Battery cell and battery pack and vehicle including same

Abstract

A battery cell, and a battery pack and a vehicle comprising same are disclosed. A battery cell according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate; a battery can in which the electrode assembly is accommodated and a vent notch is formed; a positive electrode current collector plate electrically connected to the positive electrode plate; a cell terminal connected to the positive electrode current collector plate; and an insulator disposed between the battery can and the positive electrode current collector plate, wherein a fracture-inducing portion is formed in at least one of the insulator or the positive electrode current collector plate so as to fracture in a thermal event situation.

Description

Battery cells and battery packs including the same and automobiles

[0001] This application is a priority application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0160277 filed on November 12, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of said application are incorporated into this application by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and more specifically, to a battery cell in which the electrode assembly is easily discharged when a thermal event occurs, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which possess electrical characteristics such as high energy density and high applicability across product categories, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) driven by electric power sources.

[0004] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, as they not only have the primary advantage of being able to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels but also the advantage of not generating any by-products from the use of energy.

[0005] Currently, widely used types of secondary batteries include lithium-ion batteries, lithium-polymer batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, and nickel-zinc batteries. The operating voltage of these unit secondary battery cells is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V.

[0006] Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, a battery module or battery pack is configured by connecting multiple battery cells in series. Additionally, a battery module or battery pack is configured by connecting multiple battery cells in parallel depending on the required charge / discharge capacity. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery module or battery pack and the electrical connection type can be varied according to at least one of the required output voltage and charge / discharge capacity.

[0007] In addition, cylindrical, prismatic, and pouch-type battery cells are known as types of secondary battery cells. In the case of a cylindrical battery cell, an insulating separator is interposed between a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and this is wound to form a jellyroll-shaped electrode assembly, which is then inserted into a battery can along with an electrolyte to constitute a battery.

[0008] In addition, a current collector plate may be used to electrically connect the positive plate and the negative plate of the cylindrical battery cell, and an insulator may be interposed between the electrode assembly and the battery can to insulate the electrode assembly and the battery can.

[0009] Meanwhile, battery cells including cylindrical battery cells use organic electrolytes, so there is a problem in that flames are generated due to ignition caused by overcurrent and overheating from overcharging.

[0010] In addition, if a flame is generated by ignition in a single cylindrical battery cell, thermal runaway may occur as the flame spreads to adjacent battery cells; to prevent this, it is necessary to completely eject the jellyroll-shaped electrode assembly from the cylindrical battery cell where the flame originated to the outside of the battery can.

[0011] However, in the case of conventional cylindrical battery cells, when a thermal event occurs, the electrode assembly may become blocked by an insulator or current collector, preventing discharge, which poses a problem as it causes thermal runaway.

[0012] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery cell in which, when a thermal event occurs in any one of the insulator and the positive current collector plate, at least one of them can be easily broken so that the electrode assembly can be completely discharged, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0013] In addition, the invention provides a battery cell capable of preventing thermal runaway caused by the transfer of flame to adjacent battery cells, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0014] In addition, through this, the invention provides a battery cell capable of improving the stability of the battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0015] However, the technical problems that the present invention aims to solve are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned problems will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0016] According to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell may be provided comprising: an electrode assembly including a positive plate, a negative plate, and a separator interposed between the positive plate and the negative plate; a battery can in which the electrode assembly is housed and which has a vent notch formed therein; a positive current collector electrically connected to the positive plate; a cell terminal connected to the positive current collector; and an insulator interposed between the battery can and the positive current collector, wherein at least one of the insulator and the positive current collector is formed with a rupture-inducing portion so as to rupture under a thermal event.

[0017] In one embodiment, a first rupture-inducing portion is formed in the insulator, and the vent notch and the first rupture-inducing portion may be formed in the battery can and the insulator, respectively, so as to be located close to each other.

[0018] In one embodiment, the diameter of the first fracture-inducing portion may be formed to be smaller than the diameter of the vent notch.

[0019] In one embodiment, the first fracture-inducing portion may be formed as a notching groove.

[0020] In one embodiment, the vent notch may be formed as a notching groove.

[0021] In one embodiment, the notching groove of the first fracture-inducing part may be formed in a circular shape.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first fracture-inducing part may be a heterogeneous material part composed of a material different from that of the insulator.

[0023] In one embodiment, the insulator may have a thickness variation portion formed therein that varies in thickness.

[0024] In one embodiment, the insulator comprises a first part having a first thickness; and a second part extending from the first part and having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness of the first part, wherein the thickness variation part may be formed between the first part and the second part.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first part may be located on the outside of the insulator, and the second part may be located on the inside of the insulator.

[0026] In one embodiment, the first fracture-inducing portion may be formed at the portion where the first portion and the second portion meet.

[0027] In one embodiment, a second rupture-inducing portion is formed on the positive current collector plate, and the vent notch and the second rupture-inducing portion may be formed on the battery can and the positive current collector plate, respectively, so as to be located close to each other.

[0028] In one embodiment, the second fracture-inducing portion may be formed as a notching groove.

[0029] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery pack comprising at least one of the aforementioned battery cells may be provided, and a vehicle comprising at least one of the aforementioned battery cells may also be provided.

[0030] Embodiments of the present invention have the effect that, when a thermal event occurs in any one of the battery cells, at least one of the insulator and the positive current collector plate can be easily broken so that the electrode assembly can be completely discharged.

[0031] In addition, this has the effect of preventing thermal runaway caused by flames being transferred to adjacent battery cells.

[0032] In addition, this has the effect of improving the stability of the battery cell.

[0033] However, the effects obtainable through the present invention are not limited to those described above, and other unmentioned technical effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the invention below.

[0034] The following drawings attached to this specification illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention and serve to further enhance understanding of the technical concept of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention provided below; therefore, the present invention should not be interpreted as being limited only to the matters described in such drawings.

[0035] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 2.

[0038] Figure 4 is a view taken along B of Figure 2.

[0039] FIG. 5 is a drawing showing the battery can, positive current collector, and insulator broken when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an insulator in a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an insulator in a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe his invention. Accordingly, the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely one preferred embodiment of the present invention and do not represent all aspects of the technical spirit of the present invention; therefore, it should be understood that various equivalents and modifications capable of replacing them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0045] In the drawings, the size of each component or specific part constituting the component is exaggerated, omitted, or schematically depicted for convenience and clarity of explanation. Accordingly, the size of each component does not entirely reflect its actual size. If it is determined that a detailed description of related known functions or configurations could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention, such description shall be omitted.

[0046] As used in this specification, the terms "combination" or "connection" include not only cases where one member and another member are directly joined or directly connected, but also cases where one member is indirectly joined or indirectly connected to another member through a connecting member.

[0047] Meanwhile, contents common to parts described in any one embodiment of the present invention may also be applied to other embodiments. For example, contents common to parts described in the first embodiment of the second embodiment may be replaced by the description of the first embodiment described above, and such common contents may also be applied to the second embodiment. Furthermore, contents described in the second embodiment that are applicable to the first embodiment may also be applied to the first embodiment. The same applies to other embodiments.

[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 2, FIG. 4 is a view taken along B of FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view showing the battery can, positive current collector, and insulator broken when a thermal event occurs in a battery cell according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery cell (10) according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes an electrode assembly (100), a battery can (200), a positive current collector (300), a cell terminal (400), and an insulator (500).

[0050] Referring to FIG. 2, the electrode assembly (100) includes an anode plate (110), a cathode plate (120), and a separator (130) interposed between the anode plate (110) and the cathode plate (120), and the anode plate (110), the cathode plate (120), and the separator (130) interposed between the anode plate (110) and the cathode plate (120) may have a structure in which they are wound in one direction. Additionally, a center hole (140) is formed in the center of the electrode assembly (100), and it may be formed in a jelly roll type.

[0051] For example, the electrode assembly (100) can be manufactured by winding a laminate formed by sequentially stacking a negative plate (120), a separator (130), an anode plate (110), and a separator (130) at least once. Here, the anode plate (110) and the negative plate (120) can be formed in a sheet shape.

[0052] That is, the electrode assembly (100) applied in this embodiment may be a wound-type electrode assembly (100). In this case, an additional separator may be provided on the outer surface of the electrode assembly (100) to insulate it from the battery can (200). That is, the electrode assembly (100) may have a wound structure well known in the relevant technical field without limitation.

[0053] A positive active material is applied to one or both sides of the positive plate (110), and a first non-positive portion (111) in which the positive active material is not applied may be formed at the end of the positive plate (110). Although the positive plate (110) with the first non-positive portion (111) formed is shown in FIG. 2, the battery cell (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an embodiment in which the positive plate (110) with the first non-positive portion (111) is not formed. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the first non-positive portion (111) is formed on the positive plate (110). The first non-positive portion (111) may be exposed to the outside of the separator (130) while forming a plurality of wound turns based on the center of the electrode assembly (100), and may be used as an electrode tab itself.

[0054] A negative electrode active material is coated on one or both sides of the negative electrode plate (120), and a second uncoated portion (121) in which the negative electrode active material is not coated may be formed at the end of the negative electrode plate (120). Although FIG. 2 shows a negative electrode plate (120) with the second uncoated portion (121) formed thereon, a battery cell (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an embodiment of a negative electrode plate (120) in which the second uncoated portion (121) is not formed. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the second uncoated portion (121) is formed on the negative electrode plate (120). The second uncoated portion (121) may be exposed to the outside of the separator (130) while forming a plurality of wound turns based on the center of the electrode assembly (100), and may be used as an electrode tab itself.

[0055] That is, at least one of the positive plate (110) and the negative plate (120) may each include an uncoated portion at the long end of the winding direction in which the active material is not coated. In addition, the first uncoated portion (111) and the second uncoated portion (121) may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0056] Here, the positive active material coated on the positive plate (110) and the negative active material coated on the negative plate (120) can be used without limitation as long as they are active materials known in the art.

[0057] And, the separator (130) can be a porous polymer film made of a polyolefin-based polymer such as an ethylene homopolymer, a propylene homopolymer, an ethylene / butene copolymer, an ethylene / hexene copolymer, an ethylene / methacrylate copolymer, etc., used alone or by laminating them.

[0058] As another example, the separator (130) may be a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of high melting point glass fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, etc.

[0059] At least one surface of the separator (130) may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Additionally, it is possible for the separator (130) itself to be composed of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure combined with a binder such that interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0060] Additionally, the center hole (140) of the electrode assembly (100) is also used for welding the cell terminal (400, positive terminal) and the positive current collector plate (300). That is, it can be configured to weld the cell terminal (400) and the positive current collector plate (300) by irradiating a laser through the center hole (140) of the electrode assembly (100).

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 together, an electrode assembly (100) is housed in a battery can (200), and a vent notch (210) is formed. For example, the battery can (200) is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the electrode assembly (100) is housed inside the battery can (200) and can be electrically connected to the negative plate (120) of the electrode assembly (100). Accordingly, the battery can (200) can have the same polarity as the negative plate (120), that is, a negative electrode.

[0062] Here, the diameter of the battery can (200) is formed to be larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly (100). A gap of a predetermined size is formed between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector plate (300), and an insulator (500) may be interposed between the gaps.

[0063] If the size of the electrode assembly (100) is increased while the size of the battery can (200) is determined according to the specifications, the total capacity of the battery cell (10) increases, but the gap between the battery can (200) and the electrode assembly (100) decreases.

[0064] That is, to increase the total capacity of the battery cell (10), the size of the electrode assembly (100) is increased, and thus the gap between the battery can (200) and the electrode assembly (100) is reduced. Therefore, to increase the capacity of the battery cell (10), an insulator (500) must be interposed in the reduced gap between the battery can (200) and the electrode assembly (100), and for this purpose, it is desirable that the thickness of the insulator (500) be as thin as possible.

[0065] The electrode assembly (100) is housed in the battery can (200), and an electrolyte may also be injected into the battery can (200). Here, the battery can (200) is a roughly cylindrical receptacle and may be made of a conductive material, such as metal. The material of the battery can (200) may be made of a conductive metal, such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0066] Referring to FIG. 2, a through hole may be formed in the battery can (200), and a cell terminal (400) is coupled to the through hole and electrically connected to the positive current collector plate (300) through the through hole. Additionally, an insulator (500) may be interposed between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector plate (300).

[0067] A vent notch (210) is formed in the battery can (200) so that the battery can (200) ruptures when the pressure inside the battery can (200) exceeds a critical value.

[0068] For example, the vent notch (210) may be formed on the surface of the battery can (200) in at least one of a continuous circular pattern, a discontinuous circular pattern, and a straight pattern. Additionally, the vent notch (210) may be formed in various other patterns.

[0069] For example, the vent notch (210) is formed on the upper part of the battery can (200) based on the arrangement state of the battery can (200) of FIG. 2, that is, based on the arrangement state of the battery can (200) such that the cell terminal (400) is positioned at the top as in FIG. 2, and can be provided so that when the vent notch (210) is ruptured, gas or the electrode assembly (100) inside the battery can (200) is discharged through the upper part of the battery can (200).

[0070] The vent notch (210) can be formed as an area of ​​the battery can (200) that has a thinner thickness compared to the surrounding area.

[0071] Since the vent notch (210) is thinner than the surrounding area, it can be broken more easily than the surrounding area, and if the internal pressure of the battery can (200) increases above a certain level, the vent notch (210) can be broken so that the gas or electrode assembly (100) generated inside the battery can (200) can be discharged.

[0072] For example, the vent notch (210) may be a notching groove (211) formed by partially reducing the thickness of the battery can (200) through notching on one side or both sides of the battery can (200).

[0073] The positive current collector plate (300) is electrically connected to the positive plate (110), and, for example, referring to FIG. 2, the positive current collector plate (300) is connected to the positive plate (110) at the top of the electrode assembly (100).

[0074] The positive current collector plate (300) is made of a conductive metal material and is connected to the first non-conductive portion (111) of the electrode assembly (100). The positive current collector plate (300) can be connected to the upper portion of a coupling surface formed by bending the end of the first non-conductive portion (111) in a direction parallel to the positive current collector plate (300). The bending direction of the first non-conductive portion (111) may be, for example, a direction toward the center of the winding of the electrode assembly (100).

[0075] When the first non-removable portion (111) has a bent shape like this, the space occupied by the first non-removable portion (111) is reduced, which can lead to an improvement in energy density. In addition, due to the increase in the bonding area between the first non-removable portion (111) and the positive current collector plate (300), it can lead to an improvement in bonding strength and a reduction in resistance.

[0076] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a second rupture-inducing portion (310) is formed on the positive current collector plate (300). Here, the vent notch (210) and the second rupture-inducing portion (310) may be formed on the battery can (200) and the positive current collector plate (300), respectively, so as to be located close to each other.

[0077] For example, based on FIGS. 2 and 3, the vent notch (210) is formed on the upper side of the battery can (200), and based on FIGS. 2 and 3, the positive current collector plate (300) is located on the upper side close to the vent notch (210) (i.e., based on FIGS. 2, the positive current collector plate (300) is located on the upper side and the negative current collector plate (600) is located on the lower side), and the second rupture inducing part (310) can also be formed on the positive current collector plate (300) located on the upper side and located close to the vent notch (210).

[0078] In this way, when the vent notch (210) and the second rupture inducing part (310) are positioned close to each other, the battery can (200) and the positive current collector plate (300) can both be ruptured at once by the vent notch (210) and the second rupture inducing part (310) during a thermal event.

[0079] Here, referring to FIG. 2, the diameter of the second fracture-inducing portion (310) may be the same as the diameter of the first fracture-inducing portion (510) formed in the insulator (500), but is not limited thereto.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 3, the second fracture-inducing portion (310) may be formed as a notching groove (311). In this case, the vent notch (210) may also be a notching groove (211). However, it is not limited thereto.

[0081] Also, the notching groove (311) of the second fracture-inducing part (310) may be formed in a circular shape, but is not limited thereto, and the shape of the second fracture-inducing part (310) may vary.

[0082] The cell terminal (400) is made of a conductive metal material and is coupled to a through hole of the battery can (200) and is electrically connected to the positive current collector plate (300) through the through hole. The cell terminal (400) is electrically connected to the positive plate (110) of the electrode assembly (100) through the positive current collector plate (300), thereby having a positive polarity.

[0083] That is, the cell terminal (400) can function as a positive terminal. And, as described above, the battery can (200) is electrically connected to the negative plate (120) of the electrode assembly (100), and thereby can have a negative polarity.

[0084] An insulator (500) is interposed between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector (300) for insulation. The insulator (500) prevents contact between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector (300).

[0085] Based on FIG. 2, a positive current collector plate (300) is attached to the upper side of the first non-removable portion (111), and an insulator (500) is attached to the upper side of the positive current collector plate (300). That is, the insulator (500) is housed inside the battery can (200), covers at least a part of the electrode assembly (100), and can be configured to block the electrical connection between the first non-removable portion (111) and the battery can (200).

[0086] Here, when a positive current collector plate (300) is provided on the upper side of the first non-removable portion (111), the insulator (500) is coupled to the positive current collector plate (300) on the upper side of the positive current collector plate (300) to block the electrical connection between the battery can (200) and the positive current collector plate (300). Accordingly, the insulator (500) may be made of a material having insulating performance.

[0087] The insulator (500) can be formed with a structure through which the electrolyte can move. For example, the insulator (500) can be composed of various materials through which the electrolyte can move.

[0088] In this way, when the insulator (500) is composed of various materials that allow the movement of the electrolyte, the electrolyte can flow smoothly into the electrode assembly (100), and also prevent the formation of by-products of the electrolyte on the surface of the electrode assembly (100), and also have the effect of improving the performance of the battery cell (10).

[0089] The insulator (500) can be formed in a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the jelly roll type electrode assembly (100). For example, if the cross-section of the jelly roll type electrode assembly (100) is circular, the shape of the insulator (500) can also be circular.

[0090] Referring to FIG. 2, the negative electrode collector plate (600) is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate (120). The negative electrode collector plate (600) is connected to the second non-removable portion (121) of the electrode assembly (100). Based on FIG. 2, the negative electrode collector plate (600) is coupled to the lower part of the electrode assembly (100).

[0091] The negative electrode collector plate (600) is made of a conductive metal material such as aluminum, steel, copper, or nickel and can be electrically connected to the second non-conductive portion (121) of the negative electrode plate (120). Additionally, the negative electrode collector plate (600) can be electrically connected to the battery can (200).

[0092] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a rupture-inducing part (first rupture-inducing part (510) or second rupture-inducing part (310)) may be formed on at least one of the insulator (500) and the positive current collector plate (300) so as to be ruptured in the event of a thermal event.

[0093] That is, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5 together, when a flame occurs in the battery cell (10) or gas increases, the insulator (500) or the positive current collector (300) is easily broken by the rupture inducing part (first rupture inducing part (510) or second rupture inducing part (310)), and a second discharge port (512) and a third discharge port (312) are formed in the insulator (500) and the positive current collector (300), respectively.

[0094] And, at this time, since a first outlet (212) is formed in the battery can (200) by a vent notch (210), gas and the electrode assembly (100) can be easily discharged to the outside through the third outlet (312), the second outlet (512), and the first outlet (212).

[0095] As a result, no gas remains inside the battery can (200), and no electrode assembly (100) remains, so the flame does not increase, and thus thermal runaway due to heat transfer can be prevented.

[0096] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a first rupture-inducing portion (510) is formed in an insulator (500). Here, the vent notch (210) and the first rupture-inducing portion (510) may be formed in the battery can (200) and the insulator (500), respectively, so as to be located close to each other.

[0097] For example, based on FIGS. 2 and 3, the vent notch (210) is formed on the upper side of the battery can (200), and based on FIGS. 2 and 3, the insulator (500) is located on the upper side close to the vent notch (210) (the insulator (500) is located on the upper side rather than the lower side of the battery can (200)), and the first rupture-inducing part (510) can be formed on the insulator (500) located on the upper side and positioned close to the vent notch (210).

[0098] In this way, when the vent notch (210) and the first rupture inducing part (510) are positioned close to each other, the battery can (200) and the insulator (500) can both be ruptured at once by the vent notch (210) and the first rupture inducing part (510) during a thermal event.

[0099] Here, referring to FIG. 4, the diameter of the first rupture-inducing part (510) can be formed to be smaller than the diameter of the vent notch (210). In this way, if the diameter of the first rupture-inducing part (510) is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the vent notch (210), the second outlet (512) formed in the insulator (500) that is ruptured by the first rupture-inducing part (510) is smaller than the first outlet (212) formed in the battery can (200) that is ruptured by the vent notch (210) during a thermal event (see FIG. 5).

[0100] And, as shown in FIG. 5, since more of the insulator (500) remains than the battery can (200) after the battery can (200) and the insulator (500) are broken, there is an effect of maintaining electrical insulation from the battery can (200) by the insulator (500) even after the insulator (500) is broken.

[0101] Referring to FIG. 3, the first fracture-inducing portion (510) may be formed as a notching groove (511), but is not limited thereto. In this case, the vent notch (210) may also be formed as a notching groove (211), but is not limited thereto.

[0102] Also, referring to FIG. 4, the notching groove (511) of the first fracture guide (510) may be formed in a circular shape, but is not limited thereto, and the shape of the first fracture guide (510) may vary.

[0103] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an insulator in a battery cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 6, the first fracture-inducing part (510) may be a heterogeneous material part (513) composed of a material different from that of the insulator (500). The heterogeneous material part (513) may include various materials that can be easily fractured in the event of a thermal event.

[0105] In this way, if the first rupture-inducing part (510) is composed of a material that can be easily ruptured in a thermal event situation, the heterogeneous material part (513) is ruptured first in a thermal event situation, and a second discharge port (512) is formed in the insulator (500), and gas or the electrode assembly (100) can be discharged through the second discharge port (512).

[0106] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an insulator in a battery cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 7, a thickness variation portion (540) in which the thickness varies may be formed in the insulator (500). For example, the insulator (500) may include a first portion (520) and a second portion (530).

[0108] The first part (520) has a first thickness of a preset size. The second part (530) extends from the first part (520) and has a second thickness smaller than the first thickness of the first part (520). The thickness variation part (540) may be formed between the first part (520) and the second part (530). Here, the first part (520) may be located on the outside of the insulator (500), and the second part (530) may be located on the inside of the insulator (500).

[0109] That is, the insulator (500) can be configured to have a thickness difference by means of a thickness variation part (540). In this way, if there is a thickness difference in the insulator (500), the internal space of the battery can (200) can be secured, and thereby the effect of increasing the capacity of the battery cell (10) is achieved.

[0110] Meanwhile, referring to FIG. 7, the first fracture-inducing portion (510) may be formed at the point where the first portion (520) and the second portion (530) meet. Since the second portion (530) has a smaller thickness than the first portion (520), if the first fracture-inducing portion (510) is formed at the point where the first portion (520) and the second portion (530) meet, it has the effect of better inducing the fracture of the insulator (500) when a thermal event occurs.

[0111] Here, the first fracture-inducing portion (510) may be formed as a notching groove (511), but is not limited thereto.

[0112] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including a battery cell according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] Referring to FIG. 8, a battery pack (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention as described above. Additionally, the battery pack (20) may further include a pack housing (21) for housing the battery cells (10), and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cells (10), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0114] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including a battery pack according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 9, a vehicle (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (10) or battery packs (20) according to each of the above embodiments. Here, the vehicle (30) includes various vehicles configured to use electricity, such as, for example, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0116] In this specification, where terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, and right are used, these terms are used merely for convenience of explanation, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art that they may vary depending on the location of the object or the position of the observer.

[0117] Although the present invention has been described above by means of limited embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto, and it is obvious that various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention and the equivalent scope of the claims set forth below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed above should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. That is, the scope of the true technical spirit of the present invention is indicated in the claims, and all variations within the equivalent scope thereof should be interpreted as being included in the present invention.

[0118] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly comprising an anode plate, a cathode plate, and a separator interposed between the anode plate and the cathode plate; A battery can in which the above electrode assembly is housed and a vent notch is formed; A positive current collector plate electrically connected to the above positive plate; Cell terminals connected to the above positive current collector plate; and It includes an insulator interposed between the battery can and the positive current collector plate, A battery cell characterized by having a fracture-inducing portion formed in at least one of the insulator and the positive current collector plate so as to fracture under a thermal event.

2. In Paragraph 1, A first rupture-inducing portion is formed in the above-mentioned insulator, and A battery cell characterized in that the above-mentioned vent notch and the above-mentioned first fracture-inducing portion are respectively formed in the battery can and the insulator so as to be located close to each other.

3. In Paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that the diameter of the first fracture-inducing portion is formed to be smaller than the diameter of the vent notch.

4. In Paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that the first fracture-inducing portion is formed as a notching groove.

5. In Paragraph 1, A battery cell characterized in that the above-mentioned vent notch is formed as a notching groove.

6. In Paragraph 4, A battery cell characterized in that the notching groove of the first fracture-inducing part is formed in a circular shape.

7. In Paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized in that the first fracture-inducing part is a heterogeneous material part composed of a material different from that of the insulator.

8. In Paragraph 2, A battery cell characterized by having a thickness variation section formed in the above-mentioned insulator, wherein the thickness varies.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above insulator is, A first part having a first thickness; and It includes a second part extending from the first part and having a second thickness smaller than the first thickness of the first part, A battery cell characterized in that the thickness variation portion is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

10. In Paragraph 9, A battery cell characterized in that the first part is located on the outside of the insulator and the second part is located on the inside of the insulator.

11. In Paragraph 10, A battery cell characterized in that the first fracture-inducing part is formed at the portion where the first part and the second part meet.

12. In Paragraph 1, A second fracture-inducing portion is formed on the above positive current collector plate, and A battery cell characterized in that the above-mentioned vent notch and the above-mentioned second fracture induction portion are respectively formed in the battery can and the above-mentioned positive current collector plate so as to be located close to each other.

13. In Paragraph 12, A battery cell characterized in that the second fracture-inducing portion is formed as a notching groove.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

15. An automobile comprising at least one battery cell according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 13.

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