Electrochemical cells and current collectors therefor

摘要

Current collector assemblies (10) and electrochemical cells made with them are disclosed. The current collector has a stiff, rigid washer (20), repositioned closerly to adjacent to a bottom plate (24) at its central region and the washer maintains the traditional function of controlling the positioning of a seal body (14) of the current collector assembly (10). Increasing stiffness, rigidity, and the repositioning of the washer is accomplished by structurally sculpturing the cross-section of the washer, hardening the temper of the washer, and providing a plateau (88) adjacent the center of the bottom plate (24). Washer vent holes in the bottom plate (24) are located away from the central region, which is the most vulnerable part of the bottom plate. The washer (20) provides both support to the seal body (14) against outwardly-directed internal pressures within the cell and support to the bottom plate (24) against inwardly directed impact forces from outside the cell. The current collector assembly (10) permits safe, effective venting of pressure in the cell; reduces early activation of venting structures in the current collector assembly; contains fewer piece parts than known structurally-robust current collectors; is easy to make and assemble, and provides superior tolerance to outside impact forces.