Electrode assembly with folded diaphragm

Abstract

The present invention provides an unfolded view of a diaphragm stacked together with a first electrode and a second electrode, and a structure of an electrode assembly including the diaphragm. According to the present invention, in the unfolded view of the diaphragm, a first region and a second region are defined in an alternating and serially connected manner, and the diaphragm is folded such that the first region and the second region alternately and repeatedly overlap each other in the thickness direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0114303, filed on August 26, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to the structure of an electrode assembly in which a diaphragm surrounds an electrode and is continuously folded. Background Technology

[0003] Secondary batteries are widely used not only in portable devices, but also in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electric drive sources, as well as in energy storage devices, due to their ease of application based on product groups and electrical characteristics such as high energy density.

[0004] These secondary batteries have attracted attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they have the major advantage of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also because they do not produce any byproducts from energy use.

[0005] Currently widely used types of rechargeable batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. These individual rechargeable batteries (i.e., individual battery cells) operate at voltages ranging from approximately 2.5 V to 4.2 V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. Alternatively, multiple battery cells can be connected in parallel according to the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Thus, the number of battery cells and the electrical connection structure of a battery pack can be selected in various ways depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0006] Furthermore, known types of cell-type secondary batteries include cylindrical cells, prismatic cells, and pouch cells. Among these batteries, pouch cells include stacked electrode assemblies, in which negative and positive electrodes are repeatedly stacked along the thickness direction using a separator. Recently, the zigzag stacking method has been widely used to manufacture such stacked electrode assemblies, in which negative and positive electrodes are alternately stacked between each layer of a continuously supplied zigzag-folded separator.

[0007] Figure 1 The process of fabricating electrode assemblies using a zigzag stack is shown, and Figure 2 An electrode assembly fabricated using a zigzag stack is shown. (See reference...) Figure 1 and Figure 2The process of manufacturing the electrode assembly EA by Z-shaped stacking is performed by folding the continuously supplied diaphragm 3 in a Z-shape and alternately stacking the negative electrode 1 and the positive electrode 2 between each layer. As a result, multiple folded portions F arranged along the thickness direction are formed at the two lateral ends of the electrode assembly EA.

[0008] Because these folded portions F are not formed at the longitudinal ends of the electrode assembly EA, the electrode assembly EA has a shape in which the two ends along the transverse direction are thicker than the center and are difficult to compress, thus the overall shape of the electrode assembly EA becomes a shape that is concave downward at the transverse center. The pouch cell is manufactured by inserting the electrode assembly EA into a pouch and then sealing the pouch. However, the thickness difference between the center and ends of the electrode assembly EA, as well as the concave center, makes insertion of the electrode assembly EA difficult. Furthermore, this uneven cross-section reduces the energy density of the pouch cell, which is formed as a right-angled parallelepiped and arranged in multiple parts. In addition, the difference in thickness and compressibility along the transverse direction of the electrode assembly EA makes the entire electrode assembly EA susceptible to bending loads, torsional loads, and buckling loads. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] This invention is designed based on the background of the prior art described above, and the object of this invention is to provide a structure for an electrode assembly with improved bag insertability.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for an electrode assembly that can improve the energy density of a battery cell in an electrode assembly embedded in a pouch to constitute a battery cell.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure for an electrode assembly that has improved structural stability during installation and insertion, and high resistance to bending loads, torsional loads and buckling loads.

[0013] Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a shape and folding method for a diaphragm that is continuously folded and stacked with electrodes to form an electrode assembly, and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking the diaphragm with electrodes.

[0014] The technical problem to be solved by this invention is not limited to the above-described objectives, and other objectives and advantages of this invention not described herein will be understood from the following description and will become clearer through examples of this invention. Furthermore, it is apparent that the objectives and advantages of this invention can be embodied by the means and combinations thereof pointed out in the claims.

[0015] Technical solution

[0016] To address the aforementioned problems, the present invention provides a unfolded shape of a diaphragm having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the diaphragm is repeatedly folded and stacked with a first electrode and a second electrode to form an electrode assembly.

[0017] According to the present invention, in the unfolded diagram, a first region and a second region are defined, which are alternately repeated and connected in a chain manner, and a first direction, a second direction intersecting the first direction, a third direction opposite to the first direction, and a fourth direction opposite to the second direction are defined.

[0018] Here, each of the first regions is connected to a first or second direction side of a second region, and each of the second regions is connected to a third or fourth direction side of a first region.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, the diaphragm can be folded in a manner in which a first region and a second region alternately and repeatedly overlap along the thickness direction, such that the first surface of the first region and the second surface of the second region face the first thickness direction, and the second surface of the first region and the first surface of the second region face the second thickness direction. In this way, when folded, the diaphragm has folded portions uniformly formed on all four sides. Therefore, regardless of orientation, the electrode assembly including the diaphragm has a uniform thickness and can have improved bag insertability.

[0020] The first and second regions can be substantially congruent parallelograms. Therefore, when the diaphragm is folded, the first and second regions can completely overlap in the thickness direction.

[0021] Specifically, according to an embodiment of the invention, preferably, the first region and the second region are substantially congruent rectangles. The first and third directions may be parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the second and fourth directions may be parallel to the transverse direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the completed electrode assembly can be rectangular in plan view overall, and the folded portions of the diaphragm can be uniformly formed at the two transverse ends and two longitudinal ends of the electrode assembly.

[0022] The unfolded pattern can generally have a shape extending along an extension direction inclined relative to the first to fourth directions. Therefore, the unfolded pattern can be obtained by cutting a predetermined area from a diaphragm sheet extending along the extension direction with a constant width. Generally, since diaphragm sheets extending with a constant width are manufactured in roll form, there are significant manufacturing advantages when unfolded patterns can be easily produced from such diaphragm sheets.

[0023] The present invention also provides an electrode assembly comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode; and a diaphragm having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the diaphragm is repeatedly folded and stacked with the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0024] According to the present invention, the unfolded view of the diaphragm may define a first region and a second region that are alternately repeated and connected in a chain manner, and the unfolded view of the diaphragm may define a first direction, a second direction that intersects the first direction, a third direction that is opposite to the first direction, and a fourth direction that is opposite to the second direction.

[0025] Each of the first regions can be connected to a first or second direction side of a second region, and each of the second regions can be connected to a third or fourth direction side of a first region.

[0026] Each of the first to fourth directions is defined as a consistent direction across all regions in the unfolded diagram of the diaphragm, while each region of the folded diaphragm is defined differently. For example, when the boundary between two regions adjacent to each other in the first and third directions in the unfolded diagram is folded, in the folded state, the first and third directions can be defined as opposite directions between the two regions. That is, in this case, the first direction in one of the two regions may coincide with the third direction in the other region of the two regions, and the third direction in one of the two regions may coincide with the first direction in the other region of the two regions.

[0027] According to the present invention, the diaphragm is folded in such a way that the first region and the second region alternately and repeatedly overlap along the thickness direction, such that the first surface of the first region and the second surface of the second region face the first thickness direction, and the second surface of the first region and the first surface of the second region face the second thickness direction.

[0028] In this way, the fully folded diaphragm has folds uniformly formed on all four sides. Therefore, the electrode assembly has a uniform thickness regardless of orientation and can have improved bag insertability.

[0029] A first electrode is stacked on a first surface of a first region. A second electrode is stacked on a second surface of a second region. Therefore, the first and second electrodes can overlap while being isolated from each other by a diaphragm.

[0030] The first and second regions can be substantially congruent parallelograms. Therefore, when the diaphragm is folded, the first and second regions can completely overlap in the thickness direction.

[0031] Specifically, according to an embodiment of the invention, preferably, the first region and the second region are substantially congruent rectangles. The first and third directions may be parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the second and fourth directions may be parallel to the transverse direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the completed electrode assembly can be rectangular in plan view overall, and the folded portions of the diaphragm can be uniformly formed at the two transverse ends and two longitudinal ends of the electrode assembly.

[0032] The unfolded pattern can generally have a shape extending along an extension direction inclined relative to the first to fourth directions. Therefore, the unfolded pattern can be obtained by cutting a predetermined area from a diaphragm sheet extending along the extension direction with a constant width. Generally, since diaphragm sheets extending with a constant width are manufactured in roll form, there are significant manufacturing advantages when unfolded patterns can be easily produced from such diaphragm sheets.

[0033] The first electrode may have a first tab protruding in a second direction relative to an adjacent first region, and the second electrode may have a second tab protruding in a fourth direction relative to an adjacent second region. According to an embodiment of the invention, in the completed electrode assembly, both the first tab and the second tab may protrude from both sides of the electrode assembly in the lateral direction.

[0034] Preferably, the first and second electrodes are arranged so that they do not overlap in the thickness direction, so that the first and second electrodes will not cause a short circuit even without separate insulation.

[0035] For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the electrode assembly may have a substantially rectangular plane including a long side and a short side, and the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be arranged relative to each other in the long side direction.

[0036] More specifically, the first electrode can protrude from the center of the side in the second direction relative to the nearest first region at a position offset upward in the first or third direction, and the second electrode can protrude from the center of the side in the fourth direction relative to the nearest second region at a position offset in the third or first direction.

[0037] Therefore, in the completed electrode assembly, the first tab can protrude from a position offset in a longitudinal direction at one lateral end of the electrode assembly and from a position offset in the opposite longitudinal direction at the other lateral end, and the second tab can protrude from a position offset in the opposite longitudinal direction at one lateral end of the electrode assembly and from a position offset in a longitudinal direction at the other lateral end. Subsequently, by appropriately connecting the first and second tabs to each other, the first electrode and the second electrode can be connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0038] According to a modified example, the first electrode may be provided with a first tab protruding in a first direction relative to an adjacent first region, and the second electrode may be provided with a second tab protruding in a third direction relative to an adjacent second region. Here, the electrode assembly may have a substantially rectangular plane defining the lateral and longitudinal directions.

[0039] According to a modified example of the invention, in the completed electrode assembly, a first tab may protrude from both lateral sides of the electrode assembly, and a second tab may protrude from both longitudinal sides of the electrode assembly. Subsequently, by appropriately connecting the first and second tabs, the first electrode and the second electrode can be connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0040] Beneficial effects

[0041] The present invention provides a structure for an electrode assembly that has a flatter shape and improved bag insertability by forming uniformly folded portions on all four sides.

[0042] The present invention also provides a structure for an electrode assembly that minimizes empty space when embedded in a generally rectangular pouch, thereby improving the energy density of the battery cell.

[0043] The present invention also provides an electrode assembly structure having a symmetrical and flat shape and structure, thereby improving structural stability during installation and bag insertion, and exhibiting high resistance to bending loads, torsional loads and buckling loads.

[0044] Specifically, the present invention provides the shape of a diaphragm that is continuously folded in four different directions and stacked with electrodes to form an electrode assembly, a method for folding the diaphragm, and a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking the diaphragm with electrodes, and thus, the present invention provides the structure of the electrode assembly thus manufactured.

[0045] In addition, the present invention may have various other effects, which will be described in each embodiment, or descriptions of effects that can be readily deduced by those skilled in the art will be omitted. Attached Figure Description

[0046] Figure 1 The process of manufacturing an electrode assembly using a zigzag stack is shown.

[0047] Figure 2 An electrode assembly fabricated using a zigzag stack is shown.

[0048] Figure 3 An unfolded diagram of a diaphragm according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0049] Figure 4The method of cutting diaphragm sheets for manufacturing is shown. Figure 3 The process of developing the unfolded diagram.

[0050] Figures 5 to 9 The process of manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking electrodes and folding a diaphragm according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0051] Figure 10 A fully folded electrode assembly, showing only the diaphragm and no electrodes, is shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 11 This illustrates an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 The diagram shows the layout of the electrode stacking positions in the unfolded diagram.

[0053] Figure 12 An embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 11 The location of the pole ears in the layout diagram.

[0054] Figure 13 A completed electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0055] Figure 14 A modified example according to the invention is shown in Figure 11 The location of the pole ears in the layout diagram.

[0056] Figure 15 A completed electrode assembly according to a modified example of the present invention is shown.

[0057] [Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures]

[0058] 1: First electrode (negative electrode) 10: First tab 2: Second electrode (positive electrode) 20: Second tab 3: Diaphragm 3a: First surface 3b: Second surface 30: Diaphragm sheet 31: First region 32: Second region EA: Electrode assembly F: Folded portion UF: Unfolded view D1 to D4: First direction to fourth direction D0: Extension direction Detailed Implementation

[0059] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, enabling those skilled in the art to realize the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of prior art related to the present invention will be omitted where it is determined that such detailed descriptions would unnecessarily obscure the gist of the invention. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings, the same reference numerals are used to denote the same or similar parts.

[0060] Although terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used to describe various elements, these elements are of course not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another, and unless otherwise specified, the first element may also be the second element.

[0061] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0062] In the following text, “arranging a component above (or below) a component” or “arranging a component on top (or bottom) of a component” means not only “arranging a component to contact the upper (or lower) surface”, but also “arranging a component above the upper (or lower) surface, with another component inserted between them.”

[0063] Additionally, when an element is described as being “connected to,” “linked to,” or “in contact with” another element, it should be understood that the element may be “directly connected to,” “directly linked to,” or “directly in contact with” another element, or that the element may be “connected to,” “linked to,” or “in contact with” another element with another element inserted therein or via another element.

[0064] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms used herein include the plural forms. Terms such as “consisting of” or “comprising” as used herein should not be construed as including all elements or steps described in the specification, but rather as excluding some of the elements or steps, or including additional elements or steps.

[0065] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise specified, “A and / or B” means A, B or A and B, and unless otherwise specified, “C to D” means from equal to or higher than C to equal to or lower than D.

[0066] Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the electrode assembly EA is constructed by alternately and repeatedly stacking the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 between each layer of a diaphragm 3, which is continuously folded to form a plurality of layers overlapping in the thickness direction.

[0068] Here, the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 can be either the negative electrode or the positive electrode, respectively.

[0069] Here, the diaphragm 3 can be obtained from a single unfolded pattern UF folded along the fold lines, the unfolded pattern UF including multiple regions divided by a single boundary and multiple fold lines. Here, although an electrode assembly EA may include one diaphragm 3, in some cases, multiple folded diaphragms 3 from each unfolded pattern UF can constitute an electrode assembly EA.

[0070] The shape of the unfolded diagram UF of the diaphragm 3 will be described in detail below, and the structure of the electrode assembly EA will be described in detail thereafter. The electrode assembly EA is manufactured by folding the diaphragm 3 having the unfolded diagram UF described above and stacking it together with the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2.

[0071] Figure 3 A developed view of a diaphragm according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 3 The diaphragm 3 has a first surface 3a and a second surface 3b that face each other in the thickness direction. Not only when the diaphragm 3 is unfolded, but also when the diaphragm 3 is folded, each of the first surface 3a and the second surface 3b is defined as a single continuous surface.

[0072] According to the present invention, in the unfolded diagram UF, a first direction D1, a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1, a third direction D3 opposite to the first direction D1, and a fourth direction D4 opposite to the second direction D2 are defined.

[0073] Here, in the unfolded diagram UF, a first region 31 and a second region 32 are defined that are alternately repeated and connected in a chain-like manner. That is, the diaphragm 3 includes at least one first region 31 and a second region 32 that are different from each other throughout its entire area. The alternating repetition and chain-like connection of the first region 31 and the second region 32 can mean that the first region 31 and the second region 32 are alternately connected along a predetermined path (a zigzag shape according to an embodiment of the invention) to form a chain.

[0074] According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first regions 31 is connected to a first direction D1 side or a second direction D2 side of a second region, and each of the second regions 32 is connected to a third direction D3 side or a fourth direction D4 side of a first region.

[0075] More specifically, the first region 31 and the second region 32 can be arranged in the following four ways: 1. When the first region 31 constitutes the beginning of the chain and the second region 32 constitutes the end of the chain: In this configuration, each of the first regions 31 is connected to a first direction D1 side of a second region 32, and each of the second regions 32 is connected to a third direction D3 side of a first region 31. Here, each of the first regions 31, except for the first region 31 forming the beginning of the chain, is also connected to a second direction D2 side of a second region 32, and each of the second regions 32, except for the second region 32 forming the end of the chain, is also connected to a fourth direction D4 side of a first region 31.

[0076] 2. When the second region 32 constitutes the beginning of the chain and the first region 31 constitutes the end of the chain (in the case of an embodiment of the present invention): In this configuration, each of the first regions 31 is connected to the second direction D2 side of a second region 32, and each of the second regions 32 is connected to the fourth direction D4 side of a first region 31. Here, each of the first regions 31, except for the first region 31 constituting the end of the chain, is simultaneously connected to the first direction D1 side of a second region 32, and each of the second regions 32, except for the second region 32 constituting the beginning of the chain, is simultaneously connected to the third direction D3 side of a first region 31.

[0077] 3. When the first region 31 constitutes the beginning and end of the chain: In this configuration, each of the second regions 32 is connected to a third direction D3 side of a first region 31 and simultaneously connected to a fourth direction D4 side of another first region 31. Here, the first region 31 constituting the start of the chain is connected to a first direction D1 side of a second region 32, and the first region 31 constituting the end of the chain is connected to a second direction D2 side of another second region 32. Each of the first regions 31 other than these first regions is connected to a first direction D1 side of a second region 32 and simultaneously connected to a second direction D2 side of another second region 32.

[0078] 4. When the second region 32 constitutes the beginning and end of the chain: In this configuration, each of the first regions 31 is connected to the first direction D1 side of a second region 32 and simultaneously connected to the second direction D2 side of another second region 32. Here, the second region 32 constituting the start of the chain is connected to the fourth direction D4 side of a first region 31, and the second region 32 constituting the end of the chain is connected to the third direction D3 side of another first region 31. Each of the second regions 32 other than these is connected to the third direction D3 side of a first region 31 and simultaneously connected to the fourth direction D4 side of another first region 31.

[0079] Each of the first to fourth directions D1, D2, D3, and D4 is defined as a consistent direction in all regions 31 and 32 of the unfolded diagram UF of the diaphragm 3, while each of the regions 31 and 32 of the folded diaphragm 3 is defined differently. For example, when the boundary between two adjacent regions in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 on the unfolded diagram UF is folded, in the folded state, the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 can be defined as opposite directions between the two regions. That is, in this case, the first direction D1 in one of the two regions can coincide with the third direction D3 in the other region of the two regions, and the third direction D3 in one of the two regions can coincide with the first direction D1 in the other region of the two regions.

[0080] The first region 31 and the second region 32 can be substantially congruent parallelograms. Therefore, when the diaphragm 3 is folded, the first region 31 and the second region 32 can completely overlap in the thickness direction.

[0081] Specifically, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred that the first region 31 and the second region 32 are substantially congruent rectangles. Here, the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 can be parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the second direction D2 and the fourth direction D4 can be parallel to the transverse direction, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. Therefore, the completed electrode assembly EA can generally have a rectangular shape in a plan view, and the folded portions of the diaphragm 3 can be uniformly formed at the two transverse ends and two longitudinal ends of the electrode assembly EA.

[0082] Figure 4 The method of cutting diaphragm sheets for manufacturing is shown. Figure 3 The process of unfolding the diagram. Refer to... Figure 4 The unfolded UF as a whole can have a shape extending along an extension direction D0 that is inclined relative to the first to fourth directions D1, D2, D3, and D4. Therefore, the unfolded UF can be obtained by cutting a predetermined area from a diaphragm sheet 30 that extends along the extension direction D0 with a constant width. Generally, since the diaphragm sheet 30 extending with a constant width is manufactured in roll form, there are significant manufacturing advantages when the unfolded UF can be easily manufactured from such a diaphragm sheet 30.

[0083] Figures 5 to 9 The process of manufacturing an electrode assembly by stacking electrodes and folding a diaphragm according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. See also Figures 5 to 9The diaphragm 3 is folded in such a way that the first region 31 and the second region 32 are alternately and repeatedly overlapped along the thickness direction, such that the first surface 3a of the first region 31 and the second surface 3b of the second region 32 face the first thickness direction, and the second surface 3b of the first region 31 and the first surface 3a of the second region 32 face the second thickness direction.

[0084] More specifically, the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention can be achieved by sequentially repeating the steps described above. Figures 5 to 8 The folding process, from the first to the fourth step, is performed accordingly. In the manufacturing process, steps one through four only need to be repeated sequentially, and any step can be either the first or the last step. First step ( Figure 5 and Figure 9 After the second electrode 2 is stacked on the second surface 3b of the second region 32 located at one end of the unfolded UF of the diaphragm 3, the boundary between the second region 32 where the second electrode 2 is stacked and the remaining portion of the diaphragm 3 is folded. Here, a folded portion is formed on the second direction D2 side of the second region 32 where the second electrode 2 is stacked. By performing the first step, the diaphragm 3 is in Figure 6 The state shown.

[0085] Step Two ( Figure 6 After the first electrode 1 is stacked on the first surface 3a of the first region 31 located at one end of the unfolded diagram UF of the diaphragm 3, the boundary between the first region 31 where the first electrode 1 is stacked and the remaining portion of the diaphragm 3 is folded. Here, a folded portion is formed on the third direction D3 side of the first region 31 where the first electrode 1 is stacked. By performing the second step, the diaphragm 3 is in a position where... Figure 7 The state shown.

[0086] Third step ( Figure 7 After the second electrode 2 is stacked on the second surface 3b of the second region 32 located at one end of the unfolded UF of the diaphragm 3, the boundary between the second region 32 where the second electrode 2 is stacked and the remaining portion of the diaphragm 3 is folded. Here, a folded portion is formed on the second direction D2 side of the second region 32 where the second electrode 2 is stacked. By performing the third step, the diaphragm 3 is in a position where... Figure 8 The state shown.

[0087] Fourth step ( Figure 8 After the first electrode 1 is stacked on the first surface 3a of the first region 31 located at one end of the unfolded diagram UF of the diaphragm 3, the boundary between the first region 31 where the first electrode 1 is stacked and the remaining portion of the diaphragm 3 is folded. Here, a folded portion is formed on the third direction D3 side of the first region 31 where the first electrode 1 is stacked. By performing the fourth step, the diaphragm 3 is in a position where... Figure 9The state shown.

[0088] Figure 10 A fully folded electrode assembly, showing only the diaphragm and not the electrodes, is illustrated according to an embodiment of the present invention. (Refer to...) Figure 10 The fully folded diaphragm 3 has folds uniformly formed on all four sides. Therefore, the electrode assembly EA has a uniform thickness regardless of orientation and can have improved bag insertability.

[0089] Figure 11 This illustrates an embodiment of the invention. Figure 3 The diagram shows the layout of the electrode stacking positions in the unfolded diagram. That is to say, Figure 11 It shows how to repeat sequentially Figures 5 to 9 The electrode assembly EA is manufactured through the following steps, and then the electrode assembly EA is unfolded again with the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 stacked. (Refer to...) Figure 11 As can be seen, the first electrode 1 is stacked on the first surface 3a of the first region 31, and the second electrode 2 is stacked on the second surface 3b of the second region 32. Here, since the first region 31 and the second region 32 are not connected to the same type of region, all the first electrodes 1 and the second electrodes 2 can overlap, while being isolated from each other by the diaphragm 3.

[0090] Here, when the first region 31 and the second region 32 are substantially congruent parallelograms, the first region 31 and the second region 32 can completely overlap in the thickness direction when the diaphragm 3 is folded.

[0091] According to an embodiment of the present invention, preferably, the first region 31 and the second region 32 are substantially congruent rectangles. Here, since the first direction D1 and the third direction D3 are parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the second direction D2 and the fourth direction D4 are parallel to the transverse direction, and the transverse direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the completed electrode assembly EA can have a rectangular shape as a whole in the plan view, and the folded portion of the diaphragm 3 can be uniformly formed on the two transverse ends and the two longitudinal ends of the electrode assembly EA.

[0092] The electrode assembly EA according to an embodiment of the present invention has tabs for electrically connecting the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 to external terminals.

[0093] Figure 12 An embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 11 The location of the pole lugs in the layout diagram, and Figure 13 A completed electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 12 and Figure 13The first electrode 1 may be provided with a first tab 10 protruding along a second direction D2 relative to an adjacent first region 31, and the second electrode 2 may be provided with a second tab 20 protruding along a fourth direction D4 relative to an adjacent second region 32. According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the completed electrode assembly EA, both the first tab 10 and the second tab 20 may protrude from both sides of the electrode assembly EA in the lateral direction.

[0094] Here, preferably, the first tab 10 and the second tab 20 are arranged so that they do not overlap each other in the thickness direction, so that the first tab 10 and the second tab 20 will not cause a short circuit even without separate insulation.

[0095] For example, according to an embodiment of the invention, the electrode assembly EA may have a substantially rectangular plane including a long side and a short side, and the first tab 10 and the second tab 20 may be arranged relative to each other in the long side direction.

[0096] More specifically, the first electrode 10 may protrude from the center of the side of the nearest first region 31 in the second direction D2 at a position offset in the first direction D1 or the third direction D3, and the second electrode 20 may protrude from the center of the side of the nearest second region 32 in the fourth direction D4 at a position offset in the third direction D3 or the first direction D1.

[0097] Therefore, in the completed electrode assembly EA, the first tab 10 can protrude from a position offset in a longitudinal direction at one lateral end of the electrode assembly EA and from a position offset in the opposite longitudinal direction at the other lateral end, and the second tab 20 can protrude from a position offset in the opposite longitudinal direction at one lateral end of the electrode assembly EA and from a position offset in a longitudinal direction at the other lateral end. Thereafter, by appropriately connecting the first tab 10 and the second tab 20 to each other, the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 can be connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0098] Figure 14 A modified example according to the invention is shown in Figure 11 The location of the pole lugs in the layout diagram, and Figure 15 A completed electrode assembly according to a modified example of the present invention is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 14 and Figure 15 The first electrode 1 may be provided with a first tab 10 protruding along a first direction D1 relative to an adjacent first region 31, and the second electrode 2 may be provided with a second tab 20 protruding along a third direction D3 relative to an adjacent second region 32. The electrode assembly EA may have a substantially rectangular plane defining the lateral and longitudinal directions.

[0099] According to a modified example of the invention, in the completed electrode assembly EA, the first tab 10 can protrude from both lateral sides of the electrode assembly EA, and the second tab 20 can protrude from both longitudinal sides of the electrode assembly EA. Thereafter, by appropriately connecting the first tab 10 and the second tab 20, the first electrode 1 and the second electrode 2 can be connected in parallel and / or in series.

[0100] It should be understood that the described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the scope of the invention will be indicated by the appended claims rather than the detailed description described. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of the described claims, as well as all variations and modifications derived from equivalent concepts, should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the invention.

[0101] Although the invention has been described with reference to exemplary accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and concept of the invention. Furthermore, although the operational effects of the configuration according to the invention are not explicitly described in the description of embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that predictable effects can be recognized through this configuration.

Claims

1. An unfolded view of a diaphragm having a first surface and a second surface, the diaphragm being repeatedly folded and stacked with a first electrode and a second electrode to form an electrode assembly, wherein, It defines a first region and a second region that are alternately repeated and connected in a chain. It is defined by a first direction, a second direction intersecting the first direction, a third direction opposite to the first direction, and a fourth direction opposite to the second direction. Each of the first regions is connected to a first direction side or a second direction side of a second region, and Each of the second regions is connected to a third or fourth direction side of a first region.

2. The unfolded diagram of the diaphragm according to claim 1, wherein, The first direction and the third direction are parallel to the longitudinal direction, and The second direction and the fourth direction are parallel to the lateral direction, and the lateral direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

3. The unfolded diagram of the diaphragm according to claim 1, wherein, The first region and the second region are substantially congruent parallelograms.

4. The unfolded diagram of the diaphragm according to claim 2, wherein, The first region and the second region are substantially congruent rectangles.

5. The unfolded diagram of the diaphragm according to claim 1, wherein, The unfolded diagram as a whole has a shape that extends along an extension direction that is inclined relative to the first direction to the fourth direction.

6. An electrode assembly, the electrode assembly comprising: First electrode; Second electrode; as well as A diaphragm having a first surface and a second surface, the diaphragm being repeatedly folded and stacked with the first electrode and the second electrode. The unfolded diagram of the diaphragm defines alternating and chain-connected first and second regions. The unfolded view of the diaphragm defines a first direction, a second direction intersecting the first direction, a third direction opposite to the first direction, and a fourth direction opposite to the second direction. Each of the first regions is connected to a first direction side or a second direction side of a second region. Each of the second regions is connected to a third or fourth direction side of a first region. The diaphragm is folded in a manner in which the first region and the second region alternately and repeatedly overlap along the thickness direction, such that the first surface of the first region and the second surface of the second region face the first thickness direction, and the second surface of the first region and the first surface of the second region face the second thickness direction. The first electrode is stacked on the first surface of the first region, and The second electrode is stacked on the second surface of the second region.

7. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The first direction and the third direction are parallel to the longitudinal direction, and The second direction and the fourth direction are parallel to the lateral direction, and the lateral direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

8. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The first region and the second region are substantially congruent parallelograms.

9. The electrode assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The first region and the second region are substantially congruent rectangles.

10. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The unfolded diagram as a whole has a shape that extends in an oblique direction relative to the first direction to the fourth direction.

11. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The first electrode is provided with a first tab, which protrudes along the second direction relative to the adjacent first region, and The second electrode is provided with a second tab, which protrudes along the fourth direction relative to the adjacent second region.

12. The electrode assembly according to claim 11, wherein, The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged so that they do not overlap each other in the thickness direction.

13. The electrode assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The electrode assembly has a substantially rectangular plane including a long side and a short side, and The first electrode and the second electrode are arranged relative to each other along their long sides.

14. The electrode assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The first electrode is provided with a first tab, which protrudes along the first direction relative to the adjacent first region, and The second electrode is provided with a second tab, which protrudes in a third direction relative to the adjacent second region.

15. The electrode assembly of claim 14, wherein, The electrode assembly has a generally rectangular plane that defines the lateral and longitudinal directions. The first electrode tab protrudes on both sides along the lateral direction, and The second electrode tab protrudes on both sides along the longitudinal direction.

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