Electrode plate unit for rechargeable battery and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

A plurality of positive electrode plates and negative electrode plates are stacked alternately upon one another with intervening separators therebetween, wherein lateral edges of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edges of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side. Collector plates are brought in tight contact with respective lateral edges of the positive and negative electrode plates, and heat is applied to the collector plate on an opposite surface of the electrode plates from a non-contact type heat source at several locations in lines along a direction in which the electrode plates are stacked.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery comprising: 
 stacking a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates alternately upon one another with intervening separators therebetween;    bringing a collector plate .in tight contact with lateral edges on one lateral side of the positive or negative electrode plates; and    applying heat to the collector plate on an opposite surface of the electrode plates from a non-contact type heat source at several locations in lines along a direction in which the electrode plates are stacked.    
     
     
         2 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 1 , wherein a solder material is attached on the collector plate on a surface which is contacted with the electrode plates along a plurality of lines in the direction in which the electrode plates are stacked, and heat is applied upon said solder material.  
     
     
         3 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the positive or negative electrode plates are pressed against a locating means so that the lateral edges on one lateral side of the positive or negative electrode plates are aligned, and heat is applied to the collector plate in a state wherein the collector plate is tightly pressed against the lateral edges of the positive or negative electrode plates.  
     
     
         4 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 1 , wherein heat is applied to the collector plate by irradiating an electronic beam within a vacuum.  
     
     
         5 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 4 , wherein the collector plate, together with the electrode plates in contact therewith, is demagnetized before the application of heat.  
     
     
         6 . A method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery comprising: 
 stacking a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates alternately upon one another with intervening separators therebetween, such that lateral edges of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edges of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side; and    welding a collector plate to the lateral edges of at least one of the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates, wherein a solder material is arranged in advance to the collector plate at locations to be bonded to the lateral edges of the positive or negative electrode plates.    
     
     
         7 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 6 , wherein the solder material is applied on the collector plate by electrolytic or non-electrolytic plating.  
     
     
         8 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 6 , wherein the solder material is attached on the collector plate by welding a sheet-like solder material to the collector plate.  
     
     
         9 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 6 , wherein the solder material is attached on the collector plate on a surface which is contacted with the electrode plates along a plurality of lines in the direction in which the electrode plates are stacked, and heat is applied upon said solder material.  
     
     
         10 . A method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery comprising: 
 stacking a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates alternately upon one another with intervening separators therebetween, such that lateral edges of the positive electrode plates protrude beyond the negative electrode plates on one side, and lateral edges of the negative electrode plates protrude beyond the group of positive electrode plates on the opposite side;    pressing the positive or negative electrode plates against a locating means so that the lateral edges on one lateral side of the positive or negative electrode plates are aligned;    bringing a collector plate in tight contact with said aligned lateral edges on one lateral side of the positive or negative electrode plates; and    applying heat to the collector plate on an opposite surface of the electrode plates from a non-contact type heat source at several locations in lines along a direction in which the electrode plates are stacked.    
     
     
         11 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 10 , wherein heat is applied to the collector plate by irradiating an electronic beam within a vacuum.  
     
     
         12 . The method of manufacturing an electrode plate unit for a battery according to  claim 11 , wherein the collector plate, together with the electrode plates in contact therewith, is demagnetized before the application of heat.