Device, set and method for sealing a battery

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for sealing a battery (12), having features of claim 1, a set (42) for sealing a battery (12), having features of claim 10, and a method for sealing a battery (12), having features of claim 11.

Description

[0001] Title : Device, set and method for sealing a battery

[0002] Description

[0003] The invention relates to a device for sealing a battery having the features of claim 1, a set for sealing a battery having the features of claim 10, and a method for sealing a battery having the features of claim 11.

[0004] Batteries usually consist of at least one film that is wound up in a cylindrical casing. Sections of the film protrude from the cylindrical casing. These sections are folded over one another and a lid is pressed onto the folded sections. The lid closes the cylindrical casing. For this purpose, the lid can be welded to the cylindrical casing. The sections contact the lid. By contacting the lid with the sections of the film, an electrical contact is established between the film and the lid. In this way, the film in the cylindrical casing can be contacted via the lid (from the outside).

[0005] The disadvantage is that, due to the overlap of the individual sections of the film, the contact with the lid is not uniform throughout. Irregularities in the film sections (e.g., air pockets, pores, unevenness) result in an undesirable ohmic resistance.

[0006] It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a device, a set and a method for sealing a battery, wherein the above disadvantages are eliminated.

[0007] The above object is achieved by a device for closing a battery having the features of claim 1.

[0008] The battery comprises a body extending along an axial direction and having two ends. The body can be cylindrical. At least one end of the body is designed as an opening. It is also conceivable for both ends of the body to be designed as an opening. The battery comprises at least one foil. The foil can be made of copper or aluminum. The foil can comprise copper or aluminum. The foil can have a thickness in a range from 3 pm (micrometers) to 50 pm, in particular 6 pm to 20 pm. The foil is wound up (in particular in several layers) and arranged inside the body. Several sections of the foil are arranged in the region of the opening. In particular, several sections of the foil protrude from the body through the opening. The battery comprises at least one cover for closing the opening. The cover can be made of copper, iron or aluminum.The cover may be made of copper, iron, or aluminum. The battery may comprise two covers, provided each end is formed as an opening.

[0009] The device comprises at least one laser device for generating and focusing a laser beam onto at least one section of the film. The device also comprises at least one mask. The mask has at least one through-opening. The device is configured to guide the laser beam through the through-opening and to bond (or melt) at least two of the sections together in at least one melting region. The shape of the mask can correspond to the shape of the lid.

[0010] This allows openings, pores, holes, irregularities, etc., between the sections to be avoided or at least reduced. A secure and firm contact can be achieved between the cover and the film or its sections, particularly within the melting range. This reduces the ohmic resistance of the battery.

[0011] According to a further development of the device, the

[0012] A laser device can be configured to weld the cover to at least two of the sections within at least one welding region. The welding region can be arranged along the axial direction within the melting region. In other words, the welding region is arranged in a projection along the axial direction within the melting region. The melting region is in particular larger than the welding region. The melting region can be 10% to 20% larger than the welding region.

[0013] The welding area and the melting area can have a corresponding geometric shape. In other words, the shape of the welding area can correspond to the shape of the melting area. The laser device can also be configured to connect or weld the cover to the body (in a material-to-material manner).

[0014] It is also conceivable that a separate welding device can be used to weld the lid to at least two of the sections and / or to the body. The welding device can be a component of the device.

[0015] This allows a secure connection or contact to be made with simple means with the lowest possible ohmic resistance between the sections and the cover.

[0016] According to a further development of the device, the laser device for generating the laser beam can comprise an infrared laser with a wavelength in a range from 800 nm (nanometers) to 1200 nm, in particular 1030 nm or 1070 nm. This allows the generation of the laser beam to be implemented using simple means.

[0017] According to a further development of the device, the laser device for generating the laser beam can have a laser with a wavelength in the visible range (VIS laser), in particular with a wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 450 nm or 515 nm.

[0018] This allows the generation of the laser beam to be implemented using simple means.

[0019] According to a further development of the device, the laser device can comprise a scanner optics for moving the laser beam over at least one section and / or over the cover. The scanner optics can have an imaging ratio in a range from 1:1 to 5:1, in particular from 2:1 or 3:1. The scanner optics can comprise at least one ultralight mirror.

[0020] This allows a precise and / or rapid movement of the laser beam over at least one section and / or over the lid to be implemented using simple means.

[0021] According to a further development of the device, the laser beam can have a beam parameter product in a range from 0.38 mm*mrad (millimeter * milliradian) to 16 mm*mrad, in particular 0.38 mm*mrad to 4 mm*mrad (multi mode).

[0022] In this way, a laser beam that is as optimal as possible for the material-tight connection of at least two of the sections and / or the welding of the lid to at least two of the sections can be implemented.

[0023] According to a further development of the device, the laser beam for the integral joining of at least two of the sections can have a power in a range from 100 W (watts) to 6000 W, in particular 300 W to 900 W. Alternatively or additionally, the laser beam for welding the cover to at least two of the sections can have a power in a range from 50 W to 500 W.

[0024] In this way, the best possible energy input can be achieved for the material-locking connection of at least two of the sections and / or for the welding of the cover to at least two of the sections.

[0025] According to a further development of the device, the laser device can be configured such that the laser beam generates a laser spot on at least one section and / or the cover, wherein the laser spot has a, in particular circular, core region and a, in particular annular, ring region. An average laser power density in the core region can be higher than an average laser power density in the ring region.

[0026] The laser spot on at least one section can have a diameter in a range from 50 pm to 500 pm, in particular 50 pm to 90 pm (single mode). The laser spot on at least one section can have a diameter in a range from 100 pm to 300 pm (multi-mode). The laser spot on the cover can have a maximum diameter of 1200 pm. This makes it possible to further optimize the material-to-material connection of at least two of the sections and / or the welding of the cover to at least two of the sections.

[0027] The laser device can comprise at least one (ring) fiber with an outer diameter of at least 600 pm to generate the laser beam and / or the laser spot.

[0028] According to a further development, the laser device for generating the laser beam and / or the laser spot can comprise at least one fiber with a core region and a ring region.

[0029] This makes it possible to create a laser spot with a core area and a ring area using simple means.

[0030] The above object is further achieved by a set for closing a battery with the features of claim 10. The set comprises a device according to the above embodiments and at least one battery, the battery comprising a body extending along an axial direction and having two ends. The body can be cylindrical. At least one end of the body is designed as an opening. It is also conceivable for both ends of the body to each be designed as an opening. The battery comprises at least one foil. The foil can be made of copper or aluminum. The foil can comprise copper or aluminum. The foil can have a thickness in a range from 3 μm to 50 μm, in particular 6 μm to 20 μm. The foil is wound up (in particular in several layers) and arranged inside the body. Several sections of the foil are arranged in the region of the opening.In particular, several sections of the foil protrude from the body through the opening. The battery comprises at least one cover for closing the opening. The cover can be made of copper, iron, or aluminum. The cover can comprise copper, iron, or aluminum. The battery can comprise two covers, provided that both ends are each formed as an opening.

[0031] Regarding the advantages that can be achieved, reference is made to the relevant information on the device. The measures described in connection with the device and / or those explained below can be used to further refine the set.

[0032] The above object is further achieved by a method for sealing a battery having the features of claim 11. The method comprises the steps:

[0033] Providing a battery, wherein the battery comprises a body, in particular a cylindrical body, which extends along an axial direction and has two ends, wherein at least one end is designed as an opening. The battery comprises at least one foil, wherein the foil (in particular in a wound-up manner in several layers) is arranged within the body. The foil can be made of copper or aluminum. The foil can comprise copper or aluminum. The foil can have a thickness in a range from 3 μm to 50 μm, in particular 6 μm to 20 μm. Several sections of the foil are arranged in the region of the opening. In particular, several sections protrude from the body through the opening. The battery also comprises at least one cover for closing the opening. The cover can be made of copper, iron or aluminum. The cover can comprise copper, iron or aluminum.

[0034] Materially bonding (melting) at least two of the sections in at least one melting area by means of a laser beam.

[0035] Close the opening using the lid. The lid can be pressed onto the sections, particularly those protruding from the opening, with a force of at least 20 N (Newtons).

[0036] Welding the lid to at least two of the sections in at least one welding zone. This can be achieved using a laser beam. The welding zone is arranged along the axial direction within the melting zone.

[0037] This allows openings, pores, holes, irregularities, etc., between the sections to be avoided or at least reduced. Secure contact between the lid and the film or its sections can be achieved, particularly within the melting range. This allows the ohmic resistance of the battery to be reduced.

[0038] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0039] Directing the laser beam through at least one through-opening of a mask onto at least one section for the material-to-material bonding of at least two of the sections in at least one melting region. The through-opening can correspond to the melting region. The mask can be arranged at a distance from the melting region. The distance between the mask and the melting region can be at least as large as the diameter of the laser beam.

[0040] This allows the melting area to be determined or defined easily. The distance between the melting area and the mask prevents the mask from sticking to the melting area.

[0041] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0042] Moving the laser beam over at least one section and / or the cover at a feed rate in a range of 50 mm / s (millimeters per second) to 2000 mm / s, in particular in a range of 100 mm / s to 400 mm / s. The laser beam can be moved in an oscillating manner, in particular with an amplitude of at least 1 mm (millimeter).

[0043] This allows for optimal melting or welding results to be achieved.

[0044] According to a further development of the method, the method may comprise the step:

[0045] Varying the power of at least a portion of the laser beam. Thus, it is conceivable that an average laser power density of a core region and / or a ring region of a laser spot generated by the laser beam can be varied (and possibly independently of each other). It is also conceivable that the power of the entire laser beam can be varied. In particular, power ramps can be applied at the beginning and / or end of the melting or welding process.

[0046] This allows the energy input by means of the laser beam to be implemented as precisely and optimally as possible.

[0047] According to a further development of the method, a device according to the above statements or a set according to the above statements can be used to carry out the method.

[0048] With regard to the advantages thus achieved, reference is made to the relevant explanations of the device or set. The measures described in connection with the device or set and / or those explained below may serve to further refine the method.

[0049] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. They show:

[0050] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device for closing a battery;

[0051] Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view of a mask of the device according to Fig. 1;

[0052] Fig . 3 is a schematic plan view of a closed

[0053] Battery according to Figure 1. In the following description and in the figures, corresponding components and elements bear the same reference symbols. For the sake of clarity, not all reference symbols are shown in all figures.

[0054] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a device 10 for closing a battery 12.

[0055] In the present case, the battery 12 comprises a cylindrical body 16 extending along an axial direction 14 and having two ends 18. In the present case, the upper end 18 in Figure 1 is designed as an opening 20. The battery 12 also comprises at least one film 22. The film 22 is in the present case wound up in several layers and arranged within the body 16. Several sections 24 of the film 22 are arranged in the region of the opening 20. In the present case, several sections 24 of the film 22 protrude from the body 16 through the opening 20. The battery 12 also comprises at least one cover 26 for closing the opening 20 (cf. Figure 3).

[0056] The device 10 comprises at least one laser device 28 for generating and focusing a laser beam 30 onto at least one portion 24 of the film 22. The device 10 also comprises at least one mask 32.

[0057] Figure 2 shows a schematic plan view of the mask 32 of the device 10 according to Figure 1 .

[0058] The mask 32 has two through-openings 34. The device 10 is configured to guide the laser beam 30 through the through-openings 34 and to bond (melt) at least two of the sections 24 together in at least one melting region 36, in this case in two melting regions 36 (see Figure 3).

[0059] Figure 3 shows a schematic plan view of the sealed battery 12 according to Figure 1 .

[0060] The laser device 28 is configured here to weld the cover 26 to at least two of the sections 24 within at least one welding region 38. The welding region 38 can be arranged along the axial direction 14 within the melting region 36. In Figure 3, the axial direction 14 is oriented perpendicular to the plane of the drawing, pointing from the plane of the drawing towards the viewer. In the present case, both the melting regions 36 and the welding regions 38 are each semi-annular. Other geometric shapes of a melting region 36 and / or a welding region 38 are also conceivable.

[0061] The laser device 28 can have an infrared laser with a wavelength in a range of 800 nm to 1200 nm, in particular 1030 nm or 1070 nm, for generating the laser beam 30.

[0062] Alternatively, the laser device 28 for generating the laser beam 30 can comprise a laser with a wavelength in the visible range, in particular with a wavelength in a range from 400 nm to 450 nm or 515 nm.

[0063] The laser device 28 comprises a scanner optics 40 for moving the laser beam 30 over at least one section 24 and / or over the cover 26 (see Figure 1). The scanner optics 40 can have an imaging ratio in a range from 1:1 to 5:1, in particular from 2:1 or 3:1.

[0064] The laser beam 30 can have a beam parameter product in a range of 0.38 mm*mrad to 16 mm*mrad, in particular 0.38 mm*mrad to 4 mm*mrad.

[0065] The laser beam 30 can have a power in a range of 100 W to 6000 W, in particular 300 W to 900 W, for the material-locking connection of at least two of the sections 24. Alternatively or additionally, the laser beam 30 can have a power in a range of 50 W to 500 W for welding the cover 26 to at least two of the sections 24.

[0066] The laser device 28 can be configured such that the laser beam 30 generates a laser spot on at least one section 24 and / or the cover 26. The laser spot can have a core region, in particular a circular one, and a ring region, in particular annular one. The average laser power density in the core region can be higher than the average laser power density in the ring region.

[0067] The laser device 28 can comprise at least one fiber with a core region and a ring region for generating the laser beam 30 and / or the laser spot.

[0068] The device 10 according to the above embodiments and at least one battery 12 according to the above embodiments can form a set 42. In particular, the device 10 and battery 12 shown in Figures 1 to 3 can form the set 42. A method for sealing a battery 12 is described below with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The method comprises the steps:

[0069] Providing a battery 12, wherein the battery 12 comprises a body 16, in particular a cylindrical body, extending along an axial direction 14 and having two ends 18. At least one end 18 is formed as an opening 20. The battery 12 comprises at least one film 22, wherein the film 22 is wound up and arranged within the body 16. Several sections 24 of the film 22 are arranged in the region of the opening 20. In the present case, several sections 24 of the film 22 protrude from the body 16 through the opening 20. The battery 12 comprises at least one cover 26 for closing the opening 20.

[0070] Materially joining (or melting) at least two of the sections 24 in at least one melting region 36 by means of a laser beam 30.

[0071] Closing the opening 20 by means of the cover 26 .

[0072] Welding the cover 26 to at least two of the sections 24 in at least one welding area 38. This can be achieved by means of the laser beam 30. The welding area 38 is arranged along the axial direction 14 within the melting area 36. The welding area 38 is, in particular, smaller than the melting area 36.

[0073] The method may comprise the step of directing the laser beam 30 through at least one through-opening 34 of a mask 32 onto at least one section 24 for the integral joining of at least two of the sections 24 in at least one melting region 36. The through-opening 34 may correspond to the melting region 36.

[0074] The method may comprise the step of:

[0075] Moving the laser beam 30 over at least one section 24 and / or the cover 26 at a feed rate in a range from 50 mm / s to 2000 mm / s, in particular in a range from 100 mm / s to 400 mm / s. This can be implemented using a scanner optics 40. The movement of the laser beam 30 is indicated in Figure 1 by a double arrow.

[0076] The method may comprise the step of:

[0077] Varying the power of at least a portion of the laser beam 30. It is also conceivable that the power of the entire laser beam 30 can be varied.

[0078] To carry out the method, a device 10 according to the above embodiments and / or a set 42 according to the above embodiments can be used. To carry out the method, the device 10 or set 42 shown in Figures 1 to 3 can be used.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (10) for closing a battery (12), wherein the battery (12) comprises: a body (16), in particular a cylindrical body, extending along an axial direction (14) and having two ends (18), wherein at least one end (18) is designed as an opening (20), at least one film (22), wherein the film (22) is arranged wound up within the body (16), wherein several sections (24) of the film (22) are arranged in the region of the opening (20), in particular protruding from the body (16) through the opening (20), at least one cover (26) for closing the opening (20), wherein the device (10) comprises: at least one laser device (28) for generating and focusing a laser beam (30) onto at least one section (24) of the film (22), at least one mask (32), wherein the mask (32) has at least one through-opening (34), wherein the device (10) is arrangedto guide the laser beam (30) through the through-opening (34) and to bond at least two of the sections (24) together in at least one melting region (36).

2. Device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the laser device (28) is arranged to contact the cover (26) with at least two of the sections (24) within at least one welding region (38), in particular wherein the welding region (38) is arranged along the axial direction (14) within the melting region 36.

3. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser device (28) for generating the laser beam (30) comprises an infrared laser with a wavelength in a range of 800 nm to 1200 nm, in particular 1030 nm or 1070 nm.

4. Device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the laser device (28) for generating the laser beam (30) has a laser with a wavelength in the visible range, in particular with a wavelength in a range of 400 nm to 450 nm or 515 nm.

5. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser device (28) comprises a scanner optics (40) for moving the laser beam (30) over at least one section (24) and / or over the cover (26), in particular wherein the scanner optics (40) has an imaging ratio in a range from 1:1 to 5:1, in particular from 2:1 or 3:

1.

6. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser beam (30) has a beam parameter product in a range from 0.38 mm*mrad to 16 mm*mrad, in particular 0.38 mm*mrad to 4 mm*mrad.

7. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser beam (30) for the materially bonding of at least two of the sections (24) has a power in a range of 100 W to 6000 W, in particular 300 W to 900 W, and / or for welding the cover (26) to at least two of the sections (24) has a power in a range of 50 W to 500 W.

8. Device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the laser device (28) is set up such that the laser beam (30) generates a laser spot on at least one section (24) and / or the cover (26), wherein the laser spot has a, in particular circular, core region and a, in particular annular, ring region, wherein an average laser power density in the core region is higher than an average laser power density in the ring region.

9. Device (10) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the laser device (28) for generating the laser beam (30) and / or the laser spot comprises at least one fiber with a core region and a ring region.

10. Set (42) for closing a battery (12) comprising a device (10) according to one of the preceding claims at least one battery (12), wherein the battery (12) comprises: a, in particular cylindrical, body (16) extending along an axial direction (14) with two ends (18), wherein at least one end (18) is designed as an opening (20), at least one film (22), wherein the film (22) wound up inside the body (16), wherein several sections (24) of the film (22) are arranged in the region of the opening (20), in particular protruding from the body (16) through the opening (20), at least one cover (26) for closing the opening (20).

11. A method for sealing a battery (12) comprising the steps: Providing a battery (12), wherein the battery (12) comprises: a body (16), in particular a cylindrical body, which extends along an axial direction (14) and has two ends (18), wherein at least one end (18) is designed as an opening (20), at least one film (22), wherein the film (22) is wound up and arranged within the body (16), wherein a plurality of sections (24) of the film (22) are arranged in the region of the opening (20), in particular protrude from the body (16) through the opening (20), at least one cover (26) for closing the opening (20); Bonding at least two of the sections (24) in at least one melting region (36) by means of a laser beam (30); Closing the opening (20) by means of the cover (26); Welding the cover (26) to at least two of the sections (24) in at least one welding region (38), in particular by means of the laser beam (30), wherein the welding region (38) is arranged along the axial direction (14) within the melting region (36).

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized by the step: Guiding the laser beam (30) through at least one through-opening (34) of a mask (32) onto at least one section (24) for the material-to-material connection of at least two of the sections (24) in at least one melting region (36), wherein the through-opening (34) corresponds to the melting region (36).

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by the step: Moving the laser beam (30) over at least one section (24) and / or the cover (26) at a feed rate in a range from 50 mm / s to 2000 mm / s, in particular in a range from 100 mm / s to 400 mm / s.

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized by the step: Varying the power of at least part of the laser beam (30), in particular of the entire laser beam (30).

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that a device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 or a set (42) according to claim 10 is used to carry out the method.

Images