Apparatus and method for assembling a flexible battery that is electrolyte-tight
First Claim
1. An assembly system for assembling a flexible battery comprising:
- a flexible battery precursor comprising a battery enclosure, the battery enclosure comprising an electrode pouch including a fill opening that is open when electrolyte is introduced into the electrode pouch and unsealed surfaces which are thereafter sealed; and
an assembly apparatus, the assembly apparatus comprising;
a support body adapted to support the battery enclosure with the fill opening located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch; and
a dispensing element for introducing electrolyte into the battery enclosure, the dispensing element having a discharge orifice that directs the flow of electrolyte into the electrode pouch and away from the surfaces surrounding the fill opening;
wherein the dispensing element is retractable from the flexible battery precursor following electrolyte introduction.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention provides for an apparatus and method for making a flexible battery that is electrolyte-tight by ensuring that electrolyte does not contact the unsealed portion of the battery enclosure when electrolyte is injected into the battery enclosure and before it is sealed. The apparatus for assembling a flexible battery comprises a support body adapted to support a battery enclosure having an electrode pouch and a fill opening located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch. The apparatus comprises a dispensing element having a discharge orifice that directs the flow of electrolyte inside the electrode pouch and away from the unsealed surfaces of the battery enclosure when the dispensing element is in the fill position. The method of assembling a pouch battery comprises arranging the battery enclosure so that the fill opening is located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch and dispensing the electrolyte into the electrode pouch.
40 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. An assembly system for assembling a flexible battery comprising:
-
a flexible battery precursor comprising a battery enclosure, the battery enclosure comprising an electrode pouch including a fill opening that is open when electrolyte is introduced into the electrode pouch and unsealed surfaces which are thereafter sealed; and
an assembly apparatus, the assembly apparatus comprising;
a support body adapted to support the battery enclosure with the fill opening located in an upper portion of the electrode pouch; and
a dispensing element for introducing electrolyte into the battery enclosure, the dispensing element having a discharge orifice that directs the flow of electrolyte into the electrode pouch and away from the surfaces surrounding the fill opening;
wherein the dispensing element is retractable from the flexible battery precursor following electrolyte introduction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
the dispensing element is located vertically above the electrode assembly when the dispensing element is in the fill position. -
8. The assembly system of claim 7 wherein the dispensing element is sized to move from the retracted position to the fill position without contacting the portion of the battery enclosure surrounding the fill opening.
-
9. The assembly system of claim 2 wherein the battery enclosure further comprises a gas pouch and a connecting channel between the gas pouch and the electrode pouch, and wherein the dispensing element extends through the gas pouch and the connecting channel when moving from the retracted position to the fill position.
-
10. The assembly system of claim 1 further comprising a seal assembly that closes the fill opening.
-
11. The assembly system of claim 1 further comprising:
-
a control system operably connected to the dispensing element or the electrode pouch, or both, and, a programmable platform for imparting relative registration positioning of the dispensing element relative to the fill opening.
-
-
12. The assembly system of claim 1 further comprising:
-
an electrolyte source in fluid communication with the dispensing element;
a pressure source that exerts pressure on the electrolyte source and causes the electrolyte to flow to the dispensing element; and
a control system operably connected to the electrolyte source or the pressure source, or both, to regulate the amount of electrolyte that is discharged into the electrode pouch.
-
-
13. The assembly system of claim 1 further comprising a suction element to remove electrolyte from the discharge orifice of the dispensing element.
-
-
14. A method for assembling a flexible battery from a battery enclosure comprising an electrode pouch comprising an electrode assembly, unsealed surfaces that are thereafter sealed and an electrolyte fill opening, the method comprising:
-
arranging the battery enclosure so that the fill opening is in an upper portion of the battery enclosure, and introducing electrolyte into the electrode pouch through a retractable dispensing element, through the fill opening so that the electrolyte does not contact the unsealed surfaces that are thereafter sealed. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification