초록 ▼

The present invention pertains to current limiting (overcurrent protection) header assemblies which employ a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) device. More particularly, this invention pertains to current limiting header assemblies which employ a PTC device and which have particular design feat

The present invention pertains to current limiting (overcurrent protection) header assemblies which employ a Positive Temperature Coefficient (PTC) device. More particularly, this invention pertains to current limiting header assemblies which employ a PTC device and which have particular design features, specifically, a dimpled support plate and an apertured PTC plate positioned above the dimpled support plate, wherein the dimple protrudes into or through the aperture. The header assemblies are useful in battery cells, particularly in battery cells which employ a glass-to-metal, plastic-to-metal, and similar seal instead of a stacked and crimped design. The header assemblies are compact, effectively taking up only a little more thickness than would be required for just an end cap, permitting the use of more electroactive materials and thereby yielding a battery with increased energy density. The header assemblies also offer increased reliability at the higher temperatures and humidities, which is not offered by the stacked and crimped design.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A thermally activated current limiting assembly comprising:(i) a substantially flat electrically conductive support plate having a perimeter, a first face, and a second opposite face, said support plate having on said first face, a raised dimple having a raised dimple height and a

[ We claim:] [1.] A thermally activated current limiting assembly comprising:(i) a substantially flat electrically conductive support plate having a perimeter, a first face, and a second opposite face, said support plate having on said first face, a raised dimple having a raised dimple height and a raised dimple outer diameter, and on said second opposite face a sunken dimple, having a sunken dimple depth, a sunken dimple inner diameter, and a sunken dimple inside surface; and,(ii) a substantially flat apertured PTC plate positioned above said support plate, and on the same side of said support plate as said raised dimple, said PTC plate being in electrical contact with said support plate, said PTC plate having an aperture which is larger than said raised dimple outer diameter and which is large enough to accommodate said raised dimple, which aperture is aligned with said raised dimple, which raised dimple protrudes into or through said aperture.