RECHARGEABLE BATTERY

• US 20080107961A1
• Filed: 08/23/2007
• Published: 05/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Inventors: Kim, Hyung-Sik, Jeong, Dong-Ho, Lee, Dai-Hoe, Woo, Seung-Wan, Kim, Taek
• Granted Patent: US 7,981,540 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/163
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/052 Li-accumulators
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/176 for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/181 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/528 Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/533 characterised by the shape of the leads or tabs
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/536 characterised by the method of fixing the leads to the electrodes, e.g. by welding
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/55 on the same side of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/553 Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly, a casing which stores the electrode assembly and which includes a support to support the electrode assembly that protrudes inwardly from in an inner surface thereof, and a cap assembly which is combined with the casing and which has an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery comprising:

an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed therebetween;

a casing which stores the electrode assembly and which includes a support to support the electrode assembly that protrudes inwardly from an inner surface thereof; and

a cap assembly which is combined with the casing and which has an electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

2. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the support is dual in number, and the casing includes a body having first and second opposing faces from each of which a single support protrudes.

3. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly includes uncoated portions at which the electrodes are uncoated by activation material, and the support is combined with the uncoated portions to support the electrode assembly.

4. The rechargeable battery according to claim 3, wherein the uncoated portions overlap with each other, the support being inserted between the overlapped uncoated portions.

5. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the support is hollow.

6. The rechargeable battery according to claim 5, wherein an opening of the hollow support is exposed toward an exterior of the casing.

7. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a solid protrusion fixed in the inner surface.

8. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises an insulator to electrically insulate the electrode assembly from the casing.

9. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the rechargeable battery is rectangular, and the support is provided on inner facing surfaces of the casing.

10. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the support includes a plurality of support pieces attached to the inner surface, each of the support pieces being separated from one another by a predetermined interval.

11. The rechargeable battery according to claim 10, wherein the electrode assembly is fitted in a space between the support pieces.

12. The rechargeable battery according to claim 11, wherein the casing comprises a box-shaped opened body.

13. The rechargeable battery according to claim 12, wherein the support pieces are disposed in parallel with each other on the inner surface of the casing such that upper ends of the support pieces are each slanted and widened toward the opening of the casing.

14. The rechargeable battery according to claim 12, wherein the support pieces comprise upper and lower portions, the upper portions being disposed in parallel with each other and the upper portions being slanted and widened toward the opening of the casing.

15. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly comprises uncoated portions at which the electrodes are uncoated by activation material.

16. The rechargeable battery according to claim 15, wherein the uncoated portions are disposed at positions that are adjacent to the inner surface of the casing.

17. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, further comprising a lead member connected to the electrode assembly and the electrode terminal, the support being disposed farther from the electrode terminal than the lead member.

18. A rechargeable lithium ion battery, in which an electrode assembly is stored in an enclosed casing, the rechargeable lithium ion battery comprising a support which protrudes from an inner surface of the casing and toward an interior of the casing to support the electrode assembly.

19. The rechargeable lithium ion battery according to claim 18, wherein the support provides the support to a center of the electrode assembly.

20. The rechargeable lithium ion battery according to claim 18, wherein the support comprises members, each including oppositely slanted upper portions and parallel lower portions.

21. The rechargeable lithium ion battery according to claim 18, wherein the support provides the support to sides of the electrode assembly.