Battery can and battery using the can and method of fabricating the can

Abstract

A battery can, for example, a can for a lithium rechargeable battery, having at least one bottom groove for facilitating insertion and extraction to and from equipment is arranged on a bottom surface of the can, the can having a predetermined space for accommodating an electrode assembly through a top opening of the can, the electrode assembly including a positive plate, a negative plate and a separator disposed between the positive plate and the negative plate.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete appreciation of the present invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the present invention becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an inner pack lithium rechargeable battery;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view, viewing from the top side of a lithium rechargeable battery in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a perspective view, viewing from the bottom side of the lithium rechargeable battery in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 c is a vertical sectional view of FIG. 2a;

FIG. 2 d is an exploded perspective view of a cap assembly in FIG. 2a;

FIG. 3 a is a perspective view, viewing from the top side of a lithium rechargeable battery in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 b is a perspective view, viewing from the bottom side of the lithium rechargeable battery in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 c is a vertical sectional view of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4 a is a perspective view, viewing from the top side of a lithium rechargeable battery in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 b is a perspective view, viewing from the bottom side of the lithium rechargeable battery in accordance with still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 c is a front view of FIG. 4a.

Claims

1. A battery can comprising: a predetermined space for accommodating an electrode assembly through a top opening of the can, the electrode assembly including a positive plate, a negative plate and a separator arranged between the positive plate and the negative plate; andat least one bottom groove for facilitating insertion and extraction to and from equipment, the at least one bottom groove being arranged on a bottom surface of the can.

2. The battery can as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one bottom groove is arranged in parallel to a long edge of the can.

3. The battery can as recited in claim 1, further comprising long lateral sides, short lateral sides and a lower plate and has a box shape.

4. The battery can as recited in claim 3, wherein a horizontal section of the can has an elliptical shape with the short lateral sides having a curved surface shape.

5. The battery can as recited in claim 1, further comprising a lateral recess arranged on a lateral side of the can to receive a label.

6. The battery can as recited in claim 5, wherein the lateral recess has a depth in a range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm.

7. The battery can as recited in claim 5, wherein the lateral recess is stepped with respect to upper and lower parts of the can.

8. A battery comprising: a bare cell including an electrode assembly, a can to accommodate the electrode assembly and a cap assembly to seal a top opening of the can;a hot-melt section including a protection circuit electrically connected to the bare cell; andan insulating layer coated on a bottom surface of the bare cell, the insulating layer including an insulating material.

9. The battery as recited in claim 8, wherein the hot-melt section is arranged on the top of the bare cell to serve as a top cover.

10. The battery as recited in claim 8, wherein the insulating layer is coated on a bottom surface of the bare cell by either a spray process or a dipping process.

11. The battery as recited in claim 8, further comprising at least one bottom groove arranged on a bottom surface of the bare cell to facilitate insertion and extraction to and from equipment.

12. The battery as recited in claim 11, wherein the at least one bottom groove is arranged in parallel to a long edge of the can.

13. The battery as recited in claim 8, further comprising a lateral recess arranged on a lateral side of the can to receive a label.

14. The battery as recited in claim 13, wherein the lateral recess has a depth in a range of 0.05 mm to 0.2 mm in depth and is stepped with respect to upper and lower parts of the can.

15. A method of fabricating a battery comprising: forming a bottom groove on a bottom surface of a can to facilitate insertion and extraction to and from equipment;inserting an electrode assembly including a bare cell into an inside of the can;injecting an electrolyte into the inside of the can;forming an insulating layer on the bottom surface of the can; andforming a hot-melt section on a top of the can to seal the can, the hot-melt section including a protection circuit electrically connected to the bare cell.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising forming a lateral recess on a lateral side of the can to receive a label.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein forming an insulating layer comprises either a spray process or a dipping process.