Resilient mandrel for battery electrode assembly
AssigneeAlfred E. Mann Foundation for Scientific Research
InventorAndrew J. Szyszkowski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved electrode assembly for batteries and the like including a central mandrel configured to exert a resilient outward force on a multilayer web wound around the mandrel. The multilayer web includes a positive electrode layer, a negative electrode layer, and a separator layer separating the positive and negative layers. The resilient outward force acts to maintain the tightness of the web roll, thus lowering electrical resistance and enhancing battery cycle life. The mandrel is preferably formed of sheet metal configured to define an S-shape having a central section and first and second resilient leaves extending therefrom. The leaves preferably define substantially planar areas for bearing against an inner turn of the web roll to exert a resilient outward force thereagainst.
Claims19
An electrode assembly suitable for forming a battery, comprising:
- a mandrel;
- said mandrel including a central section having first and second leaves extending therefrom in opposite directions and on opposite sides from said central section, said leaves being supported for limited resilient movement;
- and
- a web wound around said mandrel for compressing said leaves to cause said leaves to exert and maintain an outward force against said web to compensate for swelling and shrinking of the battery as the battery charges and discharges, thereby maintaining operation of the battery at a lowered electrical resistance.
A mandrel for supporting a web wound therearound, wherein said web is suitable for forming a battery, said mandrel comprising:
- a central section;
- a first substantially planar leaf offset in a first direction from said central section;
- a second substantially planar leaf offset in a second direction from said central section, said first and second leaves being oriented to respectively define first and second substantially parallel planes;
- and wherein
- said mandrel supports said leaves to exhibit resilient movement substantially perpendicular to said parallel planes for bearing outwardly to exert and maintain an outward force against a web wound therearound to compensate for swelling and shrinking of the battery as the battery charges and discharges, thereby maintaining operation of the battery at a lowered electrical resistance.
A battery comprising:
- a case defining a fixed interior volume;
- and
- an electrode assembly mounted in said case substantially filling said interior volume;
- said electrode assembly comprising:
- a mandrel having a central section;
- said mandrel including first and second leaves respectively defining first and second substantially planar surfaces offset on opposite sides of said central section, said leaves being supported for limited resilient movement substantially perpendicular to said planar surfaces;
- and
- a web wound around said mandrel bearing against said planar surfaces to compress said leaves and cause said leaves to exert and maintain an outward force against said web to compensate for swelling and shrinking of the battery as the battery charges and discharges, thereby maintaining operation of the battery at a lowered electrical resistance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.