Electric double-layer capacitor

• US 6,021,039 A
• Filed: 03/31/1998
• Issued: 02/01/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: NEC Tokin Corporation (Yageo Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Inagawa, Masako
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Kristine
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dinkins, Anthony
• Application Number:
  US09/052,304
• Time in Patent Office: 672 Days
• Field of Search: 361/502, 361/504, 361/508, 361/511, 361/512, 361/516, 361/523, 361/525, 361/528, 361/530, 29/25.03
• US Class Current: 361/502
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/12 Stacked hybrid or EDL capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/26 characterised by their structure, e.g. multi-layered, porosity or surface features
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/28 arranged or disposed on a current collector; Layers or phases between electrodes and current collectors, e.g. adhesives
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/72 specially adapted for integration in multiple or stacked hybrid or EDL capacitors
• CPC Class Codes: H01G 11/80 Gaskets; Sealings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/13 Energy storage using capacitors

Abstract

An electric double-layer capacitor is provided, which prevents the apparent capacitance decrease on operation or use at a large discharge current. This capacitor includes at least one basic cell and a pair of external terminals electrically connected to ends of the at least one basic cell, respectively. Each of the at least one basic cell has a tubular electrically-insulating gasket having a tubular inner space and opening ends, a pair of polarizable electrodes placed in the inner space of the gasket, a porous separator sandwiched between the pair of electrodes and placed in the inner space of the gasket, and a pair of collectors placed to close the opening ends of the gasket, respectively. An electrolyte solution is stored in the inner space of the gasket. The solution is absorbed to the pair of electrodes. Each of the pair of electrodes has an inner surface contacted with an opposing surface of the separator and an outer surface contacted with a corresponding one of the pair of collectors. Each of the pair of electrodes is formed by stacked sub-electrodes having at least one interface extending along the pair of collectors. The at least one interface allows ions of the electrolyte solution to diffuse.

Claims

1. An electric double-layer capacitor including at least one basic cell and a pair of external terminals electrically connected to outer sides of the at least one basic cell, respectively;

each of said at least one basic cell comprising;

a tubular electrically-insulating gasket having a tubular inner space and opening ends;

a pair of polarizable electrodes placed in said inner space of said gasket;

a porous separator sandwiched between said pair of electrodes and placed in said inner space of said gasket to separate said inner space of said gasket;

a pair of collectors placed to close said opening ends of said gasket, respectively;

an electrolyte solution stored in said inner space of said gasket, said solution being absorbed to said pair of electrodes;

each of said pair of electrodes having an inner surface contacted with an opposing surface of said separator and an outer surface contacted with a corresponding one of said pair of collectors;

each of said pair of electrodes being formed by stacked sub-electrodes having at least one interface extending along said pair of collectors; and

said at least one interface allowing ions of said electrolyte solution to diffuse between inside and outside of said pair of electrodes through said at least one interface.

2. A capacitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stacked sub-electrodes are equal in thickness.

3. A capacitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said stacked sub-electrodes are different in thickness.

4. A capacitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sub-electrodes are different in average pore size.

5. A capacitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sub-electrodes are made of different materials.

6. A capacitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of opposing surfaces of said sub-electrodes has a surface roughness of approximately 10 μ

m or more.

7. A capacitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of opposing surfaces of said sub-electrodes has depressions and the other of said opposing surfaces of said sub-electrodes has protrusions;

and wherein said depressions and said protrusions are completely engaged together.

8. A capacitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of opposing surfaces of said sub-electrodes has depressions;

and wherein said depressions of said sub-electrodes are combined to form gaps at said interface of said sub-electrodes.

9. A capacitor as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of opposing surfaces of said sub-electrodes is saw-tooth-shaped in cross section.