Battery, battery kit, and method of manufacturing a battery
By improving the cover design of the button battery and adopting a combination of an internal conductive part, a middle insulating part, and a peripheral adapter part, the problems of space occupation and welding precision of the seal were solved, resulting in more efficient sealing and reduced risk of chemical leakage.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RENATA
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing sealing methods for button batteries require a double-walled configuration, which results in wasted space for the seals. Furthermore, precise dimensional matching during the welding process is difficult to achieve, which can easily lead to imperfect welding and chemical leakage.
The cover design includes an internal conductive part, an intermediate insulating part, and a peripheral adapter part. The peripheral adapter part bridges the gap between the intermediate insulating part and the bottom container sidewall, providing a seal and electrical insulation. The cover is fixed to the bottom container by welding.
It reduces the use of sealing materials, lowers production costs and weight, improves the precision of the welding process, and reduces the risk of chemical leakage.
Smart Images
Figure CN122494941A_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] This application is a divisional application of patent application 202411733346.2, filed on November 29, 2024, entitled "Battery, Battery Kit and Method of Manufacturing Battery". Technical Field
[0002] This invention relates to batteries, such as button batteries, which are widely recognized as power sources for small electric appliances such as watches and thermometers. Background Technology
[0003] Batteries are widely used and come in many types, such as button batteries, which are distinguished by their different sizes and shapes, as well as the materials used for the electrodes and electrolytes.
[0004] The most well-known type of coin cell battery includes a metal base cup and a metal cap cup. The metal base cup has a flat base portion that serves as the positive electrode contact and upright sidewalls extending upward from the flat base portion. The flat base portion of the cap cup serves as the negative electrode contact. The battery also includes an electrode assembly located in the space between the cap cup and the base cup. For example, in a rechargeable lithium-ion coin cell battery, the electrode assembly can be a spiral assembly obtained by winding electrode layers separated by separators impregnated with a liquid electrolyte. Other electrode assemblies are formed as horizontal stacks of alternating electrode layers and separators oriented parallel to the top and bottom contacts. Coin cells are typically disc-shaped, but other shapes are also possible.
[0005] The manufacturing process for the above-mentioned type of battery includes: arranging the electrode assembly in a cap cup, inserting the cap cup into a bottom cup, and sealing the electrode assembly to the outside of the battery using a gasket or adhesive-based electrical insulation seal. If a physical gasket is used, the open end of the cap cup wall is inserted into the gasket, and the bottom cup is pressed onto the gasket. If an adhesive-based electrical insulation seal is used, a sealant is applied to the outer side wall of the cap cup, and then the cap cup is inserted into the bottom cup. The adhesive is allowed to dry or cure, thereby sealing the battery.
[0006] These known methods of sealing batteries have many drawbacks. For example, one problem is the need for a double-walled configuration to accommodate the gasket or adhesive: the sidewalls of the lid and base must overlap each other abuttingly. This results in wasted space occupied by the insulating sealant, which acts as a physical gasket or sealant.
[0007] The solution to this problem was to improve the battery design instead of using a double-walled configuration. This type of battery is the subject of European patent application EP22178203. The battery still includes a bottom cup that houses the electrode assembly and still serves as the positive contact. The battery also includes a cap formed by three parts: a conductive central portion, a conductive outer peripheral portion, and an electrically insulating intermediate portion that separates and insulates the central portion from the outer peripheral portion. The central portion serves as the negative contact, and the insulating portion provides electrical insulation. The cap is fixed to the open end of the bottom cup, thereby sealing the battery from the outside. The fixed connection between the cap and the bottom cup is conductive, such that the base of the bottom cup forms the positive contact of the battery.
[0008] Problems in the manufacturing process of this type of battery relate to the process of securing the cap to the base cup. This securing can be accomplished by aligning the cap with the edge of the base cup's sidewall and welding the cap to that edge along its aligned perimeter (e.g., laser welding). However, achieving a perfect, sealed weld requires a highly precise dimensional match between the cap and the base cup. Furthermore, due to the small size of this type of battery, it is difficult to keep the cap in the correct position during welding. These problems can lead to imperfect welds and a risk of leakage of chemicals from inside the battery. Summary of the Invention
[0009] The aforementioned objective will be achieved and appropriately addressed by a battery, particularly a button cell. The battery includes a cup-shaped bottom container for housing an electrode assembly. The bottom container includes a base and sidewalls along the outer periphery of the base. The sidewalls can be upright or projecting, for example, extending parallel to the surface normal of the flat or planar base. The battery also includes a cap for closing and / or covering the interior of the bottom container.
[0010] The lid includes an internal conductive portion, an intermediate insulating portion surrounding the internal conductive portion, and a peripheral adapter portion. The peripheral adapter portion forms or constitutes the outer peripheral edge portion of the lid. The lid and / or the peripheral adapter portion can be secured to the side wall of the bottom container, for example, at the end of the side wall opposite the base of the bottom container.
[0011] The peripheral adapter can be fixed to or be fixed to the bottom container, and is thus fixed to the side wall of the bottom container via the outer peripheral edge portion.
[0012] The size, shape, and / or construction of the peripheral adapter portion form a gap between the outer edge of the intermediate insulating portion of the bridging cover and the inner periphery of the sidewall.
[0013] Specifically, the dimensions and construction of the peripheral adapter are designed to provide a fit, such as a geometric or shape fit, between the intermediate insulation portion and the sidewall of the bottom container. The peripheral adapter is particularly suitable for individually fitting intermediate insulation portions of the same type or shape to various bottom containers that may have different shapes and / or sizes.
[0014] In some examples, the peripheral adapter portion can provide specific positioning of the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion on or within the surface or plane of the peripheral adapter portion and / or on or within the plane of the cover. Thus, by selecting appropriate peripheral adapter portions, the same arrangement or pre-assembled assembly of the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion can be universally adapted to various designs suitable for securing and / or closing the cavity formed by the bottom container and its sidewalls.
[0015] Specifically, the mutual fixing and / or integration of the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion of the lid may be quite precise and / or delicate. To provide lids for cup-shaped bottom containers of various shapes or sizes, it is now intended to provide peripheral adapters for each bottom container, or many different sizes or shapes of bottom containers, and their sidewalls, wherein the peripheral adapters generally match the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion of the same type or configuration. This reduces manufacturing costs and expenses.
[0016] Furthermore, in some examples, the amount of material used to make or supply the cover can be reduced. This can save on the corresponding cost and weight of producing the battery cover and / or casing.
[0017] In some examples, the peripheral adapter is made of a conductive material. It can form part of an electrode in the battery. The peripheral adapter can form or constitute an electrode with the cup-shaped bottom container.
[0018] The internal conductive portion can provide another electrode for the battery. It is electrically insulated from the first electrode by an intermediate insulating portion that completely surrounds the internal conductive portion.
[0019] In some battery examples, the peripheral adapter fills or occupies the space between the intermediate insulation portion of the cover and the sidewall of the bottom container. The internal conductive portion and / or the intermediate insulation portion can have standard or normalized dimensions, shapes, and / or constructions. To accommodate and use the components of the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulation portion, the peripheral adapter always adapts to different shapes and / or sizes of the bottom container. The peripheral adapter can adapt not only to different shapes and sizes of the sidewalls and / or the bottom container, but also to different positions or orientations of the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulation portion on the cover surface. In this way, by selecting or choosing one peripheral adapter from a variety of options for a particular shape or design of battery, the position of the electrodes provided by the internal conductive portion relative to the electrode assembly configured to be arranged within the bottom container can be easily changed and adapted.
[0020] According to another example, the peripheral adapter portion includes a through recess or through opening whose size and shape match the outer edge of the intermediate insulating portion. Typically, the entire through recess can be filled or occupied by an assembly of the intermediate insulating portion and the internal conductive portion. Thus, the through recess of the peripheral adapter portion can be effectively sealed and closed by the arrangement of the intermediate insulating portion and the internal conductive portion. The cover may include at least three separate components: the internal conductive portion, the intermediate insulating portion, and the peripheral adapter portion, which, when assembled and secured together, subsequently provide or include a liquid-tight and / or gas-tight structure.
[0021] According to another example, the through recess of the peripheral adapter includes an upright or protruding sidewall portion projecting from the plane of the peripheral adapter. Typically, the upright sidewall portion is or forms the inner edge of the through recess of the peripheral adapter. The sidewall portion may include a longitudinal dimension, i.e., a dimension in the axial or vertical direction, which is greater than the material thickness of the adjacent planar structure of the peripheral adapter (e.g., a flat or planar shape). With a considerably large sidewall portion, the mutual contact surfaces for fixing and / or fastening to the intermediate insulating portion can be increased. This allows for a fairly effective interconnection between the intermediate insulating portion and the peripheral adapter.
[0022] According to another example, the material thickness of the peripheral adapter portion is less than the material thickness of at least one of the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion. This reduces the total amount of material required to form or provide the peripheral adapter portion. This can reduce weight and lower the cost of producing and / or providing the peripheral adapter portion.
[0023] According to yet another example, the peripheral adapter portion includes an inner surface. At least one of an internal conductive portion and an intermediate insulating portion protrudes inward from this inner surface. When connected to a sidewall, the inner surface faces the interior of the cavity enclosed by the sidewall and the base. This provides fairly good and easy contact with current collectors of an electrode assembly, for example, located within a cup-shaped bottom container. In some examples, the internal conductive portion may even protrude inward from the intermediate insulating portion. This further improves electrical contact with current collectors of, for example, an electrode assembly.
[0024] In other examples, the surface of the internal conductive portion may be convex and may protrude inward or outward from the battery cover. The convex shape can further improve electrical contact with the electrode assemblies and / or the current collectors within the bottom container cavity.
[0025] According to yet another example, the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral adapter is non-circular. It can include a relatively flat or smooth surface structure, such as a sheet of material. In some examples, the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral adapter is circular, particularly when the cup-shaped bottom container includes cylindrical sidewalls. In other examples, the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral adapter is non-circular. In this case, the outer peripheral edge of the peripheral adapter includes a shape that matches in size and / or geometry the inner circumference or inner cross-section of the sidewall of the cup-shaped bottom container.
[0026] Regardless of the shape of the peripheral adapter portion and / or the shape of the sidewalls of the cup-shaped bottom container, the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion can always have the same standardized shape or structure. The peripheral adapter portion may also include suitable and therefore correspondingly sized through recesses for receiving the intermediate insulating portion and the internal conductive portion.
[0027] According to another example of a battery, the cover includes an inner peripheral adapter portion fixed to the outer periphery of the intermediate insulating portion, and also includes an outer peripheral adapter portion fixed to the outer peripheral edge portion of the inner peripheral adapter portion. The outer peripheral adapter portion forms or constitutes the outer peripheral edge portion of the cover.
[0028] In this way, a cover for a battery or a cover for a battery can be provided, which comprises a total of four separate parts: an inner conductive portion, an intermediate insulating portion surrounding the inner conductive portion, an inner peripheral adapter portion surrounding or fixed to the outer periphery of the intermediate insulating portion, and an outer peripheral adapter portion fixed to the outer peripheral edge portion of the inner peripheral adapter portion.
[0029] Here, the external peripheral adapter includes the outer peripheral edge portion that can be fixed to the side wall of the cup-shaped bottom container.
[0030] By providing an internal peripheral adapter and an external peripheral adapter, the entire peripheral adapter is made of two separate parts, wherein the external peripheral adapter forms or establishes mechanical contact with the side wall of the bottom container, and the internal peripheral adapter forms or establishes mechanical contact with the central insulating portion of the lid.
[0031] The entire design of the lid can be easily modified using internal and external peripheral adapters to match the different sidewall sizes of bottom containers of different sizes or constructions.
[0032] Specifically, the external peripheral adapter portion can be provided as an optional adapter portion. A lid without an external peripheral adapter portion can be secured and fixed to the sidewall of the bottom container solely and exclusively via the outer peripheral edge portion of the internal peripheral adapter portion, which can also form or constitute the outer peripheral edge portion of the lid.
[0033] To use the same lid for containers of different sizes, such as larger bottom containers with sidewalls having increased diameters or cross-sections, an inner peripheral adapter can be attached to an outer peripheral adapter, which can then surround or enclose the inner peripheral adapter. The lid can then be secured to the sidewall via the outer peripheral adapter. Thus, by simply selecting or deselecting the outer peripheral adapter to form or constitute the lid, the overall size of the lid can be easily modified and adapted to the given dimensions or geometry of the cup-shaped bottom container.
[0034] According to another example of the battery, at least one of the inner peripheral adapter portion and the outer peripheral adapter portion includes a step portion at or along its outer peripheral edge portion. The step portion can facilitate the assembly and / or securing of the inner peripheral adapter portion and the outer peripheral adapter portion to each other. Furthermore, when the outer peripheral adapter portion includes such a step portion, it can facilitate securing and / or fastening the cover to the side wall of the bottom container.
[0035] According to yet another example, the stepped portion of at least one of the inner peripheral adapter portion and the outer peripheral adapter portion includes an annular profile having an abutment surface to correspondingly abut against the outward-facing outer abutment surface of at least one of the outer peripheral adapter portion and the sidewall. This annular profile provides a well-defined mutual abutment and securing configuration, allowing the inner peripheral adapter portion to be positioned and secured to the outer peripheral adapter portion and / or at least one of the inner and outer peripheral adapter portions to the sidewall of the bottom container.
[0036] According to another example, the outer peripheral edge portion of the inner peripheral adapter matches the inner edge portion of the outer peripheral adapter in size and shape. The inner peripheral adapter is fixed to the outer peripheral adapter via the interlocking outer peripheral edge portions of the inner peripheral adapter and the inner edge portions of the outer peripheral adapter.
[0037] In this way, circumferential and / or continuous mutual fixation can be provided between the internal peripheral adapter portion and the external peripheral adapter portion. Mutual fixation can be provided, for example, by welding, gluing, or bonding.
[0038] According to yet another example, the intermediate insulation portion includes an insulating material selected from glass, polymer materials, or ceramic materials.
[0039] In another aspect, the invention also relates to a battery kit, such as a button cell battery. The battery kit includes a first battery as described above, and further includes a second battery as described above. The first battery includes a first bottom container having a first sidewall and a first cap connected to the first sidewall and closing the first bottom container. The second battery includes a second bottom container having a second sidewall that differs in size or shape from the first sidewall. The second battery includes a second cap that is connected to or secured to the second sidewall and closes the second bottom container.
[0040] In some other examples, the second bottom container includes a through opening for receiving the components of the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion. Here, the location of the through recess in the second cover may differ from the location of the through recess in the first cover. Here, the sidewalls of the first and second batteries may be substantially the same, but the individual batteries may differ in the location and therefore configuration of the electrode components arranged within the respective cup-shaped bottom containers.
[0041] Because the first and second covers include through openings located at different positions relative to the outer peripheral edge portions of the respective covers, the first and second covers can position the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion in unique and different positions relative to the sidewall of the bottom container.
[0042] According to yet another example, the first cover includes a first internal conductive portion, and the second cover includes a second internal conductive portion. The first and second internal conductive portions may have the same shape and / or size. However, since the first sidewall of the first battery and the second sidewall of the second battery are different from each other, the corresponding peripheral fitting portions of the first and second covers are also different in order to close or bridge the gap between the outer edge of the intermediate insulating portion and the inner periphery of the sidewall of the corresponding bottom container.
[0043] According to yet another example, the first cover includes a first intermediate insulating portion, and the second cover includes a second intermediate insulating portion. The first and second intermediate insulating portions may have the same shape and / or size. In some examples, the internal conductive portions and intermediate insulating portions of the first and second covers may be substantially identical, respectively. Typically, according to yet another example, the first and second covers may use the same arrangement of internal conductive portions and intermediate insulating portions.
[0044] The first and second covers may differ only in the structure, shape, and / or size of the peripheral adapter portions to provide effective adapter components for fastening and / or securing the internal conductive portions and intermediate insulating portions to the sidewalls of different sizes, shapes, and / or constructions of the cup-shaped bottom container or internal electrode assembly.
[0045] According to yet another example, a first cover includes a first peripheral adapter portion, and a second cover includes a second peripheral adapter portion. The first peripheral adapter portion differs from the second peripheral adapter portion in size and / or shape. Alternatively, the first peripheral adapter portion includes a first through recess located at a different position than a corresponding position of a second through recess extending through the second peripheral adapter portion. The respective through recesses are sized and shaped to receive an assembly of an internal conductive portion and an intermediate insulating portion of the respective cover.
[0046] Typically, the battery described herein can be a so-called free-form battery. Specifically, the cup-shaped bottom container, its sidewalls, and / or lid can have any shape or profile suitable for housing the electrode assembly of the battery. In some examples, the battery described herein can be a so-called button cell. Here, the sidewalls and / or cup-shaped bottom container can be circular, annular, or cylindrical. In other examples, the sidewalls and / or cup-shaped bottom container can be polygonal; for example, they can have a D-shape, an ellipse, or any other suitable geometry.
[0047] In another aspect, the present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the battery as described above. The method includes the steps of: providing a cup-shaped bottom container, the bottom container including a base and upright sidewalls along the outer periphery of the base; and in a subsequent step, arranging an electrode assembly within the bottom container.
[0048] In another step, an internal conductive portion and an intermediate insulating portion surrounding the internal conductive portion are provided. In yet another step, a peripheral adapter portion is selected from a variety of available peripheral adapter portions of different sizes, shapes, and / or constructions, wherein the size, shape, and / or construction of the selected peripheral adapter portion is configured to bridge the gap between the outer edge of the intermediate insulating portion and the inner periphery of the sidewall. Subsequently, in yet another step, the internal conductive portion and the intermediate insulating portion are secured to the selected peripheral adapter portion to form or constitute a cover for the battery. In a final step, the cover is secured to the sidewall of the bottom container.
[0049] Optionally, the cap is welded or otherwise secured to the side wall of the bottom container. Optionally, the internal conductive portion of the cap is welded to the current collector of the electrode assembly, which is arranged within the housing of the battery formed by the bottom container, which is covered and sealed by the cap. Attached Figure Description
[0050] Several examples of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0051] Figure 1 The main components of a battery according to an example of the present invention are shown, the battery including a wound electrode assembly;
[0052] Figure 2 The assembly state is shown. Figure 1 The battery;
[0053] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 and 2 Exploded view of the bottom container and cap of the battery before the sealing process;
[0054] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an example of the cover is shown;
[0055] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of another example of the lid is shown;
[0056] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of an example of a cover, including an inner peripheral adapter portion and an outer peripheral adapter portion, is shown.
[0057] Figure 7 and 8 Two different examples of lids are shown; and
[0058] Figure 9 and 10 The diagram illustrates the matching profiles of the sidewall edge and the cover edge of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0059] Figure 1The diagram illustrates components of a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The battery includes a conductive, cup-shaped bottom container 1, preferably made of metal, having a circular base 2 and upright sidewalls 3 along the outer periphery of the base 2. The battery also includes a wound electrode assembly 4, comprising a positive electrode 5, a negative electrode 6, and separators 7 between the wound electrodes, and further includes current collectors. The image of the electrode assembly 4 is simplified; the electrode assembly 4 can be any known design. Only the negative current collector 8 connected to the negative electrode 6 is visible in the diagram. The positive current collector connected to the positive electrode 5 is located below the electrode assembly 4. The negative current collector 8 is shown in a simplified manner as a rectangular bar, but it can have a different shape. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, the current collector is preferably flexible, allowing the ends of the current collector to be soldered to corresponding battery contacts.
[0060] The battery includes a cover 10, which comprises three parts: a conductive inner conductive portion (central portion) 11, a conductive peripheral adapter portion (hereinafter referred to as inner peripheral adapter portion 12 and optionally outer peripheral adapter portion 15), and an electrically insulating intermediate insulating portion 13, which separates and electrically isolates the inner conductive portion 11 and the peripheral adapter portion from each other. The three parts can form a single component, i.e., the intermediate insulating portion 13 is coupled to the inner conductive portion 11 and the peripheral adapter portion along its inner and outer edges, respectively. Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, all three portions of the cover 10 have the same thickness. According to an alternative embodiment, the thickness of each portion may differ.
[0061] The materials used for these three parts have higher mechanical strength and more stable chemical properties compared to the internal materials of the battery. The internal conductive part 11 and the peripheral adapter part can be formed of the same material (preferably metal) as the bottom container 1. Suitable metals include nickel, cobalt, and certain types of stainless steel, such as SS 304 and SS 316. Furthermore, the material of the intermediate insulating part 13 can be hermetically bonded to the material used for the internal conductive part 11 and the peripheral adapter part. The intermediate insulating part 13 can be formed of, for example, glass, certain types of rubber, or PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) and any derivatives thereof. The cover 10 can be manufactured using known processes for bonding different materials together.
[0062] The assembly of the battery according to the illustrated embodiment includes: welding a positive current collector to the inner surface of the base 2 of a cup-shaped bottom container 1, and inserting an electrode assembly 4 into the bottom container. A liquid electrolyte is injected into the bottom container 1, and a negative current collector 8 is welded to the internal conductive portion 11 of a cover 10. The cover 10 is then placed on the side wall 3 of the bottom container 1, and joined to it along its outer edge using a sealing connection technique that achieves a seal between the cover 10 and the container 1, thereby obtaining... Figure 2The finished battery shown. Sealed connections can be achieved through welding (e.g., laser welding).
[0063] The battery has a positive contact formed by the base 2 of the bottom container 1 and a negative contact formed by the internal conductive portion 11 of the cover 10. The contacts are electrically isolated from each other by the middle insulating portion 13 of the cover 10. The sealing connection between the edge of the cover and the edge of the side wall 3 is conductive and isolates the interior of the battery 20 from the environment.
[0064] Figure 3 An exploded view of the bottom container 1 and the cap 10 is shown, with the cap 10 aligned with the edge 20 of the sidewall 3 before a sealed connection is achieved. Electrode assemblies are not shown in this figure. The sidewall 3 can have a rectangular or cylindrical profile, i.e., the edge 20 is substantially perpendicular to the side of the sidewall 3. Alternatively, the edge 20 can be slightly convex. The latter profile is commonly seen when the bottom container is produced using a deep-drawing process. In the example shown, the cap 10 and the sidewall 3 have the same thickness, but there may be slight differences in thickness between them. In most batteries, these thicknesses are approximately a tenth of a millimeter. For example, the thickness of the sidewall 3 can be between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, while the thickness of the cap 10 is between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. According to a preferred embodiment, the thickness of the sidewall 3 is 0.15 mm, and the thickness of the cap 10 is 0.2 mm.
[0065] exist Figure 3 The image shows an example of a cover 10 comprising four separate components: an internal conductive portion 11 surrounded by an intermediate insulating portion 13; the intermediate insulating portion 13 being surrounded by a peripheral adapting portion, which forms or constitutes an outer peripheral edge portion 32. For according to... Figure 3 For example, the peripheral adapter portion is the internal peripheral adapter portion 12, and the cover 10 also includes the external peripheral adapter portion 15.
[0066] Both the inner peripheral adapter portion 12 and the outer peripheral adapter portion 15 include annular or annular planar structures. The outer peripheral adapter portion 15 includes a through recess 14, the dimensions of which are determined to receive the inner peripheral adapter portion 12. Therefore, the inner edge portion 27 of the outer peripheral adapter portion 15 matches the outer peripheral edge portion 32 of the inner peripheral adapter portion 12 in size and shape. The outer peripheral edge portion 26 of the outer peripheral adapter portion 15 is configured to engage and / or be fixed to the sidewall 3 of the bottom container 1, for example, as shown in the image. Figure 9 and 10 As shown.
[0067] The external peripheral adapter portion 15 may be optional. Typically, the size and shape of the internal peripheral adapter portion 12 can provide a bridge to close the gap between the outer edge 28 of the intermediate insulating portion 13 and the inner periphery or inner surface of the sidewall 3.
[0068] exist Figure 4 The cross-sectional view shows the interconnection between the peripheral adapter, the internal conductive part 11 and the intermediate insulating part 13.
[0069] The internal conductive portion 11 comprises a conductive metallic material, such as stainless steel. The intermediate insulating portion comprises an insulating material, such as glass, polymer, or ceramic. The intermediate insulating portion may be welded or bonded to the outer periphery or outer circumference of the internal conductive portion 11. The peripheral fitting portion includes a through recess 34 to receive and / or engage the intermediate insulating portion 13. For this purpose, the inner edge of the through recess 34 includes an upright sidewall portion 16, such as a cylindrical upright sidewall portion 16.
[0070] The dimensions of the inner surface of the sidewall portion 16 can be closely matched with the dimensions of the outer surface of the intermediate insulating portion 13 (e.g., the outer edge 28 or the outward-facing edge). Figure 4 As shown, the outer edge or outer peripheral edge portion 26 of the peripheral adapter portion can be directly connected to the sidewall 3, or it can be connected to the outer peripheral adapter portion 15, such as... Figure 6 As shown.
[0071] To improve the mechanical fastening of the peripheral adapter portion, the peripheral adapter portion may include a stepped portion 17 located at or along the outer peripheral edge portion 32. The stepped portion 17 may include an L-shaped profile with a radially outwardly extending flange portion including a downwardly or inwardly pointing abutment surface 18. The abutment surface 18 may be configured to abut against an outwardly facing outer abutment surface 19 of the outer peripheral adapter portion 15. Alternatively, it may engage or abut against a corresponding abutment surface 29 or stepped portion 23 directly disposed at the upper end of the sidewall 3, for example... Figure 9 As shown.
[0072] According to Figure 6 In the example, the inner peripheral adapter portion 12 is inserted into the through recess 14 of the outer peripheral adapter portion 15, the outer peripheral adapter portion 15 provides or constitutes the outer peripheral edge portion 26 of the cover 10, the outer peripheral edge portion 26 is used to fasten to the side wall 3 of the bottom container 1.
[0073] As from Figure 6As can be further seen from the examples, at least one of the internal conductive portion 11 and the intermediate insulating portion 13 may protrude from the inner surfaces 35, 36 of at least one of the internal peripheral adapter portion 12 and the external peripheral adapter portion 15. Furthermore, in a further example (not shown), only the internal conductive portion 11 may protrude inward from at least one of the inner surfaces 35, 36 of the internal peripheral adapter portion 12 or the external peripheral adapter portion 15. It may also protrude inward from the intermediate insulating portion 13. This inwardly extending protrusion or bulge of the internal conductive portion 11 can facilitate and improve the electrical connection with the current collector.
[0074] In some examples, the internal conductive portion 11, the intermediate insulating portion 13, and the internal peripheral adapter portion 12 can be envisioned to form or constitute a standardized electrode structure for the cover 10. To accommodate the dimensions of the corresponding electrode assembly, the external peripheral adapter portion 15 can be specifically used. The internal peripheral adapter portion 12 and the external peripheral adapter portion 15 can be made of the same metallic material. They can also contain different types of conductive metallic materials.
[0075] Regardless of the method, fastening the inner peripheral adapter 12 to the outer peripheral adapter 15 (e.g., laser welding) may be much easier than fastening or welding the intermediate insulating portion 13 to the inner peripheral adapter 12. To save on production and manufacturing costs, it may be particularly advantageous to provide or pre-assemble the inner conductive portion 11, the intermediate insulating portion 13, and the inner peripheral adapter 12 in a separate assembly environment, for example.
[0076] Here, since the internal peripheral adapter portion 12 can always have the same size and shape, this facilitates assembly. Then, the external peripheral adapter portion can provide a final size or shape fit to accommodate different sizes of cup-shaped bottom containers of different shapes or sizes.
[0077] Figure 7 and 8 A battery pack consisting of two batteries 30 and 30' is shown. Batteries 30 and 30' include a non-circular cover 10. For example... Figure 7 The battery 30 shown is... Figure 8 Compared to the example of battery 30', the internal conductive portion 11 and the intermediate insulating portion 13 are located in completely different positions. The positions of the internal conductive portion 11 and the intermediate insulating portion 13 can be easily changed simply by selecting the appropriate external peripheral adapter portion 15.
[0078] For according to Figure 7 The outer peripheral fitting portion 15, and the through recess 14 are provided at or near the outer edge of the cover 10, thus close to the side wall 3. For example, Figure 8Another example of the external peripheral adapter portion 15' shown is that the through recess 14' is located near the central portion or middle section of the surface of the cover 10. In this way, by selecting only one suitable external peripheral adapter portion from a set of available external peripheral adapter portions 15, 15', the positions of the internal conductive portion 11 and the intermediate insulating portion 13 can be universally adapted to the different needs of batteries of different sizes, shapes, or structures.
[0079] Cover diameter D L Configured to match the outer diameter D of sidewall 3 W1 Matching (i.e., as close as possible), such as Figure 9 and 10 As shown. Cover 10 and the outer diameter D W1 Align and place the components on edge 20, and then weld them, for example, by laser welding, to form a welded joint 21 along the alignment periphery of edge 20 and cover 10. The welded joint 21 is symbolically represented by a black semicircle in the figure shown, but in reality it may have different shapes and sizes, depending on the curvature of edge 20, for example, in the case of a raised edge.
[0080] The diameter matching and alignment of the cover 10 and the sidewall 3 should be quite accurate so that the welding process can effectively seal the interior of the battery. Moreover, displacement of the cover 10 during welding may cause additional difficulties in achieving an effective seal.
[0081] The edges of the sidewall 3 and the cover 10 are shaped to reduce alignment difficulties and errors caused by displacement, thereby improving the quality of the sealing connection. Figure 9 In one embodiment, the edge 20' of the sidewall 3 is provided with a tapered portion 22 and a stepped portion 23. The stepped portion 23 has an outer diameter D of the edge 20'. W1 With the middle diameter D i Between. The tapered portion 22 is located at the middle diameter D of the edge 20'. i and inner diameter D W2 The edges of the cover 10 are shaped accordingly, including a stepped portion 24 along its outer diameter and a tapered portion 25 extending radially inward from the stepped portion 24. The tapered portions 22 and 25 are complementary, i.e., they have the same inclination angle, such that the outer cone of the cover 10 fits into the inner cone of the edge 20'.
[0082] Assembling the lid 10 onto the bottom container 1 now includes: inserting the conical portion 25 of the lid 10 into the conical portion 22 of the bottom container until the stepped portion 24 of the lid stops on the stepped portion 23 of the bottom container. Therefore, at this point, the conical portions 22 and 25, and the stepped portions 23 and 24, are in contact with each other. Subsequently, a welded connection 21 is formed along the aligned periphery of the stepped portions 23 and 24, as shown... Figure 10 As shown.
[0083] Therefore, due to the self-aligning properties of the complementary tapered portions 22 and 25, this configuration improves the alignment of the cover 10 with the edge 20' of the sidewall 3. Inserting one tapered portion into the other also achieves a mechanically stable initial connection between the cover 10 and the sidewall 3, making it easier to maintain alignment during welding. The diameter D of the cover 10... L Preferably, it is still related to the outer diameter D. W1 Matching is possible, but in this case, since proper alignment is now ensured, a slightly larger mismatch between these diameters can be allowed without reducing the quality of the welded joint.
[0084] Technical terms
[0085] 1. Bottom container
[0086] 2 base
[0087] 3 sidewalls
[0088] 4-electrode assembly
[0089] 5 positive electrode
[0090] 6 negative electrodes
[0091] 7-Separator
[0092] 8 negative electrode current collectors
[0093] 10 caps
[0094] 11 Internal conductive parts
[0095] 12 Internal peripheral adaptation parts
[0096] 13 Intermediate Insulation Part
[0097] 14 Through-recess
[0098] 15 External peripheral adaptation parts
[0099] 16 sidewall sections
[0100] 17 steps
[0101] 18 contact surfaces
[0102] 19 outer contact surfaces
[0103] 20 edges
[0104] 21 Welded joint
[0105] 22 conical section
[0106] 23 steps
[0107] 24 steps
[0108] 25 conical section
[0109] 26 peripheral edge portion
[0110] 27 Inner edge portion
[0111] 28 outer edge
[0112] 29 contact surfaces
[0113] 30 batteries
[0114] 32 peripheral edge portion
[0115] 34 Through-recess
[0116] 35 inner surface
[0117] 36. Inner surface.
Claims
1. A battery (30), said battery (30) comprising: A cup-shaped bottom container (1) for accommodating the electrode assembly (4), the bottom container (1) comprising a base (2) and upright sidewalls (3) along the outer periphery of the base (2), and Cover (10), The cover (10) includes: -Internal conductive part (11). - The intermediate insulating portion (13) surrounding the internal conductive portion (11). -Inner peripheral adapter portion (12), which is fixed to the outer periphery of the intermediate insulating portion (13), - An external peripheral adapter (15) is fixed to the outer peripheral edge portion (32) of the inner peripheral adapter (12), and the external peripheral adapter (15) forms or constitutes the outer peripheral edge portion (26) of the cover (10). The inner peripheral adapter portion (12) and the outer peripheral adapter portion (15) form a peripheral adapter portion, which can be fixed to the side wall (3) of the bottom container (1) via the outer peripheral edge portion of the cover (10), wherein the size, shape and / or construction of the peripheral adapter portion is formed to bridge the gap between the outer edge (28) of the intermediate insulating portion (13) and the inner periphery of the side wall (3).
2. The battery (30) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The peripheral adapter portion includes a through recess whose size and shape match the outer edge (28) of the intermediate insulating portion (13).
3. The battery (30) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The material thickness of the peripheral adapter portion is less than the material thickness of at least one of the internal conductive portion (11) and the intermediate insulating portion (13).
4. The battery (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The outer peripheral edge of the peripheral adapter is non-circular.
5. The battery (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, At least one of the inner peripheral adapter portion (12) and the outer peripheral adapter portion (15) includes a stepped portion at or along its outer peripheral edge portion.
6. The battery (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The stepped portion has an L-shaped cross section and an abutting surface that abuts against the outer abutting surface facing outward of at least one of the sidewall (3) and the outer peripheral adapter portion (15).
7. The battery (30) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The outer peripheral edge portion (32) of the inner peripheral adapter portion (12) matches the inner edge portion (27) of the outer peripheral adapter portion (15) in size and shape. The inner peripheral adapter portion (12) is fixed to the outer peripheral adapter portion (15) via the interlocking outer peripheral edge portion (32) of the inner peripheral adapter portion (12) and the inner edge portion (27) of the outer peripheral adapter portion (15).
8. A battery kit, characterized in that, The battery kit includes a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as a first battery and a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 7 as a second battery, wherein: The first battery includes: - A first bottom container with first sidewalls, and - A first lid, which is attached to the first sidewall and seals the first bottom container. The second battery includes: - A second bottom container having a second sidewall, the size or shape of which differs from that of the first sidewall, and - A second cover, which is attached to the second sidewall and closes the second bottom container.
9. The battery kit according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first cover includes a first internal conductive portion, and the second cover includes a second internal conductive portion, wherein the first internal conductive portion and the second internal conductive portion have the same shape and / or size.
10. The battery kit according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The first cover includes a first intermediate insulating portion, and the second cover includes a second intermediate insulating portion, wherein the first intermediate insulating portion and the second intermediate insulating portion have the same shape and / or size.
11. The battery kit according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that, The first cover includes a first peripheral adapter portion, and the second cover includes a second peripheral adapter portion, wherein the first peripheral adapter portion differs from the second peripheral adapter portion in size and / or shape.
12. A method for manufacturing a battery (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the following steps: A cup-shaped bottom container (1) is provided, the bottom container (1) including a base (2) and upright sidewalls (3) along the outer periphery of the base (2). The electrode assembly (4) is arranged inside the bottom container (1). An internal conductive portion (11) and an intermediate insulating portion (13) surrounding the internal conductive portion (11) are provided. Choose one peripheral adapter from a variety of available peripheral adapters of different sizes, shapes and / or constructions, wherein the size, shape and / or construction of the selected peripheral adapter is formed to bridge the gap between the outer edge (28) of the intermediate insulating portion (13) and the inner periphery of the sidewall (3). The internal conductive portion (11) and the intermediate insulating portion (13) are fixed to the selected peripheral adapter portion to form or constitute a cover (10), and The lid (10) is fixed to the side wall (3) of the bottom container (1).