Patent ID: 8263243

Claim:
A lithium secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly which includes a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, the electrode assembly having an outer side surface; a secondary battery case having an inner side surface that defines an internal space for accommodating the electrode assembly; an electrolyte contained in the secondary battery case; and an ignition inhibitor disposed between at least a portion of the inner side surface of the secondary battery case and at least a portion of the outer side surface of the electrode assembly, wherein the ignition inhibitor comprises: an ignition inhibiting material layer coated on at least part of the inner side surface, the ignition inhibiting material layer comprising an ignition inhibiting material, wherein the ignition inhibiting material is configured to, upon contacting the electrolyte, restrict further rising of internal temperature of the battery; and a separation film contacting the electrolyte and separating the ignition inhibiting material layer from the electrolyte, wherein the separation film comprises a paraffin and is configured to melt at a temperature so as to let at least a portion of the ignition inhibiting material diffuse inward of the separation film and contact the electrolyte.