Cap for battery terminal

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12166245-B2
Application number	US-202217891900-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 19, 2022
Priority date	Mar 5, 2018
Publication date	Dec 10, 2024
Grant date	Dec 10, 2024

Abstract

Disclosed is a non-lead conductive cap for a battery terminal and battery. The battery may comprise a battery housing and a positive and negative terminal, the positive and negative terminal being accessible through the battery housing; wherein the positive and negative terminal further comprise an electrically conductive cap mounted on both the positive and negative terminal, wherein the electrically conductive cap does not comprise lead.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A battery comprising:
a battery housing;
a positive and negative terminal accessible through the battery housing;
an electrically conductive cap mounted on the at least one of the positive terminal or the negative terminal; and
a base of the electrically conductive cap configured to couple to and seal the electrically conductive cap to the battery housing and provide for a limited exposure to lead.

2. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the positive and negative terminal comprise an exposed portion protruding from the battery housing, the exposed portion comprising lead and the electrically conductive cap covers the exposed portion.

3. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the positive and negative terminal are received by a bushing coupled to the battery housing.

4. The battery of claim 3 , wherein the bushing comprises lead and is molded into the battery housing.

5. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the base of the electrically conductive cap is comprised of a polymer or a resin.

6. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the base of the electrically conductive cap includes an overmold.

7. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the base of the electrically conductive cap includes a sealing ring.

8. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the base of the electrically conductive cap couples the electrically conductive cap to the battery housing using one or more components selected from the group consisting of mechanical press-fit, thermal press-fit, adhesive, glue, spin welding, sonic welding, heat sealing, and laser welding.

9. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive cap comprises an electrically conductive portion comprising a conductive cage.

10. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive cap is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of copper, brass, stainless steel, and nickel.

11. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive cap is comprised of a polymer or resin.

12. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive cap comprises torque ribs.

13. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the electrically conductive cap comprises a first electrically conductive cap mounted on the positive terminal and a second electrically conductive cap mounted on the negative terminal.

14. The battery of claim 1 , wherein any exposed surface of the battery is lead-free.

15. A battery terminal assembly comprising:
a lead battery terminal accessible through a battery housing;
a bushing molded into the battery housing and to receive the terminal;
an electrically conductive cap positioned over the terminal, the electrically conductive cap comprising at least a lead free external surface; and
a sealing ring extending from the electrically conductive cap, the sealing ring coupling the electrically conductive cap to a surface of the battery housing.

16. The battery terminal assembly of claim 15 , wherein the electrically conductive cap includes an extension configured to couple to the terminal below an exposed surface of the battery housing such that the battery terminal assembly provides for a limited exposure to lead.

17. The battery terminal assembly of claim 15 , wherein the bushing comprises lead and the bushing facilitates an electrical connection between the terminal and the electrically conductive cap below an exposed surface of the battery housing.

18. A method of sealing a terminal of a lead-acid battery comprising:
providing the terminal through a cover of the battery, the terminal including a lead surface disposed on an exterior of the cover; and
forming a seal about the terminal comprising:
positioning a seal about the terminal;
positioning a surface of the seal adjacent a surface of the cover; and
surrounding the lead surface with the seal such that the seal provides for a limited exposure to the lead surface.

19. The method of claim 18 , wherein forming the seal comprises sealing an electrically conductive cap positioned over the terminal, wherein the electrically conductive cap comprises at least a lead free external surface.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein forming the seal comprises using one or more components selected from the group consisting of mechanical press-fit, thermal press-fit, adhesive, glue, spin welding, sonic welding, heat sealing, or laser welding.

Assignees

• Clarios Germany Gmbh & Co Kg
• Cps Tech Holdings Llc

Inventors

• Jaeppelt Ruediger
• Fuhr Jason D
• Troxel Jeffrey L
• Murray William

Classifications

• H01M50/543

  Terminals · CPC title

• H01M50/553

  Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells · CPC title

• H01M50/55

  on the same side of the cell · CPC title

• H01M50/561

  Hollow metallic terminals, e.g. terminal bushings · CPC title

• H01M10/06 Primary

  Lead-acid accumulators (semi-lead accumulators H01M10/20) · CPC title