Battery cell and, battery module including same, and battery pack including same, and vehicle including same

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery cell, a battery module including same, a battery pack including same, and a vehicle including same. The battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; electrode leads connected to the electrode assembly; a cell case in which the electrode assembly is accommodated, the electrode leads are supported, and a sealing portion is formed; and an internal pressure uniformity member coupled to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the cell case.

Description

Battery cell and battery module including same and battery pack including same and vehicle including same

[0001] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0121322, filed on September 12, 2023, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of the said application are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery module including the same, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle including the same, and more specifically, to a battery cell capable of uniformly maintaining the internal pressure of a pouch, a battery module including the same, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle including the same.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which have high applicability according to product group and electrical characteristics such as high energy density, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electrical power sources.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency because they not only have the primary advantage of drastically reducing the use of fossil fuels, but also have the advantage of producing no byproducts from energy use.

[0005] Commonly used secondary battery types include lithium-ion batteries, lithium polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these unit secondary battery cells ranges from approximately 2.5 V to 4.5 V.

[0006] Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery module or battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity, a number of battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery module or battery pack. Accordingly, the number and electrical connection configuration of battery cells included in a battery module or battery pack can be varied depending on at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] Meanwhile, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-shaped secondary battery cells are known. A pouch-shaped battery cell comprises a cathode, separator, anode, and electrolyte housed within a pouch made of, for example, aluminum. A seal is formed at the edge of the pouch to prevent the electrolyte from leaking out.

[0008] However, during the charging and discharging process of the battery cell, gas is generated inside the pouch, and if swelling occurs, causing the pouch to swell, the gas may be released through the sealing part at an unexpected point, which may have a negative effect on the battery cell or battery module, such as by causing a fire.

[0009] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery cell capable of preventing gas inside the battery cell from escaping through any sealing portion and maintaining the internal pressure of the cell case uniformly, a battery module including the same, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile including the same.

[0010] In addition, the present invention provides a battery cell capable of reducing the risk of fire, a battery module including the same, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle including the same.

[0011] However, the technical problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the problems described above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell may be provided, including: an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; an electrode lead connected to the electrode assembly; a cell case in which the electrode assembly is accommodated, the electrode lead is supported, and a sealing portion is formed; and an internal pressure equalizing member coupled to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the cell case.

[0013] In one embodiment, the cell case has a long side and a short side, and the pressure equalizing member can be joined to a sealing portion located close to the electrode lead along the short side of the cell case.

[0014] In one embodiment, the pressure-equalizing member may include a magnetic body portion formed with a length corresponding to the length of a short side of the cell case and arranged along the short side; and a magnetic body coupling portion coupled to the magnetic body portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the magnetic body may include a neodymium magnet.

[0016] In one embodiment, the cell case has a long side and a short side, and the pressure-equalizing member can be coupled to the cell case along the long side of the cell case.

[0017] In one embodiment, the pressure-equalizing member may include a magnetic body portion formed with a length corresponding to the long side length of the cell case and arranged along the long side; and a magnetic body coupling portion coupled to the magnetic body portion.

[0018] In one embodiment, the magnetic body part may include a first part covering the cell case along a long side of the cell case; a second part forming one end of the first part and electrically connected to a first electrode lead among the electrode leads; and a third part forming the other end of the first part and electrically connected to a second electrode lead among the electrode leads.

[0019] In one embodiment, the device includes a first conductor and a second conductor, wherein the first conductor can be coupled to the second portion, and the second conductor can be coupled to the third portion.

[0020] In one embodiment, the magnetic coupling portion may include a fourth portion covering the cell case along a long side of the cell case; a fifth portion forming one end of the fourth portion and electrically connected to a first electrode lead among the electrode leads; and a sixth portion forming the other end of the fourth portion and electrically connected to a second electrode lead among the electrode leads.

[0021] In one embodiment, the fourth section may be coupled with a foam pad.

[0022] In one embodiment, the third conductor and the fourth conductor are included, and the third conductor can be coupled to the fifth section, and the fourth conductor can be coupled to the sixth section.

[0023] In one embodiment, when a connecting hole is formed in the magnetic body portion, a plug is coupled to the magnetic body coupling portion, and a plurality of cell cases, each of which is coupled with the internal pressure equalizing member, are stacked, the plug of a first cell case among the plurality of cell cases can be inserted into a connecting hole of a second cell case among the plurality of cell cases.

[0024] In one embodiment, the plug may be removably coupled to the magnetic coupling portion.

[0025] In one embodiment, an insulating layer may be formed between the plug and the magnetic coupling portion.

[0026] In one embodiment, the second portion and the third portion may be magnetic, and the first portion may be a non-magnetic material connected to the magnetic material.

[0027] In one embodiment, the magnetic body may include a neodymium magnet.

[0028] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery module including at least one of the above-described battery cells may be provided, a battery pack including at least one of the above-described battery cells may be provided, and further, a vehicle including at least one of the above-described battery cells may be provided.

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect of preventing gas inside a battery cell from being discharged through any sealing portion and maintaining the internal pressure of the cell case uniform.

[0030] Additionally, it has the effect of reducing the risk of fire.

[0031] However, the effects that can be obtained through the present invention are not limited to the effects described above, and other technical effects that are not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention described below.

[0032] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention described below, serve to further understand the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited to matters described in such drawings.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a front view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 is a side view of Figure 1.

[0035] Figure 3 is a plan view of a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] Figure 4 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 3.

[0037] Figure 5 is a plan view showing a battery cell having multiple numbers according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 6 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 5.

[0039] Fig. 7 is a drawing showing a plurality of battery cells coupled to each other in Fig. 5.

[0040] Figure 8 is an enlarged view of part C of Figure 7.

[0041] Figure 9 is a plan view of a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 10 is a plan view showing a battery cell having multiple numbers according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figure 11 is a drawing showing a plurality of battery cells coupled to each other in Figure 10.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of a battery module including a battery cell according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of a battery pack including a battery module according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms or words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted with 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 to best explain his or her own invention. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, and various equivalents and modifications may exist as of the time of this application.

[0048] In the drawings, the sizes of each component or specific parts of that component are exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for convenience and clarity of explanation. Therefore, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If a detailed description of a related known function or configuration is deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, such description will be omitted.

[0049] The term 'joint' or 'connection' as used herein includes not only cases where one member is directly joined or directly connected to another member, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0050] FIG. 1 is a front view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of FIG. 1.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery cell (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly (100), an electrode lead (200), a cell case (300), and an internal pressure equalizing member (400). Here, the battery cell (10) may include a pouch-type battery cell (10).

[0052] The electrode assembly (100) may include a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. For example, the first electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate or a negative electrode plate, and the second electrode plate may correspond to an electrode plate having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate. That is, if the first electrode plate is a positive electrode plate, the second electrode plate may be a negative electrode plate, and if the first electrode plate is a negative electrode plate, the second electrode plate may be a positive electrode plate.

[0053] The electrode lead (200) is electrically connected to the electrode assembly (100). The electrode lead (200) may be connected to only one longitudinal side of the electrode assembly (100) or to both sides. For convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on the case where the electrode lead (200) is connected to both longitudinal sides of the electrode assembly (100).

[0054] The electrode lead (200) may include, for example, a first electrode lead (200a) and a second electrode lead (200b). Here, the first electrode lead (200a) may be connected to the first electrode plate and may represent a positive pole or a negative pole. In addition, the second electrode lead (200b) may be connected to the second electrode plate and may represent a positive pole or a negative pole. Here, the polarities of the first electrode lead (200a) and the second electrode lead (200b) are opposite. That is, when the first electrode lead (200a) is a positive pole, the second electrode lead (200b) is a negative pole, and when the first electrode lead (200a) is a negative pole, the second electrode lead (200b) is a positive pole.

[0055] The cell case (300) accommodates an electrode assembly (100) therein. That is, the cell case (300) may include a receiving space for accommodating the electrode assembly (100) therein. At this time, the cell case (300) accommodates an electrolyte therein, and the electrode assembly (100) may be accommodated therein in a form in which the electrode assembly (100) is impregnated with the electrolyte.

[0056] The cell case (300) may be configured in a pouch shape, for example. For example, the cell case (300) may be manufactured from a metal material such as aluminum (Al), but the material of the cell case (300) is not limited thereto. For convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on a case where the cell case (300) is in a pouch shape and manufactured from aluminum.

[0057] The cell case (300) may be configured to support the electrode lead (200). At this time, the electrode lead (200) may protrude a preset length outside the cell case (300). In addition, a sealing portion (310) may be formed along the side edge of the cell case (300). The sealing portion (310) prevents, for example, an electrolyte inside the cell case (300) from leaking out, and also prevents gases generated during charging and discharging of the battery cell (10) from leaking out of the cell case (300).

[0058] Referring to Fig. 1, the cell case (300) has a long side and a short side. With reference to Fig. 1, the Y direction is the long side direction, and the Z direction is the short side direction.

[0059] The pressure-equalizing member (400) is coupled to at least a portion of the sealing portion (310) of the cell case (300). As the battery cell (10) undergoes a charging and discharging process, gas is generated inside the cell case (300), and if swelling occurs, causing the pouch to swell, the gas may be released through the sealing portion (310) at an unexpected point. However, since the risk of fire increases when the gas is released, it is necessary to prevent this.

[0060] In the battery cell (10) according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the internal pressure equalizing member (400) is coupled to the sealing portion (310) of the cell case (300), so that even if gas is generated inside the cell case (300), the gas is not discharged through any sealing portion (310), and the internal pressure acting on the cell case (300) is maintained uniformly. In addition, the risk of fire is reduced thereby.

[0061] Referring to FIG. 1, the pressure equalizing member (400) can be coupled to the sealing portion (310) located close to the electrode lead (200) along the short side of the cell case (300).

[0062] Here, the pressure-equalizing member (400) can be coupled to the sealing portion (310) of the cell case (300) in various ways. For example, the pressure-equalizing member (400) can include a magnetic body portion (410) and a magnetic body coupling portion (420).

[0063] Referring to FIG. 2, the magnetic body (410) is formed with a length corresponding to the length of a short side of the cell case (300) and is arranged along the short side. The magnetic body (410) may be made of various materials having magnetism, and may include, for example, a neodymium magnet, but is not limited thereto.

[0064] And, referring back to FIG. 2, the magnetic coupling part (420) is coupled to the magnetic body part (410). That is, the magnetic coupling part (420) can be manufactured from various materials that react to the magnetic body. For example, the magnetic coupling part (420) can be manufactured from steel, but is not limited thereto.

[0065] In this way, when the magnetic body part (410) is arranged along the short side of the cell case (300), and the magnetic body coupling part (420) is coupled to the magnetic body part (410) to pressurize the sealing part (310), gas can be prevented from being discharged through the sealing part (310) formed close to the electrode lead (200). In addition, since the magnetic body part (410) and the magnetic body coupling part (420) pressurize the sealing part (310), the tensile force acting on the sealing part (310) is reduced, the sealing strength of the sealing part (310) is increased, and the moment of the corresponding part is also reduced, so that the internal pressure is not concentrated toward the sealing part (310) but is evenly spread, and the internal pressure of the entire cell case (300) becomes uniform.

[0066] Ultimately, the internal pressure of the cell case (300) becomes uniform, and gas discharge through any point of the sealing portion (310) is prevented, ultimately reducing the risk of fire.

[0067] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a plurality of battery cells according to the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of part B of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a plurality of battery cells coupled to each other in FIG. 5, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of part C of FIG. 7.

[0068] The second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that the pressure-equalizing member (400) is coupled to the cell case (300) along the long side of the cell case (300). However, the common parts described in the first embodiment are replaced with the description of the first embodiment described above. In addition, the parts described in the second embodiment that are applicable to the first embodiment can be applied to the first embodiment.

[0069] The description of the electrode assembly (100), the electrode lead (200), and the cell case (300) is replaced with the description of the first embodiment described above.

[0070] Referring to Fig. 3, the cell case (300) has a long side and a short side. Fig. 3 is a drawing of the battery cell (10) viewed from the upper side thereof, and the Y direction is the long side direction based on Fig. 3. The Z direction, which is the short side direction, is not indicated in Fig. 3.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the pressure-equalizing member (400) is coupled to the cell case (300) along the long side of the cell case (300). In the second embodiment, the pressure-equalizing member (400) can cover the entire cell case (300). Alternatively, the pressure-equalizing member (400) can be configured to partially surround the cell case (300) so that at least one side of the cell case (300) is exposed to the outside.

[0072] The pressure-equalizing member (400) can be configured to support the cell case (300) in an upright state. It is generally not easy to stack the cell case (300) formed in a pouch shape in an upright form in the vertical direction due to the rigidity of the cell case (300), etc.

[0073] However, the pressure-equalizing member (400) may be configured to surround one or more cell cases (300) and maintain the upright state, i.e., the standing state, of the surrounded cell cases (300).

[0074] In addition, the pressure-equalizing member (400) may be configured such that at least one side of the wrapped cell case (300) is exposed toward the bottom surface of the module case (200) of the battery module (20) or the pack case (300) of the battery pack (30). That is, the battery cell (10) according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be maintained in an upright state by the pressure-equalizing member (400), and thereby can be stacked on the module case (200). In this case, the battery module (20) is housed in the pack case (300).

[0075] Alternatively, the battery cell (10) may be directly housed in the pack case (300) while being maintained in an upright state by the pressure-equalizing member (400). In this case, the module case (200) may be omitted, and accordingly, the battery cell (10) can be housed in the space occupied by the module case (200) within the pack case (300), thereby increasing the energy density.

[0076] Referring to Fig. 3, the pressure-equalizing member (400) may include a magnetic body portion (410) and a magnetic body coupling portion (420). Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cell case (300) as viewed from above, and in Fig. 3, the cell case (300) is arranged in the vertical direction based on Fig. 3, that is, in the Y direction of Fig. 3, which is the long side direction of the cell case (300). In addition, the first electrode lead (200a) is arranged on the upper side, and the second electrode lead (200b) is arranged on the lower side.

[0077] Here, the magnetic body (410) is formed with a length corresponding to the long side length of the cell case (300) and is arranged along the long side of the cell case (300). The magnetic body (410) can be made of various materials having magnetism, and may include, for example, a neodymium magnet, but is not limited thereto.

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5 together, the magnetic body (410) may include a first portion (411), a second portion (412), and a third portion (413). In FIG. 3, the magnetic body is formed integrally, and the first portion (411), the second portion (412), and the third portion (413) are manufactured integrally.

[0079] The first portion (411) covers the cell case (300) along the long side of the cell case (300). The first portion (411) may be configured to cover the entire side of the cell case (300), or may be configured to cover a portion of the side of the cell case (300).

[0080] The second portion (412) forms one end of the first portion (411) and is electrically connected to the first electrode lead (200a) among the electrode leads (200). In Fig. 3, the second portion (412) forms the upper end of the first portion (411), but is not limited thereto.

[0081] A first conductor (415) made of a material that conducts electricity can be coupled to the second portion (412), and the first conductor (415) is electrically connected to the first electrode lead (200a) (see FIG. 5). The method by which the first conductor (415) is coupled to the second portion (412) may vary, and for example, the first conductor (415) may be coupled to the second portion (412) by bonding, but is not limited thereto.

[0082] The third portion (413) forms the other end of the first portion (411) and is electrically connected to the second electrode lead (200b) among the electrode leads (200). In Fig. 3, the third portion (413) forms the lower end of the first portion (411), but is not limited thereto.

[0083] A second conductor (416) made of a material that conducts electricity can be coupled to the third section (413), and the second conductor (416) is electrically connected to the second electrode lead (200b) (see FIG. 5). There are various ways in which the second conductor (416) is coupled to the third section (413), and for example, the second conductor (416) can be coupled to the third section (413) by bonding, but is not limited thereto.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5 together, the magnetic coupling portion (420) is coupled to the magnetic portion (410). That is, the magnetic coupling portion (420) can be manufactured from various materials that react to the magnetic substance. For example, the magnetic coupling portion (420) can be manufactured from steel, but is not limited thereto.

[0085] The magnetic coupling portion (420) may include a fourth portion (421), a fifth portion (422), and a sixth portion (423). In FIG. 3, the fourth portion (421), the fifth portion (422), and the sixth portion (423) may be formed integrally.

[0086] The fourth section (421) covers the cell case (300) along the long side of the cell case (300) at an opposite position to the first section (411). For example, if the first section (411) of the magnetic body section (410) covers the left side of the cell case (300) with reference to FIG. 3, the fourth section (421) of the magnetic body coupling section (420) may be formed to cover the right side of the cell case (300) with reference to FIG. 3, but is not limited thereto.

[0087] Here, the fourth portion (421) may be configured to cover the entire side surface of the cell case (300), or may be configured to cover a portion of the side surface of the cell case (300). Meanwhile, referring back to FIG. 3, a foam pad (430) may be combined with the fourth portion (421) to cushion the cell case (300). The foam pad (430) may be made of polyurethane, but the material of the foam pad (430) is not limited thereto.

[0088] The fifth portion (422) forms one end of the fourth portion (421) and is electrically connected to the first electrode lead (200a) of the electrode leads (200). In Fig. 3, the fifth portion (422) forms the upper end of the fourth portion (421), but is not limited thereto.

[0089] A third conductor (425) made of a material that conducts electricity can be coupled to the fifth section (422), and the third conductor (425) is electrically connected to the first electrode lead (200a) (see FIG. 5). The method by which the third conductor (425) is coupled to the fifth section (422) may vary, for example, a hole (429) may be formed in the fifth section (422) and the third conductor (425) may be inserted into the hole formed in the fifth section (422). However, the method by which the third conductor (425) is coupled to the fifth section (422) is not limited thereto.

[0090] The sixth portion (423) forms the other end of the fourth portion (421) and is electrically connected to the second electrode lead (200b) among the electrode leads (200). In Fig. 3, the sixth portion (423) forms the lower end of the fourth portion (421), but is not limited thereto.

[0091] A fourth conductor (426) made of a material that conducts electricity can be coupled to the sixth section (423), and the fourth conductor (426) is electrically connected to the second electrode lead (200b) (see FIG. 5). The manner in which the fourth conductor (426) is coupled to the sixth section (423) may vary, for example, a hole (429, see FIG. 6) may be formed in the sixth section (423) and the fourth conductor (426) may be inserted into the hole (429) formed in the sixth section (423). However, the manner in which the fourth conductor (426) is coupled to the sixth section (423) is not limited thereto.

[0092] Referring to FIG. 5, a magnetic body part (410) and a magnetic body coupling part (420) can be combined with a cell case (300) to form one cell unit (500). And, referring to FIG. 7, a plurality of cell units (500) can be combined with each other.

[0093] Here, a plurality of cell units (500) may be combined with each other and stacked on the module case (200) of the battery module (20), or may be stacked directly on the pack case (300) of the battery pack (30) without the module case (200). That is, the magnetic body and the magnetic body coupling portion (420) not only have the function of pressing the sealing portion (310), but also have the function of supporting the cell case (300) so that the cell case (300) maintains an upright state within the module case (200) or the pack case (300).

[0094] The method by which the plurality of cell units (500) are coupled to each other may vary, for example, as in FIG. 5, a connection hole (414) is formed in the magnetic body portion (410), a plug (424) is coupled to the magnetic body coupling portion (420), and referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a plurality of cell cases (300) may be stacked in which the pressure-equalizing member (400) is coupled in such a manner that the plug (424) of the first cell case (300a) among the plurality of cell cases (300) is inserted into the connection hole (414) of the second cell case (300b) among the plurality of cell cases (300). Here, the plug (424) coupled to the magnetic body coupling portion (420) may be included in the third conductor (425) described above, and may also be included in the fourth conductor (426). That is, the plug (424) is made of a material that conducts electricity.

[0095] And, a plurality of cell units (500) can be combined with each other in the above-described manner and stacked within a module case (200) or a pack case (300).

[0096] Here, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the plug (424) can be detachably coupled to the magnetic coupling portion (420). Referring to FIG. 6, the plug (424) included in the fourth conductor (426) is removed from the portion of the sixth section (423).

[0097] Since the plug (424) is connected to the first electrode lead (200a) or the second electrode lead (200b) by being included in the third conductor (425) or the fourth conductor (426), a short circuit may occur if it is incorrectly connected, for example, if the same polarity is connected in series. To prevent this, if necessary, the plug (424) may be removed from the hole (429) formed in the magnetic coupling portion (420), as shown on the right side of FIG. 6, or the plug (424) may be inserted into the hole (429) formed in the magnetic coupling portion (420), as shown on the left side of FIG. 6, to connect a plurality of cell units (500). Here, the plug (424) may have a connecting screw thread (429, see FIG. 4) formed around its periphery.

[0098] Referring to FIG. 4, an insulating layer (428) may be formed between the plug (424) and the magnetic coupling portion (420). The insulating layer (428) is formed for electrical insulation between the magnetic coupling portion (420) made of a conductive steel material and the plug (424) made of a conductive material. Here, the insulating layer (428) may be formed of various materials, and for example, may be formed of plastic, but the material of the insulating layer (428) is not limited thereto.

[0099] In this way, when the magnetic body part (410) is arranged along the long side of the cell case (300), and the magnetic body coupling part (420) is coupled to the magnetic body part (410) to pressurize the sealing part (310), gas can be prevented from being discharged through the sealing part (310) formed close to the electrode lead (200), and the effect of reducing the risk of fire occurrence is common to the first embodiment.

[0100] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a plan view of a battery cell having a plurality of cells according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11 is a drawing showing a plurality of battery cells coupled to each other in FIG. 10.

[0101] The third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first and second embodiments in the shape of the cell case (300), and accordingly, the structure of the pressure-equalizing member (400) is different from the first and second embodiments. However, the common content described in the first or second embodiment is replaced with the description of the first or second embodiment described above. In addition, the content applicable to the first or second embodiment among the parts described in the third embodiment can be applied to the first or second embodiment.

[0102] Referring to Fig. 9, the second section (412) and the third section (413) are magnetic. Since this is common to the second embodiment described above, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. However, the first section (411) is formed of a non-magnetic material and is connected to the second section (412) and the third section (413), respectively.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 9, since the cell case (300) protrudes toward the magnetic body part (410) unlike FIG. 3, in order for the magnetic body part (410) to be coupled to the cell case (300) in FIG. 9, a stepped portion that is recessed inward must be formed in the magnetic body part (410). However, since it is not easy to process a step portion in a magnetic body such as a neodymium magnet, to facilitate processing, the first portion (411) is formed of a non-magnetic material and connected to the second portion (412) and the third portion (413), respectively, and in this respect, there is a difference in configuration from the second embodiment.

[0104] However, since the content of forming one cell unit (500) by combining a magnetic body part (410) and a magnetic body coupling part (420) in a cell case (300) in FIG. 10 and the content of combining multiple cell units (500) in FIG. 11 are common to the second embodiment, they are replaced with the content described above in the second embodiment.

[0105] In the third embodiment, the magnetic body (410) may be made of various materials having magnetism, and may include, for example, a neodymium magnet, but is not limited thereto.

[0106] FIG. 12 is a schematic drawing of a battery module including a battery cell according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 12, a battery module (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above. In FIG. 12, battery cells (10) are stacked on each other to form a cell unit (500), which is schematically illustrated.

[0108] Here, the battery module (20) may include, for example, a module case (200) that accommodates a plurality of battery cells (10) electrically connected to each other.

[0109] FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing of a battery pack including a battery module according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 13, a battery pack (30) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (10) or battery modules (20) according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above. In addition, the battery pack (30) may further include a pack case (300) for storing the battery cells (10) or battery modules (20), and various devices for controlling charging and discharging of the battery cells (10), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0111] FIG. 14 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] Referring to FIG. 14, a vehicle (400) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (10), battery modules (20), or battery packs (30) according to each of the embodiments described above. Here, the vehicle (400) includes various types of vehicles that are designed to use electricity, such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles, for example.

[0113] In this specification, when terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are only for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0114] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and variations within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. In other words, the true scope of the technical spirit of the present invention is set forth in the claims, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

[0115] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery module including the same, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle including the same, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly comprising a first electrode plate having a first polarity, a second electrode plate having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate; An electrode lead connected to the electrode assembly; A cell case in which the electrode assembly is accommodated, the electrode lead is supported, and a sealing portion is formed; and A battery cell comprising a pressure-equalizing member coupled to at least a portion of the sealing portion of the cell case.

2. In paragraph 1, The above cell case has long sides and short sides, A battery cell characterized in that the pressure equalizing member is joined to a sealing portion located close to the electrode lead along the short side of the cell case.

3. In paragraph 2, The above pressure uniform member is, A magnetic body formed with a length corresponding to the length of a short side of the cell case and arranged along the short side; and A battery cell characterized by including a magnetic coupling part coupled to the magnetic part.

4. In paragraph 3, A battery cell characterized in that the magnetic body part includes a neodymium magnet.

5. In paragraph 1, The above cell case has long sides and short sides, A battery cell characterized in that the pressure uniforming member is coupled to the cell case along the long side of the cell case.

6. In paragraph 5, The above pressure uniform member is, A magnetic body formed with a length corresponding to the long side length of the cell case and arranged along the long side; and A battery cell characterized by including a magnetic coupling part coupled to the magnetic part.

7. In paragraph 6, The above magnetic body part, A first part covering the cell case along the long side of the cell case; A second part forming one end of the first part and electrically connected to the first electrode lead among the electrode leads; and A battery cell characterized in that it forms the other end of the first part and includes a third part electrically connected to the second electrode lead among the electrode leads.

8. In paragraph 7, Contains a first conductor and a second conductor, A battery cell characterized in that the first conductor is coupled to the second portion, and the second conductor is coupled to the third portion.

9. In paragraph 6, The above magnetic bonding part is, A fourth part covering the cell case along the long side of the cell case; A fifth part forming one end of the fourth part and electrically connected to the first electrode lead among the electrode leads; and A battery cell characterized in that it forms the other end of the fourth section and includes a sixth section electrically connected to the second electrode lead among the electrode leads.

10. In paragraph 9, A battery cell characterized in that the fourth section is combined with a foam pad.

11. In paragraph 9, Includes a third conductor and a fourth conductor, A battery cell characterized in that the third conductor is coupled to the fifth section, and the fourth conductor is coupled to the sixth section.

12. In paragraph 6, A connecting hole is formed in the above magnetic body part, A plug is coupled to the above magnetic coupling part, A battery cell characterized in that when a plurality of cell cases, each of which is connected to the above-mentioned internal pressure uniform member, are stacked, the plug of the first cell case among the plurality of cell cases is inserted into the connecting hole of the second cell case among the plurality of cell cases.

13. In paragraph 12, A battery cell characterized in that the plug is detachably coupled to the magnetic coupling portion.

14. In paragraph 12, A battery cell characterized in that an insulating layer is formed between the plug and the magnetic coupling portion.

15. In paragraph 7, A battery cell characterized in that the second part and the third part are magnetic materials, and the first part is a non-magnetic material connected to the magnetic material.

16. In paragraph 6, A battery cell characterized in that the magnetic body part includes a neodymium magnet.

17. A battery module comprising a battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A battery pack comprising a battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. A vehicle comprising a battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

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