Battery

Abstract

The present invention discloses a battery, which includes a shell with a receiving cavity, and the receiving cavity is used to hold electrolyte. The shell is provided with a sampling hole connected to the receiving cavity, and the sampling hole can be switched between an open state and a closed state. The sampling hole can be used to sample and analyze the electrolyte and gas in the receiving cavity of the battery. When sampling is required, the sampling hole is set to an open state so that the sampling device can extend into the receiving cavity to take samples; when the battery is working, the sampling hole is set to a closed state to prevent leakage of the electrolyte. The sampling process is very convenient and has a high sampling efficiency. It does not require violent disassembly and destruction of the battery, so it does not affect the subsequent use and testing of the battery. The state of the internal electrolyte of the same battery at different use stages can be analyzed, and the sampling hole can also be used to fill and fill the electrolyte.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a battery. Background Art

[0002] Lithium-ion battery refers to a secondary battery with Li+ embedded compounds as positive and negative electrodes. Compared with other secondary batteries such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries have the advantages of high energy density, high voltage platform, low self-discharge, no memory effect, environmental friendliness, and long life. With the advancement of technology and the improvement of industrialization, the energy density, cycle, safety and other performance of lithium-ion batteries have been optimized. At present, lithium-ion batteries have been widely used in various fields such as 3C products, new energy vehicles, and energy storage.

[0003] Lithium-ion batteries generally have a battery shell, in which an electrolyte is sealed. During the battery's cyclic operation, the electrolyte will undergo side reactions, resulting in changes in the electrolyte composition and electrolyte volume, which have a great impact on the battery's performance. Currently, the main means of analyzing these changes is to destructively disassemble the battery shell to collect and analyze the gas in the battery and to weigh the residual electrolyte. However, this analysis method is very inconvenient, and it is impossible to analyze the same battery multiple times, nor is it possible to analyze the status of the same battery at different stages. It is only possible to compare different working stages of different batteries, which will affect the analysis efficiency and the reliability of the analysis results. Summary of the invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a battery in order to overcome the defects in the prior art that it is inconvenient to analyze the electrolyte in the battery and the analysis result is unreliable.

[0005] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0006] A battery comprises a shell with a containing cavity, wherein the containing cavity is used to contain electrolyte, and the characteristic is that the shell is provided with a sampling hole connected with the containing cavity, and the sampling hole can be switched between an open state and a closed state.

[0007] In this solution, the sampling hole can be used to sample and analyze the electrolyte and gas in the battery's accommodating cavity. When sampling is required, the sampling hole is set to an open state so that a sampling device (such as a needle) can be inserted into the accommodating cavity to take samples; when the battery is working, the sampling hole is set to a closed state to prevent electrolyte leakage. The sampling process is very convenient and has a high sampling efficiency. It does not require violent disassembly and destruction of the battery, so it does not affect the subsequent use and testing of the battery. The state of the internal electrolyte of the same battery at different use stages can be analyzed, and the sampling hole can also be used to add and fill the electrolyte.

[0008] Preferably, the battery further comprises a sampling tube, the sampling tube is located outside the shell, one end of the sampling tube is connected to the sampling hole, and when the sampling hole is in the open state, the interior of the sampling tube is communicated with the sampling hole and the accommodating cavity.

[0009] In this solution, the sampling tube extends toward the outside of the battery, making it easier to connect the sampling device to the sampling tube. The sampling tube is used to sample the electrolyte and gas in the accommodating cavity, and the sampling operation is simple. The sampling tube can be modified in shape according to actual conditions, so the battery can be applied to various testing occasions. Compared with the sampling tube set inside the shell, the sampling tube located outside the shell is easier to connect to the sampling device.

[0010] Preferably, the shell is a columnar structure, the sampling hole is arranged at an axial end of the shell, and the extending direction of the sampling tube is parallel to the axial direction of the shell.

[0011] In this solution, the sampling hole is arranged at the axial end of the shell, so that the batteries can be arranged side by side to form a battery pack, and the sampling tube extends outward along the axial direction of the shell, so that the sampling device can be connected to the sampling tube. If the sampling hole is arranged on the circumferential side of the shell, if the liquid level of the electrolyte is higher than the sampling hole, it is easy to cause electrolyte leakage.

[0012] Preferably, the sampling tube can switch between a bent state and an unfolded state. When the sampling tube is in the bent state, one end of the sampling tube away from the shell is folded toward the shell. When the sampling tube is in the unfolded state, the sampling tube extends in a direction away from the shell.

[0013] In this solution, when no sampling operation is performed on the battery, the sampling tube can be in a folded state, so that the battery occupies less space, prevents the sampling tube from interfering with other parts, increases the applicable range of the battery, and can also prevent the sampling tube from being damaged by collision during battery transportation. When sampling is required inside the battery, the sampling tube is converted to an unfolded state to facilitate sampling of the electrolyte and gas in the accommodating cavity.

[0014] Preferably, the sampling tube is a retractable structure.

[0015] In this solution, when no sampling operation is performed on the battery, the sampling tube is in a shortened state to reduce the space occupied by the sampling tube, making the battery structure more compact. When it is necessary to sample the inside of the battery, the sampling tube is converted to an extended state to facilitate the connection of the sampling tube to the sampling device. In addition, the length of the sampling tube can be adjusted accordingly according to different sampling needs to make sampling more convenient. If the internal space of the accommodating cavity is large, the sampling tube can be retracted into the accommodating cavity to minimize the volume occupied by the sampling tube. It is also possible to only shorten the sampling tube but not retract the sampling tube into the accommodating cavity to avoid interference between the sampling tube and components such as the winding core in the accommodating cavity.

[0016] Preferably, the sampling tube is made of flexible material.

[0017] In this solution, the flexible sampling tube is easy to fold and store, so that when the battery is working, the structure of the battery is relatively compact, which is beneficial to reduce the occupied space. When it is necessary to sample the inside of the battery, the sampling tube is unfolded.

[0018] Preferably, a sealing device is provided at one end of the sampling tube away from the sampling hole, and the sealing device is a sealing plug;

[0019] Alternatively, the sealing device is a sealing joint for connecting to a pipeline, and the sealing joint is detachably connected to the sampling tube.

[0020] In this solution, the sealing device can make the accommodating chamber in a sealed state to prevent leakage of electrolyte and overflow of gas generated by side reactions. When sampling is required, the sealing device is opened. The sealing device can be a sealing plug, which has a simpler structure and lower cost. The sealing device can also be a sealing joint, such as a quick joint, to facilitate the connection and disassembly between the sampling device and the sampling tube.

[0021] Preferably, a sealing device is provided at one end of the sampling hole, and the sealing device is a sealing plug;

[0022] Alternatively, the sealing device is a sealing joint for connecting to a pipeline, and the sealing joint is detachably connected to the sampling hole.

[0023] In this solution, the sealing device can make the accommodating chamber in a sealed state to prevent leakage of electrolyte and overflow of gas generated by side reactions. When sampling is required, the sealing device is opened. The sealing device can be a sealing plug, which has a simpler structure and lower cost. The sealing device can also be a sealing joint, such as a quick joint, which facilitates the connection and disassembly between the sampling device and the sampling hole. In some cases, such as when filling the accommodating chamber with electrolyte, the sealing joint can be removed to facilitate the filling operation.

[0024] Preferably, the shell is a columnar structure, and the peripheral side of the shell is made of a light-transmitting material.

[0025] In this solution, the liquid level of the electrolyte in the accommodating chamber can be observed through the peripheral side of the shell, which is convenient for observing the amount of gas generated by the side reaction of the electrolyte, thereby realizing intuitive and real-time monitoring of the battery status.

[0026] Preferably, the shell includes an outer shell portion and an anti-corrosion layer, and the anti-corrosion layer is coated on the inner wall surface of the outer shell portion.

[0027] In this solution, since the electrolyte is corrosive to a certain extent, an anti-corrosion layer is provided as the inner lining of the outer shell to isolate the outer shell from the electrolyte, thereby increasing the life of the outer shell and preventing battery leakage.

[0028] Preferably, the outer shell is made of organic glass or transparent plastic, and the anti-corrosion layer is made of fluoropolymer.

[0029] In this solution, the outer shell is made of a transparent material to facilitate observation of the condition of the electrolyte in the accommodating cavity. The fluoropolymer has strong corrosion resistance and can provide protection for the outer shell. Although the fluoropolymer is soft, the outer shell can provide support for it.

[0030] The positive and progressive effect of the present invention is that the electrolyte and gas in the battery's accommodating cavity can be sampled and analyzed by using the sampling hole. When sampling is required, the sampling hole is set to an open state so that the sampling device can extend into the accommodating cavity to take samples; when the battery is working, the sampling hole is set to a closed state to prevent electrolyte leakage. The sampling process is very convenient and has a high sampling efficiency. It does not require violent disassembly and destruction of the battery, so it does not affect the subsequent use and testing of the battery. The state of the internal electrolyte of the same battery at different use stages can be analyzed, and the sampling hole can also be used to add and fill the electrolyte. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 FIG. 4 is a front view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 2 FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Description of Reference Numerals

[0034] Battery 10

[0035] Shell 1

[0036] Peripheral housing portion 11

[0037] End cap 12

[0038] Sampling tube 2

[0039] Sealing plug 3

[0040] Electrode 4 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] The present invention is further described below by way of examples, but the present invention is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0042] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides a battery 10, which includes a shell 1 with a containing cavity, the containing cavity is used to contain electrolyte, the shell 1 is provided with a sampling hole connected to the containing cavity, and the sampling hole can be switched between an open state and a closed state.

[0043] In this embodiment, the sampling hole can be used to sample and analyze the electrolyte and gas in the accommodating cavity of the battery 10. When sampling is required, the sampling hole is set to an open state so that the sampling device can extend into the accommodating cavity to take samples. For example, a needle can be inserted into the accommodating cavity through the sampling hole; when the battery 10 is working, the sampling hole is set to a closed state to prevent leakage of the electrolyte. The sampling process is very convenient and has a high sampling efficiency. It does not require violent disassembly and destruction of the battery 10, so it does not affect the subsequent use and testing of the battery 10. The state of the internal electrolyte of the same battery 10 at different use stages can be analyzed. For example, sampling can be performed once every several times (such as 500 times) when the battery 10 works. In addition, the sampling hole can also be used to fill and fill the electrolyte. It can be understood that the present disclosure does not limit the type of battery, and the battery can be a lithium battery, a lead-acid battery, a cadmium-nickel battery, etc.

[0044] The battery 10 also includes a sampling tube 2, which is located outside the shell 1. One end of the sampling tube 2 is connected to the sampling hole, and when the sampling hole is in an open state, the interior of the sampling tube 2 is connected to the sampling hole and the accommodating cavity. Therefore, the sampling tube 2 can be used to sample the electrolyte and gas in the accommodating cavity. The sampling tube 2 extends toward the outside of the battery 10, making it more convenient to connect the sampling device with the sampling hole. The sampling tube 2 can be modified in shape according to actual conditions, so that the battery 10 can be applied to various testing occasions. Compared with the sampling tube 2 arranged inside the shell 1, the sampling tube 2 located outside the shell 1 is more convenient to connect with the sampling device. The sampling tube 2 can be integrally formed with the shell 1, or it can be connected to the shell 1 by various connection methods. The above connection method can be a detachable connection, such as a threaded connection, or a fixed connection, such as bonding.

[0045] The shell 1 is a columnar structure, the sampling hole is arranged at the axial end of the shell 1, and the sampling tube 2 is connected to the axial end of the shell 1 and extends along the axial direction of the shell 1. This arrangement facilitates the batteries 10 to be arranged side by side to form a battery 10 group, and the sampling tube 2 extends outward along the axial direction of the shell 1 to facilitate the connection between the sampling device and the sampling tube 2. Since the electrode 4 is arranged at the center position of the axial end of the battery 10, the sampling hole is eccentrically arranged with respect to the shell 1. The sampling hole can also be arranged on the peripheral side of the shell 1, but if the liquid level of the electrolyte is higher than the sampling hole, it is easy to cause electrolyte leakage.

[0046] In certain preferred embodiments, the sampling tube 2 can switch between a bent state and an unfolded state. When the sampling tube 2 is in the bent state, the end of the sampling tube 2 away from the housing 1 is folded toward the housing 1. When the sampling tube 2 is in the unfolded state, the sampling tube 2 extends in a direction away from the housing 1. When no sampling operation is performed on the battery 10, the sampling tube 2 can be in a folded state so that the battery 10 occupies less space, preventing the sampling tube 2 from interfering with other parts, and improving the applicability of the battery 10. It can also prevent the sampling tube from being damaged by collision during the transportation and movement of the battery. When it is necessary to sample the inside of the battery 10, the sampling tube 2 is converted to the unfolded state to facilitate sampling of the electrolyte and gas in the accommodating cavity.

[0047] In certain other preferred embodiments, the sampling tube 2 is a retractable structure. When the battery 10 is not sampled, the sampling tube 2 can be in a shortened state to reduce the space occupied by the sampling tube 2, so that the battery 10 structure is more compact. When it is necessary to sample the inside of the battery 10, the sampling tube 2 is converted to an extended state to facilitate the connection of the sampling tube 2 with the sampling device. In addition, the length of the sampling tube can be adjusted accordingly according to different sampling requirements to make sampling more convenient. If the internal space of the accommodating cavity is large, the sampling tube 2 can be retracted into the accommodating cavity to reduce the volume occupied by the sampling tube 2 as much as possible. The sampling tube 2 can be completely retracted into the accommodating cavity so that the sampling tube does not increase the space occupied by the battery. It is also possible to only shorten the sampling tube 2 but not retract the sampling tube 2 into the accommodating cavity to avoid interference between the sampling tube 2 and components such as the winding core in the accommodating cavity.

[0048] In the above two embodiments, the sampling tube 2 can be made of flexible material to facilitate folding and storage, so that when no sampling operation is performed on the battery 10, the structure of the battery 10 is relatively compact, which is beneficial to reduce the occupied space. When sampling is required inside the battery 10, the sampling tube 2 is unfolded.

[0049] A sealing device is provided at one end of the sampling tube 2 away from the sampling hole, so that the accommodating cavity can be in a sealed state to prevent leakage of electrolyte and overflow of gas generated by side reactions. When sampling is required, the sealing device is opened.

[0050] Specifically, the sealing device can be a sealing plug 3, such as Figure 1 As shown, the switch between opening and sealing can be realized by manual plugging and pulling. And its structure is relatively simple and the cost is low.

[0051] The sealing device can also be a sealing joint connected to a pipeline, such as a quick connector, to facilitate the connection and disassembly between the sampling device and the sampling hole. The sealing joint is detachably connected to the sampling tube 2. In some cases, such as when the electrolyte is added to the accommodating chamber, the sealing joint can be removed to facilitate the filling operation.

[0052] In some other preferred embodiments, a sealing device may be directly provided at the sampling hole to achieve the conversion of the sealed cavity between sealing and opening.

[0053] The housing 1 is a columnar structure, so that the batteries 10 can be arranged side by side to form a battery group 10. The peripheral side of the housing 1 is made of a light-transmitting material, and the liquid level of the electrolyte in the accommodating cavity can be observed through the peripheral side of the housing 1, which is convenient for observing the amount of gas generated by the electrolyte side reaction, and realizing intuitive and real-time monitoring of the state of the battery 10. Preferably, the side of the housing 1 is marked with scales, and the battery 10 is placed vertically to realize semi-quantitative real-time determination of the amount of electrolyte in the battery 10.

[0054] The housing 1 includes an outer shell and an anti-corrosion layer, and the anti-corrosion layer is coated on the inner wall surface of the outer shell. Since the electrolyte is corrosive to a certain extent, the anti-corrosion layer is provided as the inner lining of the outer shell to isolate the outer shell from the electrolyte, thereby increasing the life of the outer shell and preventing the battery 10 from leaking.

[0055] The outer shell is made of organic glass or transparent plastic, such as PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), PS (polystyrene), etc., and the anti-corrosion layer is made of fluoropolymer, such as PFA (meltable polytetrafluoroethylene), FEP (fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer), etc. The outer shell is made of transparent material to facilitate observation of the electrolyte in the accommodating cavity. Fluoropolymer has strong corrosion resistance and can provide protection for the outer shell. Although the material of fluoropolymer is relatively soft, the outer shell can provide support for it. In certain other preferred embodiments, the anti-corrosion layer can be an anti-corrosion coating, and the anti-corrosion layer is coated on the inner wall of the outer shell by spraying.

[0056] As a preferred embodiment, the housing 1 includes a peripheral housing portion 11 and two end covers 12 , and the peripheral housing portion 11 and the end covers 12 are connected by a sealant (eg, cyanoacrylate).

[0057] Although the specific embodiments of the present invention are described above, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that this is only for illustration and the protection scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present invention, but these changes and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery comprising a housing having a housing cavity, wherein the housing cavity is used to contain an electrolyte, characterized in that: The housing is provided with a sampling hole connected to the accommodating cavity, and the sampling hole can be switched between an open state and a closed state; The battery further includes a sampling tube, the sampling tube is located outside the shell, one end of the sampling tube is connected to the sampling hole, and when the sampling hole is in the open state, the interior of the sampling tube is connected to the sampling hole and the accommodating cavity; The shell is a columnar structure, the sampling hole is arranged at the axial end of the shell, and the extending direction of the sampling tube is parallel to the axial direction of the shell; The sampling tube can switch between a bent state and an unfolded state. When the sampling tube is in the bent state, one end of the sampling tube away from the shell is folded toward the shell. When the sampling tube is in the unfolded state, the sampling tube extends in a direction away from the shell.

2. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that The sampling tube is a retractable structure.

3. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that The sampling tube is made of flexible material.

4. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that A sealing device is provided at one end of the sampling tube away from the sampling hole, and the sealing device is a sealing plug; Alternatively, the sealing device is a sealing joint for connecting to a pipeline, and the sealing joint is detachably connected to the sampling tube.

5. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that A sealing device is provided at one end of the sampling hole, and the sealing device is a sealing plug; Alternatively, the sealing device is a sealing joint for connecting to a pipeline, and the sealing joint is detachably connected to the sampling hole.

6. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that The shell is a columnar structure, and the peripheral side of the shell is made of a light-transmitting material.

7. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: The shell comprises an outer shell and an anti-corrosion layer, wherein the anti-corrosion layer is covered on the inner wall surface of the outer shell.

8. The battery according to claim 7, characterized in that The outer shell is made of organic glass or transparent plastic, and the anti-corrosion layer is made of fluoropolymer.

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