池のセル間接続方法である。
【００１２】
また、請求項２では、ストラップを隔壁の方向に押圧し、ストラップを押圧した状態で、セル間接続体の背面に当接した電極チップの押圧を開始する鉛蓄電池のセル間接続方法である。
【００１３】
また、請求項３では、電極チップの中心軸を、電極チップの後背部にある台座の中心軸より下方に位置せしめたことを特徴とする、請求項１の鉛蓄電池のセル間接続方法である。
【００１４】
また、請求項４では、セル間接続体によって隔壁が挟持された、請求項１記載の接続方法による鉛蓄電池である。
【００１５】
これにより、極板群が隔壁に密着したセル間接続体によって固定されているので、振動、衝撃を受けても、前述した破損に至ることのない鉛蓄電池を提供することができる。また、セル間接続体の下部はストラップが隔壁方向に押圧されて該隔壁に密着しているため、電極チップの形状を複雑にしたり、台座の直径を大きくしなくても、台座をセル間接続体に密着させて、これを押圧することができ、抵抗溶接時に溶融、膨張した鉛が前記貫通孔より飛散することが抑制できる。そのため、電極チップの位置を下方に下げることができ、ストラップから貫通孔までの距離を短くしながら良好なセル間接続状態を得ることができる。その結果、セル間接続体の高さ寸法を小さくでき、電導距離も短くできるので、電池の重量を低減でき、電池の高さを低くできることによる電池体積の低減に寄与するため、重量及び容積効率の優れた、内部抵抗の低い鉛蓄電池を提供できる。
【００１６】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図１〜７に基づき説明する。従来のセル間接続方法については、既に図５および図６について説明したので、本発明について、従来のものと本質的に同一機能を有する部分の符号は繁雑を避けるために同一とし、図によって区別する。
【００１７】
６室のセル室を有する１２ボルト電池用の電槽を準備する。図１にはその１つの隔壁の溶接部分の要部を示す。隣り合うセル室６，６’を仕切る隔壁７には貫通孔８を有する。各セル室６、６’にそれぞれ同極性の極板同士をストラップ１０、１０’で連結し該ストラップ１０、１０’の一端にセル間接続体１１、１１’を立設した極板群１２、１２’を収納する。この際、隣り合うセル室６，６’のセル間接続体１１、１１’が隔壁７の貫通孔８を介して互いに反対極性になるように収納する。なお、４は正極板、５は負極板である。
【００１８】
次に、セル間接続体１１、１１’と連結するストラップ１０、１０’を加圧ア−ム１５、１５’によって隔壁７の方向に押圧し、その後貫通孔８を介して向かい合うセル間接続体１１、１１’の背面に電極チップ１、１’の先端を当て、アーム２、２’によりそれぞれの電極チップ１、１’を互いに近づけて、セル間接続体１１、１１’を貫通孔８内に押し込んで行く。セル間接続体１１、１１’同士が互いに接触し、所定の圧力に達したら該アーム２、２’の移動を止め、電極チップ１、１’に電流を流して貫通孔８内のセル間接続体１１、１１’同士を抵抗溶接してセル間接続を行った。
【００１９】
ここで、図２（ｃ）に示すように、電極チップ１は、その中心軸を台座３の中心軸より下方に位置するようにし、台座３の下辺が貫通孔８の下方を僅かに覆う程度にし、上辺が貫通孔８の上方を僅かに覆うようにすると、電極ア−ム２の最下端と電極チップ１の中心軸までの距離ｂが図７のａに対し、ａ＞ｂのようにできることは明らかである。また、図２（ｂ）に示すように、電極チップ１は、その中心軸より上方に台座３の中心軸があるようにし、台座３の下辺が貫通孔８の下方を僅かに覆う程度にし、上辺が貫通孔８の上方を覆うようにしてもよいし、図２（ａ）に示すように、電極チップ１は、その中心軸と台座３の中心軸とを同軸にし、台座３の下辺が貫通孔８の下方を僅かに覆う程度にし、上辺が貫通孔８の上方を僅かに覆うようにしてもよい。すなわち、図２（ａ）に示した電極チップ１のように、その中心軸と台座３の中心軸とが同軸であるようにすると、このように同軸にしても、台座３の直径を図７のものより小さくできるという利点がある。また、図２（ａ）に示した形状のものに対し、図２（ｃ）に示した電極チップ１は、その中心軸を台座３の中心軸より下方にあるようにしているが、図２（ｃ）に示した形状にした方が、貫通穴８内に押し込まれたセル間接続体１１、１１’は、材質の鉛または鉛合金が貫通穴８の中心軸より下方から溶融し始め、それが溶融した状態で流れ落ちる距離は短いので、流れ落ちる過程で気泡による気密不良が生じくいという利点があると、考えられる。
【００２０】
次に、図２（ｃ）の電極チップ１を用い、ストラップを押圧して、貫通孔を介して向かい合うセル間接続体の背面より電極チップ１で押圧した後抵抗溶接し、セル間接続を行った電池Ａを５個、ストラップを押圧せずに、同様にセル間接続を行った電池Ｂを５個作製した。また、図７に示す電極チップ１を用いて、ストラップを押圧せずにセル間接続を行った電池Ｃを５個作製した。ここで、電池Ｃの貫通孔は、台座３の直径が大となり電極チップ１の中心軸が図２（ｃ）の電極チップ１の中心軸より上方に位置する分だけ、電池Ａ、Ｂの貫通孔８より、通常３ｍｍ程度上方に位置する。ただし、この３ｍｍ程度上方に位置するというのは、セル間接続体１１、１１’の高さを変更することによって任意に定め得るものであることは言うまでもない。
【００２１】
電池Ａ、Ｂ、Ｃのセル間接続を実施した後、それぞれのセル間接続体（電池１個につき５か所）の、鉛が飛散する溶接不良率を調査し、結果を表１に示す。また、セル間接続体の質量及びセル間接続部の電気抵抗も表１に示す。なお、セル間接続体の質量は図３のＡ−Ａ’断面から上の部分を、セル間接続部の抵抗は図３の１３、１３’間で測定した各５個の平均値で示している。
【００２２】
【表１】

【００２３】
表１の結果から、図２（ｃ）の電極チップを用いて、ストラップを押圧せずに抵抗溶接を行った電池Ｂは、電極チップの台座を貫通孔より大きくしていないために、鉛が飛散する溶接不良が高くなった。また図７の電極チップを使用し、ストラップを押圧せずに抵抗溶接を行った電池Ｃは、溶接不良はないものの、セル間接続体の質量が大きく、セル間接続体の高さが高い分、セル間接続部の電気抵抗が高くなった。一方、図２（ｃ）の電極チップを用いてストラップを押圧して抵抗溶接を行った電池Ａでは、電極チップの台座を貫通孔より大きくしていなくても、鉛が飛散する溶接不良がなくなり、且つセル間接続体の質量が小さく、セル間接続体の高さが低く、セル間接続部の電気抵抗も低くなることがわかった。
【００２４】
本発明の上記実施の形態では、図２（ｃ）の如く電極チップ１の中心軸を台座３のそれよりも下方に位置せしめるのみの簡易な構造により上述の効果を得たが、図４の各図に示した形状にしても同様の効果が得られる。すなわち、図４によれば、電極チップ１および台座３はその形状が円形または楕円形のものを示し、電極チップ１の中心軸を台座３のそれよりも真下に位置せしめたものを示しているが、このような形状に限定されるものではない。たとえば、電極チップ１および台座３はその形状が多角形であってもよく、電極チップ１の中心軸を台座３のそれよりも真下に対して左右のいずれかにずらして位置せしめたものであってもよい。
【００２５】
なお、上記の実施の形態では極板が貫通孔のある隔壁に対して垂直に配置し、ストラップが隔壁に対して平行となっているが、極板が貫通孔のある隔壁に対して平行に配置し、ストラップが隔壁に対して垂直にある場合においても、ストラップの形状を隔壁方向に押圧できるような凹凸又は段差を設けて作製してもその効果は同じである。また、この場合、ストラップを両側より挟み込み、隔壁方向に押圧しても同様の効果が得られる。
【００２６】
また、上記の実施の形態は、図２（ｃ）の電極チップ１を用い、ストラップを押圧して貫通孔を介して向かい合うセル間接続体の背面より電極チップで押圧したものであるが、このような形態に限られるものではない。すなわち、セル間接続体の背面に電極チップを当接する工程を設け、この工程の後で、極板群を連結するストラップを隔壁の方向に押圧し、その後電極チップでセル間接続体の背面を押圧する工程を有するようにしてもよいし、これらの工程を同時に行ってもよい。たとえば、これらの工程を同時に行うものとしては、極板群を連結するストラップを隔壁の方向に押圧する工程を、図１の加圧ア−ム１５、１５’によって行わずに、極板群１２、１２’より上の空間が大き過ぎない範囲で台座３、３’の直径を大きくしたうえで、台座３、３’の下辺でセル間接続体１１、１１’を押圧したり、電極ア−ム２、２’の下端の形状を、隔壁７の方向にストラップ１０、１０’が押圧できるように変更したうえで、電極ア−ム２、２’の下端でストラップ１０、１０’を押圧するものがある。
【００２７】
上記の実施の形態は、いずれも例示であって、限定的に解釈されるべきではない。本発明の技術的範囲は、明細書に示された技術的思想や実施の形態とそれらの均等範囲に属する変形や変更を含めたうえで、その特許請求の範囲によって示される。
【００２８】
【発明の効果】
請求項１、２によれば、セル間接続体の高さ寸法を小さくでき、電導距離も短くできるので、重量および容積効率の優れた、低い内部抵抗の鉛蓄電池を製造する方法を提供でき、電極チップの台座の全面をセル間接続体に密着させることができるので、溶接不良なしで鉛蓄電池を製造する方法を提供できる。
【００２９】
請求項３によれば、簡単な構造の電極チップと台座により請求項１の効果を得ることができる。
【００３０】
請求項４によれば、請求項１の効果に加えて、極板群が、隔壁に密着したセル間接続体によって固定されているので、振動、衝撃に耐える鉛蓄電池を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明によるセル間接続方法を示す部分側面図。
【図２】本発明の一実施例による電極チップ部分の側面図。
【図３】セル間接続体の質量、電気抵抗の測定位置を示す図。
【図４】本発明の他の実施例による電極チップ部分の正面図。
【図５】従来のセル間接続による鉛蓄電池の一部を切断した側面図。
【図６】従来のセル間接続方法を示す部分側面図。
【図７】従来の電極チップ部分の側面図。
【符号の説明】
１、１’、１ａ、１ａ’、１ｂ、１ｂ’ 電極チップ
２、２’ 電極ア−ム
３、３’ 台座
４正極板
５負極板
６、６’ セル室
７隔壁
８貫通孔
９電槽
１０、１０’ ストラップ
１１、１１’ セル間接続体
１２、１２’ 極板群
１３、１３’ セル間接続部の抵抗測定位置
１５、１５’ 加圧アーム[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for connecting cells of a lead storage battery and a lead storage battery using the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-7873
A lead storage battery used for automobiles, portable vehicles, and the like is usually a so-called monoblock type lead storage battery in which a plurality of cells (cells) are assembled and integrated. Such a monoblock type lead storage battery generally includes a resin battery case having a plurality of cell chambers partitioned and formed by integrally formed partition walls, and an electrode group arranged in each of the cell chambers. I have.
[0004]
In this case, as described in Patent Document 1, a through hole is formed in the upper part of a partition that divides the cell chamber of the battery case, and a through hole is formed in the cell connection for connecting the electrode plates in each cell chamber. Opposite-polarity cell-to-cell connectors, which are erected on the straps of the respective electrode groups in adjacent cell chambers, are pressed from the back surface of the connector with an electrode chip, and are pressed in the through holes of the partition walls. A method of contacting each other and performing resistance welding is generally used as a method of high productivity.
[0005]
A monoblock type lead-acid battery composed of cells connected in series in this way has battery terminals connected to the remaining positive and negative straps at both ends, and penetrates a battery case or lid in an air-tight and liquid-tight manner to provide external power. Is led to.
[0006]
FIGS. 5 and 6 show connections between cells in a conventional monoblock lead-acid battery. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, a through hole 8 is provided in a partition wall 7 that partitions the cell chamber 6 of the battery case 9, and the

electrode groups

12, 12 in the

adjacent cell chambers

6, 6 ′ are provided through the through hole 8. The

inter-cell connectors

11 and 11 ′, which are connected to the pole plates of opposite polarities, which are erected on the

straps

10 and 10 ′, are connected to each other. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, the inter-cell connectors 11 and 11 'are pushed into the through holes 8 from the back surface by the electrode chips 1a, 1a', 1b and 1b 'of the electrode arms 2, 2' of the inter-cell connector. When the inter-cell connectors 11 and 11 'obtain a certain contact area, they are connected to each other by energizing and welding the electrode tips 1a, 1a', 1b and 1b '(hereinafter referred to as resistance welding).
[0007]
Normally, when this method is adopted, the diameter of the pedestals 3, 3 'at the back of the electrode chips 1a, 1a', 1b, 1b 'is made larger than the diameter of the through hole 8 provided in the partition 7, The

pedestals

3 and 3 ′ press the

inter-cell connectors

11 and 11 ′ against the partition walls, thereby suppressing the lead that has melted and expanded during resistance welding from being scattered from the through holes 8.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the lead storage battery according to the above-described inter-cell connection method, since the upper portions of the inter-cell connection bodies 11 and 11 'having a larger height are crimped to the partition wall 7, as shown in FIG. In some cases,

gaps

14 and 14 ′ may be formed between the lower part and the partition wall 7. When the

electrode groups

12 and 12 ′ move due to vibration or impact, the distortion and stress concentrate on the inter-cell connection part, thereby In some cases, the inter-connection was broken.
[0009]
Further, when connecting the cells of the lead storage battery by the above-described method, if the electrode chips 1a, 1a ', 1b, 1b' and the pedestals 3, 3 'are concentric, the through holes from the straps 10, 10' are formed. It is necessary to set the distance up to 8 based on the distance a from the lowermost end of the electrode arm 2 to the center axis of the electrode tip 1 shown in FIG. As a result, the distance from the straps 10, 10 'to the through holes 8 is increased, and the height of the inter-cell connectors 11, 11' is increased. In other words, in order to achieve various characteristics required for lead-acid batteries, the space above the electrode groups 12, 12 'should be compressed as much as possible, and the countermeasures against lowering the

intercellular connection bodies

11, 11'. become. Also, when the electrode tips are shaped like 1a, 1a ', 1b, 1b', and when the intercellular connectors 11, 11 'are pressed against the partition walls by the pedestals 3, 3', the cell gaps are formed by the gaps 14, 14 '. It is necessary to prevent a gap from being generated between the interconnectors 11 and 11 'and the pedestals 3 and 3' and to disperse the molten lead, which complicates the design of the electrode tips 1a, 1a ', 1b and 1b'. There was a problem of becoming.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a method for connecting cells between lead storage batteries capable of obtaining a good connection state between cells and an excellent mass and volumetric efficiency. It is to provide a lead-acid battery having a low internal resistance.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and in claim 1, an inter-cell connecting body for connecting mutually opposite polar plates of an adjacent polar plate group via a partition of a battery case, An inter-cell connection method for a lead-acid battery in which a connection body is contacted and resistance-welded in a through hole of the partition wall by pressing with an electrode tip from a back surface of the connection body. And a step of pressing an electrode chip against the back surface of the inter-cell connector, which comprises a step of pressing a strap that connects the cells in the direction of the partition wall.
[0012]
A second aspect of the present invention is a method for connecting cells of a lead storage battery, in which the strap is pressed in the direction of the partition wall, and the pressing of the electrode chip in contact with the back surface of the inter-cell connector is started in a state where the strap is pressed.
[0013]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the method for connecting cells of a lead-acid battery according to the first aspect, wherein the central axis of the electrode chip is positioned lower than the central axis of the pedestal at the back of the electrode chip. .
[0014]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the lead storage battery according to the first aspect, wherein the partition wall is sandwiched by the inter-cell connector.
[0015]
Thus, since the electrode plate group is fixed by the inter-cell connector closely contacting the partition wall, it is possible to provide a lead-acid battery that does not suffer from the above-described damage even when subjected to vibration or impact. In addition, since the strap is pressed in the partition direction at the lower part of the inter-cell connection body and is in close contact with the partition, the pedestal can be connected to the cell without complicating the shape of the electrode tip or increasing the diameter of the pedestal. This can be pressed against the body and pressed against it, and the lead melted and expanded during resistance welding can be prevented from scattering from the through-hole. Therefore, the position of the electrode chip can be lowered, and a good inter-cell connection state can be obtained while shortening the distance from the strap to the through hole. As a result, the height of the inter-cell connector can be reduced and the conduction distance can be shortened, so that the weight of the battery can be reduced, and the reduction in the height of the battery contributes to the reduction of the battery volume. A lead-acid battery having excellent internal resistance and low internal resistance can be provided.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The conventional inter-cell connection method has already been described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Therefore, in the present invention, the reference numerals of the parts having essentially the same functions as those of the conventional one are set to be the same to avoid complication, and are distinguished by the drawings. I do.
[0017]
A battery case for a 12 volt battery having six cell chambers is prepared. FIG. 1 shows a main part of a welded portion of the one partition wall. The partition wall 7 that partitions the adjacent cell chambers 6, 6 'has a through hole 8. An electrode plate group 12, in which electrode plates of the same polarity are connected to the cell chambers 6 and 6 'by straps 10 and 10', and inter-cell connectors 11 and 11 'are erected at one end of the straps 10 and 10'; 12 'is stored. At this time, the

inter-cell connectors

11 and 11 ′ of the

adjacent cell chambers

6 and 6 ′ are housed so that they have opposite polarities via the through holes 8 of the partition walls 7. In addition, 4 is a positive electrode plate and 5 is a negative electrode plate.
[0018]
Next, the straps 10 and 10 'connected to the inter-cell connectors 11 and 11' are pressed in the direction of the partition wall 7 by the pressure arms 15 and 15 ', and thereafter, the inter-cell connectors facing each other through the through holes 8. The tips of the

electrode chips

1 and 1 ′ are brought into contact with the back surfaces of the

electrodes

11 and 11 ′, and the

respective electrode chips

1 and 1 ′ are brought closer to each other by the

arms

2 and 2 ′. And push it in. When the

inter-cell connectors

11 and 11 ′ come into contact with each other and reach a predetermined pressure, the movement of the

arms

2 and 2 ′ is stopped, and a current flows through the

electrode chips

1 and 1 ′ to connect the cells in the through hole 8. The bodies 11 and 11 'were connected by resistance welding between the cells.
[0019]
Here, as shown in FIG. 2 (c), the electrode chip 1 has its central axis located below the central axis of the pedestal 3, and the lower side of the pedestal 3 slightly covers below the through hole 8. When the upper side slightly covers the upper part of the through hole 8, the distance b between the lowermost end of the electrode arm 2 and the center axis of the electrode chip 1 is as shown in FIG. Clearly what you can do. Also, as shown in FIG. 2B, the electrode chip 1 has the center axis of the pedestal 3 above the center axis thereof, and the lower side of the pedestal 3 slightly covers the lower part of the through hole 8. The upper side may cover the upper part of the through-hole 8, or as shown in FIG. 2A, the electrode chip 1 has its central axis coaxial with the central axis of the pedestal 3, and the lower side of the pedestal 3 The lower part of the through hole 8 may be slightly covered, and the upper side may slightly cover the upper part of the through hole 8. That is, if the center axis of the pedestal 3 is coaxial with the center axis of the pedestal 3 as in the electrode chip 1 shown in FIG. There is an advantage that it can be smaller than that of The electrode tip 1 shown in FIG. 2C has a center axis lower than the center axis of the pedestal 3 in contrast to the shape shown in FIG. 2A. With the shape shown in FIG. 3 (c), the inter-cell connectors 11, 11 'pushed into the through-hole 8 begin to melt the lead or lead alloy of the material from below the central axis of the through-hole 8, It is thought that there is an advantage that air-tight defects due to bubbles hardly occur in the process of flowing down since the flow distance in the molten state is short.
[0020]
Next, using the electrode chip 1 of FIG. 2 (c), the strap is pressed, the electrode chip 1 is pressed from the back surface of the inter-cell connecting body facing through the through hole, and resistance welding is performed to perform cell-to-cell connection. Of the batteries A and five of the batteries B similarly connected between cells without pressing the strap. In addition, using the electrode chip 1 shown in FIG. 7, five batteries C in which the cells were connected without pressing the strap were produced. Here, the through-holes of the batteries A and B are formed so that the diameter of the pedestal 3 becomes large and the center axis of the electrode chip 1 is located higher than the center axis of the electrode chip 1 in FIG. It is usually located about 3 mm above the hole 8. However, it is needless to say that the position of about 3 mm above can be arbitrarily determined by changing the height of the inter-cell connectors 11, 11 '.
[0021]
After the connection between the cells of the batteries A, B, and C was performed, the welding failure rate at which lead was scattered in each cell connection body (five locations per battery) was investigated, and the results are shown in Table 1. Table 1 also shows the mass of the inter-cell connector and the electrical resistance of the inter-cell connector. In addition, the mass of the inter-cell connector is indicated by an upper portion from the AA ′ cross section in FIG. 3, and the resistance of the inter-cell connector is indicated by an average value of each five measured between 13 and 13 ′ in FIG. I have.
[0022]
[Table 1]

[0023]
From the results in Table 1, it can be seen that in the battery B which was subjected to resistance welding without pressing the strap using the electrode tip of FIG. 2 (c), the base of the electrode tip was not made larger than the through-hole, so that lead was not contained. Spattering welding defects increased. In addition, in the battery C using the electrode tip of FIG. 7 and performing resistance welding without pressing the strap, although there is no poor welding, the mass of the inter-cell connector is large and the height of the inter-cell connector is high. As a result, the electrical resistance of the connection between the cells increased. On the other hand, in the battery A in which resistance strapping was performed by pressing the strap using the electrode tip of FIG. 2C, even if the pedestal of the electrode tip was not made larger than the through hole, welding defects in which lead was scattered were eliminated. Further, it was found that the mass of the inter-cell connector was small, the height of the inter-cell connector was low, and the electric resistance of the inter-cell connection was low.
[0024]
In the above embodiment of the present invention, the above-described effect is obtained by a simple structure in which the central axis of the electrode tip 1 is positioned below that of the pedestal 3 as shown in FIG. The same effect can be obtained even with the shapes shown in the figures. That is, according to FIG. 4, the electrode tip 1 and the pedestal 3 have a circular or elliptical shape, and the center axis of the electrode tip 1 is located directly below that of the pedestal 3. However, it is not limited to such a shape. For example, the electrode tip 1 and the pedestal 3 may be polygonal in shape, and the central axis of the electrode tip 1 is shifted right or left below the pedestal 3 so as to be positioned. You may.
[0025]
In the above embodiment, the electrode plate is arranged perpendicular to the partition having the through hole, and the strap is parallel to the partition, but the electrode plate is parallel to the partition having the through hole. Even in the case where the strap is arranged and the strap is perpendicular to the partition wall, the same effect can be obtained even if the strap is formed with irregularities or steps so that the shape of the strap can be pressed in the partition wall direction. In this case, the same effect can be obtained even if the strap is sandwiched from both sides and pressed in the partition direction.
[0026]
In the above-described embodiment, the strap is pressed by using the electrode chip 1 shown in FIG. 2C, and the strap is pressed from the back surface of the inter-cell connector facing each other through the through hole. It is not limited to such a form. That is, a step of contacting the electrode chip with the back surface of the inter-cell connector is provided, and after this process, the strap connecting the electrode plate group is pressed in the direction of the partition wall, and then the back surface of the inter-cell connector is pressed with the electrode chip. A pressing step may be provided, or these steps may be performed simultaneously. For example, in order to perform these steps at the same time, the step of pressing the strap connecting the electrode groups in the direction of the partition is not performed by the pressing arms 15 and 15 'of FIG. , 12 'are enlarged so that the space above the bases 3 and 3' is not too large. The shape of the lower ends of the arms 2 and 2 'is changed so that the straps 10 and 10' can be pressed in the direction of the partition wall 7, and then the straps 10 and 10 'are pressed by the lower ends of the electrode arms 2, 2'. There is something.
[0027]
The above embodiments are all examples and should not be construed as limiting. The technical scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims, including the technical ideas and embodiments shown in the specification and modifications and changes belonging to their equivalents.
[0028]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and second aspects, the height dimension of the inter-cell connector can be reduced, and the conduction distance can be shortened. Therefore, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a lead-acid battery having excellent weight and volume efficiency and low internal resistance, Since the entire surface of the pedestal of the electrode chip can be brought into close contact with the inter-cell connector, it is possible to provide a method for manufacturing a lead-acid battery without defective welding.
[0029]
According to the third aspect, the effect of the first aspect can be obtained by the electrode tip and the pedestal having a simple structure.
[0030]
According to the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, since the electrode plate group is fixed by the inter-cell connector closely contacting the partition, it is possible to provide a lead-acid battery that can withstand vibration and impact.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a partial side view showing an inter-cell connection method according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of an electrode tip portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing measurement positions of mass and electric resistance of the inter-cell connector.
FIG. 4 is a front view of an electrode tip portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side view in which a part of a conventional lead storage battery by inter-cell connection is cut.
FIG. 6 is a partial side view showing a conventional inter-cell connection method.
FIG. 7 is a side view of a conventional electrode tip portion.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1 ', 1a, 1a', 1b, 1b 'Electrode chip 2, 2' Electrode arm 3, 3 'Pedestal 4 Positive electrode plate 5, Negative electrode plate 6, 6' Cell chamber 7 Partition wall 8 Through hole 9 Battery case 10 10 'strap 11, 11' inter-cell connector 12, 12 'electrode group 13, 13' resistance measurement position 15, 15 'pressure arm of inter-cell connection

Claims

A cell-to-cell connector, which connects electrode plates of opposite polarities of adjacent electrode plates via a partition of the battery container to each other, is pressed with an electrode tip from the back surface of the connector and the connection is made in a through hole of the partition. A method of connecting cells of a lead storage battery in which the bodies are brought into contact with each other and resistance-welded, wherein a step of connecting with the inter-cell connection body and pressing a strap connecting the electrode plate group toward the partition wall, and a back surface of the inter-cell connection body Contacting an electrode chip with a lead-acid battery.

2. The method for connecting cells of a lead storage battery according to claim 1, wherein the strap is pressed in the direction of the partition wall, and the pressing of the electrode chip in contact with the back surface of the inter-cell connector is started while the strap is pressed.

2. The method for connecting cells of a lead storage battery according to claim 1, wherein the central axis of the electrode chip is positioned lower than the central axis of the pedestal at the back of the electrode chip.

The lead storage battery according to the connection method according to claim 1, wherein the partition is sandwiched by the inter-cell connector.