Battery, and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery according to one embodiment of the present invention may comprise: an electrode assembly including an electrode having an uncoated part; a battery housing that has an opening part formed on one side and can accommodate the electrode assembly in an inner space; a cap fixed to an area of the battery housing and covering the opening part; a gasket surrounding the edge of the cap and fixed between the cap and the battery housing; a first portion provided at an end portion of one side of the gasket and in close contact with a lower portion of the cap; and a second portion in close contact with an inner surface of the battery housing.

Description

Batteries, battery packs containing the same, and vehicles

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle. This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0149470, filed November 1, 2023, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0150664, filed October 30, 2024, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] 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.

[0003] 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.

[0004] Currently, widely used types of secondary batteries 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 is approximately 2.5 V to 4.5 V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple batteries are connected in series to form a battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the required charge / discharge capacity of the battery pack, multiple batteries are connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Therefore, the number of batteries included in a battery pack and the electrical connection type can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage and / or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, known secondary battery cell types include cylindrical, square, and pouch-shaped batteries. Cylindrical batteries are formed by interposing an insulator separator between the positive and negative electrodes, winding the separator to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly, which is then inserted into the battery housing along with an electrolyte. The opening in the battery housing is then covered with a vent cap.

[0006] However, a gasket is installed between the vent cap and the battery housing for sealing. This gasket has a problem: when internal battery pressure increases, the seal weakens, potentially allowing electrolyte and other substances inside to leak.

[0007] The present invention was created in consideration of the above-described problems, and its primary purpose is to provide a battery in which the sealing state of the battery is strengthened when the internal pressure of the battery increases due to thermal runaway.

[0008] 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.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a battery may include an electrode assembly including an electrode having a non-conductive portion, a battery housing having an opening formed at one side and capable of accommodating the electrode assembly in an internal space, a cap fixed to an area of ​​the battery housing to cover the opening, a gasket surrounding an edge of the cap and fixed between the cap and the battery housing, and a sealing portion including a first portion provided at one end of the gasket and in close contact with a lower portion of the cap and a second portion in close contact with an inner surface of the battery housing.

[0010] Additionally, the sealing portion may extend from one end of the gasket and be formed integrally with the gasket.

[0011] In addition, the sealing portion may be formed as a separate configuration from the gasket and connected to one end of the gasket.

[0012] And, the first part may be configured to be more closely attached to the lower portion of the cap as the pressure inside the battery housing increases.

[0013] Furthermore, the first part can seal between one end of the gasket and the lower portion of the cap.

[0014] Additionally, the second portion may be configured to be more closely attached to the inner surface of the battery housing as the pressure inside the battery housing increases.

[0015] Additionally, the second part can seal between one end of the gasket and the inner surface of the battery housing.

[0016] Additionally, as the pressure inside the battery housing increases, the angle between the first portion and the second portion increases, so that the first portion can be configured to come into closer contact with the lower portion of the cap, and the second portion can be configured to come into closer contact with the inner surface of the battery housing.

[0017] In addition, the present invention further includes a current collector electrically connecting the electrode assembly and the battery housing, and the sealing portion may be configured to surround at least a portion of the current collector.

[0018] And, the second portion may be configured to surround and seal at least a portion of the entire body.

[0019] And, the entire body can be electrically connected to the battery housing by penetrating at least a portion of the sealing portion.

[0020] Additionally, the first part may be configured to form a slope at a predetermined angle with the lower portion of the cap.

[0021] Additionally, the second part may be configured to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the inner surface of the battery housing.

[0022] A battery pack according to embodiments of the present invention may include the battery described above.

[0023] A vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention may include the battery and / or battery pack described above.

[0024] According to various embodiments of the present invention, a battery, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle, as thermal runaway occurs in the battery and the internal pressure of the battery increases, the sealing state by the sealing portion is strengthened, thereby reducing the risk of leakage of electrolyte or the like from inside the battery.

[0025] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the embodiments belong from this specification and the attached drawings.

[0026] 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.

[0027] Figure 1 is a drawing showing the upper part of the battery open.

[0028] Figure 2 is a drawing showing the upper part of the battery closed.

[0029] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the entire battery collector.

[0030] Figure 4 is a drawing to explain the problems of conventional batteries.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a sealing portion of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a gasket and a sealing portion of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below.

[0033] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a gasket and a sealing portion of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above.

[0034] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the gasket, sealing portion, and current collector of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below.

[0035] Figure 9 is a perspective view of a gasket, a sealing portion, and a collector of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above.

[0036] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sealing portion of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sealing portion of a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a battery pack including a battery according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a battery, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle including the same according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0040] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, it should be noted that the terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be construed as limited to their conventional or dictionary meanings. Based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best explain his or her invention, they should be interpreted in a way that aligns with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0041] Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that there may be various equivalents and modified examples that can replace them at the time of filing this application.

[0042] Furthermore, the present invention includes various embodiments. For each embodiment, redundant descriptions of substantially identical or similar components will be omitted, and the differences will be described.

[0043] Additionally, to facilitate understanding of the invention, the attached drawings are not drawn to scale and some components may have exaggerated dimensions. Furthermore, identical components may be assigned the same reference numbers in different embodiments.

[0044] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0045] Additionally, when it is described that a component is "connected" or "coupled" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or coupled to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected" or "coupled" through another component.

[0046] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0047] Throughout the specification, when reference is made to “A and / or B,” this may mean A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0048] Meanwhile, in this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back may be used, but these terms are only for the convenience of explanation based on the drawings in which the terms are used, and it is obvious to a person skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains that these terms may vary depending on the position, arrangement, rotation, and position of the object being targeted.

[0049] In addition, this specification includes several embodiments, and a detailed description of parts to which the description of other embodiments can be applied identically or similarly is omitted, and the description focuses on the parts that are different from each embodiment.

[0050] Hereinafter, a battery module, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 13.

[0051] Figure 1 is a drawing showing an open top of a battery to which embodiments of the present invention can be applied.

[0052] The battery (100) may be a cylindrical battery. The battery (100) may include an electrode assembly (110), a battery housing (120), and a current collector (130).

[0053] An electrode assembly (110) may be formed by winding a laminate including two electrodes and a separator interposed therebetween. A winding center hole may be formed at the center of the electrode assembly (110). The two electrodes may each be an anode and a cathode.

[0054] An active material is coated on one area of ​​the two electrodes, and the area where the active material is not coated may be referred to as an uncoated area. An uncoated area (111) formed along the direction in which the electrode assembly (110) is wound may be disposed at the ends of the two electrodes. For convenience, FIG. 1 illustrates an uncoated area (111) of one of the two electrodes. The electrode of FIG. 1 may be either a negative electrode or a positive electrode, and is not limited to either of the two. The uncoated area (111) illustrated in FIG. 1 may be either an uncoated area of ​​the negative electrode of the electrode assembly (110) or an uncoated area of ​​the positive electrode.

[0055] The non-conductive portion (111) may be formed at one end of an electrode constituting the electrode assembly (110). The non-conductive portion (111) may extend along the direction in which the electrode assembly (110) is wound.

[0056] The non-conductive portion (111) may be provided in one area of ​​the electrode assembly (110). For example, the non-conductive portion (111) may be formed to extend from the electrode assembly (110) in the direction in which the opening portion (121) is opened.

[0057] The battery housing (120) can accommodate an electrode assembly (110) in its internal space. An opening (121) that opens the internal space may be formed on one side of the battery housing (120). The battery housing (120) can accommodate the electrode assembly (110) through the opening (121).

[0058] On the other side of the battery housing (120) not shown in Fig. 1, a closing portion (not shown) that closes the internal space opposite the opening portion (121) may be formed. The battery housing (120) may include an electrically conductive metal. Although Fig. 1 shows one side of the battery housing (120) as being open, the opening portion (121) may be closed by a different configuration.

[0059] The current collector (130) may be placed on one side of the electrode assembly (110). The current collector (130) placed on one side of the electrode assembly (110) may be placed near the opening (121).

[0060] The current collector (130) may be provided with a current collector hole. The current collector hole may be formed at a position corresponding to the winding center hole of the electrode assembly (110).

[0061] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a closed upper portion of a battery to which embodiments of the present invention can be applied.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 2, the current collector (130) may be configured to be electrically connected to the battery housing (120). For example, the current collector (130) may be electrically connected to the inner surface of the battery housing (120).

[0063] The current collector (130) may be configured to electrically connect the electrodes of the electrode assembly (110) and the battery housing (120). For example, the current collector (130) may electrically connect the electrode assembly (110) and the battery housing (120) by having one region electrically connected to the non-conductive region (111) and another region electrically connected to the battery housing (120).

[0064] Referring to FIG. 2, the battery (100) may further include a cap (140) configured to be fixed to an area of ​​the battery housing (120) and cover the opening (121). The cap (140) may be configured to be electrically insulated from the electrode assembly (110) and the battery housing (120) and to have no polarity. For example, a non-conductive gasket (150) may be interposed between the cap (140) and the battery housing (120).

[0065] A gasket (150) may surround at least a portion of the edge of the cap (140) and be secured between the cap (140) and the battery housing (120). The gasket (150) may seal between the cap (140) and the housing (120).

[0066] The gasket (150) may include, but is not limited to, rubber, silicone, nitrile, polyurethane and / or fluorocarbon.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 2, a portion of the collector (130) can be fixed between the lower portion of the gasket (150) and the upper portion of the area (beading portion) where the housing (120) is pressed in from the outer surface.

[0068] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a battery collector to which embodiments of the present invention can be applied.

[0069] The current collector (130) may be the current collector (130) illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The current collector (130) may include a support portion (131), a coupling portion (132), and a connecting portion (133).

[0070] The entire collector (130) may be a conductor having electrical conductivity.

[0071] The support portion (131) is an area of ​​the current collector (130) and can be electrically connected to the non-conductive portion (111) of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0072] The coupling portion (132) may be fixed between the lower portion of the gasket (150) of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the upper portion of the region (beading portion) where the housing (120) is pressed in from the outer surface, as an area of ​​the current collector (130). Furthermore, the coupling portion (132) may be electrically connected to the inner surface of the housing (120).

[0073] The connecting portion (133) may be a configuration that connects the support portion (131) and the coupling portion (132). The connecting portion (133) may physically / electrically connect the support portion (131) and the coupling portion (132).

[0074] The shape of the current collector (130) illustrated in FIG. 3 is an exemplary shape for explaining embodiments of the present invention below, and the shape of the current collector (130) is not particularly limited as long as it can electrically connect the non-conductive portion (111) of the electrode assembly (110) of FIGS. 1 and 2 and the battery housing (120).

[0075] According to another embodiment of the current collector (130), although not shown in FIG. 3, the current collector (130) may further include a non-conductive portion connecting portion (not shown). The non-conductive portion connecting portion may be configured to extend outwardly (or in the radial direction of the electrode assembly) from the support portion (131) and be electrically connected to the non-conductive portion (111). The non-conductive portion connecting portion may be provided between two connecting portions (133).

[0076] According to the present embodiment, the support member (131) itself is not directly connected to the non-conductive part, but may be indirectly electrically connected to the non-conductive part through a non-conductive part connecting part extending outward from the support member (131).

[0077] Additionally, according to the present embodiment, the non-conductive connecting portion and the coupling portion (132) may be indirectly electrically connected through the support portion (131) and may not be directly connected to each other.

[0078] According to the present embodiment, when an external impact is applied to the battery (100), the possibility of damage occurring at the joint portion of the current collector (130) and the electrode assembly (110) and / or the joint portion of the current collector (130) and the housing (120) can be minimized. Accordingly, the electrical connection between the non-conductive portion (111) of the electrode assembly (110) and the current collector (130) can be maintained more stably.

[0079] Fig. 4 is a drawing for explaining problems of conventional batteries. The battery (100) of Fig. 4 may include configurations identical or similar to those described in Figs. 1 to 3.

[0080] A chemical reaction occurs inside the battery (100) during charging and discharging, and if the heat generated during this reaction is not properly controlled, there is a possibility of thermal runaway.

[0081] Figure 4 illustrates a case where thermal runaway occurs inside a battery (100). If thermal runaway occurs inside the battery (100), high-temperature gas, flames, and / or sparks may be generated inside the battery (100). The gas generated inside the battery (100) due to thermal runaway may be compressed to high pressure inside the battery housing (120), increasing the internal pressure of the battery housing (120).

[0082] As described above, the gasket (150) can seal between the cap (140) and the battery housing (120). The gasket (150) can also seal between the battery housing (120) and the current collector (130). By maintaining a sealed state with the above components, the gasket (150) can prevent leakage of electrolyte, etc., inside the battery housing (120).

[0083] When the internal pressure of the battery housing (120) increases above a certain pressure due to thermal runaway, pressure may be applied to the battery housing (120), current collector (130), cap (140), gasket (150), etc., thereby deforming the shapes of the above components. In this case, a gap may open between the gasket (150) and the housing (120), between the gasket (150) and the cap (140), and / or between the gasket (150) and the current collector (130), and the sealing state may be broken.

[0084] Due to thermal runaway of the battery (100), if the sealing state between the gasket (150) and the above components is broken, a problem may occur in which the electrolyte inside the battery (100) leaks to the outside of the battery housing (120).

[0085] As shown by arrows A and B in Fig. 4, the gap between the gasket (150) and the above components is likely to become a leakage path through which electrolyte, etc. inside the battery housing (120) leaks out to the outside.

[0086] Below, various embodiments of the present invention that can solve the above problems are described.

[0087] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a sealing portion of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, the sealing portion (160) will be described as follows.

[0088] The sealing portion (160) according to one embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to the battery (100) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The battery (100) of FIG. 5 may include the same or similar implementation configurations as the battery (100) illustrated in FIG. 2, except for the sealing portion (160).

[0089] The sealing portion (160) may be provided at one end of the gasket (150). Specifically, the sealing portion (160) may be provided at an end of the gasket (150) that is inside the battery housing (120). Hereinafter, "one end of the gasket (150)" means "an end of the gasket (150) that is inside the battery housing (120)."

[0090] The sealing portion (160) may include a first portion (161) and a second portion (162). The first portion (161) may be in close contact with the lower portion of the cap (140). The second portion (162) may be in close contact with the inner surface of the battery housing (120). The first portion (161) and the second portion (162) may be approximately orthogonal, but the angle between the first portion (161) and the second portion (162) is not particularly limited.

[0091] The sealing portion (160) may include, but is not limited to, rubber, silicone, nitrile, polyurethane and / or fluorocarbon.

[0092] The sealing portion (160) may be provided at one end of the gasket (150), and the method of forming the sealing portion (160) is not limited. For example, the sealing portion (160) may extend from one end of the gasket (150) and be formed integrally with the gasket (150). In another example, the sealing portion (160) may be formed as a separate component from the gasket (150) and connected to one end of the gasket (150). The sealing portions (160) may be connected to each other by having a portion inserted into the gasket (150), or conversely, a portion of the gasket (150) may be connected to each other by having a portion inserted into the sealing portion (160).

[0093] Referring to FIG. 5, the first portion (161) can seal between one end of the gasket (150) and the lower portion of the cap. And the second portion (162) can seal between one end of the gasket (150) and the inner surface of the battery housing (120).

[0094] A penetration portion (1620) that is penetrated by the current collector (130) may be formed in a portion of the sealing portion (160). Hereinafter, the specific shapes of the gasket (150) and the sealing portion (160) will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0095] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a gasket and a sealing portion of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a gasket and a sealing portion of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. The gasket and sealing portion will be described with reference to Figs. 6 and 7 as follows.

[0096] The gasket (150) may have the same or similar configuration as the gasket (150) described above with reference to other drawings. The gasket (150) may be formed to surround the edge of the cap (140).

[0097] The sealing portion (160) may be provided at one end of the gasket (150). Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, one end of the gasket (150) may face the inside of the gasket (150). The sealing portion (160) may also include a configuration identical or similar to the sealing portion (160) described above with reference to other drawings.

[0098] A penetration portion (1620) may be formed in a portion of the sealing portion (160) through which the current collector (130) passes. The penetration portion (1620) may be configured to allow a portion of the current collector (130) to pass through. For example, the penetration portion (1620) may be configured to allow the connecting portion (133) of the current collector (130) described above with reference to FIG. 3 to pass through. The current collector (130) may be electrically connected to the battery housing (120) by passing through the penetration portion (1620) (see FIG. 5).

[0099] From another perspective, the sealing portion (160) may be configured to surround at least a portion of the current collector (130). For example, the penetration portion (1620) of the sealing portion (160) may be configured to surround the connection portion (133) of the current collector (130).

[0100] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a gasket, a sealing portion, and a current collector of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from below. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a gasket, a sealing portion, and a current collector of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above.

[0101] The sealing portion (160) may be provided in a plurality of configurations. Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the sealing portion (160) may be provided in a number corresponding to the number of connecting portions (133) of the current collector (130).

[0102] For example, referring to FIG. 9, the sealing portion (160) may be configured to be detachable in the vicinity of the penetration portion (1620) through which the connecting portion (133) penetrates. The sealing portion (160) may be provided in multiple configurations and assembled to surround the current collector (130).

[0103] However, the shape of the collector (130), the number of connecting parts (133), and the number of separated sealing parts (160) shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are exemplary and may be changed as needed.

[0104] The sealing portion (160) may be configured to surround at least a portion of the current collector (130) and seal the corresponding portion. For example, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the second portion (162) of the sealing portion (160) may surround the connection portion (133) of the current collector (130) through the through portion (1620) and seal the area between the connection portion (133) and the sealing portion (160).

[0105] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sealing portion of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the structure, function, and effect of the sealing portion (160) will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 10.

[0106] As described above, when thermal runaway occurs inside the battery (100), the internal pressure inside the battery housing (120) may increase significantly due to gas generated inside the battery housing (120). The internal pressure of the battery housing (120) due to the gas may apply pressure to the entire area of ​​the sealing portion (160).

[0107] The first part (161) of the sealing portion (160) may be provided at one end of the gasket (150) and may be in close contact with the lower part of the cap (140). Specifically, the first part (161) may extend from one end of the gasket (150) in a direction parallel to the lower surface of the cap (140) and may be in close contact with the cap (140). According to the above-described embodiment, when the pressure inside the battery housing (120) increases, the first part (161) of the sealing portion (160) may be in closer contact with the lower part of the cap (140), and the airtight state by the sealing portion (160) may be further strengthened.

[0108] The second part (162) of the sealing portion (160) is provided at one end of the gasket (150) and can be in close contact with the inner surface of the battery housing (120). Specifically, the second part (162) extends from one end of the gasket (150) in a direction parallel to the inner surface of the battery housing (120) and can be in close contact with the inner surface of the battery housing (120). According to the above-described embodiment, when the pressure inside the battery housing (120) increases, the second part (161) of the sealing portion (160) can be in closer contact with the inner surface of the battery housing (120), and the airtight state by the sealing portion (160) can be further strengthened.

[0109] As the pressure inside the battery housing (120) increases, the angle between the first part (161) and the second part (162) increases further, so that the first part (161) and the second part (162) can be separated from each other, and the first part (161) can be brought into closer contact with the lower part of the cap (140), and the second part (162) can be brought into closer contact with the inner surface of the battery housing (120).

[0110] According to the above implementation configuration, as thermal runaway occurs in the battery (100) and the internal pressure of the battery housing (120) increases, the sealing state by the sealing portion (160) is further strengthened, so that the risk of electrolyte, etc. leaking from the inside of the battery housing (120) can be drastically reduced.

[0111] Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a sealing portion of a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, the structure, function, and effect of the sealing portion (160) will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 11.

[0112] The sealing portion (160) according to the embodiment of FIG. 11 may be identical to or similar to the sealing portion (160) according to the embodiment of FIG. 10, except for the contents described below.

[0113] The sealing portion (160) may include a first portion (161) and a second portion (162).

[0114] Referring to FIG. 11, the first portion (161) may be configured to form a predetermined angle with respect to the lower portion of the cap (140). According to the present embodiment, the first portion (161) may be pressed toward the lower portion of the cap (140) regardless of the direction in which the internal pressure of the battery housing (120) is applied, so that the airtightness with respect to the cap (140) may be further strengthened.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 11, the second portion (162) may be configured to form a predetermined angle with respect to the inner surface of the battery housing (120). According to the present embodiment, the second portion (162) may be pressed toward the inner surface of the battery housing (120) regardless of the direction in which the internal pressure of the battery housing (120) is applied, thereby further enhancing the airtightness with respect to the cap (140).

[0116] In this embodiment, when the pressure inside the battery housing (120) increases, the angle between the first part (161) and the second part (162) increases further, so that the first part (161) and the second part (162) can be separated from each other, and the first part (161) can be brought into closer contact with the lower part of the cap (140), and the second part (162) can be brought into closer contact with the inner surface of the battery housing (120).

[0117] According to the above implementation configuration, as thermal runaway occurs in the battery (100) and the internal pressure of the battery housing (120) increases, the sealing state by the sealing portion (160) is further strengthened, so that the risk of electrolyte, etc. leaking from the inside of the battery housing (120) can be drastically reduced.

[0118] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 12, a battery pack (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include one or more batteries (100) described above with reference to other drawings. In addition, the battery pack (1) may further include components other than the battery (100) according to the present invention. For example, the battery pack (1) according to the present invention may further include components such as a BMS (Battery Management System), a bus bar, a relay, and a current sensor.

[0120] The battery pack (1) may further include a pack case (200). The pack case (200) may provide a space in which one or more batteries (100) can be stored. When the battery pack (1) includes a plurality of batteries (100), the pack case (200) may include a space divided to store the plurality of batteries (100).

[0121] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining a battery, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle including the same.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 13, the vehicle (2) may include one or more battery packs (1). For example, the vehicle (2) may be, but is not limited to, an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle (2) may be either a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle. The vehicle (2) may be operated by receiving power from a battery pack (1) or a battery module according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0123] The embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct. The embodiments or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be combined or incorporated into their respective components or functions. For example, a component A described in a particular embodiment and / or drawing may be combined with a component B described in another embodiment and / or drawing. This means that even if a combination between components is not explicitly described, the combination is possible, unless it is explicitly stated that the combination is not possible.

[0124] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly including an electrode having a non-conductive portion; A battery housing having an opening formed on one side and capable of accommodating the electrode assembly in an internal space; A cap fixed to an area of ​​the battery housing and covering the opening; a gasket surrounding at least a portion of the edge of said cap and secured between said cap and said battery housing; and A sealing portion provided at one end of the gasket, comprising a first portion that is in close contact with the lower portion of the cap and a second portion that is in close contact with the inner surface of the battery housing; A battery containing:

2. In paragraph 1, A battery wherein the sealing portion extends from one end of the gasket and is formed integrally with the gasket.

3. In paragraph 1, A battery wherein the sealing portion is formed as a separate component from the gasket and is connected to one end of the gasket.

4. In paragraph 1, A battery wherein the first part is configured to be more closely attached to the lower portion of the cap as the pressure inside the battery housing increases.

5. In paragraph 1, The above first part is a battery that seals between one end of the gasket and the lower part of the cap.

6. In paragraph 1, A battery wherein the second part is configured to be more closely attached to the inner surface of the battery housing when the pressure inside the battery housing increases.

7. In paragraph 1, The second part is a battery that seals between one end of the gasket and the inner surface of the battery housing.

8. In paragraph 1, A battery configured such that when the pressure inside the battery housing increases, the angle between the first part and the second part increases, so that the first part comes into closer contact with the lower portion of the cap, and the second part comes into closer contact with the inner surface of the battery housing.

9. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a current collector electrically connecting the electrode assembly and the battery housing; A battery, wherein the sealing portion is configured to surround at least a portion of the entire body of the battery.

10. In paragraph 9, A battery wherein the second part is configured to surround and seal at least a portion of the entire body.

11. In paragraph 9, A battery wherein the above-mentioned collector is electrically connected to the battery housing by penetrating at least a portion of the sealing portion.

12. In paragraph 1, A battery wherein the first part is configured to form a predetermined angle with respect to the lower part of the cap.

13. In paragraph 1, A battery wherein the second part is configured to form a predetermined angle with respect to the inner surface of the battery housing.

14. A battery according to any one of the provisions of paragraphs 1 to 13; A battery pack comprising:

15. Battery pack of Article 14; A car, including:

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