Complete discharge device for lithium battery

• US 6,270,916 B1
• Filed: 12/28/1998
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Saft Finance Sarl (Totalenergies Se)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Sink, Michael S., Bowling, Glen V.
• Primary Examiner(s): CHANEY, CAROL DIANE
• Application Number:
  US09/220,849
• Time in Patent Office: 953 Days
• Field of Search: 429/7, 429/50, 429/101, 429/102, 429/105, 429/49, 320/127, 320/132
• US Class Current: 429/7
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/44 Methods for charging or discharging circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/00 Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/572 Means for preventing undesired use or discharge
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/16 with organic electrolyte H01M6/18 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/52 Reclaiming serviceable parts of waste cells or batteries , e.g. recycling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/84 Recycling of batteries or fuel cells

Abstract

A method and apparatus for completely discharging a LiSO₂ battery which is not prone to self-activation and which does not require special tools for activation. In the present invention, as switch is formed of a switch contact (e.g,. a spring contact) biased toward a contact pad. When the contact and contact pad meet, the discharge circuit of the complete discharge device (CDD) is activated. Under normal conditions, an elongated insulative strip projects between the switch contact and the contact pad and extends through the casing of the battery. The extension allows the strip to be pulled out from the exterior of the casing. Also under normal conditions, the portion of the strip extending through the casing is folded over and covered with a peel-off label. When it is desired to activate the complete discharge device, the peel-off label is removed to expose the end of the strip, and the strip can be withdrawn from the casing. This then allows the contact and the contact pad to touch and activate the CDD.

Claims

1. A method for completely discharging a battery, where said battery comprises a battery casing having an aperture adapted for receiving an elongated insulative strip, and a switch mechanism including a contact pad and a contact switch biased toward said contact pad, wherein in an unactivated condition said elongated insulative strip is inserted into said battery casing through said aperture and is disposed between said contact pad and said contact switch, thereby preventing contact between said contact pad and said contact switch, said insulative strip including a tab portion extending beyond said casing of said battery through said aperture, said battery further comprising a label covering said portion of said insulative strip and said aperture, wherein said method comprises the steps of:

peeling said label off of said battery casing, thereby exposing said tab; and

removing said insulative strip from said battery by pulling on said tab, said removing step allowing said contact switch to contact said contact pad thereby activating discharging of said battery.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said battery comprises a LiSO₂ battery.

2. A method for completely discharging a battery, where said battery comprises a battery casing having an aperture adapted for receiving an elongated insulative strip, and a switch mechanism including a contact pad and a contact switch biased toward said contact pad, wherein in an unactivated state said elongated insulative strip is inserted into said battery casing through said aperture and is disposed between said contact pad and said contact switch, thereby preventing contact between said contact pad and said contact switch, said insulative strip including a tab portion extending beyond said casing of said battery through said aperture, said battery further comprising a label covering said tab portion of said insulative strip and said aperture, said tab portion being attached to said label, wherein said method comprises the step of:

peeling said label off of said battery casing, said step of peeling said label causing said tab and elongated insulative strip to be automatically pulled from said battery casing, allowing said contact switch to touch said contact pad thereby activating discharging of said battery.

7. A method according to claim 2, wherein said battery comprises a LiSO₂ battery.

3. An apparatus for completely discharging a battery, where said battery comprises a battery casing having an aperture, wherein said apparatus comprises:

a switch mechanism disposed within said battery and including a contact pad and a contact switch biased toward should contact pad;

an elongated insulative strip having a tab portion; and

a label,

wherein in an unactivated condition said elongated insulative strip is inserted in said battery between said contact pad and said contact switch, thereby preventing said contact pad from touching said contact switch, said tab portion of said insulative strip extending beyond said casing of said battery through said aperture, said tab portion and said aperture being covered by said label, and

wherein in an activated condition, said label and said elongated insulative strip having been removed, said contact pad touches said contact switch, thereby activating complete discharge of said battery.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said tab portion of said elongated insulative strip is attached to said label, thereby allowing automatic removal of said elongated insulative strip when said label is peeled off.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said tab portion of said elongated insulative strip is separate from said label, thereby requiring said elongated insulative strip to be manually removed after said label is peeled off.

8. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said battery comprises a LiSO₂ battery.

9. A method for activating a circuit disposed within a battery, said battery including a battery having an aperture adapted for receiving an elongated insulative strip, and a switch mechanism disposed within said battery casing and including a contact pad and a contact switch biased toward said contact pad, wherein in an unactivated condition said the elongated insulative strip is inserted into said battery casing through said aperture and is disposed between said contact pad and said contact switch, thereby preventing contact between said contact pad and said contact switch, said method comprising the step of removing said insulative strip from said battery, thereby allowing said contact switch to contact said contact pad to activate said circuit.

10. A method according to claim 9, wherein said insulative strip includes a tab portion extending beyond said casing of said battery through said aperture, said battery further comprising a label covering said portion of said insulative strip and said aperture, wherein said method further comprises the step of removing said label.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said label is attached to said tab portion, whereby removal of said label removes said insulative strip through said aperture.

12. A method according to claim 10, wherein said label is separate from said strip whereby said label is removed prior to removal of said strip through said aperture.

13. An apparatus for activating a circuit disposed within a battery, said battery including a battery casing having an aperture, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated insulative strip, and

a switch mechanism disposed within said battery casing and including a contact pad and a contact switch biased toward said contact pad,

wherein in an unactivated condition said the elongated insulative strip is inserted into said battery casing through said aperture and is disposed between said contact pad and said contact switch, thereby preventing contact between said contact pad and said contact switch, and in an activated condition said elongated insulative strip is removed and said contact pad touches said contact switch, thereby allowing said contact switch to contact said contact pad to activate said circuit.

14. An apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said insulative strip includes a tab portion extending beyond said casing of said battery through said aperture, said battery further comprising a label covering said portion of said insulative strip.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said label is attached to said tab portion, whereby removal of said label removes said insulative strip through said aperture.

16. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said label is separate from said strip whereby said label is removed prior to removal of said strip through said aperture.

17. A method for inactivating a circuit disposed within a battery, said battery including a battery having an aperture adapted for receiving an elongated insulative strip, and a switch mechanism disposed within said battery casing and including a contact pad and a contact switch biased toward said contact pad, wherein in an activated condition said elongated insulative strip is inserted into said battery casing through said aperture and is disposed between said contact pad and said contact switch, thereby preventing contact between said contact pad and said contact switch, said method comprising the step of removing said insulative strip from said battery, thereby allowing said contact switch to contact said contact pad to inactivate said circuit.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said insulative strip includes a tab portion extending beyond said casing of said battery through said aperture, said battery further comprising a label covering said portion of said insulative strip and said aperture, wherein said method further comprises the step of removing said label.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein said label is attached to said tab portion, whereby removal of said label removes said insulative strip through said aperture.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein said label is separate from said strip whereby said label is removed prior to removal of said strip through said aperture.

21. An apparatus for inactivating a circuit disposed within a battery, said battery including a battery casing having an aperture, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated insulative strip, and

a switch mechanism disposed within said battery casing and including a contact pad and a contact switch biased toward said contact pad,

wherein in an activated condition said the elongated insulative strip is inserted into said battery casing through said aperture and is disposed between said contact pad and said contact switch, thereby preventing contact between said contact pad and said contact switch, and in an inactivated condition said elongated insulative strip is removed and said contact pad touches said contact switch, thereby allowing said contact switch to contact said contact pad to inactivate said circuit.

22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said insulative strip includes a tab portion extending beyond said casing of said battery through said aperture, said battery further comprising a label covering said portion of said insulative strip.

23. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said label is attached to said tab portion, whereby removal of said label removes said insulative strip through said aperture.

24. An apparatus according to claim 22, wherein said label is separate from said strip whereby said label is removed prior to removal of said strip through said aperture.