JP2532432B2 - Seal lead acid battery - Google Patents

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a small sealed lead-acid battery that applies a group pressure from the outside to an electrode plate group of the contents of a unit cell contained in a case.

2. Description of the Related Art In the field of small secondary batteries, small sealed lead batteries have been developed in order to meet the demands of new applications as a power source for headphone stereos, compact disc players, color liquid crystal televisions and the like.

 The conventional sealed lead-acid battery will be described below.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view of a conventional small sealed lead-acid battery, which is a small single cell packed in a thin film-like battery case.
21 is sandwiched between the upper case 22 and the lower case 23, and when sandwiched by both cases 22 and 23, a cushioning material 24 having a cushioning property is interposed between the unit cell and 21 and the upper case 22. The cell 21 is fixed in a pressure contact state. In order to fix the upper case 22 and the lower case 23, these cases 22, 2
Collar-shaped edge portions 22A, 23A are integrally provided outward from the outer peripheral edge of 3 and spot-welded between these edge portions 22A, 23A, or
By fixing with a screw, the internal unit cell 21 is pressure-contacted, clamped and fixed.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such a conventional configuration, the edge portion 22A,
Since the upper case 22 and the lower case 23 are fixed via 23B, a space corresponding to the amount of protrusion of the edge portions 22A and 23B is required over the entire circumference, and there is a limit to making the size smaller in plan view. In addition, the unit cells 21 packed in a thin film-like battery case do not have the strength to apply group pressure to the electrode plates of the contents because the battery case is a soft bag, so both cases with strength 22,2
It is necessary to press and clamp with 3, so both cases 22,
Since it was necessary to increase the plate thickness of 23, both cases 2
There was a limit in reducing the total thickness of the sealed lead acid battery including the plate thickness of 2,23. Furthermore, when welding is used to fix both cases 22 and 23 via the edge portions 22A and 23A, sparks at the time of welding fly to the inside, and this heat causes the cells 21
Problems such as melting the film were likely to occur.

The present invention solves such a conventional problem by reducing the total thickness of the sealed lead acid battery including the plate thickness of both cases and further reducing the planar external dimension to the maximum. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sealed lead acid battery in which no trouble occurs on the unit cell side when the battery is fixed.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a pair of upper and lower case for sandwiching the cell in a plane, and forming a flange to be fitted to each other on the outer peripheral edge of these cases, Form a pair of pawls and stoppers at multiple locations on one flange,
An engageable hole is formed on the other flange so as to be opposed to the claw, and the peripheral edges of the unit cells other than the outer peripheral edges of the upper and lower cases,
Reinforcing ribs are provided, columns having screw holes are provided at at least one position in contact with the reinforcing ribs, and a tightening connecting tool including a tightening screw is provided.

Operation With this configuration, the upper and lower cases can be fixed to each other at the outer peripheral edge portions by being fitted to each other at the fitting and fixing portions, and can be fixed to the central portion by operating the tightening connecting tool. Therefore, even if both cases are made of a material whose plate thickness is extremely thin, even if external pressure is applied to the cells, it is difficult for the bulges due to deformation to occur in the central part of these cases, thereby increasing the capacity of the cells. The total thickness can be reduced without reducing it. Further, since two outer peripheral edges can be overlapped by the fitting and fixing portion, the outer peripheral edges of both cases do not have a brim-shaped edge portion, and the outer dimensions are small.

Example An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a rectangular upper case in plan view, and a flange 1A is continuously provided downward from the outer peripheral edge portion thereof in a rectangular shape. Reference numeral 2 denotes a lower case having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a flange 2A is continuously formed integrally with the outer peripheral edge portion thereof at a right angle and upward. Both cases 1 and 2 are dimensioned so that the flanges 1A and 2A are fitted to each other. Reference numeral 3 is a unit cell packed in a thin film-like battery case, and a plurality (three in the embodiment) are arranged in a plane and housed in both cases 1 and 2. At that time, the upper case 1 and the unit cell 3 are combined. A cushioning material 4 having a cushioning property is interposed between the two cases 1 and 2 so as to be sandwiched between them. This cushion material 4 is a single piece, and elongated holes 5 for passing a tightening connecting tool (described later) are formed at two positions in the center thereof. A column 6 is provided at the center of the lower case 2, and two columns are provided between the three unit cells 3. The lower end surface of the column 6 is fixed to the inner surface of the lower case 2 by spot welding. Further, the upper end of the column 6 can freely come into contact with the inner surface of the upper case 1 through the elongated hole 5, and a tightening screw 8 passed from above into a through hole 7 formed in the upper case 1,
The central portion of the upper case 1 is fixed to the pillar 6 by being screwed into the screw hole 9 formed in the pillar 6. These stanchions 6
An example of a tightening connector 17 such as a screw and a tightening screw 8 is formed. A claw 10 and a stopper 11 are formed on a pair of opposite sides of the flange 1A of the upper case 1 which face each other. That is, at a plurality of positions in the lateral direction on the tip (lower end) side of the flange 1A, claws 10 that are inward toward the upper end are formed by cutting and raising inward, and the claws 10 have elasticity based on the material. Have At a plurality of positions above the row of the claws 10 and between the claws 10, arcuate stoppers 11 projecting inward in plan view are formed by cutting and then pushing inward. Flange of the lower case 2
Holes 12 corresponding to the claws 10 and engageable with the claws 10 are formed in a pair of flanges 2A facing each other of the 2A. With these flanges 1A, 2A, claws 10 and holes 12, both cases 1, 2
An example of the fitting fixing portion 18 provided between the outer peripheral edge portions of the above is configured. When the claw 10 engages with the hole 12, the tip (upper end surface) 2a of the flange 2A abuts the lower surface of the stopper 11. Reference numeral 13 is a lead wire for taking out electricity of the unit cell 3, which is led out from a notch portion 14 formed between the flanges 1A and 2A of both cases 1 and 2. Two reinforcing ribs 15 and 16 are formed on the flat surface portions of both cases 1 and 2, respectively, and these reinforcing ribs 15 and 16 extend to the left and right including the arrangement portion of the tightening connector 17. , Arranged in a plane 3
It protrudes inward so as to be located along the gap between the individual unit cells 3. Further, the fitting fixing portion 18 is formed on the opposite side portion in the extension direction of the reinforcing ribs 15 and 16. The pillar 6 is spot-welded on the reinforcing rib 16 formed on the lower case 2, and the through hole 7 is formed on the reinforcing rib 15 formed on the upper case 1.

The assembly work of the sealed lead-acid battery of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described below. First, the three unit cells 3 are assembled by wiring between the terminals and connecting the two lead wires 13 from the bipolar terminals. The assembled unit cells 3 are placed in the lower case 2 with the columns 6 sandwiched therebetween, and the lead wires 13 are led out from the notches 14 formed in the flange 2A. Then, the cushion material 4 is laid on the unit cell 3, and the flanges 1A and 2A are placed so as to cover the upper case 1 from above the lower case 2 as shown from the phantom line in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to the solid line. Mating. At that time, the upper case 1 is strongly pressed so that the cushion material 4 on the unit cell 3 is elastically deformed, and the claw 10 provided on the flange 1A of the upper case 1 is attached to the lower case 2 as shown by the solid line in FIG. It engages with the hole 12 provided in the flange 2A. The maximum amount of fitting by such pressing is regulated by the lower surface of the stopper 11 contacting the tip 2a of the flange 2A, whereby the claw 10 can be accurately engaged with the hole 12, and
It is prevented that a pressing force more than necessary acts on the unit cell 3. A sufficient external pressure is applied to the unit cell 3 in the fixed state by such engagement, but when the plate thickness of both cases 1 and 2 is made as thin as possible, the central portion is bulged and deformed, so the tightening screw 8 Is screwed toward the screw hole 9 provided in the support column 6 to fix the central portion. This completes the sealed lead acid battery.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 15 and 16 are formed along the gaps between the plurality of unit cells 3 that are aligned and built in the flat portions of the cases 1 and 2, and these reinforcing ribs are formed. By providing the tightening connector 17 between 15 and 16, these reinforcing ribs are provided.
Due to the reinforcing effects of 15, 16, the plate thickness of the cases 1 and 2 can be made as thin as possible, and the tightening of the tightening connector 17 can be strongly tightened. Furthermore, in both flanges 1A and 1B, the mating fixing parts of both cases 1 and 2 are provided on opposite sides of the reinforcing ribs 15 and 16 in the extension direction.
By forming 18, the fitting can be strongly maintained without loosening due to the reinforcing effect of these reinforcing ribs 15 and 16, and the fixing can be performed firmly.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a pillar which is fixed to the inner surface of one case and abuttable to the inner surface of the other case between the central portions of a pair of upper and lower cases, and a screw hole formed in the pillar and this screw hole. Provide a tightening connector consisting of a through hole of the corresponding case and a tightening screw to be screwed through the through hole, and provide a fitting part that can be fitted between the outer peripheral edge parts of these cases. Since a flange to be fitted is formed, a pair of claws and stoppers are formed at a plurality of positions on one flange, and engageable holes facing the claws are formed on the other flange, the unit cell is formed in the case. Just insert the case and fit the cases together, and continue to maintain this state by sandwiching these cells with a predetermined thickness by the flange and the claw, the stopper and the corresponding hole. And Even if both cases are made of a thin material, deformation such as bulging in the center of the case is suppressed,
The thickness dimension between the outer peripheral edges of the case can be maintained at a predetermined value. Therefore, the total thickness including the plate thickness of both cases can be reduced without reducing the capacity of the unit cell. In addition, since the outer peripheral edges can be overlapped by the fitting and fixing portion and the conventional brim-shaped edge portion can be eliminated, the outer dimensions can be reduced, and troubles caused by sparks during spot welding can be eliminated. can do. With these, the sealed lead-acid battery can be made lighter, thinner, and smaller in size as a whole.

Further, by forming the tightening connecting tool by a pillar that is fixed to the inner surface of one case and can abut against the inner surface of the other case, and a tightening screw that can be screwed through the other case into the screw hole formed in the pillar, The space between the flat portions of both cases can be regulated by the pillars, the total thickness can be made constant, and the tightening with the tightening screw can be sufficiently performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a tightening connecting portion of a sealed lead-acid battery in one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional side view of the fitting fixing portion, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan view of the stopper portion. FIG. 4 is a front view of the sealed lead-acid battery, FIG. 5 is a rear view of the same, FIG. 6 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4, FIG. 7 is a view taken in the direction of arrow B, and FIG. FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional side view of a conventional sealed lead-acid battery. 1 …… Upper case, 1A …… Flange, 2 …… Lower case, 2A
...... Flange, 2a …… tip, 3 …… single cell, 4 …… cushion material, 6 …… post, 7 …… through hole, 8 …… tightening screw, 9 …… screw hole, 10 …… claw, 11 ...... Stopper, 12 ...
… Holes, 15, 16… Reinforcing ribs, 17… Tightening couplings, 18…
… Mating and fixing part.

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A pair of upper and lower cases for arranging and sandwiching a plurality of unit cells in a plane are provided, and flanges for fitting with each other are formed on the outer peripheral edge portions of both cases, and one flange is provided at a plurality of locations. A pair of claws and a stopper are formed, and the other flange is formed with engageable holes opposed to the claws. Each unit cell has a peripheral edge portion other than the outer peripheral edge portions of the upper and lower cases. A reinforcing rib for partitioning is provided, a column having a screw hole is disposed at at least one position in contact with the reinforcing rib, and a tightening connecting tool including a tightening screw for screwing through a through hole of the case corresponding to the screw hole is provided. Sealed lead acid battery.