Battery cell, and battery pack and vehicle comprising same

Abstract

The present invention provides a battery cell, and a battery pack and a vehicle comprising same, the battery cell comprising: a battery can; an electrode assembly which is accommodated through an opening of the battery can, has a first electrode and a second electrode and a separator therebetween, which are wound around a winding axis, and has a central hole formed along the winding axis direction; a cap which covers the opening of the battery can and has, at the center thereof, an injection port formed along the central axis; and a fitting part which is inserted into the injection port, extends in the longitudinal direction of the central hole, and supports the electrode assembly.

Description

Battery cells, battery packs including the same, and automobiles

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile, and more specifically, to a battery cell designed to prevent ignition by reducing component strain, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0002] This application is a priority claim application for Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0021630 filed on February 19, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the specification and drawings of said application are incorporated into this application by reference.

[0003] Secondary batteries, which possess electrical characteristics such as high energy density and high applicability across product groups, are widely applied not only to portable devices but also to electric vehicles (EVs) or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) powered by electric sources. These secondary batteries are attracting attention as a new energy source for enhancing eco-friendliness and energy efficiency, not only for the primary advantage of drastically reducing the use of fossil fuels but also because they generate no by-products from energy use.

[0004] 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, or unit battery cells, is approximately 2.5V to 4.5V. Therefore, if a higher output voltage is required, multiple battery cells are connected in series to form a battery pack. Additionally, depending on the charge / discharge capacity required for the battery pack, multiple battery cells are connected in parallel to form a battery pack. Accordingly, the number of battery cells included in the battery pack can be varied depending on the required output voltage or charge / discharge capacity.

[0005] Meanwhile, as the utilization of cylindrical battery cells increases not only in conventional small electronic devices but also in automotive battery cells such as electric vehicles, structural safety is becoming an essential requirement alongside various performance characteristics such as high power output and high energy density. In particular, the Z-Crush test is used as one of the experiments to evaluate the durability of battery cells against external impact.

[0006] The Z-Crush test is a method for evaluating the structural stability and final state of a battery cell by applying a pressure of up to 25 kN in the direction of the battery cell's winding axis. However, cylindrical battery cells are vulnerable to pressure applied in the direction of the winding axis, which can cause internal damage and deform the outer wall of the battery cell, making it highly likely that a short circuit between the electrodes will occur. Since such short circuits can ultimately lead to the ignition of the battery cell, safety issues are emerging.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to develop a battery cell with a new structural design that can improve the durability in the winding axis direction required in Z-Crush tests and fundamentally prevent the risk of electrode short circuits and ignition caused by external impacts.

[0008] Accordingly, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery cell capable of having greater rigidity by inserting a load-bearing member into the central hole of the battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0009] In one aspect, the invention provides a battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle capable of additionally providing a force that resists deformation of the battery cell.

[0010] In addition, in one aspect, the invention provides a battery cell capable of preventing ignition by reducing the amount of deformation of the battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle.

[0011] In addition, in one aspect, the invention provides a battery cell capable of increasing the utilization of internal space within the battery cell, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile.

[0012] 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.

[0013] To solve the above objective, the present invention provides a battery cell characterized by comprising: a battery can having a side wall member, a bottom member connected to one axial end of the side wall member, and an opening provided at the other axial end of the side wall member; an electrode assembly received through the opening of the battery can, wherein a first electrode and a second electrode and a separator interposed between them are wound around a winding axis and the electrode assembly has a central hole formed along the winding axis; a cap covering the opening of the battery can and having a liquid injection port formed along a central axis in the center; and a fitting part inserted into the liquid injection port, extending in the longitudinal direction of the central hole, and supporting the electrode assembly.

[0014] For example, the above-mentioned fitting part may be extended to correspond to the axial length of the above-mentioned side wall member and support the above-mentioned electrode assembly in the winding axial direction.

[0015] For example, the sealing part may be connected to the support part integrally or in an assembled manner.

[0016] For example, the fitting portion may include a sealing portion that seals the injection port; and a support portion extending from the sealing portion in the longitudinal direction of the center hole.

[0017] For example, the support member may be provided in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the center hole.

[0018] For example, the above support member may be provided with a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction having a polygonal shape or a certain curvature.

[0019] For example, the support member may have an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the center hole with respect to the radial direction.

[0020] For example, the thickness of the support member in the radial direction may be the same as the thickness of the center of the seal member in the winding axis direction of the electrode assembly.

[0021] For example, the support member may have a hollow structure formed along the longitudinal direction of the central hole that defines the inner surface of the support member.

[0022] For example, the above-mentioned through-holes may be provided in multiple numbers and may be uniformly arranged along the circumferential or longitudinal direction of the support member.

[0023] For example, the fitting portion may further include at least one through-hole connected to the hollow structure of the support portion to allow gas discharged from the electrode assembly to flow.

[0024] For example, the above-mentioned through-hole may be provided in a slit shape formed along the longitudinal direction of the support member.

[0025] For example, the battery cell further includes an electrode terminal electrically connected to the first electrode through a through hole formed in the bottom member, and the fitting part may include a sealing part that seals the injection port; and a support part that extends from the sealing part in the winding axis direction and contacts or is coupled to the electrode terminal, and at least a portion thereof is provided with an insulating material.

[0026] For example, the battery cell further includes an electrode terminal electrically connected to the first electrode through a through hole formed in the bottom member, and the fitting part may further include an insulating part configured to be coupled to one end in the longitudinal direction of the support part to insulate the electrode terminal from the support part.

[0027] For example, the insulating part may be in contact with the electrode terminal or coupled with the electrode terminal.

[0028] For example, the insulating portion includes a recess formed to a predetermined depth along the central axis direction, and one end of the support portion in the longitudinal direction may be inserted into the recess.

[0029] For example, the above-mentioned recess may have a ring-shaped end shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis direction.

[0030] For example, the insulation part may be provided with a PP (Polypropylene) material plug.

[0031] In addition, the present invention provides a battery pack comprising a battery cell according to the present invention.

[0032] In addition, the present invention provides a vehicle equipped with at least one battery pack according to the present invention.

[0033] A battery cell according to various embodiments of the present invention, a battery pack including the same, and an automobile have the effect of having greater rigidity by inserting a load-bearing member into the central hole of the battery cell.

[0034] In addition, in one aspect, a battery cell according to various embodiments, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle have the effect of additionally providing a force that resists deformation of the battery cell.

[0035] In addition, in one aspect, a battery cell according to various embodiments, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle have the effect of preventing ignition by reducing the amount of deformation of the battery cell.

[0036] In addition, in one aspect, a battery cell according to various embodiments, a battery pack including the same, and a vehicle have the effect of increasing the utilization of the internal space of the battery cell.

[0037] 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.

[0038] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 3 are schematic diagrams showing the state before and after lamination of the first electrode, the second electrode, and the separator for fabricating the electrode assembly of the battery cell of FIG. 1.

[0040] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode assembly fabricated by winding the laminate of Figure 3 into a jelly-roll shape.

[0041] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the battery cell of Figure 1.

[0042] Figure 6 is a drawing illustrating the appearance of a fitting part inserted into the cap of the battery cell of Figure 1.

[0043] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the fitting part of Figure 6.

[0044] FIGS. 8 and 9 are schematic drawings showing a fitting part of another embodiment applied to the battery cell of FIG. 1.

[0045] FIG. 10 is a drawing illustrating the insertion of a fitting part of another embodiment into the cap of the battery cell of FIG. 1.

[0046] Figure 11 is a drawing illustrating the appearance of an insulating part being coupled to the fitting part of Figure 10.

[0047] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack including a battery cell of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle including a battery pack of the present invention.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] Throughout the specification, unless specifically stated otherwise, each component may be singular or plural.

[0054] In addition, where it is stated that one component is "connected," "combined," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that while the components may be directly connected or connected to each other, another component may be "interposed" between each component, or each component may be "connected," "combined," or "connected" through another component.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Throughout the specification, when "A and / or B" is used, it may mean A, B, or A and B unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0057] 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, and it is obvious to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains that they may vary depending on the position or arrangement, rotation, or position of the observer of the object in question.

[0058] The present invention may be implemented in the following embodiments, each independently. Furthermore, the present invention may be implemented in combination of two or more of the following embodiments. Each of the following embodiments may not only be implemented independently but may also be freely combined with one another.

[0059] For convenience of explanation, in this specification, the direction following the length direction of the winding axis of an electrode assembly wound in a jelly roll shape is referred to as the winding axis direction. The direction surrounding the winding axis of the electrode assembly is referred to as the circumferential direction, and the direction in which the electrode assembly is wound along the winding axis is referred to as the winding direction. Furthermore, the direction moving away from or closer to the winding axis of the electrode assembly is referred to as the radial direction.

[0060]

[0061] First, a schematic structure of a battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0062] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a battery cell (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are schematic diagrams showing the state before and after lamination of the first electrode (21), the second electrode (22), and the separator (28) for manufacturing the electrode assembly (20) of the battery cell (1) of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an electrode assembly (20) manufactured by winding the laminate of FIG. 3 into a jelly-roll shape, FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the battery cell (1) of FIG. 1.

[0063] The battery cell (1) may be a cylindrical battery cell. For example, the battery cell (1) may be a cylindrical battery cell in which the ratio of the form factor (defined as the ratio of the diameter of the cylindrical battery cell to the height, i.e., the ratio of the diameter to the height) is greater than approximately 0.4.

[0064] Here, the form factor may refer to a value representing the diameter and height of a cylindrical battery cell. The cylindrical battery cell may be a 46110 cell, a 48750 cell, a 48110 cell, a 48800 cell, or a 46800 cell by applying the numerical value representing the form factor. Here, the first two digits represent the diameter of the cell, the next two digits represent the height of the cell, and the last digit 0 indicates that the cross-section of the cell is circular.

[0065] Additionally, the battery cell (1) may be a cylindrical battery cell, for example, having a form factor ratio (ratio of diameter along the radial direction to height along the core axis direction) greater than approximately 0.4. For example, the diameter of the battery cell (1) may be 40 mm to 50 mm, and the height may be 60 mm to 130 mm. The form factor of the battery cell (1) may be, for example, 46110, 4875, 48110, 4880, or 4680.

[0066] However, the shape of the battery cell (1) according to the present invention is not limited by the above and can be applied to batteries of other shapes. For example, it can be applied to prismatic batteries.

[0067] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, the battery cell (1) according to the present embodiment may largely include a battery can (10), an electrode assembly (20), a cap (40), and a fitting part (100).

[0068] The battery can (10) may be a cylindrical structure for a cylindrical battery cell. In this case, a side wall member (11) may form the side of the cylinder of the battery can (10), and a bottom member (12) may be connected to the side wall member (11) to form one end of the cylinder. That is, the bottom member (12) may be a closed part of the battery can (10), and the other end of the battery can (10) facing the bottom member (12) may be open to form an opening.

[0069] The bottom member (12) may be in the shape of a disc with a through hole formed in the center, and the side wall member (11) may be in the shape of a cylinder surrounding the bottom member (12) and having a constant radius along the circumferential direction. The battery can (10) including the bottom member (12) and the side wall member (11) may be a member formed by a deep drawing process of a metal sheet having nickel plated on the surface of steel. Of course, the materials of the bottom member (12) and the side wall member (11) are not limited to this.

[0070] The battery cell (1) can accommodate an electrode assembly (20) inside the battery can (10) through an opening of the battery can (10).

[0071] The electrode assembly (20) may be configured such that the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) and the separator (28) interposed between them are wound around a winding axis.

[0072] The electrode assembly (20) after winding is completed may be in the form of a jelly-roll. The outer shape of the electrode assembly (20) along the circumferential direction may be circular. However, the structure of the electrode assembly (20) is not limited by the embodiment and may have a winding structure well known in the art.

[0073] The first electrode (21), the second electrode (22), and the separator (28) may each have a predetermined width along the winding axis direction and be formed to extend a predetermined length along the winding direction. The first electrode (21) may be an anode plate, and the second electrode (22) may be a cathode plate. Of course, the opposite may also be true.

[0074] The first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) may be manufactured in the form of a sheet. The first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) may be configured such that an active material layer (25) is applied to at least a portion of the surface of the metal foil (23). The first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) may have a retaining portion (24) region where the active material layer (25) is applied and a non-retaining portion (26) region where the active material layer (25) is not applied.

[0075] The uncoated portion (26) can be exposed to the outside of the separator (28) while forming a plurality of winding turns based on the winding axis of the electrode assembly (20), and can be used as an electrode tab itself. That is, the positive plate and the negative plate may each include an uncoated portion (26) in which no active material is coated at the long side end in the direction of the winding axis. In addition, the uncoated portions (26) of the first electrode (21) and the second electrode (22) may be configured to face opposite directions in the direction of the winding axis. The uncoated portion (26) of the first electrode (21) may be housed inside the battery can (10) so that it is located at one end in the direction of the winding axis, and the uncoated portion (26) of the second electrode (22) may be located at the other end in the direction of the winding axis. 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.

[0076] Also, the separator (28) may be a porous polymer film, for example, 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 in a laminated form. As another example, the separator may be a conventional porous nonwoven fabric, for example, a nonwoven fabric made of high-melting-point glass fibers, polyethylene terephthalate fibers, etc.

[0077] At least one surface of the separator (28) may include a coating layer of inorganic particles. Additionally, it is possible for the separator (28) itself to be composed of a coating layer of inorganic particles. The particles constituting the coating layer may have a structure combined with a binder such that interstitial volume exists between adjacent particles.

[0078] This non-removable part (26) can itself function as an electrode tab.

[0079] The unwound portion (26) can form multiple flag-shaped notching tabs (27) by forming notches at predetermined intervals along the winding direction. The multiple notching tabs (27) may be in the shape of an isosceles trapezoid arranged along the winding direction. However, they are not limited thereto and may be in various shapes such as a semicircle, semi-ellipse, triangle, rectangle, parallelogram, etc.

[0080] Additionally, a plurality of notching tabs (27) can be flattened by bending them radially in the electrode assembly (20). Additionally, the notching tabs (27) can be bent radially inward or outward in the electrode assembly (20).

[0081] Additionally, multiple notching tabs (27) may be folded one by one during the process of forming a jelly-roll type electrode assembly (20). Alternatively, the notching tabs (27) may be folded all at once after forming the jelly-roll type electrode assembly (20).

[0082] In this way, the notching tabs (27) of the first electrode (21) and the notching tabs (27) of the second electrode (22), which are folded and stacked in the radial direction, can each provide a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the winding axis direction at both ends of the winding axis direction of the electrode assembly (20).

[0083] The cap (40) may be configured to cover the opening of the battery can (10). By doing so, the battery cell (1) is sealed, the internal electrolyte and electrode assembly (20) are protected from the external environment, and the long-term performance of the battery cell (1) can be maintained. The joint point between the opening of the battery can (10) and the cap (40) may be joined by welding. For example, the cap (40) may be joined to the battery can (10) using butt welding. However, the battery can (10) and the cap (40) may be joined by other joining methods other than welding, and the joining method is not limited to this.

[0084] The cap (40) is provided with a conductive material, and the thickness of the cap (40) can be designed to provide sufficient strength to prevent deformation in a high temperature or high pressure environment and to ensure durability to prevent leakage of the internal electrolyte.

[0085] At this time, the electrode assembly (20) of the battery cell (1) of the present embodiment is formed in a jelly-roll shape and may include a center hole (H1) extended along the winding axis direction. A fitting part (100) is inserted into the center hole (H1) along its length direction to provide additional structural support necessary to withstand external forces applied in the winding axis direction.

[0086]

[0087] FIG. 6 is a drawing for explaining the appearance of a fitting part (100) inserted into the cap (40) of the battery cell (1) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a schematic drawing of the fitting part (100) of FIG. 6.

[0088] Referring to FIGS. 6 and FIGS. 7, the fitting part (100) according to the present embodiment can be inserted into the injection port (41) formed in the cap (40) of the battery cell (1).

[0089] The injection port (41) is located at the center of the cap (40) and can be formed to penetrate along the central axis of the cap (40). Through this, the electrolyte can be effectively injected into the interior of the battery can (10).

[0090] The fitting part (100) is inserted into the injection port (41) and extends along the longitudinal direction of the center hole (H1), and together with the side wall member (11) of the battery can (10), can form an additional support structure in the winding axis direction. By doing so, the fitting part (100) supports the electrode assembly (20) more stably in the winding axis direction and can improve durability by dispersing the load on the battery cell (1) against external forces applied from the outside in the winding axis direction.

[0091] Accordingly, the battery cell (1) of the present embodiment can mitigate the influence of external forces on the electrode assembly (20) by additionally providing a supporting force corresponding to the pressure in the winding axis direction. Through this, the amount of deformation of the electrode assembly (20) is reduced, and the possibility of a short circuit between electrodes caused by deformation can be effectively suppressed. Furthermore, it can significantly improve the safety of the battery cell (1) and contribute to preventing accidents such as ignition or thermal runaway caused by an internal short circuit.

[0092] As an example, the fitting portion (100) may be designed to extend in correspondence with the axial length of the side wall member (11) of the battery can (10), thereby effectively supporting the electrode assembly (20) in the winding axial direction.

[0093] Specifically, the fitting part (100) can be inserted along the center hole (H1) from one end of the winding axis of the electrode assembly (20) to the other end of the winding axis. This structure can contribute to improving the stability of the electrode assembly (20) and increasing the durability of the battery cell (1) by efficiently utilizing the empty space of the center hole (H1).

[0094] In addition, the fitting part (100) is extended to correspond to the axial length of the side wall member (11), thereby maximizing the structural integrity and support of the battery cell (1). For example, the design of the fitting part (100) utilizing the center hole (H1) can maximize space utilization without the use of additional parts, and prevent deformation or damage to the electrode assembly (20) that may occur due to the electrode assembly (20) or the battery can (10) being indented or compressed in the winding axial direction, thereby simultaneously ensuring the performance and safety of the battery cell (1).

[0095]

[0096] Hereinafter, the specific structure and function of the fitting part (100) of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0097] As an example, the fitting part (100) may be configured to include a sealing part (110) and a support part (120).

[0098] The sealing part (110) is designed to seal the injection port (41), thereby serving to seal the inside of the battery can (10) from the outside. For example, the sealing part (110) may be provided in the form of a plug. This sealing part (110) prevents the electrolyte inside the battery can (10) from leaking and blocks the inflow of contaminants from the external environment, thereby maintaining the stability of the battery cell (1).

[0099] The support member (120) extends from the sealing member (110) along the longitudinal direction of the center hole (H1) and can additionally provide support in the winding axis direction. For example, the support member (120) can be implemented in the form of a pin and can be designed in various forms that can be stably inserted and fixed along the center hole (H1).

[0100] The sealing part (110) and the support part (120) may be formed integrally, or may be formed in a structure that can be combined with each other as needed. This structural design increases the efficiency of the manufacturing process while facilitating the assembly and use of the fitting part (100).

[0101] The combination of the sealing part (110) and the support part (120) can effectively improve the durability and safety of the battery cell (1) by simultaneously implementing the sealing function of the injection port (41) and the structural support function of the center hole (H1).

[0102] As an example, the support member (120) may be formed in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the center hole (H1). This allows for maximizing space utilization by making the most of the internal space of the center hole (H1). However, it is not limited to this shape, and the support member (120) may be implemented in various shapes as long as it is a structure that can be stably inserted into the center hole (H1) and provide sufficient support force in the winding axial direction to the electrode assembly (20). For example, the support member (120) may be formed to have a cross-sectional shape in which the cross-section perpendicular to the length direction is a polygon (e.g., triangle, square, hexagon, octagon) or a cross-sectional shape having a certain curvature.

[0103] The outer diameter of such a support member (120) is designed to be smaller than the diameter of the center hole (H1) in the radial direction so as to prevent damage or interference to the electrode assembly (20).

[0104] Additionally, the support member (120) may be further provided with a reinforcing structure such as a rib or flange to secure additional support force. This further increases the durability of the support member (120) and improves resistance to external impact or load in the winding axial direction.

[0105] Additionally, the support member (120) may include a hollow structure (H2) inside along the longitudinal direction of the center hole (H1), and this hollow structure (H2) may define the inner surface of the support member (120). This hollow structure (H2) can reduce the weight of the support member (120) and also reduce manufacturing costs by reducing the amount of material used. For example, the support member (120) may be formed from various materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic, and depending on the selected material, it may be possible to improve lightweighting and ease of manufacturing.

[0106] Additionally, as an example, the thickness of the support portion (120) in the radial direction can be designed to be the same as the thickness of the center of the seal portion (110) in the winding axis direction of the electrode assembly (20). This design provides consistent structural stability while maintaining the mechanical strength of the fitting portion (100) and can increase the assembly precision between parts. For example, the fitting portion (100) is an integrated structure including the seal portion (110) and the support portion (120), and can be formed using a metal sheet through a deep drawing process. The deep drawing process enables high-precision forming and offers the advantage of efficiently producing complex shapes while maintaining a uniform thickness. Of course, the materials of the seal portion (110) and the support portion (120) are not limited to this, and various materials and processing methods can be selected depending on the purpose of use and required performance. For example, nickel-plated steel sheets can be used for electrochemical purposes, and alloy or polymer materials can also be applied for lightweighting purposes.

[0107] Accordingly, the battery cell (1) of the present embodiment can maximize the space utilization of the battery cell (1) and reduce weight and manufacturing costs, while simultaneously improving the safety and durability of the battery cell (1) through stable support of the electrode assembly (20) in the winding axis direction.

[0108]

[0109] FIGS. 8 and FIGS. 9 are schematic drawings showing a fitting part (101) of another embodiment applied to the battery cell (1) of FIG. 1.

[0110] Here, the description of the fitting part (100) of the above-described embodiment with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 can be similarly applied to matters commonly applicable to the fitting part (101) of the present embodiment, and redundant descriptions are omitted below.

[0111] Referring to FIG. 8, the fitting portion (102) of the present embodiment may include a sealing portion (110), a support portion (120), and at least one through portion (130). For example, the through portion (130) may be provided in a circular or elliptical shape.

[0112] The through section (130) is connected to a hollow structure (H2) formed in the support section (120) to form a flow path through which gas (G) generated or discharged from the electrode assembly (20 in FIG. 6) can flow. This configuration allows the gas (G) to be smoothly discharged through the venting structure of the battery cell (1). This enables effective control of the gas (G) pressure inside the electrode assembly (20) and maximizes the space utilization of the central hole (H1).

[0113] As an example, the through-holes (130) may be formed in multiple numbers on the side wall including the inner surface of the support member (120). For example, the through-holes (130) may be arranged at uniform intervals along the circumferential direction of the support member (120), and the through-holes (130) may also be arranged at uniform intervals along the longitudinal direction of the support member (120). This ensures uniformity of gas flow and prevents pressure from being concentrated in a specific area.

[0114] As another example, referring to FIG. 9, the fitting part (101) according to the present embodiment may include at least one through part (131).

[0115] The through-hole (131) may be provided in a slit shape along the longitudinal direction of the support portion (120). However, the shape of the through-hole (130) is not limited to the shape shown in this specification and may be implemented in various ways to ensure a smooth flow of gas (G).

[0116] Accordingly, the battery cell (1) of the present embodiment can be designed to suit the gas discharge requirements inside the battery cell (1) by adjusting the size, number, and location of the through-holes (130, 131) as needed.

[0117] In addition, the through portion (130, 131) can be formed using an appropriate process to secure support in the winding axis direction while maintaining the durability of the support portion (120).

[0118] Accordingly, the battery cell (1) of the present embodiment can improve internal pressure control and safety of the battery cell (1) by providing a gas discharge path to the support member (120), and at the same time maximize the space utilization of the center hole (H1).

[0119]

[0120] FIG. 10 is a drawing for explaining how a fitting part (102) of another embodiment is inserted into the cap (40) of the battery cell (1) of FIG. 1, and FIG. 11 is a drawing for explaining how an insulating part (140) is coupled to the fitting part (102) of FIG. 10.

[0121] Here, the description of the fitting part (100, 101) of the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9 can be similarly applied to the fitting part (102) of the present embodiment, and redundant descriptions are omitted below.

[0122] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, a through hole may be formed in the bottom member (12) of the battery can (10) of the battery cell (1) of the present embodiment, and an electrode terminal (13) may be fitted and coupled thereto.

[0123] The electrode terminal (13) can be fixed to the bottom member (12) by riveting with the terminal gasket (14) interposed therebetween. The terminal gasket (14) is interposed between the electrode terminal (13) and the bottom member (12) to seal the inside of the battery can (10) to prevent leakage of the electrolyte and to electrically insulate the electrode terminal (13) and the bottom member (12).

[0124] However, the method of connecting the electrode terminal (13) and the bottom member (12) is not limited to this. For example, if there is a structure that can seal the space between the electrode terminal (13) and the bottom member (12) and electrically insulate the electrode terminal (13) and the bottom member (12), various other fixing methods, such as a bolt-nut connection method, a glass seal method, or a chrome coating & PP-MAH heat bonding method, can also be applied.

[0125] At this time, the insulator (50) may be formed as an insulating member configured to insulate one end of the electrode assembly (20) electrically connected to the electrode terminal (13) in the winding axis direction, for example, between the first electrode (21) and the current collector plate (31) electrically connected to the bottom member (12). By doing so, the insulator (50) can prevent an electrical short circuit inside the battery cell (1). Here, the first electrode (21) may have a positive charge, or it may have a negative charge.

[0126] As an example, the fitting part (102) may be provided with a sealing part (110) and a support part (120).

[0127] The support member (120) can stably support the electrode assembly (20) by contacting the electrode terminal (13) at the longitudinal end or by being coupled to the electrode terminal (13). Additionally, the support member (120) may be configured to contact a current collector plate (31) or an insulator (50) electrically connected to the electrode terminal (13). At this time, at least a portion of the support member (120) may be formed of an insulating material to prevent electrical short circuits with these.

[0128] As another example, the support member (120) may be configured to extend along the length of the center hole (H1) toward the bottom member (12), but not to come into contact with or be joined to other parts of the battery cell (1) and to be spaced apart by a predetermined distance.

[0129] As another example, the fitting part (102) of the present embodiment may include a sealing part (110), a support part (120), and an insulating part (140).

[0130] The insulating part (140) may be configured to be coupled to one end in the longitudinal direction of the supporting part (120) to electrically insulate the electrode terminal (13) and the supporting part (120). Additionally, the insulating part (140) may be in contact with the electrode terminal (13) or coupled with the electrode terminal (13) to prevent an electrical short circuit while maintaining support along the winding axis direction.

[0131] The insulating portion (140) can be designed in various shapes to prevent electrical short circuits. For example, the insulating portion (140) can be formed in a ring shape to wrap around the longitudinal end of the support portion (120) and block electrical contact with the electrode terminal (13). In addition, the insulating portion (140) can be formed in a flange shape that extends radially from the longitudinal end of the support portion (120), in which case it can block the contact area with the electrode terminal (13) more widely while reinforcing the strength of the support portion (120). Furthermore, if the insulating portion (140) is formed in a sleeve shape that extends along the longitudinal direction of the support portion (120), it can provide a structure that effectively blocks the possibility of contact with the electrode terminal (13) in all directions.

[0132] The insulating portion (140) may be composed of various materials to provide insulation between the longitudinal end of the support portion (120) and the electrode terminal (13) and / or the electrode plate (31) electrically connected thereto. For example, the insulating portion (140) may be made of polyimide, epoxy resin, or silicone to provide durability and insulation. Additionally, the insulating portion (140) may be implemented as a PP (polypropylene) material plug. This allows for excellent insulation and lightweight characteristics, while also providing thermal stability and chemical resistance.

[0133] The insulating part (140) can be combined with the supporting part (120) in various ways, and a press-fit structure, an adhesive structure, or an integral molding method may be utilized. For example, the stability of the assembly can be ensured by using a press-fit structure to strongly fix the insulating part (140) to the end of the supporting part (120), or by fixing it with a heat-resistant adhesive through an adhesive structure. In addition, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the assembly process simplified by integrally molding the supporting part (120) and the insulating part (140) in the same process.

[0134] As an example, the insulating portion (140) may include a recessed portion (141) that is recessed to a predetermined depth along the central axis direction. The recessed portion (141) may be designed as a structure formed inside the insulating portion (140) so that one end in the longitudinal direction of the support portion (120) can be inserted and stably assembled.

[0135] The recessed portion (141) enables precise coupling between the support portion (120) and the insulating portion (140) and can be designed to facilitate positional alignment during assembly. For example, the recessed portion (141) can be designed in various ways depending on the end shape of the support portion (120), such as having a ring-shaped cross-section.

[0136] Additionally, the predetermined depth of the recess (141) can be adjusted to maximize the bonding force between the support member (120) and the insulation member (140) while maintaining processing precision during the manufacturing process. In addition to the depth, the recess (141) may additionally form ribs or grooves on its inner surface to more firmly secure the inserted support member (120) or improve resistance to vibration and shock after assembly.

[0137] Through such a design, the insulating part (140) can stably fix the supporting part (120) in the central axis direction and provide an effective insulating function to prevent electrical short circuits. In addition, the insulating part (140) can completely block electrical contact between the electrode terminal (13) and / or the electrode plate (31) electrically connected thereto and the supporting part (120) to ensure the safety of the battery cell (1) and, at the same time, maintain the supporting force in the winding axis direction for the electrode assembly (20).

[0138] Accordingly, the battery cell (1) of the present embodiment can prevent electrical short circuits of the battery cell (1) by optimizing the design of the shape, material, and coupling structure of the insulating part (140), and can simultaneously secure structural safety and performance reliability of the battery cell (1) by providing stable support between the electrode assembly (20) and the electrode terminal (13).

[0139]

[0140] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing a battery pack (P) equipped with a battery cell (1) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a vehicle (V) equipped with a battery pack (P) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 12, a battery pack (P) according to one embodiment of the present invention may have a pack case (C) configured to accommodate a battery cell (1) and may further include various other components of a battery pack known at the time of filing the present invention. For example, a battery pack (P) according to one embodiment of the present invention may further include components such as a current sensor, a fuse, and a service plug.

[0142] Additionally, referring to FIG. 13, a vehicle (V) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include one or more battery packs (P) according to the present invention. Furthermore, a vehicle (V) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include various other components included in the vehicle (V) in addition to the battery packs (P). For example, a vehicle (V) according to one embodiment of the present invention may include, in addition to the battery packs (P) according to one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle body, a motor, an electronic control unit (ECU), or other control devices.

[0143] In addition, the battery pack (P) according to one embodiment of the present invention can be applied to various types of energy storage devices or power sources, and it is also possible to equip it in other devices, mechanisms, and facilities, such as an energy storage system using a secondary battery, in addition to the vehicle (V).

[0144]

[0145] 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.

[0146]

[0147] [Explanation of the symbol]

[0148] 1: Battery cell

[0149] 10: Battery can

[0150] 11: Sidewall member

[0151] 111: If you give it to me

[0152] 12: Floor member

[0153] 13: Electrode terminal

[0154] 14: Terminal gasket

[0155] 16: Banting Department

[0156] 20: Electrode assembly

[0157] 21: First electrode

[0158] 22: Second electrode

[0159] 23: Metal foil

[0160] 24: Active material layer

[0161] 25: Maintenance Department

[0162] 26: Mujibu

[0163] 27: Electrode tab

[0164] 28: Separator

[0165] 31: Clerical panel

[0166] 40: Cap

[0167] 41: Injection point

[0168] 50: Insulator

[0169] 100, 101, 102: Inserts

[0170] 110: Sealing part

[0171] 120: Support

[0172] 130, 131: Communion of Fathers

[0173] 140: Insulation part

[0174] 141: Recess

[0175] H1: Center hole

[0176] H2: Hollow structure

[0177] G: Gas

[0178] C: Pack case

[0179] P: Battery pack

[0180] V: Car

Claims

1. A battery can having a side wall member, a bottom member connected to one axial end of the side wall member, and an opening provided at the other axial end of the side wall member; An electrode assembly that is received through the opening of the battery can, wherein a first electrode and a second electrode and a separator interposed between them are wound around a winding axis and has a central hole formed along the direction of the winding axis; A cap covering the opening of the battery can and having an injection port formed along a central axis in the center; and A battery cell characterized by including a fitting portion that is inserted into the injection port and extends in the longitudinal direction of the central hole and supports the electrode assembly.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above fitting part is, A battery cell characterized by being extended in correspondence with the axial length of the above-mentioned side wall member and supporting the above-mentioned electrode assembly in the winding axial direction.

3. In Paragraph 1, The above fitting part is, A sealing part for sealing the above injection port; and A battery cell characterized by including a support member extending in the longitudinal direction of the center hole from the sealing portion.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above sealing part is, A battery cell characterized by being integrally or assembledly connected to the above-mentioned support member.

5. In Paragraph 3, The above support member is, A battery cell characterized by being provided in a cylindrical shape corresponding to the shape of the central hole above.

6. In Paragraph 3, The above support member is, A battery cell characterized by having a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction having a polygonal shape or a constant curvature.

7. In Paragraph 3, The above support member is, A battery cell characterized by having an outer diameter smaller than the diameter of the center hole based on the radial direction.

8. In Paragraph 3, The above support member is, A battery cell formed integrally with the sealing portion, characterized in that the thickness of the support portion in the radial direction is the same as the thickness of the center of the sealing portion in the winding axis direction of the electrode assembly.

9. In Paragraph 3, The above support member is, A battery cell characterized by having a hollow structure formed along the longitudinal direction of the central hole that defines the inner surface of the support member.

10. In Paragraph 9, The above fitting part is, A battery cell characterized by further including at least one through-hole connected to the hollow structure of the support member and configured to allow gas discharged from the electrode assembly to flow.

11. In Paragraph 10, The above through-hole is, A battery cell characterized by being provided in multiple units and uniformly arranged along the circumferential or longitudinal direction of the support member.

12. In Paragraph 10, The above through-hole is, A battery cell characterized by having a slit shape formed along the longitudinal direction of the support member.

13. In Paragraph 1, It further includes an electrode terminal electrically connected to the first electrode through a through hole formed in the bottom member, and The above fitting part is, A sealing part for sealing the above injection port; and A battery cell characterized by including a support member that extends from the sealing portion in the winding axis direction and contacts or is coupled to the electrode terminal, and at least a portion thereof is provided with an insulating material.

14. In Paragraph 3, It further includes an electrode terminal electrically connected to the first electrode through a through hole formed in the bottom member, and The above fitting part is, A battery cell characterized by further including an insulating member configured to be coupled to one end in the longitudinal direction of the support member and to insulate the electrode terminal from the support member.

15. In Paragraph 10, The above insulating part is, A battery cell characterized by being in contact with or coupled to the electrode terminal.

16. In Paragraph 10, The above insulating part is, It includes a recessed portion recessed to a predetermined depth along the direction of the central axis, and A battery cell characterized by having one end of the lengthwise portion of the support portion inserted into the recessed portion.

17. In Paragraph 16, The above-mentioned indentation is, A battery cell characterized by having a ring-shaped end shape in a cross-section perpendicular to the central axis direction.

18. In Paragraph 14, The above insulating part is, A battery cell characterized by being equipped with a PP (Polypropylene) material stopper.

19. As a battery pack, A battery pack characterized by including a battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. As a vehicle, A vehicle equipped with at least one battery pack according to claim 19.

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