Patent Description:
In general, a rechargeable battery is a battery that is designed to be charged and discharged.

Recently, as the demand for wearable devices, such as headphones, earphones, smartwatches, and body-attached medical devices using wireless communication, such as Bluetooth, increases, the demand for an ultra-small rechargeable battery mounted on (or in) the wearable device is increasing.

Such an ultra-small rechargeable battery includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly including both electrodes, the case being connected to one electrode of the electrode assembly, and a terminal portion connected with the other electrode of the electrode assembly while sealing the case and the electrode assembly.

However, a conventional ultra-small rechargeable battery uses a polymer material to close and seal and insulate between the terminal portion and the case, and thus, it is vulnerable to high temperature and high humidity environments.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and therefore, it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art. <CIT> and <CIT> a rechargeable battery including a plating layer bonded to an insulation layer. <CIT> discloses an insulating layer of ceramic material.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a rechargeable battery that is strong (e.g., resilient or durable) in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a rechargeable battery is provided as defined in claim <NUM>.

The terminal portion may include: a first terminal portion including a flange portion covering the opening in the cap plate and being on the cap plate and a protruding portion that extends from the flange portion into the opening in the cap plate; and a plating layer coated on a surface of the first terminal portion.

The plating layer may close and seal between the first terminal portion and the cap plate.

The terminal portion may include: a second terminal portion in the opening in the cap plate; and a plating layer coated on a surface of the second terminal portion.

The plating layer may close and seal between the second terminal portion and the cap plate.

The plating layer may include: a first plating portion filling the opening in the cap plate; a second plating portion extend from the first plating portion and covering an upper surface of the cap plate; and a third plating portion extending from the first plating portion and covering a lower surface of the cap plate.

The insulation layer may include: a first coating layer coated on a side surface of the cap plate that forms the opening in the cap plate; a second coating layer coated on an upper surface of the cap plate around the opening in the cap plate; and a third coating layer coated on a lower surface of the cap plate around the opening in the cap plate.

The first coating layer, the second coating layer, and the third coating layer may be integrally formed.

The second coating layer may be coated on only a part of the upper surface of the cap plate, and the third coating layer may be coated on only a part of the lower surface of the cap plate. The first coating layer may be completely covered by the plating layer, whereas the second coating layer and/or the third coating layer may not covered by the plating layer. Alternatively, the first coating layer may be completely covered by the plating layer, whereas the second coating layer and/or the third coating layer may be partly covered by the plating layer.

The terminal portion may include a plating layer that directly contacts the first coating layer, the second coating layer, and the third coating layer.

The first coating layer may be completely covered by the plating layer, and a part of the second coating layer and a part of the third coating layer may not contact the plating layer.

The insulation layer may include a ceramic material.

The electrode assembly may further include: a first electrode tab extended from the first electrode and welded to the case; and a second electrode tab extended from the second electrode and welded to the terminal portion.

The case and the cap plate may have the same polarity as the first electrode, and the terminal portion may have the same polarity as the second electrode.

The rechargeable battery may be a coin cell or a button cell.

A ratio of a height to a diameter of the coin cell or the button cell may be <NUM> or less.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a rechargeable battery that is strong to (e.g., durable or resilient in a) high temperature and high humidity environments is provided.

The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to be limiting of the described example embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, unless explicitly described to the contrary, the words "have," "include," and "comprise", and variations such as "has," "having," "includes," "including," "comprises," or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

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 may be directly on, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer or one or more intervening elements or layers may also be present. When an element or layer 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. For example, when a first element is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to a second element, the first element may be directly coupled or connected to the second element or the first element may be indirectly coupled or connected to the second element via one or more intervening elements.

In the figures, dimensions of the various elements, layers, etc. may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. The same reference numerals designate the same elements. Further, the use of "may" when describing embodiments of the present disclosure relates to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. " 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. As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variations in measured or calculated values that would be recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.

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's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated 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" or "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated <NUM> degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

Hereinafter, referring to <FIG>, a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment will be described.

A rechargeable battery according to an embodiment is an ultra-small rechargeable battery and may be a coin-type battery (e.g., a coin cell) or a button-type battery (e.g., a button cell) but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery may be a cylindrical or pin-type battery.

Here, the coin-type battery or the button-type battery is a thin coin or button-type battery and may imply a battery of which a ratio (e.g., a height / diameter ratio) of a height to a diameter is <NUM> or less, but this is not restrictive. Because the coin-type battery or the button-type battery is generally (or primarily) cylindrical, the cross-section in the horizontal direction is circular, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the rechargeable battery may have an elliptical or polygonal shape in the horizontal direction. The diameter may be a maximum distance with reference to the horizontal direction of the battery, and the height may be a maximum distance (e.g., a distance from a flat top surface to a flat bottom surface in a cross-section) with the vertical direction of the battery as a reference.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a rechargeable battery <NUM> according to an embodiment includes an electrode assembly <NUM>, a case <NUM>, a cap plate <NUM>, and a terminal portion <NUM>.

The electrode assembly <NUM> is accommodated in the case <NUM>. A lower portion of the electrode assembly <NUM> faces a bottom portion of the case <NUM>, and an upper portion of the electrode assembly <NUM> faces the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM> covering, preferably fully covering an opening <NUM> of the case <NUM>. The upper and lower portions of the electrode assembly <NUM> may have a planar shape parallel to each other, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The electrode assembly <NUM> includes a first electrode <NUM>, a second electrode <NUM>, a separator <NUM>, a first electrode tab <NUM>, and a second electrode tab <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> are spaced apart from each other, and a separator <NUM> including an insulating material is positioned between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>. The first electrode <NUM> may be an anode, and the second electrode <NUM> may be a cathode, but they are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first electrode <NUM> may be a cathode, and the second electrode <NUM> may be an anode.

The first electrode <NUM> has a band shape extending in one direction and includes an anode coated region, where an anode active material layer is applied to a current collector of a metal foil (e.g., a Cu foil), and an anode uncoated region, where no active material is applied. The anode uncoated region may be positioned at one end in the extension direction of the first electrode <NUM>.

The second electrode <NUM> has a band shape extending in one direction while being spaced apart from the first electrode <NUM> with the separator <NUM> therebetween and includes a cathode coated region, where a cathode active material layer is applied to a current collector of a metal foil (e.g., an Al foil) and a cathode uncoated region, where no active material is applied.

The cathode uncoated region may be located at one end in the extending direction of the second electrode <NUM>.

The separator <NUM> extends in one direction between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> to prevent a short circuit between the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>.

The first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> are sequentially stacked and wound in the form of a jelly roll. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first electrode <NUM>, the separator <NUM>, and the second electrode <NUM> may be formed in various known shapes. Each of the first electrode <NUM>, the second electrode <NUM>, and the separator <NUM> may include various known materials.

The first electrode tab <NUM> extends from the first electrode <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> to the case <NUM>. The first electrode tab <NUM> is coupled to the bottom portion of the case <NUM> to connect the first electrode <NUM> and the case <NUM> to each other. The first electrode tab <NUM> contacts the first electrode <NUM> and the case <NUM>. The first electrode tab <NUM> is welded to the bottom portion of the case <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The case <NUM> has the same polarity as the first electrode <NUM> via the first electrode tab <NUM>.

The second electrode tab <NUM> extends from the second electrode <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> to the terminal portion <NUM>. The second electrode tab <NUM> is coupled to a plating layer <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM> to connect the second electrode <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM> to each other. The second electrode tab <NUM> contacts the second electrode <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM>. The second electrode tab <NUM> is coupled, preferably welded to the surface of the plating layer <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The terminal portion <NUM> has the same polarity as that of the second electrode <NUM> via the second electrode tab <NUM>.

A center pin penetrating (e.g., extending through) the center of the electrode assembly <NUM> in the vertical direction may be positioned in a central portion of the electrode assembly <NUM>. The center pin may support the first electrode tab <NUM> and the second electrode tab <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The case <NUM> is connected to the first electrode <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> and accommodates the electrode assembly <NUM>. The case <NUM> has an opening <NUM> exposing the top of the electrode assembly <NUM>. Because the first electrode tab <NUM> is connected, preferably welded to the bottom portion of the case <NUM> and connected to the first electrode <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM>, the case <NUM> has the same polarity as the first electrode <NUM>. The case <NUM> may be a cylinder-shaped can for accommodating the electrode assembly <NUM> in a jelly roll form, but the case <NUM> is not limited thereto and may have various known forms and/or shapes. The case <NUM> may accommodate a variety of known electrolyte solutions together with the electrode assembly <NUM>. An outer surface of the case <NUM> may be a first electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In such an embodiment, a top surface of the plating layer <NUM>, which is the outer surface of the terminal portion <NUM>, may be a second electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The case <NUM> includes stainless steel, but it is not limited thereto and may include another metal, such as aluminum or nickel and copper. In some embodiments, another plating layer may be coated on the outer surface of the case <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and various known coating layers may be coated on the outer surface of the case <NUM>.

The opening <NUM> in the case <NUM> is covered by the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view of the portion A of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> together with <FIG>, the cap plate <NUM> is coupled to the case <NUM> to cover an outer region of the opening <NUM>. The cap plate <NUM> has an opening (e.g., a penetration hole) <NUM> exposing a central region of the opening <NUM> and includes an insulation layer <NUM> coated on the surface of the cap plate <NUM> corresponding to (e.g., forming or exposed to) the opening <NUM>. Preferably, the surface of the cap plate <NUM> in the region of the opening <NUM> is coated with the insulation layer <NUM>.

The cap plate <NUM> is directly coupled to a side wall of the case <NUM> forming the opening <NUM> in the case <NUM> by a welding process and the like to cover the outer region of the opening <NUM>. The cap plate <NUM> has a ring shape formed by the opening <NUM> in the center of the cap plate <NUM>, but the cap plate <NUM> is not limited thereto. The cap plate <NUM> is coupled with the case <NUM> and has the same polarity as the first electrode <NUM>. The cap plate <NUM> includes stainless steel, but it is not limited thereto and may include other metals, such as aluminum or nickel and copper. The outer surface of the cap plate <NUM> may be a first electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery <NUM>, but it is not limited thereto.

The insulation layer <NUM> is coated on a portion of the surface of the cap plate <NUM> corresponding to the opening <NUM> and insulates between the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM>. The insulation layer <NUM> includes a first coating layer <NUM>, a second coating layer <NUM>, and a third coating layer <NUM>. The first coating layer <NUM> is coated, preferably directly coated on a side surface of the cap plate <NUM> forming the opening <NUM>, the second coating layer <NUM> is coated, preferably directly coated on an upper surface of the cap plate <NUM> around the opening <NUM>, and the third coating layer <NUM> is coated, preferably directly coated on a lower surface of the cap plate <NUM> around the opening <NUM>. The first coating layer <NUM>, the second coating layer <NUM>, and the third coating layer <NUM> are integrally formed, and the first coating layer <NUM>, the second coating layer <NUM>, and the third coating layer <NUM> directly contact the plating layer <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM>. In a vertical cross-section cut through the battery such as shown in <FIG>, the first coating layer <NUM>, the second coating layer <NUM>, and the third coating layer <NUM> may together form a c-shaped insulating layer <NUM>. The first coating layer <NUM> is completely covered by the plating layer <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM> while a part of the second coating layer <NUM> and a part of the third coating layer <NUM> may not overlap (e.g., are not covered by) the plating layer <NUM>. In other embodiments, at least <NUM>%, preferably at least <NUM>% of the area of the second or the third coating layer <NUM>, <NUM> may overlap with (e.g. may be covered by) the plating layer <NUM>. The second coating layer <NUM> is coated on only a portion of the top surface of the cap plate <NUM>, and the third coating layer <NUM> is coated on only a portion of the lower surface of the cap plate <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, each of the second coating layer <NUM> and the third coating layer <NUM> may be coated on the entire upper surface and the lower surface of the cap plate <NUM>, respectively.

The insulation layer <NUM> may be formed by depositing an insulative ceramic material resistant to a high temperature environment between the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

For example, the insulating layer <NUM> may include an aluminum oxide, a silicon oxide, a silicon nitride, an iron oxide, glass, or the like, but it is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the insulation layer <NUM> may include a variety of known materials that are resistant to high temperature environments, except for polymer materials.

The terminal portion <NUM> is connected to the second electrode <NUM> and joined in an insulated manner to the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> covers the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> in its enterity. The terminal portion <NUM> is positioned on the cap plate <NUM>, preferably is positioned to be supported by the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> fully covers the central region of the opening <NUM> in the case <NUM> at where the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> is exposed. Because the terminal portion <NUM> completely covers the central region of the opening <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM> covers the outer region of the opening <NUM> in its entirety, the opening <NUM> in the case <NUM> is completely covered by the terminal portion <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> tightly seals the electrode assembly <NUM> together with the case <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> is coupled to the second electrode tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> to be connected to the second electrode <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM>. Thus, the terminal portion <NUM> has the same polarity as the second electrode <NUM>.

The terminal portion <NUM> includes the plating layer <NUM> and a first terminal plate <NUM>.

The plating layer <NUM> is coated on a surface of the first terminal plate <NUM> and directly bonded to the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> closes and seals between the first terminal plate <NUM> and the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM> to close and seal between the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> may be coated on the surface of the first terminal plate <NUM> by using various known electroplating or electroless plating processes and may be directly bonded to the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM>. But the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The plating layer <NUM> directly contacts the first coating layer <NUM>, the second coating layer <NUM>, and the third coating layer <NUM> of the insulating layer <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> completely covers the first coating layer <NUM> and overlaps a part of (e.g., partially covers) the second coating layer <NUM> and a part of the third coating layer <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> may include various known conductive materials, such as metal, but it is not limited thereto.

The first terminal plate <NUM> includes a flange portion <NUM> and a protruding portion <NUM>.

The flange portion <NUM> is positioned on the cap plate <NUM> and overlaps the cap plate <NUM> to completely cover the opening <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> has a wider area than the protruding portion <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> may have a larger diameter than the protruding portion <NUM>. The flange portion <NUM> has a smaller thickness than the protruding portion <NUM>, but it is not limited thereto. A lower surface of the flange portion <NUM> contacts, preferably directly contacts the plating layer <NUM>, and the flange portion <NUM> is bonded to the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM> by the plating layer <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> positioned on an upper surface of the flange portion <NUM> may be a second electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery <NUM>.

The protruding portion <NUM> protrudes from the flange portion <NUM> and penetrates (e.g., extends into or through) the opening <NUM>. The protruding portion <NUM> passes through the opening <NUM> from the flange portion <NUM> and is connected to the second electrode <NUM> through the plating layer <NUM> coated on the protruding portion <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> positioned on a lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM> is coupled to or combined with the second electrode tab <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> positioned on the lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM> may be welded to the second electrode tab <NUM>, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Because the protruding portion <NUM> is coupled to the second electrode tab <NUM> through the plating layer <NUM>, the first terminal plate <NUM> and the plating layer <NUM> including the protruding portion <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM> have the same polarity as the second electrode <NUM>.

The lower surface of the protruding portion <NUM> connected to the second electrode tab <NUM> may have a smaller diameter than an upper surface of the flange portion <NUM>. In a cross-sectional cut through the battery <NUM> such as shown <FIG>, the terminal portion <NUM> may have a T-shape. The protruding portion <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM> may have a T-shape and the plating layer <NUM> formed around the protruding portion <NUM> may have a T-shape.

The protruding portion <NUM> and the flange portion <NUM> are integrally formed, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto and different materials may be combined to form the first terminal plate <NUM>. The first terminal plate <NUM> includes stainless steel, but it is not limited thereto and may include other metals, such as aluminum or nickel and copper.

As described above, in the rechargeable battery <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cap plate <NUM> is directly coupled to the case <NUM>, and the insulating bonding between the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM> is carried out by the plating layer <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM>, that is directly bonded to the insulation layer <NUM> (preferably including a ceramic material) coated on the surface of the cap plate <NUM> corresponding to the opening <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM>, and thus, sealing by the terminal portion <NUM>, the cap plate <NUM>, and the case <NUM> is easily performed even in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

For example, a rechargeable battery <NUM> that is strong (e.g., durable or resilient) in a high temperature and high humidity environment is provided.

Hereinafter, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, parts that are different from the rechargeable battery according to the above-described embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of the part B of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a rechargeable battery <NUM> according to another embodiment includes an electrode assembly <NUM>, a case <NUM>, a cap plate <NUM>, and a terminal portion <NUM>.

The terminal portion <NUM> is connected to the second electrode <NUM> and bonded in an insulated manner to the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> completely covers an opening (e.g., a penetration hole) <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> is positioned inside the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> completely covers a central region of an opening <NUM> in the case <NUM> at where the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> is exposed. Because the terminal portion <NUM> completely covers the central region of the opening <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM> covers an outer region of the opening <NUM> in its entirety, the opening <NUM> in the case <NUM> is completely covered by the terminal portion <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> tightly seals the electrode assembly <NUM> together with the case <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> is coupled to the second electrode tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> to be connected to the second electrode <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM>. Thus, the terminal portion <NUM> has the same polarity as the second electrode <NUM>.

The terminal portion <NUM> includes a plating layer <NUM> and a second terminal plate <NUM>.

The plating layer <NUM> is coated, preferably fully coated on a surface of the second terminal plate <NUM> and directly bonded to an insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> closes and seals between the second terminal plate <NUM> and the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM> to close and seal between the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> may be coated on a surface of the second terminal plate <NUM> by using various known electroplating or electroless plating processes and may be directly bonded to the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM>. But the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The plating layer <NUM> directly contacts the first coating layer <NUM>, the second coating layer <NUM>, and the third coating layer <NUM> of the insulation layer <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> completely covers the first coating layer <NUM>, and overlaps a part of (e.g., partially covers) the second coating layer <NUM> and a part of the third coating layer <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> may include various known conductive materials, such as a metal, but it is not limited thereto.

The second terminal plate <NUM> is positioned inside the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> to cover at least a part of the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM>. The second terminal plate <NUM> has a smaller diameter than a diameter of the opening <NUM>. The second terminal plate <NUM> is bonded to the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM> by the plating layer <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> positioned on a lower surface of the second terminal plate <NUM> is coupled with the second electrode tab <NUM>, and the plating layer <NUM> positioned on an upper surface of the second terminal plate <NUM> may be a second electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> positioned on a lower surface of the second terminal plate <NUM> may be welded to the second electrode tab <NUM>, but it is not limited thereto. Because the second terminal plate <NUM> is coupled with the second electrode tab <NUM> through the plating layer <NUM>, the second terminal plate <NUM> and the plating layer <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM> have the same polarity as the second electrode <NUM>. The second terminal plate <NUM> includes stainless steel, but this is not restrictive, and the second terminal plate <NUM> may include other metals, such as aluminum or nickel and copper. The terminal portion <NUM> may have a disc shape with a circumferential indentation connectable to the insulation layer <NUM> at the periphery of the opening <NUM>.

As described above, in the rechargeable battery <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cap plate <NUM> is directly coupled to the case <NUM>, and the insulating bonding between the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM> is carried out by the plating layer <NUM> of the terminal portion <NUM> that is directly bonded to the insulation layer <NUM> (preferably including a ceramic material) coated on the surface of the cap plate <NUM> corresponding to the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM>, and thus, sealing by the terminal portion <NUM>, the cap plate <NUM>, and the case <NUM> is easily performed even in a high temperature and high humidity environment.

Hereinafter, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment will be described.

Hereinafter, parts that are different from the rechargeable battery according to the above-described embodiments will be described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of the part C of <FIG>.

<FIG> and referring to <FIG>, a rechargeable battery <NUM> according to another embodiment includes an electrode assembly <NUM>, a case <NUM>, a cap plate <NUM>, and a terminal portion <NUM>.

The terminal portion <NUM> is connected to the second electrode <NUM> and is bonded in an insulated manner to the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> completely covers an opening (e.g., a penetration hole) <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> fills the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> completely covers a central region of an opening <NUM> in the case <NUM> to which the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> is exposed. Because the terminal portion <NUM> completely covers the central region of the opening <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM> covers an outer region of the opening <NUM> in its entirety, the opening <NUM> in the case <NUM> is completely covered by the terminal portion <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM>.

The terminal portion <NUM> tightly seals the electrode assembly <NUM> together with the case <NUM> and the cap plate <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> is coupled to the second electrode tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> to be connected to the second electrode <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM>. The terminal portion <NUM> has the same polarity as the second electrode <NUM>.

The terminal portion <NUM> includes a plating layer <NUM>.

The plating layer <NUM> completely fills the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> and is directly bonded to an insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> closes and seals the opening <NUM> between the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM> to close and seal the cap plate <NUM> and the terminal portion <NUM>. The opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> filled with the plating layer <NUM> may have a smaller diameter than the opening <NUM> in the rechargeable battery <NUM> according to an above-mentioned embodiment or the opening <NUM> in the rechargeable battery <NUM> according to the other embodiment, but it is not limited thereto. The plating layer <NUM> may be directly bonded to the insulation layer <NUM> of the cap plate <NUM> by completely filling the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> by using various known electroplating or electroless plating processes, but it is not limited thereto. The plating layer <NUM> directly contacts the first coating layer <NUM>, the second coating layer <NUM>, and the third coating layer <NUM> of the insulation layer <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> completely covers the first coating layer <NUM>, and overlaps a part of (e.g., partially covers) the second coating layer <NUM> and a part of the third coating layer <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> includes a first plating portion <NUM>, a second plating portion <NUM>, and a third plating portion <NUM>.

The first plating portion <NUM> fills the opening <NUM> and directly contacts the first coating layer <NUM>, the second plating portion <NUM> directly contacts the second coating layer <NUM> by covering an upper surface of the cap plate <NUM> from the first plating portion <NUM>, and the third plating portion <NUM> directly contacts the third coating layer <NUM> by covering a lower surface of the cap plate <NUM> from the first plating portion <NUM>. The first plating portion <NUM>, the second plating portion <NUM>, and the third plating portion <NUM> are integrally formed, but plating layer <NUM> is not limited thereto. At least one of the first plating portion <NUM>, the second plating portion <NUM>, and the third plating portion <NUM> may contain a different conductive material than the other portion(s). For example, at least one of the first plating portion <NUM>, the second plating portion <NUM>, and the third plating portion <NUM> may be formed as a plating seed layer and the other portion(s) may be formed as a plating growth layer, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The terminal portion <NUM> is positioned inside the opening <NUM> in the cap plate <NUM> by the plating layer <NUM>. The third plating portion <NUM> of the plating layer <NUM> is coupled with the second electrode tab <NUM>, and the second plating portion <NUM> may be a second electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery <NUM>. The third plating portion <NUM> of the plating layer <NUM> may be welded to the second electrode tab <NUM>, but it is not limited thereto. Because the plating layer <NUM> is coupled with the second electrode tab <NUM>, the terminal portion <NUM> has the same polarity as that of the second electrode <NUM>. The plating layer <NUM> may include various known conductive materials, such as a metal, but it is not limited thereto.

Claim 1:
A rechargeable battery (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
an electrode assembly (<NUM>) comprising a first electrode (<NUM>), a second electrode (<NUM>), and a separator (<NUM>) between the first electrode (<NUM>) and the second electrode (<NUM>);
a case (<NUM>) accommodating the electrode assembly (<NUM>) and connected to the first electrode (<NUM>), the case (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) exposing the electrode assembly (<NUM>);
a cap plate (<NUM>) coupled with the case (<NUM>) and covering an outer region of the opening (<NUM>) in the case (<NUM>), the cap plate (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>) exposing a central region of the opening (<NUM>) in the case (<NUM>) and comprising an insulation layer (<NUM>) coated on a surface thereof corresponding to the opening (<NUM>) in the cap plate (<NUM>); and
a terminal portion (<NUM>) connected with the second electrode (<NUM>) and bonded in an insulated manner to the cap plate (<NUM>), the terminal portion (<NUM>) covering the opening (<NUM>) in the cap plate (<NUM>),
wherein the terminal portion (<NUM>) comprises a plating layer (<NUM>) being directly bonded to the insulation layer (<NUM>) of the cap plate (<NUM>), and
wherein the plating layer (<NUM>) completely fills the opening (<NUM>) in the cap plate (<NUM>).