battery storage

Abstract

This prevents air bubbles from forming in the resin coating that covers the joint between the pole and the terminal. [Solution] The storage battery 1 comprises a positive electrode terminal 4 having an insertion hole 40 into which the tip 51A of the positive electrode column 5 is inserted, and a resin coating portion 7 that covers the joint portion B into which the positive electrode column 5 and the positive electrode terminal 4 are joined by solder 6. The solder 6 protrudes from between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode column 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage battery.

Background Art

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a storage battery including a pole column whose upper end portion is drawn out to the outside through a lid of a battery cell, a terminal having an insertion hole into which a tip end portion of the pole column is inserted, and being attached to the pole column by solder. In this storage battery, a joint portion between the pole column and the terminal joined by solder is coated with resin.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When the pole column and the terminal are joined by solder, for example, a gap (space) may remain between the outer peripheral surface of the pole column and the inner peripheral surface of the insertion hole of the terminal on the back surface side (lid side) of the terminal. When the joint portion between the pole column and the terminal is covered with molten resin in this state, the air existing in the gap on the back surface side of the terminal expands and moves to the surface of the resin coating portion. As a result, bubbles may occur on the surface of the resin coating portion.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure describes a storage battery capable of suppressing the occurrence of bubbles in a resin coating portion covering a joint portion between a pole column and a terminal.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A storage battery according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a storage battery comprising: [1] a terminal having an insertion hole into which the tip of a pole is inserted; and a resin coating portion covering a joint between the pole and the terminal joined by a conductive bonding material, wherein the conductive bonding material protrudes from between the outer circumferential surface of the pole and the inner circumferential surface of the insertion hole of the terminal.

[0007] In this battery, the conductive bonding material provided between the outer surface of the electrode post and the inner surface of the terminal insertion hole protrudes from the space between the outer surface of the electrode post and the inner surface of the terminal insertion hole. In other words, there is no gap (space) between the outer surface of the electrode post and the inner surface of the terminal insertion hole. As a result, even when the joint between the electrode post and the terminal is covered with a resin coating, it is possible to suppress the generation of air bubbles in the resin coating due to air present in the gap between the outer surface of the electrode post and the inner surface of the terminal insertion hole. Thus, in this battery, it is possible to suppress the generation of air bubbles in the resin coating that covers the joint between the electrode post and the terminal.

[0008] The above-mentioned storage battery may also be [2] "the storage battery described in [1] above, wherein the conductive bonding material is provided to fill the inner corner formed by the outer surface of the pole and the outer surface of the terminal." In this case, even when the joint between the pole and the terminal is covered with a resin coating, it is possible to suppress the retention of air in the inner corner formed by the outer surface of the pole and the outer surface of the terminal, and to further suppress the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating.

[0009] The above-mentioned storage battery may also be [3] "the storage battery described in [2] above, wherein the surface of the conductive bonding material connects the outer surface of the pole and the outer surface of the terminal in a straight line or a concave curve." In this case, even if the joint between the pole and the terminal is covered with a resin coating, the retention of air in the inner corner formed by the outer surface of the pole and the outer surface of the terminal can be further suppressed, and the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating can be further suppressed.

[0010] The above-mentioned storage battery may also be [4] "the storage battery according to any of [1] to [3] above, wherein the conductive bonding material is solder." In this case, the poles and terminals can be easily joined by using solder in the storage battery.

[0011] The above-mentioned storage battery may also be [5] "a storage battery described in any of [1] to [4] above, which is a valve-regulated lead-acid battery." In this case, even if the storage battery is a valve-regulated lead-acid battery, the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating can be suppressed. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating that covers the joint between the pole and the terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration around the connection point between the positive terminal and the positive pole. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a top view showing the positive electrode post inserted into the insertion hole of the positive electrode terminal. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration around the connection point between the positive terminal and the positive pole. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows how the positive terminal and the positive pole are joined by soldering. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] The following describes exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0015] The battery 1 shown in Figure 1 is a battery formed in a roughly cubic shape. The battery 1 includes a battery case 2 with an open top, a lid 3 that closes the opening of the battery case 2, a positive electrode terminal 4, and a negative electrode terminal 8. The battery case 2 can accommodate an electrode group consisting of multiple positive electrode plates, multiple negative electrode plates, and a separator. Furthermore, an electrolyte such as dilute sulfuric acid is contained within the battery case 2. The material of the battery case 2 is not particularly limited as long as it has resistance to the electrolyte such as dilute sulfuric acid. For example, the battery case 2 is made of polyolefin such as PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene). The lid 3 seals the opening of the battery case 2. The lid 3 is made of the same material as the battery case 2, for example.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the battery 1 includes a positive electrode pole (pole pole) 5. The base end 51B of the positive electrode pole 5 is electrically connected to a plurality of positive electrode plates housed in the battery case 2. The tip 51A of the positive electrode pole 5 is extended to the outside (on the lid 3) through a lid through-hole 30 provided in the lid 3. A positive electrode side recess 31 is provided in the portion of the upper surface (surface) 3a of the lid 3 where the lid through-hole 30 is located. The positive electrode side recess 31 has a first bottom S1 and a second bottom S2 located deeper than the first bottom S1 (on the battery case 2 side). The lid through-hole 30 is located in the second bottom S2 of the positive electrode side recess 31. The tip 51A of the positive electrode pole 5 protrudes beyond the first bottom S1 of the positive electrode side recess 31.

[0017] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the positive terminal 4 is attached to the tip 51A of the positive pole 5. The positive terminal 4 has a first terminal piece 41 and a second terminal piece 42. The positive terminal 4 is L-shaped, with one end of the first terminal piece 41 and one end of the second terminal piece 42 connected to each other. The first terminal piece 41 of the positive terminal 4 is provided with an insertion hole 40. The tip 51A of the positive pole 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 40 of the positive terminal 4. In other words, the inner diameter of the insertion hole 40 of the positive terminal 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the tip 51A of the positive pole 5.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the positive electrode terminal 4 and the positive electrode post 5 are electrically connected to each other by solder 6. Further, the positive electrode terminal 4 is attached to the positive electrode post 5 by solder 6. The solder 6 is provided between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4. The solder 6 is provided between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4 so as to surround the entire circumference of the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5.

[0019] Here, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, in a state where the tip portion 51A of the positive electrode post 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4, the surface of the outer surface of the first terminal piece 41 of the positive electrode terminal 4 on the side of the lid through hole 30 is referred to as the terminal back surface 41a. That is, the terminal back surface 41a is a surface facing the upper surface 3a of the lid 3. The terminal back surface 41a is a surface of the outer surface of the positive electrode terminal 4 that faces the side of the lid through hole 30 provided in the lid 3 through which the positive electrode post 5 passes. The terminal back surface 41a is a surface facing the base end portion 51B side in the extending direction of the positive electrode post 5.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 4, the solder 6 protrudes (sticks out) from between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4 to the side of the lid through hole 30 provided in the lid over the terminal back surface 41a. That is, the solder 6 bulges above the terminal back surface 41a on the terminal back surface 41a side of the first terminal piece 41. Thereby, on the terminal back surface 41a side of the first terminal piece 41, the gap between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the first terminal piece 41 is filled by the solder 6.

[0021] The solder 6 is provided so as to fill an inner corner portion (concave corner portion) formed by the terminal back surface 41a (the outer surface of the positive electrode terminal 4) of the first terminal piece 41 and the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5. Further, on the side of the terminal back surface 41a of the first terminal piece 41, the surface H of the solder 6 connects the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the terminal back surface 41a of the first terminal piece 41 in a concave curved shape. The fact that the surface H of the solder 6 connects the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the terminal back surface 41a of the first terminal piece 41 in a concave curved shape means that when the surface H of the solder 6 is viewed from the side of the terminal back surface 41a, the surface H is recessed in an arc shape or a curved shape toward the gap side between the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 and the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5. However, on the side of the terminal back surface 41a of the first terminal piece 41, the surface H of the solder 6 may connect the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the terminal back surface 41a of the first terminal piece 41 in a linear shape, like the surface H shown by the broken line in FIG. 4.

[0022] Further, on the outer surface of the first terminal piece 41, the surface opposite to the terminal back surface 41a is referred to as the terminal front surface 41b. The solder 6 also protrudes (sticks out) toward the terminal front surface 41b side from the gap between the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 and the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5. That is, the solder 6 bulges above the terminal front surface 41b on the terminal front surface 41b side of the first terminal piece 41. Thereby, on the terminal front surface 41b side of the first terminal piece 41, the gap between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the first terminal piece 41 is filled with the solder 6. Thus, the solder 6 protrudes toward the terminal front surface 41b side and also toward the terminal back surface 41a side from between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4. Further, on the terminal front surface 41b side, the solder 6 covers the end surface on the tip end portion 51A side of the positive electrode post 5.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the joint B on the upper surface 3a of the lid 3 (on the lid 3), where the positive electrode column 5 and the positive electrode terminal 4 are joined by solder 6, is covered by a resin coating portion 7. In this embodiment, the resin coating portion 7 is filled into the positive electrode side recess 31 so as to fill the positive electrode side recess 31. The resin coating portion 7 covers the joint B (solder 6) from both the terminal back surface 41a side and the terminal front surface 41b side of the first terminal piece 41. The resin coating portion 7 is formed from a material such as epoxy resin, for example. However, the resin material of the resin coating portion 7 is not particularly limited.

[0024] The negative electrode terminal 8 shown in Figure 1 is attached to the tip of the negative electrode column (pole column) by solder. The soldered joint between the negative electrode terminal 8 and the negative electrode column is covered by a resin coating. The configuration of joining the negative electrode terminal 8 and the negative electrode column by solder is the same as the configuration of joining the positive electrode terminal 4 and the positive electrode column 5 by solder 6. Furthermore, the configuration of covering the joint between the negative electrode terminal 8 and the negative electrode column with a resin coating is the same as the configuration of covering the joint B between the positive electrode terminal 4 and the positive electrode column 5 with a resin coating 7.

[0025] Next, the procedure for joining the positive electrode post 5 and the positive electrode terminal 4 with solder 6 will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the joining of the positive electrode post 5 and the positive electrode terminal 4 is performed before the resin coating portion 7 is filled into the positive electrode side recess 31. The positive electrode terminal 4 is positioned on the tip portion 51A of the positive electrode post 5 so that the tip portion 51A of the positive electrode post 5 is inserted into the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4. For example, the positive electrode terminal 4 may be positioned by placing the first terminal piece 41 on the first bottom portion S1.

[0026] The soldering iron 9 is pressed against the tip 51A of the positive electrode column 5 and the first terminal piece 41 of the positive electrode terminal 4 from the terminal surface 41b side of the positive electrode terminal 4. Then, the solder wire 60 is melted by the heat of the soldering iron 9, and the molten solder is poured into the gap between the inner circumferential surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 and the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive electrode column 5. At this time, as explained using Figure 4, the solder is poured so that the solder protrudes beyond the back surface 41a of the terminal towards the lid through-hole 30. The amount of solder poured into the gap (the length of solder wire 60 melted), the number of times it is melted, and the length of time heat is applied by the soldering iron 9 are adjusted so that the solder protrudes beyond the back surface 41a of the terminal towards the lid through-hole 30. The solder is also poured so that the solder protrudes above the terminal surface 41b. Furthermore, the solder wire 60 is melted, and the end face of the tip 51A of the positive electrode column 5 is covered with the molten solder. The procedure for joining the negative electrode terminal 8 and the negative electrode column by soldering can also be carried out using the same method.

[0027] As described above, in this storage battery 1, the solder 6 that joins the positive electrode post 5 and the positive electrode terminal 4 protrudes from between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4 towards the terminal surface 41b, and also protrudes towards the back surface 41a of the terminal. In other words, on either the back surface 41a side or the terminal surface 41b side, there is no gap (space) between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4. As a result, even when the joint B between the positive electrode post 5 and the positive electrode terminal 4 is covered with a resin coating 7, it is possible to suppress the generation of air bubbles in the resin coating 7 due to air present in the gap between the outer peripheral surface 5a of the positive electrode post 5 and the inner peripheral surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4.

[0028] Specifically, to form the resin coating portion 7, for example, resin is filled into the positive electrode side recess 31 of the lid 3 and heated, or molten resin is poured in. At that time, if air is present in the gap between the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive electrode column 5 and the inner circumferential surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4 on the back surface 41a side of the terminal, the air will move to the terminal surface 41b side as the resin hardens, causing air bubbles to form on the surface of the resin coating portion 7. In this embodiment, solder 6 is provided in the gap between the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive electrode column 5 and the inner circumferential surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4 on the back surface 41a side of the terminal. Therefore, no air remains in this gap. Similarly, solder 6 is provided in the gap between the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive electrode column 5 and the inner circumferential surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive electrode terminal 4 on the terminal surface 41b side as well. Therefore, no air remains in this gap. This prevents the formation of air bubbles on the surface of the resin coating 7 due to air remaining in these gaps during the formation of the resin coating 7. Similarly, the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating is also suppressed on the negative electrode terminal 8 side.

[0029] In this way, the storage battery 1 can suppress the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating portion 7 that covers the joint B between the positive electrode column 5 and the positive electrode terminal 4, and in the resin coating portion that covers the joint between the negative electrode column and the negative electrode terminal 8.

[0030] In one embodiment, the solder 6 may be provided to fill the inner corner formed by the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive electrode column 5 and the back surface 41a of the positive electrode terminal 4. In this case, even if the joint B between the positive electrode column 5 and the positive electrode terminal 4 is covered with the resin coating 7, it is possible to suppress the retention of air in the inner corner formed by the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive electrode column 5 and the back surface 41a of the positive electrode terminal 4, and to further suppress the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating 7. Similarly, on the negative electrode terminal 8 side, by providing solder to fill the inner corner, it is possible to suppress the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating on the negative electrode terminal 8 side.

[0031] In one embodiment, the surface H of the solder 6 on the terminal back surface 41a side may connect the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive pole 5 and the terminal back surface 41a of the positive terminal 4 in a concave curved shape or a straight line. In this case, even if the joint B between the positive pole 5 and the positive terminal 4 is covered with a resin coating 7, it is possible to further suppress the retention of air in the inner corner formed by the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive pole 5 and the terminal back surface 41a of the positive terminal 4, and to further suppress the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating 7. By using a similar configuration on the negative terminal 8 side, it is possible to further suppress the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating on the negative terminal 8 side.

[0032] In one embodiment, solder 6 can be used as a conductive joining material to join the positive terminal 4 and the positive pole 5. In this case, the positive terminal 4 and the positive pole 5 can be easily joined in the storage battery 1 by using solder 6. Similarly, the negative terminal 8 and the negative pole can be easily joined in the storage battery 1 by using solder.

[0033] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. For example, when joining the positive terminal 4 and the positive pole 5, the example described is when the solder wire 60 is melted from the terminal surface 41b side of the positive terminal 4 and the solder is flowed in, as shown in Figure 5. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and when joining the positive terminal 4 and the positive pole 5, the solder wire 6 may be melted from the terminal back surface 41a side of the positive terminal 4 and the solder 6 may be provided. Similarly, on the negative terminal 8 side, the solder wire may be melted from the terminal back surface side and the solder may be provided.

[0034] Furthermore, the type of storage battery 1 is not particularly limited. For example, storage battery 1 may be a valve-regulated lead-acid battery. In this case, even if storage battery 1 is a valve-regulated lead-acid battery, the formation of air bubbles in the resin coating portion 7 and the like can be suppressed. Also, storage battery 1 may be a valve-regulated storage battery other than a lead-acid battery. Also, storage battery 1 may be a storage battery other than a valve-regulated type.

[0035] In the above embodiment, the example described was one in which the end face of the tip portion 51A of the positive electrode column 5 is covered with solder 6. However, the invention is not limited to this, and the end face of the tip portion 51A of the positive electrode column 5 does not have to be covered with solder 6. In this case, the tip portion 51A of the positive electrode column 5 may protrude (protrude upward) more than in the example shown in Figure 4. And, similar to the back surface 41a side of the terminal, on the terminal surface 41b side, solder 6 may be provided so as to fill the inner corner formed by the outer peripheral surface 5a of the tip portion 51A of the positive electrode column 5 that protrudes significantly from the terminal surface 41b and the terminal surface 41b of the positive electrode terminal 4. In this configuration, the surface of the solder 6 on the terminal surface 41b side may connect the outer peripheral surface 5a of the tip portion 51A of the positive electrode column 5, which protrudes significantly from the terminal surface 41b, and the terminal surface 41b of the positive electrode terminal 4 in a straight line or a concave curve, similar to the terminal back surface 41a side described with reference to Figure 4. Similarly, on the negative electrode terminal 8 side, solder may be provided so as to fill the inner corner of the terminal surface.

[0036] Furthermore, the end face of the tip portion 51A of the positive pole 5 may be positioned between the terminal surface 41b and the terminal back surface 41a of the positive terminal 4, as shown in the example in Figure 4. In this case, the end face of the tip portion 51A of the positive pole 5 is covered with solder 6 on the terminal surface 41b side. The solder 6 may or may not protrude from the terminal surface 41b, as long as it is provided between the outer circumferential surface 5a of the positive pole 5 and the inner circumferential surface 40a of the insertion hole 40 of the positive terminal 4.

[0037] Solder 6 was used as the conductive bonding material to connect the positive terminal 4 and the positive pole 5. However, the positive terminal 4 and the positive pole 5 may be joined by a material other than solder, as long as the material is conductive and capable of joining the positive terminal 4 and the positive pole 5. Similarly, the negative terminal 8 and the negative pole may be joined by a conductive bonding material other than solder. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1... Storage battery (valve-regulated lead-acid battery), 2... Battery case, 3... Cover, 4... Positive terminal (terminal), 5... Positive pole (pole pole), 5a... Outer surface, 6... Solder (conductive bonding material), 7... Resin coating, 8... Negative terminal (terminal), 30... Cover through hole, 40... Insertion hole, 40a... Inner surface, 41a... Terminal back surface (outer surface), 41b... Terminal front surface (outer surface), 51A... Tip, 51B... Base end, H... Surface.

Claims

1. A terminal having an insertion hole into which the tip of the pole is inserted, A resin coating portion covers the joint portion where the pole column and the terminal are joined by a conductive bonding material, Equipped with, A storage battery in which the conductive bonding material protrudes from between the outer surface of the pole column and the inner surface of the insertion hole of the terminal.

2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the conductive bonding material is provided to fill the inner corner formed by the outer surface of the pole column and the outer surface of the terminal.

3. The battery according to claim 2, wherein the surface of the conductive bonding material connects the outer surface of the pole column and the outer surface of the terminal in a straight line or a concave curve.

4. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the conductive bonding material is solder.

5. The battery according to claim 1, which is a valve-regulated lead-acid battery.

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