U.S. patent application number 14/949013 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-17 for battery tab and packaging frame design.
The applicant listed for this patent is Solicore, Inc.. Invention is credited to Wade W. Guindy, Craig Nelson, Michael G. Scruggs, Robert W. Singleton.
Application Number | 20160079573 14/949013 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35786752 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160079573 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nelson; Craig ; et
al. |
March 17, 2016 |
BATTERY TAB AND PACKAGING FRAME DESIGN
Abstract
Improved battery packaging and constructions for batteries,
particularly thin, flat-profile packaged batteries are provided.
The battery packaging constructions may eliminate the need for
soldering by providing current collector tabs coated by
electrically conductive adhesive tape such as z-axis conductive
tape and may provide support for current collector tabs and a
regular battery perimeter by providing supportive battery packaging
and/or frame materials. Better fabrication results, particularly
when the batteries are used in smart cards, RFID tags, and medical
devices.
Inventors: |
Nelson; Craig; (Melbourne,
FL) ; Singleton; Robert W.; (Plant City, FL) ;
Scruggs; Michael G.; (Lakeland, FL) ; Guindy; Wade
W.; (Henderson, NV) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Solicore, Inc. |
Lakeland |
FL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
35786752 |
Appl. No.: |
14/949013 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12466900 |
May 15, 2009 |
9224516 |
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14949013 |
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11187440 |
Jul 22, 2005 |
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12466900 |
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60589845 |
Jul 22, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
429/163 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 2/30 20130101; H01M
2/26 20130101; H01M 10/0436 20130101; H01M 2220/30 20130101; H01M
10/0565 20130101; H01M 10/345 20130101; H01M 2/0207 20130101; Y02E
60/10 20130101; H01M 10/052 20130101; H01M 10/058 20130101; H01M
10/30 20130101; H01M 2010/0495 20130101; H01M 2/24 20130101; G06K
19/0702 20130101; H01B 1/122 20130101; H01M 2/08 20130101; H01M
10/425 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01M 2/02 20060101
H01M002/02; H01M 2/30 20060101 H01M002/30; H01M 10/42 20060101
H01M010/42; H01M 2/24 20060101 H01M002/24 |
Claims
1-8. (canceled)
9. A battery comprising: (a) a battery cell; (b) at least one
current collector tab having a distal end extending from the
battery cell; and (c) a lower packaging material disposed below the
battery cell and having an outer edge that extends beyond a
periphery of the battery cell; wherein the lower packaging material
supports the at least one current collector tab.
10. The battery of claim 9, wherein the outer edge of the lower
packaging material is substantially flush with the distal end of
the at least one current collector tab.
11. The battery of claim 9, wherein the outer edge of the lower
packaging material is not substantially flush with the distal end
of the at least one current collector, and the distal end of the
current collector extends beyond the outer edge of the lower
packaging material.
12. The battery of claim 9 further comprising an upper packaging
material disposed above the battery cell wherein the upper and
lower packaging materials provide a pouch for the battery cell.
13. The battery of claim 12 wherein the upper packaging material
and the lower packaging material are comprised of a single
continuous piece of packaging material.
14. The battery of claim 12 wherein the upper packaging material
has an outer edge that does not extend to the distal end of the at
least one current collector tab.
15. The battery of claim 9, further comprising an electrically
conductive tape disposed over the at least one current collector
tab.
16. The battery of claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive
tape has an outer edge that is substantially flush with the distal
end of the at least one current collector tab and an inner edge
that is directed toward the outer edge of the upper packaging
material.
17. The battery of claim 16, wherein a gap is defined between the
inner edge of the electrically conductive tape and the outer edge
of the upper packaging material.
18. The battery of claim 15, wherein the electrically conductive
tape comprises a z-axis anisotropic electrically conductive
tape.
19. The battery of claim 12, having a raised middle portion, the
battery further comprising an external frame seated around the
raised middle portion.
20. The battery of claim 19, wherein external frame has a height
that is substantially equal to height of the raised middle
portion.
21. The battery of claim 9, wherein the battery is a lithium metal
battery, a lithium ion battery or a polymer electrolyte
battery.
22. The battery of claim 9, wherein the battery comprises an
electrolyte comprising polyimide, lithium salt, and solvent.
23. An electronic device comprising the battery of claim 9 and an
electronic circuit.
24. The device of claim 23 wherein an electrical connection between
the at least one current collector tab and the electronic circuit
is established without a weld or solder.
25. The device of claim 23, wherein the device is a smart card, a
smart label, an electronically readable card, an RFID tag, an
electrically powered label, a medical device, a sensor, a
temperature measurement device, or a wearable medical device.
26-43. (canceled)
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/466,900, filed May 15, 2009, pending, which
is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/187,440,
filed on Jul. 22, 2005, abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S.
provisional patent application No. 60/589,845, filed Jul. 22, 2004.
Each of the above-referenced applications is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Thin package batteries such as polymer electrolyte batteries
and lithium batteries are popular for use in many applications due
to their low battery weight, long service life and high power
densities. These batteries are typically fabricated with anode and
cathode current collector tabs associated with the anode and
cathode respectively to draw electric energy from the battery cell
to an external load. Because it is desirable to minimize the size
and weight of these batteries, however, the current collector tabs
are generally designed to be flimsy tabs extending outwardly from
the battery cell and through to the exterior of any battery
packaging. As a result, the anode and cathode current collector
tabs are generally susceptible to breaking off or tearing and are
easily damaged during processing and installation. In addition,
because the current collector tabs protrude beyond the anode and
the cathode, they create an irregular perimeter around the battery
cell. Upon lamination of the cell in a thin device, such as a smart
card or smart label, a sink or pocket may be created by the space
between the protruding tabs, resulting in surface defects that
negatively affect the appearance of the device. Another significant
drawback of conventional thin packaged battery designs is that the
protruding current collector tabs typically require a soldering or
welding step in order to make an electrical connection between the
tabs and the electrical circuitry of the device into which they are
to installed. Depending upon the geometry of the device in which
the batteries are installed, this soldering or welding step may be
difficult or impractical.
[0003] Thus, a need exists for a thin packaged battery that may be
installed easily in a variety of devices without the risk of
damaging the current collector tabs or creating sink holes or
pockets in the device upon lamination.
SUMMARY
[0004] Batteries having improved constructions and packagings are
provided. The batteries are designed to provide at least one of the
following advantages: 1) some of the batteries provided herein do
not require a soldering or welding step in order to be connected to
an external electronic device; 2) some of the batteries provided
herein include reinforced current collector tabs; and 3) some of
the batteries provided herein have regular perimeter shape, such as
a square or rectangular shape, which helps eliminate surface
defects when the batteries are incorporated into small and/or flat
electric devices such as smart cards or smart labels. The battery
constructions provided herein are well-suited for the design of
thin, flat-profile batteries, including laminate battery
structures.
[0005] The batteries generally include a cell comprising an anode,
a cathode and an electrolyte sandwiched between the anode and the
cathode. An anode current collector tab can extend outwardly beyond
the edge of the anode, and a cathode current collector tab can
extend outwardly beyond the edge of the cathode.
[0006] In a first embodiment, the invention provides a battery
comprising: (a) a battery cell, (b) at least one current collector
tab extending outwardly from the battery cell, and (c) electrically
conductive adhesive tape disposed on the current collector tab
extending from the battery cell. In some embodiments, the batteries
include two current collector tabs extending outwardly from the
battery cell and electrically conductive adhesive tape disposed on
one or both of the current collector tabs which allow the tabs to
be electrically connected to an external electronic device without
soldering or welding the tabs in place. In some battery designs a
separate piece of electrically conductive adhesive tape is placed
on each current collector tab. In these embodiments the tape may be
isotropically conductive. In other battery designs a strip of
z-axis anisotropically electrically conductive adhesive tape (i.e.,
tape that conducts only in the direction perpendicular to the plane
of the tape) is placed over and bridging both current collector
tabs. In this design the strip of tape partially or entirely covers
the space defined between the two tabs and creates a more regular
perimeter for the battery.
[0007] In some embodiments the batteries include a frame disposed
around the periphery of the battery cell. A portion of this frame
can be disposed adjacent and in contact with at least one current
collector tab.
[0008] In another embodiment, the invention provides a battery with
a double frame design, the battery comprising: (a) a battery cell;
(b) at least one current collector tab having a distal end
extending from the battery cell; (c) a tab support frame disposed
around the periphery of the battery cell; and (d) an opposing frame
disposed opposite and substantially parallel to the tab support
frame; wherein the at least one current collector tab is disposed
between the tab support frame and the opposing frame and further
wherein a portion of the at least one current collector tab extends
beyond the edge of the opposing frame but not beyond the edge of
the tab support frame.
[0009] In this battery design, the support frame material serves as
a support for the current collector tab and provides a more regular
perimeter for the battery. However, the current collector tab
remains exposed and accessible to electrical contact from the
direction opposite the support frame. As a result electrically
conductive adhesive tape may be applied over the exposed surface of
the current collector tab in order to provide electrical
connections between the tab and electrical contacts in a device
into which the battery is to be installed.
[0010] In still another embodiment, the invention provides a
battery with a single frame design, the battery comprising: (a) a
battery cell; (b) at least one current collector tab having a
distal end extending from the battery cell; (c) a tab support frame
disposed below the batter cell and having an outer edge that
extends beyond the periphery of the battery cell; and (d) a lower
packaging material disposed below the battery cell; wherein the at
least one current collector tab is supported by the tab support
frame. Typically, the battery will also include an upper packaging
material disposed above the battery cell. Together, the upper and
lower packaging materials may form a pouch for the battery cell. In
some embodiments, the upper packaging material has an outer edge
that does not extend to the distal end of the current collector
tab, such that a portion of the current collector tab extends
beyond the outer edge of the upper packaging material but not
beyond the outer edge of the tab support frame.
[0011] As in the previous embodiment, the support frame material
serves as a support for the current collector tab and provides a
more regular perimeter for the battery. However, the current
collector tab remains exposed and accessible to electrical contact
from the direction opposite the support frame. Electrically
conductive adhesive tape may be applied over the exposed surface of
the current collector tab.
[0012] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a battery
with a frameless design, the battery comprising: (a) a battery
cell; (b) at least one current collector tab having a distal end
extending from the battery cell; (c) a lower packaging material
disposed below the battery cell and having an outer edge that
beyond the periphery of the battery cell; wherein the lower
packaging material supports the current collector tab. Typically,
the battery will also include an upper packaging material disposed
above the battery cell. Together, the upper and lower packaging
materials may form a pouch for the battery cell. In some
embodiments, the upper packaging material has an outer edge that
does not extend to the distal end of the current collector tab,
such that a portion of the current collector tab extends beyond the
outer edge of the upper packaging material but not beyond the outer
edge of the lower packaging material. It should be understood that
the "lower packaging material" and an "upper packaging material"
may be composed of separate pieces of packaging material or of a
single continuous piece of packaging material that is, for example,
folded over a battery cell. In the latter case the terms "upper
packaging material" and the "lower packaging material" simply refer
to different section of the continuous piece of packaging
material.
[0013] In this design, the lower packaging material serves as a
support for the current collector tab and provides a more regular
perimeter for the battery. However, the current collector tab
remains exposed and accessible to electrical contact from the
direction opposite the lower packaging material. Electrically
conductive adhesive tape may be applied over the exposed surface of
the current collector tab. In some instances, this design may
result in a packaged battery having a non-uniform cross-sectional
height, wherein the cross-sectional height of the packaged battery
is larger in the center (where the battery cell is located) that at
the ends (e.g., where the packaging materials and/or conductive
tape come together). In such instances, the battery may include an
external frame designed to seats around the raised center of the
packaged battery (i.e., around the battery cell) to provide a more
uniform cross-sectional height.
[0014] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of
forming an electrical connection between a battery comprising at
least one current collector tab and a battery-powered device, the
method comprising disposing electrically conductive adhesive tape
between the current collector tab and an electrical contact of the
battery-powered device.
[0015] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for
forming a battery having at least one current collector tab, the
method comprising applying electrically conductive tape to the
current collector tab.
[0016] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for
forming a battery comprising a battery cell with at least one
current collector tab extending outwardly therefrom, the method
comprising:
[0017] (a) providing a tab support frame disposed around the
periphery of the battery cell;
[0018] (b) providing an opposing frame disposed opposite and
substantially parallel to the tab support frame; and
[0019] (c) disposing at least one current collector tab between the
tab support frame and the opposing frame such that a portion of the
current collector tab extends beyond the edge of the opposing frame
but not beyond the edge of the tab support frame.
[0020] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for
forming a battery comprising a battery cell with at least one
current collector tab extending outwardly therefrom, the method
comprising:
[0021] (a) providing a tab support frame disposed around the
periphery of the battery cell;
[0022] (b) providing an upper packaging material disposed above and
extending beyond the periphery of the battery cell;
[0023] (c) disposing at least one current collector tab between the
tab support frame and the upper packaging material such that a
portion of the current collector tab extends beyond the edge of the
upper packaging material but not beyond the edge of the tab support
frame; and optionally;
[0024] (d) disposing a lower packaging support frame disposed below
the tab support frame.
[0025] In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for
forming a battery comprising a battery cell with at least one
current collector tab extending outwardly therefrom, the method
comprising:
[0026] (a) providing a lower packaging material disposed below and
extending beyond the periphery of the battery cell;
[0027] (b) providing an upper packaging material disposed above and
extending beyond the periphery of the battery cell;
[0028] (c) disposing at least one current collector tab between the
lower packaging material and the upper packaging material such that
a portion of the current collector tab extends beyond the edge of
the upper packaging material but not beyond the edge of the lower
packaging material; and optionally;
[0029] (d) an external frame disposed above the upper packaging
material or below the lower packaging material and seated around
the periphery of the battery cell.
[0030] In other embodiments, the invention provides use of z-axis
conductive tape to provide electrical connection between a battery
tab and an external device. Also provided is a packaged lithium
battery comprising two tabs extending from the battery cell,
wherein the tabs are in contact with z-axis conductive tape, and a
frame member or a packaging material which is substantially flush
with the distal ends of the tabs. In an alternative embodiment, the
outer edge of the (lower) packaging material or frame member is not
substantially flush with the distal end of the at least one current
collector, and the distal end of the current collector extends
beyond the outer edge of the (lower) packaging material or frame
member.
[0031] The batteries may be used in a broad range of devices.
However they are particularly well suited for use inside smart
cards, smart labels, RFID tags, medical devices, and other small
devices which require high temperature/high pressure lamination
processing and which benefit from an on board power supply.
Although batteries are a preferred embodiment, other embodiments of
the invention are with other types of electrochemical systems such
as, for example, supercapacitors and membrane-electrode
assemblies.
[0032] A basic and novel feature of some of the embodiments is that
battery structures can be made without the need to solder or weld
current collector tabs. Another basic and novel feature is the use
of conductive adhesives, including curable conductive adhesives, to
provide electrical connections between current collector tabs and
external devices. These features represent important manufacturing
improvements.
DRAWINGS
[0033] FIG. 1 shows the components of a battery having a double
frame design in an embodiment of the present invention in a
exploded, disassembled state.
[0034] FIGS. 2A and 2B show the components of a battery having a
double frame design in an embodiment of the present invention in an
assembled state.
[0035] FIG. 3 shows an expanded view of a multilayered outer
packaging material.
[0036] FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of a multilayered frame
material.
[0037] FIG. 5 shows an illustrative assembly process for producing
a battery cell having an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, and an
anode current collector tab.
[0038] FIG. 6 shows an assembly process for packaging multiple
battery cells produced by the assembly process of FIG. 5.
[0039] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment which
uses a single piece frame to support current collector tabs.
[0040] FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment which
uses no frame but uses the packaging material to support current
collector tabs.
[0041] FIGS. 9A (top) and 9B (bottom) illustrate perspective views
of the battery of FIG. 8 in an assembled state.
[0042] FIGS. 10A (top) and 10B (bottom) illustrate an external
frame embodiment to provide greater uniformity in thickness,
wherein FIG. 10A shows an exploded view and FIG. 10B shows a
perspective, assembled view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] Batteries having improved packaging and construction and
methods for the production of those batteries are provided. In some
embodiments, the batteries provided herein do not require a
soldering or welding step in order to be connected to an external
electronic device. In other embodiments, batteries with reinforced
current collector tabs are provided. In still other embodiments,
batteries having a regular perimeter shape, such as a square or
rectangular shape, are provided. Finally, some of the batteries
provided herein include a combination of two or more of these
features.
[0044] The batteries include a battery cell having an anode, a
cathode, and an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the
cathode. An anode current collector tab for delivering electric
energy from the battery cell to an external device is attached to
and extends outwardly beyond the periphery of the anode. Similarly,
a cathode current collector tab is attached to and extends
outwardly beyond the periphery of the cathode. The battery designs
provided herein may be used with a broad range of batteries
including, but not limited to, metal hydride (e.g., Ni-MH)
batteries, nickel-cadmium (Ni--Cd) batteries, lithium ion, and
lithium metal batteries. These batteries may have solid, liquid or
polymer electrolytes. Examples of batteries that are suitable for
use in the present invention are described in U.S. patent
application Ser. Nos. 10/437,778; 10/437,559; and 10/437,546, filed
May 13, 2003 to Wensley et al., the entire disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable batteries are
described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/545,179,
filed Feb. 18, 2004 (see also, Ser. No. 11/061,751 filed Feb. 18,
2005), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference. Other batteries and battery elements are described in,
for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,672 and 6,451,480 to Gustafson et
al. which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
[0045] Other battery elements, designs, and packagings are known in
the art and can be adapted to be used with the present invention,
including technology described in, for example, U.S. Patent
application no. 2003/0059673 to Langan et al., and U.S. Pat. No.
6,080,508 to Dasgupta et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,537 to Kim et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,515,449 to Thomas et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
5,965,298 to Harada et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,610,445 to Moriwaki et
al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,656,232 to Usui et al.; U.S. Pat. No.
5,057,385 to Hope et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,653 to Chang; U.S.
Pat. No. 5,456,813 to Grange-Cossou et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,946
to Maggert et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,975 to Watanabe et al.; U.S.
Pat. No. 6,145,280 to Daroux et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,790 to
Daroux et al.
[0046] The invention encompasses a variety of battery shapes
including rectilinear or curvilinear structures. Preferred shapes
include square and rectangular. The shape can be curved or rounded.
The shape of the battery is preferably adapted to fit cleanly into
a larger structure such as the pocket of a smart card. In many
cases, the shape is kept simple such as a rectangle or circle to
facilitate inexpensive manufacturing and strong structures.
[0047] The anode current collector tab and the cathode current
collector tab are desirably made from a conductive web or sheet
like material. In some embodiments of the batteries, the current
collector tabs are composed of metal foils such as aluminum,
copper, or nickel foils. Tabs based on electrodeposited copper or
nickel flashed copper can be used. The current collector tab can
be, for example, an electrodeposited copper tab (18 microns). The
current collector tabs are desirably thin so that packaging
materials may be easily sealed around them. For example, the
current collector tabs may have a thickness of no more than about
10 mils and desirably, no more than about 1 mil (where 1 mil=
1/1000 inch). However, current collector tabs having a thickness
outside of these ranges may also be employed. In some embodiments,
the current collector tabs may comprise an extension protruding
from a larger current collector sheet disposed adjacent an anode or
a cathode. In other embodiments, the tab may comprise a strip of
material disposed on, and extending outwardly beyond the edge of, a
current collector sheet, an anode or a cathode.
[0048] One aspect of the present invention provides a battery that
may be easily installed in a variety of electronic devices without
the need to solder or weld the current collector tabs to the
circuitry of the device. This aspect of the invention provides a
battery that includes at least one current collector tab. For
example, the battery may include an anode having an anode current
collector tab extending outwardly from its periphery, a cathode
having a cathode current collector tab extending outwardly from its
periphery, an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the
cathode, and electrically conductive adhesive tape disposed on the
anode current collector tab and/or on the cathode current collector
tab. In this construction, the electrically conductive adhesive
tape forms the electrical connection between each current collector
tab and one or more electrical contacts in the device into which
the battery is to be installed. This electrical connection
eliminates the need to solder or weld the battery tabs in place.
Further description is provided below for FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0049] In some battery designs, a separate piece of electrically
conductive adhesive tape may be placed on each of the two current
collector tabs. In this design, the electrically conductive
adhesive tape may be isotropically electrically conductive or
anisotropically conductive. Anisotropically conductive tapes are
not electrically conductive along all of their dimensions. For
example, z-axis anisotropically conductive tape generally conducts
electricity along its z-axis (i.e., in the direction perpendicular
to the plane of the tape). In an alternative battery design, a
strip of the electrically conductive adhesive tape is placed over
both current collector tabs such that it bridges the tabs. In order
to maintain electrical isolation between the two current collector
tabs, anisotropically conductive tape which conducts generally
along the z axis is used in this design. The use of a strip of
electrically conductive adhesive tape across both tabs may be
advantageous because the tape helps to fill the space between the
tabs, making the perimeter of the battery cell more regular and
helping to prevent sink holes or other surface defects from forming
when the battery is laminated into a thin device, such as a smart
card or label.
[0050] The electrically conductive adhesive tapes used to make the
electrical contacts are typically made from adhesives having
electrically conductive particles dispersed therein. The
electrically conductive tapes optionally include a release liner
which may be easily removed to expose the adhesive tape before or
after, but usually before, the battery has been placed into a
device. A variety of adhesives may be used to make the electrically
conductive tapes. These include, but are not limited to, pressure
sensitive adhesives, heat sensitive adhesives, and heat curable
adhesives. Specific types of adhesives that may be used to
construct the electrically conductive adhesive tapes include, but
are not limited to, acrylic adhesives, silicone adhesives, epoxy
adhesives, and polyether amide adhesives. Electrically conductive
fibers and particles, which generally can have anisotropic shape to
provide anisotropic properties, may be dispersed in the adhesives
include, but are not limited to, nickel particles, gold coated
polymer particles, and silver coated glass particles. Suitable
electrically conductive adhesive tapes are commercially available
from 3M. Specific examples of anisotropically electrically
conductive tapes available from 3M include Electrically Conductive
Tape 9703, Z-Axis Adhesive Film 5460R, Z-Axis Adhesive Film 5552R,
Z-Axis Adhesive Film 7313, and Z-Axis Adhesive Film 7303. Another
suitable example of an anisotropically conductive (z-axis) tape
that may be used in the production of the present batteries is
described by Ishibashi et al., AMP Journal of Technology, 5, 24-30
(1996).
[0051] Technical literature further describing tapes, anisotropic
tapes, and anisotropic conductive tapes include, for example, U.S.
Pat. No. 6,260,262 (3M); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,422,200; 6,517,618;
6,293,470 and patent publications 2003/0002132; 2003/0209792; and
2001/0015483.
[0052] A second aspect of the present invention provides a battery
having one or more supported current collector tabs. In one
embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the battery cell
includes a frame around its periphery. The peripheral frame may be
a two-piece frame with a first frame around the anode or generally
associated with the anode side, and a second frame around the
cathode or generally associated with the cathode side. At least one
current collector tab can extend outwardly from the edge of the
battery between the two frames. One end of one frame (i.e., the
"tab support frame") is longer than the corresponding end of the
other frame (i.e., the "opposing frame") such that the tab support
frame provides support for the current collector tab on one side,
while leaving the tab exposed and accessible from the opposing
side. As previously described, the exposed side of the tab may have
an electrically conductive adhesive tape disposed thereon in order
to provide electrical contact between the current collector tab and
the electronic device into which the battery is to be installed. In
some embodiments the peripheral frame may be in the form of a
pocket or sleeve in which the two frames are actually sealed
together at one or more points or along one or more edges, such
that the battery cell can be slipped into the peripheral frame. In
some embodiments, the tab supporting end of the tab support frame
is long enough that the leading edge of the support frame is flush
with or extends beyond the distal end of the current collector tab
such that the tab support frame provides a regular battery
perimeter. In some embodiments, the frame actually has a central
opening into which a battery cell may be inserted. In other
embodiments the frame may be a continuous sheet of material that
covers and extends beyond the periphery of a battery cell, such
that the peripheral edges of the sheet "frame" the battery. Further
description is provided below with respect to the figures.
[0053] Conventional battery frame materials can be used including
thermoplastic plastics. The frame material is typically a plastic,
such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), desirably having a total
thickness that is substantially the same as the thickness of the
battery cell itself, whether the frame is one piece or comprises
two or more pieces. In some embodiments, the frame can comprise a
PET layer (200 microns) sandwiched between layers of MR PVA (24 and
9 micron layers). Each frame is characterized by an interior
surface which is the surface facing towards the current collector
tabs and an exterior surface which is the opposing surface facing
away from the current collector tabs. The frame material may be a
multilayered material including a polymeric layer and one or more
sealant layers adapted to seal the frames to one another, to the
tabs and/or to an outer packaging layer. For example, a tab sealant
may optionally be applied to at least a portion of the interior
surface of the tab support frame in order to adhere the current
collector tabs to that frame. Alternatively, the tab sealant may be
applied to the current collector tabs before they are contacted
with the tab support frame. This tab sealant is desirably a
material that not only heat seals to itself, but also bonds
strongly to the current collector tabs of the battery and
preferably activates between about 90.degree. C. and 100.degree. C.
In some embodiments, the sealant may be a low temperature pressure
activated sealant.
[0054] The battery cells typically include an electrically
insulative and desirably moisture and vapor resistant packaging
material surrounding the battery cell. The packaging material may
be a multilayered packaging material including one or more sealing
layers, one or more electrically insulative layers and one or more
moisture and/or vapor barrier layers. For example, the outer
packaging material may have a binder adhesive coated on at least a
portion of its exterior surface to help bind the battery into an
electronic device, such as a smart card. The binder adhesive is
desirably a heat activated adhesive which activates at temperatures
of at least about 100.degree. C. A binder adhesive may also be
applied to at least a portion of the interior surface of the
packaging material to bind the outer packaging material to the
battery cell and/or frames. This interior binder adhesive desirably
has an activation temperature which is lower than the activation
temperature of the exterior binder adhesive. In one embodiment, the
outer packaging material includes (i) an upper packaging layer
disposed above and attached to the exterior surface of one of
either the tab support frame or the opposing frame, and (ii) a
lower packaging layer disposed below and attached to the exterior
surface of the other of the tab support frame or the opposing
frame.
[0055] Suitable materials that may be used for the various
components of the batteries, including packaging materials, anode
and cathode materials, polymer electrolyte materials, and current
collector and/or current collector tab materials, are described
above including, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,057,385;
5,326,653; and 6,145,280, the entire disclosures of which are
incorporated herein by reference, and the co-pending Wensley patent
applications.
[0056] A first embodiment, therefore, is a battery comprising: (a)
a battery cell, (b) at least one current collector tab extending
from the battery cell, and (c) electrically conductive adhesive
tape disposed on the at least one current collector tab extending
from the battery cell. In a preferred embodiment, the battery cell
comprises at least two current collector tabs extending from the
battery cell. In a preferred embodiment, the battery cell is
substantially planar and substantially rectangular, and the current
collector tab extending from the battery cell is substantially
planar and substantially rectangular. In a preferred embodiment,
the battery comprises a battery cell comprising: (a) an anode, (b)
a cathode, (c) an electrolyte disposed between the anode and the
cathode; and at least two current collector tabs extending from the
battery cell, wherein a first current collector tab is an anode
current collector tab extending from the anode, and a second
current collector tab is a cathode current collector tab extending
from the cathode. In a preferred embodiment, the cell is a
substantially rectangular, substantially planar cell with two
length sides and two width sides and the cell comprises at least
two current collector tabs extending from one width side of the
cell. In a preferred embodiment, the cell is a substantially
rectangular, substantially planar cell with two length sides and
two width sides and the cell comprises at least two current
collector tabs extending from one length side of the cell. In a
preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive adhesive tape is
substantially planar and substantially rectangular in shape. In a
preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive adhesive tape is
an anisotropic electrically conductive tape that conducts in the
direction perpendicular to the plane of the tape. In a preferred
embodiment, the electrically conductive adhesive tape has a length
which is substantially the same as the width of the cell. In a
preferred embodiment, the current collector tab extends from the
cell by a tab extension length, and the electrically conductive
adhesive tape has a width which is substantially the same as the
tab extension length. In a preferred embodiment, the cell comprises
at least two current collector tabs which each extend from the cell
by a tab extension length which is the same length for each of the
current collector tabs, and the electrically conductive adhesive
tape has a width which is substantially the same as the tab
extension length. The tab extension length can be measured by
conventional means. In a preferred embodiment, the battery has a
length with two ends and has substantially the same thickness at
each end. In a preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive
adhesive tape is an anisotropic electrically conductive tape that
conducts in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the tape,
wherein the cell comprises both anode and cathode and further
comprises both anode current collection tab and a cathode current
collection tab, and the tape is disposed on both anode and cathode
current collector tabs, wherein the battery is substantially shaped
as a rectangle. In a preferred embodiment, the cell comprises at
least two current collector tabs and separate pieces of
electrically conductive adhesive tape are each disposed on the
current collector tabs without contacting each other. In a
preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive adhesive tape
comprises an adhesive having conductive fibers or particles
dispersed therein. In a preferred embodiment, the electrically
conductive adhesive tape is a pressure sensitive adhesive tape. In
a preferred embodiment, the electrically conductive adhesive tape
is a heat sensitive adhesive tape. In a preferred embodiment, the
electrically conductive adhesive tape comprises a release
liner.
[0057] In a preferred embodiment, a battery frame is disposed
around the periphery of the cell. In a preferred embodiment, a
battery frame is disposed around the periphery of the cell, and the
frame comprises at least two frame pieces including a first frame
piece and a second frame piece. In a preferred embodiment, the
frame comprises a polymer layer and at least one heat-sealable
layer. In a preferred embodiment, a battery frame is disposed
around the periphery of the cell and an outer packaging material is
disposed on the cell. In a preferred embodiment, one of the first
and second frame pieces is elongated with respect to the other so
that the elongated piece can support the current collector tab or
tabs. In a preferred embodiment, the leading edge of the elongated
frame piece and the distal end of the tab or tabs are substantially
flush with each other. In a preferred embodiment, the battery
comprises at least two tabs extending from the cell and the distal
end of each tab is flush with the leading edge of the elongated
frame piece.
[0058] In a preferred embodiment, the battery is a lithium metal or
lithium ion battery. In a preferred embodiment, the battery is a
polymer electrolyte battery. In a preferred embodiment, the cell
comprises an electrolyte with a soluble polyimide. In a preferred
embodiment, the cell comprises a polymer matrix electrolyte. In a
preferred embodiment, the polymer matrix electrolyte comprises a
polyimide, at least one lithium salt and at least one solvent. In a
preferred embodiment, the lithium salt is present in a
concentration of at least 0.5 moles of lithium per mole of imide
ring provided by the polyimide. In a preferred embodiment, the
polymer matrix electrolyte is substantially optically clear. In a
preferred embodiment, the anode comprises a lithium powder and a
polymer binder. The polymer binder can be a high temperature
polymer which is heat-resistant. For example, it can have a glass
transition temperature of at least 100.degree. C., or at least
150.degree. C. The polymer binder can be selected so that it does
not react with the lithium powder. In one embodiment, the polymer
binder is a polyimide. In a preferred embodiment, the lithium
powder has an average particle size of no more than about 20
microns. In a preferred embodiment, the cathode comprises a
polyimide, an electronic conductive filler and a metal oxide. In a
preferred embodiment, the electrolyte layer comprises solvent in an
amount of about 10 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, and more particularly,
about 15 wt. % to about 40 wt. %, and more particularly, about 20
wt. % to about 30 wt. %.
[0059] FIGS. 1-10 represent preferred embodiments.
[0060] FIGS. 1 and 2 show the components of an exemplary embodiment
of a battery 100 in accordance with the present invention. In the
design shown in these figures, a double frame construction is
employed. FIG. 1 shows the battery in a disassembled state while
FIG. 2 shows the battery in its assembled state. The battery
includes a battery cell 102 including an anode current collector
tab 104 and a cathode current collector tab 106. The current
collector tabs have distal ends 105, 107 extending outwardly from
the battery cell. The battery 100 further includes a tab support
frame 108 disposed below the battery cell 102 and an opposing frame
110 disposed above the battery cell 102. As shown in the figure,
one end 114 (i.e., the tab supporting end) of the tab support frame
108 has an outer edge 115 that extend out further than the outer
edge 117 of corresponding end 116 of the opposing frame 110. A
strip of z-axis anisotropically electrically conductive adhesive
tape 118 (depicted as a transparent tape) is disposed at the end
116 of the opposing frame 110 over the anode and cathode current
collector tabs 104, 106. As shown in the figure, the electrically
conductive tape has an outer edge 121 that may be flush with, or
substantially flush with, the distal ends 105, 107 of the current
collector tabs 104, 106 and an inner edge 123 directed toward the
outer edge 117 of opposing frame 110. The electrically conductive
adhesive tape 118 includes a release liner 120 (shown partially
peeled away) that may be removed easily to expose the electrically
conductive adhesive tape 118 to electrical contacts in a device
once the battery has been inserted into the device. Alternatively,
the liner can be removed during the manufacture of the battery or
at any other time prior to inserting the battery into a electrical
device. As shown in the figures, the tab support frame 108 provides
support for the anode and cathode current collector tabs 104, 106
on one side, while the electrically conductive adhesive tape 118
leaves them accessible for electrical connections on the opposite
side. Optionally, a tab sealant layer (e.g., an adhesive material)
may be applied to the interior surface 119 of the tab supporting
end 114 of the tab support frame 108 in order to adhere the current
collector tabs 104, 106 to that frame. The battery may also include
an outer packaging material, shown here as a two part material
composed of an upper packaging layer 122 disposed above the
opposing frame 110 and a lower packaging layer 124 disposed below
the tab support frame 108. The upper and lower packaging layers
122, 124 may be attached to the opposing frame 110 and tab support
frame 108 by an appropriate adhesive or heat sealing layer (not
shown).
[0061] FIG. 3 shows an expanded view of a multilayered outer
packaging material that may be used to house the battery cell 102.
This material includes an insulating heat sealing layer 300 to
electrically insulate the battery cell 102 from its surroundings
and to heat seal the outer packaging material to frames 108 and
110. A vapor barrier layer 302 (e.g., an aluminum layer or
multilayer aluminum foils) is disposed above the heat sealing layer
300 and a binder layer 304 for helping to bind the battery to an
electronic device is disposed above the vapor barrier layer 302.
The outer packaging material in FIG. 3 can be used as an upper or a
lower packaging material, and both the upper and lower packaging
materials can be designed as in FIG. 3 if desired.
[0062] FIG. 4 shows an expanded view of a multilayered frame
material that may be used to frame the battery cell 102. This
material includes a polymeric layer 400 sandwiched between two heat
seal layers 402, 404 which serve to heat seal the polymeric layer
400 around the current collector tabs 104, 106 and to the upper and
lower packaging layers 122, 124. Good bonding between an interior
adhesive layer and the battery current collector or frame can
provide excellent flexibility.
[0063] FIG. 5 shows an illustrative assembly process for producing
a bicell battery having an anode, a cathode, an electrolyte, and an
anode current collector. In this process, a cathode having a
polymer electrolyte coated on the surface thereof 500 is provided.
For adhesion purposes, a small amount of adhesive solvent 502 may
be sprayed onto the polymer electrolyte overcoated cathode 500.
After the application of the solvent, an anode 504 such as a
lithium metal anode which has an area slightly less than the area
of the polymer electrolyte overcoated cathode 500 is placed on the
polymer electrolyte overcoated cathode. An anode current collector
tab 506, which may be unwound, feed and cut from a roll of tab
material 507, such as a nickel current collector material, is
placed over the anode 504 such that it extends outwardly from the
periphery of the battery cell. The portion of the polymer
electrolyte overcoated cathode 500 which is not covered by the
anode 504, is folded over, wrapping the polymer electrolyte
overcoated cathode 500 over the anode 504 as shown in FIG. 5. The
result is a thin battery bicell 508 having an anode current
collector tab 506 which is ready for packaging.
[0064] FIG. 6 shows an assembly process for packaging multiple
battery cells produced by the assembly process of FIG. 5, where the
steps of the assembly process shown in FIG. 5 are repeated at the
top of FIG. 6 for convenient reference. As shown in FIG. 6, a lower
frame material 600 may be rolled out from a suitable roller, the
frame material being a material such as PET, desirably having a
thickness substantially the same as the battery cell 508 itself.
Openings 604 for the battery cells and, optionally, one or more
registration holes 606, may be created in the lower frame material
600 using a suitable window punch, a programmable laser cutter, or
an equivalent. A cathode current collector tab 608, supplied from a
suitable roller 610, is then cut, and applied to the lower frame
material 600 such that it partially overlaps a frame opening 604.
Optionally, a tab sealant may be applied to at least a portion of
the lower frame material 600 in order to help adhere the current
collector tabs 506, 508 to the lower frame material 600. A lower
outer packaging layer material 612, supplied from a suitable roller
and desirably including a low temperature heat sealant and moisture
barrier, is then applied to the lower frame material 600. The
battery cell 508 of FIG. 5 is then placed into an opening 604 in
the lower frame material 600 and onto the lower outer packaging
layer 612. The lower outer packaging layer 612 may be heated (e.g.,
at 90.degree. C.) prior to placing the battery cell 508 thereon in
order to promote adhesion. An upper frame material 614 for the
battery may be made in a manner similar to that used for making the
lower frame material 600 where a upper frame material 614 is rolled
out from a suitable roller and openings 616 are created in the
upper frame material 614. A strip of z-axis anisotropically
electrically conductive adhesive tape 618 placed above an opening
616 in the upper frame material 614. The upper frame material 614
is then placed over the battery cell 508 such that the electrically
conductive adhesive tape 618 is positioned over the anode and
current collector tabs 506, 608. An upper outer packaging layer
620, desirably having a low temperature heat sealant and moisture
barrier layer, which may be of the same composition as the lower
outer packaging material 612, is then rolled out from a suitable
roller and applied over the battery cell 508. Optionally, a binder
material may be included on the exterior surfaces of the upper and
lower outer packaging layers 620, 612 in order to facilitate the
insertion of the resulting battery into a device such as a smart
card.
[0065] Two additional preferred embodiments: A) a single frame
embodiment; and B) a frameless embodiment, are now described in
reference to FIGS. 7-10. Optionally, an external frame can be used
in the "frameless" embodiment (FIG. 10). These embodiments can
improve the stability of the battery to long term moisture ingress,
as the number of seal layers can be reduced. This is particularly
significant for lithium metal batteries because moisture can be
very detrimental to lithium metal.
[0066] FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of elements in a battery
having a single frame design. In this embodiment, a one piece
frame, 700, is used rather than a two piece frame as shown in FIG.
1. A lower packaging material 708 having substantially the same
shape and perimeter dimensions as the one piece frame 700 may be
disposed below and attached to the frame 700. In the depicted
embodiment, the outer edge 715 of the lower packaging material 708
and the outer edge 703 of the frame 700 are substantially flush
with each other. The frame 700 is disposed below the battery cell
706 and has an outer edge 703 that generally extends beyond the
periphery of the battery cell 706. Two current collector tabs 701,
702 having distal ends 711, 713, extend from the periphery of the
battery cell 706. The length and width dimensions of the battery
cell 706 are not as long as those of the frame and lower packaging
material. Hence, there is a gap 705 defined between the periphery
of the battery cell and the outer edge of the frame. This gap may
be about 3 mm wide, for example. The current collector tabs 701,
702 extend over this gap 705 so that the distal ends 711, 713 of
the tabs are substantially flush with the outer edges of the frame
703 and lower packaging material 715. Thus, the current collector
tabs 701, 702 rest on the top of and are supported by the frame
700. FIG. 7 also illustrates a strip of electrically conductive
tape 704, which can be an anisotropic conductive tape, disposed
over the current collector tabs 701, 702. The electrically
conductive tape 704 is shown here with a release liner 707
partially peeled away. Hence, the current collector tabs 701, 702
are sandwiched between the conductive tape 704 and the frame 700
and, as shown in this embodiment, their distal ends 711, 713 are
substantially flush with the outer edge of the conductive tape 717
and the outer edge of the frame 703. Finally, an upper packaging
material 710 is designed to cover the assembled battery cell 706,
but is not as large as the lower packaging material 708. Rather,
the outer edge 712 of the upper packaging material 710 can be
substantially flush with the inner edge 714 of the strip of
conductive tape 704, or a small gap (not shown) can be engineered
between the outer edge of the upper packaging material and the
inner edge of the conductive tape. One skilled in the art can
determine the best spatial relationship between the strip of
adhesive tape and the upper packaging material and whether a small
gap should be used. Contact between the upper packaging material
and the top of the adhesive tape can result in shorting. Upon
assembly, the top surface of the structure comprises the upper
packaging material and conductive tape. In other words, the total
area of the upper surface of the packaged battery, which is equal
to, or substantially equal to, the area of the lower surface of the
lower packaging material 708 is approximately the sum of the area
of the upper surface of the upper packaging material 710 and the
area of the upper surface of the adhesive tape 704. One advantage
of this design is that, because a single piece frame is used, only
two seals are present, wherein (i) one seal joins the frame 700
with the upper packaging material 710 and (ii) the other seal joins
the frame 700 with the lower packaging material 708.
[0067] Upon assembly of the exploded elements in FIG. 7, the
structure looks substantially like the structure in FIGS. 2a and
2b. In addition, packaging materials and frame materials which can
be used in FIG. 7 are also illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4.
[0068] FIG. 8 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of a
battery having a frameless design, or at least absence of an
internal frame, which can be called a pouch cell, a bagged cell, or
a sachet cell embodiment. In this design, no frame is present
between the packaging materials. Rather, an assembled battery cell
801 with two current collector tabs 806, 807, having distal ends
811, 813, extending outwardly from its periphery is disposed above
a lower packaging material 800 and below an upper packaging
material 808 without an internal frame. As noted below, an external
frame can be provided (see FIG. 10). Here, the length and width
dimensions of the lower packaging material 800 are longer than
those of the assembled battery cell 801. Hence, there is a gap 805
defined between the periphery of the battery cell and the outer
edge of the lower packaging material 800. This gap may be about 3
mm wide, for example. The current collector tabs 806, 807 which
extend outwardly from the periphery of battery cell 806 extend over
this gap 805 so that the distal ends 811, 813 of the tabs are
substantially flush with the outer edge 803 of the lower packaging
material 800. Thus, the current collector tabs 806, 807 rest on the
top of and are supported by the lower packaging material 800. FIG.
8 also illustrates a strip of conductive tape 809, which can be an
anisotropic conductive tape, disposed over the current collector
tabs 806, 807. The conductive tape is shown here with a release
liner 804 partially peeled away. FIG. 8 also shows the upper
packaging material, 808. This upper packaging material 808 can be
substantially the same as the upper packaging material 710 in FIG.
7. Also, the outer edge 815 of the upper packaging material 808 may
be substantially flush with the inner edge 817 of the strip of
conductive tape 809, or a small gap (not shown) can be engineered
between the outer edge 815 of the upper packaging material 808 and
the inner edge 817 of the strip of conductive tape 809.
[0069] FIGS. 9a and 9b illustrate perspective views of the exploded
structure in FIG. 8 in the assembled state. In these figures, the
upper packaging material 808 is shown with a raised middle portion
819 due to the underlying battery cell 801. Upon assembly, the
raised portion 819 may be formed as the underlying battery cell 801
is pressed against the upper packaging material 808.
[0070] FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate a preferred embodiment which
can improve upon the frameless embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
In FIG. 10a, an external frame, 1000, is used to help provide a
battery having a substantially uniform cross-sectional height. In
this embodiment, the height of the external frame 1000 is
substantially the same as the height of the raised middle portion
819 of the battery. As shown in FIGS. 10a and 10b, the external
frame 1000 is disposed over the upper packaging material 808 and is
adapted to seat around the raised middle portion 819 of the
battery. This external frame compensates for the raised portion and
provides a more uniform cross-sectional height. A more uniform
cross-sectional height provides better assembly and better cosmetic
appeal in larger structures such as smart cards.
[0071] Although four sided seals can be carried out in these
embodiments, three sided seals can also be carried out. For
example, a single piece of packaging material can be folded over to
provide upper and lower packaging materials from a single
continuous piece of material. The fold can be on the side of the
battery cell opposite the side from which the current collector
tabs extend.
[0072] Although the battery constructions and packaging designs
provided herein may be adapted for use with a variety of battery
types, they are particularly well-adapted as designs for flat
packaged batteries, such as thin polymer electrolyte batteries as
described above in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,888,672 and 6,451,480 to
Gustafson et al. and in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos.
10/437,778; 10/437,559; and 10/437,546, filed May 13, 2003 to
Wensley et al. Briefly, these batteries can include polymer matrix
electrolytes based on polyimides. More specifically, these
batteries can include electrolytes composed of a polyimide, a
lithium salt and at least one solvent. The lithium salt is
desirably present in a concentration of at least 0.5 moles of
lithium per mole of imide ring and the polymer electrolyte is
desirably substantially optically clear. Other batteries that may
benefit from the tab and packaging constructions provided herein
include those described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
60/545,179. These batteries can include anodes composed of lithium
powder and a polymer binder.
[0073] The present batteries are well suited for use inside smart
cards, smart labels, RFID tags, medical devices, and other small
devices which require lamination processing (e.g., high
temperature/high pressure lamination or low temperature/reduced
pressure lamination) and which benefit from an on board power
supply. In some applications, use at low temperatures can be needed
which would result in selection of materials for use of low
temperature lamination or cold lamination (e.g., high temperature
materials may not be needed). This is particularly true for
batteries having regular perimeters (e.g., rectangular or square)
which can be laminated into small, relatively flat devices without
creating sinks, pockets or other surface defects. The various
components of the battery may be selected (e.g., as described in
U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 10/437,778; 10/437,559; and
10/437,546, filed May 13, 2003 to Wensley et al.) to be able to
withstand standard hot lamination processes used in the smart card
industry. For example, in some instances, the batteries may be
designed to withstand temperatures of 125 to 140.degree. C. and
pressures of 200 to 250 psi for dwell times of 5 to 15 minutes.
[0074] The term smart card may be used to refer to any of a variety
of electronically readable cards. These cards, which are generally
small flexible cards, e.g., plastic cards about the size of a
credit card, typically include a microprocessing unit, a memory and
an interface for transmitting and receiving data from an external
source. A typical smart card includes a processor coupled to an
electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), read
only memory (ROM) and/or random access memory (RAM).
[0075] These components are fabricated onto a single integrated
chip which further includes a microprocessor for executing
instructions and storing data in the memory. Such smart cards
further include an input/output (I/O) signal interface for
exchanging I/O signals between the smart card and an external
device, such as a card reader. U.S. provisional patent application
60/570,097 filed May 12, 2004 (see also, Ser. No. 11/127,299 filed
May 12, 2005) further describes smart cards and charging designs
which can be used in combination with the present embodiments and
adapted as needed to use with the present embodiments, the entire
disclosure being incorporated by references.
[0076] Smart labels (also known as radiofrequency identification
(RFID) tags) refer to electrically powered labels that may be used
to track a vast range of products. Smart labels typically include
microprocessing unit, an antenna and an encapsulating material
and/or support. The label may be powered by electric fields
generated by a reader and communicate with the reader through its
antenna.
[0077] Medical devices can be adapted to incorporate the
embodiments of the invention described herein. For example, sensors
can be fabricated to measure the temperature of a product such as
blood which is temperature sensitive, and the sensor powered with
batteries as described herein.
[0078] The electronic device can comprise the battery as described
herein and an electronic circuit. An electrical connection can be
established between the at least one current collector tab and the
electronic circuit without a weld or solder. In preferred
embodiments, the device can be a smart card, a smart label, an
electronically readable card, an RFID tag, an electrically powered
label, a medical device, a sensor, a temperature measurement
device, or a wearable medical device.
[0079] The invention has been described with reference to various
specific and illustrative embodiments. However, it should be
understood that many variations and modifications may be made while
remaining within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
* * * * *