U.S. patent application number 13/354193 was filed with the patent office on 2012-07-26 for electric storage device.
This patent application is currently assigned to GS Yuasa International Ltd.. Invention is credited to Hajime Kawamoto, Kenji Kouno, Jun Nakamura, Katsuhiko Okamoto, Takuma Tonari, Masakazu Tsutsumi, Shinsuke Yoshitake.
Application Number | 20120189908 13/354193 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45470463 |
Filed Date | 2012-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120189908 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tsutsumi; Masakazu ; et
al. |
July 26, 2012 |
ELECTRIC STORAGE DEVICE
Abstract
An electric storage device is provided having a structure that
can reliably produce the sealing effect between a case and a
sealing member. The electric storage device of the present
invention includes an electrode assembly; a case that includes a
defining wall and houses the electrode assembly; a sealing member
that is arranged on the defining wall; and a conductive member that
is electrically connected to the electrode assembly, the conductive
member being supported by the sealing member, wherein at least a
portion of the defining wall where the sealing member is arranged
is made of an aluminum-based metallic material; and the sealing
member is made of a material that is softer than the material for
the at least a portion of the defining wall where the sealing
member is arranged.
Inventors: |
Tsutsumi; Masakazu; (Kyoto,
JP) ; Kawamoto; Hajime; (Osaka, JP) ; Okamoto;
Katsuhiko; (Kyoto, JP) ; Yoshitake; Shinsuke;
(Kyoto, JP) ; Tonari; Takuma; (Kyoto, JP) ;
Nakamura; Jun; (Kyoto, JP) ; Kouno; Kenji;
(Kyoto, JP) |
Assignee: |
GS Yuasa International Ltd.
Kyoto-shi
JP
|
Family ID: |
45470463 |
Appl. No.: |
13/354193 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
429/179 ;
29/623.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 2/30 20130101; H01G
11/70 20130101; H01M 10/345 20130101; H01M 2/02 20130101; H01M
2/0473 20130101; H01G 11/74 20130101; H01G 9/016 20130101; H01M
2/0486 20130101; Y10T 29/4911 20150115; H01M 2/0285 20130101; Y02E
60/10 20130101; H01M 10/052 20130101; H01G 11/84 20130101; H01M
10/0525 20130101; H01M 2/08 20130101; H01M 2/0217 20130101; H01G
9/10 20130101; Y02E 60/13 20130101; H01G 11/82 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
429/179 ;
29/623.2 |
International
Class: |
H01M 2/08 20060101
H01M002/08; H01M 10/04 20060101 H01M010/04; H01M 2/30 20060101
H01M002/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2011 |
JP |
2011-009919 |
Jan 20, 2011 |
JP |
2011-009921 |
Claims
1. An electric storage device comprising: an electrode assembly; a
case that includes a defining wall and houses the electrode
assembly; a sealing member that is arranged on the defining wall;
and a conductive member that is electrically connected to the
electrode assembly, the conductive member being supported by the
sealing member, wherein at least a portion of the defining wall
where the sealing member is arranged comprises an aluminum-based
metallic material; and the sealing member comprises a material that
is softer than the material for the at least a portion of the
defining wall where the sealing member is arranged.
2. The electric storage device according to claim 1, wherein the
sealing member comprises an engineering plastic.
3. The electric storage device according to claim 2, wherein the
sealing member comprises polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin and
elastomer.
4. The electric storage device according to claim 3, wherein the
elastomer is contained in an amount of 2 to 20% by weight.
5. The electric storage device according to claim 1, wherein the
sealing member has a Rockwell hardness (R scale) of 55 to 120.
6. The electric storage device according to claim 1, wherein the
sealing member is arranged on an outer surface of the defining
wall, the device further comprising: a terminal retainer arranged
on the outer surface of the defining wall; and an external terminal
that is supported by the terminal retainer, wherein the conductive
member is an auxiliary terminal that passes through the defining
wall and is electrically connected to the external terminal.
7. The electric storage device according to claim 1, wherein the
sealing member is arranged on an outer surface of the defining
wall, the device further comprising: an external terminal that is
supported, together with the conductive member, by the sealing
member, wherein the conductive member is an auxiliary terminal that
passes through the defining wall and is electrically connected to
the external terminal.
8. The electric storage device according to claim 1, wherein the
sealing member is arranged on an outer surface of the defining
wall; and the conductive member is an external terminal that passes
through the defining wall.
9. The electric storage device according to claim 6, wherein the
auxiliary terminal includes a body and an insertion part that is
formed continuously with the body; the sealing member includes a
surrounding circumferential outer wall part and a recess inside the
outer wall part; and the outer wall part is formed to be high
enough for the recess to entirely or substantially entirely receive
the body of the auxiliary terminal.
10. The electric storage device according to claim 9, wherein a
space is provided between the outer wall part of the sealing member
and the body of the auxiliary terminal.
11. The electric storage device according to claim 7, wherein the
auxiliary terminal includes a body and an insertion part that is
formed continuously with the body; the external terminal includes a
head and a shaft projecting from a first surface of the head; the
sealing member includes a surrounding circumferential outer wall
part and a recess inside the outer wall part; and the outer wall
part is formed to be high enough for the recess to entirely or
substantially entirely receive the body of the auxiliary terminal
and the head of the external terminal.
12. The electric storage device according to claim 11, wherein
spaces are provided between the outer wall part of the sealing
member and the body of the auxiliary terminal and between the outer
wall part of the sealing member and the head of the external
terminal.
13. The electric storage device according to claim 8, wherein the
external terminal includes a head and a shaft projecting from a
first surface of the head; the sealing member includes a
surrounding circumferential outer wall part and a recess inside the
outer wall part; and the outer wall part is formed to be high
enough for the recess to entirely or substantially entirely receive
the head of the external terminal.
14. The electric storage device according to claim 13, wherein a
space is provided between the outer wall part of the sealing member
and the head of the external terminal.
15. The electric storage device according to claim 9, further
comprising: a current collector that electrically connects the
electrode assembly to the auxiliary terminal, the current collector
having a through-hole and being housed in the case together with
the electrode assembly, wherein the defining wall of the case has a
through-hole at least in a portion thereof; the sealing member has
a through-hole formed in a bottom surface of the recess, and an
annular projection that projects around the through-hole to be
inserted through the through-hole of the case; the insertion part
of the auxiliary terminal includes a crimping part that is crimped
in a state where the crimping part has been inserted through the
through-hole of the sealing member and the through-hole of the
current collector; and the crimping part has a hollow portion
having a length that does not reach a position of an inner surface
of the case.
16. The electric storage device according to claim 11, further
comprising: a current collector that electrically connects the
electrode assembly to the external terminal, the current collector
having a through-hole and being housed in the case together with
the electrode assembly, wherein the defining wall of the case has a
through-hole at least in a portion thereof; the sealing member has
a through-hole formed in a bottom surface of the recess, and an
annular projection that projects around the through-hole to be
inserted through the through-hole of the case; the external
terminal includes a crimping part that projects from a second
surface of the head and is crimped in a state where the crimping
part has been inserted through the through-hole of the sealing
member and the through-hole of the current collector; and the
crimping part has a hollow portion having a length that does not
reach a position of an inner surface of the case.
17. The electric storage device according to claim 1, wherein the
conductive member is crimped in such a manner that the sealing
member is pressed against the defining wall.
18. A method of manufacturing an electric storage device, the
device comprising: an electrode assembly; a case that includes a
defining wall and houses the electrode assembly; a sealing member
that is arranged on the defining wall; and a conductive member that
is electrically connected to the electrode assembly, the conductive
member being supported by the sealing member, wherein at least a
portion of the defining wall where the sealing member is arranged
comprises an aluminum-based metallic material; and the sealing
member comprises a material that is softer than the material for
the at least a portion of the defining wall where the sealing
member is arranged, the method comprising: crimping the conductive
member in such a manner that the sealing member is pressed against
the defining wall.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority from Japanese Patent
Applications Nos. 2011-009921 and 2011-009919, the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to an electric storage device
including an external terminal.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] In recent years, rechargeable and dischargeable electric
storage devices such as battery cells (e.g., a lithium ion battery
cell and a nickel-metal hydride battery cell) and capacitors (e.g.,
an electric double layer capacitor) have been adopted as the power
sources of vehicles (e.g., an automobile and a motorcycle) and
various devices (e.g., a portable terminal and a laptop computer).
For example, a battery cell includes an electrode assembly and a
case composed of a case body which houses the electrode assembly
and a cover plate which covers an opening of the case body. An
external terminal is arranged at an outer surface of the cover
plate, a current collector is connected to the electrode assembly,
the current collector is arranged inside the case, and the external
terminal and the current collector are directly or indirectly
connected to each other. With this configuration, the external
terminal and the electrode assembly are electrically connected.
[0004] There are two main methods for connecting an external
terminal and a current collector. One is to directly connect an
external terminal and a current collector, and the other is to
indirectly connect an external terminal and a current collector via
an auxiliary terminal and a connecting conductor.
[0005] The former method uses an external terminal which is
composed of a body, a crimping part projecting from a lower surface
of the body (and as necessary, a male thread part projecting from
an upper surface of the body). The external terminal is arranged at
an outer surface of a cover plate via a sealing member, the
crimping part of the external terminal is inserted into a
through-hole of a current collector inside a case, and an end
portion of the crimping part projecting downward from the
through-hole is crimped from below. With this configuration, the
external terminal and the current collector are directly connected
to each other.
[0006] The latter method uses an auxiliary terminal composed of a
body, a first crimping part projecting from a lower surface of the
body, and a second crimping part projecting from an upper surface
of the body, an external terminal composed of a head and a male
thread part projecting from an upper surface of the head, and a
connecting conductor including through-holes into which the second
crimping part of the auxiliary terminal and the male thread part of
the external terminal are to be inserted. The auxiliary terminal is
arranged at an outer surface of a cover plate via a sealing member,
the first crimping part of the auxiliary terminal is inserted into
a through-hole of a current collector inside a case, and an end
portion of the first crimping part projecting downward from the
through-hole is crimped from below. The external terminal is
arranged at the outer surface of the cover plate via the sealing
member or via a terminal retainer provided separately from the
sealing member, the second crimping part of the auxiliary terminal
and the male thread part of the external terminal are inserted into
the through-holes of the connecting conductor, and an end portion
of the second crimping part projecting upward from the through-hole
is crimped from above. With this configuration, the external
terminal and the current collector are indirectly connected via the
auxiliary terminal and the connecting conductor.
[0007] The battery cell described in Patent Document 1
(JP-A-2006-216411) is fabricated by the former method as mentioned
above. An external terminal (electrode guide pin 6) includes a body
(head 6B) and a crimping part (columnar part 6A). An insulating
sealing member (insulating member 4) includes a surrounding
circumferential outer wall part, a recess inside the outer wall, a
through-hole in the bottom surface of the recess and an annular
projection (tubular part 4B) that projects around the through-hole,
the annular projection being inserted through a through-hole
(through hole 10) formed in the cover plate (metal plate 3). The
body (head 6B) of the external terminal (electrode guide pin 6) is
inserted through a recess of the insulating sealing member
(insulating member 4). The crimping part (column part 6A) is
inserted through a through-hole of a connection part (conductive
tab connection plate 11) of a current collector via the
through-hole in the bottom surface of the recess. An end portion of
the crimping part, which projects downward from the through-hole of
the connection part (conductive tab connection plate 11), is
crimped from below. In this manner, the external terminal
(electrode guide pin 6) is attached to the cover plate (metal plate
3) while being electrically connected to the connection part
(conductive tab connection plate 11) of the current collector and
insulated from the cover plate (metal plate 3).
[0008] However, in the battery cell described in Patent Document 1,
the cover plate (metal plate 3) is made of a soft material such as
an aluminum-based metallic material. Because of this, when the
external terminal (electrode guide pin 6) is crimped, the surface
of the cover plate (metal plate 3) is subjected to compression
stress and deformed due to pressing force from the insulating
sealing member (insulating member 4), which leads to a decrease in
flatness. This results in reducing the degree of contact between
the surface of the cover plate (metal plate 3) and the surface of
the insulating sealing member (insulating member 4), and therefore
impairing sealing performance in this region. Furthermore, if the
insulating sealing member (insulating member 4) is harder than the
cover plate (metal plate 3), creep occurs in the insulating sealing
member (insulating member 4), which also results in reducing the
degree of contact between the surface of the cover plate (metal
plate 3) and the surface of the insulating sealing member
(insulating member 4), and therefore impairing sealing performance
in this region.
[0009] This problem occurs not only in battery cells but also in
capacitors (e.g., a double layer capacitor and the like) as
well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] An object of the present invention is to provide an electric
storage device having a structure that can reliably produce the
sealing effect between a case and a sealing member.
[0011] The present invention provides an electric storage device
including:
[0012] an electrode assembly;
[0013] a case that includes a defining wall and houses the
electrode assembly;
[0014] a sealing member that is arranged on the defining wall;
and
[0015] a conductive member that is electrically connected to the
electrode assembly, the conductive member being supported by the
sealing member,
[0016] wherein at least a portion of the defining wall where the
sealing member is arranged comprises an aluminum-based metallic
material; and
[0017] the sealing member comprises a material that is softer than
the material for the at least a portion of the defining wall where
the sealing member is arranged.
[0018] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electric
storage device may have a configuration in which: the sealing
member comprises an engineering plastic.
[0019] In this instance, the sealing member may comprise
polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin and elastomer.
[0020] Furthermore, in this instance, the elastomer may be
contained in an amount of 2 to 20% by weight.
[0021] In another embodiment of the present invention, the electric
storage device may have a configuration in which:
[0022] the sealing member has a Rockwell hardness (R scale) of 55
to 120.
[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the electric
storage device may have a configuration in which the sealing member
is arranged on an outer surface of the defining wall, the device
further including:
[0024] a terminal retainer arranged on the outer surface of the
defining wall; and
[0025] an external terminal that is supported by the terminal
retainer,
[0026] wherein the conductive member is an auxiliary terminal that
passes through the defining wall and is electrically connected to
the external terminal.
[0027] The electric storage device may have a configuration in
which the sealing member is arranged on an outer surface of the
defining wall, the device further including:
[0028] an external terminal that is supported, together with the
conductive member, by the sealing member,
[0029] wherein the conductive member is an auxiliary terminal that
passes through the defining wall and is electrically connected to
the external terminal.
[0030] The electric storage device may have a configuration in
which:
[0031] the sealing member is arranged on an outer surface of the
defining wall; and
[0032] the conductive member is an external terminal that passes
through the defining wall.
[0033] In these instances, the electric storage device may have a
configuration in which:
[0034] the sealing member includes a surrounding circumferential
outer wall part and a recess inside the outer wall part; and
[0035] the outer wall part is formed to be high enough for the
recess to entirely or substantially entirely receive a body of the
auxiliary terminal and a head of the external terminal.
[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, the electric
storage device may have a configuration in which:
[0037] a space is provided between the outer wall part of the
sealing member and the body of the auxiliary terminal.
[0038] The electric storage device may have a configuration in
which:
[0039] a space is provided between the outer wall part of the
sealing member and the head of the external terminal.
[0040] In still another embodiment of the present invention, the
electric storage device may have a configuration in which:
[0041] the sealing member has a through-hole formed in a bottom
surface of the recess and an annular projection that projects
around the through-hole to be inserted through a through-hole
formed in the case;
[0042] the auxiliary terminal includes a crimping part that
projects from the body and is crimped in a state where the crimping
part has been inserted through the through-hole of the sealing
member and a through-hole formed in a current collector; and
[0043] the crimping part has a hollow portion having a length that
does not reach a position of an inner surface of the case.
[0044] The electric storage device may have a configuration in
which:
[0045] the sealing member has a through-hole formed in a bottom
surface of the recess and an annular projection that projects
around the through-hole to be inserted through a through-hole
formed in the case;
[0046] the external terminal includes a crimping part that projects
from the head and is crimped in a state where the crimping part has
been inserted through the through-hole of the sealing member and a
through-hole formed in a current collector; and
[0047] the crimping part has a hollow portion having a length that
does not reach a position of an inner surface of the case.
[0048] The electric storage device may have a configuration in
which:
[0049] the conductive member is crimped in such a manner that the
sealing member is pressed against the defining wall.
[0050] Furthermore, the present invention provides a method of
manufacturing an electric storage device, the device
comprising:
[0051] an electrode assembly;
[0052] a case that includes a defining wall and houses the
electrode assembly;
[0053] a sealing member that is arranged on the defining wall;
and
[0054] a conductive member that is electrically connected to the
electrode assembly, the conductive member being supported by the
sealing member,
[0055] wherein at least a portion of the defining wall where the
sealing member is arranged comprises an aluminum-based metallic
material; and
[0056] the sealing member comprises a material that is softer than
the material for the at least a portion of the defining wall where
the sealing member is arranged, the method comprising:
[0057] crimping the conductive member in such a manner that the
sealing member is pressed against the defining wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0058] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to
an embodiment of the present invention;
[0059] FIG. 2 is a side view of the battery cell;
[0060] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in
FIG. 1;
[0061] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in
FIG. 1;
[0062] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a terminal
part of the battery cell;
[0063] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal part
as seen from above; and
[0064] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the terminal part
as seen from below;
[0065] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an outer gasket of the
terminal part; and
[0066] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a terminal part in the
outer gasket.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0067] A battery cell which is an embodiment of an electric storage
device according to the present invention is described below with
reference to the drawings. A battery cell according to the present
embodiment is a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery cell and,
more particularly, a lithium ion secondary battery cell. As shown
in FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery cell according to the present
embodiment includes a case 1 which is composed of a case body 2 and
a cover plate 3 which covers an opening of the case body 2 to seal
the case 1. The cover plate 3 includes terminal structures 9 which
are electrically connected to an electrode assembly 4 housed in the
case 1.
[0068] The case body 2 and cover plate 3 of the case 1 are metal
members comprising an aluminum-based material such as aluminum and
an aluminum alloy. The case body 2 is a rectangular box that is
flat in the width direction so as to house a wound electrode
assembly 4 that has been formed into an elliptic cylinder. The
cover plate 3 is a rectangular plate material corresponding in
shape to the opening of the case body 2. The cover plate 3 fits in
the opening of the case body 2 and is fixed to the case body 2 by
laser welding or the like so as to seal the opening.
[0069] In the electrode assembly 4, a band-shaped positive
electrode sheet 5 and a band-shaped negative electrode sheet 6
which are displaced to each other in different lateral directions
with a band-shaped separator 7 sandwiched therebetween are wound
about a lateral rotation axis into a cylinder in the shape of a
vertically long ellipse. The electrode assembly 4 is entirely
covered with an insulating cover (not shown) comprising an
insulating sheet and is housed in the case 1 while being insulated
from the case 1. The positive electrode sheet 5 includes aluminum
foil carrying a positive electrode active material at the surface.
The negative electrode sheet 6 includes copper foil carrying a
negative electrode active material at the surface. The positive
electrode sheet 5 and the negative electrode sheet 6 each have a
non-overlapped portion not coated with the active material at an
edge in the lateral direction in which the sheet is displaced. With
this arrangement, at the lateral ends of the electrode assembly 4,
the aluminum foil and copper foil are exposed, and thus these metal
foils of the positive electrode and negative electrode project from
the overlapped portion in a wound configuration.
[0070] Metal foils projecting at the lateral ends of the electrode
assembly 4 are electrically connected to respective current
collectors 8. The current collectors 8 are vertically long
conductive metal members. More specifically, the current collector
8 for the positive electrode comprises aluminum or an aluminum
alloy, and the current collector 8 for the negative electrode
comprises copper or a copper alloy. An upper part of each current
collector 8 is horizontally bent to constitute a connection part
8a. A part extending downward from the connection part 8a is
divided into a front part and a rear part, which project downward.
The two front and rear parts are sandwiched between holding plates
(not shown) together with the corresponding end of the electrode
assembly 4 and are connected and fixed by ultrasonic welding or the
like.
[0071] The terminal structures 9 include the terminal structure 9
for the positive electrode and the terminal structure 9 for the
negative electrode. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 5 to 7, each
terminal structure 9 includes a plastic plate 10, an outer gasket
11, a rivet 12, a terminal retainer 13, a terminal bolt 14, and a
connecting plate 15. The plastic plate 10 and outer gasket (gasket)
11 are arranged inside and outside the case 1 with through-holes 3a
formed in the right and left ends of the cover plate 3 interposed
therebetween. The rivet 12 is inserted into the through-hole 3a via
the plastic plate 10 and outer gasket 11 and is electrically
connected to the connection part 8a of the current collector 8. The
terminal retainer 13 is arranged close to the outer gasket 11. The
terminal bolt 14 is arranged at an outer surface of the cover plate
3 via the terminal retainer 13. The connecting plate 15
electrically connects the terminal bolt 14 and the rivet 12. With
this configuration, the electrode assembly 4 inside the case 1 and
the terminal bolt 14 are electrically connected to each other.
[0072] It is to be noted that the plastic plate 10, the outer
gasket 11 and the terminal retainer 13 are made of plastic, and
therefore each represent a plastic member. Also, the plastic plate
10, outer gasket 11, and terminal retainer 13 have an insulating
function and therefore each represent an insulating member. In
particular, the outer gasket 11 (and the plastic plate 10 in some
instances) has a sealing function and thus also represents a
sealing member. The rivet 12 represents an auxiliary terminal. The
terminal bolt 14 represents an external terminal. The connecting
plate 15 represents a connecting conductor.
[0073] The plastic plate 10 is a synthetic resin with at least
insulating properties. More specifically, an example of materials
used for the plastic plate 10 is a thermoplastic resin material
obtained by uniformly mixing polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin with
a polyolefin elastoner containing at least one of polyethylene (PE)
and polypropylene (PP). (The weight ratio of the elastomer to the
thermoplastic resin material, i.e., the content of the elastomer in
the thermoplastic resin material preferably ranges from 2 to 20% by
weight, and more preferably from 2 to 10% by weight.) However, the
material is not limited to this, and any appropriate material may
be selected as long as it is softer than the cover plate 3. The
plastic plate 10 has a rectangular shape. A lower surface of the
plastic plate 10 includes a recess 10a which can receive the
connection part 8a of the current collector 8. The plastic plate 10
includes a through-hole 10b which coincides in position with a
through-hole 8b formed in the connection part 8a while the recess
10a receives the connection part 8a of the current collector 8.
[0074] The outer gasket 11 is a synthetic resin with insulating
properties and sealing properties. More specifically, an example of
materials used for the outer gasket 11 is a thermoplastic resin
material obtained by uniformly mixing polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)
resin with a polyolefin elastomer containing at least one of
polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). (The weight ratio of the
elastomer to the thermoplastic resin material, i.e., the content of
the elastomer in the thermoplastic resin material preferably ranges
from 2 to 20% by weight, and more preferably from 2 to 10% by
weight.) However, the material is not limited to this, and any
appropriate material may be selected as long as it is softer than
the cover plate 3. The components of the material of the outer
gasket 11 can be identified by thermal decomposition GC/MS
measurement, IR measurement and the like. The blend ratio of the
elastomer in the outer gasket 11 can be found by: dipping the outer
gasket 11 in an organic solvent such as xylene; dissolving the
elastomer in the resin; and measuring the weight ratio of the
elastomer to the base material (PPS). Furthermore, whether or not
the outer gasket has been compressed can be checked by: finding the
compression state of the outer gasket 11; measuring the dimension
after release (after release of compression); and observing the
cross section of the outer gasket 11 in the compression state. In
addition, a thermal shock test can be carried out to check whether
or not sealing is ensured by the outer gasket 11.
[0075] The outer gasket 11 is slightly larger than a body 12a of
the rivet 12 and has a rectangular shape. The outer gasket 11
includes a surrounding circumferential outer wall part 11a at the
outer periphery, which is formed by recessing an upper surface
except for the outer periphery. The outer gasket 11 includes a
recess 11b (also referred to as an "inner space of the outer wall
part") which can receive the body 12a of the rivet 12 inside the
outer wall part 11a. The outer gasket 11 includes a through-hole
11c into which a first crimping part 12b of the rivet 12 can be
inserted while the recess 11b receives the body 12a of the rivet
12. A lower surface of the outer gasket 11 includes an annular
projection 11d (also referred to as a "shaft") which extends
through the through-hole 3a of the cover plate 3 and is inserted
into the through-hole 10b of the plastic plate 10. A bottom surface
of the recess 11b of the outer gasket 11 includes a (circularly
extending) projecting ridge 11e (also referred to as "projection")
formed around the through-hole 11c, and the lower surface of the
outer gasket 11 includes a (circularly extending) projecting ridge
11f (also referred to as "projection") formed around the annular
projection 11d (cf., FIG. 8).
[0076] It is to be noted that the plastic plate 10 is arranged on a
lower surface (an inner surface) of the cover plate 3 and is thus
arranged inside the case 1. The outer gasket 11 is arranged at an
upper surface (the outer surface) of the cover plate 3 and is thus
arranged at an outer surface of the case 1. A region of the upper
surface of the cover plate 3 where the outer gasket 11 is arranged
includes a non-circular recess (first recess) 3b which can receive
a lower part (bridge part) of the outer gasket 11. When the lower
part (a joining surface to the cover plate 3) of the outer gasket
11 is inserted into the first recess 3b, the outer gasket 11 is
restrained from rotating about its axis. It is to be noted that, in
the present embodiment, the first recess 3b is formed to be
rectangular so as to correspond to the shape of the rectangular
lower part of the outer gasket 11. The first recess 3b is formed by
coining or the like.
[0077] The rivet 12 is a conductive metal member. More
specifically, the rivet 12 for the positive electrode comprises
aluminum or an aluminum alloy while the rivet 12 for the negative
electrode comprises copper or a copper alloy. The first crimping
part 12b projects downward from a lower surface of the body 12a of
the rivet 12. A second crimping part 12c projects upward from an
upper surface of the body 12a of the rivet 12. It is to be noted
that, in the present embodiment, the first crimping part 12b is
hollow (tubular) while the second crimping part 12c is solid
(columnar). More specifically, the first crimping part 12b has a
circular tubular shape while the second crimping part 12c has a
circular columnar shape. However, the shape is not limited to this,
and any appropriate shape can be selected.
[0078] The dimensional relationship among the through-hole 3a of
the cover plate 3, the through-hole 8b of the connection part 8a of
the current collector 8, the through-hole 10b of the plastic plate
10, the through-hole 11c and annular projection 11d of the outer
gasket 11, and the first crimping part 12b of the rivet 12 will be
described. As shown in detail in FIG. 5, the inner diameter of the
through-hole 3a of the cover plate 3 and the inner diameter of the
through-hole 10b of the plastic plate 10 are the same or
substantially the same. The inner diameter of the through-hole 3a
of the cover plate 3 and the inner diameter of the through-hole 10b
of the plastic plate 10 are the same or substantially the same as
the outer diameter of the annular projection 11d of the outer
gasket 11. The length of the annular projection 11d of the outer
gasket 11 is the same or substantially the same as the sum of the
thicknesses of the cover plate 3 and plastic plate 10. The inner
diameter of the annular projection 11d of the outer gasket 11 and
the inner diameter of the through-hole 8b of the connection part 8a
of the current collector 8 are the same or substantially the same.
The inner diameter of the annular projection 11d of the outer
gasket 11 and the inner diameter of the through-hole 8b of the
connection part 8a of the current collector 8 are the same or
substantially the same as the outer diameter of the first crimping
part 12b of the rivet 12. The length of the first crimping part 12b
of the rivet 12 is the same or substantially the same as the sum of
the thicknesses of the cover plate 3, the connection part 8a of the
current collector 8, the plastic plate 10, and the outer gasket
11.
[0079] Accordingly, the body 12a of the rivet 12 is inserted into
the recess 11b of the outer gasket 11, the first crimping part 12b
of the rivet 12 extends through the through-hole 11c at a bottom
surface of the recess 11b and is inserted into the through-hole 8b
of the connection part 8a of the current collector 8, and an end
portion of the first crimping part 12b projecting downward from the
through-hole 8b of the connection part 8a is crimped from below.
With this configuration, the rivet 12 is attached to the cover
plate 3 while the rivet 12 is electrically connected to the
connection part 8a of the current collector 8 and is insulated from
the cover plate 3.
[0080] The terminal retainer 13 is a synthetic resin with
insulating properties, like the plastic plate 10 and outer gasket
11. It is to be noted that a reinforced resin material obtained by
uniformly mixing polyphenylene sulfide resin with glass fiber as a
filler, for example, is used as the material for the terminal
retainer 13 in order to make the hardness higher than those of the
plastic plate 10 and outer gasket 11. Alternatively,
polytetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer (PFA)
resin is used instead of polyphenylene sulfide resin. An inorganic
fiber other than glass fiber may be used. However, the material is
not limited to this, and any appropriate material can be selected.
However, the terminal retainer 13 may not have insulating
properties. When aluminum or an aluminum alloy is used as a
material for the case 1, the terminal retainer 13 of the positive
electrode may be non-isolated so that the potential of the positive
electrode may be identical with the potential of the case 1. This
suppresses corrosion of the case 1. When iron or stainless steel is
used as a material for the case 1, the terminal retainer 13 of the
negative electrode may be non-isolated so that the potential of the
negative electrode may be identical with the potential of the case
1. In order for the positive electrode or negative electrode and
the case 1 to have an identical potential, the terminal retainer 13
may comprise a material containing a conductive material (e.g.,
carbon) as well as a filler mixed therein so that the terminal
retainer 13 becomes semi-conductive, for example.
[0081] The terminal retainer 13 is slightly larger than a head 14a
of the terminal bolt 14 and has a rectangular shape. The terminal
retainer 13 includes a surrounding circumferential outer wall part
13a at the outer periphery, which is formed by recessing an upper
surface except for the outer periphery. The terminal retainer 13
includes a recess 13b which can receive the head 14a of the
terminal bolt 14 inside the outer wall part 13a. The terminal
retainer 13 includes a non-circular fitting projection 13c in the
recess 13b. The fitting projection 13c fits in a non-circular
fitting recess (fitting groove) 14e formed in the head 14a of the
terminal bolt 14 while the recess 13b receives the head 14a of the
terminal bolt 14. Accordingly, when the fitting projection 13c in
the recess 13b (i.e., the fitting projection 13c at a lower
position than an upper end surface of the outer wall part 11a in
the recess 13b) fits in the fitting recess 14c of the head 14a of
the terminal bolt 14, the terminal retainer 13 receives the
terminal bolt 14 while the terminal bolt 14 is restrained from
rotating about its axis. It is to be noted that, in the present
embodiment, the fitting recess 14c of the terminal bolt 14 is
formed by cutting out a part extending from one side to the
opposite side and has a rectangular shape. The fitting projection
13c of the terminal retainer 13 is formed to be rectangular so as
to correspond to the rectangular fitting recess 14c.
[0082] A lower surface of the terminal retainer 13 includes a
non-circular projection 13d. In the present embodiment, the
projection 13d is a rectangular projecting surface (raised
surface). A region of the upper surface of the cover plate 3 where
the terminal retainer 13 is arranged includes a non-circular recess
(second recess) 3c which can receive the projection 13d of the
terminal retainer 13. When the projection 13d of the terminal
retainer 13 is inserted into the second recess 3c, the terminal
retainer 13 is restrained from rotating about its axis, like the
outer gasket 11. It is to be noted that, in the present embodiment,
the second recess 3c is formed to be rectangular so as to
correspond to the rectangular projection 13d. The second recess 3c
is formed by coining or the like.
[0083] When the terminal retainer 13 is to be arranged on the upper
surface of the cover plate 3, the lower surface (including a
surface of the projection 13d) of the terminal retainer 13 is
treated by appropriate means so that the glass fiber is exposed at
the lower surface of the terminal retainer 13. A preferred example
of the appropriate means is to mechanically cut off the lower
surface of the terminal retainer 13. For example, the glass fiber
is exposed by cutting the lower surface of the terminal retainer 13
with a file or the like. The projection 13d at the lower surface of
the terminal retainer 13 fits in the second recess 3c at the upper
surface of the cover plate 3, and the terminal retainer 13 is fixed
to the upper surface of the cover plate 3. A method for fixing the
terminal retainer 13 to the cover plate 3 is not particularly
limited. For example, appropriate adhesive means (e.g., an adhesive
film, a liquid adhesive, or a solid adhesive) may be supplied to at
least one of the upper surface (in particular, the second recess
3c) of the cover plate 3 and the lower surface of the terminal
retainer 13, and the terminal retainer 13 may be fixed to the cover
plate 3 via the adhesive means. Although a common adhesive can be
used as the adhesive, an epoxy resin adhesive may preferably be
used. An epoxy resin has poor adhesion to the synthetic resin used
for the terminal retainer 13 but has good adhesion to an inorganic
fiber. Accordingly, the glass fiber exposed at the lower surface of
the terminal retainer 13 allows the terminal retainer 13 to be
firmly bonded to the cover plate 3.
[0084] The terminal bolt 14 is intended to electrically connect the
battery cell to an external device. The terminal bolt 14 is a
conductive metal member with high strength made of iron, steel such
as stainless steel and chromium molybdenum steel, or the like. As
described above, the terminal bolt 14 includes the head 14a sized
to be inserted into the recess 13b of the terminal retainer 13 and
a shaft 14b projecting from an upper surface of the head 14a and
having a male thread at an outer peripheral surface. A lower
surface of the head 14a includes a non-circular fitting recess
(fitting groove) 14c, as described above. Accordingly, when the
fitting projection 13c in the recess 13b fits in the fitting recess
14c, the terminal bolt 14 is insulated from the cover plate 3 and
is supported on the terminal retainer 13 while the shaft 14b is
restrained from rotating about its axis.
[0085] The connecting plate 15 is a rectangular conductive metal
member comprising a copper alloy or the like. A surface of the
connecting plate 15 is subjected to surface treatment such as
plating with nickel, plating with zinc and the like for preventing
rust, improving slipperiness, and other purposes. The connecting
plate 15 includes a first through-hole 15a at one end and a second
through-hole 15b at the other end. The second crimping part 12c of
the rivet 12 is inserted into the first through-hole 15a. The shaft
14b of the terminal bolt 14 is inserted into the second
through-hole 15b. An end portion of the second crimping part 12c of
the rivet 12 which projects upward from the first through-hole 15a
of the connecting plate 15 is crimped from above. With the
crimping, the rivet 12 and connecting plate 15 are integrated.
[0086] It is to be noted that, in the terminal bolt 14, the shaft
14b is simply inserted into the second through-hole 15b of the
connecting plate 15. However, for example, when a crimp contact of
a lead wire of an external device (not shown) fits on the shaft 14b
of the terminal bolt 14, and the shaft 14b of the terminal bolt 14
is fixed with a nut, the terminal bolt 14 is slightly lifted, and
the upper surface of the head 14a comes into pressure contact with
a lower surface of the connecting plate 15. This causes the crimp
contact of the lead wire together with the connecting plate 15 to
be held between the head 14a of the terminal bolt 14 and the nut.
With this configuration, the crimp contact, terminal bolt 14, and
connecting plate 15 are electrically connected to one another with
reliability. Accordingly, the crimp contact of the lead wire is
electrically connected to the electrode assembly 4 via the terminal
bolt 14, connecting plate 15, rivet 12 and current collector 8
which are insulated from the cover plate 3 by the terminal retainer
13, outer gasket 11, and plastic plate 10. This causes the external
device to be electrically connected to the battery cell.
[0087] Additionally, the fitting recess 14c of the head 14a of the
terminal bolt 14 fitting on the fitting projection 13c in the
recess 13b of the terminal retainer 13 fixed on the upper surface
of the cover plate 3 reliably stops the terminal bolt 14 from
rotating together with the nut when the nut is fixed to the shaft
14b of the terminal bolt 14. Even if there is some clearance
between the fitting recess 14c of the head 14a of the terminal bolt
14 and the fitting projection 13c in the recess 13b of the terminal
retainer 13, the terminal bolt 14 only rotates idly by a certain
degree and poses no special problem.
[0088] At this time, since the terminal retainer 13 stops the
terminal bolt 14 from rotating, the terminal retainer 13 receives
rotational torque from the terminal bolt 14. However, the lower
surface of the terminal retainer 13 with the glass fiber exposed is
in intimate contact with the upper surface of the cover plate 3,
and therefore the terminal retainer 13 is fixed with increased
frictional resistance against the cover plate 3. Accordingly, the
terminal retainer 13 is reliably stopped from rotating together
with the terminal bolt 14 due to rotational torque from the
terminal bolt 14. The second recess 3c of the upper surface of the
cover plate 3 and the projection 13d at the lower surface of the
terminal retainer 13 fitting in with each other make the
rotation-stopping effect more remarkable. As described above, since
adhesive means (e.g., an adhesive) is supplied to one of the upper
surface (in particular, the second recess 3c) of the cover plate 3
and the lower surface of the terminal retainer 13, and the terminal
retainer 13 is fixed to the cover plate 3 by the adhesive means,
stopping of rotation is further ensured.
[0089] It is to be noted that if the perimeter of the shaft 14b
(male thread part) of the terminal bolt 14 is smaller, i.e., the
shaft 14b of the terminal bolt 14 has a smaller diameter, and a
synthetic resin such as polyphenylene sulfide resin (PPS) is used
alone as the material for the terminal retainer 13, the terminal
retainer 13 may not withstand rotational torque from the terminal
bolt 14. However, mixing of a synthetic resin with an inorganic
fiber such as glass fiber enhances the strength of the terminal
retainer 13. The mixing also contributes to cost reduction.
[0090] Since the terminal retainer 13 is provided separate from the
outer gasket 11 at the cover plate 3, rotational torque is not
transmitted to the outer gasket 11, which seals up a gap around the
rivet 12. Accordingly, unintentional force is not applied to the
outer gasket 11. Sealing with the outer gasket 11 (more
specifically, sealing between the lower surface of the outer gasket
11 and the upper surface of the cover plate 3 (an upper surface of
the first recess 3b), sealing between an outer peripheral surface
of the annular projection 11d of the outer gasket 11 and an inner
peripheral surface of the through-hole 3a of the cover plate 3 and
an inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 10b of the plastic
plate 10, and sealing between an inner peripheral surface of the
annular projection 11d of the outer gasket 11 and an outer
peripheral surface of the first crimping part 12b of the rivet 12)
is not impaired.
[0091] Rotational torque applied to the shaft 14b of the terminal
bolt 14 is not transmitted to the rivet 12, which is provided
separate from the terminal bolt 14. Accordingly, a situation does
not occur in which rotation of the rivet 12 causes the rivet 12 and
the connection part 8a of the current collector 8 fixed by crimping
to come loose to impair the connection therebetween. Additionally,
unintentional force is not applied to the plastic plate 10 and
outer gasket 11. Further, sealing with the plastic plate 10 and
outer gasket 11 (more specifically, sealing between an upper
surface of the plastic plate 10 and the lower surface of the cover
plate 3, sealing between the lower surface of the outer gasket 11
and the upper surface of the cover plate 3 (the upper surface of
the first recess 3b), sealing between the outer peripheral surface
of the annular projection 11d of the outer gasket 11 and the inner
peripheral surface of the through-hole 3a of the cover plate 3 and
the inner peripheral surface of the through-hole 10b of the plastic
plate 10, and sealing between the inner peripheral surface of the
annular projection 11d of the outer gasket 11 and the outer
peripheral surface of the first crimping part 12b of the rivet 12)
is not impaired.
[0092] The separate provision of the outer gasket 11 and the
terminal retainer 13 allows appropriate selection of a material
with suitable hardness for a sealing member as the material for the
outer gasket 11 and appropriate selection of a material with
sufficient hardness to withstand rotational torque from the
terminal bolt 14 as the material for the terminal retainer 13. More
specifically, since the outer gasket 11 has a greater sealing
effect when the outer gasket 11 deforms elastically to come into
intimate contact with surfaces of the conductive members (the cover
plate 3, current collector 8, and rivet 12), the outer gasket 11 is
required to have a certain degree of flexibility. If the terminal
retainer 13 is highly flexible, rotational torque from the terminal
bolt 14 makes the fitting projection 13c likely to be worn and
chipped. As the wear progresses, the rotation-stopping function of
the terminal bolt 14 is impaired. For this reason, the terminal
retainer 13 is required to have rigidity enough to withstand
rotational torque from the terminal bolt 14.
[0093] The outer gasket 11, because of the elastomer blended
therein, is softer than the cover plate 3 that comprises an
aluminum-based metallic material. Because of this, when the first
crimping part 12b of the rivet 12 is crimped, the outer gasket 11,
rather than the cover plate 3, is elastically deformed. This
prevents the surface of the cover plate 3 from being subjected to
compression stress and (plastically) deformed due to pressing force
from the outer gasket 11, and thus prevents a decrease in flatness.
In addition, since the outer gasket 11 comprises a soft material,
creep is less likely to occur. This prevents a decrease in the
degree of contact between the surface (upper surface) of the cover
plate 3 and the surface (lower surface) of the outer gasket 11 (the
degree of contact between the contact surface of the cover plate 3
and the contact surface of the outer gasket 11), and therefore
reliably produces the sealing effect. This is also applicable to
the plastic plate 10 when the plastic plate 10 has a sealing
function.
[0094] Lithium ion battery cells for use in vehicles or the like,
which are required to have a long life, often employ a gasket
harder than one used in small lithium ion battery cells for a
portable use or the like in order to maintain sealing of the
gasket. Continuous use of a soft gasket in a compressed state
causes creep, which leads to an increased occurrence of
deformation. This makes it impossible to maintain sealing,
resulting in a decrease in cell performance. A correlative
relationship exists between the probability of creep occurrence and
the hardness, and therefore the use of a gasket having a
predetermined or higher hardness ensures sealing over a long time
period. In this respect, the outer gasket 11 preferably has a
Rockwell hardness (R scale) of 55 or more, and more preferably of
110 or more while preferably having a Rockwell hardness (R scale)
of 120 or less, and more preferably of 118 or less. More
specifically, the outer gasket 11 preferably has a Rockwell
hardness (R scale) of 55 or more and 120 or less, more preferably
of 110 or more and 120 or less, and still more preferably of 110 or
more and 118 or less.
[0095] When tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinylether copolymer
(PFA) having a Rockwell hardness (R scale) of 50 was used in a
gasket, it was not provided with sufficient durability. In
contrast, with the use of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin having
a Rockwell hardness (R scale) of 118 blended with an elastomer was
used, the gasket had good durability.
[0096] In the rivet 12 according to the present embodiment, the
dimension in an axial direction of the body 12a is set to be larger
than that of a conventional one so as to prevent or reduce plastic
deformation across the rivet 12 caused by crimping by the first
crimping part 12b and second crimping part 12c. As a result, the
position in height of the connecting plate 15 from the upper
surface of the cover plate 3 is necessarily higher than that in a
conventional terminal structure. The fitting projection 13c of the
terminal retainer 13 according to the present embodiment is a part
which directly receives rotational torque from the terminal bolt 14
when the terminal retainer 13 stops the terminal bolt 14 from
rotating. Accordingly, the fitting projection 13c of the terminal
retainer 13 needs to have a sufficient thickness in a direction of
height so as to have strength enough to withstand rotational
torque. As a result, the position in height of the head 14a of the
terminal bolt 14 is high, and the position in height of the
connecting plate 15 from the upper surface of the cover plate 3 is
also necessarily higher than that in a conventional terminal
structure. For this reason, in the present embodiment, the outer
wall part 11a of the outer gasket 11 is high, and the creepage
distance from the upper surface of the cover plate 3 to the upper
end surface of the outer wall part 11a is long (the ratio of the
creepage distance to the width dimension of the cover plate 3 is
preferably 0.15 to 0.3). The outer wall part 13a of the terminal
retainer 13 is high, and the creepage distance from the upper
surface of the cover plate 3 to an upper end surface of the outer
wall part 13a is long (the ratio of the creepage distance to the
width dimension of the cover plate 3 is preferably 0.15 to
0.3).
[0097] More specifically, the outer wall part 11a of the outer
gasket 11 is formed so as to entirely or substantially entirely
cover the body 12a of the rivet 12 and such that the upper end
surface of the outer wall part 11a is in contact with or is
slightly spaced from the lower surface of the connecting plate 15.
The outer wall part 13a of the terminal retainer 13 is formed so as
to entirely or substantially entirely cover the head 14a of the
terminal bolt 14 and such that the upper end surface of the outer
wall part 13a is in contact with or is slightly spaced from the
lower surface of the connecting plate 15.
[0098] With the above-described configuration, even if the battery
cell is exposed to droplets of water generated by condensation or
the like or a conductive atmosphere (static electricity or dust),
the outer wall part 11a of the outer gasket 11 and the outer wall
part 13a of the terminal retainer 13 serve as covers (or barriers).
This conveniently prevents a short between the cover plate 3 and
the rivet 12 and a short between the cover plate 3 and the terminal
bolt 14.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 9, a space is left between the outer wall
part 11a of the outer gasket 11 and the body 12a of the rivet 12.
More specifically, the recess 11b of the outer gasket 11 has a
rectangular shape, and the body 12a of the rivet 12 has a shape
resulting from a round shape with its four sides cut in conformity
to the shape of the recess 11b of the outer gasket 11. The distance
between opposite ones of the cut off surfaces is designed to be
shorter than the distance between opposite ones of the inner
surfaces of the outer wall part 11a of the outer gasket 11, thereby
leaving a space between the inner surface of the outer wall part
11a of the outer gasket 11 and the cut off surfaces of the body 12a
of the rivet 12.
[0100] This arrangement allows the body 12a of the rivet 12 to be
inserted into the recess 11b of the outer gasket 11 without
interfering with the inner surface of the outer wall part 11a of
the outer gasket 11. This reliably brings the lower end surface of
the body 12a of the rivet 12 into close contact with the bottom
surface of the recess 11b of the outer gasket 11, so that a desired
sealing effect is produced between the outer gasket 11 and the
rivet 12.
[0101] As shown in FIG. 9, the crimping part 12b of the rivet 12
has a hollow portion having a length that does not reach the
position of the lower surface (inner surface) of the cover plate 3.
That is, the top (the innemost portion) of the hollow portion of
the first crimping part 12b of the rivet 12 is arranged to be
located below the lower surface (inner surface) of the cover plate
3 (in an instance in which the cell case 1 is placed so that the
cover plate 3 is positioned upward).
[0102] This arrangement prevents or reduces deformation of the
first crimping part 12b toward the inside of the hollow portion
when the first crimping part 12b of the rivet 12 is crimped, so
that the diameter of the first crimping part 12b can be reliably
enlarged. This increases the pressing force of the first crimping
part, with its diameter enlarged, against the annular projection
11d of the outer gasket 11 (and in turn, the pressing force of the
annular projection 11d of the outer gasket 11 against the
through-hole 3a of the cover plate 3). This results in an increase
in the degree of contact between the outer circumferential surface
of the first crimping part 12b and the inner circumferential
surface of the annular projection 11d of the outer gasket 11 and
the degree of contact between the outer circumferential surface of
the annular projection 11d of the outer gasket 11 and the inner
circumferential surface of the through-hole 3a of the cover plate
3. Thus, the desired sealing effect can be produced in the
region.
[0103] This sealing effect becomes significant in the arrangement
in which: the projection 11e of the outer gasket 11 is in contact
with the lower end surface of the body 12a of the rivet 12 with
intensive pressure while surrounding the through-hole 11c in the
bottom surface of the recess 11b of the outer gasket 11 (i.e.,
surrounding the first crimping part 12b of the rivet 12); and the
other projection 11f of the outer gasket 11 is in contact with the
upper surface (outer surface) of the cover plate 3, more
specifically the flat surface of the first recess 3b formed in the
upper surface of the cover plate 3, with intensive pressure while
surrounding the annular projection 11d on the lower surface of the
outer gasket 11 (i.e., surrounding the through-hole 3a of the cover
plate 3).
[0104] It is noted that an electric storage device according to the
present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment
and that various changes may be made without departing from the
spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0105] The above embodiment has illustrated an example of a battery
cell having a structure in which an external terminal and a current
collector are indirectly connected to each other via an auxiliary
terminal and a connecting conductor, and in which the auxiliary
terminal is arranged on the outer surface of the case via an
insulating sealing member and the external terminal is arranged on
the outer surface of the case via a terminal retainer provided
separately from the insulating sealing member. However, the present
invention is applicable to a battery cell having a structure in
which an insulating sealing member and a terminal retainer are
integrated with each other, and also applicable to the batter cell
described in Patent Document 1 as mentioned above (the battery cell
having a structure in which an external terminal and a current
collector are directly connected to each other).
[0106] The above embodiment has also illustrated an example in
which the entire lower surface of the outer gasket 11 fits in the
first recess 3b in the upper surface of the cover plate 3.
Alternatively, a projection may be formed at the lower surface of
the outer gasket 11, the first recess of the cover plate 3 may be
sized to receive the projection, and the projection of the outer
gasket 11 may fit in the first recess, as with the case of the
terminal retainer 13.
[0107] The above embodiment has also illustrated an example in
which the projection 13d is formed in the lower surface of the
terminal retainer 13, the second recess 3c sized to receive the
projection 13d is formed in the upper surface of the cover plate 3,
and the projection 13d of the terminal retainer 13 fits in the
second recess 3c of the cover plate 3. Alternatively, the
projection 13d may not be formed, the second recess of the cover
plate 3 may be sized to receive the entire lower surface of the
terminal retainer 13, and the entire lower surface of the terminal
retainer 13 may fit in the second recess, as with the case of the
outer gasket 11.
[0108] Alternatively, the first recess 3b may not be formed in the
cover plate 3, so that the outer gasket 11 may be arranged at a
flat part of the upper surface of the cover plate 3. The second
recess 3c may not be formed in the cover plate 3, so that the
terminal retainer 13 may be arranged at a flat part of the upper
surface of the cover plate 3.
[0109] It is preferred, however, that the cover plate 3 have the
first recess 3b and second recess 3c because they can increase the
moment of area of the cover plate 3, which results in enhancement
of the mechanical strength of the cover plate 3. In this case,
reducing the size of one of the first recess 3b and the second
recess 3c increases the distance between the first recess 3b and
the second recess 3c. This prevents the first recess 3b and second
recess 3c from affecting each other. The above embodiment has
illustrated an example in which the first recess 3b for the outer
gasket 11 is larger than the second recess 3c for the terminal
retainer 13. This configuration is adopted on the ground that the
flatness and mechanical strength of the cover plate 3 increase with
an increase in the area of the first recess 3b, which results in an
increase in sealing effect and durability.
[0110] For either the outer gasket 11 or the terminal retainer 13,
the number of projections is not limited to one, and a plurality of
projections may be formed. The outer gasket 11 and terminal
retainer 13 need not be rectangular. For example, the outer gasket
11 and terminal retainer 13 may be circular, hexagonal, or
octagonal.
[0111] The above embodiment has illustrated an example in which the
current collector 8 for the positive electrode and the rivet 12 for
the positive electrode comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy
while the current collector 8 for the negative electrode and the
rivet 12 for the negative electrode comprises copper or a copper
alloy. However, any materials may be used as long as the materials
are conductive metallic materials appropriate to the type of a
battery cell. The above embodiment has also illustrated the
materials for the terminal bolt 14 and connecting plate 15.
However, any materials may be used as long as the materials are
conductive metallic materials whose properties such as strength and
conductivity are appropriate.
[0112] The above embodiment has illustrated an example in which the
shaft (male thread part) 14b projects from the upper surface of the
head 14a of the terminal bolt 14. However, a shaft in an
appropriate form such as a circular or polygonal tube may project
instead of the male thread part, and a threaded hole may be formed
in an upper end surface of the shaft.
[0113] The electrode assembly is not limited to one of the winding
type in the form of an elliptic cylinder as described in the above
embodiment. The electrode assembly may have any other shape and may
be one of the stacking type.
[0114] The above embodiment has illustrated an example in which the
case 1 comprises an aluminum alloy, steel, or the like. However,
any material may be used for the case 1 (the case body 2 and cover
plate 3). Accordingly, a material other than metal, such as an
insulating material, can be used. The shape and structure of the
case 1 (the case body 2 and cover plate 3) are not limited to those
described in the above embodiment, and any shape and structure may
be adopted.
[0115] The above embodiment has illustrated an example in which the
terminal structures 9 are arranged at the cover plate 3. However,
the terminal structures 9 may be arranged at the case body 2.
[0116] In the above embodiment, the terminal retainer 13, the outer
gasket 11 and the plastic plate 10 are each made of a material
having insulating properties to provide insulation between the
terminal bolt 14 and the cover plate 3. However, the present
invention is not limited to this. For example, when the defining
wall of the case 1 and the electrode assembly 14 are electrically
connected to each other via the rivet 12, the terminal retainer 13,
the outer gasket 11, or the plastic plate may have electrical
conductivity. As a method to give electrical conductivity to the
terminal retainer 13, the outer gasket 11, or the plastic plate 10,
a material having electrical conductivity such as carbon may be
mixed with synthetic resin. Alternatively, the outer gasket 11 and
the plastic plate 10 may not be provided, and the rivet 12 and the
cover plate may be in direct contact with each other.
[0117] The above embodiment has been described in the context of a
lithium ion secondary battery cell. However, the type and size
(capacity) of a battery cell may be arbitrarily selected.
[0118] The present invention is not limited to lithium ion
secondary battery cells and can also be applied to various
secondary battery cells, primary battery cells, and capacitors such
as an electric double layer capacitor.
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