CA1194101A - Battery with improved terminal structure and method of manufacture - Google Patents

Battery with improved terminal structure and method of manufacture

Info

Publication number
CA1194101A
CA1194101A CA000431413A CA431413A CA1194101A CA 1194101 A CA1194101 A CA 1194101A CA 000431413 A CA000431413 A CA 000431413A CA 431413 A CA431413 A CA 431413A CA 1194101 A CA1194101 A CA 1194101A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
core
base portion
tab
tab member
container
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
Application number
CA000431413A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Thomas R. Demoully
John J. Strickland
Robert E. Rockey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
General Electric Co
Original Assignee
General Electric Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by General Electric Co filed Critical General Electric Co
Priority to CA000431413A priority Critical patent/CA1194101A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1194101A publication Critical patent/CA1194101A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • YGENERAL 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
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E60/00Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
    • Y02E60/10Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

Battery With Improved Terminal Structure and Method of Manufacture ABSTRACT

An improved battery of the type having a spiral wound core surrounded by a container is disclosed in which an improved terminal tab is attached to the end of the core inserted into the container, the terminal tab comprising an outwardly extending tab member bent back over the base of the terminal tab and along the side of the core. A protrusion on the base contacts the bent tab member to minimize compression by the tab member of the circumferential edge of the end of the battery core when the core has been inserted into the container. An improved method of assembly such a battery also is disclosed.

Description

DESCRIPTION
BATTERY WITH IMPROVED TERMINAL STR~CTURE
. _ _ AND ~ETHOn OF MANUFACTURE
. ____ Technical Field The present invention relates to the structure and method of manufacture of batteries and particularly concerns a battery having an improved terminal geome-try and a method of manufacturing such a battery.
Background Art For a number of years, nickel-cadmium and other types of batteries have been manufac-tured by winding on an arbor a sandwich of a positive plate, a negative plate and separator materials, to produce a battery core. For some battery types, the positive and negative plates are axially offset relative to one another so that the edge of a plate of one polarity projects from one end of the core and the edge of a pla-te of the opposi-te polari-ty projects from the o-ther end of the core. Percussive welding procedures have been used to attach terminal tabs to the opposite ends of such battery cores, after which the core and tab assembly have been inserted into a surrounding metal container. Then~ by inserting a welding electrode through a bore left in the center of the core upon its removal from the winding arbor, the terminal tab at the bottom of the core has been welded to the bo-ttom of -the container~ The terminal -tab at the top of the core has .~, ~9 ~ ~ 60-BA-262 subsequently been connected to an appropriate cover assembly in the familair manner~
Although this method of manufac-ture produces batteries which are quite suitable for their intended applications, the method has typically required a considerable amount of manual labor to complete the ~inding of the cores~ the attaching of the -terminal tabs and the inserting of the assembled core and tabs into the battery container. A need has existed for some time to simplify the structure of -the batteries to facilitate automatic manufacture and assembly of their component parts.
Disclosure of the Invention An object of the present invention is to provide an improved battery of the type comprising a container surrounding a spiral wound core.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved terrninal tab for use in such a battery, the tab being configured so as to eliminate the need to weld the tab to the battery container.
Still another object of the present invention is to pxovide an improved, simplified method of manufacturing such a battery.
These objects of the invention are given only by way of example. Thus, other desirable objectives and advantages inherently achieved by the disclosed invention may occur or become apparent to those skilled in the art. Nonetheless, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.
The improved terminal tab according to the invention is particularly suited for use in batteries of the type comprising a cylindrical container surrounding a spiral wound core having a cylindrical side wall and opposite ends.
A terminal tab is attached to each end of the core to provide electrical connec:tions to other parts of the battery. The terminal tab comprises an electrically conductive base portion adapted on one side thereof -to be attached to an end of the core. An elongated tab member extends outwardly from the other side of this ba~e portion and is adapted to be bent back along the base portion, around the circumferential edge or corner of the core and into contact with the side wall of the core. Operatively associated with the base portion and the tab member is a means for minimizing compression by the tab member of this edge of corner~ Absent this means, insertion of the core and terminal tab into the battery container could cause the bent tab member to compress the edge or corner of the core sufficiently to result in a short circuit between the positive and negative plates of the core. In the assembled battery, the tab member is captured between the battery container and the side wall of the core, thus ensuring sufficient electrical contact.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for minimizing compression of the edge or corner of the comprises at least one protrusion on the base portion, this protrusion extending outwardly from the base portion in position to contact the tab member when the tab member is bent back along the base portion. As a result, a space is maintained between the tab member and the edge or corner of the core so that unwanted compression is minimized.
Although it is preferred to provide this protrusion on the base portion, it may also be provided on the tab member.
Also, the functlon of the protrusion may be provided by a separate spacer positioned between the tab member and -the portion.
The method according to the invention concerns assembling an electrical bat-tery of the type comprising a container surrounding a spiral wound core having a cylindrical side wall and opposite ends. At least one electrically conductive terminal tab is provided which comprises a base portion adapted to be attached on one side thereof to an end of the core, an elongated tab member extending outwardly from the other side of the base portion and means operatively associated with the base portion for minimizing compression by the tab member of the edge or corner of the core. This terminal tab is attached to an end of the core so that electrical contact is made with at least one plate of a single polarity.
Then/ the tab member is bent back along the base portion and into contact with the means for minimizing compression and the side wall of the coil The coil and terminal tab assembly is then inserted into the battery container so that the outer end of the tab member is captured between the container anA the side wall of the core and com-pression of the edge of the core is minimized.
Descrip-tion of the Drawings Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a type of prior art terminal tab.
Figure 2 shows an elevation of a spiral wound battery core to which a terminal tab of the type shown in Figure 1 has been attached.
Figure 3 shows an elevation section view of a battery comprising a core and terminal tabs of the type shown in Figure 2.
Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a terminal tab according to the present invention.
Figure 5 shows a section view taken along lines 5-5 of Figure 4.
Figure 6 shows an elevation view of a spiral wound battery core to which a pair of terminal -tabs according to the invention have been attached.
Figure 7 shows an enlarged view of -the bottom end of the core illustrated in Figure 6.
Figure 8 shows an elevation section view of a battery embodying the core and terminal tabs illustra-ted in Figure 6.
Bes-t Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The following is a detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the 60BA-~62 drawing in which like reference numerals identify like elements of structure in each of the several E'igures.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a terminal tab 10 of a type known in the prior art. A more or less U shaped base portion 12 includes a pair of parallel leg portions 14, 16 having a transverse space therebetween.
This space is chosen so that leg portions 14, 16 will straddle the central bore B left in the ba-ttery core following its removal from the winding arbor. (See Figure 7, for example) Leg portions 14, 16 extend from a rectangular base portion 18 and include a pair of down-wardly extending contact edges 20, 22 which engage the coiled edge of the battery plate when the terminal tab is precussion welded to the wound core. An integral tab member 24 extends outwardly from edge 26 of base portion 18 and has essentially parallel side edges 28 and an ou-ter end 30.
Typically, such a terminal tab 10 is made from nickel or nickel~plated steel and is s-tamped from thin sheet stock.
Figure 2 shows a spiral wound battery core 32 of conventional type. Such cores are made by assembling a sandwich of a postive plate, a negative plate and separator materials; axially offsetting the plates so that a plate of one polarity extends from ore side of the sandwich and a plate of the opposite polarity extends from the other side of the sandwich; and then winding the sandwich on an arbor to produce a spiral core. A length of -tape 34 can be used to keep core 32 :Erom unwinding prior -to insertion in the battery container. A posi-tive terminal tab 36, of essentially the same geometry as that shown in Figure 1, is percussion welded to the positive end of -the battery and a terminal tab 10 is percussion welded to the negative end. Tab 24 is then bent to a position essentially parallel to the end of the core. Thereafter, the assemblied core is inserted into a cylindrical metal con-tainer 38 of the type shown in Figure 3. To ensure aood electrical contact between terminal tab 10 and the bottom of container 38, a welding el.ectrode is passed through the central bore of the core and in-to contact with tab 24. When a further electrode contacts the outside of container 38, a welding current may be passed through tab 24 to comple-te the connection. Assembl.y of the battery is completed by inserting an insulator assembly 40 and a cover and seal assembly 42, the latter of which makes contact with terminal tab 36 as shown in Figure 3. Electrolyte is added prior to closing the cell.
The improved battery terminal tab illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 permits simplified assembly of a battery by eliminating the need to weld the tab member 24 to container 38. Since access through the central bore B of the battery core is no longer required, a smaller winding arbor can be used so that somewhat longer positive and negative plates may be used to provide more active area.
In the terminal tab illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, body portion is provided with an extension 44 which extends away from the openiny between leg portions 14, 16. On the outer surface of extension 44 r an elongated, centrally located protrusion 46 is formed. r~hen the terminal tab is made from 0.007 - 0.008 inch nickel sheet, protrusion 46 preferably has an overall height h of approximately 0.010 inch, an overall length ~- of approximately 0.250 inch and a transverse width w of approximately 0.040 inch.
Different shapes or more than one protrusion also may be provided~ The function of protrusion 46 is to minimize compressi.on by tan member 24 of the circumferential edge or corner of bat-tery core 32 when the core is inserted into container 38 and the outer end of tab member 24 is captured between the container and the side wall of the core. Although it is preferred that protrusion 46 be provided on extension 44 of body portion 18, it is also ~ithin the scope of the invention to provide the protrusion on the lower portion of tab member 24 or to provide a separate spacer element to be posi-ti,oned between tab L7t ~ ~ ~

member 24 and body portion 18 when tab memher 24 is bent back along body portion 18~
As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the improved terminal tab illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 is atiached to -the lower end of core 32 by percussion welding, after which tab member 24 is bent back along base portion 18 into contact with protrusion 46, around the edge or corner of core 32 and into contact with the side wall of core 32.
If desired, two of such terminal -tabs may be attached to one or both ends of the core. Preferahly, tab member 24 is posi~ioned so that it contacts the side wall of core 32 at the overlap region 48 when the negative plate extends beyond the positive plate to contact the previous turn of negative plate. Thus, should any compression of the circumferential edge of core 32 occur, it will cause a portion of the negative pla-te to contact another portion of the negative plate and will not result in short circui-ting.
Preferahly, the outer edge 50 of the terminal tab is positioned with a radial clearance r from the circumference of core 32, this clearance being on more than approximately 5% of the diameter of core 32.
When the spiral wound core illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 is inserted into a battery container as shown in Figure 8, tab member 24 is captured between container 38 and the side wall of core 32, as illustrated~ Movement of the core into container 38 tends to pull tab member 24 into contact with the circumferential edge or corner of core 32; however, the presence of protrusion 46 on the terminal tab minimizes compression by tab member 24 of the circumferential edge 3~ of the core.

Claims (12)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. An improved terminal tab for use in batteries of the type comprising a container surrounding a spiral wound core having a cylindrical side wall and opposite ends, at which ends electrical connections are made, said tab comprising:
an electrically conductive base portion adapted on one side thereof to be attached to an end of said core;
an elongated tab member extruding outwardly from the other side of said base portion, said tab member being adapted to be bent back along said base portion and into contact with said side wall of said core; and means operatively associated with said base portion and said tab member for minimizing compression by said tab member of the circumferential edge of said end of said core when said core is inserted into said container and the outer end of said tab member is captured between said container and said side wall.
2. An improved terminal tab according to Claim 1, wherein said minimizing means comprises at least one protrusion on said base portion in position to contact said tab member when said tab member is bent back along said base portion.
3. An improved terminal tab according to Claim 1, wherein said tab member is integral with said base portion.
4. An improved terminal tab according to Claim 1, wherein said base portion comprises an essentially flat, U-shaped member having a pair of leg portions joined by a body portion, said tab member being attached to said body portion between said leg portions.
5. An improved terminal tab according to Claim 4, wherein said minimizing means comprises at least one protrusion on said base portion in position to contact said tab member when said tab member is bent back along said base portion.
6. An improved terminal tab according to claim 5, wherein said tab member is integral with said base portion.
7. An improved battery, comprising:
a spiral wound core of positive and negative plates, said core having a cylindrical side wall and opposite ends;
a container surrounding said core; and at least one electrically conductive terminal tab comprising a base portion attached on one side thereof to an end of said core, an elongated tab member extending outwardly from the other side of said base portion, said tab member being bent back along said base portion and into contact with said side wall of said coil; and means operatively associated with said base portion for minimizing compression by said tab member of the circumferential edge of said end of said core when said core is inserted into said container and the outer end of said tab member is captured between said container and said side wall.
8. An improved terminal tab according to claim 7, wherein said minimizing means comprises at least one protrusion on said base portion in position to contact said tab member when said tab member is bent back along said base portion.
9. An improved terminal tab according to claim 8, wherein said tab member is integral with said base portion.
10. An improved terminal tab according to claim 9, wherein said base portion comprises an essentially flat, U-shaped member having a pair of leg portions joined by a body portion, said tab member being attached to said body portion between said leg portions.
11. The invention as set forth in claim 7 wherein one of said plates extends beyond the other of said plates at said cylindrical side wall so as to overlap the previous turn of said one of said plates, said tab member being in contact with said side wall at said overlap.
12. A method of assembling an electrical battery of the type comprising a container surrounding a spiral wound core having a cylindrical side wall and opposite ends, said method comprising the steps of:
providing at least one electrically conductive terminal tab comprising a base portion adapted to be attached on one side thereof to an end of said core, an elongated tab member extending outwardly from the other side of said base portion, and means operatively associated with said base portion for minimizing compression by said tab member of the circumferential edge of the end of said core;
attaching said terminal tab to an end of said core so that electrical contact is made with at least one plate of a single polarity;
bending said tab member back along said base portion and into engagement with said minimizing means and said side wall of said coil; and inserting said coil into said container with said end being inserted first;
whereby the outer end of said tab member is captured between said container and said side walls and compression of said circumferential edge of said core is minimized.
CA000431413A 1983-06-29 1983-06-29 Battery with improved terminal structure and method of manufacture Expired CA1194101A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000431413A CA1194101A (en) 1983-06-29 1983-06-29 Battery with improved terminal structure and method of manufacture

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA000431413A CA1194101A (en) 1983-06-29 1983-06-29 Battery with improved terminal structure and method of manufacture

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA1194101A true CA1194101A (en) 1985-09-24

Family

ID=4125584

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA000431413A Expired CA1194101A (en) 1983-06-29 1983-06-29 Battery with improved terminal structure and method of manufacture

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA1194101A (en)

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