Other Stopper, Cap Or Plug Type Patents (Class 429/89)
  • Patent number: 11894582
    Abstract: A stopper (1) for closing and sealing an opening (120) in a housing (110) of an energy storage system (100), in particular for closing and sealing an opening (120) in a housing (110) of a lead acid storage battery, wherein the stopper (1) comprises a connecting region (20), which is configured to engage with the opening (120) in the energy storage system (100), and a sealing region (30), which is disposed above the connecting region (20) in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1), wherein the sealing region (30) is configured to accommodate a sealing element (32) which is designed to be deformed by a force acting at least partially, in particular completely, in the axial direction (A) of the stopper (1) when the stopper (1) is in the installed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: Clarios Germany GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Julius Schwab, Ingo Koch, Armin Staffeldt, Bernd Ide
  • Patent number: 11700699
    Abstract: A ventilation member is attached to a through hole of a housing. The ventilation member includes: a support body in which a ventilation path that forms a flow path for gas between the interior and the exterior of the housing; a sealing member that seals between the support body and the housing; a ventilation membrane that is provided on the ventilation path to prevent a liquid and a solid from passing through and to allow gas to pass through; and a surrounding portion that is provided to the support body and is formed with a uniform height to surround an end portion opening of the ventilation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: NITTO DENKO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Youzou Yano
  • Patent number: 11652262
    Abstract: This application relates to the technical field of energy storage devices, and in particular, to a device, a battery pack, and a battery module. The battery module includes a battery cell and an insulation board. The insulation board includes a body portion and a first bulge. The first bulge includes a sidewall and a top wall that close in to form an accommodation cavity. At least a part of an electrode terminal is accommodated in the accommodation cavity, and the top wall covers a part of the electrode terminal, thereby reducing a risk of letting metal particles or other impurities enter a position between the battery cells, where the metal particles are generated during welding. This reduces difficulty of cleaning the battery module, and improves safety and reliability of the battery module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
    Inventors: Haihua Huang, Shenglin Li
  • Patent number: 11433622
    Abstract: In an accordance with an exemplary embodiment, an energy director is provided for use in ultrasonic welding, the energy director including: a first raised region extending upward from a surface of a base of a component to be welded; and a second raised region extending upward from the first raised region; wherein the first raised region is disposed underneath the second raised region, such that when material of the second raised region melts, the material of the first raised region is not melted and maintains an adhesive bond line thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Athreya Nagesh, Bradley J. Blaski, Jason Ohls, Joseph M. Lendway, IV
  • Patent number: 11349179
    Abstract: A plurality of sets of power storage devices each formed by connecting a plurality of power storage devices in parallel are connected in series. A wiring module that is arranged on a plurality of power storage devices each having electrode terminals, the wiring module including: a plurality of connection bus bars each connected to a corresponding electrode terminal and each having 2n (n is a natural number greater than or equal to 2) electrode connection portions; and an insulating protector that houses the plurality of connection bus bars. In each of the plurality of connection bus bars, the cross-sectional areas of the second electrode connection portion from the right of the connection bus bar and the third electrode connection portion from the right of the connection bus bar are set to be larger than the cross-sectional areas of the other electrode connection portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignees: AUTONETWORKS TECHNOLOGIES, LTD., SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Taiji Yanagida, Hiroki Shimoda, Yoshinori Ito
  • Patent number: 11289775
    Abstract: Provided is a battery wiring module according to which a load that acts on module-side terminals accompanying expansion or contraction of battery cells can be reduced. A housing includes: a wire accommodating portion for accommodating wires; multiple terminal accommodating portions for accommodating module-side terminals; and first elastic joining portions that join the wire accommodating portion and the terminal accommodating portions in an elastically-deformable manner in the direction in which the battery cells are aligned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Ryota Mori
  • Patent number: 11108107
    Abstract: To solve the above problems, a pouch for a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a cup part that accommodates an electrode assembly and is formed by laminating a surface protection layer, a gas barrier layer including a metal, and a sealant layer; and a degassing part in which a degassing aperture is punched when a degassing process is performed and in which no gas barrier layer is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Inventors: Na Yoon Kim, Yong Su Choi, Sang Hun Kim, Hyung Kyun Yu, Soo Ji Hwang, Min Hyeong Kang, Yong Kim
  • Patent number: 10890325
    Abstract: A flame arrestor including a flame arrestor collar and a flame arrestor plug. The flame arrestor collar includes a flame path that may be defined by one or more modules. The flame arrestor plug may be configured for connection to the flame arrestor collar. Various embodiments of a flame arrestor, including those having venting and/or draining elements or capabilities are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Thomas James Fields, Sorin Gavriliuc, Aaron Michael Klap, Peter Robert Foote
  • Patent number: 9985265
    Abstract: The present disclosure includes a battery module having a housing with a cell receptacle region defined by walls of the housing and configured to enable passage of electrochemical cells therethrough. The battery module also includes a bus bar carrier sealed in the cell receptacle region. The bus bar carrier includes a perimeter having flexible ribs extending along at least a majority of the perimeter and configured to enable intimate contact between the walls of the housing and the perimeter of the bus bar carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Christopher M. Bonin, John P. Dinkelman, Richard M. DeKeuster, Dale B. Trester
  • Patent number: 9548616
    Abstract: A system and method for mitigating the effects of a thermal event within a non-metal-air battery pack is provided in which the hot gas and material generated during the event is directed into the metal-air cells of a metal-air battery pack. The metal-air cells provide a large thermal mass for absorbing at least a portion of the thermal energy generated during the event before it is released to the ambient environment. As a result, the risks to vehicle passengers, bystanders, first responders and property are limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventor: Weston Arthur Hermann
  • Patent number: 9543553
    Abstract: A sealing member and a battery comprising the sealing member are provided. The sealing member comprises a sealing part, an operation part having a supporting portion, an operation protrusion disposed on an upper surface of the supporting portion, and a deformable leg depending from a bottom surface of the supporting portion. The sealing member also comprises a connecting part connecting the sealing part and operation part. The sealing part has a maximum diameter greater than that of the connecting part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen BYD Auto R&D Company Limited
    Inventors: Xi Shen, Keli Yang, Xuefeng Zhang, Luxia Jiang, Jianhua Zhu
  • Patent number: 9225041
    Abstract: A battery includes anode plates, formed as a mesh by forming cuts in series on a lead plate strip rolled into a uniform thickness, for storing electricity in a chemically reactive state by expansion processing, cathode plates formed as a mesh for storing electricity in a chemically reactive state, separators between the anode and cathode plates for electrical insulation, mechanical separation, and the impregnation of an AGM with electrolyte, such that the chemical reaction for storing electricity is facilitated and the pressure in the cell remains constant, upper and lower cases made of polypropylene and containing the anode plates, cathode plates, separators, and electrolyte in a plurality of mutually separate cells, and a cap coupled into the screw holes formed in the cell units in the upper case, for discharging gas generated during charge and discharge when the pressure of the gas is over a permissible level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBAL BATTERY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dae Ung Kim, Kyu Hyeong Lee, Sung Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 9112195
    Abstract: A sealed battery includes a battery case within which an electrode body is housed; a lid that joins to an open portion of the battery case; a conducting member that is inserted through the lid and that electrically connects the electrode body to an external terminal provided on the lid; and an insulating plate that is interposed between the lid and the conducting member, and that insulates the lid from the conducting member. A protruding portion is formed, in a position able to be visually recognized from outside while the insulating plate is in a state tightly fixed between the lid and the conducting member, on at least one of an abutting surface of the insulating plate that abuts against the lid, and an abutting surface of the insulating plate that abuts against the conducting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeru Takashiro
  • Patent number: 9054363
    Abstract: A degassing system for a housing of an accumulator includes a labyrinth bolt having a bolt wall in which a plurality of channels are provided, which extend from the bolt interior toward outlets which are arranged in an axial section of the bolt wall. The degassing system also includes a labyrinth corso having a corso wall which, in the installed state, runs around the axial section of the bolt wall such that a gap is formed in the axial section between the bolt wall and the corso wall. The degassing system further includes a gas permeable membrane, which is arranged on an upper face of the labyrinth bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Hybrid and Recycling GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Joswig, Martin Wiegmann, Helge Brenner, Edgar Kroll, Ralf Muenster
  • Publication number: 20150147612
    Abstract: A gas discharge structure for a battery cover has a battery cover that covers part or all of a battery, a first hose that is connected with the battery cover at a position of a through-hole provided on the battery cover. and an electric wire that is electrically connected to the battery, is inserted into the first hose, and is drawn out to an outside of a vehicle compartment through an electric-wire lead-out hole provided on a vehicle body panel. A space formed between the electric wire and the first hose communicates with a space inside the battery cover. An end portion of the first hose is located at a position corresponding to the electric-wire lead-out hole, so that an opening of the space formed between the electric wire and the first hose faces the outside of the vehicle compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Applicant: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Rumi Nagano, Toyoki Iguchi
  • Publication number: 20150125724
    Abstract: An electronic device includes a body that houses an electronic component in a casing and at least one belt connected to the body. The belt includes a battery housing that houses a battery and a first opening in communication with the battery housing. The casing includes a second opening in communication with the first opening and a release valve that discharges gas in the casing to the outside of the casing when gas released from the battery housed in the battery housing flows through the first and second openings into the casing to increase the pressure in the casing to an atmospheric pressure of a certain level or higher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kenji NAKAYAMA
  • Publication number: 20150118531
    Abstract: A method for cold-forging a thin-walled portion by which a thin-walled portion having a set thickness is formed directly from a metal base plate having a sufficiently large thickness and an explosion-proof valve are provided. Blade side surfaces of upper and lower dies for shearing the metal base plate are set in an overlapping manner with a predetermined clearance ? therebetween. Sheared surfaces are formed with the blade side surfaces of the upper and lower dies in the metal base plate along a processing direction while leaving the set thickness t2 therebetween and the metal base plate is compressed by the overlapped portions until work-hardened to form the thin-walled portion with the horizontal width ? and the set thickness t2 between the sheared surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kondo, Ryo Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8974935
    Abstract: A secondary battery module including a plurality of secondary battery cells, each secondary battery cell including electrodes on one side thereof and a vent on the same side as the electrodes, a module frame coupled to the plurality of secondary battery cells and fixing the secondary battery cells in a predetermined arrangement, the module frame including a plurality of vent holes corresponding to the vents of the secondary battery cells, and protrusions disposed around the vent holes and protruding toward the vents, wherein each vent of the secondary battery cells is coupled to one of the protrusions of the module frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Sangwon Byun, Sungbae Kim
  • Patent number: 8945742
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing plug arrangement (1, 2) for a battery, wherein the sealing plug arrangement comprises at least one plug part (1) and a plug retainer (2), and the plug retainer (2) has a hollow area (4) for accommodating at least one retaining section of the plug part (1), wherein the plug part (1) is designed to seal off at least one interior (73, 74) of the battery from the environment when the plug part is installed in the hollow area (4) of the plug retainer (2). Proceeding from this, an improved sealing plug arrangement is specified that can be realized at low cost and that is reliable. For this purpose, the plug retainer (2) comprises at least one flow channel (6) on the inside of the plug retainer in the hollow area (4), which flow channel extends at least along the area in which the plug part (1) is retained in the plug retainer (2) when the plug part is installed in the hollow area (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Peter Streuer, Ingo Koch, Thorsten Werle, Eberhard Meissner
  • Publication number: 20140308553
    Abstract: A housing for battery cells includes a tray including a body part having a central hole therein and blade part extending from the body part away from the central hole, a frame including a plurality of accommodation parts, each accommodation part configured to receive a battery cell, the frame being mounted on the blade part, and a case configured to receive the tray and the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hyungho KIM
  • Publication number: 20140295229
    Abstract: An end cap assembly for an electrochemical cell having an end cap, a current collector, and a seal. The end cap has a top surface and a bottom surface. The current collector has a columnar body with a head at one end thereof. The seal has a central boss with an opening through which the current collector is inserted. The seal also has a peripheral edge and a connecting part connecting the central boss with the peripheral edge. The connecting part of the seal has a top surface and a bottom surface. The central boss has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface of the central boss faces the bottom surface of the end cap and the bottom surface of the central boss does not extend below the bottom surface of the connecting part. The current collector is positioned within the opening of the central boss so that the head of the current collector does not touch the top surface of the central boss thus forming a gap from about 0.01 mm to about 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: The Gillette Company
    Inventors: Jaroslav Janik, Thomas Lee Lindsay, Ilya Nizker, Oleg Podoprigora
  • Patent number: 8846228
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover part (1) of an electrochemical accumulator (40), which cover part is designed to form an upper covering of the housing (1, 30) of the accumulator (40), the cover part (1) having a plurality of filling orifices (2, 3), to be closed by means of closing plugs, for filling the housing with liquid electrolyte, characterized in that the filling orifices (2, 3) are arranged so as to be offset to one another in at least two rows (8, 9) lying next to one another. The invention relates, moreover, to an accumulator having a cover part of this type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGAA
    Inventors: Peter Streuer, Anne-Laure Ledoux, Karsten Strassburg, Julius Martin Schwab
  • Patent number: 8822050
    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: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Yamamoto, Mizuho Matsumoto, Toru Nakai
  • Publication number: 20140234677
    Abstract: A battery module including a plurality of battery cells aligned in a direction, each of the battery cells including a cap plate including a terminal portion, and a vent portion to exhaust a gas; a cover covering the vent portions; and a heat-resistance member between the battery cells and the cover, and having an opening formed in a region corresponding to each vent portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH, SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ji-Hyeong Yoon
  • Publication number: 20140199567
    Abstract: A secondary battery is disclosed. In one aspect, the battery includes an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly therein and a cap assembly sealing the can. The cap assembly includes a sub-plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly and a vent having a protruding portion electrically connected to the sub-plate. The vent includes i) a first fracture portion and ii) a second fracture portion formed between the first fracture portion and the protruding portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: July 17, 2014
    Applicant: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Kyu Kim
  • Patent number: 8771854
    Abstract: Provided is a secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, a cap assembly, and an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The cap assembly includes a cap plate disposed over an upper opening of the case. The electrode terminal protrudes outwardly from a terminal hole of the cap plate. The electrode terminal includes a collecting terminal extending through the terminal hole of the cap plate, a terminal plate coupled with the collecting terminal, and a coupling terminal coupled with the terminal plate. The cap plate includes a short-circuit hole therein. The short-circuit hole is at a position corresponding to a position of the coupling terminal. A short-circuit member covers the short-circuit hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Minhyung Guen, Dukjung Kim
  • Patent number: 8765279
    Abstract: A secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate; a collecting plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the collecting plate; a cap plate sealing the case; and an electrode terminal passing through the cap plate and electrically connected to the collecting plate, wherein the cap plate includes an injection inlet at a side thereof, the injection inlet includes a blocking member therein, and the blocking member and the injection inlet are covered with a stopper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Minhyung Guen, Dukjung Kim
  • Patent number: 8709630
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly capable of being charged and discharged; a case accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap assembly, the cap assembly including a cap plate coupled to an opening of the case, and a vent member in the cap plate, the vent member being configured to open at a predetermined internal pressure, a terminal exposed to an outer side of the cap plate; a lower insulating member, the lower insulating member insulating the terminal and the cap plate at a lower side of the cap plate; and a channel member between the electrode assembly and the cap plate and forming a space, the channel member being fixed to the lower insulating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Yong-Sam Kim, Sung-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 8679663
    Abstract: A battery vent cap capable of push-in installation and turn-out removal. The cap includes bayonet tabs. The tabs in turn each include a ramp portion to facilitate movement of the cap bayonet tabs past bayonet tabs in a battery vent port as the vent cap is inserted into the port axially without substantial rotation. The interfitting bayonet tabs retain the vent cap within the vent port and also permit the vent cap to be unscrewed and removed from the vent port. In a preferred embodiment, the vent cap includes a swivel connector to which a watering hose may be connected. The swivel enables the vent cap to be unscrewed from the vent portion without having to remove the watering hose from the swivel connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Flow-Rite Controls, Ltd.
    Inventor: Daniel N. Campau
  • Publication number: 20140045009
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a can accommodating the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly sealing a top portion of the can and having a cap-up. The cap-up includes a base plate, a terminal in a protruding relationship with respect to an upper portion of the base plate, the terminal being at a center of the cap-up, a connection part connecting the base plate and the terminal, and a trench-shaped safety vent in the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG SDI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Daekyu KIM
  • Publication number: 20140045008
    Abstract: The invention relates to a lithium-ion battery cell, which comprises an electrode component, a metal can for accommodating the electrode component, electrolyte injected into the metal can, and a cap plate affixed to the metal can, wherein the electrode component comprises a cathode film, an anode film and separator; a cathode tab is arranged on the positive plate; an anode tab is arranged on the negative plate; the cap plate is provided with a positive terminal electrically connected with the cathode tab, a negative terminal electrically connected with the anode tab, a liquid injection hole and an explosion-proof vent; safety components are assembled between the metal can and the electrode component and electrically connected with the positive terminal or the negative terminal; and the metal can is electrically connected with the negative terminal or the positive terminal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Wuzhao YAN, Peng WANG, Jing JIN, Kai LI, Wanhao YAO, Zhijun GUO
  • Patent number: 8603656
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing comprising at least two cells that can be filled with an electrolyte. The rechargeable battery includes a cover and a degassing system having openings provided therein. The cover and the degassing system are arranged such that the openings provided in the cover and the degassing system are located above the cells of the rechargeable battery. A sealing plug is provided in each of the openings, the sealing plug having an upper part and a lower part having a splash basket. The upper part covers the openings on the outside of the cover and the lower part extends in the direction of the cells. The splash basket surrounds a cavity and has slots distributed over its circumference, the slots continuing as far as a free end of the splash basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Peter Streuer
  • Patent number: 8512887
    Abstract: An energy storage system comprising at least one energy storage module implemented as a sealed or submersible unit and adapted to supply electrical energy to a hybrid vehicle. The energy storage module comprises an enclosure and at least one battery array located within the enclosure. The energy storage module includes a pressure relief panel held in place by springs that allows battery gases to escape if gas pressures reach a predetermined threshold. Pressure in the enclosure compresses the springs causing the pressure relief panel to temporarily move outward until pressure is relieved at which time the springs force the pressure relief panel to reseal the enclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Allison Transmission, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven T. Reyburn, Dean M. Ford, Bruce E. Miller
  • Publication number: 20130196201
    Abstract: A battery includes a cell element that is disposed in a housing, and the housing is sealed with a top cover made primarily of plastic. The top cover may include a layer of metallic foil, which may make the top cover more impermeable to moisture. The top cover may also include a vent, which may or may not utilize the metallic foil to determined the primary opening force of the vent. The top cover may also have one or more stiffening ribs that extend downwardly from a bottom portion of the top cover to contact the cell element, so as to limit movement of the cell element within the housing. In addition, the top cover may have one or more conductive terminals that are at least partially overmolded by the plastic of the top cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Johnson Controls Technology Company
  • Publication number: 20130115493
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for battery cells with positive polarity rigid containers. In accordance with disclosed embodiments, the cell may include a container and a lid piece that couple together to form a rectangular prismatic geometry. An electrode assembly having positive and negative coils may be disposed within the cell, and the positive coil may be conductively coupled to the cell. In this way, the cell (e.g., both the lid and the container) may be positively polarized. Further, the electrode assembly may incorporate a jelly-roll or a stacked structure. In one embodiment, the lid piece may include a vent that opens in response to pressure in the cell surpassing an established threshold. The lid may further include a positive terminal, negative terminal, and a method for filling the cell with electrolyte. Another embodiment may provide a battery module include multiple cells with positive polarity rigid containers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2012
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY LLC
    Inventor: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
  • Patent number: 8398726
    Abstract: A method including the steps of assembling a battery pack core; holding the core in a mold that forms a molded resin region; closing a cavity of the mold; injecting synthetic resin into the closed cavity; and ejecting the battery pack from the cavity to configure the battery pack with the battery pack core insert-molded in the molded resin region. A projection that protrudes towards an inner surface of the mold cavity is provided on the surface of the insulating cover fixed on the battery. In the resin injection step, the projection on the insulating cover is pressed directly or indirectly by the mold in a direction to put the insulating cover tightly in contact with the surface of the battery; and synthetic resin is injected into the cavity of the mold in this pressed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sadao Yamagami, Masatsugu Naka, Ryosuke Kubo
  • Publication number: 20130059181
    Abstract: A battery cell design is disclosed that provides a predictable pathway through a portion of the cell (e.g., the cell cap assembly) for the efficient release of the thermal energy that occurs during thermal runaway, thereby reducing the chances of a rupture in an undesirable location. Furthermore the disclosed design maintains the functionality of the cell cap as the positive terminal of the cell, thereby having minimal impact on the manufacturability of the cell as well as its use in a variety of applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Francisco LePort, Scott Ira Kohn, Orion Andrew King, Alex Prilutsky
  • Publication number: 20130040176
    Abstract: A current collector with improved flexibility and electrical conductivity includes at least one flexible leg coupled to a central portion of the current collector. The flexible leg extends substantially orthogonally to the central portion when a force is applied to the central portion. Specifically, the at least one flexible leg extends at least 16 percent of the outer width when a 1000 Newton loading is applied between the central portion and the outer portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology LLC
    Inventors: Matthew R. Tyler, Jason D. Fuhr
  • Publication number: 20130034757
    Abstract: A battery vent cap includes a cylindrical body having an upper portion and a lower portion. A pair of diametrically opposed, radially outwardly extending bayonet tabs is formed on the lower portion. The bayonet tabs permit an installation of the vent cap into a vent port of a battery cover without rotational movement thereof and a removal of the vent cap from the vent port with less than about 180 degrees rotational movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventor: Michael A. Doyle
  • Publication number: 20120308860
    Abstract: A multi-cell electrochemical battery comprises a casing having an interior divided into a plurality of battery cell compartments by at least one partition, each battery cell compartment sized to receive a plurality of battery cells. A fluid circuit comprises a plurality of flow passages extending across said container through said at least one partition. Fluid inlet structure receives input fluid and delivers the input fluid to the fluid circuit. Fluid outlet structure permits the egress of fluid exiting the fluid circuit from the container. A plurality of electrochemical battery cells is accommodated in each battery cell compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventors: Carmine Pizzurro, Emilio Carnale
  • Publication number: 20120288739
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing comprising at least two cells that can be filled with an electrolyte. The rechargeable battery includes a cover and a degassing system having openings provided therein. The cover and the degassing system are arranged such that the openings provided in the cover and the degassing system are located above the cells of the rechargeable battery. A sealing plug is provided in each of the openings, the sealing plug having an upper part and a lower part having a splash basket. The upper part, covers the openings on the outside of the cover and the lower part extends in the direction of the cells. The splash basket surrounds a cavity and has slots distributed over its circumference, the slots continuing as far as a free end of the splash basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co., KGaA
    Inventor: Peter Streuer
  • Publication number: 20120219834
    Abstract: A secondary battery includes a case having an interior cavity and an upper opening, an electrode assembly disposed in the interior cavity of the case, a cap assembly, and a vent cover disposed on an outer surface of the cap plate and at least partially covering the safety vent. The cap assembly includes a cap plate and a safety vent formed within the cap plate, the safety vent being thinner than a remainder of the cap plate, and the cap plate coupled with the upper opening of the case. A portion of the vent cover, corresponding in position to the position of the safety vent, is thinner than a remaining portion of the vent cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Jeongman PARK
  • Patent number: 8252439
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing comprising at least two cells that can be filled with an electrolyte. The rechargeable battery includes a cover and a degassing system having openings provided therein. The cover and the degassing system are arranged such that the openings provided in the cover and the degassing system are located above the cells of the rechargeable battery. A sealing plug is provided in each of the openings, the sealing plug having an upper part and a lower part having a splash basket. The upper part covers the openings on the outside of the cover and the lower part extends in the direction of the cells. The splash basket surrounds a cavity and has slots distributed over its circumference, the slots continuing as far as a free end of the splash basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventor: Peter Streuer
  • Patent number: 8236437
    Abstract: Provided is a battery case cover which can be produced through a single process, by integrally forming the structural components of a battery case cover such as a recovering part, a cell partition part and a gas inlet part on the bottom surface, while forming the recovering part in the shape of a pipe and applying a vent cap mode to the gas inlet part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Global Battery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dae-Ung Kim, Kyu-Hyeong Lee, Nam-Il Kim
  • Publication number: 20120177962
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing plug arrangement (1, 2) for a battery, wherein the sealing plug arrangement comprises at least one plug part (1) and a plug retainer (2), and the plug retainer (2) has a hollow area (4) for accommodating at least one retaining section of the plug part (1), wherein the plug part (1) is designed to seal off at least one interior (73, 74) of the battery from the environment when the plug part is installed in the hollow area (4) of the plug retainer (2). Proceeding from this, an improved sealing plug arrangement is specified that can be realized at low cost and that is reliable. For this purpose, the plug retainer (2) comprises at least one flow channel (6) on the inside of the plug retainer in the hollow area (4), which flow channel extends at least along the area in which the plug part (1) is retained in the plug retainer (2) when the plug part is installed in the hollow area (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co., KGaA
    Inventors: Peter Streuer, Ingo Koch, Thorsten Werle, Eberhard Meissner
  • Patent number: 8206849
    Abstract: An integral cap assembly comprising a top cap mounted as a base plate to an opening of a battery can and a cap subassembly including a protective circuit module and the like integrally mounted on the top cap, a method for manufacturing a secondary battery comprising the same, and a secondary battery manufactured thereby are disclosed. The cap assembly is provided as an integral member comprising the top cap acting as the base plate, and the cap subassembly having the protective circuit module provided thereon, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process of the battery while minimizing frequency of defective products. Additionally, the integral cap assembly is manufactured through insert injection molding, thereby providing notable advantages over the conventional technology.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyungchan Kim, Hee gyu Kim, Yong-ho Cho, Jae sik Chung
  • Publication number: 20120052348
    Abstract: A vented battery cover with a vent cover is disclosed. The vent cover may be capable of attachment to the battery at a first position and a second position using one or more first snap features and one or more second snap features. The vent cover may also provide a fluid path from a fill tube hole in the battery cover to a vent wherein the path is a labyrinth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 13, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventor: Glenn W. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8111035
    Abstract: A charging system is provided with a secondary battery, a charging current supplier for supplying a charging current to the secondary battery, an internal resistance detector for detecting the resistance value of the internal resistance of the secondary battery, and a charge controller for increasing the charging current to be supplied to the secondary battery by the charging current supplier as the resistance value detected by the internal resistance detector decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hajime Nishino, Jun Asakura, Yoshio Nakatani
  • Publication number: 20110311849
    Abstract: A rechargeable battery includes a housing, a plurality of cells within the housing, and a cover which closes the housing. The battery also includes a plurality of filling openings arranged in the cover separated from one another by a distance and a plurality of plugs. Each of the plurality of plugs is configured to close one of the plurality of filling openings. A flexible connecting element connects at least two of the plugs. The flexible connecting element is configured such that the distance between the plugs which are connected to one another can be variably matched to the distance between their associated filling openings by rotating at least one of the plugs connected by the flexible connecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: VB Autobatterie GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Gerolf Richter, Peter Streuer
  • Patent number: 8062781
    Abstract: A degassing system for an accumulator includes a corso with a degassing opening, a pin that is arranged in the corso, at least one flap that is mounted such that it can rotate around the pin, a spring that is arranged to exert a torque on the at least one flap, and a seal that is arranged such that the at least one flap rests on the seal in a rest position and closes the degassing opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Hybrid and Recycling GmbH
    Inventors: Ralf Joswig, Martin Wiegmann