JP2010245221A - Capacitor and capacitor device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve heat dissipation and reduce size in relation to a capacitor used for regeneration of a hybrid vehicle and the like and to a capacitor device using the same. <P>SOLUTION: The capacitor includes an element 1 in a flat shape with a pair of electrodes extracted from an end face, a current collector 2 joined to the electrode of the element 1, a case 3 containing the element 1 together with electrolyte, and a lid 4 sealing the case 3. The case 3 has a dual structure of inserting a metal case 3b into a portion of a circumference of a resin case 3a while the part of the resin case 3a inserted with the metal case 3b is thinner than other parts, and the current collector 2 joined to the electrode of the element 1 abuts on an inside of the case 3. Thus, the current collector 2 joined to the electrode propagates heat from the electrode of the element 1 which can release the heat of the element 1 most efficiently to the meal case 3b via the thin-formed resin case 3a, thereby achieving excellent heat dissipation. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a capacitor used for regeneration of a hybrid car or a fuel cell vehicle, or for storing electric power, and a capacitor device using the same.

  4A to 4C are a plan view, a front sectional view, and a bottom view showing the structure of this type of conventional capacitor, and FIGS. 5A to 5C are connections of two capacitors shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view, a front view, and a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4A showing the configuration of the capacitor device connected in this manner. In FIGS. 4 and 5, 11A is the first capacitor, 11B is the first capacitor The first and second capacitors 11A and 11B have exactly the same external shape and are configured to have different positive and negative polarities (details will be described later). The second capacitors 11A and 11B are used as a set of two connected in series.

  15 is an element in which the anode and the cathode are respectively taken out from both end faces (vertical direction in FIG. 4B), 16 is an aluminum metal case containing the element 15 together with an electrolyte (not shown), and 16a is this metal case. 16 is a trefoil-like joint provided so as to protrude from the inner bottom surface, and one end face of the element 15 is joined to the joint 16a provided on the inner bottom surface of the metal case 16 by means such as laser welding. Therefore, it is mechanically and electrically joined.

  Reference numeral 17 denotes an aluminum terminal plate, 17a denotes a trefoil joint provided on the inner surface of the terminal plate 17, and 17b denotes a connection portion protruding to the surface side of the terminal plate 17. The other end face of the element 15 is a terminal It is mechanically and electrically joined to the joint 17a provided on the plate 17 by joining by means such as laser welding.

  18 is a ring-shaped insulating member disposed between the peripheral edge of the terminal plate 17 and the inner peripheral surface of the metal case 16, and 19 is a ring-shaped elastic member disposed on the upper peripheral edge of the terminal plate 17. The sealing ring is assembled as described above, and the vicinity of the upper end surface of the element 15 in FIG. 4B is drawn from the outer peripheral surface of the metal case 16, and the opening end of the metal case 16 is the sealing ring 19. It is configured to be sealed by curling so as to hold down.

  Therefore, the capacitor configured in this manner is obtained by bonding one electrode (for example, anode) of the element 15 to the terminal plate 17 and bonding the other electrode (for example, cathode) to the inner bottom surface of the metal case 16. If one capacitor 11A is configured, the polarity is different from that of the capacitor 11A, that is, one electrode (for example, cathode) of the element 15 is joined to the terminal plate 17 and the other electrode (for example, anode) is connected to the metal case 16. The second capacitor 11B is joined to the inner bottom surface of the capacitor, and thus two capacitors having different polarities can be connected in series as a set.

  12 is a connection plate, and by joining the opening end of the metal case (cathode) 16 of the first capacitor 11A and the opening end of the metal case (anode) 16 of the second capacitor 11B by the connection plate 12, The first and second capacitors 11A and 11B are connected in series to form a set of two, and a plurality of the first and second capacitors 11A and 11B in a set of two are arranged adjacent to each other. By connecting the connecting portion 17b of the terminal plate (anode) 17 of the first capacitor 11A and the connecting portion 17b of the terminal plate (cathode) 17 of the second capacitor 11B with a connecting plate (not shown), a plurality of capacitors are connected in series. A connected capacitor device (not shown) is configured.

  The conventional capacitor device configured as described above facilitates the connection between capacitors, greatly reduces the connection space, and reduces the generation of unnecessary resistance associated with the connection. The capacitor device can be realized.

  As prior art document information related to the invention of this application, for example, Patent Document 1 is known.

JP 2006-351982 A

  However, in the above-described conventional capacitor device, when the metal cases 16 of a plurality of capacitors are closely arranged and connected in series, the capacitor 15 is connected via the metal case 16 in order to take out one electrode of the element 15 from the metal case 16. Not only can they be placed in close contact with each other because they are short-circuited, but also because the metal case 16 has a cylindrical shape, when a plurality of capacitors are placed adjacent to each other, a cavity is generated, making it difficult to reduce the size of the capacitor device. In addition, the element 15 generates heat along with charging / discharging when the capacitor device is operated, and this heat generation is mainly dissipated through the bottom surface of the metal case 16 joined to the electrodes on both end faces of the element 15 and the terminal plate 17. Although this is done, this capacitor device is used for rapid charge and discharge at high current and high voltage, such as for regenerative hybrid cars. Heat generation becomes large when used for developing, there is a problem that the performance of the capacitor is degraded.

  Therefore, for the purpose of solving such problems, there are a method for cooling the metal case 16 by closely arranging a cooler on the peripheral surface of the capacitor device, and a method for cooling the capacitor device by placing it in a water tank. In such a case, as in the case described above, it is impossible to short-circuit the capacitors through the metal case 16 due to the configuration in which one electrode of the element 15 is taken out from the metal case 16. It was something.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve such a conventional problem and to provide a capacitor capable of efficiently releasing the heat generated from the element and adopting a cooling method such as water cooling and a capacitor device using the capacitor. Is.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a flat element in which a pair of electrodes are taken out from opposite end faces, a pair of current collector plates respectively joined to the pair of electrodes of the element, and the pair of collectors. A terminal portion for external connection provided at one end of the electric plate and pulled out in the same direction; a bottomed cylindrical case having a rectangular shape in a top view containing the element to which the current collector plate is joined together with an electrolyte; The terminal provided on the current collector plate is provided with a hole through which the terminal portion is inserted and is coupled to the opening of the case so as to seal the case, and a pair of current collectors joined to the pair of electrodes of the element. The electric plate is in contact with the inner surface of the case, and the case is configured in a double structure in which the metal case is fitted into a part of the outer periphery of the resin case, and the thickness of the resin case in the portion in which the metal case is fitted Made thinner than other parts A.

  As described above, the capacitor according to the present invention has a double-structure case in which a metal case is fitted into a part of the outer periphery of the resin case, and the thickness of the resin case where the metal case is fitted is thinner than the other part. A structure in which a pair of current collector plates joined to the electrodes on both end faces of the element is in contact with the inner surface so that heat generation from the element can be most efficiently released from the electrodes on both end faces of the element to the electrodes. Since the joined current collecting plate propagates heat to the metal case through the thin resin case, the heat collecting effect is excellent, and when the capacitor device is configured using this capacitor, Place the cases closely together, or place a cooler on the circumference of the metal case to cool them, and place the parts of the capacitor device except for the terminals in the water tank for cooling. Since it is possible, reducing the size and in which there is an advantage that it is possible to realize an excellent capacitor device heat dissipation characteristics.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a capacitor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (A) Front sectional view showing the configuration of the capacitor, (b) Side sectional view The perspective view which showed the structure of the capacitor apparatus by Embodiment 2 of this invention. (A) The top view which showed the structure of the conventional capacitor, (b) The front sectional view, (c) The bottom view 4A is a plan view showing a configuration of a conventional capacitor device in which two capacitors of FIG. 4 are connected and connected, FIG. 4B is a front view thereof, and FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of a main part taken along line AA in FIG.

(Embodiment 1)
Hereinafter, the invention described in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention will be described using the first embodiment.

  1 is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a capacitor according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are a front sectional view and a side sectional view showing the configuration of the capacitor. In FIG. 2, 1 shows an element formed in a flat shape, and this element 1 is an anode electrode (on which an electrode layer is formed except for an electrode non-formed portion provided at one end on a current collector made of metal foil). And a cathode electrode (all not shown) in which an electrode layer is formed on a current collector made of a metal foil except for an electrode non-formation portion provided at one end. And the electrode-unformed part of the cathode electrode are arranged in opposite directions and overlap each other, and a separator (not shown) is interposed therebetween, so that the electrode layer of the anode electrode and the electrode layer of the cathode electrode face each other with the separator interposed In this state, each electrode of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode is wound. In which unformed portion is configured as an anode electrode extraction portion and exposed to the end face of people facing each (not shown) and the cathode electrode extraction portion (not shown) is formed.

  In addition, the element 1 configured in this way is manufactured by being rolled into a flat shape after being rolled into a cylindrical shape, or wound into a flat shape from the beginning. Reference numeral 1a denotes a hollow portion after a winding core (not shown) used for winding is extracted.

  Reference numeral 2 denotes a pair of current collector plates respectively joined to a pair of electrodes provided on both end faces of the element 1. The current collector plate 2 is formed in an L shape, and the main body portion of the current collector plate 2 is the element element. 1 is formed so as to be in contact with the entire electrode, and a terminal portion 2a for external connection is provided at one end of the current collector plate 2, and this terminal portion 2a is configured to be drawn out in the same direction. It is what. The terminal portion 2a may be formed integrally with the current collector plate 2, or may be manufactured as a separate part and coupled to the current collector plate 2.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a bottomed cylindrical case having a rectangular shape in a top view in which the element 1 is accommodated together with an electrolyte (not shown). The case 3 includes a bottomed rectangular cylindrical resin case 3a and an outer periphery of the resin case 3a. It is configured in a double structure consisting of a rectangular cylindrical metal case 3b fitted into a part, and the thickness of the resin case 3a in the part into which the metal case 3b is fitted is made thinner than other parts, The metal case 3 b is formed so as to surround the element 1 accommodated in the case 3. In the present embodiment, the resin case 3a uses a liquid crystal polymer having a high heat resistance and low moisture permeability and insulation, the metal case 3b has excellent heat dissipation characteristics, and Although aluminum excellent in workability was used, the present invention is not limited to this.

  The inner diameter dimension of the resin case 3a in which the element 1 is accommodated is such that the pair of current collector plates 2 joined to the pair of electrodes of the element 1 are resin cases as shown in FIG. 3a is in contact with the inner surface (in FIG. 2A, it is not in contact for easy understanding of the structure, but is actually in contact), and the short diameter of the resin case 3a The inner diameter dimension in the direction is formed so as to ensure a predetermined gap from the outer peripheral surface of the element 1 as shown in FIG.

  4 is a lid for sealing the case 3 by being coupled to the opening of the case 3 by means of ultrasonic welding or the like. The lid 4 has a pair of electrodes joined to the pair of electrodes of the element 1. A pair of holes 4a are provided at one end of the current collector plate 2 and through which a pair of terminal portions 2a drawn in the same direction are inserted. In the present embodiment, the lid 4 is made of a liquid crystal polymer having a high heat resistance, low moisture permeability, and insulating properties, but the present invention is not limited to this. .

  Reference numeral 5 denotes a rubber O-ring. The O-ring 5 is provided at one end of a pair of current collector plates 2 joined to a pair of electrodes of the element 1 and is connected to a pair of terminal portions 2a drawn in the same direction. In addition to being press-fitted, four are arranged so as to be in close contact with the front and back surfaces of the holes 4a provided in a pair on the lid 4, thereby ensuring high sealing performance. It is. In the present embodiment, isobutylene isoprene rubber (IIR) is used for the O-ring 5, and this IIR does not permeate the electrolytic solution, but allows the gas generated inside the capacitor to escape to the outside. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

  Reference numeral 6 denotes an O-ring presser for pressing down the O-ring 5 press-fitted into the terminal portion 2a. The O-ring presser 6 is arranged on the front side or the front and back sides of a pair of holes 4a provided in the lid 4. Is.

  In the capacitor according to the present embodiment configured as described above, the metal case 3b is fitted into a part of the outer periphery of the resin case 3a, and the thickness of the resin case 3a in the part where the metal case 3b is fitted is set to be larger than that of the other part. The configuration in which the pair of current collector plates 2 joined to the electrodes on both end faces of the element 1 are in contact with the inner surface of the thin double-structure case 3 allows the heat generated by the element 1 to escape most efficiently. Heat can be transmitted from the electrodes on both end faces of the element 1 to the metal case 3b through the resin case 3a formed with a thin current collector plate 2 joined to the electrodes, and radiated from the metal case 3b. In order to be able to do it, there is an exceptional effect of being excellent in heat dissipation effect.

  In addition, the configuration in which the thickness of the resin case 3a in the portion where the metal case 3b is fitted in the double structure case 3 is made thinner than the other portions is as thin as possible in the resin case 3a having low heat dissipation characteristics. The thickness of the metal case 3b having high heat dissipation characteristics is increased as much as possible to effectively obtain the heat dissipation effect, and the strength of the resin case 3a whose strength is reduced by reducing the thickness of the resin case 3a is increased. The problem is reinforced by fitting the metal case 3b.

  A pair of current collector plates 2 joined to the electrodes on both end faces of the element 1 are brought into contact with the inner surface of the resin case 3a, and the outer peripheral surface of the element 1 is secured with a predetermined gap from the inner surface of the resin case 3a. This is to ensure workability when the element 1 is inserted into the resin case 3a.

(Embodiment 2)
Hereinafter, the invention according to claim 5 of the present invention will be described using the second embodiment.

  In the present embodiment, a capacitor device is configured by connecting a plurality of capacitors described in the first embodiment with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 so as to be adjacent to each other. Since it is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same parts and the detailed description thereof is omitted, and only different parts will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the capacitor device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 7 denotes the capacitor described in the first embodiment, and a plurality of capacitors 7 (this embodiment) are shown. In this embodiment, the number is three, but the present invention is not limited to this.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes a bus bar made of a conductive member. By connecting the terminal portions 2a drawn from adjacent capacitors 7 by the bus bar 8, a plurality of capacitors 7 are connected in series. Is.

  A cooler 9 is filled with water or configured to circulate water. The cooler 9 is disposed in close contact with each metal case of each capacitor 7 constituting the capacitor device. It is what has been. The cooler 9 is not directly related to the present invention, but is illustrated for the purpose of explaining the effect of the present invention.

  The capacitor device according to the present embodiment configured as described above has the effect that the capacitor is excellent in the heat dissipation effect as described in the first embodiment, and in addition, when the capacitor device is configured using this capacitor, The cases may be arranged in close contact with each other, or the cooler 9 may be arranged in close contact with the peripheral surface of the metal case for cooling, and the portion excluding the terminal portion 2a of the capacitor device may be arranged in the water tank for cooling. Therefore, it is possible to achieve a capacitor device that is miniaturized and has excellent heat dissipation characteristics.

  In addition, as the capacitor used in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, a pair of positive and negative electrodes in which a polarizable electrode layer is formed on a current collector made of a metal foil, and a polar separator with a separator interposed therebetween. An electric double layer capacitor using an element formed by winding or laminating the electrode layers facing each other, and a positive electrode in which a polarizable electrode layer mainly composed of activated carbon is formed on a current collector made of a metal foil; An element formed by winding or laminating a negative electrode in which an electrode layer of a carbon-based material is formed on a current collector made of a metal foil, with a separator interposed therebetween, with each electrode layer facing each other And an electrochemical capacitor using an organic electrolytic solution containing lithium ions, and in any case, the effects of the present invention can be sufficiently obtained.

  The capacitor according to the present invention and the capacitor device using the capacitor have the effect of being excellent in heat dissipation and being able to be miniaturized, and are particularly useful in the field of automobiles such as for regeneration of hybrid cars.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Element 1a Hollow part 2 Current collecting plate 2a Terminal part 3 Case 3a Resin case 3b Metal case 4 Lid 4a Hole 5 O-ring 6 O-ring press 7 Capacitor 8 Bus bar 9 Cooler

Claims (5)

A flat element in which a pair of electrodes are respectively taken out from opposing end faces, a pair of current collector plates respectively joined to the pair of electrodes of the element, and one end of the pair of current collector plates provided in the same direction A terminal portion for external connection drawn out to the terminal, a bottomed cylindrical case having a rectangular shape when viewed from above and containing the element to which the current collector plate is joined together with an electrolyte, and a terminal portion provided on the current collector plate In a capacitor comprising a lid that has a hole sealed therethrough and is coupled to the opening of the case, a pair of current collector plates respectively joined to a pair of electrodes of the element The above case is configured in a double structure in which a metal case is fitted into a part of the outer periphery of the resin case, and the thickness of the resin case in the portion where the metal case is fitted is made thinner than other parts. Capacitor. The capacitor according to claim 1, wherein a metal case that is fitted into a part of the outer periphery of the resin case and forms a double structure case is formed to have a height that surrounds an element accommodated in the case. The capacitor according to claim 1, further comprising a rubber O-ring that is press-fitted into a terminal portion provided on the current collector plate and is in close contact with the lid. A flat element in which a pair of electrodes are respectively taken out from opposing end faces is a pair of an anode electrode and a cathode electrode in which an electrode layer is formed on a current collector made of metal foil except for an electrode non-formed portion. The electrode unformed portions of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are arranged in opposite directions and overlapped with each other, and are wound with a separator interposed therebetween, thereby forming a plurality of anode electrodes and a plurality of cathode electrodes. The capacitor according to claim 1, wherein each electrode non-formed portion is exposed on an opposing end surface to form an anode electrode take-out portion and a cathode electrode take-out portion. A capacitor device in which a plurality of capacitors according to any one of claims 1 to 4 are arranged adjacently and connected so that a pair of electrodes of elements housed in a case are arranged on the same surface.

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