Liquid injection unit

Abstract

To realize an electrolyte injection unit that can suppress buckling of the battery when the electrolyte is injected into the battery. [Solution] An electrolyte injection unit (1) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is an electrolyte injection unit for injecting electrolyte into a battery (2) from an injection port formed on the upper surface of the battery (2), and comprises: a syringe part (3) for storing electrolyte and having an outlet (3b) for injecting electrolyte into the battery (2); a support part (4) that supports the syringe part (3) and can press the syringe part (3) against the upper surface of the battery (2); and a first restraining part (5) fixed to the support part (4) and restraining the upper end of the battery (2) by clamping it from the thickness direction of the battery (2).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid injection unit, for example, a liquid injection unit for injecting an electrolyte into a battery through an injection port formed on the upper surface of the battery.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, when injecting an electrolyte into a battery, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, with the syringe portion pressed against the periphery of the injection port on the upper surface of the battery, the electrolyte stored in the syringe portion is injected into the battery through the injection port of the battery.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The applicant of the present application has found the following problems. When injecting an electrolyte into a battery as described above, the battery may buckle when the syringe portion is pressed against the periphery of the injection port on the upper surface of the battery. The present disclosure realizes a liquid injection unit capable of suppressing buckling of the battery when injecting an electrolyte into the battery.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A liquid injection unit according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid injection unit for injecting an electrolyte into the battery through an injection port formed on the upper surface of the battery, including a syringe portion that stores the electrolyte and has a discharge port for injecting the electrolyte into the battery, a support portion that supports the syringe portion and can press the syringe portion against the upper surface of the battery, and a first restraint portion that is fixed to the support portion and sandwiches and restrains the upper end portion of the battery from the thickness direction of the battery.

Effects of the Invention

[0006] According to this disclosure, it is possible to realize an electrolyte injection unit that can suppress buckling of the battery when the electrolyte is injected into the battery. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows the process of injecting electrolyte into a battery using the electrolyte injection unit of the embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing the syringe portion of the liquid injection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a YZ cross-sectional view showing the liquid injection jig of the embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an enlarged view showing the various parts of the liquid injection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the first restraint portion of the liquid injection unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] This is an exploded perspective view showing the second restraint portion of the liquid injection unit according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The following describes specific embodiments applying this disclosure with reference to the drawings. However, this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, for clarity, the following description and drawings have been simplified as appropriate.

[0009] First, the configuration of the electrolyte injection unit of this embodiment will be described. In the following description, a three-dimensional (XYZ) coordinate system will be used for clarity. Figure 1(a) is a perspective view showing the process of injecting electrolyte into a battery using the electrolyte injection unit of this embodiment, Figure 1(b) is a view from the X-axis + side of the process of injecting electrolyte into a battery using the electrolyte injection unit of this embodiment, Figure 1(c) is a view from the Y-axis + side of the process of injecting electrolyte into a battery using the electrolyte injection unit of this embodiment, and Figure 1(d) is a view from the Z-axis + side of the process of injecting electrolyte into a battery using the electrolyte injection unit of this embodiment.

[0010] The electrolyte injection unit 1 of this embodiment is suitable for injecting electrolyte from an injection port formed on the Z-axis + end face of the battery 2. As shown in Figures 1(a), 1(b), 1(c), and 1(d), the electrolyte injection unit 1 comprises a syringe part 3, a support part 4, a first restraining part 5, and a second restraining part 6. In this case, the syringe part 3, the support part 4, and the first restraining part 5 constitute an electrolyte injection jig 7.

[0011] Figure 2(a) is a perspective view showing the liquid injection jig of the liquid injection unit of this embodiment, and Figure 2(b) is a perspective view showing the syringe part of the liquid injection unit of this embodiment. Figure 3 is a YZ cross-sectional view showing the liquid injection jig of this embodiment. Figure 4(a) is an enlarged view showing the area around the contact part with the battery of the liquid injection unit of this embodiment, Figure 4(b) is an enlarged view showing the area around the pressing part of the liquid injection unit of this embodiment, and Figure 4(c) is an enlarged view showing the area around the fixing part of the liquid injection unit of this embodiment.

[0012] The syringe section 3, for example as shown in Figures 2(a), 2(b), and 3, has a roughly rectangular prism shape that is elongated in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and is equipped with multiple storage sections 3a spaced apart in the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0013] The storage section 3a is into which the electrolyte is poured when the electrolyte is injected into the battery. As shown in Figures 2(a), 2(b), and 3, for example, the storage section 3a is approximately cylindrical when viewed from the Z-axis direction and penetrates the syringe section 3 in the Z-axis direction.

[0014] As shown in Figure 3, the portion of the storage section 3a on the Z-axis side has a roughly conical shape, with the diameter of the storage section 3a narrowing towards the Z-axis side, and an outlet 3b is provided at the Z-axis side end of the storage section 3a.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the support portion 4 supports the syringe portion 3. The support portion 4 includes a first jig 11, a second jig 12, a pressing portion 13, and a fixing portion 14. The first jig 11 is disposed on the -Z axis side with respect to the syringe portion 3 and is fixed to the syringe portion 3. The first jig 11 includes a flat plate portion 11a, a protruding portion 11b, and a liquid guiding portion 11c.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the flat plate portion 11a has a plate shape substantially parallel to the XY plane, and for example, is a substantially rectangular shape that is long in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The width dimension of the flat plate portion 11a in the X-axis direction is substantially equal to the width dimension of the syringe portion 3 in the X-axis direction, for example.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the length of the flat plate portion 11a in the Y-axis direction is longer than the length of the syringe portion 3 in the Y-axis direction, and the end portions on the +Y axis side and the -Y axis side of the flat plate portion 11a in the Y-axis direction protrude outward from the syringe portion 3.

[0018] For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the protruding portion 11b is disposed substantially at the center of the flat plate portion 11a in the Y-axis direction and protrudes on the -Z axis side from the flat plate portion 11a. The protruding portion 11b has a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape in which the length of the end portion on the +Z axis side of the protruding portion 11b in the Y-axis direction is longer than the length of the end portion on the -Z axis side of the protruding portion 11b in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the X-axis direction, and has a thickness in the X-axis direction.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(a), the liquid guiding portion 11c is formed in the flat plate portion 11a and the protruding portion 11b and penetrates the first jig 11 in the Z-axis direction. At this time, the end portion on the +Z axis side of each liquid guiding portion 11c corresponds to the arrangement of each discharge port 3b of the syringe portion 3, and the end portion on the -Z axis side of each liquid guiding portion 11c corresponds to the arrangement of the liquid injection port of the battery 2. [[ID=I8]]

[0020] Here, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4(a), a sheet member 15 may be fixed to the end portion on the -Z axis side of the protruding portion 11b in the first jig 11 in order to improve the adhesion between the first jig 11 and the battery 2.

[0021] The sheet member 15 is often made of an elastic material such as ethylene propylene diene rubber, and includes a fluid guide portion formed to connect the Z-axis side end of the fluid guide portion 11c of the first jig 11 to the fluid injection port of the battery 2.

[0022] The second jig 12, as shown in Figure 3, for example, comprises a flat plate portion 21, a base 22, a projection portion 23, and a mounting portion 24. The flat plate portion 21 is plate-shaped and substantially parallel to the XY plane, and is substantially rectangular in shape, elongated in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The flat plate portion 21 has an opening 21a in its approximate center, which has a planar area larger than the planar area of ​​the projection portion 11b of the first jig 11 when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0023] As shown in Figure 3, the base 22 is positioned on the Z-axis+ side relative to the flat plate portion 21 and is fixed to the flat plate portion 21. The base 22 comprises an enclosure portion 22a and a flat plate portion 22b. As shown in Figure 2(a), the enclosure portion 22a is roughly C-shaped when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The enclosure portion 22a is positioned along the X-axis+ end of the flat plate portion 21, the Y-axis+ end of the flat plate portion 21, and the Y-axis- end of the flat plate portion 21, and is a plate shape that is roughly perpendicular to the Z-axis.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 3, the flat plate portion 22b is plate-shaped and substantially parallel to the XY plane, and protrudes from the enclosed portion 22a toward the inward side of the enclosed portion 22a. The flat plate portion 22b is substantially C-shaped when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and has a space inside the flat plate portion 22b in which the syringe portion 3 can be placed.

[0025] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 3, the protruding portion 23 is fixed to the Y-axis positive end and the Y-axis negative end of the base 22, and protrudes outward from the base 22 in the Y-axis direction. The protruding portion 23 comprises a flat plate portion 23a and a rib portion 23b.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2(a), the flat plate portion 23a has a plate shape that is substantially parallel to the XY plane, and is substantially C-shaped with the outer end of the second jig 12 open in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The rib portion 23b has a plate shape that is substantially parallel to the YZ plane, and is substantially a right-angle trapezoid when viewed from the X-axis direction. The rib portion 23b protrudes from the X-axis+ side end and the X-axis- side end of the flat plate portion 23a toward the Z-axis+ side.

[0027] The mounting section 24 is used, for example, when placing the liquid injection jig 7 on a workbench or the like. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 3, the mounting section 24 is positioned on the Z-axis side relative to the protruding section 23 and comprises a flat plate section 24a and an arm section 24b. The flat plate section 24a is plate-shaped and approximately parallel to the XY plane, and is approximately rectangular in shape, elongated in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 3, the flat plate portion 24a is fixed to the flat plate portion 23a of the protruding portion 23. The arm portion 24b may be, for example, outrigger-shaped, and an elastic member 24c may be fixed to the Z-axis-side end of the arm portion 24b. The arm portion 24b is positioned on the Z-axis-side relative to the flat plate portion 24a and is fixed to the flat plate portion 24a.

[0029] In this second jig 12, as shown in Figure 3, the protruding portion 11b of the first jig 11 is positioned in the opening 21a of the flat plate portion 21 when viewed from the Z-axis direction, and the flat plate portion 11a of the first jig 11 is positioned on the Z-axis+ side relative to the flat plate portion 21 of the second jig 12. At this time, the syringe portion 3 is surrounded by the enclosing portion 22a of the base 22.

[0030] The pressing portion 13 includes, for example, a rod 31, a spring 32, a linear bush 33, and a connecting portion 34, as shown in Figure 4(b). The rod 31 extends in the Z-axis direction and passes through a through hole 22c formed in the flat plate portion 22b of the base 22 of the second jig 12. The Z-axis end of the rod 31 is fixed to the flat plate portion 11a of the first jig 11.

[0031] The spring 32 is a coil spring, as shown in Figure 4(b), and is placed between the flat plate portion 11a of the first jig 11 and the flat plate portion 22b of the base 22 of the second jig 12, while being passed through the rod 31.

[0032] The linear bush 33 is positioned on the Z-axis+ side relative to the flat plate portion 22b of the base 22 of the second jig 12, as shown in Figure 4(b), with the rod 31 passing through it. The Z-axis- side end of the linear bush 33 is fixed to the flat plate portion 22b of the base 22 of the second jig 12.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), the connecting portion 34 is roughly C-shaped when viewed from the Z-axis direction and is positioned to surround the syringe portion 3. The connecting portion 34 is fixed to the Y-axis+ side rod 31 and the Y-axis- side rod 31 so as to span the Z-axis+ end of the Y-axis+ side rod 31 and the Z-axis+ end of the Y-axis- side rod 31.

[0034] As a result, when the connecting portion 34 is pulled up towards the Z-axis+ side, the syringe portion 3 is pulled up towards the Z-axis+ side relative to the second jig 12 via the rod 31 and the first jig 11, and the spring 32 is compressed.

[0035] On the other hand, when the connecting portion 34 is released from its pulled-up position on the Z-axis+ side, the restoring force of the spring 32 pushes the syringe portion 3 downward on the Z-axis- side relative to the second jig 12 via the rod 31 and the first jig 11. At this time, the seat member 15 fixed to the first jig 11 protrudes from the second jig 12 on the Z-axis- side.

[0036] In other words, the syringe portion 3 and the first jig 11 are supported so as to be movable in the Z-axis direction relative to the second jig 12 via the pressing portion 13. Here, it is preferable that a connecting member 35, which is connected to a fixing jig for fixing the connecting portion 34 in a pulled-up position on the Z-axis+ side, is fixed to the connecting portion 34. As a result, when the connection between the fixing jig and the connecting member 35 is released, the restoring force of the spring 32 can push the syringe portion 3 down on the Z-axis- side.

[0037] As shown in Figure 3, the fixing part 14 fixes the liquid injection jig 7 to the second restraining part 6. As shown in Figures 2(a) and 4(c), the fixing part 14 is positioned in the opening 23c of the flat plate portion 23a of the protruding part 23 of the second jig 12 when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The fixing part 14 includes a rod 41, an engaging part 42, a reaction force part 43, and a spring 44. The rod 41 extends in the Z-axis direction and is passed through a through hole formed in the flat plate portion 24a of the mounting part 24 of the second jig 12.

[0038] As shown in Figure 3, the engaging portion 42 is fixed to the Z-axis side end of the rod 41. The engaging portion 42 is shaped to engage with the engaged portion 66 provided on the second restraining portion 6 from the X-axis direction when fixing the liquid injection jig 7 to the second restraining portion 6, and is, for example, approximately a semi-octagonal shape when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0039] As shown in Figure 2(a), the reaction force section 43 comprises a rod 43a, a first connecting section 43b, a linear bush 43c, and a second connecting section 43d. The rod 43a extends in the Z-axis direction. The rod 43a is positioned on both sides in the X-axis direction, with the through hole through which the rod 41 passes in the mounting section 24 of the first jig 11, and the Z-axis end of the rod 43a is fixed to the flat plate section 24a of the mounting section 24.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2(a), the first connecting portion 43b is fixed to the X-axis+ side rod 43a and the X-axis- side rod 43a so as to span the Z-axis+ side end of the X-axis+ side rod 43a and the Z-axis+ side end of the X-axis- side rod 43a.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2(a), the linear bush 43c is passed through the rod 43a. The second connecting portion 43d is fixed to the linear bush 43c on the X-axis + side and the linear bush 43c on the X-axis - side, so as to span the Z-axis + end of the linear bush 43c on the X-axis + side and the Z-axis + end of the linear bush 43c on the X-axis - side. The Z-axis + end of the rod 41 is fixed to the second connecting portion 43d.

[0042] The spring 44 is a coil spring, as shown in Figure 2(a), and is placed between the flat plate portion 24a of the mounting portion 24 of the second jig 12 and the second connecting portion 43d of the reaction force portion 43, while being passed through the rod 41.

[0043] As a result, when the engaging portion 42 is pulled towards the Z-axis, the spring 44 takes a reaction force from the reaction force portion 43 and pushes the second jig 12 towards the Z-axis. On the other hand, if the engaging portion 42 is not pulled towards the Z-axis, the restoring force of the spring 44 pushes the second jig 12 upward towards the Z-axis via the reaction force portion 43.

[0044] As shown in Figures 1(b) and 1(c), the first restraining part 5 clamps and restrains the Z-axis positive end of the battery 2 when injecting electrolyte into the battery 2. Figure 5(a) is a perspective view showing the first restraining part of the electrolyte injection unit of this embodiment, and Figure 5(b) is a perspective view showing the first restraining part of the electrolyte injection unit of this embodiment fixed to the second jig.

[0045] The first restraining part 5 includes pressing parts 51, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). The pressing parts 51 are arranged to face each other in the X-axis direction. In other words, the first restraining part 5 includes a pressing part 51 on the X-axis+ side and a pressing part 51 on the X-axis- side.

[0046] Here, the pressing portion 51 on the X-axis+ side and the pressing portion 51 on the X-axis- side are symmetrical with respect to the YZ plane, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). Therefore, the pressing portion 51 on the X-axis+ side will be described as representative. The pressing portion 51 includes a contact portion 52, a push-in portion 53, and an operating portion 54.

[0047] The contact portion 52 is a columnar shape extending in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), and is preferably made of metal, for example. The contact portion 52 has a flat surface 52a at its X-axis-side end that is substantially parallel to the YZ plane, and the flat surface 52a is preferably knurled.

[0048] The pushing portion 53 pushes the contact portion 52 toward the X-axis. The pushing portion 53 comprises, for example, a flat plate portion 53a, a movable portion 53b, a fixed portion 53c, a spring 53d, and a guide portion 53e, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). The flat plate portion 53a is a flat plate shape substantially parallel to the XY plane and is substantially rectangular in shape, elongated in the Y-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. In Figure 5(b), the flat plate portion 53a is shown by a dashed line to clarify the configuration of the first restraining portion.

[0049] The movable part 53b is, for example, a columnar shape extending in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), and a contact part 52 is fixed to the X-axis-side end of the movable part 53b. The movable part 53b is positioned on the Z-axis+ side relative to the flat plate part 53a and is slidably mounted on the flat plate part 53a. In this case, the movable part 53b is positioned on the X-axis-side portion of the flat plate part 53a when viewed from the Z-axis direction.

[0050] The fixing portion 53c is, for example, a column shape extending in the Y-axis direction, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b). The fixing portion 53c is positioned on the Z-axis+ side relative to the flat plate portion 53a and is fixed to the X-axis+ end of the flat plate portion 53a.

[0051] The spring 53d is a coil spring, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), and extends in the X-axis direction. The spring 53d is positioned between the movable part 53b and the fixed part 53c. The guide part 53e is a columnar shape extending in the X-axis direction and is passed through the spring 53d. Note that in Figure 5(a), only a portion of the guide part 53e is shown as representative.

[0052] For example, the X-axis-side end of the guide portion 53e is fixed to the movable portion 53bd, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), and the X-axis-+ side end of the guide portion 53e is slidably inserted in the X-axis direction into a sliding hole formed in the fixed portion 53c.

[0053] The operating section 54 is operated when the contact section 52 is pulled towards the X-axis + side. The operating section 54 comprises a rod 54a and a handle 54b, as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), for example. The rod 54a is spaced apart in the Y-axis direction.

[0054] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), the rod 54a is columnar in shape extending in the X-axis direction, and its X-axis-side end is fixed to the movable part 53b while passing through a through hole 53f formed in the fixed part 53c. The handle 54b is fixed to each rod 54a so as to span the X-axis-side end of each rod 54a.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5(b), the first restraining part 5 is positioned on the Z-axis side relative to the second jig 12, facing it in the X-axis direction, so that it can restrain the Z-axis positive end of the battery 2 by clamping it with the contact part 52, and the fixing part 53c is fixed to the flat plate part 21 of the second jig 12.

[0056] Then, when the handle 54b of the first restraint part 5 on the X-axis+ side and the handle 54b of the first restraint part 5 on the X-axis- side are operated to separate them in the X-axis direction, the contact parts 52 facing each other in the X-axis direction open up so that they move away from each other in the X-axis direction. On the other hand, when the operation of the handle 54b is released, the restoring force of the spring 53d closes the contact parts 52 facing each other in the X-axis direction so that they move closer together in the X-axis direction.

[0057] As shown in Figure 1(c), the second restraining part 6 restrains the side surface of the battery 2 when the electrolyte is injected into the battery 2. Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view showing the second restraining part of the electrolyte injection unit of this embodiment. Note that in Figure 6, the battery 2 is shown so as to clarify the arrangement relationship between the second restraining part 6 and the battery 2. As shown in Figure 6, the second restraining part 6 comprises a first restraining plate 61, a first elastic sheet 62, a second restraining plate 63, a second elastic sheet 64, and a fastening part 65.

[0058] As shown in Figure 6, the first restraint plate 61 has a plate shape that is substantially parallel to the YZ plane and is substantially rectangular when viewed from the X-axis direction. The first restraint plate 61 is large enough to cover the side of the battery 2 on the X-axis + side. A housing portion 61a is formed at the Z-axis + end of the first restraint plate 61 to accommodate the X-axis + pressing portion 51 of the first restraint portion 5.

[0059] The first elastic sheet 62 is a cushioning material placed between the battery 2 and the first restraint plate 61. The first elastic sheet 62 is, for example, a plate shape substantially parallel to the YZ plane, as shown in Figure 6, and is substantially rectangular when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0060] As shown in Figure 6, the second restraint plate 63 has a configuration substantially identical to that of the first restraint plate 61, and a housing portion 63a is formed at the Z-axis+ end of the second restraint plate 63 to accommodate the X-axis-side pressing portion 51 of the first restraint portion 5.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, an engaged portion 66 is fixed to the Z-axis+ end of the second restraint plate 63, with the engaging portion 42 of the fixing portion 14 engaging with it. The engaged portion 66 is arranged on both sides in the Y-axis direction with the housing portion 63a in between. The engaged portion 66 has a roughly C-shape, for example, with the Z-axis- end open when viewed from the X-axis direction, and has thickness in the X-axis direction.

[0062] The second elastic sheet 64 is a cushioning material placed between the battery 2 and the second restraint plate 63. The second elastic sheet 64 is, for example, a plate shape substantially parallel to the YZ plane, as shown in Figure 6, and is substantially rectangular when viewed from the X-axis direction.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6, the fastening portion 65 comprises a bolt 65a, a connecting portion 65b, and a nut 65c. The bolts 65a are spaced apart in the Z-axis direction and extend in the X-axis direction.

[0064] As shown in Figure 6, the connecting portion 65b is fixed to each bolt 65a so as to span the X-axis+ end of the bolts 65a that are aligned in the Z-axis direction. The nut 65c is screwed onto the bolt 65a. The nut 65c may be configured, for example, as having a female thread formed inside a stepped pin having a flange portion 65d at the X-axis- end of the nut 65c.

[0065] Next, the process of injecting electrolyte into the battery 2 using the electrolyte injection unit 1 of this embodiment will be explained. First, the first restraining plate 61 is brought into substantially surface contact with the X-axis + side of the battery 2 via the first elastic sheet 62, and the second restraining plate 63 is brought into substantially surface contact with the X-axis - side of the battery 2 via the second elastic sheet 64, thereby sandwiching the battery 2 between the first restraining plate 61 and the second restraining plate 63.

[0066] Next, a nut 65c is screwed onto the X-axis-side end of the bolt 65a. Then, the bolt 65a and nut 65c are passed from the X-axis direction through the notches 61b formed at the Y-axis-side and Y-axis-side ends of the first restraint plate 61, and the notches 63b formed at the Y-axis-side and Y-axis-side ends of the second restraint plate 63, with the connecting portion 65b positioned on the X-axis-side relative to the first restraint plate 61, and the flange portion 65d of the nut 65c positioned on the X-axis-side relative to the second restraint plate 63.

[0067] Next, the nut 65c is rotated to fully tighten it onto the bolt 65a. This restrains the battery 2 between the first restraint plate 61 and the second restraint plate 63. At this time, the Z-axis positive end of the battery 2, the Z-axis positive end of the first restraint plate 61, and the Z-axis positive end of the second restraint plate 63 are positioned at approximately equal heights in the Z-axis direction.

[0068] Next, the handle 54b of the first restraining part 5 of the fluid injection jig 7 is operated to maintain the contact parts 52 facing each other in the X-axis direction in an open state, separated in the X-axis direction. Also, the connecting part 34 of the pressing part 13 is pulled up towards the Z-axis+ side to maintain the syringe part 3 pulled up towards the Z-axis+ side relative to the second jig 12.

[0069] Next, the engaging portion 42 of the fixing portion 14 of the liquid injection jig 7 is inserted into the engaged portion 66 of the second restraining portion 6 from the X-axis direction and engaged, while the engaged portion 66 of the second restraining portion 6 is inserted between the engaging portion 42 of the fixing portion 14 and the flat plate portion 24a of the mounting portion 24 of the second jig 12.

[0070] As a result, the second connecting portion 43d is pushed upward towards the Z-axis + side and comes into contact with the first connecting portion 43b, and the restoring force of the spring 44, which takes reaction force from the first connecting portion 43b via the second connecting portion 43d, presses the flat plate portion 24a of the mounting portion 24 of the second jig 12 against the engaged portion 66 of the second restraining portion 6. Consequently, the liquid injection jig 7 is fixed to the second restraining portion 6.

[0071] Next, the handle 54b of the first restraint part 5 of the liquid injection jig 7 is released. As a result, the restoring force of the spring 53d of the first restraint part 5 causes the contact parts 52 facing each other in the X-axis direction to move closer in the X-axis direction, and the Z-axis positive end of the battery 2 is sandwiched between the X-axis positive side contact part 52 and the X-axis negative side contact part 52.

[0072] In this case, if the flat surface 52a of the first restraining part 5 is knurled, the frictional force with the battery 2 is improved, and the Z-axis positive end of the battery 2 can be firmly gripped by the X-axis positive contact part 52 and the X-axis negative contact part 52.

[0073] Next, the connecting portion 34 of the pressing portion 13 of the liquid injection jig 7 is released from being pulled up to the Z-axis+ side. As a result, the restoring force of the spring 32 of the pressing portion 13, which takes reaction force from the flat plate portion 22b of the base 22 of the second jig 12, pushes the syringe portion 3 down to the Z-axis- side relative to the second jig 12 via the rod 31 and the first jig 11, and the sheet member 15 fixed to the first jig 11 comes into contact with the Z-axis+ end face of the battery 2.

[0074] At this time, the discharge port 3b of the syringe portion 3, the fluid guide portion 11c of the first jig 11, the fluid guide portion of the sheet member 15, and the liquid injection port of the battery 2 are arranged to be continuous. If the sheet member 15 is made of an elastic material, the sheet member 15 can be made to adhere well to the Z-axis+ end face of the battery 2. This prevents electrolyte from leaking out from between the sheet member 15 and the battery 2.

[0075] Next, when the electrolyte from the reservoir 3a of the syringe section 3 is poured in, the electrolyte can be injected into the battery 2 through the injection port of the battery 2 via the syringe section 3, the first jig 11, and the sheet member 15. Once the injection into the battery 2 is complete, the injection unit 1 can be removed from the battery 2 in the reverse order of the procedure described above.

[0076] At this time, the pressing portion 13 presses the sheet member 15 against the Z-axis positive end face of the battery 2. However, since the Z-axis positive end of the battery 2, which is close to the position where the battery 2 is pressed against the Z-axis negative end, is restrained by the first restraining portion 5, the moment arm is small, and buckling of the battery 2 can be suppressed.

[0077] Thus, the electrolyte injection unit 1 of this embodiment can suppress buckling of the battery 2 when the electrolyte is injected into the battery 2. Moreover, in the electrolyte injection unit 1 of this embodiment, if the electrolyte injection jig 7 is equipped with a second restraining part 6, deformation of the battery 2 can be suppressed when the electrolyte is injected into the battery 2, thereby suppressing performance degradation of the battery 2.

[0078] Furthermore, in the liquid injection unit 1 of this embodiment, if the liquid injection jig 7 is equipped with a pressing portion 13, the syringe portion 3 can be pressed against the Z-axis + end face of the battery 2 via the first jig 11 and the sheet member 15.

[0079] Furthermore, in the liquid injection unit 1 of this embodiment, if the liquid injection jig 7 is fixed to the second restraint 6 by the fixing portion 14 of the liquid injection jig 7 engaging the engaging portion 42 with the engaged portion 66 of the second restraint 6, the liquid injection jig 7 can be easily attached to and detached from the second restraint 6.

[0080] Furthermore, in the liquid injection unit 1 of this embodiment, if the fixing portion 14 of the liquid injection jig 7 is configured to press the flat plate portion 24a of the mounting portion 24 of the second jig 12 against the engaged portion 66 of the second restraining portion 6 by the restoring force of the spring 44, the liquid injection jig 7 can be firmly fixed to the second restraining portion 6.

[0081] The liquid injection unit 1 of this embodiment includes a second restraining part 6, but this may be omitted. Furthermore, the configuration of the liquid injection unit 1 of this embodiment is illustrative; in short, any configuration that allows the syringe part 3 to be pressed against the Z-axis positive end face of the battery 2 while simultaneously restraining the Z-axis positive end of the battery 2 from the X-axis direction is acceptable.

[0082] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1 Injection unit, 2 Battery, 3 Syringe section, 4 Support section, 5 First restraint section, 52 Contact section, 6 Second restraint section, 11 First jig, 12 Second jig, 14 Fixing section, 42 Engaging section, 15 Sheet member (elastic member), 32 Spring (first biasing section), 44 Spring (second biasing section)

Claims

1. An electrolyte injection unit for injecting electrolyte into a battery through an injection port formed on the upper surface of the battery, A syringe section having a discharge port for storing the electrolyte and injecting the electrolyte into the battery, A support portion that supports the syringe portion and can press the syringe portion against the upper surface of the battery, A first restraining part is fixed to the support part and restrains the upper end of the battery by clamping it from the thickness direction of the battery, A liquid injection unit equipped with the following features.

2. The battery is further provided with a second restraining part that restrains the battery by clamping it from the thickness direction while in surface contact with the side surface of the battery, The aforementioned support portion is A fixing part fixed to the second restraining part, The first jig on which the syringe portion is fixed, A second jig is fixed to the aforementioned fixing part and supports the first jig so that it can move in the vertical direction, A first biasing unit is positioned between the first jig and the second jig and biases the first jig downward, The liquid injection unit according to claim 1, having the following features.

3. The aforementioned fixing part is An engaging portion that can engage with the engaged portion fixed to the second restraining portion from the thickness direction of the battery, With the engaging portion engaged with the engaged portion, a second biasing portion clamps the second jig between the engaging portion and the engaged portion, The liquid injection unit according to claim 2, comprising:

4. The liquid injection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the portion of the first restraining portion that contacts the battery is knurled.

5. The liquid injection unit according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein an elastic member is fixed to the lower end of the syringe portion.

Images