Insulating member for secondary battery and secondary battery including the insulating member

Abstract

This disclosure relates to an insulating member for a secondary battery and a secondary battery including the insulating member. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a housing housing the electrode assembly, a cover plate including terminals electrically connected to the electrode assembly and engaged with the housing, and an insulating member disposed within the housing between the electrode assembly and the cover plate. The insulating member includes a first body and a second body, and a connecting body. The first and second bodies are positioned adjacent to each other in a longitudinal direction. The connecting body is located between the first and second bodies and includes a first groove into which at least a portion of the first body is inserted and a second groove into which at least a portion of the second body is inserted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a secondary battery including an insulating member that insulates the cover plate from the electrode assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, which are non-rechargeable, secondary batteries are rechargeable and dischargeable. Typically, a secondary battery includes an electrode assembly containing positive and negative electrodes, a housing for containing the electrode assembly, electrode terminals connected to the electrode assembly, and an exhaust port for degassing gases generated inside the housing.

[0003] The information disclosed herein in this Background section is intended to enhance understanding of the background of this disclosure, and therefore may contain information that does not constitute related (or prior art). Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure relates to providing a secondary battery that allows for the reduction of product defects caused by the breakage of insulating components in response to external forces provided in the test environment and / or actual use environment.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a secondary battery is provided, the secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a housing in which the electrode assembly is embedded, a cover plate including terminals electrically connected to the electrode assembly and engaged with the housing, and an insulating member disposed in the housing between the electrode assembly and the cover plate, wherein the insulating member includes a first body and a second body and a connecting body, the first body and the second body being positioned adjacent to each other in a length direction, the connecting body being located between the first body and the second body and including a first groove in which at least a portion of the first body is inserted and a second groove in which at least a portion of the second body is inserted.

[0006] The aspects and features of this disclosure are not limited to those described herein, and those skilled in the art will clearly understand from the description of this disclosure other aspects and features not specifically mentioned herein. Attached Figure Description

[0007] The following accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and further describe aspects and features of the disclosure together with the detailed description thereof. Therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a secondary battery according to the present disclosure; Figure 2 It is along Figure 1 A sectional view of I-I'; Figure 3 This is a diagram used to briefly illustrate the connection relationship between the cover plate, electrode assembly and insulating member located therebetween according to this disclosure; Figure 4 It is a diagram used to describe the problems that may occur in response to an applied external force; Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an insulating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an insulating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an insulating member according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the state of deformation of an insulating member under an applied external force according to further embodiments of the present disclosure; and Figure 10 This is an example diagram illustrating a secondary battery including insulating components according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0008] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The terms or words used in this specification and claims are not to be interpreted narrowly according to their ordinary or dictionary meaning, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts consistent with the technical concept of the present disclosure, based on the principle that the inventor, as his / her own lexicographer, can appropriately define the concepts of the terms to best describe his / her disclosure. The embodiments described in this specification and the constructions shown in the drawings are merely some embodiments of the present disclosure and do not represent all aspects, features, and embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications may exist that can replace or modify the embodiments or features described herein at the time of filing of this application.

[0009] It will be understood that if the terms “comprising,” “including,” and / or variations thereof are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of the stated features, integers (whole), steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers (whole), steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0010] In the accompanying drawings, the dimensions of various elements, layers, etc., may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals denote the same elements.

[0011] Referring to two contrasting elements, features, etc., as “identical” can imply that they are “substantially identical.” Therefore, the phrase “substantially identical” can include cases with deviations considered low in the art (e.g., 5% or less). Furthermore, the uniformity of parameters over a given region can imply uniformity from an average perspective.

[0012] Although the terms first, second, etc., are used to describe various components, these components are not fundamentally limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise stated, the first component can certainly also be the second component.

[0013] Throughout this specification, unless otherwise stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0014] Arranging any element "above (or below)" or "on (below)" another element can mean that the arbitrary element can contact the upper (or lower) surface of the element, or that the other element can be placed between the element and the arbitrary element located above (or below) the element.

[0015] Additionally, it will be understood that if a component is referred to as “linked,” “combined,” or “connected” to another component, then the elements can be directly “combined,” “linked,” or “connected” to each other, or another component can be “placed” between these components.

[0016] As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Furthermore, the use of “may” refers to “one or more embodiments of this disclosure” when describing embodiments of the present disclosure. If expressions such as “at least one of…” and “any one of…” follow a list of elements, they modify the entire list of elements without modifying any individual elements within that list.

[0017] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise stated, if “A and / or B” is stated, it means A, B or A and B, and unless otherwise stated, if “C to D” is stated, it means C or greater and D or less.

[0018] When phrases such as “at least one of A, B and C (species / beings)”, “at least one of A, B or C (species / beings)”, “at least one of the groups selected from A, B and C (species / beings)” or “at least one of A, B and C (species / beings)” are used to specify a list of elements A, B and C, the phrase may refer to any suitable combination (or subset) of A, B and C and all suitable combinations (or subsets) of A, B and C, such as A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C.

[0019] As used herein, the term "use" and its variations may be considered synonymous with the term "utilization" and its variations, respectively. As used herein, the terms "basic," "about," and similar terms are used as approximate terms rather than as terms of degree, and are intended to explain the inherent variations in measured or calculated values ​​that will be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0020] It will be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions, these elements, components, regions, layers, and / or portions should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or portion from another element, component, region, layer, or portion. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the exemplary embodiments, the first element, first component, first region, first layer, or first portion discussed below may be referred to as a second element, second component, second region, second layer, or second portion.

[0021] For ease of description, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “lower,” “above,” and “upper” are used herein to describe the relationship between one element or feature and another element(s) shown in the figure. It will be understood that, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figure, the spatial relative terms are intended to also cover different orientations of the device during use or operation. For example, if the device in the figure is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” other elements or features will subsequently be oriented “above” or “above” said other elements or features. Therefore, the term “below” can encompass both above and below orientations.

[0022] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments of this disclosure and is not intended to limit this disclosure.

[0023] The electrode assembly is housed within the casing, while the electrode terminals and vents are assembled with a cover plate and exposed to the outside. Additionally, an electrolyte inlet is formed within the cover plate. After the electrode assembly is inserted into the casing and the cover plate is attached to the casing, electrolyte is injected through the electrolyte inlet, and the electrolyte inlet is sealed with a sealing plug. An insulating member may be disposed at the lower part of the cover plate to insulate the electrode plates from the current collector of the electrode assembly inside the secondary battery. This insulating member may be referred to as a bottom insulator.

[0024] In stability testing and / or real-world use environments, insulating components may deform or be damaged due to applied external forces, potentially leading to deformation or breakage within the electrode assembly. In such cases, deformation or breakage of the insulating components can result in product defects, such as short circuits between the cover plate and the electrode assembly or direct damage to the electrode assembly.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a secondary battery according to the present disclosure.

[0026] The housing 51 forms the overall exterior of the prismatic secondary battery and can be formed of a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and in addition to a can-shaped housing, the housing can also be implemented as a bag-shaped housing, and in addition to a prismatic housing, the housing can also be implemented as a cylindrical housing. In the following description, for ease of description, an example of a can-shaped housing for the secondary battery will be described. The housing 51 can provide space for accommodating electrode assemblies.

[0027] The cover assembly 60 may include a cover plate 61 that covers the opening of the housing 51. In some examples, the housing 51 and the cover plate 61 may be made of a conductive material. Here, the first terminal 62 and the second terminal 63 may be electrically connected to corresponding positive and negative electrodes (or negative and positive electrodes) inside the housing and may be mounted to protrude outward through the cover plate 61.

[0028] The cover plate 61 may be equipped with an electrolyte inlet 64 formed for mounting a sealing plug (or sealing pin) and an exhaust port 66 formed with a recess 65. The exhaust port 66 is used to discharge gases generated inside the secondary battery.

[0029] Figure 2 It is according to some embodiments of this disclosure along Figure 1 A sectional view taken along line I-I'. (Refer to...) Figure 2 The internal structure of the prismatic secondary battery and its integration with the cover assembly 60 will be further described.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, the prismatic secondary battery may include an electrode assembly 40, a first current collector 41, a first terminal 62, a second current collector 42, a second terminal 63, a housing 51, and a cover assembly 60.

[0031] Electrode assembly 40 can be formed by winding or stacking a first electrode plate, a diaphragm, and a second electrode plate into a sheet or film. If electrode assembly 40 is wound, the winding axis can be parallel to the length direction of housing 51. In some other embodiments, electrode assembly 40 is stacked rather than wound, and the shape of electrode assembly 40 is not limited in this disclosure. Alternatively, electrode assembly 40 can be a Z-stacked electrode assembly in which positive and negative electrode plates are inserted into both sides of a diaphragm that is subsequently bent into a Z-stack. Additionally, one or more electrode assemblies can be stacked such that the long sides of the electrode assemblies are adjacent to each other and housed in a housing, and the number of electrode assemblies in the housing is not limited in this disclosure. The first electrode plate of the electrode assembly can be used as a negative electrode, and the second electrode plate can be used as a positive electrode. Of course, the reverse is also possible.

[0032] The first electrode plate can be formed by coating a first electrode active material, such as graphite or carbon, onto a first electrode current collector formed of a metal foil, such as copper, copper alloy, nickel, or nickel alloy. The first electrode plate may include a first electrode tab 43 (e.g., a first uncoated portion) as a region where the first electrode active material is not coated. The first electrode tab 43 can serve as a current flow path between the first electrode plate and the first current collector 41. In some embodiments, when manufacturing the first electrode plate, the first electrode tab 43 is formed by pre-cutting it to protrude toward one side of the electrode assembly 40, or the first electrode tab 43 protrudes toward one side of the electrode assembly 40 more than the diaphragm (e.g., further than or beyond the diaphragm) without separate cutting.

[0033] The second electrode plate can be formed by coating a second electrode active material, such as a transition metal oxide, onto a second electrode current collector formed of a metal foil such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The second electrode plate may include a second electrode tab 44 (e.g., a second uncoated portion) as a region where the second electrode active material is not coated. The second electrode tab 44 can serve as a current flow path between the second electrode plate and the second current collector 42. In some embodiments, the second electrode tab 44 can be formed by pre-cutting it during the manufacture of the second electrode plate to protrude toward the other side (e.g., the opposite side) of the electrode assembly, or the second electrode plate can protrude toward the other side of the electrode assembly more than the diaphragm (e.g., further than or beyond the diaphragm) without separate cutting.

[0034] In some embodiments, the first electrode contact 43 may be located on the right side of the electrode assembly 40, and the second electrode contact 44 may be located on the left side of the electrode assembly 40, or the first electrode contact 43 and the second electrode contact 44 may be located on one side in the same direction. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first electrode contact 43 and the second electrode contact 44 may be located on the upper side of the electrode assembly 40. Here, for ease of explanation, left side, right side, and upper side are based on... Figure 1 The secondary batteries shown can change their positions when rotated left and right or up and down.

[0035] The separator prevents or significantly reduces short circuits between the first and second electrodes while allowing lithium ions to move between them. The separator can be made of, for example, polyethylene membranes, polypropylene membranes, or polyethylene-polypropylene membranes.

[0036] The first electrode terminal 43 of the first electrode plate and the second electrode terminal 44 of the second electrode plate may extend from both ends of the electrode assembly 40 as described herein.

[0037] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly 40 is housed together with the electrolyte in the housing 51.

[0038] In the electrode assembly 40, the first current collector 41 and the second current collector 42 can be welded and connected to the first electrode terminal 43 extending from the first electrode plate and the second electrode terminal 44 extending from the second electrode plate, respectively. As mentioned herein, in some embodiments where the first electrode terminal 43 and the second electrode terminal 44 are located at the top of the electrode assembly 40, the first current collector and the second current collector are located at the top of the electrode assembly 40.

[0039] The first current collector 41 and the second current collector 42 are respectively connected to the first terminal 62 and the second terminal 63 via connecting members 67. In some embodiments, the connecting members 67 may each have a threaded outer peripheral surface and may be fastened to the first terminal 62 and the second terminal 63 by threaded connection. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the connecting members 67 may also be riveted or welded to the first terminal 62 and the second terminal 63.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a diagram used to briefly illustrate the connection relationship between the cover plate, electrode assembly and insulating member located therebetween according to this disclosure.

[0041] An insulating member 57 may be placed between the upper part of the electrode assembly 40 and the lower part of the cover plate 61 to electrically insulate the electrode assembly 40 from the cover plate 61. The insulating member 57 may include an electrolyte passage hole 52 communicating with the electrolyte inlet 64 of the cover plate 61 and a gas passage hole 53 communicating with the vent 66 of the cover plate 61.

[0042] Terminals 62 and 63 may include protrusions that can pass through the through holes 71 and 72 formed in the cover plate 61 and the through holes 54 and 55 formed in the insulating member 57 at locations corresponding to the through holes 71 and 72, thereby electrically connecting to the electrode tabs of the electrode assembly 40. Although not shown in the figures, terminals 62 and 63 may be electrically connected to the electrode tabs of the electrode assembly 40 via separate connectors that bypass the insulating member 57 or extend through the through holes 54 and 55 of the insulating member 57.

[0043] The insulating member 57 can be secured to the lower part of the cover plate 61 by a protrusion. However, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the insulating member 57 can be structurally secured to the cover plate 61 or the housing 51 or using at least one known fixing member so as to be located between the cover plate 61 and the electrode assembly 40.

[0044] Figure 4 It is a diagram used to describe the problems that may occur in response to an applied external force.

[0045] Secondary batteries can explode due to high internal temperatures and pressures. This can be caused by abnormal operating conditions such as internal short circuits, overcharge exceeding permissible current and voltage, exposure to high temperatures, or deformation due to drops or external impacts. To prevent this, various stability tests are conducted to ensure product stability and reliability. Specifically, stability tests may include shock tests to examine the behavior of secondary batteries in response to events such as deformation caused by external forces, such as external impacts.

[0046] When external forces are applied to a secondary battery in an impact testing environment or a real-world usage environment, such as Figure 4 As shown, the cover plate 61 and the insulating member 57 may deform or break. In this case, due to the deformation or breakage of the insulating member 57, a defect may occur in the product not performing its function, such as a short circuit between the cover plate 61 and the electrode assembly 40. That is, the insulating member 57 is an assembly placed between the cover plate 61 and the electrode assembly 40 for insulation purposes, but when it breaks due to an applied external force, the insulating member 57 may not perform its function, and a defect of a short circuit between the cover plate 61 and the electrode assembly 40 may occur.

[0047] Figure 5 and Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an insulating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Reference Figure 5 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulating member 57 can be disposed... Figure 1 The housing 51 and placed Figure 3 The cover plate 61 and Figure 3 The insulating member 57 is positioned between the electrode assemblies 40. Preferably, the insulating member 57 can be positioned at a predetermined distance from the electrode assemblies 40. The insulating member 57 can be fixed to the inside of the cover plate 61 or the housing 51. The insulating member 57 may include a first body 110, a second body 130, and a connecting body 150. The first body 110 and the second body 130 can be arranged adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction (e.g., the X-axis direction), and the connecting body 150 can be disposed between the first body 110 and the second body 130 to be detachably fastened to the first body 110 and the second body 130.

[0049] The first body 110 may have an approximately hexahedral plate shape, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The first body 110 may be formed of an insulating material. The first body 110 may be formed of one or more of rubber, polypropylene (PP), polyphenylene sulfone (PPS), homopolymer PP, random PP, and block PP, or two or more selected from the group consisting of these materials.

[0050] The second body 130 may be positioned adjacent to the first body 110 in the longitudinal direction. The second body 130 may have an approximately hexahedral plate shape, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The second body 130 may be formed of an insulating material. The second body 130 may be formed of one or more of rubber, PP, PPS, homopolymer PP, random PP, and block PP, or two or more selected from the group consisting of these materials. The second body 130 may be formed of the same material as the first body 110.

[0051] The connecting body 150 can be located between the first body 110 and the second body 130. The connecting body 150 can perform the function of restricting and constraining the movement of the first body 110 and the second body 130 between them. That is, the connecting body 150 can constrain the movement of the first body 110 and the second body 130, thereby minimizing the separation of the first body 110 and the second body 130 due to the applied external force.

[0052] The connecting body 150 may include a first groove 151 configured to receive at least a portion of a first body 110 and a second groove 155 configured to receive at least a portion of a second body 130. The first groove 151 may be partially recessed inward from one side of the connecting body 150 in the longitudinal direction. The first groove 151 may be open toward one end of the first body 110 to receive at least a portion of one end of the first body 110. The first groove 151 may be open in the width direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction), but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The first body 110 may be inserted into and secured to the first groove 151 of the connecting body 150. The first body 110 may be fitted and engaged with the first groove 151, and the first body 110 and the first groove 151 may remain engaged unless a predetermined external force is applied.

[0053] The second groove 155 can be provided by partially recessing inward from the other side of the connecting body 150 in the longitudinal direction. The second groove 155 can be open towards one end of the second body 130 to receive at least a portion of one end of the second body 130. The second groove 155 can be open in the width direction, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The second body 130 can be inserted into and fixed to the second groove 155 of the connecting body 150. The second body 130 can be assembled and engaged with the second groove 155, and the second body 130 and the second groove 155 can remain engaged unless a certain external force is applied.

[0054] The connecting body 150 may be formed of one or more of rubber, PP, PPS, homopolymer PP, random PP, and block PP, or two or more selected from the group consisting of these materials. Preferably, the connecting body 150 may be formed of a material that is more rigid than the first body 110 and the second body 130. Therefore, in response to an applied external force, the connecting body 150 can more strongly restrain the separation of the first body 110 and the second body 130.

[0055] The connecting body 150 may include a through hole 160 of a certain thickness passing through the connecting body 150. Multiple through holes 160 may be provided. The connecting body 150 can perform a predetermined buffering function through the through holes 160. For example, even when deformation occurs in the first body 110 and the second body 130 due to an applied external force and pressure is applied to the connecting body 150, the connecting body 150 can remain engaged with the first body 110 and the second body 130 through a buffering effect without separating from them.

[0056] Reference Figure 6 The through-hole 160 of the connecting body 150 can be open toward the cover plate 61 and the electrode assembly 40. As an example, one end of the through-hole 160 of the connecting body 150 can be open toward an exhaust port formed in the cover plate 61. In this case, the through-hole 160 can be used as a gas passage hole through which gas is discharged. As another example, one end of the through-hole 160 of the connecting body 150 can be open toward... Figure 3 The electrolyte inlet 64 is open. In this case, the through hole 160 can be used as an electrolyte passage through which the electrolyte is introduced.

[0057] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an insulating member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In describing embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions of structures substantially identical to those of embodiments of the present disclosure may be omitted.

[0058] Reference Figure 7 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulating member 57 can be disposed... Figure 1 The housing 51 and placed Figure 3 The cover plate 61 and Figure 3 Between the electrode assemblies 40. An insulating member 57 can be fixed to the inside of the cover plate 61 or the housing 51. The insulating member 57 may include a first body 110, a second body 130, and a connecting body 150.

[0059] The first body 110 may include guide rails 111, 113 that are recessed inward in the thickness direction from at least one of its surfaces that are opposite each other in the thickness direction (e.g., the Z-axis direction). Specifically, one end of the first body 110 may include a 1-1 guide rail 111 that is recessed inward from its lower surface in the thickness direction. The 1-1 guide rail 111 may be open in the width direction. One end of the first body 110 may include a 1-2 guide rail 113 that is recessed inward from its upper surface in the thickness direction. The 1-2 guide rail 113 may be open in the width direction.

[0060] The second body 130 may be positioned adjacent to the first body 110 in the length direction. The second body 130 may include guide rails 131, 133 that are recessed inward in the thickness direction from at least one of its surfaces opposite each other in the thickness direction. Specifically, one end of the second body 130 may include a 2-1 guide rail 131 that is recessed inward from its lower surface in the thickness direction. The 2-1 guide rail 131 may be open in the width direction. One end of the second body 130 may include a 2-2 guide rail 133 that is recessed inward from its upper surface in the thickness direction. The 2-2 guide rail 133 may be open in the width direction.

[0061] The connecting body 150 can be located between the first body 110 and the second body 130. The connecting body 150 can perform the function of restricting and constraining the movement of the first body 110 and the second body 130 between them. That is, the connecting body 150 can constrain the movement of the first body 110 and the second body 130, thereby minimizing the separation of the first body 110 and the second body 130 due to the applied external force.

[0062] The connecting body 150 may include a first groove 151 configured to receive at least a portion of a first body 110 and a second groove 155 configured to receive at least a portion of a second body 130. The first groove 151 may be partially recessed inward from one side of the connecting body 150 in the length direction. The first groove 151 may be open toward one end of the first body 110 to receive at least a portion of one end of the first body 110. The first groove 151 may be open in the width direction, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The first body 110 may be inserted into and secured to the first groove 151 of the connecting body 150.

[0063] The second groove 155 can be provided by partially recessing inward from the other side of the connecting body 150 in the length direction. The second groove 155 can be open towards one end of the second body 130 to receive at least a portion of one end of the second body 130. The second groove 155 can be open in the width direction, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The second body 130 can be inserted into and fixed to the second groove 155 of the connecting body 150.

[0064] The connecting body 150 may include a 1-1 guide protrusion 171 slidably fastened to a 1-1 guide rail 111 of the first body 110 in the width direction, and a 1-2 guide protrusion 173 slidably fastened to a 1-2 guide rail 113 of the first body 110 in the width direction. The connecting body 150 may include a 2-1 guide protrusion 181 slidably fastened to a 2-1 guide rail 131 of the second body 130 in the width direction, and a 2-2 guide protrusion 183 slidably fastened to a 2-2 guide rail 133 of the second body 130 in the width direction.

[0065] The insulating member 57 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can improve the bonding force through a bonding structure via guide rails and guide protrusions, thereby preventing the first body 110 and the second body 130 from undesirably separating from the connecting body 150 in response to the provided external force. Furthermore, since the insulating member 57 according to embodiments of the present disclosure can be slidably assembled via guide protrusions and guide rails, manufacturing convenience can be significantly improved.

[0066] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an insulating member according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the deformation of an insulating member according to further embodiments of the present disclosure due to an applied external force. In describing further embodiments of the present disclosure, descriptions of structures substantially the same as those in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be omitted.

[0067] Reference Figure 8 According to further embodiments of this disclosure, the insulating member 57 can be disposed... Figure 1 The housing 51 and placed Figure 3 The cover plate 61 and Figure 3 Between the electrode assemblies 40. An insulating member 57 can be fixed to the inside of the cover plate 61 or the housing 51. The insulating member 57 may include a first body 110, a second body 130, and a connecting body 150.

[0068] The first body 110 may have an approximately hexahedral plate shape, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The first body 110 may be formed of an insulating material. One end of the first body 110 may include a first guide rail 111 provided by being partially recessed inward from its lower surface in the thickness direction. The first guide rail 111 may be open in the width direction.

[0069] The second body 130 may be positioned adjacent to the first body 110 in the length direction. The second body 130 may have an approximately hexahedral plate shape, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. One end of the second body 130 may include a second guide rail 131 provided by being partially recessed inward from its lower surface in the thickness direction. The second guide rail 131 may be open in the width direction.

[0070] The connecting body 150 can be located between the first body 110 and the second body 130. The connecting body 150 can perform the function of restricting and constraining the movement of the first body 110 and the second body 130 between them. That is, the connecting body 150 can constrain the movement of the first body 110 and the second body 130, thereby minimizing the separation of the first body 110 and the second body 130 due to the applied external force.

[0071] The connecting body 150 may include a first groove 151 configured to receive at least a portion of a first body 110 and a second groove 155 configured to receive at least a portion of a second body 130. The first groove 151 may be partially recessed inward from one side of the connecting body 150 in the length direction. The first groove 151 may be open toward one end of the first body 110 to receive at least a portion of one end of the first body 110. The first groove 151 may be open in the width direction, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The first body 110 may be inserted into and secured to the first groove 151 of the connecting body 150.

[0072] The second groove 155 can be provided by partially recessing inward from the other side of the connecting body 150 in the length direction. The second groove 155 can be open towards one end of the second body 130 to receive at least a portion of one end of the second body 130. The second groove 155 can be open in the width direction, but this disclosure is not limited thereto. The second body 130 can be inserted into and fixed to the second groove 155 of the connecting body 150.

[0073] The connecting body 150 may include a first guide protrusion 171 that is slidably fastened to a first guide rail 111 of a first body 110 in the width direction. The connecting body 150 may include a second guide protrusion 181 that is slidably fastened to a second guide rail 131 of a second body 130 in the width direction.

[0074] According to further embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulating member 57 can improve the engagement force through a joint structure via guide rails and guide protrusions, thereby preventing the first body 110 and the second body 130 from undesirably separating from the connecting body 150 in response to an applied external force. Furthermore, since the insulating member 57 according to further embodiments of the present disclosure can be slidably assembled via guide protrusions and guide rails, manufacturing convenience can be significantly improved.

[0075] The insulating member 57 according to further embodiments of this disclosure may have a structure capable of inducing deformation into a shape desired by the designer in response to an applied external force. More specifically, the insulating member 57 may deform in response to an applied external force in a testing environment and / or a real-world application environment. With this in mind, as Figure 9 As shown, in some other embodiments of this disclosure, the combination of the guide rail and the guide protrusion is formed only on the lower surface, such that the insulating member 57 can be induced to deform upwardly convexly due to the applied external force. As an example, the insulating member 57 can be positioned between the cover plate 61 and the electrode assembly 40, and in terms of product stability, it would be advantageous for the insulating member 57 to contact the cover plate 61, which has relatively greater rigidity than the electrode assembly 40 during deformation. Therefore, the insulating member 57 can be formed by creating the combination of the guide rail and the guide protrusion only on its lower surface (the surface adjacent to the electrode assembly 40) so that it deforms towards the cover plate 61 in response to the applied external force.

[0076] Although not shown in the accompanying drawings, in order to allow the insulating member 57 to deform in the desired direction in response to the applied external force, according to Figures 5 to 8 The insulating member 57 in the embodiment shown can be fixed to the cover plate 61 or the housing 51, while being partially convexly deformed (bent) in the upward or downward direction.

[0077] Figure 10 This is an example diagram illustrating a secondary battery including insulating components according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0078] Reference Figure 10 The housing 202 forms the overall exterior of the secondary battery and can be made of a conductive metal such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or nickel-plated steel. One or both ends of the housing 202 can be open, and the electrode assembly 240 can be housed within the housing 202. An exhaust port 266 for degassing gases generated inside the battery can be mounted on at least one surface of the housing 202.

[0079] The cover assembly may include a cover plate 261 covering an opening at one or both ends of the housing 202. A first terminal 262 may be mounted in the cover plate 261. The first terminal 262 may be electrically connected to either the positive or negative electrode of the internal electrode assembly 240. As an example, in a configuration where the cover assemblies are mounted at both ends of the housing 202, a second terminal may be mounted on another cover assembly. The second terminal may be electrically connected to another of the positive and negative electrodes of the internal electrode assembly 240. As another example, the housing itself may be used as a terminal.

[0080] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulating member 57 can be placed between the cover plate 261 and the electrode assembly 240, and fixed to the cover plate 261 or the housing 202 at a predetermined position. In a structure in which the cover assembly is installed at both ends of the housing 202, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the insulating member 57 can be placed between the cover plate 261 and the electrode assembly 240 at one end of the housing 202 and between the cover plate and the electrode assembly 240 at the other end of the housing 202, and fixed to the cover plate or the housing at a predetermined position.

[0081] According to this disclosure, a secondary battery can be provided that can reduce product defects caused by the breakage of insulating components in response to external forces provided in the test environment and / or actual use environment. Therefore, this disclosure has the advantage of ensuring the product stability and reliability of the secondary battery.

[0082] Although embodiments of this disclosure have been described herein, this disclosure is not limited thereto. Various modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A secondary battery, the secondary battery comprising: Electrode assembly; A housing in which the electrode assembly is housed; A cover plate, joined to the housing, the cover plate including terminals electrically connected to the electrode assembly; as well as An insulating component is disposed within the housing between the electrode assembly and the cover plate. The insulating member includes: a first body and a second body positioned adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction; and a connecting body located between the first body and the second body and including a first groove and a second groove, wherein at least a portion of the first body is inserted into the first groove and at least a portion of the second body is inserted into the second groove.

2. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein, The first body and the second body are respectively assembled and joined to the first groove and the second groove of the connecting body.

3. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein, The connecting body includes a through hole of a certain thickness passing through the connecting body.

4. The secondary battery according to claim 3, wherein, The through hole is open toward the cover plate and the electrode assembly.

5. The secondary battery according to claim 4, wherein: The cover plate includes an exhaust port; and The through hole is open toward the exhaust port.

6. The secondary battery according to claim 4, wherein: The cover plate includes an electrolyte inlet; and The through hole is open toward the electrolyte inlet.

7. The secondary battery according to claim 3, wherein, Each of the first body, the second body, and the connecting body is formed of one of rubber, polypropylene, polyphenylsulfone, homopolymer PP, random PP, and block PP, or two or more selected from the group consisting of these materials.

8. The secondary battery according to claim 3, wherein, The connecting body is formed of a material that is more rigid than the first body and the second body.

9. The secondary battery according to claim 3, wherein, The first groove and the second groove are open in the width direction.

10. The secondary battery according to claim 9, wherein, The first body includes a first guide rail, which is provided by being partially recessed inward in the thickness direction from at least one of a surface of the first body that is opposite to each other in the thickness direction. The second body includes a second guide rail, which is provided by being partially recessed inward in the thickness direction from at least one of a surface and another surface of the second body that are opposite each other in the thickness direction. The connecting body includes a first guide protrusion and a second guide protrusion. The first guide protrusion is slidably fastened to the first guide rail in the width direction, and the second guide protrusion is slidably fastened to the second guide rail in the width direction.

11. The secondary battery according to claim 10, wherein, The first guide rail and the second guide rail are open in the width direction.

12. The secondary battery according to claim 11, wherein, The first guide rail is formed on one of the surfaces of the first body adjacent to the electrode assembly, and the second guide rail is formed on one of the surfaces of the second body adjacent to the electrode assembly.

13. The secondary battery according to claim 3, wherein, The insulating member is fixed to the cover plate or the housing in a state in which at least a portion of the insulating member is convexly deformed in one direction.

14. The secondary battery according to claim 13, wherein, The insulating member is fixed in a state where at least a portion of the insulating member is deformed convexly toward the cover plate.

15. The secondary battery according to claim 3, wherein, The terminal includes a protrusion; and The insulating member is fastened to the protrusion passing through the first through hole formed in the cover plate and is fixed to the cover plate.

16. The secondary battery according to claim 15, wherein, The protrusion passes through the first through hole and the second through hole formed in the insulating member, and is electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

17. The secondary battery of claim 3, further comprising a connector configured to bypass the insulating member or pass through a second through-hole formed in the insulating member, and electrically connecting the terminal and the electrode assembly.

18. An insulating member for a secondary battery, the secondary battery including an electrode assembly, a housing housing the electrode assembly, and a cover plate coupled to the housing, the cover plate including terminals electrically connected to the electrode assembly. The insulating component includes: First subject; The second body is positioned adjacent to the first body in the length direction; as well as A connecting body is located between the first body and the second body, and includes a first groove and a second groove, wherein at least a portion of the first body is inserted into the first groove and at least a portion of the second body is inserted into the second groove.

19. The insulating member according to claim 18, wherein, The connecting body includes a through hole of a certain thickness passing through the connecting body.

20. The insulating member according to claim 19, wherein: The first body includes a first guide rail, which is provided by being partially recessed inward in the thickness direction from at least one of a surface of the first body that is opposite to another surface in the thickness direction. The second body includes a second guide rail, which is provided by being partially recessed inward in the thickness direction from at least one of a surface of the second body that is opposite to it in the thickness direction; and The connecting body includes a first guide protrusion and a second guide protrusion. The first guide protrusion is slidably fastened to the first guide rail in the width direction, and the second guide protrusion is slidably fastened to the second guide rail in the width direction.

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