Secondary battery

Abstract

A secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, in which the electrode assembly has a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a pouch configured to surround the electrode assembly; and an inner support mounted between the pouch and the electrode assembly to support an inner side of the pouch.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0129001 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 26, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The embodiment is directed to a secondary battery that reduces or eliminates a phenomenon in which one end of a pouch is sucked inward. Background Art

[0004] In the secondary battery, a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode are wound or stacked to provide an electrode assembly, and then housed in a can or a bag together with an electrolyte to be sealed.

[0005] Typically, an electrode assembly includes a negative electrode plate on which a negative electrode active material layer is disposed on a film-shaped electrode current collector; and a positive electrode plate on which a positive electrode active material layer is disposed on a film-shaped electrode current collector. An uncoated portion on which an active material layer is not disposed may be disposed on each of the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate, and then the uncoated portion may be processed to provide a plurality of matrix material tabs. The plurality of matrix material tabs may be gathered to one side of the electrode assembly and welded to an external tab such as a strip terminal, and then bent to be inserted into a bag.

[0006] Secondary batteries are manufactured in various shapes. Among them, a pouch-type secondary battery includes an electrode assembly provided by interposing a separator as an insulator between a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate and a thin flexible pouch in which the electrode assembly is embedded. Here, the pouch can accommodate the electrode assembly in an inner space provided by bonding of edge portions.

[0007] The pouch may be made of an easily deformable material, and if the pouch type secondary battery is charged and discharged repeatedly, the electrolyte inside the pouch may be consumed to cause a phenomenon in which the pouch at one end facing the electrode assembly is sucked in a direction toward the electrode assembly.

[0008] The above information disclosed in the art used as background of the present disclosure is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure. Summary of the invention

[0009] An embodiment includes a secondary battery comprising: an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, wherein the electrode assembly has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; a bag configured to surround the electrode assembly; and an internal support member installed between the bag and the electrode assembly to support the inner side of the bag.

[0010] The electrode assembly may include a tab at the second end of the electrode assembly, and the internal support may be at the first end of the electrode assembly.

[0011] The internal support member may include: a support body, which is arranged to face the first end of the electrode assembly; a first wing member, which extends from the first end of the support body to surround a portion of one of the top surface and the bottom surface of the electrode assembly; and a second wing member, which extends from a second end of the support body opposite to the first end to surround a portion of the other of the top surface and the bottom surface of the electrode assembly.

[0012] The support body may be spaced apart from the first end of the electrode assembly to define an inner space.

[0013] A first connection portion between the support body and the first wing member may have a curved surface, and a second connection portion between the support body and the second wing member may have a curved surface.

[0014] An inner space may be defined between the inner support and the first end of the electrode assembly.

[0015] The inner support may be installed in a shape surrounding a portion of the first end of the electrode assembly.

[0016] An embodiment includes a secondary battery comprising: a bag defining a space therein; an electrode assembly contained in the bag and comprising a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and a terminal tab at a second end of the electrode assembly; and an internal support member at a first end of the electrode assembly opposite to the second end, wherein the internal support member is in the bag, and wherein the internal support member comprises a porous material.

[0017] The terminal tab may include: a positive electrode lead terminal tab, which contacts the positive electrode plate at the second end of the electrode assembly and protrudes outside the bag; and a negative electrode lead terminal tab, which contacts the negative electrode plate at the second end of the electrode assembly and protrudes outside the bag.

[0018] The porous material may include one of porous alumina, porous silica, porous ceramics, porous polymers, porous metals, porous nanomaterials, porous sponges, and porous synthetic resins.

[0019] The internal support may be between the pouch and the first end of the electrode assembly, and the internal support may support an inner side of the pouch and may be made of the porous material defining a space therein.

[0020] The inner support member may include: an adhesive layer adhered to the first end of the electrode assembly; and a shape maintaining portion fixed to the adhesive layer and made of the porous material.

[0021] The adhesive layer may include one of a thermosetting adhesive, a silicone adhesive, an acrylate adhesive, a polyurethane adhesive, a resin, and a rubber adhesive.

[0022] An area of ​​the adhesive layer may have an area smaller than or equal to an area of ​​the first end of the electrode assembly.

[0023] A surface of the shape maintaining portion that contacts the adhesive layer may be a flat surface, and a surface of the shape maintaining portion that faces the bag may include at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface.

[0024] The shape maintaining portion may include an inner hole to guide movement of the electrolyte.

[0025] The inner hole may have one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a cross shape.

[0026] The inner hole may extend in a width direction of the shape maintaining portion.

[0027] The inner support may be bonded to at least a partial area on the first end of the electrode assembly.

[0028] Partial areas of the inner support and the bag may be bonded to each other. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Features will become apparent to those skilled in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0030] Figure 1 A perspective view illustrating a secondary battery according to one or more embodiments;

[0031] Figure 2 An exploded perspective view illustrating a secondary battery according to one or more embodiments;

[0032] Figure 3A perspective view illustrating a state in which an internal support member is separated from an electrode assembly according to one or more embodiments;

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to one or more embodiments;

[0034] Figure 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to one or more embodiments;

[0035] Figure 6 illustrating a perspective view of an internal support according to one or more embodiments; and

[0036] Figures 7 to 10 A perspective view illustrating an inner hole defined in a shape retaining portion according to one or more embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Example embodiments will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be implemented in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey exemplary implementations to those skilled in the art.

[0038] 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 also be intervening layers. Further, it will be understood that if a layer is referred to as being "under" another layer, it can be directly under the other layer, 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.

[0039] As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more associated listed items. In this specification, it will also be understood that if component A is referred to as being connected to component B, component A can be directly connected to component B, or indirectly connected to component B with component C in between.

[0040] The terms used in this specification are for illustrative purposes only and should not be interpreted as limiting the meaning or scope of the present disclosure. As used in this specification, singular forms may include plural forms unless a particular case is clearly indicated in the context. In addition, "including" and / or "comprising" used in this specification only specify the existence of the shapes, quantities, processes, operations, components, elements and / or groups mentioned, but do not exclude the existence or addition of one or more other different shapes, quantities, processes, operations, components, elements and / or groups of these.

[0041] As used herein, terms such as "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various components, parts, regions, layers and / or parts. However, it is obvious that components, parts, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms do not mean a specific order, top or bottom, or priority, and are only 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 be referred to as the second component, component, region, layer or part.

[0042] For ease of description, spatially relative terms (such as "below," "under," "below," "above," "on," etc.) may be used herein to describe the relationship between an element or feature and another element or feature as illustrated in the figure. These spatially relative terms are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure according to the various process states or use states of the present disclosure, and therefore, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, if the elements or features shown in the drawings are turned upside down, the elements or features described as "below" or "below" may become "above" or "on." Therefore, the term "below" may encompass the terms "above" or "below."

[0043] Here, throughout the specification, parts with similar configuration and operation are indicated by the same reference numerals. In addition, in the following description, if any part is referred to as being "electrically connected" to another part, it should be understood that the former can be "directly connected" to the latter, or "connected" to the latter via an intermediate member.

[0044] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those having ordinary skill in the art can easily implement the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 1 A perspective view illustrating a secondary battery 100 according to one or more embodiments, Figure 2 An exploded perspective view illustrating a secondary battery 100 according to one or more embodiments, Figure 3A perspective view illustrating a state in which an inner supporter 150 is separated from an electrode assembly 110 according to one or more embodiments.

[0046] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the secondary battery 100 may include an electrode assembly 110, a bag 120, and an internal support 150. In some embodiments, the secondary battery 100 may further include at least one of a positive electrode lead tab 130, a negative electrode lead tab 140, a first insulating tape 141, and a second insulating tape 131. In one embodiment, the electrode assembly 110 may include a positive electrode lead tab 130 and a negative electrode lead tab 140. The secondary battery 100 according to the embodiment may add an internal support 150 in the internal space defined between the electrode assembly 110 and the bag 120 to suppress the phenomenon that the lower portion of the bag 120 is sucked inward.

[0047] The inner support 150 may be made of various materials such as metal, metal composite material, oxide, and polymer. The cross section of the inner support 150 may be provided as a support body 152, a first wing member 151, and a second wing member 153. (or "C") shape (for example, with square corners or rounded corners), and if necessary, can be modified into various shapes (including a rectangular shape).

[0048] The internal support 150 may be made of a porous sponge for absorbing shock and gas movement. In some embodiments, the internal support 150 may be made of a porous polymer, and a porous adhesive having pores may be applied to at least one of the front and rear surfaces of the internal support 150. In some embodiments, there may or may not be an empty space between the electrode assembly 110 and the internal support 150.

[0049] The electrode assembly 110 may be provided in a stacked type in which negative electrode plates, positive electrode plates, and separators 113 may be alternately stacked, or in a roll shape in which negative electrodes, positive electrodes, and separators 113 are wound. The electrode assembly 110 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be accommodated in a bag 120, and may be provided with a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and tabs may be disposed in one direction.

[0050] The electrode assembly 110 may be accommodated together with the electrolyte inside the bag 120. The electrolyte may include an organic solvent such as ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), or dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and a lithium salt such as LiPF6 or LiBF4.

[0051] The electrode assembly 110 may include a negative electrode plate as a first electrode plate, a positive electrode plate as a second electrode plate, and a separator 113 disposed between the negative electrode plate and the positive electrode plate. The positive electrode plate may include a positive electrode uncoated portion 112c electrically connected to the positive electrode lead tab 130, and the negative electrode plate may include a negative electrode uncoated portion 111c electrically connected to the negative electrode lead tab 140. The negative electrode lead tab 140 and the positive electrode lead tab 130 may be electrically connected to the outside by welding the negative electrode lead and the positive electrode lead to the external terminal. A first insulating tape 141 for insulation from the bag 120 may be attached to the negative electrode lead tab 140, and a second insulating tape 131 may be attached to the positive electrode lead tab 130 to be insulated from the bag 120.

[0052] The positive electrode plate may be made of aluminum (Al), and at least one surface of the positive electrode plate may be coated with a positive electrode active material such as a transition metal oxide. In some embodiments, a positive electrode uncoated portion 112c not coated with a positive electrode active material may be provided on one side of the positive electrode plate.

[0053] The negative electrode plate may be made of copper (Cu) or nickel (Ni), and at least one surface of the negative electrode plate may be coated with a negative electrode active material (such as graphite or carbon). In some embodiments, a negative electrode uncoated portion 111c not coated with a negative electrode active material may be provided on one side of the negative electrode plate.

[0054] The separator 113 may be made of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP), but the embodiment is not limited thereto. The separator 113 may prevent an electrical short circuit between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate and allow lithium ions to move freely.

[0055] The bag 120 may have a space defined therein and may be modified into various shapes within the technical concept surrounding the electrode assembly 110. The bag 120 may be made of a soft film. The bag 120 may be provided by folding a rectangular film extending in the first direction x to provide a case body 121 and a case cover 122.

[0056] The bag 120 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a housing body 121, a housing cover 122, and a folding portion 12. The housing body 121 may include a connecting film 123 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ). After the electrode assembly 110 is accommodated in the recess 121 b provided in the case body 121 , the case cover 122 may be rotated about the folded portion 124 , and may be coupled to the case body 121 and sealed.

[0057] In some embodiments, the housing cover 122, which may be a rectangular film extending in a first direction x when sealed, may rotate relative to the folding portion 124 extending in a second direction y, the second direction y being the width direction of the bag 120 perpendicular to the first direction x. In other embodiments, the housing body 121 and the housing cover 122 may be provided as separate components. In some embodiments, the folding portion 124 may not be provided. In some embodiments, the bag 120 may not be limited to an integrated type in which the housing body 121 and the housing cover 122 are provided on a single film. However, hereinafter, for ease of description, an example in which the housing body 121 and the housing cover 122 are provided on a rectangular film will be described.

[0058] In one or more embodiments, the housing body 121 may include a recess 121b and a sealing portion 121a. The housing body 121 may be provided with a recess 121b accommodating the electrode assembly 110 approximately at its center, and may include a sealing portion 121a extending approximately outward from three sides of the recess 121b. In some embodiments, the sealing portion 121a may extend outward from four sides of the recess 121b.

[0059] The sealing portion 121a may be a surface parallel to and coupled to the housing cover 122. For example, if the housing body 121 and the housing cover 122 are provided as separate components, the sealing portion 121a may also be provided on a region where the folding portion 124 is provided. In some embodiments, even if the housing body 121 and the housing cover 122 are integrated with each other, the sealing portion 121a may be provided on the housing body 121 adjacent to the folding portion 124. However, for ease of explanation, a case where the sealing portion 121a is not provided on the housing body 121 adjacent to the folding portion 124 will be described.

[0060] The housing cover 122 and the housing body 121 may be made of a multilayer film composed of a metal film and an insulating layer provided on each of one surface and the other (opposite) surface of the metal film. The housing cover 122 and the housing body 121 may define a surface as an inner surface with which the housing cover 122 and the housing body 121 may contact each other and an opposite surface as an outer surface.

[0061] The recess 121b of the case body 121 may be sized so that the electrode assembly 110 can be accommodated by a pressing or drawing process. In the case body 121, after the portion defining the recess 121b is covered by the case cover 122, the outer edge of the recess 121b and the outer edge of the case cover 122 may be thermally fused to each other. In the pouch 120, after the electrode assembly 110 is accommodated in the recess 121b, the edge region of the case body 121 and the edge region of the case cover 122 may be sealed to each other.

[0062] For convenience, the edge of the case body 121 may be defined as a sealing portion 121a, which is disposed outside about the center of the recess 121b on a plane and sealed by the edge of the case cover 122. The inner surface of the bag 120 may be provided as a hot melt layer made of a hot melt material.

[0063] The case cover 122 may have a rectangular flat shape. The case cover 122 may be connected to the case body 121 through a folding portion 124. The case cover 122 may cover an upper portion of the case body 121.

[0064] Figure 4 A side cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to one or more embodiments is illustrated. Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the internal support member 150 may be installed between the bag 120 and the electrode assembly 110, and may be modified into various shapes within the technical concept of supporting the inner side of the bag 120. The internal support member 150 may cover one surface (e.g., the top surface) of the electrode assembly 110 and at least a portion of the side surface of the electrode assembly 110 extending from the one surface. Here, the one surface of the electrode assembly 110 may be one end of the electrode assembly 110, and the terminal of the electrode assembly 110 is disposed on the end at a relative position. The internal support member 150 may have an area larger than the area of ​​the one surface of the electrode assembly 110.

[0065] In the secondary battery 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the tabs (e.g., the positive electrode lead tab 130 and the negative electrode lead tab 140) may be disposed in the direction of one end of the electrode assembly 110, and the internal support member 150 may be disposed in the direction of the other end (opposite end) of the electrode assembly 110 (the direction is the direction opposite to the tab). The internal support member 150 may be installed in a shape surrounding the other end (e.g., a portion of the other end) of the electrode assembly 110. In some embodiments, an internal space may be defined between the internal support member 150 and the other end of the electrode assembly 110.

[0066] The internal support member 150 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include a support body 152 facing the other end of the electrode assembly 110, a support body 152 extending from one end of the support body to surround one surface of the electrode assembly 110 (eg, Figure 4 The first wing member 151 extends from the other end (opposite end) of the support body to surround another surface of the electrode assembly 110 (eg, the top surface or the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 110 shown in FIG. 1 ) and extends from the other end (opposite end) of the support body to surround another surface of the electrode assembly 110 (eg, Figure 4 The second wing member 153 is formed on the other of the top surface and the bottom surface of the electrode assembly 110 shown.

[0067] A portion of the bag 120 facing the inner support 150 may provide a connection film 123. The connection film 123 may be used to connect the case cover 122 to the case body 121. The connection film 123 may be made of a material having the same ductility as that of the bag 120.

[0068] The support body 152 may be spaced apart from the other end of the electrode assembly 110 to define an inner space. A second space e2 may be defined between the inner support 150 including the support body 152 and the other end of the electrode assembly 110, and a first space e1 opposite to the second space e2 may be defined between one end of the electrode assembly 110 and the pouch 120.

[0069] For example, the connection between the support body and the first wing member may be as follows: Figure 4 As shown, the curved surface is provided, and the connection portion between the support body and the second wing member can be as shown. Figure 4 If the connection film 123 contacts the inner support 150 , the curved surface of the inner support 150 may contact the connection film 123 to prevent the connection film 123 from being damaged.

[0070] Figure 5 illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to one or more embodiments, Figure 6 A perspective view illustrating an internal support member according to one or more embodiments. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the internal support member 250 may be disposed at the other end of the electrode assembly 110 opposite to the terminal tab, and various modifications may be made within the technical concept of being contained in the bag 120 together with the electrode assembly 110. The internal support member 250 may be made of a porous material. In some embodiments, the internal support member 250 may have holes defined using a porous polymer or a porous adhesive. In other embodiments, the internal support member 250 may be made of porous alumina, ceramics (such as silicon dioxide), porous polymers (such as polypropylene (PP)) materials, porous synthetic resins, and the like. Because there are holes in the internal support member 250, the electrolyte can be easily moved. In some embodiments, because a portion of the electrolyte is present in each hole, the life of the secondary battery 200 can be increased. The hole shape defined in the internal support member 250 may be generated randomly or regularly.

[0071] In some examples, the inner support 250 may include any one of porous alumina, porous silica, porous ceramics, porous polymers, porous metals, porous nanomaterials, porous sponges, and porous synthetic resins.

[0072] Porous alumina can have excellent fire resistance and corrosion resistance, and can be used as an electrical insulator. Porous silica can have a high surface area, and can be used as a catalyst carrier or as a diaphragm and for filtration and adsorption. Porous ceramics can be used as thermal and electrical insulators, and can be used in environments requiring fire resistance and corrosion resistance. Porous polymers can be lightweight and chemically stable, and can be used in various fields (such as medical materials, diaphragms, and sound absorbing materials). Porous metals can be used as solid catalysts or gas adsorption materials, and can also be used as catalysts in chemical reactions. Porous nanomaterials can be nanostructured porous materials with special physical and chemical properties, and can be used in catalysts, sensors, and medical applications.

[0073] The internal support member 250 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be disposed between the pouch 120 and the electrode assembly 110. In some embodiments, the internal support member 250 may be made of a porous material that supports the inner side of the pouch 120 and defines a space therein. The internal support member 250 may include an adhesive layer 251 bonded to the other end of the electrode assembly 110 and a shape retaining portion 252 fixed to the adhesive layer 251 and made of a porous material.

[0074] The adhesive layer 251 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include one of a thermosetting adhesive, a silicone adhesive, an acrylate adhesive, a polyurethane adhesive, a resin, and a rubber adhesive.

[0075] Thermosetting adhesives may be adhesives that cure under the influence of heat and time and may have high resistance to electrolytes. Epoxy resin adhesives may belong to thermosetting adhesives and may maintain stability against electrolytes.

[0076] Silicone adhesives may have high chemical stability and thus may be used in a variety of environments. Silicone adhesives may have little interaction with electrolytes to maintain stable attachment.

[0077] Acrylate adhesives may have a fast curing speed and excellent heat resistance, and may be made of chemically stable materials.

[0078] Polyurethane adhesives may have excellent heat resistance and chemical resistance, but some types of polyurethane adhesives may have limited interaction with electrolytes.

[0079] Rubber adhesives can be flexible and have high chemical resistance, so they can be used in a variety of environments. There may also be rubber adhesives that have less interaction with the electrolyte.

[0080] Adhesive layer 251 may have an area less than or equal to that of the other end of electrode assembly 110. In some embodiments, adhesive layer 251 may be prevented from protruding outside the other end of electrode assembly 110 and from interfering with pouch 120 including connection film 123.

[0081] The adhesive layer 251 may be bonded to the electrode assembly 110, and the shape retaining portion 252 may be successively mounted on the adhesive layer 251. The shape retaining portion 252 may have a surface that is in contact with the adhesive layer 251 as a flat surface, and a surface facing the pouch 120 may include at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface. Since the shape retaining portion 252 in contact with the connection film 123 provides a curved surface, damage to the connection film 123 may be minimized.

[0082] The internal support member 250 may be bonded to at least a partial area of ​​one surface (e.g., the other end of the electrode assembly) of the electrode assembly 110. Bonding may be performed on the entire bonding layer 251. In some embodiments, bonding may be performed only on a partial area of ​​the bonding layer 251. In some embodiments, bonding may be performed in a state where the bonding layer 251 has an area smaller than that of the other end of the electrode assembly 110.

[0083] In some embodiments, some areas of the inner support 250 and the bag 120 may be bonded to each other. If the inner support 250 is installed toward the rear side ( Figure 5 The left side of the bag 120 (also referred to herein as the “other end” of the electrode assembly 110) has a convex shape, the upper portion of the internal support member 250 and a portion of the connecting film 123 can be bonded to each other, so that the internal support member 250 can be more stably fixed inside the bag 120.

[0084] The inner support 250 may be Figure 6 As shown, the bag 120 is provided in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the edge facing the bag 120 may be bent into a shape corresponding to the curved surface of the bag 120. In some embodiments, damage that may occur if the bag 120 contacts the inner support 250 may be prevented.

[0085] In the secondary battery 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the internal support member 250 may be installed between the bag 120 and the electrode assembly 110 and have a set volume, and thus, the phenomenon that one end of the bag is sucked inward due to the reduction of the electrolyte may be minimized. In some embodiments, since the electrolyte easily moves through the inner hole 253 provided in the internal support member 250, the suction phenomenon of the bag 120 may be prevented without affecting the performance of the secondary battery 100.

[0086] like Figure 6As shown, the inner hole 253 may have an elliptical or rectangular shape extending in the vertical direction, and may define a hole in the width direction of the shape retaining portion 252. The shape retaining portion 252 may be provided in plurality, and the distance between the inner holes 253 and the adjacent inner holes 253 may be spaced apart from each other by a set interval.

[0087] The inner hole 253 may have various shapes within the technical concept of guiding the movement of the electrolyte. The inner hole 253 may be defined as a hole in the width direction of the shape retaining portion 252. In some embodiments, the inner hole 253 may be modified in various ways, such as forming a hole not only in the width direction of the shape retaining portion 252 but also in the longitudinal direction of the shape retaining portion 252. In some embodiments, the inner hole 253 may be defined as a hole having one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a cross shape.

[0088] The inner hole 253 can be designed to facilitate the movement of the electrolyte. The electrolyte can flow through the inner hole 253, which may be necessary to cause an electrochemical reaction inside the battery.

[0089] In some embodiments, the inner pores 253 can extend the life of the battery by allowing moisture to penetrate into the electrolyte. The electrolyte can be guided into the inner pores 253 to support the secondary battery 200 and provide stability over a long period of time. The inner pores 253 can be generated randomly or regularly.

[0090] Figure 7 260 according to one or more embodiments. Figure 7 As shown, the inner hole 262 can be in the longitudinal direction ( Figure 7 The inner hole 262 may have a circular or elliptical shape and may be defined in the width direction (left-right direction) of the shape retaining portion 260 and the center. Figure 7 A hole in the front-to-back direction).

[0091] Figure 8 270 is illustrated as a perspective view of an inner hole 270 defined in a shape-retaining portion according to one or more embodiments. Figure 8 As shown, the inner hole 272 can be in the longitudinal direction ( Figure 8 The inner hole 272 may be a slit-shaped hole elongated to extend in the longitudinal direction, and the inner hole 272 may be in the width direction ( Figure 8 In some embodiments, the inner holes 272 may be provided in a plurality of rows in the shape retaining portion 270.

[0092] Fig. 9280 according to one or more embodiments. Fig. 9 As shown, the circular inner hole 282 may be provided in a zigzag shape in the side surface of the shape retaining portion 280, and the inner hole 282 may be provided in the width direction ( Fig. 9 Extends in the front-to-back direction).

[0093] Fig.10 290 according to one or more embodiments. Fig.10 As shown, inner holes 292 defining a cross-shaped hole may be defined in the side surface of the shape retaining portion 290 to be spaced apart from each other. The inner holes 292 may be formed in the longitudinal direction ( Fig.10 The inner holes 292 may be arranged at a set interval in the left-right direction of the shape maintaining portion 290, and the inner holes 292 may extend in the width direction of the shape maintaining portion 290.

[0094] In the secondary battery according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, since the inner support member is installed between the pouch and the electrode assembly and has a set volume, a phenomenon in which the end of the pouch is sucked inward due to a reduction in electrolyte may be minimized.

[0095] In the secondary battery according to various embodiments, since the electrolyte easily moves through the inner hole defined in the inner supporter, the phenomenon that the pouch is sucked in may be prevented from occurring without affecting the performance of the secondary battery.

[0096] Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and interpreted in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. In some cases, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art at the time of filing this application, features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in connection with other embodiments, unless otherwise specifically noted. Accordingly, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate 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 claims.

Claims

1. A secondary battery comprising: An electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, wherein the electrode assembly has a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; a bag configured to surround the electrode assembly; and An internal support member is installed between the pouch and the electrode assembly to support an inner side of the pouch.

2. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode assembly further includes a terminal tab at the second end of the electrode assembly, and The internal support is disposed at the first end of the electrode assembly.

3. The secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein the internal support member comprises: a supporting body disposed to face the first end of the electrode assembly; a first wing member extending from the first end of the support body to surround a portion of one of a top surface and a bottom surface of the electrode assembly; and A second wing member extends from a second end of the support body opposite to the first end to surround a portion of the other of the top surface and the bottom surface of the electrode assembly. 4 . The secondary battery according to claim 3 , wherein the support body is spaced apart from the first end of the electrode assembly to define an inner space.

5. The secondary battery according to claim 3, wherein: A first connection portion between the support body and the first wing member has a curved surface, and A second connection portion between the support body and the second wing member has a curved surface. 6 . The secondary battery according to claim 2 , wherein an internal space is defined between the internal support member and the first end of the electrode assembly. 7 . The secondary battery according to claim 2 , wherein the inner support member is installed in a shape surrounding a portion of the first end of the electrode assembly.

8. A secondary battery comprising: a bag, in which a space is defined; an electrode assembly accommodated in the pouch and comprising a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, a separator between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and a tab at a second end of the electrode assembly; and An internal support at a first end of the electrode assembly opposite the second end, wherein the internal support is in the pouch, and wherein the internal support comprises a porous material.

9. The secondary battery according to claim 8, wherein the terminal tab comprises: a positive electrode lead tab in contact with the positive electrode plate at the second end of the electrode assembly, the positive electrode lead tab protruding outside the bag; and A negative electrode lead tab contacts the negative electrode plate at the second end of the electrode assembly, the negative electrode lead tab protruding outside the pouch. 10 . The secondary battery according to claim 8 , wherein the porous material comprises one of porous alumina, porous silica, porous ceramics, porous polymers, porous metals, porous nanomaterials, porous sponges, and porous synthetic resins.

11. The secondary battery according to claim 8, wherein: The internal support is between the pouch and the first end of the electrode assembly, and The inner support supports the inner side of the bag and is made of the porous material defining a space therein.

12. The secondary battery according to claim 8, wherein the internal support member comprises: an adhesive layer, bonded to the first end of the electrode assembly; and A shape-retaining portion is fixed to the adhesive layer and is made of the porous material. 13 . The secondary battery according to claim 12 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises one of a thermosetting adhesive, a silicone adhesive, an acrylate adhesive, a urethane adhesive, a resin, and a rubber adhesive. 14 . The secondary battery of claim 12 , wherein the adhesive layer has an area smaller than or equal to an area of ​​the first end of the electrode assembly.

15. The secondary battery according to claim 12, wherein: The surface of the shape-retaining portion in contact with the adhesive layer is a flat surface, and A surface of the shape retaining portion facing the bag includes at least one of a flat surface and a curved surface. 16 . The secondary battery according to claim 12 , wherein the shape maintaining portion includes an inner hole to guide movement of an electrolyte. 17 . The secondary battery according to claim 16 , wherein the inner hole has one of a circular shape, an elliptical shape, and a cross shape. 18 . The secondary battery according to claim 16 , wherein the inner hole extends in a width direction of the shape maintaining portion. 19 . The secondary battery according to claim 8 , wherein the inner support member is bonded to at least a partial area on the first end of the electrode assembly. 20 . The secondary battery according to claim 8 , wherein partial regions of the inner support member and the pouch are bonded to each other.

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