Metal-air battery

Abstract

Disclosed is a metal-air battery, comprising: a housing, provided with a cavity for accommodating an electrolyte solution, an opening being provided at the top of the cavity; an electrode plate inserted into the cavity, wherein a first connection structure is connected to the top of the electrode plate and is provided with an insertion block; a top cover, mounted on the top of the housing and detachably connected to the housing, the top cover being provided with a liquid inlet hole and a second connection structure, the second connection structure being provided with an engagement slot, and the insertion block being configured to be inserted into the engagement slot to connect the electrode plate and the top cover, wherein the liquid inlet hole is in communication with the cavity, and a wall of the liquid inlet hole extends upward; and a locking cover, used to seal the liquid inlet hole, the locking cover being provided with a vent hole. The metal-air battery according to the present invention ensures simple operation, and facilitates metal electrode plate replacement and electrolyte solution replenishment.

Description

Metal-air batteries Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to a metal-air battery. Background Art

[0002] Metal-air batteries use metals with relatively negative electrode potentials, such as magnesium, aluminum, zinc, mercury, and iron, as the negative electrode and oxygen from air or pure oxygen as the positive electrode. They offer the advantages of high specific energy, low cost, and stable performance. Metal-air batteries typically have a chamber to hold an electrolyte solution, into which a metal electrode plate is inserted. These metal electrode plates are consumables and require regular replacement and replenishment of electrolyte solution. However, conventional metal-air batteries are not only cumbersome to replace the metal electrode plates, but also tedious to add electrolyte solution.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present invention aims to solve at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides a metal-air battery that can easily replace metal electrode plates and add electrolyte solution.

[0005] A metal-air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

[0006] a housing having a cavity for containing an electrolyte solution, wherein the cavity is open at a top;

[0007] An electrode plate is inserted into the cavity; a first connecting structure is connected to the top of the electrode plate, and the first connecting structure is provided with an embedded block;

[0008] A top cover is mounted on the top of the housing and is detachably connected to the housing; the top cover is provided with a liquid inlet hole and a second connecting structure, the second connecting structure is provided with a slot, the embedding block can be embedded in the slot to connect the electrode plate and the top cover; the liquid inlet hole is in communication with the cavity, and the hole wall of the liquid inlet hole extends upward;

[0009] The locking cover is used to seal the liquid inlet; the locking cover is provided with an exhaust hole.

[0010] The metal-air battery according to the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0011] The electrode plate and the top cover are connected by the embedded block of the first connecting structure and the card slot of the second connecting structure, which greatly facilitates the connection efficiency of the electrode plate and the top cover; the top cover is provided with a liquid inlet hole connected to the cavity, and the liquid inlet hole is only sealed by a locking cover. The locking cover can be directly removed to replenish the electrolyte solution into the cavity through the liquid inlet hole, which is simple to operate.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an exhaust structure is installed in the exhaust hole, and the exhaust structure can prevent liquid from passing through and allow gas to pass through.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the locking cover is threadedly connected to the hole wall of the liquid inlet, and the locking cover is a child-resistant bottle cap.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the top of the shell is provided with a mounting groove and a first matching structure, the top cover is provided with an embedded portion and a second matching structure, and the first matching structure and the second matching structure are connected to press the embedded portion into the mounting groove.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first connection structure includes a connection column, and the embedded block is provided on the outer surface of the connection column;

[0016] The second connecting structure is provided with a connecting hole, and the clamping slot is provided on the hole wall of the connecting hole;

[0017] The connecting post is inserted into the connecting hole and rotated relative to the connecting hole, so that the embedding block can be embedded in the card slot.

[0018] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the connecting column is in a truncated cone shape.

[0019] According to some embodiments of the present invention, an anti-dropout structure is provided in the connecting hole to prevent the connecting column from falling out of the slot.

[0020] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the anti-slip structure includes a spring, which is installed in the connecting hole, the first end of the spring is connected to the hole wall of the connecting hole, and the second end of the spring is provided with a limiting structure; when the connecting column is inserted into the connecting hole, the limiting structure is used to push the connecting column to rotate in one direction so that the embedded block is pressed against the side wall of the slot.

[0021] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outer peripheral wall of the connecting column is provided with ratchet teeth, and the limiting structure can abut against the ratchet teeth and push the connecting column to rotate in one direction.

[0022] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the embedded block is connected to the outer peripheral wall of the connecting column and extends in the radial direction of the connecting column; and the ratchet is arranged above the embedded block.

[0023] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description which follows, or may be learned by practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, in which:

[0025] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an assembly of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of point A in Figure 2;

[0028] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of the bottom of the top cover according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] FIG5 is a schematic structural diagram of an anti-slip structure according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of point B in Figure 5;

[0031] FIG7 is a schematic structural diagram of a locking cover and an exhaust structure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure numbers: Shell 100, cavity 110, mounting groove 120, positive electrode connector 130, first matching structure 140; Electrode plate 200, first connecting structure 210, connecting column 220, embedded plate 221, ratchet 222, connecting block 230; Top cover 300, cover body 301, buckle plate 302, liquid inlet hole 310, second connecting structure 320, connecting hole 321, card slot 322, opening groove 323, embedded part 330, spring 340, limiting structure 341, second matching structure 350; Locking cover 400, exhaust hole 410, exhaust structure 420. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The following describes embodiments of the present invention in detail. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended only to explain the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0034] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientation, such as the orientation or positional relationship indicated by up, down, etc., are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0035] In the description of the present invention, "a plurality" refers to more than two. The use of "first" or "second" is solely for the purpose of distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of the indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0036] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, and connecting should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention based on the specific content of the technical solution.

[0037] 1 to 7 , a metal-air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a housing 100 , a top cover 300 , and a locking cover 400 . The housing 100 has a cavity 110 for accommodating an electrolyte solution, and the top of the cavity 110 is open. The top cover 300 is mounted on the top of the housing 100 and is detachably connected to the housing 100 . The top cover 300 is connected to an electrode plate 200 , which is inserted into the cavity 110 . The electrode plate 200 is generally made of metal and serves as the negative electrode of the metal-air battery. When the top cover 300 is detached from the housing 100 , the rise of the top cover 300 can drive the electrode plate 200 to rise synchronously, and the electrode plate 200 is detachably connected to the top cover 300 , making it easy to replace the electrode plate 200 . The top cover 300 is provided with a liquid inlet 310, which passes through the top cover 300 and communicates with the cavity 110. The wall of the liquid inlet 310 extends upward. The locking cap 400 is connected to the wall of the liquid inlet 310 to seal the liquid inlet 310. Because the liquid inlet 310 is connected to the cavity 110, the electrolyte solution can be added to the cavity 110 through the liquid inlet 310 by simply removing the locking cap 400, making the operation simple.

[0038] In an embodiment of the present invention, the housing 100 has two cavities 110, which are independent of each other. An electrode plate 200 is installed in each of the cavities 110, and the electrode plates 200 in each of the two cavities 110 are connected to the top cover 300. In other words, the top cover 300 is provided with two second connection structures 320. Furthermore, a partition plate is provided at the center of the liquid inlet 310 to divide the liquid inlet 310 into two semicircles, one corresponding to each of the two cavities 110, thereby facilitating the replenishment of electrolyte solution into the two cavities 110 through the liquid inlet 310.

[0039] It should be noted that the vertical height of the partition plate does not exceed the height of the wall of the liquid inlet hole 310 .

[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking cover 400 is provided with a vent hole 410, and a vent structure 420 is installed in the vent hole 410. The vent structure 420 can prevent liquid from passing through and allow gas to pass through. Specifically, during the battery reaction, hydrogen and other generated gases are sometimes generated. These generated gases are retained inside the housing 100, which will hinder the battery reaction rate and cause the battery output current to decrease. If the amount of generated gas is too much, the pressure inside the housing 100 will increase, and then the housing 100 will be damaged. Therefore, it is necessary to properly discharge the gases generated during the metal battery reaction to the outside. The vent hole 410 is provided in the locking cover 400 to discharge the generated gases. As can be seen from the above, the hole wall of the liquid inlet 310 extends upward, and the height of the extension exceeds the surface of the top cover 300, thereby facilitating the connection of the locking cover 400. Therefore, the position of the locking cover 400 is the highest point of the metal-air battery of this embodiment. The molecular weight of the gases such as hydrogen produced during the battery reaction is mostly lower than that of air. Therefore, the vent hole 410 is provided in the locking cover 400 to facilitate the discharge of the generated gases.

[0041] Further, referring to Figure 7, the exhaust structure 420 is provided at the center of the locking cover 400. The exhaust structure 420 can be a built-in cross-sealed exhaust valve or an ultrasonic vibration exhaust valve. When gas is generated inside the battery, the cross-sealed exhaust valve will automatically open under the gas pressure difference due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the shell 100 to exhaust the gas. When the pressure inside and outside the shell 100 is the same, the cross-sealed exhaust valve will automatically close to seal and waterproof. The ultrasonic vibration exhaust valve is a metal vibrating plate with many exhaust micropores to exhaust without leaking water. When the vibrating metal plate is vibrated by an electric current pulse, the micropores will continuously discharge the gas inside the shell 100. Since the micropores are breathable but not leaking, the battery has better exhaust and water-proof functions.

[0042] It is conceivable that the exhaust structure 420 is not limited to the above two methods, and other structures may also be used, but it is preferably a waterproof and breathable structure.

[0043] In an embodiment of the present invention, the locking cap 400 is threadedly connected to the wall of the liquid inlet 310, and the locking cap 400 is a child-proof bottle cap. Specifically, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 7, a sealing ring is also installed inside the locking cap 400. The locking cap 400 and the wall of the liquid inlet 310 connected by threads not only have a reliable connection method and low manufacturing cost, but also have a good sealing effect. Child-proof bottle caps have various structural forms, the main purpose of which is to prevent the locking cap 400 from being accidentally opened. Child-proof bottle caps are available in the market or are already disclosed in the prior art. The specific structural form of the child-proof bottle cap can be selected according to actual conditions, and will not be described in detail here.

[0044] In an embodiment of the present invention, the top of the housing 100 is provided with a mounting groove 120 and a first mating structure 140, and the top cover 300 is provided with an embedded portion 330 and a second mating structure 350. The first mating structure 140 and the second mating structure 350 are connected to press the embedded portion 330 into the mounting groove 120. Specifically, as shown in FIG2 , the mounting groove 120 is a rectangular groove, and a strip-shaped hole is provided at the bottom of the mounting groove 120 to communicate with the cavity 110. The bottom of the mounting groove 120 is also provided with a sealing structure, which is provided on the periphery of the strip-shaped hole to prevent the electrolyte solution from flowing out through the gap between the mounting groove 120 and the top cover 300.

[0045] Furthermore, the first mating structure 140 and the second mating structure 350 in this embodiment are two parts of a buckle, and the connection by the buckle is efficient and simple, which can effectively reduce costs; the installation groove 120 and the embedded part 330 are provided so that the top cover 300 is partially embedded in the outer shell 100, which not only facilitates the connection, but also improves the stability of the connection between the two.

[0046] It is conceivable that the first matching structure 140 and the second matching structure 350 are not limited to being configured by buckles, but may also be configured by bolts, snaps, and other structures.

[0047] In this embodiment of the present invention, top cover 300 includes a cover body 301 and a gusset plate 302. An insert 330 is provided on cover body 301, and gusset plate 302 is detachably connected to cover body 301. The gusset plate 302 is attached to the top of cover body 301, forming a storage space between the gusset plate 302 and cover body 301 for mounting electronic components and other components. The detachable connection of gusset plate 302 to cover body 301 facilitates inspection and maintenance of the components within the storage space.

[0048] In an embodiment of the present invention, referring to Figures 2 to 4, a first connecting structure 210 is connected to the top of the electrode plate 200, and the first connecting structure 210 is provided with an embedded block; the top cover 300 is provided with a second connecting structure 320, and the second connecting structure 320 is provided with a card slot 322, and the embedded block can be embedded in the card slot 322 to connect the electrode plate 200 and the top cover 300; the electrode plate 200 and the top cover 300 are connected by the embedded block of the first connecting structure 210 and the card slot 322 of the second connecting structure 320, which greatly facilitates the connection efficiency of the electrode plate 200 and the top cover 300, thereby facilitating the replacement of the electrode plate 200.

[0049] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connecting structure 210 includes a connecting post 220, an embedded block is disposed on the outer surface of the connecting post 220; the second connecting structure 320 is provided with a connecting hole 321, and a locking groove 322 is provided in the hole wall of the connecting hole 321; the connecting post 220 is inserted into the connecting hole 321 and rotates relative to the connecting hole 321, so that the embedded block can be embedded in the locking groove 322. Specifically, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the embedded block is connected to the outer surface of the connecting post 220 as an integral structure, for example, by welding, and the embedded block extends in the radial direction of the connecting post 220; the hole wall of the connecting hole 321 is provided with an open groove 323 and a locking groove 322, and the open groove 323 and the locking groove 322 are connected. When the connecting post 220 is installed in the connecting hole 321, the embedded block first enters through the open groove 323, and then the connecting post 220 is rotated to allow the embedded block to enter the locking groove 322. The method of connecting the electrode plate 200 and the top cover 300 through the embedding block and the card slot 322 is simple and efficient, and facilitates the replacement of the electrode plate 200.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the first connection structure 210 further includes a connection block 230 . The connection block 230 is connected to the connection column 220 as an integral structure, for example, by welding. The connection block 230 is connected to the electrode plate 200 .

[0051] In an embodiment of the present invention, the connecting column 220 is truncated cone-shaped, and the corresponding connecting hole 321 is also truncated cone-shaped. The truncated cone-shaped connecting column 220 and connecting hole 321 facilitate the alignment and installation of the connecting column 220 and the connecting hole 321.

[0052] It should be understood that the electrode plate 200 in this embodiment is a negative electrode, the outer shell 100 also has a positive electrode connector 130, and the top cover 300 is provided with a structure connected to the positive electrode connector 130. The positive electrode connector 130 in this embodiment adopts a circular banana socket, which is not only easy to position when plugged in, but also has better sealing and waterproofing effects, and can effectively prevent the electrolyte solution from corroding the pile head.

[0053] In an embodiment of the present invention, an anti-slip structure is provided in the connecting hole 321 to prevent the connecting column 220 from being separated from the card slot 322. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the anti-slip structure includes a spring 340, which is installed in the connecting hole 321. The first end of the spring 340 is connected to the hole wall of the connecting hole 321, and the second end of the spring 340 is provided with a limiting structure 341; when the connecting column 220 is inserted into the connecting hole 321, the limiting structure 341 is used to push the connecting column 220 to rotate in one direction so that the embedded block is pressed against the side wall of the card slot 322. The first end of the spring 340 and the hole wall of the connecting hole 321 can be connected by welding or clamping, and the limiting structure 341 provided at the second end of the spring 340 is connected to the spring 340 as an integral structure.

[0054] In an embodiment of the present invention, a ratchet 222 is provided on the outer peripheral wall of the connecting post 220, and the limiting structure 341 can abut against the ratchet 222 and push the connecting post 220 to rotate in one direction. Specifically, the ratchet 222 is provided above the embedded block, that is, the ratchet 222 is provided at the end of the connecting post 220. For ease of understanding, taking the clockwise and counterclockwise rotations shown in Figure 5 as an example, in the process of inserting the end of the connecting post 220 into the connecting hole 321, since the connecting post 220 is a truncated cone, as the connecting post 220 is inserted, the outer diameter of the connecting post 220 will gradually increase, thereby pushing the limiting structure 341 at the second end of the spring 340 shown in Figure 5 to rotate clockwise. At this time, the ratchet 222 will not hinder the connecting post 220; when the embedded block of the connecting post 220 is fully inserted into the open groove 323, the connecting post 220 needs to be rotated. The connecting post 220 causes the embedded block to enter the slot 322. During this process, the connecting post 220 still rotates clockwise as shown in Figure 5; since the mainspring 340 expands outward during the insertion of the connecting post 220 into the connecting hole 321, the mainspring 340 accumulates a certain amount of elastic potential energy. When the embedded block of the connecting post 220 is embedded in the slot 322, the elastic potential accumulated by the mainspring 340 will apply a force to the connecting post 220 to make it press against the wall of the slot 322, thereby preventing the embedded block from falling out of the slot 322.

[0055] It should be understood that, as shown in FIG. 2 , since the width of the cavity 110 is limited, the connection between the first connection structure 210 and the second connection structure 320 should be completed before the electrode plate 200 is placed into the cavity 110 .

[0056] In the description of this specification, the reference terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "example", "specific example", or "some examples" mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any appropriate manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, those skilled in the art can combine and combine different embodiments or examples described in this specification.

[0057] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes can be made within the knowledge of ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A metal-air battery, characterized in that: include: a housing having a cavity for containing an electrolyte solution, wherein the cavity is open at a top; An electrode plate is inserted into the cavity; a first connecting structure is connected to the top of the electrode plate, and the first connecting structure is provided with an embedded block; A top cover is mounted on the top of the housing and is detachably connected to the housing; the top cover is provided with a liquid inlet hole and a second connecting structure, the second connecting structure is provided with a slot, the embedding block can be embedded in the slot to connect the electrode plate and the top cover; the liquid inlet hole is in communication with the cavity, and the hole wall of the liquid inlet hole extends upward; The locking cover is used to seal the liquid inlet; the locking cover is provided with an exhaust hole.

2. The metal-air battery according to claim 1, wherein: An exhaust structure is installed in the exhaust hole, and the exhaust structure can prevent liquid from passing through and allow gas to pass through.

3. The metal-air battery according to claim 2, wherein: The locking cover is threadedly connected to the hole wall of the liquid inlet, and the locking cover is a child-proof bottle cap.

4. The metal-air battery according to claim 1, wherein: The top of the shell is provided with a mounting groove and a first matching structure, the top cover is provided with an embedding portion and a second matching structure, and the first matching structure and the second matching structure are connected to press the embedding portion into the mounting groove.

5. The metal-air battery according to claim 1, wherein: The first connection structure includes a connection column, and the embedded block is arranged on the outer surface of the connection column; The second connecting structure is provided with a connecting hole, and the clamping slot is provided on the hole wall of the connecting hole; The connecting post is inserted into the connecting hole and rotated relative to the connecting hole, so that the embedding block can be embedded in the card slot.

6. The metal-air battery according to claim 5, characterized in that: The connecting column is in a truncated cone shape.

7. The metal-air battery according to claim 5, characterized in that: An anti-drop structure is provided in the connecting hole to prevent the connecting column from falling out of the slot.

8. The metal-air battery according to claim 7, characterized in that: The anti-slip structure includes a spring, which is installed in the connecting hole, the first end of the spring is connected to the hole wall of the connecting hole, and the second end of the spring is provided with a limiting structure; when the connecting column is inserted into the connecting hole, the limiting structure is used to push the connecting column to rotate in one direction so that the embedded block is pressed against the side wall of the slot.

9. The metal-air battery according to claim 8, characterized in that: The outer peripheral wall of the connecting column is provided with ratchet teeth, and the limiting structure can abut against the ratchet teeth and push the connecting column to rotate in one direction.

10. The metal-air battery according to claim 9, characterized in that: The embedded block is connected to the outer peripheral wall of the connecting column and extends in the radial direction of the connecting column; the ratchet is arranged above the embedded block.

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