Batteries, battery packs including the same, and automobiles

Abstract

According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an electrode assembly in which a core and an outer circumferential surface are defined by winding a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween around a winding shaft, the first electrode including a first active material portion coated with an active material layer along the winding direction and a first uncoated portion not coated with the active material layer, at least a portion of the first uncoated portion being used as an electrode tab; a first current collector coupled to at least a portion of the first uncoated portion at an upper portion of the electrode assembly; a battery housing accommodating the electrode assembly and the first current collector; and an insulator interposed between the first uncoated portion and an inner surface of the battery housing facing at least one of the first uncoated portion and the first current collector, and between the first uncoated portion and an inner surface of the battery housing facing at least one of the first uncoated portion and the first current collector, so as to cut off electrical connection between the first uncoated portion and the battery housing.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and more particularly to a battery having a structure in which a positive terminal and a negative terminal are both disposed adjacent to one side of the battery without significantly modifying the structure of a conventional battery, and a battery pack and an automobile including the same.

[0002] This application is a continuation of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0007278 filed on January 19, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0022897 filed on February 19, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0022894 filed on February 19, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0022891 filed on February 19, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0022881 filed on February 23, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0024424 filed on March 8, 2021. Patent Application No. 10-2021-0030300, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0030291 filed on March 8, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0046798 filed on April 9, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0058183 filed on May 4, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0077046 filed on June 14, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0084326 filed on June 28, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0131225 filed on October 1, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0131215 filed on October 1, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0131205 filed on October 1, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0131208 filed on October 1, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0131207 filed on October 14, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0137001 filed on October 15, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0137856 filed on October 22, 2021 10-2021-0142196, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0153472 filed on November 9, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0160823 filed on November 19, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0163809 filed on November 24, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0165866 filed on November 26, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0172446 filed on December 3, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0177091 filed on December 10, 2021,Priority is claimed based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0194593 filed on December 31, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0194610 filed on December 31, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0194572 filed on December 31, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0194612 filed on December 31, 2021, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0194611 filed on December 31, 2021, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0001802 filed on January 5, 2022, and the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of said applications are incorporated herein in their entirety. [Background technology]

[0003] In order to maximize the current collection efficiency of the battery, a jelly roll may be applied in which the battery housing has positive and negative tabs extending upward and downward along the height direction.

[0004] According to the above-mentioned structure, since the positive and negative tabs protrude on both sides in the height direction of the jelly roll, the positive tab and the battery housing may come into contact with each other. If the battery housing is electrically connected to the negative tab, further contact between the positive tab and the battery housing may cause a short circuit. If a short circuit occurs inside the battery, the battery may heat up or explode. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an insulating member to effectively prevent electrical contact between the positive tab protruding upward and the battery housing.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a solution that can provide a battery having low internal resistance and low risk of short circuit, as well as a battery pack and a vehicle including the same.

[0006] In addition, in a battery having the above-mentioned structure, a space may be formed between the positive electrode tab and the upper surface of the battery housing, or between the positive electrode current collector and the upper surface of the battery housing. Such a space may cause the jelly roll to move vertically, i.e., in the height direction of the battery, inside the battery housing. When the jelly roll moves vertically in this manner, damage may occur to the bonding portion between the current collector and the non-coated portion, as well as the bonding portion between the current collector and the battery housing, and the bonding portion between the current collector and the terminal.

[0007] Therefore, it is necessary to minimize the space that the jelly roll can move in. If additional parts are used to reduce the space that the jelly roll can move in, the process will become more complicated and the manufacturing cost will increase, so it is necessary to solve this problem by utilizing the existing parts.

[0008] Meanwhile, as batteries are recently applied to electric vehicles, the form factor of the battery is increasing, i.e., the diameter and height of the battery are larger than those of batteries with conventional form factors such as 1865 and 2170. The increase in form factor brings about an increase in energy density, increased safety against thermal runaway, and improved cooling efficiency.

[0009] The energy density of a battery can be further increased when the wasted space inside the battery housing is minimized with an increase in form factor, and therefore the components used for electrical insulation between the electrode assembly and the battery housing must also be designed to increase the capacity of the battery while ensuring electrical insulation. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to reduce the internal resistance of a battery and effectively prevent internal short circuits.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to prevent damage to electrical connections caused by movement of the electrode assembly within the battery housing.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to prevent movement of an electrode assembly by utilizing components that have already been applied in battery manufacturing, thereby preventing complication of the manufacturing process and increase in manufacturing costs that would occur due to the application of additional components.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to maximize energy density by optimizing the structure of components used for electrical insulation of the electrode assembly, thereby minimizing wasted space inside a battery having a larger form factor than conventional batteries.

[0014] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0015] In order to solve the above problems, a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly in which a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween are wound around a winding shaft to define a core and an outer circumferential surface, the first electrode including a first active material portion coated with an active material layer along a winding direction and a first non-coated portion not coated with an active material layer, at least a portion of the first non-coated portion being used as an electrode tab; a first current collector coupled to at least a portion of the first non-coated portion at an upper portion of the electrode assembly; a battery housing that accommodates the electrode assembly and the first current collector; and an insulator interposed at least in one of: between the first uncoated portion and an inner surface of the battery housing facing at least one of the first uncoated portion and the first current collector, and between the first uncoated portion and an inner surface of the battery housing facing at least one of the first uncoated portion and the first current collector, so as to cut off electrical connection between the first uncoated portion and the battery housing.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, the insulator may include a first cover portion covering one of an end of the first non-coated portion facing an inner surface of the battery housing and a surface of the first current collector, and a second cover portion covering an upper end of an outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly.

[0017] Preferably, the second cover portion may extend vertically downward from an outer periphery of the first cover portion.

[0018] Preferably, the first current collector may be coupled to the first uncoated portion at an upper portion of the electrode assembly and may be interposed between the first uncoated portion and the insulator.

[0019] Here, the first cover portion may cover a surface of the first current collector that faces an inner surface of an upper end portion of the battery housing.

[0020] Preferably, the first cover portion has a thickness corresponding to a distance between the first current collector and an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing.

[0021] In another aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the first uncoated portion may be divided into a plurality of segments along a winding direction of the electrode assembly.

[0022] Here, the plurality of segment pieces may be bent along a radial direction of the electrode assembly.

[0023] Preferably, the plurality of segments may be overlapped in multiple layers along a radial direction of the electrode assembly.

[0024] Here, the insulator may include a first cover portion interposed at least in one of between a curved surface formed by bending a plurality of segment pieces of a first non-coated portion facing an inner surface of the battery housing and the inner surface of the battery housing and between the first current collector and the inner surface of the battery housing, and a second cover portion covering an upper end of an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly.

[0025] Here, the first current collector may be coupled onto the curved surface at the upper portion of the electrode assembly and may be interposed between the curved surface and the insulator.

[0026] Preferably, the first cover portion covers a surface of the first current collector that faces an inner surface of an upper end portion of the battery housing.

[0027] Preferably, the first cover portion has a thickness corresponding to a distance between the first current collector and an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing.

[0028] In still another aspect of the present invention, the second cover portion may cover an entire outermost exposed side portion of the first uncoated portion so that the first uncoated portion is not exposed toward an inner peripheral surface of the battery housing.

[0029] For example, the extension length of the second cover portion may be greater than or equal to the extension length of the first uncoated portion.

[0030] Preferably, the extension length of the second cover portion may be greater than or equal to the length from the lower end position of the cutting line between the plurality of segment pieces to the bending position of the plurality of segment pieces.

[0031] Preferably, a lower end of the second cover portion may be located lower than a lower end of the first non-coated portion.

[0032] In yet another aspect of the invention, the insulator may include an insulating polymer material.

[0033] In still another aspect of the present invention, the insulator may be made of an elastic material.

[0034] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the insulator may be provided with a central hole having a predetermined diameter at the center of the first cover portion.

[0035] Here, a center of the first current collector may be aligned on the same line as a winding center of the electrode assembly.

[0036] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a diameter of the first current collector may be smaller than or equal to a diameter of the central hole of the insulator.

[0037] Preferably, the diameter of the first current collector is greater than the diameter of a winding center hole of the electrode assembly.

[0038] Preferably, the first cover portion has a thickness corresponding to a distance between an end of the first non-coated portion and an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing.

[0039] In still another aspect of the present invention, at least a portion of the first uncoated portion may be divided into a plurality of segments along a winding direction of the electrode assembly.

[0040] Preferably, the plurality of segment pieces may be bent along a radial direction of the electrode assembly.

[0041] Preferably, the plurality of segments may be overlapped in multiple layers along a radial direction of the electrode assembly.

[0042] Preferably, the first cover portion may be interposed between a curved surface formed by bending a plurality of segment pieces of the first non-coated portion facing an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing.

[0043] Preferably, the first cover portion has a thickness corresponding to a distance between the bent surface and an inner surface of an upper end portion of the battery housing.

[0044] In still another aspect of the present invention, the battery may further include a terminal electrically connected to the first uncoated portion, at least a portion of which is exposed to the outside through a through hole formed in an upper end of the battery housing.

[0045] Here, the terminal may include a body portion inserted into the through hole, an external flange portion extending from a periphery of one side of the body portion exposed to the outer surface of the upper end of the battery housing along the outer surface, an internal flange portion extending from a periphery of the other side of the body portion exposed to the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing toward the inner surface, and a flat portion provided on the inside of the internal flange portion.

[0046] Preferably, the flat portion and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing may be parallel to each other.

[0047] Preferably, the flat portion and the first current collector are parallel to each other.

[0048] In yet another aspect of the invention, the body portion, inner flange portion and flat portion of the terminal may be inserted into the battery housing through the through hole.

[0049] For example, the inner flange portion may be riveted toward the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing.

[0050] In yet another aspect of the invention, the diameter of the central hole of the insulator may be greater than or the same as the diameter of the body portion.

[0051] In yet another aspect of the invention, the diameter of the central hole of the insulator may be greater than or the same as the diameter of the inner flange portion.

[0052] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a body portion of the terminal may extend through the central hole of the insulator.

[0053] Desirably, the flat portion of the terminal may pass through the central hole of the insulator and be electrically coupled to the first current collector.

[0054] For example, the flat portion of the terminal may be joined to the first current collector by welding.

[0055] In still another aspect of the present invention, the battery may further include an insulating gasket interposed between the battery housing and the terminals to cut off electrical connection between the battery housing and the terminals.

[0056] Preferably, the insulating gasket is connected to the insulator and formed integrally therewith.

[0057] In still another aspect of the present invention, the battery may further include a side spacer covering at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly and in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the battery housing.

[0058] Here, the side spacer may cover at least a portion of an outer periphery of the electrode assembly along an outer periphery of the electrode assembly.

[0059] Preferably, the side spacer has a thickness corresponding to the distance between an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly and an inner circumferential surface of the battery housing.

[0060] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the side spacer may be integrally formed and connected to the insulator.

[0061] In yet another aspect of the invention, the side spacers may include an insulating polymer material.

[0062] In still another aspect of the present invention, the side spacer may be made of an elastic material.

[0063] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the second electrode includes a second active material portion coated with an active material layer along the winding direction, and a second uncoated portion not coated with active material, and at least a portion of the second uncoated portion can be used as an electrode tab.

[0064] In still another aspect of the present invention, the battery may further include a second current collector coupled to the second uncoated portion at a lower portion of the electrode assembly.

[0065] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the battery housing may include a beading portion formed at an end adjacent to an opening formed at a lower end and pressed inward, and a crimping portion formed on a side toward the opening rather than the beading portion and bent to extend toward the opening.

[0066] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the second current collector may include at least one tab coupling portion coupled to the second uncoated portion and at least one housing coupling portion electrically coupled to the beading portion on the inner surface of the battery housing.

[0067] Preferably, the housing coupling portion can be pressed and fixed by the crimping portion.

[0068] In yet another aspect of the invention, the housing coupling portion may be coupled to the beading portion by welding.

[0069] In yet another aspect of the invention, the battery may further include a cap covering an opening of the battery housing.

[0070] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the battery may further include a lower spacer interposed between the cap and the second current collector and configured to prevent movement of the electrode assembly.

[0071] Preferably, the lower spacer has a height corresponding to the distance between the second current collector and the cap.

[0072] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the lower spacer may include an insulating polymer material.

[0073] In still another aspect of the present invention, the lower spacer may be made of an elastic material.

[0074] In yet another aspect of the invention, a thickness of the first cover portion may be different from a thickness of the second cover portion.

[0075] Preferably, the thickness of the second cover part may be less than the thickness of the first cover part.

[0076] In yet another aspect of the invention, the first cover portion may include a rounded portion having a predetermined radius of curvature at an outer periphery of the first cover portion.

[0077] Preferably, the rounded portion may be formed at an intersection of an upper surface of the first cover portion and a side surface of the second cover portion.

[0078] Preferably, the radius of curvature of the rounded portion may be equal to or smaller than the radius of curvature formed at an intersection of an inner surface of an upper end portion of the battery housing and a side surface of the battery housing.

[0079] Preferably, the rounded portion can be tightly fitted to the inner surface of the battery housing without any gap.

[0080] In yet another aspect of the invention, the first cover portion and the second cover portion may be integrally formed.

[0081] Also, the first cover part and the second cover part may be formed separately and then coupled together.

[0082] In yet another aspect of the present invention, the insulation gasket may include a gasket exposure portion interposed between the outer flange portion and the battery housing, and a gasket insertion portion interposed between the inner flange portion and the battery housing.

[0083] Preferably, the gasket exposure portion and the gasket insertion portion may have different thicknesses depending on the position.

[0084] In still another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of holes having a diameter smaller than that of the central hole may be further formed around the central hole of the first cover portion.

[0085] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a battery according to the embodiment of the present invention as described above, and a pack housing that houses a plurality of the batteries.

[0086] A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above. Effect of the Invention

[0087] According to the present invention, a battery structure is provided in which the positive and negative terminals are applied in the same direction, thereby simplifying the electrical connection structure of multiple batteries.

[0088] Furthermore, according to the present invention, electrical contact between the non-coated portion and the battery housing is prevented, thereby effectively preventing a short circuit inside the battery.

[0089] Furthermore, according to the present invention, movement of the electrode assembly within the battery housing is minimized, preventing damage to electrical connections.

[0090] According to another aspect of the present invention, the electrode terminal of the battery has a sufficient area to be welded to an electrical connection part such as a bus bar, so that the joint strength between the electrode terminal and the electrical connection part can be sufficiently ensured, and the resistance at the joint between the electrical connection part and the electrode terminal can be reduced to a desired level.

[0091] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further understand the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to only the matters described in the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0092] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the battery of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the battery in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the inside of the battery in FIG. 1. [Figure 5a] 1 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5b] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5c] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5d] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5e] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8]11 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 11 is a diagram illustrating a battery according to still another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a battery pack including the battery of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0093] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in the specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted as having meanings and concepts according to the technical ideas of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concepts of terms in order to best describe the invention.

[0094] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted for them at the time of this application.

[0095] In addition, in order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the accompanying drawings may be drawn not to scale but with some components exaggerated. In addition, the same reference numerals may be used to refer to the same components in different embodiments.

[0096] The fact that two comparison objects are identical means that they are "substantially identical." Therefore, "substantially identical" may include a deviation that is considered to be a low level in the art, for example, a deviation within 5%. Furthermore, the uniformity of any parameter in a given region may mean that it is uniform on average.

[0097] Terms such as "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish only one component from another component, and unless otherwise specified, the first component may be the second component.

[0098] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, each element may be singular or plural.

[0099] When a structure is disposed "on (or under)" a component or "above (or below)" a component, it may mean that the structure is disposed directly on the upper (or lower) surface of the component, but also that other structures may be interposed between the component and the structure disposed above (or below) the component.

[0100] Additionally, when a component is described as being "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly coupled or connected to each other, but that there may be other components "intervening" between each component, or each component may be "coupled," "coupled," or "connected" by other components.

[0101] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specified, a reference to "A and / or B" means "A," "B," or "A and B," and a reference to "C through D" means at least C and at most D, unless otherwise specified.

[0102] For ease of explanation, in this specification, the direction along the longitudinal direction of the winding shaft of the electrode assembly wound in a wound form is referred to as the axial direction Y. The direction surrounding the winding shaft is referred to as the circumferential direction or peripheral direction X. The direction approaching or moving away from the winding shaft is referred to as the radial direction. Of these, the direction particularly approaching the winding shaft is referred to as the centripetal direction, and the direction moving away from the winding shaft is referred to as the centrifugal direction.

[0103] 1 to 4, 8 and 9, a battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly 10, a battery housing 20, a first current collector 30 and an insulator 40.

[0104] In addition to the above-mentioned components, the battery 1 may further include a terminal 50 and / or an insulating gasket 60 and / or a side spacer 70 and / or a second current collector 80 and / or a cap 90 and / or a sealing gasket 100 and / or a lower spacer 110.

[0105] The electrode assembly 10 includes a first electrode having a first polarity, a second electrode having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is a positive electrode or a negative electrode, and the second electrode is an electrode having an opposite polarity to the first electrode.

[0106] The electrode assembly 10 may have, for example, a wound shape. That is, the electrode assembly 10 may be manufactured by winding a stack formed by stacking a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode at least once, based on a winding center C. In this case, a separator may be further provided on an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10 for insulation from the battery housing 20. The electrode assembly 10 may have a winding structure known in the related technical field without any limitation.

[0107] The first electrode includes a first electrode collector and a first active material portion coated on one or both sides of the first electrode collector. An uncoated portion where the first active material portion is not coated is present at one end of the first electrode collector in the width direction (parallel to the Z-axis). The uncoated portion itself functions as a first electrode tab. The first uncoated portion 11 is provided at an upper portion in the height direction (parallel to the Z-axis) of the electrode assembly 10 accommodated in the battery housing 20.

[0108] The second electrode includes a second electrode collector and a second active material portion applied to one or both sides of the second electrode collector. An uncoated portion where the second active material portion is not applied exists at the other end of the second electrode collector in the width direction (direction parallel to the Z axis). The uncoated portion functions as a second electrode tab by itself. The second uncoated portion 12 is provided at the lower part in the height direction (direction parallel to the Z axis) of the electrode assembly 10 accommodated in the battery housing 20.

[0109] That is, the electrode assembly 10 may be an electrode assembly 10 in which a core and an outer circumferential surface are defined by winding a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween around a winding shaft. In this case, the first electrode includes a first active material part coated with an active material layer along the winding direction and a first non-coated part not coated with an active material layer, and at least a portion of the first non-coated part may be used as an electrode tab. In addition, the second electrode includes a second active material part coated with an active material layer along the winding direction and a second non-coated part 12 not coated with an active material layer, and at least a portion of the second non-coated part 12 may be used as an electrode tab.

[0110] Preferably, the electrode assembly 10 may be a winding-type electrode assembly 10 having a structure in which a sheet-like first electrode collector and a second electrode collector and a separator interposed therebetween are wound in one direction. The first electrode collector includes a first non-coated portion 11 on a long side end of which an active material layer is not coated, and at least a portion of the first non-coated portion 11 may be used as an electrode tab. In addition, the second electrode collector includes a second non-coated portion 12 on a long side end of which an active material layer is not coated, and at least a portion of the second non-coated portion 12 may be used as an electrode tab.

[0111] The electrode assembly 10 may be a winding type in which the first uncoated portion 11 and the second uncoated portion 12, which have opposite polarities, protrude in opposite directions. That is, the first uncoated portion 11 and the second uncoated portion 12 may protrude in opposite directions along the width direction of the electrode assembly 10, i.e., along the height direction of the battery 1 (parallel to the Z axis).

[0112] In the present invention, the positive electrode active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode active material coated on the negative electrode plate may be any active material known in the art without any limitations.

[0113] In one example, the positive electrode active material is represented by the general chemical formula A[A x M y ]O 2+z (A includes at least one or more elements of Li, Na, and K; M includes at least one or more elements selected from Ni, Co, Mn, Ca, Mg, Al, Ti, Si, Fe, Mo, V, Zr, Zn, Cu, Al, Mo, Sc, Zr, Ru, and Cr; x≧0, 1≦x+y≦2, −0.1≦z≦2; the stoichiometric coefficients x, y, and z are selected to maintain electrical neutrality of the compound.)

[0114] In another example, the positive electrode active material is an alkali metal compound xLiM disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,677,082, U.S. Pat. No. 6,680,143, etc. 1 O 2 .(1-x)Li 2 M 2 O 3 (M 1 contains at least one element having an average oxidation state of 3; M 2 contains at least one element having an average oxidation state of 4; 0≦x≦1).

[0115] In yet another embodiment, the positive electrode active material has the general chemical formula Li a M 1 x Fe 1-x M 2 y P1-y M 3 z O 4-z (M 1 contains at least one or more elements selected from Ti, Si, Mn, Co, Fe, V, Cr, Mo, Ni, Nd, Al, Mg and Al; M 2 contains at least one or more elements selected from Ti, Si, Mn, Co, Fe, V, Cr, Mo, Ni, Nd, Al, Mg, Al, As, Sb, Si, Ge, V and S; M 3 contains a halogen group element selectively containing F; 0 < a ≤ 2, 0 ≤ x ≤ 1, 0 ≤ y < 1, 0 ≤ z < 1; the stoichiometric coefficients a, x, y and z are selected so that the compound maintains electrical neutrality.), or Li 3 M 2 (PO 4 ) 3 [M contains at least one element selected from Ti, Si, Mn, Fe, Co, V, Cr, Mo, Ni, Al, Mg and Al.] It can be a lithium metal phosphate represented by.

[0116] Desirably, the positive electrode active material may include primary particles and / or secondary particles aggregated from primary particles.

[0117] In one example, the negative electrode active material can use a carbon material, a lithium metal or a lithium metal compound, silicon or a silicon compound, tin or a tin compound, etc. TiO with a potential of less than 2V 2 , SnO 2 Metal oxides such as can also be used as the negative electrode active material. As the carbon material, both low-crystalline carbon and high-crystalline carbon can be used.

[0118] The separation membrane may be a porous polymer film, for example, a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, etc., either alone or in combination. In another example, the separation membrane may be a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of a high melting point glass fiber, a polyethylene terephthalate fiber, etc.

[0119] At least one surface of the separation membrane may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. The separation membrane itself may also be made of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure in which they are bound to a binder such that there is an interstitial volume between adjacent particles.

[0120] The inorganic particles may be made of an inorganic material having a dielectric constant of 5 or more. As a non-limiting example, the inorganic particles may be Pb(Zr,Ti)O 3 (PZT), Pb 1-x La x Zr 1-y Ti y O 3 (PLZT), PB(Mg 3 Nb 2 / 3 )O 3 -PbTiO 3 (PMN-PT), BaTiO 3 , hafnia (HfO 2 ), SrTiO 3 , TiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , ZrO 2 , SnO 2 , CEO 2 , MgO, CaO, ZnO and Y 2 O 3 The composition may include at least one material selected from the group consisting of:

[0121] The electrolyte is A + B - In this case, the salt may have the structure:+ Li + , Na + , K + and combinations of these cations. - is F - , Cl - , Br - , I - , NO 3 - , N(CN) 2 - , B.F. 4 - , ClO 4 - , AlO 4 - , AlCl 4 - , P.F. 6 - , SbF 6 - , AsF 6 - , B.F. 2 C 2 O 4 - , B.C. 4 O 8 - , (CF 3 ) 2 PF 4 - , (CF 3 ) 3 PF 3 - , (CF 3 ) 4 PF 2 - , (CF 3 ) 5 PF - , (CF 3 ) 6 P - , C.F. 3 SO 3 - , C 4 F 9 SO 3 - , C.F. 3 CF 2 SO 3 - , (CF 3 SO 2) 2 N - , (FSO 2 ) 2 N - , C.F. 3 CF 2 (CF 3 ) 2 CO - , (CF 3 SO 2 ) 2 CH - ,(SCIENCE FICTION 5 ) 3 C - , (CF 3 SO 2 ) 3 C - , C.F. 3 (CF 2 ) 7 SO 3 - , C.F. 3 CO 2 - , C.H. 3 CO 2 - , SCN - and (CF 3 CF 2 SO 2 ) 2 N - The anion includes one or more anions selected from the group consisting of:

[0122] The electrolyte may be dissolved in an organic solvent. Examples of the organic solvent include propylene carbonate (PC), ethylene carbonate (EC), diethyl carbonate (DEC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC), dipropyl carbonate (DPC), dimethyl sulfoxide, acetonitrile, dimethoxyethane, diethoxyethane, tetrahydrofuran, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), γ-butyrolactone, and mixtures thereof.

[0123] Meanwhile, at least a portion of the first non-coated portion 11 may be divided into a plurality of segments along the winding direction of the electrode assembly 10. The segments may have a shape such as a trapezoid, a rectangle, a parallelogram, a semicircle, or a semi-ellipse, and may be repeatedly arranged at a predetermined interval along the winding direction. The segment may have a width greater at a lower portion than at an upper portion, and the width may increase gradually and / or stepwise from the lower portion to the upper portion (i.e., toward the z direction in FIG. 2). The plurality of segments may be curved along a radial direction of the electrode assembly 10. Here, the radial direction means a direction toward the core side of the electrode assembly 10 or a direction toward the outer periphery side of the electrode assembly 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 5b, the plurality of segments may be curved toward the core side. Also, the plurality of segments may have a structure in which they are overlapped in multiple layers. Preferably, the plurality of segments may be overlapped in multiple layers along the radial direction of the electrode assembly 10. Alternatively, the segments may be laser cut. The segments may be formed by known foil cutting processes such as ultrasonic cutting or punching.

[0124] In order to prevent damage to the active material layer when bending the first non-coated portion 11, it is preferable to provide a predetermined gap between the lower end of the cutting line between the segment pieces and the active material layer. This is because stress is concentrated near the lower end of the cutting line when the first non-coated portion 11 is bent. Also, this makes it difficult to form a pattern during laser cutting. The gap is preferably 0.2 to 4 mm. When the gap is adjusted to this numerical range, it is possible to prevent damage to the active material layer near the lower end of the cutting line due to stress generated during bending the first non-coated portion 11. In addition, the gap can prevent damage to the active material layer due to tolerances when notching or cutting the segment pieces.

[0125] The bending direction of the first non-coated portion 11 may be, for example, a direction toward the winding center C of the electrode assembly 10. When the first non-coated portion 11 has such a bent shape, the space occupied by the first non-coated portion 11 is reduced, thereby improving the energy density. In addition, the bonding area between the first non-coated portion 11 and the first current collector 30 is increased, thereby further improving the bonding force and further reducing the resistance.

[0126] Although only the bending and overlapping of the first non-coated portion 11 has been described above, it is needless to say that the same structure as the first non-coated portion 11 can be applied to the second non-coated portion 12 as well.

[0127] 1 to 4, the battery housing 20 may accommodate the electrode assembly 10 and the first current collector 30. The battery housing 20 may be a substantially cylindrical container having an open portion at a lower end, and may be made of a conductive material such as metal. The material of the battery housing 20 may be, for example, aluminum, steel, stainless steel, nickel, etc. The bottom of the battery housing 20 having the open portion is referred to as an open end. The side (outer circumferential surface) and the top of the battery housing 20 may be integrally formed. The top of the battery housing 20 (a surface parallel to the XY plane) has a substantially flat shape. The top located opposite to the open portion (or open end) is referred to as a closed portion. The battery housing 20 accommodates the electrode assembly 10 from an open portion formed at a lower portion, and also accommodates an electrolyte.

[0128] The battery housing 20 is electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10. The battery housing 20 is electrically connected to, for example, the second non-coated portion 12 of the electrode assembly 10. In this case, the battery housing 20 has the same polarity as the second non-coated portion 12.

[0129] 2 and 4, the battery housing 20 may include a beading portion 21 and a crimping portion 22 formed at a lower end thereof. The beading portion 21 is located at a lower portion of the electrode assembly 10. The beading portion 21 is formed by pressing around the outer circumferential surface of the battery housing 20. For example, the beading portion 21 may be formed at an end portion adjacent to an opening formed at the lower end and pressed inward. The beading portion 21 prevents the electrode assembly 10, which may have a size approximately corresponding to the inner diameter of the battery housing 20, from slipping out of the opening formed at the lower end of the battery housing 20, and may function as a support portion to which a cap 90 is attached.

[0130] The crimping portion 22 is formed below the beading portion 21. The crimping portion 22 is formed closer to the opening than the beading portion 21 and may be extended and bent toward the opening. The crimping portion 22 is extended and bent to surround the outer circumferential surface of the cap 90 disposed below the beading portion 21 and at least a portion of the lower surface of the cap 90.

[0131] Meanwhile, the present invention does not exclude the case where the battery housing 20 does not include such a beading portion 21 and / or crimping portion 22. That is, in the present invention, when the battery housing 20 does not include the beading portion 21 and / or the crimping portion 22, the fixing of the electrode assembly 10 and / or the sealing of the battery housing 20 may be achieved, for example, by further applying a component capable of functioning as a stopper for the electrode assembly 10. In addition, when the battery 1 of the present invention includes a cap 90, the fixing of the electrode assembly 10 and / or the sealing of the battery housing 20 may be achieved, for example, by further applying a structure to which the cap 90 can be attached and / or by welding the battery housing 20 and the cap 90. For example, the present applicant's Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0030016 discloses a battery in which a beading portion is omitted, and such a structure may be adopted in the present invention.

[0132] 2 to 5a, the first current collector 30 may be coupled to an upper portion of the electrode assembly 10. For example, the first current collector 30 may be coupled to the first non-coated portion 11 at the upper portion of the electrode assembly 10. The first current collector 30 may be interposed between the first non-coated portion 11 and the insulator 40. For example, the first current collector 30 may be coupled to the first non-coated portion 11 at the upper portion of the electrode assembly 10 and may be interposed between the first non-coated portion 11 and the insulator 40. The first current collector 30 may be made of a conductive metal material. Although not shown, the first current collector 30 may have a plurality of projections and recesses formed radially on a lower surface thereof. When the projections and recesses are formed, the first current collector 30 may be pressed to press the projections and recesses into the first non-coated portion 11.

[0133] The battery 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention may not include the first current collector 30. In this case, the first uncoated portion 11 may be electrically connected to the terminal 50 directly.

[0134] 3 and 4, the first current collector 30 may be coupled to an end of the first non-coated portion 11. The first non-coated portion 11 and the first current collector 30 may be coupled to each other by, for example, laser welding. The laser welding may be performed by partially melting a base material of the first current collector 30, or may be performed by interposing a solder for welding between the first current collector 30 and the first non-coated portion 11. In this case, it is preferable that the solder has a lower melting point than the first current collector 30 and the first non-coated portion 11. In addition to laser welding, resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, spot welding, etc. may be used, but the welding method is not limited thereto.

[0135] 5b, the first current collector 30 may be coupled to a coupling surface formed by bending an end of the first non-coated portion 11 in a direction parallel to the first current collector 30. The bending direction of the first non-coated portion 11 may be, for example, a direction toward a winding center C of the electrode assembly 10. When the first non-coated portion 11 has such a bent shape, the space occupied by the first non-coated portion 11 may be reduced, thereby improving the energy density. In addition, the increase in the coupling area between the first non-coated portion 11 and the first current collector 30 may have the effect of improving the coupling force and reducing resistance at the coupling surface.

[0136] 2 to 5a, the insulator 40 may be interposed between the inner surface of the battery housing 20, which the first non-coated portion 11 or the first current collector 30 faces, and the first non-coated portion 11 or the first current collector 30, so as to cut off an electrical connection between the first non-coated portion 11 and the battery housing 20. For example, the insulator 40 may be provided between an upper end of the electrode assembly 10 and the inner surface of the battery housing 20, or between the first current collector 30 coupled to the upper portion of the electrode assembly 10 and the inner surface of the battery housing 20. The insulator 40 prevents contact between the first non-coated portion 11 and the battery housing 20 and / or the first current collector 30 and the battery housing 20. That is, the insulator 40 is accommodated inside the battery housing 20, covers at least a portion of the electrode assembly 10, and is configured to cut off an electrical connection between the first non-coated portion 11 and the battery housing 20. Therefore, the insulator 40 may be made of a material having insulating properties, for example, the insulator 40 may include an insulating polymer material.

[0137] 2 to 5a, the insulator 40 may include a first cover portion 41 and a second cover portion 42. As shown in FIG.

[0138] The second cover part 42 may have a shape extending vertically downward from the outer periphery of the first cover part 41. That is, the second cover part 42 means a part extending in the up-down direction (parallel to the Z-axis) from the outer periphery of the first cover part 41. Thus, the first cover part 41 and the second cover part 42 may have a cup shape. The first cover part 41 means all parts of the insulator 40 except the second cover part 42. For example, in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5a, the first cover part 41 means a part of the insulator 40 extending in the horizontal direction (parallel to the XY plane). The first cover part 41 may cover an end of the first non-coated part 11 facing the inner surface of the battery housing 20 or a surface of the first current collector 30. For example, the first cover part 41 may cover a surface of the first current collector 30 facing the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20.

[0139] The insulator 40 may have a central hole having a predetermined diameter at the center of the first cover portion 41. For example, the insulator 40 may have a central hole adjacent to the winding center C. For example, the first cover portion 41 may have a substantially circular central hole adjacent to the winding center C. The presence of the central hole may allow the terminal 50 to come into contact with the first current collector 30 or the first uncoated portion 11.

[0140] In another aspect of the present invention, a plurality of holes having a diameter smaller than that of the central hole may be further formed around the central hole of the first cover part 41. For example, a plurality of holes may be formed around the central hole of the first cover part 41 to allow the electrolyte to move. Here, when the electrolyte is injected into the battery housing 20, the insulator 40 may be disposed to be placed at the bottom. That is, the electrolyte may be injected into the battery housing 20 in a state in which the battery 1 in FIG. 2 is turned upside down, i.e., the terminal 50 is disposed at the bottom.

[0141] The electrolyte may move downward through a central hole provided in the first cover part 41 of the insulator 40, move horizontally through the surface of the first cover part 41, and move upward through the multiple holes. This allows the electrolyte to be provided to the entire electrode assembly 10. That is, when multiple holes are formed in the first cover part 41 of the insulator 40, the electrolyte can be smoothly and easily provided to the electrode assembly 10.

[0142] Meanwhile, the plurality of holes may be spaced apart at a predetermined interval. For example, the plurality of holes may be arranged on a straight line extending from the center of the insulator 40 to the outer circumferential surface of the insulator 40.

[0143] The first cover part 41 may be connected to the second cover part 42. For example, the first cover part 41 may be integrally formed with the second cover part 42. For example, the first cover part 41 and the second cover part 42 may be an integrally molded polymer molding. Or, the first cover part 41 and the second cover part 42 may be a structure formed separately and joined together. For example, the first cover part 41 and the second cover part 42 may be a polymer structure molded separately and joined together.

[0144] In this case, the thickness of the first cover part 41 may be different from the thickness of the second cover part 42. Specifically, as can be seen from Fig. 5a, the thickness of the second cover part 42 may be thinner than the thickness of the first cover part 41.

[0145] In one embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the first non-coated portion 11 located on the outer periphery of the electrode assembly 10 may be omitted. Therefore, a predetermined space may be formed at the upper end of the outer periphery of the electrode assembly 10, which is the region where the first non-coated portion 11 is omitted. Therefore, the predetermined space may primarily prevent electrical contact between the first non-coated portion 11 and the battery housing 20. However, in order to ensure more reliable insulation, the second cover portion 42 may be provided. In this case, even if the second cover portion 42 is thinner than the first cover portion 41, sufficient insulation performance can be ensured. Furthermore, by forming the second cover portion 42 thinner than the first cover portion 41, the space occupied by the insulator 40 can be minimized.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 5a, the first cover part 41 may include a rounded part R having a predetermined radius of curvature at the outer periphery of the first cover part 41. The rounded part R may be formed at an intersection between an upper surface of the first cover part 41 and a side surface of the second cover part 42. In this case, the radius of curvature of the rounded part R may be smaller than or equal to a radius of curvature formed at an intersection between an inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 and a side surface of the battery housing 20. With this structure, the rounded part R may be in close contact with the inner surface of the battery housing 20 without a gap. With this structure, even if vibration or external impact is applied to the battery 1, the movement of the electrode assembly 10 in the battery housing 20 is minimized, and damage to an electrical connection part may be prevented. However, for example, if the radius of curvature of the rounded part R is larger than the radius of curvature formed at an intersection between an inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 and a side surface of the battery housing 20, a space may be formed between the rounded part R and the inner surface of the battery housing 20. In this case, if the battery 1 is subjected to vibration or external impact, the electrode assembly 10 may move, which may cause damage to the electrical connection portions.

[0147] Meanwhile, the battery 1 of the present invention may not include the first current collector 30. In this case, the insulator 40 may include a first cover part 41 covering an end of the first non-coated portion 11, and a second cover part 42 covering an upper end of an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10. Although not shown, the first cover part 41 may be located in a space between an end of the first non-coated portion 11 and an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing 20.

[0148] In this case, the first cover part 41 of the insulator 40 may have a thickness corresponding to the distance between an end of the first non-coated part 11 and an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing 20. As a result, the first cover part 41 may fill the space between the end of the first non-coated part 11 and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 without any gaps. As a result, even if vibration or external impact is applied to the battery 1, movement of the electrode assembly 10 within the battery housing 20 is minimized, and damage to electrical coupling parts can be prevented.

[0149] Meanwhile, the insulator 40 may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm or more. If the insulator 40 is too thin, the insulation may be poor. In other respects, it may be difficult to form the insulator 40 to a thickness below a certain thickness in a process. Meanwhile, the upper limit of the thickness of the insulator 40 may be a thickness corresponding to the distance between the inner surface of the battery housing 20 and the first non-coated portion 11 or the distance between the inner surface of the battery housing 20 and the first current collector 30. If the insulator 40 is too thick, it occupies the inner space of the battery housing 20, reducing the capacity of the battery cell and increasing costs. Thus, the thickness of the insulator 40 may be set within an appropriate range so as to maintain appropriate insulation and prevent the capacity of the battery cell from decreasing. However, the thickness of the insulator 40 is not limited to the above range, and is within the scope of the present invention as long as it can ensure insulation and minimize the movement of the electrode assembly 10 in the battery housing 20 to prevent damage to the electrical connection portion.

[0150] Meanwhile, if the battery 1 of the present invention includes a first current collector 30, the insulator 40 may include a first cover portion 41 covering at least a portion of the first current collector 30, and a second cover portion 42 covering an upper end of an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10. That is, the first cover portion 41 may cover at least a portion of the first current collector 30. For example, referring to FIG. 3, the first cover portion 41 may cover the entire area of ​​the upper surface of the first current collector 30 except for a portion located in the center. Also, the first cover portion 41 may cover a portion of the first non-coated portion 11 that is not covered by the first current collector 30.

[0151] 5a, the first cover part 41 of the insulator may have a thickness corresponding to the distance between the first current collector 30 and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20. As a result, the first cover part 41 may fill the space between the first current collector 30 and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 without any gaps. As a result, even if vibration or external impact is applied to the battery 1, movement of the electrode assembly 10 within the battery housing 20 is minimized, and damage to electrical coupling parts can be prevented.

[0152] Referring to FIG. 5b or 5e, in another embodiment, at least a portion of the first non-coated portion 11 may be divided into a plurality of segments. Here, the plurality of segments may be bent toward the core. Also, the plurality of segments may have a structure in which they are overlapped in a radial direction. In this case, the plurality of segments of the first non-coated portion 11 may be bent and overlapped to form one bent surface. The bent surface may be approximately parallel to the upper surface of the battery housing. In this case, the first cover part 41 may cover the bent surface formed by bending the plurality of segments of the first non-coated portion 11. The second cover part 42 may cover the upper end of the outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10. Referring to FIG. 5e, the area of ​​the first current collector 30 coupled to the bent surfaces of the plurality of segments at the upper part of the electrode assembly 10 and interposed between the bent surfaces and the battery housing 20 may be formed to be relatively very small compared to the area of ​​the upper surface of the electrode assembly 10. For example, the diameter of the first current collector 30 may be equal to or smaller than the diameter of the central hole of the insulator 40. The diameter of the first current collector 30 may be larger than the diameter of the winding central hole of the electrode assembly 10. Since the diameter of the first current collector 30 is larger than the diameter of the winding central hole of the electrode assembly 10, the first current collector 30 may be supported on the electrode assembly 10. Meanwhile, the center of the first current collector 30 may be located on the same line as the winding center of the electrode assembly 10. Thus, the first current collector 30 and the terminal 50 may be maintained in contact with each other so that they can be welded to each other later. Meanwhile, the plurality of segments of the first non-coated portion 11 may be bent in a state of being overlapped with each other along the radial direction of the electrode assembly 10. Thus, the electrode assembly 10 may have a current collecting performance on the bent surface due to the overlapping of the plurality of segments. Furthermore, since at least a portion of the bent surface is electrically coupled to the first current collector 30, the electrode assembly 10 may be electrically connected to the terminal 50 via the first current collector 30. Meanwhile, as shown in Fig. 5d, an embodiment in which only the first non-coated portion 11 in the embodiment of Fig. 5e is not bent may also be adopted in the present invention.

[0153] 5b or 5e, the first cover part 41 may have a thickness corresponding to a distance between the bent surfaces of the plurality of segment pieces and an inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20. Thus, the first cover part 41 may fill a space between the bent surfaces and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 without any gaps. For example, referring to FIG. 5e, the first cover part 41 may be interposed between a bent surface formed by bending the plurality of segment pieces of the first non-coated part 11 facing the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20. Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 5b, the first cover part may be interposed between the first current collector 30 and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20. In this case, the first cover part 41 may have a thickness corresponding to a distance between the first current collector 30 and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20.

[0154] As a result, even if the battery 1 is subjected to vibration or external impact, movement of the electrode assembly 10 within the battery housing 20 is minimized, preventing damage to electrical connection portions.

[0155] 5b, in yet another embodiment of the present invention, the area of ​​the first current collector 30, which is coupled to the bent surface of the plurality of segments at the upper portion of the electrode assembly 10 and is interposed between the bent surface and the battery housing 20, may be substantially similar to the area of ​​the upper surface of the electrode assembly 10. In this case, the first cover part 41 may cover the first current collector 30. The first cover part 41 may have a thickness corresponding to the distance between the first current collector 30 and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20. Thus, the first cover part 41 may fill the space between the first current collector 30 and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 without any gaps. Thus, even if the battery 1 is subjected to vibration or external impact, the movement of the electrode assembly 10 within the battery housing 20 is minimized, and damage to electrical coupling parts may be prevented.

[0156] The second cover part 42 may cover an upper end of an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10. For example, referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the second cover part 42 may cover a side surface of the first non-coated part 11. More specifically, the second cover part 42 may cover the entire outermost exposed side surface of the first non-coated part 11 so that the first non-coated part 11 is not exposed toward the inner circumferential surface of the battery housing 20. This reliably prevents electrical contact between the battery housing 20, which has an opposite polarity to that of the first non-coated part 11, and the first non-coated part 11. Therefore, according to the present invention, an internal short circuit of the battery 1 can be effectively prevented.

[0157] More specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the extension length of the second cover part 42 may be configured to be longer than or equal to the extension length of the first non-coated part 11. With this structure, electrical contact between the battery housing 20 having the second polarity and the first non-coated part 11 having the first polarity can be prevented. Therefore, the extension length of the second cover part 42 should be at least the same as the extension length of the first non-coated part 11, and it is preferable that the extension length of the second cover part 42 is formed slightly longer than the extension length of the first non-coated part 11 for reliable insulation. In another embodiment, when a plurality of segments of the first non-coated part 11 are bent and stacked to form one bending surface, the extension length of the second cover part 42 may be configured to be longer than or equal to the length from the lower end position of the cutting line between the plurality of segments to the bending position of the plurality of segments. Preferably, the lower end of the second cover part 42 may be located lower than the lower end of the first non-coated part 11. With this structure, the second cover portion 42 can reliably prevent electrical contact between the side surface of the first non-coated portion 11 and the battery housing 20.

[0158] 2 and 4, the terminal 50 may be electrically connected to the first non-coated portion 11 of the electrode assembly 10. That is, the terminal 50 may be made of a conductive metal material. The terminal 50 may be electrically connected to the first non-coated portion 11, and at least a portion of the terminal 50 may be exposed to the outside through a through hole formed at the upper end of the battery housing 20. The terminal 50 may, for example, pass through approximately the center of a closed portion formed at the upper end of the battery housing 20. That is, the battery housing 20 may have a through hole in a closed portion provided at the upper part of the battery housing 20. The terminal 50 may be inserted into the battery housing 20 through the through hole. More specifically, the main body portion 50a, the inner flange portion 50c, and the flat portion 50d of the terminal 50 may be inserted into the battery housing 20 through the through hole. Thus, a portion of the terminal 50 may be exposed to the upper part of the battery housing 20, and the remaining portion may be located inside the battery housing 20. Preferably, the terminal 50 may be riveted through the through hole. For example, the terminal 50 may be riveted toward the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 and fixed. Specifically, the inner flange portion 50c of the terminal 50 may be fixed to the inner surface of the closing portion of the battery housing 20 by, for example, riveting. The terminal 50 may penetrate the insulator 40 to be coupled to the first current collector 30 or the first non-coated portion 11. For example, the terminal 50 may penetrate a central hole provided in the insulator 40 to be coupled to the first current collector 30 or the first non-coated portion 11. In this case, the diameter of the central hole of the insulator 40 may be larger than or equal to the diameter of the inner flange portion 50c described below. The flat portion 50d of the terminal 50 may penetrate the central hole of the insulator 40 to be electrically coupled to the first current collector 30. In this case, the terminal 50 may have a first polarity. More preferably, the flat portion 50d of the terminal 50 may be connected to the first current collector 30 by welding. That is, welding may be performed between the flat portion 50d provided on the inside of the inner flange portion 50c and the first current collector 30. The flat portion 50d may be provided at a lower end of the terminal 50.The flat portion 50d and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 may be parallel to each other. Thus, the flat portion 50d and the first current collector 30 may be parallel to each other. The welding method may be laser welding. In addition to laser welding, resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, etc. are possible, but the welding method is not limited thereto. With the above-mentioned structure, the terminal 50 can function as a first electrode terminal in the battery 1 of the present invention. When the terminal 50 has the first polarity as described above, the terminal 50 is electrically insulated from the battery housing 20 having the second polarity. The electrical insulation between the terminal 50 and the battery housing 20 can be realized in various ways. For example, the insulation can be realized by interposing an insulating gasket 60 between the terminal 50 and the battery housing 20 as described below. Alternatively, the insulation can be realized by forming an insulating coating layer on a part of the terminal 50. Alternatively, it is possible to apply a method of structurally and firmly fixing the terminal 50 so that the terminal 50 and the battery housing 20 do not come into contact with each other. Alternatively, a plurality of the above-mentioned methods may be applied together.

[0159] Referring to FIG. 4, the terminal 50 includes a body portion 50a inserted into the through hole, an external flange portion 50b extending from a periphery of one side of the body portion 50a exposed to the outer surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 along the outer surface, an internal flange portion 50c extending from a periphery of the other side of the body portion 50a exposed to the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing 20 toward the inner surface, and a flat portion 50d provided on the inside of the internal flange portion 50c.

[0160] The external flange portion 50b is exposed to the outside of the battery housing 20. The external flange portion 50b may be located at approximately the center of the upper surface of the battery housing 20. The maximum width of the external flange portion 50b may be greater than the maximum width of a through-hole formed in the battery housing 20 by the penetration of the terminal 50.

[0161] The body part 50a may be inserted into the inside of the battery housing 20. The body part 50a may penetrate substantially the center of the upper surface of the battery housing 20 to be electrically connected to the first non-coated part 11. More specifically, the body part 50a may penetrate both the battery housing 20 and the insulator 40 to be coupled to the first current collector 30 or the first non-coated part 11. The body part 50a may be riveted onto the inner surface of the battery housing 20 via the inner flange part 50c. That is, the inner flange part 50c having a shape bent toward the inner surface of the battery housing 20 by applying a caulking jig may be provided on the periphery of the lower part of the body part 50a. Thus, the maximum width of the body part 50a may be greater than the maximum width of the through hole of the battery housing 20 formed by the penetration of the body part 50a. Meanwhile, in another embodiment, the body part 50a may not have a shape bent toward the inner surface of the battery housing 20. That is, the body portion 50a may not include the inner flange portion 50c. For example, referring to Fig. 6, the body portion 50a may be substantially cylindrical with a through hole located at the substantially center of the upper surface of the battery housing 20. In one embodiment of the present invention, the body portion 50a may have a circular planar shape, but is not limited thereto. The body portion 50a may alternatively have a polygonal shape, a star shape, a shape with branches extending from the center, and the like.

[0162] 2 to 5a, the insulating gasket 60 is interposed between the battery housing 20 and the terminal 50 to prevent contact between the battery housing 20 and the terminal 50, which have opposite polarities. That is, the insulating gasket 60 cuts off the electrical connection between the battery housing 20 and the terminal 50. As a result, the upper surface of the battery housing 20, which has a substantially flat shape, can function as a second electrode terminal of the battery 1.

[0163] 2 to 5a, the insulating gasket 60 includes a gasket exposing portion 61 and a gasket inserting portion 62. The gasket exposing portion 61 is interposed between the outer flange portion 50b of the terminal 50 and the battery housing 20. The gasket inserting portion 62 is interposed between the body portion 50a of the terminal 50 and the battery housing 20. Preferably, the gasket inserting portion 62 is interposed between the inner flange portion 50c and the battery housing 20. The gasket inserting portion 62 may be deformed together with the body portion 50a during riveting of the body portion 50a, and may be in close contact with the inner surface of the battery housing 20. The gasket exposing portion 61 and the gasket inserting portion 62 of the insulating gasket 60 may have different thicknesses depending on the positions.

[0164] Meanwhile, the insulating gasket 60 may be made of, for example, an insulating resin material. When the insulating gasket 60 is made of a resin material, the insulating gasket 60 may be coupled to the battery housing 20 and the terminal 50 by thermal welding. In this case, the airtightness at the coupling interface between the insulating gasket 60 and the terminal 50 and the coupling interface between the insulating gasket 60 and the battery housing 20 may be enhanced.

[0165] The entire remaining area on the upper surface of the battery housing 20, excluding the area occupied by the terminal 50 and the insulating gasket 60, serves as a second electrode terminal having an opposite polarity to that of the terminal 50. In contrast, in the present invention, when the insulating gasket 60 is omitted and the terminal 50 is partially provided with an insulating coating layer, the entire remaining area on the upper surface of the battery housing 20, excluding the area occupied by the terminal 50 with the insulating coating layer, can function as a second electrode terminal.

[0166] The cylindrical sidewall of the battery housing 20 may be formed in one piece with the second electrode terminal so that there is no discontinuous portion between the sidewall and the second electrode terminal. The connection from the sidewall of the battery housing 20 to the second electrode terminal may be a gentle curve. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the connection portion may include at least one corner having a predetermined angle.

[0167] Since the battery 1 according to the embodiments of Figures 6 and 7 is similar to the battery 1 according to the embodiment of Figure 5a described above, redundant descriptions of configurations that are substantially the same or similar to those of the previously described embodiments will be omitted, and the following description will focus on the differences from the previously described embodiments.

[0168] 6, the body portion 50a may be substantially cylindrical and pass through a through hole located at substantially the center of the upper surface of the battery housing 20. Thus, the gasket insert portion 62 surrounding the body portion 50a may be in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the body portion 50a. The gasket insert portion 62 may also be in close contact with the first current collector 30. With this structure, it may be easy to insert the terminal 50 into the through hole of the battery housing 20.

[0169] 5c and 7, the insulating gasket 60 and the insulator 40 may be made of the same material. Furthermore, the insulating gasket 60 may be connected to the insulator 40 and formed as a single unit. The insulating gasket 60 may be made of, for example, a material having a restoring force. Therefore, when the insulating gasket 60 is inserted into the through-hole of the battery housing 20, the shape of the insulating gasket 60 may be deformed to a state that is easy to fasten, and when fastening is completed, the shape of the insulating gasket 60 may be returned to the state shown in FIG. 5c and FIG. 7. However, this is only one example of a method of fastening the insulating gasket 60 to the through-hole of the battery housing 20, and the fastening method is not limited thereto, and other fastening methods may be adopted. According to this structure, the fixing force and vibration resistance can be further improved by integrally forming the insulating gasket 60 and the insulator 40.

[0170] Referring to FIG. 8, the battery according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a side spacer 70. The side spacer 70 may cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10. The side spacer 70 may contact at least a portion of the battery housing 20. For example, the side spacer 70 may contact the inner circumferential surface of the battery housing 20. Preferably, the side spacer 70 may cover at least a portion of the outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10 along the outer periphery of the electrode assembly 10. That is, the side spacer 70 may be located between the outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the battery housing 20. In this case, the side spacer 70 may have a thickness corresponding to the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the battery housing 20. For example, referring to FIG. 8, the thickness of the side spacer 70 is approximately the same as the distance between the outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the battery housing 20. Meanwhile, the thickness of the side spacer 70 may be substantially the same as the thickness of the second cover portion 42 of the insulator 40 .

[0171] Due to the structural features of the side spacer 70, it is possible to reliably fill the space between the outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the battery housing 20. As a result, even if vibrations and external impacts are applied to the battery 1, the movement of the electrode assembly 10 within the battery housing 20 is minimized, thereby preventing damage to electrical coupling portions.

[0172] Meanwhile, although not shown, the side spacer 70 may be formed such that an end portion thereof contacts the second cover portion 42 of the insulator 40. Furthermore, the side spacer 70 may be formed integrally with the second cover portion 42. That is, the side spacer 70 may be connected to the insulator 40 and formed integrally. With this structure, the space between the outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly 10 and the inner circumferential surface of the battery housing 20 is further reduced, thereby further improving vibration resistance. Meanwhile, the side spacer 70 may include an insulating polymer material.

[0173] 2, 4 and 9, the second current collector 80 is coupled to a lower portion of the electrode assembly 10. The second current collector 80 is made of a conductive metal material and is connected to the second non-coated portion 12.

[0174] 4, the second current collector 80 may include at least one tab connection portion 81 connected to the second non-coated portion 12, and at least one housing connection portion 82 electrically connected to the beading portion 21 on the inner surface of the battery housing 20. The housing connection portion 82 may be pressed and fixed by the crimping portion 22. Preferably, the housing connection portion 82 may be connected to the beading portion 21 by welding. The second current collector 80 is electrically connected to the battery housing 20. The second current collector 80 may be interposed and fixed between the inner surface (lower surface) of the beading portion 21 of the battery housing 20 and the sealing gasket 100, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 8. Alternatively, the second current collector 80 may be welded to the inner surface (lower surface) of the beading portion 21.

[0175] The second current collector 80 may have a leg structure in which the tab coupling portion 81 and the housing coupling portion 82 extend along a radial direction. Preferably, a plurality of leg structures may be provided. The tab coupling portion 81 may be disposed at a lower portion of the electrode assembly 10 and may be located above the beading portion 21.

[0176] The second current collector 80 has a circular current collector hole formed at a position corresponding to a winding center hole formed in the center of the electrode assembly 10. The winding center hole and the current collector hole, which are in communication with each other, can function as a passage for inserting a welding rod for welding the terminal 50 and the first current collector 30 together or for irradiating a laser welding beam.

[0177] Although not shown, the second current collector 80 may have a plurality of projections and recesses formed radially on one surface thereof. When the projections and recesses are formed, the second current collector 80 may be pressed against the second non-coated portion 12 to press the projections and recesses into the second non-coated portion 12.

[0178] 9, the second current collector 80 is coupled to an end of the second non-coated portion 12. The second non-coated portion 12 and the second current collector 80 may be coupled to each other by, for example, laser welding. The laser welding may be performed by partially melting a base material of the second current collector 80, or may be performed by interposing a solder for welding between the second current collector 80 and the second non-coated portion 12. In this case, it is preferable that the solder has a lower melting point than the second current collector 80 and the second non-coated portion 12. Meanwhile, in addition to laser welding, resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, etc. may be used, but the welding method is not limited thereto.

[0179] Although not shown, the second current collector 80 may be bonded to a bonding surface formed by bending an end of the second non-coated portion 12 in a direction parallel to the second current collector 80. The bending direction of the second non-coated portion 12 may be, for example, a direction toward the winding center C of the electrode assembly 10. The second non-coated portion 12 may include a plurality of segment pieces similar to the first non-coated portion 11 to form a bent structure. When the second non-coated portion 12 has such a bent shape, the space occupied by the second non-coated portion 12 is reduced, thereby improving the energy density. In addition, the increase in the bonding area between the second non-coated portion 12 and the second current collector 80 may have the effect of improving the bonding force at the bonding surface and reducing the resistance.

[0180] 2 and 9, the cap 90 may be made of, for example, a metal material to ensure rigidity. The cap 90 covers an opening (or an open end) formed at the lower end of the battery housing 20. That is, the cap 90 forms the lower surface of the battery 1. In the battery 1 of the present invention, the cap 90 does not have polarity even if it is made of a conductive metal material. Not having polarity may mean that the cap 90 is electrically insulated from the battery housing 20 and the terminal 50. Thus, the cap 90 does not function as a positive terminal or a negative terminal. Therefore, the cap 90 does not need to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10 and the battery housing 20, and the material thereof does not necessarily need to be a conductive metal.

[0181] When the battery housing 20 of the present invention includes a beading portion 21, the cap 90 may be attached to the beading portion 21 formed on the battery housing 20. When the battery housing 20 of the present invention includes a crimping portion 22, the cap 90 may be fixed by the crimping portion 22. An airtight gasket 100 may be interposed between the cap 90 and the crimping portion 22 of the battery housing 20 to ensure airtightness of the battery housing 20. Meanwhile, as described above, the battery housing 20 of the present invention may not include the beading portion 21 and / or the crimping portion 22, and in this case, the airtight gasket 100 may be interposed between the cap 90 and a fixing structure provided on the open side of the battery housing 20 to ensure airtightness of the battery housing 20.

[0182] 2 and 9, the cap 90 may further include a vent portion 91 formed to prevent the internal pressure due to gas generated inside the battery housing 20 from increasing beyond a preset value. The vent portion 91 is a region of the cap 90 having a thickness thinner than the surrounding region. The vent portion 91 is structurally weaker than the surrounding region. Thus, when an abnormality occurs in the battery 1 and the internal pressure of the battery housing 20 increases above a certain level, the vent portion 91 breaks to release the gas generated inside the battery housing 20. The vent portion 91 may be formed, for example, by notching an upper surface and / or a lower surface of the cap 90 to partially reduce the thickness of the battery housing 20.

[0183] Referring to FIG. 9, the sealing gasket 100 may be substantially annular and surround the cap 90. The sealing gasket 100 may cover the lower, upper and side surfaces of the cap 90. The radial length of the portion of the sealing gasket 100 covering the upper surface of the cap 90 may be equal to or smaller than the radial length of the portion of the sealing gasket 100 covering the lower surface of the cap 90. If the radial length of the portion of the sealing gasket 100 covering the upper surface of the cap 90 is too long, the sealing gasket 100 may press the second current collector 80 during a sizing process in which the battery housing 20 is compressed vertically, causing damage to the second current collector 80 or damage to the battery housing 20. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the radial length of the portion of the sealing gasket 100 covering the upper surface of the cap 90 at a constant level.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 9, the battery 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention may further include a lower spacer 110. The lower spacer 110 may be interposed between the cap 90 and the second current collector 80. The lower spacer 110 may be configured to prevent the movement of the electrode assembly 10. For example, the lower spacer may have a height corresponding to the distance between the second current collector 80 and the cap 90 as shown in FIG. 9. Thus, the lower spacer 110 reliably fills the space between the cap 90 and the second current collector 80. Thus, even if the battery 1 is subjected to vibration and external impact, the movement of the electrode assembly 10 within the battery housing 20 is minimized, and damage to electrical coupling parts can be prevented. Meanwhile, the lower spacer 110 may include an insulating polymer material.

[0185] Meanwhile, the insulator 40, the insulating gasket 60, the side spacer 70 and the lower spacer 110 of the present invention may include, for example, a material having elasticity. As a result, when vibration and external impact are applied to the battery 1, the insulator 40, the insulating gasket 60, the side spacer 70 and the lower spacer 110 may absorb the impact in the process of compressing and then returning to their original state due to their elasticity. As a result, even if vibration and external impact are applied to the battery 1, damage to the internal components of the battery 1 may be minimized.

[0186] Desirably, the battery according to the present invention may have, for example, a form factor ratio (defined as the value obtained by dividing the diameter of the battery by the height, i.e., the ratio of the diameter Φ to the height H) of greater than about 0.4. Here, the form factor refers to a value indicating the diameter and height of the battery.

[0187] Preferably, the cylindrical battery has a diameter of 40mm to 50mm and a height of 60mm to 130mm. In one embodiment of the present invention, the battery may have, for example, 46110 cells, 4875 cells, 48110 cells, 4880 cells, and 4680 cells. In the numbers indicating the form factor, the first two numbers indicate the diameter of the cell, and the remaining numbers indicate the height of the cell.

[0188] Recently, as batteries are applied to electric vehicles, the form factor of the battery is increasing beyond the conventional 1865, 2170, etc. The increase in form factor brings about an increase in energy density, an increase in safety against thermal runaway, and an improvement in cooling efficiency.

[0189] The energy density of the battery can be further increased when the form factor is increased and the wasted space inside the battery housing is minimized. The battery according to the present invention has an optimal structure that can increase the capacity of the battery while ensuring electrical insulation between the electrode assembly and the battery housing.

[0190] A battery according to one embodiment of the present invention may be a generally cylindrical battery having a diameter of about 46 mm, a height of about 110 mm, and a form factor ratio of about 0.418.

[0191] Another embodiment of the battery may be a generally cylindrical battery having a diameter of about 48 mm, a height of about 75 mm, and a form factor ratio of about 0.640.

[0192] In yet another embodiment, the battery may be a substantially cylindrical battery having a diameter of about 48 mm, a height of about 110 mm, and a form factor ratio of about 0.436.

[0193] In yet another embodiment, the battery may be a generally cylindrical battery having a diameter of approximately 48 mm, a height of approximately 80 mm, and a form factor ratio of approximately 0.600.

[0194] In yet another embodiment, the battery may be a generally cylindrical battery having a diameter of about 46 mm, a height of about 80 mm, and a form factor ratio of about 0.575.

[0195] Conventionally, batteries with a form factor ratio of about 0.4 or less have been used. That is, conventionally, for example, 1865 batteries, 2170 batteries, etc. have been used. In the case of an 1865 battery, its diameter is about 18 mm, its height is about 65 mm, and its form factor ratio is about 0.277. In the case of a 2170 battery, its diameter is about 21 mm, its height is about 70 mm, and its form factor ratio is about 0.300.

[0196] The battery according to the above-described embodiments can be used to manufacture a battery pack.

[0197] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0198] 10, a battery pack 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an assembly to which batteries 1 are electrically connected and a pack housing 2 that accommodates the assembly. The battery 1 is the battery according to the embodiment described above. For convenience, components such as a bus bar for electrically connecting the battery 1, a cooling unit, and external terminals are not shown in the drawings.

[0199] The battery pack 3 may be mounted on a vehicle. The vehicle may be, for example, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle may include a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle.

[0200] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an automobile including the battery pack 3 of FIG.

[0201] 11, an automobile 5 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The automobile 5 operates by receiving power from the battery pack 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0202] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited thereto, and various modifications and variations can be made by those having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0203] 1 Battery 2 Pack Housing 3 Battery pack 5. Automobiles 10 Electrode assembly C Winding center 11 First Uncoated Section 12 No. 2 non-coated section 20 Battery Housing 21 Beading Section 22 Crimping section 30 First current collector 40 Insulator 41 First cover part 42 Second cover part 50 Terminals 50a Main body 50b External flange part 50c Internal flange 50d flat part 60 Insulating gasket 61 Exposed gasket 62 Gasket insert 70 Side spacer 80 Second current collector 81 Tab joint 82 Housing joint 90 Cap 100 Airtight Gasket 110 Lower spacer R Round section

Claims

1. In cylindrical batteries, an electrode assembly in which a first electrode, a second electrode and a separator interposed therebetween are wound around a winding shaft to define a core and an outer circumferential surface, the first electrode including a first active material portion coated with an active material layer along a winding direction and a first non-coated portion not coated with an active material layer, at least a portion of the first non-coated portion being used as an electrode tab; a first current collector connected to at least a portion of the first non-coated portion at an upper portion of the electrode assembly in a height direction of the battery; a cylindrical battery housing that houses the electrode assembly and the first current collector, the battery housing having a closed upper end in a height direction of the battery; an insulator interposed at least in one of between the first uncoated portion and an inner surface of the battery housing facing at least one of the first uncoated portion and the first current collector and the first uncoated portion, and between the first current collector and an inner surface of the battery housing facing at least one of the first uncoated portion and the first current collector, so as to cut off electrical connection between the first uncoated portion and the battery housing; Including, The insulator comprises: a first cover portion that covers either an end portion of the first non-coated portion facing an inner surface of the battery housing or a surface of the first current collector; Including, The insulator comprises: A central hole having a predetermined diameter is provided at the center of the first cover portion, The battery comprises: a terminal connected to the first current collector, the terminal being electrically connected to the first non-coated portion via the first current collector, the terminal being disposed passing through the through hole and the central hole such that at least a portion of the terminal is exposed to the outside through the through hole formed in the upper end portion of the battery housing in the height direction; an insulating gasket interposed between the battery housing and the terminal to cut off electrical connection between the battery housing and the terminal; Further comprising: The center of the first current collector is A battery located collinear with the winding center of the electrode assembly.

2. The insulator comprises: The battery according to claim 1 , further comprising a second cover portion covering an upper end of an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly in the height direction.

3. The second cover portion is The battery according to claim 2 , having a shape extending vertically downward from an outer circumferential edge of the first cover portion in the height direction.

4. The first current collector is The battery according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an upper portion of the electrode assembly in the height direction is coupled to the first uncoated portion and is interposed between the first uncoated portion and the insulator.

5. The first cover portion is The battery according to claim 4 , further comprising a cover for covering a surface of the first current collector that faces an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing in the height direction.

6. The first cover portion is 6. The battery according to claim 4 or 5, having a thickness corresponding to a distance between the first current collector and an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing in the height direction.

7. At least a portion of the first non-coated portion is The battery according to claim 1 , wherein the electrode assembly is divided into a plurality of segments along a winding direction.

8. The plurality of segment pieces are The battery of claim 7 , wherein the electrode assembly is curved along a radial direction.

9. The plurality of segment pieces are The battery according to claim 7 , wherein the electrode assemblies are stacked in multiple layers along a radial direction.

10. The insulator comprises: a first cover portion interposed at least in one of between a curved surface formed by bending a plurality of segments of a first non-coated portion facing an inner surface of the battery housing and the inner surface of the battery housing, and between the first current collector and the inner surface of the battery housing; The battery according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising: a second cover portion that covers an upper end of an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly in the height direction.

11. The first current collector is The battery according to claim 10 , wherein an upper portion of the electrode assembly in the height direction is bonded onto the curved surface and is interposed between the curved surface and the insulator.

12. The first cover portion is The battery of claim 11 , further comprising: a cover for covering a surface of the first current collector that faces an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing in the height direction.

13. The first cover portion is 13. The battery of claim 12, having a thickness corresponding to a distance between the first current collector and an inner surface of a top end of the battery housing in the height direction.

14. The second cover portion is The battery according to claim 2 , wherein the first uncoated portion covers an entire side surface exposed at an outermost portion of the first uncoated portion so that the first uncoated portion is not exposed toward an inner peripheral surface of the battery housing.

15. The extension length of the second cover portion is The battery according to claim 2 , wherein the extension length is greater than or equal to that of the first uncoated portion.

16. The extension length of the second cover portion is The battery according to claim 10 , wherein the length is greater than or equal to the length from the lower end position of the cutting line between the plurality of segment pieces in the height direction to the bending position of the plurality of segment pieces.

17. A lower end portion of the second cover portion in the height direction is The battery according to claim 3 , which is located below a lower end of the first uncoated portion in the height direction.

18. The diameter of the first current collector is The battery of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the central hole of the insulator is smaller than or equal to the diameter of the central hole of the insulator.

19. The diameter of the first current collector is The battery according to claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the electrode assembly is greater than the diameter of the winding center hole of the electrode assembly.

20. The first cover portion is 20. The battery according to claim 18 or 19, having a thickness corresponding to a distance between an end of the first uncoated portion and an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing in the height direction.

21. At least a portion of the first non-coated portion is The battery according to claim 18 , wherein the electrode assembly is divided into a plurality of segments along the winding direction.

22. The plurality of segment pieces are The battery of claim 21 , wherein the electrode assembly is curved along a radial direction.

23. The plurality of segment pieces are The battery of claim 21 , wherein the electrode assemblies are stacked in multiple layers along a radial direction.

24. The first cover portion is 23. The battery of claim 22, wherein a curved surface formed by bending a plurality of segment pieces of the first uncoated portion that faces an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing in the height direction is interposed between the curved surface and the inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing in the height direction.

25. The first cover portion is 25. The battery of claim 24, having a thickness corresponding to a distance between the bent surface and an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing in the height direction.

26. The terminal is A main body portion inserted into the through hole; an external flange portion extending from a periphery of one side of the body portion exposed on an outer surface of an upper end portion of the battery housing in the height direction along the outer surface; an inner flange portion extending from a peripheral edge of the other side of the main body portion exposed on an inner surface of an upper end portion of the battery housing in the height direction toward the inner surface; 2. The battery of claim 1, further comprising a flat portion provided on an inside of the inner flange portion.

27. 27. The battery of claim 26, wherein the flat portion and an inner surface of the upper end of the battery housing in the height direction are parallel to each other.

28. 27. The battery of claim 26, wherein the flat portion and the first current collector are parallel to each other.

29. The terminal body, inner flange and flat portion are 27. The battery of claim 26, inserted into the battery housing through the through hole.

30. The internal flange portion is 27. The battery of claim 26, wherein the battery is fixed by riveting toward an inner surface of an upper end of the battery housing in the height direction.

31. The diameter of the central hole of the insulator is 31. The battery of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the diameter of the outer periphery of the battery is greater than or equal to the diameter of the body portion.

32. The diameter of the central hole of the insulator is 31. The battery of any one of claims 26 to 30, wherein the diameter of said inner flange portion is greater than or equal to the diameter of said inner flange portion.

33. The main body of the terminal is 33. The battery of claim 26, wherein the insulator has a central hole therethrough.

34. The flat portion of the terminal is 34. The battery of claim 26, wherein the insulator extends through the central hole and is electrically coupled to the first current collector.

35. The flat portion of the terminal is 35. The battery of claim 34, wherein the first current collector is joined by welding.

36. The insulating gasket is The battery according to claim 1 , wherein the battery is integrally formed and connected to the insulator.

37. 37. The battery of claim 2, further comprising a side spacer covering at least a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the electrode assembly and in contact with an inner circumferential surface of the battery housing.

38. The side spacer is 38. The battery of claim 37, integrally formed in connection with the insulator.

39. The first cover portion is The battery according to claim 2 , further comprising a rounded portion having a predetermined radius of curvature at an outer circumferential edge of the first cover portion.

40. The round portion is The battery of claim 39 , wherein the first cover portion is formed at an intersection of a top surface of the first cover portion and a side surface of the second cover portion.

41. The radius of curvature of the rounded portion is 41. The battery of claim 39 or 40, wherein the radius of curvature is smaller than or equal to the radius of curvature formed at an intersection of an inner surface of an upper end portion of the battery housing and a side surface of the battery housing in the height direction.

42. The round portion is 42. The battery of claim 41, in close contact with the inner surface of the battery housing.

43. The insulating gasket is a gasket exposure portion interposed between the outer flange portion and the battery housing; a gasket insert interposed between the inner flange portion and the battery housing, 27. The battery of claim 26, wherein the gasket exposed portion and the gasket inserted portion have different thicknesses depending on the location.

44. The battery according to claim 1 , wherein the first cover portion further includes a plurality of holes formed around the central hole, the holes having a diameter smaller than that of the central hole.

45. A plurality of the batteries of any one of claims 1 to 44; and a pack housing that houses a plurality of the batteries.

46. 46. ​​A motor vehicle comprising the battery pack of claim 45.

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