CONNECTION POLE FOR AN ACCUMULATOR AND ACCUMULATOR HOUSING

Abstract

Disclosed is a connection pole for a rechargeable battery. The connection pole has a connection region for securing a pole terminal to the connection pole, and a securing region for securing the connection pole to a housing part of the rechargeable battery. The connection region is in particular of circular or substantially circular form at least at its end facing the securing region, wherein a circumferential region is provided in an end region, which faces the connection region, of the securing region, which circumferential region at least substantially has a ring shape and, for the purpose of preventing rotation of the connection pole, has on its outer circumference a tooth system projecting radially from the circumferential region. Here, the diameter of the substantially ring-shaped circumferential region is consistently smaller than the diameter of that end of the connection region which faces the securing region.

Claims

1. A connection pole for a rechargeable battery, wherein the connection pole has the following: a connection region for securing a pole terminal to the connection pole; and a securing region for securing the connection pole to a housing part of the rechargeable battery, wherein the connection region is in particular of circular or substantially circular form at least at its end facing the securing region, wherein a circumferential region is provided in an end region, which faces the connection region, of the securing region, which circumferential region at least substantially has a ring shape and, for the purpose of preventing rotation of the connection pole, has on its outer circumference a tooth system projecting radially from the circumferential region, wherein the diameter of the substantially ring-shaped circumferential region is consistently smaller than the diameter of that end of the connection region which faces the securing region.

2. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in that end region of the securing region which faces the connection region, between the circumferential region, which is provided with the tooth system, and the connection region, there is provided a circumferential sealing projection which is of at least substantially circular form, wherein the at least substantially circularly circumferential sealing projection has a diameter which is greater than the diameter of that end of the connection region which faces the securing region, wherein the tooth system of the substantially ring-shaped circumferential region extends at least regionally radially over the circumferential sealing projection of at least substantially circular form.

3. The connection pole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing projection has an in particular circular-ring-shaped outer lateral surface which is formed without a tooth system .

4. The connection pole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing projection has an upper circular ring surface which faces the connection region and which is covered, preferably over the entire region, by the material, in particular plastics material, of the housing part in a state in which the connection pole is secured to the housing part of the rechargeable battery.

5. The connection pole as claimed in claim 4, wherein the upper circular ring surface of the sealing projection is situated in a plane which is in or below the section plane between the connection region and the securing region, wherein the connection region defines that region of the connection pole which is exposed relative to the housing part in a state in which the connection pole is connected to the housing part of the rechargeable battery.

6. The connection pole as claimed in claim 4, wherein the circumferential region provided with the tooth system has an upper circular ring surface which faces the sealing projection and which lies in a plane that extends parallel to the plane in which the upper circular ring surface of the sealing projection lies.

7. The connection pole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing projection has a lower circular ring surface which faces away from the connection region and which lies in a plane that corresponds to the plane in which an upper circular ring surface of the circumferential region provided with the tooth system lies.

8. The connection pole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing projection has a lower circular ring surface which faces away from the connection region and which lies in a plane that extends parallel to and spaced apart from the plane in which an upper circular ring surface of the circumferential region provided with the tooth system lies.

9. The connection pole as claimed in claim 2, wherein a circular-ring-shaped undercut region is provided between the circumferential region, which is provided with the tooth system, and the sealing projection.

10. The connection pole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing projection directly adjoins the circumferential region provided with the tooth system.

11. The connection pole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the sealing projection has a lateral surface which is preferably beveled in the direction of the circumferential region provided with the tooth system.

12. The connection pole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the tooth system of the circumferential region has toothing in which preferably regularly radially projecting region are formed when viewed in the circumferential direction of the circumferential region.

13. The connection pole as claimed in claim 12, wherein the radially projecting regions of the toothing project at least as far as and preferably further than the sealing projection, when viewed in the radial direction of the connection pole.

14. The connection pole as claimed in claim 12, wherein, between two adjacent radially projecting regions of the toothing, there is a trough-shaped region of the toothing which, viewed in the radial direction of the connection pole, extends as far as the circumference of the substantially ring-shaped circumferential region.

15. The connection pole as claimed in claim 12, wherein the radially projecting regions of the toothing are at least partially provided with asymmetrical tooth flanks, wherein a first tooth flank of a radially projecting region preferably has a smaller angle with respect to the outer circumference of the circumferential projection than the second tooth flank belonging to the radially projecting region.

16. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein a labyrinth region is formed in the securing region of the connection pole and preferably in an end region of the securing region situated opposite the connection region, wherein the outer wall of the connection pole has at least one circumferential projection in the labyrinth region , and wherein the tooth system projecting radially from the circumferential region projects further when viewed in the radial direction than the at least one circumferential projection of the labyrinth region.

17. The connection pole as claimed in claim 16, wherein the circumference of the outer wall of the connection pole increases in a direction away from the connection region in at least one region of the labyrinth region which is not provided with a circumferential projection.

18. The connection pole as claimed in claim 16, wherein the at least one circumferential projection of the labyrinth region has a hook-shaped profile.

19. The connection pole as claimed in claim 16, wherein the connection pole is internally hollow, and the circumference of the inner wall of the connection pole increases in a direction away from the connection region in at least one first section of the labyrinth region.

20. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection pole is preferably internally hollow, wherein the connection region is of frustoconical form, and wherein the outer diameter of the connection region decreases preferably continuously from its end facing the securing region to its opposite end.

21. A rechargeable-battery housing or part thereof, having at least one connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one connection pole is embedded in the securing region thereof in a rechargeable-battery housing part by means of injection molding technology.

22. A rechargeable battery having a rechargeable-battery housing or part thereof, having a rechargeable-battery housing as claimed in claim 21.

Description

[0060] An exemplary embodiment of the connection pole according to the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0061] In the drawings:

[0062] FIGS. 1a, 1b each show isometric views of an exemplary embodiment of the connection pole according to the invention;

[0063] FIG. 2 schematically shows a first side view of the connection pole according to the exemplary embodiment;

[0064] FIG. 3 schematically shows a second side view of the connection pole according to the exemplary embodiment;

[0065] FIG. 4 schematically shows the connection pole according to the exemplary embodiment in a longitudinal sectional view along the line B-B in FIG. 3; and

[0066] FIG. 5 schematically shows the connection pole according to the exemplary embodiment in a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in FIG. 2.

[0067] In the figures, the same reference signs are used for corresponding elements and components.

[0068] An exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. More specifically, FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b each show the exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention in an isometric view, the connection pole being shown once again schematically in side view in each of FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 and schematically in a longitudinal sectional view in FIG. 4, specifically along the line B-B in FIG. 3.

[0069] FIG. 5 schematically shows the connection pole according to the exemplary embodiment in a cross-sectional view along the line A-A in FIG. 2.

[0070] The connection pole 1 according to the exemplary embodiment has a connection region 2 and a securing region 3. Moreover, a labyrinth region 4 is provided.

[0071] In the connection region 2, on its outside, the connection pole 1 has an outer wall 18 and an upper end surface 16. Arranged on the outside of the connection pole 1, in the securing region 3, adjoining the connection region 2, is a circumferential region 14, which can fundamentally have approximately a ring shape and serves as an anti-rotation safeguard. For this purpose, the circumferential region 14 has the tooth system 20 explained in greater detail below on the outer circumference.

[0072] Adjoining the circumferential region 14 (anti-rotation safeguard) is an outer wall 6 on the outside of the connection pole 1, said wall being arranged in the labyrinth region 4. The outer wall 6 is interrupted by at least one (in the drawings: exactly one) circumferential projection 7 which has a hook-shaped profile. Apart from the tooth system 20, the connection pole 1 can be designed as a substantially rotationally symmetrical component, for example.

[0073] In the right-hand region of the connection pole 1 by way of example, FIG. 2 shows a segment of a rechargeable-battery housing part 5 molded onto the connection pole 1 by injection molding. As is apparent, the connection pole 1 is embedded in the material of the housing part 5 on its outside, in the securing region 3. The circumferential projection 7 of the labyrinth region 4 and the tooth system 20 of the circumferential region 14 form a labyrinth, which ensures good sealing of the interior of the rechargeable battery with respect to the environment.

[0074] The connection pole 1 is of hollow design. In a cavity 17 formed in the connection pole 1, an inner wall 9 extends, in certain sections, conically with different angles of the inner wall 9 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connection pole 1.

[0075] In the case of the connection pole 1 according to the invention, the anti-rotation safeguard is formed by the circumferential region 14 in an end region, which faces the connection region 2, of the securing region 3. The circumferential region 14—as is shown in particular in the illustration in FIG. 5—at least substantially has a ring shape and, for the purpose of preventing rotation of the connection pole, is provided on its outer circumference with a tooth system 20 projecting radially from the circumferential region 14. The diameter of the substantially ring-shaped circumferential region 14 is consistently smaller than the diameter of that end of the connection region 2 which faces the securing region 3.

[0076] The connection pole 1 according to the invention provides in particular that the anti-rotation safeguard is completely encapsulated with plastic material in order to thereby ensure a higher tilting moment (bending) when the connection pole 1 is embedded in a rechargeable-battery housing part by means of injection molding technology.

[0077] In addition, the anti-rotation safeguard used in the case of the connection pole 1 according to the invention is characterized in that it has, on an outer circumference of the at least substantially ring-shaped circumferential region 14, a tooth system 20 projecting radially from the circumferential region 14. Here, the at least substantially ring-shaped, circumferential region 14 is—with regard to the connection region 2 of the connection pole 1 and in particular with regard to that end of the connection region 2 which faces the securing region 3 of the connection pole 1—dimensioned in such a way that the diameter of the substantially ring-shaped circumferential region 14 is consistently smaller than the diameter of that end of the connection region 2 which faces the securing region 3.

[0078] In this way, it is possible for the tooth system 20, which serves as an anchoring, of the anti-rotation safeguard to extend both inward and outward, wherein, in particular, the outer circle diameter of the toothing belonging to the tooth system 20 is greater, and the inner circle diameter is smaller, than in the region situated thereabove. This ensures optimized safeguarding against rotation.

[0079] As a result of the optimized safeguarding against rotation, the connection pole 1, and in particular the securing region 3 of the connection pole 1, can—compared to known connection poles—be made shorter, which has a positive effect on the weight and the production costs of the connection pole 1.

[0080] For example, in the exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention described with reference to the accompanying drawings, material savings of up to 20% compared to conventional connection poles are possible, specifically due to the shortened overall length of the securing region 3.

[0081] The circumferential region 14 serving as an anti-rotation safeguard has an outer tooth system 20, which is formed by corresponding radially projecting regions (teeth). A trough-shaped region is situated between each two adjacent radially projecting regions (teeth) of the toothing. The toothing formed by the radially projecting regions and the trough-shaped regions provides an anti-rotation safeguard of the connection pole 1 in the plastics material of the rechargeable-battery housing part 5.

[0082] In the case of the exemplary embodiment of the connection pole according to the invention illustrated in the drawings, it is provided that a plurality of radially projecting regions (teeth) are arranged so as to be distributed over the circumference of the connection pole 1, wherein the projecting regions (teeth) can have different geometries (see FIG. 5).

[0083] In this context, it is advantageous if the radially projecting regions are at least partially provided with asymmetrical tooth flanks. As can be seen from the sectional view in FIG. 4, a first tooth flank of a radially projecting region has a smaller angle in relation to the outer circumference of the circumferential region 14 than the second tooth flank belonging to the radially projecting region. Tooth flanks formed with a smaller angle create the possibility of producing the connection pole 1 by means of a jaw-type mold. During demolding, however, the jaws can be readily separated from the connection pole 1 since no undercut is formed in the parting direction.

[0084] The exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention which is illustrated in the drawings is distinguished inter alia by the fact that a circumferential sealing projection 19, which is at least substantially of circular-ring-shaped design, is provided between the circumferential region 14, which is provided with the tooth system 20 and serves as an anti-rotation safeguard, and the connection region 2 in that end region of the securing region 3 which faces the connection region 2 of the connection pole 1. This circumferential sealing projection 19 is used to effectively prevent the formation of any gaps between the connection pole 1 and the material of the housing part of the rechargeable battery in order in this way to allow acid to remain in the gaps and, in particular, also to allow highly effective leakage-free sealing.

[0085] As can be seen from the illustration in FIG. 2, the sealing projection 19 is arranged and embodied in such a way that it is covered, preferably over the entire area, by the material, in particular plastics material, of the housing part 5 in a state in which the connection pole 1 is secured to the housing part 5 of the rechargeable battery.

[0086] In this context, “covered over the entire area” means that, in particular, the upper circular ring surface, which faces the connection region 2 of the connection pole 1, of the sealing projection 19 is also covered by the material, in particular plastics material, of the housing part 5. To this extent, the upper circular ring surface of the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 is situated in a plane which lies in or below the section plane between the connection region 2 and the securing region 3, wherein the connection region 2 defines that region of the connection pole 1 which is exposed relative to the housing part 5 in a state during which the connection pole 1 is connected to the housing part 5 of the rechargeable battery.

[0087] In the exemplary embodiments of the connection pole 1 according to the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection has an outer lateral surface which is, in particular, circular-ring-shaped and which is preferably formed without a tooth system 20 since, in the illustrated exemplary embodiments of the connection pole 1 according to the invention, the sealing projection 19 has only the function of reliable sealing but not the function of safeguarding against rotation.

[0088] It can furthermore be seen from the drawings that the circumferential region 14 provided with the tooth system 20 (anti-rotation safeguard) has an upper circular ring surface which faces the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 and which lies in a plane that extends parallel to the plane in which the upper circular ring surface of the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 lies.

[0089] In the exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention, the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 has a lower circular ring surface which faces away from the connection region 2 of the connection pole 1 and which lies which is in a plane that corresponds to the plane in which the upper circular ring surface of the circumferential projection 14 provided with the tooth system 20 lies.

[0090] As an alternative to this, it is conceivable that the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 has a lower circular ring surface which faces away from the connection region 2 of the connection pole 1 and which lies in a plane that extends parallel to and spaced apart from the plane in which the upper circular ring surface of the circumferential projection 14 provided with the tooth system 20 lies.

[0091] It is also conceivable that a circular-ring-shaped undercut region is provided between the sealing projection 19 and the region 14.

[0092] Leakage-free sealing can be achieved in an effective manner especially when the circular sealing projection 19 projects further than the respective trough-shaped regions of the toothing of the circumferential region 14 when viewed in the radial direction of the connection pole 1. In this case, however, it is not necessary for the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 to also project further in the radial direction than the radially projecting regions of the toothing of the circumferential region 14.

[0093] Preferred dimensions of the diameters entered in FIG. 3 for the connection pole 1 shown there are given below:

TABLE-US-00001 D1: 21.00-23.00 mm D3: 18.40-20.40 mm D2: 20.50-22.50 mm D4: 19.70-21.70 mm

[0094] Preferred dimensions of the diameters and lengths entered in FIG. 5 for the connection pole 1 shown there are given below:

TABLE-US-00002 D5: 11.45-13.45 mm L1: 23.60-25.60 mm L3: 0.5-2.5 mm D6: 13.05-15.05 mm L2: 15.85-17.58 mm L4: 0.4-2.4 mm

[0095] The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings but can be obtained from a combination of all the features disclosed herein.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0096] 1 Connection pole

[0097] 2 Connection region

[0098] 3 Securing region

[0099] 4 Labyrinth region

[0100] 5 Housing part of the rechargeable battery

[0101] 6 Outer wall of the connection pole in the securing region

[0102] 7 Circumferential projection (labyrinth region)

[0103] 9 Inner wall of the connection pole

[0104] 14 Circumferential region/anti-rotation safeguard

[0105] 16 Upper connection surface

[0106] 17 Cavity

[0107] 18 Outer wall of the connection pole in the connection region

[0108] 19 Sealing projection

[0109] 20 Tooth system

[0110] L Longitudinal axis of the connection pole

[0111] L1 to L4 Length of indicated regions

[0112] D1 to D6 Diameter of indicated regions