JP6526490B2 - Metal air battery - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a metal-air battery provided with an outer package in which a metal electrode and an air electrode are disposed.

  The metal-air battery includes an exterior body (also referred to as a battery case) in which a metal electrode and an air electrode are disposed. As such a metal-air battery, one in which the zinc electrode constituting the metal electrode is made replaceable has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In this patent document 1, the zinc electrode vertically installed from the battery case lid is inserted, and the exterior body is a pair of air electrodes mounted on the window surface of the bottomed case having a reinforcing bar formed at the opposite window. The mounting frame is joined in a fluid tight manner.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 51-29949

However, in the method described in Patent Document 1, since the zinc electrode is provided vertically from the battery case lid, there is a risk of falling. In addition, since the lower part of the zinc electrode is not fixed, the distance between the air electrode and the zinc electrode may be changed due to vibration, impact or the like. Therefore, there is a possibility that desired power can not be obtained.
By the way, after the use of the metal-air battery, reaction products are deposited inside the exterior body. Therefore, when replacing the metal electrode and reusing the outer package, it is necessary to take out the reaction product and wash the inside, which requires much time and effort.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and makes it possible to prevent the metal electrode from falling off and keep the distance between the metal electrode and the air electrode constant, and to be easily reused as a battery In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a metal-air battery capable of reducing time and effort such as cleaning at the time of reuse.

In order to solve the problems described above, the present invention provides a metal-air battery including an exterior body in which an air electrode and a metal electrode are disposed, wherein the exterior body is a lid that is removable from the exterior body , and And a lid on which is attached a bag for wrapping the metal electrode and holding therein a reaction product generated by a battery reaction , and the lid holds a holder for holding the metal electrode, and the holder. a metal electrode which is held, characterized Rukoto that Yusuke and a pair of ribs that sandwich the collapse of the metal electrode to be restricted, the.

In the above-mentioned configuration, the holding portion is hooked on a first hole portion which is open to the lid portion so as to be able to insert and remove the metal pole, and a hole portion which is provided to the metal electrode which is passed through the first hole portion. You may make it have a hook which hold | maintains a metal pole to the said cover part.
In the above structure, the bag, the has a freely opening out the metal electrode, the outer body is in communication with the opening of the bag, and the reaction gas inside produced by the cell reaction You may make it have a 2nd hole for taking out .
Further, in the above-mentioned configuration, the exterior body may have a holding portion for detachably holding the metal electrode.

Further, in the above configuration, the exterior body has a division structure that divides the air electrode as a boundary, and one of the divisions forms an electrolyte solution storage unit that stores an electrolyte solution, and the electrolyte solution storage unit A packing for watertightness may be interposed between the air electrode and the air electrode.
Further, in the above configuration, the bag body may be formed of non-woven fabric or mesh made of resin.

  According to the present invention, attachment and detachment of the metal electrode are easy, and removal of the reaction product is easy. Therefore, it is easy to reuse as a battery, and it is possible to reduce time and effort such as cleaning at the time of reuse. Furthermore, the distance between the metal electrode and the air electrode can be kept constant by providing a rib for restricting the fall of the metal electrode.

It is a perspective view of the metal air battery concerning the embodiment of the present invention. It is a disassembled perspective view of a metal air battery. It is the figure which showed the cross-section of the lid part of a metal air battery with peripheral composition. It is a figure showing a lid part with peripheral composition, (A) is a side view, (B) is an AA sectional view of Drawing 4 (A). It is a figure showing an example of a metal air battery unit. It is the figure which showed the state which removed the cover part etc. of the end of the metal air battery unit shown in FIG.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a metal-air battery 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the metal-air battery 10.
The metal-air battery 10 is provided with a hollow box-like exterior body 21 to be a battery case, and in the exterior body 21, an air electrode 22 and a metal electrode 23 constituting an electrode plate are disposed to face each other. The metal-air battery 10 is a primary battery which is filled with the electrolytic solution between the air electrode 22 and the metal electrode 23 by injecting the electrolytic solution into the outer package 21 and starts power generation. During the power generation, the air electrode 22 functions as a positive electrode, and the metal electrode 23 functions as a negative electrode.

  In the present embodiment, one metal electrode 23 is disposed in the metal-air battery 10, and two air electrodes 22 are disposed with a space between the metal electrode 23 and the metal electrode 23 so as to sandwich the metal electrode 23 therebetween. Configuration. In FIG. 1 and each of the drawings described below, the direction in which the air electrode 22 and the metal electrode 23 are arranged is indicated by the X direction, the direction orthogonal to the X direction in the horizontal plane is indicated by the Y direction, and the vertical direction is the Z direction It shows by.

  The air electrode 22 is a component that has air permeability that allows the outside air to flow into the outer package 21 and water impermeable property that does not leak the electrolyte solution. The air electrode 22 is formed by integrating a catalyst sheet forming the catalyst layer by pressing (pressing) or the like on both sides of a rectangular copper mesh forming the current collector. With regard to the water impermeable property, a sheet having water impermeable property may be separately provided and secured. The air electrode 22 is not limited to the above configuration, and a wide variety of known configurations can be applied.

  The metal electrode 23 is supported inside the exterior body 21 so as to face the air electrode 22. A magnesium alloy is used for the metal electrode 23 and is disposed in parallel with the air electrode 22. An aqueous solution of sodium chloride is used as an electrolyte solution of the air battery 20. Thus, it is possible to use seawater as the electrolytic solution, or a liquid obtained by mixing salt with tap water, so that the electrolytic solution can be easily procured. In addition, you may comprise so that it may generate electric power, if the bag body which accommodated the sodium chloride which is electrolyte inside the exterior body 21 is arrange | positioned beforehand, and water, such as a tap water, is poured.

The exterior body 21 is a hollow box-shaped exterior body main body (also referred to as a battery case main body) 31 which can be divided in the direction in which the air electrode 22 and the metal electrode 23 are arranged (X direction). A free cover (also referred to as a battery case cover) 33 is provided.
The exterior body main body 31 and the lid portion 33 are formed of a resin material such as a synthetic resin, and have durability for long-term use. In addition, not only a resin material but a material suitable for the exterior body 21 which endures reuse can be widely applied.

  Moreover, the convex part which protrudes upwards is formed in the both ends of the upper end of the exterior body main body 31, the concave part which the said convex part engages is formed in the both ends of the cover part 33, and the said convex part and concave part Are engaged with each other (location shown by reference numeral 32 in FIG. 1). The exterior body 31 and the lid 33 are accurately positioned by the engagement structure 32, and the lid is configured to be removable in the vertical direction. The exterior body main body 31 includes an electrolyte solution storage portion 35 forming a space for storing an electrolyte solution, and a pair of side plate portions 37 mounted so as to sandwich the air electrodes 22 between the electrolyte solution storage portion 35 and the space. ing.

The electrolyte solution storage portion 35 is formed in a rectangular box-like bottomed box shape whose upper side opens, and has openings 35A covered with the air electrode 22 on both side surfaces in the X direction. The opening 35A is formed at an opening slightly smaller than the outer shape of the air electrode 22, and is divided into four openings by a cross-shaped crosspiece 35B. By means of the crosspieces 35B, the deformation of the air electrode 22 can be suppressed and the rigidity of the electrolyte solution storage portion 35 can be enhanced.
Further, overhanging portions 35C are provided at the lower part of the electrolytic solution storage part 35 so as to project to both sides in the X direction, and the lower part of the side plate 37 is swingably connected to each of the overhanging parts 35C. More specifically, in each overhang 35C, a recess 35D engaged with a projection 37T projecting downward from the side plate 37 and a hole 35E for passing a swinging shaft (not shown) in the Y direction The side plate portion 37 is connected openably and closably with reference to the swing shaft.
As a result, the packing 41 and the air electrode 22 can be easily attached and detached between the side plate 37 and the electrolytic solution container 35 without completely removing the side plate 37 from the electrolytic solution container 35.

The packing 41 is formed in a frame shape extending to surround the four openings 35 A of the electrolytic solution storage unit 35, and is interposed between the air electrode 22 and the electrolytic solution storage unit 35. The packing 41 provides water tightness that can prevent leakage of the electrolyte (leakage). The packing 41 is a foam packing (for example, a water-expandable rubber composed of a CR rubber and a special resin, a water-expandable urethane, a urethane foam, an EPDM rubber sponge, etc.) that expands when it contains a liquid such as an electrolyte. It can be used to prevent leakage more effectively. In addition, you may use not only foam packing but another well-known packing.
Further, the electrolytic solution storage portion 35 is provided with a ridge 35T extending substantially along the inner peripheral edge of the packing 41. The ridge 35T makes it easy to position the packing 41 at an appropriate position.

The pair of side plate portions 37 are formed in the same shape. These side plate portions 37 are formed by providing an opening 37A for exposing the air electrode 22 to the outside in a flat plate member larger than the air electrode 22. The opening 37A is also formed in an opening slightly smaller than the outer shape of the air electrode 22 similarly to the opening 35A of the electrolyte container 35, and is divided into four openings by a cross-shaped crosspiece 37B. The deformation of the air electrode 22 is suppressed and the rigidity of the side plate portion 37 is enhanced.
The side plate portions 37 are provided with a pair of upper and lower overhanging portions 37C that project to both sides along the Y direction. These overhangs 37C are provided with holes 37D through which a connecting shaft 45 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) to be described later passes in the X direction. The connecting shaft 45 is passed through the holes 37D, and fastening members such as nuts are provided from both sides. Hold the overhanging portion 37C. As a result, the air electrode 22 and the packing 41 can be held between the side plate portion 37 and the electrolytic solution storage portion 35 in a sandwiched state.

  The lid portion 33 is formed in a rectangular plate shape covering the upper opening of the electrolytic solution storage portion 35 by being placed on the upper end of the electrolytic solution storage portion 35. The lid 33 is provided with a first hole 33A for detachably holding the metal electrode 23 at an interval in the X direction, and provided on both sides of the first hole 33A so that the reaction gas inside can be exposed to the outside. A pair of second holes 33B for removal is formed. Further, a bag body 51 for wrapping the metal electrode 23 held by the lid 33 is attached to the lid 33.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the cross-sectional structure of the lid 33 along with the peripheral structure, FIG. 4 (A) is a side view, and FIG. 4 (B) is an AA cross-sectional view of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, the first hole 33 </ b> A is formed in a long hole shaped opening which penetrates the lid 33 up and down and can insert and remove the metal electrode 23 in the up and down direction (Z direction). As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the first hole 33A integrally includes a pair of hooks 33F (see FIG. 4B) hooked in the holes 23H provided in the metal electrode 23. The metal pole 23 is held on the lid 33 by these hooks 33F.
That is, the first hole 33A and the hook 33F function as a holder that detachably holds the metal electrode 23 on the lid 33.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, each hook 33F is formed into a tapered hook that inclines obliquely upward, and when the metal pole 23 is slid upward from the lower side, the hook 33F smoothly and elastically By deforming the hook 33F, the metal pole 23 can be easily locked. Further, by sliding the metal electrode 23 upward, the hook 33F can be elastically deformed upward, and the metal electrode 23 can be easily taken out. That is, the metal pole 23 is detachably fixed using spring back. The shape of the hook 33F can be changed as appropriate.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, in the lid 33, a pair of ribs 33R sandwiching the metal electrode 23 held in the first hole 33A from both sides below the holes 33A and 33B. It is provided. The pair of ribs 33R sandwiches the metal electrode 23 in the X direction, so that the movement of the metal electrode 23 in the X direction can be restricted.

As shown in FIG. 3, since these ribs 33R are formed into longitudinally extending ribs extending in the vertical direction (Z direction), the movement of the metal electrode 23 in the X direction can be restricted in a wide area. it can. Therefore, the fall of the metal electrode 23 can be sufficiently restricted by the ribs 33R, and the separation distance (inter-electrode distance) between the metal electrode 23 and the air electrode 22 can be kept constant.
The rib 33R allows the metal pole 23 to move within the range in which the separation distance between the metal pole 23 and the air pole 22 is not changed because the rib 33R allows the displacement of the metal pole 23 in the Y direction. It becomes easy to carry out the attachment and detachment operation.

Further, in the lid portion 33, an annular cylindrical portion 33S extending downward so as to surround the outer periphery of the rib 33R with a gap is integrally provided. By attaching the opening 51K (FIG. 3) of the bag 51 to the cylindrical portion 33S, the bag 51 is attached to the lid 33. As shown in FIG. 4B, the cylindrical portion 33S is formed in a cylinder communicating with the pair of second holes 33B, so the opening 51K of the bag body 51 communicates with the second hole 33B.
The pair of second holes 33 </ b> B is a through hole which vertically penetrates the lid 33.

The pouch 51 is formed of a non-woven fabric, and retains the reaction product generated by the cell reaction inside, and is formed into a pouch through which the electrolyte passes. The reaction product is a solid produced by the reaction with the metal electrode 23, and is magnesium hydroxide when a magnesium alloy is used for the metal electrode 23.
Since the metal electrode 23 is encased in the bag body 51, the reaction product can be retained in the bag body 51, and reaction generation on members (the body body 31, the lid 33) and the like constituting the case 21 is generated. Attachment of objects can be avoided or suppressed. Therefore, when recycling the exterior body 21, the effort of washing | cleaning of the exterior body 21 can be reduced. The bag body 51 of the present invention is not a separator for separating the air electrode 22 and the metal electrode 23.

As described above, since the bag body 51 is attached to the lid portion 33, the bag body 51 can be taken out by removing the lid portion 33, and the bag body 51 can be easily attached and detached. Further, since the opening 51K of the bag body 51 is in communication with the second hole 33B of the lid 33, the reaction gas generated by the battery reaction is smoothly discharged upward through the second hole 33B. be able to.
Moreover, since the bag body 51 is formed of non-woven fabric which is flexible and thin, it is disposed between the air electrode 22 and the metal electrode 23 by utilizing the space of the electrolyte solution. it can. Therefore, even if the bag body 51 is provided, the enlargement of the exterior body 21, that is, the enlargement of the metal-air battery 10 can be suppressed.

  Although the bag body 51 is formed of non-woven fabric, it may be formed of resin mesh. Also in the case of forming by resin mesh, it is possible to obtain the same function as in the case of non-woven fabric, such as retaining the reaction product inside and passing the electrolytic solution. When a resin mesh is used, the merit that the strength and durability of the bag body 51 can be easily improved can be obtained as compared with the case of using a non-woven fabric. In addition, you may form the bag body 51 with another material in the range from which the said function is obtained.

As described above, the metal air battery 10 of the present configuration can easily attach and detach the metal electrode 23 from the lid 33 by sliding the metal electrode 23 in the vertical direction. Further, the air electrode 22 can be easily attached and detached by opening the side plate portion 37. Further, the bag body 51 can be taken out by removing the lid portion 33 from the exterior body main body 31. Therefore, it is easy to replace or divert the metal electrode 23 and the air electrode 22, and it is also easy to take out the reaction product after using the battery.
As a result, it is easy to reuse parts that can be reused, and it is possible to eliminate or reduce the work of cleaning the exterior body 21 at the time of reuse. The metal electrode 23 and the air electrode 22 may be replaced as appropriate according to the consumption condition and the like. The bag 51 may be always replaced when the battery is reused, or may be reused after removing the reaction product inside.

As described above, the metal-air battery 10 of the present embodiment includes the exterior body 21 in which the air electrode 22 and the metal electrode 23 are disposed, and the metal electrode 23 is detachably provided on the exterior body 21. Since the metal electrode 23 is enclosed by the bag body 51 which holds the reaction product generated by the reaction inside, the metal electrode 23 can be easily attached and detached and the reaction product can be easily removed. Therefore, it becomes easy to reuse as a battery, and it becomes possible to reduce the effort such as washing at the time of reuse.
Further, the bag body 51 has an opening 51K (FIG. 3) in which the metal electrode 23 can be taken in and out, and the exterior body 21 has a second hole 33B communicating with the opening 51K of the bag 51. Therefore, the reaction gas generated by the cell reaction can be easily extracted to the outside.

In addition, since the exterior body 21 has the first hole 33A and the hook 33F that function as a holding portion that detachably holds the metal electrode 23, maintenance such as attachment / detachment of the metal electrode 23 and inspection can be easily performed. it can.
Further, the exterior body 21 has a detachable lid portion 33, and the lid portion 33 is provided with the holding portion for detachably retaining the metal electrode 23, and communicates with the opening 51K of the bag 51. A two-hole portion 33B is provided, and the bag body 51 is attached to the lid portion 33. Therefore, if the lid portion 33 is removed, the metal electrode 23 and the bag body 51 can be removed. It becomes easy to do.

Further, since the lid 33 is provided with the rib 33R for restricting the fall of the metal electrode 23 held by the cover 33, the fall of the metal electrode 23 can be avoided, and the electrodes of the metal electrode 23 and the air electrode 22 can be avoided. The distance between them can be kept constant.
In addition, the package body 21 has a division structure that divides the air electrode 22 at one side, and one of the divided components constitutes an electrolyte solution storage unit 35 for storing an electrolyte solution, and the electrolyte solution storage unit 35 and the air electrode 22. Since the packing 41 (FIG. 2) for watertightness is interposed between them, the air electrode 22 can be easily attached and detached, and the leakage of the electrolyte can be easily suppressed.

  Further, since the bag body 51 is formed of non-woven fabric or resin mesh, it is easy to obtain a bag for keeping the reaction product inside and passing the electrolytic solution at low cost, and the air electrode 22 and the metal electrode It becomes easy to arrange the bag body 51 by utilizing the space between 23 and 23.

The metal-air battery 10 of the present invention may be used alone, but a metal-air battery (hereinafter referred to as a “metal-air battery unit”) 100 obtained by connecting a plurality of metal-air batteries 10 to increase the capacity is used. You may configure.
5 and 6 show an example of the metal-air battery unit 100. FIG. 6 is a view showing the metal air battery unit 100 shown in FIG. 5 with the endmost cover 33 and the like removed.
As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of metal air batteries 10 are arranged in the X direction, and connection shafts 45 are made to penetrate through each of the overhang portions 37C formed at the four corners of the side plate 37 of each metal air battery 10. The metal air cells 10 can be connected in a compact manner. Further, according to this connection structure, the metal air battery 10 side only needs to be formed with a portion (the overhang portion 37C) through which the connection shaft 45 passes, so the structure on the metal air battery 10 side can be simplified. Moreover, this connection structure is also easy to change the number of connections of the metal air battery 10.

In addition, the metal air battery unit 100 is configured such that the side plate portions 37 are not connected swingably (a configuration in which the swinging shaft is removed from the hole 35E shown in FIG. 2), the connecting plates It can be moved along 45.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6, without removing the connecting shaft 45, the desired side plate 37 (shown with reference numeral 37X in FIG. 6) is shown as the electrolyte solution storage 35 (reference numeral 35X in FIG. 6). Can be moved away from the Therefore, the air electrode 22 can be easily attached and detached. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, the cover 33 can be removed to easily remove the reaction product, attach / detach the bag 51, attach / detach the metal electrode 23, attach / detach the air electrode 22, etc. Also, maintenance work such as inspection of each part can be easily performed.

In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, reference numeral 47S is an annular spacer passing through the connecting shaft 45 so as to be disposed between the adjacent metal air batteries 10. By the spacers 47S, a gap for supplying the external air to the air electrode 22 can be secured between the metal air batteries 10. Further, the adjustment of the gap is easy by adjusting the thickness of the spacer 47S.
In FIGS. 5 and 6, reference numeral 48 denotes a covering member (guard member) which covers the air electrode 22 of the metal air battery 10 at the end. The covering member 48 can guard the air electrode 22 at the end. In addition, between the side plate portions 37 of each metal air battery 10, the upper portion (portion projecting from the lid portion 33) of the metal electrode 23 of each metal air battery 10 and the upper portion of the air electrode 22 (air electrode 22 shown in FIG. 2). A cover part 49 is attached which covers the wiring etc. which are respectively connected and extended to the bent part of Further, any electric circuit may be accommodated in the cover component 49, and other components may be arranged instead of the cover component 49.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and changes are possible based on the technical concept of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 metal air battery 21 exterior body 22 air pole 23 metal pole 31 exterior body main body 33 lid part 33A 1st hole part (holding part)
33B second hole 33F hook (holding part)
33R Rib 35 Electrolyte storage portion 37 Side plate portion 41 Packing 51 Bag body

Claims (6)

In a metal-air battery comprising an exterior body in which an air electrode and a metal electrode are disposed,
The exterior body has a lid portion that is detachable from the exterior body , and on which a bag body that wraps the metal electrode and holds therein a reaction product generated by a battery reaction is mounted. ,
The lid portion includes a holding portion for holding the metal electrode, the metal electrode held by the holding portion, and wherein Rukoto that Yusuke and a pair of ribs that sandwich the collapse of the metal electrode to be restricted, the Metal air battery.   The holding portion is hooked in a first hole portion which is open to the lid portion so as to be able to insert and remove the metal pole, and a hole portion which is provided in the metal electrode which is passed through the first hole portion to The metal air battery according to claim 1, further comprising: a hook which is held by the lid. The bag body has an opening through which the metal electrode can be inserted and removed.
  The metal air according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the exterior body is in communication with the opening of the bag, and has a second hole for extracting internal reaction gas generated by a cell reaction. battery. The metal-air battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the exterior body has a holding portion that detachably holds the metal electrode. The exterior body has a division structure that divides the air electrode at the boundary,
  One of the divided parts constitutes an electrolytic solution containing portion for containing an electrolytic solution, and a packing for watertightness is interposed between the electrolytic solution containing portion and the air electrode. The metal-air battery according to any one of 1 to 4. The metal air battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bag body is formed of a non-woven fabric or a resin mesh.

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