Cap for electrochemical cell

• US 9,692,038 B2
• Filed: 11/24/2014
• Issued: 06/27/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Original Assignee: Tesla Inc.
• Inventors: Tsuruta, Kunio, Masumoto, Kenjin
• Primary Examiner(s): Barcena, Carlos
• Application Number:
  US14/552,323
• Publication Number:
  US 20150147600A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2200/20 Pressure-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/107 having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic H01M50/103, H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/166 characterised by the methods of assembling casings with lids
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/167 by crimping
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/171 using adhesives or sealing agents
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/3425 in the form of rupturable membranes or weakened parts, e.g. pierced with the aid of a sharp member
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/578 in response to pressure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

An electrochemical cell includes: a cell can; electrolyte and an active-material roll in the cell can; and a cap that closes at least one opening of the cell can, the cap comprising: a substantially flat member that covers the opening, the substantially flat member having a separation portion defined therein; and a diaphragm that covers the separation portion on an inside of the substantially flat member.

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell comprising:

a cell can having an opening;

electrolyte and an active-material roll in the cell can; and

a cap that closes the opening of the cell can, the cap comprising;

a substantially flat member that covers the opening of the cell can, the substantially flat member having a separation portion defined therein;

a diaphragm that covers the separation portion on an inside of the substantially flat member, and

an inner member that forms the diaphragm, the inner member being wider than the substantially flat member, wherein the inner member forms a crimp around at least an edge of the substantially flat member, wherein the diaphragm is thinner than a portion of the inner member that forms the crimp.

2. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein an electrical connector is attached to the separation portion on an outside of the cap.

3. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, further comprising a spacer positioned between the diaphragm and the substantially flat member.

4. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the separation portion is defined by a material weakening that surrounds the separation portion.

5. The electrochemical cell of claim 4, wherein the material weakening comprises a stamp formed in a material of the substantially flat member.

6. The electrochemical cell of claim 4, wherein the material weakening forms at least a first part of a circle around the separation portion.

7. The electrochemical cell of claim 6, wherein the separation portion is further defined by an opening of the separation portion through the substantially flat member, the diaphragm preventing leakage of the electrolyte through the opening of the separation portion.

8. The electrochemical cell of claim 7, wherein the opening of the separation portion forms at least a second part of the circle.

9. The electrochemical cell of claim 6, wherein the material weakening further comprises a radial stamp formed in a material of the substantially flat member.

10. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, further comprising a weld joint between the diaphragm and the substantially flat member.

11. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm comprises a laminate of different materials.

12. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm has a concave side facing the substantially flat member so that the diaphragm inverts upon presence of at least an inversion pressure, and wherein the diaphragm and the substantially flat member are configured so that the inversion pressure is larger than a rupture pressure of the separation portion.

13. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the substantially flat member comprises a single piece.

14. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the diaphragm is thinner than the separation portion.

15. The electrochemical cell of claim 1, wherein the separation portion and a remainder of the substantially flat member are formed from different materials.

16. An electrochemical cell comprising:

a cell can having an opening;

electrolyte and an active-material roll in the cell can; and

a cap comprising;

a substantially flat member being a support structure having an opening through it;

a top plate covering the opening of the substantially flat member; and

an inner member that forms a diaphragm that closes the opening of the cell can on an inside of the substantially flat member, the inner member being wider than the support structure,

wherein the inner member forms a crimp around at least an edge of the support structure.

17. The electrochemical cell of claim 16, wherein the support structure and the top plate are formed from different materials.

18. The electrochemical cell of claim 16, further comprising a spacer positioned in the opening of the substantially flat member and between the top plate and the diaphragm.

19. The electrochemical cell of claim 16, wherein the top plate is as wide as the support structure and wherein the inner member forms the crimp around both the edge of the support structure and an edge of the top plate.

20. The electrochemical cell of claim 16, further comprising a weld joint between the diaphragm and the substantially flat member.

21. The electrochemical cell of claim 16, wherein the diaphragm comprises a laminate of different materials.

22. The electrochemical cell of claim 16, wherein the diaphragm has a concave side facing the substantially flat member so that the diaphragm inverts upon presence of at least an inversion pressure, and wherein the diaphragm and the substantially flat member are configured so that the inversion pressure is larger than a rupture pressure of the separation portion.

23. The electrochemical cell of claim 16, wherein the substantially flat member comprises a single piece.

24. The electrochemical cell of claim 16, wherein the diaphragm is thinner than a portion of the inner member that forms the crimp.