Electrode assembly having stepped portion, as well as battery cell, battery pack, and device including the electrode assembly

An electrode assembly comprising a plurality of electrode stacks including at least one stacked and folded type electrode stack in which a plurality of electrode units are stacked in a stacking direction such that the electrode units are separated by a sheet of separating film,

• wherein the stacked and folded type electrode stack comprises at least one stepped portion formed within the stacked and folded type electrode stack by the electrode units having different areas transverse to the stacking direction, the electrode units being stacked on one another with the sheet of separating film being disposed therebetween,
• wherein each of the electrode units comprises one selected from the group consisting of positive electrodes, negative electrodes, and unit cells, each unit cell having at least one positive electrode and at least one negative electrode that are stacked with a separator disposed therebetween,
• wherein the electrode assembly includes a Z-folded type electrode stack stacked together with a second electrode stack by using the separating film, the second electrode stack having a type selected from the group consisting of a jelly-roll type electrode stack, a stacked and folded type electrode stack, or a combination thereof, and
• wherein the electrode assembly comprises a second stepped portion formed between one of the plurality of electrode stacks and an adjacent second electrode unit.