Battery cell

Abstract

A battery cell, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise: an electrode assembly in which at least one first electrode plate and at least one second electrode plate having an electrical polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate are stacked in a first direction; and a plurality of uncoated portions extending from at least one of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate and protruding to one side or both sides of the electrode assembly, wherein the plurality of uncoated portions include a first uncoated portion and a second uncoated portion extending from the first electrode plate and protruding to one side of the electrode assembly, and the first uncoated portion and the second uncoated portion may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Description

battery cell

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a battery cell.

[0002] Secondary batteries (battery cells) are receiving a lot of attention as a power source for various mobile devices and electric vehicles because they offer the convenience of being able to be recharged and discharged, unlike primary batteries.

[0003] These secondary batteries may have a structure in which an electrode assembly formed by stacking a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator or by winding them in a roll shape is accommodated inside a case.

[0004] Meanwhile, in the secondary battery, a non-conductive portion extending from the positive and negative electrode plates protrudes in at least one direction of the case electrode assembly and is electrically connected to a current collector, and the current collector can be electrically connected to the electrode terminal of the case.

[0005] At this time, the non-conductive part inside the case may be bent to connect to the collector, but if the degree of bending is severe, a defect may occur due to cracks or breakage in the non-conductive part.

[0006] To prevent this, if multiple electrode assemblies are provided inside the case to alleviate the degree of bending of the non-conductive portion, a gap may be created between the electrode assemblies or the energy efficiency may decrease by the thickness of the separator between them.

[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for a battery cell structure that provides stable electrical connection between the battery cell and the collector while also being highly energy efficient.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the durability of the non-conductive part can be improved by reducing the degree of bending of the non-conductive part connected to the entire body.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the energy efficiency per unit area of ​​a battery cell can be increased.

[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a battery cell includes an electrode assembly in which at least one first electrode plate and at least one second electrode plate having an electrical polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate are stacked in a first direction; and a plurality of non-coated portions extending from at least one of the first electrode plate or the second electrode plate and protruding to one side or both sides of the electrode assembly; wherein the plurality of non-coated portions include a first non-coated portion and a second non-coated portion extending from the first electrode plate and protruding to one side of the electrode assembly, and the first non-coated portion and the second non-coated portion may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the electrode assembly may further include a current collector disposed on one side thereof and electrically connected to the first non-conductive portion and the second non-conductive portion.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the current collector includes a first current collector in contact with the first non-conductive portion and a second current collector in contact with the second non-conductive portion, and the first current collector and the second current collector may be spaced apart from each other in the second direction.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the current collector includes a first surface facing one side of the electrode assembly and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and the first uncoated portion and the second uncoated portion can contact the second surface of the current collector.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the present invention may further include an insulating cover disposed between the first surface of the current collector and one side of the electrode assembly.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the present invention may further include a terminal pin that is provided to penetrate the current collector between the current collector and the insulating cover and is electrically connected to the current collector.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the present invention further includes a cap assembly having an electrode terminal disposed to face the second surface of the collector and connected to an external power source, wherein the terminal pin can be electrically connected to the electrode terminal.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the first non-conductive portion and the first current collector may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and the second non-conductive portion and the second current collector may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the first unlined portion and the second unlined portion may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and arranged diagonally on one side of the electrode assembly.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the first collector and the second collector may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and arranged diagonally to each other.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the first uncoated portion and the first collector portion may be arranged parallel to each other with respect to the first direction, the second uncoated portion and the second collector portion may be arranged parallel to each other, and the first uncoated portion and the second collector portion may be arranged side by side with respect to the second direction, and the second uncoated portion and the first collector portion may be arranged side by side.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the first unlined portion and the second unlined portion may be bent in at least a portion in the first direction and contact the current collector, and the first unlined portion and the second unlined portion may be bent in opposite directions with respect to the first direction.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the collector may further include a connecting collector extending in the first direction between the first collector and the second collector.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the collector connection part may be disposed between the first collector part and the second collector part with respect to the second direction.

[0024] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an electrode assembly comprising: one or more first electrode plates and one or more second electrode plates having an electrical polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plates, which are stacked in a first direction; and a plurality of non-coated portions extending from the first electrode plates and protruding toward one side of the electrode assembly; wherein the plurality of non-coated portions can be spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the plurality of non-width regions may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction and may be arranged diagonally with respect to adjacent non-width regions.

[0026] Above, the means according to the present disclosure have been described, but this is exemplary, and it should be understood that other configurations not mentioned are included in the present disclosure even if they are added.

[0027] The present disclosure can provide a battery cell capable of improving the durability of a non-conductive portion by reducing the degree of bending of the non-conductive portion connected to the entire body.

[0028] The present disclosure can provide a battery cell with increased energy efficiency per space.

[0029] Figures 1a and 1b are cross-sectional views of a conventional battery cell.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 4 is a drawing of Figure 3 viewed from one direction.

[0033] Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cap assembly.

[0034] Figure 6 is a drawing of Figure 5 viewed from a different direction.

[0035] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the connection of the ignition unit and the collector unit.

[0036] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the connection structure of the ignition unit and the collector unit.

[0037] Fig. 9a is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of Fig. 2, and Fig. 9b is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of Fig. 2.

[0038] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along III-III' of Fig. 2.

[0039] Before going into a detailed description of the embodiments, it should be noted that the terms and words used in the following description and claims should not be construed as limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, but should be construed as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term in order to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0040] The same reference numbers or symbols used in each drawing represent parts or components that perform substantially the same functions. For convenience of description and understanding, the same reference numbers or symbols may be used in different embodiments.

[0041] In the following description, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms such as "comprises" or "comprises" should be understood to indicate the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part, or combination thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0042] In addition, in the description below, expressions such as top, upper, lower, lower, side, front, and rear are expressed based on the direction shown in the drawing, and it is noted in advance that they may be expressed differently if the direction of the object in question changes.

[0043] Additionally, terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to distinguish between components in the following description and claims. These ordinal numbers are used to distinguish identical or similar components from each other, and the use of these ordinal numbers should not be interpreted in a limited way. For example, components associated with these ordinals should not be interpreted in a limited way in terms of their order of use or arrangement, etc., based on their numbers. If necessary, each ordinal number may be used interchangeably.

[0044]

[0045] First, the structure of a conventional battery cell (B1, B2) is described with reference to FIGS. 1a and 1b.

[0046] Figures 1a and 1b are cross-sectional views of a portion of a conventional battery cell. The conventional battery cell (B1, B2) may include an electrode assembly (EA) from which a non-conductive portion (FO) protrudes, a housing (HS) in which the electrode assembly (EA) is accommodated, a cap assembly (CA) coupled to one side of the housing (HS), an external terminal (ET) provided in the cap assembly (CA) and electrically connected to an external power source, and a current collector (CC) electrically connecting the non-conductive portion (FO) and the external terminal (ET) within the housing (HS).

[0047] Fig. 1a illustrates a battery cell (B1) having one electrode assembly (EA). Referring to Fig. 1a, when there is one electrode assembly (EA) inside a housing (HS), when the non-conductive portion (FO) is bent to make contact with the current collecting member (CC), one side (a) and the other side (b) of the non-conductive portion (FO) may be bent to different degrees.

[0048] Specifically, when there is one electrode assembly (EA) inside the housing (HS), when attempting to electrically connect the non-conductive portion (FO) to the current collector (CC), the greater the thickness (length in the X-axis direction in the drawing) of the electrode assembly (EA), the more severe the bending of the non-conductive portion (FO) may be.

[0049] In addition, as the thickness of the electrode assembly (EA) increases, the difference in the degree of bending between one side (a) and the other side (b) of the non-conductive portion (FO) also increases, which reduces the durability of the non-conductive portion (FO) and makes it more prone to breakage.

[0050] Fig. 1b illustrates a battery cell (B2) having two electrode assemblies (EA). Referring to Fig. 1b, the battery cell (B2) may include two electrode assemblies (EA1, EA2). Each electrode assembly (EA1, EA2) may include a non-conducting portion (FO1, FO2).

[0051] Since a battery cell (B2) having two electrode assemblies (EA) is electrically connected to a current collecting member (CC) through two non-conductive portions (FO1, FO2), the degree of bending of the non-conductive portions (FO1, FO2) can be smaller than that of a battery cell (B) having one electrode assembly (EA).

[0052] However, since the electrode assembly (EA) is laminated with a separator at the outermost layer to prevent short circuits, the two electrode assemblies (EA1, EA2) may be positioned facing each other with the separators (S1, S2). In addition, if the two electrode assemblies (EA1, EA2) are not pressed in the thickness direction, a gap (d) may be formed between them.

[0053] That is, in the case of a battery cell (B') equipped with two electrode assemblies (EA1, EA2), the internal space of the housing (HS) cannot be utilized as much as the thickness and gap (d) of one separator (S), so energy efficiency may decrease.

[0054] On the other hand, since the battery cell (10) according to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure has a plurality of non-conductive portions (120) protruding from one side of the electrode assembly (100), the degree to which the non-conductive portions (120) are bent can be reduced, and since a plurality of electrode assemblies (100) are not necessarily required, the energy density can be improved.

[0055]

[0056] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, it should be understood that this is merely exemplary and is not limited to the specific embodiments exemplified in the present disclosure.

[0057]

[0058] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is a view of FIG. 3 viewed from one direction.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an electrode assembly (100) in which a plurality of electrode plates (110) are stacked in a first direction (e.g., the X-axis direction in the drawing) and a plurality of non-conductive portions (120) extending from the electrode plates and extending to one or both sides (e.g., the Y-axis direction in the drawing) of the electrode assembly (100).

[0060] Here, a plurality of non-conductive parts (120) protrude from one side or both sides of the electrode assembly (100), and the non-conductive parts protruding in the same direction can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction (for example, the Z-axis direction in the drawing).

[0061] For example, when a plurality of uncoated portions (120) in an electrode assembly (100) protrude only to one side, the plurality of uncoated portions (120) may include a first uncoated portion (121) and a second uncoated portion (122) protruding to one side of the electrode assembly (100), and the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) may be spaced apart from each other in a second direction that is perpendicular to the direction in which the plurality of electrode plates (110) are stacked (the first direction). Here, the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) may be provided with the same electrical polarity.

[0062] In addition, as another example, when a plurality of uncoated portions (120) protrude to both sides in an electrode assembly (100), the plurality of uncoated portions (120) may include a first uncoated portion (121) and a second uncoated portion (122) protruding to one side of the electrode assembly (100), and a third uncoated portion (123) and a fourth uncoated portion (124) protruding to the other side of the electrode assembly.

[0063] Here, the first unlined portion (121) and the second unlined portion (122) are provided with opposite electrical polarities to face the third unlined portion (123) and the fourth unlined portion (124), and the first unlined portion (121) and the second unlined portion and the third unlined portion (123) and the fourth unlined portion (124) are provided with the same electrical polarity but can be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction.

[0064] Hereinafter, among the plurality of uncoated portions (120), the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) protruding to one side of the electrode assembly (100) will be described, but it should be understood that this structure can be equally applied to the third uncoated portion (123) and the fourth uncoated portion (124) protruding to the other side of the electrode assembly (100).

[0065]

[0066] The battery cell (10) according to the present disclosure may be a rechargeable secondary battery. The battery cell (10) may have an angular exterior as shown in the drawing, but it should be understood that the exterior of the battery cell (10) according to the present disclosure is not limited to that shown in the drawing.

[0067] In addition, according to the present disclosure, the electrode assembly (100) can be formed by stacking a plurality of electrode plates (110, see FIG. 9) and a separator (not shown) interposed therebetween.

[0068] More specifically, in one embodiment, the electrode plate (110) may include a positive electrode plate having a positive electrode active material applied to at least one surface of the current collector and a negative electrode plate having a negative electrode active material applied to at least one surface of the current collector.

[0069] A plurality of electrode plates (110) of an electrode assembly (100) according to one embodiment may include one or more first electrode plates (111, see FIG. 9) and one or more second electrode plates (112, see FIG. 9) having an electrical polarity opposite thereto.

[0070] For example, the first electrode plate (111) may be a positive electrode and the second electrode plate (112) may be a negative electrode. Conversely, the first electrode plate (11) may be a negative electrode and the second electrode plate (112) may be a positive electrode.

[0071] Additionally, each of the plurality of electrode plates (110) may have a non-conductive portion (120). That is, each of the first electrode plate (111) and the second electrode plate (112) may include a non-conductive portion (120) on which a positive or negative electrode active material is not applied.

[0072] Here, for the convenience of understanding in this disclosure, even if the polar plate (110) and the non-conductive portion (120) are expressed singularly, they should be understood to include plural ones.

[0073] The separator may be configured to prevent electrical shorting between the anode and cathode and to allow ion flow. For example, the separator may include a porous polymer film or porous pad.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the electrode assembly may be formed by sequentially stacking a positive electrode and a negative electrode with a separator interposed between them. In some embodiments, the electrode assembly may be of a winding type, a stacking type, a zigzag folding type, or a stack-folding type. However, the electrode assembly (100) of the present disclosure is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure in which the positive electrode, the separator, and the negative electrode are repeatedly arranged.

[0075] Meanwhile, in the drawing, the electrode assembly (100) of the battery cell (10) is illustrated as being one, but this is not limited thereto, and the battery cell (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided by stacking a plurality of electrode assemblies (100). That is, when a plurality of electrode assemblies (100) are provided inside a single case (300), it should be understood that all of them belong to the present disclosure if a plurality of non-conductive portions (120) spaced apart from each other in the second direction are provided on one or both sides of each electrode assembly (100).

[0076] Meanwhile, in FIG. 4, the non-conductive portion (120) is illustrated as protruding from both sides of the electrode assembly (100), but as described above, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and it should be understood that any structure in which a plurality of non-conductive portions (120) protrude in a second direction and spaced apart from each other toward at least one side of the electrode assembly (100) is included in the present disclosure.

[0077]

[0078] The battery cell (10) of the present disclosure may include a case (300) that accommodates an electrode assembly (100) and a cap assembly (200) provided on at least one side of the case (300). The case (300) may have an opening (305) formed on at least one side to face the non-conductive portion (120) or the cap assembly (200) so as to accommodate the electrode assembly (100) inside.

[0079] The case (300) protects the electrode assembly (100) housed therein from the external environment and can maintain the external appearance of the battery cell (10). For example, the case may include a metal material such as aluminum, steel, or stainless steel to ensure sufficient rigidity.

[0080] However, the material of the case (300) in the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and is not particularly limited as long as it can maintain an outer shape sufficient to accommodate the electrode assembly therein.

[0081] The cap assembly (200) may be provided on at least one side of the case (300) to cover the opening (305) of the case (300). The cap assembly (200) may be positioned on at least one side of the electrode assembly (100) to face the non-conductive portion (120), and may be electrically connected to the facing non-conductive portion (120).

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the cap assembly (200) may include a first cap assembly (200a) disposed on one side of the electrode assembly (100) and electrically connected to the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122), and a second cap assembly (200b) disposed on the other side of the electrode assembly (100) and electrically connected to the third uncoated portion (123) and the fourth uncoated portion (124). Here, the first cap assembly (200a) and the second cap assembly (200b) may have different electrical polarities.

[0083] However, the first cap assembly (200a) and the second cap assembly (200b) are only for distinguishing the position and electrical polarity based on the electrode assembly (100), and the specific shape or configuration may be the same.

[0084] Accordingly, in the present disclosure, the first cap assembly (200a) and the second cap assembly (200b) are not distinguished separately and are used interchangeably as the cap assembly (200) for convenience.

[0085] Meanwhile, although two cap assemblies (200) are illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, this is only an example, and if a plurality of non-conductive parts (120) protrude only from one side of the electrode assembly (100), the cap assembly (200) may be provided only on one side of the electrode assembly (100).

[0086] Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the cap assembly. Fig. 6 is a view of Fig. 5 viewed from a different direction.

[0087] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 together, a cap assembly (200) according to one embodiment may include a current collector assembly (400) electrically connected to a non-conductive portion (120), a cap plate (230) positioned to face a side of an electrode assembly (100) and covering an opening (305) of a case (300), and an electrode terminal (250) electrically connected to the current collector assembly (400) and exposed to the outside of the case (300) so as to be electrically connected to an external power source.

[0088] The current collector assembly (400) may include a current collector (410) made of an electrically conductive material and electrically connected to the non-conductive portion (120), a current collector cover (420) made of an electrically insulating material and disposed between the current collector (410) and a side surface of the electrode assembly (100), and a terminal pin (430) protruding so as to penetrate a terminal hole (415) between the current collector (410) and the current collector cover (420) and electrically connected to an electrode terminal (250).

[0089] The current collector (410) may be coupled by at least a portion thereof being in contact with the non-conductive portion (120). For example, the current collector (410) and the non-conductive portion (120) may be electrically connected by being welded to each other using a method such as ultrasonic welding or laser welding. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the welding method of the non-conductive portion (120) and the current collector (410), and should be understood to include any structure that can be electrically connected to each other.

[0090] The current collector (410) may include a first current collector (411) in contact with the first non-conductive portion (121), a second current collector (412) in contact with the second non-conductive portion (122), and a current collector connection portion (413) disposed between the first current collector (411) and the second current collector (412). In addition, the current collector connection portion (413) may be provided with a terminal hole (415) through which a terminal pin (430) passes.

[0091] Additionally, according to one embodiment, the current collector (410) may be coupled by contacting the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) at positions spaced apart in the second direction (see FIG. 8). Specifically, the first uncoated portion (121) may be coupled by contacting the current collector (410) by a first contact area (121a), and the second uncoated portion (122) may be coupled by contacting the current collector (410) by a second contact area (122a). Here, the first contact area (121a) and the second contact area (122a) may also be spaced apart in the second direction.

[0092] The collector cover (420) is made of an electrically insulating material and is positioned between the collector (410) and the electrode assembly (100) to electrically insulate them from each other. For example, the collector cover (420) is provided in a shape corresponding to the collector (410), but has a larger cross-sectional area than the collector (410) so as to stably insulate the collector (410).

[0093] The collector cover (420) can be inserted together with the collector portion (410) with at least a portion thereof as an insulating plate (271) to be described later, thereby stably insulating the collector portion (410). For example, the collector portion (410) is positioned between the insulating plate (271) and the collector cover (420), with one side inserted into the insulating plate (271) and the other exposed side covered by the collector cover (420), thereby being electrically insulated within the case (300). That is, the collector portion (410) is not exposed to the outside by the insulating plate (271) and the collector cover (420), and can only come into contact with the non-conductive portion (120) and the terminal pin (430).

[0094] A detailed description of the coupling relationship between the entire assembly (400) and the non-conductive part (120) will be described later in FIGS. 7 to 11.

[0095] The cap plate (230) is made of a material having a predetermined rigidity to close the opening (305) of the case (300) and protect the electrode assembly (100). For example, the cap plate (230) is made of the same material as the case (300) to improve assembly integrity.

[0096] One side of the cap plate (230) is a side exposed from the outside of the battery cell (10) and has an electrode terminal (250) provided thereon, and the other side is a side facing the side of the electrode assembly (100) in the internal space of the battery cell (10) and has a current collector assembly (400) disposed thereon. The cap plate (230) can support the arrangement positions of the electrode terminal (250) and the current collector (410).

[0097] The electrode terminal (250) is made of an electrically conductive material and is exposed to the outside through the cap plate (230), and can connect the battery cell (10) to an external power source.

[0098] The electrode terminal (250) can be electrically connected to the non-conductive portion (120) of the electrode assembly (100) through which the terminal pin (430) passes.

[0099] For example, the electrode terminal (250) of the first cap assembly (200a) may be electrically connected to the first unlined portion (121) and the second unlined portion (122), and the electrode terminal (250) of the second cap assembly (200b) may be electrically connected to the third unlined portion (123) and the fourth unlined portion (124). At this time, the electrode terminal (250) of the first cap assembly (200a) and the electrode terminal (250) of the second cap assembly (200b) may be provided with different electrical polarities.

[0100] In addition, the cap assembly (200) according to one embodiment may further include an insulating portion (270) made of an electrically insulating material to insulate between the current collector assembly (400) and the cap plate (230), and between the electrode terminal (250) and the cap plate (230).

[0101] The insulating part (270) may include an insulating plate (271) that is placed between the current collector (210) and the cap plate (230) to electrically isolate them from each other, an insulating cover (273) that is placed between the electrode terminal (250) and the cap plate (230) to electrically isolate them from each other, and an insulating gasket (275) that is placed between the terminal pin (430) and the cap plate (230) to electrically isolate them from each other.

[0102] The insulating plate (271) is provided in a plate shape corresponding to the cap plate (230) and can accommodate at least a portion of the current collector assembly (400) through a groove provided on the surface facing the electrode assembly (100).

[0103] The insulating cover (273) may be provided to cover at least a portion of the electrode terminal (250) and terminal pin (430) exposed to the outside of the cap plate (230).

[0104] An insulating gasket (275) is placed between the inner surface of the cap plate (230) through which the terminal pin (430) penetrates and the outer surface of the terminal pin (430) to electrically insulate each other.

[0105] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the connection of the non-conductive part and the collector part, and Figure 8 is a drawing showing the connection structure of the non-conductive part and the collector part.

[0106] Hereinafter, the description will focus on the first unlined portion (121) and the second unlined portion (122) protruding from one side of the electrode assembly (100) among the plurality of unlined portions (120), but it goes without saying that the third unlined portion (123) and the fourth unlined portion (124) protruding from the other side of the electrode assembly (100) among the plurality of unlined portions (120) may also be provided with the same structure. In this case, the current collector (410) may also be provided on the other side of the electrode assembly (100) and may be electrically connected to the third unlined portion (123) and the fourth unlined portion (124).

[0107] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 together, the current collector (410) is arranged on one side of the electrode assembly (100) and can be electrically connected to the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) among the plurality of uncoated portions (120).

[0108] The first collector (411) electrically connected to the first non-conductive portion (121) and the second collector (412) electrically connected to the second non-conductive portion (122) can also be arranged to be spaced apart from each other in the second direction (X-axis direction in the drawing).

[0109] In addition, the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) may be spaced apart not only in the second direction but also in the first direction, and may be arranged diagonally on one side of the electrode assembly (100). That is, among the plurality of uncoated portions (120), the uncoated portions (120) protruding from one side or the other side of the electrode assembly (100) may be arranged diagonally with each other.

[0110] For example, the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) may be arranged diagonally to each other on one side of the electrode assembly (100), and the third uncoated portion (123) and the fourth uncoated portion (124) may be arranged diagonally to each other on the other side of the electrode assembly (100).

[0111] In addition, the first collector (411) and the second collector (412) may be arranged diagonally apart from each other in the first direction as well as the second direction. At this time, a collector connection (413) may extend in the first direction between the first collector (411) and the second collector (412) to electrically connect the first collector (411) and the second collector (412) to each other.

[0112] In addition, according to one embodiment, the first non-conductive portion (121) and the first collector portion (411) may be arranged parallel to each other with respect to the first direction (X-axis direction), and the second non-conductive portion (122) and the second collector portion (412) may be arranged parallel to each other.

[0113] In addition, according to one embodiment, the first non-conductive portion (121) and the second collector portion (412) may be arranged parallel to each other with respect to the second direction (Z-axis direction), and the second non-conductive portion (122) and the first collector portion (411) may be arranged parallel to each other.

[0114] Fig. 9a is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' of Fig. 2, Fig. 9b is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II' of Fig. 2, and Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III' of Fig. 2.

[0115] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the current collector (410) may include a first surface (410a) that faces the electrode assembly (100) and contacts the current collector cover (420), and a second surface (410b) that faces the cap plate (230) on the opposite side. At this time, the non-conductive portion (120) may contact the second surface (410b) of the current collector (410).

[0116] The contact area where the non-conductive part (120) and the collector part (410) come into contact can be provided on the second surface (410b). For example, the first contact area (121a) where the first non-conductive part (121) comes into contact with the collector part (410) and the second contact area (122a) where the second non-conductive part (122) comes into contact with the collector part (410) can be arranged on the second surface (410b).

[0117] That is, the first contact area (121a) and the second contact area (122a) can be welded by coming into contact with the second surface (410b) of the current collector (410).

[0118] Through this, the radius of bending of the non-conductive part (120) can be increased and the electrical connection can be made stable.

[0119] Also, referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, in one embodiment, the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) may be bent in the second direction (X-axis direction) to come into contact with the collector portion (410). At this time, the first uncoated portion (121) and the second uncoated portion (122) may be bent in opposite directions.

[0120] That is, the length (L1, L2) in the second direction (X-axis direction) between the portion where the non-conductive portion (120) protrudes from the electrode assembly and the portion where it comes into contact with the current collector (410) increases, so that the radius of curvature can be increased compared to when the non-conductive portion (120) is bent.

[0121] Through this, the non-flexible portion (120) can be bent more gently. As a result, the stress applied to the non-flexible portion (120) can be reduced.

[0122] Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, the first unlined portion (121) and the second unlined portion (122) are illustrated as extending from the first electrode plate (111), but are not limited thereto. That is, it should be understood that if the first unlined portion (121) and the second unlined portion (122) extend from the electrode plate (110) having the same electrical polarity, they all fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0123] The battery cell (10) of the present disclosure has a plurality of non-conductive portions (120) protruding from one side or the other side of one electrode assembly (100), thereby improving the durability of the non-conductive portions (120) and increasing energy efficiency.

[0124] More specifically, compared to the battery cell (B1) of FIG. 1a, the battery cell (10) of the present disclosure has a long distance (L1, L2) between the non-conductive portion (120) and the current collector (410), thereby reducing the radius at which the non-conductive portion (120) is bent, thereby reducing the stress applied to the non-conductive portion (120).

[0125] In comparison with the battery cell (B2) of FIG. 1B, the battery cell (10) of the present disclosure has no gap (d) that may occur between multiple electrode assemblies (100), and two separators (S1, S2) may not be continuously laminated. As a result, an additional space equivalent to the gap (d) and the thickness of one separator can be secured inside the case (300), thereby improving the energy density.

[0126] However, the battery cell (10) of the present disclosure is not limited to one electrode assembly (100), and even if a plurality of electrode assemblies are provided, it should be understood that all of them belong to the present disclosure as long as the non-conductive portion (120) protrudes in the second direction at least on one side.

[0127] Meanwhile, although the present disclosure has described a structure in which two non-coated portions (120) protrude from one side and the other side, this is one of several embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, three or more non-coated portions (120) may protrude from at least one side of the electrode assembly (100), and at this time, the non-coated portions (120) protruding in the same direction (for example, in the direction of one side) may be spaced apart in the second direction. In addition, the plurality of non-coated portions (120) protruding in the same direction may be spaced apart from each other in the first direction as well, and may be arranged diagonally with respect to adjacent non-coated portions (120).

[0128]

[0129] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to a person having average knowledge in the relevant technical field that various modifications and variations are possible within a scope that does not depart from the technical spirit of the present invention described in the claims.

[0130] In addition, the above-described embodiments may be implemented by deleting some components, and the embodiments may be implemented in combination with each other.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly in which one or more first electrode plates and one or more second electrode plates having an electrical polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plates are stacked in a first direction; and A plurality of non-conductive portions extending from at least one of the first electrode plate or the second electrode plate and protruding to one or both sides of the electrode assembly; The plurality of non-conductive portions include a first non-conductive portion and a second non-conductive portion extending from the first electrode plate and protruding toward one side of the electrode assembly, The first non-conductive portion and the second non-conductive portion are battery cells spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

2. In paragraph 1, A battery cell further comprising a current collector disposed on one side of the electrode assembly and electrically connected to the first non-conductive portion and the second non-conductive portion; 3. In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned current collector includes a first current collector in contact with the first non-conductive portion and a second current collector in contact with the second non-conductive portion, The first collector and the second collector are battery cells spaced apart from each other in the second direction.

4. In paragraph 2, The above-mentioned current collector includes a first surface facing one side of the electrode assembly and a second surface opposite to the first surface, The first non-conductive portion and the second non-conductive portion are battery cells that contact the second surface of the current collector.

5. In paragraph 4, A battery cell further comprising an insulating cover disposed between the first surface of the collector and one side of the electrode assembly; 6. In paragraph 5, A battery cell further comprising a terminal pin that is provided to penetrate the current collector between the current collector and the insulating cover and is electrically connected to the current collector; 7. In paragraph 6, Further comprising a cap assembly having an electrode terminal that is positioned to face the second surface of the above-mentioned collector and is connected to an external power source; The above terminal pin is a battery cell electrically connected to the above electrode terminal.

8. In paragraph 3, A battery cell in which the first non-conductive portion and the first current collector are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and the second non-conductive portion and the second current collector are spaced apart from each other in the first direction.

9. In paragraph 8, A battery cell in which the first unlined portion and the second unlined portion are spaced apart from each other in the first direction and are arranged diagonally on one side of the electrode assembly.

10. In paragraph 8, The first collector and the second collector are spaced apart in the first direction and are arranged diagonally to each other, and are battery cells.

11. In paragraph 10, In the first direction, the first uncoated portion and the first collector portion are arranged parallel to each other, and the second uncoated portion and the second collector portion are arranged parallel to each other. A battery cell in which the first non-conductive portion and the second current collector are arranged side by side based on the second direction, and the second non-conductive portion and the first current collector are arranged side by side.

12. In paragraph 11, A battery cell in which the first uncoated portion and the second uncoated portion are in contact with the current collector while being bent at least partially in the first direction, and the first uncoated portion and the second uncoated portion are bent in opposite directions with respect to the first direction.

13. In paragraph 10, The above collector A battery cell further comprising a current collector connection extending in the first direction between the first current collector and the second current collector.

14. In paragraph 13, The above current collector connection part is a battery cell arranged between the first current collector part and the second current collector part based on the second direction.

15. An electrode assembly in which one or more first electrode plates and one or more second electrode plates having an electrical polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plates are stacked in a first direction; and It includes a plurality of non-conductive parts extending from the first electrode plate and protruding to one side of the electrode assembly; A battery cell in which the plurality of non-conductive portions are spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

16. In paragraph 15, The above plurality of non-conductive parts are spaced apart from each other in the first direction, and the battery cells are arranged diagonally between adjacent non-conductive parts.

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