Battery cell

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the provided battery cell comprises: an electrode assembly; a container accommodating the electrode assembly in an inner space and including a liquid injection port through which a fluid passes; and a valve cap which closes the liquid injection port, and which uses the difference between the internal pressure of the container and the external pressure of the container so as to rotate at a predetermined angle in one direction, thereby opening the liquid injection port.

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, the case may be equipped with a filler port to allow electrolyte to be injected during the manufacturing process and a filler cap to close the filler port to prevent foreign substances from entering through the filler port.

[0005] In the secondary battery manufacturing process, to prevent foreign substances from entering before the electrolyte injection, a filling cap is placed, and then the filling cap is separated to open the filling port for the electrolyte injection, and then the filling cap is reattached to close the filling port after the electrolyte injection, which can complicate the manufacturing process.

[0006] That is, in the past, it was necessary to open or close the injection port one by one during the manufacturing process.

[0007] In the manufacturing process, it is necessary to open or close the injection port individually before and after the injection process.

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell can be provided in which a charging port is opened by a pressure difference inside or outside a container.

[0009] A battery cell according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include: an electrode assembly; a container that accommodates the electrode assembly in an internal space and includes a fluid port through which a fluid passes; and a valve cap that is provided to close the fluid port, but rotates in one direction at a predetermined angle due to a difference between an internal pressure of the container and an external pressure of the container to open the fluid port.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the valve cap may include a valve cover having a valve hole communicating with the injection port and inserted into the injection port; and a valve body that is rotatably provided in the valve hole and is provided to open and close the valve hole.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the valve body may include a valve disc having a shape corresponding to the valve hole and a valve shaft disposed across the valve hole to provide a rotational axis to the valve disc.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the valve shaft can divide the valve hole into a first valve hole and a second valve hole.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the valve disc may be provided with a first disc arranged on one side of the valve shaft and a second disc arranged on the other side, and the first disc may be provided to open and close the first valve hole, and the second disc may be provided to open and close the second valve hole.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the first disk and the second disk are configured to rotate together about the valve axis, so that the first valve hole and the second valve hole can be opened and closed together.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the valve cap further includes a valve stopper that prevents the valve body from rotating in another direction, and the valve body may be configured to rotate in only one direction when fluid passes through the injection port.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the valve stopper may be provided to support either the upper portion of the first disc or the lower portion of the second disc.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the valve cap may include a disk hole formed through one of the first disk or the second disk and communicating with the injection port; and an auxiliary body configured to close the disk hole, but which rotates at a predetermined angle to open the disk hole due to a difference between the internal pressure of the container and the external pressure of the container.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary body includes an auxiliary disk having a shape corresponding to the disk hole; and an auxiliary shaft providing a rotational axis to the auxiliary disk; and the auxiliary disk can open the disk hole while rotating about the rotational axis.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the disk hole may be formed with an area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first disk or the second disk, and the auxiliary disk may be formed with a cross-sectional area corresponding to the open area of ​​the disk hole.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the auxiliary shaft may be provided at one end of the auxiliary disk.

[0021] In one embodiment, the valve cap can support the lower side of the auxiliary disk to prevent it from moving to the lower side of the disk hole.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the valve cap further includes a valve stopper that supports the upper portion of the first disk or the lower portion of the second disk, and the valve body and the auxiliary body can only rotate in the same direction.

[0023] In addition, a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes: an electrode assembly; a container that accommodates the electrode assembly in an internal space and includes a liquid port through which a fluid passes; and a valve cap that is rotatably provided in the liquid port to open and close the liquid port; wherein the area of ​​the valve cap that opens the liquid port increases as the difference between the internal pressure of the container and the external pressure of the container increases.

[0024] Above, the solution according to the present disclosure has 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.

[0025] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a battery cell can be provided in which a charging port is opened by a pressure difference inside or outside a container.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a valve cap according to one embodiment.

[0029] Figure 4 is a drawing showing a state in which a valve cap is mounted on a liquid port.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an example in which an electrolyte is injected through a charging port.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing gas being discharged through a nozzle according to one embodiment.

[0032] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a valve cap according to another embodiment.

[0033] Figure 8 is a drawing showing an electrolyte being injected through a charging port according to another embodiment.

[0034] Figure 9 is a drawing showing gas being discharged through a nozzle according to another embodiment.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] Hereinafter, a battery cell according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0041] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a battery cell according to one embodiment.

[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 together, a battery cell (10) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may include an electrode assembly (100), a container (200) that accommodates the electrode assembly (100) in an internal space and includes a liquid inlet (270) through which a liquid injected into the internal space passes along a liquid injection direction toward the electrode assembly (100), and a valve cap (300) provided to close the liquid inlet. Here, the valve cap may close the liquid inlet (270) and then open the liquid inlet (270) by rotating due to internal pressure or external pressure of the container (200).

[0043] Meanwhile, the battery cell (10) of the present disclosure is illustrated as a square cell in the drawing, but this is to help understanding, and the present disclosure is not limited to the appearance of the drawing or the type of battery, and a cylindrical cell, a pouch-type cell, etc. can also be considered to belong to the present disclosure as long as it has a liquid inlet (270) through which an electrolyte or other fluid can be introduced.

[0044] An electrode assembly (100) may be formed by stacking a plurality of electrode plates in a predetermined direction. Specifically, the electrode assembly (100) may be formed by sequentially stacking one or more positive electrodes coated with a positive electrode active material, one or more negative electrodes coated with a negative electrode active material, and a separator disposed therebetween.

[0045] The separator may be configured to prevent electrical short-circuiting between the positive and negative electrode plates and to allow ion flow. For example, the separator may include a porous polymer film or a porous substrate.

[0046] In addition, the electrode assembly (100) may be provided in a jelly roll type that is formed by being wound in a predetermined direction. Specifically, based on the drawing, a plurality of electrode plates are stacked in the thickness direction (X-axis direction) so that the electrode tabs protrude in the height direction (Z-axis direction) perpendicular thereto and can be electrically connected to the cap assembly (230) to be described later. However, the electrode assembly (100) of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and should be interpreted to include all types in which a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode are sequentially and repeatedly stacked, such as a stacking type, a zigzag folding (z-folding) type, and a stack-folding type.

[0047] The electrode assembly (100) may be provided in a form in which a plurality of electrode assemblies (100) are stacked in a predetermined direction as shown in the drawing, but the battery cell (10) of the present disclosure is not limited to the number of electrode assemblies (100) or the winding shape.

[0048] The electrode assembly (100) may include a cell room (110) in which a plurality of electrode plates (not shown) are stacked, and a cell tab (122, 124) that protrudes from the cell room (110) and is electrically connected to an electrode terminal (252, 254) to be described later.

[0049] A container (200) can accommodate an electrode assembly (100) in its internal space. The container can include a case (210) having an opening (215) formed therein to accommodate the electrode assembly (100) and a cap assembly (230) coupled to the case to cover the opening (215).

[0050] In one embodiment, the container (200) is provided in a hexahedral shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto as long as it has a structure in which a case (210) for accommodating the electrode assembly and a cap assembly (230) covering the case (210) can be provided. For example, when the battery cell (10) is a cylindrical cell, the container may be provided in a cylindrical shape.

[0051] Additionally, the container (200) may be provided with a liquid inlet (270) through which liquid injected into the interior passes. The liquid inlet (270) may be formed in at least one of the case (210) or the cap assembly (230) described later, but may be provided in the cap assembly (230) in consideration of the rigidity of the case and the position of the venting portion (260).

[0052] The injection port (270) can be arranged to face the electrode assembly (100) along the injection direction.

[0053] Here, the injection direction refers to the direction in which the electrode assembly (100) and the injection port (270) face each other, and may mean the penetration direction of the injection port (270) or the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the electrode assembly (100).

[0054] Meanwhile, the 'liquid' described in the present disclosure may include all fluids introduced through the injection port (270). Specifically, the 'liquid' in the present disclosure may refer to an electrolyte impregnated into the electrode assembly (100), but is not necessarily limited to an electrolyte, and it should be understood that any fluid that can be injected through the injection port (270) and whose flow direction can be guided by the injection guide (300) described later is included in the present disclosure.

[0055] The case (210) has a receiving space formed therein and can accommodate the electrode assembly (100) therein. In addition, the case (210) can accommodate liquid injected through the injection port (270).

[0056] The case (210) can protect the electrode assembly (100) from the external environment and maintain the external shape of the battery cell (10).

[0057] For example, the case (210) may include a metal material such as steel, aluminum alloy, stainless steel, etc. to ensure sufficient rigidity.

[0058] However, in the present disclosure, the material of the case (210) is not specifically limited, and it should be understood that it is not particularly limited as long as it can maintain the outer shape of the battery cell (10) to the extent that the electrode assembly (100) can be accommodated therein.

[0059] In one embodiment, the case (210) has an opening formed on one side so that the electrode assembly (100) can enter the case interior. Meanwhile, although the opening (215) is described as being formed on one side in one embodiment, the case (210) according to the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, in the case of a bidirectional battery cell (10) in which the cell tabs (122, 124) of the electrode assembly (100) protrude in both directions, the openings (215) may be formed on both sides of the case (210).

[0060] A cap assembly (230) is provided to cover the opening and can be coupled to the case (210). The cap assembly (230) can include a cap plate (240) that covers the opening (215) of the case (210) and seals the internal space of the case (210).

[0061] The cap plate (240) may be made of a material having sufficient strength to ensure mechanical rigidity, and may be made of the same material as the case (210) from the perspective of shock distribution with the case (210).

[0062] Additionally, the cap assembly (230) may be provided with electrode terminals electrically connected to the cell tabs (122, 124) of the electrode assembly (100) accommodated in the internal space of the case (210). The electrode terminals (252, 254) may include a first electrode terminal (252) that contacts the first cell tab (122) of the electrode assembly (100) and a second electrode terminal (254) that contacts the second cell tab (124) of the electrode assembly (100).

[0063] The first cell tab (122) and the second cell tab (124) may be provided with different electrical polarities, and at this time, the first electrode terminal (252) and the second electrode terminal (254) may also be provided with different electrical polarities.

[0064] Meanwhile, in the drawing, the first electrode terminal (252) and the second electrode terminal (254) are shown as being formed to protrude in the same direction, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and in the case of the above-described bidirectional battery cell, the first electrode terminal (252) is arranged on one side of the case (210), and the second electrode terminal (254) is arranged on the other side of the case (210) so as to face each other.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the cap assembly (230) may include a venting portion (260) provided to discharge gas generated in the internal space of the case (210).

[0066] The venting portion (260) may include a venting hole (261) formed by penetrating the cap assembly (230) and a venting cap (263) arranged to close the venting hole (213), but configured to burst at a predetermined pressure. When flames and gas are generated inside the container (200) due to damage to the electrode assembly (100), etc., the venting cap (263) bursts, allowing the gas to be discharged to the outside of the case (210) through the venting hole (261), thereby preventing the battery cell (10) from exploding.

[0067] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the above-described injection port (270) may be provided in the cap plate (240) of the cap assembly (230). Specifically, the cap assembly (230) may include the injection port (270) formed by penetrating the cap plate (240) so as to allow liquid to be injected into the internal space of the case.

[0068] The injection port (270) may be formed to penetrate in the thickness direction of the cap plate (240) (the direction facing the electrode assembly (100), i.e., the injection direction or Z-axis direction). Accordingly, the liquid injected through the injection port (270) may pass through the cap plate and be injected into the internal space of the case (210).

[0069] Meanwhile, in the drawing, the injection port (270) is illustrated as being formed by penetrating the cap plate (240), but the injection port (270) of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and may include any port that is provided in a penetrating shape so that liquid can be injected into the container (200) or case (210) that accommodates the electrode assembly (100).

[0070] Based on the direction of injection (Z-axis direction, direction facing the electrode assembly (100)) in which the liquid injected through the injection port (270) passes, the injection port (270) and the electrode assembly (100) can be arranged so that at least a portion overlaps with each other.

[0071] Here, overlapping may mean that the electrode assembly (100) is arranged so that the surface projected in the injection direction of the injection port (270) overlaps.

[0072] That is, since the electrode assembly (100) fills as much of the internal space of the case (210) as possible for energy efficiency, the injection port (270) and the electrode assembly (100) can be arranged to overlap each other in the injection direction described above.

[0073] Meanwhile, the manufacturing process of the battery cell may include a filling process for injecting an electrolyte into the inside of the battery cell through the filling port (270), and a degassing process for discharging gas generated during the charging and discharging process of the battery cell through the filling port (270).

[0074] However, in order to prevent foreign substances from entering the injection port (270) during the manufacturing process of the battery cell, the injection port (270) must be covered in processes that do not require movement of fluid through the injection port (270), such as the injection process or the degassing process.

[0075] At this time, the injection port (270) is sealed during the manufacturing process of the battery cell, and the injection port is opened during the injection process and degassing process, and the injection port must be sealed again after the injection process or degassing process is completed, so the battery cell production efficiency may be lowered.

[0076] According to the present disclosure, a valve cap (300) may be included that covers the injection port (270) and opens the injection port (270) by rotating due to the pressure difference inside or outside the container (200), i.e., the pressure difference occurring in the injection process or degassing process.

[0077] Through this, when the valve cap (300) is provided in the injection port (270) during the battery cell manufacturing process, there is no need for a worker to separate the valve cap (300) and open the injection port (270) during the subsequent injection process or degassing process, so the manufacturing process can be simplified and production efficiency can be increased.

[0078] Meanwhile, in order to explain the operation of the valve cap (300) in the present disclosure, the injection process and the degassing process are used as examples, but this is only to help understanding and is not limited to the injection process and the degassing process.

[0079] Specifically, if the valve cap (300) is provided with a structure that can open the injection port (270) at least partially while rotating, such as when a fluid is introduced into the interior of the container (200), when a fluid is discharged from the interior of the container (200) to the exterior, or when an external force such as a injection nozzle (N, see FIG. 5) to be described later is applied, it should be understood that it belongs to the present disclosure. In other words, if it rotates due to a difference between the pressure inside and the pressure outside the valve cap (300), it should be understood that it belongs to the present disclosure.

[0080] Here, the external pressure may be not only atmospheric pressure but also the external force of the injection nozzle (N) or the liquid pressure of the electrolyte (E). The internal pressure may be the pressure caused by the gas (G) generated inside the container (200).

[0081] Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a valve cap according to one embodiment, and Fig. 4 is a drawing showing a state in which the valve cap is mounted on the filler port.

[0082] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a valve cap (300) according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may be inserted into a liquid filler port (270) provided in a cap plate (240) to close the liquid filler port (270).

[0083] Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, 'the valve cap (300) closes or shields the injection port (270)' means not only sealing to prevent fluid from passing through, but also sufficiently covering the injection port (270) to the extent that foreign substances from the outside of the container (200) do not enter the inside, even if the sealing is not achieved.

[0084] That is, it may mean that the valve cap (300) reduces the open area of ​​the injection port (270) to prevent foreign substances from entering.

[0085] In addition, in the present disclosure, it is sufficient that the valve cap (300) can be rotated by the difference in internal and external pressure of the container (200) to change the open area of ​​the injection port (270) to control the amount of fluid passing through the injection port (270).

[0086] The valve cap (300) may include a valve body (310) provided in the injection port (270). The valve body (310) may include a valve disc (311) that is rotatably provided in the injection port (270) and a valve shaft (312) that is arranged to cross the injection port (270) and provides a rotational axis to the valve disc (311).

[0087] The valve cap (300) may further include a valve cover (330) that couples the valve body (310) to the filler port (270). The valve cover (330) may be coupled to the cap plate (240) in a form that is inserted into the filler port (270). For example, the valve cover (330) may include a valve hole (301) that communicates with the filler port (270) and accommodate the valve body (310).

[0088] In one embodiment, the valve shaft (312) may be inserted through the inner surface of the valve cover (330) while crossing the valve hole (301), and may provide a rotational axis to the valve disc (311). At this time, the valve hole (301) may be divided into a first valve hole (301a) and a second valve hole (301b) based on the extension direction of the valve shaft (312).

[0089] The valve hole (301) can be understood as being divided into a first valve hole (301a) and a second valve hole (301b) based on an imaginary line extending in the direction that the valve shaft (312) crosses.

[0090] Meanwhile, in the drawing, the valve shaft (312) is provided in a shape that protrudes from the valve disc (311) so as to face each other and is inserted into the valve cover (330), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The valve shaft (312) of the present disclosure may be provided so as to penetrate the valve disc (311) and cross the injection port (270) or the valve hole (301).

[0091] The valve disc (311) may be provided to open and close the injection port (270), specifically the valve hole (301) of the valve cover (330), while rotating around the valve shaft (312). The valve disc (311) may be provided with a shape corresponding thereto so as to be able to close the valve hole (301).

[0092] Meanwhile, since the valve hole (301) is connected to the injection port (270), the valve disc (311) closing the valve hole (301) can be understood to mean the same thing as the valve disc (311) opening and closing the injection port (270). (See FIGS. 5 and 6)

[0093] The valve disc (311) can be divided into two regions based on the axial direction (the extension direction of the valve shaft (312)).

[0094] Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the valve disc (311) may include a first disc (311a) positioned on one side of the valve shaft (312) to open and close a first valve hole (301a) and a second disc (311b) positioned on the other side to open and close a second valve hole (301b). The first disc (311a) and the second disc (311b) may be provided in shapes corresponding to the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b), respectively.

[0095] That is, the valve disc (311) can be divided into a first disc (311a) and a second disc (311b) by the valve shaft (312).

[0096] Here, being divided may mean that the valve disc (311) is divided into a first disc (311a) placed in the first through hole (301a) and a second disc (311b) placed in the second through hole (301b) based on an imaginary line crossed by the valve shaft (312).

[0097] The valve disc (311) normally blocks the valve hole (301) connected to the injection port (270), but can open the injection port (270) by rotating at a predetermined angle with respect to the valve shaft (312) due to the difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the case (210) during the injection process or degassing process.

[0098] For example, the first disk (311a) and the second disk (311b) are formed as one piece and can rotate together to open and close the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b) together.

[0099] The valve cover (330) may be provided to surround the valve body (310). The valve cover (330) may be fitted to the filler port (270) to block the gap between the valve disc (311) and the filler port (270) (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

[0100] The valve body (310) is rotatably mounted on the valve cover (330), and the valve cover (330) is fitted into the injection port (270) so that the valve hole (301) and the injection port (270) are connected, while the valve cap (300) can be mounted on the cap plate (240).

[0101] In addition, in one embodiment, the valve cap (300) may further include a valve stopper (350) provided to prevent rotation of the valve disc (311). (See FIGS. 5 and 6) The valve stopper (350) may be provided at the lower end of one side of the valve disc (311) so that the valve disc (311) rotates in only one direction. For example, the valve stopper (350) may be provided in a form that protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the valve cover (330) to support the lower end of the second disc (311b).

[0102] When the valve stopper (350) is provided, the valve disc (311) can open the injection port (270) by rotating only in one direction (counterclockwise in FIGS. 5 and 6) or the other direction.

[0103] In addition, the valve shaft (312) may further include an elastic member (not shown) that is provided so as not to rotate when the difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the case (210) is within a predetermined range.

[0104] For example, the elastic member may be a spring. The spring may be configured to be wound around the outer surface of the valve shaft (312) and may be mounted on the injection port (270) or the valve cover (330). Through this, the spring may provide elastic force to the valve shaft (312) so that the valve shaft (312) is placed in the initial position (the position where the valve disc (311) maximally blocks the injection port (270). As a result, the valve disc (311) may not rotate and may close the injection port (270) in states other than the injection process or the degassing process.

[0105] Alternatively, the center of gravity of the valve disc (311) may be arranged to overlap with the valve shaft (312), so that the valve disc (311) blocks the injection port (270) when the difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the case (210) is not large. At this time, the first valve disc (311a) and the second valve disc (311b) of the valve disc (311) may be arranged to have the same cross-sectional area.

[0106] Meanwhile, in the present disclosure, the valve cap (300) may be provided with only the valve body (310) in the injection port (270) without the valve cover (330). In this case, the valve shaft (312) may be inserted into the cap plate (240) adjacent to the injection port (270) while crossing the injection port (270).

[0107] In addition, the valve cap (300) of the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to being used only in the manufacturing process. For example, after the manufacturing process is completed with the valve cap (300) mounted on the battery cell (10) of the present disclosure, the valve cap (300) may be welded to seal the filler port (270). In this case, the valve cap (300) may be provided as a filler cap that seals the filler port (270) without rotating.

[0108] That is, when the battery cell (10) of the present disclosure has the filler cap (300) mounted on the filler port (270), there is no need to separately open or cover the filler port (270) thereafter, and the filler cap itself can then function as the filler cap, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0109] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing an electrolyte being injected through a liquid inlet according to one embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a drawing showing a gas being discharged through a liquid inlet according to one embodiment.

[0110] Referring to Fig. 5, the injection nozzle (N) can be inserted into the internal space of the case (210) through the valve hole (301) and the injection port (270) while pressurizing either the first disk (311a) or the second disk (312b). The injection nozzle (N) can be inserted into the internal space of the case (210) to discharge the electrolyte (E).

[0111] For example, when the injection nozzle (N) pushes downward the first disk (311a) of the valve disk (311) blocking the first valve hole (301), the valve disk (311) rotates in one direction around the valve shaft (312) and the second disk (312b) moves upward, and as a result, the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b) can be opened together.

[0112] Meanwhile, even if the injection nozzle (N) does not pass through the valve hole (301) and the injection port (270), if the electrolyte (E) is discharged from the outside of the container, the valve disc (311) can rotate by the hydraulic pressure of the electrolyte (E).

[0113] At this time, the electrolyte (E) is injected through the first valve hole (301a) and the internal air is discharged to the outside through the second valve hole (301b), so that the inflow of the electrolyte (E) through the first valve hole (301a) can be made more smoothly.

[0114] Referring to Fig. 6, gas may be generated in the electrode assembly (100) during the charging and discharging process of the battery cell (10), such as the degassing process. When the gas (G) generated inside the case (210) reaches a predetermined pressure, the first disk (311a) and the second disk (312b) of the valve disk (311) may be pressurized toward the outside due to the difference in pressure with the external pressure of the case (210).

[0115] In one embodiment, since a valve stopper (350) is provided at the bottom of the second disk (311b), even if the pressure applied to the first disk (311a) is temporarily greater than the pressure applied to the second disk (311b), the valve disk (311) does not rotate in the other direction (clockwise in the drawing), and eventually, the second disk (311b) is pushed outward by the internal pressure of the case (210), causing the valve disk (311) to rotate only in one direction (counterclockwise in the drawing).

[0116] That is, according to one embodiment, in the injection process in which fluid is introduced into the case and the degassing process in which fluid is discharged outside the case, the valve disc (311) can rotate in only one direction.

[0117] When the valve disc (311) rotates in one direction, both the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b) are opened, so that the gas (G) inside the case (210) can be dispersed and discharged through the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b).

[0118] Meanwhile, although the present disclosure describes that the valve stopper (350) is arranged at the lower end of the second disk (311b), this is only one embodiment, and the valve stopper (350) may be configured to support the valve disk (311) so that it rotates in only one direction. For example, the valve stopper (350) may be arranged at the upper end of the first disk (311a) so that the valve disk (311) rotates in only one direction.

[0119] However, since the valve stopper (350) is provided at the lower end of the other side of the valve disc (312), the valve disc (312) can open the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b) together by rotating only in one direction in which the other side moves away from the injection port (270).

[0120] Meanwhile, the valve body (310) can rotate due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the case (210), thereby changing the open area of ​​the injection port (270).

[0121] Specifically, as the pressure difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the case (210) increases, the valve body (310) rotates at a larger angle in one direction, thereby increasing the open area of ​​the injection port (270). This also applies to the auxiliary body (320, see FIG. 7) described later.

[0122] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a valve cap according to another embodiment.

[0123] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the valve cap (300) may be provided with an auxiliary disk (313) on the valve disk (311). Meanwhile, other embodiments will be described with overlapping content with the above-described embodiment omitted.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 7, a valve cap (300) according to another embodiment of the present disclosure may include an auxiliary body (320) provided with an auxiliary disk (321) that is rotatably provided on a valve disk (311) to open and close a portion of the valve disk (311) and an auxiliary shaft (322) that provides a rotation axis to the auxiliary disk (321).

[0125] The auxiliary body (320) may be provided on either the first disk (311a) or the second disk (311b).

[0126] For example, the auxiliary disk (321) may be provided on the second disk (311b), and the auxiliary shaft (322) may be rotatably supported on the second disk (311b). At this time, the auxiliary disk (321) may be provided as a part of the second disk (311b), and may be provided to open and close a part of the second disk (311b) while rotating based on the auxiliary shaft (322).

[0127] Here, a portion of the first disk (311a) or the second disk (311b) that is opened or closed by the auxiliary body (320) may be referred to as a disk hole (305). Since the disk hole (305) is connected to the injection port (270), when the disk hole (305) is opened, fluid can pass through the injection port (270) toward the inside or outside of the case (210).

[0128] Meanwhile, unlike the valve disc (311) that opens the injection port (270) to the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b), the auxiliary disc (313) may be provided to open only the disc hole (305). For this purpose, an auxiliary shaft (314) may be provided at one end of the auxiliary disc.

[0129] The auxiliary shaft (322) may be provided according to the same principle as the valve shaft (312). For example, the auxiliary shaft (322) may be provided so as to protrude from one side of the auxiliary disk (321) and be inserted into the valve disk (311).

[0130] However, unlike the valve shaft (312) which is provided between one end and the other end of the valve disc (311) and divides the valve hole (301) into two spaces, the auxiliary shaft (322) may be provided at one end or the other end of the auxiliary disc (321).

[0131] Through this, the auxiliary shaft (322) does not divide the disk hole (305) into two spaces, and at least a part of the auxiliary disk (321) may not move to the lower part of the disk hole (305) when the auxiliary body (320) rotates.

[0132] That is, unlike when the valve body (310) rotates, both flow path spaces (the first valve hole 301a and the second valve hole (301b)) are opened, when the auxiliary body (320) rotates, only one flow path space (the disk hole 305) can be opened.

[0133] Additionally, according to another embodiment, an auxiliary stopper (370) that prevents rotation of the auxiliary body (310) in one direction may be further included. (See FIG. 9)

[0134] The auxiliary stopper (370) can support the auxiliary disk (321) so that the auxiliary body (320) rotates in only one direction, like the valve stopper (350). For example, the auxiliary stopper (370) can be positioned below the auxiliary disk (321) so as to support the lower portion of the auxiliary disk (321), so that the auxiliary disk can rotate in only one direction (counterclockwise with reference to the drawing).

[0135] At this time, the auxiliary body (320) may be provided to rotate only in the same direction as the valve body (310).

[0136] For example, when the valve stopper (350) supports the upper part of the first disk (311a) or the lower part of the second disk (311b), the auxiliary shaft (322) may be provided close to the first disk (311a) and the auxiliary stopper (370) may be arranged close to the end of the second disk (311b). (See Fig. 9)

[0137] Through this, the pressure applied in the direction in which the auxiliary body (320) opens when the valve body (310) rotates is reduced, so that the auxiliary body (320) can reliably maintain the state in which the auxiliary disk (305) is blocked (see FIG. 8).

[0138] However, this is just one example, and according to the present disclosure, the valve body (310) and the auxiliary body (320) may be provided to rotate in opposite directions.

[0139] FIG. 8 is a drawing showing that an electrolyte is injected through a liquid injection port according to another embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a drawing showing that a gas is discharged through a liquid injection port according to another embodiment.

[0140] Referring to Fig. 8, the injection nozzle (N) can discharge the electrolyte (E) into the internal space of the case (210) through the valve hole and the injection port (270), and at this time, the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b) can be opened together as the valve disc (311) rotates in one direction. Meanwhile, the overlapping content with one embodiment is omitted.

[0141] For example, since the lower end of the auxiliary body (320) can be supported by the auxiliary stopper (370), even if the external pressure of the case (210) is greater than the internal pressure and the auxiliary body (320) is pressed inward, the auxiliary body (320) may not rotate.

[0142] On the other hand, referring to FIG. 9, when the pressure inside the case (210) becomes greater than the external pressure by a certain range or more due to gas (G) generated in the degassing process, etc., the valve disc (311) and the auxiliary disc (321) are subjected to pressure in the direction toward the outside of the case (210).

[0143] Specifically, since the valve stopper (350) and the auxiliary stopper (370) are provided, the valve disc (311) and the auxiliary disc (321) can only rotate in one direction (counterclockwise in the drawing). Here, the auxiliary body (320) may be provided so that it can rotate at a pressure lower than the pressure at which the valve body (310) rotates, and at this time, the valve body (310) does not rotate and only the auxiliary body (320) rotates in one direction.

[0144] That is, when the gas (G) inside the case (210) presses the first disk (311a) and the second disk (312b) together toward the outside of the case (210), the auxiliary disk (321) provided in the second disk (312b) rotates in one direction to open the auxiliary hole (305), and as a result, the gas (G) can be discharged from the inside of the case (210) through the injection port (270).

[0145] As the auxiliary body (320) rotates, the difference between the pressure inside and outside the case (210) gradually decreases, so the valve body (310) may not rotate.

[0146] At this time, the auxiliary disk (321) can be made to have a larger cross-sectional area than the second disk (312b) so that it can receive greater pressure than the second disk (312b), thereby improving the operational reliability in which the auxiliary disk (321) opens first.

[0147] In other words, according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, unlike one embodiment, when the pressure inside the case (210) is greater than the external pressure, the injection port (270) can be opened by rotating only the auxiliary body (320).

[0148] Meanwhile, since the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b) are formed by the valve cover (330) inserted into the injection port (270), the open area may be smaller than that of the injection port (270). In addition, since the disk hole (305) is formed in a part of the first disk (311a) or the second disk (311b), the open area may be smaller than that of the first valve hole (301a) and the second valve hole (301b).

[0149] While 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 those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention as set forth in the claims. Some components of the above-described embodiments may be omitted, and the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0150] The above description is merely an example of applying the principles of the present disclosure, and other configurations may be included without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Electrode assembly; A container that houses the electrode assembly in its internal space and includes a liquid port through which a fluid passes; and A battery cell including a valve cap that is provided to close the above-mentioned filling port, but rotates in one direction at a predetermined angle due to a difference between the internal pressure and the external pressure of the container or an external force to open the filling port; 2. In paragraph 1, The above valve cap, A valve cover having a valve hole communicating with the above-mentioned injection port and inserted into the above-mentioned injection port; and A battery cell including a valve body that is rotatable in the valve hole and is provided to open and close the valve hole; 3. In paragraph 2, The above valve body, A battery cell including a valve disc having a shape corresponding to the above valve hole and a valve shaft arranged across the valve hole to provide a rotation axis to the valve disc.

4. In paragraph 3, The above valve shaft divides the valve hole into a first valve hole and a second valve hole, and is a battery cell.

5. In paragraph 4, The above valve disc is provided with a first disc arranged on one side of the valve shaft and a second disc arranged on the other side, A battery cell in which the first disk is provided to open and close the first valve hole and the second disk is provided to open and close the second valve hole.

6. In paragraph 5, The first disk and the second disk are provided to rotate together based on the valve axis, so that the first valve hole and the second valve hole are opened and closed together in the battery cell.

7. In paragraph 6, The above valve cap further includes a valve stopper that prevents the valve body from rotating in another direction, A battery cell in which the valve body is provided to rotate in only one direction when fluid passes through the above-mentioned injection port.

8. In paragraph 7, The above valve stopper A battery cell provided to support either the upper part of the first disk or the lower part of the second disk 9. In paragraph 6, The above valve cap A disk hole formed through one of the first disk or the second disk and communicating with the injection port; and A battery cell including an auxiliary body that is provided to close the disk hole, but rotates at a predetermined angle to open the disk hole due to the difference between the internal pressure of the container and the external pressure of the container; 10. In paragraph 9, The above auxiliary body is, An auxiliary disk having a shape corresponding to the above disk hole; and An auxiliary shaft providing a rotation axis to the auxiliary disk; The above auxiliary disk is a battery cell that opens the disk hole while rotating around the rotation axis.

11. In Article 10 The above disk hole is penetrated with an area smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first disk or the second disk, and the auxiliary disk is provided with a cross-sectional area corresponding to the open area of ​​the disk hole, and the battery cell 12. In paragraph 11, The above auxiliary shaft is a battery cell provided at one end of the above auxiliary disk.

13. In paragraph 12, The above valve cap further includes an auxiliary stopper that supports the lower side of the auxiliary disk and prevents it from moving to the lower side of the disk hole.

14. In paragraph 13, The above valve cap further includes a valve stopper that prevents the valve body from rotating in another direction so that the valve body rotates only in one direction when fluid passes through the injection port, The above valve body and the above auxiliary body are battery cells that rotate in the same direction.

15. Electrode assembly; A container that houses the electrode assembly in its internal space and includes a liquid port through which a fluid passes; and A valve cap is provided rotatably in the above-mentioned injection port and opens and closes the injection port; The above valve cap A battery cell in which the area for opening the injection port increases as the difference between the internal pressure of the container and the external pressure of the container increases.

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