Electrode terminal, method for assembling electrode terminal and can, and battery cell having electrode terminal installed therein

Abstract

Provided are a structure of an electrode terminal installed to pass through a housing of a battery cell, a method for assembling the housing and the electrode terminal, and the battery cell comprising the housing at which the electrode terminal is installed. The electrode terminal comprises a first terminal member and a second terminal member, each inserted into a through-hole provided in the can from a first side and a second side, respectively, the first side and the second side being selected from an inner side and an outer side of the can, and the first and second terminal members being coupled to each other in an axial direction. The first terminal member has a lateral protrusion protruding radially from a circumferential portion of a ring-shaped protrusion provided on a first plate, and the second terminal member has a lateral groove recessed radially from a circumferential portion of a ring-shaped groove provided on a pillar portion of a second plate.

Description

Electrode terminal, method of assembling electrode terminal and can, and battery cell with said electrode terminal installed

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority from Republic of Korea Patent Application No. 10-2024-0095986, dated July 19, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery cell having an electrode terminal installed, and more specifically, to a structure of an electrode terminal installed through a housing of a battery cell, a method of assembling the housing and the electrode terminal, and a battery cell including a housing having the electrode terminal installed.

[0003] With the recent surge in demand for secondary batteries, various forms of secondary batteries are being developed. Cylindrical battery cells, which house a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly within a cylindrical metal can, are more shock- and temperature-resistant than pouch-type batteries. Consequently, demand for can-shaped cells for use in vehicle battery packs is growing.

[0004] Conventional can-shaped battery cells electrically connect the electrodes and the can or terminals by bonding a separate tab member to the current collector of the electrode assembly and bonding the tab member to the can or terminal. However, in battery cells with this structure, the structure for electrically connecting the electrodes and terminals takes up a significant amount of internal space within the can. Furthermore, this electrical connection structure has limitations in reducing internal resistance because the current path is limited to the tab member. An electrical connection structure that makes it difficult to reduce internal resistance is unsuitable for application to large-capacity battery cells that carry high currents.

[0005] Recently, cylindrical battery cells have been developed with increasing volume to increase energy capacity. Furthermore, technological development is being focused on maximizing the internal space of cylindrical battery cells, maximizing the volume of the electrode assembly housed within the internal space.

[0006] Accordingly, a structure has recently been developed in which a non-coated portion of the current collector is exposed to the axial end of the electrode assembly, folded in a radial direction so that the folded non-coated portion forms a flat surface facing the axial direction, a current collector plate is welded to the surface, and the current collector plate is again joined to a can or a rivet terminal. According to this structure, the current path between the electrode and the can or terminal is widened to lower the internal resistance, while the space inside the can occupied by the electrical connection structure between the electrode and the can or terminal is minimized, thereby further increasing the energy density of the battery cell.

[0007] However, these recent battery cell structures have a problem: the dimensions of the rivet terminals installed in the can are not precisely regulated. If the terminal dimensions are not precisely regulated, the battery cell must incorporate a margin of error to accommodate this tolerance. However, this results in a loss of energy density.

[0008] For example, conventionally, the edge of the cap closing the can opening was sealed and secured with a beading and crimping section formed on the can's sidewall edge, and the beading section was then deformed during the sizing process to match the final dimensions of the battery cell. These beading and crimping sections occupy a significant portion of the axial dimension, reducing the volume of the electrode assembly.

[0009] In addition, since the rivet terminal is fixed to the can through a caulking process that expands the edge of one axial end radially outward, the plastically deformed area cannot be used as a joint area with the electrode or bus bar of the electrode assembly. In other words, the conventional rivet terminal is disadvantageous in securing a joint area with the electrode or bus bar.

[0010] Furthermore, conventional rivet terminals, where plastic deformation occurs during installation into the can, do not affect the terminal's dimensions. Therefore, the terminal diameter and the height at which it protrudes from the can must be determined during the manufacturing process of the rivet terminal component. Given this leeway, when producing products with even slightly different diameters or heights, separate rivet terminal components must be developed to accommodate these dimensions.

[0011] The present invention has been devised to solve the above-described problem, and its purpose is to provide an electrode terminal structure in which the dimensions of an electrode terminal installed in a can can be determined during the process of installing the electrode terminal in the can, and a battery cell using the same.

[0012] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrode terminal structure capable of precisely controlling the dimensions of an electrode terminal installed in a can, thereby improving energy density, and a battery cell using the same.

[0013] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrode terminal structure capable of maximizing the surface area that can be joined to an electrode or bus bar, and a battery cell using the same.

[0014] The technical objectives of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned purposes. Other unmentioned objectives and advantages of the present invention can be understood through the following description and will be more clearly understood through the embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the objectives and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0015] The present invention provides an electrode terminal including a pair of terminal members that are inserted into through holes provided in a housing on the inside and outside of the housing for accommodating an electrode assembly, respectively, and are axially coupled to each other.

[0016] Among a pair of terminal members, a first terminal member includes a first plate and a ring-shaped projection, and a second terminal member includes a second plate and a pillar portion.

[0017] The first plate extends in a radial direction intersecting the axial direction and has a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the through hole. Accordingly, the first plate does not pass through the through hole.

[0018] The above ring-shaped protrusion extends from the first plate in a first direction, which is one direction of the axial direction.

[0019] The center of the above ring-shaped protrusion can be aligned with the center of the first plate.

[0020] The second plate extends in the radial direction and has a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the through hole. Accordingly, the second plate does not pass through the through hole.

[0021] The above pillar portion extends from the center of the second plate in a second axial direction opposite to the first direction and has a cross-section smaller than the cross-section of the through hole. Accordingly, the pillar portion can be inserted into the through hole in the axial direction.

[0022] The center of the above pillar portion can be aligned with the center of the second plate.

[0023] The above ring-shaped protrusion is arranged within the cross-section of the column portion. That is, the cross-section of the column portion is larger than the cross-section defined by the radial outer edge of the above ring-shaped protrusion.

[0024] The first terminal member may further include an alignment protrusion extending in the first direction from the first plate.

[0025] The center of the above alignment protrusion can be aligned with the center of the first plate.

[0026] The above ring-shaped protrusion can surround the alignment protrusion at a position radially spaced from the alignment protrusion.

[0027] The center of the above alignment protrusion can be concentric with the center of the above ring-shaped protrusion.

[0028] On the surface of the above pillar portion, a ring-shaped groove sunken in the first direction is provided to accommodate the ring-shaped protrusion in the axial direction.

[0029] The center of the above ring-shaped groove can be aligned with the center of the above pillar portion.

[0030] On the surface of the above pillar portion, an alignment groove sunken in the first direction may be provided to accommodate the alignment protrusion in the axial direction.

[0031] The center of the above alignment groove can be aligned with the center of the above pillar portion.

[0032] The center of the above alignment groove may be concentric with the center of the above alignment groove.

[0033] The first terminal member and the second terminal member are axially coupled to each other with the center of the ring-shaped protrusion and the center of the ring-shaped groove aligned.

[0034] The above ring-shaped protrusion is provided with a first lateral protrusion protruding in a third direction, which is one of the radial directions, from the circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion. And the above ring-shaped groove is provided with a first lateral groove recessed in the third direction from the circumference of the ring-shaped groove to receive the first lateral protrusion in the radial direction.

[0035] Accordingly, the axial bonding strength of the first terminal member and the second terminal member can be further increased.

[0036] The third direction may be a radially outward direction away from the center.

[0037] The radial distance from the center of the ring-shaped protrusion to the inner circumference can substantially correspond to the radial distance from the center of the ring-shaped groove to the inner circumference of the ring-shaped groove.

[0038] Then, when the ring-shaped protrusion is pressed into the ring-shaped groove in the axial direction, the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped groove can support the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped protrusion radially outward.

[0039] The radial thickness of the inner portion of the column portion provided between the periphery of the alignment groove and the inner periphery of the ring-shaped groove in the radial direction from the column portion may be thicker than the radial thickness of the outer portion of the column portion provided between the outer periphery of the ring-shaped groove and the periphery of the column portion in the radial direction from the column portion.

[0040] Then, the circumferential compressive resistance of the inner portion may be greater than the circumferential tensile resistance of the outer portion. Accordingly, it is easy to expand the cross-section of the column portion during the process of axially connecting the first terminal member and the second terminal member.

[0041] The radial average thickness of the ring-shaped protrusion measured along the axial direction may be greater than the radial average gap of the ring-shaped groove measured along the axial direction.

[0042] Then, as the ring-shaped protrusion is pressed into the ring-shaped groove, the area between the outer periphery of the ring-shaped groove and the periphery of the pillar part can be expanded radially outward.

[0043] The radial distance from the center of the ring-shaped protrusion to the outer circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion may correspond to the radial distance from the center of the ring-shaped groove to the outer circumference of the ring-shaped groove.

[0044] Then, the force applied when pressing the ring-shaped protrusion into the ring-shaped groove can be concentrated on the deformation of the first lateral protrusion. In other words, the amount of force required to press the ring-shaped protrusion into the ring-shaped groove can be reduced.

[0045] The third direction protrusion length of the first lateral protrusion may be longer than the third direction recessed length of the first lateral groove.

[0046] Then, as the first lateral protrusion radially engages with the first lateral groove, it is possible to more easily induce deformation in which the outer portion of the pillar part expands radially outward.

[0047] The ring-shaped protrusion may further be provided with a second lateral protrusion protruding in the third direction from the circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion between the first plate and the first lateral protrusion in the axial direction. And the ring-shaped groove may further be provided with a second lateral groove recessed in the third direction from the circumference of the ring-shaped groove to receive the second lateral protrusion in the radial direction.

[0048] Accordingly, the axial bonding strength of the first terminal member and the second terminal member can be further increased.

[0049] The third direction protrusion length of the second lateral protrusion may be longer than the third direction recessed length of the second lateral groove.

[0050] Then, as the second lateral protrusion radially engages with the second lateral groove, the outer portion of the column can more easily be induced to undergo deformation in which the column expands radially outward. In this way, by increasing the number of combinations of lateral protrusions and lateral grooves, even if the axial height of the column is large, the column can more easily be induced to undergo deformation in which the column evenly expands radially outward over the entire axial section.

[0051] In the above ring-shaped groove, a third lateral protrusion may be further provided that protrudes in a fourth direction in the radial direction opposite to the third direction from the circumference of the ring-shaped groove between the first lateral groove and the second lateral groove in the axial direction.

[0052] The third lateral protrusion of the ring-shaped groove is inserted radially between the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion of the ring-shaped protrusion in the axial direction, thereby further increasing the axial bonding strength of the first terminal member and the second terminal member.

[0053] In addition, the third lateral protrusion of the ring-shaped groove is strongly pressed in the radial direction with the peripheral portion of the ring-shaped protrusion between the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion of the ring-shaped protrusion in the axial direction, thereby inducing a deformation in which the outer portion of the pillar portion expands radially outward, and can more easily induce a deformation in which the outer portion of the pillar portion expands evenly radially outward over the entire axial section.

[0054] The radial distance from the center of the alignment protrusion to the periphery of the alignment protrusion can substantially correspond to the radial distance from the center of the alignment groove to the periphery of the alignment groove.

[0055] Then, in the process of axially joining the first terminal member and the second terminal member, the alignment protrusion and the alignment groove may not be significantly deformed, and the axial alignment of the centers of the first terminal member and the second terminal member may be stably maintained.

[0056] The first direction end of the alignment protrusion may be provided with a pointed end that becomes sharper toward the center as it goes in the first direction. This can guide the center of the alignment protrusion to be aligned with the center of the alignment groove during the initial stage of inserting the alignment protrusion into the alignment groove.

[0057] The first direction extension length of the above alignment protrusion may be longer than the first direction recess depth of the above alignment groove.

[0058] Then, in the process of joining the first terminal member and the second terminal member in the axial direction, after the alignment protrusion reaches the bottom of the alignment groove, the tip can dig into the bottom of the alignment groove to induce radial expansion of the second plate.

[0059] The bottom of the alignment groove may be provided with a deepest-center curved portion. The curved portion may guide the relatively weak tip to accurately dig into the center of the bottom of the alignment groove.

[0060] The first direction end of the ring-shaped protrusion may be provided with a pointed ring portion whose width becomes thinner as it goes in the first direction. By the pointed ring portion, an inclined surface may be provided at the first direction end of the peripheral portion of the ring-shaped protrusion.

[0061] The above-mentioned cutting-edge ring portion may be provided in a form in which the circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion gradually decreases. Accordingly, the surface of the inclined surface can be viewed obliquely between the first direction and the third direction.

[0062] The first direction extension length of the ring-shaped protrusion may be longer than the first direction recessed depth of the ring-shaped groove.

[0063] Then, in the process of joining the first terminal member and the second terminal member in the axial direction, after the ring-shaped protrusion reaches the bottom surface of the ring-shaped groove, the cutting-edge ring portion can dig into the bottom surface to induce radial expansion of the second plate.

[0064] The bottom of the above ring-shaped groove may be flat so as to be parallel to the radial direction. Accordingly, radial expansion of the second plate can be gradually induced.

[0065] The surface facing the first direction in the first lateral protrusion may provide a first guide surface that extends toward the second direction as it goes toward the third direction. Then, in the process of axially joining the ring-shaped protrusion and the ring-shaped groove, the press-fitting of the ring-shaped protrusion can be easily guided.

[0066] The inclined surface defined by the above-mentioned cutting-edge ring portion can provide a continuous surface together with the first guide surface. Then, the press-fitting of the ring-shaped protrusion can be guided more easily during the process of axially joining the ring-shaped protrusion and the ring-shaped groove.

[0067] The present invention provides a method for penetratingly installing the electrode terminal into a housing.

[0068] The method includes a first step of preparing a can having a through hole, and a second step of installing the electrode terminal in the can while interposing a terminal gasket between the electrode terminal and the can.

[0069] And the second step includes a second terminal member insertion step of inserting the pillar portion of the second terminal member into the through hole in the second direction from the second side of the can, a first terminal member insertion step of inserting the alignment protrusion and the ring-shaped protrusion of the first terminal member into the through hole in the first direction from the first side of the can, and a joining step of inserting the alignment protrusion into the alignment groove and press-fitting the ring-shaped protrusion into the ring-shaped groove.

[0070] According to the above method, the second terminal member insertion step may be performed prior to the first terminal member insertion step. That is, the first terminal member insertion step and the joining step may be performed simultaneously.

[0071] According to the above method, in the second terminal member insertion step, the surface of the second plate can be supported in the second direction by a die provided on the side where the second terminal member is located among the inside and outside of the can.

[0072] The above die may have an inner wall surface radially facing the peripheral surface of the second plate.

[0073] According to the above method, in the combining step, the surface of the first plate can be pressed in the first direction by a press on the side where the first terminal member is located among the inside and outside of the can.

[0074] In the above-described joining step, the first terminal member can be pressed by the press so that the cross-section of the second plate is expanded so that the peripheral surface of the second plate comes into contact with the inner wall surface. Accordingly, the area of ​​the second plate can be precisely expanded and the thickness of the second plate can be precisely controlled.

[0075] Additionally, in the above-described bonding step, the first terminal member can be further pressurized to expand the first plate in a radial direction. Accordingly, the area of ​​the first plate can be expanded to a desired extent. Furthermore, the thickness of the first plate can be regulated to a desired extent by considering Poisson's ratio.

[0076] The present invention provides a battery cell having a housing in which the electrode terminal is installed.

[0077] The above housing may be a can having the through hole.

[0078] The above electrode terminal is inserted into the through hole and connected to the can.

[0079] A terminal gasket is compressed and interposed between the above can and the above electrode terminal.

[0080] The above can has an electrode assembly built into it.

[0081] The electrodes of the above electrode assembly are connected to the plates disposed on the inside of the can among the first plate and the second plate.

[0082] The electrode terminal structure according to the present invention compresses the first terminal member and the second terminal member in the axial direction and joins them, so that the entire surface area of ​​the first plate and the second plate can be used as a joining portion of the bus bar or electrode.

[0083] The electrode terminal structure according to the present invention allows the dimensions of the electrode terminals installed in the can to be determined during the process of installing the electrode terminals in the can. Accordingly, electrode terminal components can be shared even for battery cells requiring different dimensions.

[0084] The electrode terminal structure according to the present invention can precisely control the dimensions of the electrode terminal installed in the can, thereby omitting the spare structure for the final sizing process, thereby increasing the volume of the electrode assembly and thus increasing the energy density of the battery cell.

[0085] The electrode terminal structure according to the present invention can compress the first terminal member and the second terminal member in the axial direction and join them while also allowing the pillar portion to be expanded in the radial direction, thereby enabling the terminal gasket to be compressed more strongly.

[0086] The electrode terminal structure according to the present invention can increase the axial bonding force of a pair of terminal members while lowering the pressure required for pressing by concentrating the force for pressing the first terminal member and the second terminal member in the axial direction on the lateral projections.

[0087] The electrode terminal structure according to the present invention can induce deformation so that the circumference of the column portion of the second terminal member of the stone is evenly expanded radially outward even with a relatively low processing pressure.

[0088] In addition to the effects described above, specific effects of the present invention are described below while explaining specific details for carrying out the invention.

[0089] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an electrode assembly applicable to a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0090] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the electrode assembly of Figure 1.

[0091] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which a first collector plate is joined to the axial first end of the electrode assembly of Fig. 3.

[0093] Figure 5 is a perspective view of a can having an electrode terminal coupled thereto according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0094] Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing an electrode terminal inserted into the can of Fig. 5.

[0095] Figure 7 is an exploded cross-sectional view of an electrode terminal of an embodiment.

[0096] Fig. 8 is an exploded side cross-sectional view of the electrode terminal of Fig. 7.

[0097] Figure 9 is a side cross-sectional view showing the process of installing an electrode terminal of an embodiment into a can.

[0098] Fig. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the state in which the electrode terminal of the embodiment is installed in the can.

[0099] [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 10: Can (housing) 11: Side wall 12: End wall 13: Beading part 14: Crimping part 15: Electrode terminal 16, 16-1, 16-2: Terminal gasket 19: Insulator 20: Electrode assembly 21: First electrode (positive electrode) 22: Second electrode (negative electrode) 23: Current collector (metal foil) 24: Active material 25: Holding part 26: Non-coated part 27: Electrode tab (notched tab) 28: Separator 30: First current collector plate 31: Peripheral part 32: Electrode connection part 33: Central part 34: Terminal connection part 35: Bridge 36: Conductive part 50: Cap 55: Gasket 60: First terminal member 61: First plate 63: Alignment protrusion 632: Tip part 65: Ring-shaped protrusion 654: leading ring part 656: inclined surface 67: first lateral projection 671: first guide surface 673: first engaging surface 69: second lateral projection 691: second guide surface 692: second engaging surface 70: second terminal member 71: second plate 72: column part 73: alignment groove 732: curved part 75: ring-shaped groove 754: bottom surface 77: first lateral groove 773: first support surface 78: third lateral projection 79: second lateral groove 792: second support surface 80: die 81: support surface 82: inner wall surface 90: press

[0101] The above-described objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily practice the technical idea of ​​the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technologies related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

[0102] 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.

[0103] Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

[0104] Hereinafter, the phrase "any configuration is placed on (or below)" a component or "on (or below)" a component may mean that any configuration is placed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, and that other configurations may be interposed between said component and any configuration placed on (or below) said component.

[0105] 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.

[0106] As used herein, singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "consisting of" or "comprising" should not necessarily be construed to include all of the components or steps described in the specification, and should be construed to mean that some of the components or steps may not be included, or that additional components or steps may be included.

[0107] 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.

[0108] In describing the embodiments, the term "axial direction (AD)" may refer to the direction in which a pair of terminal members are coupled. The axial direction may refer to the direction in which the axis forming the winding center of the jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly, i.e., the winding axis, extends. This may be understood as a concept encompassing both directions in which the axis extends.

[0109] In describing the embodiments, the term radial direction or radial direction (RD) refers to a direction approaching or moving away from the axis. This can be understood as a concept that includes both directions approaching or moving away from the axis.

[0110] In describing the embodiment, the circumferential direction or the circumferential direction refers to the direction surrounding the axis.

[0111] Based on the definition of these directions, the width direction of the electrode assembly in the unfolded state corresponds to the axial direction of the jelly roll. The length direction of the electrode assembly in the unfolded state corresponds to the circumferential direction of the jelly roll. And the normal direction to the electrode surface in the unfolded state of the electrode assembly corresponds to the radial direction of the jelly roll.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6 below, the assembly process and structure of a battery cell having a cylindrical can, which is a battery cell having a housing in which an electrode terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention can be installed, will be described.

[0113] The battery cell of the embodiment may be, for example, a cylindrical battery cell having a form factor ratio (defined as the ratio of the diameter of the cylindrical battery cell divided by its height, i.e., the ratio of the diameter to the height) of greater than about 0.4.

[0114] Here, the form factor refers to a value indicating the diameter and height of a cylindrical battery cell. The cylindrical battery cell may be, for example, a 46110 cell, a 48750 cell, a 48110 cell, a 48800 cell, a 46800 cell, or a 46950 cell. In the numerical value indicating the form factor, the first two numbers indicate the diameter of the cell, the next two numbers indicate the height of the cell, and the last number 0 indicates that the cross-section of the cell is circular.

[0115] The above battery cell may be a cylindrical battery cell having a roughly cylindrical shape, a diameter of approximately 46 mm, a height of approximately 110 mm, and a form factor ratio of 0.418.

[0116] According to another embodiment, a battery cell may be a cylindrical battery cell having a generally cylindrical shape, a diameter of approximately 48 mm, a height of approximately 75 mm, and a form factor ratio of 0.640.

[0117] According to another embodiment, a battery cell may be a cylindrical battery cell having a generally cylindrical shape, a diameter of approximately 48 mm, a height of approximately 110 mm, and a form factor ratio of 0.418.

[0118] According to another embodiment, a battery cell may be a cylindrical battery cell having a generally cylindrical shape, a diameter of approximately 48 mm, a height of approximately 80 mm, and a form factor ratio of 0.600.

[0119] According to another embodiment, a battery cell may be a cylindrical battery cell having a generally cylindrical shape, a diameter of approximately 46 mm, a height of approximately 80 mm, and a form factor ratio of 0.575.

[0120] The present invention can of course also be applied to battery cells having a form factor ratio of approximately 0.4 or less, such as 18650 cells, 21700 cells, etc. For 18650 cells, the diameter is approximately 18 mm, the height is approximately 65 mm, and the form factor ratio is 0.277. For 21700 cells, the diameter is approximately 21 mm, the height is approximately 70 mm, and the form factor ratio is 0.300.

[0121] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the battery cell of the embodiment includes a housing (10) having a side wall (11) extending in the axial direction, an end wall (12) connected to an axial first end of the side wall (11), and an open end or opening provided at an axial second end of the side wall (11). The housing (10) may be a can (10) made of metal.

[0122] The above battery cell has a jelly-roll shaped electrode assembly (20) accommodated in the can (10).

[0123] The above electrode assembly (20) is prepared by preparing a first electrode (21), a second electrode (22), and a separator (28) having a predetermined width and extending in the longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. 1, and forming a laminated body by stacking the first electrode (21), the separator (28), the second electrode (22), and the separator (28) in that order as shown in FIG. 2, and winding this around a core shaft to produce a jelly-roll shape as shown in FIG. 3.

[0124] The above first electrode (21) may be an anode, and the above second electrode (22) may be a cathode. Of course, the opposite may also be the case.

[0125] The first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) are manufactured in the form of a roll sheet that extends in the length direction with a predetermined width. The electrodes (21, 22) are manufactured in the form of forming an active material layer by applying an active material (24) to the surface of a metal foil constituting a current collector (23) and rolling it. The electrodes (21, 22) have a holding portion (25) region where the active material (24) is applied, and a non-coated portion (26) region where the active material (24) is not applied. The first electrode (21) has a non-coated portion (26) region at a first end of the current collector (23) in the width direction, and the second electrode (22) has a non-coated portion (26) region at a second end of the current collector (23) opposite the first end in the width direction.

[0126] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) are laminated such that their uncoated portions (26) extend further outward in the width direction than the separator (28) at the first and second ends in the width direction of the electrode assembly (20), respectively. Referring to FIG. 3, the uncoated portion (26) of the first electrode (21) protrudes from the axial first end of the rolled jelly-roll, and the uncoated portion (26) of the second electrode (21) protrudes from the axial second end of the jelly-roll. The uncoated portion (26) itself functions as at least one electrode tab (27).

[0127] In the above-mentioned blank portion (26), notches can be formed at a predetermined interval to form flag-shaped notching tabs (27).

[0128] In the embodiment, the notching tabs (27) are exemplified as having an equilateral trapezoidal shape. However, their shapes may be various, such as a semicircle, a semi-ellipse, a triangle, a rectangle, a parallelogram, etc.

[0129] In addition, in the embodiment, a form in which the notching tabs (27) arranged along the longitudinal direction have the same width is exemplified. However, the width of the notching tabs may be gradually or stepwise widened from the core side to the outer periphery side.

[0130] In addition, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the height of the notching tabs (27) gradually increases from the core side to the outer circumference side. However, differently from this, the height of these notching tabs may be implemented in a constant or gradually decreasing form.

[0131] In addition, in the embodiment, a structure is exemplified in which a notching tab (27) is deleted in a predetermined section of the core side end of the above-mentioned plain portion (26) and a predetermined section of the outer side end. However, it is obvious that, contrary to this, the notching tab may not be deleted in the core side end of the plain portion, the notching tab may not be deleted in the outer side end of the plain portion, or the notching tab may not be deleted in both sides.

[0132] In the jelly-roll type electrode assembly (20), the notched tab (27) can be folded and flattened in the radial direction as illustrated in FIG. 3. The notched tab (27) can be folded radially inward or outward. In the embodiment, a structure in which the notched tab (27) is folded radially inward is exemplified.

[0133] The above-mentioned notched tabs (27) may be pre-bent one by one during the process of forming a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly (20) by stacking and winding electrodes and separators, and then may be finally bent again after being wound in a jelly-roll shape. Alternatively, the above-mentioned notched tabs (27) may be bent all at once after stacking and winding electrodes and separators to form a jelly-roll-shaped electrode assembly.

[0134] The notching tabs (27) of the first electrode (21) and the notching tabs (27) of the second electrode (22), which are bent in the radial direction and overlapped in multiple numbers in the axial direction, can provide a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the axial direction at the axially opposite ends of the electrode assembly (20).

[0135] A first current collector plate (30) can be joined to a substantially flat surface provided by bending the notched tab (27) exposed to the axial first end of the electrode assembly (20), as shown in FIG. 4.

[0136] Referring to Fig. 4, the first collector plate (30) includes a central portion (33) provided at a position corresponding to the core hollow portion of the electrode assembly (20), a peripheral portion (31) surrounding the central portion (33), and a bridge (35) extending radially to connect the central portion (33) and the peripheral portion (31). The bridge (35) functions as a conductive portion (36) that electrically connects the peripheral portion (31) and the central portion (33). An electrode connection portion (32) welded to a notched tab (27) of the first electrode (21) is provided in the peripheral portion (31).

[0137] In the embodiment, the first collector plate (30) is exemplified as a positive collector plate. The first collector plate (30) may be made of aluminum. However, alternatively, the first collector plate (30) may be a negative collector plate or may be made of copper.

[0138] The above first collector plate (30) can be manufactured by punching, trimming, piercing, or bending a metal sheet or metal plate.

[0139] Referring to Fig. 6, the electrode assembly (20) having the collector plate (30) assembled thereon is accommodated inside the can (10) through an opening provided at the axial second end of the can (10). Prior to inserting the electrode assembly (20) into the can (10), an insulator (19) may be laminated on the inner surface of the end wall (12). The insulator (19) electrically insulates the first collector plate (30) from the end wall (12).

[0140] The end wall (12) of the above can (10) may have a disc shape with a through hole formed in the center, and the side wall (11) may have a circular tube shape surrounding the internal volume of the can (10).

[0141] An electrode terminal (15) can be fitted into the above through hole. The electrode terminal (15) can be fixed to the end wall (12) with a terminal gasket (16) interposed therebetween. The terminal gasket (16) is interposed between the electrode terminal (15) and the end wall (12), thereby sealing the inside and outside of the can (10) to prevent leakage of the electrolyte and electrically insulating the electrode terminal (15) from the end wall (12).

[0142] The above electrode terminal (15) may have a first polarity, and the can (10) may have a second polarity. That is, the end wall (12) of the can (10) and the side wall (11) connected thereto may both have a second polarity.

[0143] Accordingly, the battery cell may have both the first electrode terminal (15) and the second electrode terminal (12) positioned at the axial end, i.e., the closed end, provided with the end wall (12). Then, the battery cell may have both the bus bar connected to the first electrode terminal (15) and the bus bar connected to the second electrode terminal (12) positioned at one axial side (upper) of the battery cell.

[0144] In one embodiment, the first electrode terminal (15) may be a positive terminal and the second electrode terminal may be a negative terminal. Of course, the opposite may also be true.

[0145] The electrode assembly (20) is accommodated in the can (10) in a state where the first collector plate (30) is aligned so as to face the end wall (12) of the can (10). An insulator (19) interposed between the first collector plate (30) and the end wall (12) of the can (10) electrically insulates the first collector plate (30) from the end wall (12).

[0146] And, the central portion (33) of the first collector plate (30) is joined to the first electrode terminal (15) fixed to the can (10) by resistance welding, ultrasonic welding, laser welding, or the like, to define a terminal connection portion (34). A welding device for welding the first collector plate (30) and the first electrode terminal (15) can approach the back surface (the surface facing the electrode assembly (20)) of the central portion (33) of the first collector plate (30) through the core hollow portion of the electrode assembly (20) from the open end of the can (10) to perform welding. Of course, in addition to this, the first collector plate (30) and the first electrode terminal (15) can also be joined by brazing or soldering. That is, various methods can be applied to the first collector plate (30) and the first electrode terminal (15) as long as they can be electrically connected and fixed to each other.

[0147] In a state where the electrode assembly (20) is accommodated inside the can (10), the electrode tab (27) of the second electrode (22) can be positioned to face the open end of the side wall (11), i.e., the opening of the housing (10).

[0148] In the drawing, the structure in which the second collector plate is joined to the electrode tab (27) of the second electrode (22) is not illustrated. However, it is of course possible for the second collector plate to be joined to the electrode tab (27) of the second electrode (22) as needed. That is, the second electrode (22) may be electrically connected to the cap or side wall (11) through the second collector plate, or may be electrically connected directly to the cap without the second collector plate.

[0149] In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the opening of the can (10) can be closed by covering it with a cap. For example, the edge of the cap and the periphery of the opening of the side wall (11) of the can (10) can be joined by welding or the like to seal the can (10). According to the present invention, since the sizing of the electrode terminal (15) is possible during the assembly process of the electrode terminal (15), the sizing of the can (10) is possible even without fixing the cap through the beading portion and the crimping portion. Of course, the present invention does not exclude a structure in which the cap is fixed to the can through the beading portion and the crimping portion.

[0150] Referring to FIGS. 6 to 10 below, an electrode terminal (15) according to an embodiment of the present invention and a method of installing the electrode terminal (15) in the can (10) will be described.

[0151] The above electrode terminal (15) includes a pair of terminal members (60, 70) that are inserted into through holes provided in the housing (10) on the inside and outside of the housing (10) that accommodate the electrode assembly (20), respectively, and are axially coupled to each other. The embodiment exemplifies a first terminal member (60) that is inserted into the through hole on the outside of the can (10), and a second terminal member (70) that is inserted into the through hole on the inside of the can (10). However, their positions may be interchanged.

[0152] The first terminal member (60) has a first plate (61), a ring-shaped protrusion (65), and an alignment protrusion (63), and the second terminal member (70) has a second plate (71), a pillar portion (72), a ring-shaped groove (75), and an alignment groove (73).

[0153] The first plate (61) and the second plate (71) extend in a radial direction intersecting the axial direction and have a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the through hole. Accordingly, the first plate (61) and the second plate (71) do not pass through the through hole. In an embodiment, the through hole, the first plate (61) and the second plate (71) are all implemented in a circular shape, and the radius (r1) of the first plate (61) and the radius (r2) of the second plate (71) are implemented to be larger than the radius of the through hole. The thickness (t1) of the first plate (61) and the thickness (t2) of the second plate (71) can be made thinner after the process of axially coupling the first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70) and fixing them to the can (10). And complementarily, the radius (r1) of the first plate (61) and the radius (r2) of the second plate (71) can be made larger after the process of axially connecting the first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70) and fixing them to the can (10).

[0154] The above ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the alignment protrusion (63) extend from the first plate (61) in a first direction (1D), which is one of the axial directions. In an embodiment, the first direction is implemented in an axially inward direction, that is, a direction toward the center of the battery cell in the axial direction. In addition, the alignment protrusion (63) is implemented in a thin and long cylindrical shape, and the ring-shaped protrusion (65) is implemented to have a circular ring-shaped cross-section that surrounds the periphery of the alignment protrusion (63).

[0155] The above ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the alignment protrusion (63) are concentric and aligned with the center (O) of the first plate (61).

[0156] The embodiment is implemented in a form in which the axial extension length (h1) of the alignment protrusion (63) is shorter than the axial extension length (h2) of the ring-shaped protrusion (65). However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0157] The above pillar portion (72) extends from the center of the second plate (71) in a second axial direction (2D) opposite to the first direction, and has a cross-section smaller than the cross-section of the through hole. Accordingly, the pillar portion (72) can be inserted into the through hole in the axial direction.

[0158] In the embodiment, the second direction is implemented in a direction away from the center of the battery cell in the axial direction, and the pillar portion (72) is implemented in a cylindrical shape. According to the embodiment, the radius (r3) of the pillar portion (72) is smaller than the radius of the through hole, and the axial extension height of the pillar portion (72) is larger than the thickness of the end wall (12) in which the through hole is formed.

[0159] The center of the above pillar portion (72) is aligned with the center (O) of the second plate (71).

[0160] The above ring-shaped protrusion (65) is arranged within the cross-section of the column portion (72). That is, the cross-section of the column portion (72) is larger than the cross-section defined by the radially outer edge of the ring-shaped protrusion (65). According to an embodiment, the radius of the outer circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) is set to be smaller than the radius (r3) of the column portion (72).

[0161] The above ring-shaped groove (75) is provided in a form that is sunken in a first direction from the surface of the pillar portion (72) so as to accommodate the ring-shaped protrusion (65) in the axial direction. And the alignment groove (73) is provided in a form that is sunken in a first direction from the surface at the center of the pillar portion (72) so as to accommodate the alignment protrusion (63) in the axial direction.

[0162] The above ring-shaped groove (75) and the alignment groove (73) are concentric and aligned with the center (O) of the pillar portion (72).

[0163] In the embodiment, the ring-shaped groove (75) is implemented in a circular ring shape and the alignment groove (73) is implemented as a circular groove.

[0164] In the above pillar part (72), the radial thickness (w1) of the inner portion of the pillar part (72) provided between the periphery of the alignment groove (73) in the radial direction and the inner periphery of the ring-shaped groove (75) is thicker than the radial thickness (w2) of the outer portion of the pillar part (72) provided between the outer periphery of the ring-shaped groove (75) and the periphery of the pillar part (72) in the radial direction.

[0165] The first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70) are axially coupled to each other in a state where the center (O) of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the alignment protrusion (63) and the center (O) of the ring-shaped groove (75) and the alignment groove (73) are aligned.

[0166] In the embodiment, the radius (r4) of the inner circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) substantially corresponds to the radius of the inner circumference of the ring-shaped groove (75), and the radius (r5) of the outer circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the radius of the outer circumference of the ring-shaped groove (75) substantially correspond to each other. In addition, the thickness (t3) of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) measured in the radial direction substantially corresponds to the gap of the ring-shaped groove (75) measured in the radial direction.

[0167] Also, in the embodiment, the radius of the alignment protrusion (63) substantially corresponds to the radius of the alignment groove (73).

[0168] The above ring-shaped protrusion (65) is provided with a first lateral protrusion (67) and a second lateral protrusion (69) that protrude in a third direction (3D), which is one of the radial directions, from the circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion (65). The first lateral protrusion (67) is spaced apart from the second lateral protrusion (69) in the axial direction and is positioned closer to the first direction than the second lateral protrusion (69).

[0169] In the above ring-shaped groove (75), a first lateral groove (77) and a second lateral groove (79) are provided that are sunken in the third direction from the circumference of the ring-shaped groove (75) to accommodate the first lateral protrusion (67) and the second lateral protrusion (69) in the radial direction, respectively.

[0170] The third-direction protrusion length (p1) of the first lateral protrusion (67) is longer than the third-direction recessed length (g1) of the first lateral groove (77). And the third-direction protrusion length (p2) of the second lateral protrusion (69) is longer than the third-direction recessed length (g2) of the second lateral groove (79). Accordingly, the first lateral protrusion (67) and the second lateral protrusion (69) strongly press the first lateral groove (77) and the second lateral groove (79) in the third direction, respectively.

[0171] In the above ring-shaped groove (75), a third lateral protrusion (78) is further provided that protrudes in a fourth direction (4D) of the radial direction opposite to the third direction from the circumference of the ring-shaped groove (75) between the first lateral groove (77) and the second lateral groove (79) in the axial direction. The third lateral protrusion (78) of the ring-shaped groove (75) can be radially inserted between the first lateral protrusion (67) and the second lateral protrusion (69) of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) in the axial direction, and is strongly pressed against the circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) in the radial direction.

[0172] In the embodiment, the third direction is implemented in a radially outward direction away from the center. According to the embodiment, the first lateral protrusion (67) and the second lateral protrusion (69) protrude in a form in which the radius is expanded from the outer circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion (65), and the first lateral groove (77) and the second lateral groove (79) are recessed in a form in which the radius is expanded from the outer circumference of the ring-shaped groove (75). In addition, the third lateral protrusion (78) protrudes in a form in which the radius is reduced from the outer circumference of the ring-shaped groove (75).

[0173] According to the embodiment, the thickness (t3) of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the gap of the ring-shaped groove (75) correspond, but the protruding length (p1, p2) of the lateral protrusion (67, 69) is greater than the recessed depth (g1, g2) of the lateral groove (77, 79), and the third lateral protrusion (78) is provided on the periphery of the ring-shaped groove (75), so that the radial average thickness of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) measured along the axial direction is greater than the radial average gap of the ring-shaped groove (75) measured along the axial direction.

[0174] Next, according to the embodiment, since the thickness (w1) of the inner portion of the pillar portion (72) is greater than the thickness (w2) of the outer portion, the compressive resistance of the inner portion in the circumferential and radial directions is greater than the tensile resistance of the outer portion in the circumferential and radial directions.

[0175] In addition, according to the embodiment, the inner radii of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the ring-shaped groove (75) correspond to each other. Therefore, according to the embodiment, when the ring-shaped protrusion (65) is pressed into the ring-shaped groove (75) in the axial direction, the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped groove (75), that is, the inner portion of the pillar portion (72), strongly supports the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) radially outward. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the lateral protrusions (67, 69) strongly push the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped groove (75) radially outward, so that the outer portion of the pillar portion (72) can be easily expanded and deformed in the radial direction.

[0176] Meanwhile, as described above, the radius (r5) of the outer circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) corresponds to the radius of the outer circumference of the ring-shaped groove (75), while the protruding length (p1, p2) of the lateral protrusions (67, 69) is greater than the recessed depth (g1, g2) of the lateral grooves (77, 79). Therefore, when the ring-shaped protrusion (65) is pressed into the ring-shaped groove (75), the force applied is concentrated on the lateral protrusions (67, 69) and the lateral grooves (77, 79) rather than being applied evenly to the entire axial section of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the ring-shaped groove (75).

[0177] Then, the force required to press the ring-shaped protrusion (65) into the ring-shaped groove (75) is not excessively required, and the deformation is concentrated on the lateral protrusions (67, 69) and lateral grooves (77, 79).

[0178] In addition, since a plurality of lateral protrusions (67, 69) are provided at appropriate intervals along the axial direction, the radial expansion of the pillar portion (72) can occur evenly throughout the axial direction.

[0179] Meanwhile, at the second-direction ends of the first lateral protrusion (67) and the second lateral protrusion (69), a first engaging surface (673) and a second engaging surface (692) are respectively provided, which are parallel to the radial direction, and at the second-direction ends of the first lateral groove (77) and the second lateral groove (79), a first supporting surface (773) and a second supporting surface (792) are respectively provided, which are parallel to the radial direction and are in axial contact with the first engaging surface (673) and the second engaging surface (692). Accordingly, the axial bonding strength of the first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70) can be further increased.

[0180] Meanwhile, as described above, since the radii of the alignment protrusion (63) and the alignment groove (73) substantially correspond, in the process of axially joining the first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70), the alignment protrusion (63) and the alignment groove (73) can be joined to each other without being significantly deformed, and in this process, the axial alignment of the centers (O) of the first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70) is stably maintained.

[0181] The first direction extension length (h1) of the alignment protrusion (63) is longer than the first direction depression depth (d1) of the alignment groove (73). In addition, a tip (632) that becomes sharper toward the center as it goes in the first direction is provided at the first direction end of the alignment protrusion (63), and a curved portion (732) having the deepest center is provided at the bottom of the alignment groove (73). Accordingly, in the initial stage of inserting the alignment protrusion (63) into the alignment groove (73), the center (O) of the alignment protrusion (63) is naturally aligned with respect to the center (O) of the alignment groove (73), and after the axial joining progresses and the tip (632) of the alignment protrusion (63) reaches the bottom of the alignment groove (73), the tip (632) digs into the bottom of the alignment groove (73) to induce radial expansion of the second plate (71). At this time, the above-mentioned curved portion (732) guides the relatively weak tip portion (632) to dig exactly into the center of the bottom of the alignment groove (73).

[0182] The first direction extension length (h2) of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) is longer than the first direction depression depth (d2) of the ring-shaped groove (75). In addition, a tip ring portion (654) whose width becomes thinner as it goes in the first direction is provided at the first direction end of the ring-shaped protrusion (65). In order to implement the tip ring portion (654), an inclined surface (656) is formed on the circumference of the first direction end of the ring-shaped protrusion (65). The radius of the tip ring portion (654) substantially corresponds to the radius (r4) of the inner circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion (65). That is, the tip ring portion (654) is provided at the radially inner end of the ring-shaped protrusion (65). Accordingly, the surface of the inclined surface (656) is obliquely viewed between the first direction and the third direction. According to the embodiment, the surface of the inclined surface (656) is slanted toward the radially outer side.

[0183] Then, in the process of joining the first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70) in the axial direction, after the ring-shaped protrusion (65) reaches the bottom surface (754) of the ring-shaped groove (75), the tip ring portion (654) digs into the bottom surface (754) and the inclined surface (656) presses the second plate (71) obliquely in the radial direction outward. This pressing direction is the direction in which the second plate (71) expands in the radial direction.

[0184] The bottom surface (754) of the above ring-shaped groove (75) has a flat surface parallel to the radial direction. Accordingly, as the cutting-edge ring portion (654) digs into the bottom surface (754), the radial extension of the second plate (71) is gradually expanded.

[0185] On the surfaces facing the first direction of the first lateral protrusion (67) and the second lateral protrusion (69), a first guide surface (671) and a second guide surface (691) are provided, which extend in the second direction as they go toward the third direction. In the embodiment, as shown, the first guide surface (671) and the second guide surface (691) have surfaces that extend axially outward as they extend radially outward. The first guide surface (671) and the second guide surface guide the pressing of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) in the process of axially joining the ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the ring-shaped groove (75).

[0186] At this time, the inclined surface (656) defined by the above-mentioned cutting-edge ring portion (654) provides a continuous surface together with the first guide surface (671). In the embodiment, the inclined surface (656) and the first guide surface (671) are continuous and have corresponding inclination angles. Then, in the process of axially joining the ring-shaped protrusion (65) and the ring-shaped groove (75), the press-fitting of the ring-shaped protrusion (65) is guided more easily.

[0187] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the assembly of the can (10) and the electrode terminal (15) is performed with a terminal gasket (16) interposed between the can (10) and the electrode terminal (15).

[0188] The electrode terminal (15) is assembled to the can (10) by inserting a first terminal member (60) and a second terminal member (70) into the through hole of the can (10) on the outside and inside of the can (10), respectively, and connecting the first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70) to each other in the axial direction.

[0189] The second plate (71) and the pillar portion (72) of the second terminal member (70) face one axial surface of the can (10) and the peripheral surface of the through hole. The terminal gasket (16) includes a ring-shaped second terminal gasket (16-2) interposed between them. That is, the second terminal gasket (16-2) includes a portion extending in the axial direction and a portion extending in the radial direction. On the other hand, the first terminal member (60) faces only the first plate (61) portion of the other axial surface of the can (10). The terminal gasket (16) includes a ring-shaped first terminal gasket (16-1) interposed between them. That is, the first terminal gasket (16-1) includes a portion extending in the radial direction.

[0190] According to the embodiment, in order to increase the convenience of assembly, the terminal gasket (16) is manufactured in a divided manner into a first terminal gasket (16-1) and a second terminal gasket (16-2), and these are arranged as shown in Fig. 9 to install the electrode terminal (15). That is, the first terminal gasket (16-1) is interposed between the first plate (61) and the end wall (12) in the axial direction, and the second terminal gasket (16-2) is interposed between the second plate (71) and the end wall (12) in the axial direction and also between the pillar portion (72) and the inner surface of the end wall (12) in the radial direction. However, the terminal gasket (16) does not necessarily have to be manufactured in a divided manner.

[0191] First, the second terminal gasket (16-2) can be interposed on one side of the can (10) and the pillar portion (72) of the second terminal member (70) can be inserted into the through hole. At this time, the second plate (71) is axially supported by the support surface (81) of the die (80). An inner wall surface (82) facing the edge side of the second plate (71) is provided at the edge of the support surface (81). Before the bonding process, the inner wall surface (82) is radially spaced from the edge of the second plate (71).

[0192] Next, the first terminal gasket (16-1) is interposed on the other side of the can (10) and the alignment protrusion (63) and the ring-shaped protrusion (65) of the first terminal member (60) are inserted into the through hole of the can (10). At this time, since the pillar portion (72) is already positioned within the through hole, the alignment protrusion (63) and the ring-shaped protrusion (65) are inserted into the through hole and simultaneously coupled in the axial direction to the alignment groove (73) and the ring-shaped groove (75) provided in the pillar portion (72).

[0193] At this time, the first plate (61) is axially pressed by a press (90). As the first plate (61) is pressed by the press (90), the inclined surface (656) of the tip ring portion (654) and the first guide surface (671) of the first lateral protrusion (67) begin to dig into the ring-shaped groove (75). In addition, the alignment protrusion (63) begins to fit into the alignment groove (73).

[0194] As the press (90) continues to press, the alignment protrusion (63) and the alignment groove (73) are fitted without being significantly deformed, while the ring-shaped protrusion (65) is fitted into the ring-shaped groove (75) and is strongly pressed against the pillar portion (72), thereby expanding and deforming the outer portion of the pillar portion (72) radially outward. In this way, the ring-shaped protrusion (65) receives a large force and is significantly deformed, while the alignment protrusion (63) is relatively stably fitted, so that the first terminal member (60) and the second terminal member (70) can be joined in a state where their centers are accurately aligned without being misaligned during the process of joining them in the axial direction.

[0195] Even after the lower ends of the alignment protrusion (63) and the ring-shaped protrusion (65) reach the bottoms of the alignment groove (73) and the ring-shaped groove (75), the press (90) continues to press. Then, the tip portion (632) and the tip ring portion (654) dig into the portion of the second plate (71) and expand the second plate (71) in the radial direction.

[0196] In addition, even after the surface of the pillar portion (72) comes into contact with the first plate (61), the pressing of the press (90) can be continued. Then, the thicknesses of the first plate (61) and the second plate (71) can be reduced and they can be expanded in the radial direction. That is, the thickness (t1) and radius (r1) of the first plate (61) and the thickness and radius (r2) of the second plate (71) are changed through the above-described assembly process.

[0197] The inner wall surface (82) of the die (80) contacts the edge of the second plate (71) and regulates the radial expansion dimension of the second plate (71). Therefore, through the shape of the die (80), the radius (r2) of the second plate (71) can be precisely expanded and the thickness (t2) of the second plate (71) can be precisely regulated.

[0198] In addition, even after the second plate (71) is regulated to the shape of the die (80) and deformation is completed, if the first terminal member (60) is further pressed with a press (90), the first plate (61) can be expanded in the radial direction. For example, if the pressing force of the press (90) is set in consideration of Poisson's ratio, the final radius (r1) and thickness (t1) of the first plate (61) can be regulated to a desired degree.

[0199] It should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative in all respects and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention will be determined by the claims that follow, rather than by the detailed description set forth above. Furthermore, the meaning and scope of the claims that follow, as well as all possible modifications and variations derived from their equivalent concepts, should be construed as encompassing the scope of the present invention.

[0200] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings exemplified above, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed herein, and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Furthermore, even if the operational effects according to the configuration of the present invention have not been explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects predictable by the corresponding configuration should also be acknowledged.

Claims

1. An electrode terminal including a first terminal member and a second terminal member that are inserted into a through hole provided in the can on the first side and the second side selected from the inside or the outside of the can, respectively, and are axially coupled to each other, The above first terminal member: A first plate extending in a radial direction intersecting the axial direction and having a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the through hole; An alignment protrusion extending in a first direction, which is one of the axial directions, from the center of the first plate; A ring-shaped protrusion surrounding the alignment protrusion and extending in the first direction from the first plate; and It has a first lateral protrusion protruding in a third direction, which is one direction in the radial direction from the circumference of the above ring-shaped protrusion; The above second terminal member: A second plate extending in the radial direction and having a cross-section larger than the cross-section of the through hole; A column portion extending from the center of the second plate in the second axial direction opposite to the first direction and having a cross-section larger than a cross-section defined by a radial outer edge of the ring-shaped protrusion and smaller than a cross-section of the through hole; An alignment groove provided at the center of the column portion to accommodate the alignment protrusion in the axial direction; A ring-shaped groove provided in the column portion to accommodate the ring-shaped protrusion in the axial direction; and An electrode terminal comprising a first lateral groove recessed in the third direction from the circumference of the ring-shaped groove to receive the first lateral protrusion in the radial direction.

2. An electrode terminal according to claim 1, wherein the third direction is a radially outward direction away from the center.

3. An electrode terminal according to claim 2, wherein the radial distance from the center to the inner periphery of the ring-shaped protrusion substantially corresponds to the radial distance from the center to the inner periphery of the ring-shaped groove.

4. In claim 2, the electrode terminal has a radial thickness between the periphery of the alignment groove and the inner periphery of the ring-shaped groove that is thicker than the radial thickness between the outer periphery of the ring-shaped groove and the periphery of the pillar portion.

5. An electrode terminal according to claim 4, wherein the radial average thickness of the ring-shaped protrusion measured along the axial direction is greater than the radial average gap of the ring-shaped groove measured along the axial direction.

6. In claim 2, an electrode terminal, wherein the radial distance from the center to the outer periphery of the ring-shaped protrusion corresponds to the radial distance from the center to the outer periphery of the ring-shaped groove.

7. In claim 6, the electrode terminal, wherein the third direction protrusion length of the first lateral protrusion is longer than the third direction recessed length of the first lateral groove.

8. In claim 6, the first terminal member further includes a second lateral protrusion protruding in the third direction from the periphery of the ring-shaped protrusion between the first plate and the first lateral protrusion in the axial direction, An electrode terminal, wherein the second terminal member further includes a second lateral groove recessed in the third direction from the periphery of the ring-shaped groove to receive the second lateral protrusion in the radial direction.

9. In claim 8, the electrode terminal, wherein the third direction protrusion length of the second lateral protrusion is longer than the third direction recessed length of the second lateral groove.

10. In claim 8, the second terminal member further includes a third lateral protrusion protruding in a fourth direction in the radial direction opposite to the third direction from the periphery of the ring-shaped groove between the first lateral groove and the second lateral groove in the axial direction. The third lateral protrusion is an electrode terminal that is in radial contact with the circumference of the ring-shaped protrusion located between the first lateral protrusion and the second lateral protrusion in the axial direction.

11. An electrode terminal according to claim 1, wherein a radial distance from the center to the periphery of the alignment protrusion substantially corresponds to a radial distance from the center to the periphery of the alignment groove.

12. In claim 1, the first direction end of the alignment protrusion is provided with a tip that becomes sharper toward the center as it goes in the first direction. An electrode terminal in which the first direction extension length of the alignment protrusion is longer than the first direction recess depth of the alignment groove.

13. An electrode terminal according to claim 12, wherein the bottom of the alignment groove has a curved portion with the deepest center.

14. In claim 2, the first direction end of the ring-shaped protrusion is provided with a tip ring portion whose width becomes thinner as it goes in the first direction. The above-mentioned cutting edge portion defines a slope at the first direction end of the circumference of the above-mentioned ring-shaped protrusion, The surface of the above-mentioned inclined surface is an electrode terminal that faces obliquely between the first direction and the third direction.

15. An electrode terminal according to claim 14, wherein the first direction extension length of the ring-shaped protrusion is longer than the first direction recessed depth of the ring-shaped groove.

16. In claim 15, the bottom of the ring-shaped groove is flat and parallel to the radial direction, the electrode terminal.

17. In claim 14, the surface facing the first direction in the first lateral protrusion provides a first guide surface that extends toward the second direction as it goes toward the third direction, An electrode terminal, wherein the inclined surface defined by the above-mentioned cutting edge portion provides a continuous surface together with the first guide surface.

18. Can having a through hole; An electrode terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 15 inserted into the through hole and coupled to the can; A terminal gasket press-fitted between the can and the electrode terminal; and A battery cell comprising an electrode assembly built into the can and having an electrode connected to the electrode terminal.

19. A method of penetratingly installing an electrode terminal of any one of claims 1 to 17 into a can, Step 1: Preparing a can with a through hole; and A second step of installing the electrode terminal in the can by interposing a terminal gasket between the electrode terminal and the can; The second step above is: A second terminal member insertion step of inserting the pillar portion of the second terminal member into the through hole in the second direction on the second side of the can; A first terminal member insertion step of inserting the alignment protrusion and the ring-shaped protrusion of the first terminal member into the through hole in the first direction on the first side of the can; and A method for assembling an electrode terminal and a can, comprising a joining step of inserting the alignment protrusion into the alignment groove and pressing the ring-shaped protrusion into the ring-shaped groove.

20. A method for assembling an electrode terminal and a can, wherein the first terminal member insertion step and the joining step are performed simultaneously in claim 19.

21. A method for assembling an electrode terminal and a can, wherein, in the second terminal member insertion step of claim 19, the surface of the second plate of the second terminal member is supported in the second direction by a die provided on the second side of the can.

22. A method for assembling an electrode terminal and a can, wherein, in the combining step, the surface of the first plate is pressed in the first direction by a press provided on the first side of the can.

23. In claim 22, the die has an inner wall surface radially facing the peripheral surface of the second plate, A method for assembling an electrode terminal and a can, wherein, in the above-mentioned joining step, the first terminal member is pressed by the press so that the cross-section of the second plate is expanded so that the peripheral surface of the second plate comes into contact with the inner wall surface.

24. A method for assembling an electrode terminal and a can, wherein, in the joining step, the first terminal member is pressed by the press so that the first plate is expanded and deformed in a radial direction.

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