Cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, battery packs including the cylindrical battery cells, and automobiles

Abstract

A carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells, cylindrical battery cells produced using the carrier, and a battery pack and automobile including the cylindrical battery cells are disclosed. The carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention is a carrier on which cylindrical battery cells are mounted during the process of transferring the cylindrical battery cells to a cleaning member for cleaning, and includes a main body on which the cylindrical battery cells are mounted, a first support part protruding from the main body and supporting a side surface of the cylindrical battery cell, and a second support part protruding from the main body and supporting a bottom surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells, cylindrical battery cells produced using the carrier, and a battery pack and an automobile including the cylindrical battery cells, and more particularly to a carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells that can uniformly clean cylindrical battery cells, cylindrical battery cells produced using the carrier, and a battery pack and an automobile including the cylindrical battery cells.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0179856 filed on December 20, 2022 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0174881 filed on December 5, 2023, and the contents disclosed in the specifications and drawings of those applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] Secondary batteries, which are easily applicable to various products and have electrical properties such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by electrical sources.

[0004] Such secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source that not only has the primary advantage of dramatically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also is environmentally friendly because they do not produce any by-products associated with energy use, and can improve energy efficiency.

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

[0006] Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. Alternatively, a battery module or a battery pack may be configured by connecting a plurality of battery cells in parallel depending on a required charge / discharge capacity. Therefore, the number and electrical connection form of battery cells included in a battery module or a battery pack may be variously set depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Meanwhile, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type secondary battery cells are known. In the case of a cylindrical battery cell, a separator, which is an insulator, is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and the separator is wound up to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly. This jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly is then placed in a battery can together with an electrolyte to form a battery. Furthermore, a current collector plate may be used to electrically connect the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate to each other in the cylindrical battery cell.

[0008] Cylindrical battery cells undergo various processes during production, particularly cleaning using a cleaning member, where the cylindrical battery cells are cleaned by the cleaning member while being transported on a carrier.

[0009] However, in the case of the conventional technology, when water is sprayed from the cleaning member, the cylindrical battery cells move inside the carrier due to water pressure, which causes uneven cleaning. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention aims to provide a cylindrical battery cell washing carrier that can prevent cylindrical battery cells from moving after being mounted on the carrier, cylindrical battery cells produced using the carrier, and a battery pack and automobile including the cylindrical battery cells.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier that prevents movement of cylindrical battery cells within the carrier, thereby enabling uniform cleaning, cylindrical battery cells produced using the same, and a battery pack and automobile including the cylindrical battery cells.

[0012] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, there may be provided a carrier on which cylindrical battery cells are mounted in a process of transferring the cylindrical battery cells to a cleaning member for cleaning the cylindrical battery cells, the carrier including: a main body on which the cylindrical battery cells are mounted; a first support part protruding from the main body part and supporting a side surface of the cylindrical battery cell; and a second support part protruding from the main body part and supporting a bottom surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0014] According to an embodiment, at least one of the first support portions may protrude from an inner circumferential surface of the main body portion.

[0015] According to one embodiment, four first support portions may be provided, and the four first support portions may be spaced apart from one another at 90° intervals.

[0016] According to an embodiment, an inclined portion may be formed on an upper portion of the first support portion to facilitate mounting of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0017] According to an embodiment, at least one of the second support portions may protrude from a lower portion of an inner circumferential surface of the main body portion.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the second support may be coupled to a lower end of the first support.

[0019] According to one embodiment, four second support portions are provided, and the four second support portions may be spaced apart from one another at 90° intervals.

[0020] According to an embodiment, the second support portion may be formed with a rounded portion to facilitate the discharge of cleaning water used to clean the cylindrical battery cell.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the rounded portion may be formed on an upper surface of the second support portion.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the rounded portion includes a first curved portion curved from a first end of the upper surface toward a center of the upper surface, and a second curved portion curved from a second end of the upper surface opposite the first end toward the center of the upper surface, and a straight line portion connecting the first curved portion and the second curved portion may be formed at the center of the upper surface.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the second support part includes a plurality of unit support stands, and the unit support stands are spaced apart from one another to facilitate drainage of cleaning water used to clean the cylindrical battery cells, and a drain hole may be formed in a space between the unit support stands.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the first support portion may include a gap eliminating portion to eliminate a gap between the first support portion and the cylindrical battery cell.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the gap eliminator may include an elastic portion coupled to the first support portion, and a contact support portion coupled to the elastic portion and in contact with a side surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a cylindrical battery cell may be provided that is manufactured using the above-described cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier. Also, a battery pack including at least one of the above-described cylindrical battery cells may be provided, and further, a vehicle including at least one of the above-described cylindrical battery cells may be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0027] Embodiments of the present invention can prevent movement of cylindrical battery cells after they are mounted on a carrier.

[0028] Additionally, movement of the cylindrical battery cells within the carrier is prevented, resulting in uniform cleaning.

[0029] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other technical effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0030] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical concepts of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state before cylindrical battery cells are mounted on a carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a cylindrical battery cell mounted on a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cylindrical battery cell has been removed from a carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a plan view of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA' in FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a modified embodiment of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 10 is a partially cutaway perspective view of another modified embodiment of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of yet another modified embodiment of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a battery pack including cylindrical battery cells produced using a carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to each embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 11. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] 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 claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best explain the invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiment described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical ideas of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0033] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific parts of the component may be exaggerated, omitted, or illustrated schematically for convenience and clarity of description. Therefore, the size of each component may not completely reflect the actual size. If a detailed description of well-known functions or configurations related to the present invention is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0034] As used herein, the terms "coupled" or "connected" include not only cases where one member is directly coupled or connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly coupled or connected to another member via a joint member.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state before cylindrical battery cells are loaded onto a carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which cylindrical battery cells are loaded onto the carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which cylindrical battery cells have been removed from the carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along A-A' of FIG. 4.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 1, a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as the cleaning carrier) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a carrier on which cylindrical battery cells 20 are mounted during the process of transferring the cylindrical battery cells 20 to a cleaning member (not shown) for cleaning the cylindrical battery cells 20.

[0037] The cylindrical battery cell 20 may include an electrode assembly (not shown), a battery can 21, and a cap plate (not shown).

[0038] The electrode assembly may have a structure in which a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrode plates are wound in one direction, and may have a center hole formed in the center of the electrode assembly, forming a jelly roll shape.

[0039] For example, the electrode assembly may be manufactured by sequentially stacking a negative electrode plate, a separator, a positive electrode plate, and a separator at least once, and then winding the stacked body, where the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may be formed in a sheet shape.

[0040] That is, the electrode assembly applied to the present embodiment may be a winding-type electrode assembly, in which case a separator may be further provided on the outer periphery of the electrode assembly for insulation from the battery can 21. That is, the electrode assembly may have any winding structure known in the related art without limitation.

[0041] The positive electrode plate may have a positive electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and a first uncoated portion where the positive electrode active material is not coated may be formed at an end of the positive electrode plate. The first uncoated portion may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of winding turns based on the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab. However, the positive electrode plate does not necessarily have to have a first uncoated portion.

[0042] The negative electrode plate may have a negative electrode active material coated on one or both sides, and a second uncoated portion where the negative electrode active material is not coated may be formed at an end of the negative electrode plate. The second uncoated portion may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming multiple winding turns based on the center of the electrode assembly, and may be used as an electrode tab. However, the negative electrode plate does not necessarily have to have a second uncoated portion.

[0043] Here, when the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate each include a non-coated portion, the first non-coated portion and the second non-coated portion may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0044] The positive electrode active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode plate may be any active material known in the art without any limitations.

[0045] The separator may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, or an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, either alone or in combination.

[0046] As another example, the separator may be made of a common porous nonwoven fabric, such as a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fiber or polyethylene terephthalate fiber.

[0047] At least one surface of the separator may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Alternatively, the separator itself may be made of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound with a binder so that there is an interstitial volume between adjacent particles.

[0048] The center hole of the electrode assembly can be used to weld the cell terminal 22 (positive terminal) and the positive current collector plate. That is, the electrode assembly can be configured to weld the cell terminal 22 and the positive current collector plate by irradiating a laser through the center hole of the electrode assembly.

[0049] The electrode assembly is housed in the battery can 21. A through-hole may be formed in the battery can 21. The battery can 21 is cylindrical, and the electrode assembly may be housed inside the battery can 21 and electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly. As a result, the battery can 21 may have the same polarity as the negative electrode plate, i.e., the negative electrode.

[0050] The diameter of the battery can 21 is larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly. A predetermined gap is formed between the battery can 21 and the positive electrode current collector plate, and an insulator may be interposed in the gap.

[0051] If the size of the electrode assembly is increased while the size of the battery can 21 is determined according to the standard, the overall capacity of the battery cell increases, but the gap between the battery can 21 and the electrode assembly decreases.

[0052] That is, when the size of the electrode assembly is increased to increase the overall capacity of the battery cell, the gap between the battery can 21 and the electrode assembly is reduced. Therefore, in order to increase the capacity of the battery cell, an insulator must be interposed in the reduced gap between the battery can 21 and the electrode assembly. For this reason, it is desirable that the thickness of the insulator be as thin as possible.

[0053] The battery can 21 is a substantially cylindrical container and may be made of a conductive material such as metal. The material of the battery can 21 may be made of a conductive metal such as, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, or stainless steel.

[0054] The positive current collector is electrically connected to the positive plate, for example, connected to the positive plate at the top of the electrode assembly. For example, the positive current collector may be made of a conductive metal material and electrically connected to the first uncoated portion of the positive plate.

[0055] The cell terminal 22 is made of a conductive metal material and is electrically connected to the positive current collector plate. The cell terminal 22 is electrically connected to the positive electrode plate of the electrode assembly through the positive current collector plate, and thus has a positive polarity.

[0056] That is, the cell terminal 22 can function as a positive terminal, and the battery can 21 can be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly as described above, thereby having a negative polarity.

[0057] The negative current collector is electrically connected to the negative plate, for example, connected to the negative plate at the bottom of the electrode assembly. For example, the negative current collector may be made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel, and may be electrically connected to the second uncoated portion of the negative plate.

[0058] The negative electrode current collector plate may be electrically connected to the battery can 21. For this purpose, the negative electrode current collector plate may be fixed with at least a part of its edge interposed between the inner surface of the battery can 21 and a sealing gasket.

[0059] In one embodiment, at least a portion of the edge of the negative electrode current collector plate may be fixed to the beading portion by welding while being supported by the lower surface of the beading portion formed at the lower end of the battery can 21 .

[0060] At least a part of the remaining portion of the negative electrode current collector plate excluding the bonding portion of the beading portion can be bonded to the bent surface of the second non-coated portion by welding, for example, laser welding.

[0061] In addition, at least a portion of the end of the negative electrode current collector plate may be electrically coupled to one of the upper and lower surfaces of the beading portion that is adjacent to the crimping portion.

[0062] The cap plate is configured to seal an opening formed at the bottom end of the battery can 21. The cap plate may be made of, for example, a metal material to ensure rigidity.

[0063] The cap plate may be separated from the electrode assembly and may be non-polar, i.e., the cap plate may not have polarity even if it is made of a conductive metal material.

[0064] The fact that the cap plate has no polarity means that the cap plate is electrically insulated from the battery can 21 and the cell terminal 22. In this way, the cap plate does not have to have polarity, and its material does not necessarily have to be a conductive metal.

[0065] The cap plate may be mounted and supported on a beading portion formed on the battery can 21. The cap plate may be fixed by a crimping portion, which will be described later. A sealing gasket may be interposed between the cap plate and the crimping portion of the battery can 21 to ensure airtightness of the battery can 21. That is, the sealing gasket may be interposed between the edge of the cap plate and the opening of the battery can 21.

[0066] The cleaning member (not shown) may be configured in various ways to clean the cylindrical battery cells 20. For example, it may include a nozzle that sprays water toward the cylindrical battery cells 20. That is, the cleaning member (not shown) may be configured to spray, for example, water toward the cylindrical battery cells 20 that are loaded on the cleaning carrier 10 and transported.

[0067] Here, if the cylindrical battery cells 20 move due to the water pressure sprayed from the cleaning member (not shown), the cleaning may become uneven. However, the cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention can solve this problem.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 1, a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 100, a first support 200, and a second support 300.

[0069] The main body 100 is mounted with a cylindrical battery cell 20 (see FIG. 2). The main body 100 may have various shapes. For example, the main body 100 may be formed in a cylindrical shape, but is not limited thereto.

[0070] 1 and 4, the first support part 200 protrudes from the body part 100 and supports the side of the cylindrical battery cell 20 as shown in FIG.

[0071] The first support portion 200 may be configured in various forms. For example, at least one may be configured to protrude from the inner circumferential surface of the body portion 100. Referring to Fig. 5, four first support portions 200 may be provided, and the four first support portions 200 may be spaced apart from each other at 90° intervals. However, the number and intervals of the first support portions 200 are not limited thereto.

[0072] 1, a sloped portion 210 may be formed on the upper side of the first support portion 200 to facilitate the installation of the cylindrical battery cell 20. Even if the cylindrical battery cell 20 deviates from the exact center during the process of being installed in the body 100, the lower portion of the cylindrical battery cell 20 can slide while contacting the sloped portion 210, thereby enabling the cylindrical battery cell 20 to be positioned at the exact center.

[0073] The second support part 300 protrudes from the body part 100 and supports the lower surface of the cylindrical battery cell 20 as shown in FIG.

[0074] At least one second support part 300 may protrude from a lower portion of an inner circumferential surface of the body part 100. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the second support part 300 may be coupled to a lower end of the first support part 200.

[0075] 5, four second supports 300 may be provided. The four second supports 300 may be spaced apart at 90° intervals. However, the number and spacing of the second supports 300 are not limited thereto.

[0076] 7 , a rounded portion 310 may be formed on the second support part 300 to facilitate the discharge of cleaning water used to clean the cylindrical battery cells 20. For example, the rounded portion 310 may be formed on the upper surface of the second support part 300. That is, water sprayed from a nozzle of a cleaning member (not shown) may move downward along the rounded portion 310 of the second support part 300.

[0077] As a result, the carrier 10 for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention not only prevents the cylindrical battery cells 20 from moving during cleaning, but also facilitates the drainage of water used in cleaning the cylindrical battery cells 20.

[0078] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] 8, the rounded portion 310 may include a first curved portion 311 and a second curved portion 312. The first curved portion 311 may be curved from a first end of the upper surface of the second support part 300 toward the center of the upper surface. The second curved portion 312 may be curved from a second end of the upper surface opposite the first end toward the center of the upper surface. A straight line portion 320 may be formed in the center of the upper surface, connecting the first curved portion 311 and the second curved portion 312.

[0080] When the straight portion 320 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the second support portion 300, the cylindrical battery cell 20 is stably mounted and supported, and further, the first curved portion 311 and the second curved portion 312 connected to the straight portion 320 respectively make it easier to drain water used when cleaning the cylindrical battery cell 20.

[0081] The same contents as those explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7 can also be applied to the embodiment of FIG.

[0082] FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway perspective view of another modified embodiment of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] 9, the second support part 300 may include a plurality of unit supports 330a, 330b. Here, the unit supports 330 may be thin. The unit supports 330a, 330b are spaced apart from one another, and drainage holes 340 may be formed in the spaces between the unit supports 330a, 330b, i.e., the spaces between the unit supports 330a, 330b. Washing water used to wash the cylindrical battery cells 20 may be easily discharged from the drainage holes 340 formed between the unit supports 330a, 330b.

[0084] 1 to 7 or 8 can also be applied to the embodiment of Fig. 9. For example, the top surface of unit support 330 in Fig. 9 may be formed with rounded portions 310, or may be formed with both curved and straight portions 320. Alternatively, the top surface of unit support 330 in Fig. 9 may be formed with only straight lines.

[0085] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of yet another modified embodiment of a cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0086] 10 , the first support portion 200 may be provided with a gap elimination portion 400 to eliminate a gap between the first support portion 200 and the cylindrical battery cell 20. The gap elimination portion 400 may be configured in various ways. For example, the first support portion 200 may be configured to include an elastic portion 410 and a contact support portion 420.

[0087] The elastic part 410 is coupled to the first support part 200. The elastic part 410 may include various types of elastic structures. For example, it may include various types of springs. For example, the elastic part 410 may be formed of at least one coil spring, but is not limited thereto.

[0088] The contact support part 420 is coupled to the elastic part 410 and contacts the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell 20 to support the side surface of the cylindrical battery cell 20. Here, a coating layer may be formed on the contact support part 420 to reduce friction when the cylindrical battery cell 20 comes into contact with the contact support part 420.

[0089] The gap eliminator 400 may eliminate gaps due to processing errors or tolerances formed during the manufacturing process of the cleaning carrier 10. That is, since the cylindrical battery cells 20 may collide or interfere with each other during the process of being mounted on the cleaning carrier 10, a gap within a preset range may be formed to prevent this.

[0090] However, such gaps may cause the cylindrical battery cells 20 to move within the cleaning carrier 10, which may result in uneven cleaning. However, the gap eliminator 400 is configured to eliminate the gaps by causing the contact support portion 420 to contact and support the side surfaces of the cylindrical battery cells 20 due to the elastic force of the elastic portion 410, thereby preventing the cylindrical battery cells 20 from moving within the cleaning carrier 10 and resulting in uniform cleaning.

[0091] The same contents as those explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9 can also be applied to the embodiment of FIG.

[0092] FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of a battery pack including cylindrical battery cells produced using a carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] 11, a battery pack 30 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 20. Here, the cylindrical battery cells 20 are produced using the cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0094] In addition, the battery pack 30 may further include a pack housing 31 for accommodating the cylindrical battery cells 20, and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the cylindrical battery cells 20, such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0095] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG.

[0096] 12, an automobile 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 20 or battery packs 30. The cylindrical battery cells 20 are produced using the cylindrical battery cell washing carrier 10 according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above. And, the battery pack 30 may include one or more cylindrical battery cells 20 as described above.

[0097] Here, the automobile 40 includes various automobiles designed to use electricity, such as electric automobiles or hybrid automobiles.

[0098] Although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and rear are used in this specification, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms indicate relative positions and are used only for convenience of explanation, and may vary depending on the position of the object in question, the position of the observer, etc.

[0099] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited thereby, and that various modifications and variations may be made by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the following claims. Therefore, the above-described embodiments should be considered from an illustrative rather than a restrictive perspective. In other words, the true spirit of the present invention is defined in the claims, and all differences within the equivalent scope should be construed as being included in the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0100] The present invention relates to a carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells, cylindrical battery cells produced using the carrier, and a battery pack and automobile including the cylindrical battery cells, and is particularly applicable to the secondary battery-related industry. [Explanation of symbols]

[0101] 10 Cylindrical Battery Cell Cleaning Carrier, Cleaning Carrier 20 cylindrical battery cells 21 Battery can 22 Cell terminal 30 Battery Pack 31 Pack Housing 100 Main body 200 1st support part 210 Inclined section 300 Second support part 310 Round Section 311 1st curve section 312 Second curve section 320 Straight section 330, 330a, 330b unit support base 340 Drain port 400 Gap removal section 410 Elastic part 420 Contact support part

Claims

1. A carrier on which a cylindrical battery cell is mounted during a process of transferring the cylindrical battery cell to a cleaning member for cleaning the cylindrical battery cell, a main body on which the cylindrical battery cell is mounted; a first support portion protruding from the main body portion and supporting a side surface of the cylindrical battery cell; a second support portion protruding from the main body portion and supporting a lower surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

2. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first support portions protrudes from an inner circumferential surface of the main body.

3. 3. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 2, wherein the number of the first support portions is four, and the four first support portions are spaced apart from each other at 90° intervals.

4. 4. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 1, wherein an inclined portion is formed on an upper portion of the first support portion to facilitate loading of the cylindrical battery cell.

5. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of the second support portions protrudes from a lower portion of the inner circumferential surface of the main body.

6. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 5 , wherein the second support portion is coupled to a lower end of the first support portion.

7. 6. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 5, wherein the number of the second support portions is four, and the four second support portions are spaced apart from each other at 90° intervals.

8. 4. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 1, wherein the second support portion has a rounded portion formed thereon to facilitate the discharge of washing water used to wash the cylindrical battery cells.

9. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 8 , wherein the rounded portion is formed on an upper surface of the second support portion.

10. The rounded portion is a first curved portion formed in a curved shape from a first end of the upper surface toward a center of the upper surface; a second curved portion formed in a curved shape from a second end of the upper surface opposite to the first end toward a center of the upper surface, 10. The carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to claim 9, wherein a linear portion is formed at a center of the upper surface, the linear portion connecting the first curved portion and the second curved portion.

11. the second support portion includes a plurality of unit supports, 4. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of unit supporters are spaced apart from one another to facilitate the discharge of washing water used to wash the cylindrical battery cells, and a drain hole is formed in the space between the plurality of unit supporters.

12. The carrier for washing cylindrical battery cells according to claim 1 , wherein the first support portion is provided with a gap eliminating portion for eliminating a gap between the first support portion and the cylindrical battery cell.

13. The gap elimination unit is an elastic portion coupled to the first support portion; The carrier for cleaning cylindrical battery cells according to claim 12 , further comprising: a contact support portion coupled to the elastic portion and contacting a side surface of the cylindrical battery cell.

14. A cylindrical battery cell produced using the cylindrical battery cell cleaning carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

15. A battery pack comprising at least one cylindrical battery cell according to claim 14.

16. A motor vehicle comprising at least one cylindrical battery cell according to claim 14.

Images