Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Current producing cell – elements – subcombinations and... – Electrode or plural tablets – pellets or discs
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-08
2003-03-04
Dunn, Tom (Department: 1725)
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Current producing cell, elements, subcombinations and...
Electrode or plural tablets, pellets or discs
C429S153000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06528204
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a lithium secondary battery comprising individual cells connected with one another, which cells comprise
a negative electrode comprising a negative electrode material and a negative current collector,
a positive electrode comprising a positive electrode material and a positive current collector,
a separator provided between the negative and the positive electrode,
a non-aqueous electrolyte solution between the negative and the positive electrode, wherein
both the negative and the positive electrode material is provided in segments on the respective current collector to increase the pliability of the battery. The invention further relates to certain applications of such a battery, in which applications demands are made on, in particular, the pliability of the battery, such as in watches and communication equipment, for example portable computers, personal digital assistants and mobile telephones.
Such a lithium secondary battery composed of individual cells connected with one another is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,464. In accordance with the battery disclosed in this patent, the active electrode material can be provided in segments on the current collector to increase the flexibility of the battery, which means that the stress developed during bending is concentrated at the locations between the active segments of the current collector. Such a cell is manufactured from a lithium anode folded around a silver-chromate cathode, the anode and the cathode being separated from each other by a porous polypropene separator which extends beyond the dimensions of the cathode material. Since the polypropene used as the separator is a thermoplastic microporous material, this material, when heated, is capable of enclosing the cathode, whereby only one connection element is left uncovered. Around the lithium anode there is a second layer of polypropene, which layer extends at the circumference of the lithium anode and is sealed by heating, thereby enclosing both the lithium anode and the envelope containing the silver-chromate cathode, whereby only connection points for anode and cathode are exposed. The anode terminal is brought about via a metal strip formed by means of spot welding on the expanded current collector. A similar external electric connection with the cathode is also obtained by providing a metal strip on the cathodic current collector by means of spot welding. Finally, the anode and cathode strips are provided with a coating enabling the formation of a durable seal with respect to the outermost cell envelope. To attain a larger current capacity, such cells are arranged in parallel, whereby the external electrical connection points should be connected with one another. It has been found in practice that such connection points adversely affect the durability of a lithium secondary battery composed of individual cells connected with one another. In addition, the electrical resistance increases, which also adversely affects the efficiency of such a battery.
A lithium secondary battery comprising individual cells connected with one another is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,872,744. This patent does not teach, however, to provide both the negative and the positive electrode material in segments on the respective current collector to increase the pliability of the battery.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the invention to provide a lithium secondary battery comprising individual cells connected with one another, which battery obviates the above-mentioned drawbacks.
Another object of the invention is to provide a lithium secondary battery comprising individual cells connected with one another, which battery is provided with electrode materials disposed in segments on the respective current collectors, such that the pliability of the eventual battery takes place in two dimensions.
A further object of the invention is to provide a lithium secondary battery comprising individual cells connected with one another, which battery does not exhibit delamination of the negative electrode, the positive electrode and the separator.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a lithium secondary battery which can be manufactured in a thin and flexible form and wherein the contact between the electrodes and the electrolyte is maintained in a particular way.
A further object of the invention is to provide a battery which can suitably be used in an application which is subject to bending and corrugation, and wherein there are no restrictions as regards the geometrical configuration wherein the battery is incorporated. In accordance with the invention, in that the individual cells are interconnected by means of a current collector which is common to all cells.
As a result of the use of a common current collector for all cells, the individual cells do not have to be interconnected via external connection points. In addition, the common current collector endows the relevant lithium secondary battery with sufficient flexibility, so that this battery can suitably be used in applications wherein pliability and bendability are required, particularly in wrist watches and communication equipment which is worn around the wrist.
In a particular embodiment of the lithium secondary battery, preferably, both the negative and the positive current collector serves as a common current collector for every cell.
The use of both the negative and the positive current collector as a common current collector for all cells provides the battery with additional power, so that long-term durability is guaranteed.
In another, preferred embodiment, the mutual connection between the individual cells in the lithium secondary battery is also brought about by means of a common separator for all cells.
In such a particular embodiment of the invention, both the separator and one or both current collectors are the same for every cell. In a particular embodiment of the relevant lithium secondary battery it is thus possible that the lithium secondary battery composed of individual cells connected with one another comprises a common negative current collector, a common positive current collector, and a common separator.
To obtain the desired pliability of the battery, it is preferred in a particular embodiment that the electrode material provided in segments on the current collector extends substantially throughout the width of the relevant current collector.
In accordance with such an embodiment, in fact, pliability in one dimension is obtained, the desired pliability being obtained at locations where there is no active electrode material.
If, however, pliability of the battery in two dimensions is desired, it is preferred that the electrode material provided in segments on the current collector is situated on the relevant current collector in accordance with a chessboard-like pattern.
The term “chessboard-like pattern” as used in the description should be construed as a pattern of active electrode material, such that each segment of active electrode material does not border on another segment of active electrode material. As a result, discrete segments of active electrode material are situated on the current collector, so that the desired pliability in two dimensions is obtained.
In the lithium secondary battery in accordance with the invention, preferably carbon or graphite is used as the negative electrode material.
The positive electrode material used in the relevant battery is preferably selected from lithium transition metal oxides, such as LiMn
2
O
4
, LiCoO
2
or LiNiO
2
, which material comprises electroconductive particles, such as carbon or graphite, and possibly binder material. Such positive electrode material may be considered to be a lithium-intercallation compound. The quantity of conductive material lies in the range from 0.1 to 15% by weight.
To obtain a lithium secondary battery which can be manufactured so as to be thin and flexible, preferably, the contact between the electrodes and the electrolyte is maintained in a specific manner, more part
Feil Hans
Hikmet Rifat A. M.
Dunn Tom
Halajian Dicran
Johnson Jonathan
Koninklijke Philips Electronics , N.V.
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