JP4029468B2 - Battery electrolyte supply method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for supplying an electrolytic solution for a battery in which a treatment for impregnating the electrolytic solution under reduced pressure after injecting the electrolytic solution into a battery can under normal pressure is repeated a plurality of times to inject the electrolytic solution.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, in a battery assembly process, an electrode plate group in which a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound around a separator is stored in a battery can, and then an operation of pouring an electrolyte into the battery can is performed. Yes.
[0003]
In this type of liquid injection work, in order to ensure the operability of the safety device, it is necessary to make the gap in the battery can small, while from the viewpoint of battery performance, a large amount of electrolyte must be injected accurately. I must. In addition, if the electrolytic solution remains in the upper part of the groove formed by beading in the battery can, the electrolytic solution may be scattered in the machine when the sealing body is inserted into the battery can. For this reason, it is necessary to fully impregnate the battery can with the electrolytic solution.
[0004]
Therefore, for example, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-250107, a method of injecting an electrolytic solution into a battery can at once using a cup is known (hereinafter referred to as Prior Art 1). In this prior art 1, a cup is disposed in an opening provided in the upper part of the battery can, and an electrolytic solution is supplied in advance into the cup, and the electrolytic solution is injected by centrifugal force, reduced pressure and pressurization. Alternatively, the inside of the battery can is decompressed in advance, and the electrolyte is injected from the cup under the valve switching action.
[0005]
In addition, a method of repeating the electrolytic solution pouring treatment and the impregnation treatment has been conventionally performed (hereinafter referred to as Conventional Technology 2). In this prior art 2, after the electrolyte solution is injected up to the upper edge of the battery can, the step of impregnating the electrolyte solution under normal pressure (reduced pressure) is repeated a plurality of times to inject the solution into the battery can. Work.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above-described prior art 1, a large amount of electrolyte is likely to adhere to the lead (positive electrode lead) protruding from the inside of the battery can, which hinders the sealing body from being welded to the lead by laser welding or the like. For this reason, it is necessary to provide an apparatus for completely removing the electrolytic solution adhering to the lead after injecting the electrolytic solution, and it has been pointed out that the process becomes complicated and the equipment cost increases.
[0007]
In addition, the salt, which is a solid content in the electrolytic solution, is deposited on the cup that temporarily stores the electrolytic solution, resulting in a large variation in the amount of liquid injected into the battery can. Further, when salt is deposited on the seal portion of the cup, the sealing performance is deteriorated. For this reason, the apparatus for exclusive use for wash | cleaning a cup is needed, and there exists a problem that the whole installation becomes a big thing.
[0008]
On the other hand, in the above-described prior art 2, when the electrolytic solution is impregnated under normal pressure, it takes a long time to impregnate the electrolytic solution, and the air can be removed even though there is a space inside the battery can. There is a problem that there is no escape and the electrolyte does not impregnate in this space. In addition, in the electrolytic solution impregnation treatment under reduced pressure, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution poured into the battery can rises, and this electrolytic solution may spill from the upper edge of the battery can.
[0009]
The present invention solves this type of problem, accurately injects a predetermined amount of electrolyte, prevents the electrolyte from adhering to unnecessary portions, and simplifies the configuration. It is an object of the present invention to provide a battery electrolyte supply method and apparatus that can be used.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the battery electrolyte supply method and apparatus according to the present invention, a battery can into which the electrolyte is injected is placed in a decompression booth, and first, this battery can is subjected to a first decompression process using a first vacuum pressure. After that, a first decompression release process is performed to bring the inside of the decompression booth to normal pressure . Next, after the battery can is subjected to a second decompression process with a second vacuum pressure higher than the first vacuum pressure , a second decompression release process is performed to bring the inside of the decompression booth to a normal pressure .
[0011]
In this way, by setting the second vacuum pressure higher than the first vacuum pressure, it is possible to reliably prevent the electrolyte injected into the battery can from spilling out from the upper edge of the battery can. it can. Moreover, the impregnation time can be greatly shortened as compared with the impregnation treatment under normal pressure. In addition, after the second decompression release process is performed, the battery can is further subjected to a third decompression process with a third vacuum pressure higher than the second vacuum pressure, and then the inside of the decompression booth is brought to a normal pressure. A third decompression release process may be performed.
[0012]
Here, during the first and second decompression processes, when the decompression booth reaches the first and second vacuum pressures, the decompression booth is hermetically closed and held via the vacuum valve. Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent the flow of air from occurring in the decompression booth during decompression, and to effectively suppress the evaporation of the electrolytic solution, so that the injection amount does not vary.
[0013]
Moreover, if the stop time of the pump which injects electrolyte solution into a battery can exceeds a fixed time, the electrolyte solution of a pump nozzle part will evaporate and the next discharge amount will reduce easily. For example, the variation in the amount of electrolyte injected into the battery can is set to ± 5/100 cc, whereas when the pump is stopped for 1 hour, the electrolyte in the pump nozzle is 1 / 100 cc is known to decrease, and the variation in the amount of injected liquid becomes considerably large. Therefore, when the pump stop time exceeds a certain time, the electrolytic solution is discharged from the pump to the waste liquid portion for one shot, and then the liquid is poured into the battery can. For this reason, the electrolyte discharge precision of a pump can be improved.
[0014]
Still further, cooling air is supplied to the inside of a carrier that integrally accommodates a plurality of battery cans to cool the battery cans. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the electrolytic solution poured into the battery can from boiling when impregnated under reduced pressure, and to effectively prevent evaporation of the electrolytic solution. Further, the opening of the decompression booth may be a recess having a cylindrical shape with an opening cross section having a depth not contacting the battery can and a diameter larger than the diameter of the battery can.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an electrolytic solution supply apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a partial schematic front view of the electrolytic solution supply apparatus 10.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 5, the battery 12 into which the electrolytic solution is divided and injected by the electrolytic solution supply apparatus 10 has a bottomed cylindrical battery can 14. The battery can 14 includes a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate. The electrode plate group 16 wound around the separator is inserted. The negative electrode lead 18 of the electrode plate group 16 is welded to the bottom surface of the battery can 14, and the positive electrode lead 20 of the electrode plate group 16 protrudes upward from the battery can 14.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyte supply device 10 is provided in the battery production line 22 and is arranged in a plurality (for example, 10) in the direction of arrow A via the carrier 24 and in the direction of arrow B. The first to fourth injection stations 26a to 26d capable of supplying a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution to a total of 40 battery cans 14 arranged in a plurality of rows (for example, 4 rows), and the first to fourth injections. 1st-4th pressure reduction station 28a-28d which is arrange | positioned in the downstream of the liquid stations 26a-26d and performs the pressure reduction process and pressure reduction cancellation | release process to the said battery can 14 alternately several times each.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 5, the carrier 24 has an accommodating portion 24 a for arranging ten battery cans 14 spaced apart by a predetermined interval. The accommodating portion 24a has a substantially cylindrical shape and protrudes into an example of a chamber 24b formed inside the carrier 24, and a supply pipe 29 connected to a cooling air supply source (not shown) is connected to the chamber 24b. Has been. For example, cool air of 5 ° C. is supplied from the supply line 29 into the chamber 24b.
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 1, the electrolyte supply apparatus 10 includes first and second injection stations 26a and 26b and first and second decompression stations 28a and 28b that are alternately arranged in the direction of arrow B1. Second transport path 32 in which the first transport path 30, the third and fourth liquid injection stations 26c, 26d, and the third and fourth decompression stations 28c, 28d are alternately arranged in the direction of the arrow B2. With.
[0020]
A battery can drawing station 34a and a carrier transfer station 35a are provided at both ends of the first transfer path 30, and a carrier transfer station 35b and a battery can discharge station 34b are provided at both ends of the second transfer path 32. . The carrier transfer stations 35a and 35b, the battery can drawing-in station 34a, and the battery can discharge station 34b are connected via first and second connection paths 36a and 36b, respectively, to form a carrier circulation transfer path.
[0021]
Each of the first to fourth liquid injection stations 26a to 26d can supply a predetermined amount (1st to 4th) of the electrolytic solution to each of the battery cans 14 arranged in four rows (40 in total). First to fourth liquid injection means 38a to 38d.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the first liquid injection means 38a can advance and retreat in the arrow B direction along rails 40a and 40b arranged in parallel with each other above both ends in the longitudinal direction (arrow A direction) of the carrier 24. Self-propelled mobile bodies 42a and 42b. Both ends of the arm 44 are supported on the moving main bodies 42a and 42b via lifting means (not shown). The arm 44 has a metering pump corresponding to the ten battery cans 14 placed on the carrier 24. 46a to 46j are mounted. The metering pumps 46a to 46j communicate with a liquid tank 48 in which an electrolytic solution is stored, and liquid metering pipes 50a to 50j are arranged downward in each metering pump 46a to 46j.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 3, the first liquid injection means 38a is provided with a blanking station 52 for discharging the electrolyte solution for one shot when the stop time of the metering pumps 46a to 46j exceeds a certain time. . The emptying station 52 includes a waste liquid tray 54 disposed outside the position of pouring the electrolytic solution into the battery can 14 by the first liquid injection means 38a, and a waste liquid pipe 56 connected to the waste liquid tray 54 is provided. It is connected to a waste liquid tank (not shown).
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 4, the first decompression station 28a arranged on the downstream side of the first liquid injection station 26a covers the entire carriers 24 arranged in four rows, or the carriers 24 in each row. Each is provided with a decompression booth 60 that can be raised and lowered to form a decompression chamber 58.
[0025]
The decompression booth 60 has an opening 62 for receiving each battery can 14 corresponding to a predetermined number of battery cans 14. Each opening 62 has a predetermined opening from the end face 64 side of the decompression booth 60. It is formed up to a depth H and has an opening cross-sectional columnar shape with a diameter D set. The depth H is set to a necessary minimum depth that can avoid the positive electrode lead 20 protruding from the upper side of each battery can 14, while the diameter D is slightly larger than the diameter of the battery can 14. Is set.
[0026]
An O-ring (seal material) 66 is attached to the end face 64 of the decompression booth 60 so as to surround all the openings 62. The O-ring 66 is in close contact with the upper surface 24c of the carrier 24, and forms a space 68 that communicates integrally with each opening 62 between the end surface 64 of the decompression booth 60 and the upper surface 24c. A decompression chamber 58 is constituted by the opening 62 and the space 68, and the decompression chamber 58 is hermetically held by an O-ring 66.
[0027]
A vacuum booth 60 is formed a passage 70 communicating with the space portion 68, the middle of the piping 72 communicating the negative pressure generating source (not shown) with the passage 70, pressure gauge 74 and a vacuum valve 76 are provided. The vacuum valve 76 is switched between a position where the passage 70 is communicated with a negative pressure source (not shown), a position where the passage 70 is opened to the atmosphere, and a position where the passage 70 is closed.
[0028]
A support plate 82 is fixed to an actuator for moving the decompression booth 60 up and down, for example, a rod 80 extending downward from the cylinder 78, and holes 84 are formed at four corners of the support plate 82. A support column 86 is fixed to the upper portion of the decompression booth 60, and the support column 86 is set to have a smaller diameter than the hole portion 84, and a centering taper surface 88 is formed on the upper portion of each support column 86. Is done. A spring 90 is extrapolated to the column 86, and both ends of the spring 90 are pressed against the decompression booth 60 and the support plate 82.
[0029]
The second to fourth liquid injection stations 26b to 26d and the second to fourth pressure reduction stations 28b to 28d are configured in the same manner as the first liquid injection station 26a and the first pressure reduction station 28a described above, and have the same components. Are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0030]
The operation of the electrolytic solution supply apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment configured as described above will be described below in relation to the electrolytic solution supply method according to the present invention.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 1, the battery cans 14 are transported along the battery production line 22 in the direction of the arrow A1, and a predetermined number (ten) of battery cans 14 are arranged in the battery can drawing station 34a. It is inserted and supported in the accommodating portion 24a. In the battery can drawing station 34a, ten battery cans 14 are arranged on each carrier 24, and then four rows of carriers 24 are conveyed to the first liquid injection station 26a.
[0032]
In the first liquid injection station 26a, first, the first liquid injection means 38a is disposed corresponding to the carrier 24 in the first row, and the arm 44 moves in the direction of arrow C1 (vertically downward) in FIG. To do. And after the liquid injection pipes 50a-50j provided in each metering pump 46a-46j are arranged on the upper part of each battery can 14 supported by the carrier 24 in the first row, the metering pumps 46a-46j are arranged. Is driven. For this reason, the metering pumps 46a to 46j inject the electrolyte stored in the liquid tank 48 into the battery can 14 through the liquid injection pipes 50a to 50j by a predetermined amount (first time).
[0033]
Next, the arm 44 moves up (in the direction of arrow C2), and the moving main bodies 42a and 42b move along the rails 40a and 40b by a predetermined distance in the direction of arrow B1 (or in the direction of arrow B2). Are arranged corresponding to the upper side of the carrier 24 in the second row. In this state, the first liquid injection means 38a is driven in the same manner as the battery cans 14 inserted in the carrier 24 in the first row, and the first in each battery can 14 inserted in the carrier 24 in the second row. The batch of electrolyte is injected. Similarly, the first supply process of the electrolyte solution is performed on the battery cans 14 inserted and supported by the third row and fourth row carriers 24 arranged in the first liquid injection station 26a.
[0034]
After the first electrolytic solution is injected into the battery can 14 at the first injection station 26a, the carrier 24 in the fourth row is integrally sent to the first decompression station 28a and subjected to decompression processing. That is, in the first decompression station 28a, as shown in FIG. 4, when the rod 80 moves downward under the action of the cylinder 78, the support plate 82 fixed to the rod 80 is lowered, and the support plate 82 is moved downward. The decompression booth 60 supported by centering via the tapered surface 88 is lowered. For this reason, the O-ring 66 attached to the end face 64 of the decompression booth 60 is in close contact with the upper surface 24c of the carrier 24, and the battery can 14 accommodated in the carrier 24 is integrally disposed in the decompression chamber 58. .
[0035]
In this state, the passage 70 of the decompression booth 60 communicates with a negative pressure generation source (not shown) through the vacuum valve 76, and the inside of the decompression chamber 58 is decompressed through the passage 70 under the action of the negative pressure generation source. The Here, as shown in FIG. 6, when the inside of the decompression chamber 58 reaches a state of reduced pressure (first vacuum pressure) of −200 mmHg, the vacuum valve 76 is closed and the decompression chamber 58 is hermetically closed and held. . Then, after the inside of the decompression chamber 58 is left in a decompressed state of −200 mmHg for about 10 seconds or more, the vacuum valve 76 is switched to open the passage 70 to the atmosphere (decompression release process).
[0036]
Next, the vacuum valve 76 is driven so that the decompression chamber 58 communicates with a negative pressure generation source (not shown). Under the action of this negative pressure generation source, the decompression chamber 58 has a decompression degree of -700 mmHg (second vacuum pressure). ) State, the vacuum valve 76 is closed. For this reason, the decompression chamber 58 is maintained in a decompressed state of −700 mmHg, and the vacuum valve 76 is opened to the atmosphere after a predetermined time has elapsed.
[0037]
As described above, in the first decompression station 28a, the inside of the decompression chamber 58 in which the battery can 14 is disposed is first decompressed to a degree of decompression of −200 mmHg, which is the first vacuum pressure, and the electrolytic solution is impregnated. the decompression chamber 58 is vacuum releasing process is open to the atmosphere is performed, and seals inhibitory said electrolyte spilling from the battery can 14. Next, the inside of the decompression chamber 58 is maintained at a degree of decompression of −700 mmHg which is the second vacuum pressure, and then the decompression chamber 58 is opened to the atmosphere.
[0038]
For this reason, the electrolytic solution injected into the battery can 14 is not spilled from the battery can 14, and the effect that the electrolytic solution can be reliably impregnated in a short time is obtained. In particular, the electrolyte in the battery can 14 becomes foamed, and bubbles are not formed as the foamed electrolyte rises along the positive electrode lead 20, and salt of the electrolytic solution adheres to the positive electrode lead 20. It is possible to reliably prevent this. As a result, the work of removing the salt adhering to the positive electrode lead 20 after the liquid injection process becomes unnecessary, and the effect that the efficiency of the entire liquid injection operation can be easily achieved is obtained.
[0039]
In addition, when the reduced pressure impregnation of −200 mmHg is performed, the upper space in the battery can 14 is impregnated with the electrolytic solution. On the other hand, when the reduced pressure impregnation is −700 mmHg, the electrode plate group 16 which is the lower space in the battery can 14 is introduced. The above electrolyte solution is impregnated.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, a supply pipe 29 is connected to the carrier 24 containing the battery can 14, and the cool air of 5 ° C. is supplied to the chamber 24 b of the carrier 24 through the supply pipe 29. Is introduced. Thereby, each battery can 14 arrange | positioned at the accommodating part 24a is cooled with the cold wind, and has prevented that the temperature of the electrolyte solution injected into this battery can 14 rises. . Therefore, it is possible to surely prevent boiling of the electrolytic solution and to prevent evaporation of the electrolytic solution as much as possible.
[0041]
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the decompression booth 60 is formed with a plurality of openings 62 having a minimum volume capable of accommodating each battery can 14, and the O-ring 66 attached to the decompression booth 60 is connected to the upper surface 24 c of the carrier 24. The decompression chamber 58 composed of the opening 62 and the space 68 is hermetically closed and held.
[0042]
For this reason, when the inside of the decompression chamber 58 reaches -200 mmHg which is the first vacuum pressure, the inside of the decompression chamber 58 is held in a sealed state by closing the vacuum valve 76, and the flow of air in the decompression chamber 58 Therefore, it is possible to effectively prevent evaporation of the electrolytic solution and to prevent variations in the injection amount. At that time, since the inside of the decompression chamber 58 is sucked from the passage 70 communicating with the space portion 68, no air flow is caused on the upper side of each battery can 14, and for example, the liquid level of the electrolyte is shaken. Can be effectively suppressed.
[0043]
In addition, the decompression booth 60 is supported in a floating manner with respect to the support plate 82 via a column 86 and a spring 90. Therefore, even if the upper surface 24c of the carrier 24 is inclined, the 0-ring 66 attached to the decompression booth 60 can be securely adhered to the upper surface 24c, and the inside of the decompression chamber 58 can be hermetically closed and held. . Further, when the rod 80 moves upward via the cylinder 78, the taper surface 88 of each column 86 is supported on the wall surface forming the hole 84 of the support plate 82, and the decompression booth 60 is easily and automatically centered. It will be.
[0044]
The battery can 14 that has been subjected to the predetermined impregnation treatment in the first decompression station 28 a is transferred to the second liquid injection station 26 b integrally with the carrier 24. In the second liquid injection station 26b, as in the first liquid injection station 26a, a second operation of injecting the electrolytic solution is performed on the battery cans 14 of the carriers 24 arranged in four rows. The battery can 14 that has been injected with the electrolyte solution for the second time at the second injection station 26b is transported to the second decompression station 28b.
[0045]
In the second decompression station 28b, as shown in FIG. 7, the decompression process and the decompression release process are performed three times to perform the second impregnation process with the electrolytic solution. Specifically, after the decompression booth 60 is lowered and the O-ring 66 is brought into close contact with the upper surface 24c of the carrier 24 to form the decompression chamber 58, first, in a reduced pressure degree (first vacuum pressure) state of −200 mmHg. It is allowed to stand for a predetermined time, is released to the atmosphere, and a decompression release process is performed.
[0046]
Next, the decompression chamber 58 is decompressed to a degree of decompression (second vacuum pressure) of −400 mmHg and is left for a predetermined time to release to the atmosphere. Further, after the pressure is reduced to a reduced pressure level (third vacuum pressure) of −700 mmHg and held for a predetermined time, the reduced pressure release process is performed.
[0047]
As described above, in the second decompression station 28b, the decompression process and the decompression release process are alternately performed, and the first vacuum pressure, the second vacuum pressure, the third vacuum pressure, and the degree of decompression are sequentially increased. Is set. As a result, the upper gap of the battery can 14 is impregnated during the reduced pressure impregnation of -200 mmHg, while the lower gap of the battery can 14 is impregnated during the reduced pressure impregnation of -400 mmHg and -700 mmHg. The same effect can be obtained.
[0048]
Next, the carrier 24 is transported to the carrier transport station 35a, transported in the direction of arrow A1 in FIG. 1 along the first connection path 36a, and sent to the carrier transport station 35b. The battery can 14 of the carrier 24 is transported from the carrier transfer station 35b to the third injection station 26c and the third decompression station 28c, and is subjected to the third injection and impregnation of the electrolyte. The battery can 14 is further transported to the fourth injection station 26d and the fourth decompression station 28d, where a fourth electrolyte injection and impregnation process is performed, and is transferred to the battery can discharge station 34b. In the third and fourth decompression stations 28c and 28d, as in the second decompression station 28b, the electrolytic solution is impregnated by the procedure shown in FIG.
[0049]
At the battery can discharge station 34b, the battery cans 14 inserted and supported by the carriers 24 are sequentially sent out to the battery production line 22. The battery can 14 is conveyed in the direction of the arrow A1 and sent to the next step such as a sealing process.
[0050]
By the way, in the 1st thru | or 4th injection | pouring station 26a-26d, electrolyte solution is discharged in the battery can 14 by fixed amount through the metering pumps 46a-46j, and these metering pumps 46a-46j stop for more than fixed time. Then, the electrolyte solution of each pump nozzle part will evaporate.
[0051]
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the stop time of the metering pumps 46a to 46j exceeds a certain time, the metering pumps 46a to 46j are temporarily transferred to the idle driving station 52 as shown in FIG. In the emptying station 52, after one shot of the electrolytic solution is discharged from the metering pumps 46a to 46j to the waste liquid tray 54, the metering pumps 46a to 46j move to the pouring position and electrolysis into the battery can 14 is performed. Liquid injection work is performed.
[0052]
As described above, when the metering pumps 46a to 46j are stopped for a certain time or longer, for example, 5 minutes or longer, the metering pumps 46a to 46j are transferred to the blanking station 52 to perform blanking. For this reason, a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution is always poured into the battery can 14 with high accuracy, and an effect that the variation in the amount of liquid injection can be effectively prevented is obtained.
[0053]
In addition, when the liquid injection was actually performed using the present embodiment, the variation in the liquid injection amount was ± 0.00% under the condition of a tact of 2 seconds and a gap in the battery can 14 of 0.8 to 1.0 cc. A good liquid injection treatment was achieved, which was within the range of 05 cc, and the electrolyte solution was not scattered and the positive electrode lead 20 was not soiled.
[0054]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the battery electrolyte supply method and apparatus according to the present invention, after the electrolyte is injected into the battery can, first, the first decompression process and the decompression release by the first vacuum pressure are performed on the battery can. Processing. Next, the battery can is subjected to a second decompression process and a decompression release process with a second vacuum pressure higher than the first vacuum pressure. Therefore, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution does not rise more than necessary and spillage or the like does not occur, and the electrolytic solution impregnation process is efficiently performed in a short time. Further, the electrolytic solution does not adhere to the electrode plate or the like, and the efficiency of the entire electrolytic solution supply operation can be easily achieved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of an electrolytic solution supply apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a partial schematic front view of a liquid injection station constituting the electrolytic solution supply apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a partial schematic side view of the liquid injection station.
FIG. 4 is a front explanatory view of a decompression booth constituting the electrolytic solution supply apparatus.
FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of a battery can and a carrier into which an electrolytic solution is injected by the electrolytic solution supply apparatus.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of decompression and decompression release processing of the first decompression station.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of decompression and decompression release processing in second to fourth decompression stations.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Electrolyte supply apparatus 12 ... Battery 14 ... Battery can 16 ... Electrode plate group 18 ... Negative electrode lead 20 ... Positive electrode lead 22 ... Battery manufacturing line 24 ... Carrier 24a ... Storage part 24b ... Chamber 26a-26d ... Injection | pouring station 28a- 28d ... Decompression station 29 ... Supply line 38a-38d ... Liquid injection means 46a-46j ... Metering pump 52 ... Blanking station 54 ... Waste liquid tray 58 ... Decompression chamber 60 ... Decompression booth 62 ... Opening 64 ... End face 66 ... O-ring 68 ... Space 70 ... Passage 72 ... Piping 76 ... Vacuum valve 78 ... Cylinder 82 ... Support plate 86 ... Strut 88 ... Tapered surface 90 ... Spring

Claims (10)

A method for supplying an electrolytic solution of a battery, in which the electrolytic solution is injected repeatedly by injecting the electrolytic solution under reduced pressure after injecting the electrolytic solution into a battery can under normal pressure,
In the battery can, a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound with a separator interposed therebetween, and a positive electrode group in which a positive electrode lead protrudes upward from the battery can is inserted,
Wherein said battery can electrolyte is injected is disposed in a vacuum booth, and facilities to process the first decompression process by the first vacuum pressure in the battery can,
After the first decompression process step, a step of performing a first decompression release process for making the inside of the decompression booth a normal pressure ;
After the first vacuum releasing process, and facilities to process the second pressure reducing treatment with a high second vacuum pressure than the first vacuum pressure in the battery can,
After the second decompression process step, a step of performing a second decompression release process for making the inside of the decompression booth a normal pressure ;
A battery electrolyte supply method comprising:   2. The electrolytic solution supply method according to claim 1, wherein during the first and second decompression processes, when the interior of the decompression booth reaches the first and second vacuum pressures, the interior of the decompression booth is hermetically sealed via a vacuum valve. A battery electrolyte supply method, wherein the battery is kept closed. The method for supplying electrolytic solution according to claim 1, wherein after the second decompression release treatment step, the battery can is further subjected to a third decompression treatment with a third vacuum pressure higher than the second vacuum pressure;
After the third decompression process step, performing a third decompression release process for making the inside of the decompression booth a normal pressure;
A battery electrolyte supply method comprising:   2. The electrolytic solution supply method according to claim 1, wherein when the stop time of a pump for injecting the electrolytic solution into the battery can exceeds a certain time, the electrolytic solution is discharged from the pump to the waste liquid portion for one shot. A battery electrolyte supply method comprising a step.   2. The method for supplying an electrolyte solution according to claim 1, wherein cooling air is supplied into a carrier that integrally accommodates the plurality of battery cans to cool the battery cans. A battery electrolyte supply device for injecting the electrolyte solution by repeatedly injecting the electrolyte solution under reduced pressure after injecting the electrolyte solution into the battery can under normal pressure,
In the battery can, a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate are wound with a separator interposed therebetween, and a positive electrode group in which a positive electrode lead protrudes upward from the battery can is inserted,
A carrier that integrally accommodates a plurality of battery cans;
A decompression booth having a plurality of openings for receiving the battery cans one by one, and capable of moving forward and backward with respect to the carrier via an actuator;
A vacuum valve that is provided between the decompression booth and the negative pressure generation source, holds the inside of the decompression booth airtight, and switches between negative pressure and normal pressure;
A space portion that is attached to an end surface of the decompression booth and that communicates integrally with the plurality of openings is formed between the end surface and the upper surface of the carrier, and from the plurality of openings and the space A sealing member for hermetically holding the decompression chamber,
With
After the first decompression process is performed at the first vacuum pressure by the negative pressure generation source under the switching action of the vacuum valve in the decompression booth in which the battery can into which the electrolytic solution has been injected is disposed, the vacuum valve Is switched to normal pressure in the decompression booth, and the vacuum valve is switched to a second vacuum pressure higher than the first vacuum pressure by the negative pressure source in the battery can. The battery electrolyte supply device is characterized in that after the second decompression process is performed, a second decompression release process is performed to switch the vacuum valve to normalize the interior of the decompression booth . 7. The electrolytic solution supply apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the opening of the decompression booth is a recess having a cylindrical shape with an opening cross section having a depth not contacting the battery can and larger than the diameter of the battery can. A battery electrolyte supply device. 7. The electrolyte supply device according to claim 6, wherein after the second decompression release processing is performed, the vacuum valve is further switched, and the battery can is thirdly higher than the second vacuum pressure by the negative pressure generating source. 3. A battery electrolyte supply device comprising: performing a third decompression release process for switching the vacuum valve to normal pressure in the decompression booth after performing a third decompression process using a vacuum pressure. 7. The electrolyte supply device according to claim 6 , wherein a cooling air supply pipe for supplying cooling air to the inside of the carrier to cool the battery can is connected to the carrier. Electrolyte supply device. 7. The electrolyte supply device according to claim 6 , wherein the injection means for injecting the electrolyte into the battery can discharges the electrolyte for one shot when the pump stop time exceeds a predetermined time. A battery electrolyte supply device comprising a portion.

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