Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the non active parts, e.g. casings, mountings, vents, separators, current-conducting connections, arrangements for filling or emptying cases with or of liquid.

Electrodes composed of or comprising active material, processes of manufacture and active materials thereof, e.g. electrodes for primary cells, for lead-acid accumulator.

Inert electrodes with catalytic activity, processes of manufacture and catalytic materials thereof.

Primary cells, manufacture and servicing or maintenance thereof, e.g. cells with aqueous or non-aqueous electrolyte, deferred-action cells, printed batteries

Secondary cells, manufacture and servicing or maintenance thereof, heating or cooling; temperature control, e.g. lead-acid accumulators, alkaline accumulators, accumulators with non-aqueous electrolyte

Fuel cells or their stacks and manufacture thereof, e.g. alkaline fuel cell, polymer electrolyte fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell, biochemical fuel cells comprising enzymes as catalysts

Combination of fuel cells with means for production of reactants, e.g. with reformer or for treatment of residues

Hybrid cells, e.g. Zinc-air battery, half-cell of a fuel cell type and half-cell of a primary or secondary cell type

Structural combinations of different types of electrochemical generators.

This subclass does not cover the preparations of chemical compounds as such, which subject matter is covered by classes C01 (inorganic chemistry), C07 (organic chemistry) and C08 (organic macromolecular compounds).

Specific chemical compounds for batteries and their preparation are classified in C01, C07 and C08 as well as in H01M.

Apparatus for testing electrical condition of accumulator or batteries are classified in G01R 31/36 and accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating condition are classified in H01M 10/48

Electrochemical processes or apparatus otherwise than for generating energy C25

Every technical aspect of the invention is classified with inventive symbols and additional information from the description with additional symbols.

When the battery or fuel cell is characterised by the combination of a specific positive electrode, specific negative electrode and/or specific electrolyte: every specific component of the combination will be classified with inventive symbols.

When a breakdown Indexing Code represents the invention , the corresponding upper group should also be given.

When the type of battery is not mentioned, the classification of the invention is done in the primary and secondary type of battery classes.

When a group for a process does not exist, it is classified within the material of the object.

Additional orthogonal Indexing Codes are used for "additional information" and are always given together with a CPC group. Classification with these codes is highly desirable, since they provide an efficient search tool when combined with a CPC group.

They concern:

H01M 2200/00 and subgroups : Safety devices for primary or secondary batteries

H01M 2220/00 and subgroups : Batteries for particular applications

H01M 2250/00 and subgroups : Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system

H01M 2300/00 and subgroups : Electrolytes

Electrodes comprising active material for primary, secondary and hybrid cell and electrodes with catalytic activity for fuel cells.

Processes of manufacture of the electrodes, selection of substances as active materials, carriers or collectors, inactive substances as ingredients in the electrode, e.g. binder, conductive material

The production of active material used in batteries is not classified in H01M but in C01B, C01D, C01F, C01G, C22C, C04B 35/00

Electrodes for fuel cells, comprising catalysts

Catalysts supported on carbon are not classified in H01M 4/96 but in H01M 4/9083 or H01M 4/926.

H01M 4/96 is only given if carbon is the catalytic species, e.g. for hybrid cells.

H01M 4/8647-H01M 4/8657 concern composite material, meaning comprising at least 2 catalysts having the same function and H01M 4/8615 concerns bifunctional electrode used in regenerative fuel cell with oxygen reduction catalyst and oxygen evolution reaction catalyst.

All the steps of the process of the manufacture of a fuel cell electrode

should be classified if possible within subgroups H01M 4/88-H01M 4/8896

The process for making electrocatalyst are classified within the catalyst material subgroups H01M 4/90-H01M 4/923. Catalysts used only in fuel cells are not classified in B01J.

Classification for primary and secondary non aqueous batteries:

Solid polymer electrolyte of a battery is not classified in H01M 8/1018 unless the use in a fuel cell is mentioned.

Printed battery in H01M 6/40 concern thin film battery.

Fuel cells or their stacks that can include:

The combination of fuel cell with means for production of reactants, e.g. reformer or for treatment of residues, e.g. removal of sulfur will be classified in H01M 8/06 subgroups.

If the invention concern specifically the mean associated with the fuel cell, the means is classified and the aspect of the combination of the fuel cell with that mean is classified in H01M 8/06 subgroups as additional symbol.

Temperature control means of a system combining fuel cell and for example a reformer will be classified in H01M 8/06 subgroups, H01M 8/04298 subgroups and in C01B 3/02 subgroups if the temperature control concerns the reformer.

Every means in a combination system will be classified as invention or additional symbol according to the specific aspect of the invention, e.g. emphasis on the system or on a specific mean.

Reformers are classified in C01B 3/02 subgroups

In a system comprising fuel cell and reformer, if the invention concerns only the reformer, the reformer will be classified in C01B 3/02 subgroups and the fuel cell (minor aspect) will be classified with H01M 8/06 as additional symbol.

If the invention concerns the whole system, then the invention is classified in H01M 8/06 subgroups.

Construction in general.

Several types of secondary batteries : lithium batteries, lead acid batteries, alkaline batteries, high temperature batteries.

Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance.

Cooling, heating, regulating temperature.

Recycling.

Circuits for charging or depolarising or for supplying loads from batteries are classified in H02J 7/00-H02J 7/36 and the methods for charging or discharging are classified in H01M 10/44-H01M 10/445.

Measuring electric variables are classified in G01R 31/36 if the measurement device is not structurally combined with the battery

Air conditioner of a car classified in B60H is also classified under H01M 10/60-H01M 10/667 if it's used for cooling/heating a battery.

hybrid cells, e.g. half-cell of fuel cell type and half-cell of primary or secondary cell type:

Solid electrolytic capacitors, double-layer capacitors, are classified in H01G 11/00

Every type of electrochemical cell that is not classified in the above groups.

Photoelectrochemical storage cells wherein the light causes a change in chemistry and the energy is stored and discharged at later stage.

Solar cells are classified in H01G 9/20 and only if the energy produced by the solar cell is stored then it will be also classified in H01M 14/005.

Photoelectrochemical storage cells wherein the light causes a change in chemistry and the energy is stored and discharged at later stage.

This group does not cover solar cells, photocells, photoelectrochemical cells or photovoltaic cells which are covered by the following groups:

Association of fuel cells with other electrochemical generators, e.g. fuel cell + electrolysers, fuel cell+ battery, fuel cell + capacitor

Association of fuel cells with other electrochemical generators, e.g. fuel cell + electrolysers, fuel cell+ battery, fuel cell + capacitor

Constructional details of non-active parts of batteries, or details of their manufacture. Such parts may include:

Any primary casing characterised by shape or physical structure, e.g. cable-shaped casings being intrinsically flexible and having a height to diameter (or width) ratio of approximately 10 or more.

Prismatic or rectangular casings that are generally hard, rigid casings often comprising a distinct lid. The edges may also be rounded.

Illustrative examples of prismatic or rectangular shaped casing (50 of first drawing and 34 of second drawing):

1.

2.

Casings of pouch cells or flexible bag cells generally made of a flexible multi-layered laminate sheet sealed along at least an overlapping edge.

Illustrative example of pouch type battery casing (111-113a):

1.

Button or coin-shaped casings having a cylindrical or an elliptical shape, and, further, having a height to diameter ratio of less than 1.

Illustrative example of a button or coin shaped casing (101, 102):

1.

Structures of microsized batteries and miniature power sources integrated on chips, e.g. structures of thin-film micro lithium-ion batteries or rolled-up microtube lithium-ion batteries.

Illustrative example of a casing having a chip structure:

1.

Casings consisting of an integral housing with multiple compartments for holding bare electrochemical cells.

Illustrative example of monobloc casing (106) with multiple compartments (122):

1.

Classification of multilayered casings, jackets or wrappings in this group or in groups H01M 50/126, H01M 50/128 or H01M 50/129 requires consideration of the number of layers present.

In multilayered objects, adhesive layers are not considered as distinct layers for determining the number of layers.

Any layer providing functionality beyond simple adhesion should be counted as a distinct layer.

Layered structures are further classified according to the material of each layer, e.g. a layered structure comprising a metal layer should be classified in H01M 50/119 and H01M 50/124.

Casings comprising three or more layers with two or more layers of only inorganic material.

Illustrative example:

1.

A pouch for a battery may be formed as a layer structure. The layer structure may include an outermost surface protection layer 1342 made of a first polymer and an innermost sealant layer 1343 made of a second polymer. A gas barrier layer 1341 made of a metal and a heat dissipation layer 1344 made of a ceramic may be stacked between the outer and inner layers.

The pouch of this example is classified in H01M 50/128 and in H01M 50/129.

Illustrative example:

1.

An outer case for a secondary battery may include a first polymer resin layer 31, a second polymer resin layer 32 disposed on a first surface of the first polymer resin layer 31 and attached by interposing a first adhesive layer 51, and an inner resin layer 70 disposed on a second surface of the first polymer resin layer 31 and attached by interposing a second adhesive layer 52, wherein each of the first polymer resin layer and the second polymer resin layer comprises a fluorine-containing resin.

Primary casings, jackets or wrappings of a single cell or a single battery characterised by physical properties such as flexibility or heat resistance.

Primary casings, jackets or wrappings with heat resistant properties related to protection against damage by fire or explosion caused by external factors are classified in H01M 50/143.

Electrochemical cell operating at high temperatures, e.g. molten salt electrolyte batteries, thermal batteries or sodium sulfur batteries [NAS].

Air batteries, e.g. zinc air or lithium air batteries.

Deep sea batteries. Deferred-action cells.

Illustrative example:

A high temperature rechargeable electrochemical cell (10) may comprise a cell casing defining an anode compartment for containing an alkali metal anode and a cathode compartment containing a liquid electrolyte. The cell may have an operating temperature at which the anode and liquid electrolyte are molten. The anode compartment may be separated from the cathode compartment by a separator (16) comprising a solid electrolyte which is a conductor of ions of the alkali metal of the anode at the operating temperature of the cell. The casing may comprise a cathode cover (12) of sheet material enclosing the cathode-side surface of the separator and an anode cover (14) of sheet material enclosing the anode-side surface of the separator. The cathode cover and the anode cover may be electronically conductive and electronically insulated from each other and may respectively form a cathode terminal and an anode terminal of the cell.

1.

Primary casings, jackets or wrappings for protecting against humidity or preventing the ingress of moisture, e.g. waterproofing wrappings.

Primary casings, jackets or wrappings for protecting against fire or explosion, e.g. thermally insulating layer for preventing a thermal runaway.

Example:

A battery comprising a fire-resistant sheet comprising a fire-resistant resin composition comprising an endothermic agent having a thermal decomposition onset temperature of 800°C or lower and an amount of heat absorbed of 300 J/g or larger, and a resin, a content of the endothermic agent per 100 parts by mass of the resin being 10 to 10000 parts by mass; and a battery cell, wherein the fire-resistant sheet is attached to the surface of the battery cell.

Primary casings, jackets or wrappings with heat resistant properties not related to protection against damage by fire or explosion are classified in H01M 50/131.

The protection of primary casings against corrosion, e.g. the protection of metallic casings against corrosion caused by water.

Documents related to corrosion resistance and protection against humidity are classified in H01M 50/141 and H01M 50/145.

In the subgroups, lids or covers are classified according to the geometrical shape of the primary casing.

In the below example, the circular lid is classified in H01M 50/105 as it concerns prismatic cells.

A lid or cover for a chip-shaped casing is classified in H01M 50/148.

Methods of assembling casing with lid by crimping.

Illustrative example:

1.

The upper part of the casing (86) is assembled with the lid (80) by crimping.

Methods of assembling casing with lid by welding, brazing or soldering.

The welding processes concern welding metal to metal and the fusion of plastic materials.

Primary casings, jackets or wrappings of a single cell or a single battery characterised by physical properties of the sealing material and supported by numerical values or exemplifying the solution of the problem to be solved, e.g. adhesiveness.

Constructional details or processes of manufacture. Such details may include:

Constructional details or processes of manufacture of secondary casings or frames around the primary casing of a single cell or a single battery.

Illustrative example of a single primary battery housed in a secondary casing:

1.

Physical properties should only be classified if supported by numerical values or exemplifying the solution of the problem to be solved (e.g. flexibility, foldability; protection against vibrations/impact/swelling).

Methods and mounting arrangements for secondary casings, racks, suspension devices, carrying devices and holders per se.

The mounting of cells or batteries within these casings, racks, etc.

Methods and arrangements for mounting secondary casings, racks, etc. in finished products, e.g. appliances or vehicles, are classified in H01M 50/247, H01M 50/249, H01M 50/251 if the invention relates to the battery casings.

Methods of mounting casings in finished products such as appliances or cars are classified in places appropriate to the finished product if the invention relates to the product, appliance or vehicle.

Illustrative example:

1.

Battery pack 24 that can be used in an electric vehicle.

The battery pack 24 include a battery system 54 housed in a housing assembly 58. The housing assembly 58 may be a sealed housing, and may be embodied in any size, shape, and configuration within the scope of the present disclosure. In an embodiment, the housing assembly 58 includes a tray 60 and a cover. During assembly, the battery system 54 can be positioned within the tray 60, and then the cover can be fixedly secured to the tray 60 to seal the battery system 54 therein (discussed further below). The tray 60 and the cover can be made of any material or combination of materials, including metal and/or polymer materials.

The battery system 54 includes a plurality of battery cells 56 that store energy used to power various electrical loads of the electric vehicle 12. The battery cells 56 of the battery system 54 may be stacked side by side to form a group of battery cells 56, sometimes referred to as a battery array. In the embodiment, the battery cell 56 is a prismatic lithium ion battery cell.

The battery system 54 depicted in the figure above includes a plurality of adjacent rows R1-R4 of the battery array 25. In the embodiment, for a total of seven battery arrays, the rows R1 to R3 of the battery system 54 each include two battery arrays, and the row R4 includes one battery array.

The battery array 25 may be arranged in the housing assembly 58 in any configuration. In an embodiment, adjacent battery arrays 25 of rows R1 to R3 are separated by structural beams 55 extending between opposing side walls of tray 60.

B60L 50/64 covers adaptation of battery structures of electric vehicles, e.g. integration into control or safety systems, crash-resistant casings or vibration-damping means.

Illustrative example for switching between "in series" and "mixed" ("series-parallel") wiring by means of reconfigurable connection pins (40).

Illustrative examples:

1.

In-series" connection configuration

"Mixed" connection configuration

2.

Printed circuit boards [PCB] integrated within mountings, secondary casings, racks, modules or packs, suspension devices, shock absorbers, transport or carrying devices, or holders.

Printed circuit boards [PCB] combined with or integrated in interconnectors are classified in H01M 50/519. This also encompasses the releasable fixing of PCB to an interconnector.

Cooling plates that do not provide a spacing function are classified in H01M 10/60 and subgroups.

Battery modules assembled by alternately stacking frames and batteries should be classified in H01M 50/289 and in H01M 50/204 and subgroups.

Illustrative example of spacing elements (140):

1.

Terminals of secondary casings/battery packs.

Terminals of secondary casing battery are classified in H01M 50/296 only.

Terminals of primary casing battery or terminals formed by the primary casing itself, on the contrary, are classified in subgroups of H01M 50/543.

Illustrative example for distinction between a terminal of primary casing battery and a terminal of a secondary casing battery:

1.

Illustrative example of wiring module (W) of batteries (12):

1.

Gas exhaust passages that are external to the cover/lid and located on the cover or case.

Illustrative example for an external gas exhaust passage on the lids:

1.

Gas exhaust passages that are internal, i.e. integrated within the cover, lid or casing.

Illustrative example for an internal gas exhaust passage (shown: double cover vent system 20):

1.

2.

Solid electrolytes acting as separators are classified in the application place, such as H01M 10/056 or H01M 12/08, and H01M 50/40 and subgroups for the details concerning composition, structure or manufacturing processes.

Separators comprising layers of only organic material and layers containing inorganic material.

Organic binders can be used in the inorganic layers to hold the inorganic materials together.

Spacing elements.

Note:

Spacing elements are elements arranged within the primary casing but not between opposing electrochemically active electrodes.

Spacing elements differ from separators or diaphragms by virtue of their positioning inside the primary casing.

Illustrative example of spacer (glass wool 46 in head spacer: H01M 50/474 and H01M 50/483):

1.

Illustrative example of series-parallel connections:

One portion 240 of a plate connects the negative terminals of a first group of cells together in parallel. Another portion 230 of the plate connects the positive terminals of a second group of cells together in parallel. Another portion 244 of the plate connects the groups of cells in series, forming the basis of a series-parallel group (when the opposite ends of the cells are similarly connected to additional plates).

1.

Illustrative example for interconnection only parallel (H01M 50/512):

2.

"series-parallel" and "mixed connections"

Interconnectors comprising printed circuit boards [PCB].

The PCB is located on or attached directly to the interconnector.

Illustrative examples for PCB fixed to an interconnector:

1.

2.

3.

Connections not intended for disconnection in the primary or secondary casing.

Illustrative example:

Connection members (30 and 33), which are not intended for disconnection, are welded to the primary casing battery terminal tabs (12 and 13, respectively) for connection to the protective circuit and the external terminals of the secondary casing battery:

1.

Terminals of primary casing batteries adapted to prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells.

Illustrative example for a pouch cell having both a window-shaped terminal (H01M 50/555) and a plate-shaped terminal (H01M 50/557):

1.

Illustrative example for a solid-state primary casing battery having two different terminals, namely a window-shaped terminal (H01M 50/555) and a knob-shaped terminal (H01M 50/553):

2.

Processes of manufacturing terminals, including fixing the terminals of primary casing batteries to the lid, to the casing or to inner connectors.

If terminals are electrically connected to cell internal contacts during the process, then it is classified in H01M 50/564 and H01M 50/528.

Illustrative example for a fixing process by welding:

1.

Illustrative example for a fixing process by riveting:

1.

Arrangements of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries.

Illustrative example of the integration of a pressure sensitive detector inside a battery:

1.

Illustrative example of an electrical connection probe specifically fixed to an interconnector for detecting voltage:

2.

Means for preventing incorrect electrical contact inside or outside a (primary or secondary) casing.

This encompasses aspects relating to the interruption of an established current connection and to aspects denying establishment of a current connection in the event of a (detected) theft or the absence of authorizing features (as a result of theft).

Illustrative example of a device requiring authorization by means of a key:

1.

Covers for preventing incorrect or inadvertent electrical contact inside or outside a casing, e.g. for protecting terminals.

Illustrative example for a cover-like contact preventing means (H01M 50/591) being outside the casing (H01M 50/588):

1.

Spacers, insulating plates or barriers outside a primary or secondary casing for preventing incorrect or inadvertent electrical contact, e.g. short circuits between terminals.

Illustrative example for a spacer-like contact preventing means (H01M 50/593) being outside the casing (H01M 50/588):

1.

Means for preventing incorrect electrical contact inside or outside a (primary or secondary) casing having the shape of a tape.

Illustrative example for a tape-like contact preventing means (H01M 50/595) being outside the casing (H01M 50/588):

1.

Means capable of indicating improper use of a battery.

As an example, submersion labels are cited, irreversibly changing their colour, for instance, when having had contact with liquid water or excessive humidity. The manufacturer can then challenge the guarantee due to proven improper use.

Labels, e.g. guarantee labels, may be visibly located at the outside of the housing or be hidden inside, to identify if the battery has been used.

Illustrative example for a guarantee label (H01M 50/598) being outside the casing (H01M 50/588):

1.

Constructional details or processes for filling/topping-up with liquids or for draining liquids from casings.

Liquids may be an electrolyte, liquids for rinsing, liquids poured into casing in exceptional cases such as an emergency.

Illustrative example for a fire extinguishing liquid deliverable into casing by means of delivery conduits (H01M 50/673) for supplying electrolyte to a battery:

1.

Illustrative example for a (fire extinguishing) liquid poured into casing from a container integrated in the lid of a battery casing (H01M 50/682):

2.