JP2006245403A - Connection device for capacitor, and capacitor charge and discharge device having same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate an oxide skin on an electrode surface when connecting a charge and discharge device to an electrode for an electric double layer capacitor cell. <P>SOLUTION: Electrodes 14 and 16 of a cell 10 are supported by a support plate 46 and a connector 44 connected to the charge and discharge device as if they are sandwiched on both sides by the latter. The connector 44 is fixed to a connector frame 48, and the connector frame 48 is connected to a guide rod 60. By moving the guide rod 60 from side to side, the whole connector 44 is slid in a direction along the surface of the electrodes 14 and 16, thus rubbing against the surface. By so doing, the oxide skin on the electrode surface is scraped. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection device for connecting an external circuit to an electrode of a capacitor capable of storing electric energy, such as an electric double layer capacitor device and a secondary battery, and a capacitor charging / discharging device including the connection device.

  In a manufacturing process of an electric double layer capacitor cell (hereinafter referred to as a cell), there is a process of performing initial charge / discharge in order to extract and activate a gas in the electrolytic solution. In this step, a plurality of cells are housed in a case, and the electrode of the electric double layer capacitor and the external charge / discharge device are electrically connected. For example, in FIG. 15, the cell lead electrode 3 a and the external charging / discharging device 4 are electrically connected by sandwiching the electrode 3 a of each cell with the lip grip 1 a. In FIG. 17 which is a plan view of FIGS. 16 and 16, the cell electrode 3a is sandwiched between the connecting terminal 3b fixed to the case and the pressure plate 3d, so that the cell lead electrode 3a and the external charge / discharge are discharged. The apparatus 4 is electrically connected. The connection terminal 3b is composed only of a plate-shaped copper material, or a conductive spring 3e is attached to the plate-shaped copper material in order to obtain reliable contact with the electrode 3a. The pressure plate 3d is electrically insulated from the electrode 3a by attaching a non-conductive material 3f such as a baking material.

  One characteristic of the electric double layer capacitor is that its internal resistance is extremely small. Therefore, when performing the above-mentioned initial charge / discharge in the manufacturing process, it is desirable that the contact resistance between the connection terminal and the electrode is stable at a low value. However, the electrode of the cell is typically made of a thin aluminum material, and an oxide film is easily formed on the surface of the electrode in the air. This oxide film grows with time and becomes electrically insulating. Therefore, when the electrode 3a of the cell and the external charging / discharging device are electrically connected by the method shown in FIGS. 15, 16, and 17, the contact resistance between the connection terminal and the electrode 3a increases with time, and the electrical It becomes difficult to properly activate the double layer capacitor.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-151525 (Patent Document 1) discloses a technique for reducing the contact resistance between a connection terminal and an electrode in a secondary battery. In patent document 1, the connection terminal is made to contact the electrode of a secondary battery with the following method. First, the contact protrusion of the connection terminal is brought into contact with the surface of the electrode in a non-contact manner. Thereafter, the connection terminal is pressed against the surface of the electrode from the normal direction. At this time, the contact protrusion is rubbed in a direction substantially parallel to the surface of the electrode while the connection terminal pressed against the surface of the electrode is deflected, so that the metal oxide layer on the surface of the lead electrode is scraped off. Thus, the contact resistance between the connection terminal and the electrode is reduced by bringing the connection terminal into contact with the electrode in a state where the metal oxide layer on the surface of the electrode is scraped off.

  Moreover, the charging / discharging apparatus of the secondary battery of patent document 2, 3 is disclosed as other background art.

JP 2003-151525 A JP 2002-42904 A JP 2000-58135 A

  In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the connection terminal is driven in a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface with respect to the electrode, and the contact portion (contact protrusion) with the electrode moves so as to rub the electrode surface when the connection terminal itself bends. . For this reason, the amount of movement of the contact protrusion is smaller than the amount of movement of the connection terminal. Further, since the contact pressure depends on the amount of deflection of the connection terminal, a sufficient pressing force cannot be obtained at the initial contact stage. For these reasons, the electrode surface may not be able to be cut sufficiently.

  It is an object of the present invention to provide a connection device that is advantageous for efficiently scraping the electrode surface and reducing the contact resistance.

  The capacitor connecting device for connecting the capacitor of the present invention to an external circuit is in contact with a plate-like electrode of the capacitor, the connection terminal connected to the external circuit, and the connection terminal in contact with the electrode. And a drive mechanism that linearly reciprocates the terminal along the surface of the electrode plate. The connecting terminal is reciprocated by a driving mechanism to scrape the oxide film formed on the electrode surface, thereby reducing the contact resistance.

  In addition, a capacitor connecting device for connecting another capacitor of the present invention to an external circuit includes a case for accommodating a plurality of capacitors in an aligned manner so that the plate-like electrodes can be connected from the outside. A connection terminal that contacts each electrode of the stored capacitor and is connected to an external circuit, a support plate that sandwiches each electrode together with the connection terminal, and a connection terminal that reciprocates linearly while holding each electrode. And a connection terminal drive mechanism to be moved. The connecting terminal is reciprocated by a driving mechanism to scrape the oxide film formed on the electrode surface, thereby reducing the contact resistance.

  Furthermore, when the capacitor is accommodated in the case, a spacer that is alternately aligned with the capacitor and accommodated in the case can be used, and this spacer is thicker than the plate-like portion sandwiched between the capacitor and the plate-like portion, And an electrode support portion that holds and supports the plate-like electrode.

  Further, before setting the capacitor housed in the case to a predetermined position, the connection terminal and the support plate are separated, and after being set to the predetermined position, each electrode of the capacitor is supported so as to be held between the connection terminal and the support plate. A support plate driving mechanism for driving the plate can be provided.

  Furthermore, a charging / discharging device for a capacitor according to another aspect of the present invention includes the above-described capacitor connecting device, and is connected to the capacitor by the connecting device, and a charging / discharging circuit that performs at least one of charging and discharging is connected to the external It has as a circuit.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of one cell 10 of an electric double layer capacitor. The cell 10 is configured by storing a positive electrode body, a negative electrode body, and an electrolytic solution separated by a separator in a bag-like pack 12 made of a laminate material of aluminum and resin. As illustrated, the pack 12 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped or plate shape. The accommodated positive electrode body and negative electrode body are respectively connected to the positive electrode 14 and the negative electrode 16 inside the case, and these electrodes 14 and 16 have a thin plate shape and protrude from the end of the pack 12. The material of the electrodes 14 and 16 is made of a metal having good conductivity, such as aluminum. The pack 12 is formed of a laminate sheet having an aluminum base. The laminate sheet can be, for example, a sheet in which the base aluminum is sandwiched between nylon and polypropylene. In this case, the polypropylene surface is the inner surface.

  For applications that require a high voltage, an electric double layer capacitor is configured by connecting a plurality of cells 10 in series. As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of cells 10 are stacked and connected to the positive electrode 14 and the negative electrode 16 of adjacent cells. Moreover, the end plate 18 is laminated | stacked on the very end of the some cell 10 with the cell, and is bundled by bands, such as stainless steel.

  As described above, each cell 10 needs to be initially charged and discharged, and the following is a description of the apparatus used at this time.

  3, 4, and 5 are views showing the appearance of a connection device that connects the electric double layer capacitor cell 10 of the present embodiment to an external circuit such as a charge / discharge circuit. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the case 22 that accommodates the cells 10 in alignment. The cells 10 are stacked and aligned from one end of the case alternately with the spacers 24. A push plate 26 is disposed at the other end of the case. The push plate 26 is movable in the alignment direction of the cells 10 and pushes the accommodated cells 10 and spacers toward the other end to bring them into close contact with each other. The spacer 24 is composed of a plate-like portion 28 having substantially the same size as the cell pack 12 and electrode support portions 30 attached to both upper surfaces in the drawing. When the spacer 24 is laminated together with the cell, the electrode support portion 30 holds and supports the electrodes 14 and 16 of the cell. The electrode support portion 30 may be any material as long as it is a material that can be deformed to some extent when the electrode is held and can softly support the electrode. For example, a sponge, rubber, or the like can be used.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an appearance of the main body 32 of the connection device according to the present embodiment. The main body 32 includes a base 34, a pillar 36 erected on the base 34, and a terminal board 38 supported by the pillar 36. The base 34 is provided with a foldable extension 40, and a rail 42 that extends continuously from the main body portion of the base 34 and the extension 40 is laid in a state where the extension 40 is deployed. The case 22 containing the cell 10 can be placed on the rail 42 and sent under the terminal board 38 along the rail. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the two cases 22 are sent under the terminal board 38. The extension part 40 is folded and abuts on the vicinity of the lower end of the side surface of the case 22 to stop the movement of the case.

  On the lower surface of the terminal board 38, a connection terminal 44 and a support plate 46 are provided for holding the electrodes 14 and 16 in a state where the cell 10 is accommodated in the case 22 and set. 4 and 5, only the support plate 46 can be seen.

  FIG. 6 shows details of the electrodes 14, 16, the connection terminals 44, and the support plate 46 when the terminal board 38 is viewed from below. One connection terminal 44 and one support plate 46 are provided corresponding to each of the electrodes 14 and 16, and sandwich the electrodes. The connection terminal 44 is fixed to the connection terminal frame 48, and the support plate 46 is fixed to the support plate frame 50. These frames 48 and 50 can be moved independently of each other.

  7 and 8 are explanatory diagrams of the drive mechanism of the support plate 46. FIG. The support plate frame 50 is slidably supported with respect to the main frame 56 of the terminal board 38 fixedly supported by the pillar 36. The sliding direction is the alignment direction of the cells 10 to be set, and is the left-right direction in FIGS. A support plate bracket 52 is fixed to the support plate frame 50, and one end of a support plate link 54 is rotatably connected to the bracket. A support plate handle 58 is attached to the main frame 56 so as to be rotatable. The other end of the support plate link 54 is connected to the support plate handle 58. As shown in FIG. 7, when the support plate handle 58 is raised, the connection terminal 44 and the support plate 46 are separated from each other. When the support plate handle 58 is lowered to the state shown in FIG. 8, the support plate link 54 drives the support plate frame 50 in the left direction in the figure, and accordingly, the support plate 46 is also moved to the left, that is, toward the opposing connection terminal 44. Move. At this time, the connection terminal frame 48 does not move. Although not shown in FIG. 8, if there is a cell electrode between the connection terminal 44 and the support plate 46, this is held between the connection terminal and the support plate. As described above, the support plate 46 is driven in the alignment direction of the set cells 10 by the drive mechanism including the support plate frame 50 and the link mechanism constituted by the support plate link 54 and the support plate handle 58.

  9 and 10 are explanatory diagrams of the drive mechanism of the connection terminal 44. FIG. The four connection terminal frames 48 are fixed at both ends to guide rods 60 extending in a direction perpendicular to the frames. The guide rod 60 is supported in the vicinity of both ends by bushes 62 provided on the main frame 56, and is movable in a direction orthogonal to the alignment direction of the cells 10 to be set, in the vertical direction in FIGS. Yes. Connection terminal links 66 and 68 each having a fulcrum 64 on the main frame 56 are connected to the two guide rods 60 while allowing rotation and slight sliding. Further, the two connection terminal links 66 and 68 are connected at the approximate center of the terminal board 38 while allowing mutual sliding. Further, a connection terminal handle 70 is fixed to one connection terminal link, in this embodiment, the connection terminal link 66. When the connection terminal handle 70 is swung as shown by the arrow in FIG. 10, the connection terminal links 66 and 68 are swung around the fulcrum 64, and the guide rod 60 and the connection terminal frame 48 reciprocate. Thereby, the connection terminal 44 slides on the surface of the electrode with respect to the electrodes 14 and 16. As described above, the connection terminal 44 has the electrode of the cell 10 set by the drive mechanism including the connection terminal frame 48, the guide rod 60, and the link mechanism constituted by the connection terminal links 66 and 68 and the connection terminal handle 70. It is driven in the direction along the surface.

  11 and 12 are explanatory views of a drive mechanism for the push plate 26 of the case 22. FIG. 11 is a drawing in which the case end plate 72 is omitted, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the drive mechanism portion of the push plate 26. The case end plate 72 has a screw hole 74 at a substantially central portion thereof, and a screw shaft 76 is screwed to the screw hole 74. One end of the screw shaft 76 is in contact with the push plate 26 via a thrust bearing 78. The push plate 26 can be advanced and retracted by rotating the screw shaft 76. Further, since the thrust bearing 78 is interposed, the rotation of the screw shaft 76 is not transmitted to the push plate 26. As described above, the cell pack 12 is formed of a laminate sheet, and is somewhat deformed although it has a certain shape. For this reason, when stored in the case 22, the cell 10 on the push plate 26 side may be inclined. If the push plate 26 is also tilted following this, it cannot be aligned. Therefore, in this embodiment, a Σ-shaped push plate support link is configured by using three hinges 80. One end of this link is fixed to the case end plate 72, and the other end is fixed to the push plate 26. As a result, the push plate 26 is held in parallel with the case end plate 72. Further, the means for supporting the push plate may take other forms as long as the push plate 26 is maintained parallel to the case end plate 72.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a series of these movements when the connection terminal 44 is connected to the electrodes 14 and 16 of the cell 10. The cells 10 are aligned with the push plate 26 in the case 22, and the electrodes are also supported by the spacers 24 and aligned. The distance between the electrodes 14 and 16 coincides with the distance between the connection terminal 44 and the support plate 46 arranged on the terminal board 38 (FIG. 13A). Further, the corresponding connection terminal 44 and the support plate 46 are separated from each other and are waiting for the electrodes to be inserted therebetween. The tip of the support plate 46 is warped, and the electrode inserted at this portion is guided between the predetermined connection terminal 44 and the support plate 46.

  When the case containing the cell 10 is inserted below the terminal board 38, the electrodes 14 and 16 are inserted between the predetermined connection terminal 44 and the support plate 46 (FIG. 13B). Then, as described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the support plate handle 58 is operated to move the support plate 46. The support plate 46 moves toward the connection terminal 44 along with the electrodes 14 and 16, and the electrodes 14 and 16 come into contact with the connection terminal (FIG. 13C). At this time, the support plate 46 bends as shown in the figure, and gives a pressure at which the connection terminal 44 contacts the electrodes 14 and 16. Subsequently, as described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the connection terminal handle 70 is operated to linearly reciprocate the connection terminal 44 in the direction along the surfaces of the electrodes 14 and 16 (FIG. 13 ( d)). By this movement, the tip of the connection terminal 44 rubs the surfaces of the electrodes 14 and 16 and scrapes off the oxide film.

  The connection terminal 44 is connected to the external charging / discharging device 82 as shown in FIG. 14, and the individual terminals 10 and the external charging / discharging device are connected by connecting the connection terminal 44 to the electrodes 14 and 16 as described above. 82 is connected. The external charging / discharging device 82 includes a charging power source and a discharging load (both not shown). When the cell 10 is charged, the connection terminal 44 is connected to the charging power source, and when the cell 10 is discharged, the connection terminal 44 is connected. Connected to discharge load.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the entire connection terminal 44 is slid in the direction along the surfaces of the electrodes 14 and 16 so that the movement can be efficiently transmitted and the oxide film can be efficiently scraped. On the other hand, in the apparatus of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the movement of the mounting board corresponding to the connection terminal frame 48 of the present embodiment is a movement orthogonal to the movement of rubbing the electrodes. Further, the contact corresponding to the connection terminal 44 of the present embodiment is disposed obliquely with respect to the electrode. For this reason, it is necessary to widen the distance between the electrodes, and the entire apparatus becomes large. In the present embodiment, since the entire connection terminal 44 is moved in the direction along the electrode surface, the distance between the electrodes, that is, the distance between the cells 10 can be kept small, which contributes to reducing the size of the entire apparatus. ing.

  In the above description, the case where the electric double layer capacitor is a connection target has been described, but another storage battery, for example, a secondary battery may be the connection target.

It is a figure which shows the external appearance of an electric double layer capacitor cell. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the electrical double layer capacitor apparatus which connected the some cell. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the case which accommodates a cell. It is a schematic block diagram of the connection apparatus for connecting a cell and charging / discharging apparatus, and is a figure which shows the state before setting a case. It is a schematic block diagram of the connection apparatus of FIG. 4, and is a figure which shows the state which set the case. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the connection terminal 44 vicinity of a connection apparatus. It is explanatory drawing of the drive mechanism which moves the support plate. It is explanatory drawing of the drive mechanism which moves the support plate. It is explanatory drawing of the drive mechanism which moves the connection terminal. It is explanatory drawing of the drive mechanism which moves the connection terminal. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the drive mechanism of the push plate 26 of a case. It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the drive mechanism of the push plate 26 of a case. It is explanatory drawing which shows a series of motion of an electrode, a support plate, and a connection terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows schematic structure of a charging / discharging apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of the conventional electrical storage device and an external charging / discharging apparatus. It is a figure which shows the other example of a connection of the conventional electrical storage device and an external charging / discharging device. It is a figure which shows the principal part of the example of a connection of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  10 cells, 14 positive electrodes (electrodes), 16 negative electrodes (electrodes), 22 cases, 24 spacers, 26 pressing plates, 30 sponges (electrode support parts), 32 connection device bodies, 38 terminal boards, 44 connection terminals, 46 Support plate, 48 connection terminal frame, 50 support plate frame, 58 support plate handle, 60 guide rod, 70 connection terminal handle, 82 external charge / discharge device.

Claims (5)

A capacitor connection device for connecting a capacitor to an external circuit,
A contact terminal that contacts the plate-like electrode of the battery and is connected to an external circuit;
A driving mechanism for linearly reciprocating the entire connection terminal along the surface of the electrode plate in a state where the connection terminal is in contact with the electrode;
Have
An accumulator connection device that scrapes the electrode surface by reciprocating the connection terminal. A capacitor connection device for connecting a capacitor to an external circuit,
A case for accommodating a plurality of capacitors in an aligned manner so that the plate-like electrodes can be connected from the outside;
A contact terminal that contacts each electrode of the battery housed in the case and is connected to an external circuit;
A support plate for holding each electrode together with the connection terminal;
A connection terminal drive mechanism that linearly reciprocates the connection terminal while holding each electrode;
Have
An accumulator connection device that scrapes the electrode surface by reciprocating the connection terminal. The capacitor connecting device according to claim 2,
There are spacers that are alternately aligned with the capacitors and accommodated in the case. The spacers are sandwiched between the plates and the electrode support portions that are thicker than the plate portions and sandwich and support the plate-like electrodes. And having
Capacitor connection device. The capacitor connecting device according to claim 3,
Before setting the capacitor housed in the case at a predetermined position, the connection terminal and the support plate are separated, and after being set at a predetermined position, each electrode of the capacitor is supported so as to be held between the connection terminal and the support plate. A support plate drive mechanism for driving the plate,
A device for connecting a capacitor, comprising: A capacitor connecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
A charge / discharge circuit that is connected to a storage device by a connection device and performs at least one of charging and discharging, as the external circuit,
Charge / discharge device for battery.

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