Prismatic battery

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the invention, a prismatic battery includes an electrode group 10 contained in a prismatic metal outer can. The electrode group 10 has a positive electrode substrate exposed part 11 at one end and a negative electrode substrate exposed part 12 at the other end. The positive and negative electrode substrate exposed parts 11 and 12 are bundled and welded to positive and negative electrode current collectors 13 and 14, respectively. The positive electrode substrate exposed part 11 and positive electrode current collector 13 and the negative electrode substrate exposed part 12 and negative electrode current collector 14 are covered with an insulating frame 16 having an angled U-shaped cross section and an angled U-shaped outline. It is therefore possible to provide a prismatic battery of a simple structure including an electrode group whose ends are covered with an easily manufactured insulating cover in which the battery's volume energy density is maintained and an internal short circuit is prevented.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.

FIGS. 1A to 1C schematically show a flattened electrode group according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1A is a side view schematically showing the flattened electrode group to which a sealing plate is welded at its upper part. FIG. 1B is a plan view schematically showing a positive electrode current collector. FIG. 1C is a plan view schematically showing a negative electrode current collector.

FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically show an insulating frame according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2A is a plan view schematically showing a sheet material to be formed into the insulating frame. FIG. 2B is a perspective view schematically showing the sheet material bent to form the insulating frame.

FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing the flattened electrode group shown in FIG. 1A to which the sealing plate is welded at its upper part is being inserted into the insulating frame shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side view schematically showing the flattened electrode group to which the insulating frame is fitted at its periphery and the sealing plate is welded at its upper part is being inserted into an outer can.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a related-art prismatic battery including a flattened electrode group.

Claims

1. A prismatic battery comprising: an electrode group contained in a prismatic metal outer can, the electrode group including: a positive electrode substrate exposed part at a first end; anda negative electrode substrate exposed part at a second end;the positive and negative electrode substrate exposed parts being bundled and welded to positive and negative electrode current collectors, respectively,the positive electrode substrate exposed part and positive electrode current collector and the negative electrode substrate exposed part and negative electrode current collector being covered with an insulating frame made of a resin sheet having an angled U-shaped cross section and an angled U-shaped outline.

2. The prismatic battery according to claim 1, wherein the insulating frame made of the resin sheet is bent along two first folding lines in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the resin sheet to have an almost angled U-shaped outline, and the insulating frame be bent along two second folding lines in the longitudinal direction of the resin sheet to have an almost angled U-shaped cross section.

3. The prismatic battery according to claim 1, wherein the resin sheet is any one of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), and nylon.