Patent Publication Number: US-2019181395-A1

Title: Cover for a battery cell

Description:
The invention relates to a cap fittable over at least one battery cell of an industrial battery, in particular of a drive battery, and having at least first and second holes through which pass the battery poles and an electrical load in or on the cap. 
     DE 195 45 833 discloses the connection of each cell in a battery having a plurality of series-connected individual cells to an electrical module, the modules in turn being connected to a central unit. In particular, the individual cell modules are supplied with electrical energy from the respective individual cell via electric lines. The individual cell modules in particular have printed circuit boards are connected via electric lines to the poles of the respective individual cell. Moreover, the electric lines between the module and the individual cell are subject to mechanical damages. 
    
    
     The object of the invention is to provide a cp whose measurement sensors are connected to electric lines protected against mechanical damages, so that the electrical power supply has a simple structure, has a high level of contact security and is free of interruptions without the need of additional contacts. The lines are simple to manufacture and have a high degrees of stability. 
     This object is achieved, according to the invention, in that a respective electric line is arranged on, under or in the cap between the first hole having a predetermined polarity and the electrical load and between the second hole having a different polarity and the electrical load, lines electrically connecting the poles of the battery cell to the electrical load in order to supply electrical energy thereto, wherein the electric lines are provided with electrical conductors made of an electrically conductive plastic. 
     In such a solution, the electric lines between the poles of the individual cell and the electrical load are protected against interruptions, since the electric lines are securely conducted in or on the cap. In particular, in this way, a high contact security of the ends of the electric lines is also ensured. It is also important that the electric lines extend on the lower side, upper side and/or within the cap and that the electric lines are provided with an electrical conductor made of electrically conductive plastic, so that a high stability of the lines and a simpler manufacturing may be obtained. 
     Advantageously the electrical load is fitted into a water fill plug, which is held in a further, in particular a third, hole of the cap. Normally, the electrical load has a sensor. 
     The electric lines are preferably provided as an electric cable or conductor strip having an insulating sheath. As an alternative, it is proposed that the electric lines are electrical cables or conductor strips without an insulating sheath. 
     It is preferred that one end or both ends of the electric lines tangentially abut against the holes. 
     A particularly secure contacting with the poles is obtained when the electric lines are attached to contact rings, fitted into the holes. 
     An embodiment of an inventive cap for an individual battery cell is shown in the only figure in a bottom view and is detailed in the following. 
     The inventive cap  1  of an individual battery cell is composed of plastic and is comprises an elongated plate-shaped body  11  having a horizontal disk-shaped bottom face  10  whose length L and width B correspond to the length and width of the battery cell top side, so that the cap completely covers the battery cell. In an unillustrated embodiment, the cap  1  not only covers an individual battery cell, but two or more individual battery cells. 
     Extending the body  11  and opening at the top and bottom side  10  thereof on one end is a first hole  2   a  and on the other end a second such hole  2   b  that fit around the poles of the battery cell. Between both holes  2   a  and  2   b  there is a throughgoing hole  5  in the plate  1  holding an insert such as a water fill plug, a voltage indicator, a temperature indicator and/or a fill level indicator in particular with a data transmission device, this device being an electrical load and preferably provided with at least one sensor. 
     The first hole  2   a  is connected via a first electric line  4   a  to the inlet hole  5  so that the unillustrated insert in the hole  5  is electrically connected to the pole in the hole  2   a.  Analogously, the second hole  2   b  is electrically connected via a second electric line  4   b  to the hole  5  and thus to the insert. In this embodiment, the electric lines  4   a  and  4   b  extend on the bottom face  10  of the plate-shaped body  11  of the cap  1 . Alternatively, however, the lines  4   a  and  4   b  may also extend on the top side of the cap  1  or within the plate  11  of the cap. 
     In particular, the electric lines may lack an outer insulation or may be provided with an insulating sheath. The electric lines are made of an electrically conductive plastic. 
     In all these embodiments, one end or both ends of the electric lines  4   a  and  4   b  extend tangentially to the holes  2   a  and  2   b  and  5  and merge with contact rings  12  that are set in the cylindrical inner surfaces of the holes  2   a,    2   b,  and  5 , in order to form a good contact. 
     It is also advantageous, in this case, that the electric line  4   a  extends approximately parallel to the outer edge of the plate  11  on one side of the three holes and the other, second line extends parallel to the opposite outer edge on the other side of the three holes, so that both lines  4   a  and  4   b  are securely separated from each other, thus avoiding leakage currents.