Battery cell, battery pack, and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

A battery cell according to the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly provided by being wound around a winding center hole in a state in which a separator is interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; a can housing accommodating the electrode assembly and having a closing portion provided at one side thereof; a first current collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode; an electrode terminal coupled to the first current collector plate and disposed through the closing portion; and an insulator disposed between the closing portion and the first current collector plate and configured to insulate the can housing and the first current collector plate from each other, wherein the insulator includes: a current collector plate contact portion configured to contact the first current collector plate; and at least one variable bridge elongated in one direction from the current collector plate contact portion and configured to be elastically compression-deformed by being pressed by the closing portion and the electrode assembly.

Description

Battery cells, battery packs, and automobiles including the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same, and more specifically, to a battery cell, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same that enables effective tolerance management and simultaneously improves structural stability.

[0002] This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0011673 filed on January 24, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the specification of said application are incorporated into this application by reference.

[0003] Recently, as the demand for portable electronic products such as laptops, video cameras, and mobile phones has increased rapidly, and the development of electric vehicles, energy storage batteries, robots, and satellites has accelerated, research on high-performance secondary batteries capable of repeated charging and discharging is actively underway.

[0004] Currently commercialized rechargeable batteries include nickel-cadmium batteries, nickel-hydrogen batteries, nickel-zinc batteries, and lithium-ion batteries. Among these, lithium-ion batteries are gaining attention for their advantages over nickel-based batteries, such as the ability to freely charge and discharge due to almost no memory effect, a very low self-discharge rate, and high energy density.

[0005] These lithium-ion secondary batteries primarily use lithium-based oxides and carbon materials as the positive and negative active materials, respectively. Additionally, the lithium-ion secondary battery comprises an electrode assembly in which a positive plate and a negative plate, each coated with the positive and negative active materials, are arranged with a separator in between, and an outer casing that seals and encloses the electrode assembly together with an electrolyte.

[0006] Meanwhile, lithium-ion rechargeable batteries can be classified according to the shape of the battery case into pouch-type rechargeable batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in an aluminum laminate sheet pouch, and can-type rechargeable batteries, in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a metal can. Furthermore, can-type rechargeable batteries can be further classified into cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries depending on the shape of the metal can. These lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are utilized as battery modules or battery packs, in which multiple battery cells are assembled into a dense structure by overlapping or stacking them to provide high voltage and high current, and then electrically connected.

[0007] A battery cell may include an electrode assembly provided by being wound with a separator interposed between the electrodes, a positive current collector electrically connected to the electrode assembly, a can housing that accommodates the electrode assembly, an insulator interposed between the positive current collector and the can housing to insulate them from each other, and an electrode terminal coupled to the positive current collector and disposed in the can housing. Additionally, the conventional battery cell may have a beading portion and a crimping portion. The beading portion was formed in an indented shape on the side of the opening of the can housing to secure the electrode assembly and adjust the form factor of the battery cell, and the crimping portion was a folded and extended portion to seal the opening.

[0008] Meanwhile, recently, in order to improve space efficiency and energy density and increase productivity, battery cells that do not have parts such as the beading and crimping sections mentioned above (hereinafter referred to as conventional battery cells) are being developed. Such conventional battery cells could include a component such as a can lid that is coupled to the end of the opening of the can housing.

[0009] In conventional battery cells, the electrode terminals could be provided in the form of rivets or the like, with at least a portion protruding toward the positive current collector. However, for these electrode terminals to be fully coupled with the positive current collector, tolerance control was required so that the thickness of the insulator was equal to the height of the protruding electrode terminal. In the case of the aforementioned conventional battery cells, however, tolerance control was difficult, and structural stability could be compromised because the electrode assembly was not effectively fixed.

[0010] The present invention was conceived in consideration of the aforementioned technical background and aims to provide a battery cell, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same, which enable effective tolerance management and simultaneously improve structural stability.

[0011] 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.

[0012] A battery cell according to the present invention comprises: an electrode assembly provided by being wound around a central winding hole with a separator interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; a can housing that accommodates the electrode assembly and has a closed portion on one side; a first current collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode; an electrode terminal coupled to the first current collector plate and disposed through the closed portion; and an insulator disposed between the closed portion and the first current collector plate and configured to insulate the can housing and the first current collector plate from each other, wherein the insulator comprises a current collector plate contact portion configured to contact the first current collector plate; and at least one variable bridge that extends long in one direction from the current collector plate contact portion and is configured to be elastically compressed and deformed by being pressed by the closed portion and the electrode assembly.

[0013] The above can housing has an opening on the other side, and the battery cell may further include a can lid welded to the opening to cover the opening.

[0014] The above insulator may further have a terminal penetration hole through which the electrode terminal can pass.

[0015] The above variable bridge may be formed by slitting from the inner diameter of the terminal through-hole and then bending it so as to be inclined upward toward the terminal through-hole.

[0016] The above variable bridge may be configured so that when maximally compressed, the inner end is spaced apart from the electrode terminal.

[0017] The variable bridge is provided with a closure contact portion configured to contact the closure portion at the leading end of the variable bridge in the extension direction, and at least a portion of the closure contact portion may be formed flat.

[0018] The above-mentioned closed contact portion may have at least one extended portion extended in the circumferential direction.

[0019] The above insulator may be equipped with a plurality of the above variable bridges.

[0020] The above insulator may be equipped with three of the above variable bridges.

[0021] A plurality of the above variable bridges can be provided radially and rotationally symmetrically.

[0022] The thickness of the above variable bridge can be formed to be thinner than the thickness of the above current collector plate contact portion.

[0023] The above insulator may further comprise a recess formed toward the first collector plate at the boundary between the bottom surface of the collector plate contact portion and the variable bridge.

[0024] The above variable bridge may be configured to be spaced apart from the above current collector contact part by a predetermined gap when compressed to the maximum.

[0025] A battery pack according to the present invention comprises at least one battery cell according to the present invention.

[0026] The automobile according to the present invention includes at least one battery pack according to the present invention.

[0027] According to the present invention, a battery cell capable of effective tolerance management, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same can be provided.

[0028] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same can be provided, which can easily adjust the total height of the insulator.

[0029] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell with improved structural stability, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same can be provided.

[0030] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell with improved weldability, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same can be provided.

[0031] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same can be provided, wherein an electrode assembly can be effectively fixed.

[0032] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell with improved designability, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same can be provided.

[0033] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same can be provided, which can effectively mitigate external shocks and vibrations.

[0034] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell with improved energy density, a battery pack, and a vehicle including the same can be provided.

[0035] In addition, according to one aspect of the present invention, a battery cell with improved productivity, a battery pack, and an automobile including the same can be provided.

[0036] The effects of the present invention 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 attached drawings.

[0037] 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.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a cross- section of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of area A1 of Figure 2.

[0041] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of area A2 of Figure 2.

[0042] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of an insulator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the overall appearance of an insulator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of an insulator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figure 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the insulator of Figure 7 in a compressed state.

[0046] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the maximum compressed state of an insulator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of an insulator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of an insulator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] 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, and 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.

[0052] Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification and the configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely some of the most preferred embodiments of the invention and do not represent all of the technical ideas of the invention, and that various equivalents and modifications that can replace them may exist at the time of filing this application.

[0053] In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the X-axis and Y-axis directions may be left-right and front-back directions, or front-back and left-right directions, respectively, and the Z-axis direction orthogonal to the XY plane may be up-down direction (vertical direction).

[0054]

[0055] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of area A1 of FIG. 2.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a battery cell according to the present invention may include an electrode assembly, a can housing, a first current collector plate, an electrode terminal, and an insulator.

[0057] The electrode assembly (10) may include an electrode (11) and a separator (12). The electrode (11) may include electrodes (11) of different polarities. Specifically, the electrode (11) may include a first electrode (11a) and a second electrode (11b). The first electrode (11a) may have a first polarity, and the second electrode (11b) may have a second polarity opposite to the first polarity. For example, the first polarity may be a positive electrode and the second polarity may be a negative electrode. The separator (12) may be interposed between electrodes (11) of different polarities. The separator (12) may be interposed between the first electrode (11a) and the second electrode (11b). The separator (12) may be an insulator.

[0058] The electrode assembly (10) may have a jelly-roll structure. That is, the electrode assembly (10) may be manufactured by winding a laminate formed by stacking at least once with a separator (12) interposed between a sheet-shaped first electrode (11a) and a second electrode (11b) around the central axis of a winding center hole (C). Any jelly-roll structure known in the art may be applied to the present invention without limitation.

[0059] The can housing (20) can accommodate the electrode assembly (10). The can housing (20) may be provided in a hollow cylindrical shape to accommodate the electrode assembly (10), for example. A closed portion (21) may be provided on one side of the can housing (20) (for example, the side in the +Z direction to the upper side). An open portion (22) may be formed on the other side of the can housing (20) (for example, the side in the -Z direction to the lower side).

[0060] The first current collector plate (30) can be electrically connected to the electrode assembly (10). The first current collector plate (30) can be electrically connected to the first electrode (11a). The first current collector plate (30) can have a first polarity. The first current collector plate (30) can be composed of a positive current collector plate. The first current collector plate (30) can be placed at the upper part of the electrode assembly (10).

[0061] The electrode terminal (40) can be combined with the first current collector plate (30). The first current collector plate (30) can be electrically connected to the first electrode (11a) to have a first polarity, and, for example, can be configured as a positive terminal. The electrode terminal (40) can be disposed through the closed portion (21) of the can housing (20).

[0062] The electrode terminal (40) may be provided in a form in which at least a portion protrudes inward and downward toward the first current collector plate (30). The lower portion of the electrode terminal (40) may be welded to the first current collector plate (30). Another portion of the electrode terminal (40) may be exposed outward and upward toward the closure portion (21). The electrode terminal (40) may be provided in the form of a rivet.

[0063] An insulator (50) may be placed between the closure (21) and the first collector plate (30). The insulator (50) may physically separate the closure (21) and the first collector plate (30). The insulator (50) may be configured to insulate the can housing (20) and the first collector plate (30) from each other. The insulator (50) may include an insulating material.

[0064] Meanwhile, the insulator (50) can be configured to allow an electrical connection between the electrode terminal (40) and the first current collector plate (30).

[0065]

[0066] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of area A2 of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of an insulator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the overall appearance of an insulator according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged view of a part of an insulator according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view showing the insulator of FIG. 7 in a compressed state.

[0067] Hereinafter, a battery cell (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8.

[0068] The insulator (50) may be equipped with a collector plate contact part (51) and a variable bridge (52).

[0069] The collector plate contact portion (51) may be a part configured to contact the first collector plate (30). For example, the bottom surface of the collector plate contact portion (51) may contact the top surface of the first collector plate (30).

[0070] The variable bridge (52) can be extended in one direction from the collector plate contact portion (51). For example, the variable bridge (52) can be extended in an upwardly inclined direction from the collector plate contact portion (51).

[0071] The variable bridge (52) can be compressed and elastically deformed. The variable bridge (52) can be compressed and elastically deformed by the closing part (21) and the electrode assembly (10). The variable bridge (52) can be compressed and deformed in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The height of the variable bridge (52) can be defined as the distance in the Z-axis direction from the lower part of the variable bridge (52) to the upper part of the variable bridge (52), and if the height of the variable bridge (52) in the initial state is h1 (see FIG. 7), the height of the variable bridge (52) in the compressed state can be formed as h2, which is smaller than h1 (see FIG. 8). Since the variable bridge (52) can be elastically deformed, an elastic restoring force can be applied toward the closing part (21) and the first current collector plate (30) in the compressed state. At least one variable bridge (52) may be provided.

[0072] In a battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the insulator (50) is equipped with the aforementioned variable bridge (52), so that the total height of the insulator (50) can be easily adjusted. Accordingly, it is easy to adjust the total height of the insulator (50) so that it is equal to the height of the protruding part protruding toward the first current collector plate (30) of the electrode terminal (40), thereby enabling effective tolerance management of the insulator (50). For example, when an electrode assembly (10) with a lower total height is assembled, the shape of the variable bridge (52) is maintained, and when an electrode assembly (10) with an upper total height is assembled, the variable bridge (52) can be compressed, so that the tolerance correspondence between the parts of the battery cell (1) and the total height of the electrode assembly (10), and the tolerance in the direction of the total height, can be effectively mitigated.

[0073] In addition, the electrode terminal (40) can be securely attached to the first current collector plate (30), thereby improving weldability between the electrode terminal (40) and the first current collector plate (30).

[0074] In addition, in a battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, the variable bridge (52) in a compressed state can stably support the electrode assembly (10) with elastic restoring force, thereby improving the structural stability of the battery cell (1). Furthermore, the electrode assembly (10) can be effectively fixed by the elastic restoring force of the variable bridge (52).

[0075] In addition, the battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention is provided in a form in which the variable bridge (52) is extended in one direction, so that the rigidity of the variable bridge (52) can be easily adjusted by adjusting the length of the variable bridge (52), thereby improving the designability of the battery cell (1).

[0076] In addition, the battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention can effectively mitigate external shocks or vibrations by means of an elastically deformable variable bridge (52).

[0077]

[0078] Meanwhile, an insulating gasket (G) may be disposed between the electrode terminal (40) and the closure part (21). The insulating gasket (G) may be provided to surround the electrode terminal (40). The insulating gasket (G) may include an insulating material and may be configured to insulate the electrode terminal (40) and the closure part (21) from each other.

[0079]

[0080] Referring again to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3, a battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include a can lid (70).

[0081] The can lid (70) can cover the opening (22) of the can housing (20). The can lid (70) can be welded to the opening (22). The edge of the can lid (70) can be welded to the end of the can housing (20) that forms the opening (22).

[0082] In the case where the battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention further includes the can lid (70) as described above, the can housing (20) may not be provided with a configuration such as a conventional beading part. The battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the insulator (50) described above, so that the electrode assembly (10) can be effectively fixed without having a configuration such as a conventional beading part.

[0083] In addition, when the battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention is not equipped with a configuration such as a conventional beading section and a crimping section, the internal space of the battery cell (1) can be increased, thereby improving energy density. Furthermore, since a separate beading process or crimping process is not required, the productivity of the battery cell (1) can be improved.

[0084] Meanwhile, the battery cell (1) may further include a second current collector plate (60). The second current collector plate (60) may be electrically connected to the second electrode (11b) and may be a negative current collector plate. The second current collector plate (60) may be welded to the lower part of the electrode assembly (10). A can lid (70) may cover the second current collector plate (60). The battery cell (1) may not include the second current collector plate (60), and the can lid (70) may be configured to simultaneously perform the function of the second current collector plate (60). In this case, the can lid (70) may be welded to the second electrode (11b).

[0085] At this time, if the electrode assembly (10) is provided in a state where it is not properly fixed, when the second current collector plate (60) or can lid (70) is welded to the electrode assembly (10), the welding may not be performed properly, and the possibility of damage to the welded area may increase. However, in the battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, even in such a case, the electrode assembly (10) is effectively fixed, so the welding quality between the second current collector plate (60) or can lid (70) and the electrode assembly (10) can be reliably guaranteed.

[0086]

[0087] Meanwhile, the can lid (70) may be provided with at least one of a plug (71), an edge portion (72), and a vent notch portion (73). A hole may be formed approximately in the center of the can lid (70) that is open toward the winding center hole (C) for injecting electrolyte, and the plug (71) may be configured to seal the hole. The edge portion (72) may be configured to facilitate connection with the end of the opening portion (22) of the can housing (20) at the edge of the can lid (70), and, for example, may be provided with a U-shaped cross-section. The vent notch portion (73) may be configured to break when high temperature and / or high pressure is formed in the battery cell (1) to discharge venting gas inside the battery cell (1), and, for example, may be formed by notching.

[0088]

[0089] Again, referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the insulator (50) may further be provided with a terminal through-hole (53). The terminal through-hole (53) may be configured so that an electrode terminal (40) can pass through it. The electrode terminal (40) can pass through the terminal through-hole (53) and be coupled with the first current collector plate (30).

[0090] The terminal through-hole (53) may be formed in an area of ​​the insulator (50) corresponding to the electrode terminal (40). It may be formed approximately in the center of the insulator (50). The inner diameter of the terminal through-hole (53) may be formed to a size through which the electrode terminal (40) can pass.

[0091] When the insulator (50) is configured as described above, an electrical connection between the electrode terminal (40) and the first current collector plate (30) can be reliably allowed.

[0092]

[0093] The variable bridge (52) can be formed by being bent after slitting. Specifically, after a terminal through-hole (53) is first formed in the insulator (50), it can be formed by being bent so as to be inclined upward toward the terminal through-hole (53) after being slit from the inner diameter of the terminal through-hole (53).

[0094] In the above case, the variable bridge (52) can be manufactured by a simple process, so the productivity of the battery cell (1) can be improved.

[0095]

[0096] The variable bridge (52) may be provided with a closed contact portion (54). The closed contact portion (54) may be provided at the leading end of the variable bridge (52) in the extension direction. For example, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, the closed contact portion (54) may be provided at the end of the variable bridge (52) on the side of the terminal through-hole (53).

[0097] The closed contact portion (54) may be formed flat in at least a portion. As a result, the closed contact portion (54) may come into face-to-face contact with the closed portion (21).

[0098] When the variable bridge (52) is configured as described above, a contact area of ​​a predetermined size is formed between the variable bridge (52) and the closed contact part (54), so that the closed part (21) can be supported more stably, and thus the structural stability of the battery cell (1) can be improved.

[0099]

[0100] The insulator (50) may be equipped with a plurality of variable bridges (52). In this case, the insulator (50) can support the closed portion (21) more stably, thereby improving the structural stability of the battery cell (1).

[0101]

[0102] The insulator (50) may be equipped with three variable bridges (52). In this case, the three variable bridges (52) can form a single plane, so the insulator (50) can support the closed portion (21) more stably, thereby improving the structural stability of the battery cell (1).

[0103]

[0104] When the insulator (50) is provided with a plurality of variable bridges (52), the plurality of variable bridges (52) may be provided radially and rotationally symmetrically. In this case, the insulator (50) can support the closure (21) more uniformly, thereby improving the structural stability of the battery cell (1).

[0105]

[0106] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the maximum compressed state of an insulator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0107] Referring to FIG. 9, when the variable bridge (52) is compressed to the maximum, the inner end of the variable bridge (52) may be configured to be spaced apart from the electrode terminal (40). Here, when the variable bridge (52) is compressed to the maximum, the variable bridge (52) may be deformed to be parallel to the current collector contact portion (51).

[0108] When the variable bridge (52) is compressed to the maximum extent, the inner end of the variable bridge (52) may not extend inward beyond the inner diameter of the terminal through hole (53).

[0109] When the variable bridge (52) is configured as described above, interference between the variable bridge (52) and the electrode terminal (40) can be effectively prevented.

[0110]

[0111] The variable bridge (52) can be configured to be spaced apart from the collector plate contact portion (51) by a predetermined gap (Ga) when compressed to the maximum. Here, the gap (Ga) can be understood as being formed on both sides in the circumferential direction of the variable bridge (52).

[0112] When the variable bridge (52) is configured as described above, interference between the variable bridge (52) and the current collector contact part (51) can be effectively prevented when the variable bridge (52) is compressed and deformed.

[0113]

[0114] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the overall appearance of an insulator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 10, a battery cell (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the battery cell (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention, the variable bridge (52) has the aforementioned closed contact portion (54), and the closed contact portion (54) may have at least one expansion portion (55).

[0116] The extension portion (55) can be extended in the circumferential direction. The extension portion (55) can be provided on at least one of the circumferential sides of the closed portion contact portion (54).

[0117] The extension portion (55) and the closure contact portion (54) can form a continuous surface. For example, the upper surface of the extension portion (55) and the upper surface of the closure contact portion (54) can be formed integrally with each other.

[0118] When the variable bridge (52) is configured as described above, the contact area between the closed portion (21) and the closed portion contact portion (54) is further secured, so that the closed portion (21) can be supported more stably, and thus the structural stability of the battery cell (1) can be further improved.

[0119]

[0120] Referring again to FIG. 7, the thickness (t2) of the variable bridge (52) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be formed to be thinner than the thickness (t1) of the current collector contact portion (51).

[0121] When the variable bridge (52) is configured as described above, the variable bridge (52) can be deformed more easily. Meanwhile, the degree of deformation of the variable bridge (52) can be easily controlled by adjusting the thickness (t2) of the insulator (50).

[0122]

[0123] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view showing an enlarged portion of an insulator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0124] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 11, a battery cell (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the battery cell (1) according to another embodiment of the present invention, the insulator (50) may further have a recess (R).

[0125] A recessed portion (R) may be provided at the boundary between the collector plate contact portion (51) and the variable bridge (52). A recessed portion (R) may be provided at the boundary between the bottom surface of the collector plate contact portion (51) and the variable bridge (52). The recessed portion (R) may be formed by being recessed toward the first collector plate (30). The recessed portion (R) may be formed by being recessed in a round shape.

[0126] When the insulator (50) is configured as described above, when the variable bridge (52) undergoes compression deformation, the boundary portion between the bottom surface of the collector plate contact portion (51) and the variable bridge (52) can be effectively prevented from protruding toward the first collector plate (30).

[0127]

[0128] FIG. 12 is a drawing showing a battery pack according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0129] Referring to FIG. 12, the battery pack (3) according to the present invention may include at least one battery cell (1) according to the present invention. The battery pack (3) may include a pack case (2) that accommodates at least one battery cell (1).

[0130] In the drawing, for the convenience of drawing, components such as busbars, cooling units, and external terminals for electrical connection of battery cells (1) have been omitted. The structure of a plurality of battery cells (1) for manufacturing the battery pack (3) has been described above as an example.

[0131] Meanwhile, the battery pack (3) according to the present invention may further include various devices for controlling the charging and discharging of battery cells (1), such as a Battery Management System (BMS), a current sensor, a fuse, etc., although not shown.

[0132]

[0133] FIG. 13 is a drawing showing an automobile according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 13, a battery pack (3) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a vehicle (4), such as an electric vehicle or a hybrid vehicle. That is, the vehicle (4) according to the present invention may include a battery pack (3) according to the present invention. The battery pack (3) may be installed in a vehicle body frame or trunk space under the vehicle seat. In addition, the vehicle (4) according to the present invention may include various other components included in the vehicle (4) in addition to the battery pack (3). For example, the vehicle (4) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include, in addition to the battery pack (3) according to the present invention, a vehicle body, a motor, a control device such as an ECU (electronic control unit), etc.

[0135] In addition, it is obvious that the battery pack (3) according to the present invention may also be provided in other devices, mechanisms, and facilities, such as an energy storage system using a secondary battery, in addition to a vehicle (4).

[0136]

[0137] In this specification, terms indicating directions such as up, down, left, right, front, and back have been used; however, 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.

[0138] As described above, although the present invention has been explained by 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 described below by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs.

[0139] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0140] 1 : Battery cell

[0141] 2 : Pack Case

[0142] 3 : Battery pack

[0143] 4 : Cars

[0144] 10 : Electrode assembly

[0145] 11: Electrode

[0146] 11a: First electrode

[0147] 11b : Second electrode

[0148] 12 : Separator

[0149] 20 : Can housing

[0150] 21 : Closure

[0151] 22 : Open part

[0152] 30 : 1st tribunal

[0153] 40 : Electrode terminal

[0154] 50: Insulator

[0155] 51 : Current collector plate contact part

[0156] 52 : Variable bridge

[0157] 53 : Terminal penetration hole

[0158] 54 : Closed contact part

[0159] 55 : Extension

[0160] 60 : 2nd edition

[0161] 70 : Can lid

[0162] 71 : Plug

[0163] 72 : Edge part

[0164] 73 : Vent notch

[0165] C: Winding center hole

[0166] G : Insulating gasket

[0167] Ga: Gap

[0168] R: Depression

Claims

1. An electrode assembly provided by being wound around a central hole with a separator interposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; A can housing that accommodates the above electrode assembly and has a closed portion on one side; A first current collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode; An electrode terminal coupled to the first current collector plate and disposed through the closure portion; and It includes an insulator disposed between the above-mentioned closure and the above-mentioned first collector plate and configured to insulate the can housing and the above-mentioned first collector plate from each other, The above insulator is, A current collector plate contact portion configured to contact the first current collector plate; and A battery cell characterized by having at least one variable bridge that extends in one direction from the current collector plate contact portion and is configured to be elastically compressed and deformed by being pressed by the closure portion and the electrode assembly.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above can housing is, Having an opening on the other side, The above battery cell is, A battery cell characterized by further including a can lid welded to the opening to cover the opening.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above insulator is, A battery cell characterized by further comprising a terminal penetration hole through which the above electrode terminal can pass.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above variable bridge is, A battery cell characterized by being formed by slitting from the inner diameter of the terminal through-hole and then bending so as to be inclined upward toward the terminal through-hole.

5. In Paragraph 3, The above variable bridge is, A battery cell characterized by being configured such that, when maximally compressed, the inner end is spaced apart from the electrode terminal.

6. In Paragraph 1, The above variable bridge is, The leading end of the variable bridge in the direction of extension is provided with a closing contact portion configured to contact the closing portion, and The above-mentioned closed contact part is, A battery cell characterized by having at least a portion formed flat.

7. In Paragraph 6, The above-mentioned closed contact part is, A battery cell characterized by having at least one extension portion extended in the circumferential direction.

8. In Paragraph 1, The above insulator is, A battery cell characterized by having a plurality of the above-mentioned variable bridges.

9. In Paragraph 8, The above insulator is, A battery cell characterized by having three of the above-mentioned variable bridges.

10. In Paragraph 8, The above variable bridges are, A battery cell characterized by being provided with radial rotational symmetry.

11. In Paragraph 1, The thickness of the above variable bridge is, A battery cell characterized by being formed thinner than the thickness of the current collector contact portion.

12. In Paragraph 11, The above insulator is, A battery cell characterized by further comprising a recess formed toward the first current collector at the boundary between the bottom surface of the current collector contact portion and the variable bridge.

13. In Paragraph 1, The above variable bridge is, A battery cell characterized by being configured to be spaced apart from the current collector contact part by a predetermined gap when maximally compressed.

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

15. An automobile characterized by including at least one battery pack according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

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