CONNECTION POLE FOR A RECHARGEABLE BATTERY AND RECHARGEABLE-BATTERY HOUSING

Abstract

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. A circumferential projection is provided in an end region of the securing region facing towards the connection region, said projection having at least substantially an annular shape and being provided with a tooth system on its outer circumference for the purpose of prevention rotation of the connection pole. A circumferential sealing projection is provided, in the end region of the securing region facing towards the connection region, between the circumferential projection provided with the tooth system and the connection region, said sealing projection being of at least substantially circular-ring shaped design.

Claims

1. A connection pole for a rechargeable battery, the connection pole comprising: 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 a circumferential projection is provided in an end region of the securing region facing the connection region, said projection having at least substantially an annular shape and being provided with a tooth system on its outer circumference for the purpose of preventing rotation of the connection pole, wherein a circumferential sealing projection is provided, in the end region of the securing region facing the connection region, between the circumferential projection provided with the tooth system and the connection region, said sealing projection being of at least substantially circular-ring-shaped design.

2. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing projection has an outer circumferential surface, in particular a circular-ring-shaped outer circumferential surface, which is formed without a tooth system.

3. 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 area, 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.

4. The connection pole as claimed in claim 3, 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.

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

6. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing projection has a lower circular ring surface facing away from the connection region which is in a plane that corresponds to the plane in which an upper circular ring surface of the circumferential projection provided with the tooth system lies.

7. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing projection has a lower circular ring surface facing away from the connection region which is in a plane that extends parallel to and at a distance from the plane in which an upper circular ring surface of the circumferential projection provided with the tooth system lies.

8. The connection pole as claimed in claim 7, wherein a circular-ring-shaped undercut region is provided between the circumferential projection provided with the tooth system and the sealing projection.

9. The connection pole as claimed in claim 8, wherein the undercut region has a length of 0.1 mm to 0.8 mm, preferably a length of 0.2 mm to 0.7 mm, and even more preferably a length of 0.3 mm to 0.5 mm, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the connection pole.

10. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing projection directly adjoins the circumferential projection provided with the tooth system.

11. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing projection has a circumferential surface which is preferably beveled in the direction of the circumferential projection provided with the tooth system.

12. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tooth system of the circumferential projection has toothing in which preferably regularly radially projecting regions are formed when viewed in the circumferential direction of the projection.

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 there is a trough-shaped region of the toothing between each two adjacent radially projecting regions of the toothing, said region projecting less far than the projecting regions of the toothing when viewed in the radial direction of the connection pole, wherein the sealing projection preferably projects further than the respective trough-shaped regions of the toothing.

15. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumferential projection provided with the tooth system has a first length, and the sealing projection has a second length, in each case when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the connection pole, wherein the first length is greater than the second length.

16. The connection pole as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first length is in a range between 0.5 and 4.0 mm, preferably in a range between 0.8 and 3.0 mm, and even more preferably in a range between 1.0 and 2.8 mm.

17. 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 which lies opposite the connection region, wherein the outer wall of the connection pole has at least one circumferential projection in the labyrinth region.

18. The connection pole as claimed in claim 17, 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.

19. The connection pole as claimed in claim 17, wherein the labyrinth region has a shorter extent in the longitudinal direction of the connection pole than the securing region.

20. The connection pole as claimed in claim 17, wherein the at least one circumferential projection of the labyrinth region has a hook-shaped profile.

21. The connection pole as claimed in claim 17, 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.

22. The connection pole as claimed in claim 21, wherein the inner wall and the outer wall of the connection pole extend in parallel in the longitudinal direction thereof, at least in some region or regions.

23. The connection pole as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first section, in which the circumference of the inner wall increases, does not project in the longitudinal direction of the connection pole beyond the section in which the circumference of the outer wall increases.

24. The connection pole as claimed in claim 21, wherein the first section, in which the circumference of the inner wall increases, projects in the longitudinal direction of the connection pole beyond the section in which the circumference of the outer wall increases.

25. The connection pole as claimed in claim 17, wherein the connection pole is internally hollow, and the circumference of the inner wall of the connection pole increases in the direction of the labyrinth region in the connection region.

26. The connection pole as claimed in claim 1, wherein the circumference of the inner wall of the connection pole and/or the circumference of the outer wall of the connection pole increases in a monotonically linear or arcuate fashion.

27. The connection pole as claimed in claim 26, wherein the arcuate increase in the circumference of the connection pole is progressive in a direction away from the connection region.

28. 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.

29. A rechargeable battery having a rechargeable-battery housing or part thereof, having a rechargeable-battery housing as claimed in claim 28.

Description

[0051] In the drawings:

[0052] FIGS. 1a, 1b each show isometric views of a first exemplary embodiment of the connection pole according to the invention;

[0053] FIG. 2 shows schematically a side view of the connection pole according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0054] FIG. 3 shows schematically a longitudinal section through the connection pole according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0055] FIG. 4 shows schematically a side view of a modification of the connection pole according to the first exemplary embodiment;

[0056] FIG. 5 shows schematically a longitudinal section through the modification of the connection pole shown in FIG. 4;

[0057] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a second exemplary embodiment of the connection pole according to the invention;

[0058] FIG. 7 shows schematically a side view of the connection pole according to the second exemplary embodiment; and

[0059] FIG. 8 shows schematically a longitudinal section through the connection pole according to the second exemplary embodiment.

[0060] In the figures, the same reference signs are used for corresponding elements and components.

[0061] The connection pole 1 according to the invention is described below with reference to the drawings of the exemplary embodiments. More specifically, FIGS 1a and 1b each show a first 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 FIG. 2 and schematically in a longitudinal section in FIG. 3.

[0062] FIG. 4 shows schematically, in a side view, a modification of the connection pole 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment. Said modified embodiment is illustrated schematically in FIG. 5, once again in a longitudinal section.

[0063] The connection pole 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a connection region 2 and a securing region 3. Moreover, a labyrinth region 4 is provided.

[0064] 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 projection 14, which can fundamentally have approximately a ring shape and serves as an anti-rotation safeguard. For this purpose, the circumferential projection 14 has the tooth system explained in greater detail below on the outer circumference. Adjoining the circumferential projection 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 circumferential projections 7, 8, which each have a hook-shaped profile. Apart from the tooth system, the connection pole 1 can be designed as a substantially rotationally symmetrical component, for example.

[0065] In the left-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 projections 7, 8, 14 form a labyrinth, which ensures good sealing of the interior of the rechargeable battery with respect to the environment.

[0066] The connection pole 1 is of hollow design. In a cavity 17 formed in the connection pole 1, sections of an inner wall 9 extend conically with different angles of the inner wall 9 relative to the longitudinal axis L of the connection pole 1. In the labyrinth region 4, a first region 10 of the conically extending inner wall 9 and a second region 11 are illustrated. The second region 11 is adjoined by a first region 10 on the opposite side of the connection pole 1 from the connection region 2. A further conically extending region 15 of the inner wall 9, which extends from the upper end surface 16 into the labyrinth region, is provided on the other side of the first region 10.

[0067] Adjoining the second region 11 is an approximately annular region 13 in the cavity 17. In this case, the diameter of the cavity 17 is enlarged abruptly at the location denoted by the reference sign 12.

[0068] The circumferential projection 14 serving as an anti-rotation safeguard has an outer tooth system, which is formed by corresponding radially projecting regions 21 (teeth). A trough-shaped region 22 is situated between each two adjacent radially projecting regions 21 (teeth) of the toothing. The toothing formed by the radially projecting regions 21 and the trough-shaped regions 22 provides an anti-rotation safeguard of the connection pole 1 in the plastics material of the rechargeable-battery housing part 5.

[0069] In the exemplary embodiments of the connection pole according to the invention which are illustrated in the drawings, provision is made for a multiplicity of radially projecting regions 21 (teeth) to be arranged in a manner uniformly distributed over the circumference of the connection pole 1. In this context, it is advantageous if the radially projecting regions 21 are provided with asymmetrical tooth flanks. As can be seen from the isometric illustrations in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, a first tooth flank of a radially projecting region 21 has a smaller angle in relation to the outer circumference of the circumferential projection 14 than the second tooth flank belonging to the radially projecting region 21. 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.

[0070] The first exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention which is illustrated in the drawings as well as the modified embodiment shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 are distinguished especially by the fact that a further circumferential projection 19, which is at least substantially of circular-ring-shaped design, is provided between the circumferential projection 14, which is provided with the tooth system and serves as an anti-rotation safeguard, and the connection region 2 in the end region of the securing region 3 facing the connection region 2 of the connection pole 1. This further circumferential 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.

[0071] 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. In this context, covered over the entire area means that, in particular, the upper circular ring surface of the sealing projection 19 facing the connection region 2 of the connection pole 1 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 is 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.

[0072] 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 circumferential surface which is, in particular, circular-ring-shaped and which is preferably formed without a tooth system 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.

[0073] It can furthermore be seen from the drawings that the circumferential projection 14 provided with the tooth system (anti-rotation safeguard) has an upper circular ring surface facing the sealing projection 19 which is 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.

[0074] In the first exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention, as illustrated with a modification in the drawings according to FIGS. 1 to 5, the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 has a lower circular ring surface which faces the connection region 2 of the connection pole 1 and which lies in a plane that extends parallel to and at a distance from the plane in which the upper circular ring surface of the circumferential projection 14 provided with the tooth system lies. Nevertheless, the circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 directly adjoins the circumferential projection 14 provided with the tooth system. In other words, no further projection is provided between the sealing projection 19 and the projection 14.

[0075] In particular, it can be seen from the illustrations in FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 that a circular-ring-shaped undercut region 21 is provided between the sealing projection 19 and the projection 14.

[0076] 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 22 of the toothing of the projection 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 also to project further in the radial direction than the radially projecting regions of the toothing of the projection 14.

[0077] Preferred dimensions of the diameters and lengths entered in FIG. 3 for the connection pole 1 shown there are given below:

TABLE-US-00001 D1: 21-22 mm L1: 18.35-20.35 mm L4: 0.2-0.4 mm D2: 20-22 mm L2: 15.85-17.58 mm L5: 0.4-2.4 mm D3: 19-21 mm L3: 0.7-0.9 mm L6: 1.5-3.5 mm

[0078] Preferred dimensions of the diameters and lengths entered in FIG. 5 for the connection pole 1 shown there are given below:

TABLE-US-00002 D1: 21-22 mm L1: 18.35-20.35 mm L4: 0.2-0.4 mm D2: 19-21 mm L2: 15.85-17.58 mm L5: 0.4-2.4 mm D3: 18-20 mm L3: 0.7-0.9 mm L6: 1.5-3.5 mm

[0079] FIG. 6 shows an isometric view of a second exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention. Said second exemplary embodiment is illustrated schematically in a side view in FIG. 7 and once again schematically in a longitudinal section in FIG. 8.

[0080] Structurally and functionally, the connection pole 1 corresponds substantially to the connection pole according to the first exemplary embodiment, and therefore only differences between these two embodiments are explored below in order to avoid unnecessary repetitions. More specifically, in the case of the connection pole 1 according to the second exemplary embodiment, it is envisaged thatin contrast to the first exemplary embodimentthe circular-ring-shaped sealing projection 19 has a lower circular ring surface facing away from the connection region 2 which lies 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 also lies. In other words, no undercut is provided between the sealing projection 19 and the projection 14 serving as an anti-rotation safeguard in the second exemplary embodiment of the connection pole 1 according to the invention.

[0081] Preferred dimensions of the diameters and lengths entered in FIG. 8 for the connection pole 1 shown there are given below:

TABLE-US-00003 D1: 22-24 mm L1: 18.35-20.35 mm L3: 0.4-0.6 mm D2: 19-21 mm L2: 15.85-17.58 mm L6: 1.5-3.5 mm

[0082] The previously described embodiments of the connection pole 1 each have linear profiles in the longitudinal direction, i.e. corresponding conical sections or regions. However, embodiments of a connection pole 1 in which an arcuate shape of the inner wall 9 and of the outer wall 6 in the securing region 3 is selected are also conceivable in this context.

[0083] 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.