Battery cell and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly in which a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator arranged therebetween are wound around a winding axis to define a core and the outer circumferential surface, the first electrode including a first uncoated portion which is not coated with an active material layer in a winding direction; a housing having an opening portion on one side thereof and configured to accommodate the electrode assembly through the opening portion; a current collector including an edge portion arranged above the electrode assembly, an uncoated portion-coupling portion extending inward from the edge portion and coupled to the first uncoated portion, and a terminal coupling portion spaced apart from the uncoated portion-coupling portion, located at a central portion, and exposed to the outside of the housing; a terminal which is exposed to the outside of the housing through a closed portion of the housing, and coupled to the terminal coupling portion, the closed portion being located opposite to the opening portion; and a terminal block configured to be coupled to the inner side of the current collector.

Description

Battery cells and battery packs and vehicles containing the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle. This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0021860, filed February 15, 2024, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0067973, filed May 24, 2024, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] Secondary batteries, which boast high electrical properties such as high energy density and high applicability across a wide range of product categories, are widely used not only in portable devices but also in electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electrical power sources. These batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for environmental friendliness and energy efficiency, not only because they can dramatically reduce fossil fuel use, but also because they produce no byproducts from energy use.

[0003] 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, i.e., unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5 V to 4.5 V. Therefore, when a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. Furthermore, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, a number of battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Therefore, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be set in various ways depending on the required output voltage and / or charge / discharge capacity.

[0004] Meanwhile, conventional cylindrical battery cells are manufactured by welding the cathode current collector, to which the cathode rivet terminal and the electrode assembly are welded (CRW (Cathode Rivet Welding)). Meanwhile, during this CRW welding, a welding horn tip is inserted into a hole formed at the center of the winding of the electrode assembly to weld the rivet terminal and the cathode current collector. At this time, various limitations arise in the development of secondary batteries as the CRW process proceeds. For example, spatter generated during CRW welding can cause damage to the separator and reduce battery capacity and lifespan. Furthermore, because it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the CRW welding horn tip, there has been a limit to increasing the energy density of the electrode assembly.

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention aims to prevent welding debris from entering the inside of the battery housing by performing terminal welding on the outside of the battery housing.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to minimize damage to the separator and improve the life of the battery.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention aims at improving energy density by increasing the number of windings of the electrode assembly.

[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 cell comprises: an electrode assembly in which a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween are wound around a winding axis to define a core and an outer circumferential surface; wherein the first electrode includes a first non-coated portion not coated with an active material layer along a winding direction; a housing configured to receive the electrode assembly through an opening portion at one side thereof; a current collector including a rim portion disposed on an upper portion of the electrode assembly, a non-coated portion coupling portion extending inwardly from the rim portion and coupled to the first non-coated portion, and a terminal coupling portion located at a central portion and spaced apart from the non-coated portion coupling portion and exposed to the outside of the housing; a terminal penetrating a closed portion of the housing located opposite the open portion and exposed to the outside of the housing and coupled to the terminal coupling portion; and a terminal block configured to be coupled to the inside of the current collector.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the current collector, the terminal and the terminal block may be configured to be welded together outside the housing.

[0011] The joining surface where the above-mentioned collector, the terminal and the terminal block are joined can form a flat portion parallel to the closed portion of the housing.

[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, the terminal coupling portion may include a first part extending parallel to the closing portion; and a second part extending perpendicularly to the first part toward the exterior of the housing from the first part.

[0013] The second part may extend in a direction parallel to the winding axis direction of the electrode assembly.

[0014] In another aspect of the present invention, the second part may be configured to have an internally hollow pipe shape.

[0015] Additionally, a liquid injection hole concentric with the second part and having a diameter less than or equal to the inner diameter of the second part may be provided in the first part.

[0016] Additionally, a support portion for securing the lower surface of the terminal block may be formed on the bottom of the second part.

[0017] In one aspect of the present invention, the outer diameter of the terminal block may be the same as the inner diameter of the second part.

[0018] In the present invention, the terminal block may have a cylindrical shape and an upper outer periphery may be chamfered to form a tapered surface.

[0019] In the present invention, a welding bead may be formed along the second part on the joining surface where the current collector, the terminal, and the terminal block are joined.

[0020] In another aspect of the present invention, the terminal may penetrate the center of the closure.

[0021] In another aspect of the present invention, the terminal may include a terminal exposure portion exposed to the outside of the housing; a terminal insertion portion positioned inside the housing by penetrating the closing portion of the housing; and a terminal connection portion connecting the terminal exposure portion and the terminal insertion portion and penetrating the housing.

[0022] For example, the terminal connection portion may be configured to have an internal hollow pipe shape.

[0023] The outer diameter of the above second part may be smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion.

[0024] In one aspect of the present invention, the closed portion side of the housing may be provided with an insulating gasket interposed between the housing and the terminal.

[0025] Here, the insulating gasket may include a gasket exposure portion interposed between the terminal exposure portion and the housing; and a gasket insertion portion interposed between the terminal insertion portion and the housing.

[0026] Meanwhile, the present invention provides a battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to the present invention.

[0027] In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle comprising at least one battery pack according to the present invention.

[0028] According to the present invention, by performing terminal welding on the outside of the battery housing, welding debris can be prevented from entering the inside of the battery housing.

[0029] In addition, according to the present invention, damage to the separator can be minimized and the lifespan of the battery can be improved.

[0030] In addition, in another aspect, according to the present invention, the energy density can be improved by increasing the number of windings of the electrode assembly.

[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 drawing for explaining a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the battery cell of Figure 1.

[0035] Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper part of the battery cell of Fig. 1, and is a drawing for explaining the process of connecting the terminal block to the current collector.

[0036] Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the battery cell of Fig. 1, and is a drawing for explaining the state in which the terminal block is connected to the current collector.

[0037] FIG. 5 is a drawing for explaining a collector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a collector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a collector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a terminal block according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the battery cell of Fig. 1.

[0043] Figure 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of Figure 10.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining an area where welding is applied in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining an area where welding is applied in a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 14 is a top view of a battery cell to show a state in which welding is performed on the battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a drawing for explaining a terminal block according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] Fig. 16 illustrates a state in which the terminal block of Fig. 15 is inserted into the second part of the collector of Fig. 7.

[0049] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining a battery pack including the battery cell of FIG. 1.

[0050] FIG. 18 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 17.

[0051] 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 interpreted as limited to their typical or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted with meanings and concepts that conform to the technical spirit 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, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are only some of the most preferred embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical spirit of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

[0052] 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.

[0053] The statement that two compared objects are identical means "substantially identical." Therefore, "substantially identical" may include deviations considered low in the art, such as deviations of less than 5%. Furthermore, uniformity of a parameter over a given region may also mean uniformity on average.

[0054] Although terms like "first" and "second" are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used merely to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specified, a "first" component may also be a "second" component.

[0055] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0056] Any configuration being placed "on (or below)" a component or "on (or below)" a component may mean not only that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, but also that other configurations may intervene between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0057] Additionally, when it is described that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through another component.

[0058] Throughout the specification, when we refer to "A and / or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when we refer to "C to D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

[0059] For convenience of explanation, in this specification, the direction along the longitudinal direction of the winding axis of an electrode assembly wound in a jelly-roll shape is referred to as the axial direction (Z). In addition, the direction surrounding the winding axis is referred to as the circumferential direction or the circumferential direction (X). In addition, the direction approaching or away from the winding axis is referred to as the radial direction. Among these, the direction approaching the winding axis is particularly referred to as the centripetal direction, and the direction away from the winding axis is referred to as the centrifugal direction.

[0060] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the battery cell of FIG. 1.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be, for example, a cylindrical battery cell (1). The cylindrical battery cell (1) includes an electrode assembly (10), a housing (20), a current collector (30), a terminal (40), and a terminal block (50). In addition to the above-described components, the cylindrical battery cell (1) may further include an insulating gasket (G2) and / or an insulator (60). The present invention is not limited by the shape of the battery, and is applicable to batteries of other shapes, for example, square batteries.

[0062] An electrode assembly (10) includes a first electrode having a first polarity, a second electrode having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode is an anode or a cathode, and the second electrode corresponds to an electrode having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode.

[0063] The electrode assembly (10) may have, for example, a jelly-roll structure. That is, the electrode assembly (10) may be manufactured by stacking a first electrode current collector and a second electrode current collector in a sheet shape at least once with a separator interposed therebetween, and winding the stack in one direction with respect to the winding center (C). In this case, an additional separator may be provided on the outer peripheral surface of the electrode assembly (10) for insulation from the housing (20). Any structure of a wound electrode assembly known in the art may be applied to the present invention without limitation.

[0064] The first electrode includes a first electrode current collector and a first electrode active material coated on one or both surfaces of the first electrode current collector. The first electrode includes a first uncoated portion on which an active material layer is not coated along a winding direction. That is, a uncoated portion on which the first electrode active material is not coated exists at one end of the first electrode current collector in the width direction (in the direction parallel to the Z-axis). The uncoated portion functioning as a first electrode tab is hereinafter referred to as a first uncoated portion (11). The first uncoated portion (11) is provided at an upper portion in the height direction (in the direction parallel to the Z-axis) of the electrode assembly (10) accommodated in the housing (20). That is, the first electrode current collector includes a first uncoated portion (11) on which an active material layer is not coated at a long end and is exposed to the outside of the separator, and a part of the first uncoated portion (11) is used as an electrode tab in its own right. The first uncoated portion (11) may be, for example, a positive electrode tab. In this case, the first electrode is a positive electrode.

[0065] Meanwhile, at least a portion of the first non-coated portion (11) may include a plurality of segments divided along the winding direction of the electrode assembly (10). In this case, the plurality of segments may be bent along the radial direction of the electrode assembly (10). The plurality of bent segments may be overlapped in multiple layers. In this case, the non-coated portion joining portion (32) described later may be joined to an area where the plurality of segments are overlapped in multiple layers.

[0066] The second electrode includes a second electrode current collector and a second electrode active material applied on one or both surfaces of the second electrode current collector. At the other end of the second electrode current collector in the width direction (in the direction parallel to the Z-axis), there is a non-coated portion on which the second electrode active material is not applied. The non-coated portion functioning as a second electrode tab is hereinafter referred to as a second non-coated portion (12). The second non-coated portion (12) is provided at the lower portion in the height direction (in the direction parallel to the Z-axis) of the electrode assembly (10) accommodated in the housing (20). That is, the second electrode current collector includes a second non-coated portion (12) on which an active material layer is not coated on a long end and which is exposed to the outside of the separator, and at least a portion of the second non-coated portion (12) is used as an electrode tab in its own right. The second non-coated portion (12) may be, for example, a negative electrode tab. In this case, the second electrode is a negative electrode plate.

[0067] Meanwhile, at least a portion of the second non-conductive portion (12) may include a plurality of segments divided along the winding direction of the electrode assembly (10). In this case, the plurality of segments may be bent along the radial direction of the electrode assembly (10). The plurality of bent segments may be overlapped in multiple layers.

[0068] The first non-conductive portion (11) and the second non-conductive portion (12) extend in opposite directions along the height direction (parallel to the Z-axis) of the cylindrical battery cell (1). The first non-conductive portion (11) extends toward the closed portion of the housing (20), and the second non-conductive portion (12) extends toward the open portion of the housing (20).

[0069] In the present invention, the positive active material coated on the positive electrode plate and the negative active material coated on the negative electrode plate can be used without limitation as long as they are active materials known in the art. Preferably, the battery cell (1) can be, for example, a cylindrical secondary battery having a form factor ratio (ratio of diameter to height) of greater than about 0.4. Preferably, the diameter of the cylindrical secondary battery can be 40 mm to 50 mm, and the height can be 60 mm to 130 mm. The form factor of the battery cell (1) can be, for example, 46110, 4875, 48110, 4880, or 4680.

[0070] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the housing (20) is a roughly cylindrical receiver with an opening formed on one side, and is made of a conductive material such as metal, for example. In the illustrated example, the opening is formed at the lower end of the housing (20) in the Z-axis direction. The material of the housing (20) may be, for example, steel, stainless steel (SUS), or nickel-plated iron. The upper surface located opposite the open portion will be referred to as a closed portion. In the illustrated example, the closed portion is formed at the upper end of the housing (20) in the Z-axis direction. The side wall portion and the closed portion of the housing (20) may be formed integrally. Alternatively, the side wall portion and the closed portion of the housing (20) may be provided separately and joined to each other by welding, etc. The upper surface of the housing (20) (the surface parallel to the XY plane), i.e., the outer surface (20a) of the closed portion, may have a roughly flat shape. The housing (20) accommodates the electrode assembly (10) through an opening formed on one side, and also accommodates the electrolyte.

[0071] The housing (20) is electrically connected to the electrode assembly (10). The housing (20) is electrically connected, for example, to the second non-conductive portion (12) of the electrode assembly (10). In this case, the housing (20) has the same polarity as the second non-conductive portion (12).

[0072] Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the battery cell of Fig. 1, and is a drawing for explaining the process of connecting the terminal block to the current collector, and Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the battery cell of Fig. 1, and is a drawing for explaining the state in which the terminal block is connected to the current collector. Fig. 5 is a drawing for explaining a current collector according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 6 is a drawing for explaining a current collector according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a current collector (30) is coupled to the upper portion of the electrode assembly (10). The current collector (30) is made of a conductive metal material and is connected to the first non-conductive portion (11). The current collector (30) can be coupled to a coupling surface formed by bending an end of the first non-conductive portion (11) in a direction parallel to the current collector (30).

[0074] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the current collector (30) can be coupled to the upper portion of the electrode assembly (10). In addition, the current collector (30) can be coupled to the terminal (40). That is, the current collector (30) electrically connects the first non-conductive portion (11) of the electrode assembly (10) and the terminal (40). The current collector (30) is made of a conductive metal material. The current collector (30) may be the same metal as the first electrode current collector, or may be a material that can be welded well thereto. For example, it may be aluminum (Al) or an aluminum alloy, nickel or a nickel alloy, iron, SUS, or a composite material thereof.

[0075] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, as well as FIGS. 5 and 6, the current collector (30) includes a rim portion (31), a non-coated portion coupling portion (32), and a terminal coupling portion (33). The rim portion (31) is disposed on the upper portion of the electrode assembly (10) and may have a roughly rim shape with an empty space (S) formed therein. In the drawings of the present invention, the rim portion (31) is illustrated only as having a roughly circular rim shape, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Unlike the illustrated shape, the rim portion (31) may have a roughly square rim shape, a hexagonal rim shape, an octagonal rim shape, or any other rim shape. The non-coated portion coupling portion (32) may extend inward from the rim portion (31) and be coupled with the first non-coated portion (11).

[0076] The terminal connecting portion (33) is located on the inside of the edge portion (31) and is spaced apart from the non-conductive connecting portion (32). The terminal connecting portion (33) can be connected to the terminal (40) and / or the terminal block (50) described later by welding. The terminal connecting portion (33) can be located, for example, at approximately the center of the inner space surrounded by the edge portion (31). The terminal connecting portion (33) can be positioned at a position corresponding to a hole formed in the winding center (C) of the electrode assembly (10). The terminal connecting portion (33) is configured to be exposed to the outside of the housing (20).

[0077] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the terminal (40) is made of a conductive metal material. For example, aluminum can be used as the material of the terminal (40). When the material of the terminal (40) is aluminum, it is easy to process during rivet processing as described later, and 10-series aluminum with relatively low electrical resistance can be used. The terminal (40) penetrates the closed portion of the housing (20), that is, the surface (parallel to the XY plane) located on the opposite side of the open portion of the housing (20). For example, the terminal (40) can be configured to penetrate the center of the closed portion. The terminal (40) is electrically connected to, for example, the first non-conductive portion (11) of the electrode assembly (10). In this case, the terminal (40) has the first polarity. Therefore, the terminal (40) can function as a first electrode terminal in the cylindrical battery cell (1) of the present invention. When the terminal (40) has the first polarity as described above, the terminal (40) is electrically insulated from the housing (20) having the second polarity. Meanwhile, the terminal (40) is coupled to the terminal coupling portion (33) of the current collector (30) in an area exposed to the outside of the housing (20).

[0078] Meanwhile, in the present invention, the outer surface (20a) of the closed portion of the housing (20) can function as a second electrode terminal. The battery cell (1) according to the present invention has a structure in which the terminal (40) exposed to the closed portion of the housing (20) can be used as a first electrode terminal, and the remaining area of ​​the closed portion excluding the area occupied by the terminal (40) can be used as a second electrode terminal. Therefore, the battery cell (1) according to the present invention can simplify the electrical connection structure by connecting both positive and negative poles in one direction when electrically connecting a plurality of battery cells (1). In addition, the battery cell (1) according to the present invention has a structure in which most of the closed portion of the housing (20) can be used as an electrode terminal, and thus has an advantage in that a sufficient area can be secured for welding components for electrical connection.

[0079] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the terminal block (50) may be a structure having a roughly cylindrical shape. The terminal block (50) may also be made of a conductive metal material. The material of the terminal block (50) may be, for example, the same material as the terminal (40). For example, aluminum may be used.

[0080] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the terminal block (50) may be configured to be coupled to the inside of the current collector (30). That is, the current collector (30) may have a portion exposed to the outside of the housing (20), and the current collector (30) at the exposed point may have a roughly cylindrical shape with an empty interior. At this time, the terminal block (50) may be inserted into the empty interior. That is, the outer diameter of the terminal block (50) may be configured to be the same as the inner diameter of the terminal coupling portion (33) of the current collector (30). More specifically, the outer diameter of the terminal block (50) may be configured to be the same as the inner diameter of the second part (332) of the current collector (30), which will be described later. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the terminal block (50) may be configured to be slightly larger than the inner diameter of the terminal coupling portion (33). In this case, the terminal block (50) can be force-fitted into the inner side of the terminal connecting portion (33) of the current collector (30). Therefore, the terminal block (50) can be fixed in a certain position without moving up and down after being inserted into the empty space of the terminal connecting portion (33). Later, the terminal connecting portion (33) and the terminal block (50) will be joined by welding, but even before welding, the terminal block (50) does not move in the winding axis direction, so that smooth welding can be performed.

[0081] According to the structure of the present invention as described above, the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) can all be exposed to the outside of the housing (20). Accordingly, the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) can be welded together from the outside of the housing (20). By connecting the terminal block (50) to the terminal connecting portion (33) of the current collector (30), the terminal (40), the current collector (30), and the terminal block (50) can be electrically connected.

[0082] For example, in the structure of conventional battery cells, the welding horn tip had to be inserted into a hole formed in the center of the winding of the electrode assembly to weld the current collector and terminal. Furthermore, this conventional approach resulted in problems such as damage to the separator due to debris generated during welding, or a reduction in battery capacity and lifespan. Furthermore, because it was difficult to reduce the diameter of the welding horn tip during welding, a certain diameter had to be secured in the hole formed in the center of the winding of the electrode assembly, limiting the ability to increase energy density.

[0083] However, the current collector (30) and terminal (40) of the battery cell (1) according to the embodiment of the present invention are different from the current collector and terminal structures of conventional battery cells. According to the above-described structure of the present invention, the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) can be welded from the outside of the housing (20). Since welding is possible from the outside of the housing (20) due to the change in the structure of the current collector (30) and the terminal (40), even if fragments are generated during welding, the fragments do not enter the inside of the battery, thereby preventing damage to the separator. In addition, the issue of reduced battery capacity and lifespan can be resolved. Furthermore, according to the above structure of the present invention, since the current collector (30), terminal (40), and terminal block (50) are welded from the outside of the housing (20), there is no need for the welding horn tip to be inserted into the electrode assembly (10), so that the diameter of the hole formed at the winding center (C) of the electrode assembly (10) can be reduced, and accordingly, the number of windings of the electrode assembly (10) can be increased, thereby improving the energy density.

[0084] In addition, according to the present invention, since the current collector (30), terminal (40), and terminal block (50) are welded from the outside of the housing (20), various welding methods such as laser welding and ultrasonic welding can be used.

[0085] When using ultrasonic welding, the horn must vibrate when it touches the contact area. However, in the conventional method of welding on the inside of the housing, the horn must be longer than the length of the hole formed in the center of the winding, so there is a high risk of the horn breaking if strong vibration occurs in a straight or zigzag direction. Considering this, a method in which the horn rotates can be applied, but even in this case, there are problems in that many burrs are generated and it is difficult to confirm the presence of partially unbonded areas. Moreover, in the case of ultrasonic welding, problems may also occur due to foreign substances (metal shavings) generated during welding. In the present invention, since welding is performed on the outside of the housing (20), ultrasonic welding can be performed using a short horn, and strong vibrations can be applied. In addition, the area to be joined by welding can be observed from the outside, so that welding can be performed without unbonded areas. In addition, foreign substances generated during welding do not enter the battery, so there is no problem.

[0086] In order to perform laser welding on the inside of a conventional housing, the optical system of the laser welding device must be configured so that the laser beam does not stray from the hole formed in the center of the winding, and the laser must be well focused to a length as long as the hole formed in the center of the winding. Since the laser beam must pass through the hole formed in the center of the winding, it is difficult to prevent damage to the surrounding electrode assembly during the welding process. In the present invention, since welding is performed on the outside of the housing (20), there is no need to specifically change or upgrade the optical system of the laser welding device, and since the laser beam does not pass around the electrode assembly (10), there is no damage to the electrode assembly (10). Therefore, laser welding with good welding strength can be conveniently used for joining the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50), which is preferable. In the present invention, by applying laser welding, deformation caused by contact pressure welding such as resistance welding is prevented, which is advantageous not only for ensuring quality and performance but also for increasing product yield. Laser welding eliminates the need for welding rods or horns, thereby improving production efficiency, reducing production costs, and shortening manufacturing process times. Furthermore, laser welding offers higher bond strength than ultrasonic welding and more consistent weld performance and quality than resistance welding.

[0087] In another aspect of the present invention, the surface (SA of FIG. 4) where the current collector (30), the terminal block (50), and the terminal (40) are joined can form a flat portion parallel to the closed portion of the housing (20). The surface where the current collector (30), the terminal block (50), and the terminal (40) are joined can function as a positive terminal of the battery. Therefore, it is preferable that the joining surface be formed flat. For example, when the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) are welded from the outside of the housing (20), a weld bead (W) is formed. However, since the weld bead (W) is formed when the metal melts and then solidifies again, it is possible that it may not have a uniformly flat shape. Therefore, in some cases, after welding the current collector (30), the terminal block (50), and the terminal (40), a work of flattening the joining surface of the current collector (30), the terminal block (50), and the terminal (40) may be required. In conclusion, the surface where the current collector (30), terminal block (50), and terminal (40) are combined can form a flat portion parallel to the closed portion of the housing (20). Here, 'parallel' means substantially parallel when observed with the naked eye. 'Flat' means flat.

[0088] In another aspect of the present invention, referring to FIG. 5, the non-coated portion coupling portion (32) and the terminal coupling portion (33) are not directly connected to each other, but are arranged to be spaced apart from each other and are electrically connected by the edge portion (31). In this way, the current collector (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which the non-coated portion coupling portion (32) and the terminal coupling portion (33) are not directly connected to each other, but are connected through the edge portion (31), so that when impact and / or vibration occur to the cylindrical battery cell (1), the impact applied to the coupling portion between the non-coated portion coupling portion (32) and the first non-coated portion (11) and the coupling portion between the terminal coupling portion (33) and the terminal (40) can be dispersed. Therefore, the current collector (30) of the present invention can minimize or prevent damage to the welding portion due to external impact. The current collector (30) of the present invention has a structure in which stress can be concentrated at the connection portion between the edge portion (31) and the terminal connection portion (33) when an external impact is transmitted to the inside of the battery cell (1) through the terminal (40). However, this connection portion is not a portion where a weld for bonding between components is formed. Therefore, in the present invention, product defects due to damage to the weld due to an external impact can be effectively prevented.

[0089] In another aspect of the present invention, referring to FIG. 6, the current collector (30) may further include a connecting portion (34) extending inward from the edge portion (31) and connected to the terminal connecting portion (33). In the current collector (30), the non-conductive connecting portion (32) and the terminal connecting portion (33) may not be directly connected to each other, but may be indirectly connected by the connecting portion (34). The extending direction of the non-conductive connecting portion (32) and the extending direction of the connecting portion (34) may not be parallel. The connecting portion (34) may extend approximately radially from the approximate center of the terminal connecting portion (33) and be connected to the edge portion (31).

[0090] The connecting portion (34) may be provided with a tapered portion (34a) whose width narrows in the direction from the inner surface of the edge portion (31) toward the terminal connecting portion (33). When the tapered portion (34a) is provided, the rigidity of the component can be improved at the connection portion between the connecting portion (34) and the edge portion (31).

[0091] Referring to Fig. 6, a plurality of connecting portions (34) may be provided. The number of connecting portions (34) may be determined in consideration of the resistance level required for the cylindrical battery cell (1), the aperture ratio of the current collector (30), etc. Each of the plurality of connecting portions (34) may be arranged between a pair of adjacent non-conductive joint portions (32). The plurality of connecting portions (34) may be regularly arranged along the extending direction of the edge portion (31). For example, the plurality of connecting portions (34) may be arranged at substantially equal intervals along the extending direction of the edge portion (31). The number of connecting portions (34) may be, for example, one or two. This is for rapid overcurrent blocking. If the number of connecting portions (34) is too large, the flow of current may be dispersed, making it difficult for the fusing function to operate normally. Considering the viewpoint of securing the rigidity of the entire body (30), the number of connecting parts (34) may be two.

[0092] In one aspect of the present invention, the terminal coupling portion (33) may include a first part (331) and a second part (332).

[0093] More specifically, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the terminal coupling portion (33) may include a first part (331) extending parallel to the closing portion; and a second part (332) extending perpendicularly to the first part (331) toward the outside of the housing (20) from the first part (331).

[0094] When the entire body (30) has a roughly flat plate shape, the first part (331) may correspond to a portion that constitutes the plate shape. That is, the first part (331) may be configured to have a plate shape that is parallel to the closed portion.

[0095] On the other hand, the second part (332) may be configured to be perpendicular to the first part (331). For example, the second part (332) may have a structure extending upward from the first part (331). That is, the second part (332) may extend in a direction parallel to the winding axis direction of the electrode assembly (10). More specifically, the second part (332) may have an approximately pipe shape extending upward from the first part (331). That is, the second part (332) may be configured to have a pipe shape with an empty interior. In other words, the second part (332) may be configured in an approximately cylindrical shape with an empty interior. However, the shape of the second part (332) is not limited thereto, and if it has a shape that is empty inside and extends in the winding axis direction, it will be considered to be included in the scope of the present invention.

[0096] Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, the empty space inside the second part (332) may be configured such that the terminal block (50) described above is inserted. On the other hand, the outer surface of the second part (332) may be coupled with the terminal (40) described above. More specifically, the second part (332) may be configured such that it is inserted into the empty space inside the terminal connection portion (43) of the terminal (40) described later. As a result, the current collector (30) may be inserted into the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) may be inserted into the current collector (30). In addition, the current collector (30) may be inserted from the bottom to the top of the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) may be inserted from the top to the bottom of the current collector (30). A terminal (40) is first assembled on the closed surface of the housing (20), a current collector (30) is inserted into the inside of the housing (20) and assembled with the terminal (40), and a terminal block (50) is inserted into the current collector (30) from the outside of the housing (20).

[0097] According to this structure, since the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) can be welded from the outside of the housing (20), even if debris is generated during welding, the debris does not enter the inside of the battery, thereby preventing damage to the separator. In addition, the issue of reduced battery capacity and lifespan can be resolved. Furthermore, according to the above structure of the present invention, since the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) are welded from the outside of the housing (20), the welding horn tip does not need to be inserted into the inside of the electrode assembly (10), so that the diameter of the hole formed at the winding center (C) of the electrode assembly (10) can be reduced, and accordingly, the number of windings of the electrode assembly (10) can be increased, thereby improving the energy density.

[0098] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 3, a charging hole (H) concentric with the second part (332) and having a diameter identical to the inner diameter of the second part (332) is provided in the first part (331). A method for manufacturing a battery cell (1) using such a current collector (30) may be as follows.

[0099] A terminal (40) is machined into the closed portion of the housing (20). The non-coated portion joining portion (32) of the current collector (30) is joined to the first non-coated portion (11) of the electrode assembly (10). Another current collector is joined to the second non-coated portion (12) of the electrode assembly (10). For the joining, a welding method such as laser welding, resistance welding, or ultrasonic welding may be used. The electrode assembly (10) is pushed into the housing (20) through the opening of the housing (20) to assemble the terminal (40) and the current collector (30). The opening of the housing (20) can be finished by beading and crimping to form the bottom of the battery cell (1) of FIGS. 1 and 2. Then, the electrolyte is injected through the injection hole (H). The terminal block (50) is inserted into the inside of the terminal joining portion (33) to block the injection hole (H). Afterwards, the entire body (30), terminal (40), and terminal block (50) are welded on the outside of the housing (20).

[0100] In this way, if the current collector (30) and the terminal block (50) are configured separately, the electrolyte can be injected through the injection hole (H) formed in the current collector (30) and then covered with the terminal block (50) so that welding can be performed from the outside of the housing (20).

[0101] Fig. 7 is a drawing for explaining a current collector according to another embodiment of the present invention. In order to show the internal structure of the terminal joint (33), the terminal joint (33) is shown in cross-section.

[0102] Referring to Fig. 7, a pouring hole (H) that is concentric with the second part (332) and has a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the second part (332) is provided in the first part (331). In other words, the first part (331) extends further into the second part (332) from the inner wall of the second part (332). Then, the terminal block (50) can be placed and supported on the portion where the first part (331) extends and protrudes. Accordingly, the current collector (30) of Fig. 7 corresponds to one in which a support portion (331a) is formed to secure the lower surface of the terminal block (50) to the bottom portion of the second part (332).

[0103] When the terminal block (50) is coupled to the inside of the current collector (30), the lower surface of the terminal block (50) can be secured to the support portion (331a). Accordingly, when the terminal block (50) is inserted into the empty space of the terminal coupling portion (33), it can be fixed in a certain position without moving any further in the space below the support portion (331a), i.e., in the downward direction.

[0104] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining a terminal according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0105] Referring to FIG. 8, the terminal (40) may include a terminal exposure portion (41), a terminal insertion portion (42), and a terminal connection portion (43).

[0106] The terminal exposure portion (41) is exposed to the outside of the housing (20). The terminal exposure portion (41) may be located approximately at the center of the closed portion of the housing (20). That is, the terminal (40) may penetrate approximately at the center of the closed portion. The terminal exposure portion (41) may have a shape that extends approximately parallel to the closed portion.

[0107] The terminal insertion portion (42) may have a shape that is curved toward the inner surface of the closed portion of the housing (20). Therefore, the maximum width of the terminal insertion portion (42) after the riveting process for fixing the terminal (40) is performed may be formed to be larger than the maximum width of the hole formed in the housing (20) through which the terminal insertion portion (42) passes. The terminal insertion portion (42) may have a shape that extends approximately parallel to the closed portion. That is, the terminal insertion portion (42) may have a shape that extends approximately parallel to the terminal exposure portion (41). Of course, the shape of the terminal insertion portion (42) is not limited thereto.

[0108] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the terminal connection portion (43) can connect the terminal exposure portion (41) and the terminal insertion portion (42). The terminal connection portion (43) can penetrate the housing (20). Specifically, the terminal connection portion (43) can penetrate the closed portion of the housing (20). More specifically, the terminal connection portion (43) can penetrate approximately the center of the closed portion of the housing (20). The terminal connection portion (43) can extend in a direction approximately parallel to the winding axis of the electrode assembly (10). A terminal exposure portion (41) can be positioned at one end of the terminal connection portion (43). The terminal exposure portion (41) can be configured to extend horizontally from one end of the terminal connection portion (43). A terminal insertion portion (42) can be positioned at the other end of the terminal connection portion (43). The terminal insertion portion (42) can be configured to extend horizontally from the other end of the terminal connection portion (43).

[0109] The terminal connection portion (43) may have a roughly pipe shape extending in a direction parallel to the winding axis of the electrode assembly (10). That is, the terminal connection portion (43) may be configured to have a pipe shape with an empty interior. In other words, the terminal connection portion (43) may be configured in a roughly cylindrical shape with an empty interior. However, the shape of the terminal connection portion (43) is not limited thereto, and any shape that is empty inside and extends in the winding axis direction is included in the scope of the present invention.

[0110] Referring back to FIG. 8 together with FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second part (332) of the current collector (30) can be inserted into the empty space inside the terminal connection portion (43). That is, the terminal connection portion (43) can be coupled with the terminal coupling portion (33) of the current collector (30). The outer diameter of the second part (332) can be configured to be smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion (43). That is, in order for the second part (332) of the current collector (30) to be inserted into the empty space inside the terminal connection portion (43), it is preferable that the outer diameter of the second part (332) be configured to be smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion (43).

[0111] In one aspect of the present invention, referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the insulating gasket (G2) includes a gasket exposure portion and a gasket insertion portion. The insulating gasket (G2) may be provided on the closed portion side of the housing (20). The gasket exposure portion is interposed between the terminal exposure portion (41) of the terminal (40) and the housing (20). The gasket exposure portion may extend longer than the terminal exposure portion (41), thereby being exposed to the outside of the terminal exposure portion (41) when the cylindrical battery cell (1) is viewed from above. The gasket insertion portion is interposed between the terminal insertion portion (42) of the terminal (40) and the housing (20). The gasket insertion portion may be deformed together with the terminal insertion portion (42) when riveting, so as to be in close contact with the inner surface of the closed portion of the housing (20). The insulating gasket (G2) may be made of, for example, a resin material having insulating properties and elasticity.

[0112] Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, an insulator (60) may be provided between the current collector (30) and the inner surface of the housing (20). The insulator (60) prevents contact between the current collector (30) and the housing (20). The insulator (60) may also be interposed between the upper end of the outer surface of the electrode assembly (10) and the inner surface of the housing (20). That is, the insulator (60) may also be interposed between the first non-coated portion (11) and the inner surface of the side wall portion of the housing (20). This is to prevent contact between the first non-coated portion (11) extending toward the closed portion of the housing (20) and the inner surface of the housing (20).

[0113] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a terminal block according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the battery cell of FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a drawing for explaining an area to which welding is applied in a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining an area to which welding is applied in a battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a top view of a battery cell showing a state in which welding is performed in the battery cell according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0114] Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the terminal block (50) may be configured to have a roughly circular or cylindrical shape. For example, referring to FIG. 10, the terminal block (50) may be configured in the shape of a cylinder having a predetermined diameter (K). As described above, the terminal block (50) may be coupled to the inner space of the current collector (30). More specifically, the terminal block (50) may be coupled to the inner space of the terminal coupling portion (33) of the current collector (30). Even more specifically, the terminal block (50) may be coupled to the inner space of the second part (332) of the current collector (30). The outer shape of the terminal block (50) may be configured to match the inner shape of the second part (332) of the current collector (30). Accordingly, no gap may exist between the terminal block (50) and the current collector (30). It can be seen that the empty space inside the second part (332) and the injection hole (H) of the first part (331) form an opening on one side of the battery cell (1). According to this configuration, the terminal block (50) can effectively block the opening formed on one side of the battery cell (1).

[0115] In one aspect of the present invention, referring to FIG. 10, the diameter (D) of the hole formed at the winding center (C) of the electrode assembly (10) can be made smaller than a predetermined size. For example, in the structure of a conventional battery cell, a welding horn tip had to be inserted into a hole formed at the winding center of the electrode assembly to weld the current collector and the terminal. At this time, since it is difficult to reduce the diameter of the welding horn tip, the diameter of the hole formed at the winding center of the electrode assembly had to be secured to a certain extent in the past, and thus, there was a limit to increasing the energy density. However, according to the above-described structure of the present invention, since the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) are welded from the outside of the housing (20), there is no need for the welding horn tip to be inserted into the hole formed at the winding center (C) of the electrode assembly, and thus, the diameter (D) of the hole formed at the winding center (C) of the electrode assembly (10) can be reduced. Accordingly, the energy density can be improved by increasing the number of windings of the electrode assembly (10).

[0116] Referring to FIG. 12, the connection between the current collector (30) and the terminal (40) and / or between the terminal (40) and the terminal block (50) can be made by welding. That is, the connection between the current collector (30) and the terminal (40) and / or between the terminal (40) and the terminal block (50) can be made by welding. For example, laser welding, ultrasonic welding, etc. can be applied to the present invention.

[0117] Referring to FIG. 12, welding may be applied to a point between the current collector (30) and the terminal (40). Accordingly, a welding bead (W) may be formed between the current collector (30) and the terminal (40). Meanwhile, welding may be applied between the terminal (40) and the terminal block (50). Accordingly, a welding bead (W) may be formed between the terminal (40) and the terminal block (50).

[0118] In this way, the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) are joined by welding, and since the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) all contain metal, the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) can have the same polarity as each other. For example, the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) can have the same polarity as the first electrode. Accordingly, the joining surface (see SA of FIG. 4) where the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) are joined can function as a first electrode terminal.

[0119] In another embodiment, referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, welding may be applied to the entire area including the current collector (30), terminal (40) and terminal block (50).

[0120] For example, welding may be performed twice, once between the terminal (40) and the current collector (30) and once between the current collector (30) and the terminal block (50), but it may also be performed all at once. Then, a weld bead (W) may be formed over the entire area including the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50).

[0121] In particular, according to the present embodiment, a weld bead (W) is formed along the second part (332) on the joining surface (SA) where the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) are combined, so that it can clearly be seen that welding is performed on the outside of the housing (20). The weld bead (W) is formed through laser welding. The weld bead (W) refers to the deposited metal created by one welding (one laser beam pass) and may also be called a weld spot. The size, shape, position, and degree of overlap of the weld bead (W) may vary depending on the welding conditions. Welding methods using a laser beam include wobble welding, spot welding, weaving (hatching) welding, and scan welding, and FIG. 14 illustrates a wobble-type weld bead (W).

[0122] Fig. 15 is a drawing for explaining a terminal block according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 16 illustrates a state in which the terminal block of Fig. 15 is inserted into the second part of the current collector of Fig. 7.

[0123] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the terminal block (50) has a cylindrical shape and is chamfered to form a tapered surface (50a) on the upper outer periphery. The lower surface of the terminal block (50) can be mounted on the support portion (331a) of the current collector (30).

[0124] When a terminal block (50) having such a structure is inserted into the inner space of the second part (332), the upper outer periphery of the terminal block (50) has a tapered surface (50a) and a gap distance (G) between it and the inner surface of the second part (332), and the portion below that is in contact with the inner surface of the second part (332). The gap distance (G) is largest at the upper surface of the terminal block (50) and becomes smaller as it goes downward. In this state, when a laser beam is irradiated to the boundary between the terminal block (50) and the second part (332), the generated heat melts the terminal block (50) and the second part (332) located at the boundary to form a weld bead (W). The heat remaining at the boundary can be transferred deep into the boundary, that is, to the lower part in the longitudinal direction of the second part (332), so that the depth of the welding bead (W) increases, and the area where the terminal block (50) and the second part (332) are welded increases, so that the bonding strength can be strengthened. In addition, the welding bead (W) can be prevented from protruding above the joining surface (SA) where the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) are joined. Since the joining surface (SA) where the current collector (30), the terminal (40), and the terminal block (50) are joined can be prevented from becoming uneven, there is an effect of enabling welding to be performed without problems when welding the bus bar during the module process.

[0125] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining a battery pack including the battery cell of FIG. 1.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 17, a battery pack (3) according to the present invention may include at least one battery cell (1) according to the present invention described above. In addition, the battery pack (3) according to the present invention may include a pack housing (2) capable of accommodating the at least one battery cell (1). In addition, in addition to the battery cell (1), the battery pack (3) may further include various other components, such as components of the battery pack (3) known at the time of filing of the present invention, such as a BMS, a pack case, a relay, a current sensor, etc.

[0127] A battery pack (3) may include a plurality of battery cells (1). The battery cells (1) are arranged in a predetermined number of rows, and are arranged so that the terminal (40) of each battery cell (1) can be used as a first electrode terminal, and the remaining area of ​​the housing (20) can be used as a second electrode terminal. Therefore, when electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells (1), both the positive and negative poles can be connected in one direction, thereby simplifying the electrical connection structure. This increases the number of battery cells (1) that can be mounted in the same space, thereby improving energy density, and facilitating electrical wiring work. Therefore, the space efficiency is good, and the electrical wiring efficiency is high, which significantly improves workability during the assembly process of the electric vehicle, and during the assembly and maintenance of the battery pack (3).

[0128] FIG. 18 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 17.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 18, a vehicle (5) according to the present invention may include at least one battery pack (3) according to the present invention.

[0130] The battery cell according to the present invention can be applied to automobiles such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles. That is, the automobile (5) according to the present invention can include the battery cell (1) according to the present invention or the battery pack (3) according to the present invention. In addition to the battery cell (1) or the battery pack (3), the automobile (5) according to the present invention can further include various other components included in the automobile. For example, the automobile (5) according to the present invention can further include a body, a motor, a control device such as an electronic control unit (ECU), etc., in addition to the battery cell (1) according to the present invention. The automobile (5) includes a four-wheeled automobile and a two-wheeled automobile. The automobile (5) can operate by receiving power from the battery pack (3) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0131] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up and down are used in this specification, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that these terms are only for convenience of explanation and may vary depending on the location of the target object or the location of the observer.

[0132] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims to be described below by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0133] [Explanation of symbols]

[0134] 5: Car

[0135] 3: Battery pack

[0136] 2: Pack housing

[0137] 1: Battery cell

[0138] 10: Electrode assembly

[0139] 11: 1st Military Department

[0140] 12: 2nd Military Department

[0141] C: Center of winding

[0142] 20: Housing

[0143] 20a: External surface

[0144] 30: Whole house

[0145] 31: Border

[0146] 32: Muji-bu joint

[0147] 33: Terminal joint

[0148] 331: Part 1

[0149] 332: Part 2

[0150] 34: Connection

[0151] 34a: Tapered section

[0152] 40: Terminal

[0153] 41: Terminal exposure

[0154] 42: Terminal insertion part

[0155] 43 terminal connector

[0156] 50: Terminal block

[0157] G2: Insulating gasket

[0158] 60: Insulator

Claims

1. An electrode assembly comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween, each of which is wound around a winding axis to define a core and an outer peripheral surface, wherein the first electrode includes a first uncoated portion on which an active material layer is not coated along the winding direction; A housing comprising an opening on one side and configured to receive the electrode assembly through the opening; A current collector including a frame portion disposed on the upper portion of the electrode assembly, a non-conductive portion coupling portion extending inward from the frame portion and coupled to the first non-conductive portion, and a terminal coupling portion located at the center and spaced apart from the non-conductive portion coupling portion and exposed to the outside of the housing; A terminal that is exposed to the outside of the housing by penetrating the closed portion of the housing located opposite the opening portion and is coupled to the terminal coupling portion; and Terminal block configured to be coupled to the inside of the above-mentioned collector Battery cells containing .

2. In paragraph 1, A battery cell characterized in that the above-mentioned collector, the terminal, and the terminal block are configured to be welded together on the outside of the housing.

3. In paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that the joining surface where the above-mentioned collector, the terminal and the terminal block are joined forms a flat portion parallel to the closed portion of the housing.

4. In paragraph 1, The above terminal joint is, a first part extending parallel to the above closure; and A second part extending vertically from the first part toward the outside of the housing A battery cell characterized by including:

5. In paragraph 4, A battery cell characterized in that the second part extends in a direction parallel to the winding axis direction of the electrode assembly.

6. In paragraph 4, A battery cell characterized in that the second part is configured to have an internal hollow pipe shape.

7. In paragraph 6, A battery cell characterized in that the first part has a charging hole concentric with the second part and having a diameter less than or equal to the inner diameter of the second part.

8. In paragraph 6, A battery cell characterized in that a support portion is formed on the bottom of the second part to secure the lower surface of the terminal block.

9. In paragraph 4, A battery cell characterized in that the outer diameter of the terminal block is the same as the inner diameter of the second part.

10. In paragraph 4, A battery cell characterized in that the terminal block has a cylindrical shape and the upper outer periphery is chamfered to form a tapered surface.

11. A battery cell characterized in that, in the fourth paragraph, a welding bead is formed along the second part on the joining surface where the current collector, the terminal, and the terminal block are joined.

12. In paragraph 1, A battery cell characterized in that the terminal penetrates the center of the closed portion.

13. In paragraph 4, The above terminal, A terminal exposed portion exposed to the outside of the housing; A terminal insertion portion positioned inside the housing through the closing portion of the housing; and A terminal connection portion that connects the terminal exposure portion and the terminal insertion portion and penetrates the housing. A battery cell characterized by including:

14. In paragraph 13, A battery cell characterized in that the terminal connection part is configured to have an internal hollow pipe shape.

15. In paragraph 13, A battery cell characterized in that the outer diameter of the second part is smaller than or equal to the inner diameter of the terminal connection portion.

16. In paragraph 13, A battery cell characterized in that an insulating gasket is provided on the closed side of the housing to be interposed between the housing and the terminal.

17. In paragraph 16, The above insulating gasket, A gasket exposed portion interposed between the terminal exposed portion and the housing; and A gasket insert interposed between the terminal insert and the housing; A battery cell characterized by including:

18. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell as described in any one of claims 1 to 17.

19. A vehicle characterized by including at least one battery pack as described in paragraph 18.

Images