Battery cell, battery module comprising the battery cell, and battery pack

Abstract

A battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application includes a battery case, a battery assembly accommodated in the battery case, an electrode lead electrically connected to the battery assembly and protruding outside the battery case, an electrode tab provided inside the battery case and protruding from the battery assembly to allow the battery assembly to be connected to the electrode lead, and a tab protection unit at least partially covering an outer surface of the battery case corresponding to a portion where the electrode tab is provided.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery cell, a battery module including the same, and a battery pack including the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Secondary batteries, which are highly suitable for various products and exhibit excellent electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are not only commonly used in portable devices, but also commonly used in electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by power sources. Secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, because the use of fossil fuels can be greatly reduced and no by-products are generated during energy consumption.

[0003] Secondary batteries that are widely used at present include lithium ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and the like. The operating voltage of a unit secondary battery cell (i.e., a unit battery cell) is about 2.5 V to 4.5 V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in series to construct a battery pack. In addition, depending on the charging / discharging capacity required for the battery pack, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in parallel to construct a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in a battery pack can be variously set according to the required output voltage or the required charging / discharging capacity.

[0004] Meanwhile, when a plurality of battery cells are connected in series or in parallel to construct a battery pack, a battery module including at least one battery cell is usually first constructed, and then a battery pack is constructed by using at least one battery module and adding other components.

[0005] A conventional battery cell usually includes a battery case forming an appearance, a battery assembly accommodated in the battery case, an electrode lead electrically connected to the battery assembly and protruding from the battery case, and an electrode tab protruding from the battery assembly to connect the electrode lead and the battery assembly. The conventional battery case usually includes a case body for accommodating the battery assembly and a case stair extending from the case body and protruding the electrode lead. Here, the electrode tab of the conventional battery cell is usually disposed in the case stair extending from the case body for connection between the battery assembly and the electrode lead.

[0006] However, in the conventional battery cell, when the case stair accommodating the electrode tab is subjected to an external impact, the external impact can be transmitted to the electrode tab as it is, thereby increasing the possibility of damage to the electrode tab.

[0007] In addition, in the conventional battery cell, when damage to the case stair occurs due to an external impact (such as tearing of the case stair), the electrode tab included in the case stair can also be damaged together.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to provide a battery cell capable of protecting an electrode tab from external impact or the like, a battery module including the same, and a battery pack including the same. SUMMARY

[0009] TECHNICAL PROBLEM

[0010] The present disclosure aims to provide a battery cell capable of protecting an electrode tab from external impact or the like, a battery module including the same, and a battery pack including the same.

[0011] TECHNICAL SOLUTION

[0012] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell is provided, including: a battery case configured to form an appearance of the battery cell; a battery assembly accommodated in the battery case; an electrode lead electrically connected to the battery assembly and configured to protrude outside the battery case; an electrode tab provided in the battery case and configured to protrude from the battery assembly to connect the electrode lead and the battery assembly; and a tab protection unit configured to at least partially surround an outer surface of the battery case corresponding to a portion where the electrode tab is provided, thereby protecting the electrode tab from external impact.

[0013] The tab protection unit can be configured to cover at least one of an upper surface, a lower surface, and two side surfaces of the battery case.

[0014] The battery case can include a case main body configured to accommodate the battery assembly, and a case step extending from the case main body and configured to accommodate the electrode tab and the electrode lead and at least partially protrude from the electrode lead, and the tab protection unit can be inserted into the case step and configured to at least partially cover the case main body.

[0015] The case step can include a first step configured to accommodate the electrode tab, and a second step extending from the first step and configured to at least partially protrude from the electrode lead, and the tab protection unit can be configured to at least partially cover the first step.

[0016] The tab protection unit can be configured to cover an upper surface and a lower surface of the first step.

[0017] The tab protection unit can be configured to at least doubly cover the upper surface and the lower surface of the first step, respectively.

[0018] The tab protection unit can be configured to cover both side surfaces of the first step.

[0019] The tab protection unit can be elastically mounted to the battery case.

[0020] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a battery module including: at least one battery cell according to the foregoing embodiment; and a module case configured to accommodate the at least one battery cell.

[0021] In still another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a battery pack including: at least one battery module of the foregoing embodiment; and a battery pack case configured to enclose the at least one battery module.

[0022] Technical Effects

[0023] According to the various embodiments as described above, there are provided a battery cell capable of protecting an electrode tab from external impact or the like, a battery module including the same, and a battery pack including the same. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, provide further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure, and therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0025] Figure 1 is a view for illustrating a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell of Figure 1 .

[0027] Figure 3 and Figure 4 is a view for illustrating a tab protection unit of a battery cell of Figure 1 .

[0028] Figure 5 is a view for illustrating a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a battery cell of Figure 5 .

[0030] Figure 7 and Figure 8 is a view for illustrating a tab protection unit of a battery cell of Figure 5 .

[0031] Figure 9 is a view for illustrating a battery cell according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 10 is a view for illustrating a tab protection unit of a battery cell of Figure 9 .

[0033] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating a battery cell according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] Figure 12 It is used for example Figure 11 A diagram of the connector protection unit for the battery cell.

[0035] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0037] This disclosure will become clearer through a detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are merely illustrative for a better understanding of the disclosure, and that the disclosure can be modified in various ways. Furthermore, for ease of understanding, the drawings are not drawn to scale, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 A side sectional view of the battery cell, and Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is used for example Figure 1 A diagram of the connector protection unit for the battery cell.

[0039] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The battery cell 10 serves as a power source for portable electronic devices such as smartphones or vehicles such as electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles, and can be housed in these devices. The battery cell 10 can be configured as a secondary battery, such as a pouch-type secondary battery. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the battery cell 10 will be described as a pouch-type secondary battery.

[0040] The battery unit 10 may include a battery housing 100, a battery assembly 200, electrode leads 300, electrode connectors 400, a sealing strip 500, and a connector protection unit 600.

[0041] The battery housing 100 forms the exterior of the battery cell 10 and can encapsulate the battery assembly 200, electrode leads 300, and electrode connectors 400, which will be described later, therein. The battery housing 100 can be provided in the form of an aluminum pouch. In the aluminum pouch, an aluminum film can be sandwiched between an insulating layer and an adhesive layer made of a polymer material.

[0042] The battery casing 100 may include a casing body 120 and a casing ladder 140.

[0043] The case body 120 can accommodate a battery assembly 200, which will be described later. To this end, an accommodation space capable of accommodating the battery assembly 200, which will be described later, can be provided in the case body 120.

[0044] The case stand 140 extends from the case body 120 and can accommodate an electrode tab 400 and an electrode lead 300, which will be described later. The case stand 140 can partially protrude the electrode lead 300, which will be described later.

[0045] The case stand 140 can include a first stand 142 and a second stand 146.

[0046] The first stand 142 extends from the case body 120 and can accommodate the electrode tab 400, which will be described later. The second stand 146 extends from the first stand 142 and can at least partially protrude the electrode lead 300, which will be described later.

[0047] The battery assembly 200 is accommodated in the battery case 100, specifically, in the case body 120, and can include a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator, etc.

[0048] The electrode lead 300 is electrically connected to the battery assembly 200 and can protrude outside the battery case 100, specifically, outside the second stand 146 of the case stand 140. The electrode lead 300 can be provided in pairs, and the pair of electrode leads 300 can be provided as a positive electrode lead and a negative electrode lead.

[0049] The electrode tab 400 protrudes from the battery assembly 200 to connect the electrode lead 300 and the battery assembly 200 and can be provided inside the battery case 100. Specifically, the electrode tab 400 can be provided inside the first stand 142 of the case stand 140.

[0050] Specifically, the electrode tab 400 includes a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab and can be formed to protrude from the battery assembly 200, respectively. That is, the positive electrode tab can be formed to protrude from the positive electrode plate of the battery assembly 200, and the negative electrode tab can be formed to protrude from the negative electrode plate of the battery assembly 200.

[0051] The positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the electrode tab 400 can be provided in a plurality, respectively. In this case, the plurality of positive electrode tabs can be connected to the positive electrode lead of the electrode lead 300, and the plurality of negative electrode tabs can be connected to the negative electrode lead of the electrode lead 300.

[0052] The sealing tape 500 is provided corresponding to the number of the electrode lead 300, and can be provided in the second step 146. The sealing tape 500 can prevent a short circuit from occurring in the electrode lead 300, and improve the sealing ability of the battery case 100.

[0053] The joint protection unit 600 can at least partially surround the outer surface of the battery case 100 corresponding to the portion in which the electrode joint 400 is provided, to protect the electrode joint 400 from external impact.

[0054] The joint protection unit 600 can cover at least one of the upper surface, the lower surface, and the two side surfaces of the battery case 100. Here, the joint protection unit 600 can be elastically mounted to the battery case 100.

[0055] In detail, the joint protection unit 600 can be inserted into the case step 140 to at least partially cover the case step 140 and the case main body 120. The joint protection unit 600 can at least partially cover the first step 142, and in detail, can cover the upper surface and the lower surface of the first step 142.

[0056] Hereinafter, the joint protection unit 600 according to the embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0057] The joint protection unit 600 can include a step covering portion 630, a step groove 650, and a main body covering portion 670.

[0058] The step covering portion 630 can at least partially cover the case step 140 of the battery case 100. In detail, the step covering portion 630 can cover the upper surface and the lower surface of the first step 142 and the second step 146.

[0059] The step groove 650 can be formed at the step covering portion 630. Through the step groove 650, the joint protection unit 600 can be inserted into and mounted to the battery case 100. Through the step groove 650, the joint protection unit 600 can be mounted to the battery case 100 in a simpler and easier manner.

[0060] The main body covering portion 670 extends from the step covering portion 630 and can at least partially cover the case main body 120 of the battery case 100. The main body covering portion 670 can be elastically mounted to the upper surface and the lower surface of the case main body 120.

[0061] As described above, in the battery unit 10 according to the embodiment, by means of the joint protection unit 600 surrounding the case step 140 of the battery case 100 in which the electrode joint 400 is provided, when external impact occurs, the external impact can be preferentially absorbed and buffered by the joint protection unit 600.

[0062] Accordingly, when an external impact is applied to the case step 140 in which the electrode tab 400 is accommodated, the battery cell 10 according to the present embodiment can significantly reduce the risk of damaging the electrode tab 400 by minimizing the external impact transmitted to the electrode tab 400.

[0063] In addition, the battery cell 10 according to the present embodiment can also minimize the risk of damage such as tearing of the case step 140 because the impact is directly received by the tab protection unit 600 mainly at the time of external impact.

[0064] Figure 5 FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 6 FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the battery cell of FIG. 1, and Figure 5 FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tab protection unit of the battery cell of FIG. 1. Figure 7 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tab protection unit of FIG. 3, and Figure 8 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the tab protection unit of FIG. 3. Figure 5 FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0065] The battery cell 20 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery cell 10 of the foregoing embodiment, and thus hereinafter, features substantially the same as or similar to the foregoing embodiment will not be described in detail, and features different from the foregoing embodiment will be described in detail.

[0066] Referring to Figures 5 to 8 , the battery cell 20 can include a battery case 100, a battery assembly 200, an electrode lead 300, an electrode tab 400, a sealing tape 500, and a tab protection unit 700.

[0067] The battery case 100, the battery assembly 200, the electrode lead 300, the electrode tab 400, and the sealing tape 500 are substantially the same as or similar to the foregoing embodiment, and thus will not be described again.

[0068] The tab protection unit 700 can cover upper and lower surfaces of the first step 142 and the second step 146 of the case step 140 of the battery case 100, respectively, at least doubly.

[0069] The tab protection unit 700 can include a step covering portion 730, a step groove 750, and a main body covering portion 770.

[0070] The step covering portion 730 can include a first covering portion 732, a second covering portion 734, and an auxiliary cushion portion 736.

[0071] The first covering portion 732 can cover the first step 142 and the second step 146 of the case step 140. The second covering portion 734 is disposed to be spaced apart from the first covering portion 732 by a predetermined distance and can cover the first covering portion 732.

[0072] The auxiliary buffering portion 736 is disposed between the first covering portion 732 and the second covering portion 734, and can buffer an impact transmitted to the first covering portion 732 when an external impact occurs.

[0073] The ladder groove 750 and the body covering portion 770 are similar to the foregoing embodiments, and thus will be described again.

[0074] As described above, in the battery cell 20 according to the present embodiment, since the joint protection unit 700 at least doubly covers the case ladder 140 of the battery case 100, it is possible to further maximize the protection effect of the electrode joint 400.

[0075] Figure 9 is a view for illustrating a battery cell according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 10 is a view for illustrating Figure 9 a joint protection unit of the battery cell.

[0076] The battery cell 30 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery cells 10, 20 of the foregoing embodiments, and thus, hereinafter, features substantially the same as or similar to those of the foregoing embodiments will not be described in detail, and features different from those of the foregoing embodiments will be described in detail.

[0077] Referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , the joint protection unit 800 of the battery cell 30 can cover a portion of both side surfaces of the case body 120 of the battery case 100 and a portion of both side surfaces of the first ladder 142 (see Figure 2 ) and the second ladder 146 (see Figure 2 ) of the case ladder 140.

[0078] The joint protection unit 800 can include a ladder covering portion 830, a ladder groove 850, and a body covering portion 870.

[0079] The ladder covering portion 830 can include a side covering portion 832 and a guide band 835.

[0080] The side covering portion 832 is disposed in pairs and can cover both side surfaces of the first ladder 142 (see Figure 2 ) and the second ladder 146 (see Figure 2 ) of the case ladder 140 (see Figure 2 ). The guide band 835 can connect the pair of side covering portions 832.

[0081] The ladder groove 850 can be disposed at the guide band 835.

[0082] The body cover portion 870 extends from the pair of side cover portions 832 and can cover a portion of both side surfaces of the case body 120 of the battery case 100. The body cover portion 870 can be elastically mounted to both side surfaces of the case body 120.

[0083] As described above, in the battery unit 30 according to the present embodiment, by means of the joint protection unit 800 covering a portion of both side surfaces of the case body 120 of the battery case 100 and both side surfaces of the first and second steps 142 and 146 of the case steps 140, an external impact or the like at both side surfaces of the battery case 100 can be buffered.

[0084] Figure 11 is a view for illustrating a battery unit according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 12 is a view for illustrating Figure 11 a joint protection unit of the battery unit.

[0085] The battery unit 40 according to the present embodiment is similar to the battery units 10, 20, and 30 of the foregoing embodiments, and thus, hereinafter, features that are substantially the same as or similar to those of the foregoing embodiments will not be described in detail, and features that are different from those of the foregoing embodiments will be described in detail.

[0086] Referring to Figure 11 and Figure 12 the joint protection unit 900 of the battery unit 40 can cover at least double the upper and lower surfaces of the first and second steps 142 and 146 of the case steps 140 of the battery case 100, respectively, and also cover a portion of both side surfaces of the case body 120 of the battery case 100 and both side surfaces of the first and second steps 142 and 146 of the case steps 140.

[0087] The joint protection unit 900 can include a step cover portion 930, a step groove (not shown), and a body cover portion 970.

[0088] The step cover portion 930 can include a first cover portion 932, a second cover portion 934, an auxiliary buffer portion 936, and a third cover portion 938.

[0089] The first cover portion 932 can cover the first and second steps 142 and 146 of the case steps 140. The second cover portion 934 is spaced apart from the first cover portion 932 by a predetermined distance and can cover the first cover portion 932.

[0090] The auxiliary buffer portion 936 is disposed between the first and second cover portions 932 and 934 and can buffer an impact transmitted to the first cover portion 932 when an external impact occurs.

[0091] The third cover portions 938 are provided in pairs and can cover both side surfaces of the first landing 142 (see Figure 2 ) and the second landing 146 (see Figure 2 ) of the housing landings 140. Figure 2

[0092] The landing groove (not shown) is similar to the foregoing embodiment, and thus will not be described again.

[0093] The body cover portions 970 can include first body cover portions 972 and second body cover portions 974.

[0094] The first body cover portions 972 can at least partially cover the upper surface and the lower surface of the housing body 120 of the battery case 100. The second body cover portions 974 can at least partially cover both side surfaces of the housing body 120 of the battery case 100.

[0095] As described above, the battery cell 40 according to the present embodiment can cover a portion of the upper surface, the lower surface, and both side surfaces of the housing body 120 of the battery case 100 and all of the upper surface, the lower surface, and both side surfaces of the housing landings 140 by means of the joint protection unit 900.

[0096] Figure 13 is a view for illustrating a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 14 is a view for illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0097] Referring to Figure 13 , the battery module 1 can include at least one battery cell 10 provided with the joint protection unit 600 of the foregoing embodiment and a module case 50 for accommodating the at least one battery cell 10. Although not shown, the battery module 1 can also be configured to include at least one battery cell among the battery cells 20, 30, 40 of the foregoing embodiment in addition to the at least one battery cell 10.

[0098] Referring to Figure 14 , the battery pack P can include at least one battery module 1 and a battery pack case C for packaging the at least one battery module 1.

[0099] Since the battery module 1 and the battery pack P include the battery cells 10, 20, 30, 40 of the foregoing embodiment, the battery module 1 and the battery pack P can be provided with all the advantages of the battery cells 10, 20, 30, 40 of the foregoing embodiment.

[0100] ​Here, the battery pack P can be provided in a vehicle, an electric storage device, or other devices or instruments that use the battery pack P as an energy source, and in this case, devices or instruments having all the advantages of the battery cells 10, 20, 30, 40 of the foregoing embodiments can be provided.

[0101] According to the various embodiments as described above, the battery cell 10, 20, 30, 40 capable of protecting the electrode tab 400 from external impact or the like, the battery module 1 including the battery cell 10, 20, 30, 40, and the battery pack P including the battery module 1 are provided.

[0102] While the embodiments of the disclosure have been illustrated and described, it is understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specifically described embodiments and that various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure, and such modifications should not be separately construed from the technical idea and scope of the present disclosure.

[0103] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0127253, filed on October 14, 2019, in the Republic of Korea, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A battery cell, the battery cell comprising: a battery case configured to form an appearance of the battery cell; a battery assembly accommodated in the battery case; an electrode lead wire electrically connected to the battery assembly and configured to protrude out of the battery case; an electrode tab provided in the battery case and configured to protrude from the battery assembly to connect the electrode lead wire and the battery assembly; and a tab protection unit configured to at least partially surround an outer surface of the battery case corresponding to a portion where the electrode tab is provided, thereby protecting the electrode tab from external impact, wherein the tab protection unit includes a landing cover, a landing groove, and a main body cover, the landing cover partially covers a case landing of the battery case, the landing groove is formed at the landing cover, and the tab protection unit is inserted into the battery case through the landing groove and is mounted to the battery case, and the main body cover extends from the landing cover and partially covers a case main body of the battery case, and the main body cover is elastically mounted to upper and lower surfaces of the case main body, wherein the battery case includes: the case main body configured to accommodate the battery assembly; and the case landing extending out of the case main body and configured to accommodate the electrode tab and the electrode lead wire and at least partially protrude out of the electrode lead wire, wherein the tab protection unit is inserted into the case landing and is configured to at least partially cover the case main body, wherein the case landing includes: a first landing configured to accommodate the electrode tab; and a second landing extending out of the first landing and configured to at least partially protrude out of the electrode lead wire, wherein the tab protection unit is configured to at least doubly cover upper and lower surfaces of the first and second landings, respectively, wherein the landing cover includes: a first cover covering the first and second landings of the case landing; a second cover provided at a predetermined distance apart from the first cover and covering the first cover; and an auxiliary buffer provided between the first and second covers. 2.The battery cell of claim 1, the tab protection unit is configured to cover at least one of upper, lower, and both side surfaces of the battery case. wherein, 3.The battery cell of claim 1, the tab protection unit is configured to cover both side surfaces of the first landing. wherein, 4.The battery cell of claim 1, further comprising a sealing tape provided corresponding to a number of the electrode lead wires and provided in the second landing. 5.The battery cell of claim 1, the tab protection unit is elastically mounted to the battery case. wherein ​ 6. A battery module, the battery module comprising: at least one battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 5; and a module housing configured to house at least one of the battery cells.

7. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising: at least one battery module according to claim 6; and a battery pack housing configured to enclose at least one of the battery modules.

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