Battery including separator and electronic device including same

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery electrode, and a manufacturing device and manufacturing method for same. According to a battery of an embodiment of the present invention, the battery may comprise an electrode, wherein the electrode comprises: a current collector having at least one surface of which the length and the width are defined; an electrode active material layer formed by being applied on the at least one surface of the current collector; and an insulation layer disposed to be at least partially in contact with a side surface of the electrode active material layer on the basis of the longitudinal direction of the current collector. The side surface of the electrode active material layer may be formed to be perpendicular to the surface of the current collector.

Description

Battery including a separator and electronic device including the same

[0001] One embodiment disclosed in this document relates to a battery, and more specifically, to a battery separator.

[0002] Due to recent advancements in electronic devices, secondary batteries, which are capable of storing and outputting electrical energy, are widely used. Lithium-ion batteries are lightweight, have high energy density, and exhibit good charge and discharge characteristics; as such, they are widely used not only in portable electronic devices but also in fields such as electric vehicles and Energy Storage Systems (ESS).

[0003] The battery may include electrodes (positive and negative electrodes), an electrolyte, and a separator. To prevent the occurrence of a short circuit and fire caused by direct contact between the positive and negative electrodes, a separator may be placed between the positive and negative electrodes. The separator may include a porous polymer material (e.g., stretched polypropylene and / or stretched polyethylene) to allow the passage of ions.

[0004] The information described above may be provided as related art for the purpose of aiding understanding of the present disclosure. No claim or determination is made as to whether any of the foregoing may be applied as prior art related to the present disclosure.

[0005] The separator may include a ceramic coating to reduce penetration of the separator (e.g., penetration caused by dendrite growth from the cathode). The ceramic coating can be formed by mixing ceramic particles and a binder and applying them onto the separator substrate. Since the separator and the electrode are bonded together by compression during battery manufacturing, the electrolyte may be absorbed through the micropores between the ceramic particles on the side of the ceramic coating layer during the electrolyte injection process. Microgrooves may be formed in the ceramic coating layer to improve the wetting speed and absorption rate of the electrolyte. However, the ceramic coating layer with microgrooves reduces the contact area between the electrodes, which may decrease the adhesion between the electrode and the separator. Additionally, a significant amount of the electrolyte absorbed within the microgrooves leaks out during the suction process after electrolyte injection, resulting in minimal improvement in battery life.

[0006] According to the embodiments disclosed in this document, a battery comprising a separator having improved adhesion to the electrode and improved battery life, and an electronic device comprising the same may be provided.

[0007] The technical problems to be solved in this document are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs from the description below.

[0008] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be an electronic device comprising a battery. The battery may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode facing the positive electrode, and a separator located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and in close contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator may include a porous polymer layer and a ceramic layer disposed on the porous polymer layer. A hole may be formed on the surface of the ceramic layer, the depth of which is shallower than the thickness of the ceramic layer.

[0009] A battery according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode facing the positive electrode, and a separator located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and in close contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator may include a porous polymer layer and a ceramic layer disposed on the porous polymer layer. A hole may be formed on the surface of the ceramic layer, the depth of which is shallower than the thickness of the ceramic layer.

[0010] According to embodiments of the present invention, holes formed on the surface of the ceramic coating layer of the separator improve the electrolyte absorption amount, and since the regions of the ceramic coating layer surface where holes are not formed are connected to each other, the adhesion between the separator and the electrode can be improved. Accordingly, a battery with improved lifespan and structural stability and an electronic device including the same can be provided.

[0011] In addition, various effects that can be identified directly or indirectly through this document may be provided.

[0012] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0013] In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components.

[0014] FIG. 1a is a block diagram of an electronic device in a network environment according to one embodiment.

[0015] FIG. 1b is a block diagram of a power circuit and a battery of an electronic device for receiving power outside the electronic device and / or transmitting power outside the electronic device, according to one embodiment.

[0016] FIGS. 2a to 2c are perspective views schematically illustrating the internal structure of a battery according to one embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 3a is an exploded perspective view showing the electrode and separator of a battery according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3b is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the electrode and separator of a battery according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing a separator according to various embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 4b is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of a separator according to various embodiments.

[0021] FIGS. 5a to 5c are plan views showing the ceramic layers of a separator according to various embodiments.

[0022] FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic diagrams illustrating the manufacturing process of a battery separator according to various embodiments.

[0023] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily practice them. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in various different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. In relation to the description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals may be used for identical or similar components. Furthermore, in the drawings and related descriptions, descriptions of well-known functions and configurations may be omitted for clarity and brevity.

[0024] In these drawings, for example, the size and shape of the members may be exaggerated for convenience and clarity of explanation, and variations of the depicted shapes may be expected in actual implementation. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to specific shapes of the areas depicted herein.

[0025] Reference numerals of the members in the drawings refer to the same member throughout the drawings. Additionally, as used herein, the term "and / or" includes any one of the listed items and all combinations of one or more thereof.

[0026] The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the invention to those skilled in the art, and the following embodiments may be modified in various different forms, and the scope of the invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided to make the disclosure more faithful and complete and to fully convey the spirit of the invention to those skilled in the art.

[0027] The terms used in this specification are for describing embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, even if a term is described in the singular in this specification, it may include a plural form unless the context clearly indicates the singular. Additionally, the terms “comprise” and / or “comprising” as used in this specification specify the presence of the mentioned features, numbers, steps, actions, parts, elements, and / or groups thereof, and do not exclude the presence or addition of other features, numbers, actions, parts, elements, and / or groups.

[0028] In this specification, relative terms such as "below," "above," "upper," "lower," "horizontal," or "vertical" may be used to describe the relationship that one component, layer, or region has with another component, layer, or region, as illustrated in the drawings. It should be understood that these terms encompass directions other than those indicated in the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1a is a block diagram of an exemplary electronic device (100) capable of performing the operations described in this document.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1a, the electronic device (100) may be one of various forms of electronic devices, such as a notebook (190), smartphones (191) having various form factors (e.g., a bar-type smartphone (191-1), a foldable-type smartphone (191-2), or a sliderable (or rollable)-type smartphone (191-3)), a tablet (192), a cellular phone (not shown), and other similar computing devices (not shown). The components, their relationships, and their functions illustrated in FIG. 1a are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the implementations described or claimed herein. The electronic device (100) may be referred to as a mobile device, a user device, a multifunction device, a portable device, or a server.

[0031] The electronic device (100) may include components comprising at least one processor (110) (hereinafter referred to as processor (110)), at least one memory (120) (hereinafter referred to as memory (120)), at least one display (140) (hereinafter referred to as display (140)), at least one image sensor (150) (hereinafter referred to as image sensor (150)), at least one communication circuit (160) (hereinafter referred to as communication circuit (160)), and / or at least one sensor (170) (hereinafter referred to as sensor (170)). The components are merely exemplary. For example, the electronic device (100) may include other components (e.g., power management integrated circuitry (PMIC), audio processing circuit, antenna, rechargeable battery, or input / output interface). For example, some components may be omitted from the electronic device (100). For example, some components may be integrated into a single component.

[0032] The processor (110) may be implemented as one or more IC (integrated circuit (or circuitry)) chips and may perform various data processing operations. The processor (110) may include at least one electrical circuit and may process instructions (or programs, data, etc.) stored in memory (120) individually or collectively in a distributed manner. The processor (110) may include a processor assembly comprising one or more processing circuits. The processor (110) may include any processing circuit that is operative to control the performance and operations of one or more components of the electronic device (100) (e.g., memory (120), display (140), image sensor (150), communication circuit (160), and / or sensor (170)). For example, the processor (110) (e.g., application processor (AP)) may be implemented as a system on chip (SoC) (e.g., a single chip or chipset). For example, the processor (110) may be implemented with a plurality of cores (or at least one core circuit), a plurality of chips, or a plurality of chipsets. For example, the processor (110) may include one or more processing circuits. For example, the processor (110) may include one or more processing circuits configured to perform the various functions of the present disclosure individually and / or collectively. As an example without limitation, at least a portion of the processor (110) may be included in a first chip of the electronic device (100), and at least another portion of the processor (110) may be included in a second chip of the electronic device (100) different from the first chip of the electronic device (100).

[0033] For example, the processor (110) may include a central processing unit (111), a graphics processing unit (112), a neural processing unit (113), an image signal processor (114), a display controller (115), a memory controller (116), a storage controller (117), a communication processor (118), and / or a sensor interface (119). These components of the processor (110) are merely exemplary. For example, the processor (110) may include other components. For example, some components of the processor (110) may be omitted from the processor (110). For example, some components of the processor (110) may be included as separate components of the electronic device (100) outside of the processor (110). For example, some components of the processor (110) (e.g., memory controller (116)) may be included in other components (e.g., at least part of memory (120), an interface (e.g. available for connection to at least one component of the electronic device (100)), a display (140) and / or an image sensor (150)).

[0034] The processor (110) may cause other components of the electronic device (100) to perform various operations by executing instructions stored in memory (120). The CPU (111) (or central processing circuit) may be configured to control the components of the processor (110) based on the execution of instructions stored in memory (120) (e.g., volatile memory (121) and / or non-volatile memory (122)). The GPU (112) (or graphics processing circuit) may be configured to execute parallel operations (e.g., rendering). The NPU (113) (or neural processing circuit, or AI (artificial intelligence) chip) may be configured to execute operations for an artificial intelligence model (e.g., convolution computation). An ISP (114) (or image signal processing circuit) may be configured to process a raw image acquired through an image sensor (150) into a format suitable for a component within the electronic device (100) or a component of the processor (110). A display controller (115) (or display control circuit, or DPU (display processing unit)) may be configured to process an image acquired from a CPU (111), GPU (112), ISP (114), or memory (120) (e.g., volatile memory (121)) into a format suitable for a display (140). A memory controller (116) (or memory control circuit) may be configured to control reading data from the volatile memory (121) and writing data to the volatile memory (121). A storage controller (117) (or storage control circuit) may be configured to control reading data from the non-volatile memory (122) and writing data to the non-volatile memory (122).The CP (118) (communication processing circuit) may be configured to process data obtained from a component of the processor (110) into a format suitable for transmitting to another electronic device via the communication circuit (160), or to process data obtained from another electronic device via the communication circuit (160) into a format suitable for processing by the component of the processor (110). For example, the communication circuit (160) may include one or more communication circuits. The sensor interface (119) (or sensing data processing circuit, sensor hub) may be configured to process data regarding the state of the electronic device (100) and / or the state around the electronic device (100), obtained through the sensor (170), into a format suitable for the component of the processor (110).

[0035] Memory (120) may include one or more storage media (or one or more storage devices). For example, memory (120) may include a memory assembly comprising one or more storage media. For example, the one or more storage media may include a hard drive, a permanent memory such as flash memory, read-only memory (ROM) (e.g., non-volatile memory (122)), a semi-permanent memory such as random access memory (RAM) (e.g., volatile memory (121)), any other suitable type of storage (or storage assembly), or any combination thereof. Memory (120) may include a cache memory, which is one or more different types of memory used to temporarily store data for a function or feature of the electronic device (100). As an example not limited to, the cache memory may be included within the processor (110). The memory (120) may be fixedly embedded within the electronic device (100) or incorporated into one or more suitable types of components (e.g., a SIM (subscriber identity module) card and / or an SD (secure digital) card) that can be repeatedly inserted into and removed from the electronic device (100).

[0036] For example, memory (120) may store one or more software applications, such as operating system (or system) software applications, firmware software applications, driver software applications, plugin (e.g., add-in, add-on, and / or applet) software applications, and / or any other suitable software applications. For example, the one or more software applications may include instructions executable by the processor (110). For example, memory (120) may store instructions that can be called by an application programming interface (API). For example, memory (120) may store instructions within a library.

[0037] FIG. 1b is a block diagram (200) of a power circuit (210) and a battery (289) of an electronic device (100) for receiving power outside the electronic device (100) and / or transmitting power outside the electronic device (100), according to one embodiment.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 1b, an electronic device (100) according to one embodiment may include at least one of a battery (289), a power circuit (210), a communication circuit (220), a control circuit (230), and / or a wired interface (240).

[0039] The battery (289) may include, for example, a battery protection circuit module. The battery protection circuit may perform various functions (e.g., a pre-shutdown function) to prevent performance degradation or burnout of the battery (289). The battery protection circuit may be implemented, additionally or alternatively, as at least part of a battery management system for performing cell balancing, measuring the remaining capacity of the battery (289), measuring the number of charge / discharge cycles, measuring the temperature, or measuring the voltage. According to one embodiment, at least part of the usage status information or charge status information of the battery (289) may be determined using a fuel gauge IC (integrated circuit), a power circuit (210), or a sensor module (e.g., a temperature sensor).

[0040] According to one embodiment, the power circuit (210) may include at least one circuit supporting wired charging that charges the battery (289) using power input from an external electronic device (e.g., a travel adapter) through a wired interface (240), and / or at least one circuit supporting wireless charging that charges the battery (289) using power input from an external electronic device (e.g., a wireless charging pad) through a conductive pattern (e.g., a coil) (219).

[0041] According to one embodiment, at least one circuit supporting wired charging may include a circuit configured to charge a battery (289) using power input from an external electronic device (e.g., TA) and / or a circuit configured to generate a specified voltage using the voltage of the battery (289) and transmit power based on the specified voltage to an external electronic device through a wired interface (240) (e.g., USB interface).

[0042] According to one embodiment, at least one circuit supporting wireless charging may include a circuit configured to receive power from an external electronic device through a conductive pattern (219) and to charge a battery (289) using the received power (or, rectified, converted, and / or regulated power) and / or a circuit configured to convert the voltage of the power received from the battery (289) or an external electronic device (e.g., TA) to have a specified voltage value, convert the current characteristics of the power having the specified voltage value from DC (direct current) to AC (alternating current), and transmit wirelessly through the conductive pattern (219).

[0043] According to one embodiment, the power circuit (210) can simultaneously perform the operation of charging the battery (289) and the operation of transmitting power to an external electronic device. For example, the charging circuit (218) may include a plurality of charging circuits. At least one of the plurality of charging circuits can receive power from an external electronic device (e.g., TA) through a wired interface (240) and charge the battery (289) using the received power. At least one of the plurality of charging circuits can transmit the power charged in the battery (289) to a transmission / reception circuit (213). The transmission / reception circuit (213) can transmit the power of the battery (289) received from the charging circuit (218) to an external electronic device (e.g., smartphone, wireless earphone cradle) through a conductive pattern (219). According to one embodiment, a wireless power transmission method using magnetic field induction coupling, resonant coupling, or a combination thereof may be used for wireless charging.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the power circuit (210) may include a matching circuit (211), a transmitting and receiving circuit (213), an adjustment circuit (215), a switching circuit (217), and a charging circuit (218).

[0045] According to one embodiment, the matching circuit (211) may be configured to minimize return loss of power when transmitting power to an external electronic device or receiving power from an external electronic device through the conductive pattern (219). For example, the matching circuit (211) may be inserted into the line between the conductive pattern (219) and the transmitting / receiving circuit (213) for impedance matching.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the transmitting and receiving circuit (213) may be configured to convert the current of a power signal from alternating current to direct current when receiving power through the conductive pattern (219). For example, the transmitting and receiving circuit (213) may include a rectifier circuit. The transmitting and receiving circuit (213) may be configured to convert the current of a power signal from direct current to alternating current when transmitting power through the conductive pattern (219). For example, the transmitting and receiving circuit (213) may include an inverter circuit. The regulating circuit (215) is configured to regulate the charging voltage and may include, for example, a linear regulator (e.g., a low dropout LDO).

[0047] According to one embodiment, the switching circuit (217) may include at least one switch (e.g., including at least one switching circuit) for controlling power output to a device (e.g., an OTG (on-the-go) device) or a wired power receiving device and power input from a wired charging device connected via a wired interface (240). According to one embodiment, the switching circuit (217) may further include at least one switch (e.g., including at least one switching circuit) for controlling a receiving function for receiving power wirelessly from an external electronic device via a conductive pattern (219) and / or a transmitting function for transmitting power wirelessly via the conductive pattern (219) based on the battery (289) voltage or power input from an external electronic device (e.g., TA). According to one embodiment, the transmitting and receiving circuit (213) may be implemented as a full-bridge inverter or a half-bridge inverter, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and may be modified in various forms.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the charging circuit (218) is electrically connected to the switching circuit (217) and can adjust the voltage and / or current of the power input via wired charging or wireless charging. For example, the charging circuit (218) can charge the battery (289) by adjusting the voltage and / or current of the power input via the switching circuit (217). According to one embodiment, the charging circuit (218) may include a switching charger (e.g., DC / DC converter) comprising a buck-boost converter (not shown) and a charging controller (not shown). According to one embodiment, the charging circuit (218) may include a direct charger that supports a switched capacitor divider type direct charging (e.g., "DC charging"). A direct charger may include an N:1 voltage divider that lowers the input voltage to 1 / N (where N is a positive integer) and increases the input current by N times.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the communication circuit (220) is a circuit for communication between a transmitter and a receiver during wireless charging, and may include at least one of a first communication circuit (221) or a second communication circuit (223). The first communication circuit (221) can perform communication by, for example, carrying information on the power itself transmitted through the conductive pattern (219) (in-band communication). The first communication circuit (221) can communicate with an external electronic device using at least one modulation technique among a frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation technique that carries information on the frequency of the power during wireless power transmission and an amplitude shift keying (ASK) modulation technique that carries information on the amplitude of the power during wireless power reception. The first communication circuit (221) is electrically connected between the conductive pattern (219) and the transmission / reception circuit (213) to perform FSK or ASK communication. The second communication circuit (223) can communicate with an external electronic device using a frequency in a different band from the frequency of wireless power through the conductive pattern (219) (out-of-band communication). For example, the second communication circuit (223) can communicate with an external electronic device using any one of various short-range communication methods such as Bluetooth, BLE (Bluetooth low energy), Wi-Fi, and / or NFC (near field communication). Data transmitted to and received with the external electronic device through the communication circuit (220) may include information related to charging (e.g., rectified voltage, current information flowing through the conductive pattern (219) or the transmitting / receiving circuit (213) (e.g., current value of a power signal transmitted externally through the coil (219) or current value of a power signal received externally through the coil (219)), various packets, and / or messages for settings).For example, according to the WPC (wireless power consortium) standard, wireless charging operations may include ping operations, identification and configuration operations, and power transfer operations. The ping operation may include an operation in which an electronic device (100) determines whether an object near a power supply (e.g., an object placed on a wireless charging pad) is an electronic device capable of communicating for power delivery (PD). As an example of a ping operation, the electronic device (100) (e.g., control circuit (230)) may receive a data signal (e.g., digital ping signal or wakeup signal) from the power supply through a communication circuit (220) (e.g., first communication circuit (221)). In response to the reception of the data signal, the control circuit (230) may transmit a response signal (e.g., signal strength packet (SSP)) to the power supply through the communication circuit (220). The power supply device may recognize that a nearby object is the electronic device (100) based on the reception of a response signal. The verification and configuration operation may include an operation in which the electronic device (100) sets the power value of a power signal to be transmitted by the power supply device through data communication with the power supply device using the communication circuit (220). The power transmission operation may include an operation in which the power supply device transmits a power signal having the power value set in the verification and configuration operation to the electronic device (100). The wireless charging operation may further include an operation in which a source to transmit power and a sink to receive power are determined through data communication between two electronic devices.

[0050] According to one embodiment, the control circuit (230) performs overall control of the power circuit (210) and can generate various messages required for wireless charging and transmit them to the communication circuit (220). The control circuit (230) can manage power supplied to the electronic device (100) and power transmitted from the electronic device (100) via wireless charging. The control circuit (230) may be implemented, for example, as a power management integrated circuit (PMIC) or at least part of an application processor.

[0051] According to one embodiment, the control circuit (230) can check charge state information related to the charging of the battery (289) (e.g., charge / discharge voltage / current, battery life, overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, overcharge, overdischarge, overheating, short circuit, or swelling). For example, the control circuit (230) can check the signal (voltage or current) at the input or output terminal of the power circuit (210), the matching circuit (211), or the transmitting / receiving circuit (213). The control circuit (230) can determine the state of the battery (289) based on at least some of the checked charge state information. If the state information of the battery (289) is determined to be abnormal, the control circuit (230) can adjust the charging of the battery (289) (e.g., adjust the charging current, adjust the charging voltage, or stop charging). According to one embodiment, the electronic device (100) may include at least one sensor (e.g., a temperature sensor) for checking the charge state of the battery (289). The control circuit (230) may check the charge state of the battery (289) based on data received from the at least one sensor. For example, if the temperature of the battery (289) being charged is above a certain temperature, the control circuit (230) may determine that the battery (289) is in an overheated state and adjust the charging of the battery (289) (e.g., adjust the charging current, adjust the charging voltage, or stop charging).

[0052] According to one embodiment, the wired interface (240) can connect an external electronic device (e.g., TA) and the electronic device (100) through a connector. The wired interface (240) may include a USB communication module connected to a control circuit (230) or a processor (e.g., the processor (120) of FIG. 1a) through a designated system interface (e.g., I2C (inter-integrated circuit) or MIPI (mobile industry processor interface)). For example, the TA may communicate with the USB communication module of the electronic device (100) through a USB terminal. According to one embodiment, the USB communication module may include a communication module for USB PD (power delivery) communication. According to one embodiment, the external electronic device connected to the electronic device (100) through the wired interface (240) may be a device that supports a PPS (programmable power supply) function or a device that does not support PPS. For example, a PPS supporting device can adjust the voltage of power output from an external electronic device to the electronic device (100) based on the control of the control circuit (230) of the electronic device (100). A PPS non-supporting device can fix the voltage of the power signal output from an external electronic device to the electronic device (100).

[0053] FIGS. 2a to 2c are perspective views schematically illustrating the internal structure of a battery according to one embodiment.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2a through 2c, a battery (300) (e.g., a stacked battery (300a), a cylindrical battery (300b), or a jellyroll battery (300c)) may include a positive electrode (360), a negative electrode (350), and a separator (370). The positive electrode (360) may be an electrode that operates as a cathode during the discharge of the battery (300), absorbs lithium ions from an electrolyte contained in the battery (300) to form a lithium compound, and operates as an anode during charging, releasing lithium ions. The positive electrode (360) may include a positive current collector comprising a metal foil such as aluminum, for example, and a positive active material. The positive electrode active material may include lithium compounds, for example, olivine-type compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide (LixCoO2), lithium nickel oxide (LixNiO2), lithium nickel cobalt oxide (Lix(NiCo)O2), lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide (Lix(NiCoMn)O2), lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (Lix(NiCoAl)O2), spinel-type lithium manganese oxide (LixMn2O4), manganese dioxide (MnO2), lithium iron phosphate (LixFePO4) and / or lithium manganese phosphate (LixMnPO4).

[0055] The negative electrode (350) may be an electrode that operates as an anode during the discharge of the battery (300) to release lithium ions to the electrolyte contained in the battery (300), and operates as a cathode during the charge to store reduced lithium atoms. The negative electrode (350) may include a negative current collector comprising, for example, a metal foil such as copper, and a negative active material. The negative active material may include, for example, artificial and / or natural graphite that stores lithium by intercalation, various silicon-based compounds such as silicon oxide, silicon nitride and / or silicon carbide, and / or lithium metal or various alloys or metal compounds thereof that store lithium in a metallic state.

[0056] The separator (370) may be a component that prevents electrical contact between the positive electrode (360) and the negative electrode (350) while allowing lithium ions to pass through. In some embodiments, the separator (370) may comprise a polymer material such as polyethylene or polypropylene having micropores of a size that allow lithium ions to pass through. The smallest unit of the battery (300) comprising the negative electrode (350), the positive electrode (360), and the separator (370) may be referred to as an electrode assembly.

[0057] In one embodiment, the separator (370) may include a protective layer that surrounds and protects the outside of the electrode assembly. For example, the electrode assembly may have a separator (370) added to surround the outside of the outermost cathode (350) of the electrode assembly, or one end of the separator (370) may be extended to surround the outside of the electrode assembly.

[0058] A battery case (380) (e.g., battery case (380a), battery case (380b), or battery case (380c)) may be a container having an internal space in which a negative electrode (350), a positive electrode (360), and a separator (370) are wound, folded, or stacked to accommodate. For example, the battery case (380) may comprise a metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel), a polymer material, and / or a composite or laminate thereof. An organic electrolyte (not shown) may be injected into and sealed in the battery case (380). For example, the organic electrolyte may comprise a lithium salt and an organic solvent. The lithium salt may be LiPF6, LiBF4, LiSbF6, LiAsF6, LiN(SO2C2F5)2, Li(CF3SO2)2N, LiN(SO3C2F5)2, LiC4F9SO3, LiClO4, LiAlO2, LiAlCl4, LiCl, LiI, and LiB(C2O4)2 or a mixture thereof. For example, the organic solvent may include cyclic carbonates such as ethylene carbonate, butylene carbonate, or vinylene carbonate; linear carbonates such as dimethyl carbonate, methyl ethyl carbonate, or diethyl carbonate; acetate compounds such as methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, or propyl acetate; and fluorinated organic compounds in which at least one hydrogen atom thereof is substituted with fluorine (F).

[0059] Referring to FIG. 2a, a battery (300) according to one embodiment may be a stack-type battery (300a) in which at least one electrode assembly is stacked and located in the internal space of a battery case (380a). The battery case (380a) may be, for example, a rectangular can or a soft pouch.

[0060] Referring to FIG. 2b, a battery (300) according to one embodiment may be a cylindrical battery (300b) in which at least one electrode assembly is wound and located in the internal space of a battery case (380b). The battery case (380b) may be, for example, a can in the shape of a cylinder or a similar column.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 2c, a battery (300) according to one embodiment may be a jelly-roll type battery (300c) in which at least one electrode assembly is wound into a stadium-shaped cross-section and located within the internal space of a battery case (380c). The battery case (380c) may be, for example, a rectangular can or a soft pouch. Since the cylindrical battery (300b) and the jelly-roll type battery (300c) share the characteristic that the electrode assembly is wound and located within the battery case (380b, 180c), they may be collectively referred to as 'winding-type' batteries (300b, 100c).

[0062] In various embodiments, the positive electrode (360) and the negative electrode (350) may include electrode tabs (351, 361) configured to charge or discharge electrical energy by transporting the charge generated at each electrode (350, 360) to the outside of the battery or receiving it to the inside. The battery (300) may have a pair of electrode tabs (351, 361) as shown in FIG. 2c, or electrode tabs (351, 361) individually connected to each electrode plate as shown in FIG. 2a.

[0063] FIG. 3a is an exploded perspective view showing the electrode (401) and separator (501) of a battery according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0064] FIG. 3b is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the electrode (401) and separator (501) of a battery according to various embodiments of the present invention.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, a battery (e.g., battery (289) of FIG. 1b, battery (300) of FIGS. 2a to 2c) may include a positive electrode (401a) (e.g., positive electrode (360) of FIGS. 2a to 2c), a negative electrode (401b) (e.g., negative electrode (350) of FIGS. 2a to 2c), and a separator (501) (e.g., separator (370) of FIGS. 2a to 2c). In this specification, the positive electrode (401a) or the negative electrode (401b) may be collectively referred to as 'electrode (401)'. The electrode (401) may include a current collector (410) (e.g., a positive current collector (410a) and a negative current collector (410b)), an electrode active material layer (420) (e.g., a positive active material layer (420a) and a negative active material layer (420b)), and an insulating layer (430).

[0066] The current collector (410) may be a member comprising a thin film or a thin plate of a conductive material (e.g., copper foil or aluminum foil) and collecting charges generated by the electrode (401) reaction occurring in the electrode active material layer (420). The current collector (410) may have a surface (e.g., an upper surface and a lower surface) in which the length (e.g., the x-direction dimension in the drawing) and the width (e.g., the y-direction dimension in the drawing) are defined.

[0067] The electrode active material layer (420) may be a layer (e.g., a positive active material layer (420a) or a negative active material layer (420b)) formed by applying an electrode active material (e.g., a positive active material or a negative active material) onto a surface (411) of a current collector (410). The electrode active material layer (420) may be formed by applying an electrode active material slurry onto a surface (411) of a current collector (410) and then rolling and / or drying it. In various embodiments, the electrode active material layer (420) may be applied to the current collector (410) on both sides or on one side.

[0068] In various embodiments, the separator (501) may be positioned between the positive electrode (401a) and the negative electrode (401b). The separator (501) may prevent direct contact between the positive electrode (401a) and the negative electrode (401b). In various embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 3b, the separator (501) may be in close contact with the positive electrode (401a) and the negative electrode (401b). For example, the positive electrode (401a), the separator (501), and the negative electrode (401b) may be in close contact with each other by being pressed or rolled while stacked together during the manufacture of the battery. In some embodiments, the separator (501) may be bonded to the positive electrode (401a) and / or the negative electrode (401b). The rigidity of the battery may be improved by the separator (501) being bonded to the positive electrode (401a) and / or the negative electrode (401b).

[0069] In various embodiments, the separator (501) may include a ceramic layer (520). The ceramic layer (520) may improve the surface hardness of the separator (501). The ceramic layer (520) may reduce the risk of short circuits, chemical reactions between electrodes, and fires resulting from penetration of the separator (501). For example, the ceramic layer (520) may reduce the risk of foreign substances, such as dendrites, growing from the electrode (401) and penetrating the separator (501). In some embodiments, the ceramic layer (520) may be located on a surface of the separator (501) facing at least one of the anode (401a) or the cathode (401b) (e.g., a surface of the separator (501) facing the cathode (401b)). For example, a dendrite phenomenon (e.g., a phenomenon in which protrusions are formed on the surface) may occur on the surface of the cathode, and the separator (501) may be formed in the direction of the cathode active material layer (420b) of the porous polymer layer (510) to improve surface hardness. In some embodiments, the ceramic layer (520) may be located on both sides of the separator (501). In some embodiments, the ceramic layer (520) may be composed of fine particles (e.g., nanoparticles), and the nanoparticles may be placed on both sides of the polymer layer (510).

[0070] FIG. 4a is a perspective view showing a separator (501) according to various embodiments.

[0071] FIG. 4b is a schematic diagram showing a cross-section of a separator (501) according to various embodiments.

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the separator (501) may comprise a porous polymer layer (510) and a ceramic layer (520). The porous polymer layer (510) may be a polymer layer formed to have porosity so that ions (e.g., Li+ ions) of the battery electrolyte can pass through. In various embodiments, the porous polymer layer (510) may comprise polyethylene, polypropylene and / or a mixture or copolymer thereof. In some embodiments, the porous polymer layer (510) may comprise a dry biaxially stretched polypropylene and / or a wet porous polyethylene layer. The separator (501) may comprise one or a plurality of porous polymer layers (510) having different properties.

[0073] The ceramic layer (520) can protect the surface of the separator (501). The ceramic layer (520) may include ceramic particles (521) and a binder (522) applied on the surface of the porous polymer layer (510). The ceramic particles (521) may include ceramic materials such as alumina, silica, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, barium titanate, and / or titanium dioxide as non-limiting examples. In various embodiments, the size of the ceramic particles (521) may be 0.01 to 1 micrometer. The binder (522) may be a polymer that aggregates the ceramic particles (521) to improve the structural integrity of the ceramic layer (520) and attaches the ceramic particles (521) to the surface of the porous polymer layer (510). The binder (522) may include a polymer with good wettability and ion conductivity for the electrolyte. The binder (522) may include polymeric materials such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyacrylonitrile, and / or polyacrylate as non-limiting examples. In various embodiments, the content of the binder (522) in the ceramic layer (520) may be 1-10 weight% with respect to 100 weight parts of ceramic particles (521).

[0074] In various embodiments, a hole (523) may be formed in the ceramic layer (520). The hole (523) may be formed by partially penetrating the ceramic layer (520) in the thickness direction from the surface of the ceramic layer (520). The depth of the hole (523) may be thinner than the thickness of the ceramic layer (520). Since the hole (523) does not completely penetrate the ceramic layer (520) in the thickness direction, the porous polymer layer (510) beneath the ceramic layer (520) may not be exposed by the hole (523). In various embodiments, the depth of the hole (523) may be 75% or less of the thickness of the ceramic layer (520). For example, the depth of the hole (523) may be 0.1 to 2 micrometers.

[0075] In various embodiments, the holes (523) formed in the ceramic layer (520) may vary. The shape shown in FIG. 4b is a square shape in cross-section, but is not limited thereto and can be configured in various improvements. For example, if the shape of the protrusion of the roller formed during the process (e.g., 610 in FIG. 6) is pointed, it may be configured in a triangular shape.

[0076] In various embodiments, an electrolyte may be located within the hole (523). For example, during the battery manufacturing process, when the electrolyte is absorbed into a battery cell in which the stacking of the positive electrode (401a), separator (501), and negative electrode (401b) is completed, the electrolyte may be absorbed within the hole (523) formed on the surface of the ceramic layer (520). In various embodiments, the hole (523) may act as a reservoir for the electrolyte. When the battery undergoes charge and discharge cycles during use, the electrolyte may be consumed by chemical reactions that form a solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) on the surfaces of the positive and negative electrodes, and the battery life may be reduced depending on the consumption of the electrolyte. Therefore, the hole (523) of the ceramic layer (520) may act as a reservoir for the electrolyte, thereby improving the battery life.

[0077] In various embodiments, the separator (501) may include an adhesive layer (530). The adhesive layer (530) may be a layer that adheres the separator (501) to an electrode (e.g., the negative electrode (401b) and the positive electrode (401a) of FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b). The adhesive layer (530) may include a polymeric material that is wettable to an electrolyte and allows the passage of ions, such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyacrylonitrile, and / or polyacrylate. In some embodiments, the adhesive layer (530) may be formed on both sides of the separator (501). In some embodiments, the adhesive layer (530) may be formed on either side of the separator (501).

[0078] FIGS. 5a to 5c are plan views showing a ceramic layer (520) of a separator (501) according to various embodiments.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 5a through 5c, areas in the ceramic layer (520) where no holes are formed may be connected to each other. For example, a hole (523) may be isolated from at least some of the other holes (523) by an area in the ceramic layer (520) where no holes are formed. By bonding the area where no holes are formed to the electrode, the hole (523) may be surrounded by the area in the ceramic layer (520) where no holes are formed and by the electrode. Thus, the leakage of the electrolyte absorbed inside the hole (523) to the outside may be reduced. For example, during the manufacturing process of a battery, when the electrolyte is injected into a battery case (e.g., the battery case (380) of FIGS. 2a through 2c) and the remaining electrolyte is extracted by suction, leakage of the electrolyte within the hole (523) may be reduced or prevented.

[0080] In various embodiments, the area ratio of the region where holes (523) are formed in the ceramic layer (520) may be 20% or less of the surface of the ceramic layer (520). The area ratio of the region where holes are not formed in the ceramic layer (520) may be 80% or more of the surface of the ceramic layer (520). In some embodiments, the diameter (D) of the holes (523) may be 25% or less of the spacing (S) between the holes (523). In some embodiments, the diameter (D) of the holes (523) may be 1 to 100 micrometers. In some embodiments, the spacing (S) between the holes (523) may be 10 to 1000 micrometers.

[0081] The area in the ceramic layer (520) where no hole is formed can contribute to the structural integrity of the battery cell by being attached to the electrode. Therefore, the structural integrity of the battery cell can be improved by ensuring that the area in the ceramic layer (520) where no hole is formed accounts for more than 80% of the surface area. In addition, the hole (523) is isolated by the area where no hole is formed.

[0082] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5a, the holes (523) may be arranged regularly on the surface of the ceramic layer (520). In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5b, the holes (523) may be arranged randomly on the surface of the ceramic layer (520). For the direction in which the holes (523) are arranged continuously on the surface of the ceramic layer (520), the adhesion between the separator (501) and the electrode may be weakened. Thus, by arranging the holes (523) randomly on the surface of the ceramic layer (520), the risk of the adhesion between the separator (501) and the electrode easily detaching under stress in a specific direction can be reduced.

[0083] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 5c, some of the multiple holes (523) on the surface of the ceramic layer (520) may be connected to each other. For example, the holes (523) may be connected to each other to form a plurality of X-shaped patterns. The shape of the pattern formed by connecting the holes (523) may be configured to optimize the amount of electrolyte absorbed within the holes (523), the adhesion between the separator (501) and the electrode, and / or the structural stability of the battery cell.

[0084] FIGS. 6a and 6b are schematic diagrams illustrating the manufacturing process of a battery separator (501) according to various embodiments.

[0085] Referring to FIG. 6a and FIG. 6b, the separator (501) can be manufactured by the operation of coating a ceramic layer (520) on a porous polymer layer (510) fabric, the operation of forming a hole (523) on the surface of the ceramic layer (520), and the operation of applying an adhesive layer (530) on the ceramic layer (520).

[0086] Referring to FIG. 6a, the operation of forming a hole (523) on a ceramic layer (520) can be performed by an etching operation in which a laser is irradiated onto the surface of the ceramic layer (520). This can be achieved by irradiating the surface of the ceramic layer (520) with a laser, causing the binder (522) of the ceramic layer (520) to be ablated by the energy of the laser light. Since the laser has high etching precision, a pattern of size from 1 to 100 micrometers can be easily formed. The etching depth of the hole (523) can be easily controlled by adjusting the output of the laser.

[0087] Referring to FIG. 6b, the operation of forming a hole (523) on a ceramic layer (520) can be formed by a pressing operation in which a roller (601) having a protrusion (610) of a size and shape corresponding to the hole (523) formed on its surface is pressed. By forming the hole (523) at a relatively fast speed, the process time for manufacturing the separator (501) can be shortened and productivity improved.

[0088] An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may be an electronic device comprising a battery. The battery may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode facing the positive electrode, and a separator (501) located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and in close contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator (501) may include a porous polymer layer (510) and a ceramic layer (520) disposed on the porous polymer layer (510). A hole (523) may be formed on the surface of the ceramic layer (520), the depth of which is shallower than the thickness of the ceramic layer (520).

[0089] In various embodiments, the diameter of the hole (523) may be 1 to 100 micrometers.

[0090] In various embodiments, the ceramic layer (520) has a plurality of holes (523) formed therein, and the spacing between the plurality of holes (523) may be 10 to 1000 micrometers.

[0091] In various embodiments, the depth of the hole (523) may be 0.1 to 2 micrometers.

[0092] In various embodiments, the diameter of the hole (523) may be 25% or less of the spacing between the holes (523).

[0093] In various embodiments, the depth of the hole (523) may be 75% or less of the thickness of the ceramic layer (520).

[0094] In various embodiments, a plurality of holes (523) are formed in the ceramic layer (520), and at least some of the plurality of holes (523) may be connected to each other.

[0095] In various embodiments, the ratio of the area of ​​the region where the hole is not formed on the surface of the ceramic layer (520) may be 80% or more.

[0096] In various embodiments, the portions of the surface of the ceramic layer (520) where the hole is not formed can be connected to each other.

[0097] In various embodiments, the hole (523) may be formed by an etching operation in which a laser is irradiated onto the surface of the ceramic layer (520).

[0098] In various embodiments, the hole (523) may be formed by a press-fitting operation in which a roller (601) having a projection (610) having a shape corresponding to the hole (523) is pressed against the surface of the ceramic layer (520).

[0099] A battery according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode facing the positive electrode, and a separator (501) located between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and in close contact with the positive electrode and the negative electrode. The separator (501) may include a porous polymer layer (510) and a ceramic layer (520) disposed on the porous polymer layer (510). A hole (523) may be formed on the surface of the ceramic layer (520), the depth of which is shallower than the thickness of the ceramic layer (520).

[0100] In various embodiments, the diameter of the hole (523) may be 1 to 100 micrometers.

[0101] In various embodiments, a plurality of holes (523) are formed in the ceramic layer (520), and the spacing between the plurality of holes (523) may be 10 to 1000 micrometers.

[0102] In various embodiments, the depth of the hole (523) may be 0.1 to 2 micrometers.

[0103] In various embodiments, the diameter of the hole (523) may be 25% or less of the spacing between the holes (523).

[0104] In various embodiments, the depth of the hole (523) may be 75% or less of the thickness of the ceramic layer (520).

[0105] In various embodiments, a plurality of holes (523) are formed in the ceramic layer (520), and at least some of the plurality of holes (523) may be connected to each other.

[0106] In various embodiments, the ratio of the area of ​​the region where the hole is not formed on the surface of the ceramic layer (520) may be 80% or more.

[0107] In various embodiments, the portions of the surface of the ceramic layer (520) where the hole is not formed can be connected to each other.

[0108] In various embodiments, the hole (523) may be formed by an etching operation in which a laser is irradiated onto the surface of the ceramic layer (520).

[0109] In various embodiments, the hole (523) may be formed by a press-fitting operation in which a roller (601) having a projection (610) having a shape corresponding to the hole (523) is pressed against the surface of the ceramic layer (520).

[0110] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present disclosure disclosed in this specification and drawings are merely specific examples provided to facilitate the explanation of the technical content according to the embodiments of the present disclosure and to aid in understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present disclosure should be interpreted to include all modifications or variations derived based on the technical concept of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, in addition to the embodiments disclosed herein.

Claims

1. In an electronic device including a battery, the battery is, anode; A cathode facing the anode; and It includes a separator (501) located between the anode and the cathode and in close contact with the anode and the cathode, and The above separator (501) is, porous polymer layer (510); and It includes a ceramic layer (520) disposed on the porous polymer layer (510), and The above ceramic layer (520) is an electronic device having a hole (523) formed on its surface that is shallower than the thickness of the ceramic layer (520).

2. In Paragraph 1, An electronic device in which the diameter of the hole (523) is 1 to 100 micrometers.

3. In Paragraph 1, A plurality of holes (523) are formed in the ceramic layer (520), and An electronic device in which the spacing between the plurality of holes (523) is 10 to 1000 micrometers.

4. In Paragraph 1, An electronic device in which the depth of the hole (523) is 0.1 to 2 micrometers.

5. In Paragraph 3, An electronic device in which the diameter of the hole (523) is 25% or less of the spacing between the holes (523).

6. In Paragraph 1, An electronic device in which the depth of the above hole (523) is 75% or less of the thickness of the above ceramic layer (520).

7. In Paragraph 1, A plurality of holes (523) are formed in the ceramic layer (520), and At least some of the aforementioned multiple holes (523) are connected to each other, and An electronic device in which the ratio of the area of ​​the region where the hole (523) is not formed on the surface of the ceramic layer (520) is 80% or more.

8. Regarding batteries, anode; A cathode facing the anode; and It includes a separator (501) located between the anode and the cathode and in close contact with the anode and the cathode, and The above separator (501) is, porous polymer layer (510); and It includes a ceramic layer (520) disposed on the porous polymer layer (510), and The above ceramic layer (520) is a battery having a hole (523) formed on its surface that is shallower than the thickness of the ceramic layer (520).

9. In Paragraph 8, A battery in which the diameter of the hole (523) is 1 to 100 micrometers.

10. In Paragraph 8, A plurality of holes (523) are formed in the ceramic layer (520), and A battery in which the spacing between the plurality of holes (523) is 10 to 1000 micrometers.

11. In Paragraph 8, A battery in which the depth of the hole (523) is 0.1 to 2 micrometers.

12. In Paragraph 10, A battery in which the diameter of the above hole (523) is 25% or less of the spacing between the above holes (523).

13. In Paragraph 8, A battery in which the depth of the above hole (523) is 75% or less of the thickness of the above ceramic layer (520).

14. In Paragraph 8, A plurality of holes (523) are formed in the ceramic layer (520), and At least some of the aforementioned multiple holes (523) are connected to each other, and A battery in which the ratio of the area of ​​the region where the hole (523) is not formed on the surface of the ceramic layer (520) is 80% or more.

15. In Paragraph 8, The portions on the surface of the ceramic layer (520) where the holes are not formed are connected to each other.

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