HK1165096B - Modular cid assembly for a lithium ion battery - Google Patents

Description

Modular current interrupt device assembly for lithium ion batteries

Related application

Priority is claimed from U.S. provisional application No. 61/203,157, filed on 12/19/2008 and U.S. provisional application No. 61/166,580, filed on 4/3/2009, the contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Lithium ion batteries in portable electronic devices are generally subjected to various charging, discharging, and storing routines according to their usage. Batteries using lithium ion battery chemistry, when overcharged beyond their established safety limit, generate gases that can be used to trigger pressure-activated safety devices to improve the reliability and safety of the batteries. Typically, a Current Interrupt Device (CID) may be used to protect any excessive internal pressure increase within the battery by interrupting the Current path from the battery when the pressure inside the battery exceeds a predetermined value. Typically, the current interrupt device includes a rupture disc and a pressure disc electrically connected to each other. The rupture disk and the pressure disk are then electrically connected to an electrode and a terminal of the cell, respectively; when the pressure inside the battery is greater than a predetermined value, the pressure disc and the rupture disc of the current interrupt device are separated from each other (e.g., deformed or separated from each other), thereby interrupting the current between the electrode and the terminal.

Generally, however, current interrupt devices known in the art are actuated at relatively high pressures, e.g., greater than about 15kg/cm²Internal gauge pressure of (2). Typically, when any excessive internal pressure increase triggers the action of the current interrupt device, the internal temperature of the battery is also quite high, which in turn causes additional safety issues. For relatively large cells, such as cells larger than "18650" (i.e., having an outer diameter of about 18mm and a length of 65mm), high temperatures become a particular problem.

Also, the current interrupt device is typically manufactured together with the remainder of the battery and must have very small tolerances to ensure that it will function under the proper pressure. In some designs, the surface area available for welding between the jelly roll (jelly roll) to a lug of the cell is limited due to the gas pressure conduits that must be provided. The gas pressure conduits in the disc often include at least one through hole which must remain clear and not be blocked during the welding of the lugs between the jelly roll and the rupture disc.

Therefore, there is a need for a current interrupt device that reduces or eliminates the above-mentioned problems for batteries, particularly for relatively large lithium ion batteries.

Disclosure of Invention

Generally, the present invention relates to a modular current interrupt device, a battery including the modular current interrupt device, and a method for forming the modular current interrupt device.

A modular current interrupt device includes a conductive rupture disc and a conductive pressure disc attached to the rupture disc to form an electrical path. An electrical insulating ring separates the periphery of the rupture disc from the periphery of the pressure disc, and a mounting member of the current interrupt device secures the electrical insulating ring to the pressure disc. At least one of the rupture disc and the electrically insulating ring defines a conduit through which one side of the pressure disc is exposed to sufficient pressure to separate the pressure disc from the rupture disc and sever an electrical path.

In another embodiment, the invention is a battery comprising a modular current interrupt device, wherein the current interrupt device comprises a conductive rupture disc and a conductive pressure disc attached to the rupture disc to form an electrical pathway. An electrical insulating ring separates the periphery of the rupture disc from the periphery of the pressure disc, and a mounting member of the current interrupt device secures the electrical insulating ring to the pressure disc. At least one of the rupture disc and the electrically insulating ring defines a conduit through which one side of the pressure disc is exposed to sufficient pressure to separate the pressure disc from the rupture disc and cut off the electrical path.

In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for forming a modular current interrupt device, comprising the steps of: combining a pressure disc and a mounting element of the current interrupt device; and combining a rupture disc and an electrically insulating ring. The combined pressure disc and mounting member, and the combined rupture disc and electrical insulator ring are then assembled and the rupture disc is laser or resistance spot welded to the pressure disc to form an electrical path therebetween.

The present invention has many advantages: for example, the modular current interrupt device may be manufactured separately from the lithium ion battery, thereby significantly reducing the manufacturing cost of the battery and increasing the form in which the modular current interrupt device can be used. Also, the modular current interrupt device of the present invention has a significantly increased surface area relative to prior current interrupt devices for welding from the lugs of a battery jelly roll, and thus, significantly increases the yield of the battery during manufacture. Furthermore, in some embodiments, because a conduit is defined by the rupture disc and the electrically insulating ring, the rupture disc need not include a through-hole that allows gas to pass therethrough, thereby eliminating the problem of possibly blocking the through-hole during the application of lug welds from the battery jelly roll. Furthermore, the modular current interrupt device of the present invention is versatile in at least one orientation, such as by being circular in configuration, so that orientation of the current interrupt device during assembly is not required. Thus, errors during manufacturing and the possibility of return for subsequent quality inspection are significantly reduced. In one embodiment, a beveled edge on the rupture disc defines a channel and provides a mechanism for mechanically securing the rupture disc to the electrically insulating ring of the current interrupt device, such that the rupture disc does not need to define through holes for communicating gas pressure to the pressure disc.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a modular current interrupt device of the present invention.

Fig. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a sectional view of a conductive rupture disc component of the modular current interrupt device of fig. 1, respectively.

Fig. 3A and 3B are a plan view and a sectional view of a conductive pressure disc component of the modular current interrupt device of fig. 1, respectively.

Fig. 4A, 4B, and 4C are perspective, sectional, and plan views, respectively, of an embodiment of an electrically insulating ring component of the modular current interrupt device of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the modular current interrupt device taken along line V-V in fig. 1.

Fig. 6A and 6B are a sectional view and a plan view, respectively, of a component for mounting a component of the modular current interrupt device of fig. 1.

Fig. 7A to 7D show steps of a method for manufacturing the modular current interrupt device of the present invention.

Fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C respectively show an external view, a sectional view, and an internal view of a cap of a square battery, showing the module type current interrupt device fixed to the cap.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a prismatic battery of the present invention, showing in section that a modular current interrupt device of the present invention is mounted in a cap.

Description of the main element symbols:

10-a modular battery shutoff device;

12-a conductive rupture disc;

11. 13-a recess;

14-a conductive pressure disc;

16-an electrically insulating ring;

18-a mounting element;

20. 22-beveled edge;

24-welds;

26-a weld;

28-a truncated cone;

30-a first end;

32-a second end;

34-a base;

36-a cap;

38-a base;

40-frame edge;

46-a channel;

48-lateral;

50-a holding point;

52-base

54-a bump;

56-through opening;

58-wrinkles;

60-a cover;

62-a through opening;

64-a feedthrough assembly;

66-part;

70-a battery;

72-a lug;

74-lug.

Detailed Description

The foregoing features of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention; like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements in the various figures. The figures are not drawn to scale and are intended to highlight embodiments of the present invention.

The present invention relates generally to a modular current interrupt device for a battery, such as a lithium ion battery, and particularly for a prismatic lithium ion battery. In another embodiment, the present invention is a battery including the modular current interrupt device described above. In another embodiment, the present invention is a method for manufacturing a modular current interrupt device.

As used hereinafter, the "terminal" of the battery of the present invention means a portion or surface of the battery that is connected to an external electronic circuit. Also, as used herein, the phrases "electrically connected," "electrically connected," or "electrically in contact" refer to the communication of components with one another by the flow of electrons through a conductor, as opposed to electrochemical communication involving ions, such as lithium ions, through an electrolyte.

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a modular battery interrupt device 10, including: a conductive rupture disc 12, a conductive pressure disc 14, an electrically insulating ring 16, and a mounting element 18.

As shown in fig. 2A and 2B, the rupture disc 12 includes a plurality of central depressions 11 and 13, each depression independently having a depth ranging between about 0.16mm and about 0.26mm, and a width ranging between about 2.95mm and about 3.05 mm. As shown in fig. 2A, the conductive rupture disc 12 is a polygon. Although shown in fig. 2A as having fourteen sides, the conductive rupture disc 12 typically has about 10 to 20 sides 48. The sides 48 of the conductive rupture disc 12 intersect to define a plurality of holding points 50. alternatively or in the alternative, the rupture disc 12 includes a plurality of through-holes, not shown, and the beveled edges 20, 22 of the rupture disc 12 are at an angle relative to the major plane of the rupture disc 12, typically in the range of about 40 to 55 degrees. Preferably, the angle of the beveled edges 20, 22 is in the range of about 45 degrees to 49 degrees, and more preferably about 47 degrees. Typically, rupture disc 12 has a major diameter D (which ranges between about 6mm and about 16 mm), and a thickness T (which ranges between about 0.3mm and 0.7 mm). Preferably, the rupture disc 12 is about 11mm in diameter and about 0.5mm thick. The thickness of the rupture disc 12 is in the range of the recesses 11, 13 generally between about 0.065mm and 0.085 mm; rupture disc 12 is made of a suitable material, examples of which include: aluminum, nickel, and copper, examples of suitable materials include aluminum 3003 series (e.g., aluminum 3000H-0 or H-14 series, and preferably H-14 series).

Referring again to fig. 1, the conductive pressure disc 14 is attached to the conductive rupture disc 12 with welds 24, 26; alternatively, the conductive pressure disc 14 may be connected to the conductive rupture disc 12 without any welds, a single weld, or more than three welds. Typically, the weld is a spot weld formed by spot welding. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the weld comprises aluminum.

Preferably, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the conductive pressure disc 14 includes a frustoconical body 28, the frustoconical body 28 including a first end 30 and a second end 32, the first end 30 having a larger diameter than the second end 32, although conductive pressure discs 14 having other configurations may also be used in the modular current interrupt device of the present invention. The conductive pressure disc 14 also includes a base 34 extending radially from the periphery of the first end 30 of the frustoconical body 28; a cap 36 seals the second end of the frustoconical body 28. The term "frustoconical" as used herein means a generally circular cone (a cone produced by rotation of a right triangle about its foot) with the base wall (excluding the top and bottom ends) cut off behind its top. In one embodiment, the cap 36 is substantially planar.

As used herein, "substantially planar or cap" means a surface that sufficiently resembles a plane so that it can be brought into contact with another planar surface at one or more points at will and welded to that surface by suitable means such as spot welding. In some embodiments, the cap 36 may be considered to be substantially planar despite deformations caused by manufacturing the pressure disc 14 or assembling the modular current interrupt device 10 (e.g., deformations caused by welding the conductive rupture disc 12 to the conductive pressure disc 14).

A forming pin capable of simultaneously deforming the cap 36 of the pressure disk 14 and the coin-shaped portion 11 of the rupture disk 12; the pressure disc 14 is then attached to the rupture disc 12 to form a conductive path. Preferably, the pressure disc 14 and rupture disc 12 are spot welded together by a plurality of weld locations, ranging from 1 to 6, such as 2 welds. Preferably, laser welding may be used; preferably, the laser welding apparatus is set up to strike the weld point in rapid succession of a plurality of repeated laser pulses; the energy of each of the repeated laser pulses is adjusted so that the combined energy of all of the repeated laser pulses at a weld is sufficient to locally melt the aluminum in the pressure disc 14 and rupture disc 12, thereby metallurgically bonding them in a weld. The advantage of using multiple repeated laser pulses over the use of a single laser pulse of higher power is that the total laser energy variation provided per weld is significantly reduced, thereby producing less variation in weld intensity.

Preferably, cap 36 and/or base 34 each independently have a material thickness (denoted by the letter d in FIG. 3B) in a range of between about 0.05mm and 0.5mm, such as between about 0.05mm and 0.3mm, 0.05mm and 0.2mm, between about 0.05mm and 0.15mm (e.g., about 0.127mm), or about five thousandths of an inch.

Preferably, the cap 36 has a diameter (indicated by the letter B in fig. 3A and 3B) in the range of about 2mm to about 10mm, preferably 5mm to 10mm, and more preferably 5mm to 8mm (e.g., about 0.20 inch to 0.25 inch), such as about 5.5mm (or about 0.215 inch).

Preferably, the height (denoted by the letter c in FIG. 3B) at which the cap 36 projects from the base 34 is in the range of between about 0.5mm and about 1mm, preferably in the range of between about 0.55mm and about 0.65mm, such as about 0.596mm (or about 0.024 inches).

Preferably, the angle between the frustoconical body 28 and a plane parallel to the base 34 is in the range of between about 15 degrees and about 25 degrees, such as in the range of between about 18 degrees and about 23 degrees, or in the range of between about 19 degrees and about 21 degrees. Preferably, the angle between the frustoconical body 28 and a plane parallel to the base 34 is about 21 degrees. Preferably, the ratio of the diameter of the first end 30 to the second end 32 of the frustoconical body 28 (i.e., the ratio of B to a in FIG. 3B) is between about 1: 1.20 to about 1: 1.35, for example between about 1: 1.23 to about 1: 1.28, in the range of between.

Referring again to FIG. 1, when applied to a surface of the conductive pressure disc 14 that contacts the conductive rupture disc 12At an internal gauge pressure of between about 4kg/cm²To 10kg/cm²In the range of, for example, about 4kg/cm²To 9kg/cm²In the range of between about 5kg/cm²To 9kg/cm²In the range of between, or between about 7kg/cm²To 9kg/cm²In the range therebetween, the conductive rupture disc 12 is separated from the conductive pressure disc 14, and separation of the conductive pressure disc 14 from the conductive rupture disc 12 "activates" the modular current interrupt device 10. As used hereinafter, "activation" of the modular current interrupt device 10 means interrupting the current flow between the conductive rupture disc 12 and the conductive pressure disc 14. Preferably, the integrity of the conductive pressure disc 14 is maintained when the conductive pressure disc 14 is separated from the conductive rupture disc 12, whereby the pressure disc 14 does not rupture or otherwise allow gas to flow from one side of the pressure disc 14 to the other side of the pressure disc 14. Typically, separation of the pressure disc 14 from the rupture disc 12 will rupture any welds between the conductive pressure disc 14 and the rupture disc 12.

The pressure disk 14 may be made of a suitable metal, such as aluminum, copper, and nickel. An example of a suitable aluminum material is aluminum 3003 series, such as aluminum 3003H-0 or H-14 series. Preferably, the pressure disc 14 comprises, and is preferably made primarily of, aluminum.

An electrically insulating ring 16 separates the periphery of rupture disc 12 from the periphery of pressure disc 14. Referring to fig. 4A, 4B and 4C, the electrical isolation ring 16 includes a base 38 and a rim 40. Typically, the rim 40 is spaced from the periphery of the base 38 by a distance b in the range of about 0.4mm to about 0.55 mm. Typically, the height of the rim 40 ranges between about 0.80mm to about 0.90 mm. A lip 44 extending from the rim 40 and overlapping the conductive rupture disc 12; in one embodiment, the lip 44 contacts the rupture disc 12, thereby creating an interference fit between the base 38 and the rupture disc 12, as shown in FIG. 4A, the electrically insulating ring 16 defines a plurality of channels 46 on the base 38; in one embodiment, as shown in fig. 4C, at least one channel 46 has a major axis that is substantially perpendicular to a tangent of the circle defined by the electrically insulating ring 16. Examples of suitable materials for the electrically insulating ring 16 include polypropylene, such as high density polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene copolymer resin with side chains.

As shown in fig. 5, typically, the point 50 of the rupture disc 12 is in an interfering relationship with the rim 40 of the electrically insulating ring 16; the side 48 of the electrically conductive rupture disc 12 and the rim 40 of the electrically insulating ring 16 define a plurality of conduits 42 that provide gas pressure to rupture the other side of the disc 12 from one side of the rupture disc 12 through the passage of fluid phase. The channel 46 of the electrically insulating ring 16 also provides fluid communication between the major surfaces of the rupture disc 12.

The mounting element or cup 18 overlies the pressure disk 14, as shown in fig. 6A and 6B, the mounting element 18 includes a base 52 and a raised portion 54, wherein the raised portion 54 defines a through opening 56. A fold 58 on the periphery of the mounting element 18 for securing the pressure disc 14 to the electrically insulating ring 16; alternatively, the mounting element 18 may be secured to the pressure disc 14 with welds (not shown) where the mounting element 18 contacts the conductive pressure disc 14. Preferably, the diameter of the through opening 56 is in the range of between about 2mm to about 4 mm. The mounting element 18 is made of a suitable material, such as aluminum, nickel and copper. Preferably, the mounting element 18 is made of metal and is electrically connected to the pressure disc 14. In one embodiment, the mounting element 18 comprises, and preferably consists essentially of, aluminum.

As another alternative, pressure puck 14 is otherwise connected to an electrical terminal of the battery (e.g., a battery case), and mounting member 18 may be made of an electrically insulating material (e.g., polypropylene). Fig. 6 is a plan view of the mounting element 18 showing the mounting element 18 being circular in configuration whereby, in one embodiment, the ridge 54 substantially follows the base 34 of the pressure disc 14. Typically, the thickness of the material used to form the mounting element 18 ranges from about 0.3mm to about 0.5 mm.

A method for manufacturing a modular current interrupt device of the present invention comprises the steps of: the conductive pressure disc 14 is combined with the mounting element 18 and a conductive rupture disc 12 is combined with the electrically insulating ring 16. The combined conductive pressure disc 14 and mounting element 18, and the combined conductive rupture disc 12 and electrical insulating ring 16 are then secured to one another by mechanical means or other suitable means (e.g., laser or resistance spot welding) capable of bonding the conductive rupture disc 12 and conductive pressure disc 14 together. The edges of the mounting elements 18 may create wrinkles on the edges of the pressure disc 14 and the electrically insulating ring 16. In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 7A to 7D, the pressure disc 14 is combined with the mounting element 18 (fig. 7A), and then a single seam is formed by a suitable method of creating a fold (fig. 7B); alternatively, a suitable lining compound (e.g., a sealing material, such as an asphalt-based sealing material) having electrolyte-resistant properties may be placed between the bonding surfaces of the pressure disc 14 and the mounting element 18, as is well known in the art. A double seam is then formed as shown in fig. 7C to act as an airtight seal. The electrically insulating ring 16 is then placed on the pressure disc 14, and the pressure disc 14 and the mounting element 18 are crimped again to clamp the electrically insulating ring 16. As shown in fig. 7D, the pressure disk 12 is put in place (as shown in fig. 1) and welded to the pressure disk 14 as described above using spot welding.

Preferably, the conductive pressure disc 14 and the conductive rupture disc 12 are made of substantially the same metal. The term "substantially the same metal" as used herein refers to the same chemical and electrochemical stability at a specific voltage (e.g., the operating voltage of the battery). In a particular embodiment, at least one of the conductive rupture disc 12 and the conductive pressure disc 14 comprises aluminum, such as the aluminum 3003 series. In a particular embodiment, the conductive pressure disc 14 comprises aluminum, which is softer than the conductive rupture disc 12. Preferably, both the conductive pressure disc 14 and the conductive rupture disc 12 comprise aluminum. Preferably, rupture disc 12 is made of aluminum 3003H-14 series and pressure disc 14 is made of aluminum 3003H-0 series. Rupture disc 12 and pressure disc 14 may be formed by any suitable method known in the art, such as: stamping, casting, and/or milling techniques.

Fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C are a plan view, a sectional view, and an internal plan view, respectively, showing the lid assembly of a battery including the modular current interrupt device of the present invention. As can be seen from fig. 8A, 8B, and 8C, the current interrupt device 10 is mounted in a through opening 62 defined by the lid 60 of the battery, most of the current interrupt device 10 is located in the battery, but the raised portion 54 of the mounting member 18 rests in the through opening 62 of the lid 60. The mounting member 18 is secured to the cover 60 by any suitable means, such as interference fit, welding, crimping, riveting, etc. Preferably, the mounting member 18 and the cover 60 are welded to one another using any suitable welding technique known in the art. Preferably, the mounting element 18 is joined to the cover 60 in an airtight manner; preferably, the present invention employs laser welding techniques; preferably, the circumferential interface of the two components is seam welded, or through welded, using a peripheral laser welding technique, to the base 62 of the mounting element 18, thereby hermetically bonding the mounting element 18 and the cover 60. Preferably, the welding is performed in the circumferential direction at the middle of the base 52 or at the edge of the base 52; preferably, the temperature of the mounting element 18 is controlled during the welding process (e.g., a laser welding process) without exceeding the melting point temperature of a surface of the mounting element 18 opposite the weld, which may be accomplished using any suitable cooling method known in the art. Preferably, the cover 60 is made of substantially the same material as the mounting member 18, such as aluminum 3003H-0 or the H-14 series.

As can be seen in fig. 8A, which is an exterior plan view of the cover 60 of the battery, the raised portion 54 of the mounting member 18 is visible and has a generally circular configuration. Typically, the mounting member 18, the remainder of the cover 60, and the battery can to which the cover 60 is electrically connected serve as the positive terminal; as shown in fig. 8A to 8C, a feed-through assembly 64(feed-through assembly) serves as a negative terminal of the battery and is electrically isolated from the remaining portion of the lid 60, the modular current interrupt device 10, and the battery can to which the lid 60 is electrically connected by a member 66.

Fig. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a battery 70 of the present invention, the battery 70 including a lid 60 and a modular current interrupt device 10 mounted therein. The lug 72 connects an electrode (preferably a positive electrode) to the rupture ring 14; the lugs 72 may be joined to the rupture disc 14 by a suitable method (e.g., laser or resistance spot welding); the tab 74 attaches the other electrode to the feedthrough assembly 64 by a suitable method (e.g., laser or resistance spot welding).

Alternatively, particularly when the current interrupt device 10 is electrically connected to the anode of the battery rather than the cathode, the conductive parts of the modular current interrupt device 10 may be made of a material other than aluminum, such as a nickel-plated iron material.

Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Reference to patent documents

United states patent application No. 3853.1012-001 on day 22 of 2007, "integrated current interruption device for lithium ion battery", international patent application No. 3853.1001-015 on day 22 of 2007, "lithium ion auxiliary battery", united states provisional patent application No. 60/816,775 on day 27 of 2006, united states provisional patent application No. 60/717,898 on day 16 of 2005, international patent application No. PCT/US2005/047383 on day 23 of 2005, united states patent application No. 11/474,081 on day 23 of 2006, united states patent application No. 11/474,056 on day 23 of 2006, united states provisional patent application No. 60/816,977 on day 28 of 2006, united states patent application No. 11/485,068 on day 12 of 2006, united states patent application No. 3 on day 27 of 2006, and united states patent application No. 3, U.S. provisional patent application No. 11/486,970, 14/2006, 60/852,753, 19/2006, 60/125,327, 4/2008, 24/2008, and 61/125,281, 4/2008, 24/2008, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The disclosures of all patents, published applications and cited documents are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims (36)

1. A modular current interrupt device for a battery, comprising:

a) a conductive rupture disc;

b) a conductive pressure disc attached to the rupture disc to form an electrical path;

c) an electrically insulating ring separating the periphery of the rupture disk from the periphery of the pressure disk; and

d) a mounting element securing the electrically insulating ring to the pressure disk, wherein the mounting element is electrically conductive and electrically connected to the pressure disk;

wherein the rupture disc and the electrically insulating ring together define only a conduit through which one side of the pressure disc is exposed to sufficient pressure to separate the pressure disc from the rupture disc to cut off the electrical path.

2. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the rupture disc includes a plurality of retention points that form an interference fit with the electrically insulating ring.

3. The modular current interrupt device of claim 2, wherein the rupture disc has a polygonal periphery.

4. The modular current interrupt device of claim 3, wherein the polygon defines the plurality of holding points.

5. The modular current interrupt device of claim 3, wherein the polygon has between 10 and 20 sides.

6. The modular current interrupt device of claim 5, wherein the polygon has 14 sides.

7. The modular current interrupt device of claim 2, wherein the conduit is partially defined by a perimeter of the rupture disc.

8. The modular current interrupt device of claim 7, wherein the rupture disc has a beveled perimeter.

9. The modular current interrupt device of claim 7, wherein the periphery of the rupture disc includes two beveled surfaces.

10. The modular current interrupt device of claim 9, wherein the angle of the at least one ramp is in a range between 40 degrees and 55 degrees.

11. The modular current interrupt device of claim 10, wherein the angle of at least one ramp is 47 degrees.

12. The modular current interrupt device of claim 11, wherein the angles of the two inclined surfaces are each 47 degrees.

13. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating ring defines a lip at a periphery of the ring, the lip overlapping a periphery of the rupture disc.

14. The modular current interrupt device of claim 13, wherein the electrically insulating ring defines a groove at a periphery of the rupture disc, the lip of the electrically insulating ring overlapping the rupture disc at the groove.

15. The modular current interrupt device of claim 14, wherein a surface of the lip of the electrically insulating ring is substantially flush with a surface of the rupture disc.

16. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating ring defines at least one channel that, together with the rupture disc, defines at least a portion of the conduit.

17. The modular current interrupt device of claim 16, wherein the channel has a major axis that is substantially perpendicular to a tangent of a circle defined by the electrically insulating ring.

18. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the rupture disc, the pressure disc, and the mounting member are aluminum.

19. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating ring comprises a polymer.

20. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the rupture disc defines at least one conduit.

21. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the electrically insulating ring defines at least one conduit at a periphery of the ring, whereby fluid communication exists between a frustoconical component of the pressure disc and an outer surface of the current interrupt device.

22. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the pressure disc comprises a frustoconical member.

23. The modular current interrupt device of claim 22, wherein the pressure disc further includes an end surface and a peripheral base, the end surface being coupled to the peripheral base by the frustoconical member, and wherein the rupture disc is electrically connected to the pressure disc at the end surface.

24. The modular current interrupt device of claim 23, wherein the pressure disc is electrically connected to the rupture disc at least one point.

25. The modular current interrupt device of claim 24, wherein the point comprises a weld.

26. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member secures the electrically insulating ring to the pressure disc by a crimp on a periphery of the mounting member.

27. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein the mounting member defines a mounting member conduit.

28. The modular current interrupt device of claim 1, wherein a gauge pressure applied to a surface of the pressure disc opposite the rupture disc is between 4kg/cm²To 9kg/cm²In the range between, the electrical connection between the rupture disc and the pressure disc is cut off.

29. A battery comprising a modular current interrupt device, the current interrupt device comprising:

a) a conductive rupture disc;

b) a conductive pressure disc attached to the rupture disc to form an electrical path;

c) an electrically insulating ring separating the periphery of the rupture disk from the periphery of the pressure disk; and

d) a mounting element securing the electrically insulating ring to the pressure disk, wherein the mounting element is electrically conductive and electrically connected to the pressure disk;

wherein the rupture disc and only one of the electrically insulating rings together define a conduit through which one side of the pressure disc is exposed to sufficient pressure to separate the pressure disc from the rupture disc to sever the electrical path.

30. The battery of claim 29, wherein the modular current interrupt device is located in a recess of a lid of the battery, the recess defining an opening in the lid.

31. The battery of claim 30, wherein the modular current interrupt device is a component having a positive terminal of the battery.

32. The battery of claim 31, wherein at least one lead of a positive terminal of the battery is in electrical communication with the rupture disk of the modular current interrupt device.

33. The battery of claim 32, wherein the battery is a lithium ion-based battery.

34. A method for forming a modular current interrupt device, comprising the steps of:

a) combining a pressure disc and a mounting element;

b) combining a rupture disc and an electrical insulating ring, whereby the rupture disc and the electrical insulating ring together define only a conduit;

c) assembling the assembled pressure disc and the mounting element, and the assembled rupture disc and the electrical insulating ring; and

d) the rupture disc is welded to the pressure disc by laser or resistance spot welding to form an electrical path therebetween.

35. A method for forming a battery comprising the steps of:

a) combining a pressure disc and a mounting element;

b) combining a rupture disc and an electrical insulating ring, whereby the rupture disc and the electrical insulating ring together define only a conduit;

c) assembling the assembled pressure disc and the mounting element, and the assembled rupture disc and the electrical insulating ring;

d) welding the rupture disc to the pressure disc by laser or resistance spot welding to form an electrical path therebetween, thereby forming a modular current interrupt device; and

e) the modular current interrupt device is placed into a recess of a lid of the battery, wherein the recess defines an opening of the lid.

36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the step of: bonding the mounting element to the cover at the recess of the cover.