EP0523901A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Battery with integral condition tester
Assignee: Duracell Inc USA
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Filing: 1992-07-08
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-07-08
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to an electrochemical cell 10 and an integrally related state of charge indicator 12. The state of charge indicator has two electrical contacts and a display connected therebetween. A first contact 16 is connected to a first cell terminal and a second contact 14 is unconnected to either terminal. A switch 18, 19 permits electrical connection of the second contact to the second terminal to visually indicate the condition of the battery by the display means.
Inventors
- 👤 Chih-Chung Wang
- 👤 Terry Charles Eisensmith
- 👤 Charles Edmond Kiernan
- 👤 Robert Louis Milanese
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 06:10
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D7/00; G01D7/005; H; H01; H01M; H01M6/00; H01M6/50; H01M6/5044; H01M6/505; H01M10/00; H01M10/42; H01M10/48; H01M10/488; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In combination, an electrochemical cell and a cell condition indicator; said cell comprising a cylindrical container the outside surface of which forms a first external terminal, a cover which seals said container, a second external terminal, means for conducting electricity from the inside of the sealed container to the second terminal, and a label which extends over at least a portion of one of said terminals; said cell condition indicator including a display means, a first electrical contact unconnected to either external terminal, a switch means disposed at one end of said cell for connecting and disconnecting said first contact to one of said external terminals, and a second electrical contact electrically connected to the other external terminal; and at least a portion of said cell condition indicator being positioned between the external surface of said label and one of said terminals; whereupon, closing said switch means connects said first electrical contact to said external terminal to activate the cell condition indicator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein the switch means electrically connects said first electrical contact to a portion of the cell container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein the switch means electrically connects said first electrical contact to said second external terminal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination of claim 1 and wherein every part of the cell condition indicator substantially conforms to the shape of that portion of the outer surface of the cell at which said indicator is located.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said display means is positioned on the inner surface of the label and wherein a transparent portion of said label covers said display means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said display means comprises at least one resistive element and a thermochromic material in thermal contact with said element.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The combination of claim 6 wherein said resistive element is located on a portion of the inside surface of the label and the thermochromic material is positioned on the other side of the label coincident with the position of the resistive element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said second terminal comprises a circular metal end cap positioned over the cell cover and said second electrical contact means is permanently connected to said end cap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination of claim 6, wherein said cell condition indicator is at least partially positioned on a portion of the label that extends along a portion of the container outer wall and along a portion of the second terminal, and further comprising insulating means located between said container and said resistive element.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said label holds said second electrical contact means in mechanical and electrical contact with said second terminal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said condition indicator display means comprises at least one resistive element and a thermochromic material in thermal contact therewith, wherein said thermochromic material comprises a thermochromic ink layer located between the inside surface of said label and said resistive element.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
145 words
In combination, an electrochemical cell and a cell condition indicator; said cell comprising a container, at least a portion of the outside surface of which forms a first external terminal; a cover for said cell container including a second external terminal which is electrically isolated from said first external terminal; said condition indicator being positioned at one end of said cell and comprising a first electrically conductive means which is mechanically and electrically fixed to said second terminal, a second electrically conductive means which is adapted for electrical connection to said first external terminal but is normally unconnected thereto, and display means adapted to indicate the condition of said cell upon electrical connection of said second electrically conductive means to said first terminal; wherein said second electrically conductive means is accessible for actuation through an aperture to electrically connect said means to said first terminal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
The combination of claim 12 wherein said cover further comprises a plastic seal member and a metal support member disposed over said seal member which support member is electrically connected to said first terminal; and said second electrically conductive means is capable of mechanical and electrical connection to said support member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The combination of claim 13 wherein said second terminal is a metal end cap disposed over said support member, wherein said display means and second electrically conductive means are located between said end cap and said metal support; and wherein said end cap has an aperture therein positioned over said second electrically conductive means for activating said condition indicator by pressing said second electrically conductive means into contact with said support.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 14 wherein said end cap has at least one indicating aperture for viewing said display means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 12 and further comprising an insulating means, wherein said insulating means is positioned over said support member, and wherein said condition indicator is located on said insulating means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of 16 wherein said insulating means has an aperture therein positioned beneath said second electrically conductive means, whereby inserting an instrument through said activating aperture and pressing said second electrically conductive means against said support member causes the display means to indicate the condition of the battery as viewed through the indicating aperture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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