Electrode assembly and secondary battery including the electrode assembly

A secondary battery comprising:

• an electrode assembly comprising:
• a first electrode plate comprising:
• a first substrate;
• and
• a first active material layer;
• a separator;
• and
• a second electrode plate comprising:
• a second substrate;
• and
• a second active material layer,
• wherein the first electrode plate, the separator, and the second electrode plate are stacked and wound, the separator located between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate;
• a case configured to receive the electrode assembly;
• and
• a cap assembly configured to seal the case,
• wherein the separator comprises:
• an upper separator region extending beyond a winding trailing edge of each of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, the upper separator region configured to wrap around an upper outermost side of the electrode assembly;
• and
• a lower separator region extending beyond the winding trailing edge of each of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, the lower separator region configured to wrap around a lower outermost side of the electrode assembly, and
• wherein the first substrate in electrical contact with the case in an exposed area between the upper separator region and the lower separator region.