JP4645001B2

JP4645001B2 - battery

Info

Publication number: JP4645001B2
Application number: JP2002146259A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 下薗　　武司; 哲三小島; 胸永　　訓良; 岳人松原
Original assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd
Current assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd
Priority date: 2001-07-11
Filing date: 2002-05-21
Publication date: 2011-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2022-05-21
Also published as: JP2003092103A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、端子構造に特徴を有する電池に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の大型の二次電池の端子構造の一例を図７に示す。この図７では、蓋板４に端子１３が取り付けられた例を示す。蓋板４は、電池缶等と共に電池外装体を構成するものであり、発電要素を収納したこの電池缶等の開口部を塞ぐための金属板からなる。この蓋板４には、端子１３を貫通させるための端子孔４ａが形成されると共に、上下面に上部絶縁封止板６と下部絶縁封止板３が配置されている。上部絶縁封止板６には、貫通孔が形成されると共に、この貫通孔の下端の周縁部がさらに下方に突出して筒状部６ｃを形成し、この筒状部６ｃが蓋板４の端子孔４ａに嵌入するようになっている。そして、下部絶縁封止板３には、この端子孔４ａに嵌入しさらに下方に突出する上部絶縁封止板６の筒状部６ｃが嵌入する貫通孔が形成されている。また、この下部絶縁封止板３の下方には、金属板からなる集電接続体２が配置されている。集電接続体２は、直接又は他の集電接続体を介して発電要素の電極に接続されるものであり、上部絶縁封止板６の貫通孔とほぼ同径のカシメ孔２ｃが形成されている。
【０００３】
端子１３は、円盤状の端子基部１３ａの上面からボルト部１３ｂを上方に突出させると共に、この端子基部１３ａの下面から筒状のカシメ部１３ｃを突出させた金属材である。この端子１３は、端子基部１３ａを上部絶縁封止板６上に載置して、カシメ部１３ｃをこの上部絶縁封止板６の貫通孔に嵌入させる。従って、この端子１３のカシメ部１３ｃは、上部絶縁封止板６の貫通孔に嵌入すると共に、この貫通孔の外周の筒状部６ｃを介して蓋板４の端子孔４ａと下部絶縁封止板３の貫通孔をも通り抜け、集電接続体２のカシメ孔２ｃに嵌入して下端部がさらに下方に突出することになる。そして、このカシメ孔２ｃから突出した筒状のカシメ部１３ｃを下方から押し広げてカシメることにより、端子１３を集電接続体２と接続固定し、これによって発電要素の電極と接続されるようになっている。また、この際、端子１３の端子基部１３ａと集電接続体２との間で、上部絶縁封止板６と下部絶縁封止板３が蓋板４を挟んで圧迫挟持されることにより、この蓋板４の端子孔４ａが封止されると共に、これら上部絶縁封止板６と下部絶縁封止板３により、端子１３と集電接続体２が蓋板４から絶縁される。
【０００４】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
ところが、上記端子１３は、ボルト部１３ｂに接続材を嵌合してナットにより締め付けることにより外部回路との接続を行うので、この締め付けのトルクが直接カシメ部１３ｃに加わる。このため、従来の端子１３の構造では、カシメ部１３ｃの集電接続体２とのカシメが緩んで上部絶縁封止板６と下部絶縁封止板３による蓋板４の端子孔４ａの周囲の圧迫が弱まることにより、電池外装体の内部の気密性が低下するおそれがあるという問題が発生していた。
【０００５】
また、この端子１３は、例えば非水電解質二次電池の正極端子の場合には、正極電位となるカシメ部１３ｃが電池外装体の内部で非水電解液に接触するので、この非水電解液に溶解しないようにするために、アルミニウムやアルミニウム合金等を使用する必要がある。また、他の種類の電池の場合にも、端子１３は、電池外装体の内部で電解液に接触する部分があるために、使用する金属材料が限定される。このために、アルミニウム合金等の機械強度の弱い金属材料を端子１３に使用しなければならない場合に、ボルト部１３ｂにナットを強く締め付けすぎたり、何度も着脱を繰り返すと、ネジ山が破損したり変形して、この端子１３が使用できなくなるという問題も発生していた。
【０００６】
本発明は、かかる事情に対処するためになされたものであり、端子接続部材の持ち上がりや回転を抑制して電池外装体内部の気密性が低下するのを防止することができる電池を提供することを目的としている。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
【０００８】
【０００９】
【００１０】
【００１１】
請求項１の発明は、電池外装体の外部に突出する電池引出端子と、この電池外装体の外面上に配置され、貫通孔に電池引出端子を貫通させた絶縁封止材と、この絶縁封止材上に配置され、電池引出端子の外部突出部を嵌合孔に嵌入させて接続固定した端子接続部材とを備えた電池において、絶縁封止材に開口部が多角形状となる凹部が設けられると共に、この絶縁封止材の凹部に多角形状の頭部を嵌入させて、この頭部から突出するボルト部を端子接続部材の貫通孔に貫通突出させた接続用の端子ボルトが取り付けられ、かつ、中央部が端子接続部材上に配置され、少なくとも両端部が電池外装体に固着された端子押さえ材が設けられたことを特徴とする。
【００１２】
請求項１の発明によれば、端子押さえ材が電池外装体に固着されて端子接続部材を上から押さえるので、この端子接続部材の持ち上がりや回転を抑制することができるようになる。従って、電池引出端子の外部突出部と端子接続部材との接続固定が緩み電池外装体内の気密性が低下するようなことがなくなる。この電池は、端子接続部材に端子ボルトが取り付けられ、この端子ボルトのボルト部で電池の接続が行われるので、この端子接続部材と電池引出端子の外部突出部との間の接続固定部に加わる力が大きくなり、端子接続部材の回転や持ち上がりが生じやすくなるため、本発明によりこれを確実に防止することができる効果は有用である。
【００１３】
請求項２の発明は、電池外装体の外部に突出する電池引出端子と、この電池外装体の外面上に配置され、貫通孔に電池引出端子を貫通させた絶縁封止材と、この絶縁封止材上に配置され、電池引出端子の外部突出部を嵌合孔に嵌入させて接続固定した端子接続部材とを備えた電池において、絶縁封止材に開口部が多角形状となる凹部が設けられると共に、この絶縁封止材の凹部に多角形状の頭部を嵌入させて、この頭部から突出するボルト部を端子接続部材の貫通孔に貫通突出させた接続用の端子ボルトが取り付けられ、かつ、電池引出端子と絶縁封止材との間、電池外装体と絶縁封止材の間、及び、端子接続部材と絶縁封止材の間のいずれか１箇所又は２箇所以上が接着剤を介して接合されたことを特徴とする。
【００１４】
請求項２の発明によれば、絶縁封止材が電池引出端子の外部突出部と電池外装体と端子接続部材に接着されるので、この端子接続部材の持ち上がりや回転を抑制することができるようになる。従って、電池引出端子の外部突出部と端子接続部材との接続固定が緩み電池外装体内の気密性が低下するようなことがなくなる。特に、絶縁封止材と電池引出端子の突出部又は電池外装体との間、及び、端子接続部材との間が接着されれば、この端子接続部材が絶縁封止材を介して電池引出端子又は電池外装体に固着されることになるので、端子接続部材の持ち上がりや回転をより確実に抑制することができるようになる。この電池は、端子接続部材に端子ボルトが取り付けられ、この端子ボルトのボルト部で電池の接続が行われるので、この端子接続部材と電池引出端子の外部突出部との間の接続固定部に加わる力が大きくなり、端子接続部材の回転や持ち上がりが生じやすくなるため、本発明によりこれを確実に防止することができる効果は有用である。
【００１５】
【００１６】
【００１７】
【００１８】
【００１９】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施形態について図面を参照して説明する。
【００２０】
図１〜図３は本発明の第１実施形態を示すものであって、図１は非水電解質二次電池の構造を示す分解斜視図、図２は非水電解質二次電池の端子部の構造を詳細に示す部分拡大分解斜視図、図３は非水電解質二次電池の端子部を蓋板に組み付けた状態を示す分解斜視図である。なお、図７に示した従来例と同様の機能を有する構成部材には同じ番号を付記する。
【００２１】
本実施形態は、電気自動車等に用いられる大型の非水電解質二次電池について説明する。この非水電解質二次電池は、図１に示すように、長円筒形の巻回型の４個の発電要素１を横置きにして、長円筒形の平坦な側面を密着させて並べたものである。これらの発電要素１は、両端面部に配置された集電接続体２に正負の電極が接続固定されて並列接続されている。集電接続体２は、正極側の場合にはアルミニウム板やアルミニウム合金板からなり、負極側の場合には銅板や銅合金板からなる。各集電接続体２は、水平に配置されたほぼ二等辺三角形状の板材からなる本体２ａと、この本体２ａの二等辺三角形状の底辺部から下方に向けて簾状に突出した８本の接続部２ｂとからなり、本体２ａの二等辺三角形状の頂部付近にはカシメ孔２ｃが形成されている。正極側の集電接続体２の各接続部２ｂは、４個の発電要素１の一方の端部に配置されて、これらの発電要素１の正極に接続固定されている。また、負極側の集電接続体２の各接続部２ｂは、これらの発電要素１の他方の端部に配置されて、負極に接続固定されている。これらの集電接続体２の本体２ａは、それぞれ下部絶縁封止板３を介して蓋板４の裏面の両端部に配置される。下部絶縁封止板３は、絶縁性のＰＰＳ（ポリフェニレンサルファイド）樹脂等からなる板材である。また、蓋板４は、矩形のステンレス鋼板からなり、発電要素１を収納するステンレス鋼板製の容器である電池筐体５の上端開口部に嵌め込まれて溶接により固着される。これらの蓋板４と電池筐体５は、非水電解質二次電池の電池外装体を構成する。
【００２２】
上記蓋板４の上面の両端部には、それぞれ上部絶縁封止板６が配置されると共に、正負極の端子としてリベット端子７と端子接続杆８と端子ボルト９とが取り付けられている。図２に示すように、上部絶縁封止板６は、矩形の板材であり、下部絶縁封止板３と同様に、絶縁性のＰＰＳ樹脂等からなる。この上部絶縁封止板６は、上面の一端側に四隅が面取りされた正方形状の四角凹部６ａが形成されると共に、他端側には正六角形状の六角凹部６ｂが形成されている。また、四角凹部６ａの底面の中央部には、裏面に貫通する貫通孔が形成されると共に、この貫通孔の下端の周縁部が裏面からさらに下方に突出して筒状部６ｃを形成している。リベット端子７は、四隅が面取りされた正方形状のフランジ部７ａの下面から円筒状の下端カシメ部７ｂを突出させると共に、このフランジ部７ａの上面から円筒状の上端カシメ部７ｃを突出させた金属部品である。端子接続杆８は、上部絶縁封止板６よりも一回り小さい細長い矩形の金属板であり、一端側に嵌合孔８ａが形成されると共に、他端側に貫通孔８ｂが形成されている。端子ボルト９は、六角形状の頭部の上面から上方に向けてボルト部を突設した六角ボルト状の金属部品である。
【００２３】
本実施形態では、上記端子接続杆８は銅合金で作製し、端子ボルト９はステンレス鋼で作製している。また、リベット端子７は、蓋板４上の一方の端部で正極端子として用いられるものの場合にはアルミニウムやアルミニウム合金で作製し、蓋板４上の他方の端部で負極端子として用いられるものの場合には銅や銅合金で作製している。本実施形態のように非水電解質二次電池の場合、リベット端子７は下端カシメ部７ｂが非水電解液に接触するので、正極端子側では、正極電位で非水電解液に溶解しないアルミニウムやアルミニウム合金等を用いる必要があり、負極端子側では、負極活物質と合金化しない銅や銅合金等を用いる必要がある。これに対して、端子接続杆８と端子ボルト９は、非水電解液と接触することがないので、端子接続杆８の場合は、特に導電性が高く十分な機械強度も有する銅合金を用い、外部回路との接続を行う端子ボルト９の場合には、特に機械強度が強く十分な導電性も有するステンレス鋼が用いられる。
【００２４】
上部絶縁封止板６は、蓋板４の上面の両端部に配置される。蓋板４の上面の両端部には、それぞれ端子孔４ａが形成され、これらの端子孔４ａの真上に各上部絶縁封止板６の貫通孔が位置するように配置される。また、図１に示したように、この蓋板４の裏面の両端部に配置される下部絶縁封止板３と集電接続体２も、これらの端子孔４ａの真下に各下部絶縁封止板３の貫通孔と各集電接続体２のカシメ孔２ｃとが位置するように配置される。
【００２５】
上記リベット端子７は、下端カシメ部７ｂを上部絶縁封止板６の貫通孔に嵌入させ、この上部絶縁封止板６の筒状部６ｃを介して蓋板４の端子孔４ａと下部絶縁封止板３の貫通孔を通し、集電接続体２の本体２ａのカシメ孔２ｃを貫通させる。そして、図７に示した従来の端子１３の場合と同様に、この集電接続体２のカシメ孔２ｃから下方に突出した下端カシメ部７ｂの先端部をカシメることにより、リベット端子７が集電接続体２に接続固定される。このリベット端子７は、フランジ部７ａを上部絶縁封止板６の四角凹部６ａに嵌め込むことにより、この上部絶縁封止板６に対するリベット端子７の回転が規制される。また、端子ボルト９も、正六角形状の頭部を上部絶縁封止板６の正六角形状の六角凹部６ｂに嵌め込むことにより、この上部絶縁封止板６に対する回転が規制される。
【００２６】
端子接続杆８は、これらリベット端子７の上端カシメ部７ｃと端子ボルト９のボルト部に嵌合孔８ａと貫通孔８ｂを上方から嵌合させることにより上部絶縁封止板６の上面に配置する。そして、嵌合孔８ａから上方に突出した上端カシメ部７ｃをカシメることにより、端子接続杆８をリベット端子７に接続固定する。従って、これにより発電要素１の電極が集電接続体２からリベット端子７を経由して端子接続杆８に接続固定される。しかも、これらリベット端子７のフランジ部７ａと集電接続体２の本体２ａとの間で、上部絶縁封止板６と下部絶縁封止板３が蓋板４を挟んで圧迫挟持されることにより、この蓋板４の端子孔４ａが封止されると共に、これら上部絶縁封止板６と下部絶縁封止板３により、集電接続体２とリベット端子７や端子接続杆８、端子ボルト９が蓋板４から絶縁される。また、端子ボルト９は、上部絶縁封止板６の六角凹部６ｂによって回転を規制されると共に、端子接続杆８によって上方への抜け出しを制限されるので、ボルト部に例えば電源コードの圧着端子を嵌め込んでナット等で締め付け固定することにより、この電源コードを介して外部回路と端子接続杆８との間を確実に接続することができる。
【００２７】
上記のようにして蓋板４に集電接続体２とリベット端子７や端子接続杆８、端子ボルト９等が組み付けられると、図３に示すように、この集電接続体２の接続部２ｂに電極を接続された４個の発電要素１を電池筐体５に収納すると共に、この電池筐体５の開口部に蓋板４を嵌め込み周囲を溶接で封止することにより非水電解質二次電池の組み立てが完成する。
【００２８】
この結果、本実施形態によれば、蓋板４の端子孔４ａを貫通するリベット端子７と外部回路との接続を行う端子ボルト９とが別部品となり端子接続杆８を介して接続されるので、外部回路との接続の際にこの端子ボルト９に強い力でナットを締め付けたとしても、リベット端子７に直接この力が加わるようなことがなくなり、カシメが緩んで電池筐体５と蓋板４の内部の気密性が低下するようなことがなくなる。しかも、電池筐体５と蓋板４の内部で非水電解液と接触するリベット端子７は、正極端子の場合にはアルミニウム合金等を使用し、負極端子の場合には銅合金等を使用することができるので、非水電解液に溶解したり負極活物質と合金化するのを防止できる。また、端子ボルト９は、正負極端子の双方で機械強度の強いステンレス鋼を用いることができるので、外部回路との接続の際に強い力でナットを締め付けたり着脱を繰り返しても、ネジ山が破損したり変形するようなことがなくなる。
【００２９】
なお、上記実施形態では、リベット端子７を端子接続杆８にカシメることにより接続を行う場合について示したが、端子接続杆８に溶接やロウ付け、ネジ止め等の任意の手段により接続することもできる。また、このリベット端子７は、本実施形態のように集電接続体２を介して発電要素１の電極に接続する場合に限らず、任意の部材を介して電極に接続することができ、この電極に直接接続することも可能である。さらに、このリベット端子７と集電接続体２やその他の部材又は電極との接続もカシメに限らず任意の接続手段を用いることができる。さらに、上記実施形態では、蓋板４の端子孔４ａを貫通するリベット端子７を下部絶縁封止板３と上部絶縁封止板６の挟持によって封止する場合について示したが、この封止手段も任意であり、下部絶縁封止板３や上部絶縁封止板６に代えて弾性の強い樹脂やゴム等からなるパッキン材を使用し、このパッキン材をボルト・ナットの締め付け等によって圧迫するようにしたり、ハーメチックシール等を用いて封止することもできる。
【００３０】
また、上記実施形態では、矩形の板状の端子接続杆８を用いる場合を示したが、リベット端子７と端子ボルト９との間を接続する端子接続部材であれば、板状やブロック状等の形状は問わない。さらに、銅撚り線等のように、導電性がありフレキシブルな材質の端子接続部材を使用すれば、端子ボルト９に加わる力がリベット端子７にも伝わるのを確実に防ぐことができるようになる。
【００３１】
また、上記実施形態では、外部接続端子として端子ボルト９を用いる場合を示したが、このようなボルト状に限らず、ナット状の外部接続端子を用いることもでき、その他の接続手段による外部接続端子を用いることもできる。例えば、外部回路の接続材が外部接続端子に外嵌したり挟持して締め付けるものや、バネ等により圧接するようなものであってもよい。このように外部接続端子にネジ等による締め付け力が加わらない場合であっても、着脱時に接続材を押し込んだり引き抜いたりする強い力が加わるおそれがあり、接続後に接続材を介して衝撃が加わるおそれもあるので、これらの力がリベット端子７に直接加わるのを防止することができる。さらに、上記実施形態では、端子ボルト９が未使用時には端子接続杆８の貫通孔８ｂに嵌まり込み係止されるだけで、外部回路を接続することにより初めて接続固定される場合について示したが、少なくともこの外部回路との接続時に端子接続杆８との接続が確実に行われていればよく、それ以外の場合には必ずしも常時確実な接続が行われている必要はない。
【００３２】
また、上記実施形態では、電池筐体５と蓋板４とからなる電池外装体について示したが、発電要素を収納する電池外装体であれば、どのような構成のものを用いていることもできる。さらに、上記実施形態では、非水電解質二次電池について説明したが、電池外装体から絶縁された端子を備えた他の種類の電池にも同様に実施可能である。また、リベット端子７や端子接続杆８、端子ボルト９に使用される金属材料も、上記実施形態に限定されず、電池の種類やその電池の使用形態に応じて任意に選定することができる。ただし、リベット端子７に使用される金属材料が機械強度等で劣る場合には、少なくとも端子ボルト９には、機械強度等がより優れた金属材料を用いることが好ましい。さらに、上記実施形態で示したこれらのリベット端子７と端子接続杆８と上部絶縁封止板６の形状は一例にすぎず、任意の形状や構造のものを用いることができる。
【００３３】
ところで、上記実施形態においても、端子ボルト９にさらに大きな力が加わると、リベット端子７の上端カシメ部７ｃと端子接続杆８との間のカシメが緩み、電池外装体内部の気密性が損なわれるというおそれを完全に払拭することはできなかった。即ち、例えば端子ボルト９のボルト部にナット等を締め付けるために、スパナ等で大きな力を加えると、端子接続杆８にも大きなトルクが加わって、リベット端子７の上端カシメ部７ｃとのカシメ部で空回りが生じたり、この上端カシメ部７ｃを支点として端子接続杆８が持ち上がりカシメ部が引き剥がされるようになり、このために上部絶縁封止板６を圧迫する力が弱まって気密性が低下するおそれが生じる。特に、非水電解質二次電池では、正極側のリベット端子７等が機械強度の弱いアルミニウム合金等からなるため、実際にカシメ部に無理な力が加わった場合に電池外装体の気密性が損なわれるおそれが大きかった。そこで、以下の第２〜第４実施形態では、この電池外装体の気密性を確実に維持するための端子構造について説明する。
【００３４】
図４は本発明の第２実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の端子部分を拡大した部分拡大斜視図である。なお、図２等に示した第１実施形態と同様の機能を有する構成部材には同じ番号を付記する。
【００３５】
本実施形態は、第１実施形態と同様の構成の大型の非水電解質二次電池の正極端子について説明する。この非水電解質二次電池の正極端子は、図４に示すように、蓋板４の上面に上部絶縁封止板６を介して配置されたリベット端子７と端子接続杆８と端子ボルト９とからなり、これらは第１実施形態の場合と同様に接続されている。そして、本実施形態では、この端子接続杆８上に端子押さえ板１０の中央部が配置されている。端子押さえ板１０は、両端部に貫通孔が形成された細長い樹脂板である。また、蓋板４の上面における上部絶縁封止板６を配置した位置の両側には、カシメピン１１が立設されている。カシメピン１１は、金属製のピンであり、下端面を蓋板４の上面に溶接によって固着されている。また、これらのカシメピン１１の上端部は、端子押さえ板１０の両端部の貫通孔に嵌入されてカシメられている。従って、端子押さえ板１０は、これらのカシメピン１１を介して蓋板４に固着されると共に、このカシメによって端子接続杆８を上方から圧迫するようになっている。
【００３６】
上記非水電解質二次電池は、例えば電源コードの端部に圧着した圧着端子を端子ボルト９のボルト部に嵌めてナットで螺着することにより外部回路との接続を行う。この際、端子ボルト９は、ナットを締め付けるための工具によって強い力を受けるので、端子接続杆８が持ち上げられたり回転させられるようになる。しかし、本実施形態では、端子押さえ板１０が端子接続杆８を上方から圧迫しているので、この端子接続杆８がリベット端子７を支点として端子ボルト９側が持ち上がり、リベット端子７とのカシメ部に無理な力が加わるようなことがなくなる。また、端子接続杆８が回転方向の力を受けた場合にも、端子押さえ板１０の圧迫により、この端子接続杆８がリベット端子７を中心に回転してカシメ部に無理な力が加わるのを防止することができる。
【００３７】
この結果、本実施形態によれば、外部回路との接続の着脱の際に、端子ボルト９に大きな力が加わっても、これによって端子接続杆８とリベット端子７との間のカシメ部に無理な力が加わるのを防止することができるので、電池外装体内の気密性を損なうようなことがなくなる。
【００３８】
なお、本実施形態では、端子接続杆８と蓋板４との間の絶縁を図るために、樹脂製の端子押さえ板１０を用いる場合について説明したが、他の方法による絶縁を行ったり、絶縁が不要な場合には、金属製の端子押さえ板１０を用いることもでき、その他の材質の端子押さえ板１０を用いることもできる。また、本実施形態では、カシメピン１１を用いて端子押さえ板１０を蓋板４に固着する場合について説明したが、このカシメピン１１に代えて他の固着部材を用いることもできる。例えばスタットボルトを蓋板４に溶接したり螺着して埋め込むことができる。そして、これらの固着部材と端子押さえ板１０との固着方法も任意であり、スタットボルトの場合にはナット等を用いて固着する。さらに、このような固着部材を用いることなく、端子押さえ板１０を直接蓋板４に固着してもよく、板状以外の形状の端子押さえ材を用いることもできる。
【００３９】
図５は本発明の第３実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の端子部分を拡大した部分拡大斜視図である。なお、図２等に示した第１実施形態と同様の機能を有する構成部材には同じ番号を付記する。
【００４０】
本実施形態も、図４に示した従来例と同様の構成の大型の非水電解質二次電池の正極端子について説明する。この非水電解質二次電池の正極端子は、図５に示すように、蓋板４の上面に上部絶縁封止板６を介して配置されたリベット端子７と端子接続杆８と端子ボルト９とからなり、これらは第１実施形態の場合と同様に接続されている。ただし、本実施形態の場合には、蓋板４と上部絶縁封止板６との間、この上部絶縁封止板６の四角凹部６ａとリベット端子７のフランジ部７ａとの間、及び、この上部絶縁封止板６と端子接続杆８との間に接着剤１２を塗布してから、これらをカシメている。従って、これら蓋板４と上部絶縁封止板６とリベット端子７と端子接続杆８は、接着剤１２によって一体的に固着されることになる。接着剤１２としては、金属と樹脂等を接着することができるエポキシ系樹脂やその他の任意のものを用いることができる。
【００４１】
上記非水電解質二次電池も、第２実施形態の場合と同様に、外部機器の電源コード等の着脱の際に、端子接続杆８に強い回転トルクが加わったり持ち上げようとする力が加わるようになる。しかし、本実施形態では、端子接続杆８が接着剤１２によって上部絶縁封止板６を介し蓋板４に固着されているので、この端子接続杆８が回転したり持ち上がることにより、リベット端子７との間のカシメ部に無理な力が加わるのを防止することができる。
【００４２】
この結果、本実施形態によれば、外部回路との接続の着脱の際に、端子ボルト９に大きな力が加わっても、これによって端子接続杆８とリベット端子７との間のカシメ部に無理な力が加わるのを防止することができるので、電池外装体内の気密性を損なうようなことがなくなる。
【００４３】
なお、本実施形態では、蓋板４と上部絶縁封止板６との間、この上部絶縁封止板６の四角凹部６ａとリベット端子７のフランジ部７ａとの間、及び、この上部絶縁封止板６と端子接続杆８との間の３箇所に接着剤１２を介在させる場合について説明したが、これらのいずれか１箇所以上に接着剤１２が介在していれば、端子接続杆８に無理な力が加わるのを防止することができる。特に、蓋板４と上部絶縁封止板６及びこの上部絶縁封止板６と端子接続杆８との間を接着剤１２で接着すれば、より効果的である。また、リベット端子７と端子接続杆８との間にも接着剤１２を塗布してカシメ部を補強してもよい。
【００４４】
図６は本発明の第４実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の端子部分を拡大した部分拡大斜視図である。なお、図２等に示した第１実施形態と同様の機能を有する構成部材には同じ番号を付記する。
【００４５】
本実施形態も、図４に示した従来例と同様の構成の大型の非水電解質二次電池の正極端子について説明する。この非水電解質二次電池の正極端子は、図６に示すように、蓋板４の上面に上部絶縁封止板６を介して配置されたリベット端子７と端子接続杆８と端子ボルト９とからなり、これらは第１実施形態の場合と同様に接続されている。ただし、本実施形態の場合には、リベット端子７のフランジ部７ａの上面における上端カシメ部７ｃの両側に、上方に向けて突出する突起部７ｄが設けられている。突起部７ｄは、細いピン状の突起であり、リベット端子７を機械加工によって形成する際に削り出してもよいし、第１実施形態等と同様の形状のリベット端子７のフランジ部７ａの上面に形成した孔に、圧入等によりピンを挿入固定してもよい。また、端子接続杆８には、嵌合孔８ａの両側に突起部７ｄとほぼ同じ径の副嵌合孔８ｃが形成されている。そして、リベット端子７の上端カシメ部７ｃを端子接続杆８の嵌合孔８ａに挿入する際に、これら突起部７ｄも副嵌合孔８ｃに嵌入される。従って、端子接続杆８は、リベット端子７の上端カシメ部７ｃをカシメることによって確実に接続固定されると共に、突起部７ｄが副嵌合孔８ｃに嵌入されることによって、このカシメ部を中心に端子接続杆８が回転するのを抑制することもできる。
【００４６】
上記非水電解質二次電池も、第２実施形態の場合と同様に、端子ボルト９に外部機器の電源コード等を着脱する際に、端子接続杆８に強い回転トルクが加わるようになる。しかし、本実施形態では、端子接続杆８とリベット端子７とのカシメ部が突起部７ｄと副嵌合孔８ｃとによって回り止めされているので、この端子接続杆８が回転することによりカシメ部に無理な力が加わるのを防止することができる。
【００４７】
この結果、本実施形態によれば、外部回路との接続の着脱の際に、端子ボルト９に大きなトルクが加わっても、これによって端子接続杆８とリベット端子７との間のカシメ部が空回りするのを防止できるので、電池外装体内の気密性を損なうようなことがなくなる。
【００４８】
なお、本実施形態では、リベット端子７のフランジ部７ａの上面に２箇所の突起部７ｄを設ける場合について説明したが、端子接続杆８が上端カシメ部７ｃを中心に回転するのを防止できればよいので、この突起部７ｄは１箇所以上の何箇所設けてもよい。また、本実施形態では、副嵌合孔８ｃに突起部７ｄを嵌入させるだけの場合について説明したが、突起部７ｄもカシメや溶接等によって端子接続杆８に固着させることができる。この場合、突起部７ｄの固着によって上端カシメ部７ｃとの間の本来のカシメ部が補強されるので、端子接続杆８に回転以外の持ち上げるような力が加わった場合にも、このカシメ部に無理な力が加わるのを防止することができるようになる。
【００４９】
また、上記第２〜第４の実施形態では、外部回路との接続に端子ボルト９を用いる場合について説明したが、この外部回路は、端子接続杆８に直接接続してもよいし、端子ボルト９以外の外部接続端子を端子接続杆８に固着又は係止して接続するようにしてもよい。
【００５０】
また、上記第２〜第４の実施形態で示した上部絶縁封止板６とリベット端子７と端子接続杆８の形状は一例にすぎず、任意の形状や構造のものを用いることができる。例えば、リベット端子７は、突出部に必ずフランジ部７ａを有する必要はなく、上端カシメ部７ｃも円筒状である必要はない。さらに、上記第２〜第４の実施形態では、リベット端子７の上端カシメ部７ｃを端子接続杆８にカシメる場合について説明したが、カシメ以外の溶接等の方法によっても接続固定することもできる。
【００５１】
また、上記第２〜第４の実施形態では、非水電解質二次電池の正極端子について説明したが、アルミニウム合金等よりは機械強度の強い銅合金製の負極端子についても同様に実施することができ、端子の材質は限定されない。さらに、上記第２〜第４の実施形態では、大型の非水電解質二次電池について説明したが、同様の端子構造を有する他の種類の電池にも同様に実施可能である。
【００５２】
【発明の効果】
以上の説明から明らかなように、本発明の電池によれば、外部接続端子に強い力が加わっても、電池外装体内の気密性が低下するようなことがなくなり、この外部接続端子が破損したり変形するようなことがなくなる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の端子部の構造を詳細に示す部分拡大分解斜視図である。
【図２】本発明の第１実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の端子部を蓋板に組み付けた状態を示す分解斜視図である。
【図３】本発明の第１実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の構造を示す分解斜視図である。
【図４】本発明の第２実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の正極端子部分を拡大した部分拡大斜視図である。
【図５】本発明の第３実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の正極端子部分を拡大した部分拡大斜視図である。
【図６】本発明の第４実施形態を示すものであって、非水電解質二次電池の正極端子部分を拡大した部分拡大斜視図である。
【図７】従来例を示すものであって、電池の端子構造を示す部分拡大縦断面図である。
【符号の説明】
４蓋板（電池外装体）
６上部絶縁封止板（絶縁封止材）
７リベット端子（電池引出端子）
７ｃ上端カシメ部
７ｄ突起部
８端子接続杆（端子接続部材）
８ａ嵌合孔
８ｃ副嵌合孔
９端子ボルト（外部接続端子）
１０端子押さえ板
１１カシメピン
１２接着剤[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a battery characterized by a terminal structure.
[0002]
[Prior art]
  An example of a terminal structure of a conventional large secondary battery is shown in FIG. FIG. 7 shows an example in which the terminal 13 is attached to the lid plate 4. The cover plate 4 constitutes a battery exterior body together with a battery can and the like, and is made of a metal plate for closing an opening portion of the battery can etc. in which the power generation element is accommodated. A terminal hole 4a for penetrating the terminal 13 is formed in the cover plate 4, and an upper insulating sealing plate 6 and a lower insulating sealing plate 3 are disposed on the upper and lower surfaces. A through hole is formed in the upper insulating sealing plate 6, and a peripheral portion at the lower end of the through hole protrudes further downward to form a cylindrical portion 6 c, and this cylindrical portion 6 c is a terminal of the lid plate 4. It fits in the hole 4a. The lower insulating sealing plate 3 is formed with a through hole into which the cylindrical portion 6c of the upper insulating sealing plate 6 that is inserted into the terminal hole 4a and protrudes downward is inserted. A current collector connector 2 made of a metal plate is disposed below the lower insulating sealing plate 3. The current collector connector 2 is connected to the electrode of the power generation element directly or through another current collector connector, and a crimping hole 2c having substantially the same diameter as the through hole of the upper insulating sealing plate 6 is formed. ing.
[0003]
  The terminal 13 is a metal material in which the bolt portion 13b protrudes upward from the upper surface of the disk-shaped terminal base portion 13a, and the cylindrical caulking portion 13c protrudes from the lower surface of the terminal base portion 13a. In this terminal 13, the terminal base portion 13 a is placed on the upper insulating sealing plate 6, and the crimped portion 13 c is fitted into the through hole of the upper insulating sealing plate 6. Accordingly, the crimped portion 13c of the terminal 13 is fitted into the through hole of the upper insulating sealing plate 6, and the terminal hole 4a of the lid plate 4 and the lower insulating sealing are interposed through the cylindrical portion 6c on the outer periphery of the through hole. It passes through the through hole of the plate 3 and is fitted into the caulking hole 2c of the current collector connector 2 so that the lower end protrudes further downward. Then, the cylindrical caulking portion 13c projecting from the caulking hole 2c is spread and caulked from below, so that the terminal 13 is connected and fixed to the current collector connection body 2, thereby being connected to the electrode of the power generation element. It has become. At this time, the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the lower insulating sealing plate 3 are pressed and sandwiched between the terminal base portion 13a of the terminal 13 and the current collector connector 2 with the lid plate 4 interposed therebetween, thereby The terminal holes 4 a of the lid plate 4 are sealed, and the terminals 13 and the current collector connection body 2 are insulated from the lid plate 4 by the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the lower insulating sealing plate 3.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
  However, since the terminal 13 is connected to an external circuit by fitting a connecting material to the bolt portion 13b and tightening with a nut, this tightening torque is directly applied to the crimping portion 13c. For this reason, in the structure of the conventional terminal 13, the caulking with the current collector connection body 2 of the caulking portion 13 c is loosened, and the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the lower insulating sealing plate 3 surround the terminal hole 4 a of the cover plate 4. Due to the weakening of the pressure, there has been a problem that the airtightness inside the battery exterior body may be lowered.
[0005]
  In addition, for example, in the case of a positive electrode terminal of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the terminal 13 has a caulking portion 13c that is at a positive electrode potential in contact with the non-aqueous electrolyte solution inside the battery exterior body. It is necessary to use aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or the like so as not to dissolve in the steel. Also, in the case of other types of batteries, since the terminal 13 has a portion that contacts the electrolytic solution inside the battery outer package, the metal material to be used is limited. For this reason, when a metal material with low mechanical strength such as an aluminum alloy has to be used for the terminal 13, if the nut is tightened too much on the bolt portion 13b or is repeatedly attached and detached many times, the thread will be damaged. The terminal 13 cannot be used due to deformation or deformation.
[0006]
  The present invention has been made to cope with such a situation, and provides a battery capable of preventing the airtightness inside the battery exterior body from being lowered by suppressing the lifting and rotation of the terminal connecting member. It is an object.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0008]
[0009]
[0010]
[0011]
  The invention of claim 1 includes a battery lead terminal protruding outside the battery outer package, an insulating sealing material disposed on the outer surface of the battery outer package and having the battery lead terminal penetrated through the through hole, and the insulating seal. In a battery provided with a terminal connection member that is arranged on a stopper and is connected and fixed by fitting an external protrusion of a battery lead terminal into a fitting hole,The insulating sealing material is provided with a recess having a polygonal opening, and a polygonal head is inserted into the recess of the insulating sealing material, and the bolt portion protruding from the head passes through the terminal connecting member. A terminal bolt for connection that protrudes through the hole is attached, andA terminal pressing member is provided in which a central portion is disposed on the terminal connecting member and at least both end portions are fixed to the battery exterior body.
[0012]
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the terminal pressing member is fixed to the battery exterior body and presses the terminal connecting member from above, the lifting and rotation of the terminal connecting member can be suppressed. Therefore, the connection between the external projecting portion of the battery lead terminal and the terminal connection member is not loosened, and the airtightness in the battery exterior body is not lowered.In this battery, a terminal bolt is attached to the terminal connecting member, and the battery is connected by the bolt portion of the terminal bolt. Therefore, the battery is joined to the connection fixing portion between the terminal connecting member and the external protruding portion of the battery lead-out terminal. Since the force is increased and the terminal connection member is likely to rotate and lift, the effect of reliably preventing this by the present invention is useful.
[0013]
  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery lead-out terminal projecting outside the battery outer package, an insulating sealing material disposed on the outer surface of the battery outer package and having the battery lead-out terminal penetrated through the through hole, and the insulating seal. In a battery provided with a terminal connection member that is arranged on a stopper and is connected and fixed by fitting an external protrusion of a battery lead terminal into a fitting hole,The insulating sealing material is provided with a recess having a polygonal opening, and a polygonal head is inserted into the recess of the insulating sealing material, and the bolt portion protruding from the head passes through the terminal connecting member. A terminal bolt for connection that protrudes through the hole is attached, andBetween the battery lead-out terminal and the insulating sealing material, between the battery outer package and the insulating sealing material, and between the terminal connecting member and the insulating sealing material, one or two or more locations are via an adhesive. It is characterized by being joined.
[0014]
  According to the invention of claim 2, since the insulating sealing material is bonded to the external projecting portion of the battery lead terminal, the battery exterior body, and the terminal connection member, the lifting and rotation of the terminal connection member can be suppressed. become. Therefore, the connection between the external projecting portion of the battery lead terminal and the terminal connection member is not loosened, and the airtightness in the battery exterior body is not lowered. In particular, if the insulating sealing material and the projecting portion of the battery lead terminal or the battery exterior body and the terminal connecting member are bonded, the terminal connecting member is connected to the battery lead terminal via the insulating sealing material. Or since it will adhere to a battery exterior body, it becomes possible to suppress the raising and rotation of a terminal connection member more reliably.In this battery, a terminal bolt is attached to the terminal connecting member, and the battery is connected by the bolt portion of the terminal bolt. Therefore, the battery is joined to the connection fixing portion between the terminal connecting member and the external protruding portion of the battery lead-out terminal. Since the force is increased and the terminal connection member is likely to rotate and lift, the effect of reliably preventing this by the present invention is useful.
[0015]
[0016]
[0017]
[0018]
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0020]
  1 to 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, and FIG. 2 is a terminal portion of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view showing the structure in detail, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the terminal portion of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is assembled to the cover plate. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the structural member which has the function similar to the prior art example shown in FIG.
[0021]
  In the present embodiment, a large nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery used in an electric vehicle or the like will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, this non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has four long cylindrical cylindrical power generation elements 1 placed side by side and arranged in close contact with the flat side of the long cylindrical shape. It is. These power generation elements 1 are connected in parallel by connecting and fixing positive and negative electrodes to current collector connectors 2 arranged on both end surfaces. The current collector connector 2 is made of an aluminum plate or an aluminum alloy plate in the case of the positive electrode side, and is made of a copper plate or a copper alloy plate in the case of the negative electrode side. Each current collector connector 2 includes a main body 2a made of a plate material having a substantially isosceles triangle shape disposed horizontally, and eight protruding in a bowl shape downward from the bottom of the isosceles triangle shape of the main body 2a. A caulking hole 2c is formed in the vicinity of the top of the isosceles triangle of the main body 2a. Each connection part 2 b of the current collector connection body 2 on the positive electrode side is disposed at one end of the four power generation elements 1 and connected and fixed to the positive electrodes of these power generation elements 1. In addition, each connection portion 2b of the current collector connection body 2 on the negative electrode side is disposed at the other end portion of these power generation elements 1 and connected and fixed to the negative electrode. The main bodies 2 a of the current collector connection bodies 2 are disposed at both ends of the back surface of the lid plate 4 via the lower insulating sealing plate 3. The lower insulating sealing plate 3 is a plate material made of insulating PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) resin or the like. Moreover, the cover plate 4 is made of a rectangular stainless steel plate, and is fitted into the upper end opening of the battery casing 5 which is a stainless steel plate container for storing the power generation element 1 and is fixed by welding. These cover plate 4 and battery casing 5 constitute a battery outer package of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
[0022]
  Upper insulating sealing plates 6 are disposed at both ends of the upper surface of the lid plate 4, and rivet terminals 7, terminal connection rods 8 and terminal bolts 9 are attached as positive and negative terminals. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper insulating sealing plate 6 is a rectangular plate material and is made of an insulating PPS resin or the like, similarly to the lower insulating sealing plate 3. The upper insulating sealing plate 6 has a square-shaped square recess 6a with four corners chamfered on one end of the upper surface, and a hexagonal recess 6b having a regular hexagonal shape on the other end. In addition, a through-hole penetrating the back surface is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the square recess 6a, and a peripheral portion at the lower end of the through-hole projects further downward from the back surface to form a cylindrical portion 6c. . The rivet terminal 7 is a metal in which a cylindrical lower end caulking portion 7b protrudes from the lower surface of a square flange portion 7a having four chamfered corners, and a cylindrical upper end caulking portion 7c protrudes from the upper surface of the flange portion 7a. It is a part. The terminal connection rod 8 is an elongated rectangular metal plate that is slightly smaller than the upper insulating sealing plate 6, and has a fitting hole 8a formed on one end side and a through hole 8b formed on the other end side. . The terminal bolt 9 is a hexagonal bolt-shaped metal part having a bolt portion projecting upward from the upper surface of the hexagonal head.
[0023]
  In the present embodiment, the terminal connection rod 8 is made of a copper alloy, and the terminal bolt 9 is made of stainless steel. Further, in the case where the rivet terminal 7 is used as a positive electrode terminal at one end on the cover plate 4, the rivet terminal 7 is made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy and is used as a negative electrode terminal at the other end on the cover plate 4. In some cases, it is made of copper or copper alloy. In the case of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery as in this embodiment, since the lower end crimping portion 7b of the rivet terminal 7 is in contact with the non-aqueous electrolyte, on the positive terminal side, aluminum that does not dissolve in the non-aqueous electrolyte at the positive potential or It is necessary to use an aluminum alloy or the like, and on the negative electrode terminal side, it is necessary to use copper or a copper alloy that does not alloy with the negative electrode active material. On the other hand, since the terminal connection rod 8 and the terminal bolt 9 do not come into contact with the nonaqueous electrolyte, in the case of the terminal connection rod 8, a copper alloy having particularly high conductivity and sufficient mechanical strength is used. In the case of the terminal bolt 9 for connection with an external circuit, stainless steel having particularly high mechanical strength and sufficient conductivity is used.
[0024]
  The upper insulating sealing plate 6 is disposed at both ends of the upper surface of the lid plate 4. Terminal holes 4a are respectively formed at both ends of the upper surface of the cover plate 4, and the through holes of the respective upper insulating sealing plates 6 are arranged directly above these terminal holes 4a. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the lower insulating sealing plate 3 and the current collector connecting member 2 arranged at both ends of the back surface of the lid plate 4 are also connected to the lower insulating sealing members directly below these terminal holes 4a. It arrange | positions so that the through-hole of the board 3 and the crimping hole 2c of each current collection connection body 2 may be located.
[0025]
  The rivet terminal 7 has a bottom caulking portion 7b fitted into a through hole of the upper insulating sealing plate 6, and the terminal hole 4a of the lid plate 4 and the lower insulating seal through the cylindrical portion 6c of the upper insulating sealing plate 6. The crimping hole 2c of the main body 2a of the current collector connector 2 is passed through the through hole of the stop plate 3. Then, as in the case of the conventional terminal 13 shown in FIG. 7, the rivet terminal 7 is collected by caulking the tip end portion of the lower end caulking portion 7b protruding downward from the caulking hole 2c of the current collector connection body 2. The electric connection body 2 is connected and fixed. In the rivet terminal 7, the rotation of the rivet terminal 7 with respect to the upper insulating sealing plate 6 is restricted by fitting the flange portion 7 a into the rectangular recess 6 a of the upper insulating sealing plate 6. The terminal bolt 9 is also restricted from rotating with respect to the upper insulating sealing plate 6 by fitting the regular hexagonal head into the regular hexagonal hexagonal recess 6 b of the upper insulating sealing plate 6.
[0026]
  The terminal connecting rod 8 is arranged on the upper surface of the upper insulating sealing plate 6 by fitting the fitting hole 8a and the through hole 8b from above into the upper end crimped portion 7c of the rivet terminal 7 and the bolt portion of the terminal bolt 9. . Then, the terminal connection rod 8 is connected and fixed to the rivet terminal 7 by crimping the upper end caulking portion 7c protruding upward from the fitting hole 8a. Accordingly, the electrode of the power generation element 1 is thereby connected and fixed from the current collector connection body 2 to the terminal connection rod 8 via the rivet terminal 7. Moreover, the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the lower insulating sealing plate 3 are pressed and sandwiched between the flange portion 7a of the rivet terminal 7 and the main body 2a of the current collector connector 2 with the lid plate 4 interposed therebetween. The terminal hole 4a of the cover plate 4 is sealed, and the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the lower insulating sealing plate 3 allow the current collector connector 2, the rivet terminal 7, the terminal connection rod 8, and the terminal bolt 9 to be sealed. Is insulated from the cover plate 4. Further, the rotation of the terminal bolt 9 is restricted by the hexagonal recess 6b of the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the upward connection is restricted by the terminal connecting rod 8, so that, for example, a crimp terminal of a power cord is attached to the bolt portion. By fitting and fastening with a nut or the like, the external circuit and the terminal connection rod 8 can be reliably connected via the power cord.
[0027]
  When the current collector connection body 2, the rivet terminal 7, the terminal connection rod 8, the terminal bolt 9, and the like are assembled to the lid plate 4 as described above, as shown in FIG. The four power generating elements 1 having electrodes connected to the battery housing 5 are housed in the battery housing 5, and the lid plate 4 is fitted into the opening of the battery housing 5, and the periphery is sealed by welding to provide a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary. The battery assembly is complete.
[0028]
  As a result, according to the present embodiment, the rivet terminal 7 penetrating the terminal hole 4a of the cover plate 4 and the terminal bolt 9 for connecting to the external circuit become separate components and are connected via the terminal connection rod 8. Even if the terminal bolt 9 is tightened with a strong force at the time of connection to an external circuit, this force is not directly applied to the rivet terminal 7, and the caulking is loosened and the battery housing 5 and the cover plate are not loosened. The airtightness inside the 4 is not reduced. Moreover, the rivet terminal 7 that contacts the nonaqueous electrolyte inside the battery housing 5 and the cover plate 4 uses an aluminum alloy or the like in the case of the positive electrode terminal, and uses a copper alloy or the like in the case of the negative electrode terminal. Therefore, it is possible to prevent dissolution in the non-aqueous electrolyte and alloying with the negative electrode active material. Further, since the terminal bolt 9 can be made of stainless steel having high mechanical strength for both the positive and negative terminals, even if the nut is repeatedly tightened or detached with a strong force when connecting to an external circuit, the thread is not damaged. No damage or deformation.
[0029]
  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the rivet terminal 7 is connected to the terminal connection rod 8 is shown. However, the terminal connection rod 8 may be connected by any means such as welding, brazing, or screwing. You can also. Further, the rivet terminal 7 is not limited to the case where it is connected to the electrode of the power generation element 1 via the current collector connection body 2 as in the present embodiment, and can be connected to the electrode via any member. It is also possible to connect directly to the electrodes. Furthermore, the connection between the rivet terminal 7 and the current collector connector 2 and other members or electrodes is not limited to caulking, and any connecting means can be used. Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the case where the rivet terminal 7 which penetrates the terminal hole 4a of the cover plate 4 was sealed by clamping the lower insulating sealing plate 3 and the upper insulating sealing plate 6 was shown, this sealing means Also, instead of the lower insulating sealing plate 3 and the upper insulating sealing plate 6, a packing material made of highly elastic resin or rubber is used, and the packing material is pressed by tightening bolts and nuts. Or can be sealed using a hermetic seal or the like.
[0030]
  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the rectangular plate-shaped terminal connection rod 8 was used was shown, if it is a terminal connection member which connects between the rivet terminal 7 and the terminal volt | bolt 9, plate shape, block shape, etc. The shape of is not questioned. Further, if a conductive and flexible terminal connecting member such as a copper stranded wire is used, it is possible to reliably prevent the force applied to the terminal bolt 9 from being transmitted to the rivet terminal 7. .
[0031]
  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the case where the terminal volt | bolt 9 was used as an external connection terminal was shown, it is not restricted to such a bolt shape, A nut-shaped external connection terminal can also be used, and external connection by other connection means Terminals can also be used. For example, the connection material of the external circuit may be externally fitted or clamped to the external connection terminal, or may be pressed by a spring or the like. In this way, even when tightening force by screws etc. is not applied to the external connection terminal, there is a risk of applying a strong force to push in or pull out the connection material when attaching or detaching, and there is a risk of impact being applied via the connection material after connection. Therefore, it is possible to prevent these forces from being directly applied to the rivet terminal 7. Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the terminal volt | bolt 9 was not used, it showed about the case where it was connected and fixed for the first time by connecting an external circuit only by being fitted and latched in the through-hole 8b of the terminal connection rod 8. At least when connecting to the external circuit, it is sufficient that the connection with the terminal connection rod 8 is surely made. In other cases, the reliable connection is not always necessary.
[0032]
  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although shown about the battery exterior body which consists of the battery housing | casing 5 and the cover plate 4, what kind of structure may be used if it is a battery exterior body which accommodates an electric power generation element. it can. Furthermore, although the said embodiment demonstrated the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, it can implement similarly to the other kind of battery provided with the terminal insulated from the battery exterior body. Moreover, the metal material used for the rivet terminal 7, the terminal connection rod 8, and the terminal bolt 9 is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be arbitrarily selected according to the type of battery and the usage form of the battery. However, when the metal material used for the rivet terminal 7 is inferior in mechanical strength or the like, it is preferable to use a metal material having higher mechanical strength or the like for at least the terminal bolt 9. Furthermore, the shapes of the rivet terminal 7, the terminal connection rod 8, and the upper insulating sealing plate 6 shown in the above embodiment are merely examples, and any shapes and structures can be used.
[0033]
  By the way, also in the above embodiment, when a larger force is applied to the terminal bolt 9, the crimping between the upper end crimping portion 7c of the rivet terminal 7 and the terminal connection rod 8 is loosened, and the airtightness inside the battery exterior body is impaired. It was not possible to completely eliminate the fear. That is, for example, when a large force is applied with a spanner or the like to tighten a nut or the like on the bolt portion of the terminal bolt 9, a large torque is also applied to the terminal connection rod 8, and the crimped portion with the upper end crimping portion 7 c of the rivet terminal 7. The terminal connection rod 8 is lifted with the upper end caulking portion 7c as a fulcrum, and the caulking portion is peeled off. For this reason, the force for pressing the upper insulating sealing plate 6 is weakened and the airtightness is lowered. May occur. In particular, in a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the rivet terminal 7 on the positive electrode side is made of an aluminum alloy or the like having a low mechanical strength. Therefore, when an excessive force is actually applied to the caulking portion, the airtightness of the battery exterior body is impaired. There was a great risk of being caught. Therefore, in the following second to fourth embodiments, a terminal structure for reliably maintaining the airtightness of the battery exterior body will be described.
[0034]
  FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, and is a partially enlarged perspective view in which a terminal portion of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is enlarged. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the structural member which has a function similar to 1st Embodiment shown in FIG.
[0035]
  In the present embodiment, a positive electrode terminal of a large nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the positive terminal of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a rivet terminal 7, a terminal connection rod 8, a terminal bolt 9, and an upper insulating sealing plate 6 disposed on the upper surface of the lid plate 4. These are connected in the same manner as in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the center portion of the terminal pressing plate 10 is disposed on the terminal connection rod 8. The terminal holding plate 10 is an elongated resin plate having through holes formed at both ends. Further, caulking pins 11 are erected on both sides of the upper plate of the lid plate 4 at the position where the upper insulating sealing plate 6 is disposed. The caulking pin 11 is a metal pin, and a lower end surface thereof is fixed to the upper surface of the cover plate 4 by welding. Further, the upper end portions of these crimping pins 11 are crimped by being fitted into the through holes at both end portions of the terminal pressing plate 10. Therefore, the terminal pressing plate 10 is fixed to the lid plate 4 via these caulking pins 11 and presses the terminal connection rod 8 from above by this caulking.
[0036]
  The nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is connected to an external circuit by, for example, fitting a crimp terminal crimped to the end of a power cord to the bolt of the terminal bolt 9 and screwing it with a nut. At this time, since the terminal bolt 9 receives a strong force by a tool for tightening the nut, the terminal connecting rod 8 is lifted or rotated. However, in this embodiment, since the terminal pressing plate 10 presses the terminal connection rod 8 from above, the terminal connection rod 8 is lifted on the terminal bolt 9 side with the rivet terminal 7 as a fulcrum, and the crimped portion with the rivet terminal 7 There is no longer any excessive force. Further, even when the terminal connection rod 8 receives a force in the rotation direction, the terminal holding plate 10 is rotated around the rivet terminal 7 due to the compression of the terminal holding plate 10 and an unreasonable force is applied to the caulking portion. Can be prevented.
[0037]
  As a result, according to the present embodiment, even when a large force is applied to the terminal bolt 9 when connecting / disconnecting to / from the external circuit, the caulking portion between the terminal connection rod 8 and the rivet terminal 7 is thereby forced. As a result, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from being applied, so that the airtightness in the battery exterior body is not impaired.
[0038]
  In the present embodiment, the case where the resin terminal holding plate 10 is used to insulate between the terminal connection rod 8 and the cover plate 4 has been described. Can be used, the terminal pressing plate 10 made of metal can be used, and the terminal pressing plate 10 made of other materials can also be used. In this embodiment, the case where the terminal pressing plate 10 is fixed to the cover plate 4 using the caulking pin 11 has been described. However, another fixing member can be used instead of the caulking pin 11. For example, a stat bolt can be embedded in the lid plate 4 by welding or screwing. And the fixing method of these fixing members and the terminal pressing board 10 is also arbitrary, and in the case of a stat bolt, it fixes using a nut etc. Further, the terminal pressing plate 10 may be directly fixed to the cover plate 4 without using such a fixing member, or a terminal pressing material having a shape other than the plate shape may be used.
[0039]
  FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, and is a partially enlarged perspective view in which a terminal portion of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is enlarged. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the structural member which has a function similar to 1st Embodiment shown in FIG.
[0040]
  In the present embodiment, a positive electrode terminal of a large nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having the same configuration as that of the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, the positive terminal of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a rivet terminal 7, a terminal connection rod 8, a terminal bolt 9, and an upper insulating sealing plate 6 disposed on the upper surface of the lid plate 4. These are connected in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, in the case of this embodiment, between the cover plate 4 and the upper insulating sealing plate 6, between the square recess 6 a of the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the flange portion 7 a of the rivet terminal 7, and this After the adhesive 12 is applied between the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the terminal connection rod 8, these are crimped. Therefore, the lid plate 4, the upper insulating sealing plate 6, the rivet terminal 7, and the terminal connection rod 8 are integrally fixed by the adhesive 12. As the adhesive 12, an epoxy resin that can bond a metal and a resin or the like or any other one can be used.
[0041]
  As in the case of the second embodiment, the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery is also subjected to a strong rotational torque applied to the terminal connection rod 8 or a force for lifting the terminal connection rod 8 when the power cord or the like of the external device is attached or detached. become. However, in the present embodiment, since the terminal connection rod 8 is fixed to the lid plate 4 via the upper insulating sealing plate 6 by the adhesive 12, the rivet terminal 7 is rotated when the terminal connection rod 8 is rotated or lifted. It is possible to prevent an excessive force from being applied to the crimped portion between the two.
[0042]
  As a result, according to the present embodiment, even when a large force is applied to the terminal bolt 9 when connecting / disconnecting to / from the external circuit, the caulking portion between the terminal connection rod 8 and the rivet terminal 7 is thereby forced. As a result, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from being applied, so that the airtightness in the battery exterior body is not impaired.
[0043]
  In this embodiment, between the cover plate 4 and the upper insulating sealing plate 6, between the square recess 6 a of the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the flange portion 7 a of the rivet terminal 7, and this upper insulating seal. Although the case where the adhesive 12 is interposed at three locations between the stop plate 6 and the terminal connection rod 8 has been described, if the adhesive 12 is interposed at any one or more of these locations, the terminal connection rod 8 It is possible to prevent excessive force from being applied. In particular, it is more effective if the cover plate 4 and the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the upper insulating sealing plate 6 and the terminal connection rod 8 are bonded with the adhesive 12. Further, the caulking portion may be reinforced by applying an adhesive 12 between the rivet terminal 7 and the terminal connection rod 8.
[0044]
  FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and is a partially enlarged perspective view in which a terminal portion of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is enlarged. In addition, the same number is attached | subjected to the structural member which has a function similar to 1st Embodiment shown in FIG.
[0045]
  In the present embodiment, a positive electrode terminal of a large nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery having the same configuration as that of the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the positive terminal of the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a rivet terminal 7, a terminal connection rod 8, a terminal bolt 9, and an upper insulating sealing plate 6 disposed on the upper surface of the lid plate 4. These are connected in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, in the case of the present embodiment, protrusions 7 d that protrude upward are provided on both sides of the upper end crimping portion 7 c on the upper surface of the flange portion 7 a of the rivet terminal 7. The protrusion 7d is a thin pin-like protrusion, and may be cut out when the rivet terminal 7 is formed by machining, or the upper surface of the flange portion 7a of the rivet terminal 7 having the same shape as in the first embodiment. A pin may be inserted into and fixed to the hole formed by press fitting or the like. Further, the terminal connection rod 8 is formed with sub-fitting holes 8c having substantially the same diameter as the protrusions 7d on both sides of the fitting hole 8a. And when inserting the upper end crimping part 7c of the rivet terminal 7 in the fitting hole 8a of the terminal connection rod 8, these protrusion parts 7d are also inserted in the sub-fitting hole 8c. Therefore, the terminal connecting rod 8 is securely connected and fixed by caulking the upper end caulking portion 7c of the rivet terminal 7, and the protruding portion 7d is fitted into the sub fitting hole 8c so that the caulking portion is centered. It is also possible to suppress the terminal connection rod 8 from rotating.
[0046]
  Similarly to the case of the second embodiment, the non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery also applies a strong rotational torque to the terminal connection rod 8 when a power cord or the like of an external device is attached to or detached from the terminal bolt 9. However, in the present embodiment, the crimping portion between the terminal connection rod 8 and the rivet terminal 7 is prevented from rotating by the projection 7d and the sub-fitting hole 8c. It is possible to prevent unreasonable force from being applied.
[0047]
  As a result, according to this embodiment, even when a large torque is applied to the terminal bolt 9 when connecting / disconnecting to / from the external circuit, this causes the caulking portion between the terminal connection rod 8 and the rivet terminal 7 to idle. Therefore, the airtightness in the battery exterior body is not impaired.
[0048]
  In the present embodiment, the case where the two protrusions 7d are provided on the upper surface of the flange portion 7a of the rivet terminal 7 has been described. However, it is only necessary to prevent the terminal connection rod 8 from rotating about the upper end caulking portion 7c. Therefore, any number of one or more protruding portions 7d may be provided. Further, in the present embodiment, the case where only the protrusion 7d is inserted into the sub-fitting hole 8c has been described, but the protrusion 7d can also be fixed to the terminal connection rod 8 by caulking, welding, or the like. In this case, since the original caulking portion between the upper end caulking portion 7c is reinforced by the fixing of the protruding portion 7d, even when a lifting force other than rotation is applied to the terminal connection rod 8, this caulking portion It becomes possible to prevent excessive force from being applied.
[0049]
  Moreover, although the said 2nd-4th embodiment demonstrated the case where the terminal volt | bolt 9 was used for a connection with an external circuit, this external circuit may be directly connected to the terminal connection rod 8, or a terminal volt | bolt. External connection terminals other than 9 may be connected to the terminal connection rod 8 by being fixed or locked.
[0050]
  Further, the shapes of the upper insulating sealing plate 6, the rivet terminal 7 and the terminal connection rod 8 shown in the second to fourth embodiments are merely examples, and any shapes and structures can be used. For example, the rivet terminal 7 does not necessarily have the flange portion 7a at the protruding portion, and the upper end crimping portion 7c does not need to be cylindrical. Further, in the second to fourth embodiments, the case where the upper end caulking portion 7c of the rivet terminal 7 is caulked to the terminal connection rod 8 has been described, but the connection and fixing can also be performed by a method such as welding other than caulking. .
[0051]
  Moreover, although the said 2nd-4th embodiment demonstrated the positive electrode terminal of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, it can implement similarly about the negative electrode terminal made from a copper alloy whose mechanical strength is stronger than aluminum alloy etc. The terminal material is not limited. Further, in the second to fourth embodiments, the large nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery has been described, but the present invention can be similarly applied to other types of batteries having the same terminal structure.
[0052]
【The invention's effect】
  As is clear from the above description, according to the battery of the present invention, even if a strong force is applied to the external connection terminal, the airtightness in the battery outer body is not lowered, and the external connection terminal is damaged. Or deformation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention and is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view showing in detail the structure of a terminal portion of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
FIG. 2, showing the first embodiment of the present invention, is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a terminal portion of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery is assembled to a cover plate.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a partial enlarged perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention and enlarging a positive electrode terminal portion of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a third embodiment of the present invention and enlarging a positive electrode terminal portion of a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention and enlarging a positive electrode terminal portion of a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery.
FIG. 7 is a partially enlarged longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional example and showing a terminal structure of a battery.
[Explanation of symbols]
    4 Lid (Battery exterior)
    6 Upper insulating sealing plate (insulating sealing material)
    7 Rivet terminal (battery lead-out terminal)
    7c Upper end caulking part
    7d protrusion
    8 Terminal connection rod (terminal connection member)
    8a Fitting hole
    8c Sub-fitting hole
    9 Terminal bolt (external connection terminal)
  10 Terminal holding plate
  11 Caulking pin
  12 Adhesive

Claims

A battery lead terminal protruding outside the battery outer body, an insulating sealing material disposed on the outer surface of the battery outer body, and having the battery lead terminal penetrated through the through hole, and disposed on the insulating sealing material, In a battery including a terminal connection member that is connected and fixed by fitting an external protrusion of the battery lead terminal into a fitting hole,
The insulating sealing material is provided with a recess having a polygonal opening, and a polygonal head is inserted into the recess of the insulating sealing material, and the bolt portion protruding from the head passes through the terminal connecting member. A terminal bolt for connection that protrudes through the hole is attached, and
A battery comprising a terminal pressing member having a central portion disposed on a terminal connection member and having at least both end portions fixed to a battery exterior body.

A battery lead terminal protruding outside the battery outer body, an insulating sealing material disposed on the outer surface of the battery outer body, and having the battery lead terminal penetrated through the through hole, and disposed on the insulating sealing material, In a battery including a terminal connection member that is connected and fixed by fitting an external protrusion of the battery lead terminal into a fitting hole,
The insulating sealing material is provided with a recess having a polygonal opening, and a polygonal head is inserted into the recess of the insulating sealing material, and the bolt portion protruding from the head passes through the terminal connecting member. A terminal bolt for connection that protrudes through the hole is attached, and
Between the battery lead-out terminal and the insulating sealing material, between the battery outer package and the insulating sealing material, and between the terminal connecting member and the insulating sealing material, one or two or more locations are via an adhesive. A battery characterized by being joined.