`(16) Patent N0.:
`US 6,723,466 B2
`
`Oogami et al.
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 20, 2004
`
`U8006723466B2
`
`(54) STORAGE BATTERY WITH LAMINATED
`BATTERY ELEMENT
`
`6,447,946 B1 *
`6,451,473 B1 *
`
`9/2002 Nakai et a1.
`9/2002 Saito et a1.
`
`.................. 429/53
`................... 429/94
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Etsuo Oogami, Kanagawa (JP); Tatsuo
`Horiba, Saitama (JP)
`
`(73) Assignees: Nissan Motor C0., Ltd., Kanagawa
`(JP); Shin-Kobe Electric Machinery
`C0., Ltd., Tokyo (JP)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 159 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/804,077
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 13, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2001/0036571 A1 NOV. 1, 2001
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 15, 2000
`
`(JP)
`
`....................................... 2000—071558
`
`Int. Cl.7 ................................................. H01M 6/10
`(51)
`(52) US. Cl.
`............................ 429/94; 429/96; 429/100
`(58) Field of Search ............................. 429/94, 96, 100
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`
`19731114 A1 *
`
`1/1999
`
`........... H01L/21/68
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner—Carol Chaney
`Assistant Examiner—Dah-Wei D. Yuan
`
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—McDermott, Will & Emery
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A storage battery includes a rolled, laminated battery ele-
`ment made up of two groups of electrode materials com-
`posed of positive and negative electrode materials, lami-
`nated together through separators, an outer sheathing
`enclosing therein the laminated battery element, a spindle
`around which the laminated battery element is wound and
`rolled up so that
`the spindle and the laminated battery
`element are fixedly connected to each other. One axial end
`of the spindle is constrained in the axial direction of the
`laminated battery element by the bottom of the outer
`sheathing, While the other axial end of the spindle is elas-
`tically supported by an upper lid portion hermetically cov-
`ering the opening end, so as to stably support the laminated
`battery element by the spindle and to prevent displacement
`of the laminated battery element from its set position even
`during application of vibrations to the storage battery.
`
`6,032,943 A *
`
`3/2000 Yabushita et a1.
`
`.......... 271/109
`
`9 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
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`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 2
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`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 2
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 20, 2004
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`US. Patent
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`Apr. 20, 2004
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`Sheet 3 0f 6
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`US 6,723,466 B2
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 20, 2004
`
`Sheet 4 0f 6
`
`US 6,723,466 B2
`
`FIG.4
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`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 5
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`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 5
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 20, 2004
`
`Sheet 5 0f 6
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`US 6,723,466 B2
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`US. Patent
`
`Apr. 20, 2004
`
`Sheet 6 0f 6
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`US 6,723,466 B2
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`
`
`
`US 6,723,466 B2
`
`1
`STORAGE BATTERY WITH LAMINATED
`BATTERY ELEMENT
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery,
`and particularly to a storage battery used in automotive
`vehicles such as battery-driven electric vehicles (EVES),
`hybrid electric vehicles (HEMS) and the like.
`BACKGROUND ART
`
`An electric vehicle or a hybrid electric vehicle often uses
`a lithium-ion battery, a nickel-metal hydride hydrogen
`battery, or the like as a secondary battery, to draw energy
`therefrom for vehicle propulsion. In such storage batteries,
`two groups of sheet-like electrode materials, namely posi-
`tive and negative electrode materials are layer-built or
`laminated together so that each electrode material is insu-
`lated from adjacent electrode materials by means of sepa-
`rators. Thereafter,
`the laminated product
`is rolled up to
`produce a rolled, laminated battery element made up of two
`groups of electrode materials,
`that
`is, positive electrode
`materials and negative electrode materials. The laminated
`battery element is enclosed in a battery case or an outer
`sheathing can (hereinafter is referred to as “outer
`sheathing”) made of a metal material, and then the storage
`battery is assembled or constructed by installing a metal lid
`on the opening end of the outer sheathing through an
`insulating material, so that the metal lid is insulated from the
`outer sheathing with the insulating material
`interleaved
`between them. A pair of insulation plates are further pro-
`vided at both ends of the outer sheathing enclosing therein
`the laminated battery element, that is, at the outer-sheathing
`bottom closed end and at the lid side of the outer sheathing.
`Apositive electrode side of the laminated battery element is
`connected to the lid side by means of a positive-electrode
`lead. On the other hand, a negative electrode side of the
`laminated battery element is connected to the outer sheath-
`ing by means of a negative-electrode lead. When such a
`storage battery is put into the vehicle, undesired vibrations
`are transmitted to the storage battery during vehicle driving.
`Generally, the laminated battery element is merely enclosed
`in the outer sheathing, but not satisfactorily fixed to the outer
`sheathing or to the lid side. In such a case,
`there is a
`possibility that both side wall surfaces of the laminated
`battery element
`impinge upon the respective insulation
`plates, and thus wear occurs on those impinged surfaces.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
`battery with a shock-proof mounted, laminated battery ele-
`ment enclosed in a battery case (an outer sheathing), which
`avoids the aforementioned disadvantages.
`In order to accomplish the aforementioned and other
`objects of the present invention, a storage battery comprises
`a rolled, laminated battery element made up of two groups
`of electrode materials composed of positive and negative
`electrode materials, laminated together through separators
`which separate the positive and negative electrode materials,
`a substantially cylindrical hollow battery case enclosing
`therein the laminated battery element, a spindle arranged
`along a direction of an axis of the rolled, laminated battery
`element so that
`the spindle is fixedly connected to the
`laminated battery element, a first axial end of the spindle
`being constrained in the axial direction of the laminated
`battery element, and a second axial end of the spindle being
`elastically supported.
`
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`2
`According to another aspect of the invention, a storage
`battery comprises a rolled, laminated battery element made
`up of two groups of sheet-shaped electrode materials com-
`posed of positive and negative electrode materials, lami-
`nated together through separators which separate the posi-
`tive and negative electrode materials to prevent the positive
`and negative electrode materials from touching, a substan-
`tially cylindrical hollow battery case enclosing therein the
`laminated battery element, a cylindrical hollow spindle
`made of an electrical insulating material and arranged along
`a direction of an axis of the rolled, laminated battery element
`so that the spindle is fixedly connected to the laminated
`battery element and coaxially arranged with the laminated
`battery element with respect to the axis of the laminated
`battery element, a first axial end of the spindle being
`constrained in the axial direction of the laminated battery
`element, and a second axial end of the spindle being
`elastically supported.
`According to a still further aspect of the invention, a
`storage battery comprises a rolled, laminated battery ele-
`ment made up of two groups of sheet-shaped electrode
`materials composed of positive and negative electrode
`materials,
`laminated together through separators which
`separate the positive and negative electrode materials to
`prevent the positive and negative electrode materials from
`touching, each of the positive electrode materials compris-
`ing a sheet of aluminum material with a layer of positive-
`electrode active material on both sides and each of the
`
`negative electrode materials comprising a sheet of copper
`material with a layer of negative-electrode active material on
`both sides, a substantially cylindrical hollow battery case
`enclosing therein the laminated battery element, a cylindri-
`cal hollow spindle made of a plastic material and arranged
`along a direction of an axis of the rolled, laminated battery
`element so that
`the spindle is fixedly connected to the
`laminated battery element and coaxially arranged with the
`laminated battery element with respect to the axis of the
`laminated battery element, a first axial end of the spindle
`being constrained in a radial direction as well as the axial
`direction of the laminated battery element, and a second
`axial end of the spindle being elastically supported.
`The other objects and features of this invention will
`become understood from the following description with
`reference to the accompanying drawings.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross sectional view illustrating
`one embodiment of a storage battery of a shock proof
`structure.
`
`FIG. 2 is a partly-enlarged cross sectional view of an
`upper portion “A” of the storage battery of the embodiment
`shown in FIG. 1
`
`FIG. 3 is a partly-enlarged cross sectional view of a lower
`portion “B” of the storage battery of the embodiment shown
`in FIG. 1.
`
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a rolled, lami-
`nated battery element 2 of the storage battery of the embodi-
`ment.
`
`FIG. 5 is a partly-enlarged cross sectional view illustrat-
`ing a first modification of the upper portion “A” of the
`storage battery.
`FIG. 6A is a partly-enlarged cross sectional view illus-
`trating a second modification of the upper portion “A” of the
`storage battery.
`FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating a positive-
`electrode lead composed of positive lead materials 8A and
`8B.
`
`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 8
`
`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 8
`
`
`
`US 6,723,466 B2
`
`3
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`Referring now to the drawings, particularly to FIGS. 1, 2,
`and 3, a rolled, laminated battery element 2 is placed or
`enclosed in a substantially cylindrical hollow outer sheath-
`ing can (hereinafter is referred to as “outer sheathing”) 1, so
`that the rolled, laminated battery element is wound around
`a cylindrical hollow spindle 3. Spindle 3 is made of synthetic
`resin or a plastic material which is an electrical insulating
`material. As described later, outer sheathing 1 serves as a
`negative electrode of the storage battery. As shown in FIG.
`1, outer sheathing 1 has an upper opening end and a lower
`closed end. Laminated battery element 2 is rolled up around
`the spindle like a roll film. As clearly shown in FIG. 4, in
`producing laminated battery element 2, first, two groups of
`sheet-like electrode materials, namely positive electrode
`materials 21 and negative electrode materials 22 are layer-
`built, laminated or nested together through separators 23
`which separate positive and negative electrode materials 21
`and 22 to prevent the positive and negative electrode mate-
`rials from actually touching. Second, the laminated product
`is rolled up around the spindle 3 to produce the rolled,
`laminated battery element composed of separators 23, and
`positive and negative electrode materials 21 and 22 electri-
`cally insulated from each other through the separators. By
`rolling up or winding the laminated product around the
`spindle, the spindle and the laminated product are fixedly
`connected to each other so that rolled, laminated battery
`element 2 and spindle 3 are coaxially arranged each other
`with respect to the axis of spindle 3 (or the axis of the rolled,
`laminated battery element 2). Each of positive electrode
`materials 21 is comprised of a sheet of aluminum material
`21a with a layer of positive-electrode active material 21b on
`both sides. On the other hand, each of negative electrode
`materials 22 is comprised of a sheet of copper material 22a
`with a layer of negative-electrode active material 22b on
`both sides. As can be seen from the perspective view of FIG.
`4, negative-electrode sheet 22a is formed integral with a
`plurality of tab-like negative-electrode connecting portions
`22c which are provided at one axial end (lower axial end in
`FIG. 1) of rolled, laminated battery element 2 in such a
`manner as to extend in one axial direction of the spindle 3.
`As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, negative-electrode connecting
`portions 22c are electrically connected to a negative-
`electrode ring 5 by way of welding. Although only one
`positive-electrode connecting portion 21C is shown in FIG.
`4, positive-electrode connecting portions 21c are integrally
`formed with positive-electrode sheet 21a and provided at the
`other axial end of rolled, laminated battery element 2 in such
`a manner as to extend in the opposite axial direction of
`spindle 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, positive-electrode
`connecting portions 21c are electrically connected to a
`positive-electrode ring 4 by way of welding. As best seen
`from the enlarged cross section shown in FIG. 3, a part of the
`lower end of cylindrical hollow spindle 3, made of a plastic
`material, is formed as a relatively small-outside-diameter
`portion. Negative-electrode ring 5 is fitted onto the lower
`small-outside-diameter portion of cylindrical hollow spindle
`3. Anegative-electrode lead 6 is welded to the lower surface
`of negative-electrode ring 5. Also, negative-electrode lead 6
`is spot-welded to the bottom of outer sheathing 1 made of a
`metal material (conductive material). By virtue of such
`spot-welding, negative-electrode ring 5 is electrically con-
`nected through negative-electrode lead 6 to outer sheathing
`1. As shown in FIG. 3, negative-electrode ring 5 is formed
`at its inner periphery with a small-diameter collared portion
`extending in the downward axial direction of spindle 3 and
`
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`60
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`
`4
`having a cylindrical bore into which the lower small-
`outside-diameter portion of cylindrical hollow spindle 3 is
`fitted, and also formed at its outer periphery with a substan-
`tially cylindrical large-diameter collared portion 5a extend-
`ing in the downward axial direction of spindle 3. Negative-
`electrode connecting portions 22c of rolled,
`laminated
`battery element 2 are electrically connected to the outer
`peripheral wall surface of collared portion 5a of negative-
`electrode ring 5 by way of soldering or welding. Spot-
`welding of negative-electrode lead 6 to the bottom of outer
`sheathing 1, is achieved under a condition where one of
`welding electrodes is fitted or inserted into the cylindrical
`hollow spindle 3. As can be seen from the enlarged cross
`section of FIG. 2, a part of the upper end of cylindrical
`hollow spindle 3, made of a plastic material, is formed as an
`enlarged inside-diameter portion. Positive-electrode ring 4 is
`formed at its inner periphery with a small-diameter collared
`portion 4b extending in the downward axial direction of
`spindle 3 and fitted into the enlarged inside-diameter portion
`of cylindrical hollow spindle 3, and also formed at its outer
`periphery with a substantially cylindrical
`large-diameter
`collared portion 4a extending in the upward axial direction
`of spindle 3. Positive-electrode connecting portions 21c of
`rolled,
`laminated battery element 2 are electrically con-
`nected to the outer peripheral wall surface of collared
`portion 4a of positive-electrode ring 4 by way of soldering
`or welding. In FIG. 2, a component part denoted by refer-
`ence sign 7 is an upper lid portion which is provided to
`hermetically cover and close the upper opening end of outer
`sheathing 1. The upper lid portion 7 is comprised of an upper
`lid case 7a, an upper lid cap 7b, and a gas release vent 76.
`Upper lid case 7a, upper lid cap 7b and gas release vent 7c
`are integrally connected to each other as a sub-assembly,
`such that gas release vent 7c is sandwiched between upper
`lid case 7 and upper lid cap 7b. Upper lid cap 7b is made of
`a conductive material and functions as a positive-electrode
`terminal. Gas release vent 7c is designed to open when a gas
`pressure in the outer sheathing can exceeds a predetermined
`threshold pressure value. Upper lid cap 7b is formed with a
`vent hole 7d through which the internal pressure in outer
`sheathing 1 can be escaped to the outside when the gas
`pressure exceeds the predetermined threshold and thus the
`gas release vent opens. As shown in FIG. 2, a positive-
`electrode lead material 8B is electrically connected to and
`located on the underside of upper lid case 7a, while a
`positive-electrode lead material 8A is electrically connected
`to and located on the upside of positive-electrode ring 4. The
`previously-noted two positive-electrode lead materials 8A
`and 8B are connected to each other at a junction J. After two
`positive-electrode lead materials 8A and 8B are connected
`with each other through the junction J, as shown in FIG. 2
`upper lid sub-assembly 7 is fixedly connected to the upper
`portion of outer sheathing 1. A gasket 9 is provided at a
`connecting portion between outer sheathing 1 and upper lid
`sub-assembly 7 to provide a gas-tight seal. The gasket 9
`functions as an electrical insulator as well as a gas-tight seal,
`so as to electrically insulate the upper lid sub-assembly from
`the outer sheathing can. A substantially cylindrical, flanged
`elastic member 10, such as rubber material, is interleaved
`between collared portion 4a of positive-electrode ring 4 and
`upper lid case 7a. Actually, upper lid case 7a is installed onto
`the upper end of the outer sheathing, while slightly com-
`pressing and pre-loading the elastic member. As a result,
`spindle 3 is sandwiched between negative-electrode lead 6
`and upper lid case 7a through positive-electrode ring 4 and
`elastic member 10. At this time, the lower end of spindle 3
`is fitted into the central hole of the small-diameter collared
`
`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 9
`
`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 9
`
`
`
`US 6,723,466 B2
`
`5
`portion of negative-electrode ring 5, and thus there is less
`lateral displacement of the spindle during application of
`vibrations transmitted from the road surface via the vehicle
`body to the storage battery. In this manner, by way of fitting
`between the lower end of outer sheathing 1 and the small-
`diameter collared portion of negative-electrode ring 5, the
`lower end of spindle 3 is reliably fixedly supported at the
`bottom of outer sheathing 1 and the lower end of spindle 3
`is properly constrained in the radial direction as well as in
`the axial direction. In contrast to the above, the upper end of
`spindle 3 is elastically supported on upper lid case 7a
`through positive-electrode ring 4 and elastic member 10.
`As set forth above, according to the storage-battery struc-
`ture of the embodiment, cylindrical hollow spindle 3 is
`integrally connected or fixed to rolled, laminated battery
`element 2 as a central part of the laminated battery element,
`and the spindle is sandwiched between the bottom of outer
`sheathing 1 and upper lid portion 7. Additionally, the upper
`end of spindle 3 is elastically supported by means of elastic
`member 10. Thus, there is no risk of axially displacing the
`laminated battery element from its set position with undes-
`ired vibrations applied to the storage battery. By the use of
`elastic support (elastic member 10) one end of the spindle is
`elastically supported. Therefore, even when the internal gas
`pressure in the outer sheathing rises up owing to gases
`generated from the laminated battery element during battery
`action and the bottom of the outer sheathing can (battery
`case) expands outwards and thus the battery case is
`deformed slightly in the axial direction of spindle 3, the
`spindle is somewhat pushed down by means of elastic
`member 10 and therefore there is no risk of axially displac-
`ing the laminated battery element. As discussed above, even
`when the battery case (outer sheathing 1)
`is slightly
`deformed due to the increased gas pressure in the case, the
`spindle can be supported stably by way of elastic-support
`action of the elastic member.
`
`Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown the first modi-
`fication of the storage battery. In the storage battery of the
`embodiment shown in FIG. 2, gasket 9 and elastic member
`10 are constructed as two separated parts. On the other hand,
`in the storage battery of the first modification shown in FIG.
`5,
`the two separated parts, namely gasket 9 and elastic
`member 10 are replaced with a substantially annular, single
`gasket 19. The annular gasket 19 is a substantially annular
`electrical insulator which is located at the opening end of
`outer sheathing 1 between the outer peripheral portion of the
`upper lid portion and the inner peripheral portion of the
`opening end of outer sheathing 1 to extend completely
`around the inner peripheral portion of the opening end and
`to hermetically seal the outer sheathing. That is, gasket 19
`serves as an elastic member, a gas-tight seal, and an elec-
`trical insulator. In more detail, the gasket 19 functions as a
`gas-tight seal as well as an electrical insulator between the
`outer sheathing and the upper
`lid sub-assembly.
`Additionally, the upper end of positive-electrode ring 4 is
`elastically supported by means of gasket 19. Therefore, the
`storage battery of the first modification of FIG. 5 equipped
`with the sole elastic gasket member 19 can provide the same
`effects as the storage battery of FIG. 2. As compared to the
`two separated parts, namely gasket 9 and elastic member 10,
`the electrically-insulating elastic support composed of the
`sole gasket 19 is simple in structure.
`Referring now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, there is shown the
`second modification of the storage battery. The modified
`storage battery of FIGS. 6A and 6B is similar to the storage
`battery of FIG. 2, except
`that an elastic member 30 is
`provided at the center portion of upper lid portion 7 so that
`
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`the upper end of spindle 3 is elastically supported by the
`center portion of upper lid portion 7. Thus,
`the same
`reference signs used to designate elements in the storage
`battery shown in FIG. 2 will be applied to the corresponding
`elements used in the modified storage battery shown in
`FIGS. 6A and 6B, for the purpose of comparison of the two
`different storage batteries. In case of the storage battery of
`the second modification shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the
`positive-electrode lead materials 8A and 8B must be formed
`spirally (see FIG. 6B), so that there is no touch between the
`inner peripheral portion of the spirally-formed positive-
`electrode lead materials (8A, J, 8B) and the outer periphery
`of elastic member 30, in order to permit satisfactory elastic-
`support action of elastic member 30 and to increase the
`flexibility of the positive-electrode lead assembly (8A, J,
`8B). Therefore, the storage battery of the second modifica-
`tion of FIGS. 6A and 6B equipped with the central elastic
`member 30 can provide the same effects as the storage
`battery of FIG. 2.
`In the shown embodiment, the lower axial end of spindle
`3 is constrained in the axial direction and the upper axial end
`of spindle 3 is elastically supported. In order to the same
`effects as the storage battery of the embodiment, as a matter
`of course, the upper axial end of spindle 3 is constrained in
`the opposite axial direction and the lower axial end of
`spindle 3 is elastically supported.
`The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No.
`P2000-071558 (filed Mar. 15, 2000) is incorporated herein
`by reference.
`While the foregoing is a description of the preferred
`embodiments carried out the invention, it will be understood
`that the invention is not limited to the particular embodi-
`ments shown and described herein, but that various changes
`and modifications may be made without departing from the
`scope or spirit of this invention as defined by the following
`claims.
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A storage battery which comprises:
`a rolled, laminated battery element made up of two groups
`of electrode materials composed of positive and nega-
`tive electrode materials,
`laminated together through
`separators which separate the positive and negative
`electrode materials;
`a cylindrical hollow battery case enclosing therein the
`laminated battery element;
`a spindle arranged along a direction of an axis of the
`rolled, laminated battery element so that the spindle is
`fixedly connected to the laminated battery element;
`a first axial end of the spindle being constrained in the
`axial direction of the laminated battery element;
`a second axial end of the spindle being elastically sup-
`ported;
`the battery case comprising a cylindrical hollow outer
`sheathing closed at one end and having an opening end,
`and a lid mounted on the outer sheathing to hermeti-
`cally cover the opening end;
`the first axial end of the spindle being constrained in the
`axial direction by the closed end of the outer sheathing;
`and
`
`the second axial end of the spindle being elastically
`supported by the lid.
`2. The storage battery as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
`the spindle is fixed to the laminated battery element as a
`central part of the laminated battery element; and
`the second axial end of the spindle is elastically supported
`by the center portion of the lid.
`
`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 10
`
`JLab/Cambridge, Exh. 1011, p. 10
`
`
`
`US 6,723,466 B2
`
`7
`3. A storage battery which comprises:
`a rolled, laminated battery element made up of two groups
`of sheet-shaped electrode materials composed of posi-
`tive and negative electrode materials,
`laminated
`together through separators which separate the positive
`and negative electrode materials to prevent the positive
`and negative electrode materials from touching;
`a cylindrical hollow battery case enclosing therein the
`laminated battery element;
`a cylindrical hollow spindle made of an electrical insu-
`lating material and arranged along a direction of an axis
`of the rolled,
`laminated battery element so that the
`spindle is fixedly connected to the laminated battery
`element and coaxially arranged with the laminated
`battery element with respect to the axis of the laminated
`battery element;
`a first axial end of the spindle being constrained in the
`axial direction of the laminated battery element;
`a second axial end of the spindle being elastically sup-
`ported;
`the battery case comprising a cylindrical hollow outer
`sheathing closed at one end and having an opening end
`and made of a conductive material, and a lid mounted
`on the outer sheathing to hermetically cover the open-
`ing end;
`a negative-electrode ring being fixedly connected to the
`closed end of the outer sheathing and having a collared
`portion having a cylindrical bore to which the first axial
`end of the spindle is fitted so that the first axial end of
`the spindle is constrained in the axial direction by the
`collared portion of the negative-electrode ring;
`a positive-electrode ring having a collared portion having
`a cylindrical bore to which the second axial end of the
`spindle is fitted; and
`an elastic member being interleaved between the positive-
`electrode ring and the lid so that the second axial end
`of the spindle is elastically supported on the lid via the
`elastic member.
`4. The storage battery as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
`the spindle is fixed to the laminated battery element as a
`central part of the laminated battery element; and
`the second axial end of the spindle is elastically supported
`on the center portion of the lid via the elastic member.
`5. The storage battery as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
`the elastic member comprises an annular electrical insu-
`lator which is interleaved between the positive-
`electrode ring and the lid and located at the opening end
`of the outer sheathing between an outer peripheral
`portion of the lid and an inner peripheral portion of the
`opening end of the outer sheathing to extend com-
`pletely around the inner peripheral portion of the open-
`ing end and to hermetically seal the outer sheathing.
`6. A storage battery which comprises:
`a rolled, laminated battery element made up of two groups
`of sheet-shaped electrode materials composed of posi-
`tive and negative electrode materials,
`laminated
`together through separators which separate the positive
`and negative electrode materials to prevent the positive
`and negative electrode materials from touching; each of
`the positive electrode materials comprising a sheet of
`aluminum material with a layer of positive-electrode
`active material on both sides and each of the negative
`electrode materials comprising a sheet of copper mate-
`rial with a layer of negative-electrode active material
`on both sides;
`a cylindrical hollow battery case enclosing therein the
`laminated battery element;
`a cylindrical hollow spindle made of a plastic material and
`arranged along a direction of an axis of the rolled,
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`laminated battery element so that the spindle is fixedly
`connected to the laminated battery element and coaxi-
`ally arranged with the laminated battery element with
`respect to the axis of the laminated battery element;
`a first axial end of the spindle being constrained in a radial
`direction as well as the axial direction of the laminated
`battery element;
`a second axial end of the spindle being elastically sup-
`ported;
`the battery case comprises a cylindrical hollow outer
`sheathing closed at one end and having an opening end
`and made of a conductive material, and a lid made of
`a conductive material and mounted on the outer sheath-
`ing to hermetically cover the opening end;
`a negative-electrode ring being fixedly connected to the
`closed end of the outer sheathing and having a collared
`portion having a cylindrical bore to which the first axial
`end of the spindle is fitted so that the first axial end of
`the spindle is constrained in the radial direction as well
`as the axial direction by the collared portion of the
`negative-electrode ring;
`a plurality of negative-electrode connecting portions
`being formed integral with the negative-electrode sheet
`and electrically connected to the negative-electrode
`ring;
`a negative-electrode lead being welded to the negative-
`electrode ring;
`a positive-electrode ring having a collared portion having
`a cylindrical bore to which the second axial end of the
`spindle is fitted;
`a plurality of positive-electrode connecting portions being
`formed integral with the positive-electrode sheet and
`electrically connected to the positive-electrode ring;
`a positive-electrode lead being welded to the positive-
`electrode ring; and
`an elastic member being interleaved between the positive-
`electrode ring and the lid so that the second axial end
`of the spindle is elastically supported on the lid via the
`elastic member.
`7. The storage battery as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
`the spindle is fixed to the laminated battery element as a
`central part of the laminated battery element; and
`the second axial end of the spindle is elastically supported
`on the center portion of the lid via the elastic member.
`8. The storage battery as claimed in claim 7, wherein:
`the positive-electrode lead comprises a first positive-
`electrode lead material electrically connected to the lid
`and a second positive-electrode lead material electri-
`cally connected to the positive-electrode ring;
`the first and second positive-electrode lead materials are
`connected to each other at a junction;