JPH11195438A - Air battery - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air battery excellent in both a light load discharge characteristic and a heavy load discharge characteristic. SOLUTION: In an air battery provided with a battery can 2 having at least one air hole 1X and an air electrode 3, the air hole 1 is covered with a film 10 having an air hole shutter function such that the size of an opening is varied by an air pressure difference caused by oxygen consumption at the air electrode 3. Thereby, both its light load discharge characteristic and heavy load discharge characteristic can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air battery having an air electrode that utilizes oxygen in air for an electrochemical reaction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An air battery using oxygen in the air as an active material is excellent in that it has a small load on the environment and a large energy density (discharge capacity per weight or volume). It is a primary battery having the most suitable characteristics as a power source for a battery.

[0003] The battery can of this air battery is provided with an air hole for introducing oxygen in the air into the battery can. In the battery can, an air electrode for utilizing oxygen taken in from the air hole as a positive electrode reaction and a gelled negative electrode mixture composed of a negative electrode active material and an electrolytic solution are accommodated via a separator.

[0004]

In general, when the air battery is discharged under heavy load, it is necessary to increase the diameter of the air hole in order to allow sufficient oxygen to flow. However, if the air holes are enlarged, the water content of the gelled negative electrode mixture in the battery is liable to evaporate, and the discharge characteristics under light load are reduced.

On the other hand, when a conventional air battery is to be discharged under a light load, the opening diameter of the air hole must be reduced in order to prevent evaporation of water in the gelled negative electrode mixture in the battery. However, when the air holes are small, sufficient oxygen cannot be taken in, and the discharge characteristics under heavy load deteriorate.

As described above, in the conventional air battery, one of the discharge characteristics under a heavy load and the discharge characteristics under a light load has to be sacrificed.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an air battery capable of preventing evaporation of water in a gelled negative electrode mixture and improving characteristics in both a light load region and a heavy load region. is there.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, an air battery according to the present invention comprises an air electrode and a battery can having at least one air hole, wherein the air hole is formed of oxygen at the air electrode. It is characterized by being covered with a film having an air hole shutter function in which the size of the opening changes due to a pressure difference caused by consumption.

[0009] The air hole shutter function is achieved by, for example, a notch in which the projected area of the hole formed thereby is smaller than the area of the air hole, or a shutter hole whose diameter is smaller than the diameter of the air hole.

In the air battery of the present invention, when the battery is not discharged, the film is closed by the air hole shutter function, the flow of air between the outside world and the inside of the battery can is extremely small, and the negative electrode mixture inside the battery is mixed. The amount of water evaporation is also small.

On the other hand, at the time of discharge, the film disposed in the air hole is opened by being pulled inward due to a pressure difference caused by oxygen consumption at the air electrode. This allows the air to enter and exit freely. Furthermore, when a large current is flowing, the opening is large, and when little current is flowing, the opening is small. The size of the opening (hole) can be changed according to the amount of current. it can.

[0012] When the discharge is completed, the consumption of oxygen is eliminated, so that the pressure difference disappears due to the diffusion of air, and the film closes.

As described above, the air battery of the present invention can close the opening of the film when not discharging, and can change the size of the opening according to the load when discharging. Therefore, the air battery of the present invention can also improve the discharge capacity under light load or intermittent discharge without lowering the discharge capacity under heavy load. Further, the air battery of the present invention can realize such an air hole shutter system without using electric power.

It is preferable to use a material having a flexural modulus of 0.5 or more and 5000 or less or a Young's modulus of 0.001 or more and 1000 or less for such a film having a shutter function.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an air battery to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, an air battery to which the present invention is applied includes a cathode can 2 having at least one air hole 1 and an air cathode 3 utilizing oxygen in air for a cathode reaction and a cathode mixture. 4 is provided.

The air electrode 3 is composed of a catalyst layer 6 held on a current collector 5 and a water-repellent film 7. The current collector 5 includes a conductive metal net, expanded metal,
Punching metal or the like is used, for example, stainless steel,
Nickel or stainless steel or iron plated with nickel is used. The catalyst layer 6 is composed of a mixture of various metal oxides having an oxygen reduction catalytic ability and a dispersion of activated carbon, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like.
As the water-repellent film 7, a fluororesin porous film having gas permeability and water repellency is used.

The above-mentioned air electrode 3 is housed in the positive electrode can 2 together with the negative electrode mixture 4 via the separator 8. An air diffusion paper 9 is inserted between the positive electrode can 2 and the water repellent film 7.

The present invention provides a positive electrode can 2 constructed as described above.
Is characterized by being covered with a film 10 having an air hole shutter function in which the size of the opening changes depending on the pressure difference. In an air battery, a pressure difference occurs between the surface of the air electrode and the outside of the battery due to oxygen consumption at the air electrode during discharge. The size of the opening of the film 10 having the air hole shutter function changes due to the pressure difference.

In the film 10 having the air hole shutter function, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a cross-shaped notch 11 is provided at a position facing the air hole 1. In the cross-shaped notch 11, as will be described later, the projected area of a hole formed by opening the notch at the time of discharge is smaller than the area of the air hole 1.

When the air battery having the film 10 is not discharged, the cross-shaped cut 11 is closed as shown in FIG. Therefore, when no discharge occurs, the exchange of air with the outside air is very small, and the amount of water evaporation of the negative electrode mixture 4 is extremely small.

On the other hand, when discharging, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, due to the pressure difference caused by oxygen consumption in the air electrode 3, the cross-shaped cut 11 is pulled toward the air electrode 3 side. Open. This allows air to enter and exit through the opening of the cross-shaped cut 11.

The degree of opening of the cross notch 11 is determined by the balance between the pressure difference and the elasticity of the film 10. Therefore, by appropriately setting the elastic modulus of the film 10, the cross-shaped notch 11 is greatly opened when a large current is flowing, and the cross-shaped notch 11 is hardly opened when almost no current is applied, and the discharge is performed. The size of the opening can be adjusted according to the amount.

When the discharge is completed, oxygen consumption is eliminated, and the pressure difference is eliminated by the diffusion of air. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 2, the cross-shaped notch 11 closes again.

As described above, by using the film 10 having the cross-shaped cuts 11 corresponding to the air holes 1, the air holes are opened according to the magnitude of the discharge at the time of discharge, and are closed at the time of no discharge. Can be produced. Further, an air hole whose size changes according to the load can be manufactured.

As shown in FIG. 5, the film 10 having the air hole shutter function may be a film 10 'having a cut 12 formed in a single character. The single cut 12 is provided at a position facing the air hole 1, and the projected area of the hole formed by opening the cut at the time of electric discharge is smaller than the area of the air hole 1 as described later. .

As described above, in the air battery having the film 10 ′, when not discharging, the straight cut 12 is closed, the exchange of air with the outside of the battery is very small, and the water content of the negative electrode mixture 4 is small. The amount of evaporation is also very small.

On the other hand, at the time of discharge, as shown in FIG. 3, due to the pressure difference caused by the consumption of oxygen at the air electrode 3, the one-letter cut 12 is pulled toward the air hole 1 and opened to allow air to enter and exit. Becomes The degree of opening of the cut is determined by the balance between the pressure difference and the elasticity of the film 10 '. Therefore, by appropriately setting the elastic modulus of the film 10 ′, the one-character cut 12 of the film 10 ′ opens greatly when a large current is flowing, and the one-character notch 12 of the film 10 ′ when almost no current flows. The notch 12 is hardly opened, and the size of the opening can be adjusted according to the amount of discharge.

Further, when the discharge is completed, the oxygen consumption disappears, and the pressure difference disappears due to the diffusion of air.
As shown in FIG. 7, the one-character cut 12 is closed again.

As described above, by using the film 10 'having the one-character cutouts 12 corresponding to the air holes 1, the opening is made according to the magnitude of the discharge at the time of discharging, and the opening is closed at the time of no discharging. Air holes can be created. Further, an air hole whose size changes according to the size of the load can be manufactured.

The cuts are not limited to the cross-shaped and single-cut shapes, but may have any structure as long as the cut is pulled toward the air electrode side by the pressure difference and opened.

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the film 10 having the air hole shutter function is a film 1 having a shutter hole 13 having a smaller diameter than the air hole 1.
It may be 0 ''.

As described above, when the battery is not discharged, as shown in FIG. 6, while the diameter of the shutter hole 13 remains small, the exchange of air with the outside of the battery is very small.
The amount of water evaporation of the negative electrode mixture 4 is also extremely small.

On the other hand, at the time of discharging, as shown in FIG. 7, the diameter of the shutter hole 13 is widened by the pressure difference caused by the oxygen consumption at the air electrode, and the air can flow in and out smoothly. The degree of opening of the shutter hole 13 is determined by the balance between the pressure difference and the elasticity of the film 10 ″. Therefore, by appropriately setting the Young's modulus of the film 10 ″, when a large current is flowing, the shutter hole 1
3 spreads largely and almost no current flows, the shutter hole 13 hardly spreads, and the size of the shutter hole 13 can be adjusted according to the discharge amount.

When the discharge is completed, the oxygen consumption is eliminated, and the pressure difference disappears due to the diffusion of air.
, The shutter hole 13 is closed again.

As described above, by using the film having the shutter hole 13 corresponding to the air hole 1, the opening diameter is widened according to the magnitude of the discharge at the time of discharge, and the air diameter is small at the time of no discharge. Holes can be created. Further, an air hole whose size changes according to the load can be manufactured.

As described above, the films 10, 10 ', and 10''(hereinafter, abbreviated as the film 10) having the air hole shutter function are, as described above, a minute pressure caused by oxygen consumption accompanying the discharge. It needs to open and close smoothly in response to the defect. For this purpose, when the cuts 11 and 12 are provided as described above, the bending elastic modulus is set to 0.1.
Shutter hole 13 as described above.
Is important, it is important to control the Young's modulus to 0.001 to 1,000.

Specifically, the material of the film 10 includes:
Olefin resin (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), ester resin (polyester, etc.), silicone resin, imide resin (polyimide, polyamide imide, etc.), amide resin (nylon 6, etc.), urethane resin (polyurethane, etc.), acrylic Resin (polyacrylonitrile, polymethyl methacrylate, etc.), styrene resin (polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin, etc.), vinyl resin (polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, etc.), ionomer resin , Fluorinated resin (ethylene tetrafluoride resin,
Polyvinylidene fluoride, etc.), cellulosic resins (ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose propionate, etc.), rubber resins (natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, chloropyrene rubber, etc.), polycarbonate, polyacetal, and the like Copolymers can be used.

In general, a label printed with a company name, a precautionary statement, etc. is attached to the outermost shell of the battery. Since the film 10 used in the present invention is attached to the outermost shell of the battery, it can have printability in addition to the air hole shutter function.

In such a case, it is necessary to control the tensile modulus or the flexural modulus in the state of the film after printing. Furthermore, it is important to use a film which is easy to print and has a smooth surface as a raw material. Examples of the material of the film 10 include an ester resin, an imide resin, an amide resin, a silicone resin, a urethane resin, an acrylic resin, a styrene resin, a vinyl resin, an olefin resin, and a cellulose resin. Resins, polycarbonates, polyacetals, and copolymers containing these are preferably used.

As described above, the film 10 having the air hole shutter function of the present invention is mounted on the positive electrode can 2 having the air holes 1, and the shape of the positive electrode can is, for example, as shown in FIG. The battery may be a cylindrical battery, a prismatic battery, a button-shaped battery, or a coin-shaped battery shown in FIG. 9, and is not particularly limited. 8 and 9, members having the same functions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

In the cylindrical battery shown in FIG. 8, an air electrode 3 (catalyst layer 6, water-repellent film 7) is formed in a hollow cylindrical shape in a cylindrical positive electrode can 2 having an air hole 1 and also serving as a positive electrode terminal. ) Is stored via the air diffusion paper 9. Both ends of the hollow cylindrical air electrode 3 are sealed by metal sealing plates 21 and 22, and the inside thereof is filled with a negative electrode mixture 4 via a separator 8. The gasket 23 and the negative electrode terminal plate 25 to which the nail-shaped negative electrode current collector 24 is welded are incorporated into the opening of the cylindrical positive electrode can 2.

In the cylindrical battery thus constructed, a strip-shaped film 10 having cuts 11 and 12 or a shutter hole 13 formed in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 is prepared. Just wrap it around.

In the button type battery shown in FIG. 9, an air diffusion paper 33 and an air electrode 34 are housed in a positive electrode can 32 having an air hole 31 and also serving as a positive electrode terminal. A positive electrode can 32 having an air electrode 34 and a negative electrode can 36 filled with a negative electrode mixture 35 are laminated via a separator 37 and caulked by a gasket 38.

In the button-type battery thus constructed, a circular film 40 having a cut 39 or a shutter hole formed in a portion overlapping with the air hole 31 is prepared, and the positive electrode of a positive electrode can 32 having the air hole 31 is prepared. What is necessary is just to stick on a terminal part.

In FIGS. 8 and 9, the film is attached to the outermost shell of the battery. However, a space is provided inside the positive electrode cans 2 and 32 where the films 10 and 40 are bent or opened. , Film 1 inside positive electrode cans 2 and 32
0 and 40 may be provided, and the same effect can be obtained.

[0047]

The present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to examples.

Embodiment 1 FIGS. 1 and 8 show the configuration of a cylindrical air battery of Embodiment 1. FIG.

The cylindrical air electrode 3 is manufactured as follows.

First, a manganese oxide having a catalytic activity for oxygen reduction and activated carbon, a dispersion of polytetrafluoroethylene having a solid content of 60% and carbon black were mixed at a solid content ratio of 35: 30: 25: 10. To obtain a paste-like catalyst layer mixture.

Next, a metal current collector 5 made of a nickel-plated hollow cylindrical stainless steel net is sintered, and the above-mentioned catalyst layer mixture is pressed on the metal current collector 5, followed by drying and press-rolling. Then, a cylindrical catalyst layer 6 having a thickness of 0.4 mm is produced.

Next, the catalyst layer 6 was formed to a thickness of 0.15 mm.
Is inserted inside the water-repellent film 7 made of a cylindrical porous polytetrafluoroethylene film, and the water-repellent film 7 and the catalyst layer 6 are pressure-bonded using a press roll process.

Then, a metal sealing plate 21 having a U-shaped cross section is arranged at the lower opening end of the cylindrical laminated body, and the metal sealing plate 21 is further caulked in a direction of compressing along the circumference of the opening end. As a result, the metal sealing plate 21 is securely attached. Next, in order to fix the upper opening end, similarly to the method of sealing the lower opening end, a metal sealing plate 22 having a U-shaped cross section is arranged at the upper opening end. The metal sealing plate 22 is firmly attached by caulking in the direction of compression along the circumference of the open end. At this time, the metal current collector 5 appearing at the opening end
Are arranged so as to be in direct contact with the metal sealing plates 21 and 22 at the circumferential portion of the metal current collector 5. Also, the metal sealing plate 2
For stainless steels 2 and 22, a nickel-plated stainless steel plate was used.

Hereinafter, an air battery is assembled using the above-described air electrode 3.

First, an air diffusion paper 9 made of non-woven fabric is wrapped around the above-mentioned air electrode 3, and a metal sealing plate 2 is placed in a positive electrode can 2 having an air intake hole 1 on the side surface and also serving as a positive electrode terminal.
Insert so that 2 is on the positive terminal side. Then, a bottomed cylindrical separator 8 made of a nonwoven fabric of natural pulp material is inserted into the inside of the air electrode 3 so as to contact the catalyst layer 6, and further, inside the separator 8, granular zinc, an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide and The gelled negative electrode mixture 4 made of a viscous material or the like is filled.

The positive electrode can 2 has a diameter of 1.2 mm.
Are vertically arranged in four rows of six each.

Next, the gasket 23 and the nail-shaped negative electrode current collector 24 are welded to the opening of the positive electrode can 2 to form the negative electrode terminal plate 2.
5 are sequentially assembled, and the opening of the positive electrode can 2 is swaged using a swaging jig. At this time, the metal sealing plates 21 and
2 is strongly pressed against the inner wall surface of the positive electrode can 2. Thereby, the current collection of the positive electrode is ensured by connecting the metal current collector 5 and the positive electrode can 2 via the metal sealing plates 21 and 22. The current collection of the negative electrode is ensured by the needle-shaped negative electrode current collector 24 being pressed into a through hole formed in the center of the gasket 23 and reaching the negative electrode mixture 4.

Then, a polycarbonate film 10 having a flexural modulus of 0.7 and a thickness of 0.01 mm, in which a cut 11 of 1 mm is formed in a cross shape in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2, is formed on the side surface of the positive electrode can 2. Affix to. Thus, an AA size cylindrical battery having a battery outer diameter of 14 mm and a total battery height of 50 mm is completed.

Example 2 In Example 2 of the present invention, a 1 mm cut 12 was formed in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2 to obtain a polycarbonate having a flexural modulus of 0.7 and a thickness of 0.01 mm. The film 10 is attached to the side of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Example 3 In Example 3 of the present invention, a polycarbonate film 10 having a flexural modulus of 950 and a thickness of 0.01 mm, in which a 1 mm cut 12 was cut in a portion overlapping the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2. To the side surface of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Example 4 A polycarbonate film 10 having a bending elastic modulus of 950 and a thickness of 0.005 mm, in which a 1 mm cut 12 was formed in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2, was formed. To the side surface of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 5 In Embodiment 5 of the present invention, a rubber hole having a Young's modulus of 1.4 and a thickness of 0.01 mm was provided with a shutter hole 13 having a diameter of 0.1 mm in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2. The film 10 is attached to the side of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Example 6 A rubber film 10 having a Young's modulus of 950 and a thickness of 0.005 mm, in which a shutter hole 13 having a diameter of 0.1 mm was formed in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2, was provided.
To the side surface of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Embodiment 7 In the seventh embodiment of the present invention, a shutter hole 13 having a diameter of 0.1 mm is formed in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2. The resin film 10 is attached to the side of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Comparative Example 1 In Comparative Example 1, nothing was attached to the side surface of the positive electrode can 2 and the air hole 1
Is exposed. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Comparative Example 2 In Comparative Example 2, a non-woven fabric having neither cuts nor shutter holes was attached to the side surface of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3 In Comparative Example 3, a 1 mm cut 12 was formed in a portion overlapping the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2, and the flexural modulus was 51%.
00, 0.1 mm thick epoxy resin molded film 10
To the side surface of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4 In Comparative Example 4, a polycarbonate film 10 having almost no flexural modulus and having a thickness of 0.01 mm, in which a 1 mm cut 12 was formed in a single character in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2. It is stuck on the side of the positive electrode can 2. Other than this, Example 1
The configuration is the same as described above.

Comparative Example 5 In Comparative Example 5, a shutter hole 13 having a diameter of 0.1 mm was formed in a portion overlapping with the air hole 1 of the positive electrode can 2, and a Young's modulus 11
A polystyrene film 10 having a thickness of 50 mm and a thickness of 0.01 mm is attached to the side surface of the positive electrode can 2. Otherwise, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

Evaluation of Characteristics The air batteries of the Examples and Comparative Examples were discharged at a constant current of 5 mA as a light load discharge and 100 as a medium load discharge test.
A discharge test was performed in which a constant current discharge of mA was performed, and a discharge of 100 mA was performed as an intermittent discharge for 3 hours, followed by a 9-hour pause.
Table 1 shows the results.

[0071]

[Table 1]

From the results shown in Table 1, it is found that the air batteries (Examples 1 to 7) whose air holes are covered by the film 10 whose opening diameter changes due to the pressure difference do not decrease the capacity at 100 mA medium load discharge. In addition, an improvement in capacity at 5 mA light discharge and intermittent discharge was observed. This is because the cut diameters of the cuts 11 and 12 and the aperture of the shutter hole 13 are increased in a medium-load discharge of 100 mA, while in a light-load discharge of 5 mA,
This is because the opening diameters of the cuts 11 and 12 and the shutter hole 13 were small and drying of the negative electrode mixture 4 was suppressed. Also,
This is because in the intermittent discharge, the evaporation of the negative electrode mixture 4 during the rest time when the battery is not discharging can be significantly reduced, so that the deterioration of the battery characteristics during the discharging can be suppressed.

On the other hand, in the air battery not using the film 10 (Comparative Example 1), the amount of water evaporation of the negative electrode mixture 4 was large,
The capacity at light load and intermittent discharge decreases.

Further, the air battery to which the nonwoven fabric having no cut or hole is attached (Comparative Example 2) and the air battery to which a film having too large elastic modulus or Young's modulus is attached (Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 5) are light. Although the discharge capacity is slightly improved at the load, sufficient air is not supplied, and the discharge capacity at the medium load is reduced.

In the air battery (Comparative Example 4) to which a film having almost no flexural modulus was attached, the same improvement effect as in Example 1 was observed, but the effect was not observed in intermittent discharge.

As can be seen from the above results, by covering the air holes with a film having an air hole shutter function, the discharge capacity under light load or intermittent discharge can be improved without lowering the discharge capacity under medium load. Can be.

[0077]

As is clear from the above description, according to the air battery of the present invention, the air holes are covered with the film having the air hole shutter function in which the size of the opening changes due to the pressure difference. Therefore, both the light load discharge characteristics and the heavy load discharge characteristics can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a part of a configuration of an air battery to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a film covering an air hole of the air battery.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of the air battery during discharging.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a state at the time of discharge of a film covering air holes of the air battery.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a film provided with a single character cut.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a film provided with a shutter hole.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a state of the film of FIG. 6 at the time of discharging.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a cylindrical air battery to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a button-type air battery to which the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 air hole, 2 positive electrode can, 3 air electrode, 4 negative electrode mixture,
Reference Signs List 5 current collector, 6 catalyst layer, 7 water repellent film, 8 separator, 9 air diffusion paper, 10 film, 11 cross cut, 12 single cut, 13 shutter hole, 21 metal sealing plate, 22 metal seal Stop plate, 23
Gasket, 24 negative electrode current collector, 25 negative electrode terminal plate, 3
1 air hole, 32 positive electrode can, 33 air diffusion paper, 34
Air electrode, 35 negative electrode mixture, 36 negative electrode can, 37 separator, 38 gasket, 39 cut, 40 film

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An air battery including an air electrode and a battery can having at least one air hole, wherein the size of the opening of the air hole changes due to a pressure difference caused by oxygen consumption at the air electrode. An air battery, wherein the air battery is covered with a film having an air hole shutter function. 2. The air battery according to claim 1, wherein the air hole shutter function is formed by a cut in which a projected area of the hole formed thereby is smaller than an area of the air hole. 3. The air battery according to claim 1, wherein the air hole shutter function is performed by a hole smaller than a diameter of the air hole. 4. The air battery according to claim 1, wherein the film has a flexural modulus of 0.5 to 5000 or a Young's modulus of 0.001 to 1000.