Abstract: A charging element device comprises a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal which are located at one end of a cylindrical battery case having a positive electrode and a negative electrode equipped therein and which are respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode, with an electrolyte solution charging opening being formed at the other end of the battery case. The electrolyte solution charging opening is sealed by a plug having a safety valve, and the safety plug reduces an inner pressure of the battery case when the inner pressure is not less than a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Battery packaging is described which permits gas generated inside of a battery package to safely escape through a vent. A sealant in communication with the vent substantially and selectively seals the vent. As the battery temperature rises to or above a minimum temperature, gas is generated. The heat causes the sealant to become substantially softened, such that the sealant unseals the vent, and the gas passes through the vent into the ambient atmosphere.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improvement in a battery cover having a vent opening, the improvement is a frit that has two functions; namely, it acts to allow gases to escape while preventing liquid to escape and in addition acts as a blowout disk when a pressure within the battery exceeds a predetermined pressure that blows the frit out of the cover preventing the explosion of the battery.

Abstract: A sealed battery includes a can for receiving an electric generator, a shape-variable plate crimped on an opening of the can, a gasket disposed between the can and the shape-variable plate, a fixing plate disposed under the shape-variable plate, an insulating member disposed between the shape-variable plate and the fixing plate, and a projection extending from the fixing plate and welded on the shape-variable plate. The projection is provided with a mechanically weak portion which is designed to be broken at an internal pressure lower than that for separating a welding portion of the projection and the shape-variable plate.

Abstract: A header for rechargeable lithium batteries, which incorporates a riveted disconnect mechanism. The header is especially useful for rechargeable lithium batteries for high power applications.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector.

Abstract: A safety device for a closed battery capable positively preventing a rupture due to a rapid internal pressure rise at over-packing and short-circuiting and being produced inexpensively, a positive electrode lid (16) attached to one end of an outer covering can (11) comprises a pressure receiving plate (18) forming the innermost lid and connected to positive electrode (13) of an electrode unit (12) via positive electrode lead (17), a shielding plate (20) forming a middle lid and electrically connected to the pressure receiving plate (18) via a center contact (19), and a sealing plate (21) forming the outermost lid and electrically connected to the shielding plate (20).

Abstract: A sealed battery includes a can for receiving an electric generator, a sealing member crimped on an opening of the can and connected to one of a positive electrode and a negative electrode of the electric generator, a gasket disposed between the can and the sealing member, a cover cap disposed on the sealing member with an insulating member disposed between the cover cap and the sealing member, a current control member disposed between the cover cap and the sealing member to cut-off a flow of current when a temperature of the battery is increased above an allowable level, and a shock absorber disposed between the cover cap and the current control member to prevent shock from being directly transmitted to the current control member.

Abstract: A closure assembly for sealed batteries in which explosion-proof features are incorporated. A metal plate having a hole, an insulating resin sheet, a metal thin sheet, an insulating sheet having an air hole, a metal guide plate having a hole, and a metal cap are laid upon one another within an insulating gasket. Metal plate and metal guide plate are in contact with each other and electrically connected. Upon a build-up of pressure within the battery, the insulating resin sheet expands and ruptures, whereby a narrow part provided in the metal thin sheet positioned above the insulating resin sheet breaks, thus cutting supply of electric current.

Abstract: A crush type pressure detecting device less in occurrence of malfunction, simple in structure, and inexpensive to manufacture is presented. On a crush plate 120 made of ceramics or the like, a conductor path 130 is formed, for example, in linear or U-shape, and electrodes 131 are provided at both ends. Both ends of the crush plate 120 are inserted into a holder 110 made of plastic or printed board so as to support at both sides. An opening 111 is provided in the holder 110 to expose the electrode 131, thereby obtaining a crush type pressure detecting device 100 of the invention. Terminal plates 140 are connected to the electrodes 131 of this detecting device 100, and the terminal plates 140 are used as mounting members, and are disposed in contact with the object to be detected, for example, the outer wall of a housing 210 of a rechargeable battery 200.

Abstract: A storage cell battery includes at least one cell having an enclosure containing an electrode assembly impregnated with an electrolyte and including at least one positive electrode, at least one negative electrode and at least one separator disposed between the electrodes. The cells are housed in a common container provided with a first orifice. A safety device includes an anomaly detector, a storage tank containing a non-inflammable gas under pressure and connected to the first orifice, and a control system in the form of a pyrotechnic mechanism for controlling the admission of the gas into the common container.

Abstract: Educational kit which combines a unitized regenerative fuel cell with a demonstration platform to illustrate the principals of fuel cell use and application. A fuel cell education kit provides valuable exposure to the principals of fuel cell generated electricity to children. The fuel cell is a regenerative fuel cell converting water into hydrogen and oxygen during a charging cycle and reversing the process during discharge. A proton exchange membrane drives the process.

Abstract: There has been developed a safety valve installed on a small-sized cell vessel which remains hermetically sealed during the normal operation but which instantly releases the pressure in the inside of the vessel if, due to abnormalities, such as overcharging, the pressure is increased and reaches a prescribed value to prevent explosion or deformation of the cell vessel to evade the risk to the human being or destruction of the equipment. The metal foil type safety valve by the cold pressure welding of the present invention cold-pressure-welds the metal foil for sealing the air vent hole in the metal vessel. If the internal pressure in the vessel reaches the prescribed value, the metal foil is cleft to form an opening in the vessel to release the internal pressure.

Abstract: A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery having a structure which enables an electrode device to easily be inserted into a battery can thereof even if the thickness of the battery is reduced. Thus, excellent productivity and reliability can be realized. A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to the present invention has a structure that a largest opening of the battery can is hermetically sealed by a battery cover having a terminal.

Abstract: A cell safety valve which has a thin valve plate formed on a sheet-shaped sealing plate for sealing the cell such that if the inner pressure of the cell exceeds a predetermined value, the valve plate breaks to release a gas in the cell to the outside, in which the valve plate has a dome-shaped dome portion formed thereon and, at its middle or near it, a break groove formed for facilitating the breaking of the valve. By this construction, it is possible to prevent the electrolyte from leaking while reducing the cell-to-cell difference in the operating pressure of the safety valve and ensuring a sufficient open area at the time of the operations of the safety valve.

Abstract: A secondary cell comprises a gastight can 1 having a cylinder 11 and a lid 12 fixed to an opening portion of the cylinder, and a secondary cell element accommodated in the can 1. The lid 12 is fixedly provided with a gas vent closure 4 in the form of a disk and having a diaphragm 42 openable upon the internal pressure of the can 1 exceeding a predetermined value. The gas vent closure 4 has an outer peripheral portion welded to an opening edge defining a through bore 14 formed in the lid 12. The lid 12 is formed in a front surface thereof with a circumferential groove 5 surrounding the welded portion of the gas vent closure 4, and a diminished portion 51 is provided between the groove 5 and the welded portion for reducing the sectional area of a heat flow path for the heat of welding to pass therethrough. The lid 12 thus constructed makes it possible to weld the vent closure 4 to the lid 12 free of defects such as pinholes or cracks.

Abstract: A battery cover plate includes upper and lower metal substrates, and a safety valve. The lower metal substrate is opposite to the upper metal substrate, and has an anti-explosion hole that is aligned with an anti-explosion hole in the upper metal substrate. The safety valve can release excessive pressure present inside a battery, and includes a metal foil that is capable of bursting when the pressure inside the battery exceeds a preset burst pressure value. The metal foil is sandwiched between the upper and lower metal substrates, and seals the anti-explosion holes in the upper and lower metal substrates.

Abstract: A battery case (1) has a cutting groove (10) formed on its elongated side surface (1a). Between a groove bottom surface of the cutting groove (10) and an inner surface of the battery case (1) is provided a thin-walled easily-rupturable portion (12) designed to rupture at an instant when an internal pressure of the battery case (1) reaches a predetermined value. Thereby, a safety mechanism for use with a prismatic battery is realized. The manufacture of the safety mechanism is as follows. A cutting blade (37) rotated at a high speed by a high-speed rotary body (30) is brought into cutting engagement with the elongated side surface (1a) of the battery case (1) of the prismatic battery in finished form until it reaches a predetermined depth and is fixed, and subsequently the high-speed rotary body (30) or the prismatic battery is brought into rectilinear relative movement.

Abstract: A secondary battery has a disconnect assembly for cutting off a current path when a pressure in the battery is abnormal, disposed in an open end of an outer casing. The disconnect assembly includes a rupture disk sealing the open end of the outer casing, a cap electrically connected to a portion of a surface of the rupture disk and serving as an outer terminal of the battery, a weld plate joined to a portion of another surface of the rupture disk and serving as an inner terminal of the battery and having vent holes, and an insulating gasket sealing a gap between the rupture disk and the outer casing and holding the rupture disk and the weld plate in an electrically insulated fashion, except for a space around a junction between the rupture disk and the weld plate. A portion of the rupture disk and the weld plate are so joined that the diffusion of atoms at a junction interface is in an initial stage. An ultrasonic welding machine is used to carry out the above joining.

Abstract: A completely-enclosed cell wherein if the internal pressure in the cell rises because of short circuit or overcharging, temperature rise and explosion of the cell is effectively prevented, the current is cut off, and the internal pressure is simultaneously and quickly released. The cell includes a sealer comprising a valve body composed of a metal substrate perforated at narrowly spaced intervals in the endless periphery and a metal foil 72 substrate to cover the perforations. The cell a structure in which a narrow gap portion of a 98 metal plate deformable even by a weak force of when the internal pressure increases elongates and the portion surrounded by the through holes projects 122.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises a sealing unit including a conductive support plate, wherein the conductive support plate contains at least one kind of a conductive material selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy and a composite metallic material, each of the metal, the alloy and the composite metallic material has a modulus of elasticity (Young's modulus) at 25° C. that falls within a range from 1×1011 Pa to 3.27×1011 Pa, and the conductive support plate has an area resistance value RS at 20° C. falling within a range from 0.032 (&mgr;&OHgr;·cm2) to 1.24 (&mgr;&OHgr;·cm2).

Abstract: An electrochemical separator is formed insitu on an electrode surface within an electrochemical cell, preferably an alkaline cell cathode surface. The alkaline cell comprises a zinc anode, a and potassium hydroxide electrolyte. The cathode may comprise a cathode comprising manganese dioxide. The separator may be formed by coating an electrode surface preferably with a low molecular weight copolymer of polyvinyalcohol and polyvinylacetate. The film can be coagulated to form a permeable separator uniformly conforming to and covering the electrode surface irrespective of the shape and contour of the electrode. A separate protector disk can be inserted onto the top surface of the cathode to protect the cathode from shorting in the event that imperfections in the separator surface develop. The protector disk can have a protruding lip which surrounds and protects the inside corner edge of the cathode.

Abstract: A selective gas permeable membrane allows hydrogen to vent from a battery while preventing other gases from entering the battery. The surface of the filter membrane also catalytically combusts hydrogen and oxygen if both are evolved inside the battery and retains the resulting water for use in the battery. The membrane is made with a porous plastic substrate coated with a thin metal film permeable to hydrogen, and additional coatings. These coatings protect the surfaces, and catalytically combust hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A secondary battery includes a can into which an electrode assembly is inserted, a cap assembly mounted to an opening of the can; and an electolyte injection hole formed on at least one of the can and cap assembly, and safety member to close the electolyte injection hole. The electolyte injection hole is formed on a negative portion of the cap assembly. The safety member is inserted into and welded on the electolyte injection hole.

Abstract: Explosion of rechargeable battery can be prevented in a relatively simple structure, at low cost, and without allowing spouting of electrolyte.

Abstract: A secondary battery includes a can into which an electrode assembly is inserted, a cap assembly mounted to an opening of the can; and an electrolyte injection hole formed on at least one of the can and cap assembly, and a safety member to close the electrolyte injection hole. The electrolyte injection hole is formed on a negative portion of the cap assembly or on the can. The safety member is inserted into and welded on the electrolyte injection hole. Also, a secondary battery, includes a can, a cap assembly on an end of the can, an electrolyte injection hole formed on the cap assembly, means for closing the electrolyte injection hole, and a safety member provided on the can, the safety member for reducing pressure inside the can once the pressure inside the can exceeds a predetermined level.

Abstract: The invention lies in a battery comprising a battery container closed at one end thereof, an electric-generating element received in the battery container, and a cover body covering the opening of the battery container. The cover body has an indented portion formed on the outer side thereof extending inward and a valve disposed on the inner wall of the indented portion for releasing the inner pressure of the battery. The battery of the invention comprises a valve disposed on the deep side of the indented portion for releasing the inner pressure of the battery. In this arrangement, any foreign matters which hit the area of the cover body close to the indented portion cannot enter into the indented portion. Even foreign matters which could have entered into the indented portion, it is difficult to reach the side wall of the indented portion. Accordingly, it is less likely that foreign matters can come in direct contact with the valve.

Abstract: A closing plate for a battery comprises a metal substrate provided with a safety valve at a peripheral portion thereof. The safety valve is protected by applying a protection film to the metal substrate of the closing plate. The closing plate comprises a metal substrate, metal foil which is adhered to the lower surface of the metal substrate, and a protection film attached to the upper surface of the metal substrate, which protection film has previously been provided with a cut in a prescribed shape.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a closed battery capable of rapidly releasing the internal pressure thereof and at the same time disconnecting the current to effectively prevent a rise in temperature and explosion so that it may assure the safety and reliability of the battery, when, the internal pressure is elevated due to short circuit, overcharge, reverse charge, or the like in such a completely closed battery. A closed battery of the present invention is provided with a closing member serving as a valve chip, which is composed of a metal substrate 1 in which a valve element 5 is provided and defined by a break line 3, and a metal foil 2 adhered to the inner surface of the metal substrate 1.

Abstract: An end seal assembly for small sized cylindrical alkaline cells. The seal assembly eliminates the need for a separate end cap and also eliminates the need for an insulating washer which is normally included between the end cap and housing at the cell's open end in order to insulate the end cap from the housing. The seal assembly includes an insulating sealing disk which fits into the open end of the cell housing. The peripheral edge of the cell housing is crimped over the edge of the sealing disk to seal the cell. The sealing disk comprises an integral raised central boss which protrudes from the housing open end. An elongated current collector penetrates into the cell's interior through an aperture in the central boss. The head of the current collector is thus exposed to the external environment and forms an end (negative) terminal for the cell. The boss is wider than normal in order to prevent interlocking with heads from other like cells.

Abstract: A cell has a winding type power generating element, a cell case for housing the winding type power generating element therein and a safety valve formed at the lower end of the side wall of the cell.

Abstract: Disclosed is a safety vent for a battery and a method therefor. The safety vent for the battery and the method therefor are able to safely draw off an internal pressure by virtue of a higher reliability in case of an abnormal rise in the internal pressure in the battery, reduce a production cost by virtue of a simpler manufacture process, and be applied to a narrow space in the battery with more ease.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a closed battery capable of rapidly releasing the internal pressure thereof and at the same time disconnecting the current to effectively prevent itself from temperature rising and exploding so that in such a completely closed battery it may assure the safety and reliability thereof, when the internal pressure is elevated due to short circuit, overcharge, reverse charge, or the like. A valve element 5 is provided with a slit 3 between the circumference thereof and a metal substrate 1. When the internal pressure of a battery is elevated, the valve element 5 is smoothly raised up together with a metal foil 2 from a bending fulcrum portion 4 to thereby cut a lead wire 6 or permit a braze portion 8 to detach from the lead wire 6, thus disconnecting the current reliably.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an alkaline dry cell with a high capacity having a superior liquid leak resistant property. In this alkaline dry cell, the thickness of the trunk portion of an external can is made thinner than 0.18 mm, and the thickness of the sealing edge portion of the external can is set to not less than 1.4 times the thickness of trunk portion. An anode terminal plate is used as a supporting member for a sealing member. Over the entire outer circumferential portion of the anode terminal plate is placed a curved portion having an average curvature radius of not more than 1 mm, which shows a virtually C-letter shape or an arc shape in its cross-section obtained by cutting the anode terminal plate through its center in the thickness direction.

Abstract: A battery in which an electrolytic solution may be prevented from leakage. Within a battery case in the form of a bottomed tube, a positive electrode, a negative electrode and an electrolyte are arranged. An opening in the battery case is sealed by a battery lid having a degassing hole, which degassing hole is covered by a sheathing member.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a battery case, and an internal electrode body contained in the battery case and including a positive electrode and a negative electrode wound through a separator film made of porous polymer, and uses a nonaqueous organic electrolyte. Opposing pressure release mechanisms are disposed at both ends of the battery case in the winding direction of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The lithium secondary battery is simple in fabrication, has small internal resistance, and is superior in safety.

Abstract: The battery includes a metal container containing active materials, forming respectively the anode and the cathode, and an electrolyte, said container being sealed at its upper part by a hermetically sealed cap and separated from the active materials by an insulating element, said cap being provided with two contact terminals, electrically connected to the anode and the cathode by connecting means, and a through passage formed by a tube arranged in proximity to or merged with the negative terminal, said through passage, connecting the interior and the exterior of the battery, being closed to wards the exterior by a metal hotmelt composition.

Abstract: A closed battery which is capable of rapidly releasing the internal pressure there while simultaneously disconnecting the current to prevent the internal temperature of the battery from rising and causing the battery to explode. Thus, when the internal pressure of the closed battery is elevated due to a short circuit, overcharge, reverse charge, or the like, internal gas in the battery can be safely discharged and the battery prevented from bursting.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell constructed in accordance with the present invention includes a can for containing electrochemical materials including positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte, the can having an open end and a closed end; a pressure relief mechanism formed in the closed end of the can for releasing internal pressure from within the can when the internal pressure becomes excessive; a first outer cover positioned on the closed end of the can to be in electrical contact therewith and to extend over the pressure relief mechanism; a second outer cover positioned across the open end of the can; and an insulator disposed between the can and the second outer cover for electrically insulating the can from the second outer cover. According to another embodiment, the second cover is dielectrically isolated from a current collector. The second cover is fastened to the can by the use of a double-seamed closure.

Abstract: The invention provides a high-performance pressure sensitive current breaker for a cell that securely cuts off the current path inside the cell even when the pressure increase inside the cell is low, and suppresses the pressure increase inside. The pressure sensitive current breaker for a cell of this invention is configured such that an insulator to swell out toward a diaphragm portion is formed by the insert molding with part of a lead part exposed from an opening of a retaining member, a notching part is formed on part of the lead part to make the lead part easily ruptured, a current path between a generating element inside the cell and an external electrode is made through the lead part, and when a pressure inside the cell case rises over a specific value to displace the diaphragm upward, the diaphragm presses the insulator upward to rupture the lead part at the notching part, thereby cutting off the current path.

Abstract: A cylindrical high-capacity sealed storage cell having a terminal at one end which is made of aluminum, wherein: the one end includes an aluminum cover adapted to be brought into contact with an external electrical connecting part by a clamping structure which is at least in part under the cover and co-operates with an external assembly mechanism, the clamping structure being made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, copper, and brass; and the cover of the cell is sealed by a metal sealing cap under the cover.

Abstract: In a pressure-sensitive breaker for a battery, a recess is formed at a position on the inner surface of a battery pack opposing a side face of a battery case of a battery. A first terminal is provided to be connected to an external electrode of the battery pack, and a second terminal is provided to be connected to the battery case serving as one electrode of the battery. An electric path is formed of a conductive portion on the surface of an element, and both ends of the conductive portion are connected to the first and second terminals. Due to bending of the side face of the battery case toward the recess caused when the internal pressure in the battery rises above a predetermined value, the element is deformed toward the recess and broken, and the electric path is cut off.

Abstract: A safety plate of a secondary battery is disclosed, which can prevent the explosion of the battery such as a lithium ion secondary battery which is apt to be exploded due to an excessive inner pressure.

Abstract: An extremely safe non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell free of explosions and which can promptly release the internal pressure in case of rise in the internal pressure. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell has in its opening a cleavage valve obtained on bonding a metal foil to the opening. In case of rise in the internal pressure, the cleavage valve is cleft to release the pressure. In this cell, a value K corresponding to the internal volume in the cell in cm3 divided by the area of the opening in cm2 is set so that 40≦K≦350. By selecting the value K to a suitable value, the cleavage valve is in operation when the internal pressure reaches a predetermined value to release the pressure. The metal foil is produced by, for example, a electro-forming method or a cladding method. Preferably, a fluorine-based water-proofing agent is coated on the foil surface.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a can with a bottom end and an open top end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the can. The cell includes an inner metal cover inserted in the open end of the can for closing the open end of the can. The inner metal cover has a pressure relief mechanism for providing pressure relief to vent high pressure gases upon reaching a predetermined pressure. In addition, an outer cover is preferably positioned over the metal cover to form an electrical contact terminal and to substantially cover the pressure relief mechanism. The pressure relief mechanism advantageously provides for high pressure gas venting while minimizing the amount of volume consumed by the venting components and thereby allowing for a greater amount of electrochemically active materials in the can.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a container with a closed bottom end, an open top end, and side walls extending between the top and bottom ends has a pressure relief mechanism formed in the bottom end, and positive and negative electrodes disposed in the container. The pressure relief mechanism is a stress concentrator formed in the container for providing pressure relief to vent high pressure gases. The stress concentrator includes first and second crossing grooves and third and fourth arcuate grooves to provide for multiple stress concentration points which offers increased reliability of venting, reduced space required for the vent opening, and results in significant reduction of bulging in the closed bottom end of the container.

Abstract: A lithium secondary battery includes a battery case, and an internal electrode body contained in the battery case and including a positive electrode and a negative electrode wound through a separator film made of porous polymer, and uses a nonaqueous organic electrolyte. Opposing pressure release mechanisms are disposed at both ends of the battery case in the winding direction of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The lithium secondary battery is simple in fabrication, has small internal resistance, and is superior in safety. Preferably, the ratio of the total area of opening portions where the pressure release mechanisms operate to the battery capacity is kept within a predefined range.

Abstract: An extremely safe non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell free of explosions and which can promptly release the internal pressure in case of rise in the internal pressure. The non-aqueous electrolyte secondary cell has in its opening a cleavage valve obtained on bonding a metal foil to the opening. In case of rise in the internal pressure, the cleavage valve is cleft to release the pressure. In this cell, a value K corresponding to the internal volume in the cell in cm3 divided by the area of the opening in cm2 is set so that 40≦K≦350. By selecting the value K to a suitable value, the cleavage valve is in operation when the internal pressure reaches a predetermined value to release the pressure. The metal foil is produced by, for example, a electro-forming method or a cladding method. Preferably, a fluorine-based water-proofing agent is coated on the foil surface.

Abstract: A secondary battery comprises a can into which an electrode assembly is inserted, a cap assembly mounted to an opening of the can; and an electrolyte injection hole formed on at least one of the can and cap assembly, and a safety member to close the electrolyte injection hole. The electrolyte injection hole is formed on a negative portion of the cap assembly. The safety member is inserted into and welded on the electrolyte injection hole.

Abstract: A secondary battery which may be handled in a same way as conventional single cell, if the gas pressure within battery went unusually high the gas is immediately discharged outside, and bursting of the battery is prevented.