CA1294670C - Secondary battery and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents
Secondary battery and method of manufacturing the sameInfo
- Publication number
- CA1294670C CA1294670C CA000573977A CA573977A CA1294670C CA 1294670 C CA1294670 C CA 1294670C CA 000573977 A CA000573977 A CA 000573977A CA 573977 A CA573977 A CA 573977A CA 1294670 C CA1294670 C CA 1294670C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- positive
- negative electrode
- electrode members
- electrolyte
- end faces
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/06—Lead-acid accumulators
- H01M10/12—Construction or manufacture
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/04—Construction or manufacture in general
- H01M10/0436—Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M10/00—Secondary cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M10/06—Lead-acid accumulators
- H01M10/12—Construction or manufacture
- H01M10/126—Small-sized flat cells or batteries for portable equipment
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/10—Energy storage using batteries
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02P—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS
- Y02P70/00—Climate change mitigation technologies in the production process for final industrial or consumer products
- Y02P70/50—Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49002—Electrical device making
- Y10T29/49108—Electric battery cell making
- Y10T29/49114—Electric battery cell making including adhesively bonding
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Secondary Cells (AREA)
- Battery Electrode And Active Subsutance (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract of the Disclosure A secondary battery has positive and negative electrode members juxtaposed on a substantially iden-tical plane. End faces of the positive and negative electrode members oppose each other at a distance. A
substrate fixes and supports the positive and negative electrode members. A cover member defines, with the substrate, a sealed chamber including the positive and negative electrode members. An electrolyte is sealed in the sealed chamber. The battery can be manufactured a through deposition of electrode materials.
substrate fixes and supports the positive and negative electrode members. A cover member defines, with the substrate, a sealed chamber including the positive and negative electrode members. An electrolyte is sealed in the sealed chamber. The battery can be manufactured a through deposition of electrode materials.
Description
6~
The pres~nt invention relates to a secondary battery and a method o~ manufacturing the same and, more particularly, to a secondary battery which can be made thin without degrading its performance and a method of manufacturing the same.
Most conventional thin batterie~ are primary batteries. Typical conventional thin secondary batteriea are a thin sealed lead battery and a button t~p nickel-cadmium battery, which have been recently put on market.There is a practical limi~ to how thin such conventional batteries can be made, as discussed further below.
In order to manufacture a conventional secondary battery, casting, cutting, and rolling of the electrode plates are required, and an active material must be applied to the surface of the electrode plate. The manufacturing process is therefore quite complex. In addition, in order to manufacture batteries by ~he conventional method, having dif~erent electrode plate shapes and di~ferent battery voltages, difPerent manu~acturing lines and individual manu~acturing apparatuses are required for manufacturing such different batteries. ~or this reason, it is difficult to produce a wide range of batteries to suit a variety of needsO
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a secondary battery which can be made thin without degrading its performance, and a method o~
manu~acturing the same.
In order to achiev~ the abova ob~ect, there is provided according to an aspect o~ the present invention a secondary batteryl comprising:
positive and negative electrode members arranged on a substantially identical plane, the positive and negative ~Z~ J~
electrode members each having main sur~aces and end ~aces, end ~aces o~ the positive and negative electrode members being spaced apart and opposing each other at distance;
a substrate fixedly contacting a main surface of the positive and negative electrode members and fixedly supporting the positive and negative electrode members, a cover member defininy, with the substrate, a sealed chambar enclosing and covering the positive and negative electrode members; and an electrolyte sealed in the sealed cha~ber, and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode members such that the electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, the electrolyte being associated with a battery reaction with the positive ànd negative el~ctrode members, and wherein the elec~rolyte is present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient that the battery reaction substantially takes place at battery reaction sites defined between the opposite end faces o~ the positi~e and negative electrode members, said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode members.
In order to increase the area (i.e., an effective electrode area) o~ the opposed end faces of both the electrode me~bers, oppo~ed edges of bot~ the electrode members have a wave-like shape (triangular or rectangular shape) or a helical shape when viewed from the top.
The invention extends to a battery device omprising a plurality of unit cells juxtaposed adjacent each other in the same plane, each unit cell comprising pair o~ positive and negative electrode members arranged on said plane, said 6i7~
positive and negative electrode me~bers each having end faces opposing each other at a distance, the positive electrode member of one unit cell and the negative electrode member o~ another unit cell in each adjacent two unit cells contacting with each other at respective end faces;
a substrate fixedly contacting a main surface o~
said positive and negative electrQde member~ and fixedly supporting said electrode members of said plurality of unit cells;
a cover member defining, with said substrate, a sealed chamber enclosing and covering said plurality of unit cells; and an electrolyte sealed in said sealed chamber, and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode members such that th~ electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members of each unit cell, the electrolyte being present between the end faces of the posi~ive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient to produce a : battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members of each unit cell, which battsry reaction substantially takes place at ba~tery reaction sites defined between opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members and said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of th~ positive and negative electrode me~bers.
According to another aspect o~ the present invention/ there is provided a method of manufacturing a secondary battery which is adapted to b~ repeatedly ; subjeat~d to cycles of charging and discharging, comprising ~ the steps of:
~467~
applying a positive electrode material containing positive electrode active ma~erial and a negative electrode material containing a negative electrode active material to a substrate to form positive and negative electrode members having end faces which oppose each other at a distance, said positive and negative electrode members having main surfaces which are fixed on and juxtaposed on the substrate so as to be supportPd by the substrate;
bonding a cover member to the substr~te such that the cover member defines, with the substrate, a sealed chamber enclosing and covering the po~itive and negative electrode members; and filling an electrolyte associated with a battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members into said sealed chamber and the cover member being arranged relative ~o the electrode member such that the electrolyte is subs~an~ially present between the opposite end ~aces of the positive and negative electrode me~bers, the electrolyte being present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode me~bars in an amount sufficient to produce with the electrode members a battery reaction which substantially takes place at battery reaction sites de~ined between ~he opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members and said battery reaction sites extending sub~tantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode me~bers.
These and further features o~ the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
7~
Fig. 1 is a partlally cutaway perspective view of a conventional thin secondary battery;
Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the conventional secondary battery shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a graph showing the relationship betwePn the thickness of the electrode of a conventional secondary batkery and battery service life;
Fig. 4 is a par~ially cutaway perspective view of a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view o~ the secondary battery shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the secondary battery in Fig. 5 along the line VI - VI thereof;
Figs. 7A to 7~ are views illustrating a method o~
manufacturing the secondary battery according to the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a fourth embodiment of the prasent invention;
Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a fifth e~bodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional viaw of secondary battery according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and 7~
Fig. 13 is a graph ~howing discharge characteristics of the secondary battery ac~ording to the present invention.
Re*erring to Fig. 1 (partially cutaway perspectiYe view) and Fig. 2 (horizontal sectional view), a conventional thin secondary battery has positive and negative electrodes 2 and 3 each generally having a flat plate shapeO Positive and negative electrode plates 2 and 3 are arranged in a battery casP 1 such that their major surfaces oppose each other. A separator ~ is interposad between electrodes 2 and 3. An elactrolyte 5 fills battery case 1. A relief valve 6, a positive terminal 7 and a negative terminal 8 ars provided on the battery case 1.
As described above, the conventional thin secondary battery has a structure wherein the positive electrode plate 2, the negative electrode plate 3, and the separator 4, which are tha main elements of the battery are positioned one above the other in its thickness direction.
In order to decrease the hsight of a battery having the above structure, the thicknesses of positive and negativa electrode plates 2 and 3 may be reduced. The per~issible decrease i~ thickness is however limited for the following reasons.
The ~ervice life o~ a conventional secondary battery having the above structure greatly depends on the thickness of the electrode plate and particular~y the positive electrode plate~ As is well known in the art, when the thickness of the electrode plate is reduced, the service life of the battery is shortened. Taking a conventional lead battery having the above structure as an example, the relationship between the thickness of the electrode plate and tha service life under use, with trickle charging, is - ~a-shown in Fig. 3. As is apparent ~rom Fig. 3, the service life of the conventional battery is abruptly shortened when the thickness of the electrode plate is reduced below a certain level. When th thickness o~ the electrode plate is 1 mm or less, the battery cannot be repeatedly used as a secondary battery, the reason being as follows. In the conventional secondary battery structure, the battery reaction sites generated by charge/discharge cycles extend i~ a direction perpendicular to the major surface of the electrode plate (i.e. in the direction of thickness~, as indicatad by arrows in Fig. 2. In order ~or a battery to function as a secondary battery, a portion which is not associated with the battery reaction, i.e. an energy concentration portion, must always be present in the electrode. When the thickness of the electrode plate is reduced, the energy concentration portion disappears upon charge/discharge. Therefore, the secondary battery cannot opexate satisfactorily. This situation also arises when the battery is operated cyclically.
For the above rcasons, a minimum overall thickness or height of the conventional thin sealed lead battery has been 4 to 5 mm.
As set forth above, a secondary battery according to the present invantion has the characteristic faature that 2S positive and negative electrode members are arranged or juxtaposed in a substantially common plane unlike the conventional structure wherein the positive and negative electrode members are arranged one above the other in the direction of thickness thereof.
The end faces of both the electrode members are spaced apart from each other.
The present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 13. The same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings.
FigsO 4 to 6 show a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, interdigital positive and negative electrode members 12 and 13 are formed on one surface of flat substrate lla. Electrolyte 15 associated with or involved in a battery reaction is filled in the space between the positive and negative electrode members 12 and 13.
Positive electrode member 12 is made of a positive elec-trode material containing a positive electrode active material, and negative electrode member 13 is made of a negative electrode material containing a nega-tive electrode active material. In a lead battery, lead dioxide is the positive electrode active material and lead is a negative electrode active material therein.
A liquid electrolyte such as sulfuric acid is used as electrolyte 15.
Cover member llb covers electrode members 12 and 13 and is connected to substrate lla. Cover member llb 7~D
cooperates with substrate lla to constitute battery case 11 which defines a sealed chamber.
At least surfaces of substrate lla and cover member llb are electrically insulative and may be made of an acid-resistant polymer material (e.g., an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS resin) or a fluorine resin), a plastic material, or a glass-fiber reinforced plastic material. In order to prevent transmission of water vapor of a liquid electrolyte such as sulfuric acid, substrate lla and cover member llb may be made of a laminate material obtained by covering a metal layer (e.g., an aluminum layer) with an insulating polymer material, or of a polyvinylidene chlorlde resin.
Battery case 11 also has positive and negative terminals 17 and 18, and relief valve 1~ which com-municates with a space between electrode members 12 and 13.
As is best illustrated in Fig. 5, positive electrode member 12 has a comb-like shape. A plurality of rectangular teeth 12a having a substantially iden-tical shape extend from spine 12b at predetermined intervals. Negative electrode member 13 also has a comb-like shape. A plurality of rectangular teeth 13a having a substantially identical shape extend from spine 13b at predetermined intervals. Teeth 12a do not contact teeth 13a and constitute an interdigital electrode structure. Thus, the end faces of positive and negative electrode members 12 and 13 oppose each other.
Referring to Fig. 6 (thickness d of each positive electrode tooth 12a and the negative electrode tooth 13a is emphasized, however, in practice, thickness d is considerably smaller than width ~ of teeth 12a and 13a), cover member llb covers in tight contact with the surfaces of electrode members 12 and 13, so that electrolyte 15 does not enter between cover member lla and electrode members 12, 13 to contact the upper sur-faces of electrode members 12 and 13.
As descrlbed above, in the secondary battery of the present invention, positive and negative electrodes 12 and 13 are arranged on the surface of substrate lla, iØ, on an identical plane. AS compared with the conventional secondary battery wherein these members are arranged one above the other in the direction of thick-ness (Figs~ 1 and 2), even if the electrode member has ; the same thickness as that of the conventional battery, the battery thickness can be reduced to about 1/3 tha-t of the conventional battery.
As indicated by arrows in Fig. 6, in the secondary battery of the present invention, the extension direc-tion of the sites of the battery reaction during charge/discharge is different from that of the conven-tional battery. The battery of the present invention has the extension direction perpendicular to the o direction of thickness of the electrode member (i.e~
parallel to the direction of width ~ of the tooth of the electrodes3. For this reason, width ~ of teeth 12a and 13a (unit electrode) must be assured to be preferably 1-2 mm or more. If this is assured, thick-ness d of the electrode can be reduced to 1 mm or less, e.g., 0.1 mm in order to assure the same or longer battery service life as or than that of a commercially available conventional thin secondary battery. In the secondary battery of the present inv ntion, even if an electrode member has small thickness d, large width ~
can prevent disappearance of the energy concentration portion during charge/discharge. Therefore, the overall thickness of the secondary battery according to the present invention can be reduced to 1 mm or less.
A method of manufacturing the secondary battery according to the present invention as descri~ed above by using screen printing will be described with reference to Figs. 7A to 7E.
As shown in Fig. 7A, substrate lla is prepared.
As shown in Fig. 7B, an active material-containing electrode material such as lead paste 72 is applied to substrate lla by using roller 73 through screen 71 having a predetermined pattern (an interdigital pattern in this case)~ The positive and negative electrode member patterns can be simultaneously ~ormed. The thickness of the lead paste is, e.g., 0.1 mm.
~lZ~6~
If a bonding force between the lead paste and substrate lla is weak, an adhesive may be applied to the surface of substrate lla in advance or a lead paste containing an adhesive may be used.
As shown in Fig. 7C, electrolyte solution 15 is injected from electrolyte injection nozzle 74 to a space between positive and negative electrode member patterns 12 and 13. The electrolyte may be, e.g., sulfuric acid having a concentration of 30 to 50%, preferably 35 to 45~. Cover member llb having positive and negative terminals 17 and 18 is adhered to substrate lla by using an adhesive, e.g., an epoxy adhesive.
Electrolyte 15 may be injected after cover member llb is bonded to substrate lla.
As shown in Fig. 7D, a formation treatment of the electrodes is performed using DC power source 75. This treatment allows conversion of the positive electrode active material into lead dioxide, and conversion of the negative electrode active material into lead. If necessary, the electrolyte may be further in~ected after the above formation treatment.
As shown in Fig. 7E, the secondary battery is prepared, and its performance is checked.
The above formation treatment can be performed prior to mounting of cover member llb. In this case, a plurality of substrates lla shown in Fig. 7C are dipped in a formation treatment sulfuric acid, and the 6~
formation treatment can be performed. ThiS treatment is suitable for mass production.
In the above example, the lead paste is used as both the positive and negative electrode active materials. However, a lead dioxide paste may be used for the positive electrode, and a lead paste may be used for the negative electrode. In this case, the positive and nega-tlve electrode patterns are sequentially formed using separate screens. According to this technique, the above formation treatment may be eliminated, and if so, the process for manufacturing the battery can be simplified. However, even in this case, the formation treatment is preferably conducted to improve the elec-trode properties.
The manufacturing process described above can be performed in an automated treatment line.
Fig. ~ is a longitudinal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention (thickness d of positive elec-trode tooth 12a and the negative electrode is emphasizedwith respect to the width, however, in practice, the thickness is much smaller than width ~ of teeth 12a and 13a). The secondary battery according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment except that cover member llb is separated from the upper surfaces of electrode members 12 and 13. In the secondary battery of the second embodiment, its service life is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the cover member need not be brought into tight contact with the upper surfaces of electrodes 12 and 13, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified. The overall thickness of the secondary battery can be reduced to about 1/3 that of the conventional battery.
Example A lead storage battery having a structure shown in Fig. 8 was manufactured. Dimensions of the battery were 0.65 mm thick, 50 mm wide, and 78 mm long. The weight of the battery was 4.7 g, and its volume was 2.5 cm3.
The thickness of each of electrode members 12 and 13 was 0.4 mm. The discharge characteristics of this lead storage battery are shown in Fig. 13. As is apparent from Fig. 13, a discharge curve exhibits voltage changes unique to the lead storage battery as a function of time. The battery capacity was about 40 mAh. The durability of the battery was satisfactory, and the secondary battery of the present invention had characteristics satisfactory for use in practical applications.
Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this secondary battery, posi-tive and negative electrode members 91a and 92a opposed to each other at a certain distance constitute one unit 3~2~
cell. Positive and negative electrode members 91b and 92b opposed to each other at a certain distance consti-tute one unit cell, and positive and negative electrode members 91c and 92c opposed to each other at a certain distance constitute one unit cell. Thin plate-like positive electrode members 91a to 91c and thin plate-like negative electrode members 92a to 92c are formed on substrate lla. Negative and positive electrode members 92a and 91b are in contact with each other, and negative and positive electrode members 92b and 91c are in con-tact with each other. A battery reaction does not occur between members 92a and 91b and between members 92b and 91c. The secondary battery has a structure in which three unit cells are connected in series with each other. In addition to the effect of the first embodi-ment, the secondary battery having the above structure can obtain a cell voltage of a magnitude three times that of the first embodiment.
Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are horizontal sectional views of secondary batteries having electrode members of dif-ferent shapes, respectively.
Referring to Fig. 10, each of positive and negative electrode membexs 101 and 102 is formed in a wave pat-tern of a substantially sine curve form having a small thickness.
Referring to Fig. 11, each of positive and negative electrode members 111 and 112 has a saw-toothed shape 467iCI
(or triangular waveform) having a small thickness.
~eferring to Fig. 12, each of positive and negative electrode members 121 and 122 has a helical shape having a small thickness.
In the secondary battery according to the present invention as has been described above, since the posi-tive and negative electrode members are fixed on the substrate, the separator need not be used unlike the conventional secondary battery. However, the separator may be arranged as needed. In this case, the separator is arranged between the positive and negative electrode members.
The present invention has been exemplified by the particular embodiments descrlbed above but is not limlted thereto. For example, teeth 12a and 13a of the secondary batteries of the first and second embodiments have a rectangular shape, but may be a zig-zag shape.
The method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to the present invention is exemplified by screen printing. ~owever, the method of the present invention is not limited thereto. Metal flame spraying, plating, deposition, sputtering, ion plating, or plasma CVD, or a combination thereof may be used to form the electrodes.
According to the present invention as has been described abo~e, the positive plate, the electrolyte, and the negative plate which are the main constitutin~
6'~) elements are arranged on a substantially identical plane of the substrate. In addition, the extension direction of the battery reaction sites during charge/discharge is parallel to the electrode surface. Therefore, the resultant secondary battery has excellent durability and a small thickness.
The electrode plate is manufactured by a method including screen printing with a screen pattern. There-fore, various batteries can be manufactured by using only the patterns. In addition, the manufacturing process is simple, and great labor and energy saving can be achieved.
The pres~nt invention relates to a secondary battery and a method o~ manufacturing the same and, more particularly, to a secondary battery which can be made thin without degrading its performance and a method of manufacturing the same.
Most conventional thin batterie~ are primary batteries. Typical conventional thin secondary batteriea are a thin sealed lead battery and a button t~p nickel-cadmium battery, which have been recently put on market.There is a practical limi~ to how thin such conventional batteries can be made, as discussed further below.
In order to manufacture a conventional secondary battery, casting, cutting, and rolling of the electrode plates are required, and an active material must be applied to the surface of the electrode plate. The manufacturing process is therefore quite complex. In addition, in order to manufacture batteries by ~he conventional method, having dif~erent electrode plate shapes and di~ferent battery voltages, difPerent manu~acturing lines and individual manu~acturing apparatuses are required for manufacturing such different batteries. ~or this reason, it is difficult to produce a wide range of batteries to suit a variety of needsO
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a secondary battery which can be made thin without degrading its performance, and a method o~
manu~acturing the same.
In order to achiev~ the abova ob~ect, there is provided according to an aspect o~ the present invention a secondary batteryl comprising:
positive and negative electrode members arranged on a substantially identical plane, the positive and negative ~Z~ J~
electrode members each having main sur~aces and end ~aces, end ~aces o~ the positive and negative electrode members being spaced apart and opposing each other at distance;
a substrate fixedly contacting a main surface of the positive and negative electrode members and fixedly supporting the positive and negative electrode members, a cover member defininy, with the substrate, a sealed chambar enclosing and covering the positive and negative electrode members; and an electrolyte sealed in the sealed cha~ber, and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode members such that the electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, the electrolyte being associated with a battery reaction with the positive ànd negative el~ctrode members, and wherein the elec~rolyte is present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient that the battery reaction substantially takes place at battery reaction sites defined between the opposite end faces o~ the positi~e and negative electrode members, said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode members.
In order to increase the area (i.e., an effective electrode area) o~ the opposed end faces of both the electrode me~bers, oppo~ed edges of bot~ the electrode members have a wave-like shape (triangular or rectangular shape) or a helical shape when viewed from the top.
The invention extends to a battery device omprising a plurality of unit cells juxtaposed adjacent each other in the same plane, each unit cell comprising pair o~ positive and negative electrode members arranged on said plane, said 6i7~
positive and negative electrode me~bers each having end faces opposing each other at a distance, the positive electrode member of one unit cell and the negative electrode member o~ another unit cell in each adjacent two unit cells contacting with each other at respective end faces;
a substrate fixedly contacting a main surface o~
said positive and negative electrQde member~ and fixedly supporting said electrode members of said plurality of unit cells;
a cover member defining, with said substrate, a sealed chamber enclosing and covering said plurality of unit cells; and an electrolyte sealed in said sealed chamber, and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode members such that th~ electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members of each unit cell, the electrolyte being present between the end faces of the posi~ive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient to produce a : battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members of each unit cell, which battsry reaction substantially takes place at ba~tery reaction sites defined between opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members and said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of th~ positive and negative electrode me~bers.
According to another aspect o~ the present invention/ there is provided a method of manufacturing a secondary battery which is adapted to b~ repeatedly ; subjeat~d to cycles of charging and discharging, comprising ~ the steps of:
~467~
applying a positive electrode material containing positive electrode active ma~erial and a negative electrode material containing a negative electrode active material to a substrate to form positive and negative electrode members having end faces which oppose each other at a distance, said positive and negative electrode members having main surfaces which are fixed on and juxtaposed on the substrate so as to be supportPd by the substrate;
bonding a cover member to the substr~te such that the cover member defines, with the substrate, a sealed chamber enclosing and covering the po~itive and negative electrode members; and filling an electrolyte associated with a battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members into said sealed chamber and the cover member being arranged relative ~o the electrode member such that the electrolyte is subs~an~ially present between the opposite end ~aces of the positive and negative electrode me~bers, the electrolyte being present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode me~bars in an amount sufficient to produce with the electrode members a battery reaction which substantially takes place at battery reaction sites de~ined between ~he opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members and said battery reaction sites extending sub~tantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode me~bers.
These and further features o~ the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
7~
Fig. 1 is a partlally cutaway perspective view of a conventional thin secondary battery;
Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the conventional secondary battery shown in Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is a graph showing the relationship betwePn the thickness of the electrode of a conventional secondary batkery and battery service life;
Fig. 4 is a par~ially cutaway perspective view of a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view o~ the secondary battery shown in Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the secondary battery in Fig. 5 along the line VI - VI thereof;
Figs. 7A to 7~ are views illustrating a method o~
manufacturing the secondary battery according to the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a fourth embodiment of the prasent invention;
Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a fifth e~bodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 12 is a horizontal sectional viaw of secondary battery according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; and 7~
Fig. 13 is a graph ~howing discharge characteristics of the secondary battery ac~ording to the present invention.
Re*erring to Fig. 1 (partially cutaway perspectiYe view) and Fig. 2 (horizontal sectional view), a conventional thin secondary battery has positive and negative electrodes 2 and 3 each generally having a flat plate shapeO Positive and negative electrode plates 2 and 3 are arranged in a battery casP 1 such that their major surfaces oppose each other. A separator ~ is interposad between electrodes 2 and 3. An elactrolyte 5 fills battery case 1. A relief valve 6, a positive terminal 7 and a negative terminal 8 ars provided on the battery case 1.
As described above, the conventional thin secondary battery has a structure wherein the positive electrode plate 2, the negative electrode plate 3, and the separator 4, which are tha main elements of the battery are positioned one above the other in its thickness direction.
In order to decrease the hsight of a battery having the above structure, the thicknesses of positive and negativa electrode plates 2 and 3 may be reduced. The per~issible decrease i~ thickness is however limited for the following reasons.
The ~ervice life o~ a conventional secondary battery having the above structure greatly depends on the thickness of the electrode plate and particular~y the positive electrode plate~ As is well known in the art, when the thickness of the electrode plate is reduced, the service life of the battery is shortened. Taking a conventional lead battery having the above structure as an example, the relationship between the thickness of the electrode plate and tha service life under use, with trickle charging, is - ~a-shown in Fig. 3. As is apparent ~rom Fig. 3, the service life of the conventional battery is abruptly shortened when the thickness of the electrode plate is reduced below a certain level. When th thickness o~ the electrode plate is 1 mm or less, the battery cannot be repeatedly used as a secondary battery, the reason being as follows. In the conventional secondary battery structure, the battery reaction sites generated by charge/discharge cycles extend i~ a direction perpendicular to the major surface of the electrode plate (i.e. in the direction of thickness~, as indicatad by arrows in Fig. 2. In order ~or a battery to function as a secondary battery, a portion which is not associated with the battery reaction, i.e. an energy concentration portion, must always be present in the electrode. When the thickness of the electrode plate is reduced, the energy concentration portion disappears upon charge/discharge. Therefore, the secondary battery cannot opexate satisfactorily. This situation also arises when the battery is operated cyclically.
For the above rcasons, a minimum overall thickness or height of the conventional thin sealed lead battery has been 4 to 5 mm.
As set forth above, a secondary battery according to the present invantion has the characteristic faature that 2S positive and negative electrode members are arranged or juxtaposed in a substantially common plane unlike the conventional structure wherein the positive and negative electrode members are arranged one above the other in the direction of thickness thereof.
The end faces of both the electrode members are spaced apart from each other.
The present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 4 to 13. The same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings.
FigsO 4 to 6 show a secondary battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 4, interdigital positive and negative electrode members 12 and 13 are formed on one surface of flat substrate lla. Electrolyte 15 associated with or involved in a battery reaction is filled in the space between the positive and negative electrode members 12 and 13.
Positive electrode member 12 is made of a positive elec-trode material containing a positive electrode active material, and negative electrode member 13 is made of a negative electrode material containing a nega-tive electrode active material. In a lead battery, lead dioxide is the positive electrode active material and lead is a negative electrode active material therein.
A liquid electrolyte such as sulfuric acid is used as electrolyte 15.
Cover member llb covers electrode members 12 and 13 and is connected to substrate lla. Cover member llb 7~D
cooperates with substrate lla to constitute battery case 11 which defines a sealed chamber.
At least surfaces of substrate lla and cover member llb are electrically insulative and may be made of an acid-resistant polymer material (e.g., an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resin (ABS resin) or a fluorine resin), a plastic material, or a glass-fiber reinforced plastic material. In order to prevent transmission of water vapor of a liquid electrolyte such as sulfuric acid, substrate lla and cover member llb may be made of a laminate material obtained by covering a metal layer (e.g., an aluminum layer) with an insulating polymer material, or of a polyvinylidene chlorlde resin.
Battery case 11 also has positive and negative terminals 17 and 18, and relief valve 1~ which com-municates with a space between electrode members 12 and 13.
As is best illustrated in Fig. 5, positive electrode member 12 has a comb-like shape. A plurality of rectangular teeth 12a having a substantially iden-tical shape extend from spine 12b at predetermined intervals. Negative electrode member 13 also has a comb-like shape. A plurality of rectangular teeth 13a having a substantially identical shape extend from spine 13b at predetermined intervals. Teeth 12a do not contact teeth 13a and constitute an interdigital electrode structure. Thus, the end faces of positive and negative electrode members 12 and 13 oppose each other.
Referring to Fig. 6 (thickness d of each positive electrode tooth 12a and the negative electrode tooth 13a is emphasized, however, in practice, thickness d is considerably smaller than width ~ of teeth 12a and 13a), cover member llb covers in tight contact with the surfaces of electrode members 12 and 13, so that electrolyte 15 does not enter between cover member lla and electrode members 12, 13 to contact the upper sur-faces of electrode members 12 and 13.
As descrlbed above, in the secondary battery of the present invention, positive and negative electrodes 12 and 13 are arranged on the surface of substrate lla, iØ, on an identical plane. AS compared with the conventional secondary battery wherein these members are arranged one above the other in the direction of thick-ness (Figs~ 1 and 2), even if the electrode member has ; the same thickness as that of the conventional battery, the battery thickness can be reduced to about 1/3 tha-t of the conventional battery.
As indicated by arrows in Fig. 6, in the secondary battery of the present invention, the extension direc-tion of the sites of the battery reaction during charge/discharge is different from that of the conven-tional battery. The battery of the present invention has the extension direction perpendicular to the o direction of thickness of the electrode member (i.e~
parallel to the direction of width ~ of the tooth of the electrodes3. For this reason, width ~ of teeth 12a and 13a (unit electrode) must be assured to be preferably 1-2 mm or more. If this is assured, thick-ness d of the electrode can be reduced to 1 mm or less, e.g., 0.1 mm in order to assure the same or longer battery service life as or than that of a commercially available conventional thin secondary battery. In the secondary battery of the present inv ntion, even if an electrode member has small thickness d, large width ~
can prevent disappearance of the energy concentration portion during charge/discharge. Therefore, the overall thickness of the secondary battery according to the present invention can be reduced to 1 mm or less.
A method of manufacturing the secondary battery according to the present invention as descri~ed above by using screen printing will be described with reference to Figs. 7A to 7E.
As shown in Fig. 7A, substrate lla is prepared.
As shown in Fig. 7B, an active material-containing electrode material such as lead paste 72 is applied to substrate lla by using roller 73 through screen 71 having a predetermined pattern (an interdigital pattern in this case)~ The positive and negative electrode member patterns can be simultaneously ~ormed. The thickness of the lead paste is, e.g., 0.1 mm.
~lZ~6~
If a bonding force between the lead paste and substrate lla is weak, an adhesive may be applied to the surface of substrate lla in advance or a lead paste containing an adhesive may be used.
As shown in Fig. 7C, electrolyte solution 15 is injected from electrolyte injection nozzle 74 to a space between positive and negative electrode member patterns 12 and 13. The electrolyte may be, e.g., sulfuric acid having a concentration of 30 to 50%, preferably 35 to 45~. Cover member llb having positive and negative terminals 17 and 18 is adhered to substrate lla by using an adhesive, e.g., an epoxy adhesive.
Electrolyte 15 may be injected after cover member llb is bonded to substrate lla.
As shown in Fig. 7D, a formation treatment of the electrodes is performed using DC power source 75. This treatment allows conversion of the positive electrode active material into lead dioxide, and conversion of the negative electrode active material into lead. If necessary, the electrolyte may be further in~ected after the above formation treatment.
As shown in Fig. 7E, the secondary battery is prepared, and its performance is checked.
The above formation treatment can be performed prior to mounting of cover member llb. In this case, a plurality of substrates lla shown in Fig. 7C are dipped in a formation treatment sulfuric acid, and the 6~
formation treatment can be performed. ThiS treatment is suitable for mass production.
In the above example, the lead paste is used as both the positive and negative electrode active materials. However, a lead dioxide paste may be used for the positive electrode, and a lead paste may be used for the negative electrode. In this case, the positive and nega-tlve electrode patterns are sequentially formed using separate screens. According to this technique, the above formation treatment may be eliminated, and if so, the process for manufacturing the battery can be simplified. However, even in this case, the formation treatment is preferably conducted to improve the elec-trode properties.
The manufacturing process described above can be performed in an automated treatment line.
Fig. ~ is a longitudinal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a second embodiment of the present invention (thickness d of positive elec-trode tooth 12a and the negative electrode is emphasizedwith respect to the width, however, in practice, the thickness is much smaller than width ~ of teeth 12a and 13a). The secondary battery according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment except that cover member llb is separated from the upper surfaces of electrode members 12 and 13. In the secondary battery of the second embodiment, its service life is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment. However, the cover member need not be brought into tight contact with the upper surfaces of electrodes 12 and 13, so that the manufacturing process can be simplified. The overall thickness of the secondary battery can be reduced to about 1/3 that of the conventional battery.
Example A lead storage battery having a structure shown in Fig. 8 was manufactured. Dimensions of the battery were 0.65 mm thick, 50 mm wide, and 78 mm long. The weight of the battery was 4.7 g, and its volume was 2.5 cm3.
The thickness of each of electrode members 12 and 13 was 0.4 mm. The discharge characteristics of this lead storage battery are shown in Fig. 13. As is apparent from Fig. 13, a discharge curve exhibits voltage changes unique to the lead storage battery as a function of time. The battery capacity was about 40 mAh. The durability of the battery was satisfactory, and the secondary battery of the present invention had characteristics satisfactory for use in practical applications.
Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view of a secondary battery according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this secondary battery, posi-tive and negative electrode members 91a and 92a opposed to each other at a certain distance constitute one unit 3~2~
cell. Positive and negative electrode members 91b and 92b opposed to each other at a certain distance consti-tute one unit cell, and positive and negative electrode members 91c and 92c opposed to each other at a certain distance constitute one unit cell. Thin plate-like positive electrode members 91a to 91c and thin plate-like negative electrode members 92a to 92c are formed on substrate lla. Negative and positive electrode members 92a and 91b are in contact with each other, and negative and positive electrode members 92b and 91c are in con-tact with each other. A battery reaction does not occur between members 92a and 91b and between members 92b and 91c. The secondary battery has a structure in which three unit cells are connected in series with each other. In addition to the effect of the first embodi-ment, the secondary battery having the above structure can obtain a cell voltage of a magnitude three times that of the first embodiment.
Figs. 10, 11, and 12 are horizontal sectional views of secondary batteries having electrode members of dif-ferent shapes, respectively.
Referring to Fig. 10, each of positive and negative electrode membexs 101 and 102 is formed in a wave pat-tern of a substantially sine curve form having a small thickness.
Referring to Fig. 11, each of positive and negative electrode members 111 and 112 has a saw-toothed shape 467iCI
(or triangular waveform) having a small thickness.
~eferring to Fig. 12, each of positive and negative electrode members 121 and 122 has a helical shape having a small thickness.
In the secondary battery according to the present invention as has been described above, since the posi-tive and negative electrode members are fixed on the substrate, the separator need not be used unlike the conventional secondary battery. However, the separator may be arranged as needed. In this case, the separator is arranged between the positive and negative electrode members.
The present invention has been exemplified by the particular embodiments descrlbed above but is not limlted thereto. For example, teeth 12a and 13a of the secondary batteries of the first and second embodiments have a rectangular shape, but may be a zig-zag shape.
The method of manufacturing a secondary battery according to the present invention is exemplified by screen printing. ~owever, the method of the present invention is not limited thereto. Metal flame spraying, plating, deposition, sputtering, ion plating, or plasma CVD, or a combination thereof may be used to form the electrodes.
According to the present invention as has been described abo~e, the positive plate, the electrolyte, and the negative plate which are the main constitutin~
6'~) elements are arranged on a substantially identical plane of the substrate. In addition, the extension direction of the battery reaction sites during charge/discharge is parallel to the electrode surface. Therefore, the resultant secondary battery has excellent durability and a small thickness.
The electrode plate is manufactured by a method including screen printing with a screen pattern. There-fore, various batteries can be manufactured by using only the patterns. In addition, the manufacturing process is simple, and great labor and energy saving can be achieved.
Claims (24)
1. A secondary battery comprising:
positive and negative electrode members arranged on a substantially identical plane, the positive and negative electrode members each having main surfaces and end faces, end faces of the positive and negative electrode members being spaced apart and opposing each other at distance;
a substrate fixedly contacting a main surface of the positive and negative electrode members and fixedly supporting the positive and negative electrode members;
a cover member defining, with the substrate, sealed chamber enclosing and covering the positive and negative electrode members; and an electrolyte sealed in the sealed chamber, and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode members such that the electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, the electrolyte being associated with a battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members, and wherein the electrolyte is present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient that the battery reaction substantially takes place at battery reaction sites defined between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode members.
positive and negative electrode members arranged on a substantially identical plane, the positive and negative electrode members each having main surfaces and end faces, end faces of the positive and negative electrode members being spaced apart and opposing each other at distance;
a substrate fixedly contacting a main surface of the positive and negative electrode members and fixedly supporting the positive and negative electrode members;
a cover member defining, with the substrate, sealed chamber enclosing and covering the positive and negative electrode members; and an electrolyte sealed in the sealed chamber, and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode members such that the electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, the electrolyte being associated with a battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members, and wherein the electrolyte is present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient that the battery reaction substantially takes place at battery reaction sites defined between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode members.
2. A battery according to claim 1, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a comb-like shape having a plurality of teeth.
3. A battery according to claim 1, wherein the tooth has a rectangular shape.
4. A battery according to claim 1, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a wave-like shape.
5. A battery according to claim 1, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a helical shape.
6. A battery according to claim 1, wherein the positive electrode member comprises lead dioxide, the negative electrode member comprises lead, and the electrolyte comprises diluted sulfuric acid.
7. A battery according to claim 1, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a thickness of not more than 1 mm.
8. A battery according to claim 1, wherein substantially all of said electrolyte is present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members.
9. A battery according to claim 1, wherein said cover member contacts main surfaces of said positive and negative electrode members which are opposite to those main surfaces which contact said substrate, whereby all of the electrolyte is between the opposite end faces of the electrode members, the electrolyte not contacting main surfaces of the positive and negative electrode members.
10. A method of manufacturing a secondary battery which is adapted to be repeatedly subjected to cycles of charging and discharging, comprising the steps of:
applying a positive electrode material containing positive electrode active material and a negative electrode material containing a negative electrode active material to a substrate to form positive and negative electrode members having end faces which oppose each other at a distance, said positive and negative electrode members having main surfaces which are fixed on and juxtaposed on the substrate so as to be supported by the substrate;
bonding a cover member to the substrate such that the cover member defines, with the substrate, a sealed chamber enclosing and covering the positive and negative electrode members; and filling an electrolyte associated with a battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members into said sealed chamber and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode member such that the electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, the electrolyte being present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient to produce with the electrode members a battery reaction which substantially takes place at battery reaction sites defined between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members and said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode members.
applying a positive electrode material containing positive electrode active material and a negative electrode material containing a negative electrode active material to a substrate to form positive and negative electrode members having end faces which oppose each other at a distance, said positive and negative electrode members having main surfaces which are fixed on and juxtaposed on the substrate so as to be supported by the substrate;
bonding a cover member to the substrate such that the cover member defines, with the substrate, a sealed chamber enclosing and covering the positive and negative electrode members; and filling an electrolyte associated with a battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members into said sealed chamber and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode member such that the electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, the electrolyte being present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient to produce with the electrode members a battery reaction which substantially takes place at battery reaction sites defined between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members and said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode members.
11. A method according to claim 10, wherein the positive and negative electrode members are formed on the substrate by screen printing, metal flame spraying, plating, deposition, sputtering, ion plating, or plasma chemical vapor deposition.
12. A method according to claim 10, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a thickness of not more than 1 mm.
13. A method according to claim 10, further comprising subjecting said positive and negative electrode material applied to said substrate to a formation treatment.
14. A method according to claim 10, wherein said step of filling said electrolyte comprises filling substantially all of said electrolyte in spaces between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members.
15. A method according to claim 10, wherein the step of bonding the cover member to the substrate comprises contacting the cover member with main surfaces of the positive and negative electrode members are opposite from those main surfaces contacting the substrate, such that the electrolyte is filled in said chamber, all of the electrolyte is present in the spaces between end faces of the positive and negative electrode members, and no electrolyte contacts the main surfaces which are contacted by the cover member.
16. A secondary battery device, comprising:
a plurality of unit cells juxtaposed adjacent each other on an identical plane, each unit cell comprising pair of positive and negative electrode members arranged on said plane, said positive and negative electrode members each having end faces opposing each other at a distance, the positive electrode member of one unit cell and the negative electrode member of another unit cell in each adjacent two unit cells contacting with each other at respective end faces;
a substrate fixedly contacting a main surface of said positive and negative electrode members and fixedly supporting said electrode members of said plurality of unit cells;
a cover member defining, with said substrate, a sealed chamber enclosing and covering said plurality of unit cells; and an electrolyte sealed in said sealed chamber, and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode members such that the electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members of each unit cell, the electrolyte being present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient to produce a battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members of each unit cell, which battery reaction substantially takes place at battery reaction sites defined between opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members and said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode members.
a plurality of unit cells juxtaposed adjacent each other on an identical plane, each unit cell comprising pair of positive and negative electrode members arranged on said plane, said positive and negative electrode members each having end faces opposing each other at a distance, the positive electrode member of one unit cell and the negative electrode member of another unit cell in each adjacent two unit cells contacting with each other at respective end faces;
a substrate fixedly contacting a main surface of said positive and negative electrode members and fixedly supporting said electrode members of said plurality of unit cells;
a cover member defining, with said substrate, a sealed chamber enclosing and covering said plurality of unit cells; and an electrolyte sealed in said sealed chamber, and the cover member being arranged relative to the electrode members such that the electrolyte is substantially present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members of each unit cell, the electrolyte being present between the end faces of the positive and negative electrode members in an amount sufficient to produce a battery reaction with the positive and negative electrode members of each unit cell, which battery reaction substantially takes place at battery reaction sites defined between opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members and said battery reaction sites extending substantially perpendicular to the direction of thickness of the positive and negative electrode members.
17. A device according to claim 16, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a comb-like shape having a plurality of teeth.
18. A device according to claim 17, wherein said teeth of said comb-like shaped electrode members has a substantially rectangular shape.
19. A device according to claim 16, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a wave-like shape.
20. A device according to claim 16, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a helical shape.
21. A device according to claim 16, wherein the positive electrode member comprises lead dioxide, the negative electrode member comprises lead, and the electrolyte comprises diluted sulfuric acid.
22. A device according to claim 16, wherein each of the positive and negative electrode members has a thickness of not more than 1 mm.
23. A device according to claim 16, wherein substantially all of said electrolyte is present between the opposite end faces of the positive and negative electrode members.
24. A device according to claim 16, wherein said cover member contacts main surfaces of said positive and negative electrode members which are opposite to those main surfaces which contact said substrate, whereby all of the electrolyte is between the opposite end faces of the electrode members, the electrolyte not contacting main surfaces of the positive and negative electrode members.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP19641587 | 1987-08-07 | ||
| JP62-196415 | 1987-08-07 |
Publications (1)
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|---|---|
| CA1294670C true CA1294670C (en) | 1992-01-21 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000573977A Expired - Lifetime CA1294670C (en) | 1987-08-07 | 1988-08-05 | Secondary battery and method of manufacturing the same |
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| US (1) | US4889777A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0302520B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH0690934B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR920005187B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1294670C (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3876166T2 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| US629325A (en) * | 1897-07-29 | 1899-07-25 | Electric Power Dev Co | Secondary battery. |
| US629372A (en) * | 1898-08-29 | 1899-07-25 | Electric Power Dev Co | Storage battery. |
| DE2444691A1 (en) * | 1974-09-18 | 1976-04-01 | Rhein Westfael Elect Werk Ag | PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ELECTRODES BUILT UP FROM TITANIUM CARRIER AND LEAD DIOXIDE PAD FOR ELECTROLYTIC PURPOSES |
| GB1533116A (en) * | 1975-02-21 | 1978-11-22 | Chloride Group Ltd | Electric batteries |
| US4098965A (en) * | 1977-01-24 | 1978-07-04 | Polaroid Corporation | Flat batteries and method of making the same |
| JPS58133769A (en) * | 1982-02-03 | 1983-08-09 | Toppan Printing Co Ltd | Plate-like battery |
| FR2544134A1 (en) * | 1983-04-08 | 1984-10-12 | Europ Accumulateurs | Method of manufacturing an electrode for an electrochemical generator, electrode thus obtained and applications |
| JPS59228353A (en) * | 1983-06-08 | 1984-12-21 | Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd | flat battery |
| FI77543C (en) * | 1985-12-19 | 1989-03-10 | Neste Oy | Accumulator. |
-
1988
- 1988-07-25 JP JP63185085A patent/JPH0690934B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1988-07-27 KR KR8809493A patent/KR920005187B1/en not_active Expired
- 1988-08-02 US US07/227,370 patent/US4889777A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-08-05 CA CA000573977A patent/CA1294670C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-08-05 EP EP88112803A patent/EP0302520B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1988-08-05 DE DE8888112803T patent/DE3876166T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US4889777A (en) | 1989-12-26 |
| JPH01132064A (en) | 1989-05-24 |
| KR920005187B1 (en) | 1992-06-29 |
| KR890004462A (en) | 1989-04-22 |
| DE3876166D1 (en) | 1993-01-07 |
| EP0302520A1 (en) | 1989-02-08 |
| EP0302520B1 (en) | 1992-11-25 |
| DE3876166T2 (en) | 1993-06-17 |
| JPH0690934B2 (en) | 1994-11-14 |
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