Batteries, battery packs containing them, and automobiles

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery having a structure in which a protective member is applied between an electrode assembly and a beading portion. A battery according to an aspect of the present invention includes an electrode assembly, a battery housing including a beading portion formed with an opening portion on one side and accommodating the electrode assembly through the opening portion, and formed by press-fitting an outer peripheral edge from the side of the opening portion, a top cap covering the opening portion, and a first protective member interposed between the beading portion and the electrode assembly.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same, which have a structure in which a protective member is applied between an electrode assembly and a beading portion.

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0089219 filed on July 19, 2022, and all the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] Batteries with high applicability to product groups and having electrical characteristics such as high energy density are not only applied to portable devices but also widely applied to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by an electric drive source.

[0004] Such batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency improvement because they not only have the primary merit of significantly reducing the use of fossil fuels but also have the merit of generating no by-products associated with energy use.

[0005] Currently widely used battery types include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel cadmium batteries, nickel metal hydride batteries, nickel zinc batteries, etc. The operating voltage of such a single battery cell is about 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, a plurality of batteries are connected in series to form a battery pack. Also, depending on the charge and discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a plurality of batteries may be connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Therefore, the number of batteries included in the battery pack and the form of electrical connection can be variously set according to the required output voltage and / or charge and discharge capacity.

[0006] Recently, development has been moving towards larger cell sizes in order to achieve high energy density in battery packs and reduce costs.

[0007] To improve energy density, the size of the electrode assembly must be maximized to maximize capacity. This requires maximizing internal space by making the battery housing as thin as possible.

[0008] However, making the battery housing too thin can compromise its durability, potentially leading to breakage or tearing at the thinner sections.

[0009] In particular, the beading portion formed by press-fitting the outer edge of the battery housing from the open side of the battery housing to prevent the electrode assembly from detaching may become more fragile because it is a deformed area. Also, due to the stretching of the battery housing caused by press-fitting, the thickness of a portion of the beading portion in the battery housing may become thinner compared to the surrounding area.

[0010] Such beading sections had a problem where they could be damaged or develop pinholes due to flames and / or gases if a thermal event occurred inside the battery.

[0011] Therefore, to solve these problems, it is necessary to protect the beading section from internal flames and / or gases. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0012] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to protect the beading portion, which may be structurally fragile, from internal flames and / or gases, and to prevent deformation and damage to the beading portion.

[0013] In another embodiment, another object of the present invention is to prevent structural collapse by preventing the formation of pinholes in the beading portion in the event of an internal flame.

[0014] In yet another embodiment, yet another object of the present invention is to protect the beading portion without blocking the flame and gas exhaust passages in the center of the electrode assembly in the event of a flame occurring inside.

[0015] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other problems not mentioned should be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below. [Means for solving the problem]

[0016] A battery according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode assembly, a battery housing having an opening on one side that accommodates the electrode assembly through the opening and a beading portion formed by press-fitting the outer edge from the side of the opening, a top cap that covers the opening, and a first protective member interposed between the beading portion and the electrode assembly.

[0017] The first protective member may include a heat-resistant material.

[0018] The outer diameter of the first protective member may be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the battery housing.

[0019] The first protective member may have a central hole.

[0020] The first protective member may have a width corresponding to the depth to which the beading portion is press-fitted.

[0021] The first protective member may extend along the circumferential direction of the battery housing.

[0022] The diameter of the central hole in the first protective member may be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the battery housing in the region where the beading portion is formed.

[0023] A first current collector may be included, which includes a first coupling portion that is electrically coupled to the electrode assembly on the side of the opening portion, and a housing coupling portion that is electrically coupled to the battery housing.

[0024] The first coupling portion may abut against the first protective member on one surface of the electrode assembly.

[0025] The first current collector may be integrally formed with the first protective member.

[0026] The battery pack according to the present invention may include the battery according to the present invention.

[0027] The automobile according to the present invention may include the battery pack according to the present invention.

Advantages of the Invention

[0028] According to one aspect of the present invention, the first protective member can protect the beading portion. The beading portion, which may be structurally vulnerable, can be protected from the flame and / or gas inside the battery, preventing deformation and damage of the beading portion. When a flame occurs inside the battery, the first protective member having heat resistance can prevent pinholes from being formed in the beading portion and prevent structural collapse. Also, by using the substantially donut-shaped first protective member, the beading portion can be protected without blocking the flame and gas discharge passage at the center of the electrode assembly. Ultimately, the stability of the battery can be significantly improved.

[0029] According to another aspect of the present invention, the portion of the beading protected by the second protective member is the part that is pressed in most deeply toward the winding shaft and corresponds to the part that is thinnest due to stretching. Therefore, the second protective member can protect the beading more effectively. If a flame occurs inside the battery, the heat-resistant second protective member can prevent the formation of pinholes on the innermost surface of the beading and prevent structural collapse. The second protective member can also guide the path of gas and / or flame. Gas and / or flame whose direction of movement is temporarily restricted by the first protective member are guided to the top cap via the second protective member. As a result, gas and / or flame can be effectively discharged from the vent portion of the top cap, as described later. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0030] [Figure 1] This figure shows electrodes included in a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows a stack of electrode assemblies included in a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows a cross-section of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows a first protective member included in a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure shows the flow of gas and flame inside a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This figure shows a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows a first protective member included in a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This figure shows a first current collector and a first protective member included in a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10]This figure shows a first current collector, a first protective member, and a second protective member included in a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing a battery pack according to the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a diagram showing an automobile according to the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0031] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and are intended to further interpret the technical idea of ​​the invention together with the detailed description of the invention that follows later; therefore, the present invention is not to be construed as being limited only to what is shown in such drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings refer to the same components. In addition, the thickness, ratios, and dimensions of components in the drawings may be exaggerated in order to effectively illustrate the technical content.

[0032] The terms and words used in this specification and in the claims are not to be interpreted in a manner limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner and concept that corresponds to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that inventors may appropriately define the concepts of terms themselves in order to best describe their invention.

[0033] In this specification, terms such as up, down, left, right, front, and back are used to indicate direction. However, these terms are merely for convenience of explanation, and it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that they may vary depending on the position of the object being examined and the observer's position.

[0034] Therefore, the embodiments described herein and the configurations shown in the drawings represent only one of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entire technical concept of the present invention. It should be understood that there are various equivalent and modified embodiments that can be substituted for these at the time of filing this application.

[0035] Figure 1 shows electrodes 110 and 120 included in a battery 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a laminate 100' of electrode assemblies 100 included in a battery 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 shows a battery 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 shows a cross-section of a battery 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 shows a first protective member 400 included in a battery 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the battery 10 according to the present invention may include an electrode assembly 100, a battery housing 200, a top cap 300, and a first protective member 400.

[0037] The electrode assembly 100 can be formed by winding a laminate 100', which includes a first electrode 110, a second electrode 120, and a separator (separation membrane) 130, around a winding shaft.

[0038] The electrode assembly 100 can form a core and an outer surface by winding a laminate 100', which includes a first electrode 110 including a first plain portion 111 that is not coated with an active material layer along the winding direction, a second electrode 120 including a second plain portion 121 that is not coated with an active material layer along the winding direction, and a separator 130 interposed between them, around a common winding shaft.

[0039] The first electrode 110 may include a first electrode plate and a first electrode active material layer 112 formed by coating a first electrode active material on at least one surface of the first electrode plate. The second electrode 120 may include a second electrode plate and a second active material layer 122 formed by coating a second electrode active material on at least one surface of the second electrode plate. The first electrode 110 may include a first blank portion 111 on the electrode plate where no positive electrode active material or negative electrode active material is coated. The second electrode 120 may include a second blank portion 121 on the electrode plate where no positive electrode active material or negative electrode active material is coated. For example, the first blank portion 111 may be provided at the upper end of the electrode assembly 100, and the second blank portion 121 may be provided at the lower end of the electrode assembly 100. At least a portion of the first blank portion 111 may function as a first electrode tab, and at least a portion of the second blank portion 121 may function as a second electrode tab. On the other hand, in the present invention, the electrode tab is not limited to being at least a portion of the blank portion. That is, the electrode tab may be provided separately and coupled to the blank portion.

[0040] The battery housing 200 may have an opening on one side. The battery housing 200 may house the electrode assembly 100 through the opening. The battery housing 200 may have polarity for the first electrode. The battery housing 200 may be made of a conductive metallic material. The battery housing 200 may also house the electrolyte through the opening.

[0041] The battery housing 200 may include a beading portion 210. The beading portion 210 is formed at the end adjacent to the opening and can be press-fitted inward. The beading portion 210 may be formed by press-fitting the outer periphery of the battery housing 200 to a predetermined depth. The beading portion 210 may be formed on the upper part of the electrode assembly 100. The beading portion 210 can serve to prevent the electrode assembly 100 from moving in the height direction.

[0042] The top cap 300 may be configured to cover the opening. The top cap 300 may be configured to be non-polar. The top cap 300 may be made of a conductive metallic material.

[0043] The first protective member 400 may be interposed between the beading portion 210 and the electrode assembly 100. The outer diameter of the first protective member 400 may be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the battery housing 200. The first protective member 400 may be fitted inside the battery housing 200. The first protective member 400 may be interposed between at least a portion of the area corresponding to the beading portion 210 on one surface of the electrode assembly 100 and the beading portion.

[0044] The first protective member 400 may have a central hole. The diameter of the central hole of the first protective member 400 may be substantially the same as the inner diameter of the battery housing 200 in the region where the beading portion 210 is formed. The first protective member 400 may have a width corresponding to the press-fit depth of the beading portion 210. That is, the diameter of the central hole may be approximately the same as the length obtained by subtracting twice the press-fit length of the beading portion 210 in the battery housing 200 from the outer diameter of the first protective member 400 of the battery 10. The first protective member 400 may be substantially donut-shaped. However, the present invention does not exclude the case where the width of the first protective member 400 is greater than the press-fit depth of the beading portion 210. The first protective member 400 may extend along the circumferential direction of the battery housing 200.

[0045] The first protective member 400 may include a heat-resistant material.

[0046] The beading portion 210 is susceptible to deformation because it is deformed by press-fitting. Furthermore, the press-fitting causes the battery housing 200 to stretch in the area where the beading portion 210 is formed, potentially resulting in the battery housing 200 being thinner than the surrounding area. Such a beading portion 210 has the problem of being damaged or developing pinholes due to flames and / or gases when a thermal event occurs inside the battery 10.

[0047] Figure 6 shows the flow of gas and flame inside a battery 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Referring to Figure 6, the structure of the present invention can be illustrated by the first protective member 400, which can protect the beading portion 210. The beading portion 210, which may be structurally fragile, can be protected from flames and / or gases inside the battery 10, preventing deformation and damage to the beading portion 210. If flames occur inside the battery 10, the heat-resistant first protective member 400 can prevent pinholes from forming in the beading portion 210, thus preventing structural collapse. Furthermore, the beading portion 210 can be protected using the nearly donut-shaped first protective member 400 while not blocking the flame and gas exhaust passages in the center of the electrode assembly 100. Ultimately, the stability of the battery 10 can be greatly improved.

[0049] Figure 7 shows a battery 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 shows a first protective member 400 included in the battery 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] Referring to Figures 7 and 8, the battery 10 according to the present invention may include a second protective member 410.

[0051] The second protective member 410 may be formed along the inner surface of the beading portion 210 closest to the winding shaft. The second protective member 410 may extend in the height direction of the battery 10 to substantially the same height as the height of the beading portion 210. The second protective member 410 may extend along the circumferential direction of the battery housing 200. The second protective member 410 may have a diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the battery housing 200 in the region where the beading portion 210 is formed. The second protective member 410 may be fitted to the most deeply press-fitted portion of the beading portion 210 toward the winding shaft.

[0052] The second protective member 410 may have heat resistance.

[0053] The second protective member 410 can be connected to the first protective member 400. The second protective member 410 can be formed integrally with the first protective member 400. The portion where the second protective member 410 and the first protective member 400 are connected may have a curvature substantially corresponding to the curvature of the beading portion 210.

[0054] With this configuration of the present invention, the portion of the beading portion 210 protected by the second protective member 410 is the portion that is pressed in most deeply toward the winding shaft and corresponds to the portion that is thinnest due to stretching. Therefore, the second protective member 410 can protect the beading portion 210 more effectively. If a flame occurs inside the battery 10, the heat-resistant second protective member 410 can prevent the formation of pinholes on the innermost surface of the beading portion 210 and prevent structural collapse. In addition, the second protective member 410 can guide the path of gas and / or flame. Gas and / or flame whose direction of movement is temporarily restricted by the first protective member 400 are guided to the top cap 300 via the second protective member 410. As a result, gas and / or flame can be effectively discharged from the vent portion 310 of the top cap 300, which will be described later.

[0055] Returning to Figure 4, the battery 10 may include the crimping portion 220 of the battery housing 200 and / or the vent portion 310 of the top cap 300 and / or the terminal 700 and / or the first current collector 500 and / or the second current collector 600 and / or the insulator 800 and / or the first gasket G1 and / or the second gasket G2.

[0056] The battery housing 200 may include a crimping portion 220. The crimping portion 220 may be formed on the upper part of the beading portion 210. The crimping portion 220 may have a shape that extends and bends to wrap around the edge region of the top cap 300. This shape of the crimping portion 220 allows the top cap 300 to be fixed onto the beading portion 210.

[0057] The top cap 300 may have a vented portion 310 that is more fragile than the surrounding area. The vented portion 310 may have a thinner thickness than the surrounding area. The vented portion 310 may be formed by notching on one or both surfaces of the top cap 300 to partially reduce the thickness of the top cap 300.

[0058] Terminal 700 may be located on the opposite side of the opening. Terminal 700 may be exposed to the outside of the battery housing 200 through a closed portion located on the opposite side of the opening. Terminal 700 may have the polarity of a second electrode. Terminal 700 may penetrate approximately the center of the lower surface of the battery housing 200.

[0059] The first current collector 500 may be located between the electrode assembly 100 and the top cap 300. The first current collector 500 may include a first coupling portion 510 that electrically couples with the electrode assembly 100. The first current collector 500 may include a housing coupling portion 520 that electrically couples with the battery housing 200 on the inner surface of the battery housing 200. The first current collector 500 may have the polarity of the first electrode.

[0060] The second current collector 600 may be located between the electrode assembly 100 and the terminal 700. The second current collector 600 may have a second coupling portion that electrically couples with the electrode assembly 100. The second current collector 600 may have a terminal 700 coupling portion that electrically couples with a portion of the terminal 700 that is inserted into the battery housing 200 and has a substantially flat surface. The second current collector 600 may have polarity of the second electrode.

[0061] The insulator 800 may be positioned on the electrode assembly 100 to provide insulation between the battery housing 200 and the electrode assembly 100 on the closed side. The insulator 800 may be interposed between the closed portion of the battery housing 200 and the electrode assembly 100, or between the closed portion of the battery housing 200 and the second current collector 600. The insulator 800 may include, for example, an insulating resin material. The insulator 800 may have a hole approximately in the center so that the terminal 700 can be electrically connected to the second current collector 600.

[0062] The first gasket G1 may be placed between the top cap 300 and the battery housing 200. The first gasket G1 prevents the top cap 300 and the battery housing 200 from coming into contact with each other.

[0063] A second gasket G2 may be placed between the terminal 700 and the battery housing 200. The second gasket G2 prevents the terminal 700 and the battery housing 200 from coming into contact with each other.

[0064] The first gasket G1 and the second gasket G2 may be made from a resin material that has insulating and elastic properties.

[0065] Figure 9 shows a first current collector 500 and a first protective member 400 included in a battery 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Referring to Figure 9, the first protective member 400 may be in contact with the first coupling portion 510 on one surface of the electrode assembly 100. The first protective member 400 and the first current collector 500 can be formed integrally. This is because, according to the structure of the battery 10 described above, the first electrode 110, the first current collector 500, the first protective member 400, and the battery housing 200 have the same polarity, so no abnormality occurs even if they are electrically connected. Therefore, the first current collector 500 and the first protective member 400 can be formed integrally to facilitate the production and assembly process.

[0067] Figure 10 shows a first current collector 500, a first protective member 400, and a second protective member 410 included in a battery 10 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0068] Referring to Figure 10, the second protective member 410 may have a groove in the portion corresponding to the housing joint 520. Since the housing joint 520 extends from the electrode assembly 100 to the upper part of the beading portion 210, it is necessary to facilitate its movement in the height direction. Therefore, by forming a substantially rectangular groove in the portion of the second protective member 410 corresponding to the housing joint 520, the movement of the housing joint 520 in the height direction can be facilitated.

[0069] Figure 11 shows a battery pack 5 according to the present invention.

[0070] Referring to Figure 11, the battery pack 5 according to the present invention may include a battery 10. In addition to the battery 10, the battery pack 5 may further include various other components, such as a battery management system (BMS), busbars, pack case, relays, current sensors, and other components of the battery pack 5 that are known at the time of filing of the present invention.

[0071] Figure 12 shows an automobile 3 according to the present invention.

[0072] Referring to Figure 12, the automobile 3 according to the present invention may include a battery pack 5. The automobile 3 may be a hybrid automobile 3 or an electric automobile 3. In addition to such a battery pack 5, the automobile 3 according to the present invention may further include various other components included in the automobile 3. For example, in addition to the battery pack 5 according to the present invention, the automobile 3 according to the present invention may further include a vehicle body, a motor, an electronic control unit (ECU), and other control devices.

[0073] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many diverse and obvious modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, the scope of the invention should be interpreted as being encompassed by the claims described to include such many modified embodiments. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0074] 3. Automobile 5 Battery Packs 10 batteries 100 electrode assembly 100' laminate 110 First electrode 111 First active material coating layer 112 First plain section 120 Second electrode 121 Second active material coating layer 122 Second plain section 130 Separator 200 Battery Housing 210 Beading section 220 Crimping section 300 Top Cap 310 Vent section 400 First protective member 410 Second protective member 500 First current collector 510 First joint 520 Housing joint 600 Second current collector 700 terminals 800 Insulators G1 First Gasket G2 Second Gasket

Claims

1. Electrode assembly and A battery housing having an opening on one side to accommodate the electrode assembly through the opening, and including a beading portion formed by press-fitting the outer edge from the side of the opening, A top cap covering the aforementioned opening, A first protective member interposed between the beading portion and the electrode assembly, Includes, The first protective member has a central hole, A battery in which the diameter of the central hole in the first protective member is the same as the inner diameter of the battery housing in the region where the beading portion is formed.

2. The first protective member is, The battery according to claim 1, comprising a heat-resistant material.

3. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the outer diameter of the first protective member is the same as the inner diameter of the battery housing.

4. The first protective member is, The battery according to claim 1, having a width corresponding to the press-fitted depth of the beading portion.

5. The first protective member is, The battery according to claim 1, which extends along the circumferential direction of the battery housing.

6. The battery according to claim 1, comprising a first current collector including a first coupling portion that electrically couples with the electrode assembly on the side of the open portion, and a housing coupling portion that electrically couples with the battery housing.

7. The first joint is, The battery according to claim 6, wherein the first protective member is in contact with one surface of the electrode assembly.

8. An electrode assembly, A battery housing having an opening on one side to accommodate the electrode assembly through the opening, and including a beading portion formed by press-fitting the outer edge from the side of the opening, A top cap covering the aforementioned opening, A first protective member interposed between the beading portion and the electrode assembly, A first current collector including a first coupling portion that electrically couples with the electrode assembly on the side of the open portion, and a housing coupling portion that electrically couples with the battery housing, Includes, The first current collector is A battery integrally formed with the first protective member.

9. A battery pack comprising the battery described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. An automobile comprising the battery pack described in claim 9.

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