Rechargeable battery

Abstract

A rechargeable battery includes a housing, a plurality of cells within the housing, and a cover which closes the housing. The battery also includes a plurality of filling openings arranged in the cover separated from one another by a distance and a plurality of plugs. Each of the plurality of plugs is configured to close one of the plurality of filling openings. A flexible connecting element connects at least two of the plugs. The flexible connecting element is configured such that the distance between the plugs which are connected to one another can be variably matched to the distance between their associated filling openings by rotating at least one of the plugs connected by the flexible connecting element.

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         11 . A rechargeable battery comprising:
 a housing;   a plurality of cells;   a cover which closes the housing, the cover comprising a lower part   provided on the housing and an upper part arranged at a distance from the lower part, the upper part closing the lower part to form a seal;   a plurality of filling openings provided in the cover and separated from one another;   a channel system provided between the lower part and the upper part;   at least one degassing opening provided in communication with the channel system;   an ignition protection element provided in the degassing opening; and   a holding cap for securing the ignition protection element in place, the holding cap articulated integrally on the cover.   
     
     
         12 . The rechargeable battery of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of plugs, each of the plurality of plugs configured to close one of the plurality of filling openings. 
     
     
         13 . The rechargeable battery of  claim 12 , further comprising a flexible connecting element coupled between a first plug and a second plug, the flexible connecting element configured to allow the distance between the first plug and the second plug to be varied by rotating the first plug. 
     
     
         14 . The rechargeable battery of  claim 12 , wherein the cover comprises an upper face, and further comprising at least one trough provided in the area of the plugs. 
     
     
         15 . The rechargeable battery of  claim 14 , wherein the contour of the at least one trough corresponds to the contour of the plugs and flexible connecting elements. 
     
     
         16 . The rechargeable battery of  claim 12 , wherein the plugs are configured to close the filling openings in a liquid-tight and gas-tight manner. 
     
     
         17 . A cover for closing a rechargeable battery housing which has a plurality of cells, the cover comprising:
 a lower part which is provided on the housing;   an upper part provided a distance from the lower part, the upper part closing the lower part to form a seal;   a plurality of filling openings; and   a plurality of plugs for sealing the filling openings;   wherein at least two of the plugs are connected to one another by means of a flexible connecting element;   wherein the flexible connecting element is generally straight in a plane parallel to the top of the battery; and   wherein the flexible connecting element does not connect to the plugs at a location on the plug that is on an imaginary alignment line which intersects the center axes of the plugs which are connected to one another in a view on the top of the battery; and   wherein the flexible connecting element is configured such that a distance between the plugs which are connected to one another can be variably matched to a distance between associated filling openings by rotating at least one of the plugs.   
     
     
         18 . The cover of  claim 17 , wherein the cover comprises an upper face and at least one trough for flush holding of the plugs and flexible connecting element. 
     
     
         19 . The cover of  claim 18 , wherein the contour of the at least one trough corresponds to the contour of the plugs and flexible connecting element. 
     
     
         20 . The cover of  claim 17 , wherein the filling openings taper inward. 
     
     
         21 . The cover of  claim 17 , wherein the cover has a lower part and an upper part arranged at a distance from the lower part, the upper part closing the lower part to form a seal. 
     
     
         22 . The cover of  claim 18 , further comprising a channel system provided between the lower part and the upper part. 
     
     
         23 . The cover of  claim 22 , further comprising at least one degassing opening which is provided with ignition protection and is connected to the channel system. 
     
     
         24 . The cover of  claim 23 , further comprising a holding cap which is integrally articulated on the cover and has a degassing opening for ignition protection