rechargeable batteries

Abstract

The rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator inserted between the first and second electrodes, a first electrode tab extending from the first electrode, and a second electrode tab extending from the second electrode; a housing connected to the first electrode tab, wherein the electrode assembly is housed, and includes an opening through which the electrode assembly is exposed; a cover plate coupled to the housing, covering a peripheral region of the opening, and including a through-hole exposing a central region of the opening; and a terminal plate connected to the second electrode tab and insulatedly coupled to the cover plate, and including a flange member covering the through-hole and a protrusion extending from a central portion of the flange member and through the through-hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a rechargeable battery. Background Technology

[0002] Generally speaking, rechargeable batteries are batteries that can be recharged and discharged.

[0003] Recently, with the increasing demand for wearable devices that use wireless communication (such as Bluetooth), such as headphones, earbuds, smartwatches, and personal medical devices, the demand for ultra-small rechargeable batteries installed in wearable devices is also increasing.

[0004] In an ultra-miniature rechargeable battery, electrode terminals connected to two electrodes of an electrode assembly located inside the rechargeable battery are coupled to externally exposed electrode terminals. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Technical issues

[0006] An exemplary embodiment provides a rechargeable battery in which bending of electrode tabs coupled to electrode terminals is suppressed.

[0007] Another exemplary embodiment provides a rechargeable battery in which electrode terminals and electrode tabs are welded using ultrasonic welding.

[0008] Another exemplary embodiment provides a rechargeable battery in which short circuits between electrode terminals are prevented.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] One aspect provides a rechargeable battery comprising: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, a separator located between the first and second electrodes, a first electrode tab extending from the first electrode, and a second electrode tab extending from the second electrode; a housing connected to the first electrode tab to receive the electrode assembly and including an opening to expose the electrode assembly; a cover plate coupled to the housing to cover a peripheral region of the opening and including a through-hole to expose a central region of the opening; and a terminal plate connected to the second electrode tab to be insulatedly coupled to the cover plate and including a flange member covering the through-hole and a protrusion extending through the through-hole from a central portion of the flange member, wherein the second electrode tab is coupled to a peripheral portion of the flange member.

[0011] The second electrode connector may not overlap with the protruding component.

[0012] The second electrode connector can extend from the upper boundary of the electrode assembly to the flange component.

[0013] The flange component can be located between the cover plate and the electrode assembly.

[0014] The protruding part can pass through the through hole and be exposed to the outside.

[0015] Flange components can have a larger area than protruding components.

[0016] The thickness of the flange component can be smaller than the thickness of the protruding component.

[0017] The second electrode connector can be welded to the flange component via ultrasonic welding.

[0018] The rechargeable battery may further include a thermally bonded layer located between the cover plate and the flange component and configured to insulate the cover plate and the flange component.

[0019] The second electrode terminal can overlap with the thermal fusion layer.

[0020] The housing and cover may have the same polarity as the first electrode, and the terminal block may have the same polarity as the second electrode.

[0021] The first electrode terminal can be coupled to the bottom of the housing.

[0022] The first electrode terminal can extend from the lower boundary of the electrode assembly to the bottom of the housing.

[0023] Beneficial effects

[0024] According to an exemplary embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided in which bending of electrode tabs coupled to electrode terminals is suppressed.

[0025] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided in which electrode terminals and electrode tabs are welded using ultrasonic welding.

[0026] Furthermore, according to an exemplary embodiment, a rechargeable battery is provided, wherein short circuits between electrode terminals are prevented. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of II-II.

[0029] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing a cover plate coupled to a rechargeable battery terminal block according to an exemplary embodiment, which is coupled to the housing. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention. As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0031] Furthermore, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the word “comprise” and its variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of the specified elements, but not to exclude any other elements.

[0032] The following text will refer to Figures 1 to 3 A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment is described.

[0033] The rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment is an ultra-small rechargeable battery, and may be a coin cell battery or a button cell battery, but is not limited thereto, and the rechargeable battery may be a cylindrical or pin-shaped battery.

[0034] In this text, coin cell batteries or button cells refer to thin coin or button-shaped batteries, and may mean, but are not limited to, batteries with a height-to-diameter ratio (height / diameter) of 1 or less. Since coin cell batteries or button cells are primarily cylindrical, their horizontal cross-section is circular, but not limited to, and shapes with elliptical or polygonal cross-sections in the horizontal direction may also be included. In this case, diameter may refer to the maximum horizontal distance based on the battery, and height may refer to the maximum vertical distance based on the battery (the distance from the flat bottom surface to the flat top surface).

[0035] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment. Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 Cross-sectional view of II-II.

[0036] See Figure 1 and 2 A rechargeable battery 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment includes an electrode assembly 100, a housing 200, a cover plate 300, a terminal plate 400, and a thermal fusion layer 500.

[0037] Electrode assembly 100 is housed within housing 200. The lower portion of electrode assembly 100 faces the bottom of housing 200, and the upper portion of electrode assembly 100 faces the cover plate 300 covering the opening 210 of housing 200 and the flange member 410 of terminal plate 400. The upper and lower portions of electrode assembly 100 may have planar shapes parallel to each other, but are not limited thereto.

[0038] The electrode assembly 100 includes a first electrode 110, a second electrode 120, a partition 130, a first electrode connector 140, and a second electrode connector 150.

[0039] The first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 are spaced apart from each other, and a partition 130 including insulating material is located between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120. The first electrode 110 may be an anode and the second electrode 120 may be a cathode, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first electrode 110 may be a cathode and the second electrode 120 may be an anode.

[0040] The first electrode 110 has a strip extending in one direction and includes a negative electrode coated portion and a negative electrode uncoated portion. The negative electrode coated portion is the area of ​​the current collector in which a negative electrode active material layer is coated onto a metal foil (e.g., a Cu foil), and the negative electrode uncoated portion is the area in which no active material is coated. The negative electrode uncoated portion may be located at one end in the direction in which the first electrode 110 extends.

[0041] The second electrode 120 is spaced apart from the first electrode 110, with a partition 130 inserted between them to form a strip extending in one direction. The second electrode 120 includes a positive electrode coated portion and a positive electrode uncoated portion. The positive electrode coated portion is the area of ​​the current collector in which a layer of positive active material is coated onto a metal foil (e.g., an Al foil), and the positive electrode uncoated portion is the area in which no active material is coated. The positive electrode uncoated portion may be located at one end in the direction in which the second electrode 120 extends.

[0042] The partition 130 extends in one direction between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 to prevent a short circuit between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120.

[0043] The first electrode 110, the partition 130, and the second electrode 120 are stacked sequentially and wound in the form of a jelly roll. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the first electrode 110, the partition 130, and the second electrode 120 can be formed in various known forms. Each of the first electrode 110, the second electrode 120, and the partition 130 may include various known materials.

[0044] A first electrode tab 140 extends from the first electrode 110 of the electrode assembly 100 to the housing 200. The first electrode tab 140 extends from the lower boundary of the electrode assembly 100 to the bottom of the housing 200 and is coupled to the bottom of the housing 200. The first electrode tab 140 is coupled to a peripheral portion of the bottom of the housing 200, but is not limited thereto, and the first electrode tab 140 may be coupled to a central portion of the bottom of the housing 200. The first electrode tab 140 connects the first electrode 110 and the housing 200. The first electrode tab 140 is in contact with both the first electrode 110 and the housing 200. The housing 200 has the same polarity as the first electrode 110 via the first electrode tab 140.

[0045] The second electrode tab 150 extends from the second electrode 120 of the electrode assembly 100 to the terminal plate 400. The second electrode tab 150 extends from the upper boundary of the electrode assembly 100 to the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400 to couple to the peripheral portion 412 of the flange member 410. The second electrode tab 150 is coupled to the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400 to connect the second electrode 120 and the terminal plate 400. The second electrode tab 150 contacts both the second electrode 120 and the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400. The second electrode tab 150 is coupled to the peripheral portion 412 of the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400 such that the second electrode tab 150 does not overlap with the protruding portion 420 of the terminal plate 400 in the vertical direction. The second electrode tab 150 is coupled to the peripheral portion 412 of the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400 such that the second electrode tab 150 overlaps with the thermal fusion layer 500 in the vertical direction. The terminal block 400 has the same polarity as the second electrode 120 via the second electrode connector 150.

[0046] The housing 200 is connected to the first electrode tab 140 of the electrode assembly 100 to house the electrode assembly 100. The housing 200 includes an opening 210 for exposing the upper portion of the electrode assembly 100. The bottom of the housing 200 is coupled to the first electrode tab 140 to connect to the first electrode 110 of the electrode assembly 100. The housing 200 has the same polarity as the first electrode 110. The housing 200 is cylindrical in shape to house the electrode assembly 100 in the form of a jelly roll, but is not limited thereto, and the housing 200 can have various known forms. The housing 200 can house various known electrolytes together with the electrode assembly 100. The housing 200 includes stainless steel, but is not limited thereto, and can include metals such as aluminum, nickel, and copper. The outer surface of the housing 200 can be, but is not limited thereto, the first electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery 1000. In this case, the outer surface of the protruding member 420, which is the outer surface of the terminal plate 400, can be, but is not limited thereto, the second electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery 1000. Meanwhile, the outer surface of the housing 200 may be coated with a plating, but is not limited to this, and various known coatings may be applied to the outer surface of the housing 200.

[0047] The opening 210 of the housing 200 is covered by a cover plate 300 and a terminal plate 400.

[0048] The cover plate 300 is coupled to the housing 200 and covers the peripheral area of ​​the opening 210. The cover plate 300 includes a through-hole 310 exposing the central area of ​​the opening 210. The cover plate 300 is directly coupled to the sidewall of the housing 200 forming the opening 210 of the housing 200 via a welding process or the like, to cover the peripheral area of ​​the opening 210. The cover plate 300 is annular due to the centrally formed through-hole 310, but is not limited thereto. The cover plate 300 is coupled to the housing 200 and has the same polarity as the first electrode 110. The cover plate 300 includes stainless steel, but is not limited thereto, and may include metals such as aluminum, nickel, and copper. The outer surface of the cover plate 300 may be, but is not limited to, the first electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery 1000.

[0049] Meanwhile, the outer surface of the cover plate 300 may be coated with a plating, but is not limited to this, and various known coatings may be applied to the outer surface of the cover plate 300.

[0050] Terminal plate 400 is connected to second electrode tab 150 and insulated from cover plate 300. Terminal plate 400 covers through hole 310 of cover plate 300. Terminal plate 400 is located between cover plate 300 and electrode assembly 100. Terminal plate 400 covers the central region of opening 210 of housing 200 exposed through through hole 310 of cover plate 300. Terminal plate 400 covers the central region of opening 210, and cover plate 300 covers the peripheral region of opening 210, such that opening 210 of housing 200 is completely covered by terminal plate 400 and cover plate 300. Terminal plate 400 is connected to second electrode tab 150 of electrode assembly 100 and to second electrode 120 of electrode assembly 100. Terminal plate 400 has the same polarity as second electrode 120. Terminal plate 400 includes, but is not limited to, forged aluminum and may include forged or drawn metals such as stainless steel, nickel, and copper.

[0051] Terminal block 400 includes flange component 410 and protruding component 420.

[0052] A flange component 410 is located between a cover plate 300 and an electrode assembly 100, and overlaps the cover plate 300 in the vertical direction to cover the through-hole 310. The flange component 410 has a larger area than the protruding member 420. For example, the diameter of the flange component 410 may be larger than the diameter of the protruding member 420. The flange component 410 has a thinner thickness than the protruding member 420. The upper surface of the flange component 410 contacts the thermofusion layer 500, and the flange component 410 is insulated to the cover plate 300 through the thermofusion layer 500. The flange component 410 is coupled to the second electrode tab 150. Because the thickness of the flange component 410 is less than the thickness of the protruding member 420, the space between the flange component 410 and the second electrode tab 150 can be ultrasonically welded, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The flange component 410 includes a central portion 411 and a peripheral portion 412 surrounding the central portion 411, from which the protruding member 420 protrudes. The lower surface of the peripheral portion 412 of the flange component 410 is coupled to the second electrode terminal piece 150. The coupling of the flange component 410 to the second electrode terminal piece 150 is such that the protruding portion 420 of the terminal block 400 and the flange component 410 have the same polarity as the second electrode 120.

[0053] The protruding member 420 protrudes from the upper surface of the central portion 411 of the flange member 410 to pass through the through hole 310. The protruding member 420 passes through the through hole 310 from the flange member 410 to be exposed to the outside. The outer surface of the protruding member 420 may be a second electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery 1000. The height of the outer surface of the protruding member 420 is less than the height of the outer surface of the cover plate 300. Simultaneously, the outer surface of the protruding member 420 may be located on a plane that is the same as or different from the plane of the outer surface of the cover plate 300. For example, the height of the outer surface of the protruding member 420 may be the same as the height of the outer surface of the cover plate 300, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the height of the outer surface of the protruding member 420 may be greater than or less than the height of the outer surface of the cover plate 300. The protruding member 420 may be a second electrode terminal of the rechargeable battery 1000, but is not limited thereto. The protruding member 420 and the flange member 410 are integrally formed, but this disclosure is not limited thereto, and different materials may be combined to form the terminal plate 400.

[0054] A thermal fusion layer 500 is located between the cover plate 300 and the flange component 410 of the terminal plate 400, and insulates the space between the cover plate 300 and the flange component 410 of the terminal plate 400. The thermal fusion layer 500 includes an insulating material and insulates the space between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400. The thermal fusion layer 500 is thermally fused between the cover plate 300 and the flange component 410 of the terminal plate 400 using heat or a laser beam. The thermal fusion layer 500 may include various known materials that insulate the space between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400. The thermal fusion layer 500 binds the space between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400 such that the opening 210 of the housing 200 in which the electrode assembly 100 is housed is completely sealed by the cover plate 300, the terminal plate 400, and the thermal fusion layer 500.

[0055] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view showing a cover plate coupled to a rechargeable battery terminal block according to an exemplary embodiment, which is coupled to the housing.

[0056] See Figure 3When assembling the rechargeable battery 1000, the second electrode tab 150 of the electrode assembly 100 housed in the housing 200 is coupled to the periphery 412 of the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400 using a welding method such as ultrasonic welding, and the cover plate 300, which is insulated from the terminal plate 400, is coupled to the opening 210 of the housing 200. In this case, the second electrode tab 150, which extends from the upper boundary of the electrode assembly 100, is coupled to the periphery 412 of the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400, such that bending of the second electrode tab 150 is suppressed during the coupling of the cover plate 300, which is insulated from the terminal plate 400, to the opening 210 of the housing 200.

[0057] As described above, in the rechargeable battery 1000 according to the exemplary embodiment, the second electrode terminal piece 150 of the electrode assembly 100 is coupled to the surrounding portion 412 of the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400, such that the length of the second electrode terminal piece 150 itself is small, thereby suppressing the occurrence of bending in the second electrode terminal piece 150.

[0058] In other words, a rechargeable battery 1000 is provided in which bending of the second electrode tab 150 connected to the terminal plate 400 as the second electrode terminal is suppressed.

[0059] Furthermore, in the rechargeable battery 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the flange member 410 is less than the thickness of the protruding member 420, such that the space between the flange member 410 and the second electrode terminal piece 150 is ultrasonically welded.

[0060] In other words, a rechargeable battery 1000 in which the space between the terminal plate 400, which serves as the second terminal, and the second electrode terminal piece 150 is ultrasonically welded.

[0061] Furthermore, in the rechargeable battery 1000 according to the exemplary embodiment, between the cover plate 300, which serves as the first electrode terminal, and the electrode assembly 100, the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400, which serves as the second electrode terminal, is connected to the second electrode tab 150 of the electrode assembly 100. The heat-fused layer 500 insulates the space between the cover plate 300 and the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400, thereby suppressing the separation of the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300 from external impact and preventing the second electrode tab 150 from contacting the cover plate 300, thereby preventing a short circuit between the terminal plate 400, which serves as the second electrode terminal, and the cover plate 300 and the housing 200, which serve as the first electrode terminal.

[0062] Specifically, in the rechargeable battery 1000 according to an exemplary embodiment, the flange member 410 of the terminal plate 400, which serves as the second electrode terminal (overlapping with the cover plate 300, which serves as the first electrode terminal), has a larger area than the protruding member 420 and is located between the second electrode terminal piece 150 of the electrode assembly 100 and the cover plate 300, so as to be insulatedly bonded to the cover plate 300 by the heat fusion layer 500, so that even if an external impact occurs, the separation of the terminal plate 400 from the cover plate 300 is suppressed, and at the same time, the flange member 410 prevents short circuits between the second electrode terminal piece 150 and the cover plate 300.

[0063] Furthermore, in the rechargeable battery 1000 according to the exemplary embodiment, the outer surface of the protruding member 420 of the terminal plate 400, which is the second electrode terminal, passing through the through hole 310 of the cover plate 300, which is the first electrode terminal, is located at a position lower than the outer surface of the cover plate 300, which is the first electrode terminal. This prevents a short circuit between the protruding member 420, which is the second electrode terminal, and the cover plate 300 and the housing 200, which are the first electrode terminals, even if an external conductive foreign object comes into contact with the rechargeable battery 1000.

[0064] In other words, a rechargeable battery 1000 is provided in which short circuits between electrode terminals are prevented.

[0065] Although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Various changes and modifications made using the basic concepts of the invention as defined by those skilled in the art in the appended claims should be interpreted as falling within the scope of the invention.

[0066] <Explanation of Figure Markers>

[0067] Electrode assembly 100, first electrode connector 140, second electrode connector 150, housing 200, cover plate 300, terminal plate 400, flange component 410, and protruding component 420.

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery, wherein the rechargeable battery is a coin cell battery or a button cell battery, the rechargeable battery comprising: An electrode assembly includes a first electrode, a second electrode, a partition located between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first electrode terminal extending from the first electrode, and a second electrode terminal extending from the second electrode. A housing, connected to the first electrode tab to house the electrode assembly, and including an opening to expose the electrode assembly; A cover plate, coupled to the housing to cover the peripheral area of ​​the opening, and including through holes to expose the central area of ​​the opening; and A terminal block, connected to the second electrode tab to be insulatedly bonded to the cover plate, and including a flange component covering the through hole and a protruding component passing through the through hole from the center portion of the flange component. The second electrode terminal is coupled to the surrounding portion of the flange component, and The second electrode connector extends obliquely inward from the outer edge of the upper surface of the electrode assembly to the surrounding portion of the flange member, and the end of the second electrode connector connected to the electrode assembly is spaced outward along the radius of the electrode assembly from the other end of the second electrode connector connected to the flange member.

2. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein: The second electrode terminal does not overlap with the protruding component.

3. The rechargeable battery according to claim 2, wherein: The flange component is located between the cover plate and the electrode assembly.

4. The rechargeable battery according to claim 3, wherein: The protruding component passes through the through hole and is exposed to the outside.

5. The rechargeable battery according to claim 3, wherein: The flange component has a larger area than the protruding component.

6. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein: The thickness of the flange component is smaller than the thickness of the protruding component.

7. The rechargeable battery according to claim 6, wherein: The second electrode terminal is welded to the flange component by ultrasonic welding.

8. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, further comprising: A heat-fused layer is located between the cover plate and the flange component and is configured to insulate the cover plate and the flange component.

9. The rechargeable battery according to claim 8, wherein: The second electrode terminal overlaps with the thermal fusion layer.

10. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein: The housing and the cover plate have the same polarity as the first electrode, and The terminal block has the same polarity as the second electrode.

11. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, wherein: The first electrode terminal is coupled to the bottom of the housing.

12. The rechargeable battery according to claim 11, wherein: The first electrode tab extends from the lower boundary of the electrode assembly to the bottom of the housing.

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