GB1587541A

GB1587541A - Electric storage batteries

Info

Publication number: GB1587541A
Application number: GB7384/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Chloride Group Ltd
Current assignee: Chloride Group Ltd
Priority date: 1978-05-18
Filing date: 1978-05-18
Publication date: 1981-04-08

Description

(54) ELECTRIC STORAGE BATTERIES (71) We, CHLORIDE GROUP LIMITED, a Company registered under the laws of England, of 52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W OAU, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: This invention relates to electric storage batteries, and in particular to terminals therefor.

According to the present invention an electric storage battery has a moulded plastics lid and a terminal including a terminal block of electrically conducting material substantially encapsulated in the lid, at least a part of its upper surface being covered by the material of the lid, the terminal block comprising a stout body portion adjacent a corner of the lid and a shallower lug portion extending from the body portion away from the corner with a ter minal post extending up through it and united to it by fusion.

In a first preferred embodiment the block is covered by the insulating material of the lid except for a hole adapted to receive a terminal screw screwed into the block, and an access opening which gives access for fusing the terminal post to the lug and is thereafter covered.

In a second preferred embodiment the block is covered by the insulating material of the lid except for a hole adapted to receive a terminal screw screwed into the body and an area surrounding the hole in the body to allow a spade connector to contact the body, and an access opening which gives access for fusing the terminal post to the lug and is thereafter covered.

This arrangement has the advantage that a terminal suitable for a 1 2V battery can simply be achieved by removing the layer of lid material from the block in the region of the hole for the terminal screw and then making a connection directly with the terminal block.

The hole for the screw may extend vertic ally downwards through the upper surface of the lid, or it may extend horizontally through an end wall or side wall of the lid. Thus contact may be made with the battery terminals either from above the battery, from the side or from the end.

Preferably the access opening is covered by a cover indicating by colour the polarity of the terminal.

The construction in accordance with the invention has the further advantage that the block is a single component and so is easier to use in a moulding process than would be a comparable multicomponent block or a block which was flush with the surface of the lid.

The invention may be carried into practice in various ways and one embodiment will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a vertical section through a 6 volt battery terminal embodying the invention; Figure 2 is an end elevation of a terminal similar to that of Figure 1 for a 12 volt battery; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a terminal block.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery terminal consists of a block 11 which is substantially encapsulated in a battery lid 12 formed for example of polypropylene. The block 11 is a single-piece lead moulding and is completely encapsulated within the lid apart from a hole 13 which is punched or drilled, and may then be tapped, and an access opening 17 through which the terminal block is connected to the terminal pillar 16 by fusion, e.g. by "burning". The hole 13 is shown as being horizontal and adapted for the provision of a side terminal for a 6V battery, however, the hole could also be vertical providing a top terminal.

A screw 14 is inserted into the hole 13 shown in Figure 1 and may be used to secure a spade terminal as similar connector to the terminal block. The lid material acts as a washer between the screw 14 and the block 11 reducin the effect of vibration. The component to be connected is provided with a washer or split ring connector 15 as shown in Figure 2. The current is transmitted to the component through the screw 14.

Figure 2 shows the terminal adapted for use with a 12V battery. The plastic coating has been stripped off, e.g. by milling, in the region of the hole 13 so that the connector 15 makes direct contact with the block 11.

The plastic coating around the block tends to minimize any risk of a short circuit.

Contact between the block 11 and the battery plates is achieved by means of a terminal pillar 16. The two are connected by fusion through the access hole 17, which is then covered by a cover 18 which is marked or coloured to indicate the polarity of the terminal it conceals.

As mentioned above the terminal block 11 is almost totally surrounded by the material of the lid 12. Thus any force which is applied to the terminal block via the connector and screw 14 will be carried by the material of the lid and not by the burnt connection between the block 11 and the terminal pillar 16. Thus the battery in accordance with the invention has a terminal which is reliable and not subject to failure due to an accidental or deliberate application of force.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An electric storage battery having a moulded plastics lid and a terminal including a terminal block of electrically conducting material substantially encapsulated in the lid, at least a part of its upper surface being covered by the material of the lid, the terminal block comprising a stout body portion adjacent a corner of the lid and a shallower lug portion extending from the body portion away from the corner with a terminal post extending up through it and united to it by fusion.

2. A battery as claimed in Claim 1 in which the block is covered by the insulating material of the lid except for a hole adapted to receive a terminal screw screwed into the block and an access opening which gives access for fusing the terminal post to the lug and is thereafter covered.

3. A battery as claimed in Claim 1 in which the block is covered by the insulating material of the lid except for a hole adapted to receive a terminal screw screwed into the body of an area surrounding the hole in the body to allow a spade connector to contact the body, and an access opening which gives access for fusing the terminal post to the lug and is thereafter covered.

4. A battery as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the hole for the screw extends vertically downwards through the upper surface of the lid.

5. A battery as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the hole extends horizontally through an end wall or side wall of the lid.

6. A battery as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 in which the access opening is covered by a cover indicating by colour the polarity of the terminal.

7. An electric storage battery having a terminal substantially as specifically described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 3 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

battery plates is achieved by means of a terminal pillar 16. The two are connected by fusion through the access hole 17, which is then covered by a cover 18 which is marked or coloured to indicate the polarity of the terminal it conceals.

As mentioned above the terminal block 11 is almost totally surrounded by the material of the lid 12. Thus any force which is applied to the terminal block via the connector and screw

14 will be carried by the material of the lid and not by the burnt connection between the block 11 and the terminal pillar 16. Thus the battery in accordance with the invention has a terminal which is reliable and not subject to failure due to an accidental or deliberate application of force.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An electric storage battery having a moulded plastics lid and a terminal including a terminal block of electrically conducting material substantially encapsulated in the lid, at least a part of its upper surface being covered by the material of the lid, the terminal block comprising a stout body portion adjacent a corner of the lid and a shallower lug portion extending from the body portion away from the corner with a terminal post extending up through it and united to it by fusion.
2. A battery as claimed in Claim 1 in which the block is covered by the insulating material of the lid except for a hole adapted to receive a terminal screw screwed into the block and an access opening which gives access for fusing the terminal post to the lug and is thereafter covered.
3. A battery as claimed in Claim 1 in which the block is covered by the insulating material of the lid except for a hole adapted to receive a terminal screw screwed into the body of an area surrounding the hole in the body to allow a spade connector to contact the body, and an access opening which gives access for fusing the terminal post to the lug and is thereafter covered.
4. A battery as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the hole for the screw extends vertically downwards through the upper surface of the lid.
5. A battery as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3 in which the hole extends horizontally through an end wall or side wall of the lid.
6. A battery as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 5 in which the access opening is covered by a cover indicating by colour the polarity of the terminal.
7. An electric storage battery having a terminal substantially as specifically described herein with reference to Figures 1 and 3 or Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.