Battery cell, battery module including same, battery pack and vehicle

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery cell, a battery module including the battery cell, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle including the battery cell. A battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly comprising a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; an electrode lead connected to the electrode assembly; a cell case accommodating the electrode assembly, supporting the electrode lead, and having a sealing portion formed therein; and an internal pressure homogenization member coupled to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the cell case.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0121322, filed in Korea on September 12, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a battery cell, a battery module including the battery cell, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle including the battery cell, and more particularly, to a battery cell in which the internal pressure of a pouch is uniformly maintained, a battery module including the battery cell, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle including the battery cell. Background Art

[0003] Since secondary batteries can be easily applied to various types of products and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, they are generally used not only for portable devices but also for electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by a power source.

[0004] Secondary batteries can significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels. In addition to the main advantages, another advantage of secondary batteries is that no by-products are generated when using energy. Due to these advantages, secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new eco-friendly and energy-efficient energy source.

[0005] Currently widely used types of secondary battery cells include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, etc. A single secondary battery cell has an operating voltage of about 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or a battery pack. Additionally, a battery module or a battery pack can be formed by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel according to the required charge / discharge capacity. Therefore, the number of battery cells in a battery module or a battery pack and their electrical connections can be differently set according to at least one of the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] In addition, commonly used types of secondary battery cells include cylindrical, square, and pouch-type battery cells. Here, the pouch-type battery cell includes, for example, a positive electrode material, a separator, a negative electrode material, and an electrolyte solution, as well as an aluminum pouch for accommodating them. Additionally, the pouch has a sealing portion at the edge to prevent the electrolyte solution from leaking out of the pouch.

[0008] However, gas is generated in the pouch during charging and discharging of the battery cell, and when expansion occurs in the pouch, the gas may leak through the sealing portion at a specific unexpected position, resulting in a fire, which may adversely affect the battery cell or the battery module. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Technical problem

[0010] The present disclosure relates to providing a battery cell, a battery module including the battery cell, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle including the battery cell, the battery cell preventing gas in the battery cell from leaking through any sealing portion and uniformly maintaining the internal pressure of the cell housing.

[0011] The present disclosure also relates to providing a battery cell that reduces the risk of fire, a battery module including the battery cell, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle including the battery cell.

[0012] The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are not limited to the above problems, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand these and other problems from the following description.

[0013] Technical solution

[0014] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell can be provided, the battery cell including: an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; an electrode lead connected to the electrode assembly; a cell housing that houses the electrode assembly and supports the electrode lead on the cell housing, the cell housing having a sealing portion formed thereon; and an internal pressure equalization member coupled to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the cell housing.

[0015] In an embodiment, the cell housing can have a long side and a short side, and the internal pressure equalization member can be coupled to the sealing portion located at a position close to the electrode lead along the short side of the cell housing.

[0016] In an embodiment, the internal pressure equalization member can include: a magnet portion formed with a length corresponding to the length of the short side of the cell housing and disposed along the short side; and a magnet coupling portion coupled to the magnet portion.

[0017] In an embodiment, the magnet portion can include a neodymium magnet.

[0018] In an embodiment, the cell housing can have a long side and a short side, and the internal pressure equalization member can be coupled to the cell housing along the long side of the cell housing.

[0019] In an embodiment, the internal pressure equalizing member may include: a magnet portion formed with a length corresponding to the length of the long side of the battery cell housing and disposed along the long side; and a magnet coupling portion coupled to the magnet portion.

[0020] In an embodiment, the magnet portion may include: a first portion covering the battery cell housing along the long side of the battery cell housing; a second portion forming one end portion of the first portion and electrically connected to a first electrode lead of the electrode lead; and a third portion forming the other end portion of the first portion and electrically connected to a second electrode lead of the electrode lead.

[0021] In an embodiment, the battery cell may include a first conductor and a second conductor, the first conductor may be coupled to the second portion, and the second conductor may be coupled to the third portion.

[0022] In an embodiment, the magnet coupling portion may include: a fourth portion covering the battery cell housing along the long side of the battery cell housing; a fifth portion forming one end portion of the fourth portion and electrically connected to a first electrode lead of the electrode lead; and a sixth portion forming the other end portion of the fourth portion and electrically connected to a second electrode lead of the electrode lead.

[0023] In an embodiment, a foam pad may be coupled to the fourth portion.

[0024] In an embodiment, the battery cell may include a third conductor and a fourth conductor, the third conductor may be coupled to the fifth portion, and the fourth conductor may be coupled to the sixth portion.

[0025] In an embodiment, a connection hole may be formed in the magnet portion, a plug may be coupled to the magnet coupling portion, and when a plurality of battery cell housings to which the internal pressure equalizing member is respectively coupled are stacked, the plug of the first battery cell housing among the plurality of battery cell housings may be inserted into the connection hole of the second battery cell housing among the plurality of battery cell housings.

[0026] In an embodiment, the plug may be detachably coupled to the magnet coupling portion.

[0027] In an embodiment, an insulating layer may be formed between the plug and the magnet coupling portion.

[0028] In an embodiment, the second portion and the third portion may be magnets, and the first portion may be a non-magnet connected to the magnet.

[0029] In an embodiment, the magnet portion may include a neodymium magnet.

[0030] In addition, according to another aspect of the present disclosure, a battery module including at least one battery cell as described above, a battery pack including at least one battery cell as described above, and a vehicle including at least one battery cell as described above may be provided.

[0031] Advantageous Effects

[0032] Embodiments of the present disclosure may prevent gas in the battery cell from leaking through any sealing portion and may uniformly maintain the internal pressure of the cell housing.

[0033] In addition, the risk of fire may be reduced.

[0034] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand these and other technical effects from the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are used together with the following detailed description to provide a better understanding of the technical aspects of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 is a front view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side view of

[0038] Figure 3 is a plan view of a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 4 is Figure 3 an enlarged view of part A in

[0040] Figure 5 is a plan view of a plurality of battery cells according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 6 is Figure 5 an enlarged view of part B in

[0042] Figure 7 is a view showing a plurality of battery cells Figure 5 connected to each other in

[0043] Figure 8 is Figure 7 an enlarged view of part C in

[0044] Figure 9It is a plan view of a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 10 It is a plan view of a plurality of battery cells according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 11 It shows Figure 10 a diagram of a plurality of battery cells connected to each other in

[0047] Figure 12 It is a diagram schematically showing a battery module including a battery cell according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 13 It is a diagram schematically showing a battery pack including a battery module according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 14 It is a diagram showing a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Embodiments

[0050] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that the terms or words used in the specification and the appended claims should not be construed as limited to the general and dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted based on the meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical aspects of the present disclosure on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to appropriately define the terms for the best interpretation. Therefore, the descriptions and the illustrations in the drawings provided herein are provided to describe some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, but are not intended to completely describe the technical aspects of the present disclosure. Thus, it should be understood that various other equivalents and modifications can be made thereto when submitting a patent application.

[0051] In the drawings, for convenience and clarity of description, the dimensions of each element or a specific part of the element are enlarged, omitted, or schematically shown. Therefore, the dimensions of each element do not fully reflect the actual dimensions. When it is determined that the detailed description of a relevant known function or element may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure, that description is omitted.

[0052] It should also be understood that when an element is referred to as "connected to" or "coupled to" another element, the element can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, but the element can be "connected to" or "coupled to" the other element indirectly through a linking element.

[0053] Figure 1 It is a front view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 is Figure 1 a side view of

[0054] Refer to Figure 1and Figure 2 According to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery cell 10 includes an electrode assembly 100, electrode leads 200, a cell case 300, and an internal pressure equalization member 400. Here, the battery cell 10 may include a pouch-type battery cell 10.

[0055] The electrode assembly 100 may include a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. For example, the first electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate or a negative electrode plate, and the second electrode plate may correspond to an electrode plate having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate. That is, when the first electrode plate is a positive electrode plate, the second electrode plate may be a negative electrode plate, and when the first electrode plate is a negative electrode plate, the second electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate.

[0056] The electrode leads 200 are electrically connected to the electrode assembly 100. The electrode leads 200 may be connected to one side or both sides of the electrode assembly 100 in the longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, the electrode leads 200 connected to both sides of the electrode assembly 100 in the longitudinal direction will be described.

[0057] The electrode leads 200 may include, for example, a first electrode lead 200a and a second electrode lead 200b. Here, the first electrode lead 200a may be connected to the first electrode plate and may be positive or negative. In addition, the second electrode lead 200b may be connected to the second electrode plate and may be positive or negative. Here, the first electrode lead 200a and the second electrode lead 200b have opposite polarities. That is, when the first electrode lead 200a is positive, the second electrode lead 200b is negative, and when the first electrode lead 200a is negative, the second electrode lead 200b is positive.

[0058] The cell case 300 houses the electrode assembly 100. That is, the cell case 300 may include a housing space in which the electrode assembly 100 is housed. In this case, the cell case 300 may house an electrolyte and may also house the electrode assembly 100 such that the electrode assembly 100 is wetted by the electrolyte.

[0059] The cell case 300 may be, for example, pouch-type. For example, the cell case 300 may be made of a metal such as aluminum (Al), but is not limited thereto. Hereinafter, for the sake of convenience of description, the cell case 300 that is pouch-type and made of aluminum will be described.

[0060] The battery cell housing 300 can be configured to support the electrode lead 200. In this case, the electrode lead 200 can extend from the battery cell housing 300 by a preset length. Additionally, the battery cell housing 300 can have a sealing portion 310 along a side edge. For example, the sealing portion 310 prevents the electrolyte solution from leaking out of the battery cell housing 300 and prevents the gas generated during charging and discharging of the battery cell 10 from leaking out of the battery cell housing 300.

[0061] Referring Figure 1 , the battery cell housing 300 has a long side and a short side. In Figure 1 this regard, the Y direction is the long side direction, and the Z direction is the short side direction.

[0062] The internal pressure equalization member 400 is coupled to at least a portion of the sealing portion 310 of the battery cell housing 300. Gas is generated in the battery cell housing 300 during charging and discharging of the battery cell 10, and when expansion occurs in the pouch, the gas may leak through the sealing portion 310 at any unexpected location. However, gas leakage increases the fire risk, and preventive measures are necessary.

[0063] The battery cell 10 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure includes an internal pressure equalization member 400 that is coupled to the sealing portion 310 of the battery cell housing 300 to prevent gas from leaking through any sealing portion 310 in the case where gas is generated in the battery cell housing 300 and to uniformly maintain the internal pressure applied to the battery cell housing 300. Accordingly, the fire risk can be reduced.

[0064] Referring Figure 1 , the internal pressure equalization member 400 can be coupled to the sealing portion 310 near the electrode lead 200 along the short side of the battery cell housing 300.

[0065] Here, the internal pressure equalization member 400 can be coupled to the sealing portion 310 of the battery cell housing 300 by various methods. For example, the internal pressure equalization member 400 can include a magnet portion 410 and a magnet coupling portion 420.

[0066] Referring Figure 2 , the magnet portion 410 is formed with a length corresponding to the length of the short side of the battery cell housing 300 and is disposed along the short side. The magnet portion 410 can be made of various magnetic materials, and for example, can include a neodymium magnet, but is not limited thereto.

[0067] Additionally, referring back Figure 2 , the magnet coupling portion 420 is coupled to the magnet portion 410. That is, the magnet coupling portion 420 can be made of various materials that react to the magnet. For example, the magnet coupling portion 420 can be made of steel, but is not limited thereto.

[0068] As described above, the magnet part 410 is disposed along the short side of the battery cell case 300, and the magnet coupling part 420 is coupled to the magnet part 410. When the magnet part 410 and the magnet coupling part 420 press the sealing part 310, gas leakage through the sealing part 310 formed near the electrode lead 200 can be prevented. In addition, since the magnet part 410 and the magnet coupling part 420 press the sealing part 310, the tension acting on the sealing part 310 is reduced, the sealing strength of the sealing part 310 is increased, and the moment at the corresponding part is reduced. Therefore, the internal pressure is not concentrated on the sealing part 310 but is evenly distributed, resulting in a uniform internal pressure throughout the battery cell case 300.

[0069] Ultimately, the internal pressure of the battery cell case 300 can be made uniform, and gas leakage through any of the sealing parts 310 can be prevented, thereby reducing the fire risk.

[0070] Figure 3 is a plan view of a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 4 is Figure 3 an enlarged view of part A in Figure 5 is a plan view of a plurality of battery cells according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 6 is Figure 5 an enlarged view of part B in Figure 7 is a view showing Figure 5 a plurality of battery cells connected to each other in Figure 8 is Figure 7 an enlarged view of part C in

[0071] The second embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the first embodiment in that the internal pressure equalizing member 400 is coupled to the battery cell case 300 along the long side of the battery cell case 300. However, the common description already described in the first embodiment is replaced by the above description of the first embodiment. In addition, any description of the second embodiment that can be applied to the first embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment.

[0072] The description of the electrode assembly 100, the electrode lead 200, and the battery cell case 300 is replaced by the above description of the first embodiment.

[0073] Referring to Figure 3 , the battery cell case 300 has a long side and a short side. Figure 3 is a view of the battery cell 10 when viewed from the top, and based on Figure 3 , the Y direction is the long side direction. In Figure 3 , the short side direction, i.e., the Z direction, is not indicated.

[0074] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 5, the internal pressure equalization member 400 is coupled to the battery cell housing 300 along the long side of the battery cell housing 300. In the second embodiment, the internal pressure equalization member 400 may cover the entire battery cell housing 300. Alternatively, the internal pressure equalization member 400 may be configured to partially cover the battery cell housing 300 such that at least one side of the battery cell housing 300 is exposed.

[0075] The internal pressure equalization member 400 may be configured to support the battery cell housing 300 in an upright position. Due to the stiffness of the battery cell housing 300, the pouch-type battery cell housing 300 is not easily stacked upright in the up-down direction.

[0076] However, the internal pressure equalization member 400 may be configured to cover one or more battery cell housings 300 so as to hold the battery cell housings 300 in a vertical position, i.e., an upright position.

[0077] In addition, the internal pressure equalization member 400 may be configured to cover the battery cell housing 300 such that at least one side of the battery cell housing 300 faces the bottom surface of the module housing 200 of the battery module 20 or the battery pack housing 300 of the battery pack 30 and is exposed. That is, the battery cell 10 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure can be held in an upright position by the internal pressure equalization member 400 and thus stacked on the module housing 200. In this case, the battery module 20 is accommodated in the battery pack housing 300.

[0078] Alternatively, the battery cell 10 may be directly accommodated in the battery pack housing 300 and held in an upright position by the internal pressure equalization member 400. In this case, the module housing 200 can be omitted, and thus, more battery cells 10 can be accommodated in the space occupied by the module housing 200 in the battery pack housing 300, thereby increasing the energy density.

[0079] Referring to Figure 3 , the internal pressure equalization member 400 may include a magnet portion 410 and a magnet coupling portion 420. Figure 3 is a plan view of the battery cell housing 300 when viewed from the top, and in Figure 3 , the battery cell housing 300 is placed in the up-down direction based on Figure 3 , that is, the long side direction of the battery cell housing 300, i.e., Figure 3 the Y direction in

[0080] Here, the magnet portion 410 is formed to have a length corresponding to the length of the long side of the battery cell housing 300 and is disposed along the long side of the battery cell housing 300. The magnet portion 410 may be made of various magnetic materials and may include, for example, a neodymium magnet, but is not limited thereto.

[0081] Refer together Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the magnet part 410 may include a first part 411, a second part 412, and a third part 413. In Figure 3 , the magnet is integrally formed, and the first part 411, the second part 412, and the third part 413 are integrally formed.

[0082] The first part 411 covers the battery cell case 300 along the long side of the battery cell case 300. The first part 411 may be configured to cover all or part of the side surface of the battery cell case 300.

[0083] The second part 412 forms one end portion of the first part 411 and is electrically connected to the first electrode lead 200a of the electrode lead 200. In Figure 3 , the second part 412 forms the upper end portion of the first part 411, but is not limited thereto.

[0084] A first conductor 415 made of a material through which current easily flows may be coupled to the second part 412, and the first conductor 415 is electrically connected to the first electrode lead 200a (see Figure 5 ). The first conductor 415 is coupled to the second part 412 by various methods, and for example, the first conductor 415 may be coupled to the second part 412 by a bonding method, but is not limited thereto.

[0085] The third part 413 forms the other end portion of the first part 411 and is electrically connected to the second electrode lead 200b of the electrode lead 200. In Figure 3 , the third part 413 forms the lower end portion of the first part 411, but is not limited thereto.

[0086] A second conductor 416 made of a material through which current easily flows may be coupled to the third part 413, and the second conductor 416 is electrically connected to the second electrode lead 200b (see Figure 5 ). The second conductor 416 is coupled to the third part 413 by various methods, and for example, the second conductor 416 may be coupled to the third part 413 by a bonding method, but is not limited thereto.

[0087] Refer together Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the magnet coupling part 420 is coupled to the magnet part 410. That is, the magnet coupling part 420 may be made of various materials that react to the magnet. For example, the magnet coupling part 420 may be made of steel, but is not limited thereto.

[0088] The magnet coupling part 420 may include a fourth part 421, a fifth part 422, and a sixth part 423. In Figure 3 , the fourth part 421, the fifth part 422, and the sixth part 423 may be integrally formed.

[0089] The fourth part 421 covers the battery cell housing 300 along the long side of the battery cell housing 300 at a position opposite to the first part 411. For example, when the first part 411 of the magnet part 410 covers the left side of the battery cell housing 300 based on Figure 3 this, the fourth part 421 of the magnet coupling part 420 can cover the right side of the battery cell housing 300 based on Figure 3 this, but is not limited thereto.

[0090] Here, the fourth part 421 can be configured to cover all or part of the side surface of the battery cell housing 300. In addition, referring back to Figure 3 , in order to buffer the battery cell housing 300, the foam pad 430 can be coupled to the fourth part 421. The foam pad 430 can be made of polyurethane, but the material of the foam pad 430 is not limited thereto.

[0091] The fifth part 422 forms one end portion of the fourth part 421 and is electrically connected to the first electrode lead 200a of the electrode lead 200. In Figure 3 this, the fifth part 422 forms the upper end portion of the fourth part 421, but is not limited thereto.

[0092] The third conductor 425 made of a material through which current easily flows can be coupled to the fifth part 422, and the third conductor 425 is electrically connected to the first electrode lead 200a (see Figure 5 ). The third conductor 425 is coupled to the fifth part 422 by various methods, and for example, the third conductor 425 can be coupled to the fifth part 422 by forming a hole 429 in the fifth part 422 and inserting the third conductor 425 into the hole of the fifth part 422. However, the manner in which the third conductor 425 is coupled to the fifth part 422 is not limited thereto.

[0093] The sixth part 423 forms the other end portion of the fourth part 421 and is electrically connected to the second electrode lead 200b of the electrode lead 200. In Figure 3 this, the sixth part 423 forms the lower end portion of the fourth part 421, but is not limited thereto.

[0094] The fourth conductor 426 made of a material through which current easily flows can be coupled to the sixth part 423, and the fourth conductor 426 is electrically connected to the second electrode lead 200b (see Figure 5 ). The fourth conductor 426 is coupled to the sixth part 423 by various methods, and for example, the fourth conductor 426 can be coupled to the sixth part 423 by forming a hole 429 (see Figure 6 ) in the sixth part 423 and inserting the fourth conductor 426 into the hole 429 of the sixth part 423. However, the manner in which the fourth conductor 426 is coupled to the sixth part 423 is not limited thereto.

[0095] Referring to Figure 5 , the magnet part 410 and the magnet coupling part 420 are coupled to the battery cell housing 300 to form the battery cell unit 500. Additionally, referring to Figure 7 , a plurality of battery cell units 500 can be coupled to each other.

[0096] Here, a plurality of battery cell units 500 can be coupled to each other and stacked on the module housing 200 of the battery module 20, or can be directly stacked on the battery pack housing 300 of the battery pack 30 without the module housing 200. That is, the magnet and the magnet coupling part 420 not only have the function of pressing the sealing part 310, but also have the function of supporting the battery cell housing 300 to keep the battery cell housing 300 upright in the module housing 200 or the battery pack housing 300.

[0097] A plurality of battery cell units 500 can be coupled to each other by various methods, and for example, as Figure 5 shown, by forming a connection hole 414 in the magnet part 410, the plug 424 is coupled to the magnet coupling part 420, and referring to Figure 7 and Figure 8 , the plug 424 of the first battery cell housing 300a among the plurality of battery cell housings 300 is inserted into the connection hole 414 of the second battery cell housing 300b among the plurality of battery cell housings 300, so that a plurality of battery cell housings 300 each coupled to the internal pressure equalizing member 400 can be stacked. Here, the plug 424 coupled to the magnet coupling part 420 can be included in the third conductor 425 and can be included in the fourth conductor 426. That is, the plug 424 is made of a material through which current easily flows.

[0098] Additionally, a plurality of battery cell units 500 coupled to each other by the above method can be stacked in the module housing 200 or the battery pack housing 300.

[0099] Here, referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , the plug 424 can be detachably coupled to the magnet coupling part 420. Referring to Figure 6 , the plug 424 included in the fourth conductor 426 is removed in the region of the sixth part 423.

[0100] Since the plug 424 is included in the third conductor 425 or the fourth conductor 426 and is coupled to the first electrode lead 200a or the second electrode lead 200b, in the case where they are wrongly connected, for example, when they are connected in series with the same polarity, a short circuit may occur. To prevent this, if necessary, as shown on the right side of Figure 6 , the plug 424 can be removed from the hole 429 of the magnet coupling part 420, or as Figure 6As shown on the left side, the plug 424 can be inserted into the hole 429 of the magnet coupling part 420 to connect multiple battery cell units 500. Here, the plug 424 can have threads 429 for coupling on the outer periphery (see Figure 4 ).

[0101] Referring to Figure 4 , an insulating layer 428 can be formed between the plug 424 and the magnet coupling part 420. The insulating layer 428 is formed for electrical insulation between the magnet coupling part 420 made of steel through which current easily flows and the plug 424 made of a material through which current easily flows. Here, the insulating layer 428 can be made of various materials, and for example, it can be made of plastic, but the material of the insulating layer 428 is not limited thereto.

[0102] As described above, when the magnet part 410 is arranged along the long side of the battery cell housing 300, and the magnet coupling part 420 is coupled to the magnet part 410 and they press the sealing part 310, gas can be prevented from leaking through the sealing part 310 formed near the electrode lead 200 and the fire risk can be reduced in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0103] Figure 9 is a plan view of a battery cell according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 10 is a plan view of multiple battery cells according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 11 is a view showing Figure 10 multiple battery cells coupled to each other in

[0104] The third embodiment of the present disclosure is different from the first and second embodiments in the shape of the battery cell housing 300. Therefore, the structure of the internal pressure equalization member 400 changes. However, the common descriptions already described in the first or second embodiment are replaced by the foregoing descriptions of the first or second embodiment. In addition, any description of the third embodiment that can be applied to the first or second embodiment can be applied to the first or second embodiment.

[0105] Referring to Figure 9 , the second part 412 and the third part 413 are magnets. This is common to the second and third embodiments, and their detailed descriptions are omitted. However, the first part 411 is made of a non-magnetic material and is connected to each of the second part 412 and the third part 413.

[0106] Referring to Figure 9 , in contrast to Figure 3 , the battery cell housing 300 also protrudes toward the magnet part 410, and in Figure 9In [the figure], the magnet portion 410 has a stepped portion that is recessed inward, such that the magnet portion 410 is coupled to the battery cell housing 300. However, it is difficult to form a step in a magnet such as a neodymium magnet through machining. For ease of machining, the first portion 411 is made of a non-magnetic material and is connected to each of the second portion 412 and the third portion 413, where the third embodiment is different from the second embodiment.

[0107] However, in Figure 10 the magnet portion 410 and the magnet coupling portion 420 that are coupled to the battery cell housing 300 to form a battery cell unit 500 and in Figure 11 the multiple battery cell units 500 that are coupled to each other are common to the second embodiment and the third embodiment, and are replaced by the foregoing description of the second embodiment.

[0108] In addition, in the third embodiment, the magnet portion 410 can be made of various magnetic materials, and for example, can include a neodymium magnet, but is not limited thereto.

[0109] Figure 12 are diagrams schematically showing a battery module including battery cells according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0110] Referring to Figure 12 , a battery module 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include at least one battery cell 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above. In Figure 12 , the battery cells 10 form battery cell units 500 and are stacked as shown in the schematic diagram.

[0111] Here, the battery module 20 can include, for example, a module housing 200 that houses a plurality of battery cells 10 that are electrically connected to each other.

[0112] Figure 13 are diagrams schematically showing a battery pack including a battery module according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] Referring to Figure 13 , a battery pack 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can include at least one battery cell 10 or battery module 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure as described above. Additionally, the battery pack 30 can further include a battery pack housing 300 that houses the battery cell 10 or the battery module 20, and various types of devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery cell 10, such as a battery management system (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0114] Figure 14 are diagrams showing a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0115] Referring to Figure 14, a vehicle 400 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one battery cell 10 or battery module 20 or battery pack 30 according to each of the above embodiments. Here, the vehicle 400 includes various types of vehicles designed to use electric power, such as electric vehicles or hybrid electric vehicles.

[0116] For ease of description, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the terms may change depending on the position of the described element or observer.

[0117] Although the present disclosure has been described above through a limited number of embodiments and drawings, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made thereto in the technical aspects of the present disclosure and the appended claims and their equivalents. Therefore, these disclosed embodiments should be considered from a descriptive rather than a restrictive perspective. That is, the true technical scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, and it should be understood that all differences within the equivalent scope are included in the present disclosure.

[0118] Industrial Applicability

[0119] The present disclosure relates to a battery cell, a battery module including the battery cell, a battery pack including the battery cell, and a vehicle including the battery cell, and more particularly, can be used in industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. A battery cell, the battery cell comprising: An electrode assembly, the electrode assembly comprising a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; An electrode lead, the electrode lead being connected to the electrode assembly; A cell housing, the cell housing accommodating the electrode assembly and supporting the electrode lead thereon, and a sealing portion being formed on the cell housing; And An internal pressure equalizing member, the internal pressure equalizing member being coupled to at least a part of the sealing portion of the cell housing.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, The cell housing has a long side and a short side, and Wherein, the internal pressure equalizing member is coupled to the sealing portion at a position close to the electrode lead along the short side of the cell housing.

3. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein, The internal pressure equalizing member comprises: A magnet portion, the magnet portion being formed with a length corresponding to the length of the short side of the cell housing and disposed along the short side; and A magnet coupling portion, the magnet coupling portion being coupled to the magnet portion.

4. The battery cell according to claim 3, wherein, The magnet portion comprises a neodymium magnet.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, The cell housing has a long side and a short side, and Wherein, the internal pressure equalizing member is coupled to the cell housing along the long side of the cell housing.

6. The battery cell according to claim 5, wherein, The internal pressure equalizing member comprises: A magnet portion, the magnet portion being formed with a length corresponding to the length of the long side of the cell housing and disposed along the long side; and A magnet coupling portion, the magnet coupling portion being coupled to the magnet portion.

7. The battery cell according to claim 6, wherein, The magnet portion comprises: A first portion, the first portion covering the cell housing along the long side of the cell housing; A second portion, the second portion forming one end portion of the first portion and being electrically connected to the first electrode lead of the electrode lead; and A third portion, the third portion forming the other end portion of the first portion and being electrically connected to the second electrode lead of the electrode lead.

8. The battery cell according to claim 7, the battery cell comprising: A first conductor and a second conductor, Wherein, the first conductor is coupled to the second portion, and the second conductor is coupled to the third portion.

9. The battery cell according to claim 6, wherein, The magnet coupling portion comprises: A fourth portion, the fourth portion covering the cell housing along the long side of the cell housing; A fifth portion, the fifth portion forming one end portion of the fourth portion and being electrically connected to the first electrode lead of the electrode lead; and A sixth portion, the sixth portion forming the other end portion of the fourth portion and being electrically connected to the second electrode lead of the electrode lead.

10. The battery cell according to claim 9, wherein, A foam pad is coupled to the fourth portion.

11. The battery cell according to claim 9, the battery cell comprising: A third conductor and a fourth conductor, Wherein, the third conductor is coupled to the fifth portion, and the fourth conductor is coupled to the sixth portion.

12. The battery cell according to claim 6, wherein, A connection hole is formed in the magnet portion, Wherein, a plug is coupled to the magnet coupling portion, and Wherein, when a plurality of battery cell housings respectively connected with the internal pressure equalizing member are stacked, the plug of the first battery cell housing among the plurality of battery cell housings is inserted into the connection hole of the second battery cell housing among the plurality of battery cell housings.

13. The battery cell according to claim 12, wherein, The plug is detachably connected to the magnet connection portion.

14. The battery cell according to claim 12, wherein, An insulating layer is formed between the plug and the magnet connection portion.

15. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein, The second part and the third part are magnets, and the first part is a non-magnet connected to the magnet.

16. The battery cell according to claim 6, wherein, The magnet portion includes a neodymium magnet.

17. A battery module, the battery module comprising a battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A battery pack, the battery pack comprising a battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A vehicle, the vehicle comprising a battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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