Battery, battery pack including the same, and motor vehicle

Abstract

A battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly; a battery housing having an opening formed on one side and a closed portion formed on the opposite side of the opening, the housing being configured to accommodate the electrode assembly through the opening; and an insulator including a cover portion interposed between the closed portion and the electrode assembly and a side portion interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly and the side wall of the housing, the side portion including a stress relaxation portion formed to a predetermined depth from its end.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0148247 filed on November 8, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are highly applicable to a group of products and have electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source.

[0004] Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency improvement because they have not only a primary merit of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also a merit of generating no by-products associated with energy use.

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

[0006] Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. Also, depending on the charge and discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a plurality of battery cells may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Accordingly, the number and electrical connection form of the battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set according to at least one of the required output voltage and charge and discharge capacity.

[0007] On the one hand, as types of secondary battery cells, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known. In the case of a cylindrical battery cell, a separator (insulating film), which is an insulator, is interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and this is wound up to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly, which is inserted together with an electrolyte into the interior of a housing to constitute a battery.

[0008] Here, when the housing is connected to the negative electrode or the positive electrode (usually the negative electrode) and has a polarity, insulation is also required between the housing and the jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly.

[0009] On the other hand, with the recent application of cylindrical battery cells to electric vehicles, the form factor of the cylindrical battery cells has been increasing. That is, compared with conventional cylindrical battery cells having form factors such as 18650 and 21700, the diameter and height of the cylindrical battery cells have been increasing. With the increase in the form factor, the energy density increases, the safety against thermal runaway improves, and the cooling efficiency also improves. Furthermore, in the case of a cylindrical battery cell with an increased form factor, insulation between the housing and the jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly has become more important.

[0010] For insulation, it is conceivable to apply an insulator configured to prevent unnecessary electrical contact between the electrode assembly and the housing. In order to prevent unnecessary contact between the electrode assembly and the housing and to prevent the insulator from moving within the housing, the maximum size of the insulator can be configured to correspond to the inner diameter of the housing.

[0011] However, in this case, the process of inserting the insulator into the housing may not be performed smoothly. On the other hand, when the insulator is inserted into the housing, there is a possibility that the shape may be deformed, and there is a risk that the insulation function may not be normally executed due to the damaged insulator portion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a battery having a structure capable of reliably preventing unnecessary electrical contact between an electrode assembly and a housing.

[0013] In another aspect, another object of the present invention is to facilitate the insertion of an insulator into a housing in the step of inserting the insulator into the housing.

[0014] In still another aspect, still another object of the present invention is to prevent the insulator from being damaged and unnecessary electrical contact from occurring between the electrode assembly and the housing through the damaged portion in the step of inserting the insulator into the housing.

[0015] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-described problems, and other problems not mentioned should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0016] A battery according to an embodiment of the present invention for solving the above problems includes: an electrode assembly; a battery housing including an open portion formed on one side and a closed portion formed on the opposite side of the open portion, the battery housing being configured to accommodate the electrode assembly through the open portion; and an insulator including a cover portion interposed between the closed portion and the electrode assembly and a side portion interposed between an outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly and a side wall of the battery housing, the side portion including a stress relaxation portion formed to a predetermined depth from an end thereof.

[0017] A plurality of the stress relaxation portions may be provided along the periphery of the side portion.

[0018] The stress relaxation portion may have a structure that is notched to a predetermined depth from the end of the side portion.

[0019] The periphery of the end of the side portion may be discontinuous.

[0020] The stress relaxation portion may have a structure that is cut open to a predetermined depth from the end of the side portion.

[0021] The periphery of the end of the side portion may be continuous.

[0022] The insulator may be formed such that the maximum diameter in a state where it is not housed in the battery housing is larger than the inner diameter of the battery housing.

[0023] The insulator may have the maximum diameter at the end of the side portion.

[0024] The insulator may be formed such that the diameter at the end of the side portion is larger than the diameter at the connection portion between the cover portion and the side portion.

[0025] The insulator may be configured such that the diameter increases from the connection portion between the side portion and the cover portion toward the end of the side portion.

[0026] The electrode assembly may include a first plain portion that extends in a direction toward the closing portion.

[0027] The insulator may be configured such that the first plain portion is not exposed through the stress relaxation portion formed in the side portion.

[0028] The battery may be electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and may include a first current collector interposed between the electrode assembly and the closing portion.

[0029] The cover part may be interposed between the first current collecting part and the closing part.

[0030] The battery may include a battery terminal that penetrates the closing part and is coupled to the first current collector.

[0031] The cover part may be provided with an insulator hole formed at a position corresponding to the battery terminal and the winding center hole of the electrode assembly.

[0032] The above technical problem of the present invention can also be solved by a battery pack including the battery according to the present invention.

[0033] The above technical problem of the present invention can also be solved by an automobile including the battery pack according to the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0034] According to one aspect of the present invention, unnecessary electrical contact between the electrode assembly and the housing can be reliably prevented.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present invention, in the step of inserting the insulator into the housing, the insertion of the insulator into the housing can be facilitated.

[0036] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in the step of inserting the insulator into the housing, it is possible to prevent the insulator from being damaged and unnecessary electrical contact from occurring between the electrode assembly and the housing through the damaged part.

[0037] However, the advantageous effects obtained by the present invention are not limited to the above-described effects. Among the effects obtained by the battery, battery pack, and automobile of the present invention, other effects not mentioned above should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0038] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further understand the technical idea of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention to be described later. Therefore, the present invention is not construed as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0039]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and the claims are not to be construed as being limited to ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of the terms in order to explain the invention in the best way, they are to be construed in meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical idea of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention, and thus there may be various equivalents and modified embodiments that can replace them at the time of this application.

[0041] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, the battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0042] FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view showing an exemplary form of the battery according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the upper portion of the battery shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 2. FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing an insulator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode assembly 10, a housing 20, and an insulator 30. The battery 1 of the present invention may be, for example, a cylindrical battery.

[0044] The electrode assembly 10 may include a first electrode having a first polarity, a second electrode having a second polarity opposite to the first polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The electrode assembly 10 may have a form in which a laminate including the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator is wound in one direction. That is, the electrode assembly 10 may be, for example, a jelly roll type electrode assembly. When the electrode assembly 10 has such a wound form, a winding center hole 10a may be formed in a region that becomes the center of winding.

[0045] The first electrode may include a first non-coated portion 11 that is a region where no electrode active material is coated. The first non-coated portion 11 may extend along the winding direction of the electrode assembly 10 from one end of the first electrode. Thereby, the first non-coated portion 11 may be provided on a first surface that is substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly 10.

[0046] The second electrode may include a second non-coated portion 12 that is a region where no electrode active material is coated (see FIG. 12). The second non-coated portion 12 may extend along the winding direction of the electrode assembly 10 from one end of the second electrode. Thereby, the second non-coated portion 12 may be provided on a second surface (a surface located on the opposite side to the first surface) that is substantially perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly 10.

[0047] A separator may be disposed on the outermost contour of the electrode assembly 10. A separator may be disposed on the inner wall surface of the winding center hole 10a.

[0048] Although not specifically shown in the drawings, the first non-coated portion 11 and / or the second non-coated portion 12 may include a plurality of segmented pieces formed by being divided along the winding direction of the electrode assembly 10. Such segmented pieces may be formed by notching the first non-coated portion 11 and / or the second non-coated portion 12 to a predetermined depth. The plurality of segmented pieces may be bent along the substantially radial direction of the electrode assembly 10. In this case, a part of the segmented pieces adjacent to each other along the radial direction may overlap each other.

[0049] The battery housing 20 may include an open portion formed on one side and a closed portion formed on the opposite side of the open portion. The battery housing 20 may be configured to accommodate the electrode assembly 10 through the open portion. The battery housing 20 may contain a conductive metal. The battery housing 20 may have a hollow substantially cylindrical shape. The battery housing 20 may be electrically connected to, for example, the second electrode of the electrode assembly 10.

[0050] The insulator 30 may include a cover portion 31 and a side portion 32. The insulator 30 can prevent the occurrence of unnecessary electrical connection between the electrode assembly 10 and the battery housing 20. Considering such a function, the insulator 30 may contain a material having insulating properties.

[0051] The cover portion 31 may be interposed between the closed portion of the battery housing 20 and the electrode assembly 10. The cover portion 31 may be interposed between the closed portion of the battery housing 20 and the first plain portion 11 of the electrode assembly 10. The cover portion 31 may include an insulator hole 31a formed at a substantially central portion. The insulator hole 31a may be provided at a position corresponding to the winding center hole 10a of the electrode assembly 10. When the battery terminal 50 and the current collector (first current collector) 40 described later are provided in the battery 1 of the present invention, the insulator hole 31a may function as a passage for connecting the battery terminal 50 and the current collector 40. The cover portion 31 may include electrolyte holes 31b. A plurality of the electrolyte holes 31b may be provided. The electrolyte holes 31b may function as a circulation passage for smoothly circulating the electrolyte accommodated inside the battery housing 20.

[0052] The side portion 32 can be interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly 10 and the side wall of the battery housing 20. The side portion 32 may extend from the peripheral edge of the cover portion 31. The side portion 32 may extend in a direction toward the opening of the battery housing 20. The cover portion 31 may have a substantially flat shape, and the side portion 32 may extend along a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane constituting the cover portion 31.

[0053] The side portion 32 may include a stress relaxation portion 32a formed to a predetermined depth from its end. When the insulator 30 of the present invention includes such a stress relaxation portion 32a, in the step of inserting the insulator 30 into the battery housing 20, it is possible to prevent or minimize the occurrence of shape deformation of the insulator 30 due to the stress applied to the peripheral edge of the insulator 30. If damage or shape deformation occurs to the insulator 30 due to the stress applied to the insulator 30 during the process of inserting the insulator 30 into the battery housing 20, the insulator 30 may not be able to perform its function as an insulator properly, thereby causing a quality degradation and / or stability problem of the manufactured battery 1.

[0054] A plurality of the stress relaxation portions 32a may be provided along the periphery of the side portion 32. The plurality of stress relaxation portions 32a may be spaced apart from each other along the periphery of the side portion 32. The stress relaxation portion 32a may have a structure in which a notch is formed to a predetermined depth from the end of the side portion 32. That is, the stress relaxation portion 32a may have a groove shape recessed to a predetermined depth from the end of the side portion 32. The periphery of the end of the side portion 32 may be discontinuous in the region where the stress relaxation portion 32a is formed.

[0055] As shown in the drawings of the present invention, the shape of the region removed by the notch may be substantially trapezoidal. However, in the side portion 32, the shape of the region removed by the notch is not limited to this, and the notch may be formed in various shapes that can make the periphery of the end of the side portion 32 discontinuous.

[0056] Referring to FIG. 6, the problems when the stress relaxation portion of the present invention is not formed in the insulator 30 can be understood.

[0057] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the problems when an insulator without a stress relaxation portion is applied, which is different from the insulator of the present invention.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 6, when inserting an insulator 30 without a stress relaxation portion 32a like the insulator 30 of the present invention through the opening of the battery housing 20, a region D may occur where the side portion 32 becomes wrinkled due to the stress accumulated in the side portion 32. When such shape deformation and / or damage occur in the insulator 30, as described above, there may be a risk of deterioration in the quality of the manufactured battery 1 and / or safety problems.

[0059] Next, referring to FIG. 7, an insulator 30 having a shape different from the insulator 30 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 will be described.

[0060] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an insulator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram showing an insulator having a structure with a different shape of the stress relaxation portion compared to the insulators shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 7, the stress relaxation portion 32a formed in the insulator 30 of the present invention may have a structure cut open to a predetermined depth from the end of the side portion 32. Specifically, the stress relaxation portion 32a shown in FIG. 7 may be formed by cutting open a part of the side portion 32, rather than removing a part of the side portion 32 as in the stress relaxation portion 32a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0062] Thus, even when a slit line having a predetermined depth is formed from the end of the side portion 32 to form the stress relaxation portion 32a, in the process of inserting the insulator 30 into the battery housing 20, the stress applied to the side portion 32 can be eliminated by the natural shape deformation in the slit region. The periphery of the end of the side portion 32 can be continuous in the region where the stress relaxation portion 32a is formed. Here, the expression "continuous" does not mean that the side portion 32 has a smooth shape without cracks along its periphery, but means that the side portion 32 has a continuous shape without a removed region along its periphery.

[0063] Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 in combination with FIG. 2, the diameter of the insulator 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0064] FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the insulator of the present invention and are diagrams for explaining changes in the diameter of the insulator.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 in combination with FIG. 2, the maximum diameter R2 of the insulator 30 in a state where it is not housed in the battery housing 20 can be formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the battery housing 20. Thus, when the maximum diameter R2 of the insulator 30 is configured to be larger than the inner diameter of the battery housing 20, when the insulator 30 is inserted into the battery housing 20, the insulator 30 can be well fixed without moving within the battery housing 20.

[0066] Thus, when the maximum diameter R2 of the insulator 30 is formed to be larger than the inner diameter of the battery housing 20, when inserting the insulator 30 into the battery housing 20, stress may be applied to the insulator 30, but this stress can be eliminated by the stress relaxation portion 32a described above.

[0067] On the one hand, the insulator 30 of the present invention can be configured to have a maximum diameter R2 at the end of the side portion 32. The insulator 30 can be configured to have a maximum diameter at the end of the side portion 32. The insulator 30 can be formed such that the diameter at the end of the side portion R2 is larger than the diameter R1 at the connection portion between the cover portion 31 and the side portion 32. The side portion 32 can be configured to have substantially the same diameter R1 as the cover portion 31 in the region adjacent to the cover portion 31. The side portion 32 can be configured such that the diameter increases toward the end from a location at a certain distance or more away from the cover portion 31. Alternatively, the insulator 30 can be configured such that the diameter increases from the connection portion between the side portion 32 and the cover portion 31 toward the end of the side portion 32.

[0068] Next, with reference to FIG. 10 in combination with FIG. 2, an exemplary positional relationship between the stress relaxation portion 32a of the present invention and the first non-patterned portion 11 will be described.

[0069] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship between the stress relaxation portion formed on the insulator of the present invention and the non-patterned portion of the electrode assembly.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 10 in combination with FIG. 2, the electrode assembly 10 of the present invention may include a first non-patterned portion 11, and this first non-patterned portion 11 may extend in a direction toward the closing portion of the housing 20. At this time, the insulator 30 can be configured such that the first non-patterned portion 11 is not exposed through the stress relaxation portion 32a formed in the side portion 32. When looking at the outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly 10 in a state where the insulator 30 is coupled to the electrode assembly 10, it can be said that the first non-patterned portion 11 is not exposed from the stress relaxation portion 32a of the insulator 30. That is, the depth of the notch and / or cut for forming the stress relaxation portion 32a can be determined to such an extent that the first non-patterned portion 11 is not exposed through the stress relaxation portion 32a.

[0071] Thus, when the formation depth of the stress relaxation portion 32a is determined such that the first plain portion 11 is not exposed, concerns about a decrease in the insulating function due to the formation of the stress relaxation portion 32a can be eliminated.

[0072] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 11, a case where the current collector 40 and / or the battery terminal 50 and / or the first gasket G1 is applied to the battery 1 of the present invention will be described.

[0073] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an exemplary form of the current collector applied to the present invention.

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 11, the battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a current collector 40 and / or a battery terminal 50 and / or a first gasket G1.

[0075] The current collector 40 may be configured to electrically connect the battery terminal 50 and the electrode assembly 10. The current collector 40 may be electrically coupled to the electrode assembly 10. The current collector 40 may be electrically connected to the first electrode of the electrode assembly 10. The current collector 40 may be coupled to the first plain portion 11 of the electrode assembly 10. Thus, when the battery 1 of the present invention includes the current collector 40, the insulator 30 of the present invention may be interposed between the closing portion of the housing 20 and the current collector 40. The cover portion 31 of the insulator 30 may be interposed between the closing portion of the housing 20 and the current collector 40.

[0076] The current collector 40 may be disposed on the first surface of the electrode assembly 10. The current collector 40 may include a first coupling portion 41 and a second coupling portion 42. The first coupling portion 41 may be configured to be electrically coupled to the electrode assembly 10. The first coupling portion 41 may be coupled to the first plain portion 11 of the electrode assembly 10. The first coupling portion 41 may be coupled to the bonding surface formed by bending the first plain portion 11. At least a part of the first coupling portion 41 may be coupled to the first plain portion 11 in a region where the number of overlapping layers of the segmented pieces of the first plain portion 11 is maximum.

[0077] The second coupling part 42 can be electrically coupled to the battery terminal 50. The second coupling part 42 can be electrically coupled to the first part 51 of the battery terminal 50. The second coupling part 42 can be welded to the first part 51 of the battery terminal 50 by a welding tool inserted through the winding center hole 10a of the electrode assembly 10 or by a laser irradiated through the winding center hole 10a.

[0078] The current collector 40 of the present invention can have a structure in which the first coupling part 41 and the second coupling part 42 are spaced apart from each other along the radial direction. The current collector 40 can include a rim part 43 located on the outer periphery of the first coupling part 41 and the second coupling part 42. The current collector 40 can include a connection part 44 configured to connect the rim part 43 and the second coupling part 42. In this way, when the first coupling part 41 and the second coupling part 42 are not directly connected to each other but are indirectly connected via the rim part 43, the impact applied to the battery 1 can be dispersed. That is, the impact applied to the welded part of the first coupling part 41 can be minimized from being transmitted to the welded part of the second coupling part 42, and the impact applied to the welded part of the second coupling part 42 can also be minimized from being transmitted to the first coupling part 41.

[0079] The battery terminal 50 can be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10 via a closed part provided on the opposite side of the open part of the battery housing 20. The battery terminal 50 can be electrically connected to, for example, the first electrode of the electrode assembly 10. In this case, the battery terminal 50 can function as the first terminal of the battery 1. The battery terminal 50 and the battery housing 20 can have opposite polarities to each other. In this case, in order to prevent contact between these parts and ensure the airtightness of the battery housing 20, a first gasket G1 can be provided between the battery housing 20 and the battery terminal 50.

[0080] The battery terminal 50 may include a first portion 51 and a second portion 52. The first portion 51 may be provided at a position corresponding to the winding center hole 10a of the electrode assembly 10. The second portion 52 may be exposed outside the battery housing 20. The second portion 52 may be located at a substantially central portion of the closed portion of the battery housing 20. The battery terminal 50 may include a third portion 53 provided outside the first portion 51. The third portion 53 may be riveted toward the closed portion of the battery housing 20 to fix the battery terminal 50 to the battery housing 20.

[0081] On the other hand, as described above, when the battery 1 of the present invention includes the current collector 40 and the battery terminal 50, the battery terminal 50 may be coupled to the current collector 40 through the closed portion of the battery housing 20. Further, the cover portion 31 of the insulator 30 may include an insulator hole 31a formed at a position corresponding to the battery terminal 50 and the winding center hole 10a of the electrode assembly 10.

[0082] Next, with reference to FIG. 12, the structure of the lower portion of the battery of the present invention will be described.

[0083] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the internal structure of the lower portion of the battery shown in FIG. 1.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 12, the battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a current collector (second current collector) 60. The current collector 60 may be configured to electrically connect the electrode assembly 10 and the battery housing 20. The current collector 60 may be electrically connected to the second electrode of the electrode assembly 10. The current collector 60 may be electrically coupled to the second plain portion 12 provided on the second surface of the electrode assembly 10. The current collector 60 may be electrically coupled onto the beading portion 21 formed by press-fitting around the outer peripheral surface of the battery housing 20.

[0085] The battery 1 may include a cap 70. The cap 70 may be configured to close the open portion of the battery housing 20. The cap 70 may extend from the beading portion 21 of the battery housing 20, be bent, and be fixed by a crimping portion 22 configured to cover and enclose the periphery of the cap 70. A second gasket G2 may be interposed between the cap 70 and the inner surface of the battery housing 20. The cap 70 may include a vent portion 71 configured to be more fragile than other regions. The vent portion 71 may be configured to partially reduce the thickness of the cap 70. The vent portion 71 may be configured to break when the internal pressure of the battery 1 rises to a predetermined pressure or more.

[0086] Next, referring to FIG. 13, a battery pack 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0087] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 13 in combination with FIG. 1, a battery pack 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention and a pack housing 2 that houses the battery 1. A plurality of the batteries 1 may be provided, and the plurality of batteries 1 may be electrically connected to each other. The battery 1 of the present invention may be configured such that the battery terminal 50 and the closed portion of the battery housing 20 function as a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal, respectively. Therefore, when arranging a plurality of batteries 1 in the pack housing 2, electrical connection can be performed above the batteries 1 by arranging the battery terminals 50 of all the batteries 1 to face upward.

[0089] Next, referring to FIG. 14, an automobile 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0090] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] Referring to FIG. 14, the automobile 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the battery pack 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automobile 5 may be configured to be powered by the battery pack 3 and operate. The automobile 5 may be, for example, an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle.

[0092] As described above, the present invention has been described with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical idea of the present invention and the appended claims by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0093] 1 Battery 2 Pack Housing 3 Battery Pack 5 Automobile 10 Electrode Assembly 10a Winding Center Hole 11 First Plain Portion 12 Second Plain Portion 20 Battery Housing 21 Beading Portion 22 Crimping Portion 30 Insulator 31 Cover Portion 31a Insulator Hole 31b Electrolyte Hole 32 Side Portion 32a Stress Relief Portion 40 Current Collector (First Current Collector) 41 First Coupling Portion 42 Second Coupling Portion 43 Rim Portion 44 Connection Portion 50 Battery Terminal 51 First Portion 52 Second Portion 53 Third Portion G1 First gasket 60 Current collector (second current collector) 70 Cap G2 Second gasket

Claims

1. An electrode assembly body, A battery housing including an open portion formed on one side and a closed portion formed on the opposite side of the open portion, the battery housing being configured to accommodate the electrode assembly body through the open portion, An insulator including a cover portion interposed between the closed portion and the electrode assembly body and a side portion interposed between the outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly body and the side wall of the battery housing, the side portion including a stress relaxation portion formed to a predetermined depth from its end, A battery including the above.

2. The stress relaxation portion Is provided in plurality along the periphery of the side portion, the battery according to claim 1.

3. The stress relaxation portion Has a structure notched to a predetermined depth from the end of the side portion, the battery according to claim 1.

4. The periphery of the end of the side portion is discontinuous, the battery according to claim 3.

5. The stress relaxation portion Has a structure cut open to a predetermined depth from the end of the side portion, the battery according to claim 1.

6. The periphery of the end of the side portion is continuous, the battery according to claim 5.

7. The insulator Has a maximum diameter in a state of not being accommodated in the battery housing, which is larger than the inner diameter of the battery housing, the battery according to claim 1.

8. The insulator Has a maximum diameter at the end of the side portion, the battery according to claim 7.

9. The insulator Has a diameter at the end of the side portion, which is larger than the diameter at the connection portion between the cover portion and the side portion, the battery according to claim 8.

10. The insulator Is configured such that the diameter increases from the connection portion between the side portion and the cover portion toward the end of the side portion, the battery according to claim 8.

11. The electrode assembly body includes a first plain portion extending in a direction toward the closed portion, The insulator is configured such that the first plain portion is not exposed through the stress relaxation portion formed in the side portion, the battery according to claim 1.

12. The battery includes a first current collector electrically coupled to the electrode assembly body and interposed between the electrode assembly body and the closed portion, The battery according to claim 1, wherein the cover portion is interposed between the first current collector and the closing portion.

13. The battery includes a battery terminal that penetrates the closing portion and is coupled to the first current collector. The battery according to claim 12, wherein the cover portion includes an insulator hole formed at a position corresponding to the battery terminal and the winding center hole of the electrode assembly.

14. A battery pack including the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An automobile including the battery pack according to claim 14.

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