Cell connectors and batteries

Abstract

This invention provides a cell connector and a battery. The cell connector is used to connect two horizontally arranged side-by-side cell cells. The cell connector forms two stacked connecting plates by folding itself. Each connecting plate includes a bent portion and two connecting portions symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bent portion. The two connecting portions are respectively connected to the ends of two adjacent cell cells along their length. The bent portion is configured to adjust the orientation of the two connecting portions on both sides of the bent portion by bending itself, so that the two connecting portions of each connecting plate fit together and conduct electricity between the two adjacent cell cells connected by the connector. The cell connector and battery of this invention allow multiple cell cells and the cell connector to be connected horizontally when multiple cell cells are horizontally aligned.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the automotive field, and specifically relates to a cell connector and a battery. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, new energy vehicles are developing rapidly, and as the most crucial component of new energy vehicles, improving battery utilization and energy density is extremely important.

[0003] Existing batteries mainly consist of a casing, multiple battery cells, and connectors. The battery cells and connectors are housed within a cavity enclosed by the casing. Specifically, a battery cell includes a cell body and terminals. The terminals are located on the side wall of the cell body, and the connectors connect the positive terminal of one cell to the negative terminal of an adjacent cell, together forming the battery.

[0004] However, the connector can only connect to the terminals of adjacent cells when adjacent cells are stacked along the thickness direction of the battery. When multiple cells are horizontally aligned, in order to save space in the thickness direction of the battery, the connector also needs to be connected to the terminals of adjacent cells in the horizontal direction. However, the connector cannot be connected to the terminals of adjacent cells in the horizontal direction at the same time. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a cell connector and a battery that allows multiple cells to be horizontally aligned and connected in the horizontal direction.

[0006] This invention provides a battery cell connector for connecting two horizontally arranged battery cells side by side. The battery cell connector forms two stacked connecting plates by folding itself. Each connecting plate includes a bent portion and two connecting portions symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bent portion. The two connecting portions are respectively connected to the ends of two adjacent battery cells in the length direction. The bent portion is configured to adjust the orientation of the two connecting portions on both sides of the bent portion by bending itself, so that the two connecting portions of each connecting plate fit together and conduct electricity between the two adjacent battery cells connected by the connector.

[0007] Optionally, the two connecting plates of the battery cell connector have different bending radii to allow the bending portions to avoid each other when bending.

[0008] Optionally, the bend can be rounded.

[0009] Optionally, the cell connector can be folded along its own centerline to form two connecting plates.

[0010] Optionally, the cell connector has two protrusions in the unfolded state. The two protrusions are located on both sides of its own centerline and are opposite in direction to the plate surface of the cell connector. The protrusions are configured to form a bend after the cell connector is folded.

[0011] Optionally, the cell connector has a groove. When the cell connector is unfolded, the groove passes through the centerline of the cell connector itself, and the extension direction of the groove is perpendicular to the folding direction of the cell connector.

[0012] The present invention provides a battery comprising a plurality of cells and a connecting assembly, the connecting assembly comprising at least one cell connector, the cell connector being connected between the ends of two adjacent cells in the longitudinal direction.

[0013] Optionally, multiple battery cells form at least one first battery cell group, in which each battery cell in the first battery cell group is arranged sequentially along a first horizontal direction, and the length direction of each battery cell is along a second horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

[0014] Optionally, multiple battery cells form at least one second battery cell group, wherein each battery cell in the second battery cell group is arranged along a second horizontal direction and the length direction of each battery cell is along a first horizontal direction.

[0015] Optionally, the battery cell includes a battery cell body and a terminal post disposed at the end of the battery cell body, and the connection part of the battery cell connector and the terminal post are welded.

[0016] This invention provides a cell connector and a battery. The cell connector is used to connect two horizontally arranged side-by-side cell cells. The cell connector forms two stacked connecting plates by folding itself. Each connecting plate includes a bent portion and two connecting portions symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bent portion. The two connecting portions are respectively connected to the ends of two adjacent cell cells along their length. The bent portion is configured to adjust the orientation of the two connecting portions on both sides of the bent portion by bending itself, so that the two connecting portions of each connecting plate fit together and conduct electricity between the two adjacent cell cells connected by the connector. The cell connector and battery of this invention allow multiple cell cells and the cell connector to be connected horizontally when multiple cell cells are horizontally aligned. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery cell connector provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the folded structure of the battery cell connector provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connecting plate after bending, provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the connector and the battery cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A structural diagram from one of the perspectives;

[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which two connecting parts are attached, provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of one arrangement of battery cells in a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of another arrangement of battery cells in a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0029] 100 - Cell connector;

[0030] 110-Connecting plate;

[0031] 120 - Protrusion;

[0032] 130 - Groove;

[0033] 111 - Bending section;

[0034] 112 - Connecting part;

[0035] 200-battery;

[0036] 210-cell;

[0037] 220 - Connecting components;

[0038] 211 - First cell pack;

[0039] 212 - Second cell pack;

[0040] 213 - Cell body;

[0041] 214-Pole Column. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] Existing batteries mainly consist of a casing, multiple battery cells, and connectors. The battery cells and connectors are housed within a cavity enclosed by the casing. Specifically, a battery cell includes a cell body and terminals. The terminals are located on the side wall of the cell body, and the connectors connect the positive terminal of one cell to the negative terminal of an adjacent cell, together forming the battery.

[0044] However, the connector can only connect to the terminals of adjacent cells when adjacent cells are stacked along the thickness direction of the battery. When multiple cells are horizontally aligned, in order to save space in the thickness direction of the battery, the connector also needs to be connected to the terminals of adjacent cells in the horizontal direction. However, the connector cannot be connected to the terminals of adjacent cells in the horizontal direction at the same time.

[0045] To address the aforementioned problems, this invention provides a cell connector and a battery. The cell connector is folded to form a connecting plate, which includes a bending portion and two connecting portions. By bending the bending portion, the two connecting portions are connected to the terminals of two adjacent cells in different directions. When aligned in the same direction, the two cells are horizontally aligned, and the two cells and the cell connector are connected in the horizontal direction, thereby improving the space of the vehicle in the height direction.

[0046] The specific content of the present invention will now be further described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0047] Existing batteries mainly consist of a casing, multiple battery cells, and connectors, with the cells and connectors housed within a cavity enclosed by the casing. Specifically, a battery cell includes a cell body and terminals. The terminals are located on the sidewalls of the cell body, and the connectors connect the positive terminal of one cell to the negative terminal of an adjacent cell, together forming the battery. However, connectors can only connect the terminals of adjacent cells when adjacent cells are stacked along the thickness direction of the battery. When multiple cells are horizontally aligned, to save space in the thickness direction, connectors also need to be connected horizontally between the terminals of adjacent cells, but connectors cannot be connected to the terminals of adjacent cells simultaneously in the horizontal direction.

[0048] The present invention provides a cell connector and a battery. The cell connector is folded to form two stacked connecting plates. Each connecting plate includes a bent portion and two connecting portions symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bent portion. By bending the bent portion itself, the two stacked connecting portions are bent into a certain angle so that the two connecting portions are connected to the terminals of two adjacent cells in different directions. By adjusting the angle between the two connecting portions, the two connecting portions are made to fit together, thereby aligning the two cells in the same direction. When the two cells are horizontally aligned, the two cells and the cell connector are connected in the horizontal direction.

[0049] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery cell connector provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the cell connector 100 is used to connect two horizontally arranged cells 210 to achieve horizontal connection between the two cells 210, saving space in the thickness direction of the battery 200, thereby increasing the space in the height direction of the vehicle and improving the utilization rate of the space in the height direction of the vehicle.

[0050] Among them, the battery cell connector 100 forms two stacked connector plates 110 by folding itself. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the folded structure of the battery cell connector provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 As shown, each connecting plate 110 includes a bending portion 111 and two connecting portions 112 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bending portion 111. The bending portion 111 is used to bend the two stacked connecting plates 110 into two connecting portions 112 with a certain included angle. The two connecting portions 112 are respectively connected to the ends of two adjacent battery cells 210 in the longitudinal direction, so as to connect the battery cell 210 connecting connector to the ends of the two battery cells 210 through the two connecting portions 112, thereby realizing the horizontal connection between the two battery cells 210 and the battery cell connector 100 when the two battery cells 210 are horizontally aligned.

[0051] Furthermore, the bending portion 111 is configured to adjust the orientation of the two connecting portions 112 on both sides of the bending portion 111 by bending itself. Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connecting plate after bending, as provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown, this is to make the two connecting parts 112 of each connecting plate 110 fit together and to conduct electricity between the two adjacent cells 210 connected by the connector.

[0052] Specifically, by bending the bending part 111 itself, the two connecting parts 112 on both sides of the two stacked connecting plates 110 are bent into a certain angle. Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the connector and the battery cell provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5 for Figure 4 A structural diagram from one perspective. (See example.) Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the included angle of the two connecting parts 112 bends is adjusted so that the two connecting parts 112 face two different directions, thereby realizing the separate connection of the two connecting parts 112 and the two battery cells 210 in the two different directions. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which two connecting parts are attached, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the diagram. (See diagram below.) Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, after the two connecting parts 112 and the two battery cells 210 are firmly connected, the bending of the bending part 111 is adjusted to adjust the orientation of the two bending parts 111 so that the two bending parts 111 fit together in the horizontal direction and drive the two battery cells 210 to be horizontally aligned.

[0053] Since the orientation of the two connecting parts 112 can be adjusted by bending the bending part 111 itself, the two connecting parts 112 can be connected to the two cells 210 in different directions. Furthermore, by adjusting the orientation of the two connecting parts 112, they can be brought into contact in the same direction, simultaneously aligning the two cells 210 in the same direction. Therefore, the cell connector 100 of the present invention allows the two cells 210 and the cell connector 100 to be connected in the horizontal direction when the two cells 210 are horizontally aligned, saving space in the thickness direction of the battery 200 and improving the space utilization rate of the vehicle in the height direction.

[0054] Optionally, there are multiple cell connectors 100, which connect multiple horizontally arranged cell cells 210. Specifically, since there are multiple cell connectors 100, when two cell cells 210 are connected by one cell connector 100 to achieve horizontal alignment, the two cell cells 210 and one cell connector 100 are connected in the horizontal direction to form a common whole. Then, another cell cell 210 is connected to one of the cell cells 210 in the already connected whole by another cell connector 100, so that when multiple cell cells 210 are horizontally aligned, the multiple cell cells 210 and the cell connectors 100 are connected in the horizontal direction.

[0055] Optionally, the two connecting plates 110 of the battery cell connector 100 have different bending radii at their corresponding bends 111, so that the bends 111 avoid each other during bending. Specifically, since the two connecting plates 110 are stacked and both have a certain thickness, when the bend 111 is bent, the inner and outer connecting plates 110 are prone to friction and compression during the bending process, and different stresses are generated at the bend, which can lead to cracking of the bend 111. By setting the two connecting plates 110 of the battery cell connector 100 to have different bending radii at their corresponding bends 111, the inner and outer connecting plates 110 will not experience friction or compression due to the different bending radii during the bending process, thus preventing damage to the two connecting plates 110 and preventing cracking of the bend 111.

[0056] As an optional implementation, the bending portion 111 is arc-shaped. Specifically, since the bending portion 111 is arc-shaped and the bending process of the bending portion 111 is a rotational motion, the bending portion 111 will not collide inside the bending portion 111 or between the bending portion 111 and the connecting portion 112 during the bending process. This prevents the two connecting portions 112 from being worn by the bending of the bending portion 111, so that the two connecting portions 112 can be normally connected to the two adjacent battery cells 210.

[0057] Optionally, the cell connector 100 is folded along its own centerline to form two connecting plates 110. Specifically, since the cell connector 100 is folded along its own centerline to form two connecting plates 110, the two connecting plates 110 have a greater thickness during the bending process, which can provide better bending performance and reduce the occurrence of hardening and cracking in the bending portion 111.

[0058] As an optional implementation, the battery cell connector 100 has two protrusions 120 when unfolded. The two protrusions 120 are located on both sides of its own centerline, and the two protrusions 120 are opposite in direction to the plate surface of the battery cell connector 100. The protrusions 120 are configured to form a bending portion 111 after the battery cell connector 100 is folded.

[0059] Specifically, since the cell connector 100 has two protrusions 120 in the unfolded state, after the cell connector 100 is folded, the two protrusions 120 form a bending portion 111, so that the two connecting plates 110 do not collide or be squeezed when bending at the bending portion 111, thereby preventing damage to the two connecting plates 110. At the same time, since the two protrusions 120 are located on both sides of their own center line, and the two protrusions 120 are opposite in direction to the plate surface of the cell connector 100, after the cell connector 100 is folded, the two protrusions will change with the change of folding direction, folding the two protrusions with opposite directions in the unfolded state into two protrusions with the same direction, thus forming the bending portion 111.

[0060] Optionally, the cell connector 100 has a groove 130. When the cell connector 100 is in the unfolded state, the groove 130 passes through the centerline of the cell connector 100 itself, and the extending direction of the groove 130 is perpendicular to the folding direction of the cell connector 100. Specifically, because the cell connector 100 has a certain thickness, the two connecting plates 110 are prone to forming an angle at the fold after being folded, thus preventing the two connecting plates 110 from being stacked. By providing a groove 130 on the cell connector 100, when the cell connector 100 is in the unfolded state, the groove 130 passes through the centerline of the cell connector 100 itself, and the extending direction of the groove 130 is perpendicular to the folding direction of the cell connector 100, so that the two connecting plates 110 do not form an angle at the fold after being folded, thus allowing the two connecting plates 110 to be stacked.

[0061] This invention provides a battery 200, including a plurality of battery cells 210 and a connecting assembly 220. The connecting assembly 220 includes at least one battery cell connector 100, which is connected between the ends of two adjacent battery cells 210 along their length. Specifically, since the battery 200 includes a plurality of battery cells 210 and the connecting assembly 220, and the connecting assembly 220 includes at least one battery cell connector 100, which is connected between the ends of two adjacent battery cells 210 along their length, multiple battery cell connectors 100 can be used to connect the plurality of battery cells 210 so that when the plurality of battery cells 210 are horizontally aligned, the plurality of battery cells 210 and the plurality of battery cell connectors 100 are connected in the horizontal direction.

[0062] Optionally, multiple battery cells 210 form at least one first battery cell group 211. Each battery cell 210 in the first battery cell group 211 is arranged sequentially along a first horizontal direction, and the length direction of each battery cell 210 is along a second horizontal direction, which is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction. It should be noted that the first horizontal direction is the X-direction, i.e., the length direction of the battery 200, and the second horizontal direction is the Y-direction, i.e., the width direction of the battery 200.

[0063] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram illustrating one arrangement of battery cells in a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 As shown, since multiple battery cells 210 form at least one first battery cell group 211, each battery cell 210 in the first battery cell group 211 is arranged sequentially along the first horizontal direction, and the length direction of the battery cells 210 is along the second horizontal direction. The second horizontal direction is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction, which can make the multiple first battery cell groups 211 have a larger length in the first direction and reduce the number of first battery cell groups 211 in the second direction. This makes the connection between the multiple first battery cell groups 211 and the multiple battery cell connectors 100 in the second direction simpler, and can reduce the number of battery cell connectors 100 used, saving the production cost of battery cell connectors 100.

[0064] Optionally, multiple cells 210 form at least one second cell group 212. Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another arrangement of battery cells in a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 9 As shown, each cell 210 in the second cell group 212 is arranged along a second horizontal direction, and the length direction of each cell 210 is along a first horizontal direction. Specifically, since multiple cells 210 form at least one second cell group 212, and each cell 210 in the second cell group 212 is arranged along a second horizontal direction, and the length direction of each cell 210 is along a first horizontal direction, the multiple second cell groups 212 can have a smaller length in the second direction. This reduces the probability that a failure in some cells 210 in the second cell group 212 will cause the entire second cell group 212 to fail. This makes it easier to resolve failures in the multiple second cell groups 212 and reduces subsequent maintenance costs.

[0065] Optionally, the battery cell 210 includes a battery cell body 213 and a terminal post 214 disposed at the end of the battery cell body 213. Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the battery cell structure provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 10 As shown, the connecting portion 112 of the cell connector 100 is welded to the terminal post 214. Specifically, the cell 210 includes a cell body 213 and a terminal post 214 disposed at the end of the cell body 213. The cell body 213 serves as the core power supply unit of the cell 210, providing electrical energy to the cell 210 and thus to the battery 200. Since the connecting portion 112 of the cell connector 100 is welded to the terminal post 214, and the cell connector 100 can adjust the orientation of the two connecting portions 112 by bending the bending portion 111 itself, the two connecting portions 112 can be welded to the two terminal posts 214 in different directions, and the two connecting portions 112 can be aligned in the same horizontal direction. Thus, when the two terminal posts 214 are horizontally aligned, the two terminal posts 214 and the cell connector 100 are connected in the horizontal direction.

[0066] Optionally, the two connecting portions 112 include a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion, and each connecting portion 112 includes a first sidewall close to the electrode post 214 and a second sidewall away from the electrode post 214. The two battery cells 210 include a first battery cell and a second battery cell, and each battery cell 210 includes a positive electrode post and a negative electrode post disposed on both sides of the battery cell 210.

[0067] Specifically, the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the first connecting part are simultaneously welded to the positive terminal of the first battery cell, and the first sidewall and the second sidewall of the second connecting part are simultaneously welded to the negative terminal of the second battery cell, which makes the welding between the positive and negative terminals of the two connecting parts 112 and the two battery cells 210 simpler.

[0068] Optionally, both the second sidewall of the first connecting part and the second sidewall of the second connecting part are provided with through holes. The first sidewall of the first connecting part is welded to the positive terminal of the first battery cell through the through holes, and the first sidewall of the second connecting part is welded to the negative terminal of the second battery cell through the through holes. Since both the second sidewall of the first connecting part and the second sidewall of the second connecting part are provided with through holes, the first sidewall of the first connecting part is welded to the positive terminal of the first battery cell through the through holes, and the first sidewall of the second connecting part is welded to the negative terminal of the second battery cell through the through holes. This makes the welding of the two connecting parts 112 to the positive terminal and the negative terminal more secure and less likely to fall off.

[0069] The connection process of the cell connector 100 and the battery 200 provided by the present invention is as follows: When the cell connector 100 is unfolded, it includes a connecting plate 110, a protrusion 120, and a groove 130. The groove 130 passes through the centerline of the cell connector 100 itself, and the extending direction of the groove 130 is perpendicular to the folding direction of the cell connector 100. The protrusion 120 is configured to form a bent portion 111 after the cell connector 100 is folded. The battery 200 includes a plurality of cells 210 and at least one cell connector 100, and the cell 210 includes a cell body 213 and a terminal post 214 disposed at the end of the cell body 213.

[0070] The cell connector 100 folds itself to form two stacked connecting plates 110. Each connecting plate 110 includes a bent portion 111 and two connecting portions 112 symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bent portion 111. By bending the bent portion 111 itself, the two stacked connecting portions 112 are bent into a certain angle. The angle between the two connecting portions 112 is adjusted so that the two connecting portions 112 face two different directions, thereby connecting the two connecting portions 112 to the terminals 214 of two adjacent cells 210 respectively.

[0071] Because the orientation of the two connecting parts 112 can be adjusted by bending the bending part 111 itself, the two connecting parts 112 can be connected to the two terminals 214 in different directions. This adjustment further adjusts the orientation of the two connecting parts 112 to achieve contact in the same direction, simultaneously aligning the two terminals 214 in the same direction, and ultimately aligning the two battery cells 210 in the same direction. Therefore, when the two battery cells 210 are horizontally aligned, they are connected to the battery cell connector 100 in a horizontal direction, saving space in the thickness direction of the battery 200 and improving the space utilization rate of the vehicle in the height direction.

[0072] The present invention provides a cell connector and a battery. The cell connector is used to connect two horizontally arranged side by side cell cells. The cell connector forms two stacked connecting plates by folding itself. Each connecting plate includes a bent portion and two connecting portions symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bent portion. The two connecting portions are respectively connected to the ends of two adjacent cell cells along their length direction. The bent portion is configured to adjust the orientation of the two connecting portions on both sides of the bent portion by bending itself, so that the two connecting portions of each connecting plate fit together and conduct electricity between the two adjacent cell cells connected by the connector. The cell connector and battery of the present invention allow multiple cell cells and the cell connector to be connected horizontally when multiple cell cells are horizontally aligned.

[0073] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "center," "length," "width," "thickness," "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "front," "rear," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," "outer," "axial," and "circumferential," etc., used to indicate orientation or positional relationships are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the indicated position or component must have a specific orientation, or a specific structure and operation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0074] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0075] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can include direct contact between the first and second features, or contact between the first and second features through another feature between them. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature includes the first feature directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature includes the first feature directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicates that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0076] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setting," "connection," "fixing," "screw connection," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal connection of two components or the interaction between two components. Unless otherwise explicitly limited, those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0077] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A battery cell connector, characterized in that, The side of the battery cell is used to connect two horizontally arranged side by side to save space in the thickness direction of the battery. The battery cell connector is formed by folding itself to form two stacked connecting plates. Each connecting plate includes a bent part and two connecting parts symmetrically arranged on both sides of the bent part. The two connecting parts are respectively connected to the ends of the two adjacent battery cells in the length direction. The bending portion is configured to adjust the orientation of the two connecting portions on both sides of the bending portion by bending itself, so that the two connecting portions of each connecting plate fit together and conduct electricity to the two adjacent cells connected by the connector. The battery cell connector has a groove. When the battery cell connector is unfolded, the groove passes through the centerline of the battery cell connector itself, and the extension direction of the groove is perpendicular to the folding direction of the battery cell connector, so that the two connecting plates do not form an angle at the fold after being folded.

2. The cell connector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two connecting plates of the battery cell connector have different bending radii so that the bending portions avoid each other when bending.

3. The cell connector according to claim 2, characterized in that, The bent portion is arc-shaped.

4. The cell connector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cell connector is folded along its centerline to form two connector plates.

5. The cell connector according to claim 4, characterized in that, When unfolded, the cell connector has two protrusions, which are located on both sides of its centerline and are opposite in direction to the plate surface of the cell connector. The protrusions are configured to form the bending portion after the cell connector is folded.

6. A battery, characterized in that, It includes multiple battery cells and a connecting assembly, the connecting assembly including at least one battery cell connector as described in any one of claims 1-5, the battery cell connector being connected between the ends of two adjacent battery cells in the longitudinal direction.

7. The battery according to claim 6, characterized in that, The plurality of said cells form at least one first cell group, wherein each of the cells in the first cell group is arranged sequentially along a first horizontal direction, and the length direction of each cell is along a second horizontal direction, wherein the second horizontal direction is perpendicular to the first horizontal direction.

8. The battery according to claim 7, characterized in that, The plurality of said cells form at least one second cell group, wherein each of the cells in the second cell group is arranged along a second horizontal direction and the length direction of the cells is along a first horizontal direction.

9. The battery according to claim 8, characterized in that, The battery cell includes a battery cell body and an electrode post disposed at the end of the battery cell body, and the connecting portion of the battery cell connector is welded to the electrode post.

Images