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EP0497616A2
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EP
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Electrochromic cell testers
Assignee: Edgewell Personal Care Brands LLC
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Filing: 1992-01-31
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-01-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell and a state-of-charge tester therefor, characterised in that the tester is secured to the cell and comprises electrochromic material which changes colour according to the redox potential to which it is subject and which provides an indication of state-of-charge of the cell thereby, said electrochromic material being sandwiched between electrically conductive layers connectable with opposing terminals of the cell, the outermost layer permitting a user to visually determine the colorimetric state of the electrochromic material, the tester preferably being comprised in a label for the cell, the advantage being that the cell cannot act as a heat sink as it would for a thermochromic tester.
Inventors
- 👤 John C. Bailey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:03
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01M; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/48; H01M10/488; G; G01; G01R; G01R13/00; G01R13/40; G01R13/401; G01R13/403; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/15; G02F1/1514; G02F1/1523; G02F1/1525; G02F1/153; H01M6/00; H01M6/50; H01M6/5044; H01M6/505; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49108; Y10T29/49115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
An electrochemical cell and a state-of-charge tester therefor, characterised in that the tester is secured to the cell and comprises electrochromic material which changes colour according to the redox potential to which it is subject and which provides an indication of state-of-charge of the cell thereby, said electrochromic material being sandwiched between electrically conductive layers connectable with opposing terminals of the cell, the outermost layer permitting a user to visually determine the colorimetric state of the electrochromic material, the tester preferably being comprised in a label for the cell.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A cell and tester according to claim 1, wherein the electrochromic material provides a large surface, or at least a clearly visible surface, so that the user can observe any colour change readily.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A cell and tester according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrochromic arterial is flat, or in the form of a film.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A cell and tester according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrochromic material is situated at or near the surface of the battery container, or at or near the surface of the battery cover.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
A cell and tester according to any preceding claim, wherein the electrochromic arterial is connected to a first terminal by a conductor connecting its underside to the terminal, the conductor preferably being in the form of a wire, and contacting the electrochromic material directly, or via an electrolyte.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cell and tester according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper surface of the electrochromic material is in contact with a suitable electrode and wherein at least part of the electrochromic material is visible through the electrode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cell and tester according to any preceding claim, further comprising a switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A cell and tester according to any preceding claim, wherein several different electrochromic materials are used in order to indicate differing states of charge of the cell.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
A cell and tester according to claim 8, wherein the different indicators are disposed on top of one another in increasing order of activation, so that only one colour is ever visible, but the colour which is visible will indicate the state of charge, or are arrayed side by side, and the number or arrangement of different colours used to indicate state of charge.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A cell and tester according to any preceding claim, wherein the indicator goes clear on activation to expose a message, or changes colour and is conformed so as to display a message of that colour, or is beneath a mask which shows a message.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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