Feed-through

Abstract

A feed-through, in particular a feed-through which passes through part of a housing, in particular a battery housing, for example made of metal, in particular light metal, for example aluminum, an aluminum alloy, AlSiC, magnesium, an magnesium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, steel, stainless steel or high-grade steel. The housing part has at least one opening through which at least one conductor, in particular an essentially pin-shaped conductor, embedded in a glass or glass ceramic material, is guided. The base body is, for example, an essentially annular-shaped base body and is hermetically sealed with the housing part such that the helium leakage rate is smaller than 1*10.sup.8 mbar l/sec.

Claims

1. An electrical storage device, comprising: a housing part having at least one housing opening; and a feed-through placed in said at least one housing opening, said feed-through including: one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; at least one conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; and a base body having a base body opening through which said at least one conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material is guided, wherein said base body is seated in said at least one housing opening and is hermetically sealed with the housing part such that the helium leakage rate is smaller than 1.Math.10.sup.8 mbar l/sec.

2. The electrical storage device according to claim 1, wherein said electrical storage device is a battery and the housing part consists of a metal and said metal is one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC), magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, steel, stainless steel and a high-grade steel.

3. The electrical storage device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one conductor is an essentially pin shaped conductor, a material of said pin-shaped conductor being one of copper, copper silicon carbide (CuSiC), a copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC), an aluminum alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, nickel-iron (NiFe), a NiFe jacket with a copper core, silver, a silver alloy, gold, a gold alloy and a cobalt-iron alloy and a material of said base body being one of aluminum, AlSiC, an aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, high-grade steel, tool steel, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, and a titanium alloy.

4. The electrical storage device according to claim 1, wherein said base body includes a relief device.

5. The electrical storage device according to claim 4, wherein said relief device includes at least one of a groove and a protrusion.

6. The electrical storage device according to claim 1, wherein said one of glass material and glass ceramic material includes the following in mol-%: P.sub.2O.sub.5 35-50 mol-%; Al.sub.2O.sub.3 0-14 mol-%; B.sub.2O.sub.3 2-10 mol-%; Na.sub.2O 0-30 mol-%; M.sub.2O 0-20 mol-%, said M being one of K, Cs and Rb; PbO 0-10 mol-%; Li.sub.2O 0-45 mol-%; BaO 0-20 mol-%; and Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 0-10 mol-%.

7. The electrical storage device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one conductor is an essentially pin-shaped conductor including a head part having a head surface which is larger than a surface of said pin-shaped conductor.

8. A lithium-ion storage device, comprising: a housing including a part having at least one part opening; a feed-through placed in said at least one part opening, said feed-through including: one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; at least one conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; and a base body having a base body opening through which said at least one conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material is guided, and wherein said base body is seated in said at least one part opening and is hermetically sealed with said part such that the helium leakage rate is smaller than 1.Math.10.sup.8 mbar l/sec.

9. A method for producing an electrical storage device, the method comprising: providing a housing part having at least one housing part opening, a conductor and a base body; embedding said conductor in one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; sealing said embedded conductor into a base body opening of said base body to form a feed-through for the housing part; and connecting said feed-through with the housing part, wherein said base body is seated in said at least one housing part opening of the housing part and is hermetically sealed with the housing part by one of welding, soldering, pressing, crimping and shrinking such that the helium leakage rate is smaller than 1.Math.10.sup.8 mbar l/sec.

10. An electrical storage device, comprising: a housing including a housing part having at least one housing part opening and a material thickness at least in a region around said at least one housing part opening; and a feed-through placed in said at least one housing part opening, said feed-through including: one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; at least one conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material; and a base body seated in said at least one housing part opening and having a base body opening through which said at least one conductor embedded in said one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material is guided along a length, wherein said base body has a second thickness in a region facing the material in which the at least one conductor is embedded and a third thickness in a region facing the at least one housing part opening of the housing part, wherein the third thickness is less than the second thickness.

11. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the base body hermetically seals the at least one housing part opening.

12. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the length corresponds essentially to the second thickness of the base body.

13. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the third thickness is between 10% and 80% of the second thickness.

14. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the third thickness corresponds essentially to the material thickness of the housing part.

15. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the second thickness is between 3 mm and 8 mm.

16. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the third thickness is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

17. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the base body is L-shaped with a flange, wherein the base body has the second thickness and the flange has the third thickness.

18. The electrical storage device according to claim 17, wherein the third thickness of the flange is essentially the same as the material thickness of the housing part.

19. The electrical storage device according to claim 17, wherein the base body is hermetically sealed to the housing part by one of welding, soldering, pressing, crimping and shrinking.

20. The electrical storage device according to claim 19, wherein the hermetic seal allows a helium leakage rate of less than 1*10.sup.8 bar.

21. The electrical storage device according to claim 17, wherein the housing part and the flange align in a plane on an inner side of the housing or an outer side of the housing.

22. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the electrical storage device is a battery and the housing part is a metal part comprising one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC), magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy, steel, stainless steel and a high-grade steel.

23. The electrical storage device according to claim 22, wherein the base body is a metal part comprising one of titanium, a titanium alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, AlSiC, steel, stainless steel, high grade steel, and an aluminum alloy.

24. The electrical storage device according to claim 22, wherein the at least one conductor is essentially pin shaped and comprises one of copper, copper silicon carbide (CuSiC), a copper alloy, aluminum, aluminum silicon carbide (AlSiC), an aluminum alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, nickel-iron (NiFe), a NiFe jacket with a copper core, silver, a silver alloy, gold, a gold alloy, and a cobalt-iron alloy and a material of said base body comprises one of aluminum, AlSiC, an aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, high-grade steel, tool steel, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, and a titanium alloy.

25. The electrical storage device according to claim 10, wherein the base body exerts a compression force onto said one of a glass material and a glass ceramic material along the length.

26. The electrical storage device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one housing part opening is formed by side walls of the housing part, and wherein the base body is hermetically sealed with the side walls of the housing part forming the at least one housing part opening.

27. The lithium-ion storage device according to claim 8, wherein the at least one part opening is formed by side walls of the part, and wherein the base body is hermetically sealed with the side walls of the part forming the at least one part opening.

28. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least one housing part opening is formed by side walls of the housing part, and wherein the base body is hermetically sealed with the side walls of the housing part forming the at least one housing part opening.

29. The lithium-ion storage device according to claim 8, wherein the base body includes a relief device.

30. The method according to claim 9, wherein the base body includes a relief device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIGS. 1a-1b illustrate a first embodiment of an inventive feed-through with a metal pin and a base body in a housing component, whereby the base body is in the embodiment of a flange ring;

(3) FIGS. 2a-2b illustrate a second embodiment of an inventive feed-through with a base body which is in the embodiment of a welding ring;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a third embodiment of an inventive feed-through, whereby the base body is connected with the housing component in the area of the opening by laser welding, soldering, shrinking or electro-welding;

(5) FIGS. 4a-4c illustrate a fourth embodiment of the inventive feed-through with a conical ring as the base body which is to be placed into an opening in the housing component;

(6) FIG. 4d illustrates an embodiment of the inventive feed-through with a base body including a flange;

(7) FIGS. 5a-5c illustrate one embodiment of an inventive feed-through with an oval pin-shaped conductor having an oval head part;

(8) FIGS. 6a-6b illustrate an additional embodiment of the present invention with a circular pin-shaped conductor with a circular head part;

(9) FIGS. 7a-7b illustrate a fourth embodiment of the present invention having a pin-shaped conductor with a head part;

(10) FIGS. 8a-8b illustrate an embodiment of an inventive feed-through with thermal barrier and mechanical relief;

(11) FIGS. 9a-9b illustrate an additional embodiment of an inventive feed-through with a thermal barrier and mechanical relief;

(12) FIGS. 10a-10b illustrate a battery cell with a battery cell housing and a feed-through according to the present invention with feed-through component without head part with electrode connecting component;

(13) FIGS. 11a-11b illustrate a battery cell with a battery cell housing and a feed-through with feed-through component with a head part according to the present invention, with an electrode connecting component; and

(14) FIGS. 12a-12c illustrate a battery cell with a battery cell housing and a feed-through with feed-through component according to an additional embodiment of the present invention.

(15) Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(16) Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an inventive feed-through 3 through a housing component 5 of a housing, for example a housing for an accumulator, such as a battery cell for a lithium-ion battery, according to, for example FIGS. 10a-12c.

(17) Even though in the following, examples for pin-shaped conductors without a head part are described, these examples may also apply to pin-shaped conductors with a head part, without this being explicitly expressed.

(18) Housing component 5 includes an opening 7 which is placed into the housing component. The inventive feed-through, including the base body, in particular the essentially ring-shaped base body 9 which accommodates the conductor, in particular the essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 is inserted into opening 7. Pin-shaped conductor 11 is sealed into essentially ring-shaped base body 9. In order to provide a hermetic feed-through of pin-shaped conductor 11 through base body 9 and thereby opening 7, essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 is sealed into a glass plug consisting of a glass- or glass ceramic material. In other words, base body 9 and essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 are sealed with glass 13. If materials with different coefficients of expansion are used, for example for base body 9, pin-shaped conductor 11 and glass material 13, then a so-called compression seal feed-through can be provided. The advantage of a compression seal feed-through consists in that, that even under a greater load upon the glass plug 13, for example in the event of compressive stress, expulsion of the glass plug 13 with metal pin 11 from base body 9 is avoided. The sealing temperature of the glass- or glass ceramic material is, for example approximately 20K to 100K below the melting temperature of the material of base body 9 and/or of pin-shaped conductor 11. If base body 9 is constructed of a metal having a low melting point, in particular a light metal, for example aluminum, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy or AlSiC, titanium, a titanium alloy, but also steel, stainless steel or high-grade steel, then a glass material through which the conductor is guided and which includes the following components in Mole percent (mol-%) may be used: P.sub.2O.sub.5 35-50 mol-%, for example 39-48 mol-%; Al.sub.2O.sub.3 0-14 mol-%, for example 2-12 mol-%; B.sub.2O.sub.3 2-10 mol-%, for example 4-8 mol-%; Na.sub.2O 0-30 mol-%, for example 0-20 mol-%; M.sub.2O 0-20 mol-%, for example 12-20 mol-%, whereby M is K, Cs, or Rb; PbO 0-10 mol-%, for example 0-9 mol-%; Li.sub.2O 0-45 mol-%, for example 0-40 mol-%, or 17-40 mol-%; BaO 0-20 mol-%, for example 0-20 mol-%, or 5-20 mol-%; and Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 0-10 mol-%, for example 1-5 mol-%, or 2-5 mol-%.

(19) In a further embodiment, the glass composition according to the present invention includes the following components in mol-%:

(20) P.sub.2O.sub.5 38-50 mol-%, for example 39-48 mol-%;

(21) Al.sub.2O.sub.3 3-14 mol-%, for example 4-12 mol-%;

(22) B.sub.2O.sub.3 4-10 mol-%, for example 4-8 mol-%;

(23) Na.sub.2O 10-30 mol-%, for example 14-20 mol-%;

(24) K.sub.2O 10-20 mol-%, for example 12-19 mol-%; and

(25) PbO 0-10 mol-%, for example 0-9 mol-%.

(26) Below, eight examples are shown in Table 1 for the aforementioned glass compositions.

(27) TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Examples: AB1 AB2 AB3 AB4 AB5 AB6 AB7 AB8 Mol-% P.sub.2O.sub.5 47.6 43.3 43.3 43.3 37.1 40.0 42.0 46.5 B.sub.2O.sub.3 7.6 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.9 6.0 6.0 7.6 Al.sub.2O.sub.3 4.2 8.6 8.7 2.0 2 12.0 12.0 4.2 Na.sub.2O 28.3 17.3 15.0 16.0 28.3 K.sub.2O 12.4 17.3 17.3 18.0 19.0 12.4 PbO 9.0 BaO 8.7 8.7 15.4 14 Li.sub.2O 17.3 34.6 42.1 Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 5 1 Hemispherical 513 554 564 540 625 553 502 Temperature ( C.) (20-300 C.) 19 16.5 14.9 13.7 14.8 16.7 16.0 19.8 (10.sup.6/K) Tg ( C.) 325 375 354 369 359 392 425 347 Density in 2.56 3 3.02 2.63 grams per cubic centimeter [g/cm.sup.3] Leaching 18.7 14.11 7.66 12.63 1.47 3.7 29.01 8.43 In Mass % (Ma-%) Weight 10.7 0.37 0.1 0.13 0.13 n.b. 0.006/0.001 0.45/0.66 Loss (%) after 70 h in 70 C.- water

(28) The aforementioned special glass composition distinguishes itself in that the glass materials have very high thermal expansions in the range of >1510.sup.6/K, for example in the range 1510.sup.6/K to 2510.sup.6/K for temperatures between 20 C. and 300 C., and therefore in the range of the thermal expansion of light metals such as aluminum, but also of similar metals for essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 which are guided through glass material 13, namely copper. At room temperature, aluminum has a thermal expansion of =2310.sup.6/K, copper of 16.510.sup.6/K. In order to avoid that during the sealing process the light metal of the base body and possibly also the metal pin melts or deforms, the melting temperature of the glass material is below the melting temperature of the material of the base body and/or the conductor. The sealing temperature of the listed glass composition is then in the range of 250 C. to 650 C. Sealing of essentially pin-shaped conductor 11 into base body 9 prior to placing feed-through 3 into opening 7 is achieved in that the glass together with the conductor 11, in particular pin-shaped conductor 11 is heated to the sealing temperature of the glass, so that the glass material softens and surrounds the conductor, for example the pin-shaped conductor 11 in the opening and fits against base body 9. If, for example as described above, aluminum is used for base body 9 as light metal having a melting point (T.sub.melt)=660.32 C., then the sealing temperature of the glass material is, as described above may be in the range of 350 C. to 640 C. The material of pin-shaped conductor 11 is, for example, identical to the material of base body 9 which has the advantage that the coefficient of expansion for base body 9 and for metal pin 11 is identical. Pin shaped conductor 11 may include or be formed by aluminum, an aluminum alloy, AlSiC, copper, a copper alloy, CuSiC- or NiFe-alloys, a copper core, that is a NiFe jacket with an interior copper part, silver, a silver alloy, gold or a gold alloy. If the coefficient of expansion in the range of 20 C. to 300 C. of the glass or glass ceramic material is not completely adapted to the material of base body 9 then a compression seal feed-through is provided. Otherwise it is a so-called adapted feed-through.

(29) Exemplary materials for base body 9 are light metals, such as aluminum (Al), AlSiC, an aluminum alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium, a titanium alloy. Alternative materials for base body 9 are metals such as steel, stainless steel, high-grade steel or tool steel.

(30) Sealing temperature of the glass or glass ceramic is to be understood to be the temperature of the glass or the glass ceramic whereby the glass material softens and then fits closely against the metal with which is to be sealed so that a bonded joint connection is obtained between the glass or the glass ceramic and the metal.

(31) The sealing temperature may, for example, be determined through the hemispherical temperature as described in R. Grke, K. J. Leers: Keram. Z. 48 (1996) 300-305, or according to DIN 51730, ISO 540 or CEN/TS 15404 and 15370-1 whose disclosure content is incorporated in its entirety into the current patent application. The measurement of the hemispherical temperature is described in detail in DE 10 2009 011 182 A1 whose disclosure content is incorporated in its entirety into the current patent application.

(32) The solder glasses having become known from DE 10 2009 011 182 A1 pertain to high temperature applications, for example fuel cells.

(33) The previously cited phosphate glass compositions have a lithium-share of up to 45 mol-%, for example 35 mol-%. Surprisingly, these glass composition are crystallization-stable, meaning they do no display detrimental crystallization during a downstream sintering process, in particular any substantial crystallization for less than 35 mol-%.

(34) The previously mentioned glass compositions contain lithium (Li) which is integrated in the glass structure. The glass compositions are hereby especially suited for lithium-ion storage devices which include electrolytes based on lithium, for example a 1 M LiPF.sub.6-solution, including a 1:1 mixture of ethylene-carbonate and dimethyl-carbonate.

(35) Low sodium or respectively sodium-free glass compositions may also be utilized, since the diffusion of the alkali-ions occurs in Na+>K+>Cs+ sequence and since therefore low sodium or respectively sodium-free glasses are especially resistant to electrolytes, especially those which are used in lithium-ion storage devices.

(36) The previously cited glass compositions have a thermal expansion (20 C. to 300 C.)>1410.sup.6/K, for example between 1510.sup.6/K and 2510.sup.6/K. An additional advantage of the glass composition is that sealing of the glass with the surrounding light metal or respectively the metal of the conductor, for example in the embodiment of a metal pin, is possible also in a gaseous atmosphere which is not an inert gas atmosphere. In contrast to the previously used method, a vacuum is also no longer necessary for aluminum-sealing. This type of sealing can rather occur under atmospheric conditions. For both types of sealing nitrogen (N.sub.2) or argon (Ar) can be used as inert gas. As a pre-treatment for sealing, the metal is cleaned and/or etched, and if necessary is subjected to targeted oxidizing or coating. During the process temperatures of between 300 and 600 C. are used at heating rates of 0.1 to 30 Kelvin per minute (K/min) and dwell times of 1 to 60 minutes.

(37) Furthermore, housing part 5 of the housing of the battery or battery cell, in this case the battery cover is illustrated in FIGS. 1a and 1b and is equipped with the openings for the feed-through of the electrodes. The battery cover or respectively the housing component is also, for example, produced from aluminum. Materials also conceivable for the battery cover or the housing part are however also: aluminum alloys, magnesium as well as magnesium alloys, AlSiC, titanium, titanium alloys, but also steel, stainless steel or high-grade steel. The housing part has outside 20.1 and inside 20.2. The outside 20.1 is characterized in that it extends outward from the battery cell; the inside in that it extendsfor example in the case of a lithium-ion accumulatortoward the electrolyte of the battery cell. The entire housing with battery cell and feed-throughs is illustrated in FIGS. 10a-12c.

(38) In the case of lithium-ion batteries, typically a non-aqueous electrolyte, typically consisting of a carbonate, such as a carbonate mixture, for example a mixture of ethylene-carbonate and dimethyl-carbonate is used, whereby the aggressive non-aqueous battery electrodes include a conducting salt, for example conducting salt LiPF.sub.6 in the form of a 1-Molar solution.

(39) According to the first embodiment, base body 9 features protrusion 30, whereby wall thickness W.sub.1 of the ring-shaped base body in the example according to FIG. 1a is greater on the outside of housing part 5 than thickness W.sub.1 of ring-shaped base body 9 in the region of the inside of the housing part 5, resulting in contact 32 of base body 9 on the outside of the ring-shaped body 9. Ring body 9 can be connected with housing part 5 in the area of contact 32 by laser welding, electron beam welding, soldering, shrinking into opening 7, as well as pressing into opening 7 and flanging.

(40) FIG. 1b is an analog configuration compared to the embodiment of FIG. 1a of a feed-through, wherein identical reference numbers have been used for identical components. However, in this case width W.sub.1 in the region of inside 20.2 is greater than width W.sub.2 in the region of outside 20.1.

(41) Other than that the arrangement, FIG. 1b is identical to FIG. 1a. As in FIG. 1a the connection between housing part 5, in this case the battery cover and base body 9 can occur, for example as previously described through laser welding, electron beam welding, soldering, shrinking or pressing into opening 7.

(42) Whereas base body 9 according to FIGS. 1a and 1b is essentially a flange ring, ring-shaped base body 109 according to the arrangement shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b is a ring-shaped base body 109 with a welding ring 170. Identical components as in FIGS. 1a and 1b are identified with reference numbers increased by 100. The arrangement according to FIGS. 2a to 2b is substantially identical to the arrangements according to FIGS. 1a to 1b. The ring-shaped base body 109 with a welding ring 170 permits joining of base body 109 with the housing part 105 by alternative connection methods. Connecting ring-shaped base body 109 of feed-through 103 with the housing part 105 in the region of welding ring 170 can occur through resistance welding or resistance soldering.

(43) FIG. 3 illustrates an additional arrangement of the present invention. Identical components as in FIGS. 1a to 1b and 2a to 2b are identified with reference numbers increased by 200 compared to FIGS. 1a and 1b or respectively 100 compared to FIGS. 2a to 2b. In contrast to the arrangements according to FIGS. 1a to 1b and 2a to 2b, base body 209 has no different widths W1 and W2, so that a contact 32 is created. Width W of the ring-shaped base body is uniform over the entire height. Ring-shaped base body 209 having the same width over the entire height is placed into opening 207. A connection between housing part 205 and feed-through 203, including ring-shaped base body 209 as well as glass material 213 and the essentially pin-shaped conductor 211 is achieved by insertion into opening 207 and subsequent joining in the region of side walls 219 of opening 207. The connection can be accomplished through laser welding, soldering, shrinking, pressing into the opening or electron beam welding.

(44) Referring now to FIGS. 4a-4c there are shown alternative arrangements of a feed-through 303 which is placed into opening 307 in housing part 305. This is essentially consistent with the arrangement according to FIG. 3, whereby identical components are identified by reference numbers increased by 100. In contrast to FIG. 3, base body 309 is however in the form of a conical ring which is inserted into a conically progressing opening 307. The connection between the feed-through occurs again between the side walls of conical opening 307 and conical base body 309, for example through welding, soldering, flanging, shrinking. It is however also possible to press the essentially conically progressing annular base body 309 into conical opening 307 in housing part 305. The conical base body can be in the form of the three arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 4a-4c. In FIG. 4a base body 309 is conical on outside 395 toward housing part 305; in FIG. 4b on the outside 395 as well as on inside 397 facing pin-shaped conductor 311 and in FIG. 4c only on inside 397. Due to the conical form of the opening as well as of the base body, a relative movement of the feed-through in the direction of outside 320.1 of housing part 305 is avoided, since the conical bore and the conically shaped base body act as a barb and a relative movement in the direction of outside 320.1 leads to a positive locking fit between base body 309 of feed-through 303 and the sidewalls of opening 307.

(45) One advantage of the arrangement according to FIGS. 4a to 4c is that even under increased load on the feed-through 303, for example pressure load, pushing feed-through 303 with metal pin 311 out of feed-through opening 307 is securely avoided. Openings 307 may be introduced into housing part 305 through a simple manufacturing method, for example punching.

(46) FIG. 4d shows an alternative embodiment of a housing part 255 with a ring shaped base body 259. The housing part 255 has a first height or thickness Di. Shaped base body 259 has a second height or thickness D.sub.2 and a third height or thickness D.sub.3. The second height or thickness D.sub.2 is for a wall thickness W.sub.1 and the third height or thickness D.sub.3 is for a wall thickness W.sub.3, which corresponds to a flange 260 of the ring shaped base body 259. The third thickness or height D.sub.3 of the flange 260 of the base body 259 corresponds essentially to the thickness or height D.sub.1 of the housing part 255. When the thickness D.sub.3 of the flange 260 of the base body 259 corresponds to the thickness D.sub.1 of the housing 255, the housing 255 and the flange 260 align in a plane on an inner side of the housing 255. This provides more space for the electrodes within the housing 255. When the flange 260 and housing 255 align in a plane on an outer side of the housing 255, more space for, e.g., electronics and/or connectors such as plugs, is provided. With an embodiment comprising a flange with essentially the same thickness as the housing, the welding and/or soldering of the base part to the housing is improved. In such a case, rather than two parts of different thicknesses at the edge of the two parts being welded together, instead two parts of essentially equal thickness are connected by welding. In case of laser welding, especially if laser welding is applied, the welding line does not need to be placed on the edges of parts of differing thickness. This can contribute to making the welding procedure more effective. The second thickness or height D.sub.2 of the base body 259 corresponds to a glassing length EL of a glass material 262 in an opening 270 of the base body 259. Through the opening 270 of the base body 259, a conductor or pin 261 is guided. The conductor or pin 261 is embedded in the glass material 262 along the glassing length EL. The thickness D.sub.2 can be selected to provide a compression seal, i.e. the base body 259 exerts a compression force onto the glass or glass ceramic material 262 along the glassing length EL. Since D.sub.3 is smaller than D.sub.2, thermal and mechanical stress caused by the soldering or welding procedure can effectively be reduced at the glass or glass ceramic material 262. By selecting suitable values of D.sub.3 and D.sub.2, the compressive force onto the glass or glass ceramic material 262 and the thermal and mechanical stress induced by the soldering or welding procedure can be balanced. The base body 259 with a flange 260 can be produced by cold forming or as a stepped bore. The thickness D.sub.3 of the flange can be about 10 to 80%, such as 30 to 70% of the thickness D.sub.2 of the base body 259. The thickness D.sub.2 can be between 3 mm and 8 mm, such as 4 mm to 6 mm and the thickness D.sub.3 can be between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, such as 1 mm to 3 mm. The flange 260 of the base body 259 can be connected by welding, soldering, pressing, crimping and/or shrinking to the housing part 255 in area 280. One possible method is welding in order to provide for a hermetically sealed connection with a helium leakage rate smaller than 1.Math.10.sup.8 mbar l/sec.

(47) Referring now to FIGS. 5a to 5c and FIGS. 7a to 7b, there are illustrated arrangements of the present invention whereby again ring-shaped base body 509 is provided. However, here the pin-shaped conductor 511 is equipped with a head part 580. Sealing in this arrangement according to FIGS. 5a to 5c as well as 6a to 6b and FIGS. 7a to 7b occurs not only between pin-shaped conductor 511, which can be inserted through ring-shaped base body 509 which, as for example illustrated in FIG. 3 can be inserted into the housing part, but in this case the glass material or glass ceramic material 513 is also introduced between base body 509 and head part 580.

(48) The dimensions A1 of head part 580 are hereby greater than dimensions A1 of the essentially pin-shaped conductor 511. With a conductor having an essentially round cross section, the dimensions of the head part are then greater than the diameter of the pin-shaped conductor. This means that the head surface of the head part is greater than the head surface of pin-shaped conductor 511 with which head part 580 is connected. Head part 580 can moreover be configured such that it can be connected with an electrode connecting component. The electrode connecting component is, for example, a component of copper for the cathode or aluminum for the anode. The connection of head part and electrode connecting component (not illustrated) occurs through a mechanically stable, for example non-detachable electrical connection. A mechanically stable, non-detachable electrical connection of this type is provided in that the head part and the electrode connecting part is firmly connected by welding, such as resistance welding, electron beam welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding, bonding, gluing, soldering, caulking, shrinking, grouting, jamming and crimping. The connection of head part and electrode connecting part occurs after head part 580 and pin-shaped conductor 511 are inserted or sealed into the housing of the battery or battery cell. It would of course also be possible, to connect the feed-through component with the electrode connecting component prior to insertion or respectively sealing into the housing opening.

(49) An arrangement with head part 580 provides a feed-through which, when used in a housing for battery cells requires only a small interior space. The head part of the inventive feed-through component has a very large supporting surface for the connection of the electrode connecting component. Very high stability is herewith achieved in the connection area. In particular, compared to a connection of the electrode connecting components directly to the pin-shaped conductor a substantially greater flexural rigidity is achieved. Another advantage of connecting the electrode connecting components via the head part is in that, as opposed to a direct connection with the pin, constrictions, or considerable changes in the cross sectional area in the conducting path from the battery cell to the feed-through through the housing of the battery cell are avoided. Cross sectional constrictionsespecially at high currents of 20 amps (A) to 500 Alead to high heat dissipation in lithium-ion accumulators as the energy supplier in automobiles, which can cause problems in the battery cells. Such heat losses can be avoided with inventive head part 580.

(50) An extension 582 protrudes over the conductor, in particular the pin-shaped conductor 511, for example over inside 520.2 into the interior of the battery cell, whereby extension 582 of the conductor can aid centering of the previously addressed electrode connecting part. Extension 582 of the pin-shaped conductor is preferably always round regardless of the shape of the conductor which may for example be oval or round. Also, the dimension of the extension and the essentially pin-shaped conductor can be different.

(51) Ring-shaped base body 509 can also assume different forms, for example as shown in FIGS. 5a to 5c an oval outer shape 590, whereby then also the conductor in the area where it is guided through the oval base bodythat is in region 511can be oval; the head part as shown in the top view in FIG. 5b however is round for connection to the electrode connecting components.

(52) Alternatively to an oval configuration of the ring-shaped base body, the pin-shaped conductor and the extension, which is particularly advantageous on narrow battery covers, it is possible to design the pin-shaped conductor as well as the centering extension and the base body ring-shaped. Shapes can obviously also be mixed, that is, oval base body with ring-shaped, pin-shaped conductor without any further description thereof.

(53) A ring-shaped base body with ring-shaped, pin-shaped conductor is shown in FIGS. 6a to 6b. Identical components as in FIGS. 5a to 5c are identified by reference numbers increased by 100, for example in FIGS. 6a to 6c the pin-shaped conductor is identified with reference number 611, the head part with 680 and the annular base body with 609.

(54) In order to connect other connecting parts or connecting components to the electrodes, it is provided in an arrangement according to FIGS. 7a and 7b to project head surface 780 of head part over the diameter of the opening. Identical components as in FIGS. 5a to 5c are identified with reference numbers increased by 200, for example the pin-shaped conductor is identified with reference number 711 and the annular base body with 709. Due to accessibility from both sides, the projection 782 of head part 780 also allows, joining by through-welding, resistance welding or riveting in addition to the previously described connection methods.

(55) In the embodiment according to FIG. 7 it can be clearly seen, especially the inventive characteristic of the feed-through component, that the surface of head part 780 (F.sub.HEAD PART) is larger than the surface of pin-shaped conductor 711 (F.sub.CONDUCTOR).

(56) Since in the arrangement according to FIGS. 7a and 7b the dimensions and shape of the extension of pin-shaped conductor 711 correspond, the cross sectional surface of the extension illustrated in the top view is consistent with the surface of the pin-shaped conductor.

(57) Shown in FIGS. 8a-9b are embodiments of a feed-through of a pin-shaped conductor through a base body whereby the feed-through into the housing component, in particular the battery cover, is shown with a thermal barrier and a mechanical relief. More specifically, the inventive feed-through illustrated in each of FIGS. 8a and 8b feature a relief device for mechanical relief and shown as thermal barrier.

(58) In contrast to the embodiments according to FIGS. 1a-4, base body 809 according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b includes a circumferential groove 850 as the relief device. An essentially pin-shaped conductor 811 is again sealed with a glass or glass ceramic material 813 into base body 809 which features circumferential groove 850.

(59) Even though not illustrated and implicitly expressed, in an alternative embodiment the conductor can also be configured to include a head part, without the expert having to become inventively active.

(60) Further shown in FIG. 8a is also a housing part 805, essentially a cover for the battery cell. The feed-through, consisting of base body 809 with essentially pin-shaped conductor sealed, is circumferentially connected with hosing part 805 in region 870, for example by welding, in particular laser welding. Circumferential groove 850 on the one hand provides a thermal barrier, on the other it provides the necessary elasticity in order to protect or respectively de-stress the feed-through, in particular in the region of seal 813. The circumferential groove 850 achieves in particular that occurring mechanical and thermal stresses upon the glass or respectively glass ceramic material are reduced. Crack formations in the glass or respectively glass-ceramic material of the feed-through which could lead to leakage can herewith be considerably reduced.

(61) The arrangement according to FIG. 8b again shows a feed-through having a circumferential groove 850 as a relief device in the base body 809. In contrast to the arrangement according to FIG. 8a, housing component 805 in this case is provided with protrusion 880 in the region of the connection between feed-through and housing component 805. Compared to the arrangement according to FIG. 8a this leads to an even better mechanical relief. Base body 809 can moreover be connected with housing part 805 over its entire thickness D, thereby permitting a precise welding process.

(62) FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate alternative embodiments to FIGS. 8a and 8b, whereby a relief device as well as a thermal barrier are also provided in FIGS. 9a and 9b. In contrast to the embodiment in accordance with FIG. 8a, the base body 909 in this case is not equipped with a circumferential groove as relief device, but instead with a protrusion 990. Identical components as in FIGS. 8a-8b are identified with reference numbers increased by 100 compared to FIGS. 8a and 8b. Accordingly, pin-shaped conductor is identified with reference 911, and the glass and glass ceramic material with 913. The region of the connection between feed-through and housing component is identified with 970. The advantages described above for FIG. 8a also apply to FIG. 9a and are herewith included.

(63) FIG. 9b illustrates an alternative embodiment to that illustrated in FIG. 9a. In addition to the essentially ring-shaped base body 909, cover part 905 also has a protrusion 980. The advantages described above for FIG. 8b also apply to FIG. 9b and are herewith included.

(64) All arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 9b which provide a mechanical and thermal relief are possible with a pin-shaped conductor 811 instead of the illustrated arrangement, also with a pin-shaped conductor with head part, as described in detail in FIGS. 5 to 7. The disclosure content of the description relating to FIGS. 5 through 7 is herewith included in its entirety without requiring special reference thereto.

(65) Referring now to FIGS. 10a-11b, there is illustrated complete battery cells for a lithium-ion battery, with inserted feed-throughs according to the present invention. FIGS. 10a-10b illustrate one arrangement of the present invention wherein the pin-shaped conductor is not equipped with a head part, that is, a feed-through according to FIGS. 1a through 4, or respectively 9a through 10b. In contrast thereto, FIGS. 11a to 11b show a battery cell with a housing and feed-throughs located therein, whereby the pin-shaped conductor is equipped with a head part according to the present invention.

(66) Referring now to FIG. 10a, there is shown the principle design of a battery cell 1000. Battery cell 1000 includes a housing 1100 with side walls 1110 and a cover part 1120. Openings 1130.1, 1130.2 are produced in the opening of cover part 1120 of housing 1100, for example by stamping. Feed-throughs 1140.1, 1140.2 are again inserted in both openings 1130.1, 1130.2.

(67) FIG. 10b shows a detailed section of battery cover 1120 with opening 1130.1 and the therein inserted feed-through 1140.1. Feed-through 1140.1 comprises a pin-shaped conductor 2003, as well as a base body 2200. Pin-shaped conductor 2003 without a head part is sealed with a glass or glass ceramic material 2280 into base body 2200. After having been sealed into base body 2200 with glass or glass ceramic material 2280, pin-shaped conductor 2003 is inserted into opening 1130.1 as a complete component, for example in that base body 2200 of the feed-through, which consists, for example of aluminum, is joined, for example, through welding with strain-hardened cover part 1120 consisting of aluminum. Because of the sealing, only base body 2200 is softened. A recess 2002 in which an electrode connecting part 2020 is inserted is provided on the pin-shaped conductor. The electrode connecting component serves again either as cathode or as anode of electrochemical cell 2004 of battery cell 1000. Housing 1100 surrounds battery cell 1000 in the embodiment of battery cell housing.

(68) As can be seen in FIG. 10a, based on the structure of feed-through 1140.1, 1140.2 with a pin-shaped conductor 2003 and an electrode connecting component which is inserted in recess 2002 of the pin-shaped conductor and which is to be connected with electrochemical cell 2004, a large space 2006 is associated which is created between electrochemical cell 2004 and cover 1120.

(69) Due to the inventive structure of feed-through with pin-shaped conductor and head part as shown in FIGS. 11a and 11b, it is possible to minimize the unused space in the battery cell housing. Identical components as in FIGS. 10a and 10b are identified with reference numbers increased by 2000. Feed-throughs 3140.1, 3140.2 are again inserted in openings 3130.1, 3130.2 of cover 3120 of battery cell housing 3100. In contrast to the feed-through component of the feed-throughs illustrated in FIGS. 10a and 10b, the feed-through component is now provided with a pin-shaped conductor 3003 as well as with a head part 3005. The head part is equipped with an extension 3030, as well as with an electrode connecting component 3010 which is firmly attached to head part 3005 by welding, soldering or other previously described method. The electrode connecting component has a segment 3140, whereby segment 3140 serves as cathode or respectively anode for electrochemical cell 4004. As can be seen from FIGS. 11a to 11b the advantage of the inventive feed-through component is clearly recognizable. The configuration of the feed-through illustrated in FIGS. 11a through 11b determines that as little space as possible inside the battery cell housing remains unused.

(70) The arrangement of the feed-through in FIGS. 11a and 11b is substantially consistent with the arrangement of the feed-through shown in FIGS. 6a to 6b. The description for FIGS. 6a to 6b is hereby accepted in its entirety into the current description of the battery cell.

(71) FIGS. 12a to 12c illustrate an additional arrangement of an inventive battery housing with a feed-through. Identical components as in the aforementioned drawings are identified with reference numbers increased by 5000. The embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 12a to 12c distinguish themselves in that the conductors, essentially pin-shaped conductors 7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 facing toward the battery cell do not have a round shape, that is they do not have a round cross section as shown for example in FIGS. 10a-11b, but instead have an essentially rectangular cross section 7100. Conductor 7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 moreover each has two bent locations. Conductor 7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 in principle already forms segment 8110 at its end which is facing toward the battery cell and which serves as cathode or respectively as anode for the electrochemical cell (not illustrated). In contrast to the embodiment according to FIGS. 11a and 11b where a separate electrode connecting component (identified with 3110 in FIG. 11b) is attached to the conductor, in particular the pin-shaped conductor, for example by welding, the electrode connecting component and the essentially pin-shaped conductor in the embodiments according to FIGS. 12a to 12 is a single-piece unit. This is advantageous from a manufacturing point of view since no two parts have to be connected with each other. Conductors 7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 distinguish themselves essentially through the cross sectional shape of the conductor in the region of feed-through 8140.1, 8140.2, 8140.3. In the arrangement according to FIG. 12a the cross section of the conductor in the region of seal 7280 is also essentially rectangular.

(72) In the arrangement according to FIG. 12b the cross section is round instead of the rectangular cross section in the region of seal 7280. This conductor is identified with reference number 7003.2. In the embodiment according to FIG. 12b, the conductor features a round cross section facing the outside of the battery cell in contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 12a.

(73) In the arrangement according to FIG. 12c, the cross section in the region of seal 7280 is also round, like in FIG. 12b, however conductor 7003.3 is crimped in the region of connection to the outside of the battery housing and its cross section is therefore rectangular, for example square. In all of FIGS. 12a through 12c, the covers of the battery housings are identified with 8120, the base body into which conductor 7003.1, 7003.2, 7003.3 is sealed is identified with 8130.

(74) The current invention cites for the first time a feed-through for a housing, in particular a battery cell housing, for example for a lithium-ion battery, which can be pre-manufactured and which is especially suited to be utilized in housing components of battery cell housings. The battery cell housing includes, for example, a light metal such as aluminum (Al), an aluminum alloy, AlSiC, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, titanium or a titanium alloy. However, metals such as steel or high-grade steel, in particular stainless steel or tool steel are possible as materials for the battery cell housing. In such a case the materials of the base body and/or the essentially pin-shaped conductor are adapted.

(75) The inventive solution further allows reverting to a cost-effective manufacturing process and basic materials. Moreover, the entire feed-through can be in the embodiment of a pre-manufactured component into which the metal pin is sealed into a base body by a bonding material that is, for example a glass plug, before the base body is placed into the housing component. This ensures that there is no loss of strain-hardening in the housing component. Moreover, material thicknesses and materials for the housing component and the base body can be selected independently. The feed-through can be mechanically, as well as thermally, relieved through a special arrangement with a relief device.

(76) While this invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.