Patent ID: 6159253
Filing Date: 2000-12-12
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of forming connector tab slots in a separator for a spirally wound electrochemical cell having elongated anode and cathode assemblies disposed therein, the separator enveloping and forming a pouch having a top folded edge and first and second ends around one of the anode and cathode assemblies, the anode and cathode assemblies being wound unidirectionally and disposed within an electrically conductive case, the separator being interposed between the anode and cathode assemblies, the method comprising the steps of:(a) providing material for forming the separator;(b) providing a separator template having an upper edge;(c) providing a slot guide having a bottom edge and at least one tab forming slot disposed therein and therealong;(d) forming a rectangularly-shaped separator sheet from the separator material;(e) placing the separator sheet on the separator template;(g) folding the separator sheet over the upper edge of the separator template to form a folded separator sheet having the folded top edge;(h) aligning the upper edge of the separator template and the folded top edge of the folded separator sheet with the bottom edge of the slot guide; and(f) forming by thermal means a tab slot along the folded edge of the folded separator sheet in the region of the at least one tab forming slot.