Battery Pack

Abstract

A battery pack includes: a battery cell including a first surface, a first electrode on the first surface, a second electrode on the first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other; a first lead and a second lead above the first electrode and the second electrode, the first lead and the second lead being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; an insulating adhesive layer between the first surface and the first lead; and an insulating cover layer on the first lead and the second lead, the insulating cover layer including an opening, and a portion of the first lead and a portion of the second lead being exposed through the opening.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0179794 filed on December 31, 2019, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0002] One or more embodiments relate to a battery pack. Background Art

[0003] In general, a secondary battery refers to a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, unlike a primary battery that is not rechargeable. Secondary batteries are used as energy sources for devices such as mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, or uninterruptible power supplies. Depending on the type of external device using the secondary battery, the secondary battery is used alone, or a secondary battery module (group) is used, each of which includes a plurality of secondary batteries connected as a unit.

[0004] Unlike small mobile devices such as cellular phones that can operate for a period of time using a single battery, devices such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles that have a long operating time and consume a lot of power may preferably include battery modules including multiple batteries to deal with issues related to power and capacity, and the output voltage or current of the battery module can be increased by adjusting the number of batteries included in each battery module. Summary of the invention

[0005] Aspects of one or more embodiments are directed to a battery pack, the battery pack comprising: a battery cell having a height smaller than a diameter of an electrode surface; and a compressible conductor having a large height drop when compressed to be electrically connected to the battery cell. Therefore, the battery pack can have a relatively low height and can be effectively used in slim devices.

[0006] Aspects of one or more embodiments are directed to a battery pack having a simple electrical connection structure to form a charge-discharge path from a first electrode and a second electrode to a first output location and a second output location, and thus the battery pack can have a compact structure.

[0007] Aspects of one or more embodiments are directed to a battery pack having improved safety by preventing (eg, fundamentally preventing) or substantially preventing a short circuit that may occur between a first output location and a second output location through an unintentional external conductor.

[0008] Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments presented in the disclosure.

[0009] According to one or more embodiments, a battery pack includes: a battery cell including a first surface, a first electrode on the first surface, a second electrode on the first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other; a first lead and a second lead above the first electrode and the second electrode, the first lead and the second lead being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; an insulating adhesive layer between the first surface and the first lead; and an insulating cover layer on the first lead and the second lead, the insulating cover layer including an opening, and a portion of the first lead and a portion of the second lead being exposed through the opening.

[0010] For example, the first electrode may be in a central region of the first surface, and the second electrode may be in a peripheral region of the first surface, the peripheral region of the first surface surrounding the first electrode.

[0011] For example, the first lead and the second lead may be electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, using a first compressible conductor between the first lead and the first electrode and a second compressible conductor between the second lead and the second electrode.

[0012] For example, the first compressible conductor and the second compressible conductor may each include an anisotropic conductive adhesive.

[0013] For example, the first lead and the second lead may be electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, by thermal bonding.

[0014] For example, the first lead and the second lead may be exposed in a manner of being displaced downward from a top surface of the insulating cover layer.

[0015] For example, the opening may include a first opening and a second opening, through which the portion of the first lead and the portion of the second lead are exposed, respectively.

[0016] For example, the first opening and the second opening may be located at opposite peripheral positions of the insulating cover layer, the opposite peripheral positions corresponding to a peripheral area of ​​the first surface.

[0017] For example, the first lead and the second lead may extend between the first electrode and the first opening and between the second electrode and the second opening, respectively.

[0018] For example, the first lead may extend from a first end portion of the first lead located in a central region of the first surface to the first opening located in a peripheral region of the first surface, and the first lead may include a second end portion exposed through the first opening.

[0019] For example, the first lead and the second lead may both include: a first extension portion extending in an arrangement direction of the first lead and the second lead; and a second extension portion extending in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the first lead and the second lead, wherein the first extension portion of the first lead may intersect with the second extension portion of the first lead at a position where the first lead is exposed through the first opening, and the first extension portion of the second lead may intersect with the second extension portion of the second lead at a position where the second lead is exposed through the second opening.

[0020] For example, the arrangement direction of the first lead and the second lead may be a diameter direction of the first surface having a circular shape.

[0021] For example, the first lead may include a first end portion, which is conductively connected to the first electrode via a first compressible conductor in a central area of ​​the first surface, and the first lead may include a second end portion, which is insulatedly connected to the second electrode via the insulating adhesive layer in a peripheral area of ​​the first surface.

[0022] For example, the first lead and the second lead may be between the first surface and the insulating cover layer, and the insulating adhesive layer may be between the first surface and the first lead.

[0023] For example, the insulating adhesive layer may include a double-sided tape and a first insulating tape sequentially stacked on the first surface of the battery cell.

[0024] For example, the insulating cover layer may further include a second insulating tape, and the first lead may be adhesively fixed between the first insulating tape and the second insulating tape.

[0025] For example, the second lead may be adhesively secured between the second insulating tape and the first surface.

[0026] For example, the insulating adhesive layer may expose a central region of the first surface, the first electrode being located within the central region of the first surface, and the insulating adhesive layer may be provided along a peripheral region of the first surface, the peripheral region surrounding the first electrode.

[0027] For example, the insulating adhesive layer may include an open side, and a portion of the peripheral area of ​​the first surface may be exposed through the open side.

[0028] For example, the opening side of the insulating adhesive layer may be at a position corresponding to the second lead, the opening side having a shape that is open in an arrangement direction of the first lead and the second lead.

[0029] For example, the connection member may be on the portion of the first lead and the portion of the second lead that may be exposed through the opening of the insulating cover layer.

[0030] For example, the connecting member may include a compressible conductor, a welding material, or wiring.

[0031] For example, the compressible conductor may include an elastic contact body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment;

[0034] Figure 2 As an example Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a battery pack is shown;

[0035] Figure 3 For along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG.

[0036] Figure 4 and Figure 5 are perspective views illustrating battery packs to which different connection members are applied. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Now will refer to embodiment in more detail, the example of embodiment is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and similar reference numerals refer to similar elements from time to time. In this regard, the present embodiment can have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the description set forth herein. Accordingly, the embodiments are described below only by reference to the figures to explain the various aspects of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Statements such as "at least one of ... " modify the entire column of elements when following a column of elements, rather than modifying the individual elements in the column.

[0038] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the example embodiments described herein.

[0039] As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0040] It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “comprising,” and / or “containing” when used in this specification expressly specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, parts, and / or combinations thereof.

[0041] Further, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of “may” relates to “one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.”

[0042] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element, or one or more intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "directly" "on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements.

[0043] In the figures, for clarity, the relative sizes of elements, layers and zones may be enlarged and / or simplified. For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", "bottom", "top" etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship between an element or feature and another element or feature as shown in the figure. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure, spatially relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, the element described as "below" or "below" other elements or features will then be oriented to "above" or "above" other elements or features. Therefore, the term "below" can include both above and below orientations. The device can be oriented in another way (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0044] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation, rather than terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent deviations in measurements or calculations that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize.

[0045] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure is a part. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly so defined herein.

[0046] Hereinafter, a battery pack will now be described according to embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment. Figure 2 As an example Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the battery pack is shown. Figure 3 For along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 are perspective views illustrating battery packs according to other embodiments, in which different connection members are applied to the battery pack.

[0048] See also Figure 1-Figure 3 According to one embodiment, a battery pack includes: a battery cell 10, the battery cell including a first surface 11, a second surface 12 opposite to the first surface 11, and a side surface 13 connecting the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 to each other, a first electrode 10a and a second electrode 10b are formed on the first surface 11; a first lead 40a and a second lead 40b arranged above the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b and connected to the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b respectively; an insulating adhesive layer 30 arranged between the first surface 11 and the first lead 40a; and an insulating cover layer 50, the insulating cover layer 50 is arranged above the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b, and includes or defines an opening including a first opening 50a and a second opening 50b to expose the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b. In one or more embodiments, the first lead 40a is arranged between the first electrode 10a and the insulating cover layer 50, and the second lead 40b is arranged between the second electrode 10b and the insulating cover layer 50. For example, the first lead 40 a and the second lead 40 b may extend between the first electrode 10 a and the first opening 50 a and between the second electrode 10 b and the second opening 50 b , respectively.

[0049] The battery cell 10 may include: a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 opposite to each other; and a side surface 13 connecting the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 to each other. For example, according to one embodiment, the battery cell 10 may include: a first surface 11 and a second surface 12 having a circular shape; and a side surface 13 that is rounded like a circumferential surface and connects the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 to each other. In one or more embodiments, the side surface 13 may be a curved surface having a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the circular shape of the first surface 11 and the second surface 12.

[0050] The insulating adhesive layer 30 and the insulating cover layer 50 disposed above the battery cell 10 may include a rounded circumferential surface corresponding to the battery cell 10. In this case, the expression that the insulating adhesive layer 30 and the insulating cover layer 50 include a rounded circumferential surface may mean that at least a portion of the edges of the insulating adhesive layer 30 and the insulating cover layer 50 form the circumferential surface, but may not mean that all of the edges of the insulating adhesive layer 30 and the insulating cover layer 50 form the circumferential surface.

[0051] The insulating adhesive layer 30 and the insulating cover layer 50 may include a circular circumferential surface corresponding to the battery cell 10, and may be formed in a shape corresponding to the battery cell 10 in the circumferential direction of the battery cell 10 so as not to form an additional volume from the battery cell 10. That is, considering the limited space of a small device in which the battery pack will be used, the insulating adhesive layer 30 and the insulating cover layer 50 may be formed without a side protruding from the circumference of the battery cell 10 in a certain direction. In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the circular circumferential surface of the insulating cover layer 50 may be equal to or less than the diameter D of the battery cell 10.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the battery cell 10 may be formed in a thin cylindrical shape, so that the battery cell 10 may have a height H that is smaller than a diameter D of the first surface 11 having a circular shape. For example, the aspect ratio, that is, the ratio of the height H to the diameter D of the battery cell 10 may be in the range of about 5.4:12 to about 5.4:14.

[0053] The first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b having opposite polarities may be formed on the first surface 11 and the second surface 12 of the battery cell 10. For example, the first electrode 10a may be formed in the central area CA of the first surface 11, and the second electrode 10b may be formed on the entirety of the second surface 12 and the side surface 13, and may extend from the side surface 13 to the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11. In this case, the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b may be formed together on the first surface 11 at different positions, so that the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b may be formed in the central area CA and the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11, respectively, and may be separated or spaced apart from each other to be electrically insulated from each other. Throughout this specification, the expression that the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b may be formed together on the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 may refer to the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b being formed in the central area CA and the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11, respectively. For example, in one embodiment, the central area CA of the first surface 11 may refer to the area where the first electrode 10a is formed, and the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 may refer to the area surrounding or surrounding the first electrode 10a. As described later, the first electrode 10 a and the second electrode 10 b of the battery cell 10 may be connected (eg, electrically connected) to the first lead 40 a and the second lead 40 b disposed over the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 , respectively.

[0054] The first lead 40a and the second lead 40b arranged above the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 may be conductively coupled to a corresponding one of the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b of the battery cell 10 through the corresponding first compressible conductor 20a and the second compressible conductor 20b. For example, in one embodiment, the first compressible conductor 20a and the second compressible conductor 20b may include an anisotropic conductive adhesive such as anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

[0055] For example, the anisotropic conductive adhesive provided as a form of the first compressible conductor 20a may be arranged between the first lead 40a and the first electrode 10a formed in the central area CA of the first surface 11, and may have a circular shape between the end portions of the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a, that is, a circular shape similar to the shape of the first electrode 10a. When the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a are pressed in a direction facing each other, the first compressible conductor 20a may be compressed between the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a, and thus the conductive particles dispersed in the insulating matrix of the anisotropic conductive adhesive may be connected to each other, so that the anisotropic conductive adhesive may have conductivity for connecting (e.g., electrically connecting) the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a to each other. For example, the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a may be conductively coupled to each other by pressing the first lead 40a against the first electrode 10a formed in the central area CA of the first surface 11 with the first compressible conductor 20a between them.

[0056] Similarly, an anisotropic conductive adhesive provided as a form of the second compressible conductor 20b may be arranged between the second lead 40b and the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11, and may be shaped similarly to the second lead 40b to extend in two intersecting directions between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b. As described later, the second lead 40b may include a first extending portion 40b1 and a second extending portion 40b2 extending in directions intersecting each other, and the second compressible conductor 20b may have a shape similar to that of the second lead 40b.

[0057] When the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b are pressed in the direction facing each other, the second compressible conductor 20b may be compressed between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b, and thus the conductive particles dispersed in the insulating matrix of the anisotropic conductive adhesive may be connected to each other, so that the anisotropic conductive adhesive may have conductivity for connecting (e.g., electrically connecting) the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b to each other. For example, the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b may be conductively coupled to each other by pressing the second lead 40b against the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 with the second compressible conductor 20b between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b.

[0058] In one embodiment, the conductive connection between the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a and the conductive connection between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b can be realized via the first compressible conductor 20a and the second compressible conductor 20b, respectively, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, in one or more embodiments, the conductive connection between the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a and the conductive connection between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b can be realized by thermal bonding such as welding. For example, the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b can be welded to the first electrode 10a and the second electrode 10b formed in the central area CA and the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10, respectively.

[0059] The first lead 40a may connect the first electrode 10a of the battery cell 10 to the first output position P1, and may form a charge-discharge path connected to the first electrode 10a of the battery cell 10. In one embodiment, the first output position P1 may refer to the position of the first opening 50a formed in the insulating cover layer 50 forming the uppermost portion of the battery pack. That is, a portion of the first lead 40a may be exposed through the first opening 50a formed in the insulating cover layer 50, and may be used as an output terminal forming the end of the charge-discharge path of the battery pack. Throughout this specification, the first output position P1 may refer to the position where the output terminal of the battery pack is located, and in one embodiment, the first output position P1 may refer to the position where the portion of the first lead 40a used as the output terminal is exposed through the first opening 50a of the insulating cover layer 50.

[0060] The first lead 40a may extend from the central area CA of the first surface 11 where the first electrode 10a of the battery cell 10 is formed to the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11, above which the first opening 50a is formed in the insulating cap layer 50 disposed on the first surface 11. For example, one end portion (e.g., the first end portion) of the first lead 40a may overlap with the first electrode 10a formed in the central area CA of the first surface 11, and the other end portion (e.g., the second end portion) of the first lead 40a may overlap with the first opening 50a and the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11. In one embodiment, the first lead 40a may extend from the end portion of the first lead 40a formed in the central area CA of the first surface 11 to the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 in the direction of the diameter (D) of the first surface 11 having a circular shape. That is, the first lead 40a may include the other end portion formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11. Throughout this specification, the statement that one end portion of the first lead 40a is formed within the central area CA of the first surface 11 or the other end portion of the first lead 40a is formed within the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 may refer to the end portions of the first lead 40a being within the projections of the central area CA and the peripheral area PA, respectively, when the central area CA and the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 are projected to the upper side. Similarly, the statement that the first opening 50a of the insulating cover layer 50 is formed within the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 may refer to the first opening 50a of the insulating cover layer 50 being within the projection of the peripheral area PA when the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 is projected to the upper side. In addition, in one embodiment, the length direction of the first lead 40a may be in the diameter (D) direction of the first surface 11 having a circular shape. In one embodiment, the length direction of the first lead 40a may correspond to the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b.

[0061] In the length direction of the first lead 40a, the first compressible conductor 20a may be arranged between the first lead 40a and the first electrode 10a in the central area CA of the end portion of the first surface 11 where the first lead 40a is formed, and the insulating adhesive layer 30 may be arranged between the first lead 40a and the second electrode 10b in the peripheral area PA of the other end portion of the first surface 11 where the first lead 40a is formed. Since the first lead 40a extends from the central area CA of the first surface 11 where the first electrode 10a is formed to the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 where the second electrode 10b is formed (corresponding to the first output position P1), the first lead 40a may be conductively coupled to the first electrode 10a and may be insulatively coupled to or insulated from the second electrode 10b. That is, the first lead 40a can be conductively connected to the first electrode 10a by using the first compressible conductor 20a between the first lead 40a and the first electrode 10a in the central area CA where one end portion of the first lead 40a is formed, and can be insulatedly connected to the second electrode 10b or insulated from the second electrode 10b by using the insulating adhesive layer 30 between the first lead 40a and the second electrode 10b in the peripheral area PA where the other end portion of the first surface 11 is formed with the first lead 40a.

[0062] The insulating adhesive layer 30 may couple the first lead 40a disposed above the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 to the first surface 11, and may insulate the first lead 40a from the first surface 11 (e.g., from the second electrode 10b formed on the first surface 11). For example, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may provide insulation between the first lead 40a and the second electrode 10b on the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10. In addition, the insulating cover layer 50 disposed on the first lead 40a may be coupled to the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 together with the first lead 40a through the insulating adhesive layer 30. For example, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may couple the insulating cover layer 50 to the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 along a portion of the insulating cover layer 50 exposed from the first lead 40a.

[0063] In one embodiment, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may be provided along the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 to surround the central area CA of the first surface 11 where the first electrode 10a is formed. For example, the insulating adhesive layer 30 exposes the central area CA of the first surface 11 where the first electrode 10a is formed, so that the first lead 40a and the first electrode 10a provided on the upper and lower sides of the insulating adhesive layer 30, respectively, can be coupled to each other. For example, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may include or define an opening, a space, or a gap that exposes the central area CA of the first surface 11 where the first electrode 10a is formed, so that the first lead 40a and the first electrode 10a positioned on the upper and lower sides of the insulating adhesive layer 30, respectively, can be coupled to each other.

[0064] The insulating adhesive layer 30 may be formed in a frame shape with an open side 30' along the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 to expose a portion of the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11. The second electrode 10b may be formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 exposed by the open side 30', and the second lead 40b and the second electrode 10b provided on the upper and lower sides of the insulating adhesive layer 30, respectively, may be conductively connected to each other through the open side 30'. That is, in one embodiment, although the insulating adhesive layer 30 is formed in a frame shape along the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may not be in a closed loop form that completely surrounds or surrounds the central area CA of the first surface 11, but in a form that is open to the outside through the open side 30'. In one or more embodiments, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may be C-shaped, and in other embodiments, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may be a different shape so that the insulating adhesive layer 30 exposes a portion of the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 and the central area CA of the first surface 11. In one embodiment, the opening side 30' of the insulating adhesive layer 30 may be formed at a position corresponding to the second lead 40b, and may have an open shape in the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b. For example, the opening side 30' may have a shape that is open in the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b. In one embodiment, the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b may correspond to the diameter (D) direction of the first surface 11 having a circular shape and the length direction of the first lead 40a.

[0065] The insulating adhesive layer 30 may not be arranged between the second lead 40b and the first surface 11 due to the open side 30' of the insulating adhesive layer 30, but may be arranged between the first lead 40a and the first surface 11 for insulation between the first lead 40a and the first surface 11. For example, in one embodiment, the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b may be arranged between the first surface 11 and the insulating cover layer 50, and the insulating adhesive layer 30 may be arranged between the first surface 11 and the first lead 40a.

[0066] In one embodiment, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may include a double-sided tape 32 and a first insulating tape 31 sequentially stacked above the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10. As described above, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may be formed in an annular shape along the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11, and may have an open side 30' on one side along the peripheral area PA. In addition, the double-sided tape 32 and the first insulating tape 31 of the insulating adhesive layer 30 may have a frame shape with an open side 30', and may correspond to each other in substantially the same shape. In one or more embodiments, the double-sided tape 32 and the first insulating tape 31 may be C-shaped, and in other embodiments, the insulating adhesive layer 30 may be of different shapes, so that the double-sided tape 32 and the first insulating tape 31 expose a portion of the peripheral area PA of the first surface and the central area CA of the first surface 11.

[0067] The double-sided tape 32 may have a function of connecting the entire insulating adhesive layer 30 to the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 through an adhesive layer formed on both sides of the double-sided tape 32, and the first insulating tape 31 may electrically insulate the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 (e.g., the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA) and the first lead 40a from each other. In this case, the first insulating tape 31 may include an adhesive layer on one side (or upper side) thereof to fix the position of the first lead 40a. For example, the first insulating tape 31 may include a polyimide tape. As described later, the first lead 40a may be arranged and fixed between the insulating cover layer 50 and the first insulating tape 31 provided on the upper and lower sides of the first lead 40a, respectively. In one example, the insulating cover layer 50 may include a second insulating tape 52, for example, the second insulating tape 52 may include a polyimide tape. The second insulating tape 52 may include an adhesive layer on one side (or lower surface) thereof. In this case, the first lead 40a disposed between the first insulating tape 31 and the second insulating tape 52 may be adhesively fixed in place due to the adhesive layers facing the first lead 40a formed on the upper side of the first insulating tape 31 and the lower side of the second insulating tape 52, respectively.

[0068] The second lead 40b may connect the second electrode 10b of the battery cell 10 to the second output position P2, and may form a charge-discharge path connected to the second electrode 10b of the battery cell 10. In one embodiment, the second output position P2 may refer to the position of the second opening 50b formed in the insulating cover layer 50 forming the uppermost portion of the battery pack. That is, a portion of the second lead 40b may be exposed through the second opening 50b formed in the insulating cover layer 50, and may be used as an output terminal forming the end of the charge-discharge path of the battery pack. The first lead 40a and the second lead 40b may be used as a pair of output terminals that form the ends of the charge-discharge path of the battery pack, for example, the portions of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b of the insulating cover layer 50, respectively, may be used as a pair of output terminals.

[0069] Throughout this specification, the second output position P2 may refer to a position where an output terminal of the battery pack is located, and in one embodiment, the second output position P2 may refer to a position where a portion of the second lead 40b serving as an output terminal is exposed through the second opening 50b of the insulating cover layer 50.

[0070] The second lead 40b may be connected to the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11. For example, the second lead 40b may be connected (e.g., electrically connected) to the second electrode 10b exposed through the open side 30' of the insulating adhesive layer 30. For example, the conductive connection between the second lead 40b and the second electrode 10b may be achieved by a second compressible conductor 20b arranged therebetween. In one embodiment, the second lead 40b may be connected to the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11, and a portion of the second lead 40b may be exposed through a second opening 50b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11. The second lead 40b may be arranged between the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 and the insulating cover layer 50, and in one embodiment, the insulating cover layer 50 may include a second insulating tape 52, and the second lead 40b may be adhesively fixed in place by an adhesive layer formed on one side of the second insulating tape 52.

[0071] The insulating cover layer 50 may be disposed on the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b. The first opening 50a and the second opening 50b may be formed in the insulating cover layer 50 to expose a portion of the first lead 40a and a portion of the second lead 40b, respectively. The portions of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b, respectively exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b of the insulating cover layer 50, may be used as a pair of output terminals forming the ends of the charge-discharge path of the battery pack, and may be connected to an external device such as an external load or an external charger through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b.

[0072] In one embodiment, the portions of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b that serve as output terminals are exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b of the insulating cover layer 50 covering the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b, respectively, so that a short circuit between the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b through an external conductor can be prevented (e.g., fundamentally prevented) or substantially prevented. In one embodiment, the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b can be exposed in a manner displaced downward from the top surface of the insulating cover layer 50. For example, in one embodiment, the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b are exposed in a manner displaced downward by a thickness corresponding to the thickness (t, see Figure 3 ) or a height difference in the depth of the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b is provided below the top surface of the insulating cover layer 50 forming the uppermost portion of the battery pack, and therefore, even when an external conductor contacts the top surface of the insulating cover layer 50, the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b provided below the insulating cover layer 50 in a downwardly shifted manner may not contact the external conductor, thereby preventing or reducing the possibility of a short circuit between the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b through the external conductor.

[0073] The first opening 50a may expose a portion of the first lead 40a extending from the first electrode 10a formed in the central area CA of the first surface 11 to the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11, and the second opening 50b may expose a portion of the second lead 40b connected to the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11. In one embodiment, the first lead 40a may include: a first extension portion 40a1 extending in the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b; and a second extension portion 40a2 extending in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b, and the position where the first lead 40a is exposed through the first opening 50a may be an intersection between the first extension portion 40a1 and the second extension portion 40a2. That is, the first extension portion 40a1 and the second extension portion 40a2 of the first lead 40a may intersect each other at the position where the first lead 40a is exposed through the first opening 50a, and may extend across each other in directions perpendicular to each other. Similarly, the second lead 40b may include: a first extension portion 40b1 extending in the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b; and a second extension portion 40b2 extending in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b, and the position where the second lead 40b is exposed through the second opening 50b may be an intersection between the first extension portion 40b1 and the second extension portion 40b2. That is, the first extension portion 40b1 and the second extension portion 40b2 of the second lead 40b may intersect each other at the position where the second lead 40b is exposed through the second opening 50b, and may extend across each other in directions perpendicular to each other.

[0074] The first extension portion 40a1 and the second extension portion 40a2 of the first lead 40a and the first extension portion 40b1 and the second extension portion 40b2 of the second lead 40b are used to ensure a margin of tolerance for the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b, so that even when there is some variation in the size of the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b, the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b can be properly exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b, so that the surface of the output terminal exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b can be flat. In addition, since the end portion of the first lead 40a and the end portion of the second lead 40b are exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b, respectively, the surface of the output terminal can be provided in a downwardly displaced manner to prevent or substantially prevent an unstable or unintentional electrical connection with an external device, which may cause a short circuit between the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b.

[0075] The first opening 50a and the second opening 50b may be formed at a peripheral position (corresponding to the first output position P1 and the second output position P2) of the insulating cover layer 50 corresponding to the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10. In other words, the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b may be formed at a peripheral position of the insulating cover layer 50 corresponding to the projection of the peripheral area PA of the first surface 11 of the battery cell 10 on the insulating cover layer 50. For example, the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b may be formed at opposite peripheral positions (corresponding to the first output position P1 and the second output position P2) in the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b. Here, the arrangement direction of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b may correspond to or be the diameter (D) direction of the first surface 11 having a circular shape. Since the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b are formed at relative positions (corresponding to the first output position P1 and the second output position P2) spaced apart from each other in the diameter (D) direction of the first surface 11, a portion of the first lead 40a and a portion of the second lead 40b are exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b, respectively, that is, a pair of output terminals of the battery pack can be provided at a distance from each other to facilitate electrical connection with external devices.

[0076] Figure 4 and Figure 5 are perspective views illustrating battery packs according to other embodiments, in which different connection members are applied to the battery pack.

[0077] See also Figure 4 and Figure 5 , the connecting member 601 or 602 may be provided on the portions of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed by the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b. For example, the connecting member 601 or 602 may be provided on the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed by the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b. In various embodiments, the connecting member 601 or 602 may include a third compressible conductor (see Figure 4 )、Welding materials (reference Figure 5 For example, the connection member 601 or 602 may form a charge-discharge path of the battery pack by connecting the output terminal (e.g., the portion of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed by the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b) to an external device (e.g., an external load or an external charger).

[0078] exist Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the third compressible conductor may be provided on the output terminal of the battery pack (e.g., the portion of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b) as an example of the connecting member 601. In this case, the third compressible conductor provided as an example of the connecting member 601 may include an elastic contact body such as a contact spring, and the output terminal of the battery pack (e.g., the portion of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b) is connected (e.g., electrically connected) to the external device through the elastic contact body.

[0079] exist Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, welding material may be provided as an example of the connecting member 602 on the output terminal of the battery pack (e.g., the portion of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b). In this case, the welding material provided as an example of the connecting member 602 may connect the wire extending from the external device to the output terminal of the battery pack (e.g., the portion of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed through the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b). For example, in Figure 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the welding material as an example of the connecting member 602 can be applied to the output terminals of the battery pack (e.g., the portions of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed by the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b), so that the welding material can have a uniform or substantially uniform thickness, or in another example, the welding material can be formed on the output terminals of the battery pack while being welded to the terminals or extension wires of an external device.

[0080] In one or more embodiments, the flexible wire provided as an example of a connecting member 601 or 602 can be connected to the output terminal of the battery pack (e.g., the portions of the first lead 40a and the second lead 40b exposed by the first opening 50a and the second opening 50b) and can extend to an external device, where the flexible wire can be welded to the terminal of the external device.

[0081] As described above, according to one or more embodiments, a battery cell 10 having a height smaller than the diameter of an electrode surface is used in a battery pack together with a first compressible conductor 20a and a second compressible conductor 20b having a large height drop when compressed to be electrically connected to the battery cell 10, so that the battery pack can have a relatively low height and can be effectively used in slim devices.

[0082] According to the embodiment, an electrical connection structure for forming a charge-discharge path from the first and second electrodes 10 a and 10 b to the first and second output positions P1 and P2 may be simple, and thus the battery pack may have a compact structure.

[0083] According to the embodiment, a short circuit between the first position P1 and the second position P2 that may occur through an unintentional external conductor can be prevented (eg, fundamentally prevented) or substantially prevented, and thus the battery pack may have improved safety.

[0084] It should be understood that the embodiments described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for limiting purposes. The description of features or aspects in each embodiment should generally be considered to be applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Although one or more embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: A battery cell including a first surface, a first electrode on the first surface, a second electrode on the first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a side surface connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other; A first lead and a second lead above the first electrode and the second electrode, the first lead and the second lead being connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; an insulating adhesive layer between the first surface and the first lead; as well as an insulating cover layer on the first lead and the second lead, the insulating cover layer comprising an opening through which a portion of the first lead and a portion of the second lead are directly exposed, wherein the first electrode is within a central region of the first surface; and The second electrode is in a peripheral area of ​​the first surface, and the peripheral area of ​​the first surface surrounds the first electrode.

2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the first lead and the second lead are electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, using a first compressible conductor between the first lead and the first electrode and a second compressible conductor between the second lead and the second electrode. 3 . The battery pack of claim 2 , wherein the first compressible conductor and the second compressible conductor each comprise an anisotropic conductive adhesive. 4 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first lead and the second lead are electrically connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively, by thermal bonding. 5 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first lead and the second lead are exposed in a manner of being displaced downward from a top surface of the insulating cover layer. 6 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the opening includes a first opening and a second opening, the portion of the first lead and the portion of the second lead being exposed through the first opening and the second opening, respectively. 7 . The battery pack according to claim 6 , wherein the first opening and the second opening are located at opposite peripheral positions of the insulating cover layer, the opposite peripheral positions corresponding to a peripheral area of ​​the first surface. 8 . The battery pack according to claim 6 , wherein the first lead and the second lead extend between the first electrode and the first opening and between the second electrode and the second opening, respectively.

9. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the first lead extends from a first end portion of the first lead located in the central region of the first surface to the first opening located in the peripheral region of the first surface; and The first lead includes a second end portion exposed through the first opening.

10. The battery pack according to claim 6, wherein the first lead and the second lead each comprise: a first extending portion extending in an arrangement direction of the first lead and the second lead; and a second extending portion extending in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the first lead and the second lead, The first extending portion of the first lead intersects the second extending portion of the first lead at a position where the first lead is exposed through the first opening, and the first extending portion of the second lead intersects the second extending portion of the second lead at a position where the second lead is exposed through the second opening. 11 . The battery pack according to claim 10 , wherein the arrangement direction of the first lead and the second lead is a diameter direction of the first surface having a circular shape.

12. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the first lead includes a first end portion conductively coupled to the first electrode via a first compressible conductor within the central region of the first surface; and The first lead includes a second end portion, and the second end portion is insulatedly coupled to the second electrode via the insulating adhesive layer in the peripheral area of ​​the first surface. 13 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the first lead and the second lead are between the first surface and the insulating cover layer. 14 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating adhesive layer comprises a double-sided tape and a first insulating tape sequentially stacked on the first surface of the battery cell.

15. The battery pack according to claim 14, wherein the insulating cover layer further comprises a second insulating tape, and The first lead is adhesively fixed between the first insulating tape and the second insulating tape. 16 . The battery pack of claim 15 , wherein the second lead is adhesively fixed between the second insulating tape and the first surface. 17 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating adhesive layer exposes a central region of the first surface, the first electrode is located within the central region of the first surface, and the insulating adhesive layer is provided along the peripheral region of the first surface. 18 . The battery pack according to claim 17 , wherein the insulating adhesive layer includes an open side through which a portion of the peripheral area of ​​the first surface is exposed. 19 . The battery pack according to claim 18 , wherein the opening side of the insulating adhesive layer is at a position corresponding to the second lead, the opening side having a shape opening in an arrangement direction of the first lead and the second lead. 20 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a connection member is on the portion of the first lead and the portion of the second lead exposed through the opening of the insulating cover layer.

21. The battery pack of claim 20, wherein the connecting member comprises a compressible conductor, a welding material, or a wire.

22. The battery pack of claim 21, wherein the compressible conductor comprises an elastic contact.

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