Method and apparatus for vacuum pressing electrochemical cell components
First Claim
1. A method of assembling electrochemical cell components, comprising:
- aligning first and second electrochemical cell components;
providing a bonding agent between the first and second electrochemical cell components;
placing the aligned components into a container consisting essentially of a pliable bag; and
drawing a vacuum within the pliable bag, wherein the pliable bag molds to a shape of the aligned components.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Assembling electrochemical cell components using a bonding agent comprising aligning components of the electrochemical cell, applying a bonding agent between the components to bond the components together, placing the components within a container that is essentially a pliable bag, and drawing a vacuum within the bag, wherein the bag conforms to the shape of the components from the pressure outside the bag, thereby holding the components securely in place. The vacuum is passively maintained until the adhesive has cured and the components are securely bonded. The bonding agent used to bond the components of the electrochemical cell may be distributed to the bonding surface from distribution channels in the components. To prevent contamination with bonding agent, some areas may be treated to produce regions of preferred adhesive distribution and protected regions. Treatments may include polishing, etching, coating and providing protective grooves between the bonding surfaces and the protected regions.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method of assembling electrochemical cell components, comprising:
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aligning first and second electrochemical cell components;
providing a bonding agent between the first and second electrochemical cell components;
placing the aligned components into a container consisting essentially of a pliable bag; and
drawing a vacuum within the pliable bag, wherein the pliable bag molds to a shape of the aligned components. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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27. A subassembly of electrochemical cell components, comprising:
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a first component having a first bonding surface with one or more open channels, wherein the one or more open channels contain a bonding agent; and
a second component having a second bonding surface aligned with the first bonding surface of the first component. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 44)
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45. A method of assembling electrochemical cell components, comprising:
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aligning first and second electrochemical cell components;
providing a bonding agent between the first and second electrochemical cell components;
placing the aligned components into a pliable bag, placing the pliable bag within a vacuum chamber; and
drawing a vacuum on the vacuum chamber. - View Dependent Claims (46, 47, 48)
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Specification