FR2601819A1 - ELECTROCHEMICAL CELL AND METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION CONCERNS AN ELECTROCHEMICAL BATTERY OF WHICH THE COVER AND THE VENT LINING ARE ADVANCED. THE COVER 40 INCLUDES A PART 70 FOR CONTAINING A VENT GASKET 29 IN WHICH IS FORCED A BLOCKING ELEMENT SUCH AS A BALL 56. THIS LAST MOUTH OPENES AN ORIFICE 60 WHICH, IN THE ABSENCE OF THIS BALL , MAKES THE INSIDE OF THE BATTERY COMMUNICATE WITH THE ATMOSPHERE. THE BALL 56 IS EXCITED FROM THE SEAL 29 WHEN A PREDETERMINED PRESSURE IS REACHED INSIDE THE BATTERY. FIELD OF APPLICATION: ELECTROCHEMICAL BATTERIES.

Description

The invention relates to a vented safety shutter, which can not be

  remounted once removed, intended for galvanic cells such as non-aqueous liquid oxyhalide batteries, and relates more particularly to a vent seal and a

  advanced cover for such batteries.

  Reliable, long-life batteries or batteries have been developed for portable power-supply devices such as magneto-phones, playback devices, transmitters and radio receivers. Electrochemical cells for these devices have a long service life using highly reactive anode materials such as lithium, sodium and the like, with non-aqueous high-volume liquid cathode materials and salts. suitable, often called cathodeelectrolytes. Battery cells are generally hermetically sealed to prevent loss of electrolyte leakage. This is particularly important in the case of non-aqueous liquid cathode cells, which generally use highly reactive halide or oxyhalide electrolyte electrodes. Any escape of these liquids, or their reaction products, may result in damage to the device using the battery or the surface of a compartment or

  a support where the stack is stored.

  On the other hand, certain operating conditions can cause a significant increase in the internal pressure of such liquid cathode cells. This pressure can be caused by external sources, such as fire, or internal sources such as heating during charging. In some situations, the anode can melt and react directly with the liquid cathode in a vigorous, energy-releasing reaction. In the case of other galvanic batteries, such as alkaline zinc batteries, aucarbonezinc batteries, etc., these batteries can produce large amounts of gas under certain conditions of use. Thus, if any of the previous stacks were permanently sealed, the build-up of internal pressure in the stack could cause leakage, bulging, or even rupture of the holster or container.

  the battery, which could lead to material damage and / or bodily injury.

  It is therefore necessary to provide, for the galvanic cells, a vent designed to remain closed tightly under normal operating conditions that the battery may encounter, but which opens when the pressure inside the battery s' raises significantly. In the case of liquid cathode cells using, for example, a lithium anode, the vent must open before the lithium melts and reacts directly with the liquid cathode. Under the effect of vent discharge, most of the material of the liquid cathode is

  eliminated and is therefore not able to react with the anode.

  A type of vent assembly previously used for lithiumoxy halide batteries comprises a vent liner of a material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, inserted into an orifice in a battery cover, a closure member such as a ball of glass being forced into the orifice of the seal to seal the cell tightly. Under the effect of the appearance of a predetermined pressure inside the cell, the hermetic sealing member is at least partially expelled from the orifice of the seal, thus forming a permanent vent towards the atmosphere . In the manufacture of such a vent assembly, an orifice is generally formed by punching the lid 35 of the cell to make a hole. Then the packing is inserted into the hole of the battery cover. The upper edge of the liner advantageously has a flange so as to be accurately positioned when inserted into the hole of the lid of the stack. After insertion, the flange abuts against the top surface of the lid and a portion of the liner may extend beyond the bottom surface of the lid to penetrate the interior of the stack. Since the punching operation leaves a coarse edge at the intersection of the walls of the hole and the top of the lid, which could adversely affect the gasket, the gasket is not force-fitted or press-fitted. the press into the hole of the battery cover to make a tight fit. The punching of the hole in the battery cover to form an orifice into which the vent liner is inserted has the effect of flaring the hole towards the underside of the battery cover. As a result, there is a gap between the battery cover 20 and the vent seal. This slot fills with cathode-electrolyte fluid during the filling of the battery. As a result, an undesirable electrochemical cell system is formed between the lithium in the cell and the oxygen or water vapor, or both, present in the atmosphere directly on the outside of the lid. the battery. Lithium is oxidized according to: Li -, Li + + e Lithium ions are released by diffusion of the cell through the electrolyte contained in the slot and at the interface of the lining / cover, following which the water and oxygen in the atmosphere are reduced according to: 1/2 02 + H20 + 2Li + + 2e-> 2LiOH

2LiOH + CO2 - Li2CO3 + 1/2 H2.

  One or more of these products, which form on the outside of the battery cover, can be extremely corrosive and, in combination with the excitation potential of the undesirable electrochemical cell system, can cause an acceleration of leakage of the battery. stack, over time, and may also result in the

short circuit of the battery.

  The invention provides a novel embodiment of a stack comprising a holster or stack container that includes a vent lining restraining portion that includes a sealed closure housing whose bottom is disposed toward the interior of the housing. stack, an orifice formed in this housing and a support rim located at the bottom of the housing. A vent liner having an orifice is disposed within the closure housing so that one end of the liner abuts against the support rim to provide a path from the interior of the stack to the liner. atmosphere through the orifice of the housing and through the opening of the liner. A sealing member is force-fitted into the vent liner and the latter and the closure member are so designed that the closure member is at least partially expelled from the vent port under a

  predetermined gas pressure inside the cell.

  During manufacture, the support flange constitutes a stop firmly opposing the further insertion of the vent liner, which avoids the need for a flange at the top end of the vent liner. In addition, if the housing has a relatively smooth wall, such as that obtained by forming the sealed closure housing from a smooth sheet of material, by metal shaping processes, the establishment of a Intimate contact between the vent liner and the closure housing then results in suppressing the formation of a gap between the battery cover and the vent liner, effectively eliminating the ion diffusion path. lithium to the outside of the battery. A sealing material may be disposed at the housing interface

  and the vent liner to seal any surface imperfections on the surfaces of this interface.

  Some other structural and technical features

  The novel processes can advantageously be used with the invention as described in more detail below.

  The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings by way of non-limiting example and in which: - Figure 1 is an axial section of an electrochemical cell according to the invention; - Figure 2 is a cross section along the line 2-2 of Figure 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial axial sectional view of the lid and the case of the electrochemical cell of FIG. 1, this section showing in detail the lid and the vent lining of the cell; FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4D are respectively top, side and perspective views of a type of spring anode collector suitable for use in the battery according to the invention; Figure 4C is a perspective view of a blank used to form the spring collector shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 4D; and - Figures 5A to 5F are side views

  of the battery cover during steps of its manufacture.

  Referring in detail to Figure 1, it shows a sectional view of a cylindrical cell. The cell shown is a non-aqueous electrochemical cell comprising an anode, a cathode collector and a liquid cathodeelectrolyte. The cathode electrolyte comprises a solution of an ionically conductive solute dissolved in an active cathode depolarizer. The cathode depolarizer may be a liquid oxyhalide of a Group V or Group VI element of the Periodic Table, such as sulfuryl chloride, thionyl chloride, phosphorus oxychloride, thionyl bromide, chloride chromium, vanadyl tribromide and selenium oxychloride. It is also possible to use as a cathode depolarizer a halide of a Group IV element in Group VI of the Periodic Table, such as sulfur monochloride, sulfur monobromide or selenium selenium tetrafluoride. , thiophosphoryl chloride, thiophosphoryl bromide, vanadium pentafluoride, tetra lead chloride, titanium tetrachloride, tin bromuretrichloride, tin dibromureichloride and the like.

tribromide-tin chloride.

  The solute for use in the cathode electrolyte may be a single or double salt that produces an ionically conductive solution. Preferred solutes for non-aqueous systems are complexes of inorganic or organic Lewis acids and ionizable inorganic salts. Typical Lewis acids suitable for use with liquid oxyhalohydride cathodic depolarizers include aluminum fluoride, aluminum bromide, aluminum chloride, antimony pentachloride, zirconium tetrachloride, pentachloride, and the like. phosphorus, boron fluoride, boron chloride and boron bromide. Useful ionic salts in combination with Lewis acids include lithium fluoride, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium sulfide, sodium fluoride, sodium chloride, sodium bromide, fluoride, and the like. of potassium, potassium chloride and potassium bromide. If desired, and particularly for the halides, a cosolvent may be added to the electrolyte cathode to alter the dielectric constant, viscosity, or solvent properties of the solution to provide better conductivity. Some examples of suitable cosolvents are nitrobenzene, tetrahydrofuran, 1,3-dioxolane, 3-methyl-2-oxazolidone, propylene carbonate, gamma-butyrolactone, sulfolane, ethylene glycol sulfite, dimethyl sulfite, and the like. , benzoyl chloride, dimethoxyethane, dimethylisoxazole,

  diethyl, sulfur dioxide and the like.

  The battery case of FIG. 1 comprises a cylindrical cell container 2 having an open end which is formed by a battery cover 40. A cathode collector casing 4 is in contact with the right inner circumference of the casing 2 of the cell, so that the cell constitutes the cathode or positive terminal of the cell. A separating liner 6, having a lower disk or separator 10, is exposed within and in contact with the inner liner of the cathode collector 4. If desired, the cathode collector material may be formed by extrusion into the cathode manifold. inside the case 2, laminated with the case or composed of one or more segments to form a cylindrical tube set up, then in the case. A two-element anode 12, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises a first semi-cylindrical annular element 14 having flat end faces 16 and 18 and a second semi-cylindrical annular element 20 having flat end faces 22 and 24. the flat end faces of each of the cylindrical halves are arranged to be opposed, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, an axial cavity 26 is defined between

  cylindrical annular half-elements 14 and 20.

  The casing 4 forming the cathode collector has been made electronically conductive to allow for the establishment of external electrical contact with the cathode active material as well as the formation of extended surface reaction sites for the cathodic electrochemical processes of the cathode. battery. Materials suitable for use with the cathode collector shell 4 are carbonaceous materials and metals such as nickel, with acetylene black being preferred. In addition, the casing 4 forming a cathode collector, if it is made of a particulate material, must be able to be molded directly inside the casing 2 or to be molded in the form of physically distinct bodies. Of various sizes, which can be handled without cracking or breaking. If the cathode collector shell 4 is made of a carbonaceous material, a suitable binder, with or without a stabilizer, may be added to the cathode collector materials. Lants 25 suitable for this purpose are vinyl polymers, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylic resins, polystyrene or the like. For example, polytetrafluoroethylene would be the preferred binder for cathode collector casing 4 if the cell shown in FIG. 1 were used with a liquid oxyhalide cathode. The binder, if necessary, should be added in an amount between about 5% and 30% by weight of the molded casing 4 forming the cathode collectors, since less than 5% would not provide sufficient strength to the molded body, while an amount greater than 30% would moisture-proof the carbon surface and / or reduce the usable carbon surface, and therefore the extents of activation sites usable for the cathodic electrochemical process of the battery. The binder should advantageously be between 10% and 25% by weight of the casing 4 forming a cathode collector. It is important that the materials chosen for cathode collector casing 4 are chemically stable in

  the stack in which they are to be used.

  The anode 12 is of consumable metal and may be of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or an alloy of alkali metals or alkaline earth metals, with each other and with other metals (the term "alloy" as used herein). used herein includes mixtures, lithium-magnesium solid solutions, and intermetallic compounds such as lithium monoaluminium). Preferred materials for anode 12 are alkali metals, especially lithium, sodium and potassium. For the battery shown in FIG. 1, it is particularly advantageous to make the lithium anode 12 with a liquid cathode of sulfuryl chloride, thionyl chloride or

these matters.

  If desired, curved and support sheets may be disposed against the inner surface of the wall of the anode bodies 14 and 20, respectively, to provide a uniform current distribution over the anode. This results in a substantially uniform consumption or use of the anode, as well as

  that the establishment of a substantially uniform spring pressure on the inner surface of the anode wall 12.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the cylindrical cover 40 has a circular orifice 60, a vent seal containment portion 70, an annular cap portion, and a circumferential lid rim 90. As shown in FIGS. The portion 70 of contention of the vent lining has a circumferential rim 72 support, a cylindrical housing 74 shutter and a rounded shoulder 76 of contention. The circumferential edge 72 of the support, which is made in one piece with the housing 74 at the bottom of the latter, has its circumference directed inwards, towards the geometric axis of the housing 74, so as to define the orifice 60 of the lid. The rounded shoulder 76 is located at the intersection of the top of the housing 74 and the lip 77 of the lid, the latter being the horizontal surface extending between the shoulder 76 and the cap portion 80. The rounded shoulder 76 establishes a smooth transition to this intersection, without sharp edges. The lid is hermetically mounted on

  the case 2 by conventional methods of closure, an insulating packing 52 being placed between them.

  It is advantageous that the cover 40 is formed by stamping a piece of sheet metal, preferably a stainless steel sheet. The orifice 60 of the lid may be formed in the lid 40 by conventional punching or piercing. The particular manufacturing steps of the

  cover 40 are described in more detail below.

  The cylindrical vent packing 29, which has an orifice 25 communicating its two circular ends, is positioned in the cover 40 so that one of its ends abuts against the support flange 72 and that its cylindrical surface is contact with the inner surface of the shutter housing 74. While it is advantageous that the support flange 72 be continuous along the circumference of the housing 74 to minimize the risk of occurrence of an undesired electrochemical cell system between the interior of the cell and the atmospheric constituents, the support flange 74 may also consist of one or more inwardly projecting lugs or segments sufficient to form a flange against which the liner 29

vent can bump.

  Since the metal forming operations that can be used to make the lid leave the inner surface of the housing 74 relatively smooth, an intimate contact between the vent liner 29 and the housing 74, which is produced as described below, substantially prevents the passage of any lithium ions from the inside of the cell to the outside of the battery cover. In this way, the undesired electrochemical cell system, which previously appeared at the interface between the vent liner and the lid, no longer appears and the corrosion of the stack under

  the effect of such a mechanism is prevented.

  The vent liner 29 may be formed (1) of a shaped molded sheet during the press-fitting process of a sealing member in the port of the vent liner 29; or (2) a tube made to a suitable length, the latter method being preferred. The material of which the vent liner 29 is made may be elastic or inelastic, but must be both resistant to etching by the electrolyte and non-reactive with a sealed plugging element.

  by force in this liner, so as to substantially alter the pressure at which the force-fitted sealing member is ejected from the vent liner 29.

  It is currently preferred that the vent liner 29 be a Tefzel molded liner available from EI Du Pont de Nemours & Co., Wilmington, Delaware, although other suitable materials, such as polyethylene polytetrafluoroethylene, a perfluoroalkoxy polymer, a fluorinated propylene-ethylene polymer, glasses, etc. As previously indicated, a sealing member is force-fitted into vent port 25 to close the cell. This closure element advantageously has a smooth spherical configuration, as indicated, for example, by a ball 56 in FIGS. 1 and 3. The ball 56 may be made of an elastic or inelastic material such as metal , glass, ceramic, or plastic, and is made of a material or coated with a material that chemically resists the constituents of the cell, particularly the liquid components of the cell. If the ball 56 is elastic, it can be made of polytetrafluoroethylene, propylene-ethylene-fluorinated copolymer,

  perfluoroalkoxy polymer, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer or other selected fluoropolymers.

  When the ball 56 is to be coated with a material

  chemically inert, it may then consist of any material.

  It is advantageous that the outer periphery of the cover 40 is folded over an obtuse angle, preferably an angle approaching 180 degrees or so, to form a cover flange 90, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. Such an embodiment , also called "folded rolled", provides a seal between the cover 40 and the case 2 of the stack, because the flange 90, during assembly, is compressed against the seal 52, so as to " follow this packing 52 if any variations in the size of the stack occur as a result of thermal expansion / contraction. An electrically conductive spring plate 28, whose branches 32 and 34 are biased against the two anode elements 14 and 20, supported by a gate, is electrically connected to the stack 40 of the stack so that the latter constitutes the anode terminal. or negative of the stack. The ends of the branches 32 and 34 of the spring can be electrically connected to the cover 40 by being welded thereto. Alternatively, the geometric configuration of the battery cover 40, when made in accordance with the invention, allows the use of a new connection device. With reference to FIGS. 4A to 4D, these show a self-contained spring collector assembly 420 comprising

  the leaf spring 28 and an annular disk 401 fixing.

  The disc 401 is made of an elastic material, such as stainless steel. The branches 32 and 34 of the leaf spring 28 are connected, for example by welding, in a zone 402. The disk 401 has a crenellated hole 403 fixing with four tabs 406 bent downwards, directed radially and towards the and spaced apart at equal intervals along the circumference of the hole 403 to define four radially directed notches 404. The diameter of the hole 403 is smaller than the outside diameter of the outer cylindrical surface of the housing

  74 shutter which is arranged inside the stack.

  Thus, when the disc 401 is axially applied to the outer surface of the closure housing 74, the tabs of the disc 401 are deflected by force so as to open slightly. The tight and deformed fit established by the spring tabs 406 of the disc 401 then firmly secures the disc 401 to the cover 40,

  narrow compression, thus ensuring the electrical connection of the cover 40 with the spring tongue 28.

  The collector assembly 420 is made in one piece, which is shown in FIG. 4C, the disc 401 being connected to a first forming member 465 and a second forming member 466 with which it is made in one piece. . The elements 465 and 466 are bent and suitably connected in the area A02 to form the branches 32 and 34 of the tongue.

spring 28.

  To manufacture the stack illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cover 40 is pressed so that it has the shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The manufacturing cycle is illustrated in FIGS. 5A to 5F. In particular, a stainless steel blade, for example 304L stainless steel, with a thickness of 0.30 mm, having a smooth surface finish, is subjected to a cutting operation giving a flat disk of sufficient size. so that the cover 40 can be formed by stamping in this disc. The disk is then stamped in the form of a cup, as shown in FIG. 5A, and the rim 90 of the lid is partially formed by folding the periphery of the partially formed lid,

as shown in Figure 5B.

  The contention portion 60 of the vent liner and the annular cap portion 80 are then formed by a stamping operation in the partially formed lid. To prevent the occurrence of cracks during stamping, it is advantageous that this stamping operation is carried out in several stages each of which successively approximates the cover 40 of its final form. After the operation giving the lid the shape shown in FIG. 5B, nine steps are taken to bring the lid 40 by stamping to its final shape. In particular, after shaping the lid in the form shown in FIG. 5B, the lid is stamped so that there is formed a cup portion 503, as shown in FIG. 5C, from which the portion 70 of contenition of vent is formed. Successive stamping steps are then performed to successively shrink the portion 503 into a bowl and to

  give the lid shape shown in Figure 5D.

  The next stamping step begins to form the annular cap portion 80 and provide the lid shape shown in Figure 5E. Two further stamping steps give the final configuration of the lid, as shown in FIG. 5F. The orifice 60 of the lid is then formed by punching. Alternatively, the compression portion 70 may be formed first when

stamping operations.

  Previous stamping operations somewhat affect the smooth finish of the steel surface. However, the finish remains smooth enough that subsequent insertion of the vent liner 29 into the closure housing 74 can be effected in a manner that provides intimate contact between them, such as

described below.

  The cylindrical vent packing 29 advantageously has an outside diameter slightly larger than the inside diameter of the cylindrical plug housing 74 so that this packing 29 can be press fit into the closure housing 74 to achieve a tight fit. . In a present embodiment, a vent liner 29 having an outer diameter of 3.429 mm is force-fitted into a closure housing 74 having an internal diameter of

3.175 mm. The vent liner 29 is inserted into the shutter housing 74 up to

  that the bottom of the liner 29 abuts against the edge 72 of support. In this way, the flange 72 of support constitutes a firm stop opposing the further insertion of the

  vent seal 29 and thereby eliminating the need for any flange at the top of the liner.

  In addition, the interference fit causes a large force of the outer surface of the vent liner 29 to be applied against the interior surface of the closure housing 74, thereby establishing intimate contact between these two surfaces and thus effectively prevents the passage of lithium ions from the inside to the outside of the cell through the interface between the vent liner 29 and the closure housing 74. Since the shoulder 76 of the restraining portion is rounded, the insertion of the liner 29 is facilitated but the risk of scratching the liner during insertion is minimized. It is advantageous that the length of the vent liner 29 is such that, when inserted into the closure housing 74, the upper circular end of the

  trim 29 is flush with the rim 77 of the lid.

  It is also advantageous for oxyhalide batteries 10 that the closure housing 74 is coated with a sealing material prior to the insertion of the seal 29. Such a sealant provides a more complete seal of the seal. the gasket 29 with the closure housing 74 in the case of possible imperfections of the surface of the gasket 29 or the housing 74. The sealing material may be a halocarbon wax, which is a saturated chlorotrifluoroethylene polymer, of low molecular weight, or a fluorelastomer. Alternatively, since the material of the "Tefzele" type is heat-sealable, the vent liner 29, when made in this material, can be sufficiently heated before or after insertion into the housing 74.

and can be linked to it by force.

  After inserting the vent seal 29 into the closure housing 74, the disc 401 of the spring collector assembly 420 is force-applied to the cylindrical outer surface of the housing 74 and the cover 40 is inserted into its proper location within the annular liner 52 which is placed at the open end of the holster 2 of the stack. It is advantageous for the packing 52 to be made of "Tefze" and coated with a sealing material of the same type used.

  advantageously to coat the housing 74 shutter.

  At the moment when the lid 40 is inserted into the annular liner 52, the case 2 has already received a cathode collector casing 4, a separator liner 6 and a bottom separator 10, a two-element anode 12 and sheets 15 and 17 support. When the cover 40 is positioned relative to the packing 52, the branches 32, 34 of the spring blade 28 are pressed together and force-fed into the axial opening formed between the two elements. anode 14 and 20, supported by grid, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inserted spring blade 28 resiliently biases the two anode members 14 and 20 through the support grids 15 and 17 to establish a substantially uniform and continuous pressure contact on the inner wall of the

anode elements.

  After inserting the lid 40 into the interior of the liner 52, the battery is closed and hermetically closed by conventional closure techniques, so that the case 2 of the cell and the lid 40 of the lid stack constitute a sealed battery stack. A filler head assembly is then applied under pressure against the top of the vent liner 29. If the circular upper end of the vent seal 29 is flush with the lip 77 of the lid, as is preferred, then the filling head also exerts pressure

  against the rim 77 of the lid. The cell is then filled with the cathode electrolyte.

  After the case has been filled with electrolyte cathode, the shutter 56 is disposed on the port 25 of the vent liner 29, and a pusher is used to force the shutter 56 into the port 25 until the support flange 72 resists further insertion. In the prior embodiment, if the shutter was inserted too deep into the vent liner, the discharge pressures were higher than desired, giving rise to the risk of rupture of the cell assembly in excessive conditions of use. On the other hand, if the shutter was not inserted to a sufficient depth in the vent liner, a discharge could then occur during normal use conditions, thus causing unnecessary deterioration of the apparatus using the battery. . In the present invention, the placement of the shutter 56 is less critical and the support flange 72 constitutes an abutment against which the shutter 56 can be pushed firmly, thus making it possible to obtain discharge pressures easily. reproducible. After the pusher has been removed, a layer 62 of sealing material is disposed on the shutter 56, the vent seal 29 and extended to the lip 77 of the cover to obtain a fully sealed battery. . Suitable sealants include halocarbon wax, asphalt or any other material which is moisture-resistant, which adheres reasonably to the metal and is easily applied. The sealing material 20 must advantageously be applied in liquid form and then allowed to solidify. The stack is then finished, for example by surrounding it with a steel jacket and covering the hat part 80 with a cover of

finish (not shown).

  The present invention makes it possible to produce a battery in dimensions smaller than those which can be given to a battery using an embodiment of the prior art. In the prior art, the vent liner required the presence of a rim at its upper edge so as not to fall inside the stack. The pipe should be clear of this ledge before a discharge can occur; as a result, the height between the top cover and the top surface of the

  The lid should be sufficient to accommodate both the diameter of the container and the thickness of the rim.

  In contrast, in the present invention, since the circular upper end of the vent liner 29 can be made flush with the rim 77 of the lid, the height between the top cover and the rim 77 should only be adapted to the diameter of

the shutter 56.

  It should be understood that the improved embodiment of the vent and lid lining according to the invention can be used with other batteries such as, for example, Leclanché dry cells, zinc chloride batteries, lithium batteries, MnO2, lithium iron sulphide batteries, batteries: alkaline-MnO2, batteries with

  nickel-cadmium and lead-acid batteries.

  It goes without saying that many modifications can be made to the stack described and shown

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (19)

  An electrochemical cell, characterized in that it comprises a battery case (2) which contains the active constituents (4, 12) of the cell, a vent seal containment portion (70) forming part of the battery case. the battery and comprising a closure housing (74) whose bottom is disposed towards the inside of the battery, and a support flange (72) located at the bottom of the closure housing and defining an orifice (60) in this case. housing, a vent seal (29) having an orifice (25) disposed in the closure housing so that one end of the seal abuts against the support flange, the closure housing port and the vent port opening establishing a path from the interior of the stack to the atmosphere, and a sealing member (56) forcibly fitted into the vent liner, the latter and being designed so that this element is at least partially expelled from the orifice vent packing under a predetermined internal gas pressure within the the battery.   An electrochemical cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper portion of the closure housing is contoured so as to form a contoured shoulder (76) on the containment portion of the vent seal, which shoulder assists inserting the trim   vent in the shutter housing.   Electrochemical cell according to claim 1,   characterized in that there is a tight fit between the vent liner and the closure housing.   4. Electrochemical cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the battery housing comprises a battery cover (40) closing an opening of a holster (2) of the battery, in that the holding part of the battery The vent cap is part of the battery cover and the battery cover is made from a sheet of smooth material by a metal forming process to produce a smooth-walled shutter housing. An electrochemical cell according to claim 4, characterized in that the outer periphery of the battery cover is folded over an obtuse angle to form a flange (90) at said periphery, and a gasket (52) is arranged and compressed. between the rim of the battery cover and the battery case to form a seal substantially fluid tight.   6. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure housing is approximately cylindrical and in that the support flange extends continuously along the circumference of the closure housing. An electrochemical cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure housing is approximately cylindrical and the support flange comprises at least two radially oriented tabs (406). towards the inside.   8. Electrochemical cell according to claim 4, characterized in that the closure housing has a cylindrical outer surface disposed inside the cell and in that the cell further comprises a fixing element (401) consisting of a sheet of resilient material having a fixing hole (403) whose circumference is interrupted by a plurality of radially inwardly directed tabs (406), the fastener being axially force-fitted to the cylindrical outer surface of the shutter housing; means (28) being secured to the fastener for electrically connecting one of the active constituents of the the battery to the fastener.   9. Electrochemical cell according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the active constituents of the cell is solid and in that the means for electrically connecting one of the active constituents of the cell to the cell element. fasteners comprise a spring blade (28) secured to the fastener and urged to be in electrical contact with a solid active constituent of the cell. 10. An electrochemical cell, characterized in that it comprises a cell stack (2) which contains the active constituents (4, 12) of the cell, a cylindrical housing (74) formed in a part of the cell stack and having a cylindrical outer surface disposed within the cell, a fixing member (401) made of a sheet of elastic material having a fixing hole (403) whose circumference is interrupted by a plurality of directed legs (406). radially inwardly, the fastener being axially mounted on the cylindrical outer surface of the housing, and means (28) secured to the fastener for electrically connecting one of the active components of the battery to the fastener. An electrochemical cell according to claim 10, characterized in that at least one of the active constituents of the cell is solid and in that the means for electrically connecting one of the active constituents of the cell to the cell fasteners comprise an electrically conductive spring blade (28) secured to the fastener and urged to be in electrical contact with a constituent solid asset of the stack.   An electrochemical cell comprising active components (4, 12) assembled within a housing (2) which has a circular wall defining an orifice (60) into which a vent liner (29) is disposed, a sealing member (56) being press fit into the liner to form a normally fluid-tight seal plugging the vent port, the closure member and the liner being so designed that the sealing member at least partially expelled from the vent orifice when a predetermined internal gas pressure is reached inside the cell, the electrochemical cell being characterized in that the wall of the orifice, close to the the interior of the cell comprises a member (72) projecting inwardly of the orifice and against which an end of the vent liner protrudes when it is disposed in the orifice. 13. An electrochemical cell according to claim 12, characterized in that the upper portion of the circular wall defines a rounded contour shoulder (76) to facilitate insertion of the liner into the orifice. Electrochemical cell according to claim 13, characterized in that there is a tight fit   between the vent seal and the wall of the port.   15. A method of manufacturing an electrochemical cell, characterized in that it consists of placing the active constituents (4, 12) in the cell, forming a battery cover (40) by stamping a metal sheet. to define a closure housing (74) in a portion of the cover, the closure housing having a bottom, a support flange (72) at the bottom of the housing and a rounded shoulder (76) located at the end of the housing; section of the top of the housing and the battery cover, to form a cover orifice (60) at the bottom of the closure housing, to insert into the housing a vent seal (29) having an orifice (25), to attaching the lid to the battery case, and sealing the cell tightly by forcing a shutter member (56) into the port of the vent liner.   16. The manufacturing method according to claim 15, characterized in that the inserting step consists of force-fitting the furnace lining in the closure housing to form a seal between the housing and the liner. 17. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the vent liner is made of a heat-sealable material and is heat-sealed to battery cover.   18. The method of claim 15, characterized in that the insertion step comprises inserting a vent liner whose length is such that, when inserted into the closure housing, the top of this liner is flush with the battery cover, and in that the step of placing the active components in the stack of the battery includes placing a first active component in the battery housing prior to attaching the battery. lid on the battery case, pressurized application, after the lid has been attached to the battery case, of a filler head assembly against the top of the vent liner and the top of the lid that is close to the vent liner, and the injection into the stack, from   of the filling head assembly, a fluid comprising a second active component.   19. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the closure member is force-fitted into the orifice of the vent liner until the presence of the support flange at the bottom of the housing 30. filling resists the further insertion of this shutter element.