Battery cell

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery cell is provided. The battery cell includes: a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly including a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab; and a first terminal assembly connected to each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, wherein the first terminal assembly includes: a first busbar connected to the first electrode tab of each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly; a first terminal connected to the first busbar; and a first housing having a hole for the first terminal to pass through, the first busbar being flexible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to battery cells. This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0078523, filed on June 17, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as a power source for various types of wireless devices, such as handheld devices, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, the primary use of secondary batteries has shifted from mobile devices to mobility tools, as the manufacturing cost per unit capacity has significantly decreased due to improvements in energy density and economies of scale, and the range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to the same level as fuel cell vehicles.

[0003] The technological trend in the development of secondary batteries for mobile devices is towards improved energy density and safety. Here, the energy density of a secondary battery is a value obtained by dividing the maximum level of electrical energy that the battery can store by its mass. High energy density in secondary batteries is directly related to driving efficiency and range, and therefore various studies are underway to improve their energy density. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Technical issues

[0005] This disclosure aims to provide a battery cell assembly with improved safety and reliability.

[0006] Technical solution

[0007] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a battery cell. The battery cell includes: a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly including a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab; and a first terminal assembly connected to each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, the first terminal assembly including a first busbar connected to the first electrode tab of each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, a first terminal connected to the first busbar, and a first housing having a hole penetrated by the first terminal, and the first busbar is flexible.

[0008] The first busbar may include multiple metal layers.

[0009] The thickness of each of the multiple metal layers can range from 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0010] Each of the multiple metal layers may include aluminum.

[0011] The first busbar can have a corrugated structure.

[0012] The first busbar may include a portion having a Z-shaped form.

[0013] The battery cell may also include a second terminal assembly coupled to and spaced apart from each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, wherein the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly are located therebetween. The second terminal assembly may include a second busbar coupled to a second electrode tab coupled to each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, a second terminal coupled to the second busbar, and a second housing having a hole penetrated by the second terminal. The second busbar may be flexible.

[0014] The second busbar may include multiple metal layers.

[0015] The thickness of each of the multiple metal layers can range from 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm.

[0016] Each of the multiple metal layers may include copper.

[0017] The second busbar can have a corrugated structure.

[0018] The second busbar may include a portion with a Z-shaped configuration.

[0019] The thickness of the second busbar can be different from the thickness of the first busbar.

[0020] The thickness of the second busbar can be less than the thickness of the first busbar.

[0021] Beneficial effects

[0022] A battery cell according to embodiments of the present disclosure may include a flexible busbar to connect electrode contacts and terminals of the electrode assembly. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the electrode contacts from disconnecting due to expansion of the battery cell, and to improve the safety and reliability of the battery cell.

[0023] The effects achievable from the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects not described herein will be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. In other words, unintended effects achieved when implementing the embodiments of this disclosure can be derived by those skilled in the art from the embodiments of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an embodiment.

[0025] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell according to the embodiment.

[0026] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line 1I-1I'.

[0027] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment.

[0028] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view used to describe a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment.

[0029] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of a battery cell assembly according to an embodiment.

[0030] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 An exploded 3D view of the battery pack.

[0032] Figure 12 It is used to describe Figure 10 A 3D view of the battery pack. Detailed Implementation

[0033] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Before describing embodiments of the present disclosure, the terms or expressions used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to what is commonly understood or as defined in a commonly used dictionary, and should be understood based on the principle that the inventors of this application may appropriately define the terms or expressions to best interpret the present disclosure, according to the meanings and concepts corresponding to the present disclosure.

[0034] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations illustrated in the accompanying drawings are merely examples of this disclosure and do not reflect all the technical concepts of this disclosure. It should also be understood that various equivalents and modifications of the alternative configurations have been made as of the filing date of this application.

[0035] Well-known configurations or functions related to the description of this disclosure will not be described in detail when it is determined that such details would obscure the subject matter of this disclosure due to unnecessary detail.

[0036] Since the embodiments of this disclosure are provided to more fully explain the disclosure to those skilled in the art, the shapes, dimensions, etc. of the components illustrated in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for clarity. Therefore, it should not be construed that the dimensions or proportions of the components completely reflect their actual dimensions or proportions.

[0037] Figure 1 and Figure 2 This is a perspective view of the battery cell 100 according to the embodiment. More specifically, Figure 2 Is it along with Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the battery cell 100 when viewed from different directions.

[0038] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell 100 according to the embodiment. More specifically, Figure 4 Is it along with Figure 3 A three-dimensional view of the battery cell 100 when viewed from different directions.

[0039] Figure 5 It is along Figure 1 The cross-sectional view taken from line 1I-1I'.

[0040] Reference Figures 1 to 5 The battery cell 100 may include an electrode assembly 110, a separator 115, a first terminal assembly 120, a second terminal assembly 130, and a cell housing 140. The battery cell 100 may also include an electrolyte located in the cell housing 140.

[0041] Each electrode assembly in electrode assembly 110 can be either wound or stacked. A wound electrode assembly may include a structure in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a spacer between the positive and negative electrodes are wound together. A stacked electrode assembly may include a plurality of positive and negative electrodes stacked sequentially, and a plurality of spacers located between them. The circumference of each electrode assembly in electrode assembly 110 may be surrounded by spacers, and thus, short circuits between electrode assemblies 110 due to direct contact with the electrode assembly 110 can be prevented.

[0042] The thickness of the positive electrode current collector can range from approximately 3 μm to approximately 500 μm. The positive electrode current collector should not cause chemical changes in the final manufactured secondary battery and can have high conductivity. The positive electrode current collector can include, for example, stainless steel, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, and aluminum. It can also include stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. The surface of the positive electrode current collector can include a finely textured, non-uniform structure to increase the adhesion of the active material. The positive electrode current collector can be in the form of a film, sheet, foil, mesh, porous structure, foam, non-woven fabric, etc.

[0043] The thickness of the negative electrode current collector can range from approximately 3 μm to approximately 500 μm. The negative electrode current collector should not cause chemical changes in the final manufactured secondary battery and can have high conductivity. The negative electrode current collector can include stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, and aluminum-cadmium alloys. It can also include stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. The surface of the negative electrode current collector can include a finely textured, non-uniform structure to increase the adhesion of the active material. The negative electrode current collector can be in the form of a film, sheet, foil, mesh, porous material, foam, non-woven fabric, etc.

[0044] Positive electrode active materials are materials that can induce electrochemical reactions. Positive electrode active materials can be lithium transition metal oxides. For example, positive electrode active materials can include: layered compounds substituted with one or more transition metals, such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) or lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2); lithium manganese oxides substituted with one or more transition metals; and materials with the chemical formula LiNi... 1-y M y Lithium-nickel based oxides represented by O2 (where M is Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, Cr, Zn, or Ga, and 0.01 ≤ y ≤ 0.7); and those represented by the chemical formula Li 1+z Ni b Mn c Co 1-(b+c+d) M d O (2-e) A, for example, Li 1+z Ni 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 O2 or Li 1+ zN i 0.4 Mn 0.4 Co 0.2 Lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide represented by O2 (where -0.5≤z≤0.5, 0.1≤b≤0.8, 0.1≤c≤0.8, 0≤d≤0.2, 0≤e≤0.2, b+c+d<1, M is Al, Mg, Cr, Ti, Si or Y, and A is F, P or Cl); or by the chemical formula Li 1+x M 1-y M' y PO 4-z X z (Here, M is a transition metal and more particularly Fe, Mn, Co or Ni, M' is Al, Mg or Ti, X is F, S or N, -0.5≤x≤+0.5, 0≤y≤0.5, and 0≤z≤0.1) represents olivine-based lithium metal phosphate.

[0045] The negative electrode active material may include, for example, carbon, such as non-graphitized carbon or graphite-based carbon. The negative electrode active material may include, for example, metal composite oxides, such as Li x Fe2O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), LixWO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), or Sn x Me 1-x Me’ y O z (where Me is Mn, Fe, Pb, or Ge, Me’ is Al, B, P, Si, Group I element, Group II element, or Group III element of the periodic table, or a halogen, 0 < x ≤ 1, 1 ≤ y ≤ 3, and 1 ≤ z ≤ 8). The negative electrode active material may include, for example, lithium metal, lithium alloy, silicon-based alloy, and tin-based alloy. The negative electrode active material may include, for example, metal oxides, such as SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4, or Bi2O5. The negative electrode active material may include, for example, conductive polymers, such as polyacetylene, Li-Co-Ni-based materials, etc.

[0046] Each electrode assembly in the electrode assembly 110 may include a plurality of first electrode tabs 110T1 and a plurality of second electrode tabs 110T2. The plurality of first electrode tabs 110T1 and the plurality of second electrode tabs 110T2 may have opposite polarities. For example, when each first electrode tab in the plurality of first electrode tabs 110T1 is a positive electrode tab, each second electrode tab in the plurality of second electrode tabs 110T2 may be a negative electrode tab.

[0047] The electrode assembly 110 may be surrounded by a separator 115. The electrode assemblies 110 may be fixed to each other by the separator 115. The separator 115 may include a solid resin separator (SRS), but is not limited thereto.

[0048] The first terminal assembly 120 may be coupled to the electrode assembly 110. The first terminal assembly 120 may include a first insulating frame 121, a first bus bar 123, a first housing 125, a first terminal 127, a first bus bar block 128, and a first washer 129.

[0049] The first insulating frame 121 may be adjacent to the first electrode tab 110T1. The distance between the first insulating frame 121 and the first electrode tab 110T1 may be different from the distance between the first insulating frame 121 and the second electrode tab 110T2. The distance between the first insulating frame 121 and the first electrode tab 110T1 may be less than the distance between the first insulating frame 121 and the second electrode tab 110T2.

[0050] The first insulating frame 121 can be connected to the first housing 125. The first insulating frame 121 can be fixed to the first housing 125 by interference fit. The first insulating frame 121 can protect the plurality of first electrode contacts 110T1. The first insulating frame 121 may include an insulating material such as polypropylene. The first insulating frame 121 fills the space around the first electrode contacts 110T1 when other components of the battery cell 100 are enclosed by the cell housing 140, thereby preventing deformation and damage to the first electrode contacts 110T1.

[0051] Multiple first electrode contacts 110T1 can be connected to a first busbar 123. The multiple first electrode contacts 110T1 can be soldered to the first busbar 123. The first busbar 123 may include a conductive material. The first busbar 123 may include, for example, a metal, such as aluminum.

[0052] The first busbar 123 may include multiple metal layers. The thickness of each of the multiple metal layers may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm. Each of the multiple metal layers may include aluminum. The first busbar 123 may be flexible and include a bent shape. The first busbar 123 may have a corrugated structure. The first busbar 123 may include a portion having a Z-shaped shape. The first busbar 123 may include a hole 123H, and the hole 123H may be penetrated by the first terminal 127.

[0053] The first housing 125 may include a first inner housing 125I and a first outer housing 125O. The first inner housing 125I may include a high-rigidity material. The first inner housing 125I may include, for example, a metal, such as aluminum. The first outer housing 125O may include an insulating material. The first outer housing 125O may include, for example, polyphthalamide resin and thermoplastic materials. The first outer housing 125O may include polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide polyamide, polyetheretherketone, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, polysulfone, liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene terephthalate, or polyetherimide.

[0054] The first housing 125 can be provided by inserting an injection first inner housing 125I. Therefore, although Figure 3 The illustration shows the first inner housing 125I and the first outer housing 125O separated from each other. However, after the first housing 125 is provided by insertion injection, it is difficult to separate the first inner housing 125I and the first outer housing 125O from each other without at least partially removing the first outer housing 125O.

[0055] The first inner housing 125I may have an approximately hexahedral shape, but may include only five faces and therefore include an open space. A portion of the first insulating frame 121 may be inserted into the open space of the first inner housing 125I.

[0056] The first inner housing 125I may include a first surface 125IF1, a second surface 125IF2, a third surface 125IF3, a fourth surface 125IF4, and a fifth surface 125IF5. The first surface 125IF1 may be surrounded by the second surface 125IF2, the third surface 125IF3, the fourth surface 125IF4, and the fifth surface 125IF5. The second surface 125IF2 and the third surface 125IF3 may be opposite each other, and the fourth surface 125IF4 and the fifth surface 125IF5 may be opposite each other. The length of each edge of the first surface 125IF1 connected to the second surface 125IF2 and the third surface 125IF3 may be greater than the length of each edge of the first surface 125IF1 connected to the fourth surface 125IF4 and the fifth surface 125IF5, but the implementation is not limited to this.

[0057] The first surface 125IF1 may face the first terminal 127. The first surface 125IF1 may include a first hole 125IH1 penetrated by the first terminal 127. The first surface 125IF1 may also include a second hole 125IH2. The first hole 125IH1 and the second hole 125IH2 may be formed alternately in the first surface 125IF1. The second surface 125IF2 and the third surface 125IF3 may include a plurality of second holes 125IH2. Although the fourth surface 125IF4 and the fifth surface 125IF5 are illustrated to include one second hole 125IH2, they may include two or more second holes 125IH2.

[0058] The second hole 125IH2 can be used for insertion injection. The width (or diameter) of each second hole in the second hole 125IH2 can be different from the width (or diameter) of each first hole in the first hole 125IH1. The width (or diameter) of each second hole in the second hole 125IH2 can be smaller than the width (or diameter) of each first hole in the first hole 125IH1. Through the second hole 125IH2, molten resin can be uniformly applied to the entire surface of the first inner housing 125I, and thus the first inner housing 125I can be embedded in the first outer housing 125O. According to an embodiment, the first outer housing 125O may include a portion located between the first inner housing 125I and the first insulating frame 121 and a portion located between the first inner housing 125I and the unit shell 140.

[0059] The first outer casing 125O may include a hole 125OH, and the hole 125OH may be penetrated by the first terminal 127. According to an embodiment, the first outer casing 125O prevents a short circuit between the first terminal 127 and the first inner casing 125I, and therefore no additional components are required to prevent a short circuit between the first terminal 127 and the first inner casing 125I.

[0060] Each of the first terminals 127 may include a cylindrical portion 127S and a contact portion 127C. The contact portion 127C of each of the first terminals 127 may protrude to the outside of the first housing 125, thereby providing an electrical path between external electrical components and the battery cell 100. The cylindrical portion 127S of each of the first terminals 127 may penetrate a corresponding hole in the hole 123H, a corresponding first hole in the first hole 125IH1, and a corresponding hole in the hole 125OH.

[0061] Each of the first terminals 127 can be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 110. According to an embodiment, each of the first terminals 127 can be a positive terminal of the battery cell 100, but is not limited thereto. Each of the first terminals 127 can also be a negative terminal of the battery cell 100.

[0062] Each first terminal in the first terminal 127 may be spaced apart from the first busbar 123, with a corresponding first washer in the first washers 129 located between them. A corresponding first busbar block in the first busbar block 128 may be connected to the cylindrical portion 127S of each first terminal in the first terminal 127. Each first busbar block in the first busbar block 128 may contact the corresponding first terminal in the first terminal 127 and the first busbar 123, and thus provide an electrical connection between the first busbar 123 and the first terminal 127. According to other embodiments, each first terminal in the first terminal 127 may be in direct contact with the first busbar 123.

[0063] The first busbar 123 may include a portion located between the first busbar block 128 and the first housing 125. The width of each first busbar block 128 may be greater than the width (or diameter) of each hole 123H in the first busbar 123 to prevent the first busbar 123 and the first terminal 127 from separating. The first terminal 127 may be riveted, and thus the first busbar 123, the first busbar block 128, and the first terminal 127 may be secured.

[0064] Each of the first busbars 128 can have a plate shape with holes 128H. Each of the first busbars 128 can have a quadrilateral shape. The width (or diameter) of the hole 128H in each of the first busbars 128 can be different from the width (or diameter) of each hole 123H in the first busbar 123. The width (or diameter) of the hole 128H in each of the first busbars 128 can be smaller than the width (or diameter) of each hole 123H in the first busbar 123.

[0065] A portion of terminal 127 and a corresponding portion of a first washer in the first washer 129 may be in each hole in the hole 123H of the first busbar 123. The inner circumference of the defining hole 123H of the first busbar 123 may surround one of the first terminals of the first terminal 127 and one of the first washers of the first washer 129.

[0066] A cylindrical portion 127S of a corresponding first terminal in the first terminal 127 and a portion of a corresponding first washer in the first washer 129 can be in each hole in the hole 123H of the first busbar 123. The inner circumference of the defining hole 123H of the first busbar 123 can surround the cylindrical portion 127S of the corresponding first terminal in the first terminal 127 and the corresponding first washer in the first washer 129.

[0067] The cylindrical portion 127S of a corresponding first terminal in the first terminal 127 can be in the hole 128H of each first busbar in the first busbar 128. The inner circumference of the hole 128H of each first busbar in the first busbar 128 can surround the cylindrical portion 127S of the corresponding first terminal in the first terminal 127.

[0068] A first washer 129 may be located between a first terminal 127 and a first housing 125. The first washer 129 may provide insulation and a liquid seal for the first terminal 127. The first washer 129 may be made of rubber, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, Teflon, polyamide, or fiber-reinforced plastic, but is not limited thereto.

[0069] The second terminal assembly 130 may be coupled to the electrode assembly 110. The second terminal assembly 130 may be spaced apart from the first terminal assembly, wherein the electrode assembly 110 is located between them. The second terminal assembly 130 may include a second insulating frame 131, a second busbar 133, a second housing 135, a second terminal 137, a second busbar block 138, and a second washer 139.

[0070] The second insulating frame 131 may be adjacent to the second electrode contact 110T2. The distance between the second insulating frame 131 and the second electrode contact 110T2 may be different from the distance between the second insulating frame 131 and the first electrode contact 110T1. The distance between the second insulating frame 131 and the second electrode contact 110T2 may be less than the distance between the second insulating frame 131 and the first electrode contact 110T1.

[0071] The second insulating frame 131 can be connected to the second housing 135. The second insulating frame 131 can be connected to the second housing 135 by interference fit. The second insulating frame 131 can protect multiple second electrode contacts 110T1. The second insulating frame 131 may include an insulating material such as polypropylene. The second insulating frame 131 fills the space around the second electrode contacts 110T2 when other components of the battery cell 100 are enclosed by the cell housing 140, thereby preventing deformation and damage to the second electrode contacts 110T2.

[0072] Multiple second electrode contacts 110T2 can be connected to the second busbar 133. Multiple second electrode contacts 110T1 can be soldered to the second busbar 133. The second busbar 133 may include a conductive material. The second busbar 133 may include, for example, a metal, such as copper. The thickness of the second busbar 133 may differ from the thickness of the first busbar 123. The thickness of the second busbar 133 may be less than the thickness of the first busbar 123.

[0073] The thickness of each metal layer in the second busbar 133 may be different from the thickness of each metal layer in the first busbar 123. The thickness of each metal layer in the second busbar 133 may be less than the thickness of each metal layer in the first busbar 123.

[0074] The second busbar 133 may include multiple metal layers. The thickness of each of the multiple metal layers may be in the range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.4 mm. Each of the multiple metal layers may include aluminum. The second busbar 133 may be flexible and may include bent portions. The second busbar 133 may have a corrugated structure. The second busbar 133 may include portions having a Z-shape. The second busbar 133 may include a hole 133H, and the hole 133H may be penetrated by the second terminal 137.

[0075] The second housing 135 may include a second inner housing 135I and a second outer housing 135O. The second inner housing 135I may include a high-rigidity material. The second inner housing 135I may include, for example, a metal, such as aluminum. The second outer housing 135O may include, for example, an insulating material, such as polyphthalamide resin. The second outer housing 135O may include polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, polysulfone, liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene terephthalate, or polyetherimide.

[0076] The second housing 135 can be provided by inserting and injecting a second inner housing 135I. Therefore, although Figure 3The illustration shows the second inner housing 135I and the second outer housing 135O separated from each other. However, after the second housing 135 is provided by insertion injection, it is difficult to separate the second inner housing 135I and the second outer housing 135O from each other without at least partially removing the second outer housing 135O.

[0077] The second inner housing 135I may have an approximately hexahedral shape, but may include only five faces and therefore include an open space. A portion of the second insulating frame 131 may be inserted into the open space of the second inner housing 135I.

[0078] The second inner housing 135I may include a first surface 135IF1, a second surface 135IF2, a third surface 135IF3, a fourth surface 135IF4, and a fifth surface 135IF5. The first surface 135IF1 may be surrounded by the second surface 135IF2, the third surface 135IF3, the fourth surface 135IF4, and the fifth surface 135IF5. The second surface 135IF2 and the third surface 135IF3 may be opposite each other, and the fourth surface 135IF4 and the fifth surface 135IF5 may be opposite each other. The length of each edge of the first surface 135IF1 connected to the second surface 135IF2 and the third surface 135IF3 may be greater than the length of each edge of the first surface 135IF1 connected to the fourth surface 135IF4 and the fifth surface 135IF5, but the implementation is not limited to this.

[0079] The first surface 135IF1 may face the second terminal 137. The first surface 135IF1 may include a first hole 131IH1 penetrating through the second terminal 137. The first surface 135IF1 may also include a second hole 131IH2. The first hole 131IH1 and the second hole 131IH2 may be formed alternately in the first surface 135IF1. The second surface 135IF2 and the third surface 135IF3 may include a plurality of second holes 131IH2. Although the fourth surface 135IF4 and the fifth surface 135IF5 are illustrated to include one second hole 131IH2, they may include two or more second holes 131IH2.

[0080] The second hole 131IH2 can be used for insertion injection. Through the second hole 131IH2, molten resin can be uniformly applied to the entire surface of the second inner housing 135I, and thus the second inner housing 135I can be embedded in the second outer housing 135O. According to an embodiment, the second outer housing 135O may include a portion located between the second inner housing 135I and the second insulating frame 131, and a portion located between the second inner housing 135I and the unit housing 140.

[0081] The second housing 135O may include a hole 135OH, and the hole 135OH may be penetrated by a second terminal 137. Each of the second terminals 137 may include a cylindrical portion 137S and a contact portion 137C. The contact portion 137C of each of the second terminals 137 may protrude to the outside of the second housing 135, thereby providing an electrical path between external electrical components and the battery cell 100. The cylindrical portion 137S of each of the second terminals 137 may penetrate a corresponding hole in the hole 133H, a corresponding second hole in the second hole 135IH1, and a corresponding hole in the hole 135OH.

[0082] Each of the second terminals 137 can be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 110. According to an embodiment, each of the second terminals 137 can be a negative terminal of the battery cell 100, but is not limited thereto. Each of the second terminals 137 can also be a positive terminal of the battery cell 100.

[0083] Each second terminal in the second terminal 137 may be spaced apart from the second busbar 133, wherein a corresponding second washer in the second washer 139 is located between them. Each second busbar block in the second busbar block 138 may contact a corresponding second terminal in the second terminal 137 and the second busbar 133, and thus an electrical connection may be provided between the second busbar 133 and the second terminal 137. According to other embodiments, each second terminal in the second terminal 137 may be in direct contact with the second busbar 133.

[0084] The second busbar 133 may include a portion located between the second busbar block 138 and the housing 135. The width (or diameter) of each second busbar block 138 may be greater than the width (or diameter) of each hole 133H in the second busbar 133, thereby preventing the second busbar 133 and the second terminal 137 from separating. The second terminal 137 may be riveted, and thus the second busbar 133, the second busbar block 138, and the second terminal 137 may be secured.

[0085] Each of the second busbars 138 can have a plate shape with holes 138H. Each of the second busbars 138 can have a quadrilateral shape. The width (or diameter) of the hole 138H in each of the second busbars 138 can be different from the width (or diameter) of each hole 133H in the second busbar 133. The width (or diameter) of the hole 138H in each of the second busbars 138 can be smaller than the width (or diameter) of each hole 133H in the second busbar 133.

[0086] A cylindrical portion 137S of a corresponding second terminal in the second terminal 137 and a portion of a corresponding second washer in the second washer 139 may be in each hole in the hole 133H of the second busbar 133. The inner circumference of the defining hole 133H of the second busbar 133 may surround the cylindrical portion 137S of the corresponding second terminal in the second terminal 137 and the corresponding second washer in the second washer 139.

[0087] The cylindrical portion 137S of a corresponding second terminal in the second terminal 137 can be in the hole 138H of each second busbar in the second busbar 138. The inner circumference of the hole 138H of each second busbar in the second busbar 138 can surround the cylindrical portion 137S of the corresponding second terminal in the second terminal 137.

[0088] The second washer 139 may be located between the second terminal 137 and the second housing 135. The second washer 139 may provide insulation and a liquid seal for the second terminal 137. The second washer 139 may include, but is not limited to, rubber, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, Teflon, polyamide, or fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0089] The unit housing 140 may be a bag-shaped housing including an aluminum laminate. The unit housing 140 may include an inner resin layer, a metal layer, and an outer resin layer. The inner resin layer may be thermally adhesive, thereby enabling a seal of the unit housing 140. The inner resin layer may include, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The metal layer may include an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, and manganese, an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel, or aluminum.

[0090] The unit shell 140 may surround the first outer shell 125O and the second outer shell 135O. According to an embodiment, the first outer shell 125O and the second outer shell 135O comprise PPA resin, etc., and can therefore be directly heat-fused to the unit shell 140. That is, additional processes, such as additional PPA application and / or surface treatment for heat fusion of the first shell 125O, the second shell 135O, and the unit shell 140, can be omitted.

[0091] The unit housing 140 can contact each of the first outer shell 125O of ​​the first housing 125 and the second outer shell 135O of ​​the second housing 135. Furthermore, the first inner shell 125I is embedded in the first outer shell 125O and the second inner shell 135I is embedded in the second outer shell 135O, thus improving the strength and reliability of the connection between the housings 125 and 135 and the unit housing 140.

[0092] (Second Implementation)

[0093] Figure 6This is a flowchart of a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment.

[0094] Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view used to describe a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment.

[0095] Reference Figure 6 and Figure 7 In P110, the first terminal 127, the first washer 129, the first busbar 123 and the first busbar block 128 can be connected to the first housing 125.

[0096] The first washer 127 and the first terminal 127 can be inserted into the first housing 125, such that the cylindrical portion 127S of the first terminal 127 can penetrate the first housing 125. The first busbar 123 can be connected to the first terminal 127 and the first washer 129, such that the cylindrical portion 127S of the first terminal 127 and a portion of the first washer 129 can be located in the hole 123H of the first busbar 123. Subsequently, the first busbar block 128 can be connected to the first terminal 127 to surround the cylindrical portion 127S of the first terminal 127. Next, through a riveting process, the first terminal 127, the first washer 129, the first busbar 123, and the first busbar block 128 can be fixed to the first housing 125.

[0097] Next, in P120, the first busbar 123 and the first electrode contact 110T1 can be welded together. The first busbar 123 and the first electrode contact 110T1 can be connected to each other by laser welding or ultrasonic welding.

[0098] Next, refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8 In P130, the first busbar 123 can be bent. By bending the first busbar 123, the first busbar 123 can have a corrugated structure and be housed in the first housing 125.

[0099] The electrode assembly 110 and the first terminal assembly 120 have been described above (see above). Figure 1 Furthermore, those skilled in the art will be able to readily derive the electrode assembly 110 and the second terminal assembly 130 (see [link to document]) based on the description herein. Figure 2 ).

[0100] (Third implementation method)

[0101] Figure 9 This is a perspective view of the battery cell assembly 10 according to the embodiment.

[0102] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 3 and Figure 9The battery cell assembly 10 may include a plurality of battery cells 100 and a plurality of pads 200.

[0103] Multiple battery cells 100 can be arranged along the X-axis. The first terminals 127 and second terminals 137 of the multiple battery cells 100 can be spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction. The Z-axis direction can be spaced apart from the X-axis and Y-axis directions.

[0104] According to the embodiment, a plurality of pads 200 may be alternately formed with a plurality of battery cells 100 in the X-axis direction. A corresponding battery cell from the plurality of battery cells 100 may be present between two adjacent pads of the plurality of pads 200, and a corresponding pad from the plurality of pads 200 may be present between two adjacent battery cells from the plurality of battery cells 100.

[0105] The multiple pads 200 may include an elastic material. The multiple pads 200 may include, for example, polyurethane. The multiple pads 200 may absorb the expansion of the multiple battery cells 100. The multiple pads 200 may be thermal separators.

[0106] (Third implementation method)

[0107] Figure 10 This is a perspective view of battery pack 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 An exploded perspective view of battery pack 1.

[0109] Figure 12 This is a perspective view illustrating the arrangement of components in battery pack 1, where details are omitted. Figure 10 Battery pack 1, cover 600.

[0110] Reference Figures 10 to 12 According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery pack 1 may include a plurality of battery cell assemblies 10, a housing 300, cooling ports 410a and 410b, electronic component assemblies 500, first to third busbars 510, 520 and 530, and a cover 600.

[0111] The battery cell assembly 10 may not be housed in a frame, but may be directly mounted in the assembly housing 300. That is, the battery pack 1 may be module-less, and each battery cell assembly in the battery cell assembly 10 may not include a module frame, but the implementation is not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art will readily derive from the description herein the implementation in which each battery cell assembly in the battery cell assembly 10 includes a module frame.

[0112] Electronic component assembly 500 may include relay devices, current sensors, fuses, a battery management system (BMS), and a manual service disconnect (MSD). The relay device may be a switching device for selectively opening or closing the charging / discharging path through which current flows. The relay device can block the flow of charging / discharging current in the event of an abnormality in battery pack 1. The BMS can be configured to control the overall charging and discharging operation of battery pack 10. The MSD is a system for selectively disconnecting power to the high-voltage battery by physical means. The MSD can be configured to disconnect the service plug to cut off power as needed.

[0113] The housing 300 can provide space for accommodating the battery assembly 10 and the electronic component assembly 500. The housing 300 may include a material (e.g., metal) with high rigidity to the battery assembly 10 and the electronic component assembly 500 to protect them from external impacts.

[0114] The housing 300 of this embodiment may include a flat plate-shaped base plate 310 and sidewalls 320, 330, 340, and 350 substantially perpendicular to the base plate 310. Some sidewalls 330 and 340 may include mounting wings 343 and 353. Mounting wings 343 and 353 can be used to load the battery pack 1 into an application (e.g., a vehicle). A bracket 332 can be used to secure the battery pack 1 to the application (e.g., a vehicle).

[0115] Two directions, approximately parallel to the upper surface of the substrate 310, are defined as the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. Here, the X-axis direction can be the direction in which the battery cell 100 is arranged. The Y-axis direction can be approximately perpendicular to the X-axis direction. A direction approximately perpendicular to each of the X-axis and Z-axis directions will be defined as the Z-axis direction.

[0116] The housing 300 may further include a central beam 370 and a crossbeam 360, which divide the space in which the battery cell assembly 10 is mounted. The central beam 370 and the crossbeam 360 may be mounted on a substrate 310. The central beam 370 and the crossbeam 360 may be bolted and / or welded to the substrate 310.

[0117] The central beam 370 can extend along the X-axis. The central beam 370 can isolate the battery cell assembly 10 in the Y-axis direction. The central beam 370 can be inserted between the battery cell assemblies 10 in the Y-axis direction. The crossbeam 360 can extend along the Y-axis direction. The crossbeam 360 can be inserted between the battery cell assemblies 10 in the X-axis direction. The crossbeam 360 can isolate the battery cell assembly 10 in the X-axis direction.

[0118] The substrate 310, sidewalls 320, 330, 340 and 350, crossbeam 360 and central beam 370 can be provided by an extrusion process. Therefore, except for variations due to machining, the substrate 310, sidewalls 320, 330, 340 and 350, crossbeam 360 and central beam 370 can have a constant cross-section in the longitudinal direction.

[0119] Cooling ports 410a and 410b can be connected to substrate 310. Substrate 310 may include multiple cooling channels, and cooling ports 410a and 410b may be configured to introduce cooling material into the multiple cooling channels or discharge cooling material from the multiple cooling channels.

[0120] Each of the first busbars 510 can overlap with corresponding crossbeams 360 and the central beam 370 in the Z-axis direction. Each of the first busbars 510 can overlap with four corresponding battery cell assemblies 10 in the Z-axis direction. The first busbars 510 can connect battery cell assemblies 10 arranged in series along the X-axis direction. The third busbar 530 can connect battery cell assemblies 10 spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction in series.

[0121] The second busbar 520 can be an output terminal for outputting the voltage obtained from multiple battery cell assemblies 10 connected in series by the first busbar 510 and the third busbar 530. The second busbar 520 can be directly connected to a cable or connected to a cable via an electronic component assembly 500, the cable being connected to an external load and a charging system.

[0122] The present disclosure has been described in more detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, embodiments, etc. However, the configurations illustrated in the drawings or the embodiments described in this specification are merely examples of the present disclosure and do not reflect all the technical concepts of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications of alternative configurations have been made as of the filing date of this application.

Claims

1. A battery cell, comprising: A first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly including a first electrode contact and a second electrode contact; as well as A first terminal assembly is connected to each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly. The first terminal assembly includes a first busbar connected to the first electrode tab of each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, a first terminal connected to the first busbar, and a first housing having a hole penetrated by the first terminal. The first busbar is flexible.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, The first busbar comprises multiple metal layers.

3. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, The thickness of each of the plurality of metal layers is in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm.

4. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the plurality of metal layers comprises aluminum.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, The first busbar has a corrugated structure.

6. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein, The first busbar includes a portion having a Z-shaped form.

7. The battery cell of claim 1, further comprising a second terminal assembly, the second terminal assembly being coupled to and spaced apart from each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, wherein, The first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly are located between the first terminal assembly and the second terminal assembly. The second terminal assembly includes a second busbar connected to the second electrode tab of each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, a second terminal connected to the second busbar, and a second housing having a hole penetrated by the second terminal. The second busbar is flexible.

8. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein, The second busbar includes multiple metal layers.

9. The battery cell according to claim 8, wherein, The thickness of each of the plurality of metal layers is in the range of 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm.

10. The battery cell according to claim 8, wherein, Each of the plurality of metal layers comprises copper.

11. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein, The second busbar has a corrugated structure.

12. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein, The second busbar includes a portion having a Z-shaped form.

13. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein, The thickness of the second busbar is different from the thickness of the first busbar.

14. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein, The thickness of the second busbar is less than the thickness of the first busbar.

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