JP4888209B2 - Battery case formation method for lead acid battery - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a battery case forming method for a lead-acid battery used for manufacturing an electric vehicle such as a forklift or an automobile battery.

  Lead-acid batteries are used for various purposes as inexpensive and highly reliable batteries, such as electric vehicles such as forklifts and automobile batteries. In general, lead-acid batteries used for these applications are manufactured by a battery case formation method that is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to mass-produce.

  In general, two types of methods are used as a battery case forming method for lead-acid batteries. That is, the first battery case formation method is a method in which a plurality of lead-acid batteries are immersed in a water tank or the like for cooling and then charged with a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte. Here, in order to form a lead-acid battery into a battery case, in the initial stage of charging, charging is started using a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte having a low specific gravity of about 1.1, and after a certain amount of charging has progressed, the specific gravity is increased. It is known that when charging is carried out with a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte having a high specific gravity of about 1.3, the charging efficiency of the active material can be increased, so that the power consumption during battery case formation can be reduced.

  However, in the first method of forming a battery case in a state immersed in a water tank, there is a problem that it takes time to replace the electrolytic solution in the lead storage battery from a low specific gravity electrolytic solution to a high specific gravity electrolytic solution. is there. That is, in a general electrolyte replacement operation, the lead storage battery is inverted and the low specific gravity electrolyte is extracted, then the high specific gravity electrolyte is injected and charged again, so the electrolyte is replaced. However, it took a lot of man-hours.

  In addition, since it is difficult to cool each lead-acid battery evenly during charging, depending on the installation position in the water tank, the battery temperature tends to vary, and as a result, the battery life tends to vary. Was recognized. In addition, the acid mist generated during charging diffuses into the factory, so even if a hood is installed above each lead-acid battery, the acid mist that has already scattered is efficiently recovered. The problem of being difficult is also recognized.

  Therefore, as a second battery case formation method, generally, as shown in FIG. 4, a method of charging while circulating dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). reference.). This method is a battery formation method for a lead storage battery in which charging is performed while circulating a low specific gravity electrolytic solution, and then the electrolytic solution is switched, and charging is performed while circulating a high specific gravity electrolytic solution.

  In this second battery case formation method, although depending on the number and capacity (Ah) of lead storage batteries 1 that are simultaneously formed, a pair of a high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and a low specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 of about 5 to 20 m3, respectively. 3 is used. Here, the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 is filled with dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte having a specific gravity of about 1.3, and the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 is filled with dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte having a specific gravity of about 1.1. .

  The lead storage battery 1 depends on the discharge capacity (Ah), but several tens are connected in parallel as one block 21 (however, in FIG. 4, only two lead storage batteries 1 are 1). These blocks 21 are shown as two blocks 21.) About 10 to 50 of these blocks 21 are arranged in parallel through the electrolyte supply line 14, the electrolyte recovery line 13, and the three-way valves 7a and 7b. 2 and a low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3. The lead storage batteries 1 in one block are electrically connected in series and connected to a charger (not shown) through a charging line. That is, in the second battery case formation method, hundreds of lead storage batteries 1 can be connected to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 at the same time, and the battery case can be formed at the same time. It is also suitable for mass production.

  Here, in one block 21 (only two lead storage batteries 1 are shown in FIG. 4) to which several tens of lead storage batteries 1 are connected in parallel, a supply pump 4a and a discharge pump are respectively provided. 4b is attached one by one. First, the three-way valve 7a is switched, and at the beginning of charging, a low specific gravity electrolyte solution having a specific gravity of about 1.1 accumulated in the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 using the supply pump 4a. The electrolyte in the extra lead storage battery 1 supplied from the outlet 5 is returned to the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 from the outlet 6 through the electrolyte recovery line 13 and the three-way valve 7b using the discharge pump 4b. Charge while circulating.

  Thereafter, although the amount of charge (Ah) depends on the use of the lead storage battery 1 to be used, the three-way valve 7a is switched to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 side after a certain amount of charging has progressed. Then, a high specific gravity electrolyte having a specific gravity of about 1.3 accumulated in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 is supplied from the supply port 5 of the lead storage battery 1 using the supply pump 4a, and the supplied lead storage battery 1 The electrolytic solution inside is charged using the discharge pump 4b through the discharge port 6 through the electrolytic solution recovery line 13 and the three-way valve 7b, and then returned to the high specific gravity electrolytic solution tank 2 and circulated.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the battery is charged while circulating the high specific gravity electrolytic solution after a certain amount of charging has progressed and switched from the low specific gravity electrolytic solution. Then, the sulfuric acid component in the acid mist generated during charging was recovered using a scrubber 20 (not shown) connected to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 or the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3, and then generated by charging. Gaseous components such as oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are released into the atmosphere.

Using this method,
(1) By simply switching the three-way valve 7a, b according to the state of charge, it is possible to easily perform charging using electrolytes of different specific gravity,
(2) Since a large amount of electrolyte is circulated and used, the temperature of the electrolyte is difficult to change, and the temperature of each lead-acid battery can be kept almost constant during charging, thus suppressing variations in battery life. That you can
(3) The acid mist generated during charging is collected in one place and can be efficiently recovered using the scrubber 20 installed at a place not shown in the figure, so it is suitable for the environment inside and outside the factory. thing,
(4) Because the dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte accumulated in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 can be cooled with a chiller or the like when the ambient temperature is high, such as in summer. In addition, the equipment can be a simple device, and the temperature of the lead storage battery 1 during the season can be made almost constant,
(5) The specific gravity of the low specific gravity electrolyte and high specific gravity electrolyte is small because the amount of the electrolyte in each tank is large, and it is sufficient to adjust the specific gravity before forming the battery case. Features such as are known.

JP-A-5-343051 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-45302

  However, the above-described method in which the dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte is supplied to and discharged from the lead storage battery 1 by using two pumps for each block 21 as described above, and charging is performed while being circulated increases the equipment cost. It has been recognized that there is a problem and that it is difficult to match between the supply pump 4a and the discharge pump 4b, and that the operation control of each pump becomes extremely difficult. That is, when the lead storage battery 1 is charged, oxygen gas and hydrogen gas are generated, but the amount of generated gas is particularly large at the end of charging, and the pressure inside the lead storage battery 1 is constant according to the state of charge. It is necessary to control the operation of each pump so as to be within the range. And, while the discharge pump 4b stops due to a failure or the like, if the supply pump 4a continues to operate as it is, the pressure inside the lead storage battery 1 suddenly increases, which is also dangerous. It was.

  In addition, since there is always a variation in the liquid feeding capacity of each supply pump 4a used in each block 21, the flow rate of the electrolyte flowing through each lead storage battery 1 also varies, and as a result, each lead storage battery The problem of variation in the temperature of 1 was recognized. Furthermore, if for some reason the amount of dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte accumulated in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 or low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 decreases and it becomes impossible to secure a sufficient amount of electrolyte circulation, There has also been a problem that the lead storage battery 1 is not sufficiently cooled and formed while the temperature of the battery is increased, and as a result, the battery life is shortened.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a battery case forming method for a lead storage battery having high productivity, safety, low cost, and good quality.

To solve the problems described above, in the present invention, when supplying a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte in a lead-acid battery, you supply by utilizing the pressure of dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte of the electrolytic solution in the tank. Then, the pressure of the inlet side of the dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte for each block is correct, the operator is characterized in Rukoto provided an electrolyte level monitoring pipe which can be visually confirmed. In addition, a check valve is provided in the electrolyte discharge line so that the pressure inside the lead storage battery does not rise abnormally even when the operation of the discharge pump is stopped due to a power failure or failure. In addition, a gas-liquid separation tank is provided so that only the electrolyte solution can be circulated and recovered without containing a gas component when the discharge pump is operated.

That is, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a battery case formation of a lead storage battery is performed in which a low specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied while being circulated and charged, and then a high specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied while being circulated and charged for formation. In the method
The low specific gravity electrolyte is placed in the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3,
The high specific gravity electrolyte is placed in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2,
The low specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 via the electrolytic solution supply line 14 using the water pressure in the low specific gravity electrolytic solution tank 3, and the electrolytic solution discharge line 17, the discharge pump 4b, and the electrolytic solution It is circulated to the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 via the liquid recovery line 13,
The high specific gravity electrolyte is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 via the electrolyte supply line 14 using the water pressure in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2, and the electrolyte discharge line 17, the discharge pump 4b and via the electrolyte return line 13 Ru being circulated in the high density electrolyte tank 2.

Between the electrolyte supply line 14 and the electrolyte recovery line 13, an electrolyte level monitoring pipe for monitoring the electrolyte level in the high density electrolyte tank 2 or the low density electrolyte tank 3 11 is provided.

The invention of claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 , a check valve 18 is provided in the exhaust pipe 12 between the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte recovery line 13. To do.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a battery case formation method for a lead storage battery in which a low specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied while being circulated and charged, and then a high specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied while being circulated and charged to form a battery. ,
The low specific gravity electrolyte is placed in the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3,
The high specific gravity electrolyte is placed in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2,
The low specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 through the electrolytic solution supply line 14 using the water pressure in the low specific gravity electrolytic solution tank 3, and the electrolytic solution discharge line 17, the gas-liquid separation tank 15 Circulated to the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 through the discharge pump 4c and the electrolyte recovery line 13,
The high specific gravity electrolyte is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 via the electrolyte supply line 14 using the water pressure in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2, and the electrolyte discharge line 17, the air liquid separation tank 15, Ru is circulated through the discharge pump 4c and the electrolyte return line 13 to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2.

Between the electrolyte supply line 14 and the electrolyte recovery line 13, an electrolyte level monitoring pipe for monitoring the electrolyte level in the high density electrolyte tank 2 or the low density electrolyte tank 3 11 is provided.

The invention of claim 4 is the invention of claim 3 , characterized in that a check valve 18 is provided in the exhaust pipe 12 between the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte recovery line 13. To do.

The invention of claim 5 is the invention of claim 3 or claim 4 , wherein a valve 22 is provided between the lead storage battery 1 and the gas-liquid separation tank 15, and the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the A second discharge pump 4b and an electrolyte level adjustment line 23 are connected between the electrolytic solution recovery line 13 and the second discharge pump 4b is stopped with the valve 22 opened. In this state, the battery case is formed,
After the formation of the battery case is completed, the valve 22 is closed and the second discharge pump 4b is operated, so that the extra high specific gravity electrolyte in the lead storage battery 1 is supplied to the electrolyte discharge line 17, the electrolysis The liquid is discharged through the liquid recovery line 13, and the electrolytic solution level in the lead storage battery 1 is adjusted.

The invention of claim 6 is the invention of claim 3 , claim 4 or claim 5 , wherein the gas-liquid separation tank 15 is provided with a liquid level meter, and the electrolysis in the gas-liquid separation tank 15 is performed. The higher the liquid level, the greater the amount of electrolyte discharged from the discharge pump 4c.

  By using the battery case forming method according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a battery case forming method for a lead storage battery having high productivity, safety, low cost and good quality.

In the lead-acid battery formation method according to the present invention, when supplying the electrolyte solution of dilute sulfuric acid to the lead-acid battery 1, the supply pump 4a is not used, but the high-density electrolyte tank 2 and the low-density electrolyte tank 3 are used. It is characterized by utilizing the water pressure of the accumulated electrolyte. Furthermore, the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 have sufficient dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte, and for each block 21, the water pressure of the electrolyte applied to the lead storage battery 1 is appropriate. An electrolyte level monitoring pipe 11 is provided so that an operator can visually confirm it. In addition, a check valve 18 should be provided in the electrolyte discharge line 17 so that the internal pressure of the lead storage battery 1 does not rise abnormally even if the discharge pump 4b is stopped due to a power failure or failure. ing. In addition, a gas-liquid separation tank 15 is provided from the discharge pump 4b so that only the electrolytic solution can be circulated without containing gas generated during charging. These will be described in detail in the following Reference Example 1 and Examples 1 to 4 with reference to FIGS.

1. Reference example 1
FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a lead-acid battery container forming apparatus of Reference Example 1 . As described above, this battery case forming apparatus uses a system in which two types of dilute sulfuric acid electrolytes of low specific gravity and high specific gravity are supplied to the lead storage battery while being circulated and charged. As an example , a pair of about 10 m ³ high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 were used. Here, the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 contains a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte solution with a specific gravity of 1.28, and the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 contains a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte solution with a specific gravity of 1.12.

As the lead storage battery 1, similarly to the above-mentioned “Patent Document 1”, a liquid lead storage battery for electric vehicles such as a forklift having a rated capacity of 300 Ah is used, and under the same charging conditions (charging current value, charging time, etc.). Carried out. In the following, a detailed description will be given of a portion for forming a battery case by supplying while circulating a dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte having two specific gravity, low specific gravity and high specific gravity, which is a characteristic part of this reference example .

Forty-eight lead storage batteries 1 are connected in parallel to the electrolyte supply line 14 and the electrolyte discharge line 17 as one block 21 (in FIG. 1, only two lead storage batteries 1 are used as one block 21. It is shown.). Ten blocks (10 blocks) are arranged in parallel, and the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 are connected via the electrolyte recovery line 13 and the three-way valves 7a and 7b. It is connected to the. That is, a total of 480 lead storage batteries 1 are connected in parallel to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 and can simultaneously form a battery case. In one block 21, the lead storage batteries 1 are electrically connected in series and connected to a charger (not shown) through a charging line. Therefore, in the case of this reference example, the charging line is also 10 lines.

  First, at the initial stage of charging, the three-way valve 7a is switched to supply the low specific gravity electrolyte of 1.12 in the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 to each lead storage battery 1 through the electrolyte supply line 14. To do. Here, when supplying the electrolyte to each lead storage battery 1, the supply pump is not used, and the water is supplied using the water pressure of the low specific gravity electrolyte stored in the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3. It is said. Since this method uses the so-called Pascal principle, it is possible to apply almost equal water pressure to the supply ports 5 of all 480 lead storage batteries 1 in 10 blocks connected in parallel. it can.

  The low specific gravity electrolytic solution from the electrolytic solution supply line 14 and the supply port 5 passes through each lead storage battery 1 being charged and reaches the discharge port 6. Then, the mixture of the electrolytic solution sent out from the lead storage battery 1 and the gas generated by charging is discharged from the discharge port 6. The mixture of the electrolyte and the gas is sucked by a discharge pump 4b (for example, a diaphragm pump) installed between the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte recovery line 13, and then the electrolyte recovery line 13 and the three-way valve 7b. And is circulated again to the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3. In this state, although depending on the resistance in the piping of the electrolyte supply line 14 and the discharge capacity of the discharge pump 4b, about 1 liter / min of the electrolyte flows to each lead storage battery 1, It was confirmed that the electrolyte was flowing almost evenly.

  Thereafter, after a certain amount of charging has progressed, the three-way valve 7a is switched from the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 side, and a high specific gravity electrolyte with a specific gravity of 1.28 is supplied to each lead storage battery 1. Charge while supplying. In this case as well, when supplying the electrolyte to each lead-acid battery 1, the water pressure of the high specific gravity dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte stored in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 should be used without using a supply pump. It is a feature.

  The high specific gravity electrolytic solution from the electrolytic solution supply line 14 and the supply port 5 passes through each lead storage battery 1 being charged and reaches the discharge port 6. A mixture of the electrolyte sent out from the lead storage battery 1 and the gas generated by charging is discharged from the discharge port 6, and a discharge pump installed between the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte recovery line 13 The air is sucked by 4b, passes through the electrolyte recovery line 13 and the three-way valve 7b, and is circulated again to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2.

  Here, the sulfuric acid component in the gas (acid mist) generated during charging is sent to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 and is connected to the scrubber 20 (not shown). To be recovered. Note that gaseous components such as oxygen gas and hydrogen gas generated by charging are released from the scrubber 20 into the atmosphere.

As described above, this reference example is characterized in that the electrolytic solution is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 using the water pressure from each electrolytic solution tank. Therefore, when supplying the electrolytic solution to each lead storage battery 1, a supply pump is not used, equipment cost can be reduced, and electric power for operating the supply pump can be eliminated. In addition, operation control for matching between the supply pump 4a (FIG. 4) and the discharge pump 4b as described above can be eliminated.

In addition, in the conventional method, since the discharge capacity of the supply pump 4a (FIG. 4) used in each block 21 always varies, the flow rate of the electrolyte flowing through each lead storage battery 1 also varies. As a result, the problem that the temperature of the lead storage battery 1 also varies was recognized. However, when this reference example is used, the electrolyte solution can be supplied to each lead storage battery 1 at a constant water pressure, so that the variation in the electrolyte flow rate between each lead storage battery 1 can be extremely reduced.

2. Example 1
FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a battery case forming apparatus for a lead storage battery according to the present invention in which the contents of Reference Example 1 described above (FIG. 1) are improved. Therefore, in the following, we decided to the detailed description, with only reference to FIG. 2 for the portion obtained by improving in Reference Example 1. This time, with the improved battery case conversion equipment,
(1) An electrolyte level monitoring pipe 11 is provided between the electrolyte solution supply line 14 and the electrolyte solution recovery line 13, and
(2) The exhaust pipe 12 between the electrolytic solution discharge line 17 and the electrolytic solution recovery line 13 is characterized in that a check valve 18 is provided.

  The high density electrolyte tank 2 and the low density electrolyte tank 3 are filled with dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte, and from the viewpoint of strength and corrosion resistance, the material is mainly stainless steel. The structure is such that the electrolyte level is not visible from the outside of the tank. Further, there may be a case where only the electrolyte supply line 14 to any one of the blocks 21 is clogged during the formation. Therefore, the electrolyte level monitoring pipe 11 is provided between the electrolyte supply line 14 and the electrolyte recovery line 13 for each block.

  Here, the electrolyte solution level monitoring pipe 11 is formed of a transparent tube such as glass. In the case of FIG. 2, when the piping is normal, the liquid level in the electrolyte level monitoring pipe 11 of all the blocks 21 and the electrolytes in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 and the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 The liquid level should be the same level. Therefore, the installation of the electrolyte level monitoring pipe 11 ensures that the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 has sufficient electrolyte, and that each block 21 is actually subjected to sufficient electrolyte water pressure. The operator can easily confirm visually.

  If the liquid level of the electrolyte level monitoring pipe 11 of any block 21 is lower than the others, the operator determines that the electrolyte supply line 14 of that block 21 is clogged. be able to. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the electrolyte level monitoring pipes 11 of all the blocks 21 is lower than the normal value, such as when the electrolyte is electrolyzed by charging or evaporated, the operator An appropriate amount of dilute sulfuric acid electrolyte can be supplied to the tank to adjust the electrolyte surface. Even when the battery is charged with an electrolyte solution having a low specific gravity, the surface of each electrolyte solution can be monitored by exactly the same means.

  Further, a check valve 18 is provided in the exhaust pipe 12 between the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte recovery line 13. This check valve 18 uses a resin ball, and the pressure in the electrolyte discharge line 17 is higher than the pressure in the electrolyte recovery line 13 (ie, atmospheric pressure). The resin ball is lifted to act as a valve, and the gas is discharged into the atmosphere via the electrolyte recovery line 13, the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 or the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3, and the scrubber 20. It is to ensure safety.

  That is, by providing the check valve 18, the electrolyte discharge line can be used even when the discharge pump 4b is stopped due to a power failure or failure or when a large amount of gas is generated inside the lead storage battery 1. 17 and the pressure inside the lead storage battery 1 can be suppressed to about atmospheric pressure. In the normal operation state, since the discharge pump 4b is operating, the pressure in the electrolyte discharge line 17 is in a state where the pressure is lower than the atmospheric pressure, and the check valve 18 does not operate. Absent.

3. Example 2
3, as a second embodiment, the contents of the first embodiment described above (FIG. 2) further shows a schematic diagram of a battery jar conversion device of a lead-acid battery according to the present invention was added improvements. Therefore, in the following, we decided to the detailed description, with reference to FIG. 3 only portions obtained by improving the first embodiment. In this case, the improved battery case forming apparatus uses, for example, a magnet pump as the discharge pump 4c, and the gas-liquid separation tank 15 in the electrolyte discharge line 17 between the lead storage battery 1 and the discharge pump 4c. In addition, the gas-liquid separation tank 15 is provided with an electrolyte level meter 16, and the discharge pump 4c is operated at an electrolyte level within a certain range.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electrolytic solution from the discharge port 6 of the lead storage battery 1 naturally flows into the gas-liquid separation tank 15 because the water pressure from the electrolytic solution tank is applied to the portion of the supply port 5. That is, the electrolyte from the high density electrolyte tank 2 and the low density electrolyte tank 3 is separated into gas and liquid via the three-way valve 7a, the electrolyte supply line 14, the supply port 5 and the discharge port 6 of the lead storage battery 1. It will flow into the tank 15. On the other hand, due to the gas generated by charging, the pressure in the electrolyte discharge line 17 becomes higher than the pressure in the electrolyte recovery line 13 (that is, atmospheric pressure). Therefore, the generated gas is released to the atmosphere via the discharge port 6 of the lead storage battery 1, the check valve 18, the electrolyte recovery line 13, the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 or the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3, and the scrubber 20. Is done.

  A pair of electrolyte level meters 16 are installed in the gas-liquid separation tank 15, and the discharge pump 4c is operated at an electrolyte level within a certain range. That is, the discharge pump 4c is activated when the electrolyte level meter 16 detects a high level, and the discharge pump 4c is stopped when a low level is detected thereafter. Therefore, conventionally, the discharge pump 4b is continuously operated. However, by using the present invention, the intermittent operation of the discharge pump 4c becomes possible, and the power consumption of the pump can be reduced.

  Conventionally, at the stage of charging with a high specific gravity electrolyte at the end of charging, the amount of gas generated from the lead storage battery 1 becomes large due to electrolysis of water, and the discharge pump 4b operates in a state close to so-called empty operation. It had been. Therefore, a diaphragm pump for both liquid and gas has been used as the discharge pump 4b. And, it is known that if the discharge pump 4b is operated for a long time in the idling state, the life of the diaphragm pump is also adversely affected.

Here, as shown in the figure, there is no gas in the lower part of the gas-liquid separation tank 15, and only liquid is present, so that, for example, a magnet pump can be used as the discharge pump 4c. Therefore, as in the above-described Reference Example 1 and Example 1 , as the discharge pump 4b, noise is reduced, water supply efficiency is improved, and intermittent operation is performed as described above, compared to the case where a diaphragm pump is used. Therefore, since the power consumption can be reduced, the life of the discharge pump 4c can be further extended.

4). Example 3
FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of a battery case forming apparatus for a lead storage battery according to the present invention, in which the contents (FIG. 3) of Example 2 described above are further improved as Example 3. FIG. Therefore, in the following, a detailed description with reference to FIG. 5 only portions obtained by improving the second embodiment.

Incidentally, the gas in the same manner as in Example 2, also in this embodiment 3, as a discharge pump 4c, for example, be using a magnet pump, the electrolyte discharge line 17 between the lead storage battery 1 and the discharge pump 4c A liquid separation tank 15 is provided, and an electrolytic solution level meter 16 is installed in the gas-liquid separation tank 15, and the discharge pump 4c is operated at an electrolytic solution level within a certain range.

In the third embodiment, a valve 22, for example, a ball valve, that can block between the lead storage battery 1 and the gas-liquid separation tank 15 is provided. Further, a second discharge pump 4 b, for example, a diaphragm pump is provided between the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte recovery line 13 between the lead storage battery 1 and the valve 22. It is connected. That is, a total of two discharge pumps are used, a first discharge pump 4c such as a magnet pump and a second discharge pump 4b such as a diaphragm pump. As will be described later, the height of the electrolyte solution in the lead storage battery 1 after completion of the battery case formation can be adjusted to be substantially constant by these improvements.

As shown in FIG. 5, during the battery case formation, the valve 22 is set to the “open” state, the discharge pump 4 b is set to the “stopped” state, and the battery case formation is performed under the same conditions as in the second embodiment. In addition, in the state where the battery case formation is finished, the height of the electrolyte surface in some lead-acid batteries 1 is higher than the height of the discharge port 6, and there is a case where the height also varies. It was.

  Therefore, after the formation of the battery case is completed, the valve 22 is closed, and the discharge pump 4b is operated to remove the extra high specific gravity electrolyte in the lead acid battery 1 from the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte recovery line 13 And the height of the electrolyte in the lead storage battery 1 was adjusted to the height of the discharge port 6. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate the need for the operator to remove the electrolyte from the lead storage battery 1 after the battery case formation is completed.

5. Example 4
FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram of a battery case forming apparatus for a lead storage battery according to the present invention in which the contents of the above-described third embodiment (FIG. 5) are further improved as the fourth embodiment. In the following, a detailed description with reference to FIG. 6 only for the portion of an improvement over Example 3.

As in the second and third embodiments described above, in this fourth embodiment as well, for example, a magnet pump is used as the discharge pump 4c, and the electrolytic solution between the lead storage battery 1 and the discharge pump 4c is used. A gas-liquid separation tank 15 is provided in the discharge line 17. It is known that the life of the discharge pump 4c such as a magnet pump is generally shortened when it is repeatedly operated or stopped intermittently.

Therefore, in Example 4 , a liquid level meter, for example, a float type electrolyte level meter 24 is installed in the gas-liquid separation tank 15, and the height of the electrolyte is constantly measured. Accordingly, the amount of the electrolyte discharged from the discharge pump 4c can be adjusted so as not to be stopped except in special cases. In addition, as the float type electrolytic solution level meter 24, a commercially available resistance type liquid level meter, for example, a resistance type liquid level indicating alarm meter manufactured by Noken Co., Ltd. was used.

  The amount of the electrolyte discharged from the discharge pump 4c can be adjusted according to the liquid level of the gas-liquid separation tank 15 (for example, each level of H, M, and L). For example, when the electrolyte level exceeds the “H” level, 50 Hz is used as the AC frequency supplied to the discharge pump 4c, and when the electrolyte level is between the “H” level and the “M” level. When 30 Hz is used as the AC frequency supplied to the discharge pump 4c and the electrolyte level is between the “M” level and the “L” level, 10 Hz is used as the AC frequency supplied to the discharge pump 4c. Is not “L” level or less, the discharge pump 4c is stopped without supplying power. That is, the higher the level of the electrolyte solution, the faster the rotation speed of the magnet pump. In a normal operation state, the electrolyte liquid level of the gas-liquid separation tank 15 is designed not to be lower than the “L” level so that the magnet pump used as the discharge pump 4c is continuously operated. Stopped even for a short time.

  With these improvements, the magnet pump used as the discharge pump 4c can be operated while changing its rotational speed in accordance with the level of the electrolyte surface in the gas-liquid separation tank 15, resulting in discharge. The amount of electrolytic solution to be adjusted can be adjusted. Therefore, the discharge pump 4c can be continuously operated without being stopped, so that the life can be extended.

  In addition, in the Example mentioned above, although the battery tank formation method of lead acid batteries for electric vehicles, such as a forklift, was described in detail, it can use similarly for battery case formation methods, such as a battery for motor vehicles.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in a battery case forming method for a lead storage battery used in an electric vehicle such as a forklift or an automobile battery.

It is the schematic of the battery case chemical conversion apparatus of the lead acid battery of the reference example 1. 1 is a schematic diagram of a lead-acid battery container forming apparatus according to Example 1. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a lead-acid battery container forming apparatus according to Example 2. FIG. It is the schematic of the battery case chemical conversion apparatus of the conventional lead acid battery. 6 is a schematic view of a lead-acid battery case forming apparatus according to Example 3. FIG. It is the schematic of the battery case chemical conversion apparatus of the lead storage battery concerning Example 4. FIG.

1: lead acid battery, 2: high density electrolyte tank, 3: low density electrolyte tank, 4a: supply pump, 4b, c: discharge pump, 5: supply port, 6: discharge port, 7a, b: three-way valve,
8: High specific electrolyte level, 9: Low specific level electrolyte level, 10: Lead acid battery level,
11: Electrolyte liquid level monitoring pipe, 12: Exhaust pipe, 13: Electrolyte recovery line,
14: Electrolyte supply line, 15: Gas-liquid separation tank, 16: Electrolyte level meter,
17: Electrolyte discharge line, 18: Check valve, 20: Scrubber, 21: Block,
22: Valve, 23: Electrolyte level adjustment line, 24: Float type liquid level meter

Claims (6)

In a battery case formation method for a lead storage battery in which a low specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied while being circulated and charged, then a high specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied while being circulated and charged to form,
The low specific gravity electrolyte is placed in the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3,
The high specific gravity electrolyte is placed in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2,
The low specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 via the electrolytic solution supply line 14 using the water pressure in the low specific gravity electrolytic solution tank 3, and the electrolytic solution discharge line 17, the discharge pump 4b, and the electrolytic solution It is circulated to the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 via the liquid recovery line 13,
The high specific gravity electrolyte is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 via the electrolyte supply line 14 using the water pressure in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2, and the electrolyte discharge line 17, the discharge pump 4b and circulated to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 via the electrolyte recovery line 13 ;
Between the electrolyte supply line 14 and the electrolyte recovery line 13, there is an electrolyte level monitoring pipe 11 for monitoring the electrolyte level in the high density electrolyte tank 2 or the low density electrolyte tank 3. A battery case forming method for a lead storage battery, characterized in that it is provided . Wherein the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte return line 13 exhaust pipe 12 between the collector container formation method of a lead-acid battery of claim 1 Symbol mounting, characterized in that the check valve 18 is provided . In a battery case formation method for a lead storage battery in which a low specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied while being circulated and charged, then a high specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied while being circulated and charged to form,
The low specific gravity electrolyte is placed in the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3,
The high specific gravity electrolyte is placed in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2,
The low specific gravity electrolytic solution is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 through the electrolytic solution supply line 14 using the water pressure in the low specific gravity electrolytic solution tank 3, and the electrolytic solution discharge line 17, the gas-liquid separation tank 15 Circulated to the low specific gravity electrolyte tank 3 through the discharge pump 4c and the electrolyte recovery line 13,
The high specific gravity electrolyte is supplied to the lead storage battery 1 via the electrolyte supply line 14 using the water pressure in the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2, and the electrolyte discharge line 17, the air It is circulated to the high specific gravity electrolyte tank 2 via the liquid separation tank 15, the discharge pump 4c and the electrolyte recovery line 13 .
Between the electrolyte supply line 14 and the electrolyte recovery line 13, there is an electrolyte level monitoring pipe 11 for monitoring the electrolyte level in the high density electrolyte tank 2 or the low density electrolyte tank 3. A battery case forming method for a lead storage battery, characterized in that it is provided . The lead-acid battery forming method according to claim 3 , wherein a check valve (18) is provided in the exhaust pipe (12) between the electrolyte discharge line (17) and the electrolyte recovery line (13). A valve 22 is provided between the lead storage battery 1 and the gas-liquid separation tank 15, and a second discharge pump 4b is provided between the electrolyte discharge line 17 and the electrolyte recovery line 13. And the electrolytic solution level adjustment line 23, and the battery 22 is formed with the valve 22 opened and the second discharge pump 4b stopped.
After the formation of the battery case is completed, the valve 22 is closed and the second discharge pump 4b is operated, so that the extra high specific gravity electrolyte in the lead storage battery 1 is supplied to the electrolyte discharge line 17, the electrolysis The battery forming method for a lead storage battery according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein the battery is discharged through a liquid recovery line 13 to adjust an electrolyte surface in the lead storage battery 1. The gas-liquid separation tank 15 is provided with a liquid level meter, and the higher the level of the electrolyte in the gas-liquid separation tank 15, the greater the amount of electrolyte discharged from the discharge pump 4c. The method of forming a battery case for a lead-acid battery according to claim 3 , 4 or 5 .

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