Battery cell and method for manufacturing battery cell

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a battery cell and a method of manufacturing the same, the battery cell of the present disclosure comprising: an electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator; an exterior member that accommodates the electrode assembly therein; a notch part which is recessed from the inner side surface of the exterior member to the outside and is provided in the form of a groove; and a protruding portion that protrudes outward from an outer side surface of the exterior member provided in a direction opposite to the inner side surface, and that corresponds to the notch portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery cell and a method for manufacturing the battery cell, and more particularly to a battery cell having a notch in the form of a groove and a method for manufacturing the battery cell. Background Art

[0002] Secondary batteries are batteries that convert electrical energy into chemical energy and store it, and can be used repeatedly through charging and discharging. Secondary batteries are widely used in various industries due to their economic and environmental characteristics. In particular, lithium secondary batteries (Lithium Secondary Battery) are widely used in various industries including portable devices that require high-density energy.

[0003] The working principle of lithium secondary batteries is electrochemical redox reaction. That is, the working principle of lithium secondary batteries is to generate electricity through the movement of lithium ions (Lithium Ion), and to charge in the process opposite to this process. In the case of lithium secondary batteries, the phenomenon that lithium ions in the negative electrode (Anode) escape and move to the positive electrode (Cathode) through the electrolyte and the separator is called discharge. In addition, the process opposite to this phenomenon is called charging.

[0004] Secondary batteries may experience swelling during repeated charging and discharging, which may increase internal pressure and generate a large amount of heat. This swelling may cause explosion or fire, and thus a solution for controlling the internal pressure of secondary batteries is needed. Summary of the invention

[0005] 1. Technical issues to be resolved

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a battery cell which can improve stability by adjusting the internal pressure.

[0007] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a battery cell is provided, which improves production efficiency by integrally forming a notch portion with an exterior member.

[0008] The battery cell of the present disclosure can be widely used in electric vehicles, battery charging stations and other green technology fields such as solar power generation and wind power generation using batteries. In addition, the battery cell of the present disclosure can also be used in eco-friendly electric vehicles and hybrid vehicles that prevent climate change by suppressing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

[0009] (II) Technical solution

[0010] The battery cell disclosed herein includes: an electrode assembly, including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator; an outer casing, which accommodates the electrode assembly; a notch, which is recessed from the inner side surface of the outer casing toward the outside and is arranged in a groove form; and a protrusion, which protrudes outward from the outer side surface of the outer casing arranged in a direction opposite to the inner side surface and corresponds to the notch.

[0011] The exterior member may further include: a body portion accommodating the electrode assembly; and a cover portion covering the body portion and including a battery cell tab for electrically connecting the electrode assembly to the outside, and the notch portion may be provided at the body portion.

[0012] The exterior component may further include: a vent portion formed by recessing at least one of the inner side surface and an outer side surface arranged in a direction opposite to the inner side surface, and the notch portion and the vent portion may be overlapped along the direction in which the at least one surface is recessed.

[0013] The notch portion and the protrusion portion may be formed integrally with the exterior member.

[0014] The notch portion and the protrusion portion may include the same material as the exterior member.

[0015] A portion of the exhaust portion may be stepped.

[0016] The notch portion may be formed extending along one direction on the inner side surface.

[0017] The shapes of the notch portion and the protrusion portion may be changed according to the internal pressure of the exterior member.

[0018] When the internal pressure of the exterior member rises, the notch portion and the protrusion portion may be opened.

[0019] A length from the notch portion to the protrusion portion along a direction in which the notch portion is recessed may be 40% or less of a length of the exterior member.

[0020] The notch portion may be provided in plurality.

[0021] The protrusion may protrude further than the outer side surface of the exterior member in a direction from the inner side surface of the exterior member toward the outer side surface of the exterior member.

[0022] The manufacturing method of the battery cell disclosed in the present invention includes: a notch step of forming a notch portion in the form of a groove that is recessed outward from a surface of the exterior component; an inserting step of inserting the electrode assembly into the main body; and a covering step of covering the opening portion provided in the main body with the cover portion.

[0023] The method for manufacturing the battery cell may further include a vent forming step of pressurizing at least one of an inner side surface of the exterior member where the notch is provided and an outer side surface of the exterior member to form the vent.

[0024] The notching step may include: a forging step of forming a notched portion and a protrusion in a notched region of the exterior member; a bending step of bending the exterior member along a bending region of the exterior member; and a connecting step of connecting two different regions of the exterior member.

[0025] In the forging step, at least a portion of the protruding first pressurizing portion may pressurize one surface of the exterior member, and at least a portion of the recessed second pressurizing portion may pressurize the other surface of the exterior member.

[0026] (III) Beneficial effects

[0027] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a battery cell which can improve stability by adjusting the internal pressure.

[0028] Furthermore, a method for manufacturing a battery cell is provided, which improves production efficiency by integrally forming a notch portion with an exterior member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A battery cell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figures 3 to 6 A notched portion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figures 7 to 9 A battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figures 10a to 10c Various embodiments of the notched portion of the present disclosure are shown.

[0033] Fig.11 and Fig.12 A method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figures 13 to 15 Various steps of a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.

[0035] Description of Reference Numerals

[0036] 10: Battery Cell

[0037] 11: Battery cell tab

[0038] 12: Exterior parts

[0039] 13: Main body

[0040] 14: cover

[0041] 15: Opening

[0042] 20: Notch

[0043] 21: Protrusion

[0044] 30: Exhaust DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are merely exemplary and the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described exemplarily.

[0046] Specific terms used in this specification are only used to facilitate description and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments.

[0047] For example, expressions such as “same” and “identical” indicate not only a state of being strictly the same but also a state of being different in degree of tolerance or obtaining the same function.

[0048] For example, expressions such as "in a direction", "along a direction", "side by side", "vertical", "centered on", "concentric" or "coaxial" indicating a relative or absolute arrangement not only strictly indicate such an arrangement but also indicate a state of relative displacement at an angle or distance with a tolerance or a degree of obtaining the same function.

[0049] In order to describe the present disclosure, the following description is based on a spatial orthogonal coordinate system in which the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other. Each axial direction (X-axis direction, Y-axis direction, Z-axis direction) represents two directions in which each axis extends.

[0050] The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction mentioned below are used for description to more clearly understand the present disclosure, and of course, each direction may be defined differently according to different references.

[0051] The terms "first, second, third" and the like are used before the components mentioned below only to avoid confusion between the components, and have nothing to do with the order, importance or master-slave relationship between the components. For example, the present invention may include only the second component but not the first component.

[0052] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, an expression in the singular number used in this specification includes an expression in the plural number.

[0053] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A battery cell 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0054] The battery cell 10 described in this specification refers to a secondary battery that can be repeatedly used by charging and discharging electric energy. As an example, the battery cell 10 may be a lithium secondary battery, but is not limited thereto.

[0055] The battery cell 10 may be classified into a pouch-type secondary battery, a prismatic secondary battery, or a cylindrical secondary battery according to its shape. Figure 1 For the convenience of description, the present specification takes a prismatic secondary battery as an example for description, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0056] The battery cell 10 of the present disclosure includes: an electrode assembly 150 including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator; an outer casing 12 accommodating the electrode assembly 150 therein; and a notch portion 20 ( Figure 4 ) and the protrusion 21 ( Figure 5 ), the notch portion 20 is recessed from the inner side of the outer casing 12 facing the electrode assembly 150 toward the outside and is arranged in a groove shape.

[0057] The battery cell 10 includes an electrode assembly 150. Figure 2 The electrode assembly 150 may include a positive electrode 151, a negative electrode 153, and a separator 152. According to the stacking manner of the positive electrode 151, the negative electrode 153, and the separator 152, the electrode assembly 150 may be classified into a stacking type, a winding type, a stack-folding type, and a Z-stack type.

[0058] The type of the electrode assembly 150 included in the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure is not limited. In other words, the electrode assembly 150 included in the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may be an electrode assembly 150 manufactured by one of a stacking type, a winding type, a stack-folding type, and a Z-stack type.

[0059] The positive electrode 151 and the negative electrode 153 may include a current collector. The positive electrode 151 may include a positive electrode 151 current collector, and the negative electrode 153 may include a negative electrode 153 current collector. The current collector may include a known conductive material within the range that does not cause a chemical reaction in the lithium secondary battery. For example, the current collector may include one of stainless steel, nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), titanium (Ti), copper (Cu) and alloys thereof, and may be provided in various forms such as a film, a sheet, and a foil.

[0060] The positive electrode 151 and the negative electrode 153 may include active materials. The positive electrode 151 may include a positive electrode 151 active material, and the negative electrode 153 may include a negative electrode 153 active material. The positive electrode 151 active material may be a material in which lithium ions can be intercalated and deintercalated, and the negative electrode 153 active material may be a material in which lithium ions can be adsorbed and deintercalated. For example, the positive electrode 151 active material may be a lithium metal oxide, and the negative electrode 153 active material may be one of a carbon-based material such as crystalline carbon, amorphous carbon, a carbon composite material, and a carbon fiber, a lithium alloy, silicon (Si), and tin (Sn).

[0061] In addition, the positive electrode 151 and the negative electrode 153 may further include a binder and a conductive material, respectively, to improve mechanical stability and conductivity.

[0062] The separator 152 may be configured to prevent electrical short circuit between the positive electrode 151 and the negative electrode 153 and allow ion flow. The type of the separator is not particularly limited and may include a porous polymer film. For example, the separator may include a porous polymer film or a porous nonwoven fabric.

[0063] The electrolyte may include an electrolyte. The electrolyte may be a non-aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte may include a lithium salt and an organic solvent. The electrolyte may further include an additive. The additive may form a film on the positive electrode or the negative electrode through a chemical reaction inside the battery. For example, a positive electrode interface film may be formed on the positive electrode, and a negative electrode interface film may be formed on the negative electrode.

[0064] Reference Figure 2 , the outer casing 12 may contain the electrode assembly 150 inside. The outer casing 12 may contain the electrode assembly and the electrolyte inside. The outer casing 12 may include an outer insulating layer and an inner adhesive layer made of a polymer material and a metal layer interposed between the outer insulating layer and the inner adhesive layer. The outer casing 12 may include a material with high mechanical rigidity to protect the battery cell 10 from external impact. For example, the outer casing 12 may include an aluminum layer.

[0065] The exterior member 12 may include a body portion 13 accommodating the electrode assembly and cover portions 14a, 14b covering the body portion 13. The cover portion 14 may include a cell tab 11 for electrically connecting the electrode assembly to the outside.

[0066] Reference Figure 2 The main body 13 may include an opening 15. Both sides of the main body 13 may be open. Figure 2, both sides of the main body 13 may be open in the Y direction. The electrode assembly and the electrolyte may be accommodated inside the outer casing 12 through the opening 15. For example, the main body 13 may have a hexahedral shape, and both sides thereof may be open in the Y direction. Both sides of the opening of the main body 13 may be covered by the cover 14. The main body 13 and the cover 14 may be combined to close the accommodation space of the outer casing 12.

[0067] The cover parts 14a, 14b may cover the main body 13. In other words, the cover parts 14a, 14b may cover both sides of the opening of the main body 13 to protect components accommodated inside the main body 13. The main body 13 and the cover parts 14a, 14b may be combined or sealed with each other.

[0068] The battery cell 10 may further include a battery cell tab 11 protruding to the outside of the exterior member 12 to electrically connect to the outside. The battery cell tab 11 may be provided on the cover portion 14. The battery cell 10 may include a plurality of cover portions 14a, 14b and a plurality of battery cell tabs 11a, 11b. The plurality of cover portions 14a, 14b each include a corresponding battery cell tab 11a, 11b.

[0069] The battery cell tabs 11 may be respectively connected to the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the battery cell 10. The battery cell tabs 11 may include a positive electrode tab 11a connected to the positive electrode and a negative electrode tab 11b connected to the negative electrode.

[0070] Figures 3 to 6 A notched portion according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0071] Reference Figure 3 The battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may include a protrusion 21 protruding from the outer side of the exterior member to the outside. The protrusion 21 may protrude further than the outer side surface of the exterior member.

[0072] Figure 4 The inner side of the battery cell having a notch is shown. Figure 4 The battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may include a notch portion 20, which is recessed from the inner side of the outer member 12 to the outside and is arranged in a groove form. The notch portion 20 may be formed overlapping with the protrusion 21 in the direction toward the outside inside the battery cell. The bottom surface of the notch portion may be a flat surface.

[0073] The battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may include a notch portion 20 provided on one surface of the exterior member 12. The notch portion 20 may be provided on the inner side surface of the exterior member 12. The notch portion 20 may be provided on the main body portion 13 of the exterior member 12.

[0074] The notch portion 20 may be arranged in a groove shape from the inner side toward the outer side. In other words, the notch portion 20 may be arranged in a groove shape by being recessed from the inner side toward the outer side.

[0075] The outer casing 12 may include an inner space for accommodating the electrode assembly. The inner side surface of the outer casing 12 may form one side of the inner space. That is, the notch portion 20 may be formed by being recessed to a predetermined depth inside the outer casing 12 toward the outside.

[0076] The battery cell 10 of the present disclosure can adjust the internal pressure through the notch portion 20. The battery cell 10 can be used multiple times by repeated charging and discharging. The gas generated during this process may increase the internal pressure of the battery cell 10. If the gas is allowed to continue to exist without being discharged, the battery cell 10 may explode. Therefore, it is necessary to properly adjust the pressure of the battery cell 10 to ensure the safe use of the battery cell 10.

[0077] The notch 20 may be provided on one surface of the exterior member 12 so that the gas is discharged through the notch 20. In other words, the shape of the notch 20 may be changed according to the internal pressure of the exterior member 12. In addition, the shape of the protrusion 21 may be changed according to the internal pressure of the exterior member 12.

[0078] When the internal pressure of the outer covering member 12 increases and reaches the rupture pressure, the notch portion 20 and the protrusion portion 21 may be opened. The rupture pressure is a pressure at which the notch portion 20 and the protrusion portion 21 rupture to open.

[0079] Therefore, when the internal pressure of the outer casing 12 is lower than the burst pressure, the shape of the notch 20 is maintained. When the internal pressure of the outer casing 12 rises to above the burst pressure due to continued use of the battery cell, the shape of the notch 20 may change. Specifically, the notch 20 opens, allowing the internal gas to be discharged to the outside, thereby causing the internal pressure to drop.

[0080] Compared with other regions of the battery cell, the notch portion 20 can be ruptured at a relatively low pressure. Thus, the battery cell 10 can be prevented from being damaged. Other regions of the battery cell 10 other than the notch portion 20 can be prevented from being ruptured.

[0081] The notch portion 20 may be formed by extending in one direction on the inner side. Figure 6 The notch 20 may be formed to extend in the Y direction. At least a portion of the notch 20 may be formed to extend in one direction. Thus, the two sides of the notch 20 may be spaced apart, so that the gas inside may be easily discharged.

[0082] A plurality of notches 20 may be provided. Thus, the pressure of the battery cell 10 can be rapidly reduced, thereby preventing the battery cell 10 from exploding.

[0083] In particular, the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may be provided with a notch 20 on the inner side surface of the exterior member 12. By providing the notch 20 on the inner side surface of the exterior member 12 instead of providing the notch 20 on the outer side surface, it is possible to react sensitively to pressure changes. When the notch 20 is provided on the outer side surface, the inner side surface is still a flat surface, so even if the internal pressure changes, the notch 20 will not open. In other words, an opening form different from the design intention of the battery cell may be achieved.

[0084] On the contrary, when the notch 20 is provided on the inner side, the notch 20 is pressurized when the pressure rises, so that cracks appear in the notch 20. When the internal pressure gradually increases and reaches the bursting pressure, the notch 20 provided on the inner side is easily opened.

[0085] The notch portion 20 may be provided in the main body portion 13. The notch portion 20 may be formed integrally with the main body portion 13. In other words, the notch portion 20 is not manufactured separately and then joined to the main body portion 13, but may be formed in a predetermined area of ​​the main body portion 13 by stamping.

[0086] The main body 13 can be formed to have a smaller thickness by the cover parts 14a and 14b. The notch 20 is formed in the main body 13, so it can be easily formed. In addition, when the notch 20 is formed by stamping, the notch 20 can be formed in any area of ​​the main body. Therefore, there are more options for the position of the notch 20, and the position of the notch 20 can be freely changed according to user requirements.

[0087] Reference Figure 5 and Figure 6 The protrusion 21 may be provided on the outer side of the exterior member 12. The protrusion 21 may correspond to the notch 20 and may protrude outward. In other words, along the direction from the inner side of the main body 13 to the outer side, the notch 20 and the protrusion 21 may be overlapped.

[0088] In the direction from the inner side surface of the exterior member 12 to the outer side surface of the exterior member 12, the protrusion may protrude further than the outer side surface of the exterior member 12. Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the Z direction, the protrusion 21 can be farther from the inner side surface of the exterior member 12 than the outer side surface of the exterior member 12. Thus, the user can easily predict the opening position of the exterior member 12.

[0089] The protrusion 21 can induce a rupture path of the outer member. In other words, when the notch 20 is ruptured on the inner side of the outer member, the outer side of the outer member can be ruptured along the protrusion 21.

[0090] The protrusion 21 can guide the damage path of the outer member. When the notch 20 is broken and the outer member 12 is opened, the outer member can be opened along the protrusion 21. Therefore, the user can easily predict the opening position of the outer member through the protrusion 21, and the opening area of ​​the outer member can be limited to a certain range.

[0091] In the direction in which the notch is recessed, the length from the notch to the protrusion may be less than 40% of the length of the exterior member. Figure 5 The thickness L1 of the exterior member 12 having the notch portion 20 formed therein may be 40% or less of the thickness L2 of the exterior member 12 having no notch portion 20 formed therein.

[0092] The length of the exterior member along the direction in which the notch 20 is recessed refers to the thickness of the exterior member. When the notch 20 is formed in the main body 13, the thickness of the exterior member may refer to the thickness of the main body 13. In addition, the thickness of the exterior member 12 may also refer to the thickness of one surface of the main body 13 where the notch is formed.

[0093] The main body 13 may include a plurality of faces, and the notch 20 and the protrusion 21 may be formed on one of the plurality of faces. At this time, the length of the exterior member 12 compared with the length from the notch to the protrusion may refer to the thickness of one face of the main body 13 where the notch 20 and the protrusion 21 are formed. In other words, the length from the notch 20 to the protrusion 21 may be 40% or less of the thickness of one region of the main body 13 adjacent to the notch 20 and the protrusion 21.

[0094] When the thickness of the outer member forming the notch portion 20 is relatively thick, the notch portion 20 may not be broken even if the pressure of the battery cell 10 increases. On the other hand, when the thickness of the outer member forming the notch portion 20 is relatively thin, the notch portion 20 may be broken even if the pressure of the battery cell 10 increases relatively slightly, which brings inconvenience to the use of the battery cell 10.

[0095] In other words, the thickness of the notch portion 20 should be set to an appropriate thickness to prevent the battery cell 10 from being damaged and to continue using the battery cell 10 .

[0096] The notch 20 and the protrusion 21 may be formed integrally with the exterior member 12. In other words, the notch 20 and the protrusion 21 are not manufactured separately and then combined with one region of the exterior member 12, but the notch 20 and the protrusion 21 may be manufactured by a stamping process in one region of the exterior member 12. Thus, the manufacturing efficiency may be improved and the manufacturing cost may be reduced.

[0097] In addition, the notch portion 20 and the protrusion portion 21 may include the same material as the exterior member 12. For example, when the exterior member 12 includes aluminum, the notch portion 20 and the protrusion portion 21 may include aluminum. This is because the notch portion 20 and the protrusion portion 21 are formed integrally with the exterior member 12. Since the notch portion 20 and the protrusion portion 21 include the same material as the exterior member 12, the electrode assembly 150 can be stably protected from external pressure.

[0098] Figures 7 to 9 A battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0099] The exterior member 12 may further include a vent portion 30. The vent portion 30 may be formed by recessing at least one of an inner side surface of the exterior member 12 and an outer side surface disposed in a direction opposite to the inner side surface.

[0100] The notch portion and the vent portion may be arranged to overlap along the direction in which the vent portion 30 is recessed. In other words, the notch portion may be located inside the vent portion.

[0101] The purpose of the vent portion 30 is to reduce the thickness of the exterior member 12. Thus, when the internal pressure of the battery cell 10 increases, the notch portion 20 can be easily opened.

[0102] The thickness of a region of the exterior member where the vent portion is provided is relatively thin, and therefore can be ruptured at a lower pressure than a region of the exterior member where the vent portion is not provided.

[0103] In an embodiment, the exhaust portion 30 may be located in the main body portion 13 of the exterior member 12 . Therefore, the internal gas of the battery cell may be exhausted from the main body portion 13 .

[0104] The thickness of the vent portion 30 of the battery cell 10 is relatively thin, so it can easily react to pressure changes. In particular, the notch portion 20 and the vent portion 30 are arranged to overlap, so the notch portion 20 can react more sensitively to pressure changes in the battery cell 10 than other regions.

[0105] Reference Figure 7 The exhaust portion 30 can be set on the outer side of the outer member 12. The position of the notch portion 20 can be indirectly determined by the position of the exhaust portion 30. The notch portion 20 is set on the inner side and cannot be observed from the outside. In this way, the position with other battery cells 10 can be adjusted in consideration of the exhaust of gas.

[0106] Reference Figure 8, a plurality of exhaust parts may be provided. The exhaust part may include an exhaust part 30a provided on the outer side of the outer member 12 and an exhaust part 30b provided on the inner side of the outer member 12. In this case, the notch part 20 may be provided on the inner side of the exhaust part 30b. The thickness of the area adjacent to the notch part 20 is relatively thin, so that it can react sensitively to pressure changes.

[0107] Reference Fig. 9 , a part of the exhaust portion 30b may be stepped. The recessed depth of the exhaust portion 30b may be different along the recessed direction. For example, the exhaust portion 30b may be stepped so that the thickness of the outer member 12 becomes thinner in sequence. Thus, the thickness of the outer member 12 may be finely adjusted so that the notch portion 20 may react sensitively to pressure changes.

[0108] The notch portion 20 may be formed extending in one direction on the inner side surface. The notch portion 20 may be formed in various shapes. The protrusion portion 21 corresponding to the notch portion 20 may also be formed in various shapes.

[0109] At least a portion of the notch 20 may be formed to extend in one direction, so that the two side surfaces of the notch 20 can be spaced apart, and the gas inside can be easily discharged.

[0110] One side of the pressurizing portion that pressurizes the inner side surface may be formed in a protruding shape, so that the protruding pressurizing portion presses the inner side surface to form the notch portion 20 .

[0111] Figures 10a to 10c Various embodiments of the notched portion of the present disclosure are shown.

[0112] The notch portion 20 may be formed in various shapes. The protrusion portion 21 corresponding to the notch portion 20 may also be formed in various shapes. Fig.10a , the central area of ​​the protrusion 21 extends in one direction, and one end and the other end thereof may be lines having curvature. Fig.10b , the central area of ​​the protrusion 21 extends in one direction, and one end and the other end thereof may be straight lines. Fig.10c The central area of ​​the protrusion 21 extends in one direction and may further include a line having an arc shape. The shape of the protrusion 21 is not limited as long as the protrusion 21 can be opened from the inner side surface of the exterior member to the outer side surface.

[0113] A method of manufacturing the battery cell 10 according to the present disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0114] Fig.11 and Fig.12 A method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0115] Reference Fig.11 , the manufacturing method of the battery cell 10 according to the present disclosure includes a notching step S30 , an inserting step S50 , and a covering step S70 .

[0116] In the notching step S30, the notch portion 20 and the protrusion 21 may be formed on one surface of the exterior member 12. In the notching step S30, the notch portion in the form of a groove recessed outward from one surface of the exterior member may be formed.

[0117] Reference Fig.12 , the notching step S30 may include a forging step S31 , a bending step S33 , and a connecting step S35 .

[0118] Figures 13 to 15 Various steps of a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown.

[0119] Reference Fig.13 , the outer casing 12 may include a notch region 12_1 and a curved region 12_2. A notch portion 20 and a protrusion 21 may be formed in the notch region 12_1. The outer casing may be bent along the curved region 12_2 to form a receiving space inside. A plurality of curved regions 12_2 may be provided. The curved region 12_2 may be formed along one direction of the outer casing.

[0120] Reference Fig.14 In the forging step S31, the notch portion 20 and the protrusion 21 may be formed in the notch area 12_1 of the outer component 12. In the forging step S31, the outer component 12 may be forged by pressurizing the pressurizing parts 110 and 120. In the forging step S31, the pressurizing parts 110 and 120 may pressurize both sides of the outer component 12 to form the notch portion 20 and the protrusion 21. The pressurizing parts 110 and 120 may pressurize the notch area 12_1 preset in the outer component 12. The outer component 12 may be inserted between the pressurizing parts 110 and 120, so that the pressurizing parts 110 and 120 may pressurize both side surfaces of the outer component 12. Thus, the notch portion 20 and the protrusion 21 having a relatively thin thickness may be formed.

[0121] Reference Fig.14 The pressurizing parts 110 and 120 may include a first pressurizing part 110 having at least a portion of one surface protruding and a second pressurizing part 120 having at least a portion of one surface recessed. The first pressurizing part 110 may pressurize one surface of the exterior member 12, and the second pressurizing part 120 may pressurize the other surface of the exterior member 12. The shapes of the notch part 20 and the protrusion part 21 may vary according to the shapes of the first pressurizing part 110 and the second pressurizing part 120.

[0122] After the forging step S31, a bending step S33 may be performed. In the bending step S33, the outer member may be bent along the bending region of the outer member. After the notch region 12_1 is forged by the pressurizing parts 110, 120, the outer member 12 may be bent. The outer member 12 may be bent so that one edge of the outer member 12 and another edge opposite to the one edge meet. For example, the outer member may be bent to form a hexahedral shape with two sides open.

[0123] After the bending step S33, a connecting step S35 may be performed. In the connecting step, different regions of the exterior components may be connected. The method of connecting the exterior components is not limited to a particular method. The exterior components may be connected to each other by welding, bonding (brazing), or adhesion.

[0124] For example, refer to Fig.15 , the outer casing can be connected by laser 130. The laser can weld the two edges of the outer casing. Thus, the inner space and the outer space of the outer casing can be separated.

[0125] Reference Fig.11 After the notching step S30, the inserting step S50 may be performed. Through the inserting step S50, the electrode assembly may be inserted into the main body 13. After the inserting step S50, the covering step S70 may be performed, in which the cover part covers the opening provided in the main body. After the electrode assembly is inserted into the main body 13, the cover part 14 may cover the main body 13. Thus, the electrode assembly may be stably accommodated inside the exterior member 12.

[0126] Reference Fig.11 The manufacturing method of the battery cell 10 of the present disclosure may further include a vent forming step S10. In the vent forming step S10, at least one of the inner side surface of the exterior member 12 and the outer side surface of the exterior member 12 may be pressurized to form the vent 30.

[0127] The pressurizing unit may pressurize one surface of the outer member to form the vent. The vent forming step S10 may be performed simultaneously with the notch step S30. The outer member 12 may be pressurized by a pressurizing unit protruding on one side to form the notch, and the vent 30 may be formed by recessing one area of ​​the outer member 12.

[0128] The present disclosure can be implemented in various forms, and the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Therefore, if the modified embodiments include the constituent elements of the present disclosure, they should be regarded as belonging to the scope of rights of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A battery cell, comprising: An electrode assembly, including a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator; An outer casing, accommodating the electrode assembly therein; A notch portion is provided in a groove shape and is recessed from the inner side surface of the outer component toward the outside; as well as The protrusion protrudes outward from the outer surface of the exterior member disposed in a direction opposite to the inner surface and corresponds to the notch.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The exterior component further comprises: a main body portion, accommodating the electrode assembly; and a cover portion covering the main body portion and including a battery cell tab for electrically connecting the electrode assembly to the outside, The notch portion is provided on the main body portion.

3. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The exterior component further comprises: The exhaust portion is formed by recessing at least one of the inner side surface and the outer side surface arranged in the direction opposite to the inner side surface. Along the direction in which the at least one surface is concave, the notch portion and the exhaust portion are overlapped.

4. The battery cell according to claim 3, wherein: A portion of the exhaust portion is stepped.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The notch portion and the protrusion portion include the same material as the exterior member.

6. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The notch portion and the protrusion portion are formed integrally with the exterior member.

7. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The notch portion is formed on the inner side surface and extends in one direction.

8. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The shapes of the notch portion and the protrusion portion vary according to the internal pressure of the exterior member.

9. The battery cell according to claim 8, wherein: When the internal pressure of the exterior member increases, the notch portion and the protrusion portion are opened.

10. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: A length from the notch portion to the protrusion portion along a direction in which the notch portion is recessed is 40% or less of a length of the exterior member.

11. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: A plurality of notch portions are provided.

12. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: In a direction from the inner side surface of the exterior member to the outer side surface of the exterior member, the protrusion protrudes further than the outer side surface of the exterior member.

13. A method for manufacturing a battery cell, the battery cell comprising an electrode assembly and an outer casing, the electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator, the outer casing comprising a main body for accommodating the electrode assembly and a cover for covering the main body, the method for manufacturing the battery cell comprising: a notch step of forming a notch portion in the form of a groove that is recessed outward from one surface of the exterior member; An inserting step of inserting the electrode assembly into the main body; as well as In the covering step, the cover covers the opening provided in the main body.

14. The method for manufacturing a battery cell according to claim 13, further comprising: The exhaust portion forming step is to pressurize at least one of an inner side surface of the exterior member where the notch portion is provided and an outer side surface of the exterior member to form the exhaust portion.

15. The method for manufacturing a battery cell according to claim 13, wherein: The notching step includes: A step of forming a notch portion and a protrusion portion in a notch region of the exterior member; The step of bending the exterior member along a bending region of the exterior member; and The step of connecting two different areas of the exterior component.

16. The method for manufacturing a battery cell according to claim 15, wherein: In the step of forming the notch and the protrusion in the notch region of the exterior member, at least a portion of the protruding first pressurizing portion presses one surface of the exterior member, and at least a portion of the recessed second pressurizing portion presses the other surface of the exterior member.

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