Having Cell Assembly Support Feature Patents (Class 429/186)
  • Patent number: 7879491
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a stacking type electrode assembly constructed in a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is provided at a predetermined region thereof with at least one through-hole, and a pair of holding members (a male coupling member and a female coupling member) constructed in a male-female coupling type structure is inserted through the through-hole inside a battery case, an outer surface of the female coupling member being brought into tight contact with the through-hole when the male coupling member is inserted into the female coupling member while the female coupling member having an outer diameter less than an inner diameter of the through-hole is inserted through the through-hole, and a secondary battery including the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junill Yoon, Changjoo Han, Jongmoon Yoon
  • Publication number: 20100310932
    Abstract: The packaging device of a microbattery arranged on a flexible support comprises at least one thin layer forming a protective barrier deposited on the whole of the microbattery, and a flexible compensation cover above the barrier. The cover is made from a material, for example polymer, with a thickness tcomp and a Young's modulus Ecomp chosen such that the neutral plane of the assembly is situated at the level of the microbattery. The thickness of the cover is calculated, with an accuracy of ±30%, by the equation t comp = t sub ? in which tsub is the thickness of the support and ? the ratio of the Young's moduli of the cover and of the support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Steve MARTIN, Messaoud BEDJAOUI, Sylvain POULET, Raphaël SALOT
  • Publication number: 20100310931
    Abstract: By being embedded in a portable computing device, a battery pack is made essentially inaccessible to unauthorized users, thereby allowing for a battery pack that can be made smaller and of lighter construction material, thereby facilitating greater component density within the portable computing device, lower cost to manufacture, and more environmentally secure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Robert L. Coish, Chris Ligtenberg, Ron Hopkinson, John Raff
  • Patent number: 7846220
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell, and a method of producing an electrochemical cell are provided. The method includes a step in which a counter electrode film and a mold film are crimped. A sol-gel precursor is inserted into a pore in the mold film provided on the counter electrode film. The sol-gel precursor is cooled to form a semi-hardened gel. The mold film is peeled off from the counter electrode film. The semi-hardened gel is cooled to form a gel electrolyte film. The sealing film is provided on the counter film, with the gel electrolyte film being fitted in the pore of the sealing film. A working electrode film is crimped on the sealing film. The stacked films are thermocompression bonded, and a single electrochemical cell is produced by cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Sony Chemical & Information Device Corporation
    Inventor: Kouki Hatsuda
  • Patent number: 7846579
    Abstract: A battery comprises a substrate comprising an electrolyte between a pair of conductors, at least one conductor having a non-contact surface. A cap is spaced apart from the non-contact surface of the conductor by a gap having a gap distance dg of from about 1 ?m to about 120 ?m. The gap allows the conductor to expand into the gap. The gap is further bounded by side faces about a surrounding perimeter that may be sealed with a seal. In one version, the ratio of the surface area of the non-contact surfaces on the conductor to the total surface area of the side faces is greater than about 10:1. A pliable dielectric can also be provided in the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Inventors: Victor Krasnov, Kai-Wei Nieh
  • Patent number: 7846576
    Abstract: There are provided a novel onium salt and a method for optimizing the interface of a negative electrode by the use of the novel onium salt and/or a conventional onium salt. Such a method is characterized in that an electrolyte comprising novel 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)acetamide.tetraethyl ammonium salt is made to intervene between a negative electrode and a positive electrode in an electrochemical device having the constitution: a negative electrode| an electrolyte| a positive electrode, thereby constructing an electrode structure in the electrochemical device, and applying a voltage between the negative electrode and the positive electrode so as for the negative electrode to have a potential of ?1 V to ?5 V in terms of the potential relative to a reference electrode of I?/I3?, thereby forming a passive-state layer comprising a decomposition product of the above electrolyte or salt on the surface of the above negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignees: Tokuyama Corporation, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventors: Tomonori Matsunaga, Takeo Kawahara, Hajime Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 7833659
    Abstract: A type of winding assembly type lithium ion secondary power battery includes: winding assembly type electrode cores wound with positive electrodes, negative electrodes and a separation membrane, electrolyte, and a battery shell. Its characteristics are: the interior of the battery shell carries at least one electrode units formed by electrode holders holding many stacked electrode cores. The terminal leads of the current collector for all positive and negative electrode cores are led from the upper and lower ends of the electrode unit respectively. The positive and negative terminals on cover boards and the outer side of the cover boards are connected to terminal leads of the current collector by built-in fasteners. There is a separation ring between the electrode core body of the battery and the cover boards of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Jianhua Zhu, Xi Shen, Qing Lai
  • Patent number: 7833658
    Abstract: A battery for a vehicle that includes a housing comprising a top portion and a cover coupled to the top portion. The battery also includes a plurality of containers extending below the top portion and arranged in a plurality of rows, with each of the plurality of rows comprising a plurality of containers and being offset from an adjacent row. A portion of the top portion is not provided above one of the plurality of containers and includes at least one rib for providing enhanced strength for the portion of the top portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Gerald A. Cummins, Jack Bruss
  • Publication number: 20100266878
    Abstract: A case structure generally includes a trough shaped base section, a positive end piece, a negative end piece, and a cover section. The trough shaped base section includes a bottom and two side wall members. The positive and negative end piece are disposed at opposite ends of the base section and include an electrically conductive material at least partially embedded within a thermoplastic material. The cover section is disposed on the base section for sealing the prismatic case. The base section and the cover section can be made from, for example, a polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Ioxus, Inc.
    Inventor: Thor E. Eilertsen
  • Patent number: 7759005
    Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a bipolar battery that is constructed to improve battery performance by reducing distortions within electrode material of the bipolar battery. The bipolar battery includes multiple battery elements that each includes multiple unit batteries. Each unit battery contains a conductor having a positive electrode layer and a negative electrode layer. A collector is positioned between adjacent positive and negative electrode layers of adjacent unit batteries, and an accumulated thickness absorption member is used to separate collectors of adjacent battery elements. The bipolar battery may be used in a motor vehicle, such as an electric car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hosaka, Ryouichi Senbokuya, Osamu Shimamura, Naoto Kiriu, Hideaki Horie
  • Publication number: 20100178553
    Abstract: A battery unit in which a battery case of a bipolar type battery is constructed of an elastic member is provided. The battery unit includes a reinforcement member that is internally integrated within the battery case to heighten the mechanical strength of the battery case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Inventor: Takashi Murata
  • Patent number: 7736793
    Abstract: A secondary battery. An electrode assembly is mounted in a container. The electrode assembly is formed by winding a positive electrode and a negative electrode with respect to a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. A cap assembly is fixed to the container to seal the container assembly to provide a terminal for electrical current. An uncoated region is formed along the edge of the length direction of the positive electrode or the negative electrode. The uncoated region is left uncoated with an active material. A collector plate includes a contact portion of the curved shape to be electrically connected to the uncoated region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Eun Cheon, Ki-Ho Kim
  • Publication number: 20100136424
    Abstract: A battery is provided in which a thermal insulator or other material is interposed between the electrode assembly and the inner surface of the cell casing, the additional layer(s) inhibiting the formation of wall perforations in the battery casing during a thermal runaway event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Weston Arthur Hermann, Scott Ira Kohn
  • Patent number: 7722984
    Abstract: A pouch type secondary battery having enhanced reliability by protecting the battery from external impacts is described. A reinforcement structure may be installed on a pouch casing and an electrode assembly housed in the pouch casing. Short-circuits inside the pouch casing may be minimized. The pouch type secondary battery has an electrode assembly with positive and negative electrode plates with a separator interposed therebetween, and positive and negative terminal portions extending from the positive and negative electrode plates. A first reinforcement member is closely adhered to one or more planes of the electrode assembly. A second reinforcement member may be adhered to the pouch casing and used with or without the first reinforcement member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang-Bum Kim, Chang-Ho Kim, Youn-Han Chang, Won-Chull Han
  • Patent number: 7700231
    Abstract: A battery, suitable for forming a battery pack, includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate, and a separator wound or laminated together, core materials of the negative and positive electrode plates being bared respectively at either end. A bottomed cylindrical outer case having a bottom is connected to either end face of the electrode assembly to serve as a battery terminal. Electrolyte is impregnated in the electrode assembly and a lid connected to the other end face of the electrode assembly and fixedly attached to the outer case with a sealer and an insulator interposed therebetween. A connecting part is a part of the lid so that the connecting part engages with and connects to a bottom part of the outer case of another battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Kimura, Tatsuya Hashimoto, Takabumi Fujii, Seiichi Uemoto, Hironori Yukisada, Masatomo Nagatani
  • Patent number: 7691530
    Abstract: A cylindrical lithium secondary battery includes a wound electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. A core member is substantially in a shape of a pipe and has a cut formed along a longitudinal direction thereof, the cut forming two edges. The core member is inserted into a central space of the electrode assembly and has a predetermined deformation direction when subjected to external pressure. The battery also includes a case with a space for accommodating the electrode assembly and an open upper portion, and a cap assembly fixed to the upper portion of the case to hermetically seal the upper portion of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Ku Kim, Soon Ki Woo
  • Patent number: 7691537
    Abstract: An electrolyte for a lithium secondary battery and a lithium secondary battery having the electrolyte, the electrolyte including a lithium salt; a non-aqueous organic solvent including ?-butyrolactone; and succinic anhydride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Cheonsoo Kim
  • Patent number: 7655349
    Abstract: A cylindrical lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly which has a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator provided between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, is wound in a spiral shape, and has a central space at the center of winding; a core member which is inserted into the central space of the electrode assembly; a case having a space for containing the electrode assembly; and a cap assembly which is connected to an upper portion of the case so as to seal the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Ku Kim, Soon Ki Woo, Jin Wook Kim, Youn Han Chang, Sang Bong Nam
  • Patent number: 7648538
    Abstract: Unit cells are held in a plate frame to form a cell module. A plurality of the cell modules is laminated in a thickness direction of the frame to form a laminated structure of unit cells. The cell unit is pressurized with heat sinks from both sides in the direction of the lamination, and is integrally held to form a battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Etsuo Oogami, Ryuichi Amagai, Takeshi Shimizu, Satoru Kouda
  • Patent number: 7642009
    Abstract: A holder for battery that maintains a temperature difference between battery modules below a specific value by the shape of a module support portion including receiving recesses divided into halves to become smaller from the upstream to the downstream of cooling air flow direction so that the contact area of the cooling air between the battery modules varies. The battery modules may include a module support portion supporting a plurality of battery modules and a plurality of receiving recesses formed at regular intervals on the module support portion, on which the battery modules are placed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Hyundai Motor Japan R&D Center Inc., Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshiro Shimoyama
  • Publication number: 20090305128
    Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly; a can having an upper opening to receive the electrode assembly and having two facing wide walls, wherein the wide walls are asymmetrical to each other; and a cap assembly sealing the upper opening of the can.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2009
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Inventor: Kwangsoo Yeo
  • Patent number: 7629076
    Abstract: A battery having a collecting structure that can reduce internal resistance of the battery and a structure that allows easy manufacturing of the battery by the following processes is provided. An enlarged portion is formed near an opening end of a battery case and a supporting ledge is provided on the inner surface of the lower end of the enlarged portion. A collector of one polarity is bonded to an electrode plate group. A connection lead is bonded to the collector at one end and is bonded to a lower surface of a sealing member at the other end. An insulation gasket is mounted to a peripheral edge portion of the sealing member from a side opposite to the collector. The peripheral edge portion of the sealing member is supported by the supporting ledge with the insulation gasket interposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masaharu Miyahisa, Hideki Kasahara, Yoshiyuki Tada, Toshitaka Niitsuma
  • Patent number: 7607502
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fixing a housing (1), in particular of a motor-vehicle battery to a carrier plate (3), permitting the housing (1) to be fixed rapidly without complex manipulation and the aid of a tool to the plate (3). To achieve this, a spring-loaded curved fixing part (10) is inserted under tension between the wall of the housing (1) that is placed on the carrier plate(3) and a retaining edge (4) that projects vertically from the carrier plate (3). The fixing part (10) is preferably curved in a U-shape and comprises a hook-shaped section (27) that grips the base of the housing (1) by means of an opening (7) in the carrier plate (3), in addition to a wedge-shaped surface (12) that co-operates with the retaining edge (4) and engagement elements (17, 26) that secure the housing in position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: A. Raymond & Cie
    Inventor: Daniel Boville
  • Publication number: 20090246622
    Abstract: A battery includes a housing; a cell arrangement situated within the housing and storing a power; and a shock isolator disposed within the housing. The shock isolator absorbs an energy of a shock event upon the battery to prevent damage to the cell arrangement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Carl Thelemann, Thomas Wulff, Timothy B. Austin
  • Patent number: 7595132
    Abstract: The present invention provides a battery having a structure for increasing the power storage capacity and output thereof In accordance with the present invention, in a battery comprising an electrode assembly including anode plates, cathode plates and separators; and a battery case, both side bonding portions of which are folded toward adjacent sides thereof, for accommodating the electrode assembly and a designated amount of electrolyte, and sealing the electrode assembly such that two electrode terminals connected to corresponding electrode taps of the anode and cathode plates of the electrode assembly are exposed to the outside, an upper bonding portion of the battery case is folded toward the upper end of the battery case, and/or common portions of the upper bonding portion and both side portions of the battery case are cut off, and/or inner corners corresponding to the upper bonding portion have larger radiuses of curvature, and/or receipt portions for receiving the electrode assembly are respectively fo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hee Gyoung Kang, Hyang Mok Lee, Oh Young Hyun, Chang bum Ahn, Sung-Min Hwang
  • Publication number: 20090236161
    Abstract: A protective housing (1) for a galvanic cell in a motor vehicle four side walls (2a, 2b, 3a) that form a lateral enclosure for a receptacle space for the galvanic cell. A base and a cover (4) extend across the lateral enclosure of the receptacle space. A cover cross member (8) is attached to the cover (4) and projects out beyond two opposed side walls (2a, 2b) for connection to a shell of the motor vehicle so that the protective housing (1) is suspended in a rotationally fixed fashion in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Steffen Meier, Robert Kohr
  • Publication number: 20090226806
    Abstract: A structure for mounting a battery pack on a vehicle includes a mount for supporting the battery pack. The battery pack is fixed to an upper side of the mount by bolts. The battery pack is disposed on a rear side of a rear seat. The battery pack includes screw holes through which the bolts are inserted. The screw holes have closed shapes. The screw holes are long in a front-rear direction and formed so that the battery pack moves when an impact is applied on it. A fixed state of the battery pack by the bolts is canceled after movement of the battery pack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Nobuaki Kiya
  • Publication number: 20090226807
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator disposed between the both electrodes, a non-aqueous electrolytic solution and an exterior member made of a laminate material and housing the positive electrode, the negative electrode, the separator and the non-aqueous electrolytic solution. A polymeric support exists between the separator and at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Also, the separator contains polyethylene as a main component and contains not more than 10% by mass of polypropylene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: SONY CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoyuki Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080280200
    Abstract: A battery includes a battery cell and a battery housing. The battery cell includes arcuate portions wherein an outer circumference of the battery cell is formed at least in part to be arcuate. The battery housing includes angular portions respectively opposing the arcuate portions and for storing the battery cell therein. Support walls having substantially the same curvatures as the arcuate portions and supporting the arcuate portions are formed along an insertion direction of the battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Applicant: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Takahashi, Toshio Takeshita
  • Patent number: 7442465
    Abstract: A jelly-roll type electrode assembly, a lithium secondary battery having the same, and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The electrode assembly comprises a deformation prevention core which simplifies the manufacture of a lithium secondary battery and prevents deformation of the electrode assembly. The electrode assembly comprises positive and negative electrode plates and a separator wound around a deformation prevention core. A positive electrode active material is coated on the positive electrode plate and a negative electrode active material is coated on the negative electrode plate. The separator insulates the positive electrode plate from the negative electrode plate. The deformation prevention core is located near the center of the electrode assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Ku Kim, Akihiko Saito, Yoo Kyoung Kim
  • Patent number: 7432012
    Abstract: A battery includes a feedthrough pin which is electrically connected to an inner end of an electrode substrate. A mandrel on the pin can permit the pin/mandrel to be used as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin can serve as one of the battery terminals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsukamoto, David M. Skinlo, Andrew Szyszkowski, Vladimir Zolotnik
  • Publication number: 20080199771
    Abstract: The improved battery positioning structure of an electric vehicle includes a flexible pull handle, being mounted at one side of a battery and forming a handle portion and at least one snapping portion. The snapping portion can protrude from the hole at one side of the battery and is recessed if the handle portion is pulled upwards. A positioning groove is placed onto a side wall of the chamber and is used for positioning of the snapping portions. When the battery is removed, the handle portion of the flexible pull handle is pulled to enable the snapping portions to be disengaged from the positioning groove, thus releasing the battery. The batter can be quickly lifted via the handle portion. When the battery is returned to be positioned in the chamber, the handle portion is pressed to enable the snapping portions to be fixed securely into the positioning groove. Thus, the battery of the electric vehicle can be removed and positioned more simply, quickly and conveniently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: WU'S TECH Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Liang CHIU
  • Publication number: 20080124627
    Abstract: A holder for battery that maintains a temperature difference between battery modules below a specific value by the shape of a module support portion including receiving recesses divided into halves to become smaller from the upstream to the downstream of cooling air flow direction so that the contact area of the cooling air between the battery modules varies. The battery modules may include a module support portion supporting a plurality of battery modules and a plurality of receiving recesses formed at regular intervals on the module support portion, on which the battery modules are placed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventor: Yoshiro Shimoyama
  • Patent number: 7378181
    Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Quallion LLC
    Inventor: David M. Skinlo
  • Patent number: 7288341
    Abstract: A battery frame of the present invention has; any one of a conductive member and an insulating member which are sandwiched between electrode tabs of flat cells arranged in a stacking direction when a battery is formed, the conductive member electrically connecting the flat cells to each other and the insulating member electrically insulating the flat cells from each other; a holding member which holds any one of the conductive member and the insulating member so that the conductive member or the insulating member can swing in the stacking direction; and an electrode supporting portion in which the holding member is provided and which supports each of the electrode tabs of the flat cells. By this structure, it is possible to prevent deformation of the battery frame during the formation of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichi Amagai, Teruo Segawa
  • Patent number: 7128999
    Abstract: A battery tray apparatus for receiving and retaining a plurality of batteries includes a body portion having a length and a width. The body portion includes a plurality of first ridge portions extending along the length of the body portion and a plurality of second ridge portions extending along the width of the body portion. The plurality of second ridge portions intersects the plurality of first ridge portions. The plurality of first ridge portions and the plurality of second ridge portions define a plurality of recessed portions for receiving the plurality of batteries and preventing movement of the plurality of batteries relative to the body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory A. Martin, Robert L. Stinefield
  • Patent number: 7118827
    Abstract: A battery assembly is designed to include a plurality of cells positioned parallel to each other. A frame including end supports position the cells appropriately. Each of the cells includes a first terminal and a second terminal. Two buses are positioned over all of the first terminals and all of the second terminals. Each of the buses includes slots allowing the terminals to extend therethrough. Once through, the terminals are bent over the bus bar. A slide is then positioned over the terminals protecting the terminals and maintaining the terminals in electrical contact with each other. This battery assembly allows more than three cells to be connected to each other and is versatile enough to allow the removal of certain cells to enhance the airflow through the battery assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Duane D. Kruger, Robert C. Beer
  • Patent number: 6899973
    Abstract: A nonaqueous electrolyte secondary cell comprises a rolled-up electrode unit 2 composed of a positive electrode 23, a negative electrode 21 and a separator 22 interposed therebetween, and a negative electrode current collector plate 3 and a positive electrode current collector plate 30 joined to the respective ends of the electrode unit 2. The negative electrode collector plate 3 is joined to an edge of the negative electrode 21 projecting at one of the opposite ends of the electrode unit 2. The collector plate 3 has a two-layer structure comprising a copper layer 31 made of copper or an alloy consisting predominantly of copper, and a metal layer made of a metal not forming an intermetallic compound with lithium and having a lower laser beam reflectivity than copper or an alloy consisting predominantly of the metal. The collector plate 3 has its copper layer 31 contacted with the edge of the negative electrode 21 and welded thereto with a laser beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoya Nakanishi, Kouichi Satoh, Toshiyuki Nohma, Ikuo Yonezu
  • Patent number: 6890682
    Abstract: A battery holding structure for an electronic timepiece has a battery frame having an opening for receiving a battery. The battery frame has a plurality of fittings each having a tapered overhang extending toward the opening for holding the battery in the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: Seiko Instruments Inc.
    Inventors: Takashi Takahashi, Takayuki Satodate, Yuichi Shino
  • Patent number: 6872488
    Abstract: A storage battery includes a battery casing, a cover closing an opening of said battery casing, and a thinner see-through window portion provided on a sidewall of battery casing for visual recognition, from the outside, of a level of electrolyte contained in battery casing. A rib for reinforcement is provided at see-through window portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Miyagawa Kasei Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuya Hirano, Tadashi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6828061
    Abstract: An electrochemical cell with a separator having a reinforced edge that provides structural rigidity to the separator after it has been contacted by the cell's electrolyte. The reinforced edge extends beyond the interface between the cell's electrodes and serves to contain fragmented pieces from one of the cell's electrodes that may become dislodged when the cell is dropped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Janmey
  • Publication number: 20040180261
    Abstract: A plurality of shock-absorbing ribs (19) for protecting batteries are formed on an outer surface of the cover (18). The plurality of ribs (19) are arranged parallel to each other. The plurality of ribs (19) may be crossed in a lattice-like manner. Shock-absorbing projections (20) each for abutting against a fixing member (11), engaged with the battery electrode (10), are formed on an inner surface of the cover (18). The projection (20) has an annular shape, and a distal end portion of the electrode (10) is received in the projection. A gap between the projection (20) and the fixing member (11) is smaller than a gap between the electrode (10) and the cover (18). The plurality of ribs (19) and the projections (20) are disposed substantially symmetrically. The plurality of ribs (19) are interconnected by bulge portions (21).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Satoshi Saito, Tomohiro Ikeda
  • Patent number: 6780540
    Abstract: An element body for a compressible stack of battery elements is provided. The element body defines a cavity for receiving the compressible stack of battery elements. The cavity has a height that is smaller than an uncompressed height of the compressible stack of battery elements. A cover compresses the compressible stack of battery elements to about the height of the cavity. The stack has a plurality of positive plates each having a positive lug, a plurality of non-conductive separators, and a plurality of negative plates each having a negative lug is provided. The positive plates, separators, and negative plates are configured into the compressible stack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roderick L Hoffman, Rex W Holliday, Jason E Connell
  • Publication number: 20040142238
    Abstract: A prismatic sealed rechargeable battery includes a substantially prismatic battery case that accommodates an electrode plate assembly and an electrolyte solution. The battery case is formed of metal. On a side face of the battery case, a thin plate is provided which has a plurality of protruding portions formed in parallel at appropriate intervals. The protruding portion and the side face form spaces opened at both ends therebetween. The thin plate is bonded to the side face of the battery case by making flat portions between the protruding portions into surface-contact with the side face, thereby improving cooling capability of the battery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicants: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takashi Asahina, Shinji Hamada, Toyohiko Eto
  • Patent number: 6743535
    Abstract: A storage battery includes a housing, a groove portion formed on one end surface of the housing, a pair of electrode terminals formed on one end surface of the groove portion, and an engaging concave portion formed in the vicinity of the other end surface on the upper surface of the housing. A battery housing portion includes a housing concave portion capable of housing the storage battery, a pair of connection terminals formed on one inner wall of the housing concave portion to be connected to the electrode terminals of the storage battery, a convex portion formed in a protruded manner at a position corresponding to the groove portion on the one inner wall, and an engaging protrusion portion formed in a protruded manner at a position corresponding to the engaging concave portion on the other inner wall of the housing concave portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Nintendo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuo Yoneyama
  • Patent number: 6730432
    Abstract: Systems and methods for securing a battery within a battery compartment are provided. The battery is coupled to at least one latch such that the latch is slidably engageable with a latch receiving undercut in the battery compartment. The latch slides into engagement with the undercut after electrical contacts on the battery have connected with electrical contacts in the battery compartment. The secure latch mechanism facilitates maintaining a constant force between the electrical contacts while mitigating contact chatter and stress on a battery cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2004
    Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Henry Grosfeld, Frank Gong
  • Publication number: 20040067416
    Abstract: Assembly and techniques for mechanically protecting electrolytic stackable cells are provided. The assembly includes a frame configured to provide a protective barrier relative to predefined outer areas of the stackable cells. A foil sealingly encloses the frame relative to the surrounding environment, wherein the protective barrier avoids contact between the foil and the predefined outer areas of the stackable cell, thereby avoiding damage to the stackable cells along the predefined areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventor: Gregory K. MacLean
  • Publication number: 20040053115
    Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Quallion LLC
    Inventor: David M. Skinlo
  • Publication number: 20040053117
    Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Quallion LLC
    Inventors: Hisashi Tsukamoto, David M. Skinlo, Andrew Szyszkowski, Vladimir Zolotnik
  • Publication number: 20040053116
    Abstract: An electric storage battery and method of manufacture thereof characterized by a feedthrough pin which is internally directly physically and electrically connected to an inner end of a positive electrode substrate. A C-shaped mandrel extends around the pin and substrate end enabling the pin/mandrel to be used during the manufacturing process as an arbor to facilitate winding layers of a spiral jellyroll electrode assembly. The pin additionally extends from the battery case and in the final product constitutes one of the battery terminals with the battery case comprising the other terminal. Active material is removed from both sides of the outer end of the negative electrode in the jellyroll to allow room for adhesive tape to secure the jellyroll. The electrolyte is injected through the open end of the case after the endcap is welded to the negative electrode but before sealing the endcap to the case. The electrolyte is preferably injected through the C-shaped mandrel to facilitate and speed filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Quallion LLC
    Inventor: David M. Skinlo