JP4210896B2

JP4210896B2 - Sealed battery

Info

Publication number: JP4210896B2
Application number: JP2001370900A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 敏明小島; 勝彦岡本; 一弥岡部; 哲夫尾野
Original assignee: GS Yuasa Corp
Current assignee: GS Yuasa Corp
Priority date: 2001-12-05
Filing date: 2001-12-05
Publication date: 2009-01-21
Anticipated expiration: 2021-12-05
Also published as: JP2003173765A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は密閉形電池に係り、特にセパレータを介して負極および正極を巻回あるいは積層させた発電要素を有し、この発電要素の一方の側面に負極集電板を接続するとともに他方の側面に正極集電板を接続した密閉形電池に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
図11に示す密閉形電池70は、セパレータを介して負極および正極が積層されるとともに、略楕円状に偏平された巻回式の発電要素72と、発電要素72の軸方向両端部にそれぞれ設けられた正極部74および負極部76と、正極部74および負極部76にそれぞれ接続された正極集電板75および負極集電板77と、正極集電板75および負極集電板77にそれぞれ接続されるとともに、発電要素72の正極部74側から発電要素72の軸線に対して略平行に延びる正極端子78および負極端子79と、正極端子78の端部78Ａおよび負極端子79の端部79Ａが外部露出するように発電要素72を収容する略箱状の密閉形電池用パッケージ80を有している。
【０００３】
発電要素72の負極は、金属箔として帯状の銅箔が用いられ、幅方向両端部から銅が所定幅で露出するように、その両面に炭素系の有機高分子が活物質として塗布されている。
一方、発電要素72の正極は、金属箔として帯状のアルミニウム箔が用いられ、幅方向両端部からアルミニウムが所定幅で露出するように、その両面にコバルト、ニッケル、マンガン等の酸化物が活物質として塗布されている。
ここで、負極及び正極において、銅又はアルミニウムが露出している部分を「金属箔の活物質非塗布部」という。
【０００４】
ところで、高率放電に対応して集電効率を高めるために種々の改良が施されている。例えば、図１２に示すように、正極端子78および負極端子79を発電要素72の軸線に対して略垂直方向にに延びるように配置し、また、正極集電板75や負極集電板77に形成されたプレートを蛇腹状にプレス加工し、又はプレートに切れ目を入れ分割された各矩形部分を「く」の字状に折曲げ、それぞれの折曲げ部に積層された数枚の金属箔の活物質非塗布部をそれぞれ挟み込み、レーザー溶接で接合させる方法が考えられる。この方法によれば、正極部74および負極部76が正極端子78や負極端子79で覆われることがないので、正極集電板および負極集電板の配置の自由度が向上し、より高率放電が可能な電池とすることができる。図１３は図１２に示した電池の要部拡大図であり、正極集電板75及び負極集電板77は一部のみ表示してある。
【０００５】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかし、上記の構成では、正極集電板や負極集電板に相当し、金属箔の活物質非塗布部を挟み込むプレートが密集して並列に配置されているため、各プレートが互いに干渉し合う。各プレートの干渉を防いで、各プレートを好適に配置するためには、並列に配置した各プレート全体の幅が広くなり発電要素の幅が広くなる。このため、密閉形電池の集電効率が悪くなるという問題があった。
【０００６】
本発明は、前述した問題点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的は、集電部と金属箔とを確実に接合して集電効率を高め、且つ電池性能ロスを低減させることができる密閉形電池を提供することにある。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前述した目的を達成するために、本発明は、請求項１に記載したように、セパレータを介して負極および正極となる金属箔を具備した発電要素と、前記金属箔の面方向端縁に電気抵抗溶接により負極及び正極ごとに接続された集電板とを有し、前記金属箔を複数枚づつ積層収容する断面略Ｖ字状の集電部が前記集電板に複数設けられているとともに、前記各集電部が互いに並列配置されている密閉形電池であって、前記各集電部がそれぞれ集電部の長手方向端部に設けられた集電部の長手方向に延びる端子支持部を介して集電板と連結されているとともに、前記各集電部が隣り合う他の集電部に対して干渉しないように、前記各端子支持部が互いに隣り合う他の前記端子支持部と異なる長手方向寸法を有していることを特徴としている。
【０００８】
このように構成された密閉形電池においては、各端子支持部が互いに隣り合う他の端子支持部と異なる長手方向寸法を有することで、各集電部が隣り合う他の集電部に対して干渉しないようにできる。これにより、各集電部を配置した状態において、集電部全体の幅を小さく抑えることができるので、発電要素の幅を狭くすることができる。
【０００９】
また、本発明においては、請求項２に記載したように、前記各集電部の稜線を中心として、断面形状が閉塞する方向に前記各集電部が加締められていることを特徴としている。
各集電部を加締めることにより、各集電部に金属箔を安定させた状態に積層収容することができ、各集電部と金属箔との密着性が向上する。
【００１０】
また、本発明においては、請求項３に記載したように、前記各集電部の稜線を横断するように切欠部が設けられていることを特徴としている。
各集電部の稜線に切欠部を設けることにより、金属箔が各集電部の奥まで差込まれたどうかを確認できる。
加えて、各集電部の稜線に切欠部を設けることにより、各集電部を稜部で簡単に折り曲げることができ、各集電部と金属箔との密閉性を高めることができ、電気抵抗溶接時の不具合を防ぐことができる。
【００１１】
また、本発明においては、請求項４に記載したように、前記各集電部が所定形状に打ち抜かれた板材に対して板金加工を施すことにより形成されていることを特徴としている。
板材を所定形状に打ち抜いた後、この板材に板金加工を施すことにより各集電部を形成する。これにより、集電部と集電板とを打ち抜き加工により一体成形することで、集電部と集電板とを接合させる必要がなくなるため、集電抵抗を増加させることがない。
【００１２】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明に係る実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。なお、以下に説明する各実施形態において、既に図１において説明した部材等については、図中に同一符号あるいは相当符号を付すことにより説明を簡略化あるいは省略する。
【００１３】
図１に示すように、本発明に係る第１実施形態である密閉形電池10は、セパレータ（図示せず）を介して正極および負極となる金属箔12（正極の金属箔12のみを図示する）を具備した３個の発電要素14と、正極となる金属箔12の面方向端縁に電気抵抗溶接により接続された正極集電板15と、負極となる金属箔の面方向端縁に電気抵抗溶接により接続された負極集電板20と、正極の集電板15および負極の集電板20にそれぞれ接続された正極端子25および負極端子26と、正極端子25の端部25Ａおよび負極端子26の端部26Ａが外部露出するように発電要素14を収容する略箱状の密閉形電池用パッケージ29とを有している。
【００１４】
この密閉形電池10は、略Ｌ字状に屈曲された正極集電板15および負極集電板20が互いに対称配置されていて、正極端子25および負極端子26が平行に直立するように発電要素14の巻回軸線が略水平に配置されている。
従って、この密閉形電池10は、発電要素の巻回軸線と正極端子，負極端子とが並行配置された通常の密閉形電池に比較して、エネルギーを取り出す個所である発電要素14の端面を大きく確保できる。
【００１５】
図２に示すように正極集電板15は、正極となる金属箔12を複数枚づつ積層収容する断面略Ｖ字状の正極集電部16，17がそれぞれ長手方向端部に設けられた正極端子支持部15Ｄ，15Ｅを介して複数設けられている。各正極集電部16が互いに並列配置されるとともに、各正極集電部17が互いに並列配置されている。
詳細には、正極集電部16，17がそれぞれ長さの異なる正極端子支持部15Ｄ，15Ｅを介して連結されることで、正極端子17が正極端子16の下方に配置されている。さらに、正極端子16と正極端子17 とは交互に配置されている。これにより、正極集電部16は隣り合う他の正極集電部17に対して干渉しないように並列配置されている。
【００１６】
ところで、各正極集電部16，17はそれぞれ正極端子支持部15Ｄ，15Ｅを介して正極集電板15に一体成形されている。
すなわち、図３に示す一枚の平板19がプレス成形されることで、正極集電板15を中央15Ａで略Ｌ型に折り曲げることにより、下片15Ｂと上片15Ｃとが形成され、正極集電部16，17がそれぞれの中央16Ａ，17Ａで略Ｖ字状に折り曲げられ図２の状態になる。
【００１７】
ここで、図２に示すように各正極集電部16，17は、略楕円状に偏平された巻回式の発電要素14の両側14Ａ，14Ｂに渡って配置されることにより、発電要素14の両側14Ａ，14Ｂから集電できるので、集電効率を高めることができる。
特に、この密閉形電池10は、発電要素14の端面を大きく確保できるため、一層集電効率を高めることができる。
また、複数の正極集電部16，17が正極集電板15と一体成形されることで、溶接等による接合抵抗がなく、集電効率を高めることができる。
【００１８】
さらに、一枚の正極集電板15に対して複数の正極集電部16，17が設けられているので、複数の正極集電部16，17はそれぞれが独立した状態で設けられている。よって、各正極集電部16，17から正極集電板15まで、いわば並列に集電できるので、万一特定箇所（すなわち、複数の正極集電部16，17のうちの１個）が破損した場合でも、その他の正極集電部16，17から集電できる。このため、集電効率を高めることができる。
【００１９】
この正極集電板15は、中央15Ａで折り曲げることにより略Ｌ型とし、下片15Ｂに各正極集電部16，17が設けられ、上片15Ｃが発電要素14の上側14Ｃ（図１参照）に被せるように配置され、この上片15Ｃに正極電極25が立設されている。よって、正極電極25は発電要素14の上側14Ｃ側に備えられている。
【００２０】
図１に示す負極集電板20は、正極集電板15と同様に、負極となる金属箔を複数枚づつ積層収容する断面略Ｖ字状の負極集電部（図示せず）が複数設けられているとともに、各負極集電部が互いに並列配置され、各負極集電部が長手方向端部（図示せず）に設けられた負極端子支持部21を介して連結されている。よって、正極集電板と同じ効果を得ることができる。
なお、負極集電板20は正極集電板15と同じ構成なので、以下正極集電板15について説明して負極集電板20の説明を省略する。
【００２１】
図２に示す正極集電板15は、上述したように、各正極集電部16，17と一体に形成されているので、部品コストや製造コストを抑えることができる。
また、各正極集電部16，17は、プレス加工により断面略Ｖ字形に形成されている。各正極集電部16，17をプレス加工することで、各正極集電部16，17を切削加工する場合と比較して安価に形成できる。
【００２２】
図４に示すように、正極集電部16に嵌め込んだ正極となる金属箔12は、正極集電部16の稜部16Ａ近傍を金属箔12の厚さ方向に沿って電気抵抗溶接することにより、正極集電部16と金属箔12とが接合される。
なお、正極集電部16と同様に、正極集電部17と金属箔12とが接合される。
【００２３】
この際、各正極集電部16，17が互い違いに配置されているため、換言すれば互いに隣り合う各正極集電部16同士間に一定の空隙が設けられているため、金属箔12の厚さ方向に沿って正極集電部16と金属箔12と電気抵抗溶接するにあたって、溶接端子が隣合う他の正極集電部16に干渉することはない。
すなわち、従来では、正極集電部と金属箔12とを接合するにあたって、互いに隣り合う正極集電部が干渉するため、金属箔12の厚さ方向に沿った溶接が行えなえず、これにより金属箔12の面方向に沿ってレーザ溶接を行わざるを得なかった。このため、従来では、正極集電部を溶融させたレーザ光が金属箔12を面方向に沿って過度に溶融させる虞れがあった。
【００２４】
これに対して、この第１実施形態では、各正極集電部16，17と金属箔12との接合に電気抵抗溶接を採用できるため、例えばレーザ光で接合させた場合と異なり、金属箔12が面方向に沿って過度に溶融するという前述した問題を回避できるとともに、設備費等のコストが抑えられる上に、作業時間が短縮でき、生産性を高めることができる。
加えて、レーザ光28の角度を厳密に調整する必要がないので、溶接ミスの発生を防ぐことができる。このため、密閉型電池10の品質を高めることもできる。
【００２５】
また、正極集電部16は、略Ｖ形に折り曲げられた両片16Ｂ，16Ｃを、両側から矢印のように加締められている。このように、正極集電部16の両片16Ｂ，16Ｃを加締めることで、正極集電部16に複数枚の金属箔12を安定して差込んだ状態に確実に保つことができ、電気抵抗溶接時のスパークを確実に防止できる。このため、密閉型電池10の品質を高めることができる。
なお、正極集電部17は正極集電部16と同一形状であり、正極集電部16と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【００２６】
次に、第２実施形態を図５〜図７に基づいて説明する。
図５に示す第２実施形態の正極集電板30は、正極集電部31，32の稜部に切込み31Ａ，32Ａが形成されている。よって図６に示すように、正極となる金属箔12が正極集電部31，32の奥まで差込まれたどうかを確認できる。
加えて、正極集電部31，32の稜部に切込み31Ａ，32Ａを設けることで、図７に示す展開した状態の正極集電部31を、稜部31Ｂで矢印のように容易に折り曲げることができる。このため、密閉型電池1Oの品質を高めることができる。
加えて、切込み31Ａを設けることで、Ｖ形に折り曲げた正極集電部31，32の両片を加締める際に、軽い加締め力で加締めることができるので、金属箔12を正極集電部31，32で確実に把持できる。このため、密閉型電池1Oの品質をより一層高めることができる。
【００２７】
次いで、第３実施形態を図８〜図９に基づいて説明する。
図８に示す第３実施形態の正極集電板40は、正極集電部41，42の稜部に複数の貫通孔41Ａ，42Ａが所定間隔をおいて形成されている。よって図9に示すように、正極となる金属箔12が正極集電部41，42の奥まで差込まれたどうかを確認できる。
加えて、正極集電部41，42の稜部に貫通孔41Ａ，42Ａを設けることで、展開した状態の正極集電部41，42を、稜部で容易に折り曲げることができる。このため、密閉型電池1Oの品質を高めることができる。
更に、貫通孔41Ａ，42Ａを設けることで、Ｖ形に折り曲げた正極集電部41，42の両片を加締める際に、軽い加締め力で加締めることができるので、金属箔12を正極集電部41，42で確実に把持できる。このため、密閉型電池1Oの品質をより一層高めることができる。
【００２８】
図10に示す第４実施形態の密閉形電池50は、正極集電板51および負極集電板55をＬ形に折り曲げない構成にすることで、正極端子54および負極端子58を発電要素14の両端14Ｄ，14Ｅに備えられている。よって、密閉電池の用途に合わせて正負極の端子の位置を適宜変更できる。
なお、正極集電板51および負極集電板55にはそれぞれ正極端子支持部52，53，56，57が一体成形されている。
【００２９】
なお、本発明の密閉形電池は、前述した各実施形態に限定されるものではなく、適宜な変形、改良等が可能である。
その他、前述した各実施形態において例示した負極，正極，発電要素，正負極の集電板，正負極の集電部、正負極の端子支持部等の材質，形状，寸法，形態，数，配置個所，厚さ寸法等は本発明を達成できるものであれば任意であり、限定されない。
【００３０】
【発明の効果】
以上、説明したように、本発明によれば、請求項１に記載したように、各端子支持部が互いに隣り合う他の端子支持部と異なる長手方向寸法を有することで、各集電部が隣り合う他の集電部に対して干渉しないようにできる。これにより、各集電部を配置した状態において、集電部全体の幅を小さく抑えることができるので、発電要素の幅を狭くすることができる。このため、密閉形電池の幅を狭く設定してコンパクトにできるので、集電効率の向上を図ることができる。
【００３１】
また、本発明においては、請求項２に記載したように、各集電部を加締めることにより、各集電部に金属箔を安定させた状態に積層収容することができ、各集電部と金属箔との密着性が向上する。このため、密閉型電池の品質を高めることができる。
【００３２】
また、本発明においては、請求項３に記載したように、各集電部の稜線に切欠部を設けることにより、金属箔が各集電部の奥まで差込まれたどうかを確認できる。
加えて、各集電部の稜線に切欠部を設けることにより、各集電部を稜部で簡単に折り曲げることができ、各集電部と金属箔との密閉性を高めることができ、電気抵抗溶接時の不具合を防ぐことができる。このため、密閉型電池の品質を高めることができる。
【００３３】
また、本発明においては、請求項４に記載したように、板材を所定形状に打ち抜いた後、この板材に板金加工を施すことにより各集電部を形成する。これにより、集電部と集電板とを打ち抜き加工により一体成形することで、集電部と集電板とを接合させる必要がなくなるため、集電抵抗を増加させることがない上に、作業時間、生産コストを減らすことができる。さらに、密閉型電池の品質を高めることができる。
【００３４】
また、以上によって、集電板との接続のために設けられた前記金属箔の活物質非塗布部を従来に比べて狭く設定することができる。従って、より広い面積にわたって活物質を塗布することができるので、従来に比べてより高いエネルギー密度を有する密閉形電池を提供することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る第１実施形態の密閉形電池を示す斜視図である。
【図２】本発明に係る第１実施形態の密閉形電池の要部拡大図である。
【図３】本発明に係る第１実施形態の密閉形電池の要部を示す展開図である。
【図４】本発明に係る第１実施形態の密閉形電池の正極集電部を示す断面図である。
【図５】本発明に係る第２実施形態の密閉形電池の正極集電板を示す斜視図である。
【図６】本発明に係る第２実施形態の密閉形電池の正極集電部を示す側面図である。
【図７】本発明に係る第２実施形態の密閉形電池の正極集電板を示す展開図である。
【図８】本発明に係る第３実施形態の密閉形電池の正極集電板を示す斜視図である。
【図９】本発明に係る第３実施形態の密閉形電池の正極集電部を示す側面図である。
【図１０】本発明に係る第４実施形態の密閉形電池を示す斜視図である。
【図１１】従来の密閉形電池を示す斜視図である。
【図１２】従来の密閉形電池を示す斜視図である。
【図１３】従来の密閉形電池の要部拡大図である。
【符号の説明】
10，30，40，50 密閉形電池
12 金属箔
14 発電要素
15，51 集電板（正極集電板）
16，17，31，32，41，42，52，53 集電部（正極集電部）
15Ｄ，15Ｅ端子支持部（正極端子支持部）
20，55 集電板（負極集電板）[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sealed battery, and in particular, has a power generation element in which a negative electrode and a positive electrode are wound or laminated via a separator, and a negative electrode current collector plate is connected to one side surface of the power generation element and the other side surface is connected. The present invention relates to a sealed battery to which a positive current collector plate is connected.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A sealed battery 70 shown in FIG. 11 has a negative electrode and a positive electrode laminated via separators, and is provided at each of both ends of the power generation element 72 in the axial direction and a winding type power generation element 72 flattened in a substantially elliptical shape. The positive electrode portion 74 and the negative electrode portion 76, the positive electrode current collector plate 75 and the negative electrode current collector plate 77 connected to the positive electrode portion 74 and the negative electrode portion 76, respectively, and the positive electrode current collector plate 75 and the negative electrode current collector plate 77, respectively. In addition, a positive electrode terminal 78 and a negative electrode terminal 79 that extend substantially parallel to the axis of the power generation element 72 from the positive electrode portion 74 side of the power generation element 72, an end portion 78A of the positive electrode terminal 78, and an end portion 79A of the negative electrode terminal 79 are provided. A substantially box-shaped sealed battery package 80 that houses the power generation element 72 is exposed outside.
[0003]
For the negative electrode of the power generation element 72, a strip-shaped copper foil is used as a metal foil, and a carbon-based organic polymer is applied as an active material on both sides so that copper is exposed at a predetermined width from both ends in the width direction. .
On the other hand, the positive electrode of the power generation element 72 uses a strip-shaped aluminum foil as a metal foil, and an active material is made of oxides such as cobalt, nickel, and manganese on both sides so that aluminum is exposed at a predetermined width from both ends in the width direction. It is applied as.
Here, in the negative electrode and the positive electrode, a portion where copper or aluminum is exposed is referred to as a “metal foil active material non-applied portion”.
[0004]
By the way, various improvements have been made to increase the current collection efficiency in response to high rate discharge. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the positive electrode terminal 78 and the negative electrode terminal 79 are arranged so as to extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the power generation element 72, and the positive electrode current collector plate 75 and the negative electrode current collector plate 77 are arranged. The formed plate is pressed into a bellows shape, or each rectangular part is cut into a plate and bent into a "<" shape, and several metal foils stacked on each bent portion A method of sandwiching the active material non-applied portions and joining them by laser welding is conceivable. According to this method, since the positive electrode portion 74 and the negative electrode portion 76 are not covered with the positive electrode terminal 78 and the negative electrode terminal 79, the degree of freedom in arrangement of the positive electrode current collector plate and the negative electrode current collector plate is improved, and a higher rate is achieved. The battery can be discharged. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of the battery shown in FIG. 12, and only a part of the positive electrode current collector plate 75 and the negative electrode current collector plate 77 is shown.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the above configuration, the plates correspond to the positive electrode current collector plate and the negative electrode current collector plate, and the plates sandwiching the active material non-coated portion of the metal foil are closely arranged in parallel, so that the plates interfere with each other. . In order to prevent the interference between the plates and arrange the plates appropriately, the width of the plates arranged in parallel is increased and the width of the power generation element is increased. For this reason, there existed a problem that the current collection efficiency of a sealed battery worsened.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and the object thereof is to reliably join the current collector and the metal foil to increase the current collection efficiency and reduce the battery performance loss. The object is to provide a sealed battery.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above-described object, according to the present invention, a power generation element including a metal foil that becomes a negative electrode and a positive electrode via a separator, and an electric power source at a surface direction edge of the metal foil, as described in claim 1. A current collector plate connected to each of the negative electrode and the positive electrode by resistance welding, and the current collector plate is provided with a plurality of substantially V-shaped current collector portions for laminating and housing the plurality of metal foils. , each current collecting part is a sealed battery which is arranged in parallel with each other, wherein each of the collector portion the terminal supporting portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the collector portion which is provided in the longitudinal end portions of each current collector together are connected to the current collecting plate via, said each of the collector portion so as not to interfere with other current collecting portion adjacent the other of said terminal support portions adjacent the contact support member to each other It is characterized by having different longitudinal dimensions.
[0008]
In the sealed battery thus configured, each terminal support portion has a different longitudinal dimension from other terminal support portions adjacent to each other, so that each current collection portion is adjacent to another current collection portion adjacent to each other. You can avoid interference. Thereby, in the state which has arrange | positioned each current collection part, since the width | variety of the whole current collection part can be restrained small, the width | variety of an electric power generation element can be narrowed.
[0009]
Moreover, in this invention, as described in Claim 2, each said current collection part is crimped in the direction which cross-sectional shape obstruct | occludes centering on the ridgeline of each said current collection part, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. .
By crimping each current collector, the metal foil can be stacked and accommodated in each current collector in a stable state, and the adhesion between each current collector and the metal foil is improved.
[0010]
Moreover, in this invention, as described in Claim 3, the notch part is provided so that the ridgeline of each said current collection part may be crossed, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
By providing a notch in the ridge line of each current collector, it is possible to confirm whether the metal foil has been inserted deep into each current collector.
In addition, by providing a notch on the ridge line of each current collector, each current collector can be easily folded at the ridge, and the sealing between each current collector and the metal foil can be improved. Problems during resistance welding can be prevented.
[0011]
Moreover, in this invention, as described in Claim 4, each said current collection part is formed by performing sheet-metal processing with respect to the board | plate material punched in the predetermined shape, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.
After punching the plate material into a predetermined shape, each current collector is formed by subjecting the plate material to sheet metal processing. Thus, by integrally forming the current collector and the current collector plate by punching, it is not necessary to join the current collector and the current collector plate, so that the current collection resistance is not increased.
[0012]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment described below, members and the like already described in FIG. 1 are given the same or corresponding reference numerals in the drawing to simplify or omit the description.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 1, a sealed battery 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention illustrates a metal foil 12 (positive metal foil 12 only) serving as a positive electrode and a negative electrode through a separator (not shown). ), The positive electrode current collector plate 15 connected by electrical resistance welding to the edge of the metal foil 12 serving as the positive electrode, and the electric current applied to the edge of the metal foil serving as the negative electrode. The negative electrode current collector plate 20 connected by resistance welding, the positive electrode current collector plate 15 and the negative electrode current collector plate 20 connected to the negative electrode current collector plate 20 and the negative electrode terminal 26, respectively, the end portion 25A of the positive electrode terminal 25 and the negative electrode terminal A substantially box-shaped sealed battery package 29 that houses the power generation element 14 so that the end portion 26A of the 26 is exposed to the outside.
[0014]
The sealed battery 10 includes a positive electrode current collector plate 15 and a negative electrode current collector plate 20 that are bent in a substantially L shape, symmetrically arranged with each other, so that the positive electrode terminal 25 and the negative electrode terminal 26 stand upright in parallel. Fourteen winding axes are arranged substantially horizontally.
Therefore, this sealed battery 10 has a larger end face of the power generation element 14 where energy is extracted, compared to a normal sealed battery in which the winding axis of the power generation element and the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are arranged in parallel. It can be secured.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2, the positive electrode current collector plate 15 has positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 each having a substantially V-shaped cross section that accommodates a plurality of metal foils 12 each serving as a positive electrode. A plurality of terminal support portions 15D and 15E are provided. The positive electrode current collectors 16 are arranged in parallel with each other, and the positive electrode current collectors 17 are arranged in parallel with each other.
Specifically, the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 are connected via positive terminal support portions 15D and 15E having different lengths, so that the positive electrode terminal 17 is disposed below the positive electrode terminal 16. Further, the positive terminals 16 and the positive terminals 17 are alternately arranged. Thereby, the positive electrode current collectors 16 are arranged in parallel so as not to interfere with other adjacent positive electrode current collectors 17.
[0016]
By the way, the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 are integrally formed on the positive electrode current collector plate 15 via positive electrode terminal support portions 15D and 15E, respectively.
That is, a single flat plate 19 shown in FIG. 3 is press-molded, and the positive current collector plate 15 is bent into a substantially L shape at the center 15A, thereby forming a lower piece 15B and an upper piece 15C. The electric parts 16 and 17 are bent in a substantially V shape at the respective centers 16A and 17A to be in the state shown in FIG.
[0017]
Here, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 is disposed over both sides 14A and 14B of the wound power generation element 14 flattened in a substantially elliptical shape, whereby the power generation element 14 Since current can be collected from both sides 14A and 14B, current collection efficiency can be increased.
In particular, since the sealed battery 10 can secure a large end face of the power generation element 14, the current collection efficiency can be further improved.
Further, since the plurality of positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 are integrally formed with the positive electrode current collector plate 15, there is no joining resistance due to welding or the like, and the current collection efficiency can be increased.
[0018]
Further, since the plurality of positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 are provided for one positive electrode current collector plate 15, the plurality of positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 are provided in an independent state. Therefore, since the current can be collected in parallel from the positive current collectors 16 and 17 to the positive current collector 15, a specific location (that is, one of the positive current collectors 16 and 17) is damaged. Even in this case, current can be collected from the other positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17. For this reason, current collection efficiency can be improved.
[0019]
The positive current collecting plate 15 is formed in a substantially L shape by being bent at the center 15A, each positive current collecting portion 16, 17 is provided on the lower piece 15B, and the upper piece 15C is the upper side 14C of the power generating element 14 (see FIG. 1). The positive electrode 25 is erected on the upper piece 15C. Therefore, the positive electrode 25 is provided on the upper side 14 </ b> C side of the power generation element 14.
[0020]
As in the case of the positive electrode current collector plate 15, the negative electrode current collector plate 20 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a plurality of negative electrode current collectors (not shown) each having a substantially V-shaped cross section for accommodating a plurality of metal foils each serving as a negative electrode. In addition, the negative electrode current collectors are arranged in parallel to each other, and the negative electrode current collectors are connected to each other via a negative electrode terminal support 21 provided at a longitudinal end (not shown). Therefore, the same effect as the positive electrode current collector plate can be obtained.
Since the negative electrode current collector plate 20 has the same configuration as the positive electrode current collector plate 15, the positive electrode current collector plate 15 will be described below and the description of the negative electrode current collector plate 20 will be omitted.
[0021]
Since the positive electrode current collector plate 15 shown in FIG. 2 is formed integrally with the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 as described above, the component cost and the manufacturing cost can be suppressed.
Moreover, each positive electrode current collection part 16 and 17 is formed in the cross-sectional substantially V shape by press work. By pressing the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17, the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 can be formed at a lower cost than when the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 are cut.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 4, the metal foil 12 to be the positive electrode fitted into the positive electrode current collector 16 is electrically resistance-welded along the thickness direction of the metal foil 12 in the vicinity of the ridge 16 </ b> A of the positive electrode current collector 16. Thus, the positive electrode current collector 16 and the metal foil 12 are joined.
As with the positive electrode current collector 16, the positive electrode current collector 17 and the metal foil 12 are joined.
[0023]
At this time, since the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 are alternately arranged, in other words, since a certain gap is provided between the positive electrode current collectors 16 adjacent to each other, the thickness of the metal foil 12 In the electric resistance welding of the positive electrode current collector 16 and the metal foil 12 along the vertical direction, the welding terminal does not interfere with other positive electrode current collectors 16 adjacent to each other.
That is, conventionally, when the positive electrode current collector and the metal foil 12 are joined, the adjacent positive electrode current collectors interfere with each other, so that welding along the thickness direction of the metal foil 12 cannot be performed. Laser welding had to be performed along the surface direction of the metal foil 12. For this reason, conventionally, there has been a possibility that the laser light that has melted the positive electrode current collector will melt the metal foil 12 excessively along the surface direction.
[0024]
On the other hand, in the first embodiment, electrical resistance welding can be adopted for joining the positive electrode current collectors 16 and 17 and the metal foil 12, so that the metal foil 12 is different from the case of joining with laser light, for example. In addition to avoiding the above-described problem of excessive melting along the surface direction, costs such as equipment costs can be suppressed, and the working time can be shortened to increase productivity.
In addition, since it is not necessary to strictly adjust the angle of the laser light 28, it is possible to prevent occurrence of welding errors. For this reason, the quality of the sealed battery 10 can be improved.
[0025]
Further, the positive electrode current collector 16 is caulked with both pieces 16B and 16C bent in a substantially V shape as shown by arrows from both sides. In this way, by crimping the two pieces 16B and 16C of the positive electrode current collector 16, a plurality of metal foils 12 can be stably inserted into the positive electrode current collector 16 with certainty. Sparks can be reliably prevented during resistance welding. For this reason, the quality of the sealed battery 10 can be improved.
The positive electrode current collector 17 has the same shape as that of the positive electrode current collector 16, and the same effect as the positive electrode current collector 16 can be obtained.
[0026]
Next, 2nd Embodiment is described based on FIGS.
The positive current collector plate 30 of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 has cuts 31 </ b> A and 32 </ b> A formed at the ridges of the positive current collectors 31 and 32. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, it can be confirmed whether or not the metal foil 12 serving as the positive electrode has been inserted deep into the positive electrode current collectors 31 and 32.
In addition, by providing the cuts 31A and 32A at the ridges of the positive electrode current collectors 31 and 32, the positive electrode current collector 31 in the unfolded state shown in FIG. 7 can be easily bent as indicated by the arrow at the ridge 31B. Can do. For this reason, the quality of the sealed battery 1O can be improved.
In addition, by providing the notch 31A, it is possible to crimp the metal foil 12 with the positive electrode current collector because both of the positive electrode current collectors 31 and 32 bent into a V shape can be crimped with a light caulking force. The parts 31 and 32 can be securely gripped. For this reason, the quality of the sealed battery 1O can be further improved.
[0027]
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the positive electrode current collector plate 40 of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of through holes 41A, 42A are formed at predetermined intervals in the ridges of the positive electrode current collectors 41,. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, it can be confirmed whether or not the metal foil 12 serving as the positive electrode has been inserted deep into the positive electrode current collectors 41 and 42.
In addition, by providing the through holes 41A and 42A at the ridges of the positive electrode current collectors 41 and 42, the positive electrode current collectors 41 and 42 in an unfolded state can be easily bent at the ridges. For this reason, the quality of the sealed battery 1O can be improved.
Further, by providing the through holes 41A and 42A, when both the pieces of the positive electrode current collectors 41 and 42 bent into a V shape can be caulked, it is possible to caulk with a light caulking force. The current collectors 41 and 42 can be securely gripped. For this reason, the quality of the sealed battery 1O can be further improved.
[0028]
The sealed battery 50 of the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10 has a configuration in which the positive electrode current collecting plate 51 and the negative electrode current collecting plate 55 are not bent into an L shape, so that the positive electrode terminal 54 and the negative electrode terminal 58 are connected to the power generating element 14. Both ends 14D and 14E are provided. Therefore, the positions of the positive and negative terminals can be appropriately changed according to the use of the sealed battery.
The positive electrode current collector plate 51 and the negative electrode current collector plate 55 are integrally formed with positive electrode terminal support portions 52, 53, 56, and 57, respectively.
[0029]
The sealed battery of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and appropriate modifications and improvements can be made.
In addition, the materials, shapes, dimensions, forms, numbers, and arrangements of the negative electrode, positive electrode, power generation element, positive / negative current collector plate, positive / negative current collector, positive / negative terminal support, etc., exemplified in each of the embodiments described above A location, a thickness dimension, etc. are arbitrary as long as this invention can be achieved, and it is not limited.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, as described in claim 1, each terminal support portion has a different longitudinal dimension from other terminal support portions adjacent to each other, so that each current collector is It is possible to prevent interference with other adjacent current collectors. Thereby, in the state which has arrange | positioned each current collection part, since the width | variety of the whole current collection part can be restrained small, the width | variety of an electric power generation element can be narrowed. For this reason, since the width | variety of a sealed battery can be set narrowly and it can be made compact, the improvement of current collection efficiency can be aimed at.
[0031]
Further, in the present invention, as described in claim 2, each current collector can be stacked and accommodated in a state in which the metal foil is stabilized in each current collector by crimping each current collector. The adhesion between the metal foil and the metal foil is improved. For this reason, the quality of a sealed battery can be improved.
[0032]
Moreover, in this invention, as described in Claim 3, it can confirm whether the metal foil was inserted to the back of each current collection part by providing a notch part in the ridgeline of each current collection part.
In addition, by providing a notch on the ridge line of each current collector, each current collector can be easily folded at the ridge, and the sealing between each current collector and the metal foil can be improved. Problems during resistance welding can be prevented. For this reason, the quality of a sealed battery can be improved.
[0033]
Further, in the present invention, as described in claim 4, after the plate material is punched into a predetermined shape, each current collecting portion is formed by subjecting the plate material to sheet metal processing. This eliminates the need to join the current collector and the current collector plate by integrally forming the current collector and the current collector plate by punching. Time and production costs can be reduced. Furthermore, the quality of the sealed battery can be improved.
[0034]
Moreover, the active material non-application part of the said metal foil provided for the connection with a collector plate can be set narrowly by the above compared with the past. Therefore, since the active material can be applied over a wider area, it is possible to provide a sealed battery having a higher energy density than in the past.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a sealed battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the sealed battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a development view showing a main part of the sealed battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a positive electrode current collector of the sealed battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a positive electrode current collector plate of a sealed battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing a positive electrode current collector of a sealed battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a development view showing a positive electrode current collector plate of a sealed battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a positive electrode current collector plate of a sealed battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a positive electrode current collector of a sealed battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a sealed battery according to a fourth embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional sealed battery.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional sealed battery.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of a main part of a conventional sealed battery.
[Explanation of symbols]
10, 30, 40, 50 Sealed battery
12 Metal foil
14 Power generation elements
15, 51 Current collector (positive current collector)
16, 17, 31, 32, 41, 42, 52, 53 Current collector (positive current collector)
15D, 15E terminal support (positive terminal support)
20, 55 Current collector plate (Negative electrode current collector plate)

Claims

A power generating element having a metal foil that becomes a negative electrode and a positive electrode via a separator, and a current collector plate connected to each of the negative electrode and the positive electrode by electrical resistance welding at a surface direction edge of the metal foil; A plurality of current collecting portions each having a substantially V-shaped cross-section, and a plurality of the current collecting portions arranged in parallel to each other. The current collector is connected to the current collector plate via a terminal support that extends in the longitudinal direction of the current collector provided at the longitudinal end of the current collector, and the current collectors are adjacent to each other. The sealed battery is characterized in that the terminal support portions have different longitudinal dimensions from the other terminal support portions adjacent to each other so as not to interfere with the current collector portion.

2. The sealed battery according to claim 1, wherein each of the current collectors is crimped in a direction in which a cross-sectional shape is closed around a ridgeline of each of the current collectors.

The sealed battery according to claim 1, wherein a notch is provided so as to cross a ridge line of each of the current collectors.

2. The sealed battery according to claim 1, wherein each of the current collecting portions is formed by performing sheet metal processing on a plate material punched into a predetermined shape.