Electrical battery assembly and method of manufacture

• US 7,410,726 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2006
• Issued: 08/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Quallion, LLC (EnerSys)
• Original Assignee: Quallion, LLC (EnerSys)
• Inventors: Tsukamoto, Hisashi, Kishiyama, Clay, Szyszkowski, Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Kalafut; Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US11/475,649
• Publication Number:
  US 20060246346A1
• Time in Patent Office: 777 Days
• Field of Search: 429/161, 429/178, 429/185, 429/211, 296/232
• US Class Current: 429/178
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 1/378 Electrical supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0431 Cells with wound or folded electrodes H01M10/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/661 Metal or alloys, e.g. alloy coatings H01M4/669 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/70 characterised by shape or form
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/119 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/176 for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/181 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/186 characterised by the disposition of the sealing members
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/191 Inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/469 tubular or cylindrical
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/55 on the same side of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/553 Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/562 characterised by the material
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4911 including sealing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49114 including adhesively bonding

Abstract

The method includes filling a case through a fill-hole in a cover of a case. The case is configured to hold an electrode assembly having at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode. The method also includes plugging the fill-hole with a plug. The plug includes a terminal for the battery.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a battery, comprising:

filling a case through a fill-hole in a cover of a case, the case being configured to hold an electrode assembly having at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode; and

plugging the fill-hole with a plug having a terminal extending from a top of a plug region,

the fill-hole being plugged such that the plug region extends across the fill-hole and is positioned between an interior of the case and the terminal.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the terminal has a narrower diameter than the top of the plug region.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the plug region is tapered.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the plug region is constructed of an electrically conducting material and the terminal is constructed of an electrically conducting material.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the terminal and plug region are both constructed of the same material.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the terminal and plug region are both constructed of the same material as the cover.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the plug is constructed of a single material.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein plugging the fill-hole with the plug provides electrical communication between the cover and the terminal.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing electrical communication between the electrode assembly and the case, the case being in electrical communication with the cover, and plugging the fill-hole with the plug provides electrical communication between the cover and the terminal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein one electrode member of the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes a tab extending from an arm, and further comprising:

providing electrical communication between a second terminal and the tab.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein an interface between the terminal and the upper surface of the plug region is within a perimeter of the upper surface of the plug region.

12. A battery comprising:

a cover attached to a case configured to hold an electrode assembly having at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode; and

a plug positioned in a fill-hole in the cover, the fill-hole configured such that the case can be filled with an electrolyte through the fill-hole, the plug having a terminal extending from a top of a plug region, the plug region extending across the fill-hole and being positioned between an interior of the case and the terminal.

13. The battery of claim 12, wherein the terminal has a narrower diameter than the top of the plug region.

14. The battery of claim 13, wherein the plug region is tapered.

15. The battery of claim 13, wherein the plug region is constructed of an electrically conducting material and the terminal is constructed of an electrically conducting material.

16. The battery of claim 15, wherein the terminal and plug region are both constructed of the seine material.

17. The battery of claim 15, wherein the terminal and plug region are both constructed of the same material as the cover.

18. The battery of claim 12, wherein the plug is constructed of a single material.

19. The battery of claim 12, wherein the terminal is in electrical communication with the cover.

20. The battery of claim 19, wherein

one electrode member of the positive electrode and the negative electrode includes a tab extending from an arm, and further comprising:

a second terminal in electrical communication with the tab.