JPH0360153B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a lead-acid battery (hereinafter also referred to as a battery) and a method for manufacturing the same, particularly a terminal structure on a plate connecting strap provided on a battery cell element. This invention relates to a device for joining bodies by casting.

[Background technology]

In a typical lead-acid battery construction, a plurality of plates of alternate polarity are arranged in spaced relationship. Alternate plates of like polarity are interconnected by a first conductive strap, and alternate plates of opposite polarity are interconnected by a second strap. Each positive and negative strap is located at the top of the plate assembly or cell element and extends in a generally parallel side-by-side relationship.

Battery cell elements as terminal elements further require some means of connecting the set of plates to the external terminal connections of the battery. The present invention relates to providing a terminal structure on one of the cell element connection straps used in making such a connection to the external terminal of the battery.

Plate connecting straps are typically cast from a suitable castable material, such as lead. Thus, the present apparatus for providing a terminal structure is provided for connecting the terminal structure to the meltable material of the cast connecting strap.

[Disclosure of the invention]

The present invention includes lead acid batteries and apparatus for making them, and more particularly, an improved apparatus for forming terminals on battery cell elements.

The present invention relates to the provision of a terminal having a desired terminal post shape or side terminal shape, as well as a conductive metal strap for electrically connecting plates of like polarity in battery cell elements.

In the illustrated embodiment, a typical terminal post configuration has a plate connecting strap and a connecting means on the terminal post electrically connected thereto.

In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal structure is cast onto the connecting means of the plate connecting strap. However, it is clear that terminals in the form of side terminals can be cast on the connecting means as well, and that the invention includes such terminals and other terminal forms falling within the scope of the claims. intended.

For purposes of illustration, a mold is provided having an upwardly opening mold cavity defining a terminal post portion and a connecting portion. Molten metal is fed into the mold cavity and a connecting means in the form of a protrusion of a plate connecting strap is inserted into the molten metal to melt the surface of the connecting protrusion. When the molten portion of the connecting projection and the molten metal in the mold cavity have cooled, the connected terminal structure is demolded and the battery cell element with terminal posts is transferred to a conveyor or the like for the operation.

When the battery cell elements are removed from the terminal casting operation, they are placed with the plate connecting straps at the bottom.

In the illustrated embodiment, the connecting means defines elongated ribs or protrusions that extend along the connecting strap and project downwardly from the strap during terminal formation.

The ribs are first brushed by moving the ribs lengthwise relative to a rotating brush.

Flux is applied to the brushed ribs, and the fluxed ribs are then lowered into molten cast metal previously fed into the mold cavity. The surface portions of the connecting protruding ribs are melted in the molten metal and, upon cooling, effectively form a spontaneous bond between the cast terminal structure and the connecting protruding ribs.

When the molten material has cooled to a solidified state, the cooled material is separated or released from the mold, for example by suitable knockout means. The demolded cast structure is then optionally transferred from the mold. In an exemplary embodiment, a battery cell element having a terminal post cast thereon is inverted with the terminal post on top, and the battery cell element is then placed on a suitable conveyor for dispensing as needed.

The battery cell elements are transferred to the various stations of the apparatus by supply clamps and from the mold by transfer clamp transport means.

The clamping vehicle is arranged to gently but effectively clamp the battery cell elements therebetween. When the casting operation is completed, the transfer clamp vehicle engages the battery cell element while the supply clamp vehicle is released from the battery cell element.

In an exemplary embodiment, the clamping vehicle has movable clamping plates on both sides of the battery cell element;
These plates are simultaneously moved towards and away from the battery cell element, thereby providing a gentle, non-frictional engagement and disengagement of the battery cell element and the clamp plate. During the casting connection of the terminal structure to the connecting protruding ribs of the first connecting strap, the second connecting strap is placed outside the mold. In order to maintain a suitable spacing between the terminal structure and the second strap of the battery cell element, means are provided for providing clearance relief in the connecting portion of the terminal structure. a post portion of the terminal structure extends upwardly from substantially centrally between the two connecting straps of the battery cell element, and the connecting portion of the terminal structure abuts the plate connecting strap adjacent the connecting protruding rib;
The connection of the terminal structure to the plate connection strap is further improved.

The present invention involves accomplishing the casting of the terminals of the cell elements at both ends of the battery by simultaneously casting these terminal structures in adjacent molds.

In the illustrated embodiment, the terminal structures are generally formed at opposite ends of the cell in a left-handed and right-handed configuration suitable for use as a terminal structure.

The transfer clamp vehicle is rotated by 180° about a horizontal axis during the transfer operation, thereby placing the battery cell element with the terminal structure on top on the transfer conveyor for the next operation. can be placed.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mold includes a bottom knockout pin that defines the end of the post portion of the terminal structure. When the cooling operation is complete, the mold is lowered against the knockout pin. The knockout pin holds the terminal structure against downward movement, thus separating or releasing the terminal structure from the mold cavity wall.

The transfer clamp vehicle horizontally translates the battery cell elements from the mold to the transfer conveyor.
The battery cell element having the cast terminal structure is further lifted away from the mold.

In the illustrated embodiment, after inserting the connecting means into the upper surface of the molten metal inside the mold, the mold is cooled, thereby promoting solidification of the molten metal in casting the terminal structure. The connecting means can have any desired shape. However, the shape shown here is in the form of a protruding rib. In the illustrated embodiment, cooling of the mold is accomplished by bringing a heat transfer fluid, such as cooling air, into direct contact with the mold.

Clearance relief for the terminal structure connections is provided by the inherent design of a retractable dam located above the molten metal within the mold cavity during the casting operation. After the cooling of the mold and the downward movement of the mold is complete, the dam is retracted so that the terminal structure is released and removed from the mold cavity without dam obstruction.

Molten metal is supplied from a movably conveyed reservoir adjacent to the mold.

Feeding molten metal to the mold is performed at a preselected flow rate for a preselected time period to provide a controlled amount of molten metal to the mold cavity.

Molten metal is rapidly fed through a bottom outlet controlled by a discharge valve from a sump located above and adjacent to the mold cavity.

The casting of the terminal structure to be cast-bonded is done automatically by means of a suitable control device in combination with this process, so that the shape of the terminal post structure is controlled in accordance with the overall manufacture of the battery incorporating such a structure. It can be performed rapidly and accurately as a single step.

The apparatus of the present invention is extremely simple and economical, yet provides the highly desirable features and functionality described above.

Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In an embodiment of the invention disclosed in the drawings, a method of providing a terminal structure, generally designated 11, within a battery cell element, generally designated 12, and an apparatus, generally designated 10, are illustrated. Disclosed. As shown in FIG. 1, the battery 20 has a terminal post structure 11 upright from the battery cell element 12 disposed at the distal end of the battery, which electrically connects with exposed connection posts 13. . As further shown in FIG. 1, a pair of such terminal post structures 11 are provided at opposite ends of the battery to provide positive and negative polarity connections to the battery.

The present invention provides a terminal post structure suitable for use in batteries with connection posts on the side walls, similar to batteries with connection posts on the top wall of the battery 20 shown in FIG. 11 (shown in Figures 37 and 38).

As shown in FIG. 1, battery cell elements 12 are defined by a plurality of plates 14 and 15 of positive and negative polarity arranged in alternating order and separated by meandering separators or separator sheets 16. As shown in FIG. As shown in detail in FIG. 2, a set of plates includes a first plate connecting strap 17 electrically connecting plates 15 to each other, and a second plate connecting strap 17 electrically connecting plates 14 to each other. It has a plate connecting strap 18. First plate connection strap 17 has a plurality of intercell connection lugs 19 for use in connecting battery cell element 12 to battery cell elements in the next adjacent space (not shown) in battery 20. .

The present invention relates to the provision of terminal post structures 11 on the second plate connection straps 18 of the accumulator cell elements 12 located at opposite ends of the battery 20.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second plate connecting strap 18 has connecting means consisting of a projecting rib 21 extending along the length of the strap. In the embodiment shown, the connection means are attached to the strap 1.
8 is a protruding rib 21 extending approximately half of its length in the longitudinal direction. As shown in FIG. 3, terminal post structure 11 is connected to second plate connecting strap 18 by a protruding rib 21. As shown in FIG. Terminal post structure 11 is formed as a casting onto protruding rib 21, as will be described in detail below.

The first and second plate connecting straps 17 and 18 are provided within the battery cell element 12 by a strap casting apparatus, generally indicated at 22, as shown in FIG. It is understood that the strap casting apparatus 22 does not form part of the invention and, as previously described, provides the first and second plate connecting straps 17, 18 of the form shown in FIG.

The apparatus 10, as shown more generally in FIG. cell element 1
2 and 12'. First and second plate connection straps 17 and 18 are arranged oppositely on these battery cell elements 12, 12'. As further shown in FIG. 5, pairs of battery cell elements 12 and 12' disposed at opposite ends of battery 20 are processed simultaneously in apparatus 10 to form terminal post structures 11 on their straps 18. will be established.

As shown in the figure, the apparatus 10 includes, in addition to a picking up device 23 (picking up means), a brushing device 24 (brushing means), a flux application device 25 (flux application means), a mold device 26 (shape defining means), It includes a molten metal supply device 27 (molten metal supply means) and a loading/unloading device 28 (unloading means) for transferring the completed battery cell elements 12 onto a transfer conveyor 29 (transfer means).

The apparatus 10 is shown in detail in side view in FIG. 6 and in plan view in FIG. As illustrated herein, the apparatus 10 is configured to form a pair of terminal post structures 11 in side-by-side relationship for effecting the simultaneous casting bonding of terminal post structures 11 on side-by-side spaced apart battery cell elements 12 and 12'. Define each individual device. As shown in FIG.
It is supported on a pair of common rails 30 which overlie the flux applicator 25, the mold apparatus 26 and the molten metal supply apparatus 27. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the molten metal supply means 27 is arranged on a pair of slide rails 31 and can be selectively positioned laterally. As shown in FIG. 6, the slide rail 31 is connected to the mold device 2.
6, so that when the molten metal supply device 27 is located in the retracted device, the unloading device 28 is located below the level of the battery cell elements 12 and 1 with the terminal post structure 11.
The mold device 26 is accessible for loading and unloading 2'.

The selective positioning of the molten metal supply device 27 in the laterally retracted position shown in FIG. 7 and in the operating position aligned with the molds 82 and 83 as shown in FIG. This is carried out through appropriate control.

As shown in FIG. 8, the delivery of molten metal contained within molten metal supply device 27 is selectively controlled by plunger valves 35 and 36, respectively. A molten metal supply device 27 extends outwardly from the bottom opening. A housing 32 is defined having supply chutes 33 and 34. These plunger valves 35 and 36 are supported on a pivot arm structure 37. The pivot arm structure 37 is operated by an actuating device 39 under the overall control device 40 of the device.
A controlled amount of molten metal is provided at appropriate times in the operation of the device. Control device 40 is further connected to each of the other elements of device 10 for implementing coordinated control. As shown, the device 10 is mounted on a base 41.

As shown in FIG. 7, the piston-cylinder arrangement 38 is disposed on the support plate 163. The slide rail 31 is installed on this support plate 163. Support plate 163 further supports platform 164. platform 164
supports the housing 32 which serves as a reservoir for molten metal of the molten metal supply device 27.

As best shown in FIG.
The valve shaft 167 connected to the link device 16
has a solenoid 165 connected via 6,
Activation of solenoid 165 energizes plunger valves 35 and 36 to reciprocate vertically.

The pick-up device 23 is shown in detail in FIGS. 9, 10 and 11. As shown in FIG. 9, a clamp transport means 42, indicated generally at 42, is suspended from a support plate 43. The support plate 43 has a slide block 44 which is longitudinally movable on a rail 30 supported on an overlying support 45. The movement of the support plate 43 in the longitudinal direction of the rail 30 is caused by the movement of the support plate 43 in the longitudinal direction of the rail 30.
This is done by a rodless cylinder device 46 fixed at 7. Such devices are well known and, briefly, consist of a cylinder pallet 48 with a longitudinal slit and a lug 4.
9 extends outward through this slit and is supported by the piston of the device. As shown in FIG. 9, the lug 49
As shown in FIG.
This causes the support plate 43 to move longitudinally on the rail 30 in the function of positioning the lug 49 of the rotless cylinder arrangement 46 and the position of the cylinder rod X ₂ on the cylinder X ₁ .

As further shown in FIG.
3 includes a vertical mounting plate 52 fixed to the front end of 3. Side plates 54 and 55 on both sides of the mounting plate 52 are attached to both sides of the mounting plate 52 by suitable bolts 56. Side plates 54 and 55 support a pair of pistons 57 and 58 at their lower ends, and their plungers 59
A pair of clamp plates 60 and 61 are supported at its ends. Plunger 59 is normally energized and pushes clamp plates 60 and 61 to seat on the inner surfaces of side plates 54 and 55. However, when pistons 57 and 58 are energized, clamp plates 60 and 61 are moved to the state shown in phantom in FIG. Engage with the outer surface.

The inner surfaces of battery cell elements 12 and 12' are 1
They are engaged by a pair of clamp plates 62 and 63. The clamp plates 62 and 63 are connected to the housing 6 by a shaft 66 between a retracted position shown by a solid line in FIG. 9 and an outer clamping position shown by a broken line in the same figure.
It can be moved by a cam 64 rotatable within 5. The shaft 66 connects to the piston 6 via a linkage 68.
Rotated by 7. Piston 67 and linkage 68 are supported on support plate 69. Support plate 69 is connected to plate 43 by a pair of posts 70 extending through suitable apertures 71 formed in support plate 43.
supported above.

The support plate 43 subsequently supports the piston device 72
is moved vertically by The piston device 72 is attached to the support plate 43 and is fitted with suitable bolts 7.
Piston rod 73 fixed to support plate 43 by 4
has.

The downward movement of the support plate 69 relative to the support plate 43 is controlled by the cylinder 72 of the adjustable stopper 75.
Restricted by matching to .

As best shown in FIG. 11, a pair of cams 64 are mounted on the clamp transport means 42. The cam 64 is attached to the sprocket 7 at the lower end of the shaft 66.
7 are interconnected by link chains 76 driven by pistons 67
As a result of the rotation of shaft 66 by , cam 64 is simultaneously rotated.

When the clamp transport means 42 is placed in a straddling relationship with respect to a pair of battery cell elements 12 and 12' placed on the strap casting apparatus 22, as shown in FIG. The paired battery cell elements 12 and 12' are forced inwardly against their outer surfaces, and the inner clamp plates 62 and 63 are simultaneously forced outwardly against their inner surfaces, gently and effectively. The battery cell elements 12 and 12' are clamped between them and sequentially picked up and fed to other stations in the apparatus 10.

The installation of support plate 69 onto support plate 43 causes vertical movement of shaft 66 and clamp transport means 42.

Battery cell elements 12 and 12' are moved along rail 30 from guide rail 78 of strap casting apparatus 22, as shown in FIG. The protruding rib 21 of the second plate connecting strap and its lower surface are connected to the rotating brush 7 of the brushing device 24.
9 to clean the surface and improve the fusion bond in the mold assembly 26. As shown in FIG. 6, the brushing device 24 can have a suction duct 80 for removing particulate matter brushed by the rotating brush 79.

From the brushing device 24, the battery cell elements 12 and 12' are passed to a flux applicator 25;
Now as the clamp transport means 42 moves to the left past the flux applicator as seen in FIG.
As a result of the engagement between the protruding rib 21 and the application sponge 81, flux is applied.

The mold apparatus 26 is shown in detail in Figures 1-2 to 14, 39A and 39. As shown in FIG. 12, a pair of battery cell elements 12 and 1
A pair of molds 82 and 83 are provided for simultaneously casting the terminal post structure 11 on the mold 2'. As shown in FIG. 14, molds 82 and 83 are supported on a support plate 84 that is secured to a bottom support plate 85 by a plurality of bolts 86. The molds 82 and 83 are moved vertically by a piston-cylinder arrangement 87. It is guided by a straight guide 88 attached to the support plate 85. A pair of knockout pins 89 and 90 (mold release means) are attached to the base and adjustably upright therefrom into the depending tubular lower portions 91 of the molds 82 and 83.
The upper ends of knockout pins 89 and 90 are
It has a rounded recess 93 for defining the rounded end 106 of the terminal post structure 11.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 14, each mold 8
2 and 83 are upwardly opening mold cavities in the figure defining a connecting portion 95 and a terminal post portion 96 opening downwardly into a tubular lower portion 91 for receiving knockout pins 89 and 90, as previously described. 94.

As further shown in FIGS. 39 and 39A, dam 97 is rotatably positioned within mold cavity 94 by shaft 98 and balance weight 99. As further shown in FIGS. A balance weight 99 is connected to the dam 97 so that the dam 97 can be selectively rotated therefrom to remove the cast terminal post structure 11 upon completion of the casting operation.

Cooling air is supplied to the mold 82 from a supply conduit 101 (cooling means), as shown in FIG. The supply conduit 101 opens into a passageway 102 in a support plate 84 underlying the mold 82 . During operation of the apparatus, mold 82 remains at a substantially constant temperature. Cooling air is provided to remove excess heat transferred from the supplied molten metal. Suitable heating means, such as electrically heated cartridges 103, are provided at each mold 82 and 8 in order to maintain operating temperatures during the molding operation, as is well known.
It is combined with 3.

When the casting of terminal post structure 11 in molds 82 and 83 is completed, molds 82 and 83
is lowered, as shown in FIG. 13, while the knockout pins 89 and 90 remain fixed on the base 41, thereby separating or releasing the formed terminal post structure 11 from the molds 82 and 83. . Lowering of the molds 82 and 83 is carried out by retracting the piston-cylinder arrangement 87 and moving the support plate 85 downwardly towards the base 41, as shown in FIG. As shown above, the straight liner 88 guides the downward movement of the support plate 85 by the piston cylinder arrangement 87 until the terminal post structure 11 clears the molds 82 and 83 as shown in FIG.

The cast terminal post structure 11 is shown in detail in FIGS. 15-18. That is,
As shown, the terminal post structure 11 has a connecting portion 104 spontaneously welded to the projecting rib 21 and a post portion 105 projecting from the connecting portion 104. As previously mentioned, the upper end of the knockout has a rounded recess, as shown in FIG. 16, thereby defining a rounded end 106 of post portion 105.

Dam 97 defines a clearance recess 107 in connecting portion 104 of terminal post structure 11, as shown in FIG. This clearance recess 107 is located between the terminal post structure 11 and the battery 20.
battery cell elements 12 and 12' arranged at both ends of
Ensure the desired clearance between adjacent plate connecting straps.

As shown in FIG. 16, the height of the connecting portion 104 gradually increases from both ends toward the post portion 105. As shown in FIG. As best shown in FIG.
is connected to the side surface of by a connecting portion 108,
Provides an active rigid connection of the cantilevered post to the second plate connection strap 18. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, molds 82 and 83
Terminal post structure 1 simultaneously cast within
1 are effectively mirror images of each other, so that
As previously mentioned, they are suitably arranged as battery cell elements 12 and 12', generally located at opposite ends of battery 20.

Now, if we refer to Figures 19 to 24 in more detail,
The loading and unloading device 28 loads the battery cell elements 12 and 1
2' from the molds 82 and 83 and is arranged to transfer it to the transfer conveyor 29. As shown in FIG. 3, 109 is a terminal battery cell element having an integrally cast terminal post structure 11. As shown in FIG. 19, the unloading device 28 is connected to the unloading head 1
10, and this loading/unloading head 110
defines a pair of clamps, generally designated 111 and 112, for engaging two simultaneously formed terminal battery cell elements 109 in side-by-side relationship from molds 82 and 83. Clamps 111 and 112 engage terminal battery cell elements 109, which are supported on knockout pins 89 and 90 during downward movement of mold device 26.
As shown in FIG. 19, the clamp 111 includes a first clamp plate 113 and a second clamp plate 114.
including. Further, the clamp 112 includes a first clamp plate 115 and a second clamp plate 116. The first clamp plate 113 is moved by the piston 117.
It is moved toward the second clamp plate 116 from the retracted position shown in solid lines in FIG. 19 to the clamping position shown in broken lines in the figure. Piston 117 is spring biased to the retracted position.

The first clamp plate 115 is moved toward the second clamp plate 116 by a spring-loaded piston 118 from a retracted position shown in solid lines in FIG. 19 to a clamping position shown in broken lines in FIG. . Second clamp plates 114 and 116
19 moves the first clamp plates 113 and 11 from the retracted position shown in solid lines in FIG. 19 to the clamping position shown in broken lines in FIG.
Moved towards 5. The actuating device 119, as shown in FIG. 20, includes pistons 120, each of which has an elongated rod-like shaft 121, which is biased to the left in the figure by suitable spring means 122. .

A pair of cam pins 123 and 124 are connected to the shaft 12.
It is fixed due to the movement with 1, and this causes
When piston 120 is actuated, it is forced to the right as viewed in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 19, cam pins 123 and 124 are connected to second clamp plates 116 and 114.
The second clamp plate 116 and 1
Tapered recesses 125 and 12 formed in 14
6 so that the cam pins 123 and 12
4 moves, the second clamp plates 116 and 114
is pushed away from the retracted position to the position shown by the dashed line. As shown, the clamping movement is relatively small, but effectively provides clearance between each clamp plate 113, 114, 115 and 116 and the side of the terminal battery cell element 109 when the clamp is released. do.

The first clamp plate 113 and the piston 117 are fixed to a support plate 127. The support plate 127 is fixed to the transfer plate 128. First clamp plate 11
5 and the piston 118 are fixed to a support plate 129. The support plate 129 is fixed to the transfer plate 128.

The support plates 127 and 129 can be rotated about a horizontal axis 131 by means of a rotation device 132 attached to the depending support plate 133 of the lifting head 134. Additionally, the lifting head 134 has a cantilevered stop support 135 with an adjustable strip 136 at its distal end.

As seen in Figure 24, lifting head 1
34 further has a second arm 137 with an adjustable stop 138. Transfer plate 128 has an end portion 139 that selectively engages stops 136 and 138 to define the limits of rotational movement of transfer plate 128. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 24, the transfer plate 128 allows the pick up head to pick up the terminal battery cell element 109 and move it from the initial position to the terminal battery cell element 109, as shown schematically in FIGS. 33 and 34. The terminal post structure 11 at 109 is rotated 180 degrees to an inverted position in which it extends upwardly. Thus, as seen in FIG. 23, the end portion 139 of the transfer plate 128
36 to engage stop 138 in the inverted position of battery cell element 109 and then retract to the clamping position of battery cell element 109, where end portion 139 is rotated as shown in FIG. However, it is returned to engagement with stop 136.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 24,
The lifting head 134 has a piston cylinder device 140 having one end fixed to a support plate 141.
and vertically positionable by a piston rod 142 connected to the upper plate 143 of the lifting head 134. Support plate 141 is in turn attached to support plate 144 which is supported on rail 30 by sliding block 145 for horizontal movement along rail 30. Such movement is achieved by a rodless positioner 146 similar to the rodless cylinder apparatus 46 previously described and having horizontally positionable lugs 147 engaged with upright connectors 148 on support plate 144.
It is done by.

The upward movement of the lifting head 134 relative to the support plate 144 is caused by the first cooperating stop 149,1
50 and are attached to support plate 144 and head 134, respectively, and are limited by abutment of second cooperating stops 151, 152, as shown in FIG. The downward movement of the lifting head 134 is controlled by a pair of vertical guides 155 and 156 which are slidable through the support plate 144 and have lower ends fixed to the lifting head 134.
Controlled by a pair of stops 153 and 154 at the top. These guides may have a second set of stops 157 and 160 and depending stops 159 and 1 on support plate 144.
60.

It is desirable to lift the clamp of the unloading head 110 slightly, eg, by 0.5 inches (1.27 cm), to separate the terminal post structure 11 from the top of the knockout pin. To make the first slight upward movement, cooperating stops 149 and 151 are raised approximately 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) by pistons 161 and 162 mounted on support plate 144, as shown in FIG. . Such upward displacement of cooperating stops 149 and 151 prevents further upward movement of piston-cylinder arrangement 140 until stops 157 and 158 engage stops 159 and 160 fixed on support plate 144. Allow a retreat.

Once beyond the knockout pin, the terminal battery cell element 109 can then be brought into overlying relationship over the conveyor 29 by leftward movement of the unloader 28 on the rail 30. As previously mentioned, the terminal battery cell element 109 is rotated during transfer, thereby causing the terminal post structure 1
1 is placed at the top. The lifting head 134 is then lowered by appropriate actuation of the piston-cylinder arrangement 140, and the end battery cell element 109 thus rotated is placed on the transfer conveyor 29 for further processing. As shown above, each clamp plate 113, 114, 115, 11
6 can be moved away from the terminal battery cell element 109, thereby causing the terminal battery cell element 1
09 onto the transfer conveyor 29 without causing damage to the sides of the terminal battery cell elements 109 due to friction, such as due to sliding of the terminal battery cell elements 109 against the transfer conveyor 29.

Industrial Use The overall operation of the apparatus 10 is shown schematically in Figures 25-35. That is, as seen in FIG.
3 and transferred to the brushing device 24, where the depending connecting means, i.e.
The protruding ribs 21 are brushed by a rotating brush 79 to remove foreign contaminants from their surfaces.

The pick-up device 23 continues to move to the left and, as shown in FIG. Appropriate coupling flux is applied.

As shown in FIG.
moves further to the left, transporting the battery cell elements into overlying relationship with mold apparatus 26. At this time, the molten metal in molten metal supply device 27 is retained therein by closed plunger valves 35 and 36.

As shown in FIG. 27, the plunger valve 3
5 and 36 are energized to feed mold 8 through feed chute 33 and 34 for a preselected time.
2, 83 from the molten metal supply device 27.

As shown in FIG. 28, the plunger valve 3
5 and 36 are now energized, molds 82, 83
and the pick-up device 23 is lowered to move the battery cell element downwardly so that the depending projecting rib 21 is placed into the upper part of the molten metal in the mold. It will be done.

As shown in FIG. 29, the apparatus is maintained in this position for a sufficient period of time to allow the molten metal in the mold to cool and solidify to form terminal post structures 11 on the depending ribs.

As shown in FIG. 30, the unloading device 28
is moved to the right so that the unloading head portion 110 engages the terminal battery cell element 109 having the terminal post structure 11 cast-bonded thereto.

The pick-up device 23 then picks up the terminal battery cell element 1
09 and is moved upwards and to the right into the holding position defined by the cylinder X ₁ and the extended cylinder rod X ₂ , as shown in FIG. Strap casting device 2
Picker 23 remains in this position until 2 moves the pair of terminal battery cell elements 109 into alignment with picker 23, as shown in FIG. Subsequently, the cylinder rod X ₂ is retracted,
This causes the pick-up device 23 to move out of its holding position and to the right, so that the following end battery cell element 109
We can take up the pair. At the same time, the molding device 26 is lowered while the knockout pins 89, 9
0 is held stationary so that the cast terminal post structure 11 is free to release from the molds 82,83. The downward movement of the molds 82, 83 simultaneously causes the dam 9 to move as shown in FIG.
7 to the open position and release the post bevel 107.

Pistons 161 and 162 are then actuated, causing cooperating stop 1 to open as shown in FIG.
49 and 151, thereby raising the piston-cylinder assembly 140 and lifting the lifting head 134 and the terminal battery cell element 109 supported thereby by approximately 0.5 inch (1.27 cm) to remove the cast terminal post structure. body 1
1 away from the upper ends of the knockout pins 89 and 90.

The released end battery cell element 109 is the 33rd
As shown, the transfer plate 128 is then moved to the left by a leftward translation of the lifting head 134 supported on the rail 30, while the transfer plate 128 is rotated by the rotation device 132, as shown in FIG. to position the terminal battery cell element 109 with the cast-bonded terminal post structure 11 on top within the unloading device 28 . Furthermore, as shown in FIG.
The leftward movement of 34 causes the terminal battery cell element 109
continues until it is placed upwardly by the transfer conveyor 29.

The terminal battery cell element 109 is then lifted into the lifting head 1 by operation of the piston-cylinder arrangement 140.
34 is placed onto a transfer conveyor 29 from which the unloading device 28 is released and then raised in a direction away from the terminal battery cell element 109 for further processing if desired. is transferred to the transfer conveyor 29.

A time series diagram is shown in FIG. This third
Figure 6 shows steps 25 to 3 in the overall operation of the device.
5 shows the relationship between the various operations described above with respect to FIG. The operations can be coordinated by the controller 40 to provide the desired time series. Alternatively, operation of the drive elements of the device may be manually controlled to provide a sequence of operations, as described above.

As seen in FIGS. 37 and 38, side terminals 168 can be selectively formed on the depending ribs 16 by suitably shaping the mold. That is, the side terminal 168 includes a connecting portion 169 cast onto the rib 16 and a side terminal portion 170 at one end of the connecting portion. Since the terminal portion 170 is present at the end of the strap 18 and no clearance bevel is required, the dam 97 is unnecessary when forming the side terminals.

The apparatus 10, as previously described, is simple and economical in construction, and for use in terminal battery cell elements at the ends of the battery, provides an improved terminal post structure 11 on the connecting ribs of the battery cell elements. When providing improved and tailored functionality of each element.

Although specific embodiments have been disclosed above, they are illustrative of the broader inventive concepts encompassed by this invention.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery having a terminal structure manufactured by the apparatus of the present invention, with a portion of the battery case cut away to show the arrangement of battery cell elements within the battery case. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery cell element having plate connection strips with connecting protruding ribs for use in connecting terminal structures. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the battery cell element of FIG. 1 with a terminal structure. 4 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the terminal structure within the battery structure of FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 5 is a partial schematic plan view of the battery terminal structure casting apparatus of the present invention. 6 is a partial side view of the apparatus of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a detailed plan view of the apparatus of FIG. 6; FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of the mold and associated equipment. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged front view of the pick-up and transportation means. 10 is a plan view of the means of FIG. 10; FIG. 11 is a partial side view of the means of FIG. 10; FIG. 12th
The figure is a partial side view of the mold structure. FIG. 13 is a partial side view of the mold structure as the mold is lowered to release the cast terminal structure from the mold. FIG. 14 is a detailed partial side view of the mold. FIG. 15 is a plan view of a plate connecting strap that has been cast in combination with a terminal structure. FIG. 16 is a side view of the strap of FIG. 15. FIG. 17 is an end view showing the formation of a pair of side-by-side terminal structures in the apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a pair of terminal structures cast simultaneously on paired pairs of battery cell elements disposed at the ends of a battery. FIG. 19 is a partially cutaway plan view of the loading and unloading vehicle. FIG. 20 is a partially cut away side view of the means of FIG. 19; 21 is a partial end view of the means of FIG. 19; FIG. FIG. 22 is a partial side view of the unloading clamp vehicle and associated equipment. FIG. 23 is a partial end view of the clamp transport means in position for picking up battery cell elements from the mold cavity. FIG. 24 is a partial end view showing the arrangement of the unloading clamp vehicle as it is inverted to invert picked battery cell elements. FIG. 25 is a schematic side view showing the brushing of the connecting projecting ribs in solid lines and the application of flux to the brushed ribs in dashed lines; FIG. 26 is a schematic side view showing the arrangement of battery cell elements overlying the mold cavity. FIG. 27 is a schematic side view showing the step of supplying molten metal to the mold cavity immediately before inserting the connecting rib into the mold cavity. FIG. 28 is a schematic side view showing the downward movement of the battery cell element to insert the connecting protruding rib into the top of the molten metal in the mold cavity. FIG. 29 is a schematic side view illustrating the step of cooling molten metal to form a spontaneously bonded terminal structure on a connecting rib. FIG. 30 is a schematic side view illustrating the process of engaging a transfer clamp vehicle with a battery cell element. FIG. 31 is a schematic side view illustrating the step of releasing and extracting the pick-up clamp transport means from a battery cell element, the battery cell element being held by the unloading clamp transport means and supported by a knockout pin; The mold is moved away from the terminal structure, freeing it from it. FIG. 32 is a schematic side view illustrating the process of lifting the battery cell element to release the terminal structure from the support knockout pin. FIG. 33 is a schematic side view showing the movement of the battery cell element away from the mold apparatus. FIG. 34 is a schematic side view illustrating the step of inverting the battery cell elements to place the terminal structure on top. 35th
The figure is a schematic side view showing the process of placing battery cell elements on a transfer conveyor. FIG. 36 is a time series diagram showing the relationship and order of various steps in the method of manufacturing a terminal structure. Figure 37 shows
FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of a cast-bonded terminal device in the form of a side terminal;
FIG. 38 is an end view of the terminal configuration of FIG. 37. Figures 39 and 39A are partial side views of the mold and dam structure. 10... Apparatus for providing a terminal structure within a battery cell element, 11... Terminal structure or terminal post structure, 12, 12', 109
... Battery cell element, 13 ... Terminal part or terminal post part, 14, 15 ... Pole plate,
16... Corrugated divider or separator sheet, 17... First plate connecting strap or first strap, 18... Second plate connecting strap or second strap, 19... Connection lug between cells, 20... Battery , 21... Connection protrusion or protruding rib, 22... Strap casting coupling device, 23
... Picking up device, 24 ... Brushing device, 2
5...Flux coating device, 26...Mold means,
27... Molten metal supply device or metal reservoir, 28...
...lifting means or unloading device, 29...
Transfer conveyor, 30, 31...Rail, 32,
65, 66... Housing, 33, 34... Supply seat, 35, 36... Plunger valve, 37...
... Pivot arm device, 38, 87 ... Piston cylinder device, 39 ... Actuation device, 40 ... Control device, 41 ... Base, 42 ... Clamp means or supply clamp transportation means, 43 ... Support plate,
44...sliding block, 45, 47...support lying above, 46...rodless positioning cylinder device, 48...cylinder barrel, 4
9...lug, 50...upright connector, 51...
Extension part, 52... Vertical plate, 53, 56, 74,
86...Bolt, 54,55...Side plate, 57,5
8,67,117,118,120,159,1
60... Cylinder or piston, 59... Plunger, 60, 61, 62, 63... Clamp plate, 64... Cam, 66, 98... Shaft, 68...
...Link device, 69, 84, 129, 141...
Support plate, 70... Post, 71... Opening, 72...
...Piston device, 73...Piston rod, 75...
Adjustable stop, 76... link chain,
77... Sprocket, 78... Guide rail, 7
9... Rotating brush, 80... Suction duct, 81...
... Coating sponge, 82, 83 ... Mold, 85 ... Bottom support plate, 87 ... Mold release means, 88 ... Direct inside, 89, 90 ... Knockout pin, 91 ...
hanging tubular lower part, 92... end, 93... round recess, 94... upwardly opening mold cavity, 9
5...Connection part, 96...Terminal post part, 97...Dam, 99...Balance weight,
101...Cooling means, 102...Air flow path, 1
03... Heating means, 104... Connection part, 105
...Post part, 106...Round end, 107...
...Post bevel, 108...Connector part, 1
10... Loading and unloading head part, 111, 112
... Clamp, 113, 115 ... First clamp plate, 114, 116 ... Second clamp plate, 119
... Actuation device, 121 ... Rod or shaft, 122 ...
...Spring means, 123, 124...Cam pin, 12
5,126...Tapered recess, 127,163...
...Support plate, 128...Transfer plate or clamp plate,
130...Screw, 131...Horizontal shaft, 132...
Rotating device, 133... hanging support plate, 134...
... Lifting head, 135 ... Cantilever stop support, 136 ... Adjustable stop, 137 ... Second arm, 138 ... Adjustable stop, 139
... End portion, 140 ... Piston cylinder device, 142 ... Piston rod, 143 ... Upper plate, 1
44... Board, 145... Slide block, 14
6... Rodless positioning device, 147... Horizontally positionable lug, 148... Upright connector, 149, 150, 151, 152... Cooperative stop, 153, 154, 157, 158... Stop, 155, 156 ...Vertical guide, 15
9,160... hanging stop, 164... platform, 165... solenoid, 166...
... Link, 167 ... Valve stem, 168 ... Side terminal, 169 ... Connection part, 170 ... Side terminal part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A terminal cell element of a lead-acid battery having a first plate group 14 of one polarity, a second plate group 15 of the other polarity, and a separator 16, which comprises: The second electrode plate group 14 is connected by a strap 17 on which a lug 19 is formed, the second electrode plate group 15 is connected by a strap 18 on which a rib 21 is formed,
This is a terminal cell element of a lead-acid battery, in which a terminal post structure 11 is built into the rib 21 by casting. 2 Strap forming means 22, picking up means 23, brushing means 24, flux application means 25, mold means 26, molten metal supply means 27, clamping means 42, cooling means 10
1, a mold release means 87, and a pulling means 28, the strap forming means 22 comprises a first plate group 14;
and the second electrode plate group 15, a strap 17 having a lug 19 and a strap 18 having a rib 21 are formed, respectively, and the pick-up means 23 is configured to move the terminal cell 12 so that the straps 17 and 18 are arranged downwardly. The brushing means 24 holds and moves the clamping means 42 that picks up the straps 17 and 1 so as to face them.
The flux application means 25 is for brushing the surface of the strap 17,
The mold means 26 is for applying wax to the terminal post structure 11.
It has a mold cavity 94 that defines the shape of the connecting part 104 and the post part 105 and opens upward, and the molten metal supply means 27 supplies molten metal into the mold cavity 94, and the clamp means 42 is the rib 2 of the strap 18
1 into the molten metal in the mold cavity 94 to melt the surface of the rib 21, and the cooling means 101 cools the molten portion of the rib 21 and the molten metal in the mold cavity 94. The mold release means 87 is for releasing the terminal post structure 11 cast into the rib 21 from the mold cavity 94, and the lifting means 28 is for moving the end cell forming the terminal post structure. Manufacturing equipment for terminal cell elements of lead-acid batteries. 3 The strap forming means 2 is attached to the first electrode plate group 14 of one polarity and the second electrode plate group 15 of the other polarity.
2 to form a strap 17 with a lug 19 and a strap 18 with a rib 21, respectively, and then the straps 17, 18 are connected to the brushing means 2.
4, the flux is applied by the flux application means 25, and then the connecting portion 1 of the terminal post structure 11 is brushed.
In the mold cavity 94 of the mold means 26 which defines the shape of the 04 and the post portion 105 and opens upwardly,
Molten metal is supplied by the molten metal supply means 27, then the ribs 21 of the straps 18 of the second electrode plate group 15 are inserted into the molten metal, and then the ribs 21 are heated by the cooling means 101. The molten surface portion and the molten metal in the mold cavity 94 are cooled to form the terminal post structure 11, and then the terminal post structure 11 cast on the rib 21 is released by the mold release means 87. A method for manufacturing an end cell element of a lead-acid battery, comprising a molding step.