Electrochemical cell asssembly

• US 4,729,162 A
• Filed: 06/11/1986
• Issued: 03/08/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Duracell Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Duracell Incorporated (Berkshire Hathaway Incorporated)
• Inventors: Berkowitz, Fred J., Sillesky, John D., Reise, Terrence F., Him, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hearn, Brian E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kalafut, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US06/873,248
• Time in Patent Office: 636 Days
• Field of Search: 29/623.3-623.5, 156/250, 156/252, 156/254, 156/257
• US Class Current: 29/623.3
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/531 Electrode connections inside a battery casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/533 characterised by the shape of the leads or tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/534 characterised by the material of the leads or tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/536 characterised by the method of fixing the leads to the electrodes, e.g. by welding
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1052 with cutting, punching, tearing or severing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1056 Perforating lamina
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1064 Partial cutting [e.g., grooving or incising]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49112 including laminating of indefinite length material
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49114 including adhesively bonding

Abstract

This invention pertains to an improved means of making electrical and mechanical contact to metal foil electrode in an electrochemical cell. A conductive element is used which has a multiplicity of teeth projecting therefrom. The teeth pierce through the metal foil electrode and are bent over to be flush with the electrode surface. A strong mechanical and electrical bond results.

Claims

1. A method for making electrical contact to a foil electrode of an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of punching an array of apertures in a predetermined section of a rectangularly shaped conductive element;

forming at least one pair of opposed teeth from the material punched from each aperture such that the teeth project from the same side of the conductive element, are longer than the thickness of the foil electrode, and are directed toward each other;

pressing the conductive element into the surface of the foil electrode such that the teeth pierce through the electrode; and

bending the teeth toward each other until they are flush with the opposite surface of the electrode.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the the teeth are concomitantly pressed through the foil electrode and bent over by compressing the conductive element and metal foil electrode combination between metal plates to a fixed stop distance.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the fixed stop distance is equal to the sum of the thicknesses of the foil electrode and of the conductive element.

4. A method for making electrical contact to a foil electrode of an electrochemical cell comprising the steps of punching an array of apertures in a predetermined section of a rectangularly shaped conductive element;

forming at least one pair of teeth from the material punched from each aperture such that the teeth project from the same side of the conductive element;

pressing the conductive element teeth first onto and through a first surface of the foil electrode and into the thickness thereof; and

forcing the material of the foil electrode to flow past and behind the teeth to hold the conductive element in good electrical and mechanical contact with the foil electrode.