JP2015167068A - Manufacturing apparatus of power storage device and manufacturing method of power storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To more securely perform temporary encapsulation of a power storage device.SOLUTION: A manufacturing apparatus 1 of a power storage device 2 includes: a pair of binding members 11; an encapsulation member 13; and a cover 14. The pair of binding members 11 is provided so as to sandwich the power storage device 2. The encapsulation member 13 is a member for temporarily encapsulating a liquid injection port 24 provided at the power storage device 2. The cover 14 is fixed to the pair of binding members 11 and covers the encapsulation member 13.

Description

  The present invention relates to a power storage device manufacturing apparatus and a power storage device manufacturing method.

  In the manufacturing process of a power storage device such as a lithium ion battery, after pouring an electrolytic solution into a case containing an electrode assembly via a liquid filling port, the liquid filling port is temporarily sealed with an easily removable plug member. What is performed is known (see Patent Document 1). And after performing an aging process etc., temporary sealing is cancelled | released, the gas in a case is vented, and the main sealing which cannot be reopened after that is performed.

JP 2010-21104 A

  In the method of manufacturing a secondary battery described in Patent Document 1, temporary sealing is performed by closing the liquid injection port with a rubber stopper. In such temporary sealing, the rubber plug is merely inserted into the liquid injection port, and therefore, when subjected to an impact during work, the rubber plug may be removed, and the temporary sealing may be released.

  The present invention provides a manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method of a power storage device having a structure capable of more reliably performing temporary sealing of the power storage device.

  An apparatus for manufacturing a power storage device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a pair of restraining members capable of sandwiching the power storage device, a sealing member for sealing a liquid injection port provided in the power storage device, and a pair of restraining members And a cover that covers the sealing member.

  In this power storage device manufacturing apparatus, the sealing member is covered with a cover. The cover is fixed to the pair of restraining members. For this reason, since a cover functions as a protection member of a sealing member, possibility that an unnecessary force will be applied to a sealing member can be reduced. As a result, the power storage device can be temporarily sealed more reliably.

  The cover may be fixed so as to contact the sealing member from the opposite side of the power storage device. In this case, the liquid injection port can be more reliably closed by pressing the sealing member against the power storage device, and the power storage device can be temporarily sealed.

  The sealing member and the cover may be configured integrally. In this case, since the cover can be attached together with the sealing member, the attaching operation can be simplified.

  A method for manufacturing a power storage device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a step of providing a pair of restraining members so as to sandwich the power storage device, a step of covering a liquid injection port provided in the power storage device using a sealing member, Providing a cover so as to cover the stop member, and fixing the cover to the pair of restraining members.

  In this power storage device manufacturing method, the sealing member is covered with a cover. The cover is fixed to the pair of restraining members. For this reason, since a cover functions as a protection member of a sealing member, possibility that an unnecessary force will be applied to a sealing member can be reduced. As a result, the power storage device can be temporarily sealed more reliably.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably perform temporary sealing of the power storage device.

It is a perspective view which shows typically the manufacturing apparatus of the electrical storage apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the end surface along the II-II line | wire of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows roughly the manufacturing process of the electrical storage apparatus using the manufacturing apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the end surface along the II-II line of the manufacturing apparatus of a 1st modification. It is a figure which shows the end surface along the II-II line of the manufacturing apparatus of a 2nd modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for the same or equivalent elements, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a power storage device manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an end surface taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for temporarily sealing the power storage device 2. The power storage device 2 is a power storage device after injecting an electrolyte into the case 21 in the manufacturing process of the lithium ion battery. The power storage device 2 houses components such as an electrode assembly in the case 21. The electrode assembly is formed by laminating an electrode in which an active material layer is provided on a metal foil and a separator.

  The case 21 is a member for housing components such as an electrode assembly. The case 21 includes a box-shaped main body and a lid, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape after assembly. Case 21 is made of aluminum. In addition, as a material of case 21, other metals, such as stainless steel, and resin can also be used. The case 21 is sealed so that the box-shaped main body and the lid are kept airtight by welding or the like. The case 21 has an upper surface 21a and a pair of side surfaces 21b. The pair of side surfaces 21b have normal axes extending in the first direction X and face each other. For convenience of explanation, a direction intersecting the first direction X on the upper surface 21a is defined as a second direction Y, and a direction intersecting the first direction X and the second direction Y is defined as a third direction Z.

  A pair of electrode terminals, a positive electrode terminal 22 and a negative electrode terminal 23, project from the upper surface 21 a of the case 21, and a liquid injection port 24 is provided between the positive electrode terminal 22 and the negative electrode terminal 23. That is, the positive electrode terminal 22, the liquid injection port 24, and the negative electrode terminal 23 are arranged in the second direction Y in that order. The positive terminal 22 and the negative terminal 23 are terminals for taking out the electricity accumulated by the power storage device 2 to the outside. The liquid injection port 24 is an opening used for pouring the electrolytic solution into the case 21.

  The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a pair of restraining members 11 that can sandwich the power storage device 2, a fixing member 12, a sealing member 13, and a cover 14.

  The pair of restraining members 11 are members for preventing the case 21 from being deformed by the gas generated in the case 21 of the power storage device 2. Each of the pair of restraining members 11 is a thick plate-like restraining plate made of aluminum. In addition, as a material of the restraint member 11, you may use other metal materials, such as stainless steel. The pair of restraining members 11 are provided so as to sandwich the power storage device 2. Specifically, the pair of restraining members 11 are respectively provided on the pair of side surfaces 21 b of the case 21, and sandwich the case 21 in the first direction X. The length of the restraining member 11 in the third direction Z is, for example, smaller than the length of the case 21 in the third direction Z, and the case 21 protrudes in the third direction Z from the upper surface of the restraining member 11.

  The restraining member 11 has a through hole penetrating the restraining member 11 in the first direction X. The through holes are provided at positions where the pair of restraining members 11 face each other. For example, two through holes are provided at both ends of the restraining member 11 in the second direction Y, respectively. The pair of restraining members 11 are connected by inserting the fixing member 12 into the through holes of the pair of restraining members 11 facing each other. The fixing member 12 is a bolt. The fixing member 12 presses the pair of side surfaces 21 b of the case 21 through the pair of restraining members 11. The distance between the pair of restraining members 11 is adjusted according to the degree of tightening of the fixing member 12.

  The sealing member 13 is a member for sealing (temporarily sealing) the liquid injection port 24 provided in the power storage device 2. The sealing member 13 is made of fluororubber having solvent resistance against the electrolytic solution filled in the case 21. The sealing member 13 has a flat plate shape and is placed on the upper surface 21 a of the case 21 so as to cover the liquid injection port 24 of the case 21. The sealing member 13 has a recess 13 a provided on the upper surface of the sealing member 13.

  The cover 14 is a member that is fixed to the pair of restraining members 11 and covers and seals the sealing member 13. That is, the cover 14 is fixed so as to contact the sealing member 13 from the opposite side of the power storage device 2. The cover 14 is made of, for example, a resin such as PP (polypropylene) and PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), or a metal such as aluminum and stainless steel (SUS). The cover 14 extends in the first direction X along the outer shape of the power storage device 2 from one upper surface of the pair of restraining members 11 to the other upper surface of the pair of restraining members 11. More specifically, the cover 14 has a first portion 141, a second portion 142, and a third portion 143. The first part 141, the second part 142, and the third part 143 are arranged in that order along the first direction X.

  The first portion 141 is provided on one upper surface of the pair of restraining members 11. The third portion 143 is provided on the other upper surface of the pair of restraining members 11. The first portion 141 and the third portion 143 are provided with through holes that penetrate the first portion 141 and the third portion 143 in the third direction Z. The second part 142 is a part that connects the first part 141 and the third part 143, and is provided so as to cover the sealing member 13. The second portion 142 has, for example, a U-shaped shape along the protruding portion of the case 21. The cover 14 has a convex portion 14 a provided at a position facing the concave portion 13 a of the sealing member 13 in the second portion 142. The concave portion 13a and the convex portion 14a are fitted to each other, and the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 are integrally formed.

  The fixing member 15 is inserted into each of the through holes of the first portion 141 and the third portion 143, and the fixing member 15 is screwed into the upper surface of the restricting member 11, so that the cover 14 is inserted into each of the pair of restricting members 11. Fixed. That is, the first portion 141 of the cover 14 is fixed to the upper surface of the one restraining member 11, and the third portion 143 of the cover 14 is fixed to the upper surface of the other restraining member 11. The fixing member 15 is a bolt, for example.

  The distance between the second portion 142 of the cover 14 and the upper surface 21a of the case 21 is adjusted according to the degree of tightening of the fixing member 15, and the pressure for pressing the sealing member 13 against the upper surface 21a of the case 21 is adjusted. In this way, the cover 14 is fixed so as to press the sealing member 13 against the power storage device 2 with such a pressure that the sealing member 13 is compressed.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart schematically showing a manufacturing process in the method for manufacturing the power storage device using the manufacturing apparatus 1. This flowchart shows from the liquid injection process to the main sealing process of the power storage device.

  First, in the liquid injection step S01, the electrolyte is filled into the case 21 containing the electrode assembly through the liquid injection port 24 of the case 21. In the temporary sealing step S02, the liquid injection port 24 is temporarily sealed by the sealing member 13 in order to prevent the electrolyte filled in the case 21 from volatilizing. More specifically, first, the case 21 of the power storage device 2 is sandwiched between the pair of restraining members 11. And the restraining pressure which presses down the side surface 21b of the case 21 is adjusted by adjusting the degree of tightening of the fixing member 12.

  Subsequently, the injection member 24 provided in the case 21 of the power storage device 2 is covered with the sealing member 13. Here, since the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 are integrated, the sealing member 13 is placed on the upper surface 21a of the case 21 so that the sealing member 13 covers the liquid injection port 24, and the first portion 141 and The cover 14 is placed on the upper surface of the restraining member 11 such that the third portions 143 are positioned on the upper surfaces of the pair of restraining members 11. Then, the cover 14 is fixed to the pair of restraining members 11 using the fixing member 15. At this time, the cover 14 presses the sealing member 13 against the upper surface 21 a of the case 21 to compress the sealing member 13, thereby closing the liquid injection port 24. Note that the attachment of the restraining member 11 may be performed before the temporary sealing step S02.

  Next, in the impregnation step S03, in order to allow the electrolytic solution to permeate into the pores of the separator and the active material layer on the electrode included in the electrode assembly, for example, it is left for several hours to several tens of hours. Thereafter, in the conditioning step S04, the first charge / discharge of the power storage device 2 is performed. In the aging step S05, heat is applied to the power storage device 2 so that the components of the electrolyte function sufficiently. In the conditioning process S04 and the aging process S05, gas is generated in the case 21, and the case 21 tends to expand. However, since the side surface 21b of the case 21 is pressed from the outside by the restraining member 11, the deformation of the case 21 is suppressed.

  Next, in the degassing step S06, the cover 14 and the sealing member 13 are removed to release the temporary sealing of the case 21, and the gas in the case 21 is released from the liquid injection port 24. Subsequently, in the main sealing step S07, the liquid injection port 24 of the case 21 is fully sealed. For this main sealing, for example, a blind rivet is used. Then, the pair of restraining members 11 are removed from the power storage device 2.

  In the manufacturing apparatus 1 configured as described above, the sealing member 13 is covered with the cover 14. The cover 14 is fixed to the pair of restraining members 11. For this reason, since the cover 14 functions as a protective member for the sealing member 13, the possibility that an unnecessary force is applied to the sealing member 13 can be reduced. As a result, the reliability of temporary sealing of the power storage device 2 by the sealing member 13 can be improved.

  Further, by fixing the cover 14 to the restraining member 11, the structure around the liquid injection port 24 of the power storage device 2 can be simplified. Conventionally, for the main sealing of the liquid injection port 24, there has been proposed a method capable of performing reliable sealing with a simple structure such as welding or blind rivet. However, when trying to adopt an impact-resistant structure for temporary sealing that needs to be detachable, a screw-type stopper can be typically used, but the storage device 2 side also has a liquid injection port 24. It is necessary to provide a screw groove with a thicker wall, and the structure and manufacturing process of the power storage device 2 are complicated due to temporary sealing. In this embodiment, since the cover 14 is attached to the restraining member 11 used only in the manufacturing process, it is possible to adopt a structure resistant to impact without complicating the structure of the power storage device 2 for temporary sealing. it can.

  The cover 14 is fixed so that the sealing member 13 is pressed against the upper surface 21 a of the case 21 of the power storage device 2. For this reason, the liquid injection port 24 can be closed more reliably, and the reliability of temporary sealing of the power storage device 2 can be further improved.

  Further, the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 are integrally formed. For this reason, since the cover 14 can be attached together with the sealing member 13, the attaching operation can be simplified. Moreover, since the sealing member 13 is aligned so as to cover the liquid injection port 24 by fixing the cover 14, it is possible to prevent the positional displacement of the sealing member 13. As a result, the reliability of temporary sealing of the power storage device 2 by the sealing member 13 can be further improved.

  The power storage device manufacturing apparatus and the power storage device manufacturing method according to the present invention are not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the fixing member 12 is not limited to a bolt as long as the pair of restraining members 11 can be fixed. Moreover, the fixing member 15 should just be able to fix the cover 14 to a pair of restraining member 11, and is not limited to a volt | bolt.

  Further, the pair of restraining members 11 is not limited as long as the deformation of the case 21 can be prevented. For example, the shape of the restraining member 11 may not be a plate shape. Further, the length of the pair of restraining members 11 in the third direction Z may be larger than the length of the case 21 in the third direction Z.

  Further, the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 only need to cover the liquid injection port 24 to seal the case 21 and be fixed to the restraining member 11. Below, the modification of the manufacturing apparatus 1 is demonstrated.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an end surface along the line II-II of the manufacturing apparatus according to the first modification. In the first modification, the shapes of the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 are different from those of the above-described embodiment. The sealing member 13 and the cover 14 are separate from each other. That is, the sealing member 13 has a flat plate shape and does not have the concave portion 13a. The cover 14 does not have the convex portion 14a.

  In the manufacturing process of the power storage device using the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the first modification, the mounting process of the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 in the temporary sealing process S02 is different from the above-described manufacturing process.

  More specifically, first, the injection port 24 provided in the case 21 of the power storage device 2 is covered with the sealing member 13. That is, the sealing member 13 is placed on the upper surface 21 a of the case 21 so that the sealing member 13 covers the liquid injection port 24. Then, a cover 14 is provided so as to cover the sealing member 13. Specifically, the cover 14 is placed on the upper surface of the restraining member 11 so that the first portion 141 and the third portion 143 are positioned on the upper surfaces of the pair of restraining members 11 and the second portion 142 covers the sealing member 13. It is placed on the upper surface 21 a of the case 21. Then, the cover 14 is fixed to the pair of restraining members 11 using the fixing member 15. At this time, the cover 14 presses the sealing member 13 against the upper surface 21 a of the case 21 to compress the sealing member 13, thereby closing the liquid injection port 24.

  Also in the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the above first modified example, the sealing member 13 is covered with the cover 14. The cover 14 is fixed to the pair of restraining members 11. For this reason, since the cover 14 functions as a protective member for the sealing member 13, the possibility that an unnecessary force is applied to the sealing member 13 can be reduced. As a result, the reliability of temporary sealing by the sealing member 13 can be improved.

  The cover 14 is fixed so that the sealing member 13 is pressed against the upper surface 21 a of the case 21 of the power storage device 2. For this reason, the liquid injection port 24 can be closed more reliably, and the reliability of temporary sealing of the power storage device 2 can be further improved.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an end surface along the line II-II of the manufacturing apparatus according to the second modification. In the second modification, the shapes of the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 are different from those of the above-described embodiment. That is, the sealing member 13 itself closes the liquid injection port 24 of the case 21 and seals the case 21. The cover 14 does not press the sealing member 13 against the upper surface 21 a of the case 21, but simply covers the sealing member 13.

  More specifically, the sealing member 13 has a base portion 13c and a convex portion 13d. The base 13c has a flat plate shape, for example. The convex portion 13 d extends from the base portion 13 c so as to pass through the liquid injection port 24, and is fitted into the liquid injection port 24.

  The second portion 142 of the cover 14 has a concave portion 14 c provided at a position facing the sealing member 13. The concave portion 14 c is recessed larger than the outer shape of the base portion 13 c of the sealing member 13, and the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 are separated from each other.

  In the manufacturing process of the power storage device using the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the second modified example, the mounting process of the sealing member 13 and the cover 14 in the temporary sealing process S02 is different from the above-described manufacturing process.

  More specifically, first, the injection port 24 provided in the case 21 of the power storage device 2 is covered with the sealing member 13. That is, the convex portion 13 d of the sealing member 13 is inserted into the liquid injection port 24 until the base portion 13 c of the sealing member 13 contacts the upper surface 21 a of the case 21, and the convex portion 13 d is fitted into the liquid injection port 24. At this time, the liquid injection port 24 is closed by the convex portion 13 d being compressed by the liquid injection port 24.

  Then, a cover 14 is provided so as to cover the sealing member 13. Specifically, the cover 14 is placed on the upper surface of the restraining member 11 so that the first portion 141 and the third portion 143 are positioned on the upper surfaces of the pair of restraining members 11 and the second portion 142 covers the sealing member 13. It is placed on the upper surface 21 a of the case 21. Then, the cover 14 is fixed to the pair of restraining members 11 using the fixing member 15. At this time, the base portion 13 c is covered by the concave portion 14 c of the cover 14. Since the concave portion 14 c is recessed larger than the outer shape of the base portion 13 c of the sealing member 13, the liquid injection port 24 is closed without the cover 14 coming into contact with the sealing member 13.

  Also in the manufacturing apparatus 1 of the second modified example, the sealing member 13 is covered with the cover 14. The cover 14 is fixed to the pair of restraining members 11. For this reason, since the cover 14 functions as a protective member for the sealing member 13, the possibility that an unnecessary force is applied to the sealing member 13 can be reduced. As a result, the reliability of temporary sealing by the sealing member 13 can be improved.

  Although the case where the present invention is applied to a lithium ion battery (secondary battery) has been described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not particularly limited to a lithium ion battery. Any power storage device that requires degassing and performs temporary sealing in the manufacturing process can be applied.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Manufacturing apparatus, 2 ... Power storage apparatus, 11 ... Restraint member, 13 ... Sealing member, 14 ... Cover, 24 ... Liquid injection port.

Claims (4)

A pair of restraining members capable of sandwiching the power storage device;
A sealing member for sealing a liquid injection port provided in the power storage device;
A cover fixed to the pair of restraining members and covering the sealing member;
An apparatus for manufacturing a power storage device. The cover is fixed so as to come into contact with the sealing member from the opposite side of the power storage device.
The power storage device manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. The sealing member and the cover are configured integrally.
The power storage device manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1. Providing a pair of restraining members so as to sandwich the power storage device;
A step of covering a liquid injection port provided in the power storage device using a sealing member;
Providing a cover so as to cover the sealing member, and fixing the cover to the pair of restraining members;
A method for manufacturing a power storage device.

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