Patent Application
20150024291
The present invention relates to a containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery and a battery including the thin lithium-air battery inside.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-254162, filed Nov. 21, 2011, and the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The air battery is a battery including: a solid cathode material (air electrode); an anode material made of metal foil or metal micro-particle; and a liquid or solid electrolyte. The air battery uses: the air or the oxygen gas flowing in the gas passage provided to the inside of the air battery as the cathode active material; and the metal foil or the metal micro-particle as the anode active material.
Many kinds of air battery technologies have been proposed so far. Particularly, research and development of the lithium-air battery are actively conducted recently (see Patent Literatures (PTLs) 1 to 6). Reason for the active research and development of the lithium-air battery is that the energy density per unit weight can be significantly improved compared to the lithium ion battery, which has been put to practical use already, in addition to its usability as a secondary battery capable of being recharged repeatedly.
Among the air battery technologies, the zinc-air battery has been put to practical use (see PTL 7). However, the zinc-air battery is a primary battery incapable of being recharged. Thus, the zinc-air battery is mainly used for the hearing aid since it is light-weighted and low-capacity. In this case, there is no need to make it high-capacity. Therefore, the zinc-air battery is contained in a small-sized metal housing to perform in the practical use.
As an example of air battery, one can mention the fuel cell. In the fuel cell, multiple cells are stacked interspaced by the separator called the bi-polar plate. There are two functions for the bi-polar plate: one is a function to divide two flow passages of the fuel flow for the anode electrode and the air flow for the cathode electrode; and other is a function to directly connect the stacked cells electrically (Non Patent Literature (NPL) 1).
In order to make the stacked battery cell high-capacity, it is necessary for them to be parallel-connected. However, the bi-polar plate is not suitable for that purpose. Moreover, it is very thick and causes a problem of the volume of the battery being too large after stacking the bi-polar plates.
The inventors of the present invention developed a thin cathode structure capable of incorporating the air or oxygen gas, which becomes the cathode active material, into the cathode structure very effectively even if it is stacked with a thin separator and a thin anode structure. Also, they found that a thin lithium-air battery with a large capacity can be produced by using the thin cathode structure with a thin anode structure and a thin separator.
However, a safely problem still remains. In the conventional containment vessel 2201 shown in
PTL 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2010-192313
PTL 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2011-96456
PTL 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2011-108388
PTL 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2011-108512
PTL 5: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2011-96586
PTL 6: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2011-96492
PTL 7: Published Japanese Translation No. 2008-502118 of the PCT International Publication
NPL 1: Hiroaki TAGAWA, Solid oxide fuel cell and global environment, p 60, Agne Shofu-Sha
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery with an improved safely capable of suppressing the rapid exothermic oxidation reaction of its component parts during operation of the thin lithium-air battery.
Aspects of the present invention are configured as explained below.
Under the circumstances described above, the inventors of the present invention conducted extensive studies and found the followings. The safely of the thin lithium-air battery can be improved by stopping the progress of the rapid oxidation reaction. It can be achieved by: recognizing the risk by monitoring battery's temperature, pressure, or the like with the sensor while supplying oxygen or air, which is the cathode active material, to the thin lithium-air battery efficiently; and automatically substituting the cathode active material with the inert gas that has been introduced in the containment vessel in advance in a dangerous condition. Also, the inventors developed a connecting member and a connection supporting member capable of supplying air or oxygen gas to the inside of the containment vessel of the thin lithium-air battery filled with the inert gas effectively. The inventor found that by using the connecting member and the connection supporting member, oxygen gas or air can be transported to the inside of the cell more effectively, and the effectiveness of the automatic substitution with the inert gas in the dangerous condition can be improved at the same time. Furthermore, the inventors of the present invention found that: the output voltage and the capacity of the battery can be further improved by connecting multiple thin lithium-air batteries in parallel or series; and the safety of the battery can be improved even more by stably retaining the output voltage and capacity, completing the present invention.
(1) A containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery including a containment chamber containing the thin lithium-air battery, wherein the containment vessel further includes:
a first gas pipe and a second gas pipe communicated with an inside of the containment chamber;
a third gas pipe and a fourth gas pipe communicated with an inside of the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment chamber; and a valve that is provided to the third gas pipe and controls opening and closing of communication to the containment chamber, wherein
an inert gas supply source is provided to the first gas pipe, and
an air or oxygen supply source is provided to the third gas pipe.
(2) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to (1) described above, wherein
a sensor is provided to the inside of the containment chamber, and
the valve is opened when a reading of the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value to supply an inert gas to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery.
(3) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to (2) described above, wherein the sensor is any one of a gas composition sensor; a pressure sensor; and a temperature sensor, or any combination thereof.
(4) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to any one of (1) to (3) described above, wherein an air exhaust mechanism is provided to each of the second gas pipe and the fourth gas pipe.
(5) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to any one of (1) to (4) described above, wherein a connecting member connecting: at least any one of the third gas pipe and the fourth gas pipe; and the thin lithium-air battery, is provided.
(6) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to (5) described above, wherein the connecting member includes:
a first connecting part that connects to the third gas pipe;
a second connecting part that connects to the fourth gas pipe;
a gas flowing part that connects to the first connecting part and the second connecting part; and
a battery connecting part that connects the thin lithium-air battery.
(7) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to (5) described above, wherein the connecting member includes:
a third connecting part that engages the third gas pipe or the fourth gas pipe;
a gas flowing part that connects to the third connecting part; and
a battery connecting part that connects the thin lithium-air battery.
(8) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to (5) or (6) described above, wherein the battery connecting part engages a part containing an opening of a storage case of the thin lithium-air battery.
(9) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to (5) or (6) described above, wherein the battery connecting part engages a cathode supporting material of the thin lithium-air battery.
(10) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to any one of (5) to (9) described above, wherein a connection supporting member is provided between: the third gas pipe and the fourth gas pipe; and the connecting member.
(11) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to (10) described above, wherein the connection supporting member includes: an auxiliary connecting part that connects to the third gas pipe or the fourth gas pipe; and a member connecting part that connects to the connecting member.
(12) The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery according to (11) described above, wherein two or more member connecting parts are provided.
(13) A battery including: a containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery; a containment chamber provided to an inside of the containment vessel of the thin lithium-air battery; and a thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment chamber, wherein
the containment vessel of the thin lithium-air battery includes:
an inert gas supply source is provided to the first gas pipe,
an air or oxygen supply source is provided to the third gas pipe,
the thin lithium-air battery includes a thin cathode structure in which a cathode material made of a porous body is bonded to a cathode supporting material in a plate shape, and
a gas flow path, which leads from one side surface of the cathode supporting material or the cathode material to other side surface facing the one side surface, is formed.
(14) The battery according to (13) described above, wherein the gas flow path is a passage, which leads from the one side surface of the cathode supporting material to the other side surface facing the one side surface.
(15) The battery according to (13) described above, wherein the gas flow path is a passage, which leads from the one side surface of the cathode material to the other side surface facing the one side surface.
The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery of the present invention is configured as explained below. The containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery including a containment chamber containing the thin lithium-air battery, wherein the containment vessel further includes: a first gas pipe and a second gas pipe communicated with an inside of the containment chamber; a third gas pipe and a fourth gas pipe communicated with an inside of the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment chamber; and a valve that is provided to the third gas pipe and controls opening and closing of communication to the containment chamber, wherein an inert gas supply source is provided to the first gas pipe, and an air or oxygen supply source is provided to the third gas pipe. Therefore, the thin lithium-air battery can be contained in the inside of the containment vessel filled with the inert gas when the battery operates. Also, the air or the oxygen, which is the cathode active material, in the inside of the battery can be substituted with the inert gas when the battery malfunctions such as overheating or the like. Also, the safety can be improved by suppressing the explosive reaction with the electrolyte or metallic Li. In addition, the damage can be suppressed even if malfunction such as overheating or the like rapidly occurs causing an explosion of the thin lithium-air battery due to the process substituting air or oxygen in the battery with the inert gas being too late since the thin lithium-air battery has the containment chamber filled with the inert gas.
In the case where the containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery of the present invention is configured such that a sensor is provided to the inside of the containment chamber, and the valve is opened when a reading of the sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold value to supply an inert gas to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery, the technical effect explained below can be obtained. In the configuration, the thin lithium-air battery is contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas and the opening and closing valve provided to the third gas pipe is opened during malfunction. Thus, the cathode active material in the lithium-air battery is substituted with the inert gas and the battery reaction is stopped. Accordingly, ignition of lithium is suppressed and the safety of the battery can be improved.
In the case where the containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery of the present invention is configured such that a connecting member connecting: the third gas pipe and/or the fourth gas pipe; and the thin lithium-air battery, is provided, the technical effect explained below can be obtained. In the configuration, air or oxygen gas can be supplied stably and efficiently to the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas. Thus, ignition of the electrolyte and lithium can be suppressed. Accordingly, the battery reaction can be reacted in the state with enhance safety.
In the case where the containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery of the present invention is configured such that a connection supporting member is provided between: the third gas pipe and the fourth gas pipe; and the connecting member, the connection supporting member includes: an auxiliary connecting part that connects to the third gas pipe or the fourth gas pipe; and a member connecting part that connects to the connecting member, and two or more member connecting parts are provided, the technical effect explained below can be obtained. In the configuration, two or more of thin lithium-air batteries can be stably fixed. Accordingly, the battery reaction can be reacted in the state with enhance safety.
First, the containment vessel of the thin lithium-air battery, which is an embodiment of the present invention, is explained.
As shown in
The containment chamber 201 is sealed and kept its airtightness.
The first gas pipe 202B is provided to be communicated with the inside of the containment chamber 201. Also, the first gas pipe 202B is attached to the inert gas supply source provided in the outside of the containment chamber 201. By operating the pump 203B, the inert gas can be supplied to the inside of the containment chamber 201.
The second gas pipe 202D is provided to be communicated with the inside of the containment chamber 201. Also, by operating the valve 204B, the inside of the containment chamber 201 can be exhausted.
The inert gas supply source includes the inert gas tank, the concentrator for supplying the inert gas, or the like. In the case of using a membrane-separation-system nitrogen concentrator as the inert gas supply source, it can be configured for the nitrogen concentrator to serve as an oxygen concentrator as well. The inert gas is nitrogen, a noble gas, or mixture of them.
The third gas pipe 202A is provided to be communicated with the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 in the containment chamber 201. The third gas pipe 202A is attached to the air or oxygen supply source provided in the outside of the containment chamber 201. By operating the pump 203A, air or oxygen gas can be supplied to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101.
The fourth gas pipe 202C is provided to be communicated with the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 in the containment chamber 201. By operating the valve 204A, the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 can be exhausted.
The firth gas pipe 202E is provided to form a communication between the third gas pipe 202A and the inside of the containment chamber 201 through the valve 204C. The communication status between the third gas pipe 202A and the inside of the containment chamber 201 can be switched by opening and closing the valve 204C. When the battery is functioning normally, the valve 204C is closed.
The air or oxygen gas supply source may include an oxygen gas tank, a concentrator for supplying oxygen gas, or the like. As the concentrator, a membrane-separation system, which performs concentration by utilizing passing rate difference between nitrogen and oxygen by passing compressed air through a polymer membrane in a form of a hollow fiber, or PSA (Pressure Swing Absorption) system, which allows passage of an adsorbent such as the activated carbon, can be used.
The tabs 97, 98 of the thin lithium-air battery 101 are connected to the blades 205, 206, respectively. The blades 205, 206 are connected to the output terminals 207, 208. The electricity generated by the thin lithium-air battery 101 can be taken out externally from the output terminals 207, 208.
The thin lithium-air battery 101 includes the storage case 91, and the tabs 97, 98. The opening 91 is provided to the storage case 91.
The storage case 91 is sealed and kept its airtightness. As the storage case 91, a laminate pack may be used.
As shown in
The sensor 210 is provided in the containment chamber 201. The sensor 210 is connected to the controlling mechanism (omitted in the drawing) by wiring 211. The controlling mechanism is configured to detect malfunction by setting the threshold value. The controlling mechanism is configured to perform the opening and closing control of the valve provided to each of gas pipes in the case of detecting malfunction. As the sensor 201, a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a gas composition sensor, or a combination of them can be used. Also, it is preferable to provide multiple sensors to the containment vessel. By providing these sensors, internal malfunction can be detected quickly.
As shown in
As shown in
The dividing wall film 100 is made of an organic or inorganic material. The dividing wall film 100 functions as a dividing wall between the internal space of the battery where the electrolyte presents and the vicinity of the opening where the air (oxygen) is flown in. By providing the dividing wall film 100, leakage and the cathode active material getting close to the vicinity of the anode electrode can be prevented.
As shown in
The unit structure 88 is formed by stacking the thin cathode structure 86, the thin separator 83, and the thin anode structure. The anode materials 82 are formed in the both sides of the cathode supporting material 81 in the thin cathode structure 86.
As shown in
The cathode supporting material 81 is in a substantially plate shape and trenches are formed on both sides. By placing the cathode material 82 on the top of these trenches, they become the holes 15A. The holes 15A are communicated to all of the side surfaces of the cathode supporting material 11.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in the above-described example and modified example of the thin cathode structures, a gas flowing passage is formed in the thin cathode structure of the present embodiment. The gas flow passage leads from the one side surface of the cathode supporting material or the cathode material to the other side surface facing the one side surface.
With the gas flowing passage, oxygen is supplied efficiently from the third gas pipe to the cathode material. Also, in the case of substituting the gas in the lithium-air battery with the inert gas during malfunction, with the gas flowing passage, the inert gas spreads the entire region of the cathode material efficiently. By having this configuration, the safely of the battery having the thin cathode structure of the present embodiment can be further improved.
As shown in
The gas flowing part 301d is provided in such a way that the first connecting part 301a, the second connecting part 301b, and the battery connecting part 301c are communicated.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
By having the configurations describe above, the air or oxygen gas flows in the gas flowing passage 301d from the third gas pipe 202A through the first connecting part 301a. Then, the air or oxygen gas is supplied to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 from the battery connecting part 301c through the opening 99. At this time, the valve 204C is closed and the noble gas is not introduced from the fifth gas pipe 202E.
The air or oxygen gas flows in the holes 15A of the thin cathode structure 86 and is incorporated into the cathode material 82 to perform the battery reaction with lithium ions in the electrolyte in the micro-pores of the cathode material 82.
The air or oxygen gas not participating to the reaction flows in the gas flowing passage 301d from the opening 99 through the battery connecting part 301c. Then, the air or oxygen gas is exhausted from the fourth gas pipe 202C through the second connecting part 301b.
Next, the safety mechanism of the containment vessel of the thin lithium-air battery of an embodiment of the present invention is explained.
In the containment vessel of the thin lithium-air battery of the embodiment of the present invention, first, the inert gas is supplied to the inside of the containment vessel 1001 of the thin lithium-air battery (inert gas supplying process). Then, the battery reaction is reacted by supplying the air or oxygen gas to the thin lithium-air battery (air or oxygen gas supplying process). By filling the surrounding of the thin lithium-air battery with the inert gas to suppress an explosion, the safety can be ensured. Followings are more detailed explanations of the above-mentioned processes.
First, in the containment vessel 1001 of the thin lithium-air battery shown in
Next, after closing the valve 204B, the inert gas is supplied from the first gas pipe 202B to the inside of the containment chamber 201 by operating the pump 203B.
In the inert gas supplying process, it is preferable to adjust the pressure of the inert gas in the containment chamber 201 by adjusting the amount of exhaustion from the second gas pipe 202D while adjusting the openness of the valve 204B.
Next, the valve 204A is opened and the valve 204C is closed. Then, the vacuum pump (omitted in the drawing) connected to the gas pipe 202C is operated to exhaust the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101.
Next, after closing the valve 204A, the pump 203A is operated to supply air or oxygen gas to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 from the third gas pipe 202A.
In the air or oxygen gas supplying process, it is preferable to adjust the pressure of the air or oxygen gas in the thin lithium-air battery 101 by adjusting the amount of exhaustion from the fourth gas pipe 202C while adjusting the openness of the valve 204A.
By performing the above-described processes, the enough amount of air or oxygen gas can be supplied to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 to react the battery reaction.
Also, the containment vessel has a safety mechanism to purge the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 with the inert gas during malfunctioning.
Being malfunctioned is defined by a state where the reading in a sensor in the containment chamber exceeds a predetermined threshold value which is set in advance. When such a state occurs, the valve 203A of the third gas pipe 202A is opened to supply the inert gas to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery. By performing this operation, an explosion can be suppressed, and the safety can be ensured.
Specifically, in the case of occurrence of malfunction such as overheating or the like and emergency shutdown of the electrical discharge being necessary, by opening the valve 204A and valve 202E, the air or oxygen gas filled in the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 is purged by substituting them with the noble gas filled in the containment chamber 201. By performing this operation, the battery discharging operation can be stopped.
Even if the emergency shutdown operation to the exceeding exothermal reaction rate was too late, infiltration of water to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 101 is fully prevented since the thin lithium-air battery 101 is contained in the containment chamber 201 filled with the inert gas. Thus, ignition of the lithium is suppressed and the battery reaction can be reacted at an improved safety level compared to the conventional battery.
Also, since the thin lithium-air battery 101 is covered with the containment vessel 1001 of the thin lithium-air battery, spreading of damage can be prevented even if an explosion or the like occurred in the thin lithium-air battery.
As shown in
As shown in
The connecting members 302A, 302B are placed in such a way that the major parts of them are place inside of the storage case 92 and end portions of them protrude on the opposite directions from the storage case 91.
As shown in
The connecting member 302B is configured in the same manner as the connecting member 302A. That is, a battery connecting part, which is opened in a substantially oblong shape in a plan view, is provided in its side surface. At one end part of the cylinder, the third connecting part opened in a circular shape in a plan view is provided. Other end is closed. The gas flowing part is provided to form the communication between the third connecting part and the battery connecting part.
As shown in
For the sealing film 73, the film with barrier properties to the air or oxygen, which is the cathode active material, is used. A film made of the same material as the dividing wall film 100 may be used. It is preferable that at least the surface of the dividing wall film 100 is made of a material with a high electrical insulation property. In
First, the stacking body 80 is prepared. The interspace of the protruded portions of the cathode supporting material 81 is blocked by the dividing wall film 100.
Next, as shown in
Next, as shown in
Next, the stacked body and the connecting members 302A, 302B pasted with the sealing film 73 is place in the storage case 92 to produce the thin lithium-air battery
It is preferable for the sealing film 73 to have been pasted on the outer surfaces of the connecting members 302A, 302B in advance. By following the procedure, misalignment during the assembling process can be suppressed, and work efficiency can be enhanced.
As shown in
By having the configurations described above, the air or oxygen gas flows in the gas flowing part 302Ad from the third gas pipe 202A through the third connecting part 302Aa. Then, the air or oxygen gas is supplied to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 102 from the battery connecting part 302Ac through the cathode supporting material 81.
The air or oxygen gas flows in the holes 15A of the thin cathode structure and is incorporated into the cathode material 82 to perform the battery reaction with lithium ions in the electrolyte in the micro-pores of the cathode material 82.
The air or oxygen gas not participating to the reaction flows in the gas flowing passage 302Ad from the cathode supporting material 81 through the battery connecting part 302Ac. Then, the air or oxygen gas is exhausted from the fourth gas pipe 202C through the third connecting part of the connecting member 302B.
In the case of operational malfunctioning, as in the first embodiment, by opening the valve 204A and valve 204C, the air or oxygen gas filled in the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 102 is purged by substituting them with the noble gas filled in the containment chamber 201. By performing this operation, the battery discharging operation can be stopped.
By having the configurations of the present embodiment, transportation efficiency of the air or oxygen gas in the thin lithium-air battery 102 can be improved. At the same time, gas displacement efficiency during operational malfunctioning can be improved. As a result, a safer operation can be obtained.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In the other cylindrical member, the gas flowing part 303Ad is provided. The gas flowing part 303Ad is communicated with each of the auxiliary connecting part 303Aa, and the member connecting parts, 303Ac1, 303Ac2, 303Ac3, 303Ac4.
The connection supporting member 303A engages the connecting member 302A of the 4 sheets of the thin lithium-air batteries 102 in the member connecting parts 303Ac1, 303Ac2, 303Ac3, 303Ac4.
Similarly, the connection supporting member 303B engages the 4 sheets of the thin lithium-air batteries 102. The 4 sheets of the thin lithium-air batteries 102 are stably held by the connection supporting members 303A, 303B.
The connection supporting member 303A engages the third gas pipe 202A in the auxiliary connecting part 303Aa. Similarly, the connection supporting member 303B engages the fourth gas pipe 202C in the auxiliary connecting part.
By having the configurations described above, the air or oxygen gas is supplied to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 102 from the third gas pipe 202A through the connection supporting member 303A, the connecting member 302A, and the cathode supporting material 81.
The air or oxygen gas flows in the holes 15A of the thin cathode structure and is incorporated into the cathode material 82 to perform the battery reaction with lithium ions in the electrolyte in the micro-pores of the cathode material 82.
The air or oxygen gas not participating to the reaction is exhausted from the fourth gas pipe 202C through the cathode supporting material 81, the connecting member 302B, and the connection supporting member 303B.
In the case of operational malfunctioning, as in the first embodiment, by opening the valve 204A and valve 204C, the air or oxygen gas filled in the inside of the thin lithium-air battery 102 is purged by substituting them with the noble gas filled in the containment chamber 201. By performing this operation, the battery discharging operation can be stopped.
By having the configurations of the present embodiment, transportation efficiency of the air or oxygen gas in the thin lithium-air battery 102 can be improved. At the same time, gas displacement efficiency during operational malfunctioning can be improved. As a result, a safer operation and a higher electric voltage can be obtained.
The containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention are containment vessels of thin lithium-air batteries including the containment chamber 201 containing the thin lithium-air batteries 101, 102. They include: the first gas pipe 202B and the second gas pipe 202D communicated with the inside of the containment chamber 201; the third gas pipe 202A and the fourth gas pipe 202C communicated with the insides of the thin lithium-air batteries 101, 102 contained in the containment chamber 201; and the valve 204C that controls opening and closing of the communication of the third gas pipe 202A to the inside of the containment chamber 201. The inert gas supply source is attached to the first gas pipe. The air or oxygen gas supply source is attached to the third gas pipe. By having the above-explained configuration: the inside of the containment vessel is filled with the inert gas efficiently; the air or oxygen gas is supplied stably and efficiently to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery; and the thin lithium-air battery can be contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas. Since they have the function substituting the air or oxygen gas in the thin lithium-air battery with the inert gas during malfunctioning such as overheating, ignition of lithium can be suppressed and the safety can be enhanced. Also, since they have the containment chamber, spreading of damage can be prevented even if an explosion or the like occurred in the thin lithium-air battery.
The containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention includes the sensor 210 in the containment chamber 201. When the reading of the sensor 210 exceeds the predetermined value, the valve 204C is opened and the inert gas is supplied to the inside of the thin lithium-air battery. By having the configuration explained above, the valve provided to the third gas pipe is opened when the sensor detect malfunction, and the inert gas is supplied in the third gas pipe, the thin lithium-air battery, and the fourth gas pipe to purge the inside of the thin lithium-air battery with the inert gas. Accordingly, the explosive reaction can be suppressed.
In the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the sensor 210 is any one of the gas composition sensor, the pressure sensor, and the temperature sensor, or any combination of the above-mentioned sensors. Because of the above-described configuration, when the sensor detects malfunction, the valve provided to the third gas pipe is opened, and the inert gas is supplied in the third gas pipe, the thin lithium-air battery, and the fourth gas pipe to purge the inside of the thin lithium-air battery with the inert gas. Accordingly, the explosive reaction can be suppressed.
In the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the exhausting mechanism is provided to the second gas pipe 202D and the fourth gas pipe 202C. Because of the above-explained configuration, the pressure of the inert gas in the containment chamber can be adjusted by adjusting the exhaustion amount from the second gas pipe. Also, the pressure of the air or oxygen gas in the thin lithium-air battery can be adjusted by adjusting the exhaustion amount from the fourth gas pipe. Accordingly, air or oxygen gas can be supplied stably and efficiently to the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas.
To the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the connecting members 301, 302A, 302B, which connect the thin lithium-air batteries 101, 102 to the third gas pipe 202A and/or the fourth gas pipe 202C, are provided. Because of the above-described configuration, the air or oxygen gas can be supplied stably and efficiently to the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas.
In the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the connecting member 301 includes: the first connecting part 301a connected to the third gas pipe 202A; the second connecting part 301b connected to the fourth gas pipe 202C; the gas flowing part 301d communicated with the first connecting part 301a and the second connecting part 301b; and the battery connecting part 301c connecting the thin lithium-air battery 101. Because of the above-described configuration, the air or oxygen gas can be supplied stably and efficiently to the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas.
In the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the connecting members 302A, 302B include: the third connecting part 302Aa engaging the third gas pipe 202A or the fourth gas pipe 202C; the gas flowing part 302Ad communicated with the third connecting part 302Aa; and the battery connecting part 302Ac connecting the thin lithium-air battery 102. Because of the above-described configuration, the air or oxygen gas can be supplied stably and efficiently to the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas.
In the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the battery connecting part 301c engages the part including the opening 99 of the storage case 91 of the thin lithium-air battery 101. Because of the above-described configuration, the air or oxygen gas can be supplied stably and efficiently to the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas.
In the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the battery connecting part 302Ac engages the cathode supporting material 81 of the thin lithium-air battery 102. Because of the above-described configuration, the air or oxygen gas can be supplied stably and efficiently to the thin lithium-air battery contained in the containment vessel filled with the inert gas.
In the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the connection supporting members 303A, 303B are provided between: the third gas pipe 202A and the fourth gas pipe 202C; and the connecting members 302A, 302B. Because of the above-described configuration, 2 or more of the thin lithium-air batteries can be fixed stably.
In the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, the connection supporting members 303A, 303B include: the auxiliary connecting part 303Aa connected to the third gas pipe 202A and the fourth gas pipe 202C; and the member connecting parts 303Ac1, 303Ac2, 303Ac3, 303Ac4 connected to the connecting parts 302A, 302B. Because of the above-described configuration, 2 or more of the thin lithium-air batteries can be fixed stably.
To the containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention, 4 member connecting parts 303Ac1, 303Ac2, 303Ac3, 303Ac4 are provided. Because of the above-described configuration, 4 thin lithium-air batteries can be fixed stably and the battery reaction can be reacted in the state of enhanced safety.
The containment vessels 1001, 1002, 1003 of thin lithium-air batteries of the embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the descriptions of the embodiments of the present invention above, and can be subjected a variety of modification within the scope of the present invention. Specific examples of the embodiments of the present invention are shown below. However, the present invention is not limited by the description of Examples described below.
First, a thin lithium-air battery shown in the second embodiment of the present invention was obtained. As a storage case, a laminate package was used.
Next, the battery was stored in the containment chamber 201 of a shin lithium-air battery with the output terminals 207, 208, after connecting the connection supporting member to each of the third gas pipe 202A and the fourth gas pipe 202C as shown in
Next, the first gas pipe 202B was connected to the inert gas supply system provided outside of the vessel, and the third gas pipe 202A was connected to the concentrator for oxygen supply (air or oxygen gas supply source: cathode active material supply source) provided to outside of the vessel.
Next, the pumps 203A, 203B, 2203A, 2203B, and the valves 2204A, 2204B, 2204C, 2204D, 2204E, 2204F, 2204G, 2204H, 2204I, 2204J, which were needed for the gas supply/exhaust system, were connected.
Next, the pressure sensor 210D, the temperature sensor 210C, and the gas composition sensor 210A for detecting internal malfunction were connected.
As the gas composition sensor 210A in the oxygen gas flowing passage, the CO2 detector was used, since occurrence of decomposition of the carbohydrate-based electrolyte was foreseen in response to operational malfunctioning.
CO2 detectors were also provided to the main body of the containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery as the pressure sensor 201E and the gas composition sensor 210B in the vessel. The environment in the inside of the vessel was controlled by the exhaustion pumps 203B, 2203B for exhaustion, and the valves 2204A, 2204H, 22041, 2204J. It was designed as a system exhausting based on the monitor value of the pressure sensor 210D, 210E, and the explosion-proof valve was added separately (not shown in the drawing). It is possible a defect or operational malfunction occurs in these pressure sensors. Thus, by providing the explosion-proof valve, double safety measures were provided.
Next, after supplying the inert gas in the containment chamber 201, the pressure of the inert gas in the containment vessel of the thin lithium-air battery was retained in a predetermined value by operating the pumps and valves.
Next, after supplying air or oxygen gas in the thin lithium-air battery, the pressure of the air or oxygen gas in the thin lithium-air battery 102 was retained in a predetermined value by operating the pumps and valves.
Under the condition described above, the battery reaction was performed.
During normal discharging, in order to avoid the state where the oxygen supply was the rate-limiting step, a pressurized state was retained by controlling opening and closing of the cut valve and the squeeze pump 203A while monitoring the pressure in the oxygen gas flowing passage with the pressure sensor 210D.
An emergency response system was provided to the containment vessel 201 of the thin lithium-air battery (omitted in the drawing). When malfunctioning occurred in the containment vessel 201 of the thin lithium-air battery, it switches to the emergency-response-mode operation.
Specifically, during discharging and charging, it switches to the operation of the emergency-response-mode 1 once any one of temperature increase in the temperature sensor 210C provided on the surface of the stacked laminate package, abnormal pressure in the oxygen gas flowing passage in the laminate package (detected by the pressure sensor 210D), and abnormal gas composition in the oxygen gas flowing passage (detected by the CO2 sensor 210A) occurs. In the case where any one of the abnormal pressure of main body of the containment vessel (detected by the pressure sensor 210E) and the abnormal gas composition in the main body of the containment vessel (detected by the CO2 sensor 210B) was detected too, it switches to the emergency-response mode 2.
As shown in
Table 1 indicates the operation sequences of each of supply apparatuses, pumps, and valves. The mode 1 and the mode 2 are shown for four different situations: in normal discharging; in abnormal discharging; in normal charging; and in abnormal charging. The mode 1 is for the case where there is no abnormality in the containment vessel. The mode 2 is for the case where there abnormality is detected in the inside of the containment vessel.
The basic action during malfunctioning was: stopping the oxygen concentrator and the squeeze pump; and closing and opening operation of the cut valve.
Specifically, the basic action during the malfunctioning in the mode 1 was: stopping the squeeze pump 2 by using the relay 2 for pump driving (electromagnetic); closing the valve 2 in the valve driving manifold 2; and opening operation of the valve 4 in the valve driving manifold 4. The exhaust pump 1 operated continuously.
As the supply-system of the inert gas, the squeeze pump 1 was operated in the relay 1 for pump driving (electromagnetic) and the valve 1 was retained in the opened state in the valve driving manifold 1.
As the exhaust gas-system, the valve 5 was opened in the valve driving manifold 5, the valve 6 was also opened in the valve driving manifold 6, and the exhaust pump was operated. In the mode 1, the valve 8 was retained in the closed state since it is the malfunction in the inside of the thin lithium-air battery. By following the operations describe above, the partial pressure of oxygen in the thin lithium-air battery was reduced immediately and the dangerous situation where ignition, explosion, or the like was uncontrolled was avoided.
It was switched to the mode 2 by the abnormality detected by the pressure sensor 2 or the gas composition sensor 2 in the containment vessel. In this case, exhausting the inside of the containment vessel is also necessary. Thus, in addition to the operation in the mode 1, the valve 8 was opened in the valve driving manifold 8, the valve 10 was opened in the valve driving manifold 10, and the exhausting pump 2 was operated. By following the operations describe above, the insides of the thin lithium-air battery and the containment vessel were substituted with the inert gas at the same time, and the dangerous situation such as ignition was avoided.
The present invention relates to a containment vessel of a thin lithium-air battery capable of suppressing a rapid exothermic oxidation reaction (ignition) during operation and improving the safety. Thus, the present invention has applicability for the battery industry, the energy industry, or the like.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 254162 | Nov 2011 | JP | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2012/080149 | 11/21/2012 | WO | 00 |
