This application claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2022-120873 filed on Jul. 28, 2022. The entire contents of this application are hereby incorporated herein by reference.
The present disclosure relates to a battery.
One of the conventionally known batteries includes a wound electrode body in which a positive electrode with a band shape including a positive electrode active material layer and a negative electrode with a band shape including a negative electrode active material layer are wound through a separator with a band shape. For example, Japanese Patent No. 5328034 discloses an electrode body in which an adhesive layer is formed on an entire surface of a separator and then an electrode body group including a positive electrode, the separator, and a negative electrode is pressed with heat, so that at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode is unified with the separator, and also discloses a battery including the electrode body.
The present inventors' examination indicates, however, there is room for improvement about the aforementioned technique. That is to say, in order for the adhesive layer to achieve an adhering function, it is necessary to apply a predetermined load at a place where the adhesive layer is formed. However, when the electrode body group is pressed with heat, the heat and load concentrate on a thick part where an active material layer is provided and the heat and load are hardly applied on a region that does not face the active material layer (specifically at an end part in a winding axis direction). Therefore, it has been understood that the provision of the adhesive layer on the entire surface of the separator as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5328034 cannot achieve the adhering function at the end part in the winding axis direction and the expensive adhesive is wasted.
The present disclosure has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a main object is to provide a battery with a reduced manufacturing cost by reducing the usage of the adhesive.
A battery according to the present disclosure includes a wound electrode body in which a positive electrode with a band shape including a positive electrode active material layer and a negative electrode with a band shape including a negative electrode active material layer are wound through one or a plurality of separators with a band shape. At least one of the separators includes an adhesive layer on at least one surface. On the one surface, a non-formation region where the adhesive layer is not formed is provided in at least one end part in a winding axis direction.
By providing the non-formation region in the end part in the winding axis direction, the adhesive can be used efficiently. Accordingly, the unnecessary usage of the adhesive can be reduced and the cost for manufacturing the battery can be reduced. Additionally, by having the adhesive layer, the separator can be unified with at least one of the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Thus, for example, the variation of the inter-electrode distance between the positive electrode and the negative electrode can be suppressed to improve the battery characteristic. Furthermore, the separator will not be displaced easily under the impact at the vibration or drop, for example, during the use of the battery, and thus, the vibration resistance can be improved.
The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.
Embodiments of the art disclosed herein will be described below with reference to the drawings. Incidentally, matters other than matters particularly mentioned in the present specification, and necessary for the implementation of the art disclosed herein (for example, the general configuration and manufacturing process of a battery that do not characterize the present disclosure) can be grasped as design matters of those skilled in the art based on the conventional art in the relevant field. The art disclosed herein can be implemented on the basis of the disclosure of the present specification and common technical knowledge in the relevant field. In the present specification, the notation “A to B” for a range signifies “a value more than or equal to A and less than or equal to B”, and is meant to encompass also the meaning of being “more than A” and “less than B”.
Note that in the present specification, “battery” is a term that refers to a general power storage device capable of extracting electric energy, and refers to a concept that includes a primary battery and a secondary battery. In the present specification, “secondary battery” refers to a general power storage device capable of being repeatedly charged and discharged by transfer of charge carriers between a positive electrode and a negative electrode through an electrolyte. The electrolyte may be any one of a liquid electrolyte (electrolyte solution), a gel electrolyte, and a solid electrolyte. The secondary battery includes so-called power storage batteries (chemical batteries) such as lithium ion secondary batteries and nickel-hydrogen batteries, and moreover includes capacitors (physical batteries) such as electrical double-layer capacitors, for example. A target in embodiments to be described below is a lithium ion secondary battery.
As illustrated in
The battery case 10 is a housing that accommodates the wound electrode bodies 20. As illustrated in
As can be seen from
As illustrated in
The electrolyte solution may be any electrolyte solution used in the conventionally known batteries, without particular limitations. One example thereof is a nonaqueous electrolyte solution in which a supporting salt is dissolved in a nonaqueous solvent. Examples of the nonaqueous solvent include carbonate solvents such as ethylene carbonate, dimethyl carbonate, and ethyl methyl carbonate. One example of the supporting salt is fluorine-containing lithium salt such as LiPF6. The electrolyte solution may contain an additive as necessary. According to the present inventors' examination, in the case where the battery 100 includes the electrolyte solution, in other words, the battery 100 is a nonaqueous electrolyte secondary battery, the effect of the art disclosed herein can be achieved at a higher level, which will be described in detail below about the wound electrode body 20.
The positive electrode terminal 30 is attached to one end part of the sealing plate 14 in the long side direction Y (left end part in
As illustrated in
The positive electrode current collecting part 50 electrically connects between the positive electrode terminal 30 and the positive electrode tab group 25 of the wound electrode body 20. As illustrated in
The negative electrode current collecting part 60 electrically connects between the negative electrode terminal 40 and the negative electrode tab group 27 of the wound electrode body 20. As illustrated in
For the battery 100, various insulating members are used to prevent conduction between the wound electrode body 20 and the battery case 10. For example, as illustrated in
Moreover, the wound electrode bodies 20 are disposed inside the exterior body 12 in a state of being covered with an electrode body holder 29 made of an insulating resin sheet (see
The external shape of the wound electrode body 20 is a flat shape here. The wound electrode body 20 preferably has a flat shape. The wound electrode body 20 with the flat shape can be formed by, for example, press-molding an electrode body wound into a tubular shape (tubular body) in a flat shape. The wound electrode body 20 with a flat shape includes a pair of curved parts 20r whose outer surface is curved and a pair of flat parts 20f whose outer surface is flat for coupling the pair of curved parts 20r as illustrated in
In the battery 100, the wound electrode body 20 is accommodated inside the battery case 10 so that the winding axis direction WD substantially coincides with the up-down direction Z. In other words, the wound electrode body 20 is disposed inside the battery case 10 so that the winding axis direction WD is substantially parallel to the long side walls 12b and the short side walls 12c and is substantially orthogonal to the bottom wall 12a and the sealing plate 14. As illustrated in
The positive electrode 22 is a band-shaped member as illustrated in
For each member of the positive electrode 22, conventionally known materials that can be used for general batteries (for example, lithium ion secondary batteries) can be used without particular limitations. For example, the positive electrode current collector 22c is preferably formed of conductive metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, nickel, or stainless steel, and here, a metal foil, specifically an aluminum foil is used.
As illustrated in
Each of the positive electrode tabs 22t has a trapezoidal shape here. The shape of the positive electrode tab 22t is, however, not limited to this shape. Moreover, the size of the positive electrode tabs 22t is not limited in particular. The shape and size of the positive electrode tab 22t can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the formation position and the like in consideration of, for example, how the positive electrode tab 22t is connected to the positive electrode current collecting part 50. The positive electrode tabs 22t are stacked at one end part of the positive electrode 22 in the winding axis direction WD (upper end part in
The positive electrode active material layer 22a is formed to have a band shape along the longitudinal direction LD of the positive electrode current collector 22c as illustrated in
The positive electrode protection layer 22p is a layer formed to have lower electric conductivity than the positive electrode active material layer 22a. The positive electrode protection layer 22p is provided in a band shape along the longitudinal direction LD of the positive electrode current collector 22c as illustrated in
The positive electrode protection layer 22p contains inorganic filler with an insulation property. One example of the inorganic filler is ceramic particles of alumina or the like. The positive electrode protection layer 22p may contain an optional component other than the inorganic filler, such as a binder, a conductive material, or various additive components. The binder and the conductive material may be the same as those described as the examples that may be contained in the positive electrode active material layer 22a. However, the positive electrode protection layer 22p is not always necessary and can be omitted in another embodiment.
The negative electrode 24 is a band-shaped member as illustrated in
For each member of the negative electrode 24, conventionally known materials that can be used for general batteries (for example, lithium ion secondary batteries) can be used without particular limitations. For example, the negative electrode current collector 24c is preferably formed of conductive metal such as copper, a copper alloy, nickel, or stainless steel, and here, a metal foil, specifically a copper foil is used.
As illustrated in
Each of the negative electrode tabs 24t has a trapezoidal shape here. However, the shape and size of the negative electrode tabs 24t can be adjusted as appropriate similarly to the positive electrode tabs 22t. The negative electrode tabs 24t are stacked at one end part of the negative electrode 24 in the winding axis direction WD (upper end part in
The negative electrode active material layer 24a is formed to have a band shape along the longitudinal direction LD of the negative electrode current collector 24c as illustrated in
As illustrated in
Here, two separators 70 are used for one wound electrode body 20. As described in this embodiment, one wound electrode body 20 preferably includes two separators 70, that is, a first separator and a second separator. The art disclosed herein is applied to at least one of the first separator and the second separator, and is preferably applied to both. Moreover, the two separators, which have the similar structure here, may have different structures.
As illustrated in
The separator 70 may include the heat-resistant layer 73 and/or the adhesive layer 74 on the surface facing the negative electrode 24, or may exclude the heat-resistant layer 73 and/or the adhesive layer 74 on the surface facing the negative electrode 24. As illustrated in
In the case of including the adhesive layer 74 on the surface facing the negative electrode 24, it is preferable that the formation area of the adhesive layer 74 be smaller than the area of the surface facing the positive electrode 22. For example, when the entire area of the region of the separator 70 that faces the negative electrode 24 (negative electrode active material layer 24a in particular) is 100%, the ratio of the area of the region where the adhesive layer 74 is formed (adhesive layer formation region) may be generally 50% or less, preferably 30% or less, more preferably 10% or less, still more preferably 5% or less, and for example, substantially 0%.
As the base material layer 72, a microporous film that can be used for the separators of the conventionally known batteries can be used without particular limitations. The base material layer 72 is preferably formed of a porous sheet-shaped member. The base material layer 72 may have a single-layer structure or a structure including two or more layers, for example three layers. Regarding the base material layer 72, at least a surface thereof that faces the negative electrode 24 is preferably formed of a polyolefin resin. The base material layer 72 is more preferably formed of the polyolefin resin entirely. Thus, the flexibility of the separator 70 can be secured sufficiently, and the manufacture (winding and press-molding) of the wound electrode body 20 can be performed easily. As the polyolefin resin, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or a mixture thereof is preferable and PE is more preferable.
Although not particularly limited, the thickness of the base material layer 72 (length in a stacking direction MD, this similarly applies to the description below) is preferably 3 to 25 more preferably 3 to 18 and still more preferably 5 to 14 The air permeance of the base material layer 72 is preferably 30 to 500 sec/100 cc, more preferably 30 to 300 sec/100 cc, and still more preferably 50 to 200 sec/100 cc. The base material layer 72 may have the adhesiveness of such a degree that the base material layer 72 is attached to the negative electrode active material layer 24a by heating, press-molding, or the like, for example.
The heat-resistant layer 73 is provided on the base material layer 72. The heat-resistant layer 73 is preferably formed on the base material layer 72. The heat-resistant layer 73 may be provided directly on the surface of the base material layer 72 or may be provided on the base material layer 72 through another layer. However, the heat-resistant layer 73 is not always necessary and can be omitted in another embodiment. The heat-resistant layer 73 is provided on the entire surface of the base material layer 72 that faces the positive electrode 22. Thus, the thermal contraction of the separator 70 can be suppressed more suitably and the safety of the battery 100 can be improved. The heat-resistant layer 73 does not have the adhesiveness of such a degree that the heat-resistant layer 73 is attached to the positive electrode active material layer 22a by heating, press-molding, or the like, for example. The weight per area of the heat-resistant layer 73 is uniform in the longitudinal direction LD and the winding axis direction WD of the separator 70. Although not particularly limited, the thickness of the heat-resistant layer 73 is preferably 0.3 to 6 more preferably 0.5 to 6 and still more preferably 1 to 4 The heat-resistant layer 73 preferably contains inorganic filler and a heat-resistant layer binder.
As the inorganic filler, the conventionally known ones that have been used in this kind of application can be used without particular limitations. The inorganic filler preferably contains insulating ceramic particles. In particular, in consideration of the heat resistance, the availability, and the like, inorganic oxides such as alumina, zirconia, silica, and titania, metal hydroxides such as aluminum hydroxide, and clay minerals such as boehmite are preferable, and alumina and boehmite are more preferable. From the viewpoint of suppressing the thermal contraction of the separator 70, a compound containing aluminum is particularly preferable. The ratio of the inorganic filler to the total mass of the heat-resistant layer 73 is preferably 85 mass % or more, more preferably 90 mass % or more, and still more preferably 95 mass % or more.
As the heat-resistant layer binder, the conventionally known ones that have been used in this kind of application can be used without particular limitations. Specific examples thereof include an acrylic resin, a fluorine resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, an ethylene vinyl acetate resin, and the like. In particular, the acrylic resin is preferable.
The adhesive layer 74 is provided on the surface that faces the positive electrode 22 and is in contact with the positive electrode 22. As illustrated in
The adhesive layer 74 is provided on the heat-resistant layer 73, here. The adhesive layer 74 is preferably formed on the heat-resistant layer 73. The adhesive layer 74 may be provided directly on the surface of the heat-resistant layer 73 or may be provided on the heat-resistant layer 73 through another layer. The adhesive layer 74 may be provided directly on the surface of the base material layer 72 or may be provided on the base material layer 72 through a layer other than the heat-resistant layer 73. The structure of the adhesive layer 74 is not limited in particular and may be similar to the conventionally known one. The adhesive layer 74 may be a layer having higher affinity for the electrolyte solution than, for example, the heat-resistant layer 73 and swelling by absorbing the electrolyte solution. The adhesive layer 74 includes an adhesive layer binder.
As the adhesive layer binder, the conventionally known resin material with a certain degree of viscosity for the positive electrode 22 can be used without particular limitations. Specific examples include an acrylic resin, a fluorine resin, an epoxy resin, a urethane resin, ethylene vinyl acetate resin, and the like. In particular, the fluorine resin and the acrylic resin are preferable because of having high flexibility and being able to achieve the adhesiveness to the positive electrode 22 more suitably. Examples of the fluorine resin include polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and the like. The kind of the adhesive layer binder may be either the same as or different from the heat-resistant layer binder. The ratio of the heat-resistant layer binder to the total mass of the adhesive layer 74 is preferably 20 mass % or more, 50 mass % or more, and more preferably 70 mass % or more. Thus, predetermined adhesiveness for the positive electrode 22 can be achieved suitably and the separator 70 is deformed easily in the press-molding.
The adhesive layer 74 may contain another material, for example, inorganic filler or the like given as the component of the heat-resistant layer 73 in addition to the adhesive layer binder. In a case where the adhesive layer 74 contains the inorganic filler, the ratio of the inorganic filler to the total mass of the adhesive layer 74 is preferably 80 mass % or less, more preferably 50 mass % or less, and still more preferably 30 mass % or less.
The surface of the adhesive layer 74 may be flat (so-called solid painting) or uneven (partially different in thickness). In the region where the adhesive layer 74 is formed, the adhesive layer 74 itself may be formed partially. In a plan view, the adhesive layer 74 may be formed to have, for example, a dot shape, a stripe shape, a wavy shape, a band (strip) shape, a dotted line shape, a combination of these, or the like. Thus, the impregnation of the wound electrode body 20 with the electrolyte solution can be improved. Note that, in the present specification, “formed in a linear shape” means that the formation region is linear and the adhesive layer 74 itself may have a dot shape or the like as described above.
The adhesive layer 74 is provided so as to face at least a part of the positive electrode active material layer 22a as illustrated in
In the art disclosed herein, the formation region of the adhesive layer 74 is optimized. Specifically, a non-formation region where the adhesive layer 74 is not formed is provided in at least one end part of the separator 70 in the winding axis direction WD. Thus, the usage of the adhesive that is unnecessary can be reduced and the cost for manufacturing the battery can be reduced. Additionally, the end part in the winding axis direction WD, for example the region that does not face the positive electrode active material layer 22a is a part that does not contribute to the battery reaction. Providing non-formation regions N1 and N2 in such a part can prevent the electrolyte solution from being deprived by absorption by the adhesive layer 74 in the part that does not contribute to the battery reaction. Accordingly, the electrolyte solution does not become insufficient easily in the part that contributes to the battery reaction, particularly in the region where the positive electrode active material layer 22a and the negative electrode active material layer 24a face each other, and thus, the battery 100 with high reliability can be achieved. Additionally, since it is unnecessary to inject the electrolyte solution more than necessary in the battery reaction, the cost for manufacturing the battery can be reduced more. Furthermore, when the adhesive layer 74 is formed, the protrusion of the adhesive layer binder from the separator 70 and scattering to the periphery of an application device can be suppressed.
As illustrated in
The first non-formation region N1 is provided in a band shape at the upper end part of the separator 70 along the longitudinal direction LD of the separator 70 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The upper end 22u of the positive electrode active material layer 22a is in contact with the adhesive layer 74 here. The first non-formation region N1 does not face the positive electrode active material layer 22a. Thus, the aforementioned effect, for example, at least one of the effect of suppressing the peel-off of the separator 70, the effect of preventing the mixing of a foreign substance, and the effect of improving the vibration resistance can be achieved at a high level. The first non-formation region N1, however, may face the positive electrode active material layer 22a. In other words, the lower end 74a of the first non-formation region N1 may exist below the upper end 22u of the positive electrode active material layer 22a (on the central side in the winding axis direction WD).
The lower end 74a of the first non-formation region N1 exists below an upper end 24u of the negative electrode active material layer 24a (on the central side in the winding axis direction WD). The first non-formation region N1 is provided so that the position thereof in the winding axis direction WD overlaps with the negative electrode active material layer 24a. Usually, charging the battery 100 makes the negative electrode active material layer 24a swell, causing the positive electrode active material layer 22a to release the electrolyte solution mainly from the upper end 22u. The released electrolyte solution stays in a part where the positive electrode active material layer 22a and the negative electrode active material layer 24a do not face each other. Discharging the battery 100 makes the released electrolyte solution return to the positive electrode active material layer 22a. Here, when the first non-formation region N1 overlaps with the negative electrode active material layer 24a, the electrolyte solution transfers smoothly as charging and discharging proceed, and for example, the battery performance such as a high-rate charging and discharging characteristic can be improved.
A width W1 of the first non-formation region N1 is preferably larger than the entire thickness of the negative electrode 24 that faces the first non-formation region N1 or the entire thickness of the positive electrode 22 that faces the first non-formation region Ni. Thus, the upper end of the negative electrode 24 or the positive electrode 22 can be covered with the separator 70 easily and the aforementioned effect of preventing the mixing of a foreign substance can be achieved at the higher level. Note that “entire thickness” refers to the total thickness of the negative electrode current collector 24c and the negative electrode active material layer 24a in the stacking direction MD. In the case where the negative electrode active material layer 24a is formed on both surfaces of the negative electrode current collector 24c as described in the present embodiment, the entire thickness corresponds to the total of the thickness of the negative electrode current collector 24c and the thickness of the negative electrode active material layers 24a on both sides. Although not particularly limited, the width W1 of the first non-formation region N1 is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and still more preferably 3 mm or more. The width W1 of the first non-formation region N1 is preferably 20 mm or less, and more preferably 15 mm or less.
As illustrated in
In the winding axis direction WD, the second non-formation region N2 is provided at an end part on the side opposite to the first non-formation region N1 as illustrated in
As illustrated in
The lower end 22d of the positive electrode active material layer 22a is in contact with the adhesive layer 74 here. The second non-formation region N2 does not face the positive electrode active material layer 22a. Accordingly, at least one of the effects as described above can be achieved at the high level. For example, attaching the positive electrode 22 and the separator 70 together without allowing the gap therebetween in the winding axis direction WD can prevent a foreign substance from mixing from the lower end 22d of the positive electrode active material layer 22a more certainly. In addition, the inter-electrode distance between the lower end 22d of the positive electrode active material layer 22a and the negative electrode active material layer 24a increases due to the adhesive layer 74; therefore, the creeping distance when a foreign substance penetrates increases. Accordingly, the risk of the internal short-circuiting can be reduced further. Additionally, the thermal capacity increases due to the adhesive layer 74; thus, when the battery 100 generates heat, the separator 70 does not shrink easily. As a result, the safety can be improved further. However, the second non-formation region N2 may face the positive electrode active material layer 22a, which will be described below in a modification.
The upper end 74b of the second non-formation region N2 exists above the lower end 24d of the negative electrode active material layer 24a (on the central side in the winding axis direction WD). The second non-formation region N2 is provided so that the position thereof in the winding axis direction WD overlaps with the negative electrode active material layer 24a. Thus, similarly to the case in which the first non-formation region Ni overlaps with the negative electrode active material layer 24a as described above, the battery performance such as a high-rate charging and discharging characteristic can be improved. However, the second non-formation region N2 may not face the negative electrode active material layer 24a. In other words, the upper end 74b of the second non-formation region N2 may exist below (on the end side in the winding axis direction WD) the lower end 24d of the negative electrode active material layer 24a.
A width W2 of the second non-formation region N2 is preferably larger than the entire thickness of the negative electrode 24 that faces the second non-formation region N2 or the entire thickness of the positive electrode 22 that faces the second non-formation region N2. Thus, the lower end of the negative electrode 24 or the positive electrode 22 can be covered with the separator 70 easily and the aforementioned effect of preventing the mixing of a foreign substance can be achieved at the higher level. Although not particularly limited, the width W2 of the second non-formation region N2 is preferably 1 mm or more, more preferably 2 mm or more, and still more preferably 3 mm or more. The width W2 of the second non-formation region N2 is preferably 20 mm or less, and more preferably 15 mm or less.
The width W2 of the second non-formation region N2 is smaller than the width W1 of the first non-formation region N1 provided in the tab-side end part here. In other words, the width W1 of the first non-formation region N1 in the tab-side end part is larger than the width W2 of the second non-formation region N2 in the bottom wall side end part. In the case where the first non-formation region N1 is disposed closer to the positive electrode tab group 25, the width W1 of the first non-formation region N1 is preferably larger than the width W2 of the second non-formation region N2.
That is to say, when the tubular body is manufactured by winding the band-shaped positive electrode 22 and the band-shaped negative electrode 24 through the band-shaped separator 70, they may be wound based on the bottom wall side end part where the tab is not provided as illustrated in
In the present embodiment, the first non-formation region N1 faces the positive electrode protection layer 22p on the positive electrode tab 22t. When the battery 100 is manufactured (for example, when the wound electrode body 20 is wound or press-molded), the adhesive layer 74 may be brought into contact with the positive electrode protection layer 22p, resulting in that the adhesive is transferred. According to the present inventors' examination, such a transfer occurs easily particularly on a straight line of the positive electrode tab 22t in the winding axis direction WD (on a so-called X line (XL in
As illustrated in
The second protrusion allowance part E2 of the bottom wall side end part is smaller than the first protrusion allowance part E1 of the tab-side end part here. In other words, the first protrusion allowance part E1 of the tab-side end part is larger than the second protrusion allowance part E2 of the bottom wall side end part. In particular, in the case where the sealing plate 14 has the liquid injection hole 15, the first protrusion allowance part E1 of the tab-side end part is preferably larger than the second protrusion allowance part E2 of the bottom wall side end part. That is to say, at the liquid injection, injecting the electrolyte solution vigorously may cause the separator 70 to peel off near the liquid injection hole 15, resulting in the contact between the positive electrode 22 and the negative electrode 24. Making the first protrusion allowance part E1 of the tab-side end part relatively large makes it difficult for the separator 70 to peel off at the liquid injection. In addition, at the liquid injection, the electrolyte solution can be injected vigorously, so that the work time can be shortened. The first protrusion allowance part E1, however, may be smaller than the second protrusion allowance part E2, which will be described below in a modification. Alternatively, the first protrusion allowance part E1 and the second protrusion allowance part E2 may have substantially the same length.
As illustrated in
Although not particularly limited, the length of each of the start-end side non-formation region G1 and the terminal-end side non-formation region G2 is preferably 5 mm or more, more preferably 10 mm or more, and still more preferably 20 mm or more. Thus, the aforementioned effect, for example, at least one of the effect of improving the reliability by avoiding the deficiency of the electrolyte solution and the effect of reducing the cost for manufacturing the battery can be achieved at a high level. The length of each of the start-end side non-formation region G1 and the terminal-end side non-formation region G2 in the longitudinal direction LD is preferably 100 mm or less.
Here, the first protrusion allowance parts E1 of the separators 70 are bent in one direction along the positive electrode tab group 25 (or negative electrode tab group 27) above the negative electrode active material layer 24a, and cover the upper end 22u of the positive electrode active material layer 22a that faces the separators 70 and the upper end 24u of the negative electrode active material layer 24a that faces the separators 70. The upper ends of the positive electrode active material layer 22a and the negative electrode active material layer 24a are preferably covered entirely with the separators 70. Thus, the aforementioned effect of preventing the mixing of a foreign substance can be achieved at the higher level. In addition, here, the first non-formation regions N1 (specifically, first protrusion allowance parts E1) of the adjacent separators 70 overlap with each other. Thus, the cushion property can be increased. For example, at the insertion of the wound electrode body 20 into the battery case 10, even if the wound electrode body 20 interferes with the sealing plate 14 or the internal insulating member 94, the damage of the negative electrode active material layer 24a can be suppressed.
According to the present inventors' examination, in the case where the adhesive layer 74 is formed entirely to the first non-formation region N1 of the tab-side end part of the separator 70, the separator 70 may be bent in an undesired shape or be in an undesired form. For example, the first protrusion allowance parts E1 of the adjacent separators 70 may be attached together with the adhesive layer 74, in which case the first protrusion allowance part E1 may be bent in an unintended shape or the adhesive layer 74 may be twisted in the winding axis direction WD. On the other hand, providing the first non-formation region N1 as described in the art disclosed herein makes it easier to bend the first protrusion allowance part E1 along the positive electrode tab group 25 (or negative electrode tab group 27) in a desired shape or form. However, the bent part of the first protrusion allowance part E1 is not required to have no adhesive layer 74 in the entire region and may have the adhesive layer 74 in a part, for example.
Here, the second protrusion allowance parts E2 of the separators 70 are bent in one direction below the negative electrode active material layer 24a, and cover the lower end 22d of the positive electrode active material layer 22a that faces the separator 70 and the lower end 24d of the negative electrode active material layer 24a that faces the separator 70. By providing the second non-formation region N2, the separator 70 can be easily bent in a desired direction in a manner similar to the case of the upper end, compared to when the adhesive layer 74 is formed entirely to the second non-formation region N2 of the tab-side end part. The lower ends of the positive electrode active material layer 22a and the negative electrode active material layer 24a are preferably covered with the separators 70 entirely. Thus, the aforementioned effect of preventing the mixing of a foreign substance can be achieved at the higher level, in a manner similar to the case of the upper end. Since the second non-formation regions N2 (specifically, the second protrusion allowance parts E2) of the adjacent separators 70 overlap with each other, the cushion property can be increased. Thus, under the impact at the vibration or drop, for example, the damage of the negative electrode active material layer 24a can be suppressed. Note that, in a manner similar to the first protrusion allowance part E1, the bent part of the second protrusion allowance part E2 is not required to have no adhesive layer 74 in the entire region and may have the adhesive layer 74 in a part, for example.
The wound electrode body 120 is accommodated in the battery case 10 so that the winding axis direction WD substantially coincides with the long side direction Y. In other words, the wound electrode body 120 is disposed in the battery case 10 so that the winding axis direction WD is substantially parallel to the bottom wall 12a and the sealing plate 14 and is substantially orthogonal to the long side walls 12b and the short side walls 12c. The pair of curved parts face the bottom wall 12a of the exterior body 12 and the sealing plate 14. The pair of flat parts face the long side walls of the exterior body 12. End surfaces of the wound electrode body 120 (that is, stacked surfaces where the positive electrode 22 and the negative electrode 24 are stacked) face the pair of short side walls 12c. Note that the material, structure, and the like of each part of the wound electrode body 120 may be similar to those of the wound electrode body 20 in the first embodiment.
Differently from the first embodiment, the positive electrode tab group 125 is provided at one end part in the long side direction Y (left end part in
The non-formation region exists at each of both end parts of the battery 200 in the long side direction Y here. In other words, the first non-formation region N1 is provided at one end part in the long side direction Y (left end part in
The width of the first non-formation region N1 is preferably larger than that of the second non-formation region N2 on the negative electrode tab side. That is to say, when the tubular body is manufactured by winding the band-shaped positive electrode 22 and the band-shaped negative electrode 24 through the band-shaped separator 170, they may be wound with the positional relation controlled based on a left end 221 of the positive electrode 22 and a left end 1701 of the separator 170. In this case, by making the width of the first non-formation region N1, which is apart from the reference of the positive electrode 22 and the separator 170, relatively large, the adhesive can be used efficiently without a waste in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Since the first non-formation region N1 faces the positive electrode protection layer 22p, the transfer of the adhesive on a straight line of the positive electrode tab 22t in the winding axis direction WD (so-called X line (XL in
As illustrated in
A right end 174b of the second non-formation region N2 (end part on the central side in the winding axis direction WD, also corresponding to a left end of the adhesive layer 174 here) exists on the left side (end side in the winding axis direction WD) of the left end 221 of the positive electrode active material layer 22a that faces the adhesive layer 174. The second non-formation region N2 does not face the positive electrode active material layer 22a. Thus, for example, the aforementioned effect of preventing the mixing of a foreign substance can be achieved at the high level in a manner similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, the risk of the internal short-circuiting can be reduced. The right end 174b of the second non-formation region N2 exists on the right side (central side in the winding axis direction WD) of the left end 241 of the negative electrode active material layer 24a. The second non-formation region N2 is provided so that the position thereof in the winding axis direction WD overlaps with the negative electrode active material layer 24a. Thus, similarly to the first embodiment, the battery performance such as a high-rate charging and discharging characteristic can be improved.
Of the separator 170, a protrusion allowance on a positive electrode tab group side that protrudes to the outside of (in
The internal insulating member 194 includes a protrusion part that protrudes toward the wound electrode body 120 from the inner side surface of the sealing plate 14. Thus, the movement of the wound electrode body 120 in the up-down direction Z is restricted. Thus, the interference of the wound electrode body 120 with the sealing plate 14 under the impact at the vibration or drop, for example, occurs less easily and the damage of the wound electrode body 120 can be suppressed.
<Application of Battery>
The battery 100 is usable in various applications, and for example, can be suitably used as a motive power source for a motor (power source for driving) that is mounted in a vehicle such as a passenger car or a truck. The vehicle is not limited to a particular type, and may be, for example, a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or a battery electric vehicle (BEV). The battery 100 can be used suitably for constructing an assembled battery because the variation in battery reaction is reduced.
Although some embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, these embodiments are just examples. The present disclosure can be implemented in various other modes. The present disclosure can be implemented based on the contents disclosed in this specification and the technical common sense in the relevant field. The techniques described in the scope of claims include those in which the embodiments exemplified above are variously modified and changed. For example, a part of the aforementioned embodiment can be replaced by another modified aspect, and the other modified aspect can be added to the aforementioned embodiment. Additionally, the technical feature may be deleted as appropriate unless such a feature is described as an essential element.
<First Modification>
For example, in
<Second Modification>
For example, in
In this case, the electrolyte solution transfers smoothly and for example, the battery performance such as a high-rate charging and discharging characteristic can be improved in a manner similar to the aforementioned case in which the first non-formation region N1 overlaps with the negative electrode active material layer 24a. Additionally, in the usual winding, the phase difference between the positive electrode 22 and the negative electrode 24 is examined. At this examination, the arrangement in which the second non-formation region N2 faces the positive electrode active material layer 22a (in other words, the adhesive layer 74 is absent between the lower end 22d of the positive electrode active material layer 22a and the lower end 24d of the negative electrode active material layer 24a in the winding axis direction WD) makes it easier to check the lower end 24d of the negative electrode 24 through the separator 70 from the positive electrode 22 side. Additionally, the impregnation with the electrolyte solution can be enhanced and the occurrence of gas entrainment can be suppressed by improving the degassing property of the wound electrode body 20.
<Third Modification>
For example, in
<Fourth Modification>
For example, the first protrusion allowance part E1 of the tab-side end part is larger than the second protrusion allowance part E2 of the bottom wall side end part in
As described above, the following items are given as specific aspects of the art disclosed herein.
Item 1: The battery including the wound electrode body in which the positive electrode with the band shape including the positive electrode active material layer and the negative electrode with the band shape including the negative electrode active material layer are wound through one or the plurality of separators with the band shape, in which at least one of the separators includes the adhesive layer on at least one surface, and on the one surface, the non-formation region where the adhesive layer is not formed is provided in at least one end part in the winding axis direction.
Item 2: The battery according to Item 1, further including the electrolyte solution.
Item 3: The battery according to Item 1 or 2, in which the separators include the first separator and the second separator, each of the first separator and the second separator includes the adhesive layer on the surface that faces the positive electrode, and the non-formation region is provided on each of the surfaces of the first separator and the second separator that face the positive electrode.
Item 4: The battery according to Item 3, in which each of the first separator and the second separator includes the heat-resistant layer including the inorganic filler and the heat-resistant layer binder on the surface that faces the positive electrode, and the adhesive layer is formed on the heat-resistant layer in each of the first separator and the second separator.
Item 5: The battery according to Item 3 or 4, in which on the surface of each of the first separator and the second separator that faces the negative electrode, when the entire area of the region facing the negative electrode active material layer is 100%, the ratio of the area of the region where the adhesive layer is formed is 10% or less.
Item 6: The battery according to any one of Items 1 to 5, in which the non-formation region includes the first non-formation region provided at one end part in the winding axis direction, and the second non-formation region provided at the other end part in the winding axis direction.
Item 7: The battery according to Item 6, in which the positive electrode includes the positive electrode tab at one end part in the winding axis direction, the first non-formation region is provided at the end part on the side of the positive electrode tab, the second non-formation region is provided at the end part on the opposite side of the positive electrode tab, and in the winding axis direction, the length of the first non-formation region is larger than the length of the second non-formation region.
Item 8: The battery according to Item 6 or 7, in which the non-formation region is provided at least on the surface facing the positive electrode, the positive electrode includes the positive electrode tab at one end part in the winding axis direction, the first non-formation region is provided at the end part on the side of the positive electrode tab, the second non-formation region is provided at the end part on the opposite side of the positive electrode tab, and the entire second non-formation region exists on the end side in the winding axis direction relative to the positive electrode active material layer and the second non-formation region is not in contact with the positive electrode active material layer.
Item 9: The battery according to any one of Items 6 to 8, in which the positive electrode includes the positive electrode tab at one end part in the winding axis direction, the first non-formation region is provided at the end part on the side of the positive electrode tab, the second non-formation region is provided at the end part on the opposite side of the positive electrode tab, and one end of the second non-formation region exists on the central side in the winding axis direction relative to one end of the negative electrode active material layer and the position of the second non-formation region overlaps partially with the position of the negative electrode active material layer in the winding axis direction.
Item 10: The battery according to any one of Items 1 to 9, further including the battery case including: the exterior body including the opening, the bottom wall that faces the opening, and the side wall extending from the edge side of the bottom wall to the opening; and the sealing plate that seals the opening, in which the wound electrode body is disposed in the battery case so that the winding axis direction is substantially orthogonal to the sealing plate and the bottom wall, and the non-formation region of the separator includes the first non-formation region provided at the end part on the side of the sealing plate and the second non-formation region provided at the end part on the side of the bottom wall.
Item 11: The battery according to Item 10, in which the sealing plate includes the liquid injection hole for the electrolyte solution, the separator includes the first protrusion allowance part that protrudes outward in the winding axis direction from the end of the negative electrode active material layer on the side of the sealing plate and the second protrusion allowance part that protrudes outward in the winding axis direction from the end of the negative electrode active material layer on the side of the bottom wall, and the length of the first protrusion allowance part is larger than the length of the second protrusion allowance part in the winding axis direction.
Item 12: The battery according to any one of Items 1 to 9, further including the battery case including: the exterior body including the opening, the bottom wall that faces the opening, and the side wall extending from the edge side of the bottom wall to the opening; and the sealing plate that seals the opening, in which the wound electrode body is disposed in the battery case so that the winding axis direction is substantially orthogonal to the side wall, the positive electrode includes the positive electrode tab in one end part in the winding axis direction, the negative electrode includes the negative electrode tab in the other end part in the winding axis direction, and the non-formation region of the separator includes the first non-formation region provided at the end part on the side of the positive electrode tab and the second non-formation region provided at the end part on the side of the negative electrode tab.
Item 13: The battery according to Item 12, in which the separator includes the first protrusion allowance part that protrudes outward in the winding axis direction from the end of the negative electrode active material layer on the side of the positive electrode tab and the second protrusion allowance part that protrudes outward in the winding axis direction from the end of the negative electrode active material layer on the side of the negative electrode tab, and the length of the first protrusion allowance part is larger than the length of the second protrusion allowance part in the winding axis direction.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2022-120873 | Jul 2022 | JP | national |