Battery pack having perforated terminal arrangement

• US 6,729,908 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EnerDel, Inc. (Ener1, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wendling, Robert Thomas, Benson, Morgan Rey, Cochran, Steven D
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US09/918,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20030036311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,008 Days
• Field of Search: 429/178, 429/181, 429/184, 429/158, 429/159, 429/160, 429/162, 439/627, 439/736, 439/67, 439/77, 439/874, 439/876
• US Class Current: 439/627
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 23/505 of disk carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/124 having a layered structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/211 adapted for pouch cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/227 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/278 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/284 with incorporated circuit boards, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/296 characterised by terminals of battery packs terminals of batteries H01M50/543
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/528 Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/534 characterised by the material of the leads or tabs
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery pack containing a plurality of battery modules, these modules comprising a plurality of individual battery units, these battery units comprising a plurality of bicells with opposing terminals. The battery modules are connected in series by use of a flexible circuit and by opposing positive and negative terminals of each battery unit. The terminals of each battery unit contain a region of apertures which allow the adhesive of the envelope-like packaging material to seal more effectively by flowing through the apertures and sealing to itself, thereby eliminating or reducing the amount of leakage from an individual battery unit. The terminals pass through overlapped edges of the packaging material and include tangs for electrical connection to flaps formed in the flexible circuit.

Claims

1. An electrical terminal, comprising:

an electrically conductive body portion having a lengthwise axis associated therewith, including a first region configured to be adhered to and in electrical contact with a second region extending along said axis having a plurality of apertures therethrough, wherein said apertures further comprise L-shaped and I-shaped apertures in a repetitive pattern through which an adhesive flows from a first side to a second side of said terminal; and

a third region configured for electrical connection to a conductor.

2. The electrical terminal of claim 1, further comprising a fourth region encapsulated by an electrical insulating material.

3. The electrical terminal of claim 2, wherein said insulating material is a polyester.

4. The electrical terminal of claim 1, further comprising a tang protruding from said third region in the direction of said lengthwise axis, wherein said tang is electrically connected to a flexible circuit.

5. The electrical terminal of claim 1, further comprising a first locating hole and a second locating hole.

6. The electrical terminal of claim 1, wherein said apertures extend the length of said terminal.

7. The electrical terminal of claim 1 wherein said pattern further comprises a plurality of orientations of said L-shape and a horizontal orientation of said I-shape.

8. An electrical terminal, comprising:

an electrically conductive body portion having a lengthwise axis associated therewith, including a first region configured to be adhered to and in electrical contact with a second region extending along said axis having a plurality of apertures therethrough, wherein said apertures further comprise L-shaped and I-shaped apertures in a repetitive pattern through which an adhesive flows from a first side to a second side of said terminal; and

a third region configured for electrical connection to a conductor, wherein said third region further comprises a tang protruding from said third region in the direction of said lengthwise axis.

9. The electrical terminal of claim 8 further comprising a fourth region encapsulated by an electrical insulating material.

10. The electrical terminal of claim 8, further comprising a first locating hole and a second locating hole.

11. The electrical terminal of claim 10, wherein said apertures extend the length of said terminal.

12. The electrical terminal of claim 8 wherein said pattern further comprises a plurality of orientations of said L-shape and a horizontal orientation of said I-shape.