Electrode with insulating region for improved current flow within electrode

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrode for a battery, the electrode comprising a current collector and an active material applied to at least a first side of the current collector, wherein the current collector has one or more current collector insulation regions and / or the active material has one or more active material insulation regions, wherein the current collector insulation regions and the active material insulation regions are electrically insulating regions. The invention also relates to a battery having two electrodes according to the invention.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to electrodes for batteries (primary or secondary batteries) and batteries having two electrodes according to the present invention.

[0002] A battery includes at least one battery cell having a positive electrode and a negative electrode in an ion-conducting electrolyte, wherein the electrodes are separated by a membrane. When considering the discharge process, the negative electrode is referred to as the anode, and the positive electrode as the cathode. Both the anode and cathode include a current collector or current conductor and an active material applied thereto.

[0003] During battery discharge, charged particles migrate from the anode through the electrolyte and separator towards the cathode, where they are embedded. Simultaneously, electrons are released through an oxidation process. These electrons flow from the negatively charged anode to the positive cathode via an external electrical connection, where a reduction process occurs and electrons are (reversibly) absorbed. An external current can then be used to operate the electrical device. During charging, the exact opposite process occurs. Charged particles migrate from the cathode to the anode, where they are embedded / deposited.

[0004] Lithium (Li) batteries are frequently used due to their high energy density and low self-discharge. In the lithium-ion battery cells used in lithium-ion batteries, Li ions, as charged particles, migrate from one electrode to another during battery charging and discharging.

[0005] In lithium-ion battery cells currently in use, such as those for consumer applications (mobile phones, MP3 players, etc.) or as energy storage devices in electric or hybrid vehicles, liquid electrolytes are frequently used as electrolytes, such as lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), a lithium conductive salt dissolved in an organic solvent.

[0006] In lithium-ion batteries, the negative electrode of a cell typically consists of copper foil as a current collector and an active layer (active material) of graphite or lithium alloy. Especially in secondary batteries, intercalation materials such as graphite are often used as the active material of the electrode because these materials are capable of reversibly inserting and deintercalating (lithium) ions. During charging, positively charged lithium ions required to provide power are intercalated into the active layer.

[0007] In lithium-ion batteries, the positive electrode typically consists of a mixed oxide (active material) applied to an aluminum current collector. Transition metal oxides containing cobalt, manganese, or nickel are the most common compounds. During battery cell charging, the applied oxide layer serves as the lithium source.

[0008] However, due to battery overcharging or anode aging, lithium ions may not be uniformly embedded in the graphite, but instead grow on the graphite as lithium needles. These lithium needles are also known as lithium dendrites. This problem also arises when using metallic lithium as the anode. In the case of a metallic lithium anode, lithium is deposited on the anode during battery charging. However, this does not usually occur as a planar layer of metallic lithium; instead, lithium tends to deposit in a sponge-like, porous, and dendritic morphology.

[0009] If the lithium dendrites grow large enough, they will eventually come into contact with the battery cell separator. If the lithium dendrites penetrate and damage the separator, it will no longer be able to perform its function of electrically and mechanically insulating the anode and cathode. This can lead to a short circuit between the anode and cathode. Such a short circuit results in intense heating of the battery cell, posing a fire risk. Therefore, the presence of lithium dendrites represents a significant safety issue.

[0010] However, in principle, there are other problems with known batteries as well.

[0011] For example, a series of experiments (Verena Müller et al., 2019 J. Electrochem. Soc. 166A3796) showed that in lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, the pressure is greatest in the pole region after only 50 discharge cycles.

[0012] Furthermore, as known from "C. Veth, D. Dragicevic, and C. Merten: 'Thermal characterizations of a large-format lithium ion cell focused on high current discharges,' Journal of Power Sources, Vol. 267, pp. 760-769, 2014," the temperature is highest in the terminal region at the beginning of the discharge process. Even at the end of the discharge process, the temperature is not completely uniformly distributed over the cell area.

[0013] In “CM Costa et al., “Magnetically active lithium-ion batteries towards battery performance improvement”, iScience, Vol. 24, 2021), it is hypothesized that if a magnetic field is generated that causes lithium ions to bombard the anode and cathode surfaces in an appropriate manner and makes the distribution of the lithium-ion flow more uniform, the performance and lifespan of the battery can be improved. Therefore, a uniform current distribution and appropriate lithium-ion bombardment should contribute to a reduction in dendrite formation. It can be assumed that this will also enable a more uniform distribution of pressure and temperature within the battery, which similarly leads to longer lifespan and better performance.

[0014] Several methods exist for reducing dendrite formation. In the publication "Kang Shen et al.: 'MagneticField-Suppressed Lithium Dendrite Growth for Stable Lithium-Metal Batteries', Advanced Energy Material, 2019," one proposed method is to generate an external magnetic field between the anode and cathode to reduce dendrite formation and thereby extend the lifespan of rechargeable batteries. The problem with this proposal is that it requires a significant amount of energy to provide the external magnetic field.

[0015] Overall, no satisfactory solution to the problems mentioned has been found to date.

[0016] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide electrodes for a battery and a battery capable of achieving a more uniform current distribution or a more uniform ion flow within the battery. Furthermore, more uniform heating or distribution and improved magnetic field orientation should be achieved, such that ions migrating through the electrolyte strike the anode or cathode as perpendicularly as possible. The necessary measures for this should be achievable in the simplest and least costly manner possible without requiring significant energy consumption.

[0017] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by an electrode having the features of claim 1 and a battery having the features of claim 8. Preferred embodiments of the electrode and battery according to the invention are derived from the dependent claims, this specification, and the drawings.

[0018] The electrode for a battery according to the present invention includes a current collector and an active material applied to at least a first side of the current collector. The current collector includes at least one current collector insulating region and / or the active material includes at least one active material insulating region, wherein the current collector insulating region and the active material insulating region are electrically insulating regions.

[0019] Accordingly, the current collector or active material, or both, is penetrated by an electrically insulating, i.e., non-conductive material, unlike conventional electrodes. This insulating material prevents charged particles (ions in the active material; electrons in the current collector) from diffusing unimpeded, forcing them to follow predetermined paths based on the location of the insulating region. This suppresses disordered particle movement within the electrode.

[0020] The active material is preferably applied as a layer on the first side, as is usually the case.

[0021] The battery according to the invention includes: a first electrode, which is an electrode according to the invention, wherein the first electrode is configured as an anode; and a second electrode, which is an electrode according to the invention, wherein the second electrode is configured as a cathode. Furthermore, the battery includes an electrolyte and a separator, the electrolyte being disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the separator being disposed in the electrolyte and extending substantially along a direction perpendicular to the shortest connection line between the first electrode and the second electrode.

[0022] When a battery is charged or discharged, an ion flow occurs within the electrolyte or active material, inducing electron movement in the current collector. The presence of insulating regions in the current collector and / or active material restricts the movement of these charged particles, thereby enabling ordered movement. Depending on the arrangement and number of insulating regions, the movement of particles within the electrodes can be controlled, resulting in a more uniform particle distribution and movement. Furthermore, the insulating regions provide the possibility of positively influencing the magnetic field generated in the battery, allowing the movement of charged particles in the electrolyte to be altered in a favorable manner. In particular, it enables ions to bombard the active material substantially perpendicularly.

[0023] This suppresses dendrite formation. Overall, it results in a higher C-rate (charge and discharge rate) and an increased number of charge cycles, thus extending battery life.

[0024] The battery according to the invention is not limited to a secondary battery (“rechargeable battery”), but in principle can also be configured as a primary battery, although in this case an increase in the number of charging cycles cannot be achieved.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment of the electrode, at least one of the one or more current collector insulating regions extends substantially in a direction perpendicular to the first side. If the active material is applied to the first side in the form of a layer, the current collector insulating region extends accordingly in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the active material layer.

[0026] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the current collector includes a second side, which is opposite to the first side, wherein the current collector includes a plurality of current collector insulating regions, wherein at least some of these current collector insulating regions extend substantially along a direction parallel to the shortest connection between the first side and the second side, wherein these current collector insulating regions are arranged offset from each other in this direction.

[0027] In this case, for example, some of these current collector insulating regions are arranged closer to the active material than others. In other words, some of these current collector insulating regions are arranged closer to the first side of the current collector than to the second side. The first side and the second side of the current collector are preferably arranged parallel to each other. In this case, these current collector insulating regions extend substantially perpendicular to the first and second sides.

[0028] By means of this offset arrangement of the current collector insulating region in the current collector, the path of charged particles becomes more difficult, especially in the direction perpendicular to the main extension direction of the current collector insulating region. In this respect, such an arrangement enables charged particles in the current collector to diffuse perpendicular to the first side of the current collector, or to diffuse in a direction parallel to the main extension direction of the current collector insulating region.

[0029] The current collector preferably includes a second side opposite to the first side, wherein at least one of one or more current collector insulating regions extends from the first side to the second side and divides the current collector into a first current collector region and a second current collector region, such that the first current collector region and the second current collector region are electrically insulated from each other. Thus, the degrees of freedom of movement of charged particles within the current collector are restricted in such a way that charged particles can no longer move between the first current collector region and the second current collector region. Consequently, the current flow in the different regions of the current collector is significantly restricted. Accordingly, chaotic current distribution can be prevented.

[0030] In another embodiment, at least one of the one or more current collector insulating regions extends substantially in a direction parallel to the first side. If the first and second sides of the current collector extend parallel to each other, the current collector insulating region also extends parallel to the second side. Furthermore, if the active material is disposed as a layer on the first side of the current collector, the current collector insulating region extends substantially parallel to the surface of the active material.

[0031] In another embodiment of the electrode, the active material includes a first active material surface facing away from the current collector and a second active material surface facing the current collector, wherein at least one of one or more active material insulating regions extends substantially in a direction perpendicular to the first active material surface, and in particular, extends from the first active material surface to the second active material surface.

[0032] The surfaces of the first and second active materials preferably extend substantially parallel to each other. Particularly preferably, at least the surface of the second active material extends substantially parallel to, and especially preferably flush with, the first side of the current collector.

[0033] The insulating regions of the active material restrict or guide the movement of charged particles within the active material. In particular, movement perpendicular to the main extension direction of the insulating regions is strongly restricted, especially when multiple such regions are present. Conversely, movement along the main extension direction is permissible.

[0034] When the insulating region of the active material extends from the surface of the first active material to the surface of the second active material, it can even create two separate regions of the active material, where charged particles cannot move between them. For example, if an ion from the electrolyte strikes one of these two regions, the ion is trapped in that region and cannot enter the other region of the active material.

[0035] In another embodiment of the electrode, the conductive region is arranged within at least one of one or more current collector insulating regions. This allows for better orientation of the magnetic field generated in the battery, particularly in such a way that ions strike the surface of the active material as perpendicularly as possible. The conductive region can be formed, for example, from iron.

[0036] In one embodiment of the battery, the first electrode and the second electrode are respectively configured such that the current collector includes a second side opposite to the first side, wherein an insulating region of the current collector extends from the first side to the second side and divides the current collector into a first current collector region and a second current collector region, such that the first current collector region and the second current collector region are electrically insulated from each other. Therefore, the anode includes a first anode current collector region and a second anode current collector region electrically insulated from the first anode current collector region, and the cathode includes a first cathode current collector region and a second cathode current collector region electrically insulated from the first cathode current collector region, wherein the first anode current collector region and the first cathode current collector region are arranged substantially opposite to each other on the shortest connecting line, wherein the insulating regions of the anode and cathode current collectors are arranged substantially opposite to each other on this connecting line, and wherein the second anode current collector region and the second cathode current collector region are arranged substantially opposite to each other on this connecting line.

[0037] Therefore, the battery includes an anode and a cathode, each having (at least) two electrically insulated regions, wherein these insulated regions are arranged substantially opposite to each other. Thus, the first anode current collector region and the first cathode current collector region are preferably substantially the same size. The same applies to the second anode current collector region and the second cathode current collector region, as well as the corresponding current collector insulated regions of the anode and cathode.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the battery, the first anode current collector region is configured to contact the first electrical conductor on the first anode contact side, and the first cathode current collector region is configured to contact the second electrical conductor on the first cathode contact side, wherein the first anode contact side and the first cathode contact side are arranged on opposite sides of the battery.

[0039] Particularly preferably, the opposite sides of the battery are arranged on sides extending perpendicular to the respective first sides of the current collectors of the anode and cathode. Particularly preferably, the anode contact side intersects with the first side of the current collector of the anode at the edge of the current collector of the anode. The same applies to the cathode, wherein the anode contact side and the cathode contact side are preferably arranged directly opposite each other on both sides of the separator of the battery.

[0040] The first and second conductors are preferably connected to each other via an electrical device.

[0041] With the aforementioned implementation method, it is possible to achieve a current flow direction at the anode contact side that corresponds to the current flow direction at the cathode contact side. In this respect, the magnetic field propagating in the battery can be affected. In conventional batteries, the current flow at the anode contact is opposite to the current flow at the cathode contact, while in this case, the current flows in the same direction. Therefore, a different and ultimately advantageous magnetic field is generated compared to conventional batteries.

[0042] In another embodiment of the battery, the second anode current collector region is configured to contact the first electrical conductor on the second anode contact side, and the second cathode current collector region is configured to contact the second electrical conductor on the second cathode contact side, wherein the second anode contact side and the second cathode contact side are arranged on opposite sides of the battery, and wherein the second anode contact side and the first anode contact side are located on opposite sides of the battery.

[0043] The invention will now be described in more detail based on exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show: Figure 1A This is a side view of a conventional battery structure; Figure 1B It is based on Figure 1A A planar schematic diagram of the magnetic field generated within a battery during discharge; Figure 1C It is based on Figure 1A A side view schematic diagram of the ion flow between the electrodes of the battery; Figure 2 This is a side view schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the electrode according to the present invention; Figure 3 This is a side view schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the electrode according to the present invention; Figure 4 This is a side view schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the electrode according to the present invention; Figure 5 This is a side view schematic diagram of a current collector according to a fourth embodiment of the electrode of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a side view schematic diagram of a current collector according to a fifth embodiment of the electrode of the present invention; Figure 7A This is a plan view of a first embodiment of the battery according to the present invention; Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A cross-sectional view of the current collector of the first electrode of the battery along line AA; Figure 7C yes Figure 7A A cross-sectional view of the current collector of the second electrode of the battery along line BB; Figure 8A This is a plan view of a second embodiment of the battery according to the present invention; Figure 8B yes Figure 8A A cross-sectional view of battery 100 along line AA; Figure 8C yes Figure 8A A cross-sectional view of the battery 100 along line BB; Figure 9A This is a plan view of a third embodiment of the battery 100 according to the present invention; Figure 9B yes Figure 9A Side view of the current collector of the electrode of the battery shown.

[0044] Figure 1A A side view schematic diagram of the structure of a conventional battery 500 is shown. The battery 500 includes a first electrode 10a (anode) and a second electrode 10b (cathode). As is generally the case, the designations of anode and cathode relate to the discharge process. The two electrodes 10a and 10b each include a current collector 12 and an active material 14 disposed on the current collector, and the electrodes are surrounded by an electrolyte 40. Specifically, the electrolyte 40 is disposed between the two electrodes 10a and 10b. Furthermore, a separator 30 is disposed between the two electrodes 10a and 10b. The separator 30 is located within the electrolyte 40. It extends substantially along a direction perpendicular to the shortest connection line between the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b. The first electrode 10a is connected to the second electrode 10b via a line 50. The current flow in the line 50 during battery discharge is indicated by arrows.

[0045] Figure 1B It shows according to Figure 1AA planar schematic diagram of the magnetic field generated within the battery 500 during discharge. Current flows from the current collector 12 of the first electrode 10a to the cathode. The field lines shown can be easily derived using Lenz's law. The magnetic field generated during discharge causes electrodes 10a and 10b to repel each other, producing a magnetic field perpendicular to the ion flow.

[0046] Figure 1C It shows according to Figure 1A A side view schematic diagram of the ion flow between electrodes 10a and 10b of battery 500. Positively charged ions, Li+ ions in the case of a lithium-ion rechargeable battery 500, flow from the anode to the cathode during discharge. In doing so, they are deflected upwards by a magnetic field. As a result of the ions being deflected by the B field, the ions strike the cathode, more precisely, the active material 14 of the cathode, not perpendicularly, thereby promoting dendrite formation.

[0047] Figure 2 A side view schematic diagram of a first embodiment of the electrode 10 according to the present invention is shown. The electrode 10 includes a current collector 12 and an active material 14. The active material 14 is disposed as a layer on a first side 121 of the current collector 12. The side of the current collector 12 opposite to the first side 121 is indicated by reference numeral 122. In the illustrated embodiment, the two sides 121 and 122 extend parallel to each other. A second active material surface 142 extends flush with the first side 121 of the current collector. The first active material surface 141 is disposed opposite the second active material surface 142.

[0048] In this case, the current collector 12 also includes a plurality of L-shaped current collector insulating regions 120. The current collector insulating regions 120 extend (vertically) into the current collector 12 from a first side 121 and then bend in a direction parallel to the first side 121. This affects the electron flow within the current collector. In particular, this results in a higher current density further away from the active layer. Consequently, the maximum heat generation of the current collector occurs further away from the active layer.

[0049] Figure 3 A side view schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the electrode 10 according to the present invention is shown. Except for the insulating region, the electrode 10 in the second embodiment is constructed in the same manner as the electrode 10 in the first embodiment. Unlike the first embodiment, Figure 3 The electrode 10 shown does not include the current collector insulating region 120, but only includes the active material insulating region 140. These regions extend continuously from the first active material surface 141 to the second active material surface 142. The active material insulating regions 140 are spaced apart from each other in a direction parallel to the first active material surface 141 (and the second active material surface 142).

[0050] Figure 4A side view schematic diagram of a third embodiment of the electrode 10 according to the present invention is shown. Similar to the electrode 10 in the first embodiment, the electrode 10 in the third embodiment also includes a current collector insulating region 120. More specifically, the electrode 10 according to the third embodiment includes two current collector insulating regions 120. A conductive region 16 is arranged within each current collector insulating region 120. The conductive region 16 is completely surrounded by an electrically insulating material.

[0051] Figure 5 A side view schematic diagram of a current collector 12 according to a fourth embodiment of the electrode 10 according to the present invention is shown. The current collector 12 includes a plurality of current collector insulating regions 120. The current collector insulating regions 120 divide the current collector 120 into a plurality of current collector regions that are electrically insulated from each other, specifically into a first current collector region 220, a second current collector region 222, a third current collector region 224, etc. Electrical contact is alternated between the different current collector regions. That is, the contact side of the first current collector region is on the left side of the figure shown (indicated by a left-pointing arrow, which is intended to indicate the direction of current flow from the second current collector region 220), while the contact side of the second current collector region is arranged on the right side (indicated by a right-pointing arrow, which is intended to indicate the direction of current flow from the second current collector region 222). In the third current collector region 224, the contact is arranged on the same side as in the first current collector region 220, and so on. Therefore, the current flow from the current collector 12 is not concentrated on a single contact, but is distributed across multiple contact points. Furthermore, the direction of current flow from the current collector 12 is not always the same. Conversely, the current flows in opposite directions in adjacent current collector regions. Consequently, the magnetic fields surrounding each current collector region partially cancel each other out. Therefore, when an electrode with such a current collector 12 is installed in the battery 100, it can influence the magnetic field formed therein, particularly the magnetic field in the electrolyte 40.

[0052] Figure 6 A side view of the current collector 12 according to a fifth embodiment of the electrode 10 according to the present invention is shown. The shaded area forms the current collector insulating region 120. The current collector insulating region 120 extends through the current collector 12 in a “serpentine” manner. Although regions that are completely electrically insulated from each other are not formed in this case, regions that are substantially separated from each other are still formed. Due to the arrangement of the electrical contacts (for connection with conductors) of the current collector 120 or the arrangement of the tabs 150, opposite current flows are formed in many adjacent regions (indicated by the arrows shown). Therefore, the current flow within the current collector 12 is influenced by or controlled by the use of the current collector insulating region 120.

[0053] Figure 7AA plan view of a first embodiment of a battery 100 according to the present invention is shown. The battery 100 includes a first electrode 10a (anode) and a second electrode 10b (cathode). As is generally the case, a separator 30 is disposed between the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b. For clarity, the electrolyte 40 is not shown.

[0054] The first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b each include a current collector 12 and an active material 14. In this case, the active material 14 is applied to both sides of the plate-shaped current collector 12 in both electrodes 10a and 10b. The current collector 12 of the first electrode 10a includes a plurality of spaced-apart current collector insulating regions 120, which divide the current collector 12 into a plurality of electrically insulated current collector regions (220a, 222a, etc.). The current collector 12 of the second electrode 10b also includes a plurality of spaced-apart current collector insulating regions 120, which divide the current collector 12 into a plurality of electrically insulated current collector regions (220b, 222b, etc.). The size and position of the current collector insulating regions 120 and the current collector regions of the two electrodes 10a and 10b are chosen such that the first anode current collector region 220a is arranged substantially opposite to the first cathode current collector region 220b across the diaphragm 30. This also applies to the adjacent corresponding current collector insulating regions of the cathode and anode. Furthermore, the second anode current collector region 222a and the second cathode current collector region 222b are also arranged substantially opposite to each other.

[0055] Electrical contact between adjacent anode current collector regions is alternately made from above and from below. A small circle is shown in the first anode current collector region 220a to indicate that the current flow in the first anode current collector region is from bottom to top. Therefore, the first anode contact side 221a is arranged on the lower side of the first anode current collector region 220a. Conversely, a cross is shown in the second anode current collector region 222a to indicate that the current flow in this region is from top to bottom. Therefore, the second anode contact side 223a is arranged on the upper side of the first anode current collector region 220a. Contact with the cathode or second electrode 10b is made similarly. Accordingly, the current flow direction in the first anode current collector region 220a and the first cathode current collector region 220b is the same. This also applies to the second anode current collector region 222a and the second cathode current collector region 222b, wherein the current flow direction from the first cathode current collector region 220b is opposite to the current flow direction from the second cathode current collector region 222b.

[0056] To better illustrate the electrical contact of the electrodes, please refer to... Figure 7B and 7C . Figure 7B A cross-sectional view along line AA is shown. Figure 7A The current collector 12 of the first electrode 10a. Figure 7C A cross-sectional view along line BB is shown. Figure 7A The second electrode 10b is the current collector 12. The arrows indicate the direction of current flow entering or leaving each region of the current collector 12.

[0057] Due to the current flow shown, a corresponding magnetic field is formed in the battery 100 caused by the insulating region and contact. Figure 7A In the diagram, the obtained magnetic field (approximately) is represented by arrows, which are intended to indicate the direction of the magnetic field. From Figure 7A and Figure 7B It can be seen that adjacent anode or cathode current collector regions have magnetic fields in opposite directions. As a result, adjacent current collector regions (at least slightly) repel each other and form a more favorable magnetic field. Specifically, this subsequently forms... Figure 1B It has a magnetic field similar to that in the middle, but the difference is that the field lines point in the direction of the lithium-ion flow, rather than perpendicular to the flow.

[0058] Figure 8A A plan view of a second embodiment of a battery 100 according to the present invention is shown. The battery 100 includes a first electrode 10a (anode) and a second electrode 10b (cathode). As is generally the case, a separator 30 is disposed between the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b. For clarity, the electrolyte 40 is not shown.

[0059] The first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b each include a current collector 12 and an active material 14. In this case, the active material 14 is applied to both sides of the plate-shaped current collector 12 in both electrodes 10a and 10b. The current collector 12 of the first electrode 10a includes a plurality of spaced-apart current collector insulating regions 120. The current collector 12 of the second electrode 10b also includes a plurality of spaced-apart current collector insulating regions 120. Figure 8A Clearly visible are the current collector insulating regions 120, which provide multiple electrically insulated regions (220a, 222a, 220b, 222b, etc.) in the two electrodes 10a and 10b, respectively, wherein, in such adjacent regions of the electrodes (10a, 10b), the current flows in opposite directions in each case (indicated by small circles or crosses in the corresponding regions).

[0060] Figure 8B It shows Figure 8AThe diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the battery 100 along line AA. It can be seen that electrodes 10a and 10b include not only current collector insulating regions 120 that cause separation into electrically insulating regions, but also L-shaped current collector insulating regions 120 within their current collectors 12 (more precisely, current collector regions 220a, 220b, etc.). These L-shaped current collector insulating regions are arranged sequentially from top to bottom in both current collector regions 220a and 220b at predetermined intervals. A portion of the L-shaped current collector insulating regions 120 extends perpendicularly to the first side 121 within the current collector 12, while another portion extends parallel to the first side 121 at a certain distance from side 121 (and side 122). An advantage of this embodiment is that the maximum current density is formed further away from the active layer. Therefore, the maximum heat generation of the current collector 12 occurs further away from the active layer 14.

[0061] Although current collector region 220a includes tabs 150 for electrical contact at its lower end, current collector region 220b includes tabs 150 at its upper end. This achieves that the current flows in the two current collector regions 220a and 220b in the same direction, i.e., from top to bottom.

[0062] Figure 8C It shows Figure 8A The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the battery 100 along line BB. Therefore, current collector regions 222a and 222b are specifically shown, which, like current collector regions 220a and 220b, include an L-shaped current collector insulating region 120. While current collector region 222a includes a tab 150 for electrical contact at its upper end, current collector region 222b includes a tab 150 at its lower end. Thus, current flows in both current collector regions 222a and 222b in the same direction, i.e., from bottom to top.

[0063] Figure 9A A plan view of a third embodiment of a battery 100 according to the present invention is shown. The battery 100 includes a first electrode 10a and a second electrode 10b, which are separated by a separator 30. An electrolyte 40 is not shown. Each of the electrodes 10a and 10b includes a current collector 12 and an active layer 14. Tabs 150 for electrical contact between the electrodes 10a and 10b are arranged opposite each other across the separator 30. In other words, in the view shown, the tabs 150 of the first electrode 10a are arranged to the left of the first electrode 10a, while the tabs of the second electrode 10b are arranged to the right of the second electrode 10b.

[0064] exist Figure 9B middle, Figure 9AThe current collectors 12 of electrodes 10a and 10b of the battery 100 are shown adjacent to each other in a side view (more precisely, from the front). In this view, it can be clearly seen that the current collector 12 of the first electrode 10a includes current collector insulating regions 120, which are arranged offset from each other in a top-to-bottom direction and extend to the edge of the current collector 12. As a result, electrons are forced to follow a “serpentine” path to the tabs 150 of the current collector 12. Since the current collector 12 of electrode 10b is similarly constructed, this also applies to the current collector 12 of electrode 10b.

[0065] In this embodiment, the current directions at the anode and cathode are aligned in the same direction over a wide range, enabling the formation of a more favorable overall magnetic field. Furthermore, within the electrodes, adjacent regions (regions separated by insulation) repel each other, thus further directionalizing the magnetic field. Additionally, the current flow cannot be allowed to move uncontrollably. Moreover, the number of current conductor tabs is reduced in this embodiment.

Claims

1. An electrode (10) for a battery (100), comprising: Current collector (12), and Active material (14) applied to at least the first side (121) of the current collector (12). The current collector (12) is characterized in that it includes one or more current collector insulating regions (120) and / or the active material (14) includes one or more active material insulating regions (140), wherein the current collector insulating region (120) and the active material insulating region (140) are electrically insulating regions.

2. The electrode (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one of the one or more current collector insulating regions (120) extends substantially in a direction perpendicular to the first side (121).

3. The electrode (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The current collector (12) includes a second side (122) opposite to the first side (121), wherein the current collector (12) includes a plurality of current collector insulating regions (120), wherein at least some of the current collector insulating regions (120) extend substantially along a direction parallel to the shortest connection between the first side (121) and the second side (122), wherein the current collector insulating regions (120) are offset from each other in this direction.

4. The electrode (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The current collector (12) includes a second side (122) opposite to the first side, wherein at least one of the one or more current collector insulating regions (120) extends from the first side (121) to the second side (122) and divides the current collector (12) into a first current collector region (124) and a second current collector region (126), such that the first current collector region (124) and the second current collector region (126) are electrically insulated from each other.

5. The electrode (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, At least one of the one or more current collector insulating regions (120) extends substantially in a direction parallel to the first side (121).

6. The electrode (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The active material (14) includes a first active material surface (141) facing away from the current collector (12) and a second active material surface (142) facing the current collector, wherein at least one of the one or more active material insulating regions (140) extends substantially in a direction perpendicular to the first active material surface (141), and in particular, extends from the first active material surface (141) to the second active material surface (142).

7. The electrode (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The conductive region (16) is arranged within at least one of the one or more current collector insulating regions (120).

8. A battery (100), comprising: The first electrode (10a) is an electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first electrode (10a) is configured as an anode. The second electrode (10b) is an electrode according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the second electrode (10b) is configured as a cathode. An electrolyte (40) is disposed between the first electrode (10a) and the second electrode (10b), and A diaphragm (30) is disposed in the electrolyte (40) and extends substantially along the direction perpendicular to the shortest connection line between the first electrode (10a) and the second electrode (10b).

9. The battery (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first electrode (10a) and the second electrode (10b) are configured according to claim 4 such that the anode includes a first anode current collector region (220a) and a second anode current collector region (222a) electrically insulated from the first anode current collector region (220a), and the cathode includes a first cathode current collector region (220b) and a second cathode current collector region (222b) electrically insulated from the first cathode current collector region (220b), wherein the first anode current collector region (220a) and the first cathode current collector region (220b) are arranged substantially opposite to each other on the shortest connecting line, wherein the current collector insulating region (120) of the anode and the current collector insulating region (120) of the cathode are arranged substantially opposite to each other on the connecting line, and wherein the second anode current collector region (222a) and the second cathode current collector region (222b) are arranged substantially opposite to each other on the connecting line.

10. The battery (100) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first anode current collector region (220a) is configured to contact a first electrical conductor on a first anode contact side (221a), and the first cathode current collector region (220b) is configured to contact a second electrical conductor on a first cathode contact side (221b), wherein the first anode contact side (221a) and the first cathode contact side (221b) are arranged on opposite sides of the battery (100).

11. The battery (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second anode current collector region (222a) is configured to contact the first electrical conductor on the second anode contact side (223a), and the second cathode current collector region (222b) is configured to contact the second electrical conductor on the second cathode contact side (223b), wherein the second anode contact side (223a) and the second cathode contact side (223b) are arranged on opposite sides of the battery (100), and wherein the second anode contact side (223a) and the first anode contact side (221a) are arranged on opposite sides of the battery (100).

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