Storage containers for tab leads, and combinations of tab leads and storage containers.

Abstract

To prevent a tab lead from being hurt or broken, etc. when a plurality of tab leads are stored in a container and carried.SOLUTION: A storage container of tab leads contains a rectangular conductor and insulator films exposed from both ends in a width direction of the conductor. A recessed part of a body part has a bottom surface and four side surfaces, and has an inverted square frustum shape in which an area of opening part in an upper end is larger than that of the bottom surface. A width of the bottom surface coincides with a width of the conductor of the tab lead in direction and length. The side surfaces include a left side surface, a right side surface, a front side surface and a rear side surface. The front side surface is brought into contact with the insulator film of the nearest tab lead in a state where a plurality of tab leads are stored in the recessed part. The rear side surface is brought into contact with the insulator film of the nearest tab lead in the above state. In the left side surface and the right side surface, a bottom side is shorter than an upper side, and all of internal angles made by the bottom side and a lateral side are obtuse angles. In the recessed part, a volume of a region occupied by the plurality of tab leads in the above state is contained in a range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recessed part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a storage container for tab leads and a combination of a tab lead and a storage container.

[0002] Conventionally, tab leads used as terminals for extracting electricity from a battery have been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, when storing and carrying metal terminals such as a plurality of tab leads in a container, it is desirable to prevent the metal terminals from moving inside the container due to vibration and being damaged or broken.

[0005] Y An object of the present disclosure is to provide a storage container for tab leads and a combination of a tab lead and a storage container that can prevent damage or breakage of the tab leads when storing and carrying a plurality of tab leads in a container.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The tab lead storage container of the present disclosure comprises a main body for storing a plurality of tab leads and a lid covering the main body, wherein the tab lead includes a conductor which is a foil with a rectangular main surface and an insulating film which covers a portion of the conductor and is exposed from both ends in the width direction of the conductor, the main body has a recess which has a bottom surface and four sides and has an inverted truncated square pyramidal shape in which the area of ​​the opening at the upper end of the recess is larger than the area of ​​the bottom surface, the width of the bottom surface is the same as the width, direction and length of the conductor of the tab lead, and the four sides include a left side and a right side which intersect with a straight line along the width direction of the bottom surface, and a front side and a rear side which are parallel to the straight line, and the left side and the The right side does not contact the insulating film of each tab lead when multiple tab leads are housed in the recess; the front side contacts the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the front side in the aforementioned state; the rear side contacts the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the rear side in the aforementioned state; the left side and the right side are trapezoidal, with the base shorter than the top, and the interior angles of the trapezoid formed by the base and the sides are all obtuse angles; and the volume of the area occupied by the portion of the tab leads below the insulating film when multiple tab leads are housed in the recess is in the range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recess.

[0007] The combination of tab leads and storage containers of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of tab leads and a storage container for storing the plurality of tab leads, the storage container comprising a main body and a lid covering the main body, the tab leads comprising a conductor which is a foil with a rectangular main surface and an insulating film which covers a portion of the conductor and is exposed from both ends in the width direction of the conductor, the main body having a recess, the recess having a bottom surface and four sides, and having an inverted truncated square pyramidal shape in which the area of ​​the opening at the upper end of the recess is larger than the area of ​​the bottom surface, the width of the bottom surface is the same as the width, direction and length of the conductor of the tab lead, and the four sides are the left and right sides which intersect a straight line along the width direction of the bottom surface, and the front and rear sides which are parallel to the straight line The recess includes a surface, wherein the left and right sides do not contact a portion of the insulating film of each tab lead when a plurality of tab leads are housed in the recess, the front side contacts the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the front side in the state described above, the rear side contacts the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the rear side in the state described above, the left and right sides are trapezoidal, with the base shorter than the top, and the interior angles of the trapezoid formed by the base and the sides are all obtuse angles, and the recess is such that the volume of the area occupied by the portion of the tab leads below the insulating film when a plurality of tab leads are housed in the recess is in the range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recess. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to this disclosure, when transporting multiple tab leads in a container, it is possible to prevent damage or breakage to the tab leads. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of a storage container for tab leads according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the tab leads stored in the storage container shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a side view of the tab lead shown in Figure 2. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a top view showing the configuration of the recess in the storage container shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating how multiple tab leads are housed in the recess shown in Figure 4. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a view from the right side showing the state in which multiple tab leads are stored in the recess shown in Figure 4. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a view from the rear of the recess shown in Figure 4, in which multiple tab leads are stored. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the process of storing multiple tab leads in the recess shown in Figure 4. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Description of Embodiments in this Disclosure] First, embodiments of this disclosure will be listed and described. (1) A storage container for tab leads according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a main body for storing a plurality of tab leads and a lid for covering the main body, wherein each tab lead includes a conductor which is a foil with a rectangular main surface and an insulating film which covers a part of the conductor and is exposed from both ends in the width direction of the conductor, the main body has a recess which has a bottom surface and four sides and has an inverted truncated square pyramidal shape in which the area of ​​the opening at the upper end of the recess is larger than the area of ​​the bottom surface, the width of the bottom surface is the same as the width, direction and length of the conductor of the tab lead, and the four sides include a left side and a right side which intersect with a straight line along the width direction of the bottom surface, and a front side and a rear side which are parallel to the straight line, and the left side The right side does not contact the insulating film of each tab lead when a plurality of tab leads are housed in the recess; the front side contacts the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the front side in the aforementioned state; the rear side contacts the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the rear side in the aforementioned state; the left side and the right side are trapezoidal, with the base shorter than the top, and the interior angles of the trapezoid formed by the base and the sides are both obtuse angles; and the volume of the area occupied by the portion of the tab leads below the insulating film when a plurality of tab leads are housed in the recess is in the range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recess.

[0011] This configuration allows multiple tab leads to be stored in a container and carried without the tab leads moving around inside the container. This prevents scratches or damage to the tab leads. Furthermore, because the volume occupied by the portion of the stored tab leads below the insulating film falls within 70% to 90% of the recess's volume, there is adequate space between the recess and the tab leads, making it easy to insert and remove bundles of tab leads from the storage container.

[0012] (2) In the storage container for the tab lead described in (1) above, cutouts are formed at the upper ends of each of the front side and the rear side. In a state where a plurality of the tab leads are stored in the recess, a part of the conductor of the tab lead and a part of the insulating film are exposed from the cutouts, and no cutout is formed at the connecting portion between the side surfaces.

[0013] In this way, with the configuration in which cutouts are formed on the front side and the rear side of the recess, when taking in and out the bundle of tab leads with respect to the storage container, it is possible to prevent the operator's finger from contacting the storage container, and the work can be performed more easily. Further, with the configuration in which no cutout is formed at the connecting portion between the side surfaces of the recess, the strength of the recess can be increased to prevent damage to the storage container.

[0014] (3) In the storage container for the tab lead described in (1) or (2) above, a plurality of the recesses are formed in the main body portion along the front-rear direction.

[0015] With such a configuration, a large number of tab leads can be stored and carried. In order to store a large number of tab leads, it is also conceivable to increase the length of the recess in the front-rear direction. However, compared with the configuration in which the length of the recess in the front-rear direction is increased, the configuration with a plurality of recesses is easier to work by storing the number of tab leads that can be grasped at one time in one recess. If the connecting portion of the front and rear walls between the recesses is a surface, the strength of the storage container can be increased.

[0016] (4) In the storage container for the tab lead according to any one of (1) to (3) above, a plurality of the recesses are formed in the main body portion along the left-right direction.

[0017] With such a configuration, a large number of tab lids can be stored and carried. To store a large number of tab lids, a configuration with a plurality of recesses is easier to work with than a configuration that increases the length of the recess in the front-rear direction, as it allows the number of tab lids that can be grasped at once to be stored in one recess. If the connecting part of the left and right walls between the recesses is made into a surface, the strength of the storage container can be enhanced.

[0018] (5) In the storage container for any one of the tab lids from (1) to (4) above, m recesses, which are natural numbers of 2 or more, are formed in the main body portion along the front-rear direction, and n recesses, which are natural numbers of 2 or more, are formed along the left-right direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction.

[0019] With such a configuration, a large number of tab lids can be stored and carried. Also, with a configuration in which a plurality of recesses are provided in both the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, it is possible to prevent the storage container from being bent when lifted by avoiding an elongated shape of the storage container, making handling easier.

[0020] (6) A combination of tab leads and a storage container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a plurality of tab leads and a storage container for storing the plurality of tab leads, wherein the storage container includes a main body and a lid covering the main body, the tab lead includes a conductor which is a foil with a rectangular main surface and an insulating film which covers a portion of the conductor and is exposed from both ends in the width direction of the conductor, the main body has a recess, the recess has a bottom surface and four sides, and has an inverted truncated square pyramidal shape in which the area of ​​the opening at the upper end of the recess is larger than the area of ​​the bottom surface, the width of the bottom surface is the same as the width, direction and length of the conductor of the tab lead, and the four sides include a left side and a right side that intersect a straight line along the width direction of the bottom surface, and a front side parallel to the straight line Including the side and rear side surfaces, the left side and the right side surface do not contact the insulating film of each tab lead when a plurality of tab leads are housed in the recess, the front side surface contacts the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the front side surface in the state described above, the rear side surface contacts the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the rear side surface in the state described above, the left side and the right side surface are trapezoidal, with the base shorter than the top, and the interior angles of the trapezoid formed by the base and the side surfaces are all obtuse angles, and the recess is such that the volume of the area occupied by the portion of the tab leads below the insulating film when a plurality of tab leads are housed in the recess is in the range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recess.

[0021] This configuration allows multiple tab leads to be stored in a container and carried without the tab leads moving around inside the container. This prevents scratches or damage to the tab leads. Furthermore, because the volume occupied by the portion of the stored tab leads below the insulating film falls within 70% to 90% of the recess's volume, there is adequate space between the recess and the tab leads, making it easy to insert and remove bundles of tab leads from the storage container.

[0022] [Details of the embodiments of this disclosure] Specific examples of the tab lead storage containers of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the claims as shown in the claims.

[0023] (Overall configuration of the storage containers) Figure 1 shows an example of a tab lead storage container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, the tab lead storage container 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a main body portion 10 and a lid portion 11 that covers the main body portion 10. The main body portion 10 has a recess 21 in which the tab leads 1, which will be described later, are stored. The main body portion 10 and the lid portion 11 are formed of resin.

[0024] The resins that make up the main body 10 and the lid 11 can be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Polyethylene terephthalate is preferred in terms of moldability and durability.

[0025] Making the thickness of the main body 10 0.4 mm or more is preferable in terms of strength, as it prevents bending or twisting of the main body 10 when metal terminals such as tab leads 1 are inserted and carried around. On the other hand, since the material cost increases as the thickness of the main body 10 increases, it is preferable to limit the thickness of the main body 10 to 2 mm. The main body 10 and the lid 11 can be manufactured by injection molding or vacuum molding, which involves pouring molten resin into a mold.

[0026] In the following, the positive direction of the X-axis in Figure 1 will be defined as the right direction, and the negative direction of the X-axis as the left direction. Also, the positive direction of the Y-axis in Figure 1 will be defined as the forward direction, and the negative direction of the Y-axis as the backward direction. The positive direction of the Z-axis in Figure 1 will be defined as the upward direction, and the negative direction of the Z-axis as the downward direction.

[0027] The main body 10 has, for example, m recesses 21, which are 2 or more natural numbers, formed along the front-to-back direction, and n recesses 21, which are 2 or more natural numbers, formed along the left-to-right direction. m and n may be different numbers or the same number. In the example shown in Figure 1, the main body 10 has 5 recesses 21 formed along the front-to-back direction and 4 recesses 21 formed along the left-to-right direction, and has a roughly square shape when viewed from above.

[0028] Between the recesses 21 aligned in the left-right direction, a first connecting portion 12 extending in the front-rear direction is provided. In addition, between the recesses 21 aligned in the front-rear direction, a second connecting portion 13 extending in the left-right direction is provided.

[0029] Furthermore, the recesses 21 are not limited to being provided in multiple locations in either the front-to-back direction or the left-to-right direction. For example, one recess may be formed along the front-to-back direction and n recesses along the left-to-right direction, or m recesses may be formed along the front-to-back direction and one recess along the left-to-right direction. Also, only one recess 21 may be formed in the main body portion 10.

[0030] The main body 10 and the lid 11 have a locking mechanism that allows them to fit together when the lid 11 covers the main body 10. More specifically, the main body 10 has four sides 15: a left side 15A, a right side 15B, a rear side 15C, and a front side 15D. Recessed first fitting portions 16 are formed at both ends of each side 15 in the direction of extension.

[0031] The lid portion 11 has four sides 18: a left side 18A, a right side 18B, a rear side 18C, and a front side 18D. At both ends of each side 18 in the extending direction, recessed second fitting portions 17 are formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of first fitting portions 16 formed on the main body portion 10. When the lid portion 11 covers the main body portion 10, the plurality of second fitting portions 17 on the lid portion 11 fit with the plurality of corresponding first fitting portions 16, thereby fixing the lid portion 11 to the main body portion 10.

[0032] Furthermore, the shapes of the first fitting portion 16 and the second fitting portion 17 are not limited to an elliptical shape, but may also be rectangular or a rectangular shape with rounded corners. Also, the first fitting portion 16 is not limited to being formed on all four sides 15, but may be formed only on the left side 15A and the right side 15B, for example.

[0033] Preferably, the vertical length of each side surface 18 of the lid portion 11 is approximately the same as the vertical length of each side surface 15 of the main body portion 10. This configuration allows for a larger surface area of ​​each side surface 18 of the lid portion 11. Therefore, when the lid portion 11 and the main body portion 10 are lifted together while multiple tab leads 1 are stored in the main body portion 10 and covered with the lid portion 11, it is possible to prevent the upper surface of the lid portion 11 from bending or twisting.

[0034] (Tabread structure) Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a tab lead housed in the storage container shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the tab lead shown in Figure 2. Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the tab lead 1 is a terminal for drawing electricity from a battery and includes a conductor 2 with a rectangular main surface and having a first end 2a and a second end 2b in the longitudinal direction, and an insulating film 3 that covers a part of the conductor 2. The insulating film 3 is provided on the side of the first end 2a that is closer to the center of the conductor 2 in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] More specifically, conductor 2 is a foil made of a metal such as aluminum or copper. For example, conductor 2 has a vertical length L1 = 20 mm to 90 mm, a horizontal width d = 10 mm to 80 mm, and a thickness t1 = 0.1 mm to 3 mm. The horizontal width d may be longer than the vertical length L1.

[0036] The insulating film 3 is composed of two films, a first film 3A and a second film 3B, each having an inner and outer layer. The width W of the insulating film 3 is longer than the width d of the conductor 2, and the insulating film 3 is exposed from both ends of the conductor 2 in the width direction. For example, the insulating film 3 has a vertical length L2 = 5 mm to 20 mm, a width W = 20 mm to 110 mm, and a thickness t2 = 0.4 mm to 0.7 mm.

[0037] During the manufacturing of the tab lead 1, the conductor 2 is sandwiched between the inner layers of the first film 3A and the second film 3B, and the inner layers of the first film 3A and the second film 3B are bonded together.

[0038] (Detailed configuration of recesses in storage containers) Figure 4 is a top view showing the configuration of the recess in the storage container shown in Figure 1. Referring to Figure 4, the recess 21 has a bottom surface 31 and four sides. The four sides include the left side 32 and the right side 33 which intersect a straight line along the width direction, i.e., the left-right direction, of the bottom surface 31, and the rear side 34 and the front side 35 which are parallel to said straight line.

[0039] Furthermore, an opening 41 is formed at the upper end of the recess 21. That is, the opening 41 is formed by the upper ends of each side. The recess 21 has an inverted truncated square pyramid shape in which the area of ​​the opening 41 is larger than the area of ​​the base 31. In a top view, the base 31 appears to be completely contained within the opening 41. The left side 32 and the right side 33 have the shape of an inverted trapezoid. That is, the left side 32 and the right side 33 have a shape in which the base is shorter than the top, and the interior angles θ of the trapezoid formed by the base and both sides are all obtuse angles. This trapezoid is preferably an isosceles trapezoid. In this specification and claims, the term trapezoid includes those in which the connection between the base and the sides is curved.

[0040] The left side 32, right side 33, rear side 34, and front side 35 are inclined with respect to the bottom surface 31 such that the area of ​​the opening 41 is larger than the area of ​​the bottom surface 31. More specifically, the left side 32 and right side 33 are inclined such that, when multiple tab leads 1 are housed in the recess 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "housed state"), there is a small gap between each tab lead 1 and the insulating film 3.

[0041] The rear side surface 34 and the front side surface 35 are inclined such that, as will be described later, in the stored state, the volume of the area occupied by the portion of the bundle of multiple tab leads 1 below the insulating film 3 falls within a range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recess 21.

[0042] The left side 32, right side 33, rear side 34, and front side 35 may have the same height or different heights in the vertical direction.

[0043] The first connecting portion 12 is the space between the recess 21 and another recess 21 adjacent to it in the left-right direction. It is preferable that the main body portion 10 is less likely to bend if the first connecting portion 12 is the surface that connects the upper end of the right side surface 33 of the recess 21 and the upper end of the left side surface 32 of the adjacent other recess 21.

[0044] Furthermore, the space between the recess 21 and another recess 21 adjacent to it in the front-rear direction is the second connecting portion 13. It is preferable that the main body portion 10 is less likely to bend if the second connecting portion 13 is a surface that connects the upper end of the front surface 35 of the recess 21 and the upper end of the rear surface 34 of the adjacent other recess 21.

[0045] A notch 42 is formed at the upper end of each of the rear side surface 34 and front side surface 35 of each recess 21, but no notch is formed at the connecting portion between the sides. The notch 42 is, for example, U-shaped and large enough to allow a human finger to be inserted.

[0046] In addition to connecting the upper end of the front surface 35 of recess 21 with the upper end of the rear surface 34 of the adjacent recess 21, the second connecting portion 13 also connects the notch 42 of the front surface 35 of recess 21 with the notch 42 of the rear surface 34 of the other recess 21.

[0047] Furthermore, the recess 21 is not limited to a configuration in which notches 42 are formed on both the rear side surface 34 and the front side surface 35; at least one of the rear side surface 34 and the front side surface 35 may not have a notch 42.

[0048] (Explanation of the tab reed storage state) Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating how multiple tab leads are stored in the recess shown in Figure 4. In Figure 5, the bundle of multiple tab leads 1 and the shape of the recess 21 are simplified for clarity. Figure 6 is a view from the right side of the recess shown in Figure 4, showing multiple tab leads stored in the recess.

[0049] Referring to Figures 5 and 6, one recess 21 can house, for example, a bundle of 50 tab leads 1. In the tab lead 1, as described above, an insulating film 3 is provided on the first end 2a side of the conductor 2, rather than the vertical center. Therefore, when multiple tab leads 1 are bundled together, as shown in Figure 6, the conductors 2 come into contact with each other at the second end 2b, while the spacing between the conductors 2 is increased on the first end 2a side due to the thickness of the insulating film 3. As a result, the bundle of multiple tab leads 1 takes on an approximately inverted truncated square pyramid shape, as shown in Figure 5.

[0050] More specifically, when the insulating films 3 are overlapped without any gaps, the tab leads 1 adjacent to each other are in close contact with the insulating film 3, but there is a gap between the first end 2a and the second end 2b of the adjacent conductors 2 equal to the difference between the thickness t2 of the insulating film 3 and the thickness t1 of the conductor 2. When the insulating films 3 are overlapped without any gaps, and the second ends 2b of the conductors 2 are also overlapped without any gaps, as shown in Figure 6, the bundle of tab leads 1 in a side view forms a fan shape that spreads upward.

[0051] The recess 21 is formed such that the length of the portion corresponding to the insulating film 3 in the front-to-back direction is approximately the same as the length of the portion of the insulating film 3 in the bundle of tab leads 1 in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, when the bundle of tab leads 1 is stored in the recess 21, as shown in Figure 6, the insulating film 3 of the tab lead 1 closest to the rear surface 34 comes into contact with the rear surface 34, and the insulating film 3 of the tab lead 1 closest to the front surface 35 comes into contact with the front surface 35.

[0052] Furthermore, the length (depth) b of the bottom surface 31 of the recess 21 in the front-to-back direction is formed to be slightly longer than the length Tb of the second end 2b of the conductor 2 in the front-to-back direction in the bundle of tab leads 1. In other words, the depth of the bottom surface 31 is formed to be slightly greater than the value obtained by multiplying the thickness t1 of the conductor 2 of the tab lead 1 by the number of tab leads 1 stored. As a result, in the stored state, a small gap is formed between the second end 2b of the conductor 2 of the nearest tab lead 1 and the rear surface 34, and between the second end 2b of the conductor 2 of the nearest tab lead 1 and the front surface 35.

[0053] In addition, when stored, a small gap may form between the second ends 2b of each conductor 2. In this case, the distance between the first ends 2a of adjacent conductors 2 will be shorter than in the case where no gap forms between the second ends 2b of each conductor 2.

[0054] Figure 7 is a rear view of the state in which multiple tab leads are housed in the recess shown in Figure 4. Referring to Figure 7, in the housed state, the left side surface 32 and the right side surface 33 do not come into contact with the insulating film 3 of each tab lead 1, and a small gap is formed between them and the lower end of the insulating film 3.

[0055] Furthermore, in the retracted state, a portion of the conductor 2 of the tab lead 1 closest to the rear side surface 34 and a portion of the insulating film 3 are exposed through a notch 42 formed on the rear side surface 34. Similarly, on the front side surface 35, in the retracted state, a portion of the conductor 2 of the tab lead 1 closest to the front side surface 35 and a portion of the insulating film 3 are exposed through a notch 42 formed on the front side surface 35.

[0056] Referring again to Figure 5, the recess 21 is formed such that, in the storage state, the volume of the area occupied by the portion of the bundle of multiple tab leads 1 stored below the insulating film 3 is within the range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recess 21.

[0057] For example, as shown in Figure 5, suppose a bundle of 50 tab leads 1 is to be stored in one recess 21. The volume Vt of the area occupied by the bundle of 50 tab leads 1 stored in the recess 21 can be determined using the method for calculating the volume of the inverted truncated square pyramid formed by the bundle. Specifically, the vertical length of the part of the bundle of tab leads 1 below the insulating film 3 is (L1-S), the width of the conductor 2 is d, the width of the insulating film is W, the thickness in the front-to-back direction on the first end 2a side is Ta, and the thickness in the front-to-back direction on the second end 2b side is Tb. S is the length from the top of the insulating film 3 to the first end 2a of the conductor 2.

[0058] In this case, the volume of the inverted truncated square pyramidal shape formed by the bundle of tab leads 1, that is, the volume Vt of the region of the recess 21 occupied by the bundle of tab leads 1, is calculated by equation (1). Vt=(L1-S)×{d·Ta+W·Tb+2(W·Ta+d·Tb)} / 6 ···(1)

[0059] When a bundle of tab leads 1 is to be stored, the size of the bottom surface 31 of the recess 21, as well as the inclination angle and size of each side, are set so that Vt is 70% to 90% of the volume Vp of the recess 21.

[0060] For example, the width a of the bottom surface 31 in the left-right direction is set so that its direction and length match the width d of the conductor 2 of the tab lead 1 shown in Figure 2. Here, even if the difference in length between width a and width d is slight, it is still considered to "match". A slight difference is, for example, within the range of 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm.

[0061] Specifically, the width a of the bottom surface 31 is set to a = 45.2 mm, for example, so that there is a small gap between the left side surface 32 and the right side surface 33 of the recess 21 at both ends in the left-right direction on the second end 2b side of the conductor 2. In addition, the vertical length h of the recess 21 is set to be slightly longer than the length L1 of the conductor 2 of the tab lead 1.

[0062] As described above, the left side 32 and right side 33 of the recess 21 are set to an angle of inclination relative to the bottom surface 31 such that there is a small gap between them and the insulating film 3 of the tab lead 1. This results in, for example, a width A in the left-right direction of the opening 41 at the upper end of the recess 21 being set to 61 mm.

[0063] Referring to Figure 6, the thickness b in the front-to-back direction at the bottom surface 31 of the recess 21 is calculated by equation (2). In equation (2), Nt is the thickness at the lower end of the insulating film 3, and the thickness Nt at the lower end of the insulating film 3 corresponds to the value obtained by multiplying the thickness t2 of the insulating film 3 shown in Figure 3 by the number N of tab leads 1 housed in one recess 21 (Nt = t2 × N). b=Nt-2×sinθ×(L1-S-L2) ···(2)

[0064] The thickness b in the front-to-back direction at the bottom surface 31 of the recess 21, calculated by equation (2), is made slightly longer than the thickness Tb in the front-to-back direction at the second end 2b side of the bundle of 50 tab leads 1, as shown in Figure 5.

[0065] The thickness B in the front-rear direction of the opening 41 of the recess 21 is calculated by equation (3). B = b + 2 × h × tanθ ... (3) Using the A, B, a, b, and h set in this manner, the volume Vp of the recess 21 can be calculated using the method for calculating the volume of an inverted truncated square pyramid.

[0066] Then, the values ​​of b and h are adjusted so that the volume Vt of the region occupied by the portion of the bundle of tab leads 1 below the insulating film 3 falls within the range of 70% to 90% of the volume Vp of the recess 21. Using these adjusted values ​​of b and h, the volume Vp of the recess 21 is given by equation (4). Vp=h×{a·B+A·b+2(A·B+a·b)} / 6···(4)

[0067] (i) Example 1 Specifically, the dimensions of each part of a bundle of 50 tab leads are as follows: The vertical length of the portion below insulating film 3 is L1-S = 36.5 mm. The width of conductor 2 is d = 45 mm. The width of insulating film 3 is W=55mm. Thickness Ta in the front-rear direction on the first end 2a side = 36.8 mm. Thickness Tb in the front-rear direction on the second end 2b side = 30 mm. Let's assume that in this case, the volume Vt = 61161.8 mm³. 3 This is the result.

[0068] Furthermore, the dimensions of each recess 21 are as follows: Height h of recess 21 = 45.5 mm, The width A of the upper surface of the recess 21 = 61 mm. The width a of the lower surface of the recess 21 = 45 mm. The depth B of the upper surface of recess 21 = 38 mm. Depth b of the lower surface of recess 21 = 30.7 mm, In this case, the volume Vp of the recess 21 is 79157.1 mm³. 3 Therefore, Vt / Vp = 77%.

[0069] (ii) Example 2 Also, the dimensions of each part of the bundle of 50 tab leads 1 are as follows: The vertical length of the portion below insulating film 3 is L1-S = 41.5 mm. The width of conductor 2 is d = 45 mm. The width of the insulating film is W = 55 mm. Thickness Ta in the front-rear direction on the first end 2a side = 37.7 mm. Thickness Tb in the front-rear direction on the second end 2b side = 30 mm. In this case, the volume of the tab read Vt = 70505.0 mm³. 3 This is the result.

[0070] Furthermore, the dimensions of each recess 21 are the same as in Example 1 above. In this case, Vt / Vp = 89%.

[0071] (Storing the tab leads) Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating the process of storing multiple tab leads in the recess shown in Figure 4. Figure 8 shows the intermediate state in which a bundle of multiple tab leads 1 is being stored in the recess 21, that is, the lower end of the bundle of tab leads 1 is above the bottom surface 31 of the recess 21. Referring to Figure 8, for example, when storing a bundle of 50 tab leads 1 in one recess 21, the worker grasps the bundle of 50 tab leads 1 and inserts it into the recess 21. At this time, the worker adjusts the orientation of the bundle so that the direction in which the multiple tab leads 1 are aligned is along the front-to-back direction.

[0072] Furthermore, the notches 42 formed on the rear side surface 34 and the front side surface 35 prevent the worker's fingers from coming into contact with the main body 10 of the storage container 100. This allows the worker to hold the bundle of tab leads 1 with their fingers until the second end 2b of each tab lead 1 reaches the bottom surface 31 of the recess 21.

[0073] After storing the bundles of tab leads 1 in each recess 21 in this manner, the worker places cushioning material on top of each bundle, and then places the lid 11 over the main body 10 from above. At this time, the worker presses the lid 11 downward until it contacts the upper end of the main body 10. When the lid 11 is pressed downward and the second fitting portion 17 on the lid 11 reaches the first fitting portion 16 on the main body 10, the multiple second fitting portions 17 each fit with the multiple corresponding first fitting portions 16, and the lid 11 is fixed to the main body 10. When the lid 11 is placed over and fixed to the main body 10, if there is a space between the lower surface of the lid 11 and the tab leads 1 housed in the main body 10, it is preferable to place cushioning material in that space.

[0074] The number of tab leads 1 stored in one recess 21 is not limited to 50; it may be 25 or another number. The shape of the recess 21, that is, the size of the bottom surface 31, and the inclination angle and size of each side are appropriately set according to the shape and number of tab leads 1 to be stored.

[0075] Although the present disclosure has been described above based on specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to these examples and is intended to be expressed by the claims, with all modifications in the sense and scope equivalent to the claims being included. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1 Tabread 2 conductors 2a 1st end 2b 2nd end 3. Insulating film 3A First film 3B Second film 10 Main body 11 Lid 12. First connecting section 13. Second connecting section 15 Side view 15A Left side 15B Right side 15C rear side 15D Anterior side 16 First mating section 17 Second mating section 18 Side view 18A Left side 18B Right side 18C Posterior side 18D Front and Side View 21 Recess 31 Bottom 32 Left side 33 Right side 34 Posterior side 35 Front and side view 41 Opening 42 Notches 100 storage containers

Claims

1. The main body houses multiple tab leads, The system comprises a lid that covers the main body, The tab lead to be stored is, The device includes a conductor which is a foil with a rectangular main surface, and an insulating film which covers a portion of the conductor and is exposed from both ends in the width direction of the conductor. The conductor has a length of 20 mm or more and 90 mm or less, a width of 10 mm or more and 80 mm or less, and a thickness of 0.1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. The insulating film has a length of 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less, a width of 20 mm or more and 110 mm or less, and a thickness of 0.4 mm or more and 0.7 mm or less. The width of the insulating film is longer than the width of the conductor. The main body portion has a recess, The recess has a rectangular base and four sides, and the area of ​​the opening at the upper end of the recess is larger than the area of ​​the base, and has an inverted truncated square pyramid shape. The direction of the shorter side of the base coincides with the width direction of the conductor, and the length of the shorter side of the base coincides with the width of the conductor. The four sides include the left and right sides that intersect with a straight line along the width direction of the bottom surface, and the front and rear sides that are parallel to the straight line. The left and right sides are trapezoidal, with the base shorter than the top, and the interior angles of the trapezoid formed by the base and the sides are both obtuse angles. The height of the recess is greater than the length of the conductor, and the width of the opening is greater than the width of the insulating film. In the state in which a plurality of tab leads are housed in the recess, the front side and the rear side are in contact with the insulating film of the nearest tab lead, and the left side and the right side are not in contact with the insulating film of each tab lead. The recess is a storage container for tab leads, wherein, when a plurality of tab leads are stored in the recess such that the insulating films overlap without gaps, the volume of the area occupied by the portion of the tab leads below the insulating film is in the range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recess.

2. Notches are formed at the upper ends of the front and rear surfaces. In the state in which a plurality of the tab leads are housed in the recess, a portion of the conductor of the tab lead and a portion of the insulating film are exposed through the notch. The storage container for tab leads according to claim 1, wherein no notches are formed in the connecting portions of the aforementioned sides.

3. The storage container for tab leads according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main body portion has a plurality of recesses formed along the front-to-back direction.

4. The storage container for tab leads according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main body portion has a plurality of recesses formed along the left-right direction.

5. The storage container for tab leads according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the main body portion has m recesses, which are two or more natural numbers, formed along the front-to-back direction, and n recesses, which are two or more natural numbers, formed along the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction.

6. Multiple tab leads, The system includes a storage container for storing multiple tab leads, The aforementioned storage container is It includes a main body and a lid that covers the main body, The aforementioned tab lead, The device includes a conductor which is a foil with a rectangular main surface, and an insulating film which covers a portion of the conductor and is exposed from both ends in the width direction of the conductor. The main body portion has a recess, The recess has a bottom surface and four sides, and has an inverted truncated square pyramidal shape in which the area of ​​the opening at the upper end of the recess is larger than the area of ​​the bottom surface. The width of the bottom surface is such that the width, direction, and length of the conductor of the tab lead are the same. The four sides include the left and right sides that intersect with a straight line along the width direction of the bottom surface, and the front and rear sides that are parallel to the straight line. The left side and the right side do not come into contact with the insulating film of each tab lead when the plurality of tab leads are housed in the recess. The aforementioned front surface is in contact with the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the front surface in the aforementioned state. The aforementioned rear surface is in contact with the insulating film of the tab lead closest to the rear surface in the aforementioned state. The left and right sides are trapezoidal, with the base shorter than the top, and the interior angles of the trapezoid formed by the base and the sides are both obtuse angles. The recess is a combination of a tab lead and a storage container, wherein the volume of the area occupied by the portion of the tab leads below the insulating film when the tab leads are stored in the recess is in the range of 70% to 90% of the volume of the recess.

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