Electrode assembly and secondary battery comprising same

Abstract

Provided is an electrode assembly according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The electrode assembly comprises, laminated in a first direction, positive and negative electrodes, a separator, and an insulation member, wherein the insulation member comprises one or more holes overlapping the electrode in the first direction. The electrode assembly allows ions to move through the one or more holes and may be in the form of a stack.

Description

Electrode assembly and secondary battery including the same

[0001] It relates to an electrode assembly and a secondary battery including the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2024-0119829, filed September 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 a power source for various wireless devices, including handsets, 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] Secondary batteries are manufactured through electrode processes, assembly processes, and activation processes. In the electrode process, an electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator may be provided. In the assembly process, the electrode assembly and electrolyte may be housed in a case. In the activation process, the assembled battery cell may undergo charging, discharging, and aging processes. The activation process activates and stabilizes the battery cell with electrical energy.

[0005] The technical idea of ​​the present invention is to provide an electrode assembly with improved safety.

[0006] The technical idea of ​​the present invention aims to solve a problem by providing an electrode assembly with improved performance and reliability.

[0007] The technical idea of ​​the present invention is to provide a secondary battery including an electrode assembly with improved safety.

[0008] The technical idea of ​​the present invention aims to solve a problem by providing a secondary battery including an electrode assembly with improved performance and reliability.

[0009] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, an electrode assembly may be provided. The electrode assembly includes an anode, a cathode, a separator, and an insulating material that are stacked in a first direction, and the insulating material includes one or more holes that overlap with the electrode in the first direction, and is configured to allow ions to move through the one or more holes, and may be of a stack type.

[0010] The above separator and the above insulating material can be arranged between the anode and the cathode.

[0011] The above insulation material includes a first sub-insulator and a second sub-insulator spaced apart with the separator therebetween, and the first sub-insulator, the separator, and the second sub-insulator may be arranged in sequence between the anode and the cathode.

[0012] The above insulation material may be in the form of a sheet extending in a second direction and a third direction intersecting the first direction.

[0013] The above insulation may include one or more materials selected from aerogel, silicate, silicon, and polyurethane (PU).

[0014] The one or more holes may include one or more shapes selected from a circle, a square, and a triangle.

[0015] The sum of the areas of the one or more holes of the insulating material may be 30% to 50% of the area of ​​the anode.

[0016] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a secondary battery may be provided. The secondary battery includes: a case; an electrode assembly accommodated in the case, wherein a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator therebetween, and an insulating material are stacked in a first direction; and an electrolyte, wherein the insulating material includes one or more holes and is configured such that ions can move through the one or more holes, and the electrode assembly may be stacked.

[0017] The anode, the separator, the insulator, and the cathode may be arranged sequentially in the first direction.

[0018] The anode, the insulating material, the separator, and the cathode may be arranged sequentially in the first direction.

[0019] The above insulation material is in the form of a sheet extending in a second direction and a third direction intersecting the first direction, and the one or more holes can overlap the anode and the cathode in the first direction.

[0020] The above case may be a can.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the electrode assembly may include an insulating material disposed between the anode and the cathode to delay heat transfer.

[0022] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the insulating material included in the electrode assembly may include one or more holes through which ions can move, thereby improving ion permeability.

[0023] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an electrode assembly with improved safety can be provided.

[0024] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, an electrode assembly with improved performance and reliability can be provided.

[0025] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a secondary battery including an electrode assembly with improved safety can be provided.

[0026] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a secondary battery including an electrode assembly having improved performance and reliability can be provided.

[0027] 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.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a secondary battery according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0029] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an insulating material of an electrode assembly according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an insulating material of an electrode assembly according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an insulating material of an electrode assembly according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041]

[0042] (Example 1)

[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a secondary battery (100) according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0044] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of a secondary battery (100) according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the secondary battery (100) may include an electrode assembly (120EA), a case (100C), and a cap assembly (130CA).

[0046] The electrode assembly (120EA) can be inserted into the case (100C). The case (100C) can accommodate the electrode assembly (120EA) by combining with the cap assembly (130CA). The case (100C) may be a can.

[0047] The cap assembly (130CA) may include a first plate (131), a second plate (132), and a third plate (133) that are sequentially stacked. The cap assembly (130CA) may include a positive terminal (130P) and a negative terminal (130N) on the first plate (131). Venting holes (136) may be further formed in the first plate (131), the second plate (132), and the third plate (133).

[0048] The secondary battery (100) may further include an electrolyte injected into the case (100C).

[0049]

[0050] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly (120EA) according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly (120EA) along line AA of FIG. 2.

[0051] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly (120EA) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating only some components to illustrate the electrode assembly (120EA) of FIG. 3.

[0052] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an insulating material (122) of an electrode assembly (120EA) according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the electrode assembly (120EA) may include a positive electrode (120P), a separator (121), an insulator (122), and a negative electrode (120N) that are stacked in a first direction (D1). In the present specification, the electrode assembly (120EA) may be of a stack type.

[0054] Specifically, a plurality of positive electrodes (120P) and a plurality of negative electrodes (120N) may be alternately arranged in the first direction (D1), and a separator (121) and / or an insulating material (122) may be arranged between each of the plurality of positive electrodes (120P) and the plurality of negative electrodes (120N).

[0055] For example, a positive electrode (120P), a separator (121), an insulator (122), and a negative electrode (120N) may be sequentially arranged in a first direction (D1). For example, a negative electrode (120N), an insulator (122), a separator (121), and a positive electrode (120P) may be sequentially arranged in a first direction (D1).

[0056] For example, after the anode (120P), the separator (121), the insulator (122), and the cathode (120N) are sequentially arranged in the first direction (D1), the insulator (122), the separator (121), and the cathode (120N) may be sequentially arranged. For example, after the cathode (120N), the separator (121), the insulator (122), and the anode (120P) are sequentially arranged in the first direction (D1), the insulator (122), the separator (121), and the anode (120P) may be sequentially arranged.

[0057] For example, among a plurality of positive electrodes (120P) and a plurality of negative electrodes (120N), a separator (121) may be placed together with an insulating material (122) only between some of the positive electrodes (120P) and some of the negative electrodes (120N). At this time, only a separator (121) may be placed between some of the remaining positive electrodes (120P) and some of the negative electrodes (120N).

[0058] In the embodiments, the arrangement of the insulation (122) that can be arranged between the anode (120P) and the cathode (120N) is not limited to the example, and can be arranged by changing the design as needed.

[0059] In the embodiments, the positive electrode (120P), the separator (121), the insulator (122), and the negative electrode (120N) may overlap in the first direction (D1). The electrode assembly (120EA) may be of a stack type.

[0060] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the anode (120P), the separator (121), the insulator (122), and the cathode (120N) can extend in the second direction (D2) and the third direction (D3), respectively. Specifically, the insulator (122) can be in the form of a sheet extending in the second direction (D2) and the third direction (D3).

[0061] In embodiments, the insulation (122) may include a material having insulating properties. For example, the insulation (122) may include aerogel, silicate, silicon, or polyurethane (PU). For example, the insulation (122) may be composed of aerogel, silicate, silicon, or polyurethane (PU).

[0062] In embodiments, the insulation (122) may include one or more holes (122H). Specifically, the one or more holes (122H) may penetrate the insulation (122) in a first direction (D1). For example, the one or more holes (122H) may overlap the anode (120P) and the cathode (120N) in the first direction (D1).

[0063] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, each of the one or more holes (122H) may have a circular shape. For example, the one or more holes (122H) may be arranged in the second direction (D2) and the third direction (D3).

[0064] In embodiments, ions may move through one or more holes (122H). Specifically, ions may move between the positive electrode (120P) and the negative electrode (120N) through one or more holes (122H) within the secondary battery (100). An insulating material (122) is disposed between the positive electrode (120P) and the negative electrode (120N), and ions may move through one or more holes (122H) formed in the insulating material (122).

[0065] One or more holes (122H) may have a size suitable for the movement of ions. For example, the size of one or more holes (122H) may be suitable for the movement of lithium ions (Li + ) may be larger than the size of the

[0066] Referring to FIG. 5, each of the one or more holes (122H) may have a circular shape. For example, each of the one or more holes (122H) may have a lithium ion (Li + ) may include a circular shape having a size larger than that of the hole (122H). For example, one or more holes (122H) may be arranged in the second direction (D2) and the third direction (D3).

[0067] In embodiments, the sum of the areas of one or more holes (122H) may be appropriately selected and designed according to the movement of ions and the resulting air permeability. For example, the sum of the areas of one or more holes (122H) may be about 30% to about 50% of the area of ​​each of the anode (120P) and / or cathode (120N) overlapping the insulation (122).

[0068]

[0069] The electrode assembly (120EA) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 may include an insulating material (122) disposed between the positive electrode (120P) and the negative electrode (120N). This has the effect of delaying heat propagation that may occur between the positive electrode (120P) and the negative electrode (120N). In particular, when ignition occurs inside a secondary battery (100) which is a square cell, heat propagation between adjacent electrodes can be delayed. This can reduce the risk of heat propagation delay to adjacent cells and flame emission to the outside of the pack. In other words, the safety of the electrode assembly (120EA) can be improved.

[0070] The electrode assembly (120EA) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 may include an insulating material (122) that may include one or more holes (122H). Accordingly, even if the insulating material (122) is placed between the anode (120P) and the cathode (120N), it provides a passage for ions to move through the one or more holes (122H), thereby improving ion permeability. In other words, the performance and reliability of the electrode assembly (120EA) may be improved.

[0071]

[0072] According to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, an electrode assembly (120EA) with improved safety can be provided.

[0073] According to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, an electrode assembly (120EA) with improved performance and reliability can be provided.

[0074] According to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, a secondary battery (100) including an electrode assembly (120EA) with improved safety can be provided.

[0075] According to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention, a secondary battery (100) including an electrode assembly (120EA) with improved performance and reliability can be provided.

[0076]

[0077] (Example 2)

[0078] FIG. 6 is a plan view of an insulating material (122A) of an electrode assembly (120EA) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Below, the differences from the insulating material (122) described with reference to FIG. 5 will be primarily explained.

[0079] Referring to FIG. 6, the insulation (122A) may include one or more holes (122AH). Each of the one or more holes (122AH) may have a rectangular shape. For example, each of the one or more holes (122AH) may be configured to have a lithium ion (Li + ) may include a square shape having a size larger than that of the hole (122AH). For example, one or more holes (122AH) may be arranged in the second direction (D2) and the third direction (D3).

[0080] The shape of one or more holes (122AH) of the insulation (122A) is not limited to the exemplified shape, and may have, for example, a rectangular, square, triangular, or oval shape.

[0081]

[0082] (Example 3)

[0083] FIG. 7 is a plan view of an insulating material (122B) of an electrode assembly (120EA) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Below, the differences from the insulating material (122) described with reference to FIG. 5 will be primarily explained.

[0084] Referring to FIG. 7, the insulation (122B) may include one or more holes (122BH). For example, the one or more holes (122BH) may be arranged irregularly.

[0085]

[0086] (Example 4)

[0087] Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly (120EA_1) according to embodiments of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. Specifically, Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the electrode assembly (120EA_1) corresponding to the cross-section along line AA of Fig. 2. Hereinafter, differences from the electrode assembly (120EA) described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5 will be mainly described.

[0088] Referring to FIG. 8, the electrode assembly (120EA_1) may include a positive electrode (120P), an insulating material (122), a separator (121), and a negative electrode (120N) that are laminated in a first direction (D1). Descriptions of the positive electrode (120P), the insulating material (122), the separator (121), and the negative electrode (120N) may refer to FIGS. 1 to 5. For example, the insulating material (122) may include one or more holes that overlap with the positive electrode (120P) and the negative electrode (120N).

[0089] Specifically, a plurality of positive electrodes (120P) and a plurality of negative electrodes (120N) may be alternately arranged in the first direction (D1), and a separator (121) and / or an insulating material (122) may be arranged between each of the plurality of positive electrodes (120P) and the plurality of negative electrodes (120N).

[0090] For example, an anode (120P), an insulator (122), a separator (121), and a cathode (120N) may be sequentially arranged in the first direction (D1). For example, an anode (120N), a separator (121), an insulator (122), and anode (120P) may be sequentially arranged in the first direction (D1).

[0091] In the embodiments, the positive electrode (120P), the first sub-insulator (122_1), the separator (121), the second sub-insulator (122_2), and the negative electrode (120N) can overlap in the first direction (D1).

[0092]

[0093] (Example 5)

[0094] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly (120EA_2) corresponding to a cross-section taken along line AA of FIG. 2. Hereinafter, differences from the electrode assembly (120EA) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 will be primarily described.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 9, the electrode assembly (120EA_2) may include a positive electrode (120P), a first sub-insulator (122_1), a separator (121), a second sub-insulator (122_2), and a negative electrode (120N) that are laminated in a first direction (D1). Descriptions of the positive electrode (120P), the first sub-insulator (122_1), the separator (121), the second sub-insulator (122_2), and the negative electrode (120N) may refer to FIGS. 1 to 5. For example, the first sub-insulator (122_1) and the second sub-insulator (122_2) may include one or more holes that overlap with the positive electrode (120P) and the negative electrode (120N).

[0096] Specifically, a plurality of positive electrodes (120P) and a plurality of negative electrodes (120N) may be alternately arranged in the first direction (D1), and a separator (121) and one or more insulating materials (122) may be arranged between each of the plurality of positive electrodes (120P) and the plurality of negative electrodes (120N).

[0097] For example, in the first direction (D1), the anode (120P), the first sub-insulator (122_1), the separator (121), the second sub-insulator (122_2), and the cathode (120N) may be arranged in sequence. For example, in the first direction (D1), the cathode (120N), the second sub-insulator (122_2), the separator (121), the first sub-insulator (122_1), and the anode (120P) may be arranged in sequence.

[0098] In the embodiments, the positive electrode (120P), the first sub-insulator (122_1), the separator (121), the second sub-insulator (122_2), and the negative electrode (120N) can overlap in the first direction (D1).

[0099]

[0100] 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. Including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, and an insulating material laminated in the first direction, The above insulation material includes one or more holes overlapping the electrode in the first direction, configured to allow ions to move through the one or more holes, Stack type electrode assembly.

2. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly, wherein the separator and the insulating material are arranged between the anode and the cathode.

3. In paragraph 2, The above insulation material includes a first sub-insulator and a second sub-insulator spaced apart with the separator therebetween, An electrode assembly, wherein the first sub-insulator, the separator, and the second sub-insulator are arranged sequentially between the anode and the cathode.

4. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly, wherein the above insulation material is in the form of a sheet extending in a second direction and a third direction intersecting the first direction.

5. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly, wherein the insulating material comprises one or more materials selected from aerogel, silicate, silicon, and polyurethane (PU).

6. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly, wherein said one or more holes comprise one or more shapes selected from a circle, a square, and a triangle.

7. In paragraph 1, An electrode assembly, wherein the sum of the areas of the one or more holes of the insulating material is 30% to 50% of the area of ​​the anode.

8. Case; An electrode assembly housed within the case, wherein an anode, a cathode, a separator therebetween, and an insulating material are laminated in a first direction; and Contains electrolyte, The above insulation comprises one or more holes, configured to allow ions to move through the one or more holes, The above electrode assembly is a stack-type secondary battery.

9. In paragraph 8, A secondary battery, wherein the positive electrode, the separator, the insulator, and the negative electrode are arranged sequentially in the first direction.

10. In paragraph 8, A secondary battery, wherein the positive electrode, the insulating material, the separator, and the negative electrode are arranged sequentially in the first direction.

11. In paragraph 8, The above insulation material is in the form of a sheet extending in a second direction and a third direction intersecting the first direction, A secondary battery, wherein the one or more holes overlap the positive electrode and the negative electrode in the first direction.

12. In paragraph 8, The above case is a can in a secondary battery.

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