Battery, battery pack, and device including battery pack

Abstract

The battery according to the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly including a plurality of stacked electrodes, a tab array formed by stacking a plurality of electrode tabs respectively extending from the plurality of electrodes, and a cover member covering the tab array; and an electrode lead that is electrically connected to the tab array. The cover member may include: an electrode cover portion covering at least a portion of a surface of an electrode disposed at an outermost side among the plurality of stacked electrodes; and a tab cover portion extending from the electrode cover portion, disposed to face the tab array, and electrically connected to the electrode lead.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to batteries, battery packs, and devices including the battery pack. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and dischargeable, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including digital cameras, mobile phones, laptops, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, and aircraft. Secondary batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-metal hydride batteries, with lithium-ion batteries gaining widespread use in recent years.

[0003] In the case of conventional lithium-ion batteries, copper foil, aluminum foil, etc. are used as current collectors for the negative and positive electrodes, and the negative or positive active materials are laminated on their two surfaces to manufacture the negative or positive electrodes.

[0004] In contrast, in the case of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries or lithium metal (Li-metal) batteries, which are considered next-generation batteries, the negative electrode can be formed from lithium metal itself. In this case, the lithium metal forming the negative electrode plate can continue to extend, thereby forming a negative electrode terminal. However, lithium metal is the metal with the lowest density and soft properties, and there are concerns about quality changes during long-term storage due to its high reactivity with moisture in the air.

[0005] Electrode terminals formed of lithium metal, for example, can be compressed and adhered to the welding equipment during the welding process, or even if welding is completed, wire breaks can occur at the boundary between the electrode and the electrode terminal due to the soft nature of the wire during battery use. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical goals

[0007] This disclosure is made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the objective is to provide a battery, a battery pack, and a device including the battery pack, the battery being configured to prevent the electrode terminals from being pressure-pressed and adhered to the welding equipment during the welding process.

[0008] Furthermore, this disclosure provides a battery, a battery pack, and a device including the battery pack configured to minimize the occurrence of wire breaks at the boundary between the electrode and the electrode terminal block.

[0009] Technical solution

[0010] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery is provided, the battery comprising: an electrode assembly including a plurality of stacked electrodes, a terminal block assembly formed by stacking a plurality of electrode terminals extending from the plurality of electrodes, and a cover member configured to cover the terminal block assembly; and electrode leads electrically connected to the terminal block assembly, wherein the cover member includes: an electrode cover portion configured to cover at least a portion of the surface of the outermost electrode among the plurality of stacked electrodes; and a terminal block cover portion extending from the electrode cover portion, positioned facing the terminal block assembly, and electrically connected to the electrode leads.

[0011] The terminal block assembly can be formed by stacking the plurality of electrode terminals in one direction, and the cover member can be configured to cover each of the two electrode terminals located at one outermost and the other outermost position of the terminal block assembly.

[0012] The connector assembly can be electrically connected to the electrode lead through the connector cover.

[0013] The electrode cover may be formed of a material having a higher tensile strength than the plurality of electrode tabs.

[0014] The plurality of electrode terminals may be formed of lithium metal, and the cover member may be nickel foil or copper foil.

[0015] The electrode cap can be configured to cover the entire surface of the outermost electrode among the plurality of stacked electrodes.

[0016] The electrode cap can be attached to the surface of the outermost electrode among the plurality of stacked electrodes.

[0017] The width of the connector cover can be wider than the width of the connector assembly.

[0018] The connector cover can be placed between the electrode lead and the connector assembly for soldering to the electrode lead.

[0019] According to another aspect of this disclosure, a battery pack including the battery of this disclosure is also provided.

[0020] According to another aspect of this disclosure, an apparatus including the battery pack of this disclosure is also provided.

[0021] Effects of the present invention

[0022] According to one aspect of the invention, it is possible to prevent the terminal blocks from being squeezed by pressure and adhering to the welding equipment during the welding process.

[0023] According to another aspect of this disclosure, since the cover member covers the connector assembly, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the sealing quality of the battery housing and an electrical short circuit between the connector assembly and the battery housing. The reduction in the sealing quality of the battery housing is caused by the connector assembly being diffused by the pressure applied during the welding process, being pulled to the outside of the cover area covered by the connector cover, and interfering with the lead film.

[0024] According to another aspect of this disclosure, the breakage at the boundary between the electrode and the electrode terminal block can be minimized. Attached Figure Description

[0025] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view showing a battery according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a portion of a plan view illustrating a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a plurality of electrodes and cover components included in a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 4 It is based on Figure 3 Example cross-sectional view of section A-A'.

[0029] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating a cover member included in a battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a cover member included in a battery according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Prior to the description of this disclosure, the terms or words used in this disclosure and the appended claims are not limited to their general or dictionary definitions. The terms and words will be interpreted on the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their invention. Therefore, since the exemplary embodiments described in this disclosure and the configurations shown in the accompanying drawings are merely the most desirable exemplary embodiments and do not represent all the technical spirit of this disclosure, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace the exemplary embodiments and configurations may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0033] The same reference numerals or symbols shown in the accompanying drawings indicate parts or elements that perform essentially the same function. For ease of description and understanding, the same reference numerals or symbols may be used to describe exemplary embodiments that differ from each other. In other words, although multiple drawings show elements with the same reference numerals, the multiple drawings do not imply only one exemplary embodiment.

[0034] In the following description, singular terms include plural terms unless there is an obvious and contextually conflicting description. Terms such as “comprising” or “including” are used to indicate the presence of features, numbers, operations, actions, elements, components, or combinations thereof. It should be understood that these terms do not preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, operations, actions, elements, components, or combinations thereof may be present or added.

[0035] In addition, it should be noted in advance that expressions such as upper side, upper part, lower side, lower part, side surface, front surface or rear surface are based on the directions shown in the accompanying drawings, and the expressions may be changed when the direction of the corresponding object changes.

[0036] Ordinal terms such as "first" or "second," used in this specification and claims, can be used to distinguish elements. Such ordinal numbers are used to differentiate identical or similar elements from one another in context. The meaning of a term may not be limited by the use of the ordinal number. For example, the order of use, order of disposal, etc., of elements having such ordinal numbers may be interpreted without being limited by the number. Ordinal numbers may be interchanged as needed.

[0037] In the following description, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be presented with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the concept of the present disclosure is not limited to the presented exemplary embodiments. For example, those skilled in the art who understand the concept of the present disclosure may propose another exemplary embodiment that is included within the scope of the concept of the present disclosure by adding, changing, or removing elements. However, other exemplary embodiments are also included within the scope of the concept of the present disclosure. For clarity, the shape, size, etc., of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated.

[0038] Figure 1 This is an exploded perspective view showing a battery 1 according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 This is a portion of a plan view showing a battery 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating a plurality of electrodes 10 and a cover member 30 included in a battery 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 It is based on Figure 3 Example cross-sectional view of section A-A'. Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the cover member 30 included in a battery 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] refer to Figures 1 to 5According to this disclosure, the battery 1 may include an electrode assembly 3, electrode leads L, a battery casing 50, and a lead film 40.

[0040] The electrode assembly 3 may include multiple electrodes 10, a terminal block assembly C, and a cover member 30.

[0041] Multiple electrodes 10 can be stacked. The multiple electrodes 10 may include a first electrode 11 and a second electrode 12. The first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 may have opposite polarities. The first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 may be stacked with a spacer 13 between them.

[0042] The separator 13 can be inserted between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12 to prevent electrical short circuit between the first electrode 11 and the second electrode 12, and can be configured to be impregnated with electrolyte so that ions can pass through. The separator 13 can be formed of a porous polymer membrane, non-woven fabric, etc. However, materials commonly used in lithium secondary batteries other than those mentioned above can be used as materials for the separator 13 without particular limitation.

[0043] The terminal block assembly C can be formed by stacking multiple electrode terminals T, which are individually formed and extend from multiple electrodes. The terminal block assembly C can be formed by stacking multiple electrode terminals T in one direction. The terminal block assembly C can be formed by aggregating multiple electrode terminals T having the same polarity.

[0044] Electrode leads L can be electrically connected to the connector assembly C. Electrode leads L can be formed of a conductive metallic material. For example, electrode leads L can be made of nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), or alloys including such metals. As an example, electrode leads L can be connected to the connector assembly C by welding or the like, with the cover member 30 inserted therein. A pair of electrode leads L can be arranged as follows: Figure 1 As shown on one side, but conversely, electrode leads L can be set on each of the two sides.

[0045] The battery housing 50 can be configured to receive the electrode assembly 3. The battery housing 50 can be configured such that the electrode leads L are pulled outwards. The battery housing 50 may include an upper housing 52 and a lower housing 51. The battery housing 50 may include an electrode receiving portion 53 and a sealing portion 54 disposed along the edge of the electrode receiving portion 53. The electrode receiving portion 53 may be formed by vertically combining the upper housing 52 and the lower housing 51, and may have an internal space for receiving the electrode assembly 3. The sealing portion 54 may be formed by pressing or thermally fusing the edges of the upper housing 52 and the lower housing 51 along the edge of the electrode receiving portion 53, thereby preventing the inflow of foreign matter or moisture from outside the battery housing 50 into the electrode assembly 3 received in the electrode receiving portion 53.

[0046] The battery casing 50 can be a pouch-shaped casing made of a soft material. For example, the battery casing 50 can be formed of aluminum laminate. However, in addition to the pouch-shaped casing described above, the battery casing 50 can be formed into a can-shaped (or rectangular) casing or a cylindrical casing made of a metallic material such as aluminum.

[0047] A lead film 40 can be disposed between the battery housing 50 and the electrode lead L. The lead film 40 can be configured as a thermally fusible film, thereby enhancing the sealing capability of the battery housing 50 in the area where the electrode lead L is pulled outward. To prevent short circuits in the electrode lead L, the lead film 40 can be formed to include an insulating material.

[0048] The cover member 30 may cover the terminal block assembly C. The cover member 30 may cover each of the two electrode terminals located at the outermost position of the terminal block assembly C. The cover member 30 may cover each of the two electrodes located at the outermost position of the plurality of stacked electrodes 10.

[0049] Let's refer to each other. Figure 3 and Figure 5 The cover member 30 may include an upper cover member 30B and a lower cover member 30A. The upper cover member 30B covers the electrode 10B located on the upper side (in the positive extension direction of the Z-axis) among the outermost of the plurality of stacked electrodes 10 and the terminal piece T formed and extended from the electrode. The lower cover member 30A covers the electrode 10A located on the lower side (in the negative extension direction of the Z-axis) among the outermost of the plurality of stacked electrodes 10 and the terminal piece T formed and extended from the electrode.

[0050] The cover member 30 may include an electrode cover portion 33 and a terminal block cover portion 31. The electrode cover portion 33 covers at least a portion of the surface of an electrode 10A or 10B located at the outermost position of a plurality of stacked electrodes 10, and the terminal block cover portion 31 extends from the electrode cover portion 33, is positioned to face the terminal block assembly C, and is electrically connected to the electrode lead L. Figure 3 The electrodes 10 shown are electrodes with the same polarity. Electrodes with opposite polarities that form the electrode assembly 3 together with the electrodes are omitted in the figures. For example, electrodes with opposite polarities can be placed... Figure 3 Among the multiple electrodes 10 shown.

[0051] The connector cover 31 of the cover member 30 can be positioned to face the connector assembly C. The connector cover 31 can cover the surface of the connector assembly C.

[0052] The electrode cover 33 can be positioned to face the outermost electrode 10A or 10B placed on the plurality of stacked electrodes 10.

[0053] The cover member 30 can be formed of a material with a tensile strength higher than that of the material forming the terminal assembly C. For example, when the individual electrode terminals T forming the terminal assembly C are formed of lithium metal, the cover member 30 can be a nickel foil or copper foil with a tensile strength higher than that of lithium metal. The cover member 30 can be formed of a metal or alloy other than lithium metal itself. In other words, the cover member 30 can be a metal with material properties stronger than those of lithium metal.

[0054] The cover member 30 may include a terminal cover portion 31 and an electrode cover portion 33 to cover the boundaries of the electrode 10 and the electrode terminal T.

[0055] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the connector cover 31 of the cover member 30 can be ultrasonically welded to the electrode lead L in the area where the electrode lead L and the connector assembly C overlap in the height direction (i.e., the direction parallel to the Z-axis). Therefore, the connector assembly C can be electrically connected to the electrode lead L through the connector cover 31.

[0056] According to this configuration of the present disclosure, the electrode lead T can be prevented from being pressure-pressed and adhering to the welding equipment during the welding process. Since the cover member 30 is disposed on the outermost side of the lead assembly C, the electrode lead T does not need to contact the welding head and anvil used for ultrasonic welding when ultrasonic welding is performed to connect the electrode L and the lead assembly C. Therefore, the lead assembly C is disposed between a pair of cover members 30 covering the upper and lower surfaces of the lead assembly C, and is connected to the electrode lead L without contacting the welding equipment.

[0057] In addition, since the cover member 30 covers the connector assembly C, it can prevent the reduction of the sealing quality of the battery housing 50 caused by the connector assembly C being diffused by the pressure applied during the welding process, being pulled to the outside of the cover area covered by the connector cover 31 and interfering with the lead film 40, and can also prevent electrical short circuit between the connector assembly C and the battery housing 50.

[0058] Furthermore, wire breaks at the boundary between electrode 10 and electrode terminal T can be minimized. As the width of the terminal T decreases rapidly, the portion extending from electrode 10 may be structurally weak. This structure may be prone to wire breaks during the repeated expansion and contraction of battery 1 due to its expansion during use. In particular, electrodes 10A or 10B located at the outermost edge of the stacked electrodes 10 may exhibit significant structural changes due to expansion, compared to electrodes located on the inner side. Therefore, the cover member 30 can be positioned facing the outermost electrode 10A or 10B to minimize wire breaks at the boundary between electrode 10 and electrode terminal T.

[0059] The above-mentioned effects can be maximized when the battery 1 according to this disclosure is a lithium metal battery or a lithium-sulfur battery. The negative electrode plate of the lithium metal battery or lithium-sulfur battery can have an integral structure formed with a lithium metal sheet. The lithium metal sheet is a planar member formed of lithium or a lithium alloy material, and the negative electrode terminal can be realized by appropriately processing the shape of the lithium metal sheet. Therefore, when the battery 1 is a lithium metal battery or a lithium-sulfur battery, the plurality of electrode terminals T included in the battery 1 can include lithium metal (e.g., lithium or an alloy including lithium).

[0060] When the negative electrode plate is formed from a lithium metal sheet, the soft material properties of lithium metal may further exacerbate the adhesion of the terminal block T to the welding equipment or the breakage at the boundary between the electrode 10 and the terminal block T. However, as described above, this problem can be minimized by providing a cover member 30 of a metallic material with stronger material properties than lithium metal at the outermost part of the terminal block assembly C, which includes lithium metal.

[0061] Specifically, when the tensile strength of the connector, which includes the lithium metal tab assembly C and the electrode lead L, was measured, the tensile strength was found to be low because the portion of the electrode 10 formed and extending near the electrode tab T fractured prematurely before the connection area between the tab assembly C and the electrode lead L was disconnected. This problem can be solved by providing a capping member 30 of a metal material with stronger properties than lithium metal at the outermost edge of the tab assembly C, thereby improving the tensile strength of the connector where the tab assembly C and the electrode lead L are connected.

[0062] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating a cover member 30 included in a battery 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] Reference Figure 6 The cover component 30 according to this disclosure is described in further detail.

[0064] The electrode cover 33 can be placed on the entire surface of the electrode 10A or 10B, which is located at the outermost position of the plurality of stacked electrodes 10. The area of ​​the electrode cover 33 can be equal to the area of ​​the surface of the electrode 10.

[0065] The electrode cap 33 can be attached to the outermost electrode 10A or 10B located at the outermost position of the plurality of stacked electrodes 10. The electrode cap 33 can be attached to the surface of the electrode 10 by ultrasonic welding or laser welding. The electrode cap 33 can also be attached to the surface of the electrode 10 by a polymer adhesive.

[0066] The process of attaching the electrode cap 33 to the surface of the electrode 10 can be performed earlier than the process of stacking multiple electrodes. In other words, the electrodes 10A or 10B can be stacked with the electrode cap 33 attached to the outermost electrode 10A or 10B. This stacking method can be used without special limitations, except for zigzag, stacking, and folding methods, as long as the stacking method is commonly used in lithium secondary batteries.

[0067] The connector cover 31 can cover an area wider than the area of ​​the connector assembly C. The width of the connector cover 31 can be greater than the width of the connector assembly C. The connector cover 31 can have a length longer than the length of the connector assembly C.

[0068] The connector assembly C and the electrode lead L can be soldered along the width direction of the connector T (i.e., parallel to the X-axis), with the connector cover 31 inserted between them. During soldering, the connector assembly C can be spread along the width direction of the connector T (i.e., parallel to the X-axis) by the pressure applied during soldering, and can be pulled outward toward the cover area of ​​the connector cover 31. Therefore, it is important to set the width of the connector cover 31 to prevent this.

[0069] The width of the connector cover 31 can be related to the thickness of the connector assembly C, the thickness of the electrode lead L, and the thickness of the cover member 30. For example, when the thickness of the connector assembly is large, the width of the connector cover 31 can be set to be large because the connector assembly C may diffuse to a greater extent due to the pressure applied during the welding process.

[0070] Therefore, the width of the connector cover 31 can be proportional to the sum of the thickness of the connector assembly C, the thickness of the electrode lead L, and the thickness of the two facing cover members 30. For example, the distance between the connector cover 31 and the electrode connector T along the width direction (i.e., the direction parallel to the X-axis) can be set to 0.2 to 0.4 times the sum of the thickness of the connector assembly C, the thickness of the electrode lead L, and the thickness of the two facing cover members 30. The distance between the connector cover 31 and the electrode connector T along the width direction (i.e., the direction parallel to the X-axis) can be 1 to 2 millimeters (mm). The distance between the connector cover 31 and the electrode connector T on the other side along the width direction (i.e., the direction parallel to the X-axis) can be set to be equal to the distance on the first side, thereby positioning the connector assembly C at the center of the connector cover 31 along the width direction.

[0071] With this configuration, when the connector cover 31 is connected between the electrode lead L and the connector assembly C by welding, the effect of preventing the connector assembly C from spreading out of the cover area of ​​the connector cover 31 due to the pressure applied during the welding process, thereby interfering with the lead film 40 or adhering to the welding equipment can be greatly increased.

[0072] The process in which the terminal cover 31 is joined between the electrode lead L and the terminal assembly C by welding can be performed after the process of stacking multiple electrodes 10. After the process of joining the terminal cover 31 between the electrode lead L and the terminal assembly C by welding, the process of surrounding the electrode assembly 3 again with the separator 13, receiving the electrode assembly 3 in the battery housing 50, and / or sealing the battery housing 50 can be included.

[0073] Furthermore, although not shown in detail, the battery pack according to this disclosure may include one or more batteries 1 according to this disclosure. In addition to batteries 1, the battery pack may further include various other components, such as battery pack components known at the time of filing of this application, such as battery management system (BMS), busbars, battery pack housing, relays, or current sensors.

[0074] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating device B according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] refer to Figure 7 and Figure 8 The device B according to this disclosure may include a battery 1 according to an example embodiment of this disclosure. For example, Figure 7 The device shown can be a vehicle, and Figure 8 The device shown could be an aircraft.

[0076] refer to Figure 7 When device B according to this disclosure is a vehicle, in addition to battery 1, the vehicle may further include various components included in the vehicle. For example, in addition to battery 1 according to this disclosure, the vehicle may further include a body, a motor, control devices such as an electronic control unit (ECU), etc.

[0077] refer to Figure 8 When device B according to this disclosure is an aircraft, in addition to battery 1, the aircraft may further include various components included in the aircraft. For example, when the aircraft is a drone, in addition to battery 1 according to this disclosure, the drone may further include a transmitter / regulator, motor, propeller, control board, etc.

[0078] However, device B is not limited to vehicles such as vehicles and aircraft as described above, and can be applied to various types of devices that can use battery 1, including energy storage systems (ESS).

[0079] As described above, the intended exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are primarily referenced to the accompanying drawings; however, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications are permitted without departing from the category of this disclosure. Therefore, the category of this disclosure should be interpreted based on the described claims to include examples of such modifications.

[0080] [List of reference numerals]

[0081] Equipment B

[0082] 1 battery

[0083] 3-electrode assembly

[0084] 10 electrodes

[0085] 11 First Electrode

[0086] 12 Second Electrode

[0087] 13 partitions

[0088] T electrode connector

[0089] C-connector assembly

[0090] L electrode lead

[0091] 30 cover components

[0092] 31 Connector Cover

[0093] 33 Electrode Cover

[0094] 40 lead film

[0095] 50 battery casing

[0096] 51 Lower housing

[0097] 52 Upper Shell

[0098] 53 Electrode Receiving Section

[0099] 54 Sealing section

Claims

1. A battery, comprising: An electrode assembly comprising a plurality of stacked electrodes, a terminal assembly, and a cover member, the terminal assembly being formed by stacking a plurality of electrode terminals extending from the plurality of electrodes, and the cover member being configured to cover the terminal assembly. as well as Electrode leads, which are electrically connected to the terminal block assembly. The cover component includes: An electrode cover, configured to cover at least a portion of the surface of the outermost electrode among the plurality of stacked electrodes; and A connector cover, which extends from the electrode cover, is positioned to face the connector assembly and is electrically connected to the electrode lead.

2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein, The terminal block assembly is formed by stacking the plurality of electrode terminals in one direction, and The cover member is configured to cover each of the two electrode tabs located at one of the outermost and the other of the outermost positions of the tab assembly.

3. The battery according to claim 1, wherein, The connector assembly is electrically connected to the electrode lead via the connector cover.

4. The battery according to claim 1, wherein, The electrode cover is formed of a material having a higher tensile strength than the plurality of electrode terminals.

5. The battery according to claim 1, wherein, The plurality of electrode terminals are formed of lithium metal, and The cover component is made of nickel foil or copper foil.

6. The battery according to claim 1, wherein, The electrode cap is configured to cover the entire surface of the outermost electrode among the plurality of stacked electrodes.

7. The battery according to claim 6, wherein, The electrode cap is attached to the surface of the outermost electrode among the plurality of stacked electrodes.

8. The battery according to claim 6, wherein, The width of the connector cover is wider than the width of the connector assembly.

9. The battery according to claim 6, wherein, The connector cover is placed between the electrode lead and the connector assembly for soldering to the electrode lead.

10. A battery pack comprising the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An apparatus comprising the battery pack according to claim 10.

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