Heat propagation prevention battery cell

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery cell structure including an electrode assembly formed by repeatedly stacking a plurality of electrodes with separators interposed therebetween, electrode tabs extending from the electrodes and protruding from the electrode assembly, a pouch that houses the electrode assembly and is sealed, and electrode leads electrically connected to the electrode tabs and protruding from the pouch, wherein the electrode assemblies are stacked together in a thickness direction together with first insulation pads, and a battery module structure including the same.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0126276 dated October 4, 2022, and all contents disclosed in the documents of that Korean patent application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a pouch-type battery cell that prevents heat propagation in a battery module in which a plurality of pouch-type battery cells are stacked and installed inside the module. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable to a wide range of products and have electrical properties such as high energy density, are commonly used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles powered by electrical sources, power storage devices, etc. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source because they not only have the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also because they are environmentally friendly and improve energy efficiency by not producing any by-products from energy use.

[0004] While small mobile devices use one or two or three battery cells per device, medium to large devices such as automobiles require high output and large capacity, so medium to large battery modules, which electrically connect multiple battery cells, are used.

[0005] It is desirable to manufacture medium- to large-sized battery modules with small size and weight if possible, so prismatic batteries and pouch-shaped batteries, which can be stacked with high density and have low weight relative to capacity, are mainly used as battery cells for medium- to large-sized battery modules.

[0006] 12 and 13 are perspective and exploded perspective views, respectively, of a battery module including pouch-type battery cells. Referring to these drawings, the battery module 2 may include a battery cell stack 21 formed by stacking a plurality of pouch-type battery cells (hereinafter referred to as "battery cells") and a housing 22 that houses the battery cell stack 21.

[0007] 1 and 2 are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of a battery cell. Referring to these drawings, the battery cell 1 may include an electrode assembly 11 formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes with separators interposed therebetween, electrode tabs 12 extending from the electrodes and protruding from the electrode assembly 11, a pouch 14 that houses the electrode assembly and is sealed, and an electrode lead 13 connected to the electrode tab 12 and protruding from the pouch 14. In this case, the electrode assembly 11 is formed by alternately stacking electrodes and separators, and the pouch 14 may be filled with an electrolyte to impregnate the electrode assembly 11.

[0008] However, these battery cells are at risk of overheating and catching fire due to a short circuit or other cause. If a battery cell catches fire, heat, flame, and gas may be emitted from the battery cell. Furthermore, the heat, flame, and gas caused by the ignition of a battery cell may spread to other adjacent battery cells, causing a chain reaction of fires.

[0009] To prevent this, attempts have been made to make part of the separator out of a heat-insulating material, but these structures have the problem of impairing the separator's ability to absorb electrolyte, significantly reducing the energy efficiency of the battery itself.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for a battery cell and battery module structure that can fundamentally suppress the ignition of battery cells and further suppress the heat transfer between the battery cells, thereby preventing chain reactions of ignition. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] The present invention was conceived in light of the background of the prior art described above, and has an object to provide a battery cell structure that can prevent fire.

[0012] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a battery cell capable of preventing a chain reaction of fires between battery cells, and a battery module structure including the same.

[0013] Another technical object of the present invention is to provide a battery cell and battery module structure that can be manufactured using existing battery module manufacturing methods and equipment without reducing the energy density or performance of the battery itself, in order to achieve the above-mentioned objects.

[0014] The technical object of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other unmentioned objects and advantages of the present invention can be understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the examples of the present invention. Furthermore, it can be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present invention can be achieved by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a battery cell structure including an electrode assembly formed by repeatedly stacking a plurality of electrodes with separators interposed therebetween, electrode tabs extending from the electrodes and protruding from the electrode assembly, a pouch that receives the electrode assembly and is sealed, and electrode leads that are electrically connected to the electrode tabs and protrude from the pouch, wherein the electrode assemblies are multiple and are stacked together in a thickness direction together with first insulation pads.

[0016] The electrode assembly may include a pair of a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, but the number of the electrode assemblies is not limited thereto and may be greater than this.

[0017] The first insulating pad may be made of an insulating material.

[0018] The first insulating pad may be made of a heat-resistant and / or fire-resistant material.

[0019] The first insulating pad may be made of a compressible material, in which case the first insulating pad can absorb swelling and tolerances of the battery cell.

[0020] The electrode assemblies and the first insulating pads may be stacked together in various ways. For example, the first insulating pads may be interposed between the electrode assemblies. Alternatively, each electrode assembly may be interposed between the first insulating pads. Alternatively, the electrode assemblies and the first insulating pads may be stacked alternately.

[0021] Since the electrode assemblies are provided in a plurality, the electrode tabs may also be provided in a corresponding plurality.

[0022] The electrode tabs may include a first electrode tab protruding from the first electrode assembly and a second electrode tab protruding from the second electrode assembly, but the number of electrode tabs is not limited thereto and may be greater than this.

[0023] The electrode tabs may be connected to the electrode lead in parallel with one another by welding, which may be selected from a variety of welding methods including ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and resistance welding.

[0024] The plurality of electrode assemblies are connected in parallel to each other at the electrode tabs. The first insulating pad interposed between the electrode assemblies may be made of a material with low electrolyte impregnation, but it is sufficient that the first insulating pad is made of a heat-insulating, heat-resistant, and / or fire-resistant material.

[0025] Although the following describes an example in which there are two electrode assemblies, it can be easily understood from the following description that the method for solving the problem of the present invention can also be applied to cases in which the number of electrode assemblies is greater than two.

[0026] The first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be welded to both sides of the electrode lead in a thickness direction.

[0027] Alternatively, the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab may be stacked on each other and welded to one side of the electrode lead in the thickness direction.

[0028] The electrode lead may include a lead portion protruding outside the pouch, a first welding portion to which the first electrode tab is welded, and a second welding portion to which the second electrode tab is welded.

[0029] The first electrode assembly may be located on one side in a thickness direction relative to the second electrode assembly, and the first welded portion may be located on one side in a thickness direction relative to the lead portion, and the second welded portion may be located on the other side in a thickness direction relative to the lead portion.

[0030] The first electrode tab may be located on one side in the height direction relative to the second electrode tab, in which case the first welded portion may be located on one side in the height direction relative to the lead portion, and the second welded portion may be located on the other side in the height direction relative to the lead portion.

[0031] The present invention also provides a battery module structure including a battery cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of the battery cells in the thickness direction.

[0032] The battery cell stack may be formed by stacking the battery cells and second insulating pads together.

[0033] The second insulating pad may be made of a thermally insulating material.

[0034] The second insulating pad may be made of a heat-resistant and / or fire-resistant material.

[0035] The second insulating pad may be made of a compressible material, in which case the first insulating pad can absorb the swelling of the battery cell and the tolerance of the battery cell and the battery module.

[0036] The battery cells and the second insulating pads may be stacked together in various ways. For example, the second insulating pads may be interposed between the battery cells. Alternatively, each battery cell may be interposed between the second insulating pads.

[0037] The present invention also provides a battery pack including the battery module as described above, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0038] A plurality of the battery modules may be connected in series and / or parallel to form a battery pack to increase the charge / discharge capacity and / or power. The battery pack may also be installed in a vehicle as a power source for the vehicle. The general structure and manufacturing method of the battery pack and the vehicle are well known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described further herein. [Effects of the Invention]

[0039] The present invention can provide a battery cell structure that suppresses heat propagation within the battery cell and prevents the battery cell from catching fire itself.

[0040] Furthermore, the present invention can provide a battery cell and a battery module structure including the same that can prevent chain fires by suppressing heat propagation from the inside to the outside of the battery cell and heat propagation between battery cells.

[0041] Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides a battery cell and battery module structure that achieves the above-mentioned effects while not reducing the energy density or performance of the battery itself, and that can be manufactured using existing battery module manufacturing methods and equipment. Furthermore, the present invention can suppress heat transfer between electrode assemblies without affecting the electrolyte impregnation of separators included in the electrode assemblies.

[0042] In addition to the above, the present invention can achieve various other effects, which will be explained in each embodiment, or explanations of effects that can be easily inferred by ordinary engineers will be omitted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0043] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a battery cell. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the pouch has been removed from the battery cell according to Example 3 of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery cell according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery module including pouch-type battery cells. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a battery module including pouch-type battery cells. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack according to Example 6 of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack according to Example 7 of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 is a perspective view showing a battery pack including a battery module according to the present invention; [Figure 17] 1 is a perspective view showing a vehicle including a battery pack including a battery module according to the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] The above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily implement the technical concept of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if a detailed description of known technologies relating to the present invention is deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0045] Although terms such as "first" and "second" are used to indicate various components, it is understood that these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, the first component may also be the second component.

[0046] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be singular or plural.

[0047] Hereinafter, when an arbitrary structure is arranged "on top (or bottom)" of a component or "above (or below)" a component, it means that the arbitrary structure is not only arranged in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of the component, but also that other structures may be interposed between the component and the arbitrary structure arranged above (or below) the component.

[0048] Furthermore, when a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly coupled or connected to each other, but that other components may be "intervening" between the components, or that each component may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" via other components.

[0049] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Terms such as "comprise" or "include" in this application should not be interpreted as including all of the components or steps described in the specification, but should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0050] In the entire specification, "A and / or B" means A, B or A and B unless otherwise specified, and "C to D" means C or more and D or less unless otherwise specified.

[0051] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] 1 and 2 are perspective and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a battery cell 1. Referring to these figures, the battery cell 1 may include an electrode assembly 11, an electrode tab 12, a pouch 14, and an electrode lead 13.

[0053] The electrode assembly 11 may be formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes with a separator interposed therebetween.

[0054] The electrodes may include a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the electrode assembly 11 may be formed by alternately stacking the positive electrode and the negative electrode with the separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0055] The electrode tabs 12 may extend from the electrodes and protrude from the electrode assembly 11 .

[0056] The electrode tabs 12 may include a positive electrode tab extending from the positive electrode and a negative electrode tab extending from the negative electrode.

[0057] The electrode tabs 12 may extend from a plurality of electrodes having the same polarity and be stacked on top of each other to form a single tab. The electrode tabs 12 may be stacked and welded to each other. The welding may be performed by at least one method selected from various welding methods, including ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and resistance welding. In addition, since the electrodes are the positive and negative electrodes, the positive electrode tabs may be stacked on top of each other to form a single positive electrode tab, and the negative electrode tabs may be stacked on top of each other to form a single negative electrode tab.

[0058] The pouch 14 may contain the electrode assembly 11 and be sealed.

[0059] The pouch 14 may be made of a metal foil material.

[0060] The pouch 14 may be folded in half to accommodate the electrode assembly 11, and three sides excluding the folded side may be sealed. In this case, the folded side may correspond to one side end in the height direction of the battery cell 1. In this case, the seal may be formed by fusing a synthetic resin layer coated on the inner surface of the pouch 14.

[0061] The electrode lead 13 may be connected to the electrode tab 12 and protrude from the pouch 14 .

[0062] The connection between the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12 may be made by welding. The welding may be performed by at least one method selected from various welding methods including ultrasonic welding, laser welding, and resistance welding. However, the connection method is not limited to welding as long as it can electrically connect the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12.

[0063] The electrode lead 13 may be provided with a lead film 134 that is provided so as to surround the electrode lead 13 in the width direction.

[0064] The lead film 134 may be made of a synthetic resin.

[0065] The lead film 134 is arranged to correspond to the surface of the electrode lead 13 where the pouch 14 is sealed, and by sealing the pouch 14, the electrode lead 13 and the pouch 14 can be insulated and fused and sealed.

[0066] Meanwhile, there is a risk that battery cells may overheat and ignite due to a short circuit, etc. If a battery cell ignites, heat, flame, and gas may be emitted from the battery cell. Furthermore, the heat, flame, and gas caused by the ignition of a battery cell may spread to other adjacent battery cells, causing a chain reaction of fires.

[0067] To this end, the present invention provides a battery cell structure including an electrode assembly formed by repeatedly stacking a plurality of electrodes with separators interposed therebetween, electrode tabs extending from the electrodes and protruding from the electrode assembly, a pouch that houses the electrode assembly and is sealed, and electrode leads electrically connected to the electrode tabs and protruding from the pouch, wherein the electrode assemblies are stacked together in a thickness direction together with first insulating pads, and a battery module structure including the same.

[0068] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the battery cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0069] [Example 1] 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to this figure, the battery cell 1 may be provided with a plurality of electrode assemblies 11.

[0070] The electrode assembly 11 may include a pair of a first electrode assembly 111 and a second electrode assembly 112 .

[0071] In the following, all the embodiments and drawings, including this embodiment, illustrate the case where there are two electrode assemblies 11, but it can be easily understood from the following explanation that the method for solving the problem of the present invention can also be applied to cases where the number of electrode assemblies 11 is greater than this.

[0072] The electrode assembly 11 may be stacked together with the first heat insulating pad 15 in the thickness direction.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 3, the first heat insulating pad 15 may be provided between the electrode assemblies 11.

[0074] The first insulating pad 15 may be made of a heat insulating material, for example, a heat insulating synthetic resin.

[0075] The first insulating pad 15 may be made of a heat-resistant and fire-resistant material.

[0076] The first insulating pad 15 may be made of a compressible material, in which case the first insulating pad 15 can absorb the swelling and tolerance of the battery cell 1.

[0077] The electrode tabs 12 may include a first electrode tab 121 protruding from the first electrode assembly 111 and a second electrode tab 122 protruding from the second electrode assembly 112 .

[0078] The first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 may be connected to the electrode lead 13 in parallel with each other.

[0079] The first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 may be welded to both sides of the electrode lead 13 in the thickness direction.

[0080] According to this embodiment, a plurality of electrode assemblies 11 are provided, and the first insulating pad 15 is interposed between the electrode assemblies 11. Therefore, even if one of the electrode assemblies 11 generates heat, the heat may not be transmitted to other electrode assemblies. This reduces the rise in the internal temperature of the battery cell 1, and further prevents the battery cell 1 from catching fire.

[0081] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the electrode tabs 12 protruding from the electrode assemblies 11 are welded to both side surfaces of the electrode lead 13, respectively, so that there is no need to change the shape of the electrode lead 13, and there is an advantage that the present invention can be implemented simply by providing a plurality of electrode assemblies 11.

[0082] [Example 2] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to Example 2 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, the first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 may be stacked on each other and welded to one side of the electrode lead 13.

[0083] According to this embodiment, regardless of the number of the electrode assemblies 11, the electrode leads 13 and the electrode tabs 12 can be connected by only one welding process.

[0084] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the welding process between the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12 is the same as when there is only one electrode assembly 11, so there is an advantage that the electrode lead 13 and the electrode tab 12 can be welded using the same manufacturing process and manufacturing equipment as when there is only one built-in electrode assembly 11.

[0085] [Example 3] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the battery cell of Fig. 5 with the pouch removed, and Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the battery cell of Fig. 5. Referring to these drawings, the electrode lead 13 may include a lead portion 133, a first welded portion 131, and a second welded portion 132.

[0086] The lead portion 133 may extend in one lengthwise direction and protrude to the outside of the pouch 14. The battery cell 1 may be electrically connected to the outside via the lead portion 133.

[0087] The first electrode tab 121 may be welded to the first weld portion 131, and the second electrode tab 122 may be welded to the second weld portion 132.

[0088] The first welded portion 131 and the second welded portion 132 may be provided in a shape that protrudes toward the other end in the length direction.

[0089] The first electrode assembly 111 may be located on one side in the thickness direction compared to the second electrode assembly 112. Accordingly, the first electrode tab 121 may also be located on one side in the thickness direction compared to the second electrode tab 122. In this case, the first welding portion 131 may be located on one side in the thickness direction compared to the lead portion 133, and the second welding portion 132 may be located on the other side in the thickness direction compared to the lead portion 133.

[0090] In addition, the first electrode tab 121 may be located on one side in the height direction compared to the second electrode tab 122. In this case, the first welding portion 131 may be located on one side in the height direction compared to the lead portion 133, and the second welding portion 132 may be located on the other side in the height direction compared to the lead portion 133.

[0091] According to this embodiment, the first electrode tab 121 may be located at one side in the thickness direction and one side in the height direction relative to the second electrode tab 122. In this case, the first welding portion 131 may be located at one side in the thickness direction and one side in the height direction relative to the lead portion 133, and the second welding portion 132 may be located at the other side in the thickness direction and the other side in the height direction relative to the lead portion 133.

[0092] According to this embodiment, as described above, the first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 are welded to the electrode lead 13 at different locations, thereby preventing interference between the first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 and further simplifying the welding process.

[0093] In addition, according to this embodiment, the first welded portion 131 and the second welded portion 132 are shaped to protrude toward the first electrode assembly 111 and the second electrode assembly 112, respectively, which has the advantage that the electrode tabs 121 and 122 can be shorter than when the first electrode tab 121 and the second electrode tab 122 are directly welded to the electrode lead located at the center in the thickness direction.

[0094] [Example 4] 8 and 9 are a cross-sectional view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of a battery cell according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, the electrode assemblies 11 and the first insulating pads 15 may be stacked alternately. For example, the electrode assemblies 11 and the first insulating pads 15 may be stacked in the order of the first electrode assembly 111, the first insulating pad 15, the second electrode assembly 112, and the first insulating pad 15, or vice versa.

[0095] According to this embodiment, the first insulating pad 15 is stacked on one side or the other side of each electrode assembly 11 in the thickness direction, so that even when a plurality of battery cells 1 are stacked on top of each other in the thickness direction, each electrode assembly 11 can be interposed with the adjacent electrode assembly via the first insulating pad 15, thereby more effectively preventing heat transfer between the electrode assemblies 11. This will be described in more detail in Example 6.

[0096] [Example 5] 10 and 11 are a cross-sectional view and an exploded perspective view, respectively, of a battery cell according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to these drawings, the first insulating pad 15 may be provided to interpose each of the electrode assemblies 11. For example, the electrode assemblies 11 and the first insulating pad 15 may be stacked in the order of the first insulating pad, the first electrode assembly 111, the first insulating pad 15, the second electrode assembly 112, and the first insulating pad 15, or vice versa.

[0097] According to this embodiment, the battery cell 1 can block heat propagation within itself and also block heat release to the outside, which has the advantage of being able to suppress both ignition and heat generation within the battery cell 1.

[0098] According to the present invention, including all the above-mentioned embodiments, heat propagation inside the battery cell 1 is blocked, thereby preventing the battery cell 1 from catching fire itself, and heat propagation between the battery cells 1 is also blocked, thereby preventing chain fires.

[0099] Furthermore, the present invention has the advantage that it can be implemented while maintaining the existing design without sacrificing the specifications and performance of the battery cell 1, including the energy density.

[0100] Meanwhile, a plurality of the battery cells 1 may be connected in series and / or parallel to form a battery module in order to increase the charge / discharge capacity and / or power. The present invention provides a battery module structure including a plurality of the battery cells. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the battery cell according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0101] 12 and 13 are perspective and exploded perspective views, respectively, showing a battery module including pouch-type battery cells. Referring to these drawings, the battery module 2 may include a battery cell stack 21 and a housing 22.

[0102] The battery cell stack 21 may be formed by stacking a plurality of the battery cells 1.

[0103] The battery cell stack 21 may include a bus bar plate on which a bus bar is provided. The electrode leads 13 may be welded to the bus bar, and the bus bar may be connected to a terminal. The battery module 2 may be electrically connected to the outside via the terminal.

[0104] The battery cell stack 21 can be housed in the housing 22 .

[0105] The housing 22 may include a U-frame 221 that is open at the top, front, and rear, a top plate 222 that covers the top of the U-frame 221, and a pair of end plates 223 that cover the front and rear of the U-frame.

[0106] The terminals may be exposed on the end plate 223 .

[0107] [Example 6] 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack according to Example 6 of the present invention. Referring to this, the battery cell stack 21 may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 according to Example 4.

[0108] In this case, the first heat insulating pad 15 may be interposed between the first electrode assembly 111 and the second electrode assembly 112, and between the first electrode assembly 113 and the second electrode assembly 112 of the battery cell adjacent to the battery cell 1 on the other side in the thickness direction. Thus, the first heat insulating pad 15 is interposed between all adjacent electrode assemblies 11, thereby blocking heat transfer between the electrode assemblies 11.

[0109] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if a battery module incorporating a pouch-type battery cell does not require a separate compressible pad for absorbing swelling and tolerance and a separate insulating pad for heat insulation between the battery cells, the first insulating pad 15 incorporated in the battery cell 1 can absorb swelling and tolerance and provide heat insulation between the battery cells, which has the advantage that the overall energy density of the battery module can be increased or not decreased.

[0110] [Example 7] 15 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a battery cell stack according to Example 7 of the present invention. Referring to this, the battery cell stack 21 may be formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells 1 and second insulating pads 211 according to Examples 1 to 3.

[0111] The second insulating pads 211 may be stacked together with the battery cells 1 in various ways. For example, the second insulating pads 211 may be interposed between each group of a certain number of the battery cells 1.

[0112] According to this embodiment, the second insulating pads 211 may be disposed between the battery cells 1 or between the battery cells 1 themselves.

[0113] The second insulating pad 211 may be made of a compressible material, in which case the second insulating pad 211 can absorb the swelling of the battery cell 1 and the tolerance between the battery cell 1 and the housing 22.

[0114] In this case, the first insulating pad may be interposed between the first electrode assembly 111 and the second electrode assembly 112, and the second insulating pad 211 may be interposed between the first electrode assembly 113 and the second electrode assembly 112 of the battery cell adjacent to the battery cell 1 on the other side in the thickness direction. Thus, at least one of the first insulating pad 15 and the second insulating pad 211 is interposed between any adjacent electrode assemblies 11, thereby blocking heat transfer between the electrode assemblies 11.

[0115] The present invention also provides a battery pack incorporating a plurality of the battery modules, and a vehicle including the battery pack.

[0116] 16 and 17 are perspective views showing a battery pack including a battery module according to the present invention and a vehicle including the battery pack, respectively. Referring to these drawings, a plurality of battery modules 2 can be connected in series and / or parallel to form a battery pack (P) to increase the charge / discharge capacity and / or power. The battery pack (P) can also be installed in a vehicle (V) as a power source for the vehicle (V). The general structure and manufacturing method of the battery pack (P) and the vehicle (V) are well known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described further herein.

[0117] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and are not limiting, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims rather than the above detailed description. All modifications and variations within the meaning and scope of the following claims, as well as equivalent concepts, should be construed as being included within the scope of the present invention.

[0118] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to illustrative drawings, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. Furthermore, even if the effects of the configuration of the present invention are not explicitly described in the above description of the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects that can be predicted by the configuration should also be recognized. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1 battery cell 11 Electrode assembly 111 First electrode assembly 112 Second electrode assembly 12 Electrode tab 121 First electrode tab 122 Second electrode tab 13 Electrode Lead 131 First Welding Section 132 Second Welding Section 133 Lead section 134 Lead Film 14 pouches 15 First Heat Insulation Pad 2 Battery Module 21 Battery cell stack 211 Second Heat Insulation Pad 22 Housing 221 U-frame 222 Top Plate 223 End Plate X Length direction / Front-to-back direction Y Thickness direction / left / right direction / layer direction Z width direction / vertical direction / height direction P Battery pack V Automobile

Claims

1. An electrode assembly formed by stacking a plurality of electrodes, wherein a separator is interposed between the electrodes; an electrode tab extending from the electrode and projecting from the electrode assembly; a sealed pouch containing the electrode assembly; and an electrode lead electrically connected to the electrode tab and protruding from the pouch, The electrode assembly is A plurality of The first and second heat insulating pads are stacked together in the thickness direction. Battery cell.

2. The electrode assembly includes a pair of a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly. The battery cell according to claim 1 .

3. The first heat insulating pad is interposed between the electrode assemblies. The battery cell according to claim 1 .

4. Each of the electrode assemblies is interposed between a plurality of the first heat insulating pads. The battery cell according to claim 1 .

5. The electrode assembly and the first heat insulating pad are alternately stacked on each other. The battery cell according to claim 1 .

6. The electrode tabs are connected to the electrode leads in parallel with each other. The battery cell according to claim 1 .

7. The electrode tab is a first electrode tab protruding from the first electrode assembly; a second electrode tab protruding from the second electrode assembly, the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab are connected to the electrode lead in parallel with each other; The battery cell according to claim 2 .

8. the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab are welded to both sides of the electrode lead in a thickness direction, respectively; The battery cell according to claim 7 .

9. the first electrode tab and the second electrode tab are stacked on each other and welded to one side of the electrode lead in a thickness direction; The battery cell according to claim 7 .

10. The electrode lead is a lead portion projecting outside the pouch; a first weld portion to which the first electrode tab is welded; and a second weld portion to which the second electrode tab is welded; The battery cell according to claim 7 .

11. the first electrode assembly is located on one side in a thickness direction relative to the second electrode assembly, the first welded portion is located on one side in the thickness direction relative to the lead portion, the second welded portion is located on the other side of the lead portion in the thickness direction; The battery cell of claim 10.

12. the first electrode tab is located at one side in a height direction compared to the second electrode tab, the first welded portion is located on one side in a height direction relative to the lead portion, the second welded portion is located on the other side in the height direction relative to the lead portion; The battery cell of claim 10.

13. The first insulating pad is made of a compressible material. The battery cell according to claim 1 .

14. a battery cell stack formed by stacking a plurality of battery cells according to any one of claims 1 to 13 in the thickness direction; Battery module.

15. The battery cell stack is formed by stacking the battery cells together with second insulating pads. The battery module according to claim 14.

16. The second heat insulating pad is interposed between the battery cells. The battery module according to claim 15.

17. Each of the battery cells is interposed between a plurality of the second insulating pads. The battery module according to claim 15.

18. The second insulating pad is made of a compressible material. The battery module according to claim 15.

19. A battery module comprising the battery module of claim 14. Battery pack.

20. 20. A battery pack comprising: car.

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