Valve regulated lead-acid battery and battery case of valve regulated lead-acid battery

Abstract

To provide a control valve type lead-acid battery capable of suppressing deformation of a partition wall in a mono-block structure.SOLUTION: The lead-acid battery 1 includes a first electrode plate group 5 including a positive electrode plate 7, a negative electrode plate 8, and a separator 91, a second electrode plate group 6 including a positive electrode plate 7, a negative electrode plate 8, and a separator 91, and a polyolefin battery case 10 having an opening 101, a first housing chamber 11 for housing the first electrode plate group 5, a second housing chamber 12 for housing the second electrode plate group 6, and a partition wall 13 for separating the first housing chamber 11 and the second housing chamber 12. When the partition wall 13 has a rib, the thickness T of the partition wall 13 is equal to or more than 5mm and equal to or less than 10mm excluding the rib. The area of the partition wall 13 is equal to or less than the 1000cm2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to valve-regulated lead-acid batteries and battery cases for valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a valve-regulated lead-acid battery and its battery case. This valve-regulated lead-acid battery contains a plate group consisting of positive and negative plates and a separator inside a synthetic resin battery case, and a control valve regulates the internal pressure of the battery case. The battery case has a partition wall that separates the multiple plate groups from each other.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a technology related to a valve-regulated lead-acid battery. This valve-regulated lead-acid battery includes a monoblock battery case having a plurality of cells. The monoblock battery case has a partition to separate the plurality of cells from each other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-126872 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-64749 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Power generation systems that use renewable energy, such as solar, wind, or geothermal energy, which is always present in nature, have been put into practical use. These power generation systems are equipped with a power storage system to stabilize the amount of power that fluctuates greatly over time. Power storage systems use valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries are a type of sealed lead-acid battery that are equipped with a control valve to control gas emissions. Valve-regulated lead-acid batteries have various advantages, such as easy maintenance, high safety, and a long lifespan.

[0006] To reduce the installation space required for energy storage systems, there is a need to miniaturize valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. A monoblock structure, in which multiple cells accommodating electrode plate groups are integrated, is advantageous for miniaturizing valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. However, in a monoblock structure, pressure from the battery's internal pressure and the electrode plate group acts on the partition wall, which may cause deformation of the partition wall. Deformation of the partition wall compromises the reliability of the valve-regulated lead-acid battery.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a valve-regulated lead-acid battery and a battery case for such a valve-regulated lead-acid battery that can suppress deformation of a partition wall in a monoblock structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, [1] the present disclosure provides a valve-regulated lead-acid battery comprising: a first electrode plate group including positive electrode plates, negative electrode plates, and a separator; a second electrode plate group including positive electrode plates, negative electrode plates, and a separator; and a polyolefin battery case having an opening, a first storage chamber for storing the first electrode plate group, a second storage chamber for storing the second electrode plate group, and a partition wall separating the first storage chamber from the second storage chamber. The thickness of the partition wall, excluding the ribs if the partition wall has ribs, is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The area of ​​the partition wall is 1000 cm. 2 According to this valve-regulated lead-acid battery, the thickness of the partition wall is 5 mm or more, and the area of ​​the partition wall is 1000 cm or less. 2 By making the thickness of the partition wall 10 mm or less, the strength of the partition wall to resist deformation can be sufficiently increased. Therefore, deformation of the partition wall can be suppressed and the reliability of the storage battery can be maintained. Furthermore, by making the thickness of the partition wall 10 mm or less, the partition wall can be attached to the inside of the battery case by a simple method such as heat welding.

[0009] [2] In the valve-regulated lead-acid battery of [1] above, the opening may be rectangular, the first and second chambers may be aligned in a direction along the long side of the opening, the long side of the opening of the battery case may be 200 mm or more and 450 mm or less, the short side of the opening of the battery case may be 150 mm or more and 300 mm or less, and the depth of the battery case may be 300 mm or more and 600 mm or less. This valve-regulated lead-acid battery can achieve a large capacity lead-acid battery within a range that can suppress deformation of the partition wall.

[0010] [3] In the valve-regulated lead-acid battery of the above [1] or [2], the partition wall may have at least one rib extending in the depth direction, and the height of the rib may be 0.5 mm or more. In this case, deformation of the partition wall can be further suppressed.

[0011] [4] The valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to any one of [1] to [3] above may further include a lid that closes the opening. The lid may have a first portion located above the first storage chamber and a second portion located above the second storage chamber. The first portion may have a first through hole and a second through hole for respectively passing a first terminal and a second terminal connected to the first electrode plate group, and the second portion may have a third through hole and a fourth through hole for respectively passing a third terminal and a fourth terminal connected to the second electrode plate group. The lid may further include an insulating protrusion provided on a surface of the lid opposite the opening in a peripheral region of at least one of the first through hole, the second through hole, the third through hole, and the fourth through hole.

[0012] When multiple valve-regulated lead-acid batteries are connected to each other for use, it is necessary to connect the terminals of adjacent valve-regulated lead-acid batteries. During this connection, it is desirable to prevent contact between the electric wires or metal plates connecting the terminals and other terminals to prevent a short circuit. According to the valve-regulated lead-acid battery described above in [4], an insulating protrusion is provided in the peripheral area of ​​the through hole, so that the terminal attached to the through hole can be prevented from coming into contact with the electric wires or metal plates connected to other terminals. Furthermore, the electric wires or metal plates connected to the terminal attached to the through hole can be prevented from coming into contact with other terminals provided around the terminal. Therefore, the work of connecting multiple valve-regulated lead-acid batteries to each other can be performed safely.

[0013] [5] In the valve-regulated lead-acid battery of [4] above, the second through hole may be located closer to the second portion than the first through hole, and the third through hole may be located closer to the first portion than the fourth through hole. The protrusions may be provided in a region of the periphery of the second through hole on the far side of the second through hole as viewed from the second portion, and in a region of the periphery of the third through hole on the far side of the third through hole as viewed from the first portion. In this case, contact between the terminal attached to the first through hole and the terminal attached to the second through hole via an electric wire or a metal plate can be prevented. Furthermore, contact between the terminal attached to the third through hole and the terminal attached to the fourth through hole via an electric wire or a metal plate can be prevented. Therefore, the first through hole and the second through hole can be located close to each other, and the third through hole and the fourth through hole can be located close to each other.

[0014] [6] In the valve-regulated lead-acid battery of [4] or [5] above, the protruding portion may include a plurality of protrusions arranged in a circumferential direction of at least one through hole. In this case, a large contact prevention effect can be obtained while the volume of the protruding portion is reduced.

[0015] [7] The case of the valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to the present disclosure comprises a first storage chamber for storing a first electrode plate group including positive and negative electrode plates and a separator, a second storage chamber for storing a second electrode plate group including positive and negative electrode plates and a separator, and a partition wall separating the first and second storage chambers. The case is made of polyolefin. The thickness of the partition wall, excluding the ribs if the partition wall has ribs, is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less. The area of ​​the partition wall is 1000 cm. 2 The following is the reason. With this battery case, similar to the valve-regulated lead-acid battery described above [1], it is possible to suppress deformation of the partition wall and maintain the reliability of the battery. Furthermore, the partition wall can be attached to the inside of the battery case by a simple method such as thermal welding. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a valve-regulated lead-acid battery and a battery case for a valve-regulated lead-acid battery that can reduce deformation of a partition wall in a monoblock structure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the configuration of a valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view that schematically shows the configuration of the first electrode plate group and the second electrode plate group. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the battery case. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lid. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a front view showing the appearance of the lid. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view showing the appearance of the lid. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a bottom view showing the appearance of the lid. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a rear view showing the appearance of the lid. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a left side view showing the appearance of the cover. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a right side view showing the appearance of the lid. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the configuration of the battery pack. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of another battery pack. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the area and thickness of the partition wall and the amount of deformation of the partition wall. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of a valve-regulated lead-acid battery and a battery case for the valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in the description of the drawings, identical elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0019] The valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to this embodiment can be used in automobiles, electric vehicles, power supply devices, etc. Examples of power supply devices include UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), power supplies for disaster prevention (emergency) radios, and power supplies for telephones. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of a valve-regulated lead-acid battery 1 (hereinafter simply referred to as a lead-acid battery) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the lead-acid battery 1 of this embodiment includes a first electrode plate group 5, a second electrode plate group 6, a battery case 10, and a lid 20.

[0020] The first electrode plate group 5 and the second electrode plate group 6 are electrode plate groups for a lead-acid battery. The capacity of the first electrode plate group 5 and the second electrode plate group 6 is, for example, 500 Ah each. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the configuration of the first electrode plate group 5 and the second electrode plate group 6. As shown in FIG. 2, the first electrode plate group 5 and the second electrode plate group 6 include a plurality of positive electrode plates 7, a plurality of negative electrode plates 8, and a separator 91 disposed between the positive electrode plates 7 and the negative electrode plates 8. The positive electrode plates 7 and the negative electrode plates 8 may or may not be the same in number. If the positive electrode plates 7 and the negative electrode plates 8 are not the same in number, the number of negative electrode plates 8 may be greater than the number of positive electrode plates 7.

[0021] The positive electrode plate 7 includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material supported on the positive electrode current collector. The negative electrode plate 8 includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material supported on the negative electrode current collector. The positive electrode current collector serves as a current conduction path from the positive electrode active material and holds the positive electrode active material. The negative electrode current collector serves as a current conduction path from the negative electrode active material and holds the negative electrode active material. The negative electrode current collector may be the same as or different from the positive electrode current collector. Examples of materials constituting the current collector include lead alloys such as lead-calcium-tin alloys and lead-antimony-arsenic alloys. Depending on the application, selenium, silver, bismuth, etc. may be added to the current collector. The current collector has, for example, a grid shape and may be a cast grid, an expanded grid, etc. The current collector can be obtained by forming a lead alloy into a grid shape using a gravity casting method, an expanding method, a punching method, etc.

[0022] The plurality of positive electrode plates 7 are electrically connected to one another by connecting the lugs on the positive electrode current collectors via straps. The straps of the positive electrode plates 7 may be provided with positive electrode poles for connecting the positive electrode plates 7 to positive electrode terminals 34 or 36 (see FIG. 1). The plurality of negative electrode plates 8 are electrically connected to one another by connecting the lugs on the negative electrode current collectors via straps. The straps of the negative electrode plates 8 may be provided with negative electrode poles for connecting the negative electrode plates 8 to negative electrode terminals 33 or 35 (see FIG. 1).

[0023] The positive electrode active material may contain β-PbO2 as the Pb component. The positive electrode active material may contain α-PbO2 or may not contain α-PbO2. The positive electrode active material may contain Pb components other than PbO2 (e.g., PbSO4), additives, etc., as necessary. Examples of additives that may be contained in the positive electrode active material include carbon materials (excluding carbon fiber) and short reinforcing fibers. Examples of carbon materials include carbon black and graphite. Examples of short reinforcing fibers include acrylic fibers. The negative electrode active material may contain Pb as the Pb component. The negative electrode active material may contain porous spongy lead. The negative electrode active material may contain Pb components other than Pb (e.g., PbSO4), additives, etc., as necessary. Examples of additives that may be contained in the negative electrode active material include resins having sulfo groups and / or sulfonate groups, barium sulfate, carbon materials (excluding carbon fiber), short reinforcing fibers, etc. Examples of short reinforcing fibers include acrylic fibers. The positive electrode active material and the negative electrode active material can be obtained by aging and drying an active material paste containing raw materials for the active materials to obtain unformed active materials, and then chemically forming the unformed active materials.

[0024] The positive electrode plates 7 and the negative electrode plates 8 are alternately arranged with separators 91 interposed therebetween. The separator 91 is arranged between the positive electrode plates 7 and the negative electrode plates 8. The separator 91 is a fibrous sheet impregnated with an electrolyte. The separator 91 may be folded over to wrap around the positive electrode plates 7. One side of the separator 91 contacts the positive electrode plates 7, and the other side of the separator 91 contacts the negative electrode plates 8. The separator 91 covers the entire active material region of the positive electrode plates 7. The porosity of the separator 91 is, for example, 80.0% or more. The median pore diameter of the separator 91 is, for example, 15.0 μm or less. The separator 91 may contain glass fiber. The separator 91 may be a nonwoven fabric. In one example, the separator 91 is a glass mat (retainer). The separator 91 may include multiple types of separators.

[0025] The lead-acid battery 1 according to this embodiment may include a porous membrane between the positive electrode plate 7 and the negative electrode plate 8. The porous membrane is disposed at least one of between the positive electrode plate 7 and the separator 91 and between the negative electrode plate 8 and the separator 91. The porous membrane disposed between the positive electrode plate 7 and the separator 91 may be disposed such that at least a portion of the porous membrane is disposed between the positive electrode plate 7 and the separator 91. The porous membrane disposed between the negative electrode plate 8 and the separator 91 may be disposed such that at least a portion of the porous membrane is disposed between the negative electrode plate 8 and the separator 91. The porous membrane may be in the form of a bag or a sheet. The porous membrane may be folded so as to enclose the positive electrode plate 7 or the negative electrode plate 8. The porous membrane contains glass fiber or organic fiber, and may contain an organic material such as an acrylic resin. The porous membrane may be a nonwoven fabric, which can easily suppress permeation short circuits. The thickness of the porous membrane may be 0.05 mm or more and 0.3 mm or less.

[0026] Referring again to Figure 1, the battery case 10 is a hollow, bottomed container having a first storage chamber 11, a second storage chamber 12, and a partition wall 13. The first storage chamber 11 accommodates the first electrode plate group 5. The second storage chamber 12 accommodates the second electrode plate group 6.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the battery case 10. The first and second storage chambers 11 and 12 are rectangular parallelepiped-shaped. The battery case 10 is made of polyolefin and includes an outer wall and a bottom plate surrounding the first and second storage chambers 11 and 12, and a partition wall 13 separating the first and second storage chambers 11 and 12 from each other. The battery case 10 also includes a rectangular opening 101. The first and second storage chambers 11 and 12 are aligned along the long side of the opening 101. The length L1 of the long side of the opening 101 of the battery case 10 is, for example, 200 mm or more and 450 mm or less. The length L2 of the short side of the opening 101 of the battery case 10 is, for example, 150 mm or more and 300 mm or less. The depth D (see FIG. 1) of the battery case 10 is, for example, 300 mm or more and 600 mm or less. Examples of polyolefins include polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0028] The partition wall 13 has a square or rectangular shape when viewed from the arrangement direction of the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12 (in other words, when viewed from the thickness direction of the partition wall 13). The long sides of the partition wall 13 extend along the depth direction of the battery case 10. The short sides of the partition wall 13 extend along the depth direction of the battery case 10 (in other words, a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12). In other words, the partition wall 13 extends along a plane intersecting with the arrangement direction of the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12.

[0029] The partition wall 13 has at least one rib 14 extending in the depth direction of the battery case 10. The height of the rib 14 is, for example, 0.5 mm or more. The outer wall of the battery case 10 also has ribs of a shape similar to the rib 14. The height of the rib 14 of the partition wall 13 and the height of the rib on the outer wall of the battery case 10 may be the same or different. The thickness T of the partition wall 13 excluding the rib 14 is approximately uniform throughout the partition wall 13. The thickness T of the partition wall 13, excluding the height of the rib 14, is 5.0 mm or more, 5.5 mm or more, or 6.0 mm or more. The thickness T of the partition wall 13, excluding the height of the rib 14, is 10.0 mm or less, 9.0 mm or less, or 8.0 mm or less. Note that if the thickness of the partition wall 13 is not uniform, the thickness T of the partition wall 13 referred to here refers to the average thickness of the entire partition wall 13 excluding the rib 14.

[0030] The area of ​​the partition wall 13 in the plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the partition wall 13 is 400 cm 2 More than 500cm 2 or more, or 600cm 2 The area of ​​the partition wall 13 is 1000 cm 2 Below, 900cm 2 or less than 800cm 2 When the partition wall 13 is rectangular, the area of ​​the partition wall 13 is the product of the length of the long side and the length of the short side of the partition wall 13.

[0031] Referring again to FIG. 1 , the lid 20 closes the opening 101 to hermetically seal the battery case 10. The lid 20 has a front surface 201 and a back surface 202. The front surface 201 is the outer surface of the lid 20 opposite the opening 101. The back surface 202 is the outer surface of the lid 20 facing the opening 101. The lid 20 also has a first portion 21 and a second portion 22. The first portion 21 is located above the first storage chamber 11. The second portion 22 is located above the second storage chamber 12. The first portion 21 has a negative electrode terminal 33 (first terminal), a positive electrode terminal 34 (second terminal), and a control valve 37. The negative electrode terminal 33 is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate 8 of the first electrode plate group 5. The positive electrode terminal 34 is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate 7 of the first electrode plate group 5. The control valve 37 controls the discharge of gas to regulate the internal pressure of the first storage chamber 11. The second portion 22 has a negative electrode terminal 35 (third terminal), a positive electrode terminal 36 (fourth terminal), and a control valve 38. The negative electrode terminal 35 is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate 8 of the second electrode plate group 6. The positive electrode terminal 36 is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate 7 of the second electrode plate group 6. The control valve 38 controls the discharge of gas to regulate the internal pressure of the second storage chamber 12. The negative electrode terminals 33 and 35, the positive electrode terminals 34 and 36, and the control valves 37 and 38 are provided to penetrate the lid 20.

[0032] 4 to 10 are views showing the appearance of the lid 20 excluding the negative electrode terminals 33 and 35, the positive electrode terminals 34 and 36, and the control valves 37 and 38. Fig. 4 is a perspective view, Fig. 5 is a front view, Fig. 6 is a top view, Fig. 7 is a bottom view, Fig. 8 is a rear view, Fig. 9 is a left side view, and Fig. 10 is a right side view.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4 to 10 , the first portion 21 has a first through hole 23 and a second through hole 24 that penetrate the lid 20 in the thickness direction of the lid 20. The first through hole 23 holds the negative electrode terminal 33 by allowing it to penetrate. The second through hole 24 holds the positive electrode terminal 34 by allowing it to penetrate. The second through hole 24 is located closer to the second portion 22 than the first through hole 23. In the illustrated example, the planar shape of the first portion 21 is square or rectangular, and the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 24 are arranged side by side on one diagonal line of the first portion 21. When viewed in the thickness direction of the lid 20 (in other words, the penetration direction of the negative electrode terminal 33 and the positive electrode terminal 34), the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 24 have a circular shape.

[0034] The second portion 22 has a third through hole 25 and a fourth through hole 26 that penetrate the lid 20 in the thickness direction of the lid 20. The third through hole 25 holds the negative electrode terminal 35 by allowing it to penetrate. The fourth through hole 26 holds the positive electrode terminal 36 by allowing it to penetrate. The third through hole 25 is located closer to the first portion 21 than the fourth through hole 26. In the illustrated example, the planar shape of the second portion 22 is square or rectangular, and the third through hole 25 and the fourth through hole 26 are arranged side by side on one diagonal line of the second portion 22 (in one example, a diagonal line parallel to the diagonal line of the first portion 21). When viewed in the thickness direction of the lid 20 (in other words, the penetration direction of the negative electrode terminal 35 and the positive electrode terminal 36), the third through hole 25 and the fourth through hole 26 have a circular shape.

[0035] The lid 20 further has insulating protrusions 27 and 28 protruding from a surface 201 of the lid 20. The protrusions 27 are provided on the surface 201 in a peripheral region of the second through hole 24. In the illustrated example, the protrusions 27 are provided in a region of the peripheral region of the second through hole 24 on the far side of the second through hole 24 as viewed from the second portion 22. The protrusions 27 include multiple protrusions 271 and 272 arranged in the circumferential direction of the second through hole 24. The protrusions 271 and 272 are spaced apart from each other and have, for example, an arc shape that follows the outer periphery of the second through hole 24 as viewed from the normal direction of the surface 201. The protrusion 271 is provided between the second through hole 24 and one long side of the lid 20. The protrusion 272 is provided between the first through hole 23 and the second through hole 24.

[0036] The protrusion 28 is provided on the surface 201 in a peripheral region of the third through hole 25. In the illustrated example, the protrusion 28 is provided in a region of the peripheral region of the third through hole 25 on the other side of the third through hole 25 as viewed from the first portion 21. The protrusion 28 includes a plurality of protrusions 281, 282 arranged in a circumferential direction of the third through hole 25. The protrusions 281, 282 are spaced apart from one another and have, for example, an arc shape that follows the outer periphery of the third through hole 25 as viewed from the normal direction of the surface 201. The protrusion 281 is provided between the third through hole 25 and the other long side of the lid 20. The protrusion 282 is provided between the third through hole 25 and the fourth through hole 26. The height of the protrusions 27 and 28 from the surface 201 is, for example, 5 mm or more and 40 mm or less.

[0037] The first portion 21 further has a through hole 31 that penetrates the lid 20 in the thickness direction of the lid 20. A control valve 37 passes through the through hole 31 and holds the control valve 37. The second portion 22 further has a through hole 32 that penetrates the lid 20 in the thickness direction of the lid 20. A control valve 38 passes through the through hole 32 and holds the control valve 38.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the configuration of a battery pack 100. The battery pack 100 is configured by arranging a plurality of lead-acid batteries 1 two-dimensionally along their long and short side directions. The long and short side directions of the plurality of lead-acid batteries 1 are aligned with each other. As explained above, the long side direction of the lead-acid batteries 1 coincides with the arrangement direction of the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12. The plurality of lead-acid batteries 1 are connected in series with each other. In each lead-acid battery 1, the first electrode plate group 5 and the second electrode plate group 6 are also connected in series with each other.

[0039] In the battery pack 100, the positive electrode terminal 34 and the negative electrode terminal 35 of each lead acid battery 1 are electrically connected to each other via a metal plate 41 (or an electric wire). In addition, in the lead acid batteries 1 other than the lead acid battery 1 located at the end of the series circuit, the negative electrode terminal 33 of each lead acid battery 1 and the positive electrode terminal 36 of the lead acid battery 1 adjacent to that lead acid battery 1 are electrically connected to each other via a metal plate 42 (or an electric wire). The negative electrode terminal 33 of the lead acid battery 1 located at the end of the series circuit is connected to an external circuit, for example, a load, via a metal plate 43 (or an electric wire).

[0040] FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the configuration of a battery pack 200. Similar to the battery pack 100 described above, the battery pack 200 is configured by arranging a plurality of lead-acid batteries 1 two-dimensionally along their long and short side directions. The long and short side directions of the plurality of lead-acid batteries 1 are aligned with each other. The plurality of lead-acid batteries 1 are connected in series with each other. However, unlike the battery pack 100, in the battery pack 200, the first electrode plate group 5 and the second electrode plate group 6 are connected in parallel with each other in each lead-acid battery 1.

[0041] In the battery pack 200, the negative electrode terminal 33 and the negative electrode terminal 35 of each lead acid battery 1 are electrically connected to each other via a metal plate 44 (or an electric wire). Furthermore, the positive electrode terminal 34 and the positive electrode terminal 36 of each lead acid battery 1 are electrically connected to each other via a metal plate 45 (or an electric wire). Furthermore, in the lead acid batteries 1 other than the lead acid battery 1 located at the end of the series circuit, the negative electrode terminal 33 of each lead acid battery 1 and the positive electrode terminal 36 of the lead acid battery 1 adjacent to that lead acid battery 1 are electrically connected to each other via a metal plate 42 (or an electric wire). The negative electrode terminal 33 of the lead acid battery 1 located at the end of the series circuit is connected to an external circuit, for example, a load, via a metal plate 43 (or an electric wire).

[0042] The effects obtained by the lead-acid battery 1 of this embodiment described above will be explained. In order to obtain sufficient charge / discharge performance in the lead-acid battery 1, it is desirable to apply a pressure of 20 kPa to 40 kPa to each of the first electrode plate group 5 and the second electrode plate group 6. In this case, a pressure of 20 kPa to 40 kPa is also applied to the partition walls 13. Fig. 13(a) shows the area (cm) of the partition walls 13 when the pressure applied to the partition walls 13 is 20 kPa. 2 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the thickness T of the partition walls 13 and the deformation amount (mm) of the partition walls 13. In the figure, plot P1 shows the simulation value when the thickness T of the partition walls 13 is 3 mm, and plot P2 shows the simulation value when the thickness T of the partition walls 13 is 7 mm. Curve G1 is an approximation curve. As shown in the figure, when the area of ​​the partition walls 13 is 1000 cm 2 If the area of ​​the partition wall 13 is less than 800 cm, the deformation amount of the partition wall 13 is 10 mm or less. 2 If the pressure applied to the partition wall 13 is 40 kPa and the area of ​​the partition wall 13 is 750 cm, the deformation amount of the partition wall 13 is 5 mm or less. 2 1 is a graph showing the relationship between the thickness T (mm) of the partition walls 13 and the deformation amount (mm) of the partition walls 13 when the thickness T of the partition walls 13 is 5 mm or more. In the figure, plot P3 shows simulation values. Curve G2 is an approximation curve. As shown in the figure, when the thickness T of the partition walls 13 is 5 mm or more, the deformation amount of the partition walls 13 is 8 mm or less, and when the thickness T of the partition walls 13 is 7 mm or more, the deformation amount of the partition walls 13 is 5 mm or less.

[0043] In the lead-acid battery 1 of this embodiment, the thickness T of the partition wall 13 is 5 mm or more and 10 mm or less excluding the rib 14 when the partition wall 13 has the rib 14. Furthermore, the area of ​​the partition wall 13 is 1000 cm 2 In this lead-acid battery 1, the thickness T of the partition wall 13 is as large as 5 mm or more, and the area of ​​the partition wall 13 is 1000 cm 2 By making the thickness T of the partition wall 13 small, it is possible to sufficiently increase the strength of the partition wall 13 to resist deformation. Therefore, deformation of the partition wall 13 under an appropriate pressure (20 kPa to 40 kPa) can be suppressed, and the reliability of the lead-acid battery 1 can be maintained. Furthermore, by making the thickness T of the partition wall 13 10 mm or less, the partition wall 13 can be attached to the inside of the battery case 10 by a simple method such as thermal welding.

[0044] As in the present embodiment, the battery case 10 has a rectangular opening 101, the first storage chamber 11 and the second storage chamber 12 are aligned in a direction along the long side of the rectangle, the length L1 of the long side of the opening 101 of the battery case 10 may be 200 mm or more and 450 mm or less, the length L2 of the short side of the opening 101 of the battery case 10 may be 150 mm or more and 300 mm or less, and the depth D of the battery case 10 may be 300 mm or more and 600 mm or less. With this lead-acid battery 1, a large-capacity lead-acid battery 1 can be realized within a range in which deformation of the partition wall 13 can be suppressed.

[0045] As in this embodiment, the partition wall 13 may have at least one rib 14 extending in the depth direction, and the height of the rib 14 may be 0.5 mm or more. In this case, deformation of the partition wall 13 can be further suppressed.

[0046] As in this embodiment, the insulating protrusion 27 may be provided in the peripheral region of the second through hole 24, and the insulating protrusion 28 may be provided in the peripheral region of the third through hole 25. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 , when multiple lead-acid batteries 1 are connected to each other, the terminals of adjacent lead-acid batteries 1 must be connected to each other. During this connection, it is desirable to prevent contact between the electric wires or metal plates connecting the terminals and other terminals to prevent short circuits. According to the lead-acid battery 1 of this embodiment, the insulating protrusion 27 is provided in the peripheral region of the second through hole 24, and the insulating protrusion 28 is provided in the peripheral region of the third through hole 25. This prevents the positive terminal 34 and the negative terminal 35 from coming into contact with electric wires or metal plates connected to other terminals. Furthermore, the electric wires or metal plates connected to the positive terminal 34 and the electric wires or metal plates connected to the negative terminal 35 from coming into contact with other terminals provided around those terminals. This allows the work of connecting multiple lead-acid batteries 1 to each other to be performed safely.

[0047] As described above, in this embodiment, the second through hole 24 is located closer to the second portion 22 than the first through hole 23. The protrusion 27 is provided in a region of the periphery of the second through hole 24 on the other side of the second through hole 24 as viewed from the second portion 22. In this case, contact between the negative electrode terminal 33 and the positive electrode terminal 34 via an electric wire or a metal plate can be prevented. Therefore, the first through hole 23 and the negative electrode terminal 33 can be provided in proximity to the second through hole 24 and the positive electrode terminal 34. The third through hole 25 is located closer to the first portion 21 than the fourth through hole 26. The protrusion 28 is provided in a region of the periphery of the third through hole 25 on the other side of the third through hole 25 as viewed from the first portion 21. In this case, contact between the negative electrode terminal 35 and the positive electrode terminal 36 via an electric wire or a metal plate can be prevented. Therefore, the third through hole 25 and the negative electrode terminal 35 can be provided close to the fourth through hole 26 and the positive electrode terminal 36.

[0048] As in this embodiment, protrusion 27 may include a plurality of protrusions 271, 272 aligned in the circumferential direction of second through hole 24. Similarly, protrusion 28 may include a plurality of protrusions 281, 282 aligned in the circumferential direction of third through hole 25. In this case, a significant contact prevention effect can be obtained while reducing the volume of protrusions 27, 28.

[0049] The valve-regulated lead-acid battery and the battery case for the valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various other modifications are possible. For example, although the battery case 10 in the above embodiment has two storage chambers (first storage chamber 11 and second storage chamber 12), the battery case 10 may have three or more storage chambers. In this case, the partition wall separating adjacent storage chambers has the same characteristics as the partition wall 13 in the above embodiment, thereby achieving the same effects as the above embodiment. Furthermore, the dimensions of the battery case 10 are as follows: the area of ​​the partition wall is 1000 cm 2 The numerical values ​​are not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment, as long as they are below the above range. Furthermore, although the partition wall 13 has the rib 14 in the above embodiment, the partition wall 13 does not necessarily have to have the rib.

[0050] The valve-regulated lead-acid battery of this embodiment is, for example, a lead-acid battery for a renewable energy system, a lead-acid battery for a load leveling system, a lead-acid battery for a grid power stabilization system, a lead-acid battery for stabilizing the output of renewable energy facilities, a lead-acid battery for a smart grid, or a lead-acid battery for an electric vehicle charging station. Renewable energy sources include wind power and solar power. Smart grids also include microgrids.

[0051] The rated capacity of the valve-regulated lead-acid battery of this embodiment may be 200 Ah to 2000 Ah, 300 Ah to 1500 Ah, or 400 Ah to 1200 Ah when the first electrode plate group and the second electrode plate group are connected in parallel. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1... valve-regulated lead-acid battery, 5... first electrode plate group, 6... second electrode plate group, 7... positive electrode plate, 8... negative electrode plate, 10... battery case, 11... first storage chamber, 12... second storage chamber, 13... partition wall, 14... rib, 20... lid body, 21... first portion, 22... second portion, 23... first through hole, 24... second through hole, 25... third through hole, 26... fourth through hole, 27, 28... protrusion, 31, 32... through hole, 33... Negative terminal (first terminal), 34...positive terminal (second terminal), 35...negative terminal (third terminal), 36...positive terminal (fourth terminal), 37, 38...control valve, 41 to 45...metal plate, 91...separator, 100, 200...battery pack, 101...opening, 201...surface, 202...back surface, 271, 272, 281, 282...protrusions, G1, G2...curve, P1, P2, P3...plots.

Claims

1. a first electrode plate group including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator; a second electrode plate group including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator; a polyolefin battery case having an opening, a first storage chamber that stores the first electrode plate group, a second storage chamber that stores the second electrode plate group, and a partition wall that separates the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber; Equipped with a thickness of the partition wall, excluding a rib if the partition wall has one, of 5 mm to 10 mm; The area of ​​the partition is 1000 cm ２ Below is a valve-regulated lead-acid battery.

2. The opening is rectangular, the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are aligned in a direction along a long side of the opening, The length of the long side of the opening of the battery case is 200 mm or more and 450 mm or less, The length of the short side of the opening of the battery case is 150 mm or more and 300 mm or less, 2. The valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the battery case is 300 mm or more and 600 mm or less.

3. the partition wall has at least one rib extending in a depth direction, 3. The valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to claim 1, wherein the height of the rib is 0.5 mm or more.

4. Further provided is a lid that closes the opening of the battery case, The lid body is a first portion located on the first storage chamber; a second portion located above the second storage chamber; and the first portion has a first through hole and a second through hole for respectively passing a first terminal and a second terminal connected to the first electrode plate group; the second portion has a third through hole and a fourth through hole for respectively passing a third terminal and a fourth terminal connected to the second electrode plate group; 3. The valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to claim 1, wherein the lid further includes an insulating protrusion provided in a peripheral region of at least one of the first through hole, the second through hole, the third through hole, and the fourth through hole on a surface of the lid opposite the opening.

5. the second through hole is located closer to the second portion than the first through hole, the third through hole is located closer to the first portion than the fourth through hole, 5. The valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to claim 4, wherein the protrusions are provided in a region of the peripheral region of the second through hole on the far side of the second through hole as viewed from the second portion, and in a region of the peripheral region of the third through hole on the far side of the third through hole as viewed from the first portion.

6. The valve-regulated lead-acid battery according to claim 4 , wherein the protrusion portion includes a plurality of protrusions arranged in a circumferential direction of the at least one through hole.

7. a first storage chamber that stores a first electrode plate group including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator; a second storage chamber that stores a second electrode plate group including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator; a partition wall separating the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber, It is made of polyolefin, a thickness of the partition wall, excluding a rib if the partition wall has one, of 5 mm to 10 mm; The area of ​​the partition is 1000 cm ２ Below is the battery case for a valve-regulated lead-acid battery.

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