Abstract: A square shaped battery includes: an electrode plate group including a belt-like positive electrode plate, a belt-like negative electrode plate, and a belt-like separator, the belt-like positive electrode plate, the belt-like negative electrode plate, and the belt-like separator being laminated and rolled up to form the electrode plate group; and a pair of power collectors disposed on sides of the electrode plate group for collecting electric power from the electrode plate group.

Abstract: A method for producing a nickel metal-hydride storage battery includes: (i) assembling a battery by enclosing the positive electrodes, the negative electrodes, separators, and an electrolyte in a case; (ii) charging the battery with electric current in a range of 0.05 C (ampere) to 0.2 C (ampere) until a state of charge rises to a range of 10% to 30%; (iii) overcharging the battery that has been subjected to the charging, with electric current in a range of 0.2 C (ampere) to 1 C (ampere), and thereafter discharging the same until the state of charge lowers to 10% or below; and (iv) subjecting the battery after overcharging to a plurality of charging-discharging cycles, each charging-discharging cycle being composed of charging the battery that has been subjected to the overcharging, with electric current in a range of 0.2 C (ampere) to 5 C (ampere) until the state of charge rises to a range of 60% to 95%, and discharging the same until a battery voltage lowers to a range of 0.70 V to 1.05 V.

Abstract: After joining strips of lead plates in a lengthwise direction to a strip of porous metal sheet having a three-dimensional structure, the metal sheet is rolled entirely or in the vicinity of the lead plates. The porous metal sheet is then cut into several electrode substrates, which are coated with active materials and further cut into several electrode plates having a lead plate on one side thereof.

Abstract: In each of the cells of a battery module, multiple positive electrode plates and multiple negative electrode plates are layered, each of the cells has short lateral walls and long lateral walls intervening separators are provided between the positive and negative electrodes, parallel to the long lateral walls of prismatic cell cases. Lateral edge portions of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the group of negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edge portions of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side. The cells are arranged side by side with adjacent short lateral walls that are integral with each other. Upper open ends of the cell cases are integrally closed with a single lid member.

Abstract: An alkaline storage battery of the present invention has a negative electrode comprising an AB5 type hydrogen storage alloy containing at least nickel as B element. The hydrogen storage alloy contains 1.5 to 5.0% by weight of a magnetic substance comprising metallic nickel. The above-mentioned alkaline storage battery can effect high output from the initial stage of charging and discharging cycles.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells accommodating an electrode plate group and an electrolyte, and a single integrated battery case for accommodating the plurality of cells. The ratio of the component resistance including the connecting resistance between the cells to the reactive resistance of the electrode plate group and the electrolyte in each cell, is set in the range of 1:99-40:60 at a temperature of 25° C. Thereby, the internal resistance per cell is reduced, and higher power output and improved service life characteristics are achieved.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery that achieves excellent filing characteristics for an active material for the positive electrode and longer lifetime of the battery is provided. The method includes a first process of filling a paste of the active material for the positive electrode in a first porous metal sheet provided with a plurality of oblate pores whose major axes are arranged substantially in one direction, and a second process of pressing the first porous metal sheet that has undergone the first process using a roller press such that the one direction and a direction of a rotation axis of a roller in the roller press substantially are parallel, so as to produce a positive electrode sheet provided with a second porous metal sheet.

Abstract: A plurality of cells each encased in prismatic cell cases having short lateral walls and long lateral walls are arranged side by side, with adjacent short lateral walls being integral with each other, thereby constituting an integral battery case. The upper open ends of the plurality of prismatic cell cases are integrally closed by a single lid member. Each of the cells accommodates therein a group of electrodes stacked alternately upon one another parallel to the long lateral walls of the cell cases with intervening separators therebetween. Neighboring cells are connected in series at their abutting lateral opposite ends with each other.

Abstract: An integrated battery case 2 is made by coupling together a plurality of cell cases 3 into an integral body, open ends of the cell cases 3 being closed integrally with a lid member 4. Communicating paths 37 for communicating a suitable number of neighboring cell cases 3 with one another are provided in the lid member 4, whereby the cell cases 3 have a uniform internal pressure.

Abstract: A sealed rechargeable battery module wherein a safety vent device is provided to release the internal pressure of the battery when the pressure has reached a predetermined value. The safety vent device includes a valve case formed with a vent and a sealing protrusion surrounding this vent. A valve body inserted in the valve case includes a sealing portion that is brought in tight contact with the sealing protrusion, a rigid holder for supporting the sealing portion, a and a resilient portion for pressing the rigid holder toward the vent. A valve cover is formed with apertures for closing the upper open end of the valve case. In a state, the resilient portion of the valve body is compressed.

Abstract: A hydrogen-absorption alloy electrode includes, as a principal material, particles of a hydrogen-absorption alloy containing a rare earth element, Ni, Co, Al and Mn and leads to reduced deviation in battery characteristics after charging/discharging cycles by having the size distribution of the alloy particles limited such that d90/d10≦8 and d90−d10≦50 &mgr;m, where di (where i varies from 0 to 100) means a particle size at which cumulative size frequency with respect to the entire particles is i%.

Abstract: A method for producing a nickel metal-hydride storage battery includes: (i) assembling a battery by enclosing the positive electrodes, the negative electrodes, separators, and an electrolyte in a case; (ii) charging the battery with electric current in a range of 0.05 C (ampere) to 0.2 C (ampere) until a state of charge rises to a range of 10% to 30%; (iii) overcharging the battery that has been subjected to the charging, with electric current in a range of 0.2 C (ampere) to 1 C (ampere), and thereafter discharging the same until the state of charge lowers to 10% or below; and (iv) subjecting the battery after overcharging to a plurality of charging-discharging cycles, each charging-discharging cycle being composed of charging the battery that has been subjected to the overcharging, with electric current in a range of 0.2 C (ampere) to 5 C (ampere) until the state of charge rises to a range of 60% to 95% , and discharging the same until a battery voltage lowers to a range of 0.70 V to 1.05 V.

Abstract: Disclosed is an active material for constituting a nickel electrode for alkaline storage batteries which has a high utilization at high ambient temperatures and therefore realizes a battery of higher energy density and a longer cycle life. The nickel electrode active material comprises a nickel hydroxide powder prepared from nickel sulfate and contains SO42− at 0.4 wt % or less in the crystal of the powder. The nickel hydroxide is preferably solid solution nickel hydroxide incorporating therein at least one element selected from the group consisting of cobalt, cadmium, zinc and magnesium.

Abstract: A positive electrode plate for alkaline storage battery that does not swell very much even after repeated charge-discharge cycles and can be manufactured easily, a method for manufacturing the same, and an alkaline storage battery using the same are provided. A conductive support (nickel foam) and an active material (nickel hydroxide particles) that is supported by the support are provided. An intermediate part of a positive electrode plate has a larger porosity than surface parts thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an electrode for a battery by filling an active material into a three-dimensional porous metal substrate sheet and cutting said sheet to a certain size, comprising the steps of: pressing the portion to be cut and the periphery thereof in the substrate sheet; coating the portion to be cut and the periphery thereof in the substrate sheet with a resin; and/or impregnating the portion to be cut and the periphery thereof in the substrate sheet with a liquid containing a resin component, in addition to the steps of: filling an active material into the substrate sheet; and cutting the substrate sheet at the portion to be cut. This method prevents the occurrence of burrs and cuttings while the sheet is being cut and the coming off of the active material, thereby suppressing internal short circuit of the battery. As a result, a battery hardly suffering from a deterioration in preservation performance and charge-discharge cycle life can be obtained.

Abstract: A battery module includes a plurality of cells accommodating an electrode plate group and an electrolyte, and a single integrated battery case for accommodating the plurality of cells. The ratio of the component resistance including the connecting resistance between the cells to the reactive resistance of the electrode plate group and the electrolyte in each cell, is set in the range of 1:99-40:60 at a temperature of 25° C. Thereby, the internal resistance per cell is reduced, and higher power output and improved service life characteristics are achieved.

Abstract: Disclosed is an active material for constituting a nickel electrode for alkaline storage batteries which has a high utilization at high ambient temperatures and therefore realizes a battery of higher energy density and a longer cycle life. The nickel electrode active material comprises a nickel hydroxide powder prepared from nickel sulfate and contains SO42− at 0.4 wt % or less in the crystal of the powder. The nickel hydroxide is preferably solid solution nickel hydroxide incorporating therein at least one element selected from the group consisting of cobalt, cadmium, zinc and magnesium.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for cooling assembled batteries comprising rechargeable batteries and intends to avoid temperature dispersion among single cells and hence avoid dispersion of battery performance. A module battery 10 is so constructed that convex portions 8 provided on the battery container 2 of the single cells 7 come in contact with each other creating by recessed portion 9 a space 11 in the vertical direction between single cells 7. The module battery 10 is banded by means of aluminum plates 12 and iron bands 13 with the single cells 7 at both ends forced inwardly. The module batteries are placed sideways with the terminals facing the same direction and the cooling medium flows toward the surface where the electrode poles are provided.

Abstract: An alkaline storage battery having excellent self-discharge characteristics even after a number of charge-discharge cycles is provided. The alkaline storage battery is provided with a case and an electrode group enclosed in the case, and a separator that is included in the electrode group retains at least 15 mg/cm2 of an electrolyte at least in a period after assembling the battery, from the time the separator is impregnated with the electrolyte to the time the battery is activated.

Abstract: A rectangular alkaline storage battery includes a plurality of rectangular positive electrode plates, negative electrode plates, and separators. The positive and negative electrode plates are layered alternately via the separators, resulting in a group of electrode plates. The group of electrode plates, together with an alkaline electrolyte, is housed in a rectangular container. In the battery, internal resistance is 5 m&OHgr; or less, the electrode plate group thickness is 30 mm or less, and the amount of electrolyte is 1.3 to 8.0 g/Ah. This can achieve a rectangular alkaline storage battery that provides the optimum balance in the quantity of heat generation, heat release, and heat accumulation, high power, and excellent battery characteristics even when charged/discharged repeatedly and used for a long time.