Battery case and battery

Abstract

To provide a battery case capable of obtaining a satisfactory volume energy density.SOLUTION: A battery case for storing an electrode body has a hollow structure, and the hollow structure includes a first face, a second face opposed to the first face, a third face connecting the first face and the second face, and a fourth face opposed to the third face. The battery case includes a projected structure in which when a boundary part between the third face and the first face is defined as B1, a boundary part between the third face and the second face is defined as B2, and a line segment connecting B1 and B2 is defined as L12 in a side face view of the hollow structure in an axial direction, the third face has an apex at a position closer to the fourth face than L12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery case and a battery. [Background technology]

[0002] The battery has an electrode body and an exterior body that houses the electrode body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a laminated battery having a laminated exterior body. Patent Document 1 also discloses that a pressing member that presses the laminated electrode body toward the inside of the battery is disposed on at least one of the peripheral surfaces of the laminated electrode body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-181897 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, when a pressing member is arranged as in Patent Document 1, the volumetric energy density of the battery is likely to decrease. The present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has as its main object to provide a battery case that can obtain a good volumetric energy density. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In the present disclosure, there is provided a battery case for accommodating an electrode assembly, the battery case having a hollow structure, the hollow structure having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, in a side view in an axial direction of the hollow structure, a boundary portion between the third surface and the first surface is defined as B1, a boundary portion between the third surface and the second surface is defined as B2, and a line segment connecting the B1 and the B2 is defined as L. 12 In this case, the third surface is the above L 12The present invention provides a battery case including a convex structure having an apex at a position closer to the fourth surface than the first surface.

[0006] According to the present disclosure, since the third surface includes a predetermined convex structure, the battery case can achieve a good volumetric energy density.

[0007] In the above disclosure, the electrode body has a fifth surface, a sixth surface opposite to the fifth surface, a seventh surface connecting the fifth surface and the sixth surface, and an eighth surface opposite to the seventh surface; The fifth surface, the sixth surface, the seventh surface, and the eighth surface may be in a positional relationship corresponding to the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, respectively.

[0008] In the above disclosure, the distance between the position on the third surface closest to the fourth surface and the fourth surface is H C1 Let the distance between the seventh surface and the eighth surface be H. E In this case, the above H C1 and H above E is H C1 ≦H E may be satisfied.

[0009] In the above disclosure, the distance between the farthest position on the third surface from the fourth surface and the fourth surface is H C2 Let the distance between the seventh surface and the eighth surface be H. E In this case, the above H C2 and H above E is H C2 ≧H E may be satisfied.

[0010] In the above disclosure, the distance between the first surface and the second surface is W C The distance between the fifth and sixth surfaces is W E In this case, the above W C and the above W E is W C ≦W E may be satisfied.

[0011] In the above disclosure, there is provided a battery including an electrode body and a battery case that houses the electrode body, the battery case having a hollow structure, the hollow structure having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, and a fourth surface opposite to the third surface, in a side view in an axial direction of the hollow structure, a boundary portion between the third surface and the first surface is defined as B1, a boundary portion between the third surface and the second surface is defined as B2, and a line segment connecting the B1 and the B2 is defined as L. 12 In this case, the third surface is the above L 12 the electrode body has a fifth surface, a sixth surface opposite the fifth surface, a seventh surface connecting the fifth surface and the sixth surface, and an eighth surface opposite the seventh surface, the fifth surface, the sixth surface, the seventh surface, and the eighth surface being in a positional relationship corresponding to the first surface, the second surface, the third surface, and the fourth surface, respectively, the fourth surface of the battery case and the eighth surface of the electrode body are in contact, and the apex of the third surface of the battery case is in contact with the seventh surface of the electrode body.

[0012] According to the present disclosure, the fourth surface of the battery case is in contact with the eighth surface of the electrode body, and the top of the third surface of the battery case is in contact with the seventh surface of the electrode body, resulting in a battery with good volumetric energy density.

[0013] In the above disclosure, the first surface of the battery case and the fifth surface of the electrode assembly may be in contact, and the second surface of the battery case and the sixth surface of the electrode assembly may be in contact.

[0014] In the above disclosure, the battery may include a side case disposed on a side of the battery case.

[0015] In the above disclosure, the side case may include a concave shape corresponding to the convex structure. Effect of the Invention

[0016] The present disclosure has an effect of providing a battery case that can provide a good volumetric energy density. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a battery case according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery case according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a battery according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery case and a battery according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery case and an electrode assembly according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery case according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery case according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery case according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating an electrode body according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic plan view illustrating a side case in the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The battery case and the battery in the present disclosure will be described in detail below. Each of the figures shown below is a schematic illustration, and the size and shape of each part are appropriately exaggerated to facilitate understanding. In addition, hatching showing the cross section of a member is appropriately omitted in each figure.

[0019] A. Battery case FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a battery case according to the present disclosure. The battery case 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a hollow structure. This hollow structure has a first surface S1, a second surface S2 facing the first surface S1, a third surface S3 connecting the first surface S1 and the second surface S2, and a fourth surface S4 facing the third surface S3. In FIG. 1, the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 face each other in the x-axis direction, and the third surface S3 and the fourth surface S4 face each other in the z-axis direction. Meanwhile, the side surface P and the side surface Q of the battery case 10 correspond to the opening of the hollow structure, and both face each other in the y-axis direction. That is, the hollow structure shown in FIG. 1 has an axial direction in the y-axis direction.

[0020] 2 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery case according to the present disclosure, which is a schematic side view in the axial direction of a hollow structure. As shown in FIG. 2, the boundary between the third surface S3 and the first surface S1 is B1, the boundary between the third surface S3 and the second surface S2 is B2, and the line segment connecting B1 and B2 is L. 12 The third surface S3 is L 12 The top C is located on the fourth surface S4 side. T The convex structure has the following structure:

[0021] According to the present disclosure, the third surface includes a predetermined convex structure, and thus the battery case can obtain a good volumetric energy density. Here, a battery including the battery case according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, the fourth surface S4 of the battery case 10 is a surface S extending from the first surface S1. 4a and a surface S extending from the second surface S2 4b Surface S 4a and surface S 4b are arranged so as to overlap each other when viewed in a plan view from the height direction (z-axis direction). For example, the surface S 4a While moving in the +x direction, face S 4b In the −x direction, the battery case 10 is bent, and the surface S 4a and surface S 4b A space is created between the surface S and the electrode assembly 20. The electrode assembly 20 is placed inside the battery case 10 (inside the hollow structure) through the space. 4a and surface S4b After joining, a pair of side cases 30 are placed on the side P and side Q of the battery case 10, respectively, and the electrode body 20 is sealed.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4(a), the third surface S3 is T As shown in FIG. 4(b), when the electrode body 20 is placed inside the battery case 10, the electrode body 20 is T The position of the electrode body 20 is pushed in a direction away from the fourth surface S4. As a result, a pressure indicated by a black arrow is applied to the electrode body 20, and the position of the electrode body 20 is fixed. In this way, the convex structure on the third surface S3 can fix the position of the electrode body 20, so there is no need to place another pressing member. As a result, a battery case that can obtain a good volume energy density is obtained. In addition, a laminate type exterior body is known as an exterior body used for a battery. In a laminate type exterior body, a seal part in which laminates are heat-sealed to each other is provided so as to surround the main surface of the electrode body in a plan view. In this case, the seal part is a factor that reduces the volume energy density. In contrast, the battery case in the present disclosure can arrange a side case on the side of the battery case as described above. Therefore, there is no need to provide a seal part so as to surround the main surface of the electrode body. In this respect, too, the battery case can obtain a good volume energy density.

[0023] The battery case of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below. The battery case of the present disclosure has a hollow structure. As shown in Fig. 1, the hollow structure has a first surface S1, a second surface S2 facing the first surface S1, a third surface S3 connecting the first surface S1 and the second surface S2, and a fourth surface S4 facing the third surface S3.

[0024] The planar shape of each surface (first surface, second surface, third surface, or fourth surface) of the battery case is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a rectangular shape such as a square or a rectangle. Each surface may be flat, curved, or a shape combining two or more flat surfaces. The planar shape of the first surface and the planar shape of the second surface may be the same. The planar shape of the fourth surface and the planar shape of the third surface may be the same. The area of ​​the first surface is preferably larger than the area of ​​the third surface. Similarly, the area of ​​the first surface is preferably larger than the area of ​​the fourth surface. The first surface and the second surface are preferably surfaces that face the main surface of the electrode body (when the electrode body has a laminated structure, the surface having the lamination direction as the normal direction) when the electrode body is placed inside the battery case.

[0025] Also, the battery case in the present disclosure is used to house the electrode body. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the electrode body 20 has a fifth surface S5, a sixth surface S6 facing the fifth surface S5, a seventh surface S7 connecting the fifth surface S5 and the sixth surface S6, and an eighth surface S8 facing the seventh surface S7. The fifth surface S5, the sixth surface S6, the seventh surface S7, and the eighth surface S8 are in a positional relationship corresponding to the first surface S1, the second surface S2, the third surface S3, and the fourth surface S4, respectively. Specifically, when the electrode body is disposed inside the battery case, the fifth surface S5 becomes the surface facing the first surface S1. The same applies to the other surfaces.

[0026] The dimensions of the battery case are defined as follows. As shown in FIG. 5(a), the distance between the fourth surface S4 and the position on the third surface S3 closest to the fourth surface S4 is defined as H C1 Let us assume that. C1 is usually the distance in the direction connecting the third surface S3 and the fourth surface S4 (z-axis direction in FIG. 2), and is the inner diameter not including the thickness of the third surface S3 and the fourth surface S4. The position on the third surface S3 closest to the fourth surface S4 is usually the apex C T As shown in FIG. 5(a), the distance between the farthest position on the third surface S3 from the fourth surface S4 and the fourth surface S4 is H C2 Let us assume that. C2is usually the distance in the direction connecting the third surface S3 and the fourth surface S4 (z-axis direction in FIG. 2), and is the inner diameter not including the thickness of the third surface S3 and the fourth surface S4. The position on the third surface S3 that is the furthest from the fourth surface S4 is, for example, the position of the boundary portion B1 or the boundary portion B2. Also, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the distance between the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 is defined as W C Let us assume that C is usually the distance in the direction connecting the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 (the x-axis direction in FIG. 2), and is the inner diameter not including the thicknesses of the first surface S1 and the second surface S2.

[0027] The dimensions of the electrode body are defined as follows. As shown in FIG. 5(b), the distance between the seventh surface S7 and the eighth surface S8 is H E Let us assume that. E is usually the distance in the direction connecting the seventh surface S7 and the eighth surface S8 (the z-axis direction in FIG. 2). Also, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the distance between the fifth surface S5 and the sixth surface S6 is W E Let us assume that E is usually the distance in the direction connecting the fifth surface S5 and the sixth surface S6 (the x-axis direction in FIG. 2).

[0028] H C1 and H E is H C1 ≦H E It is preferable that H C1 <H E In this case, the electrode body is easily fixed in place when placed inside the battery case. E H for C1 Percentage of (H C1 / H E ) is, for example, 0.90 or more. On the other hand, H C1 / H E is, for example, 1.00 or less, may be 0.99 or less, or may be 0.97 or less.

[0029] H C2 and H E is H C2 ≧H E It is preferable that H C2 >HE In this case, the electrode body is easily fixed in place when placed inside the battery case. E H for C2 Percentage of (H C2 / H E ) is, for example, 1.00 or more, may be 1.01 or more, or may be 1.03 or more. C2 / H E is, for example, less than or equal to 1.10.

[0030] W C and W E is W C ≦W E It is preferable that W C <W E In this case, when the electrode assembly is placed inside the battery case, the electrode assembly is easily fixed. E W for C Percentage of (W C / W E ) is, for example, 0.90 or more. On the other hand, W C / W E is, for example, 1.00 or less, may be 0.99 or less, or may be 0.97 or less.

[0031] H C2 and H C1 Difference (H C2 -H C1 ) is, for example, 1 mm or more and 3 mm or less. C H for C2 Percentage of (H C2 / W C ) is, for example, 1 or more, and may be 5 or more. C2 / W C The upper limit is not particularly limited.

[0032] The third surface in this disclosure is the line segment L 12 As shown in FIG. 6(a), the convex structure has a peak at a position closer to the fourth surface side than the peak C. T may be a point (vertex) in a side view. Also, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the vertex C TThe top C may be curved in side view. T may be flat in side view. Also, as shown in FIG. 6(d), the convex structure may have two or more apexes C T

[0043]

[0033] As shown in FIG. 7, the thickness of the third surface may be greater than the thickness of the first surface and the thickness of the second surface. By increasing the thickness of the third surface, the electrode body can be pressed more firmly. The ratio of the thickness of the third surface to the thickness of the first surface is, for example, 1.1 times, and may be 1.5 or more, or 2.0 times or more. On the other hand, the ratio is, for example, 5.0 times or less. In addition, the preferred range of the ratio of the thickness of the third surface to the thickness of the second surface is the same as the preferred range of the ratio of the thickness of the third surface to the thickness of the first surface. The thickness of each surface refers to the average thickness of each surface. For example, a method of thickening the third surface includes a method of joining a reinforcing metal sheet.

[0034] The fourth surface in the present disclosure is a surface that is disposed so as to face the third surface in the hollow structure. As shown in FIG. 8(a), the fourth surface S4 is a surface S4 extending from the first surface S1. 4a and a surface S extending from the second surface S2 4b In FIG. 8(a), the surface S 4a and surface S 4b 8B, the fourth surface S4 is disposed so that the overlapping portion of the first surface S1 faces the third surface (not shown). 4a 8(b), and may not have a surface extending from the second surface S2. 4a As shown in FIG. 8(c), the fourth surface S4 is a surface S extending from the first surface S1. 4a and a surface S extending from the second surface S2 4b and a surface S 4a and surface S 4b In this case, the surface S 4a and surface S 4bIt is preferable to seal the opening between the two by using another member. As shown in Figures 8(a) and (b), the cross section of the hollow structure cut perpendicular to the axial direction may be a closed cross section. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 8(c), the cross section of the hollow structure cut perpendicular to the axial direction may be an open cross section.

[0035] The battery case may or may not have a resin layer having thermal adhesion on the inner surface side (the side where the electrode body is accommodated) of the hollow structure. The material of the battery case is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include metals such as aluminum and stainless steel. Each surface (first surface, second surface, third surface, and fourth surface) constituting the hollow structure is preferably composed of one metal plate. The thickness of the battery case is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 0.05 mm or more and 0.10 mm or more. On the other hand, the thickness of the battery case is, for example, 0.50 mm or less and may be 0.30 mm or less.

[0036] B.Battery 9 is a schematic side view illustrating a battery according to the present disclosure. The battery 100 shown in FIG. 9 includes an electrode assembly 20 and a battery case 10 that houses the electrode assembly 20. A fourth surface S4 of the battery case 10 and an eighth surface S8 of the electrode assembly 20 are in contact with each other. In addition, a top C of a third surface S3 of the battery case 10 is in contact with each other. T and the seventh surface S7 of the electrode body 20 are in contact with each other.

[0037] According to the present disclosure, the fourth surface of the battery case is in contact with the eighth surface of the electrode body, and the top of the third surface of the battery case is in contact with the seventh surface of the electrode body, resulting in a battery with good volumetric energy density.

[0038] 1. Battery case The battery case in the present disclosure is a member that houses the electrode assembly. The battery case is similar to the content described above in "A. Battery case," and therefore will not be described here.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 9, the fourth surface S4 of the battery case 10 and the eighth surface S8 of the electrode body 20 are in contact with each other. The fourth surface S4 and the eighth surface S8 may be in point contact or surface contact when viewed from the side in the axial direction of the hollow structure. Also, in Fig. 9, the top C of the third surface S3 of the battery case 10 T 5A, the distance between the position on the third surface S3 closest to the fourth surface S4 and the fourth surface S4 is defined as H C1 Similarly, the distance between the farthest position on the third surface S3 from the fourth surface S4 and the fourth surface S4 is H C2 As shown in FIG. 5B, the distance between the seventh surface S7 and the eighth surface S8 is H E In the battery disclosed herein, H C1 and H E But usually, H C1 =H E Similarly, in the battery of the present disclosure, H C2 and H E But usually, H C2 >H E Meet the following.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 9, it is preferable that the first surface S1 of the battery case 10 and the fifth surface S5 of the electrode body 20 are in contact with each other. The first surface S1 and the fifth surface S5 may be in point contact or surface contact when viewed from the side in the axial direction of the hollow structure, with the latter being preferred. It is also preferable that the second surface S2 of the battery case 10 and the sixth surface S6 of the electrode body 20 are in contact with each other. The second surface S2 and the sixth surface S6 may be in point contact or surface contact when viewed from the side in the axial direction of the hollow structure, with the latter being preferred. As shown in FIG. 5(a) above, the distance between the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 is defined as W C As shown in FIG. 5B, the distance between the fifth surface S5 and the sixth surface S6 is W E In the battery disclosed herein, W C and W E But usually, W C =W E Meet the following.

[0041] 2. Electrode body The electrode body in the present disclosure is a member in which a battery reaction occurs. The electrode body 20 shown in FIG. 10 has a positive electrode active material layer 21, a negative electrode active material layer 22, and an electrolyte layer 23 disposed between the positive electrode active material layer 21 and the negative electrode active material layer 22. A set of the positive electrode active material layer 21, the electrolyte layer 23, and the negative electrode active material layer 22 may be referred to as a power generation unit X. The electrode body 20 also has a positive electrode current collector 24 on the surface of the positive electrode active material layer 21 opposite to the electrolyte layer 23, and has a negative electrode current collector 25 on the surface of the negative electrode active material layer 22 opposite to the electrolyte layer 23. A set of one or more power generation units X and two or more current collectors (positive electrode current collectors and negative electrode current collectors) may be referred to as a power generation element Y.

[0042] 10, the electrode body 20 may include a first protective layer 26a that protects the side surface of the power generating element Y. In FIG. 10, the first protective layer 26a is disposed on each of both side surfaces of the power generating element Y. Although not particularly shown, the first protective layer may be disposed on only one side surface of the power generating element Y. In FIG. 10, the first protective layer 26a is disposed on the side surface of the power generating element Y in the thickness direction D. T The first protective layer 26a is disposed over the entire area of ​​the electrode 26. Although not particularly shown, the first protective layer may be disposed over only a portion of the side surface of the power generating element Y in the thickness direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 10, the electrode assembly 20 has a main surface (thickness direction D T 10, second protective layers 26b are disposed on both main surfaces of the power generating element Y. Although not particularly shown, the second protective layer may be disposed on only one main surface of the power generating element Y. Furthermore, when viewed in a plan view in the thickness direction, the second protective layer may be disposed so as to overlap at least a portion of the power generating element Y. Furthermore, the second protective layer may be disposed so as to encompass the entire power generating element Y.

[0044] The positive electrode active material layer contains at least a positive electrode active material, and may further contain at least one of a conductive material, an electrolyte, and a binder. 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 Examples of the oxide active material include O2. Examples of the conductive material include carbon materials. Examples of the electrolyte include solid electrolytes and liquid electrolytes (electrolytic solutions). Examples of the solid electrolyte include inorganic solid electrolytes such as sulfide solid electrolytes, oxide solid electrolytes, and halide solid electrolytes, gel electrolytes, and polymer electrolytes. Examples of the electrolytic solution include electrolytic solutions in which Li salts such as LiPF6 are dissolved in carbonate-based solvents. Examples of the binder include fluorine-based binders such as PVDF. Examples of the positive electrode current collector include Al, SUS, and Ni.

[0045] The negative electrode active material layer contains at least a negative electrode active material, and may further contain at least one of a conductive material, an electrolyte, and a binder. Examples of the negative electrode active material include a Si-based active material such as a simple substance, a Si alloy, and a Si oxide, a graphite-based active material such as graphite, and an oxide-based active material such as lithium titanate. The conductive material, electrolyte, and binder in the negative electrode active material layer are the same as those described in the above-mentioned positive electrode active material layer. Examples of the negative electrode current collector include Cu, SUS, and Ni.

[0046] The electrolyte layer contains at least an electrolyte, and may further contain a binder. The electrolyte and the binder are the same as those described in the above-mentioned positive electrode active material layer. When the electrolyte layer contains a solid electrolyte, such a battery is generally called an all-solid-state battery. The battery in the present disclosure may be an all-solid-state battery. When the electrolyte layer contains a liquid electrolyte, the electrolyte layer may be a layer in which a separator is impregnated with the liquid electrolyte.

[0047] When the electrode body has a plurality of power generating units, they may be connected in series or in parallel. The power generating element in the electrode body usually has a laminated structure in which the above-mentioned layers are laminated. The power generating element may have a sheet-type laminated structure or a wound-type laminated structure. The protective layer is preferably an insulating layer. This is because it can prevent the occurrence of a short circuit. Examples of materials for the protective layer include resins.

[0048] 3. Side case The battery in the present disclosure may include a side case disposed on a side of the battery case. As described above, the side of the battery case corresponds to an opening of the hollow structure. The battery in the present disclosure may include a side case on only one of the two side surfaces of the battery case, or may include a side case on each of the two side surfaces. Depending on the size of the battery case, the side case may not be disposed on the side of the battery case, and the battery case may be sealed using a sealant such as a resin.

[0049] As shown in Fig. 11(a), the electrode body 20 is placed inside the battery case 10 (inside the hollow structure), and then the side case 30 is placed on the side of the battery case 10. At this time, an adhesive resin layer 31 is placed around the periphery of the side case 30. As a result, as shown in Fig. 11(b), the side of the battery case 10 is sealed by the side case 30 and the resin layer 31. The planar shape of the side case is not particularly limited, but it is preferably a shape similar to the side shape of the battery case 10, as shown in Fig. 11(a).

[0050] As shown in FIG. 11(a), the side case 30 may include a concave shape corresponding to the convex structure of the battery case 10. The side case 30 shown in FIG. 11(a) has, in a plan view, a first side s1, a second side s2 opposite to the first side s1, a third side s3 connecting the first side s1 and the second side s2, and a fourth side s4 opposite to the third side s3. The first side s1, the second side s2, the third side s3, and the fourth side s4 are in a positional relationship corresponding to the first surface S1, the second surface S2, the third surface S3, and the fourth surface S4 of the battery case 10, respectively. In the side case 30, the intersection point of the third side s3 and the first side s1 is C1, the intersection point of the third side s3 and the second side s2 is C2, and the line segment connecting C1 and C2 is l. 12 The third side s3 is the line segment l 12 Bottom C is located on the fourth side s4 side. B The recessed shape may include a recessed shape having a

[0051] The side case may have a cutout for arranging the current collector terminals (positive and negative terminals). The side case itself may be the current collector terminal. The material and thickness of the side case are not particularly limited, but are the same as the material and thickness of the battery case described above.

[0052] 4.Battery The battery according to the present disclosure includes at least an electrode body and a battery case, and preferably further includes a side case. On the other hand, the battery according to the present disclosure preferably does not include a spacer inside the battery case.

[0053] The battery in the present disclosure is typically a lithium ion secondary battery. The use of the battery is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include power sources for vehicles such as hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), electric vehicles (BEVs), gasoline-powered vehicles, and diesel-powered vehicles. In particular, the battery is preferably used as a driving power source for hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or electric vehicles. The battery in the present disclosure may also be used as a power source for moving objects other than vehicles (e.g., railways, ships, and aircraft), and may also be used as a power source for electrical appliances such as information processing devices.

[0054] The method for manufacturing a battery in the present disclosure is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a method having an arrangement step of arranging an electrode body inside a battery case (inside a hollow structure) and a side sealing step of sealing the side of the battery case.

[0055] In the placement step, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the surface S 4a While moving in the +x direction, face S 4b In the −x direction, the battery case 10 is bent, and the surface S 4a and surface S 4b A space is created between the electrode body 20 and the battery case 10. The electrode body 20 is placed inside the battery case 10 (inside the hollow structure) through the space.

[0056] In the disposing step, it is preferable that the battery case and the electrode assembly have the following dimensional relationship. Note that the following dimensional relationship is the relationship before the electrode assembly is disposed inside the battery case. Here, as shown in FIG. 5(a) above, the dimensions of the battery case are H C1 , H C2 and W C Similarly, as shown in FIG. 5(b) above, the dimensions of the electrode body are defined as H E and W E The dimensions of the battery case and the electrode body usually have manufacturing tolerances. The upper limit of the tolerance range is expressed as MAX, and the lower limit is expressed as MIN. C1-MAX and H E-MIN is H C1-MAX ≦H E-MIN It is preferable that H C2-MIN and H E-MAX is H C2-MIN ≧H E-MAX It is preferable that W C-MAX and W E-MIN is W C-MAX ≦W E-MIN It is preferable that the following is satisfied.

[0057] In the side surface sealing step, the side surface of the battery case 10 may be sealed with a side surface case 30 and a resin layer 31, as shown in FIG. 11(b) described above.

[0058] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and anything that has substantially the same configuration as the technical idea described in the claims of the present disclosure and exhibits similar effects is included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10 … Battery case 20 … Electrode body 30 ... Side case 100…Battery

Claims

[Claim 1] A battery case for housing an electrode assembly, The battery case has a hollow structure, The hollow structure has a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, When viewed from the side in the axial direction of the hollow structure, the boundary between the third surface and the first surface is denoted by B. １ The boundary between the third surface and the second surface is B ２ And, B １ and B ２ The line segment connecting １２ In this case, the third surface is １２ a convex structure having an apex located on the inner side of the hollow structure relative to the inner side of the battery case.

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