Sealing member for electrolyte inlet, battery cover assembly, and battery cell

Abstract

A battery cover assembly, a sealing member for an electrolyte inlet, and a battery cell are provided. The battery cover assembly comprises: a cover plate having an electrolyte inlet; and a sealing member for being inserted into the electrolyte inlet. The sealing member has an electrolyte inflow channel penetrating the elastic material in a longitudinal direction of the sealing member.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a sealing member for an electrolyte inlet, a battery cap assembly including the sealing member, and a battery cell including the cap assembly. Background Art

[0002] Secondary batteries are rechargeable batteries that can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are mainly used in various application fields such as electronic products (e.g., smartphones, laptops, tablets, etc.), electric vehicles, solar power generation, and emergency power supplies. In particular, lithium-ion batteries have high energy density and high charge / discharge efficiency, and are therefore used in various electronic products and electric vehicles.

[0003] When rechargeable batteries such as lithium-ion batteries are repeatedly charged and discharged, the charging efficiency decreases due to leakage and degradation of the lithium-ion batteries. Exceeding the cycle life of the secondary battery will rapidly reduce the battery performance. Therefore, the battery installed in electric vehicles and the like is periodically replaced as its performance decreases.

[0004] Furthermore, as electric vehicles become more popular, research into methods of utilizing "waste batteries" is actively underway. For example, some methods of utilizing waste batteries in energy storage systems (ESS) that can store electricity generated by eco-friendly energy are being explored. For example, among waste batteries used for electric vehicles, batteries that meet certain standards can be sorted and used for products and systems where battery performance is desired. However, since this is a passive method of sorting and utilizing batteries that have already deteriorated, an active method that can fundamentally remove deterioration factors and extend battery life may be needed.

[0005] The above information disclosed in this Background section is for enhancement of understanding of the background of the present disclosure and therefore it may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior) art. Summary of the invention

[0006] Embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to a sealing member for a battery electrolyte inlet, a battery cover assembly including the sealing member, and a battery cell including the battery cover assembly.

[0007] The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be described in more detail in or will be more apparent from the following description of some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0008] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a battery cover assembly includes: a cover plate having an electrolyte inlet; and a sealing member configured to be inserted into the electrolyte inlet. The sealing member has an electrolyte inflow channel penetrating an elastic material in a longitudinal direction of the sealing member.

[0009] In an embodiment, the sealing member may include: a head portion located at one end of the sealing member and configured to be inserted into an inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet to contact the inner diameter; a fixing portion located at a lower end of the head portion and having a protrusion configured to fix the sealing member; and a tail portion located at a lower end of the fixing portion and extending in a longitudinal direction.

[0010] In an embodiment, the head portion may have a first diameter larger than the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet and may be configured to be compressed and inserted into the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet. The fixing portion may have a second diameter larger than the first diameter; and the tail portion may have a third diameter smaller than the second diameter.

[0011] In an embodiment, the battery cover assembly may further include a fixing member located below the cover plate and having a recessed portion for accommodating the protrusion of the fixing portion.

[0012] In an embodiment, the sealing member may include: a main body portion configured to be inserted into an inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet to contact the inner diameter; and an upper fixing portion including a lower surface facing an upper surface of the cover plate when the main body portion is inserted into the electrolyte inlet to contact the electrolyte inlet.

[0013] In an embodiment, the sealing member may further include a lower fixing portion configured to be compressed and pass through an inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet to fix the sealing member to the cap plate.

[0014] In an embodiment, the lower fixing portion may include an upper surface facing the lower surface of the cap plate in a state in which the body portion is inserted into the electrolyte inlet to contact the electrolyte inlet.

[0015] In an embodiment, the body portion may have a fourth diameter greater than an inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet and may be configured to be compressed and inserted into the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet; and the upper fixing portion may have a fifth diameter greater than the fourth diameter.

[0016] In an embodiment, the maximum diameter of the lower fixing portion may have a sixth diameter that is greater than the fourth diameter of the main body portion.

[0017] In an embodiment, the electrolyte inlet may correspond to the exhaust hole. The sealing member may be configured to move in an outward direction when a pressure within a critical pressure range is applied from a lower direction of the cap plate; or the sealing member may be configured to deform to open the electrolyte inlet when the temperature is within a critical temperature range.

[0018] In an embodiment, the critical pressure range may be 1.5 MPa to 2 MPa.

[0019] In an embodiment, the critical temperature may range from 200°C to 250°C.

[0020] In an embodiment, inner surfaces of at least one section of the electrolyte inflow channel of the sealing member inserted into the electrolyte inlet may contact each other to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.

[0021] In an embodiment, inner surfaces of at least one section of the electrolyte inflow channel of the sealing member inserted into the electrolyte inlet may be configured to be separated from each other to allow the electrolyte injector to be inserted into the electrolyte inflow channel.

[0022] In an embodiment, the cavity may be located in a section of the electrolyte inflow channel to prevent electrolyte backflow.

[0023] In an embodiment, the electrolyte inflow channel may include: a first segment having a first width; a second segment connected to a lower portion of the first segment and having a second width greater than the first width; and a third segment connected to a lower portion of the second segment and having a third width less than the second width.

[0024] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a sealing member for an electrolyte inlet includes an elastic material having an electrolyte inflow channel passing through the sealing member in a longitudinal direction of the sealing member.

[0025] In an embodiment, inner surfaces of at least one section of the electrolyte inflow channel of the sealing member inserted into the electrolyte inlet may contact each other to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.

[0026] In an embodiment, the cavity may be located in a section of the electrolyte inflow channel to prevent electrolyte backflow.

[0027] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a battery cell includes: an electrode assembly; a housing configured to accommodate the electrode assembly and having an open upper portion; and a battery cover assembly connected to the upper portion of the housing. The battery cover assembly includes: a cover plate having an electrolyte inlet; and a sealing member configured to be inserted into the electrolyte inlet. The sealing member has an electrolyte inflow channel that penetrates the elastic material in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member.

[0028] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a sealing member for an electrolyte inlet may include an electrolyte inflow channel formed of an elastic material and penetrating the sealing member in a longitudinal direction.

[0029] According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a battery cell may include an electrode assembly, a case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly and having an opened upper portion, and a battery cover assembly.

[0030] In some embodiments, by injecting the electrolyte again into the electrolyte inflow channel made of elastic material and formed in the sealing member, the deterioration factor caused by the loss of the electrolyte can be reduced or eliminated, and the sealing performance of the sealing member made of elastic material can be maintained. Therefore, the battery can be reused more effectively.

[0031] In some embodiments, the sealing performance of the battery cell may be improved by preventing or substantially preventing the electrolyte from flowing back due to capillary action using a cavity formed in the electrolyte inflow channel.

[0032] In some embodiments, the exhaust hole may be omitted, thereby simplifying the structure of the cover plate.

[0033] In some embodiments, by omitting a process of forming a vent hole and a vent plate for releasing internal pressure in a cap plate of a battery cap assembly, a battery cell production cost may be reduced.

[0034] In some embodiments, by forming the structures of the sections of the electrolyte inflow channel to be different from each other, the sealing performance can be maintained, the electrolyte can be more easily re-injected, and the outflow or backflow of the electrolyte can be prevented or substantially prevented.

[0035] However, aspects and features of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described aspects and features, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand the above and other aspects and features through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] The above and other aspects and features of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood through the following detailed description of illustrative, non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a battery cover assembly according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled to an electrolyte inlet; Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sealing member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled to an electrolyte inlet; Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sealing member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled to an electrolyte inlet; Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sealing member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled to an electrolyte inlet; Figure 6 shows a state in which an electrolyte injector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is inserted through an electrolyte inflow channel of a sealing member; Figure 7 An example of a sealing member including a cavity for preventing backflow of electrolyte according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 8 An example of a sealing member including a cavity for preventing backflow of electrolyte according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; Fig. 9 An example of a battery cell including a sealing member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and Fig.10 An example of a battery cell including a sealing member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals always represent the same elements. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in various different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments shown herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided as examples so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete, and the aspects and features of the present disclosure will be fully conveyed to those skilled in the art. Therefore, processes, elements and techniques that are not necessary for a person of ordinary skill in the art to fully understand the aspects and features of the present disclosure may not be described. Unless otherwise stated, in the entire drawings and written descriptions, the same reference numerals represent the same elements, and therefore, their redundant descriptions may not be repeated.

[0038] When a certain embodiment can be implemented differently, the specific process order can be different from the described order. For example, two processes described successively can be performed simultaneously or substantially simultaneously, or can be performed in the reverse order of the described order.

[0039] In the accompanying drawings, for the sake of clarity, the relative size, thickness and ratio of elements, layers and regions may be exaggerated and / or simplified. For ease of explanation, spatial relative terms such as "under ... ", "under ... ", "lower (lower part)", "under ... ", "above ... ", "upper (upper part)" etc. may be used herein to describe the relationship between an element or feature and another (some) element or feature as shown in the figure. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure, the spatial relative terms are intended to also cover different orientations of the device in use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is turned over, the element described as "under" or "under" or "below" other elements or features will then be oriented to "above" the other elements or features. Therefore, the example terms "under ... " and "under ... " can cover both upper and lower orientations. The device can be oriented in addition (for example, rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), and the spatial relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

[0040] In the figure, the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis are not limited to the three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, but can be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis can be perpendicular to each other or substantially perpendicular to each other, or can represent different directions that are not perpendicular to each other.

[0041] Any numerical range disclosed and / or described herein is intended to include all sub-ranges of the same numerical precision contained in the described range. For example, the range of "1.0 to 10.0" is intended to include all sub-ranges between the described minimum value 1.0 and the described maximum value 10.0 (and including the described minimum value 1.0 and the described maximum value 10.0), that is, having a minimum value equal to or greater than 1.0 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10.0, such as 2.4 to 7.6. Any maximum numerical limit described herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits contained therein, and any minimum numerical limit described in this specification is intended to include all higher numerical limits contained therein.

[0042] When two compared elements, features, etc. are referred to as "the same" it may mean that they are "substantially the same". Thus, the phrase "substantially the same" may include situations with deviations that are considered low in the art (e.g., 5% or less). In addition, when a parameter is referred to as being uniform in a given area, this may mean being uniform with respect to an average value.

[0043] It will be understood that, although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or parts should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or part from another element, component, region, layer or part. Therefore, the first element, first component, first region, first layer or first part described below may be referred to as the second element, second component, second region, second layer or second part without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0044] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "bound to" another element or layer, it can be directly on, directly connected to, or directly bound to the other element or layer, or there may be one or more intervening elements or layers. Similarly, when a layer, region, or element is referred to as being "electrically connected to" another layer, region, or element, it can be directly electrically connected to the other layer, region, or element, or it can be indirectly electrically connected to the other layer, region, or element with one or more intervening layers, regions, or elements located therebetween. Furthermore, it will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or there may also be one or more intervening elements or layers.

[0045] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular forms "one" and "one (kind / person)" are also intended to include plural forms. It will also be understood that when the terms "comprise", "include", "have" and their variations are used in this specification, the features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements and / or components stated are explained, but the presence or addition of one or more other features, integral bodies, steps, operations, elements, components and / or their groups are not excluded. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any combination and all combinations of one or more of the related listed items. For example, the statement "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B. When a statement such as "at least one (kind / person) in ... " is after a column of elements, the entire column of elements is modified without modifying the individual elements in the column. For example, the expressions "at least one of a, b or c", "at least one of a, b and c", and "at least one selected from the group consisting of a, b and c" mean only a, only b, only c, both a and b, both a and c, both b and c, all of a, b and c, or variations thereof.

[0046] As used herein, the terms "substantially," "about," and similar terms are used as terms of approximation rather than as terms of degree, and are intended to take into account the inherent deviations of measurements or calculations that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. In addition, when describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the use of "may" refers to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure." As used herein, the term "using" and variations thereof may be considered synonymous with the term "utilizing" and variations thereof, respectively.

[0047] 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 to which the present disclosure belongs. It will also be understood that terms (such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries) should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and / or in this specification, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense, unless explicitly defined as such herein.

[0048] Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of a battery cover assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0049] The battery cover assembly 100 may be included in a battery cell. The battery cover assembly 100 may be connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) an upper portion of a housing in which an electrode assembly is housed. The electrode assembly may be formed by winding or stacking a stack of a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate formed in a thin plate or film shape. The first electrode plate of the electrode assembly may be used as a positive electrode, and the second electrode plate may be used as a negative electrode. In some embodiments, the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate may also perform functions opposite to each other. The housing may have an opening formed in an upper portion of the housing, and may have a housing space to accommodate the electrode assembly inside the housing through the opening. The cover plate 110 may be connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) an opening of the housing to seal the housing.

[0050] The battery cap assembly 100 may include a cap plate 110 , a terminal plate 120 , an upper insulating member 130 , a gasket 140 , and a rivet terminal 150 .

[0051] The cap plate 110 may include an electrolyte inlet 112, a vent hole 114, and terminal holes 116a, 116b. The electrolyte inlet 112 is a through hole formed in the cap plate 110, and may allow the electrolyte to be injected into the housing after the cap plate 110 is connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) an opening of the housing and sealed. After the electrolyte is injected into the electrolyte inlet 112, the electrolyte inlet 112 may be sealed with a sealing member 160.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 160 may include an electrolyte inflow channel formed of an elastic material and penetrating the sealing member 160 in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the electrolyte inflow channel is formed by penetrating the elastic material in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member) so that the electrolyte can be injected into the electrolyte inflow channel again for secondary use of the battery. This will be referred to below. Figures 2 to 10 Describe in more detail.

[0053] The vent hole 114 is formed in the cap plate 110 to discharge the internal pressure of the battery cell, and may be sealed with the vent plate 170. In response to gas that may be generated due to an abnormal reaction inside the battery cell and the pressure inside the housing exceeding a critical range, the gas is discharged through the vent hole 114 opened by being separated to the outside by the vent plate 170, so that the internal pressure of the battery cell can be reduced.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the vent hole 114 formed in the cap plate 110 may be omitted as needed or desired. In some embodiments, the electrolyte inlet 112 and the sealing member 160 may perform the functions of the vent hole 114 and the vent plate 170, respectively. Therefore, in response to the increase in the internal pressure of the battery cell, the sealing member 160 inserted into the electrolyte inlet 112 may be separated from the electrolyte inlet 112 so that the gas is discharged. This will be referred to below. Fig.10 Describe in more detail.

[0055] The terminal holes 116a, 116b may include a first terminal hole 116a and a second terminal hole 116b. A negative terminal (or a positive terminal) may be installed in the first terminal hole 116a and may be electrically connected to a negative electrode (or a positive electrode) of an electrode assembly in the case. A positive terminal (or a negative terminal) may be installed in the second terminal hole 116b and may be electrically connected to a positive electrode (or a negative electrode) of an electrode assembly in the case.

[0056] The terminal plates 120 may be located on upper portions of the terminal holes 116 a , 116 b , respectively. The upper insulating member 130 may be located between the terminal plates 120 and the terminal holes 116 a , 116 b to electrically insulate the terminal plates 120 from the cap plate 110 .

[0057] The rivet terminals 150 may be located in lower portions of the terminal holes 116a, 116b, respectively. The rivet terminals 150 may be electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The gasket 140 may be located between the rivet terminals 150 and the cap plate 110 to electrically insulate the rivet terminals 150 from the cap plate 110.

[0058] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the sealing member 160 in which an electrolyte inflow channel is formed to enable electrolyte to be re-injected for secondary use of the battery will be described in more detail with reference to some other drawings.

[0059] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view showing a state in which the sealing member 220 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled to an electrolyte inlet is shown.

[0060] Figure 2 The cover plate 210 and the sealing member 220 shown in FIG. 2 may correspond to Figure 1 The cover plate 110 and the sealing member 160 are shown in FIG.

[0061] According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the sealing member 220 may be fitted into the electrolyte inlet 112 formed in the cap plate 210. In some embodiments, the sealing member 220 may be connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) the electrolyte inlet from the lower side of the cap plate 210 before the cap plate 210 is connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) the housing.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 220 may include a head 224, a fixing portion 226 and a tail 228. The sealing member 220 may be a cylindrical member. In some embodiments, the diameter of at least one of the head 224, the fixing portion 226 and / or the tail 228 of the sealing member 220 may be different from the diameter of the other parts. For example, the diameter D1 of the head 224 and the diameter D3 of the tail 228 may be equal to or substantially equal to each other, and the diameter D2 of the fixing portion 226 may be greater than the diameter D1 of the head 224 and the diameter D3 of the tail 228. In other examples, the diameters of all of the head 224, the fixing portion 226 and the tail 228 may be different from each other. In some embodiments, the diameter D1 of the head 224 may be smaller than the diameter D2 of the fixing portion 226, and the diameter D3 of the tail 228 may also be smaller than the diameter D2 of the fixing portion 226.

[0063] The head 224 may be formed at one end of the sealing member 220 and may be inserted into the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet to be in close contact with the inner diameter. For example, the head 224 may be assembled into the electrolyte inlet through the lower portion of the cap plate 210. The head 224 may have a diameter D1 larger than the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet 112 so as to be compressed and inserted into the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet. Although Figure 2 The diameter of the head 224 connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) the electrolyte inlet is shown as D1, but this is to show the diameter of the head 224 before the sealing member 220 is assembled to the electrolyte inlet, and the diameter of the head 224 may be smaller than D1 when the head 224 is compressed and inserted into the electrolyte inlet.

[0064] The fixing portion 226 may be located at the lower end (e.g., in the middle or on the upper side) of the head portion 224 and may have a protrusion 226_1 for fixing the sealing member 220. In an embodiment, the lower portion of the cover plate 210 may further include a fixing member 230 having a recess 232 for accommodating the protrusion 226_1 of the fixing portion 226. In an embodiment, the fixing member 230 may include a space for accommodating the fixing portion 226 of the sealing member 220 and may have an opening formed to allow the tail portion 228 to pass through it. The fixing member 230 may be a cylindrical member, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0065] The tail portion 228 may extend from a lower end of the fixing portion 226 , and may extend in a longitudinal direction of the sealing member 220 .

[0066] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 220 may include an electrolyte inflow channel 222 formed of an elastic material and penetrating the sealing member 220 in a longitudinal direction so that the electrolyte can be injected into the electrolyte inflow channel 222. The electrolyte inflow channel 222 may be formed at the center C of the sealing member 220 in a cross-sectional view (e.g., in a cross section of the sealing member 220). An electrolyte injector may be inserted into the electrolyte inflow channel 222 so that the electrolyte is injected into the housing.

[0067] According to an embodiment, the electrolyte inflow channel 222 may include sections having different channel widths from each other. For example, at least one section 222_1 of the electrolyte inflow channel 222 may have inner surfaces that are in close contact with each other to prevent electrolyte leakage. The inner surfaces of the channel that are in close contact with each other may be spaced apart (e.g., separated) from each other to open when (e.g., only) an electrolyte injector is inserted into the channel, thereby allowing the electrolyte to be injected again.

[0068] Therefore, by injecting the electrolyte again into the electrolyte inflow channel 222 made of elastic material and formed in the sealing member 220, the deterioration factor caused by the loss of electrolyte can be reduced or eliminated, and the sealing performance of the sealing member made of elastic material can be maintained or substantially maintained, so that the battery can be reused more effectively.

[0069] The inner surfaces of the other sections of the electrolyte inflow channel 222 except the above-mentioned section 222_1 may be spaced apart from each other (eg, separated) without being in close contact with each other. Therefore, the electrolyte may be more easily injected again and the electrolyte may be prevented from leaking.

[0070] The structural differences and related effects for each section of the channel may also be applied to other embodiments described in more detail below, and therefore, a redundant description may not be repeated.

[0071] Figure 3 A cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sealing member 320 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled to an electrolyte inlet is shown.

[0072] Figure 3 The cover plate 310 and the sealing member 320 shown in FIG. 3 may correspond to Figure 1 The cover plate 110 and the sealing member 160 are shown in FIG.

[0073] According to an embodiment, at least a portion of the sealing member 320 may be assembled to an electrolyte inlet (eg, Figure 1In some embodiments, before or after the cap plate 310 is connected to (eg, coupled to or attached to) the housing, the sealing member 320 may be connected to (eg, coupled to or attached to) the electrolyte inlet through an upper portion of the cap plate 310 .

[0074] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 320 may include a main body portion 326 and an upper fixing portion 324. The sealing member 320 may be a cylindrical member. In some embodiments, the main body portion 326 and the upper fixing portion 324 of the sealing member 320 may have different diameters from each other. For example, the diameter D4 of the main body portion 326 may be larger than the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet, so that the main body portion 326 is compressed and inserted into the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet. The diameter D5 of the upper fixing portion 324 may be larger than the diameter D4 of the main body portion 326, so that the upper fixing portion 324 may not pass through the electrolyte inlet. Although Figure 3 The length of the body portion 326 is shown to be longer than the thickness of the cover plate 310 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the length of the body portion 326 may correspond to (eg, may be the same as or substantially the same as) the thickness of the cover plate 310 .

[0075] The upper fixing portion 324 may include a lower surface 324_1 extending from the upper end of the body portion 326 and facing the upper surface of the cap plate 310 when the body portion 326 is inserted into the electrolyte inlet to be in close contact with the electrolyte inlet. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sealing member 320 from passing through the housing and being introduced into the housing.

[0076] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 320 may include an electrolyte inflow channel 322 that penetrates the sealing member 320 in the longitudinal direction and is formed of an elastic material so that the electrolyte can be injected into the electrolyte inflow channel 322. The electrolyte inflow channel 322 may be formed at the center C of the cross section of the sealing member 320. An electrolyte injector may be inserted into the electrolyte inflow channel 322 to inject the electrolyte into the case.

[0077] According to an embodiment, the electrolyte inflow channel 322 may include sections having different channel widths from each other. For example, at least one section 322_1 of the electrolyte inflow channel 322 may have inner surfaces in close contact with each other to prevent electrolyte leakage.

[0078] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sealing member 420 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled to an electrolyte inlet is shown.

[0079] Figure 4 The cover plate 410 and the sealing member 420 shown in FIG. 4 may correspond to Figure 1 The cover plate 110 and the sealing member 160 shown in FIG. Figure 4 The main body portion 426 and the upper fixing portion 424 of the sealing member 420 shown in FIG. 4 may correspond to Figure 3 326 and the upper fixing portion 324 shown in FIG. For example, the upper fixing portion 424 may include a lower surface 424_1, which is formed to face the upper surface of the cap plate 410 when the main body portion 426 is inserted into the electrolyte inlet to be in close contact with the electrolyte inlet, and the sealing member 420 may be prevented from passing through the shell and being introduced into the shell.

[0080] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 420 may further include a lower fixing portion 428. The lower fixing portion 428 may be compressed and passed through an electrolyte inlet (eg, Figure 1 112). In addition, the lower fixing portion 428 may be fixed to the cap plate 410 in a state where the sealing member 420 is assembled. As such, the lower fixing portion 428 may include an upper surface 428_1 formed to face the lower surface of the cap plate 410 in a state where the body portion 426 is inserted into the electrolyte inlet to be in close contact with the electrolyte inlet. In some embodiments, the maximum diameter D6 of the lower fixing portion 428 may be greater than the diameter D4 of the body portion 426.

[0081] According to an embodiment, the lower fixing portion 428 may be formed into various suitable shapes that can pass through the electrolyte inlet. For example, the lower fixing portion 428 may be formed into a cone. In some embodiments, the lower fixing portion 428 may have a diameter that decreases toward the lower portion of the lower fixing portion 428. In another embodiment, the lower fixing portion 428 may be formed into a hemispherical shape. In an embodiment, the flat surface of the hemispherical shape may correspond to the upper surface 428_1 of the lower fixing portion 428.

[0082] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 420 may include an electrolyte inflow channel 422 that penetrates the sealing member 420 in the longitudinal direction and is formed of an elastic material so that the electrolyte can be injected into the electrolyte inflow channel 422. The electrolyte inflow channel 422 may be formed at the center C of the cross section of the sealing member 420. An electrolyte injector may be inserted into the electrolyte inflow channel 422 to inject the electrolyte into the case.

[0083] According to an embodiment, the electrolyte inflow channel 422 may include sections having different channel widths from each other. For example, at least one section 422_1 of the electrolyte inflow channel 422 may have inner surfaces in close contact with each other to prevent electrolyte leakage.

[0084] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view showing a state in which a sealing member 520 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is assembled to an electrolyte inlet is shown.

[0085] Figure 5 The cover plate 510 and the sealing member 520 shown in FIG. 5 may correspond to Figure 1 The cover plate 110 and the sealing member 160 shown in FIG. Figure 5 The main body portion 526 and the upper fixing portion 524 of the sealing member 520 shown in FIG. 5 may correspond to Figure 3 326 and the upper fixing portion 324 shown in FIG. For example, the upper fixing portion 524 may include a lower surface 524_1 formed to face the upper surface of the cap plate 510 when the main body portion 526 is inserted into the electrolyte inlet to be in close contact with the electrolyte inlet, and may prevent the sealing member 520 from passing through the shell and being introduced into the shell.

[0086] In an embodiment, the lower fixing portion 528 may be formed in a spherical shape. In some embodiments, the maximum diameter of the lower fixing portion 528 may be greater than the diameter of the main body portion 526. Therefore, the lower fixing portion 528 may be compressed by the pressing force and pass through the electrolyte inlet, and the maximum diameter of the lower fixing portion 528 may be greater than the maximum diameter of the electrolyte inlet, so that the lower fixing portion 528 may be fixed without being separated from the electrolyte inlet.

[0087] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 520 may include an electrolyte inflow channel 522 that penetrates the sealing member 520 in the longitudinal direction and is formed of an elastic material so that the electrolyte can be injected into the electrolyte inflow channel 522. The electrolyte inflow channel 522 may be formed at the center C of the cross section of the sealing member 520. An electrolyte injector may be inserted into the electrolyte inflow channel 522 to inject the electrolyte into the case.

[0088] According to an embodiment, the electrolyte inflow channel 522 may include sections having different channel widths from each other. For example, at least one section 522_1 of the electrolyte inflow channel 522 may have inner surfaces in close contact with each other to prevent electrolyte leakage.

[0089] Figure 6 A state in which an electrolyte injector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is inserted through the electrolyte inflow channel 622 of the sealing member 620 is shown.

[0090] Figure 6 The cover plate 610 and the sealing member 620 shown in FIG. 6 may correspond to Figure 1 The cover plate 110 and the sealing member 160 shown in FIG. Figure 6 The main body 626 and the upper fixing portion 624 of the sealing member 620 shown in FIG. 6 may correspond to Figure 3 The main body portion 326 and the upper fixing portion 324 are shown in FIG.

[0091] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 620 may include an electrolyte inflow channel 622 that penetrates the sealing member 620 in the longitudinal direction and is formed of an elastic material so that the electrolyte can be injected into the electrolyte inflow channel 622 by the electrolyte injector 630. The electrolyte inflow channel 622 may be formed at the center C of the sealing member 620.

[0092] The electrolyte injector 630 may be inserted into the electrolyte inflow channel 622 to inject and / or re-inject the electrolyte into the housing. In some embodiments, the inner surfaces of at least some sections of the electrolyte inflow channel 622 of the sealing member 620 inserted into the electrolyte inlet may be spaced apart from each other (e.g., may be separated from each other) so that the electrolyte injector 630 may be reinserted into the electrolyte inflow channel 622. For example, in the case where an electrolyte injector 630 having an inner diameter larger than the inner diameter of the electrolyte inflow channel 622 is inserted into the electrolyte inflow channel 622, the electrolyte inflow channel 622 may expand to match the outer diameter of the electrolyte injector 630.

[0093] Figure 7 An example of a sealing member 720 including a cavity 730 for preventing backflow of electrolyte according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0094] Figure 7 The cover plate 710 and the sealing member 720 shown in FIG. 7 may correspond to Figure 1 The cover plate 110 and the sealing member 160 shown in FIG. Figure 7 The head 724, the fixing portion 726 and the tail 728 of the sealing member 720 shown in FIG. 7 may correspond to Figure 2 The head portion 224, the fixing portion 226 and the tail portion 228 are shown in FIG.

[0095] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 720 may include an electrolyte inflow channel 722, which is formed of an elastic material and seals the member 720 in the longitudinal direction so that the electrolyte can be injected and / or injected again into the electrolyte inflow channel 722. The electrolyte inflow channel 722 may be formed at the center C of the cross section of the sealing member 720. The electrolyte inflow channel 722 may include sections having different widths from each other. For example, at least one section 722_1 of the electrolyte inflow channel 722 may have inner surfaces that are in close contact with each other to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.

[0096] According to an embodiment, a cavity 730 for preventing electrolyte backflow may be formed in at least some sections of the electrolyte inflow channel 722 of the sealing member 720. For example, Figure 7 As shown in FIG. 7 , the cavity 730 may be formed in the tail portion 728 of the sealing member 720 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0097] The cavity 730 may be formed by forming the width of at least one section of the electrolyte inflow channel 722 to be different from the width of other sections. For example, some sections in the electrolyte inflow channel 722 may include a first section 722a having a first width W1, a second section 722b connected to a lower portion of the first section 722a and having a second width W2 greater than the first width W1, and a third section 722c connected to a lower portion of the second section 722b and having a third width W3 less than the second width W2.

[0098] According to an embodiment, the electrolyte inflow channel 722 of the sealing member 720 may include a first section 722a having a first width W1 and a second section 722b connected to a lower portion of the first section 722a and having a second width W2 greater than the first width W1. In some embodiments, a cavity 730 may be formed by inserting a cavity forming member including a channel of a third section 722c having a third width W3 less than the second width W2 into the integrated sealing member 720 and fixing the cavity forming member to the integrated sealing member 720 to prevent electrolyte backflow.

[0099] Therefore, the electrolyte can be prevented from flowing back through the electrolyte inflow channel 722 due to capillary action, and thus, the sealing performance of the battery cell can be improved.

[0100] Figure 8 An example of a sealing member 820 including a cavity 830 for preventing backflow of electrolyte according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0101] Figure 8 The cover plate 810 and the sealing member 820 shown in FIG. 8 may correspond to Figure 1 The cover plate 110 and the sealing member 160 shown in FIG. Figure 8 The main body 826 and the upper fixing portion 824 of the sealing member 820 shown in FIG. 8 may correspond to Figure 3 In the embodiment, the sealing member 820 may further include a main body portion 326 and an upper fixing portion 324 as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The lower fixing portion 428, 528 shown in FIG.

[0102] According to an embodiment, the sealing member 820 may include an electrolyte inflow channel 822, which is formed of an elastic material and penetrates the sealing member 820 in the longitudinal direction so that the electrolyte can be injected and / or re-injected into the electrolyte inflow channel 822. The electrolyte inflow channel 822 may be formed at the center C of the sealing member 820. The electrolyte inflow channel 822 may include sections having different widths from each other. For example, at least one section 822_1 of the electrolyte inflow channel 822 may have inner surfaces that are in close contact with each other to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.

[0103] According to an embodiment, a cavity 830 for preventing electrolyte backflow may be formed in at least a portion of the electrolyte inflow channel 822 of the sealing member 820. For example, Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 7 , the cavity 730 may be formed within the body portion 826 of the sealing member 720 , but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0104] The cavity 830 may be formed by forming the width of at least one section of the electrolyte inflow channel 822 to be different from the width of other sections. For example, some sections in the electrolyte inflow channel 822 may include a first section 822a having a first width W1, a second section 822b connected to a lower portion of the first section 822a and having a second width W2 greater than the first width W1, and a third section 822c connected to a lower portion of the second section 822b and having a third width W3 less than the second width W2.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the electrolyte inflow channel 822 of the sealing member 820 may include a first section 822a having a first width W1 and a second section 822b connected to the lower portion of the first section 822a and having a second width W2 greater than the first width W1. In some embodiments, a cavity 830 may be formed by inserting a cavity forming member including a channel of a third section 822c having a third width W3 less than the second width W2 into the integrated sealing member 820 and fixing the cavity forming member to the integrated sealing member 820 to prevent electrolyte backflow.

[0106] Fig. 9 An example of a battery cell 900 including a sealing member 930 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0107] Fig. 9 The battery cover assembly 910 shown in FIG. 1 may correspond to Figure 1 The battery cover assembly 100 shown in FIG. Fig. 9 The sealing member 930 shown in FIG. 1 may correspond to Figures 2 to 8 Any one of the sealing members shown in .

[0108] According to an embodiment, a battery cell 900 may include an electrode assembly, a battery cover assembly 910, and a housing 920 in which the electrode assembly is accommodated. The electrode assembly may be formed by winding or stacking a stack of a first electrode plate, a separator, and a second electrode plate formed in a thin plate or film shape. The housing 920 may have an opening formed in an upper portion of the housing 920, and may have a housing space so that the electrode assembly is accommodated in the housing 920 through the opening. The cover plate of the battery cover assembly 910 may be connected to (e.g., coupled to or attached to) the opening of the housing to seal the housing.

[0109] An electrolyte inlet 912 for electrolyte injection may be formed in the cap plate of the battery cap assembly 910. After the electrolyte is injected into the electrolyte inlet 912, the electrolyte inlet 912 may be sealed with a sealing member 930.

[0110] Therefore, by using a sealing member 930 including an electrolyte inflow channel made of an elastic material to seal the electrolyte inlet 912, the electrolyte can be re-injected, the deterioration factor caused by the loss of the electrolyte can be reduced or eliminated, and the battery cell 900 that can maintain the sealing performance of the sealing member made of the elastic material can be provided.

[0111] although Fig. 9 An example in which the battery cell is a prismatic battery is shown, but the shape of the battery is not limited thereto, and the case of the battery cell may have various suitable shapes such as a circular shape or a pouch shape.

[0112] Fig.10 An example of a battery cell 1000 including a sealing member 1030 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0113] Fig.10 The battery cell 1000 shown in FIG. 1 may correspond to Fig. 9 The battery cell 900 shown in FIG. Fig.10 The sealing member 1030 shown in FIG. 1 may correspond to Figures 2 to 8 Any one of the sealing members shown in .

[0114] According to an embodiment, the vent hole formed in the cover plate of the battery cover assembly 1010 may be omitted. In some embodiments, as the internal pressure of the battery cell increases, the internal gas may be discharged through the electrolyte inlet 1012. For example, in response to a situation where the pressure within a critical range is applied from the lower direction of the cover plate of the battery cover assembly 1010 to the sealing member 1030 inserted into the electrolyte inlet 1012 (for example, in response to a situation where the pressure in the housing increases due to an increase in the internal gas), the sealing member 1030 may be vented in an outward direction (for example, Fig.10In some embodiments, the pressure in the critical range may be 1.5 MPa to 2 MPa. In another example, the sealing member 1030 may be deformed at a temperature in the critical range so that the electrolyte inlet 1012 is opened. In some embodiments, the temperature in the critical range may be 200° C. to 250° C.

[0115] Therefore, by omitting the vent hole and the vent plate for releasing the internal pressure in the cap plate of the battery cap assembly 1010, the battery cell production cost may be reduced.

[0116] Fig.10 An example in which the battery cell is a prismatic battery is shown, but the shape of the battery is not limited thereto, and the case of the battery cell may have various suitable shapes such as a circular shape or a pouch shape.

[0117] The foregoing is an explanation of some embodiments of the present disclosure and is not to be construed as limiting it. Although some embodiments have been described, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications in the embodiments are feasible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It will be understood that, unless otherwise described, the description of the features or aspects within each embodiment should generally be considered to be applicable to other similar features or aspects in other embodiments. Therefore, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, unless otherwise specifically noted, the features, characteristics and / or elements described in conjunction with a particular embodiment may be used alone or in combination with the features, characteristics and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments. Therefore, it will be understood that the foregoing is an explanation of various example embodiments and is not to be construed as being limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, and various modifications to the disclosed embodiments and other example embodiments are intended to be included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0118] Description of some reference symbols 100: Battery cover assembly 110: Cover 112: Electrolyte inlet 114: Exhaust hole 120: Terminal board 130: Upper insulating member 140: Washer 150: Rivet terminal 160: Sealing member 170: Exhaust plate.

Claims

1. A battery cover assembly, comprising: a cover plate having an electrolyte inlet; as well as a sealing member configured to be inserted into the electrolyte inlet, The sealing member has an electrolyte inflow channel which penetrates the elastic material in the longitudinal direction of the sealing member.

2. The battery cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing member comprises: a head portion located at one end of the sealing member and configured to be inserted into an inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet to contact the inner diameter; a fixing portion located at a lower end of the head portion and having a protrusion configured to fix the sealing member; and The tail portion is located at the lower end of the fixing portion and extends in the longitudinal direction.

3. The battery cover assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the head portion having a first diameter greater than the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet and configured to be compressed and inserted into the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet; The fixing portion has a second diameter greater than the first diameter; and The tail portion has a third diameter that is smaller than the second diameter. 4 . The battery cover assembly according to claim 2 , further comprising a fixing member located below the cover plate and having a recess for accommodating the protrusion of the fixing portion.

5. The battery cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The sealing member comprises: a body portion configured to be inserted into an inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet to contact the inner diameter; and The upper fixing portion includes a lower surface facing the upper surface of the cap plate in a state where the main body is inserted into the electrolyte inlet to contact the electrolyte inlet.

6. The battery cover assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The sealing member further includes a lower fixing portion configured to be compressed and pass through the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet to fix the sealing member to the cap plate.

7. The battery cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The lower fixing portion includes an upper surface facing a lower surface of the cap plate in a state where the body portion is inserted into the electrolyte inlet to contact the electrolyte inlet.

8. The battery cover assembly according to claim 5, wherein: The body portion has a fourth diameter greater than the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet and is configured to be compressed and inserted into the inner diameter of the electrolyte inlet; and The upper fixing portion has a fifth diameter that is larger than the fourth diameter.

9. The battery cover assembly according to claim 6, wherein: The maximum diameter of the lower fixing portion has a sixth diameter that is greater than a fourth diameter of the main body portion.

10. The battery cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein: The electrolyte inlet corresponds to the exhaust hole, and in: The sealing member is configured to move in an outward direction in a state where a pressure within a critical pressure range is applied from a lower direction of the cover plate; or The sealing member is configured to deform in a state where the temperature is within a critical temperature range to open the electrolyte inlet.

11. The battery cover assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The critical pressure ranges from 1.5 MPa to 2 MPa.

12. The battery cover assembly according to claim 10, wherein: The critical temperature ranges from 200°C to 250°C.

13. The battery cover assembly according to claim 1, wherein: Inner surfaces of at least one section of the electrolyte inflow channel of the sealing member inserted into the electrolyte inlet contact each other to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.

14. The battery cover assembly according to claim 13, wherein: The inner surface of the at least one section of the electrolyte inflow channel of the sealing member inserted into the electrolyte inlet is configured to be separated from each other to allow an electrolyte injector to be inserted into the electrolyte inflow channel.

15. The battery cover assembly according to claim 14, wherein: The cavity is located in a section of the electrolyte inflow channel to prevent the electrolyte from flowing back.

16. The battery cover assembly according to claim 15, wherein: The electrolyte inflow channel comprises: a first section having a first width; a second section connected to a lower portion of the first section and having a second width greater than the first width; and The third section is connected to a lower portion of the second section and has a third width smaller than the second width.

17. A sealing member for an electrolyte inlet, the sealing member comprising: An elastic material has an electrolyte inflow channel penetrating the sealing member in a longitudinal direction of the sealing member.

18. The sealing member according to claim 17, wherein Inner surfaces of at least one section of the electrolyte inflow channel of the sealing member inserted into the electrolyte inlet contact each other to prevent leakage of the electrolyte.

19. The sealing member according to claim 18, wherein The cavity is located in a section of the electrolyte inflow channel to prevent the electrolyte from flowing back.

20. A battery cell, comprising: Electrode assembly; a housing configured to accommodate the electrode assembly and having an open upper portion; as well as a battery cover assembly, coupled to the upper portion of the housing, The battery cover assembly includes: a cover plate having an electrolyte inlet; and a sealing member configured to be inserted into the electrolyte inlet, and The sealing member has an electrolyte inflow channel penetrating the elastic material in a longitudinal direction of the sealing member.

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