Secondary battery

Abstract

A secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab at a top surface; a first terminal electrically connected to the first electrode tab of the electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and a portion of the first terminal, and including a safety vent at a bottom portion; a side holder between one side of the case and one side of the electrode assembly; and a cover plate sealing a top opening of the housing, and the side holder includes a gas movement channel extending in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0083296 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on June 28, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure relate to secondary batteries. Background Art

[0004] A secondary battery is a power storage system that provides excellent energy density and can convert electrical energy into chemical energy and store it. Compared with non-rechargeable primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and widely used in IT devices such as smart phones, cellular phones, notebook computers and tablet personal computers. Recently, interest in electric vehicles has increased to prevent or reduce environmental pollution, and accordingly, high-capacity secondary batteries are being used in electric vehicles. These secondary batteries are expected to have characteristics such as high density, high power and stability.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this Background section is provided for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] According to aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a secondary battery in which a case has a length greater than a width and when internal pressure rises due to an electrode assembly, gas can be easily delivered to a safety vent through side retainers and a bottom retainer.

[0007] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly, including a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab at a top surface; a first terminal, electrically connected to the first electrode tab of the electrode assembly; a shell, accommodating the electrode assembly and a portion of the first terminal, and including a safety vent at a bottom portion; a side retainer, between one side of the shell and one side of the electrode assembly; and a cover plate, sealing a top opening of the shell, wherein the side retainer includes a gas movement channel extending in a longitudinal direction of the shell.

[0008] The side retainer may include a side body portion which is a rectangular plate sized to correspond to a side surface of the electrode assembly; and a side guide portion protruding from both long sides of the side body portion toward the case.

[0009] The side guide portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the housing so that the gas movement passage may be provided on the outer side of the side body portion by the side guide portion.

[0010] An end portion of the side guide portion may be in contact with the housing or spaced apart from the housing.

[0011] A length of the electrode assembly in a longitudinal direction of the cap plate may be smaller than a length of the electrode assembly in the longitudinal direction of the case.

[0012] The electrode assembly may include two long side surfaces and two short side surfaces, and the side retainers may be respectively between the two short side surfaces of the electrode assembly and the case.

[0013] The size of the side retainer may correspond to the size of the short side surface of the electrode assembly.

[0014] The side retainers may be respectively attached to the two short side surfaces of the electrode assembly by an adhesive or a double-sided tape.

[0015] The secondary battery may further include a bottom retainer between the bottom portion of the case and a bottom surface of the electrode assembly.

[0016] The bottom retainer may include a bottom body portion which is a rectangular plate sized to correspond to the bottom surface of the electrode assembly, and a bottom guide portion protruding from both long sides of the bottom body portion toward the case.

[0017] The bottom body portion may include a vent hole at a position corresponding to the safety vent of the housing.

[0018] The bottom guide portion may include: two bottom guide portions extending along the two long side portions; and another bottom guide portion extending in the longitudinal direction of the bottom body portion substantially from the center in the lateral direction of the bottom body portion.

[0019] A lower end of the side retainer may be in contact with an end of the bottom retainer.

[0020] In the bottom retainer, an inner surface of the bottom body portion may be attached to the bottom surface of the electrode assembly by an adhesive or a double-sided tape.

[0021] The bottom retainer may include a gas moving channel extending in a longitudinal direction of the cover plate.

[0022] The secondary battery may further include a first current collector electrically connecting the first electrode tab and the first terminal.

[0023] The secondary battery may further include: a second current collector contacting and coupled to the second electrode tab of the electrode assembly; and a second terminal contacting and coupled to the second current collector at a lower side of the cap plate and having an upper portion penetrating the cap plate and exposed to an outer side of the cap plate.

[0024] The first electrode tabs and the second electrode tabs may each include two groups spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the cap plate on the top surface of the electrode assembly.

[0025] The safety vent may be located at a center of the bottom portion in a longitudinal direction of the bottom portion of the housing.

[0026] The safety vent may include a plate that is thinner than other areas of the bottom portion of the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a secondary battery in FIG.

[0029] Figure 3A and Figure 3B They are Figure 1 sectional views of the secondary battery taken along line 3a-3a' and line 3b-3b'.

[0030] Figure 4A and Figure 4B They are Figure 2 A perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the side retainer are shown in FIG.

[0031] Figure 5A and Figure 5B They are Figure 2 A perspective view and a cross-sectional view of the bottom retainer shown in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Herein, some example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] Examples of the present disclosure are provided to more completely explain the present disclosure to those skilled in the art; however, the following examples may be modified in various other forms. The present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be exhaustive and complete and will convey aspects and features of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0034] In addition, in the accompanying drawings, the sizes (such as thickness) of various components may be exaggerated for the sake of brevity and clarity. The same reference numerals always represent the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. In addition, it will be understood that when element A is referred to as being "connected to" element B, element A may be directly connected to element B, or one or more intervening elements C may be present between them so that element A and element B are indirectly connected to each other.

[0035] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the term "comprising" when used in this specification clearly specifies the presence of stated features, numbers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0036] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", etc. may be used herein to describe various members, elements, regions, layers and / or sections, these members, elements, regions, layers and / or sections will not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one member, element, region, layer and / or section from another member, element, region, layer and / or section. Thus, for example, the first member, first element, first region, first layer and / or first section discussed below may be referred to as the second member, second element, second region, second layer and / or second section without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0037] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below," "beneath," "below," "above," "on," etc. may be used herein with reference to a figure to describe the relationship of one element or feature to another element or feature. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as being "below" or "beneath" other elements or features will be oriented "on" or "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term "below" may encompass both above and below orientations.

[0038] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. It will also be understood that terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant art, rather than being interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless they are explicitly defined as such herein.

[0039] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the present disclosure.Here, throughout the specification, components having similar configurations and operations are given the same reference numerals.

[0040] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a secondary battery in FIG. Figure 3A yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the secondary battery taken along line 3a-3a' in FIG. Figure 3B yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a secondary battery taken along line 3b-3b' in FIG. Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B The secondary battery 100 is described.

[0041] The secondary battery 100 may include an electrode assembly 110 , a first current collector 120 , a first terminal 130 , a second current collector 140 , a second terminal 150 , a case 160 , and a cap assembly 170 .

[0042] The electrode assembly 110 may be a stacked type in which a first electrode plate 111, a separator 113, and a second electrode plate 112 formed in a thin plate or film shape are stacked. The length of the electrode assembly 110 in a second direction (e.g., y direction) as the longitudinal direction of the cover plate 171 may be less than the length of the electrode assembly 110 in a third direction (e.g., z direction) as the longitudinal direction of the housing 160. In one embodiment, the electrode assembly 110 may be stored inside the housing 160 by stacking two or more electrode assemblies 110 so that the long side surfaces are adjacent to each other; however, the present disclosure does not limit the number of electrode assemblies 110. In one embodiment, the electrode assembly 110 may have a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and may have a flat bottom surface, a top surface to which the electrode tabs 111a, 112a are exposed, and two long side surfaces and two short side surfaces connecting the top surface and the bottom surface.

[0043] In one embodiment, the first electrode plate 111 of the electrode assembly 110 may be a positive electrode, and the second electrode plate 112 may be a negative electrode. Of course, the opposite arrangement is also possible.

[0044] The first electrode plate 111 is formed by applying a first electrode active material (such as a transition metal oxide) to a first electrode current collector formed of a metal foil (such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy), and may include a first electrode tab (or a first uncoated portion) 111a, which is a region where the first electrode active material is not applied. The first electrode tab 111a may be a current flow path between the first electrode plate 111 and the first current collector 120. In some examples, the first electrode tab 111a may be formed by pre-cutting the first electrode plate 111 so as to protrude from the upper end when manufacturing the first electrode plate 111. In one embodiment, the first electrode tabs 111a may be positioned in two groups to be spaced apart from each other in a second direction (e.g., y direction) as the longitudinal direction of the cap plate 171.

[0045] The second electrode plate 112 is formed by applying a second electrode active material (such as graphite or carbon) to a second electrode current collector formed of a metal foil (such as copper, copper alloy, nickel or nickel alloy), and may include a second electrode tab (or second uncoated portion) 112a, which is an area where the second electrode active material is not applied. The second electrode tab 112a may be a current flow path between the second electrode plate 112 and the second current collector 140. In some examples, the second electrode tab 112a may be formed by pre-cutting the second electrode plate 112 so as to protrude from the upper end when manufacturing the second electrode plate 112. In one embodiment, the second electrode tabs 112a may be positioned in two groups to be spaced apart from each other in a second direction (e.g., y direction) as the longitudinal direction of the cap plate 171.

[0046] The first electrode tab 111a and the second electrode tab 112a may be positioned to be spaced apart from each other in a second direction (eg, y direction) that is a longitudinal direction of the cap plate 171. Figure 2 , the first electrode tabs 111a may be located in two groups on the right side of the center in the second direction (e.g., the y direction), and the second electrode tabs 112a may be located in two groups on the left side. Of course, when the secondary battery 100 is rotated left and right or up and down, its position may change. Herein, for the sake of convenience, the structure based on Figure 1 and Figure 2 The secondary battery 100 shown in FIG. 1 is described below.

[0047] In some examples, the diaphragm 113 is located between the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112 to prevent or substantially prevent short circuit and enable lithium ions to move, and the diaphragm 113 may include polyethylene, polypropylene, or a composite film of ethylene and polypropylene. In one embodiment, the diaphragm 113 can be replaced with an inorganic solid electrolyte that does not require a liquid or gel electrolyte, such as a sulfide, oxide, or phosphate electrolyte. In some examples, the electrode assembly 110 can be contained in the housing 160 together with the electrolyte. In some examples, the electrolyte may include a lithium salt (such as LiPF6 or LiBF4) in an organic solvent (such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), or dimethyl carbonate (DMC)). In one embodiment, the electrolyte may be a liquid or a gel. In some examples, when an inorganic solid electrolyte is used, the electrolyte may be omitted.

[0048] In one embodiment, the first current collector 120 and the second current collector 140 may be welded and connected to the first electrode tab 111 a and the second electrode tab 112 a of the electrode assembly 110 exposed to the top surface, respectively.

[0049] The first current collector 120 may include a plate-shaped first tab connection portion 121 contacting the first electrode tab 111a, and a first terminal connection portion 122 protruding substantially upward from the center of the first tab connection portion 121. In one embodiment, the first current collector 120 may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0050] In one embodiment, the first terminal connection portion 122 may be coupled to the lower surface of the first terminal 130 by contact and welding. The first tab connection portion 121 is formed as a plate extending in a second direction (e.g., y direction) and has a first end and a second end respectively coupled to a group of first electrode tabs 111a by welding. In one embodiment, the center of the first tab connection portion 121 may be convex upward compared to both ends connected to the first electrode tab 111a.

[0051] In one embodiment, the lower end of the first terminal connection portion 122 may contact and be coupled to the upper surface of the center of the first tab connection portion 121, and the upper end of the first terminal connection portion 122 may contact and be coupled to the lower surface of the first terminal 130 by welding. The first terminal connection portion 122 may be shaped as a plate extending in a first direction (e.g., x direction), and may include a bent portion bent at least once between the lower end and the upper end.

[0052] In one embodiment, the first terminal 130 is made of metal and may be electrically connected to the first terminal connection portion 122 of the first current collector 120 by contact and welding. In one embodiment, the first terminal 130 may be electrically connected to the first electrode tab 111a of the electrode assembly 110 through the first current collector 120. The first terminal 130 may be located at one side in a second direction (e.g., y direction) that is a longitudinal direction of the cap plate 171.

[0053] In some examples, the first terminal 130 may include a first inner terminal plate 131 , a first terminal column 132 , and a first outer terminal plate 133 . In an embodiment, the first terminal 130 may be made of the same metal as that of the first current collector 120 .

[0054] The first inner terminal plate 131 may be located inside the cap plate 171, and the first outer terminal plate 133 may be located outside the cap plate 171. In one embodiment, the first terminal column 132 penetrates the cap plate 171 and is coupled to the first outer terminal plate 133 on the outside of the cap plate 171 and to the first inner terminal plate 131 on the inside of the cap plate 171.

[0055] In one embodiment, the inner insulating member 172 may be interposed between the first inner terminal plate 131 and the cap plate 171, and the outer insulating member 174 may be interposed between the first outer terminal plate 133 and the cap plate 171. In addition, a sealing gasket 173 may be interposed between the first terminal column 132 and the cap plate 171 to seal the space between the first terminal 130 and the cap plate 171.

[0056] The lower surface of the first inner terminal plate 131 may be in contact with and coupled to the first terminal connection portion 122 of the first current collector 120. The first inner terminal plate 131 may have a terminal hole penetrating between the upper surface and the lower surface. The terminal hole may be formed to correspond to the diameter of the first terminal column 132. The terminal hole may be located approximately at the center of the first inner terminal plate 131.

[0057] The first terminal column 132 may be inserted into and combined with the terminal hole of the first inner terminal plate 131. For example, the first terminal column 132 may be inserted into the terminal hole of the first inner terminal plate 131 and fixed at the lower surface by riveting and / or welding. The first terminal connection portion 122 of the first current collector 120 may be coupled to the lower surface of the first inner terminal plate 131 coupled to the first terminal column 132 by welding.

[0058] The first terminal column 132 has a column shape and can penetrate the cover plate 171. In addition, the first terminal column 132 may include a flange on the outside of the cover plate 171 to prevent or substantially prevent the first terminal column 132 from being loosened from the cover plate 171. In an embodiment, the first terminal column 132 may be inserted from the outside relative to the cover plate 171 and coupled to the terminal hole of the first outer terminal plate 133, and may be inserted from the inside relative to the cover plate 171 and coupled to the terminal hole of the first inner terminal plate 131 by riveting. The flange may be located between the first outer terminal plate 133 and the cover plate 171.

[0059] The first outer terminal plate 133 may have a terminal hole penetrating between the upper surface and the lower surface. The terminal hole may be located substantially at the center of the first outer terminal plate 133.

[0060] The first terminal column 132 may be inserted into and coupled to the terminal hole of the first outer terminal plate 133. For example, the first terminal column 132 may be inserted into the terminal hole of the first outer terminal plate 133 on the outer side of the cover plate 171 and fixed by riveting and / or welding. In one embodiment, an outer insulating member 174 made of an insulating material may be interposed between the lower surface of the first outer terminal plate 133 and the cover plate 171 for insulation.

[0061] In one embodiment, the first terminal 130 including the first inner terminal plate 131, the first terminal column 132 and the first outer terminal plate 133 may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. In the first terminal 130, the first outer terminal plate 133 and the portion of the first terminal column 132 may be exposed and protruded from the outside of the cap plate 171. The first terminal 130 may have a portion of the first terminal column 132 located inside the housing 160 and the first inner terminal plate 131, which is inside the cap plate 171. In addition, the first terminal 130 may be electrically connected to the first current collector 120 inside the housing 160.

[0062] In one embodiment, the second current collector 140 is made of metal and may electrically connect the second electrode plate 112 and the second terminal 150. In one embodiment, the second current collector 140 is a metal plate and may include a second tab connection portion 141 contacting and coupled to the second electrode tab 112a of the second electrode plate 112, and a second terminal connection portion 142 contacting and coupled to the second terminal 150. In addition, the second current collector 140 may be coupled to the electrode assembly 110 and the second terminal 150 in a similar manner to the first current collector 120. In one embodiment, the second current collector 140 may be made of copper or a copper alloy.

[0063] In one embodiment, the second terminal 150 is made of metal and can be electrically connected to the second current collector 140. Of course, the second terminal 150 can be located on the other side of the second direction (e.g., y direction) which is the longitudinal direction of the cap plate 171. The first terminal 130 and the second terminal 150 can be spaced apart from each other in the second direction (e.g., y direction) on the cap plate 171. In some examples, the second terminal 150 may include a second inner terminal plate 151, a second terminal column 152, and a second outer terminal plate 153.

[0064] Here, the second inner terminal plate 151 may be located inside the cover plate 171, and the second outer terminal plate 153 may be located outside the cover plate 171. In one embodiment, the outer insulating member 174 may be further interposed between the second outer terminal plate 153 and the cover plate 171, and the inner insulating member 172 may be further interposed between the second inner terminal plate 151 and the cover plate 171. In one embodiment, the sealing gasket 173 may be further interposed between the second terminal column 152 and the cover plate 171. In addition, the second terminal column 152 penetrates the cover plate 171, and is coupled to the second outer terminal plate 153 on the outside of the cover plate 171 and is coupled to the second inner terminal plate 151 on the inside of the cover plate 171.

[0065] The second terminal 150 may be similar in shape and structure to the first terminal 130. In one embodiment, the second terminal 150 may be coupled to the electrode assembly 110 through the second current collector 140 so as to be symmetrical with the first terminal 130 about a first direction (e.g., x direction) which is a lateral direction of the cap plate 171. In one embodiment, in the second terminal 150, the second inner terminal plate 151 and the second terminal column 152 are made of copper or a copper alloy, and the second outer terminal plate 153 may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0066] In one embodiment, the housing 160 may be formed as a hollow cuboid having an opening formed at the top portion. The electrode assembly 110 may be inserted into the housing 160 through the opening of the housing 160. The length of the housing 160 in a third direction (e.g., z direction) as the longitudinal direction of the housing 160 may be greater than the length of the cap plate 171 in a second direction (e.g., y direction) as the longitudinal direction of the cap plate 171.

[0067] In one embodiment, the housing 160 may include a rectangular bottom portion and four side walls extending upward from four sides of the bottom portion. Here, the side walls of the housing 160 may include short side walls extending in a first direction (e.g., x direction) as a lateral direction of the cover plate 171, and long side walls extending in a second direction (e.g., y direction). In one embodiment, the bottom portion and the side walls of the housing 160 may be formed as a whole.

[0068] The housing 160 may include a vent hole penetrating between the upper surface and the lower surface approximately at the center of the bottom portion in a second direction (e.g., y direction) as the longitudinal direction of the bottom portion. In addition, a safety vent 165 may be installed in the vent hole. The safety vent 165 may be or include a plate that is thinner than other areas of the bottom portion of the housing 160. In one embodiment, the safety vent 165 is thinner than other areas and may include a notch that can be opened at a set pressure.

[0069] The housing 160 may further include retainers 161, 162 to facilitate gas movement within the housing 160. The retainers 161, 162 may include two side retainers 161 between the electrode assembly 110 and the short side walls of the housing 160 (e.g., between the two short side surfaces of the electrode assembly 110 and the housing 160) and a bottom retainer 162 between the electrode assembly 110 and the bottom portion of the housing 160 (e.g., between the bottom portion of the housing 160 and the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 110). In one embodiment, the retainers 161, 162 may be made of a polymer material such as polypropylene (PP) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS).

[0070] Figure 4A and Figure 4B They are Figure 2 A perspective view of the side holder shown in FIG. Figure 4A A cross-sectional view taken along line 4b-4b' in FIG. Figure 5A and Figure 5B They are Figure 2 A perspective view of the bottom holder shown in FIG. Figure 5A Here, reference will be made to the cross-sectional view taken along line 5b-5b' in FIG. Figure 4A , Figure 4B , Figure 5A and Figure 5B The side retainer 161 and the bottom retainer 162 are described.

[0071] The side retainer 161 may include a side body portion 1611 having a flat rectangular plate shape and a side guide portion 1612 protruding from both long sides of the side body portion 1611 toward the case 160. In one embodiment, the inner surface of the side body portion 1611 may be attached to the short side surface of the electrode assembly 110 by using an adhesive or a double-sided tape. In one embodiment, the double-sided tape may be a polyester film coated with an acrylic adhesive, or the adhesive may be a polyurethane adhesive.

[0072] The length of the side body portion 1611 in the first direction (e.g., x direction) may correspond to the width of the short side surface of the electrode assembly 110, and the length of the side body portion 1611 in the third direction (e.g., z direction) may correspond to the length of the short side surface of the electrode assembly 110. In one embodiment, the side body portion 1611 may be a rectangular plate having a size corresponding to the short side surface of the electrode assembly 110. The size of the side retainer 161 may correspond to the size of the short side surface of the electrode assembly 110.

[0073] The side guide portion 1612 may extend along a third direction (e.g., z direction). The side guide portion 1612 extends along the two long sides of the side body portion 1611, and its end portion may be in contact with the shell 160 or spaced apart from the shell 160. The side retainer 161 may include a gas movement channel 1613, which is a separation space formed between the side body portion 1611 and the shell 160 by the side guide portion 1612. For example, the side guide portion 1612 may extend along a third direction (e.g., z direction) which is a longitudinal direction of the shell 160, so that the gas movement channel 1613 is provided on the outside of the side body portion 1611 by the side guide portion 1612. In one embodiment, in the side retainer 161, the inner surface of the side body portion 1611 may be bonded and fixed to the short side surface of the electrode assembly 110.

[0074] The side retainer 161 may provide a gas movement channel 1613 between the electrode assembly 110 and the short side wall of the housing 160, for example, the gas movement channel 1613 may extend in a third direction (e.g., z direction) which is the longitudinal direction of the housing 160. The lower end of the side retainer 161 may contact both ends of the bottom retainer 162 in the second direction (e.g., y direction). In one embodiment, the two side retainers 161 may be provided to be symmetrical with each other with respect to the electrode assembly 110 in the second direction (e.g., y direction).

[0075] The bottom retainer 162 may be interposed between the electrode assembly 110 and the bottom portion of the case 160. The bottom retainer 162 may include a flat plate-shaped bottom body portion 1621 and a bottom guide portion 1622 protruding from two long sides of the bottom body portion 1621 toward the case 160. The bottom retainer 162 may include a vent hole 1624 corresponding to the vent hole of the case 160 approximately at the center thereof. In one embodiment, the bottom body portion 1621 may include a vent hole 1624 at a position corresponding to the safety vent 165 of the case 160. Here, when the internal pressure increases through the electrode assembly 110, the vent hole 1624 of the bottom retainer 162 may allow the pressure to be transmitted to the safety vent 165 of the case 160.

[0076] In one embodiment, the inner surface of the bottom body portion 1621 of the bottom retainer 162 may be attached to the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 110 by using an adhesive or a double-sided tape. In the bottom body portion 1621, the length in the second direction (e.g., y direction) corresponds to the length of the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 110, and the length in the first direction (e.g., x direction) corresponds to the width of the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 110. In one embodiment, the bottom body portion 1621 may be a rectangular plate having a size corresponding to the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 110. The size of the bottom retainer 162 may correspond to the size of the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 110.

[0077] The bottom guide portion 1622 may extend along the second direction (e.g., the y direction). In one embodiment, the bottom guide portion 1622 extends along the two long sides of the bottom body portion 1621, and its end portion may contact or be spaced apart from the bottom portion of the housing 160. In one embodiment, the bottom guide portion 1622 may extend approximately from the center in the first direction (e.g., the x direction) as the lateral direction of the bottom body portion 1621 in the second direction (e.g., the y direction) as the longitudinal direction of the bottom body portion 1621. In one embodiment, three bottom guide portions 1622 may be provided on the outer surface of the bottom body portion 1621 to be spaced apart from each other along the first direction (e.g., the x direction). Through the bottom guide portion 1622, the bottom retainer 162 may be provided with a gas movement channel 1623 between the bottom body portion 1621 and the housing 160, for example, the gas movement channel 1623 may extend in the second direction (e.g., the y direction) as the longitudinal direction of the cover plate 171. In addition, the bottom guide portion 1622 may support the electrode assembly 110 located at an upper side of the bottom retainer 162 .

[0078] In one embodiment, both ends of the bottom retainer 162 may be in contact with the lower end of the side retainer 161. The bottom retainer 162 may have gas moving channels 1623 located on both sides of the exhaust hole 1624 in the second direction (e.g., y direction). Through the gas moving channels 1623, the bottom retainer 162 can easily transport the gas transported through the gas moving channels 1613 of the side retainer 161 to the center of the housing 160 where the safety exhaust member 165 is located.

[0079] That is, when the internal pressure of the secondary battery 100 rises due to the electrode assembly 110, the gas present between the cover plate 171 and the electrode assembly 110 can also be easily transported to the safety vent 165 through the gas movement channel 1613 provided in the side retainer 161 and the gas movement channel 1623 provided in the bottom retainer 162.

[0080] The cap assembly 170 may be coupled to the top opening of the housing 160. In some examples, the cap assembly 170 may include a cap plate 171, an inner insulating member 172, a sealing gasket 173, an outer insulating member 174, an insulating member 175, and a plug 176.

[0081] In one embodiment, the cover plate 171 has a flat rectangular plate shape and can seal the top opening of the housing 160. The cover plate 171 may have terminal holes penetrating between the outer surface and the inner surface on both sides and may have an electrolyte injection port. The first terminal column 132 of the first terminal 130 may penetrate the terminal hole on the right side of the cover plate 171 and be connected to the first inner terminal plate 131 and the first outer terminal plate 133. In addition, the second terminal column 152 of the second terminal 150 may penetrate the terminal hole on the left side of the cover plate 171 and be connected to the second inner terminal plate 151 and the second outer terminal plate 153.

[0082] In addition, after the cap plate 171 is coupled to the case 160 and the electrolyte is injected into the case 160 , the electrolyte injection port may be sealed by the plug 176 .

[0083] The inner insulating member 172 may be respectively interposed between the inner surface of the cap plate 171 and the first inner terminal plate 131 and the second inner terminal plate 151. The inner insulating member 172 may be in close contact with the inner surface of the cap plate 171, and may also be in close contact with the sealing gasket 173. The inner insulating member 172 may be made of an insulating material, and may insulate the cap plate 171 and the first inner terminal plate 131 from each other, and may insulate the cap plate 171 and the second inner terminal plate 151 from each other.

[0084] In one embodiment, the sealing gasket 173 is made of an insulating material and is provided between the cover plate 171 and the first terminal column 132 and between the cover plate 171 and the second terminal column 152, respectively, to seal the space between the cover plate 171 and the first terminal column 132 and between the cover plate 171 and the second terminal column 152, respectively.

[0085] That is, the sealing gasket 173 may be interposed between the cap plate 171 and the first terminal column 132 and between the cap plate 171 and the second terminal column 152, respectively. The sealing gasket 173 may prevent or substantially prevent external moisture from penetrating into the interior of the secondary battery 100 and / or prevent or substantially prevent the electrolyte contained in the secondary battery 100 from leaking out. One side of the sealing gasket 173 may be in contact with the outer insulating member 174, and the other side thereof may be in contact with the inner insulating member 172.

[0086] In addition, the outer insulating member 174 may be interposed between the outer surface of the cap plate 171 and the first outer terminal plate 133 and between the outer surface of the cap plate 171 and the second outer terminal plate 153. The outer insulating member 174 may be in close contact with the cap plate 171, and may also be in close contact with the first terminal column 132 and the second terminal column 152, respectively.

[0087] That is, the cap plate 171 may be electrically separated from the first terminal 130 and the second terminal 150 by the inner insulating member 172 , the sealing gasket 173 , and the outer insulating member 174 .

[0088] In one embodiment, an insulating member 175 may be interposed between the cap plate 171 and the electrode assembly 110. The insulating member 175 may be made of an insulating material. The insulating member 175 may prevent or substantially prevent the upper portion of the electrode assembly 110 from electrically contacting the cap plate 171. The insulating member 175 may prevent or substantially prevent the electrode assembly 110 from moving inside the housing 160 in a third direction (e.g., z direction).

[0089] In the above-mentioned secondary battery 100 which is a secondary battery in which the length of the shell 160 is greater than the width of the shell 160, when the internal pressure of the shell 160 rises due to the electrode assembly 110, the gas present between the cover plate 171 and the electrode assembly 110 can also be easily transported toward the safety exhaust member 165 through the gas moving channel 1613 provided in the side retainer 161 and the gas moving channel 1623 provided in the bottom retainer 162.

[0090] As described above, in the secondary battery according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the length of the case is greater than the width, and when the internal pressure rises due to the electrode assembly, gas can be easily delivered to the safety vent through the side retainer and the bottom retainer.

[0091] Further, in a secondary battery according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the length of the shell is greater than the width, and when the internal pressure rises due to the electrode assembly, the gas present between the cover plate and the electrode assembly can be easily transported to the safety vent located at the bottom portion of the shell through the gas movement channels provided in the side retainers and the bottom retainer.

[0092] Although the aforementioned embodiments are some example embodiments for implementing the secondary battery according to the present disclosure, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly including a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab at a top surface; a first terminal electrically connected to the first electrode tab of the electrode assembly; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and a portion of the first terminal and including a safety vent at a bottom portion; a side retainer between one side of the housing and one side of the electrode assembly; as well as a cover plate, sealing the top opening of the housing, wherein the side retainer includes a gas movement passage extending in a longitudinal direction of the housing.

2. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the side retainer comprises: a side body portion, the side body portion being a rectangular plate sized to correspond to a side surface of the electrode assembly; as well as The side guide parts protrude from the two long sides of the side body parts toward the housing. 3 . The secondary battery according to claim 2 , wherein the side guide portion extends along the longitudinal direction of the case so that the gas moving passage is provided on the outer side of the side body portion by the side guide portion. 4 . The secondary battery according to claim 2 , wherein an end portion of the side guide portion is in contact with the case or is spaced apart from the case. 5 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , wherein a length of the electrode assembly in a longitudinal direction of the cap plate is smaller than a length of the electrode assembly in the longitudinal direction of the case. 6 . The secondary battery according to claim 5 , wherein the electrode assembly includes two long side surfaces and two short side surfaces, and the side retainer is between the two short side surfaces of the electrode assembly and the case. 7 . The secondary battery according to claim 6 , wherein a size of the side retainer corresponds to a size of the short side surface of the electrode assembly. 8 . The secondary battery according to claim 6 , wherein the side retainer is attached to the two short side surfaces of the electrode assembly by an adhesive or a double-sided tape. 9 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , further comprising a bottom retainer between the bottom portion of the case and a bottom surface of the electrode assembly.

10. The secondary battery according to claim 9, wherein the bottom retainer comprises: a bottom body portion, the bottom body portion being a rectangular plate sized to correspond to the bottom surface of the electrode assembly; as well as A bottom guide portion protrudes from two long sides of the bottom body portion toward the housing. 11 . The secondary battery according to claim 10 , wherein the bottom body portion includes a vent hole at a position corresponding to the safety vent of the case.

12. The secondary battery according to claim 10, wherein the bottom guide portion comprises: two bottom guide portions extending along the two long side portions; as well as Another bottom guide portion extends in the longitudinal direction of the bottom body portion substantially from the center in the lateral direction of the bottom body portion. 13 . The secondary battery according to claim 10 , wherein a lower end of the side retainer contacts an end of the bottom retainer. 14 . The secondary battery according to claim 10 , wherein an inner surface of the bottom body portion is attached to the bottom surface of the electrode assembly by an adhesive or a double-sided tape. 15 . The secondary battery according to claim 9 , wherein the bottom retainer includes a gas moving channel extending in a longitudinal direction of the cap plate. 16 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , further comprising a first current collector electrically connecting the first electrode tab and the first terminal.

17. The secondary battery according to claim 16, further comprising: a second current collector in contact with and connected to the second electrode terminal tab of the electrode assembly; as well as A second terminal contacts and is coupled to the second current collector at a lower side of the cap plate and includes an upper portion penetrating the cap plate and exposed to an outer side of the cap plate. 18 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , wherein the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab each include two groups spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the cap plate on the top surface of the electrode assembly. 19 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , wherein the safety vent is located at a center of the bottom portion in a longitudinal direction of the bottom portion of the case. 20 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , wherein the safety vent comprises a plate thinner than other areas of the bottom portion of the case.

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