JP3177298B2 - Battery and battery sealing method - Google Patents
Battery and battery sealing methodInfo
- Publication number
- JP3177298B2 JP3177298B2 JP11767592A JP11767592A JP3177298B2 JP 3177298 B2 JP3177298 B2 JP 3177298B2 JP 11767592 A JP11767592 A JP 11767592A JP 11767592 A JP11767592 A JP 11767592A JP 3177298 B2 JP3177298 B2 JP 3177298B2
- Authority
- JP
- Japan
- Prior art keywords
- sealing plate
- battery
- sealing
- welding
- welded
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
Description
【０００１】[0001]
【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、外装缶の開口部に封口
板を溶着する方法に関し、特に、高い信頼性が要求され
る電池、実装効率の高さを必要とするポ−タブル機器の
分野に使用される高付加価値の電池と電池を封口する方
法に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for welding a sealing plate to an opening of an outer can, and more particularly to a battery for which high reliability is required and a portable device for which high mounting efficiency is required. The present invention relates to a high value-added battery used in the field and a method for sealing the battery.
【０００２】[0002]
【従来の技術】現在最も一般的な電池の封口方法は、金
属外装缶の開口縁をかしめて封口板の周縁を挟着する方
法である。この方法は、乾電池、ボタン電池等の民生用
電池の大半の封口に採用されている。一方、長寿命、高
信頼性を要求される分野では封口精度を上げるため、ハ
−メチックシ−ルやレ−ザ溶接が多く用いられている
（特開昭５７−１４５２６５号公報）。また、最近、実
装効率が高いということで注目されている角形電池は、
かしめによる封口は難しく、レ−ザで封口板を外装缶の
開口端縁に溶着する方法が採用される。角形電池をかし
める方法で封口できないのは、隅角を十分に密閉できな
いからである。2. Description of the Related Art At present, the most common method of sealing a battery is a method of caulking an opening edge of a metal outer can and clamping a peripheral edge of a sealing plate. This method is employed for most consumer batteries such as dry batteries and button batteries. On the other hand, in a field where long life and high reliability are required, hermetic seals and laser welding are often used to increase the sealing accuracy (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-145265). In addition, prismatic batteries, which have recently attracted attention for their high mounting efficiency,
Sealing by caulking is difficult, and a method of welding a sealing plate to the opening edge of the outer can with a laser is used. The reason that the rectangular battery cannot be sealed by swaging is that the corner cannot be sufficiently sealed.
【０００３】[0003]
【発明が解決しようとする課題】レ−ザを使用する方法
は、円筒、角柱いずれの形状に外装缶も封口でき、しか
も、高い信頼性で封口して付加価値の高い電池を製造す
ることができる。しかしながら、この方法は、開口縁に
沿ってレーザーを走査して、封口板を外装缶に溶着する
ので、封口タクトが上がらない欠点がある。また、イニ
シャルコストが高くなって、生産コストが高くなる欠点
もある。The method using a laser can seal an outer can in any shape of a cylinder and a prism, and can produce a high value-added battery by sealing with high reliability. it can. However, this method has a drawback that the sealing tact does not increase because the sealing plate is welded to the outer can by scanning the laser along the opening edge. There is also a disadvantage that the initial cost is increased and the production cost is increased.
【０００４】さらにこの方法は、封口板と外装缶とを完
全に気密に密着することが難しい。このことは、製品の
歩留を著しく低下させる。レーザー法において、封口板
を外装缶に密着できないのは、レーザーを照射するとき
に外装缶に充填した電解液が飛散して、封口板と外装缶
との間にピンホールができるからである。電解液を充填
しない外装缶は、ピンホールができない状態で封口板を
溶着できる。このため、電解液を注入する穴を残してレ
−ザで封口し、封口後穴から電解液を注入してその穴を
封止するという複雑な方法も開発されている（特開昭６
２−１５４５６０号公報）。この方法は、製品の歩留を
高くできるが、製造工程が複雑になって、さらに製造コ
ストが高くなる欠点がある。Further, in this method, it is difficult to completely and hermetically contact the sealing plate and the outer can. This significantly reduces product yield. In the laser method, the sealing plate cannot be adhered to the outer can because the electrolyte filled in the outer can is scattered when irradiating the laser, and a pinhole is formed between the sealing plate and the outer can. An outer can that is not filled with the electrolyte can weld the sealing plate in a state where pinholes cannot be formed. For this reason, there has been developed a complicated method in which a hole for injecting the electrolytic solution is left and sealed with a laser, and after the sealing, the hole is sealed by injecting the electrolytic solution from the hole (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 6).
No. 2-154560). Although this method can increase the product yield, it has the disadvantage that the manufacturing process is complicated and the manufacturing cost is further increased.
【０００５】さらにまた、レーザーで封口板を溶着する
方法は、熱による弊害も発生する。それは、レーザー
が、外装缶と封口板との境界を金属の溶融温度まで加熱
して溶着するからである。溶接部が高温に加熱される
と、熱の影響でハ−メチック部にクラックが入ったり、
あるいは、端子の絶縁部材に用いた樹脂が劣化する等の
欠点がある。金属製の封口板には、絶縁部材を介して端
子が固定される。細い外装缶の電池は、端子の外周が封
口板の外周に接近する。このため、絶縁材の外周も封口
板の外周に接近し、封口板を外装缶に溶着するレーザー
の熱の影響で絶縁部材が劣化する。[0005] Furthermore, the method of welding the sealing plate with a laser also causes adverse effects due to heat. This is because the laser heats and welds the boundary between the outer can and the sealing plate to the melting temperature of the metal. When the weld is heated to a high temperature, the hermetic part cracks under the influence of heat,
Alternatively, there is a disadvantage that the resin used for the insulating member of the terminal is deteriorated. The terminal is fixed to the metal sealing plate via an insulating member. In a battery with a thin outer can, the outer periphery of the terminal approaches the outer periphery of the sealing plate. For this reason, the outer periphery of the insulating material also approaches the outer periphery of the sealing plate, and the insulating member is deteriorated by the heat of the laser welding the sealing plate to the outer can.
【０００６】この欠点は、近年特に使用量が増加してい
る角形の薄形電池ではとくに顕著になる。それは、薄い
電池は、端子の外周が封口板の周縁に接近するからであ
る。熱による影響は無視できず、角形の薄い電池は、端
子と封口板の外周とが接近する部分で、レーザーの走査
起動を封口板の外周側にわずかにずらせて、絶縁材から
遠ざける等の極めて高度な例も採用されている。しかし
ながら、このように極めて高精度な制御で封口板を外装
缶にレーザー溶着していも、ピンホールの発生を極減し
て、気密に外装缶に溶接するのが難しい欠点がある。[0006] This drawback is particularly noticeable in the case of a rectangular thin battery, which has been increasingly used in recent years. This is because, in a thin battery, the outer periphery of the terminal approaches the periphery of the sealing plate. The effects of heat cannot be ignored.For thin rectangular batteries, the laser scanning start is slightly shifted to the outer peripheral side of the sealing plate at the part where the terminal and the outer periphery of the sealing plate are close to each other, and it is extremely necessary to move the laser away from the insulating material. Advanced examples have also been adopted. However, even if the sealing plate is laser-welded to the outer can with extremely high precision control as described above, there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to minimize the occurrence of pinholes and to hermetically weld the outer can.
【０００７】本発明は、さらにこの欠点を解決すること
を目的に開発されたもので、本発明の重要な目的は、温
度による悪影響を防止して、封口コストを低減し、時間
当りの処理能力を高くしてタクトタイムを短縮し、さら
に、外装缶の形状によらずピンホ−ルの発生を極減し、
小径、異方形の外装缶に安定して封口板を密閉できる電
池と電池の封口方法を提供するにある。[0007] The present invention has been developed with the aim of further solving this drawback. An important object of the present invention is to prevent the adverse effects of temperature, reduce the sealing cost, and increase the throughput per hour. To reduce the tact time, and minimize the occurrence of pinholes regardless of the shape of the outer can.
An electrode that can stably seal the sealing plate in a small-diameter, anisotropic outer can
It is to provide a method for sealing a pond and a battery .
【０００８】[0008]
【課題を解決するための手段】本発明の装置は、前述の
目的を達成するために、金属製の外装缶内に、正極と、
負極と、電解液とを収納し、外装缶の開口部に、端子７
を絶縁スペーサー６を介して固定している金属製の封口
板を、外装缶との接触面で超音波振動させて外装缶に溶
着すると共に、封口板２の外形を外装缶１の外形に等し
くして、封口板２の外周下面を外装缶１の上端面に溶着
してことを特徴とするものである。In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, an apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
The negative electrode and the electrolytic solution are housed, and the terminal 7 is inserted into the opening of the outer can.
The metallic sealing plate that secure through the insulating spacer 6, the contact surface between the outer Sokan by ultrasonic vibration as well as welding to the outer can, the outer shape of the sealing plate 2 to the outer shape of the outer can 1 Equal
Thus, the lower surface of the outer periphery of the sealing plate 2 is welded to the upper surface of the outer can 1
It is characterized by doing .
【０００９】[0009]
【作用】外装缶と封口板とを接触部分で相対的に超音波
振動させると、接触部分で金属表面の酸化膜が除去さ
れ、さらに、超音波振動によって金属原子のエネルギー
が高められて相互拡散が起こり、外装缶と封口板とが溶
着される。この状態で溶接される外装缶と封口板とは、
極めて限られた部分のみが局部的に加熱されて冷間溶接
に近い状態で、単時間に、しかも周囲の温度を上げるこ
となく、接触部分で完全に溶着をされる。レーザーを照
射して外装缶と封口板とを溶接する方法は、接続部分を
外部から加熱して溶接するので、接合部分のみを直接に
加熱することはできず、間接的に接合部分が加熱され
る。このため、溶接するために加熱する領域が広くな
り、外装缶と封口板の接触部分のみを局部加熱できな
い。これに対して、本発明の方法は、外装缶と封口板と
の接続部分を互いに超音波振動させることによって金属
原子を相互拡散して溶接するので、低温で確実に溶接で
きる。このため、本発明の電池と電池の封口方法は、加
熱温度を低くして、短時間に封口板を外装缶に溶着でき
る。さらに、外装缶と封口板とを超音波振動で溶接する
ので、封口板の形状を問わず、極めて高い精度で外装缶
に溶着できる特長がある。[Function] When the outer can and the sealing plate are ultrasonically vibrated relative to each other at the contact portion, the oxide film on the metal surface is removed at the contact portion, and the energy of the metal atoms is increased by the ultrasonic vibration to cause mutual diffusion. Occurs, and the outer can and the sealing plate are welded. The outer can and the sealing plate welded in this state are
Only a very limited portion is locally heated and is completely welded at the contact portion in a short time without increasing the ambient temperature in a state close to cold welding. In the method of irradiating the outer can and the sealing plate by irradiating the laser, the joint is heated from the outside and welded, so it is not possible to directly heat only the joint, but the joint is heated indirectly. You. Therefore, the area to be heated for welding is widened, and only the contact portion between the outer can and the sealing plate cannot be locally heated. On the other hand, in the method of the present invention, metal atoms are mutually diffused and welded by ultrasonically oscillating the connecting portion between the outer can and the sealing plate, so that welding can be reliably performed at a low temperature. Therefore, according to the battery and the method for sealing a battery of the present invention, the sealing plate can be welded to the outer can in a short time by lowering the heating temperature. Further, since the outer can and the sealing plate are welded by ultrasonic vibration, there is a feature that the outer can can be welded to the outer can with extremely high accuracy regardless of the shape of the sealing plate.
【００１０】[0010]
【実施例】以下、本発明の実施例を図面に基づいて説明
する。ただし、以下に示す実施例は、本発明の技術思想
を具体化するための方法を例示するものであって、本発
明の方法は、電池の形状、材質、形式、製造装置の構
造、加工条件等を下記のものに特定するものでない。本
発明の方法は、特許請求の範囲において、種々の変更を
加えることができる。Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the following examples illustrate a method for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the method of the present invention is based on the shape, material, type, structure of a manufacturing apparatus, processing conditions Etc. are not specified as follows. The method of the present invention can be variously modified in the scope of the claims.
【００１１】更に、この明細書は、特許請求の範囲を理
解し易いように、実施例に示される部材に対応する番号
を、「特許請求の範囲の欄」、および「課題を解決する
ための手段の欄」に示される部材に付記している。た
だ、特許請求の範囲に示される部材を、実施例の部材に
特定するものでは決してない。Further, in this specification, in order to make it easier to understand the claims, the numbers corresponding to the members shown in the embodiments will be referred to as “claims” and “ In the column of “means”. However, the members described in the claims are not limited to the members of the embodiments.
【００１２】本発明法の一実施例として、円筒形リチウ
ム電池を封口する方法を詳述する。下記の工程で電池を
製造する。 正極として二酸化マンガン、負極として
金属リチウム、セパレ−タとしてポリプロピレン微多孔
性膜を用い、スパイラル状の電極巻取品を作製する。
電極巻取品を、アルミニウム製の円筒外装缶内に収納
し、電解液として、有機系電解液を所定量注入する。
その後、超音波溶接してアルミニウム製の封口体を外
装缶に溶接する。封口板を外装缶に溶接する状態を図１
と図２とに示している。As one embodiment of the method of the present invention, a method for sealing a cylindrical lithium battery will be described in detail. A battery is manufactured in the following steps. Using manganese dioxide as a positive electrode, metallic lithium as a negative electrode, and a polypropylene microporous film as a separator, a spiral wound electrode product is produced.
The electrode wound product is housed in an aluminum cylindrical outer can, and a predetermined amount of an organic electrolytic solution is injected as an electrolytic solution.
Thereafter, the aluminum sealing body is welded to the outer can by ultrasonic welding. Fig. 1 shows the state where the sealing plate is welded to the outer can
And FIG.
【００１３】図１に示す電池は、正極端子を兼ねる外装
缶１に、正負極板とセパレ−タよりなる電極群３を挿入
し、外装缶１の開口端を封口板２で閉塞している。封口
板２は、中心に絶縁スペーサー６を介して負極端子７を
固定している。図１は、封口板２の外形を、外装缶１の
外形に等しくし、封口板２の外周下面を外装缶１の上端
面に溶着する状態を示している。この図において、封口
板２の外周は、超音波溶接機のホ−ン４に押圧されてい
る。外装缶１は、振動しないようにアンビル５に固定さ
れている。In the battery shown in FIG. 1, an electrode group 3 composed of a positive and negative electrode plate and a separator is inserted into an outer can 1 also serving as a positive electrode terminal, and the opening end of the outer can 1 is closed with a sealing plate 2. . The negative electrode terminal 7 is fixed at the center of the sealing plate 2 via an insulating spacer 6. FIG. 1 shows a state in which the outer shape of the sealing plate 2 is made equal to the outer shape of the outer can 1, and the lower peripheral surface of the sealing plate 2 is welded to the upper end surface of the outer can 1. In this figure, the outer periphery of the sealing plate 2 is pressed by a horn 4 of an ultrasonic welding machine. The outer can 1 is fixed to the anvil 5 so as not to vibrate.
【００１４】図１に示す電池は、次のようにして、封口
板２を外装缶１に溶接する。まず、電極群３と電解液と
を入れた外装缶１をアンビル５にて固定する。封口板２
を、外装缶１の開口部に設置する。このとき、封口板２
の外周縁を外装缶１の外周面に合わせる。外装缶１と封
口板２との接触部に圧力を加えるため、図２に示すよう
に、超音波溶接機のホ−ン４の先端上面を押圧し、ホー
ン先端の下面を封口板２に押圧する。ホーン４は垂直方
向に封口板２を加圧し、封口板２を水平方向に超音波振
動させ、超音波の横振動エネルギで封口板２を外装缶１
に溶接する。このようにして製造した電池は、ピンホ−
ルによる不良品の発生が少なく、また、絶縁スペーサー
の劣化を皆無にできる。このようにして製造した電池
と、従来のレーザー法による電池のピンホ−ルの発生状
況と、絶縁スペーサーの劣化とを比較した。その結果を
表１に示している。試作電池の数は、それぞれ５００個
とした。In the battery shown in FIG. 1, the sealing plate 2 is welded to the outer can 1 as follows. First, the outer can 1 containing the electrode group 3 and the electrolyte is fixed by the anvil 5. Sealing plate 2
Is installed in the opening of the outer can 1. At this time, the sealing plate 2
To the outer peripheral surface of the outer can 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the upper surface of the horn 4 of the ultrasonic welding machine is pressed, and the lower surface of the horn is pressed against the sealing plate 2 as shown in FIG. I do. The horn 4 presses the sealing plate 2 in the vertical direction, ultrasonically oscillates the sealing plate 2 in the horizontal direction, and wraps the sealing plate 2 with the transverse vibration energy of the ultrasonic wave.
To weld. The battery manufactured in this manner is
The occurrence of defective products due to the spacer is small, and the deterioration of the insulating spacer can be eliminated at all. The pinhole occurrence state of the battery manufactured as described above and the battery by the conventional laser method and the deterioration of the insulating spacer were compared. Table 1 shows the results. The number of prototype batteries was 500 each.
【００１５】[0015]
【表１】 [Table 1]
【００１６】この表において、ピンホ−ル検査は、２０
倍顕微鏡による目視検査、絶縁体劣化検査は、７０℃の
恒温槽に２ヶ月保存した後の電解液リ−ク検査をして測
定した。この表に示すように、ピンホ−ル、絶縁体劣化
とも従来法に対して本発明法による封口不良率は極めて
少なかった。以下にその原因を記述する。In this table, the pinhole inspection was performed for 20 times.
The visual inspection using a magnification microscope and the insulator deterioration inspection were carried out by performing an electrolyte leak inspection after storing for 2 months in a constant temperature bath at 70 ° C. As shown in this table, both the pinholes and the insulator deterioration showed a very low rate of defective sealing by the method of the present invention as compared with the conventional method. The cause is described below.
【００１７】従来のレ−ザ溶接による封口方法は、図３
に示すように、封口板２を外装缶１に嵌合し、封口板２
と外装缶１との上端面にレ−ザ光を照射して溶接する
が、レーザー光は直進性が非常に良いため、嵌合状態が
悪く、あるいは、外装缶１と封口板２の寸法精度が悪い
と封口不良が発生する。また、封口部の表面状態によ
り、レ−ザ光の吸収率が変化するため、封口部表面の酸
化の程度、電解液付着の有無等が封口状態に悪い影響を
及ぼす。このように、外装缶１の内側に封口板２の外周
縁を嵌入して、両者を隙間なく直線状に密着させるに
は、外装缶１の開口縁と封口板２の外周縁の両方を極め
て高い精度で加工することが要求される。一方、本発明
の封口法は、外装缶と封口板との溶接部分を、図４に示
すように、外装缶１の上端の封口板２を載せて封口する
構造とすることができる。この図に示す構造は、外装缶
１の上面を平面状に裁断し、これに平面状の封口板２を
載せて両者をピンホ−ルなく溶着できる。このため、封
口板の加工工数が少なく、比較的容易に封口板を高い寸
法精度で外装缶に密着できる。また、本発明の方法は、
超音波の横振動により、封口部表面にできる金属の酸化
膜を除去し、さらに、付着する電解液等の付着物を取り
除くため、封口部の表面状態が封口に対しそれほど悪い
影響を及ぼし難く、封口板を気密に外装缶１に密着でき
る。さらに、本発明の電池の封口方法は、溶接部分の温
度上昇を低くできる特長がある。従来のレーザーによる
方法と、本発明の方法とで溶接部分の温度が異なる状態
を表２に示している。FIG. 3 shows a conventional sealing method by laser welding.
As shown in the figure, the sealing plate 2 is fitted into the outer can 1, and the sealing plate 2
Welding is performed by irradiating a laser beam to the upper end surface of the outer can 1 and the outer can 1. However, since the laser beam has very good linearity, the fitting state is poor, or the dimensional accuracy of the outer can 1 and the sealing plate 2 is poor. Poor sealing results in poor sealing. In addition, since the absorptivity of laser light changes depending on the surface condition of the sealing portion, the degree of oxidation of the sealing portion surface, the presence or absence of electrolyte solution, and the like have a bad influence on the sealing condition. As described above, in order to fit the outer peripheral edge of the sealing plate 2 inside the outer can 1 and closely adhere them to each other without any gap, both the opening edge of the outer can 1 and the outer peripheral edge of the sealing plate 2 are extremely reduced. Processing with high precision is required. On the other hand, according to the sealing method of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 4, a welded portion between the outer can and the sealing plate can be sealed by placing the sealing plate 2 on the upper end of the outer can 1. In the structure shown in this figure, the upper surface of the outer can 1 is cut into a flat shape, and a flat sealing plate 2 is placed on the outer can 1 so that they can be welded together without a pinhole. Therefore, the number of processing steps of the sealing plate is small, and the sealing plate can be relatively easily adhered to the outer can with high dimensional accuracy. Also, the method of the present invention,
The transverse vibration of the ultrasonic wave removes the metal oxide film formed on the surface of the sealing portion, and further removes the adhered substance such as the electrolytic solution, so that the surface condition of the sealing portion hardly has such a bad influence on the sealing, The sealing plate can be tightly adhered to the outer can 1. Further, the method for sealing a battery of the present invention has a feature that the temperature rise of a welded portion can be reduced. Table 2 shows a state in which the temperature of the welded portion differs between the conventional laser method and the method of the present invention.
【００１８】[0018]
【表２】 [Table 2]
【００１９】この表に示すように、本発明の方法は、封
口時に、外装缶と封口板との接触部の金属表面温度を著
しく低くできる特長がある。従来のレ−ザ溶接による封
口方法は、外装缶と封口板の封口部を、金属の融点以上
に加熱する必要がある。そのため、熱影響部分の範囲が
大きくなり、絶縁スペーサー（ポリプロピレン融点１８
９℃）を軟化、熱変形して劣化させる。本発明の方法
は、封口部を高温加熱することなく封口を行ない、加熱
領域もレ−ザ溶接のそれと比べて小さいので、熱影響部
の範囲は著しく狭い領域となる。As shown in the table, the method of the present invention has a feature that the metal surface temperature at the contact portion between the outer can and the sealing plate can be remarkably lowered at the time of sealing. In the conventional sealing method by laser welding, it is necessary to heat the outer can and the sealing portion of the sealing plate to a temperature higher than the melting point of the metal. Therefore, the range of the heat-affected zone becomes large, and the insulating spacer (polypropylene melting point 18
(9 ° C.) softens and thermally deforms. According to the method of the present invention, the sealing is performed without heating the sealing portion at a high temperature, and since the heating area is smaller than that of laser welding, the range of the heat affected zone is extremely narrow.
【００２０】図５は、本発明の方法と、従来のレーザー
法とにおける封口部分の温度分布を示している。本発明
の方法は、実線で示すように、封口板２と外装缶との溶
接部分の極めて限られた領域が約１５０℃に加熱される
に過ぎない。溶接部分から１ｍｍも離れると、１００℃
以下に低下する。これに対して、レーザーを使用する方
法は、溶接部分の温度が約８００℃にも上昇し、５ｍｍ
離れた部分の温度が約２００℃にもなる。ちなみに、絶
縁スペーサーに使用するポリプロピレンの融点Ｔｍは、
図に示すように、２００℃以下である。したがって、レ
ーザー法は、溶接点の近くに絶縁スペーサーがあると、
溶接時の熱で溶融して劣化する。FIG. 5 shows the temperature distribution of the sealing portion in the method of the present invention and the conventional laser method. In the method of the present invention, as shown by the solid line, only a very limited area of the welding portion between the sealing plate 2 and the outer can is heated to about 150 ° C. 100 ° C when 1mm away from the weld
It falls below. On the other hand, in the method using a laser, the temperature of the welded portion rises to about 800 ° C., and 5 mm
The temperature of the remote part reaches about 200 ° C. By the way, the melting point Tm of the polypropylene used for the insulating spacer is:
As shown in the figure, the temperature is 200 ° C. or less. Therefore, the laser method, if there is an insulating spacer near the welding point,
Melts and degrades with heat during welding.
【００２１】さらに、超音波振動で封口板を溶接する本
発明の方法は、極めて短時間に溶接できる特長がある。
溶接時間の比較例を表３に示している。Further, the method of the present invention for welding a sealing plate by ultrasonic vibration has a feature that welding can be performed in an extremely short time.
Table 3 shows a comparative example of the welding time.
【００２２】[0022]
【表３】 [Table 3]
【００２３】この表に示すように、本発明の封口方法
は、従来のレ−ザ溶接による方法に比較して、封口処理
時間を５分の１以下に短縮して、時間当りの生産量を飛
躍的に増大できる。As shown in the table, in the sealing method of the present invention, the sealing processing time is shortened to 1/5 or less as compared with the conventional laser welding method, and the production amount per hour is reduced. It can increase dramatically.
【００２４】以上の実施例は、封口する電池に、円筒形
リチウム電池を使用したが、本発明の封口方法は、封口
する電池の形式と形状とを限定しない。たとえば、薄い
角形のニッケルカドミウム電池等の封口にも利用でき
る。とくに、薄い角形の電池は、超音波の振動方法を横
方法とすることによって、封口板の全体を均一に振動で
きる特長がある。図２に示すように、封口板を水平方法
に振動させる超音波振動ホーンは、ホーンを伸縮させて
封口板を振動させる。したがって、超音波振動の振幅
は、ホーンの先端に近付くに従って大きくなる。ホーン
の先端を幅の広い封口板に押圧すると、ホーンの先端で
押圧される部分は振幅が大きく、先端かに離れるにした
がって振幅が小さくなる。しかしながら、幅の狭い電池
は、横に振動させることによって、ほとんどホーンの先
端で振動できるので、全体を均一に振動できる特長があ
る。In the above embodiments, a cylindrical lithium battery was used as the battery to be sealed. However, the sealing method of the present invention does not limit the type and shape of the battery to be sealed. For example, it can be used for sealing a thin rectangular nickel cadmium battery or the like. In particular, a thin prismatic battery has a feature that the whole sealing plate can be vibrated uniformly by using a transverse ultrasonic vibration method. As shown in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic vibration horn for vibrating the sealing plate in a horizontal manner expands and contracts the horn to vibrate the sealing plate. Therefore, the amplitude of the ultrasonic vibration increases as approaching the tip of the horn. When the tip of the horn is pressed against the wide sealing plate, the portion pressed by the tip of the horn has a large amplitude, and the amplitude decreases as the horn moves away from the tip. However, a narrow battery can be vibrated at the tip of the horn by vibrating laterally, so that it has a feature that the whole can be vibrated uniformly.
【００２５】さらに、図２に示す方法は、封口板２を水
平方向、すなわち、外装缶１の開口端面と平行な方向に
振動させて、封口板２を外装缶１に溶接している。この
方法は、封口板を効率よく外装缶に溶接できる特長があ
る。ただ、本発明は、封口板の振動方向をこの方向に特
定するものではない。封口板を外装缶の開口端面に衝突
させる方向、図１において上下方向に振動させることも
可能である。ただ、封口板を縦に振動させる方法は、超
音波ホーンの出力を大きくする必要がある。Further, in the method shown in FIG. 2, the sealing plate 2 is vibrated in a horizontal direction, that is, in a direction parallel to the opening end surface of the outer can 1, and the sealing plate 2 is welded to the outer can 1. This method has a feature that the sealing plate can be efficiently welded to the outer can. However, the present invention does not specify the vibration direction of the sealing plate in this direction. It is also possible to vibrate in the direction in which the sealing plate collides with the opening end face of the outer can, that is, in the vertical direction in FIG. However, the method of vibrating the sealing plate vertically requires increasing the output of the ultrasonic horn.
【００２６】さらにまた、図２に示す方法は、封口板２
を超音波振動させて外装缶１に溶接しているが、封口板
を固定し、外装缶を超音波振動させて封口板を外装缶に
溶接することもできる。Further, the method shown in FIG.
Is ultrasonically vibrated and welded to the outer can 1, but it is also possible to fix the sealing plate and ultrasonically vibrate the outer can to weld the sealing plate to the outer can.
【００２７】[0027]
【発明の効果】本発明の電池と電池の封口方法は、超音
波振動によって、封口板を外装缶に溶接する。超音波振
動は、封口板と外装缶との接触面に介在する酸化膜や異
物を除去し、金属原子振動を増加して固相溶接する。こ
の状態で封口板を外装缶に溶接する方法は、溶接面をほ
とんど溶融することなく確実に溶接できる。このため、
封口部分の温度上昇に起因する悪影響、例えば、絶縁セ
パレータの劣化等を防止して、封口板を外装缶に溶接で
きる特長がある。According to the battery and the method for sealing a battery of the present invention, a sealing plate is welded to an outer can by ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic vibration removes an oxide film and a foreign substance existing on the contact surface between the sealing plate and the outer can, increases metal atom vibration, and performs solid-phase welding. In the method of welding the sealing plate to the outer can in this state, the welding surface can be reliably welded without substantially melting the welding surface. For this reason,
There is a feature that the sealing plate can be welded to the outer can by preventing adverse effects due to a rise in the temperature of the sealing portion, such as deterioration of the insulating separator.
【００２８】さらに、本発明の電池と電池の封口方法
は、溶接するときに、封口板と外装缶との間に介在する
酸化膜や電解液等の異物を除去して、封口板を外装缶に
溶接することができる。このため、電解液等が原因で、
封口板と外装缶との溶接部分にピンホ−ルができるのを
効果的に防止し、封口板を確実に外装缶に密着して歩留
を高くして、能率よく生産できる特長がある。Further, in the method of sealing a battery according to the present invention, when welding, foreign substances such as an oxide film and an electrolytic solution interposed between the sealing plate and the outer can are removed, and the sealing plate is sealed. Can be welded to cans. For this reason, due to the electrolyte or the like,
Pinholes are effectively prevented from being formed in the welded portion between the sealing plate and the outer can, and the sealing plate is securely adhered to the outer can to increase the yield and have a feature that the production can be performed efficiently.
【００２９】さらにまた、本発明電池と電池の封口方法
は、円筒、角筒等の形状に関係なく、封口板を外装缶に
密着できる特長もある。それは、従来のかしめ方法のよ
うに、外装缶を加工することなく、封口板の外周縁を外
装缶の開口端に押圧し、封口板を超音波振動させ、ある
いは、外装缶を超音波振動させることによって、封口板
と外装缶との接触部分を溶接できるからである。Further, the battery and the method for sealing a battery of the present invention have a feature that the sealing plate can be adhered to the outer can irrespective of the shape of a cylinder, a square tube or the like. That is, as in the conventional caulking method, without processing the outer can, pressing the outer peripheral edge of the sealing plate against the opening end of the outer can, and ultrasonically vibrating the sealing plate, or ultrasonically vibrating the outer can. Thereby, the contact portion between the sealing plate and the outer can can be welded.
【００３０】また、本発明の方法は、レーザー法のよう
に点状に溶接して走査することなく、封口板を外装缶に
溶接できるので、封口時間を著しく短縮して能率よく生
産できる特長もある。The method of the present invention also has the advantage that the sealing plate can be welded to the outer can without welding and scanning in the form of dots as in the case of the laser method, so that the sealing time can be significantly reduced and the production can be performed efficiently. is there.
【００３１】さらに、超音波振動装置は、レーザー発生
装置よりも安く製造できる。とくに、高出力になると、
レーザー発生装置は著しく高価になるが、超音波振動装
置は、周波数が低いので安価に製造できる。したがっ
て、本発明の方法は、製造装置も安価にできる特長があ
る。このように、本発明の方法は、安価な装置を使用し
て、短時間に能率よく、しかも高品質の電池を多量生産
できる理想的な特長を実現する。Further, the ultrasonic vibration device can be manufactured at a lower cost than the laser generator. Especially when the output becomes high,
While laser generators are significantly more expensive, ultrasonic vibrators can be manufactured cheaply because of their lower frequencies. Therefore, the method of the present invention has an advantage that the manufacturing apparatus can be inexpensive. As described above, the method of the present invention realizes the ideal feature of efficiently producing a large amount of high-quality batteries in a short time using an inexpensive apparatus.
【図１】本発明の方法によって電池を封口する状態を示
す断面図FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a state in which a battery is sealed by a method of the present invention.
【図２】本発明の方法によって電池を封口する状態を示
す断面図FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which a battery is sealed by the method of the present invention.
【図３】レーザー法で溶接される封口板と外装缶とを示
す断面図FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a sealing plate and an outer can welded by a laser method.
【図４】超音波振動で溶接される封口板と外装缶とを示
す断面図FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a sealing plate and an outer can welded by ultrasonic vibration.
【図５】本発明の方法と、従来のレーザー法で溶接する
ときの温度分布を示すグラフFIG. 5 is a graph showing a temperature distribution when welding is performed by the method of the present invention and a conventional laser method.
１…外装缶 ２…封口板 ３…電極群 ４…ホーン ５…アンビル ６…絶縁スペーサー ７…負極端子 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer can 2 ... Sealing plate 3 ... Electrode group 4 ... Horn 5 ... Anvil 6 ... Insulating spacer 7 ... Negative electrode terminal
───────────────────────────────────────────────────── フロントページの続き (56)参考文献 特開 昭55−108167（ＪＰ，Ａ) 溶接学会編「溶接・接合便覧」平成２ −９−30丸善 ｐ．501−502 (58)調査した分野(Int.Cl.7，ＤＢ名) H01M 2/02 - 2/04 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-55-108167 (JP, A) “Welding and Joining Handbook” edited by The Japan Welding Society, Heisei 2-9-30 Maruzen p. 501-502 (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. 7 , DB name) H01M 2/02-2/04
Claims (7)
と、電解液とを収納しており、外装缶(1)の開口部に、
端子(7)を絶縁スペーサー(6)を介して固定している金属
製の封口板(2)を超音波溶着して固定しており、かつ、
封口板(2)の外形を外装缶(1)の外形に等しくして、封口
板(2)の外周下面を外装缶(1)の上端面に溶着してなる電
池。 1. A positive electrode and a negative electrode in a metal outer can (1).
And the electrolyte, and in the opening of the outer can (1),
Metal fixing terminal (7) via insulating spacer (6)
Welding plate (2) made by ultrasonic welding and fixed, and
Make the outer shape of the sealing plate (2) equal to the outer shape of the outer can (1), and
An electrode formed by welding the outer lower surface of the plate (2) to the upper end surface of the outer can (1)
pond.
である請求項１に記載される電池。2. The outer can (1) and the sealing plate (2) are made of aluminum.
The battery according to claim 1, which is:
される電池。 3. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the battery is a prismatic battery.
Battery.
と、電解液とを収納し、外装缶(1)の開口部に、端子(7)
を絶縁スペーサー(6)を介して固定している金属製の封
口板(2)を、外装缶(1)との接触面で超音波振動させて外
装缶(1)の上端面に溶着することを特徴とする電池の封
口方法。4. A metal outer can (1) containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte, and a terminal (7) in an opening of the outer can (1 ).
The metal sealing plate (2) , which is fixed via the insulating spacer (6), to the upper surface of the outer can (1) by ultrasonic vibration at the contact surface with the outer can (1). A method for sealing a battery.
しくして、封口板(2)の外周下面を外装缶(1)の上端面に
溶着する請求項４に記載される電池の封口方法。 5. The outer shape of the sealing plate (2) is equal to the outer shape of the outer can (1).
The outer lower surface of the sealing plate (2) on the upper end surface of the outer can (1).
The method for sealing a battery according to claim 4, wherein the welding is performed.
とし、封口板(2)に固定している端子(7)を負極端子とす
る請求項４に記載される電池の封口方法。 6. The outer can (1) and the sealing plate (2) are made of aluminum.
Terminal (7) fixed to the sealing plate (2) is the negative terminal.
A method for sealing a battery according to claim 4.
を横方向とする請求項４に記載される電池の封口方法。 7. The battery is a square battery, and the direction of vibration of ultrasonic waves.
5. The method for sealing a battery according to claim 4, wherein
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP11767592A JP3177298B2 (en) | 1992-05-11 | 1992-05-11 | Battery and battery sealing method |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP11767592A JP3177298B2 (en) | 1992-05-11 | 1992-05-11 | Battery and battery sealing method |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| JPH05314957A JPH05314957A (en) | 1993-11-26 |
| JP3177298B2 true JP3177298B2 (en) | 2001-06-18 |
Family
ID=14717509
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP11767592A Expired - Fee Related JP3177298B2 (en) | 1992-05-11 | 1992-05-11 | Battery and battery sealing method |
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| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3177298B2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US6461765B1 (en) | 2000-02-14 | 2002-10-08 | Aer Energy Resources Inc. | Metal-air cell housing with improved peripheral seal design |
| JP5971117B2 (en) * | 2012-12-27 | 2016-08-17 | 株式会社豊田自動織機 | Secondary battery welding jig |
-
1992
- 1992-05-11 JP JP11767592A patent/JP3177298B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Non-Patent Citations (1)
| Title |
|---|
| 溶接学会編「溶接・接合便覧」平成２−９−３０丸善 ｐ．５０１−５０２ |
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| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH05314957A (en) | 1993-11-26 |
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