Battery cover and method of manufacturing battery cover

Abstract

To provide a battery cover that can be easily assembled and a method of manufacturing a battery cover.SOLUTION: A battery cover 3 includes a resin lid body 30 and conductive insert components 81, 82 that penetrate the lid body 30 and are embedded in the lid body 30. A method for manufacturing a battery cover includes a step of preparing a resin lid body having a through hole, and a step of hot-pressing conductive insert components into the through hole of the lid body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery lid and a method for making a battery lid. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a lead-acid battery that includes a power generating element, a battery case that houses the power generating element, an electrolyte that is housed in the battery case, a lid member that seals the battery case, a cylindrical bushing embedded in the lid member, and a terminal portion that is connected to the power generating element and includes a pole that is located inside the bushing. Patent Document 2 discloses a terminal structure for a storage battery. In the terminal structure for a storage battery disclosed in Patent Document 2, a bushing is embedded in a battery container lid. Patent Documents 3 and 4 disclose battery structures for suppressing leakage of electrolyte. The batteries disclosed in Patent Documents 3 and 4 include a housing with a through hole formed therein, a conductive rod having a rod portion and a flange portion, the rod portion being inserted into the through hole, a fastening member for fastening the conductive rod to the housing, and an annular seal member disposed between the flange portion of the conductive rod and the housing. The seal member of Patent Document 3 includes an elastic member exposed on the inner circumferential side of the seal member, and a holding member for holding at least a part of the elastic member from the outer circumferential side of the seal member. The battery structure of Patent Document 4 further includes a first adhesive that contacts the seal member between the cover member and the flange portion of the conductive rod, and a second adhesive disposed between the fastening member and the rod portion of the conductive rod. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-135804 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2014-7076 A [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2021-15709 [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 2021-48035 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The storage battery includes a battery case, a lid that closes the opening of the battery case, and an electrode member disposed in the battery case. The electrode member is electrically connected to a conductor that penetrates the lid. For example, in the battery structure described in Patent Documents 3 and 4, a conductive rod having a rod portion and a flange portion is inserted into a through hole formed in the lid. A seal member is provided between the flange portion and the lid to prevent the electrolyte in the battery case from leaking out of the battery case. However, such a structure has a large number of parts and is complicated, and it takes time to assemble the battery.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a battery lid that can be easily assembled and a method for manufacturing a battery lid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] The battery lid according to the present disclosure comprises a resin lid body and a conductive insert part that penetrates the lid body and is embedded in the lid body.

[0007] The storage battery lid of [1] above includes a conductive insert part as a conductor penetrating the lid body. The insert part penetrates the resin lid body and is embedded in the lid body. When manufacturing this storage battery lid, the assembly of the conductor and the lid body is completed simply by pressing the insert part into the through hole formed in the lid body. Therefore, the assembly can be simplified and the time required for assembling the storage battery can be shortened.

[0008] [2] In the above-mentioned storage battery cover [1], the insert part may be cylindrical with one end on the battery case side closed. By making the insert part cylindrical, the amount of material required to form the insert part can be reduced, and costs can be reduced. In addition, by closing the one end on the battery case side, leakage of the electrolyte in the battery case to the outside of the battery case can be suppressed, and a surface for conductive bonding with the electrode member can be provided.

[0009] [3] In the storage battery lid of [1] or [2] above, the lid has a first surface located inside the battery case and a second surface located outside the battery case, the insert part penetrates from the second surface to the first surface, and the lid has a portion formed around the insert part on the second surface and made of the same material as the constituent material of the lid, and the portion may be raised relative to the area around the portion on the second surface. When the insert part is heat-pressed into the lid, the resin of the lid located around the insert part melts, and the molten resin overflows onto the second surface and then hardens. Therefore, the configuration of [3] above indicates that the insert part is heat-pressed into the lid. And, by heat-pressing the insert part into the lid, the lid is in close contact with the insert part, so that leakage of the electrolyte in the battery case to the outside of the battery case can be more effectively suppressed.

[0010] [4] The manufacturing method for a storage battery lid according to the present disclosure includes a step of preparing a resin lid body having a through hole, and a step of hot-pressing a conductive insert part into the through hole of the lid body. According to this manufacturing method, the assembly of the conductor and the lid body is completed by simply pressing the insert part into the through hole of the lid body. Therefore, the assembly can be simplified, and the time required for assembling the storage battery can be shortened. In addition, by hot-pressing the insert part into the lid body, the lid body is in close contact with the insert part, so that leakage of the electrolyte in the battery case to the outside of the battery case can be suppressed.

[0011] [5] In the manufacturing method for a battery lid described in [4] above, the lid body has a first surface located inside the battery case and a second surface located outside the battery case, the through hole penetrates from the second surface to the first surface, and in the hot pressing step, the molten resin may overflow onto the second surface and then solidify. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The battery lid and the method for manufacturing the battery lid according to the present disclosure allow for easy assembly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a nickel-zinc battery according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the structure of a nickel-zinc battery. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VI-VI shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV shown in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the insert part. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the peripheral structure of the insert part. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing a nickel-zinc battery. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional storage battery lid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Unless otherwise specified, the materials exemplified in this specification may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, and can be practiced with various modifications within the scope of the gist. The sizes of the components in each figure are conceptual, and the relative relationship of the sizes between the components is not limited to those shown in each figure.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a nickel-zinc battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II shown in FIG. 1. The nickel-zinc battery 1 is an example of a storage battery of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the nickel-zinc battery 1 includes a battery case 2, a battery cover 3, an electrode plate group 4 as an electrode member housed in the battery case 2, and an electrolyte 5. The nickel-zinc battery 1 may be either formed or unformed. When the nickel-zinc battery 1 is an unformed nickel-zinc battery, the electrode plate group 4 is an unformed electrode, and when the nickel-zinc battery 1 is a formed nickel-zinc battery, the electrode plate group 4 is a formed electrode.

[0016] The battery container 2 contains the electrolytic solution 5. The electrolytic solution 5 contains, for example, a solvent and an electrolyte. Examples of the solvent include water (e.g., ion-exchanged water). Examples of the electrolyte include basic compounds, such as alkali metal hydroxides, such as potassium hydroxide (KOH), sodium hydroxide (NaOH), and lithium hydroxide (LiOH). The electrolytic solution 5 may contain components other than the solvent and electrolyte, such as potassium phosphate, potassium fluoride, potassium carbonate, sodium phosphate, sodium fluoride, zinc oxide, antimony oxide, titanium dioxide, a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and the like.

[0017] The electrode plate group 4 is disposed in the battery container 2 and immersed in the electrolyte 5 in the battery container 2. The electrode plate group 4 includes a plurality of negative electrode plates 41, a plurality of positive electrode plates 42, and a plurality of separators 45. The negative electrode plates 41 and the positive electrode plates 42 are alternately stacked in the plate thickness direction. Each of the plurality of separators 45 is provided between the negative electrode plate 41 and the positive electrode plate 42. The plurality of negative electrode plates 41 and the plurality of positive electrode plates 42 may be connected to each other, for example, by a strap. The separator 45 has a shape such as a flat plate or a sheet. Examples of the separator 45 include a polyolefin-based microporous membrane, a nylon-based microporous membrane, an oxidation-resistant ion-exchange resin membrane, a cellophane-based regenerated resin membrane, an inorganic-organic separator, and a polyolefin-based nonwoven fabric.

[0018] The negative electrode plate 41 has a current collector and a negative electrode material supported by the current collector. The current collector of the negative electrode plate 41 constitutes a conductive path for current from the negative electrode material. The positive electrode plate 42 has a current collector and a positive electrode material supported by the current collector. The current collector of the positive electrode plate 42 constitutes a conductive path for current from the positive electrode material. Each current collector of the negative electrode plate 41 and the positive electrode plate 42 has a shape such as a flat plate or a sheet. These current collectors may be current collectors having a three-dimensional mesh structure constituted by foamed metal, expanded metal, punched metal, felt-like material of metal fiber, etc. Examples of materials constituting the current collectors include platinum; nickel (foamed nickel, etc.); and metal materials (copper, brass, steel, etc.) plated with metal such as tin or nickel.

[0019] The negative electrode material contains a negative electrode active material containing zinc. Examples of the negative electrode active material include metallic zinc, zinc oxide, and zinc hydroxide. For example, the negative electrode material contains metallic zinc in a fully charged state, and contains zinc oxide and zinc hydroxide in an end-of-discharge state. The negative electrode active material may be, for example, in a particulate form, and may contain metallic zinc particles, zinc oxide particles, zinc hydroxide particles, and the like.

[0020] The positive electrode material contains a positive electrode active material containing nickel. Examples of the positive electrode active material include nickel oxyhydroxide (NiOOH) and nickel hydroxide. The positive electrode material contains, for example, nickel oxyhydroxide in a fully charged state and nickel hydroxide in an end-of-discharge state. The content of the positive electrode active material may be, for example, within a range of 50% by mass to 95% by mass based on the total mass of the positive electrode material.

[0021] The battery lid 3 has a lid body 30 and insert parts 81 and 82 (see FIG. 1). The lid body 30 is made of resin and closes the opening of the battery case 2. The lid body 30 seals the opening of the battery case 2 watertightly. The lid body 30 has a first surface 31 and a second surface 32. The first surface 31 is located inside the battery case 2 and faces the electrode plate group 4 and the electrolyte 5. The second surface 32 is a surface facing away from the first surface 31 and is located outside the battery case 2. In one example, the second surface 32 is parallel to the first surface 31.

[0022] The insert parts 81 and 82 are cylindrical members and penetrate the lid body 30 from the second surface 32 to the first surface 31. The insert parts 81 and 82 are conductive members, for example, made of metal. The insert parts 81 and 82 are, for example, insert nuts. The insert parts 81 and 82 are integrated with the lid body 30 by being hot-pressed into the through holes of the lid body 30. The insert part 81 is electrically connected to the multiple negative electrode plates 41 by a structure described later. The insert part 82 is electrically connected to the multiple positive electrode plates 42 by a structure described later. Examples of the material of the insert parts 81 and 82 include brass, aluminum, copper, and iron. The material of the insert part 81 may be the same as or different from the material of the insert part 82. In one embodiment, the material of the insert part 81 connected to the negative electrode plate 41 is copper, and the material of the insert part 82 connected to the positive electrode plate 42 is brass.

[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the structure of the nickel-zinc battery 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cover 30 has two through holes 33, 34 penetrating between the first surface 31 and the second surface 32. The shape of the through holes 33, 34 in a cross section perpendicular to the penetrating direction is, for example, circular. The through holes 33, 34 are formed side by side in a direction along the upper sides of the negative electrode plate 41 and the positive electrode plate 42. The through hole 33 is formed near one end of the cover 30 in the same direction. The through hole 34 is formed near the other end of the cover 30 in the same direction. Around the through hole 33 in the first surface 31, a recess 331 (see FIG. 4) recessed with respect to other parts of the first surface 31 is formed. Around through hole 34 in first surface 31, there is formed a recess 341 (see FIG. 5) that is recessed with respect to other portions of first surface 31. The planar shape of recesses 331, 341 is, for example, a square or rectangle. Around through hole 33 in second surface 32, there is formed a recessed countersunk portion 332. Around through hole 34 in second surface 32, there is formed a recessed countersunk portion 342. The planar shape of countersunk portions 332, 342 is, for example, a circle.

[0024] The insert parts 81 and 82 are inserted through the through holes 33 and 34, respectively, to penetrate the lid 30 from the second surface 32 to the first surface 31, and are embedded in the lid 30. The insert parts 81 and 82 are tubular and extend in the axial direction, with one end on the battery case 2 side closed. That is, the insert parts 81 and 82 have, for example, a cylindrical tubular portion 83 and a bottom plate 84 provided to close one end of the tubular portion 83. The outer diameter of the tubular portion 83 is constant along the axial direction (press-fit direction) of the insert parts 81 and 82, except for a concave-convex processed portion 87 described later. The inner diameter of the tubular portion 83 is also constant along the axial direction of the insert parts 81 and 82. The bottom plate 84 has an end face 85 facing the electrode plate group 4. In one example, the end face 85 is flat. The normal direction of each end face 85 of the insert parts 81, 82 coincides with the axial direction of each insert part 81, 82. In order to reduce the risk of the electrolyte 5 leaking out of the battery container 2, the end face 85 is located above the liquid level of the electrolyte 5 (closer to the second surface 32).

[0025] The insert parts 81 and 82 have a flange portion 86 at the other end opposite to the one end. The outer diameter of the flange portion 86 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 83. The flange portion 86 of the insert part 81 abuts against the counterbore portion 332, and the flange portion 86 of the insert part 82 abuts against the counterbore portion 342. The planar shape of the flange portion 86 as viewed in the axial direction of the insert parts 81 and 82 is, for example, annular. The flange portion 86 each has a circular opening that communicates with the cylindrical portion 83.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a side view of the insert parts 81, 82. As shown in FIG. 6, the insert parts 81, 82 have one or more unevenly processed portions 87 on the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 83. In the illustrated example, three unevenly processed portions 87 are lined up along the axial direction. Each unevenly processed portion 87 extends in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 83. The unevenly processed portion 87 is, for example, a knurled portion. Although FIGS. 4 to 6 show an example in which the unevenly processed portion 87 protrudes outward from other portions of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 83, the unevenly processed portion 87 may be substantially flush with other portions of the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 83.

[0027] 4 and 5 again. The lid 30 has portions 35 and 36 made of the same material as the constituent material of the lid 30, which are formed around the insert parts 81 and 82 on the second surface 32. The portion 35 is a portion formed by solidifying after the molten resin overflows onto the second surface 32 when the insert part 81 is heat-pressed into the through hole 33. Therefore, the portion 35 is raised relative to the area around the portion 35 on the second surface 32. Similarly, the portion 36 is a portion formed by solidifying after the molten resin overflows onto the second surface 32 when the insert part 82 is heat-pressed into the through hole 34. Therefore, the portion 36 is raised relative to the area around the portion 36 on the second surface 32. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the peripheral structure of the insert parts 81 and 82. As shown in FIG. 7, the portions 35 and 36 each extend in an annular shape so as to surround the flange portion 86 of the insert parts 81 and 82. The planar shape of the portions 35 and 36 is not limited to this example, and may be formed in only a portion or a plurality of portions of the annular region surrounding the flange portion 86, for example.

[0028] 3 to 5 are referred to again. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the negative electrode plates 41 has a tab 43 protruding toward the lid 30. The tabs 43 of the negative electrode plates 41 overlap each other in the plate thickness direction of the electrode plate group 4. Similarly, each of the positive electrode plates 42 has a tab 44 protruding toward the lid 30. The tabs 44 of the positive electrode plates 42 overlap each other in the plate thickness direction of the electrode plate group 4. In the figure, a through hole 431 that communicates between the tabs 43 of the negative electrode plates 41 and a through hole 441 that communicates between the tabs 44 of the positive electrode plates 42 are shown, but the through holes 431 and 441 may be omitted.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the nickel-zinc battery 1 further includes conductive bonding materials 61 and 62, brackets 71 and 72, and resin coatings 91 and 92.

[0030] The conductive bonding material 61 is disposed in the gaps between the tabs 43 of the negative electrode plates 41 and contacts the tabs 43, thereby conductively bonding the tabs 43 together with low resistance. The conductive bonding material 61 is disposed so as to cover the entirety of the tabs 43 of the negative electrode plates 41. The conductive bonding material 62 is disposed in the gaps between the positive electrode plates 42 and contacts the tabs 44, thereby conductively bonding the tabs 44 together with low resistance. The conductive bonding materials 61 and 62 mainly contain metal and are melted or sintered at a relatively low temperature (for example, 300° C. or lower). In one example, each of the conductive bonding materials 61 and 62 contains at least one material of solder and conductive paste. The solder mainly contains, for example, AuSn. The conductive paste is, for example, a metal paste, and in one example, a silver paste.

[0031] The brackets 71 and 72 are hollow containers having an opening 73. The bracket 71 is disposed between the cover 30 and the tabs 43 of the negative electrode plates 41, and covers the tabs 43 of the negative electrode plates 41. The bracket 71 is configured to collectively receive the tabs 43 of the negative electrode plates 41 from the opening 73. The bracket 72 is disposed between the cover 30 and the tabs 44 of the positive electrode plates 42, and covers the tabs 44 of the positive electrode plates 42. The bracket 72 is configured to collectively receive the tabs 44 of the positive electrode plates 42 from the opening 73. In one example, the brackets 71 and 72 are shaped like a box having a bottom plate 74 and a side plate 75.

[0032] The brackets 71, 72 are conductive. The brackets 71, 72 are made of, for example, a metal. Examples of the material of the brackets 71, 72 include platinum, nickel (foamed nickel, etc.), and metal materials (copper, brass, steel, etc.) plated with metal such as tin or nickel. The material of the brackets 71, 72 may be the same as the material of the current collectors of the negative electrode plate 41 and the positive electrode plate 42. The conductive bonding materials 61, 62 are disposed in the brackets 71, 72, respectively, and are in contact with the inner surfaces of the brackets 71, 72, respectively, and are thus electrically connected to the brackets 71, 72 with low resistance.

[0033] An upper portion of bracket 71 (bottom plate 74 and its vicinity) is accommodated in recess 331. An upper portion of bracket 72 (bottom plate 74 and its vicinity) is accommodated in recess 341. The width of brackets 71 and 72 is larger than the inner diameter of through holes 33 and 34.

[0034] The insert part 81 is electrically connected to the tabs 43 of the multiple negative electrode plates 41 via the bracket 71 and the conductive bonding material 61. In one example, the insert part 81 is conductively joined to the bottom plate 74 of the bracket 71 at its lower end (end surface 85). The conductive joining is, for example, welding. Similarly, the insert part 82 is electrically connected to the tabs 44 of the multiple positive electrode plates 42 via the bracket 72 and the conductive bonding material 62. In one example, the insert part 82 is conductively joined to the bottom plate 74 of the bracket 72 at its lower end (end surface 85). The conductive joining is, for example, welding.

[0035] The resin coating 91 covers the surface of the conductive bonding material 61 that is not in contact with either the bracket 71 or the tab 43. Similarly, the resin coating 92 covers the surface of the conductive bonding material 62 that is not in contact with either the bracket 72 or the tab 44. The resin coatings 91 and 92 are made of a resin material such as a modified silicone or fluorine resin.

[0036] A method for manufacturing the nickel-zinc battery 1 described above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for manufacturing the nickel-zinc battery 1. First, in step ST1, the storage battery lid 3 is manufactured. Specifically, in step ST11 included in step ST1, a resin lid body 30 having through holes 33, 34 is prepared. In this step, the lid body 30 is formed by, for example, injection molding using a metal mold. Next, in step ST12 included in step ST1, the insert parts 81, 82 are hot-pressed into the through holes 33, 34 of the lid body 30. At this time, the insert parts 81, 82 are press-fitted from the second surface 32 side of the lid body 30 toward the first surface 31 side. In this step ST12, the molten resin overflows onto the second surface 32 and then solidifies, forming the portions 35, 36. Also, at this time, the countersunk portions 332, 342 accommodate a part of the overflowing resin, so that the range over which the resin overflows (the outer diameter of the portions 35, 36) can be reduced.

[0037] Next, in step ST2, the brackets 71 and 72 are electrically connected to the insert parts 81 and 82, respectively. Note that step ST2 may be performed before step ST1. In step ST2, for example, the brackets 71 and 72 are joined to the insert parts 81 and 82, respectively, by welding.

[0038] Next, in step ST3, the tabs 43 of the negative electrode plates 41 are immersed in a liquid conductive bonding material 61, and the tabs 44 of the positive electrode plates 42 are immersed in a liquid conductive bonding material 62. Then, the conductive bonding materials 61, 62 are solidified. When the conductive bonding materials 61, 62 are solder, the molten solder is solidified by naturally or forcibly cooling. When the conductive bonding materials 61, 62 are conductive paste, the liquid conductive paste is sintered to solidify.

[0039] Next, in step ST4, the electrode plate group 4 is placed in the battery case 2 and immersed in the electrolyte 5, while the opening of the battery case 2 is closed with the lid body 30 of the battery lid 3, thereby assembling the battery lid 3 and the battery case 2. Through the above steps, the nickel-zinc battery 1 of this embodiment is completed.

[0040] The effects obtained by the storage battery lid 3 of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described together with the problems of the conventional structure. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a conventional storage battery lid 100. The conventional storage battery lid 100 includes a housing 101 having a through hole 102, a conductive rod 103 having a rod portion 104 and a flange portion 105, the rod portion 104 being inserted into the through hole 102, a washer 106 and a fastening member 107 fastening the conductive rod 103 to the housing 101, and an annular seal member 108 disposed between the flange portion 105 of the conductive rod 103 and the housing 101. The seal member 108 includes an elastic member 109 exposed on the inner circumferential side of the seal member 108, and an adhesive 110 provided on the outer circumferential side of the seal member 108. This structure prevents the electrolyte in the battery container from leaking out of the battery container. However, this structure has a large number of parts, making the structure complicated, and it takes time to assemble the battery.

[0041] In contrast, the storage battery lid 3 according to this embodiment includes conductive insert parts 81, 82 as a conductor penetrating the lid body 30. The insert parts 81, 82 penetrate the resin lid body 30 and are embedded in the lid body 30. When manufacturing this storage battery lid 3, the assembly of the conductor and the lid body 30 is completed simply by press-fitting the insert parts 81, 82 into the through holes 33, 34 formed in the lid body 30. This simplifies the assembly and shortens the time required to assemble the nickel-zinc battery 1.

[0042] As in this embodiment, the insert parts 81, 82 may have a cylindrical shape with one end on the side of the battery case 2 closed. By making the insert parts 81, 82 cylindrical, the amount of material required to form the insert parts 81, 82 can be reduced, thereby reducing costs. In addition, by closing one end on the side of the battery case 2, leakage of the electrolyte 5 in the battery case 2 to the outside of the battery case 2 can be suppressed, and a flat end surface 85 for conductively joining the negative electrode plate 41 and the positive electrode plate 42 can be provided.

[0043] As in this embodiment, the lid body 30 may have portions 35, 36 formed around the insert parts 81, 82 on the second surface 32, respectively, and made of the same material as the constituent material of the lid body 30. And, those portions 35, 36 may be raised with respect to the areas of the second surface 32 located around those portions 35, 36. As described above, when the insert parts 81, 82 are thermally press-fitted into the lid body 30, the resin of the lid body 30 located around the insert parts 81, 82 melts, and the molten resin overflows onto the second surface 32 and then hardens. Therefore, the portions 35, 36 indicate that the insert parts 81, 82 are thermally press-fitted into the lid body 30. And, by thermally press-fitting the insert parts 81, 82 into the lid body 30, the lid body 30 is in close contact with the insert parts 81, 82, so that leakage of the electrolyte 5 in the battery case 2 to the outside of the battery case 2 can be more effectively suppressed. In addition, by forming the portions 35 and 36 around the insert components 81 and 82, respectively, the portions 35 and 36 function as a sealant, and leakage of the electrolyte 5 to the outside of the battery container 2 can be further suppressed.

[0044] Moreover, according to the manufacturing method of this embodiment, the assembly of the conductor and the lid body 30 is completed simply by press-fitting the insert parts 81, 82 into the through holes 33, 34 of the lid body 30, respectively. This simplifies the assembly, and shortens the time required to assemble the nickel-zinc battery 1. In addition, by hot-pressing the insert parts 81, 82 into the lid body 30, the molten resin of the lid body 30 adheres closely to the insert parts 81, 82, so that leakage of the electrolyte 5 to the outside of the battery container 2 can be suppressed.

[0045] The nickel-zinc battery 1 in which the positive electrode plate 42 is a nickel electrode has been described above, but the storage battery of the present disclosure may be another zinc battery, for example, an air-zinc battery in which the positive electrode is an air electrode, or a silver-zinc battery in which the positive electrode is a silver oxide electrode. As the silver oxide electrode of the silver-zinc battery, a known silver oxide electrode used in a silver-zinc battery may be used. The silver oxide electrode includes, for example, silver (I) oxide. As the air electrode of the air-zinc battery, a known air electrode used in an air-zinc battery may be used. The air electrode includes, for example, an air electrode catalyst, an electron conductive material, etc. As the air electrode catalyst, an air electrode catalyst that also functions as an electron conductive material may be used.

[0046] As the air electrode catalyst, one that functions as a positive electrode in an air zinc battery can be used, and various air electrode catalysts that can utilize oxygen as a positive electrode active material can be used. Examples of the air electrode catalyst include carbon-based materials (graphite, etc.) having an oxidation-reduction catalytic function, metal materials (platinum, nickel, etc.) having an oxidation-reduction catalytic function, and inorganic oxide materials (perovskite-type oxides, manganese dioxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, spinel oxide, etc.) having an oxidation-reduction catalytic function. The shape of the air electrode catalyst is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, particulate. The amount of the air electrode catalyst used in the air electrode may be within a range of 5% by volume to 70% by volume, 5% by volume to 60% by volume, or 5% by volume to 50% by volume, based on the total amount of the air electrode.

[0047] The electron conductive material may be one that is conductive and allows electron conduction between the air electrode catalyst and the separator. Examples of the electron conductive material include carbon blacks such as ketjen black, acetylene black, channel black, furnace black, lamp black, and thermal black; graphites such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, and expanded graphite; conductive fibers such as carbon fibers and metal fibers; metal powders such as copper, silver, nickel, and aluminum; organic electron conductive materials such as polyphenylene derivatives; and any mixtures thereof. The shape of the electron conductive material may be particulate or may be other shapes. The electron conductive material is preferably used in a form that provides a continuous phase in the thickness direction in the air electrode. For example, the electron conductive material may be a porous material. The electron conductive material may be in the form of a mixture or complex with the air electrode catalyst, and may be an air electrode catalyst that also functions as an electron conductive material, as described above. The amount of the electronically conductive material used in the air electrode may be within the range of 10% by volume to 80% by volume, 15% by volume to 80% by volume, or 20% by volume to 80% by volume, relative to the total amount of the air electrode.

[0048] The battery lid and the manufacturing method for the battery lid according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the insert parts 81 and 82 are cylindrical with one end on the battery case 2 side closed, but the shape of the insert parts is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a solid rod shape.

[0049] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, a zinc battery (particularly a nickel-zinc battery) is shown as an example of a storage battery, but the storage battery is not limited to a zinc battery, and the structure of the present disclosure can be applied to various other storage batteries.

[0050] In addition, in the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the outer diameter of the tubular portion is constant along the axial direction (press-fit direction) of the insert part, but the tubular portion may have a tapered shape in which the outer diameter gradually becomes narrower from the base end side (second surface 32 side) to the tip side (first surface 31 side). [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] Reference Signs List 1... Nickel-zinc battery, 2... Battery case, 3... Battery cover, 4... Electrode plate group, 5... Electrolyte, 30... Cover body, 31... First surface, 32... Second surface, 33, 34... Through hole, 35, 36... Part, 41... Negative electrode plate, 42... Positive electrode plate, 43, 44... Tab, 45... Separator, 61, 62... Conductive bonding material, 71, 72... Bracket, 81, 82... Insert part, 83... Cylindrical portion, 84... Bottom plate, 85... End surface, 86... Flange portion , 87...unevenly processed portion, 91, 92...resin coating, 100...battery lid, 101...housing, 102...through hole, 103...conductive rod, 104...rod portion, 105...flange portion, 106...washer, 107...fastening member, 108...sealing member, 109...elastic member, 110...adhesive, 331, 341...recess, 332, 342...countersink portion, 431, 441...through hole, 73...opening, 74...bottom plate, 75...side plate.

Claims

1. A lid for a storage battery, comprising: A resin lid and A conductive insert part that penetrates the lid and is embedded in the lid; A battery lid comprising:

2. The battery lid according to claim 1 , wherein the insert part has a cylindrical shape with one end thereof closed on the battery case side.

3. The lid has a first surface located inside the battery case and a second surface located outside the battery case, The insert part penetrates from the second surface to the first surface, The lid body has a portion formed around the insert part on the second surface and made of the same material as the constituent material of the lid body, The battery lid according to claim 1 , wherein the portion is raised relative to a region of the second surface surrounding the portion.

4. A method for manufacturing a battery lid, comprising: preparing a resin lid having a through hole; a step of hot pressing a conductive insert part into the through hole of the lid body; A method for manufacturing a lid for a storage battery, comprising:

5. The lid has a first surface located inside the battery case and a second surface located outside the battery case, the through hole penetrates from the second surface to the first surface, The method for manufacturing a battery lid according to claim 4 , wherein in the step of hot pressing, the molten resin overflows onto the second surface and then hardens.

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