Abstract:
A battery system includes an electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell includes a cover having an opening therein. The electrochemical cell also includes an aluminum terminal pad disposed proximate an outer surface of the cover, and having a pad opening aligned with the opening in the cover. The pad opening includes a tapered surface such that the pad opening has a larger cross-sectional width proximate an upper surface of the aluminum terminal pad than proximate a lower surface of the aluminum terminal pad opposite the upper surface and facing the outer surface of the cover. The electrochemical cell also includes a rivet having a body portion extending through the opening in the cover, a head portion disposed in the pad opening of the aluminum terminal pad, and a shoulder extending between the body portion and the head portion. The head portion includes an inverted cone shape corresponding with the tapered surface of the pad opening and having a maximum cross-sectional width greater than a minimum cross-sectional width of the pad opening.
Abstract:
The present disclosure includes a battery module having a power assembly that includes a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of bus bars that electrically couples a terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells to a terminal of an adjacent battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery module also includes a lead frame that includes a plurality of cell taps respectively electrically coupled to the plurality of bus bars of the power assembly, and a plurality of leads that extends from the plurality of cell taps. The lead frame also includes a plurality of broken interconnects that electrically isolates the plurality of cell taps from one another and electrically isolates the plurality of leads from one another.
Abstract:
A battery module includes a housing including a first interior surface, a second interior surface opposite the first interior surface, and a compressed cell assembly disposed within an interior space of the housing between the first and second interior surfaces. The compressed cell assembly includes a plurality of prismatic battery cells arranged in a cell stack that includes a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a retaining wall disposed between the first end of the cell stack and the first interior surface of the housing. The retaining wall includes a first surface in contact with the first end of the cell stack and a second surface opposite the first surface that contacts the first interior surface of the housing. The first and second interior surfaces are configured to maintain the compressed cell assembly in a compressed state having a compression force above a predetermined threshold.
Abstract:
An electrochemical cell includes a cell element and a current collector disposed in a housing that includes a vent. The current collector includes an outer member and an inner member coupled together by one or more flexible arms. The outer member is coupled to the cell element and the inner member is coupled to the vent, such that the flexible arms allow axial movement of the inner member with respect to the outer member when the vent moves from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The housing may include a shoulder that holds the cell element in the housing. The electrochemical cell may also include a coil plate provided at an end of the cell element. The coil plate is coupled to an edge of at least one electrode of the cell element. The outer member of the current collector may be coupled to the coil plate and the inner member of the current collector may be coupled to the vent, such that when the vent moves from an undeployed position to a deployed position, the cell element remains substantially fixed within the housing.
Abstract:
The present disclosure includes a battery module having a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. Each of the plurality of battery cells has a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an overcharge protection assembly, and a casing having an electrically conductive material. The overcharge protection assembly includes a vent, a first spring component, a second spring component, and an insulative component. The first spring component is coupled to the positive terminal, the second spring component is coupled to the negative terminal, the insulative component is between the first spring component and a conductive piece and between the second spring component and the conductive piece, and the vent is configured to drive the insulative component from between the first and second spring components and the conductive piece, such that the first and second spring components contact the conductive piece, when a pressure in the casing exceeds a threshold.
Abstract:
The present disclosure includes a battery module having a plurality of battery cells disposed in a housing. Each of the plurality of battery cells has a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an overcharge protection assembly, and a casing having an electrically conductive material. The overcharge protection assembly includes a vent, a first spring component, a second spring component, and an insulative component. The first spring component is coupled to the positive terminal, the second spring component is coupled to the negative terminal, the insulative component is between the first spring component and a conductive piece and between the second spring component and the conductive piece, and the vent is configured to drive the insulative component from between the first and second spring components and the conductive piece, such that the first and second spring components contact the conductive piece, when a pressure in the casing exceeds a threshold.
Abstract:
A battery includes a cell element that is disposed in a housing, and the housing is sealed with a top cover made primarily of plastic. The top cover may include a layer of metallic foil, which may make the top cover more impermeable to moisture. The top cover may also include a vent, which may or may not utilize the metallic foil to determine the primary opening force of the vent. The top cover may also have one or more stiffening ribs that extend downwardly from a bottom portion of the top cover to contact the cell element, so as to limit movement of the cell element within the housing. In addition, the top cover may have one or more conductive terminals that are at least partially overmolded by the plastic of the top cover.
Abstract:
The present disclosure includes a battery module having a first electrochemical cell and a second electrochemical cell positioned adjacent to the first electrochemical cell. The battery module also includes a separator plate disposed between the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell. The separator plate includes a body comprising a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side is disposed adjacent a first face of the first electrochemical cell and includes a first indention. The first indention defines a first space between the first face of the first electrochemical cell and the first side of the separator plate. The first space is configured to enable swelling of the first electrochemical cell into the first space.
Abstract:
The present disclosure includes a battery module that includes a plurality of lithium ion battery cells disposed within a battery module packaging. Each of the plurality of lithium ion battery cells is individually held in place within the battery module packaging by a restraining medium. The restraining medium conformally covers a substantial portion of the surface of each of the plurality of lithium ion battery cells and prevents each of the plurality of lithium ion battery cells from expanding during operation of the battery module.
Abstract:
The present disclosure includes a battery module having a power assembly that includes a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of bus bars that electrically couples a terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells to a terminal of an adjacent battery cell of the plurality of battery cells. The battery module also includes a lead frame that includes a plurality of cell taps respectively electrically coupled to the plurality of bus bars of the power assembly, and a plurality of leads that extends from the plurality of cell taps. The lead frame also includes a plurality of broken interconnects that electrically isolates the plurality of cell taps from one another and electrically isolates the plurality of leads from one another.