Liquid-filled batteries

Abstract

To provide a liquid-fill type battery that can suppress the separation of the electrolyte from the separator. [Solution] A container in which an electrolyte solution is sealed and which is destroyed when a predetermined impact force is applied, The device comprises a power generation unit positioned downstream of the container in the direction of impact force application, which generates electricity as electrolyte seeps in, and the power generation unit is equipped with a backflow suppression unit that suppresses backflow of the electrolyte.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid injection type battery.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses a highly reliable liquid injection type battery with stable output in which the electrolyte is surely maintained in the power generation unit during flight. This liquid injection type battery includes an ampoule filled with an electrolyte, a power generation unit composed of a plurality of single cells, and a structure having a liquid injection path and an exhaust path. The single cell is composed of a separator arranged with a gap formed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the ampoule and the power generation unit are linearly arranged via the liquid injection path. The liquid injection path is divided for each single cell and is located above the single cell so as to correspond to the gap of the single cell. Further, a liquid absorbent for holding the electrolyte in the above gap is housed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the liquid injection type battery according to the above background art, when the flying object is launched, the ampoule is broken by the action of acceleration, and the electrolyte leaks into the battery. Then, when this electrolyte soaks into the separator, the state of the liquid injection type battery changes from an inactive state to an active state. In order for such a liquid injection type battery to exhibit desired performance, it is necessary to sufficiently soak the electrolyte into the separator, and for that purpose, it is necessary to continuously apply acceleration to the liquid injection type battery for a predetermined period or more.

[0005] However, depending on the type of projectile, the direction of acceleration may reverse after launch. If the direction of acceleration reverses after launch, some of the electrolyte that has seeped into the separator will separate from the separator. As a result, there is a risk that the electrolyte-filled battery may not be able to perform as intended.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a liquid-fill type battery that can suppress the separation of the electrolyte from the separator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention employs a first solution relating to a liquid-filling battery, comprising a container in which an electrolyte is sealed and which is destroyed when a predetermined impact force is applied, and a power generation unit positioned downstream of the container in the direction in which the impact force is applied, which generates electricity when the electrolyte seeps in, wherein the power generation unit is equipped with a backflow suppression unit that suppresses the backflow of the electrolyte.

[0008] In the present invention, as a second solution relating to a liquid-filled battery, the method adopted is that, in the first solution described above, the backflow suppression unit is provided on a separator provided between a plurality of electrodes.

[0009] In the present invention, as a third solution relating to a liquid-filled battery, the method adopted is that, in the second solution described above, the backflow suppression part is a folded portion provided on the separator.

[0010] In the present invention, as a fourth solution relating to a liquid-filled battery, the third solution described above employs a method in which the folded portion is provided in a pair, flanking the central portion.

[0011] In the present invention, as a fifth solution relating to a liquid-filled battery, the method adopted is that, in any of the second to fourth solutions described above, the electrode is provided with a projection that protrudes toward the container. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid-fill type battery that can suppress the separation of the electrolyte from the separator. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view (a) and a view (b) taken along the line XX in the cross-sectional view, showing the structure of a liquid-filled battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] These are details of the power generation unit in one embodiment of the present invention, and are a top view (a), an oblique view (b), a front view (c), and a side view (d). [Figure 3] These are a top view (a) and a side view (b) of a support plate in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the flow of electrolyte in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of a separator in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] These are modified examples of the power generation section in one embodiment of the present invention, and are shown as a top view (a), an oblique view (b), a front view (c), and a side view (d). [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1, the electrolyte-filled battery A according to this embodiment comprises a case 1, a lower inner 2, an intermediate inner 3, a plurality of separators 4, a plurality of electrodes 5, an upper inner 6, an electrolyte ampoule 7, an electrolyte 8, and a support plate 9. The plurality of separators 4 and the plurality of electrodes 5 constitute the power generation unit G in this embodiment.

[0015] This liquid injection type battery A is a cylindrical object as a whole, and is mounted inside, for example, a flying object. In FIG. 1, the upward direction of the liquid injection type battery A is the flying direction of the flying object. That is, the liquid injection type battery A according to the present embodiment is accommodated inside the flying object in a posture where the flying direction of the flying object is the upward direction on the paper surface.

[0016] Note that FIG. 1(a) is a cross-sectional view showing a cross-section (vertical cross-section) on the central axis of the cylindrical liquid injection type battery A. Further, FIG. 1(b) is a view taken in the direction of the arrow X-X in FIG. 1(a). Such a liquid injection type battery A is a DC power supply that supplies DC power of a predetermined voltage to a power demand section provided in a flying object.

[0017] Case 1 is a substantially cylindrical member formed from a predetermined metal material. That is, this case 1 is a cylindrical member having a predetermined diameter and an open lower end. In the present embodiment, the upper end portion in FIG. 1 is referred to as the upper end, and the lower end portion in FIG. 1 is referred to as the lower end. A protruding portion 1a that protrudes inward at a predetermined height toward the center is provided at this lower end portion as shown in the drawing.

[0018] The lower inner 2 is a disk-shaped member formed from a predetermined resin material, and is mounted inside the lower side of the case 1 as shown in the drawing. That is, this lower inner 2 is a member that closes the lower end (open end) of the case 1 by engaging with the protruding portion 1a of the case 1, and is provided in a concentric manner with the central axis of the liquid injection type battery A and in a posture orthogonal to the central axis of the liquid injection type battery A.

[0019] The intermediate inner 3 is a bottomed cylindrical resin member provided above such a lower inner 2. A cylindrical space is provided inside this intermediate inner 3. This space is an accommodation space for accommodating the power generation section G, and the side portion and the lower portion are covered with the resin forming the intermediate inner 3.

[0020] The power generation unit G is arranged on the downstream side of the electrolyte ampoule 7 of the flying object. It is a laminate of a plurality of separators 4 and a plurality of electrodes 5, and is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole as shown in FIG. 2. That is, the power generation unit G is formed by alternately laminating a plurality of separators 4 and a plurality of electrodes 5. Further, in this power generation unit G, the left-right dimensions of the separator 4 and the electrode 5 become smaller as they move away from the center of the power generation unit G, so that it has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole.

[0021] The plurality of separators 4 are plate-like members with a predetermined thickness as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 2(b) etc. Also, as shown in FIGS. 1(a), 2(a), (b) and (d), for example, a total of nine separators 4 are provided. These plurality of separators 4 are porous members or fiber members formed from porous or fibrous insulating materials.

[0022] The total of nine separators 4 have the front shape shown in FIG. 1(a) etc. That is, the total of nine separators 4 are not simple rectangular shapes, but include a main part 4a and a folded-back part 4b. The main part 4a is composed of a base part 4c extending in the left-right direction and a pair of standing-up parts 4d, 4d that rise upward at both ends of the base part 4c.

[0023] On the other hand, the pair of folded-back parts 4b, 4b are parts that project linearly inward and obliquely downward from the upper end parts of the pair of standing-up parts 4d, 4d. The folded-back parts 4b, 4b in the present embodiment are provided in a pair at the central part, that is, sandwiching the central axis, as shown in FIG. 1(a), and correspond to the backflow suppression part of the present invention.

[0024] That is, in the plurality of separators 4 in the present embodiment, a space S surrounded by the base part 4c, the pair of standing-up parts 4d, 4d and the pair of folded-back parts 4b is formed. This space S is an electrolyte accommodation space for accommodating the electrolyte 8 flowing out from the electrolyte ampoule 7 provided above.

[0025] The multiple electrodes 5 are conductive plates provided between the nine separators 4. As shown in Figures 1(a) and 2(b), the multiple electrodes 5 are rectangular plate-shaped members of a predetermined thickness. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1(a) and 2(a), (b), and (d), a total of 10 electrodes 5 are provided. Each of the 10 electrodes 5 has a positive electrode on one side and a negative electrode on the opposite side. The positive and negative electrodes are located on opposite sides of a single plate and are arranged in a stacked configuration with the separator in between.

[0026] The total of 10 electrodes 5 consist of a pair of central electrodes 5A and eight standard electrodes 5B. The pair of central electrodes 5A are electrodes located in the center of the power generation unit G, with one being the positive electrode and the other the negative electrode. As shown in Figure 2(b), the pair of central electrodes 5A are rectangular in shape and have a projection 5a at the center of their upper ends. The projection 5a is located in the center of the power generation unit G and protrudes upward, that is, toward the electrolyte ampoule 7.

[0027] The eight standard electrodes 5B are simple rectangular in shape, as shown in Figure 2(b), etc. The eight standard electrodes 5B are conductive plates with a rectangular shape, where the dimensions in the left-right direction decrease as they move away from the center of the power generation unit G, i.e., the pair of central electrodes 5A.

[0028] In this type of power generation unit G, the electrolyte 8 that flows out of the electrolyte ampoule 7 permeates the multiple separators 4, which activates the unit and generates DC power of a predetermined voltage. In other words, the power generation unit G is in an inactive state and does not generate power before the electrolyte 8 is supplied from the electrolyte ampoule 7.

[0029] The upper inner 6 is a substantially cylindrical resin member provided on the upper side of the intermediate inner 3. This upper inner 6 has a cylindrical space inside. This space is a storage space for accommodating the electrolyte ampoule 7. The upper inner 6 protects the electrolyte ampoule 7 while housing it. The upper inner 6 also has multiple engaging protrusions (not shown) that project upward. These multiple engaging protrusions are provided to engage the support plate 9 with the upper inner 6.

[0030] The electrolyte ampoule 7 is an ampoule, that is, a cylindrical container made of glass with a closed bottom. In other words, this electrolyte ampoule 7 is a cylindrical container having a predetermined diameter and closed at both ends (upper and lower ends). Such an electrolyte ampoule 7 has a roughly cylindrical internal space that serves as the storage space for the electrolyte 8, and it can hold a predetermined volume of electrolyte 8. Such an electrolyte ampoule 7 corresponds to the container of the present invention.

[0031] Furthermore, the electrolyte ampoule 7 is a container that is destroyed by the initial impact force acting on it during the initial stages of the projectile's flight. An initial impact force acts on the electrolyte-filled battery A during the flight of the projectile. Due to the action of this initial impact force, the electrolyte ampoule 7 moves downward over the support plate 9 and is destroyed by contacting the projection 5a of the central electrode 5A.

[0032] The electrolyte 8 is a liquid obtained by dissolving an ionic substance in a predetermined solvent, and it is electrically conductive. This electrolyte 8 is, for example, a perchloric acid aqueous solution obtained by dissolving perchloric acid in water as a solvent. Such an electrolyte 8 is sealed inside the electrolyte ampoule 7 described above. In other words, the electrolyte 8 is contained in a state that prevents it from scattering inside the liquid-filling battery A before the projectile takes flight.

[0033] The support plate 9 is a resin or metal member that holds the electrolyte ampoule 7 within the space inside the upper inner 6. This support plate 9 has the shape shown in Figure 3, for example. That is, this support plate 9 comprises a flat plate portion 9a and four support portions 9b.

[0034] The flat plate portion 9a is a circular ring-shaped flat plate having an inner circle and an outer circle, and has a plurality of openings 9c formed at predetermined angular intervals around the central axis. These plurality of openings 9c are engagement holes that engage with a plurality of engagement protrusions (not shown) on the upper inner 6. The support plate 9 is supported by the upper inner 6 by the engagement of the plurality of openings 9c with the upper inner 6.

[0035] The four support portions 9b are the parts that engage with the electrolyte ampoule 7 and are provided at 90° angles along the inner circumference of the flat plate portion 9a. Each of these four support portions 9b has a connecting portion that extends downward from the flat plate portion 9a and a claw portion provided at the tip of the connecting portion, substantially parallel to the flat plate portion 9a.

[0036] The four support portions 9b hold the electrolyte ampoule 7 in the housing space of the upper inner 6 by having four claw portions that contact the lower end of the electrolyte ampoule 7. The number of support portions 9b is not limited to four. For example, there may be two, three, or five or more support portions 9b.

[0037] Next, the state changes of the electrolyte-filled battery A according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figure 4.

[0038] Figure 4 shows the flow of the electrolyte 8 after the projectile begins flight. Before the projectile begins flight, the electrolyte 8 is sealed inside the electrolyte ampoule 7 as shown in Figure 1, but once the projectile begins flight, the electrolyte ampoule 7 is destroyed and the electrolyte enters the power generation unit G from above.

[0039] For example, when a projectile begins to fly upwards on the paper, an acceleration acts on the projectile in the direction of flight (upwards on the paper). In contrast, when the projectile begins to fly, an impact force acts on the electrolyte battery A in the opposite direction to the direction of flight (upwards), that is, downwards on the paper. When such an impact force acts on the electrolyte battery A, a similar impact force also acts on the electrolyte ampoule 7.

[0040] As a result, the electrolyte ampoule 7 presses down on the four support portions 9b on the support plate 9 from above, pushing them over. The electrolyte ampoule 7 is then released from its hold by the four support portions 9b and moves towards the power generation unit G. The electrolyte ampoule 7 is then destroyed by contacting the projection 5a on the central electrode 5A of the power generation unit G.

[0041] In other words, the electrolyte ampoule 7 is initially destroyed at the center of its lower end by contacting the projection 5a of the central electrode 5A located at the center of its lower end. As a result, the electrolyte 8 first flows into the upper center of the power generation unit G. This electrolyte 8 that initially enters the power generation unit G then enters the multiple separators 4 from above the power generation unit G, as shown in Figure 4(a).

[0042] Here, after the projectile begins flight, air resistance and other factors act on it, causing it to decelerate in the opposite direction (downward on the plane of the paper) to the initial acceleration (deceleration acceleration). This deceleration acceleration acts an upward force on the electrolyte 8 that has entered the multiple separators 4. As a result, the electrolyte 8 that has entered the multiple separators 4 attempts to flow backward in the opposite direction (upward on the plane of the paper) to the initial flow of the projectile, as shown in Figure 4(a).

[0043] In contrast, each of the separators 4 is provided with a pair of folded portions 4b, 4b that protrude diagonally downward from the upper ends of a pair of rising portions 4d, 4d in the main portion 4a. These pairs of folded portions 4b, 4b function as backflow suppression portions that suppress the backflow of the electrolyte 8, thereby suppressing the separation of the electrolyte 8.

[0044] In other words, the electrolyte 8, which would normally flow from the bottom of the paper to the top of the paper after reversing direction, is prevented from flowing upwards and separating from the multiple separators 4 by the pair of folded portions 4b. Therefore, the electrolyte 8 remains in the electrolyte containment space S without separating from the multiple separators 4.

[0045] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), if separators without a pair of folded portions 4b, 4b are used as multiple separators 4, the electrolyte 8 will flow in the opposite direction (upwards on the paper) after the projectile starts flying, because there is no pair of folded portions 4b, 4b, and will attempt to separate from the separator.

[0046] The electrolyte-filling battery A according to this embodiment comprises an electrolyte ampoule 7 (container) in which an electrolyte 8 is sealed and which is destroyed when a predetermined impact force is applied, and a power generation unit G which is located downstream of the electrolyte ampoule 7 (container) in the direction in which the impact force is applied and generates electricity when the electrolyte 8 seeps in, and the power generation unit G is equipped with a pair of folded parts 4b, 4b (backflow suppression parts) that suppress the backflow of the electrolyte 8.

[0047] According to this embodiment, since it is equipped with a pair of folded portions 4b, 4b (backflow suppression portions) that suppress the backflow of the electrolyte 8, it is possible to suppress the separation of the electrolyte 8 from the central separator 4A. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to make the electrolyte-filled battery A perform to its full potential.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and for example, the following modifications are possible. (1) In the above embodiment, a pair of folded portions 4b, 4b are used as the backflow suppression portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The pair of folded portions 4b, 4b are portions that protrude linearly inward and diagonally downward from the upper ends of each of the pair of rising portions 4d, 4d, but instead, a pair of folded portions as shown in Figure 5 may be used as the backflow suppression portion.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5(a), the pair of folded portions 4e, 4e in the first modified example have a different internal connection shape with the pair of rising portions 4d, 4d compared to the pair of folded portions 4b, 4b. That is, the folded portions 4e, 4e of the separator 4B in the first modified example have an outer shape that slopes inward and diagonally downward in a straight line, but the inner shape is not set to intersect the pair of rising portions 4d, 4d in a straight line and at an acute angle, but rather to a recessed curved shape.

[0050] According to the pair of folded portions 4e, 4e in this first modified example, the inner shape of the pair of folded portions 4e, 4e is set to a recessed curved shape, which makes it easy to create a vortex in the flow of the electrolyte 8 that has entered the electrolyte storage space S, thereby making it easier for the electrolyte to remain in the electrolyte storage space S.

[0051] As shown in Figure 5(b), the pair of folded portions 4f, 4f in the second modified example have a different internal connection shape with the pair of rising portions 4d, 4d compared to the pair of folded portions 4b, 4b. Specifically, the folded portions 4f, 4f of the separator 4C in the second modified example are equipped with a downward-extending pull-out portion at the tip, and the outer shape is inclined inward and diagonally downward in a straight line, while the inner shape is set to be perpendicular to the rising portion 4d and the pull-out portion.

[0052] With the pair of folded-over sections 4f, 4f according to this second modified example, the inner shape is set to be perpendicular to the rising section 4d and the lower section, making it easy to create a vortex in the flow of the electrolyte 8 that has entered the electrolyte storage space S, thereby making it easier for the electrolyte to remain in the electrolyte storage space S.

[0053] As shown in Figure 5(c), the pair of folded portions 4g, 4g in the third modified example have a different internal connection shape with the pair of rising portions 4d, 4d compared to the pair of folded portions 4b, 4b. That is, the folded portions 4g, 4g of the separator 4D in the third modified example have an outer shape that slopes linearly inward and diagonally downward, but the inner shape is set to be perpendicular to the rising portion 4d.

[0054] According to this third modified example, the pair of folded portions 4g, 4g have an inner shape that is perpendicular to the rising portion 4d, which makes it possible to facilitate the retention of the electrolyte 8 that has entered the electrolyte storage space S within the electrolyte storage space S.

[0055] (2) In the above embodiment, a power generation unit G that is generally cylindrical is used, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Figure 6, a power generation unit G1 that is generally rectangular parallelepiped may be used. In such a power generation unit G1, the size of the multiple separators 4 and the multiple electrodes 5 can be the same, making manufacturing easier.

[0056] (3) In the above embodiments and modifications, a pair of folded portions were used as the backflow suppression portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Anything other than a pair of folded portions may be used as the backflow suppression portion as long as it has a function of suppressing the backflow of the electrolyte 8. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] A Injectable battery G Power Generation Department 1 case 2 Lower inner 3. Mid-layer 4 Separators 5 electrodes 6 Upper inner 7 Electrolyte ampoules 8 Electrolyte 9 Support plate

Claims

1. A container that contains an electrolyte solution and is destroyed when a predetermined impact force is applied, The container is located downstream of the container in the direction of the impact force, and includes a power generation unit that generates electricity as the electrolyte seeps in, The electrolyte-filling battery is characterized in that the power generation unit includes a backflow suppression unit that suppresses the backflow of the electrolyte.

2. The liquid-filled battery according to claim 1, characterized in that the backflow suppression unit is provided on a separator provided between a plurality of electrodes.

3. The liquid-filling battery according to claim 2, characterized in that the backflow suppression portion is a folded portion provided on the separator.

4. The liquid-filled battery according to claim 3, characterized in that the folded portions are provided in pairs on either side of the central portion.

5. The electrolyte-filling battery according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the electrode has a projection that protrudes toward the container.

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