Batteries, battery packs containing the same, and automobiles

Abstract

A battery according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly, a battery housing configured to receive the electrode assembly through an opening provided on one side, a terminal configured to electrically connect to the electrode assembly through a closing portion provided on an opposite side of the opening of the battery housing, a gasket interposed between the terminal and the battery housing, and a cover member configured to cover the gasket in an area where the gasket and the electrode assembly face each other.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0089126, filed on July 19, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety in the specification and drawings thereof. [Background technology]

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

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

[0005] Currently, widely used types of batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of such unit battery cells is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery pack is constructed by connecting multiple batteries in series. Alternatively, a battery pack can be constructed by connecting multiple batteries in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack. Therefore, the number and electrical connection form of battery cells included in the battery pack can be variously set depending on the required output voltage and / or charge / discharge capacity.

[0006] In recent years, as the demand for high-capacity and / or high-power batteries has increased, active research has been conducted into batteries that can ensure safety when a thermal event occurs in the battery.

[0007] If an abnormality occurs during battery use, the battery's internal pressure may increase, generating high-temperature gases and / or flames inside, which may lead to the spread of a thermal event. If such a thermal event occurs in a high-capacity and / or high-power battery, it can cause significant damage.

[0008] If a thermal event occurring inside a battery damages the battery's internal components, a short circuit may occur due to electrical contact between the components. The components that function as the battery's positive and negative terminals may be kept in an insulated state by electrically insulating components. If such electrically insulating components are damaged in a high-temperature environment, the positive and negative terminals may come into direct electrical contact with each other, which can greatly spread the thermal event.

[0009] Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the safety of the battery by configuring it so that the electrical insulating components are not damaged even if an abnormality occurs during battery use and the internal components of the battery are exposed to a high-temperature environment. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to easily maintain electrical insulation between battery terminals having mutually opposite polarities and a battery housing even in a high-temperature environment.

[0011] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above object, a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly, a battery housing configured to receive the electrode assembly through an opening provided on one side thereof, a terminal configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly through a closing portion provided on the opposite side of the battery housing from the opening, a gasket interposed between the terminal and the battery housing, and a cover member configured to cover the gasket in an area where the gasket and the electrode assembly face each other.

[0013] The gasket may include an exposed area that is exposed outside the terminal inside the battery housing.

[0014] The cover member may cover the exposed region of the gasket so that the exposed region is not exposed in a direction toward the electrode assembly.

[0015] The battery may include an insulator interposed between the electrode assembly and the closure of the battery housing.

[0016] The insulator may have an insulator hole having an inner diameter that is the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the terminal and gasket combination.

[0017] The cover member may be formed integrally with the insulator.

[0018] The cover member may be disposed in a space formed inside the insulator hole along the radial direction of the battery.

[0019] The cover member may be disposed between the insulator and the electrode assembly.

[0020] The cover member may have a cover member hole having a smaller diameter than the insulator hole.

[0021] The battery may include a current collector disposed between the electrode assembly and an inner surface of the closure of the battery housing, and electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and the terminal.

[0022] The cover member may be integrally formed with the current collector.

[0023] The terminal may include a coupling portion configured to couple with the current collector, and the cover member may be configured to extend outside the coupling portion to cover the gasket.

[0024] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the battery.

[0025] A vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention may include the battery pack. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to one aspect of the present invention, electrical insulation between the battery terminals of opposite polarities and the battery housing can be easily maintained even in high temperature environments.

[0027] However, the effects derived from the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0028] 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 concept of the present invention, so the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to the matters described in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the structure of the lower portion of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged view showing only some components of the battery shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a diagram showing the lower structure of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an embodiment different from the battery shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view showing only some components of the battery shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] 1 to 4. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a lower structure of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an embodiment different from the battery shown in FIGS. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing only some components of the battery shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1 to 6. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a lower structure of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an embodiment different from the battery shown in FIGS. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view showing only some components of the battery shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 1 to 8. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a lower structure of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an embodiment different from the battery shown in FIGS. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged view showing only some components of the battery shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] 11 is a diagram showing a lower structure of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating an embodiment different from the battery shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view showing only some components of the battery shown in FIG. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B illustrate exemplary structures of current collectors of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a diagram showing the structure of the upper portion of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 15] 1 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 shows a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Prior to this, the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts corresponding to the technical concept of the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of terms in order to best explain the invention. 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 concept of the present invention, and therefore, various equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therefor may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0031] 1 and 2, a battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode assembly 10, a battery housing 20, a terminal 30, a gasket 40, and a cover member 50. The battery 1 may be a secondary battery. The battery 1 may be a cylindrical battery.

[0032] The electrode assembly 10 may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive and negative electrodes. The electrode assembly 10 may be, for example, a jelly-roll type electrode assembly formed by winding up a laminate including the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the separator.

[0033] The battery housing 20 may be configured to receive the electrode assembly 10 through an opening formed on one side thereof. The battery housing 20 may include a conductive metal. The battery housing 20 may be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10.

[0034] An electrolyte may be accommodated in the battery housing 20 together with the electrode assembly 10. The terminal 30 may be configured to be exposed to the outside of the battery housing 20 through a closed portion provided on the opposite side of the open portion of the battery housing 20. The terminal 30 may be electrically connected to, for example, the first non-coated portion 11 of the electrode assembly 10.

[0035] The terminal 30 may include an exposed portion 31, a connecting portion 32, and a flange portion 33. The exposed portion 31 may be exposed to the outside of the battery housing 20. The exposed portion 31 may be configured to have a diameter (or width) larger than a hole formed in the closed portion of the battery housing 20 for insertion of the terminal 30. The connecting portion 32 may be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10 within the battery housing 20. The connecting portion 32 may be provided at a position corresponding to a winding center hole formed in the core of the electrode assembly 10, for example. The flange portion 33 may be provided on the outside of the connecting portion 32 and configured to extend toward the closed portion of the battery housing 20. The flange portion 33 may be riveted to have a shape bent from the outer periphery of the connecting portion 32 toward the inner surface of the closed portion of the battery housing 20. This shape deformation of the flange portion 33 allows the terminal 30 to be fixed to the inner surface of the closed portion of the battery housing 20.

[0036] The gasket 40 may be interposed between the terminal 30 and the battery housing 20. The gasket 40 may include an electrically insulating material. The terminal 30 and the battery housing 20 may have opposite polarities, in which case the gasket 40 may be configured to prevent a short circuit due to contact between the terminal 30 and the battery housing 20. The gasket 40 may include a material that is electrically insulating and chemically resistant to the electrolyte.

[0037] The gasket 40 may be deformed together with the terminal 30 when riveting the terminal 30 inside the battery housing 20. The gasket 40 may be interposed between the inner surface of the closed portion of the battery housing 20 and the terminal 30 due to such deformation.

[0038] The gasket 40 may include a first portion 41 and a second portion 42. The first portion 41 may be interposed between the exposed portion 31 of the terminal 30 and the outer surface of the closed portion of the battery housing 20. The second portion 42 may be interposed between the flange portion 33 and the inner surface of the closed portion of the battery housing 20. The gasket 40 may include an exposed region exposed to the outside of the terminal 30 inside the battery housing 20. For example, the second portion 42 of the gasket 40 may be at least partially exposed to the outside of the flange portion 33 of the terminal 30.

[0039] The cover member 50 may cover the exposed region of the gasket 40 exposed outside the terminal 30 inside the battery housing 20 so that the exposed region is not exposed in a direction toward the electrode assembly 10. The cover member 50 may be configured to cover the gasket 40 in a region where the gasket 40 and the electrode assembly 10 face each other.

[0040] The cover member 50 may include a material having a higher melting point than the gasket 40. The cover member 50 may include, for example, a flame-retardant material. The cover member 50 may include, for example, glass fiber. The cover member 50 may further include at least one material selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), and a flame-retardant material and / or glass fiber. In this case, the amount of the flame-retardant material and / or glass fiber added may be approximately 30 wt% or less. However, this does not limit the material of the cover member 50. If the cover member 50 is positioned so as not to contact the inner surface of the closing portion of the housing 20, the cover member 50 may include a metal. In this case, the melting point of the cover member 50 can be increased, thereby improving the protective function of the gasket 40 provided by the cover member 50.

[0041] The battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be configured so that the portion of the gasket 40 extending outward from the terminal 30 inside the battery housing 20 is not exposed in the direction toward the electrode assembly 10. Therefore, even if an abnormally high temperature environment occurs inside the battery 1 due to the occurrence of a thermal event, it is possible to prevent melting of the gasket 40, which prevents contact between the terminal 30 and the battery housing 20, which are configured to have opposite polarities.

[0042] 3 and 4, unlike those shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cover member 50 is configured to partially fill the space between the inner surface of the closed portion of the housing 20 and the electrode assembly 10. If the battery 1 includes a current collector 60 (first current collector) described below, the cover member 50 may be interposed between the inner surface of the closed portion of the housing 20 and the current collector 60. Details of the current collector 60 will be described later.

[0043] The cover member 50 not only covers the end of the second portion 42 of the gasket 40 but also may be configured to function as a spacer between the inner surface of the closed portion of the housing 20 and the electrode assembly 10. In this case, the cover member 50 may include an insulating material. In this case, electrical insulation between the housing 20 and the terminal 30 and / or electrical insulation between the first electrode of the electrode assembly 10 and the housing 20 may be ensured.

[0044] 5 and 6, the battery 1 may include an insulator 70. The insulator 70 may be interposed between the electrode assembly 10 and the closure of the housing 20. The insulator 70 may include an electrically insulating material. The insulator 70 may have an insulator hole having an inner diameter that is the same as or smaller than the outer diameter of the combination of the terminal 30 and the gasket 40. The terminal 30 may be exposed toward the electrode assembly 10 through the insulator hole.

[0045] When the battery 1 includes the insulator 70 in this manner, the cover member 50 may be formed integrally with the insulator 70. The cover member 50 may be configured to have a thickness thinner than that of the insulator 70. The cover member 50 may be configured to extend from the inner circumferential surface of the insulator 70 in a direction toward the center along the radial direction of the battery 1, and to cover the exposed area of ​​the gasket 40 (the area exposed to the outside of the terminal 30).

[0046] When the cover member 50 is integrally formed with the insulator 70, it is possible to achieve both insulation between the electrode assembly 10 and the inner surface of the housing 20 and protection of the gasket 40 exposed to the outside of the terminal 30 with a single component.

[0047] Next, referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, the cover member 50 can be provided as a separate part from the insulator 70. As shown in FIG.

[0048] 7 and 8, the cover member 50 may be disposed, for example, in a space formed inside an insulator hole along the radial direction of the battery 1. In this case, the cover member 50 may include an insulating material.

[0049] The cover member 50 may be configured to fill at least a portion of the space remaining after being filled by the insulator 70 between the electrode assembly 10 and the inner surface of the closed portion of the housing 20. The cover member 50 may have a thickness corresponding to the distance between the electrode assembly 10 and the inner surface of the closed portion of the housing 20. The cover member 50 may have a cover member hole having a smaller diameter than the insulator hole. The terminal 30 may be exposed to the electrode assembly 10 side through the cover member hole.

[0050] 9 and 10, the cover member 50 may be disposed between the insulator 70 and the electrode assembly 10. In this case, the cover member 50 may include an insulating material or a metal. If the cover member 50 includes a metal, the melting point of the cover member 50 can be sufficiently increased, thereby more effectively protecting the gasket 40 from a high-temperature environment.

[0051] 11 and 12, the battery 1 may include a current collector (first current collector) 60. The current collector 60 may also be provided in the battery 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 10. The current collector 60 may be disposed between the electrode assembly 10 and the inner surface of the closing portion of the battery housing 20. The current collector 60 may be configured to electrically connect the first electrode of the electrode assembly 10 and the terminal 30.

[0052] The current collector 60 may be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10 and the terminal 30. The current collector 60 may be connected to a first non-coated portion 11 of the electrode assembly 10. The first electrode of the electrode assembly 10 may have a first non-coated portion 11 extending from one end thereof along the winding direction. Thus, the first non-coated portion 11 may be provided on one surface of the electrode assembly 10. The first non-coated portion 11 may extend downward from the electrode assembly 10, for example.

[0053] When the battery 1 includes the current collector 60, the cover member 50 may be formed integrally with the current collector 60. In this case, the gasket 40 can be protected from a high-temperature environment by applying the current collector 60 without applying a separate component for protecting the gasket 40. When the cover member 50 is formed integrally with the current collector 60, the cover member 50 may include a metal, which allows the cover member 50 to have a sufficiently high melting point. Therefore, the gasket 40 can be more effectively protected from a high-temperature environment.

[0054] As described above, the terminal 30 may include the coupling portion 32 configured to couple with the current collector 60. In this case, the cover member 50 may be configured to extend outside the coupling portion 32 to cover the gasket 40 exposed to the outside of the terminal 30.

[0055] 11 and 12 , referring to FIG. 13 , the current collector 60 may include a first connecting portion 61 and a second connecting portion 62. The first connecting portion 61 may be configured to be electrically connected to the terminal 30. The second connecting portion 62 may be configured to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10. The first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 may be spaced apart from each other in the radial direction of the battery 1. The current collector 60 may include a connecting portion 63 configured to electrically connect the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62. The connecting portion 63 may be substantially rim-shaped. The first connecting portion 61 may extend inward from the connecting portion 63. The current collector 60 may include a bridge 64 configured to connect the connecting portion 63 and the first connecting portion 61. The bridge 64 may extend inward from the connecting portion 63. The first connecting portion 61 may be located approximately at the center inside the connecting portion 63. The first coupling portion 61 may be provided at a position corresponding to a winding center hole formed in the core of the electrode assembly 10 .

[0056] As described above, in the battery 1 according to the present embodiment, the first coupling part 61 and the second coupling part 62 are spaced apart from each other in the radial direction of the battery 1, and the gasket 40 exposed to the outside of the terminal 30 may be exposed to the electrode assembly 10 due to a space formed between the first coupling part 61 and the second coupling part 62. Therefore, even when the current collector 60 is provided, there is a risk that the gasket 40 may be damaged by high-temperature gas and / or flames generated from the electrode assembly 10. Therefore, when a cover member 50 formed integrally with the current collector 60 and configured to cover the exposed region of the gasket 40 is provided, the risk of damage to the gasket 40 can be eliminated or significantly reduced.

[0057] When the cover member 50 is formed integrally with the current collector 60 in this manner, the cover member 50 may extend from the first connecting portion 61 in a direction toward the outside of the battery 1, or may extend from the second connecting portion 62 in a direction toward the inside of the battery 1.

[0058] On the other hand, the battery 1 shown in Figures 1 to 10 can also be provided with a current collector 60, and in this case, a cover member 50 can be provided at a position corresponding to the space between the first connecting portion 61 and the second connecting portion 62 of the current collector 60.

[0059] 14, the battery 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a cap 80. The cap 80 may be configured to cover an opening formed on one side of the battery housing 20. The cap 80 may include metal.

[0060] The cap 80 may include a vent portion. The vent portion may be a region of the cap 80 that is weaker than other surrounding regions. The vent portion may be, for example, a region having a smaller thickness than the remaining region. The vent portion may be, for example, a region in which one or both sides of the cap 80 are notched. The vent portion may have a shape that extends in a closed loop surrounding the center of the cap 80. The vent portion may be formed continuously or discontinuously.

[0061] As described above, when the battery 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with a vent, the internal pressure of the battery 1 can be prevented from increasing above a certain level even if an abnormality occurs in the battery 1. However, even when such a vent is formed, internal gas and / or flames cannot escape to the closed side of the battery housing 20, which may expose the gasket 40 to a high-temperature environment. Therefore, it is necessary to apply the cover member 50 described above to the closed side of the battery housing 20.

[0062] The battery 1 may include a current collector (second current collector) 90. The current collector 90 may be configured to electrically connect the second electrode of the electrode assembly 10 to the battery housing 20. The current collector 90 may be disposed on one surface of the electrode assembly 10. The current collector 90 may be electrically connected to a second non-coated portion 12 of the electrode assembly 10. The second electrode of the electrode assembly 10 may have a second non-coated portion 12 extending from one end thereof along the winding direction. Thus, the second non-coated portion 12 may be provided on one surface of the electrode assembly 10. The second non-coated portion 12 may extend, for example, upward from the electrode assembly 10.

[0063] The battery 1 may include a sealing member G interposed between the cap 80 and the inner surface of the battery housing 20. If the sealing member G is included, a current collector 90 may be interposed between the sealing member G and the inner surface of the battery housing 20.

[0064] 15 , a battery pack 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention may include at least one battery 1 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention. The battery 1 may be housed in a pack housing 2. The battery pack 3 may include components for electrical connection of the battery 1 and / or a BMS (Battery management system) configured to control charging and discharging of the battery 1.

[0065] 16, a vehicle 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes at least one battery pack 3. The vehicle 5 may be configured to operate by receiving power from the battery pack 3. The vehicle 5 may be, for example, a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) or an electric vehicle (EV).

[0066] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is understood that various modifications and variations can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1 battery 2-pack housing 3 Battery Pack 5. Automobiles 10 Electrode assembly 11 First non-coating section 12 Second non-coating section 20 Battery Housing 30 terminals 31 Exposed part 32 Joint 33 Flange 40 gasket 41 Part 1 42 Part 2 50 Cover member 60 Current collector (first current collector) 61 1st joint 62 2nd joint 63 Connection 64 Bridge 70 Insulator 80 Cap 90 Current collector (second current collector) G Sealing member

Claims

1. an electrode assembly; a battery housing that receives the electrode assembly through an opening provided on one side; a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly through a closed portion provided on the opposite side of the open portion of the battery housing; a gasket interposed between the terminal and the battery housing; a cover member that covers the gasket in a region where the gasket faces the electrode assembly; a current collector electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and the terminal; The cover member has a higher melting point than the gasket.

2. 2. The battery of claim 1, wherein the gasket includes an exposed area that is exposed outside the terminal inside the battery housing.

3. The battery according to claim 2 , wherein the cover member covers the exposed area of ​​the gasket so that the exposed area is not exposed in a direction toward the electrode assembly.

4. 4. The battery according to claim 1, further comprising an insulator interposed between the electrode assembly and the closure of the battery housing.

5. The insulator is 5. The battery according to claim 4, further comprising an insulator hole having an inner diameter equal to or smaller than an outer diameter of the combination of the terminal and the gasket.

6. 5. The battery according to claim 4, wherein the cover member is integrally formed with the insulator.

7. 6. The battery according to claim 5, wherein the cover member is disposed in a space formed inside the insulator hole along the radial direction of the battery.

8. 5. The battery according to claim 4, wherein the cover member is disposed between the insulator and the electrode assembly.

9. 6. The battery of claim 5, wherein the cover member has a cover member hole having a diameter smaller than that of the insulator hole.

10. A battery as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the current collector is arranged between the electrode assembly and the inner surface of the closing portion of the battery housing.

11. 11. The battery of claim 10, wherein the cover member is integrally formed with the current collector.

12. the terminal has a coupling portion that couples with the current collector, 12. The battery according to claim 11, wherein the cover member extends outside the joint to cover the gasket.

13. A battery pack comprising the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

14. A motor vehicle comprising the battery pack of claim 13.

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