Laminate sheath type battery

• US 6,743,546 B1
• Filed: 09/26/2001
• Issued: 06/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Godo Kaisha IP Bridge 1 (IP Bridge, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Hitoshi, Yoshio, Hideaki, Matsumasa, Yoshitaka, Ichinose, Hiroaki, Tsuda, Shingo, Kaneda, Masaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Bell, Bruce F.
• Application Number:
  US09/937,554
• Time in Patent Office: 979 Days
• Field of Search: 429/123, 429/127, 429/129, 429/130, 429/136, 429/138, 429/139, 429/146, 429/152, 429/153, 429/162, 429/163, 429/177, 429/179, 429/180, 429/184
• US Class Current: 429/127
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0436 Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0486 Frames for plates or membranes
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/119 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/121 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/122 Composite material consisting of a mixture of organic and inorganic materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/126 comprising three or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/176 for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/181 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/55 on the same side of the cell
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/557 Plate-shaped terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/566 by welding, soldering or brazing
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/10 with wound or folded electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

Battery with a flexible laminate casing includes a means for fixing the electrode assembly (2) within the casing (1, 18). The fixing means may be a frame (19, 33, 38, 50, 54) attached to the periphery of the electrode assembly, or an insulating spacer (59, 69, 70, 77, 78) encased within the casing together with the electrode assembly such as to fill a space between one end of the electrode assembly and the casing. Alternatively, the fixing means may be constructed of a material with which the casing and the electrode assembly are joined together by applying heat and pressure, or may be an abutting surface (87h) provided to the casing (87) itself such as to make contact with one end face of the electrode assembly within the casing.

Claims

1. A battery comprising,

liquid electrolyte and an electrode assembly, both accommodated within a sealed casing made of a laminate sheet, the electrode assembly including a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates stacked upon one another with a plurality of intervening separators therebetween, the positive electrode plates having respective positive electrode terminals and a positive electrode lead joined to the positive electrode terminals, and the negative electrode plates having respective negative electrode terminals and a negative electrode lead joined to the negative electrode terminals, the positive electrode lead and the negative electrode lead being extended outside through an end of the casing;

and

a fixing means for fixing the electrode assembly in position within the casing.

2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is a frame surrounding a periphery of the electrode assembly and accommodated within the casing with the electrode assembly, the frame including:

a rectangular frame portion surrounding the periphery of the electrode assembly,

a pair of protective pieces projecting outwards from opposite side edges of one end of the frame portion to cover joints between the positive and negative electrode terminals and the positive and negative electrode leads on opposing sides thereof, the frame portion having through holes along one side thereof for allowing the positive and negative electrode terminals to extend to the outside.

3. The battery according to claim 2, wherein the frame includes a first part having a first half frame and a second part having a second half frame for holding the periphery of the electrode assembly on opposing sides, the first half frame and the second half frame being integral with each other via a bendable hinge and superposed upon one another, and respectively having a protective piece extending outwards from one end thereof opposite from the hinge, and one of the first half frame and the second half frame having notches therein for passing through the positive and negative electrode terminals to the outside.

4. The battery according to claim 3, wherein the first and the second half frames have engagement pieces for making locking engagement with each other on one end thereof opposite from the hinge.

5. The battery according to claim 2, wherein the protective pieces of the first and the second half frames come to face each other with a space formed therebetween and are connected via a connector when the first and the second half frames are superposed upon one another via the hinge.

6. The battery according to claim 2, wherein the frame includes a first part having a first half frame and a second part having a second half frame for holding the periphery of the electrode assembly on opposing sides thereof, the first half frame and the second half frame being separate from each other and respectively having a protective piece extending outwards from one end thereof, and engagement pieces along more than one side thereof for making looking engagement with each other to couple the first and the second parts when superposed, and one of the first half frame and the second half frame having notches therein for passing through the positive and negative electrode terminals to the outside.

7. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is a frame surrounding the periphery of the electrode assembly and accommodated within the casing with the electrode assembly, the frame including:

an abutment portion making contact with one end face of the electrode assembly from which the positive and negative electrode terminals extend, the abutment portion being formed with through holes for passing through the positive and negative electrode terminals,

a pair of legs extending from both ends of the abutment portion to cover both side faces of the electrode assembly, and

a pair of protective pieces extending from opposite side edges of the abutment portion in a direction opposite from the pair of legs so as to cover joints between the positive and negative electrode terminals and their respective leads from both sides.

8. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the pair of protective pieces have a length extending to a portion near a joint between the positive and the negative electrode leads and the casing.

9. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the pair of protective pieces have resiliency so as to bend inwards when pressed by the laminate sheet forming the casing which is superposed and joined together at its periphery.

10. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the frame includes a cover integral with the frame extending from opposite side edges of the abutment portion in a direction opposite from the pair of legs so as to form a space therein having a triangular cross-section so as to accommodate the joints between the positive and negative electrode terminals and their respective leads within the space, the cover including through holes for passing through the positive and negative electrode terminals.

11. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the pair of legs has a U-shaped cross-section so as to fit onto the side edges of the electrode assembly.

12. The battery according to claim 11, wherein the frame further includes a pair of support frames integrally formed with the pair of legs, the support frames extending respectively from the distal ends of the legs inwards so as to cover the two corners of the electrode assembly at the end opposite from the end where the positive and negative electrode terminals extend.

13. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the frame further includes a pair of connector plates for closing the distal ends of the pair of legs so as to cover the two corners of the electrode assembly at the end opposite from the end where the positive and negative electrode terminals extend.

14. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is an insulating spacer abutted on one end face of the rectangular electrode assembly where the positive and negative electrode terminals extend, and an adhesive tape for fixing the insulating spacer to the electrode assembly, the insulating spacer including a bottom abutting on one end face of the electrode assembly except for the positive and negative electrode terminals, a pair of side walls standing upright from both side edges of the bottom to a height for covering joints between the positive and negative electrode terminals and the positive and negative electrode leads, the bottom and the side walls being formed in one piece, and the adhesive tape being stuck over to the electrode assembly and the insulating spacer so as to cover four corners at one end of the electrode assembly.

15. The battery according to claim 14, further including an additional adhesive tape adhered to the opposite end of the electrode assembly so as to cover the four corners thereof.

16. The battery according to claim 14, wherein the electrode assembly includes a plurality of stacked electrode plate modules, each of the electrode plate modules including a negative electrode plate, a pair of positive electrode plates superposed on both sides of the negative electrode plate with intervening separators therebetween, and positive electrode terminals respectively extending from the pair of positive electrode plates, and wherein the positive electrode terminals are provided with an insulative coating at least on one side thereof facing an adjacent electrode plate module.

17. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is an insulating spacer abutted on one end face of the rectangular electrode assembly where the positive and negative electrode terminals extend, and strips of adhesive tapes for fixing the insulating spacer to the electrode assembly, the insulating spacer including a bottom abutting on one end face of the electrode assembly except for the positive and negative electrode terminals, a pair of side walls standing upright from both side edges of the bottom to a height for covering joints between the positive and negative electrode terminals and the positive and negative electrode leads, the bottom and the side walls being formed in one piece, and the strips of adhesive tapes having a length for covering opposite side edges of the electrode assembly along the length thereof.

18. The battery according to claim 17, wherein one end face and both side end faces of the electrode assembly are trimmed to have flat surfaces.

19. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is an insulating spacer made of a material resistant to the electrolyte and having a higher melting point than that of the casing, and accommodated within the casing together with the electrode assembly, the insulating spacer having a shape corresponding to a space defined by one end face of the electrode assembly where the positive and negative electrode terminals extend, and an inner surface of the casing opposite the end face of the electrode assembly, and including a pair of through holes for passing through the positive and the negative electrode leads respectively joined to the positive and the negative electrode terminals to the outside, and a reinforcing portion provided between the through holes such as to make tight contact with the one end face of the electrode assembly.

20. The battery according to claim 19, wherein the insulating spacer is made of a flat plate member bent along at least two grooves into the shape corresponding to the space defined by one end face of the electrode assembly and the inner surface of the casing opposite the end face of the electrode assembly.

21. The battery according to claim 19, wherein the insulating spacer and the casing e are joined together by applying heat and pressure.

22. The battery according to claim 19, wherein the positive and negative electrode leads are respectively provided with folded-back portions inside the insulating spacer near a point where the positive and negative electrode terminals are joined thereto.

23. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is made of a pair of flat plate spacers made of a material resistant to the electrolyte and having resiliency, and accommodated within the casing together with the electrode assembly, the flat plate spacers being joined together such as to cover joints between the positive and negative electrode terminals of the electrode assembly as being deformed to conform to the contour of the joints, one end face of each of the flat plate spacers making contact with one end face of the electrode assembly where the positive and negative electrode terminals extend.

24. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is a metamorphic olefin resin provided at a plurality of locations between the casing and the electrode assembly accommodated therein, the casing and the electrode assembly being joined together through the metamorphic olefin resin by applying heat and pressure.

25. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is a tape attached to the electrode assembly for maintaining the shape thereof, the casing and the electrode assembly being joined together through the tape by applying heat and pressure.

26. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly fixing means is composed of a pair of inclined surfaces formed in one side face of a recess formed in the casing for receiving the electrode assembly, and abutting surfaces provided between the inclined surfaces and on both outer sides thereof, for making tight contact with one end face of the electrode assembly accommodated in the recess, the positive and negative electrode terminals of the electrode assembly being respectively fitted onto the inclined surfaces.

27. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the separators have larger outer dimensions than those of the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates.

28. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the casing is made of a laminate sheet bent in two and formed into a bag shape by joining the periphery thereof.

29. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the casing is made of a laminate sheet bent in two, and having a base part forming a recess for receiving the electrode assembly and a cover for closing the recess.

30. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the positive electrode plates and the negative electrode plates are wound into a coil with intervening separators therebetween and pressed into a flat shape.

31. A battery comprising:

a liquid electrolyte and an electrode assembly;

a casing formed of laminate sheet;

said liquid electrolyte and said electrode assembly accommodated within said casing;

said electrode assembly including a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates stacked upon one another with a plurality of intervening separators therebetween, the positive electrode plates having respective positive electrode terminals and a positive electrode lead joined to the positive electrode terminals, and the negative electrode plates having respective negative electrode terminals and a negative electrode lead joined to the negative electrode terminals, said positive electrode lead and said negative electrode lead extending through an end of the casing; and

an electrode assembly fixing structure including;

a first substantially planar region;

said first substantially planar region having three edge regions extending transversely to said first substantially planar region;

a second substantially planar region;

said second substantially planar region having three edge regions extending transversely to said second substantially planar region; and

said first substantially planar region being joined to said second substantially planar region.

32. The battery according to claim 31, further comprising:

said electrode assembly fixing structure being a frame surrounding a periphery of the electrode assembly and accommodated within the casing,

the frame including;

a pair of protective pieces projecting outwards from opposite side edges of one end of the frame portion to cover joints between the positive and negative electrode terminals and the positive and negative electrode leads; and

the frame portion having through holes along one side thereof for allowing the positive and negative electrode terminals to extend through said through holes.

33. The battery according to claim 32, further comprising:

said frame including a bendable hinge for joining at least one respective edge region of said first substantially planar region to at least one edge region of said second substantially planar region;

a protective piece extending outwards from an end opposite from the hinge; and

said first substantially planar region and said second substantially planar region having notches through which the positive and negative electrode terminals pass to the outside.

34. The battery according to claim 33, further comprising said first substantially planar region and said second substantially planar region having engagement pieces for engaging the first substantially planar region and the second substantially planar region.

35. The battery according to claim 32, wherein said protective pieces face each other with a space formed therebetween and are connected via a connector.

36. The battery according to claim 31, further comprising an adhesive tape for joining the electrode assembly fixing structure to the electrode assembly.

37. The battery according to claim 36, further comprising an additional adhesive tape for covering at least one corner of said electrode assembly fixing structure.

38. The battery according to claim 36, further comprising said positive electrode terminals having an insulative coating on at least one side of said positive electrode terminals.

39. A battery comprising:

a liquid electrolyte and an electrode assembly;

a casing formed of laminate sheet;

said liquid electrolyte and said electrode assembly accommodated within said casing;

said electrode assembly including a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates stacked upon one another with a plurality of intervening separators therebetween, the positive electrode plates having respective positive electrode terminals and a positive electrode lead joined to the positive electrode terminals, and the negative electrode plates having respective negative electrode terminals and a negative electrode lead joined to the negative electrode terminals, said positive electrode lead and said negative electrode lead extending through an end of the casing; and

an electrode assembly fixing structure including;

a C-shaped member; and

three pairs of edge regions extending transversely to the C-shaped member.

40. The battery according to claim 39, further comprising:

said electrode assembly fixing structure being a frame surrounding part of the periphery of the electrode assembly and accommodated within the casing;

the frame including a partially rectangular frame portion surrounding part of the periphery of the electrode assembly; and

the frame having through holes along one side thereof for allowing the positive and negative electrode terminals to extend through said frame.

41. The battery according to claim 40, wherein the pair of protective pieces have resiliency so as to bend inwards when pressed by the laminate sheet forming the casing which is superposed and joined together at its periphery.

42. The battery according to claim 39, further comprising a pair of protective pieces.

43. The battery according to claim 39, further comprising an adhesive tape for joining the electrode assembly fixing structure to the electrode assembly.

44. The battery according to claim 43, further comprising said positive electrode terminals having an insulative coating on at least one side of said positive electrode terminals.

45. The battery according to claim 43, further comprising an additional adhesive tape for covering at least one corner of said electrode assembly fixing structure.

46. A battery comprising:

a liquid electrolyte and an electrode assembly;

a casing being laminate sheet;

said liquid electrolyte accommodated within a said casing;

said electrode assembly including a plurality of positive electrode plates and a plurality of negative electrode plates stacked upon one another with a plurality of intervening separators therebetween, the positive electrode plates having respective positive electrode terminals and a positive electrode lead joined to the positive electrode terminals, and the negative electrode plates having respective negative electrode terminals and a negative electrode lead joined to the negative electrode terminals, said positive electrode lead and said negative electrode lead being extending through one end of the casing; and

an electrode assembly fixing structure including a U-shaped member for supporting said electrode assembly.

47. The battery according to claim 46, further comprising:

said electrode assembly structure being a frame partially surrounding the electrode assembly and accommodated within the casing; and

said fame including a pair of protective pieces.

48. The battery according to claim 46, further comprising an adhesive tape for joining the electrode assembly fixing structure to the electrode assembly.

49. The battery according to claim 48, further comprising an additional adhesive tape for covering at least one corner of said electrode assembly fixing structure.

50. The battery according to claim 48, further comprising said positive electrode terminals having an insulative coating on at least one side of said positive electrode terminals.