The present invention relates to a capacitor used in various electronic appliances, backup power and regenerative power for hybrid cars and fuel cell vehicles, or electric power storage and other purposes.
The conventional capacitor includes metal plate 26 connected to one of the electrodes of capacitor element 25, metal case 27 of cylindrical shape with a bottom formed of aluminum including capacitor element 25 together with an electrolyteelectrolyte (not shown), protrusion 27a provided in the inner bottom of metal case 27, insulating sealing plate 28 sealing the opening of metal case 27, bar-like core member 29 having terminal 29a for external connection at one end, terminal 30 for external connection bonded to the outer surface of metal case 27, insulating member 31 for insulating core member 29 and metal case 27, closing element 32 made of rubber-like elastic insulating member to be combined with cap 33 to compose a pressure regulating valve, O-ring 34, and sealing rubber 35 disposed on an upper peripheral edge of sealing plate 28 for sealing by being compressed by curling process (curled part 27b) at the opening end of metal case 27.
Thus, in the conventional capacitor, one of the electrodes of capacitor element 25 is electrically bonded to the inner bottom of metal case 27 of cylindrical shape with a bottom, and metal plate 26 is bonded to other electrode of capacitor element 25, and terminal 29a for external connection is provided, and bar-like core member 29 and metal plate 26 disposed in a center area of capacitor element 25 are bonded, and the opening of metal case 27 is sealed by sealing plate 28 having a hole through which terminal 29a for external connection penetrates. By such configuration, metal case 27 plays the role of current collecting terminal, and the height is lowered substantially, and the number of parts may be curtailed.
Further, as shown in
As a prior art relating to the present invention of the present application, for example, patent document 1 is known.
In the conventional capacitor, however, as shown in
To solve this problem, as means for taking out the anode terminal and the cathode terminal from a same direction, lead members for taking out externally are connected to a pair of positive and negative electrodes forming polarizable electrode layers on a current collector made of aluminum foil, and by winding the pair of positive and negative electrodes to which the lead members are connected, the anode terminal and the cathode terminal may be taken out from the same direction. In this method, however, since the electrode is taken out from one position (or plural positions) of a long band-like electrode, the resistance is largely increased as compared with the structure known as end face current collector for taking out the electrode from the entire end surface of capacitor element 25. Therefore, a capacitor unit cannot be used by coupling a plurality of capacitors.
[Patent document 1] Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No.
The capacitor of the present invention includes a capacitor element formed so that ends of positive and negative electrodes may be exposed in mutually reverse directions, a metal case of cylindrical shape with a bottom including this capacitor element together with the electrolyteelectrolyte, and having one of the electrodes of the capacitor element bonded to the inner bottom, and a terminal plate having other electrode of the capacitor element bonded to the inner face and sealing the opening of the metal case, in which the surface of the terminal plate is provided with a flat junction to project to a position higher than the height of the metal case after sealing.
In such configuration, positive and negative electrodes may be taken out from the terminal plate and the metal case, and from the same direction, and hence the connection is easy, and the connection space may be saved. Further, by the junction provided on the surface of the terminal plate, a plurality of capacitors may be coupled through a connecting plate at a minimum required height, and hence the height may be further lowered.
1 Capacitor element
2, 10, 15 Metal case
2
a,
3
b,
10
a,
11
b,
15
a,
16
b Recess
2
b,
3
c,
9
a,
10
b,
11
c,
12
a,
12
b Weld mark
2
c,
15
c Drawn part
2
d,
10
c,
15
b Curled part
2
e Bottom
3, 11, 16 Terminal plate
3
a,
11
a,
16
a Junction part
3
d Electrolytic solution injection hole
4 Insulating member
5 Sealing rubber
6 Rubber plug
7, 13, 17 First capacitor
8, 14, 18 Second capacitor
9, 12, 19, 24 Connection bar
9
b Flat plate part
9
c External terminal
20 Sleeve
20
a Notch
21 Upper holder
21
a Protrusion
22 Lower holder
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are specifically described below while referring to the accompanying drawings.
The capacitor includes metal case 2 of cylindrical shape with a bottom formed of aluminum including capacitor element 1 together with an electrolyteelectrolyte (not shown), and recess 2a provided in the bottom of metal case 2. An electrode exposed to one end of capacitor element 1 is pressed to the inner side of recess 2a, and laser light is emitted from the outer bottom side of metal case 2 for laser welding. As a result, weld mark 2b by laser welding is left over on the outer bottom of metal case 2. By joining by laser welding, the inner bottom of metal case 2 and its electrode are connected mechanically and electrically.
Further, the capacitor includes terminal plate 3, and junction part 3a provided in part of upside (surface) of terminal plate 3. Junction part 3a has protrusion allowance h for projecting to a position higher than the height of metal case 2 having curled part 2d provided by curling process described below. Recess 3b is provided in the surface of terminal plate 3. The bottom of recess 3b is pressed to the electrode exposed at other end of capacitor element 1, and laser light is emitted from the surface side of terminal plate 3 for laser welding. As a result, weld mark 3c by laser welding is left over on the surface of terminal plate 3. By joining by laser welding, the inner side of terminal plate 3 and its electrode are connected mechanically and electrically.
The capacitor also has an annular insulating member 4 made of an insulating material. Insulating member 4 is disposed in the upper part of the inner periphery of drawn part 2c drawn near the opening of metal case 2 in which capacitor element 1 is inserted. Terminal plate 3 is disposed on insulating member 4.
The capacitor also has sealing rubber 5 disposed on the upper peripheral edge of terminal plate 3. Sealing rubber 5 is compressed by curled part 2d, and seals the opening end of metal case 2.
The capacitor also has rubber plug 6. Rubber plug 6 is pressed in to plug electrolytic solution injection hole 3d after an electrolyteelectrolyte not shown is injected into metal case 2 from electrolytic solution injection hole 3d provided in terminal plate 3. Rubber plug 6 is made of butyl rubber (IIR) or ethylene propylene terpolymer (EPT) or the like, and its leading end portion to be inserted into metal case 2 from the surface side of terminal plate 3 has a flange formed in a tapered flange shape. After passing through electrolytic solution injection hole 3d, the flange of rubber plug 6 is engaged the reverse side of terminal late 3 to prevent from slipping out.
To prevent short-circuiting between the electrode exposed to the end of the side joining with terminal plate 3 of capacitor element 1 and the inner periphery of metal case 2 in its vicinity, an insulating tape not shown is adhered, but this insulating tape may be omitted if the inner periphery of metal case 2 in the corresponding area is insulated by coating.
The capacitor of preferred embodiment 1 has such configuration, and therefore the positive and negative electrodes of capacitor element 1 may be taken out from terminal plate 3 and metal case 2, and from the same direction. Accordingly, when a plurality of the capacitors are connected and coupled together, the connection is easy, and the connection space is saved, so that a smaller size is realized.
Preferred embodiment 2 is similar to preferred embodiment 1, except that the junction part provided in the terminal plate of the capacitor explained in preferred embodiment 1 is provided at two positions on the peripheral edge of the terminal plate, and corresponding parts are identified with same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted, and only different parts are explained below along with the accompanying drawings.
As shown in
The capacitor has a terminal plate 11 and junction part 11a provided in a part (two positions in
As shown in
The capacitor of preferred embodiment 2 has such configuration, and is increased in size, and if a large current of hundreds of mA is applied, the bond strength of laser welding positions is sufficiently assured, and a capacity of high reliability is realized.
Preferred embodiment 3 is similar to preferred embodiment 1, except that the junction part provided in the terminal plate of the capacitor explained in preferred embodiment 1 is provided in the center of the terminal plate, and corresponding parts are identified with same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted, and only different parts are explained below along with the accompanying drawings.
The capacitor has a terminal plate 16 and junction part 16a provided in the center of the upside (surface) of terminal plate 16. Junction part 16a has protrusion allowance h for projecting to a position higher than the height of metal case 15 having curled part 15b provided by curling process. Recess 16b is provided in the surface of terminal plate 16. The bottom of recess 16b is pressed to the electrode exposed at other end of capacitor element 1, and laser light is emitted from the surface side of terminal plate 16 for laser welding. By joining by laser welding, the inner side of terminal plate 16 and its electrode are connected mechanically and electrically.
The capacitor of preferred embodiment 3 has such configuration, and same as in the capacitor of preferred embodiment 1, when a plurality of the capacitors are connected and coupled together, the connection is easy, and the connection space is saved, so that a smaller size is realized.
Preferred embodiment 4 is similar to preferred embodiment 1, except that an insulating sleeve is fitted to the outer periphery of the metal case of the capacitor explained in preferred embodiment 1, and corresponding parts are identified with same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted, and only different parts are explained below along with the accompanying drawings.
The capacitor of preferred embodiment 4 has such configuration, and since insulating sleeve 20 is fitted to the outer periphery of metal case 2, when connecting and coupling a plurality of capacitors, if adjacent metal cases 2 contact with each other, there is no risk of short-circuiting, and a much smaller size is realized. Moreover, since curled part 2d of metal case 2 in peripheral edge of junction part 3a provided in terminal plate 3 is covered with sleeve 20, short-circuiting does not occur if curled part 2d and connection bar 9 contact with each other. Hence, junction part 3a may be formed at a lower height, and the overall height may be much lowered.
Preferred embodiment 5 is similar to preferred embodiment 3, except that an insulating holder is fitted individually at the upper end and the lower end of the metal case of the capacitor explained in preferred embodiment 3, and corresponding parts are identified with same reference numerals, and detailed description is omitted, and only different parts are explained below along with the accompanying drawings.
The capacitor also has annular lower holder 22 made of insulating resin fitted to the lower end of metal case 15. Lower holder 22 is formed to contact with the bottom peripheral edge of metal case 15 and its linking outer periphery. Therefore, the bottom peripheral edge of metal case 15 and its linking outer periphery are coupled as lower holder 22 is fitted to from the bottom side of metal case 15.
In the capacitor of preferred embodiment 5 having such configuration, the insulating holders are fitted from both upper end and lower end of metal case 15. Therefore, when connecting and coupling a plurality of capacitors, the adjacent capacitors may be positioned accurately, and if the adjacent capacitors contact with each other, short-circuiting is not formed, and the size may be further reduced.
In preferred embodiment 5, lower holder 22 to be fitted to the lower end of metal case 15 is formed independently to be fitted to each capacitor, but the invention is not limited to this example, and a plurality of lower holders 22 may be formed integrally to be coupled to a plurality of capacitors. As a result, the dimensional precision may be further enhanced.
Referring to preferred embodiment 6, the present invention as set forth in claim 6 is particularly described below.
Preferred embodiment 6 is similar to preferred embodiment 1, except that connection bar 9 of the capacitor in preferred embodiment 1 is modified as follows.
In part of connection bar 9, flat plate part 9b is formed, for example, by bending almost perpendicularly, and further external terminal 9c is provided by plating the leading end of connection bar 9 with Sn or Ni.
As shown in
In such configuration, external terminal 9c is provided near junction part 3a of the capacitor, and in a connected state of a plurality of capacitors, the state of a capacitor alone may be checked electrically through external terminal 9c.
Conventionally, by using a terminal separate from connection bar 9, electrical checking was done, and a terminal jig was needed. Or depending on the connection state of the terminal, accurate measurement was impossible, but according to preferred embodiment 6, accurate measurement is possible by an extremely simple operation.
Alternatively, when external terminal 9c is directly inserted into a hole in a circuit board (not shown), it may be connected by soldering. Therefore, the number of members is curtailed, and the cost may be saved.
Further, as shown in
As shown in
The step of plating the leading end of connection bar 9 with Sn or Ni may be done, for example, as follows.
First of all, the leading end of connection bar 9 is degreased, and etched by using a commercial etching solution. Consequently, using Zn, displacement process and its peeling process are repeated. In the displacement process, a commercial solution may be used, and a nitric acid solution may be used in the peeling process.
Moreover, after processing the leading end of connection bar 9 with Ni, by plating with Sn, and neutralizing, plating process may be done. In any plating process, a commercial plating solution may be used, and a sodium phosphorate solution may be used in neutralizing process. In any process, sufficient washing in water is desired.
The capacitor of the present invention is easy in connection when connecting and coupling a plurality of capacitors, saved in connection space, and reduced in size, and is very useful as a capacitor used in hybrid car or the like.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2005-358763 | Dec 2005 | JP | national |
2006-213166 | Aug 2006 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2006/324650 | 12/11/2006 | WO | 00 | 3/25/2008 |