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: A battery which has undergone initial charging and discharging is placed inside a sealed vessel, which is evacuated by a vacuum pump. After this evacuated state has been maintained for a while, the density of hydrogen gas within the sealed vessel is measured by a hydrogen density sensor, based on which the presence or absence of a gas escape from the battery is determined. The battery may be heated instead of subjecting it to charging and discharging.

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 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: Positive and negative electrode plates 2, 3 are alternately stacked upon one another with intervening separators 4 to constitute an electrode plate group 1. The respective electrode plates are laterally offset so that side edges of the electrode plates protrude on the opposite sides. Collector plates 5, 6 are perpendicularly welded to the side edges of the electrode plates 2, 3 on both sides of the electrode plate group 1. Loose ends 3c, 3e of the outermost negative electrode plates 3b, 3d that are not welded to the collector plate are secured to the electrode plate group by a holding tape 7.

Abstract: A method for recycling a battery pack is provided that enables a degraded battery pack to be replaced at a low cost while maintaining the advantages of a conventional sealed-type nickel-metal hydride secondary battery as being free from maintenance or leak of an electrolyte. The battery pack accommodates a battery module having a plurality of cells, which are a sealed-type nickel-metal hydride secondary battery, combined with each other. When the battery pack is judged as being degraded in a market, the battery pack is collected from the market as a battery to be replaced; a cell or battery module judged as being degraded is renewed by adding an electrolyte thereto; the battery module is installed in the battery pack again; and the battery pack is supplied as a replacement battery.

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: 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: In a method of inspecting batteries for short circuit failures, an electrode plate group 1 composed of positive and negative electrode plates 2, 3 with intervening separators 4 interposed therebetween is set on a pressing station 7, where it is compressed during short-circuiting inspection is performed, for simulating a state wherein separators are compressed by swelling electrode plates 2, 3 during charging and discharging of battery.

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 battery pack is constructed with a plurality of battery modules. Each battery module comprises a plurality of prismatic cell cases having short lateral walls and long lateral walls and respectively accommodating elements for electromotive force, these cells being mutually coupled sharing their short lateral walls as partition walls, thereby constituting an integral battery case. Electrode terminals of positive and negative polarities are arranged at longitudinal opposite ends of the integral battery case. Projections and indentations for positioning the plurality of battery modules when coupling them together with their long side faces abutted each other to constitute the battery pack are formed substantially in the center of given cell cases positioned symmetrical with respect to the centerline in the lengthwise direction of the battery module.

Abstract: Connection structure of a battery unit for connecting respective terminals of a plurality of cells that are encased in cell cases, wherein positive and negative terminals of the cells respectively extend through the cell cases. The connecting structure includes coupling plates screwed on the respective terminals of the plurality of cells for electrically connecting the terminals of opposite polarity with each other. Covering members are provided which are made from an elastic material for covering the periphery of the terminals and coupling plates in such a manner that they are sealed with respect to the exterior of the battery unit. The covering members include tubular sections which are pressed against surfaces of the cell cases about the periphery of the terminals utilizing the coupling plates. Annular clamping sections which are formed on an inner circumference of the tubular sections. The annular clamping sections are clamped between the coupling plates and fixing washers for fixing the terminals.

Abstract: Positive and negative electrode plates 2, 3 are alternately stacked upon one another with intervening separators 4 to constitute an electrode plate group 1. The respective electrode plates are laterally offset so that side edges of the electrode plates protrude on the opposite sides. Collector plates 5, 6 are perpendicularly welded to the side edges of the electrode plates 2, 3 on both sides of the electrode plate group 1. Loose ends 3c, 3e of the outermost negative electrode plates 3b, 3d that are not welded to the collector plate are secured to the electrode plate group by a holding tape 7.

Abstract: An electrode plate unit capable of suppressing the internal short circuit caused by flashing that is formed on the end portion of a positive electrode plate and a battery using the same. The electrode plate unit includes a group of electrode plates in which a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates are laminated alternately via separators, a positive electrode collector plate connected to one side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the positive electrode plate, and a negative electrode collector plate connected to another side face of the group of electrode plates for connection to the negative electrode plate, wherein the edge portion of the positive electrode plate is protruded from the edge portion of the negative electrode plate on the entire side face excluding the side face to which the negative electrode collector plate of the group of electrode plates is connected.

Abstract: A battery module is constructed with a plurality of prismatic cells. Each cell comprises a prismatic cell case having short lateral walls and long lateral walls, a group of electrode plates constituted by laminating a plurality of positive and negative electrode plates parallel to the long lateral walls of the cell case with intervening separators therebetween, and collector plates of positive and negative polarities, respectively bonded to the positive and negative electrode plates at lateral opposite ends of the group of electrode plates. Connection projections are formed on the collector plates, these being fitted into corresponding holes in the short lateral walls of the cell case, whereby the collector plates are fixed on the short lateral walls of the cell case.

Abstract: In a method of inspecting batteries for short circuit failures, an electrode plate group 1 composed of positive and negative electrode plates 2, 3 with intervening separators 4 interposed therebetween is set on a pressing station 7, where it is compressed during short-circuiting inspection is performed, for simulating a state wherein separators are compressed by swelling electrode plates 2, 3 during charging and discharging of battery.