WO2016150819A1

WO2016150819A1 - Method for producing a battery element and assembly for a battery

Info

Publication number: WO2016150819A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/055848
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sebastian Gepp; Manfred Hartmann; Michael HÄUSSLER
Original assignee: Schreiner Group Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2015-03-20
Filing date: 2016-03-17
Publication date: 2016-09-29
Also published as: DE102015104205A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a battery element involving a providing of a substrate layer (3) with a surface (5), a first substance, a second substance and a third substance, having an electrically insulating characteristic. The method also involves an imprinting of the first substance onto the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3) and thereby forming an anode (11) having a surface (13) facing away from the substrate layer (3). The method further involves an imprinting of the second substance onto the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3) and thereby forming a cathode (21) having a surface (23) facing away from the substrate layer (3), wherein the cathode (21) is arranged on the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3) at a distance from the anode (11). In addition, the method involves an imprinting of the third substance on the surface (13) of the anode (11) and/or the surface (23) of the cathode (21) and thereby forming at least one separator (31) with a surface (33) that is raised in relation to the surface (13) of the anode (11) or the surface (23) of the cathode (21).

Description

description

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a battery element and to a device for a battery, which are suitable for realizing a printable battery. Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for activating a battery. A variety of electronic applications require power sources with high flexibility, for example, in terms of thickness, geometric shape and weight of the power source. In this context, printed batteries are an inexpensive and flexible source of energy that is particularly suitable for thin and flexible products in which they can be easily integrated. Examples of such products are sensor cards, intelligent chips or even active RFID transponders

It is an object to provide a method of manufacturing a battery element and an arrangement for a battery that are capable of easily realizing a printable battery.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method of manufacturing a battery element comprises providing a substrate layer having a surface. Further, a first substance, a second substance, and a third substance are provided. The third substance has an electrically insulating property. The method further comprises printing the first substance onto the surface of the substrate layer and thereby forming an anode having a surface facing away from the substrate layer. The method further comprises printing the second substance on the surface of the substrate layer and thereby forming a cathode having a surface facing away from the substrate layer, wherein the cathode on the surface of the

Substrate layer is printed spaced from the anode. In addition, this includes

A method of printing the third substance on the surface of the anode and / or on the surface of the cathode and thereby forming at least one separator with a Surface raised above the surface of the anode or the surface of the cathode.

In this way, a method for producing a battery element is realized, which allows apart from the substrate layer, a fully printable battery. By means of the described method, a cost-effective production of a battery element is made possible in a simple manner, which can be manufactured for example by means of a printing process. In particular, the printing of the separator creates the possibility to produce the complete battery element by means of a printing operation. An additional manufacturing process or machine change, in which the separator could be punched or cut out, for example, and then placed on the anode and / or the cathode, can thus be saved. Thereby, a manufacturing method for a battery element is simplified, accelerated and cheaper. The method comprises, for example, printing the third substance and forming the separator in the form of a lattice structure and / or honeycomb structure and / or

Dot structure and / or hatching.

Such a method realizes various geometric configurations of the

Separators, which may be useful, for example, depending on the type of application with respect to a product that is to be supplied by means of the battery element with electrical energy. For example, a grid structure is a periodic structure that can be built up from a periodic sequencing of a single unit. This includes, for example, a square grid structure in which several squares are arranged next to one another. In other words, a lattice structure is given for example by two groups of lattice lines, each containing parallel and spaced lattice lines which may be equidistant and intersect with the lattice lines of the other group. In the case of a square lattice structure, the grid lines of the two groups are aligned perpendicular to each other and the spacing of the respective grid lines of both groups is identical. The grid lines of the separator are projecting and keep at a later activation of the manufactured battery element, the anode and the cathode like walls at a distance. A grid structure may also be diamond-shaped and constructed from a periodic stringing together of several diamonds. In other words, the respective grid lines of the two groups described above intersect on the one hand at an angle between 0 ° and 90 ° and on the other hand at an angle between 90 ° and 180 ° to each other.

For example, a honeycomb structure may be formed in a regular row of hexagons, so that the honeycomb structure substantially corresponds to the structure of a honeycomb.

A dot structure is for example a special lattice structure in which, for example, elements of the separator are regularly arranged in a punctiform grid. For example, the separator is a semi-spherical or point structure

realizes cylindrical elements and holds in an operation of the printed battery, the two electrodes such as columns at a distance.

Hatching can also be understood as a lattice structure, in which the separator is generally designed in the form of parallel grid lines, which for example include a

Realize line grid. The grid lines can be arranged equidistant from a respective adjacent grid line or with alternating smaller and larger distance to the respective adjacent grid line. However, the distances between the grid lines do not have to be regular, but may vary irregularly. In this context, it should be noted that the separator material can also have any geometric shape. It may be useful, for example, if a part of the surface of the anode and / or cathode, which is covered by the geometric configuration of the separator, is smaller than the remaining remaining part of the surface of the anode and / or cathode. With respect to a dot structure of the separator, the part of the surface covered by the separator is, for example, the sum of the areas of the individual hemispherical elements arranged on the anode and / or the cathode. In other words, by means of the described structures of the separator, a low areal coverage of the surface of the anode and / or the cathode is achieved. The area coverage is, for example, the quotient of the part of the surface which is covered by the separator and the part of the surface which remains free. Depending on the geometric configuration of the separator, the area coverage is for example less than 10% or less than 20% and greater than 0.01% or 0.1%.

Distances and angles of the grid lines or points to each other can be configured as desired. The printed protruding separator realized in this way a

Projection over the surface of the anode and / or cathode and thus a distance between the anode and the cathode in an activated state of the battery element. It is therefore an object of the separator to prevent the anode and the cathode from touching, for example in order to prevent uncontrolled charge equalization or to avoid a short circuit. In addition, due to the space between the anode and the cathode realized by the separator, there is room for an electrolyte which allows ionic current and controlled discharging of the battery. In the activated state of the battery element, the electrolyte is then arranged, for example, between the anode and the cathode and wets the remaining part of the surface of the anode and / or cathode.

Beneficial geometries of the separator, which cover a smaller part with respect to the surface of the anode and / or the cathode and leave a larger part free, are, for example, described by the described lattice structures, honeycomb structures,

Given dot structures and hatching.

The printing of the third substance and the formation of the separator may also include a separator which covers the surface of the anode and / or the surface of the cathode over the entire surface. In this context, the separator has a geometric structure that realizes a relatively large area coverage of the surface of the anode and / or cathode. For example, the coverage is greater than 90%, greater than 80%, or greater than 50%. In this case, the separator may be formed as a single continuous layer or as several individual faces, which in sum is a relatively large

Realize area coverage. For example, the separator is essentially

formed congruent to the surface of the anode and / or the cathode and covers, for example, up to 100% of the surface of the anode and / or the cathode. Alternatively, the area coverage, for example, has a value between 20% and 50%.

Depending on the method and the printing of the third substance for forming the separator, the area coverage of the separator with respect to the surface of the anode and / or the cathode may also have other values, so that, for example, depending on the desired application, the battery element with a predetermined area coverage of Separators is produced.

Thus, the separator depending on the material used or a

Material combination of the third substance on a structure with little or with a large area coverage. For example, the separator is formed as an absorbent printing layer, which acts electrically insulating and can absorb a liquid electrolyte. In this way, a full-surface printing of the separator on the

Surface of the anode and / or the cathode allows and additionally realized access for an electrolyte to the surface of the anode and the cathode and a desired ion current.

For example, the third substance comprises a superabsorbent polymer substance.

Superabsorbent polymer substances are special gelling agents which are, for example, pulverulent and, inter alia, owing to their polymeric properties

Network structure compared to other gelling agents have the property to absorb a relatively large amount of moisture and store them over a relatively long period of time. This property has an advantageous effect on the production of a battery element, because a drying of the battery element is reduced and thereby a longer life of the battery element or the activated battery is realized.

Superabsorbent polymer substances are, for example, admixed with a lacquer or a printing ink in order to produce a printable paste. The separator, the is formed by printing the superabsorbent polymer substance, has a fissured porous structure which is formed such that even with a full-surface coverage of the surface of the anode and / or cathode sufficient spaces for an electrolyte and an ionic current are present.

Moreover, the printing of the third substance may also include an electrolyte, so that the separator and the electrolyte are formed in one printing operation. For example, the third substance comprises a superabsorbent

Polymer substance and a fifth substance which is a starting material for the electrolyte.

The method also includes, for example, printing a first current collector and a second downstream conductor on the surface of the substrate layer, wherein the first current collector is electrically connected to the anode and the second current collector is electrically connected to the cathode.

In this way, in the manufacture of the battery element is a simple and

cost-effective connection of the anode and the cathode with energy-supplying products allows. The method may also include providing and printing a fourth substance having an adhesive property. By means of printing the fourth substance on the surface of the substrate layer, an adhesive layer is formed, which surrounds the anode and / or the cathode. The adhesive layer is printed around the anode and / or cathode on the substrate layer to allow, for example, easy sealing of the battery element or the activated battery. For example, the adhesive layer surrounds the anode and / or cathode partially or completely. The printed adhesive layer may be formed, for example, spaced from the anode and / or the cathode, or may be partially or completely directly adjacent thereto.

The method may further comprise providing and printing a fifth substance having electrical conductivity. By imprinting the fifth substance An electrolyte is formed on the surface of the anode and / or the surface of the cathode.

The electrolyte is a medium of the battery element, which allows an ion current between the anode and the cathode in the state of the activated battery. By means of the method described thus a completely printable battery is possible, which, for example, Stromab conductor, anode, cathode, separator, electrolyte and

Adhesive layer comprises. By means of printing the fifth substance on the surface of the anode and / or the cathode, the electrolyte fills in, for example, the spaces which are not already covered by the separator.

Alternatively, the electrolyte can also be printed in a printing process together with the separator, so that the third substance, for example, a superabsorbent

Polymer substance and the fifth substance comprises. The layer formed thereby has electrically insulating and electrically conductive sections, the electrically insulating sections realizing a given distance between anode and cathode in an activated state of the battery and the electrically conductive sections conducting the ion current in order to provide a power supply for connected products.

The method includes, for example, printing the third substance by means of a screen printing method. In addition, all other substances can be printed by means of and the current collector by means of a screen printing process.

For example, a screen printing technique allows the separator to be easily applied to the surface of the anode and / or cathode using, inter alia, the described geometrical shapes using a mesh-like screen.

The method may also include printing the third substance by means of an inkjet system. The other substances as well as the current conductors can be printed by means of an injection system. An inkjet system performs a printing process in which, for example, the separator is sprayed onto the surface of the anode and / or the cathode at a given distance from the anode and / or the cathode so that there is no contact between the injection system and the surface during printing to be printed.

The method may also include printing the described substances by means of a stencil printing process. A stencil printing process may be useful in order to realize desired layer thicknesses of the layers to be formed. According to a second aspect of the invention, an arrangement for a battery comprises a substrate layer having a surface and an anode disposed on the surface of the substrate

Substrate layer is disposed and having a surface facing away from the substrate layer. The assembly further includes a cathode disposed on the surface of the substrate layer and having a surface facing away from the substrate layer, wherein the cathode is disposed on the surface of the substrate layer spaced from the anode. In addition, the arrangement comprises at least one separator, which is arranged on the surface of the anode and / or the surface of the cathode and which has an electrically insulating property and which has a surface which faces the surface of the anode and / or the surface of the cathode is sublime. In this context, the anode and the cathode are each printed on the substrate layer and at least one separator on the anode and / or the cathode.

In this way, an arrangement for a battery is realized, which describes a fully printed battery element, which is a cost-effective energy source for

Power supply for a variety of products allows.

The separator has, for example, a grid structure and / or a dot structure and / or a honeycomb structure and / or hatching.

Such structures of the separator realize in a simple manner a desired distance between the anode and cathode in an activated state of the battery. However, depending on the material, the at least one separator may also have other geometric shapes possess, based on a plan view perpendicular to the surface of the anode and / or the cathode realize a bearing surface and thereby maintain a distance between the anode and the cathode. The separator may also cover the surface of the anode and / or the surface of the cathode over the entire surface.

The separator includes, for example, a superabsorbent polymeric substance. For example, blanket forming of the separator by means of a printing operation is beneficial if the separator comprises a superabsorbent polymeric substance and has a fissured structure. Despite covering the surface of the anode and / or the cathode over the entire surface, the structure of the separator has channels which allow space for an electrolyte and an ion current between anode and cathode.

The assembly may further include a first current collector and a second current collector disposed on the surface of the substrate layer, wherein the first current collector is coupled to the anode and the second current collector is coupled to the cathode. The current collectors may also be printed on the substrate layer and allow electrical coupling with products to be energized or applied to the voltage.

The assembly may additionally comprise an adhesive layer printed on the substrate layer and surrounding the anode and / or the cathode.

In addition, the assembly may comprise an electrolyte printed on the surface of the anode and / or the surface of the cathode. The electrolyte, in an activated operation of the device or a battery comprising an embodiment of the device, allows an ion current between the anode and the cathode and thereby a power supply to the device electrically

connected products. In addition, the substrate layer of the assembly between the anode and the cathode may have a perforation.

In this way, an arrangement for a battery is realized, which allows a simple way to activate the battery. For example, the perforation is formed symmetrically between the anode and the cathode and is equidistant from the anode and the cathode. By means of folding the substrate layer along the perforation, the anode and the cathode can be selectively arranged one above the other, wherein the at least one printed separator realizes a given distance between the anode and the cathode in accordance with its configuration.

In further embodiments, the substrate layer has no perforation, so that the assembly can be folded even without perforation in order to arrange the anode and the cathode one above the other, for example to produce an activated state or operational state of a battery comprising the arrangement.

According to a third aspect of the invention, a method of activating a battery using an arrangement according to one of the previously described

Embodiments of the second aspect of a folding of the substrate layer between the anode and the cathode and thereby arranging the at least one separator between the anode and the cathode.

In this way, the method described above activates the previously described battery element and / or the previously described arrangement for a battery, thus enabling a ready-to-use state of a completely printed battery.

In addition, it is also possible to produce a plurality of anodes and / or cathodes by means of the described method and to arrange or print on the substrate layer. In this way, it is possible to realize a serial or series connection of a plurality of battery elements, so as to increase, for example, a total capacity compared to a capacity of a single battery element or a single

Arrangement of a battery. Thus, it is easily possible to realize a fully printable series circuit of battery elements, which a corresponding higher voltage supply for products to be connected. Optionally, a plurality of perforations of the substrate layer are present in this context, which allow folding and activating such a series connection. Moreover, the described methods for manufacturing a battery element according to the first aspect and the described arrangements for a battery according to the second aspect are applicable to both non-rechargeable batteries (primary cells) and rechargeable batteries (secondary cells). Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an arrangement for a battery in one

At sight,

Figure 2 shows the embodiment of Figure 1 in an activated state in one

Cross-section,

Figure 3 shows another embodiment of an arrangement for a battery in one

At sight,

Figure 4 shows the embodiment of Figure 3 in an activated state in one

Cross-section, Figure 5 shows another embodiment of an arrangement in an activated

State in a cross section,

Figure 6 shows another embodiment of an arrangement for a battery in one

At sight,

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of an arrangement for a battery in one

At sight, 8 shows a further embodiment of an arrangement for a battery in a plan view,

Figure 9 shows another embodiment of an arrangement for a battery in one

At sight,

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a flowchart for manufacturing and

Activate a battery element. Elements of the same construction or function are identified across the figures with the same reference numerals.

Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an arrangement 1 for a battery in one

Top view comprising a substrate layer 3, an anode 11 and a cathode 21. The supervision refers to the drawn coordinate system in the x and y direction. The anode 11 and the cathode 21 are on a surface 5 of the substrate layer 3

arranged, for example, printed. The anode 11 has a surface 13 and is spaced from the cathode 21, which in turn has a surface 23. The illustrated surfaces 5, 13 and 23 extend in the x-y plane with respect to the drawn coordinate system.

Between the anode 11 and the cathode 21, the substrate layer 3 has a perforation 7, which is formed symmetrically in the middle between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 in this embodiment. The perforation 7 makes it possible, for example, to fold along the perforation 7 and thereby to arrange the anode and the cathode one above the other in order to activate the arrangement 1 or a battery comprising the arrangement 1. In this way, for example, the battery is placed in a ready state to enable a power supply of electrically coupled products. The anode 11 has on its surface 13 a separator 31, which is arranged in the form of a dot structure on the anode 11. A dot structure represents in this

Embodiment is a regular arrangement of elements of the separator 31 in a dot-shaped grid. For example, the separator 31 is a dot structure realized by hemispherical or cylindrical elements which are arranged like columns on the surface 13 of the anode 11. In this case, the separator 31 has a

Surface 33, which is raised relative to the surface 13 of the anode 11 and thus emerges. In this way, the separator 31 realizes a given distance 35 between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 in an operation of an activated battery, in which the assembly 1 has been folded along the perforation 7 and thus the anode 11 and the cathode 21 are arranged one above the other. For example, the separator 31 is realized as a lacquer layer which has a thickness of more than 100 micrometers. In this case, the thickness relates to a geometry of the separator 31 in the z-direction, as shown for example in the following Figure 2.

This distance 35 between the anode 11 and the cathode 21, which is formed by means of the separator 31, is suitable for preventing a charge compensation or a short circuit of the activated battery and thus a controlled function and a targeted discharging of the arrangement 1 or the battery enable. In this

Embodiment in Figure 1, a separator 31 is configured on the anode 11, which realized in a folded state of the arrangement 1 a given distance 35 between the anode 11 and the cathode 21. Alternatively or additionally, a separator 31 is formed on the surface 23 of the cathode 21. In a case where two separators 31 are formed, in a folded state of the arrangement 1, the distance 35 between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 is given by the geometrical configuration and arrangement of both separators 31. In the case where only one separator 31 is formed, the distance 35 between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 is substantially equal to the thickness of the separator 31.

The substrate layer 3, the anode 11 and the cathode 21 are in this

Embodiment with respect to the drawn coordinate system designed rectangular. In addition, the substrate layer 3 is formed larger in the x- and y-direction than the anode 11 and the cathode 21. The substrate layer 3 serves, for example, as a substrate for the anode 11 and the cathode 21 and is for example a PET film. The anode 11 and the cathode 21 are of substantially equal size with respect to the x and y directions, so that the most congruent arrangement of an activated battery is possible. In further embodiments of the arrangement 1, the Optionally, the anode 11 and the cathode 21 are not of the same size and / or not rectangular, and the perforation 7 of the substrate layer 3 may not be arranged symmetrically in the middle between the anode 11 and the cathode 21. The anode 11, the cathode 21 and the separator 31 are for example on the

Substrate layer 3 printed and allow up to the substrate layer 3, a fully printable battery element.

Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the arrangement 1 for a battery in a folded or activated state. For example, the embodiment in Figure 2 represents a cross section of the arrangement 1 of Figure 1. In addition, a

Coordinate system with z- and x-direction drawn. In addition, the includes

Arrangement 1, an electrolyte 51 which is disposed between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 and surrounds the separator 31.

The electrolyte 51 is a medium of the arrangement 1, which allows an ion current between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 in an activated state of the battery.

For example, a starting material of the electrolyte 51 is liquid or gel-like, and is printed on the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21, thereby filling the spaces not already covered by the separator 31.

In the illustrated cross-section in Figure 2 it can be seen that the separator 31 is formed as hemispherical elements which protrude from the surface 13 of the anode 11 and realize a given distance 35 between the anode 11 and the cathode 21. With respect to the drawn z-direction, the layer thicknesses of the respective components are substantially the same size. In further

Embodiments of the arrangement 1, the layer thicknesses may vary, so that, for example, the anode 11 and the cathode 21 are formed the same thickness, but the separator 31 and the electrolyte 51 are formed twice as thick.

FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 1 for a battery in a plan view, in which both the anode 11 and the cathode 21 have a separator 31. The two separators 31 have a plurality of elements, each in a punctiform grid are arranged. Also in this embodiment, the anode 11 and the cathode 21 are formed substantially equal in size with respect to the drawn x- and y-direction, while the substrate layer 3 is formed larger and surrounds the electrodes. The perforation 7 is formed symmetrically in the middle between the anode 11 and the cathode 21.

FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 1 for a battery in a cross section, which represents, for example, the arrangement 1 from FIG. 3 in a folded and activated state including an electrolyte 51. The separators 31 each have hemispherical elements offset from one another. In this way, at a plurality of positions of the surface 13 of the anode 11 and the surface 23 of the cathode 21 a given distance 35 between the anode 11 and the cathode 21st

maintained. FIG. 5 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 1 for a battery in a cross section, which essentially represents the arrangement 1 from FIG. 3 in a folded and activated state including an electrolyte 51. In contrast to the embodiment in Figure 4, the hemispherical-shaped separators 31 of the anode 11 and the cathode 21 are not offset, but arranged one above the other. In this way, a larger distance 35 between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 is realized in comparison to the embodiment in Figure 4. In this embodiment, in which two separators 31 are arranged one above the other, it can be seen that the distance 35 does not correspond to the thickness of the separator or separators 31. The gap between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 is also filled in this embodiment with an electrolyte 51, which allows an ion current and thereby a voltage supply.

In contrast to the unfolded arrangement 1 in Figure 3, one of the

Embodiment in Figure 5 associated non-folded arrangement 1, for example, hemispherical elements of the two separators 31, which are arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to the perforation 7. In the embodiments in Figure 3 and Figure 4, the arrangement of the elements of the two separators 31 in contrast is not mirror-symmetrical but offset with respect to the perforation. 7 In a comparison of the embodiments of Figure 4 and Figure 5 it can be seen that it is possible, for example, with an equal number of elements forming the separators 31, on the one hand a smaller distance 35 between the anode 11 and cathode 21 with greater area coverage or on the other hand a larger distance 35 with a smaller area coverage of the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21 to realize.

FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 1 for a battery in a plan view, which has two separators 31 each in the form of a grid structure.

For example, a grid structure is a periodic structure that can be built up from a periodic sequencing of a single unit. This includes, for example, a square grid structure in which several squares are arranged next to one another. In other words, a lattice structure is given by, for example, two groups of lattice lines, each containing parallel and spaced lattice lines, which may be equidistant and intersect with the lattice lines of the other group. In the case of a square lattice structure, the grid lines of the two groups are aligned perpendicular to each other and the spacing of the respective grid lines of both groups is identical. The grid lines of the separators 31 keep the anode 11 and the cathode 21 at a later activation of the arrangement 1 as walls at a distance.

In the illustrated plan view of the arrangement 1 in Figure 6, the separators 31 are each formed as a square lattice structures, which are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to the perforation 7. In a folded state of the arrangement 1, the two grid-shaped separators 31 are then arranged one above the other. Alternatively, the separator or separators 31 may also be formed as a diamond-shaped grid structure, which may be constructed from a periodic arrangement of a rhombus. In other words, the respective grid lines intersect differently than with a rectangular or

square lattice structure on the one hand at an angle between 0 ° and 90 ° and on the other hand at an angle between 90 ° and 180 ° to each other.

In a folded and activated state of the arrangement 1 of Figure 6 is analogous to the previous embodiment in Figure 5 by means of the two grid-shaped Separators 31 thus formed a greater distance 35 between anode 11 and cathode 21, because the separators 31, each having a given thickness, are then stacked. FIG. 7 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 1 for a battery in a plan view, which has one each with a separator 31 on the surface 13 of the anode 11 and one on the surface 23 of the cathode 21. The structure of the separators 31 may be referred to as a line grid or as hatching. The illustrated lines of a respective separator 31 are arranged in parallel and equidistant, while in each case the lines of one separator 31 are aligned perpendicular to the lines of the other separator 31.

In a folded state of the assembly 1 along the perforation 7, the anode 11 and the cathode 21 are kept at a distance corresponding to the raised lines of the separators 31. In a plan view of such a folded state of the arrangement 1, the two separators 31 together would realize a rectangular or square grid structure.

In alternative embodiments, however, the lines of a respective separator 31 may also have an alternating smaller and larger distance to the respectively adjacent line. In addition, the distances between the lines must be one

Separators 31 also not necessarily be regular, but can also

vary irregularly and realize any hatching. FIG. 8 shows a further exemplary embodiment of the arrangement 1 for a battery in a plan view, each having a separator 31 on the surface 13 of the anode 11 and a separator 31 on the surface 23 of the cathode 21. The separators in this case have a honeycomb structure which, for example represents a regular sequence of hexagons. Such a honeycomb structure can be substantially compared with the structure of a honeycomb.

It should be noted that the separator or separators 31 in alternative

Embodiments may have any geometric shapes, for example, a given area coverage of the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21 realize based on a plan view, as shown in the embodiments in Figure 1, Figure 3, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8. Distances and angles of the grid lines or points to each other can be configured as desired. Thus, in a folded and activated state, the device 1 or a battery, which is a

Embodiment of the arrangement 1, realized by means of the or the printed separators 31, a necessary distance 35 between anode 11 and cathode 21. In addition, a greater part of the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21 is made accessible to an electrolyte 51, which allows an ion current and thereby a power supply of connected products.

Possible geometries of a separator 31 with respect to the surface 13 of the anode

11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21 to cover a smaller part and leave a larger part free, are shown by the illustrated embodiments in the form of lattice structures, honeycomb structures, dot structures and hatching.

By way of example, surface coverages smaller than 10% or less than 20% are realized in this way, wherein a value of the area coverage is defined by the quotient of the part covered by the separator or separators 31 and the uncovered free part of the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 the cathode 21 is given.

Figure 9 shows a further embodiment of the arrangement 1 for a battery in a plan view, which, in contrast to the previous embodiments, a second anode

12 and a second cathode 22 includes. The cathode 21 and the second anode 12 are spaced from the anode 11 and the second cathode 22 are disposed on a conductive layer 27. In addition, the arrangement 1 has a first current conductor 15 and a second current conductor 25, the first current conductor 15 being electrically connected to the anode 11 and the second current conductor 25 being connected to the second cathode 22. The current conductors 15 and 25 and the conductive layer 27 are printed over the entire surface, for example, on the surface 5 of the substrate layer 3 and allow easy connection to the power supply of suitable products. In this embodiment, the two current conductors 15 and 25 each have one

strip-shaped electrode tab and a planar element. On the planar element of the first Stromableiters 15, the anode 11 and on the planar element of the second Stromab conductor 25, the second cathode 22 is printed. On the conductive layer 27, the second anode 12 and the cathode 21 are printed, wherein the second anode 12 is arranged at a distance from the cathode 21 on the conductive layer 27. In addition, a separator 31 is printed on the second anode 12 and another separator 31 on the cathode 21. Both separators 31 have in this

Embodiment on a dot structure.

The anode 11 and the cathode 21 as well as the first current conductor 15 together with a part of the conductive layer 27 form a first subcell 18. The second anode 12 and the second cathode 22 and the second current conductor 25 together with a part of the conductive layer 27 form a second subcell 28. The first subcell 18 and the second subcell 28 are apart from the conductive layer 27 spaced from each other on the

Substrate layer 3 is arranged, the substrate layer 3 has substantially symmetrically in the middle between the anode 11 and the cathode 21 and between the second cathode 22 and the second anode 12, the perforation 7, which enables a folding of the first subcell 18 and the second subcell 28. In a folded and activated state of the arrangement 1 or an associated battery thus the anode 11 and the cathode 21 and the second cathode 22 and the second anode 12 are arranged one above the other.

In addition, the assembly 1 spaced from the two sub-cells 18, 28, an adhesive layer 41 which is adapted to seal the activated battery in a folded state. The two sub-cells 18, 28 are designed and arranged coordinated with each other and realize together a double cell of two

Single cells, each forming a battery element. In further embodiments of the arrangement 1, the adhesive layer 41 may be omitted or the adhesive layer 41 completely surrounds the two sub-cells 18 and 28.

In this way, a series or series connection of the anodes 11, 12 and cathodes 21, 22 is realized, which, inter alia, allows a higher voltage supply by means of the arrangement 1 or the battery compared to a power supply by means of a single battery element or a single subcell. Thus, it is easily possible to realize a fully printable series circuit of battery elements or sub-cells, which allows a correspondingly higher voltage supply for products to be connected. If necessary, in this context a plurality of perforations 7 of the substrate layer 3 are present, which allow folding and activating such a series connection.

With regard to the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the first current conductor 15 is, for example, a negative pole and the second current conductor 25 is thus a positive pole. In a folded and activated state of the arrangement 1, in which the double cell also comprises an electrolyte 51, the current flows, for example in the technical sense

Current direction, from the first current collector 15 and the anode 11 to the cathode 21, along the conductive layer 27 to the second anode 12 and then to the second cathode 22 and the second current collector 25th

An exemplary structure of the arrangement 1 for a double cell may be formed as follows: The substrate layer 3 is, for example, a PET film or another polymeric support, on which first a layer of silver, then carbon, then zinc (Zn) and manganese dioxide (Mn0 ₂ ), then an electrolyte 51 and finally the separators 31 are each printed in dot structure. The electrolyte 51 is, for example, a wet zinc chloride (ZnCl ₂ ) electrolyte gel comprising, among others, cellulose ethers, also called tylose. The silver layer realized in this context, the conductive layer 27, Zn forms the second anode 12 and Mn0 _2, the cathode 21. The substrate layer 3 may alternatively be formed as a paper layer or paper and / or coated paper.

The carbon is used, for example, together with the silver as a current conductor.

Alternatively or additionally, the carbon is used as a barrier between silver and zinc / manganese dioxide, so that it does not lead to undesirable reactions. Carbon is then arranged, for example, all over under the cathode 21 and the second anode 12.

On the conductive layer 27 between the cathode 21 and the second anode 12, for example, adhesive or separator material is arranged to separate the cathode 21 and the second anode 12 from each other and to avoid a short circuit across the electrolyte 51. Alternatively, adhesive or separator material is arranged as a kind of frame around the cathode 21 and / or the second anode 12. Spaced to this part of the double cell, for example, symmetrically on the opposite side of the perforation 7 with respect to the illustrated plan view, first a layer of silver with two electrode lugs on the surface 5 of

Substrate layer 3 printed so as to form the first current collector 15 and the second current collector 25. Then carbon and finally Zn and Mn0 _{2 is} printed on the silver layer or the first current conductor 15 and the second current collector 25 and thereby the anode 11 and the second cathode 22 are formed.

In this regard, it is to be understood that the printing of Zn, MnO ₂ , carbon and / or silver means printing of printable inks or pastes containing Zn, MnO ₂ , carbon and / or silver.

In this way, a battery element is produced or an arrangement 1 for a Zn / Mn0 ₂ battery realized, which can be brought by means of folding along the perforation 7 in an activated operative state.

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a flow chart for a method for producing a printable battery element. In a first step Sl, the substrate layer 3 with perforation 7 and several printable substances are provided.

In a further step S3, an electrically conductive substance is printed on the surface 5 of the substrate layer 3 and the first current conductor 15 and the second current conductor 25 are formed. In this way, a simple and cost-effective electrical connection for products to be supplied with energy is made possible during the manufacture of the battery element.

In a step S5, a first substance is printed on the first current collector 15 and a second substance is printed on the second current collector 25, thereby forming the anode 11 and the cathode 21. The anode 11 is then, for example, with the first

Current conductor 15 and the cathode 21 coupled to the second current collector 25. In a subsequent step S7, a third substance, which has an electrically insulating property, is printed on the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21, thereby forming at least one separator 31. The method comprises, for example, printing the third substance and forming the at least one separator 31 in the form of a lacquer layer which has a lattice structure and / or

Honeycomb structure and / or point structure and / or hatching. With respect to a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21, the formed separator 31 has, for example, a thickness greater than 100 micrometers.

However, the method may also include printing the third substance over the whole area and forming at least one separator 31 on the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21. In this connection, the third substance has, for example, a superabsorbent polymer substance. Thereby, a separator 31 is formed, which has a kind of fissured structure, which is designed such that even with a full-surface coverage of the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 cathode 21 is sufficient space for an electrolyte 51, which the Voltage supply necessary ion current allows. In a further step S9, for example, a fourth substance is printed on the surface 5 of the substrate layer 3, which has an adhesive property. By printing the fourth substance, the adhesive layer 41 is formed, which completely or only partially surrounds the anode 11 and / or the cathode 21. By means of the adhesive layer 41 is a simple sealing of the produced

Battery element or enabled at a later time battery allows. The printed adhesive layer 41 may be formed, for example, at a distance from the anode 11 and / or the cathode 21, or may be partially or completely directly adjoined thereto. For a later application of the adhesive layer 41, this is covered with silicone paper, for example.

In a further step S1, for example, a fifth substance, which has electrical conductivity, is applied to the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of FIG Printed cathode 21 and so the electrolyte 51 is formed. The fifth substance and the electrolyte 51 formed therefrom may be liquid or gel-like, thereby enabling a good wetting of the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode, which advantageously has an effect on the ion current in an operation of the activated

Battery element can affect.

Alternatively, the electrolyte 51 may also be used in a printing operation together with the

Separator 31 are printed, so that the third substance, for example, a

superabsorbent polymeric substance and the fifth substance. The thus formed layer then has electrically insulating and electrically conductive portions, wherein the electrically insulating portions in an activated state of the battery realize a given distance 35 between anode 11 and cathode 21 and the electrically conductive portions conduct the ion current to a power supply for connected To provide products.

By means of the described method, apart from the substrate layer 3, a completely printable battery element is made possible, for example, two current conductors 15 and 25, an anode 11, a cathode 21, at least one separator 31, one

Electrolytes 51 and an adhesive layer 41 comprises.

Thus, a cost-effective production of a battery element is made possible in a simple manner, which can be manufactured for example by means of a single printing operation. The method includes, for example, printing by means of a screen printing method or an inkjet system. A screen printing process allows, for example, under

Using a mesh-like screen a simple application of the separator 31 on the surface 13 of the anode 11 and / or the surface 23 of the cathode 21, inter alia in the described geometric shapes of the embodiments of Figures 1 to 8. Apart from the separator 31, the other layers also be printed by other printing methods, such as gravure or flexographic printing.

Claims

claims

A method of manufacturing a battery element, comprising

Providing a substrate layer (3) having a surface (5), a first substance, a second substance and a third substance which has an electrically insulating property,

- printing the first substance on the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3) and thereby forming an anode (11) with a surface (13) facing away from the substrate layer (3),

- printing the second substance on the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3) and thereby forming a cathode (21) with a surface (23) facing away from the substrate layer (3), the cathode (21) on the surface ( 5) of the substrate layer (3) is printed at a distance from the anode (11), and

- Printing the third substance on the surface (13) of the anode (11)

and / or the surface (23) of the cathode (21) and thereby forming at least one separator (31) with a surface (33) opposite the surface (13) of the anode (11) or the surface (23) of the cathode ( 21) is sublime.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising

Printing the third substance and forming the separator (31) in the form of a lattice structure and / or honeycomb structure and / or dot structure and / or hatching.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the entire surface is covered by the printing of the third substance and the formation of the separator (31), the surface (13) of the anode (11) and / or the surface (23) of the cathode (21).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,

wherein the third substance comprises a superabsorbent polymeric substance.

5. The method according to claim 3 or 4,

wherein the third substance comprises an electrolyte (51). Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising

Printing a first Stromab conductor (15) and a second Stromableiters (25) on the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3), wherein the first current collector (15) to the anode (11) and the second current collector (25) to the cathode (21) is electrically connected.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, comprising

Providing a fourth substance having an adhesive property,

- Printing the fourth substance on the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3) and thereby forming an adhesive layer (41) surrounding the anode (11) and / or the cathode (21).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, comprising

Providing a fifth substance having electrical conductivity,

- Printing the fifth substance on the surface (13) of the anode (11) and / or the surface (23) of the cathode (21) and thereby forming an electrolyte (51).

Method according to one of claims 1 to 8,

wherein the printing of the third substance comprises a screen printing process. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9,

wherein the printing of the third substance comprises a stencil printing process.

Method according to one of claims 1 to 10, comprising

Imprinting of the third substance by means of an inkjet system. 12. Arrangement (1) for a battery, comprising

a substrate layer (3) having a surface (5), an anode arranged on the surface of the substrate layer and having a surface facing away from the substrate layer;

a cathode (21) which is arranged on the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3) and which has a surface (23) which faces away from the substrate layer (3), the cathode (21) being arranged on the surface (5 ) of the substrate layer (3) is arranged at a distance from the anode (11),

- At least one separator (31) disposed on the surface (13) of the anode (11) and / or the surface (23) of the cathode (21) and having an electrically insulating property and having a surface (33) which is raised with respect to the surface (13) of the anode (11) or the surface (23) of the cathode (21), and wherein

- The anode (1 1), the cathode (21) and the separator (31) each on the

Substrate layer (3) are printed.

13. Arrangement (1) according to claim 12,

in which the separator (31) has a grid structure and / or a dot structure and / or a honeycomb structure and / or hatching.

14. Arrangement (1) according to claim 12 or 13,

in which the separator (31) has the surface (13) of the anode (11) and / or the

Surface (23) of the cathode (21) over the entire surface covered.

15. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 12 to 14,

wherein the separator (31) comprises a superabsorbent polymeric substance.

16. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 12 to 15,

which comprises a first current conductor (15) and a second current conductor (25) arranged on the surface (5) of the substrate layer (3), the first current conductor (15) being connected to the anode (11) and the second current conductor (25 ) is coupled to the cathode (21).

17. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 12 to 16, comprising an adhesive layer (41) printed on the substrate layer (3) and surrounding the anode (11) and / or the cathode (21).

18. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 12 to 17, comprising

an electrolyte (51) printed on the surface (13) of the anode (11) and / or the surface (23) of the cathode (21).

19. Arrangement (1) according to one of claims 12 to 18,

in which the substrate layer (3) has a perforation (7) between the anode (11) and the cathode (21).

A method of activating a battery using an assembly according to any of claims 12 to 19, comprising

Folding the substrate layer (3) between the anode (11) and the cathode (21) and thereby disposing the at least one separator (31) between the anode (11) and the cathode (21).