JP3231495U - Electrochemical cell with contact lag - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrochemical cell which exhibits a large resistance to a mechanical load and has improved safety.
A cell includes a cylindrical housing that surrounds an interior space, the cylindrical housing having a first end face 2 and a second end face, the end faces of which are interconnected by an annular shell. A positive electrode and a negative electrode are arranged inside the housing, the negative electrode is electrically connected to the first end surface by a direct or separate electric conductor to form a cathode, and the positive electrode is connected to the second end surface by a direct or separate electric conductor. It is electrically connected to form an electrode. A contact lug 40 is fixed to the first or second end face of the housing, the contact lug includes a first contact connection area 44 mounted on the end face, where the contact lug is fixed to the end face. The contact lug includes a second contact connection area 45 mounted on the end face for the contact connection of the external electrical conductor and the electrochemical cell. The contact lag between the first contact connection area and the second contact connection area includes a damping area 46 capable of free vibration.
[Selection diagram] Fig. 5

Description

The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell having a cylindrical housing and at least one contact lug.

The function of the electrochemical cell is to store energy. They include a positive electrode and a negative electrode, which are separated from each other by a separator. In this type of energy storage cell, an electrochemical and energy release reaction takes place, which consists of two electrically interconnected but spatially separated partial reactions. Partial reactions that occur at relatively low redox potentials proceed at the negative electrode. Other partial reactions occur at the positive electrode at a relatively high redox potential. During discharge, electrons are emitted at the negative electrode by an oxidation process, which results in an electron flow, which flows to the positive electrode by an external load, where the corresponding amount of electrons is absorbed. Therefore, the reduction process occurs at the positive electrode. At the same time, for the purpose of charge equalization, an ion flow corresponding to the electrode reaction exists in the cell. This ion flow passes through the separator and is delivered by an ionic conductive electrolyte.

In secondary (rechargeable) electrochemical energy storage cells, this discharge reaction is reversible, so it is possible that the conversion of chemical energy to electrical energy is reversed in connection with the discharge.

Small cells, such as button cells, have a particularly large number of applications. Button cells, by definition, are cells that have a height smaller than their diameter. They generally include a cylindrical housing, which is composed of two metal housing parts, which are electrically insulated from each other, one of which is connected as an anode and the other as a cathode. Be connected. Housings generally include first and second end faces, which have a circular or oval perimeter shape, respectively, and are interconnected by an annular shell.

Contact lags are often required to secure cells such as button cells in electronic devices (eg, circuit boards). The contact lug first functions as a mechanical fixing means, but secondly also functions as an electrical conductor. Generally, one contact lug is connected to the anode and the second contact lug is connected to the cathode. The connection of the button cell to the housing is made especially by soldering or welding.

For technical manufacturing reasons, the contact lugs are generally fitted to the end face of the button cell.

By bending one of the contact lugs 90 °, this contact lug can be brought to the side of the opposite end face. If the contact lugs are in the same plane, fixing to the circuit board is especially easy.

Cells with contact lags are known, for example, from EP3667761A1 and US2011 / 001618A1.

In recent years, rechargeable button cells have been developed based on lithium ion technology (see, eg, WO2010 / 089152A1). This type of button cell requires high safety measures in the event of damage because their high energy density and easily combustible components can constitute a major hazard to consumers.

Known safety measures for button cells include the formation of fracture surfaces on one of their end faces. In the event of excessive pressure in the cell that exceeds the pressure threshold, the button cell housing can be opened in a controlled fracture area to relieve excess pressure.

However, this type of fracture surface is easily blocked by welding a contact lug to the end face including the fracture surface.

Further problems arise in cells with contact lugs, where the contact lugs may be desorbed from their respective end faces to which they are anchored in response to the impacts, vibrations (oscillations or vibrations) they are exposed to.

The present invention addresses the object of providing an electrochemical cell with an improved contact lag with respect to the above problems. Cells with improved contact lugs exhibit greater resistance to the mechanical loads described above and / or are characterized by improved safety, especially in combination with pressure release valves such as the fracture surface described above. Be done.

This object is satisfied by an electrochemical cell having the characteristics of claim 1. The advantageous configuration of this cylindrical cell is the subject of the dependent claims.

The electrochemical cell according to the present invention is first characterized by the following characteristics:
(A) The cell includes a cylindrical housing that surrounds the interior space, which has a first end face and a second end face, the end faces of which are interconnected by an annular shell;
(B) Positive and negative electrodes are located inside the housing;
(C) The negative electrode is electrically connected to the first end surface by a direct or separate electric conductor to form a cathode, and the positive electrode is electrically connected to the second end surface by a direct or separate electric conductor. Consists of the anode:
(D) A contact lug is fixed to the first or second end face of the housing.

According to the present invention, the electrochemical cell is further characterized with respect to the contact lag by the following characteristics:
(E) The contact lug includes a first contact connection area mounted on the end face, where the contact lug is fixed to the end face;
(F) The contact lug includes a second contact connection area mounted on the end face for the contact connection between the external electrical conductor and the electrochemical cell;
(G) The contact lag between the first contact connection area and the second contact connection area includes a damping area where free vibration is possible;
(H) The first contact connection area and damping area extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the end face of the housing to which the contact lugs are fixed, and the second contact connection area is preferably angled with respect to the plane. It is extending.

A first contact connection area mounted on the end face for fixing the contact lug to the end face, and a second contact connection area mounted on the end face for contact connection between the external electrochemical conductor and the particularly intervening damping zone. Due to the configuration of the contact lugs, the cell according to the invention achieves a significant improvement in the impact and vibration sensitivity of the electrochemical cell. In particular, the damping area in the central region of the contact lug can buffer and dampen the impact, vibration to which the contact lug is exposed, so that all of the impact or vibration magnitude is particularly in the contact connection area. It is not conferred on the first contact connection area, and as a result the contact connection area, especially the first contact connection area, is substantially protected against vibration.

Fixation of the contact lugs in the first contact connection area is generally carried out by welding, for example laser welding, in a particularly advantageous method, resistance welding is used for this purpose. For this purpose, multiple weld points, such as two or four or six weld points, can be provided in the first contact connection area. In conventional electrochemical cells, the problem is that one or more of these weld points are damaged as a result of the impact or vibration acting on the cell, thus potentially loosening of the contact lugs from the end faces and even desorption. It can happen. In the electrochemical cell of the present invention, this problem is diminished, where the impact or vibration acting on the contact lugs is mitigated and damped by the damping zones located between the contact connection zones mounted on the end faces. ..

The cell contact lag according to the present invention described above can replace the conventional contact lug. Conventional contact lugs consist only of a flat contact connection area (first contact connection area) where the contact lug is fixed to the end face of the cell, and contact spikes where the electrochemical cell can be contact connected to an external electrical conductor. It is composed. The contact spikes are typically constructed directly over a flat contact connection area in the form of narrow protrusions so that external electrical conductors can be soldered or clamped to the contact spikes, for example. Can be angled. An example of a contact lug with a non-angled contact spike is shown in FIG. 1 (reference number 106) of EP3667761A1.

The connection between the second contact connection zone and the external electrical conductor can also be protected by cushioning the shock or vibration with the damping zone. Thus, for example, the development of fatigue or defects and / or cracks at the soldering or clamping points between the second contact area and the external electrical conductor can be prevented.

Optionally, the attenuation zone of the contact lag according to the invention can also divert and / or attenuate electromagnetic waves that can have a damaging effect on the cells according to the invention.

As mentioned above, the second contact connection zone extends at an angle to the plane of the end face to which the contact lugs are fixed in a preferred embodiment. In other words, the second contact connection area is preferably angled with respect to the first contact connection area and the decayed area. A 90 ° angle is particularly preferred. In these preferred embodiments, the boundary between the second contact connection zone and the damping zone is preferably configured by a curved zone in which the contact lugs are bent upwards. In this case, the area of the contact lug that is not oriented parallel to the end face is the second contact connection area.

In each case, the first and second end faces of the cell housing according to the present invention preferably have a circular or elliptical peripheral shape and are interconnected by an annular shell.

In the manufacture of cylindrical cells according to the present invention, contact lugs having a first contact connection zone, a second contact connection zone, and a damping zone located between them are used as flat components, such as embossed sheet metal parts. Preferably constructed first, all of those areas are arranged in a single plane. In this form, the contact lugs can be secured to the end face of the cell in the first contact connection area. Bending or angling of the second contact area to facilitate the connection between the external electrical conductor and the second contact area need not be performed until a later stage.

Alternatively, bending or angulation can also be performed prior to fixing the contact lug to the end face.

The end face to which the above-mentioned contact lug is fixed is preferably the end face of the cylindrical electrochemical cell constituting the cathode of the cell.

In a particularly preferred configuration of the cylindrical cell according to the present invention, the cell is characterized by additional features identified below:
(A) The damping area is not directly connected to the end face to which the contact lugs are fixed.

According to the feature (a) identified above, the damping zone is only indirectly connected to the end face. Thus, the damping zone constitutes to some extent the freely oscillating range of the first contact connection area, which forms a transition to the second contact connection area mounted on the end. The contact connection of the electrochemical cell to the external electrical conductor can be carried out via.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the decay zone of the cylindrical cell is characterized by at least one of the features (a)-(c) identified below:
(A) The damping area is composed of strips;
(B) The attenuation zone includes at least one strip-shaped zone having an essentially constant width;
(C) The contact lug includes a transition zone from the first contact connection area to the decay zone, where the width of the contact lug is reduced by at least 25%, preferably at least 50%, in cross section of the contact lug. is decreasing.

Preferably, the above-mentioned features (a) and (b), particularly preferably the above-mentioned features (a) to (c), are realized in combination with each other.

In particular, strip-shaped or damped areas of essentially constant width, especially strip-shaped damped areas, are at least twice as long as, particularly preferably at least four times, the maximum length of the second contact connection area. preferable.

A strip-shaped or damped area, particularly strip-shaped damped area, having an essentially constant width exceeds the maximum length of the first contact connection area by at least 1.1 times, particularly preferably at least 2 times, especially 3 times. Is even more preferable.

The presence of a transition from the first contact connection area to the decay zone does not preclude including, at least locally, a further increase in the width of the contact lug, i.e. the cross section, within the decay zone.

The change in contact lag width at the transition can be configured to increase gradually or continuously. With this configuration of the damped area, vibrations or shocks generated from the second contact area acting on the contact lugs are mitigated and damped in a particularly effective way before they reach the first contact area. Can be done.

In a particularly preferred configuration, the decay zone is characterized by the following characteristics:
(A) The damping area takes a curved profile, especially an annular profile.

The curved profile of the decay zone first gives the special advantage that a relatively long length of decay zone can be achieved, where the limited surface area of the end face of the cylindrical cell is optimally utilized. Can be done. Impacts or vibrations can be more effectively mitigated by the expansion of the damping zone thus made possible.
The damping area within the contact lug can, to some extent, be track or strip shaped and preferably curved. The curved profile can preferably follow an arc. For example, the decay zone can take the approximate form of a 3/4 circle.

The configuration of the damping area with a curved profile gives an additional special advantage. In particular, the curved profile allows the contact lugs to keep the central region empty so that the central region of the end face can be used for other purposes.

In a particularly preferred configuration, the cells according to the invention are characterized by at least one of the features (a)-(c) specified below:
(A) The cell includes a safety valve;
(B) The cell includes a safety valve in the form of a fracture surface;
(C) The damping area has a curved profile around the safety valve.

Preferably, both the above-mentioned features (a) and (c), particularly preferably the above-mentioned features (a) to (c), are realized in combination with each other.

Known safety measures are provided for cells, especially button cells, where safety valves, especially safety valves in the form of fracture surfaces, are included in one of the end faces. In the event of the appearance of excess pressure built in the cell that exceeds a certain pressure threshold, the safety valve (eg fracture surface), which constitutes a predetermined failure point, will release the excess pressure. It can be opened so that it can be done.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the above-mentioned empty central region of the end face is used for safety purposes, especially for the location of the safety valve. It is particularly advantageous that the safety valve, especially the fracture surface, is located in the end face region, especially in the central region, which is kept empty by the curved profile of the contact lugs. Therefore, it is achieved that the fracture surface, or the safety valve configured in a different manner optionally, is not hindered by the contact lugs.

The contact lugs of the cylindrical cell according to the present invention are preferably characterized by additional features identified below:
(A) The contact lug extends beyond the edge of the end face to which it is fixed.

As described above, each of the first and second end faces of the cell according to the present invention preferably has a circular or elliptical peripheral shape and is interconnected by an annular shell.

If the second contact connection area and the damping area are coplanar, the contact lug preferably projects beyond the edge of the end face to which it is fixed, preferably beyond the perimeter of the shell. In this case, the portion of the contact lug that does not engage the end face constitutes the second contact connection area. It is a particularly viable method for contact connections, as the second contact connection area does not engage the end face, but is angled from it or projects beyond the edge of the end face to which it is fixed. It is accessible at, so a particularly easy connection to an external electrical conductor is possible. For example, in a manner known per se, the second contact area can be connected to an electrical conductor (eg, a wire) by soldering or clamping, thus contacting each pole of the cell according to the present invention. Is configured.

In a particularly preferred method, the cells according to the invention are characterized by additional features (a) and (b) identified below:
(A) The cell includes a contact lug fixed to the first or second end face of the housing as the first contact lug;
(B) The cell includes a second contact lug on the end face of the housing arranged opposite to the end face to which the first contact lug is fixed.

In addition to the first contact lugs already described in detail, the cell can further include additional contact lugs that are secured to the opposite end faces. As mentioned above, the contact lugs can, in a preferred embodiment, be guided to the opposite end face side by bending over 90 °. Correspondingly, the cells according to the invention are preferably characterized by the additional feature (a) identified below:
(A) The second contact lug extends over an angled contact lug region in the plane of the opposite end face.

The angled contact lug region allows the contact connection of the two poles of a cylindrical cell to be carried out in a particularly viable manner from one side of the cell. Thus, this configuration of the cylindrical cell according to the present invention allows, for example, a particularly preferred configuration for easy fixation of the cell to the circuit board.

The second contact lug can be configured, for example, like the contact lug identified by reference number 107 in FIG. 2 of EP3667761A1 described above.

In conventional cylindrical cells, especially the first contact lug, is a relatively small component, which is, in principle, in the form of a flat contact connection zone where the contact lug is fixed to the end face of the cell, and a contact spike. It consists only of the second contact connection area. The small size of this component can pose difficulties in the cell manufacturing process. This is because this small component is difficult to handle while fixing the contact lug to the end face. Conversely, contact lugs with damping zones according to the present invention are special in that the pick-up selection for contact lags in the manufacturing process of cylindrical cells, especially in automated manufacturing, is significantly improved and, as a result, simplified. The cell according to the present invention also gives an advantage, and is particularly advantageous for manufacturing and its manufacturing cost. Therefore, the cells according to the present invention are particularly suitable for automated manufacturing.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the contact lugs (s) of the cylindrical cell according to the invention are characterized by at least one of the additional features (a) and (b) identified below:
(A) The contact lugs (s) are sheet metal parts;
(B) The contact lugs (s) are embossed parts.

Sheet metal parts, especially those in the form of embossed parts, can be manufactured very easily and cost-effectively, and do not significantly increase the weight of the resulting cylindrical cell.

Preferably, the contact lugs (s) are extremely thin sheet material parts. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the contact lugs (s) of the cylindrical cell according to the present invention may include additional features identified below with respect to the thickness of the contact lugs:
(A) The contact lugs (s) have a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably 0.25 mm to 2.5 mm.

The thickness of the contact lug within the above range ensures sufficient safety of the contact lug. On the other hand, this thickness of the contact lug ensures sufficient vibration capacity of the first contact lug in the damping area of the contact lug, so the impact or vibration acting on the first contact lug as a result is in a particularly effective way. It can be relaxed and dampened.

Metallic materials are particularly suitable as contact rug materials. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cylindrical cell according to the invention can include additional features identified below for the material used for the contact lugs (s):
(A) The contact lugs (s) are made of steel, especially special steel.

As the steel, for example, "CRCA steel" (CRCA = cold-rolled sealed annealing) can be used.

Alternatively, the contact lugs (s) can also be composed of nickel or nickel plated metals, or nickel alloys.

In a particularly preferred configuration of the electrochemical cylindrical cell, the cylindrical cell is a lithium ion cell. Lithium-ion cells are characterized by a particularly high energy density and can therefore be used in a variety of applications in a particularly advantageous manner. In connection with the lithium ion cell, the configuration of the first contact lag according to the present invention further provides an advantage in that the safety aspect of the lithium ion cell is also considered in a particular way. In particular, the first contact lugs according to the present invention provide options for the construction of damping areas, especially in a curved shape, so that the safety valve, in particular the fracture surface, is not obstructed.

In a particularly preferred configuration of the cylindrical cell according to the invention, the cell is characterized by at least one of the additional features identified below:
(A) The cell is a button cell;
(B) The cell has a diameter in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm;
(C) The cell has a height in the range of 1.5 mm to 15 mm, preferably 3 mm to 15 mm.

Preferably, the above-mentioned features (a) and (b), or (a) and (c), particularly preferably the above-mentioned features (a), (b) and (c) are realized in combination with each other. ..

The housing of the cell according to the present invention is preferably formed of two metal housing parts, which are preferably formed in a cup shape. In addition to the respective preferred circular bases, they preferably include a hollow cylindrical shell. It is preferable that the outer side of the base constitutes the above-mentioned end face.

An annular plastic seal is preferably placed between the two metal housing parts, which electrically insulates the housing parts from each other. The seal also ensures fluid sealing closure of the cell.

The housing component can be composed of, for example, nickel-plated steel or steel material. Metallic materials having an arrangement of three metals, such as nickel, steel (or special steel) and copper, are also conceivable. It is also conceivable that one housing component is composed of aluminum or aluminum alloy and the other is composed of steel or trimetallic material.

The electrode of the cell is preferably configured in strip form and is a component of the composite winding, which is placed in the interior space of the housing. It preferably consists of at least two strip electrodes (positive and negative electrodes) spirally wound around the winding shaft and at least one separator strip spirally wound around the winding shaft. Preferably, the composite winding is also configured as a cylinder and similarly comprises two circular end faces correspondingly.

The end face of the composite winding is preferably composed of the longitudinal edges of at least one separator strip and oriented towards a circular, mutually parallel housing base, so that the winding shaft is vertical or essentially housing. Aimed parallel to the base. It is preferable that the winding shaft and the cylindrical shaft match. An exemplary composite winding of this type is specifically described in WO2010 / 089152A1.

Both the positive electrode and the negative electrode preferably include a strip-shaped metal current collector coated with an electrode material. The function of the current collector is the electrical contact connection of the electrode material over the maximum possible surface area. They are generally composed of, for example, a strip-shaped flat metal material of metal foil or metal foam or metal coating cloth.

Due to the electrical contact connection between the housing component and the electrodes, these current collectors can be welded directly to the housing component, preferably inside the base of the housing component. Alternatively, the current collector can also be welded to a separate electrical conductor, which is then electrically connected to the housing component.

In particular, as the electrode material for the cell electrode according to the present invention, any material capable of taking in and then releasing lithium ions can be considered. For the negative electrode of the secondary lithium ion system, a carbon-based material such as graphite or a non-graphite carbon-based material capable of intercalating lithium is particularly suitable. As the positive electrode of the secondary lithium ion system, for example, a lithium metal oxide compound and a lithium metal phosphoric acid compound (for example, LiCoO ₂ and LiFePO ₄ ) can be considered.

The electrode can further include an electrode binder and a conductive agent. The electrode binder ensures mechanical stability of the electrode and has a role for the mutual contact connection of particles of electrochemically active material and for its contact connection with the current collector. Conductive agents such as carbon black increase the electrical conductivity of the electrodes.

The electrodes are preferably impregnated with a suitable electrolyte.

The present invention further includes a method for producing the above-mentioned electrochemical cell according to the present invention. As a general rule, this manufacturing method primarily comprises the first contact connection area mounted on the end face and the second contact connection area mounted on the end face, as well as the damping zone intervening between them. The use of contact lugs differs from conventional methods for the manufacture of cylindrical cells.

Preferably, according to the method of manufacture, a correspondingly made electrode, eg, in the form of a composite winding, is introduced inside the housing of the cylindrical cell in a manner known per se, and the housing is closed. , Optionally sealed, the electrodes are contact-connected to the poles or end faces of the cylindrical cell. A contact lug having a damping zone (first contact lug) is fixed on at least one of the end faces of the cylindrical cell, where the fixing of the contact lug to the end face of the housing is carried out exclusively in the first contact connection zone. Will be done. For this purpose, for example, multiple welding points can be given, which are formed by resistance welding or welding using laser welding. The damping area of the contact lug that follows the first contact connection area is not directly connected to the end face and is therefore capable of free vibration. At the end of this decay zone, a second contact connection zone is provided, which is provided in a manner known per se for the contact connection of the external electrical conductor and the contact lag, and thus the respective poles of the cell.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following description of exemplary embodiments in combination with the drawings. The individual features can be realized individually or in combination with each other.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a button cell from the prior art, having a first contact lug and a second contact lug. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a (partial) contact lug from the prior art fixed to one end face of a cylindrical cell. FIG. 3 shows a diagram of a contact lug fixed to one end face of a cylindrical cell in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a contact lug fixed to one end face of a cylindrical cell according to a more preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a more preferred embodiment of a (partial) contact lug according to the invention fixed to one end face of a cylindrical cell.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the button cell 1 from the prior art. The upper end face 2 that can be seen here constitutes the cathode of the button cell 1, and the lower end face (invisible) constitutes the anode of the button cell 1. A contact lug 3 is fixed to the end face 2, which is divided into a flat first contact connection area 4 and a second contact connection area 5 in the form of contact spikes. The contact lug is fixed to the end face 2 of the button cell 1 in the first contact connection area 4. The connection to the external electrical conductor is carried out by the second contact connection area 5. In this case, the external electrical conductor is understood as an electrical conductor in which the cell is directly or indirectly connected to, for example, a circuit board or the like. Button cell 1 further includes an additional contact lug 6. Further contact lugs 6 include a first contact connection area 7 in which the contact lug 6 is fixed to a downward facing end face, an angled contact lug area 8, and an end face 2 opposite to the contact connection with an external electrical conductor. It is subdivided into additional contact connection areas 9 that can be implemented in the area. This type of button cell is known, for example, from EP3667761A1.

FIG. 2 shows a contact lug 3, which is similarly known from the prior art and, in principle, structured as in the contact lug 3 according to FIG. The first contact connection area 4 of the contact lug 3 is fixed to the end face 2 of the button cell by four individual weld points 41. The second contact connection area 5 is located in this form of the contact lug 3 at an angle to the plane of the end face 2 and thus at the same time to the plane of the first contact connection area 4. Is clearly accessible for contact connection with external electrical conductors.

The configuration of the contact lugs according to the present invention, represented by FIGS. 3-5 by providing each of the damping areas within the contact lugs, solves the problem that the prior art contact lugs 3 are particularly susceptible to shock and vibration.

FIG. 3 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the contact lug 20 according to the present invention, which is provided on the end face 2 of the button cell 200. The contact lug 20 includes a first contact connection area 24 having individual weld points 241 that secure the contact lug 20 to the end face 2 of the button cell 200. A second contact connection area 25 mounted on the end face is further provided for the contact connection between the external electrical conductor and the cylindrical cell 200. Between the first contact connection area 24 and the second contact connection area 25, a decay zone 26 is given, which in the form of this embodiment is strip-shaped and narrower than the first contact connection area 24. The contact lug includes a transition 28 from the first contact connection area 24 to the damping zone 26, where the width of the contact lug is reduced such that the cross-sectional area of the contact lug is reduced by at least 50%. The second contact connection zone 25 is curved 90 ° and is therefore oriented perpendicularly and axially to the first contact connection zone 24 and the decay zone 26. Immediately beyond the curved transition to the second contact connection zone 25, the damping zone 26 is further tapered.

FIG. 4 shows a more particularly preferred embodiment of the contact lug 30 according to the present invention. In addition to the first contact connection area 34 having individual contact points or weld points 341 used for fixing the contact lug 30 to the end face 2 of the button cell 300, the contact lug 30 is in this case the second contact. It further includes a connection zone 35, which is curved 90 ° for electrical contact connection between the external electrical conductor and the cell 300. A damping zone 36 is provided between the first contact connection zone 34 and the second contact connection zone 35, which in this embodiment takes the form of a curved strip. In this configuration, the curved shape of the damping zone 36 is achieved by two directional changes in the profile of the damping zone 36. The contact lug includes a transition 38 from the first contact connection zone 34 to the damping zone 36, where the width of the contact lug is reduced such that the cross-sectional area of the contact lug is reduced by at least 50%.

FIG. 5 shows a more particularly preferred embodiment of the contact lug 40 having the first contact connection area 44, where the first contact connection area 44 is the end face 2 of the cylindrical cell 400 with four weld points 441 or comparable contact points. Is fixed to. A second contact connection zone 45 is provided at the other end of the contact lug 40, whereby contact connection with an external electrical conductor can be performed. In the figure shown in FIG. 5, the angled second contact connection zone 45 can be seen. Therefore, the second contact connection area 45 is curved substantially at right angles to the plane on which the first contact connection area 44 and the damping area 46 are located. The boundary between the second contact connection zone 45 and the decay zone 46 extends along the bend line 58. The damping zone 46 has a strip-shaped curved profile, which draws approximately 3/4 circles. Due to this curvature of the damping zone 46, a relatively long damping zone 46 is simultaneously constructed with limited spatial conditions. Impact or vibration can thus be optimally damped.

The circular curvature, especially the arc, of the damping zone 46 can be used for other purposes, further allowing exposure or recession of the central region of the end face 2 of the cylindrical cell 400, in particular. In the configuration of the cylindrical cell 400 shown in FIG. 6, the safety valve 50 is provided in the form of a fracture film, especially in this central region of the end face 2. As a result of the circular curvature and arc of the damping zone 46, the safety valve 50 is unimpeded and further unimpaired in any breaking process.

In this embodiment, the second contact connection zone 45 includes two lateral wings 47, wherein the contact connection with the external electrical conductor can be supported by a crimp process or clamping method, where the wings. 47 is bent around an electrical conductor.

Overall, the use of fixed points in the first contact area by the first contact lugs of the cylindrical cell according to the invention, characterized by the damping area compared to conventional contact lugs (see eg FIG. 1 or 2). The life can be extended and the impact or vibration that damages the fixation point is mitigated. The same applies, in principle, to connections in the second contact continental zone. Therefore, the damped area diverts shock or vibration from the contact connection area of the contact lug.

In each of FIGS. 3 and 4, a further contact connection zone 9 of the second contact lug can be further seen so that the cells 200 and 300 can be contact connected, for example, on a circuit board in a particularly simple manner. Induces contact from the opposite end face to the plane of end face 2 around the outer shell surface of the cylindrical cell.

Claims (14)

An electrochemical cell (200; 300; 400) having the following characteristics (a) to (d) and further having the following characteristics (e) to (h):
(A) The cell includes a cylindrical housing that surrounds the interior space, which has a first end face (2) and a second end face, the end faces of which are interconnected by an annular shell;
(B) Positive and negative electrodes are located inside the housing;
(C) The negative electrode is electrically connected to the first end surface (2) by a direct or separate electric conductor to form a cathode, and the positive electrode is electrically connected to the second end surface by a direct or separate electric conductor. Connected to form an electrode:
(D) A contact lug (20; 30; 40) is fixed to the first or second end face (2) of the housing;
(E) The contact lug (20; 30; 40) includes a first contact connection area (24; 34; 44) mounted on the end face, where the contact lug is fixed to the end face (2);
(F) The contact lug (20; 30; 40) includes a second contact area (25; 35; 45) mounted on the end face for the contact connection between the external electrical conductor and the electrochemical cell;
(G) A damping area where the contact lag (20; 30; 40) between the first contact connection area (24; 34; 44) and the second contact connection area (25; 35; 45) can vibrate freely. Including (26; 36; 46);
(H) The first contact connection area (24; 34; 44) and the damping area (26; 36; 46) extend in a plane parallel to the plane of the end face (2) of the housing to which the contact lugs are fixed. The bi-contact connection area (25; 35; 45) preferably extends at an angle to the plane. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, which has the following additional feature (a):
(A) The damping zone (26; 36; 46) is not directly connected to the end face (2) to which the contact lugs are fixed. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1 or 2, which has at least one of the following additional features (a) to (c):
(A) The attenuation zone (26; 36; 46) is composed of a strip shape;
(B) The attenuation zone includes at least one strip-shaped zone of essentially constant width;
(C) The contact lug includes a transition zone from the first contact connection area (24; 34; 44) to the decay zone (26; 36; 46), where the width of the contact lug is the cross section of the contact lug. It is reduced to a reduction of at least 30%, preferably at least 50%. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which has the following additional feature (a):
(A) The decay zone (36; 46) takes a curved profile, especially an annular profile. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, particularly according to claim 4, which has at least one of the following additional features (a) to (c):
(A) The cell includes a safety valve (50);
(B) Cell (400) includes a safety valve in the form of a fracture surface;
(C) The damping zone (36; 46) takes a curved profile around the safety valve. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5, which has the following additional feature (a):
(A) The contact lug (20; 30; 40) extends beyond the edge of the end face (2) to which it is fixed. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which has the following additional features (a) and (b):
(A) The cell includes a contact lug (20; 30; 40) fixed to the first or second end face (2) of the housing as the first contact lug;
(B) The cell includes a second contact lug on the end face of the housing arranged opposite to the end face (2) to which the first contact lug (20; 30; 40) is fixed. The electrochemical cell according to claim 7, which has the following additional feature (a):
(A) The second contact lug (6) extends over an angled contact lug region (8) in the plane of the opposite end face (2). The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which has the following additional feature (a):
(A) The cell is configured to be fixed to the circuit board. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which has at least one of the following additional features (a) and (b):
(A) The contact lugs (20; 30; 40) (s) are sheet metal parts;
(B) The contact lugs (20; 30; 40) (s) are embossed parts. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which has the following additional feature (a):
(A) The contact lugs (20; 30; 40) (s) have a thickness in the range of 0.05 mm to 2.5 mm, preferably 0.25 mm to 2.5 mm. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which has the following additional features (a) or (b):
(A) The contact lugs (20; 30; 40) (s) are made of steel, especially special steel;
(B) The contact lugs (10; 30; 40) (s) are made of nickel or nickel-plated metal or nickel alloy. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which has the following additional features:
(A) The cell is a lithium ion cell. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 13, which has at least one of the following additional features (a) to (c):
(A) The cell is a button cell;
(B) The cell has a diameter in the range of 5 mm to 25 mm;
(C) The cell has a height in the range of 1.5 mm to 15 mm, preferably 3 mm to 15 mm.

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