JP3549267B2 - Battery manufacturing method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a battery, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a battery, wherein an opening of a cylindrical outer case containing battery elements is sealed with a sealing body, and then electrolytically adhering to the surface. The present invention relates to a manufacturing method including a means for efficiently cleaning and removing liquid and dirt.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A so-called cylindrical battery, such as a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, whose main configuration is partially shown in cross section in FIG. 4, is generally manufactured in the following steps. That is, a battery element 2 in which a laminate composed of a band-shaped positive electrode layer 2a, a band-shaped separator layer 2b, and a band-shaped negative electrode layer 2c are wound and formed in a cylindrical outer case 1 having one end forming an electrode terminal and having an open end. Decorate and arrange. Next, after a required electrolytic solution is injected into the cylindrical outer case 1 from the opening thereof, the other electrode is inserted into the opening of the cylindrical outer case 1 via an insulator layer (shield packing) 3. A sealing body 4 composed of a terminal 4a and an insulating plate 4b is fitted and mounted to seal liquid-tightly. In the figure, 3 'is an internal insulating plate. In the battery assembling process, the opening of the cylindrical outer case 1 is sealed with a sealing body 4 in the process of injecting the electrolytic solution into the cylindrical outer case 1 containing the battery element 2. In the process of sealing (fitting / crimping), the electrolyte often adheres to the outer surface of the battery. Therefore, after sealing and sealing with the sealing body 4, the product is washed and dried with washing water to produce a product. That is, due to an electrolyte injection mistake or an electrolyte scattering, the electrolytic solution adheres to and remains on the outer surface of the cylindrical outer case 1 and, for example, poor contact of the terminal occurs in a charge / discharge test or the like. Therefore, for example, in a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, prior to the charge / discharge test, the surface of the outer case 1 is washed to wash and remove the attached and remaining electrolyte. The cleaning process of the battery is generally performed as follows. That is, when a certain number of batteries sealed and sealed by the sealing body 4 are collected, these batteries are immersed in a cleaning liquid (for example, boric acid water), preliminarily cleaned, and then injected with high-pressure water or ultrasonic waves. A method is employed in which washing is performed, and further immersion in ethanol or the like to promote drying, and then high-pressure air is sprayed to dry.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the battery cleaning means, there are concerns about the following problems in practical use. First, not only a special cleaning liquid is used, but also ethanol or the like is used in consideration of drying properties, which inevitably leads to an increase in running costs. Second, in accordance with the complexity or complexity of the above-described cleaning process, the cleaning process is performed when the batteries sealed and sealed by the sealing body 4 are gathered to some extent. That is, there is variation in the time until the sealing and sealing by the sealing body 4 after the injection of the electrolytic solution, or the elapsed time after the sealing and sealing. In other words, since the lead time from the time when the electrolyte adheres and remains to the time when the cleaning treatment is performed is long, it is difficult to wash and remove the adhered electrolyte or to clean and remove the dirt. Since it is set relatively long, productivity and the like are impaired.
[0004]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and relates to a method of manufacturing a battery including a cleaning step of completely cleaning and removing an electrolytic solution attached to and remaining on a battery surface for a crimp-sealed cylindrical battery. For the purpose of providing.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A method for manufacturing a battery according to the present invention includes the steps of: mounting a battery element in a cylindrical outer case having an opening on one end side forming one electrode terminal; and an opening in a cylindrical outer case including the battery element. A step of injecting the electrolytic solution, a step of assembling the battery by sealing the opening of the cylindrical outer case into which the electrolytic solution has been injected with a sealing body, A step of exposing and mounting a part, rotating a dial on which the battery is mounted, introducing the battery into a gap between the guide member and the dial arranged in close proximity along the dial, the battery and the A step of transporting the battery while rotating the guide member by sliding the guide member, and a plurality of jets installed at a plurality of locations along the transport direction of the battery corresponding to upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces of the battery that rotates in the transporting step. Nozzle or By spraying high-pressure hot water, characterized by comprising the step of fully cleaning the outer surface of the battery within 24 hours after the electrolyte injection.
[0006]
That is, the present inventor has conducted various studies on cleaning and removal of the electrolytic solution adhered / remaining on the outer surface of the cylindrical outer case, and as a result, the elapsed time of adhesion has a large effect on the properties of the electrolytic solution, and 24 hours after adhesion. Within the range, it has been confirmed that the required cleaning can be easily and surely achieved without using a special cleaning liquid and without using special cleaning means, and the present invention has been accomplished.
[0007]
In the present invention, if the cleaning is performed within 24 hours after the adhesion of the electrolytic solution, the required cleaning action and effect can be obtained, but generally, the cleaning is preferably performed within 4 hours. That is, it is desirable from the viewpoint of mass productivity and a cleaning effect to continuously incorporate a cleaning step into the steps of injecting the electrolytic solution and closing with the sealing body. The washing water is sprayed at a pressure of about ² to 20 kg / cm ^{2 at a} temperature of about 30 to 60 ° C. for about 15 to 20 seconds, more preferably about 8 to 12 kg / cm ^2. Pressure, about 40 to 50 ° C. hot water, about 15 to 20 seconds.
[0008]
[Action]
According to the cleaning means employed in the battery manufacturing method according to the present invention, the cylindrical battery to be cleaned is performed within 24 hours after the injection of the electrolytic solution and sealing with the sealing body. In other words, the dirt such as the electrolytic solution that adheres or remains is washed before drying and crystallization. Therefore, the dirt such as the electrolytic solution can be easily removed only by spraying high-pressure hot water without using a special cleaning liquid. In addition, it is possible to reliably wash and remove.
[0009]
【Example】
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0010]
FIG. 1 is a process flow chart of a method for manufacturing a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery according to the present invention. That is, it is a flowchart of a manufacturing process of the nickel-metal hydride secondary battery in which the battery element is installed. In the cylindrical outer case in which the battery element is installed, the required electrolyte is injected (injected) by the electrolyte injection device 5. Thereafter, the sealing body is positioned and arranged (attached / welded) to the opening of the cylindrical outer case by the battery sealing body (sealing body) mounting device 6. Next, after the mounted sealing body is fitted into the opening of the outer case or is closed and sealed by the battery sealing device 7, a cleaning process is performed by the cleaning device 8. The transfer of these devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 is performed by the battery transfer means 9. The processing and operation in each of the devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 is, for example, about 10 seconds, and the required transfer time between the devices 5, 6, 7, and 8 is also about 10 seconds. It is set so that the cleaning process is performed at least 50 seconds after the injection (injection).
[0011]
In the manufacturing means, the cleaning device 8 is configured as shown in a plan view in FIG. 2 and in a sectional view in FIG. 3. Here, reference numeral 10 denotes a cleaning dial having a diameter of about 40 cm provided with a battery mounting concave portion 10a at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surface and a guide bar 10b, and 11 denotes an object to be cleaned (battery) mounted and supported by the cleaning dial 10. 12 are high-pressure hot water injection nozzles for injecting high-pressure hot water to the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces, and are installed at intervals of approximately 5 cm. Reference numeral 13 denotes a delivery dial having a diameter of about 20 cm, which transfers the object to be cleaned 12 mounted and supported on the cleaning dial 10 to a drying dial 14 having a diameter of about 40 cm. Here, the delivery dial 13 and the drying dial 14 are provided with battery mounting recesses 13a, 14a and guide bars 13b, 14b at regular intervals on the outer peripheral surface, respectively. Reference numeral 15 denotes hot air nozzles for blowing hot air onto the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces of the object to be cleaned (battery) 12 mounted and supported on the drying dial 14, and are provided at intervals of approximately 5 cm. Next, the operation of the cleaning apparatus having the above configuration will be described in more detail. The battery (outer case with the opening sealed) 12 conveyed from the battery sealing device 7 by the battery conveying means 9 is set on the cleaning dial 10 of the cleaning device 8 and the cleaning dial 10 is rotated clockwise. Under the action and the sliding contact with the guide bar 10b, the wafer is washed with high-pressure hot water (for example, 10 kg / cm ² , 50 ° C.) from the high-pressure hot water injection nozzle 11 while rotating (rotating) counterclockwise. The washed battery is delivered to the delivery dial 13, transferred to the drying dial 14, and subjected to the clockwise rotation of the drying dial 14 and the sliding contact with the guide bar 14b as in the case of the above-described cleaning process. Then, while being rotated (rotated) counterclockwise, it is dried by the warm air blown out from the warm air nozzle 15. That is, in both the washing stage and the drying stage, the body to be washed (cylindrical battery) 12 is entirely or uniformly washed and dried by its rotation (rotation) action.
[0012]
Specifically, in the manufacturing process of the nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, the cleaning means having the above-described configuration is employed in the final step, and the cleaning process is performed after 50 seconds from the electrolyte injection (injection) including the sealing step. When a charge / discharge test was performed on the battery product obtained by the above, there was no poor contact. In addition, phenol red was applied to the battery product outer case immediately after the washing treatment, and the discoloration caused by the reaction with the electrolytic solution was tested and evaluated for the adherence and remaining of the electrolytic solution. -No residue was observed. The present invention is not limited to the above-described means, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, in the above description, an example of a method for manufacturing a cylindrical nickel-metal hydride secondary battery has been described. However, after injecting the electrolytic solution, a step of sealing (sealing) with a sealing body (sealing body) is adopted, and then a cleaning process is performed. The present invention can be applied to the manufacture of other necessary cylindrical batteries.
[0013]
【The invention's effect】
As can be seen from the above description, according to the method for manufacturing a battery according to the present invention, it is possible to easily and completely remove the electrolytic solution adhered and remaining on the sealing portion and the like in the battery assembling step. In other words, the attached and remaining electrolyte solution can be easily and almost completely washed away with water without the need for a special cleaning solution or extraordinary or complicated means or equipment, so that a highly reliable cylindrical battery can be produced at high yield. It becomes possible to provide well.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart for explaining an example of a method for manufacturing a battery according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration example of a main part of a cleaning device used in the battery manufacturing method according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a cleaning mechanism of a configuration example of a main part shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structural example of a cylindrical battery.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Outer case 2 ... Battery element 2a ... Positive electrode layer 2b ... Separator 2c ... Negative electrode layer 3 ... Insulator (seal packing) 3 '... Inner insulating plate 4 ... Sealed body 4a ... Electrode Terminal 4b Insulating plate 5 Liquid injection device 6 Sealing device mounting 7 Sealing device sealing mounting 8 Battlefield device 9 Battery transporting means 10 Cleaning dial 10a, 13a, 14a … Battery mounting part (recess) 10b, 13b, 14b… Guide bar 11… High-pressure hot-water injection nozzle 12… Cleanable body (cleanable battery) 13… Transfer dial 14… Dry dial 15… Hot air nozzle

Claims (2)

A step of mounting the battery element in a cylindrical outer case having one end opening forming one electrode terminal,
A step of injecting an electrolyte through an opening into a cylindrical outer case containing the battery element therein,
A step of assembling the battery by sealing the opening of the cylindrical outer case in which the electrolytic solution has been injected with a sealing body,
A step of mounting the assembled battery in a concave part on the outer periphery of the dial, exposing a part of the outer periphery, and
The dial on which the battery is mounted is rotated, and the battery is introduced into a gap between the guide member and the dial disposed close to the dial, and the battery is rotated by sliding the battery and the guide member. Transporting while
Corresponding to the upper and lower surfaces and side surfaces of the battery that rotates in the transporting step, high-pressure hot water is injected from injection nozzles installed at a plurality of locations along the transport direction of the battery, and within 24 hours after injection of the electrolytic solution, Cleaning the entire outer surface of the battery. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the battery to be cleaned is a nickel-metal hydride secondary battery.

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