Cell cap assembly with recessed terminal and enlarged insulating gasket

• US 20100136387A1
• Filed: 06/12/2009
• Published: 06/03/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tesla Motors Incorporated (Tesla Inc.)
• Inventors: Kohn, Scott Ira, Hermann, Weston Arthur
• Granted Patent: US 8,057,928 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/56
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/128 with two or more layers of only inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/147 Lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/184 characterised by their shape or structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/186 characterised by the disposition of the sealing members
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/193 Organic material
• 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 50/545 formed by the casing of the cells cup shaped terminals adapted for cells having curved cross-section H01M50/56
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/562 characterised by the material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/574 Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/578 in response to pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/70 Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries

Abstract

A simplified cell design is provided for a battery utilizing the 18650 form-factor, the simplified cell design reducing manufacturing cost, battery weight and the risk of shorting between the battery case and the battery terminal. In the cap assembly of the disclosed battery, the safety vent element, which is recessed relative to the top of the cell case, also serves as the battery terminal. Additionally, the insulating gasket positioned between the cell case and the cap assembly is designed to cover a large portion of the outer surface of the safety vent/battery terminal.

Claims

1. A battery having an 18650 form-factor, the battery comprising:

a cell case having a cylindrical outer surface, a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is closed by a cell case bottom, and wherein said second end is comprised of a central open portion;

an electrode assembly contained within said cell case, wherein a first electrode of said electrode assembly is electrically connected to said cell case; and

a cap assembly mounted to said cell case, said cap assembly closing said central open portion of said second end of said cell case, wherein said cap assembly further comprises;

a current interrupt device (CID), wherein said CID is electrically isolated from said cell case and electrically connected to a second electrode of said electrode assembly;

a safety vent element electrically isolated from said cell case, wherein an inner surface of said safety vent element is electrically connected to said CID, wherein a portion of an outer surface of said safety vent element serves as a battery terminal for said battery, and wherein said outer surface of said safety vent element is recessed relative to an outermost edge portion of said second end of said cell case; and

an insulating gasket interposed between an inner surface of said cell case and said safety vent element, wherein said insulating gasket includes an aperture, and wherein said aperture defines said battery terminal.

2. The battery of claim 1, wherein said insulating gasket is comprised of a first insulating member and a second insulating member, wherein said first insulating member covers at least a portion of said outer surface of said safety vent element and includes said aperture, and wherein said second insulating member is interposed between said inner surface of said cell case and a peripheral portion of said CID.

3. The battery of claim 1, wherein said CID and said safety vent element are comprised of an aluminum material.

4. The battery of claim 1, wherein said cap assembly does not include a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) current limiting element.

5. The battery of claim 1, wherein said insulating gasket covers at least 50 percent of said outer surface of said safety vent element.

6. The battery of claim 1, wherein said insulating gasket covers at least 75 percent of said outer surface of said safety vent element.

7. The battery of claim 1, wherein said insulating gasket covers at least 90 percent of said outer surface of said safety vent element.

8. The battery of claim 1, wherein said insulating gasket covers at least 95 percent of said outer surface of said safety vent element.

9. The battery of claim 1, wherein said outer surface of said safety vent element is substantially planar.

10. The battery of claim 1, wherein said insulating gasket is comprised of a material selected from the group of materials consisting of synthetic polymers, synthetic fluoropolymers, and polyimides.

11. The battery of claim 1, wherein said CID is comprised of an upper member and a lower member, wherein said upper member is electrically connected to said inner surface of said safety vent element, and wherein said lower member is electrically connected to said second electrode of said electrode assembly.

12. The battery of claim 11, wherein said upper member of said CID is electrically connected to said inner surface of said safety vent element via a first weld, and wherein said lower member of said CID is electrically connected to said second electrode of said electrode assembly via a second weld.

13. The battery of claim 1, wherein said battery is a lithium ion battery.

14. A battery having an 18650 form-factor, the battery comprising:

a cylindrical cell case with a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is closed by a cell case bottom, and wherein said second end is comprised of a central open portion;

an electrode assembly contained within said cell case, wherein a first electrode of said electrode assembly is electrically connected to said cell case; and

a cap assembly mounted within said cell case, said cap assembly closing said central open portion of said second end of said cell case, wherein said cap assembly does not include a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) current limiting element, and wherein said cap assembly further comprises;

a current interrupt device (CID), wherein said CID is fabricated from aluminum and is electrically isolated from said cell case and electrically connected to a second electrode of said electrode assembly;

a safety vent element fabricated from aluminum and electrically isolated from said cell case, wherein an inner surface of said safety vent element is electrically connected to said CID, wherein a portion of an outer surface of said safety vent element serves as a battery terminal for said battery, and wherein said outer surface of said safety vent element is recessed relative to an outermost edge portion of said second end of said cell case; and

an insulating gasket interposed between an inner surface of said cell case and said safety vent element, wherein said insulating gasket covers at least 90 percent of said outer surface of said safety vent element, wherein said insulating gasket includes an aperture, and wherein said aperture defines said battery terminal.

15. The battery of claim 14, wherein said insulating gasket is comprised of a first insulating member and a second insulating member, wherein said first insulating member covers at least a portion of said outer surface of said safety vent element and includes said aperture, and wherein said second insulating member is interposed between said inner surface of said cell case and a peripheral portion of said CID.

16. The battery of claim 14, wherein said CID is comprised of an upper member and a lower member, wherein said upper member is electrically connected to said inner surface of said safety vent element, and wherein said lower member is electrically connected to said second electrode of said electrode assembly.

17. The battery of claim 16, wherein said upper member of said CID is electrically connected to said inner surface of said safety vent element via a first weld, and wherein said lower member of said CID is electrically connected to said second electrode of said electrode assembly via a second weld.