A device and method for conveniently measuring the amount of extracted acid of a single cell

Abstract

The application provides a device for conveniently measuring the amount of acid drawn from a single cell, comprising a plurality of single-cell acid drawing pipes, a flow collector, a flow collecting pipe, a gas guide block and a total acid drawing pipe, the flow collector is in one-to-one correspondence with the single-cell acid drawing pipes, the flow collecting pipe is in one-to-one correspondence with the flow collectors, the flow collector is in communication with the gas guide block, one end of the total acid drawing pipe is in communication with the gas guide block, and the other end is connected with a negative pressure source. The application also provides a method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid drawn from a single cell by using the device. The application can be used to simultaneously draw acid from multiple battery cells, and the remaining acid is quickly collected by the flow collector, so that the amount of acid drawn from a single cell is quickly measured, and the measurement accuracy is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery manufacturing, and more specifically, to a convenient device and method for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell. Background Technology

[0002] Lead-acid batteries used in electric vehicles are typically grouped into sets of four or five. Any single battery in a set can affect the consistency of the entire set. Each battery consists of six individual cells connected in series, and the saturation level of each cell directly impacts the consistency of the entire battery. If even one cell lags behind, the lifespan of the entire set will be affected. Therefore, during product development, batch testing, and mass production, the amount of acid extracted from each cell in the same batch is tracked, and data is collected for comparative analysis. Measuring the amount of acid extracted from each cell helps determine if there is insufficient or excessive acid, or if there are any issues with process control, ensuring consistency in the amount of acid extracted from each cell. Currently, the measurement of acid extraction from each cell during battery development, testing, and production involves using a handheld syringe to extract acid from each cell. Because an acid reservoir is placed above each cell during battery formation, the acid must be completely extracted from the reservoir before removing it to extract any remaining acid from the cell. Furthermore, a waiting interval is required between these two extraction steps, making the process complex and inaccurate. Utility model patent CN203406368U discloses an integrated acid extraction head for lead-acid batteries. This utility model improves production efficiency and ensures the consistency of acid extraction from individual cells within the battery. However, the amount of acid extracted from each cell cannot be measured, and the consistency of the extracted acid cannot be compared and analyzed, thus failing to meet the accurate data required in battery research and development, experimentation, and production. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Existing methods for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell are time-consuming, complex, and inaccurate. To overcome these shortcomings, this invention provides a convenient device and method for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell, which can quickly extract acid, improve extraction efficiency, and rapidly measure the amount of acid extracted from each battery cell.

[0004] The technical solution of this invention is: a device for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell, comprising several single-cell acid extraction tubes, a collector, a collector pipe, a gas guide block, and a main acid extraction tube. Each collector is connected to a single-cell acid extraction tube, and each collector is connected to a collector. The collector is also connected to the gas guide block. One end of the main acid extraction tube is connected to the gas guide block, and the other end is connected to a negative pressure source. The single-cell acid extraction tubes, collector, gas guide block, and main acid extraction tube are interconnected. When using this invention, the main acid extraction tube introduces negative pressure, which generates suction on the single-cell acid extraction tubes. The single-cell acid extraction tubes directly contact the filter screens within the single cell, thereby extracting residual acid from the upper part of the filter screens through negative pressure. This invention can simultaneously extract acid from multiple battery cells. The extracted acid is guided into a collector tube as it passes through the collector. A continuous negative pressure provides sustained suction, ensuring thorough collection by the collector tube. The volume of extracted acid from the corresponding battery cell can be obtained by measuring the volume collected in the collector tube, thus enabling rapid measurement of the acid extraction amount per cell. Therefore, this invention significantly improves the efficiency of extracting and collecting residual acid from battery cells and enhances measurement accuracy.

[0005] Preferably, the single-cell acid extraction tube is connected to the collector via a guide block and a transition tube, with the guide block connecting the single-cell acid extraction tube and the transition tube. The single-cell acid extraction tube and the collector form a gas-liquid pipeline via the guide block and the transition tube. The single-cell acid extraction tube generally needs to be inserted vertically into the battery cell, while the transition tube can shift the gas-liquid guiding direction to a horizontal direction, allowing for more convenient and flexible pipeline layout based on the experimental or production environment.

[0006] Preferably, the manifold is connected to the bottom of the collector. The extracted acid tends to fall to the bottom of the guide pipe under its own gravity. With the manifold connected to the bottom of the collector, the acid can be collected more thoroughly by means of the acid's own weight.

[0007] Preferably, the bottom of the collector is funnel-shaped. When the acid enters the collector, it is propelled by the lateral negative pressure airflow and its own gravity, causing the liquid to move in a parabolic motion. After impacting the inner wall of the collector, it flows to the bottom of the collector. The funnel-shaped bottom of the collector makes it easier for the acid to accumulate and be collected by the collecting tube, so that the residual acid in the battery cell can be collected more quickly and thoroughly, thereby improving the collection efficiency and metering accuracy of acid extraction from the cell.

[0008] Preferably, all individual acid extraction tubes are connected together using fasteners. After the length of each individual acid extraction tube is calibrated, it is fixed in place using fasteners, which ensures the consistency of the acid extraction surface height of each individual acid extraction tube.

[0009] Preferably, a pressure gauge is installed on the gas guide block. The acid extraction pressure must be controlled within a reasonable range. If the negative pressure is too high, it may rupture the baffle; if it is too low, it will result in incomplete extraction of residual acid. The pressure gauge is used to monitor the negative pressure value during acid extraction to ensure that the acid extraction process is carried out under the specified process conditions.

[0010] Preferably, the current collector and the current collector are connected by threads. Acid removal from the battery products is also required during the production process. The current collector and the current collector are detachably connected by threads, allowing this device to be used in the production process as well. Simply unscrew the current collector and plug the lower part of the current collector with a stopcock, and it can be used in the production process, achieving precise, fast, and convenient acid removal from the battery. This saves manpower and resources in the acid removal process, greatly improves the efficiency of acid removal, and shortens the production cycle.

[0011] A method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell using the aforementioned convenient measuring device includes the following steps: Step 1. Check the device for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell to ensure that the device is in normal working order and to reduce errors in subsequent work. Step 2. Negative pressure calibration: Connect the main acid extraction pipe to an external negative pressure source and extract air. Adjust the acid extraction negative pressure to the process range of -0.06 to -0.08 MPa according to the pressure gauge reading. Step 3. After the battery under test reaches the acid extraction time required by the battery formation process, insert the single-cell acid extraction tubes into the battery cells of the battery under test one by one, and pass the single-cell acid extraction tubes through the acid pot on the battery cell vertically to the bottom of the battery cell, and press against the filter screen on the electrode plate. Step 4. Apply negative pressure and begin acid extraction. Extract acid for 4-6 seconds, then shake the single-cell extraction tube for 2-4 seconds. Step 5. Pull out the single-cell acid extraction tube, read the volume of acid collected in the current collector tube, and obtain the amount of acid extracted from each cell of the battery under test.

[0012] Compared to existing acid extraction methods, this method can achieve rapid acid extraction, rapid measurement, and accurate measurement, thereby achieving the goal of convenient measurement of the amount of acid extracted from a single cell.

[0013] As a preferred method, the negative pressure value of the pressure gauge should be monitored during the acid extraction process to ensure that the negative pressure value is within the process range. Excessive negative pressure leading to excessive acid extraction can result in acid shortage and low saturation, making the battery prone to thermal runaway; conversely, insufficient negative pressure leading to insufficient acid extraction can result in excessive acid and high saturation, making oxygen recombination within the battery difficult and thus rapidly reducing the battery's cycle life.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are: This invention improves acid extraction efficiency and enables rapid measurement of acid extraction volume per cell. Multiple battery cells can be simultaneously extracted, and residual acid is quickly collected via a current collector, thus achieving rapid measurement of acid extraction volume per cell.

[0015] Accurate measurement. Using this invention, residual acid extracted can be fully collected, improving measurement accuracy. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the disassembled structure of the current collector and current collector tube in this invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the present invention on the pallet; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of the present invention on the pallet from another perspective.

[0017] In the diagram, 1-single-cell acid extraction pipe, 2-fixed component, 3-transition pipe, 4-guide block, 5-collector, 6-collector pipe, 7-air guide block, 8-main acid extraction pipe, 9-pressure gauge, 10-secondary transition pipe, 11-support plate, 12-metering device platform, 13-column, 14-top beam, 15-slide groove, 16-slider, 17-collector fixing frame, 18-collector baffle, 19-lifting screw, 20-pressure plate. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0019] Example 1: like Figures 1 to 4As shown, a convenient device for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell includes six single-cell acid extraction tubes 1, six collectors 5, six collector pipes 6, a hollow air guide block 7, and a main acid extraction tube 8. All single-cell acid extraction tubes 1 pass through a fixing member 2. Bolts are installed on both sides of the fixing member 2 to tighten the single-cell acid extraction tubes 1, connecting them to the fixing member 2. Each collector 5 is connected to a single-cell acid extraction tube 1, and each collector pipe 6 is connected to a collector 5. Each collector 5 is connected to the air guide block 7. One end of the main acid extraction tube 8 is connected to the air guide block 7, and the other end is connected to a negative pressure source. Two small holes are provided at the bottom of each single-cell acid extraction tube 1 near the tube opening to prevent the tube opening from being blocked by the cell separators or filter screens during acid extraction. Each single-cell acid extraction tube 1 is connected to the collectors 5 via guide blocks 4 and transition pipes 3. There is one guide block 4 and six transition pipes 3. The guide block 4 connects the single-cell acid extraction tube 1 and the transition tube 3. The guide block 4 contains six L-shaped air channels, with two ports on the bottom and side surfaces of each channel. The single-cell acid extraction tube 1 is threaded to the L-shaped air channel port on the bottom surface of the guide block 4. One end of the transition tube 3 is threaded to the L-shaped air channel port on the side surface of the guide block 4, and the other end is inserted into the collector 5 to connect with it. All connections are sealed and reinforced with glue to prevent acid and gas leakage. The collector tube 6 is threaded to the bottom of the collector 5. The collector tube 6 is a transparent tube with graduations on its outer wall for easy reading. The bottom of the collector 5 is funnel-shaped. A secondary transition tube 10 is inserted into the collector 5, and the secondary transition tube 10 is connected to the air guide block 7. The connections between the collector 5, the secondary transition tube 10, and the air guide block 7 are sealed and reinforced with glue. A pressure gauge 9 is installed on the air guide block 7. The negative pressure source is an independent vacuum pump or a vacuum distribution interface in a utility workshop.

[0020] This convenient device for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell is installed on a metering platform 12. The metering platform 12 is equipped with casters for easy and flexible movement. A gantry support consisting of a column 13 and a top beam 14 is mounted on the metering platform 12. A sliding groove 15 is provided on the column 13, and a slider 16 is installed within the groove 15. The slider 16 is fixedly connected to a support plate 11. A collector mounting bracket 17 is mounted on the support plate 11 via a pair of fasteners, including bolts and wing nuts. Both the support plate 11 and the collector mounting bracket 17 have bolt holes with a diameter larger than the bolt diameter, allowing the bolt to pass through the holes. Under normal conditions, the wing nuts are tightened with the bolts, pressing the support plate 11 and the collector mounting bracket 17 tightly together. The front part of the collector mounting bracket 17 has a collector recess with inclined walls that match the angle of the inclined surface at the bottom of the collector 5. Collector baffles 18 are provided at both ends of the collector slot, and the collector baffles 18 are fixed to the collector mounting bracket 17 by bolts. A nut seat is welded and fixed to the center of the rear edge of the support plate 11. A lifting screw 19, which is threaded into the nut seat, is threaded through the nut seat. The lifting screw 19 is located between the two columns 13, and its two ends are rotatably connected to the top beam 14 and the metering device platform 12, respectively. A worm gear is keyed to the bottom of the lifting screw 19. The worm gear meshes with a manual worm gear. The manual worm gear is mounted on the metering device platform 12 through a worm gear seat, and a crank is keyed to the end of the manual worm gear.

[0021] The collector 5 is embedded in the collector slot, and then a pressure plate 20 is fixed to the top of the two collector baffles 18 with bolts. The pressure plate 20 presses the top of the collector 5, thereby reliably fixing the entire device for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell. When the crank is turned, the manual worm gear rotates, driving the worm wheel, which in turn drives the lifting screw 19. The lifting screw 19 drives the collector fixing frame 17 and even the device for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell fixed on the collector fixing frame 17 to adjust the height, so as to complete the relevant operations in the acid extraction process.

[0022] A method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell using the aforementioned convenient measuring device includes the following steps: Step 1. Install the convenient device for measuring the amount of acid extracted per cell. Inspect the device to ensure it is in normal working order and to reduce errors during subsequent operations. Inspection items include the alignment of the inlet of the single-cell acid extraction tube 1 and whether the pressure gauge 9 returns to zero when not connected to the gas line. To check the alignment of the inlet of the single-cell acid extraction tube 1, hold the entire convenient device for measuring the amount of acid extracted per cell vertically downwards against a horizontal reference surface. In this embodiment, the horizontal reference surface is a dedicated calibration platform. During inspection, turn the crank handle to lower the device until the single-cell acid extraction tube 1 touches the horizontal reference surface. Observe whether all the inlets of the single-cell acid extraction tube 1 are in contact with the horizontal reference surface. If any single-cell acid extraction tube 1 is too long or too short, causing unevenness in the inlets of all single-cell acid extraction tubes 1, replace the defective single-cell acid extraction tube 1 promptly. If the pressure gauge 9 reading does not return to zero, further check whether the negative pressure pipeline is properly closed and whether the pressure gauge 9 itself is faulty. Step 2. Negative pressure calibration: Connect the main acid extraction pipe 8 to the external negative pressure source and extract air. Observe whether the reading of pressure gauge 9 reaches the process range of negative pressure for acid extraction of -0.06 to -0.08 MPa. If the negative pressure value displayed by pressure gauge 9 is not within this range, make necessary adjustments to the pressure reducing valve on the negative pressure source distribution pipeline. Step 3. When the battery under test reaches the acid extraction time required by the battery formation process, that is, after the charging, capacity test and discharge process is completed in the battery formation stage, and after the acid extraction process begins, push the metering device platform 12 in front of the test tank where the battery under test is placed, rotate the crank handle to lower the current collector fixing frame 17, and then insert the single cell acid extraction tube 1 into the battery cell of the battery under test one by one. Pass the single cell acid extraction tube 1 through the acid pot on the battery cell and vertically reach the bottom of the battery cell, and abut against the filter screen on the electrode plate. Step 4. Activate the negative pressure and begin acid extraction for 5 seconds, then shake the single-cell acid extraction tube for 3 seconds. The single-cell acid extraction tube 1 directly extracts the residual acid from the battery cell. The extracted acid passes through the guide block 4 and the transition tube 3 to the current collector 5, and is then guided by the current collector 5 to the current collector tube 6 for full collection. During the acid extraction process, monitor the negative pressure value of the pressure gauge 9 to ensure that the negative pressure value is within the process range. When shaking, first loosen the butterfly nut appropriately so that the current collector fixing bracket 17 can slide relative to the support plate 11, thereby allowing the single-cell acid extraction tube 1 to move within the battery cell and be slightly tilted and shaken to increase the acid extraction coverage area and prevent excessive acid residue. Step 5. Pull out the single-cell acid extraction tube 1, read the volume of acid collected in the current collector tube 6, and obtain the amount of acid extracted from each cell of the battery under test.

[0023] Example 2: There are eight single-cell acid extraction tubes 1, eight current collectors 5, and eight current collector tubes 6 to accommodate eight single-cell batteries. The rest is the same as in Example 1.

[0024] In step four, aspirate acid for 4 seconds, then shake the single-cell aspirate tube for 4 seconds. The rest is the same as in Example 1.

[0025] Example 3: In step four, aspirate acid for 6 seconds, then shake the single-cell aspiration tube for 2 seconds. The rest is the same as in Example 1.

Claims

1. A convenient method for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell, comprising a device for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell, the device including a plurality of single-cell acid extraction pipes, a collector, a manifold, a gas guide block, and a main acid extraction pipe, wherein the collector is connected to each single-cell acid extraction pipe in a one-to-one correspondence, the manifold is connected to the collector in a one-to-one correspondence, the collector is connected to the gas guide block, one end of the main acid extraction pipe is connected to the gas guide block, and the other end is connected to a negative pressure source, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1. Check the device for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell to ensure that the device is in normal working order and to reduce errors in subsequent work. Step 2. Negative pressure calibration: Connect the main acid extraction pipe to an external negative pressure source and extract air. Adjust the acid extraction negative pressure to the process range of -0.06 to -0.08 MPa according to the pressure gauge reading. Step 3. After the battery under test reaches the acid extraction time required by the battery formation process, insert the single-cell acid extraction tubes into the battery cells of the battery under test one by one, and pass the single-cell acid extraction tubes through the acid pot on the battery cell vertically to the bottom of the battery cell, and press against the filter screen on the electrode plate. Step 4. Apply negative pressure and begin acid extraction. Extract acid for 4-6 seconds, then shake the single-cell extraction tube for 2-4 seconds. Step 5. Pull out the single-cell acid extraction tube, read the volume of acid collected in the current collector tube, and obtain the amount of acid extracted from each cell of the battery under test.

2. The method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The single-cell acid extraction tube is connected to the collector via a guide block and a transition tube. The guide block is connected between the single-cell acid extraction tube and the transition tube.

3. The method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The collector pipe is connected to the bottom of the collector.

4. The method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the collector is funnel-shaped.

5. The method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: All individual acid extraction tubes are connected together by fasteners.

6. The method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: A pressure gauge is installed on the air guide block.

7. The convenient method for measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The manifold and the collector are connected by threads.

8. The method for conveniently measuring the amount of acid extracted from a single cell according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the acid extraction process, monitor the negative pressure value of the pressure gauge to ensure that the negative pressure value is within the process range.

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