JP4622731B2 - Electric double layer capacitor protection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect that an aluminum laminated film has expanded remarkably due to generation of internal gas in the electric double-layer capacitor. <P>SOLUTION: The electric double-layer capacitor 10 is provided with a conductive contact 20, and a plurality of electric double-layer capacitors 10 are arranged so that the conductive contacts 20 are provided opposed with each other. When the aluminum laminated film 12 expands due to generation of gas causing the opposed conductive contacts 20 are placed in contact with each other, a current flows into a closed circuit R, and an output device 31 outputs a detected current D. With output of this detected signal D, generation of internal gas can be detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a protective device for an electric double layer capacitor, and detects quickly and surely an abnormality that a casing (aluminum laminate film) has greatly expanded due to the generation of gas inside the electric double layer capacitor. , So that safety measures can be taken.

  Electric double layer capacitors have characteristics such as stable characteristics at high output and very little deterioration even after repeated use, compared to secondary batteries such as lead batteries, nickel mercury batteries and lithium batteries. .

The constituent material of the electric double layer capacitor is composed of an organic electrolyte, a polarizable electrode (activated carbon electrode), a separator and a sealing structure material, and is used in a range where the voltage per unit cell is 2.3V to 2.7V. Is done.
In order to use an electric double layer capacitor at a higher voltage, a capacitor unit is formed by connecting several single cells in series with bipolar electrodes. The capacitor unit is covered with an aluminum laminate film for the purpose of preventing moisture from entering. That is, an aluminum laminate film is used as the exterior body.

  When the electric double layer capacitor is used for a long time, it generates gas such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, which is a decomposition product of the electrolyte. The gas accumulates between the capacitor unit (single cells connected in series) and the aluminum laminate film, and expands the aluminum laminate film.

  Therefore, in the conventional technology, in order to prevent the electric double layer capacitor from rupturing, etc., when the weld strength of the aluminum laminate film is narrowed to reduce the weld strength (pressure release structure), the gas pressure increases. In some cases, the pressure release structure with low welding strength is activated (the welded aluminum laminate film is peeled off and opened) to release gas or passively, such as adding a pressure release valve to the exterior body. Measures are taken.

JP 2002-151020 A

By the way, the conventional electric double layer capacitor has the following problems.
The aluminum laminate film having a pressure releasing structure expands by containing a gas generated from the inside of the electric double layer capacitor. Then, the pressure release structure operates (opens due to the gas pressure), and the gas escapes to the outside of the laminate film. At the same time, air with moisture from the outside easily enters the electric double layer capacitor. When air with moisture enters the electric double layer capacitor as described above, the electric double layer capacitor may not be able to exhibit predetermined performance.

  In addition, when an electric double layer capacitor is installed in an equipment device (for example, in a power supply device), even if the pressure relief structure of the laminate film of the electric double layer capacitor is activated, it may be notified to the outside of the equipment device. There was also a problem that it was not possible.

The configuration of the present invention that solves the above problems includes a conductive film that is electrically insulated from the electric double layer capacitor on a laminate film that is an exterior body of the electric double layer capacitor. It has a lead wire that is pulled out
A plurality of electric double layer capacitors provided with the conductive contact portions and lead wires are arranged in a state where the conductive contact portions face each other,
In addition, when the plurality of electric double layer capacitors are arranged, when the gas is generated in the electric double layer capacitor and the laminate film expands due to the pressure of the gas, the conductive contact portions facing each other come into contact with each other, and the laminate film expands. When not doing, it is the arrangement state where the conductive contact portions facing each other are separated from each other.

In addition, the configuration of the present invention includes a laminate film, which is an exterior body of an electric double layer capacitor, provided with a conductive contact portion in a state of being electrically insulated from the electric double layer capacitor, and a lead wire drawn from the conductive contact portion. With
The fixed conductive contact portion is disposed at a position fixed to the electric double layer capacitor, and includes a lead wire drawn out from the fixed conductive contact portion,
The electric double layer capacitor and the fixed conductive contact portion are arranged in a state where the conductive contact portion and the fixed conductive contact portion face each other,
Moreover, the arrangement state of the electric double layer capacitor and the fixed conductive contact portion is such that when the gas is generated in the electric double layer capacitor and the laminate film expands due to the pressure of the gas, the conductive contact portion and the fixed conductive contact portion that face each other Are in contact with each other and when the laminate film is not expanded, the opposing conductive contact portion and the fixed conductive contact portion are in an arrangement state in which they are separated from each other.

Further, the configuration of the present invention forms a closed circuit by the switching contact formed by the above-described opposing conductive contact portions, the power source, and the output device,
The output circuit outputs a detection signal when a current flows through the closed circuit.

Further, the configuration of the present invention forms a closed circuit by the switching contact formed by the above-described opposing conductive contact portions, the power source, and the output device,
Furthermore, when a gas is generated in the electric double layer capacitor, an exhaust means for exhausting the gas is provided,
The output circuit outputs a detection signal when a current flows through the closed circuit and operates the exhaust unit for a predetermined time.

  The configuration of the present invention is characterized in that, instead of the switching contact formed by the above-described opposing conductive contact portions, the switching contact formed by the above-described opposing conductive contact portion and the fixed conductive contact portion is used.

  According to the present invention, when the laminate film greatly expands due to gas generation, the conductive contact portions facing each other, or the conductive contact portions facing each other and the fixed conductive contact portions contact each other. By detecting from the outside of the equipment, gas generation can be detected reliably and quickly.

  In addition, a closed circuit is formed by an open / close contact formed by opposing conductive contact portions, or an open / close contact formed by opposing conductive contact portions and fixed conductive contact portions, a power source, and an output device, and the open / close contact is closed. When a current flows through the closed circuit, a detection signal is output from the output device. Based on this detection signal, it can be confirmed reliably and quickly from the outside that the laminate film has expanded greatly due to gas generation. Can be detected.

  Furthermore, an exhaust means for exhausting the gas in the electric double layer capacitor is provided, and when the switching contact is closed and a current flows in the closed circuit, the exhaust means is operated for a certain period of time by controlling the output device, and the electric double layer capacitor Since the gas is exhausted from, the safety is further improved.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below based on examples.

First, an electric double layer capacitor 10 used in the electric double layer capacitor protection device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 which is a front view and FIG. 2 which is a side sectional view. As shown in both figures, the capacitor unit 11 of the electric double layer capacitor 10 is configured by connecting a plurality of single cells in series. The capacitor unit 11 is covered with an aluminum laminate film 12 as an exterior body and sealed under reduced pressure. The lead terminal 13 is connected to the capacitor unit 11 and led out to the outside of the aluminum laminate film 12. Furthermore, the capacitor unit 11 is filled with an organic electrolyte.
When such an electric double layer capacitor 10 is used for a long period of time, gas is generated from the electrolyte, and when the gas pressure of this gas increases, the aluminum laminate film 12 expands outward.

  Furthermore, a conductive contact portion 20 is provided on the surface (outer surface) of the aluminum laminate film 12 of the electric double layer capacitor 10. The conductive contact portion 20 is formed by, for example, bonding a metal foil to the aluminum laminate film 12 with an adhesive, and is electrically insulated from the electric double layer capacitor 10. A lead wire 21 is drawn out from the conductive contact portion 20. That is, the normal electric double layer capacitor 10 includes the conductive contact portion 20 and the lead wire 21.

  In order to configure a protective device with the electric double layer capacitor 10 having the above-described configuration, a plurality of (two in the example of FIG. 3) electric double layer capacitors 10 are connected to the conductive contact portion 20 as shown in FIG. It arrange | positions in an apparatus apparatus (for example, in a power supply device) in the state which mutually opposes. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, when the plurality of electric double layer capacitors 10 are arranged, gas is generated in the electric double layer capacitor 10 and the aluminum laminate film 12 expands due to the gas pressure. As shown in FIG. 3, when the aluminum laminate film 12 is not expanded (when no internal gas is generated), the opposing conductive contact portions 20 are separated from each other as shown in FIG. It is in a state.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, even if the aluminum laminate film 12 expands to a state where the conductive contact portions 20 are in contact with each other, the aluminum laminate film 12 can withstand this degree of expansion and does not break. . Conversely, when the aluminum laminate film 12 expands to such an extent that it does not break, the arrangement position of the electric double layer capacitor 10 is set so that the conductive contact portions 20 come into contact with each other.

  With the above configuration, if the lead wire 21 is guided to the outside of the device and the lead wire 21 is connected to a sensor or the like, the contact and separation between the conductive contact portions 20 facing each other can be brought out of the device. Can be detected. That is, when it is detected that the conductive contact portions 20 facing each other are in contact with each other, it can be determined that the aluminum laminate film 12 has expanded due to gas generation, that is, gas has been generated in the electric double layer capacitor 10. As the sensor or the like, various sensors that electrically detect contact / separation between the conductive contact portions 20 can be used. In this way, gas generation can be detected outside the device.

  Next, a more specific example of the electric double layer capacitor protection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, each of the No. 1 to No. 4 electric double layer capacitors 10 arranged in the device is provided with a conductive contact portion 20, and a lead wire 21 is led out from each conductive contact portion 20. ing.

  The electric double layer capacitors 10 of No1 and No2 are arranged in a state where the conductive contact portions 20 face each other, and when no gas is generated inside, the conductive contact portions 20 facing each other are separated from each other, and the gas inside When the aluminum laminated film 12 expands and the conductive contact portions 20 that face each other come into contact with each other, they are arranged at positions. The conductive contact portion 20 of the No. 1 electric double layer capacitor 10 and the conductive contact portion 20 of the No. 2 electric double layer capacitor 10 are brought into contact with and separated from each other depending on the presence or absence of gas pressure, thereby forming the first switching contact SW1. ing.

  Similarly, the No. 3 and No. 4 electric double layer capacitors 10 are arranged with the conductive contact portions 20 facing each other, and when no gas is generated inside, the conductive contact portions 20 facing each other are separated from each other. When the gas is generated inside and the aluminum laminate film 12 expands, the conductive contact portions 20 facing each other are disposed at positions where they contact each other. The conductive contact portion 20 of the No. 3 electric double layer capacitor 10 and the conductive contact portion 20 of the No. 4 electric double layer capacitor 10 are brought into contact with and separated from each other by the presence or absence of gas pressure, thereby forming the second switching contact SW2. ing.

  Furthermore, the power source 30, the switching contacts SW1 and SW2, and the output device 31 are electrically connected to form a closed circuit R. The switching contact SW1 and the switching contact SW2 are connected in parallel. That is, the switching contacts SW1 and SW2 connected in parallel are taken into the closed circuit R.

  In the protection device shown in FIG. 5, a current flows through the closed circuit R when at least one of the switching contact SW1 and the switching contact SW2 is closed. When a current flows in the closed circuit R in this way, the output device 31 outputs a detection signal D to the outside of the device device or this capacitor utilization circuit. That is, the detection signal D indicating that an abnormality has occurred in which the aluminum laminate film 12 expands due to the generation of gas inside the electric double layer capacitor 10 is output. By the output of the detection signal D, safety measures such as stopping the operation of the electric double layer capacitor 10 can be taken.

  FIG. 6 shows a modification of the protective device. The No. 1 and No. 3 electric double layer capacitors 10 are provided with conductive contact portions 20 only on one side thereof, while the No. 2 electric double layer capacitor 10 has both sides thereof. Is provided with a conductive contact portion 20.

When the conductive contact portion 20 of the No. 1 electric double layer capacitor 10 and one conductive contact portion 20 of the No. 2 electric double layer capacitor 10 are brought into contact with or separated from each other depending on the presence or absence of gas pressure, the first switching contact SW11 is formed. It is configured. In addition, the conductive contact portion 20 of the No. 3 electric double layer capacitor 10 and the other conductive contact portion 20 of the No. 2 electric double layer capacitor 10 are brought into contact with and separated from each other depending on the presence or absence of gas pressure, whereby the second switching contact SW12. Is configured.
The structure of other parts is the same as that shown in FIG.

  In the protection device shown in FIG. 6, a current flows through the closed circuit R when at least one of the switching contact SW11 and the switching contact SW12 is closed. When a current flows in the closed circuit R in this way, the output device 31 outputs a detection signal D to the outside of the device device or this capacitor utilization circuit. That is, the detection signal D indicating that an abnormality has occurred in which the aluminum laminate film 12 expands due to the generation of gas inside the electric double layer capacitor 10 is output. By the output of the detection signal D, safety measures such as stopping the operation of the electric double layer capacitor 10 can be taken.

  Next, a third embodiment of the electric double layer capacitor protection device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, the electric double layer capacitor 10 and the fixed electrode contact portion 40 are fixedly arranged in the storage hard case 50.

A conductive contact portion 20 is provided on the surface of the aluminum laminate film 12 of the electric double layer capacitor 10. A lead wire 21 is drawn out from the conductive contact portion 20, and the lead wire 21 is led out to the outside of the housing hard case 41.
On the other hand, the fixed conductive contact portion 40 is disposed at a position facing the conductive contact portion 20. A lead wire 41 is drawn out from the fixed conductive contact portion 40, and the lead wire 41 is led out to the outside of the storage hard case 41.

  Moreover, the electric double layer capacitor 10 and the fixed conductive contact portion 40 are arranged in a state where the conductive contact portion 20 and the fixed conductive contact portion 40 face each other, and gas is generated inside the electric double layer capacitor 10. When the conductive contact portion 20 and the fixed conductive contact portion 10 that face each other are separated from each other and gas is generated inside the electric double layer capacitor 10 and the aluminum laminate film 12 expands, the conductive contact portion 20 and the opposite conductive contact portion 20 are fixed. It arrange | positions in the position where the conductive contact part 40 contacts. The conductive contact portion 20 and the fixed conductive contact portion 40 are brought into contact with and separated from each other depending on the presence or absence of gas pressure, thereby forming a switching contact SW21.

  Further, the power source 30, the switching contact SW21, and the output device 31 are electrically connected to form a closed circuit R.

  In the protection device shown in FIG. 7, when the switching contact SW21 is closed, a current flows through the closed circuit R. When a current flows in the closed circuit R in this way, the output device 31 outputs a detection signal D to the outside of the device device or this capacitor utilization circuit. That is, the detection signal D indicating that an abnormality has occurred in which the aluminum laminate film 12 expands due to the generation of gas inside the electric double layer capacitor 10 is output. By the output of the detection signal D, safety measures such as stopping the operation of the electric double layer capacitor 10 can be taken.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the protective device for the electric double layer capacitor according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The fourth embodiment is a further improvement by adding a configuration to the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the fourth embodiment, each electric double layer capacitor 10 is provided with a communication pipe 70 that communicates the outside and the inside of the aluminum laminate film 12 while ensuring a reduced-pressure sealed state by the aluminum laminate film 12. . Each communication pipe 70 is connected to the vacuum pump 60 via a pipe 71.

The output device 21 includes a timer, a relay, and the like, and outputs a detection signal D and a pump operation signal S when a current flows through the closed circuit R. The pump operation signal S is output until the timer time set by the timer elapses after the current starts to flow in the closed circuit R.
The vacuum pump 60 operates during a period of receiving the pump operation signal S, and performs a vacuuming operation.
The structure of other parts is the same as that of the second embodiment shown in FIG.

  In the protection device shown in FIG. 8, a current flows through the closed circuit R when at least one of the switching contact SW1 and the switching contact SW2 is closed. When a current flows in the closed circuit R in this way, the output device 31 outputs a detection signal D to the outside of the device device or this capacitor utilization circuit. That is, the detection signal D indicating that an abnormality has occurred in which the aluminum laminate film 12 expands due to the generation of gas inside the electric double layer capacitor 10 is output. By the output of the detection signal D, safety measures such as stopping the operation of the electric double layer capacitor 10 can be taken.

  When a current flows through the closed circuit R, the output device 31 outputs the pump operation signal S for the preset timer time. For this reason, during the period when the pump operation signal S is output, the vacuum pump 60 operates to effectively suck and exhaust the gas generated in the electric double layer capacitor 20 through the communication pipe 70 and the pipe 71. can do. Thus, by exhausting the gas by vacuum suction, the expansion of the aluminum laminate film 12 that has been expanded is stopped, and the open / close contacts SW1 and SW2 are returned to the open state. That is, by actively exhausting the generated gas, the aluminum laminate film 12 is not expanded and the safety is further improved.

  In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the gas may be actively sucked and exhausted when the gas is generated.

The front view which shows the electric double layer capacitor used for this invention. Side surface sectional drawing which shows the electric double layer capacitor used for this invention. The top view which shows the protection apparatus of the electric double layer capacitor which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. The top view which shows the protection apparatus of the electric double layer capacitor which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the protection apparatus of the electric double layer capacitor which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the modification of the protection apparatus of the electric double layer capacitor which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the protection apparatus of the electric double layer capacitor which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the protection apparatus of the electric double layer capacitor which concerns on Example 5 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Electric double layer capacitor 11 Capacitor unit 12 Aluminum laminated film 13 Lead terminal 20 Conductive contact part 21 Lead wire 30 Power supply 31 Output device 40 Fixed conductive contact part 41 Lead wire 50 Storage hard case 60 Vacuum pump 70 Communication pipe 71 Piping R Closed circuit SW1, SW2, SW11, SW12, AW21
D Detection signal S Pump operation signal

Claims (5)

The laminate film, which is an exterior body of the electric double layer capacitor, has a conductive contact portion in a state of being electrically insulated from the electric double layer capacitor, and has a lead wire drawn out from the conductive contact portion,
A plurality of electric double layer capacitors provided with the conductive contact portions and lead wires are arranged in a state where the conductive contact portions face each other,
In addition, when the plurality of electric double layer capacitors are arranged, when the gas is generated in the electric double layer capacitor and the laminate film expands due to the pressure of the gas, the conductive contact portions facing each other come into contact with each other, and the laminate film expands. A protective device for an electric double layer capacitor, wherein the conductive contact portions facing each other are arranged apart from each other when they are not. The laminate film, which is an exterior body of the electric double layer capacitor, has a conductive contact portion in a state of being electrically insulated from the electric double layer capacitor, and has a lead wire drawn out from the conductive contact portion,
The fixed conductive contact portion is disposed at a position fixed to the electric double layer capacitor, and includes a lead wire drawn out from the fixed conductive contact portion,
The electric double layer capacitor and the fixed conductive contact portion are arranged in a state where the conductive contact portion and the fixed conductive contact portion face each other,
Moreover, the arrangement state of the electric double layer capacitor and the fixed conductive contact portion is such that when the gas is generated in the electric double layer capacitor and the laminate film expands due to the pressure of the gas, the conductive contact portion and the fixed conductive contact portion that face each other When the laminate film is not expanded, the opposing conductive contact portion and the fixed conductive contact portion are arranged to be separated from each other. A closed circuit is formed by the open / close contact formed by the opposing conductive contact portion according to claim 1, the power source, and the output device,
The protective device for an electric double layer capacitor, wherein the output circuit outputs a detection signal when a current flows through the closed circuit. A closed circuit is formed by the open / close contact formed by the opposing conductive contact portion according to claim 1, the power source, and the output device,
Furthermore, when a gas is generated in the electric double layer capacitor, an exhaust means for exhausting the gas is provided,
The output circuit outputs a detection signal when a current flows in the closed circuit, and operates the exhaust unit for a predetermined time, and the protective device for an electric double layer capacitor. In claim 3 or claim 4,
2. An electric double layer capacitor comprising: a switching contact formed by an opposing conductive contact portion and a fixed conductive contact portion according to claim 2 instead of the switching contact formed by the opposing conductive contact portion according to claim 1. Protection device.

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