Corner tab termination for flat-cell batteries

• US 5,419,982 A
• Filed: 12/06/1993
• Issued: 05/30/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: General Motors Corporation (Motors Liquidation Co. GUC Trust)
• Original Assignee: Valence Technology Incorporated (Lithium Werks B.V.)
• Inventors: Garland, Douglas V., Gandler, Bernard R., Tura, Drew D., Ronning, Jeffrey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Skapars, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US08/163,204
• Time in Patent Office: 540 Days
• Field of Search: 429/160, 429/152, 429/178, 429/179-211
• US Class Current: 429/162
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0436 Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/119 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/121 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/129 with two or more layers of only organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/136 Flexibility or foldability
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/14 for protecting against damage caused by external factors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/54 Connection of several leads or tabs of plate-like electrode stacks, e.g. electrode pole straps or bridges
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/548 on opposite sides of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/55 on the same side of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/553 Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• 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 new flat cell battery design is provided which incorporates a cathode and an anode terminal which are located in respective corners of a battery body. By locating the cathode and anode terminals in respective corners of the flat cell battery, the storage capacity and energy density of the battery are increased compared to conventional flat cell batteries. The corner terminal design of the present invention significantly improves packaging efficiency over common-edge terminals. In addition to increased volume efficiency, corner terminals improve thermal and electrical distribution properties of the battery. Physical separation of the terminals to adjacent or opposite corners also reduces the probability of inadvertent external short-circuit, resulting in improved safety.

Claims

1. A flat cell battery comprising:

a body having a first and second corner wherein said first and second corners are diametrically opposed form each other, said body including;

at least one anode layer,

at least one cathode layer,

an anode terminal electrically connected to a portion of said at least one anode layer; and

a cathode terminal electrically connected to a portion of said at least one cathode layer;

said anode terminal being located at said first corner of said body and said cathode terminal being located at said second corner of said body.

2. The battery of claim 1 wherein said body is a rectangular polyhedron.

3. The battery of claim 1 wherein said body comprises a first and a second face, and

wherein said cathode terminal is located at or near or adjacent to said first face and said anode terminal is located at or near or adjacent to said second face.

4. The battery of claim 3 wherein said first face and said second face are opposite to each other.

5. The battery of claim 1 wherein said body comprises a first face, and

wherein said cathode terminal and said anode terminal are each located at or near or adjacent to said first face.

6. The battery of claim 1 wherein:

said cathode terminal comprises;

a first plate,

a second plate, and

a third plate,

wherein a portion of said at least one cathode layer and a portion of said third plate are each interposed between said first and second plates, thereby causing said portion of cathode layer to make electrical contact with said third plate; and

wherein said anode terminal comprises;

a fourth plate,

a fifth plate, and

a sixth plate,

wherein a portion of said at least one anode layer and a portion of said sixth plate are each interposed between said fourth and fifth plates, thereby causing said portion of anode layer to make electrical contact with said sixth plate.

7. The battery of claim 1,

wherein said cathode terminal comprises:

a first plate;

a second plate, said second plate including an arm, said arm defining a first aperture therein; and

wherein a portion of said at least one cathode layer is interposed between said first and second plates, thereby causing said portion of cathode layer to make electrical contact with said second plate; and

wherein said anode terminal comprises;

a third plate;

a fourth plate, said fourth plate including an arm, said arm defining a second aperture therein; and

wherein a portion of said at least one anode layer is interposed between said third and fourth plates, thereby causing said portion of anode layer to make electrical contact with said fourth plate;

8. The battery of claim 7 further comprising:

a first plug insertable into said first aperture, thereby making electrical contact with said second plate; and

a second plug insertable into said second aperture, thereby making electrical contact with said fourth plate.

9. The battery of claim 1 further comprising at least one layer of mylar material interposed between at least a portion of said anode layer and at least a portion of said cathode layer.

10. The battery of claim 1 further comprising a protective shell or bag sealed to at least a portion of said body for isolating said body from environmental elements.