NOVELTY - The assembly has a negative electrode (12) including a negative electrode active material layer (122) formed on a negative electrode current collector (121). A spirally winding separator (13) placed between the electrode and a positive electrode (11) has a heat-resistive unit made of a heat-resistive material and a lubrication unit (13a) arranged at an inner front end of the separator and including a friction coefficient lower than that of the heat-resistive unit. The material is selected from one of aramid, ceramic, polyvinylidene fluoride or polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropene.    USE - Electrode assembly i.e. spirally wound electrode assembly, for installing on a case i.e. spiral case, of a rechargeable battery (claimed) or lithium ion battery e.g. low-capacity rechargeable battery for a portable, compact electronic apparatus e.g. mobile phone, notebook computer and camcorder and high-capacity rechargeable battery for driving a motor of a hybrid vehicle. Can also be used for cuboid shaped case for a cubically-shaped electrode assembly, pouch shaped case, cylindrical shape case and prismatic shape case, and for a lithium polymer battery.    ADVANTAGE - The assembly has the heat-resistive unit including a pair of heat-resistive layers that are not formed in a portion of the separator contacting a winder, thus easily separating the assembly from the winder after spiral-winding process is finished, and hence improving productivity of the assembly. The heat-resistive layer is formed at a side of the lubrication unit, so that strength of the lubrication unit can be improved and deformation of the lubrication unit can be prevented. The material of the heat-resistive unit is heat-resistive than that of the separator to increase heat-resistivity of the separator, thus preventing the separator from being melted at high temperature, and hence improving stability of the battery. The heat-resistive layer prevents melting of a separator element so as to prevent a short circuit between the positive and negative electrodes. The assembly with a separator structure can be easily and spirally wound.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is also included for a rechargeable battery comprising a terminal electrically connected to an electrode assembly.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly.    Positive electrode (11)    Negative electrode (12)    Spirally winding separator (13)    Lubrication unit (13a)    Negative electrode current collector (121)    Negative electrode active material layer (122)