Secondary battery with improved terminal structure

Abstract

This invention provides a new prismatic rechargeable battery in which the arrangement structure of the positive and negative terminals provided in the prismatic rechargeable battery can be easily changed and manufactured without any additional design modifications. [Solution] The disclosed invention relates to a secondary battery, comprising: a secondary battery having a hexahedral battery case with positive and negative terminals arranged spaced apart from each other on the upper surface of the battery case; a terminal body that encloses the positive or negative terminal so as not to expose it and is coupled to the upper surface of the battery case and one or more surfaces following the upper surface; and a terminal structure comprising an extension terminal that is electrically connected to the positive or negative terminal and exposed on one of the terminal bodies excluding the upper surface, wherein the extension wiring electrically connecting the extension terminal to the positive or negative terminal forms a joint with the positive or negative terminal, and the joint is insulated from the outside.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a secondary battery, and more particularly to a prismatic secondary battery having an improved terminal structure that can easily change the arrangement structure of a positive terminal and / or a negative terminal.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0085249, filed on July 11, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the document of the Korean Patent Application are incorporated herein by reference.

Background Art

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries are rechargeable and have been extensively studied in recent years due to their potential for miniaturization and high capacity. With the increasing development of technologies and demands for mobile devices, as well as the emergence of electric vehicles and energy storage systems in response to the contemporary requirements of environmental protection, the demand for secondary batteries as an energy source has been increasing even more rapidly.

[0004] Secondary batteries are classified into coin-type batteries, cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, and pouch-type batteries according to the shape of the battery case. The electrode assembly mounted inside the battery case in a secondary battery is a power generation element capable of charge and discharge, which is composed of a laminated structure of electrodes and a separator. [[ID=二十ー]] [[ID=二十二]]

[0005] [[ID=二十三]] [[ID=二十四]]The electrode assembly can be roughly classified into a jellyroll type in which a separator is interposed between sheet-like positive and negative electrodes coated with an active material and wound, a stack type in which a plurality of positive and negative electrodes are sequentially laminated with a separator interposed therebetween, and a stack-and-folding type in which unit cells of the stack type are wound with a long separation film. [[ID=二十五]] [[ID=二十六]]

[0006] [[ID=二十七]] Among the various types of rechargeable batteries, prismatic rechargeable batteries mostly have the positive and negative terminals arranged on one side or on opposite sides. This arrangement of positive and negative terminals is determined by the design specifications of the various devices that house the prismatic rechargeable battery, and this requires the extra effort of designing the arrangement structure of the positive and negative terminals separately each time, even for the same form factor, to match the design specifications. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0102816 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0008] The present invention aims to provide a new prismatic secondary battery that allows for easy modification and manufacturing of the arrangement structure of the positive and negative terminals without requiring any additional design changes.

[0009] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by an ordinary person of the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The secondary battery according to the present invention includes, in one example, a secondary battery having a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal arranged spaced apart from each other on the upper surface of a hexahedral battery case, a terminal body that encloses the positive electrode terminal or the negative electrode terminal so as not to expose it and is connected to the upper surface of the battery case and one or more surfaces following the upper surface, and a terminal structure comprising an extension terminal that is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal or the negative electrode terminal and is exposed on one of the terminal bodies excluding the upper surface, wherein the extension wiring electrically connecting the extension terminal to the positive electrode terminal or the negative electrode terminal forms a joint with respect to the positive electrode terminal or the negative electrode terminal, and the joint is insulated from the outside.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the joint is a welded joint.

[0012] Furthermore, it is preferable that an adhesive layer be formed on at least one surface of the battery case that comes into contact with the terminal body.

[0013] The above adhesive layer may be formed by at least one of the following: double-sided adhesive tape, solid-phase or liquid-phase adhesive, or curable thermal resin.

[0014] Furthermore, the adhesive layer may enhance at least one of the heat dissipation or vibration resistance between the terminal structure and the battery case.

[0015] External insulation of the above-mentioned joint can be provided by at least one of the following: an insulating cover, insulating tape, or a curable insulating layer.

[0016] According to a specific embodiment of the present invention, the terminal body is coupled to the upper surface of the battery case and one side surface following the upper surface, and the extension terminal can be exposed on the one side surface.

[0017] Furthermore, the above-mentioned terminal structure can be coupled one to each of the positive and negative terminals.

[0018] Here, the extension terminals of the terminal structures respectively connected to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal may have the same vertical position with respect to the battery case or may be different from each other.

[0019] On the other hand, in an embodiment of the present invention, a bending portion is provided on one surface of the battery case, and the extension terminal on the terminal structure may be provided on a surface other than the surface provided with the bending portion.

[0020] In a specific example, a bending portion located between the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal may be provided on the upper surface of the battery case.

[0021] The terminal structure is connected to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal one by one, and the extension terminal of the terminal structure may be exposed on one side surface of the battery case.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] The secondary battery of the present invention having the above configuration can easily change the arrangement structure of the positive electrode terminal and / or the negative electrode terminal only by connecting the terminal structure to the upper surface corner portion of the secondary battery. Therefore, since the position of the terminal portion can be freely changed without affecting the existing cell internal manufacturing process, the development period and production cost of the square secondary battery are reduced.

[0023] In addition, by making the position design of the terminal portion free, not only the development and production cost of the battery cell can be reduced, but also the degree of freedom in the design of the bus bar and the like can be given during the manufacture of the battery module / pack.

[0024] When the bending portion is arranged on the same surface as the surface on which the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are arranged, the positive electrode terminal, the negative electrode terminal, and of course the surrounding secondary battery and the electrical mechanism will be damaged by the gas or flame ejected when the bending portion ruptures. However, the secondary battery of the present invention can separate the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal from the bending portion by using the terminal structure. Therefore, high safety can be ensured without separately installing a gas discharge conductor or a barrier.

[0025] However, the technical effects that can be obtained by the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0026] 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 should not be construed as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0027] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing a secondary battery according to the present invention. ** [Figure 2] [[ID=**17]]It is a perspective view showing a coupling structure between a secondary battery and a terminal structure according to the present invention. [Figure 3] [**END]]It is a drawing showing an example of forming an adhesive layer between a terminal structure and a case. [Figure 4] It is a cross-sectional view showing an adhesive layer formed between a terminal structure and a case. [Figure 5] It is a drawing showing an embodiment in which the vertical positions of extension terminals are different from each other. [Figure 6] It is a drawing showing a secondary battery according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0028] \ Since the present invention can be subjected to various modifications and can have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be described in detail below.

[0029] However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents or alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0030] Note:There seem to be some inconsistent tags in the original text (e.g., some tags are repeated without clear indication of their different functions). I've translated it as accurately as possible while maintaining the integrity of the original tags. If there are specific requirements for handling these tags, please provide more context.In the present invention, terms such as "includes" and "have" are intended to specify the presence of features, numbers, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof as described in the specification, and should be understood as not preemptively excluding the presence or possibility of adding one or more other features, numbers, stages, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0031] Furthermore, in this invention, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "on top" of another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly on top" of the other part, but also the case where another part is located in between. Conversely, when a part such as a layer, film, region, or plate is described as being "below" another part, this includes not only the case where it is "directly below" the other part, but also the case where another part is located in between. Also, in this application, being "on top" may include being located not only at the top but also at the bottom.

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a secondary battery, and more particularly to a secondary battery in which a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal are arranged spaced apart from each other on the upper surface of a hexahedral battery case.

[0033] In one embodiment of the present invention, a secondary battery has a terminal structure attached to at least one upper corner of the battery case. The terminal structure comprises a terminal body that is attached to the upper surface and one or more surfaces following the upper surface of the battery case, enclosing the positive or negative terminal so that it is not exposed, and an extension terminal that is electrically connected to the positive or negative terminal and is exposed on one of the terminal bodies other than the upper surface.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extension wiring that electrically connects the extension terminal to the positive terminal or the negative terminal forms a joint with respect to the positive terminal or the negative terminal, and the joint is insulated from the outside.

[0035] Thus, in the secondary battery of the embodiment of the present invention including the terminal structure, the positions of the positive and negative terminals located on the top surface of the battery case can be freely changed to suit the user's requirements simply by applying the terminal structure, without any additional design changes. This eliminates the need to redesign prismatic secondary batteries for new specifications, thereby reducing the production cost of prismatic secondary batteries.

[0036] The following describes in detail specific embodiments of the secondary battery of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. For reference, the directions such as front and back, up and down and left and right used to specify relative positions in the following description are for the purpose of aiding the understanding of the invention, and unless otherwise defined, the directions shown in the drawings are used as the reference.

[0037] (First Embodiment) Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a secondary battery 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a perspective view illustrating the coupling structure of the secondary battery 100 and the terminal structure 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, embodiments of the present invention relate to a secondary battery 100, and more particularly to a unidirectional prismatic secondary battery 100 in which a positive electrode terminal 120 and a negative electrode terminal 130 are arranged spaced apart from each other on the upper surface of a hexahedral battery case 110. Here, the prismatic secondary battery 100 shown in the drawings is an example, and the ratio of width, length, and height can vary, and for the sake of explanation, the front-to-back and up-down-left-right directions are referred to with reference to the attached drawings. For example, one surface of the battery case 110 on which the positive electrode terminal 120 and the negative electrode terminal 130 are arranged is called the top surface, and the opposite surface is called the bottom surface.

[0039] The secondary battery 100 of the embodiment of the present invention includes a terminal structure 200. The terminal structure 200 is a hinge-like structure that is coupled to at least one upper corner of the battery case 110, and includes a terminal body 210 and an extension terminal 220.

[0040] The terminal body 210 refers to the main body of the terminal structure 200, which is connected to the top surface of the battery case 110 and one or more surfaces following the top surface (such as the side, front, or rear surface), while enclosing the positive terminal 120 or negative terminal 130 so that they are not exposed. The drawing shows an example in which the terminal structure 200 is connected to both sides of the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130, but depending on the embodiment, the terminal structure 200 can also be connected to only one of the positive terminal 120 or the negative terminal 130.

[0041] The extension terminal 220 is electrically connected to either the positive terminal 120 or the negative terminal 130, and is an exposed connection terminal on one side of the terminal body 210, excluding the top surface of the battery case 110. In other words, since the positive terminal 120 or the negative terminal 130 is enclosed by the terminal body 210 and not exposed, the extension terminal 220 functions as a new positive terminal 120 or negative terminal 130 located on the other side of the battery case 110, not the top surface.

[0042] Thus, in the secondary battery 100 of the embodiment of the present invention including the terminal structure 200, the positions of the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130, which are located together on the upper surface of the battery case 110, can be freely changed without any additional design modifications simply by applying the terminal structure 200. As a result, the embodiment of the present invention allows for easy modification of the positions of the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130 by adding the terminal structure 200 to a prismatic secondary battery 100 of the same form factor, thereby reducing the production costs of a wide variety of prismatic secondary batteries.

[0043] In one embodiment of the present invention, a positive terminal 120 or a negative terminal 130 is electrically connected to an extension terminal 220 via an extension wire 230. The extension wire 230 connected to the extension terminal 220 forms a joint 300 with respect to the positive terminal 120 or the negative terminal 130, and the joint 300 firmly connects the extension wire 230 and the positive terminal 120 or the negative terminal 130 mechanically and electrically. For example, the joint 300 may be formed by welding.

[0044] The extension wiring 230 is not exposed to the outside of the terminal body 210. For example, the extension wiring 230 may be embedded in the terminal body 210, which is made of insulating resin material, by insert molding or the like. The joint 300 is also insulated from the outside. External insulation of the joint 300 can be achieved by at least one of the following: an insulating cover, insulating tape, or a curable insulating layer. Here, a curable insulating layer refers to an insulating layer formed by curing a fluid insulating resin after it has been applied to the joint 300. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a configuration in which a film-like insulating tape 500 with an adhesive layer 400 insulates the joint 300.

[0045] In this way, the extension wiring 230 and the joint 300 are insulated from the outside, and only the extension terminal 220 is exposed, which prevents problems such as damage to the extension wiring 230 or short circuits.

[0046] Furthermore, in the secondary battery 100 of the embodiment of the present invention, an adhesive layer 400 may be formed on at least one surface of the battery case 110 that contacts the terminal body 210. That is, the adhesive layer 400 may be formed on the entire or a part of the contact surface between the terminal body 210 of the terminal structure 200 and the case 110. Figure 3 is a drawing illustrating an example of forming an adhesive layer 400 between the terminal structure 200 and the case 110, and Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the adhesive layer 400 formed between the terminal structure 200 and the case 110.

[0047] Basically, the terminal structure 200 is fixed to the positive terminal 120 or negative terminal 130 by the joint 300, but the additional interposition of the adhesive layer 400 makes the fixing of the terminal structure 200 even stronger. This improves the vibration resistance of the terminal structure 200 attached to the battery case 110.

[0048] The adhesive layer 400 may be formed by at least one of a double-sided adhesive tape, a solid-phase or liquid-phase adhesive, or a curable thermal resin, according to the embodiment. Figure 3 illustrates an example in which a liquid-phase adhesive 410 is applied to the corners of the cap plate 150 and then the terminal structure 200 is bonded.

[0049] The adhesive layer 400 can also enhance vibration resistance between the terminal structure 200 and the battery case 110, as well as improve heat dissipation. Specifically, the adhesive layer 400 can be given thermal conductivity by making the base material of the double-sided adhesive tape a thermally conductive material, or by adding a thermally conductive substance to the adhesive and resin. By improving the heat dissipation performance through the terminal structure 200, it is possible to suppress localized temperature increases or overheating of the secondary battery 100.

[0050] On the other hand, referring to the specific embodiment shown in the illustration, the terminal body 210 is coupled to the top surface and one side surface adjacent to the top surface of the battery case 110, and the extension terminal 220 is exposed on the side surface of the battery case 110. As a result, the position of the positive terminal 120 or negative terminal 130, which was located on the top surface of the battery case 110, has been moved to the side surface.

[0051] Furthermore, the terminal structure 200 can be coupled to the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130, respectively, so that the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130 are separated and arranged one on each of their opposing sides. In other words, the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130, which were originally located together on the top surface of the battery case 110, are moved to adjacent sides, thereby changing the early prismatic secondary battery, which was designed as a unidirectional secondary battery, into a bidirectional secondary battery.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5, the extension terminals 220 of the terminal structure 200 connected to the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130, respectively, may have different vertical positions, i.e., different heights on their sides. In other words, the extension terminals 220 on the left and right sides may be designed asymmetrically, and thus, by applying the terminal structure 200, the arrangement structure of the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130 of the secondary battery 100 of the embodiment of the present invention can be freely and diversely changed.

[0053] Furthermore, the terminal structure 200 can be manufactured in various ways, such as being additionally attached to the completed secondary battery 100, or being initially attached to the terminal structure 200 after the electrode assembly 160 has been bonded to the cap plate 150 that constitutes the upper surface of the battery case 110, but before being sealed in the battery case 110.

[0054] Furthermore, although the illustrated embodiment is for a stack-type electrode assembly 160, it is not limited to this and can be applied to prismatic secondary batteries containing various types of electrode assemblies, such as jelly roll-type electrode assemblies.

[0055] (Second Embodiment) Figure 6 is a drawing illustrating a secondary battery 100 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment in Figure 6 includes the same configuration as the first embodiment described above, however, the description will focus on the configuration of the terminal structure 200, taking into account the arrangement structure of the venting portion 140.

[0056] The venting section 140 is configured to rupture and release gas when the internal pressure of the secondary battery 100 increases above a certain level, and thus constitutes a safety device to prevent the secondary battery 100 from exploding. For example, the venting section 140 can be constructed by forming a notch thinner than the surrounding thickness on the surface of the battery case 110, or by manufacturing it separately and attaching it.

[0057] In the secondary battery 100 shown in Figure 6, a venting section 140 is located on the upper surface of the battery case 110 where both the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130 are located, particularly between the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130. In this case, if the venting section 140 ruptures and internal gas is released, the positive terminal 120 and the negative terminal 130 will be directly exposed to damage such as corrosion and ignition.

[0058] The terminal structure 200 provided in the embodiment of the present invention also contributes to preventing damage to the electrode terminals 120 and 130 due to gas ejection and flame propagation by spatially separating the positive electrode terminal 120 and the negative electrode terminal 130 from the venting portion 140, that is, by arranging them on different surfaces.

[0059] According to the illustrated embodiment, a venting section 140 is provided on the upper surface of the battery case 110, and the extension terminals 220 on the terminal structure 200 are provided on a surface other than the surface on which the venting section 140 is provided, for example, on the side. In other words, the terminal structure 200 physically separates the venting section 140 and the electrode terminals 120 and 130 from each other, and thus the safety of the secondary battery 100 is improved.

[0060] The present invention has been described in more detail above with reference to the drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described herein are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing this application.

[0061] The present invention may further include the following embodiments. [Section 1] A secondary battery having a hexahedral battery case with positive and negative terminals arranged spaced apart from each other on the top surface, A terminal structure comprising: a terminal body that encloses the positive or negative terminal so as not to expose it and is coupled to the top surface of the battery case and one or more surfaces following the top surface; and an extension terminal that is electrically connected to the positive or negative terminal and exposed on one of the terminal bodies excluding the top surface; Includes, A secondary battery wherein an extension wire electrically connects the extension terminal to the positive or negative terminal, forming a joint with the positive or negative terminal, and the joint is insulated from the outside. [Section 2] The aforementioned joint is a welded joint, as described in item 1, for the secondary battery. [Section 3] The secondary battery according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an adhesive layer is formed on at least one surface of the battery case that contacts the terminal body. [Section 4] The aforementioned adhesive layer is A secondary battery according to item 3, formed by at least one of double-sided adhesive tape, a solid-phase or liquid-phase adhesive, and a curable thermal resin. [Section 5] The aforementioned adhesive layer is The secondary battery according to item 4, which enhances at least one of the heat dissipation and vibration resistance between the terminal structure and the battery case. [Section 6] The secondary battery according to claim 1 or 2, wherein external insulation of the joint is provided by at least one of an insulating cover, insulating tape, and a curable insulating layer. [Section 7] The terminal body is coupled to the top surface of the battery case and one side surface following the top surface. The extension terminal is exposed on one side surface, as described in item 1 or 2 of the secondary battery. [Section 8] The secondary battery according to item 7, wherein the terminal structure is connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, one each. [Section 9] The secondary battery according to item 8, wherein the extension terminals of the terminal structures connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, respectively, are either in the same or different vertical positions relative to the battery case. [Section 10] One side of the aforementioned battery case is provided with a venting section. The secondary battery according to item 1 or 2, wherein the extension terminal on the terminal structure is provided on a surface other than the surface on which the venting portion is provided. [Section 11] The secondary battery according to item 10, wherein the upper surface of the battery case is provided with a venting portion located between the positive terminal and the negative terminal. [Section 12] The terminal structure is connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, one each. The secondary battery according to item 11, wherein the extension terminal of the terminal structure is exposed on one side surface of the battery case. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0062] 100: Secondary battery 110: Battery case 120: Positive terminal 130: Negative terminal 140: Venting section 150: Cap plate 160: Electrode assembly 200:Terminal structure 210: Terminal body 220: Extension terminal 230: Extension wiring 300: Joint 400: Adhesive layer 410: Adhesive 500: Insulating tape

Claims

1. A secondary battery having a hexahedral battery case with positive and negative terminals arranged spaced apart from each other on the top surface, A terminal structure comprising: an insulating terminal body that encloses the positive or negative terminal so as not to expose it and is coupled to the top surface of the battery case and one or more surfaces following the top surface; and an extension terminal that is electrically connected to the positive or negative terminal and is exposed on one of the terminal bodies except the top surface; Includes, A secondary battery wherein an extension wire electrically connects the extension terminal to the positive or negative terminal, the extension wire forms a joint with the positive or negative terminal, the joint is a welded joint, and is insulated from the outside by at least one of an insulating cover, insulating tape, and a curable insulating layer attached to the joint.

2. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein an adhesive layer is formed on at least one surface of the battery case that contacts the terminal body.

3. The aforementioned adhesive layer is The secondary battery according to claim 2, formed by at least one of a double-sided adhesive tape, a solid-phase or liquid-phase adhesive, and a curable thermal resin.

4. The aforementioned adhesive layer is The secondary battery according to claim 3, which enhances at least one of the heat dissipation and vibration resistance between the terminal structure and the battery case.

5. The terminal body is coupled to the top surface of the battery case and one side surface following the top surface. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the extension terminal is exposed on one side surface.

6. The secondary battery according to claim 5, wherein one terminal structure is connected to the positive terminal and one to the negative terminal.

7. The secondary battery according to claim 6, wherein the extension terminals of the terminal structures connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, respectively, are either in the same or different vertical positions relative to the battery case.

8. One side of the aforementioned battery case is provided with a venting section. The secondary battery according to claim 1, wherein the extension terminal on the terminal structure is provided on a surface other than the surface on which the venting portion is provided.

9. The secondary battery according to claim 8, wherein the upper surface of the battery case is provided with a venting portion located between the positive terminal and the negative terminal.

10. The terminal structure is connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal, one each. The secondary battery according to claim 9, wherein the extension terminal of the terminal structure is exposed on one side surface of the battery case.

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