阅读说明：本技术 可再充电电池和电池模块 (Rechargeable battery and battery module ) 是由 林阧龙 裵长雄 任志淳 于 2019-06-20 设计创作，主要内容包括：公开了一种可再充电电池和电池模块,根据本发明的示例性实施例,可再充电电池包括：电极组件,被构造为包括第一电极、第二电极和隔膜；壳体,被构造为在其中容纳电极组件并具有开口侧；盖板,结合到壳体的开口侧；以及端子部,设置在盖板上以电连接到电极组件,其中,端子部在盖板上沿一个方向是可滑动的。(Disclosed are a rechargeable battery and a battery module, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly configured to include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator; a case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly therein and having an open side; a cover plate coupled to an opening side of the case; and a terminal part disposed on the cover plate to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly, wherein the terminal part is slidable on the cover plate in one direction.)

1. A rechargeable battery, comprising:

an electrode assembly configured to include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator;

a case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly therein and having an open side;

a cover plate coupled to an opening side of the case; and

a terminal part disposed on the cap plate to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly,

wherein the terminal portion is slidable in one direction on the cover plate.

2. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1,

the one direction is parallel to the width direction of the cover plate, and

the terminal portion slides by an external force transmitted in the one direction.

3. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1,

the cover plate includes a guide protrusion extending in the one direction and protruding toward the terminal portion, and

the terminal portion includes a guide groove to be slidable, the guide groove extends in the one direction, and the guide protrusion is inserted into the guide groove.

4. The rechargeable battery according to claim 3,

the cover plate further includes a stepped groove formed in a stepped shape on an inner side of the case, and at least a portion of the terminal portion is slidably inserted into the stepped groove.

5. The rechargeable battery according to claim 4,

the terminal portion further includes an insertion portion having a length shorter than that of the step groove in the one direction and protruding toward the step groove to be inserted into the step groove.

6. The rechargeable battery according to claim 4,

the guide protrusion is provided in the stepped groove to extend over the entire stepped groove in the one direction, and

the guide grooves are open at opposite ends in the one direction.

7. The rechargeable battery according to claim 4,

the guide protrusion is provided in the stepped groove to have a length shorter than that of the guide groove in the one direction, and the guide protrusion is completely inserted into the guide groove.

8. The rechargeable battery according to claim 3, wherein the terminal part comprises:

a terminal plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and

an insulating plate interposed between the terminal plate and the cap plate to be fixed to a lower portion of the terminal plate, and

the guide groove is formed on a surface of the insulating plate facing the cap plate.

9. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1, further comprising:

a column part configured to extend through the cap plate to electrically connect the terminal part and the electrode assembly,

a terminal hole through which the columnar portion extends is provided in the lid plate, and

the terminal hole is provided to have a long shape extending in the one direction so that the columnar portion moves in the one direction.

10. The rechargeable battery according to claim 9, further comprising:

a sealing gasket disposed between the inner surface of the terminal hole and the columnar portion to seal the terminal hole,

wherein the sealing gasket is made of an elastic material to move the column part in the one direction and maintain a sealing state of the terminal hole.

11. The rechargeable battery according to claim 9, further comprising:

a current collecting member provided inside the case to have a first side coupled with the electrode assembly and a second side coupled with the cylindrical portion,

wherein the second side of the current collecting member is moved in the one direction together with the columnar portion.

12. The rechargeable battery according to claim 1,

the cap plate includes a short circuit member which is deformed to protrude outside the case when an internal pressure of the case is increased, and

the terminal portion slides in a state where at least a portion of the terminal portion is disposed at an upper portion of the short circuit member.

13. A battery module, comprising:

a rechargeable battery configured to include a case for accommodating an electrode assembly therein, a cap plate coupled to an opening side of the case, and terminal portions disposed on the cap plate to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly,

wherein the terminal portion slides in one direction on the cover plate.

14. The battery module of claim 13,

the rechargeable battery includes a plurality of rechargeable batteries arranged in a width direction of the cap plate,

each of the terminal portions in the adjacent rechargeable batteries is electrically connected to each other by a bus bar, and

the terminal portion slides in the width direction together with the bus bar.

15. The battery module of claim 14,

the rechargeable battery further includes a column part configured to extend through the cap plate to electrically connect the terminal part and the electrode assembly,

wherein a terminal hole through which the columnar portion extends is provided in the lid plate, and

the terminal hole is provided to have a long shape extending in the width direction so that the columnar portion moves in the width direction together with the terminal portion and the bus bar.

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery, and more particularly, to a rechargeable battery and a battery module having a terminal part electrically connected to an electrode assembly and exposed to the outside.

Background

A rechargeable battery is different from a primary battery in that the rechargeable battery can be repeatedly charged and discharged, and the latter cannot be recharged. Low-capacity rechargeable batteries are used for portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, laptop computers, and camcorders, and high-capacity batteries are widely used as power sources for driving motors such as hybrid vehicles.

A high power rechargeable battery using a non-aqueous electrolyte has been developed to have high energy density, and a plurality of high output rechargeable batteries may be connected by a bus bar to have high capacity for devices requiring high power.

The rechargeable battery may have a terminal part electrically connected to the electrode assembly and exposed to the outside, and the terminal part may be connected to a connection terminal of an external device requiring power, or may be coupled to a bus bar for realizing a large capacity.

Meanwhile, when a rechargeable battery having a terminal portion connected to a bus bar or a connection terminal of an external device is expanded due to an external force applied thereto or an expansion phenomenon occurring therein, the external force generated thereby may be applied to the terminal portion connected to the bus bar or the connection terminal to damage or deform the connection terminal, the bus bar, the terminal portion, or the like, and thus, it is an important problem to appropriately solve the external force or displacement transmitted to the terminal portion.

The above information disclosed in this background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been made in an effort to provide a rechargeable battery and a battery module capable of effectively suppressing damage to terminal portions and the like by loads or displacements transmitted to the terminal portions while maintaining structural stability.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a rechargeable battery including: an electrode assembly configured to include a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator; a case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly therein and having an open side; a cover plate coupled to an opening side of the case; and a terminal part disposed on the cover plate to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly, wherein the terminal part is slidable on the cover plate in one direction.

The one direction may be parallel to a width direction of the cover plate, and the terminal portion may slide by an external force transmitted in the one direction.

The cover plate may include a guide protrusion extending in the one direction and protruding toward the terminal portion, and the terminal portion may include a guide groove extending in the one direction and into which the guide protrusion is inserted to be slidable.

The cover plate may further include a stepped groove formed in a stepped shape on an inner side of the case, and at least a portion of the terminal portion may be slidably inserted into the stepped groove.

The terminal portion may further include an insertion portion having a length shorter than that of the step groove in the one direction and protruding toward the step groove to be inserted into the step groove.

The guide protrusion may be provided in the stepped groove to extend over the entire stepped groove in the one direction, and the guide groove may be open at opposite ends in the one direction.

The guide protrusion may be provided in the step groove to have a length shorter than that of the guide groove in the one direction, and may be completely inserted into the guide groove.

The terminal portion may include: a terminal plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly; and an insulating plate interposed between the terminal plate and the cap plate to be fixed to a lower portion of the terminal plate, and the guide groove may be formed on a surface of the insulating plate facing the cap plate.

The rechargeable battery may further include a column part configured to extend through the cap plate to electrically connect the terminal part and the electrode assembly, a terminal hole through which the column part extends may be provided in the cap plate, and the terminal hole may be provided to have a long shape extending in the one direction to move the column part in the one direction.

The rechargeable battery may further include a sealing gasket interposed between an inner surface of the terminal hole and the pillar to seal the terminal hole, and the sealing gasket may be made of an elastic material to move the pillar in the one direction and maintain a sealed state of the terminal hole.

The rechargeable battery may further include a current collecting member disposed inside the case to have a first side coupled to the electrode assembly and a second side coupled to the cylindrical portion, and the second side of the current collecting member may be moved in the one direction together with the cylindrical portion.

The cover plate may include a short circuit member deformed to protrude outside the case when an internal pressure of the case rises, and the terminal part may slide in a state where at least a portion of the terminal part is disposed at an upper portion of the short circuit member.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a battery module including a rechargeable battery configured to include a case for accommodating an electrode assembly therein, a cap plate coupled to an open side of the case, and terminal parts provided on the cap plate to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly, wherein the terminal parts slide in one direction on the cap plate.

The rechargeable battery may include a plurality of rechargeable batteries arranged in a width direction of the cap plate, each terminal portion of adjacent rechargeable batteries may be electrically connected to each other by a bus bar, and the terminal portions may slide in the width direction together with the bus bar.

The rechargeable battery may further include a column part configured to extend through the cap plate to electrically connect the terminal part and the electrode assembly, a terminal hole through which the column part extends may be provided in the cap plate, and the terminal hole may be provided to have a long shape extending in the width direction to move the column part in the width direction together with the terminal part and the bus bar.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a rechargeable battery and a battery module capable of effectively suppressing damage to terminal portions and the like by loads or displacements transmitted to the terminal portions while maintaining structural stability.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows a longitudinal sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates a terminal part of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a terminal part of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a terminal part of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 illustrates a battery module according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

In the following detailed description, only certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, simply by way of illustration.

As those skilled in the art will recognize, the described embodiments may be modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

In this specification, redundant description of the same constituent elements will be omitted.

In the present specification, it will be understood that when one component is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, the one component may be directly connected or directly coupled to the other component, or may be connected or coupled to the other component with the other component interposed therebetween. In the present specification, it will be understood that when one component is referred to as being "directly connected or coupled" to another component, the one component may be connected or coupled to the other component without the other component interposed therebetween.

It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

The singular forms shall include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or groups thereof.

Further, as used herein, the term "and/or" includes any combination of items or any of the items listed. In the present specification, "a or B" may include "a", "B", or "a and B".

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a rechargeable battery 100 includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator; a case 20 having an open side for accommodating the electrode assembly 10 therein; a cover plate coupled to an opening side of the case 20; and a terminal part 50 disposed on the cap plate 30 to be connected to the electrode assembly 10, wherein the terminal part 50 is slidable in one direction on the cap plate.

A lithium ion rechargeable battery having an angular shape will be described as an example of the rechargeable battery 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be applied to various types of batteries such as a lithium polymer battery or a cylindrical battery.

The rechargeable battery 100 may be used as an energy source for devices operated using electric energy, such as a Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), an Electric Vehicle (EV), a cordless cleaner, an electric bicycle, and an electric scooter.

An electrode assembly 10 is shown in fig. 2, the electrode assembly 10 including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator. The electrode assembly 10 may include a plurality of electrode assemblies 10, and be in a flat-pressed form after the separator is wound on a reel with being interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

The first and second electrodes may include an active region, which is a region where an active material is applied to a thin plate formed of a metal foil, and an uncoated region, which is a region where the active material is not coated.

The active region of the first electrode may be formed by coating an active material such as a transition metal oxide on a metal foil such as an aluminum foil, and the active region of the second electrode may be formed by coating an active material such as graphite or carbon on a metal foil such as a copper foil or a nickel foil.

The uncoated region of the first electrode and the uncoated region of the second electrode may protrude from one side of the active region of the first electrode and one side of the active region of the second electrode, respectively, in the length direction Y of the case 20, and may be spaced apart and have different polarities.

As a result, the uncoated region of the first electrode and the uncoated region of the second electrode may be disposed opposite to each other at opposite ends of the electrode assembly 10 in the length direction Y of the case 20, respectively.

Meanwhile, when the first electrode and the second electrode are disposed to overlap each other in the case 20, the uncoated region of the first electrode and the uncoated region of the second electrode may be formed by a plurality of thin films overlapping each other, respectively. The films of each uncoated region may be brought into contact with each other by ultrasonic welding to facilitate current movement.

The uncoated region of the first electrode and the uncoated region of the second electrode may be integrally formed with the metal foil of the active region of the first electrode and the metal foil of the active region of the second electrode, respectively.

The separator may be disposed between the active region of the first electrode and the active region of the second electrode for preventing short circuits and enabling movement of lithium ions, and may be formed of, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, a composite film of polyethylene and polypropylene.

The winding shaft of the electrode assembly 10 may be inserted into the case 20 in a direction parallel to the length direction Y of the case 20, and the electrode assembly 10 may be accommodated in the case 20 substantially together with the electrolyte solution. The electrolyte solution may be composed of an organic solvent such as EC, PC, DEC, EMC and DMC and an organic solvent such as LiPF₆And LiBF₄Is selected from the group consisting of Li salts of (a). The electrolyte solution may be in a liquid, solid or gel state.

The case 20 accommodates the electrode assembly 10 therein and has an open side. A space accommodating the electrode assembly 10 and the electrolyte solution is formed in the case 20, the case 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and an opening is formed in one side of the case 20. The opening of the case 20 allows the electrode assembly 10 to be inserted into the case 20.

The housing 20 may be made of metal such as aluminum or stainless steel. The housing 20 may be electrically connected to the first electrode or the second electrode, if desired.

The cover plate 30 is coupled to the open side of the case 20. The cover plate 30 may be formed to have a shape corresponding to the shape of the opening side of the case 20, and when the case 20 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the cover plate 30 may have a plate shape extending in one direction.

The cap plate 30 may be formed of the same material as that of the case 20, and may be coupled to the case 20 by a laser welding method or the like. The cap plate 30 may be electrically connected to the case 20, and when the case 20 is electrically connected to the first electrode or the second electrode of the electrode assembly 10, the cap plate 30 may have the same polarity as that of the case 20.

The cover plate 30 includes: an electrolyte injection port 32 for injecting an electrolyte; a vent hole 31 in which a vent plate having a notch formed therein is opened at a predetermined opening pressure; a short hole 34 in which a short member is installed to short-circuit the rechargeable battery at a predetermined operating pressure; and a terminal hole 33, into which the columnar portion 60 is inserted, and a terminal hole 33.

The electrolyte injection port 32 has a circular or polygonal sectional shape, and the size of the electrolyte injection port 32 is not particularly limited as long as a nozzle for injecting an electrolyte solution can be inserted into the electrolyte injection port 32 and the strength of the cap plate 30 or the like is not significantly deteriorated.

After the cap plate is coupled to the case 20, an electrolyte solution may be injected into the case 20 through the electrolyte injection port 32. After the electrolyte solution is injected, the electrolyte injection port 32 may be sealed with a sealing plug. In addition to the structure in which the electrolyte injection port 32 is sealed with the sealing plug, a filling material such as solder may be filled in the electrolyte injection port 32 by a soldering process.

The vent hole 31 is sealed with a vent plate to discharge the internal pressure of the case 20. When the internal pressure of the case 20 reaches a predetermined pressure, the vent plate is opened to open the vent hole 31. Notches may be formed in the aeration panel to facilitate opening of the aeration panel.

The short circuit member is mounted in the short circuit hole 34. The short circuit member may include a bent portion bent in a convex arc shape toward the electrode assembly 10 in a state where the pressure inside the case 20 is normal, and an edge portion disposed at the outside of the bent portion and fixed to the sidewall of the short circuit hole 34.

When gas is generated in the rechargeable battery 100 due to an abnormal reaction, the internal pressure of the rechargeable battery 100 rises. The short circuit member is electrically connected to the cap plate 30, and when the internal pressure of the rechargeable battery 100 or the case 20 is higher than a designed predetermined operating pressure of the short circuit member, the bent portion is deformed such that the protrusion direction is away from the electrode assembly 10.

The short circuit member having the deformed bent portion is preferably in contact with the terminal portion 50 disposed to face the bent portion, thereby causing a short circuit. As described above, when a short circuit occurs, no further battery reaction occurs, and explosion due to an increase in internal pressure therein can be prevented.

The terminal part 50 may further include at least one protrusion protruding toward the short circuit member at a portion of the terminal part 50 facing the short circuit member, so that it is possible to facilitate contact with and short circuit of the short circuit member. The protrusion is spaced apart from the short circuit member in a state before the bent portion is deformed.

The terminal hole 33 is penetrated by the column part 60 for electrically connecting the terminal part 50 and the electrode assembly 10. A sealing gasket 70 for sealing the inside of the housing 20 may be disposed between the inner surface of the terminal hole 33 and the column part 60.

The terminal portion 50 is provided on the cap plate 30.

The terminal part 50 may include a first terminal part 50 electrically connected to a first electrode of the electrode assembly 10 and a second terminal part 50 electrically connected to a second electrode of the electrode assembly 10.

The terminal portion 50 may be formed to have a rectangular plate shape. The terminal part 50 may be coupled to the column part 60 extending through the terminal hole 33 to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10, and may be electrically connected to the cap plate 30, or the insulating plate 54 may be interposed between the terminal part 50 and the cap plate 30.

The terminal portion 50 may be connected to a connection terminal of an external device requiring electric power, or may be connected to a bus bar 105 (see fig. 6) connecting the terminal portions 50 of a plurality of rechargeable batteries. The connection between the terminal portion 50 and the connection terminal or bus bar 105 may be a permanent connection such as physical contact, fitting, or welding.

Since the terminal portion 50 is connected to a connection terminal of an external device or the bus bar 105 or the like, external impact or pressure may be transmitted to the terminal portion 50, which may cause breakage or deformation, and such breakage or deformation of the terminal portion 50 may limit the use of the rechargeable battery 100.

Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal part 50 is slidably mounted on the cap plate 30 in one direction in the rechargeable battery 100. The structural relationship between the slidable terminal portion 50 and the cover plate 30 may be changed.

For example, the terminal portion 50 is coupled to the pillar portion 60, but a coupling structure such as welding with the cap plate 30 is not provided so that the terminal portion 50 can be slid by an external force.

Further, a groove or a protrusion for blocking the movement of the terminal portion 50 in a direction other than the sliding direction may be additionally provided for a stable arrangement structure on the cap plate 30 and the sliding of the terminal portion 50.

A terminal portion 50 having a plate shape according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown in fig. 1 and 2, and the terminal portion 50 is provided on the cover plate 30 to be slidable in one direction. The sliding direction of the terminal portion 50 may be determined in various directions as needed, and a guide protrusion 38 or the like may be provided on the cover plate 30 to set the sliding direction.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when an external force is applied to the connection terminal of the external device or the terminal part 50 combined with the bus bar 105, the terminal part 50 may slide by the external force, thereby preventing damage caused by the external force.

Meanwhile, in the rechargeable battery 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the one direction is parallel to the width direction X of the cap plate 30, and the terminal portion 50 slides by an external force transferred in the one direction.

An external force acting on the connection terminal of the external device or the terminal part 50 coupled with the bus bar 105 may be generated by a swelling phenomenon of the rechargeable battery.

The swelling phenomenon means that, when the internal pressure increases due to an abnormal reaction of the rechargeable battery, swelling of the case 20 occurs. The occurrence of the expansion phenomenon may cause the side surface of the case 20 shown in fig. 1 to expand, and may increase the expansion rate of the wide area side positioned in the width direction X of the cover plate 30 among the side surface of the case 20.

Therefore, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an external force may act on the terminal part 50 coupled with the connection terminal of the external device and the bus bar 105, etc. in the width direction X of the cap plate 30 due to the expansion, and the terminal part 50 may be provided to be slidable in the width direction X of the cap plate 30, thereby preventing the terminal part 50 from being damaged due to the external force.

Fig. 4 and 5 illustrate perspective views of the terminal part 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guide protrusion 38 may be provided on the cover plate 30 to extend in the one direction and protrude toward the terminal portion 50, the terminal portion 50 may have a guide groove 58 to be slidable, the guide groove 58 extends in the one direction and the guide protrusion 38 is inserted into the guide groove 58.

The guide protrusion 38 protrudes from one surface of the cover plate 30 toward the terminal portion 50, and extends in one direction in which the terminal portion 50 slides. The guide groove 58 is formed on one surface of the terminal portion 50 facing the cap plate 30 to extend in the one direction.

Fig. 2 shows a state where the guide protrusion 38 is inserted into the guide groove 58 of the terminal part 50, and fig. 4 and 5 show the guide protrusion 38 of the cap plate 30 separated from the terminal part 50.

The guide protrusion 38 and the guide groove 58 have the same width in the length direction Y of the cap plate 30 so that the terminal portion 50 can be prevented from sliding in a direction other than the one direction in which the terminal portion 50 slides on the cap plate 30 by the insertion of the guide protrusion 38 into the guide groove 58.

Therefore, the terminal portion 50 maintains structural stability on the cap plate 30, and the terminal portion 50 can slide in the one direction.

Meanwhile, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cap plate 30 may further include a stepped groove 39, the stepped groove 39 is recessed to be stepped on the inner side of the case 20, and at least a portion of the terminal portion 50 is slidably inserted into the stepped groove 39.

The stepped groove 39 has a shape recessed in the cover plate 30 to be stepped inside the housing 20 from a surface provided with the terminal portion 50. The terminal portion 50 is fully or partially inserted into the stepped groove 39 to slide.

The sliding area of the terminal portion 50 may be set by the stepped groove 39, thereby realizing the sliding structure of the terminal portion 50 and forming a stable coupling structure.

The step groove 39 may be formed to have the same width as that of a portion of the terminal portion 50 inserted into the step groove 39 with respect to the length direction Y of the cap plate 30. For example, when the entire section of the terminal portion 50 is inserted into the stepped groove 39, the terminal portion 50 and the stepped groove 39 have the same width, and when a portion of the terminal portion 50 is inserted, the stepped groove 39 may have the same width as the section of the inserted portion of the terminal portion 50.

This prevents the terminal portion 50 inserted into the stepped groove 39 from sliding in a direction other than the one direction, thereby improving the structural stability of the terminal portion 50 on the cap plate 30.

In addition, it is preferable that the length of the stepped groove 39 with respect to the width direction X of the cap plate 30 is longer than a portion of the terminal portion 50 inserted into the stepped groove 39 so that the terminal portion 50 can slide in one direction.

The sliding area of the terminal portion 50 may be limited by the stepped groove 39. The sliding range of the terminal portion 50 may be set by a difference in length between the terminal portion 50 and the stepped groove 39 with respect to the width direction X of the cap plate 30. The sliding distance of the terminal portion 50 may be set to various ranges of 0.1mm to 10mm, and the range is only exemplary, and the sliding range may be changed as needed.

Fig. 2 to 5 show the stepped groove 39 according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the stepped groove 39 has a substantially rectangular shape and at least a portion of the terminal portion 50 is inserted into the stepped groove 39.

Meanwhile, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal portion 50 has the insertion portion 59, and the insertion portion 59 has a length shorter than that of the step groove 39 in the one direction, protrudes toward the step groove 39, and is inserted into the step groove 39.

The insertion portion 59 is provided on one surface of the terminal portion 50 facing the cap plate 30. The insertion portions 59 are provided on the lower surface of the terminal portion 50 based on the structure in which the cap plate 30 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 20 as shown in fig. 1 and 2.

The insertion portion 59 may be formed throughout the entire section of the terminal portion 50, or may be formed only at a portion thereof. Fig. 2 shows an insertion portion 59 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the insertion portion 59 is formed to have a short length at the lower surface of the terminal portion 50 with respect to the length direction Y of the cap plate 30.

The insertion portion 59 may have the same width as the stepped groove 39 with respect to the length direction Y of the cap plate 30. As a result, the terminal portion 50 of the insertion portion 59 inserted into the stepped groove 39 is suppressed from moving in a direction other than the one direction.

Since the insertion portion 59 has a length shorter than that of the stepped groove 39 with respect to the width direction X of the lid plate 30, the terminal portion 50 is allowed to slide in one direction.

According to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guide protrusion 38 is provided within the stepped groove 39 to extend in the entire stepped groove 39 in the one direction, and the guide groove 58 is open at its opposite end in the one direction.

Referring to fig. 4, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guide protrusion 38 is disposed in the stepped groove 39, and the stepped groove 39 is formed on the entire surface of the cap plate 30 with respect to the width direction X of the cap plate 30. The step height of the step groove 39 and the protruding height of the guide protrusion 38 may be the same, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The length of the terminal portion 50 becomes shorter as compared with the guide protrusion 38 extending over the entire stepped groove 39 with respect to the width direction X of the lid plate 30, and the opposite end portions of the guide groove 58 of the terminal portion 50 with respect to the width direction X of the lid plate 30 are opened so that the guide protrusion 38 can be inserted into the guide groove 58.

That is, the guide protrusion 38 extends through the guide groove 58 in the width direction X of the cover plate 30, and the terminal portion 50 realizes a stable sliding structure by the guide protrusion 38 in the entire sliding area.

According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the guide protrusion 38 is provided within the stepped groove 39 to have a length shorter than that of the guide groove 58 in the one direction, and is completely inserted into the guide groove 58.

Referring to fig. 5, the guide protrusion 38 may be provided to have a length shorter than the lengths of the stepped groove 39 and the guide groove 58 in the stepped groove 39. The guide projection 38 may be inserted into the guide groove 58 over the entire length.

As described above, since the guide protrusion 38 has a length shorter than that of the guide groove 58, there is an advantage in design and manufacture for forming the guide protrusion 38 on the cap plate 30.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal part 50 may include a terminal plate 52 electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10 and an insulating plate 54 interposed between the terminal plate 52 and the cap plate 30 to be fixed at a lower portion of the terminal plate 52, and the guide groove 58 may be disposed on one surface of the insulating plate 54 facing the cap plate 30.

The terminal portion 50 including the insulating plate 54 is shown in fig. 2 to 5. The terminal portion 50 where the terminal plate 52 and the insulating plate 54 are separated from each other is shown in fig. 4 and 5.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the insulating plate 54 serves to electrically insulate the terminal portion 50 from the cap plate 30, and the insulating plate 54 slides on the cap plate 30 in a state where it is in contact with the cap plate 30.

The terminal plate 52 is combined with the column part 60 to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10, and is insulated from the cap plate 30 by the insulating plate 54. Referring to fig. 2, an insulation plate 54 is coupled to a lower portion of the terminal plate 52 to slide together with the terminal plate 52.

A guide groove 58 is formed on one surface of the insulating plate 54 of the terminal part 50 facing the cap plate 30, and the terminal part 50 is slid on the cap plate 30 in a state where the guide protrusion 38 is inserted into the guide groove 58 of the insulating plate 54.

Fig. 2 illustrates a column part 60 electrically connecting the electrode assembly 10 and the terminal part 50 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. According to the present exemplary embodiment, a column part 60 extending through the cap plate 30 to electrically connect the terminal part 50 and the electrode assembly 10 may be further included, a terminal hole 33 through which the column part 60 penetrates may be provided in the cap plate 30, and the terminal hole 33 may be provided to have a long shape extending in the one direction to allow the column part 60 to move in the one direction.

The column portion 60 may extend through the terminal hole 33 from the inside of the case 20 toward the outside of the case 20. The sectional shape of the columnar portion 60 and the sectional shape of the terminal hole 33 may be various shapes such as a circle.

In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal hole 33 is provided in a long shape extending in one direction in which the terminal portion 50 slides. Fig. 4 and 5 show the terminal hole 33 extending in the one direction to have a substantially elliptical shape.

Based on fig. 2, the upper end portion of the pillar portion 60 is inserted into the terminal portion 50 and coupled to the terminal portion 50, and at least the upper end portion of the pillar portion 60 moves in the one direction together with the terminal portion 50. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal hole 33 has a long shape extending in the one direction to allow the column part 60 to move.

The long-shaped terminal hole 33 may restrict the sliding range of the terminal portion 50 and the pillar portion 60 in the same manner as the guide groove 58 or the stepped groove 39. For example, the moving range of the columnar portion 60 may be limited by a difference in length of the cover 30 between the terminal hole 33 and the columnar portion 60 in the width direction X, and thus the sliding range of the terminal portion 50 may also be limited.

A sealing gasket 70 interposed between the inner surface of the terminal hole 33 and the pillar 60 to seal the terminal hole 33 may be further included, and the sealing gasket 70 may be formed of an elastic material to allow the pillar to move in the one direction and maintain a sealed state of the terminal hole 33.

The sealing gasket 70 seals the terminal hole 33, and the column portion 60 extends through the terminal hole 33 and is inserted into the terminal hole 33. The sealing gasket 70 has a shape surrounding the pillar portion 60, and the pillar portion 60 moves in one direction in which the terminal portion 50 slides (for example, in the width direction X of the cover 30), and thus the sealing gasket may also be provided to allow the pillar portion 60 to move.

Therefore, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the sealing gasket 70 is made of an elastic material having a compression force and a restoring force and excellent chemical resistance, the compression and restoration are performed according to the movement of the column part 60 and the sealing state of the terminal hole 33 is maintained.

The sealing gasket 70 may be made of an elastic material such as silicon rubber or epoxy. In addition, the basic shape of the sealing gasket 70 before compression and recovery may be set to correspond to the sectional shape of the long-shaped terminal hole 33.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the rechargeable battery 100 may further include a current collecting member 40 disposed inside the case 20 to have a first side 41 coupled to the electrode assembly 10 and a second side 42 coupled to the pillar portion 60, and the second side 42 of the current collecting member 40 may be allowed to move in the one direction together with the pillar portion 60.

The first side 41 of the current collecting member 40 is coupled to the uncoated region of the electrode assembly 10, and the second side 42 of the current collecting member 40 is coupled to the cylindrical part 60. The current collecting member 40 may have various shapes, and may have a bent shape according to the positions of the pillar portion 60 and the uncoated region of the electrode assembly 10 as shown in fig. 2.

Based on fig. 2, the displacement may be formed by the second side 42 of the current collecting member 40, which is coupled to the lower portion of the pillar portion 60, together with the terminal portion 50 and the pillar portion 60, while the first side 41 of the current collecting member 40, which is coupled to the uncoated region, is formed of a metal film, thereby providing a degree of flexibility, which may allow the second side 42 of the current collecting member 40 to move together with the pillar portion 60.

Further, the first side 41 or the second side 42 of the current collecting member 40 may be formed of a deformable conductive metal to allow the second side 42 to move together with the pillar portion 60.

Meanwhile, fig. 3 illustrates an enlarged view of a terminal portion disposed adjacent to the short circuit member in fig. 2. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the cap plate 30 includes a short circuit member deformed to protrude to the outside of the case 20 as the internal pressure of the case 20 rises, and the terminal part 50 may slide in a state where at least a portion of the terminal part 50 is disposed at an upper portion of the short circuit member.

Referring to fig. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a short hole 34 and a short member are included, and an edge portion of the short member is fixed on a side surface of the short hole 34. The terminal portions 50 are disposed in the sliding region so that the bent portions are always in contact with the terminal portions 50 under an operating pressure or higher. That is, the terminal portion 50 is always disposed to cover the upper portion of the short circuit hole 34 in the sliding region.

Therefore, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, even when the terminal part 50 is slidable, if the internal pressure of the case 20 is increased, the short-circuit member and the terminal part 50 may be short-circuited, thereby improving safety.

Fig. 2 shows a structure in which the first terminal portion 50 and the second terminal portion 50 are disposed at the left and right sides, respectively, and the second terminal portion 50 is disposed to cover the upper portion of the short-circuit hole 34. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 2, the short-circuit member has the same polarity as that of the cap plate 30 and the first terminal part 50, and the rechargeable battery 100 is short-circuited by the short-circuit of the short-circuit member and the second terminal part 50.

The first terminal part 50 is shown in fig. 2 as including the insulating plate 54, but the first terminal part 50 may be provided in a form of removing the insulating plate 54, if necessary, to electrically connect the first terminal part 50 and the cap plate 30.

Further, as shown in fig. 2, the first terminal part 50 may include an insulating plate 54, the current collecting member 40, etc. may be electrically connected to the case 20 or the cap plate 30, or the first terminal part 50, the cap plate 30, and the short circuit member may have the same polarity through the connector member.

Fig. 6 shows a battery module 200 including the plurality of rechargeable batteries shown in fig. 1 and 2. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 200 includes rechargeable batteries 100, each of the rechargeable batteries 100 including a case 20 for receiving an electrode assembly 10 therein, a cap plate 30 coupled to an open side of the case 20, and terminal parts 50 provided on the cap plate 30 to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10, the terminal parts 50 sliding in one direction on the cap plate 30. The description of the sliding characteristics of the rechargeable battery 100 and the terminal part 50 will be omitted as much as possible.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in the battery module 200, a plurality of rechargeable batteries may be arranged in the width direction X of the cap plate 30, each of the terminal portions 50 in the adjacent rechargeable batteries may be electrically connected to each other by the bus bar 105, and the terminal portions 50 may be slid in the width direction X together with the bus bar 105.

As described above, the plurality of rechargeable batteries are arranged in the width direction X of the cap plate 20. However, they may be arranged along the length direction Y of the cap plate 30 according to the use. The rechargeable batteries may be connected in series or in parallel.

The terminal portions 50 of the adjacent rechargeable batteries are electrically connected to each other by a bus bar 105. The bus bar 105 extends between the terminal portions 50 of the adjacent rechargeable batteries and is welded to the corresponding terminal portion 50.

When expansion occurs in one or more of the rechargeable batteries or pressure is applied from the outside in the width direction X, an external force formed by the expansion or pressure transmitted from the outside of the battery module is finally transmitted to the bus bar 105 and the terminal portion 50 coupled with the bus bar 105.

In this case, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the terminal portion 50 slides in the width direction X of the cap plate 30 together with the bus bar 105, thereby forming a displacement to absorb an external force.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, in the battery module 200, each rechargeable battery may further include a pillar portion 60 extending through the cap plate 30 and electrically connected to the electrode assembly 10 and the terminal portion 50, a terminal hole 33 through which the pillar portion 60 extends may be provided in the cap plate 30, and the terminal hole 33 may be provided to have a long shape extending in the width direction X to allow the pillar portion 60 to move in the width direction X together with the terminal portion 50 and the bus bar 105.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to particular embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

< description of symbols >

10: an electrode assembly; 20: shell body

30: a cover plate; 31: vent hole

32: an electrolyte injection port; 33: terminal hole

34: a short circuit hole; 38: guide projection

39: a terminal hole; 40: current collecting component

50: a terminal portion; 52: terminal board

54: an insulating plate; 58: guide groove

59: an insertion portion; 60: columnar part

70: a sealing gasket; 100: rechargeable battery

105: a bus bar; 200: battery module