Cell manufacturing method

Abstract

To inhibit a clearance between two external terminals from changing in conjunction with deformation of an area between terminals when a housing part and a lid part are welded.SOLUTION: A manufacturing method of a cell 1 based on the disclosure includes: a step S1 in which a housing part 10 provided with an opening 11 is prepared; a step S2 in which a lid part 20 having a plate-like part 21, a first external terminal 22 provided at the plate-like part 21, and a second external terminal 23 which is provided spaced apart from the first external terminal 22 at the plate-like part 21 is prepared; a step S3 in which the lid part 20 is disposed on the housing part 10 so that the plate-like part 21 closes the opening 11; a step S4 in which a jig 5 is placed on an area R1 between the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23 of the plate-like part 21; and a step S5 in which the plate-like part 21 on which the jig 5 is placed and the housing part 10 are joined to each other by welding to close the opening 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing a cell. [Background technology]

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2010-105041 (Patent Document 1) is a document disclosing a cell manufacturing method. Patent Document 1 describes a method for manufacturing a prismatic battery in which a sealing lid is fitted into the opening of a prismatic battery outer can and a welding point between the prismatic battery outer can and the sealing lid is laser-welded. It also describes that a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are attached to the sealing lid via an insulator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-105041 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional cell manufacturing methods, the welding point between the outer can (casing) and the sealing lid may be welded with two terminals already attached to the sealing lid. In this case, the heat generated during welding is transferred to the inter-terminal region of the sealing lid between the two terminals. This causes the temperature of the inter-terminal region to rise, softening and deforming the inter-terminal region, which may change the distance between the two terminals.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a cell manufacturing method that can suppress changes in the separation distance between two external terminals due to deformation of the inter-terminal area when welding the lid portion and the casing portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A method for manufacturing a cell based on the present disclosure includes the steps of preparing a housing portion having an opening; preparing a lid portion having a plate-shaped portion, a first external terminal provided on the plate-shaped portion, and a second external terminal provided on the plate-shaped portion at a distance from the first external terminal; arranging the lid portion on the housing portion so that the plate-shaped portion covers the opening; placing a jig on the inter-terminal region of the plate-shaped portion between the first external terminal and the second external terminal; and welding the plate-shaped portion and the housing portion together with the jig placed thereon to close the opening.

[0007] In the process of welding the plate-like portion of the lid and the housing to close the opening, the heat conducted to the inter-terminal region by welding is conducted to the jig, thereby suppressing a temperature rise in the inter-terminal region and preventing the inter-terminal region from softening and deforming. By suppressing deformation of the inter-terminal region, it is possible to prevent a change in the separation distance between the first external terminal and the second external terminal due to deformation of the inter-terminal region.

[0008] In the method for manufacturing a cell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in the step of placing a jig, the jig is placed so as to abut against each of the first external terminal and the second external terminal.

[0009] The jig can prevent the first external terminal and the second external terminal from approaching each other due to deformation of the inter-terminal region, thereby suppressing a reduction in the separation distance between the first external terminal and the second external terminal.

[0010] In a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in the step of preparing a lid portion, the prepared lid portion further includes a first resin member provided to electrically insulate the plate-shaped portion from the first external terminal, and a second resin member provided to electrically insulate the plate-shaped portion from the second external terminal. The first external terminal has a first side surface facing the second external terminal. The first resin member has a first outer edge portion located at least closer to the second external terminal than the first side surface. The second external terminal has a second side surface facing the first external terminal. The second resin member has a second outer edge portion located at least closer to the first external terminal than the second side surface. In the step of placing a jig, the jig includes a base, a first protruding portion protruding from the base, a second protruding portion protruding from the base on a side opposite to the first protruding portion, and a third protruding portion protruding from a portion of the base different from the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion. In the process of placing the jig, the jig is placed so that the first protrusion abuts the first side surface, the second protrusion abuts the second side surface, and the third protrusion abuts the inter-terminal region while being spaced apart from each of the first outer edge and the second outer edge.

[0011] When the inter-terminal region is deformed, the first resin member and the second resin member also tend to move closer to each other. At this time, the force pressing the first external terminal and the second external terminal can be prevented from being reduced by the jig pressing the first resin member and the second resin member. As a result, the separation distance between the first external terminal and the second external terminal can be further prevented from being reduced.

[0012] In the method for manufacturing a cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in the step of preparing a lid portion, a liquid injection port is further provided in a plate-shaped portion of the prepared lid portion, and in the step of placing a jig, the jig is placed so as to close the liquid injection port.

[0013] This makes it possible to prevent spatters generated by welding from entering the cell through the injection port during the process of joining the plate-shaped portion of the lid and the casing to each other by welding to close the opening.

[0014] In the cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, in the step of placing a jig, the jig is placed so as to be spaced apart from the boundary between the plate-like portion and the casing portion.

[0015] This prevents the jig from interfering with penetration into the plate-like portion during the process of joining the plate-like portion of the lid and the housing portion together by welding to close the opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to suppress a change in the separation distance between the first external terminal and the second external terminal due to deformation of the inter-terminal region during welding. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cell of FIG. 2 as viewed from the direction of the arrows indicated by the line III-III. [Figure 4] 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a region IV portion of FIG. 3. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for manufacturing a cell according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a casing and a lid prepared in a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a housing part on which a lid part is arranged in a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a housing part and a lid part whose positions are fixed in a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the lid and housing with a jig placed on the inter-terminal region in a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing, the cover, and the jig of FIG. 9, as viewed from the direction of the arrow XX. [Figure 11]10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing, the cover, and the jig of FIG. 9, as viewed from the direction of the arrows along the line XI-XI. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the lid, the housing, and the jig when the opening is closed in the cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the lid and the housing in a state where a jig is placed, in a step of placing the jig in a modified example of the cell manufacturing method according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] A cell and a manufacturing method thereof according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same or corresponding parts in the drawings will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cell according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the cell 1 is specifically a power storage cell and has a rectangular shape. The cell 1 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery or a lithium-ion battery. A plurality of the cells 1 may be connected to a bus bar to form a power storage module. Such a power storage module is mounted on a hybrid vehicle that can run using the power of at least one of a motor and an engine, or an electric vehicle that runs using driving force obtained from electrical energy. The power storage module may be mounted below a floor panel of the vehicle, or may be disposed between the floor panel and a seat.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a plan view showing a cell according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cell of Fig. 2 as seen from the direction of the arrows along line III-III. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the cell 1 includes a housing 10 and a lid 20.

[0021] The housing 10 has an opening 11, which is closed as described below. The housing 10 contains a battery element 12 and an electrolyte 13. The housing 10 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0022] The lid portion 20 has a plate-shaped portion 21, a first external terminal 22 provided on the plate-shaped portion 21, and a second external terminal 23 provided on the plate-shaped portion 21 at a distance from the first external terminal 22. An inter-terminal region R1 is provided in the plate-shaped portion 21 between the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23. Furthermore, outer regions R2 are provided in the plate-shaped portion 21 on the side opposite the inter-terminal region R1 when viewed from the first external terminal 22, and on the side opposite the inter-terminal region R1 when viewed from the second external terminal 23.

[0023] The plate-shaped portion 21 is provided with a liquid inlet 21A and a safety valve 21C. The liquid inlet 21A is provided so as to penetrate the plate-shaped portion 21, and specifically, is provided in the inter-terminal region R1. The safety valve 21C is located approximately in the center of the plate-shaped portion 21 when viewed from the opening direction of the opening 11 of the housing portion 10, more specifically, approximately in the center of the inter-terminal region R1, and is the thinnest part of the plate-shaped portion 21. The plate-shaped portion 21 may be made of a single metal, or the safety valve 21C may be made of a material different from that of the other portions of the plate-shaped portion 21. In the present embodiment, the plate-shaped portion 21 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy.

[0024] The first external terminal 22 is, for example, a positive electrode terminal and is connected to the positive electrode of the battery element 12 by a current collecting member (not shown). The first external terminal 22 is made of a metal, for example, an aluminum alloy. The first external terminal 22 has a first side surface 22A facing the second external terminal 23.

[0025] The second external terminal 23 is, for example, a negative electrode terminal, and is connected to the negative electrode of the battery element 12 by a current collecting member (not shown). The second external terminal 23 is made of metal. Specifically, the second external terminal 23 has a first metal portion 231 and a second metal portion 232 made of different metals. The first metal portion 231 is made of, for example, a copper alloy, and the second metal portion 232 is made of, for example, an aluminum alloy. The second metal portion 232 is located on the plate-shaped portion 21 side as viewed from the first metal portion 231. The second external terminal 23 also has a second side surface 23A facing the first external terminal 22 side.

[0026] The lid portion 20 further has a first resin member 24, a second resin member 25, and a stopper portion 26. The first resin member 24 is provided so as to electrically insulate the plate-shaped portion 21 and the first external terminal 22. The first resin member 24 has a first outer edge portion 24A located at least on the second external terminal 23 side of the first side surface 22A. The second resin member 25 is provided so as to electrically insulate the plate-shaped portion 21 and the second external terminal 23. The second resin member 25 has a second outer edge portion 25A located at least on the first external terminal 22 side of the second side surface 23A. The stopper portion 26 seals the liquid filling port 21A.

[0027] Fig. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the configuration of region IV in Fig. 3. As shown in Fig. 4, the cell 1 according to this embodiment further has a penetration portion 30. The penetration portion 30 joins the casing portion 10 and the lid portion 20 to each other. The penetration portion 30 is formed by melting and fusing a portion of each of the casing portion 10 and the lid portion 20 together by welding in a manufacturing method of the cell 1, which will be described later. The penetration portion 30 is positioned so as to overlap both the casing portion 10 and the lid portion 20 when viewed from the opening direction of the opening 11 of the casing portion 10.

[0028] Next, a method for manufacturing a cell 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a cell according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the method for manufacturing a cell 1 according to an embodiment includes step S1 of preparing a casing, step S2 of preparing a lid, step S3 of placing the lid on the casing, step S4 of fixing the position of the casing, step S5 of placing a jig, step S6 of closing the opening, step S7 of injecting an electrolyte solution, and step S8 of closing the inlet. Note that the method for manufacturing a cell 1 according to this embodiment does not necessarily include steps S1 to S5 described above in this order.

[0029] 6 is a perspective view showing a casing and a lid prepared in a method for manufacturing a cell according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, a casing 10 prepared in step S1 has an opening 11 and contains a battery element 12 but does not contain an electrolyte solution 13.

[0030] The lid 20 prepared in the lid preparation step S2 includes the plate-shaped portion 21, the first external terminal 22, the second external terminal 23, the first resin member 24, and the second resin member 25, but does not include the stopper portion 26. The plate-shaped portion 21 of the prepared lid 20 is further provided with the liquid pouring port 21A and the safety valve 21C.

[0031] 7 is a perspective view showing a casing with a lid disposed thereon in a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, in step S3 of disposing the lid on the casing, the lid 20 is disposed so that the plate-shaped portion 21 covers the opening 11. Specifically, by fitting the plate-shaped portion 21 into the opening 11, the lid 20 is disposed so that the outer peripheral edge of the plate-shaped portion 21 contacts the casing 10 when viewed from the side where the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23 are provided.

[0032] 8 is a perspective view showing the casing and lid, the positions of which are fixed, in a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, in step S4 of fixing the position of the casing, the casing 10 is fixed by a fixing device 4. More specifically, the fixing device 4 surrounds the casing 10 when viewed from the opening direction of the opening 11 of the casing 10, thereby fixing the casing 10. As a result, the opening direction of the opening 11 of the casing 10 faces upward, but this opening direction is not particularly limited.

[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the lid and the housing with a jig placed on the inter-terminal region in a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing, the lid, and the jig in FIG. 9, as viewed from the direction of the arrows along line XX. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the housing, the lid, and the jig in FIG. 9, as viewed from the direction of the arrows along line XI-XI. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, in step S5 of placing the jig, a jig 5 is placed on the inter-terminal region R1 of the plate-shaped portion 21, between the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23. The jig 5 is placed on the inter-terminal region R1, for example, from a direction along the opening direction of the opening 11, but this direction is not particularly limited.

[0034] Here, the jig 5 will be described. The jig 5 includes a base 50, a first protrusion 60 protruding from the base 50, a second protrusion 70 protruding from the base 50 on the side opposite the first protrusion 60, and a third protrusion 80 protruding from a portion of the base 50 different from the first protrusion 60 and the second protrusion 70. The third protrusion 80 further includes a main contact portion 81, a secondary contact portion 82, and a closing portion 83. The main contact portion 81 is a portion that protrudes from the base 50. The secondary contact portion 82 and the closing portion 83 are portions that further protrude from the main contact portion 81 and are located on the opposite side of the base 50 from the main contact portion 81. The secondary contact portion 82 and the closing portion 83 are located spaced apart from each other. The jig 5 is preferably formed of a metal, such as stainless steel or an aluminum alloy.

[0035] Specifically, the jig 5 is placed so as to abut against each of the first external terminals 22 and the second external terminals 23. More specifically, the jig 5 is placed so that the first protrusion 60 abuts against the first side surface 22A, the second protrusion 70 abuts against the second side surface 23A, and the third protrusion 80 abuts against the inter-terminal region R1 while being spaced apart from each of the first outer edge portion 24A and the second outer edge portion 25A. At this time, the second protrusion 70 abuts against the second side surface 23A at both the first metal portion 231 and the second metal portion 232.

[0036] Furthermore, the jig 5 is placed on the inter-terminal region R1 so that the third protrusion 80 abuts against the safety valve 21C and so as to block the liquid filling port 21A. Specifically, the jig 5 is placed so that the main abutment portion 81 abuts against a portion of the inter-terminal region R1 of the plate-shaped portion 21 other than the plug portion 26 and the safety valve 21C, the sub-abutment portion 82 abuts against the safety valve 21C, and the closing portion 83 blocks the plug portion 26.

[0037] Furthermore, the jig 5 is placed on the plate-like portion 21 so as to be spaced apart from the boundary B between the plate-like portion 21 and the housing portion 10. Specifically, the jig 5 is placed so that the third protrusion 80 is spaced apart from the boundary B, and more specifically, the jig 5 is placed so that the main abutment portion 81 is spaced apart from the boundary B.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the lid, the housing, and the jig when the opening is closed in a cell manufacturing method according to one embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, in step S6 of closing the opening, the plate-like portion 21 and the housing 10 are joined together by welding while the jig 5 is placed thereon to close the opening 11. Specifically, this welding is laser welding irradiated from a laser irradiation device 9. Heat conducted to the inter-terminal region R1 by welding is conducted to the jig 5. This suppresses a temperature rise in the inter-terminal region R1, thereby suppressing deformation such as softening and bending of the inter-terminal region R1. By suppressing deformation of the inter-terminal region R1, it is possible to suppress a change in the separation distance between the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23 due to deformation of the inter-terminal region R1.

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the length of the inter-terminal region R1 is longer than the length of each of the outer regions R2 in the direction in which the first external terminals 22 and the second external terminals 23 are arranged. Therefore, the laser welding path at the boundary B around the inter-terminal region R1 is relatively longer than the laser welding path at the boundary B around each of the outer regions R2. Therefore, if welding is performed without placing the jig 5, the amount of heat input to the inter-terminal region R1 due to the laser heat is greater than the amount of heat input to the outer regions R2. Consequently, the inter-terminal region R1 is more susceptible to deflection deformation due to temperature rise than the outer regions R2. However, placing the jig 5 transfers heat from the inter-terminal region R1 to the jig, thereby suppressing thermal deformation of the inter-terminal region R1, which is relatively susceptible to the heat caused by welding.

[0040] Furthermore, because the jig 5, specifically the third protruding portion 80, more specifically the auxiliary abutment portion 82, is in contact with the safety valve 21C, the heat conducted to the safety valve 21C of the plate-shaped portion 21 by welding is further conducted to the jig 5. This suppresses a temperature rise in the safety valve 21C and suppresses softening of the safety valve 21C. Therefore, a decrease in the strength of the safety valve 21C can be suppressed.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 11, the jig 5 is placed so as to be away from the boundary B between the plate-shaped portion 21 and the housing portion 10, which prevents the jig 5 from interfering with the penetration from the housing portion 10 into the plate-shaped portion 21, and prevents the formation of the penetration portion 30 as shown in Figure 4 from being impeded.

[0042] Then, in step S7 of injecting an electrolyte solution, the above-described electrolyte solution 13 is injected through the liquid inlet 21A, and in step S8 of closing the liquid inlet, the liquid inlet 21A is closed with the above-described plug 26. In this way, the cell 1 according to the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 is manufactured.

[0043] As described above, the manufacturing method of the cell 1 based on this embodiment includes the steps of: step S1 of preparing a housing portion 10 having an opening 11; step S2 of preparing a lid portion 20 having a plate-shaped portion 21, a first external terminal 22 provided on the plate-shaped portion 21, and a second external terminal 23 provided on the plate-shaped portion 21 at a distance from the first external terminal 22; step S3 of arranging the lid portion 20 on the housing portion 10 so that the plate-shaped portion 21 covers the opening 11; step S5 of placing a jig 5 on the inter-terminal region R1 of the plate-shaped portion 21 between the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23; and step S6 of joining the plate-shaped portion 21 and the housing portion 10 with the jig 5 placed thereon by welding to close the opening 11.

[0044] In step S6 of joining the plate-shaped portion 21 of the lid portion 20 and the housing portion 10 together by welding to close the opening 11, the heat conducted to the inter-terminal region R1 by welding is conducted to the jig 5. This suppresses a temperature rise in the inter-terminal region R1, and prevents the inter-terminal region R1 from softening and deforming. By suppressing deformation of the inter-terminal region R1, it is possible to suppress a change in the separation distance between the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23 that would otherwise occur due to deformation of the inter-terminal region R1.

[0045] In the method for manufacturing the cell 1 according to this embodiment, in step S5 of placing the jig 5, the jig 5 is placed so as to come into contact with each of the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23.

[0046] The jig 5 prevents the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23 from approaching each other due to deformation of the inter-terminal region R1. This makes it possible to prevent the separation distance between the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23 from decreasing.

[0047] Furthermore, in the manufacturing method of the cell 1 according to the present embodiment, in step S5 of placing the jig 5, the jig 5 includes a base 50, a first protrusion 60 protruding from the base 50, a second protrusion 70 protruding from the base 50 on the side opposite to the first protrusion 60, and a third protrusion 80 protruding from a portion of the base 50 different from the first protrusion 60 and the second protrusion 70. In step S5 of placing the jig 5, the jig 5 is placed so that the first protrusion 60 abuts against the first side surface 22A, the second protrusion 70 abuts against the second side surface 23A, and the third protrusion 80 abuts against the inter-terminal region R1 while being spaced apart from each of the first outer edge 24A and the second outer edge 25A.

[0048] When the inter-terminal region R1 is deformed, the first resin member 24 and the second resin member 25 also tend to displace in directions that bring them closer to each other. At this time, it is possible to prevent the force pressing the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23 from becoming smaller, which would otherwise occur if the jig 5 were to press the first resin member 24 and the second resin member 25. Consequently, it is possible to further prevent the separation distance between the first external terminal 22 and the second external terminal 23 from becoming smaller.

[0049] In the method for manufacturing cell 1 according to the present embodiment, in step S2 of preparing lid portion 20, the prepared lid portion 20 has plate-shaped portion 21 further provided with liquid inlet 21A. In step S5 of placing jig 5, jig 5 is placed so as to close liquid inlet 21A.

[0050] This makes it possible to prevent spatters generated by welding from entering cell 1 through pouring port 21A in step S6 of joining plate-shaped portion 21 of lid portion 20 and housing portion 10 to each other by welding to close opening 11.

[0051] In the manufacturing method of the cell 1 according to this embodiment, in step S5 of placing the jig 5, the jig 5 is placed so as to be spaced apart from the boundary B between the plate-like portion 21 and the casing portion 10.

[0052] This prevents the jig 5 from obstructing the penetration of the casing portion 10 into the plate-shaped portion 21 in process S6, in which the plate-shaped portion 21 of the lid portion 20 and the casing portion 10 are joined to each other by welding to close the opening 11.

[0053] The shape of the jig 5 is not limited to the above. For example, Fig. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the lid and the housing in a state where the jig is placed in the step of placing the jig in a modified example of the cell manufacturing method according to the embodiment. Fig. 13 is illustrated in the same cross-sectional view as Fig. 12.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 13 , the third protrusion 80a of the jig 5a in this modification further includes a non-contact portion 85a and a contact portion 86a located on the opposite side of the non-contact portion 85a from the base portion 50. The contact portion 86a is formed of an elastic polymer material. This allows the contact portion 86a to deform to conform to the surface shape of the plate-shaped portion 21 (and the safety valve 21C) when the jig 5a is placed on the plate-shaped portion 21. This improves the adhesion of the jig 5a to the plate-shaped portion 21 and further improves thermal conductivity from the inter-terminal region R1 to the jig 5a. This in turn suppresses a temperature rise in the inter-terminal region R1, thereby further suppressing thermal deformation. Furthermore, this improves the adhesion of the jig 5a to the safety valve 21C and further improves thermal conductivity from the safety valve 21C to the jig 5a. This further suppresses a decrease in strength due to a temperature rise in the safety valve 21C.

[0055] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not by the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1 cell, 4 fixing device, 5, 5a jig, 9 laser irradiation device, 10 housing portion, 11 opening, 12 battery element, 13 electrolyte, 20 lid portion, 21 plate-shaped portion, 21A filling port, 21C safety valve, 22 first external terminal, 22A first side surface, 23 second external terminal, 23A second side surface, 24 first resin member, 24A first outer edge portion, 25 second resin member, 25A second outer edge portion, 26 plug portion, 30 melted portion, 50 base portion, 60 first protruding portion, 70 second protruding portion, 80, 80a third protruding portion, 81 main abutment portion, 82 secondary abutment portion, 83 closing portion, 85a non-abutment portion, 86a abutment portion, 231 first metal portion, 232 second metal portion, B boundary, R1 Area between terminals, R2 outer area.

Claims

1. preparing a housing portion having an opening; a step of preparing a cover having a plate-shaped portion, a first external terminal provided on the plate-shaped portion, and a second external terminal provided on the plate-shaped portion at a distance from the first external terminal; placing the lid portion on the housing portion so that the plate-shaped portion covers the opening; placing a jig on an inter-terminal region of the plate-shaped portion between the first external terminal and the second external terminal; and joining the plate-like portion and the housing portion together by welding in a state in which the jig is placed thereon to close the opening. In the step of placing the jig, the jig is placed so as to abut against each of the first external terminal and the second external terminal.

2. In the step of preparing the lid portion, the lid portion to be prepared further includes a first resin member provided to electrically insulate the plate-like portion from the first external terminals, and a second resin member provided to electrically insulate the plate-like portion from the second external terminals, the first external terminal has a first side surface facing the second external terminal; the first resin member has a first outer edge portion located at least closer to the second external terminal than the first side surface; the second external terminal has a second side surface facing the first external terminal, the second resin member has a second outer edge portion located at least closer to the first external terminal than the second side surface; In the step of placing the jig, the jig includes a base, a first protruding portion protruding from the base, a second protruding portion protruding from the base on a side opposite to the first protruding portion, and a third protruding portion protruding from a portion of the base different from the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion, 2. The method for manufacturing a cell according to claim 1, wherein the jig is placed so that the first protrusion abuts the first side surface, the second protrusion abuts the second side surface, and the third protrusion abuts the inter-terminal region while being spaced apart from each of the first outer edge and the second outer edge.

3. In the step of preparing the lid portion, The lid portion to be prepared has the plate-shaped portion further provided with a liquid injection port, In the step of placing the jig, The method for manufacturing a cell according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the jig is placed so as to close the liquid injection port.

4. In the step of placing the jig, The method for manufacturing a cell according to claim 1 , wherein the jig is placed so as to be spaced apart from a boundary between the plate-like portion and the casing portion.

Images