Pouch-Shaped Battery Case Having Hidden-Type Gas Pocket, Pouch-Shaped Secondary Battery Including the Same, and Battery Module Including the Same

Abstract

A pouch-shaped battery case (and a pouch-shaped secondary battery including the same) includes a hidden-type gas pocket having a folded configuration such that, when gas is generated in the pouch-shaped case, the gas pocket unfolds to form a space for collecting the gas, whereby it is possible to reduce the extent of swelling of the battery when the gas is generated. The gas pocket may be configured so as not to occupy any space in a normal operating state of the battery, such that the gas pocket is unfolded to form the gas reception space only when the gas is generated, whereby it is possible to improve the efficiency of utilization of space in the battery.

1 . A pouch-shaped secondary battery comprising:
 an electrode assembly; and   a pouch-shaped case configured to receive the electrode assembly, wherein   the pouch-shaped case includes a gas pocket, at least a portion of which is folded, such that, when gas is generated in the pouch-shaped case, the gas pocket is configured to unfold to form a space for collecting the gas.   
     
     
         2 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch-shaped case includes an upper portion and a lower portion joined together at an intermediate portion, the pouch-shaped case being folded at the intermediate portion so that the electrode assembly is received between the upper and lower portions, wherein the gas pocket is disposed at the intermediate portion. 
     
     
         3 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch-shaped case has a planar, quadrangular structure defining a perimeter having a single folded surface and three surfaces that are attached by sealing, the gas pocket being located at the single folded surface. 
     
     
         4 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch-shaped case includes an upper portion and a lower portion sealed along at least a perimeter portion of the pouch-shaped case, and wherein the gas pocket is located along at least a portion of the perimeter portion of the pouch-shaped case. 
     
     
         5 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein the pouch-shaped case includes at least one gas pocket arranged at at least one side of the pouch-shaped case. 
     
     
         6 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the pouch-shaped case comprises a case main body, in which the electrode assembly is received, with the gas pocket being formed at one side of the case main body,   the gas pocket being bent into tight contact with the case main body.   
     
     
         7 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 6 , wherein the gas pocket is bent multiple times into tight contact with the case main body. 
     
     
         8 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 6 , wherein the gas pocket is bent into a bellows structure that is in tight contact with the case main body. 
     
     
         9 . A pouch-shaped battery case comprising:
 a case main body configured to receive an electrode assembly therein; and   a gas pocket positioned at least one side of the case main body, wherein   the gas pocket has a folded configuration such that, when gas is generated from the electrode assembly, the gas pocket is configured to unfold to form a space for collecting the gas.   
     
     
         10 . The pouch-shaped battery case according to  claim 9 , wherein the gas pocket is bent into tight contact with the case main body. 
     
     
         11 . A battery module comprising one or more pouch-shaped secondary batteries according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 5 , wherein the pouch-shaped case includes at least two gas pockets arranged at opposite sides of the pouch-shaped case from one another. 
     
     
         13 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 6 , wherein the case main body includes opposing upper and lower surfaces joined together along side surfaces that extend along a perimeter of the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the gas pocket is bent into tight contact with at least one of the side surfaces of the case main body. 
     
     
         14 . The pouch-shaped secondary battery according to  claim 6 , wherein the case main body includes opposing upper and lower surfaces joined together along side surfaces that extend along a perimeter of the upper and lower surfaces, wherein the gas pocket is bent into tight contact with at least one of the upper and lower surfaces of the case main body.