Method for manufacturing lithium-ion batteries, particularly high-power batteries, and batteries obtained by the method
By employing H-shaped grooves and through-holes in anode and cathode foils, along with a robust sealing system and conductive supports, the method addresses short circuits and resistance issues, enhancing the production of efficient, long-lasting lithium-ion batteries.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2022538937
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2020-05-20
- Filing Date
- 2020-12-23
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-11
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-12-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing lithium-ion battery manufacturing methods face issues such as leakage currents leading to short circuits, material loss during cutting, and high resistance at electrode connections, which degrade battery performance and increase production costs.
The method involves forming anode and cathode foils with H-shaped grooves and through-holes to create continuous passages for conductive means, using a multi-layer sealing system with low water vapor transmission rate, and employing conductive supports to minimize contact resistance and enhance sealing durability.
This approach reduces the risk of short circuits, minimizes material loss, and lowers battery resistance, resulting in high-energy, high-power batteries with improved production yield and longevity.
Smart Images

Figure 0007737993000001 
Figure 0007737993000002 
Figure 0007737993000003
Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] The present invention relates to the manufacture of lithium ion batteries, and in particular to the manufacture of high power lithium ion batteries. It also relates to batteries obtained by this method, which have a novel configuration that provides a long life. [Background technology]
[0002] To increase the production yield of secondary batteries with high energy density and high power density, such as all-solid-state batteries or batteries filled with liquid electrolyte, simultaneous fabrication of multiple batteries can be achieved by stacking alternating anode and cathode foils pre-coated with electrolyte layers.
[0003] WO 2016 / 001584 (I-TEN) describes a foil comprising a conductive substrate successively covered with an electrode layer, which is covered with an electrolyte layer. The foils are cut into a pattern, particularly a U-shape, before or after deposition. These foils are alternately stacked to form a stack of multiple unit cells. The cut patterns for the anode and cathode are arranged in a "head-to-tail" configuration so that the stack of cathode and anode layers is laterally offset. This document discloses a conformal thick-layer sealing system after the stacking step, typically a polymer layer approximately 10 μm thick, on the stack and in available cavities present within the stack. This first ensures structural rigidity at the cut plane and second protects the battery cells from air. Once the stack is produced and sealed into a rigid structure, it is cut along the cut planes to obtain unit cells, exposing the connections between the cathode and anode of the battery at each cut plane. When these cuts are made, the sealing system is broken, resulting in the destruction of the impermeable seal of the battery. Where these cathode and anode connections are apparent, it is known that terminations (ie, electrical contacts) are also added.
[0004] This prior art will now be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 12, which shows the structure of a lithium-ion battery described in WO 2016 / 001584. The battery 200 includes multiple anodes 230 and multiple cathodes 210, each arranged alternately. Each anode and cathode includes a respective layer of anode or cathode active material, referred to as an anode layer or cathode layer, respectively. Furthermore, although not shown in FIG. 12, a layer of electrolyte material is sandwiched between the anode and cathode, separating the two opposing active layers. The thickness of the various constituent layers typically does not exceed 15 μm, often between 2 μm and 8 μm. The battery has anode connections 230′ arranged one above the other on a first side edge. Furthermore, a cathode connection 210′ arranged one above the other on the opposite side edge 202 is provided. The stack of anodes 230 and cathodes 210 is laterally offset. The cathode connection 210' is arranged so that it protrudes from the free face 230'' of the anode. Similarly, at the opposite edge 201, the free face 210'' of the cathode is set back from the free face of the anode, on which the anode connection 230' is subsequently arranged.
[0005] However, this known solution has certain drawbacks. More specifically, depending on the placement of the electrodes, especially in multilayer batteries, the proximity of the edges of the electrodes and the cleanliness of the cuts, leakage currents can manifest themselves, typically resulting in the formation of insidious short circuits. This reduces the battery's performance, despite the use of a sealing system around the periphery of the battery and near the cathode and anode connections. Furthermore, insufficient deposition of the sealing system in the battery is sometimes observed, especially at the edges of the battery in areas formed by the lateral offset of the electrodes at the edges of the battery.
[0006] Furthermore, because the ends of the anode and cathode are recessed from the adjacent anode and cathode layers, respectively, a large cut is required. Therefore, such a cut must be filled with insulating material. Due to its large size, this cut causes a substantial loss of material that would be beneficial for producing the battery itself. Furthermore, this requires the application of a thick insulating layer in the available cavity present in the stack. The thick insulating material can weaken the entire battery sealing system, as the sealing system applied as a thick layer is prone to peeling during cutting. Therefore, the conventional structure has both technical and economic disadvantages.
[0007] Finally, in many applications, battery resistance, which causes a loss of power output, must be reduced. In conventional very high-power batteries, the resistance of the connection elements contributes significantly to battery resistance, and a battery structure that has the effect of increasing the resistance of the connection elements is unacceptable, even if it could solve some of the other problems mentioned above. In this regard, the connection between the connection elements and the conductive surfaces of the battery that are intended to be contacted by the connection elements has contact resistance that must be minimized. This connection can be made simply by adhesive bonding. To illustrate this in FIG. 12 above, metal foil can be adhesively bonded to the edges of the anode 230′ and cathode 210′ after sealing the battery and cutting the sides to expose these edges. A good connection has low electrical resistance and should not degrade over the life of the battery.
[0008] However, conductive adhesives, often used to adhesively bond metal foils to terminations, typically have high contact resistance, especially those containing graphite. In contrast, excellent conductive properties are known to be obtained using inks containing metal nanoparticles or carbide or nitride nanoparticles. However, this low resistance is only achieved if these inks are subjected to heat treatment at temperatures sufficient to cause sintering of the conductive nanoparticles. Generally, temperatures of approximately 400°C cause incomplete sintering, which is prohibitively high for batteries containing liquid electrolytes.
[0009] Furthermore, the density of the sintered ink is not high enough to make it impermeable to water vapor (this permeability is expressed by the water vapor transmission rate (hereinafter referred to as WVTR)), in this case for example the permeability of Metalon, a nano-copper ink by Novacentrix. Therefore, there is a real need to improve the quality of the electrical contact between the conductive surfaces of the battery and the connection elements, and both to reduce the contact resistance and to improve the durability of this electrical contact. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0010] The present invention aims to at least partially overcome some of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art.
[0011] In particular, the present invention aims to increase the production yield of secondary batteries with high energy and power densities, as well as to produce lower cost and more efficient encapsulations.
[0012] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a method for reducing the risk of short circuits and to enable the production of batteries with low self-discharge rates.
[0013] In particular, the present invention aims to provide a method by which very long-life batteries can be manufactured in a simple, reliable and fast manner.
[0014] Furthermore, the present invention aims to present such methods, which employ higher quality cutting steps than those previously used.
[0015] Furthermore, the present invention aims to provide such methods, which enhance the sealing step and the sealing itself, which is carried out during the production of the final battery.
[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a battery that results in less loss of material.
[0017] In any case, the solution to these problems must not increase the resistance of the battery, but must reduce it if possible. [Means for solving the problem]
[0018] At least one of the above objects is achieved by at least one of the objects of the present invention as described below, each of which relates to a battery, a method for manufacturing the same, an energy consuming device, and other embodiments of the battery, and these objects are set out in the accompanying claims.
[0019] The present invention provides, as a first object, a battery (100) comprising at least one anode (3) and at least one cathode (1), the battery (100) comprising side edges (101, 102) comprising at least one anode connection area and at least one cathode connection area laterally opposite the anode connection area, and longitudinal edges (103, 104); The anode (3) is arranged such that the battery comprises a unit stack formed successively by at least one anode layer, at least one layer of an electrolyte material or a layer of a separator impregnated with an electrolyte, and at least one cathode layer. -current collecting substrate, at least one anode layer, and optionally a layer of electrolyte material or a layer of separator impregnated with an electrolyte, The cathode (1) -current collecting substrate, at least one cathode layer, and optionally a layer of electrolyte material or a layer of separator impregnated with an electrolyte, - each of the anode and the cathode comprises a first main part (111, 131), a second main part (112, 132) separated from the first main part by a spacer (113, 133) that does not contain electrode material, an electrolyte, and a current collecting material, and the free area connects the opposing longitudinal sides (103, 104) of the battery; - each of the anode and the cathode includes, when viewed from above, at least one first through-hole (51, 53) formed in the first main portion and at least one second through-hole (52, 54) formed in the second main portion; each of the first through holes (51) formed in the first main portion of the cathode extends continuously to each of the second through holes (54) formed in the second main portion of the anode, and these holes (51, 54) extend continuously to each other to form a first passage (61) passing from one end of the battery to the other; Each of the first through holes (53) formed in the first main portion of the anode extends continuously to each of the second through holes (52) formed in the second main portion of the cathode, and these holes (53, 52) extend continuously to each other to form a second passage (63) passing from one end of the battery to the other; the battery further comprises at least one cathode conducting means (71, 71', 71'') provided in the first passage (61) and at least one anode conducting means (73, 73', 73'') provided in the second passage (63), the anode conducting means (73, 73', 73'') being capable of collecting at least a portion of the battery current flow towards at least one anode connection area and the cathode conducting means (71, 71', 71'') being capable of collecting at least a portion of the battery current flow towards at least one cathode connection area.
[0020] According to other features of the battery of the present invention, they may be adopted separately or with technically compatible features: - each of said passages extends away from opposite sides (101, 102); - the shortest distance between each of the passages and the opposite side (D 59 / D 56 ) is 0.44mm to 1.95mm, each of said passages is formed directly in said side edge (401, 402), and each of said cathode or anode conducting means is flush with said side edge and has, in particular, a semi-cylindrical shape; said anode conducting means and said cathode conducting means are independently selected from: a bar made of conductive material, Interference fit metal rod, A metal rod surrounded by a conductive sheath material, - the bar or the metal rod is provided with clamping heads at two ends, the battery further comprises: a conductive support made at least in part of a conductive material; an insulating means for insulating two spaced apart regions of the conductive support, each of which forms a conductive path, from each other; the cathode conductive means is in electrical contact with a first conductive path and the anode conductive means is in electrical contact with a second conductive path; said conductive support is of the single-layer type, in particular a metal grid or a silicon intermediate layer; the conductive support comprises a plurality of alternating layers, the conductive support being in particular of the printed circuit board type, - the transverse dimension or width (L 113 ) is 0.01mm~0.5mm, - the transverse dimension or width (L 112 ) is 0.05mm to 2mm, the free surface of the second main portion of each of the cathode (112') and anode (132') opposite the free area is flush with the free surface of the first main portion of each of the anode (131') and cathode (111'); - it comprises a sealing system that coats four of the six sides of the cell and partially coats the other two sides, the other two sides being opposite and substantially perpendicular to the first and second passages (61, 63) of the cell, which contain at least one anode connection area and at least one cathode connection area; -Sealing system at least one first cover layer provided on said battery, preferably chosen from parylene, parylene F, polyimide, epoxy resin, silicone, polyamide, sol-gel silica, organosilica and / or mixtures thereof; at least one second cover layer made of an insulating material and applied on the at least one cover layer by atomic layer deposition, PECVD, HDPCVD or ICP CVD, the sequence of the at least one first cover layer and the at least one second cover layer may be repeated z times, where z is 1 or greater; said sealing system comprising: Extremely low WVTR, preferably 10 -5 g / m 2 d, and includes at least one first cover layer disposed on the periphery of the stack of anode and cathode foils, the first cover layer optionally being repeated z' times, where z' is 1 or greater; at least said first cover layer, Preferably oxides, nitrides, oxynitrides, Si x N y , SiO2, SiON, amorphous silicon or SiC, and / or Preferably, the glass comprises a low-melting point glass having a melting point of less than 600°C, more preferably a low-melting point glass selected from SiO2-B2O3, Bi2O3-B2O3, ZnO-Bi2O3-B2O3, TeO2-V2O5 and PbO-SiO2, - it comprises a terminal system covering at least the anode connection area (75, 75') and at least the cathode connection area (76, 76'), said terminal system, a first layer of a conductive polymer, preferably a silver-filled resin; a second layer of nickel disposed on the first layer of the terminal system; and a third layer of tin disposed contiguously on the second layer of the terminal system;
[0021] The present invention also relates to a method for producing the above battery, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a stack (I) of alternating foils, the foils comprising a first foil or anode foil intended to form the anode layer of each of a plurality of batteries, and a second foil or cathode foil intended to form the cathode layer of each of a plurality of batteries, the core anode foil comprising at least one groove or anode-free area, and the core cathode foil comprising at least one groove or cathode-free area, each groove delimiting at least a portion of the free area of the electrode material, electrolyte, and current collecting substrate; b) heat treating and / or mechanically pressing the stack of alternating foils previously provided; c) forming at least one first through-hole (51, 53) in the first main portion and at least one second through-hole (52, 54) in the second main portion of each anode and each cathode; the first through-hole (51) formed in the first main portion of the cathode extends continuously to the second through-hole (54) formed in the second main portion of the anode, and these holes (51, 54) extend continuously to form a first passage (61) passing from one end of the cell to the other; the first through-hole (53) formed in the first main part of the anode extends continuously to the second through-hole (52) formed in the second main part of the cathode, these holes (53, 52) extending continuously to form a second passage (63) passing from one end of the cell to the other, and step c) may be performed in the anode and cathode foils before step a) or after step b); d) inserting cathode conducting means (71, 71', 71'') into said first through-holes (61) and anode conducting means (73, 73', 73'') into said second through-holes (63), each of these conducting means being able to collect at least a portion of the battery's current; e) forming cuts (Dn, D'n) to separate the given cells.
[0022] According to other features of the process according to the invention, they may be adopted separately or by technically compatible features, the passage is formed at a distance from the side edge; at least one perforation is formed along the path of each cut, each perforation separating at least a portion of each passage; - each of the anode groove and the cathode groove comprises two at least partially overlapping longitudinal portions (16, 36) for delimiting the longitudinal sides (103, 104) of the cell and lateral portions (18, 38) connecting the two longitudinal portions, the lateral portions of the anode groove (38) and the lateral portions of the cathode groove (18) being offset from one another, a first cut extending between the lateral portion of the anode groove and an end opposite the longitudinal portion, and a second cut extending between the lateral portion of the cathode groove and an end opposite the longitudinal portion, each groove has a general H-shape, with the longitudinal portions forming a vertical main recess of the H and the lateral portions forming a channel of the H; - each of the anode and cathode grooves is elongated in particular in an I-shape, the anode grooves overlap one another on top of one another, the cathode grooves overlap one another on top of one another, the anode grooves are offset with respect to the cathode grooves to define a plurality of intermediate regions, and the cuts are made in the intermediate regions; - it comprises, after step b) or step e) of producing a cut stack, a step f) of impregnating said cut stack with a phase comprising lithium ions, such as a liquid electrolyte, or with an ionic liquid comprising a lithium salt, it comprises sealing the cut stack after step e) or after step f) by depositing at least one first cover layer provided on the battery, preferably chosen from parylene, parylene F, polyimide, epoxy resin, silicone, polyamide, sol-gel silica, organosilica and / or mixtures thereof; and at least one second cover layer made of an insulating material applied on said at least one cover layer by atomic layer deposition, PECVD, HDPCVD or ICP CVD; the sequence of at least one first cover layer and at least one second cover layer may be repeated z times, where z is 1 or greater; The two cuts (Dn, D'n) are made so as to pass through at least the majority of the anode and the cathode, in particular through all of the anode and the cathode.
[0023] The present invention also encompasses an electrical energy consumption device comprising a main part (2002) and the battery, wherein the battery is capable of supplying electrical energy to the electrical energy consumption device, and the electrical connection support of the battery is fixed to the main part.
[0024] Finally, the present invention has as its object a method for manufacturing a battery, said battery comprising at least one anode (3) and at least one cathode (1) arranged alternately with one another, said battery (100) comprising longitudinal sides (103, 104) and lateral sides (101, 102), The anode (3) is -current collecting substrate, at least one anode layer, and optionally comprising a layer of separator impregnated with an electrolyte material or electrolyte, The cathode (1) -current collecting substrate, at least one cathode layer, and optionally comprising a layer of separator impregnated with an electrolyte material or electrolyte, The battery includes a unit stack formed successively by at least one anode layer, at least one layer of a separator impregnated with an electrolyte material or electrolyte, and at least one cathode layer; Each anode (3) includes an anode connection area located near a first side of the cell, and each cathode (1) includes a cathode connection area located on a second side of the cell opposite the first side; each anode and each cathode comprises a respective first main portion (111, 131) separated from a respective second main portion (112, 132) by an area (113, 133) free of electrode material, electrolyte, and current collecting substrate, said free areas joining opposite longitudinal sides (103, 104) of the cell; The manufacturing method includes: a) providing a stack (I) of alternating foils, the stack including a first foil or anode foil intended to form the anode layer of a plurality of cells and a second foil or cathode foil intended to form the cathode layer of a plurality of cells, each anode foil including at least one groove or anode-free area (34) and each cathode foil including at least one groove or cathode-free area (14), each groove defining at least a portion of an area free of electrode material, electrolyte, and current collecting substrate; b) subjecting the stack of alternating foils previously provided to a heat treatment and / or mechanical pressing; c) making two cuts (Dn, D'n) extending at least partially inside the grooves, the first cut extending between the lateral and longitudinal end of the anode groove and the second cut extending between the lateral and longitudinal end of the cathode groove, At least one perforation is formed along the path of each cut so that the cuts can be easily made using a cutting tool. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0025] The accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, illustrate various aspects and embodiments of the present invention: Figure 12 shows a conventional battery; [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of anode and cathode foils intended to form a stack according to the method for manufacturing a cell according to the invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of one of the foils of FIG. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is an enlarged front view showing the H-shaped grooves formed in adjacent foils and the first and second passages formed in adjacent foils. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the H-shaped grooves formed in adjacent foils and the first and second passages formed in adjacent foils. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an overhead view showing the cutting step performed on the grooves formed in the stack in the previous figure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an enlarged overhead view showing the cuts made along the H-shaped groove. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII shown in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a battery according to the invention that can be obtained in particular according to the method shown in the above figures. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view along line XX shown in FIG. 6 of a battery according to the invention that can be obtained in particular according to the method shown in the above figures. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a battery according to the invention which can be obtained in particular according to the method shown in the above figures. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a conventional battery. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an overhead view illustrating the cutting steps performed on different H-shaped grooves formed in an anode or cathode foil according to a second alternative embodiment of the present invention, and showing first and second passages formed in this anode or cathode according to a second alternative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged overhead view of a cut made along an H-shaped groove according to a second alternative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a battery according to the invention, which may be obtained in particular according to a second alternative embodiment of the invention. [Figure 16]Figure 16 includes Figures 16A, 16B and 16C, which are cross-sectional views along the line XVI-XVI shown in Figure 15 of a battery according to the invention that can be obtained in particular according to the method shown in the figures, in which the first and second passages formed in the battery are filled with conductive means to form electrical connections between the cells of the battery. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to the invention that can be obtained in particular by the method shown in the previous figures, this battery including conductive means for forming an electrical connection between the cells of the battery and the sealing system. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating a method of manufacturing a battery according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a battery formed using the method shown in FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a view similar to FIG. 16 showing the cell in FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of a similar view to FIG. 20 showing the battery in FIG. 20 integrated into an energy consuming device, further including a seal and a conductive support. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a view similar to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of the anode and cathode foils. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 18 illustrating a manufacturing method using the foil in FIG. [Figure 24] 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XXIV of FIG. 23 showing the piece formed from the cut shown in FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 21 showing a cell including a conductive support according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The method according to the present invention first involves generating a stack I of alternating foils, hereinafter sometimes referred to as "anode foil" and "cathode foil." As will be seen in more detail below, each anode foil is intended to form an anode for a plurality of batteries, and each cathode foil is intended to form a cathode for a plurality of batteries. The example shown in FIG. 1 shows five cathode foils 1 and five anode foils 3. In practice, the stack will be formed by a larger number of foils, typically 10 to 1000. In an advantageous embodiment, all of the foils have perforations 2 at their four edges, which, when stacked, clearly position all of the cathodes and all of the anodes, as will be explained in more detail below (see FIGS. 1 and 2). These perforations 2 at the four edges of the foils serve as registration marks for aligning the foils when stacking them.
[0027] These perforations 2 at the four edges of the foil are made by suitable means in particular in the anode and cathode foils after manufacture, or in the anode and / or cathode foils coated with an electrolyte layer or coated with a separator, which electrolyte layer or this separator can be sandwiched between two foils of opposite polarity, i.e., between the anode and cathode foils.
[0028] The physical and chemical structure of each of the anode and cathode foils, which may be of a known type, is not within the scope of the present invention and is merely for the purpose of convenience. Each anode foil 3 includes an anode current collecting substrate coated with an active layer of an anode material, hereinafter referred to as the anode layer. Each anode foil 1 includes a cathode current collecting substrate coated with an active layer of a cathode material, hereinafter referred to as the cathode layer. Each of these active layers may be solid, more specifically, dense or porous. Furthermore, to prevent electrical contact between two adjacent foils, i.e., between two active layers of opposite polarity, an electrolyte layer or a separator filled with a liquid electrolyte (not shown in FIG. 1 ) is placed on at least one of these two foils, i.e., on at least one active layer of these current collecting substrates previously coated with an active layer in contact with an active layer of opposite polarity. The electrolyte layer or separator filled with a liquid electrolyte, not shown in the figures describing the present invention, is sandwiched between two foils of opposite polarity, i.e., between the anode foil and the cathode foil. More specifically, the electrolyte layer or separator may be disposed in the anode layer and / or the cathode layer, the electrolyte layer or separator forming an integral part of the anode foil 3 and / or cathode foil 1 that contains them.
[0029] A unit cell of the battery successively comprises at least one anode current collecting substrate, at least one anode layer, at least one layer of electrolyte material or a separator filled with electrolyte, at least one cathode layer, and at least one cathode current collecting substrate, which may be a metal strip.
[0030] Advantageously, two sides of the anode or cathode current collecting substrate are coated with an anode layer or a cathode layer, and optionally coated with an electrolyte or separator layer disposed on the anode layer or the cathode layer. In such a case, the anode or cathode current collecting substrate can serve as a current collector in two adjacent unit cells. The use of these substrates in batteries increases the production yield of secondary batteries with high energy density and high power density.
[0031] The mechanical structure of one of the cathode foils 1 is described here, it being understood that the other cathode foils have the same structure. Furthermore, as will be seen below, the anode foil 3 has a structure very similar to that of the cathode foil 1.
[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the cathode foil 1 is quadrilateral, essentially square. It defines a so-called perforated central area 10, in which H-shaped grooves are formed as explained below. With respect to the arrangement of these H-shaped grooves, a so-called foil vertical direction YY is defined, which corresponds to the vertical direction of these Hs, and a so-called foil horizontal direction XX is perpendicular to the YY direction. The central area 10 is bordered by a continuous, i.e. groove-free, vertical frame 12. The function of this frame is, among other things, to ensure easy handling of each foil.
[0033] The H-shaped grooves are arranged vertically from L1 to L y are distributed in rows and are arranged adjacent to each other. x The anode and cathode foils are distributed in rows. As a non-limiting example, the anode and cathode foils used within the scope of the manufacture of surface-mounted device (hereinafter referred to as SMD) microbatteries may be wafers of 100 mm x 100 mm. Typically, the number of rows of these foils is between 10 and 500, and the number of columns is between 10 and 500. As a function of the desired battery capacity, their dimensions may vary, and therefore the number of rows and columns per anode and cathode foil can be adjusted. The dimensions of the anode and cathode foils used can be modified according to the needs. As shown in Figure 2, two adjacent rows are separated by a bridge of material 20, H 20 The heights thereof, indicated by , are between 0.05 mm and 5 mm. The bridges and pieces of material of these anode and cathode foils give them sufficient mechanical structure to be easily handled.
[0034] The grooves 14 are through-holes, i.e., they open onto the top and bottom surfaces of the foil, respectively. The grooves 14 can be produced in a manner known per se directly in the substrate before the deposition of the anode and cathode materials, by chemical etching, electroforming, laser cutting, micro-perforation, or pressing. These grooves can also be produced in a manner known per se, for example by laser cutting, femtosecond laser cutting, micro-perforation, or pressing, in the substrate coated with the anode or cathode material, or in the anode or cathode foil coated with the electrolyte layer or separator. The grooves 14 formed in all of the cathodes are superimposed, as shown in particular in FIG. 3.
[0035] It is understood that one of the H-shaped grooves 14 is identical for all of the cuts made in the cathode foil as described herein. The groove 14 is formed by two vertical and parallel main recesses 16, which are connected at their top by a horizontal channel 18 that is preferably perpendicular to the two vertical main recesses 16. The following indication is given: H 14 is the overall groove height, which is usually 0.25mm~10mm; L 14 is its width, which is usually 0.25mm~10mm; L 16 is the width of each main recess, which is usually 0.02mm~5mm; H 18 is the height of each channel, which is usually 0.01mm~0.5mm; D 18 is the height difference between the top of the main recess and the top of the channel, which is usually 0.05 mm to 2 mm.
[0036] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, at least a first through-hole 51 is formed in the first main portion and a second through-hole 52 is formed in the second main portion.
[0037] The through-holes 51 / 52 / 53 / 54 are also pierced, i.e., they open the top and bottom surfaces of the foils, respectively. These through-holes can be formed in a manner known per se directly in the anode and / or cathode foils before or after the alternating stack comprising a first foil or anode foil intended to form the anode layer of the cells and a second foil or cathode foil intended to form the cathode layer of the cells, respectively. The through-holes can be formed by chemical etching, electroforming, laser cutting, micro-drilling or pressing.
[0038] The first through-hole 51 and the second through-hole 52 formed in all of the cathodes are superimposed as shown in Figure 3. Through-holes 53 and 54 are shown in Figure 10.
[0039] Each anode further comprises different rows and columns of grooves 34, provided in the same number as there are grooves 14. As shown in particular in Figure 4, the structure of each groove 34 is substantially similar to the structure of each groove 14, i.e., groove 34 comprises two vertical main recesses 36 connected by a channel 38. The dimensions of vertical main recesses 36 are identical to the dimensions of vertical main recesses 16, and similarly, the dimensions of channel 38 are similar to the dimensions of channel 18.
[0040] When viewed from above, vertical main recess 36 overlaps vertical main recess 16. The only difference between groove 14 and groove 34 is that channel 38 is provided at the bottom. As shown in particular in Figure 3, channels 18 and 38 are symmetrical to each other when viewed from above about the midline of H, designated XH.
[0041] Furthermore, as particularly shown in FIG. 3, at least a first through hole 53 is formed in the first main portion and a second through hole 54 is formed in the second main portion.
[0042] Advantageously, the first through-hole 51 formed in the first main portion of the cathode is continuous with the second through-hole 54 formed in the second main portion of the anode, with these holes 51 / 54 continuing in series with one another to form a first passageway 61 through the cell's end-to-end. Furthermore, the first through-hole 53 formed in the first main portion of the anode is continuous with the second through-hole 52 formed in the second main portion of the anode, with these holes 53 / 52 continuing in series with one another to form a second passageway 63 through the cell's end-to-end.
[0043] Advantageously, the second through-holes 52 / 54 are formed at a certain distance from the groove channels 18 and 38 in order to prevent the risk of short circuits while maintaining the mechanical strength of the stack. Advantageously, this distance is chosen depending on the nature of the anode and cathode foils, in particular the nature of the current collecting substrate used, its thickness and its strength. The presence of these through-holes in the stack must not weaken the mechanical strength of the stack. The dimensions of the through-holes can be varied as required.
[0044] Advantageously, the first and second through-holes 53 / 52 / 51 / 54 are formed at a specific distance from the sides 101 and 102 of the cell, which delimit the bond of material 56 / 57 / 58 / 59, as will be explained in detail below. Advantageously, each second through-hole 52 / 54 is formed in each second main portion 112 / 132 at a specific distance from each free area 113 / 133 of the cell, which delimits a second zone of material (not shown). It is assumed that the stack undergoes steps to ensure its overall mechanical stability. These steps, which are known per se, include in particular hot pressing the different layers together. As will be seen below, this stack allows the formation of individual cells, the number of which is equal to the product of the number of rows Y and the number of columns X.
[0045] For this purpose, three rows L n-1 ~L n+1 and three columns R n-1 ~R n+1In the present invention, two cleavage D n and D' n are made for each row of grooves. Each cut made through, i.e. extending through the entire height of the stack, is made in a manner known per se. Non-limiting examples include in particular cubic cuts, machine cuts or laser cuts.
[0046] As shown in Figure 6, which is an enlarged view of one of the grooves in Figure 5, each cut is made between the channel and the end facing H. The thickness of the cut is assumed to be neglected. Under these conditions, the following should be noted by way of non-limiting example with reference to Figure 6: ·Cutting D n and the distance D between the opposite side of the horizontal channel 18 20 is 0.05mm to 2mm, and this distance D 20 D 18 It is understood that: ·Cutting D' n and the distance D between the opposite side of the horizontal channel 38 40 is 0.05mm to 2mm, and this distance D 40 D 38 It is understood that:
[0047] Referring to FIG. 5, each final cell is delimited by two cuts at the top and bottom, and left and right by the inner surface of the vertical major recess at H. In FIG. 5, when cut along cut lines Dn and D'n, the cells 100 are shaded, the areas of foil 40 in the stack that do not form the cell are shown as dots, and the grooves remain white. Additionally, FIG. 5 shows first and second vias 61 / 63 running from end to end through the cell, which are substantially filled with conductive means protruding from both the top and bottom surfaces of the cell. These first and second vias 61 / 63 are preferably substantially perpendicular to the cathode and anode foils that form the stack.
[0048] 7 and 8 are cross-sectional views taken along parallel cut lines. Cut plane VII-VII extends through the vertical major recess of the H, and cut plane VIII-VIII extends through the material. FIG. 7 shows region 40, also shown in FIG. 5, which corresponds to the scrap of material, specifically scraps of anode material 43 and cathode material 41. FIG. 8 shows that the cut extends through both the anode and cathode, i.e., from the channel of the H-shaped groove to D, to have first main portions 111, 131 separated from second main portions 112, 132 by open areas of each cathode 1, each anode 3, electrode material, electrolyte, and / or current collecting substrate 113, 133 of battery 100. 20 This is a particularly advantageous feature of the present invention which improves the quality of the cut compared to the prior art and prevents short circuits at the sides of the battery.
[0049] WO 2016 / 001584 describes a stack of multiple unit cells formed by laterally offset, alternating stacked anode and cathode foils sealed with a sealing system to protect the battery cells from the atmosphere (see FIG. 12). Cutting of these sealed stacks to obtain unit cells containing bare cathode and anode connections is performed along a cutting plane that passes through the alternating series of electrodes and the sealing system. Due to the density difference between the electrodes and the sealing system in conventional batteries, cutting along this cutting plane creates a risk of delamination of the sealing system near the cutting plane, resulting in a short circuit. Conventionally, during sealing, a sealing layer fills the gaps in the foil stack that are subjected to the U-shaped cut. This sealing layer inserted into these gaps is thick and barely adheres to the stack, creating a risk of delamination of the sealing system during subsequent cutting.
[0050] According to the present invention, this risk is eliminated by using foils that undergo an H-shaped cut because the hot-pressed H-shaped mechanical structure near the cut is extremely strong as a result of the alternating overlap of the cathode and anode foils. The use of such a strong structure in conjunction with the use of foils that undergo an H-shaped cut can reduce the number of defects during cutting, increase cutting speed, and improve battery yield.
[0051] According to the present invention, D' n and D n The cut is formed through the anode and cathode of similar density, leading to a cleaner cut of higher quality. Furthermore, the presence of open areas in the electrode material, electrolyte and / or current collecting substrate prevents the risk of short circuits.
[0052] 9-11, which illustrate one of the cells 100 according to the present invention. The longitudinal and lateral midlines of the cell are designated X100 and Y100, respectively. The lateral edges of the cell are designated 101 and 102, and the longitudinal edges of the cell are designated 103 and 104. Additionally, each cathode is designated 110, and each anode is designated 130. The number of cathodes, which is the same as the number of anodes, corresponds to the number of cathode and anode foils in the stack.
[0053] As shown in Figure 9, i.e., when viewed from above, the open areas of the cathode overlap. Furthermore, from the same top view, the open areas of the anode overlap. Also, from this same top view, the open areas of the cathode and anode are not aligned, i.e., they do not overlap. This is particularly shown by way of example in Figure 10.
[0054] An open area 113 connects the opposing longitudinal sides of the cell, shown as the top and bottom sides in Figure 9. This open area extends between the opposing longitudinal sides of the cell, separating the first main portion from the second main portion in each anode and cathode.
[0055] Each cathode 110 comprises a first main portion 111 and a second main portion 112 arranged on a first side 101, and a free area of electrode material, electrolyte and / or current collecting substrate 113. The latter has a width corresponding to the width of the channel 18 of the groove 14 and extends between longitudinal sides 103 and 104. Similarly, each anode 130 comprises a first main portion 131 and a second main portion 132 arranged on a side 102 opposite the side 101. The first main portion 131 and the second main portion 132 are separated by a free area 133 of electrode material, electrolyte and / or current collecting substrate, which connects to and extends between the longitudinal sides 103 and 104. The two free areas 113 and 133 are symmetrical to each other about the midline Y100.
[0056] The width L of each free space 113 113 corresponds to the width of the channel 18 belonging to the groove described in the above figure. Furthermore, the width L of each second main portion 112 112 is the distance D as described in relation to FIG. 6 or FIG. 8 20 Corresponds to.
[0057] Figure 13 shows a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, in which some mechanical elements are similar to those in Figures 1 to 11 showing the first embodiment and are given the same reference numerals with the addition of 1000.
[0058] This second alternative embodiment includes rows L1-L2 of H-shaped grooves 1014 arranged one above the other. y , and rows R1 to R2 arranged adjacent to each other x In this embodiment, the difference from the first alternative embodiment is that the rows R n At least one vertical major recess 1016 in the groove arranged in row R n-1 and / or R n+1 10. In such a case, two adjacent columns are not separated by a piece of material. As shown in FIG. 13, two adjacent rows are separated by a bridge of material 1020, the height of which is H 1020, which is between 0.05 mm and 5 mm. These bridges of material give the anode and cathode foils enough mechanical strength that they can be easily handled.
[0059] In this second alternative embodiment of the invention, the H-shaped groove 1014 is preferably identical to the groove of the first alternative embodiment. The groove 1014 is preferably formed by two parallel vertical main recesses 1016, which are preferably connected at their tops by a horizontal channel 1018 that is perpendicular to the two vertical main recesses 1016.
[0060] Each cathode is provided with different rows and columns of grooves 1014. Each anode is also provided with different rows and columns of grooves 1034, provided in the same number as there are grooves 1014.
[0061] The structure of each groove 1034 is substantially similar to the structure of each groove 1014, i.e., the groove 1034 includes two vertical main recesses 1036 connected by a channel 1038. The dimensions of the vertical main recesses 1036 are identical to the dimensions of the vertical main recesses 1016, and similarly, the dimensions of the channels 1038 are similar to the dimensions of the channels 1018.
[0062] When viewed from above, vertical main recess 1036 overlaps vertical main recess 1016. The only difference between groove 1014 and groove 1034 is that channel 1038 is located at the bottom. As shown in particular in Figure 14, when viewed from above, channels 1018 and 1038 are symmetrical to each other across the midline of H, designated XH'.
[0063] The stack of anode and cathode foils described above is then assumed to undergo steps that ensure its overall mechanical stability. These steps, known per se, include in particular the hot pressing of the different layers. As will be seen below, this stack allows the formation of individual cells, the number of which is equal to the product of the number of rows Y and the number of columns X.
[0064] For this purpose, in FIG. 14, three rows L n-1 ~L n+1 and three columns R n-1 ~R n+1 is shown. According to the invention, two cuts Dn and D'n are made for each row of grooves. Each cut made in a through-going manner, i.e. extending through the entire height of the stack, is made in a manner known per se. Non-limiting examples include in particular cubic cuts, cuts by cutting machines or laser cuts.
[0065] Each cut is made between the respective channel and the end opposite the H. The thickness of the cut is assumed to be negligible. As shown in FIG. 15 , the cuts extend through both the anode and cathode, i.e., a distance D from the channel of the H-shaped groove, to have a first main portion 1111, 1131 separated from a second main portion 1112, 1132 by an open area of each cathode 1110 and each anode 1130, electrode material, electrolyte, and / or current collecting substrate 1113, 1133 of the battery 1100. 1020 This is a particularly advantageous feature of the present invention, which improves the quality of the cuts compared to the prior art and prevents shorting along the sides of the cell. Each final cell 1100 is bounded by two cuts at the top and bottom, and by the inner surface of the vertical main recess at H on the left and right. In this Figure 13, the cells 1100 are shaded when cut along cut lines Dn and D'n, with the areas 1040 of foil in the stack that do not form a cell shown as dots and the grooves left white.
[0066] According to the present invention, D' n and D n The cut is formed through the anode and cathode of similar density, leading to a cleaner cut of higher quality. Furthermore, the presence of open areas in the electrode material, electrolyte and / or current collecting substrate prevents the risk of short circuits.
[0067] As shown in FIG. 15 , each cathode 1110 includes a first main portion 1111, a second main portion 1112 located on a first side 1101, and a free area 1113 of electrode material, electrolyte, and / or current collecting substrate. The latter has a width corresponding to the width of the channel of the groove 1014 and extends between the longitudinal sides. Similarly, each anode 1130 includes a first main portion 1131 and a second main portion 1132 located on a side 1102 opposite the side 1101. The first main portion 1131 and the second main portion 1132 are separated by a free area of electrode material, electrolyte, and / or current collecting substrate that connects to the longitudinal sides, i.e., extends between the longitudinal sides 1103 and 1104. The two free areas 1113 and 1133 are symmetrical to each other about the midline Y100.
[0068] The width L of each free space 1113 1113 corresponds to the width of the channel 1018 belonging to the groove described in the above figure. Furthermore, the width L 1112 is the distance D as above. 1020 Corresponds to.
[0069] The battery 1100 obtained according to the second alternative embodiment of the present invention is identical to the battery obtained according to the first alternative embodiment of the present invention in all respects, except for the arrangement of the grooves 1014.
[0070] In the third embodiment of the present invention, although not shown, the H-shaped grooves 14 / 1014 are arranged in the above-mentioned rows L1 to L2. y The rows R1 to R2 may be arranged adjacent to each other. x Thus, in the same anode and / or cathode foil, the H-shaped grooves 14 / 1014 are arranged in the anode and / or cathode foils according to the first and second alternative embodiments of the present invention in a manner that allows for easy handling of the foils and maintains sufficient mechanical strength to advantageously define the maximum number of unit cells for the stack.
[0071] The battery 1100 obtained by the third alternative embodiment of the present invention is identical in all respects to the batteries obtained by the first and / or second alternative embodiments of the present invention, except for the arrangement of the grooves 14 / 1014 in the anode and / or cathode foils.
[0072] A comparison of Figures 11 and 12 highlights the advantages of the present invention. More specifically, substantially the entire volume of the battery is occupied by beneficial material, i.e., material that contributes to the electrochemical characteristics of battery 100. More specifically, only two very small void regions 133 / 1133 cannot be considered beneficial material. In this regard, with reference to Figure 10, it can be seen that the free surface 112' of the second cathode main portion is flush with the free surface 131' of the first anode main portion, and that the free surface 132' of the second anode main portion is flush with the free surface 111' of the first cathode main portion. In other words, the opposite side of the battery according to the present invention, including the electrode material, is substantially continuous, compared to the prior art battery shown in Figure 12, which is discontinuous due to the presence of recessed regions.
[0073] A "free surface of the second main part" corresponds to a surface belonging to the second main part that is opposite to the first main part. A "free surface of the first main part" corresponds to a surface belonging to the first main part that is opposite to the second main part.
[0074] With reference to Figure 10, the following should be noted: the first through-hole 51 formed in the first main part of the cathode extends in continuity with the second through-hole 54 formed in the second main part of the anode, the holes 51 / 54 extending in continuity with one another to form a first passage 61 passing from one end of the cell to the other; The first through-hole 53 formed in the first main part of the anode extends in continuity with the second through-hole 52 formed in the second main part of the cathode, these holes 53 / 52 extending in continuity with one another to form a second passage 63 passing through the entire length of the cell.
[0075] Advantageously, the second through-hole 52 is located at a predetermined distance D from the free area 113 (corresponding to the channel 18 of the groove 14) to prevent the risk of short circuits. 57 Similarly, the second through-hole 54 is formed in the second main portion of the cathode at a predetermined distance D from the open area 133 (corresponding to the channel 38 of the groove 34) to prevent the risk of short circuits. 59 is formed on the second main portion of the anode.
[0076] Advantageously, the first and second through holes 53 / 52 / 51 / 54 are formed at predetermined distances from the sides 101 and 102 of the cell and delimit zones of material 56 / 57 / 58 / 59.
[0077] The following meanings are provided: D 56 is the width of the zone of material 56, which corresponds to the distance between the free surface 111' of the cell 100 according to the invention and the opposite surface of the first through-hole 51 formed in the first main part of the cathode, and this distance D 56 is 0.04mm~1.95mm, and this distance D 56 is the distance D 59 and is substantially the same as or less than the width of the second anode main portion; D 57 is the width of the zone of material 57, which corresponds to the distance between the free surface 112' of the cell 100 according to the invention and the opposite surface of the second through-hole 52 formed in the first main part of the cathode, and this distance D 57 is 0.04mm~1.95mm, and this distance D 57 is the distance D 58 is substantially the same as and is less than the width of the second cathode main portion; D 58 is the width of the zone of material 58, which corresponds to the distance between the free surface 131′ of the cell 100 according to the invention and the opposite surface of the first through-hole 53 formed in the first main part of the anode, and this distance D 58 is 0.04mm~1.95mm, and this distance D 58 is the distance D 57 is substantially identical to; D59 is the width of the zone of material 59, which corresponds to the distance between the free surface 132' of the cell 100 according to the invention and the opposite surface of the second through-hole 52 formed in the second main part of the anode, and this distance D 59 is 0.04mm~1.95mm, and this distance D 59 is the distance D 56 is substantially identical to
[0078] The first and second vias 61 / 63 formed in the battery of the present invention are filled with conductive means for making electrical connections between the cells of the battery as shown in Figures 16A, 16B and 16C, which protrude from the top and bottom surfaces of the battery.
[0079] The conductive means may be obtained from a conductive material. Advantageously, these conductive means have a very low WVTR and are impermeable. They are in close contact with the electrical connection areas of the stack.
[0080] By way of example, the conducting means may be: a bar of conductive material, such as conductive glass or metal, introduced in the molten state or by suitable means in the passage, which material, upon solidification, forms said bar, the two opposite ends of which preferably define clamping heads, as shown in Figure 16A; an interference-fit metal rod, the two opposing ends of which preferably define clamping heads, as shown in FIG. 16B; A metal rod surrounded by a conductive sheath material, the sheath being obtained from a conductive glass or metal introduced in the molten state or by suitable means in the passage, which material, upon solidification, forms a metal rod surrounded by said conductive sheath material, the two opposite ends of which preferably define clamping heads, as shown in Figure 16C.
[0081] The upper portion of each of these fastening heads or opposing ends of the conductive means may define an electrical connection area, i.e., an anode connection area 75 / 75' or a cathode connection area 76 / 76' of the battery according to the present invention, such that the battery includes at least one anode connection area 75 / 75' or at least one cathode connection area 76 / 76'.
[0082] The electrical conductivity of conductive glass can be achieved by adding particles of gold, nickel, chromium, nickel-chromium alloys, tungsten, molybdenum, graphite, carbides or nitrides to the glass.
[0083] These electrical connections are impermeable and have a low water vapor transmission rate (WVTR, also called moisture vapor transmission rate), which depends in particular on the materials used and the method by which they are manufactured. Water vapor transmission rate or moisture vapor transmission rate can be measured using the method that is the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 7,624,621 and the method in "Structural properties of ultraviolet cured polysilazane gas barrier layers on polymer substrates" by A. Mortier et al., published in Thin Solid Films 6+550 (2014) 85-89. The lower the WVTR, the better the impermeability of the sealing system.
[0084] The "free surface of the second main part" corresponds to a surface belonging to the second main part opposite the first main part.
[0085] The "free face of the first main part" corresponds to the face belonging to the first main part opposite the second main part.
[0086] Furthermore, the presence of open areas in each of the anode and cathode layers of the battery eliminates the need for an insulating material such as Parylene within the sealing system, i.e., the battery, because these open areas act as electrical insulators. This facilitates the final steps in battery manufacturing, such as sealing. As in the past and as shown in FIG. 12 , it is no longer necessary to isolate recessed regions 210″, 230″ within the battery, i.e., to fill gaps in conventional structures with a sealing system and fill areas present in U-shaped cuts that are positioned head-to-tail and offset relative to the sealing system to prevent short circuits. The use of a rigid structure according to the present invention, along with the use of foils containing H-shaped cuts, facilitates sealing and reduces the thickness of the seal compared to the past. Multi-layer sealing systems with thinner and stronger layers than the past are contemplated.
[0087] Advantageously, after the step of stacking the anode and cathode foils, the stack obtained is assembled by heat treatment and / or mechanical pressing.
[0088] Advantageously, after the step of stacking the anode and cathode foils, a heat treatment is carried out at a temperature between 50°C and 500°C, preferably below 350°C, to assemble the battery, and / or a mechanical pressing of the stack of anode and cathode foils to assemble is carried out at a pressure between 10 and 100 MPa, preferably between 20 and 50 MPa. In one particular embodiment, after the stacking and heat treatment steps, the first passages 61 and the second passages 63 are advantageously produced as described above, with cathode conducting means 71, 71', 71'' introduced in the first passages 61 and anode conducting means 73, 73', 73'' introduced in the second passages 63, each of these conducting means being able to collect at least a part of the battery's current.
[0089] In either case, these anode and cathode conductive means protrude from opposite sides of the stacked anode and cathode foil structures, and these conductive means protrude from the entire volume of the stack as shown in Figures 16A, 16B and 16C.
[0090] The stack of anode and cathode foils including the anode and cathode conductive means is cut by suitable means along cutting lines D'n and Dn to obtain unit cells.
[0091] In the case of a battery impregnated with a liquid electrolyte, the impregnation of the battery with the liquid electrolyte is advantageously carried out after the formation of the ionic conducting means by a phase carrying lithium ions, such as an ionic liquid and / or a mixture of ionic liquids with or without a solvent and containing a lithium salt, which phase penetrates the battery by capillary action. The impregnation can be carried out using techniques known per se.
[0092] After the conductive means have been formed, or after the battery has been impregnated with the lithium ion carrier phase in the case of batteries impregnated with a liquid electrolyte, the stack is advantageously sealed by providing a sealing system to protect the battery cells from the atmosphere. The sealing system must be able to withstand high temperatures and be chemically stable so as to be impermeable to the atmosphere in order to perform its function as a barrier layer. Advantageously, the stack of anode and cathode foils according to the invention can be covered with a series, preferably z series, of sealing systems comprising: a first cover layer, preferably chosen from Parylene, Parylene F, polyimide, epoxy resin, silicone, polyamide and / or mixtures thereof, applied to the stack of anode and cathode foils; - at least one second cover layer made of an electrically insulating material deposited on the first cover layer by atomic layer deposition (ALD), plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD), high-density plasma chemical vapor deposition (HDPCVD) or inductively coupled plasma chemical vapor deposition (ICP CVD).
[0093] This sequence may be repeated z times, where z is equal to or greater than 1. This multi-layer arrangement has a barrier effect. The more times the sealing system arrangement is repeated, the greater this barrier effect can be. It increases with the number of thin layers provided.
[0094] The first cover layer is typically made of a polymer, such as silicone, epoxy resin, polyimide, polyamide, or polyparaxylene (better known as parylene). This first cover layer protects the sensitive components of the battery from the ambient environment. It also seals any porosity at the surface of the stack and forms a uniform adhesive layer for subsequent layers of the sealing system. Advantageously, this layer covers all six sides of the battery, completely enclosing it. The thickness of the first cover layer is preferably between 0.5 μm and 50 μm.
[0095] Advantageously, the first cover layer can be formed from Parylene C, Parylene D, Parylene N (CAS 1633-22-3), Parylene F, or a mixture of Parylenes C, D, N, and / or F. Parylene (also called polyparaxylylene or poly(p-xylylene)) is a dielectric, transparent, semi-crystalline material with high thermodynamic stability, excellent resistance to solvents, and very low permeability. Parylene also has barrier properties that protect the battery from its external environment. Battery protection is enhanced when the first cover layer is formed from Parylene F. Advantageously, this first cover layer is obtained from the condensation of gaseous monomers deposited on the surface by chemical vapor deposition (CVD), which provides conformal, thin, and uniform coverage of all accessible surfaces of the stack. Advantageously, this first cover layer is hard and cannot be considered a flexible surface. Since this first cover layer is not sufficiently impermeable (in terms of water vapor permeability), at least one second cover layer made of an insulating material, preferably having a low water vapor permeability, should be deposited on the first cover layer.
[0096] The second cover layer is made of an electrically insulating material, preferably an inorganic material. Advantageously, it is deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) to ensure conformal coverage of all accessible surfaces of the stack previously covered by the first cover layer. Layers deposited by ALD are mechanically very fragile and require a hard support surface to perform their protective role. Deposition of a fragile layer on a soft surface can cause a loss of integrity in this protective layer, resulting in the formation of cracks. Furthermore, the growth of layers deposited by ALD is affected by the nature of the substrate. Layers deposited by ALD on substrates with regions of different chemical properties can result in inhomogeneous growth, causing the protective layer to lose its integrity.
[0097] ALD deposition techniques are particularly suitable for covering highly rough surfaces in a completely impermeable and conformal manner. They allow the creation of conformal, hole-free, and defect-free layers (also called "pinhole-free layers"), and exhibit very good barrier properties. Their WVTR is extremely low. Advantageously, the second cover layer can be deposited by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) or chemical vapor deposition of the HDPCVD or ICP CVD type. This second cover layer preferably has a thickness of 10 nm to 10 μm. Advantageously, the thickness of the second cover layer is selected depending on the desired level of gas impermeability, i.e., the desired WVTR, and depends in particular on the deposition technique used, selected from ALD, PECVD, HDPCVD, and ICP CVD. The second cover layer can consist of a ceramic material, a glass material, or a glass-ceramic material, for example in the form of an oxide, nitride, phosphate, oxynitride, or siloxane of the Al2O3 or Ta2O5 type.
[0098] This second cover layer, deposited on the first cover layer by ALD, PECVD, HDPCVD or ICP CVD, firstly makes it possible to make the structure impermeable, i.e. to prevent the migration of water into the object, and secondly, to protect the first cover layer, preferably made of Parylene F, from the atmosphere, in particular air and moisture, and from heat exposure in order to prevent its degradation. This second cover layer improves the service life of the sealed battery.
[0099] Sealing the stack of anode and cathode foils in this arrangement, preferably in a z-arrangement, of the sealing system can reduce the WVTR of the sealing system as much as possible, i.e., increase the impermeability of the stack and the final battery.
[0100] Therefore, the stack of anode and cathode foils sealed in this arrangement of the sealing system, preferably in a z-arrangement, can be coated with a final cover layer to mechanically protect the sealed stack and, optionally, to provide an aesthetic appearance. This final cover layer protects the battery and improves its lifespan. Advantageously, this final cover layer is selected to withstand high temperatures and has sufficient mechanical strength to protect the battery during subsequent use. Advantageously, the thickness of this final cover layer is between 1 μm and 50 μm. Ideally, the thickness of this final cover layer is about 10 to 15 μm; such a thickness range can protect the battery from mechanical damage.
[0101] This final cover layer preferably comprises an epoxy resin, polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), polyimide, polyamide, polyurethane, silicone, sol-gel silica or organosilica system. Advantageously, this final cover layer is deposited by dip coating.
[0102] Alternatively, the sealing system for protecting the battery cell or stack of anode and cathode foils according to the present invention from the atmosphere has a very low WVTR, preferably 10 -5 g / m 2The anode and cathode foil stack may be formed by an arrangement, preferably a z' arrangement, including a first alternative cover layer having a thickness less than .d. This arrangement may be repeated z' times, where z is equal to or greater than 1. It has a barrier effect, which increases as the value of z' increases. Sealing the anode and cathode foil stack with a sealing system arrangement, preferably a Z' arrangement, can reduce the WVTR of the sealing system as much as possible, i.e., increase the impermeability of the sealing system, increase the impermeability of the stack, and ultimately increase the impermeability of the battery.
[0103] The thickness of the first alternative cover layer is preferably 0.5 μm to 50 μm.
[0104] This alternative cover layer may be formed by a ceramic material and / or a low-melting glass, preferably a glass having a melting point below 600° C., deposited on the outer edge of the stack of anode and cathode foils. The ceramic and / or glass material used for this layer is advantageously chosen from: low-melting glasses (usually below 600 °C), preferably SiO2-B2O3, Bi2O3-B2O3, ZnO-Bi2O3-B2O3, TeO2-V2O5, PbO-SiO2, -Oxide, nitride, oxynitride, Si x N y , SiO2, SiON, amorphous silicon or Si.
[0105] These glasses are deposited by molding or dip coating.
[0106] Advantageously, the ceramic material is deposited at low temperatures by PECVD, preferably by HDPCVD or ICP CVD, which methods make it possible to deposit layers with good impermeability.
[0107] Advantageously, alternative sealing systems may include Z' alternative cover layers of different nature to reduce the WVTR of the seal, i.e., to increase the impermeability of the stack. By way of example, a sealing system may include a first layer comprised of a ceramic material, a second layer comprised of a low melting point glass deposited on the first layer, or vice versa.
[0108] Sealing in glass films can be achieved by depositing inks containing precursors of oxides, phosphates, borates and / or low melting glass, followed by firing.
[0109] The result is a hard and impermeable seal, which prevents the passage of water vapor, especially at the interface between the sealing system and the contacting member.
[0110] After the impermeability of the battery cell has been ensured via the sealing system, the electrical connections are exposed at the ends of the battery's conductive means by any means including polishing.
[0111] The terminals (electrical contacts) are applied where the cathode or anode connections are obvious (areas not covered with insulating electrolyte). These contact areas are preferably located on opposite sides of the cell stack to collect current. The connections are plated using techniques well known to those skilled in the art, preferably by immersion in a conductive epoxy and / or molten tin bath.
[0112] The terminals can be in the form of a single metal layer, for example, tin, or multiple layers. Preferably, the terminals are constructed of a first stack of layers near the anode and cathode connections, including, in succession, a first layer of conductive polymer, such as silver-loaded resin, a second layer of nickel deposited on the first layer, and a third layer of tin deposited on the second layer. The nickel and tin layers can be deposited by electroplating techniques.
[0113] In this three-layer composite, the nickel layer protects the polymer layer during the welding assembly step, and the tin layer ensures weldability of the battery interface.
[0114] The edges allow for positive and negative electrical connections to the top and bottom of the cell. These edges allow for parallel electrical connections between different cell elements. The cathode connection preferably protrudes to one side of the cell, and the anode connection is preferably available on the other side.
[0115] Figures 18-20 show an alternative embodiment of battery 100 to the first embodiment described above. In Figures 18-20, some mechanical elements are similar to those of the first embodiment and are given the same reference numerals plus 300.
[0116] The alternative embodiment of the final battery shown in Figures 18-20, designated by the reference numeral 400, differs from battery 100, particularly in that the conductive members are not located in the same position. Figure 18, which is similar to Figure 5, shows the placement of H-shaped grooves 334, which are not associated with passages such as 61 and 63. More specifically, perforations 361 and 363 are formed in the anode and cathode foils. In each H-shaped groove, perforations 361 form a first row 362 between the recesses 316, 336 of the H. Additionally, other perforations 363 form a second row 364 between the same recesses 316, 336.
[0117] In the example shown, each row 362 and 364 is formed by three perforations each. Alternatively, a different number of these perforations may be provided, depending inter alia on the width of the component. A single perforation (hole) may be provided, or conversely, a number significantly greater than three perforations may be provided.
[0118] Each row of perforations is arranged along the cutting lines D361 and D363, respectively, so that the cutting lines pass through them. Advantageously, each cutting line passes through a different perforation and crosses the center of these perforations. In the example shown, each perforation has a circular shape, typically with a diameter of 50 μm to 5 mm. As a result, each cutting line forms a different perforation diameter through which it passes. Finally, the distance between the edge of each perforation and the opposite wall of either the recess or groove channel can be selected by a person skilled in the art to prevent the foil from being unintentionally torn.
[0119] During manufacturing, the internal volumes of the different perforations are filled with a suitable conductive material. Examples include resin, polymer, or conductive glass. Thus, cuts D361 and D363 create conductive members 371 and 373, as shown in Figures 19 and 20, which show the final battery. Conductive member 371 is first formed from the conductive material introduced into perforation 361, and conductive member 373 is formed from the conductive material of perforation 363.
[0120] The different foils are cut through the centres of the perforations 361, 363 so that each conductive element 371, 373 has a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, the diameter of which corresponds to the diameter of the perforation. This conductive element is received in a passage in the sense given with reference to the first embodiment. Contrary to this first embodiment, the passage is semi-cylindrical rather than cylindrical, in order to correspond to the shape of said conductive element.
[0121] As can be seen in particular in Figure 19, each side 401, 402 is formed with a conductive area formed by conductive members 371, 373 respectively, and with a so-called open stack area, the latter being given the reference numerals 375 and 377 and easily impregnated with an electrolyte. It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in Figures 18 to 20, each conductive member is flush with its respective side 401, 402, in contrast to the first embodiment in which the conductive members are spaced apart from the opposite side.
[0122] This embodiment shown in Figures 18 to 20 has certain advantages. More specifically, each conductive element is formed at the same time that the foil is cut. In light of this, the perforations that allow these conductive elements to be produced can facilitate the cutting operation. Furthermore, the material forming the conductive elements is solidified before being filled with the ionic liquid.
[0123] It should be noted that each conductive member opens horizontally on the side edges 401, 402 of the battery on the one hand, and vertically on the top and bottom surfaces 405, 406 of the battery on the other hand. This provides great convenience in terms of collecting the generated current. More specifically, the current can be collected either on the side edges only, on the top and bottom surfaces only, or on both the side edges and the opposite surfaces.
[0124] As shown in particular in FIG. 21, the current can be collected via a support provided below the battery. This support 500, which is generally flat, has a thickness of less than 300 μm, preferably less than 100 μm. Advantageously, this support is made of an electrically conductive material, typically a metallic material. In particular, aluminum, copper or stainless steel are chosen, since these materials can be coated with thin layers of gold, nickel and tin to improve their weldability. The front face of the support is given the reference number 510 and faces the anode and cathode layers, while the opposite rear face is given the reference number 520.
[0125] The support is perforated, i.e. it has regions 530 and 540 which separate a central base plate 550 and two opposing lateral strips 560 and 570. The different regions 550, 560 and 570 of the support are electrically insulated from one another. For this purpose, the regions 530 and 540 are filled with a suitable non-conductive material.
[0126] Furthermore, the transverse strips 560 and 570 form areas electrically isolated from one another, which are connected to the above-mentioned conductive members 371 and 373. To this end, advantageously, each conductive member is fixed to the respective transverse strip by the introduction of a buffer 562, 572 made of conductive adhesive.
[0127] This embodiment provides a sealing system 380 made of suitable materials similar to those of sealing system 80 described above. To ensure the essential impermeability standard, it must be ensured that the anode and cathode unit stacks are inaccessible to components that may adversely affect the normal operation of the battery. In other words, according to the present invention, this involves preventing potential "entry points" for such harmful components.
[0128] For this purpose, the sealing system 380 first covers the sides of the cell, i.e., the conductive members 371 and 373 and the open stack areas 375 and 377. It also advantageously occupies the free areas 530 and 540 in the support 500. It also fills the intermediate area between the bottom surfaces of the anode and cathode unit stacks and the opposite surface of the support. Since this sealing is performed in a thin layer, usually less than 10 μm, the sealing material is particularly visible on various surfaces and tends to line them. To better visualize the filling of the different areas of the cell with this sealing material, the reference numeral 380 is provided multiple times in FIG. 21 .
[0129] Finally, it can be seen that, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cell further comprises a reinforcing system, generally designated 390, which covers the entire sealing system 380 on the side opposite the support 500. Furthermore, advantageously, this reinforcing material occupies all or part of the free areas 530 and 540, on the one hand, and the intermediate areas between the support and the anode and cathode foils, on the other. In these different areas, this reinforcing material is intimately bonded to the sealing material. This intimate mixture can be seen at least on the surface, since, as mentioned above, the sealing material is mostly present on these surfaces. The presence of said material ensures an optimization of the desired functionality in terms of impermeability as well as mechanical compatibility.
[0130] This reinforcing system 390 may consist of a material capable of providing this specific mechanical compatibility function. In this respect, the resin may be chosen to be, for example, a simple polymer or a polymer filled with inorganic fillers. The polymer matrix may be, for example, of the epoxy, acrylate or fluorinated polymer family, and the filler may be formed by particles, flakes or glass fibers.
[0131] Advantageously, this reinforcement system 390 can provide an additional moisture barrier function, so that a low melting point glass can be selected to ensure mechanical strength and also provide moisture resistance, such as from the SiO2-B2O3, Bi2O3-B2O3, ZnO-Bi2O3-B2O3, TeO2-V2O5 or PbO-SiO2 family.
[0132] Advantageously, the thickness of the sealing system is very small, in particular less than 50 μm, preferably 20 μm. Usually, the reinforcing system is significantly thicker than the sealing system. By way of example, the thickness of the reinforcing system is between 50 μm and 250 μm, typically about 100 μm. The presence of an additional reinforcing system provides additional benefits, namely mechanical and chemical protection, optionally combined with an additional gas barrier function.
[0133] In operation, electrical energy is generated at the anode 3 and the cathode 1, as is conventional. This energy is transferred via the conductive members 371, 373 to the conductive regions 560, 570 of the support 500. These conductive regions are insulated from each other so there is no risk of short circuiting. From regions 560 and 570, the electrical energy is conducted to an energy consuming device of any suitable type.
[0134] In Fig. 21 an energy consuming device is shown, designated by the reference numeral 2000. It comprises a main part 2002 on which the bottom of the support rests, an energy consuming device 2004 and an electrical connection 2006 connecting the bottom of the support 50 with this element 2004. Its control can be provided by suitable means, in particular by components not shown belonging to the device 2000. Alternatively, this control function can be provided by components mounted on said support 500.
[0135] By way of non-limiting example, such an energy consuming device may be an amplifier type electronic circuit, a clock type electronic circuit (such as a real-time clock (RTC) component), a volatile memory type electronic circuit, a static random access memory (SRAM) type electronic circuit, a microprocessor type electronic circuit, a watchdog timer type electronic circuit, a liquid crystal display type component, an LED (light emitting diode) type component, a voltage regulator type electronic circuit (such as a low dropout regulator circuit (LDO)), or a CPU (central processing unit) type electronic component.
[0136] An alternative embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 25. The conductive support 750 is multi-layered, as opposed to the single-layered support 50 described above. Furthermore, this support 750 is solid, as opposed to the perforated metal grid described above. As shown in this figure, the support 750 is formed by layers, for example made of polymer material. These layers extend one below the other, with their main planes substantially parallel to the planes of the layers forming the anode and cathode stack. The structure of this support is similar to that of a printed circuit board (PCB).
[0137] 25 shows, from top to bottom, a layer 756 on which a stack of cells will be deposited. Layer 756, which is mainly made of a polymer material such as epoxy resin, is provided with two inserts 757. These are made of a conductive material, in particular a metallic material, and are designed to cooperate with the anode and cathode contacts of the cells, respectively. It should be noted that these inserts 757 are insulated from each other by virtue of the epoxy resin of layer 756.
[0138] Also provided directly below layer 756 is layer 758 of a polymeric material such as epoxy resin, which contains two inserts 759 of a conductive material that are in electrical contact with the first insert 757. Like layer 756, these inserts 759 are insulated from one another.
[0139] There is a central layer 760, which is significantly different from the layers 756 and 758 described above. More specifically, this layer 760 is typically made of a conductive material similar to the material forming the inserts 757 and 759 described above. This layer comprises two annular inserts 761 made of an insulating material, in particular an epoxy resin as described above. The inserts 761 receive in their hollow centers disks 762 made of a conductive material, which are arranged to contact the adjacent conductive inserts 759. It should be noted that the conductive disks 762 are insulated from each other via the rings 761.
[0140] Finally, in FIG. 25, there are bottom layers 764 and 766, which are identical to the layers 758 and 756 described above. Layer 764 comprises two inserts 765 in contact with disk 762, and bottom layer 766 comprises two inserts 767 in contact with insert 765 described above. The different conductive inserts 757, 759, 762, 765, and 767 define conductive paths, indicated by reference numerals 753 and 754, which electrically connect the opposite end faces of support 705. These paths are insulated from one another by layers 756, 758, 764, and 766, or disk 761. In this embodiment, the reinforcement system can be different from the reinforcement system 80 of the first embodiment. The protective film 780 may be deposited, in particular, by a lamination step. Films with such barrier properties consist, for example, of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with an inorganic multilayer coating; suitable such products are commercially available from 3M under the names Ultrabarrier Film 510 or Ultrabarrier Solar Film 510-F.
[0141] 25 further illustrates the integration of support 705, stack 702, conductive pads 730 and 740, encapsulation 707, and film 708 in energy consuming device 2000. As in the first embodiment, energy generated in stack 702 is transferred to top insert 757 via contact members 730 and 740. This energy is then transmitted to energy consuming device 2000 along connection paths 753, 754 described above.
[0142] In its most general structure, the multilayer support may consist of only two separate layers, one beneath the other, defining conductive paths similar to those 753, 754 described above. This particular embodiment has particular advantages, since the multilayer substrate, such as that indicated by the reference numeral 750, has a very small thickness, advantageously less than 100 μm. Furthermore, such a support has a certain flexibility so as to be able to accommodate slight variations in the dimensions of the battery, referred to at the beginning of this description as the "brace". This support is characterized by a particularly satisfactory bending strength, taking into account its incorporation into flexible electronic circuits.
[0143] Although not shown, according to a further alternative embodiment, the alternative embodiment of Figures 18 to 20 may be combined with the alternative embodiment of Figures 13 and 14. In such a case, perforations are formed between each pair of adjacent recesses 1016 belonging to the groove 1014. According to a further alternative embodiment, the battery 100 of the first embodiment may be placed on a support 500 shown in Figure 23.
[0144] Figures 22 to 24 show an alternative embodiment to the manufacturing method shown with reference to Figures 18 to 20. It should be noted that the method of Figures 22 to 24 results in a battery 400 similar to that obtained using the method shown in Figures 18 to 20. In Figures 22 to 24, mechanical elements similar to those shown in Figures 18 to 20 are given the same reference numerals increased by 300.
[0145] As shown in Figures 22 and 23, each anode foil 601 and cathode foil 602 has grooves or open areas, designated 614 and 634, respectively, which are elongated and typically I-shaped. Referring to Figure 23, these grooves are distributed along lines L1-Ln, which are horizontal in this figure, arranged one above the other, and along lines R1-Rm, which are vertical in this figure, arranged adjacent to each other. Adjacent rows are separated by horizontal bridges of material 650, and adjacent columns are separated by vertical bridges of material 660. Typically, the width of these bridges of different materials is between 0.05 mm and 5 mm. These bridges of different materials provide each foil with sufficient mechanical rigidity to allow for easy handling.
[0146] As shown in Figure 23, when viewed from above, the different cathode grooves 614 are aligned, i.e., overlap one another. Similarly, the different anode grooves 634 are also aligned. In contrast, the anode and cathode grooves are offset from one another and do not align. These grooves therefore form a plurality of intermediate regions 635 along which perforations 661 are formed. These are typically similar in shape and size to perforations 361 and 363 in Figures 18-20. As with the embodiment shown in Figures 18-20, perforations 661 receive a material suitable for forming conductive members 371 or 373.
[0147] As in the above case, it is assumed that the stack formed by foils 601 and 602 has been manipulated to ensure its overall stability. Then, a pair of so-called pre-cuts is made, such as DX shown in FIG. 22. More specifically, FIG. 23 shows a number of these cuts. Each pair of cuts DX1, DX2, or DX3 isolates a given row of cells from adjacent rows. For this purpose, these cuts are made near opposite longitudinal ends of each I-shaped groove, i.e., near the upper and lower ends in FIG. 23. The number of cells in a row corresponds specifically to the number of rows shown in FIG. 22.
[0148] So-called main cuts are then further made to separate each cell in a given row from adjacent cells. For this purpose, these main cuts DY are made in the intermediate region through perforations 661, as shown in Figure 24. As in the previous embodiment, each cut preferably extends through the center of these perforations.
[0149] After these cuts DY are formed, the different batteries are separated from each other. Furthermore, each cut can separate two conductive members belonging to a respective battery. In FIG. 4, conductive members belonging to three adjacent batteries 400, 400', and 400'' are referenced. Conductive members 373' and 371 are insulated from each other by the first cut DY, and conductive members 373 and 371'' are insulated from each other by the adjacent cut DY'.
[0150] According to a further alternative embodiment, not shown, it is also possible for perforations to be provided. This possibility has particular advantages in terms of improving the cutting operation. More particularly, the presence of perforations can make this operation faster. Furthermore, the heating of the cutting tool can be advantageously reduced.
[0151] According to the present invention, a battery may include any technically compatible combination of sealing systems, anode and cathode conducting means, and terminations as described above.
[0152] The battery of the present invention can be a lithium-ion microbattery, a lithium-ion minibattery, or a high-power lithium-ion battery. In particular, it can be designed and dimensioned to have a capacity of about 1 mAh or less (commonly known as a "microbattery"), a power output of about 1 mAh to about 1 Ah (commonly known as a "minibattery"), or a capacity of more than about 1 Ah (commonly known as a "high-power battery"). Generally, microbatteries are designed to be compatible with microelectronic manufacturing methods.
[0153] Batteries in each of these three power ranges can be produced as follows: - produced in layers of "solid phase" type, i.e. not impregnated with a liquid or paste phase (which may be a lithium ion conducting medium capable of acting as an electrolyte); or produced in a mesoporous "solid" type layer impregnated with a liquid or paste phase, typically a lithium ion conducting medium, which naturally permeates the layer unless it leaves it, and the layer can be considered a quasi-solid; or produced with impregnated porous layers (ie layers with a network of open pores that can be impregnated with a liquid or paste phase, giving them wettability).
Claims
1. A battery (100) comprising at least one anode (3) and at least one cathode (1) arranged alternately with one another, The battery includes sides (101, 102) including at least one anode connection area and at least one cathode connection area laterally opposite the anode connection area, and longitudinal sides (103, 104); The anode (3) is a current collecting substrate; at least one anode layer; optionally a layer of electrolyte material or a layer of separator impregnated with an electrolyte; The cathode (1) is a current collecting substrate; at least one cathode layer; optionally a layer of electrolyte material or a layer of separator impregnated with an electrolyte; the battery includes a unit stack successively formed by the at least one anode layer, the at least one layer of electrolyte material or a layer of a separator impregnated with an electrolyte, and the at least one cathode layer; each of the anodes and each of the cathodes comprises a first main portion (111, 131) separated from a second main portion (112, 132) by an open area (113, 133) devoid of electrode material, electrolyte, and current collecting substrate, the open area connecting the opposing longitudinal sides (103, 104) of the cell; When viewed from above, each of the anodes and each of the cathodes includes at least one first through-hole (51, 53) formed in the first main portion and at least one second through-hole (52, 54) formed in the second main portion, each of the first through-holes (51) formed in the first main portion of the cathode extending so as to be continuous with each of the second through-holes (54) formed in the second main portion of the anode, and these through-holes (51, 54) extending continuously with each other form a first passage (61) passing from one end to the other end of the battery, and each of the first through-holes (53) formed in the first main portion of the anode extending so as to be continuous with each of the second through-holes (52) formed in the second main portion of the cathode, and these through-holes (53, 52) extending continuously with each other form a second passage (63) passing from one end to the other end of the battery, The battery further comprises at least one cathode conducting means (71, 71', 71'') provided in the first passage (61) and at least one anode conducting means (73, 73', 73'') provided in the second passage (63), wherein the anode conducting means (73, 73', 73'') is capable of collecting at least a portion of the battery's current flowing towards the at least one anode connection area, and the cathode conducting means (73, 73', 73'') is capable of collecting at least a portion of the battery's current flowing towards the at least one cathode connection area.
2. 2. The battery of claim 1, wherein each of the passages extends a distance from the opposite side edges (101, 102).
3. The shortest distance (D) between each of the passages (61) and the opposite side 59 / D 56 3. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first electrode is 0.04 mm to 1.95 mm.
4. 2. The battery of claim 1, wherein each of said passages is formed directly in said side edge (401, 402), and said cathode conducting means or said anode conducting means is formed flush with said side edge and has a semi-cylindrical shape.
5. The anode conducting means and the cathode conducting means are independent of each other; a bar made of a conductive material; Interference fit metal rod, a metal rod surrounded by a conductive sheath material; The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the battery is selected from the group consisting of:
6. 6. The battery according to claim 5, wherein two opposite ends of said bar or said metal rod are provided with clamping heads.
7. an electrical connection support that is at least partially conductive; and insulating means for insulating two different regions of the electrical connection support that form the electrical connection path from each other; 7. The battery of claim 1, wherein the cathode conductive means is in electrical contact with a first electrical connection path and the anode conductive means is in electrical contact with a second electrical connection path.
8. 8. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the electrical connection support is of the single-layer type, in particular a metal grid or a silicon intermediate layer.
9. 8. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the electrical connection support comprises several layers arranged one above the other, in particular of the printed circuit board type.
10. The horizontal dimension or width (L 113 10. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first electrode is 0.01 mm to 0.5 mm.
11. The lateral dimension or width (L 112 11. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first electrode is 0.05 mm to 2 mm.
12. 12. The battery according to claim 1, wherein a free surface (112', 132') of the second main portion of each of the cathode and the anode facing the free area is flush with a free surface (131', 111') of the first main portion of each of the anode and the cathode.
13. 13. The battery of any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a sealing system covering four of six sides of the battery and partially covering the other two sides, the other two sides being opposite and substantially perpendicular to the first passage (61) and the second passage (63) of the battery containing the at least one anode connection area and the at least one cathode connection area.
14. The sealing system comprises: at least one first cover layer deposited on the battery; at least one second cover layer of insulating material deposited on the at least one first cover layer by atomic layer deposition, PECVD, HDPCVD, or ICP CVD; 14. The battery of claim 13, wherein the sequence of the at least one first cover layer and the at least one second cover layer is repeated z times, where z is 1 or greater.
15. The sealing system comprises: -5 g / m 2 at least one first cover layer having a WVTR of less than 0.5 d; 14. The battery of claim 13, wherein the first cover layer is repeated z' times, where z' is 1 or greater.
16. The at least one first cover layer comprises: ceramic materials, and / or 16. The battery of claim 15, comprising a low melting glass having a melting point of less than 600°C.
17. A battery according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a termination system covering at least the anode connection area (75, 75') and the cathode connection area (76, 76').
18. The end system a first layer of a conductive polymer; a second layer of nickel deposited on the first layer of the termination system; 20. The battery of claim 17, further comprising a third layer of tin deposited on the second layer of the termination system.
19. A method for producing a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising: a) providing a stack (I) of anode and cathode foils, said stack comprising a first foil or anode foil intended to form the anode layer of a plurality of cells, respectively, and a second foil or cathode foil intended to form the cathode layer of a plurality of cells, each of said anode foils comprising at least one groove or area (34) where there is no anode, and each of said cathode foils comprising at least one groove or area (14) where there is no cathode, each of said grooves defining at least a portion of said open area where there is no electrode material, electrolyte, and current collecting substrate; b) heat treating and / or mechanically pressing the stack of anode and cathode foils; c) forming at least one first through-hole (51, 53) in the first main portion and at least one second through-hole (52, 54) in the second main portion of each of the anodes and each of the cathodes, a first through-hole (51) formed in the first main portion of the cathode extends contiguously with a second through-hole (54) formed in the second main portion of the anode, and these holes (51, 54) extend contiguously with each other to form a first passage (61) passing from one end of the battery to the other; a first through-hole (53) formed in the first main portion of the anode extending continuously to a second through-hole (52) formed in the second main portion of the cathode, these holes (53, 52) extending continuously to each other to form a second passage (63) passing from one end of the battery to the other, and step c) is performed on the anode and cathode before step a) or after step b); d) introducing cathode conducting means (71, 71', 71'') into said first passage (61) and anode conducting means (73, 73', 73'') into said second passage (63), each of which conducting means being capable of collecting at least a portion of the cell's current; e) Cutting to separate a given battery (D n , D' n and forming a
20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the passage is formed at a distance from the side edge.
21. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein at least one perforation is formed along the path of each of the cuts, each of the perforations defining at least a portion of each of the passages.
22. 22. The method according to claim 19, wherein the groove of the anode and the groove of the cathode each comprise two at least partially overlapping longitudinal portions (16, 36) intended to delimit the longitudinal sides (103, 104) of the battery, and lateral portions (18, 38) connecting the two longitudinal portions, wherein the lateral portions (38) of the groove of the anode and the lateral portions (18) of the groove of the cathode are offset from one another, and wherein a first cut extends between the lateral portions of the groove of the anode and an end face of the longitudinal portion, and a second cut extends between the lateral portions of the groove of the cathode and an end face of the longitudinal portion.
23. 23. The method of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein each of the grooves has a generally H-shape, the longitudinal portion forming a vertical main recess of the H-shape and the lateral portions forming a channel of the H-shape.
24. 22. The method of claim 19, wherein the grooves of the anode and the grooves of the cathode each extend in an I-shape, the grooves of the anode overlap each other on top of each other, and the grooves of the cathode overlap each other on top of each other, the grooves of the anode are offset relative to the grooves of the cathode to define a plurality of intermediate regions, and the cuts are formed in the intermediate regions.
25. 25. The method of any one of claims 19 to 24, comprising after step b) or after step e) of producing cut stacks, a step f) of impregnating the cut stacks with a phase comprising lithium ions, such as a liquid electrolyte, or an ionic liquid comprising a lithium salt.
26. After step e) or after step f), the cut stack is at least one first cover layer disposed on the battery; and encapsulating by depositing on said at least one first cover layer at least one second cover layer of insulating material applied by atomic layer deposition, PECVD, HDPCVD or ICP CVD; The method of any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the sequence of at least one first cover layer and at least one second cover layer is repeated z times, where z is 1 or greater.
27. The two cleavages (D n , D' n 27. The method according to claim 19, wherein the electrode is formed so as to pass through at least a large part of the anode and the cathode, in particular through all of the anode and the cathode.
28. An electrical energy consuming device (2000) comprising a main part (2002) and a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the battery is capable of supplying electrical energy to the electrical energy consuming device, and an electrical connection support of the battery is fixed to the main part.
29. A method for manufacturing a battery, comprising: The battery comprises at least one anode (3) and at least one cathode (1) arranged alternately with one another, the battery (100) comprising longitudinal sides (103, 104) and lateral sides (101, 102), The anode (3) is current collecting substrate, at least one anode layer; optionally a layer of separator impregnated with an electrolyte material or electrolyte; The cathode (1) is current collecting substrate, at least one cathode layer; optionally a layer of separator impregnated with an electrolyte material or electrolyte; the battery includes a unit stack successively formed by the at least one anode layer, at least one layer of a separator impregnated with the electrolyte material or electrolyte, and the at least one cathode layer; Each of the anodes (3) includes an anode connection area located near a first side of the battery, and each of the cathodes (1) includes a cathode connection area located on a second side of the battery opposite the first side; each of the anodes and each of the cathodes comprises a first main portion (111, 131) separated from a second main portion (112, 132) by an open area (113, 133) free of electrode material, electrolyte, and current collecting substrate, the open areas connecting opposite longitudinal sides (103, 104) of the cell; The manufacturing method includes: a) providing a stack (I) of alternating foils, said stack comprising a first foil or anode foil intended to form the anode layer of a plurality of cells and a second foil or cathode foil intended to form the cathode layer of a plurality of cells, each of said anode foils comprising at least one groove or anode-free area (34) and each of said cathode foils comprising at least one groove or cathode-free area (14), each of said grooves delimiting at least a portion of an area free of electrode material, electrolyte and current collecting substrate; b) subjecting the stack of alternating foils to a heat treatment and / or mechanical pressing; c) two cuts (D) extending at least partially inside the groove; n , D' n a first cut extending between a lateral end of the groove and an end opposite the longitudinal portion of the anode and a second cut extending between a lateral end of the groove and an end opposite the longitudinal portion of the cathode; The method wherein at least one perforation is formed along the path of each cut so that the cuts can be easily made using a cutting tool.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
SMT piece battery, pole piece, and manufacturing method of such battery and pole piece
CN110247022A
Thin film all-solid battery
JP2016001599A
Encapsulation system for electronic components and batteries
WO2019002768A1
Stacked battery structure
WO2019030597A1