Battery cell, and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

Disclosed are: a battery cell; and a battery pack and a vehicle, including same. A battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; a battery can in which the electrode assembly is accommodated; an electrical connection member electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and an insulator interposed between the battery can and the electrode assembly, wherein the insulator is fixed to the battery can.

Description

Battery cells and battery packs including the same and automobiles

[0001] This application is a priority application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0167533 filed on November 21, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of said application are incorporated into this application by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and more specifically, to a battery cell capable of preventing external ejection of an electrode assembly when a thermal event occurs, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which possess electrical characteristics such as high energy density and high applicability across product categories, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electric power sources.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, as they not only have the primary advantage of being able to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the advantage of not generating any by-products from the use of energy.

[0005] Currently, widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these unit secondary battery cells is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery module or battery pack is configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Additionally, a battery module or battery pack is configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery module or battery pack and the electrical connection type can be varied according to at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] In addition, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known as types of secondary battery cells. In the case of a cylindrical battery cell, an insulating separator is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and this is wound to form a jellyroll-shaped electrode assembly, which is then inserted into a battery can along with an electrolyte to constitute a battery.

[0008] In addition, a current collector plate may be used to electrically connect the positive plate and the negative plate of the cylindrical battery cell, and an insulator may be interposed between the electrode assembly and the battery can to insulate the electrode assembly and the battery can.

[0009] Meanwhile, battery cells including cylindrical battery cells use organic electrolytes, so there is a problem in that flames are generated due to ignition caused by overcurrent and overheating from overcharging.

[0010] Furthermore, if a flame is generated by ignition in a single cylindrical battery cell, thermal runaway may occur as the flame spreads to adjacent battery cells. In this case, to prevent thermal runaway, it is necessary to ensure that the jellyroll-shaped electrode assembly from the cylindrical battery cell where the flame originated is not ejected to the outside of the battery can.

[0011] However, in the case of conventional cylindrical battery cells, there is a problem in that when a thermal event occurs, the electrode assembly is ejected out of the battery can due to the internal pressure of the battery cell, which causes thermal runaway.

[0012] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile that can prevent an electrode assembly from being ejected outside the battery can even if a thermal event occurs in any one of the battery cells through a structure in which an insulator is fixed to the battery can.

[0013] In addition, the invention provides a battery cell capable of preventing thermal runaway caused by the transfer of flame to adjacent battery cells, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0014] In addition, through this, the invention provides a battery cell capable of improving the stability of the battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0015] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell may be provided comprising: an electrode assembly including a positive plate, a negative plate, and a separator interposed between the positive plate and the negative plate; a battery can in which the electrode assembly is housed; an electrical connection member electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and an insulator interposed between the battery can and the electrode assembly, wherein the insulator is fixed to the battery can.

[0017] In one embodiment, the electrical connection member may be an anode tab or an anode current collector connected to the anode plate of the electrode assembly.

[0018] In one embodiment, the insulator comprises a first part located on the upper side of the electrode assembly; and a second part extending from the first part and interposed between the battery can and the electrode assembly, wherein at least one of the first part and the second part may be fixed to the battery can.

[0019] In one embodiment, a coupling projection or a coupling groove is formed in at least one of the first part and the second part, and a coupling groove or a coupling projection corresponding to the coupling projection or the coupling groove formed in at least one of the first part and the second part may be formed in the battery can.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first part is formed in a circular shape, and the second part may extend cylindrically from the first part.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first part is formed in a circular shape, and the second part may extend from the first part in a plurality of straight lines.

[0022] In one embodiment, the second part includes four straight sections, and each of the four straight sections may be spaced apart at a preset interval.

[0023] In one embodiment, a coupling projection or a coupling groove is formed at the lower end of the second part, and a coupling groove or a coupling projection may be formed on the lower side of the battery can to correspond to the coupling projection or the coupling groove formed in the second part.

[0024] In one embodiment, the coupling projection may be configured to have a round shape.

[0025] In one embodiment, the coupling projection or the coupling groove formed in the second part can be fixed to the coupling groove or the coupling projection formed in the battery can by bonding or taping.

[0026] In one embodiment, an inner groove is formed in the coupling projection of the second part, and a protrusion is formed in the coupling groove of the battery can, and the protrusion can be inserted into the inner groove.

[0027] In one embodiment, the inner groove portion may be formed as a pair on each side of the coupling projection portion, and the protrusion portion may be formed as a pair on each side of the coupling groove portion.

[0028] In one embodiment, the insulator may be made of a perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA) having high heat resistance.

[0029] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack comprising at least one of the aforementioned battery cells may be provided, and a vehicle comprising at least one of the aforementioned battery cells may also be provided.

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention have the effect of preventing the electrode assembly from being ejected outside the battery can even if a thermal event occurs in any one of the battery cells through a structure in which an insulator is fixed to the battery can.

[0031] In addition, this has the effect of preventing thermal runaway caused by flames being transferred to adjacent battery cells.

[0032] In addition, this has the effect of improving the stability of the battery cell.

[0033] However, the effects obtainable through the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned technical effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0034] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 2.

[0038] Figure 4 is a drawing showing the insulator separated from the battery can in Figure 3.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulator in a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an insulator in a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the insulator separated from the battery can in a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an insulator coupled to a battery can in a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an insulator coupled to a battery can in a battery cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an insulator in a battery cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to a modified embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0046] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely one preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all aspects of the technical spirit of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications capable of replacing them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0049] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific part constituting the component is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted for convenience and clarity of explanation. Accordingly, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such description shall be omitted.

[0050] As used in this specification, the terms "combination" or "connection" include not only cases where one member and another member are directly joined or directly connected, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0051] Meanwhile, contents common to parts described in any one embodiment of the present invention may also be applied to other embodiments. For example, contents common to parts described in the first embodiment of the second embodiment may be replaced by the description of the first embodiment described above, and such common contents may also be applied to the second embodiment. Furthermore, contents described in the second embodiment that are applicable to the first embodiment may also be applied to the first embodiment. The same applies to other embodiments.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a drawing showing the insulator separated from the battery can in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an insulator in a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a plan view of an insulator in a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery cell (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention comprises an electrode assembly (100), a battery can (200), an electrical connection member (300), a cell terminal (400), and an insulator (500). FIGS. 1 to 10 describe the case in which the electrical connection member (300) includes a positive current collector plate (310), and FIG. 11 describes the case in which the electrical connection member (300) includes a positive tab (320).

[0054] Referring to FIG. 2, the electrode assembly (100) includes an anode plate (110), a cathode plate (120), and a separator (130) interposed between the anode plate (110) and the cathode plate (120), and the anode plate (110), the cathode plate (120), and the separator (130) interposed between the anode plate (110) and the cathode plate (120) may have a structure in which they are wound in one direction. Additionally, a center hole (140) is formed in the center of the electrode assembly (100), and it may be formed in a jelly roll type.

[0055] For example, the electrode assembly (100) can be manufactured by winding a laminate formed by sequentially stacking a negative plate (120), a separator (130), an anode plate (110), and a separator (130) at least once. Here, the anode plate (110) and the negative plate (120) can be formed in a sheet shape.

[0056] That is, the electrode assembly (100) applied in this embodiment may be a wound-type electrode assembly (100). In this case, an additional separator (130) may be provided on the outer surface of the electrode assembly (100) to insulate it from the battery can (200). That is, the electrode assembly (100) may have a wound structure well known in the relevant technical field without limitation.

[0057] A positive active material is applied to one or both sides of the positive plate (110), and a first non-positive portion (111) in which the positive active material is not applied may be formed at the end of the positive plate (110). Although the positive plate (110) with the first non-positive portion (111) formed is shown in FIG. 2, the battery cell (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an embodiment in which the positive plate (110) with the first non-positive portion (111) is not formed. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the first non-positive portion (111) is formed on the positive plate (110). The first non-positive portion (111) may be exposed to the outside of the separator (130) while forming a plurality of wound turns based on the center of the electrode assembly (100), and may be used as an electrode tab itself.

[0058] A negative electrode active material is coated on one or both sides of the negative electrode plate (120), and a second uncoated portion (121) in which the negative electrode active material is not coated may be formed at the end of the negative electrode plate (120). Although FIG. 2 shows a negative electrode plate (120) with the second uncoated portion (121) formed thereon, a battery cell (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an embodiment of a negative electrode plate (120) in which the second uncoated portion (121) is not formed. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the second uncoated portion (121) is formed on the negative electrode plate (120). The second uncoated portion (121) may be exposed to the outside of the separator (130) while forming a plurality of wound turns based on the center of the electrode assembly (100), and may be used as an electrode tab itself.

[0059] That is, at least one of the positive plate (110) and the negative plate (120) may each include an uncoated portion at the long end of the winding direction in which the active material is not coated. In addition, the first uncoated portion (111) and the second uncoated portion (121) may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0060] Here, the positive active material coated on the positive plate (110) and the negative active material coated on the negative plate (120) can be used without limitation as long as they are active materials known in the art.

[0061] And, the separator (130) can be a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin-based polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, etc., used alone or by laminating them.

[0062] As another example, the separator (130) may be a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of high melting point glass fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, etc.

[0063] At least one surface of the separator (130) may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Additionally, it is possible for the separator (130) itself to be composed of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure combined with a binder such that interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0064] Additionally, the center hole (140) of the electrode assembly (100) is also used for welding the cell terminal (400, positive terminal) and the positive current collector plate (310). That is, it can be configured to weld the cell terminal (400) and the positive current collector plate (310) by irradiating a laser through the center hole (140) of the electrode assembly (100).

[0065] Referring to FIG. 2, an electrode assembly (100) is housed in a battery can (200). For example, the battery can (200) is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the electrode assembly (100) is housed inside the battery can (200) and can be electrically connected to the negative plate (120) of the electrode assembly (100). Accordingly, the battery can (200) can have the same polarity as the negative plate (120), that is, a negative electrode.

[0066] Here, the diameter of the battery can (200) is formed to be larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly (100). A gap of a predetermined size is formed between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector plate (310), and an insulator (500) may be interposed between the gap.

[0067] If the size of the electrode assembly (100) is increased while the size of the battery can (200) is determined according to the specifications, the total capacity of the battery cell (10) increases, but the gap between the battery can (200) and the electrode assembly (100) decreases.

[0068] That is, to increase the total capacity of the battery cell (10), the size of the electrode assembly (100) is increased, and thus the gap between the battery can (200) and the electrode assembly (100) is reduced. Therefore, to increase the capacity of the battery cell (10), an insulator (500) must be interposed in the reduced gap between the battery can (200) and the electrode assembly (100), and for this purpose, it is desirable that the thickness of the insulator (500) be as thin as possible.

[0069] The electrode assembly (100) is housed in the battery can (200), and an electrolyte may also be injected into the battery can (200). Here, the battery can (200) is a roughly cylindrical receptacle and may be made of a conductive material, such as metal. The material of the battery can (200) may be made of a conductive metal, such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0070] A through hole may be formed in the battery can (200), and a cell terminal (400) is coupled to the through hole and electrically connected to the positive current collector (310) through the through hole. Additionally, an insulator (500) may be interposed between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector (310).

[0071] The electrical connection member (300) is electrically connected to the electrode assembly (100). In FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 10, the positive current collector plate (310) included in the electrical connection member (300) is electrically connected to the positive plate (110) of the electrode assembly (100), and, for example, referring to FIG. 2, the positive current collector plate (310) is connected to the positive plate (110) at the top of the electrode assembly (100).

[0072] The positive current collector plate (310) is made of a conductive metal material and is connected to the first non-conductive portion (111) of the electrode assembly (100). The positive current collector plate (310) can be connected to the upper portion of a coupling surface formed by bending the end of the first non-conductive portion (111) in a direction parallel to the positive current collector plate (310). The bending direction of the first non-conductive portion (111) may be, for example, a direction toward the center of the winding of the electrode assembly (100).

[0073] When the first non-removable portion (111) has a bent shape like this, the space occupied by the first non-removable portion (111) is reduced, which can lead to an improvement in energy density. In addition, due to the increase in the bonding area between the first non-removable portion (111) and the positive current collector plate (310), it can lead to an improvement in bonding strength and a reduction in resistance.

[0074] The cell terminal (400) is made of a conductive metal material and is coupled to a through hole of the battery can (200) and is electrically connected to the positive current collector plate (310) through the through hole. The cell terminal (400) is electrically connected to the positive plate (110) of the electrode assembly (100) through the positive current collector plate (310) and thereby has a positive polarity.

[0075] That is, the cell terminal (400) can function as a positive terminal. And, as described above, the battery can (200) is electrically connected to the negative plate (120) of the electrode assembly (100), and thereby can have a negative polarity.

[0076] An insulator (500) is interposed between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector (310) for insulation. The insulator (500) prevents contact between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector (310). In the case of the battery cell (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the insulator (500) has a structure in which it is fixed to the battery can (200). A detailed description thereof will be provided later.

[0077] Based on FIG. 2, a positive current collector plate (310) is attached to the upper side of the first non-removable portion (111), and an insulator (500) is attached to the upper side of the positive current collector plate (310). That is, the insulator (500) is housed inside the battery can (200), covers at least a part of the electrode assembly (100), and can be configured to block the electrical connection between the first non-removable portion (111) and the battery can (200).

[0078] Here, when a positive current collector plate (310) is provided on the upper side of the first non-removable portion (111), the insulator (500) is coupled to the positive current collector plate (310) on the upper side of the positive current collector plate (310) to block the electrical connection between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector plate (310). Accordingly, the insulator (500) may be made of a material having insulating performance.

[0079] The insulator (500) can be formed with a structure through which the electrolyte can move. For example, the insulator (500) can be composed of various materials through which the electrolyte can move.

[0080] In this way, when the insulator (500) is composed of various materials that allow the movement of the electrolyte, the electrolyte can flow smoothly into the electrode assembly (100), and also prevent the formation of by-products of the electrolyte on the surface of the electrode assembly (100), and also have the effect of improving the performance of the battery cell (10). However, as described below, the insulator (500) may be composed of a material that allows the movement of the electrolyte and also has heat resistance that is strong against heat.

[0081] The insulator (500) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the jelly roll type electrode assembly (100). For example, if the cross-section of the jelly roll type electrode assembly (100) is circular, the upper shape of the insulator (500) can be formed in a circular shape.

[0082] Referring to FIG. 2, the negative electrode collector plate (600) is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate (120). The negative electrode collector plate (600) is connected to the second non-removable portion (121) of the electrode assembly (100). Based on FIG. 2, the negative electrode collector plate (600) is coupled to the lower part of the electrode assembly (100).

[0083] The negative electrode collector plate (600) is made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel and can be electrically connected to the second non-conductive portion (121) of the negative electrode plate (120). Additionally, the negative electrode collector plate (600) can be electrically connected to the battery can (200).

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the insulator (500) is fixed to the battery can (200), which will be explained below.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 4, when the insulator (500) is separated from the battery can (200), the insulator (500) can be coupled and fixed to the battery can (200) as shown in FIG. 3. At this time, the insulator (500) can be coupled to the battery can (200) in various ways, for example, by a press fit method, but the method of coupling the insulator (500) and the battery can (200) is not limited to this.

[0086] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the insulator (500) may be configured to include a first part (510) and a second part (520).

[0087] The first part (510) may be located on the upper side of the positive current collector plate (310) located on the upper side of the electrode assembly (100) (see FIG. 2). To this end, the first part (510) may be formed in a circular shape, but the shape of the first part (510) is not limited to a circular shape.

[0088] The second part (520) extends from the first part (510) and is interposed between the battery can (200) and the electrode assembly (100) (see FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 5, the second part (520) may extend from the first part (510) in a plurality of straight lines.

[0089] The number of the second part (520) may vary, and although FIGS. 5 and 6 show the second part (520) configured to include four straight sections, it is not limited thereto, and the second part (520) may include various numbers of straight sections.

[0090] Also, if the second part (520) includes four straight sections, each of the four straight sections may be spaced apart at a preset interval. In FIG. 6, the four straight sections are spaced apart at 90-degree intervals, but the spacing of the four straight sections is not limited to this.

[0091] Here, at least one of the first part (510) and the second part (520) can be fixed to the battery can (200). However, for the convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the method in which the second part (520) is fixed to the battery can (200).

[0092] The second part (520) can be coupled to the battery can (200) in various ways, for example, by means of a coupling protrusion (521) and a coupling groove (210). For convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on the method in which the second part (520) is coupled to the battery can (200) by means of the coupling protrusion (521) and the coupling groove (210).

[0093] A coupling projection (521) is formed in the second part (520), and a coupling groove (210) corresponding to the coupling projection (521) formed in the second part (520) may be formed in the battery can (200), and the coupling projection (521) of the second part (520) may be coupled to and fixed to the coupling groove (210) of the battery can (200).

[0094] However, this is not limited thereto, and a coupling groove (not shown) may be formed in the second part (520) and a coupling projection (not shown) may be formed in the battery can (200). However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where a coupling projection (521) is formed in the second part (520) and a coupling groove (210) is formed in the battery can (200).

[0095] A connecting projection (521) may be formed on various parts of the second part (520). For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a connecting projection (521) may be formed on the lower end of the second part (520). However, the location of the connecting projection (521) is not limited thereto.

[0096] Additionally, a coupling groove (210) may be formed in various parts of the battery can (200). For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a coupling groove (210) may be formed on the lower side of the battery can (200) to correspond to the coupling projection (521) of the second part (520), provided, however, that the location of the coupling groove (210) is not limited thereto.

[0097] Here, referring to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4, the connecting protrusion (521) may be configured to have a round shape, but the shape of the connecting protrusion (521) is not limited to this and may have a variety of shapes.

[0098] And, an insulator (500) with the shape of Fig. 5 is coupled and fixed to the battery can (200) as in Fig. 2.

[0099] The insulator (500) can be made of various materials having high heat resistance. For example, the insulator (500) can be made of heat-resistant perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), but the material of the insulator (500) is not limited to this.

[0100] In this way, when an insulator (500) made of a material having high heat resistance is attached and fixed to the battery can (200), even if a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (10), the electrode assembly (100) is blocked by the insulator (500) fixed to the battery can (200) and is not ejected outside the battery can (200).

[0101] In addition, this prevents the thermal runaway phenomenon caused by flames being transferred to adjacent battery cells (10). In addition, this improves the stability of the battery cells (10).

[0102] FIG. 7 is a drawing showing the insulator separated from the battery can in a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 7, the coupling projection (521) of the second part (520) may be formed in a square shape, and the coupling groove (210) of the battery can (200) may also be formed in a square shape to correspond thereto, but the shapes of the coupling projection (521) and the coupling groove (210) are not limited thereto.

[0104] And, the coupling protrusion (521) formed in the second part (520) can be fixed to the coupling groove (210) formed in the battery can (200) by bonding or taping.

[0105] For example, after applying a bonding material (523) to the inner side of the bonding groove (210), the bonding protrusion (521) can be inserted into the bonding groove (210) so that the bonding protrusion (521) is fixed by the bonding material (523).

[0106] Alternatively, for example, a double-sided tape (not shown) may be attached to the inside of the coupling groove (210), or a double-sided tape (not shown) may be attached to the end of the coupling projection (521), and then the coupling projection (521) and the coupling groove (210) may be fixed.

[0107] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing an insulator coupled to a battery can in a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] Referring to FIG. 8, an inner groove (522) is formed in the coupling projection (521) of the second part (520), and a protrusion (211) is formed in the coupling groove (210) of the battery can (200), and the protrusion (211) can be configured to be inserted into the inner groove (522).

[0109] Here, the inner groove portion (522) may be formed as a pair on each side of the coupling projection portion (521). Also, the protrusion portion (211) may be formed as a pair on each side of the coupling groove portion (210). Here, the pair of protrusion portions (211) may be coupled to each of the pair of inner groove portions (522), thereby improving the coupling force between the coupling projection portion (521) and the coupling groove portion (210).

[0110] However, the inner groove (522) and the protrusion (211) do not necessarily have to be formed as a pair, and the shape and number of the inner groove (522) and the protrusion (211) may vary.

[0111] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing an insulator coupled to a battery can in a battery cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 9, the inner groove (522) may be formed on one side of the coupling projection (521). Additionally, the protrusion (211) may be formed on one side of the coupling groove (210) at a position corresponding to the inner groove (522) of the coupling projection (521). Here, one protrusion (211) may be coupled to one inner groove (522), thereby improving the coupling force between the coupling projection (521) and the coupling groove (210).

[0113] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an insulator in a battery cell according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 10, the first part (510) may be located on the upper side of the positive current collector plate (310). To this end, the first part (510) may be formed in a circular shape, but the shape of the first part (510) is not limited to a circular shape.

[0115] The second part (520) may be extended cylindrically from the first part (510). Additionally, a connecting projection (521) may be formed along the lower circumference of the second part (520) formed in a cylindrical shape. In this case, a connecting groove (210) may be formed along the inner circumference of the battery can (200) to correspond to the connecting projection (521) formed along the lower circumference of the second part (520).

[0116] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to a modified embodiment of FIG. 2.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 11, the electrical connection member (300) is electrically connected to the electrode assembly (100). Here, the positive tab (320) included in the electrical connection member (300) is electrically connected to the positive plate of the electrode assembly (100).

[0118] Meanwhile, since the details regarding the insulator are consistent with the previously mentioned explanation, they will be replaced by the previously mentioned explanation.

[0119] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0120] Referring to FIG. 12, a battery pack (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above. Additionally, the battery pack (20) may further include a pack housing (21) for housing the battery cells (10), and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cells (10), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0121] FIG. 13 is a drawing illustrating a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 13, a vehicle (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (10) or battery packs (20) according to each of the above embodiments. Here, the vehicle (30) includes various vehicles configured to use electricity, such as, for example, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0123] In this specification, where terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are used merely for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that they may vary depending on the location of the object or the position of the observer.

[0124] Although the present invention has been described above by means of limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims set forth below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. That is, the scope of the true technical spirit of the present invention is indicated in the claims, and all variations within the equivalent scope thereof should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

[0125] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly comprising an anode plate, a cathode plate, and a separator interposed between the anode plate and the cathode plate; A battery can in which the above electrode assembly is housed; An electrical connection member electrically connected to the above electrode assembly; and It includes an insulator interposed between the battery can and the electrode assembly, A battery cell characterized by the insulator being fixed to the battery can.

2. In Paragraph 1, A battery cell characterized in that the above electrical connection member is a positive tab or a positive current collector connected to the positive plate of the electrode assembly.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above insulator is, A first part located on the upper side of the electrode assembly; and It includes a second part extending from the first part and interposed between the battery can and the electrode assembly, A battery cell characterized in that at least one of the first part and the second part is fixed to the battery can.

4. In Paragraph 3, A battery cell characterized in that at least one of the first part and the second part has a coupling projection or a coupling groove formed thereon, and the battery can has a coupling groove or a coupling projection formed thereon corresponding to the coupling projection or coupling groove formed in at least one of the first part and the second part.

5. In Paragraph 3, The above-mentioned first part is formed in a circular shape, and A battery cell characterized in that the second part extends cylindrically from the first part.

6. In Paragraph 3, The above-mentioned first part is formed in a circular shape, and A battery cell characterized in that the second part extends from the first part in a plurality of straight lines.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above-mentioned second part includes four straight sections, and A battery cell characterized in that each of the four straight sections is spaced apart at a preset interval.

8. In Paragraph 3, A coupling projection or a coupling groove is formed at the lower end of the second part above, and A battery cell characterized in that a coupling groove or a coupling projection is formed on the lower side of the battery can to correspond to the coupling projection or the coupling groove formed in the second part.

9. In Paragraph 8, A battery cell characterized in that the above-mentioned connecting protrusion is configured to have a round shape.

10. In Paragraph 8, A battery cell characterized in that the coupling projection or coupling groove formed in the second part is fixed to the coupling groove or coupling projection formed in the battery can by a bonding or taping method.

11. In Paragraph 8, A battery cell characterized in that an inner groove is formed in the coupling projection of the second part, a protrusion is formed in the coupling groove of the battery can, and the protrusion is inserted into the inner groove.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above inner grooves are formed as a pair on each side of the coupling projection, and A battery cell characterized in that the above-mentioned protrusions are formed as a pair on each side of the above-mentioned coupling groove.

13. In Paragraph 1, A battery cell characterized in that the above-mentioned insulator is made of perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA) having high heat resistance.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An automobile comprising at least one battery cell according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 13.

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