CA1067573A - Seals for alkaline electrochemical devices - Google Patents
Seals for alkaline electrochemical devicesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1067573A CA1067573A CA245,809A CA245809A CA1067573A CA 1067573 A CA1067573 A CA 1067573A CA 245809 A CA245809 A CA 245809A CA 1067573 A CA1067573 A CA 1067573A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wall
- opening
- electrically conductive
- terminal assembly
- interposed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 239000000565 sealant Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 22
- 239000011888 foil Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 239000003792 electrolyte Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000004952 Polyamide Substances 0.000 claims description 16
- 229920002647 polyamide Polymers 0.000 claims description 16
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000000615 nonconductor Substances 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000012212 insulator Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 abstract description 6
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 abstract description 6
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 18
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 18
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 16
- 239000002985 plastic film Substances 0.000 description 10
- 229920006255 plastic film Polymers 0.000 description 6
- 238000009736 wetting Methods 0.000 description 4
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920006163 vinyl copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 229920002554 vinyl polymer Polymers 0.000 description 2
- LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethanol Chemical compound CCO LFQSCWFLJHTTHZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004606 Fillers/Extenders Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004677 Nylon Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004793 Polystyrene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000004945 aromatic hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- OJIJEKBXJYRIBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N cadmium nickel Chemical compound [Ni].[Cd] OJIJEKBXJYRIBZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000003990 capacitor Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003851 corona treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005868 electrolysis reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229920002313 fluoropolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012943 hotmelt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003607 modifier Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229920001778 nylon Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000007519 polyprotic acids Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002223 polystyrene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000005033 polyvinylidene chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000002904 solvent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25D—PROCESSES FOR THE ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PRODUCTION OF COATINGS; ELECTROFORMING; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25D17/00—Constructional parts, or assemblies thereof, of cells for electrolytic coating
- C25D17/02—Tanks; Installations therefor
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/10—Primary casings; Jackets or wrappings
- H01M50/172—Arrangements of electric connectors penetrating the casing
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C25—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B—ELECTROLYTIC OR ELECTROPHORETIC PROCESSES FOR THE PRODUCTION OF COMPOUNDS OR NON-METALS; APPARATUS THEREFOR
- C25B9/00—Cells or assemblies of cells; Constructional parts of cells; Assemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assemblies; Process-related cell features
- C25B9/60—Constructional parts of cells
- C25B9/65—Means for supplying current; Electrode connections; Electric inter-cell connections
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M50/00—Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non-active parts of electrochemical cells other than fuel cells, e.g. hybrid cells
- H01M50/50—Current conducting connections for cells or batteries
- H01M50/528—Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection
- H01M50/529—Intercell connections through partitions, e.g. in a battery casing
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Sealing Battery Cases Or Jackets (AREA)
- Connection Of Batteries Or Terminals (AREA)
- Electric Double-Layer Capacitors Or The Like (AREA)
- Connections Arranged To Contact A Plurality Of Conductors (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Terminal assembly for an electrochemical device including a metallic container wherein a foil collector is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of one wall of the metallic container overlying an opening in the wall but separated therefrom by a plastic insulator washer whose opening coincides with the opening in wall and wherein a thin layer of an adhesive sealant is interposed at each one of the interf? between the washer and both the foil collecto? the inner surface of the wall.
Terminal assembly for an electrochemical device including a metallic container wherein a foil collector is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of one wall of the metallic container overlying an opening in the wall but separated therefrom by a plastic insulator washer whose opening coincides with the opening in wall and wherein a thin layer of an adhesive sealant is interposed at each one of the interf? between the washer and both the foil collecto? the inner surface of the wall.
Description
~ -, 10~;7S73 Back~round of the Invention This invention relates to sealed alkaline electrochemical devices in general, and more particularly to the provision of an improved terminal as~;embly in one wall of the sealed metallic container used for such devicesO
Electrochemical devices as the term is used herein and in the appended claims means any electrochemical device employing electrodes in physical contact with an electrolyte and particularly an alkaline electrolyte, and includes such devices as electrochemical current-producing cells, electrolytic capacitors, coulometers, electrolysis cells and the like.
Alkaline electrolytes are notoriously known for their ability to readily wet most metal and plastic eurfaces and consequently it has been a difficult problem to liquid-tightly close the metallic containers ., ` of electrochemical device8 using seals composed of metal . .
or pla8tic parts. The alkaline electrolyte upon wetting the8e parts actually creep~ past the seals and eventually ¦ leaks out from inside ~he metallic containers. It has been a particulsrly trouble80me problem to provide ~erminal assemblies in the wall or walls of the metallic container which are liquid-tightly sealed against leakage of the alkaline electrolyte.
, , .
- 3~
... ... .. , . ~ .. . . .. .. . . . _ , 10~573 8894-2 In our corresponding U.S. Patent No. 3,977,906, ~here is disclosed a flat electrochemical current-producing cell having an electrode assembly including flat electrode elements of opposite polarity with a porous separator containing an alkaline electrolyte interposed therebetween which is enclosed within a sealed plastic film envelope and wherein a terminal connection is provided by placing a current collector adjacent to one end of the electrode assembly which is exposed through an opening in the wall of the envelope.
The current collector is tightly adhered and sealed to the wall of the envelope around the opening by a thin layer of an adhesive sealant which is non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte. The adhesive sealant is pref-erably formulated from the class of c~mpounds known as "fatty polyamides".
In our corresponding U.S.Patent: No. 3,871,921, filed April 1, 1974, there is disclosed a~nd claimed a -flat electrochemical current-producing cell wherein the electrode assembly is again enclosed within a sealed plastic film envelope and wherein a terminal connection i9 provided using both internal and external current collectors which are also sealed to the wall of the envelope by thin layers of the same non-wetting a& esive sealant around the opening in the wall, the current collectors being electrically connected to one another ' :
` 3 ;', through the opening by suitable means such as a spot weld.
The present application relates to improvements in terminal assemblies for use specifically in the metallic container o~ an electrochemical device employing an alkaline electrolyte.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved terminal assembly in one wall of the metallîc container used in an electrochemical device which is liquid-tightly sealed against leakage of the electrolyte.
In its broadest aspect, the invention con-templates the provision of a terminal assembly for use in an electrochemical device and particularly one em-ploying an alkaline electrolyte wherein an electrically conductive member is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of one wall of the metallic container used in such device overlying an opening in the wall but separated therefrom by an electrical insulator member interposed therebetween and also hAving an openi.ng which coincides with the opening in the wall and wherein the electricsl insulator member is tightly ! adhered and sealed on one side to the electrically ~, conductive member and is tightly adhered and sealed on its other side to the inner surface of the wall by thin layers of an adhesive sealant. The adhesive l '.
. - ~
. .
., ~ ~ --` j 1067573 88~4-~
sealant is non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte and is preferably a fatty polyamide sealant. The electrical insulator member may be a flat washer made from an organic plastic composition such as polypropylene, for example.
The electrically conductive member may be a flat metal plate or foil collector and is maintained in electrical connection with one or a plurality of electrodes in the electrochemical device.
In the accompanying drawings: ;
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the terminal assembly of the invention; and - Fig. 2 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the terminal assembly.
In Figure 1, the reference numeral 10 denotes ` one wall of the metallic container used in an electro-chemical device employing an alkaline elect;rolyte, e.g., a nickel plated ~teel container used in a conventlonal nickel-cadmium cell. In the embodiments of the invention illustrated, the wall 10 is polariLzed, thal: is, the wall 20 i5 maintainet in electrical connection with one electrode or electrodes (not shcwn) of one polarity while the terminal assembly to be hereinafter described is maiLntained in electrical connection with one electrode or electrodes ~ of opposite polarity. A flat thin current collector 12 is ! disposed ad~acent to ehe inner surface of the wall 10 ~ _5_ ,.
~067573 889~-2 overlying an opening 14 in the wall but is separated from the wall by a polypropylene washer 16 ~hose opening 18 coincldes with the opening 14 in the wall lO. The poly-propylene washer 16 serves to electrically insulate the current collector 12 from the wall 10. The current collector 12 may be composed of a metal foil such as nickel foil, for example. A thin layer 20 of an adhesive sealant which is non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte, ,~. . .
e.g., a fatty polyamide sealant is disposed at the inter-face between the polypropylene washer 16 and the collector 12. The layer 20 of adhesive sealant tightly adheres i both members together and seals the interface ; against leakage of the electrolyte. Similarly, a thin layer 22 of the same non-wetting adhesive sealant is disposed at the interface between the polypropylene washer 16 and the inner surface of the wall 10. This layer 22 of adhesive 8ealant also tightly adhere~ the polypro pylene washer 16 to the wall 10 and seals the interface against leakage of ~he electrolyte. Both layers 20, 22 of adhesive sealant are preferably applied to the entire face of the polypropylene washer 16 on both of its sides :` .
during assémbly, leaving the centermost portion of the collector 12 exposed through the coinciding openings 14, .~ 18 in the wall 10 and washer 16, re~pectively. Although ~ not shown in the drawing, the collector 12 is maintained ` ^ ,' ., ~ ~ -6-. . . .
', .
. .:
~067573 in electrical connection with one electrode or electrodes in the electrochemical device. A foil terminal lead 24 may be secured as by welding to the exposed center of the collector 12 to acilitate external electrical connection.
Figure 2 illustrates another embodin~-nt of the invention wherein the terminal assembly includes both internal and external current collectors 26, 28, respectively, which may also be metal foils. The collectors are assembled to the wall 10 in basically the same manner as hereinabove described. The internal collector 26 is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the wall 10 overlying the opening 14 but is separated therefrom by a first polypropylene washer 30 whose opening 32 coincides with the opening 14.
The external collector 28 i~ disposed adjacent to the ;~ outer ~urface of the wall 10 overlying the opening 14 but i~ separated therefrom by a second polypropylene washer 34 whose opening 36 al8o coincides with the opening 14. A thin lsyer 38 of adhesive sealant which i8 non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte, e.g., a fatty ,:, .
polyamide sealan~ is interposed at the interface between the fir8t polypropylene washer 30 and the internal collector 26 while snother thin layer 40 of the same adhesive sealant i8 interpo8ed at the interface between the first polypro-pylene washer 30 and ~he inner surface of the wall 10. In basically the same manner, the external collector 28 is ,' ~ ' ~ . ' ' ' :
~`, ' , .
8894-~
~067573 tightly adhered and sealed to the outer surface of the wall 10 by a thin layer 42 of the adhesive sealant interposed at the interface between the second polypropylene washer 34 and the external collector 28 and by a thin layer 44 - of the adhesive sealant interposed at the interface between the second polypropylene washer 34 and the outer ~urface of the wall 10. The layers of adhesive sealant are also preferably spplied to the entire face of the first and second polypropylene washers 30, 34. Collectors 26, 28 are both dimpled at the centermost portion thereof and are electrically connected to one another by suitable means such as the spot weld 46.
The electrical insulator member used in the terminal assembly of the invention may be made from a `; polypropylene film or sheet. In addition to polypropylene, ; the insulator member may be composed of one of the following materials: vinyl polymers and copolymers, poly-vinylidene chloride, polyethylene, nylon, polys~lfone, polystyrene, and fluorocarbon polymers. For use with the 20 preferred fatty polyamifde adhesive, fllms or sheets made 1 ,.. .
of polyethylene, polypropylene, and vinyl polymers and copolymers are preferred.
,~ Although there are probably a number of organic compounds whlch exhibit a non-wetting characteristic when f in contact with an alkaline electrolyte, the most ...
~
; - . . ~:
10675~3 preferred adhesive sealant for use in the practice of the invention are the fatty polyamides. Such fatty polyamide sealants are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,922,178 issued in the name of J. Winger and assigned to the common assignee hereof. As disclosed in the copending application, fatty polyamides are produced by reacting a polybasic acid with a polyfunctional amine. Generally, the fatty polyamides useful in the practice of the in-vention are those having an amine number of above about 9. The amine number is the number of milligrams of KOH
equivalent to one gram of fatty polyamide and is determined by procedures well known in the art. The fatty polyamide sealants can be mixed with extenders and modifiers in order to modify the physical properties of the fatty polyamide. The fatty polyamide sealant can be applied as a hot-melt or from solution in a solvent such as an alcohol/aromatic hydrocarbon mixture.
Among the specific commercially availabLe fatty polyamides , .
~;; that are particularly useful in the practice of the invention are those produced under the Tlames of VERSALON
and GENBOND trademarks of General Mills, Inc. and Swift's Z-610 a trademark of Swift and C'ompany.
It has been found that the preferred adhesive sealants, i.e., fatty polyamides, do not readily wet some ':
.~ g - .
.~ .
.' types of organic plastics and accordingly a liquid-tight seal between the plastic insulator and the metal parts of the terminal assembly is sometimes difficult to attain. This difficulty may be overcome and the bond between the plastic insulator and metal parts substan-tially improved if the plastic film or sheet from which the insulator is made, is first subjected to successive heat and corona discharge treatments. The process for treating the plastic film or sheet is disclosed and claimed in our corresponding U.S. patent No. 3,914,521, filed on April 1, 1974. In this process, the plastic film or sheet is heated to an elevated temperature, about 120C in the case of a polypropylene, for a period of about one half minute, optionally cooling the plastic film or sheet to ambient temperature and then subjecting the film or sheet to a high intensity corona discharge in the area where the metal parts are to be adhered.
`:
. . .
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, . -.. , , ., ~, . .. .. . ..
Electrochemical devices as the term is used herein and in the appended claims means any electrochemical device employing electrodes in physical contact with an electrolyte and particularly an alkaline electrolyte, and includes such devices as electrochemical current-producing cells, electrolytic capacitors, coulometers, electrolysis cells and the like.
Alkaline electrolytes are notoriously known for their ability to readily wet most metal and plastic eurfaces and consequently it has been a difficult problem to liquid-tightly close the metallic containers ., ` of electrochemical device8 using seals composed of metal . .
or pla8tic parts. The alkaline electrolyte upon wetting the8e parts actually creep~ past the seals and eventually ¦ leaks out from inside ~he metallic containers. It has been a particulsrly trouble80me problem to provide ~erminal assemblies in the wall or walls of the metallic container which are liquid-tightly sealed against leakage of the alkaline electrolyte.
, , .
- 3~
... ... .. , . ~ .. . . .. .. . . . _ , 10~573 8894-2 In our corresponding U.S. Patent No. 3,977,906, ~here is disclosed a flat electrochemical current-producing cell having an electrode assembly including flat electrode elements of opposite polarity with a porous separator containing an alkaline electrolyte interposed therebetween which is enclosed within a sealed plastic film envelope and wherein a terminal connection is provided by placing a current collector adjacent to one end of the electrode assembly which is exposed through an opening in the wall of the envelope.
The current collector is tightly adhered and sealed to the wall of the envelope around the opening by a thin layer of an adhesive sealant which is non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte. The adhesive sealant is pref-erably formulated from the class of c~mpounds known as "fatty polyamides".
In our corresponding U.S.Patent: No. 3,871,921, filed April 1, 1974, there is disclosed a~nd claimed a -flat electrochemical current-producing cell wherein the electrode assembly is again enclosed within a sealed plastic film envelope and wherein a terminal connection i9 provided using both internal and external current collectors which are also sealed to the wall of the envelope by thin layers of the same non-wetting a& esive sealant around the opening in the wall, the current collectors being electrically connected to one another ' :
` 3 ;', through the opening by suitable means such as a spot weld.
The present application relates to improvements in terminal assemblies for use specifically in the metallic container o~ an electrochemical device employing an alkaline electrolyte.
An object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved terminal assembly in one wall of the metallîc container used in an electrochemical device which is liquid-tightly sealed against leakage of the electrolyte.
In its broadest aspect, the invention con-templates the provision of a terminal assembly for use in an electrochemical device and particularly one em-ploying an alkaline electrolyte wherein an electrically conductive member is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of one wall of the metallic container used in such device overlying an opening in the wall but separated therefrom by an electrical insulator member interposed therebetween and also hAving an openi.ng which coincides with the opening in the wall and wherein the electricsl insulator member is tightly ! adhered and sealed on one side to the electrically ~, conductive member and is tightly adhered and sealed on its other side to the inner surface of the wall by thin layers of an adhesive sealant. The adhesive l '.
. - ~
. .
., ~ ~ --` j 1067573 88~4-~
sealant is non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte and is preferably a fatty polyamide sealant. The electrical insulator member may be a flat washer made from an organic plastic composition such as polypropylene, for example.
The electrically conductive member may be a flat metal plate or foil collector and is maintained in electrical connection with one or a plurality of electrodes in the electrochemical device.
In the accompanying drawings: ;
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the terminal assembly of the invention; and - Fig. 2 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the terminal assembly.
In Figure 1, the reference numeral 10 denotes ` one wall of the metallic container used in an electro-chemical device employing an alkaline elect;rolyte, e.g., a nickel plated ~teel container used in a conventlonal nickel-cadmium cell. In the embodiments of the invention illustrated, the wall 10 is polariLzed, thal: is, the wall 20 i5 maintainet in electrical connection with one electrode or electrodes (not shcwn) of one polarity while the terminal assembly to be hereinafter described is maiLntained in electrical connection with one electrode or electrodes ~ of opposite polarity. A flat thin current collector 12 is ! disposed ad~acent to ehe inner surface of the wall 10 ~ _5_ ,.
~067573 889~-2 overlying an opening 14 in the wall but is separated from the wall by a polypropylene washer 16 ~hose opening 18 coincldes with the opening 14 in the wall lO. The poly-propylene washer 16 serves to electrically insulate the current collector 12 from the wall 10. The current collector 12 may be composed of a metal foil such as nickel foil, for example. A thin layer 20 of an adhesive sealant which is non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte, ,~. . .
e.g., a fatty polyamide sealant is disposed at the inter-face between the polypropylene washer 16 and the collector 12. The layer 20 of adhesive sealant tightly adheres i both members together and seals the interface ; against leakage of the electrolyte. Similarly, a thin layer 22 of the same non-wetting adhesive sealant is disposed at the interface between the polypropylene washer 16 and the inner surface of the wall 10. This layer 22 of adhesive 8ealant also tightly adhere~ the polypro pylene washer 16 to the wall 10 and seals the interface against leakage of ~he electrolyte. Both layers 20, 22 of adhesive sealant are preferably applied to the entire face of the polypropylene washer 16 on both of its sides :` .
during assémbly, leaving the centermost portion of the collector 12 exposed through the coinciding openings 14, .~ 18 in the wall 10 and washer 16, re~pectively. Although ~ not shown in the drawing, the collector 12 is maintained ` ^ ,' ., ~ ~ -6-. . . .
', .
. .:
~067573 in electrical connection with one electrode or electrodes in the electrochemical device. A foil terminal lead 24 may be secured as by welding to the exposed center of the collector 12 to acilitate external electrical connection.
Figure 2 illustrates another embodin~-nt of the invention wherein the terminal assembly includes both internal and external current collectors 26, 28, respectively, which may also be metal foils. The collectors are assembled to the wall 10 in basically the same manner as hereinabove described. The internal collector 26 is disposed adjacent to the inner surface of the wall 10 overlying the opening 14 but is separated therefrom by a first polypropylene washer 30 whose opening 32 coincides with the opening 14.
The external collector 28 i~ disposed adjacent to the ;~ outer ~urface of the wall 10 overlying the opening 14 but i~ separated therefrom by a second polypropylene washer 34 whose opening 36 al8o coincides with the opening 14. A thin lsyer 38 of adhesive sealant which i8 non-wettable by the alkaline electrolyte, e.g., a fatty ,:, .
polyamide sealan~ is interposed at the interface between the fir8t polypropylene washer 30 and the internal collector 26 while snother thin layer 40 of the same adhesive sealant i8 interpo8ed at the interface between the first polypro-pylene washer 30 and ~he inner surface of the wall 10. In basically the same manner, the external collector 28 is ,' ~ ' ~ . ' ' ' :
~`, ' , .
8894-~
~067573 tightly adhered and sealed to the outer surface of the wall 10 by a thin layer 42 of the adhesive sealant interposed at the interface between the second polypropylene washer 34 and the external collector 28 and by a thin layer 44 - of the adhesive sealant interposed at the interface between the second polypropylene washer 34 and the outer ~urface of the wall 10. The layers of adhesive sealant are also preferably spplied to the entire face of the first and second polypropylene washers 30, 34. Collectors 26, 28 are both dimpled at the centermost portion thereof and are electrically connected to one another by suitable means such as the spot weld 46.
The electrical insulator member used in the terminal assembly of the invention may be made from a `; polypropylene film or sheet. In addition to polypropylene, ; the insulator member may be composed of one of the following materials: vinyl polymers and copolymers, poly-vinylidene chloride, polyethylene, nylon, polys~lfone, polystyrene, and fluorocarbon polymers. For use with the 20 preferred fatty polyamifde adhesive, fllms or sheets made 1 ,.. .
of polyethylene, polypropylene, and vinyl polymers and copolymers are preferred.
,~ Although there are probably a number of organic compounds whlch exhibit a non-wetting characteristic when f in contact with an alkaline electrolyte, the most ...
~
; - . . ~:
10675~3 preferred adhesive sealant for use in the practice of the invention are the fatty polyamides. Such fatty polyamide sealants are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,922,178 issued in the name of J. Winger and assigned to the common assignee hereof. As disclosed in the copending application, fatty polyamides are produced by reacting a polybasic acid with a polyfunctional amine. Generally, the fatty polyamides useful in the practice of the in-vention are those having an amine number of above about 9. The amine number is the number of milligrams of KOH
equivalent to one gram of fatty polyamide and is determined by procedures well known in the art. The fatty polyamide sealants can be mixed with extenders and modifiers in order to modify the physical properties of the fatty polyamide. The fatty polyamide sealant can be applied as a hot-melt or from solution in a solvent such as an alcohol/aromatic hydrocarbon mixture.
Among the specific commercially availabLe fatty polyamides , .
~;; that are particularly useful in the practice of the invention are those produced under the Tlames of VERSALON
and GENBOND trademarks of General Mills, Inc. and Swift's Z-610 a trademark of Swift and C'ompany.
It has been found that the preferred adhesive sealants, i.e., fatty polyamides, do not readily wet some ':
.~ g - .
.~ .
.' types of organic plastics and accordingly a liquid-tight seal between the plastic insulator and the metal parts of the terminal assembly is sometimes difficult to attain. This difficulty may be overcome and the bond between the plastic insulator and metal parts substan-tially improved if the plastic film or sheet from which the insulator is made, is first subjected to successive heat and corona discharge treatments. The process for treating the plastic film or sheet is disclosed and claimed in our corresponding U.S. patent No. 3,914,521, filed on April 1, 1974. In this process, the plastic film or sheet is heated to an elevated temperature, about 120C in the case of a polypropylene, for a period of about one half minute, optionally cooling the plastic film or sheet to ambient temperature and then subjecting the film or sheet to a high intensity corona discharge in the area where the metal parts are to be adhered.
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Claims (5)
1. Terminal assembly for an electrochemical device including a metallic container having an alkaline electrolyte therein comprising, in combination, an electrically conductive member disposed adjacent to the inner surface of one wall of said metallic container and overlying an opening in said wall, an electrical insulator member having an opening therein interposed between said electrically conductive member and the inner surface of said wall with its opening coinciding with said opening in said wall and a thin layer of an adhesive sealant which is non-wettable by said alkaline electrolyte interposed at each one of the interfaces between said electrical insulator member and both said electrically conductive member and the inner surface of said wall.
2. Terminal assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said adhesive sealant comprises a fatty polyamide.
3. Terminal assembly for an electrochemical device including a metallic container having an alkaline electrolyte therein comprising, in combination, an internal electrically conductive member disposed adjacent to the inner surface of one wall of said metallic container and overlying an opening in said wall, a first electrical insulator member having an opening therein interposed between said internal electrically conductive member and the inner surface of said wall with its opening coinciding with said opening in said wall, an external electrically conductive member disposed adjacent to the outer surface of said wall and overlying said opening therein, a second electrical insulator member having an opening therein interposed between said external electrically conductive member and the outer surface of said wall with its opening coinciding with said opening in said wall, a thin layer of an adhesive sealant which is non-wettable by said alkaline electrolyte interposed at each one of the interfaces between said first and second electrical insulator members and said internal and external electrically conductive members and between said first and second electrical insulator members and the inner and outer surfaces of said wall and means for making electrical connection through said opening in said wall between said internal and external electrically conductive members.
4. Terminal assembly in accordance with claim 3, wherein said internal and external electrically conductive members are composed of metal foil and wherein said means for making electrical connection between said electrically conductive members consists of a spot weld.
5. Terminal assembly in accordance with claim 4, wherein said adhesive sealant comprises a fatty polyamide.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US55907575A | 1975-03-17 | 1975-03-17 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1067573A true CA1067573A (en) | 1979-12-04 |
Family
ID=24232188
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA245,809A Expired CA1067573A (en) | 1975-03-17 | 1976-02-16 | Seals for alkaline electrochemical devices |
Country Status (9)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS51114638A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU502641B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE839628R (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1067573A (en) |
| CH (1) | CH608914A5 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2610414C3 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2331157A2 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB1544711A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1058006B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FI65688C (en) * | 1981-04-27 | 1984-06-11 | Sporax Oy | CONTACT CONTROL FOR BATTERIES I ETT GALVANISKT BATTERI |
| DE3342449A1 (en) * | 1983-11-24 | 1985-06-05 | Uhde Gmbh, 4600 Dortmund | ELECTROLYTIC CELL FOR THE ELECTROLYSIS OF AQUEOUS HALOGENIDE-CONTAINING ELECTROLYT |
| DE102014219001A1 (en) * | 2014-09-22 | 2016-03-24 | Robert Bosch Gmbh | Battery cell with cell housing and a cover assembly with battery contacts |
| KR20210021842A (en) * | 2019-08-19 | 2021-03-02 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Rechargeable battery |
| KR20210156608A (en) * | 2020-06-18 | 2021-12-27 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Secondary battery |
| KR20210158163A (en) * | 2020-06-23 | 2021-12-30 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Secondary battery |
| KR20220118834A (en) * | 2021-02-19 | 2022-08-26 | 삼성에스디아이 주식회사 | Rechargeable battery |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2981782A (en) * | 1958-06-26 | 1961-04-25 | Servel Inc | Terminal-depolarizer unit for primary cells |
| US3294591A (en) * | 1964-03-30 | 1966-12-27 | Gulton Ind Inc | Sealed battery |
| US3427205A (en) * | 1966-09-01 | 1969-02-11 | Nasa | Spacecraft battery seals |
| JPS4516490Y1 (en) * | 1966-11-30 | 1970-07-08 | ||
| US3646405A (en) * | 1969-01-08 | 1972-02-29 | Mallory & Co Inc P R | Hermetic seal |
| FI43755B (en) * | 1970-06-29 | 1971-03-01 | P Tamminen | |
| US3713896A (en) * | 1970-08-19 | 1973-01-30 | Esb Inc | Seal for electrochemical cells |
| US3784414A (en) * | 1972-06-01 | 1974-01-08 | Esb Inc | Battery sealant carrier having adhesive patches impregnated therein and a method for making it |
-
1976
- 1976-02-16 CA CA245,809A patent/CA1067573A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-03-12 DE DE2610414A patent/DE2610414C3/en not_active Expired
- 1976-03-12 JP JP51026255A patent/JPS51114638A/en active Granted
- 1976-03-16 IT IT48587/76A patent/IT1058006B/en active
- 1976-03-16 GB GB10363/76A patent/GB1544711A/en not_active Expired
- 1976-03-16 CH CH763280A patent/CH608914A5/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-03-16 BE BE165220A patent/BE839628R/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1976-03-16 FR FR7607507A patent/FR2331157A2/en active Granted
- 1976-03-16 AU AU12055/76A patent/AU502641B2/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2331157B2 (en) | 1981-08-28 |
| AU1205576A (en) | 1977-09-22 |
| JPS5645251B2 (en) | 1981-10-24 |
| DE2610414A1 (en) | 1976-09-23 |
| BE839628R (en) | 1976-09-16 |
| CH608914A5 (en) | 1979-01-31 |
| JPS51114638A (en) | 1976-10-08 |
| DE2610414B2 (en) | 1980-06-26 |
| IT1058006B (en) | 1982-04-10 |
| AU502641B2 (en) | 1979-08-02 |
| FR2331157A2 (en) | 1977-06-03 |
| DE2610414C3 (en) | 1981-04-09 |
| GB1544711A (en) | 1979-04-25 |
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