Battery, and battery pack and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

A battery according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a housing forming the exterior and having an inner space; an electrode assembly which is accommodated in the inner space of the housing and which includes a first electrode and a second electrode wound about a winding axis, the first electrode including a first uncoated portion extending along the winding direction; and a first current collector plate electrically connected to the first uncoated portion, wherein: at least a part of the first uncoated portion includes a plurality of first segment pieces divided along the winding direction of the first electrode and bent toward the winding axis so as to be stacked in multiple layers; and at least a part of the first current collector plate is coupled to the first segment pieces and has a thickness that can vary on the basis of the number of coupled first segment pieces stacked.

Description

Battery, battery pack including the same, and automobile

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and more specifically, to a battery including a current collector plate. This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0195965 filed on December 24, 2024, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of said application are incorporated by reference into this application.

[0002] 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) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electric driving sources.

[0003] These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for improving eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, not only for the primary advantage of being able to drastically reduce the use of fossil fuels, but also because they do not generate any by-products from the use of energy.

[0004] Typically, a battery such as a secondary battery may include an electrode assembly and a terminal including an electrode and a separator inside, and may further include a current collector plate for electrically connecting the electrode assembly and the terminal.

[0005] Meanwhile, the current collector plate and the electrode assembly can be joined by methods such as laser welding. However, if the thickness of the current collector plate is constant, there is a risk that some areas of the electrode assembly, etc., may be damaged by overheating and melting due to excessively strong laser irradiation.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to develop a battery structure that can prevent damage to the electrode assembly, etc., even when a certain amount of laser is irradiated onto the collector plate.

[0007] The present invention was devised in consideration of the aforementioned problems and has one objective of providing a battery capable of preventing damage to the electrode assembly even when the current collector plate is heated by being irradiated with a laser of a certain intensity.

[0008] 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.

[0009] A battery according to one embodiment of the present invention for solving the above-described problem comprises a housing having an external shape and an internal space, a first electrode and a second electrode that are received in the internal space of the housing and wound around a winding axis, wherein the first electrode comprises an electrode assembly including a first non-circular portion formed extending along the winding direction and a first current collector plate electrically connected to the first non-circular portion, and at least a portion of the first non-circular portion comprises a plurality of first segments formed by being divided along the winding direction of the first electrode and bent toward the winding axis to be overlapped in multiple layers, and at least a portion of the first current collector plate is coupled with the first segments, and the thickness may vary based on the number of overlapped first segments coupled.

[0010] Meanwhile, the number of overlapping first segments varies along the radial direction of the electrode assembly, and the thickness of at least a portion of the first current collector plate can vary along the radial direction of the electrode assembly.

[0011] In addition, at least a portion of the first non-removable portion may have an increasing number of overlapping first segments as it moves from the outer radius to the inner radius of the electrode assembly, and the thickness of at least a portion of the first current collector plate may become thicker as it moves from the outer radius to the inner radius of the electrode assembly.

[0012] In addition, at least a portion of the first non-removable portion may have a constant number of overlapping first segments extending from the outer radius to the inner radius of the electrode assembly, and the thickness of at least a portion of the first current collector plate may be maintained constant in the direction extending from the outer radius to the inner radius of the electrode assembly.

[0013] A battery in which at least a portion of the first current collector plate is formed thicker in an area where the number of overlapping combined first segments is relatively small, and is formed thinner in an area where the number of overlapping combined first segments is relatively large.

[0014] In addition, the first current collector plate may be formed thickest in the region where the number of overlapping combined first segments is minimum.

[0015] Additionally, at least one region of the first current collector plate is configured as a welding target region coupled with the first segment, and the thickness of the first current collector plate may be configured to vary in the welding target region.

[0016] According to a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention, the second electrode further comprises a second electrode including a second uncirculated portion formed extending along the winding direction, and at least a portion of the second uncirculated portion comprises a plurality of second segments formed by being divided along the winding direction of the second electrode and bent in a radially inner direction of the electrode assembly to be overlapped in multiple layers, and may further comprise a second current collector plate coupled to the second segments and having a thickness that changes based on the number of overlapped second segments coupled.

[0017] And, the number of overlapping second segments varies along the radial direction of the electrode assembly, and the thickness of at least a portion of the second current collector plate can vary along the radial direction of the electrode assembly.

[0018] In addition, at least a portion of the second non-removable portion may have an increasing number of overlapping second segments as it moves from the outer radius to the inner radius of the electrode assembly, and the thickness of at least a portion of the second current collector plate may become thicker as it moves from the outer radius to the inner radius of the electrode assembly.

[0019] In addition, at least a portion of the second non-removable portion may have a constant number of overlapping second segments extending from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius, and the thickness of at least a portion of the second current collector plate may be maintained constant in the direction extending from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius.

[0020] In addition, at least a portion of the second current collector plate may be configured to be thicker in areas where the number of overlapping combined second segments is relatively small, and thinner in areas where the number of overlapping combined second segments is relatively large.

[0021] In addition, the second current collector plate may be formed thickest in the region where the number of overlapping combined second segments is minimum.

[0022] And, at least one region of the second current collector plate is composed of a welding target region coupled with the second segment, and the thickness of the second current collector plate may be configured to vary in the welding target region.

[0023] A battery pack according to embodiments of the present invention may include the aforementioned battery.

[0024] An automobile according to embodiments of the present invention may include the aforementioned battery and / or battery pack.

[0025] According to a battery, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile according to various embodiments of the present invention, by including a current collector plate with varying thickness, damage to the electrode assembly can be prevented even if the outer current collector plate is heated by being irradiated with a laser of a constant intensity.

[0026] The effects of the embodiments are not limited to the effects described above, and unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from this specification and the accompanying drawings.

[0027] 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.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a battery to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly that may be included in a battery according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the upper part of a battery to which a conventional current collector plate is applied.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the lower part of a battery to which a conventional current collector plate is applied.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an electrode assembly of a battery and a conventional current collector according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining a part of an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 7 is a drawing illustrating the combination of a conventional current collector plate and a non-contained part.

[0035] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the combination of a current collector plate and a non-container portion of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a drawing showing a battery pack including a battery according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a battery according to embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle including the same.

[0038] 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, 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] In addition, the present invention includes various embodiments. For each embodiment, redundant descriptions of substantially identical or similar configurations are omitted, and the focus is on the differences.

[0041] Additionally, to aid in understanding the invention, the attached drawings are not drawn to actual scale, and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated. Furthermore, the same reference numerals may be assigned to identical components in different embodiments.

[0042] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0043] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected" or "combined" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or combined with each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected" or "combined" through another component.

[0044] Singular expressions used in this specification include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, terms such as "composed of" or "comprising" should not be interpreted as necessarily including all of the various components or steps described in the specification, and should be interpreted as meaning that some of the components or steps may be omitted or additional components or steps may be included.

[0045] Throughout the specification, when "A and / or B" is used, it may mean A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0046] Meanwhile, although terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back may be used in this specification, these terms are used merely for convenience of explanation based on the drawings in which they are used, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that they may vary depending on the position, arrangement, rotation, or position of the object to be examined.

[0047] In addition, this specification includes various embodiments. Detailed descriptions are omitted for parts where the description of other embodiments may be applied identically or similarly, and the description focuses on the parts where there are differences for each embodiment.

[0048] Hereinafter, a battery module according to embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a drawing illustrating a battery to which an embodiment of the present invention can be applied.

[0050] The battery (100) may be, for example, a cylindrical battery. The battery (100) may include a housing (110), a terminal (120), and a first gasket (131).

[0051] The housing (110) may form the exterior of the battery (100) and have an internal space. The housing (110) may include a conductor comprising an electrically conductive material such as metal. The housing (110) may include, for example, steel, stainless steel, or nickel-plated steel.

[0052] The lower part of the housing (110) may be open and may be referred to as an opening (see FIG. 7). The upper part of the housing (110) may be closed and may be referred to as a closing part. The side (outer surface) of the housing (110) and the closing part may be formed integrally. Alternatively, the side wall and the closing part of the housing (110) may be provided separately from each other and joined together by welding or the like. The housing (110) may accommodate an electrode assembly (140) or an electrolyte through the lower opening.

[0053] The terminal (120) may include a first terminal (121) and a second terminal (122). For example, the first terminal (121) may be a positive terminal and the second terminal (122) may be a negative terminal, but the opposite may also be true. The second terminal (122) may be formed as all or part of the housing (110).

[0054] The first gasket (131) includes a non-conductive material and can electrically insulate the first terminal (121) and the housing (110).

[0055] The technical concept of the present invention is not limited by the shape of the battery and is applicable to batteries of other shapes, such as prismatic batteries.

[0056] The battery (100) may further include an electrode assembly, a current collector, an insulator, etc. The electrode assembly will be described below with reference to FIG. 2.

[0057] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an electrode assembly that may be included in a battery according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0058] The electrode assembly (140) may be accommodated in the internal space of the housing (110) of the battery (100) described above with reference to FIG. 1. The electrode assembly (140) may include a first electrode and a second electrode. Specifically, the electrode assembly (140) may include a first electrode having a first polarity, a second electrode having a second polarity, and a separator interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode may be either a positive electrode or a negative electrode. The second electrode may have a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 1, the aforementioned terminal (120) may be electrically connected to the electrode assembly (140). For example, the first terminal (121) may have electrical conductivity and be electrically connected to the first electrode to have the same polarity as the first electrode. The first terminal (121) may be electrically insulated from the housing (110).

[0060] The second terminal (122) may be configured as all or part of the housing (110). The housing (110) may be electrically connected to the second electrode. In another aspect, the second terminal (122) may be electrically connected to the second electrode and constitute part of the housing (110).

[0061] Referring to FIG. 2, the electrode assembly (140) may have a jelly-roll structure. The electrode assembly (140) may be formed by winding a laminate formed by stacking a sheet-shaped first electrode and a second electrode and a separator (not shown) interposed between them at least once, based on a winding center hole (H). In other words, a winding center hole (H) may be formed at the winding center of the electrode assembly (140). An additional separator may be disposed between the outer surface of the electrode assembly (140) and the housing (110) to provide insulation from the housing (110).

[0062] Meanwhile, an active material may be applied to one area of ​​the first electrode and the second electrode, and the area where the active material is not applied may be referred to as an uncoated area. For example, the first uncoated area (141) may be formed extending along the direction in which the electrode assembly (140) is wound at one end of the first electrode.

[0063] The first non-removable portion (141) can be placed on the upper part of the electrode assembly (140) accommodated in the internal space of the housing (110) as part of the first electrode.

[0064] At least a portion of the first unwound portion (141) may include a plurality of first segments (1410) formed by dividing along the winding direction of the electrode assembly (140). The plurality of first segments (1410) may be bent along the radial direction of the electrode assembly (140). The bent plurality of segments (1410) may be overlapped in multiple layers.

[0065] Specifically, the first non-removable portion (141) may include a plurality of first segments (1410) that have been notched. The plurality of first segments (1410) may form a plurality of groups, and the first segments (1410) belonging to each group may have approximately the same length and distance from each other. The number of first segments (1410) belonging to each group may increase or decrease from that shown. The first segments (1410) may have the shape of a geometric figure composed of at least one straight line and / or at least one curve. For example, the first segments (1410) may be trapezoidal, or may be square, parallelogram, semicircle, or semi-ellipse.

[0066] The height of the first segment (1410) may increase stepwise along a direction parallel to the winding direction of the electrode assembly (140), for example, from the core side to the outer side. Additionally, the first non-reinforced portion (141) adjacent to the winding center hole (H) of the electrode assembly (140) may not include the first segment (1410), and its height may be lower than that of the first non-reinforced portion (141) in other areas. Additionally, the outer side first non-reinforced portion (141) adjacent to the outer side of the electrode assembly (140) may not include the first segment (1410), and the height of the outer side first non-reinforced portion (141) may be lower than that of the first non-reinforced portion (141) in other areas.

[0067] The second non-removable portion (142) may be disposed at the lower part of the electrode assembly (140) housed in the internal space of the housing (110) as part of the second electrode. Here, the lower part of the electrode assembly (140) may mean the opposite side of the upper part of the aforementioned electrode assembly (140).

[0068] The second non-reinforced portion (142) may be configured to be identical or similar to the first non-reinforced portion (141) on the opposite side of the first non-reinforced portion (141). For example, at least a portion of the second non-reinforced portion (142) may include a plurality of second segments (not shown) formed by being divided along the winding direction of the electrode assembly (140). The plurality of second segments may be bent along the radial direction of the electrode assembly (140). The bent plurality of segments may be overlapped in multiple layers.

[0069] The unworn portions (141, 142) can be bent along the radial direction of the electrode assembly (140), for example, from the outer periphery side to the core side. When the unworn portions (141, 142) are bent, radially adjacent segments can be overlapped in multiple layers.

[0070] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the upper part of a battery to which a conventional current collector plate is applied. Referring to FIG. 3, the configuration of a battery (100) to which a conventional current collector plate is applied is described as follows. Descriptions of the aforementioned configurations may be omitted.

[0071] The battery (100) may include at least one of a housing (110), a terminal (120), a first gasket (131), an electrode assembly (140), a first current collector plate (151), and an insulator (160).

[0072] The first current collector plate (151) can electrically connect the first electrode and the first terminal (121). Specifically, the first current collector plate (151) can electrically connect the first electrode and the first terminal (121) by being coupled to the first non-removable portion (141) of the first electrode and electrically connected to the first terminal.

[0073] The connection between the first non-removable portion (141) and the first collector plate (151) can be achieved, for example, by laser welding. Laser welding may also be performed by partially melting the first collector plate (151).

[0074] The battery (100) may include an insulator (160). The battery (100) may include an insulator (160). The insulator (160) may be disposed between the housing (110) and the first current collector plate (151) and may include an electrical insulating material.

[0075] An insulator (160) may be interposed between the first collector plate (151) and the closed portion of the housing (110). Specifically, the insulator (160) may prevent physical / electrical contact between the first collector plate (151) and the housing (110) (particularly the second terminal (122)) having different polarities.

[0076] In the laser welding process for joining the first non-removable portion (141) and the first collector plate (151), thermal deformation may occur in the electrode assembly (140) (especially the first non-removable portion (141)) and the first collector plate (151).

[0077] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the lower part of a battery to which a conventional current collector plate is applied. Referring to FIG. 4, the configuration of a battery (100) to which a conventional current collector plate is applied is described as follows.

[0078] FIG. 4 may be the opposite side of the battery (100) shown in FIG. 3. Therefore, the description of components that overlap with the aforementioned components of the battery (100) may be omitted.

[0079] The battery (100) may be a cylindrical battery. The battery (100) may include a housing (110), an electrode assembly (140), and a second current collector plate (152).

[0080] The battery (100) may include a second non-electrode portion (142) formed extending from the second electrode. The second electrode of FIG. 4 may be either a negative electrode or a positive electrode, and is not limited to either one. Accordingly, the second non-electrode portion (142) shown in FIG. 4 may be either the non-electrode portion of the negative electrode or the non-electrode portion of the positive electrode of the electrode assembly (140).

[0081] The second unwound portion (142) may be formed at one end of the second electrode constituting the electrode assembly (140). The second unwound portion (142) may extend along the direction in which the electrode assembly (140) is wound.

[0082] The second non-removable portion (142) may be provided in one area of ​​the electrode assembly (140). The remaining area of ​​the housing (110) not shown in FIG. 4 may be shown in FIG. 3.

[0083] The second current collector plate (152) may be placed on one side of the electrode assembly (140). The second current collector plate (152) may be placed on the opposite side of the first current collector plate (151) described above with reference to FIG. 3, with respect to the electrode assembly (140).

[0084] The second current collector plate (152) may be configured to be electrically connected to the housing (110). The second current collector plate (152) may be configured to electrically connect the electrode assembly (140) and the housing (110). The second current collector plate (152) may include a conductor having electrical conductivity. For example, the second current collector plate (152) may electrically connect the electrode assembly (140) and the housing (110) by having one region electrically connected to the second non-conductive region (142) and another region electrically connected to the housing (110).

[0085] The second current collector plate (152) may include a terminal coupling part, an electrode coupling part, and a connection part, similar to the first current collector plate (151) described above with reference to FIG. 3. However, the shape, position, or arrangement of the first current collector plate (151) and the second current collector plate (152) may differ from each other.

[0086] The terminal coupling portion can be fixed to one area of ​​the second current collector plate (152) between the lower part of the second gasket (132) and the upper part of the area (beading portion) where the housing (110) is pressed in on the outer surface. Furthermore, the terminal coupling portion can be electrically connected to the housing (110).

[0087] The electrode coupling portion may be a region of the second current collector plate (152). At least a portion of the electrode coupling portion may be electrically connected to the second non-electrical portion (142).

[0088] The connecting portion may be a component that connects the electrode connecting portion and the terminal connecting portion, which is another area of ​​the second current collector plate (152). The connecting portion may physically / electrically connect the electrode connecting portion and the terminal connecting portion.

[0089] Referring to FIG. 4, the battery (100) may further include a cap (170) fixed to a portion of the housing (110). The cap (170) may be configured to be electrically insulated from the electrode assembly (140) and the housing (110) so as not to have polarity. For example, a second gasket (132) which is non-conductive may be interposed between the cap (170) and the housing (110). For example, the second gasket (132) may include, but is not limited to, rubber, silicone, nitrile, polyurethane and / or fluorocarbon.

[0090] The second gasket (132) can be secured between the cap (170) and the housing (110) by surrounding the edge of the cap (170). The second gasket (132) can seal the space between the cap (170) and the housing (110).

[0091] Referring to FIG. 4, at least a portion of the second collector plate (152) can be interposed and fixed between the lower part of the second gasket (132) and the upper part of the area (beading portion) pressed into the outer surface of the housing (110).

[0092] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an electrode assembly of a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention and a conventional current collector plate. FIG. 6 is a drawing illustrating a part of an electrode assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0093] The problems that may arise from conventional current collector plates are explained below.

[0094] The configurations of FIGS. 5 and 6 may include configurations identical or similar to the conventional battery (100) including a current collector plate described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. For convenience of explanation, the description of components that overlap with the components of the conventional battery (100) including a current collector plate described above may be omitted.

[0095] Referring to FIG. 5, the electrode assembly (140) may include a first unwound portion (141) and a second unwound portion (142). Specifically, a first unwound portion (141) may be formed extending along the direction in which the electrode assembly (140) is wound at one end of the first electrode of the electrode assembly (140), and a second unwound portion (142) may be formed extending along the direction in which the electrode assembly (140) is wound at one end of the second electrode.

[0096] The first current collector plate (151) can be combined with the first non-circular portion (141) of the first electrode, and the second current collector plate (152) can be combined with the second non-circular portion (141) of the second electrode.

[0097] For example, the connection between the first non-removable portion (141) and the first collector plate (151) and the connection between the second non-removable portion (142) and the second collector plate (152) can be achieved by laser welding. Laser welding may be performed by partially melting the collector plate (150). For laser welding, at least one area of ​​the first collector plate (151) may be configured as a welding target area that is coupled with the first segment (1410), and at least one area of ​​the second collector plate (152) may be configured as a welding target area that is coupled with the second segment (1420).

[0098] As described above, at least a portion of the first unoccupied portion (141) may include a plurality of first segments (1410) formed by dividing along the winding direction of the electrode assembly (140). However, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the number of overlapping first segments (1410) may vary along the radial direction of the electrode assembly (140). Also, at least a portion of the second unoccupied portion (142) may include a plurality of first segments (1410) formed by dividing along the winding direction of the electrode assembly (140), and the number of overlapping second segments (1420) may also vary along the radial direction of the electrode assembly (140).

[0099] For example, referring to FIG. 6, at least a portion of the first non-removable portion (141) may have an increasing number of overlapping first segments (1410) as it moves from the outer radius of the electrode assembly (140) toward the inner radius. In the electrode assembly (140), the region where the number of overlapping first segments (1410) increases may be called the 'increase region (S1)'.

[0100] Furthermore, in another part of the first non-removable portion (141), the number of overlapping first segments (1410) may be constant from the outer radius of the electrode assembly (140) toward the inner radius. In the electrode assembly (140), the area where the number of overlapping first segments (1410) is maintained constant may be called a 'constant area (S2)'.

[0101] And another part of the first non-removable portion (141) may have the number of overlapping first segments (1410) reduced from the radius outside of the electrode assembly (140) toward the inside. In the electrode assembly (140), the area where the number of overlapping first segments (1410) is reduced may be called the 'reduction area (S3)'.

[0102] The above embodiment configuration can be applied in the same way to the second non-removable part (142) and the second segment (1420), and a description thereof is omitted.

[0103] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, problems that may occur during the combination process of a conventional current collector plate and a non-conforming part are explained.

[0104] Figure 7 is a drawing illustrating the combination of a conventional current collector plate and a non-contained part.

[0105] In the following description, the first non-removable part (141) and the second non-removable part (142) will not be distinguished and will be described as non-removable parts (141, 142); the first segmented part (1410) and the second segmented part (1420) will not be distinguished and will be described as segmented parts (1410, 1420); and the first collector plate (151) and the second collector plate (152) will not be distinguished and will be described as collector plates (151, 152).

[0106] As described above, the number of segments (1410, 1420) that are part of the unincorporated portion (141, 142) may vary from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius.

[0107] And the current collector plates (151, 152) can be joined to the segments (1410, 1420) by laser welding. Meanwhile, the conventional current collector plates (151, 152) are configured to have a constant thickness regardless of the number of overlaps of the segments (1410, 1420). When laser welding the conventional current collector plates (151, 152) with such a constant thickness to the segments (1410, 1420), a problem may occur in which the unworn parts (141, 142) or electrodes at the bottom of the segments (1410, 1420) in the thin areas, such as the increase area (S1) or decrease area (S3), are irradiated with a relatively strong laser energy and melt or burn.

[0108] The present invention is intended to solve the above problems, and an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 8.

[0109] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the combination of a current collector plate and a non-container portion of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0110] The following description regarding the collector plate (151, 152) is an embodiment that can be equally applied to the first collector plate (151) and the second collector plate (152), the description regarding the non-contact portion (141, 142) is an embodiment that can be equally applied to the first non-contact portion (141) and the second non-contact portion (142), and the description regarding the segmented portion (1410, 1420) is an embodiment that can be equally applied to the first segmented portion (1410) and the second segmented portion (1420).

[0111] At least a portion of the collector plate (151, 152) can be joined to the segment (1410, 1420) by laser welding, and the thickness can be varied based on the number of overlaps of the joined segment (1410, 1420).

[0112] All or part of the collector plate (151, 152) may be combined with the segment (1410, 1420). For example, at least one area of ​​the collector plate (151, 152) may be composed of a welding target area combined with the segment (1410, 1420).

[0113] The thickness of at least a portion of the current collector plates (151, 152) may vary along the radial direction of the electrode assembly. In another aspect, the thickness of at least a portion of the current collector plates (151, 152) may vary along the radial direction of the current collector plates (151, 152). The thickness of the current collector plates (151, 152) may vary in the welding target area.

[0114] For example, as described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the segments (1410, 1420) of the unseen portion (141, 142) may include an increasing region (S1) in which the number of overlaps increases along the radial direction of the electrode assembly, a constant region (S2) in which the number of overlaps is maintained, and a decreasing region (S3) in which the number of overlaps decreases.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 8, at least a portion of the thickness of the current collector plates (151, 152) may be thickened in the direction from the outer radius of the electrode assembly to the inner radius in the increasing region (S1), and conversely, may be thinned in the direction from the outer radius of the electrode assembly to the inner radius in the decreasing region (S3).

[0116] According to the above embodiment, the thickness of at least a portion of the current collector plate (151, 152) may be inversely proportional to the total thickness of the overlapping segments (1410, 1420) at corresponding positions (hereinafter referred to as the overlapping thickness). Accordingly, the thickness of at least a portion of the current collector plate (151, 152) may be relatively thicker in an area where the number of overlapping segments (1410, 1420) is relatively small, and relatively thinner in an area where the number of overlapping segments (1410, 1420) is relatively large.

[0117] In particular, the thickness of the collector plate (151, 152) can be formed thickest in the region where the number of overlapping segments (1410, 1420) is minimum.

[0118] According to the above embodiment, when laser welding the collector plate (151, 152) to the segment (1410, 1420), a relatively weak laser can be transmitted to the area where the overlap thickness of the segment (1410, 1420) is thin, and components such as the unprotected portion (141, 142) at a position corresponding to the area where the overlap thickness is thin can be protected.

[0119] Additionally, referring to FIG. 8, the thickness of at least a portion of the current collector plates (151, 152) can be maintained constant in a direction from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius in a certain area (S2). According to the above embodiment, the thickness of at least a portion of the current collector plates (151, 152) can be relatively small or constant in an area where the number of overlapping segments (1410, 1420) is constant, and the laser can also be transmitted with a constant intensity during laser welding, and a plurality of segments (1410, 1420) and the uncoated portion (141, 142) can be heated and melted with sufficient intensity to be joined together.

[0120] According to the above embodiments, a relatively strong laser is irradiated onto a thick area of ​​a current collector plate (151, 152) where a plurality of segments (1410, 1420) overlap, so that sufficient energy can be delivered for the two components to be combined, while a relatively weak laser is irradiated onto a thin area of ​​a current collector plate (151, 152) where a plurality of segments (1410, 1420) overlap, so that damage that may occur due to overheating or melting of the components below the plurality of segments (1410, 1420) can be prevented, thereby solving the problems that may occur in a battery with a conventional current collector plate.

[0121] FIG. 9 is a drawing for explaining a battery pack including a battery according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 9, a battery pack (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more batteries (100) as described above with reference to other drawings. Additionally, the battery pack (1) may include additional components other than the battery (100) according to the present invention. For example, the battery pack (1) according to the present invention may include additional components such as a Battery Management System (BMS), a busbar, a relay, and a current sensor.

[0123] The battery pack (1) may further include a pack case (200). The pack case (200) may provide a space in which one or more batteries (100) can be stored. If the battery pack (1) includes multiple batteries (100), the pack case (200) may include a partitioned space to accommodate multiple batteries (100) in separate compartments.

[0124] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a battery, a battery pack including the same, and a car including the same.

[0125] Referring to FIG. 10, the vehicle (2) may include one or more battery packs (1). For example, the vehicle (2) may be any one of an electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a plug-in hybrid vehicle, but is not limited thereto. The vehicle (2) may be any one of a four-wheeled vehicle or a two-wheeled vehicle. The vehicle (2) may operate by receiving power from a battery pack (1) or a battery module according to embodiments of the present invention.

[0126] Some or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above are not exclusive or distinct from one another. Some or other embodiments of the present disclosure described above may be used in combination or combined for their respective configurations or functions. For example, configuration A described in a specific embodiment and / or drawings may be combined with configuration B described in another embodiment and / or drawings. That is, even if the combination between configurations is not directly described, it means that combination is possible, except where it is described as impossible.

[0127] The foregoing detailed description should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects and should be considered exemplary. The scope of the invention shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the invention are included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A housing forming an exterior and equipped with an interior space; An electrode assembly comprising a first electrode and a second electrode wound around a winding axis, which are accommodated in the internal space of the housing and which are wound around a winding axis, wherein the first electrode includes a first unwound portion formed extending along the winding direction; and A first collector plate electrically connected to the above-mentioned first non-removable part; Includes, At least a portion of the first unwound portion comprises a plurality of first segments that are formed by dividing along the winding direction of the first electrode and are bent toward the winding axis to overlap in multiple layers. A battery in which at least a portion of the first current collector plate is combined with the first segment, and the thickness changes based on the number of overlapping first segments combined.

2. In Paragraph 1, The number of overlapping first segments varies along the radial direction of the electrode assembly, and A battery in which the thickness of at least a portion of the first current collector plate varies along the radial direction of the electrode assembly.

3. In Paragraph 2, At least a portion of the first unoccupied portion has an increasing number of overlapping first segments as it moves from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius, and A battery in which the thickness of at least a portion of the first current collector plate increases as it goes from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius.

4. In Paragraph 2, At least a portion of the first unoccupied portion has a constant number of overlapping first segments extending from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius, and A battery in which the thickness of at least a portion of the first current collector plate is maintained constant in the direction from the radius outside to the inside of the electrode assembly.

5. In Paragraph 1, A battery in which at least a portion of the first current collector plate is formed thicker in an area where the number of overlapping combined first segments is relatively small, and is formed thinner in an area where the number of overlapping combined first segments is relatively large.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned first current collector plate is formed thickest in the region where the number of overlapping combined first segments is minimum.

7. In Paragraph 1, At least one region of the first collector plate is composed of a welding target region coupled with the first segment, and A battery configured such that the thickness of the first current collector plate changes in the welding target area.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned second electrode further comprises a second electrode including a second unwound portion formed extending along the wound direction, and At least a portion of the second unwound portion comprises a plurality of second segments that are formed by dividing along the winding direction of the second electrode and are bent in the radially inner direction of the electrode assembly to overlap in multiple layers. A second collector plate coupled to the second segmented piece, the thickness of which changes based on the number of overlapping coupled second segmented pieces; A battery that includes more.

9. In Paragraph 8, The number of overlapping second segments varies along the radial direction of the electrode assembly, and A battery in which the thickness of at least a portion of the second current collector plate varies along the radial direction of the electrode assembly.

10. In Paragraph 9, At least a portion of the second non-removable portion has an increasing number of overlapping second segments as it moves from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius, and A battery in which the thickness of at least a portion of the second current collector plate increases as it goes from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner radius.

11. In Paragraph 8, At least a portion of the second non-removable portion has a constant number of overlapping second segments extending from the outer radius of the electrode assembly toward the inner side, and A battery in which the thickness of at least a portion of the second current collector plate is maintained constant in the direction from the outer radius to the inner radius of the electrode assembly.

12. In Paragraph 8, A battery in which at least a portion of the second current collector plate is configured to be thicker in areas where the number of overlapping combined second segments is relatively small, and thinner in areas where the number of overlapping combined second segments is relatively large.

13. In Paragraph 8, The above second current collector plate is formed thickest in the region where the number of overlapping combined second segments is minimum.

14. In Paragraph 8, At least one region of the second current collector plate is composed of a welding target region coupled with the second segment, and A battery configured such that the thickness of the second current collector plate changes in the welding target area.

15. A battery pack comprising a battery according to any one of paragraphs 1 through 14.

16. An automobile comprising the battery pack of paragraph 15.

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