Battery cell, battery pack including battery cell, and vehicle including battery pack

Abstract

A battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly having a battery cell body and an electrode tab extending from the battery cell body; a battery cell case having an accommodating portion configured to accommodate the electrode assembly and a peripheral portion extending outward from the accommodating portion; a first conductive frame on a first surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected with the electrode tab through the peripheral portion; and a second conductive frame on a second surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected with the electrode tab through the peripheral portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0154013 filed in Korea on November 16, 2022, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Art

[0003] When a battery pack is manufactured using secondary battery cells to apply the secondary battery to, for example, a device requiring high capacity / high output (eg, a vehicle), it generally goes through stages of battery cell-battery module-battery pack in sequence.

[0004] However, if the battery pack is manufactured through the above-mentioned stages, the process becomes complicated because a battery module manufacturing step is required in between, and unnecessary space loss may occur due to the space occupied by the module case applied in order to manufacture the battery module.

[0005] In addition, according to the process, it may be necessary to additionally apply electrical connection components required for modularizing a plurality of battery cells and electrical connection components required for electrically connecting a plurality of battery modules to increase the capacity / output of the battery pack, which may result in space loss, and reduced productivity due to increased manufacturing costs and reduced production speed caused by the application of many components.

[0006] There are various secondary battery cells, for example, soft-pack type battery cells, cylindrical battery cells, and square battery cells. Among them, in particular, soft-pack type battery cells have relatively soft characteristics compared to other types of battery cells due to the shell material used therein. For this reason, when a battery pack is applied using a soft-pack type battery cell, for example, a battery module is manufactured by applying a separate cover member supporting one battery cell or multiple battery cells, and then a plurality of battery modules can be connected to manufacture a battery pack. As described above, this may result in a loss of space.

[0007] In addition, the soft-pack type battery cell generally does not have any component that can function as an external terminal except for the electrode lead in the form of a thin metal plate. Therefore, in order to manufacture a high-capacity / high-output battery pack using the soft-pack type battery cell, it is generally necessary to apply a component that can function as a separate external terminal. As described above, due to the application of additional components, productivity may be reduced.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need to develop a battery cell having a structure that can minimize application of additional parts or a structure that does not require application of additional parts when a battery pack is manufactured using various types of battery cells including a pouch-type battery cell. Summary of the invention

[0009] Technical issues

[0010] The present disclosure is designed to solve the problems of the related art, and thus the present disclosure aims to provide a battery cell having a structure capable of minimizing application of additional parts or a structure requiring no application of additional parts when manufacturing a battery pack using the battery cell.

[0011] In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to eliminating or minimizing the possibility of weakening the sealing force of a battery cell case due to application of a component functioning as a terminal of a battery cell.

[0012] In still another aspect, when a component functioning as a terminal of a battery cell is applied, the present disclosure is intended to prevent a reduction in sealing force at a joint portion by preventing the component from being pulled out through a joint portion of a pouch case.

[0013] In still another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to enhancing a bonding force of a sealing region of a pouch case formed in a direction in which terminals of a battery cell are located.

[0014] However, the technical objectives to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objectives, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other objectives not mentioned herein from the following contents.

[0015] Technical Solution

[0016] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell is provided, comprising: an electrode assembly having a battery cell body and an electrode terminal tab extending from the battery cell body; a battery cell shell having a receiving portion configured to receive the electrode assembly and a peripheral portion extending outward from the receiving portion; a first conductive frame located on a first surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected to the electrode terminal tab through the peripheral portion; and a second conductive frame located on a second surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected to the electrode terminal tab through the peripheral portion.

[0017] The first conductive frame may include a first terminal portion extending in a direction away from the first surface, and the second conductive frame may include a second terminal portion extending in a direction away from the second surface at a position corresponding to the first terminal portion.

[0018] When a pair of battery cells are stacked to overlap each other, the first and second conductive frames may be configured such that first and second terminal portions provided on different battery cells and extending toward each other at least partially overlap to face each other.

[0019] When a pair of battery cells are stacked to overlap each other, the first and second conductive frames may be configured such that first and second terminal portions provided on different battery cells and extending toward each other at least partially overlap to contact each other.

[0020] The distance from the outer surface of one of the first and second terminal portions closer to the battery cell body to the battery cell body and the distance from the inner surface of the other of the first and second terminal portions farther from the battery cell body to the battery cell body may be substantially the same.

[0021] The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion may be provided in plural numbers respectively.

[0022] The battery cell may have a rotationally symmetrical shape having substantially the same outer shape when rotated 180 degrees about a central axis passing through a center thereof.

[0023] The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion may each have a fastening hole configured to enable a fastening member to be coupled.

[0024] The battery cell may further include an electrode lead that is electrically coupled to the electrode tab and is located inside the battery cell housing. In this case, the first conductive frame may be electrically coupled to a first surface of the electrode lead through a peripheral portion, and the second conductive frame may be electrically coupled to a second surface of the electrode lead through a peripheral portion.

[0025] The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame may be configured to press both surfaces of the peripheral portion.

[0026] The battery cell may further include: a first insulating frame configured to partially cover the first conductive frame; and a second insulating frame configured to partially cover the second conductive frame.

[0027] The first insulating frame and the second insulating frame may be configured to press both surfaces of the peripheral portion.

[0028] In another aspect of the present disclosure, there is also provided a battery pack including: a battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cells according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and a battery pack case configured to accommodate the battery cell stack.

[0029] In the battery pack, a plurality of battery cells may be electrically connected to each other, and in first and second battery cells adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells, a first conductive frame disposed at the first battery cell and a second conductive frame disposed at the second battery cell may be electrically coupled by a fastening member.

[0030] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle is also provided, including the battery pack according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Beneficial Effects

[0032] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell having a structure capable of minimizing application of additional components or a structure requiring no application of additional components when manufacturing a battery pack using the battery cell may be provided.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to eliminate or minimize the possibility that the sealing force of the battery cell case is weakened due to the application of a component functioning as a terminal of the battery cell.

[0034] According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, when a component functioning as a terminal of a battery cell is applied, it is possible to prevent a reduction in sealing force at a joint portion by preventing the component from being pulled out through the joint portion of the pouch case.

[0035] According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, in a sealing region of a pouch case, a bonding force of the sealing region formed in a direction in which terminals of a battery cell are located may be enhanced.

[0036] However, beneficial effects that can be obtained through the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand other beneficial effects not mentioned above from the following disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the foregoing disclosure, are used to provide a further understanding of the technical features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure is not interpreted as being limited to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of the appearance of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a battery cell.

[0040] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is shown separately Figure 1 A plan view of one surface and another surface of a battery cell shown in FIG.

[0041] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a coupling structure between a conductive frame of a battery cell disposed at the top and a conductive frame of a battery cell disposed at the bottom when a pair of battery cells are coupled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 6is a diagram illustrating a rotationally symmetrical shape of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 7 is a plan view showing an internal structure of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 8 is a diagram illustrating a battery cell with an insulation frame disposed on the top removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Fig. 9 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA'.

[0046] Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an area where sealing is applied in a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Fig.11 2 is a diagram illustrating pressing of a peripheral portion by a conductive frame disposed at a top and a conductive frame disposed at a bottom in a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Fig.12 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB'.

[0049] Fig.13 and Fig.14 It is a diagram for explaining the coupling structure of the electrode lead and the tab cover member of the present disclosure.

[0050] Fig.15 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Fig.16 is a diagram showing a terminal fastening structure for forming a battery cell stack according to the present disclosure.

[0052] Fig.17 is a diagram showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0053] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before the description, it should be understood that the terms used in the specification and the appended claims should not be interpreted as limited to the general meaning and the meaning in the dictionary, but should be interpreted based on the meaning and concept corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor allows appropriate definition of terms for the best interpretation. Therefore, the descriptions presented herein are only preferred examples for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, so it should be understood that other equivalent substitutions and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a portion of the appearance of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 It is shown Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a battery cell.

[0055] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the battery cell 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an electrode assembly 100 , a battery cell case 200 , a first conductive frame 300 , and a second conductive frame 400 .

[0056] The electrode assembly 100 may include a battery cell body 110 and an electrode tab 120 extending from the battery cell body 110. The battery cell housing 200 may include a receiving portion 210 configured to receive the electrode assembly 100 and a peripheral portion 220 extending outward from the receiving portion 210. The first conductive frame 300 may be located on a first surface of the peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200. The first conductive frame 300 may be electrically connected to the electrode tab 120 of the electrode assembly 100 through the peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200. The second conductive frame 400 may be located on a second surface (a surface of the peripheral portion 220 opposite to the first surface) of the peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200. The second conductive frame 400 may be electrically connected to the electrode tab 120 of the electrode assembly 100 through the peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200.

[0057] According to the above configuration of the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 located on the peripheral edge portion 220 of the battery cell case 200 can be used as external terminals for electrical connection. Therefore, when a battery cell stack is formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 10, the second conductive frame 400 provided in the battery cell 10 provided at the top and the first conductive frame 400 provided in the battery cell 10 provided at the bottom can be fastened, which can allow easy electrical connection.

[0058] In addition, when a component that can be used as an external terminal is provided on the peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200, the electrode lead or other electrical connection components do not need to be exposed to the outside of the battery cell housing 200 through the sealing portion (joining portion) of the battery cell housing 200. If the electrical connection component is pulled out from the inside of the battery cell housing 200 via the sealing portion, the thickness and / or width of the electrical connection component can be greatly limited to prevent the sealing force of the pull-out area from being reduced. If the thickness and / or width of the electrical connection component is limited, it may be difficult to control the resistance of the battery cell 10 below a certain level. From this perspective, the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure, which is configured so that the electrical connection component does not need to be pulled out through the sealing area of ​​the battery cell housing 200, can ensure a sufficient thickness of the conductive frame 400 that acts as an external terminal, which can greatly reduce the resistance of the battery cell itself.

[0059] On the other hand, the electrode assembly 100 may include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrode assembly 100 may be a laminated electrode assembly in which the first electrode, the separator, and the second electrode are laminated at least once or a jelly roll electrode assembly in which the laminate is wound. The first electrode may be a positive electrode or a negative electrode, and the second electrode may be an electrode of opposite polarity to the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may include: a coating portion, which is a region coated with an electrode active material; and a non-coating portion, which is a region not coated with an electrode active material. The electrode tab 120 of the present disclosure may be a non-coating portion or a separate lead tab combined with the non-coating portion. When the electrode assembly 100 includes a plurality of first electrodes and a second electrode, the electrode tab 120 may be a combination of non-coating portions in which a plurality of non-coating portions are combined or a separate lead tab combined with the non-coating portion. The electrode tab 120 may be disposed on one side and the other side of the electrode assembly 100, respectively. In this case, the electrode tab disposed at one side of the electrode assembly 100 may have the first polarity, and the electrode tab disposed at the other side of the electrode assembly 100 may have the second polarity. The battery cell body 110 may refer to the remaining portion of the electrode assembly 100 except the electrode tab 120 .

[0060] For example, the battery cell housing 200 may be a soft-pack housing including a multilayer soft-pack film. That is, the battery cell 10 may be a soft-pack type battery cell. For example, the soft-pack film may include a metal layer and a pair of resin layers configured to cover both surfaces of the metal layer. The battery cell housing 200 may include a first housing 200A and a second housing 200B. The first housing 200A and the second housing 200B may be configured to cover the two surfaces of the electrode assembly 100, respectively. At least one of the first housing 200A and the second housing 200B may have a groove for forming a receiving portion 210. The first housing 200A and the second housing 200B may contact and engage with each other to form a peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200. The peripheral portion 220 may be formed, for example, by sealing the area where the first housing 200A contacts the second housing 200B using heat fusion.

[0061] Next, we will refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 are described in more detail.

[0062] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the first conductive frame 300 may include a conductive metal so that it functions as a passage for electrical connection. The first conductive frame 300 may include a first terminal portion 310. The first terminal portion 310 may extend in a direction away from the first surface of the peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200. Similarly, the second conductive frame 400 may include a conductive metal to function as a passage for electrical connection. The second conductive frame 400 may include a second terminal portion 410. The second terminal portion 410 may extend in a direction away from the second surface of the peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200. The second terminal portion 410 may be disposed at a position corresponding to the first terminal portion 310 disposed on the opposite side, with the peripheral portion 220 interposed between the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410. If the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 are disposed at positions corresponding to each other as described above, when a plurality of battery cells 10 of the present disclosure are stacked, adjacent battery cells 10 may be easily electrically connected.

[0063] For example, the first terminal portion 310 may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the peripheral portion 220. Similarly, for example, the second terminal portion 410 may extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second surface of the peripheral portion 220. According to this configuration, when a battery cell stack is formed, the first terminal portions 310 and the second terminal portions 410 of ten battery cells adjacent to each other may be arranged side by side, so that the first terminal portions 310 and the second terminal portions 410 may be easily fastened. The first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 may have a fastening member F3 (see Fig.16) can be coupled thereto. In this case, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 are fastened by the fastening member F3, so that the battery cells 10 adjacent to each other can be electrically connected and fixed.

[0064] The drawings of the present disclosure only show the case where the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 are provided as a pair, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, the first conductive frame 300 may have only one first terminal portion 310 or may have three or more first terminal portions 310. Similarly, the second conductive frame 400 may include only one second terminal portion 410 or may include three or more second terminal portions 410. If the first conductive frame 300 has a plurality of first terminal portions 310 and the second conductive frame 400 has a plurality of second terminal portions 410, a plurality of electrical connections and mechanical fastening components may be provided when connecting a plurality of battery cells 10. This may reduce resistance and increase fastening force.

[0065] The first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 may be provided in the same number. In this case, when a plurality of identical battery cells 10 are stacked, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410, which are respectively provided in adjacent battery cells 10 and extend toward each other, may be fastened one to one. In this case, when a plurality of battery cells 10 are stacked, the battery cells 10 may be easily electrically connected and / or easily fixed.

[0066] On the other hand, the structure in which the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 are respectively provided on both surfaces of the peripheral portion 220 may be formed not only on one side in the length direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the battery cell 10 but also on the other side. In this case, the conductive frames 300 and 400 provided on one side in the length direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) of the battery cell 10 and the conductive frames 300 and 400 provided on the other side may have opposite polarities.

[0067] Next, refer to Figures 3 to 5 , an exemplary positional relationship between the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 of the present disclosure will be described.

[0068] Figure 3 and Figure 4 It is shown separately Figure 1 A plan view of one surface and another surface of a battery cell shown in FIG. And, Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating a coupling structure between a conductive frame of a battery cell disposed at the top and a conductive frame of a battery cell disposed at the bottom when a pair of battery cells are coupled according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0069] Reference Figures 3 to 5, when a pair of battery cells 10 of the present disclosure are stacked to overlap each other, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 may be configured so that the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 disposed on different battery cells 10 and extending toward each other at least partially overlap to face each other. For example, the distance (D1) from the first terminal portion 310 to the battery cell body 110 and the distance (D2) from the second terminal portion 410 to the battery cell body 110 may be different, the second terminal portion 410 is located on the side opposite to the first terminal portion 310, and the peripheral portion 220 is interposed between the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410. If the two distances (D1, D2) are formed to be substantially equal to each other, when a pair of battery cells 10 are stacked to overlap each other, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 extending toward each other may interfere with each other, so it may be difficult to arrange the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 to overlap and face each other. On the other hand, this structure can be applied to both the case where one first terminal portion 310 and one second terminal portion 410 are provided and the case where a plurality of first terminal portions 310 and a plurality of second terminal portions 410 are provided.

[0070] In another aspect, when a pair of battery cells 10 of the present disclosure are stacked to overlap each other, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 may be configured such that the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 disposed on different battery cells 10 and extending toward each other at least partially overlap to contact each other (see Figure 5 ). This structure is applicable to both the case where one first terminal portion 310 and one second terminal portion 410 are provided and the case where a plurality of first terminal portions 310 and a plurality of second terminal portions 410 are provided. According to this structure, in order to form a battery cell stack, adjacent battery cells 10 may be electrically connected by stacking only the battery cells 10.

[0071] On the other hand, Figure 5 As shown, for example, when the battery cells 10 are stacked, the structure in which the battery cells 10 are naturally electrically connected can be achieved by Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 are arranged as shown. Figure 3 to Figure 4 , from the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 located on opposite sides with the peripheral portion 220 interposed therebetween, from the terminal portion closer to the battery cell body 110 (for example, Figure 4 The distance (D3) from the outer surface of the battery cell body 110 and the distance from the terminal portion farther away from the battery cell body 110 (for example, Figure 3The distance (D1) from the inner surface of the first terminal portion (located on the left side in the figure) to the battery cell body 110 can be formed to be substantially the same. Here, the inner surface of the terminal portion refers to the surface of the two surfaces of the terminal portion that faces the battery cell body 110, and the outer surface of the terminal portion refers to the surface of the two surfaces of the terminal portion that is opposite to the surface facing the battery cell body 110. In addition, the fact that the distances from the two terminals to the battery cell body 110 are substantially the same does not mean that they are exactly the same, and as long as their difference is within the general error range of the design, they can be considered to be substantially the same. This is because if the two distances (D1, D2) differ within a very small range, a pair of terminal portions extending toward each other can be made to face and contact each other by stacking adjacent battery cells 10 without requiring a large force.

[0072] Next, we will refer to Figure 6 The symmetrical structure of the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure is described. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a rotationally symmetrical shape of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0073] Reference Figure 6 , the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may have a rotationally symmetrical shape whose appearance is substantially the same when rotated 180 degrees around a central axis passing through its center. For example, the appearance of the battery cell 10 may be substantially the same when rotated 180 degrees around a rotation axis 1 passing through its center and extending in parallel along the length direction of the battery cell 10 and / or around a rotation axis 2 extending in parallel along the width direction of the battery cell 10 and / or around a rotation axis 3 extending in parallel with the thickness direction of the battery cell 10. Here, the fact that the appearance is substantially the same during rotation means that the arrangement positions of the first terminal portion 310 of the first conductive frame 300 and the second terminal portion 410 of the second conductive frame 400 are substantially the same in appearance before and after the battery cell 10 is rotated.

[0074] Reference Figure 6 as well as Figure 1 and Figure 2 , when the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure has a rotationally symmetrical structure as described above, it is not necessary to consider the directionality of the battery cell 10 when forming the battery cell stack, so the process efficiency can be improved. For example, if the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure has a symmetrical shape that has substantially the same appearance when rotated 180 degrees around the rotation axis 1, it is not necessary to distinguish between the first surface of the battery cell 10 and the second surface opposite thereto. In addition, if the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure has a symmetrical shape that has substantially the same appearance when rotated 180 degrees around the rotation axis 2 and the rotation axis 3, when a pair of battery cells 10 are stacked to overlap each other, regardless of whether their polarities are the same, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 respectively provided on different battery cells 10 can be naturally aligned at corresponding positions.

[0075] On the other hand, the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may have a symmetrical structure as described above, and may also be configured such that the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 respectively provided on adjacent battery cells 10 at least partially overlap to face each other or at least partially overlap to contact each other, as described above, with reference to Figures 3 to 5 According to this structure, even if the battery cells 10 are stacked without considering the directionality, the terminal portions can naturally face or contact each other, which can greatly improve the process efficiency when manufacturing the battery cell stack.

[0076] Next, refer to Figure 7 as well as Figure 2 , the electrode lead 700 of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 7 is a plan view showing an internal structure of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0077] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 7 , the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may include an electrode lead 700. The electrode lead 700 may be electrically combined with the electrode tab 120 of the electrode assembly 100. For example, the electrode lead 700 may be combined with the electrode tab 120 by welding. The electrode lead 700 may be located inside the battery cell housing 200. The electrode lead 700 may be arranged so as not to be exposed to the outside of the battery cell housing 200.

[0078] According to this arrangement position of the electrode lead 700, the problem of reduced sealing force of the battery cell housing 200 due to the electrode lead 700 being pulled out from the battery cell housing 200 can be solved. That is, when at least a portion of the electrode lead 700 is pulled out to the outside of the battery cell housing 200, the sealing force at the area where the electrode lead 700 is pulled out may be reduced. In particular, when the cross-sectional area of ​​the electrode lead 700 is expanded to reduce the resistance in the current path, the sealing force at the area where the electrode lead 700 is pulled out may be further reduced due to the increase in thickness and / or width. On the other hand, when the electrode lead 700 is not pulled out to the outside of the battery cell housing 200, there is no problem about the reduced sealing force of the battery cell housing 200, so the resistance of the battery cell 10 can be easily reduced by increasing the thickness and / or width of the electrode lead 700 to increase the cross-sectional area.

[0079] On the other hand, the battery cell housing 200 may include a lead receiving portion 230 configured to have a shape substantially corresponding to the electrode lead 700. For example, the lead receiving portion 230 may be formed in the first housing 200A (see Figure 2 ) and / or the second housing 200B (see Figure 2If the lead accommodating portion 230 for accommodating the electrode lead 700 is preformed as described above before combining the first shell 200A and the second shell 200B, it is possible to prevent stress from being generated in the peripheral portion 220 due to the thickness of the electrode lead 700 when combining the first shell 200A and the second shell 200B, thereby preventing the sealing force from being reduced.

[0080] The electrode lead 700 may have a shape extending along the width direction (direction parallel to the Y axis) of the battery cell 10. According to this structure, a sufficient bonding area may be ensured between the electrode terminal tab 120 and the electrode lead 700. Therefore, the bonding strength between the electrode terminal tab 120 and the electrode lead 700 may be improved, and the contact resistance at the bonding portion between the electrode terminal tab 120 and the electrode lead 700 may be reduced.

[0081] On the other hand, when the electrode lead 700 is provided, the first conductive frame 300 may be electrically coupled to the first surface of the electrode lead 700 through the peripheral portion 220. For example, the first conductive frame 300 may include a first lead connection portion 320, and the first lead connection portion 320 may be electrically coupled to the electrode lead 700. When the electrode lead 700 is provided, the second conductive frame 400 may be electrically coupled to the second surface of the electrode lead 700 through the peripheral portion 220. For example, the second conductive frame 400 may include a second lead connection portion 420, and the second lead connection portion 420 may be electrically coupled to the electrode lead 700.

[0082] Next, refer to Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.11 , the coupling structure between the conductive frames 300 , 400 and the electrode lead 700 of the present disclosure will be described in more detail, and the pressing of the peripheral portion 220 by a pair of conductive frames 300 , 400 will also be described.

[0083] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a battery cell with an insulating frame disposed on the top removed according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an area where sealing is applied in a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.11 2 is a diagram illustrating pressing of a peripheral portion by a conductive frame disposed at a top and a conductive frame disposed at a bottom in a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0084] Reference Figure 8 , Fig. 9 and Fig.11, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 may be configured to press the two surfaces of the peripheral portion 220 of the battery cell housing 200. For example, the first terminal connection portion 320 and the second terminal connection portion 420 provided at corresponding positions in a state where the peripheral portion 220 and the electrode lead 700 are interposed therebetween may be fixed by a fastening member F1. In this case, the fastening member F1 may sequentially penetrate the first terminal connection portion 320, the electrode lead 700, and the second terminal connection portion 420. The penetration order may also be reversed. Another fastening member F2 may be coupled to the end of the fastening member F1 that sequentially penetrates a plurality of components and is exposed to the outside of these penetrated components. For example, the fastening members F1, F2 may be bolts and nuts.

[0085] The first terminal connection part 320 and the second terminal connection part 420 may respectively penetrate one surface and the other surface of the battery cell case 200 and contact the electrode lead 700. In this case, the first terminal connection part 320 and the second terminal connection part 420 may be respectively fixed to both surfaces of the electrode lead 700 by fastening with fastening members F1, F2.

[0086] Next, refer to Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , a structure for enhancing a sealing force in a bonding region between the conductive frames 300 , 400 and the electrode lead 700 of the present disclosure and / or in a region where the electrode lead 700 is disposed will be described. Fig.10 is a diagram illustrating an area where sealing is applied in a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0087] Reference Fig. 9 and Fig.10 , the sealing member R may be applied around the area where the first terminal connection part 320 and the second terminal connection part 420 are combined with the electrode lead 700. When the first terminal connection part 320 and the second terminal connection part 420 penetrate one surface and the other surface of the battery cell housing 200 respectively to be combined with the electrode lead 700, the sealing member R may prevent the sealing force at the corresponding area from being weakened. The sealing member R may be configured to surround the first terminal connection part 320 and may be inserted into the first housing 200A (see Figure 2 ) and the electrode lead 700. The sealing member R may be configured to surround the second terminal connection portion 420 and may be inserted into the second housing 200B (see Figure 2 ) and the electrode lead 700.

[0088] On the other hand, in the peripheral portion 220, the sealing area S may be formed outside the area accommodating the electrode lead 700. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the sealing area S may be the entire area where the first shell 200A contacts the second shell 200B. If the area occupied by the sealing area S is increased in the peripheral portion 220 as described above, the sealing performance of the battery cell shell 200 may be improved.

[0089] Next, we will refer to Figures 2 to 4 and Fig. 9 The insulating frames 500 and 600 of the present disclosure are described.

[0090] Reference Figures 2 to 4 and Fig. 9 , the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may include a first insulating frame 500 and a second insulating frame 600. The first insulating frame 500 may be configured to partially cover the first conductive frame 300. The second insulating frame 600 may be configured to partially cover the second conductive frame 400. According to this configuration, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 of the present disclosure are insulated except for a partial area of ​​the terminal parts 310 and 410 for connection between the battery cells 10 or between the battery cells 10 and an external device, so the problem about unnecessary electrical contact can be solved.

[0091] The first insulating frame 500 may include a first terminal cover 510 configured to cover one surface of the first terminal portion 310. The first insulating frame 500 may include a first connection portion cover 520 configured to surround the first lead connection portion 320. Similarly, the second insulating frame 600 may include a second terminal cover 610 configured to cover one surface of the second terminal portion 410. The second insulating frame 600 may include a second connection portion cover 620 configured to surround the second lead connection portion 420.

[0092] The first insulating frame 500 and the second insulating frame 600 may be configured to press both surfaces of the peripheral portion 220. Fig. 9 As shown, the first insulating frame 500 and the second insulating frame 600 may be configured to be pressed toward the peripheral portion 220 by the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 when the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 are combined with the electrode lead 700. Therefore, the first insulating frame 500 and the second insulating frame 600 may enhance the sealing force of the peripheral portion 220 together with the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400.

[0093] Next, refer to Figure 12 to Figure 14 , the tab cover member 800 of the present disclosure will be described. Fig.12 It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line BB' of Fig.13 and Fig.14 It is a diagram for explaining the coupling structure of the electrode lead and the tab cover member of the present disclosure.

[0094] Reference Figure 12 to Figure 14 , the battery cell 10 may include a tab cover member 800. The tab cover member 800 is located inside the battery cell housing 200 and may be configured to cover a bonding area between the electrode lead 700 and the electrode tab 120. When the tab cover member 800 is provided, the bonding area between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700 may be prevented from being damaged.

[0095] The tab cover member 800 may be configured to be supported on one side by the electrode lead 700 fixed to the peripheral portion 220 and on the other side by the battery cell body 110. In this case, the tab cover member 800 may prevent the electrode assembly 100 from moving inside the battery cell housing 200, thereby preventing an impact from being applied to a bonding area between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700. Therefore, even if an impact is applied to the battery cell 10, a defect due to damage to the bonding area between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700 may be prevented from occurring.

[0096] The tab cover member 800 may include a fixing protrusion P. In this case, the electrode lead 700 may have a protrusion accommodating portion G configured to accommodate the fixing protrusion P. For example, the protrusion accommodating portion G may be a groove recessed from an edge of the tab cover member 800 adjacent to the electrode assembly 100 among the edges of the tab cover member 800. In order to stably fix the tab cover member 800, the fixing protrusion P and the protrusion accommodating portion G may be provided in plurality.

[0097] The tab cover member 800 may be formed by combining a pair of cover members 800A and 800B. The tab cover member 800 may include a main body 810 and a wing 820. The main body 810 may have a space for accommodating a bonding area of ​​the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700. A fixing protrusion P may be provided in the main body 810. The wing 820 may be configured to extend from the main body 810 and face the battery cell body 110. Inside the battery cell housing 200, the movement of the main body 810 in a direction away from the battery cell body 110 may be limited by the electrode lead 700, and the wing 820 may be in close contact with the battery cell body 110 to limit movement in a direction toward the battery cell body 110.

[0098] Next, refer to Fig.15 and Fig.16 , a battery pack 3 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig.15 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.16is a diagram showing a terminal fastening structure for forming a battery cell stack according to the present disclosure.

[0099] First, refer to Fig.15 , the battery pack 3 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a battery cell stack 1 including a plurality of battery cells 10 of the present disclosure as described above and a battery pack housing 2 accommodating the battery cell stack 1. Therefore, the battery pack 3 of the present disclosure may be manufactured without going through a battery module stage. In other words, the battery pack 3 of the present disclosure may be manufactured through a cell-to-pack process.

[0100] On the other hand, in the battery cell stack 1 of the battery pack 3 applied to the present disclosure, a plurality of battery cells 10 may be electrically connected to each other. In the first battery cell 10 and the second battery cell 10 adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells 10, the first conductive frame 300 provided in the first battery cell 10 and the second conductive frame 400 provided in the second battery cell 10 may be electrically combined by a fastening member F3. For example, the fastening member F3 may be configured to penetrate the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 that at least partially overlap to face each other. For example, the fastening member F3 may be a bolt.

[0101] Next, refer to Fig.17 , a vehicle 5 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Fig.17 is a diagram showing a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0102] Reference Fig.17 The vehicle 5 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include the battery pack 3 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure as described above. The vehicle 5 may operate by receiving electric energy from the battery pack 3 of the present disclosure. For example, the vehicle 5 may be an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), etc.

[0103] The present disclosure has been described in detail. However, it will be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are given by way of illustration only, as various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

[0104] Description of Reference Numerals

[0105] 1: Battery cell stack

[0106] 2: Battery pack housing

[0107] 3: Battery Pack

[0108] 5: Vehicles

[0109] 10: Battery Cell

[0110] 100: Electrode assembly

[0111] 110: Battery cell body

[0112] 120: Electrode terminal

[0113] 200: Battery cell housing

[0114] 200A: First shell

[0115] 200B: Second shell

[0116] 210: Accommodation

[0117] 220: Peripheral

[0118] S: Sealing part

[0119] 230: Lead wire accommodation portion

[0120] 300: First conductive frame

[0121] 310: First terminal portion

[0122] 320: Second lead connection portion

[0123] 400: Second conductive frame

[0124] 410: Second terminal portion

[0125] 420: Second lead connection portion

[0126] 500: First insulation frame

[0127] 510: First terminal cover

[0128] 520: First connection portion cover

[0129] 600: Second insulation frame

[0130] 610: Second terminal cover

[0131] 620: Second connection cover

[0132] 700: Electrode lead

[0133] G: Protrusion accommodating part

[0134] 800: Lug cover component

[0135] 800A: First cover member

[0136] 800B: Second cover member

[0137] 810: Main body

[0138] 820: Wing

[0139] P: Fixed protrusion

[0140] R: Sealing member

[0141] F (F1, F2, F3): Fastening components

Claims

1. A battery cell, comprising: an electrode assembly having a battery cell body and an electrode tab extending from the battery cell body; a battery cell housing having a receiving portion configured to receive the electrode assembly and a peripheral portion extending outwardly from the receiving portion; a first conductive frame, the first conductive frame being located on a first surface of the peripheral portion and being electrically connected to the electrode tab through the peripheral portion; as well as A second conductive frame is located on a second surface of the peripheral portion and is electrically connected to the electrode tab through the peripheral portion.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The first conductive frame includes a first terminal portion extending in a direction away from the first surface, and The second conductive frame includes a second terminal portion extending in a direction away from the second surface at a position corresponding to the first terminal portion.

3. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein: When a pair of battery cells are stacked to overlap each other, the first and second conductive frames are configured so that the first and second terminal portions provided on different battery cells and extending toward each other at least partially overlap to face each other.

4. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein: When a pair of battery cells are stacked to overlap each other, the first and second conductive frames are configured such that the first and second terminal portions provided on different battery cells and extending toward each other at least partially overlap to contact each other.

5. The battery cell according to claim 4, wherein: A distance from an outer surface of one of the first and second terminal portions closer to the battery cell body to the battery cell body is substantially the same as a distance from an inner surface of the other of the first and second terminal portions farther from the battery cell body to the battery cell body.

6. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein: The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are each provided in plurality.

7. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein: The battery cell has a rotationally symmetrical shape having substantially the same outer shape when rotated 180 degrees around a central axis passing through the center of the battery cell.

8. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein: When a pair of battery cells are stacked to overlap each other, the first and second conductive frames are configured so that the first and second terminal portions provided on different battery cells and extending toward each other at least partially overlap to face each other.

9. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein: When a pair of battery cells are stacked to overlap each other, the first and second conductive frames are configured such that the first and second terminal portions provided on different battery cells and extending toward each other at least partially overlap to contact each other.

10. The battery cell according to claim 9, wherein: The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, which are arranged at corresponding positions across the peripheral portion, are configured so that the distance from the outer surface of one of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion that is closer to the battery cell body to the battery cell body is substantially the same as the distance from the inner surface of the other of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion that is farther away from the battery cell body to the battery cell body.

11. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein: The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion each have a fastening hole configured to enable a fastening member to be coupled.

12. The battery cell according to claim 1, further comprising: an electrode lead, the electrode lead being electrically coupled to the electrode tab and being located inside the battery cell housing, wherein the first conductive frame is electrically connected to the first surface of the electrode lead through the peripheral portion, and The second conductive frame is electrically connected to the second surface of the electrode lead through the peripheral portion.

13. The battery cell according to claim 12, wherein: The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame are configured to press both surfaces of the peripheral portion.

14. The battery cell according to claim 12, further comprising: a first insulating frame configured to partially cover the first conductive frame; as well as A second insulating frame is configured to partially cover the second conductive frame.

15. The battery cell according to claim 14, wherein: The first insulating frame and the second insulating frame are configured to press both surfaces of the peripheral portion.

16. A battery pack comprising: A battery cell stack, the battery cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cells according to any one of claims 1 to 15; as well as A battery pack housing is configured to accommodate the battery cell stack.

17. The battery pack according to claim 16, wherein: A plurality of the battery cells are electrically connected to each other, and Among the plurality of battery cells, in a first battery cell and a second battery cell adjacent to each other, a first conductive frame disposed at the first battery cell and a second conductive frame disposed at the second battery cell are electrically coupled through a fastening member.

18. A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to claim 16.

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