JP2005190837A

JP2005190837A - Sealed storage battery

Info

Publication number: JP2005190837A
Application number: JP2003431002A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Takashi Ito; 隆伊藤; Sadahiro Katayama; 禎弘片山; Minoru Kurokuzuhara; 実黒葛原
Original assignee: Yuasa Corp; Yuasa Battery Corp
Current assignee: Yuasa Corp
Priority date: 2003-12-25
Filing date: 2003-12-25
Publication date: 2005-07-14

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a switch incorporation type secondary battery capable of always stably providing high charge accepting performance. <P>SOLUTION: This sealed storage battery is so structured that a battery can 5 with an electrode 10 stored inside together with an alkaline solution is sealed by a metallic lid 2, a gasket 6 and a connection terminal 9 inserted into a holding part 6c formed on the gasket; a cap 1 doubling as a positive electrode terminal or a negative electrode terminal is mounted on the lid 2; and is provided with a switch mechanism S for carrying and cutting off a charge current by moving the connection terminal 9 in conjunction with expansion and constriction operation of a spring member 4 disposed in the cap 1 in response to change of battery internal pressure to bring a switch plate 8 jointed to the connection terminal 9 into contact with and separate it from the lid 2. The lid 2 is jointed to the cap 1 by welding, the connection terminal 9 is formed into a rod-like shape, and a lock mechanism is formed between the rod-like connection terminal and the holding part 6c. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

本発明は、充電時に電池内部圧力の変化に応じて充電電流を継切する圧力スイッチ機構を備えた密閉型蓄電池の改良に関する。 The present invention relates to an improvement in a sealed storage battery provided with a pressure switch mechanism that cuts off a charging current in accordance with a change in battery internal pressure during charging.

ポータブル機器等の電源として用いられる２次電池には、ニッケル・カドミウム電池や小型シール鉛電池、リチウムイオン電池等がある。これらの蓄電池は、各電池の充電特性に適した充電方法で充電される。例えば、ニッケル・カドミウム電池では、一定電流にて充電し、充電末期に生じる電池電圧の降下特性を検知して充電電流の制御が行われる。小型シール鉛電池やリチウムイオン電池では、一定電流で充電した後、一定電圧に達すると充電電流の制御が行われる。 Secondary batteries used as power sources for portable devices include nickel-cadmium batteries, small sealed lead batteries, lithium ion batteries, and the like. These storage batteries are charged by a charging method suitable for the charging characteristics of each battery. For example, a nickel-cadmium battery is charged with a constant current, and the charging current is controlled by detecting a battery voltage drop characteristic that occurs at the end of charging. In a small sealed lead battery and a lithium ion battery, after charging at a constant current, the charging current is controlled when a constant voltage is reached.

ニッケル水素蓄電池やニッケル・カドミウム蓄電池等のアルカリ蓄電池においては、近年例えば３０分間以内で充電を完了させるという、従来になかった急速充電に対する要求が高まっている。従来、ニッケル水素蓄電池では、ニッケル・カドミウム電池と同様の充電制御を行っているが、、前記のような従来にない急速充電を行おうとすると、充電中に発熱やガス発生を伴うため、電池温度が上昇することや、電池の内圧が上昇してガス排出弁が作動し、ガスと共に電解液を放出してしまうために電池性能が劣化する虞があり、急速充電の実現が困難であった。 In alkaline storage batteries such as nickel-metal hydride storage batteries and nickel-cadmium storage batteries, there has been an increasing demand for rapid charging, which has not been achieved in the past, such as completing charging within 30 minutes. Conventionally, nickel-metal hydride storage batteries perform the same charge control as nickel-cadmium batteries, but if you try to perform a quick charge like the one described above, heat generation and gas generation occur during charging. Or the internal pressure of the battery is increased, the gas discharge valve is operated, and the electrolyte is discharged together with the gas. Therefore, the battery performance may be deteriorated, and it is difficult to realize rapid charging.

前記のように、ニッケル水素蓄電池を例えば定電圧で急速充電しようとする場合、電池温度の上昇及び電池の内部圧力の上昇を伴う。そこで、特に、充電時の電池内部の圧力上昇に着目して、電池内部の圧力変化に応じて充電電流を継切する圧力スイッチ機構を備えた密閉型蓄電池が提案されている（例えば、特許文献１参照）。 As described above, when a nickel hydride storage battery is to be rapidly charged, for example, at a constant voltage, it is accompanied by an increase in battery temperature and an increase in internal pressure of the battery. Thus, in particular, a sealed storage battery having a pressure switch mechanism that cuts off a charging current in accordance with a change in the pressure inside the battery has been proposed by paying attention to an increase in pressure inside the battery at the time of charging (for example, Patent Documents). 1).

このような圧力スイッチ機構を備えた密閉型蓄電池では、充電時に電池内部圧力が一定圧力に達すると、充電電流が遮断され、電池内部圧力が一定圧力以下になると、再度、接続され、電池内部圧力の変化に連動したパルス充電が行われるため、充電時の電池温度の上昇が抑制される。その構成は、例えば、図１１に示される。 In a sealed storage battery equipped with such a pressure switch mechanism, when the battery internal pressure reaches a constant pressure during charging, the charging current is cut off, and when the battery internal pressure falls below a certain pressure, the battery is connected again. Since the pulse charging is performed in conjunction with the change of the battery, an increase in battery temperature during charging is suppressed. The configuration is shown in FIG. 11, for example.

図１１の例では、符号２１はキャップ（正極端子）、２２は蓋（圧力スイッチの第２端子）、２３はゴム、２５は電槽缶（負極端子）、２６はガスケット、２７はリード部材、２８はスイッチ板（圧力スイッチの第１端子）、２９は接続端子、３０は正極または負極のうちの一方の電極であり、電極３０を収納している電槽缶２５にはアルカリ溶液（図示省略）が充填されており、その電槽缶２５はガスケット２６によって封止（封口）され、その内部圧力（電池内部圧力）の変化に応じてゴム２３が変形することにより、圧力スイッチの第１端子２８が第２端子２２に対して接離動作することで、充電電流が継切される。
米国特許出願公開第２００２／０１１９３６４Ａ１明細書 In the example of FIG. 11, reference numeral 21 is a cap (positive electrode terminal), 22 is a lid (second terminal of the pressure switch), 23 is rubber, 25 is a battery case (negative electrode terminal), 26 is a gasket, 27 is a lead member, 28 is a switch plate (first terminal of a pressure switch), 29 is a connection terminal, 30 is one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and an alkaline solution (not shown) is placed in the battery case 25 containing the electrode 30. ), And the battery case can 25 is sealed (sealed) by the gasket 26, and the rubber 23 is deformed in accordance with the change in the internal pressure (battery internal pressure), whereby the first terminal of the pressure switch The charging current is cut off by 28 being in contact with and separating from the second terminal 22.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2002 / 0119364A1

図１１に示す従来の密閉型蓄電池においては、接続端子２９が棒状ではなく、その一端（図１１では下端部）に突出部３１を設け、かつ、蓋２２の上に蓋２２の開口径よりおおきな直径を有するスイッチ板２８を接続端子２９の側壁に接合させている。従って、スイッチ板２８を接続端子２９に接合する以前に、接続端子２９をガスケット２６の保持部に挿通させておく必要があり、蓋２２とキャップ２１を溶接によって接合しようとすると該ガスケット２６の存在が邪魔をして、両者を接合することは極めて困難である。従来の圧力スイッチ内蔵式の密閉型蓄電池電池においては、図１１に示すように、キャップ２１と蓋２２は、その周縁部で互いに重ね合わされて、ガスケット２６に形成された係止溝に係止した状態で挟持されている。 In the conventional sealed storage battery shown in FIG. 11, the connection terminal 29 is not rod-shaped, but has a protrusion 31 at one end (the lower end in FIG. 11), and is larger than the opening diameter of the lid 22 on the lid 22. A switch plate 28 having a diameter is joined to the side wall of the connection terminal 29. Therefore, before joining the switch plate 28 to the connection terminal 29, it is necessary to insert the connection terminal 29 into the holding portion of the gasket 26. When the lid 22 and the cap 21 are joined by welding, the existence of the gasket 26 is required. It is very difficult to join the two. In a conventional sealed battery with a built-in pressure switch, as shown in FIG. 11, the cap 21 and the lid 22 are overlapped with each other at the peripheral edge and locked in a locking groove formed in the gasket 26. It is pinched in a state.

図１１に示した従来の密閉型蓄電池においては、組み立て時に、キャップ２１と蓋２２の接合面の整合性が不良になったり、塵や埃等の異物が接合面に介在していると、十分な接触状態が得られず接触抵抗が大となり、急速充電を行ったときの充電受け入れ性能が低下する難点があった。 In the case of the conventional sealed storage battery shown in FIG. 11, it is sufficient that the alignment of the joint surface between the cap 21 and the lid 22 is poor or that foreign matter such as dust or dust is present on the joint surface during assembly. As a result, it is difficult to obtain a proper contact state, resulting in a large contact resistance, and there is a problem that the charge acceptance performance is deteriorated when rapid charging is performed.

また、組み立て時の整合不良や接合面への異物の介在により封口精度（密封性）が低下することもあった。封口精度が低下すると、外部にガスが漏洩したりアルカリ溶液が漏出するような不具合が発生しやすくなる。 In addition, sealing accuracy (sealing performance) may be deteriorated due to poor alignment during assembly or the presence of foreign matter on the joint surface. If the sealing accuracy is lowered, problems such as gas leaking to the outside or alkali solution leaking are likely to occur.

また、充電時には電池温度が上昇するが、弾発部材として適用しているゴム２３は、高温になると軟化して荷重特性が低下するため、特に、環境温度が高い状況下での充電では、ゴム２３の荷重特性の変化が著しく充電電流の継切のタイミングが乱れ、圧力スイッチのスイッチ機能が低下する虞があった。 In addition, the battery temperature rises during charging, but the rubber 23 applied as a resilient member softens when the temperature becomes high, and the load characteristics deteriorate. Therefore, particularly in charging under a high environmental temperature, the rubber 23, the change in the load characteristic is remarkable, and the charging current switching timing is disturbed, and the switch function of the pressure switch may be deteriorated.

さらに、ゴム２３の拡縮動作に対応してスイッチ板（圧力スイッチの第１端子）２８が上下に移動するに際して、スイッチ板２８が蓋（圧力スイッチの第２端子）２２に対して傾き、圧力スイッチの第１端子２８と第２端子２２との接離動作が不完全となる虞があるために、圧力スイッチ機能の信頼性が低い欠点がった。 Further, when the switch plate (first terminal of the pressure switch) 28 moves up and down in response to the expansion / contraction operation of the rubber 23, the switch plate 28 tilts with respect to the lid (second terminal of the pressure switch) 22, and the pressure switch Since the contact / separation operation between the first terminal 28 and the second terminal 22 may be incomplete, the pressure switch function has a low reliability.

本発明は、このような実情に鑑みてなされ、圧力スイッチ内蔵式の密閉型蓄電池であって、常に安定して高い充電受け入れ性能が得られ、圧力スイッチ機能の信頼性が高い密閉型蓄電池を提供することを目的とする。 The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and is a sealed storage battery with a built-in pressure switch, which can provide a stable and high charge acceptance performance and a highly reliable pressure switch function. The purpose is to do.

（１）本発明に係る密閉型電池は、電極をアルカリ溶液と共に内部に収納した電槽缶が金属製の蓋、ガスケットおよびガスケットに設けた保持部に挿通させた棒状接続端子によって封止され、該蓋に、正極端子または負極端子を兼ねるキャップが載設され、キャップ内に配置された弾発部材が、電池内部圧力の変化に応じて拡縮動作するのに連動して棒状接続端子が移動し、該接続端子に接合されたスイッチ板と蓋が接離することによって充電電流の継切を行うスイッチ機構（Ｓ）を備えた密閉型蓄電池であって、
前記蓋と前記キャップ（１）が溶接により接合され、かつ、前記棒状接続端子と保持部間に係止機構を備えることを特徴とする。なお、ここでいう棒状接続端子とは、側壁に凸部を設けない金属製の棒状体を意味する。 (1) The sealed battery according to the present invention is sealed by a rod-shaped connection terminal in which a battery case can containing an electrode together with an alkaline solution is inserted into a metal lid, a gasket, and a holding portion provided in the gasket, A cap also serving as a positive electrode terminal or a negative electrode terminal is mounted on the lid, and the rod-shaped connection terminal moves in conjunction with the elastic member disposed in the cap expanding and contracting in response to a change in the battery internal pressure. , A sealed storage battery having a switch mechanism (S) for switching the charging current by connecting and disconnecting the switch plate and the lid joined to the connection terminal,
The lid and the cap (1) are joined by welding, and a locking mechanism is provided between the rod-like connection terminal and the holding portion. In addition, a rod-shaped connection terminal here means the metal rod-shaped body which does not provide a convex part in a side wall.

該構成によれば、棒状接続端子にスイッチ板を接合し、該スイッチ板を囲むように蓋とキャップを配置して両者を溶接することによって接合させた後、最後に棒状接続端子をガスケットの保持部に挿通させることができ、蓋とキャップを接合させる過程でガスケットが存在しないので、両者を容易に接合させることが可能である。また、棒状接続端子とガスケット保持部との間に係止機構を設けるているので、電池の内圧が上昇して棒状接続端子とガスケットに押圧が加わっても棒状接続端子がガスケットの保持部から脱離することがない。 According to this configuration, the switch plate is joined to the rod-like connection terminal, the lid and the cap are arranged so as to surround the switch plate, and the two are welded together, and finally the rod-like connection terminal is held by the gasket. Since there is no gasket in the process of joining the lid and the cap, it is possible to easily join the two. In addition, since a locking mechanism is provided between the rod-like connection terminal and the gasket holding portion, the rod-like connection terminal is detached from the gasket holding portion even if the internal pressure of the battery rises and pressure is applied to the rod-like connection terminal and the gasket. Never leave.

蓋とキャップが溶接によって接合されることにより、接合状態が良好となり両部材間における接合不良の発生を回避することができる。これにより、接合部における電気抵抗を少なくすることができるため急速充電を行ったときの充電受け入れ性能が向上する。 By joining the lid and the cap by welding, the joining state is good, and the occurrence of poor joining between the two members can be avoided. Thereby, since the electrical resistance in a junction part can be decreased, the charge acceptance performance when performing a quick charge improves.

蓋とキャップを予め溶接により一体化しておくことにより、組み立て作業の能率が顕著に向上すると共に、組み付け精度を安定的に向上させることができ、かつ、塵や埃等の異物が接合面に介在するような不具合を回避することができるため、高い封口精度（密封性）を安定に維持することができる。これにより、ガス漏れや液漏れ等が発生しにくくなる。 By integrating the lid and cap in advance by welding, the efficiency of assembly work can be remarkably improved, the assembly accuracy can be improved stably, and foreign matters such as dust and dirt are present on the joint surface. Therefore, high sealing accuracy (sealing performance) can be stably maintained. This makes it difficult for gas leaks and liquid leaks to occur.

（２）本発明に係る密閉型電池は、前記（１）に記載の密閉型蓄電池であって、前記蓋前記キャップが、前記蓋との接合によって蓋の外面に固着され、蓋の周縁部のみが、ガスケットを介して前記電槽缶の開口端部の内側に係止されていることを特徴とする。 (2) A sealed battery according to the present invention is the sealed battery according to (1), in which the cap and the cap are fixed to the outer surface of the lid by joining with the lid, and only the peripheral portion of the lid. Is locked inside the open end of the battery case can through a gasket.

前記（２）に記載した構成にすれば、前記（１）と同様に蓋とキャップの当接部分の電気抵抗を低減させることができる他に蓋の周縁部をガスケットの内周部で狭持してなるシール（以下クリンプシールと記述する）の寸法精度を高めることができ、シール機能の優れた密閉型電池とすることができる。また、ガスケットの係止溝に一枚の板部材（蓋）を係止させるのみであるから、キャップと二枚重ねで係止させる場合よりもクリンプシールのシール部の厚さを低減して極板の高さを大きくすることができ、電池容量の増大を図ることができる。 With the configuration described in (2), the electrical resistance of the contact portion between the lid and the cap can be reduced as in the case of (1), and the peripheral edge of the lid is held between the inner peripheral portions of the gasket. Thus, the dimensional accuracy of the seal (hereinafter referred to as “crimp seal”) can be increased, and a sealed battery having an excellent sealing function can be obtained. In addition, since only one plate member (lid) is locked in the locking groove of the gasket, the thickness of the seal portion of the crimp seal is reduced compared to the case where the plate and the cap are stacked and overlapped. The height can be increased, and the battery capacity can be increased.

（３）本発明に係る密閉型蓄電池は、前記（１）または（２）に記載の密閉型蓄電池であって、前記弾発部材（４）が、金属材からなることを特徴とする。 (3) The sealed storage battery according to the present invention is the sealed storage battery according to (1) or (2), wherein the elastic member (4) is made of a metal material.

前記（３）に記載した構成にすれば、弾発部材がゴム製の弾発部材に比して劣化しにくくなり、荷重特性が安定するため、環境変化の影響を受けることなく、常に、電池内部圧力の変化に応じて適切に拡縮動作し、信頼性の高い圧力スイッチ機能を得ることができる。 With the configuration described in (3) above, since the elastic member is less likely to deteriorate than the elastic elastic member and the load characteristics are stable, the battery is always affected without being affected by environmental changes. The expansion / contraction operation is appropriately performed according to the change of the internal pressure, and a highly reliable pressure switch function can be obtained.

（４）本発明に係る密閉型蓄電池は、前記（１）〜（３）に記載の密閉型蓄電池であって、前記蓋の開口縁が前記スイッチの一方の端子となり、スイッチ板の外周縁８が他方の端子となり、該スイッチ板と前記電極群を接続するための棒状接続端子が前記ガスケットに貫通保持され、前記棒状接続端子の前記電池キャップ側に突出した部分に前記スイッチ板が固定されると共に、前記棒状接続端子を保持している前記ガスケットの保持部が、前記蓋に形成された開口に対して摺接状態で嵌挿されていることを特徴とする。 (4) The sealed storage battery according to the present invention is the sealed storage battery according to (1) to (3) above, wherein the opening edge of the lid serves as one terminal of the switch, and the outer peripheral edge 8 of the switch plate. Becomes the other terminal, and a rod-like connection terminal for connecting the switch plate and the electrode group is held through the gasket, and the switch plate is fixed to a portion of the rod-like connection terminal protruding toward the battery cap. At the same time, the holding portion of the gasket holding the rod-like connection terminal is inserted in a sliding contact state with respect to the opening formed in the lid.

前記（４）に記載した構成にすれば、ガスケットの保持部を、前記蓋に形成された開口に対して、摺接自在な状態で嵌挿させるので、例えば、その保持部と開口との間における密封性が確保されうる程度に保持部の外径と開口の内径を設定すれば、ガス漏れや液漏れをより一層効果的に防止することができる。そして、棒状接続端子を保持したガスケットの保持部が、蓋の開口に摺接状態で対応動作するため、ガスケットの保持部とそれに連動するスイッチ板が斜めにならずに平行移動し易くなるために、スイッチ板と蓋の接触が良好になると共に、両者の接離が確実となり、高い信頼性をもったスイッチ機能を達成することができる。 With the configuration described in (4) above, the gasket holding portion is fitted and inserted into the opening formed in the lid in a slidable state. For example, between the holding portion and the opening. Gas leakage and liquid leakage can be more effectively prevented by setting the outer diameter of the holding portion and the inner diameter of the opening to such an extent that the sealing performance can be secured. And since the holding part of the gasket holding the rod-shaped connection terminal operates in a sliding contact state with the opening of the lid, the holding part of the gasket and the switch plate interlocked therewith can be easily translated without being inclined. In addition, the contact between the switch plate and the lid is improved, and the contact and separation between the two are ensured, so that a switch function with high reliability can be achieved.

（５）本発明に係る密閉型蓄電池は、前記（１）〜（４）に記載の電池であって、前記弾発材が、前記スイッチの一方の端子であるスイッチ板の外周縁部に絶縁部材を介して当接させることを特徴とする。 (5) A sealed storage battery according to the present invention is the battery according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the elastic material is insulated from an outer peripheral edge portion of a switch plate which is one terminal of the switch. It makes it contact | abut through a member, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

前記（５）に記載した構成にすれば、弾発材の押圧力がスイッチ板の外周縁部に作用するため、スイッチ板が蓋に対して斜めになるのを抑制し、スイッチ板と蓋の接離が確実となり、高い信頼性をもったスイッチ機能を達成することができる。 With the configuration described in (5) above, since the pressing force of the elastic material acts on the outer peripheral edge portion of the switch plate, the switch plate is prevented from being inclined with respect to the lid, Contact and separation are ensured, and a highly reliable switch function can be achieved.

本発明に係る圧力スイッチ内蔵型の密閉型蓄電池は、蓋とキャップが溶接によって接合されるので、接合状態が良好となり両部材間における接合不良の発生を回避することができ、これにより、接合部における電気抵抗が少なくなるため、急速充電を行ったときの充電受け入れ性能が向上する。 In the sealed battery with a built-in pressure switch according to the present invention, the lid and the cap are joined by welding, so that the joining state is good and the occurrence of poor joining between the two members can be avoided. Since the electrical resistance in the battery is reduced, the charge acceptance performance is improved when rapid charging is performed.

また、蓋とキャップを予め溶接により一体化しておくことにより、組み立て作業の能率が顕著に向上すると共に、組み付け精度を安定的に向上させることができ、かつ、塵や埃等の異物が接合面に介在するような不具合を回避することができるため、電気抵抗を増大させることなく、高い封口精度（密封性）を安定に維持することができる。これにより、ガス漏れや漏液等が発生しにくくなり、高い充電受け入れ性能を安定に維持することができる。 Also, by integrating the lid and cap in advance by welding, the efficiency of the assembly work can be significantly improved, the assembly accuracy can be improved stably, and foreign matters such as dust and dirt can be joined. Therefore, high sealing accuracy (sealing performance) can be stably maintained without increasing the electrical resistance. As a result, gas leakage or liquid leakage is less likely to occur, and high charge acceptance performance can be stably maintained.

棒状接続端子を保持している前記ガスケットの保持部を前記蓋に形成された開口に対して摺接状態で嵌挿させたり、弾発材を、前記スイッチの一方の端子であるスイッチ板の外周縁部に絶縁部材を介して当接させるることにより、スイッチ板が蓋に対して斜めにならずに平行移動し易くなるために、スイッチ板と蓋の接触が良好になると共に、両者の接離が確実となり、高い信頼性をもったスイッチ機能を達成することができる。 The holding portion of the gasket holding the rod-like connection terminal is inserted in sliding contact with the opening formed in the lid, or the elastic material is attached to the outside of the switch plate which is one terminal of the switch. By contacting the peripheral edge with an insulating member, the switch plate can be easily moved in parallel without being inclined with respect to the lid. Separation is ensured and a highly reliable switch function can be achieved.

以下に、本発明の最良の実施の形態に係る密閉型蓄電池について、図面を参照しつつ詳細に説明する。 The sealed storage battery according to the best embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

〔実施の形態１〕
図１は、実施の形態１に係る圧力スイッチ内蔵式の密閉型蓄電池（以下、密閉型蓄電池という）の構成を説明するための要部縦断面図であり、この密閉型蓄電池は、図示のように、電極１０をアルカリ溶液（図示省略）と共に内部に収納した電槽缶（負極端子を兼ねる）５が金属製の蓋２、ポリプロピレンやポリアミドなどの合成樹脂成形体からなるガスケット６およびガスケット６に設けた保持部６ｃに挿通させた棒状接続端子９によって封止されている。前記のように該棒状接続端子９を採用したことによって、蓋２とキャップ１が容易に接合できるようになり、図１に示すように蓋２の上面に、正極端子を兼ねるキャップ１が、例えば、スポット溶接やリングプロジェクション溶接等により接合されている。そのキャップ１内には、電池内部圧力の変化に応じて充電電流の継切を行うためのスイッチ機構Ｓを構成するスイッチ板８を素蓋２に対して接離可能に付勢する皿バネ（本発明の弾発部材）４が配設されている。 [Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the configuration of a sealed storage battery with built-in pressure switch (hereinafter referred to as a sealed storage battery) according to the first embodiment. In addition, a battery case (also serving as a negative electrode terminal) 5 containing the electrode 10 together with an alkaline solution (not shown) is provided with a metal lid 2, a gasket 6 and a gasket 6 made of a synthetic resin molding such as polypropylene or polyamide. It is sealed with a rod-like connection terminal 9 inserted through the provided holding portion 6c. By adopting the rod-like connecting terminal 9 as described above, the lid 2 and the cap 1 can be easily joined. As shown in FIG. 1, the cap 1 serving also as the positive electrode terminal is provided on the upper surface of the lid 2, for example. They are joined by spot welding or ring projection welding. In the cap 1, a disc spring (which urges the switch plate 8 constituting the switch mechanism S for switching the charging current in response to a change in the battery internal pressure so as to be able to come in contact with and separate from the base lid 2 ( The elastic member 4 of the present invention is disposed.

このように、蓋２とキャップ１を溶接により接合するため、その接合状態が確実なものとなり接合不良の発生を回避することができ、その接合部（本発明の溶接部）３における電気抵抗が少なくなり急速充電を行ったときの充電受け入れ性能が向上する。また、蓋２と電池キャップ１を予め溶接により一体化しておくことにより、組み立て作業の能率が顕著に向上すると共に、組み付け精度を安定的に向上させることもでき、かつ、塵や埃等の異物が接合面に介在するような不具合を回避することができる。従って、高い封口精度（密封性）を安定に維持することができ、ガス漏れや漏液等の不具合が発生しにくくなる。キャップ１と蓋２をスポット溶接で接合する際の接合点数は特に限定されるものではないが機械的強度が強くかつキャップ１と蓋２の間の電気抵抗を小さく抑えるためには、接合点数を少なくとも４点、、とすることが好ましく、６点以上とすることがさらに好ましい。 Thus, since the lid 2 and the cap 1 are joined by welding, the joining state is ensured and the occurrence of poor joining can be avoided, and the electrical resistance at the joining portion (welded portion of the present invention) 3 is reduced. Charge acceptance performance is improved when rapid charging is reduced. Further, by integrating the lid 2 and the battery cap 1 by welding in advance, the efficiency of the assembly work can be remarkably improved, and the assembly accuracy can be improved stably, and foreign matter such as dust and dirt can be obtained. Can be avoided. Therefore, high sealing accuracy (sealing performance) can be stably maintained, and problems such as gas leakage and liquid leakage are less likely to occur. The number of joint points when the cap 1 and the lid 2 are joined by spot welding is not particularly limited, but in order to keep the mechanical strength strong and the electrical resistance between the cap 1 and the lid 2 small, the number of joint points is set. At least 4 points are preferable, and 6 points or more are more preferable.

ガスケット６の保持部６ｃの周縁部には肉薄部６ｆを設け可撓性を持たせる。充電中に電池の内圧が高まると該肉薄部が撓み、接続端子９およびスイッチ板８は図の上方に移行し、スイッチ板８の周縁部８ｂ（Ｓ２）と蓋２の内縁部２ｂ（Ｓ１）が離れ、回路がオフになる。電池の内圧が降下すると弾発部材４の押圧力により棒状接続端子９およびスイッチ板８が下方に移行しスイッチ板８の周縁部８ｂ（Ｓ２）と蓋２の内縁部２ｂ（Ｓ１）が接触して回路がオンになる。弾発部材としての皿バネ４を金属材で形成することにより、従来のように、ゴムを用いる場合よりも荷重特性が安定化し、周囲温度等の環境変化の影響を受けることが少なくなり、常に、電池内部圧力の変化に適切に拡縮動作し圧力スイッチ機構Ｓのオン・オフ動作が安定化し、充電電流の継切のタイミングが正常に維持され、充電受け入れ性能が安定的に向上する。また、この弾発部材４をキャップ１内に配設することで、キャップ１内の空所を有効に活用できるため、別途、弾発部材４を配置するためのスペースを確保する必要がなくなり、レイアウトの自由度が向上する利点がある。 A thin portion 6f is provided on the peripheral edge of the holding portion 6c of the gasket 6 to provide flexibility. When the internal pressure of the battery increases during charging, the thin portion bends, the connection terminal 9 and the switch plate 8 move upward in the figure, and the peripheral edge 8b (S2) of the switch plate 8 and the inner edge 2b (S1) of the lid 2 And the circuit is turned off. When the internal pressure of the battery drops, the rod-like connection terminal 9 and the switch plate 8 are moved downward by the pressing force of the elastic member 4, and the peripheral edge portion 8b (S2) of the switch plate 8 and the inner edge portion 2b (S1) of the lid 2 are brought into contact. The circuit turns on. By forming the disc spring 4 as a resilient member with a metal material, the load characteristic is stabilized as compared with the case of using rubber as in the conventional case, and it is less affected by environmental changes such as ambient temperature. Thus, the expansion / contraction operation is appropriately performed according to the change in the internal pressure of the battery, the on / off operation of the pressure switch mechanism S is stabilized, the charging current switching timing is normally maintained, and the charge acceptance performance is stably improved. Moreover, since the space in the cap 1 can be effectively utilized by arranging the bullet member 4 in the cap 1, it is not necessary to secure a space for arranging the bullet member 4 separately. There is an advantage that the degree of freedom of layout is improved.

全体について詳しく説明すると、電槽缶５の上周縁には、絶縁性素材からなるガスケット６の周縁部を密嵌させるための凹溝部５ａが形成されており、下部開放の偏平な有天円筒状に形成された電池キャップ１の下部に外向きに形成されたフランジ部１ａを、ガスケット６の内周部６ａよりも内側の位置に配設して、そのフランジ部１ａを円板状の蓋２の上に、例えば、スポット溶接等により作業性よく溶接することができる。なお、電池キャップ１の側壁面には、電池内部圧力の変化に応じてガスケット６が無理なく変形できるように、脱気用の孔ｈが形成されている。 The whole will be described in detail. On the upper peripheral edge of the battery case can 5, a concave groove part 5a for tightly fitting the peripheral part of the gasket 6 made of an insulating material is formed. A flange portion 1 a formed outwardly at the lower portion of the battery cap 1 formed in the above is disposed at a position inside the inner peripheral portion 6 a of the gasket 6, and the flange portion 1 a is attached to the disc-shaped lid 2. For example, it is possible to weld with good workability by spot welding or the like. A degassing hole h is formed in the side wall surface of the battery cap 1 so that the gasket 6 can be deformed without difficulty according to the change in the internal pressure of the battery.

ガスケット６の内周部６ａには係止溝６ｂが形成され、その係止溝６ｂに、蓋２の周縁部のみを係止させている。このように、一枚の板部材（蓋２）のみを係止溝６ｂに係止させるので、図６等に示す従来の二枚合わせで係止させる場合よりも、電槽缶５を深く形成することができ、充電容量（電池容量）の増大を図ることができる。また、その組み付け精度が安定するため、高い密封性を確保しやすくなり、その密封性を維持しやすくなる。 A locking groove 6b is formed in the inner peripheral portion 6a of the gasket 6, and only the peripheral edge portion of the lid 2 is locked in the locking groove 6b. In this way, since only one plate member (lid 2) is locked in the locking groove 6b, the battery case can 5 is formed deeper than in the case of locking by the conventional two-sheet alignment shown in FIG. It is possible to increase the charging capacity (battery capacity). Moreover, since the assembly accuracy is stabilized, it becomes easy to ensure high sealing performance and to maintain the sealing performance.

ガスケット６の中央部に形成された円筒状の保持部６ｃの貫通孔６ｄには、例えば、円柱状に形成された棒状接続端子９が一体的に嵌装固定され、その下部がリード線７を介して電極群１０に接続されている。一方、貫通孔６ｄから突出した棒状接続端子９の上部には、孔付き円板状のスイッチ板（他方の端子）８が固定され、その棒状接続端子９の上部とスイッチ板８の上面には絶縁部材１１が被嵌され、その絶縁部材１１に皿バネ４の付勢端が押圧状態に当接し、スイッチ板８と棒状接続端子９は電池キャップ１に対して絶縁されており、その絶縁部材１１に皿バネ４の付勢端が当接している。なお、皿バネ４は上下を逆に向けて配設してもよい。また、皿バネ４に代えて、コイルバネや板バネを用いてもよい。 In the through hole 6d of the cylindrical holding portion 6c formed at the center of the gasket 6, for example, a rod-shaped connection terminal 9 formed in a columnar shape is integrally fitted and fixed, and the lower portion of the lead wire 7 is connected to the lower portion. To the electrode group 10. On the other hand, a disc-shaped switch plate (the other terminal) 8 with a hole is fixed to the upper portion of the rod-like connection terminal 9 protruding from the through hole 6d, and the upper portion of the rod-like connection terminal 9 and the upper surface of the switch plate 8 are An insulating member 11 is fitted, the biasing end of the disc spring 4 abuts against the insulating member 11 in a pressed state, and the switch plate 8 and the rod-like connection terminal 9 are insulated from the battery cap 1, and the insulating member The urging end of the disc spring 4 is in contact with 11. The disc spring 4 may be arranged upside down. Further, instead of the disc spring 4, a coil spring or a plate spring may be used.

ガスケット６の係止溝６ｂに係止された蓋２の中央部には、円形孔（本発明の開口）２ａが形成され、その円形孔２ａに、ガスケット６の保持部６ｃが所定の隙間を有して下方から嵌入しており、これにより、電池内部圧力の変化に応じてガスケット６が自在に変形し、そのガスケット６と共に、スイッチ板８の上下方向の変位が許容される。なお、本発明の開口２ａは、円形孔に限定されることなく、楕円や方形（矩形、正方形等）等の孔であってもよい。 A circular hole (opening of the present invention) 2a is formed at the center of the lid 2 locked in the locking groove 6b of the gasket 6, and the holding part 6c of the gasket 6 has a predetermined gap in the circular hole 2a. The gasket 6 is freely deformed in accordance with the change in the internal pressure of the battery, and the switch plate 8 is allowed to be displaced in the vertical direction together with the gasket 6. The opening 2a of the present invention is not limited to a circular hole, and may be an ellipse or a square (rectangular, square, etc.).

また、ガスケット６の上面には、電池内部圧力が急に上昇した場合に、電槽缶５を保護するために、亀裂を発生させ易くするノッチ状の安全弁（本発明の切欠き部）６ｅが形成されており、充電中に電池内部圧力が急に増大した場合に、安全弁６ｅからガスケット６に亀裂を生じさせて、電池キャップ１の小孔ｈからガスを外部に放出させることができ、これにより、電槽缶５を変形させたり破損させたりせずに済み、安全性も向上する。 Further, on the upper surface of the gasket 6, a notch-shaped safety valve (notch portion of the present invention) 6 e that makes it easy to generate a crack to protect the battery case 5 when the battery internal pressure suddenly rises is provided. When the internal pressure of the battery suddenly increases during charging, the gasket 6 can be cracked from the safety valve 6e, and the gas can be released to the outside from the small hole h of the battery cap 1. Thus, the battery case can 5 can be prevented from being deformed or damaged, and the safety can be improved.

充電電流の継切を行うための圧力スイッチ機構Ｓは、本実施の形態では、キャップ１と蓋２の間に設けられており、この圧力スイッチ機構Ｓは、キャップ１内に配設される皿バネ４によって付勢される平板状のスイッチ板（本発明の第１端子）８と、平板状の蓋（本発明の第２端子）２と、からなる。より具体的には、スイッチ板８は、ガスケット６の中央部に設けた保持部６ｃの透孔に挿通された棒状の接続端子９の上部に接合され、その棒状接続端子９の下端にはネジが切られ、該ネジにナット状の金属部材１２が装着されて、電池の内圧が上昇しても棒状接続端子９が保持部６ｃから脱離しないよう、棒状接続端子９は保持部６ｃに係止されている。 In this embodiment, the pressure switch mechanism S for switching off the charging current is provided between the cap 1 and the lid 2, and the pressure switch mechanism S is a dish provided in the cap 1. It comprises a flat switch plate (first terminal of the present invention) 8 urged by a spring 4 and a flat cover (second terminal of the present invention) 2. More specifically, the switch plate 8 is joined to an upper portion of a rod-like connection terminal 9 inserted through a through hole of a holding portion 6 c provided in the center portion of the gasket 6, and a screw is attached to the lower end of the rod-like connection terminal 9. The rod-like connection terminal 9 is engaged with the holding portion 6c so that the rod-like connection terminal 9 is not detached from the holding portion 6c even if the nut-like metal member 12 is attached to the screw and the internal pressure of the battery rises. It has been stopped.

棒状接続端子９は、変形可能なリード線７を介して電極１０（正極）に接続されており、その棒状接続端子９の上端部とスイッチ板８の一部が、前述したように、絶縁部材１１によって覆われ、その外側の外周縁８ｂが第１端子となる。一方、蓋２は、溶接部３よりも内側の部分が円形状に切り抜かれ、その円形孔２ａの周縁（本発明の開口縁）２ｂが第２端子となる。 The rod-shaped connection terminal 9 is connected to an electrode 10 (positive electrode) via a deformable lead wire 7, and the upper end portion of the rod-shaped connection terminal 9 and a part of the switch plate 8 are insulated members as described above. 11 and the outer peripheral edge 8b outside thereof is the first terminal. On the other hand, the lid 2 is cut out in a circular shape at the inner side of the welded portion 3, and the peripheral edge (opening edge of the present invention) 2b of the circular hole 2a becomes the second terminal.

このような構成により、電池内部圧力が低い状態では、図１に示すように、蓋２の周縁２ｂにスイッチ板８の外周縁８ｂが付勢状態に接触して圧力スイッチ機構Ｓがオンとなり、電池内部圧力が一定圧力以上になると、図２に示すように、ガスケット６の肉薄部６ｆが上方へ撓み、スイッチ板８の外周縁８ｂが素蓋２の周縁２ｂから離間し、スイッチ機構Ｓがオフとなり充電電流が切断され、電池内部圧力の変化に連動したパルス充電が行われる。このように、電池内部圧力の変化に応じて充電電流が制御されるため、電池温度の上昇が抑えられ、高い充電効率を得ることができ、急速充電が可能となる。 With such a configuration, when the battery internal pressure is low, as shown in FIG. 1, the outer peripheral edge 8 b of the switch plate 8 comes into contact with the peripheral edge 2 b of the lid 2 and the pressure switch mechanism S is turned on, When the battery internal pressure exceeds a certain pressure, as shown in FIG. 2, the thin portion 6f of the gasket 6 bends upward, the outer peripheral edge 8b of the switch plate 8 moves away from the peripheral edge 2b of the base lid 2, and the switch mechanism S The charging current is cut off and the charging current is cut off, and pulse charging is performed in conjunction with the change in the internal pressure of the battery. In this way, since the charging current is controlled according to the change in the battery internal pressure, an increase in battery temperature can be suppressed, high charging efficiency can be obtained, and rapid charging becomes possible.

〔棒状接続端子と保持部との係止の実施形態〕
前記のように、ここでいう棒状接続端子は、側壁に突出部を設けず、ガスケットの保持部に設けた透孔への挿通を可能としたものである。該棒状接続端子を適用した場合、電池の内圧が上昇したときに、該内圧によって棒状接続端子９がガスケットに設けた保持部６ｃから脱離する虞があるので、棒状接続端子９を保持部６ｃに係止する機構を備えることが望ましい。本発明においては、棒状接続端子９と保持部６ｃとの係止の形態は特に限定されるものではない。前記実施の形態１で示したように棒状接続端子９の下端部にネジを切っておき、該ネジにナット状の金属部材をネジ止めによって取り付ける方法の他、例えば、図３に示すようにスイッチ板８に取り付けた爪状部材１３の爪を保持部６ｃの外壁に設けた凹部に嵌合させる方法、さらには図４に示すように保持部６ｃの周囲に金属製リング１４をはめ込んだり、図５に示すように棒状接続端子９の側辺に図の下端部に近い程径が大きくなるようにテーパを設けたり、図６に示すように接続端子９を単純な棒状とし、保持部６ｃの透孔の内径を接続端子９の外径より小さくしてはめ合わせる（絞まりばめによるはめあい方式）方法などによって、保持部６ｃと接続端子９の摩擦力を増大させることによって接続端子９が保持部６ｃから脱離するのを防ぐ方法も適用できる。 (Embodiment for locking the rod-shaped connection terminal and the holding portion)
As described above, the rod-like connection terminal here does not have a protruding portion on the side wall, and can be inserted into a through hole provided in the holding portion of the gasket. When the rod-like connection terminal is applied, when the internal pressure of the battery rises, the rod-like connection terminal 9 may be detached from the holding portion 6c provided on the gasket due to the internal pressure. It is desirable to provide a mechanism for locking to. In the present invention, the form of locking between the rod-like connection terminal 9 and the holding portion 6c is not particularly limited. In addition to a method in which a screw is cut at the lower end of the rod-like connection terminal 9 as shown in the first embodiment and a nut-like metal member is attached to the screw by screwing, for example, a switch as shown in FIG. A method of fitting the claw of the claw-like member 13 attached to the plate 8 into a recess provided on the outer wall of the holding portion 6c, and further, as shown in FIG. 4, a metal ring 14 is fitted around the holding portion 6c, As shown in FIG. 5, a taper is provided on the side of the rod-like connecting terminal 9 so that the diameter becomes larger as it is closer to the lower end of the drawing, or the connecting terminal 9 is made a simple rod-like shape as shown in FIG. By increasing the frictional force between the holding portion 6c and the connecting terminal 9 by a method of fitting by making the inner diameter of the through hole smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting terminal 9 (fitting method by tight fitting), the connecting terminal 9 is held by the holding portion. Detach from 6c How to prevent can also be applied.

〔実施の形態２〕
本実施の形態２では、図７に示すように、ガスケット６の中央部に形成された円筒状の保持部６ｃを、蓋２に形成された開口２ａに対して、摺接状態となるように嵌挿させ、封口性を向上させると共に、蓋２の周縁２ｂに対してスイッチ板８の外周縁８ｂを平行な状態で接触させることができるようにしている。なお、前実施の形態１と同一又は同等部材については同一符号を付し、その説明を省略している。 [Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the cylindrical holding portion 6 c formed at the center of the gasket 6 is brought into a sliding contact state with the opening 2 a formed in the lid 2. The outer peripheral edge 8b of the switch plate 8 can be brought into contact with the peripheral edge 2b of the lid 2 in parallel with each other to improve the sealing performance. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same or equivalent member as Embodiment 1, and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

例えば、その保持部６ｃの外壁面が開口２ａの内壁面に当接するように保持部６ｃの外径と開口２ａの内径を設定することにより、封口性が向上しガス漏れや液漏れをより一層効果的に防止することができ、また、開口２ａがガイドの作用して接続端子９を保持した保持部６ｃの上下方向の変位動作が安定化する（保持部６ｄが斜めにならずに上下方向に平行に移動する）ため、蓋２に対するスイッチ板８の接離が確実となり、高い信頼性を有するスイッチ機能を得ることができる。 For example, by setting the outer diameter of the holding portion 6c and the inner diameter of the opening 2a so that the outer wall surface of the holding portion 6c comes into contact with the inner wall surface of the opening 2a, the sealing performance is improved and gas leakage and liquid leakage are further reduced. In addition, the opening 2a can act as a guide to stabilize the vertical displacement operation of the holding portion 6c that holds the connection terminal 9 (the holding portion 6d is not inclined and is not inclined). Therefore, the switch plate 8 can be reliably brought into and out of contact with the lid 2 and a highly reliable switch function can be obtained.

また、本実施の形態２では、弾発材４である皿バネを図３のように（キャップ１に当接する側の径が小さく、スイッチ板８と絶縁部材１１を介して当接する側の径が大きくなるように）配置して、皿バネの押圧力がスイッチ板８の外周縁８ｂに作用するようにしたために、スイッチ板８が蓋２に対して斜めになるのを抑制することができ、蓋２に対するスイッチ板８の接離が確実となり、高い信頼性を有するスイッチ機能を得ることができる。 Further, in the second embodiment, the disc spring which is the elastic material 4 is arranged as shown in FIG. 3 (the diameter on the side in contact with the cap 1 is small and the diameter on the side in contact with the switch plate 8 via the insulating member 11). Since the pressing force of the disc spring acts on the outer peripheral edge 8 b of the switch plate 8, the switch plate 8 can be prevented from being inclined with respect to the lid 2. As a result, the contact and separation of the switch plate 8 with respect to the lid 2 are ensured, and a highly reliable switch function can be obtained.

なお、本実施の形態２では、電池内部圧力が増大した状態は、図２の状態｛スイッチ板８の外周縁８ｂ（Ｓ２）と蓋２の開口縁２ｂ（Ｓ１）が離れた状態｝と基本的には同じであり図示を省略している。また、本発明の開口２ａは、円形孔に限定されることなく、楕円や方形（矩形、正方形等）等の孔であってもよいのは、前記実施の形態１と同じである。 In the second embodiment, the state in which the battery internal pressure has increased is basically the state shown in FIG. 2 (the state in which the outer peripheral edge 8b (S2) of the switch plate 8 and the opening edge 2b (S1) of the lid 2 are separated). They are the same and are not shown. Further, the opening 2a of the present invention is not limited to a circular hole, but may be an ellipse or a square (rectangular, square, etc.), as in the first embodiment.

〔実施の形態３〕
本実施の形態３では、図８に示すように、前記実施の形態２において、弾発材４として渦巻き状の円錐形コイルバネを適用した。円錐形コイルバネは、一端の径が他端の径に比べて大きい、該円錐形コイルバネとすることによりバネを構成する線材同士が上下方向に重なるのを避けることができるのでバネの厚さを小さくするのに有効である。また、前記実施の形態２と同様に、円錐形コイルバネを、径の大きい一端をスイッチ板８側に配置して、コイルバネの押圧力がスイッチ板８の外周縁８ｂに作用するようにし向けることによって、スイッチ板８が蓋２に対して斜めになるのを抑制することができ、蓋２に対するスイッチ板８の接離が確実となり、高い信頼性を有するスイッチ機能を得ることができる。 [Embodiment 3]
In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a spiral conical coil spring is applied as the elastic material 4 in the second embodiment. The conical coil spring has a larger diameter at one end than the diameter at the other end. By using the conical coil spring, it is possible to avoid the overlapping of the wires constituting the spring in the vertical direction, thereby reducing the thickness of the spring. It is effective to do. Similarly to the second embodiment, the conical coil spring is arranged such that one end having a large diameter is arranged on the switch plate 8 side so that the pressing force of the coil spring acts on the outer peripheral edge 8 b of the switch plate 8. The switch plate 8 can be prevented from being inclined with respect to the lid 2, the switch plate 8 can be reliably brought into contact with and separated from the lid 2, and a highly reliable switch function can be obtained.

なお、実施の形態２や実施の形態３のように、保持部６ｃを、蓋２に形成された開口２ａに対して、摺接状態となるように嵌挿させることと皿バネや円錐形コイルバネを、径の大きい一端をスイッチ板８側に配置して、コイルバネの押圧力がスイッチ板８の外周縁８ｂに作用するようにし向けることを併用することによって、本発明の実施の形態の中でも格別安定にスイッチ板を上下方向に移動させることができるが、前記実施の形態１の場合にも、円錐形コイルバネを前記実施の形態２や実施の形態３と同様に配置することによってスイッチ板８が蓋２に対して斜めになるのを抑制することができ、蓋２に対するスイッチ板８の接離が確実となり、高い信頼性を有するスイッチ機能を得ることができるのはいうまでもない。 As in the second and third embodiments, the holding portion 6c is inserted into the opening 2a formed in the lid 2 so as to be in sliding contact with the disc spring or the conical coil spring. In the embodiment of the present invention by combining one end having a large diameter on the switch plate 8 side and directing the pressing force of the coil spring to act on the outer peripheral edge 8b of the switch plate 8. The switch plate can be stably moved in the vertical direction. Also in the case of the first embodiment, the switch plate 8 is provided by disposing the conical coil spring in the same manner as in the second and third embodiments. Needless to say, it is possible to prevent the switch 2 from being inclined with respect to the lid 2, and the switch plate 8 is reliably brought into and out of contact with the lid 2, and a highly reliable switch function can be obtained.

（実施例）
ニッケル電極（正極）と水素吸蔵合金電極（負極）をセパレータを介して積層し、該積層体を捲回して捲回式極板群とし該極板群を適用して定格容量が１７００ｍＡｈの密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池であって、図１に示す構成（電池キャップ１が蓋２と溶接により接合され、ガスケット６の係止溝６ｂに蓋２のみが係止されている）を備え、圧力スイッチ（Ｓ）の動作圧力が２．４ＭＰａであるＡＡサイズの蓄電池を１００００個作製した。作製した電池全てにつき常温常湿に１週間放置した後、目視による外観検査を行い漏液の有無、組立不良の有無を調査した。目視検査で正常と判定された蓄電池（漏液がなく、組立が正常な蓄電池）の中からサンプル電池２０個を抜き取り、所定の方法にて化成を行った後、化成後の蓄電池を、周囲温度２０℃、０．１ＩｔＡにて１６時間充電し、充電後１時間放置した後、同温度において放電レート０．２ＩｔＡ、放電カット電圧１．０Ｖで放電し、前記定格容量と等しい放電容量が得られることを確認した。次いで、サンプル電池を周囲温度２０℃、充電電圧１．６５Ｖで１５分間定電圧充電を行い、同温度に１時間放置後、放電レート０．２ＩｔＡ、放電カット電圧１．０Ｖとして定電流放電を行った。該充放電操作を５回繰り返し行い、５回目の放電で得られた放電容量の前記定格容量に対する比率を、急速充電における充電受け入れ性能を評価する指標とした。 (Example)
A nickel electrode (positive electrode) and a hydrogen storage alloy electrode (negative electrode) are laminated via a separator, and the laminate is wound to form a wound electrode plate group, and the electrode plate group is applied to a sealed type with a rated capacity of 1700 mAh. A nickel-metal hydride storage battery having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 (the battery cap 1 is joined to the lid 2 by welding and only the lid 2 is locked in the locking groove 6b of the gasket 6), and a pressure switch (S ) 10,000 AA-sized storage batteries having an operating pressure of 2.4 MPa were produced. All the batteries produced were allowed to stand at room temperature and humidity for 1 week, and then a visual appearance inspection was performed to investigate the presence of liquid leakage and assembly failure. After removing 20 sample batteries from a storage battery that has been judged normal by visual inspection (a storage battery that has no leakage and is normally assembled), and after performing chemical conversion by a prescribed method, After charging for 16 hours at a temperature of 20 ° C. and 0.1 ItA, and letting it stand for 1 hour after charging, discharging was performed at the same temperature at a discharge rate of 0.2 ItA and a discharge cut voltage of 1.0 V to obtain a discharge capacity equal to the rated capacity. It was confirmed that Next, the sample battery was charged at a constant voltage for 15 minutes at an ambient temperature of 20 ° C. and a charge voltage of 1.65 V, left at the same temperature for 1 hour, and then discharged at a discharge rate of 0.2 ItA and a discharge cut voltage of 1.0 V. It was. The charge / discharge operation was repeated five times, and the ratio of the discharge capacity obtained by the fifth discharge to the rated capacity was used as an index for evaluating the charge acceptance performance in rapid charge.

（比較例）
図１１に示す構成（キャップ２１が蓋２２に溶接されておらず、キャップ２１と蓋２２は、その周縁部で互いに重ね合わされて、ガスケット２６の係止溝に係止されている。キャップ内にはゴム製の弾発材２３を備える）を備えていること以外は、実施例と同一構成の密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池を１００００個作製して前記実施例１と同一の調査を行った。また、目視による外観検査で正常と判定された蓄電池の中からサンプル電池１０を抜き取り実施例と同一の充放電試験に供した。なお、化成後のサンプル電池を周囲温度２０℃、０．１ＩｔＡにて１６時間充電し、充電後１時間放置した後、同温度において放電レート０．２ＩｔＡ、放電カット電圧１．０Ｖで放電したところ前記実施例と同様、定格容量に等しい放電容量が得られることを確認した。 (Comparative example)
11 (the cap 21 is not welded to the lid 22, and the cap 21 and the lid 22 are overlapped with each other at the peripheral edge thereof and locked in the locking groove of the gasket 26. In the cap. 10000 sealed nickel-metal hydride storage batteries having the same configuration as those of the example were manufactured, and the same investigation as in Example 1 was performed. Moreover, the sample battery 10 was extracted from the storage battery determined to be normal by visual appearance inspection, and subjected to the same charge / discharge test as that of the example. The sample battery after chemical conversion was charged at an ambient temperature of 20 ° C. and 0.1 ItA for 16 hours, left for 1 hour after charging, and then discharged at the same temperature at a discharge rate of 0.2 ItA and a discharge cut voltage of 1.0 V. As in the previous example, it was confirmed that a discharge capacity equal to the rated capacity was obtained.

（目視による外観調査結果）
目視による外観調査の結果を表１に示す。

実施例の密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池においては、漏液のあった電池数、及び、不具合蓋のあった電池数も０であった。これに対して、比較例の密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池では、キャップのフランジ部分の表面に漏液が認められた電池が１１個、蓋の組み付けに不具合が認められた電池が９個存在した。これは、比較例の密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池では、電池キャップ２１と蓋２２が溶接されていないため、予め、これらを組み付けることができず、そのために、組付け不良による位置ずれや接合面への異物の介入等が発生し、封口精度にばらつきが発生したためであると考えられる。 (Visual appearance survey results)
Table 1 shows the results of visual inspection.

In the sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery of the example, the number of batteries with leakage and the number of batteries with defective lids were also zero. On the other hand, in the sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery of the comparative example, there were 11 batteries in which liquid leakage was observed on the surface of the flange portion of the cap and 9 batteries in which defects were found in the assembly of the lid. This is because in the sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery of the comparative example, since the battery cap 21 and the lid 22 are not welded, they cannot be assembled in advance. This is considered to be due to the occurrence of foreign matter intervention, etc. and variations in sealing accuracy.

（急速充電試験結果）
前記条件に行った急速充電試験結果を図９に示す。図９に於いて横軸は５回目の放電容量｛定格容量に対する比率（％）｝、縦軸は電池個数である。図５に示すように、比較例の密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池は、実施例の密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池に比較して、放電容量がかなり低くなっており、さらに、１０セル中２セルの放電容量が極端に低くなっていることが確認された。比較例電池の容量が全体的に実施例電池に比べて低いのは、キャップと蓋が接合されていないために、その間の接触抵抗が大きく急速充電時の充電受け入れが低かったためであり、比較例電池の１０セル中２個の放電容量が低いのは、キャップと蓋の組み付け精度に目視検査では確認出来ない程度の軽度の不具合が生じたために、キャップと蓋の間の接触抵抗が極端に大きくなったためと考えられる。 (Quick charge test results)
FIG. 9 shows the results of the quick charge test conducted under the above conditions. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis represents the fifth discharge capacity {ratio to the rated capacity (%)}, and the vertical axis represents the number of batteries. As shown in FIG. 5, the sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery of the comparative example has a considerably lower discharge capacity than the sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery of the example, and further, the discharge capacity of 2 cells out of 10 cells is smaller. It was confirmed that it was extremely low. The capacity of the comparative example battery is generally lower than that of the example battery because the cap and the lid are not joined, so the contact resistance between them is large and the charge acceptance during quick charging is low. The discharge capacity of two of the 10 cells of the battery is low because the contact resistance between the cap and the lid is extremely large because the minority of the cap and lid cannot be confirmed by visual inspection. It is thought that it became.

図１０に、前記実施例に係る密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池を定電圧充電したときの、充電電流および電池温度の時間的推移の１例を示す。図１０に示すように充電の鋼板において圧力スイッチが動作し、圧力スイッチが動作している間はパルス状の充電が行われ、電池温度のさらなる上昇が抑制される。ここで示した周囲温度２０℃での充電においては、比較例電池においても圧力スイッチが正常に動作したが、例えば周囲温度が３０℃を超えるような高温においては電池温度がさらに上昇するためにゴムの弾性が劣化して、圧力スイッチが正常に動作せず、圧力スイッチがオンの状態になったままになり、電池温度が異常に上昇する虞がある。 FIG. 10 shows an example of the temporal transition of the charging current and the battery temperature when the sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery according to the embodiment is charged at a constant voltage. As shown in FIG. 10, the pressure switch operates in the steel sheet for charging, and pulse charging is performed while the pressure switch is operating, and further increase in battery temperature is suppressed. In the charging at the ambient temperature of 20 ° C. shown here, the pressure switch operated normally also in the comparative battery, but the battery temperature further increased at a high temperature such as an ambient temperature exceeding 30 ° C. As a result, the pressure switch does not operate normally, the pressure switch remains on, and the battery temperature may rise abnormally.

なお、前記実施例と比較例においては極板のサイズを同じとしたが、前記実施例に係るＡＡサイズの密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池においては、蓋の周縁部のみをガスケットの係止溝に嵌合させているので、キャップと蓋の両方をガスケットの係止溝に嵌合させた比較例電池に比べて電槽の深さを大きくすることができ、極板の幅に対して電槽の深さに余裕が生じた。実施例の場合は比較例に比べて極板の幅（図では高さ）を約２％大きくすることができ、それに見合うだけ容量が大きな蓄電池とすることが可能である。 In addition, although the size of the electrode plate was the same in the example and the comparative example, in the AA size sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery according to the example, only the peripheral part of the lid was fitted in the locking groove of the gasket. Therefore, the depth of the battery case can be increased compared to the comparative battery in which both the cap and the lid are fitted in the locking grooves of the gasket, and the battery case depth is larger than the electrode plate width. There was a margin. In the case of the embodiment, the width (height in the figure) of the electrode plate can be increased by about 2% compared to the comparative example, and a storage battery having a large capacity corresponding to the width can be obtained.

本発明の実施の形態１に係る密閉型蓄電池の構成を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the sealed storage battery which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 圧力スイッチがオフ状態の本発明の実施の形態１に係る密閉型蓄電池の断面図である。It is sectional drawing of the sealed storage battery which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention of a pressure switch being an OFF state. 本初明の接続端子とガスケットの保持部との係止め機構の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows an example of the latching mechanism of the connection terminal of this first clear and the holding | maintenance part of a gasket. 本初明の接続端子とガスケットの保持部との係止め機構の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows an example of the latching mechanism of the connection terminal of this first clear and the holding | maintenance part of a gasket. 本初明の接続端子とガスケットの保持部との係止め機構の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows an example of the latching mechanism of the connection terminal of this first clear and the holding | maintenance part of a gasket. 本初明の接続端子とガスケットの保持部との係止め機構の一例を示す図である。It is a figure which shows an example of the latching mechanism of the connection terminal of this first clear and the holding | maintenance part of a gasket. 本発明の実施の形態２に係る密閉型ニッケル水素蓄電池の構成を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the sealed nickel-metal hydride storage battery which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. 本発明の実施の形態３に係る密閉型蓄電池の構成を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of the sealed storage battery which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. 本発明の実施例電池と比較例電池の放電容量を示すグラフである。It is a graph which shows the discharge capacity of the Example battery of this invention, and a comparative example battery. 本発明の実施例及び比較例の充電特性を示す説明図である。It is explanatory drawing which shows the charge characteristic of the Example and comparative example of this invention. 従来の圧力スイッチ内蔵式密閉型蓄電池の構成の一例を示す断面図である。It is sectional drawing which shows an example of a structure of the conventional pressure switch built-in type sealed storage battery.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１…キャップ、１ａ…外向きフランジ、２…蓋、２ｂ…開口縁、３…溶接部、４…弾発部材、５…電槽缶、６…ガスケット、６ａ…内周部、６ｂ…係止溝、６ｃ…保持部、６ｅ…切欠き部、８…スイッチ板、８ｂ…外周縁、９…棒状接続端子、１０…電極、Ｓ…スイッチ機構、Ｓ１…第１端子、Ｓ２…第２端子、ｈ…小孔

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cap, 1a ... Outward flange, 2 ... Cover, 2b ... Opening edge, 3 ... Welded part, 4 ... Elastic member, 5 ... Battery case, 6 ... Gasket, 6a ... Inner peripheral part, 6b ... Locking Groove, 6c ... holding portion, 6e ... notch, 8 ... switch plate, 8b ... outer peripheral edge, 9 ... rod-like connection terminal, 10 ... electrode, S ... switch mechanism, S1 ... first terminal, S2 ... second terminal, h ... Small hole

Claims

電極（１０）をアルカリ溶液と共に内部に収納した電槽缶（５）が金属製の蓋（２）、ガスケット（６）およびガスケットに設けた保持部（６ｃ）に挿通させた棒状接続端子（９）によって封止され、該蓋（２）に、正極端子または負極端子を兼ねるキャップ（１）が載設され、キャップ（１）内に配置された弾発部材（４）が、電池内部圧力の変化に応じて拡縮動作するのに連動して棒状接続端子９が移動し、該棒状接続端子（９）に接合されたスイッチ板（８）と蓋（２）が接離することによって充電電流の継切を行うスイッチ機構（Ｓ）を備えた密閉型蓄電池であって、
前記蓋（２）と前記キャップ（１）が溶接により接合され、かつ、前記接続端子（９）と保持部（６ｃ）間に係止機構を備えることを特徴とする密閉型蓄電池。 A battery-shaped can (5) in which the electrode (10) is housed together with an alkaline solution is inserted into a metal lid (2), a gasket (6), and a holding portion (6c) provided on the gasket. ), And the cap (1) serving as the positive electrode terminal or the negative electrode terminal is placed on the lid (2), and the elastic member (4) disposed in the cap (1) The rod-like connection terminal 9 moves in conjunction with the expansion / contraction operation according to the change, and the switch plate (8) and the lid (2) joined to the rod-like connection terminal (9) are brought into contact with and separated from each other. A sealed storage battery provided with a switch mechanism (S) for performing the disconnection,
The sealed storage battery, wherein the lid (2) and the cap (1) are joined by welding, and a locking mechanism is provided between the connection terminal (9) and the holding portion (6c).

前記蓋（２）前記キャップ（１）が、前記蓋（２）との接合によって蓋（２）の外面に固着され、蓋（２）の周縁部のみが、ガスケット（６）を介して前記電槽缶（５）の開口端部の内側に係止されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の密閉型蓄電池。 The lid (2) and the cap (1) are fixed to the outer surface of the lid (2) by joining with the lid (2), and only the peripheral edge of the lid (2) is inserted through the gasket (6). The sealed storage battery according to claim 1, wherein the battery is locked inside the open end of the tank can (5).

前記弾発部材（４）が、金属材からなることを特徴とする請求項１または請求項２に記載の密閉型蓄電池。 The sealed storage battery according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic member (4) is made of a metal material.

前記蓋（２）の開口縁（２ｂ）が前記スイッチ（Ｓ）の一方の端子（Ｓ１）となり、スイッチ板（８）の外周縁（８ｂ）が他方の端子（Ｓ２）となり、該スイッチ板（８）と前記電極（１０）を接続するための接続端子（９）が前記ガスケット（６）に貫通保持され、前記接続端子（９）の前記電池キャップ（１）側に突出した部分に前記スイッチ板（８）が固定されると共に、前記接続端子（９）を保持している前記ガスケット（６）の保持部（６ｃ）が、前記蓋（２）に形成された開口（２ａ）に対して摺接状態で嵌挿されたことを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項３に記載の密閉型蓄電池。 The opening edge (2b) of the lid (2) serves as one terminal (S1) of the switch (S), and the outer peripheral edge (8b) of the switch plate (8) serves as the other terminal (S2). 8) and a connection terminal (9) for connecting the electrode (10) are held through the gasket (6), and the switch is formed at a portion of the connection terminal (9) protruding toward the battery cap (1). The holding part (6c) of the gasket (6) holding the connection terminal (9) is fixed to the opening (2a) formed in the lid (2) while the plate (8) is fixed. The sealed storage battery according to claim 1, wherein the sealed storage battery is inserted in a sliding contact state.

前記弾発材（４）が前記スイッチ（Ｓ）の一方の端子（Ｓ２）であるスイッチ板（８）の外周縁部（８ｂ）に絶縁部材（１１）を介して当接していることを特徴とする請求項１〜請求項４に記載の密閉型蓄電池。

The elastic material (4) is in contact with an outer peripheral edge (8b) of a switch plate (8) which is one terminal (S2) of the switch (S) via an insulating member (11). The sealed storage battery according to claim 1.