Lithium rechargeable battery

Abstract

A lithium rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between them, a can having an opening to contain the electrode assembly, and a cap plate coupled to the top of the can. A side of the can is asymmetrical with respect to another side thereof about at least one of a long axis, short axis, and central point of its cross section. The lithium rechargeable battery has a predetermined space formed between the can and the electrode assembly for improved electrolyte injection and increased manufacturing efficiency and power storage capacity of the battery.

1 . A battery, comprising: 
 an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between them;    a can having an opening to contain the electrode assembly; and    a cap plate coupled to the can,    wherein a side of the can is asymmetrical with respect to another side of the can about at least one of a long axis, short axis, and central point of its cross section.    
   
   
       2 . The battery of  claim 1 , 
 wherein the can has four corner portions in its cross section, and    wherein at least one of the corner portions is curved.    
   
   
       3 . The battery of  claim 2 , 
 wherein one side of the can has a different curvature than another side thereof.    
   
   
       4 . The battery of  claim 2 , 
 wherein one side of the can and another side thereof have a curved corner portion and a right-angled corner portion, respectively.    
   
   
       5 . The battery of  claim 2 , 
 wherein corner portions that are positioned on a side of the long axis have a curvature that is different from corner portions that are positioned on another side of the long axis.    
   
   
       6 . The battery of  claim 2 , 
 wherein corner portions that are positioned on a side of the short axis have a curvature that is different from corner portions that are positioned on another side of the short axis.    
   
   
       7 . The battery of  claim 2 , 
 wherein a first pair of corner portions that are positioned on two sides about the central point are right-angled, and    wherein a second pair of corner portions that are positioned on two sides about the central point are curved with a predetermined curvature.    
   
   
       8 . The battery of  claim 2 , 
 wherein a first pair of corner portions that are positioned on two sides about the central point are asymmetrical to each other, and    wherein a second pair of corner portions that are positioned on two sides about the central point are symmetrical to each other.    
   
   
       9 . A battery, comprising: 
 an electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between them;    a can having an opening to contain the electrode assembly; and    a cap plate coupled to the can,    wherein a side of the electrode assembly is asymmetrical with respect to another side thereof about at least one of a long axis, short axis, and central point of its cross section.    
   
   
       10 . The battery of  claim 9 , 
 wherein one side of the electrode assembly has a curvature different from that of another side thereof.    
   
   
       11 . A battery, comprising: 
 an electrode assembly having a first electrode and second electrode, and a separator interposed between them;    a can having an opening to contain the electrode assembly; and    a cap plate coupled to the can,    wherein the spacing between the can and an outer periphery of the electrode assembly on a cross section of the can and the electrode assembly varies about at least one of a long axis, short axis, and central point of the cross section.