Abstract: An apparatus and method for welding electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly to each other, which may include a guide part configured to gather the electrode tabs; and a welding part configured to weld the electrode tabs gathered by the guide part on a predetermined welding area. The guide part may be configured to press the electrode tabs toward the electrode assembly, while moving toward the electrode assembly, such that a length from the electrode assembly to the welding area increases in at least a portion of the electrode tabs before being welded by the welding part. Accordingly, some aspects of the present invention may prevent the electrode tabs from disconnecting.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for welding electrode tabs protruding from an electrode assembly to each other which may include a guide part configured to gather the electrode tabs on a predetermined gathering area, a welding part configured to weld the electrode tabs gathered by the guide part, and a bending part configured to bend the electrode assembly. The bending part ensures that a length from the electrode assembly to the gathering area increases in at least a portion of the electrode tabs before being welded by the welding part. Accordingly, some aspects of the present invention may prevent the electrode tabs from disconnecting. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a secondary battery and may relate to a secondary battery manufactured by the above-described welding apparatus or method.

Abstract: A battery cell having an electrode tab with enhanced safety and improved cooling performance, and a battery module, a battery pack and a vehicle including the same is provided. The battery cell includes an electrode assembly including a cell body and an electrode tab provided to at least one side of the cell body, a cell case configured to accommodate the electrode assembly, an electrode lead drawn out of the cell case and connected to the electrode assembly through the electrode tab at a coupling portion, and a tab protection module accommodated in the cell case and covering at least a part of the electrode tab, the tab protection module including a heat dissipating material configured to discharge heat to the outside through at least a part thereof.