Method for connecting several galvanic cells and cell connector therefore

• US 9,865,860 B2
• Filed: 03/25/2015
• Issued: 01/09/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Inventors: Fauland, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Eoff, Anca
• Application Number:
  US14/668,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20150280200A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,021 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/002 specially adapted for particular articles or work B23K20/129 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 20/10 making use of vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic welding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/503 characterised by the shape of the interconnectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/516 by welding, soldering or brazing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/522 Inorganic material
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor

Abstract

A cell connector to connect a plurality of galvanic cells, system comprising a plurality of galvanic cells, and a method to connect a plurality of galvanic cells. The cell connector including a longitudinal, planar base section having opposite-lying first and second longitudinal edges. A planar, first connecting tab is connected to the base section on the first longitudinal edge thereof, the plane of the first connecting tab being aligned at a right angle to the base section. A planar, second connecting tab is connected to the base section on the second longitudinal edge thereof, the plane of the second connecting tab being aligned at a right angle to the plane of the base section.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a plurality of galvanic cells having electrical cell connectors, the electrical connectors each having;

a planar base section extending longitudinally and having first and second opposite longitudinal edges;

a planar, first connecting tab connected to the base section on the first longitudinal edge thereof, a plane of the first connecting tab being aligned at a right angle to a plane of the base section; and

a planar, second connecting tab connected to the base section on the second longitudinal edge thereof, a plane of the second connecting tab being aligned at a right angle to a plane of the base section, wherein the first connecting tab and the second connecting tab are arranged offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the base section in a stacked formation of the galvanic cells,

wherein the first connecting tab and the second connecting tab define an overlapping region in the longitudinal direction of the base section.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a space arranged between the first connecting tab and the second connecting tab in the longitudinal direction of the base section.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein galvanic cells are electrically connected via the electrical cell connectors.

4. A system comprising:

a plurality of galvanic cells having electrical cell connectors, the electrical connectors each having;

a planar base section extending longitudinally and having first and second opposite longitudinal edges;

a planar, first connecting tab connected to the base section on the first longitudinal edge thereof, a plane of the first connecting tab being aligned at a right angle to a plane of the base section; and

a planar, second connecting tab connected to the base section on the second longitudinal edge thereof, a plane of the second connecting tab being aligned at a right angle to a plane of the base section, wherein the first connecting tab and the second connecting tab are arranged offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the base section in a stacked formation of the galvanic cells,

wherein galvanic cells are electrically connected via the electrical cell connectors, and

wherein adjacent galvanic cells are ultrasonically welded to a corresponding one of the electrical cell connectors.

5. A method to connect a plurality of galvanic cells, the method comprising:

providing cells wherein terminal tabs of adjacent, galvanic cells that are to be connected are arranged offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the terminal tabs;

providing a cell connector having a planar base section extending longitudinally and having first and second opposite longitudinal edges, a planar, first connecting tab connected to the base section on the first longitudinal edge thereof, a plane of the first connecting tab being aligned at a right angle to a plane of the base section, and a planar, second connecting tab connected to the base section on the second longitudinal edge thereof, a plane of the second connecting tab being aligned at a right angle to a plane of the base section, wherein the first connecting tab and the second connecting tab are arranged offset with respect to one another in the longitudinal direction of the base section;

arranging the cell connector in such a manner that each one of the first connecting tab and the second connecting tab lies opposite a respective terminal tab of a galvanic cell; and

connecting the terminal tabs of the galvanic cells to the connecting tabs of the cell connector.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising welding the terminal tabs.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the welding comprises ultrasonic welding.

8. The method of claim 5, wherein the first connecting tab and the second connecting tab define an overlapping region in the longitudinal direction of the base section.

9. The method of claim 5, wherein a space is arranged between the first connecting tab and the second connecting tab in the longitudinal direction of the base section.