Means Externally Releasing Internal Gas Pressure From Closed Cell, I.e., Valve Etc. Patents (Class 429/53)
  • Patent number: 8449999
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a battery cell constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly is mounted in a battery case made of a laminate sheet including a metal layer and a resin layer, and the battery case is thermally welded along the edge of a receiving part thereof to form a sealing part, wherein a weak part is formed at a portion of the sealing part (‘an electrode lea correspondence portion’) corresponding to one of electrode leads (a, b) connected to the electrode assembly, e.g., the electrode lead (a) having relatively low flexibility, the weak part being physically deformed, such that internal gas is discharged outside through the weak part, when predetermined pressure is applied to the weak part, and the weak part is not formed at an electrode lead correspondence portion of the other electrode lead (b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seungjae You, Min Su Kim
  • Publication number: 20130130070
    Abstract: A battery unit has battery cells having electrode terminals, bus bars having voltage potential detection terminals, a control board having a voltage detection circuit and a discharge duct. In the battery cell, the electrode terminals of the battery cells are electrically connected to the voltage potential detection terminals of the bus bars. The voltage potential detection terminals of the bus bars are electrically connected to the voltage detection circuit formed on the control board through metal conductive members or lines. The voltage detection circuit detects a voltage potential of each of the battery cells through the metal conductive members. The metal conductive members are not dedicated components, and integrated with the discharge duct by insert molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: DENSO CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130130071
    Abstract: A battery pack has battery cells and bus bars. Each of the battery cells is covered with an exterior case. All the battery cells are electrically connected in series through the bus bars. The battery cells are divided into a first stacked group and a second stacked group arranged adjacent to each other in a lateral direction of the battery pack. The battery cells in each stacked group are stacked in a thickness direction of the battery pack. The stacked groups have a different number of the battery cells in order to make a stair structure. An electrode terminal of one end terminal of the battery cells connected in series is arranged adjacent to the stair structure. A control board is arranged on a lower step part of the stair structure. Devices formed on the control board detect a state of each battery cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: DENSO CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8440335
    Abstract: An explosion-proof device for use in power batteries includes a battery cover defining an explosion-proof hole, a valve seat securely mounted in the explosion-proof hole and hermetically sealing the battery cover, and a rupture film positioned in the valve seat and hermetically sealing the explosion-proof hole. The rupture film is insulatively isolated from the valve seat via an insulative cushion enclosing the rupture film, or an insulative layer formed on the rupture film. In the explosion-proof device of the prevent invention, the rupture film is insulatively isolated from the valve seat, which can prevent the rupture film from being electrochemically corroded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Dongguan Amperex Electronics Technology Limited
    Inventors: Peng Wang, Ping-hua Deng, Biao Jin, Zhi-jun Guo
  • Patent number: 8435658
    Abstract: A sealed cell has a sealing body with a space-saving safety valve that has excellent safety. The sealing body includes a terminal cap and a safety valve. The terminal cap includes one or more gas releasing holes for releasing a gas from inside to outside of the cell. The gas releasing holes are provided in the external terminal. A safety valve includes a conductive contact portion projecting toward an inside of the sealed cell, a peripheral portion in a periphery of the conductive contact portion, and one or more break grooves formed radially in the peripheral portion. At least one of the gas releasing holes overlap with at least one of break grooves in planar view of the sealed cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuichi Yamashita, Shuichi Matsuura, Kenji Yamato
  • Patent number: 8426048
    Abstract: A battery pack including at least a battery and a casing for accommodating the battery, in which the casing has a ventilation hole communicating with the outside of the casing, and a mesh member made of metal for covering at least the ventilation hole is provided at the side surface of the casing. Preferably, the mesh member is coated with an insulating resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Masato Fujikawa, Mikinari Shimada
  • Publication number: 20130095352
    Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery has a pressure-sensitive elastic element reliably operating at a desired operating pressure. The battery includes an outer can having an opening; an electrode assembly which is housed in the outer can and comprises a positive electrode having a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode having a negative electrode current collector; a sealing plate sealing the opening; an external electrode terminal whose one end is engaged with the throughhole of the sealing plate and whose other end projects outside the sealing plate; and a pressure-sensitive elastic element which is disposed inside the sealing plate in the battery and deforms in accordance with an increase in the gas pressure in the battery, the external electrode terminal. The external electrode terminal includes therein a hole connecting the outside of the battery and the space in contact with the outer side of pressure-sensitive elastic element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8420241
    Abstract: A sealed cell includes a sealing body that includes an iron-based terminal cap and an aluminum-based safety valve. The terminal cap includes an external terminal, a flange in a periphery of the external terminal, and a hole in the flange. The hole has a diameter smaller on an inner side than on an outer side of the sealed cell. The safety valve includes a conductive contact portion projecting toward an inside of the sealed cell, a peripheral portion in a periphery of the conductive contact portion, and a pin projection in the peripheral. The sealed cell has a riveted portion in which the pin projection and the hole of the terminal cap together are riveted by inserting the pin projection into the hole and crushing a tip of the pin projection. A diameter of the terminal cap is larger than a diameter of the safety valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: SANYO Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazushi Andou, Shuichi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 8420257
    Abstract: A cap assembly is provided. The cap assembly comprises a main gasket surrounding the outer circumference of a safety vent and an auxiliary gasket surrounding the outer circumference of a current interrupt device (CID). The main gasket is supported by the auxiliary gasket, leaving no space between the main gasket and the safety vent. The cap assembly is constructed such that the auxiliary gasket prevents the main gasket seated on a beading portion from sagging. This construction makes the cap assembly effective in preventing an electrolyte from leaking. Further provided is a cylindrical secondary battery comprising the cap assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Jong Kim, Je Jun Lee, Cha Hun Ku
  • Publication number: 20130084475
    Abstract: A lithium ion battery including a lithium ion battery core, a cylindrical aluminum shell, a positive guide needle of the anode, a negative guide needle of the cathode, a rubber seal having a circular recess in the outside of the side wall, and a sealing band. The battery core is arranged within the shell. The positive and negative guide needles are led out from under the seal. The battery core together with the rubber seal is sealed in the shell via the sealing band which is molded from an insulated moldable material by rolling. The sealing band is applied only to the top portion of the shell, the side wall of the seal, and the edge of the top wall of the seal. The bottom wall of the shell is provided with a pressure relief valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Huijun GU
  • Patent number: 8409737
    Abstract: An upper base portion of a top portion of a battery cell cap functions as a positive terminal, and paths for flow of electrical current are defined between the top portion and portions for welding. The portions for welding are positioned to face a side wall region between a pair of apertures adjacently provided in the top portion, and the current flowing regions are defined between the portions for welding and the side wall regions of the top portion facing to the portions for welding, each forming a symmetrical current flowing region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Vehicle Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsunori Suzuki, Yuki Hato
  • Patent number: 8409736
    Abstract: A cap assembly with desirable safety performance for use in lithium ion batteries, includes an insulating gasket defining a through hole therein, a rupture plate positioned in the through hole, a vent plate defining an air hole electrically connected with the rupture plate, a current interrupt device disposed on the rupture plate, and an end cap defining an air exhaust hole assembled on the current interrupt device. The current interrupt device has an upper conductive plate electrically connected with the end cap, a lower conductive plate electrically connected with the rupture plate, and a fuse electrically connecting the upper conductive plate and the lower conductive plate. When the current intensity in the lithium ion battery exceeds a predetermined value, the fuse melts to cut off the current path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Dongguan Amperex Technology Limited
    Inventors: Peng Wang, Feng-gang Zhao, Wei Chen
  • Patent number: 8404375
    Abstract: An electrical battery includes a plurality of electrical energy generating elements formed by at least one electrochemical cell that is packaged in a flexible sealed envelope, and a system for the mechanical and thermal conditioning of the elements. The conditioning system forms a structural body made from thermally conductive material. The body has two longitudinal members and a plurality of cross-members connecting the longitudinal members so as to form between the cross-members housings in which respectively a generating element is disposed. The body includes a circulation path for a thermal conditioning fluid. The path has two channels, respectively upstream and downstream, that are formed respectively in a longitudinal member and passages formed in each of the cross-members. The passages are in fluid communication on each side with respectively the upstream channel and the downstream channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Kokam France SAS
    Inventor: Fabien Gaben
  • Publication number: 20130071703
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a mobile battery module for high power applications. The mobile battery module includes a case having a chamber therein, wherein one or more engagement elements are disposed on an inner surface of the case. A number of blocks removably engage the one or more engagement elements, wherein each block includes a pair of opposing sidewalls. Within each block, a number of end caps extend from the opposing sidewalls to cooperatively hold a number of respective cells there between.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: R. W. Beckett Corporation
    Inventors: Jeff Traczek, Tim Brewster
  • Patent number: 8399124
    Abstract: A seal member having a thermoplastic body for an electrochemical cell containing a nonaqueous organic solvent electrolyte. In particular, the seal member is preferably one or more of (a) a seal located between a cell container wall and a cell cover and (b) a seal of a vent assembly, more particularly a ball vent assembly. The seal member has a composite construction including one or more vapor transmission barrier layers disposed on a portion of the thermoplastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Weiwei Huang, James X. Wu, James J. Mieskoski, Paula J. Hughes
  • Patent number: 8399114
    Abstract: A battery module includes a first unit cell, a second unit cell, a first exhaust chamber, and a second exhaust chamber. The first unit cell is disposed so that a positive electrode terminal faces the first direction. The second unit cell is connected in series to the first unit cell, the negative electrode terminal is disposed so as to face the first direction, and the second unit is disposed so as to be adjacent to the first unit cell. The first exhaust chamber is disposed so as to face the positive electrode terminal of the first unit cell, and discharges a gas which is emitted from the positive electrode terminal of the first unit cell. The second exhaust chamber is disposed so as to face the positive electrode terminal of the second unit cell, and discharges a gas generated from the positive electrode terminal of the second unit cell. The end surface of the second unit cell in the first direction and the outer surface of the first exhaust chamber in the first direction are flush with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Daisuke Kishii, Takuya Nakashima
  • Publication number: 20130052494
    Abstract: A power storage device is provided with an upper cover, a cell module and a lower cover. A tab joint portion is locally formed at each of two sides of the cell module to be welded and assembled with a tab. When welded with the tab joint portion, the tab merely needs to be placed horizontally or be slightly at an inclination angle, and one-time bending is performed on an electrical connection part on the tab, so as to be electrically connected to an electrode of the upper cover. Therefore, the situation that a plasticized metal protective film wrapped on the outer edge of the tab or the cell module is easy to crack caused of many times of bending in the prior art can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Inventors: Hsiu-Hsiang PEI, Yen-Teng SU, Kun-Miao TSAI, Yao-Min CHIU, Jesse CHEN, Chih-Jung LIN
  • Patent number: 8383255
    Abstract: An end assembly seals a cylindrical electrochemical cell. The assembly includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) device and a gasket having a protrusion that cooperates with the end assembly isolates the PTC device from primary axial compression forces present in the closure assembly. In further embodiments of the present invention, the end assembly may be produced by insert molding a seal element about the terminal cover and the gasket itself has an E or F shaped cross section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Eveready Battery Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew T Wendling, Mark A Schubert, James X Wu
  • Patent number: 8383258
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cap assembly loaded on an open upper end of a cylindrical container of a battery in which an electrode assembly is mounted in the cylindrical container, the cap assembly including a safety vent having a predetermined notch configured to rupture by high-pressure gas generated in the battery, a current interruptive device coupled to a bottom of the safety vent by welding for interrupting current when internal pressure of the battery increases, and a current interruptive device gasket for surrounding an outer circumference of the current interruptive device, wherein the current interruptive device includes two or more through holes for gas discharge, the through holes being formed such that the sum of areas of the through holes is equal to 20% to 50% of an entire area of the current interruptive device. When high-pressure gas is generated in the battery, the cap assembly effectively interrupts current and rapidly discharges the gas, thereby greatly improving safety of the battery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sungjong Kim, Byung Kyu Jung, SooRyoung Kim, Chahun Ku
  • Patent number: 8383256
    Abstract: A battery has a battery case with a hole, and a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) safety valve mounted to the battery case over the hole. The MEMS safety valve includes a silicon diaphragm and a silicon electrode layer with a movable electrode mounted above the diaphragm, a stationary electrode around the movable electrode, and one or more links electrically connecting the movable and the stationary electrodes. The stationary electrode, the links, and the movable electrode form part of an electrical path between one or more battery cells and a battery terminal. The links break to open the electrical path when the pressure in the battery case pushes the diaphragm and the links past a first limit. The diaphragm breaks to release fluid from the battery case when the pressure pushes the diaphragm past a second limit. The first limit may be smaller, larger, or the same as the second limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Advanced NuMicro Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Yee-Chung Fu
  • Patent number: 8383257
    Abstract: An electrochemical storage cell is disclosed which includes at least one cathode sheet, at least one anode sheet and at least one separator sheet combined to make a core. The core is housed within a rectangular shell with four sides and two ends, sealed with an air-tight seal. The cell further includes a blow out vent in at least one of the two ends of the shell. This blow out vent is adapted to open and release excess pressure above a predetermined level to thereby prevent catastrophic rupture of the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: BYD Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Qing Lai, Jingjing Shi, Qiyong Yin, Jianhua Zhu, Xi Shen
  • Publication number: 20130040173
    Abstract: A battery pack comprising: a secondary battery including a safety valve; a gas absorption portion including a gas absorbent represented by zeolite and a container hermetically enclosing the gas absorbent; and a case housing the secondary battery and the gas absorption portion. The safety valve is configured to discharge a gas produced in the secondary battery at the time of abnormality. The container includes a principal surface facing the safety valve, for example, and when the gas is discharged, the container is unsealed by rupturing of at least the principal surface of the container by an effect of heat or pressure of the gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomohiko Yokoyama, Masato Fujikawa, Akiko Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20130040172
    Abstract: A structure of lithium-ion battery module comprises a battery case, containing one or more flexible packaging polymer lithium-ion battery cells, at of which top a connecting conductor is arranged to connect them in series and/or parallel to form a battery pack, positive and negative poles of the battery pack are mounted on the connecting conductor. The structure further comprises a battery cover plate welded on the open end of the battery case to package the battery pack into the battery case, and the positive and negative pole terminals of the battery module are arranged on the battery cover plate and welded to the positive and negative poles. The plate is provided with one or more through hole, through which the air in the battery case is evacuated and the inert gas is injected, after that a steel ball is clamped into each through hole to seal the battery case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Advanced Electronics Energy Limited
    Inventors: Guangsen Chen, Qun Ai, Jianqing Zhou, Weijin Wu
  • Publication number: 20130029188
    Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including an uncoated region at ends thereof; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled with the case; and an insulation member in the case, the insulation member including a first region between the electrode assembly and the cap plate, and a second region between the uncoated region of the electrode assembly and an inner surface of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Dukjung KIM, In Kim
  • Patent number: 8357462
    Abstract: The present invention disclosed a battery safety vent comprising: an explosion-proof film fixed on a battery cover plate, a safety vent cover covering the explosion-proof film and having a pressure release aperture, and an explosion-proof pin disposed on top of the safety vent cover, in which a free head of the pin is blunt and points to the explosion-proof film. The present invention further disclosed a battery having the above battery safety vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: BYD Company Limited
    Inventors: Jianhua Zhu, Qing Lai, Wenya Pi, Luxia Jiang
  • Patent number: 8356727
    Abstract: The disclosed device primarily consists of a band, ring, or other piece of shape memory polymer (SMP) or SMP composite in various embodiments that allows or disallows containment. When the SMP reaches its transition temperature (Tg) the SMP provides the means for releasing containment of the pressurized material so as to prevent ignition or explosion of hazardous material. At normal operating temperatures, the SMP is in a deformed shape maintaining an environmental seal to protect the contents of the container. When environmental conditions cause the SMP or SMP composite to exceed its Tg, specified by the operating requirements, the SMP returns to its memory shape in a controlled geometry, rather than simply melting. The return of the SMP to its memory shape causes the venting of the container in different manners depending on which embodiment is utilized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cornerstone Research Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Traxler, Jaime B. Vanderhorst, David E. Havens, Brandon C. Kirby, Michael J. Fisher, Joel J. Everhart, Matthew C. Everhart, Kevin J. Heitkamp
  • Publication number: 20130004808
    Abstract: The invention relates to a thermally insulated housing system having a housing, which has an inner chamber configured to receive a high capacity accumulator. The housing according to the invention comprises a double wall in which there is a gap, wherein the gap is connected to the inner chamber in a thermally conductive manner by means of at least one inner wall section of the double wall. The gap is connected to the surroundings of the housing by means of at least one outer wall section of the double wall and is completely sealed except for a liquid connection. The housing system further comprises a liquid pump connected to the fluid connection and a liquid tank having liquid. The liquid tank is connected to the inner chamber via the liquid pump. The liquid pump is designed to control the fill level of the liquid in the gap between the wall sections of the double wall. The invention further relates to a method for the controlled cooling of a high capacity accumulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
    Inventor: Oliver Tschismar
  • Publication number: 20120328912
    Abstract: A winding assembly including positive and negative electrodes and a separator sheet wound in an overlying relationship such that the separator sheet is positioned between the positive and negative electrodes, and such that an exposed edge of the positive electrode is spaced longitudinally from an unexposed edge of the negative electrode at one end, and such that an exposed edge region of the negative electrode is spaced longitudinally from an unexposed edge of the positive electrode at an opposite end, and wherein a portion of the positive electrode proximate to the exposed edge of the positive electrode comprises a first plurality of apertures and a portion of the negative electrode proximate to the exposed edge of the negative electrode comprises a second plurality apertures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: EXIDE TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Hongbo Zhang, David Robert Mihara, Xiangjun Wang
  • Patent number: 8338010
    Abstract: The invention relates to a safety device for a watertight electro-chemical accumulator (1), comprising a circuit breaker (13) which is actuated by an overpressure inside a container (2) of the accumulator, and a gas generator (20) which is activated when the temperature in the generator exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The safety device can be used for quickly interrupting the current flow through the accumulator in case of malfunction and before electrolyte vapors are generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: SAFT
    Inventor: Gerard Rigobert
  • Patent number: 8338009
    Abstract: A battery (3) includes a battery case (10) having an opening sealed with a sealing plate (13). The sealing plate (13) has a protrusion (13a) extending in a direction toward the outside of the battery case (10), and a ring-shaped insulator (32) is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the protrusion (13a). An inner circumferential portion (32e) of the insulator (32) is in contact with the outer circumferential surface (13b) of the protrusion (13a), and an outer circumferential portion (32d) of the insulator (32) is extended to be positioned on an opening end (10a) of the battery case (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Shunsuke Yasui, Toshiki Itoi, Daisuke Kishii, Shinya Geshi
  • Publication number: 20120315514
    Abstract: The present disclose provides a lithium-ion battery with a gas-releasing and explosion-proof safety valve, which comprises a casing and a battery core. The casing includes an opening that is sealed by a thermal cover, on which a safety valve is disposed. The safety valve comprises a safety cover and a pressure filter. A middle portion of the safety cover includes a through hole. The pressure filter is affixed to the middle portion of the safety cover and has numerous pores. The safety cover and thermal cover are hooked together. The present invention offers multiple advantages. Firstly, simplified structure without aging issue enhances the safety and reliability of the battery. Secondly, during operation, gas is ventilated when an internal pressure of the battery reaches a certain threshold value to avoid rupture of the battery casing. Thirdly, with enhanced performance of the battery, the cycle life of the battery is greatly increased.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2010
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Zhi Guo
  • Publication number: 20120315513
    Abstract: A lithium secondary battery including an electrode assembly; a can accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap assembly coupled with the can, the cap assembly being positioned at a topmost part of the can and having an upper cap including gas discharge holes therein; and a washer coupled with the upper cap, wherein the washer includes a body part, the body part having a flat plate shape and having a centrally disposed connection hole; and insertion parts, the insertion parts extending toward a center of the connection hole from the body part and being arranged in the gas discharge holes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventor: Huntae RO
  • Publication number: 20120308855
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided a battery having a plurality of current collector tabs extended from a plurality of points of a current collector of at least one electrode of a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The battery further has a lid and a lead. The lead has a current collector tab junctional part connected with the current collector tabs, a lid junctional part fixed to the lid, and a vibration absorber part linking the current collector tab junctional part to the lid junctional part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Toshifumi Shimizu, Kengo Kurata, Natsuki Toyota, Eiki Kashiwazaki
  • Patent number: 8323812
    Abstract: It is aimed to provide a battery pack capable of securing safety by preventing A battery contained in the battery pack from entering a burning state even if the battery releases high-temperature gas in an abnormal state. An exhaust duct 1C for permitting the flow of gas released from the battery is provided and the gas is exhausted to the outside after reducing the temperature thereof in the exhaust duct 1C. A flow passage area of the exhaust duct 1C is in the range of not less than 0.5 mm2 and not more than 15 mm2 per 1 Ah of the battery capacity. The exhaust duct 1C is provided with a gas cooling portion 1L and a spark trapping portion 1M.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Nishino, Yasushi Hirakawa, Koshi Takamura
  • Patent number: 8323811
    Abstract: A lead acid storage battery according to the present invention comprises a battery container for housing a plurality of cells, a middle lid for covering the battery container, and an upper lid for covering the middle lid, wherein, on the upper surface of the middle lid, a gas discharging port for discharging the gas generated inside of the cell and an electrolyte recirculating port for recirculating the moisture to be discharged along with the gas within the cell are formed as corresponding to each cell. A plurality of exhaust chambers separated by an exhaust chamber partition are formed in a space surrounded by the middle lid and the upper lid, and a mechanism for collectively exhausting the gas discharged from the gas discharging port to the outside of the battery by interconnecting the plurality of exhaust chambers is comprised.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: GS Yuasa International Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuma Saito, Kenji Hirakawa, Motoshi Kiribayashi
  • Patent number: 8298693
    Abstract: A battery having an outer casing and an anode/cathode assembly within that casing, wherein the anode/cathode assembly includes plural anodes and cathodes and electrolyte therebetween. The battery has a pressure relief feature associated with the casing and a channel preservation element sufficiently rigid to preserve at least one gas passageway to the pressure relief feature under conditions of anode/cathode assembly warpage. Thus the gas in the passageway will not become impeded by anode/cathode assembly warpage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. :td.
    Inventors: Joseph Anthony Holung, Tin-Lup Wong, Bouziane Yebka
  • Publication number: 20120263981
    Abstract: An energy storage system, in particular a battery having a plurality of battery cells. These battery cells are accommodated in a first container. The first container is separated from a second container by a separating element, which allows for establishing a pressure difference ?p for expansion of a gas out of the first container into the second container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventors: Roland Norden, Jochen Fassnacht
  • Patent number: 8288026
    Abstract: The secondary battery according to the present invention has a vent deformation accelerator which promotes the operation of a vent formed on a wide side of a can in the cap plate, a bottom side of a can or a narrow side of a can so that the vent operates at the low pressure. Therefore, a secondary battery is provided with a vent which operates at a lower pressure than the operating pressure of existing vents. Also, the vent can be formed relatively thick when the operating vent which operates at the same pressure as the operating pressure of an existing vent so that it can avoid forming a vent having a minute thickness, thereby reducing the manufacturing costs and processing time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hwail Uh, Sangwoo Lee
  • Publication number: 20120258338
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery for improving stability by quickly transmitting generated gas to a vent plate when an internal short circuit occurs, the rechargeable battery including: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and second electrodes; a case containing the electrode assembly; and a cap plate sealing an opening of the case and including an electrode terminal connected to the electrode assembly, the cap plate further including a round unit arranged at an inner side of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Inventor: Duk-Jung KIM
  • Patent number: 8283061
    Abstract: A releasing pressure and a pressure releasing position, when enclosing films are expanded by gas produced at an abnormal time, are easily and positively configured. A film-enclosed battery (1) has a battery element (2) and two enclosing films (4, 5) for sealing the battery element (2). The enclosing films (4, 5) include heat-sealable resin layers and air-impermeable layers, and the heat-sealable resin layers and air-impermeable layers, and the heat-sealable resin layers that are face each other hold the battery element (2) and seal the battery element (2) when their peripheral edges are thermally fused. A cross-linking structure (8) formed by cross-linking heat-sealable resin layer is formed in one of the enclosing films (4, 5) so that a region in part of a heat-sealed area (6) has a position exposed to a battery element housing unit and another portion in contact with outside air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Makihiro Otohata, Hiroshi Yageta
  • Publication number: 20120251850
    Abstract: An electric storage apparatus has an electric-generating element performing charge and discharge and a case accommodating the electric-generating element and an electrolytic solution. The case has an injection portion, a cap, a worked portion, and a valve. The injection portion is used for injecting the electrolytic solution into the case. The cap closes the injection portion. The worked portion is formed along the outer shapes of the injection portion and the cap by working the wall face of the case. The valve is used for discharging gas produced within the case to the outside of the case and is provided between the injection portion and the worked portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Nobuo YAMAMOTO, Mizuho Matsumoto, Toru Nakai
  • Publication number: 20120237803
    Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack, the system using an integrated battery venting assembly comprised of an integrated exhaust port, a valve retention plate that covers the exhaust port and includes a plurality of retention plate ports, and a plurality of valves that are configured to seal the retention plate ports under normal conditions and unseal the retention plate ports during thermal runaway. As hot gas passes through the retention plate ports, the plate is configured to melt and be ejected, thereby allowing subsequent hot gas to pass through the larger exhaust port. A perforated cover plate may be used to protect the external surfaces of the retention plate and valves. An internally mounted exhaust guide may be used to direct the flow of hot gas expelled during the thermal runaway event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Joseph Mardall, Nicholas Hayden Herron, Dustin Grace, Weston Arthur Hermann, Jeffrey C. Weintraub, Gary Allen Pinkley
  • Publication number: 20120237802
    Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery including a fuse part that can continually function as a fuse. In the state where a first short circuit plate contacts a connecting plate to form a short circuit, even when heat generated from the short circuit melts the first short circuit plate, a second short circuit plate contacts the connecting plate to maintain a short circuit state, so that the fuse part can continually function as a fuse. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap assembly including a cap plate sealing the case and having a short circuit hole, and a short circuit assembly including a first short circuit plate, a second short circuit plate, and a connecting plate. The first short circuit plate is disposed in the short circuit hole. The second short circuit plate contacts a lower part of the first short circuit plate. The connecting plate is spaced apart from the cap plate and is disposed outside the cap plate to cover the short circuit hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventors: Sangwon Byun, Sooseok Choi, Jeongwon Oh
  • Publication number: 20120231305
    Abstract: A secondary battery including a case having an opening; an electrode assembly housed in the case; at least one current collector coupled to an uncoated portion of the electrode assembly and forming an electrode terminal, wherein the case has a coupling groove recessed toward the at least one current collector; and a cap plate coupled to seal the opening of the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Minhyung Guen
  • Publication number: 20120231306
    Abstract: A thermal management system is provided that minimizes the effects of thermal runaway within a battery pack. The system is comprised of a sealed battery pack enclosure configured to hold a plurality of batteries, where the battery pack enclosure is divided into a plurality of sealed battery pack compartments. The system also includes a plurality of battery venting assemblies, where at least one battery venting assembly is integrated into each of the sealed battery pack compartments, and where each of the battery venting assemblies includes an exhaust port integrated into an outer wall of the battery pack compartment and a valve, the valve being configured to seal the exhaust port under normal operating conditions and to unseal the exhaust port when at least one of the batteries within the battery pack compartment enters into thermal runaway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2012
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Nicholas Hayden Herron, Scott Ira Kohn, Weston Arthur Hermann, Andrew Hill Leutheuser, Jeffrey C. Weintraub, Dustin Grace, Bruce Philip Edwards, Nicolas Verzeni, Joseph Mardall
  • Patent number: 8263242
    Abstract: The provision of improved venting in battery cells by way of better preventing pressure buildup in the cells. Via different variants of the present invention, the following advantages are achieved: Gas can escape from the cell without clogging the vent; gas buildup is avoided while the venting valve can operate in a consistently reliable manner; the solutions presented are sufficiently versatile as to be applicable to a variety of cells on the market; and the risk of explosion is virtually eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Bouziane Yebka, Jeremy R. Carlson, Larry G. Estes, Joseph A. Holung, Timothy Humphrey, Tin-Lup Wong
  • Patent number: 8257847
    Abstract: A main object of the present invention is to provide a lithium secondary battery whose potential can be rapidly increased immediately after the start of overcharge, thereby terminating charging before a safety valve is actuated. This object can be solved by a lithium secondary battery comprising: a cathode having a phosphate compound of olivine structure as a cathode active material, an anode, a separator sandwiched between the cathode and the anode, an electrolyte comprising a supporting salt dissolved therein, and a safety valve having a valve-opening pressure within the range of 25 kgf/cm2 to 30 kgf/cm2, wherein assuming that the initial amount of Li contained in the cathode is 100, the initial amount of Li contained in the electrolyte is within the range of 5 to 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroki Awano
  • Patent number: 8257848
    Abstract: A battery comprises a battery cell having two voltage terminals and a flexible sidewall; a wall structure against which the battery cell is located, the wall structure including a sidewall that is adjacent to the sidewall of the battery cell; and a tooth structure that extends away from the sidewall of the wall structure and towards the sidewall of the battery cell, wherein the tooth structure includes a distal end sufficiently sharp to puncture the flexible sidewall of the battery cell when the flexible sidewall of the battery cell is forced up against the tooth structure due to a build up of excess pressure inside the battery cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: A123 Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mujeeb Ijaz, Shazad M. Butt, Whanjin Roh, Jonathan E. Hostler, Myoungshin Hong
  • Publication number: 20120214029
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled with the case; and a vent member welded to the cap plate, the vent member including a notch thereon, wherein a welded unit, by which the vent member and the cap plate are welded together, is separately formed toward a center of the cap plate in a thickness direction from an outer side of the cap plate so as to be spaced apart from the outer side of the cap plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Jae-Wook LEE, Chi-Young Lee, Gwan-Chan Jeon, Myung-Jin Jeong
  • Patent number: 8247099
    Abstract: A gas exhaust structure of a battery includes a rupture valve formed in a battery body, and a pipe unit composed by integrating a coupling pipe and an exhaust pipe with each other. A one-side opening of the coupling pipe is coupled to the rupture valve. The exhaust pipe is coupled to an other-side opening of the coupling pipe, guides gas that spouts out from an inside of the battery body through the rupture valve and the one-side opening of the coupling pipe, and exhausts the gas to an outside. The exhaust pipe is arranged to be offset with respect to the rupture valve without allowing an extended line that passes through a center of the rupture valve and a centerline of the exhaust pipe to be perpendicular to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takafumi Nakahama, Takeo Kakuchi, Nobumitsu Tada, Taihei Koyama, Norihito Togashi, Kenya Kurokawa, Tadashi Shudo, Mami Mizutani