Battery pack

Abstract

A battery pack includes a battery cell including an electrode assembly and an electrode tab extending from the electrode assembly, and a protection circuit module connected to the battery cell, in which the protection circuit module includes a substrate and a substrate tab connected to the substrate, wherein the electrode tab includes an electrode sealing unit extending from a case of the electrode assembly and an electrode bending unit extending from the electrode sealing unit, and wherein the electrode sealing unit is bendable between the substrate and the electrode assembly such that a first sealing surface of the electrode sealing unit corresponds to a case surface of the electrode assembly, and wherein the surface of the substrate corresponds to the second sealing surface of the electrode sealing unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] One or more embodiments relate to a battery pack. Background Art

[0002] Secondary batteries are designed to be able to charge and discharge, and are used as energy sources for mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, and uninterruptible power supplies. Depending on the type of external device to which it is applied, secondary batteries can be used in the form of a single battery or in the form of a module in which batteries are connected and bundled into a unit.

[0003] Meanwhile, as applications using secondary batteries increasingly require increasingly larger capacities, the size of battery cells is also increasing to increase energy density. As a result, not only the overall length of a battery pack including the battery cells is increasing, but also its overall size is increasing. Summary of the invention

[0004] An embodiment includes a battery pack comprising a battery cell and a protection circuit module connected to the battery cell, wherein the battery cell comprises an electrode assembly and an electrode tab extending from the electrode assembly, wherein the protection circuit module comprises a substrate and a substrate tab connected to the substrate, wherein the electrode tab comprises an electrode sealing unit extending from a shell of the electrode assembly and an electrode bending unit extending from the electrode sealing unit, wherein the electrode sealing unit can be bent between the substrate and the electrode assembly so that a first sealing surface of the electrode sealing unit corresponds to a shell surface of the electrode assembly, and wherein a surface of the substrate corresponds to a second sealing surface of the electrode sealing unit.

[0005] The substrate may include a first substrate surface corresponding to a second sealing surface of the electrode sealing unit and a second substrate surface on an opposite side of the first substrate surface, wherein the second substrate surface is connected to the substrate tab.

[0006] The second space is in the substrate tab, and one end of the electrode bending unit may be located in the second space and connected to the substrate tab.

[0007] The substrate terminal block may include: a substrate connecting unit connected to the substrate; a first substrate bending unit extending from the substrate connecting unit and bent vertically relative to the substrate connecting unit; and a second substrate bending unit extending from the first substrate bending unit and bent vertically relative to the first substrate bending unit, wherein the substrate connecting unit and the second substrate bending unit face each other, and wherein a second space is between the substrate connecting unit and the second substrate bending unit.

[0008] The electrode bending unit may include: a first electrode bending unit extending from the electrode sealing unit; a second electrode bending unit extending from the first electrode bending unit and perpendicularly bent relative to the first electrode bending unit; and a third electrode bending unit extending from the second electrode bending unit and perpendicularly bent relative to the second electrode bending unit.

[0009] The third electrode bending unit may be connected to the second substrate bending unit.

[0010] The electrode sealing unit and the third electrode bending unit may face each other, a first space may be between the electrode sealing unit and the third electrode bending unit, and the substrate is on the first space.

[0011] The battery pack may further include at least one band to support and protect the battery cells and the protection circuit module.

[0012] The at least one band may include a band between the curved electrode sealing unit and the electrode assembly.

[0013] The at least one band may include a band between the curved electrode sealing unit and the substrate.

[0014] The at least one tape may include a tape covering the electrode assembly and the protection circuit module.

[0015] The battery pack may further include an insulating tape between the electrode sealing unit and the electrode bending unit.

[0016] The thickness of the tape covering the electrode assembly and the protection circuit module may be greater than the thickness of the tape between the bent electrode sealing unit and the substrate.

[0017] The width of the substrate tab may be greater than the height of the substrate tab.

[0018] The electrode sealing unit may have a thickness smaller than thicknesses of the substrate and the substrate tab.

[0019] The width of the substrate may be greater than the width of the electrode sealing unit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Features will become apparent to those skilled in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 shows a battery pack according to one or more embodiments;

[0022] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a battery pack;

[0023] Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to one or more embodiments;

[0024] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a method according to one or more embodiments Figure 3 A diagram of an assembled state of a battery cell;

[0025] Figure 5 and Figure 6 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA' of FIG.

[0026] Figure 7 According to one or more embodiments Figure 2 A magnified assembly view of part B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Example embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

[0028] In the drawings, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. It will also be understood that if a layer or element is referred to as being "on" another layer or substrate, it can be directly on the other layer or substrate, or there may be intervening layers. In addition, it will be understood that if a layer is referred to as being "below" another layer, it can be directly below, and there may also be one or more intervening layers. In addition, it will be understood that if a layer is referred to as being "between" two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or there may also be one or more intervening layers. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0029] In order to easily describe the relationship between the elements or features shown in the figures and other elements or features, spatial relative terms such as "below ... ", "above ... ", "lower", "upper" etc. can be used. Spatially relative terms are intended to include various orientations of devices other than those shown in the figures in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, other elements or features described as "below ... " or "lower" can face other elements or features "above". Therefore, as illustrative terms, "lower" and "lower" can include two directions, up and down. The device can be oriented in different directions (for example, rotated 90 degrees or in other directions), and the spatial relative description used in this disclosure should be interpreted accordingly. Similarly, if the first part is described as "above" the second part, this means that the first part is arranged above or below the second part.

[0030] In addition, the expression "observed from a plane" refers to observing an object from above, and the expression "in a schematic cross-sectional view" refers to a schematic cross-section obtained by vertically cutting an object. The term "observed from the side" means that the first object can be above, below or to the side of the second object, and vice versa. In addition, the terms "overlap" or "double" may include layers, stacks, surfaces, extensions, covers or partial covers, or any other suitable terms that can be understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The expression "non-overlapping" may include meanings such as "spaced apart" or "separated" and any other suitable equivalents that can be recognized and understood by a person of ordinary skill in the art. The terms "facing" and "surface" may indicate that the first object may directly or indirectly face the second object. If there is a third object between the first object and the second object, the first object and the second object face each other, but can be understood as facing each other indirectly.

[0031] If an element, layer, region or component is referred to as "formed", "connected" or "bonded" to another element, it can be said that it is directly formed on a layer, region or component, formed on another layer, region or component, or indirectly formed on, connected or bonded to another component. It can also be collectively referred to as a direct or indirect combination or connection of an element, layer, region or component and an overall or non-overall combination or connection, so that one or more elements, layers, regions or components can exist. For example, if an element, layer, region or component is referred to as "electrically connected" or "electrically bonded" to another element, layer, region or component, this means that the element, layer, region or component can be directly electrically connected or bonded, or other elements, layers, regions or components can exist. However, "direct connection" or "direct bonding" means that a component is directly connected or combined with another component without an intermediate component, or is present on another component. In addition, in this specification, if a part of a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is formed in another part, the formation direction is not limited to the upper direction, and includes that the part is formed on the side or bottom. Conversely, if a portion of a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is formed "below" another portion, it includes not only the case where the portion is "immediately below" the other portion, but also the case where the other portion exists between the portion and the other portion. At the same time, other expressions describing the relationship between components, such as "between", "immediately between", "adjacent to", and "immediately adjacent to", can be interpreted similarly. In addition, if an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it may be the only element between the two elements or layers, or there may be other elements therebetween.

[0032] For the purposes of this specification, expressions such as "at least one or more" or "any one" do not limit the order of the individual elements. For example, "at least one of X, Y, and Z", "at least one of X, Y, or Z", "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z" may include only X, only Y, only Z, or any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z. Similarly, expressions such as "at least one of A and B" and "at least one of A or B" may include A, B, or A and B. In this specification, the term "or" generally includes "and / or", and "and / or" includes any combination of one or more of the associated list items. For example, expressions such as "A and / or B" may include A, B, or A and B.

[0033] Although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections are not limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish an element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Therefore, the first element, component, region, layer or section described below can be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Describing an element as a "first" element may not require or imply the presence of a second element or another element. Terms such as "first", "second", etc. can be used herein to distinguish between different categories or groups of elements in the present disclosure. For clarity, terms such as "first", "second", etc. can refer to "first category (or first group)", "second category (or second group)", etc., respectively.

[0034] The terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, singular terms are intended to include plural terms, and plural terms are also intended to include singulars. The terms "including", "providing" and "having" used herein are intended to indicate the presence of specified specific features, integers or operations. These expressions do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other functions, steps, operations, components and / or their groups.

[0035] If one or more embodiments are implemented differently, a certain process sequence may be performed in a manner different from the described sequence. For example, two processes described in succession may be performed substantially simultaneously, or may be performed in a sequence opposite to the described sequence.

[0036] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used in approximate terms rather than terms of degree, and are intended to account for the inherent variation in measured or calculated values ​​that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. As used herein, the terms "about" or "approximately" are inclusive of the value and represent the range of allowable deviations (e.g., the range of deviations due to limitations of the measurement system) of a particular value determined by one of ordinary skill in the art taking into account the corresponding measurements and associated errors. For example, the term "about" can mean within one or more standard deviations or within ±30%, ±20%, ±10%, or ±5% of a specified value.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical or scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Terms (such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the relevant technology and / or this specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0038] Figure 1 A battery pack 10 is shown according to one or more embodiments. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 1 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack 10. Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to one or more embodiments. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 3 Figure 2 shows the assembled state of a battery cell. Figure 5 and Figure 6 is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line AA'. Figure 7 According to one or more embodiments Figure 2 A magnified assembly view of part B.

[0039] The battery pack 10 may be a pouch type battery and may include a battery cell 100 and a protection circuit module 200. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the battery pack 10 may have a flat front and back surface (eg, two sides parallel to the Figure 1 At least a portion of the battery pack 10 may have a curved shape. For example, two sides of the battery pack 10 (e.g., Figure 1 The battery pack 10 may have a shape in which the thickness direction (eg, Figure 1 The X-axis direction in the figure) may be smaller than the width direction (for example, Figure 1 The size of the Y-axis direction.

[0040] The battery pack 10 may include a battery cell 100 (see Figure 2) and a protection circuit module 200 connected to the battery cell 100 and including a substrate 210, the battery cell 100 may include an electrode assembly 110 and a housing 140 surrounding the assembly 110 (see Figure 3 ), the housing 140 may include a platform unit 1451 corresponding to the short sides of the battery cell 100 and a pair of side sealing units 1452, each of which is connected to both ends of the platform unit 1451 and corresponds to a pair of long sides of the battery cell 100.

[0041] The battery pack 10 may include at least one band to support and protect the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200. The at least one band may be attached to at least one of the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200 and may include an insulating material. For example, the band may be on the outside of the battery cell 100, between the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200, or inside the protection circuit module 200. The band may be a component that is distinguished from the insulating band 130 of the battery cell 100.

[0042] The battery cell 100 may include an electrode assembly 110 , an electrode tab 120 , an insulating tape 130 , and a case 140 .

[0043] The electrode assembly 110 may include a first electrode plate 111 and a second electrode plate 112 having opposite polarities to each other and a separator 113 between the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112. The electrode assembly 110 may be formed into a winding type by winding the first electrode plate 111, the second electrode plate 112, and the separator 113. For example, the winding axis of the electrode assembly 110 (e.g., the central axis along which the first electrode plate 111, the second electrode plate 112, and the separator 113 are rolled up) may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 100 (e.g., Figure 5 In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 110 may be formed by stacking a plurality of first electrode plates 111, second electrode plates 112, and separators 113. In an implementation, the electrode assembly 110 may be a mixture of a rolled type and a stacked type. The first electrode plate 111 may be a cathode, and the second electrode plate 112 may be an anode. In an implementation, the first electrode plate 111 may be an anode, and the second electrode plate 112 may be a cathode.

[0044] The first electrode plate 111 may be formed by coating a first electrode active material (such as graphite or carbon) to a first electrode current collector plate including a metal foil (such as copper, copper alloy, nickel or nickel alloy). The first electrode plate 111 may include a first non-coating portion, which is an area where the first electrode active material is not coated, and at least a portion of the first non-coating portion may include a first electrode tab 121. The first electrode tab 121 may be a path for current flow between the first electrode plate 111 and the first current collector. If the first electrode plate 111 is manufactured, the first electrode tab 121 may be formed by pre-cutting the first electrode plate 111 so that at least a portion of the first electrode plate 111 protrudes outward from the electrode assembly 110. In some embodiments, the first electrode tab 121 may protrude further outward from the electrode assembly 110 than the separator 113 without a separate cutting process.

[0045] The second electrode plate 112 may be formed by coating a second electrode active material (such as a transition metal oxide) to a second electrode current collector plate including a metal foil (such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy). The second electrode plate 112 may include a second non-coating region, which is an area where the second electrode active material is not coated, and at least a portion of the second non-coating region may include a second electrode tab 122. The second electrode tab 122 may be a path for current flow between the second electrode plate 112 and the second current collector. If the second electrode plate 112 is manufactured, the second electrode tab 122 may be formed by pre-cutting the second electrode plate 112 so that at least a portion of the second electrode plate 112 protrudes outward from the electrode assembly 110. In some embodiments, the second electrode tab 122 may protrude further outward from the electrode assembly 110 than the separator 113 without a separate cutting process.

[0046] The electrode assembly 110 may be surrounded by a housing 140. For example, Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the electrode assembly 110 may have a smaller size than the case 140 and may be accommodated in the case 140. If the electrode assembly 110 is accommodated in the case 140, the electrode tab 120 connected to the electrode assembly 110 may protrude to the outside of the case 140 and be connected to the protection circuit module 200.

[0047] The electrode tab 120 may be connected to the electrode assembly 110. One end of the electrode tab 120 may extend from the electrode assembly 110. If the case 140 is combined (for example, if the first case 141 and the second case 142 are in contact with each other), the electrode tab 120 may be pulled out from the platform unit 1451 of the case 140. For example, Figure 5As shown in , the electrode tab 120 may include a first electrode tab 121 and a second electrode tab 122 having opposite polarities to each other and may be electrically connected to the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112, respectively. In addition, the electrode tab 120 may be connected to the substrate tab 220. For example, the first electrode tab 121 may be connected to the first substrate tab 221, and the second electrode tab 122 may be connected to the second substrate tab 222. The electrode tab 120 may be connected to the substrate tab 220, for example, by welding or bolting. The electrode tab 120 may include a conductive material such as a metal. The first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 may be spaced apart from each other, and the first current collector and the second current collector may be welded and connected to the first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122, respectively.

[0048] The insulating tape 130 may be attached to the electrode tab 120 to provide insulation and sealing between the electrode tab 120 and the case 140. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the insulating tape 130 may cover at least a portion of the electrode tab 120. The insulating tape 130 may be in contact with or adjacent to the electrode assembly 110. For example, Figure 4 As shown in , the insulating tape 130 may be outside the platform unit 1451 .

[0049] The electrode tab 120 may be bent one or more times. If the electrode tab 120 is to be connected to the substrate tab 220 of the protection circuit module 200, the electrode tab 120 may not be bent in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 100 (eg, Figure 1 The Z-axis direction of the embodiment of the present invention is not straight, but may be bent one or more times. For example, Figure 2 and Figure 5 As shown, the electrode tab 120 may extend linearly in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 100 and then extend in the thickness direction of the battery cell 100 (eg, Figure 2 The platform unit 1451 may also be bent in the same direction as the electrode tab 120. As the electrode tab 120 is bent, the fourth band TP4 and the protection circuit module 200 may be sequentially placed thereon. Then, the electrode tab 120 may be bent again toward the substrate tab 220 in the thickness direction of the battery cell 100. That is, the electrode tab 120 may include a plurality of bends, and at least a portion of the protection circuit module 200 (such as the substrate 210) may be located between the plurality of bends. In an implementation, the electrode tab 120 may include a bend, and the total length of the battery cell 100 and the battery pack 10 may be reduced.

[0050] The electrode terminal tab 120 may include an electrode sealing unit 1201 (see Figure 5 ) and an electrode bending unit 1202. The electrode bending unit 1202 may include a first electrode bending unit 1202a, a second electrode bending unit 1202b, and a third electrode bending unit 1202c.

[0051] The electrode terminal tab 120 may include an electrode sealing unit 1201 extending from the electrode assembly 110 along the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 100 within the platform unit 1451, a first electrode bending unit 1202a bent at one end of the electrode sealing unit 1201 and a portion of which is within the platform unit 1451, a second electrode bending unit 1202b bent at one end of the first electrode bending unit 1202a, and a third electrode bending unit 1202c bent at one end of the second electrode bending unit 1202b.

[0052] The electrode sealing unit 1201 may be a portion of the electrode terminal tab 120 extending from the electrode assembly 110. For example, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the electrode sealing unit 1201 may extend from the electrode assembly 110 , may be interposed between the platform portions 1451 , and may be formed in a thickness direction (eg, Figure 5 Extends in the X-axis direction).

[0053] The first electrode bending unit 1202a may extend from one end of the electrode sealing unit 1201 in a direction parallel to the direction in which the electrode sealing unit 1201 extends. For example, the first electrode bending unit 1202a may extend from one end of the electrode sealing unit 1201 in a thickness direction of the battery cell 100 (e.g., Figure 5 For example, the first electrode bending unit 1202a may extend in parallel with the electrode sealing unit 1201. The fourth band TP4 may extend in the X-axis direction. Figure 5 The first electrode bending unit 1202a may be partially within the platform unit 1451 and partially wrapped by the insulating tape 130. Another portion of the first electrode bending unit 1202a may be exposed to the outside of the platform unit 1451 and the insulating tape 130. The first electrode bending unit 1202a may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the electrode assembly 110 by the length of the pre-bent portion of the electrode sealing unit 1201. The third tape TP3 may be present in the space between the first electrode bending unit 1202a and the electrode assembly 110.

[0054] The second electrode bending unit 1202b may extend from one end of the first electrode bending unit 1202a in a direction intersecting the direction in which the first electrode bending unit 1202a extends. For example, the second electrode bending unit 1202b may extend from one end of the first electrode bending unit 1202a (e.g., Figure 5), and is bent at the right end in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 100 (eg, Figure 5 For example, the second electrode bending unit 1202b may extend perpendicularly to the first electrode bending unit 1202a. The length of the second electrode bending unit 1202b may be less than the length of the electrode sealing unit 1201.

[0055] The second electrode bending unit 1202b may be located between the substrate 210 and the first tape TP1 in the thickness direction of the battery pack 10 (eg, Figure 5 The second electrode bending unit 1202b may be spaced apart from the side surface of the substrate 210 and the first tape TP1, and may not interfere with the substrate 210 and the first tape TP1 even if an impact is applied from the outside. The second electrode bending unit 1202b may be in the longitudinal direction of the battery pack 10 (e.g., Figure 5 The second electrode bending unit 1202b may be spaced apart from the upper surface of the battery cell 100 and the upper surface of the first tape TP1 in the Z-axis direction of the battery cell 100. Therefore, even if an external impact is applied, the battery cell 100 and the first tape TP1 are not disturbed.

[0056] The third electrode bending unit 1202c may extend from one end of the second electrode bending unit 1202b in a direction intersecting the direction in which the second electrode bending unit 1202b extends. For example, the third electrode bending unit 1202c may be bent at the upper surface of the second electrode bending unit 1202b and extend in the thickness direction of the battery cell 100. For example, the third electrode bending unit 1202c may extend perpendicular to the second electrode bending unit 1202b. The third electrode bending unit 1202c may be bent from the second electrode bending unit 1202b toward the first electrode bending unit 1202a. At least a portion of the first electrode bending unit 1202a and the third electrode bending unit 1202c may overlap each other in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 100. The third electrode bending unit 1202c may be on the substrate 210 of the protection circuit module 200.

[0057] The third electrode bending unit 1202c may be connected to the substrate tab 220. At least a portion of the third electrode bending unit 1202c may be inserted into the substrate tab 220 and may contact the substrate tab 220. Thus, the electrode tab 120 and the substrate tab 220 may be electrically connected.

[0058] The first electrode bending unit 1202a and the third electrode bending unit 1202c may be spaced apart, and at least a portion of the protection circuit module 200 and the tape may be present therebetween. For example, the first electrode bending unit 1202a and the third electrode bending unit 1202c may be parallel to each other (e.g., parallel to the thickness direction of the battery cell 100 or Figure 5 The fourth tape TP4, the substrate 210, and a portion of the substrate tab 220 (eg, the substrate connection unit 2201) may be present between the first electrode bending unit 1202a and the third electrode bending unit 1202c.

[0059] In an implementation, the electrode tab 120 may include one or more bending units, and the longitudinal dimensions of the battery cell 100 and the battery pack 10 may be reduced. In addition, the protection circuit module 200 and the tape may be located in a space between a plurality of bending units formed in the electrode tab 120, and thus, the configuration of the battery pack 10 may be concentrated in a relatively small space.

[0060] Although only the first electrode tab 121 is shown in the figure, the second electrode tab 122 may also include the same bending structure as the first electrode tab 121 and a connection structure with the substrate tab 220. That is, the second electrode tab 122 may also include an electrode sealing unit 1201, a first electrode bending unit 1202a, a second electrode bending unit 1202b, and a third electrode bending unit 1202c.

[0061] Reference Figure 3 , the housing 140 may include a flexible material. The housing 140 may include an insulating layer formed on both sides of a thin metal layer (such as an aluminum layer), and may be formed by a forming process such as drawing. The housing 140 may accommodate the electrode assembly 110 therein, and its edges may be sealed to prevent external foreign matter from entering the electrode assembly 110.

[0062] The housing 140 may include a first housing 141 , a second housing 142 , a folding unit 143 , an internal space 144 , and a sealing unit 145 .

[0063] The first shell 141 and the second shell 142 may each accommodate the electrode assembly 110 therein, and may be folded relative to each other around the folding unit 143. The first shell 141 may include a first internal space 1441, and the second shell 142 may include a second internal space 1442. The first shell 141 and the second shell 142 may be connected to each other by the folding unit 143. If the electrode assembly 110 is accommodated in one of the first shell 141 and the second shell 142, the other shell covers the corresponding shell, so that the internal space 144 in which the electrode assembly 110 is accommodated may be formed. For example, the folding unit 143 may be adjacent to a surface opposite to a surface of the electrode assembly 110 on which the electrode tab 120 is formed.

[0064] The sealing unit 145 may be formed in the first housing 141 and the second housing 142, respectively. The sealing unit 145 may be formed along the outer edge of the first housing 141 and the outer edge of the second housing 142. Figure 3 As shown in , the sealing units 145 may be respectively formed on a pair of long sides of the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 and on short sides except for the short sides on which the folding unit 143 may be formed. In an implementation, the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 may be folded, and the sealing units 145 included in the first shell 141 and the sealing units 145 included in the second shell 142 may contact each other, thereby sealing the space between the first shell 141 and the second shell 142.

[0065] The sealing unit 145 may include a platform unit 1451 and a side sealing unit 1452 .

[0066] The platform unit 1451 may be a portion from which the electrode tab 120 is pulled out, and may correspond to one of a pair of short sides of the shell 140. For example, the platform unit 1451 may be formed adjacent to one surface from which the electrode tab 120 of the electrode assembly 110 extends, and may be formed at the upper surface of the battery cell 100 in the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 100. The platform unit 1451 may extend in a direction intersecting the electrode tab 120 and seal the first shell 141 and the second shell 142. The platform unit 1451 may surround at least a portion of the electrode tab 120. For example, as Figure 5 As shown in , the platform unit 1451 may surround a portion of the electrode tab 120 extending from the electrode assembly 110. That is, the platform units 1451 of the first case 141 and the second case 142 may contact each other, and the electrode sealing unit 1201 and the first electrode bending unit 1202a of the electrode tab 120 may pass between contact surfaces of the platform unit 1451. The electrode tab 120 may be firmly supported on the platform unit 1451.

[0067] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the side sealing units 1452 may extend in a direction crossing the platform unit 1451. For example, the side sealing units 1452 may be formed to correspond to a pair of long sides of the housing 140. Each side sealing unit 1452 may be connected to one end of the platform unit 1451 and one end of the folding unit 143. The platform unit 1451 and the pair of side sealing units 1452 may intersect each other perpendicularly.

[0068] The platform unit 1451 and the side sealing unit 1452 can be folded. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , if the first shell 141 and the second shell 142 are folded, the side sealing units 1452 formed on a pair of long sides of the battery cell 100 may each be turned upward (eg, in Figure 4 The platform unit 1451 may be folded upward while the pair of side sealing units 1452 are folded. That is, after the pair of side sealing units 1425 are folded upward toward both sides of the battery cell 100, the platform unit 1451 may be folded toward the side where the electrode tab 120 of the battery cell 100 is located.

[0069] The protection circuit module 200 may control the charging and discharging operations of the battery cell 100 to prevent over-discharging or over-charging of the battery cell 100. The protection circuit module 200 may be connected to the battery cell 100 through the electrode tab 120. The protection circuit module 200 may be located above the battery cell 100, and due to the tape, the protection circuit module 200 may not be in direct contact with other parts of the battery pack 10.

[0070] The protection circuit module 200 may include a substrate 210 , a substrate tab 220 , an extension unit 240 , and a connector 250 .

[0071] The substrate 210 may support other components of the protection circuit module 200 (e.g., the substrate tab 220, the extension unit 240, etc.), and include circuit patterns and components. The substrate 210 may be a printed circuit board (PCB or FPCB) and may be on the battery cell 100. For example, Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the substrate 210 may be between the fourth tape TP4 and the substrate tab 220. The substrate 210 may have a width direction (eg, Figure 2 A rectangular shape extending in the Y-axis direction).

[0072] One or more substrate tabs 220 may be located on the substrate 210 and may be connected to the electrode tab 120. The substrate tab 220 may include a conductor electrically connectable to the electrode tab 120, and may include, for example, nickel, copper, or aluminum.

[0073] For example, Figure 2 As shown in , two substrate tabs 220 may be located on the upper surface of the substrate 210 and spaced apart from each other. The number of substrate tabs 220 may be the same as the number of electrode tabs 120. The substrate tab 220 may be formed at a position corresponding to the electrode tab 120, may be connected to the electrode tab 120 by welding, etc., and may electrically connect the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200. The substrate tab 220 may include a first substrate tab 221 connected to the first electrode tab 121 and a second substrate tab 222 connected to the second electrode tab 122.

[0074] The substrate connection piece 220 may include a plurality of bending units. For example, the substrate connection piece 220 may include a substrate connection unit 2201, a first substrate bending unit 2202, and a second substrate bending unit 2203. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the substrate connection unit 2201 may be located on the upper surface of the substrate 210 and may be provided in the width direction of the substrate 210 (or the thickness direction of the battery cell 100 or Figure 5 The substrate connecting unit 2201 may extend in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first substrate bending unit 2202 extends.

[0075] The first substrate bending unit 2202 may be bent at one end of the substrate connecting unit 2201, and may extend in a direction different from the substrate connecting unit 2201. For example, the first substrate bending unit 2202 may be bent in a height direction (eg, Figure 5 The first substrate bending unit 2202 may be on the substrate 210. The substrate connection unit 2201 and the second substrate bending unit 2203 may be spaced apart by the first substrate bending unit 2202, and the electrode terminal tab 120 may be inserted therebetween.

[0076] The second substrate bending unit 2203 may be bent at one end of the first substrate bending unit 2202, and may extend in a direction different from the first substrate bending unit 2202. For example, the second substrate bending unit 2203 may be bent in a thickness direction (eg, Figure 5 The second substrate bending unit 2203 may overlap at least a portion of the battery cell 100 and the substrate connecting unit 2201 in the height direction. The second substrate bending unit 2203 may be connected to the electrode terminal tab 120. For example, Figure 5 As shown in , a lower surface of the second substrate bending unit 2203 may contact an upper surface of the third electrode bending unit 1202 c so that the electrode tab 120 may be connected to the substrate tab 220 .

[0077] Although only the first substrate tab 221 is shown in the figure, the second substrate tab 222 may also have the same bending structure and connection structure as the second substrate tab 221 and the substrate tab 220. That is, the second substrate tab 222 may also include a substrate connection unit 2201, a first substrate bending unit 2202, and a second substrate bending unit 2203.

[0078] The extension unit 240 can connect the substrate 210 and the connector 250 (see Figure 2 ). For example, one end of the extension unit 240 may be in contact with the upper surface of the substrate 210, and the other end may be connected to the connector 250. The extension unit 240 may have a width equal to or less than the width of the protection circuit module 200, and may include a deformable flexible material. The extension unit 240 may extend downward along one side of the battery cell 100, and the connector 250 may be located at one end thereof. The connector 250 may connect the protection circuit module 200 to an external device (such as an application or a controller) of the battery pack 10.

[0079] The battery pack 10 may include a tape. The tape may be located between the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200 or outside the battery cell 100 and / or the protection circuit module 200. The tape may be attached to at least one of the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200. The tape insulates the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200 and may protect the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200 from external impact. The tape may include an insulating and / or flame retardant material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene. The tape may include a first tape TP1, a second tape TP2, a third tape TP3, and a fourth tape TP4.

[0080] The second tape TP2 may be attached to both sides of the battery cell 100, respectively. Figure 1 As shown in , the second tape TP2 may be present between the extension unit 240 of the protection circuit module 200 and the battery cell 100. The second tape TP2 may prevent the extension unit 240 from directly contacting the battery cell 100. The upper portion of the second tape TP2 may be located on the upper surface of the battery cell 100, and the lower portion may be located on the lower surface of the battery cell 100. A pair of second tapes TP2 may be attached to both sides of the battery cell 100 and may cover a pair of corner portions, respectively.

[0081] The second tape TP2 may cover the sealing unit 145. For example, if the side sealing unit 1452 is folded, the second tape TP2 may cover the outside of the side sealing unit 1452.

[0082] The first tape TP1 may be located on the battery cell 100 and cover the protection circuit module 200 and the battery cell 100. Figure 1As shown in FIG. 1 , if the battery cell 100 and the protection circuit module 200 are connected, the first tape TP1 may be located on the protection circuit module 200 and cover the upper portion of the front and rear surfaces of the battery cell 100. Figure 5 As shown in , the first tape TP1 may be positioned to surround the components as well as the protection circuit module 200 and the electrode tab 120. When the first tape TP1 is attached to the battery cell 100, the first tape TP1 may be separated from the protection circuit module 200.

[0083] Before the electrode tab 120 and the platform unit 1451 are folded, the third tape TP3 may be positioned on the upper end of the battery cell 100 to prevent the upper end of the battery cell 100 from directly contacting the electrode tab 120. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. , the third tape TP3 may have a length corresponding to the width of the battery cell 100 (eg, Figure 2 1450 and 1451. In this state, the electrode tab 120 and the platform unit 1451 may be folded toward the upper surface of the housing 140 (eg, the first housing 141), and the side sealing units 1452 on both sides may also be folded inwards, respectively.

[0084] The fourth tape TP4 may be positioned on the electrode tab 120 and / or the insulating tape 130. For example, Figure 5 As shown in , if the electrode tab 120 and the platform unit 1451 are in a bent state, the fourth tape TP4 may be located on the electrode tab 120 and the platform unit 1451. The fourth tape TP4 may cover the electrode tab 120, the platform unit 1451, the insulating tape 130, and a portion of the side sealing unit 1452 located at both sides of the battery cell 100, and may ensure airtightness and insulation between components.

[0085] The electrode sealing portion 1201 may be between the substrate 210 and the electrode assembly 110, and a first sealing surface 1201F1 of the electrode sealing portion 1201 may be connected to the housing of the electrode assembly 110. It may be bent and formed to correspond to the surface 110F. In addition, the substrate 210 may be arranged so that the substrate surface 210F is aligned with the second sealing surface 1201F2 of the electrode sealing unit 1201 (see Figure 7 )correspond.

[0086] In this manner, since the electrode sealing unit 1201 is formed by bending in the direction where the housing surface 110F of the electrode assembly 110 is located, it is possible to reduce the electrode sealing unit 1201 compared to a case where the electrode sealing unit 1201 is not bent and extends perpendicularly to the housing surface 110F of the electrode assembly 110. Figure 6The thickness T occupied by the electrode tab unit and the protection circuit module unit of the battery pack is 0.04mm / s. Thus, the volume occupied by the electrode tab unit and the protection circuit module unit of the entire battery pack can be reduced, thereby reducing the total length and size of the battery pack. At the same time, relative to a battery pack of the same size, the volume of the electrode assembly can be increased, thereby increasing the capacity of the battery pack.

[0087] In addition, the substrate surface 210F of the substrate can be arranged to correspond to the second sealing surface 1201F2 of the electrode sealing unit 1201, so that the substrate 210 may be located not between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode assembly 110, but on the opposite side of the electrode assembly 110 relative to the bent electrode tab 120, thereby reducing or completely preventing the possibility of a decrease in battery efficiency due to unnecessary electrical connection between the substrate 210 and the electrode assembly 110.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the substrate 210 may include a first substrate surface 210F1 disposed to correspond to the second sealing surface 1201F2 of the electrode sealing unit 1201 and a second substrate surface 210F2 formed on the opposite side of the first substrate surface 210F1, and the second substrate surface 210F2 may be connected to the substrate wiring piece 220 (see Figure 7 ). The substrate 210 may face the electrode sealing unit 1201 through the first substrate surface 210F1 while covering the electrode sealing unit 1201. In addition, the substrate 210 may be electrically connected to the substrate terminal tab 220 by contacting the substrate terminal tab 220 through the second substrate surface 210F2.

[0089] The second space 220 a may be formed in the substrate tab 220 , and one end of the electrode bending unit 1202 may be disposed in the second space 220 a and may be connected to the substrate tab 220 .

[0090] For example, the substrate terminal piece 220 may include a substrate connection unit 2201 connected to the substrate 210, a first substrate bending unit 2202 extending from the substrate connection unit 2201 and perpendicularly bent relative to the substrate connection unit 2201, and a second substrate bending unit 2203 extending from the first substrate bending unit 2202 and perpendicularly bent relative to the first substrate bending unit 2202. The substrate connection unit 2201 and the second substrate bending unit 2203 may be arranged to face each other, and the second space 220a (see, for example Figure 5 ) can be formed between the substrate connecting unit 2201 and the second substrate bending unit 2203.

[0091] The width of the substrate tab 220 may be greater than the height of the substrate tab 220 .

[0092] The electrode bending unit 1202 may include a first electrode bending unit 1202a formed by extending from the electrode sealing unit 1201, a second electrode bending unit 1202b extending from the first electrode bending unit 1202a and bent perpendicularly relative to the first electrode bending unit 1202a, and a third electrode bending unit 1202c extending from the second electrode bending unit 1202b and bent perpendicularly relative to the second electrode bending unit 1202b.

[0093] The third electrode bending unit 1202c may be connected to the second substrate bending unit 2203. In addition, the electrode sealing unit 1201 and the third electrode bending unit 1202c may be formed to face each other, a first space 120a may be formed between the electrode sealing unit 1201 and the third electrode bending unit 1202c, and the substrate 210 may be disposed on the first space 120a.

[0094] The width of the substrate 210 may be greater than the width of the electrode sealing unit 1201 .

[0095] The third tape TP3 may be disposed between the curved electrode sealing unit 1201 and the electrode assembly 110. The third tape TP3 may maintain an adhered state with the electrode sealing unit 1201 and the electrode assembly 110.

[0096] The fourth tape TP4 may be disposed between the curved electrode sealing unit 1201 and the substrate 210. The fourth tape TP4 may maintain an adhered state with the electrode sealing unit 1201 and the substrate 210.

[0097] The insulating tape 130 may be provided between the electrode sealing unit 1201 and the electrode bending unit 1202. The thickness of the insulating tape 130 may be greater than the thickness of the tape between the bent electrode sealing unit 1201 and the substrate 210. With the insulating tape 130, the electrode bending unit 1202 formed by extending from the electrode sealing unit 1201 may be prevented from contacting and electrically connecting the substrate 210 or the electrode assembly 110.

[0098] According to an embodiment, the battery pack may include a first tape TP1 covering the electrode assembly 110 and the protection circuit module 200. At this time, the thickness T1 of the first tape TP1 may be greater than the thickness T3 of the fourth tape TP4. The first tape TP1 may be formed to cover the electrode tab 120 and the protection circuit module 200, so that the electrode tab 120 and the protection circuit module 200 may be protected from damage by external impact. Therefore, the thickness of the first tape TP1 may be greater than the thickness of the fourth tape TP4 disposed between the substrate 210 and the electrode sealing unit 1201 to insulate the two components.

[0099] The thickness of the electrode sealing unit 1201 may be smaller than the thickness of the substrate 210 and smaller than the thickness of the substrate tab 220 .

[0100] The width LW1 of the electrode terminal tab 120 (see, for example, Figure 5 ) may be greater than the height LH1 of the electrode tab 120. Thus, the thickness T occupied by the electrode tab unit and the protection circuit module unit may be relatively reduced, which may contribute to the compactness and capacity improvement of the battery pack.

[0101] In addition, the width LW2 of the substrate 210 may be greater than the height LH2 of the substrate 210. Thus, the thickness T occupied by the electrode tab unit and the protection circuit module unit may be relatively reduced, which may contribute to compactness and capacity improvement of the battery pack.

[0102] In addition, the width LW3 of the substrate tab 220 may be greater than the height LH3 of the substrate tab 220. Thus, the thickness T occupied by the electrode tab unit and the protection circuit module unit may be relatively reduced, which may contribute to compactness and capacity improvement of the battery pack.

[0103] The thickness T4 of the curved electrode sealing unit 1201 may be smaller than the thickness T2 of the substrate 210 and the substrate tab 220. By bending the electrode sealing unit 1201 as much as possible to be smaller than the thickness T2 of the substrate 210 and the substrate tab 220, the thickness T occupied by the electrode tab unit and the protection circuit module unit may be relatively further reduced, thereby contributing to the compactness and capacity improvement of the battery pack.

[0104] The height LH4 of the electrode sealing unit 1201 may be greater than the width LW4 of the electrode sealing unit 1201. In addition, the width LW2 of the substrate 210 may be greater than the width LW4 of the electrode sealing unit 1201. The substrate 210 may be Figure 5 The electrode sealing unit 1201 is completely covered by the substrate 210 (in the X-axis direction), thereby preventing the electrode sealing unit 1201 and the substrate terminal tab 220 from contacting and electrically connecting to each other. In addition, the substrate 210 can press the electrode sealing unit 1201 in a bent state in the direction where the electrode assembly 110 is located, so that the electrode sealing unit 1201 can have a completely fixed structure between the substrate 210 and the electrode assembly 110 in the bent state.

[0105] In order to reduce the overall length of the battery pack, the battery pack may be formed into a horizontal structure by bending a platform unit of a battery cell, thereby reducing the overall size of the battery pack and increasing the capacity of the battery pack.

[0106] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms may be used, they are used and interpreted in a general and descriptive sense only, and not for purposes of limitation. In some cases, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing this application, features, characteristics, and / or elements described with respect to a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described with respect to other embodiments, unless expressly stated otherwise. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0107] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0095491 filed on July 21, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0037919 filed on March 19, 2024, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: Battery cells; as well as A protection circuit module connected to the battery cell, wherein the battery cell comprises: an electrode assembly; and an electrode tab extending from the electrode assembly, wherein the protection circuit module comprises a substrate and a substrate terminal tab connected to the substrate, wherein the electrode terminal tab comprises: an electrode sealing unit extending from a housing of the electrode assembly; and an electrode bending unit extending from the electrode sealing unit, wherein the electrode sealing unit is bendable between the substrate and the electrode assembly so that a first sealing surface of the electrode sealing unit corresponds to a housing surface of the electrode assembly, and The surface of the substrate corresponds to the second sealing surface of the electrode sealing unit.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein the substrate comprises: A first substrate surface corresponding to the second sealing surface of the electrode sealing unit; as well as a second substrate surface on an opposite side of said first substrate surface, and The second substrate surface is connected to the substrate terminal piece.

3. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein: The second space is in the substrate terminal piece, and One end of the electrode bending unit is located in the second space and connected to the substrate tab.

4. The battery pack according to claim 2, wherein the substrate tab comprises: A substrate connection unit connected to the substrate; a first substrate bending unit extending from the substrate connecting unit and bending perpendicularly relative to the substrate connecting unit; as well as a second substrate bending unit extending from the first substrate bending unit and bending perpendicularly relative to the first substrate bending unit, wherein the substrate connecting unit and the second substrate bending unit face each other, and The second space is between the substrate connecting unit and the second substrate bending unit.

5. The battery pack according to claim 4, wherein the electrode bending unit comprises: a first electrode bending unit extending from the electrode sealing unit; a second electrode bending unit extending from the first electrode bending unit and bending perpendicularly relative to the first electrode bending unit; as well as The third electrode bending unit extends from the second electrode bending unit and is bent perpendicularly relative to the second electrode bending unit. 6 . The battery pack according to claim 5 , wherein the third electrode bending unit is connected to the second substrate bending unit.

7. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein: The electrode sealing unit and the third electrode bending unit face each other, a first space between the electrode sealing unit and the third electrode bending unit, and The substrate is on the first space. 8 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one band to support and protect the battery cells and the protection circuit module. 9 . The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one tape comprises a tape between the electrode sealing unit and the electrode assembly that are bent. 10 . The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one tape comprises a tape between the electrode sealing unit and the substrate that are bent. 11 . The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the at least one tape comprises a tape covering the electrode assembly and the protection circuit module. 12 . The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein a thickness of the tape covering the electrode assembly and the protection circuit module is greater than a thickness of the tape between the bent electrode sealing unit and the substrate.

13. The battery pack according to claim 1, further comprising: An insulating tape is located between the electrode sealing unit and the electrode bending unit. 14 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a width of the substrate tab is greater than a height of the substrate tab. 15 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the electrode sealing unit is smaller than a thickness of the substrate and the substrate tab. 16 . The battery pack according to claim 1 , wherein a width of the substrate is greater than a width of the electrode sealing unit.

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