Circulating self-cooling flexible lithium battery

Abstract

This invention discloses a cyclic self-cooling flexible lithium battery, comprising a flexible sheathing layer and a battery cell encased within the flexible sheathing layer. The battery cell is charged and discharged via a connector fixed to the end of the flexible sheathing layer. A protective mechanism is also installed on the side surface of the flexible sheathing layer. This protective mechanism improves the puncture resistance of the lithium battery by increasing the overall thickness of the flexible sheathing layer. The protective mechanism also includes an airflow mechanism, which generates airflow through the repeated bending of the lithium battery, enabling the protective mechanism to cyclically self-cool the lithium battery. This cyclic self-cooling flexible lithium battery improves upon the existing external structure of flexible lithium batteries, allowing the lithium battery to generate airflow and cool itself through repeated bending. It also provides sufficient impact protection and puncture point guidance for the flattened flexible lithium battery pack.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of lithium battery technology, specifically to a flexible lithium battery that can withstand repeated bending and use, and more specifically to a flexible lithium battery that can be self-cooled during cycles. Background Technology

[0002] Flexible lithium batteries have a similar power generation principle to traditional lithium batteries, but their structural forms are different. While straight or rigid lithium batteries have a wider range of applications, flexible batteries are needed in power supply environments that require repeated bending, such as wearable devices, to ensure normal power supply and lifespan in these environments. For example, a flexible wearable lithium battery with publication number CN103715380B is described in the prior art. This flexible wearable lithium battery includes a battery module, which includes a bendable soft body and a cell unit. The cell unit consists of two or more single cells and conductors for connecting the single cells. The bendable soft body and the cell unit are integrally injection molded using silicone or flexible plastic. This invention encapsulates two or more small single cells in a bendable soft body using silicone or flexible plastic. The single cells can be arbitrarily assembled into a battery module by connecting them in series or parallel. This battery module can be bent, and one or more battery modules can be easily combined to form a flexible wearable lithium battery.

[0003] For example, CN113036291A discloses a flexible lithium battery with high thermal stability, comprising a bendable flexible membrane shell, an internal groove, a lithium battery body, and a rubber protective layer. The bendable flexible membrane shell has an internal groove, within which a matching lithium battery body is installed. A matching high-strength polyethylene separator layer is installed within the lithium battery body through the rubber protective layer. This invention relates to the field of lithium battery technology, specifically a flexible lithium battery with high thermal stability. By incorporating a matching high-strength polyethylene separator layer within the lithium battery body through a rubber protective layer, the lithium battery body generates heat during long-term use. To improve the thermal stability of the lithium battery body within the device, the addition of the high-strength polyethylene separator layer effectively ensures the internal thermal stability of the device and also serves to isolate the positive and negative electrodes.

[0004] The flexible lithium batteries mentioned above are basically made by integrating several small cell units into a flexible unit to form an overall bendable flexible lithium battery. Because of the relatively flat design of the battery itself, this type of battery has a better protection effect against blunt impact. However, due to the overall flatness of the battery, its puncture resistance is reduced accordingly. That is, its protection performance in relatively complex working environments and in response to unexpected situations needs to be further improved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a flexible lithium battery with self-cooling cycling capability, in order to solve the problem mentioned in the background art that the overall flattening of the battery leads to a corresponding decrease in its puncture resistance, i.e., the protection performance in relatively complex working environments and in response to unexpected situations needs to be further improved.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a flexible lithium battery with cyclic self-cooling, comprising a flexible sheathing layer and a battery cell encasing the flexible sheathing layer. The battery cell is charged and discharged through a connector fixed at the end of the flexible sheathing layer. A protective mechanism is also installed on the side surface of the flexible sheathing layer. The protective mechanism improves the puncture resistance of the lithium battery by increasing the overall thickness of the flexible sheathing layer. The protective mechanism also includes an airflow mechanism, which generates airflow through the repeated bending working environment of the lithium battery, enabling the protective mechanism to cyclically self-cool the lithium battery.

[0007] As a further step, the protective mechanism includes a flexible protective plate, on which a reinforcing strip is installed on the outer surface of the flexible wrapping layer. The reinforcing strip also serves to separate the flexible protective plate and the flexible wrapping layer and to provide air circulation space.

[0008] As a further step, the surface of the flexible protective panel is also provided with horizontally penetrating air holes, which provide a channel for the circulation of air inside and outside the flexible protective panel.

[0009] As a further step, the reinforcing strip includes a horizontal bar with an axis parallel to the fold lines of the lithium battery.

[0010] As a further step, the airflow mechanism includes an airbag disposed at a fixed position on the flexible protective plate, wherein the airbag is located in the frequently folding area of ​​the flexible lithium battery.

[0011] Furthermore, both the airbag and the crossbar are provided with through holes for airflow.

[0012] As a further step, the airflow mechanism comprises a flexible protective plate and a support guide plate disposed between the flexible protective plate and the flexible wrapping layer;

[0013] Furthermore, the support guide plate is not rigidly connected to the flexible protective plate, while the support guide plate is fitted to the surface of the flexible wrapping layer.

[0014] As a further step, two adjacent support guide plates together form a reinforcing strip, wherein the support guide plates are distributed at an angle.

[0015] As a further step, the flexible protective plate is provided with guide grooves, wherein a single guide groove is a node, one end of the guide groove is a recessed area, and the other end is a raised area;

[0016] Furthermore, the guide grooves are distributed at an angle from the raised area toward the recessed area, while the recessed area and the gap area are distributed accordingly.

[0017] Furthermore, this gap region is the area between two adjacent battery cells in the flexible wrapping layer.

[0018] As a further step, the tail end of the guide groove is connected to the recessed area, the air hole is located in the recessed area, and the raised area is an outwardly convex arc-shaped structure.

[0019] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the flexible lithium battery with self-cooling cycle improves the external structure of existing flexible lithium batteries, enabling the lithium battery as a whole to generate airflow and cool itself by repeatedly bending itself, while providing sufficient impact protection and puncture point guidance protection for the flat flexible lithium battery pack, as shown in the following details:

[0020] 1. The use of flexible protective panels in conjunction with horizontal bar structures can not only protect the flexible battery pack from external impacts, but also create a certain space between the flexible protective panels and the battery pack, allowing the airflow generated by the subsequent airflow mechanism to flow fully.

[0021] 2. The airbag and through-hole structure design can, on the one hand, use the airbag to buffer and protect the lithium battery as a whole, and on the other hand, it can also reduce the squeezing force generated by the fixed bending area in the working environment of the flexible lithium battery, drive the airbag to deform and generate airflow circulation, thereby achieving self-cooling of the battery and effectively improving the service life of the lithium battery.

[0022] 3. The combined use of the support guide plate and the flexible protective plate can achieve the same effect as the horizontal bar by using the support guide plate, that is, to separate the flexible protective plate and the flexible wrapping layer with a certain gap. At the same time, the combination of the flexible protective plate and the support guide plate can cause the flexible protective plate to deform and the support guide plate to deflect when the flexible lithium battery is bent at any position. This changes the volume of the separated space, thereby achieving a better airflow delivery effect. That is, the cooling effect is better and the limitation of the flexible lithium battery being fixed to the bending area to trigger airflow cooling is eliminated, resulting in better performance.

[0023] Furthermore, the structural design of the recessed area on the flexible protective plate can not only change the local thickness of the flexible protective plate while ensuring the overall protective performance of the flexible protective plate and improving the heat conduction effect, but also use the slope of the recessed area to guide the puncture point of possible puncture behavior, so as to minimize the puncture point directly passing through the battery cell, thereby making the flexible protective plate have a better overall protective effect. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible protective plate distribution structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 For the present invention Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the reinforcing strip structure in the diagram;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the reinforcing strip structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the flexible protective panel and the airflow guided by the deformation of the supporting guide plate;

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the flexible protective plate structure according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the guide groove distribution structure of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram showing the state changes of the puncture member of the present invention being guided by the guide groove.

[0032] In the diagram: 1. Flexible wrapping layer; 2. Battery cell; 3. Flexible protective plate; 4. Air pore; 5. Horizontal bar; 6. Airbag; 7. Through hole; 8. Support guide plate; 9. Guide groove; 10. Raised area; 11. Recessed area; 12. Connector. Detailed Implementation

[0033] 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 only 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.

[0034] Please see Figures 1-8 The present invention provides the following technical solution:

[0035] Example 1: In this example, to address the problems existing in the prior art, the following solution is disclosed: a solution for external protection of the entire flexible lithium battery, which can be referred to. Figures 1-3 The system includes a flexible sheath 1 and a battery cell 2 encasing the flexible sheath 1. The battery cell 2 is charged and discharged via a connector 12 fixed to the end of the flexible sheath 1. A protective mechanism is also installed on the side surface of the flexible sheath 1. The protective mechanism improves the puncture resistance of the lithium battery by increasing the overall thickness of the flexible sheath 1. The protective mechanism also includes an airflow mechanism, which generates airflow through the repeated bending working environment of the lithium battery, allowing the protective mechanism to cyclically cool the lithium battery. The protective mechanism includes a flexible protective plate 3, and the flexible protective plate 3 is installed on the outer surface of the flexible sheath 1 via reinforcing strips. The reinforcing strips also serve to separate the flexible protective plate 3 from the flexible sheath 1. The wrapping layer 1 provides air circulation space. The surface of the flexible protective plate 3 is also provided with horizontally penetrating air holes 4. These air holes 4 provide channels for air circulation between the inside and outside of the flexible protective plate 3. Firstly, by adding the flexible protective plate 3 to the outside of the flexible wrapping layer 1 of the lithium battery, the stroke of possible puncture behavior is increased, and the buffer protection effect is further improved. Moreover, the flexible protective plate 3 and the flexible wrapping layer 1 can be separated by a certain distance through the reinforcing strip, so that the airflow generated by the airflow mechanism can flow in the gap. Although it cannot cool down by introducing the low-temperature airflow from the outside, it can achieve a better cooling effect by increasing air circulation.

[0036] This solution further elaborates on the airflow mechanism, which differs from electrical equipment such as air pumps in transmission technology. It is more suitable for installations with limited space and requires no electrical control. For details, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 3 The reinforcing strip includes a horizontal bar 5 with its axis parallel to the folding line of the lithium battery. The airflow mechanism includes an airbag 6 fixed at a position on the flexible protective plate 3. The airbag 6 is located in the frequently folding area of ​​the flexible lithium battery. Both the airbag 6 and the horizontal bar 5 have through holes 7 for airflow. Generally, the bending area of ​​a flexible lithium battery, especially one that requires frequent bending, is mostly fixed in a certain area. Because the airbag 6 is used in this solution, one of its functions is to install it on the high-frequency bending area of ​​the lithium battery. The airbag 6, with its elastic structure, repeatedly deforms to generate airflow, which flows through the through holes 7 in the flexible protective plate 3 and the flexible wrapping layer 1. The airflow in the flexible protective plate 3 and the flexible wrapping layer 1 exchanges with the external gas through the air holes 4. On the other hand, the airbag 6 also provides better cushioning protection for the bending part of the lithium battery. The disadvantage is that it increases the bending resistance of the lithium battery. Both advantages and disadvantages are obvious.

[0037] Example 2: This example discloses a solution different from the above examples. The main difference lies in the different airflow mechanism and the structure of the reinforcing strips, such as... Figures 4-5 As shown, the airflow mechanism consists of a flexible protective plate 3 and a support guide plate 8 disposed between the flexible protective plate 3 and the flexible wrapping layer 1. The support guide plate 8 is not rigidly connected to the flexible protective plate 3, while the support guide plate 8 is attached to the surface of the flexible wrapping layer 1. Two adjacent support guide plates 8 together form a reinforcing strip. The support guide plates 8 are inclined. When any area of ​​the lithium battery is bent, the corresponding flexible protective plate 3 will deform and press the bottom end of the support guide plate 8 to slide along the surface of the flexible wrapping layer 1. At the same time, the spatial volume formed by the flexible protective plate 3, the support guide plate 8 and the flexible wrapping layer 1 will change with the deformation of the flexible protective plate 3. The airflow inside and outside the flexible protective plate 3 will also be exchanged through the air holes 4 as the lithium battery is repeatedly bent. Compared with the above embodiment, the difference of this solution is that it no longer requires the lithium battery to be bent in a specified area, but can still trigger the operation of the airflow mechanism to produce the effect of promoting airflow.

[0038] Example 3: This example discloses a solution that coexists with or exists independently of the above examples. Its main function is to ensure that, in the event of a puncture, the penetration point of the puncture component avoids the location of the battery cell as much as possible. Figures 6-8 As shown, the flexible protective plate 3 has guide grooves 9, with each guide groove 9 serving as a node. One end of the guide groove 9 is a recessed area 11, and the other end is a raised area 10. The guide groove 9 is distributed inclinedly from the raised area 10 towards the recessed area 11. The recessed area 11 corresponds to the gap area, which is the area between two adjacent battery cells 2 in the flexible wrapping layer 1. The tail end of the guide groove 9 connects to the recessed area 11, and the vent 4 is located in the recessed area 11. The raised area 10 is an outwardly convex arc-shaped structure. When a rod or its... When the puncture component comes into contact with the overall surface of the flexible lithium battery, guided by the inclined surface of the guide groove 9, the puncture component located at point A will bend and move along the inclined direction of the guide groove 9. Alternatively, the rigid puncture component will be guided by the guide groove 9 and the puncture position will shift towards the recessed area 11. Therefore, the puncture point will try to avoid the position of the cell body 2. Thus, the flexible protective plate 3 can not only buffer and protect the cell, but also cool the battery and guide the position of the puncture point, thus providing maximum protection for the entire lithium battery.

[0039] Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A flexible lithium battery with self-cooling cycling capability, comprising a flexible sheath (1) and a cell (2) encasing the flexible sheath (1), wherein the cell (2) is charged and discharged via a connector (12) fixed at the end of the flexible sheath (1), characterized in that: The side surface of the flexible wrapping layer (1) is also equipped with a protective mechanism, wherein the protective mechanism improves the puncture resistance of the lithium battery by increasing the overall thickness of the flexible wrapping layer (1) surface. At the same time, the protective mechanism is also equipped with an airflow mechanism, wherein the airflow mechanism generates airflow through the repeated bending working environment of the lithium battery, so that the protective mechanism can cyclically cool the lithium battery. The protective mechanism includes a flexible protective plate (3), and a reinforcing strip is installed on the outer surface of the flexible wrapping layer (1) on the flexible protective plate (3). The reinforcing strip is also used to separate the flexible protective plate (3) and the flexible wrapping layer (1) and to provide air circulation space. The surface of the flexible protective plate (3) is also provided with horizontally penetrating air holes (4), which are used to provide a channel for the air to circulate inside and outside the flexible protective plate (3). The airflow mechanism consists of a flexible protective plate (3) and a support guide plate (8) disposed between the flexible protective plate (3) and the flexible wrapping layer (1). The support guide plate (8) and the flexible protective plate (3) are non-rigidly connected, while the support guide plate (8) and the surface of the flexible wrapping layer (1) are fitted together. Two adjacent support guide plates (8) together form a reinforcing strip, wherein the support guide plates (8) are inclined; The flexible protective plate (3) is provided with guide grooves (9), wherein a single guide groove (9) is a node, one end of the guide groove (9) is a recessed area (11), and the other end is a raised area (10). The guide groove (9) is inclined from the raised area (10) toward the recessed area (11). At the same time, the recessed area (11) is correspondingly distributed with the gap area, which is the area between two adjacent battery cells (2) in the flexible wrapping layer (1). The tail end of the guide groove (9) is connected to the recessed area (11), the air hole (4) is located in the recessed area (11), and the raised area (10) is an outwardly convex arc structure.

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