Welding jig, battery cell produced using same, and battery pack and vehicle comprising battery cell

Abstract

Disclosed are a welding jig, a battery cell produced using same, and a battery pack and a vehicle comprising the battery cell. A welding jig, according to one embodiment of the present invention, is a welding jig used for welding an electrode assembly and a current collector plate in a battery cell which comprises an electrode assembly, a battery can accommodating the electrode assembly, and a current collector plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly, the current collector plate having a debossed or embossed pattern formed thereon, wherein the welding jig comprises: a mask portion having an embossed or debossed pattern formed to correspond to the debossed or embossed pattern of the current collector plate, and having a welding hole for welding formed therein; and a support portion coupled to and supporting the mask portion.

Description

Welding jig and battery cells produced using the same, battery packs including battery cells and automobiles

[0001] This application is a priority application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0009041 filed on January 21, 2025, 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 welding jig, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and an automobile. More specifically, the invention relates to a welding jig capable of improving welding quality, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, 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] Meanwhile, 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 plate and a negative plate, 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] Here, the cylindrical battery cell may be provided with a current collector plate that is coupled to and electrically connected to an electrode assembly. The current collector plate may include a positive current collector plate connected to the positive plate of the electrode assembly and a negative current collector plate connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly.

[0009] The current collector plate can be joined to the electrode assembly in various ways, and various welding methods, including laser welding, can be used, for example.

[0010] However, since the electrode assembly is a very sensitive component, if the current collector plate is joined to the electrode assembly by laser welding, spatter may occur, and heat-induced damage may also occur.

[0011] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a welding jig capable of protecting a current collector plate and an electrode assembly when welding a current collector plate to an electrode assembly, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and an automobile.

[0012] In addition, the invention provides a welding jig that can improve the accuracy of the welding position due to the combination of negative and positive angles when welding a current collector plate to an electrode assembly, thereby increasing the welding joint area, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and an automobile.

[0013] In addition, the invention provides a welding jig capable of preventing spatter generation and heat-induced damage, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and an automobile.

[0014] In addition, the invention provides a welding jig that can increase welding strength and improve welding quality, thereby improving the performance of the battery cell, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and an automobile.

[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 welding jig used for welding an electrode assembly and a current collector plate in a battery cell comprising an electrode assembly, a battery can in which the electrode assembly is housed, and a current collector plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly, wherein the current collector plate has an intaglio or a relief formed thereon, a relief or intaglio formed to correspond to the intaglio or relief of the current collector plate, and a welding hole formed therein for welding is provided; and a support member to which the mask member is coupled and supported is provided.

[0017] In one embodiment, an opening is formed in the battery can, and the current collector plate functions as a cap that closes the opening, and the embossed or recessed portion of the mask portion can be closely coupled to the recessed or embossed portion of the current collector plate.

[0018] In one embodiment, the welding hole may be formed in the mask portion corresponding to at least one of a plurality of intaglio or reliefs formed on the current collector plate.

[0019] In one embodiment, the current collector plate may be a negative current collector plate.

[0020] In one embodiment, the mask portion may have an insertion groove formed therein into which each of the two ends of the current collector plate can be inserted.

[0021] In one embodiment, the end of the current collector plate and the battery can may be inserted together into the insertion groove.

[0022] In one embodiment, each of the two ends of the current collector plate is bent upward and joined to the inner surface of the battery can, and the current collector plate and the battery can can be inserted together into the insertion groove while the current collector plate is joined to the inner surface of the battery can.

[0023] In one embodiment, a plurality of intaglio or reliefs are formed on the current collector plate, and the opposite side of at least one of the plurality of intaglio or reliefs is in contact with the electrode assembly, and the opposite side of the remaining intaglio or relief is spaced apart from the electrode assembly, and the welding hole may be formed in the mask portion at a position corresponding to the portion of the current collector plate in contact with the electrode assembly.

[0024] In one embodiment, a weld portion may be formed on the current collector plate corresponding to the weld hole of the mask portion.

[0025] In one embodiment, a bridge portion in the form of a raised or recessed shape is formed on the current collector plate to reinforce the rigidity of the current collector plate, and the bridge portion is spaced apart from the electrode assembly, and a raised or recessed shape may be formed on the mask portion to be in close contact with the bridge portion.

[0026] In one embodiment, the size of the weld hole may be larger than the size of the bridge portion.

[0027] In one embodiment, a fastening hole is formed in the mask portion, and a fastening member can fasten the mask portion and the support portion through the fastening hole.

[0028] Meanwhile, according to another aspect of the present invention, a battery cell produced using the aforementioned welding jig may be provided, a battery pack comprising at least one of the aforementioned battery cells may be provided, and an automobile comprising at least one of the aforementioned battery cells may be provided.

[0029] The embodiments of the present invention have the effect of protecting the current collector plate and the electrode assembly when the current collector plate is welded to the electrode assembly.

[0030] In addition, when welding the current collector plate to the electrode assembly, the accuracy of the welding position can be improved due to the combination of negative and positive angles, and consequently, the welding joint area can be increased.

[0031] In addition, it is effective in preventing the occurrence of spatter and also preventing heat-induced damage.

[0032] In addition, the welding strength is increased and the welding quality is improved, which can have the effect of enhancing the performance 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 plan view of a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A' of Figure 1.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the appearance of a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention before it is coupled to a battery cell.

[0039] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the welding jig in Figure 4 being joined to the battery cell and welding in progress.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell before being welded by a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell after being welded by a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a current collector plate welded by a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells produced using a welding jig according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 9.

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a welding jig according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a bottom view of a welding jig according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along A-A' of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the welding jig according to an embodiment of the present invention before being coupled to a battery cell, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the welding jig coupled to a battery cell in FIG. 4 and welding in progress.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a welding jig (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is a welding jig (10) used for welding an electrode assembly (210) and a current collector plate in a battery cell (20) comprising an electrode assembly (210), a battery can (220) in which the electrode assembly (210) is housed, and a current collector plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly (210), and includes a mask portion (100) and a support portion (110).

[0051] Here, the current collector may include both the positive current collector (240) and the negative current collector (230) of the battery cell (20), but for convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on the case where the current collector is the negative current collector (230).

[0052] The negative electrode current collector (230) provided in the battery cell (20) welded by the welding jig (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may have the function of a cap. That is, the negative electrode current collector (230) may not only have the function of a conventional current collector but also the function of a cap provided in a conventional battery cell (20). A detailed explanation regarding this will be provided later.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a raised (102) or a recessed (100) is formed on the mask portion (100). Here, the raised (102) or recessed formed on the mask portion (100) corresponds to the recessed (231) or raised formed on the negative electrode current collector (230) of the battery cell (20).

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a positive projection is formed on the negative electrode collector plate (230) that protrudes toward the electrode assembly (210), and a negative projection (231) is formed on the opposite side of the positive projection. Additionally, a positive projection (102) is formed on the mask portion (100) so as to be in close contact with the negative projection (231) of the negative electrode collector plate (230).

[0055] Here, a raised angle protruding toward the opposite side of the electrode assembly (210) may be formed on the negative electrode collector plate (230), but for convenience of explanation, the following description focuses on the case where a raised angle protruding toward the electrode assembly (210) is formed on the negative electrode collector plate (230).

[0056] Additionally, a welding hole (101) for welding may be formed in the mask portion (100). As shown in FIG. 5, when the positive portion (102) of the mask portion (100) is inserted into the negative portion (231) of the negative electrode collector plate (230) and is in close contact, the welding portion (232) of the negative electrode collector plate (230) is welded, for example, by a laser (see arrow L in FIG. 5) through the welding hole (101) of the mask portion (100).

[0057] As shown in FIG. 4, an intaglio (231) is formed on the cathode collector plate (230) and a relief (102) is formed on the mask portion (100). The relief (102) of the mask portion (100) is inserted into and adheres to the intaglio (231) of the cathode collector plate (230), thereby improving the accuracy of the welding position and increasing the welding joint area.

[0058] By doing so, the occurrence of spatter can be prevented and damage caused by heat can be prevented, and when the negative electrode collector plate (230) is welded to the electrode assembly (210), the negative electrode collector plate (230) and the electrode assembly (210) are protected, and additionally, the welding strength is increased and the welding quality is improved, so that the performance of the battery cell (20) can also be improved.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of indentations (231) may be formed on the cathode collector plate (230), and a welding hole (101) may be formed in a mask portion (100) corresponding to at least one of the plurality of indentations (231) formed on the cathode collector plate (230).

[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, the opposite side (welded portion (232), see FIG. 8) of at least one of the plurality of indentations (231) formed on the cathode collector plate (230) is in contact with the electrode assembly (210). And, the opposite side (bridge portion (233), see FIG. 8) of the remaining indentations (231) is spaced apart from the electrode assembly (210).

[0061] Here, a welding hole (101) is formed in the mask portion (100) at a position corresponding to the part of the negative electrode collector plate (230) that is in contact with the electrode assembly (210). Then, a welding portion (232) is formed in the negative electrode collector plate (230) at the part corresponding to the welding hole (101) of the mask portion (100).

[0062] A bridge portion (233) in the form of a raised or recessed shape may be formed on the negative electrode collector plate (230) to reinforce the rigidity of the negative electrode collector plate (230). In FIGS. 4 and 5, the bridge portion (233) is formed in a raised shape toward the electrode assembly (210), and the opposite side of the raised shape is formed in a recessed shape (231). However, it is not limited to this, and it may be formed in a raised shape toward the opposite direction of the electrode assembly (210). A detailed description of the bridge portion (233) formed on the negative electrode collector plate (230) will be provided later.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bridge portion (233) is spaced apart from the electrode assembly (210). Additionally, a raised portion (102) may be formed on the mask portion (100) to be in close contact with the bridge portion (233). Here, the raised portion (102) formed on the mask portion (100) is in close contact with the recessed portion of the bridge portion (233).

[0064] In a modified embodiment, if the bridge portion (233) is formed in a raised shape facing the opposite direction of the electrode assembly (210), then the mask portion (100) has a recessed shape formed thereon, and the recessed shape of the mask portion (100) can be configured to be in close contact with the raised shape of the bridge portion (233).

[0065] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the bridge portion (233) can be formed to be smaller than the welding hole (101). That is, the welding hole (101) can be formed to be larger than the size of the bridge portion (233). As the size of the welding hole (101) increases in this way, the size of the welding portion (232) also increases, making large-area welding possible.

[0066] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the mask portion (100) may have an insertion groove (103) formed therein into which each of the two ends of the negative electrode collector plate (230) can be inserted. As described later, the negative electrode collector plate (230) can be directly coupled to the battery can (220). In this case, each of the two ends of the negative electrode collector plate (230) can be bent upward and coupled to the inner surface of the battery can (220) (see part B in FIG. 4).

[0067] And, as shown in FIG. 5, the negative electrode collector plate (230) can be configured so that the end of the negative electrode collector plate (230) and the battery can (220) are inserted together into the insertion groove (103) while the negative electrode collector plate (230) is coupled to the inner surface of the battery can (220) (see part C of FIG. 5).

[0068] In this way, when the end of the negative electrode collector plate (230) and the battery can (220) are inserted together into the insertion groove (103), the mask portion (100) supports the battery can (220) and the negative electrode collector plate (230) together, so the accuracy of the welding position can be improved.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 3, the support member (110) is configured to be coupled and supported with the mask member (100). The method of supporting the mask member (100) can be varied, for example, a fastening hole (104) may be formed in the mask member (100), and a fastening member (120) may be configured to fasten the mask member (100) and the support member (110) through the fastening hole (104).

[0070] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell before being welded by a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell after being welded by a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a current collector plate being welded by a welding jig according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, a battery cell (20) welded by a welding jig (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include an electrode assembly (210), a battery can (220), and a current collector plate. The battery cell (20) may include both a positive current collector plate (240) and a negative current collector plate (230), and for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the current collector plate is a negative current collector plate (230).

[0072] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the electrode assembly (210) includes an anode plate, a cathode plate, and a separator interposed between the anode plate and the cathode plate, and the anode plate, the cathode plate, and the separator interposed between the anode plate and the cathode plate may have a structure in which the anode plate, the cathode plate, and the separator interposed between the anode plate and the cathode plate are wound in one direction. Additionally, a center hole is formed in the center of the electrode assembly (210), and it may be formed in a jelly roll type.

[0073] For example, the electrode assembly (210) can be manufactured by winding a laminate formed by sequentially stacking a cathode plate, a separator, an anode plate, and a separator at least once. Here, the anode plate and the cathode plate may be formed in a sheet shape.

[0074] That is, the electrode assembly (210) applied in this embodiment may be a wound-type electrode assembly. In this case, an additional separator may be provided on the outer surface of the electrode assembly (210) to insulate it from the battery can (220). That is, the electrode assembly (210) may have a wound structure well known in the relevant technical field without limitation.

[0075] A positive active material is coated on one or both sides of the positive plate, and a first non-positive portion (211) in which the positive active material is not coated may be formed at the end of the positive plate. Although a positive plate with the first non-positive portion (211) formed thereon is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a battery cell (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an embodiment relating to a positive plate in which the first non-positive portion (211) is not formed. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the first non-positive portion (211) is formed on the positive plate. The first non-positive portion (211) may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of wound turns based on the center of the electrode assembly (210), and may be used as an electrode tab itself.

[0076] A negative electrode active material is coated on one or both sides of the negative electrode plate, and a second uncoated portion (212) in which the negative electrode active material is not coated may be formed at the end of the negative electrode plate. Although a negative electrode plate with the second uncoated portion (212) formed thereon is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, a battery cell (20) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an embodiment relating to a negative electrode plate in which the second uncoated portion (212) is not formed. However, for convenience of explanation, the following description will focus on the case where the second uncoated portion (212) is formed on the negative electrode plate. The second uncoated portion (212) may be exposed to the outside of the separator while forming a plurality of wound turns based on the center of the electrode assembly (210), and may be used as an electrode tab itself.

[0077] That is, at least one of the positive plate and the negative plate 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 (211) and the second uncoated portion (212) may be configured to face in opposite directions.

[0078] Here, the positive active material coated on the positive plate and the negative active material coated on the negative plate may be used without limitation as long as they are active materials known in the art.

[0079] In addition, the separator 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.

[0080] As another example, the separation membrane may use a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, etc.

[0081] At least one surface of the separation membrane may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. It is also possible for the separation membrane itself to consist of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure bonded with a binder such that interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0082] Additionally, the center hole of the electrode assembly (210) is also used for welding the cell terminal (250, positive terminal) and the positive current collector plate (240). That is, it can be configured to weld the cell terminal (250) and the positive current collector plate (240) by irradiating a laser through the center hole of the electrode assembly (210).

[0083] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, an electrode assembly (210) is housed in a battery can (220). For example, the battery can (220) is formed in a cylindrical shape so that the electrode assembly (210) is housed inside the battery can (220) and can be electrically connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly (210). Accordingly, the battery can (220) can have the same polarity as the negative plate, that is, a negative electrode.

[0084] Here, the diameter of the battery can (220) is formed to be larger than the diameter of the electrode assembly (210). A gap of a predetermined size is formed between the battery can (220) and the positive current collector plate (240), and an insulator (260) may be interposed between the gaps.

[0085] If the size of the electrode assembly (210) is increased while the size of the battery can (220) is determined according to the specifications, the total capacity of the battery cell (20) increases, but the gap between the battery can (220) and the electrode assembly (210) decreases.

[0086] That is, to increase the total capacity of the battery cell (20), the size of the electrode assembly (210) is increased, and thus the gap between the battery can (220) and the electrode assembly (210) is reduced. Therefore, to increase the capacity of the battery cell (20), an insulator (260) must be interposed in the reduced gap between the battery can (220) and the electrode assembly (210), and for this purpose, it is desirable that the thickness of the insulator (260) be as thin as possible.

[0087] An opening (221, see FIG. 6) may be formed in the battery can (220). An electrode assembly (210) may be housed through the opening (221) formed in the battery can (220), and an electrolyte may also be injected into the battery can (220).

[0088] Here, the battery can (220) is a roughly cylindrical receptacle with an opening (221) formed therein and may be made of a conductive material, such as metal. The material of the battery can (220) may be made of a conductive metal, such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0089] A through hole may be formed in the battery can (220), and a cell terminal (250) is coupled to the through hole and electrically connected to the positive current collector (240) through the through hole. Additionally, an insulator (260) may be interposed between the battery can (220) and the positive current collector (240).

[0090] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the battery can (220) may not have a beading portion and a crimping portion formed therein. Typically, the crimping portion of the battery can (220) is formed to secure a cap to the battery can (220), and the beading portion of the battery can (220) is formed by pressing the outer circumference of the battery can (220) inward to support the electrode assembly (210) so that the electrode assembly (210) does not come out of the battery can (220).

[0091] If the beading portion and the clamping portion are not formed on the battery can (220), the cap can be directly welded to the battery can (220) through seam welding.

[0092] In this way, in the case of a seam welding method in which the cap is directly welded to the battery can (220), the fixed structure is simple, so the volume of the electrode assembly (210) that can be accommodated inside the battery can (220) can be secured more, and accordingly, it is more advantageous to secure electrical capacity relative to the same volume of the battery can (220), thereby having the effect of improving energy density. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of various process errors caused by the beading part and the crimping part.

[0093] Meanwhile, as will be described in detail later, the battery cell (20) welded by the welding jig (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention omits the cap used in a conventional battery cell (20), and the negative electrode current collector (230) functions as the cap.

[0094] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the negative electrode collector plate (230) is electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly (210). When a second non-removable portion (212) is formed on the negative electrode plate, the negative electrode collector plate (230) is connected to the second non-removable portion (212) of the electrode assembly (210).

[0095] The negative electrode collector plate (230) 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 (212) of the negative electrode plate. Additionally, the negative electrode collector plate (230) can be electrically connected to the battery can (220).

[0096] The negative electrode collector plate (230) can be directly attached to the battery can (220) by means such as welding (e.g., seam welding). Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the two ends of the negative electrode collector plate (230) is bent upward and attached to the inner surface of the battery can (220).

[0097] Here, in one embodiment, the negative electrode collector plate (230) may function as a cap that closes the opening (221) formed in the battery can (220).

[0098] In the case of a conventional cylindrical battery cell, an electrode assembly is housed in a battery can, a negative current collector connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly is provided, and a cap may be attached to the battery can to close the opening of the battery can.

[0099] However, in the battery cell (20) welded by the welding jig (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the cap provided in a conventional cylindrical battery cell is removed, and the negative electrode current collector (230) functions as a cap. That is, the negative electrode current collector (230) is electrically connected to the electrode assembly (210) to function as a conventional current collector, and the negative electrode current collector (230) is directly connected to the battery can (220) to function as a cap provided in a conventional battery cell.

[0100] That is, the battery cell (20) welded by the welding jig (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention has no cap, and a negative electrode current collector plate (230) having the function of a cap is exposed to the outside.

[0101] In this way, with the negative electrode collector plate (230) having the function of a cap in contact with the electrode assembly (210), the positive portion (102) of the mask portion (100) of the welding jig (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the negative portion (231) of the negative electrode collector plate (230) and welded through the welding hole (101) while in close contact.

[0102] However, it is not necessarily limited thereto, and the welding jig (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention can also be applied to welding of a negative electrode current collector plate of a battery cell that has a cap separately provided.

[0103] Referring to FIG. 8, the negative current collector plate (230) may include at least one bridge portion (233). The bridge portion (233) may be provided in multiple numbers, and for example, may be provided in three numbers as in FIG. 8, but is not limited thereto.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 8, the bridge portion (233) may extend from the center (234) of the cathode collector plate (230) toward the periphery portion (235). Additionally, the bridge portion (233) may be formed to partition two adjacent welded portions (232). With such a structure, the bridge portion (233) can reinforce the rigidity of the cathode collector plate (230).

[0105] The positive current collector plate (240) is made of a conductive metal material and is connected to the first non-conductive portion (211) of the electrode assembly (210). The positive current collector plate (240) can be connected to a bonding surface formed by bending the end of the first non-conductive portion (211) in a direction parallel to the positive current collector plate (240). The bending direction of the first non-conductive portion (211) may be, for example, a direction toward the center of the winding of the electrode assembly (210).

[0106] When the first non-removable portion (211) has a bent shape like this, the space occupied by the first non-removable portion (211) 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 (211) and the positive current collector plate (240), it can lead to an improvement in bonding strength and a reduction in resistance.

[0107] The cell terminal (250) is made of a conductive metal material and is coupled to a through hole of the battery can (220) and is electrically connected to the positive current collector plate (240) through the through hole. The cell terminal (250) is electrically connected to the positive plate of the electrode assembly (210) through the positive current collector plate (240) and thereby has a positive polarity.

[0108] That is, the cell terminal (250) can function as a positive terminal. And, as described above, the battery can (220) is electrically connected to the negative plate of the electrode assembly (210), thereby having a negative polarity.

[0109] An insulator (260) is interposed between the battery can (220) and the positive current collector (240) for insulation. The insulator (260) prevents contact between the battery can (220) and the positive current collector (240). Additionally, the insulator (260) may be made of a material having insulating properties.

[0110] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a battery pack including battery cells produced using a welding jig according to each embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 9, a battery pack (30) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20). Here, the battery cells (20) are produced using a welding jig (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention as described above.

[0112] Additionally, the battery pack (30) may further include a pack case (31) for housing a battery cell (20), and various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of the battery cell (20), such as a BMS, a current sensor, a fuse, etc.

[0113] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining a vehicle including the battery pack of FIG. 9.

[0114] Referring to FIG. 10, a vehicle (40) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery cells (20) or battery packs (30) produced using a welding jig (10) according to each embodiment of the present invention. Here, the vehicle (40) includes various vehicles configured to use electricity, such as, for example, electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles.

[0115] 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.

[0116] 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.

[0117] The present invention relates to a welding jig, a battery cell produced using the same, a battery pack including the battery cell, and an automobile, and is particularly applicable to industries related to secondary batteries.

Claims

1. A welding jig used for welding the electrode assembly and the current collector plate in a battery cell comprising an electrode assembly, a battery can in which the electrode assembly is housed, and a current collector plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly, wherein A mask portion having an intaglio or a relief formed on the current collector plate, a relief or intaglio formed to correspond to the intaglio or relief of the current collector plate, and a welding hole formed for welding; and A welding jig comprising a support member to which the above mask portion is joined and supported.

2. In Paragraph 1, An opening is formed in the above battery can, and The above current collector plate has the function of a cap that closes the above opening, and A welding jig characterized in that the raised or recessed portion of the mask is closely coupled to the recessed or raised portion of the current collector plate.

3. In Paragraph 2, A welding jig characterized in that the welding hole is formed in the mask portion corresponding to at least one of a plurality of intaglio or reliefs formed on the current collector plate.

4. In Paragraph 1, A welding jig characterized in that the above-mentioned collector plate is a negative collector plate.

5. In Paragraph 1, A welding jig characterized in that the mask portion has insertion grooves formed therein into which the two ends of the collector plate can be inserted.

6. In Paragraph 5, A welding jig characterized in that the end of the current collector plate and the battery can are inserted together into the insertion groove.

7. In Paragraph 6, A welding jig characterized in that each of the two ends of the current collector plate is bent upward and joined to the inner surface of the battery can, and the current collector plate and the battery can are inserted together into the insertion groove while the current collector plate is joined to the inner surface of the battery can.

8. In Paragraph 1, A plurality of intaglio or reliefs are formed on the above current collector plate, and the opposite side of at least one of the plurality of intaglio or reliefs is in contact with the electrode assembly, and the opposite side of the remaining intaglio or relief is spaced apart from the electrode assembly. A welding jig characterized in that the welding hole is formed in the mask portion at a position corresponding to the part of the current collector plate that contacts the electrode assembly.

9. In Paragraph 8, A welding jig characterized by having a weld formed on the collector plate corresponding to the welding hole of the mask portion.

10. In Paragraph 1, A bridge portion in the form of a raised or recessed shape is formed on the above current collector plate to reinforce the rigidity of the above current collector plate, and The above bridge portion is spaced apart from the electrode assembly, and A welding jig characterized by having raised or recessed shapes formed on the mask portion to be in close contact with the bridge portion.

11. In Paragraph 10, A welding jig characterized in that the size of the welding hole is larger than the size of the bridge portion.

12. In Paragraph 1, A fastening hole is formed in the above mask portion, and A welding jig characterized by a fastening member connecting the mask portion and the support portion through the fastening hole.

13. A battery cell produced using a welding jig according to any one of paragraphs 1 to 12.

14. A battery pack comprising at least one battery cell according to paragraph 13.

15. An automobile comprising at least one battery cell according to paragraph 13.

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