GB2328785A

GB2328785A - Electrical battery for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2328785A
Application number: GB9818871A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Seumas Alasdair Graeme Ascott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-09-01
Filing date: 1998-08-28
Publication date: 1999-03-03
Also published as: GB9818871D0

Abstract

An electrical battery has a cut-out switch located inside the battery casing so as to isolate a terminal of the battery. The cut-out switch may be activated by an inertia sensing device 23 located either within the battery or elsewhere in a vehicle in which the battery is installed, the inertia sensing device being responsive to an impact by the vehicle.

Description

ELECTRICAL BATTERY FOR A VEHICLE This invention relates to an electrical battery for a vehicle.

In competition motor vehicles, such as racing cars, it is known to provide remotely triggered battery cut-outs, in which battery power is manually switched off in an emergency, such as following a crash, to reduce the risk of fire from electrical hazard. Such cut-out switches are dependent on an operator knowing where the switch is located, being aware of the switch-off procedure and being able to operate the procedure in an emergency. Moreover, because the cut-out switch is located "down the line" from the battery, it is possible for power to be drawn from the battery between the battery and the cut-out switch, with attendant risk.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the foregoing disadvantages.

According to this invention there is provided an electrical battery comprising switch means located within said battery adapted to interrupt power supply from a cell of the battery to an external battery terminal.

Advantageously said switch means comprises a spindle movable between a standby position and an activated position, actuation means for moving said spindle from said standby position to said activated position, and switching contacts co-operating with the spindle for electrically isolating said terminal of the battery from the battery cells when the spindle is in the activated position.

Preferably, the actuation means is activatable by inertia sensing means or manually, or by pneumatic means or gas propulsion means.

In a first embodiment of this present invention, the actuation means comprises electro-magnetic inductance means arranged to act on a ferromagnetic portion of the spindle.

In a such an embodiment, preferably, there is also provided switching means cooperating with the spindle to open a electrical leakage path connecting the battery terminals when the spindle is in the activated position.

Preferably, there is provided further switching means co-operating with the spindle to interrupt an ignition circuit of a vehicle within which the battery is installed when the spindle is in the activated position.

Advantageously, there is provided a time delay circuit for introducing a delay between a time that an inertia sensor means detects an impact and a time of operation of the actuation means.

Conveniently, the inertia sensing means is located within the battery housing.

In a second embodiment of this present invention, the spindle is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and movable longitudinally along said axis, to move from the standby position to the activated position, and there is further provided an activator arm for engaging the spindle to prevent said spindle from rotating when in the standby position, said activator arm being held in place by the inertia sensing means; and said actuation means includes a spring means.

Advantageously, in this second embodiment, release means are provided manually to release the spindle from the activator arm.

In such a second embodiment, preferably, there is also provided switching means cooperating with the spindle to open a electrical leakage path connecting the battery terminals when the spindle is in the activated position.

Conveniently, the inertia sensing means comprises a self-righting inertia sensing pin.

In a third embodiment of this present invention, the spindle is a self-righting spindle, the actuation means is an inertia mass fixable to the spindle and the switching contacts are positioned at the point of contact between the spindle and a release shaft positioned along the longitudinal axis of the spindle in end-to-end contact therewith.

Preferably, the release shaft is biased against the spindle such that on activation of the spindle from the standby position to the activated position the release shaft moves axially in the direction of the spindle, thereby preventing the switching contacts re-closing.

Conveniently, the release shaft is manually movable axially against the bias away from the spindle to allow the spindle to right itself and then releasable after the spindle and shaft are substantially axially aligned so that the bias may hold the switching contacts closed.

Conveniently, the release shaft is manually axially movable against the bias to a position in which the spindle is held by stop means such that the spindle switching contact is not in contact with the release shaft switching contact.

Preferably in this third embodiment, an electrical path is provided from an auxiliary battery terminal to a battery cell when power supply from the cell of the battery to the external battery terminal is interrupted by the switching means located within said battery.

Conveniently, an electrical path including diode means is provided between the battery terminal and the auxiliary terminal and diode means are provided in the electrical path between the auxiliary terminal and the battery cell.

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectioned view of a first embodiment of a cut-out switch for a battery according to this invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the cut out switch of Figure 1 located in a battery housing; Figure 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a cut-out switch for a battery according to the invention; Figure 4 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the cut out switch of Figure 3 located in a battery housing; Figure 5 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a cut-out switch for a battery ac cording to this invention; and Figure 6 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the cut out switch of Figure 5 located in a battery housing.

In the Figures, like reference numerals denote like parts.

Referring to Figure 1, a spindle 1, of predominantly electrically non-conductive and non-magnetic material, and of circular cross-section, passes through an upper bore 2 and a lower bore 3 in spaced apart opposing walls of a housing 4, such that the ends of the spindle 1 protrude slightly through the opposing walls of the housing, the spindle being slidably movable along its longitudinal axis within the bores 2,3 in the direction of double arrow headed line A. A lower end (as seen in Figure 1) portion 5 of the spindle 1 has a reduced diameter formed by a spindle shoulder 6. Similarly, the lower bore 3 has a smaller diameter portion 7 at its lower end, formed by a bore shoulder 8 such that the reduced diameter portion 5 of the spindle 1 is a sliding fit in the reduced bore portion 7.

The shoulder 6 thereby prevents the spindle 1 passing completely through the bore portion 7 in a downwards (as seen in Figure 1) direction. A roll (spring) pin 9 is inserted through the spindle 1 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spindle 1 a short distance inwards of the inner surface of the upper wall of the housing 4, thereby preventing the spindle 1 passing completely upwards (as seen in Figure 1) through the upper bore 2. A helical spring 10, coaxial with the spindle 1, surrounds the reduced portion 7 of the spindle with the ends of the spring 10 bearing under compression on the spindle shoulder 6 and the bore shoulder 8, thereby urging the spindle longitudinally towards the upper bore 2.

An electrically conductive collar 11 encircles, and is fixed to, the spindle 1 at a position which is aligned with an inner surface 12 of the lower wall of the housing 4 when the spindle 1 is just protruding through the upper wall of the housing 4. Fixed to the inner surface 12 of the lower wall of the housing 4, on opposing sides of the bore 3, are first and second sprung contacts 13,14 which co-operate with the collar 11 to hold the spindle in a standby position against the upward force exerted by the helical spring 10. The first sprung contact 13 is electrically connected by conductor 15 to a positive pole 16 of an end cell (see Figure 2) of a battery 17 (Figure 2) and the second sprung contact 14 is electrically connected by conductor 18 to a positive terminal 19 (Figure 2) of the battery 17.

A portion 20 of the spindle 1, extending downwards from the approximate midpoint of the spindle 1, is of a ferromagnetic material. Coaxial with the spindle 1, and extending upwards from the portion 20 in its standby position, but not connected to the spindle 1, is located a coil 21. The coil 21 may be activated via a time delay circuit 22 on the initiation of an inertia sensor 23.

The lower end 24 of the spindle 1 bears on the operating arm of a leakage microswitch 25 and on the operating arm of an ignition microswitch 26. The leakage microswitch 25 is a biassed-on switch to connect the positive terminal 19 of the battery 17, via a resistor 27, to earth or directly to the negative terminal 28 of the battery 17, when the positive terminal 19 is electrically isolated from the battery 17 in a manner to be described. The ignition microswitch 26 is a biassed-off switch connected by wires 227 within an the ignition coil circuit (not shown) of the vehicle within which the battery 17 is installed.

Input terminals 29 are also provided for connection to a remote manual control (not shown) to activate the coil by bypassing the inertia sensor 23.

Figure 2 shows in diagrammatic form the cut-out switch installed within the housing of a multi-cell battery 17.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, during normal standby operation, the spindle 1 is in the standby position shown in Figure 1 and current is supplied from the positive pole 16 of the battery end cell by conductor 15 to the first sprung contact 13. The first sprung contact 13 is in electrical contact with the conducting collar 11 which in turn is in electrical contact with the opposing second sprung contact 14, from where current is supplied by the conductor 18 to the positive terminal 19 of the battery 17.

With the spindle 1 in this standby position, the leakage microswitch 25 is held open against its bias by the end 24 of the spindle 1, so that there is no leakage path from the positive terminal to earth or directly to the negative terminal 28 of the battery 17. Similarly, the end 24 of the spindle 1 holds the ignition microswitch 26 closed against its bias so that the ignition circuit (not shown) is not interrupted by the ignition microswitch 26.

Upon an impact of a predetermined magnitude the inertia sensor 23 activates the coil 21 via the time delay 22.

The delay introduced by the time delay 22 circuit allows the functioning of safety equipment which requires an electrical supply, such as air bag deployment, central locking mechanism deactivation or seat belt pre-tensioner activation, before the power is interrupted by the cut-out.

Once activated, the coil 21 attracts the magnetic material in portion 20 of the spindle 1, moving the spindle longitudinally upwards (as seen in Figure 1) into an activated position. This movement interrupts the connection between the first and second sprung contacts 13,14 and the collar 11, electrically isolating the positive terminal 19 of the battery 17 from the pole 16 of the end cell. The coil 21 is thereby also de-energised, but the spindle 1 remains held in the activated position by the compression spring 10, maximum upward travel of the spindle 1 being limited by the roll pin 9 bearing on the inner surface of the upper. wall of the housing 4.

The movement of the spindle 1 to the activated position allows the ignition microswitch 26 to open under its own bias, breaking the ignition circuit (not shown) and stopping an engine of the vehicle, thereby preventing the engine from "running on".

The moving of the spindle 1 to the activated position also allows the leakage microswitch 25 to close under its own bias, closing the leakage circuit to connect the isolated positive terminal 19 electrically to the negative terminal 28 (at earth potential) via the leakage resistor 27. This allows the potential of the positive terminal 19 to fall quickly to earth potential and prevents a voltage surge damaging an alternator (not shown) of the vehicle in which the battery 17 is installed.

Remote switches may also be mounted at suitable points on the vehicle to send a signal manually via the input terminals 29 to the cut-out device to de-activate the battery 17, if required, bypassing the inertia sensor 23.

The cut-out switch can be re-set to its standby position by pushing the spindle 1 downwards (as seen in Figure 1) against the compression spring 10 until the first and second sprung contacts 13,14 engage the collar 11 to hold the spindle 1 in its standby position.

A second embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. A vertical (as seen in Figure 3) arm 101 of a generally inverted-L-shaped spindle 100 of circular cross-section passes as a sliding fit through a bore 102 in a housing 104. A roll pin 106 inserted in the vertical arm 101, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the vertical arm 101, has an outer end to engage a generally spiral groove 150 in the wall of the bore 102.

In the standby position of the spindle, as shown in Figure 3, the lower (as seen in Figure 3) end 124 of the vertical arm 101 bears on and forces together first and second metal sprung contacts 113,114 which are biassed apart. The first and second contacts 113,114 form a battery switch interposed between the positive pole 116 of the end cell of a battery 117 and the positive terminal 119 of the battery 117. The second contact 114 in turn bears on a first insulator 151 which bears on the upper (as shown in Fig. 3) of two metal sprung contacts 126, which are biassed apart, connected by wires 227 within an ignition circuit (not shown). The lower of the contacts 126 in turn bears on a second insulator 152 which bears on the operating arm of a biassed closed leakage switch metal sprung contacts 125, in an electrical path between the positive terminal 119 of the battery 117 and, via a leakage resistor 127, a negative terminal 128 of the battery 117. The battery switch 113,114 and the contacts 126 are held normally closed by the action of a compression switch spring 110 interposed between the operating arm of the leakage switch contacts 125 and the base of the housing 104.

The horizontal (as seen in Figure 3) arm 153 of the inverted L-shaped spindle 100 has an axial wide bore 154 along the length of the arm, which bore 154 communicates with an axial narrow bore 155, passing transversely through an upper end of the vertical arm 101. The wide bore 154 accommodates a helical release spring 156 bearing on a base 157 of the wide bore 154 and on an inner face 158 of a release pin 159 which forms a sliding fit in the wide bore 154. The release pin 159 is held, in the standby position of the spindle 100 shown in Figure 3, in an engagement position wherein a portion of the release pin 159 protrudes from the wide bore 154, against the compression of the helical release spring 156, by an inner cable 160 of a Bowden cable 161. The inner cable 160 is attached to the release pin 159 and passes through the wide bore 154 and the narrow bore 155. The Bowden cable 161 has a sheath stop 162 at the exit of the narrow bore 155 from the vertical arm 101 remote from the horizontal arm 153. The release pin 159 may be drawn by the Bowden cable 161, in the direction shown by arrow headed line G in Figure 3, into the bore 154 to a release position, in a manner and for a purpose to be described.

The vertical arm 101 and the horizontal arm 153 of the L-shaped spindle 100 are maintained in their perpendicular relationship by a triangular strengthening member 163 located in the right angle between the horizontal arm 153 and the vertical arm 101.

In the standby position illustrated in Figure 3, the release pin 159 protruding from the horizontal arm 153 of the spindle 100 engages a slot or depression in the end of an horizontal activator arm 164 having its longitudinal axis located along the longitudinal axis of the horizontal arm 153. The spindle 100 is thereby prevented from rotating (in the rotational sense indicated by arrow headed line B in Figure 3) about the longitudinal axis of the vertical arm 101 of the spindle 100.

The activator arm 164 is pivoted to the housing 104 at its end remote from the spindle 100, to allow the activator arm 164 to rotate vertically (as shown in Figure 3) about its pivot 165 in the direction shown by arrow headed line C in Figure 3. The activator arm 164 is biassed downwards (as shown in figure 3) by a helical activator spring 166 in tension between the activator arm 164 and the housing 104.

The activator arm is, however, held in position in engagement with the release pin 159 against, the tension of the activator spring 166, by an inertia sensing pin 167.

The inertia sensing pin 167 has a generally inverted mushroom shape having a head 168 formed as a portion of a sphere with the spherical face 169 outermost. An axial bore is provided through the head 168 and partly into the stem of the inertia sensing pin 167. In use, the inertia sensing pin is located between the activator arm 164 and the housing 104, substantially perpendicularly to the activator arm 164, thereby opposing the action of the activator spring 166. The head 168 of the inertia sensing pin 167 is held in a co-operating semi-spherical depression 171 in the housing 104 by a helical pin spring 172 fixed under tension to the base 173 of the pin bore 170 and a base 174 of a corresponding bore 175 in the depression 171. With the sensing pin upright (as seen in Figure 3) a rounded end of the pin remote from the head 168 engages a depression 176 in the underside of the activator arm 164, thereby holding the activator arm 164 in engagement with the release pin 159 of the spindle 100.

Figure 4 illustrates a schematic of the circuit diagram of the cut-out switch of Figure 3 installed in a battery housing. The operation of such a cut-out switch installed in a battery 117 will now be described.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, during normal standby operation the spindle 100 is in its standby position shown in Figure 3 and electrical current passes from the positive pole 116 of an end battery cell of the battery 117 through conductor 115, through the first and second contacts 113, 114 of the battery switch and conductor 118 to the positive terminal 119 of the battery 117.

With the spindle 100 in this standby position, the end 124 of the spindle 100 and the switch spring 110 co-operate to hold the contacts 126 closed against their normal bias so that the ignition circuit is not interrupted by the contacts 126. Similarly, the leakage switch 125 is held open against its bias by the end 124 of the spindle 100 acting through the first and second contacts 113,114 of the battery switch and the contacts 126, so that there is no leakage path from the positive terminal 119 to earth or directly to a negative terminal 128 of the battery 117.

Upon an impact with the battery 117, or with a vehicle containing the battery 117, the end of the sensing pin 167 remote from the head 168, moves out of the depression 176 in the activator arm 164, in, for example, the direction of one of the arrow headed lines D or E in Figure 3. This allows the activator arm 164 to rotate about its pivot 165 in the direction of arrow headed line C in Figure 3 under the tension of the activator spring 166. This in turn disengages the activator arm 164 from the release pin 159 in the horizontal arm 153 of the spindle 100, leaving the spindle 100 free to rotate about the longitudinal axis of its vertical arm 101.

The spindle 100, being urged upwards, in the direction of arrow headed line F in Figure 3, by the combined forces of the switch spring 110, the bias of the leakage switch 125, the bias of the contacts 126 and the bias of the first and second contacts 113,114, is constrained to move spirally upwards by an end of the pin 106 following the spiral groove 150 in the housing bore 102, and rotating in the sense shown by arrow headed line B in Figure 3, to the activated position of the spindle 100.

The movement of the spindle allows the first and second contacts 113 and 114 to open under the influence of the associated bias means, thereby disconnecting the positive pole 116 of the end cell of the battery 117 from the positive terminal 119 of the battery 117. Similarly the contacts 126 open under their own bias, breaking the ignition circuit and stopping the engine, thereby preventing the engine from "running on". The movement of the spindle 100 also allows the leakage switch 125 to close under the combined effects of its own bias and the action of the switch spring 110, thereby connecting the isolated positive terminal 119, via the leakage resistor 127, to the negative terminal 128 of the battery. This allows the potential of the isolated positive terminal 119 to fall quickly to earth potential and prevents a voltage surge damaging an alternator (not shown) of the vehicle in which the battery 117 is installed.

Alternatively, the cut-out device can be tripped manually by operating the Bowden cable 161 to withdraw the release pin 159, in the direction of arrow headed line G in Figure 3, into the bore 154 against the force of the release spring 156. This action disengages the release pin 159 from the activator arm 164, allowing the spindle to rotate and move spirally, as previously described.

The cut-out switch can be re-set by first rotating the spindle about the longitudinal axis of the vertical arm 101 so that the spindle spirals downwards (as seen in Figure 3) to its standby position, in which position the horizontal arm 153 of the spindle 100 is aligned with the activator arm 164. The activator arm 164 is then rotated about its pivot 165 in a direction opposite to that shown by arrow headed line C in Figure 3, upon which the inertia sensing pin 167 is constrained by the pin spring 172 and by cooperation of the face 169 of the pin head 168 with the pinhead depression 171 to return to its "upright" standby position. Subsequently, the activator arm 164 is engaged with the release pin 159, while the end of the impact sensing pin 167 engages the depression 176 in the activator arm 164.

The leakage resistors 27,127 may have a rating of, for example, 3 ohm, 11 watt.

A third embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. A self-righting spindle 201 has a head 268 formed as a portion of a sphere with a part spherical face 269. An axial spindle bore 270 is provided through the head 268. The head 268 of the self-righting spindle 201 is held in a co-operating semi-spherical depression 271 in a housing 204 by a helical spindle spring 272 fixed under tension to the base 273 of the spindle bore 270 and a base 274 of a corresponding bore 275 in the depression 271. The head 268 is further secured within the depression 271 in the housing 204 by a securing plate 276 having a bore with a partial-spherical surface of the same radius as the semispherical depression 271. The securing plate is fixed to the housing 204 with the spindle passing through the bore 277 such that the face of the bore 277 and the face of the depression 271 constitute a continuous partially spherical surface to cooperate with the face 269 of the head 268.

A cylinder 202, having an axial bore, is fixed coaxially on the spindle towards the end of the spindle remote from the head, the cylinder providing a weight mass.

A release shaft 264 passes as a sliding fit through a bore 260 in the housing 204 opposite the depression 271 such that the release shaft 264 and the spindle 201 are axially aligned (with the spindle in its standby position) and in the standby position shown make end-to-end contact 214, 213 respectively. The contacts 213, 214 may be domed and cooperatively recessed to assist engagement. The release shaft is further constrained to move along the longitudinal axis of the spindle by passing through a bore in a shaft support 263 secured to the inside of the housing 204 about the bore 260. The bore in the shaft support 263 has a large diameter portion 265 remote from the spindle and a small diameter portion 262 proximate to the spindle through which latter the release shaft passes as a sliding fit. An annulus 209 fixed to the release shaft 264 at its approximate mid-point is accommodated within the large diameter portion 265 of the shaft support bore and a helical spring 210 is mounted coaxially with the release shaft in compression between a face 206 of the annulus remote from the spindle and an inner face 208 of the housing 204.

A roll pin 281 passes transversely through the release shaft in a position between the annulus 209 and the end of the release shaft proximate the spindle 201. Longitudinal travel of the release shaft is restricted outwardly by the roll pin 281 abutting a face of the shaft support 263 and inwardly by the annulus 209 abutting the base of the large diameter portion 265 of the shaft support bore 265,262.

The end of the release shaft remote from the spindle 201 is formed into a pull ring 282. On diametrically opposite sides of that part of the release shaft 264 protruding from the housing 204 through the bore 260, are two pillars 283. Grooves 284 are provided in the top face (as shown in Figure 5) of the pillars 283 remote from the housing 204, the grooves being aligned transversely to the longitudinal axis of the release shaft 264 and on a line passing through that axis, to receive the ends of a roll pin 285 passing transversely though the release shaft between the ring pull 282 and the housing 204.

The spindle 201 and release shaft 264 are generally of electrically insulating material but each has an electrically conductive core 290,291 respectively. The cores at the abutting contacts 213,214 of the spindle 201 and release shaft 264 thereby form switching contacts.

Electrical connection is made to the conducting core of the spindle by an overlength, flexible, insulated wire 292 and to the conducting core of the release shaft by means of an overlength, flexible, insulated wire 293. As best seen by reference to Figure 6, the wire 292 is connected via an electrical conductor 298 to the positive pole 216 of an end cell of a battery 217, so that with the switching contacts 213,214 in a closed position, power is supplied via the wire 293 to the positive terminal 219 of the battery 217. The positive terminal 219 is additionally connected via a diode 296 to an auxiliary terminal 295, which is connected by a further diode 297 to the conductor 298 and hence electrically connected to the positive pole 216 of the end cell of the battery 217.

In the normal standby position, the spindle 201 is in an upright position (as seen in Figure 5) and the contact 213 on the spindle is in engagement with the contact 214 on the release shaft 264. In this position electrical current may flow from the positive pole 116 of the end cell through the conductor 298, the flexible wire 292, the core 290 of the spindle, the contacts 213 and 214, the core 291 of the release shaft and via the flexible lead 293 to the positive terminal 219 of the battery.

The positive supply from the alternator is isolated from all other circuits on a vehicle in which the battery is installed, and is fed directly to the battery via the auxiliary terminal 295. In normal operation current can flow from the alternator via the diode 297 to the cell terminal 216 or via the flexible wire 292, the core 290 of the spindle, the contacts 213 and 214, the core 291 of the release shaft and via the flexible lead 293 to the positive terminal 219 of the battery. When the alternator is not generating current, current may flow from the pole 216 of the battery cell to the alternator via the diode 296.

Upon an impact of a predetermined magnitude of or with the vehicle, the cylinder 202 acts as an inertial mass and forces the spindle 201 to move relative to the housing 204 in a direction such as that shown by arrow headed lines K or L, pivoting about the head 268, thereby breaking electrical contact between the switching contacts 213,214. The release shaft moves inwards (i.e. downwards as seen in Figure 5) in the direction shown by arrow headed line M under the bias of the spring 210, thereby preventing the spindle righting itself completely to its standby position under the influence of the spindle spring 272, so preventing the switching contacts 213,214 re-engaging. The circuit is therefore broken between the positive pole 216 of the battery cell and the positive terminal 219 of the battery 217. Moreover, a current surge is prevented from damaging the alternator by the connection between the auxiliary terminal 295 through the diode 297 to the positive pole 216 of the end cell.

To reset the device to its standby position, the release shaft may be pulled outwards (i.e. upwards in Figure 5) in a direction opposite to that shown by arrow headed line M by means of the pull ring 282 against the bias of the spring 210 until the spindle spring 274 returns the spindle 201 to the fully upright position (as seen in Figure 5). The release shaft may then be released so that the contacts 213,214 are firmly engaged under the bias of spring 210.

The battery may also be "switched off" manuall then releasing the release shaft so that the roll pin 285 engages the grooves 284 in the pillars 283.

The battery may be, for example, a 12 V lead acid accumulator.

Claims

1. An electrical battery comprising switch means located within said battery adapted to interrupt power supply from a cell of the battery to an external battery terminal.

2. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein said switch means comprises: a spindle movable between a standby position and an activated position; actuation means for moving said spindle from said standby position to said activated position; and switching contacts co-operating with the spindle for electrically isolating said terminal of the battery from the battery cells when the spindle is in the activated position.

3. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuation means is activatable by inertia sensing means or manually, or by pneumatic means or gas propulsion means.

4. An electrical battery as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the actuation means comprises electro-magnetic inductance means arranged to act on a ferromagnetic portion of the spindle.

5. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 4, wherein there is also provided switching means cooperating with the spindle to open a electrical leakage path connecting the battery terminals when the spindle is in the activated position.

6. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein there is provided further switching means co-operating with the spindle to interrupt an ignition circuit of a vehicle within which the battery is installed when the spindle is in the activated position.

7. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 3, wherein there is provided a time delay circuit for introducing a delay between a time that an inertia sensor means detects an impact and a time of operation of the actuation means.

8. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 3, wherein the inertia sensing means is located within the battery housing.

9. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spindle is rotatable about a longitudinal axis and movable longitudinally along said axis, to move from the standby position to the activated position, and there is further provided an activator arm for engaging the spindle to prevent said spindle from rotating when in the standby position, said activator arm being held in place by the inertia sensing means; and said actuation means includes a spring means.

10. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 9, wherein release means are provided manually to release the spindle from the activator arm.

11. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein there is also provided switching means cooperating with the spindle to open a electrical leakage path connecting the battery terminals when the spindle is in the activated position.

12. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 11, wherein there is provided further switching means co-operating with the spindle to interrupt an ignition circuit of a vehicle within which the battery is installed when the spindle is in the activated position.

13. An electrical battery as claimed in claims 9 - 12, wherein the inertia sensing means comprises a self-righting inertia sensing pin.

14. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the spindle is a self-righting spindle, the actuation means is an inertia mass fixable to the spindle and the switching contacts are positioned at the point of contact between the spindle and a release shaft positioned along the longitudinal axis of the spindle in end-to-end contact therewith.

15. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 14, wherein the release shaft is biased against the spindle such that on activation of the spindle from the standby position to the activated position the release shaft moves axially in the direction of the spindle, thereby preventing the switching contacts re-closing.

16. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the release shaft is manually movable axially against the bias away from the spindle to allow the spindle to right itself and then releasable after the spindle and shaft are substantially axially aligned so that the bias may hold the switching contacts closed.

17. An electrical battery as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the release shaft is manually axially movable against the bias to a position in which the spindle is held by stop means such that the spindle switching contact is not in contact with the release shaft switching contact.

18. An electrical battery as claimed in claims 14 - 17, wherein an electrical path is provided from an auxiliary battery terminal to a battery cell when power supply from the cell of the battery to the external battery terminal is interrupted by the switching means located within said battery.

19. An electrical battery as claimed in claims 14 - 17, wherein an electrical path including diode means is provided between the battery terminal and the auxiliary terminal and diode means are provided in the electrical path between the auxiliary terminal and the battery cell.

20. An electrical battery substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1, 2 or 3, 4 or 5, 6 of the accompanying drawings.