Cable-type cell assembly, cable-type battery module, and cable-type battery pack

Abstract

With the development of wearable devices that can be shaped or mechanically deformed, battery packs for various electronic devices are also required to have dimensional flexibility and mechanical durability. Therefore, existing pouch-type batteries are constructed by connecting pouch-type batteries in series or parallel to form battery packs to match the capacity and voltage according to the specifications of the device to be driven. However, this increases the thickness and volume of the battery assembly, resulting in problems such as reduced flexibility and performance against mechanical stress. The present invention relates to a cable-type cell assembly, a cable-type battery module, and a cable-type battery pack that fundamentally solves these problems and can maintain mechanical durability while meeting the capacity and voltage specifications of the electronic device.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0095049, filed July 21, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a cable-type cell assembly, a cable-type battery module, and a cable-type battery pack. Specifically, with the development of wearable devices that possess dimensional or mechanical deformation capabilities, battery packs for such wearable devices are also required to have dimensional flexibility and mechanical durability. Therefore, existing pouch-type batteries have been constructed by connecting pouch-type batteries in series or parallel to match the capacity and voltage according to the specifications of the device to be powered. However, as the thickness and volume of the battery assembly increase, problems arise in that performance deteriorates due to flexibility and mechanical stress. The present invention relates to a cable-type cell assembly, a cable-type battery module, and a cable-type battery pack that fundamentally solves these problems. [Background technology]

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art As the safety and capacity of rechargeable lithium secondary batteries continue to improve and increase, the number of devices using the lithium secondary batteries as an energy source is increasing.

[0004] For example, the lithium secondary battery is widely used as an energy source for wireless mobile devices or wearable devices, which are small, multi-functional products, and is also used as a medium- to large-sized battery pack for use as an energy source or energy storage system (ESS) for electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles, which are presented as alternatives to existing gasoline and diesel vehicles that cause air pollution.

[0005] Lithium secondary batteries are classified into cylindrical and prismatic battery cells, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a cylindrical or prismatic metal case, and pouch-type battery cells, in which an electrode assembly is housed in a pouch-type case made of an aluminum laminate sheet, depending on the shape of the battery case. Among these, pouch-type battery cells have the advantages of relatively large capacity and flexible structure.

[0006] Various wearable computer technologies and applications using such secondary batteries as a power supply have been developed and announced. Furthermore, electronic devices such as mobile phones and notebook computers are designed to have predetermined curved surfaces for ergonomic reasons. Therefore, secondary batteries for operating such electronic devices must also be formed to have various shapes, such as predetermined curved surfaces, depending on the shape of the electronic device.

[0007] In order to match the capacity and voltage according to the specifications of such devices, a pack may be constructed by connecting multiple pouch batteries in parallel or in series. However, this increases the thickness and volume of the entire pouch battery, reducing the flexibility of the battery itself, and mechanical stress is applied directly to the battery components during mechanical deformation, resulting in damage to the pouch battery and performance degradation.

[0008] In response to this, the concept of a linear battery, which is a battery with a very large ratio of length to diameter of the cross section, has been proposed, but no technological development has been confirmed to apply the cell-based concept to cell assemblies, battery modules, and battery packs.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a cell assembly using terminal connections of a conventional pouch-type battery cell D.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a pouch-type cell assembly configured in parallel by connecting a positive electrode lead A and a negative electrode lead B protruding in both directions with a terminal wire C.

[0011] While it is relatively easy to connect a plurality of battery cells by stacking pouch-type cell assemblies, in the case of the cable-type cell of the present invention, technological development is required to construct cell assemblies that can accommodate the shapes, capacities, and voltage conditions of various electronic devices.

[0012] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2005-99903 discloses a variable-type battery comprising an internal electrode, an external electrode, and an electrolyte layer interposed between the electrodes, but the battery is not flexible. In addition, the variable-type battery uses a polymer electrolyte to form the electrolyte layer, which makes it difficult for the electrolyte to flow into the active material of the electrodes, resulting in increased battery resistance and reduced capacity and cycle characteristics.

[0013] Furthermore, when forming a cable-type secondary battery, uneven gaps may occur between the electrodes and a separator layer interposed between the internal and external electrodes. This gap may prevent the electrolyte from smoothly flowing into the external electrode active material layer, resulting in poor battery performance.

[0014] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0093575 discloses a cable-type secondary battery including a cable-type electrode assembly including an internal electrode, a separation layer formed to surround the outer surface of the internal electrode and prevent short-circuiting of the electrodes, and an external electrode formed to surround the separation layer, and sheet-like packaging wound in a spiral shape around the outer surface of the cable-type electrode assembly, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0015] However, there is a difference in the technique for forming the external member for connecting a plurality of cable-type cells of the present invention.

[0016] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0098095 discloses a cable-type secondary battery technology including an internal electrode support and a sheet-shaped internal electrode-separator-external electrode composite wound in a spiral shape around the external surface of the internal electrode support, the internal electrode-separator-external electrode composite being formed by crimping the internal electrode, the separator that prevents short-circuiting of the electrodes, and the external electrode to be integrated.

[0017] However, there are differences in the technique for forming cable-type cell assemblies using the armor of the present invention.

[0018] Therefore, there is a need to develop a cable-type cell assembly, a cable-type battery module, and a cable-type battery pack that can realize the capacity and voltage required by electronic devices by finally packaging a plurality of battery cells using a cable-type cell that can realize high flexibility as a basic battery cell unit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0019] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a cable-type cell assembly, a cable-type battery module, and a cable-type battery pack that can realize the capacity and voltage required by electronic devices by finally packaging a plurality of battery cells using a cable-type cell that can realize high flexibility as a basic battery cell unit.

[0020] Another object of the present invention is to provide a cable-type cell assembly, a cable-type battery module, and a cable-type battery pack that improve mechanical flexibility and durability when configured with not only basic cells but also battery packs as a power source for electronic devices that require flexibility and mechanical durability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0021] To achieve this object, the cable-type cell assembly according to the present invention includes an internal electrode support, a cable-type electrode assembly having a structure of one or more internal electrodes, an external separator layer, and an external electrode wound in a spiral shape around the internal electrode support in that order, a laminated internal member that houses the cable-type electrode assembly, and two or more cable-type cells including electrode tabs formed on the outside of the internal member for electrical connection of the cable-type electrode assembly, and an external member that is formed on the outside of the internal member for physically connecting the two or more cable-type cells.

[0022] In addition, a plurality of the cable-type cells may be connected in parallel and / or in series by the electrode tabs.

[0023] The exterior member can connect n (n is an integer greater than 0) cable-type cells in a row.

[0024] Additionally, the exterior member can be in contact with the outside of the interior member.

[0025] The material of the exterior member may be one or more selected from the group consisting of polymer compounds, metals, and ceramics.

[0026] In addition, the exterior member is a polymer compound and may include any one selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), HDPE (high density polyethylene), and epoxy resin, or a mixture of two or more of these.

[0027] The exterior member may be a heat-shrinkable polymer compound.

[0028] The heat-shrinkable polymer compound may include one or more selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyester, fluororesin, and polyvinyl chloride.

[0029] The metal may include any one of iron, carbon, chromium, manganese, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, sintered carbon, and copper, or an alloy of two or more of these.

[0030] In addition, the ceramic may include any one of clay, kaolinite, aluminum oxide (Al2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), tungsten carbide, silicon, and carbon, or a mixture of two or more of these.

[0031] In addition, an adhesive layer may be further formed on the inner surface of the exterior member for bonding to the outer surface of the interior member.

[0032] In addition, the adhesive layer may be formed of one or more of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, styrene butadiene rubber, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, polyimide, polyacrylic acid, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polymethacrylic acid, and carboxymethyl chitosan.

[0033] The cross section of the cable-type cell may have any one of a circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, and amorphous shape.

[0034] The cross-sectional shape of the cable-type cell assembly may be one or more of a horizontal straight line, a vertical straight line, a W-shape, an S-shape, a Z-shape, a U-shape, and an O-shape.

[0035] The exterior member may include a cell receiving portion that receives the cable-type cell, and a cell connecting portion that connects adjacent cell receiving portions.

[0036] Also, the cell connector may have a predetermined length to form a gap between the adjacent cable-type cells.

[0037] The length of the cell connection part may be 5% to 500% of the cross-sectional length of the cable-type cell.

[0038] In addition, both end surfaces of the cell receiving portion may have an open tube shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the received cable-type cell, or may have a tube shape with an opening formed therein so that only the electrode tabs protrude to the outside.

[0039] The cell connection part may have a shape that connects one side of the adjacent cell receiving part, and the thickness of the cell connection part may be equal to or greater than the thickness of the cell receiving part.

[0040] The laminated inner member may be spirally wound or sealed to accommodate the cable-type electrode assembly.

[0041] The internal electrode may be a mono-cell type first internal electrode including a first internal current collector and a first internal active material layer formed on one surface of the first internal current collector.

[0042] In addition, the internal electrode may have a bi-cell shape including an internal separation layer wound in a spiral shape around the first internal electrode and a second internal electrode wound in a spiral shape around the internal separation layer.

[0043] In addition, the second internal electrode may include a second internal current collector, and a second-first internal active material layer and a second-second internal active material layer formed on both surfaces of the second internal current collector, respectively.

[0044] In addition, the first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, and the external electrode may have a strip structure extending in one direction and wound in a spiral shape around the outer surface of the cable-type electrode assembly, or a metal wire structure wound in a spiral shape and coated with an active material layer on the outer surface.

[0045] Also, the first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, and the external electrode may be spirally wound so as not to overlap with each other.

[0046] In addition, the first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, and the external electrode may be spirally wound so as to be spaced apart at intervals of not more than twice the width and not to overlap.

[0047] Also, the first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, the external electrode, and the internal member may be overlapped and spirally wound.

[0048] In addition, the first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, the external electrode, and the internal member may be spirally wound such that the width of each overlapping portion is 0.9 times or less.

[0049] The present invention also provides a cable-type battery module including the cable-type cell assembly, wherein the cable-type battery module may include a module case that houses the cable-type cell assembly and includes a thermally conductive heat dissipation member therein.

[0050] In addition, at least one cable-type cell assembly may be accommodated in the space defined by the heat dissipation member.

[0051] The battery may also include a terminal assembly for electrically connecting the cable-type cell assembly to an external terminal.

[0052] The terminal assembly may include a terminal assembly body fixedly coupled to the module case so as to be connected to the electrode tabs of the cable-type cell assembly, and an input / output terminal protruding from one side of the terminal assembly body so as to be electrically connected to the cable-type cell assembly.

[0053] Also, the electrode tabs of the cable-type cell may be formed in one direction or both directions.

[0054] In addition, the cable-type cell assembly can provide a cable-type battery module used in one or more of a smartphone, a VR device, an AR device, a wearable device, and other small devices.

[0055] In addition, a cable-type battery pack including one or more of the cable-type battery modules can be provided, which is used as a power source for a medium- to large-sized device.

[0056] The medium- to large-sized device may also be a power tool; an electric vehicle including an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV); an electric two-wheeler including an e-bike and an e-scooter; an electric golf cart; an electric truck; an electric commercial vehicle, or a power storage system.

[0057] Furthermore, the present invention can also be provided in the form of various combinations of means for solving the above problems. [Effects of the Invention]

[0058] As described above, the cable-type cell assembly according to the present invention can be configured to meet the capacity and voltage specifications of electronic devices while maintaining mechanical durability.

[0059] In addition, by configuring a cable-type battery module or a cable-type battery pack including the cable-type cell assembly, it can be applied to various forms such as wearable devices and can be used as a power source that ensures flexibility and prevents mechanical stress.

[0060] Therefore, mechanical defects that may occur when manufacturing a pouch-type battery pack can be overcome by applying a cable-type battery module or a cable-type battery pack. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0061] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a cell assembly using terminal connection of a conventional pouch-type battery cell. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of a terminal connection of a cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a curved cell of a cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a curved cell of a cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a parallel connection of cable-type cell assemblies in a single row according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a series connection of cable-type cell assemblies in a single row according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of series and parallel connections of a cable-type cell assembly in a row according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of a cable-type battery module including a row of cable-type cell assemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 9]1 is a graph showing stress-strain of a conventional multiple pouch-type cell assembly and a single-row cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a graph showing the change in resistance (R / R0) depending on the number of bending times of a conventional multiple pouch-type cell assembly and a single-row cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0062] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detailed description will be given of an embodiment of the present invention that will enable a person skilled in the art to easily carry out the present invention. However, in describing the operation principle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in detail, detailed description of related well-known functions or configurations will be omitted if it is determined that such detailed description may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0063] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals are used for parts having similar functions and actions. Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be connected to another part, this includes not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection via another element therebetween. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, "including a certain element" does not mean that other elements are excluded, but that other elements may also be included.

[0064] Descriptions that limit or further embody elements are applicable to all inventions unless otherwise limited, and are not limited to descriptions of particular inventions.

[0065] Furthermore, throughout the description of the present invention and the claims, the singular includes the plural unless otherwise stated.

[0066] Throughout the description and claims, "or" includes "and" unless otherwise stated. Thus, "comprising A or B" means the three cases of including A, including B, or including both A and B.

[0067] The invention will now be explained with reference to the drawings and in conjunction with detailed embodiments.

[0068] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing terminal connections of a cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] 2 , the cable-type cell assembly includes an internal electrode support 100, a cable-type electrode assembly 500 having a structure including one or more internal electrodes 200, an external separator layer 300, and an external electrode 400 wound in a spiral shape around the internal electrode support 100, a laminated internal member 600 that houses the cable-type electrode assembly 500, two or more cable-type cells 800 including electrode tabs formed on the outside of the internal member 600 for electrical connection of the cable-type electrode assembly 500, and an exterior member 700 formed on the outside of the internal member 600 for physically connecting the two or more cable-type cells 800. The electrode tabs include an internal electrode tab 230 and an external electrode tab 430.

[0070] The spiral shape is expressed as a spiral or a helix in English, and refers to a shape that is twisted and turned within a certain range, and is similar to the shape of a general spring.

[0071] The internal electrode 200, the external separation layer 300 and the external electrode 400 may have a strip structure extending in one direction.

[0072] The laminate-type interior member 600 can be made by cutting a laminate sheet having a multi-layer structure into strips as a battery case for a conventional pouch-type battery cell, and therefore a separate description of the material and structure of the laminate-type interior member will be omitted.

[0073] The internal electrode support 100 may have an open structure with a space formed therein.

[0074] The inner electrode support 100 can be one or more spirally wound wires, one or more spirally wound sheets, twisted wire, linear wire, hollow fibers, or a mesh support.

[0075] The hollow fibers may be formed from one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacrylonitrile, polyimide, polyethylene terephthalate, polyamideimide, polyesterimide, polyethersulfone, and polysulfone.

[0076] The internal electrode support 100 may include two or more wire-type internal electrode supports wound in a helical shape so as to cross each other.

[0077] In the space formed inside the internal electrode support 100, an internal electrode current collector core part, a lithium ion supply core part containing an electrolyte, or a filling core part may be formed.

[0078] The inner electrode current collector core may be made of carbon nanotubes, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, sintered carbon, or copper; stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, or silver; aluminum-cadmium alloy; non-conductive polymer surface-treated with a conductive material; or conductive polymer.

[0079] The lithium ion supply core may include a gel-type polymer electrolyte and a support.

[0080] The electrolyte may be a non-aqueous electrolyte using ethylene carbonate (EC), propylene carbonate (PC), butylene carbonate (BC), vinylene carbonate (VC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), methyl formate (MF), gamma butyrolactone (γ-BL), sulfolane, methyl acetate (MA), or methyl propionate (MP).

[0081] The electrolyte may include an electrolyte selected from solid electrolytes using PEO (polyethylene oxide), PPO (polypropylene oxide), PEI (polyethylene imine), PES (polyethylene sulfide), or PVAc (polyvinyl acetate).

[0082] The electrolyte may further include a lithium salt.

[0083] The lithium salts include LiCl, LiBr, LiI, LiClO4, LiBF4, LiB 10 Cl 10 , LiPF6, LiCF3SO3, LiCF3CO2, LiAsF6, LiSbF6, LiAlCl4, CH3SO3Li, CF3SO3Li, (CF3SO2)2NLi, lithium chloroborane, lithium lower aliphatic carboxylate, and lithium tetraphenylborate, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0084] The gel-type polymer electrolyte may be polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVdF), polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene (PVdF-HFP), polymethymetacrylate (PMMA), polyacrylonitrile (PAN), or polyvinyl acetate (PVAc).

[0085] The internal electrode includes a first internal current collector 210 and a first internal active material layer 220 formed on one surface of the first internal current collector 210, and the external electrode includes 400, an external current collector 410, and an external active material layer 420 formed on one surface of the external current collector 410.

[0086] The battery may further include a polymer film layer formed on one or more of the other surfaces of the first internal current collector 210 and the external current collector 410. By adding the polymer film layer, the active material layer can be supported by compensating for the thickness of the thin first internal current collector 210 and the external current collector 410. Furthermore, since a flexible polymer film layer is added, compared to increasing the thickness of the first internal current collector 210 and the external current collector 410 themselves, the first internal current collector 210 and the external current collector 410 can easily deform during the spiral winding process.

[0087] The polymer film layer may be one selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyester, polyimide, and polyamide, or may include two or more of these.

[0088] A polymer support layer 440 may be further formed on at least one surface of the first inner active material layer 220 and the outer active material layer 420 .

[0089] The polymeric support layer 440 can be a porous polymeric layer having a pore size of 0.01 μm to 10 μm and a porosity of 5% to 95%.

[0090] The polymeric support layer 440 can include a polar linear polymer, an oxide-based linear polymer, or a mixture thereof.

[0091] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a curved cell of a cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a curved cell of a cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] 3 and 4, a plurality of cable-type electrode assemblies 500 may be connected in parallel and / or in series via the inner electrode tabs 230 and the outer electrode tabs 430.

[0093] A plurality of cable-type electrode assemblies 500 may be connected in parallel and / or in series to the cable-type cell via the internal electrode tabs 230 and the external electrode tabs 430 in one direction or in both directions.

[0094] The exterior member 700 can connect n (n is an integer greater than 0) cable-type cells 800 in a row.

[0095] The exterior member 700 can connect n (n is an integer greater than 0) cable-type cells 800 in one row.

[0096] The exterior member 700 can connect n (n is an integer greater than 0) cable-type cells 800 in two or more rows.

[0097] The exterior member 700 can connect n (n is an integer greater than 0) cable-type cells 800 in two or more rows.

[0098] The one or two rows means that the cable-type cells are arranged in one or two rows in the horizontal direction so that their cylindrical side surfaces are adjacent, and the one or two rows means that the cable-type cells are arranged in one or two rows in the vertical direction so that their cylindrical side surfaces are adjacent.

[0099] The n may be an integer greater than 0, and may be specifically 10,000 or less, more specifically 1,000 or less, and even more specifically 100 or less.

[0100] The exterior member 700 can contact the exterior of the interior member 600 .

[0101] The exterior member 700 can be in partial contact with the exterior of the interior member 600 .

[0102] The material of the exterior member 700 can be made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polymer compounds, metals, and ceramics.

[0103] The exterior member 700 is a polymer compound and may be any one selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), HDPE (high density polyethylene), and epoxy resin, or may include two or more of these.

[0104] The outer cover member 700 may be a heat-shrinkable polymer compound.

[0105] The heat-shrinkable polymer compound may be any one selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyester, fluororesin, and polyvinyl chloride, or may contain two or more of these.

[0106] The metal may include any one of iron, carbon, chromium, manganese, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, sintered carbon, or copper, or an alloy of two or more of these.

[0107] The ceramic may include any one of clay, kaolinite, aluminum oxide (Al2O3), silicon carbide (SiC), tungsten carbide, silicon, and carbon, or a mixture of two or more of these.

[0108] An adhesive layer may be further formed on the inner surface of the exterior member 700 for bonding to the outer surface of the interior member 600 .

[0109] The adhesive layer can be formed from one or more of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, styrene butadiene rubber, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, polyimide, polyacrylic acid, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polymethacrylic acid, and carboxymethyl chitosan.

[0110] The polymer material of the adhesive layer is not limited as long as it can bond the exterior member and the interior member together.

[0111] The adhesive layer can be replaced with a pressure sensitive adhesive.

[0112] The exterior member 700 may include cell receiving portions 710 that receive the cable-type cells and cell connecting portions 720 that connect adjacent cell receiving portions 710 .

[0113] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the parallel connection of cable-type cell assemblies in a single row according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] 5, (a) and (b) are a front view and a perspective view, respectively, of a cable-type cell assembly having a short cell connector, and (c) and (d) are a front view and a perspective view, respectively, of a cable-type cell assembly having a long cell connector. The cross section of the cable-type cell 800 may have any one of a circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, and amorphous shape.

[0115] In order to configure the cross section of the cable-type cell to have angular corners, the diameter for winding must be large.

[0116] The cross-sectional shape of the cable-type cell assembly may be one or more of a horizontal straight line, a vertical straight line, a W-shape, an S-shape, a Z-shape, a U-shape, and an O-shape.

[0117] The cable-type cell assembly may constitute a curved cell assembly.

[0118] The exterior member 700 is a member for connecting cable-type cells, and can accommodate the interior member 600.

[0119] The cell connectors 720 may be configured to have a predetermined length to provide spacing between adjacent cable-type cells 800 .

[0120] The length of the cell connection part 720 may be 5% to 500% of the cross-sectional length of the cable-type cell 800 .

[0121] The length of the cell connection part 720 is not limited as long as it can withstand the deformation stress caused by the shape deformation of the cable-type cell assembly.

[0122] The thickness of the cell connecting part 720 may be 100% to 400% of the thickness of the exterior member 700. The thickness of the cell connecting part 720 is not limited as long as it can withstand the stress caused by the shape deformation of the cable-type cell assembly.

[0123] Both end surfaces of the cell receiving portion 710 may have an open tube shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the received cable-type cell 800, or may have an open tube shape with an opening formed therein so that only the electrode tabs protrude to the outside.

[0124] The cell connection part 720 is configured to connect one side of the adjacent cell receiving part 710 , and the thickness of the cell connection part 720 may be equal to or greater than the thickness of the cell receiving part 710 .

[0125] The laminate interior member 600 can be spirally wound or sealed to house the cable-type electrode assembly.

[0126] The internal electrodes include a first internal electrode including a first internal current collector 210, a first internal active material layer 220 formed on at least one surface of the first internal current collector, and an internal electrode tab 230, and a second internal electrode including a second internal current collector, a second internal active material layer formed on at least one surface of the second internal current collector, and the internal electrode tab 230.

[0127] The internal electrodes may be configured such that an internal separation layer is spirally wound around the outside of the first internal electrode, and a second internal electrode is spirally wound around the outside of the internal separation layer.

[0128] When the internal electrode includes only a first internal electrode, an external separation layer may be spirally wound around the first internal electrode, and an external electrode may be spirally wound around the external separation layer. This configuration is called a mono-cell configuration.

[0129] When the internal electrode includes a first internal electrode, an internal separation layer, and a second internal electrode, the external separation layer may be spirally wound around the external internal electrode, and the external electrode may be spirally wound around the external separation layer. This configuration is called a bi-cell configuration.

[0130] The first internal current collector and the second internal current collector must be separated by the internal separation layer, and the second internal current collector and the external current collector must be separated by the external separation layer. Therefore, the width of the internal separation layer and the external separation layer configured in a strip shape may be greater than the widths of the first internal current collector, the second internal current collector, and the external current collector, and the length of the internal separation layer and the external separation layer may be greater than the lengths of the first internal current collector, the second internal current collector, and the external current collector.

[0131] At least one of the first inner current collector, the second inner current collector, and the outer current collector may further include a primer coating layer composed of a conductive material and a binder.

[0132] The conductive material may include any one selected from the group consisting of carbon black, acetylene black, ketjen black, carbon fiber, carbon nanotube, and graphene, or a mixture of two or more of these.

[0133] The binder may be polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trichloroethylene, polybutyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl acetate, ethylene-co-vinylacetate, polyethylene oxide, polyarylate, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, or cellulose acetate propionate. The polymer may be any one or two or more selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile-styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, cyanoethyl cellulose ...

[0134] At least one of the first internal current collector, the second internal current collector, and the external current collector may be made of stainless steel; aluminum; nickel; titanium; calcined carbon; copper; stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, or silver; an aluminum-cadmium alloy; a non-conductive polymer surface-treated with a conductive material; a conductive polymer; a paste containing powder of Ni, Al, Au, Ag, Pd-Ag, Cr, Ta, Cu, Ba, or ITO (indum tin oxide); or a carbon paste containing carbon powder of graphite, carbon black, or carbon nanotubes.

[0135] The conductive polymer may be any one selected from the group consisting of polyacetylene, polyaniline, polypyrrole, polythiophene, and polysulfonitride, or a mixture of two or more of these.

[0136] When the first internal electrode and external electrode are negative electrodes and the second internal electrode is positive electrodes, the first internal active material and external active material may each independently comprise one active material particle selected from the group consisting of natural graphite, artificial graphite, or a carbonaceous material; lithium-containing titanium composite oxide (LTO); metals (Me) of Si, Sn, Li, Zn, Mg, Cd, Ce, Ni, or Fe; alloys composed of the metals (Me); oxides (MeOx) of the metals (Me); and composites of the metals (Me) and carbon, or a mixture of two or more of these. When the second internal electrode is positive electrodes, the same method as described below for the first internal electrode and external electrode positive electrodes can be applied.

[0137] When the first internal electrode and the external electrode are positive electrodes and the second internal electrode is negative electrodes, the first internal active material and the external active material are, respectively and independently, LiCoO2, LiNiO2, LiMn2O4, LiCoPO4, LiFePO4, and LiNi 1-x-y-z Co x M1 y M2 zO2 (where M1 and M2 are each independently any one selected from the group consisting of Al, Ni, Co, Fe, Mn, V, Cr, Ti, W, Ta, Mg, and Mo, x, y, and z are each independently the atomic fraction of the oxide composition elements, 0 ≦ x < 0.5, 0 ≦ y < 0.5, 0 ≦ z < 0.5, and 0 < x + y + z ≦ 1). It can contain any one kind of active material particles selected from the group consisting of these or a mixture of two or more of them. When the second internal electrode is the negative electrode, it can be applied in the same manner as when the first internal electrode and the external electrode are the negative electrodes.

[0138] The internal electrode includes a first internal electrode including a first internal current collector and a first internal active material layer formed on one surface of the first internal current collector. The internal electrode can include an inner separation layer spirally wound outside the first internal electrode and a second internal electrode spirally wound outside the inner separation layer.

[0139] The second internal electrode can include a second internal current collector and a second - 1 internal active material layer and a second - 2 internal active material layer respectively formed on both surfaces of the second internal current collector.

[0140] The first internal electrode, the inner separation layer, the second internal electrode, the outer separation layer, and the external electrode can have a strip structure extending in one direction formed by spirally winding around the outer surface of the cable - type electrode assembly in sequence.

[0141] Alternatively, the first internal electrode, the second internal electrode, and the external electrode can have a metal wire structure with an active material layer coated on the outer surface.

[0142] The metal wire structure has a form in which an active material layer is coated on the surface of a thin wire made of a metal material. The first internal electrode, the second internal electrode, and the external electrode of the metal wire structure with the active material layer coated can be wound while being spirally rotated in a manner that there is a separated interval between them or they are in close contact without a separated interval.

[0143] The first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, and the external electrode may be spirally wound so as not to overlap each other, which can also be applied to a mono-cell configuration consisting of an internal electrode, an external separation layer, and an external electrode.

[0144] The first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, and the external electrode may be spirally wound at intervals of less than twice the width so as not to overlap, which can also be applied to a mono-cell configuration consisting of an internal electrode, an external separation layer, and an external electrode.

[0145] The first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, the external electrode, and the interior member may be spirally wound to overlap each other, which can also be applied to a mono-cell configuration consisting of an internal electrode, an external separation layer, and an external electrode.

[0146] The first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, the external electrode, and the interior member may be spirally wound such that the width of each overlapping portion is 0.9 times or less. This can also be applied to a mono-cell configuration consisting of an internal electrode, an external separation layer, and an external electrode.

[0147] Each of the inner and outer separating layers may be an electrolyte layer or a separator.

[0148] The separator may include a porous polymer substrate made of a polyolefin polymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene homopolymer, propylene homopolymer, ethylene butene copolymer, ethylene hexene copolymer, and ethylene methacrylate copolymer; a porous polymer substrate made of a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyacetal, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyimide, polyether ether ketone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene oxide, polyphenylene sulfide, and polyethylene naphthalate; a porous substrate formed of a mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer; or a porous coating layer formed of a mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer on at least one surface of the porous polymer substrate.

[0149] The interior member may be made of a polymer resin.

[0150] The polymer resin may include one or more selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), high density polyethylene (HDPE), and epoxy resin.

[0151] The interior member may further include a moisture barrier layer.

[0152] The moisture barrier layer may be made of aluminum or a liquid crystal polymer.

[0153] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a series connection of a single-row cable-type cell assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an embodiment of a series and parallel connection of a single-row cable-type cell assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0154] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the cable-type cell assembly has five cable-type cells housed in an interior member surrounded by an exterior member 700, and the cells are connected in series / parallel via internal electrode tabs 230 and external electrode tabs 430.

[0155] Here, in order to prevent the cable-type cell from being separated, fixing members for physically fixing both ends of the cable-type cell may be further formed on both ends of the exterior member 700.

[0156] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a cable-type battery module equipped with a single-row cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0157] Referring to FIG. 8, the cable-type battery module 900 includes a module case 910 having a thermally conductive heat dissipation member 930 therein, and the module case 910 houses a cable-type cell assembly in which an exterior member 700 is attached to two or more cable-type cells.

[0158] At least one cable-type cell assembly can be accommodated in a space defined by the heat dissipation member 930 .

[0159] The cable-type battery module 900 may include a module cover 920 that is coupled to a module case 910 to seal the cable-type cell assembly.

[0160] The cable-type battery module 900 may include a terminal assembly 940 for electrically connecting the cable-type cell assembly to an external terminal.

[0161] The terminal assembly 940 may include a terminal assembly body fixedly coupled to the module case 910 to be connected to the electrode terminal of the cable-type cell assembly, and an input / output terminal 941 protruding from one side of the terminal assembly body to be electrically connected to the cable-type cell assembly.

[0162] The electrode tabs of the cable-type cell can be formed in one direction or both directions.

[0163] The cable-type cell assembly can be used in one or more of a smartphone, a VR device, an AR device, a wearable device, and other small devices.

[0164] The cable-type battery pack may be used as a power source for a medium- to large-sized device, including one or more of the cable-type battery modules.

[0165] The medium- to large-sized device may be a power tool; an electric vehicle, including an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV); an electric two-wheeler, including an electric bike (E-bike) and an electric scooter (E-scooter); an electric golf cart; an electric truck; an electric commercial vehicle, or a power storage system.

[0166] (Comparative Example 1) Both ends of a pouch-type cell assembly, which consists of five conventional pouch-type battery cells connected by terminals, were fixed, and an external force was applied to the center to measure the stress due to changes in strain.

[0167] Example 1 Both ends of a cable-type cell assembly in which five cable-type mono-cells of the present invention were connected to each other were fixed, and an external force was applied to the center to measure stress due to changes in strain.

[0168] FIG. 9 is a stress-strain graph of a conventional multiple pouch-type cell assembly and a single-row cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0169] Looking closely at FIG. 9, in the case of the pouch-type battery cell assembly of Comparative Example 1, the stress value was measured to be 10 MPa or more for a small strain change of 2%.

[0170] In the case of the cable-type cell assembly of Example 1, the stress value was measured to be 6 MPa or less for a high strain change of 6% or more.

[0171] Therefore, it can be seen that the cable-type cell assembly has high flexibility against a high external force applied to the terminal-connected cell assembly.

[0172] (Comparative Example 2) Both ends of a pouch-type cell assembly, which consists of five conventional pouch-type battery cells connected by terminals, were fixed, and the resistance change (R / R0) of the assembly was measured as the number of bending cycles, in which external force was repeatedly applied to the center, increased.

[0173] Example 2 Both ends of a cable-type cell assembly formed by connecting five cable-type cells of the present invention were fixed, and the resistance change (R / R0) of the assembly was measured as the number of bending cycles increased by repeatedly applying an external force to the center.

[0174] FIG. 10 is a graph showing the change in resistance (R / R0) depending on the number of bending times for a conventional multiple pouch-type cell assembly and a single-row cable-type cell assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0175] 10, it can be seen that in the pouch-type cell assembly of Comparative Example 2, the resistance change increases in the form of a linear function as the number of bending cycles increases.

[0176] In the case of the cable-type cell assembly of Example 2, it can be confirmed that there is almost no change in resistance up to 1000 bending cycles.

[0177] Those skilled in the art will be able to make various applications and modifications within the scope of the present invention based on the above content. [Explanation of symbols]

[0178] A Positive lead B Negative lead C terminal wire D Pouch-type battery cell 100 Internal electrode support 200 Internal electrode 210 First inner current collector 220 First inner active material layer 230 Internal electrode tab 300 outer separation layer 400 external electrode 410 External current collector 420 Outer active material layer 430 External electrode tab 440 Polymer support layer 500 Cable-type electrode assembly 600 Interior materials 700 Exterior materials 710 Cell storage unit 720 Cell connection part 800 cable type cells 900 Cable-type battery module 910 Module Case 920 Module Cover 930 Heat dissipation materials 940 Terminal Assembly 941 Input / output terminal

Claims

1. a cable-type electrode assembly having an internal electrode support, and one or more internal electrodes, an external separation layer, and an external electrode wound spirally around the internal electrode support in this order; a laminated interior member that houses the cable-type electrode assembly; and two or more cable-type cells each including an electrode tab formed on the exterior of the interior member for electrical connection of the cable-type electrode assembly; an exterior member formed on the exterior of the interior member for physically connecting two or more of the cable-type cells.

2. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the cable-type cells are connected in parallel and / or in series by the electrode tabs.

3. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the exterior member connects n (n is an integer greater than 0) cable-type cells in a row.

4. The cable-type cell assembly of claim 1 , wherein the exterior member contacts the exterior of the interior member.

5. 5. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 4, wherein the exterior member is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of polymer compounds, metals, and ceramics.

6. 6. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 5, wherein the exterior member is a polymer compound and includes any one selected from the group consisting of PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), HDPE (high-density polyethylene), and epoxy resin, or a mixture of two or more of these.

7. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the exterior member is a heat-shrinkable polymer compound.

8. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 7, wherein the heat-shrinkable polymer compound comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyester, fluororesin, and polyvinyl chloride.

9. 6. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 5, wherein the metal comprises any one of iron, carbon, chromium, manganese, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, sintered carbon, and copper, or an alloy of two or more of these.

10. The ceramics include clay, kaolinite, aluminum oxide (Al ２ O ３ 6. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 5, comprising any one or a mixed ceramic of two or more of silicon carbide (SiC), tungsten carbide, silicon, and carbon.

11. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 5 , wherein an adhesive layer is further formed on the inner surface of the exterior member for bonding to the outer surface of the interior member.

12. 12. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 11, wherein the adhesive layer is formed of one or more of polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyethylene, styrene-butadiene rubber, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene, polyacrylonitrile, polyimide, polyacrylic acid, sodium polyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, polymethacrylic acid, and carboxymethyl chitosan.

13. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the cross section of the cable-type cell has any one of a circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrangular, square, rectangular, polygonal, and amorphous shape.

14. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 3, wherein the cross-sectional shape of the cable-type cell assembly is at least one of a horizontal straight line, a vertical straight line, a W-shape, an S-shape, a Z-shape, a U-shape, and an O-shape.

15. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the exterior member includes a cell housing portion that houses the cable-type cells and a cell connecting portion that connects adjacent cell housing portions.

16. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 15 , wherein the cell connector has a predetermined length to form a gap between adjacent cable-type cells.

17. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 15, wherein the length of the cell connection portion is 5% to 500% of the cross-sectional length of the cable-type cell.

18. 16. The cable-type cell assembly of claim 15, wherein both end surfaces of the cell receiving portion have an open tube shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the received cable-type cell, or have an open tube shape with an opening formed therein so that only the electrode tabs protrude to the outside.

19. The cell connection portion has a shape that connects one side of the adjacent cell receiving portion, The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 16, wherein the thickness of the cell connection portion is equal to or greater than the thickness of the cell accommodating portion.

20. 2. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein the laminate-type interior member is spirally wound or sealed to house the cable-type electrode assembly.

21. 2. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 1, wherein the internal electrode is a first internal electrode in a mono-cell form including a first internal current collector and a first internal active material layer formed on one surface of the first internal current collector.

22. 22. The cable-type cell assembly of claim 21, wherein the internal electrodes include an internal separator layer wound in a spiral shape around the first internal electrode, and a second internal electrode wound in a spiral shape around the internal separator layer.

23. 23. The cable-type cell assembly of claim 22, wherein the second internal electrode includes a second internal current collector, and a second-1 internal active material layer and a second-2 internal active material layer formed on both surfaces of the second internal current collector, respectively.

24. 24. The cable-type cell assembly of claim 23, wherein the first internal electrode, the internal separator layer, the second internal electrode, the external separator layer, and the external electrode have a strip structure extending in one direction and wound in a spiral shape around the outer surface of the cable-type electrode assembly, or a metal wire structure wound in a spiral shape and coated with an active material layer on the outer surface.

25. 23. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 22, wherein the first internal electrode, the internal separator layer, the second internal electrode, the external separator layer, and the external electrode are spirally wound so as not to overlap each other.

26. 23. The cable-type cell assembly of claim 22, wherein the first internal electrode, the internal separator layer, the second internal electrode, the external separator layer, and the external electrode are spirally wound apart at intervals of less than twice the width of the respective electrodes so as not to overlap.

27. 25. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 24, wherein the first internal electrode, the internal separator layer, the second internal electrode, the external separator layer, the external electrode, and the interior member are each overlapped and spirally wound.

28. 25. The cable-type cell assembly according to claim 24, wherein the first internal electrode, the internal separation layer, the second internal electrode, the external separation layer, the external electrode, and the interior member are spirally wound so that the width of each overlapping portion is 0.9 times or less.

29. A cable-type battery module comprising the cable-type cell assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 28, The cable-type battery module includes a module case that houses the cable-type cell assembly and includes a thermally conductive heat dissipation member therein.

30. The cable-type battery module according to claim 29 , wherein at least one cable-type cell assembly is accommodated in a space defined by the heat dissipation member.

31. 30. The cable-type battery module according to claim 29, further comprising a terminal assembly for electrically connecting the cable-type cell assembly to an external terminal.

32. 30. The cable-type battery module of claim 29, wherein the terminal assembly includes: a terminal assembly body fixedly coupled to the module case to be connected to an electrode tab of the cable-type cell assembly; and an input / output terminal protruding from one side of the terminal assembly body to be electrically connected to the cable-type cell assembly.

33. 30. The cable-type battery module according to claim 29, wherein the electrode tabs of the cable-type cells are formed in one direction or both directions.

34. A cable-type battery module comprising the cable-type cell assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 28, The cable-type cell assembly is a cable-type battery module used in one or more of a smartphone, a VR device, an AR device, a wearable device, and other small devices.

35. 30. The cabled battery pack of claim 29, used as a power source for a medium to large size device including one or more of the cabled battery modules.

36. 36. The cable-type battery pack according to claim 35, wherein the medium- to large-sized device is a power tool; an electric vehicle including an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV); an electric two-wheeled vehicle including an electric bike (E-bike) and an electric scooter (E-scooter); an electric golf cart; an electric truck; an electric commercial vehicle, or a power storage system.

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