Battery and method for producing same

Abstract

A battery according to the present disclosure comprises a power generation element including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of current collector layers that are alternately laminated. Each of the plurality of battery cells includes an electrode layer, a counter-electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer positioned between the electrode layer and the counter-electrode layer. At least one of the plurality of current collector layers is an electrode current collector layer adjacent to the electrode layer. The battery includes an electrode-layer current-collecting end portion that is an electroplated portion protruding from an end of the electrode current collector layer.

Description

Battery and manufacturing method thereof

[0001] The present disclosure relates to batteries and methods for manufacturing the same.

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Batteries in which a current collector and an active material layer are stacked are known.

[0003] For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a battery stack formed by stacking unit batteries each of which is constituted by stacking a positive electrode current collector layer, a positive electrode active material layer, an ion-conductive inorganic material layer, a negative electrode active material layer, and a negative electrode current collector layer in this order.

[0004] JP 2022-124376 A International Publication No. 2020 / 137258

[0005] In order to increase the capacity density of a battery, it is necessary to increase the effective volume that contributes to power generation. To achieve this, it is effective to extend the electrodes from the side surfaces of the battery cells. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose batteries in which the electrodes extend from the side surfaces of the battery stack. However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 leave room for improvement in achieving both an increase in the capacity density of the battery cells and an improvement in the accuracy of the electrode extension.

[0006] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery with high capacity density and good electrode extraction accuracy, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0007] A battery according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a power generating element including a plurality of alternately stacked battery cells and a plurality of current collector layers, each of the plurality of battery cells including an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer located between the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer, at least one of the plurality of current collector layers being an electrode current collector layer adjacent to the electrode layer, and the battery comprising an electrode layer current collector end portion which is an electroplated portion protruding from an end portion of the electrode current collector layer.

[0008] A method for manufacturing a battery according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of preparing a stack including a plurality of alternately stacked battery cells and a plurality of current collector layers, each of the plurality of battery cells including an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer located between the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer, and the method for manufacturing the battery further includes the steps of preparing a plating solution including a metal salt and a solvent, and immersing a stack end portion of the stack, which is an end portion of the stack in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, in the plating solution, and applying current to at least one of the plurality of current collector layers, an electrode current collector layer adjacent to the electrode layer, thereby depositing metal on the end portion of the electrode current collector layer.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a battery with high capacity density and good electrode extraction accuracy, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step of a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 1. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step of a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to embodiment 2. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step of a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 2. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to embodiment 3. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 3. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step of a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 3. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step of a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 3. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to embodiment 4. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 4. FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step of a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 4. FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step of a manufacturing method for a battery according to embodiment 4. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to embodiment 5. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to embodiment 6. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to embodiment 7. Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to embodiment 8. Fig. 17 is a perspective view showing an example of a battery according to the present disclosure. Fig. 18 is a perspective view showing another example of a battery according to the present disclosure.

[0011] (Summary of the Present Disclosure) Below, several examples of batteries and methods for manufacturing the same according to the present disclosure are presented.

[0012] A battery according to a first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a power generating element including a plurality of alternately stacked battery cells and a plurality of current collector layers, each of the plurality of battery cells including an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer located between the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer, at least one of the plurality of current collector layers being an electrode current collector layer adjacent to the electrode layer, and the battery comprising an electrode layer current collector end portion which is an electroplated portion protruding from an end portion of the electrode current collector layer.

[0013] This allows the space near the end of the electrode current collector layer to be used for electrode extraction, thereby suppressing an increase in battery volume. This allows a battery with a high capacity density to be realized. Furthermore, because the electrode layer current collector end is an electroplated portion, it can be easily and accurately formed on the end of the electrode current collector layer. This reduces the connection resistance between the electrode current collector layer and the electrode layer current collector end, allowing for electrode extraction with low resistance.

[0014] In addition, in a battery according to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to the first aspect, at least one of the plurality of current collector layers is a counter electrode current collector layer adjacent to the counter electrode layer, and the battery further includes a counter electrode layer current collector end portion that is an electroplated portion protruding from an end portion of the counter electrode current collector layer.

[0015] As a result, similar to the electrode lead-out structure, the counter electrode lead-out structure is provided with a counter electrode layer current collecting end portion which is an electroplated portion, thereby realizing a battery with a higher capacity density.

[0016] In addition, in a battery according to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to the second aspect, the shape of the power generating element is a polygonal pillar having a first side surface, the first side surface includes a first region and a second region aligned in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, the electrode layer current collecting end is provided to protrude from the first region, and the counter electrode layer current collecting end is provided to protrude from the second region.

[0017] This allows the electrode layer current collecting end and the counter electrode layer current collecting end to be provided on the same side of the power generating element, thereby improving the mountability of the battery on a flat plate such as a substrate.

[0018] In addition, in a battery according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to the second aspect, the shape of the power generating element is a polygonal pillar having a first side surface and a second side surface different from the first side surface, the electrode layer current collecting end portion is provided to protrude from the first side surface, and the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion is provided to protrude from the second side surface.

[0019] By providing the electrode layer current collecting end and the counter electrode layer current collecting end on different sides of the power generating element, the possibility of short circuiting can be sufficiently reduced, and the reliability of the battery can be improved.

[0020] In addition, in a battery according to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the thickness of the electrode layer current collector end is greater than the thickness of the electrode current collector layer.

[0021] This makes it possible to reduce the resistance of the current collecting end of the electrode layer, thereby realizing low-resistance electrode extraction.

[0022] Furthermore, a battery according to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure is the battery according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising an insulator covering an end portion of one of the plurality of current collector layers that is adjacent to the electrode current collector layer in the stacking direction.

[0023] This makes it possible to prevent the current collector end of the electrode layer from coming into contact with the counter electrode current collector layer of opposite polarity and causing a short circuit, thereby realizing a highly reliable battery.

[0024] In addition, in a battery according to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the plurality of current collector layers include a plurality of the electrode current collector layers, and the electrode layer current collector end portions are provided so as to protrude from the respective ends of the plurality of electrode current collector layers.

[0025] This allows the electrode layer current collecting end portions to be formed simultaneously on multiple electrode current collecting layers in the same plating process.Since multiple electrode layer current collecting end portions can be formed easily and accurately, the reliability of the battery can be improved.

[0026] In addition, in a battery according to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to the seventh aspect, three or more electrode layer current collecting ends are provided, and of the three or more electrode layer current collecting ends, the thickness of each of the two electrode layer current collecting ends located at both ends in the stacking direction is thicker than the thickness of one electrode layer current collecting end located at a position other than both ends in the stacking direction.

[0027] This increases the strength of the current collecting ends of the electrode layers at both ends, which are susceptible to external impacts, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0028] In addition, in a battery according to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to the seventh or eighth aspect, the protruding heights of the current collecting ends of the electrode layers are the same as each other.

[0029] This allows the current collecting ends of the electrode layers to have the same protruding height, which improves the mountability of the battery on a flat plate such as a substrate.

[0030] In addition, in a battery according to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, current collecting ends of two electrode layers adjacent in the stacking direction are in contact with each other.

[0031] This facilitates connection from the current collecting end of the electrode layer to the external electrode, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0032] In addition, in a battery according to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to the tenth aspect, a gap is provided between the end of the electrode layer adjacent to the electrode current collector layer and two of the electrode layer current collector ends adjacent to each other in the stacking direction.

[0033] This allows stress generated by external impact or expansion due to heat to escape to the gap, thereby suppressing damage to the battery and improving the reliability of the battery.

[0034] In addition, in a battery according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, the electrode layer current collector end portion contains the same element as an element contained in the electrode current collector layer.

[0035] This allows the electrode current collector layer and the electrode layer current collecting end portion to be formed from the same material, thereby improving the reliability of the connection.

[0036] In addition, in a battery according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, in the battery according to any one of the first to twelfth aspects, the electrode current collector layer contains aluminum.

[0037] This allows for low-resistance electrode extraction due to aluminum's high electrical conductivity, and also allows for lightweight batteries due to aluminum's low density.

[0038] A battery according to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the battery according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, wherein the solid electrolyte layer contains lithium sulfide.

[0039] This allows for the realization of a low-resistance battery due to the high electrical conductivity of lithium sulfide, and the excellent formability of lithium sulfide prevents damage and collapse of the solid electrolyte layer, thereby improving reliability.

[0040] Furthermore, a battery manufacturing method according to a fifteenth aspect of the present disclosure includes the steps of preparing a laminate including a plurality of alternately stacked battery cells and a plurality of current collector layers, each of the plurality of battery cells including an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer located between the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer, and the battery manufacturing method further includes the steps of preparing a plating solution including a metal salt and a solvent, and, with a stack end portion of the laminate, which is an end portion of the laminate in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, immersing the stack end portion in the plating solution, passing current through at least one of the plurality of current collector layers, an electrode current collector layer adjacent to the electrode layer, thereby depositing metal on the end portion of the electrode current collector layer.

[0041] This allows for the accurate manufacture of batteries with high capacity density and easy current collection from the electrode layer using a simple method. In the manufactured batteries, the protruding electrode layer current collector end can be formed by electroplating using the end of the electrode current collector layer as a base. This eliminates the need to align the electrode layer current collector end with the electrode current collector layer, making current collection simple and easy. Furthermore, because the electrode layer current collector end is metal-deposited, electrode extraction can be performed with low resistance.

[0042] A battery manufacturing method according to a sixteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the battery manufacturing method according to the fifteenth aspect, further including the step of applying current to at least one of the plurality of current collector layers, the counter electrode current collector layer being adjacent to the counter electrode layer, in a state in which a stacking end portion, which is an end portion of the stack in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, is immersed in a plating solution containing a metal liquid and a solvent, thereby depositing a metal on the end portion of the counter electrode current collector layer.

[0043] This makes it possible to easily obtain a battery with high capacity density that can extract current from the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer with low resistance.

[0044] A battery manufacturing method according to a seventeenth aspect of the present disclosure is the battery manufacturing method according to the fifteenth or sixteenth aspect, further comprising the step of coating, with an insulator, an end portion of a current collector layer, of the plurality of current collector layers, that is adjacent to the electrode current collector layer in the stacking direction, before immersing the stacking end portion in the plating solution.

[0045] This prevents adjacent current collector layers with different polarities from short-circuiting, making it possible to obtain a battery with high capacity density and high reliability.

[0046] In addition, a battery manufacturing method according to an eighteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the battery manufacturing method according to any one of the fifteenth to seventeenth aspects, wherein the solvent contained in the plating solution is an organic solvent.

[0047] This allows electroplating to be carried out using a plating solution that does not contain water.

[0048] In addition, a battery manufacturing method according to a nineteenth aspect of the present disclosure is the battery manufacturing method according to any one of the fifteenth to eighteenth aspects, wherein the plating solution does not contain water.

[0049] This allows deposition of a base metal such as aluminum, etc. Also, a sulfide solid electrolyte can be used as the solid electrolyte layer.

[0050] Furthermore, a battery manufacturing method according to a twentieth aspect of the present disclosure is a battery manufacturing method according to any one of the fifteenth to nineteenth aspects, wherein in the step of preparing the stack, a flat surface is formed by cutting at least a portion of the stack along the stacking direction, and the stack end portion includes the flat surface.

[0051] This makes it possible to obtain a high-density power generating element, and a battery with high capacity density.

[0052] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

[0053] The embodiments described below are all comprehensive or specific examples. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, component placement and connection configurations, steps, and step sequences shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Furthermore, among the components in the following embodiments, components not described in independent claims are described as optional components.

[0054] Furthermore, each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. Therefore, for example, the scales of the figures do not necessarily match. Furthermore, in each figure, substantially the same components are given the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted or simplified.

[0055] Furthermore, in this specification, terms indicating the relationship between elements, such as parallel or perpendicular, terms indicating the shape of elements, such as rectangular or polygonal, and numerical ranges are not expressions that only express a strict meaning, but are expressions that also include a substantially equivalent range, for example, a difference of about a few percent.

[0056] In this specification and drawings, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis represent the three axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. In each embodiment, the z-axis direction is the stacking direction. When the power generating element has a polygonal shape in plan view, the x-axis direction is the direction parallel to one side of the polygonal shape. Unless otherwise specified, "plan view" refers to a view from a direction perpendicular to the main surface of the power generating element (z-axis direction). In this specification, the positive side of the z-axis may be considered "upward" and the negative side of the z-axis may be considered "downward."

[0057] Furthermore, in this specification, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" do not refer to the number or order of components unless otherwise specified, but are used for the purpose of avoiding confusion and distinguishing between components of the same type.

[0058] First Embodiment Hereinafter, the configuration of a battery according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0059] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery 1 according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the battery 1 according to the present embodiment includes a power generating element 10 and an electrode layer current collecting end portion 160. The battery 1 is an all-solid-state battery.

[0060] First, the specific configuration of the power generating element 10 will be described.

[0061] As shown in Fig. 1 , the power generating element 10 includes a plurality of alternately stacked battery cells 100 and a plurality of current collector layers. The plurality of current collector layers include a plurality of electrode current collector layers 140 and a plurality of counter electrode current collector layers 150. Note that in Fig. 1 and other cross-sectional views, the thickness of each layer is exaggerated to make the layer structure of the power generating element 10 easier to understand.

[0062] Although not shown in FIG. 1 , the shape of the power generating element 10 is a polygonal prism. For example, the shape of the power generating element 10 is a flat polygonal prism. "Flat" means that the maximum thickness, i.e., the maximum length in the stacking direction (z-axis direction), is shorter than the maximum length in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction (e.g., x-axis direction or y-axis direction). For example, the shape of the power generating element 10 is a flat rectangular parallelepiped. As shown in FIG. 1 , the power generating element 10 has side surfaces 11 and 12. The side surface 11 is an example of a first side surface, and the side surface 12 is an example of a second side surface different from the first side surface. The side surfaces 11 and 12 are planes parallel to each other.

[0063] The shape of the power generating element 10 does not have to be a polygonal prism in the strict sense. For example, the shape of the power generating element 10 may be a rectangular parallelepiped with the corners cut off, or may have rounded corners. The shape of the power generating element 10 may also be a polygonal truncated pyramid, a cylindrical shape, or a truncated cone. That is, the side surfaces 11 and 12 may be inclined with respect to the stacking direction, or may be curved surfaces. The side surfaces 11 and 12 may also have steps and / or irregularities.

[0064] The battery cell 100 is a battery with a minimum configuration and is also referred to as a unit cell. A plurality of battery cells 100 are electrically connected in parallel and stacked. In this embodiment, all of the battery cells 100 included in the power generating element 10 are electrically connected in parallel. Each of the plurality of battery cells 100 includes an electrode layer 110, a counter electrode layer 120, and a solid electrolyte layer 130 located between the electrode layer 110 and the counter electrode layer 120.

[0065] Focusing on two adjacent battery cells 100 among the plurality of battery cells 100, the layers included in each battery cell 100 are stacked in the opposite order. For example, in the topmost battery cell 100, the counter electrode layer 120, the solid electrolyte layer 130, and the electrode layer 110 are stacked from top to bottom. In contrast, in the second battery cell 100 from the top, the electrode layer 110, the solid electrolyte layer 130, and the counter electrode layer 120 are stacked from top to bottom. That is, in these two battery cells 100, the electrode layers 110 are arranged to face each other, and the electrode current collector layer 140 is arranged between them.

[0066] The plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked such that the stacking order of the layers alternates one by one. Therefore, for example, the second and third battery cells 100 from the top are arranged so that their counter electrode layers 120 face each other, with a counter electrode current collector layer 150 disposed between them. With this configuration, the electrode current collector layers 140 and counter electrode current collector layers 150 are arranged alternately one by one, and one battery cell 100 is disposed between each electrode current collector layer 140 and counter electrode current collector layer 150.

[0067] In this embodiment, the electrode layer 110 is, for example, a positive electrode layer, and the counter electrode layer 120 is, for example, a negative electrode layer. The electrode current collector layer 140 is, for example, a positive electrode current collector layer, and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 is, for example, a negative electrode current collector layer.

[0068] The electrode layer 110 is located between the electrode current collector layer 140 and the solid electrolyte layer 130. Note that another layer, such as a conductive bonding layer, may be provided between the electrode layer 110 and the electrode current collector layer 140.

[0069] The electrode layer 110 is a positive electrode active material layer containing a positive electrode material such as a positive electrode active material. Various materials capable of extracting and inserting metal ions such as lithium ions or magnesium ions can be used as the positive electrode active material. In the case of a material capable of extracting and inserting lithium ions, positive electrode active materials such as lithium cobalt oxide composite oxide (LCO), lithium nickel oxide composite oxide (LNO), lithium manganese oxide composite oxide (LMO), lithium-manganese-nickel composite oxide (LMNO), lithium-manganese-cobalt composite oxide (LMCO), lithium-nickel-cobalt composite oxide (LNCO), lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt composite oxide (LNMCO), and lithium-nickel-cobalt-aluminum composite oxide (LNCAO) can be used as the positive electrode active material.

[0070] The material contained in the electrode layer 110 may include, for example, a solid electrolyte such as an inorganic solid electrolyte. As the inorganic solid electrolyte, a sulfide solid electrolyte or an oxide solid electrolyte may be used. As the sulfide solid electrolyte, for example, lithium sulfide (Li ２ S) and diphosphorus pentasulfide (P ２ S ５ ) can be used. As the sulfide solid electrolyte, a mixture of Li ２ S-SiS ２ , Li ２ S-B ２ S ３ or Li ２ S-GeS ２ Sulfides such as Li may be used as an additive to the sulfides. ３ N, LiCl, LiBr, Li ３ P.O. ４ and Li ４ SiO ４ A sulfide to which at least one of the following is added may be used.

[0071] The oxide solid electrolyte may be, for example, Li ７ La ３ Zr ２ O １２ (LLZ), Li １．３ Al ０．３ Ti１．７ (P.O. ４ ) ３ (LATP) or (La,Li)TiO ３ The solid electrolyte is preferably, but not limited to, lithium sulfide from the viewpoint of high electrical conductivity and formability. The solid electrolyte may coat the surface of the positive electrode active material.

[0072] The materials contained in the electrode layer 110 may also include at least one of conductive materials such as acetylene black, Ketjenblack (registered trademark) and carbon nanofiber, and adhesive binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0073] The thickness of the electrode layer 110 is, for example, not less than 5 μm and not more than 300 μm, but is not limited to this.

[0074] The counter electrode layer 120 is located between the counter electrode current collector layer 150 and the solid electrolyte layer 130. Note that another layer, such as a conductive bonding layer, may be provided between the counter electrode layer 120 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150.

[0075] The counter electrode layer 120 is, for example, an anode active material layer containing an anode active material as an electrode material. Various materials capable of extracting and inserting ions such as lithium ions or magnesium ions can be used as the anode active material. In the case of a material capable of extracting and inserting lithium ions, the anode active material contained in the counter electrode layer 120 can be, for example, a single substance such as graphite, metallic lithium, or silicon, or a mixture thereof, or anode active materials such as lithium-titanium oxide (LTO).

[0076] Furthermore, for example, a solid electrolyte such as an inorganic solid electrolyte may be used as the material contained in the counter electrode layer 120. As the inorganic solid electrolyte, for example, the inorganic solid electrolytes exemplified as the material contained in the electrode layer 110 can be used.

[0077] The counter electrode layer 120 may contain at least one of conductive materials such as acetylene black, ketjen black, and carbon nanofiber, and adhesive binders such as polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0078] The thickness of the counter electrode layer 120 is, for example, not less than 5 μm and not more than 300 μm, but is not limited to this.

[0079] The solid electrolyte layer 130 is disposed between the electrode layer 110 and the counter electrode layer 120. The solid electrolyte layer 130 is in contact with both the electrode layer 110 and the counter electrode layer 120.

[0080] The solid electrolyte layer 130 includes a solid electrolyte. As the solid electrolyte, for example, a solid electrolyte such as an inorganic solid electrolyte can be used. As the inorganic solid electrolyte, the inorganic solid electrolytes exemplified as the materials contained in the electrode layer 110 can be used. For example, the solid electrolyte layer 130 includes lithium sulfide. This allows high electrical conductivity and good formability to be obtained.

[0081] The solid electrolyte layer 130 may contain, in addition to the electrolyte material, a binding binder such as polyvinylidene fluoride.

[0082] The thickness of the solid electrolyte layer 130 is, for example, but not limited to, 5 μm to 300 μm, and may be, for example, 5 μm to 100 μm.

[0083] The electrode current collector layer 140 is one of a plurality of current collector layers included in the battery 1. Specifically, the electrode current collector layer 140 is one of the plurality of current collector layers that is adjacent to the electrode layer 110. In the present embodiment, a plurality of electrode current collector layers 140 are provided.

[0084] The electrode layer 110 is in contact with a main surface of the electrode current collector layer 140. Of the multiple electrode current collector layers 140, the electrode current collector layer 140 sandwiched between two battery cells 100 adjacent in the stacking direction has the electrode layer 110 in contact with each of the two main surfaces. Note that the electrode current collector layer 140 may include a current collector layer that is a layer containing a conductive material and is provided in a portion that contacts the electrode layer 110.

[0085] The counter electrode current collector layer 150 is one of a plurality of current collector layers included in the battery 1. Specifically, the counter electrode current collector layer 150 is one of the plurality of current collector layers that is adjacent to the counter electrode layer 120. In the present embodiment, a plurality of counter electrode current collector layers 150 is provided.

[0086] The counter electrode layer 120 is in contact with the main surface of the counter electrode current collector layer 150. Of the multiple counter electrode current collector layers 150, the counter electrode layer 150 sandwiched between two battery cells 100 adjacent in the stacking direction has the counter electrode layer 120 in contact with each of the two main surfaces. The counter electrode layer 120 is in contact with only one of the two main surfaces of the uppermost and lowermost counter electrode current collector layers 150. Specifically, the counter electrode layer 120 is in contact with the lower surface of the uppermost counter electrode current collector layer 150, and the upper surface of the uppermost counter electrode current collector layer 150 is the main surface of the power generating element 10. The counter electrode layer 120 is in contact with the upper surface of the lowermost counter electrode current collector layer 150, and the lower surface of the lowermost counter electrode current collector layer 150 is the main surface of the power generating element 10. The counter electrode current collector layer 150 may include a current collector layer that is a layer containing a conductive material and is provided in a portion that contacts the counter electrode layer 120 .

[0087] The electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 are each a conductive foil-like, plate-like, or mesh-like member. The electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 may each be, for example, a conductive thin film. Examples of materials that can be used to form the electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 include metals such as stainless steel (SUS), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), and nickel (Ni). In this embodiment, the electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 each contain aluminum in terms of electrical conductivity, density, and reactivity with other layers, but are not limited to this. The electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 may be formed using different materials.

[0088] The thickness of each of the electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 is, for example, not less than 5 μm and not more than 100 μm, but is not limited to this.

[0089] The electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 may each include a plurality of conductive foil-, plate-, or mesh-like members or thin films. For example, the electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 may each have a structure in which two or more of conductive foils, conductive plates, conductive mesh plates, and conductive thin films are stacked. Furthermore, the stacked structure may include not only homogeneous members but also heterogeneous members. One of the heterogeneous members may be an insulating member.

[0090] Next, the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 will be described.

[0091] The electrode layer current collector end 160 protrudes from the end of the electrode current collector layer 140. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the electrode layer current collector end 160 protrudes from the end of the electrode current collector layer 140 that is located on the positive side of the x-axis toward the outside of the power generating element 10 (specifically, in the positive direction of the x-axis). In other words, the electrode layer current collector end 160 is provided so as to protrude from the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10. In this embodiment, when the side surface 11 is viewed in plan (when viewed from the positive side of the x-axis), the end of the electrode current collector layer 140 is present and extends elongated along the y-axis direction. The electrode layer current collector end 160 is also provided so as to extend along the y-axis direction.

[0092] In the present embodiment, a plurality of electrode layer current collector ends 160 are provided so as to protrude from the end of each of the plurality of electrode current collector layers 140. Specifically, one electrode layer current collector end 160 is provided for each electrode current collector layer 140. That is, the number of electrode layer current collector ends 160 is the same as the number of electrode current collector layers 140. The plurality of electrode layer current collector ends 160 are arranged in a stripe pattern when the side surface 11 is viewed in plan. Note that a plurality of electrode layer current collector ends 160 may be provided for one electrode current collector layer 140. For example, the plurality of electrode layer current collector ends 160 may be arranged side by side in a dashed or dotted line along the y-axis direction when the side surface 11 is viewed in plan.

[0093] The electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 is an electrochemically deposited electroplated portion. The electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 contains the same elements as those contained in the electrode current collecting layer 140. For example, the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 contains aluminum, just like the electrode current collecting layer 140. By electrochemically depositing the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 from the electrode current collecting layer 140, a low-resistance extraction electrode can be formed by a simple method that does not require special alignment.

[0094] In this embodiment, the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 is not in contact with the counter electrode current collecting layer 150. Furthermore, adjacent electrode layer current collecting end portions 160 are not in contact with each other.

[0095] The thickness of the electrode layer current collector end 160 is thicker than the thickness of the electrode current collector layer 140 to which the electrode layer current collector end 160 is connected. Here, "thickness" refers to the maximum length of the electrode layer current collector end 160 or the electrode current collector layer 140 in the z-axis direction. Increasing the thickness of the electrode layer current collector end 160 can reduce electrical resistance. Furthermore, the strength of the electrode layer current collector end 160 can be maintained at a certain level or higher, thereby improving the robustness of the battery 1. The thickness of the electrode layer current collector end 160 is, for example, 5 μm or more and 500 μm or less, but is not limited to this.

[0096] Furthermore, the protruding heights of the multiple electrode layer current collecting ends 160 are the same. The "protruding height" is the maximum length in the protruding direction, and more specifically, the length in the x-axis direction from the end of the electrode current collecting layer 140 to the most protruding point of the electrode layer current collecting end 160. When the side surface 11 is a flat surface, the protruding height corresponds to the height from the side surface 11. The protruding height of the electrode layer current collecting end 160 is, for example, not less than 10 μm and not more than 500 μm, but is not limited to this.

[0097] In this embodiment, the multiple electrode layer current collecting ends 160 are electrically connected externally to each other, thereby functioning as electrodes of the battery 1. For example, the multiple electrode layer current collecting ends 160 are electrically connected to each other to achieve parallel connection of multiple battery cells 100. Because the electrode layer current collecting ends 160 protrude from the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10, a battery 1 can be obtained that has low resistance, high capacity density, and easy electrode removal. Furthermore, because the multiple electrode layer current collecting ends 160 protrude to the same height, the battery 1 can be easily mounted on a flat plate such as a substrate.

[0098] The cross-sectional shape of the electrode layer current collecting end 160 in the xz cross section is a sector shape. Specifically, the electrode layer current collecting end 160 protrudes so as to spread out at an equal rate from the end of the electrode current collecting layer 140, and the tip portion in the protruding direction is curved in an arc shape. The electrode layer current collecting end 160 is an electroplated portion grown using the end of the electrode current collecting layer 140 as a base, and therefore can be easily formed in a shape that spreads out evenly from the base.

[0099] The cross-sectional shape of the electrode layer current collecting end 160 in the xz cross section is not limited to a sector shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the electrode layer current collecting end 160 in the xz cross section may be a triangle or a trapezoid. For example, the curved portion of the sector formed by electroplating may be polished to form a flat shape.

[0100] In the present embodiment, the lead-out structure of the plurality of counter electrode current collector layers 150 is not particularly limited. Lead members for lead-out are connected to the plurality of counter electrode current collector layers 150. Alternatively, the counter electrode current collector layer 150 may also be provided with a counter electrode layer current collector end portion having a structure similar to that of the electrode layer current collector end portion 160. The structure in which the counter electrode layer current collector end portion is provided will be described in detail in the second embodiment.

[0101] Next, a method for manufacturing the battery 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3A, and 3B. Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the method for manufacturing the battery 1 according to the present embodiment. Figures 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views illustrating one step in the method for manufacturing the battery 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0102] In the manufacturing method of the battery 1 according to this embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 2 , a stack including a plurality of alternately stacked battery cells 100 and a plurality of current collector layers is prepared (S10). Next, a plating solution including a metal salt and a solvent is prepared (S20). Next, the stack edge of the stack is immersed in the plating solution (S30). While the stack edge is immersed, current is passed through at least one of the plurality of current collector layers, the electrode current collector layer 140 adjacent to the electrode layer 110, thereby depositing metal on the edge of the electrode current collector layer 140 (S40).

[0103] Specific processing of each step will be described below. Note that the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 2 is merely an example. For example, the order of performing each step shown in FIG. 2 may be changed. For example, the laminate preparation step (S10) may be performed after the plating solution preparation step (S20). Alternatively, the laminate preparation step (S10) may be performed simultaneously with the plating solution preparation step (S20).

[0104] First, the step of preparing a laminate (S10) will be described. The laminate prepared in this step is the power generating element 10 shown in FIG. 3A.

[0105] First, for example, a paste-like paint in which the materials contained in the electrode layer 110 are kneaded together with a solvent is applied to the main surface of the electrode current collector layer 140 and dried to form the electrode layer 110. In order to increase the density of the electrode layer 110, the electrode layer 110 applied to the electrode current collector layer 140 may be pressed after drying.

[0106] Next, for example, a paste-like paint in which the materials contained in the counter electrode layer 120 are kneaded together with a solvent is applied to the main surface of the counter electrode current collector layer 150 and dried to form the counter electrode layer 120. In order to increase the density of the counter electrode layer 120, the counter electrode layer 120 applied to the counter electrode current collector layer 150 may be pressed after drying. Note that the formation of the electrode layer 110 and the formation of the counter electrode layer 120 may be performed in either order, or may be performed simultaneously in parallel.

[0107] Next, for example, a paste-like paint in which the materials contained in the solid electrolyte layer 130 are kneaded together with a solvent is applied to the main surfaces of the electrode layer 110 and / or the counter electrode layer 120 and dried to form the solid electrolyte layer 130 or a part thereof. Alternatively, the solid electrolyte layer 130 may be formed by applying a paste-like paint to a release film and drying it.

[0108] Next, for example, the electrode current collector layer 140, the electrode layer 110, the solid electrolyte layer 130, the counter electrode layer 120, and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 are stacked in this order and pressed together to form the battery cell 100. Examples of a pressing method that can be used include a flat press, a roll press, and an isostatic press. Furthermore, in order to improve the adhesion and density of each layer, heating may be applied during pressing. The heating temperature may be set within a range that does not cause chemical changes in the materials of each layer due to heat, for example, 60°C or higher and 200°C or lower.

[0109] The counter electrode layers 120 may be formed on both main surfaces of the counter electrode current collector layer 150. In this case, two battery cells 100 with the counter electrode current collector layer 150 sandwiched therebetween can be formed by applying pressure to and crimping the electrode current collector layer 140, the electrode layer 110, the solid electrolyte layer 130, the counter electrode current collector layer 150 with the counter electrode layers 120 formed on both sides, the solid electrolyte layer 130, the electrode layer 110, and the electrode current collector layer 140 in this order. The end faces of the formed battery cells 100 do not need to be flush with each other, and a step may be provided between each layer.

[0110] A plurality of battery cells 100 are formed on the main surfaces of the electrode current collector layer 140 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150, and then the formed battery cells 100 are stacked to form the power generating element 10. Specifically, the plurality of battery cells 100 are stacked so that the arrangement order of the electrode layer 110, the solid electrolyte layer 130, and the counter electrode layer 120 is alternately reversed for each battery cell 100. When stacking, for example, the plurality of battery cells 100 may be integrated by bonding them with an adhesive. Alternatively, for example, the plurality of battery cells 100 may be integrated by stacking all of the above components and applying pressure to bond them together. The edges of the integrated battery cells 100, the electrode current collector layer 140, and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 do not need to be aligned, and a step may be provided for each battery cell 100.

[0111] In this embodiment, a power generating element 10, which is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 100, is cut along a direction intersecting the main surfaces to form a stack end portion including a cut surface. Specifically, the power generating element 10 is cut along the stacking direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the main surfaces. More specifically, all of the battery cells 100, all of the electrode current collector layers 140, and all of the counter electrode current collector layers 150 included in the power generating element 10 are cut together. For example, by cutting the power generating element 10 parallel to each other at two locations, two parallel flat surfaces, namely, side surfaces 11 and 12, can be formed. In addition to the two stack end portions including the side surfaces 11 and 12, the power generating element 10 may also be cut together at other locations to form a plurality of stack end portions.

[0112] Examples of methods that can be used for the bulk cutting include, but are not limited to, shearing with a blade, cutting with an end mill, grinding, laser cutting, and jet cutting. From the viewpoint of improving productivity and effective volume, the cutting method in the cutting step may be shearing using a blade or the like. Furthermore, shearing is less likely to increase the temperature of the power generating element 10 during cutting, and the battery cell 100 is less likely to deteriorate during cutting. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the flatness of the side surfaces 11 and 12, the shearing may be cutting using an ultrasonic cutter that transmits high-frequency vibrations to the cutting edge.

[0113] The side surfaces 11 and 12 do not have to be cut surfaces. For example, flat side surfaces 11 and 12 may be formed by aligning and stacking a plurality of battery cells 100, electrode current collector layers 140, and counter electrode current collector layers 150 of the same size.

[0114] Through the above steps, a power generating element 10 as shown in FIG. 3A is manufactured as an example of a laminate.

[0115] Next, the step (S20) of preparing plating solution 200 shown in FIG. 3B will be described.

[0116] The plating solution 200 is a solution containing a metal salt and a solvent. The plating solution 200 is, for example, an electrolyte containing a metal that forms the electrode layer current collector end 160, which is an electroplated portion, by electrochemical deposition. The electrolyte contains at least a metal salt containing the metal contained in the electrode current collector layer 140 and a solvent that dissolves the metal salt. In this embodiment, the plating solution 200 does not contain water.

[0117] Examples of usable metal salts include aluminum, nickel, copper, etc. Specific examples of usable metal salts include aluminum chloride, trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, nickel chloride, nickel thiocyanate, nickel trifluoroacetate, copper sulfate, copper chloride, and copper trifluoroacetate.

[0118] The solvent can be any solvent that can dissolve the metal salt and does not alter the components of the battery cell 100. The solvent can be, for example, an organic solvent. For example, the solvent can be an ether-based solvent such as dimethyl sulfone, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, or glycol diether; an aromatic hydrocarbon-based solvent such as toluene or benzene; an ionic liquid such as 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride; formamide, dimethylformamide, or acetamide. The plating solution 200 may further contain an additive such as a brightener.

[0119] The solvent does not contain water. If the solvent contains water, it becomes difficult to electrolytically deposit a base metal such as aluminum, and there is a risk of altering the sulfide solid electrolyte. Note that the solvent may contain water if it is acceptable from the viewpoint of manufacturing or reliability, such as when the metal salt is a salt of a non-base metal or when the solid electrolyte layer is a material other than a sulfide solid electrolyte.

[0120] The plating solution 200 may be heated to increase the solubility of the metal salt and enhance its reactivity. The heating temperature may be appropriately selected depending on the melting point, boiling point, and vapor pressure of the solvent, and is, for example, 50° C. or higher and 150° C. or lower.

[0121] Next, the steps (S30, S40) of immersing the stacked end portion of the power generating element 10 in the plating solution 200 and then electrochemically depositing metal on the end portion of the electrode current collector layer 140 to form the electrode layer current collector end portion 160, which is an electroplated portion, will be described with reference to FIG. 3B.

[0122] First, as shown in Fig. 3B , each electrode current collector layer 140 of the power generating element 10 is connected to the negative electrode of the power source 230, and the plating counter electrode 220 is connected to the positive electrode of the power source 230. For example, an aluminum plate or a titanium plate can be used as the plating counter electrode 220. Note that Fig. 3B shows an example in which the electrode current collector layer 140 and the power source 230 are connected at the side surface 12, but the connection location is not particularly limited.

[0123] Next, as shown in FIG. 3B , a plating bath 210 containing a plating solution 200 is prepared, and the stack end portion including the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10 and a plating counter electrode 220 are immersed in the plating solution 200 .

[0124] At this time, in order to protect the ends and main surfaces of the power generating element 10 other than the side surface 11, masking may be performed on the portions other than the side surface 11. As a masking method, for example, a method of attaching insulating tape can be used.

[0125] Next, a current is applied from the power source 230 to deposit metal on the surface of the end of the electrode current collector layer 140, forming an electroplated portion, the electrode layer current collector end 160. The power generating element 10 is then removed from the power source 230, thereby obtaining a battery 1 on which the electrode layer current collector end 160, the electroplated portion, is formed, as shown in FIG. 1 . If necessary, the battery 1 may be washed after being removed from the power source 230. An organic solvent may be used for washing.

[0126] The applied current may be appropriately selected depending on the shape and / or protrusion height of the electroplated portion. For example, the applied current may be 10 mA / cm per area of ​​the electrode layer current collecting end 160. ２ 200mA / cm or more ２ The voltage of the power supply 230 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 2 V or more and 20 V or less. The power supply time is not particularly limited, but is, for example, 1 minute or more and 200 minutes or less.

[0127] Through the steps described above, the battery 1 shown in FIG. 1 is manufactured.

[0128] In the battery 1 according to this embodiment, multiple electrode layer current collecting ends 160 are provided to protrude from the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10. By utilizing the space near the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10 for electrode extraction, an increase in the volume of the battery 1 can be suppressed, thereby increasing the capacity density. Furthermore, because the electrode layer current collecting ends 160 are electroplated portions, they can be easily and accurately formed on the ends of the electrode current collector layer 140. This reduces the connection resistance between the electrode current collector layer 140 and the electrode layer current collecting ends 160, enabling good electrode extraction accuracy, i.e., low resistance electrode extraction. Thus, according to this embodiment, a battery 1 can be obtained that has low resistance, high capacity density, and good electrode extraction accuracy.

[0129] Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the battery 1 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to manufacture the battery 1 with high capacity density and easy current collection from the electrode layer 110 with a simple and accurate method. In the manufactured battery 1, the electrode layer current collecting end 160 protruding from the end of the electrode current collecting layer 140 can be formed using electroplating, eliminating the need to align the electrode layer current collecting end 160 with the electrode current collecting layer 140, and facilitating simple current collection. Furthermore, because the electrode layer current collecting end 160 is formed by metal deposition, electrode extraction can be performed with low resistance.

[0130] (Embodiment 2) Next, a battery according to embodiment 2 will be described. Embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 mainly in that a counter electrode layer current collecting end portion is provided. The following description will focus on the differences from embodiment 1, and description of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0131] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, the battery 2 according to this embodiment includes a power generating element 10, an electrode layer current collecting end portion 160, and a counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170. The power generating element 10 and the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0132] The counter electrode layer current collector end 170 protrudes from the end of the counter electrode current collector layer 150. In the example shown in FIG. 4 , the counter electrode layer current collector end 170 protrudes from the end of the counter electrode current collector layer 150 that is located on the negative side of the x-axis toward the outside of the power generating element 10 (specifically, in the negative direction of the x-axis). In other words, the counter electrode layer current collector end 170 is provided so as to protrude from the side surface 12 of the power generating element 10. In this embodiment, when the side surface 12 is viewed in plan (when viewed from the negative side of the x-axis), the end of the counter electrode current collector layer 150 is present so as to extend elongatedly along the y-axis direction. The counter electrode layer current collector end 170 is also provided so as to extend along the y-axis direction.

[0133] In the present embodiment, a plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are provided so as to protrude from the end of each of the plurality of counter electrode current collecting layers 150. Specifically, one counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 is provided for each counter electrode current collecting layer 150. That is, the number of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 is the same as the number of counter electrode current collecting layers 150. The plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are arranged in a stripe pattern when the side surface 12 is viewed in plan. Note that a plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 may be provided for one counter electrode current collecting layer 150. For example, the plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 may be arranged in a dashed or dotted line along the y-axis direction when the side surface 12 is viewed in plan.

[0134] The counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 is an electrochemically deposited electroplated portion, similar to the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160. The counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 contains the same elements as those contained in the counter electrode current collecting layer 150. For example, the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 contains aluminum, similar to the counter electrode current collecting layer 150. By electrochemically depositing the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 from the counter electrode current collecting layer 150, a low-resistance extraction electrode can be formed by a simple method that does not require special alignment.

[0135] In this embodiment, the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 is not in contact with the electrode current collecting layer 140. Furthermore, adjacent counter electrode layer current collecting end portions 170 are not in contact with each other.

[0136] The thickness of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 is thicker than the thickness of the counter electrode current collecting layer 150 to which the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 is connected. Here, "thickness" refers to the maximum length of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 or the counter electrode current collecting layer 150 in the z-axis direction. Increasing the thickness of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 can reduce electrical resistance. Furthermore, the strength of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 can be maintained at a certain level or higher, thereby improving the robustness of the battery 2. The thickness of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 is, for example, 5 μm or more and 500 μm or less, but is not limited to this.

[0137] Furthermore, the protruding heights of the multiple counter electrode layer current collecting end portions 170 are the same. The "protruding height" is the maximum length in the protruding direction, and specifically, the length in the x-axis direction from the end of the counter electrode current collecting layer 150 to the most protruding point of the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170. When the side surface 12 is a flat surface, the protruding height corresponds to the height from the side surface 12. The protruding height of the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 is, for example, not less than 10 μm and not more than 500 μm, but is not limited to this.

[0138] In this embodiment, the plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are electrically connected externally, thereby functioning as counter electrodes of the battery 2. For example, the plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are electrically connected to one another, thereby achieving parallel connection of a plurality of battery cells 100. Because the counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 protrude from the side surface 12 of the power generating element 10, a battery 2 can be obtained that has low resistance, high capacity density, and easy electrode removal. Furthermore, because the plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 protrude to the same height, the battery 2 can be easily mounted on a flat plate such as a substrate.

[0139] The cross-sectional shape of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 in the xz cross section is a sector shape. Specifically, the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 protrudes so as to spread out at an equal rate from the end of the counter electrode current collecting layer 150, and the tip portion in the protruding direction is curved in an arc shape. The counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 is an electroplated part grown using the end of the counter electrode current collecting layer 150 as a base, and therefore can be easily formed in a shape that spreads out evenly from the base.

[0140] The cross-sectional shape of the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 in the xz cross section is not limited to a sector shape. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 in the xz cross section may be a triangle or a trapezoid. For example, the curved portion of the sector formed by electroplating may be polished to form a flat shape.

[0141] In this embodiment, the plurality of electrode layer current collecting ends 160 and the plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are provided at different ends of the power generating element 10. Specifically, the plurality of electrode layer current collecting ends 160 are provided protruding from the side surface 11, and the plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are provided protruding from the side surface 12. This makes it possible to prevent the electrode layer current collecting ends 160 and the counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit, thereby improving the reliability of the battery 2.

[0142] Next, a method for manufacturing the battery 2 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the method for manufacturing the battery 2 according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating one step of the method for manufacturing the battery 2 according to this embodiment.

[0143] 5 , the manufacturing method of battery 2 according to this embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1 from the step of preparing a laminate (S10) to the step of forming an electrode layer current collector end portion 160 (S40). After forming the electrode layer current collector end portion 160, another laminate end portion of power-generating element 10 is immersed in plating solution 201 (S50). With the laminate end portion immersed, current is passed through counter electrode current collector layer 150, which is at least one of the multiple current collector layers and is adjacent to counter electrode layer 120, to deposit metal on the end portion of counter electrode current collector layer 150 (S60).

[0144] The specific processing of the steps (S50 and S60) different from those in the first embodiment will be described below. Note that the manufacturing method shown in FIG. 5 is merely an example. For example, the order in which the steps shown in FIG. 5 are performed may be changed. For example, the step of forming the electrode layer current collecting end 160 (S30 and S40) may be performed after the step of forming the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 (S50 and S60), or may be performed simultaneously.

[0145] As shown in Fig. 6 , each counter electrode current collector layer 150 of the power generating element 10 on which the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 is formed is connected to the negative electrode of the power source 230, and the plating counter electrode 220 is connected to the positive electrode of the power source 230. Note that Fig. 6 shows an example in which the counter electrode current collector layer 150 and the power source 230 are connected at the side surface 11, but the connection location is not particularly limited.

[0146] Next, a plating bath 210 containing a plating solution 201 is prepared, and the stack end portion including the side surface 12 of the power generating element 10 and the plating counter electrode 220 are immersed in the plating solution 201. The plating solution 201 is the same as the plating solution 200 used to form the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160, but may be different. The plating solution 201 contains a metal salt that is the same as or different from the metal salt contained in the plating solution 200, and a solvent that is the same as or different from the solvent contained in the plating solution 200.

[0147] At this time, in order to protect the ends and main surfaces of the power generating element 10 other than the side surface 12, masking may be performed on the portions other than the side surface 12. As a masking method, for example, a method of attaching insulating tape can be used.

[0148] Next, a current is applied from the power source 230 to deposit metal on the surface of the end of the counter electrode current collector layer 150, thereby forming the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170, which is an electroplated portion. The applied current, voltage, and application time may be the same as those used in forming the electrode layer current collecting end 160 (S40).

[0149] Thereafter, the power generating element 10 is removed from the power source 230 to obtain a battery 2 in which the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170, which is an electroplated portion, is formed on the side surface 12, as shown in Fig. 4. If necessary, the battery 2 may be washed after being removed from the power source 230. An organic solvent can be used for washing.

[0150] Through the above steps, the battery 2 shown in FIG. 4 is manufactured.

[0151] In the battery 2 according to this embodiment, multiple electrode layer current collecting ends 160 are provided protruding from the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10, and multiple counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are provided protruding from the side surface 12 of the power generating element 10. This allows the space near the power generating element 10 to be effectively utilized for connecting both the electrode and counter electrode, thereby suppressing an increase in the volume of the battery 2 and increasing the capacity density. Furthermore, because both the electrode layer current collecting ends 160 and the counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are electroplated portions, they are easily and accurately formed on the respective ends of the electrode current collecting layer 140 and the counter electrode current collecting layer 150. This reduces the connection resistance between the electrode current collecting layer 140 and the electrode layer current collecting end 160, and the connection resistance between the counter electrode current collecting layer 150 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170, thereby enabling low-resistance electrode connection. As such, this embodiment provides a battery 2 that has low resistance and high capacity density, yet allows easy electrode and counter electrode connection.

[0152] Furthermore, according to the manufacturing method of the battery 2 according to the present embodiment, a battery 2 having a high capacity density and facilitating current collection from the electrode layer 110 and the counter electrode layer 120 can be manufactured accurately and simply. In the manufactured battery 2, the electrode layer current collecting end 160 protruding from the end of the electrode current collecting layer 140 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 protruding from the end of the counter electrode current collecting layer 150 can be formed using electroplating. This eliminates the need to align the electrode layer current collecting end 160 with the electrode current collecting layer 140 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 with the counter electrode current collecting layer 150, simplifying current collection. Furthermore, because the electrode layer current collecting end 160 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 are formed by metal deposition, the electrode and counter electrode can be extracted with low resistance.

[0153] (Embodiment 3) Next, a battery according to embodiment 3 will be described. Embodiment 3 differs from embodiment 1 mainly in that the ends of the power generating element are covered with an insulator. The following description will focus on the differences from embodiment 1, and description of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0154] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a battery 3 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 7, the battery 3 according to this embodiment includes a power generating element 10, an electrode layer current collecting end portion 160, and an insulator 180. The power generating element 10 and the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0155] The insulator 180 covers the end of the current collector layer adjacent to the electrode current collector layer 140 in the stacking direction, among the multiple current collector layers included in the power generating element 10. Specifically, the insulator 180 covers the end of the counter electrode current collector layer 150 at the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10 so that at least the counter electrode current collector layer 150 is not exposed. More specifically, the insulator 180 covers the end of the counter electrode current collector layer 150 and the counter electrode layer 120 at the side surface 11 so that these layers are not exposed. In the example shown in FIG. 7 , the insulator 180 also covers a portion of the end of the solid electrolyte layer 130 at the side surface 11. Note that the insulator 180 may cover the entire end of the solid electrolyte layer 130 and the electrode layer 110 at the side surface 11.

[0156] The thickness of the insulator 180 is, for example, but not limited to, 5 μm to 100 μm. The thickness of the insulator 180 is the length in the x-axis direction.

[0157] The insulator 180 is made of, for example, resin, ceramic, or a mixture of these. Examples of resins that can be used include epoxy resin, acrylic resin, urethane resin, polyimide resin, silicone resin, and fluororesin. Examples of ceramics that can be used include silica, alumina, and zirconia.

[0158] Next, a method for manufacturing the battery 3 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 8, 9A, and 9B. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the method for manufacturing the battery 3 according to this embodiment. Figures 9A and 9B are cross-sectional views illustrating one step in the method for manufacturing the battery 3 according to this embodiment.

[0159] As shown in FIG. 8 , the manufacturing method of battery 3 according to the present embodiment differs from the manufacturing method of battery 1 according to embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 2 in that it includes a step (S25) of covering the end of counter electrode current collector layer 150 with insulator 180. In FIG. 8 , the step (S25) of forming insulator 180 is performed after the step (S20) of preparing plating solution 200, but this is not limited thereto. The step (S25) of forming insulator 180 may be performed after the step (S10) of preparing a laminate and before the step (S20) of preparing plating solution 200. Alternatively, the step (S25) of forming insulator 180 may be performed simultaneously with the step (S20) of preparing plating solution 200.

[0160] Specifically, before the stacked end portion of the power generating element 10 is immersed in the plating solution 200, the end portion of the current collector layer adjacent to the electrode current collector layer 140 in the stacking direction among the multiple current collector layers is covered with an insulator 180. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9A , the insulator 180 is formed on the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10 so as to cover at least the end portion of the counter electrode current collector layer 150.

[0161] The insulator 180 can be formed, for example, by applying a paste-like insulator composition by screen printing, by applying it with a dispenser, or by mask printing. Alternatively, an ink-like insulator composition can be printed by an inkjet method or by spray application. After printing the insulator composition, it may be dried and cured by heat treatment. Alternatively, a method of attaching a film-shaped resin to the side surface 11 can be used, but is not limited to this.

[0162] Next, electroplating is performed on the side surface 11 of the power generating element 10 on which the insulator 180 has been formed, using the same method as the manufacturing method described in embodiment 1. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9B , the side surface 11 on which the insulator 180 has been provided is immersed in a plating solution 200. Even if the electrode layer current collector end portion 160 is formed to be large, contact between the electrode layer current collector end portion 160 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 can be avoided because the insulator 180 covers the end portion of the counter electrode current collector layer 150.

[0163] Through the above steps, a battery 3 as shown in FIG. 7 is manufactured.

[0164] In the present embodiment, an insulator 180 is provided to cover the end portion of the counter electrode current collector layer 150. This makes it easier to suppress a short circuit between the electrode layer 110 and the counter electrode layer 120, thereby improving the reliability of the battery 3.

[0165] (Embodiment 4) Next, a battery according to embodiment 4 will be described. Embodiment 4 differs from embodiment 2 mainly in that the end of the power generating element is covered with an insulator. Furthermore, embodiment 4 differs from embodiment 3 in that a current collecting end of the counter electrode layer and an insulator are provided. The following description will focus on the differences from embodiments 2 and 3, and description of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0166] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a battery 4 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the battery 4 according to this embodiment includes a power generating element 10, an electrode layer current collecting end portion 160, a counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170, and insulators 180 and 190. The power generating element 10, the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160, and the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 are the same as those in the second embodiment. The insulator 180 is the same as that in the third embodiment.

[0167] The insulator 190 covers the end of the current collector layer adjacent to the counter electrode current collector layer 150 in the stacking direction, among the multiple current collector layers included in the power generating element 10. Specifically, the insulator 190 covers the end of the electrode current collector layer 140 at least on the side surface 12 of the power generating element 10 so that the electrode current collector layer 140 is not exposed. More specifically, the insulator 190 covers the end of the electrode current collector layer 140 and the electrode layer 110 on the side surface 12 so that these layers are not exposed. In the example shown in FIG. 10 , the insulator 190 also covers a portion of the end of the solid electrolyte layer 130 on the side surface 12. Note that the insulator 190 may cover the entire end of the solid electrolyte layer 130 and the counter electrode layer 120 on the side surface 12.

[0168] The thickness of the insulator 190 is, for example, but not limited to, 5 μm to 100 μm. Note that the thickness of the insulator 190 is the length in the x-axis direction. Like the insulator 180, the insulator 190 is formed using, for example, resin, ceramic, or a mixture of these.

[0169] Next, a method for manufacturing battery 4 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11, Fig. 12A, and Fig. 12B. Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing the method for manufacturing battery 4 according to this embodiment. Fig. 12A and Fig. 12B are cross-sectional views illustrating one step in the method for manufacturing battery 4 according to this embodiment.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 11 , the manufacturing method of battery 4 according to the present embodiment differs from the manufacturing method of battery 2 according to embodiment 2 shown in FIG. 5 in that it includes a step (S25) of covering the end of counter electrode current collector layer 150 with insulator 180 and a step (S45) of covering the end of electrode current collector layer 140 with insulator 190.

[0171] 11 , the step (S45) of forming the insulator 190 is performed after the step (S40) of forming the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160, but this is not limited thereto. The step (S45) of forming the insulator 190 may be performed after the step (S10) of preparing the laminate and before the step (S20) of preparing the plating solution 200. Alternatively, the step (S45) of forming the insulator 190 may be performed simultaneously with the step (S20) of preparing the plating solution 200 or the step (S25) of forming the insulator 180.

[0172] After forming the electrode layer current collector end portion 160, and before immersing the stacked end portion of the power generating element 10 in the plating solution 201, the end portion of the current collector layer adjacent to the counter electrode current collector layer 150 in the stacking direction among the multiple current collector layers is covered with an insulator 190. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 12A , the insulator 190 is formed on the side surface 12 of the power generating element 10 so as to cover at least the end portion of the electrode current collector layer 140. The insulator 190 can be formed by the same method as the method for forming the insulator 180.

[0173] Next, electroplating is performed on the side surface 12 of the power generating element 10 on which the insulator 190 has been formed, using the same method as the manufacturing method described in Embodiment 2. In this case, as shown in Fig. 12B , the side surface 12 on which the insulator 190 has been formed is immersed in a plating solution 201. Even if the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 is formed to be large, contact between the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170 and the electrode current collecting layer 140 can be avoided because the insulator 190 covers the end portion of the electrode current collecting layer 140.

[0174] Through the above steps, a battery 4 as shown in FIG. 10 is manufactured.

[0175] In this embodiment, contact between the electrode layer current collector end 160 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 is suppressed at the side surface 11, and contact between the counter electrode layer current collector end 170 and the electrode current collector layer 140 is suppressed at the side surface 12. This suppresses the occurrence of short circuits, and therefore a highly reliable battery 4 can be obtained.

[0176] (Embodiment 5) Next, a battery according to embodiment 5 will be described. Embodiment 5 differs from embodiment 4 mainly in the size of the electrode layer current collecting end portion and the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion. The following description will focus on the differences from embodiment 4, and description of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0177] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a battery 5 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 13, the battery 5 according to this embodiment includes a power generating element 10, electrode layer current collecting ends 160 and 162, counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 and 172, and insulators 180 and 190. The power generating element 10 and the insulators 180 and 190 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment.

[0178] In this embodiment, as in the other embodiments, three or more electrode current collector layers 140 are provided, and three or more electrode layer current collecting ends are also provided. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13, three electrode current collector layers 140 are provided, and therefore one electrode layer current collecting end 160 and two electrode layer current collecting ends 162 are provided as three electrode layer current collecting ends.

[0179] The electrode layer current collecting end 160 is located at one of the three or more electrode layer current collecting end portions other than both ends in the stacking direction. The two electrode layer current collecting end portions 162 are located at both ends in the stacking direction of the three or more electrode layer current collecting end portions. The thickness of each of the two electrode layer current collecting end portions 162 is greater than the thickness of the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160. Here, "thickness" refers to the maximum length of the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160 or 162 in the z-axis direction.

[0180] Also, three or more counter electrode current collector layers 150 are provided, and three or more counter electrode layer current collecting ends are also provided. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13 , four counter electrode current collector layers 150 are provided, and therefore two counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 and two counter electrode layer current collecting ends 172 are provided as four counter electrode layer current collecting ends.

[0181] The two counter electrode layer current collecting ends 170 are located at the ends of the three or more counter electrode layer current collecting ends in the stacking direction other than the two ends. The two counter electrode layer current collecting ends 172 are located at the ends of the three or more counter electrode layer current collecting ends in the stacking direction. The thickness of each of the two counter electrode layer current collecting ends 172 is greater than the thickness of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170. Here, "thickness" refers to the maximum length of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170 or 172 in the z-axis direction.

[0182] Both ends in the stacking direction are susceptible to external impact. By increasing the thickness of the electrode layer current collecting end 162 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 172 located at both ends, the mechanical strength of these parts can be increased. This makes it possible to realize a battery 5 that is resistant to external impact and has high reliability.

[0183] Next, a method for manufacturing the battery 5 according to this embodiment will be described. The method for manufacturing the battery 5 according to this embodiment is substantially the same as the method for manufacturing the battery 4 according to the fourth embodiment. For example, in the step (S40) of electrochemically depositing metal as the electroplating portion, the applied current and time are adjusted. Specifically, the current applied to the two electrode current collector layers 140 located at both ends in the stacking direction is made greater than the current applied to the electrode current collector layers 140 located other than the ends. Alternatively, the current application time for the two electrode current collector layers 140 located at both ends in the stacking direction may be made longer than the current application time for the electrode current collector layers 140 located other than the ends. This makes it possible to form an electrode layer current collector end 162 that is thicker than the electrode layer current collector end 160.

[0184] The same applies to the counter electrode layer current collecting end portions 170 and 172. For example, in the step (S60) of electrochemically depositing a metal as an electroplating portion, the applied current and time are adjusted. This allows the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 172 to be thicker than the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170.

[0185] Through the above steps, a battery 5 as shown in FIG. 13 is manufactured.

[0186] In this embodiment, the electrode layer current collecting end 162 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 172, which are located at both ends and are susceptible to external impact, are thick and have high mechanical strength, thereby realizing a highly reliable battery 5.

[0187] In this embodiment, the insulators 180 and 190 are provided, but this is not limiting. At least one of the insulators 180 and 190 may not be provided. Furthermore, similar to the battery 1 according to the first embodiment, the counter electrode layer current collecting end portions 170 and 172 may not be provided.

[0188] (Embodiment 6) Next, a battery according to embodiment 6 will be described. Embodiment 6 differs from embodiment 3 mainly in that it has a configuration in which current collecting ends of a plurality of electrode layers are joined together and integrated. The following description will focus on the differences from embodiment 3, and description of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0189] Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a battery 6 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14, the battery 6 according to this embodiment includes a power generating element 10, an electrode layer current collecting end portion 164, and an insulator 180. The power generating element 10 and the insulator 180 are the same as those in the third embodiment.

[0190] In this embodiment, the electroplated portions protruding from the end of each of the plurality of electrode current collector layers 140 are in contact with adjacent electroplated portions in the stacking direction, so that the electroplated portions protruding from the end of each of the plurality of electrode current collector layers 140 form an integrated electrode layer current collector end 164 and are electrically connected to each other.

[0191] The electrode layer current collecting end 164 is provided so as to cover the entire side surface 11 of the power generating element 10. The electrode layer current collecting end 164 densely covers the side surface 11 so that no gap is formed between the electrode layer current collecting end 164 and the side surface 11. In the present embodiment, the insulator 180 is provided so as to cover the end of the counter electrode current collecting layer 150, and therefore, it is possible to prevent the electrode layer current collecting end 164 and the counter electrode current collecting layer 150 from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0192] The outer surface of the electrode layer current collecting end 164 may be a flat surface parallel to the side surface 11, or may have projections and recesses. The protruding height of the electrode layer current collecting end 164 is, for example, not less than 10 μm and not more than 1000 μm, but is not limited to this.

[0193] The manufacturing method of battery 6 according to this embodiment is the same as that of battery 3 according to embodiment 3. In the step (S40) of electrochemically depositing metal as the electroplated portion, the applied current and time are adjusted to bond and integrate the electroplated portions protruding from the ends of adjacent electrode current collector layers 140 in the stacking direction. Note that a step of flattening the outer surface of the integrated electrode layer current collector end 164 by polishing or the like may be performed.

[0194] Through the above steps, a battery 6 as shown in FIG. 14 is manufactured.

[0195] In this embodiment, a highly reliable battery 6 can be obtained that has low resistance and high capacity density, and in which electrodes can be easily extracted from each electrode layer 110 .

[0196] (Embodiment 7) Next, a battery according to embodiment 7 will be described. Embodiment 7 differs from embodiment 6 mainly in that it has a configuration in which a plurality of counter electrode layer current collecting ends are joined together and integrated. The following description will focus on the differences from embodiment 6, and description of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0197] Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a battery 7 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 15, the battery 7 according to this embodiment includes a power generating element 10, an electrode layer current collecting end portion 164, a counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 174, and insulators 180 and 190. The power generating element 10 and the insulators 180 and 190 are the same as those in the fourth embodiment. The electrode layer current collecting end portion 164 is the same as that in the sixth embodiment.

[0198] In the present embodiment, the electroplated portions protruding from the end of each of the plurality of counter electrode current collector layers 150 are in contact with adjacent electroplated portions in the stacking direction, thereby constituting an integrated counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 174 and electrically connecting to one another.

[0199] The counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 is provided so as to cover the entire side surface 12 of the power generating element 10. The counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 densely covers the side surface 12 so that no gap is formed between the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 and the side surface 12. In this embodiment, the insulator 190 is provided so as to cover the end of the electrode current collecting layer 140, so that the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 and the electrode current collecting layer 140 can be prevented from coming into contact with each other and causing a short circuit.

[0200] The outer surface of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 may be a flat surface parallel to the side surface 12, or may have projections and depressions. The protruding height of the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 is, for example, not less than 10 μm and not more than 1000 μm, but is not limited to this.

[0201] The manufacturing method for battery 7 according to this embodiment is the same as the manufacturing method for batteries 4 and 6 according to embodiments 4 and 6. The counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 174 can be formed using the same method as that for the electrode layer current collecting end portion 164. Specifically, in the step (S60) of electrochemically depositing a metal as the electroplated portion, the applied current and time are adjusted to bond and integrate the electroplated portions protruding from the ends of adjacent counter electrode current collecting layers 150 in the stacking direction. Note that a step of flattening the outer surface of the integrated counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 174 by polishing or the like may be performed.

[0202] Through the above steps, a battery 7 as shown in FIG. 15 is manufactured.

[0203] In this embodiment, a highly reliable battery 7 can be obtained that has low resistance and high capacity density, and in which it is easier to extract an electrode from each electrode layer 110 and a counter electrode from each counter electrode layer 120 .

[0204] (Embodiment 8) Next, a battery according to embodiment 8 will be described. Embodiment 8 differs from embodiment 7 in that a gap is provided between the power generating element and each of the electrode layer current collecting end and the counter electrode layer current collecting end. The following description will focus on the differences from embodiment 7, and description of commonalities will be omitted or simplified.

[0205] Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a battery 8 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 16, the battery 8 according to this embodiment has a configuration similar to that of the battery 7 shown in Fig. 15. A gap 166 is provided between the electrode layer current collecting end 164 and the side surface 11. A gap 176 is provided between the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 and the side surface 12.

[0206] The void 166 is provided between the end of the electrode layer 110 adjacent to the electrode current collector layer 140 and the electrode layer current collecting end 164. In Fig. 16, an example is shown in which the cross-sectional shape of the void 166 is triangular, but this is merely an example and the shape is not particularly limited. Also, although the void 166 is provided for all the electrode layers 110, this is not limiting. There may be an electrode layer 110 that is in close contact with the electrode layer current collecting end 164 without providing the void 166.

[0207] The void 176 is provided between the end of the counter electrode layer 120 adjacent to the counter electrode current collector layer 150 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174. Although Fig. 16 shows an example in which the cross-sectional shape of the void 176 is triangular, this is merely an example and the shape is not particularly limited. Furthermore, although the void 176 is provided for all the counter electrode layers 120, this is not limiting. There may also be a counter electrode layer 120 that is in close contact with the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 without providing the void 176.

[0208] In this embodiment, stress generated by external impact, expansion due to heat, or the like can be released to the gap 166 or 176. Therefore, damage to the battery 8 can be suppressed, and the reliability of the battery 8 can be improved.

[0209] The manufacturing method of battery 8 according to this embodiment is the same as the manufacturing method of battery 7 according to embodiment 7. Specifically, in the steps (S40, S60) of electrochemically depositing metal as the electroplated portions, the applied current and time are adjusted to bond and integrate the electroplated portions while maintaining gaps 166 or 176.

[0210] Through the above steps, a battery 8 as shown in FIG. 16 is manufactured.

[0211] In the present embodiment, the gaps 166 and 176 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this. At least one of the gaps 166 and 176 may not be provided. Furthermore, similar to the battery 1 according to the first embodiment, the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 and the insulator 190 may not be provided.

[0212] While the battery and its manufacturing method according to the present disclosure have been described above based on the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. As long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure, various modifications conceivable by those skilled in the art to the embodiments and other forms constructed by combining components of different embodiments are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

[0213] For example, in the first, third, and sixth embodiments, the configurations of the batteries 1, 3, and 6 in which the electrode layer current collector end 160, 162, or 164 for the positive electrode are shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The electrode layer current collector end 160, 162, or 164 may be for the negative electrode. That is, the electrode layer 110 and the electrode current collector layer 140 may be a negative electrode layer and a negative electrode current collector layer, and the counter electrode layer 120 and the counter electrode current collector layer 150 may be a positive electrode layer and a positive electrode current collector layer.

[0214] Furthermore, the battery according to the present disclosure may include an electrode layer current collecting end portion 160, 162, or 164 and a counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170, 172, or 174, similar to batteries 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8 according to embodiments 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8. In this case, similar to batteries 2, 4, 5, 7, and 8, the electrode layer current collecting end portion 160, 162, or 164 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion 170, 172, or 174 may be provided on different side surfaces of the power generating element 10, or may be provided in different regions of the same side surface.

[0215] For example, Figures 17 and 18 are perspective views showing an example of a battery according to the present disclosure. The cross section taken along line XV-XV in Figure 17 corresponds to the cross section of battery 7 shown in Figure 15. As shown in Figure 15, an electrode layer current collecting end 164 is provided on side surface 11, and a counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 is provided on side surface 12 opposite side surface 11. Note that side surface 12 on which counter electrode layer current collecting end 170, 172, or 174 is provided does not have to be opposite side surface 11 on which electrode layer current collecting end 160, 162, or 164 is provided. For example, side surface 12 may be a side surface that shares one side with side surface 11.

[0216] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 18 , an electrode layer current collecting end 164 may be provided in a first region of one side surface 11, and a counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 may be provided in a second region of the side surface 11. The second region is different from the first region. The first and second regions are aligned in a direction (y-axis direction) perpendicular to the stacking direction (z-axis direction). Note that the cross section taken along line XIV-XIV in FIG. 18 corresponds to the cross section of battery 6 shown in FIG. 14 . In this way, batteries 1, 3, and 6 according to embodiments 1, 3, and 6 may include not only electrode layer current collecting end 160, 162, or 164, but also counter electrode layer current collecting end 170, 172, or 174.

[0217] At least one of the electrode layer current collecting end 160, 162, or 164 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 170, 172, or 174 may be provided on two or more of the side surfaces of the power generating element 10. For example, in the battery 6 shown in Fig. 18 , the electrode layer current collecting end 164 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 may also be provided on the side surface 12. Alternatively, the electrode layer current collecting end 164 and the counter electrode layer current collecting end 174 may be provided on each of the four side surfaces of the power generating element 10.

[0218] 17 , the electrode layer current collecting end portions 164 may be provided on two first side surfaces of the four side surfaces of the power generating element 10, and the counter electrode layer current collecting end portions 174 may be provided on the other two second side surfaces. The two first side surfaces may be parallel to each other, or may share one side.

[0219] Furthermore, for example, the number of battery cells 100 included in the power generating element 10 may be two or more. When there are two battery cells 100, the number of electrode current collector layers 140 may be one. In this case, the number of electrode layer current collecting ends 160 is one. Furthermore, for example, the number of battery cells 100 included in the power generating element 10 may be an even number or an odd number.

[0220] Furthermore, for example, at least two or more of the plurality of battery cells 100 may be stacked so as to be connected in series. The stacking order of the layers included in each of the plurality of battery cells 100 connected in series is the same. In this case, the current collector layer disposed between two adjacent battery cells 100 in the stacking direction is the electrode current collector layer 140 adjacent to the electrode layer 110 and also the counter electrode current collector layer 150 adjacent to the counter electrode layer 120. Such a current collector layer is sometimes called a bipolar current collector layer. The electrode layer current collector end 160 protruding from the end of the electrode current collector layer 140 is also the counter electrode layer current collector end 170 protruding from the end of the counter electrode current collector layer 150. For example, the electrode layer current collector end 160 and the counter electrode layer current collector end 170 can be used to extract the intermediate potential of the power generating element 10 or to monitor the charge / discharge state of the battery cell 100.

[0221] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be modified, substituted, omitted, and the like in various ways within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0222] Batteries according to the present disclosure can be used, for example, as batteries in electronic devices, electrical appliances, electric vehicles, and the like.

[0223] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Battery 10 Power generating element 11, 12 Side surface 100 Battery cell 110 Electrode layer 120 Counter electrode layer 130 Solid electrolyte layer 140 Electrode current collector layer 150 Counter electrode current collector layer 160, 162, 164 Electrode layer current collector end 166, 176 Gap 170, 172, 174 Counter electrode layer current collector end 180, 190 Insulator 200, 201 Plating solution 210 Plating bath 220 Plating counter electrode 230 Power source

Claims

1. A battery comprising: a power generating element including a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of current collector layers stacked alternately, each of the plurality of battery cells including an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer located between the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer, at least one of the plurality of current collector layers being an electrode current collector layer adjacent to the electrode layer, and the battery comprising an electrode layer current collector end portion which is an electroplated portion protruding from an end portion of the electrode current collector layer.

2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of current collector layers is a counter electrode current collector layer adjacent to the counter electrode layer, and the battery further comprises a counter electrode layer current collector end portion which is an electroplated portion protruding from an end portion of the counter electrode current collector layer.

3. The battery according to claim 2, wherein the shape of the power generating element is a polygonal column having a first side surface, the first side surface includes a first region and a second region aligned in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, the electrode layer current collecting end portion is provided so as to protrude from the first region, and the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion is provided so as to protrude from the second region.

4. The battery described in claim 2, wherein the shape of the power generating element is a polygonal column having a first side surface and a second side surface different from the first side surface, the electrode layer current collecting end portion is provided so as to protrude from the first side surface, and the counter electrode layer current collecting end portion is provided so as to protrude from the second side surface.

5. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the thickness of the electrode layer current collector end portion is greater than the thickness of the electrode current collector layer.

6. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an insulator covering an end portion of a current collector layer adjacent to the electrode current collector layer in the stacking direction, among the plurality of current collector layers.

7. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of current collector layers include a plurality of the electrode current collector layers, and the electrode layer current collector ends are provided so as to protrude from each end of the plurality of electrode current collector layers.

8. The battery described in claim 7, wherein three or more electrode layer current collecting ends are provided, and among the three or more electrode layer current collecting ends, each of two electrode layer current collecting ends located at both ends in the stacking direction has a thickness greater than the thickness of one electrode layer current collecting end located other than at both ends in the stacking direction.

9. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the protruding heights of the current collecting ends of the plurality of electrode layers are the same as each other.

10. The battery according to claim 7, wherein the current collecting ends of two adjacent electrode layers in the stacking direction are in contact with each other.

11. The battery according to claim 10, wherein a gap is provided between the end of the electrode layer adjacent to the electrode current collector layer and two of the electrode layer current collector ends adjacent in the stacking direction.

12. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrode layer current collector end portion contains the same element as that contained in the electrode current collector layer.

13. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the electrode current collector layer comprises aluminum.

14. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the solid electrolyte layer contains lithium sulfide.

15. A method for manufacturing a battery, comprising the steps of: preparing a laminate including a plurality of alternately stacked battery cells and a plurality of current collector layers, each of the plurality of battery cells including an electrode layer, a counter electrode layer, and a solid electrolyte layer located between the electrode layer and the counter electrode layer; and further comprising the steps of: preparing a plating solution including a metal salt and a solvent; and, with a stack end portion of the laminate, which is an end portion of the laminate in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, immersing the stack end portion in the plating solution, passing current through at least one of the plurality of current collector layers, an electrode collector layer adjacent to the electrode layer, thereby depositing metal on the end portion of the electrode collector layer.

16. The method for producing a battery according to claim 15, further comprising a step of applying current to at least one of the plurality of current collector layers, the counter electrode current collector layer being adjacent to the counter electrode layer, in a state in which the stack end portion, which is an end portion of the stack in a direction perpendicular to the stacking direction, is immersed in a plating solution containing a metal liquid and a solvent, thereby depositing a metal on the end portion of the counter electrode current collector layer.

17. The method for manufacturing a battery according to claim 15, further comprising a step of covering, with an insulator, an end portion of a current collector layer adjacent to the electrode current collector layer in the stacking direction, among the plurality of current collector layers, before immersing the stacked end portion in the plating solution.

18. The method for manufacturing a battery according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the solvent contained in the plating solution is an organic solvent.

19. The method for manufacturing a battery according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the plating solution does not contain water.

20. A method for manufacturing a battery as described in any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein in the step of preparing the laminate, a flat surface is formed by cutting at least a portion of the laminate along the stacking direction, and the end portion of the laminate includes the flat surface.

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