Patent Description:
In general, secondary batteries refer to batteries that can be repeatedly charged and recharged unlike non-rechargeable primary batteries. Secondary batteries are used as energy sources of devices such as mobile devices, electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, electric bicycles, or uninterruptible power supplies. Secondary batteries are individually used or secondary battery modules (packs) each including a plurality of secondary batteries connected as one unit are used according to the types of external devices using secondary batteries.

Unlike small mobile devices such as cellular phones each operable for a certain period of time using a single battery, devices such as electric vehicles or hybrid vehicles having long operation times and consuming large amounts of electricity may prefer battery modules each including a plurality of batteries to handle problems relating to power and capacity, and the output voltages or currents of battery modules may be increased by adjusting the number of batteries included in each battery module.

<CIT> discloses a battery pack including a plurality of battery cells, a first conductive plate arranged over the plurality of battery cells and electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, a second conductive plate arranged over the first conductive plate to overlap a portion of the first conductive plate and electrically connecting the plurality of battery cells, and an insulating layer arranged between the first conductive plate and the second conductive plate.

Aspects of one or more embodiments are directed towards a battery pack which includes: a battery cell having a height less than the diameter of an electrode surface; and compressible conductors having a large height reduction when compressed for electrical connection with the battery cell. Thus, the battery pack may have a relatively low height and may be effectively used for slim devices.

Aspects of one or more embodiments are directed towards a battery pack having a simple electrical connection structure to form a charge-discharge path from first and second electrodes to first and second output positions, and thus the battery pack may have a compact structure.

Aspects of one or more embodiments are directed towards a battery pack having improved safety by preventing (e.g., fundamentally preventing) or substantially preventing a short circuit which may occur between first and second output positions through an unintended external conductor.

According to one or more embodiments, a battery pack includes: a battery cell including a first surface, a first electrode (directly) on the first surface, a second electrode (directly) on the first surface, a second surface opposing the first surface, and a lateral surface connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other; first and second leads above the first and second electrodes, the first and second leads being respectively connected to the first and second electrodes; an insulating adhesive layer between the first surface and the first lead; and an insulating cover layer (directly) on the first and second leads, the insulating cover layer including an opening through which portions of the first and second leads are exposed.

For example, the first electrode may be in a center area of the first surface, and the second electrode may be in a peripheral area of the first surface, the peripheral area of the first surface surrounding the first electrode.

For example, the first and second leads may be electrically connected to the first and second electrodes with first and second compressible conductors therebetween.

For example, the first and second compressible conductors may include an anisotropic conductive adhesive.

For example, the first and second leads may be electrically connected to the first and second electrodes by thermal bonding.

For example, the first and second leads may be exposed in a downwardly shifted manner from a top surface of the insulating cover layer.

For example, the opening may include first and second openings through which the portions of the first and second leads may be respectively exposed.

For example, the first and second openings may be located at opposite peripheral positions of the insulating cover layer corresponding to a peripheral area of the first surface.

For example, the first and second leads may extend between the first and second electrodes and the first and second openings.

For example, the first lead may extend from a first end portion thereof located in a center area of the first surface to the first opening located in a peripheral area of the first surface, and the first lead may include a second end portion exposed through the first opening.

For example, the first and second leads may include: first extension portions extending in an arrangement direction of the first and second leads; and second extension portions extending in a direction crossing the arrangement direction of the first and second leads, wherein the first extension portions may intersect the second extension portions at positions at which the first and second leads are exposed through the first and second openings.

For example, the arrangement direction of the first and second leads may be a diameter direction of the first surface having a circular shape.

For example, the first lead may include a first end portion conductively coupled to the first electrode via a first compressible conductor in a center area of the first surface, and the first lead may include a second end portion insulatively coupled to the second electrode via the insulating adhesive layer in a peripheral area of the first surface.

For example, the first and second leads may be between the first surface and the insulating cover layer, and the insulating adhesive layer may be between the first surface and the first lead.

For example, the insulating adhesive layer may include a double-sided tape and a first insulating tape sequentially stacked (directly) on the first surface of the battery cell.

For example, the insulating cover layer may further include a second insulating tape, and the first lead may be adhesively fixed between the first and second insulating tapes.

For example, the second lead may be adhesively fixed between the second insulating tape and the first surface.

For example, the insulating adhesive layer may expose a center area of the first surface in which the first electrode is located, and the insulating adhesive layer may be provided along a peripheral area of the first surface, the peripheral area surrounding the first electrode.

For example, the insulating adhesive layer may include an open side through which a portion of the peripheral area of the first surface may be exposed.

For example, the open side of the insulating adhesive layer may be at a position corresponding to the second lead, the open side having a shape open in an arrangement direction of the first and second leads.

For example, connection members may be (directly) on the portions of the first and second leads which may be exposed through the opening of the insulating cover layer.

For example, the connection members may include a compressible conductor, a soldering material, or wiring.

For example, the compressible conductor may include an elastic contact body.

Reference will now be made in more detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Accordingly, the embodiments are merely described below, by referring to the figures, to explain aspects of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to limit the example embodiments described herein.

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

Further, the use of "may" when describing embodiments of the present disclosure refers to "one or more embodiments of the present disclosure".

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on," "connected to," or "coupled to" another element, it may be directly on, connected, or coupled to the other element or one or more intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being "directly on," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

In the drawings, the relative sizes of elements, layers, and regions may be exaggerated and/or simplified for clarity. Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath," "below," "lower," "above," "upper," "bottom," "top," and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" or "over" the other elements or features. Thus, the term "below" may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated <NUM> degrees or at other orientations), and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

Hereinafter, battery packs will now be described according to embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a battery pack according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the battery pack shown in <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of <FIG>. <FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views illustrating the battery pack according to other embodiments in which different connection members are applied to the battery pack.

Referring to <FIG>, according to an embodiment, the battery pack includes: a battery cell that includes a first surface <NUM> (directly) on which first and second electrodes 10a and 10b are formed, a second surface <NUM> which is opposite the first surface <NUM>, and a lateral surface <NUM> which connects the first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> to each other; first and second leads 40a and 40b that are arranged above the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b and respectively connected to the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b; an insulating adhesive layer <NUM> that is arranged between the first surface <NUM> and the first lead 40a; and an insulating cover layer <NUM> that is arranged above the first and second leads 40a and 40b and includes or defines openings including first and second openings 50a and 50b to expose the first and second leads 40a and 40b. In one or more embodiments, the first lead 40a is arranged between the first electrode 10a and the insulating cover layer <NUM>, and the second lead 40b is arranged between the second electrode 10b and the insulating cover layer <NUM>.

The battery cell <NUM> may include: the first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> which are opposite each other; and the lateral surface <NUM> which connects the first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> to each other. For example, according to an embodiment, the battery cell <NUM> may include first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> which have a circular shape; and a lateral surface <NUM> which is rounded like a circumferential surface and connects the first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> to each other. In one or more embodiments, the lateral surface <NUM> may be a curved surface with a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the circular shape of the first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>.

The insulating adhesive layer <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM> which are arranged above the battery cell <NUM> may include round circumferential surfaces corresponding to the battery cell <NUM>, preferably corresponding in shape to the battery cell <NUM>. In this case, the expression that the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM> include round circumferential surfaces may refer to at least portions of the edges of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM> forming circumferential surfaces but may not refer to all of the edges of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM> forming circumferential surfaces.

The insulating adhesive layer <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM> may include the round circumferential surfaces corresponding to the battery cell <NUM> and may be formed in a shape corresponding to the battery cell <NUM> in the circumferential direction of the battery cell <NUM> so as not to form an additional volume from the battery cell <NUM>. That is, considering the limited space of a small device in which the battery pack will be used, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM> may be formed without a side protruding from the circumference of the battery cell <NUM> in a certain direction. In one or more embodiments, the diameter of the round circumferential surface of the insulating cover layer <NUM> may be equal to or less than the diameter D of the battery cell <NUM>, preferably less than the diameter D.

According to an embodiment, the battery cell <NUM> may be formed in a slim cylindrical shape such that the battery cell <NUM> may have a height H which is less than the diameter D of the first surface <NUM> having a circular shape. For example, that aspect ratio, that is, the ratio of the height H and the diameter D of the battery cell <NUM> may range from about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>.

The first and second electrodes 10a and 10b having opposite polarities may be formed (directly) on the first and second surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM>. For example, the first electrode 10a may be formed in a center area CA of the first surface <NUM>, and the second electrode 10b may be formed (directly) on the entirety of the second surface <NUM>, the lateral surface <NUM>, and may extend from the lateral surface <NUM> to a peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. In this case, the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b may be formed together (directly) on the first surface <NUM> at different positions such that the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b may be respectively formed in the center area CA and the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>, and may be separate from or spaced from each other for electrical insulation from each other. Throughout the present specification, the expression that the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b are formed together (directly) on the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> may refer to the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b being respectively formed in the center area CA and the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. For example, in an embodiment, the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> may refer to an area in which the first electrode 10a is formed, and the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> may refer to an area surrounding or encircling the first electrode 10a. As described later, the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b of the battery cell <NUM> may be respectively and connected (e.g., electrically connected) to the first and second leads 40a and 40b arranged above the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM>.

The first and second leads 40a and 40b arranged above the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> may be conductively coupled to respective ones of the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b of the battery cell <NUM> through corresponding, preferably correspondingly located first and second compressible conductors 20a and 20b. For example, in an embodiment, the first and second compressible conductors 20a and 20b may include an anisotropic conductive adhesive such as an anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

For example, the anisotropic conductive adhesive provided as one form of the first compressible conductor 20a may be arranged between the first lead 40a and the first electrode 10a formed in the center area CA of the first surface <NUM>, and may have a circular shape between the first electrode 10a and an end portion of the first lead 40a, that is, a circular shape similar to the shape of the first electrode 10a. When the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a are pressed in mutually-facing directions, the first compressible conductor 20a may be compressed between the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a, and thus conductive particles dispersed in an insulating base material of the anisotropic conductive adhesive may be connected to each other such that the anisotropic conductive adhesive may have conductivity for connecting (e.g., electrically connecting) the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a to each other. For example, the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a may be conductively coupled to each other by pressing the first lead 40a against the first electrode 10a formed in the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> with the first compressible conductor 20a therebetween.

Similarly, the anisotropic conductive adhesive provided as one form of the second compressible conductor 20b may be arranged between the second lead 40b and the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>, and may be shaped like the second lead 40b to extend in two crossing directions between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b. As described later, the second lead 40b may include first and second extension portions 40b1 and 40b2 which extend in mutually-crossing directions, and the second compressible conductor 20b may have a shape similar to the shape of the second lead 40b.

When the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b are pressed in mutually-facing directions, the second compressible conductor 20b may be compressed between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b, and thus conductive particles dispersed in the insulating base material of the anisotropic conductive adhesive may be connected to each other such that the anisotropic conductive adhesive may have conductivity for connecting (e.g., electrically connecting) the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b to each other. For example, the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b may be conductively coupled to each other by pressing the second lead 40b against the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> with the second compressible conductor 20b therebetween.

In an embodiment, the conductive coupling between the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a, and the conductive coupling between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b may be achieved via the first and second compressible conductors 20a and 20b respectively, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. That is, in one or more embodiments, the conductive coupling between the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a, and the conductive coupling between the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b may be achieved by thermal bonding such as welding. For example, the first and second leads 40a and 40b may be welded to the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b which are respectively formed in the center area CA and the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM>.

The first lead 40a may connect the first electrode 10a of the battery cell <NUM> to a first output position P1 and may form a charge-discharge path connected to the first electrode 10a of the battery cell <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first output position P1 may refer to the position of the first opening 50a which is formed in the insulating cover layer <NUM> forming the uppermost portion of the battery pack. That is, a portion of the first lead 40a may be exposed through the first opening 50a formed in the insulating cover layer <NUM> and may function as an output terminal which forms an end of the charge-discharge path of the battery pack. Throughout the present specification, the first output position P1 may refer to a position at which an output terminal of the battery pack is located, and in an embodiment, the first output position P1 may refer to a position at which the portion of the first lead 40a functioning as an output terminal is exposed through the first opening 50a of the insulating cover layer <NUM>.

The first lead 40a may extend from the center area CA of the first surface <NUM>, in which the first electrode 10a of the battery cell <NUM> is formed, to the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>, above which the first opening 50a is formed in the insulating cover layer <NUM> arranged (directly) on the first surface <NUM>. For example, an end portion of the first lead 40a may overlap the first electrode 10a, which is formed in the center area CA of the first surface <NUM>, and another end portion of the first lead 40a may overlap the first opening 50a and the second electrode 10b, which is formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first lead 40a may extend in a diameter (D) direction of the first surface <NUM> having a circular shape, from an end portion of the first lead <NUM> which is formed in the center area CA of the first surface <NUM>, to the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. That is, the first lead 40a may include the other end portion formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. Throughout the present specification, the expression that the end portion of the first lead 40a is formed in the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> or the other end portion of the first lead 40a is formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> may refer to when the center area CA and the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> are projected onto an upper side, the end portions of the first lead 40a are respectively in the projections of the center area CA and the peripheral area PA. Similarly, the expression that the first opening 50a of the insulating cover layer <NUM> is formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> may refer to when the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> is projected onto an upper side, the first opening 50a of the insulating cover layer <NUM> is in the projection of the peripheral area PA. Furthermore, in an embodiment, the length direction of the first lead 40a may be in the diameter (D) direction of the first surface <NUM> having a circular shape. In an embodiment, the length direction of the first lead 40a may correspond to the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b.

In the length direction of the first lead 40a, the first compressible conductor 20a may be arranged between the first lead 40a and the first electrode 10a in the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> in which the end portion of the first lead 40a is formed, and the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be arranged between the first lead 40a and the second electrode 10b in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> in which the other end portion of the first lead 40a is formed. Because the first lead 40a extends from the center area CA of the first surface <NUM>, in which the first electrode 10a is formed, to the peripheral area PA (corresponding to, preferably corresponding in location to the first output position P1) of the first surface <NUM>, in which the second electrode 10b is formed, the first lead 40a may be conductively coupled to the first electrode 10a and may be insulatively coupled to or insulated from the second electrode 10b. That is, the first lead 40a may be conductively coupled to the first electrode 10a with the first compressible conductor 20a therebetween in the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> in which the end portion of the first lead 40a is formed, and may be insulatively coupled to or insulated from the second electrode 10b with the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> therebetween in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> in which the other end portion of the first lead 40a is formed.

The insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may couple the first lead 40a, which is placed above the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM>, to the first surface <NUM> and may insulate the first lead 40a from the first surface <NUM> (for example, from the second electrode 10b formed (directly) on the first surface <NUM>). For example, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may provide insulation between the first lead 40a and the second electrode 10b of the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM>. In addition, the insulating cover layer <NUM> arranged (directly) on the first lead 40a may be coupled to the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> together with the first lead 40a by the insulating adhesive layer <NUM>. For example, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may couple the insulating cover layer <NUM> to the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> along a portion of the insulating cover layer <NUM> exposed from the first lead 40a.

In an embodiment, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be provided along the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> to surround the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> (directly) on which the first electrode 10a is formed. For example, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> exposes the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> (directly) on which the first electrode 10a is formed, such that the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a provided (directly) on the upper and lower sides of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be coupled to each other. For example, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may include or define an opening, space, or gap exposing the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> (directly) on which the first electrode 10a is formed such that the first electrode 10a and the first lead 40a respectively located at the upper and lower sides of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

The insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be formed in a rim shape along the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> with an open side <NUM>' to expose a portion of the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. The second electrode 10b may be formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> which is exposed through the open side <NUM>', and the second electrode 10b and the second lead 40b provided (directly) on the upper and lower sides of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be conductively coupled to each other through the open side <NUM>'. That is, in an embodiment, although the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> is formed in a rim shape along the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may not be of a closed loop type completely surrounding or encircling the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> but may be of a type open to the outside through the open side <NUM>'. In one or more embodiments, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be a C shape, and in other embodiments, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be a different shape such that the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> exposes a portion of the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> and the center area CA of the first surface <NUM>. In an embodiment, the open side <NUM>' of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be formed at a position corresponding to the second lead 40b, and may have an open shape in the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b. For example, the open side <NUM>' may have a shape open in the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b. In an embodiment, the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b may correspond to the diameter (D) direction of the first surface <NUM> having a circular shape and the length direction of the first lead 40a.

The insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may not be arranged between the second lead 40b and the first surface <NUM> because of the open side <NUM>' of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM>, but may be arranged between the first lead 40a and the first surface <NUM> for insulation between the first lead 40a and the first surface <NUM>. For example, in an embodiment, the first and second leads 40a and 40b may be arranged between the first surface <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM>, and the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be arranged between the first surface <NUM> and the first lead 40a.

In an embodiment, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may include a double-sided tape <NUM> and a first insulating tape <NUM> that are sequentially stacked above the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM>. As described above, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be formed in a ring shape along the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> and may have the open side <NUM>' at a side along the peripheral area PA. In addition, the double-sided tape <NUM> and the first insulating tape <NUM> of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may have a rim shape with the open side <NUM>', and may correspond to each other with substantially the same shape. In one or more embodiments, the double-sided tape <NUM> and the first insulating tape <NUM> may be a C shape, and in other embodiments, the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> may be a different shape such that the double-sided tape <NUM> and the first insulating tape <NUM> expose a portion of the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> and the center area CA of the first surface <NUM>.

The double-sided tape <NUM> may have a function of coupling the entirety of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM> to the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> through adhesive layers formed (directly) on both sides of the double-sided tape <NUM>, and the second insulating tape <NUM> may electrically insulate the peripheral area PA (for example, the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA) of the first surface <NUM> and the first lead 40a from each other. In this case, the first insulating tape <NUM> may include an adhesive layer (directly) on one side (or upper side) thereof for fixing the position of the first lead 40a. For example, the first insulating tape <NUM> may include a polyimide tape. As described later, the first lead 40a may be arranged and fixed between the first insulating tape <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM>, which are provided (directly) on the upper and lower sides of the first lead 40a. In an embodiment, the insulating cover layer <NUM> may include a second insulating tape <NUM>, and for example, the second insulating tape <NUM> may include a polyimide tape. The second insulating tape <NUM> may include an adhesive layer (directly) on one side (or lower surface) thereof. In this case, the first lead 40a arranged between the first and second insulating tapes <NUM> and <NUM> may be adhesively fixed in position owing to the adhesive layers respectively formed (directly) on the upper and lower sides of the first and second insulating tapes <NUM> and <NUM> which face the first lead 40a.

The second lead 40b may connect the second electrode 10b of the battery cell <NUM> to a second output position P2 and may form the charge-discharge path connected to the second electrode 10b of the battery cell <NUM>. In an embodiment, the second output position P2 may refer to the position of the second opening 50b which is formed in the insulating cover layer <NUM> forming the uppermost portion of the battery pack. That is, a portion of the second lead 40b may be exposed through the second opening 50b formed in the insulating cover layer <NUM> and may function as an output terminal which forms an end of the charge-discharge path of the battery pack. The first and second leads 40a and 40b may function as a pair of output terminals forming ends of the charge-discharge path of the battery pack, and for example, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b which are respectively exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b of the insulating cover layer <NUM> may function as a pair of output terminals.

Throughout the present specification, the second output position P2 may refer to a position at which an output terminal of the battery pack is located, and in an embodiment, the second output position P2 may refer to a position at which the portion of the second lead 40b functioning as an output terminal is exposed through the second opening 50b of the insulating cover layer <NUM>.

The second lead 40b may be connected to the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. For example, the second lead 40b may be connected (e.g., electrically connected) to the second electrode 10b which is exposed through the open side <NUM>' of the insulating adhesive layer <NUM>. For example, the conductive coupling between the second lead 40b and the second electrode 10b may be achieved by the second compressible conductor 20b arranged therebetween. In an embodiment, the second lead 40b may be connected to the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>, and a portion of the second lead 40b may be exposed through the second opening 50b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. The second lead 40b may be arranged between the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> and the insulating cover layer <NUM>. In an embodiment, the insulating cover layer <NUM> may include the second insulating tape <NUM>, and the second lead 40b may be adhesively fixed in position by the adhesive layer formed (directly) on one side of the second insulating tape <NUM>.

The insulating cover layer <NUM> may be arranged (directly) on the first and second leads 40a and 40b. The first and second openings 50a and 50b may be formed in the insulating cover layer <NUM> to respectively expose the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b. The portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b respectively exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b of the insulating cover layer <NUM> may function as a pair of output terminals forming the charge-discharge path of the battery pack, and may be connected to an external device such as an external load or an external charger through the first and second openings 50a and 50b.

In an embodiment, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b which function as output terminals are respectively exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b of the insulating cover layer <NUM> which covers the first and second leads 40a and 40b, and thus a short circuit between the first and second leads 40a and 40b through an external conductor may be prevented (e.g., fundamentally prevented) or substantially prevented. For example, in an embodiment, the first and second leads 40a and 40b are provided in a downwardly shifted manner below the top surface of the insulating cover layer <NUM> forming the uppermost portion of the battery pack with a height difference corresponding to the thickness (t, refer to <FIG>) of the insulating cover layer <NUM> or the depth of the first and second openings 50a and 50b, and thus even when an external conductor comes into contact with the top surface of the insulating cover layer <NUM>, the first and second leads 40a and 40b provided in a downwardly shifted manner below the insulating cover layer <NUM> may not come into contact with the external conductor, thereby preventing or reducing the possibility of a short circuit between the first and second leads 40a and 40b through the external conductor.

The first opening 50a may expose a portion of the first lead 40a which extends from the first electrode 10a formed in the center area CA of the first surface <NUM> to the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>, and the second opening 50b may expose a portion of the second lead 40b connected to the second electrode 10b formed in the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM>. In an embodiment, the first lead 40a may include: a first extension portion 40a1 which extends in the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b; and a second extension portion 40a2 which extends in a direction crossing the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b, and a position at which the first lead 40a is exposed through the first opening 50a may be an intersection between the first and second extension portions 40a1 and 40a2. That is, the first and second extension portions 40a1 and 40a2 of the first lead 40a may intersect each other at the position at which the first lead 40a is exposed through the first opening 50a, and may extend across each other in directions perpendicular to each other. Similarly, the second lead 40b may include: a first extension portion 40b1 which extends in the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b; and a second extension portion 40b2 which extends in a direction crossing the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b, and a position at which the second lead 40b is exposed through the second opening 50b may be an intersection between the first and second extension portions 40b1 and 40b2. That is, the first and second extension portions 40b1 and 40b2 of the second lead 40b may intersect each other at the position at which the first lead 40a is exposed through the first opening 50a, and may extend across each other in directions perpendicular to each other.

The first and second extension portions 40a1, 40a2, 40b1, and 40b2 of the first and second leads 40a and 40b are to secure a margin for the tolerance of the first and second openings 50a and 50b, and thus even when there are some variations in the sizes of the first and second openings 50a and 50b, the first and second leads 40a and 40b may be properly exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b such that the surfaces of the output terminals exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b may be flat. In addition, because the end portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b are respectively exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b, the surfaces of the output terminals may be provided in a downwardly shifted manner to prevent or substantially prevent an unstable or unintended electrical connection with an external device which may cause a short circuit between the first and second leads 40a and 40b.

The first and second openings 50a and 50b may be formed at peripheral positions (corresponding to the first and second output positions P1 and P2) of the insulating cover layer <NUM> which correspond to the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM>. In other words, the first and second openings 50a and 50b may be formed at peripheral positions of the insulating cover layer <NUM> corresponding to a projection of the peripheral area PA of the first surface <NUM> of the battery cell <NUM> onto the insulating cover layer <NUM>. For example, the first and second openings 50a and 50b may be formed at opposite peripheral positions (corresponding to the first and second output positions P1 and P2) in the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b. Here, the arrangement direction of the first and second leads 40a and 40b may correspond to the diameter (D) direction of the first surface <NUM> having a circular shape. Because the first and second openings 50a and 50b are formed at the opposite positions (corresponding to the first and second output positions P1 and P2) spaced from each other in the diameter (D) direction of the first surface <NUM>, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b respectively exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b, that is, the pair of output terminals of the battery pack, may be provided at a distance from each other for ease of electrical connection with an external device.

<FIG> and <FIG> are perspective views illustrating the battery pack according to other embodiment in which different connection members are applied to the battery pack.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, connection members <NUM> or <NUM> may be provided (directly) on the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b. For example, the connection members <NUM> or <NUM> may be provided (directly) on the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b. In various embodiments, the connection members <NUM> or <NUM> may include third compressible conductors (refer to <FIG>), a soldering material (refer to <FIG>), or wiring. For example, the connection members <NUM> or <NUM> may form the charge-discharge path of the battery pack by connecting the output terminals (for example, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b) to an external device (for example, an external load or an external charger).

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the third compressible conductors may be provided (directly) on the output terminals (for example, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b) of the battery pack as examples of the connection members <NUM>. In this case, the third compressible conductors provided as examples of the connection members <NUM> may include elastic contact bodies such as contact springs through which the output terminals (for example, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b) of the battery pack are connected (e.g., electrically connected) to an external device.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the soldering material may be provided (directly) on the output terminals (for example, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b) of the battery pack as an example of the connection members <NUM>. In this case, the soldering material provided as an example of the connection members <NUM> may couple wires extending from an external device to the output terminals (for example, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b) of the battery pack. For example, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the soldering material, which is an example of the connection members <NUM>, may be applied to the output terminals (for example, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b) of the battery pack such that the soldering material may have a uniform or substantially uniform thickness, or in another example, the soldering material may be formed (directly) on the output terminals of the battery pack whiling being soldered to terminals or extension wires of an external device.

In one or more embodiments, the flexible wires provided as examples of the connection members <NUM> or <NUM> may be coupled to the output terminals (for example, the portions of the first and second leads 40a and 40b exposed through the first and second openings 50a and 50b) of the battery pack, and may extend to an external device at which the flexible wires may be soldered to terminals of the external device.

As described above, according to the one or more of the embodiments, the battery cell <NUM> having a height less than, preferably less than <NUM>% of the diameter of an electrode surface is used in the battery pack together with the first and second compressible conductors 20a and 20b having a large height reduction when compressed for electrical connection with the battery cell <NUM>, and thus the battery pack may have a relatively low height and may be effectively used for slim devices.

According to the embodiments, the electrical connection structure for forming the charge-discharge path from the first and second electrodes 10a and 10b to the first and second output positions P1 and P2 may be simple, and thus the battery pack may have a compact structure.

According to the embodiments, it is possible to prevent (e.g., fundamentally prevent) or substantially prevent a short circuit which may occur between the first and second output positions P1 and P2 through an unintended external conductor, and thus the battery pack may have improved safety.

Claim 1:
A battery pack comprising:
a battery cell (<NUM>) comprising a first surface (<NUM>), a first electrode (10a) on the first surface (<NUM>), a second electrode (10b) on the first surface (<NUM>), a second surface (<NUM>) opposing the first surface (<NUM>), and a lateral surface (<NUM>) connecting the first surface (<NUM>) and the second surface (<NUM>) to each other;
first and second leads (40a, 40b) above the first and second electrodes (10a, 10b), the first and second leads (40a, 40b) being respectively connected to the first and second electrodes (10a, 10b);
an insulating adhesive layer (<NUM>) between the first surface (<NUM>) and the first lead (<NUM>, 40a); and
an insulating cover layer (<NUM>) on the first and second leads (40a, 40b), the insulating cover layer (<NUM>) comprising an opening through which portions of the first and second leads (40a, 40b) are exposed.