Patent Publication Number: US-8993144-B2

Title: Three dimensional shaped battery

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0042182, filed on Apr. 23, 2012, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the content of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The disclosure relates to secondary batteries, and more particularly, to three-dimensional shaped batteries. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     As electronic technologies have developed, markets of portable electronic devices such as smart phones, smart pads, electronic books, watch-type telephones, and movable medical devices attached to a human body, as well as mobile phones, game devices, portable multimedia players (“PMP”s), and MPEG Audio Layer-3 (“MP3”) players are substantially increasing. As the markets of the portable electronic devices develop, demands for batteries that are suitable for operating the mobile electronic devices are increasing. 
     In particular, mobile electronic devices having various shapes have been developed for convenience of usage, and are designed to arrange components in a narrow space as efficiently as possible to reduce a volume of the device. However, a battery mounting space in the portable electronic devices may be considered when designing the portable electronic devices. A battery is generally formed as a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a space corresponding to the shape of the battery may be provided in the electronic device for mounting the battery in the portable electronic device. 
     Therefore, demands for batteries having a shape that may be flexibly mounted in a limited space of an electronic device according to a design of the portable electronic devices having various shapes are gradually increasing. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided are three-dimensional shaped batteries that may be effectively applied to an electronic device according to an internal shape of the electronic device. 
     Provided are methods of manufacturing a three-dimensional battery that may be effectively applied to an electronic device according to an internal shape of the electronic device. 
     Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments as described herein. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, a three-dimensional shaped battery includes: a cell structure including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a separation layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, where the cell structure may include a plurality of pattern units having different sizes from each other and a connecting portion which connects the pattern units to each other. 
     In an embodiment, the connecting portions may be bent or folded such that the pattern units are stacked to face each other. 
     In an embodiment, areas of the pattern units may be gradually changed in a direction in which the pattern units are stacked. 
     In an embodiment, an intermediate portion in the stacked pattern units may have an area greater than areas of other portions in the stacked pattern units. 
     In an embodiment, an intermediate portion in the stacked pattern units may have an area less than areas of other portions in the stacked pattern units. 
     In an embodiment, a hole may be formed in the pattern units. 
     In an embodiment, a plurality of holes may be formed in the pattern units, respectively, at a portion corresponding to each other in the stacked pattern units. 
     In an embodiment, an inclination surface may be defined by end portions of the pattern units in the stacked pattern units. 
     In an embodiment, the cell structure may include a plurality of connecting portions having different sizes from each other. 
     In an embodiment, the cell structure may have a jelly roll type structure or a folding type structure. 
     In an embodiment, the cell structure may further include an active material layer which does not overlap the connecting portion. 
     In an embodiment, the three-dimensional shaped battery may include an electrode current collector extending from the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer, and a lead tap electrically connected to the electrode current collector. 
     In an embodiment, the electrode current collector may extend from the first electrode layer, the electrode current collector may extend from the second electrode layer, and the electrode current collector of the first electrode layer and the electrode current collector of the second current collector may extend in different directions from each other. 
     In an embodiment, the lead tap may be electrically connected to a region of the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer, which does not overlap the active material layer. 
     In an embodiment, the three-dimensional shaped battery may further include a pouch for packing the pattern units. 
     In an embodiment, the pattern units may include a first pattern unit through an m-th pattern unit, and an (m+1)-th pattern unit through an n-th pattern unit (m and n are integers), and when areas of the pattern units are respectively denoted as A 1  through A m , and A m+1  through A n , where when m is an integer less than n/2 and closest to n/2 and the pattern unit having the largest area is disposed between the first pattern unit through the m-th pattern unit, A 1  through A m  and A m+1  through A n  may satisfy the following inequation: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
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     In an embodiment, the connecting portions may include a first connecting portion through an h-th connecting portion, where h is a natural number, when widths of the connecting portions are respectively denoted as W 1  through Wh, and the first connecting portion is connected to the first pattern unit, and when h is greater than 7 (h&gt;7), W 1  through Wh may satisfy the following inequation:
 
 W   i   +W   i+1   +W   i+2   +W   i+3   &gt;W   i+4   +W   i+5   +W   i+5   +W   i+7 ,
 
     where i is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than h−7. 
     In an embodiment, the pattern units may include a first pattern unit through an m-th pattern unit, and an (m+1)-th pattern unit through an n-th pattern unit, where m and n are natural numbers, and when areas of the pattern units are respectively denoted as A 1  through A m , and A m+1  through A n , and when m is an integer that is less than n/2 and closest to n/2 and the pattern unit having the largest area is disposed between the first pattern unit through the m-th pattern unit, A 1  through A m  and A m+1  through A n  satisfy the following inequation: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
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     In an embodiment, the pattern units may include a first pattern unit through an m-th pattern unit, and an (m+1)-th pattern unit through an n-th pattern unit, where m and n are natural numbers, and when areas of the pattern units are respectively denoted as A 1  through A m , and A m+1  through A n , and when m is an integer that is less than n/2 and closest to n/2 and the pattern unit having the largest area is disposed between the first pattern unit through the m-th pattern unit, A 1  through A m  and A m+1  through A n  satisfy the following inequation: 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
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     where i is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than n−7. 
     According to another embodiment of the invention, a method of manufacturing a three-dimensional shaped battery includes providing a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer of a cell structure of the three-dimensional shaped battery by coating an electrode active material layer on an electrode current collector using a printing method, where the cell structure of the three-dimensional shaped battery includes the first electrode layer, the second electrode layer, and a separation layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, where the cell structure further includes a plurality of pattern units having different sizes from each other, and a connecting portion disposed between the pattern units and which connects the pattern units to each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other features will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of an embodiment of a three-dimensional shaped battery according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A through 2D  are diagrams showing an unfolded state and folded states of a cell structure in the three-dimensional shaped battery shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line l 1 -l 2  of the three-dimensional shaped battery of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line m 1 -m 2  of the three-dimensional shaped battery of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view taken along line n 1 -n 2  of the three-dimensional shaped battery of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are diagrams showing an embodiment of a manufacturing process of forming an electrode active material layer on an electrode current collector using a printing process and then separating the electrode current collector on which the electrode active material layer has been formed; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are diagrams showing an embodiment of a manufacturing process of forming an electrode active material layer on a part of an electrode current collector using a printing process and then separating the electrode current collector on which the electrode active material layer has been formed; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagrams of another embodiment of a three-dimensional shaped battery in which a hole is formed in a pattern unit according to the invention; 
         FIG. 7A  is a diagram showing an unfolded state of a first electrode layer and a second electrode layer on which lead tap terminals are respectively disposed; 
         FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing a three-dimensional shaped battery in which the first and second electrode layers shown in  FIG. 7A  are folded; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an embodiment of a cell structure formed by applying Inequation 1; 
         FIG. 9A  is a diagram showing an embodiment of a cell structure formed by applying Inequation 2; 
         FIG. 9B  is a diagram showing an embodiment of a three-dimensional shaped battery in which an intermediate portion in a stacked structure of a pattern unit has relatively narrower width than a width of the other portion; and 
         FIG. 9C  is a diagram showing an embodiment of a three-dimensional shaped battery in which an intermediate portion in the stacked structure of the pattern unit has the widest width. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms, and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the invention. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms, “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims set forth herein. 
     All methods described herein can be performed in a suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention as used herein. 
     Reference will now be made in detail to three-dimensional shaped batteries according to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. Thickness of layers or regions shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity of the specification. Expressions such as “at least one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments according to the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a plan view of an embodiment of a three-dimensional shaped battery according to the invention. An embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the three-dimensional shaped battery may has a stacked structure in which cell structures, each including a first electrode layer, a separation layer and a second electrode layer, are stacked in a multi-layered structure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a cell structure of the three-dimensional shaped battery includes a plurality of pattern units  11 , and a plurality of connecting portions  21  disposed between the pattern units  11 . In  FIG. 1 , the pattern units  11  include first through fourth pattern units  11   a ,  11   b ,  11   c  and  11   d  that have different sizes and are stacked; however, the number of the pattern units  11  is not limited thereto. The connecting portions  21  are disposed between the pattern units  11  and connected to the pattern units  11 . In  FIG. 1 , the connecting portions  21  include first through third connecting portions  21   a ,  21   b  and  21   c ; however, the invention is not limited thereto, that is, the number of the connecting portions  21  between the pattern units  11  may be determined based on the number of the pattern units, e.g., the number of the connecting portions  21  increases when the number of the pattern units  11  increases. The number of the connecting portions  21  may be greater than or equal to two, and the connecting portions  21  may have different sizes from each other. The connecting portions  21  may be bent or folded to stack the pattern units  11  while facing each other. In such an embodiment, the cell structure may be a jelly roll structure or a folding structure. In one embodiment, for example, a planar element ( FIG. 2A ) may be repeatedly rolled or folded on itself ( FIGS. 2B to 2D ) to form the jelly roll structure. 
       FIGS. 2A through 2D  are plan views showing an unfolded states and folded states of the cell structure in the three-dimensional shaped battery of  FIG. 1 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2A , the cell structure of the three-dimensional shaped battery includes the first pattern unit  11   a , the second pattern unit  11   b , the third pattern unit  11   c  and the fourth pattern unit  11   d . The first connecting portion  21   a  is disposed between the first pattern unit  11   a  and the second pattern unit  11   b , the second connecting portion  21   b  is disposed between the second pattern unit  11   b  and the third pattern unit  11   c , and the third connecting portion  21   c  is disposed between the third pattern unit  11   c  and the fourth pattern unit  11   d . In an embodiment of the three-dimensional battery structure shown in  FIG. 1 , the connecting portions between the pattern units may be bent or folded such that the pattern units are stacked facing each other. 
     In one embodiment, for example, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the third connecting portion  21   c  is bent or folded such that the fourth pattern unit  11   d  is disposed on the third pattern unit  11   c . Then, as shown in  FIG. 2C , the second connecting portion  21   b  is bent or folded such that the fourth pattern unit  11   d  and the third pattern unit  11   c  are disposed on the second pattern unit  11   b . Then, the first connecting portion  21   a  is bent or folded on the third pattern unit  11   c  such that the three-dimensional shaped battery shown in  FIG. 2D  may be provided. 
     Sizes, shapes and the number of the pattern units  11  may be variously selected based on a shape and a size of a space to be occupied by the battery in a portable electronic device. The sizes of the pattern units  11  may be different from each other. In an embodiment, some of the pattern units may have the same size as each other, and at least two pattern units may have different sizes from each other. The shapes of the pattern units  11  may be substantially similar to each other; however, the invention is not limited thereto. In one embodiment, for example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the pattern units  11  may have a planar cross-like shape; however, the invention is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the pattern units may have a curved surface or a rough surface at a boundary portion thereof. In an alternative embodiment, holes may be formed in the pattern units  11 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line l 1 -l 2  of the three-dimensional shaped battery of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 3A , the fourth pattern unit  11   d , the third pattern unit  11   c , and the first pattern unit  11   a  are sequentially stacked on the second pattern unit  11   b . In such an embodiment, the second pattern unit  11   b  having a largest area is disposed on a lower portion, and the pattern units having gradually reduced sizes are sequentially disposed on the second pattern units  11   b . Widths of the first through third connecting portions  21   a  through  21   c  may be adjusted according to the stacking order of the pattern units  11   a  through  11   d . The first connecting portion  21   a  between the first pattern unit  11   a  and the second pattern unit  11   b  may have greater width than widths of other connecting portions, e.g., the second and third connecting portions  21   b  and  21   c.    
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line m 1 -m 2  of the three-dimensional shaped battery of  FIG. 1 . Referring to  FIG. 3B , the fourth pattern unit  11   d , the third pattern unit  11   c  and the first pattern unit  11   a  are sequentially stacked on the second pattern unit  11   b  having the largest area. In such an embodiment, the pattern units  11  include at least two or more pattern units having different sizes from each other, and an inclination angle θ may be formed by end portions of the pattern units  11 . The inclination angle θ formed by the end portions of the pattern units  11  is less than about 90°, and the inclination angle θ may be determined based on a shape of a space to be occupied by the battery, in the portable electronic device. 
       FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view taken along line n 1 -n 2  of the cell structure of  FIG. 2A . The cell structure  300  including the pattern units  11  and the connecting portions  21  may include a first electrode layer  301 , a separation layer  302  and a second electrode layer  303 . The first electrode layer  301  may be one of a positive plate or a negative plate. In an embodiment, the first electrode layer  301  is a positive plate, and the second electrode  303  is a negative plate. In an alternative embodiment, the first electrode layer  301  is a negative plate, and the second electrode layer  303  may be a positive plate. The positive plate and the negative plate may be provided by coating an electrode active material layer, for example, a positive active material layer or a negative active material layer, on an electrode current collector such as a positive current collector or a negative current collector. The positive plate and the negative plate may have substantially the same size as each other; however the invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, the positive plate and the negative plate may have different sizes from each other based on bending or folding of the connecting portions. In an embodiment, the cell structure  300  is a jelly roll type, and an additional separation layer may be further disposed on a surface, e.g., an outer surface, of the first electrode layer  301  or the second electrode layer  303 . 
     The positive plate may include the positive current collector and the positive active material layer disposed on surfaces of the positive current collector. The positive current collector may include metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, titan, copper, silver, or a combination thereof. The positive active material layer may include a positive active material, a binder and a conductive material. 
     In an embodiment, the positive active material may be any kind of material that may occlude or discharge lithium ions reversibly. In one embodiment, for example, the positive active material may include at least one selected from lithium transition metal oxides such as lithium cobalt oxide, lithium nickel oxide, lithium nickel cobalt oxide, lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide, lithium nickel cobalt manganese oxide, lithium manganese oxide and lithium iron phosphate, nickel sulfide, copper sulfide, sulfate, iron oxide and vanadium oxide. 
     In an embodiment, the binder of the positive active material layer may include at least one selected from vinylidene fluoride/hexafluoropropylene copolymer, poly(vinylidene fluoride), polyacrylonitrile, polymethylmethacrylate, polytetrafluoroethylene and styrene butadiene rubber-based polymer. 
     In an embodiment, the conductive material of the positive active material layer may include at least one selected from a carbon-based conductive material such as carbon black, carbon fiber and graphite, conductive fiber such as metal fiber, metal powder such as carbon fluoride powder, aluminum powder and nickel powder, a conductive whisker such as zinc oxide and potassium titanate, a conductive metal oxide such as titanium oxide, and polyphenylene derivatives. 
     The negative plate may include a negative current collector and a negative active material layer disposed on surface of the negative current collector. In an embodiment, the negative current collector may include at least one metal selected from copper, stainless steel, nickel, aluminum and titanium. The negative active material layer may include a negative active material, a binder and a conductive material. 
     In an embodiment, the negative active material may be any kind of material that may become alloy with lithium, or reversibly occlude or discharge lithium. In one embodiment, for example, the negative active material may be one selected from metal, carbon-based materials, metal oxides and lithium metal nitrides. The metal of the negative active material layer may include at least one material selected from lithium, silicate, magnesium, aluminum, germanium, tin, lead, arsenic, antimony, bismuth, silver, gold, zinc, cadmium, mercury, copper, iron, nickel, cobalt and indium. The carbon-based material may be at least one selected from graphite, graphite carbon fiber, cokes, mesocarbon microbeads (“MCMB”), polyacene, pitch-based carbon fiber and hard carbon. The metal oxide may include at least one selected from lithium titanium oxide, titanium oxide, molybdenum oxide, niobium oxide, iron oxide, tungsten oxide, tin oxide, amorphous tin mixed oxide, silicon monoxide, cobalt oxide and nickel oxide. The binder and the conductive material of the negative active material layer may be substantially the same as the binder and the conductive material of the positive active material layer. 
     In an embodiment, the separation layer  302  may be a porous polymer layer such as a polyethylene film or a polypropylene film, and may be formed as a woven or non-woven fabric. In such an embodiment, the separation layer  302  may include ceramic particles, and may be formed of a polymer solid electrolyte. The separation layer  302  may be provided by providing a non-conductive porous layer on the first electrode layer  301  or the second electrode layer  303 . The separation layer  302  is provided by electrically separating the first and second electrode layers  301  and  303  from each other. In an embodiment, a shape of the separation layer  302  may be different from the shape of the first electrode layer  301  or the second electrode layer  303 . 
     In an embodiment, the positive plate or the negative plate may be provided by applying the electrode active material layer on the electrode current collector in various ways, and the method of applying the electrode active material layer is not limited. In an embodiment, the electrode active material layer may be provided by being coated on the electrode current collector using a printing process. After coating the electrode active material layer on an entire surface of the electrode current collector, the electrode current collector may be cut to have a predetermined shape. In such an embodiment, the active material layer is provided only on a predetermined region to reduce an amount of un-used electrode active material, thereby improving the efficiency of the active material and reducing fabrication costs. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are diagrams showing an embodiment of a process of forming an electrode active material layer  41  on an electrode current collector  40  using the printing process and then separating the electrode current collector  40  on which the electrode active material layer  41  has been formed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , in an embodiment, the electrode active material layer  41  is applied on the electrode current collector  40  to have a predetermined shape. In such an embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4B , a region of the electrode current collector  40 , on which the electrode active material layer  41  is not formed, is removed to fabricate the positive plate or the negative plate. 
     In an embodiment, the electrode active material layer may be formed only on a region corresponding to a shape of the pattern unit, and formation of the electrode active material layer may be omitted on the region corresponding to the connecting portion. 
       FIGS. 5A and 5B  are diagrams showing an embodiment of a manufacturing process of forming an electrode active material layer on a part of an electrode current collector using a printing process and then separating the electrode current collector on which the electrode active material layer has been formed 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , an electrode active material layer  51  is formed only on a region corresponding to a pattern unit  51   a  on an electrode current collector  50 . The electrode active layer  51  is not provided on a region corresponding to a connecting portion  51   b . In an embodiment, regions of the electrode current collector  50 , except for the pattern unit  51   a  and the connecting portion  51   b , are removed to fabricate the positive plate or the negative plate as shown in  FIG. 5B . The electrode active material layer  51  may be applied on a region equal to or greater than about 90% of the pattern unit  51   a.    
     As described above, the electrode active material layer  41  or  51  on the electrode current collector  40  or  50  may be applied by various processes. In an embodiment, the printing process is used for applying the electrode active material layer  41  or  51  on the predetermined regions of the electrode current collector  40  or  50 . In one embodiment, for example, the printing process may be performed using a screen printing method, a stenciling method, a gravure printing, an inkjet printing, a flexography method and a lithography method. 
     In an embodiment, the positive plate and the negative plate may be connected to lead taps to be electrically connected to external terminals. In such an embodiment, the electrode active material layer  41  or  51  is exposes a portion of the electrode current collector  40  or  50  of the positive plate or the negative plate to form an exposed portion of the electrode current collector  40  or  50 , and the exposed portion of the electrode current collector  40  or  50  may be electrically connected to the lead tap. In an embodiment of the three-dimensional shaped battery, the cell structure may be packed by a flexible pouch, and in such an embodiment, the lead tap may be exposed by the pouch of the battery to form a terminal of the battery. In an embodiment, the lead taps of the positive plate and the negative plate may be disposed in a same direction as each other. In an alternative embodiment, the lead taps of the positive plate and the negative plate may be disposed in different directions from each other. 
     In an embodiment, a portion of the electrode current collector  40  or  50  of the positive plate or the negative plate may be elongated and electrically connected to the lead tap that is connected to the outside of the battery. In an embodiment, the extending portions of the positive plate and the negative plate may be disposed in a same direction as each other. In an alternative embodiment, the extending portions of the positive plate and the negative plate may be disposed in different directions from each other. 
     The positive plate and the negative plate described above are respectively used as the first electrode layer  301  or the second electrode layer  303 , which disposed overlapping each other, thereby providing the cell structure  300 . 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  are diagrams of another embodiment of a three-dimensional shaped battery, in which holes are formed in pattern units, according to the invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6A , the cell structure includes a plurality of pattern units, e.g., a first pattern unit  61   a , a second pattern unit  61   b , a third pattern unit  61   c  and a fourth pattern unit  61   d , having different sizes from each other, a plurality of connecting portions, e.g., a first connecting portion  62   a , a second connecting portion  62   b  and a third connecting portion  62   c , are disposed between the pattern units  61   a ,  61   b ,  61   c  and  61   d . The pattern units  61   a ,  61   b ,  61   c  and  61   d  respectively include a plurality of holes, e.g., a first hole  63   a , a second hole  63   b , a third hole  63   c  and a fourth hole  63   d , formed therethrough. 
     In an embodiment of the three-dimensional shaped battery, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the third connecting portions  62   c  is bent or folded (f 61 ) such that the fourth pattern unit  61   d  is disposed on the third pattern unit  61   c , and the second connecting portion  62   b  is bent or folded (f 62 ) such that the fourth pattern unit  61   d  and the third pattern unit  61   c  are disposed on the second pattern unit  61   b . The first connecting portion  62   a  is bent or folded such that the first pattern unit  61   a  is disposed on the third pattern unit  61   c . In such an embodiment, the first through fourth pattern units  61   a  through  61   d  face each other, and the holes  63   a  through  63   d  penetrating through the first through fourth pattern units  61   a  through  61   d  respectively are defined and aligned to form a continuous hole  63 . The three-dimensional shaped battery having the above structure may be disposed, e.g., inserted, into a predetermined space in an electronic device, thereby substantially improving efficiency of a space usage. 
       FIG. 7A  is a diagram showing an unfolded states of the first and second electrode layers on which the lead tap terminals are respectively disposed. In addition,  FIG. 7B  is a diagram showing the three-dimensional shaped battery in which the first and second electrode plates are folded. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7A , the first electrode layer includes a plurality of pattern units  711   a ,  711   b ,  711   c  and  711   d , and a plurality of connecting portions  721   a ,  721   b  and  721   c  disposed between the pattern units  711   a  through  711   d . Holes  731   a ,  731   b ,  731   c  and  731   d  that penetrate through the pattern units  711   a  through  711   d  are respectively formed in the pattern units  711   a  through  711   d . A first lead tap  74  that is electrically connected to an external terminal is provided in the hole  731   b  of the second pattern unit  711   b.    
     The second electrode layer includes a plurality of pattern units  712   a ,  712   b ,  712   c  and  712   d  having different sizes from each other, and a plurality of connecting portions  722   a ,  722   b  and  722   c  disposed between the pattern units  712   a  through  712   d . The pattern units  712   a  through  712   d  of the second electrode layer respectively include holes  732   a ,  732   b ,  732   c  and  732   d  that penetrate therethrough. A second lead tap  75  that is electrically connected to an external terminal is disposed on a side portion of the second pattern unit  712   b.    
       FIG. 7B  shows a structure of the three-dimensional battery formed using the first and second electrode layers shown in  FIG. 7A . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7B , the cell structure has a structure in which a plurality of pattern units, e.g., first through fourth pattern units  71   a  through  71   d , are sequentially stacked, and a plurality of connecting portions  72   a  through  72   c  disposed between the pattern units  71   a  through  71   d  are bent or folded to stack the pattern units  71   a  through  71   d . The pattern units  71   a  through  71   d  of the cell structure include the pattern units  711   a  through  711   d  of the first electrode layer and the pattern units  712   a  through  712   d  of the second electrode layer, and the connecting portions  72   a  through  72   c  of the cell structure includes the connecting portions  721   a ,  721   b  and  721   c  of the first electrode layer and the connecting portions  722   a ,  722   b  and  722   c  of the second electrode layer. The holes  731   a ,  731   b ,  731   c ,  731   d ,  732   a ,  732   b ,  732   c  and  732   d  respectively penetrate through the pattern units  71   a  through  71   d  and are aligned to form a continuous hole  73 . The first lead tap  74  that is electrically connected to the external terminal is disposed on the first electrode layer and the second lead tap  75  that is electrically connected to the external terminal is disposed in and overlapping the hole  732   b  of the second electrode layer. As described above, the lead taps  74  and  75  on the first and the second electrode layers respectively may extend in different directions from each other, e.g., opposing directions. In an alternative embodiment, the lead taps on the first and the second electrode layers may extend in the same direction as each other. 
     In an embodiment, the three-dimensional shaped battery includes the cell structure having the pattern units and the connecting portions as described above, and the shape and area of each of the pattern units may be adjusted based on the shape of a battery insertion unit in an electronic device. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method of designing the pattern units and the connecting portions, e.g., a method of determining the shapes and areas of the pattern units and the connecting portions, will be described. 
     In an embodiment, where the pattern units include a first pattern unit through an m-th pattern unit, and an (m+1)-th pattern unit through an n-th pattern unit (m and n are natural numbers), areas of the first pattern unit through the m-th pattern unit and the (m+1)-th pattern unit through the n-th pattern unit may be respectively denoted as A 1  through A m , and A m+1  through A n . Here, m is less than n/2 and a natural number closest to n/2, and when the pattern unit having the greatest area is disposed between the first through m-th pattern units, the areas of the pattern units may be set to satisfy the following inequation 1 in the three-dimensional shaped battery. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           i 
                           = 
                           1 
                         
                         m 
                       
                       ⁢ 
                       
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               A 
                               i 
                             
                             - 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   ∑ 
                                   
                                     k 
                                     = 
                                     1 
                                   
                                   m 
                                 
                                 ⁢ 
                                 
                                   A 
                                   k 
                                 
                               
                               m 
                             
                           
                           ) 
                         
                         2 
                       
                     
                     m 
                   
                   &gt; 
                   
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           j 
                           = 
                           
                             m 
                             + 
                             1 
                           
                         
                         n 
                       
                       ⁢ 
                       
                         
                           ( 
                           
                             
                               A 
                               j 
                             
                             - 
                             
                               
                                 
                                   ∑ 
                                   
                                     l 
                                     = 
                                     
                                       m 
                                       + 
                                       1 
                                     
                                   
                                   n 
                                 
                                 ⁢ 
                                 
                                   A 
                                   l 
                                 
                               
                               
                                 n 
                                 - 
                                 m 
                               
                             
                           
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                         2 
                       
                     
                     
                       n 
                       - 
                       m 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   1 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of a cell structure based on areas of the pattern units determined according to inequation 1. Referring to  FIG. 8 , six pattern units, e.g., first through sixth pattern units  81   a ,  81   b ,  81   c ,  81   d ,  81   e  and  81   f , are provided, and five connecting portions, e.g., first through fifth connecting portions  82   a ,  82   b ,  82   c ,  82   d  and  82   e , are disposed between the pattern units  81   a  through  81   f . In such an embodiment, n is 6 and m is 3 in the above inequation 1, and the first pattern unit  81   a  may have the greatest area among the pattern units. In one embodiment, for example, the first through sixth pattern units  81   a  through  81   f  may have areas of about 12 square centimeters (cm 2 ), about 1.6 cm 2 , about 9.88 cm 2 , about 2.52 cm 2 , about 7.92 cm 2  and about 3.6 cm 2 , respectively, which satisfy above inequation 1. 
     As described above, when the three-dimensional shaped battery is formed using above inequation 1, the pattern units having less areas are sequentially disposed on the pattern unit of the greatest area, and side end portions of the pattern units are disposed to be inclined, thereby providing the three-dimensional shaped battery. 
     In such an embodiment, an intermediate portion in the stacked structure of the pattern units, e.g., the stacked pattern units, in the three-dimensional shaped battery may have the largest width or the narrowest width, areas of the pattern units may be set to satisfy following inequation 2. Here, the pattern units include a first pattern unit through an m-th pattern unit, and an (m+1)-th pattern unit through an n-th pattern unit (m and n are natural numbers), and areas of the first through m-th pattern units, and the (m+1)-th pattern unit through n-th pattern unit are respectively A 1  through A m , and A m+1  through A n . Here, m is an integer that is less than and the closest to n/2, and the pattern unit having the greatest area is disposed between the first pattern unit and the m-th pattern unit. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           i 
                           = 
                           1 
                         
                         m 
                       
                       ⁢ 
                       
                         A 
                         i 
                       
                     
                     m 
                   
                   &gt; 
                   
                     
                       
                         ∑ 
                         
                           j 
                           = 
                           
                             m 
                             + 
                             1 
                           
                         
                         n 
                       
                       ⁢ 
                       
                         A 
                         j 
                       
                     
                     
                       n 
                       - 
                       m 
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   2 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In an embodiment, when the cell structure including the pattern units is designed to satisfy above inequation 2, the three-dimensional shaped battery in which the intermediate portion of the stacked structure of the pattern unit has less widths than widths of upper and lower portions of the stacked structure may be provided by winding the first pattern unit to be located at an outer portion of the n-th pattern unit. In such an embodiment, the three-dimensional shaped battery in which the intermediate portion of the stacked structure of the pattern units has greater width than widths of the upper and lower portions thereof may be provided by winding the first pattern unit to be located at an inner portion of the n-th pattern unit. 
       FIG. 9A  shows a cell structure provided using above inequation 2. Referring to  FIG. 9A , six pattern units, e.g., first through sixth pattern units  91   a ,  91   b ,  91   c ,  91   d ,  91   e  and  91   f , are provided, and a plurality of connecting portions may be provided between the first through sixth pattern units  91   a  through  91   f . Since widths of the connecting portions may vary depending on a stacking order of the first through sixth pattern units  91   a  through  91   f , the connecting portions are not shown in  FIG. 9A . According to above inequation 2, n is 6 and m is 3, and the first pattern unit  91   a  has the largest area among the pattern units  91   a  through  91   f.    
     In an embodiment, when the cell structure is wound such that the first pattern unit  91   a  is wound at an outer portion of the sixth pattern unit  91   f , as shown in  FIG. 9B , in the three-dimensional shaped battery, an intermediate portion of the stacked structure of the pattern units  91   a  through  91   f  may have a width less than widths of the other portions. In such an embodiment, when the cell structure is formed by winding the pattern units such that the first pattern unit  91   a  is wound on an inner portion of the sixth pattern unit  91   f , as shown in the three-dimensional shaped battery of  FIG. 9C , the intermediate portion of the stacked structure of the pattern units  91   a  through  91   f  has the largest width. 
     In an embodiment, when the connecting portions include a first connecting portion through an h-th connecting portion (h is natural number), and when widths of the first through h-th connecting portions are respectively denoted as W 1  through Wh, the first connecting portion is located between the first and second pattern units. In an embodiment, when h is greater than 7, W 1  through Wh may satisfy the following inequation 3.
 
 W   i   +W   i+1   +W   i+2   +W   i+3   &gt;W   i+4   +W   i+5   +W   i+5   +W   i+7   (3)
 
     In inequation 3, i is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than h−7. 
     When the connecting portions are provided using inequation 3, the widths of the connecting portions may be wide when the pattern units are stacked, thereby effectively providing the pattern units in multiple layers. 
     In an embodiment, as described above, the three-dimensional shaped battery may have the structure formed by winding the cell structure including the pattern units and the connecting portions in a direction. In an alternative embodiment, the cell structure may be provided to have a folding structure in which the connecting portions are folded in zigzag manner. In such an embodiment, the pattern units may include a first pattern unit through an m-th pattern unit, and an (m+1)-th pattern unit and an n-th pattern unit (m and n are natural numbers), and the pattern units may have areas of A 1  through A m , and A m+1  through A n . Here, m is an integer that is less than m/2 and closest to n/2, and when the pattern unit having the largest area is disposed between the first pattern unit through the m-th pattern unit, A 1  through A m  and A m+1  through A n  may satisfy following inequation 4 in the three-dimensional shaped battery. 
     
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       
                         k 
                         = 
                         0 
                       
                       3 
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       A 
                       
                         i 
                         + 
                         k 
                       
                     
                   
                   &gt; 
                   
                     
                       ∑ 
                       
                         j 
                         = 
                         4 
                       
                       7 
                     
                     ⁢ 
                     
                       A 
                       
                         i 
                         + 
                         j 
                       
                     
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   ( 
                   4 
                   ) 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
     In inequation 4, i is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than n−7. 
     As described above, an embodiment of the three-dimensional shaped battery according to the invention includes the pattern units having different sizes from each other, and the connecting portions disposed between the pattern units, and the cell structure is formed by bending or folding the connecting portions to stack the pattern units facing each other. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the invention, the cell structure is provided to have a shape corresponding to the inner space in the electronic device and the three-dimensional shaped battery including the cell structure may be provided. Accordingly, when the inner space of the electronic device has an inclined surface, the battery having a corresponding shape may be provided. 
     It should be understood that the embodiments described therein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each embodiment should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other embodiments.