Patent Description:
Representative energy storage devices that store electrical energy include batteries and capacitors. Among these capacitors, an ultra-capacitor (UC) is also called a super capacitor, and is a next-generation energy storage device that has intermediate characteristics between an electrolytic capacitor and a secondary battery and is capable of being used together with and replacing a secondary battery due to the high efficiency and semi-permanent life characteristics thereof.

The ultra-capacitor may be classified into an electric double layer capacitor (EDLC) or a pseudo-capacitor according to an energy storage mechanism thereof.

The pseudo-capacitor uses a phenomenon in which charges are accumulated on an electrode surface or inside an electrode near the surface, whereas the electric double layer capacitor uses a property that causes charges to be absorbed to an electric double layer at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte.

In the electric double layer capacitor, a material having a large surface area such as activated carbon is used as an active material of the electrode to form an electric double layer on the contact surface between the surface of the electrode material and the electrolyte. That is, charge layers having different polarities are generated at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte due to an electrostatic effect. The charge distribution formed thereby is called an electric double layer, and this phenomenon allows the electric double layer capacitor to have a storage capacity equal to that of a storage battery.

The electric double layer capacitor has a fast charging/discharging characteristic because it uses the principle in which charges are absorbed to/desorbed from the electric double layer generated at the interface between the electrode and the electrolyte. Accordingly, it is possible to use the electric double layer capacitor as an auxiliary power source for a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer, or a PDA. In addition, the electric double layer capacitor is very suitable as a main or auxiliary power source for an electric vehicle, a night road indication lamp, or an uninterrupted power supply (UPS) that require high capacity.

It is very important for the electrode of such an electric double layer capacitor to have high energy through a large specific surface area, high output power through a low specific resistance, and electrochemical stability through suppression of electrochemical reactions at the interface. Therefore, activated carbon powder or activated carbon fiber having a large specific surface area is currently the most widely used as the main material of an electrode, and a low specific resistance is realized by mixing a conductor with the activated carbon powder or activated carbon fiber or coating the activated carbon powder or activated carbon fiber with metal powder using a spray coating method.

Conventional electric double layer capacitors have been widely used in a cylindrical shape in which an electrode element is wound for miniaturization. Various studies are underway to minimize the internal resistance of energy storage devices in order to improve the electrical characteristics of such winding-type energy storage devices. As an example, studies on the structures and arrangements of lead wires connecting electrode elements and electrode terminals wound in a cylindrical shape in wound energy storage devices are underway.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in <FIG>, a conventional energy storage device <NUM> includes a cylindrical electrode element <NUM>, a housing <NUM> that accommodates the electrode element <NUM> and an electrolyte (not illustrated), a terminal plate <NUM> that covers the opened top surface of the housing <NUM>, electrode terminals <NUM> and <NUM> protruding to the outside of the electrode plate <NUM>, and a plurality of lead wires <NUM> electrically connecting the electrode element <NUM> to the electrode terminals <NUM> and <NUM>.

The terminal plate <NUM> used in the energy storage device <NUM> includes an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) layer 13a configured to perform a sealing function and a bakelite layer 13b configured to perform a support function. The basic structure of the terminal plate <NUM> is a structure in which the EPDM layer 13a is stacked on the bakelite layer 13b.

However, since the bakelite layer 13b, which is mainly used for a conventional terminal board <NUM>, has a relatively weak durability, the bakelite layer 13b is often broken during the manufacturing or using of the energy storage device <NUM>. In addition, when the bakelite layer 13b is broken and a portion of the EPDM layer 13a is torn or the EPDM layer 13a is not formed to be firmly attached to the inner side of the housing <NUM>, there is a problem in that the electrolyte inside the housing <NUM> leaks to the outside. In addition, since a rubber material having elasticity is not provided on the side of the terminal plate, high airtightness between the terminal plate and the housing is not achieved. Thus, there is a problem in that the electrolyte evaporates and leaks from a side surface, causing a decrease in capacity and an increase in resistance.

<CIT> discloses a composite cover plate and application of the same, in which the composite cover plate for the locking of compartments of electric components, especially for locking the metallic can compartment of an electric condenser consists of an aluminum disc sandwiched between a rubber coating applied on its one side and a disc of artificial material on its opposite side.

<CIT> discloses a cover with an electrically insulated current lead-through for closing cup-shaped compartments of electrical components including a lead-through element in the form of a lead-through disc having a lead-through post extending therefrom, a permeation-proof and electrical insulating material disposed over one side of the lead-through disc, and a cover plate disposed over the electrical insulating material such that the latter is sandwiched between the cover plate and the lead-through disc.

<CIT> discloses a novel laminated material with an insert consisting of a metal foil. Such laminated materials are suitable in particular for sealing electrical equipment, electrolyte capacitors, accumulators, batteries etc..

<CIT> discloses a casing for a capacitor formed by an aluminium cylinder which is bent over at the top around an end cap. This cap is formed by an inner aluminium disc, an outer aluminium disc and a butyl rubber insulating layer between them.

<CIT> discloses a combined energy storage capacitor comprising an insulated cover plate, a shell, and a capacitor core. The capacitor core is sealed and pressed in the shell by the insulated cover plate. The capacitor core is formed by coiling an anode foil, a piece of electrolytic paper and a cathode foil.

In an aspect, the present disclosure is to solve the problems described above and other problems. In another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage device improved in reliability and durability.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage device having a terminal plate including a metal member and a sealing member surrounding the metal member.

In still another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage device capable of improving rigidity of the terminal plate using a metal member having a structural shape.

In yet another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide an energy storage device capable of reinforcing sealing and insulation of the terminal plate using a sealing member having a structural shape.

In view of the foregoing, the present disclosure provides an energy storage device as defined in claim <NUM> including: an electrode element including an anode plate, a separator, and a cathode plate; a housing configured to accommodate the electrode element; a terminal plate configured to cover an opened top surface of the housing; and electrode terminals protruding to an outside of the terminal plate and including an anode terminal, a cathode terminal, and two terminal pins. The terminal plate consists of a metal member and a sealing member that surrounds a top surface and a bottom surface of the metal member, and an outermost side surface between the top surface and the bottom surface, and the sealing member includes an outer upper horizontal portion, an outer lower horizontal portion, and an outer vertical portion disposed between the housing and the metal member. The metal member has a plurality of through holes formed in a region thereof so as to accommodate the sealing member, the plurality of through holes being filled with the sealing member.

More preferably, the metal member has a diameter d1 different from the diameter d2 of a beaded portion formed on an upper portion of the housing.

More preferably, the sealing member is made of an electrically insulative rubber material. In addition, the sealing member has a first diameter L1 and a second diameter L2, and the second diameter L2 is different from the first diameter L1. In addition, the sealing member has a first diameter L1 and a second diameter L2, and the second diameter L2 is equal to the first diameter L1. In addition, the sealing member includes an inner upper horizontal portion, an inner lower horizontal portion, and an inner vertical portion disposed between the terminal pins of the electrode terminals and the metal member.

More preferably, the metal member includes a first rigid structure formed by bending upward or downward in an edge region of the metal member. In addition, the metal member further includes a second rigid structure disposed along edges of first and second terminal pin holes into which the anode and cathode terminals are inserted, respectively.

More preferably, the metal member further includes a second rigid structure including a first protrusion formed on the top surface of the metal member and a first recess formed in the bottom surface of the metal member at a position corresponding to a position of the first protrusion.

The sealing member surrounds two terminal pin holes of the metal member.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing the terminal plate including the metal member having a structural shape and the sealing member surrounding the metal member, it is possible to improve an electrolyte sealing effect compared to the conventional energy storage device.

In addition, according to at least one of the embodiments of the present disclosure, by providing the terminal plate including the metal member having a structural shape and the sealing member surrounding the metal member, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the terminal plate, and thus it is possible to improve the reliability and durability of the energy storage device.

However, the effects which can be obtained by the present disclosure are not limited to those described above, and a person ordinarily skilled in the art, to which the present disclosure belongs, could understand other effects, which are not described above, from the appended claims.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and regardless of reference numerals, the same or similar elements will be assigned the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, in describing the embodiments disclosed herein, when it is determined that a detailed description of related known technologies may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the accompanying drawings are provided for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein.

The present disclosure proposes an energy storage device improved in reliability and durability. In addition, the present disclosure proposes an energy storage device having a terminal plate including a metal member and a sealing member surrounding the metal member. In addition, the present disclosure proposes an energy storage device capable of increasing the rigidity of a terminal plate using a metal member having a structural shape. In addition, the present disclosure proposes an energy storage device capable of reinforcing sealing and insulation of a terminal plate using a sealing member having a structural shape.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of an energy storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> is a view illustrating the configuration of an electrode element included in the energy storage device of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a view illustrating the configuration of a terminal plate included in the energy storage device of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, an energy storage device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a cylindrical electrode element <NUM>, a housing <NUM> that accommodates the electrode element <NUM>, an electrolyte (not illustrated) accommodated in the housing <NUM>, wherein the electrode element <NUM> is immersed into the electrolyte, terminal plates <NUM> that cover the opened top surface of the housing <NUM>, electrode terminals <NUM> protruding to the outside of the electrode plates <NUM>, and a plurality of lead wires <NUM> electrically connecting the electrode element <NUM> to the electrode terminals <NUM>.

The electrode element <NUM> includes at least one anode plate, at least one separator, and at least one cathode plate. The electrode element <NUM> is formed by sequentially stacking the anode plate, the separator, and the cathode plate, and then winding them in a cylindrical shape.

The anode plate includes an active material layer including a metallic current collector and porous activated carbon, and one or more anode lead wires <NUM> are connected to one side thereof. The cathode plate includes an active material layer including a metallic current collector and porous activated carbon, and one or more cathode lead wires <NUM> are connected to one side thereof. It is preferable to remove the active material layer from the portions of the current collectors to which the anode and cathode lead wires <NUM> and <NUM> are connected.

Each of the current collectors constituting the anode plate and the cathode plate is typically formed in the form of a metal foil, and serves as a passage for electric charges discharged from the active material layers or supplied to the active material layers. The active material layers constituting the anode plate and the cathode plate are composed of activated carbon and are widely coated on opposite surfaces of the current collector. The active material layers serve to store the electrical energy of the anode and the cathode.

A separator for limiting conduction of electric charges is disposed between the anode plate and the cathode plate, and the inside of the housing <NUM> is filled with an electrolyte, into which the electrode element <NUM> is immersed. When a predetermined voltage is applied to the anode plate and the cathode plate in the state in which the housing <NUM> is filled with the electrolyte, the positive and negative ions contained in the electrolyte move to the anode plate and the cathode plate, respectively, and penetrate into the pores of the porous active material layers.

The housing (or body case) <NUM> serves to accommodate the electrode element <NUM> and the electrolyte. In this case, the side and bottom surfaces of the housing <NUM> may be configured to be sealed to the outside, and the top surface may be configured to be opened to the outside.

The housing <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the overall shape of the electrode element <NUM>. In addition, the housing <NUM> may be formed of a metal material or a synthetic resin material. For example, the housing <NUM> may be made of an aluminum (Al) material or an aluminum alloy material.

On the upper end of the housing <NUM>, a curled portion <NUM> having a shape bent from the upper end to the inside may be formed in order to fix the terminal plate <NUM> to the upper portion of the housing <NUM>. For example, the curled portion <NUM> may be formed by bending the end portion of the housing <NUM> to have a curved shape. In addition, the curled portion <NUM> may be formed to be in close contact with the top surface of the terminal plate <NUM>. The curled portion <NUM> not only maintains the internal pressure of the housing <NUM>, but also seals the electrolyte so that the electrolyte in the housing <NUM> does not leak to the outside.

A beaded portion <NUM> in a shape recessed inward from the side surface of the housing <NUM> may be formed on the upper portion of the housing <NUM> in order to fix the terminal plate <NUM> to the upper portion of the housing <NUM>. The beaded portion <NUM> may be formed through a beading process on the housing <NUM>. The beaded portion <NUM> may be formed along a circumferential direction from a side surface of the housing <NUM>.

The terminal plate <NUM> is disposed above the housing <NUM>, and serves to seal (or cover) the opened top surface of the housing <NUM>. In this case, the terminal plate <NUM> may be disposed between the curled portion <NUM> and the beaded portion <NUM> located in the upper portion of the housing <NUM>, and may be firmly fixed to the upper portion of the housing <NUM> via the curled portion <NUM> and the beaded portion <NUM>.

The terminal plate <NUM> may include a metal member (or a metal plate <NUM>) and a sealing member <NUM> surrounding the metal member <NUM>. In this case, the terminal plate <NUM> may be formed to have a uniform thickness as a whole.

The metal member <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal plate <NUM>. For example, the metal member <NUM> may be formed in a circular plate shape. In addition, the metal member <NUM> may be formed of an aluminum (Al) material or an aluminum alloy material, but is not limited thereto.

The metal member <NUM> serves to support the electrode terminals <NUM>. In addition, the metal member <NUM> serves as a body frame of the terminal plate <NUM>. In this case, it is necessary to design the metal member <NUM> to withstand a high pressure generated inside the housing <NUM>. To this end, the metal member <NUM> may be formed to have a structural shape for increasing the rigidity of the terminal plate <NUM>.

The diameter d1 of the metal member <NUM> may be larger than the diameter d2 of the beaded portion <NUM>. This is to fix the metal member <NUM> such that the metal member <NUM> does not descend toward the lower portion of the housing <NUM> by forming the metal member <NUM> to be engaged with the beaded portion <NUM>.

The metal member <NUM> may extend in a horizontal direction such that at least a portion of the metal member <NUM> is located under the curled portion <NUM>. This is to improve the sealing function of the terminal plate <NUM> such that the electrolyte inside the housing <NUM> does not leak to the outside by disposing the sealing member <NUM> between the metal member <NUM> and the curled portion <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> may be formed in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the metal member <NUM>. For example, the sealing member <NUM> may be formed in a circular plate shape. In addition, an empty space for accommodating the metal member <NUM> may be formed inside the sealing member <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> serves to seal the electrolyte inside the housing <NUM> so that the electrolyte does not leak to the outside. In particular, by disposing the sealing member <NUM> on the outermost side of the terminal plate <NUM>, it is possible to tightly seal the electrolyte having strong volatility so as to prevent evaporation or leakage through the gap between the side surface of the terminal plate and the housing <NUM>, which have a somewhat weak bonding force. In addition, the sealing member <NUM> serves to insulate the metal member <NUM> so as to prevent the occurrence of a short between the anode terminal <NUM> and the cathode terminal <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> may be formed to surround the entire metal member <NUM> such that the metal member <NUM> is not exposed to the outside. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the sealing member <NUM> may be formed to surround the top surface, the bottom surface, and the side surface of the metal member <NUM>, and terminal pin holes. Accordingly, the sealing member <NUM> may be disposed between the inner surface of the housing <NUM> and the metal member <NUM>.

In addition, the sealing member <NUM> may also be disposed between the terminal pins of the electrode terminals <NUM> and the metal member <NUM>. More specifically, the sealing member <NUM> may include an inner upper horizontal portion 133a disposed between the terminal pins of the electrode terminals <NUM> and the metal member <NUM>, an inner lower horizontal portion 133b, and an inner vertical portion 133c. The inner upper horizontal portion 133a, the inner lower horizontal portion 133b, and the inner vertical portion 133c may improve a sealing and bonding force between the electrode terminals <NUM> and the terminal plate <NUM>. Through the arrangement structure of the sealing member <NUM>, it is possible to effectively prevent the electrolyte inside the housing <NUM> from being exposed to the outside. Since the electrolyte is particularly highly volatile, the gap between the terminal pin <NUM> and the metal member <NUM>, in which the bonding force may be weakened due to bonding between the dissimilar members, is firmly sealed so as to prevent evaporation or leakage of the electrolyte. In addition, since the electrode terminals <NUM> are exposed to a high temperature between the electrode terminals <NUM> and the terminal plate <NUM>, there is a high risk that the members having different thermal expansion coefficients are separated from each other due to the difference in thermal expansion of the members, and thus the airtightness decreases. Thus, it is necessary to ensure high airtightness.

Meanwhile, although not illustrated in the drawings, in another embodiment, the sealing member <NUM> may be formed to surround at least a portion of the metal member <NUM> such that at least a portion of the metal member <NUM> is exposed to the outside. That is, in order to keep the thickness of the terminal plate <NUM> constant, the metal member <NUM> may be formed to be exposed to the outside through at least some regions of the top and bottom surfaces of the sealing member <NUM>.

The sealing member <NUM> may be formed of an electrically insulative rubber material. For example, the sealing member <NUM> may be formed of an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material.

Electrode terminals <NUM> including an anode terminal <NUM> to which one or more anode lead wires <NUM> are connected and a cathode terminal <NUM> to which one or more cathode lead wires <NUM> are connected are coupled to the terminal plate <NUM>. To this end, two terminal pin holes (not illustrated) may be formed in the terminal plate <NUM>.

The electrode terminals <NUM> may be made of at least one of aluminum (Al), steel, or stainless steel in order to ensure mechanical strength. Furthermore, by coating the surfaces of the electrode terminals <NUM> with nickel (Ni), tin (Sn), or the like, it is possible to ensure the bonding property through soldering or the like.

The electrode terminals <NUM> allow the anode terminal <NUM> and the cathode terminal <NUM> to be disposed in directions perpendicular to each other outside the terminal plate <NUM>. This is to allow the same bearing force to be generated regardless the direction in which a bending moment caused by an external force acts.

The plurality of lead wires <NUM> may be connected to the anode plate and the cathode plate of the electrode element <NUM> through a laser welding process and/or a rivet press-fitting process. The anode lead wires <NUM> may be disposed on the anode plate at regular intervals, and the cathode lead wires <NUM> may be disposed on the cathode plate at regular intervals. This is because, when the plurality of lead wires <NUM> are irregularly connected to the electrode plate, an electric current applied to the electrode plate does not spread evenly to the electrode, and thus the resistance value is increased, which may adversely affect the reliability of the energy storage device.

In addition, the plurality of lead wires <NUM> may be electrically connected to the electrode terminals <NUM> through a laser welding process and/or a rivet press-fitting process. That is, the anode lead wires <NUM> may be electrically connected to the anode terminal <NUM> coupled to the terminal plate <NUM>, and the cathode lead wires <NUM> may be electrically connected to the cathode terminal <NUM> coupled to the terminal plate <NUM>.

As described above, the energy storage device according to the present disclosure includes a terminal plate including a metal member and a sealing member surrounding the metal member, thereby improving not only the sealing effect of the electrolyte, but also the reliability and durability of the energy storage device.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating shapes of terminal plates according to various embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, <FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating shapes obtained when cross sections of terminal plates are viewed from a side, and <FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating shapes obtained when the terminal plates are viewed from above.

Referring to <FIG>, the terminal plate <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first sealing member <NUM> and a metal member <NUM>, and a terminal plate <NUM> according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes a second sealing member <NUM> having a shape different from the first sealing member <NUM> and the metal member <NUM>.

Each of the first and second sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed to surround the metal member <NUM>. To this end, an empty space may be formed inside each of the first and second sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> to accommodate the metal member <NUM>. Each of these first and second sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> is integrally coupled with the metal member <NUM> to form the terminal plate <NUM>.

The first and second sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed in a shape corresponding to the shape of an opening formed at an upper end of the housing <NUM>. For example, the first and second sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed in a circular plate shape.

The side surfaces (i.e., circumferential surfaces) of the first and second sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed in a planar shape or a curved shape. As an example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the side surface of the first sealing member <NUM> may be formed in a planar shape extending in a vertical direction. The first sealing member <NUM> may include an edge region, that is, an outer upper horizontal portion <NUM>, an outer lower horizontal portion <NUM>, and an outer vertical portion <NUM> disposed between the metal member <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. The outer upper horizontal portion <NUM>, the outer lower horizontal portion <NUM>, and the outer vertical portion <NUM> may improve the sealing and bonding force between the housing <NUM> and the terminal plate <NUM>.

Meanwhile, as an example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the side surface of the second sealing member <NUM> may be formed in a curved shape protruding in a horizontal direction. The second sealing member <NUM> may have a first length (or diameter L1) and a second length (or diameter L2). Here, the second length L2 may be larger than the first length L1. In addition, the second length L2 may be the maximum diameter of the second sealing member <NUM>, and the first length L1 may be the minimum diameter of the second sealing member <NUM>.

The second sealing member <NUM> may include an edge region, that is, an outer upper horizontal portion <NUM>, an outer lower horizontal portion <NUM>, and an outer vertical portion <NUM> disposed between the metal member <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. The outer upper horizontal portion <NUM>, the outer lower horizontal portion <NUM>, and the outer vertical portion <NUM> may improve the sealing and bonding force between the housing <NUM> and the terminal plate <NUM>. In addition, when the side surface of the second sealing member <NUM> is formed in a curved shape, it is possible not only to guide the terminal plate <NUM> such that the terminal plate can be easily assembled on the upper end of the housing <NUM>, but also to improve the sealing performance.

Each of the sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed to have a uniform thickness as a whole. In addition, the thickness of the sealing member <NUM> or <NUM> disposed on the upper portion of the metal member <NUM> may be formed equal or similar to the thickness of the sealing member <NUM> or <NUM> disposed under the corresponding metal member <NUM>.

Two terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM> or <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed in each of the sealing members <NUM> and <NUM>. The anode terminal <NUM> and the cathode terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the sealing member <NUM> or <NUM> through the two terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM> or <NUM> and <NUM>.

These first and second sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> perform a role of sealing the electrolyte inside the housing <NUM> such that the electrolyte does not leak to the outside. In addition, each of the first and second sealing members <NUM> and <NUM> serves to insulate the metal member <NUM> such that a short is not generated between the anode terminal <NUM> and the cathode terminal <NUM>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of a metal member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a metal member <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed inside a terminal plate <NUM>, and may be formed in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal plate <NUM>. For example, the metal member <NUM> may be formed in a circular plate shape.

The metal member <NUM> may be formed to have a structural shape as a body frame of the terminal plate <NUM>. For example, the metal member <NUM> may be formed in a circular plate shape having flat top and bottom surfaces.

The metal member <NUM> is disposed inside the sealing member <NUM>, and serves to maintain the rigidity of the terminal plate <NUM>. The sealing member <NUM> may be formed to have a uniform thickness as a whole.

Two terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed in an area of the metal member <NUM>. An anode terminal <NUM> and a cathode terminal <NUM> may be coupled to the metal member <NUM> through the two terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

The metal member <NUM> having such a structural shape serves to support the electrode terminals <NUM>. In addition, the metal member <NUM> serves to withstand the high pressure generated inside the housing.

<FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of a metal member according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a view illustrating a cross section of a terminal plate including the metal member of <FIG> taken along line A-A'. Since the metal member <NUM> according to the present embodiment is similar to the metal member <NUM> of <FIG> described above, the difference will be mainly described.

Referring to <FIG>, the metal member <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed inside a terminal plate <NUM>, and may be formed in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal plate <NUM>.

The metal member <NUM> may be formed to have a structural shape as a body frame of the terminal plate. For example, the metal member <NUM> may be formed in a circular plate shape having flat top and bottom surfaces.

In addition, a plurality of through holes <NUM> may be formed in an area of the metal member <NUM> to accommodate a sealing member <NUM>. The through holes <NUM> may have the same or similar shapes, respectively. For example, the through holes <NUM> may be formed in a circular shape, but are not necessarily limited thereto.

The plurality of through holes <NUM> may be arranged to be evenly distributed over the entire area of the metal member <NUM>. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the plurality of through holes <NUM> are illustrated as being randomly arranged, but are not necessarily limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the plurality through holes <NUM> may be arranged in a predetermined pattern.

The diameter d3 of each through hole <NUM> may be formed to have a size of at least <NUM>. In addition, the diameter d3 of each through hole <NUM> may be smaller than the diameters of the terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM>.

During a process of manufacturing the terminal plate <NUM>, the sealing member <NUM> is formed to surround the metal member <NUM>. In that process, the material of the sealing member <NUM> may be introduced into the plurality of through holes <NUM> in the metal member <NUM>. Accordingly, a first sealing member (not illustrated) formed on the top of the metal member <NUM> and a second sealing member (not below) formed on the bottom of the metal member <NUM> may be connected to each other via a third sealing member (not illustrated) introduced into the plurality of through holes <NUM>. Through this connection structure, the sealing member <NUM> may be closely coupled (attached) to the opposite surfaces of the metal member <NUM>.

<FIG> are 9B are views illustrating the shape of a metal member according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, <FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of the top surface of the metal member, and <FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of the bottom surface of the metal member. Since the metal member <NUM> according to the present embodiment is similar to the metal member <NUM> of <FIG> described above, the difference will be mainly described.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a metal member <NUM> according to a still another embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed inside a terminal plate <NUM>, and may be formed in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal plate <NUM>. The metal member <NUM> may be formed to have a structural shape for increasing the rigidity of the terminal plate <NUM>.

A first rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in an edge region of the metal member <NUM>. The first rigid structure <NUM> is formed along an edge region of the metal member <NUM>, and may be bent upward or downward from one surface of the metal member <NUM>. For example, the first rigid structure <NUM> may be formed by bending an end portion of the metal member <NUM> in a vertical direction, but is not limited thereto.

Second rigid structures <NUM> may be formed around the terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The second rigid structures <NUM> are formed along the edge regions of the terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, and may be bent upward from the top surface of the metal member <NUM>. For example, the second rigid structures <NUM> may be formed by bending the metal member <NUM> in the vicinities of the terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM> in the vertical direction, but are not limited thereto.

In addition, although not illustrated in the drawings, a plurality of through holes (not illustrated) may be formed in an area of the metal member <NUM> to accommodate the sealing member <NUM>. This is to increase the bonding force (adhesion force) between the metal member <NUM> having a structural shape and the sealing member <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating the shape of a metal member according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, <FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of the top surface of the metal member, and <FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of the bottom surface of the metal member. Since the metal member <NUM> according to the present embodiment is similar to the metal member <NUM> of <FIG> described above, the difference will be mainly described.

A first rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in an edge region of the metal member <NUM>. As an embodiment, the first rigid structure <NUM> may be formed along an edge region of the metal member <NUM>, and may be bent upward or downward from the top surface of the metal member <NUM>.

Second rigid structures <NUM> may be formed around the terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. The second rigid structures <NUM> are formed along the edge regions of the terminal pin holes <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively, and may be bent in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first rigid structure <NUM> is bent.

In addition, a third rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in an inner region of the metal member <NUM>. The third rigid structure <NUM> may include a protrusion 1040a protruding upward from the top surface of the metal member <NUM>, and a recess 1040b recessed upward from the bottom surface of the metal member <NUM> at a position corresponding to that of the protrusion 1040a. For example, the third rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in a circular plate shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition, the side surface of the third rigid structure <NUM> may be inclined in a diagonal shape.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views illustrating the shape of a metal member according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, <FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of the top surface of a metal member, and <FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of the bottom surface of the metal member. Since the metal member <NUM> according to the present embodiment is similar to the metal member <NUM> of <FIG> described above, the difference will be mainly described.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the metal member <NUM> according to a still another embodiment of the present disclosure may be disposed inside a terminal plate <NUM>, and may be formed in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the terminal plate <NUM>. The metal member <NUM> may be formed to have a structural shape for increasing the rigidity of the terminal plate <NUM>.

A first rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in an edge region of the metal member <NUM>. As an embodiment, the first rigid structure <NUM> may be formed along an edge region of the metal member <NUM>, and may be bent vertically upward from the top surface of the metal member <NUM>.

In addition, second rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in an inner region of the metal member <NUM>. The second rigid structure <NUM> may include a first protrusion 1140a protruding upward from the top surface of the metal member <NUM>, and a first recess 1140b recessed upward from the bottom surface of the metal member <NUM> at a position corresponding to that of the first protrusion 1140a. For example, the second rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in a circular plate shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition, the side surface of the second rigid structure <NUM> may be inclined in a diagonal shape.

In addition, at least one third rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in an inner region of the metal member <NUM>. The third rigid structure <NUM> may include a second recess 1150a recessed downward from the top surface of the second rigid structure <NUM>, and a second protrusion 1150b protruding downward from the bottom surface of the second rigid structure <NUM> at a position corresponding to that of the second recess 1150a. For example, the third rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in a straight-line shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto. The third rigid structure <NUM> may be formed across the second rigid structure <NUM>.

Meanwhile, when the number of the third rigid structures <NUM> formed on the metal member <NUM> is plural, the plurality of third rigid structures <NUM> may have the same or similar shapes, respectively. In addition, the third rigid structures <NUM> may be formed to cross each other in the central region of the metal member <NUM>.

<FIG> are 12B are views illustrating the shape of a metal member according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. That is, <FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of the top surface of a metal member, and <FIG> is a view illustrating the shape of the bottom surface of the metal member. Since the metal member <NUM> according to the present embodiment is similar to the metal member <NUM> of <FIG> described above, the difference will be mainly described.

In addition, at least one third rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in an inner region of the metal member <NUM>. The third rigid structure <NUM> may include a protrusion 1240a protruding upward from the top surface of the metal member <NUM>, and a recess 1240b recessed upward from the bottom surface of the metal member <NUM> at a position corresponding to that of the protrusion 1240a. For example, the third rigid structure <NUM> may be formed in a rectangular column shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition, the side surface of the third rigid structure <NUM> may be inclined in a diagonal shape.

When the number of the third rigid structures <NUM> formed on the metal member <NUM> is plural, the plurality of third rigid structures <NUM> may have the same or similar shapes, respectively. In addition, the third rigid structures <NUM> may be formed to cross each other at one or more points on the metal member <NUM>.

In the above specification, metal members each having several structural shapes are exemplified, but the present disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto. In addition, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is possible to form metal members having various structural shapes according to the technical idea of the present disclosure.

Claim 1:
An energy storage device (<NUM>) comprising:
an electrode element (<NUM>) including an anode plate, a separator, and a cathode plate;
a housing (<NUM>) configured to accommodate the electrode element;
a terminal plate (<NUM>) configured to cover an opened top surface of the housing; and
electrode terminals (<NUM>) protruding to an outside of the terminal plate and including an anode terminal, a cathode terminal, and two terminal pins,
characterized in that the terminal plate (<NUM>) consists of:
a metal member (<NUM>); and
a sealing member (<NUM>) that surrounds a top surface and a bottom surface of the metal member, and an outermost side surface between the top surface and the bottom surface,
wherein the sealing member (<NUM>) comprises an outer upper horizontal portion, an outer lower horizontal portion, and an outer vertical portion disposed between the housing and the metal member, and
wherein the metal member (<NUM>) has a plurality of through holes (<NUM>) formed in a region thereof so as to accommodate the sealing member, the plurality of through holes being filled with the sealing member.