Housing for a sealed electrochemical battery cell
First Claim
1. An electrochemical battery cell comprising a housing, an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator disposed between the electrodes, and an electrolyte, the housing comprising:
- a container with an open end in which the electrode assembly and electrolyte are disposed; and
a collector assembly, disposed between the electrode assembly and the open end of housing, the collector assembly having;
a contact spring, defining a pressure release channel, having at least one tab in electrical contact with either the positive or the negative electrode;
a pressure release vent closing the vent channel, said pressure release vent rupturing in response to a predetermined internal cell pressure;
a retainer, also defining the pressure release channel, crimped in a C-shape around the contact spring and the pressure release vent, said retainer forming a conductive path with the contact spring; and
an insulating gasket disposed around the retainer, said insulating gasket separating the collector assembly from making electrical contact with the container and sealing the cell to prevent electrolyte leakage.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.
54 Citations
41 Claims
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1. An electrochemical battery cell comprising a housing, an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator disposed between the electrodes, and an electrolyte, the housing comprising:
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a container with an open end in which the electrode assembly and electrolyte are disposed; and a collector assembly, disposed between the electrode assembly and the open end of housing, the collector assembly having; a contact spring, defining a pressure release channel, having at least one tab in electrical contact with either the positive or the negative electrode; a pressure release vent closing the vent channel, said pressure release vent rupturing in response to a predetermined internal cell pressure; a retainer, also defining the pressure release channel, crimped in a C-shape around the contact spring and the pressure release vent, said retainer forming a conductive path with the contact spring; and an insulating gasket disposed around the retainer, said insulating gasket separating the collector assembly from making electrical contact with the container and sealing the cell to prevent electrolyte leakage. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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20. An electrochemical battery cell comprising a housing, an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator disposed between the electrodes, and an electrolyte, the housing comprising:
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a container with an open end in which the electrode assembly and electrolyte are disposed; and a collector assembly disposed between the electrode assembly and the open end of housing, the collector assembly comprising; a contact terminal; a retainer that defines a first opening; a contact spring attached to the electrode assembly, wherein the contact spring has a peripheral flange that defines a second opening, the first and second opening defining an pressure release channel; and a pressure release vent member having a peripheral portion disposed between the retainer and the contact spring and closing the pressure release channel between the first opening and the second opening, the pressure release vent member capable of rupturing in response to internal cell pressure that is at least as high as a predetermined release pressure thereby allowing matter to escape through the first opening of the retainer; wherein the retainer and the contact spring flange form a conductive path between the electrode assembly and the contact terminal cooperate with the pressure release vent member to form a seal between the pressure release vent member and the retainer; and wherein the retainer has a crimp that applies a compressive force to the pressure release vent member and the contact spring. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification