battery cell

Abstract

According to an exemplary embodiment, a battery cell is provided. The battery cell includes a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, each including a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab, and a first terminal assembly coupled to each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, wherein the first terminal assembly includes a first busbar coupled to each of the first electrode tabs of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, a first terminal coupled to the first busbar, and a first housing including a hole through which the terminal penetrates, wherein the first housing includes a first outer housing and a first inner housing embedded in the first outer housing.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to a battery cell. This application claims the rights of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0078516, filed on 17 June 2024, which is herein by reference in its entirety. [Background technology]

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, rechargeable batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Rechargeable batteries are widely used as an energy source for a variety of cordless devices such as handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. In recent years, improvements in energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of rechargeable batteries, and as the driving range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) increases to levels comparable to those of fuel-powered vehicles, the main application of rechargeable batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] The technological development trend in rechargeable batteries for mobility is the improvement of energy density and safety. Here, the energy density of a rechargeable battery is the value obtained by dividing the maximum electrical energy that the rechargeable battery can store by the mass of the rechargeable battery. Since a high energy density of a rechargeable battery is directly related to the driving efficiency and range of mobility, various studies are being conducted to improve the energy density of rechargeable batteries. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0004] The technical concept of this invention aims to solve the problem of providing a battery cell assembly with improved safety and reliability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems, a battery cell is provided. The battery cell includes a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, each including a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab, and a first terminal assembly coupled to each of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, wherein the first terminal assembly includes a first busbar coupled to each of the first electrode tabs of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, a first terminal coupled to the first busbar, and a first housing including a hole through which the first terminal penetrates, wherein the first housing includes a first outer housing and a first inner housing embedded in the first outer housing.

[0006] The first internal housing includes metal.

[0007] The first internal housing includes aluminum.

[0008] The first external housing contains an insulating material.

[0009] The first external housing contains a thermoplastic material.

[0010] The first external housing contains polyphthalamide resin.

[0011] The present invention further includes a cell case that encloses the first housing, the first electrode assembly, and the second electrode assembly, and is heat-fused to the first housing.

[0012] The above cell case is in contact with the above first external housing.

[0013] The first internal housing described above includes a first surface and second to fifth surfaces surrounding the first surface, wherein the second surface is opposite to the third surface, and the fourth surface is opposite to the fifth surface.

[0014] The above-mentioned first internal housing includes a first hole through which the above-mentioned first terminal penetrates.

[0015] The first hole is on the first surface.

[0016] The first inner housing further includes a second hole, and the width of each of the second holes is different from the width of the first hole.

[0017] The diameter of each of the second holes is smaller than the diameter of the first hole.

[0018] The second holes are on each of the first to fifth surfaces.

Advantages of the Invention

[0019] The housing of the battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can include an external housing containing a thermoplastic material and an inner housing embedded in the external housing. Thereby, while preventing a short circuit of the inner housing, since heat fusion bonding with a pouch case is possible without performing a special treatment on the external housing, the mass productivity and mechanical robustness of the battery cell can be improved.

[0020] The effects obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects associated with implementing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those having ordinary knowledge in the technical field from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a perspective view of a battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 4]This is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line 1I-1I' in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line 1II-1II' in Figure 1. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing a battery cell assembly according to an exemplary embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view of a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a disassembled perspective view of the battery pack. [Figure 10] Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the battery pack. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. As a premise, terms and words used herein and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner consistent with the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe their own invention.

[0023] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention; there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can substitute for them at the time of filing.

[0024] Furthermore, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, such detailed description will be omitted.

[0025] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to give a more complete explanation to an ordinary person, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or shown schematically for the sake of clarity. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes and proportions.

[0026] Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views of a battery cell 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically, Figure 2 is a perspective view of the battery cell 100 from a different direction than that shown in Figure 1.

[0027] Figures 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of a battery cell 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. More specifically, Figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell 100 from a different direction than that shown in Figure 3.

[0028] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line 1I-1I' in Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along the cutting line 1II-1II' in Figure 1.

[0030] Referring to Figures 1 to 6, the battery cell 100 may include an electrode assembly 110, a separator membrane 115, a first terminal assembly 120, a second terminal assembly 130, and a cell case 140. The battery cell 100 may further include an electrolyte in the cell case 140.

[0031] Each electrode assembly 110 may be either a jelly roll type or a stack type. A jelly roll type electrode assembly may include a winding structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator membrane interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly may include multiple positive electrodes, multiple negative electrodes, and multiple separator membranes interposed between them, stacked sequentially. The edges of each electrode assembly 110 may be surrounded by a separator membrane, thereby preventing short circuits between the electrode assemblies 110 due to concentrated contact.

[0032] The thickness of the positive electrode current collector can range from approximately 3 μm to approximately 500 μm. The positive electrode current collector may not induce chemical changes in the final manufactured secondary battery and may have high conductivity. The positive electrode current collector can include, for example, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, and aluminum. The positive electrode current collector may include stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. The surface of the positive electrode current collector may include a micro-textured structure to enhance the adhesion of the active material. The positive electrode current collector can be in the form of a film, sheet, foil, net, porous material, foam, nonwoven fabric, etc.

[0033] The thickness of the negative electrode current collector can range from approximately 3 μm to approximately 500 μm. The negative electrode current collector may not induce chemical changes in the final manufactured secondary battery and may have high conductivity. The negative electrode current collector can include copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, and aluminum-cadmium alloys. The negative electrode current collector may also include stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. The surface of the negative electrode current collector may include a micro-textured structure to enhance the adhesion of the active material. The negative electrode current collector can be in the form of a film, sheet, foil, net, porous material, foam, nonwoven fabric, etc.

[0034] The positive electrode active material is a substance capable of undergoing electrochemical reactions. The positive electrode active material can be a lithium transition metal oxide. Examples of positive electrode active materials include layered compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) and lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) substituted with one or more transition metals; lithium manganese oxide substituted with one or more transition metals; and materials with the chemical formula LiNi 1-y M y Lithium nickel oxide represented by O2 (where M is one of Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, Cr, Zn, and Ga, and 0.01 ≤ y ≤ 0.7); Li 1+z Ni 1 / 3 Co1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 O2, Li 1+z Ni 0.4 Mn 0.4 Co 0.2 Li such as O2 1+z Ni b Mn c Co 1-(b+c+d) M d O (2-e) A e (where -0.5 ≤ z ≤ 0.5, 0.1 ≤ b ≤ 0.8, 0.1 ≤ c ≤ 0.8, 0 ≤ d ≤ 0.2, 0 ≤ e ≤ 0.2, b + c + d < 1, M is any one of Al, Mg, Cr, Ti, Si and Y, and A is any one of F, P and Cl) lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide represented by the chemical formula Li 1+x M 1-y M’ y PO 4-z X z (where M is a transition metal, more specifically, any one of Fe, Mn, Co and Ni, M’ is any one of Al, Mg and Ti, X is any one of F, S and N, -0.5 ≤ x ≤ +0.5, 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.5, 0 ≤ z ≤ 0.1) and can contain olivine-type lithium metal phosphate represented by

[0035] The negative electrode active material can include carbon such as, for example, graphitizable carbon and graphite-based carbon. The negative electrode active material is, for example, Li x Fe2O3 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), Li x WO2 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1), Sn x Me 1-x Me’ y O z(Here, Me is any one of Mn, Fe, Pb, and Ge, Me' is any one of Al, B, P, Si, Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 elements of the periodic table, and halogen; 0 < x ≦ 1; 1 ≦ y ≦ 3; 1 ≦ z ≦ 8), etc., can include metal composite oxides. The negative electrode active material can include, for example, lithium metal; lithium alloy; silicon-based alloy; and tin-based alloy. The negative electrode active material can include, for example, metal oxides such as SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4, and Bi2O5. The negative electrode active material can include, for example, conductive polymers such as polyacetylene; Li-Co-Ni-based materials, etc.

[0036] Each of the electrode assemblies 110 can include a plurality of first electrode tabs 110T1 and a plurality of second electrode tabs 110T2. The plurality of first electrode tabs 110T1 and the plurality of second electrode tabs 110T2 can have opposite polarities to each other. For example, when each of the plurality of first electrode tabs 110T1 is a positive electrode tab, each of the plurality of second electrode tabs 110T2 can be a negative electrode tab.

[0037] The electrode assembly 110 can be surrounded by a separator 115. The electrode assembly 110 can be fixed to each other by the separator 115. The separator 115 can include, but is not limited to, SRS (Solid Resin Separator).

[0038] The first terminal assembly 120 can be coupled to the electrode assembly 110. The first terminal assembly 120 can include a first insulating frame 121, a first bus bar 123, a first housing 125, a first terminal 127, a first bus bar block 128, and a first gasket 129.

[0039] The first insulating frame 121 can be adjacent to the first electrode tab 110T1. The distance between the first insulating frame 121 and the first electrode tab 110T1 may be different from the distance between the first insulating frame 121 and the second electrode tab 110T2. The distance between the first insulating frame 121 and the first electrode tab 110T1 may be smaller than the distance between the first insulating frame 121 and the second electrode tab 110T2.

[0040] The first insulating frame 121 can be coupled to the first housing 125. The first insulating frame 121 can be fixed to the first housing 125 by a forced-fit mechanism. The first insulating frame 121 can protect multiple first electrode tabs 110T1. The first insulating frame 121 may contain an insulating material such as polypropylene. The first insulating frame 121 can prevent deformation and damage to the first electrode tabs 110T1 by filling the space around the first electrode tabs 110T1 when wrapping the other elements of the battery cell 100 in the cell case 140.

[0041] Multiple first electrode tabs 110T1 can be coupled to a first busbar 123. Multiple first electrode tabs 110T1 can be welded to the first busbar 123. Multiple first electrode tabs 110T1 can be coupled to the first busbar 123 by either laser welding or ultrasonic welding. The first busbar 123 may contain a conductive material. The first busbar 123 may contain a metal such as aluminum.

[0042] The first busbar 123 may include multiple metal layers. This allows the first busbar 123 to be flexible and to include a bent shape. The first busbar 123 may include a hole 123H, which can be passed through by the first terminal 127.

[0043] The first housing 125 may include a first internal housing 125I and a first external housing 125O. The first internal housing 125I may include a material having high rigidity. The first internal housing 125I may include a metal such as aluminum. The first external housing 125O may include an insulating material. The first external housing 125O may include, for example, a polyphthalamide resin and a thermoplastic material. The first external housing 125O may include any one of polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide polyamide, polyether ether ketone, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, polysulfone, liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyetherimide.

[0044] The first housing 125 can be supplied by insert injection molding of the first internal housing 125I. As a result, although Figure 3 shows the separation of the first internal housing 125I and the first external housing 125O, it is difficult to separate the first internal housing 125I and the first external housing 125O after they have been supplied by insert injection molding without at least partially removing the first external housing 125O.

[0045] The first internal housing 125I has a substantially hexahedral shape, but may include only five faces, thereby allowing it to include an open space. A portion of the first insulating frame 121 can be inserted into the open space of the first internal housing 125I.

[0046] The first internal housing 125I may include a first surface 125IF1, a second surface 125IF2, a third surface 125IF3, a fourth surface 125IF4, and a fifth surface 125IF5. The first surface 125IF1 may be surrounded by the second surface 125IF2, the third surface 125IF3, the fourth surface 125IF4, and the fifth surface 125IF5. The second surface 125IF2 and the third surface 125IF3 may be opposite to each other, and the fourth surface 125IF4 and the fifth surface 125IF5 may be opposite to each other. The length of each edge of the first surface 125IF1 connected to the second surface 125IF2 and the third surface 125IF3 may be longer than, but not limited to, the length of each edge of the first surface 125IF1 connected to the fourth surface 125IF4 and the fifth surface 125IF5.

[0047] The first face 125IF1 can face the first terminal 127. The first face 125IF1 may include a first hole 125IH1 that is penetrated by the first terminal 127. The first face 125IF1 may further include a second hole 125IH2. In the first face 125IF1, the first hole 125IH1 and the second hole 125IH2 may alternate. The second face 125IF2 and the third face 125IF3 may include multiple second holes 125IH2. The fourth face 125IF4 and the fifth face 125IF5 are shown to include one second hole 125IH2, but may include two or more second holes 125IH2.

[0048] The second holes 125IH2 can be used for insert injection. The width (or diameter) of each second hole 125IH2 may differ from the width (or diameter) of each first hole 125IH1. The width (or diameter) of each second hole 125IH2 may be smaller than the width (or diameter) of each first hole 125IH1. The second holes 125IH2 allow molten resin to be uniformly applied to the entire surface of the first inner housing 125I, thereby allowing the first inner housing 125I to be embedded in the first outer housing 125O. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first outer housing 125O may include a portion interposed between the first inner housing 125I and the first insulating frame 121, and a portion interposed between the first inner housing 125I and the cell case 140.

[0049] The first outer housing 125O may include a hole 125OH through which the first terminal 127 can pass. According to the exemplary embodiment, since the first outer housing 125O prevents a short circuit between the first terminal 127 and the first inner housing 125I, it is not necessary to provide additional components to prevent a short circuit between the first terminal 127 and the first inner housing 125I.

[0050] Each of the first terminals 127 may include a cylindrical portion 127S and a contact portion 127C. Each contact portion 127C of the first terminal 127 may protrude outside the first housing 125, thereby providing an electrical path between external electrical elements and the battery cell 100. Each cylindrical portion 127S of the first terminal 127 may pass through the corresponding holes 123H, the corresponding first holes 125IH1, and the corresponding holes 125OH.

[0051] Each of the first terminals 127 can be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 110. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the first terminals 127 may be, but is not limited to, the positive terminal of the battery cell 100. Each of the first terminals 127 may also be the negative terminal of the battery cell 100.

[0052] Each of the first terminals 127 can be separated from the first busbar 123 with a corresponding first gasket 129 in between. A corresponding first busbar block 128 can be coupled to each cylindrical portion 127S of the first terminal 127. Each of the first busbar blocks 128 can be in contact with a corresponding first terminal 127 and the first busbar 123, thereby providing an electrical connection between the first busbar 123 and the first terminal 127. According to another exemplary embodiment, each of the first terminals 127 may be in direct contact with the first busbar 123.

[0053] The first busbar 123 may include a portion interposed between the first busbar block 128 and the first housing 125. The width of each of the first busbar blocks 128 may be greater than the width (or diameter) of each of the holes 123H in the first busbar 123, thereby preventing separation of the first busbar 123 and the first terminal 127. The first terminal 127 may be riveted, thereby fixing the first busbar 123, the first busbar block 128, and the first terminal 127 together.

[0054] Each of the first busbar blocks 128 may have a plate shape including a hole 128H. Each of the first busbar blocks 128 may have a square shape. The width (or diameter) of each hole 128H of the first busbar block 128 may be different from the width (or diameter) of each hole 123H of the first busbar 123. The width (or diameter) of each hole 128H of the first busbar block 128 may be smaller than the width (or diameter) of each hole 123H of the first busbar 123.

[0055] Within each of the holes 123H of the first bus bar 123, there may be a portion of the terminal 127 and a corresponding portion of the first gasket 129. The inner circumference of the first bus bar 123 defining the hole 123H may enclose one of the first terminals 127 and one of the first gaskets 129.

[0056] Within each of the holes 123H of the first bus bar 123, there may be a cylindrical portion 127S of the corresponding first terminal 127 and a corresponding portion of the first gasket 129. The inner circumference of the first bus bar 123 defining the holes 123H can surround the cylindrical portion 127S of the corresponding first terminal 127 and the corresponding first gasket 129.

[0057] Within each hole 128H of the first busbar block 128, there may be a cylindrical portion 127S of the corresponding first terminal 127. The inner circumference of each of the first busbar block 128 that defines each hole 128H of the first busbar block 128 can surround the cylindrical portion 127S of the corresponding first terminal 127.

[0058] A first gasket 129 may be present between the first terminal 127 and the first housing 125. The first gasket 129 can provide insulation and liquid tightness to the first terminal 127. The first gasket 129 may, but is not limited to, one of the following: rubber, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, Teflon®, polyamide, and fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0059] The second terminal assembly 130 can be coupled with the electrode assembly 110. The second terminal assembly 130 can be separated from the first terminal assembly with the electrode assembly 110 in between. The second terminal assembly 130 may include a second insulating frame 131, a second busbar 133, a second housing 135, a second terminal 137, a second busbar block 138, and a second gasket 139.

[0060] The second insulating frame 131 can be adjacent to the second electrode tab 110T2. The distance between the second insulating frame 131 and the second electrode tab 110T2 may be different from the distance between the second insulating frame 131 and the first electrode tab 110T1. The distance between the second insulating frame 131 and the second electrode tab 110T2 may be smaller than the distance between the second insulating frame 131 and the first electrode tab 110T1.

[0061] The second insulating frame 131 can be coupled to the second housing 135. The second insulating frame 131 can be fixed to the second housing 135 by a forced-fit mechanism. The second insulating frame 131 can protect multiple second electrode tabs 110T2. The second insulating frame 131 may contain an insulating material such as polypropylene. The second insulating frame 131 can prevent deformation and damage to the second electrode tabs 110T2 by filling the space around the second electrode tabs 110T2 when wrapping the other elements of the battery cell 100 in the cell case 140.

[0062] Multiple second electrode tabs 110T2 can be coupled to a second busbar 133. Multiple second electrode tabs 110T2 can be welded to a second busbar 133. Multiple second electrode tabs 110T2 can be coupled to a second busbar 133 by either laser welding or ultrasonic welding. The second busbar 133 may contain a conductive material. The second busbar 133 may contain a metal such as copper.

[0063] The second busbar 133 may include multiple metal layers. This allows the second busbar 133 to be flexible and to include bent shapes. The second busbar 133 may include a hole 133H, which can be passed through by a second terminal 137.

[0064] The second housing 135 may include a second internal housing 135I and a second external housing 135O. The second internal housing 135I may include a material having high rigidity. The second internal housing 135I may include a metal such as aluminum. The second external housing 135O may include an insulating material such as polyphthalamide resin. The second external housing 135O may include any one of polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetheretherketone, polycarbonate, polyoxymethylene, polysulfone, liquid crystal polymer, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyetherimide.

[0065] The second housing 135 can be supplied by insert injection molding of the second internal housing 135I. As a result, although Figure 3 shows the separation of the second internal housing 135I and the second external housing 135O, it is difficult to separate the second internal housing 135I and the second external housing 135O after they have been supplied by insert injection molding without at least partially removing the second external housing 135O.

[0066] The second internal housing 135I has a substantially hexahedral shape, but may include only five faces, thereby allowing it to include an open space. A portion of the second insulating frame 131 can be inserted into the open space of the second internal housing 135I.

[0067] The second internal housing 135I may include a first surface 135IF1, a second surface 135IF2, a third surface 135IF3, a fourth surface 135IF4, and a fifth surface 135IF5. The first surface 135IF1 may be surrounded by the second surface 135IF2, the third surface 135IF3, the fourth surface 135IF4, and the fifth surface 135IF5. The second surface 135IF2 and the third surface 135IF3 may be opposite to each other, and the fourth surface 135IF4 and the fifth surface 135IF5 may be opposite to each other. The length of each edge of the first surface 135IF1 connected to the second surface 135IF2 and the third surface 135IF3 may be longer than, but not limited to, the length of each edge of the first surface 135IF1 connected to the fourth surface 135IF4 and the fifth surface 135IF5.

[0068] The first face 135IF1 may face the second terminal 137. The first face 135IF1 may include a first hole 135IH1 that is penetrated by the second terminal 137. The first face 135IF1 may further include a second hole 135IH2. In the first face 135IF1, the first hole 135IH1 and the second hole 135IH2 may alternate. The second face 135IF2 and the third face 135IF3 may include multiple second holes 135IH2. The fourth face 135IF4 and the fifth face 135IF5 are shown to include one second hole 135IH2, but may include two or more second holes 135IH2.

[0069] The second hole 135IH2 can be used for insert injection. The second hole 135IH2 allows molten resin to be uniformly applied to the entire surface of the second inner housing 135I, thereby enabling the second inner housing 135I to be embedded in the second outer housing 135O. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second outer housing 135O may include a portion interposed between the second inner housing 135I and the second insulating frame 131, and a portion interposed between the second inner housing 135I and the cell case 140.

[0070] The second outer housing 135O may include a hole 135OH, which can be passed through by a second terminal 137. Each of the second terminals 137 may include a cylindrical portion 137S and a contact portion 137C. Each contact portion 137C of the second terminal 137 may protrude outside the second housing 135, thereby providing an electrical path between an external electrical element and the battery cell 100. Each cylindrical portion 137S of the second terminal 137 may pass through a corresponding hole 133H, a corresponding second hole 135IH2, or a corresponding hole 135OH.

[0071] Each of the second terminals 137 can be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 110. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the second terminals 137 may be, but is not limited to, the negative terminal of the battery cell 100. Each of the second terminals 137 may also be the positive terminal of the battery cell 100.

[0072] Each of the second terminals 137 can be separated from the second busbar 133 with a corresponding second gasket 139 in between. Each of the second busbar blocks 138 can be in contact with a corresponding second terminal 137 and the second busbar 133, thereby providing an electrical connection between the second busbar 133 and the second terminal 137. According to another exemplary embodiment, each of the second terminals 137 may be in direct contact with the second busbar 133.

[0073] The second busbar 133 may include a portion interposed between the second busbar block 138 and the housing 135. The width (or diameter) of each part of the second busbar block 138 may be greater than the width (or diameter) of each hole 133H of the second busbar 133, thereby preventing separation of the second busbar 133 from the second terminal 137. The second terminal 137 may be riveted, thereby fixing the second busbar 133, the second busbar block 138, and the second terminal 137 together.

[0074] Each of the second busbar blocks 138 may have a plate shape including a hole 138H. Each of the second busbar blocks 138 may have a square shape. The width (or diameter) of each hole 138H of the second busbar block 138 may differ from the width (or diameter) of each hole 133H of the second busbar 133. The width (or diameter) of each hole 138H of the second busbar block 138 may be smaller than the width (or diameter) of each hole 133H of the second busbar 133.

[0075] Within each of the holes 133H of the second bus bar 133, there may be a cylindrical portion 137S of the corresponding second terminal 137 and a corresponding portion of the second gasket 139. The inner circumference of the second bus bar 133 defining the hole 133H can surround the cylindrical portion 137S of the corresponding second terminal 137 and the corresponding second gasket 139.

[0076] Within each hole 138H of the second busbar block 138, there may be a cylindrical portion 137S of the corresponding second terminal 137. The inner circumference of each second busbar block 138 that defines each hole 138H of the second busbar block 138 can surround the cylindrical portion 137S of the corresponding second terminal 137.

[0077] A second gasket 139 may be present between the second terminal 137 and the second housing 135. The second gasket 139 can provide insulation and liquid tightness to the second terminal 137. The second gasket 139 may, but is not limited to, one of the following: rubber, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, silicone, Teflon®, polyamide, and fiber-reinforced plastic.

[0078] The cell case 140 may be a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet. The cell case 140 may include an internal resin layer, a metal layer, and an external resin layer. The internal resin layer may be heat-sealable, thereby enabling sealing of the cell case 140. The internal resin layer may include, for example, a polyolefin-based material. The metal layer may include any one of an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, and manganese, an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel, and aluminum.

[0079] The cell case 140 can enclose the electrode assembly 110, the first outer housing 125O, and the second outer housing 135O. According to an exemplary embodiment, since the first outer housing 125O and the second outer housing 135O include PPA resin or the like, the first outer housing 125O and the second outer housing 135O can be directly heat-sealed to the cell case 140. That is, additional steps such as further application of PPA and / or surface treatment for heat sealing of the first housing 125 and the second housing 135 to the cell case 140 can be omitted.

[0080] The cell case 140 can be in contact with the first outer housing 125O of ​​the first housing 125 and the second outer housing 135O of ​​the second housing 135, respectively. Furthermore, since the first inner housing 125I is embedded in the first outer housing 125O and the second inner housing 135I is embedded in the second outer housing 135O, the strength and reliability of the bond between the housings 125, 135 and the cell case 140 can be improved.

[0081] (Second Embodiment) Figure 7 is a perspective view showing a battery cell assembly 10 according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0082] Referring to Figures 1, 3, and 7, the battery cell assembly 10 may include a plurality of battery cells 100 and a plurality of pads 200.

[0083] Multiple battery cells 100 can be arranged in the X direction. The first terminals 127 and second terminals 137 of the multiple battery cells 100 can be spaced apart from each other in the Y direction. They can be spaced apart in the Z direction, as well as in the X and Y directions.

[0084] According to an exemplary embodiment, the multiple pads 200 can be alternated with the multiple battery cells 100 in the X direction. There may be a corresponding battery cell 100 between two adjacent pads 200, and there may be a corresponding pad 200 between two adjacent battery cells 100.

[0085] The multiple pads 200 may include an elastic material. The multiple pads 200 may include, for example, polyurethane. The multiple pads 200 can absorb the swelling of the multiple battery cells 100. The multiple pads 200 may also be thermal separators.

[0086] (Third embodiment) Figure 8 is a perspective view of a battery pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0087] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the battery pack 1 shown in Figure 8.

[0088] Figure 10 is a perspective view of the battery pack 1 in Figure 8 with the pack cover 600 omitted to show the arrangement of elements in the battery pack 1.

[0089] Referring to Figures 8 to 10, a battery pack 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of battery cell assemblies 10, a pack housing 300, cooling ports 410a, 410b, an electrical component assembly 500, first to third interbus bars 510, 520, 530, and a pack cover 600.

[0090] The battery cell assembly 10 can be loaded directly into the pack housing 300 without being housed in another frame. That is, the battery pack 1 may be of a moduleless type, and each of the battery cell assemblies 10 may not include a module frame, but is not limited to this. A person of ordinary skill in the art can easily arrive at an embodiment in which each of the battery cell assemblies 10 includes a module frame based on what is described herein.

[0091] The electrical component assembly 500 may include a relay device, a current sensor, a fuse, a BMS (Battery Management System), and an MSD (Manual Service Disconnector). The relay device may be a switching device that selectively opens and closes the charge and discharge path through which current flows. The relay device can interrupt the flow of charge and discharge current when an abnormal condition occurs in the battery pack 1. The BMS may be configured to control the overall charge and discharge operation of the battery cell assembly 10. The MSD is a system for selectively interrupting the power supply of a high-voltage battery in a physical manner. The MSD may be configured to disconnect the service plug to interrupt the power supply as needed.

[0092] The pack housing 300 can provide a space that can house the battery cell assembly 10 and the electrical component assembly 500. The pack housing 300 can include a material with high rigidity (e.g., metal) in the battery cell assembly 10 and the electrical component assembly 500, thereby protecting the battery cell assembly 10 and the electrical component assembly 500 from external impacts.

[0093] The pack housing 300 according to this embodiment may include a flat base plate 310 and side walls 320, 330, 340, 350 substantially perpendicular to the base plate 310. Some of the side walls 330, 340 may include mounting wings 343, 353. The mounting wings 343, 353 may be used to load the battery pack 1 into an application (e.g., a vehicle). A bracket 332 may be used to secure the battery pack 1 to an application (e.g., a vehicle).

[0094] Two directions substantially parallel to the upper surface of the base plate 310 are defined as the X and Y directions. Here, the X direction may be the direction in which the battery cells 100 are arranged. The Y direction may be substantially perpendicular to the X direction. The direction substantially perpendicular to each of the X and Y directions is defined as the Z direction.

[0095] The pack housing 300 may further include a center beam 370 and a cross beam 360 that partition the space in which the battery cell assembly 10 is loaded. The center beam 370 and the cross beam 360 may be mounted on a base plate 310. The center beam 370 and the cross beam 360 may be fixed to the base plate 310 by methods such as bolting and / or welding.

[0096] The center beam 370 can be extended in the X direction. The center beam 370 can isolate the battery cell assembly 10 in the Y direction. The center beam 370 can be interposed between the battery cell assemblies 10 in the Y direction. The cross beam 360 can be extended in the Y direction. The cross beam 360 can be interposed between the battery cell assemblies 10 in the X direction. The cross beam 360 can isolate the battery cell assemblies 10 in the X direction.

[0097] The base plate 310, side walls 320, 330, 340, 350, cross beam 360, and center beam 370 can be supplied by an extrusion process. This allows the base plate 310, side walls 320, 330, 340, 350, cross beam 360, and center beam 370 to have a constant cross-section in the longitudinal direction, except for variations due to mechanical tooling.

[0098] Cooling ports 410a and 410b can be coupled to the base plate 310. The base plate 310 may include multiple cooling channels, and the cooling ports 410a and 410b may be configured to introduce or discharge a cooling substance into the multiple cooling channels.

[0099] Each of the first interbus bars 510 can overlap in the Z direction with a corresponding crossbeam 360 and a center beam 370. Each of the first interbus bars 510 can overlap in the Z direction with four corresponding battery cell assemblies 10. The first interbus bars 510 can connect battery cell assemblies 10 arranged in the X direction in series. The third interbus bar 530 can connect battery cell assemblies 10 spaced apart in the Y direction in series.

[0100] The second interbusbar 520 may be an output terminal for outputting the resulting voltage of a plurality of battery cell assemblies 10 connected in series by the first interbusbar 510 and the third interbusbar 530. The second interbusbar 520 may be connected to wiring connected to an external load and charging system, either directly or via an electrical component assembly 500.

[0101] 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. Therefore, there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of filing.

Claims

1. A first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, including a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab, The first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, respectively, are coupled to a first terminal assembly, The first terminal assembly includes a first busbar coupled to the first electrode tabs of the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly, a first terminal coupled to the first busbar, and a first housing including a hole through which the first terminal passes. The first housing includes a first external housing and a first internal housing embedded in the first external housing, wherein the battery cell.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the first internal housing includes metal.

3. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the first internal housing includes aluminum.

4. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the first external housing includes an insulating material.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the first external housing comprises a thermoplastic material.

6. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the first external housing comprises polyphthalamide resin.

7. The battery cell according to claim 1, further comprising a cell case that encloses the first housing, the first electrode assembly, and the second electrode assembly, and is heat-fused to the first housing.

8. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein the cell case is in contact with the first external housing.

9. The first internal housing includes a first surface and second to fifth surfaces surrounding the first surface. The second surface is opposite to the third surface, The battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the fourth surface is opposite to the fifth surface.

10. The battery cell according to claim 9, wherein the first internal housing includes a first hole through which the first terminal penetrates.

11. The battery cell according to claim 10, wherein the first hole is located on the first surface.

12. The first internal housing further includes a second hole, The battery cell according to claim 10, wherein the width of each of the second holes is different from the width of the first hole.

13. The battery cell according to claim 12, wherein the diameter of each of the second holes is smaller than the diameter of the first hole.

14. The battery cell according to claim 12, wherein the second hole is located on each of the first to fifth faces.

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