Battery with safety mechanism

Abstract

To provide a battery with a safety mechanism that protects a button cell battery from electrolysis of a body fluid and tissue damage when the button cell battery is accidentally swallowed.SOLUTION: A battery 50 includes a battery housing with first and second poles, an electron conductor 66 is electronically coupled to one of the first and second poles, a spacer 64 including an electronically insulating material is provided between the electronic conductor 66 and the other of the first and second poles such that electronic coupling between the electronic conductor 66 and the other of the first and second poles is prevented. The spacer 64 can undergo a physical change in the presence of an aqueous solution, shorting the battery 50 by bringing the electronic conductor 66 into electronic contact with the other pole of the battery 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to batteries, and more particularly to batteries with safety mechanisms adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis when the battery is exposed to aqueous solutions or wet tissue. [Background technology]

[0002] The background discussion provided herein is generally intended to provide a context for the present disclosure.

[0003] Electrochemical cells, often simply referred to as batteries, are commonly used as a source of electrical energy. Miniature batteries are particularly useful in powering consumer products. Miniature batteries come in a variety of cell types. Common miniature battery cell types include AAA, AA, B, C, D, 9V, CR2, and CR123A. Other types of miniature batteries known as button cells (including wider cells sometimes called coin cells) are frequently used to power a variety of products, including but not limited to watches, cameras, calculators, keyless entry systems for vehicles, etc., laser pointers, glucometers, etc.

[0004] FIG. 1 shows the structure of a typical button cell 10 with a cathode 12 disposed within a cathode can 14 and an anode 16 disposed within an anode cup 18. A separator 20 physically separates and electronically isolates the anode 16 from the cathode 12. An insulating gasket 22 helps seal the cell to prevent electrolyte loss and to electronically isolate the cathode can 14 from the anode cup 18 to prevent ingress of ambient atmospheric constituents into the cell. Button cells typically have a long useful life, e.g., well over a year of continuous use, typically in a wristwatch. Additionally, most button cells have low self-discharge and therefore retain their charge for a relatively long period of time when not under load.

[0005] Although button cell batteries are common in many portable consumer electronic devices, the size, shape, and appearance of these batteries, especially 20 mm diameter coin cells such as CR2016 lithium cells and CR2032 lithium cells, can pose hazards, especially to infants, small children, and pets. These hazards can result in bodily harm, especially if the cells are swallowed without the knowledge of others around. Also, some of these button cell batteries can pose relatively greater hazards than other cells, which consumers may not fully understand. For example, 3V coin cell batteries such as CR2016 3V lithium cells and CR2032 3V lithium cells, which are based on a chemical reaction between lithium and manganese dioxide, are sized such that they can easily get stuck in a person's throat, and thus, for example, if swallowed, can cause electrolysis of bodily fluids and / or combustion of moist esophageal / organ tissues. Of course, such batteries can also cause significant gastric discomfort if successfully swallowed. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis is provided. The battery comprises a housing comprising first and second poles. At least one electronic conductor is electronically coupled to one of the first and second poles. A spacer comprising an electronically insulating material is provided between the electronic conductor and the other of the first and second poles such that electronic coupling between the electronic conductor and the other of the first and second poles is prevented. The spacer is capable of undergoing a physical change in the presence of an aqueous solution such that electronic coupling between the electronic conductor and the other of the first and second poles can occur.

[0007] Further exemplary batteries with safety features adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis are also provided. The battery with safety features comprises a housing with first and second poles, an electronic conductor, and first and second spacers. The first and second spacers comprise electronically insulating materials. The first spacer is disposed between the first pole of the battery and the electronic conductor, and the second spacer is disposed between the second pole of the battery and the electronic conductor, where the electronic conductor is disposed between and in contact with the first and second spacers. The spacers are capable of undergoing a physical change in the presence of an aqueous solution, and the electronic conductor is adapted to provide electronic contact with both the first and second poles in the presence of the aqueous solution.

[0008] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as forming the invention, the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: The figures described below depict various embodiments of the battery disclosed herein. It should be understood that each figure depicts an exemplary embodiment of the battery disclosed herein with safety mechanisms adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 shows a conventional button cell. [Figure 2A] 1 illustrates a battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis according to an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2B] 1 illustrates a battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis according to an exemplary embodiment according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3]1 shows a plot of cell voltage versus time for two different batteries, the first being a conventional coin cell battery and the second being a coin cell battery with safety features to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] 13 illustrates another battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 13 illustrates another battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 13 illustrates another battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] 13 illustrates another battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] 13 illustrates another battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] 13 illustrates another battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] 13 illustrates another battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 13 illustrates another battery in the form of a coin cell having a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] The electrochemical cell or battery may be a primary battery or a secondary battery. A primary battery is intended to be discharged, for example, once to exhaustion and then discarded. Primary batteries are described, for example, in Handbook of Batteries by David Linden (McGraw-Hill, 4th ed., 2011). Secondary batteries are intended to be charged. Secondary batteries can be discharged and then recharged many times, for example, more than 50 times, more than 100 times, or more than 1000 times. Secondary batteries are described, for example, in Handbook of Batteries by David Linden (McGraw-Hill, 4th ed., 2011). Batteries may include aqueous or non-aqueous electrolytes. Thus, batteries may include various electrochemical combinations and electrolyte combinations. Consumer batteries can be either primary batteries or secondary batteries. However, due to the charge stored in the battery and due to the exposed poles, it is beneficial to protect consumer batteries, especially small consumer batteries, from injury to the consumer when exposed to wet tissue. In particular, it is beneficial to protect the battery from exposing the consumer to electrolysis or burns, both of which may occur, for example, if the battery is swallowed. In this regard, if the positive and negative poles of the battery are exposed to wet body fluids, electrolysis of water may occur, resulting in the development of hydroxide ions and burning of tissue adjacent to the negative pole, and potentially causing direct oxidation of tissue, especially tissue adjacent to the positive pole (or cathode can). In addition, significant oxidation of the cathode can itself may result in the formation of holes in the cathode can, which may allow the release of toxic contents of the battery. The present application provides a safety mechanism for shorting a battery in the presence of an aqueous solution. By shorting the battery in the presence of an aqueous solution, the disclosed safety mechanism advantageously reduces the cell voltage of the ingested battery, thereby effectively preventing tissue damage and other harmful effects caused by uncontrolled discharge of the ingested battery.

[0011] A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis is provided. The battery includes a battery housing with a first and a second pole. At least one electronic conductor is electronically coupled or in electronic contact with one of the first and second poles. It should be noted that the terms "electronically coupled" and "electronic contact" are used interchangeably herein to describe a relationship in which electrons can flow between the listed components. The electronic conductor may be electronically coupled to one of the first and second poles because the electronic conductor is in direct physical contact with the pole. Alternatively, there may be one or more additional intervening electronically conductive materials between the electronic conductor and one of the first and second poles.

[0012] A spacer comprising an electronically insulating material is provided between the electronic conductor and the other of the first and second poles such that electronic coupling between the electronic conductor and the other of the first and second poles is prevented, and the spacer is capable of undergoing a physical change (including, but not limited to, a chemical change resulting in a change in physical properties) in the presence of an aqueous solution such that electronic coupling between the electronic conductor and the other of the first and second poles can occur.

[0013] In general, the present disclosure provides batteries that can be mechanically and / or electronically shorted by electronically coupling or forming an electronic connection across both battery poles. The electronic connection across the positive and negative battery poles is formed only after the battery is exposed to a "safe condition," which refers to the ambient conditions encountered when the battery becomes lodged in the throat of a person, a child, or a pet animal. In these circumstances, when the person or child or pet animal swallows the battery, the battery may come into contact with saliva, gastric juices, or other aqueous fluids. Thus, batteries with safety mechanisms that are intended to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis are designed and configured to short when in the presence of an aqueous solution. The resulting short circuit can reduce the voltage of the battery below a desired threshold level, thereby reducing and / or effectively preventing the electrolysis of water and the associated formation of harmful electrochemically generated ions (e.g., hydroxide ions). The desired threshold level may vary, but in some examples detailed herein, the cell may be suitably shorted to less than 1.5 V, including less than 1.4 V, less than 1.3 V, less than 1.2 V, less than 1.1 V, less than 1.0 V, less than 0.9 V, less than 0.8 V, less than 0.7 V, less than 0.6 V, less than 0.5 V, less than 0.4 V, less than 0.3 V, less than 0.2 V, less than 0.1 V, or even to about 0 V. Under "normal use conditions," when the battery is not in use, e.g., when the battery is stored or transported, or when the battery is operating in an electronic device, no electronic connection is formed and shorting of the battery is avoided.

[0014] In one embodiment, the battery according to the present disclosure includes an electronic conductor that is initially in electronic contact with only one of the first and second poles of the battery. The spacer with the electronic insulating material prevents the electronic conductor from making electronic contact across both of the battery poles under normal use conditions (i.e., before the battery is contacted with an aqueous solution). On the other hand, when the battery is exposed to or contacted with an aqueous solution such as saliva, gastric juice, water, or other aqueous fluids, the electronic insulating material may undergo a physical change, for example, the electronic insulating material may dissolve. This is because the electronic insulating material dissolves in the aqueous fluid. The electronic conductor is biased toward electronic contact with the other pole of the battery, but the resistive force of the spacer is equal to or greater than the biasing force of the electronic conductor under normal use conditions. However, after substantial dissolution of the electronic insulating material, such resistive force is substantially absent and the electronic conductor may make electronic contact with the other pole of the battery, thereby shorting the battery. The electronic conductor may be energized, for example, during crimping of the cathode can (or an extension thereof) and / or during crimping of an electronic conductor that is a separate, discrete component from the cathode can.

[0015] In another example, the battery according to the present disclosure also includes an electronic conductor that is initially in electronic contact with only one of the first and second poles of the battery. The spacer comprising an electronic insulating material prevents the electronic conductor from making electronic contact across both of the battery poles under normal use conditions (i.e., before the battery is contacted with an aqueous solution). On the other hand, when the battery is exposed to or contacted with an aqueous solution such as saliva, gastric juice, water, or other aqueous fluids, the electronic insulating material may undergo physical changes, for example, the electronic insulating material may swell and / or soften in the presence of aqueous fluids. This is because the electronic insulating material comprises a polymer that swells when exposed to an aqueous solution. The electronic conductor is biased toward electronic contact with the other pole of the battery, but the resistance force of the spacer is equal to or greater than the bias force of the electronic conductor under normal use conditions. However, after swelling and / or softening of the electronic insulating material, the resistance force of the spacer may be significantly reduced, resulting in mechanical deformation, distortion, or displacement of the spacer. This is because the biasing force of the electronic conductor would "override," distort, or displace the electronically insulating material of the spacer, thereby creating an electronic connection between the two poles and shorting the battery. In one refinement, the electronically insulating material is a hydrogel that, in the presence of an aqueous fluid, forms a gel that cannot resist the biasing force exerted by the electronic conductor. The electronic conductor may be biased, for example, during crimping of the cathode can (or an extension thereof) and / or during crimping of an electronic conductor that is a separate, individual component from the cathode can.

[0016] By way of example, the electronic conductor herein may be formed from a metal, e.g., the electronic conductor may be formed from any suitable electronically conductive material. Electronically conductive materials suitable for forming the electronic conductor include, but are not limited to, (i) metal alloys, including but not limited to steels, such as stainless steel, nickel-plated steel, or zinc-plated steel, (ii) conductive ceramics, including but not limited to carbides, oxides, nitrides, and combinations of the foregoing, (iii) conductive polymers, (iv) conductive composites, and any combinations thereof. The electronic conductor may be energized, for example, during crimping of the cathode can (or an extension thereof) and / or during crimping of an electronic conductor that is a separate, individual component from the cathode can.

[0017] The electronic conductors disclosed herein generally have a conductivity of about 5×10 at 20° C. -5 ohm cm or less than 2.5 x 10 at 20 °C -5 Less than ohm cm, or approximately 0.5 x 10 at 20 °C -5 Approximately 5 × 10 ohm cm at 20 °C -5 The electronic conductor has a resistivity of ohms·cm. In some examples, the resistance of the electronic conductor is less than 20 ohms, less than 10 ohms, or less than 5 ohms, e.g., the resistance may be about 10 ohms, about 5 ohms, or about 1 ohm. In some examples, the resistance of the electronic conductor is between about 0.1 ohms and about 20 ohms.

[0018] The resistance of the electronic insulating material is always greater than the resistance of the electronic conductor. In some examples, the resistance of the electronic insulating material is greater than 0.5 megaohms, greater than 5 megaohms, greater than 10 megaohms, greater than 100 megaohms, or greater than 500 megaohms, for example, the resistance of the electronic insulating material may be about 1 megaohm, about 20 megaohms, about 200 megaohms, or about 1000 megaohms. In some examples, the resistance of the electronic conductor is between about 0.5 megaohms and about 1000 megaohms.

[0019] The electronically insulating material of the spacer may be formed from any number of electronically insulating materials (including, but not limited to, electronically insulating materials that undergo a physical change in the presence of water, including, but not limited to, suitable water-softening materials, suitable water-soluble and / or water-swellable materials) that can undergo a physical change in the presence of water. As used herein, the term "water-softening" refers to a material that has a Young's modulus that decreases in the presence of an aqueous solution. Useful water-softening materials have a Young's modulus that is high enough to provide a resistive force that is greater than the biasing force of the electronic conductor under normal use conditions. Useful water-softening materials also have a Young's modulus that is low enough to allow the material to deform sufficiently after the presence of an aqueous solution when the biasing force of the electronic conductor is applied to the water-softening material, thereby providing an electronic bond between the electronic conductor and the other of the first and second battery poles. Useful water-softening materials also generally have a Young's modulus that decreases after the presence of an aqueous solution, to a range of 0.0003 to 0.15 GPa. Various testing systems can be used to determine the elastic modulus, for example, an 8802 servo-hydraulic testing system available from Instron. The water-softening material may be a water-soluble material. Useful water-soluble materials have a solubility in water of more than 50 mg / L, more than 100 mg / L, more than 500 mg / L, or even more than 1000 mg / L. Useful water-swellable materials are generally capable of absorbing more than 30 wt.% in pure water, and preferably at least 100% by weight in water. Useful water-swellable materials allow the material to deform sufficiently after being in the presence of an aqueous solution when a biasing force of an electronic conductor is applied to the water-swellable material, thereby providing an electronic bond between the electronic conductor and the other of the first and second battery poles.

[0020] The electronically insulating material may be present in an amount of 5 wt.% to 100 wt.%, for example, 10 wt.% to 99 wt.%, 50 wt.% to 99 wt.%, and / or 70 wt.% to 99 wt.%, based on the weight of the spacer (i.e., based on the weight of the solids used to provide the spacer). Any number of water-softening, water-soluble, and / or water-swellable polymers may be used alone or in combination to form the spacer. Non-limiting examples of water-soluble, water-soluble, and / or water-swellable materials include, but are not limited to, sugars, polyethers such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyamides (PA), polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol and modified polyvinyl alcohols, acrylate copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, pullulan, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, polysaccharides, natural polymers including, but not limited to, agar, guar gum, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, carrageenan, and starch, modified starches including, but not limited to, ethoxylated starch and hydroxypropylated starch, copolymers of the foregoing, salts thereof, and combinations of any of the foregoing. The water-softening, water-soluble, and / or water-swellable materials are preferably biologically inert materials with no or little toxicity.

[0021] Benign solids such as NaHPO4, sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), baking soda, sugar, sugar-like substances, and citric acid may be included in combination with the electronically insulating material to provide the spacer. The benign solids may be present in an amount between 0 wt.% and 30 wt.%, e.g., between 0 wt.% and 20 wt.%, between 1 wt.% and 30 wt.%, and / or between 1 wt.% and 20 wt.%, based on the weight of the spacer (i.e., based on the weight of the solids used to provide the spacer).

[0022] 2A and 2B show a battery 50, which may be any type of primary or secondary battery, and in the illustrated example is a button cell type battery. The battery 50 includes a battery housing that encloses the battery. The battery housing includes a cathode can 54 and an anode cup 58. The cathode 52 is disposed within the cathode can 54, and the anode 56 is disposed within the anode cup 58. The cathode 52 and the anode 56 are electronically separated by a separator 60 within the battery 50. Each of the cathode can 54 and the anode cup 58 forms a different pole of the battery 50, in this case the cathode can 54 forms the positive pole and the anode cup 58 forms the negative pole.

[0023] The cathode 52 and anode 56 are separated by an insulating separator 60 that extends across the entire lateral extent of the cathode 52, e.g., substantially the entire diameter of the battery 50. The insulating separator 60 is fabricated from a material that can freely conduct ions therethrough. An insulating gasket 62 electronically insulates the cathode can 54 from the anode cup 58, and the insulating gasket 62 prevents any part of the anode cup 58 from contacting the cathode can 54, thus sealing the battery 50 and preventing electrolyte loss.

[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating gasket 62 extends into the cathode can 54 and completely surrounds the anode cup 58 such that the anode cup cannot contact the cathode can 54, although the reverse configuration may be used in which the anode cup 58 surrounds the cathode can 54 and the insulating gasket 62 extends into the anode cup 58 and completely surrounds the cathode can 54. While each of the illustrated embodiments explicitly shown herein (including those shown in Figures 2A, 2B, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, and 6B) includes an insulating gasket 62 (or corresponding reference number) that extends into the cathode can 54 (or corresponding reference number) and completely surrounds the anode cup 58 (or corresponding reference number) such that the anode cup cannot contact the cathode can 54 (or corresponding reference number), it should be understood that batteries with safety mechanisms in which the reverse configuration is used are contemplated.

[0025] The battery 50 further includes an exemplary safety feature adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis according to the present disclosure, which includes an electronic conductor 66 extending entirely or partially around the outer edge of the cathode can 54. The electronic conductor 66 may be formed of a metal, such as a metal alloy material, as previously described. The electronic conductor 66 includes an attachment segment 68 that is fixedly attached to the outer surface of the cathode can 54. The electronic conductor 66 may be attached to the cathode can by any suitable interconnection. For example, the attachment segment 68 may be attached by an interference fit with a groove (not shown) along the outer wall of the cathode can 54 for a mechanically secure attachment. In other examples, the attachment segment 68 may be attached to the outer wall of the cathode can 54 by application of an adhesive or by forming a welded joint.

[0026] In the reverse configuration (not shown, but briefly described above) in which the insulating gasket 62 extends into the anode cup 58 and surrounds the cathode can 54 so that the cathode can cannot contact the anode cup 58, the electronic conductor 66 may extend wholly or partially around the outer edge of the anode cup 58 and be secured to the anode cup as described above in connection with the cathode can 54.

[0027] 2B, the attachment segment 68 of the electronic conductor 66 is electronically coupled to the cathode can 54. In the illustrated configuration, the electronic conductor 66 is in direct physical contact with the cathode can 54. The electronic conductor 66 further includes a ground segment 70 extending from the attachment segment 68. Generally, the ground segment 70 extends in a direction perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the attachment segment 68.

[0028] The ground segment 70 is spaced from the anode cup 58 during normal operation of the battery 50 so that the positive and negative poles are not electronically coupled during normal operation of the battery 50, and therefore the battery 50 is not shorted. In the illustrated example, the spacing between the ground segment 70 and the anode cup 58 is achieved by providing a spacer 64 comprising an electronically insulating material between the ground segment 70 and the anode cup 58. As shown in FIG. 2B, the spacer is disposed between the overhang of the ground segment 70 and the other of the first and second poles, here the anode cup 58, such that the ground segment 70 of the electronic conductor 66 is not electronically coupled to the anode cup 58 (and thus the negative pole of the battery 50) when the spacer 64 is present, such as during normal use. The spacer 64 may extend up to or beyond the overhang of the ground segment 70.

[0029] The spacer 64 may comprise a material that can undergo a physical change, for example, by dissolving after exposure to a safe state, typically saliva, gastric fluids, or other aqueous fluids, such that after dissolving the spacer 64, the biasing force of the electronic conductor 66 can place the ground segment 70 in electronic contact with the anode cup 58 (e.g., its upper top surface or sidewall surface) to short the battery 50. In other examples, the spacer 64 may comprise a material that can be overcome, distorted, or displaced, for example, because the spacer 64 softens, swells, or otherwise mechanically weakens in response to exposure to a safe state, typically saliva, gastric fluids, or other aqueous fluids. The spacer 64 may be mechanically weakened, for example, when aqueous fluids contact the battery 50 and are absorbed by the spacer 64, causing the spacer 64 to soften, swell, and / or form a gel. As a result of such mechanical weakening of the spacer 64, the biasing force of the electronic conductor 66 can cause the ground segment 70 to engage and make electronic contact with the anode cup 58, thereby shorting the battery 50, for example, during a safe condition (or other contact of the battery 50 with an aqueous fluid). As previously mentioned, a safe condition can occur when a person, an infant, or a pet animal swallows the battery 50, exposing the battery 50 to aqueous solutions in the form of saliva or gastric juices. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating gasket 62 is shown as a separate component from the spacer 64, so that it can remain intact after the battery 50 comes into contact with an aqueous fluid and the spacer undergoes a physical change, thereby maintaining the cathode 52 and anode 56 materials within the battery 50. However, in other embodiments, the insulating gasket 62 and the spacer 64 can be of a unitary structure, in which case the spacer 62 also functions as the insulating gasket 64, effectively providing the insulating gasket 64. Thus, in this embodiment, there is no separate insulating gasket 64, and the spacer 62, which comprises an electronically insulating material, in addition to being disposed between the ground segment 70 and the anode cup 58, also extends into the cathode can 54 and completely surrounds the anode cup 58 such that the anode cup 58 cannot contact the cathode can 54.Of course, as mentioned above, it is contemplated that batteries with safety mechanisms may be used in the reverse configuration.

[0030] 2B, the electronic conductor 66 includes two segments, a mounting segment 68 and a ground segment 70. Each segment 68, 70 is electronically coupled to a first pole of the battery 50 (e.g., the cathode can 54) and each segment 68, 70 is electronically insulated from a second pole of the battery 50 (e.g., the anode cup 58) by a spacer 64. In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting segment 68 is electronically coupled to (and in fact is in direct physical contact with) the cathode can 54, i.e., the positive battery pole, and the ground segment 70 of the electronic conductor 66 is not in electronic contact with, but is biased into engagement with, the anode cup 58, i.e., the negative battery pole.

[0031] It is understood that either the positive or negative pole of the battery 50 may be electronically connected to the electronic conductor 66, with the other of the two poles being electronically insulated from the tensioned electronic conductor 66 under normal use or storage conditions. It is further understood, therefore, that a spacer 64 may be disposed adjacent either the positive or negative pole of the battery 50 to prevent electronic contact between the electronic conductor 66 and either the positive or negative pole of the battery 50 under normal use or storage conditions. It is therefore contemplated that, alternatively, the electronic conductor 66 may be disposed about the periphery of the battery 50 such that during normal use, the electronic conductor is electronically coupled (e.g., in direct physical contact) to the top surface of the anode cup 58 and spaced from the sidewall of the cathode can 54 by a spacer 64 disposed between the electronic conductor 66 and the cathode can 54.

[0032] Furthermore, although in the illustrated example the mounting segment 68 and the ground segment 70 are shown as being directly connected to each other such that they are integral and therefore continuously electronically coupled to each other, in other examples the mounting segment 68 and the ground segment 70 of the battery safety mechanism (not shown) may be electronically insulated from each other during normal operation of the battery such that they are electronically coupled to each other only during a safety condition, such as in response to the presence of an aqueous solution or body fluid. Thus, in other examples the mounting segment 68 may be in electronic contact with either the positive or negative pole of the battery 50 and the ground segment 70 may be in electronic contact with the other of the positive and negative poles of the battery 50, in which case the spacer 64 comprises an insulating material positioned between the two segments 68, 70 such that the segments 68, 70 are not electronically coupled to each other (and therefore the positive and negative poles are not electronically coupled to each other) during normal operation of the battery. After encountering a safety condition (or other contact between battery 50 and aqueous fluid) that results in dissolution, softening, and / or swelling of the electronically insulating material of spacer 64, ground segment 70 can engage and make electronic contact with mounting segment 68, thereby shorting battery 50. As previously mentioned, a safety condition may occur when a person, infant, or pet animal swallows battery 50, exposing battery 50 to aqueous fluids in the form of saliva or gastric juices.

[0033] FIG. 3 shows plots of cell voltage versus time for two different batteries, a conventional button cell battery (in this example, button cell battery DL2032 available from Duracell Inc.) and an equivalent button cell battery further equipped with safety features to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis according to the present disclosure, such as battery 50 depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B. After contacting the battery with 1M KCl solution for about 100 seconds, gassing is initiated at the anode cup 58 and the actual cell voltage of the tested battery drops as the battery begins to short circuit. For the conventional battery, the voltage stops dropping at about 1.5V after about 300 seconds. The voltage of 1.5V, although reduced, is sufficient to cause electrolysis of water and the production of hydroxide ions. Thus, even when reduced, this voltage can cause burning and damage to esophageal tissue if the battery is lodged in a human's throat. Of course, the battery can also cause significant stomach distress if successfully swallowed. In contrast, a battery 50 with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis is further shorted such that electrolysis of water does not substantially occur any more at the anode cup 58. Indeed, in the illustrated example, the safety mechanism substantially completely shorts the battery 50 to about 0 V. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a spacer 64 was used that comprises an electronically insulating material that is a water-soluble material that can be dissolved in saliva, gastric juice, or other aqueous fluids. Specifically, the spacer 64 of the battery 50 with the safety mechanism shown in FIG. 3 included a benign solid, in this case a benign salt, specifically NaHPO4 (about 10 wt.%), and a water-soluble material, specifically polyacrylic acid (about 90 wt.%).

[0034] 4A and 4B, another example battery 100, also shown as a button cell battery, includes a cathode can 114 and an anode cup 118. A cathode 152 is disposed within the cathode can 114, and an anode 156 is disposed within the anode cup 118. The cathode 152 and the anode 156 are electronically separated by a separator 160 within the battery 100. Each of the cathode can 114 and the anode cup 118 forms a different pole of the battery 100, in this case the cathode can 114 forms the positive pole and the anode cup 118 forms the negative pole. An insulating gasket 162 electronically insulates the cathode can 114 from the anode cup 118, and the insulating gasket 162 prevents any part of the anode cup 118 from contacting the cathode can 114 to seal the battery 100 and prevent electrolyte loss. Battery 100 shares many of the same elements as those shown in connection with battery 50 previously described in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and therefore, generally only the differences will be described herein.

[0035] The battery 100 further includes a safety mechanism adapted to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis, the safety mechanism comprising a spacer 164 and an electronic conductor 166 embedded or disposed within the spacer 164, the spacer 164 comprising an electronically insulating material capable of undergoing a physical change after exposure to an aqueous solution, such as saliva, gastric juices, water, or other aqueous fluids. The spacer 164 is disposed above the insulating gasket 162 and functions similarly to the insulating gasket 162 during normal operation in that the spacer 164 electronically insulates the cathode can 114 from the anode cup 118. In the illustrated example, the electronic conductor 166 embedded or disposed within the spacer 164 is in direct physical contact with one of the first and second battery poles, here the anode cup 118, and is thus electronically coupled to the anode cup 118, but is electronically isolated from the other of the first and second battery poles, here the cathode can 114, by the spacer 164. In this example, electronic conductor 166 is electronically coupled to anode cup 118 at contact location 150. Similar to the electronic coupling between cathode can 54 and electronic conductor 66 illustrated in battery 50 shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the electronic coupling between electronic conductor 166 and anode cup 118 may be a predetermined direct physical connection that is maintained throughout the operation of battery 100, both during normal operation and storage, and after battery 100 experiences a safety condition. The connection between electronic conductor 166 and anode cup 118 at contact location 150 may be secured by, for example, a welding operation or a mechanical connection.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the electronic conductor 166 extends from the contact location 150 into two bifurcated arm segments that are biased toward engaging the cathode can 114 across a portion of the distance between the anode cup 118 and the cathode can 114. In this example, only a single electronic conductor 166 is shown, although one or more such electronic conductors 166 may be included. Upon contact with an aqueous solution, such as saliva, gastric juices, water, or other aqueous fluid, dissolution, softening, and / or swelling of the spacer 164 occurs, which allows the electronic conductor 166 to deflect into electronic contact with the cathode can 114, thereby electronically coupling the cathode can 114 to the anode cup 118. As a result, the battery 100 is shorted and a consumer is protected during a safety condition, such as if the battery 100 were swallowed by a person or pet animal. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating gasket 162 is shown as a separate component from the spacer 164 so that it can remain intact after the battery 100 comes into contact with an aqueous fluid, thereby maintaining the cathode 152 and anode 156 materials within the battery 100. However, in other embodiments, the insulating gasket 162 and the spacer 164 can form a unitary structure, in which case the spacer 164 further functions as, and effectively provides, the insulating gasket 162, as noted with respect to the spacer 64 and insulating gasket 62 discussed above in connection with Figures 2A and 2B.

[0037] In this example, the electronic conductor 166 may be partially or fully embedded or disposed within the spacer 164, so long as the resistive force of the spacer 164 is equal to or greater than the biasing force of the electronic conductor 166 such that the electronic conductor does not bias into electronic contact with the cathode can 114 under normal use conditions. It should be noted, therefore, that the electronic conductor 166 may be biased toward engaging the cathode can 114, e.g., the electronic conductor 166 may be biased toward engaging the inner surface of the cathode can 114. Of course, the opposite configuration is also contemplated, where the electronic conductor 166 is electronically coupled to the cathode can 114 by making direct physical contact therewith, while being electronically isolated from the anode cup 118 by the spacer 164.

[0038] 5A and 5B show an exemplary battery 200 with a safety mechanism according to the present disclosure to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis. The battery 200 includes a cathode can 214 and an anode cup 218. A cathode 252 is disposed within the cathode can 214, and an anode 256 is disposed within the anode cup 218. The cathode 252 and the anode 256 are electronically separated by a separator 260 within the battery 200. Each of the cathode can 214 and the anode cup 218 forms a different pole of the battery 200, in this case the cathode can 214 forms the positive pole and the anode cup 218 forms the negative pole. An insulating gasket 262 electronically insulates the cathode can 214 from the anode cup 218, and the insulating gasket 262 prevents any part of the anode cup 218 from contacting the cathode can 214 to seal the battery 200 and prevent electrolyte loss. Battery 200 shares many of the same elements as those shown in connection with battery 50 previously described in Figures 2A and 2B, and therefore, generally, only the differences will be described herein.

[0039] A first battery pole, here cathode can 214, includes an electronic conductor 230 incorporated into the cathode can 214 as a continuation or extension thereof. Thus, although electronic conductor 66 is shown in FIG. 2B as a separate component from cathode can 54, electronic conductor 230 and cathode can 214 are of unitary construction, e.g., electronic conductor 230 constitutes a continuation or extension of cathode can 214 that may be electronically coupled to a second battery pole, here an outer surface of anode cup 218, to short circuit battery 200 after the battery is exposed to an aqueous solution, such as saliva, gastric juices, water, or other aqueous fluids. Electronic conductor 230 may have protrusions (not shown) that facilitate electronic contact with the outer wall of the other battery pole, anode cup 218, after battery 200 experiences a safe condition.

[0040] 5A and 5B, the electronic conductor 230 of the cathode can 214 is separated from the anode cup 218 by a spacer 264 comprising an electronically insulating material. The spacer 264 is incorporated into the sealed area of ​​the battery 200, the spacer 264 being disposed between the electronic conductor 230 and the outer wall of the anode cup 218, thereby preventing electronic contact between the electronic conductor 230 and the anode cup 218. Under normal use conditions, the spacer 264 may provide an additional seal to the battery 200, which may also include the common insulating gasket 262 as described above. The spacer 264 and the insulating gasket 262 cooperate to prevent electronic connection between the anode cup 218 and the cathode can 214, thereby electronically insulating these two components from each other under normal use conditions. Upon dissolving, softening, and / or swelling of the electronically insulating material of the spacer 264 after the battery 200 is exposed to an aqueous solution or bodily fluid, the continuation or extension 230 of the cathode can 214 may be forced into engagement and contact with the outer wall of the anode cup 218, thereby electronically coupling the continuation or extension 230 of the cathode can 214 to the anode cup 218. As a result, the battery 200 may be shorted and the consumer may be protected during a safety condition, such as if the battery 200 is swallowed by a person or pet animal. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating gasket 262 is shown as a separate component from the spacer 264, such that it may remain intact after the battery 200 comes into contact with an aqueous fluid, thereby maintaining the cathode 252 and anode 256 materials within the battery 200. However, in other embodiments, the insulating gasket 262 and the spacer 264 may form an integral structure, in which case the spacer 264 further functions as the insulating gasket 262, effectively providing the insulating gasket 262, as mentioned with respect to the spacer 64 and the insulating gasket 62 described above in connection with Figures 2A and 2B.

[0041] Typically, an integral continuation or extension 230 of the cathode can 214 is formed during the crimping process when the battery 200 is manufactured. In the illustrated example, the continuation or extension 230 of the cathode can 214 is formed as an extension of the sidewall of the cathode can 214. The continuation or extension 230 includes a bend and is biased toward engagement with the anode cup 218. The continuation or extension 230 may be pre-cut to form a biased electronic conductor, for example.

[0042] 6A and 6B show an exemplary battery 300 with a safety mechanism according to the present disclosure to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis. The battery 300 includes a cathode can 314 and an anode cup 318. A cathode 352 is disposed within the cathode can 314, and an anode 356 is disposed within the anode cup 318. The cathode 352 and the anode 356 are electronically separated by a separator 360 within the battery 300. Each of the cathode can 314 and the anode cup 318 forms a different pole of the battery 300, in this case the cathode can 314 forms the positive pole and the anode cup 318 forms the negative pole. An insulating gasket 362 electronically insulates the cathode can 314 from the anode cup 318, and the insulating gasket 362 prevents any part of the anode cup 318 from contacting the cathode can 314 to seal the battery 300 and prevent electrolyte loss. Battery 300 shares many of the same elements as those shown in connection with battery 50 previously described in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and therefore, generally only the differences will be described herein.

[0043] Battery 300 has features similar to those of batteries 100 and 200 (shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B). As shown in FIG. 6B, battery 300 differs from battery 200 in that the safety mechanism includes a second electronic conductor 366, which may be embedded or disposed within a spacer 364 and may extend around the entire circumference of the anode cup 318 or along only a portion of the circumference of the anode cup 318. The second electronic conductor 366 is electronically coupled to the anode cup 318 by making direct physical contact therewith, while being electronically isolated from the first conductor 330, and thus the cathode can 314, by the spacer 364. After the battery 300 is exposed to an aqueous solution or bodily fluid, upon dissolution, softening, and / or swelling of the electronically insulating material of the spacer 364, the continuation or extension 330 of the cathode can 314 may be biased into engagement and contact with the outer wall of the anode cup 318, thereby electronically coupling the continuation or extension 330 of the cathode can 314 to the anode cup 318. Additionally, after the battery comes into contact with an aqueous solution, such as saliva, gastric juices, water, or other aqueous fluids, such that dissolution, softening, and / or swelling of the spacer 364 occurs, the electronic conductor 366 may deflect into electronic contact with the cathode can 314, thereby electronically coupling the cathode can 314 to the anode cup 318. As a result, the battery 300 is shorted and a consumer is protected during a safety condition, such as if the battery 300 were to be swallowed by a person or pet animal. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulating gasket 362 is shown as a separate component from the spacer 364 so that it can remain intact after the battery 300 comes into contact with an aqueous fluid, thereby maintaining the cathode 352 and anode 356 materials within the battery 300. However, in other embodiments, the insulating gasket 362 and the spacer 364 can form a unitary structure, in which case the spacer 364 further functions as, and effectively provides, the insulating gasket 362, as noted with respect to the spacer 64 and insulating gasket 62 discussed above in connection with Figures 2A and 2B.

[0044] 7 shows a further exemplary battery 400 with a safety mechanism according to the present disclosure to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis. The battery 400 includes a cathode can 414 and an anode cup 418. A cathode 452 is disposed within the cathode can 414, and an anode 456 is disposed within the anode cup 418. The cathode 452 and the anode 456 are electronically separated by a separator 460 within the battery 400. Each of the cathode can 414 and the anode cup 418 forms a different pole of the battery 400, in this case the cathode can 414 forms the positive pole and the anode cup 418 forms the negative pole. An insulating gasket 462 electronically insulates the cathode can 414 from the anode cup 418, and the insulating gasket 462 prevents any part of the anode cup 418 from contacting the cathode can 414 to seal the battery 400 and prevent electrolyte loss. Battery 400 shares many of the same elements as those shown in connection with battery 50 previously described in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and therefore, generally, only the differences will be described herein.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 7, the battery 400 includes a first electronic conductor 466 in electronic contact with the cathode can 414 and a second electronic conductor 480 in electronic contact with the anode cup 418. A spacer 464 is disposed between the first electronic conductor 466 and the second electronic conductor 480. After the battery 400 is exposed to an aqueous solution or bodily fluid, upon dissolution, softening, and / or swelling of the electronically insulating material of the spacer 464, the second electronic conductor 480 can be biased into engagement with the first electronic conductor such that the second electronic conductor 480 can contact the first electronic conductor 466, thereby electronically coupling the cathode can 414 to the anode cup 418. As a result, the battery 400 is shorted and a consumer is protected during a safety condition, such as if the battery 400 is swallowed by a person or a pet animal. In the illustrated embodiment, the cathode can 414 and the first electronic conductor are shown as separate components, but it should be understood that the electronic conductor 466 and the cathode can 414 may form a unitary structure such that the cathode can 414 itself also functions as the electronic conductor 466, effectively providing electronic conductor 466. Thus, in this embodiment, a separate electronic conductor 466 is not required.

[0046] 8 illustrates a further exemplary battery 500 with a safety mechanism according to the present disclosure to protect against tissue damage and / or electrolysis. The battery 500 includes a cathode can 514 and an anode cup 518. A cathode 552 is disposed within the cathode can 514, and an anode 556 is disposed within the anode cup 518. The cathode 552 and the anode 556 are electronically separated by a separator 560 within the battery 500. Each of the cathode can 514 and the anode cup 518 forms a different pole of the battery 500, in this case the cathode can 514 forms the positive pole and the anode cup 518 forms the negative pole. An insulating gasket 562 electronically insulates the cathode can 514 from the anode cup 518, and the insulating gasket 562 prevents any part of the anode cup 518 from contacting the cathode can 514 to seal the battery 500 and prevent electrolyte loss. Battery 500 shares many of the same elements as those shown in connection with battery 50 previously described in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and therefore, generally only the differences will be described herein.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 8, the battery 500 includes a first spacer 564 and a second spacer 564'. The spacer 564 may be a separate portion or a continuous peripheral layer around the cathode can 514. Similarly, the spacer 564' may be a continuous layer or a separate portion. The spacers 564, 564' are disposed between the cathode can 514 and anode cup 518 (corresponding to the first and second battery poles) and an electronic conductor 566. After the battery 500 is exposed to an aqueous solution or body fluid, upon dissolution, softening, and / or swelling of the electronically insulating material of the spacers 564, 564', the electronic conductor 566 can be biased toward engagement with the cathode can 514 and anode cup 518, thereby electronically coupling the cathode can 514 and anode cup 518. As a result, the consumer is protected during a safety condition in the event that the battery 500 is shorted, such as if the battery 500 is swallowed by a person or pet animal.

[0048] Throughout this specification, multiple instances may implement components or structures that are described as a single instance. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in the configuration examples may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements are within the scope of the subject matter herein.

[0049] As used herein, any reference to "one embodiment" or "one embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

[0050] Some embodiments described herein use the terms "coupled" and / or "connected." For example, some embodiments are described using the terms "coupled" or "connected" to describe two or more elements that are in direct physical or electronic contact. However, the terms "coupled" and "connected" can also mean that two or more elements are not in direct physical contact with each other, but still cooperate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this regard.

[0051] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," "including," "having," "having," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive "or" and not an exclusive "or." For example, element A or B may be satisfied by any one of the following: A is present and B is not present, A is not present and B is present, and both A and B are present.

[0052] Furthermore, the use of "a" or "an" is used to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the description. This description and the claims that follow should be read to include one or at least one, and the singular also includes the plural unless it is clear that it is meant otherwise.

[0053] This detailed description should be construed as merely exemplary and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments can be implemented using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this application.

Claims

1. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue, a housing having first and second poles, at least one electronic conductor in electronic contact with the first pole, and a spacer comprising an electronically insulating material, the spacer being disposed between the electronic conductor and the second pole such that electronic contact between the electronic conductor and the second pole is prevented, the spacer being capable of undergoing a physical change in the presence of an aqueous solution such that the spacer can dissolve, soften or swell and the resistive force of the spacer can be reduced below the biasing force of the electronic conductor and electronic coupling between the electronic conductor and the second pole can occur; after the physical change, the electronic coupling occurs based on (i) a direct physical contact between the electronic conductor and the second pole, or (ii) an indirect physical contact between the electronic conductor and the second pole via one or more further intervening electronically conductive materials disposed between the electronic conductor and the second pole; the electronic conductor comprises a mounting segment and a ground segment, each of the mounting segment and the ground segment being electronically coupled to a first pole, each of the mounting segment and the ground segment being electronically insulated from a second pole, and the ground segment being biased toward engagement with the second pole.

2. 2. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting segment and said grounding segment are of unitary construction.

3. 2. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second pole is an anode cup.

4. 2. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second pole is a cathode can.

5. 2. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as described in claim 1, wherein the first pole is a positive pole, the at least one electronic conductor is in electronic contact with the positive pole, and the electronic conductor is adapted to short-circuit the battery by making electronic contact with a negative pole after the battery is in the presence of the aqueous solution.

6. 2. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as described in claim 1, wherein the first pole is a negative pole, the at least one electronic conductor is in electronic contact with the negative pole, and the electronic conductor is adapted to short-circuit the battery by making electronic contact with a positive pole after the battery is in the presence of the aqueous solution.

7. 7. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the electronic conductor comprises a metal, a metal alloy, a conductive polymer, a conductive composite, or any combination thereof.

8. 8. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electronically insulating material comprises at least one water-soluble material.

9. 9. The battery with safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electronically insulating material comprises sugars, polyethers, polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyamide (PA), polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, acrylate copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, pullulan, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), polyethylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, low viscosity grade hydroxypropyl cellulose, polysaccharides, natural polymers, modified starch, the aforementioned copolymers, salts thereof, or any combination thereof.

10. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the spacer comprises at least one hydrogel.

11. The spacer is NaHPO ４ 11. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), baking soda, sugar, citric acid, mixtures thereof, or any combination thereof.

12. The resistivity of the electronic conductor is 20×10 at 20° C. －５ Less than 5 x 10 ohm cm at 20°C －５ Less than ohm cm or 0.5 x 10 at 20°C －５ 20 x 10 at ohm cm ~ 20°C －５ 12. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the electrical resistance of the electronic insulating material is greater than 0.5 Megaohms, greater than 5 Megaohms, or greater than 500 Megaohms.

13. 13. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the spacer is disposed between the electronic conductor overhang and the second pole.

14. 14. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in claim 13, wherein said electronic conductor is attached to a cathode can of said battery.

15. 15. A battery with a safety mechanism adapted to protect against damage and / or electrolysis of human or animal tissue as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the electronic conductor is electronically insulated from the anode cup of the battery.

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