Battery cell, battery cell assembly, and battery pack

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments, a battery cell is provided. The battery cell comprises: an electrode comprising a cathode, an anode, and a separator; a cell case comprising an accommodation part in which the electrode is accommodated and a terrace surrounding the accommodation part; and a bit generator coupled to the cell case, wherein the bit generator is configured to apply an acoustic beat to the inside of the cell case.

Description

Battery cells, battery cell assemblies and battery packs

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery cell assembly and a battery pack.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2024-0087991, filed July 4, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. They are widely used as the energy source for various wireless devices, including smartphones, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, improved energy density and economies of scale have dramatically reduced the per-unit manufacturing cost of secondary batteries. Furthermore, as the range of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) has increased to match that of fuel-powered vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0004] Due to the expansion of the electric vehicle market, demand for fast charging of secondary batteries has increased rapidly in recent years. For electric vehicles, reducing charging times significantly improves user convenience and plays a crucial role in their widespread adoption. Users expect to be able to charge their electric vehicles in a time comparable to the time it takes to refuel a gasoline-powered vehicle.

[0005] The technical idea of ​​the present invention aims to solve a problem by providing a battery cell having an improved charging speed.

[0006] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a battery cell is provided. The battery cell comprises: an electrode including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator; a cell case including a receiving portion for receiving the electrode and a terrace surrounding the receiving portion; and a beat generator coupled to the cell case, wherein the beat generator is configured to apply an acoustic beat within the cell case.

[0007] The above bit generator comprises a first acoustic wave generator configured to generate a first acoustic wave; and

[0008] A second acoustic wave generator configured to generate a second acoustic wave, wherein a first frequency of the first acoustic wave is different from a second frequency of the second acoustic wave.

[0009] The frequency of each of the first and second acoustic waves is in the range of 10 MHz to 200 MHz, and the difference between the frequencies of each of the first and second acoustic waves is in the range of 1 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0010] The first acoustic wave generator comprises a first interdigital transducer having a first period, and the second acoustic wave generator comprises a second interdigital transducer having a second period different from the first period.

[0011] The first and second acoustic wave generators are spaced apart from each other with the cell case interposed therebetween.

[0012] Each of the first and second acoustic wave generators is on the first surface of the cell case.

[0013] The distance between the first and second acoustic wave generators is 10 cm or less.

[0014] Each of the first and second acoustic wave generators is coupled to the terrace.

[0015] One of the first and second acoustic wave generators is coupled to the receiver.

[0016] Each of the first and second acoustic wave generators is spaced apart from each other with the receiving portion therebetween.

[0017] The battery cell further includes a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal connected to the electrode, and the first and second acoustic wave generators are spaced apart from the first and second electrode terminals with the receiving portion therebetween.

[0018] The battery cell further includes a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal connected to the electrode, and one of the first and second acoustic wave generators is interposed between the first and second electrode terminals.

[0019] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery cell may include a beat generator coupled to a cell case. The beat generator may transmit acoustic beats over a long distance, thereby:

[0020] The effects that can be obtained from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure pertain from the following description. In other words, unintended effects resulting from practicing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure can also be derived by those skilled in the art from the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0022] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 1I-1I' of Figure 1.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating acoustic wave generators according to exemplary embodiments.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating acoustic wave generators according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating acoustic wave generators according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a plan view illustrating a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0031] 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.

[0032] 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.

[0033] In addition, when describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of a related known configuration or function may obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description is omitted.

[0034] Since the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically illustrated for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the sizes and proportions of each component do not fully reflect the actual sizes or proportions.

[0035]

[0036] (Example 1)

[0037] FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0038] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 1I-1I' of Figure 1.

[0039] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery cell (121) may include a cell case (121C), an electrode assembly (121EA), a first electrode terminal (121L1), a second electrode terminal (121L2), and a bit generator (121B). The battery cell (121) may further include an electrolyte.

[0040] According to exemplary embodiments, the battery cell (121) may include one of a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, and a pouch-type battery cell. The electrode assembly of the cylindrical battery cell is housed in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of the prismatic battery cell is housed in a prismatic metal can. The electrode assembly of the pouch-type battery cell is housed in a pouch case including an aluminum laminate sheet. Hereinafter, the technical idea of ​​the present invention will be described based on an example in which the battery cell (121) is a pouch-type battery cell. However, a person skilled in the art will easily arrive at an example in which the battery cell (121) is one of a cylindrical battery cell and a prismatic battery cell based on the description herein.

[0041] The electrode assembly (121EA) may include first electrodes (121E1), second electrodes (121E2), and separators (121S). The first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2) may have opposite polarities. For example, if each of the first electrodes (121E1) is an anode, each of the second electrodes (121E2) may be a cathode. Conversely, for example, if each of the first electrodes (121E1) is a cathode, each of the second electrodes (121E2) may be an anode.

[0042] The positive electrode may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material. The thickness of the positive electrode current collector may range from about 3 μm to about 500 μm. The positive electrode current collector may not cause chemical changes in the secondary battery ultimately manufactured and may have high conductivity. The positive electrode current collector may include, for example, any one of stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, calcined carbon, and aluminum. The positive electrode current collector may also include stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. The surface of the positive electrode current collector may include a micro-roughened structure to increase the adhesion of the active material. The shape of the positive electrode current collector may include any one of a film, a sheet, a foil, a net, a porous material, a foam, and a non-woven fabric.

[0043] A cathode active material is a material capable of causing an electrochemical reaction. The cathode active material may be a lithium transition metal oxide. Examples of the cathode active material include layered compounds such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) and lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO2) substituted with one or more transition metals; lithium manganese oxide substituted with one or more transition metals; chemical formula LiNi 1-y M yLithium nickel oxide expressed as O2 (wherein, M is any one of Co, Mn, Al, Cu, Fe, Mg, B, Cr, Zn, and Ga, and 0.01≤y≤0.7); Li 1+z Ni 1 / 3 Co 1 / 3 Mn 1 / 3 O2, Li 1+zN i 0.4 Mn 0.4 Co 0.2 Li like O2 1+z Ni b Mn c Co 1-(b+c+d) M d O (2-e) A e (wherein, -0.5≤z≤0.5, 0.1≤b≤0.8, 0.1≤c≤0.8, 0≤d≤0.2, 0≤e≤0.2, b+c+d<1, M is any one of Al, Mg, Cr, Ti, Si, and Y, and A is any one of F, P, and Cl) lithium nickel cobalt manganese composite oxide; and chemical formula Li 1+x M 1-y M' y PO 4-z X z (wherein, M is a transition metal, more specifically, one of Fe, Mn, Co, and Ni, M' is one of Al, Mg, and Ti, X is one of F, S, and N, -0.5≤x≤+0.5, 0≤y≤0.5, and 0≤z≤0.1) and may include one of the olivine-based lithium metal phosphates.

[0044] The negative electrode may include a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material. The thickness of the negative electrode current collector may range from about 3 μm to about 500 μm. The negative electrode current collector may not cause a chemical change in the secondary battery ultimately manufactured and may have high conductivity. The negative electrode current collector may include any one of copper, stainless steel, aluminum, nickel, titanium, sintered carbon, and an aluminum-cadmium alloy. The negative electrode current collector may also include stainless steel surface-treated with carbon, nickel, titanium, silver, etc. The surface of the negative electrode current collector may include a micro-roughened structure to increase the adhesion of the active material. The shape of the negative electrode current collector may include any one of a film, a sheet, a foil, a net, a porous material, a foam, and a non-woven fabric.

[0045] The negative active material may include carbon, such as non-graphitizable carbon, graphitic carbon, etc. The negative active material may include, for example, Li x Fe2O3(0≤x≤1), Li x WO2(0≤x≤1), Sn x Me 1-x Me' y O z (wherein Me is any one of Mn, Fe, Pb and Ge, and Me' is any one of Al, B, P, Si, elements of group 1, 2 and 3 of the periodic table and halogens; 0 <x≤1 이고; 1≤y≤3 이며; 1≤z≤8) 등의 금속 복합 산화물을 포함할 수 있다. 음극 활물질은, 예컨대, 리튬 금속; 리튬 합금; 규소계 합금; 및 주석계 합금 중 어느 하나를 포함할 수 있다. 음극 활물질은, 예컨대, SnO, SnO2, PbO, PbO2, Pb2O3, Pb3O4, Sb2O3, Sb2O4, Sb2O5, GeO, GeO2, Bi2O3, Bi2O4및 Bi2O5등의 금속 산화물을 포함할 수 있다. 음극 활물질은, 예컨대, 폴리아세틸렌 등의 도전성 고분자; Li-Co-Ni 계 재료 등을 포함할 수도 있다.

[0046] The first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2) may be alternated with the separators (121S). Accordingly, one of the first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2) may be interposed between two adjacent separators (121S). Each of the separators (121S) may be in contact with at least one of the first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2). Each of the separators (121S) can isolate the first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2) by preventing direct contact between the first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2), thereby preventing the formation of an unwanted closed loop due to a short circuit between the first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2).

[0047] Each of the first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2) may have a flat film shape. A direction substantially perpendicular to each of the first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2) is defined as the X direction, and directions substantially parallel to each of the first electrodes (121E1) and the second electrodes (121E2) are defined as the Y direction and the Z direction. The X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction may be substantially perpendicular to each other.

[0048] The electrode assembly (121EA) may be either a jelly-roll type or a stack type. The jelly-roll type electrode assembly (121EA) may include a winding structure of first electrodes (121E1), second electrodes (121E2), and separators (121S). The stack type electrode assembly (121EA) may include first and second electrodes (121E1, 121E2) that are alternately stacked and separators (121S) between the first and second electrodes (121E1, 121E2). The stacking direction of the first and second electrodes (121E1, 121E2) of the stack type electrode assembly (121EA) may be the X direction.

[0049] Each of the first electrodes (121E1) may include a first electrode tab. The first electrode tab of each of the first electrodes (121E1) may be connected to a first electrode terminal (121L1). The first electrode tab of each of the first electrodes (121E1) may be short-circuited with the first electrode terminal (121L1). The first electrode tab of each of the first electrodes (121E1) may be welded with the first electrode terminal (121L1).

[0050] Each of the second electrodes (121E2) may include a second electrode tab. The second electrode tab of each of the second electrodes (121E2) may be connected to a second electrode terminal (121L2). The second electrode tab of each of the second electrodes (121E2) may be short-circuited with the second electrode terminal (121L2). The second electrode tab of each of the second electrodes (121E2) may be welded with the second electrode terminal (121L2).

[0051] Each of the first electrode terminal (121L1) and the second electrode terminal (121L2) may be, for example, an electrode lead. Each of the first electrode terminal (121L1) and the second electrode terminal (121L2) may protrude in the Y direction from the cell case (121C). According to exemplary embodiments, the battery cell (121) may be a unidirectional cell, and the first electrode terminal (121L1) and the second electrode terminal (121L2) may protrude from the same side of the cell case (121C).

[0052] The cell case (121C) may include an inner resin layer, a metal layer, and an outer resin layer. An adhesive and a corrosion-preventing layer may further be provided between the inner resin layer and the metal layer and between the outer resin layer and the metal layer.

[0053] The inner resin layer may have heat-sealing properties and may be referred to as a sealant layer. The inner resin layer enables sealing of the cell case (121C). The inner resin layer may include a polyolefin-based resin, such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). The metal layer may include one of an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, and manganese, an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel, and aluminum. The metal layer may be a gas barrier. The metal layer may block the ingress and egress of gas from the cell case (121C). The outer resin layer may be a surface protection layer. The outer resin layer may include a material having wear resistance and heat resistance, such as a nylon resin.

[0054] A cell case (121C) may be provided by joining a first cell case (121C1) and a second cell case (121C2). Each of the first cell case (121C1) and the second cell case (121C2) may include a cup-shaped receiving portion (121R). The receiving portion (121R) may be formed by a pouch forming process. An electrode assembly (121EA) may be received in the receiving portion (121R).

[0055] The edges of the first cell case (121C1) may be joined to the edges of the second cell case (121C2), and thus, the cell case (121C) may be provided. The terrace (121T) may surround the receiving portion (121R). In this example, the sealing portions of the first cell case (121C1) and the second cell case (121C2) may be the terrace (121T), but the sealing portions of the first cell case (121C1) and the second cell case (121C2) may also be a part of the terrace (121T).

[0056] A bit generator (121B) may be coupled to a cell case (121C). The bit generator (121B) may include first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) coupled to the cell case (121C). Each of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be attached to the cell case (121C). Each of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be a surface acoustic wave device (SAW).

[0057] The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart with a cell case (121C) therebetween. The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart with a terrace of the cell case (121C) therebetween.

[0058] The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be attached to the terrace of the cell case (121C). The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may overlap in the X direction. The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart from the first and second electrode terminals (121L1, 121L2) in the Y direction with the receiving portion (121R) (or, electrode assembly (121EA)) therebetween.

[0059] The first acoustic wave generator (121SW1) may be configured to generate a first acoustic wave having a first frequency. The first acoustic wave generator (121SW1) is in contact with the cell case (121C), and the first acoustic wave may propagate along the cell case (121C) in the form of a surface wave. The first acoustic wave may propagate from the cell case (121C) to the separators (121S).

[0060] The second acoustic wave generator (121SW2) may be configured to generate a second acoustic wave having a second frequency. The second acoustic wave generator (121SW2) is in contact with the cell case (121C), and the second acoustic wave may propagate along the cell case (121C) in the form of a surface wave. The second acoustic wave may propagate from the cell case (121C) to the separators (121S).

[0061] The frequency of each of the first and second acoustic waves may be in the range of 10 MHz to 200 MHz. The first and second acoustic waves may have different frequencies. The difference in the frequency of each of the first and second acoustic waves may be in the range of 1 MHz to 5 MHz.

[0062] According to exemplary embodiments, a beat may be applied to the battery cell (121) due to the superposition of the first and second acoustic waves. A beat refers to a periodic increase and decrease in the amplitude of a resulting wave due to the superposition of the first and second acoustic waves. A beat can generally propagate over a longer distance than a surface acoustic wave. A battery cell (121) according to exemplary embodiments includes a beat generator (121B) configured to apply a beat to a cell case (121C), so that a surface acoustic wave can be applied across the entire battery cell (121) even when the length of the battery cell (121) (e.g., the length in the Y direction) is long. The surface acoustic wave can cause circulation in the electrolyte within the cell to remove and / or alleviate an electrolyte concentration gradient, thereby increasing the charging speed of the battery cell (121).

[0063]

[0064] FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating acoustic wave generators according to exemplary embodiments.

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, each of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may include an interdigital transducer (IDT1). The interdigital transducer (IDT1) may include a first electrode (121SE1) and a second electrode (121SE2). The interdigital transducer (IDT1) may be provided by photolithography.

[0066] A first electrode (121SE1) may include a first pad (121SP1), a first bus bar (121SB1), and a plurality of first fingers (121SF1). For connection with an external connection terminal, the planar shape of the first pad (121SP1) may be a rectangle with a relatively large area compared to the first bus bar (121SB1). The first bus bar (121SB1) may be connected to the pad and may extend in one direction. Each of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1) may be connected to the first bus bar (121SB1) and may extend from the first bus bar (121SB1) to the second bus bar (121SB2). According to exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1) may be substantially perpendicular to the first bus bar (121SB1).

[0067] The second electrode (121SE2) may include a second pad (121SP2), a second bus bar (121SB2), and a plurality of fingers (121SF2). For connection with an external connection terminal, the planar shape of the second pad (121SP2) may be a rectangle with a relatively large area compared to the second bus bar (121SB2). The second bus bar (121SB2) may be connected to the pad and may extend in one direction. The second bus bar (121SB2) may be substantially parallel to the first bus bar (121SB1). Accordingly, the distance between the second bus bar (121SB2) and the first bus bar (121SB1) may be constant.

[0068] Each of the plurality of second fingers (121SF2) may be connected to a second bus bar (121SB2) and may extend from the second bus bar (121SB2) to the first bus bar (121SB1). According to exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of second fingers (121SF2) may be substantially perpendicular to the second bus bar (121SB2).

[0069] The plurality of first fingers (121SF1) and the plurality of second fingers (121SF2) can be alternated in the extension direction of the first and second bus bars (121SB1, 121SB2). Accordingly, one of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1) can be interposed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of second fingers (121SF2), and one of the plurality of second fingers (121SF2) can be interposed between two adjacent ones of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1).

[0070] Parameters defining the characteristics of the interdigital transducer (IDT1) may include a width (FW) of each of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1) and the plurality of second fingers (121SF2), a spacing (FS) between adjacent ones of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1) and the plurality of second fingers (121SF2), a period (λ) of each of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1) and the plurality of second fingers (121SF2), and an aperture width (APT) which is a distance between an end of each of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1) and an end of each of the plurality of second fingers (121SF2).

[0071] According to exemplary embodiments, the interdigital transducer (IDT) of the first acoustic wave generator (121SW1) may be different from the interdigital transducer (IDT) of the second acoustic wave generator (121SW2). According to exemplary embodiments, the parameters of the interdigital transducer (IDT) of the first acoustic wave generator (121SW1) may be different from the parameters of the interdigital transducer (IDT) of the second acoustic wave generator (121SW2). According to exemplary embodiments, at least one of the width (FW), the spacing (FS), the period (λ), and the aperture width (APT) of the interdigital transducer (IDT) of the first acoustic wave generator (121SW1) may be different from a corresponding one of the width (FW), the spacing (FS), the period (λ), and the aperture width (APT) of the interdigital transducer (IDT) of the second acoustic wave generator (121SW2).

[0072]

[0073] (Example 2)

[0074] FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an interdigital transducer (IDT2) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0075] In this example, at least one of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2, see FIG. 2) may include an interdigital transducer (IDT2). That is, the interdigital transducer (IDT1) of FIG. 3 may be replaced by the interdigital transducer (IDT2).

[0076] The interdigital transducer (IDT2) may include first and second electrodes (121SE1', 121SE2'). The interdigital transducer (IDT2) may have a slanted structure.

[0077] A first electrode (121SE1') may include a first bus bar (121SB1) and a plurality of first fingers (121SF1'). Each of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1') may be connected to the first bus bar (121SB1) and may extend from the first bus bar (121SB1) to the second bus bar (121SB2). According to exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of first fingers (121SF1') may be slanted with respect to the first bus bar (121SB1).

[0078] The second electrode (121SE2') may include a second bus bar (121SB2) and a plurality of second fingers (121SF2'). Each of the plurality of second fingers (121SF2') may be connected to the second bus bar (121SB2) and may extend from the second bus bar (121SB2) to the first bus bar (121SB1). According to exemplary embodiments, each of the plurality of second fingers (121SF2') may be slanted with respect to the second bus bar (121SB2).

[0079]

[0080] (Example 3)

[0081] FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating an interdigital transducer (IDT3) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0082] In this example, at least one of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2, see FIG. 2) may include an interdigital transducer (IDT3). That is, the interdigital transducer (IDT1) of FIG. 3 may be replaced by the interdigital transducer (IDT2).

[0083] The interdigital transducer (IDT2) may include first and second electrodes (121SE1", 121SE2"). The interdigital transducer (IDT2) may have a focused structure. The first electrode (121SE1") may include a first bus bar (121SB1') and a plurality of first fingers (121SF1"). The second electrode (121SE2") may include a second bus bar (121SB2') and a plurality of first fingers (121SF2").

[0084] The first bus bar (121SB1') and the second bus bar (121SB2') may not be parallel. The first bus bar (121SB1') and the second bus bar (121SB2') may converge (or diverge). A plurality of first fingers (121SF1") may be connected to the first bus bar (121SB1'), and a plurality of second fingers (121SF2") may be connected to the second bus bar (121SB2'). The plurality of first fingers (121SF1") and the plurality of second fingers (121SF2") may have a round shape, and thus, the spacing between the plurality of first fingers (121SF1") and the plurality of second fingers (121SF2") may be constant.

[0085]

[0086] (Example 4)

[0087] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a battery cell (121a) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 6, a battery cell (121a) may include a cell case (121C), an electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), a first electrode terminal (121L1), a second electrode terminal (121L2), and a bit generator (121Ba).

[0089] The cell case (121C), the electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), the first electrode terminal (121L1), and the second electrode terminal (121L2) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus, a duplicate description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, except for their relative positions with respect to the cell case (121C).

[0090] In this example, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) of the bit generator (121Ba) may not overlap in the X direction. The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart in the Y direction. The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart in the Z direction.

[0091] The terrace (121T) of the cell case (121C) may surround the receiving portion (121R), and thus, the terrace (121T) may include portions parallel to the Y direction and portions parallel to the Z direction. One of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) (e.g., the first acoustic wave generator (121SW1)) may be coupled to the portion parallel to the Y direction of the terrace (121T), and the other of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) (e.g., the second acoustic wave generator (121SW2)) may be coupled to the portion parallel to the Z direction of the terrace (121T).

[0092]

[0093] (Example 5)

[0094] FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a battery cell (121b) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 7, a battery cell (121b) may include a cell case (121C), an electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), a first electrode terminal (121L1), a second electrode terminal (121L2), and a bit generator (121Bb).

[0096] The cell case (121C), the electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), the first electrode terminal (121L1), and the second electrode terminal (121L2) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus, a duplicate description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, except for their relative positions with respect to the cell case (121C).

[0097] In this example, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) of the bit generator (121Bb) may not overlap in the X direction. The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0098] In this example, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart from each other with the receiving portion (121R) therebetween. The first acoustic wave generator (121SW1) may be closer to the first and second electrode terminals (121L1, 121L2) than the second acoustic wave generator (121SW2). The first acoustic wave generator (121SW1) may be interposed between the first and second electrode terminals (121L1, 121L2) in the Z direction.

[0099]

[0100] (Example 6)

[0101] FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a battery cell (121c) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0102] Referring to FIG. 8, a battery cell (121c) may include a cell case (121C), an electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), a first electrode terminal (121L1), a second electrode terminal (121L2), and a bit generator (121Bc).

[0103] The cell case (121C), the electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), the first electrode terminal (121L1), and the second electrode terminal (121L2) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus, a duplicate description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, except for their relative positions with respect to the cell case (121C).

[0104] In this example, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) of the bit generator (121Bc) may not overlap in the X direction. The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart in the Y direction.

[0105] In this example, one of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) (e.g., the first acoustic wave generator (121SW1)) can be coupled to the receiving portion (121R), and the other of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) (e.g., the second acoustic wave generator (121SW2)) can be coupled to a portion parallel to the Z direction of the terrace (121T).

[0106]

[0107] (Example 7)

[0108] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a battery cell (121d) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0109] Referring to FIG. 9, a battery cell (121d) may include a cell case (121C), an electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), a first electrode terminal (121L1), a second electrode terminal (121L2), and a bit generator (121Bd).

[0110] The cell case (121C), the electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), the first electrode terminal (121L1), and the second electrode terminal (121L2) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, and thus, a duplicate description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, except for their relative positions with respect to the cell case (121C).

[0111] In this example, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) of the bit generator (121Bb) may not overlap in the X direction. The first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart in the Z direction.

[0112] The distance between the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be greater than 0 cm. The distance between the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be about 10 cm or less. The distance between the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be about 3 cm or less. The distance between the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be about 0.5 cm or less.

[0113] In this example, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be on the same surface of the cell case (121C). That is, the cell case (121C) may not be interposed between the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2).

[0114] According to exemplary embodiments, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may overlap in the Z direction. According to exemplary embodiments, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may not overlap in the Y direction. According to exemplary embodiments, the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may not overlap in the X direction.

[0115] The terrace (121T) of the cell case (121C) may surround the receiving portion (121R), and thus, the terrace (121T) may include portions parallel to the Y direction and portions parallel to the Z direction. Each of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be coupled to a portion of the terrace (121T) parallel to the Y direction. Each of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be spaced apart from the first and second electrode terminals (121L1, 121L2) with the receiving portion (121R) (or, electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2)) interposed therebetween, but is not limited thereto. Each of the first and second acoustic wave generators (121SW1, 121SW2) may be interposed between the receiving portion (121R) (or electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2)) and the first and second electrode terminals (121L1, 121L2).

[0116]

[0117] (Example 8)

[0118] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a battery cell (121e) according to other exemplary embodiments.

[0119] Referring to FIG. 10, a battery cell (121e) may include a cell case (121C), an electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), a first electrode terminal (121L1), a second electrode terminal (121L2), and a bit generator (121B).

[0120] The cell case (121C), electrode assembly (121EA, see FIG. 2), and bit generator (121B) are substantially the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, so redundant descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0121] According to exemplary embodiments, the battery cell (121e) may be a bidirectional cell. Accordingly, the first and second electrode terminals (121L1, 121L2) may protrude in opposite directions from the cell case (121C). The first and second electrode terminals (121L1, 121L2) may be spaced apart from each other with the receiving portion (121R) of the cell case (121C) interposed therebetween.

[0122]

[0123] The present invention has been described in more detail through the drawings and examples. However, the configurations described in the drawings or examples described in this specification are merely embodiments of the present invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the present invention. Therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modified examples may exist as of the time of this application.

Claims

1. An electrode including an anode, a cathode, and a separator; A cell case including a receiving portion in which the electrode is received and a terrace surrounding the receiving portion; and Including a bit generator coupled to the above cell case, A battery cell characterized in that the beat generator is configured to apply an acoustic beat within the cell case.

2. In paragraph 1, The above bit generator comprises a first acoustic wave generator configured to generate a first acoustic wave; and comprising a second acoustic wave generator configured to generate a second acoustic wave, and A battery cell characterized in that the first frequency of the first acoustic wave is different from the second frequency of the second acoustic wave.

3. In paragraph 2, The frequency of each of the first and second acoustic waves is in the range of 10 MHz to 200 MHz, and A battery cell characterized in that the difference in frequency of each of the first and second acoustic waves is in the range of 1 MHz to 5 MHz.

4. In paragraph 2, The first acoustic wave generator comprises a first interdigital transducer having a first period, and A battery cell characterized in that the second acoustic wave generator comprises a second interdigital transducer having a second cycle different from the first cycle.

5. In paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that the first and second acoustic wave generators are spaced apart from each other with the cell case interposed therebetween.

6. In paragraph 2, A battery cell, characterized in that each of the first and second acoustic wave generators is located on the first surface of the cell case.

7. In paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that the distance between the first and second acoustic wave generators is 10 cm or less.

8. In paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that each of the first and second acoustic wave generators is coupled to the terrace.

9. In paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that one of the first and second acoustic wave generators is coupled to the receiving portion.

10. In paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that each of the first and second acoustic wave generators is spaced apart from each other with the receiving portion therebetween.

11. In paragraph 2, Further comprising a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal connected to the above electrode, and A battery cell characterized in that the first and second acoustic wave generators are spaced apart from the first and second electrode terminals with the receiving portion therebetween.

12. In paragraph 2, Further comprising a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal connected to the above electrode, and A battery cell characterized in that one of the first and second acoustic wave generators is interposed between the first and second electrode terminals.

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