Thermal switch for use in plastic batteries

Abstract

The present invention relates to large plastic batteries having thermal switches to protect against overheating of the battery. In particular the present invention provides a rechargeable battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrically conductive collector associated with each electrode, a separator element arranged between the electrodes and a thermal switch layer containing a thermally-sensitive composition effective arranged to allow disruption of electrical conduction when the battery temperature reaches a critical temperature. Further the present invention provides a rechargeable battery comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, an electrically conductive collector associated with one electrode, a separator element arranged between the electrodes, and at least one thermal switch layer containing a thermally-sensitive composition associated with the other electrode.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.