Varta has filed a patent for an energy storage cell that includes a metallic, tubular housing with a circular opening. The cell also features an electrode-separator assembly winding with an anode, cathode, and separator, as well as a metallic contact element that closes the terminal circular opening in a gas- and liquid-tight manner. The contact element is designed to lose electrical contact with the current collector when the pressure in the housing exceeds a certain threshold. GlobalData’s report on Varta gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s company profile on Varta, Hydrogen storage alloys was a key innovation area identified from patents. Varta's grant share as of September 2023 was 58%. Grant share is based on the ratio of number of grants to total number of patents.
Energy storage cell with metallic contact element for pressure response
A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230307802A1) describes an energy storage cell with unique features. The energy storage cell includes a metallic, tubular housing with a terminal circular opening. Inside the housing, there is an electrode-separator assembly in the form of a winding, consisting of an anode, a cathode, and a separator arranged in a specific sequence. The anode and cathode are in ribbon form and have longitudinal edges. The assembly is aligned axially within the housing, with the wound jacket adjoining the inside of the tubular housing portion. The first longitudinal edge of the anode current collector surpasses one terminal end face, while the first longitudinal edge of the cathode current collector surpasses the other terminal end face. The energy storage cell also includes a contact element that closes the terminal circular opening of the housing in a gas- and liquid-tight manner. The contact element is a metallic membrane that is electrically connected to one of the first longitudinal edges. When the pressure in the housing exceeds a threshold, the metallic membrane bends, resulting in the loss of electrical contact between the contact element and the respective first longitudinal edge.
In another embodiment, the contact element comprises a metal disk and a terminal cover, both having a circular circumference. The metal disk is in direct contact with the respective first longitudinal edge and is bonded to it by welding. The metal disk and the terminal cover enclose an interspace, which the metal disk bends into when the pressure in the housing exceeds the threshold. To prevent bending when the pressure is below the threshold, at least one spacer element is placed in the interspace. The spacer element collapses or compresses when the pressure exceeds the threshold. The metal disk may have channel-shaped depressions on one side, which protrude as linear elevations on the other side. The metal disk can also have multiple channel-shaped depressions with respective weld seams resulting from welding to the first longitudinal edge.
The patent also describes variations of the contact element, including the use of a contact sheet, insulating spacers, and a spring element. The contact element can be arranged in the tubular housing portion with an annular seal made of an electrically insulating material. The contact element can also have a safety valve to release pressure when it exceeds a second threshold. Additionally, the metallic membrane can be in the form of a spring element that changes from a stable state to another stable or metastable state when the pressure exceeds the threshold.
Overall, this patent presents innovative designs for energy storage cells, particularly in terms of the contact element and its response to pressure changes within the housing. These designs aim to improve the safety and performance of energy storage systems.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
