Protective device for a repeatedly rechargeable electrochemical battery

US6143440A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Implex Aktiengesellschaft Hearing Technology · DE

Inventors

• Andreas Volz · Aachen, DE
• Joachim Baumann · Borgo San Lazzaro, DE
• Klaus Bodganowitz · Aachen, DE
• Hans Leysieffer · Taufkirchen, DE
• Dieter Muller · Badenhausen, DE
• Gerd Muller · Falkensee, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 23, 1999
• Grant date: Nov 7, 2000
• Expiry date: Jul 23, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E60/10
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A protective device for a repeatedly rechargeable electrochemical battery (10) with a battery housing (12), the protective device having at least one switching element (86) which can be activated by a detector element (62) and which is designed or adjusted to prevent recharging and/or discharging of the battery (10) in an impermissible operating state thereof. The protective device has a hermetically sealed protective housing (54) which holds the battery housing (12). An impermissible operating state of the battery (10) causes a change in shape (deflection) to be impressed on the detector element (62). Preferably, the at least one switching element (86) is made as a make contact which electrically short circuits a recharging circuit supplied by a charging device when a predetermined expansion in the volume of the battery housing (12) and/or gas escape therefrom occurs. The protective device is part of an implantable device, such as a hearing aid.