Secondary battery electrode plate, electrode assembly, and method for manufacturing the electrode assembly

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a secondary battery electrode plate, an electrode assembly, and a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly. The secondary battery electrode plate includes a composite portion having an active material on at least one side of a substrate, an uncoated portion having no active material on the substrate, and a transparent insulating layer covering at least a portion of the composite portion and at least a portion of the uncoated portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure relate to a secondary battery electrode plate, an electrode assembly including the secondary battery electrode plate, and a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which are not designed for (re)charging, secondary (or rechargeable) batteries are designed to be discharged and recharged. Low-capacity secondary batteries are used in portable small electronic devices such as smartphones, feature phones, laptops, digital cameras, and camcorders, while high-capacity secondary batteries are widely used as power sources for driving motors in hybrid and electric vehicles, as well as for storing electricity (e.g., household and / or utility-scale power storage). A secondary battery typically includes an electrode assembly containing positive and negative electrodes, a housing of the electrode assembly, and electrode terminals connected to the electrode assembly.

[0003] When a secondary battery is exposed to abnormal high-temperature conditions such as an internal short circuit, the separator between the positive and negative electrodes may shrink, causing the aluminum of the positive electrode's terminal block or terminal block portion to come into direct contact with the negative electrode.

[0004] The information disclosed in this background section is intended to enhance the understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior art). Summary of the Invention

[0005] Coating the positive electrode with an insulating material helps maintain insulation between the positive and negative electrodes. In this case, the insulating material, which can be a mixture of ceramic and binder, can be applied in an opaque color (such as white) to both the active material and the uncoated portions. However, when the positive electrode is coated with an insulating material, the accuracy in the lateral direction (TD) may be low, and the edges may not be smooth. Therefore, producing cells based on insulating material coating can lead to poor cell alignment, dimensional errors, reduced capacity, etc. Furthermore, when there are large errors in the position and external dimensions of the cell terminals, the defect rate may increase during the assembly process.

[0006] Embodiments of this disclosure relate to a secondary battery electrode plate, an electrode assembly including the secondary battery electrode plate, and a method of manufacturing the electrode assembly, wherein the electrode assembly may be improved.

[0007] These and other aspects and features of this disclosure will be described in, or will become apparent from, the following description of embodiments of this disclosure.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a secondary battery electrode plate includes: a composite portion having an active material on at least one side of a substrate; an uncoated portion not having an active material on the substrate; and a transparent insulating layer covering at least a portion of the composite portion and at least a portion of the uncoated portion.

[0009] In one embodiment, the transparent insulating layer may be positioned along the boundary region between the composite portion and the uncoated portion.

[0010] In one embodiment, the transparent insulating layer may include at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb2O3, and SN2.

[0011] In one embodiment, the transparent nanocoating agent may include at least one of SiO2, silane, Al2O3, TiO2, and ZnO.

[0012] In one embodiment, the composite portion may have a rounded end in the boundary region with the uncoated portion, and the transparent insulating layer may cover the rounded end of the composite portion.

[0013] In one embodiment, the transparent insulating layer may have a thickness of less than 0.1 mm.

[0014] In one embodiment, the centerline of the transparent insulating layer may overlap with the boundary line between the composite portion and the uncoated portion.

[0015] According to one or more embodiments of this disclosure, an electrode assembly includes: a first electrode; a second electrode; a diaphragm between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first electrode tab connected to the first electrode; a second electrode tab connected to the second electrode; and a transparent insulating layer covering a boundary region between the first electrode tab and a composite portion of the first electrode, and covering a cut boundary line of the composite portion of the first electrode along a cut end of the composite portion. The composite portion of the first electrode includes a region having an active material.

[0016] In one embodiment, the transparent insulating layer may include at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb2O3, and SN2.

[0017] In one embodiment, the composite portion of the first electrode may have a rounded end in the boundary region with the first electrode tab, and the transparent insulating layer may cover the rounded end of the composite portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the centerline of the transparent insulating layer may overlap with the boundary line between the composite portion and the first electrode tab.

[0019] In one embodiment, in the stack of the first electrode and the second electrode, a plurality of corners of the composite portion of the first electrode may be aligned with a plurality of corners of the composite portion of the second electrode.

[0020] In one embodiment, at least some of the plurality of corners of the composite portion of the first electrode are visible through the transparent insulating layer.

[0021] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a method of manufacturing an electrode assembly includes: preparing a first electrode and a second electrode, each of the first electrode and the second electrode comprising: a composite portion having an active material disposed on at least one surface of a substrate; and an uncoated portion not having an active material disposed on the substrate; providing a transparent insulating layer to cover at least a portion of the composite portion and the uncoated portion of the first electrode; and stacking the first electrode, the second electrode, and a separator, the separator being disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0022] In one embodiment, the method may further include: forming an electrode tab on the first electrode by making cuts in the first electrode and the transparent insulating layer on the first electrode.

[0023] In one embodiment, forming the electrode tab on the first electrode may include: cutting off the remaining area of ​​the uncoated portion of the first electrode, excluding the electrode tab, along a line spaced a distance from the boundary line between the composite portion and the uncoated portion of the first electrode, as well as a portion of the composite portion of the first electrode and a portion of the transparent insulating layer.

[0024] In one embodiment, the transparent insulating layer may cover the boundary region between the composite portion of the first electrode and the electrode tab.

[0025] In one embodiment, the arrangement of the transparent insulating layer may include at least one of a material for coating the transparent insulating layer and a material for spraying the transparent insulating layer.

[0026] In one embodiment, the composite portion of the first electrode may have multiple corners; at least some of the multiple corners of the composite portion of the first electrode are visible through the transparent insulating layer; and the stacking of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the diaphragm may include aligning and stacking the first electrode and the second electrode based on the multiple corners visible through the transparent insulating layer.

[0027] In one embodiment, the transparent insulating layer may include at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb2O3, and SN2.

[0028] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a transparent insulating layer can be placed in the boundary region between the composite portion and the uncoated portion of the secondary battery electrode plate, thus making the boundary region visible through the transparent insulating layer. Therefore, based on the visible boundary region between the composite portion and the uncoated portion, the secondary battery electrode plate can be cut or sequentially stacked, thereby improving the precision of the manufacturing process of the electrode assembly and reducing the defect rate therein.

[0029] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the transparent insulating layer may include at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb₂O₃, and SN₂. Therefore, even if the secondary battery is exposed to abnormal conditions such as high temperatures (e.g., when the secondary battery is exposed to abnormal conditions such as high temperatures), if the separator between the positive and negative electrodes contracts (e.g., when the separator between the positive and negative electrodes contracts), the stability of the secondary battery can be ensured by preventing the terminal portion of the positive electrode or the aluminum of the terminal portion from directly contacting the negative electrode.

[0030] However, the aspects and features of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the detailed description below that other aspects and features not mentioned are also included. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the detailed description thereof, further describe aspects and features of the disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure should not be construed as limited to the drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 A schematic diagram illustrating a secondary battery according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 3Examples of secondary battery electrode plates according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0035] Figure 4 A vertical cross-sectional view of a secondary battery electrode plate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 5 A vertical cross-sectional view of a secondary battery electrode plate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0037] Figure 6 An example of a first electrode together with a cut reference line according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0038] Figure 7 An example of a three-dimensional first electrode together with a cut reference line according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0039] Figure 8 Examples of reference points for a stacked plate after notching the first and second electrodes are illustrated according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 9 A vertical cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0041] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating an example of a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0042] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as having a general or dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted in a way consistent with the technical concept of this disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor is capable of being his / her own lexicographer to appropriately define the concepts of the terms and to best describe his / her invention.

[0043] The embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are only some of the embodiments of this disclosure and do not represent all the technical ideas, aspects, and features of this disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace or modify the embodiments described herein may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0044] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on" another element or layer, "connected to," or "linked to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or linked to the other element or layer, or one or more intermediary elements or layers may be present. When an element or layer is referred to as being "directly on" another element or layer, "directly connected to," or "directly linked to" another element or layer, no intermediary element or layer is present. For example, when a first element is described as being "linked" or "connected" to a second element, the first element can be directly linked to or connected to the second element, or the first element can be indirectly linked to or connected to the second element via one or more intermediary elements.

[0045] In the figures, the dimensions of various elements, layers, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. The same reference numerals denote the same elements. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. Furthermore, when describing embodiments of this disclosure, the use of “may” refers to “one or more embodiments of this disclosure.” Expressions such as “at least one of…” and “any one of…” modify the entire list of elements when following it, and not individual elements within that list. When phrases such as “at least one of A, B, and C,” “at least one of A, B, or C,” “at least one selected from the group of A, B, and C,” or “at least one selected from A, B, and C” are used to refer to a list of elements A, B, and C, the phrase may refer to any one of A, B, and C and all suitable combinations or subsets of them, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C. As used herein, the term “use” may be considered synonymous with the term “utilize.” As used herein, the terms “substantially,” “about,” and similar terms are used as approximate terms and not as terms of degree, and are intended to describe the inherent variations in measured or calculated values ​​that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0046] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, areas, layers, and / or segments, these elements, components, areas, layers, and / or segments should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, area, layer, or segment from another element, component, area, layer, or segment. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, component, area, layer, or segment discussed below may be referred to as the second element, component, area, layer, or segment.

[0047] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “down,” “above,” and “above” are used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature illustrated in the figure and another element or feature. It will be understood that spatial relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation other than the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented as “above” or “above” other elements or features. Therefore, the term “below” can encompass both above and below orientations. The device may be oriented in other ways (rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0048] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure. As used herein, the singular form “a” is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising” and / or “including” as used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0049] Furthermore, any numerical range disclosed and / or described herein is intended to include all subranges with the same numerical precision contained within the described range. For example, the range “1.0 to 10.0” is intended to include all subranges between the described minimum value of 1.0 and the described maximum value of 10.0 (and inclusive of both), i.e., a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to explicitly describe any subranges contained within the scope explicitly described herein.

[0050] Referring to two compared elements, features, etc., as “identical” can mean that they are “substantially identical.” Therefore, the phrase “substantially identical” can include cases where the deviation is considered low in the art (e.g., 5% or less). Additionally, when a parameter is said to be consistent in a given region, it can mean that it is consistent in terms of the mean.

[0051] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0052] Placing any element "above (or below)" or "on (below)" another element can mean that the arbitrary element can be configured to contact the upper (or lower) surface of the element, and that the other element can be located between the element and the arbitrary element disposed on (or below) the element.

[0053] Additionally, it will be understood that when a component is referred to as “connected,” “linked,” or “attached” to another component, these components can be directly “connected,” “linked,” or “attached” to each other, or another component can be “between” these components.

[0054] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, the phrase "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B. That is, "and / or" includes any one or all of the listed items. Unless otherwise stated, the phrase "C to D" means C and below D.

[0055] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a secondary battery according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0056] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The secondary battery 10 may include a housing 400, a cover assembly 300, electrode terminals 210 and 220, a first electrode 110, a second electrode 120, and a transparent insulating layer 232. The first electrode 110, the second electrode 120, and the transparent insulating layer 232 may be placed inside the housing 400 (e.g., may be housed within the housing 400).

[0057] refer to Figure 1 The housing 400 may have at least one open side to accommodate the electrode assembly and electrolyte, and may form the shape of a secondary battery. The housing 400 can be used for square or pouch-shaped secondary batteries, such as... Figure 1 The example shown is not limited to this. However, the types of secondary batteries are not limited to this; for example, the casing 400 can be used for cylindrical secondary batteries, button-type secondary batteries, etc. The casing 400 can be formed of at least one of a metal (such as stainless steel (SUS), aluminum, aluminum alloy, and / or nickel-plated steel) and a laminated film or plastic forming the bag. The cover assembly 300 or the cover plate 310 of the cover assembly 300 can be placed on at least one open side of the casing 400 to seal the casing 400. In addition to the cover plate 310, the cover assembly 300 may include a gasket, an insulating layer, etc., but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0058] An electrolyte inlet 320 may be formed in the cover plate 310. Electrolyte can be injected into the housing 400 through the electrolyte inlet 320. Figure 1An electrolyte inlet 320 is shown formed in the cover plate 310, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the electrolyte inlet 320 may be formed in the housing 400. After the electrolyte has been fully injected, the electrolyte inlet 320 may be sealed by a sealing tool such as a plug.

[0059] An exhaust vent 330 may be formed on the cover plate 310. The exhaust vent 330 can prevent or substantially prevent the explosion of the secondary battery 10, or prevent or substantially prevent a chain heating reaction of another secondary battery 10 arranged close to (adjacent to) the secondary battery 10. For example, the exhaust vent 330 can open when the pressure in the secondary battery 10 exceeds a threshold pressure (e.g., a predetermined threshold pressure). The threshold pressure may be set differently depending on the application, material, purpose, etc., of the secondary battery 10.

[0060] Figure 2 An example of a cross-section of the secondary battery 10 is shown, taken along a line that connects to the plurality of electrode tabs 210 and 220 of the secondary battery 10 across one side of the housing 400.

[0061] The first electrode 110 can be formed by depositing a first active material layer on at least a portion of the first substrate. The first electrode tab 210 can extend outward from the first uncoated portion of the first substrate and can be electrically connected to the first electrode 110, wherein the first active material layer is not located at the first uncoated portion.

[0062] The second electrode 120 can be formed by providing a second active material layer on at least a portion of the second substrate. The second electrode tab 220 can extend outward from the second uncoated portion of the second substrate and can be electrically connected to the second electrode 120, wherein the second active material layer is not located at the second uncoated portion.

[0063] The first electrode tab 210 and the second electrode tab 220 may extend from the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 respectively in the same direction, such that the first electrode tab 210 and the second electrode tab 220 may be formed on the same side of the electrode assembly. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first electrode tab 210 of the first electrode 110 may be formed on one side of the electrode assembly, and the second electrode tab 220 of the second electrode 120 may be formed on the other side of the electrode assembly (e.g., the opposite side).

[0064] The first electrode 110 can be used as a positive electrode. In this case, the first substrate can be formed of a metal foil such as aluminum and / or aluminum alloys, and the first active material layer can include, for example, a transition metal oxide. The second electrode 120 can be used as a negative electrode. In this case, the second substrate can be formed of, for example, copper foil or nickel foil, and the second active material layer can include, for example, graphite or carbon.

[0065] A separator can be placed between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120. The separator can be used to prevent or substantially prevent short circuits between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120, while allowing the movement of lithium ions. The separator can be formed of, for example, a polyethylene membrane, a polypropylene membrane, a polyethylene-polypropylene membrane, etc., but this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0066] Electrode assemblies can be formed by alternately stacking or winding the first electrode 110, the second electrode 120, and the diaphragm. The electrode assembly can be a Z-stacked electrode assembly formed by inserting positive and negative electrode plates into corresponding sides of the diaphragm folded into a Z-stack. Alternatively, one or more electrode assemblies can be stacked with their long sides adjacent to each other and can be housed within a housing, but the number of electrode assemblies is not particularly limited.

[0067] The first electrode contact 210 can be positioned on the left side of the electrode assembly, and the second electrode contact 220 can be positioned on the right side of the electrode assembly. As another example, the first electrode contact 210 and the second electrode contact 220 can be located on one side of each other in the same direction. For ease of illustration, left and right correspond to... Figure 1 The left and right sides are shown, but their positions may change when the secondary battery is rotated in the left-right or up-down direction.

[0068] According to some embodiments, a transparent insulating layer 232 may be disposed within the first electrode 110 between a first uncoated portion and a first composite portion, wherein the first uncoated portion is a region without active material and the first composite portion is a region with active material. In other words, the transparent insulating layer 232 may be arranged along the boundary region between the first uncoated portion and the first composite portion. The transparent insulating layer 232 may be arranged to cover at least a portion of the first composite portion and at least a portion of the first uncoated portion.

[0069] According to some embodiments, the transparent insulating layer 232 may include an insulating material. The insulating material may include at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb₂O₃, and SN₂, which may be electrically insulating and block the flow of current. Accordingly, the transparent insulating layer 232 can prevent or substantially prevent internal short circuits that may occur when the diaphragm between the positive and negative electrodes contracts, causing the terminal portion of the positive electrode or the aluminum of the terminal portion to come into direct contact with the negative electrode. In other words, even if the diaphragm between the positive and negative electrodes contracts (e.g., when the diaphragm between the positive and negative electrodes contracts), the transparent insulating layer 232 can still prevent the terminal portion of the positive electrode or the aluminum of the terminal portion to come into direct contact with the negative electrode.

[0070] Figure 3Examples of secondary battery electrode plates according to some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown.

[0071] refer to Figure 3 The secondary battery electrode plate can be used as the positive electrode. The first composite portion 113 may include a first active material layer coated with an active material, and the first active material layer may include a transition metal oxide. The first uncoated portion 111 may include a region on the first substrate where no active material is disposed. The transparent insulating layer 112 may be disposed along the boundary region between the first composite portion 113 and the first uncoated portion 111, and may cover at least a portion of the first composite portion 113 and at least a portion of the first uncoated portion 111. The transparent insulating layer 112 may include an insulating material. The insulating material may include at least one of transparent nanocoating agents, transparent nanoinsulating materials, transparent alumina sol, Sb2O3, and SN2. For example, the transparent nanocoating agent may include at least one of SiO2, silane, Al2O3, TiO2, and ZnO. According to some embodiments, the transparent insulating layer 112 may be disposed at the boundary region between the first composite portion 113 and the first uncoated portion 111, and therefore the boundary region may be visible.

[0072] The first composite portion 113 may be a region on the first substrate where a first active material layer is formed, and Figure 3 The diagram shows that the first composite portion 113 covers all areas on the first substrate except for the first uncoated portion 111. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first active material layer may cover the remaining areas except for the edge areas of the first substrate.

[0073] Figure 4 A vertical cross-sectional view of a secondary battery electrode plate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 A vertical cross-sectional view of a secondary battery electrode plate according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4 This shows one side of a first substrate coated with a first active material layer and a transparent insulating layer, which serves as the positive electrode of a secondary battery.

[0074] refer to Figure 4 The transparent insulating layer 112 and the first active material layer 115 can be placed on the first substrate 114. The first active material layer 115 can be placed on the substrate 114. Figure 3 The first composite part 113 described is the same or substantially the same.

[0075] According to some embodiments, the first active material layer 115 may have a rounded end at the boundary region with the first uncoated portion 111. A transparent insulating layer 112 may cover the rounded end of the first active material layer 115. The transparent insulating layer 112 may cover the rounded end of the first active material layer 115 and at least a portion of the first uncoated portion 111.

[0076] According to some embodiments, in the boundary region between the first active material layer 115 and the first uncoated portion 111, the transparent insulating layer 112 may be formed to have a thickness of about 0.1 mm or less. Additionally, the centerline of the transparent insulating layer 112 may overlap with the boundary line between the first active material layer 115 and the first uncoated portion 111.

[0077] refer to Figure 5 A first active material layer 116 and a transparent insulating layer 117 may be coated on both sides (e.g., opposite sides) of the first substrate 118. The transparent insulating layer 117 and the first active material layer 116 may be disposed on both sides (e.g., opposite sides) of the first substrate 118. Accordingly, a separator, a second electrode, etc., may be arranged on and below the secondary battery electrode plate.

[0078] Figure 6 An example of a first electrode along with a cut reference line 130 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. More specifically, Figure 6 Part (a) is used to form the reference above. Figure 4 The described secondary battery electrode plate has a cut reference line 130 for the electrode terminals in a vertical cross-section in the vertical direction (e.g., the Y direction). Figure 6 Part (b) is used to form the reference above. Figure 3 A top view of the cut reference line 130 of the electrode terminals of the secondary battery electrode plate.

[0079] refer to Figure 6 The cut reference line 130 can be a virtual line used to cut the first electrode on which the transparent insulating layer 112 is provided to form an electrode tab on the first electrode. The transparent insulating layer 112 and the first active material layer 115 can be provided on the first substrate 114. The area on the first substrate 114 on which the first active material layer 115 is formed can be referred to as the composite portion, and the area on the first substrate 114 on which the first active material layer 115 is not formed can be referred to as the uncoated portion.

[0080] According to some embodiments, the transparent insulating layer 112 may include at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb₂O₃, and SN₂, which may be visible from the top of the first electrode. For example, the transparent nano-coating agent may include at least one of SiO₂, silane, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, and ZnO. Therefore, when the secondary battery electrode plate is viewed from the top in a vertical direction (e.g., the Y direction), the cut reference line 130 can be seen (e.g., observed) through the transparent insulating layer 112. Thus, the secondary battery electrode plate can be cut based on a shoulder line, which may be a line spaced a required distance (e.g., a predetermined distance) toward the boundary line between the first active material layer 115 and the uncoated portion (e.g., the boundary line between the first active material layer 115 and the uncoated portion). By using the cut reference line 130 of the first and second electrodes as the shoulder line of the composite part as described above (which can be visible through the transparent insulating layer 112), problems that may occur during the cutting process, such as poor cell alignment, external dimension errors and / or capacity reduction, can be minimized or reduced.

[0081] refer to Figure 6 In portions (a) and (b), based on the cut reference line 130, the remaining area of ​​the uncoated portion of the first electrode, excluding the electrode tabs, can be cut off, and the cut reference line 130 can be spaced a required distance (e.g., a predetermined distance) toward the boundary line between the composite portion and the composite portion and the uncoated portion of the first electrode, such that a portion of the composite portion of the first electrode and a portion of the transparent insulating layer can be cut off based on the cut reference line 130. (Reference) Figure 6 In part (b), the cut reference line 130 may traverse the boundary region between the first active material layer 115 and the transparent insulating layer 112 in a vertical direction (e.g., the Y direction). Accordingly, at least one electrode tab may be formed along the cut reference line 130. Although in Figure 6 Part (b) illustrates two electrode terminals, but the number of electrode terminals that can be formed is not limited to this. One or more electrode terminals can be formed.

[0082] Figure 7 An example of a three-dimensional first electrode together with a cut reference line 130 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0083] refer to Figure 7 As shown in the reference above Figure 6 As described, apart from the portion of the electrode terminal piece 200 to be formed, the transparent insulating layers 140 and 140_1, the first active material layer 141 and the first substrate 142 can be cut while making cuts based on the cut reference line 130.

[0084] More specifically, according to Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the electrode tab 200 can be formed by cutting a first electrode (e.g., a secondary battery electrode plate) based on a cut reference line 130. The electrode tab 200 may include an uncoated portion of a first substrate 142 as a portion of uncoated active material, a first active material layer 141, and a transparent insulating layer 140. The rounded end of the first active material layer 141 on the electrode tab 200 may be positioned in the boundary region between the electrode tab 200 and the first active material layer 141. The transparent insulating layer 140 may cover at least a portion of the first active material layer 141 on the electrode tab 200. The transparent insulating layer 140 may cover the rounded end of the first active material layer 141.

[0085] Figure 8 Examples of reference points for a stacking plate after the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 are cut, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0086] refer to Figure 8 The transparent insulating layer 140 can be referenced above. Figure 7 The transparent insulating layers 140 and 140_1 are described as being the same or substantially the same. The first electrode terminal piece 211 can be referenced above. Figure 7 The electrode tabs 200 described are identical or substantially identical. The first electrode 110 may include a pre-cut first composite portion, a transparent insulating layer 140, and a first electrode tab 211. The second electrode 120 may include a pre-cut second composite portion and a second electrode tab 221. Corners 131, 132, 133, and 134 of the first composite portion and corners 135, 136, 137, and 138 of the second composite portion may serve as virtual reference points for sequentially stacking the first electrode 110, the diaphragm, and the second electrode 120. In the following, references... Figure 8 The corners 131, 132, 133 and 134 of the first composite portion and the corners 135, 136, 137 and 138 of the second composite portion can be described in more detail, and the descriptions that are repeated with those mentioned above may not be repeated.

[0087] refer to Figure 8 In part (a), the first electrode tab 211 may protrude from the left side (e.g., upper left side) of the first electrode 110. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first electrode tab 211 may also protrude from the right side (e.g., upper right side) of the first electrode 110. The first electrode tab 211 may include at least a portion of a first composite portion, a transparent insulating layer 140, and a first uncoated portion.

[0088] refer to Figure 8In part (b), the second electrode tab 221 may protrude from the right side (e.g., upper right side) of the second electrode 120. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second electrode tab 221 may also protrude from the left side (e.g., upper left side) of the second electrode 120. The second electrode tab 221 may include at least a portion of the second composite portion and the second uncoated portion.

[0089] According to some embodiments, corners 131, 132, 133, and 134 of the first composite portion can be virtually positioned on the first composite portion. Additionally, corners 131 and 132 located near (e.g., adjacent to) the first electrode tab 211 can be visible from the top through the transparent insulating layer 140 in a vertical direction (e.g., the Y direction). Accordingly, the first electrode 110, the diaphragm, and the second electrode 120 can be sequentially stacked based on corners 131, 132, 133, and 134 of the first composite portion and corners 135, 136, 137, and 138 of the second composite portion. Thus, by using the visible corners of the composite portion as reference lines for stacking the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120, the precision of the manufacturing process for the electrode assembly can be improved, while the defect rate can be reduced.

[0090] Figure 9 A vertical cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly 100 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0091] refer to Figure 9 The electrode assembly 100 may include a first electrode 110, a second electrode 120, a diaphragm 250 between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120, a first electrode tab 233 connected to the first electrode 110, a second electrode tab 242 connected to the second electrode 120, and a transparent insulating layer 232. The transparent insulating layer 232 covers the boundary region between the first electrode tab 233 and the first composite portion 231 of the first electrode 110 and covers the cut boundary line of the first composite portion 231 along the cut end of the first composite portion 231.

[0092] The first composite portion 231 may be a region on the first electrode 110 where an active material is disposed, and the second composite portion 241 may be a region on the second electrode 120 where an active material is disposed. The electrode assembly 100 may have a structure in which the first electrode 110, the diaphragm 250, and the second electrode 120 are repeatedly stacked in a vertical direction (e.g., the Y direction). However, this disclosure is not limited to... Figure 9 The diagram shows a vertical cross-sectional view of the electrode assembly, and the thickness of the electrode assembly or the number of electrodes and diaphragms is not limited thereto.

[0093] According to some embodiments, the transparent insulating layer 232 and the first composite portion 231 can be formed on both sides (e.g., opposite sides) of the first substrate. Accordingly, the diaphragm, the second electrode, etc., can be stacked on the upper and lower surfaces of the first electrode 110. According to some embodiments, the transparent insulating layer 232 may include at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb2O3, and SN2. For example, the transparent nano-coating agent may include at least one of SiO2, silane, Al2O3, TiO2, and ZnO.

[0094] According to some embodiments, the first composite portion 231 of the first electrode 110 may have a rounded end at the boundary region with the first electrode tab 233, and a transparent insulating layer 232 may be arranged to cover the rounded end of the first composite portion 231. Although Figure 9 The first composite portion 231 with angular ends is shown, but this is for illustrative purposes only and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0095] According to some embodiments, the centerline of the transparent insulating layer 232 may overlap with the boundary line between the first composite portion 231 and the first electrode terminal piece 233.

[0096] According to some embodiments, at least some of the corners of the first composite portion 231 are visible through the transparent insulating layer 232. Accordingly, as the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 are stacked, the corners of the first composite portion 231 can be aligned with the corners of the second composite portion 241. By using the visible corners of the composite portion as reference lines for stacking the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120, the precision of the manufacturing process for the electrode assembly can be improved, while the defect rate can be reduced.

[0097] Figure 10 A flowchart 1100 illustrates an example of a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method for manufacturing an electrode assembly can be performed by suitable means for manufacturing an electrode assembly.

[0098] refer to Figure 10 In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing an electrode assembly may begin by preparing a first electrode and a second electrode, each comprising a composite portion having an active material disposed on at least one surface of a substrate and an uncoated portion not having an active material disposed on the substrate (S1110).

[0099] A transparent insulating layer may be disposed to cover at least a portion of the composite portion and the uncoated portion of the first electrode (S1120). For example, the first electrode may be a positive electrode plate.

[0100] An electrode tab can be formed on the first electrode by making a cut in the first electrode on which the transparent insulating layer is placed (S1130). For example, in S1130, the electrode tab can be formed by cutting a first uncoated portion and a portion of the first composite portion of the first electrode and a portion of the transparent insulating layer by means of a cutting process.

[0101] The first electrode, the second electrode, and the diaphragm can be stacked, with the diaphragm positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode (S1140).

[0102] According to some embodiments, the transparent insulating layer of the first electrode can be formed of a transparent insulating material. The transparent insulating layer can be arranged to cover at least a portion of the first composite portion and at least a portion of the first uncoated portion. The transparent insulating layer can be disposed along the boundary region between the first composite portion and the first uncoated portion. The centerline of the transparent insulating layer can overlap with the boundary line between the first composite portion and the first uncoated portion. The transparent insulating layer can be arranged to cover the rounded end of the first composite portion. The transparent insulating layer can be formed to have a thickness of less than 0.1 mm. The boundary region between the first composite portion and the first uncoated portion can be visible from the top through the transparent insulating layer in the vertical direction (e.g., the Y direction) of the first electrode.

[0103] According to some embodiments, applying a transparent insulating material to a positive electrode substrate may include at least one of a material for coating a transparent insulating layer and a material for spraying a transparent insulating layer.

[0104] According to some embodiments, the transparent insulating layer may include at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb₂O₃, and SN₂. For example, the transparent nano-coating agent may include at least one of SiO₂, silane, Al₂O₃, TiO₂, and ZnO.

[0105] According to some embodiments, forming an electrode tab on the first electrode may mean: cutting off the remaining area of ​​the first uncoated portion of the first electrode, excluding the electrode tab, as well as a portion of the first composite portion of the first electrode and a portion of the transparent insulating layer, based on a line spaced a required distance (e.g., a predetermined distance or a distance) toward the boundary line between the first composite portion and the first uncoated portion of the first electrode.

[0106] According to some embodiments, a line spaced a required distance (e.g., a predetermined distance) from the boundary line can be referenced above. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The described cut reference line 130 is the same or substantially the same.

[0107] According to some embodiments, at least some of the corners of the first composite portion of the first electrode are visible through a transparent insulating layer. Accordingly, as the first electrode and the second electrode are stacked, the corners of the first composite portion of the first electrode can be aligned with the corners of the second composite portion of the second electrode. In other words, stacking the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator may include aligning and stacking the first electrode and the second electrode based on the multiple visible corners.

[0108] However, this disclosure is not limited to the above references. Figure 10 A flowchart describing the process. For example, Figure 10 One or more operations in the flowchart can be added / modified / skipped, the order of one or more operations can be changed in various ways, and / or one or more operations can be performed synchronously with each other (e.g., simultaneously or substantially simultaneously).

[0109] Although this disclosure has been described with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings illustrating various aspects of this disclosure, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art to whom this disclosure pertains can make various modifications and variations within the spirit of the disclosure and within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A secondary battery electrode plate, comprising: The composite portion has an active material on at least one side of the substrate; The uncoated portion does not contain any active material on the substrate; as well as A transparent insulating layer covers at least a portion of the composite portion and at least a portion of the uncoated portion.

2. The secondary battery electrode plate according to claim 1, wherein the transparent insulating layer is positioned along the boundary region between the composite portion and the uncoated portion.

3. The secondary battery electrode plate according to claim 1, wherein the transparent insulating layer comprises at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb2O3, and SN2.

4. The secondary battery electrode plate according to claim 3, wherein the transparent nano-coating agent comprises at least one selected from SiO2, silane, Al2O3, TiO2, and ZnO.

5. The secondary battery electrode plate according to claim 1, wherein the composite portion has a rounded end in the boundary region with the uncoated portion, and the transparent insulating layer covers the rounded end of the composite portion.

6. The secondary battery electrode plate according to claim 1, wherein the transparent insulating layer has a thickness of less than 0.1 mm.

7. The secondary battery electrode plate according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the center line of the transparent insulating layer overlaps with the boundary line between the composite portion and the uncoated portion.

8. An electrode assembly, comprising: First electrode; Second electrode; A diaphragm between the first electrode and the second electrode; A first electrode terminal piece connected to the first electrode; The second electrode terminal piece is connected to the second electrode; as well as A transparent insulating layer covers the boundary region between the first electrode tab and the composite portion of the first electrode, and covers the cut boundary line of the composite portion of the first electrode along the cut end of the first electrode. The composite portion of the first electrode includes a region containing active material.

9. The electrode assembly according to claim 8, wherein the transparent insulating layer comprises at least one selected from transparent nano-coating agent, transparent nano-insulating material, transparent alumina sol, Sb2O3, and SN2.

10. The electrode assembly of claim 8, wherein the composite portion of the first electrode has a rounded end in the boundary region with the first electrode tab, and the transparent insulating layer covers the rounded end of the composite portion.

11. The electrode assembly of claim 8, wherein the centerline of the transparent insulating layer overlaps with the boundary line between the composite portion and the first electrode tab.

12. The electrode assembly according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein in the stack of the first electrode and the second electrode, a plurality of corners of the composite portion of the first electrode are aligned with a plurality of corners of the composite portion of the second electrode.

13. The electrode assembly of claim 12, wherein at least some of the plurality of corners of the composite portion of the first electrode are visible through the transparent insulating layer.

14. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, comprising: Fabricate a first electrode and a second electrode, each comprising: The composite portion has an active material disposed on at least one surface of the substrate; and The uncoated portion does not contain any active material disposed on the substrate; A transparent insulating layer is provided to cover at least a portion of the composite portion and the uncoated portion of the first electrode; and The first electrode, the second electrode, and the diaphragm are stacked, with the diaphragm positioned between the first electrode and the second electrode.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising: An electrode terminal is formed on the first electrode by making cuts in the first electrode and the transparent insulating layer on the first electrode.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein forming the electrode tab on the first electrode comprises: Along a line spaced a distance from the boundary line between the composite portion and the uncoated portion of the first electrode, cut off the remaining area of ​​the uncoated portion of the first electrode, excluding the electrode tabs, as well as a portion of the composite portion of the first electrode and a portion of the transparent insulating layer.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the transparent insulating layer covers the boundary region between the composite portion of the first electrode and the electrode tab.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein setting the transparent insulating layer comprises at least one of a material for coating the transparent insulating layer and a material for spraying the transparent insulating layer.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein: The composite portion of the first electrode has multiple corners; At least some of the corners of the composite portion of the first electrode are visible through the transparent insulating layer; and The stacking of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the diaphragm includes aligning and stacking the first electrode and the second electrode based on the plurality of corners visible through the transparent insulating layer.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14 to 19, wherein the transparent insulating layer comprises at least one of a transparent nano-coating agent, a transparent nano-insulating material, a transparent alumina sol, Sb2O3, and SN2.

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