JP6680484B2 - Metal-air batteries, metal-air batteries, and mobiles - Google Patents

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a metal-air battery including a housing that houses a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a metal-air assembled battery in which a plurality of metal-air batteries are connected, and a moving body including the metal-air battery.

  In recent years, various batteries using a chemical reaction of metal for electrodes have been put into practical use, and one of them is a metal-air battery. A metal-air battery is composed of an air electrode (positive electrode), a fuel electrode (negative electrode), an electrolyte (or an electrolytic solution), and the like, and undergoes an electrochemical reaction to produce zinc, iron, magnesium, aluminum, sodium, calcium, The electric energy obtained in the process of converting metal such as lithium and metal oxide into metal oxide is extracted and used.

  For example, in a metal-air battery using zinc as a fuel electrode, the following reactions occur at the fuel electrode and the air electrode during discharge. At the fuel electrode, zinc reacts with hydroxide ions to generate zinc hydroxide, and the emitted electrons flow to the air electrode. The produced zinc hydroxide is decomposed into zinc oxide and water, and water returns to the electrolytic solution. On the other hand, in the air electrode, oxygen contained in the air and electrons flowing from the fuel electrode react with water by the air electrode catalyst to be converted into hydroxide ions. The hydroxide ion conducts ions in the electrolytic solution and reaches the fuel electrode. By such a cycle, the metal-air battery utilizes oxygen taken in from the air electrode to realize continuous extraction of electric power while forming zinc oxide using zinc in the fuel electrode as a fuel.

  In a general battery, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and an electrolyte necessary for a reaction are built in a battery (cell), and electric power is taken out from the built-in substance. On the other hand, as described above, the metal-air battery does not contain oxygen, which is the positive electrode active material, in the cell, so that the energy density can be increased by increasing the ratio of other materials. The theoretical energy density may be higher than that of a lithium-ion battery, and at present, a metal-air battery has already been put to practical use in applications such as button batteries (primary batteries) for hearing aids. On the other hand, various studies have been made on secondary batteries, but in the case of, for example, a two-pole system, even if the fuel electrode is regenerated by charging, the air electrode is oxidized and consumed, and the service life is shortened. However, it has not been put to practical use due to problems such as difficulty in realizing an inexpensive air electrode suitable for charge / discharge reaction.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem of charging, a three-pole type metal-air battery using a third electrode without using an air electrode during charging has been studied (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The rechargeable air battery described in Patent Document 1 is of a three-pole type including an auxiliary electrode in addition to the air electrode and the metal electrode. Specifically, the configuration is as shown in the cross-sectional view of the main part of the conventional rechargeable air battery of FIG. 25. The rechargeable air battery 910 includes a case 913 containing an electrolytic solution 916 and a case 913. The air electrode 911 provided on the side surface, the metal electrode 912 and the auxiliary electrode 915 arranged in the electrolytic solution 916 constitute a battery unit, and the battery unit is connected to the photoelectric conversion unit 918 and the load 917 provided outside the battery unit. Has been done. The load 917 is connected between the air electrode 911 and the metal electrode 912, and electric power is supplied by the discharge reaction in the battery unit. The photoelectric conversion unit 918 is connected between the metal electrode 912 and the auxiliary electrode 915, and the diode 914 is provided between the photoelectric conversion unit 918 and the auxiliary electrode 915. When the photoelectric conversion unit 918 is irradiated with light, a voltage is applied to cause a charging reaction between the metal electrode 912 and the auxiliary electrode 915, and the metal electrode 912 is charged.

  Further, as a method different from the three-pole system, a mechanical charge (mechanical charging) in which the fuel electrode is wholly replaced is also under consideration (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). The metal-air battery case described in Patent Document 2 is provided with a metal part that has air as a positive electrode and serves as a negative electrode, a housing in which a doorway through which the metal part can pass is formed, And a storage section for storing the section.

JP, 2000-133328, A JP 2004-362869 A

  In the metal-air battery, since the case (case) contains the electrolytic solution, there is a concern that the electrolytic solution may leak out of the case. In particular, the above-mentioned three-pole secondary battery requires an opening for discharging oxygen gas generated inside during charging, and therefore, the electrolyte solution easily leaks due to the structure of the metal-air battery. There is.

  By the way, in recent years, metal-air batteries have been used for various purposes, such as various robots for monitoring, nursing, and cleaning, electric vehicles, electric wheelchairs for nursing, electric standing motorcycles, and electric vehicles such as electric assisted bicycles. It is installed as a power source for. In a moving body equipped with a metal-air battery, there is a possibility that the electrolyte may leak due to the inclination of the road surface, vibration during traveling, and the like, and it is an important issue to deal with this.

  In addition, since the weight of a battery or the like in a moving body as a whole is generally large, if the center of gravity of the battery installed in the moving body is high, driving may become unstable or the vehicle may fall over while moving. There is a problem to do.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides a metal-air battery, a metal-air assembled battery, and a moving body that can prevent defects due to inclination such as tipping and leakage of electrolyte. The purpose is to

The metal-air battery according to the present invention includes an air electrode that is a positive electrode, a fuel electrode that is a negative electrode, an electrolyte that serves as a medium for a current flowing between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, the air electrode, and the fuel electrode. And a housing for containing the electrolytic solution, wherein a horizontal width of the housing is a width of the housing with the air intake surface on which the air electrode is installed as a front surface. And the width in the height direction is the housing height, and the width in the depth direction perpendicular to the height direction is the housing depth, the housing is obtained by dividing the housing height by the housing width. A first aspect ratio, which is a value, and a second aspect ratio, which is a value obtained by dividing the height of the housing by the depth of the housing, are preset, and are provided between the air electrode and the fuel electrode. the drawn from the upper surface of the housing to the lower surface, and dividing the space between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, In the planar direction of the serial air electrode, characterized in that it comprises a partition wall for blocking the flow of the electrolyte.

  In the metal-air battery according to the present invention, the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio may be 0.2 or more.

  In the metal-air battery according to the present invention, the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio may be set to 0.35 or more.

  In the metal-air battery according to the present invention, the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio may be 1.3 or less.

  In the metal-air battery according to the present invention, the first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio may be 1.0 or less.

The metal-air battery according to the present invention includes an air electrode that is a positive electrode, a fuel electrode that is a negative electrode, an electrolyte that serves as a medium for a current flowing between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, the air electrode, and the fuel electrode. , And a housing for housing the electrolytic solution, wherein, in the housing, in the height direction of the electrolytic solution, the air intake surface on which the air electrode is installed is the front surface. And the liquid level height, when the height in the height direction of the air electrode and the fuel electrode is the electrode height, the liquid level is smaller than the electrode height, the housing, It is provided between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, extends from the upper surface to the lower surface of the housing, divides the space between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and in the plane direction of the air electrode, It is characterized by having a partition wall for blocking the flow of the electrolytic solution.

  In the metal-air battery according to the present invention, the liquid level ratio may be 1.04 or more when the liquid level ratio is a value obtained by dividing the electrode height by the liquid level height.

  In the metal-air battery according to the present invention, when the value obtained by dividing the electrode height by the liquid level height is defined as the liquid level ratio, the liquid level ratio may be 1.07 or more.

  The metal-air battery according to the present invention may have a configuration including an auxiliary electrode.

  The metal-air assembled battery according to the present invention is a metal-air assembled battery provided with a plurality of the metal-air batteries according to the present invention, wherein the plurality of metal-air batteries are arranged such that the front surfaces of the adjacent metal-air batteries face each other. Characterized by being arranged.

In the metal-air assembled battery according to the present invention, the width in the horizontal direction is the assembled battery width, the width in the height direction is the assembled battery height, and the width in the depth direction perpendicular to the height direction is the assembled battery depth, When the first assembled battery aspect ratio , which is a value obtained by dividing the assembled battery height by the assembled battery width, and the second assembled battery aspect ratio , which is a value obtained by dividing the assembled battery height by the assembled battery depth , The first assembled battery aspect ratio and the second assembled battery aspect ratio may be 1.3 or less.

In the metal-air assembled battery according to the present invention, the width in the horizontal direction is the assembled battery width, the width in the height direction is the assembled battery height, and the width in the depth direction perpendicular to the height direction is the assembled battery depth, When the first assembled battery aspect ratio , which is a value obtained by dividing the assembled battery height by the assembled battery width, and the second assembled battery aspect ratio , which is a value obtained by dividing the assembled battery height by the assembled battery depth , The first assembled battery aspect ratio and the second assembled battery aspect ratio may be set to 1.0 or less.

  The moving body according to the present invention is characterized by including the metal-air battery or the metal-air assembled battery according to the present invention.

  In the moving body according to the present invention, the air intake surface of the metal-air battery may be in the same direction as the traveling direction or in the opposite direction.

  According to the present invention, by appropriately setting the housing width, the housing height, and the housing depth according to the aspect ratio, it is possible to prevent a failure caused by the tilt of the metal-air battery such as a fall or a leakage of the electrolytic solution. be able to.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of a switching apparatus typically. It is a block diagram which shows the connection state of the switching part in charge mode. It is a block diagram which shows the connection state of the switching part in discharge mode. It is a block diagram which shows the connection state of the switching part in a power generation mode. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the battery cell which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the housing | casing upper part of FIG. It is the schematic side view seen from the side of the 1st loading side surface of FIG. It is the schematic side view seen from the side of the 2nd loading side surface of FIG. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows an air electrode. It is an expansion side view which expands and shows an auxiliary pole. It is an expansion side view which expands and shows the modification 1 of an auxiliary pole. It is an expansion side view which expands and shows the modification 2 of an auxiliary pole. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the battery module which connected the battery cell which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the wiring in the state which looked at the battery module from the upper surface. It is a front view of a mounting battery module. FIG. 13B is a side view of the mounting battery module shown in FIG. 13A. It is a front view which shows the mobile body with which the mounting battery module was mounted. It is a side view of the mobile body shown in FIG. 14A. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the cross section in arrow C-C of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state in which the housing | casing inclines from FIG. 15A. It is a characteristic view which shows the relationship between the design speed and the maximum vertical gradient for every road division. It is a characteristic view which shows the result of having evaluated the electrolyte leakage from the inclined battery cell. It is a characteristic view which shows the result of having evaluated the output of the inclined battery cell. It is a characteristic view which shows the result of having evaluated the driving stability of the inclined battery cell. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the metal air battery which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 20B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the housing is tilted from FIG. 20A. It is a schematic sectional drawing of the battery cell which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is an expanded sectional view which expands and shows the housing | casing upper part of FIG. It is the schematic side view seen from the side of the taking-in side surface of FIG. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the battery module which connected the battery cell which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a principal part sectional view which shows the conventional rechargeable air battery.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a metal-air battery according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, when there is one metal-air battery, it is referred to as battery cells 1 and 2 (see FIG. 5 described later), and a metal-air assembled battery to which a plurality of battery cells 2 are connected is referred to as a battery module 30, 40 (see FIG. 11 described later). In the metal-air battery, the battery cell 2 can be used alone or a plurality of battery cells 2 can be connected and used as the battery module 40. That is, both the battery cell 2 and the battery module 40 can be regarded as one battery connected to the load. In consideration of this, the battery cell 2 and the battery module 40 may be collectively referred to as a metal-air secondary battery below.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a switching device.

  The metal-air secondary battery is connected to an external load and an external power source via the switching device 300. The switching device 300 is connected to the air electrode 101, the fuel electrode 102, and the auxiliary electrode 103 (see FIG. 5 described later in detail) of the metal-air secondary battery, and further, the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the external load and the external power source. Are connected to the positive and negative electrodes of. The switching device 300 includes a switching unit 301 and a battery control unit 302. The switching unit 301 switches the connection state of the metal-air secondary battery to the respective electrodes of the external load and the external power source. The battery control unit 302 controls the connection state by switching the switching unit 301. The battery control unit 302 has a function of either a manual switching operation by manual work or a switching process by automatic determination, or both functions. Depending on the connection state, the metal-air secondary battery operates by switching at least two types of modes of a discharge mode and a charging mode, and may further operate by switching to a power generation mode (third mode).

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection state of the switching unit in the charging mode.

  In the charging mode, the metal-air secondary battery is charged by the external power source, the positive electrode of the external power source and the auxiliary electrode 103 are connected, and the negative electrode of the external power source and the fuel electrode 102 are connected. The metal-air secondary battery is charged by applying a voltage from an external power source, electrolysis occurs, and zinc is deposited on the fuel electrode 102 so as to be charged.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection state of the switching unit in the discharge mode.

  The discharge mode is a connection state in which electric power is supplied from the metal-air secondary battery to an external load, and the positive electrode of the external load and the air electrode 101 are connected, and the negative electrode of the external load and the fuel electrode 102 are connected. ing. At the fuel electrode 102, a zinc oxidation reaction occurs due to the discharge.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a connection state of the switching unit in the power generation mode.

  In the power generation mode, the auxiliary electrode 103 is used in place of the fuel electrode 102 to supply power to an external load, the positive electrode of the external load and the air electrode 101 are connected, and the negative electrode of the external load and the auxiliary electrode 103 are connected. And are connected. That is, when the stored electric power is used up in the discharge mode shown in FIG. 3 or the like, the connection from the fuel electrode 102 to the auxiliary electrode 103 is switched, so that electric power can be supplied to the external load.

  Next, the metal-air battery according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged upper part of the housing of FIG. 5, and FIG. 5 is a schematic side view seen from the side of the first intake side surface of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7B is a schematic side view seen from the side of the second intake side surface of FIG. 5. Note that, in FIG. 5, the hatching is omitted and the housing 10 is seen through in view of the viewability of the drawing. Further, FIG. 6 corresponds to a cross section taken along arrow BB of FIG. 7A.

  The battery cell 2 is configured such that the air electrode 101, the fuel electrode 102, the auxiliary electrode 103, and the electrolytic solution 20 are housed inside the housing 10. Note that, for simplification of description, the air electrode 101, the fuel electrode 102, and the auxiliary electrode 103 may be collectively referred to as electrodes hereinafter.

  Specifically, in the battery cell 2, two air electrodes 101 and two auxiliary electrodes 103 are arranged on opposite side surfaces of the housing 10, and a fuel electrode 102 is arranged at the center thereof.

The housing 10 is formed of a resin having alkali resistance such as acrylic, POM (polyacetal), and ABS, and has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a hollow inside. Regarding the housing 10, with the air intake surface (the first intake side surface 11a or the second intake side surface 11b) on which the air electrode 101 is installed as the front surface, the width in the horizontal direction X is defined as the housing width Wc (see a diagram described later). 15A), the width in the height direction Z is called the housing height Hc (see FIG. 15A described later), and the width in the depth direction Y perpendicular to the height direction Z is the housing depth Dc (described later). 13B)). The housing 10 is formed to have a smaller size in the thickness direction Y than the width direction (horizontal direction X) and the height direction Z. Specifically, the size of the housing 10 is 150 mm (housing width Wc) in the horizontal direction X (horizontal direction), 12 mm (housing depth Dc) in the thickness direction Y (depth), and Z (height direction). The length is 95 mm (housing height Hc). The battery cell 1 has a capacity of 171 cm ³ and a weight of 246 g. Further, the side surface of the housing 10 has a first lateral side surface 16 (left side in FIG. 7A) and a second lateral side surface 17 (right side in FIG. 7A) that face each other in the horizontal direction X, and a first lateral side surface 16 in the thickness direction Y. The intake side surface 11a (left side in FIG. 5) and the second intake side surface 11b (right side in FIG. 5) face each other. A rectangular air intake port 13 is formed on the first intake side surface 11a and the second intake side surface 11b so as to open the inside. That is, the battery cell 2 takes in air inside through the air intake 13. The air intake port 13 is divided into a lattice shape by a plurality of crosspieces 14 provided along the horizontal direction X or the height direction Z. The plurality of crosspieces 14 prevent the air electrode 101 from expanding outward due to the pressure of the electrolytic solution 20. On the upper surface of the housing 10, two electrolytic solution inlets 15 are formed so as to penetrate to the inside, respectively, and the electrolytic solution 20 can be replenished inside via the electrolytic solution inlets 15. The two electrolyte solution inlets 15 are provided so as to be separated from each other in the horizontal direction X, and are provided near the first lateral side surface 16 and near the second lateral side surface 17.

The air electrode 101 is, for example, one formed by using a porous carbon material as a base material and coating the surface with a fluorine-based water repellent material, or one formed by mixing and dispersing with a carbon material. The air electrode 101 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8 described later. The air electrode 101 is provided along the inner surface of the intake side surface 11 and covers the air intake port 13. The size of the air electrode 101 is 80 mm in the height direction Z and 135 mm in the horizontal direction X, and the effective area of the surface facing the auxiliary electrode 103 and the fuel electrode 102 is 10800 mm ² .

The fuel electrode 102 has a flat plate shape with a thickness of 0.1 to 4.0 mm, and is formed of, for example, a metal such as stainless steel, copper, iron, nickel, and aluminum. The fuel electrode 102 can be used as a fuel electrode for discharge by having zinc as a fuel metal on the surface, and zinc may be previously applied to the surface by plating or the like, or zinc is deposited on the surface by charging. May be. In this embodiment, a nickel plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm is used as the fuel electrode 102. The size of the fuel electrode 102 is the same as that of the air electrode 101, the height direction Z is 80 mm (electrode height He in FIG. 15A described later), the horizontal direction X is 135 mm, and it faces the auxiliary electrode 103 and the air electrode 101. The effective surface area is 10800 mm ² .

The auxiliary electrode 103 has a flat plate shape and is made of, for example, a porous body made of nickel or a non-oxidizing porous metal material such as nickel / nickel alloy / SUS plate. In this embodiment, a nickel plate having a thickness of 0.5 mm is used as the auxiliary electrode 103, and a plurality of communication holes 103a are formed by punching. The electrolytic solution 20 smoothly flows between the air electrode 101 and the fuel electrode 102 through the communication hole 103a. The shape of the communication hole 103a will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 9 described later. Similar to the air electrode 101, the size of the auxiliary electrode 103 is 80 mm in the height direction Z and 135 mm in the horizontal direction X, and the effective area of the surface facing the fuel electrode 102 and the air electrode 101 is 10800 mm ² . The auxiliary electrode 103 is provided along the inner surface of the air electrode 101, and reinforces the intake side surface 11 via the air electrode 101.

  As the electrolytic solution 20, a strong alkaline aqueous solution can be used, and in the present embodiment, a potassium hydroxide aqueous solution having a pH of 14 is used and is filled inside the housing 10.

  The battery cell 2 further includes an air electrode terminal 201 connected to the air electrode 101, a fuel electrode terminal 202 connected to the fuel electrode 102, and an auxiliary electrode terminal 203 connected to the auxiliary electrode 103. In the following, for simplification of description, the air electrode terminal 201, the fuel electrode terminal 202, and the auxiliary electrode terminal 203 may be collectively referred to as a terminal. The air electrode terminal 201, the fuel electrode terminal 202, and the auxiliary electrode terminal 203 are provided so as to project from the upper surface of the battery cell 1, and the electrodes are electrically connected to each other via the terminals. That is, by providing the terminals connected to the electrodes on the same upper surface side of the battery cell 1, the distance between the terminals can be reduced and the wiring can be shortened. Further, if the battery cell 1 is on the upper surface, it is possible to prevent the terminals from getting wet and causing a short circuit or corrosion when the electrolyte of the battery cell 1 is a liquid. In the present embodiment, the air electrode terminal 201, the fuel electrode terminal 202, and the auxiliary electrode terminal 203 are made of copper and are plated to prevent corrosion by an alkaline aqueous solution. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the two air electrodes 101 are connected to the same air electrode terminal 201, and the two auxiliary electrodes 103 are connected to the same auxiliary electrode terminal 203. Therefore, even when two air electrodes 101 and two auxiliary electrodes 103 are provided, the number of terminals is one, which facilitates wiring when connecting a plurality of battery cells 2. As for the terminals, as shown in FIG. 7, the fuel electrode terminal 202, the auxiliary electrode terminal 203, and the air electrode terminal 201 are arranged in this order from the first lateral side surface 16 side in the horizontal direction X.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged air electrode. Note that, in FIG. 8, hatching is omitted in consideration of viewability of the drawing.

  The air electrode 101 has a structure in which a gas diffusion layer 101a, a water repellent layer 101b, a catalyst layer 101c, and a separator 101e are laminated in this order, and the side where the gas diffusion layer 101a is exposed to the outside and is in contact with air (FIG. 8). Is provided on the left side), and the separator 101e is provided on the side in contact with the electrolytic solution 20 and the auxiliary electrode 103 (right side in FIG. 8). The gas diffusion layer 101a is formed of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) non-woven fabric and has a thickness of 100 μm. The water repellent layer 101b is made of a porous fluororesin and has a thickness of 3 μm. The catalyst layer 101c is formed by mixing and dispersing a porous carbon material, platinum as a catalyst, and PTFE as a binder (adhesive), and has a thickness of 0.4 mm. A current collector 101d made of a metal mesh (Ni mesh in the present embodiment) is embedded inside the catalyst layer 101c, and a current generated by the current collector 101d flows. The separator 101e is formed of a non-woven fabric made of polyester, has a thickness of 100 μm, and electrically insulates the auxiliary electrode 103 and the air electrode 101.

  FIG. 9 is an enlarged side view showing an enlarged auxiliary pole.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the communication hole 103a has a rectangular shape. That is, the auxiliary electrode 103 has a mesh shape in which a plurality of porous communication holes 103a are formed. The shape of the communication hole 103a is not limited to this, and may have another shape. For example, as in the first modification of the auxiliary electrode 103 shown in FIG. 10A, the communication hole 103a may have a circular shape. Further, as in the second modification of the auxiliary pole 103 shown in FIG. 10B, the communication hole 103a may have a hexagonal shape. That is, the auxiliary electrode 103 may have a honeycomb shape in which the plurality of communication holes 103a are formed.

  Next, a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view showing a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells according to the first embodiment of the present invention are connected. Note that, in FIG. 11, hatching is omitted for the sake of easy viewing of the drawing.

  The battery module 40 has a configuration in which a plurality of battery cells 2 are connected, and in the present embodiment, four battery cells 2 are connected. In the following, when distinguishing each of the four battery cells 2, the first double-sided cell 2a (left side in FIG. 16), the second double-sided cell 2b, the third double-sided cell 2c, or the fourth double-sided cell 2d (in FIG. 16, , Right side). In addition, in the present embodiment, four battery cells 2 are connected to form the battery module 40, but the number of battery cells 2 to be connected can be appropriately selected.

  The four battery cells 2 are integrally fixed by winding a resin band (not shown) having an insulating property. A resin tray 31 is installed below the battery module 40, and the tray 31 can receive the electrolytic solution 20 leaking from the battery cell 2. The battery module 40 is arranged such that the air intake ports 13 of the adjacent battery cells 2 face each other. In addition, in the battery module 30, one of the side surfaces of the housing 10 is set as the first adjacent side surface, and the side surface facing the first adjacent side surface is set as the second adjacent side surface. In the present embodiment, in the battery cell 2, the first intake side surface 11a is the first adjacent side surface and the second intake side surface 11b is the second adjacent side surface. In the present embodiment, the first double-sided cell 2a and the second double-sided cell 2b are opposed to each other by the second capturing side surfaces 11b thereof, and the second double-sided cell 2b and the third double-sided cell 2c are opposite to each other. The first intake side surfaces 11a face each other, and the third double-sided cell 2c and the fourth double-sided cell 2d face each other with their second intake side surfaces 11b facing each other. In the present embodiment, since the air intake ports 13 are provided on both of the side surfaces (the first intake side surface 11a and the second intake side surface 11b) facing each other in the thickness direction Y, the adjacent battery cells 2 are adjacent to each other. It is desirable that a gap be provided between the two to take in air.

  FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing wiring in a state where the battery module is viewed from above.

  The battery module 40 includes a first double-sided cell 2a, a second double-sided cell 2b, a third double-sided cell 2c, and a fourth double-sided cell 2d, which are connected in series in this order. The fuel electrode terminal 202 of the first double-sided cell 2a is connected to the ground wire 206, the air electrode terminal 201 of the fourth double-sided cell 2d is connected to the discharge circuit 207, and the fourth double-sided cell 2d is connected. The auxiliary pole terminal 203 is connected to the charging circuit 208. The discharging circuit 207 and the charging circuit 208 are a part of the switching device 300 described above, and the connection state can be appropriately switched by the battery control unit 302. Note that the connection state shown in FIG. 12 is an example, and the terminals to be connected may be appropriately adjusted according to the above-described discharge mode, charge mode, and power generation mode.

  In the battery module 30, adjacent battery cells 2 are connected to each other via the charge / discharge switching element 204. Specifically, the charge / discharge switching element 204 provided between the first double-sided cell 2a and the second double-sided cell 2b is connected to the fuel electrode terminal 202 of the second double-sided cell 2b, and the air of the first double-sided cell 2a is connected. It is provided so as to switch the connection to the pole terminal 201 and the auxiliary pole terminal 203. FIG. 11 shows a connection state at the time of discharging, and the charge / discharge switching element 204 is connected to the air electrode terminal 201. The charge / discharge switching element 204 is connected to the auxiliary electrode terminal 203 during charging. In addition, the charge / discharge switching element 204 is installed across the upper portions of the adjacent battery cells 2. That is, in the three-pole type metal-air battery, it is necessary to switch the connection to the auxiliary electrode 103 or the air electrode 101 during charging and discharging, and by providing the charge / discharge switching element 204, the connection can be switched smoothly. You can Further, as long as it is above the adjacent battery cells 2, the space for disposing the charge / discharge switching element 204 can be easily secured without leaving an interval between the battery cells 1.

  In the battery cell 2, the fuel electrode terminal 202 and the auxiliary electrode terminal 203 are connected to each other via a disconnecting element 205. In the battery module 40 composed of a plurality of battery cells 2, since the battery modules 40 are connected in series, the characteristics of one of the battery cells 2 deteriorates, and the resistance value increases due to leakage of the electrolyte solution 20 or the like. When a malfunction such as a malfunction occurs, the performance of the battery module 40 as a whole is affected, and the battery cell 2 in which the malfunction occurs is in a dangerous state such as being ignited by overcharging or overdischarging. Therefore, if the disconnecting element 205 is provided, when a defect occurs in the battery cell 2, the disconnecting element 205 of the defective battery cell 2 short-circuits the fuel electrode terminal 202 and the auxiliary electrode terminal 203, and at the same time, charging is performed. By switching the discharge switching element 204 to the auxiliary electrode terminal 203 side, the fuel electrode terminal 202 of the adjacent battery cell 2 and the defective battery cell 2 are short-circuited, and the defective battery cell 2 is removed from the battery module 40. Can be separated.

  Next, the mounting battery module mounted on the moving body will be described with reference to the drawings.

  13A is a front view of the mounting battery module, and FIG. 13B is a side view of the mounting battery module shown in FIG. 13A.

  The mounting battery module 41 has a configuration in which a plurality of battery cells 2 are connected, like the battery module 40 shown in FIG. 11. Specifically, in the mounting battery module 41, the plurality of battery cells 2 are arranged so that the front surfaces of the adjacent battery cells 2 face each other. In the present embodiment, the number of connected battery cells 2 is 24. Note that in FIG. 13B, for simplification of the drawing, some of the battery cells 2 are omitted and the number is different, but the number is not limited to this, and the number of battery cells 2 to be connected can be appropriately selected. it can.

  The mounting battery module 41 includes an electrolytic solution tray 31, a cell connection unit 32a, and a main body connection unit 32b in addition to the plurality of battery cells 2. The cell connection unit 32a is arranged over all the battery cells 2 and connects the plurality of battery cells 2. Therefore, the cell connection unit 32a accommodates members such as terminals provided on the upper surface of the battery cell 2. The main body connection unit 32b is provided so as to face the intake surface (front surface) of the battery cell 2 arranged at either one of the arranged battery cells 2. The main body connection unit 32b is electrically connected to the moving body 50 described later, supplies power to the moving body 50, and exchanges control signals with the moving body 50.

  Regarding the size of the mounting battery module 41, the horizontal direction X is 160 mm (assembly battery width Wm), the depth direction Y is 300 mm (assembly battery depth Dm), and the height direction Z is 120 mm (assembly battery height Hm). It is said that. In the present embodiment, the electrolytic solution tray 31, the cell connection unit 32a, and the main body connection unit 32b have a combined size, but except for the electrolytic solution tray 31, the cell connection unit 32a, and the main body connection unit 32b, The sizes of only the plurality of battery cells 2 may be regarded as the assembled battery width Wm, the assembled battery height Hm, and the assembled battery depth Dm. That is, in the mounting battery module 41, the size and weight occupied by the electrolytic solution tray 31, the cell connection unit 32a, and the main body connection unit 32b are small, and the plurality of battery cells 2 are the main constituents. Size and weight are important.

  14A is a front view showing a moving body on which a mounting battery module is mounted, and FIG. 14B is a side view of the moving body shown in FIG. 14A. In FIG. 14B, the number of the battery cells 2 in the mounting battery module 41 is reduced for simplification of the drawing, and the moving body 51 and the wheels 52 are transparently viewed in consideration of viewability of the drawing. Shows.

  The moving body 50 is a four-wheeled vehicle having four wheels 52, and inside the moving body main body 51, two motors 53 for driving the wheels 52 and a mounting battery module 41 are provided. The mounting battery module 41 is installed such that the air intake surface is in the same direction as the traveling direction S of the moving body 50. As shown in FIG. 14B, the mounting battery module 41 is mounted on the moving body 50 so that the front faces the same direction. In the moving body 50, in consideration of the shape of the road surface and the like, the traveling direction S tends to have a larger inclination than the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction S. Therefore, by adjusting the depth direction Y to the traveling direction S of the moving body 50, it is possible to improve the allowable range of the inclination in the electrolyte leakage.

  Next, the relationship between the structure of the battery cell and the electrolytic solution will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 15A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along arrow CC in FIG. 5, and FIG. 15B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state where the housing is tilted from FIG. 15A.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the fuel electrode terminal 202 is provided with a terminal extension 202a at the connection with the fuel electrode 102. The terminal extension portion 202a is provided along the upper edge of the fuel electrode 102 and extends in the horizontal direction X. By covering the entire performance of the fuel electrode 102, the terminal extending portion 202a eliminates the bias of the current in the horizontal direction X and allows a similar current to flow through the entire fuel electrode 102. The terminal extension portion 202a may be provided not only on the fuel electrode 102 but also on the air electrode 101 and the auxiliary electrode 103. Further, since the terminal extending portion 202a is a part of the terminal, it does not act as an electrode.

  The electrolytic solution 20 is filled so as to have a height lower than that of the fuel electrode 102 (electrode), and the liquid level height Hf is smaller than the electrode height He. In FIG. 15A, the casing 10 is placed so as to be horizontal, and the liquid surface of the electrolytic solution 20 (electrolytic solution surface) is also horizontal. Here, the distance between the electrolytic solution surface in the horizontal state and the upper surface of the casing 10 is referred to as a horizontal liquid surface distance Δh0, the distance between the electrolytic solution surface in the horizontal state and the electrode is referred to as a horizontal electrode distance Δhf, and The distance in the horizontal direction X between the inner surface of the first lateral surface 16 and the inner surface of the second lateral surface 17 may be referred to as the inner surface width We.

  15B, the battery cell 2 is tilted from the state shown in FIG. 15A by the tilt angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction X (counterclockwise in FIG. 15B). The horizontal liquid level line EL indicated by the alternate long and short dash line indicates the liquid level in the horizontal state of FIG. 15A. That is, since the electrolytic solution 20 contained in the housing 10 is a liquid, it maintains a horizontal state regardless of the inclination of the housing 10. As a result, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 20 is inclined with respect to the horizontal liquid level line EL, rises above the horizontal liquid level line EL at one end in the horizontal direction X, and falls below the horizontal liquid level line EL at the other end. . The liquid level difference Δhθ shown in FIG. 15B is the distance between the liquid level on the side raised above the horizontal liquid level line EL and the horizontal liquid level line EL. Here, if the liquid level difference Δhθ exceeds the horizontal liquid level distance Δh0, it indicates that the electrolytic solution 20 has reached the upper surface of the housing 10, and there is a possibility that electrolytic solution leakage may occur. The present invention prevents the electrolyte leakage due to the inclination by making the casing 10 have an appropriate size.

  By the way, on the road on which the moving body 50 travels, the range of inclination allowed for the traveling speed is defined by the Road Structure Ordinance.

  FIG. 16 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the design speed and the maximum vertical gradient for each road section.

  The roads are classified into the first to fourth types depending on the areas where the roads exist, such as urban areas, rural areas, flat areas, and mountainous areas, and are further classified into ordinary roads and small roads, respectively. In each classification, the maximum longitudinal gradient with respect to the design speed is defined, and the angle of inclination can be calculated based on the maximum longitudinal gradient. For example, on a small road at a design speed of 80 km / h in the first to third types, the maximum longitudinal gradient is set to 7%, so the inclination angle is 4 °. In addition, in the first to third types of small roads at the design speed of 20 km / h, the maximum longitudinal gradient is 12%, so the inclination angle is 6.8 °. Regarding the relationship between the design speed and the maximum longitudinal gradient, the maximum longitudinal gradient tends to decrease as the design speed increases.

  Next, the electrolyte leakage, the output, and the running stability due to the difference in the shape (size) of the battery cell 2 were examined.

  FIG. 17 is a characteristic diagram showing a result of evaluating leakage of an electrolytic solution from a tilted battery cell.

  Regarding the leakage of the electrolytic solution, the results obtained by evaluating Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1 as five types of battery cells 2 having different aspect ratios are shown. In the present embodiment, the value obtained by dividing the housing height Hc by the housing width Wc is the first aspect ratio Aca, and the value obtained by dividing the housing height Hc by the housing depth Dc is the second aspect ratio Acb. .

In Example 1, the housing width Wc is 266 mm, the housing height Hc is 53.6 mm, the first aspect ratio Aca is 0.20, and the horizontal liquid surface distance Δh0 is 8.5 mm. In Example 2, the housing width Wc is 203 mm, the housing height Hc is 70.2 mm, the first aspect ratio Aca is 0.35, and the horizontal liquid surface distance Δh0 is 11.1 mm. In Example 3, the housing width Wc is 150 mm, the housing height Hc is 95 mm, the first aspect ratio Aca is 0.63, and the horizontal liquid surface distance Δh0 is 15.0 mm. In Example 4, the housing width Wc is 119.4 mm, the housing height Hc is 119.4 mm, the first aspect ratio Aca is 1.0, and the horizontal liquid surface distance Δh0 is 18.8 mm. is there. In Comparative Example 1, the housing width Wc is 274 mm, the housing height Hc is 52 mm, the first aspect ratio Aca is 0.19, and the horizontal liquid surface distance Δh0 is 8.2 mm. In Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1, the value (Wc × Hc) obtained by multiplying the housing width Wc by the housing height Hc is 14250 mm ² , which are all equal values. That is, the length of the casing width Wc (horizontal) and the casing height Hc (vertical) is changed while keeping the area of the front surface of the battery cell 2 constant. Further, the values obtained by dividing the liquid level height Hf by the housing height Hc are 0.79 in all of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Example 1.

  FIG. 17 shows the results when the inclination angles θ are set to 4 ° and 6.8 ° for the five types of battery cells 2. The battery cell 2 was tilted at two kinds of inclination angles θ, and the case where the electrolyte solution 20 did not leak from the battery cell 2 was marked with “◯”, and the case where it leaked was marked with “x”. In Comparative Example 1 in which the first aspect ratio Aca is small, when the tilt angle θ is 4 °, the liquid level difference Δhθ is 8.6 mm, and the electrolyte solution leaks. It is clear that electrolyte leakage occurs even at 0.8 °. On the other hand, in Example 1, the liquid level difference Δhθ was ◯ when the tilt angle θ was 4 ° and was “◯”, and the liquid level difference Δhθ was when the tilt angle θ was 6.8 °. It became "x" at 14.3 mm. In Examples 2 to 4, the inclination angle θ was “◯” at both 4 ° and 6.8 °. That is, when the result is “◯”, the liquid level difference Δhθ is lower than the horizontal liquid level distance Δh0, and when the value is “×”, the liquid level difference Δhθ is higher than the horizontal liquid level distance Δh0. It was. The liquid level difference Δhθ can be calculated from the relational expression “Δhθ = We × tan (2π / (360 / θ)) / 2”.

  From the above results, it can be seen that when the first aspect ratio Aca is 0.20 or more, the inclination angle θ is 4 ° or less and no electrolyte leakage occurs. Further, it can be seen that if the first aspect ratio Aca is 0.20 or more, electrolyte leakage does not occur even if the inclination angle θ is 6.8 ° or less. That is, as the first aspect ratio Aca increases, the liquid level difference Δhθ decreases and becomes a value equal to or less than the horizontal liquid level distance Δh0. As a result, it is possible to suppress the rise of the electrolytic solution surface at the end portion of the housing 10 when the battery cell 2 is tilted, and to prevent the leakage of the electrolytic solution 20. In the present embodiment, the second aspect ratio Acb is much larger than the first aspect ratio Aca because the housing height Hc is larger than the housing depth Dc. From this result, if the aspect ratio (first aspect ratio Aca and second aspect ratio Acb) of the battery cell 2 is at least 0.2 or more, and more preferably 0.35 or more, the electrolyte leakage can be prevented. I know you can.

  FIG. 18 is a characteristic diagram showing a result of evaluating the output of the tilted battery cell.

  Regarding the output, the results of evaluating Examples 5 to 7 and Comparative Example 2 as four types of battery cells 2 having different liquid surface ratios He / Hf are shown.

  In Examples 5 to 7 and Comparative Example 2, the housing width Wc is 150 mm, the housing height Hc is 95 mm, the inner surface width We is 135 mm, and the liquid surface height Hf is 75 mm. . In Example 5, the electrode height He is 78 mm, the horizontal electrode distance Δhf is 3 mm, and the liquid surface ratio He / Hf is 1.04. In Example 6, the electrode height He is 80 mm, the horizontal electrode distance Δhf is 5 mm, and the liquid surface ratio He / Hf is 1.067. In Example 7, the electrode height He is 82 mm, the horizontal electrode distance Δhf is 7 mm, and the liquid surface ratio He / Hf is 1.093. In Comparative Example 2, the electrode height He is 75 mm, the horizontal electrode distance Δhf is 0 mm, and the liquid surface ratio He / Hf is 1.00.

  Regarding the result of the output, when the output in the state where the battery cell 2 is tilted (inclined state) is 95% or more with respect to the horizontal state, “◯” is given, and when the output is 90% or more and less than 95%, “Δ” is given. , And when it was less than 90%, it was marked as “x”. In Example 5, when the tilt angle θ was 4 °, it was “◯”, and when the tilt angle θ was 6.8 °, it was “x”. In Example 6, when the tilt angle θ was 4 °, the result was “◯”, and when the tilt angle θ was 6.8 °, the result was “Δ”. In Example 7, the inclination angle θ was “◯” at both 4 ° and 6.8 °. In Comparative Example 2, when the inclination angle θ was 4 °, the result was “x”, so that it is clear that the output is reduced even when the inclination angle θ is 6.8 °.

  From the above results, it is understood that when the inclination angle θ is 4 °, the liquid level ratio He / Hf is 1.04 or more in Examples 5 to 7 and the output reduction does not substantially occur. Similarly, when the inclination angle θ is 6.8 °, it can be seen that in Example 7, the liquid surface ratio He / Hf is 1.07 or more, and the output reduction does not substantially occur. That is, when the liquid surface ratio He / Hf is small, the liquid surface difference Δhθ becomes larger than the horizontal electrode distance Δhf, so that the area of the exposed electrode increases and the portion acting as the electrode decreases. From this result, it is understood that the output reduction can be prevented when the liquid surface ratio He / Hf is at least 1.04 or more, more preferably 1.07 or more.

  Since the metal-air battery is required to be downsized, it is desirable to set the height to the minimum necessary, and the height of the housing 10 is determined by the height of the electrolytic solution 20 or the electrode. Here, when the height of the electrolytic solution 20 is approximately the same as that of the housing 10, the electrolytic solution 20 may leak due to the inclination of the metal-air battery or the like. Therefore, it is desirable to increase the height of the electrode and fill the electrolytic solution 20 to a height lower than that of the electrode. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the metal-air battery while preventing the electrolyte solution 20 from leaking.

  FIG. 19 is a characteristic diagram showing the results of evaluating the running stability of a tilted battery cell.

  The traveling stability is evaluated by using the moving body 50 equipped with the mounting battery module 41, and the vehicle is traveling at a speed of 20 km / h on a road where the gradient (inclination angle θ4 °) changes (up / down) continues. And the case where the road was continuously driven at a speed of 20 km / h, where a change (up / down) of a gradient of 12% (inclination angle θ6.8 °) continued. At this time, the case where the moving body 50 did not fall or wobble was defined as “◯”, and the case where the moving body 50 did not fall or wobble was defined as “x”.

  Regarding the running stability, the results of evaluating Examples 8 to 10 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4 as five types of mounting battery modules 41 having different aspect ratios are shown. In the present embodiment, a value obtained by dividing the battery pack height Hm by the battery pack width Wm is defined as the first battery pack aspect ratio Ama, and a value obtained by dividing the battery pack height Hm by the battery pack depth Dm is used as the second battery pack. The battery aspect ratio is Amb.

In Example 8, the assembled battery width Wm is 164.2 mm, the assembled battery height Hm is 213.5 mm, the assembled battery depth Dm is 164.2 mm, and the first assembled battery aspect ratio Ama is 1. 3, and the second assembled battery aspect ratio Amb is 1.3. In Example 9, the assembled battery width Wm is 179.3 mm, the assembled battery height Hm is 179.3 mm, the assembled battery depth Dm is 179.3 mm, and the first assembled battery aspect ratio Ama is 1. 0, and the second assembled battery aspect ratio Amb is 1.0. In Example 10, the assembled battery width Wm is 160 mm, the assembled battery height Hm is 120 mm, the assembled battery depth Dm is 300 mm, the first assembled battery aspect ratio Ama is 0.75, and the second assembled battery aspect ratio Ama is 0.75. The assembled battery aspect ratio Amb is 0.4. In Comparative Example 3, the battery pack width Wm is 172.3 mm, the battery pack height Hm is 224 mm, the battery pack depth Dm is 149.3 mm, and the first battery pack aspect ratio Ama is 1.3. And the second assembled battery aspect ratio Amb is 1.5. In Comparative Example 4, the battery pack width Wm is 149.3 mm, the battery pack height Hm is 224 mm, the battery pack depth Dm is 172.3 mm, and the first battery pack aspect ratio Ama is 1.5. Yes, the second assembled battery aspect ratio Amb is 1.3. In each of Examples 8 to 10 and Comparative Examples 3 and 4, the value (Wm × Hm × Dm) obtained by multiplying the assembled battery width Wm, the assembled battery height Hm, and the assembled battery depth Dm was 5760 mm ^3. And all have the same value. That is, the length of the battery pack width Wm, the battery pack height Hm, and the battery pack depth Dm is changed while keeping the volume of the mounting battery module 41 constant.

  Regarding the result of running stability, in Example 8, when the inclination angle θ was 4 °, it became “◯”, and when the inclination angle θ was 6.8 °, it became “x”. In Example 9 and Example 10, the inclination angle θ was “◯” at both 4 ° and 6.8 °. In Comparative Example 3 and Comparative Example 4, the inclination angle θ was “x” at both 4 ° and 6.8 °.

  From the above-mentioned results, if the aspect ratio of the mounting battery module 41 (first assembled battery aspect ratio Ama and second assembled battery aspect ratio Amb) is at least 1.3 or less, and more preferably 1.0 or less, running It can be seen that the performance can be stabilized. That is, by reducing the aspect ratio, the center of gravity of the moving body 50 is lowered, so that it is possible to prevent falls due to inclination.

  In the present embodiment, housing 10 has a first aspect ratio Aca calculated from housing height Hc and housing width Wc, and a second aspect ratio Acb calculated from housing height Hc and housing depth Dc. Is preset. According to this configuration, the housing width Wc, the housing height Hc, and the housing depth Dc are set to have appropriate dimensions in accordance with the aspect ratio, which causes tilting of the battery cell 2 such as tipping or electrolyte leakage. You can prevent defects.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a metal-air battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the internal structure of the housing and is the same in the other structures, and therefore, a drawing inside the housing is shown and the other drawings are omitted.

  20A is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the metal-air battery according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20B is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a state in which the housing is tilted from FIG. 20A. Note that FIG. 20A corresponds to the cross section taken along the arrow C-C in FIG. 5.

  As shown in FIG. 20A, in the battery cell 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, a movement restricting portion 18 that restricts the movement of the electrolytic solution 20 in the horizontal direction X is provided at the central portion in the horizontal direction X. . Specifically, the movement restricting portion 18 extends from the upper surface to the lower surface of the housing 10 and is formed integrally with the housing 10. In other words, the space inside the housing 10 is divided into two, that is, the first lateral side surface 16 side and the second lateral side surface 17 side by the movement restricting portion 18.

  20B, the battery cell 2 is tilted from the state shown in FIG. 20A by a tilt angle θ with respect to the horizontal direction X. In the space on the first horizontal side surface 16 side, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 20 rises above the horizontal liquid level line EL at the end on the first horizontal side surface 16 side, and at the end on the movement restricting portion 18 side, the horizontal liquid level line. It is lower than EL. Further, in the space on the second lateral side surface 17 side, the liquid level of the electrolytic solution 20 rises above the horizontal liquid level line EL at the end on the movement restricting portion 18 side, and at the end on the second lateral side surface 17 side, the horizontal liquid level. It is lower than the surface line EL. The regulated liquid level difference Δhθ ′ shown in FIG. 20B is the distance between the liquid level on the side raised above the horizontal liquid level line EL and the horizontal liquid level line EL. In the present embodiment, the inner surface width We is divided into two by the movement restricting portion 18, so the restriction liquid level difference Δhθ ′ is calculated from the relational expression “Δhθ ′ = 0.5 × Δhθ”. . That is, by providing the movement restricting portion 18 and restricting the movement of the electrolytic solution 20, it is possible to increase the apparent aspect ratio of the metal-air battery and improve the allowable range of the inclination in the electrolytic solution leakage. Note that the present invention is not limited to this, and the position and number of the movement restricting portions 18 may be changed as appropriate.

(Third Embodiment)
Next, a metal-air battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  21 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 22 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing an enlarged upper part of the housing of FIG. 21, and FIG. It is the schematic side view seen from the side of the taking-in side surface of 21. Note that, in FIG. 21, the hatching is omitted and the housing 10 is seen through in view of the viewability of the drawing. 22 corresponds to a cross section taken along the line AA in FIG. Further, constituent elements having substantially the same functions as those of the first and second embodiments are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

  The third embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the number of the air electrode 101 and the number of the auxiliary electrode 103 are each one. That is, in the third embodiment, the air electrode 101 and the fuel electrode 102 are arranged on the side surfaces of the housing 10 that face each other.

  In the side surface of the housing 10, the first lateral side surface 16 (left side in FIG. 23) and the second lateral side surface 17 (right side in FIG. 23) face each other in the horizontal direction X, and the intake side surface 11 in the thickness direction Y. (The left side in FIG. 21) and the fuel side surface 12 (the right side in FIG. 21) face each other. A rectangular air intake port 13 is formed on the intake side surface 11 so as to open inside. The air electrode 101 is provided along the intake side surface 11, and the fuel electrode 102 is provided along the fuel side surface 12.

  Next, a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells are connected will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a battery module in which a plurality of battery cells according to the third embodiment of the present invention are connected. Note that, in FIG. 24, hatching is omitted in consideration of viewability of the drawing.

  The battery module 30 has a configuration in which a plurality of battery cells 1 are connected, and in the present embodiment, four battery cells 1 are connected. In the following, the four battery cells 1 will be referred to as a first cell 1a (left side in FIG. 24), a second cell 1b, a third cell 1c, or a fourth cell 1d (right side in FIG. 24) when distinguishing each other. May be called. In the present embodiment, four battery cells 1 are connected to form the battery module 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of battery cells 1 to be connected can be appropriately selected.

  In the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, the first adjacent side surface and the second adjacent side surface are set, and the first adjacent side surfaces and the second adjacent side surfaces are arranged adjacent to each other so as to face each other. There is. In the present embodiment, the intake side surface 11 is the first adjacent side surface and the fuel side surface 12 is the second adjacent side surface. Specifically, the first cell 1a and the second cell 1b have their respective intake side surfaces 11 facing each other, and the second cell 1b and the third cell 1c have their respective fuel side surfaces 12 facing each other, The third cell 1c and the fourth cell 1d are in a state where their respective intake side surfaces 11 face each other.

  In the above-described first to third embodiments, the metal-air secondary battery is a three-pole type, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the metal-air secondary battery of a two-pole type or It can also be applied to metal-air primary batteries (including mechanical charge type).

  Further, the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplifications in all respects, and are not a basis for a limited interpretation. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed only by the above-described embodiments, but should be defined based on the description of the claims. Also, the meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope are included.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The metal-air battery according to the present invention can be widely applied to a wide range of uses as a power supply device, and in particular, various robots for monitoring, nursing, cleaning, etc., electric wheelchairs for nursing, electric standing motorcycles, and electric assisted bicycles. It is preferably used for mobile objects such as.

1, 2 Battery cell (an example of metal-air battery)
10 Housing 11 Intake Side 11a First Intake Side 11b Second Intake Side 12 Fuel Side 13 Air Intake Port 15 Electrolyte Inlet 20 Electrolyte 30, 40 Battery Module (One Example of Metal-Air Batteries)
41 Battery module for mounting (an example of metal-air battery pack)
50 Moving Object 101 Air Electrode 102 Fuel Electrode 103 Auxiliary Electrode 201 Air Electrode Terminal 202 Fuel Electrode Terminal 203 Auxiliary Electrode Terminal X Horizontal Direction Y Thickness Direction Z Height Direction

Claims (14)

An air electrode that is the positive electrode,
The fuel electrode, which is the negative electrode,
An electrolyte serving as a medium for an electric current flowing between the air electrode and the fuel electrode,
A metal-air battery comprising the air electrode, the fuel electrode, and a housing containing the electrolytic solution,
Of the housing, the width in the horizontal direction is the housing width, the width in the height direction is the housing height, with the air intake surface on which the air electrode is installed as the front surface, and the width in the height direction is perpendicular to the height direction. When the width in the depth direction is the case depth,
The housing is
A first aspect ratio, which is a value obtained by dividing the housing height by the housing width, and a second aspect ratio, which is a value obtained by dividing the housing height by the housing depth, are preset.
It is provided between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, extends from the upper surface to the lower surface of the housing, divides the space between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, and in the plane direction of the air electrode, A metal-air battery comprising a partition wall that blocks the flow of the electrolytic solution. The metal-air battery according to claim 1, wherein
The first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio are 0.2 or more. The metal-air battery according to claim 1, wherein
The first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio are set to 0.35 or more. The metal-air battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio are set to 1.3 or less. The metal-air battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The first aspect ratio and the second aspect ratio are set to 1.0 or less. An air electrode that is the positive electrode,
The fuel electrode, which is the negative electrode,
An electrolyte serving as a medium for an electric current flowing between the air electrode and the fuel electrode,
A metal-air battery comprising the air electrode, the fuel electrode, and a housing containing the electrolytic solution,
Of the housing, with the air intake surface on which the air electrode is installed as the front surface, the height in the height direction of the electrolytic solution is the liquid surface height, and the height direction of the air electrode and the fuel electrode is the height direction. When the height at is the electrode height,
The liquid level height is smaller than the electrode height,
Wherein the housing is provided between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, the drawn from the upper surface of the housing to the lower surface, and dividing the space between the air electrode and the fuel electrode, the air electrode A metal-air battery comprising a partition wall that blocks the flow of the electrolytic solution in the plane direction . The metal-air battery according to claim 6,
When the liquid level ratio is a value obtained by dividing the electrode height by the liquid level height,
The metal-air battery, wherein the liquid level ratio is 1.04 or more. The metal-air battery according to claim 6,
When the liquid level ratio is a value obtained by dividing the electrode height by the liquid level height,
The metal-air battery, wherein the liquid level ratio is 1.07 or more. The metal-air battery according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
A metal-air battery characterized by having an auxiliary electrode. A metal-air assembled battery comprising a plurality of the metal-air batteries according to any one of claims 1 to 9.
The metal-air assembled battery, wherein the plurality of metal-air batteries are arranged so that front faces of adjacent metal-air batteries face each other. The metal-air assembled battery according to claim 10, wherein
The width in the horizontal direction is the assembled battery width, the width in the height direction is the assembled battery height, the width in the depth direction perpendicular to the height direction is the assembled battery depth, and the assembled battery height is the assembled battery width. When the first assembled battery aspect ratio, which is a value divided by, and the second assembled battery aspect ratio, which is a value obtained by dividing the assembled battery height by the assembled battery depth,
The metal-air assembled battery, wherein the first assembled battery aspect ratio and the second assembled battery aspect ratio are set to 1.3 or less. The metal-air assembled battery according to claim 10, wherein
The width in the horizontal direction is the assembled battery width, the width in the height direction is the assembled battery height, the width in the depth direction perpendicular to the height direction is the assembled battery depth, and the assembled battery height is the assembled battery width. When the first assembled battery aspect ratio, which is a value divided by, and the second assembled battery aspect ratio, which is a value obtained by dividing the assembled battery height by the assembled battery depth,
The metal-air assembled battery, wherein the first assembled battery aspect ratio and the second assembled battery aspect ratio are 1.0 or less.   A moving body comprising the metal-air battery or the metal-air assembled battery according to any one of claims 1 to 12. The moving body according to claim 13,
The air intake surface of the metal-air battery is in the same direction as the traveling direction or in the opposite direction.

Images