Patent ID: 6467156
Filing Date: 2002-10-22
Classification: H01M,Y02E,Y02P,Y10T

Abstract:
An apparatus for activating an electrochemical cell, the electrochemical cell including one or more bicell batteries disposed in a recess in a receptacle, the bicell battery including an anode precursor, the anode precursor including an anode current collector laminated to at least one anode material film on at least one side of the anode current collector, the anode material film including a first polymer, an intercalation carbon material, and a first plasticizer, a cathode precursor, the cathode precursor including a cathode current collector laminated to at least one cathode material film on at least one side of the cathode current collector, the cathode material film including a second polymer, a cathode active material, and a second plasticizer, and a polymeric layer including a third plasticizer being interposed between the anode precursor and the cathode precursor at the assembling station such that the polymeric layer prevents direct contact between the anode current collector and the cathode current collector, the polymeric layer being fused between the anode precursor and the cathode precursor, the first, second, and third plasticizers having been extracted from the anode precursor, the cathode precursor, and the polymeric layer to form pores therein, comprising:a first filling station, a first amount of an electrolyte solution including an electrolyte solvent and an inorganic salt being filled into the receptacle such that the electrolyte solution is absorbed into pores in the anode precursor, the cathode precursor, and the polymeric layer at the first filling station; one or more subsequent filling stations disposed downstream from the first filling station, subsequent amounts of the electrolyte solution being filled into the receptacle at the subsequent filling stations such that the electrolyte solution is absorbed into pores in the anode precursor, the cathode precursor, and the polymeric layer at the subsequent filling stations, the subsequent amounts of the electrolyte solution added at each subsequent filling station being no more than equal to the amount added at a preceding one of the first filling station and the subsequent filling stations; and means for transporting the one or more bicell batteries disposed in the recess in the receptacle to and from the first filling station and to and from the one or more subsequent filling stations.