Electricity storage/discharge device with low internal resistance current collector structure

• US 6,159,633 A
• Filed: 01/21/1998
• Issued: 12/12/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tai-Her Yang
• Original Assignee: Tai-Her Yang
• Inventors: Yang, Tai-Her
• Primary Examiner(s): Maples, John S.
• Application Number:
  US09/010,493
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 429/161, 429/211, 429/209, 429/122, 429/120
• US Class Current: 429/120
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0413 Large-sized flat cells or batteries for motive or stationary systems with plate-like electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/613 Cooling or keeping cold
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/615 Heating or keeping warm
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/654 located inside the innermost case of the cells, e.g. mandrels, electrodes or electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6553 Terminals or leads
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6556 Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange closed pipes H01M10/6552
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6563 with forced flow, e.g. by blowers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/6567 Liquids
• 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: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

An electricity storage/discharge device includes a plurality of electrode plates separated by isolator members. Each of the electrode plates includes at least two outwardly extending current collecting terminals, at least one conductor through-hole, and at least one isolating opening. The electrode plates can be circular, partially circular, or polygonal, and are electrically connected in series or parallel combinations to plates of opposite or same polarity by a plurality of conductor rods arranged to pass through and be electrically connected to selected ones of said through-holes to form multiple input/output circuits. Isolating openings in the form of notches or additional through-holes having a size larger than the size of the conductor rods are provided to permit passage of the conductor rods through plates to which the rods are not electrically connected. Electrical connection of the conductor rods to the electrode plates via the through-holes can be achieved by welding or press-fitting of the rods, and insulator members can further be provided between the rods and the isolating openings.

Claims

1. An electricity storage/discharge device, comprising:

a plurality of electrode plates, each having at least two outwardly extending current collecting terminals, at least one conductor through-hole, and at least one isolating opening;

a plurality of isolator members positioned between respective ones of said electrode plates having opposite polarities; and

a plurality of conductor rods, said conductor rods being arranged to pass through and be electrically connected to selected ones of said through-holes to form multiple circuits, as follows;

said conductor rods form series connections between said electrode plates upon electrical connection to through-holes of electrode plates having opposite polarities; and

said conductor rods form parallel connections between said electrode plates upon being electrically connected to through-holes of electrode plates having a same polarity,

wherein said conductor rods are also arranged to pass through said isolating notches of electrode plates to which the conductor rods are not electrically connected, said isolating openings having a size larger than a size of the conductors rods so as to prevent contact between said conductor rods and said electrode plates.

2. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said through-holes have a circular shape and said conductor rods having a corresponding circular cross-section.

3. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductor rods have a rectangular shape.

4. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductor rods are hollow tubes having an axially extending opening to facilitate press-fitting of said conductor rods in said selected through-holes.

5. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductor rods are hollow tubes and are arranged to permit passage of a cooling fluid.

6. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cooling fluid is an insulating fluid.

7. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conductor rods are welded to said through-holes.

8. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrode plates are at least partially circular.

9. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrode plates form polygons having at least three sides.

10. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising insulator members positioned in said isolating openings to further isolate said conductor rods passing through said isolating openings from respective electrode plates to which the conductor rods are not electrically connected.

11. An electricity storage/discharge device as claimed in claim 1, wherein two ends of said conductor rods are provided with mechanical fastening means for securing together said electrode plates and isolator members.