Battery cells, battery packs containing them, and automobiles containing those battery packs.

Abstract

A battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly including a cell body and electrode tabs extending from the cell body; a cell case including a receiving portion that receives the electrode assembly and a peripheral portion extending outward from the receiving portion; a first conductive frame located on a first surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected to the electrode tabs through the peripheral portion; and a second conductive frame located on a second surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected to the electrode tabs through the peripheral portion.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] This application claims priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0154013 filed on November 16, 2022, and all of the contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the application are incorporated into this application.

Background Art

[0003] For example, when manufacturing a battery pack using secondary battery cells to apply a secondary battery to a device that requires high capacity / high output, such as an automobile, it is normal to sequentially go through the stages of battery cell - battery module - battery pack.

[0004] However, when manufacturing a battery pack through such stages, not only does the complexity of the process due to going through the manufacturing stage of the battery module occur in the middle, but unnecessary space loss may occur due to the space occupied by the module housing applied for the manufacturing of the battery module.

[0005] Also, according to such a process, the application of electrical connection components necessary for modularizing a plurality of battery cells for increasing the capacity / output of the battery pack and the additional application of electrical connection components for the electrical connection of a plurality of battery modules may be required. This can cause space loss, of course, and can also cause a decrease in yield due to an increase in manufacturing cost and a decrease in production speed due to the application of many components.

[0006] There are various types of secondary battery cells, including pouch-type battery cells, cylindrical battery cells, and prismatic battery cells. Of these, pouch-type battery cells have relatively soft characteristics compared to other types of battery cells, depending on the case material used. Therefore, when applying a battery pack using pouch-type battery cells, a method may be used in which, for example, a battery module is manufactured by applying another cover member to support one or more battery cells, and then multiple such battery modules are connected to manufacture the battery pack. As mentioned above, this can cause space loss.

[0007] Furthermore, pouch-type battery cells typically lack any components that can function as external terminals other than electrode leads in the form of thin metal plates. Therefore, in order to manufacture high-capacity / high-output battery packs using such pouch-type battery cells, it was necessary to apply other components that could function as external terminals. As mentioned above, this can lead to a decrease in yield due to the application of additional components.

[0008] Therefore, when manufacturing battery packs using various types of battery cells, including pouch-type battery cells, there is a need to develop battery cells with a structure that minimizes the application of additional components or a structure that does not require the application of additional components. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0009] This invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a battery cell having a structure that minimizes the application of additional components or a structure that does not require the application of additional components when manufacturing a battery pack using the battery cell.

[0010] Another objective of the present invention is to eliminate or minimize the possibility of reduced sealing force of the cell case due to the application of components that function as terminals for battery cells.

[0011] Furthermore, another objective of the present invention is to prevent a decrease in sealing force at the joint portion by preventing the component, which functions as a terminal for a battery cell, from being pulled out from the joint portion of the pouch case.

[0012] Furthermore, another objective of the present invention is to strengthen the bonding force of the sealing region formed on the side where the terminals of the battery cell are located within the sealing region of the pouch case.

[0013] However, the technical problems that this invention aims to solve are not limited to those 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]

[0014] A battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above objectives includes: an electrode assembly including a cell body and electrode tabs extending from the cell body; a cell case including a housing portion for housing the electrode assembly and a peripheral portion extending outward from the housing portion; a first conductive frame located on the first surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected to the electrode tabs through the peripheral portion; and a second conductive frame located on the second surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected to the electrode tabs through the peripheral portion.

[0015] The first conductive frame includes a first terminal portion extending in a direction away from the first surface, and the second conductive frame may include a second terminal portion extending in a direction away from the second surface at a position corresponding to the first terminal portion.

[0016] The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame may be configured such that, when a pair of the battery cells are stacked on top of each other, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, which are provided on different battery cells and extend in directions opposite to each other, at least partially overlap and face each other.

[0017] The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame may be configured such that, when a pair of the battery cells are stacked on top of each other, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, which are provided on different battery cells and extend in directions opposite to each other, at least partially overlap and contact each other.

[0018] The distance from the outer surface of the terminal portion of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion that is closer to the cell body to the cell body, and the distance from the inner surface of the terminal portion of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion that is further away from the cell body to the cell body, may be substantially the same.

[0019] Multiple instances of the first terminal section and the second terminal section may be provided.

[0020] The aforementioned battery cell may have a rotationally symmetrical shape in which its external shape is substantially the same when rotated 180° with respect to a central axis passing through its center.

[0021] The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion may each be provided with a fastening hole configured to allow fastening members to be connected.

[0022] The battery cell may further include electrode leads that are electrically coupled to the electrode tabs and located inside the cell case. In this case, the first conductive frame may be electrically coupled to the first surface of the electrode leads via its periphery, and the second conductive frame may be electrically coupled to the second surface of the electrode leads via its periphery.

[0023] The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame may be configured to apply pressure to both sides of the peripheral portion.

[0024] The battery cell may further include a first insulating frame configured to partially cover the first conductive frame, and a second insulating frame configured to partially cover the second conductive frame.

[0025] The first insulating frame and the second insulating frame may be configured to press both surfaces of the peripheral portion.

[0026] A battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a cell stack including a plurality of battery cells according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, and a pack housing that houses the cell stack.

[0027] In such a battery pack, a plurality of the battery cells are electrically connected to each other. In a first battery cell and a second battery cell adjacent to each other among the plurality of battery cells, the first conductive frame provided in the first battery cell and the second conductive frame provided in the second battery cell may be electrically coupled by a fastening member.

[0028] An automobile according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above.

Advantages of the Invention

[0029] According to one aspect of the present invention, in manufacturing a battery pack using a battery cell, it is possible to provide a battery cell having a structure in which the application of additional parts can be minimized or a structure in which the application of additional parts is unnecessary.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present invention, it is possible to eliminate or minimize the possibility of a decrease in the sealing force of the cell case due to the application of a component that functions as a terminal of the battery cell.

[0031] According to still another aspect of the present invention, in applying a component that functions as a terminal of the battery cell, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the sealing force at the joining portion by preventing the component from being pulled out from the joining portion of the pouch case.

[0032] In another aspect of the present invention, one objective is to strengthen the bonding force of the sealing region formed on the side where the terminals of the battery cell are located within the sealing region of the pouch case.

[0033] The advantageous effects derived by the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other effects of the present invention not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description of the invention.

[0034] The following drawings accompanying this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to further illustrate the technical idea of ​​the invention. Therefore, the invention should not be construed as being limited solely to what is shown in the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing a part of the external appearance of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing one side of the battery cell shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a plan view showing the other side of the battery cell shown in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows the coupling structure between the conductive frame of the battery cell located at the top and the conductive frame of the battery cell located at the bottom when a pair of battery cells according to one embodiment of the present invention are coupled together. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates the rotationally symmetrical shape of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing the internal structure of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure shows a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, with the insulating frame located at the top removed. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view along the line A-A' in Figure 1. [Figure 10] This is a diagram illustrating the region to which sealing is applied in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This figure illustrates the pressurization of the peripheral edge by a conductive frame positioned at the top and a conductive frame positioned at the bottom in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This figure shows a cross-section obtained by cutting along the line B-B' in Figure 1. [Figure 13] This figure illustrates the coupling structure between the electrode lead and the tab cover member of the present invention. [Figure 14] This figure illustrates the coupling structure between the electrode lead and the tab cover member of the present invention. [Figure 15] This figure shows a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This figure shows a terminal fastening structure for forming a cell laminate according to the present invention. [Figure 17] This figure shows an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and in the claims should not be interpreted in a manner limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but rather in a manner appropriate to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, in accordance with the principle that the inventor himself can appropriately define the concept of a term in order to best describe the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that the embodiments and configurations shown in the drawings described herein are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent the entirety of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and that there may be a variety of equivalents and modifications that can be substituted therein at the time of this application.

[0037] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a part of the external appearance of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the battery cell shown in Figure 1.

[0038] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a battery cell 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode assembly 100, a cell case 200, a first conductive frame 300, and a second conductive frame 400.

[0039] The electrode assembly 100 may include a cell body 110 and electrode tabs 120 extending from the cell body 110. The cell case 200 may include a housing portion 210 configured to house the electrode assembly 100 and a peripheral portion 220 extending outward from the housing portion 210. The first conductive frame 300 may be located on the first surface of the peripheral portion 220 of the cell case 200. The first conductive frame 300 may be electrically connected to the electrode tabs 120 of the electrode assembly 100 through the peripheral portion 220 of the cell case 200. The second conductive frame 400 may be located on the second surface of the peripheral portion 220 of the cell case 200 (the surface opposite to the first surface of the peripheral portion 220). The second conductive frame 400 may be electrically connected to the electrode tabs 120 of the electrode assembly 100 through the peripheral portion 220 of the cell case 200.

[0040] According to the above-described configuration of the battery cell 10 of the present invention, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 located on the peripheral edge 220 of the cell case 200 can be used as external terminals for electrically connecting them. This allows for the fastening of the second conductive frame 400 provided on the upper battery cell 10 to the first conductive frame 400 provided on the lower battery cell 10 when stacking multiple battery cells 10 to form a cell stack, thereby easily achieving electrical connection.

[0041] Furthermore, if components that can be used as external terminals are provided on the peripheral portion 220 of the cell case 200 in this manner, it is not necessary to expose electrode leads or other components for electrical connection to the outside of the cell case 200 from the sealing portion (joint portion) of the cell case 200. If components for electrical connection are drawn out from inside the cell case 200 through the sealing portion, the thickness and / or width of the components for electrical connection may be greatly restricted in order to prevent a decrease in sealing force in the drawing-out area. When the thickness and / or width of the components for electrical connection are restricted in this way, it may be difficult to control the resistance of the battery cell 10 to a certain level or lower. From this perspective, the battery cell 10 of the present invention, which is configured so that it is not necessary to draw out electrical connection components from the sealing region of the cell case 200, can secure sufficient thickness for the conductive frames 300, 400 that can function as external terminals, thereby significantly reducing the resistance of the cell itself.

[0042] On the other hand, the electrode assembly 100 may include a first electrode and a second electrode, and a separation membrane interposed between them. The electrode assembly 100 may be a stacked electrode assembly in which the first electrode, the separation membrane, and the second electrode are stacked at least once, or a jelly roll type electrode assembly wound up from the stack. The first electrode may be a positive or negative electrode, and the second electrode may be an electrode with opposite polarity to the first electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode may each include a coated portion, which is a region coated with an electrode active material, and an uncoated portion, which is a region not coated with an electrode active material. The electrode tab 120 of the present invention may be an uncoated portion or another lead tab connected to an uncoated portion. If the electrode assembly 100 includes a plurality of first electrodes and second electrodes, the electrode tab 120 may be an uncoated portion assembly formed by the combination of a plurality of uncoated portions, or another lead tab connected to an uncoated portion assembly. The electrode tab 120 may be provided on one side and the other side of the electrode assembly 100, respectively. In this case, the electrode tab provided on one side of the electrode assembly 100 may have a first polarity, and the electrode tab provided on the other side may have a second polarity. The cell body 110 may refer to the remaining part of the electrode assembly 100 excluding the electrode tab 120.

[0043] The cell case 200 may be, for example, a pouch case including a multilayer pouch film. That is, the battery cell 10 may be a pouch-type battery cell. The pouch film may include, for example, a metal layer and a pair of resin layers configured to cover both sides of the metal layer. The cell case 200 may include a first case 200A and a second case 200B. The first case 200A and the second case 200B may be configured to cover both sides of the electrode assembly 100, respectively. At least one of the first case 200A and the second case 200B may be provided with a groove for forming a housing portion 210. The first case 200A and the second case 200B may be joined together in contact to form a peripheral portion 220 of the cell case 200. The peripheral portion 220 may be formed by sealing the area where the first case 200A and the second case 200B are in contact, for example by heat welding.

[0044] Next, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

[0045] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the first conductive frame 300 may include a conductive metal so as to function as a passage for electrical connections. The first conductive frame 300 may include a first terminal portion 310. The first terminal portion 310 may extend away from the first surface of the peripheral portion 220 of the cell case 200. Similarly, the second conductive frame 400 may include a conductive metal so as to function as a passage for electrical connections. The second conductive frame 400 may include a second terminal portion 410. The second terminal portion 410 may extend away from the second surface of the peripheral portion 220 of the cell case 200. The second terminal portion 410 may be located at a position corresponding to the first terminal portion 310, which is located on the opposite side of the peripheral portion 220. In this way, when the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 are provided in corresponding positions, it becomes easier to electrically connect adjacent battery cells 10 when stacking multiple battery cells 10 of the present invention.

[0046] The first terminal portion 310 may extend, for example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the peripheral portion 220. Similarly, the second terminal portion 410 may extend, for example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second surface of the peripheral portion 220. With such a configuration, when the cell stack is formed, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 of each adjacent battery cell 10 are arranged side by side, thereby facilitating fastening between the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410. The first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 may be provided with fastening holes for fastening member F3 (see Figure 16). In this case, the fastening member F3 fastens the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410, thereby enabling electrical connection and fixing of adjacent battery cells 10 to each other.

[0047] The drawings of the present invention show only the case in which one pair each of the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 is provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, the first conductive frame 300 may have only one first terminal portion 310, or it may have three or more first terminal portions 310. Similarly, the second conductive frame 400 may have only one second terminal portion 410, or it may have three or more second terminal portions 410. When the first conductive frame 300 has a plurality of first terminal portions 310 and the second conductive frame 400 has a plurality of second terminal portions 410, multiple electrical connection and mechanical fastening points can be provided when connecting a plurality of battery cells 10. This makes it possible to reduce electrical resistance and increase fastening force.

[0048] The same number of first terminal portions 310 and second terminal portions 410 may be provided. In this case, when multiple identical battery cells 10 are stacked on top of each other, the first terminal portions 310 and second terminal portions 410 provided on adjacent battery cells 10 and extending in opposite directions can be connected one-to-one. In this case, when stacking multiple battery cells 10, the electrical connection and / or fixing of the battery cells 10 to each other becomes easier.

[0049] On the other hand, the structure in which a first conductive frame 300 and a second conductive frame 400 are provided on both sides of the peripheral edge 220 can be formed not only on one side of the battery cell 10 in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis), but also on the other side. In this case, the conductive frames 300 and 400 provided on one side of the battery cell 10 in the longitudinal direction (direction parallel to the X-axis) and the conductive frames 300 and 400 provided on the other side may have opposite polarities.

[0050] Next, with reference to Figures 3 to 5, an exemplary positional relationship of the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 of the present invention will be described.

[0051] Figures 3 and 4 are plan views showing one and the other side of the battery cell shown in Figure 1, respectively. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the coupling structure between the conductive frame of the upper battery cell and the conductive frame of the lower battery cell when a pair of battery cells are coupled according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring to Figures 3 to 5, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 can be configured such that, when a pair of battery cells 1 of the present invention are stacked on top of each other, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410, each provided on different battery cells 10 and extending in opposing directions, are at least partially overlapped and face each other. For example, the distance D1 from the first terminal portion 310 to the cell body 110 and the distance D2 from the second terminal portion 410, which is located on the opposite side of the first terminal portion 310 with the peripheral portion 220 in between and provided in a corresponding position, to the cell body 110 may be different. On the other hand, if the two distances D1 and D2 are formed to be substantially the same, when a pair of battery cells 10 are stacked on top of each other, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410, extending in opposing directions, may interfere with each other, making it difficult to arrange them to overlap and face each other. On the other hand, this structure is applicable to both cases where one first terminal portion 310 and one second terminal portion 410 are provided, and cases where multiple first terminal portions 310 and 410 are provided.

[0053] In other respects, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 may be configured such that when a pair of battery cells 10 of the present invention are stacked on top of each other, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410, each provided on different battery cells 10 and extending in opposing directions, are at least partially overlapped and in contact with each other (see Figure 5). Such a structure is applicable to both cases where there is one first terminal portion 310 and one second terminal portion 410, and cases where there are multiple first terminal portions 310 and 410. With such a structure, electrical connection between adjacent battery cells 10 becomes possible simply by stacking the battery cells 10 to form a cell stack.

[0054] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5, a structure in which electrical connections between battery cells 10 are naturally made when the battery cells 10 are stacked can be realized, for example, by arranging the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 are located on opposite sides of each other with the peripheral portion 220 in between, and are provided in corresponding positions. The distance D3 from the outer surface of the terminal portion located closer to the cell body 110 (for example, the second terminal portion located on the right side in Figure 4) to the cell body 110 and the distance D1 from the inner surface of the terminal portion located further away from the cell body 110 (for example, the first terminal portion located on the left side in Figure 3) to the cell body 110 can be formed to be substantially the same. Here, the inner surface of the terminal portion means the surface of the terminal portion facing the cell body 110, and the outer surface of the terminal portion means the surface of the terminal portion opposite to the surface facing the cell body 110. Furthermore, the fact that the distances from each of the two terminals to the cell body 110 are substantially the same does not mean that they are completely identical; they can be considered substantially identical if they fall within the general tolerance range of the design. This is because if the two distances D1 and D2 differ within a very small range, adjacent battery cells 10 can be stacked on top of each other without much force, and the pair of terminals extending in opposite directions can be brought into contact.

[0055] Next, the symmetrical structure of the battery cell 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the rotationally symmetrical shape of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0056] Referring to Figure 6, the battery cell 10 of the present invention may have a rotationally symmetric shape in which the shape is substantially the same when rotated 180° with respect to a central axis passing through its center. For example, the battery cell 10 may have substantially the same external shape when rotated 180° with respect to a rotation axis 1 passing through its center and extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the battery cell 10, and / or a rotation axis 2 extending parallel to the width direction of the battery cell 10, and / or a rotation axis 3 extending parallel to the thickness direction of the battery cell 10. Here, substantially the same external shape during rotation means that the arrangement positions of the first terminal portion 310 of the first conductive frame 300 and the second terminal portion 410 of the second conductive frame 400 are substantially the same externally before and after rotation of the battery cell 10.

[0057] Referring to Figure 6 in conjunction with Figures 1 and 2, if the battery cell 10 of the present invention has a rotationally symmetric structure as described above, the orientation of the battery cell 10 does not need to be considered when forming the cell stack, thus improving processability. For example, if the battery cell 10 of the present invention has substantially the same symmetrical shape when rotated 180° with respect to the rotation axis 1, there is no need to distinguish between the first surface of the battery cell 10 and the second surface on the opposite side. Also, if the battery cell 10 of the present invention has substantially the same symmetrical shape when rotated 180° with respect to the rotation axis 2 or rotation axis 3, when a pair of battery cells 10 are stacked so as to overlap, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 provided on each of the different battery cells 10 can naturally align to corresponding positions regardless of their polarity.

[0058] On the other hand, the battery cell 10 of the present invention has a symmetrical structure as described above, and as described above with reference to Figures 3 to 5, the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 provided on adjacent battery cells 10 can be configured to at least partially overlap and face each other, or at least partially overlap and contact each other. With such a structure, even if the battery cells 10 are stacked without considering directionality, the terminal portions can naturally face each other or come into contact with each other, thereby greatly improving processability during the manufacturing of the cell stack.

[0059] Next, the electrode lead 700 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 7 along with Figure 2. Figure 7 is a plan view showing the internal structure of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Referring to Figures 2 and 7, the battery cell 10 of the present invention may include electrode leads 700. The electrode leads 700 may be electrically coupled to the electrode tabs 120 of the electrode assembly 100. The electrode leads 700 may be coupled to the electrode tabs 120 by welding, for example. The electrode leads 700 may be located inside the cell case 200. The electrode leads 700 may be positioned so as not to be exposed outside the cell case 200.

[0061] This arrangement of the electrode leads 700 eliminates the risk of reduced sealing force of the cell case 200 due to the electrode leads 700 being drawn out of the cell case 200. That is, if at least a portion of the electrode leads 700 is drawn out of the cell case 200, the sealing force at the portion of the electrode leads 700 that is drawn out may decrease. In particular, if the cross-sectional area of ​​the electrode leads 700 is increased to reduce electrical resistance in the current path, the sealing force at the portion of the electrode leads 700 that is drawn out may decrease further due to the increase in thickness and / or width. In contrast, if the electrode leads 700 are not drawn out of the cell case 200, there is no risk of reduced sealing force of the cell case 200, making it easier to reduce the electrical resistance of the battery cell 10 by increasing the cross-sectional area by increasing the thickness and / or width of the electrode leads 700.

[0062] On the other hand, the cell case 200 may include a lead housing portion 230 configured to have a shape substantially corresponding to the electrode lead 700. The lead housing portion 230 may be, for example, a groove formed in the first case 200A (see Figure 2) and / or the second case 200B (see Figure 2). When the lead housing portion 230 for housing the electrode lead 700 is formed in advance before joining the first case 200A and the second case 200B, the generation of stress due to the thickness of the electrode lead 700 at the peripheral portion 220 can be prevented when the first case 200A and the second case 200B are joined, thereby preventing a decrease in sealing force.

[0063] The electrode lead 700 may have a form that extends long along the width direction (parallel to the Y-axis) of the battery cell 10. With such a structure, a sufficient bonding area between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700 can be secured. This improves the bonding force between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700 and reduces the contact resistance at the bonding site between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700.

[0064] On the other hand, if the electrode lead 700 is provided, the first conductive frame 300 can be electrically coupled to the first surface of the electrode lead 700 through its peripheral portion 220. For example, the first conductive frame 300 includes a first lead connection portion 320, and the first lead connection portion 320 can be electrically coupled to the electrode lead 700. If the electrode lead 700 is provided, the second conductive frame 400 can be electrically coupled to the second surface of the electrode lead 700 through its peripheral portion 220. For example, the second conductive frame 400 includes a second lead connection portion 420, and the second lead connection portion 420 can be electrically coupled to the electrode lead 700.

[0065] Next, the coupling structure between the conductive frames 300 and 400 and the electrode lead 700 of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to Figures 8, 9, and 11, and further, the pressurization of the peripheral portion 220 by the pair of conductive frames 300 and 400 will be described.

[0066] Figure 8 shows a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention with the insulating frame located at the top removed, and Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the area to which sealing is applied in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. Furthermore, Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating the pressurization of the peripheral area by the conductive frame located at the top and the conductive frame located at the bottom in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0067] Referring to Figures 8, 9, and 11, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 may be configured to pressurize both sides of the peripheral edge 220 of the cell case 200. For example, the first terminal connector 320 and the second terminal connector 420, positioned at corresponding locations with the peripheral edge 220 and the electrode lead 700 in between, may be fixed by a fastening member F1. In this case, the fastening member F1 may sequentially penetrate the first terminal connector 320, the electrode lead 700, and the second terminal connector 420. The penetration order may be reversed. Further fastening members F2 may be attached to the ends of the fastening member F1 that have sequentially penetrated the components and are exposed to the outside of the penetrated components. The fastening members F1 and F2 may be, for example, bolts and nuts.

[0068] The first terminal connection portion 320 and the second terminal connection portion 420 can each penetrate one and the other side of the cell case 200 and come into contact with the electrode lead 700. In this case, the first terminal connection portion 320 and the second terminal connection portion 420 can be fixed to both sides of the electrode lead 700 by fastening with the fastening members F1 and F2.

[0069] Next, with reference to Figures 9 and 10, a structure for strengthening the sealing force in the bonding region between the conductive frames 300, 400 and the electrode leads 700 and / or the region in which the electrode leads 700 are located will be described. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating the region to which sealing is applied in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0070] Referring to Figures 9 and 10, a sealing member R may be applied around the region where the first terminal connection portion 320 and the second terminal connection portion 420 connect to the electrode lead 700. The sealing member R prevents a decrease in sealing force in that area due to the first terminal connection portion 320 and the second terminal connection portion 420 penetrating one and the other sides of the cell case 200, respectively, for connection to the electrode lead 700. The sealing member R is configured to surround the first terminal connection portion 320 and may be interposed between the first case 200A (see Figure 2) and the electrode lead 700. The sealing member R is configured to surround the second terminal connection portion 420 and may be interposed between the second case 200B (see Figure 2) and the electrode lead 700.

[0071] On the other hand, a sealing region S may be formed outside the area in which the electrode lead 700 is housed in the peripheral portion 220. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the sealing region S may be the entire area in which the first case 200A and the second case 200B are in contact. Increasing the area occupied by the sealing region S in the peripheral portion 220 in this way can improve the sealing performance of the cell case 200.

[0072] Next, the insulating frames 500 and 600 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 9.

[0073] Referring to Figures 2 to 4 and Figure 9, the battery cell 10 of the present invention may include a first insulating frame 500 and a second insulating frame 600. The first insulating frame 500 may be configured to partially cover the first conductive frame 300. The second insulating frame 600 may be configured to partially cover the second conductive frame 400. With such a configuration, the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 of the present invention can eliminate the risk of unnecessary electrical contact by insulating the remaining portion of the battery cells 10, 410 except for a portion of the terminal portions 310 and 410 used for connecting the battery cells 10 to each other or to connect the battery cells 10 to an external device.

[0074] The first insulating frame 500 may include a first terminal cover 510 configured to cover one side of the first terminal portion 310. The first insulating frame 500 may include a first connection portion cover 520 configured to surround the first lead connection portion 320. Similarly, the second insulating frame 600 may include a second terminal cover 610 configured to cover one side of the second terminal portion 410. The second insulating frame 600 may include a second connection portion cover 620 configured to surround the second lead connection portion 420.

[0075] The first insulating frame 500 and the second insulating frame 600 may be configured to apply pressure to both sides of the peripheral portion 220. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the first insulating frame 500 and the second insulating frame 600 may be configured to apply pressure in the direction toward the peripheral portion 220 when the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400 are coupled to the electrode lead 700. This allows the first insulating frame 500 and the second insulating frame 600 to strengthen the sealing force of the peripheral portion 220 together with the first conductive frame 300 and the second conductive frame 400.

[0076] Next, the tab cover member 800 of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 12 to 14. Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view along the line B-B' in Figure 1, and Figures 13 and 14 are diagrams illustrating the coupling structure of the electrode lead and tab cover member of the present invention.

[0077] Referring to Figures 12 to 14, the battery cell 10 may include a tab cover member 800. The tab cover member 800 may be located inside the cell case 200 and configured to cover the coupling area between the electrode lead 700 and the electrode tab 120. When such a tab cover member 800 is provided, damage to the coupling area between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700 can be prevented.

[0078] The tab cover member 800 may be configured such that one side is supported by an electrode lead 700 fixed to the peripheral edge 220, and the other side is supported by the cell body 110. In this case, the tab cover member 800 can prevent movement of the electrode assembly 100 within the cell case 200, thereby preventing impact from being applied to the connection between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700. Therefore, even if the battery cell 10 is subjected to impact, it is possible to prevent defects caused by damage to the connection between the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700.

[0079] The tab cover member 800 may be provided with a fixing projection P. In this case, the electrode lead 700 may be provided with a projection housing G configured to accommodate the fixing projection P. The projection housing G may be, for example, a groove recessed from the edge portion adjacent to the electrode assembly 100 at the edge portion of the tab cover member 800. Multiple fixing projections P and projection housings G may be provided for the stable fixing of the tab cover member 800.

[0080] The tab cover member 800 may be formed by joining a pair of cover members 800A and 800B. The tab cover member 800 may include a main body portion 810 and a vane portion 820. The main body portion 810 may have a space for accommodating the coupling region of the electrode tab 120 and the electrode lead 700. The fixing projection P may be provided on the main body portion 810. The vane portion 820 may be configured to extend from the main body portion 810 and face the cell body 110. Within the cell case 200, the movement of the main body portion 810 away from the cell body 110 may be restricted by the electrode lead 700, and the movement of the vane portion 820 toward the cell body 110 may be restricted by being in close contact with the cell body 110.

[0081] Next, a battery pack 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 15 and 16. Figure 15 is a diagram showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 16 is a diagram showing a terminal fastening structure for forming a cell stack according to the present invention.

[0082] First, referring to Figure 15, a battery pack 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a cell stack 1 containing a plurality of the battery cells 10 of the present invention as described above, and a pack housing 2 that houses the cell stack 1. Thus, the battery pack 3 of the present invention can be manufactured without going through the battery module stage. That is, the battery pack 3 of the present invention can be manufactured by a cell-to-pack process.

[0083] On the other hand, in the cell stack 1 applied to the battery pack 3 of the present invention, a plurality of battery cells 10 can be electrically connected to one another. Among the plurality of battery cells 10, the first battery cell 10 and the second battery cell 10 which are adjacent to each other, the first conductive frame 300 provided on the first battery cell 10 and the second conductive frame 400 provided on the second battery cell 10 can be electrically coupled by a fastening member F3. The fastening member F3 can be configured, for example, to penetrate the first terminal portion 310 and the second terminal portion 410 which are at least partially overlapping and facing each other. The fastening member F3 can be, for example, a bolt.

[0084] Next, an automobile 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 17. Figure 17 is a diagram showing an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0085] Referring to Figure 17, an automobile 5 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a battery pack 3 according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above. The automobile 5 may be powered by the battery pack 3 of the present invention. The automobile 5 may be, for example, an electric vehicle (EV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

[0086] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it goes without saying that various modifications and variations are possible within the equivalent scope of the technical concept and claims of the present invention by persons with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 1-cell laminate 2-pack housing 3 Battery Packs 5. Automobile 10 battery cells 100 electrode assembly 110 Cell Body 120 electrode tabs 200 Cell Case 200A Case 1 200B Case 2 210 Storage Unit 220 Peripheral area S sealing area 230 Lead housing section 300 First conductive frame 310 1st terminal section 320 Second lead connection section 400 Second conductive frame 410 2nd terminal section 420 Second lead connection section 500 First insulating frame 510 First terminal cover 520 First connection cover 600 Second insulating frame 610 Second terminal cover 620 Second connection cover 700 electrode leads G Protrusion housing 800 Tab cover component 800A First cover member 800B Second cover member 810 Main Unit 820 Blade section P Fixed protrusion R Sealing member F, F1, F2, F3 fastening members

Claims

1. An electrode assembly including a cell body and an electrode tab extending from the cell body, A cell case including a housing portion for housing the electrode assembly and a peripheral portion extending outward from the housing portion, A first conductive frame located on the first surface of the peripheral edge and electrically connected to the electrode tab through the peripheral edge, It includes a second conductive frame located on the second surface of the peripheral portion and electrically connected to the electrode tab through the peripheral portion, A battery cell in which the first conductive frame includes a first terminal portion extending in a direction away from the first surface.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the second conductive frame includes a second terminal portion that extends in a direction away from the second surface at a position corresponding to the first terminal portion.

3. The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame are The battery cell according to claim 2, characterized in that when a pair of the battery cells are stacked in a stacked manner, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, which are provided on different battery cells and extend in directions opposite to each other, are configured to at least partially overlap and face each other.

4. The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame are The battery cell according to claim 2, characterized in that when a pair of the battery cells are stacked in such a way that they overlap, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion provided on different battery cells and extending in directions opposite to each other are configured to overlap at least partially and be in contact with each other.

5. The battery cell according to claim 4, characterized in that the distance from the outer surface of the terminal portion of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion that is closer to the cell body to the cell body is substantially the same as the distance from the inner surface of the terminal portion of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion that is further away from the cell body to the cell body.

6. The battery cell according to claim 2, characterized in that each of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion is provided with a plurality of them.

7. The battery cell according to claim 2, characterized in that the battery cell has a rotationally symmetrical shape in which its outer shape is substantially the same when rotated 180° with respect to a central axis passing through its center.

8. The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame are The battery cell according to claim 7, characterized in that when a pair of the battery cells are stacked in such a way that they are superimposed, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, which are provided on different battery cells and extend in directions opposite to each other, are configured to at least partially overlap and face each other.

9. The first conductive frame and the second conductive frame are The battery cell according to claim 7, characterized in that when a pair of the battery cells are stacked in such a way that they overlap, the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion provided on different battery cells and extending in directions opposite to each other are configured to overlap at least partially and be in contact with each other.

10. The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, which are provided at positions corresponding to each other with the aforementioned peripheral portion in between, The battery cell according to claim 9, characterized in that the distance from the outer surface of the terminal portion of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion located closer to the cell body to the cell body and the distance from the inner surface of the terminal portion of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion located further from the cell body to the cell body are substantially the same.

11. The first terminal section and the second terminal section are, The battery cell according to claim 2, characterized by having fastening holes configured to allow fastening members to be connected.

12. The battery cell further includes electrode leads that are electrically coupled to the electrode tabs and located inside the cell case, The first conductive frame is electrically coupled to the first surface of the electrode lead through its peripheral edge. The battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that the second conductive frame is electrically coupled to the second surface of the electrode lead through the peripheral portion.

13. The battery cell according to claim 12, characterized in that the first conductive frame and the second conductive frame are configured to apply pressure to both sides of the peripheral edge.

14. The aforementioned battery cell is A first insulating frame configured to partially cover the first conductive frame, The battery cell according to claim 12, further comprising a second insulating frame configured to partially cover the second conductive frame.

15. The battery cell according to claim 14, characterized in that the first insulating frame and the second insulating frame are configured to apply pressure to both sides of the peripheral portion.

16. A cell stack comprising a plurality of battery cells according to any one of claims 1 to 15, A battery pack comprising a pack housing that accommodates the aforementioned cell stack.

17. Multiple of the aforementioned battery cells are electrically connected to each other. The battery pack according to claim 16, characterized in that, among a plurality of battery cells, the first conductive frame provided in the first battery cell and the second conductive frame provided in the second battery cell are electrically coupled by a fastening member.

18. An automobile comprising the battery pack described in claim 16.

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