Rechargeable battery

• US 20040241536A1
• Filed: 05/18/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Inventors: Kim, Young-Teag
• Granted Patent: US 8,580,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/65
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/109 of button or coin shape
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/3425 in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/574 Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/581 in response to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

A rechargeable battery comprises a can having an open portion in an upper region and accommodates a power generating unit. A flexible plate is installed in the opening portion, the flexible plate being connected to an electrode of the power generating unit and flexing when the internal pressure of the rechargeable battery rises above an allowable range. A terminal cap is arranged on the flexible plate, electrically connected to the flexible plate, and has an insulating portion on a bottom surface. An insulating substrate is arranged between the flexible plate and the terminal cap and has a rupture portion that is broken when the flexible plate flexes beyond an allowable range. Upon breaking the broken ends of the insulating substrate directly contact the insulating portion of the terminal cap so that the insulating substrate is electrically disconnected from the terminal cap. Additionally, a gasket is installed between edges of the flexible plate, the insulating substrate, and the terminal gap plate and an inner wall of the opening portion to insulate the flexible plate, the insulating substrate, and the terminal gap from the can.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery, comprising:

a container;

a safety device;

a power generating unit arranged in a portion of the container; and

a terminal cap arranged on the container and over the power generating unit, wherein the terminal cap includes an insulating portion to substantially prevent short circuits.

2. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the insulating portion comprises one of an insulating film and an insulating tape.

3. The rechargeable battery of claim 2, wherein the safety device comprises a flexible plate arranged in the container, connected to an electrode of the power generating unit and flexing when the internal pressure of the rechargeable battery rises above an allowable range.

4. The rechargeable battery of claim 3, wherein the terminal cap is arranged on the flexible plate and electrically connected to the flexible plate.

5. The rechargeable battery of claim 4, further comprising:

an insulating substrate arranged between the flexible plate and the terminal cap, wherein the insulating substrate includes a rupture portion that is breakable when the flexible plate flexes beyond an allowable range; and

a gasket arranged between edges of the flexible plate and the insulating substrate and an inner wall of the container to insulate the flexible plate and the insulating substrate from the container.

6. The rechargeable battery of claim 5, further comprising an upper conductive film and a lower conductive film formed on opposite surfaces of the insulating substrate, wherein the upper conductive thin film and lower conductive thin film are electrically connected with each other by an portion inserted through the insulating substrate.

7. The rechargeable battery of claim 3, wherein the flexible plate comprises a safety vent to allow an excess internal pressure to be discharged.

8. The rechargeable battery of claim 5, further comprising a current limiter arranged between the insulating substrate and the terminal cap to control and substantially block the flow of current in the rechargeable battery when an internal temperature of the rechargeable battery rises above an allowable pressure range.

9. The rechargeable battery of claim 5, wherein the rupture portion comprises a hole formed in a bridge that is formed across a portion of the insulating substrate.

10. The rechargeable battery of claim 2, wherein the insulating portion comprises a thermally resistant material.

11. The rechargeable battery of claim 10, wherein the insulating portion comprises polyimide tape.

12. A rechargeable battery, comprising:

a can having an open portion in an upper region;

a power generating unit arranged in the upper region of the can;

a terminal cap arranged into the opening portion, connected to an electrode of the power generating unit and having an insulating portion on a bottom surface; and

a gasket installed between an edge of the terminal cap and an inner wall of the opening portion.

13. The rechargeable battery of claim 12, wherein the insulating portion comprises at least one of an insulating thin film and an insulating tape.

14. The rechargeable battery of claim 13, wherein the insulating portion comprises a thermally resistant material.

15. The rechargeable battery of claim 12, further comprising a safety device arranged between the terminal cap and the electrode of the power generating unit.

16. The rechargeable battery of claim 15, wherein the safety device breaks when an internal pressure of the rechargeable battery rises above an allowable pressure range and a portion of the broken safety device contacts the insulating portion.

17. The rechargeable battery of claim 15, wherein the safety device comprises a flexible plate that flexes when the internal pressure of the rechargeable battery rises above a predetermined allowable range, the flexible plate being arranged on and electrically connected to a surface of the terminal cap.

18. The rechargeable battery of claim 17, wherein the safety device further comprises an insulating substrate arranged between the flexible plate and the terminal cap, the insulating substrate having a rupture portion that is broken when the flexible plate flexes beyond a predetermined allowable pressure range.

19. The rechargeable battery of claim 17, wherein the safety device further comprises a current limiter that controls and substantially blocks a flow of current when the internal temperature of the rechargeable battery rises above the predetermined allowable pressure range.

20. The rechargeable battery of claim 15, wherein the insulating tape comprises polyimide tape.