Battery cell and battery pack comprising same

Abstract

The technical concept of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a base frame having a first through-hole; a battery cell on the base frame; and a first rupture cover covering the first through-hole of the base frame, wherein the battery cell comprises: a cell case having a second through-hole which is provided in the bottom thereof facing the base frame and overlaps the first through-hole of the base frame in the vertical direction; a thermal expansion pad which is provided in the cell case and includes a thermal foaming material; and an electrode assembly which is provided in the cell case and disposed between the thermal expansion pad and the first rupture cover.

Description

Battery cell and battery pack including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell and a battery pack including the same. The present application claims the benefit of Korean application No. 10-2024-0153315, filed on November 1, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] Unlike primary batteries, secondary batteries can be charged and discharged multiple times. Secondary batteries are widely used as energy sources for various wireless devices such as handsets, laptops, and cordless vacuum cleaners. Recently, as the manufacturing cost per unit capacity of secondary batteries has decreased dramatically due to improved energy density and economies of scale, and as the driving range of BEVs (battery electric vehicles) has increased to a level equivalent to that of fuel vehicles, the primary use of secondary batteries is shifting from mobile devices to mobility.

[0003] As rechargeable batteries are increasingly used in mobility, demands for their safety are rising. Given that accidents such as fires involving rechargeable batteries in mobility applications can endanger the lives of drivers, research into technologies to enhance battery safety is indispensable.

[0004] The problem that the technical concept of the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery cell and a battery pack including the same.

[0005] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the technical concept of the present invention provides a battery cell comprising: a cell case including a through hole; a rupture cover covering the through hole of the cell case; a thermal expansion pad provided within the cell case and including a thermal foam material; and an electrode assembly provided within the cell case and disposed between the thermal expansion pad and the rupture cover.

[0006] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal expansion pad is configured to expand above a predetermined temperature to press the electrode assembly toward the rupture cover, the rupture cover is configured to rupture by the electrode assembly pressed against the thermal expansion pad, and the electrode assembly is configured to be discharged to the outside of the cell case through the ruptured rupture cover.

[0007] In exemplary embodiments, the length along the first direction of the through hole of the cell case is characterized as being greater than the length along the first direction of the electrode assembly.

[0008] In exemplary embodiments, it is characterized by further including an external conductive terminal coupled to the cell case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

[0009] In exemplary embodiments, the cell case is characterized by comprising: a bottom plate provided below the electrode assembly and to which the rupture cover is attached; a perimeter wall surrounding the electrode assembly; and a cap plate provided above the electrode assembly and to which the external conductive terminal is attached.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal foam material is characterized by comprising expanded graphite.

[0011] To solve the above-mentioned problem, the technical concept of the present invention provides a battery pack comprising: a base frame including a first through hole; a battery cell on the base frame; and a first rupture cover covering the first through hole of the base frame; wherein the battery cell comprises: a cell case provided on a bottom facing the base frame and including a second through hole vertically superimposed on the first through hole of the base frame; a thermal expansion pad provided within the cell case and including a thermal foam material; and an electrode assembly provided within the cell case and disposed between the thermal expansion pad and the first rupture cover.

[0012] In exemplary embodiments, the length along the first direction of the first through hole of the base frame is greater than the length along the first direction of the electrode assembly.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the length along the first direction of the second through hole of the cell case is greater than the length along the first direction of the electrode assembly.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the battery cell is characterized by further including a second rupture cover coupled to the cell case to cover the second through hole of the cell case.

[0015] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal expansion pad is configured to expand above a predetermined temperature to press the electrode assembly downward, the first rupture cover and the second rupture cover are configured to rupture by the electrode assembly pressed downward by the thermal expansion pad, and the electrode assembly is configured to be discharged downward from the base frame through the ruptured first rupture cover and the ruptured second rupture cover.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the cell case comprises: a bottom plate having a second through hole provided below the electrode assembly; a perimeter wall surrounding the electrode assembly; and a cap plate provided above the electrode assembly; wherein the battery cell further comprises an external conductive terminal coupled to the cap plate and electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the invention is characterized by further including a cooling structure in contact with the battery cell.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the cooling structure is characterized by including a channel configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal foam material is characterized by comprising expanded graphite.

[0020] According to exemplary embodiments, when a thermal event, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of a battery cell occurs in a battery pack, the electrode assembly of the battery cell where the thermal event occurred is discharged downward from the battery pack, thereby preventing the heat from the battery cell where the thermal event occurred from being transferred to other battery cells. Accordingly, the safety and reliability of the battery pack can be improved.

[0021] The effects obtainable from the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects can be clearly derived and understood by those skilled in the art to which the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure belong from the following description. That is, unintended effects resulting from the implementation of 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.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a battery cell according to exemplary embodiments.

[0024] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell along the line III-III' of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell in which a thermal event occurred.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments.

[0027] Figure 6 is an enlarged view showing a magnified portion of the battery pack of Figure 5.

[0028] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack in which a thermal event occurred.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle equipped with a battery pack according to exemplary embodiments.

[0030] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Prior to this, terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings. Instead, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concepts of terms to best describe his invention, they should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0031] Therefore, 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; thus, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0032] In addition, in describing the present invention, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions may obscure the essence of the invention, such detailed description is omitted.

[0033] Since embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the invention to those skilled in the art, the shapes and sizes of the components in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted for clearer explanation. Accordingly, the size or proportion of each component does not entirely reflect the actual size or proportion.

[0034]

[0035] (1st embodiment)

[0036] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a battery cell (100) according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 2 is a bottom view showing a battery cell (100) according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the battery cell (100) along the line III-III' of FIG. 1.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the battery cell (100) may include a cell case (110), an electrode assembly (120), external conductive terminals (130), a cell rupture cover (140), and a thermal expansion pad (150).

[0038] The cell case (110) may provide an internal space (119) for accommodating an electrode assembly (120). For example, the cell case (110) may have a cuboidal shape. The cell case (110) may include a bottom plate (111), a perimeter wall (112) extending along the perimeter of the bottom plate (111), and a cap plate (113) coupled to the perimeter wall (112). The bottom plate (111) may extend along a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). The cap plate (113) may extend along a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). The perimeter wall (112) may extend vertically (e.g., in the Z-axis direction) between the bottom plate (111) and the cap plate (113) and may be joined to the perimeter of the bottom plate (111) and the perimeter of the cap plate (113). The perimeter wall (112) may extend continuously along the perimeter of the bottom plate (111) and the perimeter of the cap plate (113) to surround the electrode assembly (120). The cell case (110) may comprise metal. For example, the cell case (110) may comprise aluminum. In exemplary embodiments, the cell case (110) may be a metal can or an aluminum can.

[0039] The electrode assembly (120) may be accommodated in the internal space (119) of the cell case (110). The electrode assembly (120) may include a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Depending on the assembly form, the electrode assembly (120) may be either a jelly-roll structure or a stack structure. The electrode assembly (120) of the jelly-roll structure may include a wound structure of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator interposed between them. The electrode assembly (120) of the stack structure may include a plurality of positive electrodes, a plurality of negative electrodes, and a plurality of separators interposed between them, which are stacked sequentially. The positive electrode may include a positive current collector and a positive active material. The negative electrode may include a negative current collector and a negative active material. The battery cell (100) may further include an electrolyte provided in the internal space (119) of the cell case (110).

[0040] The battery cell (100) may correspond to a pouch-type battery cell, a cylindrical battery cell, or a prismatic battery cell. The electrode assembly (120) of the pouch-type battery cell is embedded in a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet. The electrode assembly (120) of the cylindrical battery cell is embedded in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly (120) of the prismatic battery cell is embedded in a prismatic metal can.

[0041] External conductive terminals (130) may be coupled to the cell case (110). For example, the external conductive terminals (130) may be coupled to the cap plate (113). Each external conductive terminal (130) may be coupled to the cell case (110) such that at least a portion thereof is exposed to the outside of the cell case (110). Each external conductive terminal (130) may include a portion that is received inside the cell case (110) and connected to the electrode assembly (120), and a portion that protrudes to the outside of the cell case (110). For example, the external conductive terminals (130) may be coupled to the cap plate (113) of the cell case (110). The external conductive terminals (130) may include a positive terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode of the electrode assembly (120) and a negative terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode of the electrode assembly (120).

[0042] The cell case (110) may include a through hole (115). The through hole (115) of the cell case (110) may provide a passage for communicating the internal space (119) of the cell case (110) with the outside of the cell case (110). The through hole (115) of the cell case (110) may be provided in the bottom plate (111) of the cell case (110) and may penetrate the bottom plate (111). The through hole (115) of the cell case (110) may be provided as a passage for discharging the electrode assembly (120) to the outside of the cell case (110) when a thermal event, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of the battery cell (100), occurs. The dimensions of the through hole (115) may be larger than the dimensions of the electrode assembly (120) so that the electrode assembly (120) can be discharged to the outside through the through hole (115) of the cell case (110). The length of the through hole (115) along the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) may be larger than the length (L1) of the electrode assembly (120) along the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction), and the length of the through hole (115) along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) may be larger than the length (L2) of the electrode assembly (120) along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction).

[0043] The cell rupture cover (140) may cover the through hole (115) of the cell case (110). The cell rupture cover (140) may be attached to the cell case (110) to cover the through hole (115) of the cell case (110). When no rupture occurs in the cell rupture cover (140), the through hole (115) of the cell case (110) is covered and closed by the cell rupture cover (140), thereby blocking the discharge of the electrode assembly (120) through the through hole (115) of the cell case (110). When a rupture occurs in the cell rupture cover (140), the through hole (115) of the cell case (110) may be opened, and the discharge of the electrode assembly (120) through the through hole (115) of the cell case (110) is allowed. In the present disclosure, the cell rupture cover (140) may be referred to as a rupture cover.

[0044] The cell rupture cover (140) may be configured to rupture when a predetermined external force is applied. In exemplary embodiments, the cell rupture cover (140) may be configured to rupture when a thermal event, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of the battery cell (100), occurs. The strength of the cell rupture cover (140) may be less than the strength of the cell case (110). When a thermal event, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of the battery cell (100), occurs, the rupture of the cell rupture cover (140) may occur before the rupture of the cell case (110). The cell rupture cover (140) may be a film, a sheet, or a membrane. To allow the cell rupture cover (140) to rupture when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (100), the cell rupture cover (140) may include a non-heat-resistant material.

[0045] A thermal expansion pad (150) may be provided within the internal space (119) of the cell case (110). The thermal expansion pad may be spaced apart from the cell rupture cover (140) with the electrode assembly (120) in between. For example, the cell rupture cover (140) may be placed below the electrode assembly (120), and the thermal expansion pad (150) may be placed above the electrode assembly (120). For example, the cell rupture cover (140) may be attached to the bottom plate (111), and the cell rupture cover (140) may be attached to the cap plate (113). In exemplary embodiments, the thermal expansion pad (150) may be attached to the top of the cap plate (113) and / or the perimeter wall (112).

[0046] The thermal expansion pad (150) may be configured to expand in volume when a thermal event occurs, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of the battery cell (100). The volume of the thermal expansion pad (150) may be configured to expand to a certain level or more when a predetermined temperature is exceeded, thereby pressurizing the electrode assembly (120). For example, the volume of the thermal expansion pad (150) may expand to at least twice its original volume when a predetermined first temperature is exceeded, and the first temperature may be 80°C, 100°C, 150°C, 200°C, or 300°C. The expanded thermal expansion pad (150) may be configured to pressurize the electrode assembly (120) in a direction toward the cell rupture cover (140).

[0047] The thermal expansion pad (150) may include a thermal foam material (151). The thermal foam material (151) may be configured to expand above a predetermined temperature. When a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (100), the thermal foam material (151) of the thermal expansion pad (150) may be configured to expand.

[0048] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal foam material (151) of the thermal expansion pad (150) may comprise expanded graphite, vermiculite, or a combination thereof. The thermal foam material (151) may comprise a capsule-type thermal foam material.

[0049] In exemplary embodiments, the thermal foam material (151) of the thermal expansion pad (150) may be configured to expand in volume between 10 and 50 times when the foaming initiation temperature is exceeded. The foaming initiation temperature may be 80°C, 100°C, 150°C, 200°C, or 300°C.

[0050] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery cell (100P) in which a thermal event occurred.

[0051] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, when a thermal event such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of a battery cell (100P) occurs, the thermal expansion pad (150P) may be expanded, and the expanded thermal expansion pad (150P) may press the electrode assembly (120P) downward. The electrode assembly (120P) may move downward by being pressed by the expanded thermal expansion pad (150P) and may press the cell rupture cover (140). The cell rupture cover (140) may be ruptured by the internal pressure of the cell case (110) and the pressure applied through the electrode assembly (120P). As the cell rupture cover (140) ruptures, the through hole (115) of the cell case (110) is opened, and the electrode assembly (120P) can be discharged to the outside of the cell case (110) through the through hole (115) of the cell case (110).

[0052]

[0053] (2nd Example)

[0054] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack (200) according to exemplary embodiments. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the battery pack (200) of FIG. 5.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 together with FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery pack (200) may include a pack frame (210), a plurality of battery cells (100), a cooling structure (220), and a plurality of pack rupture covers (230).

[0056] The pack frame (210) may provide an internal space for accommodating a plurality of battery cells (100). The pack frame (210) may include a base frame (211), a side frame (213), and a top frame (215).

[0057] The base frame (211) can support a plurality of battery cells (100). The base frame (211) may have a flat plate shape extending approximately in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction).

[0058] The side frame (213) can be attached to the base frame (211). The side frame (213) can be attached to the perimeter of the base frame (211) and can be extended along the perimeter of the base frame (211). The side frame (213) can be extended continuously along the perimeter of the base frame (211) to surround a plurality of battery cells (100). When viewed in a planar view, the side frame (213) can have a roughly square ring shape. The side frame (213), together with the base frame (211), can define an internal space in which a plurality of battery cells (100) are accommodated.

[0059] The top frame (215) can be fastened onto the side frame (213) to cover a plurality of battery cells (100). The top frame (215) may have a flat plate shape extending in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction).

[0060] A plurality of battery cells (100) may be provided on a base frame (211). Individual battery cells (100) may be mounted on the base frame (211) such that the bottom plate (111) of the cell case (110) faces the base frame (211). A plurality of battery cells (100) may be arranged in a first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) and a second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction). External conductive terminals (130) of a plurality of battery cells (100) may be electrically connected to each other by an electrical connection member such as a bus bar.

[0061] A cooling structure (220) may be thermally and physically bonded to a plurality of battery cells (100). For example, the cooling structure (220) may be attached to a plurality of cell cases (110) of a plurality of battery cells (100) by a thermally conductive adhesive layer. The thermally conductive adhesive layer may include a thermal resin and / or a thermal interface material. The cooling structure (220) may be interposed between adjacent battery cells (100) and may be attached to the side of each of the cell cases (110) of adjacent battery cells (100). The cooling structure (220) may include a thermally conductive material, for example, aluminum, copper, silver, gold, or a combination thereof. The cooling structure (220) may be configured to be thermally bonded to a plurality of battery cells (100) to diffuse heat from the plurality of battery cells (100).

[0062] The cooling structure (220) may include a channel (221) configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow. For example, the channel (221) of the cooling structure (220) may extend in a second horizontal direction (e.g., the Y-axis direction) within the cooling structure (220). A cooling fluid provided from outside the battery pack (200) may be supplied to the inlet of the channel (221) of the cooling structure (220), flow along the channel (221) of the cooling structure (220), and then be discharged through the outlet of the channel (221) of the cooling structure (220). While the cooling fluid flows along the channel (221) of the cooling structure (220), cooling of a plurality of battery cells (100) may be achieved. The cooling fluid may include a coolant and / or a refrigerant.

[0063] The base frame (211) may include a plurality of through holes (219). Each of the plurality of through holes (219) of the base frame (211) may penetrate the base frame (211) in a vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction). The plurality of through holes (219) of the base frame (211) may overlap in a vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) with a corresponding battery cell (100) among the plurality of battery cells (100). The plurality of through holes (219) of the base frame (211) may overlap in a vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) with a through hole (115) of the cell case (110) of the corresponding battery cell (100) and a cell rupture cover (140) of the corresponding battery cell (100). A plurality of through holes (219) of the base frame (211) may each be provided as a passage for discharging the electrode assembly (120) of the corresponding battery cell (100) to the outside of the battery pack (200) when a thermal event, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of the corresponding battery cell (100), occurs. In order for the electrode assembly (120) of the battery cell (100) to be discharged downward from the base frame (211) through the through holes (219) of the base frame (211), the dimensions of the through holes (219) of the base frame (211) may be larger than the dimensions of the electrode assembly (120). The length of the through hole (219) of the base frame (211) along the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction) may be greater than the length (L1) of the electrode assembly (120) along the first horizontal direction (e.g., X-axis direction), and the length of the through hole (219) of the base frame (211) along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction) may be greater than the length (L2) of the electrode assembly (120) along the second horizontal direction (e.g., Y-axis direction).

[0064] A plurality of pack rupture covers (230) may be coupled to the base frame (211) to cover a plurality of through holes (219) of the base frame (211). Each of the plurality of pack rupture covers (230) may cover a corresponding through hole (219) among the plurality of through holes (219) of the base frame (211). Each of the plurality of pack rupture covers (230) may be overlapped in a vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) to a corresponding battery cell (100) among a plurality of battery cells (100), and may be overlapped in a vertical direction (e.g., Z-axis direction) to a cell rupture cover (140) and an electrode assembly (120) provided to the corresponding battery cell (100). When no rupture occurs in the pack rupture cover (230), the through hole (219) of the base frame (211) is covered and closed by the pack rupture cover (230), thereby blocking the discharge of the electrode assembly (120) through the through hole (219) of the base frame (211). When a rupture occurs in the pack rupture cover (230), the through hole (219) of the base frame (211) can be opened, and the discharge of the electrode assembly (120) through the through hole (219) of the base frame (211) is allowed. In the present disclosure, the pack rupture cover (230) may also be referred to as a rupture cover.

[0065] The pack rupture cover (230) may be configured to rupture when a predetermined external force is applied. The strength of the pack rupture cover (230) may be less than the strength of the base frame (211). The pack rupture cover (230) may be configured to rupture when a thermal event occurs, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of the battery cell (100). The pack rupture cover (230) may be a film, sheet, or membrane. To cause the pack rupture cover (230) to rupture when a thermal event occurs in the battery cell (100), the pack rupture cover (230) may include a non-heat-resistant material.

[0066] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a battery pack (200) in which a thermal event occurred.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 7 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 6, when a thermal event, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of a battery cell (100P), occurs within a battery pack (200), a thermal expansion pad (150P) may be expanded within the battery cell (100P) where the thermal event occurred, and the expanded thermal expansion pad (150P) may press the electrode assembly (120P) downward. The electrode assembly (120P) may move downward by being pressed by the expanded thermal expansion pad (150P) and may press the cell rupture cover (140) and the pack rupture cover (230) positioned below the electrode assembly (120P). The cell rupture cover (140) and the pack rupture cover (230) may be ruptured by the internal pressure of the cell case (110) and the pressure applied through the electrode assembly (120P). As the cell rupture cover (140) and the pack rupture cover (230) are ruptured, the through hole (115) of the cell case (110) and the through hole (219) of the base frame (211) are opened, and the electrode assembly (120P) can be discharged to the outside of the battery pack (200) through the through hole (115) of the cell case (110) and the through hole (219) of the base frame (211).

[0068] When a thermal event, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of a battery cell (100P) in a battery pack (200), occurs, the temperature of the electrode assembly (120P) within the battery cell (100P) rises rapidly, and the heat of the electrode assembly (120P) is transferred to other battery cells (100). According to exemplary embodiments, when a thermal event, such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of a battery cell (100P) in a battery pack (200), occurs, the electrode assembly (120P) of the battery cell (100P) where the thermal event occurred is discharged downward from the battery pack (200), thereby suppressing the transfer of heat from the battery cell (100P) where the thermal event occurred to other battery cells (100). Thus, the safety and reliability of the battery pack (200) can be improved.

[0069]

[0070] (3rd Example)

[0071] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an electric vehicle (1000) equipped with a battery pack (200) according to exemplary embodiments.

[0072] In FIG. 8, for the sake of simplicity, only the vehicle frame (1200) forming the lower frame of the vehicle, the battery pack (200) mounted on the vehicle frame (1200), and the driving wheels are shown. According to exemplary embodiments, when a thermal event such as ignition and / or thermal runaway of a battery cell (100) occurs in the battery pack (200), the electrode assembly (120) of the battery cell (100) where the thermal event occurred is discharged to the outside of the battery pack (200) and to the outside of the electric vehicle (1000), thereby suppressing heat transfer between the battery cells (100). Thus, the safety and reliability of the electric vehicle (1000) including the battery pack (200) can be improved.

[0073]

[0074] The present invention has been described in more detail above through drawings and embodiments. However, the configurations described in the drawings or embodiments described in this specification are merely one embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all technical concepts of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

Claims

1. Cell case including a through hole; A rupture cover covering the through hole of the cell case above; A thermal expansion pad provided within the cell case and comprising a thermal foam material; and An electrode assembly provided within the cell case and disposed between the thermal expansion pad and the rupture cover; A battery cell containing 2. In Paragraph 1, The above thermal expansion pad is configured to expand above a predetermined temperature to press the electrode assembly toward the rupture cover, and The above rupture cover is configured to rupture by the electrode assembly pressed against the thermal expansion pad, and A battery cell characterized by the electrode assembly being configured to be discharged to the outside of the cell case through the ruptured rupture cover.

3. In Paragraph 1, A battery cell characterized in that the length of the through hole in the cell case along the first direction is greater than the length of the electrode assembly along the first direction.

4. In Paragraph 1, A battery cell characterized by further including an external conductive terminal coupled to the cell case and electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above cell case is, A bottom plate provided below the electrode assembly and to which the rupture cover is attached; A perimeter wall surrounding the electrode assembly; and A cap plate provided on the electrode assembly and coupled with the external conductive terminal; A battery cell characterized by including 6. In Paragraph 1, A battery cell characterized by the above-mentioned thermal foam material comprising expanded graphite.

7. Base frame including a first through hole; Battery cells on the base frame above; and A first rupture cover covering the first through hole of the base frame; Includes, The above battery cell is, A cell case provided on a floor facing the base frame and including a second through hole vertically superimposed on the first through hole of the base frame; A thermal expansion pad provided within the cell case and comprising a thermal foam material; and An electrode assembly provided within the cell case and disposed between the thermal expansion pad and the first rupture cover; A battery pack including 8. In Paragraph 7, A battery pack characterized in that the length of the first through hole of the base frame in the first direction is greater than the length of the electrode assembly in the first direction.

9. In Paragraph 7, A battery pack characterized in that the length of the second through hole of the cell case in the first direction is greater than the length of the electrode assembly in the first direction.

10. In Paragraph 7, A battery pack characterized in that the battery cell further includes a second rupture cover coupled to the cell case to cover the second through hole of the cell case.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above thermal expansion pad is configured to expand above a predetermined temperature to press the electrode assembly downward, and The first rupture cover and the second rupture cover are configured to rupture by the electrode assembly pressed downward by the thermal expansion pad, and A battery pack characterized by the electrode assembly being configured to be discharged downward from the base frame through the ruptured first rupture cover and the ruptured second rupture cover.

12. In Paragraph 7, The above cell case is, A bottom plate provided below the electrode assembly and having the second through hole; A perimeter wall surrounding the electrode assembly; and A cap plate provided on the electrode assembly above; Includes, A battery pack characterized by the battery cell being coupled to the cap plate and further including an external conductive terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

13. In Paragraph 7, A battery pack characterized by further including a cooling structure in contact with the battery cell.

14. In Paragraph 13, A battery pack characterized in that the above-described cooling structure includes a channel configured to allow a cooling fluid to flow.

15. In Paragraph 7, A battery pack characterized by the above-mentioned thermal foam material including expanded graphite.

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