Battery cell and battery pack comprising same

Abstract

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack may be provided. The battery pack comprises: a pack housing having an inner space; an insulating cooling fluid in the inner space; and a battery cell accommodated in the inner space, wherein the battery cell may comprise: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a cell case including an electrode accommodation part for accommodating the electrode assembly, a terrace part surrounding the electrode accommodation part, and a sealing layer for sealing the electrode accommodation part at the terrace part; and a protective coating layer extending along the terrace part of the cell case.

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. Specifically, the present invention relates to a pouch-type battery cell and a battery pack including the same.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean application No. 10-2024-0194632, filed on December 23, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0003] 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.

[0004] The trend in the technological development of rechargeable batteries for mobility is the improvement of energy density and safety. The safety of rechargeable batteries is critical as it is directly linked to the lives of passengers. The safety of rechargeable batteries can be achieved through mechanical robustness, the reliability of electrical insulation, and the delay of heat transfer in the event of a thermal runaway event.

[0005] The problem that the technical concept of the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery cell with improved safety.

[0006] The problem that the technical concept of the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery pack with improved safety.

[0007] The problem that the technical concept of the present invention aims to solve is to provide a battery pack with improved performance and reliability.

[0008] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a battery pack may be provided. The battery pack comprises: a pack housing having an internal space; an insulating cooling fluid within the internal space; and a battery cell accommodated in the internal space, wherein the battery cell may comprise: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode; a cell case including an electrode receiving portion accommodating the electrode assembly, a terrace portion surrounding the electrode receiving portion, and a sealing layer sealing the electrode receiving portion at the terrace portion; and a protective coating layer extending along the terrace portion of the cell case.

[0009] In some embodiments, in the internal space, the battery cell may be accommodated to be immersed in the insulating cooling fluid.

[0010] In some embodiments, the battery cell may come into direct contact with the insulating cooling fluid.

[0011] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer may include a hydrophobic material.

[0012] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer may include a hydrophobic polymer-based material.

[0013] In some embodiments, the terrace portion is provided by the joining of the first terrace portion and the second terrace portion, the sealing layer is disposed between the first terrace portion and the second terrace portion, and the protective coating layer may be disposed spaced apart from the sealing layer with each of the first terrace portion and the second terrace portion in between.

[0014] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer may be configured to block the insulating cooling fluid from penetrating into the electrode receiving portion through the terrace portion of the cell case.

[0015] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer may comprise a mixture of a ceramic material and a binder.

[0016] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for solving the above-described problem, a battery cell may be provided. The battery cell comprises: an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode stacked in a first direction; a cell case including an electrode receiving portion for receiving the electrode assembly, a terrace portion surrounding the electrode receiving portion, and a sealing layer sealing the electrode receiving portion at the terrace portion; and a protective coating layer extending along the outside of the terrace portion of the cell case, wherein the protective coating layer may be configured to block an insulating cooling fluid from penetrating into the electrode receiving portion through the terrace portion of the cell case.

[0017] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer may include a portion that overlaps the terrace portion in the first direction; and a portion that overlaps the terrace portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0018] In some embodiments, the cell case may be a pouch.

[0019] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer may include a hydrophobic material.

[0020] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer may comprise a mixture of a ceramic material and a binder.

[0021] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery cell comprising a protective coating layer may be provided. By doing so, it is possible to block cooling fluid from penetrating into the battery cell.

[0022] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery cell with improved safety can be provided.

[0023] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack comprising a battery cell including a protective coating layer may be provided. By doing so, the cooling performance of the battery pack may be improved by blocking the penetration of a cooling fluid into the battery cell.

[0024] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack with improved performance and reliability can be provided.

[0025] According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack with improved safety can be provided.

[0026] 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.

[0027] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a battery cell according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a battery cell according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a battery cell according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a drawing of a battery pack according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the components of a battery pack according to embodiments based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a battery pack according to embodiments based on the technical concept of the present invention.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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.

[0038]

[0039] (1st embodiment)

[0040] FIG. 1 is a drawing of a battery cell (100) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a battery cell (100) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell (100) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a battery cell (100) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to the EX1 area of ​​FIG. 3.

[0044]

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a battery cell (100) may be provided. The battery cell (100) may include an electrode assembly (100EA), a cell case (100C), a positive terminal (100P) and a negative terminal (100N), and a protective coating layer (110). The cell case (100C) may include an electrode receiving portion (100R) that accommodates the electrode assembly (100EA) and a terrace portion (100T) that surrounds the electrode receiving portion (100R).

[0046] The battery cell (100) may include one of a cylindrical battery cell, a prismatic battery cell, and a pouch-type battery cell. The electrode assembly of the cylindrical battery cell is embedded in a cylindrical metal can. The electrode assembly of the prismatic battery cell is embedded in a prismatic metal can. The electrode assembly of the pouch-type battery cell is embedded in a pouch case containing an aluminum laminate sheet. Hereinafter, the technical concept of the present invention is described based on an example in which the battery cell (100) includes a pouch-type battery cell, but a person skilled in the art will be able to easily arrive at an example in which the battery cell (100) includes one of a cylindrical battery cell and a prismatic battery cell based on what is described herein.

[0047] The electrode assembly (100EA) may include an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between the anode and the cathode. The electrode assembly (100EA) may be either a jelly-roll type or a stack type. A jelly-roll type electrode assembly (100EA) may include a wound structure of an anode, a cathode, and a separator interposed between them. A stack type electrode assembly (100EA) may include a plurality of anodes, a plurality of cathodes, and a plurality of separators interposed between them that are sequentially stacked.

[0048] In a stack-type electrode assembly (100EA), a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes can be arranged in a first direction (D1). In a stack-type electrode assembly (100EA), a plurality of positive electrodes and a plurality of negative electrodes can be stacked in a first direction (D1).

[0049] Each of the plurality of positives of the electrode assembly (100EA) may include a positive tab (100PT). Each positive tab of the plurality of positives of the electrode assembly (100EA) may be short-circuited with a positive terminal (100P). Each positive tab of the plurality of positives of the electrode assembly (100EA) may be welded with a positive terminal (100P).

[0050] Each of the plurality of cathodes of the electrode assembly (100EA) may include a cathode tab (100NT, see FIG. 3). Each of the cathode tabs (100NT) of the plurality of cathodes of the electrode assembly (100EA) may be short-circuited with a cathode terminal (100N). Each of the cathode tabs (100NT) of the plurality of cathodes of the electrode assembly (100EA) may be welded with a cathode terminal (100N).

[0051] The cell case (100C) may include an inner resin layer, a metal layer, and an outer resin layer. An adhesive and an anti-corrosion layer may be further provided between the inner resin layer and the metal layer and between the outer resin layer and the metal layer. As illustrated, if the battery cell (100) is a pouch-type battery cell (100), the cell case (100C) may be a pouch.

[0052] The inner resin layer may have heat-sealability and may be referred to as a sealant layer. The inner resin layer may enable sealing of the cell case (100C). The inner resin layer may include polyolefin-based resins such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), for example. The metal layer may include any one of an alloy of iron, carbon, chromium, and manganese, an alloy of iron, chromium, and nickel, and aluminum. The metal layer may be a gas barrier. The metal layer may block the entry and exit of gas through the cell case (100C). The outer resin layer may be a surface protection layer. The outer resin layer may include a material having wear resistance and heat resistance, such as nylon resin.

[0053] A cell case (100C) may be provided by joining a first case (100C1) and a second case (100C2). In this example, each of the first case (100C1) and the second case (100C2) may include a receiving portion. For example, the first case (100C1) may include a first receiving portion (100R1). The first receiving portion (100R1) is a part of the first case (100C1) formed into a bowl shape for receiving an electrode assembly (100EA). For example, the second case (100C2) may include a second receiving portion (100R2). The second receiving portion (100R2) is a part of the second case (100C2) formed into a bowl shape for receiving an electrode assembly (100EA). Each of the first receiving portion (100R1) and the second receiving portion (100R2) can be formed by a pouch forming process. The first receiving portion (100R1) and the second receiving portion (100R2) can overlap in a first direction (D1) to form an electrode receiving portion (100R).

[0054] The first terrace section (100T1) of the first case (100C1) can surround the first receiving section (100R1). The second terrace section (100T2) of the second case (100C2) can surround the second receiving section (100R2). The first terrace section (100T1) of the first case (100C1) can be joined to the second terrace section (100T2) of the second case (100C2) to form a terrace section (100T), and accordingly, a cell case (100C) can be provided.

[0055] Unlike the illustration, in some other embodiments, the first case (100C1) may be substantially flat. For example, the first case (100C1) may not include a receiving portion. For example, the second case (100C2) may include an electrode receiving portion (100R).

[0056] The positive terminal (100P) and the negative terminal (100N) may protrude outside the cell case (100C). The positive terminal (100P) and the negative terminal (100N) may protrude in a second direction (D2) from the cell case (100C). Specifically, the positive terminal (100P) and the negative terminal (100N) may protrude in a second direction (D2) from the terrace portion (100T). Accordingly, the resulting voltage and current of the battery cell (100) can be output through the positive terminal (100P) and the negative terminal (100N).

[0057] In this specification, the technical concept of the present invention is described with reference to an example in which each of the plurality of battery cells (100) is a bidirectional cell in which the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the battery cell (100) are formed on opposite sides of the cell case (100C). A person skilled in the art will be able to easily arrive at an example in which each of the plurality of battery cells (100) is a unidirectional cell based on what is described herein. Specifically, the positive terminal (100P) and the negative terminal (100N) may be spaced apart in a second direction (D2). The second direction (D2) may be substantially parallel to each of the plurality of positives of the electrode assembly (100EA) and each of the plurality of negatives of the electrode assembly (100EA).

[0058]

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 3 and FIGS. 4 together, the battery cell (100) may include an electrode assembly (100EA) received in an electrode receiving portion (100R), a terrace portion (100T) surrounding the electrode receiving portion (100R), a sealing layer (100S) sealing the electrode receiving portion (100R), and a protective coating layer (110). The electrode assembly (100EA) and the terrace portion (100T) may be described as previously described with reference to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2.

[0060] In some embodiments, a sealing layer (100S) may be provided to seal an electrode receiving portion (100R) in a terrace portion (100T) of a cell case (100C). Specifically, the sealing layer (100S) may include an internal resin layer as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 and FIGS. 2.

[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the sealing layer (100S) may be placed inside the cell case (100C). Specifically, the sealing layer (100S) may be interposed between the first terrace section (100T1) and the second terrace section (100T2). For example, an anode tab (100PT) may be interposed between the first terrace section (100T1) and the second terrace section (100T2), and the sealing layer (100S) may be interposed between the first terrace section (100T1) and the anode tab (100PT) and between the second terrace section (100T2) and the anode tab (100PT), respectively.

[0062] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer (110) may extend along the terrace portion (100T) of the cell case (100C). Specifically, the protective coating layer (110) may extend along the outside of the terrace portion (100T) of the cell case (100C). For example, the protective coating layer (110) may extend on the terrace portion (100T) of the cell case (100C). For example, the protective coating layer (110) may overlap with the terrace portion (100T) in a first direction (D1).

[0063] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the terrace portion (100T) may surround the receiving portion (100R) in a U-shape, and the protective coating layer (110) may extend along the terrace portion (100T) in a U-shape. In some other embodiments, unlike illustrated, the protective coating layer (110) may extend along a part of the terrace portion (100T) in an L-shape or an L-shape. In some yet other embodiments, the terrace portion (100T) may surround the receiving portion (100R) in a square shape, and the protective coating layer (110) may extend along the terrace portion (100T) in a square shape.

[0064] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the protective coating layer (110) may be placed on the outside of the cell case (100C). Specifically, the protective coating layer (110) may be placed on the outside of the first terrace portion (100T1) and the outside of the second terrace portion (100T2). For example, the protective coating layer (110) may be placed spaced apart from the sealing layer (100S) in the first direction (D1) with the first terrace portion (100T1) in between. For example, the protective coating layer (110) may be placed spaced apart from the sealing layer (100S) in the first direction (D1) with the second terrace portion (100T2) in between.

[0065] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer (110) may include a portion that overlaps the cell case (100C) in a second direction (D2). Specifically, the protective coating layer (110) may include a portion that overlaps the terrace portion (100T) in a second direction (D2). For example, the protective coating layer (110) may include a portion that overlaps the first terrace portion (100T1) and the second terrace portion (100T2) in a second direction (D2), respectively. Specifically, the protective coating layer (110) may cover the outer side of the terrace portion (100T) in the second direction (D2) and overlap the terrace portion (100T) in a second direction (D2).

[0066] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer (110) may include a portion that overlaps the cell case (100C) in a third direction (D3). Specifically, the protective coating layer (110) may include a portion that overlaps the terrace portion (100T) in a third direction (D3). For example, the protective coating layer (110) may include a portion that overlaps the first terrace portion (100T1) and the second terrace portion (100T2) in a third direction (D3), respectively. Specifically, the protective coating layer (110) may cover the outer side of the terrace portion (100T) in a third direction (D3) and overlap the terrace portion (100T) in a third direction (D3).

[0067] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer (110) may include a hydrophobic material. Specifically, the protective coating layer (110) may include a hydrophobic polymer-based material. For example, the protective coating layer (110) may include a fluorosilane, a fluoropolymer, or a combination thereof having superhydrophobic properties. By doing so, the protective coating layer (110) can block cooling fluid from outside the battery cell (100) from penetrating into the cell case (100C). For example, the protective coating layer (110) can block cooling fluid from outside the battery cell (100) from penetrating into the cell case (100C) through the terrace portion (100T). For example, the protective coating layer (110) can act as a chemical barrier against cooling fluid from outside the battery cell (100).

[0068] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer (110) may comprise a mixture of a ceramic material and a binder. Specifically, the ceramic material acts as a physical barrier, and the binder acts to attach the ceramic material to the surface of the cell case (100C) and to stably maintain the protective coating layer (110). For example, the ceramic material may include aluminum oxide (Al2O3), titanium oxide (TiO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), or silicon oxide (SiO2). For example, the binder may include one selected from organic binders such as silicon, polyurethane, or epoxy resin, silicate, phosphate-based inorganic binders, or organic-inorganic composite binders. The materials of the ceramic material and the binder may not be limited to those exemplified. Accordingly, the protective coating layer (110) can block cooling fluid from outside the battery cell (100) from penetrating into the cell case (100C). For example, the protective coating layer (110) can block cooling fluid from outside the battery cell (100) from penetrating into the cell case (100C) through the terrace portion (100T). For example, the protective coating layer (110) can act as a physical barrier against cooling fluid from outside the battery cell (100).

[0069] In some embodiments, the protective coating layer (110) may be formed by spray coating or dip coating.

[0070]

[0071] According to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a battery cell (100) including a protective coating layer (110) may be provided. The protective coating layer (110) may include a hydrophobic material or a mixture of a ceramic material and a binder, thereby blocking a cooling fluid outside the battery cell (100) from penetrating into the cell case (100C) through the terrace portion (100T). By doing so, a battery cell (100) with improved safety may be provided.

[0072]

[0073] (2nd Example)

[0074] FIG. 5 is a drawing of a battery pack (200) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a battery pack (200).

[0075] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the components of a battery pack (200) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining the pack housing (210) of the battery pack (200).

[0076] FIG. 7 is a drawing for explaining a battery pack (200) according to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 7 is a drawing showing a battery cell (100) contained in an insulating cooling fluid (120) in an internal space (218) of the battery pack (200).

[0077]

[0078] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the battery pack (200) may include a pack housing (210) and a plurality of battery cell assemblies (220). The battery pack (200) may be a final product mounted in an application such as a vehicle.

[0079] The pack housing (210) may provide an internal space (218) for mounting battery cell assemblies (220). The pack housing (210) may include a base plate (211), a side frame (210S), a center beam (216), and a cross beam (217).

[0080] Here, the first direction (D1) and the second direction (D2) may be substantially parallel to the mounting surface of the base plate (211) (i.e., the surface facing the battery cell assembly (220)), and the third direction (D3) may be substantially perpendicular to the mounting surface of the base plate (211).

[0081] The base plate (211) may be provided by an extrusion process. The side frame (210S) may include side walls (212, 213, 214, 215). Each of the side walls (212, 213, 214, 215) may be provided by an extrusion process. The side walls (212, 213, 214, 215) may be substantially perpendicular to the base plate (211). The center beam (216) may extend in a first direction (D1). The center beam (216) may be interposed between the side walls (212, 213, 214, 215). The cross beams (217) may extend in a second direction (D2). Cross beams (217) can be interposed between side walls (212, 213, 214, 215).

[0082] A plurality of battery cell assemblies (220) may be placed on a base plate (211) of a pack housing (210). Each of the plurality of battery cell assemblies (220) may be accommodated in an internal space (218) of the pack housing (210). The base plate (211) may support the plurality of battery cell assemblies (220). Side walls (212, 213, 214, 215) may horizontally surround the plurality of battery cell assemblies (220). The side walls (212, 213, 214, 215) may protect the plurality of battery cell assemblies (220).

[0083] The battery pack (200) may further include a pack lead (219) coupled to a side frame (210S) of the pack housing (210). The pack lead (219) may cover elements mounted inside the battery pack (200), such as a plurality of battery cell assemblies (220) and electrical components. The pack lead (219) may be secured to the pack housing (210) by mechanical coupling means, such as bolting.

[0084] In FIG. 5, the arrangement of multiple battery cell assemblies (220) can be described as a 3 * 2 arrangement. The arrangement of multiple battery cell assemblies (220) disclosed in FIG. 5 is a non-limiting example and does not limit the technical concept of the present invention in any sense. A person skilled in the art will be able to easily arrive at a plurality of battery cell assemblies (220) arranged in an M * N arrangement (where M and N are each integers greater than or equal to 2) based on what is described herein.

[0085] Hereinafter, the technical concept of the present invention is explained with reference to an embodiment in which each of the plurality of battery assemblies (220) does not include a module frame. However, this is a non-limiting example and does not limit the technical concept of the present invention in any sense. A person skilled in the art will be able to easily arrive at an embodiment in which battery cells are directly mounted within a pack case as well as a battery pack in which a plurality of battery assemblies including a module frame are employed, based on what is described herein.

[0086] The pack housing (210) may further include a plurality of first burial guides (251) and a plurality of second burial guides (253).

[0087] A plurality of first embedded guides (251) may be disposed on the side frame (210S). A plurality of first embedded guides (251) may be disposed on the corners of the upper surface of the side frame (210S). A plurality of first embedded guides (251) may be partially embedded in the side frame (210S). A plurality of first embedded guides (251) may partially protrude from the side frame (210S).

[0088] A plurality of second embedded guides (253) may be disposed on the side frame (210S). A plurality of second embedded guides (253) may be disposed on the upper surface of the side frame (210S). A plurality of second embedded guides (253) may be interposed between a plurality of first embedded guides (251). A plurality of second embedded guides (253) may be coupled to the upper surface of the side frame (210S). A plurality of second embedded guides (253) may be partially embedded in the side frame (210S). A plurality of second embedded guides (253) may partially protrude from the side frame (210S).

[0089] Each of the plurality of first and second burial guides (251, 253) may include a metallic material. Each of the plurality of first and second burial guides (251, 253) may include, for example, aluminum. Each of the plurality of first and second burial guides (251, 253) may include steel such as, for example, carbon steel, nickel steel, chrome steel, nickel-chrome steel, and manganese steel.

[0090] The battery pack (200) may further include a Battery Management System (BMS). The BMS may be configured to perform monitoring, balancing, and control of the battery pack (200). Monitoring of the battery pack (200) may include measuring the voltage and current of specific nodes within a plurality of battery cell assemblies (220) and measuring the temperature of set locations within the battery pack (200). The battery pack (200) may include measuring instruments for measuring the voltage, current, and temperature described above.

[0091] Balancing of the battery pack (200) is an operation that reduces deviations between multiple battery cell assemblies (220). Control of the battery pack (200) includes preventing overcharging, over-discharging, and overcurrent. Through monitoring, balancing, and control, the battery pack (200) can operate under optimal conditions, and accordingly, the shortening of the lifespan of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies (220) can be prevented.

[0092] The battery pack (200) may further include additional electrical components such as a cooling device, a Power Relay Assembly (PRA), and a safety plug. The cooling device may include a cooling fan. The cooling fan can prevent overheating of each of the multiple battery cell assemblies (220) by circulating air inside the battery pack (200). The PRA may be configured to supply or cut off power from the high-voltage battery to an external load (e.g., a vehicle motor). The PRA can protect the multiple battery cell assemblies (220) and the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) by cutting off power supply to the external load (e.g., a vehicle motor) in situations where abnormal voltage, such as a voltage surge, occurs. Additional electrical components may be interposed between the multiple battery cell assemblies (220) and the side wall (215). The space between the battery cell assemblies (220) and the side wall (215) may be referred to as an electrical component mounting area.

[0093] The battery pack (200) may further include a plurality of interbusbars configured to electrically connect a plurality of battery cell assemblies (220). The plurality of battery cell assemblies (220) may be connected in series by the plurality of interbusbars. Accordingly, the battery pack (200) may be configured to output a high voltage to an external load (e.g., a motor of a vehicle).

[0094] The battery pack (200) may further include an insulating cooling fluid provided in the internal space (218) of the pack housing (210). The insulating cooling fluid may be located within the internal space (218) of the pack housing (210). This will be explained in detail below with reference to FIG. 7.

[0095]

[0096] In some embodiments, a battery cell assembly (220) may be accommodated in the internal space (218) of the pack housing (210). The battery cell assembly (220) may include a plurality of battery cells. The battery cells may include the battery cells (100) described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the battery cells (100) described with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4 may be accommodated in the internal space (218) of the pack housing (210).

[0097] In some embodiments, an insulating cooling fluid may be provided in the internal space (218) of the pack housing (210). Specifically, an insulating cooling fluid for immersive cooling may be provided in the internal space (218) of the pack housing (210). As illustrated in FIG. 7, an insulating cooling fluid (120) is provided in the internal space (218) of the pack housing (210), and a battery cell (100) may be accommodated in the internal space (218) to be immersed in the insulating cooling fluid (120). Specifically, the battery cell (100) may be in direct contact with the insulating cooling fluid (120).

[0098] At this time, as described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, the battery cell (100) includes a protective coating layer (110) extending along a terrace portion (100T), so that even if the battery cell (100) comes into direct contact with an insulating cooling fluid (120), the insulating cooling fluid (120) can be prevented from penetrating into the cell case (100C) through the terrace portion (100T). Specifically, the protective coating layer (110) may include a hydrophobic material or a mixture of a ceramic material and a binder, thereby blocking the insulating cooling fluid (120) from penetrating into the cell case (100C). By doing so, the safety of the battery cell (100) and the battery pack (200) including it can be improved. In addition, liquid immersion cooling of the battery pack (200) can be enabled, thereby improving the cooling performance of the battery pack (200).

[0099]

[0100] According to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention, a battery pack (200) with improved safety can be provided.

[0101] According to embodiments of the technical concept of the present invention, a battery pack (200) with improved performance and reliability can be provided.

[0102]

[0103] 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. Pack housing having an internal space; Insulating cooling fluid within the internal space; and It includes battery cells accommodated in the above internal space, The above battery cell is, Electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode; A cell case comprising an electrode receiving portion for accommodating the electrode assembly, a terrace portion surrounding the electrode receiving portion, and a sealing layer sealing the electrode receiving portion at the terrace portion; and A battery pack comprising a protective coating layer extending along the terrace portion of the cell case.

2. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack in which, in the above internal space, the battery cell is accommodated to be contained in the insulating cooling fluid.

3. In Paragraph 2, A battery pack in which the above battery cell is in direct contact with the insulating cooling fluid.

4. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack in which the protective coating layer comprises a hydrophobic material.

5. In Paragraph 4, A battery pack in which the above protective coating layer comprises a hydrophobic polymer-based material.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above terrace section is provided by the joining of the first terrace section and the second terrace section, and The sealing layer is disposed between the first terrace portion and the second terrace portion, and A battery pack in which the protective coating layer is spaced apart from the sealing layer, with the first terrace portion and the second terrace portion each in between.

7. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack configured such that the protective coating layer blocks the insulating cooling fluid from penetrating into the electrode receiving portion through the terrace portion of the cell case.

8. In Paragraph 1, A battery pack in which the protective coating layer comprises a mixture of ceramic material and binder.

9. An electrode assembly comprising an anode and a cathode stacked in a first direction; A cell case comprising an electrode receiving portion for accommodating the electrode assembly, a terrace portion surrounding the electrode receiving portion, and a sealing layer sealing the electrode receiving portion at the terrace portion; and It includes a protective coating layer extending along the exterior of the terrace portion of the cell case, A battery cell, wherein the protective coating layer is configured to block an insulating cooling fluid from penetrating into the electrode receiving portion through the terrace portion of the cell case.

10. In Paragraph 9, A battery cell comprising: a portion of the protective coating layer that overlaps the terrace portion in the first direction; and a portion that overlaps the terrace portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

11. In Paragraph 9, The above cell case is a pouch, a battery cell.

12. In Paragraph 9, A battery cell in which the above protective coating layer comprises a hydrophobic material.

13. In Paragraph 9, The above protective coating layer comprises a mixture of ceramic material and binder, in a battery cell.

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