Battery cell for preventing heat propagation

Abstract

The present invention provides a structure of a battery cell and a battery module comprising the same, the battery cell comprising: an electrode assembly formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes, a separator being interposed between the plurality of electrodes; an electrode tab extending from each of the plurality of electrodes and protruding from the electrode assembly; a soft package in which the electrode assembly is accommodated and which is sealed; and an electrode lead electrically connected with the electrode tab and protruding from the pouch, in which a plurality of electrode assemblies are provided, and the electrode assemblies are stacked together with the first thermal insulation pad in the thickness direction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0126276 filed on October 4, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the document of this patent application are incorporated as a part of this specification.

[0002] The present invention relates to a soft-pack type battery cell capable of preventing heat propagation, which is stacked and embedded in a battery module. Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries are easily applicable depending on the product group and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, and are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles driven by electric drive sources and power storage devices. These secondary batteries have attracted attention as new energy sources for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they have the main advantage of being able to significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels, but also because they do not produce any byproducts due to energy use.

[0004] Although small mobile devices use one, two or three battery cells per device, medium to large devices (eg, vehicles) require high output and large capacity, and therefore, medium to large battery modules in which a plurality of battery cells are electrically connected are used.

[0005] Since the medium to large battery modules are expected to be made as small and light as possible, rectangular batteries and pouch type batteries that can be stacked with high integration and have a small weight-to-capacity ratio are mainly used as battery cells of the medium to large battery modules.

[0006] Fig.12 and Fig.13 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a battery module including a soft-pack type battery cell. Fig.12 and Fig.13 The battery module 2 may include a battery cell stack 21 manufactured by stacking a plurality of soft-pack type battery cells (hereinafter, referred to as “battery cells”) and a case 22 accommodating the battery cell stack 21 .

[0007] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The figures are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell, respectively. Figure 1 and Figure 2, the battery cell 1 includes: an electrode assembly 11 formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes with a separator interposed between the plurality of electrodes; an electrode tab 12 extending from each of the plurality of electrodes and protruding from the electrode assembly 11; a soft pack accommodating the electrode assembly and being sealed; and an electrode lead electrically connected to the electrode tab 12 and protruding from the soft pack 14. Here, the electrode assembly 11 is formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes with a separator interposed between the plurality of electrodes. The soft pack 14 may be filled with an electrolyte solution to impregnate the electrode assembly 11.

[0008] In addition, there is a risk that the battery cell may overheat and catch fire due to a short circuit. When a battery cell catches fire, heat, flames, and gases may be discharged from the battery cell. In addition, the heat, flames, and gases generated by the battery cell fire may spread to other adjacent battery cells, causing a chain fire.

[0009] In order to prevent this, attempts have been made to make a portion of the above-mentioned separator with a heat insulating material. However, this structure causes the separator impregnated with the electrolyte solution to deteriorate, so that the efficiency of the battery itself is significantly reduced.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a structure of a battery cell and a battery module in which ignition of the battery cell is fundamentally suppressed, and heat propagation between the battery cells is further suppressed to prevent chain fire. Summary of the invention

[0011] Technical issues

[0012] The present invention was invented under the background of the above-mentioned prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a battery cell structure capable of preventing fire.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a battery cell capable of preventing chain fire between battery cells and a structure of a battery module including the battery cell.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure of a battery cell and a battery module, which can be manufactured by a conventional battery module manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment without reducing the energy density or performance of the battery, thereby achieving the above-mentioned object.

[0015] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned purpose, and other purposes and advantages of the present invention that are not described can be understood through the following description, and these other purposes and advantages will be more clearly understood through the examples of the present invention. In addition, it is obvious that the purposes and advantages of the present invention can be embodied by the means indicated in the claims and their combinations.

[0016] Technical Solution

[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a structure of a battery cell, the structure of the battery cell including: an electrode assembly, which is formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes, wherein a separator is interposed between the plurality of electrodes; an electrode tab, which extends from each of the plurality of electrodes and protrudes from the electrode assembly; a soft package, which accommodates the electrode assembly and is sealed; and an electrode lead, which is electrically connected to the electrode tab and protrudes from the soft package, wherein the electrode assembly is provided in plurality and the electrode assembly is stacked together with a first thermal insulation pad in a thickness direction.

[0018] The electrode assemblies are provided in pairs and include a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly. However, the number of electrode assemblies is not limited thereto and may be greater than two.

[0019] The first insulation mat may include an insulating material.

[0020] The first insulation mat may comprise a heat and / or fire resistant material.

[0021] The first thermal insulation pad may include a compressible material. In this case, the first thermal insulation pad may absorb expansion and tolerance of the battery cell.

[0022] The method for stacking the electrode assembly and the first thermal insulation pad together can vary. For example, the first thermal insulation pad can be interposed between the electrode assemblies. Alternatively, each electrode assembly can be interposed between multiple first thermal insulation pads. Alternatively, the electrode assemblies and the first thermal insulation pads can be stacked alternately.

[0023] When a plurality of electrode assemblies are provided, a corresponding plurality of electrode tabs may be provided.

[0024] The electrode tabs may include: a first electrode tab protruding from the first electrode assembly; and a second electrode tab protruding from the second electrode assembly. However, the number of electrode tabs is not limited thereto and may be greater than two.

[0025] The first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be connected to the electrode lead in parallel with each other. The connection may be established by welding. The welding may include a welding method selected from various welding methods including ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and resistance welding.

[0026] Since the plurality of electrode assemblies are connected in parallel to each other at the electrode tab portions, the first insulation pad interposed between the electrode assemblies may be made of a material with a low degree of electrolyte solution impregnation as long as the material is heat-insulating, heat-resistant and / or fire-resistant.

[0027] In the following, although two electrode assemblies are illustrated, the technical solutions of the present invention described below can obviously be applied to the case where the number of electrode assemblies is greater than two.

[0028] The first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be welded to both sides of the electrode lead in a thickness direction, respectively.

[0029] Alternatively, the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be stacked on each other and welded to one side surface in the thickness direction of the electrode lead.

[0030] The electrode lead may include: a lead portion protruding outward from the soft pack; a first welding portion at which the first electrode tab may be welded; and a second welding portion at which the second electrode tab may be welded.

[0031] The first electrode assembly may be disposed on one side in the thickness direction compared to the second electrode assembly. Here, the first welding portion may be disposed on one side in the thickness direction relative to the lead portion, and the second welding portion may be disposed on the other side in the thickness direction relative to the lead portion.

[0032] The first electrode tab may be disposed on one side in the height direction compared to the second electrode tab. In this case, the first welding portion may be disposed on one side in the height direction relative to the lead portion, and the second welding portion may be disposed on the other side in the height direction relative to the lead portion.

[0033] The present invention also provides a battery module including a battery cell stack including a plurality of battery cells stacked in a thickness direction.

[0034] A battery cell laminate may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells stacked together with the second thermal insulation mat.

[0035] The second thermal insulation pad may be interposed between the plurality of battery cells.

[0036] The second insulation mat may comprise a heat and / or fire resistant material.

[0037] The second thermal insulation pad may contain a compressible material. In this case, the first thermal insulation pad can absorb the expansion of the battery cell and the tolerance of the battery cell and the battery module.

[0038] The method for stacking the battery cells and the second thermal insulation mat together can be changed. For example, the second thermal insulation mat can be interposed between the battery cells. Alternatively, each battery cell can be interposed between multiple second thermal insulation mats.

[0039] The present invention also provides a battery pack including the battery module and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0040] In order to increase the charging and discharging capacity and / or power, a plurality of battery modules may be connected in series and / or in parallel to each other to form a single battery pack. In addition, the battery pack may be built into a vehicle as a power source for the vehicle. Since the general structure and manufacturing method of the battery pack and the vehicle are known to those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof will not be given here.

[0041] Beneficial Effects

[0042] The present invention can provide a structure of a battery cell that can suppress heat propagation within the battery cell to prevent the battery cell from catching fire.

[0043] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a structure of a battery cell and a battery module including the same, which can suppress heat propagation from the inside of the battery cell to the outside of the battery cell and between the battery cells to prevent chain fire.

[0044] The present invention also has the advantage that the structure of the battery cell and battery module of the present invention can be manufactured by a conventional battery module manufacturing method and manufacturing equipment without reducing the energy density or performance of the battery, thereby achieving the above-mentioned effects. In addition, according to the present invention, heat propagation between electrode assemblies can be suppressed without affecting the separator included in the electrode assembly impregnated with an electrolyte solution.

[0045] Furthermore, the present invention may have various other effects, and a description thereof will be given in each embodiment, or a description of an effect that can be easily inferred by those skilled in the art will be omitted. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figure 1 and Figure 2 These are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell, respectively.

[0047] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a battery cell with its pouch removed according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Figure 8and Fig. 9 A sectional view and an exploded perspective view respectively show a battery cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0053] Fig.10 and Fig.11 A sectional view and an exploded perspective view respectively show a battery cell according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] Fig.12 and Fig.13 They are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a battery module including a pouch type battery cell, respectively.

[0055] Fig.14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Fig.15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[0057] Fig.16 and Fig.17 are perspective views showing a battery pack including a battery module according to the present invention and a vehicle including the battery pack, respectively.

[0058] [Description of Reference Signs]

[0059] 1: Battery cell

[0060] 11: Electrode assembly

[0061] 111: First electrode assembly

[0062] 112: Second electrode assembly

[0063] 12: Electrode terminal block

[0064] 121: First electrode terminal piece

[0065] 122: Second electrode terminal piece

[0066] 13: Electrode lead

[0067] 131: First welding section

[0068] 132: Second welding section

[0069] 133: Lead wire

[0070] 134: Lead film

[0071] 14: Soft Case

[0072] 15: First insulation pad

[0073] 2: Battery module

[0074] 21: Battery cell stack

[0075] 211: Second thermal insulation pad

[0076] 22: Shell

[0077] 221: U-shaped frame

[0078] 222: Top plate

[0079] 223: End plate

[0080] X: Length direction / front and back direction

[0081] Y: Thickness direction / left-right direction / stacking direction

[0082] Z: Width direction / up and down direction / height direction

[0083] P: Battery pack

[0084] V: Vehicle DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0085] Hereinafter, the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art will be able to implement the technical concept of the present invention. When describing the present invention, when it is determined that the detailed description of the prior art related to the present invention unnecessarily obscures the main points of the present invention, its detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts.

[0086] Although "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various elements, these elements are certainly not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element, and unless explicitly stated otherwise, the first element may also be the second element.

[0087] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be in the singular or in the plural.

[0088] Hereinafter, “arranging an element at the upper portion (or lower portion) of an element” or “arranging an element at the top (or bottom) of an element” means not only “arranging the element to be in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface)” but also means “arranging the element above the upper surface (or lower surface) with another element interposed therebetween”.

[0089] Additionally, when an element is described as being “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “in contact with” another element, it should be understood that the element may be “directly connected to,” “directly coupled to,” or “directly in contact with” another element, or the element may be “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “in contact with” another element with another element interposed between the two elements or via another element.

[0090] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the expressions in the singular form used herein include the expressions in the plural form. The terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" used herein should not be interpreted as necessarily including all the elements or steps described in the specification, but should be interpreted as excluding some elements or steps, or including additional elements or steps.

[0091] In addition, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the expressions in the singular form used herein include the expressions in the plural form. The terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" used herein should not be interpreted as necessarily including all the elements or steps described in the specification, but should be interpreted as excluding certain elements or steps, or including additional elements or steps.

[0092] Throughout the specification, unless explicitly stated otherwise, “A and / or B” means A, B, or A and B, and “C to D” means from equal to or higher than C to equal to or lower than D, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

[0093] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0094] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The figures are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell, respectively. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The battery cell 1 may include an electrode assembly 11 , an electrode tab 12 , a soft pack 14 and an electrode lead 13 .

[0095] The electrode assembly 11 may be manufactured by stacking a plurality of electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0096] The electrode may include an anode and a cathode, and the electrode assembly 11 may be manufactured by alternately stacking the anode and the cathode with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0097] The electrode tab 12 may extend from the electrode and protrude from the electrode assembly 11 .

[0098] The electrode tabs 12 may include an anode tab extending from the anode and a cathode tab extending from the cathode.

[0099] The electrode tab 12 may extend from each of the plurality of electrodes having the same polarity and be stacked on each other to form a single tab. Here, the electrode tabs 12 may be stacked on each other and welded. Welding may include at least one method selected from various welding methods including ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and resistance welding. In addition, since the electrode includes an anode and a cathode, the anode tabs may be stacked on each other to collectively form a single anode tab, and the cathode tabs may be stacked on each other to collectively form a single cathode tab.

[0100] The pouch 14 may be sealed with the electrode assembly 11 accommodated therein.

[0101] The soft pack 14 may include a metal foil.

[0102] The soft pack 14 accommodates the electrode assembly 11 and has three sealing sides and one folding side. Here, the folding side may be a side corresponding to a side in the height direction of the battery cell 1. In addition, sealing may be achieved by fusion of a synthetic resin layer coated on the inner surface of the soft pack 14.

[0103] The electrode lead 13 is connected to the electrode tab 12 and may protrude from the soft pack 14 .

[0104] The connection between the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12 may be achieved by welding. Welding may include at least one method selected from various welding methods including ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and resistance welding. However, as long as an electrical connection between the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12 can be established, the method is not limited to welding.

[0105] The lead film 134 may be disposed on the electrode lead 13 and surround the electrode lead 13 in a width direction thereof.

[0106] The lead film 134 may include a synthetic resin.

[0107] The lead film 134 is provided at a portion of the electrode lead 13 corresponding to the sealing side of the soft pack 14 , and is fused when the soft pack 14 is sealed, and simultaneously insulates the electrode lead 13 from the soft pack 14 .

[0108] In addition, due to overheating of the battery cell caused by the short circuit, there is a risk of fire. When the battery cell catches fire, heat, flames and gases may be discharged from the battery cell. In addition, the heat, flames and gases generated by the battery cell fire may spread to other adjacent battery cells, causing a chain fire.

[0109] Therefore, the present invention provides a structure of a battery cell and a battery module including the structure of the battery cell, wherein the battery cell includes: an electrode assembly, which is formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes, wherein a separator is interposed between the plurality of electrodes; an electrode tab, which extends from each of the plurality of electrodes and protrudes from the electrode assembly; a soft package, which accommodates the electrode assembly and is sealed; and an electrode lead, which is electrically connected to the electrode tab and protrudes from the soft package, and the electrode assembly is arranged in plurality and is stacked together with a first thermal insulation pad in the thickness direction.

[0110] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a battery cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0111] [First embodiment]

[0112] Figure 3 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 , a plurality of electrode assemblies 11 may be disposed in the battery cell 1 .

[0113] The electrode assemblies 11 may be provided in pairs, and each electrode assembly 11 may include a first electrode assembly 111 and a second electrode assembly 112 .

[0114] Hereinafter, although two electrode assemblies 11 are illustrated according to the embodiments including the first embodiment and the drawings, the technical solutions of the present invention described below can obviously be applied to the case where the number of electrode assemblies 11 is greater than two.

[0115] The electrode assembly 11 may be stacked together with the first thermal insulation mat 15 in a thickness direction.

[0116] like Figure 3 As shown, the electrode assembly 11 is configured such that the first thermal insulation pad 15 is interposed between the electrode assemblies 11 .

[0117] The first thermal insulation pad 15 may include a thermal insulation material, for example, the first thermal insulation pad 15 may include a thermal insulation synthetic resin.

[0118] The first thermal insulation mat 15 may include a heat-resistant and fire-resistant material.

[0119] The first thermal insulation mat 15 may include a compressible material. In this case, the first thermal insulation mat 15 may be able to absorb expansion and tolerance of the battery cell 1 .

[0120] The electrode tabs 12 may include a first electrode tab 121 protruding from the first electrode assembly 111 and a second electrode tab 122 protruding from the second electrode assembly 112 .

[0121] The first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 may be connected to the electrode lead 13 in parallel with each other.

[0122] The first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 may be welded to both sides of the electrode lead 13 in a thickness direction, respectively.

[0123] According to the first embodiment, a plurality of electrode assemblies 11 are provided. Even when heat is generated in one of the electrode assemblies 11, the heat may not be transferred to the other electrode assemblies 11 because the first thermal insulation pad is interposed between the electrode assemblies 11. Therefore, the rise in the internal temperature of the battery cell 1 is reduced. In addition, the battery cell 1 may be suppressed from catching fire.

[0124] In addition, according to the first embodiment, there is an advantage in that by respectively welding a plurality of electrode tabs 12 protruding from a plurality of electrode assemblies 11 to both sides of an electrode lead 13 , the present invention can be implemented simply using a plurality of electrode assemblies 11 without changing the shape of the electrode lead 13 .

[0125] [Second embodiment]

[0126] Figure 4 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 , the first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 may be stacked together and welded to one side surface of the electrode lead 13 .

[0127] According to the second embodiment, there is an advantage in that the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12 can be connected by only one welding process regardless of the number of electrode assemblies 11 .

[0128] In addition, according to the second embodiment, since the welding process between the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12 is the same as the welding process in the case where there is only one electrode assembly 11, the advantage is that the welding between the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12 can use the same manufacturing process and manufacturing equipment as the welding process and manufacturing equipment in the case where there is only one electrode assembly 11.

[0129] [Third embodiment]

[0130] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a perspective view showing a battery cell with its soft pack removed according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 It is shown Figure 5 An exploded perspective view of a battery cell. Figures 5 to 7 The electrode lead 13 may include a lead portion 133 , a first welding portion 131 , and a second welding portion 132 .

[0131] The lead part 133 may extend toward one side in the length direction and protrude from the pouch 14. The battery cell 1 may be electrically connected to the outside through the lead part 133.

[0132] The first electrode tab 121 may be welded to the first welding portion 131 , and the second electrode tab 122 may be welded to the second welding portion 132 .

[0133] The first welding part 131 and the second welding part 132 may be provided in a form of protruding toward the other side in the length direction.

[0134] The first electrode assembly 111 may be disposed on one side in the thickness direction compared to the second electrode assembly 112. Therefore, the first electrode tab 121 may be disposed on one side in the thickness direction compared to the second electrode tab 122. Here, the first welding portion 131 may be disposed on one side in the thickness direction relative to the lead portion 133, and the second welding portion 132 may be disposed on the other side in the thickness direction relative to the lead portion 133.

[0135] In addition, the first electrode tab 121 may be disposed at one side in the height direction compared to the second electrode tab 122. Here, the first welding portion 131 may be disposed at one side in the height direction relative to the lead portion 133, and the second welding portion 132 may be disposed at the other side in the height direction relative to the lead portion 133.

[0136] According to the third embodiment, the first electrode tab 121 may be disposed on one side in the thickness direction and one side in the height direction compared to the second electrode tab 122. Here, the first welding portion 131 may be disposed on one side in the thickness direction and one side in the height direction relative to the lead portion 133, and the second welding portion 132 may be disposed on the other side in the thickness direction and the other side in the height direction relative to the lead portion 133.

[0137] According to the third embodiment, since the welding portion of the first electrode tab 121 and the electrode lead 13 is staggered with the welding portion of the second electrode tab 122 and the electrode lead 13 as described above, interference between the first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 can be prevented, thereby simplifying the welding process.

[0138] In addition, according to the third embodiment, since the first welding portion 131 and the second welding portion 132 protrude toward the first electrode assembly 111 and the second electrode assembly 112, respectively, an advantage is that the electrode tab 12 can be shorter compared to the case where both the first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 are directly welded to the electrode lead located in the center in the thickness direction.

[0139] [Fourth embodiment]

[0140] Figure 8 and Fig. 9 1 and 2 are a cross-sectional view and an exploded perspective view respectively showing a battery cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the electrode assembly 11 and the first thermal insulation pad 15 may be stacked alternately. For example, the electrode assembly 11 and the first thermal insulation pad 15 may be stacked in the order of the first electrode assembly 111, the first thermal insulation pad 15, the second electrode assembly 112 and the first thermal insulation pad 15 or in the reverse order.

[0141] According to the fourth embodiment, the first thermal insulation pad 15 is laminated on one side surface in the thickness direction or the other side surface in the thickness direction of each electrode assembly 11. Therefore, even when a plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked on each other in the thickness direction, the first thermal insulation pad 15 is interposed between each electrode assembly 11 and its adjacent electrode assembly, thereby more effectively preventing heat propagation between the electrode assemblies 11. A more detailed description will be given in the description of the sixth embodiment.

[0142] [Fifth embodiment]

[0143] Fig.10 and Fig.11 1 and 2 are a cross-sectional view and an exploded perspective view respectively showing a battery cell according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.10 and Fig.11 , the first thermal insulation pad 15 may be interposed between the electrode assemblies 11. For example, the electrode assemblies 11 and the first thermal insulation pad 15 may be stacked in the order of the first thermal insulation pad 15, the first electrode assembly 111, the first thermal insulation pad 15, the second electrode assembly 112, and the first thermal insulation pad 15, or in the reverse order.

[0144] According to the fifth embodiment, there are advantages in that heat propagation inside the battery cell 1 can be blocked, and at the same time, heat discharge to the outside can be blocked, thereby preventing ignition and heat generation at the battery cell level.

[0145] According to the present invention including the above-described embodiments, heat propagation in the battery cells 1 is blocked, thereby preventing the battery cells 1 from catching fire, and heat propagation between the battery cells 1 is also prevented, thereby preventing chain fire.

[0146] Furthermore, according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the present invention can be implemented while maintaining the existing design without sacrificing the specifications and performance (including energy density) of the battery cell 1 .

[0147] In addition, in order to increase the charging and discharging capacity and / or power, a plurality of battery cells 1 may be connected in series and / or in parallel to each other to form a single battery module. The present invention provides a structure of a battery module including a plurality of battery cells. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the battery cells according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0148] Fig.12 and Fig.13 are a perspective view and an exploded perspective view showing a battery module including a soft-pack type battery cell. Fig.12 and Fig.13 The battery module 2 may include a battery cell stack 21 and a housing 22 .

[0149] The battery cell laminate 21 may be manufactured by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 .

[0150] The battery cell laminate 21 may include a bus bar plate provided with bus bars. The electrode lead 13 may be welded to the bus bar, and the bus bar may be connected to the terminal. The battery module 2 may be electrically connected to the outside through the terminal.

[0151] The battery cell stack 21 may be housed in a case 22 .

[0152] The shell 22 includes: a U-shaped frame 221, the U-shaped frame 221 has an open top, an open front end and an open rear end; a top plate 222, the top plate 222 covers the open top of the U-shaped frame 221; and a pair of end plates 223, the pair of end plates 223 cover the front end and the rear end of the U-shaped frame.

[0153] The terminals may be exposed through the end plate 223 .

[0154] [Sixth embodiment]

[0155] Fig.14 FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Fig.14 , a battery cell laminate 21 may be manufactured by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

[0156] In this case, the first thermal insulation pad 15 may be interposed between the first electrode assembly 111 and the second electrode assembly 112, and between the first electrode assembly 113 and the second electrode assembly 112 of the battery cell adjacent to the battery cell 1 on the other side in the thickness direction. Therefore, the first thermal insulation pad 15 may be interposed between all adjacent electrode assemblies 11, and heat propagation between the electrode assemblies 11 may be prevented.

[0157] In addition, according to the sixth embodiment, in a battery module that generally includes soft-pack type battery cells, there is an advantage in that even when a compressible pad for absorbing expansion and tolerance and a thermal insulation pad for blocking heat between battery cells are not separately provided, because the first thermal insulation pad 15 built into the battery cell 1 is able to absorb expansion and tolerance and prevent heat propagation between battery cells, the energy density of the entire battery module will not decrease, or may even be increased.

[0158] [Seventh embodiment]

[0159] Fig.15 FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. Fig.15 The battery cell laminate 21 may be manufactured by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 and the second thermal insulation mat 211 according to the first to third embodiments.

[0160] The second thermal insulation mat 211 may be stacked in various ways with the battery cells 1. For example, the second thermal insulation mat 211 may be interposed between every predetermined number of battery cells 1 considered as one group.

[0161] According to the seventh embodiment, the battery cells 1 may be interposed between the second thermal insulation pads 211 , or the second thermal insulation pads 211 may be interposed between the battery cells 1 .

[0162] The second thermal insulation pad 211 may include a compressible material. In this case, the second thermal insulation pad 211 may absorb the expansion of the battery cell 1 and the tolerance between the battery cell 1 and the housing 22 .

[0163] In this case, the first thermal insulation pad may be interposed between the first electrode assembly 111 and the second electrode assembly 112, and the second thermal insulation pad 211 may be interposed between the first electrode assembly 113 and the second electrode assembly 112 of the battery cell adjacent to the battery cell 1 on the other side in the thickness direction. Therefore, at least one of the first thermal insulation pad 15 and the second thermal insulation pad 211 may be interposed between all adjacent electrode assemblies 11, and heat propagation between the electrode assemblies 11 may be prevented.

[0164] The present invention also provides a battery pack having a plurality of battery modules built therein and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0165] Fig.16 and Fig.17 The figures are perspective views showing a battery pack including a battery module according to the present invention and a vehicle including the battery pack. Fig.16 and Fig.17 In order to increase the charging and discharging capacity and / or power, a plurality of battery modules 2 may be connected in series and / or in parallel to each other to constitute a single battery pack P. In addition, the battery pack P may be built into a vehicle V as a power source for the vehicle V. Since the general structure and manufacturing method of the battery pack P and the vehicle V are known to those skilled in the art, a detailed description thereof will not be given here.

[0166] It should be understood that the described embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive in all aspects, and the scope of the present invention will be indicated by the appended claims rather than the specific embodiments described. The meaning and scope of the claims to be described later and all changes and modifications derived from equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0167] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the exemplary drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications are possible without departing from the scope and concept of the present invention. In addition, although the working effects of the configuration according to the present invention are not explicitly described when describing the embodiments of the present invention, it should be understood that predictable effects will also be recognized by the configuration.

Claims

1. A battery cell, comprising: an electrode assembly formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes with a separator interposed between the plurality of electrodes; an electrode tab extending from each of the plurality of electrodes and protruding from the electrode assembly; a soft package containing the electrode assembly and being sealed; as well as an electrode lead which is electrically connected to the electrode tab and protrudes from the soft pack, Wherein, the electrode assembly is provided in plurality, and The electrode assembly is stacked together with a first thermal insulation mat in a thickness direction.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode assemblies are arranged in pairs, including a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly.

3. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The first thermal insulation pad is located between the electrode assemblies.

4. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the electrode assemblies is located between a plurality of first thermal insulation pads.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode assemblies and the first thermal insulation pads are stacked alternately.

6. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The electrode tabs are connected to the electrode leads in parallel with each other.

7. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein: The electrode terminal piece comprises: a first electrode tab protruding from the first electrode assembly; and a second electrode tab, the second electrode tab protruding from the second electrode assembly, and The first electrode tab and the second electrode tab are connected to the electrode lead in parallel.

8. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein: The first electrode tab and the second electrode tab are respectively welded to both sides of the electrode lead in a thickness direction.

9. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein: The first electrode tab and the second electrode tab are stacked on each other and welded to one side surface of the electrode lead in a thickness direction.

10. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein: The electrode lead comprises: A lead portion, the lead portion protruding outward from the soft package; a first welding portion, the first electrode terminal tab being welded to the first welding portion; and The second welding portion is welded to the second electrode terminal tab.

11. The battery cell according to claim 10, wherein: Compared with the second electrode assembly, the first electrode assembly is arranged on one side in the thickness direction, The first welding portion is disposed on one side of the lead portion in the thickness direction, and The second welding portion is provided on the other side of the lead portion in the thickness direction.

12. The battery cell according to claim 10, wherein: Compared with the second electrode terminal tab, the first electrode terminal tab is disposed on one side in the height direction. The first welding portion is arranged on one side of the height direction relative to the lead portion, and The second welding portion is provided on the other side of the lead portion in the height direction.

13. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The first thermal insulation pad comprises a compressible material. 14 . A battery module comprising a battery cell stack including a plurality of the battery cells according to claim 1 stacked in a thickness direction.

15. The battery module according to claim 14, wherein: The battery cell stack further includes a second thermal insulation mat stacked together with the plurality of battery cells.

16. The battery module according to claim 15, wherein: The second thermal insulation pad is disposed between the plurality of battery cells.

17. The battery module according to claim 15, wherein: Each of the battery cells is located between a plurality of the second thermal insulation pads.

18. The battery module according to claim 15, wherein: The second thermal insulation mat comprises a compressible material.

19. A battery pack comprising the battery module according to claim 14.

20. A vehicle comprising the battery pack according to claim 19.

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