JPH11162447A - Cylindrical battery with spiral electrode body and its manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cylindrical battery with an improved high-rate discharge characteristic by improving the current collecting property of an unwelded portion even if the unwelded portion occurs on a positive electrode current collector. SOLUTION: A positive electrode 10 and a negative electrode 20 are spirally wound via a separator 30 to form a spiral electrode body A. The upper end section of the positive electrode 10 of the spiral electrode body A is welded to a positive electrode current collector 40 except for a part, and a current collecting tab 12 is provided at the upper end section of the positive electrode 10 not connected to the positive electrode current collector 40. The lower end section of the negative electrode 20 of the spiral electrode body A is welded to a negative electrode current collector 50. The spiral electrode body A is inserted into a metal cylindrical exterior can 70 concurrently serving as a negative electrode terminal, the negative electrode current collector 50 is welded to the bottom section of the exterior can 70, the current collecting tab 12 is welded to the positive electrode current collector 40, and a guide section 42 extended from the positive electrode current collector 40 is welded to the bottom face of a sealing body 60 concurrently serving as a positive electrode terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a spiral electrode body formed by spirally winding positive / negative plates of a nickel-hydrogen storage battery, a nickel-cadmium storage battery, a nickel-zinc storage battery, a lithium ion battery or the like via a separator. More particularly, the present invention relates to a conductive connection between a spiral electrode body and a current collector.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a cylindrical battery such as a nickel-cadmium storage battery, a nickel-hydrogen storage battery, a nickel-zinc storage battery, and a lithium ion battery, as shown in FIGS. And separator 3
The spirally wound electrode bodies D and E are formed by spirally winding the electrodes through 0.

[0005] As shown in FIG. 5, the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spiral electrode body D thus formed is welded to the negative electrode current collector 50 and the positive electrode plate 10 of the spiral electrode body D is welded. Is welded to the positive electrode current collector 40, the spiral electrode body D is inserted into a metal cylindrical outer can 70 also serving as a negative electrode terminal, and the negative electrode current collector 50 is attached to the bottom of the metal outer can 70. And the lead-out portion 42 extending from the positive electrode current collector 40 is welded to the bottom of the sealing body 60 also serving as a positive electrode terminal.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the spiral electrode body E thus formed is inserted into a metal cylindrical outer can 70 also serving as a negative electrode terminal, and the core of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spiral electrode body E is formed. 21 is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70, and the current collecting tab 21 a extending from the core 21 is welded to the bottom of the metal outer can 70. On the other hand, the core 11a of the positive electrode plate 10 of the spiral electrode body E is welded to the positive electrode current collector 40, and the lead-out portion 42 extending from the positive electrode current collector 40 is welded to the bottom of the sealing body 60 also serving as a positive electrode terminal. In general, it is constituted by.

As described above, the negative electrode plate 2 of the spiral electrode bodies D and E
0 is electrically connected to the bottom of the metal outer can 70, and the core 11 a of the positive electrode plate 10 of the spiral electrode bodies D and E is welded to the positive electrode current collector 40. Since the current distribution up to the positive electrode terminal (sealing body 60) and the current distribution from the negative electrode plate 20 to the negative electrode terminal (metal outer can 70) become uniform, a battery with improved high-rate discharge characteristics can be obtained. .

[0006]

In the battery formed as described above, since the metal outer can 70 also serves as the negative electrode terminal, the positive electrode current collector 40 and the metal outer can 7
0 causes an internal short circuit when contacted with the positive electrode current collector 40.
Needs to be small enough not to contact the metal outer can 70. However, when the size of the positive electrode current collector 40 is small enough not to come into contact with the metal outer can 70, FIG.
(Note that FIG. 8A shows the spiral electrode bodies D and E shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
(Only the positive electrode plate 10 in which the spiral is drawn to a flat plate is shown)), a portion 10a where the positive electrode current collector 40 is not welded occurs at the welded portion between the positive electrode plate 10 and the positive electrode current collector 40.

[0007] The portion where the positive electrode plate 10 is welded to the positive electrode current collector 40 is, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 8A, the current in the current collecting path from the positive electrode current collector 40 to the lower end of the positive electrode plate 10. Although the distribution is uniform, the portion 10a where the positive electrode plate 10 is not welded to the positive electrode current collector 40 is, as shown by the arrow in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 8B, the current distribution in the current collecting path from the positive electrode current collector 40 to the lower end of the positive electrode plate 10 becomes non-uniform.
Portion 10a of positive electrode plate 10 not welded to positive electrode current collector 40
Causes a voltage drop. Then, when a voltage drop occurs in the positive electrode plate 10, there arises a problem that high-rate discharge characteristics deteriorate.

In view of the above, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems. Even if a non-welded portion is formed at a weld between the upper end portion of the positive electrode plate and the positive electrode current collector, the current collecting property of the non-welded portion is obtained. To obtain a cylindrical battery having improved high-rate discharge characteristics.

[0009]

The present invention provides a spirally wound electrode body in which a positive / negative electrode plate is spirally wound via a separator in a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as a negative electrode terminal. Cylindrical battery provided with a spiral electrode body of the present invention, the upper end of the positive electrode plate of the spiral electrode body has a positive terminal except for a part thereof. A metal plate that is connected to the positive electrode current collector connected to the sealing body that also serves as the positive electrode current collector, and that is not connected to the positive electrode current collector, has a current collecting tab on the upper end of the positive electrode plate. It is electrically connected to the cylindrical outer can, and the current collecting tab is connected to the positive electrode current collector.

As described above, if the current collecting tab is provided at the upper end of the positive electrode plate that is not connected to the positive electrode current collector, and the current collecting tab is connected to the positive electrode current collector, the current collecting tab is not connected to the positive electrode current collector. Since the current distribution in the portion of the positive electrode plate is also uniform, the voltage drop is reduced, and the high-rate discharge characteristics are improved.

The lower end of the negative electrode plate is connected to a negative electrode current collector, and the negative electrode current collector is connected to a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as a negative electrode terminal. No problem occurs even if the metal cylindrical outer can also serves as a contact. For this reason, since the negative electrode current collector can be formed large, when the lower end of the negative electrode plate is connected to the negative electrode current collector, the current distribution in the negative electrode plate is also uniform, so that the voltage drop is further reduced, and High rate discharge characteristics are improved. Further, even if a current collecting tab is provided near the end of the portion connected to the positive electrode current collector, the voltage drop does not decrease so much. Therefore, the position where the current collecting tab is provided is a portion of the positive electrode plate that is not connected to the positive electrode current collector. It is preferable to set the position within 1/2 of the spirally wound end.

The present invention also relates to a cylindrical battery manufactured by inserting a spiral electrode body in which a positive / negative electrode plate is spirally wound via a separator into a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as a negative electrode terminal. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a method of manufacturing a cylindrical battery according to the present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a positive electrode plate connected to a sealing body also serving as a positive electrode terminal when a spiral electrode body at the upper end of a positive electrode plate is used. A current collecting tab welding step of welding a current collecting tab to a portion not connected to the current collector, and a positive electrode current collector welding step of welding the upper end of the positive electrode plate of the spiral electrode body to the positive electrode current collector except for a part thereof. Current collector tab-positive current collector welding step of welding the current collector tab welded to the upper end of the positive electrode plate to the positive electrode current collector, and a spiral electrode body welded with the positive electrode current collector to a metal serving as the negative electrode terminal. An electrode body insertion step of inserting the electrode body into a cylindrical outer can, and a lower end of the negative electrode plate of the spiral electrode body The characterized by comprising a connecting step of electrically connecting the bottom of the metal cylindrical outer can, the sealing body welding step of welding the sealing body serving as a positive electrode terminal of the positive electrode current collector.

After the upper end of the positive electrode plate of the spiral electrode body formed by using the positive electrode plate to which the current collecting tab is welded is welded to the positive electrode current collector, the current collecting tab is connected to the positive electrode current collector. When welding is performed, the current distribution in the portion of the positive electrode plate not connected to the positive electrode current collector is also uniform, so that the voltage drop is reduced and the high-rate discharge characteristics are improved.

Further, the method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery according to the present invention comprises:
A current collecting tab welding step of welding a current collecting tab to a portion not connected to the positive electrode current collector connected to the sealing body also serving as a positive electrode terminal when the spiral electrode body at the upper end of the positive electrode plate is formed, A current collecting tab-positive electrode current collector welding step of welding the welded current collecting tab to the positive electrode current collector, and welding the upper end of the positive electrode plate of the spiral electrode body to the positive electrode current collector to which the current collecting tab is welded A positive electrode current collector welding step, an electrode body inserting step of inserting a spiral electrode body in which the positive electrode current collector is welded to the upper end thereof into a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as a negative electrode terminal, and a positive electrode current collector collecting step. A sealing member welding step of welding the electrical part to the sealing member also serving as the positive electrode terminal.

After the current collector tab of the spiral electrode body formed by using the positive electrode plate to which the current collector tab is welded is welded to the positive electrode current collector, the upper end of the positive electrode plate is contacted with the positive electrode current collector. Even when welding is performed, the current distribution in the portion of the positive electrode plate that is not connected to the positive electrode current collector is also uniform, so that the voltage drop is reduced and the high-rate discharge characteristics are improved.

A step of welding the lower end of the negative electrode plate of the spiral electrode body to the negative electrode current collector before the step of inserting the electrode body, and a step of welding the negative electrode current collector after the step of inserting the electrode body. And the outer can welding process of welding to the bottom of the cylindrical outer can made of metal, the current distribution in the negative electrode plate is also uniform, further reducing the voltage drop and improving the high rate discharge characteristics I do.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a cylindrical battery provided with a spiral electrode body of the present invention is applied to a nickel-metal hydride storage battery will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG.
1 shows a nickel positive plate, FIG. 1 (a) shows a state in which a spirally wound nickel positive plate is stretched into a flat plate, and FIG. 1 (b) shows a voltage with respect to the position of the nickel positive plate. . Fig. 2 shows a positive and negative current collector after welding a positive and negative current collector to an electrode body in which a nickel positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate made of a hydrogen storage alloy are spirally wound, and then housed in a metal cylindrical outer can. It is a diagram showing a state where the tab and the positive electrode current collector are welded,
FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 2B is a top view before the sealing body is sealed.

FIG. 3 shows a state in which a positive electrode current collector tab and a positive electrode current collector of an electrode body in which a nickel positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate made of a hydrogen storage alloy are spirally wound are welded and then placed in a metal cylindrical outer can. It is a figure which shows the state which accommodated and each collector was welded to the electrode body, FIG.3 (a) is sectional drawing, FIG.3 (b) is a top view before sealing a sealing body. FIG. 4 shows a positive electrode current collector welded to an electrode body in which a nickel positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate made of a hydrogen storage alloy are spirally wound and housed in a metal cylindrical outer can. It is a figure which shows the state which welded the collector, and is a figure which shows the cross section.

1. Preparation of Nickel Positive Electrode (1) Sintered Electrode A thickener such as carboxymethylcellulose and water are kneaded with nickel powder to prepare a slurry, and this slurry is applied to a conductive core made of a nickel porous material. When applying the slurry to the conductive core, the slurry is applied so as to form a band-shaped uncoated portion at the center of the conductive core. Note that the strip-shaped uncoated portion serves as a current lead-out portion, and will be a welded portion with the positive electrode current collector in a later step.

Thereafter, the conductive core coated with the slurry is sintered in a reducing atmosphere to form a sintered substrate 11 having a porosity of 80%.
Is prepared. The sintered substrate 11 thus produced is immersed in a nickel nitrate solution to impregnate the sintered substrate 11 with nickel nitrate. Then, it is immersed in a sodium hydroxide aqueous solution to replace nickel nitrate with nickel hydroxide. Such a nickel nitrate impregnation step and a substitution step with nickel hydroxide are repeated, and an active material filling operation for converting nickel nitrate into a nickel hydroxide active material is performed to produce a long sintered nickel positive electrode plate. I do.

The long sintered nickel positive electrode plate manufactured as described above is cut at the center of the uncoated portion (conductive core) 11a of the core formed in a band shape at the center in the length direction. At the same time, the sintered nickel positive electrode plate 10 (sintered nickel positive electrode plate a) is manufactured by cutting to a length of 210 mm. Next, a tongue-shaped current collecting tab 12 prepared by cutting a nickel metal plate having a thickness of 0.10 mm so as to have a width of 3.0 mm is prepared, and the tongue-shaped current collecting tab 12 is sintered. The sintered nickel positive electrode plate a1 is manufactured by welding at the position of the end of the type nickel positive electrode plate 10 (end of winding when spirally wound, x = 0 mm).

Similarly, the current collecting tab 12 is located at a position 25 mm (x = 25 mm) from the end of the spirally wound end.
By welding to form a sintered nickel positive electrode plate a2 of 33 mm (x
= 33 mm), and the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 was welded to the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 at a position of 50 mm (x = 50 mm).
The current collecting tab 12 is welded to a position of 66 mm (x = 66 mm) to make the sintered nickel positive plate a5 75 mm (x = 66 mm).
The current collecting tab 12 is welded to the position of 75 mm) and the sintered nickel positive plate a6 is welded to the position of 100 mm (x = 100 mm).
Are prepared respectively.

(2) Non-sintered electrode 90 parts by weight of nickel hydroxide, 5 parts by weight of metal cobalt powder and 5 parts by weight of cobalt hydroxide powder were mixed, and this was mixed with 20 parts by weight of a 1% by weight aqueous solution of methylcellulose. Is kneaded to produce a paste-like active material. Such a paste active material was produced in the base body a basis weight of 600 g / m ² (Note that the substrate basis weight can be used is between 400~700g / m ²⁾ nickel foam is 1.5mm and a thickness (Nickel sponge) 11 is filled. Then, after drying the nickel foam 11 filled with the paste-like active material,
Roll to a thickness of about 0.7 mm.

Next, an ultrasonic horn was pressed against the upper side of the nickel foam 11 filled with the paste-like active material as described above, and ultrasonic vibration was applied vertically to the upper side to fill the upper side. The active material is dropped from the nickel foam 11 to form a peeled portion. At this time, by applying an ultrasonic vibration by pressing the ultrasonic horn, the upper side portion is compressed to become a thin portion. On the other hand, a nickel metal strip-shaped metal sheet 11a having a thickness of 0.06 mm is prepared, and this strip-shaped metal sheet 11a is placed on the peeling portion of the nickel foam 11,
Resistance welding is performed at intervals of 2 mm using a welding rod to produce a non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate.

The non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate 10 (non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b) is prepared by cutting the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate 10 thus formed so as to have a length of 210 mm. I do. Next, a tongue-shaped current collecting tab 12 prepared by cutting a nickel metal plate having a thickness of 0.10 mm so as to have a width of 3.0 mm was prepared. Strip-shaped metal thin plate 1 of tie-down nickel positive plate 10
1a (end of winding when spirally wound, x =
0 mm) and non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b1
Is prepared.

Similarly, the current-collecting tab 12 is welded to a position 25 mm (x = 25 mm) from the end of the spiral when wound in a spiral shape, so that the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b2 is 33
The non-sintered nickel positive plate b3 is welded to the position of 50 mm (x = 50 m) by welding the current collecting tab 12 to a position of 50 mm (x = 33 m).
The non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b4 is welded to the current collecting tab 12 at the position m), and the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b5 is welded to the current collecting tab 12 at the 66 mm (x = 66 mm) position. 7
The current collecting tab 12 was welded to a position of 5 mm (x = 75 mm) to remove the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b6 to 100 mm (x = 1
(00 mm), the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b7 is formed by welding the current collecting tab 12 to each position.

2. Preparation of nickel-metal hydride storage battery (1) Nickel-metal hydride storage battery using sintered nickel positive electrode plate a. Examples 1 to 7 Next, examples of the production of the nickel-hydrogen storage batteries of Examples 1 to 7 using the sintered nickel positive plates a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, and a7 produced as described above are described. A description will be given based on FIG. Each sintered nickel positive electrode plate a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, a7 produced as described above
And a negative electrode plate 20 obtained by applying a hydrogen storage alloy to a punching metal (core) 21 via a separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene.
As shown in FIG. 2A, spirally wound electrode bodies A are produced. At this time, each sintered nickel positive electrode plate a1, a2, a3, a4,
The cores a5, a6, and a7 are wound so that the uncoated portion 11a of the core protrudes from the separator 30 and the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 protrudes from the separator 30. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body A thus spirally wound is about 22 mm.
Met.

On the other hand, the positive electrode current collector 40 is made of nickel metal. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), the positive electrode current collector 40 has a substantially disk-shaped current collector 41 having a diameter of 18 mm and a lead-out section 42. The substantially disk-shaped current collector 41 has a large number of openings 43 having projections at the bottom, and an electrolyte injection hole 44 at the center.
Is provided. The negative electrode current collector 50 is formed by forming nickel metal into a disk shape having a diameter of 21 mm. Then, while resistance welding is performed on the negative electrode current collector 50 of the core body 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spiral electrode body A prepared as described above, each sintered nickel positive electrode plate a1, a2,
Uncoated portion 11 of core body of a3, a4, a5, a6, a7
a and the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 are resistance-welded.

In this welding step, each sintered nickel positive electrode plate a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, a
The uncoated portion 11a of the core of No. 7 has a portion (up to 100 mm from the end of the winding) that is not welded to the current collecting portion 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40. Therefore, after the current collecting tabs 12 formed on each of the sintered nickel positive electrode plates a1, a2, a3, a4, a5, a6, and a7 are bent toward the current collecting portion 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40, the current collecting tabs 12 A pair of welding electrodes (not shown) are arranged on the upper part of the electrode, and a welding current is applied between the pair of welding electrodes to perform resistance welding. 1A schematically shows a state in which the current collecting tab 12 is welded to the positive electrode current collector 40.

As described above, when the current collecting tab 12 is welded to the upper end portion of the positive electrode plate 10 that is not welded to the positive electrode current collector 40, and the current collecting tab 12 and the positive electrode current collector 40 are welded, Since the current distribution in the portion of the positive electrode plate 10 not connected to the current collector 40 is also uniform, the voltage drop is reduced, and the high-rate discharge characteristics are improved.

Next, a cylindrical metal outer can 70 having a bottom is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body A, to which the current collectors 40 and 50 are welded as described above, is inserted into the metal outer can 70. 40, one of the welding electrodes is inserted from the electrolyte injection hole 44 and brought into contact with the negative electrode current collector 50, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70 so that the negative electrode current collector 50 The bottom of the outer can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing body 60 comprising a positive electrode cap and a lid (a pressure valve is disposed between the positive electrode cap and the lid) is prepared, and the lead-out section 4 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is provided.
2 is brought into contact with the bottom of the lid of the sealing body 60, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. After this, metal outer can 7
30% by weight potassium hydroxide (KOH)
An electrolytic solution composed of an aqueous solution is injected, the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61, and the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 to seal the opening. Thereby, the cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage batteries of Examples 1 to 7 each having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH are manufactured.

B. Example 8 Next, the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a produced as described above was used.
An example of manufacturing a nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 8 using No. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 prepared as described above (the current collection tab 12 is welded in advance at a position 33 mm (x = 33 mm) from the end of winding when wound in a spiral shape) and hydrogen A negative electrode plate 20 obtained by applying an occlusion alloy to a punching metal (core) 21 is spirally wound with a separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene so that the outermost periphery becomes the negative electrode plate 20 to form a spiral electrode body. B is manufactured. At this time, the core is wound so that the uncoated portion 11a of the core of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 protrudes from the separator 30 and the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 protrudes from the separator 50. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body B thus spirally wound was about 22 mm.

Then, the current collecting tab 12 formed on the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 and the current collecting portion 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 formed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7 are resistance-welded.
The core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spiral electrode body B is resistance-welded to the negative electrode current collector 50 formed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7 described above. Thereafter, the positive electrode current collector 40 to which the current collecting tab 12 formed on the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 is welded is placed on the spiral electrode body B, and the core of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 is The uncoated portion 11a and the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 are resistance-welded.

In this welding step, the uncoated portion 11a of the core from the end of winding of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 to 100 mm is not welded to the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40. However, at a position 33 mm (x = 33 mm) from the end of the spirally wound coil, a current-collecting tab 12 welded in advance is welded to the lower surface of the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40. I have. As described above, when the current collecting tab 12 is welded to the upper end of the positive electrode plate 10 that is not welded to the positive electrode current collector 40 and the current collecting tab 12 and the positive electrode current collector 40 are welded, Since the current distribution in the portion of the positive electrode plate 10 not connected to 40 is also uniform, the voltage drop is reduced, and the high-rate discharge characteristics are improved.

Next, a cylindrical metal outer can 70 having a bottom is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body B, to which the current collectors 40 and 50 are welded as described above, is inserted into the metal outer can 70. 40, one of the welding electrodes is inserted from the electrolyte injection hole 44 and brought into contact with the negative electrode current collector 50, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70 so that the negative electrode current collector 50 The bottom of the outer can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to those of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 8 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

C. Example 9 Next, the sintered nickel positive plate a produced as described above was used.
An example of manufacturing the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 9 using No. 3 will be described with reference to FIG. The sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3 prepared as described above (the current collection tab 12 is welded in advance at a position 33 mm (x = 33 mm) from the end of winding when wound in a spiral shape) and hydrogen A negative electrode plate 20 obtained by applying an occlusion alloy to a punching metal (core) 21 is spirally wound with a separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene so that the outermost periphery becomes the negative electrode plate 20 to form a spiral electrode body. C is produced. At this time, the core 11a of the sintered nickel positive plate a3 is wound so as to protrude from the separator 30. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body C thus spirally wound was about 22 mm. A part of the core body 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 is provided with a negative electrode current collecting tab 21a.

Next, the uncoated portion 11a of the core of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3, the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 formed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7, and the above-described example. 1 to
Resistance welding is performed in the same manner as in step 7. In this welding step, 100 mm from the end of winding of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a3.
The exposed portion of the core up to mm is not welded to the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40. Therefore, after the current collection tab 12 welded in advance at a position 33 mm (x = 33 mm) from the end of the spirally wound coil to the current collector 41 side of the positive electrode current collector 40 is bent, A pair of welding electrodes (not shown) is arranged on the upper part of the electric tab 12, and a welding current is applied between the pair of welding electrodes to perform resistance welding.

Next, a cylindrical metal outer can 70 having a bottom is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body C to which the current collector 40 is welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70, and the current collector 40 is electrolyzed. One of the welding electrodes is inserted from the liquid injection hole 44 and is brought into contact with the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70, so that the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a and the metal outer case are formed. The bottom of the can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to that of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 9 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

D. Comparative Example 1 Next, the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a produced as described above
A production example of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 1 using the method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a positive electrode collector and a negative electrode current collector are welded to a spiral electrode body in which positive and negative electrode plates are spirally wound, and then housed in a metal cylindrical outer can. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 5B is a top view before the sealing body is sealed.

The sintered nickel positive electrode plate a manufactured as described above and a hydrogen storage alloy were punched with a punching metal (core) 21.
The spirally wound electrode body D is produced by spirally winding the negative electrode plate 20 applied on the substrate 1 through a separator 30 made of a polypropylene nonwoven fabric so that the outermost periphery becomes the negative electrode plate 20. At this time, the core is wound so that the uncoated portion 11a of the core of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a protrudes from the separator 30 and the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 protrudes from the separator 30. The diameter of the spiral electrode body D spirally wound in this way was about 22 mm.

Then, the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spirally wound electrode body D prepared as described above and the above-mentioned Embodiments 1 to 7
The same negative electrode current collector 50 as above is resistance-welded in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7 described above, and the uncoated portion 11a of the core of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a and the above-described Examples 1 to 7 The current collector 41 of the similar positive electrode current collector 40 is resistance-welded in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7 described above. In this welding step, the uncoated portion 11a of the core body from the end of winding of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a to the end of 100 mm is connected to the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40.
Will not be welded.

Next, a cylindrical metal outer can 70 having a bottom is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body D to which the current collectors 40 and 50 are welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70. 40, one of the welding electrodes is inserted from the electrolyte injection hole 44 and brought into contact with the negative electrode current collector 50, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70 so that the negative electrode current collector 50 The bottom of the outer can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to that of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 1 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

E. Comparative Example 2 Next, the sintered nickel positive plate a produced as described above
An example of manufacturing a nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 2 using the method will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 shows a positive electrode current collector welded to a spiral electrode body in which a positive / negative electrode plate is spirally wound and stored in a metal cylindrical outer can. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where the outer can is welded, and FIG.
(A) is a cross-sectional view, and (b) of FIG. 6 is a top view before the sealing body is sealed.

The sintered nickel positive electrode plate a manufactured as described above and a hydrogen absorbing alloy were punched with a punching metal (core) 21.
The spirally wound electrode body E is manufactured by spirally winding the negative electrode plate 20 applied on the substrate 1 through a separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene such that the outermost periphery becomes the negative electrode plate 20. At this time, the core 11 a of the sintered nickel positive plate a is wound so as to protrude from the separator 30. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body E thus spirally wound is about 22 mm.
Met. The core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 is provided with a negative electrode current collecting tab 21a.

Next, the uncoated portion 11a of the core of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a and the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 similar to those of the above-described first to seventh embodiments are combined with the above-described first embodiment. Resistance welding is performed in the same manner as in No. 7 to 7. In this welding step, the uncoated portion 11a of the core from the end of winding of the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a to 100 mm is not welded to the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40.

Next, a cylindrical metal outer can 70 having a bottom is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body E to which the current collector 40 is welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70, and the current collector 40 is electrolyzed. One of the welding electrodes is inserted from the liquid injection hole 44 and is brought into contact with the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70, so that the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a and the metal outer case are formed. The bottom of the can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to that of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 2 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

F. Comparative Example 3 Next, the sintered nickel positive electrode plate a produced as described above
An example of manufacturing a nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 3 using the method will be described with reference to FIG. It is a diagram showing a state in which a spiral electrode body in which positive and negative plates provided with a current collecting tab are spirally wound is housed in a metal cylindrical outer can, and shows a cross section thereof.

The sintered nickel positive electrode plate a manufactured as described above and a hydrogen absorbing alloy were punched with a punching metal (core) 21.
The spirally wound electrode body F is manufactured by spirally winding the negative electrode plate 20 applied on the substrate 1 through a separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene so that the outermost periphery becomes the negative electrode plate 20. At this time, the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 is
Wind so that it protrudes more. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body F thus wound in a spiral was about 22 mm. The uncoated portion 11a of the core of the sintered nickel positive plate a
Is formed with a positive electrode current collecting tab 11b.

Next, the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spirally wound electrode body F prepared as described above,
The negative electrode current collector 50 similar to 7 is resistance-welded in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7 described above. Next, a bottomed cylindrical metal outer can 7
0, the spiral electrode body F to which the negative electrode current collector 50 has been welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70, and one of the welding electrodes is inserted into the space at the center of the spiral electrode body F. Then, the negative electrode current collector 50 and the bottom of the metal outer can 70 are spot-welded while the other welding electrode is in contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70.

On the other hand, a sealing body 60 similar to that of the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the current collecting tab 11b for the positive electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the lid of the sealing body 60, so that the bottom of the lid and the current collecting tab for the positive electrode 11b
And are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution composed of a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is sealed with the sealing gasket 6.
1 and placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70, and the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 3 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

(2) Nickel / hydrogen storage battery using non-sintered electrodes a. Examples 10 to 16 Next, examples of manufacturing the nickel-hydrogen storage batteries of Examples 10 to 16 using each of the non-sintered nickel positive plates b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6, and b7 manufactured as described above. Will be described with reference to FIG. Each of the non-sintered nickel positive plates b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b produced as described above
6, b7 and punching metal (core) of hydrogen storage alloy
The spirally wound electrode bodies A are produced by spirally winding the negative electrode plate 20 applied on the substrate 21 through the separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene so that the outermost periphery becomes the negative electrode plate 20. At this time, the strip-shaped thin metal plates 11a of the non-sintered nickel positive plates b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6, and b7 protrude from the separator 30, and the core 21 of the negative plate 20 protrudes from the separator 30. Wound. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body A thus wound in a spiral was about 22 mm.

Next, the core body 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spirally wound electrode body A manufactured as described above,
7 and a negative electrode current collector 50 having a diameter of 21 mm, which is the same as that of the negative electrode current collector 50, and each of the non-sintered nickel positive plates b1, b2,
The strip-shaped metal thin plates 11a of b3, b4, b5, b6, and b7 and the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 having a diameter of 18 mm similar to those of the above-described first to seventh embodiments are similar to the first to seventh embodiments. And resistance welding. Thereafter, each non-sintered nickel positive plate b
After the current collecting tabs 12 formed on 1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6, and b7 are bent toward the current collecting portion 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40, resistance welding is performed.

Next, a metal outer can 70 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body A to which the current collectors 40 and 50 are welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70. 40, one of the welding electrodes is inserted from the electrolyte injection hole 44 and brought into contact with the negative electrode current collector 50, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70 so that the negative electrode current collector 50 The bottom of the outer can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to that of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thereby, each of Examples 10 to 16 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH
Are manufactured, respectively.

B. Example 17 Next, an example of manufacturing a nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 17 using the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 manufactured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 produced as described above and the negative electrode plate 20 obtained by applying a hydrogen storage alloy to a punching metal (core) 21 are sandwiched between separators 30 made of polypropylene non-woven fabric. The spirally wound electrode body B is formed by spirally winding the plate 20 into a plate 20. At this time, the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 is wound so that the upper end portion protrudes from the separator 50 and the lower end portion of the negative electrode plate 40 protrudes from the separator 50. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body B thus spirally wound was about 22 mm.

Next, the current collecting tab 12 welded to the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3, and the current collecting portion 4 of the positive electrode current collector 40 formed in the same manner as in the first to seventh embodiments.
After resistance welding is performed, the end 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spiral electrode body A and the negative electrode current collector 50 formed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7 are resistance-welded. Thereafter, the positive electrode current collector 4 welded to the current collecting tab 12 of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3
0 on the spiral electrode body B, and the end of the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 and the positive electrode current collector 40
Is resistance-welded to the current collector 41.

In this welding step, the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a from the end of winding of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 to 100 mm is not welded to the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40. The current collecting tab 12 formed on the sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 is
1 is welded to the lower surface.

Then, a metal outer can 70 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body B to which the current collectors 40 and 50 are welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70, and the current collector 40, one of the welding electrodes is inserted from the electrolyte injection hole 44 and brought into contact with the negative electrode current collector 50, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70 so that the negative electrode current collector 50 The bottom of the outer can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to that of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. In this way, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 17 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

C. Example 18 Next, an example of manufacturing a nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 18 using the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 manufactured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 produced as described above and the negative electrode plate 20 obtained by applying a hydrogen storage alloy to a punching metal (core) 21 are sandwiched between separators 30 made of polypropylene non-woven fabric. The spirally wound electrode body C is formed by spirally winding the plate 20 into a plate 20. At this time, the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 is wound so that the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a protrudes from the separator 30. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body C thus spirally wound was about 22 mm. A negative electrode current collecting tab 21a is provided at the lower end of the negative electrode plate 20.

Next, the end of the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 and the current collecting portion 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 formed in the same manner as in the above-described first to seventh embodiments are connected. Resistance welding is performed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7. In this welding step, the strip-shaped metal sheet 11a from the end of winding of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 to the end of 100 mm is connected to the positive electrode current collector 40.
Is not welded to the current collector 41. Therefore, after the current collecting tab 12 formed on the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b3 is bent toward the current collecting portion 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40, a pair of welding electrodes (not shown) is provided on the upper part of the current collecting tab 12. Are arranged, and a welding current is applied between the pair of welding electrodes to perform resistance welding.

Next, a metal outer can 70 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body C to which the current collector 40 is welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70, and the current collector 40 is electrolyzed. One of the welding electrodes is inserted from the liquid injection hole 44 and is brought into contact with the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70, so that the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a and the metal outer case are formed. The bottom of the can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to that of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 was prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 was connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 18 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

D. Comparative Example 4 Next, an example of manufacturing a nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 4 using the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b manufactured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b produced as described above and the negative electrode plate 20 obtained by applying a hydrogen storage alloy to a punching metal (core) 21 are interposed between the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b and a separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene. The spirally wound electrode body D is produced by spirally winding the plate 20 into the plate 20. At this time, the winding is performed so that the upper end of the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b protrudes from the separator 30 and the lower end of the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 protrudes from the separator 30. The diameter of the spiral electrode body D spirally wound in this way was about 22 mm.

Then, the lower end portion 21 of the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 of the spirally wound electrode body D prepared as described above and the negative electrode current collector 50 formed in the same manner as in the above-described Examples 1 to 7 are combined. In addition to the resistance welding in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7, the end of the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b and the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 are resistance-welded. In this welding step, the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11 a from the end of winding of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b to 100 mm is not welded to the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40.

Next, a metal outer can 70 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body D to which the current collectors 40 and 50 are welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70, and the current collector 40, one of the welding electrodes is inserted from the electrolyte injection hole 44 and brought into contact with the negative electrode current collector 50, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70 so that the negative electrode current collector 50 The bottom of the outer can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to that of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 4 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

E. Comparative Example 5 Next, an example of manufacturing a nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 5 using the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b manufactured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b produced as described above and the negative electrode plate 20 obtained by applying a hydrogen storage alloy to a punching metal (core) 21 are interposed between the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b and a separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene. The spirally wound electrode body E is manufactured by spirally winding the plate 20 into the plate 20. At this time, the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b is wound so that the upper end portion of the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11 a protrudes from the separator 30. The diameter of the spirally wound electrode body E thus spirally wound was about 22 mm. The core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 is provided with a negative electrode current collecting tab 21a.

Next, the upper end of the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b and the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 formed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7 described above Resistance welding is performed in the same manner as in Examples 1 to 7. In this welding step, one end from the end of winding of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b.
The strip-shaped thin metal plate 11 a of up to 00 mm is not welded to the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40.

Then, a metal outer can 70 having a bottomed cylindrical shape was prepared, and the spirally wound electrode body E to which the current collector 40 was welded as described above was inserted into the metal outer can 70, and the current collector 40 was electrolyzed. One of the welding electrodes is inserted from the liquid injection hole 44 and is brought into contact with the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a, and the other welding electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the metal outer can 70, so that the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a and the metal outer case are formed. The bottom of the can 70 is spot-welded.

On the other hand, a sealing member 60 similar to that of the above-described Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the lead-out portion 42 of the positive electrode current collector 40 is connected to the sealing member 6.
No. 0, and the bottom of the lid and the lead-out portion 42 are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 5 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

F. Comparative Example 6 Next, an example of manufacturing a nickel-hydrogen storage battery of Comparative Example 6 using the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b manufactured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. The non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b produced as described above and the negative electrode plate 20 obtained by applying a hydrogen storage alloy to a punching metal (core) 21 are interposed between the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b and a separator 30 made of a nonwoven fabric made of polypropylene. The spirally wound electrode body F is manufactured by spirally winding the plate 20 into the plate 20. At this time, the negative electrode plate 20 is wound so that the lower end portion of the strip-shaped metal thin plate 11 a protrudes from the separator 30. The spirally wound electrode body F thus spirally wound
Had a diameter of about 22 mm. The strip-shaped metal sheet 11a of the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate b has a current collecting tab 11 for the positive electrode.
b is welded.

Next, the spirally wound electrode body F produced as described above and the core 21 of the negative electrode plate 20 described in Examples 1 to 3 above were used.
7 and the negative electrode current collector 50 formed in the same manner as in the first to seventh embodiments.
Resistance welding is performed in the same manner as in step 7. Then, a metal outer can 70 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is prepared, and the spiral electrode body F to which the current collector 50 is welded as described above is inserted into the metal outer can 70, and the center of the spiral electrode body F is formed. One of the welding electrodes is inserted into the gap to make contact with the negative electrode current collector 50, and the other welding electrode is made to contact the bottom of the metal outer can 70 so that the bottoms of the negative electrode current collector 50 and the metal outer can 70 are separated. Spot welding.

On the other hand, the sealing body 60 of the above-mentioned Examples 1 to 7 is prepared, and the current collecting tab 11b for the positive electrode is brought into contact with the bottom of the lid of the sealing body 60, and the bottom of the lid and the current collecting tab 11b for the positive electrode are connected. Are connected by welding. Thereafter, an electrolytic solution comprising a 30% by weight aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH) is injected into the metal outer can 70, and the sealing body 60 is placed on the opening 71 of the outer can 70 via the sealing gasket 61. At the same time, the opening 71 is swaged toward the sealing body 60 and sealed. Thus, a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 6 having a nominal capacity of 2000 mAH is manufactured.

3. Activation of Nickel / Hydrogen Storage Battery Examples 1 to 18 and Comparative Examples 1 to 1 manufactured as described above
6 types of nickel-metal hydride storage batteries of 200 mA
After charging for 16 hours with the (0.1 C) charging current, the system is paused for 1 hour. Thereafter, the battery is discharged with a discharge current of 400 mA (0.2 C) until the final voltage becomes 1.0 V, and then the apparatus is paused for 1 hour. This charge / discharge cycle is repeated three times at room temperature to activate the 24 types of nickel-metal hydride storage batteries of Examples 1 to 18 and Comparative Examples 1 to 6.

4. High rate discharge test Examples 1 to 9 and Comparative Example 1 produced as described above
200 mA for 12 types of nickel-metal hydride storage batteries
After charging for 16 hours with the (0.1 C) charging current, the system is paused for 1 hour. Thereafter, discharge is performed at a discharge rate of 10 A (5 C) until the final voltage becomes 0.5 V, and high-rate discharge is performed.
When the voltage (operating voltage) at a discharge capacity of 50% was measured, the results shown in Table 1 below were obtained.

[0082]

[Table 1]

As is clear from Table 1, when the nickel-hydrogen storage batteries of Examples 1 to 8 using the negative electrode current collector 50 and the nickel-hydrogen storage batteries of Comparative Examples 1 and 3 are compared, 8 that the operating voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery is improved. Also, comparing the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 9 using the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a without using the negative electrode current collector 50 and the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 2, the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 9 was compared. It can be seen that the operating voltage is improved. When the current collecting tab 12 is welded to the unconnected portion 11a of the positive electrode plate 10 with the positive electrode current collector 40 (see FIG. 1A), as shown in FIG. In this case, the current distribution is made uniform, so that the voltage drop is reduced and the operating voltage during high-rate discharge is improved.

The nickel-hydrogen storage battery of Example 3 using the nickel positive electrode plate a3 and using the negative electrode current collector 50, and the negative electrode tab 21a using the nickel positive electrode plate a3 and using no negative electrode current collector 50 Comparing with the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 9 used, it is found that the operating voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 3 is improved.
This indicates that the use of the negative electrode current collector 50 improves the operating voltage.

The operating voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 3 using the nickel positive plate a3 was 1.25 V,
The operating voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 8 using the nickel positive plate a3 is also equal to 1.25V. Therefore, after the positive electrode current collector 40 is welded to the unfilled portion 11a of the electrode body A, the current collecting tab 12 is welded onto the current collecting portion 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 (Example 3). Alternatively, after the current collector tab 12 is welded to the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40, the positive electrode current collector 4
0 is welded to the unfilled portion 11a of the electrode body A (Example 8), and either method may be adopted.

Further, the current collecting tab 12 is located at a position 33 mm (x = 33 mm) from the end of the spirally wound coil.
The working voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage batteries of Examples 3 and 8 where welding was performed was the highest (1.25 V). However, as the position of the current collecting tab 12 was shifted to both sides, the operating voltage became higher. It can be seen that is reduced. Therefore, from the end of winding when the current collecting tab 12 is spirally wound, it is 0 to 5 times.
Since a high operating voltage is obtained when the current collecting tab 12 is provided at a position of 0 mm, it is preferable that the position of the current collecting tab 12 be within 以内 of the winding end when it is spirally wound.

Similarly, 12 kinds of nickel alloys of Examples 10 to 18 and Comparative Examples 4 to 6 manufactured as described above were used.
The hydrogen storage battery is charged at a charging current of 200 mA (0.1 C) to 16
After charging for 1 hour, pause for 1 hour. Then 10A
A high-rate discharge is performed by discharging at a discharge current of (5C) until the final voltage becomes 0.5 V, and a voltage (operating voltage) at a discharge capacity of 50% is measured. The results were as shown.

[0088]

[Table 2]

As is clear from Table 2, when the nickel-hydrogen storage batteries of Examples 10 to 17 using the negative electrode current collector 50 and the nickel-hydrogen storage batteries of Comparative Examples 4 and 6 were compared, It can be seen that the operating voltage of the No. 17 nickel-metal hydride storage battery is improved. In addition, comparing the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 18 using the negative electrode current collecting tab 21a without using the negative electrode current collector 50 and the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Comparative Example 5, the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 18 It can be seen that the operating voltage is improved. Thus, the strip-shaped metal sheet 11b of the positive electrode current collector 40 of the positive electrode plate 10 (see FIG.
When the current collecting tab 12 is welded to FIG.
As shown in (1), since the current distribution in the positive electrode plate 10 is made uniform, the voltage drop is reduced, and the operating voltage during high-rate discharge is improved.

The nickel-hydrogen storage battery of Example 12 using the nickel positive electrode plate b3 and the negative electrode current collector 50, and the negative electrode tab 21a using the nickel positive electrode plate b3 and the negative electrode current collector 50 were not used. Example 1 used
In comparison with the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 8, Example 12
It can be seen that the operating voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery is improved. This indicates that the use of the negative electrode current collector 50 improves the operating voltage.

The operating voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 12 using the nickel positive plate a3 was 1.25 V
Thus, the operating voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 17 using the nickel positive electrode plate a3 is also substantially equal to 1.26V. From this, even after the positive electrode current collector 40 is welded to the strip-shaped thin metal plate 11a of the electrode body A, the current collecting tab 12 is welded onto the current collector 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40 (Example 3). Alternatively, after welding the current collecting tab 12 to the current collecting portion 41 of the positive electrode current collector 40,
It can be seen that the positive electrode current collector 40 may be welded to the strip-shaped metal sheet 11a of the electrode body A (Example 8) or either method may be adopted.

The operating voltage of the nickel-metal hydride storage battery of Example 17 in which the current collecting tab 12 was welded to a position 33 mm (x = 33 mm) from the end of the spirally wound coil was the highest (1). .26 V), but it can be seen that the operating voltage decreases as the position of the current collecting tab 12 is shifted to both sides. Therefore, if the current collecting tab 12 is provided at a position of 0 to 50 mm from the end of winding when the current collecting tab 12 is spirally wound, a high operating voltage is obtained. It is preferable that the distance be within 1/2 of the winding end.

Further, the nickel alloys of Examples 1 to 9 in Table 1 were used.
When the hydrogen storage batteries were compared with the nickel-metal hydride storage batteries of Examples 10 to 18 in Table 2, their operating voltages were not particularly different. Comparing the nickel-metal hydride batteries of Comparative Examples 4 to 6 with Example 2, it can be seen that the operating voltages of the nickel-metal hydride batteries of Comparative Examples 4 to 6 are lowered. This indicates that the nickel-hydrogen storage batteries of Examples 10 to 18, that is, the present invention is more effective when applied to the nickel-hydrogen storage battery using the non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate.

In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a nickel-metal hydride storage battery has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The same effect can be obtained with any battery as long as it is a cylindrical battery provided with a spiral electrode body in which a negative electrode plate is spirally wound via a separator.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a nickel positive electrode plate of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a positive current collector and a negative current collector welded to an electrode body obtained by spirally winding a positive / negative electrode plate of a battery of the present invention, and then housed in a metal outer can to store a positive current collector tab. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state where a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode current collector are welded.

FIG. 3 shows a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector welded to a positive electrode current collector tab and a positive electrode current collector of a spiral electrode body obtained by spirally winding positive and negative electrode plates of the battery of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the state which accommodated in the metal outer can after welding the body.

FIG. 4 shows a positive electrode current collector welded to a spirally wound electrode body obtained by spirally winding positive and negative electrode plates of the battery of the present invention, and is housed in a metal cylindrical outer can. It is a figure which shows the state which welded with the positive electrode collector.

FIG. 5: A positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode current collector are welded to a spirally wound electrode body of a conventional battery (battery of a comparative example) in which positive and negative electrodes are spirally wound, and then a metal cylindrical outer can is formed. It is a figure showing the state stored in the inside.

FIG. 6: A positive electrode current collector is welded to a spiral electrode body obtained by spirally winding positive and negative electrode plates of a conventional battery (battery of a comparative example).
It is a figure showing the state where a negative electrode current collection tab and a metal cylindrical exterior can were welded after being stored in a metal cylindrical exterior can.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state in which a spiral electrode body obtained by spirally winding positive and negative plates provided with current collecting tabs of a conventional battery (battery of a comparative example) is housed in a metal cylindrical outer can. It is.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a conventional nickel positive electrode plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Nickel positive electrode plate, 11 ... Active material holding body (sintered substrate or foamed nickel), 11a ... Active material non-filled part or strip metal thin plate, 11b ... Positive current collecting tab, 12 ... Current collecting tab, 20 ... Negative electrode plate , 21a: negative electrode current collector tab, 30: separator, 40: positive electrode current collector, 41: current collector, 42: lead-out part, 50: negative electrode current collector, 60: sealing body, 70: metal cylindrical outer can , 71 ... opening

Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hideo Kasuga 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshihiro Akazawa 2-5-2-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical battery comprising a spirally wound electrode body formed by spirally winding positive and negative electrode plates via a separator in a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as a negative electrode terminal, wherein the spirally wound electrode is provided. The upper end of the positive electrode plate of the body is connected to a positive electrode current collector connected to a sealing body also serving as a positive electrode terminal except for a part thereof, and a current collecting tab is provided at the upper end of the positive electrode plate not connected to the positive electrode current collector. The lower end of the negative electrode plate of the spiral electrode body is electrically connected to a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as the negative electrode terminal, and the current collecting tab is connected to the positive electrode current collector. Cylindrical battery provided with a spiral electrode body. 2. A negative electrode current collector is provided at a lower end portion of the negative electrode plate of the spiral electrode body, and the negative electrode current collector is connected to the lower end portion of the negative electrode plate and serves as a negative electrode terminal. The cylindrical battery provided with the spiral electrode body according to claim 1, which is connected to a can. 3. The current-collecting tab is one end from the end of the spirally wound portion of the portion not connected to the positive electrode current collector.
The cylindrical battery provided with the spiral electrode body according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylindrical battery is provided at a position within / 2. 4. The cylindrical battery provided with a spiral electrode body according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical battery is an alkaline storage battery. 5. The cylindrical battery according to claim 4, wherein the positive electrode plate is a non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate. 6. A method of manufacturing a cylindrical battery, wherein a spiral electrode body in which a positive / negative electrode plate is spirally wound via a separator is inserted into a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as a negative electrode terminal. A current collecting tab welding step of welding a current collecting tab to a portion not connected to a positive electrode current collector connected to a sealing body also serving as a positive electrode terminal when the spiral electrode body at the upper end of the positive electrode plate is used; A positive electrode current collector welding step of welding the upper end of the positive electrode plate of the spiral electrode body to the positive electrode current collector except for a part thereof, and connecting the current collector tab welded to the upper end of the positive electrode plate to the positive electrode current collector. Current collector tab-positive electrode current collector welding step of welding to the body, and an electrode body insertion step of inserting the spiral electrode body to which the positive electrode current collector is welded into a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as the negative electrode terminal. The lower end of the negative electrode plate of the spiral electrode body is provided with the metal cylindrical outer can. A connection step of electrically connecting to a bottom portion; and a sealing body welding step of welding the positive electrode current collector to a sealing body also serving as a positive electrode terminal. Production method. 7. A method of manufacturing a cylindrical battery, wherein a positive electrode and a negative electrode are spirally wound via a separator, and a spiral electrode body is inserted into a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as a negative electrode terminal. A current collecting tab welding step of welding a current collecting tab to a portion not connected to a positive electrode current collector connected to a sealing body also serving as a positive electrode terminal when the spiral electrode body at the upper end of the positive electrode plate is used; A current collecting tab for welding the current collecting tab welded to the upper end of the positive electrode plate to the positive electrode current collector; a positive electrode current collector welding step; and the current collecting tab is welded to the upper end of the positive electrode plate of the spiral electrode body. A positive electrode current collector welding step of welding to the positive electrode current collector, and an electrode body for inserting the spiral electrode body obtained by welding the positive electrode current collector to the upper end thereof into a metal cylindrical outer can also serving as the negative electrode terminal. An insertion step, and a sealing body which also serves as a positive electrode terminal for a current collector of the positive electrode current collector Cylindrical process to make a battery with a spiral electrode body, characterized in that a sealing body welding process for welding. 8. A negative electrode current collector welding step of welding a lower end of the negative electrode plate of the spiral electrode body to a negative electrode current collector before the electrode body inserting step, and after the electrode body inserting step, An outer can welding step of welding the negative electrode current collector to a bottom of the metal cylindrical outer can. A cylindrical shape provided with a spiral electrode body according to claim 6 or 7, wherein Battery manufacturing method. 9. The current collection tab is one-third of the spirally wound end of the portion not connected to the positive electrode current collector.
The method for manufacturing a cylindrical battery provided with a spiral electrode body according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the position is within two. 10. The method for producing a cylindrical battery provided with a spiral electrode body according to claim 6, wherein the cylindrical battery is an alkaline storage battery. 11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the positive electrode plate is a non-sintered nickel positive electrode plate.