Battery pack and power consuming device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a battery pack and an electric device. The battery pack comprises: a shell; a battery cell module located in the shell; a conductive plate electrically connected with the battery cell module; and a switch assembly comprising a first conductive connection part, a push rod and a force applying member, wherein the first conductive connection part is connected with the conductive plate, a first end of the push rod is fixed on the shell, the push rod comprises a second end opposite to the first end, a second conductive connection part is arranged on the second end, and the position of the second conductive connection part corresponds to the first conductive connection part. The switch assembly is configured to separate the first conductive connection part and the second conductive connection part when a battery cell in the battery cell module expands. The battery pack of the present application can improve the protection effect of overcharging or other abnormal expansion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electrochemical energy storage, specifically to battery packs and electrical devices. Background Technology

[0002] Overcharging is one of the main causes of thermal runaway. Although some overcharge protection is currently set on the battery management system (BMS) circuit board, the BMS overcharge protection may fail once. Therefore, further improvements are expected. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Some embodiments of this application provide a battery pack including a housing, a cell module, a conductive plate, and a switching assembly. The cell module is located inside the housing. The conductive plate is electrically connected to the cell module. The switching assembly includes a first conductive connection portion, a push rod, and a force application member. The first conductive connection portion is connected to the conductive plate. A first end of the push rod is fixed to the housing. The push rod includes a second end opposite to the first end, and a second conductive connection portion is disposed on the second end, the position of which corresponds to the first conductive connection portion. The switching assembly is configured to push the first and second conductive connection portions apart when a cell in the cell module expands.

[0004] In some embodiments, the battery cell module includes multiple battery cells arranged side-by-side with a push rod, and the multiple battery cells are connected by a conductive plate. In some embodiments, a first conductive connection and a second conductive connection are configured to provide charging and discharging paths for the battery cell module. In some embodiments, the first conductive connection includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being connected to the conductive plate and the second portion being connected to the second conductive connection, the first portion and the second portion forming an L-shape. In some embodiments, a first distance exists between the push rod and the battery cell module, and a second distance exists between the push rod and the side wall of the housing near the push rod. In some embodiments, the first distance is 4mm to 6mm, and the second distance is 4mm to 6mm.

[0005] In some embodiments, the force-applying element includes at least one of a magnet or a spring. In some embodiments, when the force-applying element includes a magnet, the magnet clamps the connecting portion of the first conductive connection and the second conductive connection in the middle, and generates a first magnetic attraction between the first conductive connection and the second conductive connection. In some embodiments, when the force-applying element includes a spring, the spring is disposed between the second end of the push rod and the side wall of the housing near the push rod, and applies a first elastic force to the push rod.

[0006] Some embodiments of this application also provide an electrical device that includes the aforementioned battery pack.

[0007] By employing a switch assembly including a first conductive connection, a push rod, and a force application element, the switch assembly is configured such that when a cell in the cell module expands, it pushes the first conductive connection and the second conductive connection to separate, thereby protecting against cell expansion caused by overcharging or other reasons. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a battery pack according to some embodiments is shown.

[0009] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a battery pack according to some embodiments is shown.

[0010] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a battery pack according to some embodiments is shown.

[0011] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a battery pack according to some embodiments is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0012] The following embodiments are intended to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand this application, but do not limit this application in any way.

[0013] Figure 1 Based on schematic diagrams of battery packs from some embodiments, Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram after the battery cell has expanded. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the battery pack according to other embodiments. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram after the cell has expanded. For simplicity, reference numerals are not repeated for some of the same parts in different figures.

[0014] like Figures 1 to 4 As shown, this application provides a battery pack, which includes a housing 1, a cell module 2, a conductive plate 3, and a switching assembly. In some embodiments, the housing 1 may be formed of materials such as metal or plastic. In some embodiments, the cell module 2 is located inside the housing 1. In some embodiments, the conductive plate 3 is connected to the cell module 2.

[0015] In some embodiments, the conductive plate 3 includes a circuit board. Optionally, the circuit board includes a printed circuit board (PCB), and multiple conductors (not shown) may be disposed on the circuit board. Optionally, the circuit board includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC). In one embodiment, the circuit board includes a Battery Management System (BMS) component. The BMS component includes multiple electronic components that can realize functions such as data acquisition, control, protection, communication, power calculation, signal transmission, and power transmission of the battery cell.

[0016] In some embodiments, the switch assembly includes a first conductive connection portion 41, a push rod 42, and a force application member 43. In some embodiments, the first conductive connection portion 41 is connected to a conductive plate 3. In some embodiments, the first end 421 of the push rod 42 is fixed to the housing 1, for example, by means of a fastener 5. Of course, this is only exemplary, and it can also be fixed to the housing 1 by other suitable means. In some embodiments, the push rod 42 includes a second end 422 opposite to the first end 421, and a second conductive connection portion 423 is provided on the second end 422. For example, the second conductive connection portion 423 may be a metal sheet embedded in the push rod 42. In some embodiments, the position of the second conductive connection portion 423 corresponds to the first conductive connection portion 41, so that when the first conductive connection portion 41 and the second conductive connection portion 423 are connected, the circuit can be turned on, and the battery cell module 2 can be charged or discharged. When the first conductive connection portion 41 and the second conductive connection portion 423 are separated, the circuit is broken, and the battery cell module 2 is disconnected from charging or discharging. The second conductive connection portion 423 is configured to connect to an external device to provide a charging and discharging path for the cell module 2. For example, the battery pack includes a connector for connecting to an external device, and the second conductive connection portion 423 is connected to the connector.

[0017] In some embodiments, the switching assembly is configured such that when a cell in the cell module 2 expands, the expanded cell near the push rod 42 pushes the push rod 42, causing the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423 to separate. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, when the battery cell in the battery cell module 2 is not expanded, the force application member 43 promotes the connection of the first conductive connection part 41 and the second conductive connection part 423. The force application member 43 helps to maintain a stable electrical connection between the first conductive connection part 41 and the second conductive connection part 423 when the battery cell is not expanded, reducing the risk of circuit disconnection caused by some shaking of the battery pack.

[0018] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the battery module 2 includes multiple battery cells 21, which are electrically connected via a conductive plate 3. Thus, the multiple battery cells 21 can form the battery module 2 for energy storage, i.e., charging and discharging. In some embodiments, the multiple battery cells 21 and the push rod 42 are arranged side-by-side at intervals. In some embodiments, as described above, the first conductive connection portion 41 and the second conductive connection portion 423 are configured to provide charging and discharging paths for the battery module 2.

[0019] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first conductive connection portion 41 includes a first portion 411 and a second portion 412. The first portion 411 is connected to the conductive plate 3, and the second portion 412 is connected to the second conductive connection portion 423. In some embodiments, the first portion 411 and the second portion 412 form an L-shape. In some embodiments, the first conductive connection portion 41 includes a metal sheet. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the metal sheet is an L-shaped metal sheet, which may include copper sheets, etc. The L-shaped metal sheet facilitates the mounting of the first conductive connection part 41 on the conductive plate 3. The first part 411 of the L-shaped metal sheet is used to form an electrical connection with the conductive plate 3, and the second part 412 of the L-shaped metal sheet is used to contact the second conductive connection part 423.

[0020] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, there is a first distance d1 between the push rod 42 and the cell module 2. It should be understood that the first distance d1 refers to the distance between the push rod 42 and the cell closest to the push rod 42. In some embodiments, the first distance d1 is 4mm to 6mm, which is beneficial for strengthening the protection of the cell module 2.

[0021] In some embodiments, a second distance d2 exists between the push rod 42 and the side wall 11 of the housing 1 near the push rod 42. It should be understood that the second distance d2 is the maximum distance the push rod 42 can move when pushed by the expanded battery cell 21. For example, as... Figure 1 As shown, when the push rod 42 has a protrusion at its second end 422, the second distance d2 refers to the distance between the protrusion and the side wall 11 of the housing 1, which corresponds to the maximum movable distance of the push rod 42. In some embodiments, the second distance d2 is 4 mm to 6 mm. Typically, the second distance d2 is greater than or equal to the first distance d1.

[0022] Under normal use of the battery pack, there is a certain distance between the cell module 2 and the push rod 42. Normal expansion will not compress the push rod 42, and the second conductive connection 423 on the push rod 42 maintains good contact with the first conductive connection 41, ensuring normal conduction of the charging circuit. When the cell module 2 is overcharged or other abnormalities cause cell expansion, exceeding the normal cyclic expansion, the expanded cell compresses the push rod 42, causing the second conductive connection 423 on the push rod 42 to detach from the first conductive connection 41, breaking the charging or discharging circuit and ultimately protecting against cell expansion caused by overcharging or other reasons.

[0023] In some embodiments, the force-applying element 43 includes at least one of a magnet or a spring. In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when the force applicator 43 is a magnet, the magnet clamps the connection portion of the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423 (e.g., the second portion 412 of the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423) in the middle, and generates a first magnetic attraction between the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423. Thus, when the cell 21 of the cell module 2 is not expanded, the force applicator 43 can maintain a stable electrical connection between the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423; when the cell 21 of the cell module 2 expands, it pushes the push rod 42, and the pushing force is greater than the first magnetic attraction to separate the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423. In some embodiments, the first magnetic attraction is 4N to 6N. In some embodiments, when the expansion of the cell 21 of the cell module 2 disappears or weakens, the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423 reconnect under the action of the first magnetic attraction.

[0024] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, the force-applying member 43 includes a first magnet 431 and a second magnet 432, which sandwich the second portion 412 of the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423 between them. In some embodiments, the polarities of the first magnet 431 and the second magnet 432 are opposite; for example, one of the first magnet 431 and the second magnet 432 is the N pole and the other is the S pole, and a first magnetic attraction is generated between the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423. The first magnet 431 is located on the side of the second portion 412 away from the second conductive connection 423, and the second magnet 432 is located on the side of the push rod 42 away from the second conductive connection 423.

[0025] In some embodiments, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, when the force-applying member 43 is a spring, the spring is disposed between the second end 422 and the side wall 11 of the housing 1 near the push rod 42, and applies a first elastic force to the push rod 42. Thus, when the battery cell 21 of the battery cell module 2 is not expanded, the force-applying member 43 can maintain a stable electrical connection between the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423; when the battery cell 21 of the battery cell module 2 expands, it pushes the push rod 42, and this pushing force is greater than the first elastic force, to separate the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423. In some embodiments, the first elastic force is 4N to 6N. In some embodiments, when the expansion of the battery cell 21 of the battery cell module 2 disappears or weakens, the first conductive connection 41 and the second conductive connection 423 are reconnected under the action of the first elastic force.

[0026] In some embodiments, such as Figure 2 As shown, at least one of the first conductive connection portion 41 and the second conductive connection portion 423 is plated with a soft metal layer 44. In some embodiments, the soft metal layer 44 may include, for example, a liquid gallium metal layer. The provision of the soft metal layer 44 also helps to ensure a stable electrical connection between the first conductive connection portion 41 and the second conductive connection portion 423 when the cell is not expanding.

[0027] In some embodiments, the battery cell 21 of the battery cell module 2 may include, but is not limited to, a lithium-ion battery.

[0028] Embodiments of this application also provide electrical devices or electronic apparatuses including the aforementioned battery packs. The electrical devices or electronic apparatuses in the embodiments of this application are not particularly limited and can be any electrical device or electronic apparatus known in the prior art. In some embodiments, the electrical devices or electronic apparatuses may include, but are not limited to, laptops, pen-based computers, mobile computers, e-book players, portable telephones, portable fax machines, portable copiers, portable printers, stereo headphones, video recorders, LCD TVs, portable cleaners, portable CD players, mini CDs, transceivers, electronic notebooks, calculators, memory cards, portable recorders, radios, backup power supplies, motors, automobiles, motorcycles, electric bicycles, bicycles, drones, lighting fixtures, toys, game consoles, clocks, power tools, flashlights, cameras, large household batteries, and lithium-ion capacitors, etc.

[0029] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and an explanation of the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of disclosure in this application is not limited to technical solutions formed by specific combinations of the above-described technical features, but should also cover other technical solutions formed by any combination of the above-described technical features or their equivalents. For example, technical solutions formed by substituting the above-described features with technical features having similar functions disclosed in this application.

Claims

1. A battery pack comprising: case; The battery cell module is located inside the housing; A conductive plate is electrically connected to the battery cell module; A switch assembly includes a first conductive connection portion, a push rod, and a force application element. The first conductive connection portion is connected to a conductive plate. A first end of the push rod is fixed to the housing. The push rod includes a second end opposite to the first end. A second conductive connection portion is provided on the second end. The position of the second conductive connection portion corresponds to that of the first conductive connection portion. The second conductive connection portion is configured to connect to an external device. The force-applying element includes at least one of a magnet or a spring; When the force-applying component includes a magnet, the magnet clamps the connection portion of the first conductive connection portion and the second conductive connection portion in the middle, and generates a first magnetic attraction force between the first conductive connection portion and the second conductive connection portion; Alternatively, when the force-applying element includes a spring, the spring is disposed between the second end and the side wall of the housing near the push rod, and applies a first elastic force to the push rod; The switching assembly is configured to push the first conductive connection portion and the second conductive connection portion apart when the battery cell in the battery cell module expands.

2. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The battery cell module includes multiple battery cells, which are arranged side by side with the push rod, and the multiple battery cells are connected through the conductive plate.

3. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The first conductive connection portion and the second conductive connection portion are configured to provide charging and discharging paths for the battery cell module.

4. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, The first conductive connection portion includes a first part and a second part. The first part is connected to the conductive plate, and the second part is connected to the second conductive connection portion. The first part and the second part form an L-shape.

5. The battery pack according to claim 1, wherein, There is a first distance between the push rod and the battery cell module, and a second distance between the push rod and the side wall of the housing near the push rod.

6. The battery pack according to claim 5, wherein, The first distance is 4mm to 6mm, and the second distance is 4mm to 6mm.

7. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, Includes the battery pack as described in any one of claims 1 to 6.

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