Secondary battery

Abstract

A secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first tab and a second tab at opposite ends of the electrode assembly in a longitudinal direction, respectively; a case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly, and wherein a first opening and a second opening are respectively defined at opposite ends of the case in the longitudinal direction; a first cap plate coupled to the first opening of the case and insulated from and penetrated by a first terminal electrically coupled to a first tab of the electrode assembly, the first cap plate including a second terminal electrically coupled to a second tab of the electrode assembly; and a second cap plate coupled to the second opening of the case and electrically coupled to the second tab of the electrode assembly.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0110476 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on August 23, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a secondary battery. Background Art

[0004] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable. Among these secondary batteries, low-capacity batteries in the form of groups of battery cells can be used in portable small electronic devices such as smart phones and digital cameras, and high-capacity battery modules including tens to hundreds of battery groups connected to each other can be used as a power source for driving motors such as hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, etc.

[0005] A rechargeable secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly in which a separator is interposed between a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate; a current collector plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a terminal electrically connected to the current collector plate; a case accommodating the electrode assembly and the current collector plate; and a cap plate that seals the case and through which the terminal passes to be connected.

[0006] The above information disclosed in the present technology is provided as background of the present disclosure to enhance understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may include information that does not constitute related art. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to aspects of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, there is provided a secondary battery having improved anti-vibration performance and improved in energy density or current flow characteristics.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments, a secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly, including a first terminal tab and a second terminal tab, respectively, at opposite ends of the electrode assembly in a longitudinal direction; a shell, configured to accommodate the electrode assembly, and wherein a first opening and a second opening are respectively defined at opposite ends of the shell in the longitudinal direction; a first cover plate, connected to the first opening of the shell, and insulated from and penetrated by a first terminal electrically connected to the first terminal of the electrode assembly, the first cover plate including a second terminal electrically connected to the second terminal of the electrode assembly; and a second cover plate, connected to the second opening of the shell and electrically connected to the second terminal of the electrode assembly.

[0009] The secondary battery may further include a first current collector plate configured to electrically couple the first tab to the first terminal.

[0010] The first current collector plate may include: a first current collector plate flat portion welded to the first tab; and a first current collector plate protrusion welded to the first terminal.

[0011] The secondary battery may further include a first insulation plate between the first current collector plate and the first cap plate and including a first insulation plate through-hole through which the first current collector plate protrudes.

[0012] The secondary battery may further include a second current collector plate configured to electrically couple the second tab to the second cap plate.

[0013] The second current collector plate may include: a second current collector plate flat portion welded to the second tab; and a second current collector plate protrusion welded to the second cap plate.

[0014] The secondary battery may further include a second insulation plate between the second current collector plate and the second cap plate and including a second insulation plate through-hole through which the second current collector plate protrudes.

[0015] The second cap plate may include a second cap plate protrusion welded to the protrusion of the second current collector plate.

[0016] The second cover plate may include an exhaust hole and a safety exhaust member coupled to the exhaust hole.

[0017] The second insulating plate may include a vent through-hole in a region corresponding to the safety vent.

[0018] The first cap plate may include a main through hole through which the first terminal passes and a sub through hole around the main through hole, and the first cap plate may further include an insulating member coupled to the main through hole and the sub through hole to insulate the first terminal from the first cap plate.

[0019] The housing may include a pair of long side portions and a pair of short side portions connected to the pair of long side portions, and the welding line may be provided on at least one of the pair of short side portions.

[0020] The electrode assembly may include a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides connected to the pair of long sides, and the secondary battery may further include a short side insulating plate between at least one of the pair of short sides and the case.

[0021] The first cap plate may further include a second terminal accommodating recess and a second terminal accommodating protrusion, and the second terminal may be accommodated in the second terminal accommodating recess and coupled to the second terminal accommodating protrusion.

[0022] The first cover plate may further include a liquid injection hole and a liquid injection hole plug configured to plug the liquid injection hole.

[0023] Each of the electrode assembly and the case may have a vertical length greater than a horizontal width. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate some example embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 A perspective view illustrating a secondary battery according to an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 is an example Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a secondary battery;

[0027] Figure 3 A plan view illustrating an electrode assembly of a secondary battery according to an embodiment; and

[0028] Figure 4 An exploded perspective view illustrating a secondary battery according to an embodiment is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Herein, some embodiments will be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that those skilled in the art may fully understand the present disclosure. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be comprehensive and complete and will fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0031] In addition, in the following drawings, for the convenience and clarity of description, the size (e.g., thickness) of each layer may be exaggerated, and the same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items. In this specification, it should be understood that if component A is referred to as being connected to component B, component A may be directly connected to component B, or may be indirectly connected to component B through one or more components C therebetween.

[0032] The terms used in this specification are for the purpose of illustration of the present disclosure and should not be interpreted as limiting the meaning or scope of the present disclosure. As used in this specification, unless the specific situation in the context is clearly indicated, the singular form may include the plural form. In addition, the expression "including / comprising" used in this specification neither limits the shapes, quantities, steps, operations, components, elements and / or its groups involved, nor excludes the existence or addition of one or more other different shapes, quantities, steps, operations, components, elements and / or its groups. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0033] As used herein, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various components, parts, regions, layers and / or parts. However, it should be understood that components, parts, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. The terms do not imply a specific order, top or bottom, or superiority, but are used to distinguish one component, component, region, layer or part from another component, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the first component, component, region, layer or part to be described may also refer to the second component, component, region, layer or part.

[0034] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below", "under", "down", "above", "on", etc. may be used herein with reference to a figure to describe the relationship between an element or feature and another element or feature. These spatially relative terms are intended to facilitate understanding of the present invention based on various process states or use states of the present invention, and therefore, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, if the elements or features shown in the accompanying drawings are flipped, the elements or features described as "below" or "below" may be changed to "above" or "on". Therefore, the term "below" may encompass the terms "above" or "below".

[0035] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the inventive concept belongs. It should also be understood that terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and not interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless they are explicitly defined as such in this article.

[0036] Figure 1 A perspective view illustrating a secondary battery 100 according to an embodiment; Figure 2 is an example of an embodiment of the Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the secondary battery 100 taken along line 2-2; Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of an electrode assembly 110 in a secondary battery 100 according to an embodiment; and Figure 4An exploded perspective view of a secondary battery 100 according to an embodiment is illustrated. Here, Figure 3 The electrode assembly 110 in FIG. 1 illustrates a state before the first tab 1111 and the second tab 1121 are bent.

[0037] refer to Figure 1 to Figure 4 The secondary battery 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include an electrode assembly 110 , a case 120 , a first cap plate 131 , and a second cap plate 132 .

[0038] In some embodiments, the secondary battery 100 according to the present disclosure may further include a first current collector plate 141 and a second current collector plate 142 .

[0039] In some embodiments, the secondary battery 100 according to the present disclosure may further include a first insulating plate 151 and a second insulating plate 152 .

[0040] In some embodiments, the secondary battery 100 according to the present disclosure may further include a first terminal 161 and a second terminal 162 .

[0041] In some embodiments, the secondary battery 100 according to the present disclosure may further include a short side insulation plate 170 .

[0042] In some embodiments, the secondary battery 100 according to the present disclosure may further include a safety vent 180 , a metal ball 191 , and a liquid injection hole plug 192 .

[0043] In one embodiment, the electrode assembly 110 may be provided in the form of a substantially rectangular hexahedron shape, having a pair of long sides in the longitudinal direction and a pair of short sides in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the surface area of ​​each long side may be wider than the surface area of ​​each short side. In some embodiments, the long side and / or the short side may have a length and a width. Here, the length may be longer than the width. In some embodiments, the length may be approximately 200 mm to approximately 400 mm. For example, the electrode assembly 110 may have a vertical length greater than the horizontal width. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 110 may include a first electrode plate 111 (e.g., a positive electrode plate), a second electrode plate 112 (e.g., a negative electrode plate), and a separator 113 between the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112. In some embodiments, the first electrode plate 111 may include a plurality of first tabs 1111 (e.g., positive electrode tabs) protruding to the outside (e.g., on the upper side) of the electrode assembly 110, and the second electrode plate 112 may include a plurality of second tabs 1121 (e.g., negative electrode tabs) protruding to the outside (e.g., on the lower side) of the electrode assembly 110. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 110 may include a first tab 1111 provided on one end (e.g., the upper end) in the longitudinal direction and a second tab 1121 provided on the opposite end (e.g., the lower end) in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 110 may be a stacked type in which the first electrode plate 111, the separator 113, and the second electrode plate 112 are stacked, or may be a winding type in which the first electrode plate 111, the separator 113, and the second electrode plate 112 are wound. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 110 may include or be referred to as an electrode group.

[0044] In some embodiments, the first electrode plate 111 may be provided by applying a first active material (such as a transition metal oxide) to a first current collector made of a metal foil (such as aluminum), and may include a first tab 1111 extending and protruding toward the first cover plate 131 (e.g., an area where the first active material is not coated). The first tab 1111 extending and protruding in this manner may also be referred to as a first uncoated portion tab or a first base material tab, and the first tabs 1111 may be aligned at the same position to provide a multi-tab by a stacking or winding process for manufacturing the electrode assembly 110. The first tab 1111 may be electrically connected to the first terminal 161 to serve as a passage for current to flow between the first electrode plate 111 and the first terminal 161.

[0045] In some embodiments, the second electrode plate 112 may be provided by applying a second active material (such as graphite or carbon) to a second current collector made of a metal foil (such as copper or nickel), and may include a second tab 1121 (e.g., an area not coated with the second active material) extending and protruding toward the second cover plate 132. The second tab 1121 extending and protruding in this manner may also be referred to as a second uncoated portion tab or a second base material tab, and the second tab 1121 may be aligned at the same position to provide a multi-tab by a stacking or winding process for manufacturing the electrode assembly 110. The second tab 1121 may be electrically connected to the second terminal 162 to serve as a passage for current to flow between the second electrode plate 112 and the second terminal 162.

[0046] The diaphragm 113 may be interposed between the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112 to prevent or substantially prevent a short circuit between the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112 and enable lithium ions to move. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 113 may be wider (e.g., slightly wider) than the surface area of ​​each of the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112 to further protrude in the up-down direction and / or the left-right direction than each of the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 113 may prevent or substantially prevent the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112 from directly contacting the housing 120, the first cover plate 131 and the second cover plate 132 in the up-down direction and / or the left-right direction of the electrode assembly 110.

[0047] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 110 may be housed in the housing 120 together with an electrolyte. In some embodiments, the electrolyte may include an organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), and / or dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and a lithium salt such as LiPF6 or LiBF4. In some embodiments, the electrolyte may be a liquid, a solid, or a gel.

[0048] The housing 120 may house the electrode assembly 110 and may include a first opening 121 and a second opening 122 provided at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the housing 120 may be provided in the form of a substantially rectangular hexahedral shape, with a pair of long sides in the longitudinal direction and a pair of short sides in the longitudinal direction. In some embodiments, the surface area of ​​each long side may be wider than the surface area of ​​each short side. In some embodiments, the long side and / or the short side may have a length and a width. Here, the length may be longer than the width. In some embodiments, the length may be approximately 200 mm to approximately 400 mm. For example, the housing 120 may have a vertical length greater than the horizontal width. In some embodiments, the first opening 121 may be an upper opening defined by a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides, and the second opening 122 may be a lower opening defined by a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. In some embodiments, the housing 120 may include at least one welding line 123 provided in the longitudinal direction of the short side. In some embodiments, the welding line 123 may be provided on at least one of the pair of short sides. In some embodiments, the shell 120 can be provided by bending a metal flat plate into a hollow rectangular hexahedron shape and then laser welding the ends to each other. Here, a welding line 123 can be provided. In some embodiments, the shell 120 can be provided by extruding the molten metal into a hollow tube shape. In some embodiments, the shell 120 can be manufactured in a deep drawing manner and then cut on one side thereof to provide a shell 120 with openings on both sides. In some embodiments, the shell 120 can be made of a conductive metal, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. In some embodiments, the shell 120 may include a can or be referred to as a can. In some embodiments, the long side of the shell 120 may be in close contact with the long side of the electrode assembly 110, and the short side of the shell 120 may be in close contact with the short side of the electrode assembly 110.

[0049] The first cap plate 131 may be provided in a substantially rectangular plate shape and may be coupled to the first opening 121 of the housing 120. In some embodiments, the first cap plate 131 may close (or seal) the first opening 121 of the housing 120 and may be laser welded to the housing 120. In some embodiments, the first cap plate 131 may include a liquid injection hole 1311 through which an electrolyte may be injected. The liquid injection hole 1311 may be closed with a metal ball 191 and a liquid injection hole plug 192. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 electrically coupled to the first tab 1111 of the electrode assembly 110 may be insulated from the first cap plate 131 and penetrate the first cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the second terminal 162 electrically coupled to the second tab 1121 of the electrode assembly 110 may be coupled to the first cap plate 131. The second terminal 162 may be provided as one piece with the first cap plate 131, or may be mechanically coupled (electrically shorted) to the first cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first cover plate 131 may be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel, and may also be referred to as a cover assembly in some cases.

[0050] The second cover plate 132 may be provided in a substantially rectangular plate shape and may be coupled to the second opening 122 of the housing 120. In some embodiments, the second cover plate 132 may close (or seal) the second opening 122 of the housing 120 and may be laser welded to the housing 120. In some embodiments, the second cover plate 132 may further include a vent hole 1321 to which the safety vent 180 is coupled. In some embodiments, the second cover plate 132 may further include a second cover plate protrusion 1322 electrically coupled to the second terminal tab 1121 of the electrode assembly 110. In some embodiments, the second cover plate protrusion 1322 may be provided at each of the opposite sides of the vent hole 1321. In some embodiments, the second cover plate protrusion 1322 may have a shape protruding toward the second terminal tab 1121. In some embodiments, the second cover plate protrusion 1322 may be provided by placing the second cover plate 132 provided in the form of a flat plate on a mold or die and then punching a local area of ​​the second cover plate 132 by a punch. In addition, the thickness of the second cover plate 132 and the second cover plate protrusion 1322 may be the same or similar. In some embodiments, the second cover plate 132 may be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel, and may also be referred to as a cover assembly in some cases.

[0051] The first collector plate 141 may be interposed between the electrode assembly 110 and the first cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first collector plate 141 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. The first collector plate 141 may electrically / mechanically couple the first tab 1111 of the electrode assembly 110 to the first terminal 161. In some embodiments, the first collector plate 141 may include a first collector plate flat portion 1411 welded (e.g., laser welded) to the first tab 1111 and a first collector plate protrusion 1412 welded (e.g., laser welded) to the first terminal 161. In some embodiments, the first tab 1111 of the electrode assembly 110 may be bent in a direction to facilitate welding to the first collector plate flat portion 1411. In some embodiments, the first tab 1111 may be bent and in close contact with the surface of the electrode assembly 110, and thus may be pre-welded to each other. In some embodiments, the terminal column 1611, which is a component of the first terminal 161, may be pre-welded on the first collector plate protrusion 1412. The terminal column 1611 may include a base 1611a welded on the first collector plate protrusion 1412 and a cylindrical protrusion 1611b protruding in a direction away from the base 1611a. In some embodiments, the first collector plate 141 may be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel, and may also be referred to as a collector or sub-plate in some cases.

[0052] The second collector plate 142 may be interposed between the electrode assembly 110 and the second cap plate 132. In some embodiments, the second collector plate 142 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. The second collector plate 142 may electrically couple the second tab 1121 of the electrode assembly 110 to the second terminal 162. In some embodiments, the second collector plate 142 may electrically / mechanically couple the second tab 1121 to the second cap plate 132. In some embodiments, the second collector plate 142 may include a second collector plate flat portion 1421 welded (e.g., laser welded) to the second tab 1121 and a second collector plate protrusion 1422 welded (e.g., laser welded) to the second cap plate 132. In some embodiments, the second collector plate protrusion 1422 may be welded to the second cap plate protrusion 1322. In some embodiments, two second cap plate protrusions 1322 are provided, and therefore, two second collector plates 142 may be provided. In some embodiments, the second tab 1121 of the electrode assembly 110 may be bent in a direction to facilitate welding to the second collector plate flat portion 1421. In some embodiments, the second terminal tab 1121 may be bent and in close contact with the surface of the electrode assembly 110, and thus may be pre-welded to each other. In some embodiments, the second current collector plate 142 may be made of a conductive metal such as copper, copper alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, or nickel-plated steel, and may also be referred to as a current collector or sub-plate in some cases.

[0053] The first insulating plate 151 may be interposed between the first collector plate 141 and the first cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first insulating plate 151 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. In some embodiments, the first insulating plate 151 may include a first insulating plate through hole 1511 through which the first collector plate protrusion 1412 and the terminal column 1611 of the first terminal 161 pass. The first insulating plate 151 may minimize or reduce the empty space between the first collector plate 141 and the first cap plate 131, so that when an external impact is applied to the secondary battery 100, the electrode assembly 110 may not move within the housing 120. In some embodiments, the first insulating plate 151 may include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), double synthetic rubber (EPDM), or nylon that does not react with the electrolyte.

[0054] The second insulating plate 152 may be interposed between the second current collector plate 142 and the second cap plate 132. In some embodiments, the second insulating plate 152 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. In some embodiments, the second insulating plate 152 may include a second insulating plate through hole 1521 through which the second current collector plate protrusion 1422 and / or the second cap plate protrusion 1322 pass. In some embodiments, the second insulating plate 152 may further include a venting through hole 1522 provided in a region corresponding to the vent hole 1321 of the second cap plate 132 and the safety vent 180. The second insulating plate 152 may minimize or reduce the empty space between the second current collector plate 142 and the second cap plate 132, so that when an external impact is applied to the secondary battery 100, the electrode assembly 110 may not move within the housing 120. In some embodiments, the second insulating plate 152 may include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), double synthetic rubber (EPDM) or nylon that does not react with the electrolyte.

[0055] The first terminal 161 may be coupled to pass through the first cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 may include a terminal column 1611 and a terminal plate 1612. The lower portion of the terminal column 1611 may be welded to the first current collector plate protrusion 1412, and the upper portion of the terminal column 1611 may be welded to the terminal plate 1612. In some embodiments, the first cap plate 131 may include a main through hole 1312 through which the terminal column 1611 passes and a sub through hole 1313 provided around the main through hole 1312, and may further include an insulating member 1314 coupled to the main through hole 1312 and the sub through hole 1313 to insulate the terminal column 1611 and the terminal plate 1612 from the first cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the terminal column 1611 may pass through the insulating member 1314, and the terminal plate 1612 may be disposed on the insulating member 1314, and thus, the first terminal 161 may be insulated from the first cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 (i.e., the terminal column 1611 and the terminal plate 1612) can be made of a conductive metal, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. In some embodiments, the insulating member 1314 can include PP, PE, or EPDM. In some embodiments, the insulating member 1314 can be provided as a double injection with the first cover plate 131 as a whole.

[0056] The second terminal 162 may be provided as a whole with the first cover plate 131, or may be coupled to the first cover plate 131 in a short circuit state. In some embodiments, the first cover plate 131 may further include a second terminal accommodating protrusion 1315 and a second terminal accommodating recess 1316, and the second terminal 162 may be accommodated in the second terminal accommodating recess 1316 and coupled (e.g., welded) to the second terminal accommodating protrusion 1315. In some embodiments, the second terminal 162 may be made of a conductive metal, such as aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 and the second terminal 162 may be similar or identical in appearance. In some embodiments, the heights of the first terminal 161 and the second terminal 162 may be similar or identical.

[0057] The short side insulating plate 170 may be provided between the short side of the electrode assembly 110 and the short side of the housing 120. The short side insulating plate 170 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. In some embodiments, the short side insulating plate 170 may be between at least one of a pair of short sides of the electrode assembly 110 and the housing 120. In some embodiments, two short side insulating plates 170 may be provided on two short sides of the electrode assembly 110, respectively. In some embodiments, the short side insulating plate 170 may minimize or reduce the empty space between the short side of the electrode assembly 110 and the short side of the housing 120, so that when an external impact is applied to the secondary battery 100, the electrode assembly 110 may be prevented or substantially prevented from moving within the housing 120. In some embodiments, the short side insulating plate 170 may include PP, PE, or EPDM.

[0058] The safety vent 180 may be coupled to the exhaust hole 1321 provided in the second cover plate 132, as described above. In some embodiments, the thickness of the safety vent 180 may be less than the thickness of the second cover plate 132, and the safety vent 180 may also be provided with a plurality of notches. When the internal pressure of the housing 120 is greater than the reference pressure, the safety vent 180 may rupture so that the internal pressure of the housing 120 is similar to or equal to the atmospheric pressure. In some embodiments, the safety vent 180 may include aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0059] The liquid injection hole plug 192 may be coupled to the liquid injection hole 1311 of the first cover plate 131. After the injection of the electrolyte is completed through the liquid injection hole 1311 of the first cover plate 131, the liquid injection hole plug 192 may block the liquid injection hole 1311. In some embodiments, after the injection of the electrolyte is completed, a metal ball 191 having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the liquid injection hole 1311 may be coupled to the liquid injection hole 1311, and then the liquid injection hole plug 192 may be coupled to the fluid injection hole 1311 to prevent or substantially prevent leakage of the electrolyte. In some embodiments, the hardness of the metal ball 191 and the liquid injection hole plug 192 may be less than the hardness of the first cover plate 131, and therefore, the metal ball 191 and the liquid injection hole plug 192 may be elastically deformed and then coupled to the liquid injection hole 1311.

[0060] Therefore, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a plate-shaped current collector plate and a plate-shaped insulating plate may be respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the electrode assembly 110 to minimize or reduce a gap between the electrode assembly 110 and the cap plate, thereby minimizing or reducing movement of the electrode assembly 110 within the housing 120 even when an external impact is applied to the secondary battery 100. In one or more embodiments, the anti-vibration characteristics of the secondary battery 100 may be improved.

[0061] In addition, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab may be provided on two opposite sides of the electrode assembly 110, and thus, the flow of the charging current and the discharging current may be along the longitudinal direction of the secondary battery 100. In one or more embodiments, when the secondary battery 100 is charged and discharged, the charging current and the discharging current may flow in the longitudinal direction of the electrode assembly 110, and thus, all regions of the electrode assembly 110 may uniformly or substantially uniformly perform the charging and discharging of the secondary battery 100. Therefore, the energy density of the secondary battery 100 may be improved, and the current flow characteristics may also be improved.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a secondary battery is provided, in which a gap between an electrode assembly and a shell (cover plate) is minimized or reduced to improve anti-vibration performance, and a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly are provided at two ends facing each other in a longitudinal direction to improve energy density or current flow characteristics.

[0063] Although some example embodiments of secondary batteries are provided herein, the present disclosure is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly including a first terminal tab and a second terminal tab respectively at opposite ends of the electrode assembly in a longitudinal direction; a housing configured to accommodate the electrode assembly, and wherein a first opening and a second opening are respectively defined at opposite ends of the housing in the longitudinal direction; a first cap plate coupled to the first opening of the case and insulated from and penetrated by a first terminal electrically coupled to the first tab of the electrode assembly, the first cap plate including a second terminal electrically coupled to the second tab of the electrode assembly; and A second cap plate is coupled to the second opening of the case and is electrically coupled to the second tab of the electrode assembly. 2 . The secondary battery of claim 1 , further comprising a first current collector plate configured to electrically couple the first tab to the first terminal.

3. The secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein the first current collector plate comprises: a first collector plate flat portion, welded to the first terminal tab; and The first current collector plate is raised and welded to the first terminal. 4 . The secondary battery according to claim 3 , further comprising a first insulating plate between the first current collector plate and the first cap plate and comprising a first insulating plate through-hole through which the first current collector plate protrudes. 5 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , further comprising a second current collector plate configured to electrically couple the second tab to the second cap plate.

6. The secondary battery according to claim 5, wherein the second current collector plate comprises: a second current collector plate flat portion welded to the second terminal tab; and The second current collector plate is raised and welded to the second cover plate. 7 . The secondary battery according to claim 6 , further comprising a second insulating plate between the second current collector plate and the second cap plate and comprising a second insulating plate through-hole through which the second current collector plate protrudes. 8 . The secondary battery according to claim 7 , wherein the second cap plate comprises a vent hole and a safety vent coupled to the vent hole. 9 . The secondary battery according to claim 8 , wherein the second insulating plate comprises a vent through-hole in a region corresponding to the safety vent. 10 . The secondary battery of claim 6 , wherein the second cap plate comprises a second cap plate protrusion welded to a protrusion of the second current collector plate.

11. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the first cap plate comprises a main through hole through which the first terminal passes and sub through holes around the main through hole, and The first cap plate further includes an insulating member coupled to the main through hole and the sub through hole to insulate the first terminal from the first cap plate.

12. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the case includes a pair of long side portions and a pair of short side portions connected to the pair of long side portions, Wherein a welding line is provided on at least one of the pair of short sides.

13. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the electrode assembly includes a pair of long side portions and a pair of short side portions connected to the pair of long side portions, The secondary battery further includes a short side insulating plate between at least one of the pair of short sides and the case.

14. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the first cap plate further comprises a second terminal receiving recess and a second terminal receiving protrusion, The second terminal is received in the second terminal receiving recess and is coupled to the second terminal receiving protrusion. 15 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , wherein the first cap plate further comprises a liquid injection hole and a liquid injection hole plug configured to block the liquid injection hole. 16 . The secondary battery according to claim 1 , wherein each of the electrode assembly and the case has a vertical length greater than a horizontal width.

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