A rechargeable lithium battery includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; an electrolyte including vinylene carbonate; and a case accommodating the positive electrode, the negative electrode, the separator, and the electrolyte. At least in a portion of an interior of the case has a coating portion containing lithium borate particles.

A rechargeable lithium battery includes: a positive electrode; a negative electrode; a separator between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; an electrolyte including vinylene carbonate; and a case accommodating the positive electrode, the negative electrode, the separator, and the electrolyte. At least in a portion of an interior of the case has a coating portion containing lithium borate particles.

A protective device for battery cells, a plurality of which are assembled to form a module for an electric drive of a vehicle, has a frame made of plastic provided between the battery cells and coated with a fire-retardant coating. The frame laterally separates each battery cell from the other battery cells. A further fire-retardant coating is preferably additionally applied directly onto a housing of the battery cells. An air gap can be provided between each battery cell and each separation chamber of the frame.

A rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a case including an opening disposed in one side and receiving the electrode assembly; a cap assembly combined to the opening and closing and sealing the case; a first electrode tab extending from the first electrode and combined to the case; and a second electrode tab extending from the second electrode and combined to the cap assembly, wherein the cap assembly includes a first metal layer contacting the second electrode tab, a second metal layer spaced from the first metal layer and contacting the case, and a first plastic portion insulating between the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

A rechargeable battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a case including an opening disposed in one side and receiving the electrode assembly; a cap assembly combined to the opening and closing and sealing the case; a first electrode tab extending from the first electrode and combined to the case; and a second electrode tab extending from the second electrode and combined to the cap assembly, wherein the cap assembly includes a first metal layer contacting the second electrode tab, a second metal layer spaced from the first metal layer and contacting the case, and a first plastic portion insulating between the first metal layer and the second metal layer.

Battery housings and batteries are presented for accommodating swelling of an electrode assembly. In one aspect, a battery includes an electrode assembly that includes a cathode and an anode. The battery also includes a receptacle that includes at least one feedthrough disposed through one or more sides of the receptacle. A lid is sealed to the receptacle. The receptacle, the at least one feedthrough, and the lid form a sealed volume in which the electrode assembly and an electrolyte are disposed. The lid is configured to displace from a first position to a second position in response to a swelling of the electrode assembly within the sealed volume. The receptacle is configured to strain less than the lid during the swelling of the electrode assembly. The second position of the lid may correspond to an expanded volume of the electrode assembly that is 15% greater than an initial volume.

Battery covers and methods for producing battery covers are described. One battery cover described herein includes a single sheet of material formed into a substantially rectangular box shape with an opening formed along one side, the rectangular box shape capable of being folded into a flattened shape for transportation and the material including a flexible laminate of at least one layer of synthetic fiber and a polymer film layer. The material has a thickness and other properties such that when the battery cover is unfolded, the material substantially maintains the rectangular box shape, and when the battery cover is folded into the flattened shape, the material maintains a spring force such that, unless restrained, the battery cover would unfold to the rectangular box shape.

A flexible secondary battery includes: an electrode assembly including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a separator between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer; a gasket having flexibility and surrounding edges of the electrode assembly; a first sealing sheet attached to a first surface of the gasket; and a second sealing sheet attached to a second surface of the gasket facing away from the first surface, wherein an uneven pattern is at a bendable area of the gasket.

A hard shell cell housing for an individual alkali metal cell includes a housing main body with an interior space that is configured to accommodate cell components of the individual alkali metal cell, and a housing cover configured to close off the interior space. The housing main body is formed at least substantially from plastic, and further includes at least one vapor barrier layer.

Disclosed are a secondary battery, a battery module and an electric vehicle. The battery module includes a plurality of secondary batteries arranged in sequence. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a housing and a top cover assembly. The electrode assembly is accommodated in an accommodating chamber of the housing. The electrode assembly includes a plurality of electrode units, the plurality of electrode units being stacked in an axial direction of the accommodating chamber. The top cover assembly includes a top cover plate and an insulating member arranged on an inner side of the top cover plate, the top cover plate being connected to the housing, the insulating member being located on a side of the electrode assembly in the axial direction. A first buffer gap is provided between the insulating member and the top cover plate.