Patent Description:
In general, a secondary battery is manufactured by accommodating an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate and a separator interposed therebetween in a case with an electrolyte. Unlike a primary battery that is not rechargeable, the secondary battery can be charged and discharged. With technological advances in mobile devices such as cellular phones and notebook computers and increased production yields, demand for secondary batteries has rapidly increased. Recently, research and development in secondary batteries has been actively conducted for use as alternative energy sources that replace fossil fuels as energy sources for electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

Currently commercially available secondary batteries include a nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) battery, a nickel-hydrogen (Ni-MH) battery, a nickel-zinc (Ni-Zn) battery, a lithium secondary battery, and so on. Specifically, the lithium secondary battery generates little memory effect, compared to a nickel-based secondary battery, making the lithium secondary battery capable of being freely charged and discharged, and has several advantages including a low self-discharge rate and a high-energy density. Accordingly, the lithium secondary battery is drawing increasing attention.

The lithium secondary battery may undergo excessively active reactions between a positive electrode active material and an electrolyte constituting the lithium secondary battery due to overcharging to a predetermined level of voltage or higher, resulting in a structural collapse of the positive electrode active material, an oxidation of the electrolyte, or precipitation of lithium in a negative electrode active material. If such a state is continued, the lithium secondary battery may ignite or explode. <CIT> discloses an electrode assembly with a current collector, wherein the current collector comprises a first uncoated region where the active material is not coated. The <CIT> discloses a spirally-wound electrolyte secondary battery and an insulating member formed on current collector portions. The <CIT> discloses a battery with a protruding insulator. The <CIT> discloses a lithium ion rechargeable battery with an insulating layer positioned on a protrusion formed on both ends of a coated portion.

Embodiments of the present invention provide an electrode assembly, which can be prevented from being deformed, and a secondary battery comprising the same.

The above and other aspects of the present invention will be described in or be apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrode assembly according to claim <NUM>.

Here, the first electrode tab may be positioned at a central region of the first electrode plate, and the half-coating portion may be formed ahead of the first electrode tab on the basis of the winding direction.

The first electrode tab may be half coated at a trailing edge, where the active material coating portion of the second electrode plate is finished.

In addition, a cover tape is further be formed on the half-coating portion.

In addition, the cover tape is attached to exposed regions of the first electrode plate, which are exposed through internal holes formed in the cover tape.

According to another aspect not covered by the claimed invention, there is provided an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate having a first electrode tab attached thereto, a second electrode plate having at least one second electrode tab attached thereto, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, the electrode assembly wound in a state in which the first electrode plate, the separator and the second electrode plate are stacked, wherein the second electrode plate includes coating portions formed by coating an active material on its first and second surfaces, and a cover tape is formed on a leading edge on the basis of a winding direction, where the active material of the second electrode plate is started.

Here, the cover tape may include polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).

In addition, the second electrode plate may include coating portions formed by coating an active material on its first and second surfaces, and the active material may be half-coated on a region corresponding to the leading edge on the basis of the winding direction, such that the active material is coated on only one of the first and second surfaces.

In addition, the electrode assembly includes a cover tape covering the half-coating portion.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a secondary battery including the electrode assembly.

As described above, in the electrode assembly according to the present invention and the secondary battery including the electrode assembly, half-coating portions are formed on active material start regions of the negative electrode plate, corresponding to leading and trailing edges of the positive electrode plate, such that an active material is not coated on a portion of the second surface of the positive electrode plate, facing the negative electrode plate, and a cover tape is further formed on the half-coating portions, thereby reducing the thickness of the leading edge of the positive electrode plate and forming an unreacted region. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the electrode assembly from being internally deformed.

In addition, in the electrode assembly according to the present invention and the secondary battery including the electrode assembly, a cover tape is formed on a leading edge of the negative electrode plate, thereby forming an unreacted region. Therefore, the thickness of the leading edge of the negative electrode plate can be reduced, thereby suppressing internal deformation of the electrode assembly.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that those can easily be embodied by those skilled in the art.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. <FIG> is a transverse cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the secondary battery <NUM> according to the present invention includes a case <NUM>, an electrode assembly <NUM> accommodated in the case <NUM>, and a cap assembly <NUM> sealing a top opening of the case <NUM>.

The case <NUM> includes a circular bottom portion <NUM> and side portions <NUM> upwardly extending a predetermined length from the bottom portion <NUM>. Here, the secondary battery <NUM> is illustrated as a cylindrical secondary battery, but not limited thereto. A prismatic or pouch-type secondary battery may also be applied to the present invention. During the manufacture of the secondary battery <NUM>, a top portion of the case <NUM> is in an opened state. Therefore, the electrode assembly <NUM> may be inserted into the case <NUM> together with an electrolyte solution for assembling the secondary battery <NUM>. The case <NUM> may be made of steel, a steel alloy, aluminum, an aluminum alloy or equivalents thereof, but not limited thereto. In addition, in order to prevent the electrode assembly <NUM> from being deviated to the outside, an inwardly recessed beading part <NUM> may be formed at a bottom portion of the cap assembly <NUM> and an inwardly bent crimping part <NUM> formed at a top portion of the cap assembly <NUM>.

The electrode assembly <NUM> is accommodated within the case <NUM> together with the electrolyte solution. Here, the electrolyte solution is an organic solution containing salt injected to allow lithium ions to move between a positive electrode and a negative electrode constituting the electrode assembly <NUM>. The electrolyte solution may include a nonaqueous organic electrolyte solution, which is a mixture of a lithium salt, such as LiPF6, LiBF4 or LiClO4, and a high-purity organic solvent, but not limited thereto.

The electrode assembly <NUM> includes a negative electrode plate <NUM> coated with a negative electrode active material, a positive electrode plate <NUM> coated with a positive electrode active material, and a separator <NUM> interposed between the negative electrode plate <NUM> and the positive electrode plate <NUM> and allowing only lithium ions to move between the negative electrode plate <NUM> and the positive electrode plate <NUM> while preventing electrical shorts from occurring the negative electrode plate <NUM> and the positive electrode plate <NUM>. The negative electrode plate <NUM>, the positive electrode plate <NUM> and the separator <NUM> are wound in a substantially cylindrical configuration. In addition, a negative electrode tab <NUM> downwardly protruding a predetermined length and extending may be attached to the negative electrode plate <NUM> and a positive electrode tab <NUM> upwardly protruding a predetermined length and extending may be attached to the positive electrode plate <NUM>, or vice versa.

Additionally, a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly before being wound in a secondary battery according to an embodiment not covered by the claimed invention is illustrated in <FIG>, and a cross-sectional view illustrating a process of winding an electrode assembly around a mandrel in a secondary battery according to an embodiment not covered by the claimed invention is illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, configurations of an electrode assembly and a secondary battery according to an embodiment not covered by the claimed invention will be described in detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

First, the negative electrode plate <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> is formed of a plate-shaped metal foil made of copper (Cu) or nickel (Ni) and includes a negative electrode coating portion <NUM> formed by coating an active material including a transition metal oxide on both surfaces of the negative electrode plate <NUM>. Here, the negative electrode coating portion <NUM> may include a first negative electrode coating portion 126a formed on a first surface of the negative electrode plate <NUM> and a second negative electrode coating portion 126b formed on a second surface opposite to the first surface.

In addition, the negative electrode plate <NUM> may be wound around a mandrel together with the positive electrode plate <NUM> and the separator <NUM>, and winding may be started from the left in the drawing, where the mandrel is positioned. In addition, at a leading edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM> on the basis of a winding direction, an active material may not be coated on portions of the first and second negative electrode coating portions 126a and 126b. Here and where disclosed elsewhere, in line with the description in alternative wording the leading edge on the basis of a winding direction may be understood as a leading edge of an inner end of the winding. That is to say, since no active material exists at the leading edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, the leading edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM> does not react with the active material of the positive electrode plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the leading edge may generate an unreacted region inside the electrode assembly <NUM> after winding. Therefore, it is possible to suppress internal deformation of the electrode assembly <NUM>. In addition, in the negative electrode plate <NUM>, a portion of the first negative electrode coating portion 126a may be removed from the first surface at a trailing edge on the basis of the winding direction. Therefore, an unreacted region is also generated at the trailing edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM> outside the electrode assembly <NUM> after winding, thereby suppressing deformation of the electrode assembly <NUM>.

In addition, negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b are attached to the second surface of the negative electrode plate <NUM>. The negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b may be partially welded and attached to the negative electrode plate <NUM> and may downwardly protrude a predetermined length in a lengthwise direction of the electrode assembly <NUM>. The negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b may include a plurality negative electrode tabs, including a first negative electrode tab 124a positioned at the leading edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM> and a second negative electrode tab 124b positioned at the trailing edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, on the basis of the winding direction. In more detail, since the active material is not coated on the leading and trailing edges of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, non-coating portions, through which the negative electrode plate <NUM> is exposed, may be generated in the negative electrode plate <NUM>. The first negative electrode tab 124a and the second negative electrode tab 124b are coupled to the respective non-coating portions to then be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate <NUM>.

On a cross-sectional plane of the electrode assembly <NUM>, the negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b may be positioned in parallel along a cross-sectional radius r corresponding to a length ranging from the winding center c to the outermost portion o. Preferably, the first negative electrode tab 124a may be positioned roughly at the center of the cross-sectional radius r and the second negative electrode tab 124b may be positioned roughly at an outer portion of the cross-sectional radius r. Here, the first and second negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b are positioned on the same line along the cross-sectional radius r, so that they can be easily coupled to a bottom surface of the case <NUM> in a subsequent process. The negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b may be made of copper or nickel, but not limited thereto.

The positive electrode plate <NUM> is formed of a plate-shaped metal foil made of aluminum (Al) and includes a positive electrode coating portion <NUM> formed by coating an active material including a transition metal oxide on both surfaces of the positive electrode plate <NUM>. Here, the positive electrode coating portion <NUM> may include a first positive electrode coating portion 127a formed on a first surface of the positive electrode plate <NUM>, and a second positive electrode coating portion 127b formed on a second surface opposite to the first surface.

The positive electrode tab <NUM> is attached to the second surface of the positive electrode plate <NUM>. The positive electrode tab <NUM> may be partially welded and attached to the positive electrode plate <NUM> and may downwardly protrude a predetermined length in the lengthwise direction of the electrode assembly <NUM>. On the cross-sectional plane of the wound electrode assembly <NUM>, the positive electrode tab <NUM> may be positioned between the first negative electrode tab 124a and the second negative electrode tab 124b along the cross-sectional radius r corresponding to the length ranging from the winding center c to the outermost portion o.

In addition, the positive electrode tab <NUM> and the negative electrode tab <NUM> may be positioned on surfaces in the same direction in the wound electrode assembly <NUM> including the positive electrode plate <NUM> and the negative electrode plate <NUM>. Alternatively, the positive electrode tab <NUM> and the negative electrode tab <NUM> may be positioned on opposite surfaces of the positive electrode plate <NUM> and the negative electrode plate <NUM>. Here, the surfaces in the same direction may mean surfaces of the positive electrode plate <NUM> and the negative electrode plate <NUM> in the wound electrode assembly <NUM>, which equally face either the outermost portion o or the winding center c. In addition, the opposite surfaces of the positive electrode plate <NUM> and the negative electrode plate <NUM> may mean that the negative electrode tab <NUM> is formed on a surface facing the winding center c in a case where the positive electrode tab <NUM> is formed on a surface facing the outermost portion o in the wound electrode assembly <NUM>, or vice versa. That is to say, the present invention does not limit the meaning of the opposite surfaces of the positive electrode plate <NUM> and the negative electrode plate <NUM>, which are formed in a foil type, to surfaces to which the positive electrode tab <NUM> and the negative electrode tab <NUM> are attached.

In addition, the positive electrode tab <NUM> and the negative electrode tab <NUM> may be aligned on the same line in the lengthwise direction in the wound electrode assembly <NUM>. In addition, the positive electrode tab <NUM> and the negative electrode tab <NUM> may be positioned so as not to overlap each other in the lengthwise direction in the wound electrode assembly <NUM>. That is to say, the positive electrode tab <NUM> and the negative electrode tab <NUM> may be positioned on the same line in the lengthwise direction of the electrode assembly <NUM> such that a bottom portion of the positive electrode tab <NUM> and a top portion of the negative electrode tab <NUM> do not overlap each other. This is for the purpose of preventing a degree of roundness in winding the electrode assembly <NUM> from being lowered. The degree of roundness may be lowered in winding the electrode assembly <NUM> when the positive electrode tab <NUM> and the negative electrode tab <NUM>, which are thicker than the positive electrode plate <NUM> and the negative electrode plate <NUM>, overlap each other in the lengthwise direction of the electrode assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, in order to prevent the degree of roundness from being lowered, the positive electrode tab <NUM> and the negative electrode tab <NUM> may be positioned so as not to overlap each other. The positive electrode tab <NUM> may be made of aluminum, but not limited thereto.

In addition, the positive electrode plate <NUM> may include a half-coating portion h1 formed at a region corresponding to the leading edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, where the negative electrode coating portion <NUM> is started, such that the active material is coated on the first surface but is not coated on the second surface facing the negative electrode plate <NUM>. The half-coating portion h1 may make the leading edge of the negative electrode coating portion 126a formed on the first surface of the negative electrode plate <NUM> not react with the positive electrode plate <NUM>, thereby preventing a reaction from taking place at the leading edge, that is, at an inside region of the electrode assembly <NUM> after winding. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the wound electrode assembly <NUM> from being internally deformed. In addition, since the half-coating portion h1 further performs a function of reducing a thickness of the leading edge of the positive electrode plate <NUM>, deformation of the wound electrode assembly <NUM> can be further suppressed. In addition, since the half-coating portion h1 produces a predetermined space in the electrode assembly <NUM>, a slight deformation occurring at the inside region of the electrode assembly <NUM> can be tolerated, thereby suppressing the electrode assembly <NUM> from being internally deformed.

In addition, the positive electrode plate <NUM> may include another half-coating portion h2 formed at a region corresponding to the trailing edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, where the negative electrode coating portion <NUM> is finished, like the region corresponding to the leading edge, such that the active material is not coated on the second surface of the positive electrode plate <NUM>. Since the half-coating portion h2 also suppresses a reaction with the active material of the negative electrode plate <NUM> and reduces the thickness of the positive electrode plate <NUM>, it is also possible to prevent the electrode assembly <NUM> from being deformed in the same manner with the half-coating portion h1.

Meanwhile, a cover tape 127c may further be formed at the half-coating portions h1 and h2, respectively. The cover tape 127c may prevent the active material from rising at regions corresponding to the half-coating portions h1 and h2. Here, the cover tape 127c may be made of a general insulating material, such as PET or PP, but not limited thereto. In further embodiments, at least one of the half-coated portions h1 and h2 comprise a cover tape 127c.

In addition, a first insulation plate <NUM> may be interposed between the electrode assembly <NUM> and the bottom portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>, the first insulation plate <NUM> coupled to the case <NUM> and including a first hole 128a formed at its center and second and third holes 128b and 128c formed at its outer sides. The first insulation plate <NUM> may prevent the electrode assembly <NUM> from electrically contacting the bottom portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>. Specifically, the first insulation plate <NUM> may prevent the positive electrode plate <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> from electrically contacting the bottom portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>. Here, the first hole 128a may allow a large amount of gas generated due to abnormality of the secondary battery to rapidly move upwards, and the second and third holes 128b and 128c, through which the negative electrode tab <NUM> passes, may allow the negative electrode tab <NUM> to be welded to the bottom portion <NUM> of the case <NUM>. Additionally, the electrode assembly <NUM> may further include a center pin (not shown) shaped of a hollow pipe, thereby allowing the large amount of gas generated due to abnormality of the secondary battery to be easily exhausted through an internal passageway of the center pin.

In addition, a second insulation plate <NUM> may be interposed between the electrode assembly <NUM> and the cap assembly <NUM>, the second insulation plate <NUM> coupled to the case <NUM> and including a first hole 129a formed at its center and a plurality of second holes 129b formed at its outer sides. The second insulation plate <NUM> may prevent the electrode assembly <NUM> from electrically contacting the cap assembly <NUM>. Specifically, the second insulation plate <NUM> may prevent the negative electrode plate <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> from electrically contacting the cap assembly <NUM>. Here, the first hole 129a may allow a large amount of gas generated due to abnormality of the secondary battery to rapidly move toward the cap assembly <NUM>, and some of the plurality of second holes 129b, through which the positive electrode tab <NUM> passes, may allow the positive electrode tab <NUM> to be welded to the cap assembly <NUM>. Additionally, the other second holes 129b may allow an electrolyte solution to rapidly flow into the electrode assembly <NUM> while injecting the electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution may function as a movement medium of lithium ions generated by an electrochemical reaction taking place at the positive and negative electrode plates of the secondary battery during charging and discharging.

The cap assembly <NUM> includes a cap-up <NUM> including a plurality of throughholes 131d formed therein, a safety plate <NUM> installed under the cap-up <NUM>, a connection ring <NUM> installed under the safety plate <NUM>, a cap-down <NUM> coupled to the connection ring <NUM> and including first and second throughholes 136a and 136b formed therein, a sub-plate <NUM> fixed to a bottom portion of the cap-down <NUM> and electrically connected to the positive electrode tab <NUM>, and an insulation gasket <NUM> insulating the cap-up <NUM>, the safety plate <NUM>, the connection ring <NUM> and the cap-down <NUM> from the side portions <NUM> of the case <NUM>.

Here, the insulation gasket <NUM> is compressed between the beading part <NUM> formed at a substantially side portion <NUM> of the case <NUM> and the crimping part <NUM>. In addition, the throughholes 131d formed in the cap-up <NUM> and the throughhole 136b formed in the cap-down <NUM> may function to exhibit internal gases to the outside when an abnormal internal voltage is generated in the case <NUM>. The safety plate <NUM> is first upwardly inverted by the internal voltage to be electrically disconnected from the sub-plate <NUM> and is then ruptured to release the internal gas to the outside.

Hereinafter, effects of the electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention and the secondary battery including the electrode assembly will be described in detail.

<FIG> are cross-sectional views of electrode assemblies in a conventional secondary battery and a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring first to <FIG>, it can be confirmed in a general cylindrical secondary battery that deformation, e.g., bending of electrode plates, has occurred at the inside region of an.

electrode assembly, which is generally caused by an increase in the number of electrode tabs for reducing resistance or an increase in the amount of silicon (Si) for increasing an energy density.

Next, referring to <FIG>, it can be confirmed in the secondary battery <NUM> including the electrode assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention that with the aforementioned configurations of the negative electrode plate <NUM> and the positive electrode plate <NUM>, internal deformation has not occurred to the electrode assembly <NUM>.

As described above, in the electrode assembly <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention and the secondary battery <NUM> including the same, the half-coating portions h1 and h2 are formed at the regions of the positive electrode plate <NUM>, corresponding to the leading and trailing edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, where the negative electrode coating portion <NUM> is started and finished, respectively, such that the active material is not coated on a portion of the second surface facing the negative electrode plate <NUM>, and the cover tape 127c is further formed on the respective half-coating portions h1 and h2, thereby reducing the thickness of a leading edge of the positive electrode plate <NUM> and producing an unreacted region in the positive electrode plate <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress internal deformation of the electrode assembly <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a configuration of an electrode assembly for a secondary battery according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly before being wound in a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the electrode assembly <NUM> for a secondary battery according to another embodiment of the present invention may include a negative electrode plate <NUM> and a positive electrode plate <NUM>.

Here, the negative electrode plate <NUM>, a negative electrode coating portion <NUM> formed in the negative electrode plate <NUM>, and negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b have substantially the same configurations with the corresponding functional components of the previous embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will not be given.

Meanwhile, like in the previous embodiment, first and second positive electrode coating portions 127a and 127b are formed on first and second surfaces of the positive electrode plate <NUM>, respectively. However, a cover tape 227c including internal holes formed therein may be coupled to half-coating portions formed on the second surface of the positive electrode plate <NUM> to then be brought into close contact with exposed portions of the positive electrode plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the cover tape 227c can be brought into close contact with the positive electrode plate <NUM> without creating a separate space, thereby minimizing a thickness change in a structure including the positive electrode plate <NUM>. Alternatively, the cover tape 227c may first be coupled to each of the half-coating portions as a single body, followed by cutting to provide a centrally formed hole. Accordingly, the cover tape 227c is adhered to the positive electrode plate <NUM> in such a manner as shown <FIG>.

Hereinafter, a configuration of an electrode assembly for a secondary battery according to still another embodiment not covered by the claimed invention will be described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly before being wound in a secondary battery according to still another embodiment not covered by the claimed invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the electrode assembly <NUM> for a secondary battery according to still another embodiment of the present not covered by the claimed invention may include a negative electrode plate <NUM> and a positive electrode plate <NUM>.

Here, the negative electrode plate <NUM>, a negative electrode coating portion <NUM> formed in the negative electrode plate <NUM>, and negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b have substantially the same configurations with the corresponding functional components of the previous embodiment. However, a cover tape 326c may further be formed at a leading edge of a second surface of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, where a second negative electrode coating portion 126b is started.

The cover tape 326c is positioned at the innermost portion of the electrode assembly <NUM> after winding, to then fix an inside region of the electrode assembly <NUM>, thereby suppressing internal deformation of the electrode assembly <NUM>. Like in the previous embodiment, the cover tape 326c may also be made of a general insulating material, such as PP or PET, but not limited thereto.

Meanwhile, like in the previous embodiment, a first positive electrode coating portion 127a is formed on a first surface of the positive electrode plate <NUM>. However, a second positive electrode coating portion 327b may be formed on a second surface of the positive electrode plate <NUM> so as to correspond to the first positive electrode coating portion 127a. The second positive electrode coating portion 327b may also be formed on a region excluding a non-coating portion for forming a positive electrode tab <NUM>. Accordingly, a separate half-coating portion may not be formed on the positive electrode plate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the electrode assembly <NUM> according to still another embodiment not covered by the claimed invention may include a negative electrode plate <NUM> and a positive electrode plate <NUM>.

Here, the negative electrode plate <NUM>, a negative electrode coating portion <NUM> formed in the negative electrode plate <NUM>, and negative electrode tabs 124a and 124b have substantially the same configurations with the corresponding functional components of the previous embodiment. Specifically, a first negative electrode coating portion 126a is formed at a leading edge of the negative electrode coating portion <NUM>, like in the previous embodiment. However, a second negative electrode coating portion 126b is not formed at the leading edge, thereby forming a half-coating portion.

Meanwhile, a cover tape 426c may further be formed on a second surface of the negative electrode plate <NUM> at the leading edge, where the second negative electrode coating portion 126b is started. The cover tape 426c may mitigate a negative electrode mixture by wrapping the exposed leading edge of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, which may alleviate swelling of the negative electrode plate <NUM>, thereby suppressing deformation of the electrode assembly <NUM>. Like in the previous embodiment, the cover tape 426c may also be made of a general insulating material, such as PP or PET, but not limited thereto. In further embodiments not covered by the claimed invention, the technical features, in particular the cover tapes on the second surface of the negative electrode plate, of the described embodiments directed to <FIG> and <FIG> may also be combined with the embodiments as described in <FIG> and <FIG>. For example, an embodiment may include cover tapes 326c, 426c as well as one or two half-coated regions 127a, 127b with or without cover tape 127c.

Claim 1:
An electrode assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
a first electrode plate (<NUM>) having a first electrode tab (<NUM>) attached thereto;
a second electrode plate (<NUM>) having at least one second electrode tab (124a, 124b) attached thereto; and
a separator (<NUM>) interposed between the first electrode plate (<NUM>) and the second electrode plate (<NUM>),
the electrode assembly (<NUM>) wound in a state in which the first electrode plate (<NUM>), the separator (<NUM>) and the second electrode plate (<NUM>) are stacked,
wherein the first electrode plate (<NUM>) includes coating portions (<NUM>, 127a, 127b) formed by coating an active material on its first and second surfaces, and includes a half-coating portion (h1) at which the active material is half-coated and which is formed at a region of the first electrode plate (<NUM>) corresponding to a leading edge on the basis of a winding direction, where an active material of the second electrode plate (<NUM>) is started, such that the active material is coated on the first surface but is not coated on the second surface facing the second electrode plate (<NUM>), and
wherein a cover tape (227c) is formed on the half-coating portion (h1),
characterized in that,
the cover tape (227c) is attached to an exposed region of the half-coating portion (h1) of the first electrode plate (<NUM>), which is exposed through a centrally formed hole formed in the cover tape (227c).