JPH0999901A - Charging device for electrolyte - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To charge electrolyte into a case which is filled with a group of electrodes immediately. SOLUTION: This charging device for electrolyte is provided with a blocking cylinder 5 for airtightly-blocking a case 1 where a group of electrodes are inserted, a decompression device which can decompress the inside of the case closed by a blocking cylinder 5 and raise pressure from the decompressed condition, a fluid supplying pipe 7 which supplies electrolyte fluid 3 to the opening of the case 1, a temporary storage chamber 8 for electrolyte which is communicated with the fluid supply pipe, a piston 9 which supplies electrolyte to the case through the fluid supply pipe by pushing out the electrolyte stored here, and a pressure mechanism which drives the piston. This charging device airtightly-closes the opening of the case 1, and drives the piston 9 with the case inside decompressed by the decompression device to supply electrolyte to the case 1 from the fluid supply pipe 7. The end of the fluid supply pipe is extended to a higher position than the fluid level of electrolyte, and the piston pushes up the fluid level and supplies fluid to the case.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention mainly relates to a device for filling a case of a capacitor or a battery with an electrolytic solution. In particular, the device of the present invention relates to an electrolytic solution filling device that is optimal for filling an electrolytic solution into a case containing an electrode group and incapable of quickly permeating the electrolytic solution into the gap between the electrode groups.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Oil condensers and batteries are manufactured by filling a case containing an electrode group with an electrolytic solution and then closing the case. When the case is filled with the electrolytic solution, it takes time to impregnate the gap between the electrode groups with the electrolytic solution. In particular, in the case where the electrode group in which the electrode plates are densely stacked is housed inside, it takes a very long time to fill the electrolytic solution. This is because even if the case is filled with the electrolytic solution, the electrolytic solution does not smoothly permeate into the gaps between the electrode groups. Since it takes time for the electrolytic solution to permeate, there is a disadvantage that impurities easily enter the case during this period. In order to prevent this adverse effect, it is necessary to store the case filled with the electrolytic solution in a stock yard adjusted to an optimum environment and leave it still. In addition, if the environment such as the humidity to stand still is not proper, moisture may enter and the electrical characteristics may be deteriorated. Furthermore, it requires a large stockyard to hold a large number of cases. In addition, there is a drawback that capacitors and batteries cannot be mass-produced efficiently.

For this reason, conventionally, a vertically standing case was filled with a required amount of the electrolytic solution and then allowed to stand for a long time to gradually permeate the electrolytic solution into the gaps between the electrode groups.
This method has a drawback that it takes a long time to impregnate the electrode group with the electrolytic solution, and the electrolytic solution cannot be efficiently filled. Further, in this method, when the case is filled with a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution, the electrolytic solution overflows from the case. The leakage of the electrolyte solution filled in the case is due to the fact that the injection amount of the electrolyte solution is determined to be an appropriate amount when the electrode group is impregnated.
This is because the gap between the electrode groups is not quickly impregnated with the electrolytic solution, and the electrolytic solution overflows from the case. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 2 is watertightly attached to the opening of the case 1 with a sealing gasket, and a necessary amount of the electrolytic solution 3 is filled in the cover 2 and left standing. It takes time and effort to attach the covers 2 to the case 1 one by one, which makes it difficult to efficiently fill the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3. Further, in order to sufficiently impregnate the gaps between the electrode groups 4 with the electrolytic solution 3, it is necessary to leave it standing for, for example, 2 hours, and the production efficiency is extremely poor. A large amount of equipment is required for mass production, and mounting the cover 2 is also a great labor.

[0004]

A device for airtightly closing an opening of a case containing an electrolytic solution and decompressing the opening of the closed case with a vacuum pump in order to quickly impregnate the electrode group with the electrolytic solution. Is being developed. Since this device depressurizes the inside of the case, the air in the gaps between the electrode groups becomes bubbles and floats above the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution. Therefore, as compared with the stationary method, the gap between the electrode groups can be filled with the electrolytic solution in a considerably faster time. However, this device has a drawback that the air present in the gaps between the electrode groups becomes bubbles when the pressure is reduced, but the bubbles are so fine that they do not quickly float to the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution. The fine bubbles adhere to the surface of the electrode group or are not smoothly discharged from the gaps between the electrode groups and do not quickly float to the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution. Therefore, in this device, the time for allowing the electrolytic solution to sufficiently permeate into the gaps between the electrode groups cannot be shortened to a sufficiently satisfactory level. The time for allowing the electrolytic solution to penetrate into the electrode group depends on the gap between the electrode groups, that is, the density, but it takes about several minutes, and it is difficult to shorten the time to less than one minute.

The present inventor has further developed a device for closing and pressurizing an opening of a case filled with the electrolytic solution, instead of depressurizing it, in order to shorten the filling time of the electrolytic solution. Since this device can pressurize the inside of the case to 1 atm or more, it has a feature that the electrolyte can be permeated in a shorter time as compared with a device for depressurizing the electrolyte by forcibly permeating the electrolyte. However, this device has a drawback that the electrolytic solution once impregnated in the gaps between the electrode groups jumps out of the case at the moment when the pressurized state of the case is released and returned to atmospheric pressure. At the moment when the case was released from the pressurized state, the bubbles that were pressed and crushed in the gaps between the electrode groups were
Because it greatly expands.

As described above, the device for closing the pressure of the case by closing the opening of the case has a drawback that it is difficult to smoothly discharge the air in the gap between the electrode groups and it takes a long time for impregnation.
On the contrary, the device for pressurizing the case has a drawback that the air in the gap between the electrode groups expands and the impregnated electrolytic solution is ejected.

The present inventor combined the decompression and the pressurization under special conditions to rapidly supply a fixed amount of electrolytic solution to the minute gaps of the electrode group in a short time that cannot be realized by the conventional device. Successfully penetrated. Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte solution filling device that can simply and easily fill a fixed amount of electrolyte solution in a short time.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention includes a closing cylinder 5 for hermetically closing a case 1 in which an electrode group stacked via a separator is inserted, and a closing cylinder 5 for closing the same. A decompressor capable of decompressing the inside of the case 1 and increasing the pressure from the decompressed state, an injection pipe 7 for injecting the electrolytic solution 3 into the opening of the case 1 closed by the closing cylinder 5, and this injection pipe 7, the temporary storage chamber 8 for the electrolytic solution 3 and the electrolytic solution 3 stored in the temporary storage chamber 8 are pushed out, and the electrolytic solution 3 is put into the case 1 by the injection pipe 7.
A piston 9 for injecting the liquid and a pressing mechanism for driving the piston 9 are provided.

In the above-described filling device, the opening 9 of the case 1 is airtightly closed by the closing cylinder 5, and the piston 9 is driven to depressurize the inside of the case 1 by the decompressor so that the temporary storage chamber 8
The electrolytic solution 3 is injected into the case 1 through the injection pipe 7.

Further, in the electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention as defined in claim 2, the tip of the liquid injection pipe 7 is extended above the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8. The electrolyte solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8 does not flow into the liquid injection pipe 7 whose tip is higher than the liquid surface. Electrolyte 3 from injection pipe 7 to case 1
When injecting the liquid, the piston 9 pushes up the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8. The device of this structure has a piston 9
Presses the electrolytic solution 3 to inject the electrolytic solution 3 into the case 1.

The electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention injects the electrolytic solution 3 into the case as follows. Case 1 in which the closed cylinder 5 has the electrode group inserted
Airtightly close. The case 1 whose decompressor is closed by the closing cylinder 5 decompresses. In this step, the air inside the case 1 is exhausted. Therefore, the air in the gap between the electrode groups is also exhausted. The piston 9 pushes out the electrolytic solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8 and injects it into the case 1. The electrolytic solution 3 injected into the case 1 quickly permeates and impregnates into the minute gaps of the electrode group from which air has been exhausted. Piston 9 is depressurized case 1
It is driven to inject the electrolytic solution 3 into. That is, the piston 9 injects the electrolytic solution 3 after the decompressor decompresses the case 1. After decompressing the inside of the case 1, the decompressor raises the pressure to more rapidly impregnate the injected electrolyte 3 into the gaps between the electrodes.

As described above, the apparatus of the present invention for injecting the electrolytic solution 3 into the case 1 injects the electrolytic solution 3 into the case 1 which is hermetically closed under reduced pressure. Since the electrolytic solution 3 is poured into the case 1 in a depressurized state, it is not necessary to float the air in the voids of the electrode group in the form of bubbles above the electrolytic solution 3 and exhaust the air, unlike the conventional device. The air passes through the gap between the electrode groups before being filled with the electrolytic solution 3 and is quickly exhausted. The electrolyte solution 3 that fills the electrode group in which air has been exhausted from the gap quickly permeates into the fine voids of the electrode group. This is because the air accumulated in the void does not hinder the permeation of the electrolytic solution 3. Therefore, the electrolytic solution 3 filled in the case 1 in a depressurized state quickly permeates the gap between the electrode groups.

However, in this state, the electrolytic solution 3 is not completely impregnated into the gaps between the electrode groups. This is because it is difficult to decompress and completely exhaust the air in the gap between the electrode groups. In order to forcibly impregnate the voids of the electrode group in which air remains with the electrolytic solution 3, the filling device of the present invention uses a decompressor to increase the pressure in the case 1 after decompression. When the pressure rises, the volume of air remaining in the gap between the electrode groups becomes smaller. This is because the volume of air is inversely proportional to the pressure.
In particular, the air expanding in a depressurized state is reduced in volume by increasing the pressure. For example, when the inside of the case 1 whose pressure is reduced to 76 Torr is set to the atmospheric pressure, the volume of air is reduced to 1/10, and when the pressure is increased by 1 atmospheric pressure from the atmospheric pressure, it is reduced to 1/20. The air whose volume has been reduced does not hinder the permeation of the electrolytic solution 3 into the gap between the electrode groups. Therefore, by increasing the pressure, the electrolytic solution 3 is more smoothly permeated into the gaps between the electrode groups. Further, since the pressure is relatively increased from the depressurized state, the volume of air remaining in the gap between the electrode groups can be significantly reduced without increasing the absolute pressure so much. Therefore, even if the inside of the case 1 is pressurized, the electrolytic solution 3 can permeate without being pressed to a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure. The electrolytic solution 3 impregnated in the group does not jump out.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below exemplify the electrolyte solution filling device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention does not specify the electrolyte solution filling device as follows.

Further, in this specification, in order to facilitate understanding of the claims, the numbers corresponding to the members shown in the embodiments are referred to as "claims column" and "to solve the problems. It is added to the members shown in the column of "means". However, the members shown in the claims are not limited to the members of the embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the electrolyte filling apparatus of the present invention.
Shown in The apparatus shown in this figure is roughly divided into a base 10, a closing cylinder 5, and a piston 9. One or several or several tens of devices as shown in the figure are arranged as a line, and each device fills the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3 in parallel to increase the processing capacity.

The case 1 in which the electrode group is inserted is mounted on the base 10. The case 1 is vertically fixed to the base 10 and has an open upper end, from which the electrolytic solution 3 is injected.
Inside the case 1, an electrode group that is stacked via a separator or the like is inserted. The electrode group is impregnated with the electrolytic solution 3 to fill the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3.

The base 10 is located in the lower part of the electrolyte filling device, and has a support portion 10A for fixing the case 1 in the center. The support portion 10A is for holding the case 1 so that the case 1 can be filled with the electrolytic solution 3, and for example, a member for sandwiching the side surface of the case, an insertion port for inserting the case, or the like can be used. .

The base 10 also functions as a carrier, holds the case 1 to be filled with the electrolytic solution 3, moves to the lower surface of the electrolytic solution filling device, and when the case 1 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3, the base 10 is filled. Moves, the base 10 holding the case 1 for filling the next electrolytic solution 3 moves to the lower surface of the filling device, and sequentially transfers the case 1 to the electrolytic solution filling device. For example, a base that holds a plurality of cases on a line conveyor, a base that holds a case in a roulette shape, or the like can be used. In addition to a structure in which one case is held on one base, a structure in which a plurality of cases are held on one large base can be used.

The case 1 which is filled with the electrolytic solution 3 accommodates therein an electrode group such as a capacitor and a battery, and any of those which are intended to be filled with the electrolytic solution 3 can be used. In particular, the electrode group in which the electrode plates are stacked with high density to achieve high performance has almost no gaps, so that it is difficult to fill the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention can efficiently fill the electrolytic solution even in the case containing such an electrode group. Further, this device is not limited to the electrolytic solution, and can be applied to other devices for filling a liquid in a narrow gap.

The base 10 is connected to the closed cylinder 5. The closed cylinder 5 is composed of a filled portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3 and a cylinder body 5B. The filling portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3 is
An opening wall 5a which opens the lower surface of the closing cylinder 5,
The nozzle portion 11 is located above the opening wall 5a. The filling section 5A has a filling chamber 12 for filling the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3. The filling chamber 12 is
The upper surface is closed by the nozzle portion 11, the side surface is closed by the opening wall 5a, and the lower surface opening portion is closed by the upper surface of the base 10.

A suction unit 13 for connecting to a pressure reducer (not shown) is connected to the closed cylinder 5. The suction unit 13 is connected to the filling chamber 12 inside the closed cylinder 5, and the decompressor is connected to the filling chamber 12 via the suction unit 13.

The closed cylinder 5 has a temporary storage chamber 8 and a filling chamber 12. The filling chamber 12 is provided inside the filling portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3, and the upper portion of the filling portion 5A is fixed to the cylinder body 5B. There is a nozzle portion 11 between the cylinder body 5B and the filling portion 5A, and the nozzle portion 11 closes the lower surface of the cylinder body 5B. The cylinder body 5B is open at the top, and the opening is connected to the piston 9 and closed. An upper part of the closed cylinder 5 constituted by the cylinder body 5B has a temporary storage chamber 8 for the electrolytic solution 3.

The temporary storage chamber 8 comprises a cylinder body 5B and a nozzle portion 11. The temporary storage chamber 8 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3. The bottom surface of the temporary storage chamber 8 is closed by a nozzle portion 11. The liquid injection pipe 7 is inserted and fixed in the center of the nozzle portion 11. The liquid injection pipe 7 communicates with the temporary storage chamber 8, and the upper end portion thereof extends above the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution 3. The lower end of the liquid injection pipe 7 projects into the filling chamber 12,
It is located at the opening of the case 1. In the electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention, the piston 9 pushes up the liquid surface of the electrolyte solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8 to fill the electrolyte solution 3 into the case 1 through the injection pipe 7.

The upper part of the closing cylinder 5 is connected to the piston 9. The piston 9 is a piston lifting mechanism (not shown)
It is connected to and moves up and down. The piston 9 includes a piston body 14, a closed ring 15, a spring 16, and a pressing plate 17.
Consists of The piston body 14 is inserted through the center of the closed ring 15 and is slidably connected. The piston body 14 has a cylindrical shape, and an insertion hole 18 is provided at the center thereof. Piston body 1
The upper end of 4 is fixed to a pressing plate 17, and the pressing plate 17 and the closing ring 15 are connected by a spring 16. Spring 16
Is for keeping the connecting portion airtight when the piston 9 and the closing cylinder 5 are connected. Pressing plate 1
7 is further connected to a pressing mechanism (not shown), and the pressing plate 17 is moved up and down by the pressing mechanism. Pressing plate 1 with pressing mechanism
When 7 is pushed down, the piston body 14 is lowered, and when the pressing plate 17 is pulled up, the piston body 14 is raised.

Next, the connecting portion between the base 10 and the closing cylinder 5 will be described. The base 10 is connected to the lower part of the closing cylinder 5. The closing cylinder 5 can be vertically moved up and down, and is connected to a cylinder up-and-down mechanism (not shown). The closed cylinder 5 is composed of an upper cylinder body 5B and a lower portion 5A filled with the electrolytic solution 3. The filling portion 5A is a portion that fills the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3, and is connected to the base 10 to form a filling chamber 12. The closing cylinder 5 is connected to the base 10 at the lower filling portion 5A,
The connecting portion between 0 and the closing cylinder 5 is hermetically closed. The closing cylinder 5 has sufficient strength to cope with pressure changes,
Moreover, a material that does not change in quality such as rust by coming into contact with the electrolytic solution 3, for example, a metal such as stainless steel can be used.

The base 10 shown in FIG. 3 has a supporting portion 10A of the case 1 and a step surface 10B, and has a convex cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the filling portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3 has a cylindrical shape having an opening on the bottom surface, and the side surface is constituted by the opening wall 5a. . The central axes of both of them are aligned, and the closed cylinder 5
When it is vertically lowered, the filling portion 5A and the base 10 are in a position where they can be fitted to each other. When the closing cylinder 5 is lowered to the base 10, the step surface 10B of the base 10 and the end surface of the opening wall 5a come into contact with each other, and the base 10 and the filling portion 5A are fitted tightly together,
The outer periphery of the supporting portion 10A of the base 10 and the opening wall 5 of the filling portion 5A
The inner surface of a is in close contact and is hermetically closed at this portion. The base 10 is made so that the filling part 5A and the base 10 can be airtightly adhered to each other.
The outer diameter of the supporting portion 10A is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the opening wall 5a of the filling portion 5A. Further, a sealing member such as an O-ring is provided on the side surface of the support portion 10A, and the base 10 and the filling portion 5 are provided.
A is closely attached to prevent air from leaking from the gap between the support portion 10A and the opening wall 5a.

At the intermediate portion of the opening wall 5a, a confirmation window 19 is provided in this portion so that the state where the electrolyte 3 is filled in the opening of the case 1 can be confirmed. The confirmation window 19 is made of transparent glass or the like having sufficient strength to cope with pressure changes, and has a cylindrical shape that comes into close contact with the opening wall 5a of the closed cylinder 5. An O-ring is placed on the contact surface to ensure complete contact. A part of the opening wall 5a of the closing cylinder 5 is used for the case 1
The portion where the opening is visible can be removed, and the filling state of the electrolytic solution 3 can be confirmed from here through the confirmation window 19.
Further, the portion for removing the opening wall 5a is the closing cylinder 5
It is possible to provide two or a plurality of them at positions opposite to the central axis of, and use one part as the opening window 18 and the other as the lighting window 20. By opening the lighting window 20 at a position opposite to the opening window 18, it can be confirmed that external light is collected from here to the closing cylinder 5 to brighten the vicinity of the opening of the case 1 and fill the electrolyte solution 3. ..

Although not shown, a pressure reducer is connected to the closing cylinder 5. As the decompressor, any device that can decompress the space closed by the closed cylinder 5 and can increase the pressure from the decompressed state, for example, a suction pump or a vacuum pump can be used. The vacuum pump can change the suction amount of air by adjusting the operation of the pump, and can adjust the pressure by changing the degree of vacuum. First, a large amount of air is sucked to increase the degree of vacuum, that is, the pressure is lowered, and then suction is gradually weakened to approach atmospheric pressure, that is, relatively pressurized. It is also possible to reverse the pressure of the pump and pressurize it so that the pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure.

Although the depressurizer is not shown, the connecting portion between the depressurizer and the closing cylinder 5 has the suction portion 13 airtightly connected to the filling chamber 12 on the side surface of the closing cylinder 5 as shown in FIG. The filling chamber 12 is connected to the temporary storage chamber 8 through the liquid injection pipe 7. When the temporary storage chamber 8 and the filling chamber 12 are airtightly closed and the decompressor is operated, the air inside the filling chamber 12 is sucked and decompressed. Then, the air in the gap between the electrode groups is exhausted from the opening of the case 1 in the filling chamber 12, which creates an environment in which the electrolyte solution 3 can be easily filled. At the same time, the air accumulated in the upper portion of the electrolytic solution 3 temporarily stored in the storage chamber 8 is also stored in the piston body 1
The liquid is exhausted from the insertion hole 18 of No. 4 through the liquid injection pipe 7. By removing the air from the temporary storage chamber 8, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being mixed in the electrolytic solution 3 and filling the case 1 when the electrolytic solution 3 is filled. At the time of depressurization, the electrolytic solution 3 is not yet filled.

When a plurality of devices shown in FIG. 2 are provided and a large number of cases are filled with the electrolytic solution in parallel, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of decompressors, and one decompressor has a plurality of hoses through rotary joints. It is also possible to connect the suction part to each device by branching to the. In this case, the rotary joint can be rotated to switch the suction on / off, or the suction force can be adjusted.

In the electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention, the pressure in the closed cylinder 5 is reduced by a decompressor, and then the piston 9 is lowered to fill the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3. The closed cylinder 5 has a temporary storage chamber 8 for the electrolytic solution 3 in the upper part. Temporary storage room 8
Consists of the cylinder body 5B and the upper surface of the nozzle portion 11. The cylinder body 5B is fixed to the upper part of the closed cylinder 5. The cylinder body 5B is cylindrical and has a temporary storage chamber 8 for the electrolytic solution 3 therein. The lower surface of the cylindrical cylinder body 5B is closed by the upper surface of the nozzle portion 11. FIG.
In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the opening wall 5a forming the filling portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3 is formed into a cylindrical shape, and the outer periphery of the cylindrical cylinder body 5B and the outer periphery of the cylindrical cylinder body 5B are closely contacted with the inner periphery at the upper portion of the opening wall 5a.
The disk-shaped nozzle portion 11 that closes the bottom surface of the cylinder body 5B is fixed.

A liquid injection pipe 7 is fixed to the center of the nozzle portion 11. The liquid injection pipe 7 extends vertically in the closed cylinder 5, the upper end thereof projects into the temporary storage chamber 8 and the lower end thereof projects into the filling chamber 12 to communicate with each other. The upper end of the injection pipe 7
It is extended above the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 stored in the temporary storage chamber 8. The lower end of the liquid injection pipe 7 has a filling chamber 12
It is located inside the opening of the case 1. When the piston 9 descends and pushes up the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8, the liquid level reaches the upper end of the liquid injection pipe 7, and the electrolytic solution 3 passes through the liquid injection pipe 7,
It is configured to be filled in the depressurized case 1.

The temporary storage chamber 8 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3, and the piston 9 descends to close the opening at the upper end. The piston 9 is raised and lowered by a piston up-and-down mechanism (not shown). With the piston 9 in the raised position,
The upper end of the temporary storage chamber 8 is opened, and the electrolytic solution 3 is filled into the temporary storage chamber 8 from here by the supply nozzle 21. At the upper end of the temporary storage chamber 8 filled with the electrolytic solution 3, the piston 9 vertically descends to hermetically close the temporary storage chamber 8. Therefore,
The central axis of the piston 9 and the central axis of the temporary storage chamber 8, that is, the central axis of the closed cylinder 5 are on the same vertical line.
Due to the action of the spring 16 provided on the piston 9 and the O-ring provided on the upper end of the cylinder body 5B, the temporary storage chamber 8 is kept airtight even when the piston body 14 is lowered.

The piston 9 is lowered by the piston up-and-down mechanism, and from the state where the temporary storage chamber 8 is closed, the piston body 14 is further lowered to push out the electrolytic solution 3. The vertical movement of the piston body 14 is driven by a pressing mechanism (not shown). The pressing mechanism is connected to the pressing plate 17,
The upper end of the piston body 14 is fixed to the lower surface of the pressing plate 17. Therefore, when the pressing mechanism lowers the pressing plate 17, the piston body 14 is pushed down, and when the pressing mechanism raises the pressing plate 17, the piston body 14 is pulled up.

An insertion hole 18 is provided at the center of the piston body 14.
Is provided. The insertion hole 18 is a cylindrical piston body 1
4 from the center of the bottom surface of the piston body 1 along the central axis.
It is provided up to the middle of 4. In FIG. 2, the insertion hole 1
Reference numeral 8 indicates an opening on the bottom surface of the piston body 14, which is closed midway. The insertion hole 18 and the injection pipe 7 are also on the same vertical line so that the injection pipe 7 can be inserted into the center of the insertion hole 18, and the inner diameter of the insertion hole 18 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the injection pipe 7. .
This is because the electrolytic solution 3 is passed through the gap between the insertion hole 18 and the liquid injection pipe 7. The length of the insertion hole 18 is such that the tip of the liquid injection pipe 7 does not come into contact with the closed portion at the upper end of the insertion hole 18 when the piston body 14 is pushed all the way to the bottom surface of the temporary storage chamber 8.

The liquid injection pipe 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 18 with the piston 9 lowered. When the piston body 14 is further lowered, the liquid injection pipe 7 is further inserted. Since the temporary storage chamber 8 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3, when the piston body 14 is lowered, pressure is applied to the electrolytic solution 3. The electrolytic solution 3 to which pressure has been applied has its liquid level lowered, loses its place going downward, and is pushed up into the gap between the insertion hole 18 and the liquid injection pipe 7. That is, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 in the insertion hole 18 rises. Further, the piston body 14 is pushed down, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 rises, and the liquid injection pipe 7 inserted into the insertion hole 18
When reaching the upper end of the electrolyte solution 3, the electrolytic solution 3 flows into the lower filling chamber 12 through the injection pipe 7. Since the lower end of the liquid injection pipe 7 is located at the opening of the case 1 fixed in the filling chamber 12, the electrolytic solution 3 pushed up from the temporary storage chamber 8 is filled in the case 1.

The cylinder body 5B has a cylindrical shape with an open upper end, and the opening is closed by a piston 9 to hermetically close the temporary storage chamber 8. The size of the temporary storage chamber 8 is designed so that the piston body 14 can be inserted therein and a required amount of the electrolytic solution 3 can be filled. Therefore, the inner diameter of the cylinder body 5B is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the piston body 14 inserted therein. The inner diameter and height of the cylinder body 5B are determined so as to have a sufficient volume capable of storing a required amount of the electrolytic solution 3 in one case. The bottom surface is closed by a nozzle portion 11 so that the electrolytic solution 3 can be stored in the temporary storage chamber 8.

The nozzle portion 11 is hermetically closed from the cylinder body 5B using an O-ring or the like. The liquid injection pipe 7 is fixed to the center of the nozzle portion 11. The nozzle portion 11 constitutes the bottom surface of the cylinder body 5B, and the filling chamber 12
The liquid injection pipe 7 is located in the opening of the case 1 located above the. Nozzle section 11 for temporary storage chamber 8 and filling chamber 1
2 is separated and the temporary storage chamber 8 and the filling chamber 12 are communicated with each other through the liquid injection pipe 7.

The driving of the piston 9 is controlled by the pressing mechanism. The timing and cycle at which the pressing mechanism moves the piston body 14 up and down are synchronized with the operation of the pressure reducer. That is, when the decompressor operates to suck air in the airtightly closed filling chamber 12, the piston body 14
Stop at the ascending position. After the decompressor sufficiently decompresses the inside of the case 1, the pressing mechanism lowers the piston body 14 to push out the electrolytic solution 3 and fill the case 1. in this way,
First, the air in the case 1 is removed to make it easier to fill the electrolyte solution 3, and then the electrolyte solution 3 is applied to the case 1 by the piston 9.
By synchronizing the operations of the pressure reducer and the pressing mechanism so that the case 3 is filled with the electrolyte, the electrolytic solution 3 can be filled into the case 1 smoothly and quickly.

The manner in which the electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention fills the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the case 1 is set on the base 10. The piston 9 and the closing cylinder 5 are in the raised position.
The base 10 on which the case 1 is set is positioned below the closing cylinder 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the closing cylinder 5 is lowered onto the base 10 to hermetically seal the connecting portion between the closing cylinder 5 and the base 10. At this time, since the piston 9 is in the raised position, the closing cylinder 5 is not closed and the upper portion of the temporary storage chamber 8 is open.

As shown in FIG. 5, the supply nozzle 21 is moved to be positioned at the opening of the temporary storage chamber 8 and the electrolytic solution 3 is filled in the temporary storage chamber 8. The supply nozzle 21 has its tip positioned at the opening of the temporary storage chamber 8,
Although not shown, it is connected to a supply nozzle moving mechanism. The supply nozzle 21 is connected to a storage tank (not shown) for the electrolytic solution 3 to be filled in the case 1 so that the electrolytic solution 3 can be supplied from the storage tank in a required amount. The amount of the electrolyte solution to be filled is the amount of the electrolyte solution required for one case.
At this time, since the upper end of the liquid injection pipe 7 is located above the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution 3, the electrolytic solution 3 does not fall down from the liquid injection pipe 7 and temporarily accumulates in the storage chamber 8. When a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution 3 is filled, the supply nozzle 21 moves from the opening of the temporary storage chamber 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, the piston 9 is lowered by the piston up-and-down mechanism and connected to the upper part of the closed cylinder 5. In this state, the piston 9 and the closed cylinder 5 are in close contact with each other, so that the temporary storage chamber 8 is airtightly closed, and at the same time, the filling chamber 12 is also closed. Next, the sealed filling chamber 12 is decompressed by a decompressor. Since the decompressor is connected to the filling chamber 12 via the suction unit 13, the decompressor sucks air to exhaust the air in the filling chamber 12 to reduce the pressure. At this time, since the filling chamber 12 and the temporary storage chamber 8 are connected to each other via the liquid injection pipe 7, the air in the temporary storage chamber 8 is also sucked, and the air in the filling chamber 12 is discharged through the liquid injection pipe 7 together with the air in the filling chamber 12. Exhausted. The filling chamber 12 does not need to be vacuumed, for example, 60
Torr. In this step, most of the air existing in the gaps between the electrode groups in the case 1 is exhausted.

As shown in FIG. 7, while maintaining the negative pressure state in the filling chamber 12 by the pressure reducer, the piston body 1
Lower 4 Then, the volume of the temporary storage chamber 8 decreases, the pressure of the temporary storage chamber 8 rises, and the electrolytic solution 3 is pushed up to the insertion hole 18. When the electrolyte solution 3 pushed up reaches the upper end of the injection pipe 7, it passes through the injection pipe 7 and flows downward,
The case 1 of the filling chamber 12 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3. The filling chamber 12 is decompressed, and the air in the gap between the electrode groups in the case 1 is exhausted in a considerable part. Therefore, the electrolytic solution 3 smoothly enters the gaps between the electrode groups without being disturbed by air, and since the inside of the case 1 has a negative pressure close to a vacuum state, it rapidly permeates into the gaps between the electrode groups so as to be sucked. .

It is sufficient that the case is filled with a required amount of the electrolytic solution without pushing out all the electrolytic solution in the temporary storage chamber 8, so that the piston body 14 does not descend to the lowermost portion of the temporary storage chamber 8. It is also possible to stop the lowering of the piston body 14 and temporarily leave a small amount of the electrolytic solution 3 in the storage chamber 8. In this case, when the piston 9 is raised as shown in FIG.
Is filled, and a small amount of the electrolytic solution 3 remains in the temporary storage chamber 8 when the piston body 14 is lowered, and the required amount of the electrolytic solution 3 to be filled in the next case 1, that is, the amount that is previously filled in the case 1 is filled. Only the supply nozzle 21 is replenished, and when the piston body 14 descends, a small amount of the electrolytic solution 3 always remains in the temporary storage chamber 8.

Besides the method of lowering the piston main body 14 at a time to fill a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution, it is also possible to fill the electrolytic solution in several stages. As shown in FIG. 8, while the piston body 14 is lowered to some extent, the lowering of the piston body 14 is temporarily stopped, and the pressure reducer is adjusted to increase the pressure in the filling chamber 12. In order to raise the pressure, since the filling chamber 12 is in a negative pressure state, it can be easily adjusted by weakening the suction of the decompressor. Then, while maintaining this pressure, the piston body 14 is further lowered as shown in FIG.
Is pressurized and supplied to Case 1. When the pressure rises, the air is compressed and the volume is reduced, so that the air in the gap between the electrode groups is further reduced, and the electrolytic solution 3 pressurized by the piston body 14 permeates into the case 1 more smoothly.
Here, the piston body 14 is stopped from descending again, the decompressor is further adjusted to pressurize the filling chamber 12, and the piston body 14 is descended to fill the case 3 with the electrolytic solution 3.
In this way, the step of pressurizing with the decompressor and the piston body 14
The step of lowering and filling the electrolytic solution 3 is repeated several times to fill the case 1 with a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution 3. For example, first, the pressure for depressurization is set to 60 Torr, a certain amount of the electrolytic solution 3 is filled, then the depressurization is weakened and the pressure is relatively increased to 260 Torr.
The suction was stopped and the atmospheric pressure was adjusted to 760 Torr, and the pressure was increased as shown in FIG.
cm ² . According to this method, the electrolytic solution can be permeated smoothly and surely more smoothly than the method of supplying the electrolytic solution at once.

When a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution 3 is supplied into the case 1, the pressurized state is released. At this time, the pressure in the filling chamber 12 is close to the atmospheric pressure. Since this device temporarily reduces the atmospheric pressure and then gradually increases the pressure, the pressure finally returns to the original atmospheric pressure, for example, 1.5 kg / cm ² . Even if the filling chamber 12 is opened in this state, there is almost no change in pressure, and therefore the splashing or overflow of the electrolytic solution due to the expansion of air hardly occurs. After releasing the sealed state of the base 10 and the closed cylinder 5, the closed cylinder 5 is raised as shown in FIG. 10, and the piston 9 is also raised as shown in FIG. To release. Base 10 is closed cylinder 5
Is moved horizontally from the lower part of the above, and the base 10 having the case 1 filled with the electrolytic solution 3 is then transferred to the lower part of the closed cylinder 5 which has been raised. The case 1 filled with the electrolytic solution 3 is removed from the base 10, the case 1 filled with another electrolytic solution 3 is attached, and the same steps are repeated thereafter.

[0049]

The electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention realizes the feature that the case in which the electrode group is inserted can be efficiently filled with the electrolytic solution in an extremely short time. It has a unique structure in which the air in the gaps between the electrode groups is removed once the pressure is reduced, and the electrolyte is allowed to easily penetrate into the gaps before the electrolyte is filled and then pressurized to more smoothly fill the electrolyte. This is because the case is filled with the electrolytic solution. It is extremely difficult to fill the case with the electrode group in which the electrode plates are densely stacked inside with the electrolytic solution in a short time. In particular, in the case of having a group of electrodes that are densely stacked to improve performance, the gap between the electrodes is extremely small, and since air is also present in the gap, it took a considerable time to inject the electrolytic solution into the gap. With the device that decompresses the case and fills the electrolyte with air, the air in the gaps between the electrode groups becomes bubbles that do not quickly float to the liquid surface, and the time for allowing the electrolyte to penetrate into the gaps between the electrode groups cannot be shortened. . In addition, in the device that pressurizes the case to fill the electrolytic solution, when the pressurized state is released, the bubbles expand and the electrolytic solution scatters. The electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention has succeeded in solving the drawbacks of these devices by skillfully combining depressurization and pressurization.

In the electrolyte solution filling apparatus of the present invention, first, the pressure of the closed cylinder is reduced to suck the air in the filling chamber and remove the air from the gap between the electrode groups in the case. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electrolytic solution injected into the electrode group from being hindered from permeating by the air accumulated in the gap between the electrode groups. When the electrolyte is injected after exhausting the air in the case in a depressurized state, the electrolyte smoothly permeates into the gaps between the electrode groups.
Further, since the negative pressure is applied, the electrolytic solution is absorbed so as to be sucked between the electrode groups. Furthermore, by pressurizing from this state and filling the electrolytic solution, the electrolyte can be more smoothly permeated into the case. By pressurizing, the fine bubbles remaining in the gaps are compressed and the volume is reduced, so that the inhibition of permeation by the bubbles is further reduced, and the electrolytic solution easily enters the fine gaps of the electrode group. The higher the pressure, the more the electrolytic solution penetrates into the case. Also, by decompressing once and gradually increasing pressure,
The pressure in the case can be relatively increased without absolutely increasing it. That is, even if the pressure rises, it is increased from the depressurized state.
The pressure can be slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, even if the pressurized state is released and returned to the atmospheric pressure, the pressure hardly changes. This realizes a very important feature for this device. If it is just to pressurize, when it is released from the pressurized state and returned to atmospheric pressure, the volume expands rapidly, so the compressed bubbles pop and the electrolyte solution overflows from the case and overflows. Because. On the other hand, it is difficult to completely exhaust the air from the gaps between the electrode groups only by reducing the pressure and filling the electrolytic solution, and the vacuum pump for exhausting is large and expensive.

The device of the present invention makes good use of both of the advantages of decompression and pressurization, and is extremely efficient and smooth. Realized filling of electrolyte. That is, first, the case is depressurized to eliminate the air that impedes the permeation of the electrolytic solution to create an environment that facilitates permeation. Since it is difficult to completely exhaust the air only by the depressurizing step, it is possible to eliminate the need for a large-scale apparatus for creating a vacuum by keeping the apparatus of the present invention in a vacuum state. Next,
By increasing the pressure from the reduced pressure state, the electrolyte solution can be filled more smoothly. Even if it is not a special device for pressurization, for example, by weakening the suction force of the suction pump, it will relatively increase the pressure from the negative pressure to raise the pressure, because the pressure is reduced and then the pressure is increased. I can go. That is, the pressure can be easily increased by adjusting the suction force of the pressure reducer. Since the pressure may be raised stepwise or gradually and finally returned to atmospheric pressure or a pressure slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, the equipment for pressurization can be extremely simple. For example, the suction pump may be reversed.

As described above, the apparatus for filling the electrolytic solution, which is depressurized and then pressurized, does not require equipment for making a vacuum state or an extremely high pressure, and the structure of the apparatus itself can be designed simple and compact. There is no need for equipment such as a stockyard to keep the case stationary in a harsh environment for long-term management, the equipment itself can be made smaller than conventional equipment, and the processing capacity per unit time is extremely high. Since it is large, the plant can have a high production capacity relative to the scale of the device. In the experiment conducted by the inventor of the present invention, in the case of about 6 cc, 4
The time required to fill the cc electrolyte solution was 30 seconds or less, which was much shorter than that of the conventional device.

Furthermore, in the electrolyte solution filling device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the tip of the injection pipe for filling the electrolyte solution extends above the liquid level of the electrolyte solution in the temporary storage chamber. ..
Therefore, the electrolytic solution does not flow into the injection pipe whose tip is higher than the liquid surface, and the electrolytic solution can be temporarily stored in the storage chamber. When the piston body descends and pressure is applied to the electrolytic solution in the temporary storage chamber, the pressurized electrolytic solution concentrates in the insertion hole of the piston body and raises the liquid level of the electrolytic solution. When the liquid surface of the electrolyte solution pushed up reaches the upper end of the injection pipe, the case is filled with the electrolyte solution through the injection pipe.

As described above, the pressing force of the piston for supplying the electrolytic solution stored in advance to the case, that is, the pressing mechanism for controlling the piston main body can accurately control the amount, pressure and timing of the electrolytic solution to be filled in the case. . That is,
When the piston body is pushed down strongly, the pressure rises and the electrolyte can be vigorously supplied to the case, and the piston body is pushed down slowly to supply a small amount of electrolyte little by little.
By adjusting the amount of drop of the piston, the amount of electrolyte supplied to the case can be adjusted. Liquid can be supplied to the case. For example, if the electrolytic solution is rapidly penetrating into the case, increase the amount of electrolytic solution to be supplied, and if the electrolytic solution permeates slowly, reduce the electrolytic solution volume to remove electrolytic solution from the case. The amount of electrolyte supplied can be adjusted so that the electrolyte does not overflow. The device of this structure realizes the feature that the amount of the electrolyte to be filled can be accurately controlled. Therefore, by preliminarily measuring the state and speed of permeation of the electrolytic solution at each stage and determining the operation of the pressing mechanism according to this, the electrolytic solution can be filled in the optimum state thereafter. . In this way, the feature that the supply amount of the electrolytic solution can be easily adjusted by driving the piston is realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional electrolyte solution filling device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Case 2 ... Cover 3 ... Electrolyte 4 ... Electrode group 5 ... Blocking cylinder 5A ... Filling part 5B ... Cylinder body 5a ... Opening wall 7 ... Injection pipe 8 ... Temporary storage chamber 9 ... Piston 10 ... Base 10A ... Supporting part 10B ...
Step surface 11 ... Nozzle portion 12 ... Filling chamber 13 ... Suction portion 14 ... Piston body 15 ... Closing ring 16 ... Spring 17 ... Pressing plate 18 ... Insertion hole 19 ... Confirmation window 20 ... Lighting window 21 ... Supply nozzle

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] November 27, 1995

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Full text

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Document Name] Statement

Title: Electrolyte filling device

[Claims]

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention mainly relates to a device for filling a case of a capacitor or a battery with an electrolytic solution. In particular, the device of the present invention relates to an electrolytic solution filling device that is optimal for filling an electrolytic solution into a case containing an electrode group and incapable of quickly permeating the electrolytic solution into the gap between the electrode groups.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Oil condensers and batteries are manufactured by filling a case containing an electrode group with an electrolytic solution and then closing the case. When the case is filled with the electrolytic solution, it takes time to impregnate the gap between the electrode groups with the electrolytic solution. Particularly, in the case where the electrode group in which the electrode plates are densely stacked is housed inside, it takes a very long time to fill the electrolytic solution. This is because even if the case is filled with the electrolytic solution, the electrolytic solution does not smoothly permeate into the gaps between the electrode groups. Since it takes time for the electrolytic solution to permeate, there is a disadvantage that impurities easily enter the case during this period. In order to prevent this adverse effect, it is necessary to store the case filled with the electrolytic solution in a stock yard adjusted to an optimum environment and leave it still. In addition, if the environment such as the humidity to stand still is not proper, moisture may enter and the electrical characteristics may be deteriorated. Furthermore, it requires a large stockyard to hold a large number of cases. In addition, there is a drawback that capacitors and batteries cannot be mass-produced efficiently.

For this reason, conventionally, a vertically standing case was filled with a required amount of the electrolytic solution and then allowed to stand for a long time to gradually permeate the electrolytic solution into the gaps between the electrode groups.
This method has a drawback that it takes a long time to impregnate the electrode group with the electrolytic solution, and the electrolytic solution cannot be efficiently filled. Further, in this method, when the case is filled with a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution, the electrolytic solution overflows from the case. The leakage of the electrolyte solution filled in the case is due to the fact that the injection amount of the electrolyte solution is determined to be an appropriate amount when the electrode group is impregnated.
This is because the gap between the electrode groups is not quickly impregnated with the electrolytic solution, and the electrolytic solution overflows from the case. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1, the cover 2 is watertightly attached to the opening of the case 1 with a sealing gasket, and a necessary amount of the electrolytic solution 3 is filled in the cover 2 and left standing. It takes time and effort to attach the covers 2 to the case 1 one by one, which makes it difficult to efficiently fill the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3. Further, in order to sufficiently impregnate the gaps between the electrode groups 4 with the electrolytic solution 3, it is necessary to leave it standing for, for example, 2 hours, and the production efficiency is extremely poor. A large amount of equipment is required for mass production, and mounting the cover 2 is also a great labor.

[0004]

A device for airtightly closing an opening of a case containing an electrolytic solution and decompressing the opening of the closed case with a vacuum pump in order to quickly impregnate the electrode group with the electrolytic solution. Is being developed. Since this device depressurizes the inside of the case, the air in the gaps between the electrode groups becomes bubbles and floats above the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution. Therefore, as compared with the stationary method, the gap between the electrode groups can be filled with the electrolytic solution in a considerably faster time. However, this device has a drawback that the air present in the gaps between the electrode groups becomes bubbles when the pressure is reduced, but the bubbles are so fine that they do not quickly float to the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution. The fine bubbles adhere to the surface of the electrode group or are not smoothly discharged from the gaps between the electrode groups and do not quickly float to the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution. Therefore, in this device, the time for allowing the electrolytic solution to sufficiently permeate into the gaps between the electrode groups cannot be shortened to a sufficiently satisfactory level. The time for allowing the electrolytic solution to penetrate into the electrode group depends on the gap between the electrode groups, that is, the density, but it takes about several minutes, and it is difficult to shorten the time to less than one minute.

The present inventor has further developed a device for closing and pressurizing an opening of a case filled with the electrolytic solution, instead of depressurizing it, in order to shorten the filling time of the electrolytic solution. Since this device can pressurize the inside of the case to 1 atm or more, it has a feature that the electrolyte can be permeated in a shorter time as compared with a device for depressurizing the electrolyte by forcibly permeating the electrolyte. However, this device has a drawback that the electrolytic solution once impregnated in the gaps between the electrode groups jumps out of the case at the moment when the pressurized state of the case is released and returned to atmospheric pressure. At the moment when the case was released from the pressurized state, the bubbles that were pressed and crushed in the gaps between the electrode groups were
Because it greatly expands.

As described above, the device for closing the pressure of the case by closing the opening of the case has a drawback that it is difficult to smoothly discharge the air in the gap between the electrode groups and it takes a long time for impregnation.
On the contrary, the device for pressurizing the case has a drawback that the air in the gap between the electrode groups expands and the impregnated electrolytic solution is ejected.

The present inventor combined the decompression and the pressurization under special conditions to rapidly supply a fixed amount of electrolytic solution to the minute gaps of the electrode group in a short time that cannot be realized by the conventional device. Successfully penetrated. Therefore, an important object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte solution filling device that can simply and easily fill a fixed amount of electrolyte solution in a short time.

[0008]

A filling device for an electrolytic solution according to the present invention comprises a closing cylinder 5 for hermetically closing a case 1 in which an electrode group 4 stacked via a separator is inserted, and a closing cylinder 5 Decompress the inside of the closed case 1,
A decompressor capable of increasing the pressure from a depressurized state, a liquid injection pipe 7 for injecting the electrolytic solution 3 into the opening of the case 1 closed by the closing cylinder 5, and an electrolytic solution 3 communicating with the liquid injection pipe 7. Of the temporary storage chamber 8, a piston 9 for pushing out the electrolytic solution 3 stored in the temporary storage chamber 8 and injecting the electrolytic solution 3 into the case 1 by the injection pipe 7, and a pressing mechanism for driving the piston 9. Equipped with.

In the above-described filling device, the opening 9 of the case 1 is airtightly closed by the closing cylinder 5, and the piston 9 is driven to depressurize the inside of the case 1 by the decompressor so that the temporary storage chamber 8
The electrolytic solution 3 is injected into the case 1 through the injection pipe 7.

Further, in the electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention as defined in claim 2, the tip of the liquid injection pipe 7 is extended above the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8. The electrolyte solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8 does not flow into the liquid injection pipe 7 whose tip is higher than the liquid surface. Electrolyte 3 from injection pipe 7 to case 1
When injecting the liquid, the piston 9 pushes up the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8. The device of this structure has a piston 9
Presses the electrolytic solution 3 to inject the electrolytic solution 3 into the case 1.

The electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention injects the electrolytic solution 3 into the case as follows. The closing cylinder 5 airtightly closes the case 1 in which the electrode group 4 is inserted. The case 1 whose decompressor is closed by the closing cylinder 5 decompresses. In this step, the air inside the case 1 is exhausted. Therefore, the air in the gap between the electrode groups 4 is also exhausted. The piston 9 pushes out the electrolytic solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8 and injects it into the case 1. The electrolytic solution 3 injected into the case 1 quickly permeates and is impregnated into the minute gaps of the electrode group 4 from which air has been exhausted. The piston 9 is driven to inject the electrolytic solution 3 into the depressurized case 1. That is,
After the decompressor decompresses the case 1, the piston 9 moves to the electrolyte 3
Inject. After decompressing the inside of the case 1, the decompressor raises the pressure to more rapidly impregnate the injected electrolyte 3 into the gaps between the electrodes.

As described above, the apparatus of the present invention for injecting the electrolytic solution 3 into the case 1 injects the electrolytic solution 3 into the case 1 which is hermetically closed under reduced pressure. Since the electrolytic solution 3 is injected into the case 1 in a depressurized state, it is not necessary to float the air in the voids of the electrode group 4 in the form of bubbles above the electrolytic solution 3 and exhaust the air, unlike the conventional device. . The air passes through the gap between the electrode groups 4 before being filled with the electrolytic solution 3 and is quickly exhausted. The electrolyte 3 filled in the electrode group 4 from which air has been exhausted through the gap quickly permeates into the fine voids of the electrode group 4 . This is because the air accumulated in the void does not hinder the permeation of the electrolytic solution 3. Therefore, the electrolytic solution 3 filled in the case 1 in a depressurized state quickly permeates into the gaps of the electrode group 4 .

However, in this state, the electrolytic solution 3 is not completely impregnated into the gaps of the electrode group 4 . Decompress and electrode group 4
This is because it is difficult to completely exhaust the air in the gap. In order to forcibly impregnate the voids of the electrode group 4 in which air remains with the electrolytic solution 3, the filling device of the present invention uses a decompressor to increase the pressure in the case 1 after decompression.
When the pressure rises, the volume of air remaining in the gap between the electrode groups 4 decreases. This is because the volume of air is inversely proportional to the pressure. In particular, the air that is expanding under reduced pressure is
By increasing the pressure, the volume is reduced. For example, Case 1 where the pressure is reduced to 76 Torr
When the inside is made atmospheric pressure, the volume of air decreases to 1/10,
When it is 1 atmosphere higher than atmospheric pressure, it decreases to 1/20.
The air whose volume has decreased does not hinder the permeation of the electrolytic solution 3 into the gaps between the electrode groups 4 . Therefore, by increasing the pressure, the electrolytic solution 3 is more smoothly permeated into the gaps between the electrode groups 4 . Furthermore, since the pressure is relatively increased from the depressurized state, the volume of air remaining in the gap between the electrode groups 4 can be significantly reduced without increasing the absolute pressure so much. For this reason, even if the inside of the case 1 is pressurized, the electrolytic solution
Therefore, the electrolytic solution 3 with which the electrode group 4 is impregnated does not fly out when the pressurized state of the case 1 is released and returned to atmospheric pressure.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the embodiments described below exemplify the electrolyte solution filling device for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the present invention does not specify the electrolyte solution filling device as follows.

Further, in this specification, in order to facilitate understanding of the claims, the numbers corresponding to the members shown in the embodiments are referred to as "claims column" and "to solve the problems. It is added to the members shown in the column of "means". However, the members shown in the claims are not limited to the members of the embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of the electrolyte filling apparatus of the present invention.
Shown in The apparatus shown in this figure is roughly divided into a base 10, a closing cylinder 5, and a piston 9. One or several or several tens of devices as shown in the figure are arranged as a line, and each device fills the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3 in parallel to increase the processing capacity.

The case 1 in which the electrode group 4 is inserted is mounted on the base 10. The case 1 is vertically fixed to the base 10 and has an open upper end, from which the electrolytic solution 3 is injected. Inside the case 1, an electrode group 4 that is stacked via a separator or the like is inserted. The electrode group 4 is impregnated with the electrolytic solution 3 to fill the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3.

The base 10 is located in the lower part of the electrolyte filling device, and has a support portion 10A for fixing the case 1 in the center. The support portion 10A is for holding the case 1 so that the case 1 can be filled with the electrolytic solution 3, and for example, a member for sandwiching the side surface of the case, an insertion port for inserting the case, or the like can be used. .

The base 10 also functions as a carrier, holds the case 1 to be filled with the electrolytic solution 3, moves to the lower surface of the electrolytic solution filling device, and when the case 1 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3, the base 10 is filled. Moves, the base 10 holding the case 1 for filling the next electrolytic solution 3 moves to the lower surface of the filling device, and sequentially transfers the case 1 to the electrolytic solution filling device. For example, a base that holds a plurality of cases on a line conveyor, a base that holds a case in a roulette shape, or the like can be used. In addition to a structure in which one case is held on one base, a structure in which a plurality of cases are held on one large base can be used.

The case 1 which is filled with the electrolytic solution 3 accommodates therein an electrode group such as a capacitor and a battery, and any of those which are intended to be filled with the electrolytic solution 3 can be used. In particular, the electrode group in which the electrode plates are stacked with high density to achieve high performance has almost no gaps, so that it is difficult to fill the electrolytic solution. The electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention can efficiently fill the electrolytic solution even in the case containing such an electrode group. Further, this device is not limited to the electrolytic solution, and can be applied to other devices for filling a liquid in a narrow gap.

The base 10 is connected to the closed cylinder 5. The closed cylinder 5 is composed of a filled portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3 and a cylinder body 5B. The filling portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3 is
An opening wall 5a which opens the lower surface of the closing cylinder 5,
The nozzle portion 11 is located above the opening wall 5a. The filling section 5A has a filling chamber 12 for filling the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3. The filling chamber 12 is
The upper surface is closed by the nozzle portion 11, the side surface is closed by the opening wall 5a, and the lower surface opening portion is closed by the upper surface of the base 10.

A suction unit 13 for connecting to a pressure reducer (not shown) is connected to the closed cylinder 5. The suction unit 13 is connected to the filling chamber 12 inside the closed cylinder 5, and the decompressor is connected to the filling chamber 12 via the suction unit 13.

The closed cylinder 5 has a temporary storage chamber 8 and a filling chamber 12. The filling chamber 12 is provided inside the filling portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3, and the upper portion of the filling portion 5A is fixed to the cylinder body 5B. There is a nozzle portion 11 between the cylinder body 5B and the filling portion 5A, and the nozzle portion 11 closes the lower surface of the cylinder body 5B. The cylinder body 5B is open at the top, and the opening is connected to the piston 9 and closed. An upper part of the closed cylinder 5 constituted by the cylinder body 5B has a temporary storage chamber 8 for the electrolytic solution 3.

The temporary storage chamber 8 comprises a cylinder body 5B and a nozzle portion 11. The temporary storage chamber 8 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3. The bottom surface of the temporary storage chamber 8 is closed by a nozzle portion 11. The liquid injection pipe 7 is inserted and fixed in the center of the nozzle portion 11. The liquid injection pipe 7 communicates with the temporary storage chamber 8, and the upper end portion thereof extends above the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution 3. The lower end of the liquid injection pipe 7 projects into the filling chamber 12,
It is located at the opening of the case 1. In the electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention, the piston 9 pushes up the liquid surface of the electrolyte solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8 to fill the electrolyte solution 3 into the case 1 through the injection pipe 7.

The upper part of the closing cylinder 5 is connected to the piston 9. The piston 9 is a piston lifting mechanism (not shown)
It is connected to and moves up and down. The piston 9 includes a piston body 14, a closed ring 15, a spring 16, and a pressing plate 17.
Consists of The piston body 14 is inserted through the center of the closed ring 15 and is slidably connected. The piston body 14 has a cylindrical shape, and an insertion hole 18 is provided at the center thereof. Piston body 1
The upper end of 4 is fixed to a pressing plate 17, and the pressing plate 17 and the closing ring 15 are connected by a spring 16. Spring 16
Is for keeping the connecting portion airtight when the piston 9 and the closing cylinder 5 are connected. Pressing plate 1
7 is further connected to a pressing mechanism (not shown), and the pressing plate 17 is moved up and down by the pressing mechanism. Pressing plate 1 with pressing mechanism
When 7 is pushed down, the piston body 14 is lowered, and when the pressing plate 17 is pulled up, the piston body 14 is raised.

Next, the connecting portion between the base 10 and the closing cylinder 5 will be described. The base 10 is connected to the lower part of the closing cylinder 5. The closing cylinder 5 can be vertically moved up and down, and is connected to a cylinder up-and-down mechanism (not shown). The closed cylinder 5 is composed of an upper cylinder body 5B and a lower portion 5A filled with the electrolytic solution 3. The filling portion 5A is a portion that fills the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3, and is connected to the base 10 to form a filling chamber 12. The closing cylinder 5 is connected to the base 10 at the lower filling portion 5A,
The connecting portion between 0 and the closing cylinder 5 is hermetically closed. The closing cylinder 5 has sufficient strength to cope with pressure changes,
Moreover, a material that does not change in quality such as rust by coming into contact with the electrolytic solution 3, for example, a metal such as stainless steel can be used.

The base 10 shown in FIG. 3 has a supporting portion 10A of the case 1 and a step surface 10B, and has a convex cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the filling portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3 has a cylindrical shape having an opening on the bottom surface, and the side surface is constituted by an opening wall 5a. The central axes of both of them are aligned, and the closed cylinder 5
When it is vertically lowered, the filling portion 5A and the base 10 are in a position where they can be fitted to each other. When the closing cylinder 5 is lowered to the base 10, the step surface 10B of the base 10 and the end surface of the opening wall 5a come into contact with each other, and the base 10 and the filling portion 5A are fitted tightly together,
The outer periphery of the supporting portion 10A of the base 10 and the opening wall 5 of the filling portion 5A
The inner surface of a is in close contact and is hermetically closed at this portion. The base 10 is made so that the filling part 5A and the base 10 can be airtightly adhered to each other.
The outer diameter of the supporting portion 10A is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the opening wall 5a of the filling portion 5A. Further, a sealing member such as an O-ring is provided on the side surface of the support portion 10A, and the base 10 and the filling portion 5 are provided.
A is closely attached to prevent air from leaking from the gap between the support portion 10A and the opening wall 5a.

At the intermediate portion of the opening wall 5a, a confirmation window 19 is provided in this portion so that the state where the electrolyte 3 is filled in the opening of the case 1 can be confirmed. The confirmation window 19 is made of transparent glass or the like having sufficient strength to cope with pressure changes, and has a cylindrical shape that comes into close contact with the opening wall 5a of the closed cylinder 5. An O-ring is placed on the contact surface to ensure complete contact. A part of the opening wall 5a of the closing cylinder 5 is used for the case 1
The portion where the opening is visible can be removed, and the filling state of the electrolytic solution 3 can be confirmed from here through the confirmation window 19.
Further, the portion for removing the opening wall 5a is the closing cylinder 5
It is possible to provide two or a plurality of positions at positions opposite to the central axis of, and use a part as a confirmation window 19 and another as a lighting window 20. By opening the lighting window 20 at a position opposite to the confirmation window 19, it is possible to check how external light is drawn from here to the closing cylinder 5 to brighten the vicinity of the opening of the case 1 and fill the electrolytic solution 3. .

Although not shown, a pressure reducer is connected to the closing cylinder 5. As the decompressor, any device that can decompress the space closed by the closed cylinder 5 and can increase the pressure from the decompressed state, for example, a suction pump or a vacuum pump can be used. The vacuum pump can change the suction amount of air by adjusting the operation of the pump, and can adjust the pressure by changing the degree of vacuum. First, a large amount of air is sucked to increase the degree of vacuum, that is, the pressure is lowered, and then suction is gradually weakened to approach atmospheric pressure, that is, relatively pressurized. It is also possible to reverse the pressure of the pump and pressurize it so that the pressure is higher than atmospheric pressure.

Although the depressurizer is not shown, the connecting portion between the depressurizer and the closing cylinder 5 has the suction portion 13 airtightly connected to the filling chamber 12 on the side surface of the closing cylinder 5 as shown in FIG. The filling chamber 12 is connected to the temporary storage chamber 8 through the liquid injection pipe 7. When the temporary storage chamber 8 and the filling chamber 12 are airtightly closed and the decompressor is operated, the air inside the filling chamber 12 is sucked and decompressed. Then, the air in the gap between the electrode groups 4 is exhausted from the opening of the case 1 in the filling chamber 12 to create an environment in which the electrolyte solution 3 can be easily filled. At the same time, the air accumulated in the upper portion of the electrolytic solution 3 temporarily stored in the storage chamber 8 is also exhausted from the insertion hole 18 of the piston body 14 through the liquid injection pipe 7. By removing the air from the temporary storage chamber 8, it is possible to prevent bubbles from being mixed in the electrolytic solution 3 and filling the case 1 when the electrolytic solution 3 is filled. At the time of depressurization, electrolyte 3 still
Is not filled.

When a plurality of devices shown in FIG. 2 are provided and a large number of cases are filled with the electrolytic solution in parallel, it is not necessary to provide a plurality of decompressors, and one decompressor has a plurality of hoses through rotary joints. It is also possible to connect the suction part to each device by branching to the. In this case, the rotary joint can be rotated to switch the suction on / off, or the suction force can be adjusted.

In the electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention, the pressure in the closed cylinder 5 is reduced by a decompressor, and then the piston 9 is lowered to fill the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3. The closed cylinder 5 has a temporary storage chamber 8 for the electrolytic solution 3 in the upper part. Temporary storage room 8
Consists of the cylinder body 5B and the upper surface of the nozzle portion 11. The cylinder body 5B is fixed to the upper part of the closed cylinder 5. The cylinder body 5B is cylindrical and has a temporary storage chamber 8 for the electrolytic solution 3 therein. The lower surface of the cylindrical cylinder body 5B is closed by the upper surface of the nozzle portion 11. FIG.
In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the opening wall 5a forming the filling portion 5A of the electrolytic solution 3 is formed into a cylindrical shape, and the outer periphery of the cylindrical cylinder body 5B and the outer periphery of the cylindrical cylinder body 5B are closely contacted with the inner periphery at the upper portion of the opening wall 5a.
The disk-shaped nozzle portion 11 that closes the bottom surface of the cylinder body 5B is fixed.

A liquid injection pipe 7 is fixed to the center of the nozzle portion 11. The liquid injection pipe 7 extends vertically in the closed cylinder 5, the upper end thereof projects into the temporary storage chamber 8 and the lower end thereof projects into the filling chamber 12 to communicate with each other. The upper end of the injection pipe 7
It is extended above the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 stored in the temporary storage chamber 8. The lower end of the liquid injection pipe 7 has a filling chamber 12
It is located inside the opening of the case 1. When the piston 9 descends and pushes up the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 in the temporary storage chamber 8, the liquid level reaches the upper end of the liquid injection pipe 7, and the electrolytic solution 3 passes through the liquid injection pipe 7,
It is configured to be filled in the depressurized case 1.

The temporary storage chamber 8 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3, and the piston 9 descends to close the opening at the upper end. The piston 9 is raised and lowered by a piston up-and-down mechanism (not shown). With the piston 9 in the raised position,
The upper end of the temporary storage chamber 8 is opened, and the electrolytic solution 3 is filled into the temporary storage chamber 8 from here by the supply nozzle 21. At the upper end of the temporary storage chamber 8 filled with the electrolytic solution 3, the piston 9 vertically descends to hermetically close the temporary storage chamber 8. Therefore,
The central axis of the piston 9 and the central axis of the temporary storage chamber 8, that is, the central axis of the closed cylinder 5 are on the same vertical line.
Due to the action of the spring 16 provided on the piston 9 and the O-ring provided on the upper end of the cylinder body 5B, the temporary storage chamber 8 is kept airtight even when the piston body 14 is lowered.

The piston 9 is lowered by the piston up-and-down mechanism, and from the state where the temporary storage chamber 8 is closed, the piston body 14 is further lowered to push out the electrolytic solution 3. The vertical movement of the piston body 14 is driven by a pressing mechanism (not shown). The pressing mechanism is connected to the pressing plate 17,
The upper end of the piston body 14 is fixed to the lower surface of the pressing plate 17. Therefore, when the pressing mechanism lowers the pressing plate 17, the piston body 14 is pushed down, and when the pressing mechanism raises the pressing plate 17, the piston body 14 is pulled up.

An insertion hole 18 is provided at the center of the piston body 14.
Is provided. The insertion hole 18 is a cylindrical piston body 1
4 from the center of the bottom surface of the piston body 1 along the central axis.
It is provided up to the middle of 4. In FIG. 2, the insertion hole 1
Reference numeral 8 indicates an opening on the bottom surface of the piston body 14, which is closed midway. The insertion hole 18 and the injection pipe 7 are also on the same vertical line so that the injection pipe 7 can be inserted into the center of the insertion hole 18, and the inner diameter of the insertion hole 18 is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the injection pipe 7. .
This is because the electrolytic solution 3 is passed through the gap between the insertion hole 18 and the liquid injection pipe 7. The length of the insertion hole 18 is such that the tip of the liquid injection pipe 7 does not come into contact with the closed portion at the upper end of the insertion hole 18 when the piston body 14 is pushed all the way to the bottom surface of the temporary storage chamber 8.

The liquid injection pipe 7 is inserted into the insertion hole 18 with the piston 9 lowered. When the piston body 14 is further lowered, the liquid injection pipe 7 is further inserted. Since the temporary storage chamber 8 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3, when the piston body 14 is lowered, pressure is applied to the electrolytic solution 3. The electrolytic solution 3 to which pressure has been applied has its liquid level lowered, loses its place going downward, and is pushed up into the gap between the insertion hole 18 and the liquid injection pipe 7. That is, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 in the insertion hole 18 rises. Further, the piston body 14 is pushed down, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 3 rises, and the liquid injection pipe 7 inserted into the insertion hole 18
When reaching the upper end of the electrolyte solution 3, the electrolytic solution 3 flows into the lower filling chamber 12 through the injection pipe 7. Since the lower end of the liquid injection pipe 7 is located at the opening of the case 1 fixed in the filling chamber 12, the electrolytic solution 3 pushed up from the temporary storage chamber 8 is filled in the case 1.

The cylinder body 5B has a cylindrical shape with an open upper end, and the opening is closed by a piston 9 to hermetically close the temporary storage chamber 8. The size of the temporary storage chamber 8 is designed so that the piston body 14 can be inserted therein and a required amount of the electrolytic solution 3 can be filled. Therefore, the inner diameter of the cylinder body 5B is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the piston body 14 inserted therein. The inner diameter and height of the cylinder body 5B are determined so as to have a sufficient volume capable of storing a required amount of the electrolytic solution 3 in one case. The bottom surface is closed by a nozzle portion 11 so that the electrolytic solution 3 can be stored in the temporary storage chamber 8.

The nozzle portion 11 is hermetically closed from the cylinder body 5B using an O-ring or the like. The liquid injection pipe 7 is fixed to the center of the nozzle portion 11. The nozzle portion 11 constitutes the bottom surface of the cylinder body 5B, and the filling chamber 12
The liquid injection pipe 7 is located in the opening of the case 1 located above the. Nozzle section 11 for temporary storage chamber 8 and filling chamber 1
2 is separated and the temporary storage chamber 8 and the filling chamber 12 are communicated with each other through the liquid injection pipe 7.

The driving of the piston 9 is controlled by the pressing mechanism. The timing and cycle at which the pressing mechanism moves the piston body 14 up and down are synchronized with the operation of the pressure reducer. That is, when the decompressor operates to suck air in the airtightly closed filling chamber 12, the piston body 14
Stop at the ascending position. After the decompressor sufficiently decompresses the inside of the case 1, the pressing mechanism lowers the piston body 14 to push out the electrolytic solution 3 and fill the case 1. in this way,
First, the air in the case 1 is removed to make it easier to fill the electrolyte solution 3, and then the electrolyte solution 3 is applied to the case 1 by the piston 9.
By synchronizing the operations of the pressure reducer and the pressing mechanism so that the case 3 is filled with the electrolyte, the electrolytic solution 3 can be filled into the case 1 smoothly and quickly.

The manner in which the electrolytic solution filling apparatus of the present invention fills the case 1 with the electrolytic solution 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 11. As shown in FIG. 3, the case 1 is set on the base 10. The piston 9 and the closing cylinder 5 are in the raised position.
The base 10 on which the case 1 is set is positioned below the closing cylinder 5.

As shown in FIG. 4, the closing cylinder 5 is lowered onto the base 10 to hermetically seal the connecting portion between the closing cylinder 5 and the base 10. At this time, since the piston 9 is in the raised position, the closing cylinder 5 is not closed and the upper portion of the temporary storage chamber 8 is open.

As shown in FIG. 5, the supply nozzle 21 is moved to be positioned at the opening of the temporary storage chamber 8 and the electrolytic solution 3 is filled in the temporary storage chamber 8. The supply nozzle 21 has its tip positioned at the opening of the temporary storage chamber 8,
Although not shown, it is connected to a supply nozzle moving mechanism. The supply nozzle 21 is connected to a storage tank (not shown) for the electrolytic solution 3 to be filled in the case 1 so that the electrolytic solution 3 can be supplied from the storage tank in a required amount. The amount of the electrolyte solution to be filled is the amount of the electrolyte solution required for one case.
At this time, since the upper end of the liquid injection pipe 7 is located above the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution 3, the electrolytic solution 3 does not fall down from the liquid injection pipe 7 and temporarily accumulates in the storage chamber 8. When a predetermined amount of electrolytic solution 3 is filled, the supply nozzle 21 moves from the opening of the temporary storage chamber 8.

As shown in FIG. 6, the piston 9 is lowered by the piston up-and-down mechanism and connected to the upper part of the closed cylinder 5. In this state, the piston 9 and the closed cylinder 5 are in close contact with each other, so that the temporary storage chamber 8 is airtightly closed, and at the same time, the filling chamber 12 is also closed. Next, the sealed filling chamber 12 is decompressed by a decompressor. Since the decompressor is connected to the filling chamber 12 via the suction unit 13, the decompressor sucks air to exhaust the air in the filling chamber 12 to reduce the pressure. At this time, since the filling chamber 12 and the temporary storage chamber 8 are connected to each other via the liquid injection pipe 7, the air in the temporary storage chamber 8 is also sucked, and the air in the filling chamber 12 is discharged through the liquid injection pipe 7 together with the air in the filling chamber 12. Exhausted. The filling chamber 12 does not need to be vacuumed, for example, 60
Torr. In this step, most of the air existing in the gaps between the electrode groups in the case 1 is exhausted.

As shown in FIG. 7, while maintaining the negative pressure state in the filling chamber 12 by the pressure reducer, the piston body 1
Lower 4 Then, the volume of the temporary storage chamber 8 decreases, the pressure of the temporary storage chamber 8 rises, and the electrolytic solution 3 is pushed up to the insertion hole 18. When the electrolyte solution 3 pushed up reaches the upper end of the injection pipe 7, it passes through the injection pipe 7 and flows downward,
The case 1 of the filling chamber 12 is filled with the electrolytic solution 3. The filling chamber 12 is decompressed, and the air in the gap between the electrode groups in the case 1 is exhausted in a considerable part. Therefore, the electrolytic solution 3 smoothly enters the gaps between the electrode groups without being disturbed by air, and since the inside of the case 1 has a negative pressure close to a vacuum state, it rapidly permeates into the gaps between the electrode groups so as to be sucked. .

It is sufficient that the case is filled with a required amount of the electrolytic solution without pushing out all the electrolytic solution in the temporary storage chamber 8, so that the piston body 14 does not descend to the lowermost portion of the temporary storage chamber 8. It is also possible to stop the lowering of the piston body 14 and temporarily leave a small amount of the electrolytic solution 3 in the storage chamber 8. In this case, when the piston 9 is raised as shown in FIG.
Is filled, and a small amount of the electrolytic solution 3 remains in the temporary storage chamber 8 when the piston body 14 is lowered, and the required amount of the electrolytic solution 3 to be filled in the next case 1, that is, the amount that is previously filled in the case 1 is filled. Only the supply nozzle 21 is replenished, and when the piston body 14 descends, a small amount of the electrolytic solution 3 always remains in the temporary storage chamber 8.

Besides the method of lowering the piston main body 14 at a time to fill a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution, it is also possible to fill the electrolytic solution in several stages. As shown in FIG. 8, while the piston body 14 is lowered to some extent, the lowering of the piston body 14 is temporarily stopped, and the pressure reducer is adjusted to increase the pressure in the filling chamber 12. In order to raise the pressure, since the filling chamber 12 is in a negative pressure state, it can be easily adjusted by weakening the suction of the decompressor. Then, while maintaining this pressure, the piston body 14 is further lowered as shown in FIG.
Is pressurized and supplied to Case 1. When the pressure rises, the air is compressed and the volume is reduced, so that the air in the gap between the electrode groups is further reduced, and the electrolytic solution 3 pressurized by the piston body 14 permeates into the case 1 more smoothly.
Here, the piston body 14 is stopped from descending again, the decompressor is further adjusted to pressurize the filling chamber 12, and the piston body 14 is descended to fill the case 3 with the electrolytic solution 3.
In this way, the step of pressurizing with the decompressor and the piston body 14
The step of lowering and filling the electrolytic solution 3 is repeated several times to fill the case 1 with a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution 3. For example, first, the pressure for depressurization is set to 60 Torr, a certain amount of the electrolytic solution 3 is filled, then the depressurization is weakened and the pressure is relatively increased to 260 Torr.
The suction was stopped and the atmospheric pressure was adjusted to 760 Torr, and the pressure was increased as shown in FIG.
cm ² . According to this method, the electrolytic solution can be permeated smoothly and surely more smoothly than the method of supplying the electrolytic solution at once.

When a predetermined amount of the electrolytic solution 3 is supplied into the case 1, the pressurized state is released. At this time, the pressure in the filling chamber 12 is close to the atmospheric pressure. Since this apparatus temporarily reduces the atmospheric pressure and then gradually increases the pressure, the pressure finally returns to the original atmospheric pressure, for example, 1.5 kg / cm ² . Even if the filling chamber 12 is opened in this state, there is almost no change in pressure, and therefore the splashing or overflow of the electrolytic solution due to the expansion of air hardly occurs. After releasing the sealed state of the base 10 and the closed cylinder 5, the closed cylinder 5 is raised as shown in FIG. 10, and the piston 9 is also raised as shown in FIG. To release. Base 10 is closed cylinder 5
Is moved horizontally from the lower part of the above, and the base 10 having the case 1 filled with the electrolytic solution 3 is then transferred to the lower part of the closed cylinder 5 which has been raised. The case 1 filled with the electrolytic solution 3 is removed from the base 10, the case 1 filled with another electrolytic solution 3 is attached, and the same steps are repeated thereafter.

[0049]

The electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention realizes the feature that the case in which the electrode group is inserted can be efficiently filled with the electrolytic solution in an extremely short time. It has a unique structure in which the air in the gaps between the electrode groups is removed once the pressure is reduced, and the electrolyte is allowed to easily penetrate into the gaps before the electrolyte is filled and then pressurized to more smoothly fill the electrolyte. This is because the case is filled with the electrolytic solution. It is extremely difficult to fill the case with the electrode group in which the electrode plates are densely stacked inside with the electrolytic solution in a short time. In particular, in the case of having a group of electrodes that are densely stacked to improve performance, the gap between the electrodes is extremely small, and since air is also present in the gap, it took a considerable time to inject the electrolytic solution into the gap. With the device that decompresses the case and fills the electrolyte with air, the air in the gaps between the electrode groups becomes bubbles that do not quickly float to the liquid surface, and the time for allowing the electrolyte to penetrate into the gaps between the electrode groups cannot be shortened. . In addition, in the device that pressurizes the case to fill the electrolytic solution, when the pressurized state is released, the bubbles expand and the electrolytic solution scatters. The electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention has succeeded in solving the drawbacks of these devices by skillfully combining depressurization and pressurization.

In the electrolyte solution filling apparatus of the present invention, first, the pressure of the closed cylinder is reduced to suck the air in the filling chamber and remove the air from the gap between the electrode groups in the case. As a result, it is possible to prevent the electrolytic solution injected into the electrode group from being hindered from permeating by the air accumulated in the gap between the electrode groups. When the electrolyte is injected after exhausting the air in the case in a depressurized state, the electrolyte smoothly permeates into the gaps between the electrode groups.
Further, since the negative pressure is applied, the electrolytic solution is absorbed so as to be sucked between the electrode groups. Furthermore, by pressurizing from this state and filling the electrolytic solution, the electrolyte can be more smoothly permeated into the case. By pressurizing, the fine bubbles remaining in the gaps are compressed and the volume is reduced, so that the inhibition of permeation by the bubbles is further reduced, and the electrolytic solution easily enters the fine gaps of the electrode group. The higher the pressure, the more the electrolytic solution penetrates into the case. Also, by decompressing once and gradually increasing pressure,
The pressure in the case can be relatively increased without absolutely increasing it. That is, even if the pressure rises, it is increased from the depressurized state.
The pressure can be slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. Therefore, even if the pressurized state is released and returned to the atmospheric pressure, the pressure hardly changes. This realizes a very important feature for this device. If it is just to pressurize, when it is released from the pressurized state and returned to atmospheric pressure, the volume expands rapidly, so the compressed bubbles pop and the electrolyte solution overflows from the case and overflows. Because. On the other hand, it is difficult to completely exhaust the air from the gaps between the electrode groups only by reducing the pressure and filling the electrolytic solution, and the vacuum pump for exhausting is large and expensive.

The device of the present invention makes good use of both of the advantages of decompression and pressurization, and is extremely efficient and smooth. Realized filling of electrolyte. That is, first, the case is depressurized to eliminate the air that impedes the permeation of the electrolytic solution to create an environment that facilitates permeation. Since it is difficult to completely exhaust the air only by the depressurizing step, it is possible to eliminate the need for a large-scale apparatus for creating a vacuum by keeping the apparatus of the present invention in a vacuum state. Next,
By increasing the pressure from the reduced pressure state, the electrolyte solution can be filled more smoothly. Even if it is not a special device for pressurization, for example, by weakening the suction force of the suction pump, it will relatively increase the pressure from the negative pressure to raise the pressure, because the pressure is reduced and then the pressure is increased. I can go. That is, the pressure can be easily increased by adjusting the suction force of the pressure reducer. Since the pressure may be raised stepwise or gradually and finally returned to atmospheric pressure or a pressure slightly higher than atmospheric pressure, the equipment for pressurization can be extremely simple. For example, the suction pump may be reversed.

As described above, the apparatus for filling the electrolytic solution, which is depressurized and then pressurized, does not require equipment for making a vacuum state or an extremely high pressure, and the structure of the apparatus itself can be designed simple and compact. There is no need for equipment such as a stockyard to keep the case stationary in a harsh environment for long-term management, the equipment itself can be made smaller than conventional equipment, and the processing capacity per unit time is extremely high. Since it is large, the plant can have a high production capacity relative to the scale of the device. In the experiment conducted by the inventor of the present invention, in the case of about 6 cc, 4
The time required to fill the cc electrolyte solution was 30 seconds or less, which was much shorter than that of the conventional device.

Furthermore, in the electrolyte solution filling device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the tip of the injection pipe for filling the electrolyte solution extends above the liquid level of the electrolyte solution in the temporary storage chamber. ..
Therefore, the electrolytic solution does not flow into the injection pipe whose tip is higher than the liquid surface, and the electrolytic solution can be temporarily stored in the storage chamber. When the piston body descends and pressure is applied to the electrolytic solution in the temporary storage chamber, the pressurized electrolytic solution concentrates in the insertion hole of the piston body and raises the liquid level of the electrolytic solution. When the liquid surface of the electrolyte solution pushed up reaches the upper end of the injection pipe, the case is filled with the electrolyte solution through the injection pipe.

As described above, the pressing force of the piston for supplying the electrolytic solution stored in advance to the case, that is, the pressing mechanism for controlling the piston main body can accurately control the amount, pressure and timing of the electrolytic solution to be filled in the case. . That is,
When the piston body is pushed down strongly, the pressure rises and the electrolyte can be vigorously supplied to the case, and the piston body is pushed down slowly to supply a small amount of electrolyte little by little.
By adjusting the amount of drop of the piston, the amount of electrolyte supplied to the case can be adjusted. Liquid can be supplied to the case. For example, if the electrolytic solution is rapidly penetrating into the case, increase the amount of electrolytic solution to be supplied, and if the electrolytic solution permeates slowly, reduce the electrolytic solution volume to remove electrolytic solution from the case. The amount of electrolyte supplied can be adjusted so that the electrolyte does not overflow. The device of this structure realizes the feature that the amount of the electrolyte to be filled can be accurately controlled. Therefore, by preliminarily measuring the state and speed of permeation of the electrolytic solution at each stage and determining the operation of the pressing mechanism according to this, the electrolytic solution can be filled in the optimum state thereafter. . In this way, the feature that the supply amount of the electrolytic solution can be easily adjusted by driving the piston is realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional electrolyte solution filling device.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolytic solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing an electrolyte solution filling device of the present invention.

[Explanation of reference numerals] 1 ... Case 2 ... Cover 3 ... Electrolyte solution 4 ... Electrode group 5 ... Closing cylinder 5A ... Filling part 5B ... Cylinder body 5a ... Opening wall 7 ... Injection pipe 8 ... Temporary storage chamber 9 ... Piston 10 ... Base 10A ... Support 10B ...
Step surface 11 ... Nozzle portion 12 ... Filling chamber 13 ... Suction portion 14 ... Piston body 15 ... Closing ring 16 ... Spring 17 ... Pressing plate 18 ... Insertion hole 19 ... Confirmation window 20 ... Lighting window 21 ... Supply nozzle

[Procedure 3]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Figure 2

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Fig. 2]

[Procedure amendment 4]

[Document name to be amended] Drawing

[Correction target item name] Fig. 8

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Figure 8]

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A closed cylinder that hermetically closes a case (1) in which an electrode group laminated by a separator is inserted.
(5) and the case (1) that is closed by this closing cylinder (5)
A case in which the inside can be decompressed and the pressure can be raised from the decompressed state, and the case is closed with a closing cylinder (5).
Injection pipe (7) for injecting electrolyte (3) into the opening of (1), and temporary storage chamber (8) for electrolyte (3) communicating with this injection pipe (7)
A piston that pushes out the electrolyte solution (3) stored in the temporary storage chamber (8) and injects it into the case (1) with the injection pipe (7).
(9) and a pressing mechanism that drives this piston (9), the closing cylinder (5) hermetically closes the opening of the case (1) and the decompressor depressurizes the inside of the case (1). And the piston (9)
From the injection pipe (7) to the case (1)
An electrolyte filling device configured to inject into an electrolyte. 2. The tip of the liquid injection pipe (7) extends above the liquid level of the electrolyte (3) in the temporary storage chamber (8), and the piston (9) is in the temporary storage chamber (8). The electrolytic solution according to claim 1, wherein the electrolytic solution (3) is pushed up to fill the case (1) with the electrolytic solution (3) from the injection pipe (7). Liquid filling device.