lead-acid batteries

Abstract

The present invention provides a lead-acid battery, which belongs to the technical field of batteries and includes a main shell, a bipolar plate group, a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator. In the lead-acid battery provided by the present invention, a plurality of reaction units are connected in series inside the battery through bipolar plates, and then the internal grid of the battery and the connection terminal are interconnected through the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. It is no longer a "multi-body battery" with multiple battery cells connected externally, but an internal connection, that is, an "integrated" battery. As a result, the plate ears, busbars, intermediate poles and other components of traditional batteries are eliminated, and at the same time, the processes of plate separation, busbar welding, intermediate pole welding and other processes of traditional batteries are eliminated, which greatly reduces the production cost of the battery, greatly improves the production efficiency and greatly reduces the environmental pollution. More importantly, due to the reduction in the total weight of the battery and the reduction in internal resistance, the specific energy and specific power of the horizontal bipolar lead-acid battery are greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of storage batteries, and more particularly, relates to a lead-acid storage battery. Background Art

[0002] Lead-acid batteries, due to their economical, safe, and recyclable properties, have been widely used in various fields, including automotive, communications, and energy storage. However, their low specific energy and power limits their further development and application, and they are constantly challenged by other chemical power sources. Traditional lead-acid batteries are typically assembled from unipolar plates. The parallel connection of plates and the series connection of cells require welding of busbars and intermediate posts to connect the battery's internal components. The lead components generated by these two welding steps increase the battery's weight and cost, and the welding process also seriously affects the battery's charge and discharge reliability. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide a lead-acid battery, aiming to solve the problems of poor charge and discharge reliability and high weight cost of lead-acid batteries in the prior art when in use.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is to provide a lead-acid battery, comprising:

[0005] A main housing, on which connection terminals are provided;

[0006] a bipolar plate assembly disposed within the main housing, the bipolar plate assembly comprising a plurality of bipolar plates stacked in sequence, each bipolar plate comprising a positive plate portion, a negative plate portion disposed parallel to the positive plate portion, and a conductive connecting portion disposed between the positive plate portion and the negative plate portion;

[0007] There are multiple positive electrode plates, which are interlaced with the negative electrode plates of the bipolar plate, and each of the positive electrode plates is provided with a connection end for connecting the positive electrode plate to a connection terminal;

[0008] A plurality of negative electrode plates are arranged alternately with the positive electrode plates of the bipolar plate, and each negative electrode plate is provided with a connection end for connecting the negative electrode plate to a connection terminal;

[0009] There are multiple separators, which are respectively arranged around the outside of the positive plate portion and the negative plate portion on the bipolar plate group, and the separators are also arranged around the outside of the positive electrode single plate and the negative electrode single plate.

[0010] In one possible implementation, there are multiple bipolar plate groups, and the multiple bipolar plate groups are arranged in sequence in the main shell, and the positive plate portions of the bipolar plate groups and the negative plate portions on adjacent bipolar plate groups are arranged alternately.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the first end of the conductive connection portion is connected to the side of the positive plate portion, the second end of the conductive connection portion is connected to the side of the negative plate portion, and the middle portions of the conductive connection portions are both protruding from the first plane in the same direction.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the conductive connection portion is a plurality of connecting ribs bent between the positive plate portion and the negative plate portion, and the plurality of connecting ribs are sequentially spaced apart from each other along the gap between the positive plate portion and the negative plate portion.

[0013] In a possible implementation, a minimum vertical distance between the connecting rib and the side surface of the negative electrode plate portion or the side surface of the positive electrode plate portion is 5 mm.

[0014] In a possible implementation, a hydrophobic layer is further coated at a middle portion of the conductive connection portion, and the hydrophobic layer is arranged to protrude from the surface of the conductive connection portion.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the hydrophobic layer is provided around the entire circumference of the conductive connection portion, and the hydrophobic layer is made of a plastic material or a resin material.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the positive electrode plate portion includes a first grid portion and a positive electrode paste coated on the first grid portion, the negative electrode plate portion includes a second grid portion and a negative electrode paste coated on the second grid portion, and the first grid portion and the first grid portion both include a first rib and a second rib arranged to intersect with the first rib.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the connecting ribs are all arranged parallel to the first ribs, and the first ribs and the connecting ribs are an integrally formed structure.

[0018] In a possible implementation, a transition region is provided at an end of the first grid portion close to the second grid portion, a transition region is provided at an end of the second grid portion close to the first grid portion, and the conductive connection portion is located between the two transition regions.

[0019] The beneficial effect of the lead-acid battery provided by the present invention is that, compared with the prior art, a bipolar plate group composed of a plurality of bipolar plates stacked in sequence is provided inside the main housing, wherein each bipolar plate includes a positive plate portion, a negative plate portion arranged parallel to the positive plate portion, and a conductive connection portion arranged between the positive plate portion and the negative plate portion. Negative plates arranged interlaced with the positive plate portions are also provided between the positive plate portions of the bipolar plate group, and positive plates arranged interlaced with the negative plate portions are also provided between the negative plate portions of the bipolar plate group, and are insulated and separated from each other by partitions. The positive plates are all connected to the terminal blocks on the main housing through the connecting ends to form a complete battery reaction circuit. The lead-acid battery of the present invention utilizes bipolar plates to connect multiple reaction units in series, eliminating components such as plate lugs, busbars, and intermediate poles found in traditional batteries. This eliminates processes such as plate separation, busbar welding, and intermediate pole welding, significantly reducing battery production costs, boosting production efficiency, and significantly reducing environmental pollution. More importantly, the reduced weight and internal resistance significantly enhance the specific energy and power of horizontal bipolar lead-acid batteries. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 A schematic structural diagram of a lead-acid battery provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of a lead-acid battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of a bipolar plate used in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a schematic side view of the bipolar plate used in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] In the figure: 1. Main shell; 11. Connection terminal; 2. Bipolar plate; 21. Positive plate portion; 22. Negative plate portion; 23. Connecting rib; 24. First rib; 25. Second rib; 26. Transition area; 27. Hydrophobic layer; 3. Positive single plate; 4. Negative single plate; 5. Separator; 6. Acid discharge hole; 7. Exhaust hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to make the technical problems, technical solutions and beneficial effects to be solved by the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0027] Please also refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the lead-acid battery provided by the present invention is now described. The lead-acid battery includes a main shell 1, a bipolar plate group, a positive electrode plate 3, a negative electrode plate 4 and a separator 5. A connecting terminal 11 is provided on the main shell 1; the bipolar plate group is arranged inside the main shell 1, and the bipolar plate group includes a plurality of bipolar plates 2 stacked in sequence, and each bipolar plate 2 includes a positive plate portion 21, a negative plate portion 22 arranged parallel to the positive plate portion 21, and a conductive connection portion arranged between the positive plate portion 21 and the negative plate portion 22; there are multiple positive plates 3, and they are staggered with the negative plate portion 22 of the bipolar plate 2, and the positive plates 3 are arranged in parallel with each other. There are multiple negative plates 4, which are staggered with the positive plate portion 21 of the bipolar plate 2, and each negative plate 4 is also provided with a connection end for connecting the negative plate 4 to the connection terminal 11; there are multiple separators 5, which are respectively arranged outside the positive plate portion 21 and the negative plate portion 22 on the bipolar plate group, and the separators 5 are also arranged outside the positive plate 3 and the negative plate 4.

[0028] Compared to the prior art, the lead-acid battery provided in this embodiment has a bipolar plate assembly comprising a plurality of bipolar plates 2 stacked in sequence, disposed within a main housing 1. Each bipolar plate 2 includes a positive plate portion 21, a negative plate portion 22 disposed parallel to the positive plate portion 21, and a conductive connection portion disposed between the positive plate portion 21 and the negative plate portion 22. Negative plates 4 are disposed between the positive plate portions 21 of the bipolar plate assembly, interlaced with the positive plate portions 21. Positive plates 3 are disposed between the negative plate portions 22 of the bipolar plate assembly, interlaced with the negative plate portions 22. These plates are insulated and separated from each other by separators 5. The positive plates 3 and negative plates 4 are both connected to the wiring terminals on the main housing 1 via their connecting ends to form a complete battery reaction circuit. In the lead-acid battery of the present invention, multiple reaction units are connected in series via bipolar plates 2 within the battery, and the internal grid of the battery is then interconnected with the connection terminals 11 via the positive and negative plates 3 and 4. This eliminates components such as the plate ears, busbars, and intermediate poles found in conventional batteries, as well as processes such as plate separation, busbar welding, and intermediate pole welding. This significantly reduces battery production costs, improves production efficiency, and significantly reduces environmental pollution. More importantly, due to the reduced total battery weight and internal resistance, the specific energy and specific power of horizontal bipolar lead-acid batteries are significantly improved.

[0029] It should be noted that the bipolar plates 2 are installed in a lean state after being installed in the battery. The electrolyte in the battery is only contained in the gap between the two plates, and there is no free electrolyte inside the battery. When the battery is in use, the bipolar plates 2 are generally installed horizontally, with the middle of the conductive connection facing upward.

[0030] Some possible implementations, such as Figure 2 As shown, there are multiple bipolar plate groups, and the multiple bipolar plate groups are arranged in sequence in the main shell 1, and the positive plate portion 21 of the bipolar plate group and the negative plate portion 22 on the adjacent bipolar plate group are arranged alternately. Specifically, the number of bipolar plate groups can be selected according to the capacity of the battery. For example, a 12V battery is no longer a "multi-body battery" with multiple battery cells connected externally, but an "integrated" battery that is connected internally through multiple bipolar plate groups. As a result, the lead parts of the external connection part are eliminated, the lead consumption and the internal resistance of the battery are reduced, and the specific energy and specific power are improved. It has higher production efficiency and lower production cost, and is more competitive than other lead-acid batteries.

[0031] Some possible implementations, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first end of the conductive connection portion is connected to the side of the positive plate portion 21, and the second end of the conductive connection portion is connected to the side of the negative plate portion 22, and the middle portion of the conductive connection portion protrudes in the same direction from the first plane. Keeping the conductive connection portion protruding upward ensures that the positive plate portion 21 and the negative plate portion 22 remain connected, while also preventing water and sulfuric acid from climbing and spreading along the conductive connection portion through gravity, preventing ion transmission between cells, thereby reducing the need for additional sealing between cells, and conveniently achieving fully sealed separation between bipolar battery cells, preventing acid from easily creeping through the cells during battery charging and discharging, causing battery short circuits.

[0032] Specifically, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the conductive connection portion comprises a plurality of connecting ribs 23 bent and arranged between the positive plate portion 21 and the negative plate portion 22. The plurality of connecting ribs 23 are sequentially spaced apart along the gap between the positive plate portion 21 and the negative plate portion 22. Specifically, the connecting ribs 23 are all arched, so that the tops of the connecting ribs 23 protrude above the first plane where the positive plate portion 21 and the negative plate portion 22 are located. Furthermore, the use of multiple connecting ribs 23 spaced apart in the conductive connection portion reduces the overall weight of the grid.

[0033] As another embodiment, the conductive connection portion may also be connected in the form of an arched connection piece. The shape of the conductive connection portion may be freely selected according to actual conditions and will not be described in detail here.

[0034] On the basis of the above-mentioned characteristic conductive connection part, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the minimum vertical distance between the connecting rib 23 and the side surface of the negative electrode plate 22 or the side surface of the positive electrode plate 21 is 5 mm. Specifically, the minimum vertical distance is the distance in a direction perpendicular to the first plane. Ensuring the vertical distance between the highest point of the connecting rib 23 and the first plane ensures that the electrolyte inside the battery does not cause cross-linking due to creep under the action of gravity, thereby improving the safety of the battery.

[0035] In order to ensure safety while reducing the space occupied by the grid, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the spacing between the positive plate 21 and the negative plate 22 is 2 mm to 4 mm, and the total length of the connecting ribs 23 is 18 mm to 22 cm. This ensures the conductivity of the connecting ribs 23 while minimizing the spacing between the positive plate 21 and the negative plate 22. This reduces the overall grid and battery length, increasing the battery's specific energy and power.

[0036] Some possible implementations, such as Figure 4 As shown, a hydrophobic layer 27 is also coated in the middle of the conductive connection portion, protruding from the surface of the conductive connection portion. A curable, sealing liquid material (plastic or resin) is evenly coated and cured on the raised portion of the conductive connection portion. This further utilizes the hydrophobic principle to prevent liquid from rising, thereby achieving ionic insulation and improving isolation.

[0037] On the basis of the above-mentioned characteristic conductive connection part, as Figure 4 As shown, the hydrophobic layer 27 is disposed around the entire circumference of the conductive connection portion and is made of a plastic or resin material. Specifically, the hydrophobic layer 27 can be heated to form a liquid, which is then applied to the highest point in the middle of the connecting rib 23. After the temperature drops, it hardens to form the hydrophobic layer 27. This further prevents the electrolyte from creeping along the conductive connection portion, thereby improving the isolation effect of the connecting rib 23.

[0038] Some possible implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, the positive electrode plate portion 21 includes a first grid portion and a positive electrode paste coated on the first grid portion, and the negative electrode plate portion 22 includes a second grid portion and a negative electrode paste coated on the second grid portion. Both the first and second grid portions include first ribs 24 and second ribs 25 intersecting the first ribs 24. Specifically, a main frame can be provided outside the first and second ribs 24, 25. Of course, the main frame can also be formed by the outermost first and second ribs 24, 25, which can provide greater strength to the first and second grid portions.

[0039] On the basis of the above-mentioned characteristic first grille portion and the first grille portion, as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the connecting ribs 23 are all arranged parallel to the first ribs 24, and the first ribs 24 and the connecting ribs 23 are integrally formed. Specifically, the connecting ribs 23 connect the first grille sections to form a whole. The first grille sections, the first grille sections, and the connecting ribs 23 can be stamped and formed as a whole, or the first grille sections can be separately formed and then the ends of the connecting ribs 23 are welded between the first grille sections. This can make the strength of the entire grid more solid and reliable, and also improve the conductivity of the connecting ribs 23.

[0040] Some possible implementations, such as Figure 3 As shown, a transition region 26 is provided at the end of the first grid portion near the second grid portion, and a transition region 26 is provided at the end of the second grid portion near the first grid portion, with the conductive connection portion located between the two transition regions 26. Specifically, by not applying positive or negative electrode paste to the transition region 26, the occurrence of creeping cross-linking between the first and second grid portions of the horizontal bipolar grid, which could cause a battery short circuit, can be further avoided, making the grid safer to use.

[0041] The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A lead-acid battery, characterized in that: include: A main housing, on which connection terminals are provided; a bipolar plate assembly disposed within the main housing, the bipolar plate assembly comprising a plurality of bipolar plates stacked in sequence, each bipolar plate comprising a positive plate portion, a negative plate portion disposed parallel to the positive plate portion, and a conductive connecting portion disposed between the positive plate portion and the negative plate portion; There are multiple positive electrode plates, which are interlaced with the negative electrode plates of the bipolar plate, and each of the positive electrode plates is provided with a connection end for connecting the positive electrode plate to a connection terminal; A plurality of negative electrode plates are arranged alternately with the positive electrode plates of the bipolar plate, and each negative electrode plate is provided with a connection end for connecting the negative electrode plate to a connection terminal; A plurality of separators are respectively arranged around the outside of the positive plate portion and the negative plate portion of the bipolar plate assembly, and the separators are also arranged around the outside of the positive plate and the negative plate; The middle portions of the conductive connecting portions are all protruded from the first plane in the same direction; A hydrophobic layer is further coated on the middle portion of the conductive connection portion, and the hydrophobic layer is arranged to protrude from the surface of the conductive connection portion.

2. The lead-acid battery according to claim 1, wherein There are multiple bipolar plate groups, and the multiple bipolar plate groups are arranged in sequence in the main shell. The positive plate portions of the bipolar plate groups and the negative plate portions of the adjacent bipolar plate groups are arranged alternately.

3. The lead-acid battery according to claim 2, wherein The first end of the conductive connection portion is connected to the side surface of the positive electrode plate portion, and the second end of the conductive connection portion is connected to the side surface of the negative electrode plate portion.

4. The lead-acid battery according to claim 3, wherein The conductive connection portion is a plurality of connection ribs bent between the positive electrode plate portion and the negative electrode plate portion, and the plurality of connection ribs are sequentially spaced apart from each other along the gap between the positive electrode plate portion and the negative electrode plate portion.

5. The lead-acid battery according to claim 4, wherein The minimum vertical distance between the connecting rib and the side surface of the negative electrode plate portion or the side surface of the positive electrode plate portion is 5 mm.

6. The lead-acid battery according to claim 4, wherein The hydrophobic layer is arranged around the entire circumference of the conductive connecting portion, and the hydrophobic layer is made of plastic material or resin material.

7. The lead-acid battery according to claim 6, wherein The positive electrode plate portion includes a first grid portion and a positive electrode paste coated on the first grid portion, the negative electrode plate portion includes a second grid portion and a negative electrode paste coated on the second grid portion, and the first grid portion and the first grid portion both include a first rib and a second rib arranged to intersect with the first rib.

8. The lead-acid battery according to claim 7, wherein The connecting ribs are all arranged parallel to the first ribs, and the first ribs and the connecting ribs are an integrally formed structure.

9. The lead-acid battery according to claim 8, wherein A transition region is provided at an end of the first grid portion close to the second grid portion, a transition region is provided at an end of the second grid portion close to the first grid portion, and the conductive connection portion is located between the two transition regions.

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