Rechargeable battery with tabs

• US 10,062,871 B2
• Filed: 11/19/2015
• Issued: 08/28/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Samsung SDI Company Limited
• Inventors: Seong, Jae-Il
• Primary Examiner(s): Leong, Jonathan G
• Application Number:
  US14/946,542
• Publication Number:
  US 20160149193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,013 Days
• Field of Search: 429179
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0431 Cells with wound or folded electrodes H01M10/045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/20 Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/103 prismatic or rectangular H01M50/109, H01M50/11 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/15 for prismatic or rectangular cells H01M50/153 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/528 Fixed electrical connections, i.e. not intended for disconnection
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/534 characterised by the material 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 50/553 Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/566 by welding, soldering or brazing
• 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

A rechargeable battery is disclosed. In one aspect, the battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between the first and second electrodes and a case accommodating the electrode assembly, wherein an opening is formed in the case. The battery also includes a cap plate coupled to and closing the opening of the case, a terminal placed to pass through the cap plate and a first tab interconnecting the terminal and the first electrode, wherein the first tab includes a stretchable first drawn portion.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery comprising:

an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between the first and second electrodes;

a case accommodating the electrode assembly, wherein an opening is formed in the case;

a cap plate coupled to and closing the opening of the case;

a terminal placed to pass through the cap plate;

a first tab interconnecting the terminal and the first electrode, wherein the first tab includes a first drawn portion which is stretchable, and wherein the first drawn portion is placed inside the case and extends toward the opening of the case;

a second tab interconnecting the cap plate and the second electrode, wherein the second tab includes a second drawn portion which is stretchable, and wherein the second drawn portion is placed inside the case and extends toward the opening of the case; and

a connecting plate connected to the terminal, wherein the first tab is directly connected to the connecting plate,

wherein the first drawn portion includes a plurality of corrugations, and wherein the first tab further comprises a support portion bent at the upper end of the first tab so as to be substantially parallel to the cap plate and electrically connected to the terminal.

2. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the first drawn portion has a substantially wave shape or a substantially saw-tooth shape.

3. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the width of the first drawn portion is greater than about 1/10 of the interior width of the case and less than about ½

of the interior width of the case.

4. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the first tab further comprises a current collecting connector interconnecting the first electrode and the first drawn portion.

5. The rechargeable battery of claim 4, wherein the first tab further comprises an insulating tape wrapped around a portion of the current collecting connector.

6. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the second drawn portion includes a plurality of corrugations.

7. The rechargeable battery of claim 6, wherein the second drawn portion has a substantially wave shape or a substantially saw-tooth shape.

8. The rechargeable battery of claim 6, wherein the width of the second drawn portion is greater than about 1/10 of the interior width of the case and less than about ½

of the interior width of the case.

9. The rechargeable battery of claim 6, further comprising a support portion bent at the upper end of the second tab so as to be substantially parallel to the cap plate and connected to the cap plate.

10. The rechargeable battery of claim 9, wherein the support portion is welded to the cap plate.

11. A rechargeable battery comprising:

an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between the first and second electrodes;

a case accommodating the electrode assembly, wherein an opening is formed in the case;

a cap plate closing the opening of the case;

a terminal placed to pass through the cap plate;

a first tab interconnecting the terminal and the first electrode, wherein at least a portion of the first tab is stretchable, and wherein the stretchable portion of the first tab is placed inside the case and extends toward the opening of the case;

a second tab interconnecting the cap plate and the second electrode, wherein at least a portion of the second tab is stretchable, and where the stretchable portion of the second tab is placed inside the case and extends toward the opening of the case; and

a connecting plate connected to the terminal, wherein the first tab is directly connected to the connecting plate,

wherein the stretchable portion of the first tab includes a plurality of corrugations, and

wherein the first tab further comprises a support portion bent at the upper end of the first tab so as to be substantially parallel to the cap plate and electrically connected to the terminal.

12. The rechargeable battery of claim 11, wherein the stretchable portion of the first tab has a substantially wave shape or a substantially saw-tooth shape.

13. The rechargeable battery of claim 11, wherein the width of the stretchable portion of the first tab is greater than about 1/10 of the interior width of the case and less than about ½

of the interior width of the case.

14. The rechargeable battery of claim 11, wherein the first tab further comprises:

a current collecting connector interconnecting the first electrode and the stretchable portion; and

an insulating tape wrapped around a portion of the current collecting connector.

15. The rechargeable battery of claim 11 wherein the stretchable portion of the second tab has a substantially wave shape or a substantially saw-tooth shape.

16. The rechargeable battery of claim 11, wherein the width of the stretchable portion of the second tab is greater than about 1/10 of the interior width of the case and less than about ½

of the interior width of the case.