Case for electrical batteries or accumulator cells

• US 5,521,022 A
• Filed: 07/19/1994
• Issued: 05/28/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zedel
• Original Assignee: Zedel
• Inventors: Petzl, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): KALAFUT, STEPHEN J
• Application Number:
  US08/276,657
• Time in Patent Office: 679 Days
• Field of Search: 429/96, 429/97, 429/98, 429/99, 429/100, 429/175
• US Class Current: 429/97
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/213 adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A case for electrical batteries comprises a support part securedly united to the cover to form an extractable module housed in a casing sealed off by a cover. Clamping grips are articulated symmetrically on the opposite side faces of the casing to cooperate with retaining recesses of the cover so as to generate both a uniform distribution of the contact pressure on all the batteries, and a tightness at the level of the asembly interface of the cover and the upper edge of the casing. The case is used for a power supply unit of a portable lighting lamp.

Claims

1. A case for housing voltaic cells, and comprising a hollow casing containing a means for supporting the voltaic cells, a cover sealing the casing, and an electrical interconnection circuit with a cable passing through an orifice of the casing for supply of an external receiver, said case comprising:

means for supporting the voltaic cells, and being secured to the cover to form a module in the form of an extractable cartridge,

a first contact circuit connecting the voltaic cells to one another in the vicinity of the cover,

a second contact circuit arranged facing the first circuit at the bottom of the casing,

and means for securing the cover on the casing, and comprising a pair of grips, articulated symmetrically on the opposite side faces of the casing, each grip comprising a latching surface designed to cooperate with a retaining part located at each end of the cover so as to generate both a uniform contact pressure distribution over all the voltaic cells and a tightness at the level of the assembly interface of the cover and top edge of the casing.

2. The case according to claim 1, wherein the removable support means comprises adjacent compartments for positioning and securing the voltaic cells, the first contact circuit is supported by the internal surface of the upper wall of the support means and extends transversely between the compartments, and the external surface of said wall is equipped with clipping means designed to be clipped into conjugate orifices of the cover to form said module.

3. The case according to claim 1, wherein the bottom edge is provided with a U-shaped groove designed to cover the upper edge of the casing with interposition of a seal.

4. The case according to claim 1, wherein each grip is equipped with a gripping part located opposite the latching surface, and an intermediate articulation zone on a rod mounted with limited rocking on a spindle borne by the corresponding side face of the casing.

5. The case according to claim 2, wherein each compartment of the support means comprises a flexible tab coming up against the lateral surface of the voltaic cell, said tab being arranged to position the voltaic cell with a slight incline with respect to the longitudinal axis of the compartment so as to enhance ejection of the voltaic cell when the module is withdrawn.

6. The case according to claim 1, wherein the casing comprises a stop limiting the travel of the module to make the latter captive.

7. The case according to claim 1, wherein the second contact circuit comprises flexible contact strips arranged on an insulating plate positioned by guiding studs on the bottom of the casing.

8. The case according to claim 1, using electrical accumulator cells, wherein the accumulator cells are mechanically secured to one another to form a monoblock assembly fixed directly to the cover, electrical connection of the accumulator cells being achieved by welding of connecting strips.