Battery, method for manufacturing a battery, and electrode body

Abstract

This invention provides a battery that allows for simple and accurate positional control when stacking each component of the battery at a specified location, thereby improving productivity. [Solution] The battery 1 comprises an electrode body 70, an electrode terminal 11 electrically connected to the electrode body 70, a counter electrode current collector 50 stacked on the electrode body 70, and a counter electrode terminal 51 electrically connected to the counter electrode current collector 50. In plan view, the battery 1 has a polygonal shape with four or more sides, and has sides (a) 101 on which the electrode terminal 11 and the counter electrode terminal 51 are located, sides (b) 102 intersecting one end of side (a) 101, sides (d) 104 intersecting the other end of side (a) 101, and sides (c) 103 intersecting the end of side (d) 104 opposite to the intersection point with side (a) 101. The interior angle between sides (a) 101 and side (b) 102 is obtuse. The interior angle between sides (a) 101 and side (d) 104 is right angle or greater.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery, a method for manufacturing a battery, and an electrode body.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a battery having a laminated structure in which electrode plates such as a positive electrode and a negative electrode and an electrolyte layer are laminated and having a rectangular outer shape in plan view is known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a structure related to a battery having an inclined structure. Patent Document 1 discloses a battery including an electrode assembly in which an inner angle between a side where an electrode terminal is located and an adjacent side is an acute angle.

[0004] Patent Document 2 discloses a structure related to a battery having a trapezoidal structure in plan view. Patent Document 2 discloses that a positive electrode terminal plate and a negative electrode terminal plate are led out in opposite directions to each other.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In order to manufacture a battery having a laminated structure and having a polygonal outer shape such as a rectangle in plan view, it is necessary to accurately laminate each component of the battery at a specified position. In the prior art, when laminating each component of the battery at a specified position, it is necessary to perform position regulation using external forces from two directions, and there is a need for a battery that can improve productivity and enable simple and accurate position regulation.

[0007] Therefore, this disclosure provides a battery that can improve productivity by enabling simple and accurate positional control when stacking each component of the battery at a specified position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The battery disclosed herein is Electrode body and The electrode body has an electrode terminal that is electrically connected to the electrode body, A counter electrode current collector is stacked on the electrode body, The counter electrode terminals electrically connected to the counter electrode current collector, A battery equipped with, The aforementioned battery has an external shape that is a polygon with four or more sides in a plan view, and The side (a) on which the electrode terminal and the counter electrode terminal are located, The side (b) intersects with one end of the aforementioned side (a), The other end of the aforementioned side (a) intersects with side (d), The side (c) intersects with the end of side (d) opposite to the intersection point with side (a), It has, The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (b) is an obtuse angle. The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (d) is at least a right angle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery that can improve productivity by enabling simple and accurate positional control when stacking each component of the battery at a specified position. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a top view of a battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a top view of the electrode body of the battery according to the embodiment. [Figure 4]FIG. 4 is a top view of a first example of a battery in which the shape of the counter electrode current collector is changed with respect to the battery shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a top view of a second example of a battery in which the shape of the counter electrode current collector is changed with respect to the battery shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a top view of the position regulating jig according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a top view of a battery according to Modification Example 1 of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 12 is a top view of the electrode body included in the battery according to Modification Example 1 of the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a top view of a battery according to Modification Example 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view of the electrode body included in the battery according to Modification Example 2 of the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a top view of a battery according to Modification Example 3 of the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a top view of the electrode body included in the battery according to Modification Example 3 of the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing a battery according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a top view of the electrode body subjected to the first forming process. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another example of a method for manufacturing a battery according to the embodiment.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] (Findings on which the present disclosure is based) As described in the [Background Technology] section, conventional batteries have a laminated structure in which electrode plates such as positive and negative electrodes and an electrolyte layer are stacked. As such batteries, for example, batteries have been proposed in which an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a counter electrode active material layer, and a counter electrode current collector are stacked. Generally, the electrode current collector and electrode active material layer and the counter electrode current collector and counter electrode active material layer are electrically conductive, so when these electrodes of opposite polarity come into contact, they conduct electricity, i.e., short circuit occurs. Therefore, when stacking the components of a battery with each other, it is necessary to place each component in its designated position before forming the laminate.

[0012] This disclosure is made in view of such disclosures and aims to provide a battery that can improve productivity by enabling simple and accurate positional control when stacking each component of the battery at a specified position.

[0013] Patent Document 1 mentions that by providing a battery structure with a gradient structure, it can be efficiently mounted on devices with various external shapes, but it does not mention the efficiency of stacking.

[0014] Patent document 2 mentions a trapezoidal battery structure in plan view, but places the electrodes on the counter electrode side and does not mention the efficiency of the stacking.

[0015] The inventors investigated a battery having a stacked structure in which battery components are stacked on top of each other. As a result, they found that the position of the stacked structure can be uniquely determined by aligning two sides of the components with a positioning jig in order to accurately stack the battery components. However, since adjustment in two directions is required during positioning, they investigated a more efficient stacking method.

[0016] Further investigation by the inventors revealed that by giving the laminate an obtuse angle shape, it is possible to align two reference sides with a position regulating jig by pressing one side in a certain direction. Based on these observations, the inventors conceived the configuration described in this disclosure.

[0017] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0018] The embodiments described below are all general or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection configurations of components, steps, and the order of steps shown in the following embodiments are examples only and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Furthermore, any components in the following embodiments that are not described in an independent claim will be described as optional components.

[0019] Each figure is a schematic diagram and not necessarily a strictly accurate representation. Therefore, for example, the scale and other aspects may not necessarily match in each figure. Also, in each figure, substantially identical components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0020] In this specification, terms indicating relationships between elements such as parallel or orthogonal, terms indicating the shapes of elements such as quadrilaterals or circles, and numerical ranges are not expressions that represent only strict meanings, but also expressions that include substantially equivalent ranges, such as differences of a few percent.

[0021] In this specification and in the drawings, the x, y, and z axes represent the three axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The x and y axes are parallel to the first principal surface of the electrode current collector, and the z axis is perpendicular to the first principal surface of the electrode current collector. The x and y axes are parallel to the first side and the second side perpendicular to the first side of the rectangle, respectively, when the external shape of the battery in plan view is rectangular. The z axis is the stacking direction of the components contained in the battery. In this specification, the "stacking direction" coincides with the normal direction on the principal surface of the components contained in the battery, specifically, for example, the current collector and the active material layer. In this specification, "plan view" means the battery as viewed along the stacking direction unless otherwise specified, for example, as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the principal surface of the electrode current collector.

[0022] Furthermore, in this specification, the direction in which movement is toward the positive side of the x-axis is referred to as the "positive x-axis direction." The direction in which movement is toward the negative side of the x-axis is referred to as the "negative x-axis direction." The direction in which movement is toward the positive side of the y-axis is referred to as the "positive y-axis direction." The direction in which movement is toward the negative side of the y-axis is referred to as the "negative y-axis direction." The positive x-axis direction and the negative x-axis direction are orthogonal to each other, and the positive x-axis direction and the negative y-axis direction are opposite to each other, and the positive y-axis direction and the negative y-axis direction are opposite to each other.

[0023] Furthermore, in this specification, the terms "upper" and "lower" do not refer to the upward (vertically upward) and downward (vertically downward) directions in absolute spatial perception, but rather to terms defined by the relative positional relationship based on the stacking order in a stacked configuration. In addition, the terms "upper" and "lower" apply not only when two components are spaced apart and another component exists between them, but also when two components are placed in close proximity and touching each other. In the following description, the negative side of the z-axis is referred to as "lower" or "bottom," and the positive side of the z-axis is referred to as "upper" or "top."

[0024] Furthermore, in this specification, the term "flush" does not strictly mean that there is no overhang, but rather that a small misalignment may be included as long as the objective is achieved. For example, "one side of element A and element B are stacked flush" means that the reference edge of element A and the reference edge of element B are roughly aligned, and that there is no large misalignment, for example, that would cause a short circuit due to the misalignment, or that would prevent the objective from being achieved on the opposite side of the reference edge.

[0025] Furthermore, unless otherwise specified in this specification, "protruding" means protruding outward from the center of the electrode body (i.e., toward the outer edge) in a plan view with respect to the main surface of the electrode current collector. "Element A protrudes from element B" means that in the protruding direction, the tip of element A protrudes more than the tip of element B, that is, the tip of element A is further away from the center of the electrode body than the tip of element B. "Protruding direction" is considered to be the direction parallel to the main surface of the electrode current collector. Also, "protruding portion of element A" means a part of element A that protrudes more than the tip of element B in the protruding direction. Also, element B may be a part other than the protruding portion of element A. Elements are, for example, an active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, an insulating layer, a current collector, etc.

[0026] Furthermore, in this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," etc., do not mean the number or order of components unless otherwise specified, but are used to avoid confusion and to distinguish similar components.

[0027] (Embodiment) [1. Structure] The battery according to this embodiment comprises an electrode body, electrode terminals, a counter electrode current collector, and a counter electrode terminal. The electrode terminals are electrically connected to the electrode body. The counter electrode current collector is stacked on the electrode body. The counter electrode terminal is electrically connected to the counter electrode current collector. In plan view, the battery according to this embodiment has a polygonal shape with four or more sides. Furthermore, in plan view, the battery according to this embodiment has a side (a) on which the electrode terminals and the counter electrode terminal are located, a side (b) intersecting one end of side (a), a side (d) intersecting the other end of side (a), and a side (c) intersecting the end of side (d) opposite to the intersection point of side (a). The interior angle between side (a) and side (b) is obtuse. The interior angle between side (a) and side (d) is right or greater.

[0028] Regarding the configuration of the electrode body described above, the battery according to this embodiment satisfies, for example, the following (I), (II), or (III). (I) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector and an electrode active material layer, the electrode active material layer being disposed on a first main surface of the electrode current collector, and the battery further comprises an electrolyte layer disposed between the electrode active material layer and the counter electrode current collector, and a counter electrode active material layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the counter electrode current collector. (II) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, and an electrolyte layer, the electrode active material layer and the electrolyte layer being arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector, and the battery further comprises a counter electrode active material layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the counter electrode current collector. (III) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer, the electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, and the counter electrode active material layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector.

[0029] In each of the electrode bodies described in (I), (II), and (III) above, each layer arranged on the first main surface of the electrode current collector may also be arranged on the second main surface facing away from the first main surface. That is, for example, in the case of the electrode body described in (III) above, the electrode active material layer, electrolyte layer, and counter electrode active material layer may also be arranged on the second main surface of the electrode current collector in that order.

[0030] A more detailed description of the battery according to this embodiment will be given using Figures 1 to 3. In the following description, the configuration of the battery according to this embodiment will be given as an example when the above condition (III) is satisfied.

[0031] Figure 1 is a top view of the battery 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery 1 according to the embodiment. Figure 1 shows the shape of the battery 1 in a plan view when viewed from the positive z-axis side. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view at the position indicated by the line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a top view of the electrode body 70 provided in the battery 1 according to the embodiment. That is, Figure 3 shows the state in which the counter electrode current collector 50 has been removed from the battery 1.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the battery 1 according to this embodiment comprises an electrode body 70 including an electrode current collector 10, an electrode active material layer 20, a solid electrolyte layer 30, and a counter electrode active material layer 40, a counter electrode current collector 50, an electrode terminal 11, and a counter electrode terminal 51. In this embodiment, a cell composed of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, the counter electrode active material layer 40, and the counter electrode current collector 50 is called a unit cell 60. In a unit cell 60, the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, the counter electrode active material layer 40, and the counter electrode current collector 50 are stacked along the z-axis in this order. That is, the battery 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises two unit cells 60 stacked on top of each other, and these two unit cells 60 can be considered to share one electrode current collector 10. When the battery according to this embodiment comprises multiple unit cells 60, the electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50 may be arranged on both main surfaces of the electrode current collector 10 so as to overlap in a plan view, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The battery according to this embodiment is not limited to a structure in which multiple unit cells 60 are arranged in overlapping positions in a plan view (i.e., a structure in which multiple unit cells 60 are stacked on top of each other), as shown in battery 1 in Figures 1 and 2, but may also be arranged in a line on the same plane. Furthermore, the battery according to this embodiment may be formed from a single unit cell 60. Also, when multiple unit cells 60 are stacked on top of each other, the electrode current collectors 10 of adjacent unit cells 60 may or may not be shared among adjacent unit cells 60, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Furthermore, when multiple unit cells 60 are stacked on top of each other, the counter electrode current collectors 50 of adjacent unit cells 60 may or may not be shared among the adjacent unit cells 60.

[0033] In battery 1, the electrode body 70 has two of each of the electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, and counter electrode active material layer 40, as shown in Figure 2. That is, in the electrode body 70, the electrode active material layer 20, electrolyte layer 30, and counter electrode active material layer 40 are arranged in this order not only on the first main surface 15, which is one main surface of the electrode current collector 10, but also on the second main surface 16, which is the other main surface. A counter electrode current collector 50 is arranged on each of the two counter electrode active material layers 40 of the electrode body 70. Note that, as in the electrode body 70, it is not necessary for the electrode active material layer 20, etc. to be arranged on both the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 of the electrode current collector 10; the electrode body 70 only needs to have each component, such as the electrode active material layer 20, arranged on at least the first main surface 15 of the electrode current collector 10.

[0034] The battery according to this embodiment is, for example, an all-solid-state battery.

[0035] In Figure 1, a first region 81, a second region 82, a third region 83, and a fourth region 84 are provided at the end of the unit cell 60 in the positive x-axis direction. The positive x-axis direction is an example of the direction from the center of the first main surface 15 of the electrode current collector 10 toward the outer edge. The first region 81, the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84 may also be provided at the ends in the negative x-axis direction, the positive y-axis direction, or the negative y-axis direction. Details of the first region 81, the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84 will be described later.

[0036] Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, in battery 1, counter electrode current collectors 50 are stacked on both the upper and lower sides of the electrode body 70. In other words, the electrode body 70 is sandwiched between the two counter electrode current collectors 50. Also, as in the example shown in Figure 1, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50 may be flush at the ends in the negative x-axis direction, positive y-axis direction, and negative y-axis direction.

[0037] The shape of the battery 1, unit cell 60, and electrode body 70 in plan view is a rectangle, as shown in Figure 1. Here, in this specification, "rectangular" means substantially rectangular, and as long as the approximate outer shape is rectangular, it may have some tab-shaped protrusions such as the electrode terminals 11 and counter electrode terminal 51, and some chamfered shapes such as the corners 76 (for example, a rounded arc shape). Both the electrode terminals 11 and counter electrode terminal 51 are located on side (a) 101. The sides of the rectangle of the battery 1 are, in order clockwise when viewed from the positive z-axis side, side (b) 102, side (c) 103, and side (d) 104, with respect to side (a) 101. In the battery according to this embodiment, sides (a) to (d) are as described above. In the battery 1 shown in Figure 1, the interior angle of the quadrilateral formed by side (a) 101 and side (b) 102 is obtuse, and the interior angles of the quadrilateral formed by side (c) 103 and side (d) 104, and the interior angle of the quadrilateral formed by side (d) 104 and side (a) 101 are both right angles. Furthermore, the general shape of the battery 1, the unit cell 60, and the electrode body 70 is a flattened rectangular prism. Here, in this specification, flattened means a shape in which the thickness is smaller than the minimum length of each side (excluding the side corresponding to the thickness). For example, the thickness of the battery 1 may be 100 μm or more and 20,000 μm or less, or 150 μm or more and 2,000 μm or less. Note that in the drawings in this specification, the thickness of each layer is exaggerated in order to make the layer structure of the battery easier to understand. Furthermore, in the drawings relating to this specification, the lengths of the first region 81, the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84 in the positive x-axis direction are exaggerated. Also, in the drawings relating to this specification, in order to make the shape in plan view easier to understand, the shape in plan view, represented by the ratios and angles of each side, may be exaggerated in the illustration.

[0038] In Figure 1, an example is shown in which one of the corners of the battery 1 (corner 76) has a chamfered shape, but the shape of the battery according to this embodiment is not limited to this. The battery according to this embodiment may have a shape in which all corners are not chamfered (i.e., a corner formed by the intersection of two straight edges, such as the other corners other than corner 76 in the shape shown in Figure 1), or two or more corners may have a chamfered shape like corner 76. The same applies to the modified batteries according to this embodiment described later; the shape of the corners of the battery in plan view is not particularly limited and may or may not have a chamfered shape.

[0039] As shown in Figure 3, the electrode body 70 has sides corresponding to sides (a) 101, (b) 102, (c) 103, and (d) 104 of the battery 1, namely, side surface 71 which is the same location as side (a) 101 in a plan view, side surface 72 which is the same location as side (b) 102 in a plan view, side surface 73 which is the same location as side (c) 103 in a plan view, and side surface 74 which is the same location as side (d) 104 in a plan view. In other words, in a plan view, the electrode body 70 has side (a) (corresponding to side surface 71) where the electrode terminal 11 and the counter electrode terminal are located in the assembled state of the battery 1, side (b) (corresponding to side surface 72) which intersects with one end of side (a), side (d) (corresponding to side surface 74) which intersects with the other end of side (a), and side (c) (corresponding to side surface 73) which intersects with the end of side (d) opposite to the intersection point with side (a).

[0040] The sides 72, 73, and 74 of the electrode body 70 are composed of the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40, and at least a portion of them may be flat planes. If the sides 72, 73, and 74 are flat planes, then on this plane, at least the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are flush with each other and located on the same flat plane. In other words, at the ends of the electrode body 70 in the negative x-axis direction, the positive y-axis direction, and the negative y-axis direction, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are flush. As a result, there are no steps on the sides 72, 73, and 74 of the electrode body 70, so when stacking the electrode body 70 and the counter electrode current collector 50, their relative positions can be determined by pressing them against a reference position regulating jig, making it easier to manufacture the unit cell 60. Furthermore, at each end that is in the same location as sides (a) 101, (b) 102, and (c) 103 of the unit cell 60 in a plan view, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50 may be flush.

[0041] Note that the shape of the battery 1 shown in Figure 1, specifically the shape of the side surface of the unit cell 60, is just one example, and the battery according to this embodiment may have a different shape for the side surface of the unit cell than the shape of the unit cell 60 shown in Figure 1. Here, as an example where the shape of the side surface of the unit cell differs from that of the battery 1 shown in Figure 1, we will describe an example of a battery configuration in which the shape of the counter electrode current collector is changed from that of the battery 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top view of a first example of a battery in which the shape of the counter electrode current collector is changed from that of the battery 1 shown in Figure 1. Figure 5 is a top view of a second example of a battery in which the shape of the counter electrode current collector is changed from that of the battery 1 shown in Figure 1.

[0042] In battery 1A shown in Figure 4, similar to battery 1, the electrode body 70 includes an electrode current collector 10, an electrode active material layer 20, an electrolyte layer 30, and a counter electrode active material layer 40. The electrode active material layer 20, electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50A are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector 10. In battery 1A, as shown in Figure 4, in a plan view, at least a portion of the part 42 corresponding to edge (b) 102 of the counter electrode active material layer 40 is not covered by the counter electrode current collector 50A. With this configuration, the risk of short circuits due to the protrusion of the counter electrode current collector 50A on the side corresponding to edge (b) 102 of battery 1A can be reduced.

[0043] In battery 1B shown in Figure 5, similar to battery 1, the electrode body 70 includes an electrode current collector 10, an electrode active material layer 20, an electrolyte layer 30, and a counter electrode active material layer 40. The electrode active material layer 20, electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50B are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector 10. In battery 1B, as shown in Figure 5, in a plan view, at least a portion of the part of the counter electrode active material layer 40 corresponding to at least one edge selected from the group consisting of edge (c) 103 and edge (d) 104 is not covered by the counter electrode current collector 50B. Note that Figure 5 shows an example in which the entire portions 43 and 44 of the counter electrode active material layer 40 corresponding to edges (c) 103 and edge (d) 104, respectively, are not covered by the counter electrode current collector 50B. However, only a portion of the portion of the counter electrode active material layer 40 corresponding to sides (c)103 and (d)104 may not be covered by the counter electrode current collector 50B, or at least a portion of the portion of the counter electrode active material layer 40 corresponding to one of sides (c)103 or (d)104 may not be covered. With such a configuration, the risk of short circuits due to the overhang of the counter electrode current collector 50B on the sides corresponding to sides (c)103 and / or side (d)104 of the battery 1B can be reduced.

[0044] Sides 72, 73, and 74 are, for example, cut surfaces. Specifically, sides 72, 73, and 74 are surfaces formed by cutting with a cutter or punching blade, and are, for example, surfaces having cut marks such as fine grooves. Being cut surfaces makes it easy to make the side surfaces of each layer of the electrode body 70 flush. The cut marks may be smoothed by polishing or the like.

[0045] Battery 1 can be manufactured, for example, by stacking and tightly sealing the required number of electrode bodies 70 and counter electrode current collectors 50. Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing how the positions of the electrode bodies 70 and counter electrode current collectors 50 are restricted using a position restricting jig when manufacturing battery 1. Multiple electrode bodies 70 and counter electrode current collectors 50 can be positioned relative to each other by combining them with a position restricting jig 2, for example, shown in Figure 6. In addition, by pushing in direction 3, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the edge 102, the force is decomposed into two components: the negative x-axis direction and the positive y-axis direction. In other words, the positions of multiple components constituting battery 1 can be restricted by a pressing force in one direction.

[0046] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in the battery 1, a laminated structure of an electrode active material layer 20, a solid electrolyte layer 30, a counter electrode active material layer 40, and a counter electrode current collector 50 is formed on the first main surface 15 of the electrode current collector 10 and on the second main surface 16 facing away from the first main surface 15. A similar laminated structure of the electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50 formed on the first main surface 15 of the electrode current collector 10 is formed on the second main surface 16 facing away from the first main surface 15 of the electrode current collector 10, but inverted vertically. Therefore, the electrode body 70 has a laminated structure that is symmetrical with respect to the electrode current collector 10. The battery 1 is also provided with two unit cells 60 that share one electrode current collector 10 and have a laminated structure that is symmetrical with respect to the electrode current collector 10. This makes it possible to extract current from two electrode active material layers 20 from one electrode current collector 10, thereby increasing the volumetric energy density. Furthermore, the symmetrical stacked structure makes it less likely for there to be a difference in stress on both sides of the electrode current collector 10 in the stacking direction when the unit cell 60 and electrode body 70 are densified by pressing or the like, thus suppressing warping of the unit cell 60 and electrode body 70. In addition, even when the battery 1 is in use, stress is generated due to the expansion and contraction of the electrode active material layer 20 and counter electrode active material layer 40, but this makes it less likely for there to be a difference in stress on both sides of the electrode current collector 10 in the stacking direction, thus suppressing warping of the unit cell 60 and electrode body 70. Note that the stacked structure of the electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40 and counter electrode current collector 50 may be formed only on one main surface (first main surface 15) of the electrode current collector 10.

[0047] The two electrode active material layers 20 are located on the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16, which are the main surfaces of the electrode current collector 10, respectively. The two solid electrolyte layers 30 are located on the side of each of the two electrode active material layers 20 that is opposite to the electrode current collector 10. The two counter electrode active material layers 40 are located on the side of each of the two solid electrolyte layers 30 that is opposite to the electrode active material layers 20. The two counter electrode current collectors 50 are located on the side of each of the two counter electrode active material layers 40 that is opposite to the solid electrolyte layer 30.

[0048] The electrode current collector 10 is an example of a current collector, and is in contact with the electrode active material layer 20 at its first main surface 15 and second main surface 16, respectively. The thickness of the electrode current collector 10 is, for example, 5 μm to 500 μm. In this specification, the thickness of the current collector and each layer is the length in the stacking direction, and unless otherwise specified, it is the average value of the overall thickness. The average value of the thickness can be obtained, for example, by measuring the thickness at any multiple locations (for example, 5 locations) and calculating the average value of those measurements.

[0049] Any known material can be used as the material for the electrode current collector 10. For example, the electrode current collector 10 may be a foil-like, plate-like, or mesh-like body made of copper, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum, or gold, or an alloy containing one or more of these. In addition to the foil-like, plate-like, or mesh-like body, the electrode current collector 10 may also include a connecting layer, which is a layer containing a conductive material, provided in the portion in contact with the electrode active material layer 20.

[0050] The counter electrode current collector 50 is positioned on the side of the counter electrode active material layer 40 opposite to the solid electrolyte layer 30. The counter electrode current collector 50 is in contact with the upper surface of the counter electrode active material layer 40. The counter electrode current collector 50 faces the electrode current collector 10 via the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40. The thickness of the counter electrode current collector 50 is, for example, 5 μm or more and 500 μm or less.

[0051] Known materials can be used as the material for the counter electrode current collector 50. For example, the counter electrode current collector 50 may be a foil-like, plate-like, or mesh-like body made of copper, aluminum, nickel, iron, platinum, or gold, or an alloy containing one or more of these. In addition to the foil-like, plate-like, or mesh-like body, the counter electrode current collector 50 may also include a connecting layer, which is a layer containing a conductive material, provided in the portion in contact with the counter electrode active material layer 40.

[0052] The electrode active material layer 20 is arranged on the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 of the electrode current collector 10. The side of the electrode active material layer 20 opposite to the electrode current collector 10 is in contact with the solid electrolyte layer 30. The electrode active material layer 20 and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are opposite each other with the solid electrolyte layer 30 in between. In a plan view, the area of ​​the electrode active material layer 20 is larger than the area of ​​the counter electrode active material layer 40. The thickness of the electrode active material layer 20 is, for example, 5 μm to 300 μm. The material used for the electrode active material layer 20 will be described later. In a plan view, the area of ​​the electrode active material layer 20 may be the same as the area of ​​the counter electrode active material layer 40, or it may be smaller than the area of ​​the counter electrode active material layer 40.

[0053] The solid electrolyte layer 30 is positioned on the side of the electrode active material layer 20 opposite to the electrode current collector 10. The solid electrolyte layer 30 is located between the electrode active material layer 20 and the counter electrode active material layer 40 and is in contact with both the electrode active material layer 20 and the counter electrode active material layer 40. The thickness of the solid electrolyte layer 30 is, for example, 5 μm to 150 μm. The material used for the solid electrolyte layer 30 will be described later. In addition, the solid electrolyte layer 30 may be formed to be larger than the electrode active material layer 20 and the counter electrode active material layer 40 in a plan view, and the solid electrolyte layer 30 may cover the sides of the electrode active material layer 20 and the counter electrode active material layer 40 in the positive x-axis direction.

[0054] The counter electrode active material layer 40 is located on the side of the solid electrolyte layer 30 opposite to the electrode active material layer 20. The counter electrode active material layer 40 is laminated on the solid electrolyte layer 30 and faces the electrode active material layer 20. The thickness of the counter electrode active material layer 40 is, for example, 5 μm to 300 μm. The material used for the counter electrode active material layer 40 will be described later.

[0055] Here, we will describe the materials used for the solid electrolyte layer 30, the electrode active material layer 20, and the counter electrode active material layer 40.

[0056] The solid electrolyte layer 30 is an example of an electrolyte layer containing an electrolyte material. The solid electrolyte layer 30 contains at least a solid electrolyte as the electrolyte material, and may optionally contain a binder material. The solid electrolyte layer 30 may contain a solid electrolyte having lithium ion conductivity. The electrolyte material contained in the solid electrolyte layer 30 may be entirely solid electrolyte, for example, excluding unavoidable impurities. The electrolyte material used in the solid electrolyte layer 30 may further contain a non-aqueous electrolyte, a gel electrolyte, or an ionic liquid, as long as it contains a solid electrolyte as its main component. The following describes the case where all the electrolyte material contained in the solid electrolyte layer 30 is a solid electrolyte. Here, the main component in the electrolyte material means the component with the largest mass proportion in the electrolyte material.

[0057] As the solid electrolyte, known materials such as lithium-ion conductors, sodium-ion conductors, or magnesium-ion conductors may be used. Examples of solid electrolyte materials that can be used include sulfide solid electrolytes, halide solid electrolytes, oxide solid electrolytes, polymer solid electrolytes, or complex hydride solid electrolytes.

[0058] As a sulfide solid electrolyte, if the material can conduct lithium ions, for example, a compound consisting of lithium sulfide (Li2S) and phosphorus pentasulfide (P2S5) can be used. Alternatively, sulfides such as Li2S-SiS2, Li2S-B2S3, or Li2S-GeS2 may be used as the sulfide solid electrolyte, or a sulfide in which at least one of Li3N, LiCl, LiBr, Li3PO4, and Li4SiO4 is added as an additive may be used.

[0059] As an oxide solid electrolyte, if the material can conduct lithium ions, for example, Li7La3Zr2O 12 (LLZ), Li 1.3 Al 0.3 Ti 1.7 (PO4)3(LATP) or (La,Li)TiO3(LLTO), etc., are used.

[0060] As the binder material, for example, elastomers such as styrene-based elastomers may be used, or organic compounds such as polyvinylidene fluoride, acrylic resin, or cellulose resin may be used.

[0061] In this embodiment, of the electrode active material layer 20 and the counter electrode active material layer 40, one is the positive electrode active material layer and the other is the negative electrode active material layer.

[0062] The positive electrode active material layer includes at least a positive electrode active material and may optionally include at least one of an electrolyte material such as a solid electrolyte, a conductive additive, and a binder material.

[0063] As the positive electrode active material, known materials capable of intercalating and releasing (inserting and detaching, or dissolving and precipitating) lithium ions, sodium ions, or magnesium ions may be used. Examples of positive electrode active materials that can detach and insert lithium ions include transition metal oxides, transition metal fluorides, polyanionic materials, fluorinated polyanionic materials, transition metal sulfides, transition metal oxysulfides, transition metal oxynitrides, sulfur, and lithium-containing compounds thereof. Examples of lithium-containing transition metal oxides include Li(NiCoAl)O2, Li(NiCoMn)O2, and LiCoO2. Li(NiCoAl)O2 means that it contains Ni, Co, and Al in any ratio. Li(NiCoMn)O2 means that it contains Ni, Co, and Mn in any ratio.

[0064] As the solid electrolyte, the solid electrolyte materials exemplified above may be used. Furthermore, as the conductive material used as the conductive additive, conductive carbon such as acetylene black, carbon black, graphite, carbon fiber, vapor-deposited carbon, or carbon nanotubes may be used. Furthermore, as the binder material, the binder materials exemplified above may be used.

[0065] The negative electrode active material layer includes at least a negative electrode active material and may optionally include at least one of an electrolyte material such as a solid electrolyte, a conductive additive, and a binder material.

[0066] As the negative electrode active material, known materials capable of intercalating and releasing (inserting and detaching, or dissolving and precipitating) lithium ions, sodium ions, or magnesium ions may be used. Examples of negative electrode active materials capable of releasing and inserting lithium ions include carbon materials such as natural graphite, artificial graphite, graphite carbon fiber, or resin-fired carbon, metallic lithium, lithium alloys, silicon (Si), tin (Sn), silicon compounds, tin compounds, or oxides of lithium and transition metal elements.

[0067] As the solid electrolyte, the solid electrolyte materials exemplified above may be used. Furthermore, as the conductive additive, the conductive materials exemplified above may be used. Additionally, as the binder material, the binder materials exemplified above may be used.

[0068] Next, the end structures of the unit cell 60 and the electrode body 70 will be described.

[0069] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the electrode current collector 10 has a tab-shaped electrode terminal 11, which is a protrusion formed by a portion of the end of the electrode current collector 10 in the positive x-axis direction protruding in the positive x-axis direction more than the rest of the end. The electrode terminal 11 has, for example, a rectangular shape in plan view. The electrode terminal 11 functions, for example, as a lead on which the terminal is formed. Another lead material may be further bonded to the electrode terminal 11. Since the electrode terminal 11 is formed by a portion of the end of the electrode current collector 10 protruding, short circuits caused by the electrode current collector 10 contacting the counter electrode current collector 50 and the counter electrode active material layer 40 can be suppressed compared to the case where the entire end of the electrode current collector 10 protrudes. In the example shown in Figures 1 and 3, a portion of the first region 81 of the electrode current collector 10 protrudes in the positive x-axis direction to form the electrode terminal 11. Note that the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 other than the electrode terminal 11 may be entirely covered with the electrode active material layer 20. Furthermore, a portion of the electrode terminal 11 may be covered by the electrode active material layer 20. Also, the electrode current collector 10 does not have to have electrode terminals 11. In this case, the electrode terminals electrically connected to the electrode current collector 10 are not formed as protrusions of the electrode current collector 10, but are provided separately from the electrode current collector 10.

[0070] The counter electrode current collector 50 has a tab-shaped counter electrode terminal 51, which is a projection where a portion of the end of the counter electrode current collector 50 in the positive x-axis direction protrudes in the positive x-axis direction more than the rest of the end. The counter electrode terminal 51 has, for example, a rectangular shape in plan view. In plan view, the counter electrode terminal 51 protrudes in the positive x-axis direction more than the electrode active material layer 20. The counter electrode terminal 51 functions, for example, as a lead into which a terminal is formed. Another lead material may be bonded to the counter electrode terminal 51.

[0071] In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, the counter electrode terminal 51 is positioned opposite the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, and the solid electrolyte layer 30, with a gap between them, so as not to come into contact with them. Furthermore, the electrode terminal 11 and the counter electrode terminal 51 are positioned so as not to overlap in a plan view. This helps to suppress short circuits.

[0072] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the electrode body 70 has a protruding region 75 at its end in the positive x-axis direction (the end along the side surface 71 in a plan view), which is a region in a plan view where the electrode current collector 10 protrudes in the positive x-axis direction beyond the counter electrode active material layer 40. In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3, in the protruding region 75, the electrode active material layer 20 and the solid electrolyte layer 30 also protrude in the positive x-axis direction beyond the counter electrode active material layer 40 in a plan view. The counter electrode active material layer 40 is not located in the protruding region 75. Therefore, the protruding region 75 is a region of the electrode body 70 that does not function as a battery. In addition, in the protruding region 75, because the electrode current collector 10 protrudes in the positive x-axis direction beyond the counter electrode active material layer 40, it is easy to extract current from the electrode active material layer 20. The thickness of the electrode body 70 in the protruding region 75 is smaller than the thickness of the electrode body 70 in the regions other than the protruding region 75. Furthermore, in the examples shown in Figures 1 to 3, the thickness of the protruding region 75 decreases as it moves in the positive x-axis direction, because the number of layers stacked on the electrode current collector 10 decreases.

[0073] In the unit cell 60, a first region 81, a second region 82, a third region 83, and a fourth region 84 are provided at the end in the positive x-axis direction, and these regions are not covered by the upper layer.

[0074] Specifically, a first region 81 is provided at the end of the first main surface 15 of the electrode current collector 10 in the positive x-axis direction, and is not covered by the electrode active material layer 20. The first region 81 is not in contact with the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, the counter electrode active material layer 40, and the counter electrode current collector 50. Also, a second region 82 is provided at the end of the electrode active material layer 20 in the positive x-axis direction, in a plan view, and is not covered by the solid electrolyte layer 30. The second region 82 is not in contact with the solid electrolyte layer 30, the counter electrode active material layer 40, and the counter electrode current collector 50. Furthermore, a third region 83 is provided at the end of the solid electrolyte layer 30 in the positive x-axis direction, in a plan view, and is not covered by the counter electrode active material layer 40. The third region 83 is not in contact with the counter electrode active material layer 40 and the counter electrode current collector 50. The third region 83 is further away from the electrode current collector 10 than the second region 82. Furthermore, a fourth region 84 is provided at the end of the counter electrode active material layer 40 in the positive x-axis direction, which is not covered by the counter electrode current collector 50 in a plan view. The fourth region 84 is further away from the electrode current collector 10 than the third region 83. In other words, in a plan view, the counter electrode current collector 50 is smaller than the electrode body 70.

[0075] In this way, the orientation of the first region 81 makes it easier to form terminals on the electrode current collector 10. In addition, the second region 82, third region 83, and fourth region 84 increase the distance between the electrode current collector 10 and the electrode active material layer 20 and the end of the counter electrode current collector 50. As a result, short circuits caused by contact between electrodes of opposite polarity become less likely. Thus, the reliability of the battery 1 can be improved.

[0076] In the example shown in Figure 1, the first region 81, the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84 are arranged along the side surface of the unit cell 60 in the positive x-axis direction in a plan view. The first region 81, the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84 are elongated in a plan view. In the example shown in Figure 1, the longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the positive x-axis direction (y-axis direction). Also, the fourth region 84, the third region 83, the second region 82, and the first region 81 are arranged in this order along the positive x-axis direction in a plan view.

[0077] Here, the lengths of the first region 81, the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84 will be described. In the following description, the lengths of the first region 81, the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84 are the lengths in the positive x-axis direction in a plan view. The length of the first region 81 is also the distance between the outer edge of the electrode current collector 10 and the outer edge of the electrode active material layer 20 in the positive x-axis direction in a plan view. The length of the second region 82 is also the distance between the outer edge of the electrode active material layer 20 and the outer edge of the solid electrolyte layer 30 in the positive x-axis direction in a plan view. The length of the third region 83 is also the distance between the outer edge of the solid electrolyte layer 30 and the outer edge of the counter electrode active material layer 40 in the positive x-axis direction in a plan view. The length of the fourth region 84 is also the distance between the outer edge of the counter electrode active material layer 40 and the outer edge of the counter electrode current collector 50 in the positive x-axis direction in a plan view.

[0078] The lengths of the first region 81, the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84 may be the same, or at least one of them may be different. Also, the length of the first region 81 may be longer than the lengths of the second region 82, the third region 83, and the fourth region 84.

[0079] In this embodiment, the electrode active material layer 20 may be the negative electrode active material layer, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 may be the positive electrode active material layer. In this case, the fourth region 84 in the counter electrode active material layer 40 that is not covered by the counter electrode current collector 50 becomes a region that is less likely to function as a positive electrode. Furthermore, since the electrode active material layer 20 has a second region 82 and the solid electrolyte layer 30 has a third region 83, the electrode active material layer 20 becomes relatively larger than the counter electrode active material layer 40. As a result, metal ions are more easily incorporated into the electrode active material layer 20, which is the negative electrode active material layer, and the deposition of metal derived from metal ions is suppressed, further improving the reliability of the battery 1.

[0080] In the examples shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrode current collector 10, electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50 form a stepped structure in the stacking direction (i.e., the z direction) at the end of the unit cell 60 in the positive x-axis direction, but the examples are not limited to this.

[0081] [2. Variant] The following describes modifications of this embodiment. In the following descriptions of modifications, the differences between the embodiment and each modification will be the main focus, and the commonalities will be omitted or simplified. In the following descriptions, the electrode bodies of the batteries according to each modification may be illustrated and described, but in each modification, counter electrode current collectors 50 are stacked on both the upper and lower sides of the electrode body, similar to the battery 1 according to the embodiment described above.

[0082] [2-1. Variation 1] This embodiment can achieve the same effect with any polygon with four or more sides. Here, we will explain modifications using a pentagon as an example.

[0083] First, let's describe Modification 1 of the Embodiment. Figure 7 is a top view of the battery 100 according to Modification 1 of the Embodiment. In Figure 7, the unit cell 160 provided in the battery 100 according to Modification 1 is shown. Figure 7 shows the shape of the unit cell 160 in a plan view when viewed from the positive z-axis side. The unit cell 160 in the battery 100 according to this Modification is a modified version of the unit cell 60 of the battery 1 according to the Embodiment, with the shape in a plan view changed to the shape described later.

[0084] As shown in Figure 7, the shape of the unit cell 160 in a plan view when viewed from the positive z-axis side is a pentagon. Here, in this specification, "pentagon" means a roughly pentagonal shape, that is, substantially a pentagon, similar to the "quadrilateral" described above, and as long as the approximate outer shape is a pentagon, it may have some tab-shaped protrusions such as the electrode terminals 11 and counter electrode terminals 51, as well as chamfered shapes such as the corners 76. Both the electrode terminals 11 and counter electrode terminals 51 are located on side (a) 101. In the battery 100 according to this modified example, the shape of the unit cell 160 can be considered to be a pentagon because side (b) 102 in the battery 1 according to the embodiment is divided into two sides (side (b) 102 and side (b') 102'). Therefore, for convenience, the sides of the pentagon are designated as sides (b)102, side (b')102', side (c)103, and side (d)104, in clockwise order when viewed from the positive z-axis, with side (a)101 as the reference. In the battery 100 according to this modified example, the interior angle of the pentagon formed by side (a)101 and side (b)102 is obtuse, and the interior angles of the pentagon formed by side (c)103 and side (d)104, and the interior angle of the pentagon formed by side (d)104 and side (a)101 are both right angles. The angles at both ends of side (b')102' are arbitrary angles. The general shape of the battery 100, unit cell 160, and electrode body 170 (see Figure 8) is a flattened pentagonal prism. Note that in the drawings according to this specification, the thickness of each layer is exaggerated in order to make the layer structure of the battery easier to understand.

[0085] Figure 8 is a top view of the electrode body 170 provided in the battery 100 according to Modification 1 of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the electrode body 170 provided in the battery 100 according to Modification 1, like the unit cell 160, has a modified shape in plan view from the electrode body 70 provided in the battery 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 8, the electrode body 170 has a side surface 71 which is the same location as side (a) 101 in plan view, a side surface 72 which is the same location as side (b) 102 in plan view, a side surface 72' which is the same location as side (b') 102' in plan view, a side surface 73 which is the same location as side (c) 103 in plan view, and a side surface 74 which is the same location as side (d) 104 in plan view.

[0086] The sides 72, 72', 73, and 74 of the electrode body 170 are composed of the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40, and at least a portion of them may be flat planes. If the sides 72, 72', 73, and 74 are flat planes, then on this plane, at least the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are flush with each other and located on the same flat plane. In other words, at the ends of the electrode body 170 in the negative x-axis direction, the positive y-axis direction, and the negative y-axis direction, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are flush. As a result, since there are no steps on the sides 72, 72', 73, and 74 of the electrode body 170, the relative positions of each layer can be determined by pressing them against a reference positioning jig when stacking each layer, making it easier to manufacture the battery 100. Furthermore, at each end that is in the same location in a plan view as sides (b) 102, (b') 102', (c) 103, and (d) 104 of the unit cell 160, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50 may be flush.

[0087] Sides 72, 72', 73, and 74 are, for example, cut surfaces. Specifically, sides 72, 72', 73, and 74 are surfaces formed by cutting with a cutter or punching blade, and are, for example, surfaces having cut marks such as fine grooves. Being cut surfaces makes it easy to make the side surfaces of each layer of the electrode body 170 flush. The cut marks may be smoothed by polishing or the like.

[0088] The battery 100 and unit cell 160 can be manufactured, for example, by stacking and tightly bonding the required number of electrode bodies 170 and counter electrode current collectors 50. Multiple electrode bodies 170 and counter electrode current collectors 50 can be positioned relative to each other by combining them with a position regulating jig 2, for example, shown in Figure 6. In addition, by pushing the side surface 72 in a direction 3 perpendicular to the side (b) 102, the force is decomposed into two components: a negative x-axis direction and a positive y-axis direction. That is, a pressing force in one direction makes it possible to regulate the positions of multiple components constituting the battery 100.

[0089] Thus, even in any polygon with four or more sides, the position of multiple stacked structures can be restricted by stress in one direction, and this embodiment and modification 1 also naturally describe the case of polygons with six or more sides.

[0090] [2-2. Variation 2] Next, a second modification of the embodiment will be described. Figure 9 is a top view of the battery 200 according to the second modification of the embodiment. In Figure 9, the unit cell 260 provided in the battery 200 according to the second modification is shown. Figure 9 shows the shape of the unit cell 260 in a plan view when viewed from the positive z-axis side. The unit cell 260 in the battery 200 according to this modification is a modified version of the unit cell 60 of the battery 1 according to the embodiment, with the shape in a plan view changed to the shape described later.

[0091] As shown in Figure 9, the shape of the unit cell 260 in plan view when viewed from the positive z-axis is a quadrilateral, as in the embodiment. The definition of "quadrilateral" in this specification is as described above. In the battery 200 according to this modified example, the interior angle of the quadrilateral formed by side (a) 101 and side (b) 102 is obtuse, the interior angle of the quadrilateral formed by side (c) 103 and side (d) 104 is right, and the interior angle of the quadrilateral formed by side (d) 104 and side (a) 101 is obtuse. The general shape of the battery 200, unit cell 260, and electrode body 270 (see Figure 10) is a flattened rectangular prism. Note that in the drawings according to this specification, the thickness of each layer is exaggerated in order to make the layer structure of the battery easier to understand.

[0092] Figure 10 is a top view of the electrode body 270 of the battery 200 according to Modification 2 of the embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the electrode body 270 of the battery 200 according to Modification 2, like the unit cell 260, has a modified shape in plan view from the electrode body 70 of the battery 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 10, the electrode body 270 has a side surface 71 which is the same location as side (a) 101 in plan view, a side surface 72 which is the same location as side (b) 102 in plan view, a side surface 73 which is the same location as side (c) 103 in plan view, and a side surface 74 which is the same location as side (d) 104 in plan view.

[0093] The sides 72, 73, and 74 of the electrode body 270 are composed of the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40, and at least a portion of them may be flat planes. If the sides 72, 73, and 74 are flat planes, then on this plane, at least the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are flush with each other and located on the same flat plane. In other words, at the ends of the electrode body 270 in the negative x-axis direction, the positive y-axis direction, and the negative y-axis direction, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are flush. As a result, since there are no steps on the sides 72, 73, 74, and 75 of the electrode body 270, the relative positions of each layer can be determined by pressing them against a reference positioning jig when stacking each layer, making it easier to manufacture the battery 200. Furthermore, at each end that is in the same location in a plan view as sides (b) 102, (c) 103, and (d) 104 of the unit cell 260, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50 may be flush.

[0094] Sides 72, 73, and 74 are, for example, cut surfaces. Specifically, sides 72, 73, and 74 are surfaces formed by cutting with a cutter or punching blade, and are, for example, surfaces having cut marks such as fine grooves. Being cut surfaces makes it easy to make the side surfaces of each layer of the electrode body 270 flush. The cut marks may be smoothed by polishing or the like.

[0095] The battery 200 and unit cell 260 can be manufactured, for example, by stacking and tightly bonding the required number of electrode bodies 270 and counter electrode current collectors 50. Multiple electrode bodies 270 and counter electrode current collectors 50 can be positioned relative to each other by combining them with a position regulating jig 2, for example, shown in Figure 6. In addition, by pushing the side surface 72 in a direction 200 perpendicular to side (b) 102, the force is decomposed into two components: a negative x-axis direction and a positive y-axis direction. That is, a pressing force in one direction makes it possible to regulate the positions of multiple components constituting the battery 200.

[0096] [2-3. Variation 3] Next, a third modification of the embodiment will be described. Figure 11 is a top view of the battery 300 according to the third modification of the embodiment. In Figure 11, the unit cell 360 provided in the battery 300 according to the third modification is shown. Figure 11 shows the shape of the unit cell 360 in a plan view when viewed from the positive z-axis side. The unit cell 360 in the battery 300 according to this modification is a modified version of the unit cell 360 of the battery 1 according to the embodiment, with the shape in a plan view changed to the shape described later.

[0097] As shown in Figure 11, the shape of the unit cell 360 in a plan view when viewed from the positive z-axis side may have at least one side (b) 102 that receives the pressing force as a curve. Figure 11 shows the shape of the unit cell 360 in a plan view in a battery 1 according to an embodiment, where side (b) 102 is curved. In this case, the approximate shape can be described as a rectangle, and one of its sides can be understood as a curve. If the approximate outer shape is a rectangle, it may have some protruding shapes such as the electrode terminals 11 and counter electrode terminals 51, as well as some chamfered shapes such as the corners 76. Both the electrode terminals 11 and counter electrode terminals 51 are located on side (a) 101. In the modified battery 300, the angle formed by side (a) 101 and the curved side (b) 102 is obtuse, and the interior angles of the quadrilateral formed by side (c) 103 and side (d) 104, and the interior angles of the quadrilateral formed by side (d) 104 and side (a) 101 are both right angles. Furthermore, the general shape of the battery 300, the unit cell 360, and the electrode body 370 (see Figure 12) is a flattened rectangular prism. Note that in the drawings relating to this specification, the thickness of each layer is exaggerated in order to make the layer structure of the battery easier to understand.

[0098] Figure 12 is a top view of the electrode body 370 of the battery 300 according to the third modified embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, the electrode body 370 of the battery 300 according to the third modified embodiment, like the unit cell 360, has a modified shape in plan view from the electrode body 70 of the battery 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 12, the electrode body 370 has a side surface 71 which is the same location as side (a) 101 in plan view, a side surface 72 which is the same location as the curved side (b) 102 in plan view, a side surface 73 which is the same location as side (c) 103 in plan view, and a side surface 74 which is the same location as side (d) 104 in plan view.

[0099] The sides 72, 73, and 74 of the electrode body 370 are composed of the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40, and at least a portion of them may be flat planes. If the sides 72, 73, and 74 are flat planes, then on this plane, at least the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are flush with each other and located on the same flat plane. In other words, at the ends of the electrode body 370 in the negative x-axis direction, the positive y-axis direction, and the negative y-axis direction, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are flush. As a result, since there are no steps on the sides 72, 73, and 74 of the electrode body 370, the relative positions of each layer can be determined by pressing them against a reference positioning jig when stacking each layer, making it easier to manufacture the battery 300. Furthermore, at each end that is in the same location in plan view as sides (b) 102, (c) 103, and (d) 104 of the unit cell 360, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer 40, and counter electrode current collector 50 may be flush.

[0100] Sides 72, 73, and 74 are, for example, cut surfaces. Specifically, sides 72, 73, and 74 are surfaces formed by cutting with a cutter or punching blade, and are, for example, surfaces having cut marks such as fine grooves. Being cut surfaces makes it easy to make the side surfaces of each layer of the electrode body 370 flush. The cut marks may be smoothed by polishing or the like.

[0101] The battery 300 and unit cell 360 can be manufactured, for example, by stacking and tightly bonding the required number of electrode bodies 370 and counter electrode current collectors 50. Multiple electrode bodies 370 and counter electrode current collectors 50 can be positioned relative to each other by combining them with a position regulating jig 2, for example, shown in Figure 6. In addition, by pressing the side surface 72 in a direction perpendicular to the tangent of the curve that is side (b) 102, the force is decomposed into two components: the negative x-axis direction and the positive y-axis direction. That is, the positions of multiple components constituting the battery 300 can be regulated by a pressing force in one direction.

[0102] [2-4. Variation 4] The embodiments and modifications 1-3 described so far can be combined in any way, with at least two variations being possible. An example of such a combination is one that is roughly pentagonal with one inner side curved, achieving a similar effect. Other combinations are also possible.

[0103] [3. Manufacturing method] Next, we will describe the manufacturing methods for the battery according to this embodiment and the batteries according to each modified example of this embodiment.

[0104] The method for manufacturing a battery according to this embodiment is: (A) Prepare the electrode body, (B) To obtain a battery by stacking a counter electrode current collector on an electrode body, Includes.

[0105] The configuration of the electrode body prepared in (A) above and the counter electrode current collector stacked in (B) above is as described in the above description of the battery according to this embodiment and the batteries according to each modified example of this embodiment. According to the above manufacturing method, the battery according to this embodiment and the batteries according to each modified example of this embodiment can be manufactured simply and with precise positional control of each component of the battery. Therefore, according to the manufacturing method of the battery according to this embodiment, batteries can be manufactured with high productivity.

[0106] In (B) above, for example, the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector are positioned and the counter electrode current collector is stacked on the electrode body. In this case, for example, in (B) above, the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector may be positioned in a predetermined position relative to a positioning jig by pushing the side of the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector corresponding to side (b) in one direction. With such a manufacturing method, the battery according to this embodiment and the batteries according to each of its modifications can be manufactured more simply and with more accurate positioning of each component of the battery. Therefore, this manufacturing method can further improve the productivity of batteries.

[0107] The manufacturing method according to this embodiment will be described in more detail below. While the description below focuses on the manufacturing method of Battery 1 according to this embodiment, other batteries can also be manufactured by appropriately applying the following manufacturing method.

[0108] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a method for manufacturing battery 1 according to an embodiment. Note that the method for manufacturing the battery according to this embodiment and each of its modifications described below is just one example and is not limited to the following example.

[0109] First, an electrode current collector 10 without electrode terminals 11 is prepared (step S11). Next, an electrode active material layer 20 is laminated onto the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 on both sides of the electrode current collector 10 (step S12). At this time, the electrode active material layer 20 is laminated onto the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 such that a first region 81 not covered by the electrode active material layer 20 is provided at the ends of the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 in the positive x-axis direction.

[0110] Next, a solid electrolyte layer 30 is laminated on the electrode active material layer 20 on the side opposite to the electrode current collector 10 (step S13). At this time, the solid electrolyte layer 30 is laminated on the electrode active material layer 20 such that a second region 82 not covered by the solid electrolyte layer 30 is provided at the end of the electrode active material layer 20 in the positive x-axis direction.

[0111] Next, the counter electrode active material layer 40 is laminated on the side of the solid electrolyte layer 30 opposite to the electrode active material layer 20 (step S14). At this time, the counter electrode active material layer 40 is laminated on the solid electrolyte layer 30 such that a third region 83 not covered by the counter electrode active material layer 40 is provided at the end of the solid electrolyte layer 30 in the positive x-axis direction.

[0112] When laminating the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40, a high-pressure press treatment (step S15) is performed after each step from step S12 to step S14 as needed. As a result, an electrode body is obtained in which the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are laminated on both the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 of the electrode current collector 10 in that order, and a protruding region 75 is provided on the convex portion of the positive x-axis region.

[0113] The electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are each formed sequentially, for example, using a wet coating method. By using a wet coating method, the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 can be easily laminated onto the electrode current collector 10. While a die coating method, doctor blade coating, roll coating, screen printing, or inkjet coating methods may be used, the method is not limited to these.

[0114] When using a wet coating method, a coating process is performed in which the materials and solvents that form the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40 are appropriately mixed to obtain a slurry.

[0115] The slurry of each layer obtained in the coating process is laminated onto both the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 of the electrode current collector 10 in the order of electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, and counter electrode active material layer 40. In this case, the next lamination may be performed after the lamination of the previously laminated layer is completed, or the next lamination may be performed while the lamination of the previously laminated layer is in progress. In other words, steps S12, S13, and S14 may be performed simultaneously.

[0116] The slurry for each layer is applied sequentially, and after all layers have been applied, a high-pressure press treatment (step S15) is performed to enhance the concentration of the material in each layer. Alternatively, the high-pressure press treatment may be performed after each layer has been applied. For example, in the coating and lamination of the electrode active material layer 20, the solid electrolyte layer 30, and the counter electrode active material layer 40, the high-pressure press treatment may be performed after each layer has been applied, or after any two layers have been applied and after one layer has been applied, or all at once after all three layers have been applied. If the high-pressure press treatment is performed two or more times, the pressure of the final high-pressure press treatment may be set to be the highest. For example, a roll press, a flat plate press, or an isostatic press (ISP) can be used for the high-pressure press treatment.

[0117] Furthermore, when using a wet coating method, a heat treatment is performed to remove the solvent before the high-pressure pressing process. The heat treatment is performed, for example, after each coating of the electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, and counter electrode active material layer 40, but it may also be performed all at once after the electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, and counter electrode active material layer 40 have been laminated. Note that at least one of the heat treatment and the high-pressure pressing process may be omitted.

[0118] Steps S12 to S15 described above may be carried out as a series of continuous processes, such as a roll-to-roll method.

[0119] Furthermore, the electrode body formed up to step S15 may be of a size in plan view necessary to form one battery 1, or it may be of a size in plan view that allows it to be pieced and used in multiple batteries 1. When the electrode body is pieced, it may be pieced by the first molding process described below.

[0120] Next, a first molding process is performed to define the outer shape of the electrode body in the area where the protruding region 75 is not provided in a plan view (step S16). In the first molding process, the positions of the ends of the electrode body other than the end in the positive x-axis direction in a plan view are defined. Figure 14 is a top view of the electrode body 8 after the first molding process has been performed. Figure 14 shows the electrode body 8 after the first molding process and before the second molding process, which will be described later. For example, in the first molding process, the ends of the electrode body obtained up to step S15 in the negative x-axis direction, positive y-axis direction, and negative y-axis direction are cut off in a direction that intersects (specifically, is perpendicular to) the main surface 15, forming cut surfaces as sides 72, 73, and 74. Here, the negative x-axis direction refers to the side that is generally in the negative x-axis direction and is not necessarily parallel to the y-axis. The same applies to the positive y-axis direction and the negative y-axis direction. This defines the outer shape of the ends in directions other than the positive x-axis direction where the protruding region 75 is provided, and results in an electrode body 8 with a defined area for the region that functions as a battery.

[0121] At the cut surface, the sides of the electrode current collector 10, electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, and counter electrode active material layer 40 are exposed. After the first molding process, an insulating layer or the like may be placed to cover these exposed sides in order to protect them. In other words, if these sides are covered with an insulating layer or the like, the exposed sides may also be covered by the other material.

[0122] The first forming process is, for example, punching. For example, the electrode body obtained up to step S15 is punched using a punching die equipped with a punching blade shaped such that the area of ​​the region in the electrode body 8 that functions as a battery is a desired area, and the positional control during stacking described later is facilitated. By performing punching, the electrode body can be easily processed into a desired shape. In addition, by performing punching, an electrode body 8 of the same area can be obtained each time the first forming process is performed, thereby improving the capacity accuracy of the electrode body 8. Note that the first forming process is not limited to punching, but may be other processing methods such as cutting, machining, or laser processing. In addition, in order to suppress short circuits originating from the sides, foreign matter adhering to the sides 72, 73, and 74 after the first forming process may be removed by cleaning. Cleaning methods include non-contact removal methods such as air blowing or suction, or methods of removal by contacting with adhesive tape.

[0123] Next, a second molding process is performed (step S17) in which the electrode terminals 11 are formed on the electrode current collector 10 and a chamfered shape is formed on the electrode current collector 10 at the corners 76 of the protruding region 75 in a plan view. In addition, in the manufacturing of the battery 1, the second molding process forms chamfered shapes on the electrode active material layer 20 and the solid electrolyte layer 30 together with the electrode current collector 10. In addition, in the manufacturing of the battery 1, the second molding process forms electrode terminals 11 such that the length in the positive y-axis direction increases as the end in the negative x-axis direction progresses in the negative x-axis direction, as explained using Figure 3, etc. In the second molding process, a part of the protruding region 75 of the electrode body 8, as shown in Figure 3, is cut off to form the shape of the electrode terminals 11 and the corners 76 in a plan view. This results in an electrode body 70 as shown in Figure 3.

[0124] The second forming process is, for example, punching. For example, the electrode body 8 shown in Figure 12 is punched using a punching tool equipped with punching blades shaped to correspond to the electrode terminals 11 and corners 76 in a plan view. By performing punching, the desired shape can be easily formed. In addition, by performing punching, the punching blade does not penetrate areas other than those that need to be processed, and processing damage to the electrode body 8 can be suppressed. For example, by forming the electrode terminals 11 by punching, it is possible to avoid making cuts at the base of the electrode terminals 11 due to processing. Note that the second forming process is not limited to punching, but may be other processing methods such as cutting, slicing, or laser processing. In addition, in order to suppress short circuits, foreign matter adhering to the side surface of the protruding region 75 may be removed by cleaning after the second forming process. Cleaning methods include non-contact removal methods such as air blowing or suction, or methods of removal by contacting with adhesive tape.

[0125] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 13, the second molding process is performed after the first molding process. This allows for the selection of appropriate processing jigs and processing conditions for the first molding process, which processes the region where the electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, and counter electrode active material layer 40 are all laminated on the electrode current collector 10, and the second molding process, which processes the protruding region 75 where the counter electrode active material layer 40 is not present, thereby improving processing quality.

[0126] Alternatively, instead of step S17, the electrode terminals 11 may be formed on the electrode current collector 10, and a chamfered shape may be formed on the electrode current collector 10 at the corners 76 of the protruding region 75 in a plan view.

[0127] Next, in a plan view, an insulating layer (not shown) is formed covering at least a portion of the electrode current collector 10, at least a portion of the electrode active material layer 20, and at least a portion of the solid electrolyte layer 30 in the protruding region 75 (step S18). This provides an electrode body with an insulating layer formed on the protruding region 75. The insulating layer is formed, for example, by coating and curing a fluid resin material. Coating is performed by an inkjet method, a screen printing method, or by dipping the end face of the laminated electrode plate into the resin material. Curing is performed by drying, heating, or light irradiation, depending on the resin material used. When forming the insulating layer, a masking or resist treatment may be performed to protect a portion of the electrode terminal 11 from being covered by the insulating layer. After forming the insulating layer, the electrical connection at the electrode terminal 11 can be ensured by removing the protective material used above. Alternatively, the insulating layer may be formed by applying insulating tape or the like.

[0128] Next, the counter electrode current collector 50 is laminated on the side of the counter electrode active material layer 40 opposite to the solid electrolyte layer 30 (step S19). This results in a unit cell 60 containing a laminate in which the electrode active material layer 20, solid electrolyte layer 30, counter electrode active material layer, and counter electrode current collector 50 are laminated in this order on both the first main surface 15 and the second main surface 16 of the electrode current collector 10. At this time, the counter electrode current collector 50 is laminated on the counter electrode active material layer 40 such that a fourth region 84 not covered by the counter electrode current collector 50 is provided at the end of the counter electrode active material layer 40 in the positive x-axis direction. For position control, the position can be easily controlled by using a position control jig 2 having the external shape illustrated in Figure 4 and pushing the side (b) 102 in a direction perpendicular to the side. At this time, the counter electrode active material layer 40 and the counter electrode current collector 50 are joined by, for example, a high-pressure press process. Furthermore, joining may be performed by using a counter electrode current collector 50 having a connecting layer containing an adhesive binder, by coating with an adhesive, or by laminating an adhesive film. The joining method is not limited to these methods. Heat treatment may also be performed during or after joining.

[0129] The counter electrode current collector 50 may be formed to the desired dimensions before lamination, or it may be partially removed after lamination. Furthermore, the counter electrode terminals 51 may be formed after lamination.

[0130] Through the steps described above, a battery 1 consisting of one unit cell 60 is obtained. The obtained battery 1 may be housed in an outer casing or the like. If the battery 1 is housed in an outer casing, the electrode terminals 11 and the counter electrode terminal 51 are brought out to the outside of the outer casing.

[0131] Alternatively, a stacked battery may be manufactured by stacking the formed unit cells 60 along the z-axis direction. In this case, adjacent unit cells 60 in the stacking direction may share one counter electrode current collector 50. For example, by stacking the electrode bodies 70 and the counter electrode current collector 50 alternately, the counter electrode current collector 50 is shared by adjacent unit cells 60 in the stacking direction.

[0132] Next, another example of a method for manufacturing battery 1 will be described. Figure 15 is a flowchart showing another example of a method for manufacturing battery 1 according to an embodiment.

[0133] In the example shown in Figure 15, steps S11 to S15 are the same as in the example shown in Figure 13, and after step S15, the first molding process and the second molding process are performed together (step S20). In other words, defining the shape of the end in directions other than the positive x-axis direction in a plan view, forming the electrode terminals 11 on the electrode current collector 10, and forming a chamfered shape on the electrode current collector 10 at the corners 76 of the protruding region 75 in a plan view are all performed together. This increases the productivity of the battery 1. In addition, since the processing of the side surface 72 and the processing of the corners 76 connected to the side surface 72 are performed together, it is possible to suppress the collapse of the active material layer etc. on the side surface 72 due to the stress when forming the chamfered shape at the corners 76.

[0134] The combined molding process of the first and second molding processes in step S20 is, for example, a punching process. For example, a punching die equipped with a punching blade having the same shape as the electrode body 70 in plan view is used to perform a punching process on the electrode body obtained up to step S15.

[0135] Although the above describes a method for manufacturing battery 1 according to an embodiment, batteries according to various modifications of embodiments other than battery 1 can also be manufactured by adjusting the materials used and the processing shape in the above manufacturing method. Alternatively, step S18 may be performed after step S15, and then step S16 or step S20 may be performed. In other words, the first molding process and the second molding process are performed after forming the insulating layer. This allows the first molding process and the second molding process to be performed with the protruding region 75 protected by the insulating layer, and the collapse of the active material layer, etc., during processing can be suppressed. The insulating layer is also processed by the first molding process and the second molding process.

[0136] [Other embodiments] The batteries relating to this disclosure have been described above based on embodiments, but this disclosure is not limited to these paper forms. As long as they do not deviate from the spirit of this disclosure, various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive of, and other forms constructed by combining some of the components of the embodiments, are also included in the scope of this disclosure.

[0137] In the above embodiments, the battery was composed of an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a counter electrode active material layer, and a counter electrode current collector, or an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a counter electrode active material layer, a counter electrode current collector, and an insulating layer, but is not limited to these. For example, a bonding layer or the like for reducing electrical resistance and improving bonding strength may be provided between each layer of the battery, within a range that is acceptable for the battery characteristics.

[0138] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and counter electrode active material layer were formed by directly and sequentially laminating them from the main surface side of the electrode current collector, but this is not limited to this. For example, the electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and counter electrode active material layer may be formed by sequentially laminating them in a sheet-like manner on a substrate, and the formed electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and counter electrode active material layer may be removed from the substrate and laminated onto the main surface of the electrode current collector. Alternatively, the electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and counter electrode active material layer may be formed on a sheet-like substrate, and the formed electrode active material layer, solid electrolyte layer, and counter electrode active material layer may be sequentially transferred and laminated onto the main surface of the electrode current collector.

[0139] Furthermore, although the above embodiment provided a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region in the unit cell, it is not limited to this. For example, at least one of the first region, second region, third region, and fourth region may not be provided.

[0140] Furthermore, although the above embodiment includes a counter electrode current collector, it is not limited to this. For example, the function of the counter electrode current collector may be realized by an external configuration, such as mounting an electrode body on a substrate or the like that has a current collection function from the counter electrode active material layer.

[0141] Furthermore, each of the above embodiments may be modified, replaced, omitted, or otherwise altered within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0142] (Note) The above description of embodiments discloses the following technologies.

[0143] (Technology 1) Electrode body and The electrode body has an electrode terminal that is electrically connected to the electrode body, A counter electrode current collector is stacked on the electrode body, The counter electrode terminals electrically connected to the counter electrode current collector, A battery equipped with, The aforementioned battery has an external shape that is a polygon with four or more sides in a plan view, and The side (a) on which the electrode terminal and the counter electrode terminal are located, The side (b) intersects with one end of the aforementioned side (a), The other end of the aforementioned side (a) intersects with side (d), The side (c) intersects with the end of side (d) opposite to the intersection point with side (a), It has, The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (b) is an obtuse angle. The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (d) is a right angle or greater. battery.

[0144] According to Technology 1, it is possible to provide a battery that can improve productivity by enabling simple and accurate positional control when stacking each component of the battery at a specified location.

[0145] (Technology 2) The following conditions must be met: (I), (II), or (III) The battery described in Technical 1. (I) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector and an electrode active material layer, the electrode active material layer being disposed on a first main surface of the electrode current collector, and the battery further comprises an electrolyte layer disposed between the electrode active material layer and the counter electrode current collector, and a counter electrode active material layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the counter electrode current collector. (II) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, and an electrolyte layer, wherein the electrode active material layer and the electrolyte layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector, and the battery further comprises a counter electrode active material layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the counter electrode current collector. (III) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer, wherein the electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, and the counter electrode active material layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector.

[0146] According to Technology 2, it is possible to provide a battery that can improve productivity by enabling simple and accurate positional control when stacking each component of the battery at a specified location.

[0147] (Technology 3) The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (d) is a right angle. The battery described in Technology 1 or 2.

[0148] According to Technology 3, it is possible to provide a battery that can improve productivity by enabling simpler and more accurate positioning when stacking each component of the battery at a specified location.

[0149] (Technology 4) The aforementioned battery has a rectangular outer shape in a plan view. A battery as described in any one of the three technical specifications.

[0150] According to Technology 4, it is possible to provide a battery that can improve productivity by enabling simpler and more accurate positioning when stacking each component of the battery at a specified location.

[0151] (Technology 5) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer. On the first main surface of the electrode current collector, the electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, the counter electrode active material layer, and the counter electrode current collector are arranged in this order. In a plan view, at least a portion of the part of the counter electrode active material layer corresponding to the edge (b) is not covered by the counter electrode current collector. A battery as described in any one of the technical items 1 to 4.

[0152] According to Technology 5, the risk of short circuits due to the protrusion of the counter electrode current collector can be reduced.

[0153] (Technology 6) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer. On the first main surface of the electrode current collector, the electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, the counter electrode active material layer, and the counter electrode current collector are arranged in this order. In a plan view, at least a portion of the counter electrode active material layer corresponding to at least one edge selected from the group consisting of edge (c) and edge (d) is not covered by the counter electrode current collector. A battery as described in any one of the technical items 1 through 5.

[0154] According to Technology 6, the risk of short circuits due to the protrusion of the counter electrode current collector can be reduced.

[0155] (Technology 7) In a plan view, the counter electrode current collector is smaller than the electrode body. A battery as described in any one of the technical items 1 through 6.

[0156] The above configuration makes it less likely for short circuits or other problems to occur due to contact between electrodes of opposite polarity.

[0157] (Technology 8) A method for manufacturing a battery as described in any one of the technical items 1 to 7, The aforementioned manufacturing method is (A) Prepare the electrode body, (B) The battery is obtained by stacking the counter electrode current collector on the electrode body, A method for manufacturing batteries, including the invention of a battery.

[0158] According to the above manufacturing method, it is possible to provide a battery that can be manufactured simply and with precise positional control of each component of the battery.

[0159] (Technology 9) In (B) above, the positions of the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector are restricted, and the counter electrode current collector is stacked on the electrode body. The manufacturing method described in Technical 8.

[0160] According to the above manufacturing method, it is possible to provide a battery that can be manufactured simply and with precise positional control of each component of the battery.

[0161] (Technology 10) In (B) above, the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector are positioned in a predetermined location relative to the position regulating jig by pushing the side of the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector corresponding to the side (b) in one direction. The manufacturing method described in Technical 9.

[0162] According to the above manufacturing method, it is possible to provide a battery that can be manufactured simply and with precise positional control of each component of the battery.

[0163] (Technology 11) An electrode body used in a battery, The electrode body has an external shape that is a polygon with four or more sides in a plan view, and In the state in which the battery is used, the side (a) where the electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode body and the counter electrode terminal are located, The side (b) intersects with one end of the aforementioned side (a), The other end of the aforementioned side (a) intersects with side (d), The side (c) intersects with the end of side (d) opposite to the intersection point with side (a), It has, The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (b) is an obtuse angle. The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (d) is a right angle or greater, The electrode body satisfies the following conditions (i), (ii), or (iii): Electrode body. (i) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector and an electrode active material layer, the electrode active material layer being disposed on the first main surface of the electrode current collector. (ii) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, and an electrolyte layer, wherein the electrode active material layer and the electrolyte layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector. (iii) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer, wherein the electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, and the counter electrode active material layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector.

[0164] The above configuration provides an electrode body that can be used in batteries, enabling simple and accurate positional control when stacking each component of the battery at a specified location, thereby improving productivity. [Industrial applicability]

[0165] The battery relating to this disclosure can be used, for example, as a secondary battery such as an all-solid-state battery used in various electronic devices or automobiles. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0166] 1,1A,1B,100,200,300 batteries 10 Electrode current collector 11 Electrode terminal 15. First Main Surface 16. Second Main Surface 20 Electrode active material layer 30 Electrolyte layer 40 Counter electrode active material layer 50 Counter-pole current collector 51 Counter terminal 70,170,270,370 Electrode body 101 Side (a) 102 Side (b) 103 sides (c) 104 sides (d)

Claims

1. Electrode body and The electrode body has an electrode terminal that is electrically connected to the electrode body, A counter electrode current collector is stacked on the electrode body, The counter electrode terminals electrically connected to the counter electrode current collector, A battery equipped with, The aforementioned battery has an external shape that is a polygon with four or more sides in a plan view, and The side (a) on which the electrode terminal and the counter electrode terminal are located, The side (b) intersects with one end of the aforementioned side (a), The other end of the aforementioned side (a) intersects with side (d), The side (c) that intersects with the opposite end of the aforementioned side (d) from the point of intersection with the aforementioned side (a), It has, The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (b) is an obtuse angle. The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (d) is a right angle or greater. battery.

2. The following conditions must be met: (I), (II), or (III) The battery according to claim 1. (I) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector and an electrode active material layer, the electrode active material layer being disposed on a first main surface of the electrode current collector, and the battery further comprises an electrolyte layer disposed between the electrode active material layer and the counter electrode current collector, and a counter electrode active material layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the counter electrode current collector. (II) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, and an electrolyte layer, wherein the electrode active material layer and the electrolyte layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector, and the battery further comprises a counter electrode active material layer disposed between the electrolyte layer and the counter electrode current collector. (III) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer, wherein the electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, and the counter electrode active material layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector.

3. The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (d) is a right angle. The battery according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned battery has a rectangular outer shape in a plan view. The battery according to claim 1.

5. The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer. The electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, the counter electrode active material layer, and the counter electrode current collector are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector. In a plan view, at least a portion of the part of the counter electrode active material layer corresponding to the edge (b) is not covered by the counter electrode current collector. The battery according to claim 1.

6. The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer. The electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, the counter electrode active material layer, and the counter electrode current collector are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector. In a plan view, at least a portion of the counter electrode active material layer corresponding to at least one edge selected from the group consisting of edge (c) and edge (d) is not covered by the counter electrode current collector. The battery according to claim 1.

7. In a plan view, the counter electrode current collector is smaller than the electrode body. The battery according to claim 1.

8. A method for manufacturing a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 7, The aforementioned manufacturing method is (A) Prepare the electrode body, (B) To obtain the battery by stacking the counter electrode current collector on the electrode body, A method for manufacturing batteries, including the invention of a battery.

9. In (B) above, the positions of the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector are restricted, and the counter electrode current collector is stacked on the electrode body. The manufacturing method according to claim 8.

10. In (B) above, the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector are positioned in a predetermined location relative to the position regulating jig by pushing the side of the electrode body and the counter electrode current collector corresponding to the side (b) in one direction. The manufacturing method according to claim 9.

11. An electrode body used in a battery, The electrode body has an external shape that is a polygon with four or more sides in a plan view, and In the state in which the battery is used, the side (a) where the electrode terminal electrically connected to the electrode body and the counter electrode terminal are located, The side (b) intersects with one end of the aforementioned side (a), The other end of the aforementioned side (a) intersects with side (d), The side (c) that intersects with the opposite end of the aforementioned side (d) from the point of intersection with the aforementioned side (a), It has, The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (b) is an obtuse angle. The interior angle formed by side (a) and side (d) is a right angle or greater, The electrode body satisfies the following conditions (i), (ii), or (iii): Electrode body. (i) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector and an electrode active material layer, the electrode active material layer being arranged on the first main surface of the electrode current collector. (ii) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, and an electrolyte layer, wherein the electrode active material layer and the electrolyte layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector. (iii) The electrode body includes an electrode current collector, an electrode active material layer, an electrolyte layer, and a counter electrode active material layer, wherein the electrode active material layer, the electrolyte layer, and the counter electrode active material layer are arranged in this order on the first main surface of the electrode current collector.

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