Secondary battery

Abstract

A secondary battery is provided. The secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate; a case for accommodating the electrode assembly and having one open side; a cover plate connected to the housing at one opening side; a first terminal and a second terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and coupled to the cap plate; and a lower insulator at a lower portion of the electrode assembly between the electrode assembly and the other side of the case opposite to the side facing the cover plate in the longitudinal direction, and including an inclined portion corresponding to a direction of the electrode assembly at at least one edge of an upper end of the lower insulator.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0145785 filed on October 27, 2023, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. Technical Field

[0002] Aspects of the embodiments relate to a secondary battery. Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable. Among secondary batteries, low-capacity batteries including battery cells in the form of groups can be used in portable small electronic devices (such as smart phones and digital cameras). High-capacity battery modules that can include tens to hundreds of battery packs connected to each other can be used as a power source for driving motors (e.g., driving motors of hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, etc.).

[0004] 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 blocking the case, and the terminal passes through the cap plate to be combined.

[0005] The above information disclosed in the art serving as the background of the present disclosure is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and may contain information that does not constitute the prior art. Summary of the invention

[0006] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a secondary battery improved in stability by being configured to support an electrode assembly and by being configured to allow gas ventilation.

[0007] Aspects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above limitations, and other issues not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate; a shell for accommodating the electrode assembly and having an open side; a cover plate coupled to the shell at the one open side; a first terminal and a second terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and coupled to the cover plate; and a lower insulating member, at a lower portion of the electrode assembly, located between the electrode assembly and the other side of the shell opposite to the side facing the cover plate in the longitudinal direction, and at least one edge of the upper end of the lower insulating member includes an inclined portion corresponding to the direction of the electrode assembly.

[0009] The inclined portion of the lower insulator may be inclined from an upper end toward a lower end of the lower insulator such that a plan area of ​​an upper end surface of the lower insulator is smaller than a plan area of ​​a lower end surface of the lower insulator.

[0010] The inclined portion may be flat.

[0011] The inclined portion may be located inwardly from an outer edge of the lower insulator.

[0012] The inclined portion may include a stepped portion.

[0013] The lower insulator may have a rectangular plate shape including a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides connected to the pair of long sides, wherein the inclined portions are located at edges of the pair of long sides.

[0014] A central region of the lower insulator may define an opening, wherein the support portion is located on a surface of the lower insulator excluding the opening and the inclined portion.

[0015] The support portion may contact the electrode assembly.

[0016] A space may be defined between the electrode assembly and the lower insulator due to the inclined portion.

[0017] An interior of the support portion of the lower insulator may define an empty space.

[0018] A lower end surface of the support portion of the lower insulator may define a groove.

[0019] The case may include another opening side opposite to the one opening side in the longitudinal direction, wherein the secondary battery is further coupled to a bottom plate of the case at the other opening side of the case.

[0020] The base plate may define a vent therein having a safety vent.

[0021] The lower insulator may define an exhaust through-hole corresponding to a position of the exhaust hole.

[0022] The size of the exhaust through-hole may be greater than or equal to the size of the exhaust hole.

[0023] The first and second electrode plates may include first and second electrode tabs, respectively, in a direction of the cap plate, wherein the secondary battery further includes first and second current collector plates electrically coupled to the first and second electrode tabs, respectively.

[0024] The first terminal may include a first terminal column and a first terminal plate, the first terminal column is coupled to one side of the cover plate, the first terminal plate is coupled to the first terminal column and is exposed, wherein the second terminal includes a second terminal column and a second terminal plate, the second terminal column is coupled to the other side of the cover plate, the second terminal plate is coupled to the second terminal column and is exposed.

[0025] The first collector plate may be interposed between the electrode assembly and one side of the cap plate to electrically connect the first electrode tab to the first terminal, wherein the second collector plate is interposed between the electrode assembly and the other side of the cap plate to electrically connect the second electrode tab to the second terminal.

[0026] One side of the cover plate may define a first through hole and a first coupling groove, the first terminal column passes through the first through hole, and the first insulating member is coupled to the first coupling groove to provide insulation with the first terminal, wherein the other side of the cover plate defines a second through hole and a second coupling groove, the second terminal column passes through the second through hole, and the second insulating member is coupled to the second coupling groove to provide insulation with the second terminal.

[0027] The secondary battery may further include an upper insulator located between the cap plate and the first and second current collector plates and defining an opening through which the first and second terminal columns pass. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and together with the specification describe aspects and features of the present disclosure. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly of a secondary battery according to an embodiment; Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a lower insulating member of a secondary battery according to an embodiment; Figure 6 is an enlarged right side view of a portion of a lower insulating member of a secondary battery according to an embodiment; Figure 7 is an enlarged left side view of a portion of a lower insulating member of a secondary battery according to other embodiments; and Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a lower insulating member of a secondary battery according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] Although some example embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein to more fully explain the present disclosure to those skilled in the art, the following examples may be modified in various other forms. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and are not to be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that those skilled in the art may thoroughly understand the present disclosure. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the embodiments of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0030] In some embodiments, in the following figures, for the convenience and clarity of description, the thickness or size of the components or layers may be exaggerated, and the same reference numerals in the figures refer to the same elements. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. In this specification, it will also be understood that if component A is referred to as being connected to component B, then component A may be directly connected to component B, or indirectly connected to component B and one or more components C are located between them.

[0031] The terms used in this specification are for illustrative purposes of the present disclosure, and should not be construed as limiting the meaning or scope of the present disclosure. As used in this specification, unless a particular situation is clearly indicated in terms of context, the singular form may include the plural form. In addition, the expression "include / comprise" and / or its variations used in this specification neither limit the shapes, quantities, steps, operations, members, elements and / or these groups mentioned, nor exclude the existence or addition of one or more other different shapes, quantities, steps, operations, members, elements and / or these groups. The term "and / or" used herein includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items.

[0032] For the purposes of this disclosure, expressions such as "at least one of..." or "any one of..." or "one or more of...", when following a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements without modifying the individual elements in the list. For example, "at least one of X, Y, and Z," "at least one of X, Y, or Z," "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, and Z," and "at least one selected from the group consisting of X, Y, or Z" may be interpreted as only X, only Y, only Z, any combination of two or more of X, Y, and Z (such as XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ for example), or any variation thereof. Similarly, the expressions "at least one of A and B" and "at least one of A or B" may include A, B, or A and B. As used herein, "or" generally means "and / or", and the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the relevant listed items. For example, the expression "A and / or B" may include A, B, or A and B. Similarly, expressions such as "at least one of", "a plurality of", "one of", and other prepositional phrases, when following (preceding) a list of elements, modify the entire list of elements without modifying the individual elements in the list.

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

[0034] For ease of description, spatially relative terms such as "below", "under", "lower (lower part)", "above", "upper (upper part)", etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element or features with reference to the figure. These spatially relative terms are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure according to 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 accompanying drawings are turned over, the elements or features described as "below" or "below" may be changed to "above" or "upper (upper part)". Therefore, the term "lower (lower part)" may include the terms "upper (upper part)" or "below".

[0035] It will be understood that when an element, layer, region, or component is referred to as being "formed on," "on," "connected to," or "(operably or communicatively) coupled to" another element, layer, region, or component, the element, layer, region, or component may be directly formed on, directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element, layer, region, or component, or indirectly formed on, indirectly on, indirectly connected to, or indirectly coupled to the other element, layer, region, or component such that one or more intervening elements, layers, regions, or components may be present. Furthermore, this may collectively represent direct (or indirect) coupling (or connection) and integral (or non-integral) coupling (or connection). For example, when a layer, region, or component is referred to as being "electrically connected" or "electrically coupled" to another layer, region, or component, the layer, region, or component may be directly electrically connected or directly electrically coupled to the other layer, region, and / or component, or there may be one or more intervening layers, regions, or components. One or more intervening components may include switches, resistors, capacitors, etc. When describing embodiments, unless explicitly described as being directly connected, statements of connection indicate electrical connection, and "directly connected / directly coupled" or "directly on" means that one component is directly connected or coupled to another component, or is directly on another component, without intervening components.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. It will also be understood that terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with that in the context of the relevant art and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless they are expressly so defined herein.

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment, Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly of a secondary battery according to an embodiment, and Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery according to an embodiment. Figure 2 Shown along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 4As shown in , the secondary battery 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may include an electrode assembly 110, a case 120, and a cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the secondary battery 100 according to one or more embodiments of 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 one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may further include an upper insulator 151 and a lower insulator 152, and may further include a first terminal 161 and a second terminal 162. In some embodiments, the secondary battery 100 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure may further include a retainer 170, and may further include a safety vent 180, a metal ball (e.g., a liquid injection hole metal ball) 191, and a plug (e.g., a liquid injection hole plug) 192.

[0040] The electrode assembly 110 may be provided in a substantially rectangular hexahedral 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 of the long sides may be larger than the surface area of ​​each of the short sides. 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 from about 200 mm to about 400 mm. 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 at least one first electrode tab 1111 (e.g., a positive electrode tab) protruding to the outside (upper side) of the electrode assembly 110. The second electrode plate 112 may include at least one second electrode tab 1121 (e.g., a negative electrode tab) protruding to the outside (e.g., upper side) of the electrode assembly 110.

[0041] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 110 may include a first electrode tab 1111 disposed at one end (e.g., the upper end) in the longitudinal direction and a second electrode tab 1121 disposed at the other 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. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 110 may be a wound 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 may be referred to as an electrode group.

[0042] 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 electrode tab 1111 extending and protruding toward the cap plate 131 (e.g., an area not coated with the first active material). The first electrode tab 1111 extending and protruding in this manner may also be referred to as a first uncoated portion tab or a first substrate tab. The first electrode tabs 1111 may be aligned at the same position by a stacking or winding process for manufacturing the electrode assembly 110 to provide a multi-tab. The first electrode tab 1111 may be electrically connected to the first terminal 161 to serve as a flow path for current to flow between the first electrode plate 111 and the first terminal 161.

[0043] 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 electrode tab 1121 extending and protruding toward the cap plate 131 (e.g., an area not coated with the second active material). The second electrode tab 1121 extending and protruding in this manner may also be referred to as a second uncoated portion tab or a second substrate tab. The second electrode tabs 1121 may be aligned at the same position by a stacking or winding process for manufacturing the electrode assembly 110 to provide a multi-tab. The second electrode tab 1121 may be electrically connected to the second terminal 162 to serve as a flow path for current to flow between the second electrode plate 112 and the second terminal 162.

[0044] The diaphragm 113 may be placed between the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112 to reduce or prevent the possibility of a short circuit between the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112, and to allow lithium ions to move. The diaphragm 113 may be slightly larger than the surface area of ​​each of the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112 to further protrude in the upper and lower directions and / or the left and right directions than each of the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112. In some embodiments, the diaphragm 113 may reduce or prevent the possibility of the first electrode plate 111 and the second electrode plate 112 directly contacting the housing 120, the cover plate 131, and / or the bottom plate 133 in the upper and lower directions and / or the left and right directions of the electrode assembly 110.

[0045] 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.

[0046] The housing 120 may house the electrode assembly 110 and may define a first opening 121 and a second opening 122, which are respectively disposed at opposite ends in the longitudinal direction. The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the housing 120 may have only the first opening 121 defined therein. In this case, the bottom plate 133 may be omitted. In some embodiments, the housing 120 may be provided in the form of a substantially rectangular hexahedral 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 of the long sides may be greater than the surface area of ​​each of the short sides. In some embodiments, the long side and / or the long side may have a length and a width. Here, the length may be longer than the width. In some embodiments, the length may be from about 200 mm to about 400 mm. 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 disposed in the longitudinal direction of the short side. In some embodiments, the shell 120 can be provided by bending a flat metal plate into a hollow rectangular hexahedron shape and then laser welding the ends to each other so that a welding line 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 can then be cut at 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, an aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. In some embodiments, the shell 120 may include or may 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.

[0047] The 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 cap plate 131 may close the first opening in the housing 120 and may be laser welded to the housing 120. In some embodiments, the cap plate 131 may include a liquid injection hole 1311 through which electrolyte is injected. The liquid injection hole 1311 may be closed by a liquid injection hole metal ball 191 and a liquid injection hole plug 192.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 electrically coupled to the first electrode tab 1111 of the electrode assembly 110 may be insulated to pass through one side of the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the second terminal 162 electrically coupled to the second electrode tab 1121 of the electrode assembly 110 may be insulated to pass through the other side of the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 or the second terminal 162 may be mechanically coupled (e.g., electrically short-circuited) to the cap plate 131 and may be provided as one body with the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the cap 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 cap assembly in some cases.

[0049] The bottom plate 133 may be provided in a substantially rectangular plate shape and may be coupled to the housing 120 at the second opening 122 of the housing 120. In some embodiments, the bottom plate 133 may close the second opening in the housing 120 and may be laser welded to the housing 120. In some embodiments, the bottom plate 133 may further include an exhaust hole 1331 into which the safety exhaust port 180 is coupled. In some embodiments, the bottom plate 133 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 first collector plate 141 may be disposed between the electrode assembly 110 and the 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 electrode 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 electrode tab 1111, and may include a first collector plate protrusion 1412 welded (e.g., laser welded) to the first terminal plate 1612. In some embodiments, the first electrode tab 1111 of the electrode assembly 110 may be bent in one direction to facilitate welding to the first collector plate flat portion 1411. In some embodiments, the first electrode tab 1111 may be bent and may be in close contact with the surface of the electrode assembly 110, so that the first electrode tab 1111 and the electrode assembly 110 may be pre-welded to each other. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 may be pre-welded on the first collector plate protrusion 1412. The first terminal column 1611 may include a first base 1611a welded on the first collector plate protrusion 1412, and may include a cylindrical first protrusion 1611b protruding in a direction away from the first 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 a sub-plate.

[0051] The second current collector plate 142 may be disposed between the electrode assembly 110 and the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the second current collector plate 142 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. The second current collector plate 142 may electrically / mechanically couple the second electrode tab 1121 of the electrode assembly 110 to the second terminal 162. In some embodiments, the second current collector plate 142 may include a second current collector plate flat portion 1421 welded (e.g., laser welded) to the second electrode tab 1121, and may include a second current collector plate protrusion 1422 welded (e.g., laser welded) to the second terminal plate 1622. In some embodiments, the second electrode tab 1121 of the electrode assembly 110 may be bent in one direction to facilitate welding to the second current collector plate flat portion 1421. In some embodiments, the second electrode tab 1121 may be bent and may be in close contact with the surface of the electrode assembly 110, so that the second electrode tab 1121 and the electrode assembly 110 may be pre-welded to each other. In some embodiments, the second terminal 162 may be pre-welded on the second current collector plate protrusion 1422. The second terminal column 1621 may include a second base 1621a welded on the second current collector plate protrusion 1422 and a cylindrical second protrusion 1621b protruding in a direction away from the second base 1621a. 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 a sub-plate.

[0052] The upper insulator 151 may be placed between the cap plate 131 and each of the first collector plate 141 and the second collector plate 142. In some embodiments, the upper insulator 151 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. In some embodiments, the upper insulator 151 may include an upper insulator opening 1511 through which the first collector plate protrusion 1412 and the first terminal column 1611 of the first terminal 161 and the second collector plate protrusion 1422 and the second terminal column 1621 of the second terminal 162 pass. The upper insulator opening 1511 may be defined in a central region of the upper insulator 151. The upper insulator 151 may reduce or minimize the empty space between the first collector plate 141 and the cap plate 131, and if an external impact is applied to the secondary battery 100, the electrode assembly 110 does not move within the case 120. The upper insulator 151 may include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), double synthetic rubber (EPDM), or nylon that does not react with the electrolyte.

[0053] The lower insulator 152 may be placed between the electrode assembly 110 and the bottom plate 133. In some embodiments, the lower insulator 152 may be placed between the electrode assembly 110 and the lower bottom of the shell 120. In some embodiments, the lower insulator 152 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. In some embodiments, the lower insulator 152 may provide a step portion by providing a rounded upper edge at the side of the electrode assembly 110 instead of a flat upper edge based on a rectangular plate shape. The upper edge portion of the lower insulator 152 may not contact the electrode assembly 110, but may be spaced apart from the electrode assembly 110 to provide a flow path through which the gas can move. In some embodiments, if the electrode assembly 110 expands and expands, even if the internal space of the shell 120 is insufficient, a flow path for the gas to move between the spaces between the steps may be provided to guide the gas to the safety vent 180. In some embodiments, if expansion occurs in the electrode assembly 110, and if gas is generated in the electrode assembly 110, a vent through which the gas moves to the safety vent 180 may be provided between the step portions, and upon explosion, the safety vent 180 may be exposed to provide stability. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the lower insulator 152 and the lower portion of the electrode assembly 110 may not contact each other to support the electrode assembly 110. The lower insulator 152 may reduce or minimize the empty space between the electrode assembly 110 and the bottom plate 133 to reduce or prevent the movement of the electrode assembly 110 within the housing 120 when the secondary battery 100 is subjected to an external impact. The lower insulator 152 may include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), double synthetic rubber (EPDM), or nylon that does not react with the electrolyte. More details of the lower insulator 152 will be described later.

[0054] The first terminal 161 may be coupled to pass through the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 may be coupled to one side of the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 may include a first terminal column 1611 and a first terminal plate 1612. A lower portion of the first terminal column 1611 may be welded to the first collector plate protrusion 1412, and an upper portion of the first terminal column 1611 may be welded to the first terminal plate 1612.

[0055] In some embodiments, a first insulating member 1314 may be provided to insulate the first terminal column 1611 from the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the cap plate 131 may include a first through hole 1312 through which the first terminal column 1611 passes and a first coupling groove 1313 provided around the first through hole 1312. The first insulating member 1314 may be coupled to the first through hole 1312 and the first coupling groove 1313 to insulate the first terminal column 1611 and the first terminal plate 1612 from the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first terminal column 1611 may pass through the first insulating member 1314, and the first terminal plate 1612 may be located on the first insulating member 1314 to insulate the first terminal 161 from the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the first terminal 161 (e.g., the first terminal column 1611 and the first terminal plate 1612) may be made of a conductive metal such as copper, a copper alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, or nickel-plated steel. In some embodiments, the first insulating member 1314 may include PP, PE, or EPDM. In some embodiments, the first insulating member 1314 may be integrally provided with the cap plate 131 in a double injection molding manner.

[0056] The second terminal 162 may pass through the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the second terminal 162 may be coupled to the other side of the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the second terminal 162 may include a second terminal column 1621 and a second terminal plate 1622. A lower portion of the second terminal column 1621 may be welded to the second current collector plate protrusion 1422, and an upper portion of the second terminal column 1621 may be welded to the second terminal plate 1622.

[0057] In some embodiments, a second insulating member 1324 may be provided to insulate the second terminal column 1621 from the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the cap plate 131 may include a second through hole 1322 through which the second terminal column 1621 passes and a second coupling groove 1323 provided around the second through hole 1322. The second insulating member 1324 may be coupled to the second through hole 1322 and the second coupling groove 1323 to insulate the second terminal column 1621 and the second terminal plate 1622 from the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the second terminal column 1621 may pass through the second insulating member 1324, and the second terminal plate 1622 may be located on the second insulating member 1324 to insulate the second terminal 162 from the cap plate 131. In some embodiments, the second terminal 162 (e.g., the second terminal column 1621 and the second terminal plate 1622) may be made of a conductive metal such as copper, a copper alloy, nickel, a nickel alloy, or nickel-plated steel. In some embodiments, the second insulating member 1324 may include PP, PE, or EPDM. In some embodiments, the second insulating member 1324 may be provided integrally with the cap plate 131 in a double injection molding manner. 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 substantially identical. In some embodiments, each of the first insulating member 1314 and the second insulating member 1324 may be divided into an upper portion and a lower portion that are combined with each other and the cap plate 131 is located therebetween.

[0058] The retainer 170 may be disposed between the short side of the electrode assembly 110 and the short side of the housing 120. The retainer 170 may have a substantially rectangular plate shape. In some embodiments, two retainers 170 may be disposed on the two short sides of the electrode assembly 110, respectively. In some embodiments, the retainer 170 may reduce or minimize the empty space between the short side of the electrode assembly 110 and the short side of the housing 120 to reduce or prevent the movement of the electrode assembly 110 within the housing 120 when an external impact is applied to the secondary battery 100. In some embodiments, the retainer 170 may include PP, PE, or EPDM.

[0059] In some embodiments, if only the first opening 121 is defined in the housing 120, the safety vent 180 may be coupled to the exhaust hole 1331 defined in another bottom surface of the housing 120. In some embodiments, the thickness of the safety vent 180 may be less than the thickness of the housing 120, and the safety vent 180 may also be provided with a plurality of notches. If the internal pressure of the housing 120 is greater than the reference pressure so that the internal pressure of the housing 120 is approximately equal to or equal to the atmospheric pressure, the safety vent 180 may rupture. The safety vent 180 may include aluminum or an aluminum alloy.

[0060] In some embodiments, if the housing 120 has both the first opening 121 and the second opening 122 opened, the safety vent 180 may be coupled to the exhaust hole 1331 provided in the bottom plate 133. In some embodiments, the thickness of the safety vent 180 may be less than the thickness of the bottom plate 133, and the safety vent 180 may also be provided with a plurality of notches. As described above, if the internal pressure of the housing 120 is greater than the reference pressure so that the internal pressure of the housing 120 is approximately equal to or equal to the atmospheric pressure, the safety vent 180 may rupture.

[0061] The liquid injection hole plug 192 may be coupled to the liquid injection hole 1311 of the cover plate 131. After the injection of the electrolyte is completed through the liquid injection hole 1311 of the cover plate 131, the liquid injection hole plug 192 may block the liquid injection hole 1311. In some embodiments, after the electrolyte injection is completed, a liquid injection hole 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 liquid injection hole 1311 to reduce or prevent the possibility of electrolyte leakage. In some embodiments, the hardness of the liquid injection hole metal ball 191 and the liquid injection hole plug 192 may be less than the hardness of the cover plate 131, and the liquid injection hole metal ball 191 and the liquid injection hole plug 192 may be elastically deformed and then may be coupled to the liquid injection hole 1311.

[0062] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a lower insulating member of a secondary battery according to an embodiment, Figure 6 is an enlarged right side view of a portion of a lower insulating member of a secondary battery according to an embodiment, Figure 7 is an enlarged left side view of a portion of a lower insulating member of a secondary battery according to other embodiments, and Figure 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of a lower insulating member of a secondary battery according to an embodiment. Figure 6 Shown along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. Figure 8 Shows Figure 2 An enlarged cross-sectional view of part 8 in FIG. Figures 5 to 8 The lower insulator 152 is described. As described above, the lower insulator 152 may be located at the lower portion of the electrode assembly 110, and may be interposed between the other side of the case 120 opposite to the side facing the cap plate 131 in the longitudinal direction and the electrode assembly 110. The lower insulator 152 may be composed of a lower insulator upper end 152a at one side of the electrode assembly 110 and a lower insulator lower end 152b at one side of the bottom plate 133 or at the bottom surface of the case 120.

[0063] like Figure 5As shown in , the lower insulator 152 may have an exhaust through hole 1521 penetrating from the upper end 152a of the lower insulator to the lower end 152b of the lower insulator. The exhaust through hole 1521 may be defined in the central area of ​​the lower insulator 152. In some embodiments, the exhaust through hole 1521 may be defined to correspond to the position of the exhaust hole 1331. In some embodiments, if expansion occurs in the electrode assembly 110, and if gas is generated in the electrode assembly 110, the gas may move to the safety vent 180 through the exhaust through hole 1521. In some embodiments, the shape of the exhaust through hole 1521 is not limited, but may be set to an elliptical shape corresponding to the shape of the exhaust hole 1331. In some embodiments, the size of the exhaust through hole 1521 may be greater than or equal to the size of the exhaust hole 1331.

[0064] In some embodiments, the lower insulator 152 may also be configured as a rectangular plate shape consisting of a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides connected to the pair of long sides. In some embodiments, a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides of each of the lower insulator upper end 152a and the lower insulator lower end 152b may have a total of eight edges. In some embodiments, the inclined portion 1522 may be located at at least one edge of the lower insulator upper end 152a. In some embodiments, the upper edge portion of the lower insulator 152 may be located at an edge at one side of each of the pair of long sides, so that the flow path of the upper edge portion of the lower insulator 152 through which it is spaced apart from the electrode assembly 110 instead of contacting the electrode assembly 110 can be set longer.

[0065] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown in , the inclined portion 1522 may have an inclined surface from the lower insulator upper end 152a toward the lower insulator lower end 152b, so that the upper end surface has a smaller plane area than the lower end surface relative to the downward direction of the housing 120. In some embodiments, a step portion may be provided on the inclined portion 1522. In some embodiments, the inclined portion 1522 may be provided so that the inclined surface is positioned inward from the outer edge of the lower insulator 152 (see Figure 6 In some embodiments, the inclined portion 1522 can be configured such that the inclined surface is substantially flat (see Figure 7 ). The present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the inclined portion 1522 may be provided as at least two inclined surfaces.

[0066] As described above, the lower insulator 152 may have / define an opening in a central region (e.g., the exhaust through-hole 1521), and the support portion 1523 may be located on an edge region or surface that does not include the exhaust through-hole 1521 or the inclined portion 1522. The support portion 1523 may not contact the electrode assembly 110. The support portion 1523 may support the electrode assembly 110, and, for example, may support the diaphragm 113 that protrudes downward from the electrode assembly 110. In some embodiments, the lower insulator 152 may support the electrode assembly 110 through the support portion 1523, and may provide a flow path through a space defined between the electrode assembly 110 and the lower insulator 152 by the inclined portion 1522.

[0067] like Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , the lower insulator groove 1524 may be defined in the lower end of the support portion 1523 of the lower insulator lower end 152b. In some embodiments, the interior of the support portion 1523 may be provided as an empty space to reduce weight.

[0068] According to the present disclosure, the electrode assembly can be supported by an insulating member located below the electrode assembly, and at the same time, the space between the electrode assembly and the lower insulating member can be defined by an inclined portion of an edge located on one side of the lower insulating member to allow expansion in the electrode assembly and, if gas is generated in the electrode assembly, allow the gas to move between the step portions, thereby improving the stability of the battery.

[0069] Aspects that can be implemented through the present disclosure are not limited to the above aspects, and other aspects that are not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

[0070] The above is only one or more embodiments of the secondary battery, and the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. In addition, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims and the functional equivalents to be included therein.

Claims

1. A secondary battery, comprising: An electrode assembly, comprising a first electrode plate and a second electrode plate; a housing for accommodating the electrode assembly and having an open side; a cover plate coupled to the housing at the one opening side; a first terminal and a second terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and coupled to the cap plate; as well as A lower insulator is located at a lower portion of the electrode assembly between the electrode assembly and the other side of the shell opposite to the side facing the cover plate in the longitudinal direction, and at least one edge of the upper end of the lower insulator includes an inclined portion corresponding to the direction of the electrode assembly.

2. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein The inclined portion of the lower insulator is inclined from the upper end toward the lower end of the lower insulator such that a plane area of ​​an upper end surface of the lower insulator is smaller than a plane area of ​​a lower end surface of the lower insulator.

3. The secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein: The inclined portion is flat.

4. The secondary battery according to claim 2, wherein The inclined portion is located inwardly from an outer edge of the lower insulator.

5. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein The inclined portion includes a stepped portion.

6. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein The lower insulator has a rectangular plate shape including a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides connected to the pair of long sides, and Wherein, the inclined portion is located at the edges of the pair of long sides.

7. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein A central region of the lower insulator defines an opening, and The support portion is located on a surface of the lower insulating member except for the opening and the inclined portion.

8. The secondary battery according to claim 7, wherein The support portion contacts the electrode assembly.

9. The secondary battery according to claim 7, wherein A space is defined between the electrode assembly and the lower insulator due to the inclined portion.

10. The secondary battery according to claim 7, wherein An interior of the support portion of the lower insulator defines a hollow space.

11. The secondary battery according to claim 7, wherein A lower end surface of the support portion of the lower insulator defines a groove.

12. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein The housing includes another opening side opposite to the one opening side in the longitudinal direction, and The secondary battery is further enclosed and coupled to a bottom plate of the housing at the other opening side of the housing.

13. The secondary battery according to claim 12, wherein: The bottom plate defines a vent hole having a safety vent therein.

14. The secondary battery according to claim 13, wherein The lower insulator defines an exhaust through hole corresponding to a position of the exhaust hole.

15. The secondary battery according to claim 14, wherein The size of the exhaust through hole is greater than or equal to the size of the exhaust hole.

16. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate include a first electrode terminal tab and a second electrode terminal tab respectively in the direction of the cover plate, and The secondary battery further includes a first current collector plate and a second current collector plate electrically coupled to the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab, respectively.

17. The secondary battery according to claim 16, wherein The first terminal includes a first terminal column and a first terminal plate, the first terminal column is coupled to one side of the cover plate, the first terminal plate is coupled to the first terminal column and is exposed, and The second terminal includes a second terminal column and a second terminal plate, the second terminal column is coupled to the other side of the cover plate, and the second terminal plate is coupled to the second terminal column and is exposed.

18. The secondary battery according to claim 17, wherein The first current collector plate is disposed between the electrode assembly and the one side of the cap plate to electrically connect the first electrode tab to the first terminal, and The second current collector plate is disposed between the electrode assembly and the other side of the cap plate to electrically connect the second electrode tab to the second terminal.

19. The secondary battery according to claim 18, wherein The one side of the cover plate defines a first through hole and a first coupling groove, the first terminal column passes through the first through hole, a first insulating member is coupled to the first coupling groove to provide insulation from the first terminal, and The other side of the cover plate defines a second through hole and a second coupling groove, the second terminal column passes through the second through hole, and the second insulating member is coupled to the second coupling groove to provide insulation with the second terminal. 20 . The secondary battery of claim 18 , further comprising an upper insulator located between the cap plate and the first and second current collector plates and defining an opening through which the first and second terminal columns pass.

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