Abstract: A plurality of cells (1a to 1j) are abutted against each other and electrically connected on the short sides of rectangular battery housings (2), and binding plates (14, 14) disposed on both long sides are tied together with binding bands (13) to integrally link the cells (1a to 1j). Because the heat radiation conditions are equalized among the cells (1a to 1j), there is an extremely small temperature differential between the cells, charging efficiency, which varies with temperature conditions, is consistent, and there is no variance in battery capacity, so none of the cells are over-discharged, and battery life is extended.

Abstract: An alkaline secondary battery has a positive electrode plate having a predetermined shape, formed from a long-shaped electrode substrate. A manufacturing method thereof comprises an impurity detecting step for applying X-rays to the electrode substrate to acquire a transmitted image, and detecting based on the transmitted image whether a metal impurity particle made of a metal dissolved at a positive electrode potential and deposited at a negative electrode potential exists in the electrode substrate. The method includes a marking step for, when the metal impurity particle exists, applying a marking indicative of its particle-existing portion on the electrode substrate.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.

Abstract: A plurality of cells (1a to 1j) are abutted against each other and electrically connected on the short sides of rectangular battery housings (2), and binding plates (14, 14) disposed on both long sides are tied together with binding bands (13) to integrally link the cells (1a to 1j). Because the heat radiation conditions are equalized among the cells (1a to 1j), there is an extremely small temperature differential between the cells, charging efficiency, which varies with temperature conditions, is consistent, and there is no variance in battery capacity, so none of the cells are over-discharged, and battery life is extended.

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.

Abstract: A plurality of cells (1a to 1j) are abutted against each other and electrically connected on the short sides of rectangular battery housings (2), and binding plates (14, 14) disposed on both long sides are tied together with binding bands (13) to integrally link the cells (1a to 1j). Because the heat radiation conditions are equalized among the cells (1a to 1j), there is an extremely small temperature differential between the cells, charging efficiency, which varies with temperature conditions, is consistent, and there is no variance in battery capacity, so none of the cells are over-discharged, and battery life is extended.

Abstract: A sheet separator is so arranged as to cover both surfaces of an electrode plate, and a heating plate is applied along a to-be-bonded edge of the separator, thereby achieving bonding by thermal welding. The heating plate has a width corresponding to a width of a bonded portion of the separator. Then, by pressing a protrusion of the heating plate or a heating plate for cutting against substantially the central part of the bonded portion, local heat transfer takes place to sublime a resin component, whereby the separator is cut off. Thereupon, the pouch-shaped separator is attached to the electrode plate.

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: A method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a battery includes the following: the regions on both sides of and close to a portion of an electrode sheet to be cut are each fixed between the cutting edges of a pair of upper and lower cutting dies, i.e., the cutting edges of the adjacent cutting dies are in contact with only the regions on both sides of and close to the portion to be cut; two adjacent pairs of upper and lower cutting dies on both sides of the portion to be cut are moved in opposite directions (upward and downward), and thus the electrode sheet is cut at the portion to be cut, resulting in nickel electrode plates having a width of 50 mm and length of 100 mm. This method can suppress the adhesion of fragments to the electrode plate surface and the generation of burrs, thereby reducing the short-circuit failure between the electrode plates incorporated into a battery.

Abstract: In a sealed battery pack comprising a plurality of serially disposed cells in which power generating elements are housed in prismatic cell cases and the openings thereof are sealed, the plurality of serially disposed cells are housed in a cooling box, and the top openings in the cooling box and the openings in the various cell cases of the cells are sealed by integrating lids. Coolant passages on both sides between the side surfaces of the cells and the side walls on both sides of the cooling box in the cell arrangement direction, and coolant passages between the cases of the cells are formed so as to communicate with each other, so that all of the side surfaces of the cells are forcibly cooled by a coolant.

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 charge control apparatus for a battery pack having a cooling structure includes: a refrigerant temperature sensor for detecting a refrigerant temperature of a refrigerant which cools the battery pack; a battery temperature sensor for detecting a battery temperature of the battery pack; an ambient temperature sensor for detecting an ambient temperature of the battery pack; and a control section for controlling the charge of the battery pack, based on the refrigerant temperature detected by the refrigerant temperature sensor, the battery temperature detected by the battery temperature sensor and the ambient temperature detected by the ambient temperature sensor.

Abstract: In an integrated sealed secondary battery 1 in which a plurality of cells 2 are arranged in a row, cooling medium passages 21 are formed on both sides of the row of the cells 2, and cooling medium passages 18 are formed between adjacent cells such as to effect communication between the cooling medium passages 21, 21 on both sides. The cross-sectional areas of the cooling medium passages 21, 21 on both sides are made different so as to generate pressure difference at both ends of the cooling medium passages 18 between the cases. The cooling medium passages 21 on both sides are formed in a meandering manner by the provision of projection strips that extend alternately downwards from the top wall and upwards from the bottom wall of the cooling medium passages 21.

Abstract: A sheet-like separator is so arranged as to cover both surfaces of an electrode plate, and a heating plate is applied along a to-be-bonded edge of the separator, thereby achieving bonding by thermal welding. The heating plate has a width corresponding to a width of a bonded portion of the separator. Then, by pressing a protrusion of the heating plate or a heating plate for cutting against substantially the central part of the bonded portion, local heat transfer takes place to sublime a resin component, whereby the separator is cut off. Thereupon, the pouch-shaped separator is attached to the electrode plate.

Abstract: An integrated sealed secondary battery in which a plurality of cells are arranged in a row, cooling medium passages are formed on both sides on the row of the cell, and cooling medium passages are formed between adjacent cells such as to effect communication between the cooling medium passages on both sides.

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 method for manufacturing an electrode plate for a battery includes the following: the regions on both sides of and close to a portion of an electrode sheet to be cut are each fixed between the cutting edges of a pair of upper and lower cutting dies, i.e., the cutting edges of the adjacent cutting dies are in contact with only the regions on both sides of and close to the portion to be cut; two adjacent pairs of upper and lower cutting dies on both sides of the portion to be cut are moved in opposite directions (upward and downward), and thus the electrode sheet is cut at the portion to be cut, resulting in nickel electrode plates having a width of 50 mm and length of 100 mm. This method can suppress the adhesion of fragments to the electrode plate surface and the generation of burrs, thereby reducing the short-circuit failure between the electrode plates incorporated into a battery.

Abstract: A sealed secondary battery assembly in which electricity-generating elements (1) are accommodated in battery cases (3) formed in rectangular tubular shape having a bottom, a plurality of cells (2a to 2j) constituted by sealing the apertures of battery cases (3) by covers (4) are arranged in series, and these are electrically connected by means of electrical connecting elements (9), wherein the battery cases (3) of the individual cells (2a to 2j) are constituted by a unitary battery case (51) and electrical connection elements (9) are arranged so as to pass through partition sections (53, 54) that define the space for the individual cells (2a to 2j), and coolant passages (55, 56) that communicate with the outside are formed in the partition sections (53, 54).

Abstract: A workpiece, in which a lead is laid on top of a three-dimensional porous metal body, is placed between an ultrasonic horn and an anvil with a lead portion facing the ultrasonic horn. A support is raised so that the lead portion of the workpiece is pressed between the ultrasonic horn and the anvil. While being rotated around a central shaft with a motor, the ultrasonic horn vibrates at a frequency of 20 kHz in the shaft direction. Thus, the workpiece is advanced continuously, so that the lead is bonded ultrasonically to the three-dimensional porous metal body (i.e., metal-to-metal bonding is established). It is possible to provide a battery electrode that can be produced continuously at a lower running cost, reduce the faulty welding with a current collecting plate, and prevent short-circuits.