Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stacking or stacking/folding type electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is constructed in a structure in which tabs (electrode tabs), having no active material applied thereto, protrude from electrode plates constituting the electrode assembly, electrode leads are located at one-side ends of the stacked electrode tabs such that the electrode leads are electrically connected to the electrode tabs, and protruding lengths of the electrode tabs are gradually increased according to the distances between the electrode leads and the electrode tabs, whereby the lengths of the electrode tabs at joint portions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads are the same. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell including the electrode assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly having a cathode/separator/anode arrangement is mounted in a battery case made of a laminate sheet including a resin layer and a metal layer, electrode tabs of the electrode assembly are coupled to corresponding electrode leads, and the electrode assembly is sealed in the battery case while electrode leads are exposed to the outside of the battery case, wherein a protective film is attached to coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads for sealing the coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads. The secondary battery according to the present invention is constructed in a structure in which the coupling regions are sealed by the protective film, unlike a conventional secondary battery constructed in a structure in which the coupling regions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads are exposed in the battery case.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrochemical cell constructed in a structure in which a plurality of full cells or bicells, as unit cells, are folded by a separation film formed in the shape of a long sheet, and separators of the unit cells are secured to the separation film by thermal welding. The electrochemical cell according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the electrodes of the stacked electrodes from being separated from the separation film or from being twisted due to external impacts and vibrations, thereby restraining the electrochemical cell from generating heat or catching fire. Furthermore, the structural stability of the electrochemical cell is maintained even when the temperature of the electrochemical cell is increased, or the volume of the electrochemical cell is increased due to the generation of gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stacking or stacking/folding type electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is constructed in a structure in which tabs (electrode tabs), having no active material applied thereto, protrude from electrode plates constituting the electrode assembly, electrode leads are located at one-side ends of the stacked electrode tabs such that the electrode leads are electrically connected to the electrode tabs, and the electrode leads, joined to the electrode tabs, have rounded ends. An electrochemical cell including the electrode assembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrochemical cell constructed in a structure in which a plurality of full cells or bicells, as unit cells, are folded by a separation film formed in the shape of a long sheet, and separators of the unit cells are secured to the separation film by thermal welding. The electrochemical cell according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the electrodes of the stacked electrodes from being separated from the separation film or from being twisted due to external impacts and vibrations, thereby restraining the electrochemical cell from generating heat or catching fire. Furthermore, the structural stability of the electrochemical cell is maintained even when the temperature of the electrochemical cell is increased, or the volume of the electrochemical cell is increased due to the generation of gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electrochemical cell constructed in a structure in which a plurality of full cells or bicells, as unit cells, are folded by a separation film formed in the shape of a long sheet, and separators of the unit cells are secured to the separation film by thermal welding. The electrochemical cell according to the present invention has the effect of preventing the electrodes of the stacked electrodes from being separated from the separation film or from being twisted due to external impacts and vibrations, thereby restraining the electrochemical cell from generating heat or catching fire. Furthermore, the structural stability of the electrochemical cell is maintained even when the temperature of the electrochemical cell is increased, or the volume of the electrochemical cell is increased due to the generation of gas.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety switch including a tube that is capable of shrinking when exposed to temperatures in excess of a predetermined temperature level (“heat shrinkage tube”), wherein the length of the heat shrinkage tube is changeable to control current conduction, one end of the heat shrinkage tube is fixed, and the other end of the heat shrinkage tube is connected to an electric wire connection part, such that current conduction or current interruption is accomplished by the change in length of the heat shrinkage tube when the heat shrinkage tube is varied due to heat. When a battery or a battery pack is exposed to an abnormal environment, with the result that the temperature of the battery or the battery pack exceeds a predetermined temperature level, the heat shrinkage tube of the safety switch shrinks to directly interrupt external charge current, thereby preventing the further charge of the battery or the battery pack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery including an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure mounted in a pouch-shaped battery case in a sealed state, wherein a residue portion, which is not sealed (non-sealing residue portion), is defined between a sealing portion of the battery case and the electrode assembly for collecting generated gas, and the non-sealing residue portion is formed by mounting the electrode assembly between upper and lower laminate sheets, at least one of which has a receiving part of a size approximately corresponding to the electrode assembly, sealing three sides of the upper and lower laminate sheets, including two sides where electrode terminals are disposed, among four sides of the upper and lower laminate sheets, injecting an electrolyte in the battery case through the non-sealing portion, and sealing the non-sealing portion such that the resultant sealing portion is spaced a predetermined width from the receiving part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plate-shaped secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a battery case, and the battery case is sealed by thermal welding, wherein the secondary battery has at least one-way exhaust member, mounted at a sealed portion, formed at the outer circumference of an electrode assembly receiving part of the battery case, for allowing internal high-pressure gas to be exhausted out of a battery cell and preventing external gas from being introduced into the battery cell. The secondary battery according to the present invention has the effect of effectively exhausting internal high-pressure gas generated during the abnormal operation of the battery, such as overcharge, out of the battery case, while maintaining the sealability of the battery case, thereby simultaneously improving the efficiency and safety of the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plate-shaped secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a battery case, and the battery case is sealed by thermal welding, wherein the secondary battery has at least one valve (one-way exhaust valve), having a small thickness, mounted at a sealed portion, formed at the outer circumference of an electrode assembly receiving part of the battery case, for allowing internal high-pressure gas to be exhausted out of a battery cell and preventing external gas from being introduced into the battery cell. The secondary battery according to the present invention has the effect of effectively exhausting internal high-pressure gas generated during the abnormal operation of the battery, such as overcharge, out of the battery case, while maintaining the sealability of the battery case, thereby simultaneously improving the efficiency and safety of the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed are a separator for a battery, which is coated with a gel polymer over 40-60% of total separator area, and a rechargeable lithium battery using the separator. The separator partially coated with a gel polymer reduces the battery resistance so that the battery power can be improved. Additionally, the separator increases electrolyte impregnation rate and provides uniform electrolyte impregnation, thereby improving the life, capacity and high-rate discharge property of a battery. Further, the separator permits electrode reactions to be performed uniformly, thereby preventing lithium precipitation and improving the battery safety.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an electrode assembly including a plurality of unit cells folded by a continuous separation film wherein the unit cells are arranged on the separation film such that electrode taps of the unit cells face each other, the separation film has openings corresponding to the electrode taps of the unit cells, and the electrode assembly is manufactured by folding the unit cells in the longitudinal (lengthwise) direction of the separation film while the unit cells are disposed such that the electrode taps of the unit cells are inserted into the corresponding openings, and an electrochemical cell, such as a secondary battery, including the same. The electrode assembly according to the present invention is a hybrid type electrode assembly solving the problems of the jelly-roll type electrode assembly and the stacking type electrode assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stacking or stacking/folding type electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is constructed in a structure in which tabs (electrode tabs), having no active material applied thereto, protrude from electrode plates constituting the electrode assembly, the electrode tabs are electrically connected to an electrode lead, and the pluralities of electrode tabs are joined to the top and the bottom of the electrode lead at an electrode lead-electrode tabs joint portion such that the resistance difference between electrodes at the electrode lead-electrode tabs joint portion is minimized. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell including the electrode assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a plate-shaped secondary battery constructed in a structure in which an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure is mounted in a battery case, and the battery case is sealed by thermal welding, wherein the secondary battery has at least one valve (one-way exhaust valve), having a small thickness, mounted at a sealed portion, formed at the outer circumference of an electrode assembly receiving part of the battery case, for allowing internal high-pressure gas to be exhausted out of a battery cell and preventing external gas from being introduced into the battery cell. The secondary battery according to the present invention has the effect of effectively exhausting internal high-pressure gas generated during the abnormal operation of the battery, such as overcharge, out of the battery case, while maintaining the sealability of the battery case, thereby simultaneously improving the efficiency and safety of the battery.

Abstract: Provided is an anode mix for a secondary battery comprising an anode active material, a conductive material and a binder, wherein the anode mix contains 0.01 to 1.0% by weight of alumina having an average particle diameter of less than 1000 nm, based on the total weight of the mix, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. Therefore, the present invention can achieve increases in anode active material-conductive material adhesion and anode active material-current collector adhesion which are exerted by a binder, and ultimately can improve lifespan characteristics or cycle characteristics of the battery.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a safety switch including a tube that is capable of shrinking when exposed to temperatures in excess of a predetermined temperature level (“heat shrinkage tube”), wherein the length of the heat shrinkage tube is changeable to control current conduction, one end of the heat shrinkage tube is fixed, and the other end of the heat shrinkage tube is connected to an electric wire connection part, such that current conduction or current interruption is accomplished by the change in length of the heat shrinkage tube when the heat shrinkage tube is varied due to heat. When a battery or a battery pack is exposed to an abnormal environment, with the result that the temperature of the battery or the battery pack exceeds a predetermined temperature level, the heat shrinkage tube of the safety switch shrinks to directly interrupt external charge current, thereby preventing the further charge of the battery or the battery pack.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stacking or stacking/folding type electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is constructed in a structure in which tabs (electrode tabs), having no active material applied thereto, protrude from electrode plates constituting the electrode assembly, electrode leads are located at one-side ends of the stacked electrode tabs such that the electrode leads are electrically connected to the electrode tabs, and protruding lengths of the electrode tabs are gradually increased according to the distances between the electrode leads and the electrode tabs, whereby the lengths of the electrode tabs at joint portions between the electrode tabs and the electrode leads are the same. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell including the electrode assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a secondary battery including an electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure mounted in a pouch-shaped battery case in a sealed state, wherein a residue portion, which is not sealed (non-sealing residue portion), is defined between a sealing portion of the battery case and the electrode assembly for collecting generated gas, and the non-sealing residue portion is formed by mounting the electrode assembly between upper and lower laminate sheets, at least one of which has a receiving part of a size approximately corresponding to the electrode assembly, sealing three sides of the upper and lower laminate sheets, including two sides where electrode terminals are disposed, among four sides of the upper and lower laminate sheets, injecting an electrolyte in the battery case through the non-sealing portion, and sealing the non-sealing portion such that the resultant sealing portion is spaced a predetermined width from the receiving part.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a stacking or stacking/folding type electrode assembly of a cathode/separator/anode structure, wherein the electrode assembly is constructed in a structure in which tabs (electrode tabs), having no active material applied thereto, protrude from electrode plates constituting the electrode assembly, the electrode tabs are electrically connected to an electrode lead, and the pluralities of electrode tabs are joined to the top and the bottom of the electrode lead at an electrode lead-electrode tabs joint portion such that the resistance difference between electrodes at the electrode lead-electrode tabs joint portion is minimized. Also disclosed is an electrochemical cell including the electrode assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a lithium secondary battery having improved life characteristics by removal of metal ion impurities incorporated during an assembly process of the battery via a cation exchange process, thereby preventing electrodeposition of the metal ions on an anode, through the addition of a cation exchange material, containing cations selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, ammonium and any combination thereof, to an electrode and/or a surface of a separator.