EP4399725A1 - Electric cable free of electrolyte creepage - Google Patents

Electric cable free of electrolyte creepage

Info

Publication number
EP4399725A1
EP4399725A1 EP21856937.4A EP21856937A EP4399725A1 EP 4399725 A1 EP4399725 A1 EP 4399725A1 EP 21856937 A EP21856937 A EP 21856937A EP 4399725 A1 EP4399725 A1 EP 4399725A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
stranded portion
electrolyte
stranded
electrochemical cell
cell
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.)
Pending
Application number
EP21856937.4A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Daniel Nilsson
Robert Alexandersson
Marcus KARLSTAD
Roger Fransson
Rune SJÖVALL
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.)
Saft Groupe SAS
Original Assignee
Saft Groupe SAS
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 Saft Groupe SAS filed Critical Saft Groupe SAS
Publication of EP4399725A1 publication Critical patent/EP4399725A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01B—CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES
    • H01B7/00—Insulated conductors or cables characterised by their form
    • H01B7/17—Protection against damage caused by external factors, e.g. sheaths or armouring
    • H01B7/28—Protection against damage caused by moisture, corrosion, chemical attack or weather
    • H01B7/282—Preventing penetration of fluid, e.g. water or humidity, into conductor or cable
    • 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
    • H01M50/20—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
    • H01M50/298—Mountings; Secondary casings or frames; Racks, modules or packs; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders characterised by the wiring of battery packs
    • 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
    • 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
    • H01M50/502—Interconnectors for connecting terminals of adjacent batteries; Interconnectors for connecting cells outside a battery casing
    • H01M50/519—Interconnectors for connecting terminals of adjacent batteries; Interconnectors for connecting cells outside a battery casing comprising printed circuit boards [PCB]
    • 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
    • H01M50/572—Means for preventing undesired use or discharge
    • H01M50/574—Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current
    • H01M50/583—Devices or arrangements for the interruption of current in response to current, e.g. fuses
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
    • H01M10/24—Alkaline accumulators
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2200/00—Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries
    • H01M2200/10—Temperature sensitive devices
    • H01M2200/103—Fuse
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
    • H01M2220/00—Batteries for particular applications
    • H01M2220/10—Batteries in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
    • 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

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the means for reducing electrolyte creepage which occurs in electric cables connected to electrochemical cells. More specifically, the invention aims at reducing electrolyte creepage in electric cables connected to alkaline electrochemical cells.
  • An electrochemical cell is a device that produces electric energy from direct conversion of chemical energy. The chemical energy is released when the active materials coated on the surface of the electrodes undergo a chemical reaction.
  • the cell generally comprises a container defining a volume in which an assembly of at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode is inserted. Each positive electrode is separated from a negative electrode by usually a separator. Very often, the assembly is impregnated with a liquid electrolyte.
  • the liquid electrolyte tends to be attracted by metallic parts of the cell and to coat the surface of these metallic parts.
  • metallic parts the metal strips connecting the electrodes to their respective current output terminals and the current output terminals.
  • the electrolyte may migrate from inside the container and easily reach the current output terminals. Since one or the two current output terminals) pass through the cell cover the electrolyte can leak outside the cell. In this event, the electrolyte may come into contact with any electrical equipment located in the vicinity of the cell.
  • the electrolyte is generally aggressive towards metals parts of the cell. Indeed, the electrolyte can be a strong acid or a strong base. When it comes into contact with metallic parts it will progressively corrode them. This will lead to a reduction of the cross-section of the metallic parts and to an increase in the cell resistance. Ultimately, the electric performances of the cell will be affected by the corrosion.
  • the electrolyte is a highly conductive solution. Hence, when it comes into contact with two metallic parts of different potentials, it conducts current between these two parts and creates a short-circuit. A short circuit may in turn create overheating or even melting of certain parts, in particular plastic connectors.
  • the short-circuit area can be the starting point of a fire. Battery installations may catch fire, and the surrounding equipment, such as electronic devices, may be destroyed. This can be particularly acute in the case where a battery comprises a high number of cells. Indeed, monitoring the operation of each cell involves connecting each cell to a monitoring device. A large number of cables connect the two output terminals of each cell to the monitoring device.
  • Each connection between the monitoring device and the electrochemical cell output terminals is affected by an electrolyte creepage.
  • the risk of fault due to electrolyte creepage increases with the number of connections with the cell terminals. It is therefore important to reduce electrolyte creepage in these circumstances.
  • Multi-stranded cables are popular for connecting the current output terminals of a cell to a monitoring device. There is a risk that the electrolyte be attracted through capillary forces to the cell terminals and reach the multi-stranded cables since they are connected to the cell terminals. As explained, the electrolyte may then migrate through the multi-stranded cable up to the monitoring device causing potential issues and risks. There is therefore a need to reduce electrolyte creepage in a multi-stranded cable.
  • US 2,849,521 discloses a cell construction in which a washer consisting of at least one layer of a colloidal material capable of swelling in contact with the electrolyte covers the top of the cell.
  • the colloidal material when penetrated by the electrolyte, absorbs it. It swells and foms a gel, thereby preventing creepage of the electrolyte. This document does not solve the problem of the electrolyte migration through a multi-stranded cable.
  • WO 2010/122412 discloses a battery made of a plurality of electrochemical cells. Bus bars electrically connect positive electrodes and negative electrodes of the electrochemical cells and connect the cells in series. Each bus bar is provided with a voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of one or more cells.
  • the voltage detection means includes a connector that electrically contacts the bus bar and a crimp portion to which an electric cable for outputting the voltage detected is connected by crimping.
  • a sump is located around the crimp portion. In the event of a leakage the sump absorbs the electrolytic solution and prevents the electrolyte from progressing farther at the surface of the cable.
  • This document teaches another way of reducing electrolyte creepage. This other way consists of orientating the side of the crimp portion in a direction opposite to the cell so that if electrolyte leaks outside the cell, the crimp portion is not in contact with the electrolyte.
  • the invention provides a novel electric cable free of electrolyte creepage.
  • the cable according to the invention comprises a single-stranded portion and a multi-stranded portion.
  • the single-stranded portion prevents the electrolyte from progressing farther.
  • a fuse connects one end of the single-stranded portion to one end of the multi-stranded portion.
  • one end of either the multi-stranded portion or the single-stranded portion is provided with a spade connector or with a ring connector.
  • a heat-shrinkable polymer covers the junction between the multi-stranded portion and the single-stranded portion, and if a fuse is present at the junction, the heat-shrinkable polymer covers the fuse, the mul-ti-stranded portion and at least partially the single-stranded portion.
  • Another object of the invention is a battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell and an electronic or electric device, the electronic or electric device being electrically connected to said at least one electrochemical cell through the electric cable.
  • the electronic device is a battery management system configured to monitor at least one parameter of said at least one electrochemical cell.
  • one end of the multi-stranded portion is connected to a terminal of said at least one electrochemical cell through a spade connector or a ring connector.
  • one end of the multi-stranded portion is soldered to a circuit board or connected to a screw terminal.
  • one end of the single-stranded portion is connected to the electronic or electric device.
  • said at least one electrochemical cell contains an alkaline electrolyte or an acid electrolyte.
  • the battery is a stationary battery.
  • said at least one electrochemical cell is of the nickelcadmium type.
  • Figure 1 represents schematically the structure of the cable according to one embodiment of the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows the experimental set-up used for assessing the extent of electrolyte creepage.
  • the electric cable comprises a single-stranded portion and a multi-stranded portion. It has been surprisingly found that the single-stranded portion reduces the capillary action and prevents the electrolyte creepage from propagating farther.
  • the respective lengths of the single-stranded portion and the multi-stranded portion are not particularly limited. One end of the single-stranded portion can be directly connected to one end of the multi-stranded portion. Alternatively, a fuse may be connected between the singlestranded portion and the multi-stranded portion. The fuse can be replaced with a high ohmic resistance fuse or any protection.
  • the free end of the multi-stranded portion is intended to be connected to one cell terminal through a connector of any type. It is preferably a spade connector as spade connectors are commonly used in the field of batteries. The invention thus allows using common inexpensive spade connectors whilst keeping flexibility thanks to the multistranded portion.
  • the free end of the single-stranded portion is intended to be connected to an electronic/electric device, such as a monitoring device.
  • a tube made of a heat-shrinkable polymer covers the junction between the multi-stranded portion and the single-stranded portion, and if a fuse is present at the junction, the tube covers the fuse, the multi-stranded portion and at least partially the single-stranded portion.
  • the heat-shrinkable tube helps preventing the electrolyte from coming into contact with the fuse and the edge of the single-stranded portion.
  • the inner surface of the heat-shrinkable polymer may be coated with glue. This creates a good seal around the multi strands and the single strand.
  • the heat shrinkable tube covers the cable from the crimping area of the connector to the beginning of the singlestranded portion.
  • the multi-stranded portion allows using a large variety of connectors.
  • the use of a connector is however not compulsory.
  • the end of the multi-stranded portion may be directly soldered to a circuit board or may be connected to a screw terminal.
  • Figure 1 represents schematically the structure of the cable according to a preferred embodiment of the invention where a fuse is connected between the single-stranded portion and the multi-stranded portion.
  • the following indicates the correspondence between the reference numbers used in Figure 1 and the different parts of the cable :
  • the lower end of the cable is a spade connector 50. It connects the lower end of the multi-stranded portion 60 to a terminal of a cell (not shown).
  • the upper end of the multi-stranded portion is connected to one end of a fuse 40.
  • a connection sleeve 30 is placed in between the multi-stranded portion and the fuse. Its purpose is to facilitate the connection between the end of the multi-stranded portion and the fuse when the connection is performed by an apparatus.
  • the other end of the fuse is connected to the lower end of the single-stranded portion 20.
  • a connection sleeve 30 is also placed in between the fuse and the single-stranded portion to facilitate the connection by an apparatus.
  • the upper end of the single-stranded portion is connected to an electric/elec- tronic equipment 70.
  • the electronic equipment can be advantageously a monitoring device which measures essential cell parameters such as the voltage, the current or the cell temperature.
  • the monitoring device can be a battery management system (BMS).
  • BMS battery management system
  • a heat shrinkable tube 10 covers the cable from the crimping area of the spade connector to the beginning of the single-stranded portion.
  • the invention improves safety in battery monitoring systems.
  • the cable according to the invention may be used for reducing electrolyte creepage originating from any type of non-sealed electrochemical cell. It can be a lead-acid electrochemical cell or an alkaline electrolyte electrochemical cell, such as Ni-Cd, Ni-Fe, Ni-Zn, Ni-MH.
  • the cell is preferably a stationary one, especially a stationary Ni-Cd cell.
  • the invention also applies for reducing electrolyte creepage at the battery module size.
  • a battery module comprises several electrochemical cells connected to each other in series and/or in parallel in order to increase the voltage and the amount of electricity available. By connecting each electrochemical cell to a monitoring device through a cable according to the invention, it is possible to reduce creepage in the cables.
  • FIG. 1 shows the set-up used for carrying out these experiments.
  • An alkaline electrolyte (80) was poured in a first beaker (90).
  • Several types of cables (100) were prepared and their ends were soaked in the first beaker filled with electrolyte.
  • the different types of cable tested were as follows :
  • first cable being a multi-stranded cable
  • a third cable being according to the invention and comprising a single-stranded portion and a multi-stranded portion.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Electrochemistry (AREA)
  • General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Connection Of Batteries Or Terminals (AREA)

Abstract

An electric cable comprising a single-stranded portion (20) and a multi-stranded portion (60). The single-stranded portion prevents the electrolyte from progressing from the cell terminal to the multi-stranded portion.

Description

ELECTRIC CABLE FREE OF ELECTROLYTE CREEPAGE
Technical field
[0001] The invention relates to the means for reducing electrolyte creepage which occurs in electric cables connected to electrochemical cells. More specifically, the invention aims at reducing electrolyte creepage in electric cables connected to alkaline electrochemical cells.
Background of the invention
[0002] An electrochemical cell (cell) is a device that produces electric energy from direct conversion of chemical energy. The chemical energy is released when the active materials coated on the surface of the electrodes undergo a chemical reaction. The cell generally comprises a container defining a volume in which an assembly of at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode is inserted. Each positive electrode is separated from a negative electrode by usually a separator. Very often, the assembly is impregnated with a liquid electrolyte.
[0003] Due to capillary forces, the liquid electrolyte tends to be attracted by metallic parts of the cell and to coat the surface of these metallic parts. One may cite as metallic parts, the metal strips connecting the electrodes to their respective current output terminals and the current output terminals. The electrolyte may migrate from inside the container and easily reach the current output terminals. Since one or the two current output terminals) pass through the cell cover the electrolyte can leak outside the cell. In this event, the electrolyte may come into contact with any electrical equipment located in the vicinity of the cell.
[0004] Two hazards are associated with electrolyte creepage. Firstly, the electrolyte is generally aggressive towards metals parts of the cell. Indeed, the electrolyte can be a strong acid or a strong base. When it comes into contact with metallic parts it will progressively corrode them. This will lead to a reduction of the cross-section of the metallic parts and to an increase in the cell resistance. Ultimately, the electric performances of the cell will be affected by the corrosion.
[0005] Secondly, the electrolyte is a highly conductive solution. Hence, when it comes into contact with two metallic parts of different potentials, it conducts current between these two parts and creates a short-circuit. A short circuit may in turn create overheating or even melting of certain parts, in particular plastic connectors. The short-circuit area can be the starting point of a fire. Battery installations may catch fire, and the surrounding equipment, such as electronic devices, may be destroyed. This can be particularly acute in the case where a battery comprises a high number of cells. Indeed, monitoring the operation of each cell involves connecting each cell to a monitoring device. A large number of cables connect the two output terminals of each cell to the monitoring device. Each connection between the monitoring device and the electrochemical cell output terminals is affected by an electrolyte creepage. Thus, the risk of fault due to electrolyte creepage increases with the number of connections with the cell terminals. It is therefore important to reduce electrolyte creepage in these circumstances.
[0006] Multi-stranded cables are popular for connecting the current output terminals of a cell to a monitoring device. There is a risk that the electrolyte be attracted through capillary forces to the cell terminals and reach the multi-stranded cables since they are connected to the cell terminals. As explained, the electrolyte may then migrate through the multi-stranded cable up to the monitoring device causing potential issues and risks. There is therefore a need to reduce electrolyte creepage in a multi-stranded cable.
[0007] US 2,849,521 discloses a cell construction in which a washer consisting of at least one layer of a colloidal material capable of swelling in contact with the electrolyte covers the top of the cell. The colloidal material when penetrated by the electrolyte, absorbs it. It swells and foms a gel, thereby preventing creepage of the electrolyte. This document does not solve the problem of the electrolyte migration through a multi-stranded cable.
[0008] WO 2010/122412 discloses a battery made of a plurality of electrochemical cells. Bus bars electrically connect positive electrodes and negative electrodes of the electrochemical cells and connect the cells in series. Each bus bar is provided with a voltage detection means for detecting the voltage of one or more cells. The voltage detection means includes a connector that electrically contacts the bus bar and a crimp portion to which an electric cable for outputting the voltage detected is connected by crimping. A sump is located around the crimp portion. In the event of a leakage the sump absorbs the electrolytic solution and prevents the electrolyte from progressing farther at the surface of the cable. This document teaches another way of reducing electrolyte creepage. This other way consists of orientating the side of the crimp portion in a direction opposite to the cell so that if electrolyte leaks outside the cell, the crimp portion is not in contact with the electrolyte.
Summary of the invention
[0009] To this end, the invention provides a novel electric cable free of electrolyte creepage. The cable according to the invention comprises a single-stranded portion and a multi-stranded portion. The single-stranded portion prevents the electrolyte from progressing farther.
[0010] According to one embodiment, a fuse connects one end of the single-stranded portion to one end of the multi-stranded portion.
[0011] According to one embodiment, one end of either the multi-stranded portion or the single-stranded portion is provided with a spade connector or with a ring connector.
[0012] According to one emodiment, a heat-shrinkable polymer covers the junction between the multi-stranded portion and the single-stranded portion, and if a fuse is present at the junction, the heat-shrinkable polymer covers the fuse, the mul-ti-stranded portion and at least partially the single-stranded portion.
[0013] Another object of the invention is a battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell and an electronic or electric device, the electronic or electric device being electrically connected to said at least one electrochemical cell through the electric cable.
[0014] According to one embodiment, the electronic device is a battery management system configured to monitor at least one parameter of said at least one electrochemical cell.
[0015] According to one embodiment, one end of the multi-stranded portion is connected to a terminal of said at least one electrochemical cell through a spade connector or a ring connector.
[0016] According to one embodiment, one end of the multi-stranded portion is soldered to a circuit board or connected to a screw terminal.
[0017] According to one embodiment, one end of the single-stranded portion is connected to the electronic or electric device.
[0018] According to one embodiment, said at least one electrochemical cell contains an alkaline electrolyte or an acid electrolyte.
[0019] According to one embodiment, the battery is a stationary battery.
[0020] According to one embodiment, said at least one electrochemical cell is of the nickelcadmium type.
Detailed description of the figures
[0021] Embodiments of the invention are described below in more details with reference to the attached figures.
[0022] Figure 1 represents schematically the structure of the cable according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0023] Figure 2 shows the experimental set-up used for assessing the extent of electrolyte creepage.
Detailed description of embodiments
[0024] The electric cable comprises a single-stranded portion and a multi-stranded portion. It has been surprisingly found that the single-stranded portion reduces the capillary action and prevents the electrolyte creepage from propagating farther. The respective lengths of the single-stranded portion and the multi-stranded portion are not particularly limited. One end of the single-stranded portion can be directly connected to one end of the multi-stranded portion. Alternatively, a fuse may be connected between the singlestranded portion and the multi-stranded portion. The fuse can be replaced with a high ohmic resistance fuse or any protection.
[0025] The free end of the multi-stranded portion is intended to be connected to one cell terminal through a connector of any type. It is preferably a spade connector as spade connectors are commonly used in the field of batteries. The invention thus allows using common inexpensive spade connectors whilst keeping flexibility thanks to the multistranded portion. The free end of the single-stranded portion is intended to be connected to an electronic/electric device, such as a monitoring device.
[0026] Preferably, a tube made of a heat-shrinkable polymer covers the junction between the multi-stranded portion and the single-stranded portion, and if a fuse is present at the junction, the tube covers the fuse, the multi-stranded portion and at least partially the single-stranded portion. The heat-shrinkable tube helps preventing the electrolyte from coming into contact with the fuse and the edge of the single-stranded portion. The inner surface of the heat-shrinkable polymer may be coated with glue. This creates a good seal around the multi strands and the single strand. The heat shrinkable tube covers the cable from the crimping area of the connector to the beginning of the singlestranded portion.
[0027] The multi-stranded portion allows using a large variety of connectors. The use of a connector is however not compulsory. The end of the multi-stranded portion may be directly soldered to a circuit board or may be connected to a screw terminal.
[0028] Figure 1 represents schematically the structure of the cable according to a preferred embodiment of the invention where a fuse is connected between the single-stranded portion and the multi-stranded portion. The following indicates the correspondence between the reference numbers used in Figure 1 and the different parts of the cable :
[0029] 10: Heat shrinkable tube
20: Single-stranded portion 30: Connection sleeve 40: Fuse
50: Spade connector adapted for multi-stranded cables
60: Multi-stranded portion
70: To electric/electronic equipment.
[0030] The lower end of the cable is a spade connector 50. It connects the lower end of the multi-stranded portion 60 to a terminal of a cell (not shown). The upper end of the multi-stranded portion is connected to one end of a fuse 40. A connection sleeve 30 is placed in between the multi-stranded portion and the fuse. Its purpose is to facilitate the connection between the end of the multi-stranded portion and the fuse when the connection is performed by an apparatus. The other end of the fuse is connected to the lower end of the single-stranded portion 20. A connection sleeve 30 is also placed in between the fuse and the single-stranded portion to facilitate the connection by an apparatus. The upper end of the single-stranded portion is connected to an electric/elec- tronic equipment 70. The electronic equipment can be advantageously a monitoring device which measures essential cell parameters such as the voltage, the current or the cell temperature. The monitoring device can be a battery management system (BMS). A heat shrinkable tube 10 covers the cable from the crimping area of the spade connector to the beginning of the single-stranded portion.
[0031] The invention improves safety in battery monitoring systems. The cable according to the invention may be used for reducing electrolyte creepage originating from any type of non-sealed electrochemical cell. It can be a lead-acid electrochemical cell or an alkaline electrolyte electrochemical cell, such as Ni-Cd, Ni-Fe, Ni-Zn, Ni-MH. The cell is preferably a stationary one, especially a stationary Ni-Cd cell.
[0032] The invention also applies for reducing electrolyte creepage at the battery module size. A battery module comprises several electrochemical cells connected to each other in series and/or in parallel in order to increase the voltage and the amount of electricity available. By connecting each electrochemical cell to a monitoring device through a cable according to the invention, it is possible to reduce creepage in the cables.
EXEMPLES
[0033] The reduction of electrolyte creepage was demonstrated through experiments. Figure 2 shows the set-up used for carrying out these experiments. An alkaline electrolyte (80) was poured in a first beaker (90). Several types of cables (100) were prepared and their ends were soaked in the first beaker filled with electrolyte. The different types of cable tested were as follows :
- a first cable being a multi-stranded cable,
- a second cable being a single-stranded cable,
- a third cable being according to the invention and comprising a single-stranded portion and a multi-stranded portion.
All cables were 35 cm long.
[0034] The end of the single-stranded portion of the cables (120) was placed above the opening of a second beaker (130). The bottom of the second beaker contained an indicator Thymol blue (140) which turned blue when in contact with the alkaline electrolyte. The fact that it did not turn blue was a sign that there was not creepage in the cables. So the second beaker (130) was free of electrolyte.
Results :
[0035] In the multi-stranded cable the electrolyte creeped on a 35 cm length in 24 minutes. In the single-stranded cable the electrolyte did not creep through the 35 cm length after a month. In the cable according to the invention the electrolyte did not creep past the start of the single-stranded cable in months. As soon as the electrolyte reached the single-stranded portion, the migration stopped. These experiments thus show that the invention greatly reduces electrolyte creepage and reduces the risk of electronic failures.

Claims

Claims
1 . Electric cable comprising a single-stranded portion (20) and a multi-stranded portion (60).
2. Electric cable according to claim 1 , wherein a fuse (40) connects one end of the singlestranded portion to one end of the multi-stranded portion.
3. Electric cable according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein one end of either the multistranded portion or the single-stranded portion is provided with a spade connector (50) or with a ring connector.
4. Electric cable according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein a heat-shrinkable polymer (10) covers the junction between the multi-stranded portion (60) and the single-stranded portion (20), and if a fuse (40) is present at the junction, the heat-shrinkable polymer covers the fuse, the multi-stranded portion and at least partially the single-stranded portion.
5. Battery comprising at least one electrochemical cell and an electronic or electric device (70), the electronic or electric device being electrically connected to said at least one electrochemical cell through the electric cable of any of claims 1 to 4.
6. Battery according to claim 5, wherein the electronic device is a battery management system configured to monitor at least one parameter of said at least one electrochemical cell.
7. Battery according to any of claims 5 or 6, wherein one end of the multi-stranded portion is connected to a terminal of said at least one electrochemical cell through a spade connector or a ring connector.
8. Battery according to any of claims 5 or 6, wherein one end of the multi-stranded portion is soldered to a circuit board or connected to a screw terminal.
9. Battery according to any of claims 5 to 8, wherein one end of the single-stranded portion is connected to the electronic or electric device (70).
10. Battery according to any of claims 5 to 9, wherein said at least one electrochemical cell contains an alkaline electrolyte or an acid electrolyte.
7
11 . Battery according to claim 10, which is a stationary battery.
12. Battery according to any of claims 10 and 11 , wherein said at least one electrochemical cell is of the nickel-cadmium type.
8
EP21856937.4A 2021-09-09 2021-09-09 Electric cable free of electrolyte creepage Pending EP4399725A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2021/000943 WO2023037137A1 (en) 2021-09-09 2021-09-09 Electric cable free of electrolyte creepage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP4399725A1 true EP4399725A1 (en) 2024-07-17

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
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Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP4399725A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2023037137A1 (en)

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3805218A (en) * 1973-04-04 1974-04-16 Atomic Energy Commission Battery cable assembly

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
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