Battery constructions having increased internal volume for active components

a technology of active components and battery construction, which is applied in the field of electrochemical cell construction, can solve the problems of shortening the service life of the cell, and achieve the effects of reducing the profile, less space, and reducing the water loss over tim

Inactive Publication Date: 2004-05-18
ENERGIZER BRANDS
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

Accordingly, it is an aspect of the present invention to solve the above problem by either eliminating the collector assembly from the cell while retaining its functions, or by providing a collector assembly having a significantly lower profile and thereby occupying significantly less space within an electrochemical cell. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide cell constructions exhibiting lower water loss over time than prior assemblies, thereby increasing the cell's shelf life. An additional aspect of the invention is to provide a battery having a reliable

Problems solved by technology

Consequently, a reduction in the amount of electrochemical materials that ma

Method used

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  • Battery constructions having increased internal volume for active components
  • Battery constructions having increased internal volume for active components
  • Battery constructions having increased internal volume for active components

Examples

Experimental program
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first embodiment

FIG. 4 shows a battery constructed using a low profile seal in accordance with the present invention. Similar to the battery shown in FIG. 1, battery 100 includes an electrically conductive can 112 having a closed end 114 and an open end in which a collector assembly 125 and negative cover 145 are secured in place. Also, battery 100 includes a positive electrode 115 in contact with the interior walls of can 112 and in contact with a separator layer 117 that lies between positive electrode 115 and a negative electrode 120. Further, battery 100 includes a positive outer cover 111 attached to a bottom surface of the closed end of can 112.

The difference between batteries 10 and 100 lies in the construction of collector assembly 125 and cover 145. While seal 130 is similar to seal 30 in that it includes an upstanding wall 136 and a central hub 132, which has an aperture formed therein for receiving the head portion 142 of a collector nail 140, seal 130 differs from seal 30 in that the V ...

second embodiment

FIG. 6 shows a battery constructed in accordance with the present invention, which utilizes an ultra low profile seal. Like the conventional cell 10 shown in FIG. 1, cell 200 also includes a cylindrical can 212 made of an electrically conductive material. Also, a first electrode 215 is formed against the inner walls of can 212 preferably by molding. A separator 217 is likewise inserted within the cavity defined by first electrode material 215, and a mixture 220 of a second electrode and electrolyte are provided within a cavity defined by the separator 217.

As shown in FIG. 6, collector assembly 225 includes an integral seal / inner cover assembly 228 and a collector 240 that passes through a central hole 236 provided in the integral seal / inner cover assembly 228. Collector 240 is preferably a brass nail including a bead 242 and a retainer flange 241 that is provided to cooperate with a speed nut 250 to secure collector nail 240 within central hole 236 of integrated seal / inner cover ass...

fourth embodiment

An electrochemical battery 300 constructed in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIGS. 8A through 8C. Battery 300 differs from the prior battery constructions in that a pressure relief mechanism 370 is formed in the closed end 314 of can 312. As a result, complex collector / seal assemblies may be replaced with collector assemblies that consume less volume and have fewer parts. Thus, a significant improvement in internal cell volume efficiency may be obtained. As shown in FIG. 8A, 8B, 9, and 10, the pressure relief mechanism 370 is formed by providing a groove 372 in the bottom surface of can 312. This groove may be formed by coining a bottom surface of can 312, cutting a groove in the bottom surface, or molding the groove in the bottom surface of the can at the time the positive electrode is molded. For an AA sized battery, the thickness of the metal at the bottom of the coined groove is approximately 2 mils. For a D sized battery, the thickness of the metal at the bot...

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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 battery comprises a collector assembly and can defining a sealed internal volume within the can and available for containing electrochemically active materials.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention generally relates to the electrochemical cell construction. More particularly, the present invention relates to the containers and collector assemblies used for an electrochemical cell, such as an alkaline cell.FIG. 1 shows the construction of a conventional C sized alkaline cell 10. As shown, cell 10 includes a cylindrically-shaped can 12 having an open end and a closed end. Can 12 is preferably formed of an electrically conductive material, such that an outer cover 11 welded to a bottom surface 14 at the closed end of can 12 serves as an electrical contact terminal for the cell.Cell 10 further typically includes a first electrode material 15, which may serve as the positive electrode (also known as a cathode). The first electrode material 15 may be preformed and inserted into can 12, or may be molded in place so as to contact the inner surfaces of the can 12. For an alkaline cell, first electrode material 15 will typically include M...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): H01M2/00H01M10/28H01M50/184H01M50/186H01M50/193
CPCH01M10/283Y02E60/10H01M50/154Y02P70/50H01M50/193H01M50/186H01M50/184
Inventor TUCHOLSKI, GARY R.
Owner ENERGIZER BRANDS
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