SECONDARY BATTERY

• US 20110052950A1
• Filed: 07/16/2010
• Published: 03/03/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Inventors: Yoo, Hojoon
• Application Number:
  US12/837,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20110052950A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/90
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/30 Nickel accumulators H01M10/34 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/488 Cells or batteries combined with indicating means for external visualization of the condition, e.g. by change of colour or of light density
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/52 Removing gases inside the secondary cell, e.g. by absorption vent plugs or other mechanical arrangements for facilitating escape of gases H01M50/30
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/169 by welding, brazing or soldering
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/171 using adhesives or sealing agents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/24 adapted for protecting batteries from their environment, e.g. from corrosion thermal insulation H01M10/658
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/325 comprising deformable valve members, e.g. elastic or flexible valve members
• 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: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A secondary battery includes an indication member that clearly indicates from the outside of the battery whether gas is released and can prevent external moisture and foreign materials from being introduced into the battery through a gas release hole. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a can in which the electrode assembly is disposed, a cap disposed at an upper portion of the can and having at least one gas release hole, and an indication member adhered to an interior side of the cap that indicates whether a pressure within the secondary battery is sufficient to disable the secondary battery.

Claims

1. A secondary battery comprising:

an electrode assembly;

a can in which the electrode assembly is disposed;

a cap disposed at an upper portion of the can and having at least one gas release hole; and

an indication member adhered to an interior side of the cap that indicates whether gas is released through the at least one gas release hole.

2. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the indication member is formed as a film that closes the at least one gas release hole.

3. The secondary battery of claim 2, wherein the indication member has a fracture recess formed in a surface thereof facing the at least one gas release hole.

4. The secondary battery of claim 2, wherein the indication member has a fracture recess formed in a surface thereof facing away from the at least one gas release hole.

5. The secondary battery of claim 2, wherein the indication member has fracture recesses formed both in a surface thereof facing and in a surface thereof facing away from the at least one gas release hole, respectively.

6. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the indication member includes a first film that closes the at least one gas release hole and adhered to the interior side of the cap, and a second film adhered to the first film.

7. The secondary battery of claim 6, wherein the second film has a color different from a color of the first film.

8. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the indication member includes a first film that closes the at least one gas release hole and is adhered to the interior side of the cap, a second film adhered to the first film, and a dye disposed in a space between the first and second films.

9. The secondary battery of claim 8, wherein the dye has a color different from that of the first film.

10. The secondary battery of claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary plate disposed between the cap and the indication member.

11. The secondary battery of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary plate is shaped as a funnel having a lower end circumference larger than an upper end circumference and is coupled to the cap, while attaching the internal surface of the cap.

12. The secondary battery of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary plate has at least one hole formed therethrough at a position corresponding to the at least one gas release hole formed in the cap so as to communicate with each other.

13. The secondary battery of claim 10, wherein the auxiliary plate is coupled to the interior side of the cap by thermal fusion, welding, or forced fitting.

14. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the indication member is fractured when the gas is released through the gas release hole.

15. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the indication member protrudes outside the gas release hole when the gas is released through the gas release hole.

16. The secondary battery of claim 1, further comprising a safety vent formed at a lower portion of the cap to interrupt a current and release the gas when an abnormal internal pressure occurs inside the can, wherein the indication member is fractured when the gas is released through the gas release hole.

17. The secondary battery of claim 1, further comprising a safety vent formed at a lower portion of the cap to interrupt a current and release the gas when an abnormal internal pressure occurs inside the can, wherein the indication member protrudes outside the gas release hole due to the abnormal internal pressure.

18. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the indication member is made of a metal or polymer.

19. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the indication member is adhered to the interior side of the cap by thermal fusion or welding.

20. The secondary battery of claim 1, wherein the indication member is adhered to an exterior side of the cap.