Smart battery and preparation method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an intelligent battery and a preparation method thereof, the intelligent battery is composed of a battery body and a flexible monitoring body, and the battery body is provided with a groove matched with the flexible monitoring body in shape and size; the flexible monitoring body is arranged in the groove, and an electrode of the flexible monitoring body is led out through a tab of the battery body. The flexible monitoring body is arranged in the groove formed in the battery body of the intelligent battery, and compared with an implantation mode in the prior art, a protruding part can be prevented from being caused in the thickness direction, so that damage to the battery is avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and particularly to an intelligent battery and a preparation method thereof. Background Art

[0002] When a lithium-ion battery is subjected to external or internal stimuli, a phenomenon of excessive local temperature may occur, which easily triggers a series of self-heating events and ultimately leads to thermal runaway and battery self-ignition. In addition, chemical reactions and material deformations are constantly occurring inside the lithium-ion battery, resulting in continuous changes in the shape of the lithium battery with the usage state. Since both the hard and soft outer shell materials of the lithium battery have a certain degree of ductility, in the early stage of thermal runaway of the lithium battery, a series of physical and chemical changes will cause a certain pressure inside the lithium battery. Therefore, monitoring the temperature, pressure, and gas inside and outside the lithium battery can timely detect problems and take early measures to avoid dangers such as self-ignition and even explosion.

[0003] The internal space of the battery is narrow, and the positive / negative electrode materials, current collectors, and separators are closely arranged, which poses high requirements on the size and quantity of implanted sensors.

[0004] However, the sensors implanted in the prior art will cause protruding parts in the thickness of the battery, which are likely to damage the battery and have an adverse impact on the long-term use of the battery. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Based on this, it is necessary to provide an intelligent battery and a preparation method thereof that can reduce the damage caused by sensor integration for the above technical problems.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present application provides an intelligent battery, which includes: a battery body and a flexible monitoring body;

[0007] A groove matching the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body is formed on the battery body;

[0008] The flexible monitoring body is arranged in the groove, and the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are led out through the tabs of the battery body.

[0009] In one embodiment, the flexible monitoring body is an ultra-thin flexible sensor.

[0010] In one embodiment, the ultra-thin flexible sensor is a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor.

[0011] In one embodiment, the groove is formed at least at one position of the battery separator, electrode plate, and battery end cap of the battery body.

[0012] In one embodiment, the groove is formed in the electrode tab of the battery body; the electrode tab includes: a battery positive electrode, a battery negative electrode, a positive current collector, and a negative current collector.

[0013] In one embodiment, the intelligent battery further includes an intelligent warning device;

[0014] The electrode of the flexible monitoring body is electrically connected to the intelligent warning device, and the polarity of the electrode of the flexible monitoring body is the same as that of the tab.

[0015] In one embodiment, the flexible monitoring body transmits the collected temperature signal and / or pressure signal of the intelligent battery to the intelligent warning device through the wire;

[0016] The intelligent warning device performs safety warning on the intelligent battery according to the temperature signal and / or the pressure signal and a preset temperature threshold and / or a preset pressure threshold.

[0017] In one embodiment, the thickness of the flexible monitoring body is less than 50 microns, and the area of the flexible monitoring body is less than 3 mm 2 .

[0018] In a second aspect, the present application provides a method for manufacturing an intelligent battery, which is used to manufacture the intelligent battery according to any one of the first aspect, and the method includes the following steps:

[0019] Manufacture a flexible monitoring body, and calibrate and calibrate the flexible monitoring body;

[0020] Form a groove on the battery body that matches the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body;

[0021] Place the flexible monitoring body in the groove, and lead out the electrode of the flexible monitoring body through the tab of the battery body;

[0022] Assemble the electrode of the flexible monitoring body with the diaphragm of the battery body, and obtain the intelligent battery through liquid injection and encapsulation treatment.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method further includes:

[0024] Connect the electrode of the flexible monitoring body to the intelligent warning device through a wire.

[0025] The above-mentioned intelligent battery is composed of a battery body and a flexible monitoring body. A groove matching the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body is formed on the battery body; the flexible monitoring body is arranged in the groove, and the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are led out through the tabs of the battery body. Arranging the flexible monitoring body in the groove formed in the battery body of the intelligent battery can avoid a protruding part in terms of thickness compared with the implantation method in the prior art, thereby avoiding damage to the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or the related art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the related art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0027] Figure 1 It is a structural block diagram of an intelligent battery in an embodiment;

[0028] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of a groove formed in the electrode tab of the battery body in an embodiment;

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of an intelligent battery including an intelligent warning device in an embodiment;

[0030] Figure 4 It is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing an intelligent battery in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0031] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the following further details the present application in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present application and are not used to limit the present application.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 1 shown, an intelligent battery 100 is provided. The intelligent battery includes: a battery body 101 and a flexible monitoring body 102.

[0033] Among them, a groove matching the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body 102 is formed on the battery body 101. The flexible monitoring body 102 is arranged in the groove, and the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body 102 are led out through the tabs of the battery body 101.

[0034] A tab is a metal conductor that leads out the positive and negative electrodes from the battery cell. As a contact point during charging and discharging, it is a raw material for lithium-ion polymer battery products.

[0035] The intelligent battery 100 can be a lithium-ion battery, which is a secondary battery (rechargeable battery) that mainly operates by the movement of lithium ions between the positive and negative electrodes. A lithium-ion battery usually consists of the following parts:

[0036] (1) Positive electrode - The active material is generally lithium manganate or lithium cobaltate, nickel cobalt manganese lithium material. In electric vehicles, nickel cobalt manganese lithium (commonly known as ternary) or ternary + a small amount of lithium manganate is generally used. Pure lithium manganate and lithium iron phosphate have gradually faded out due to large volume, poor performance or high cost. The conductive current collector uses electrolytic aluminum foil with a thickness of 10 - 20 microns.

[0037] (2) Separator - A polymer film with a special shape. The film has a microporous structure that allows lithium ions to pass freely, while electrons cannot pass through.

[0038] (3) Negative electrode - The active material is graphite or carbon with a structure similar to graphite. The conductive current collector uses electrolytic copper foil with a thickness of 7 - 15 microns.

[0039] (4) Organic electrolyte - A carbonate solvent dissolved with lithium hexafluorophosphate. For polymer ones, a gel-like electrolyte is used.

[0040] (5) Battery case - It is divided into steel case, aluminum case, nickel-plated iron case, aluminum plastic film, etc. There is also the end cover of the battery, which is also the lead-out end of the positive and negative electrodes of the battery.

[0041] The intelligent battery in this embodiment consists of a battery body and a flexible monitoring body. A groove matching the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body is opened on the battery body; the flexible monitoring body is arranged in the groove, and the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are led out through the electrode tabs of the battery body. Setting the flexible monitoring body in the groove opened on the battery body of the intelligent battery can avoid creating a protruding part in the thickness of the intelligent battery compared with the implantation method in the prior art, thus avoiding damage to the battery.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible monitoring body is an ultra-thin flexible sensor.

[0043] A flexible sensor refers to a sensor made of flexible materials, which has good flexibility, ductility, and can even be freely bent and folded. Moreover, its structural form is flexible and diverse, and it can be arranged arbitrarily according to the requirements of measurement conditions, enabling very convenient detection of complex measured batteries.

[0044] The advantages of flexible sensors give them very good application prospects, including in the fields of medical electronics, environmental monitoring, and wearables. For example, in the field of environmental monitoring, scientists place the made flexible sensors in equipment to monitor the levels of typhoons and heavy rains; in terms of wearables, flexible electronic products are more suitable for testing relevant skin parameters because the human body is not flat.

[0045] Common flexible sensors include flexible temperature sensors, flexible pressure sensors, flexible gas sensors, flexible humidity sensors, etc.

[0046] In one embodiment, the ultra-thin flexible sensor is a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor.

[0047] During the use of the smart battery, there is a possibility of thermal runaway caused by internal short circuit, external pressure or temperature changes.

[0048] Thermal runaway refers to a chain reaction phenomenon triggered by various incentives. The large amount of heat and harmful gases emitted by thermal runaway can cause the battery to catch fire and explode.

[0049] Battery thermal runaway often starts with the decomposition of the negative electrode SEI film inside the battery cell. Subsequently, the separator decomposes and melts, causing the negative electrode to react with the electrolyte. Then, both the positive electrode and the electrolyte will decompose, leading to a large-scale internal short circuit, resulting in the combustion of the electrolyte, which then spreads to other cells, causing serious thermal runaway and making the entire battery pack catch fire spontaneously.

[0050] Among them, the SEI film is a passivation film formed by the reaction of the negative electrode material and the electrolyte during the first charging formation of the lithium battery. Its functions are, on the one hand, to coat the negative electrode material and protect its structure from damage; on the other hand, it can allow lithium ions to pass through and be embedded in the negative electrode material.

[0051] By setting the ultra-thin flexible sensor as a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor, the temperature and pressure conditions inside the battery can be monitored, thereby avoiding the occurrence of thermal runaway in the smart battery and further preventing the battery from catching fire spontaneously.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the groove is opened at least at one of the battery separator, electrode plate, and battery end cap of the battery body.

[0053] Among them, the electrode plate is composed of an electrode active material layer and a current collector coated on the surface of the electrode material, and is divided into a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate. The battery separator (Seperator) functions to separate the positive and negative electrode plates, prevent the direct contact and short circuit of the battery positive and negative electrode plates, and also play the functions of ion conduction and insulation. The battery end cap is the positive and negative electrode lead-out end of the battery.

[0054] In this embodiment, by opening the groove at different positions in the battery body, the flexible monitoring body can be set at multiple positions in the battery body, facilitating the comprehensive monitoring of the inside of the smart battery and improving the accuracy of the monitoring results of the flexible monitoring body.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, the groove is formed in the electrode tab of the battery body; the electrode tab includes: a battery positive electrode, a battery negative electrode, a positive current collector, and a negative current collector.

[0056] Take Figure 2 as an example for illustration. The positive and negative electrode tabs of the battery are respectively composed of positive / negative electrode materials and current collectors coated on the positive / negative electrode materials. The groove on the battery body can be formed in the positive / negative current collector of the intelligent battery. By removing a part of the positive / negative current collector of the intelligent battery, a groove for setting the flexible monitoring body is formed, and the flexible monitoring body, such as a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor, is integrated into the battery body of the intelligent battery to monitor the temperature and / or pressure conditions inside the battery.

[0057] It can be understood that Figure 2 the structure shown in

[0058] is only an example of the setting method of the flexible monitoring body. The flexible monitoring body can also be set in other parts of the battery body of the intelligent battery, such as the groove formed by removing a part of the positive / negative electrode material of the battery. Figure 3 In an exemplary embodiment, as

[0059] shown, the intelligent battery further includes an intelligent warning device. The electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are electrically connected to the intelligent warning device, and the electrode polarities of the flexible monitoring body are the same as those of the ear tabs.

[0060] Wherein, the intelligent warning device is used to obtain the signals inside the intelligent battery collected by the flexible monitoring body, such as temperature signals or pressure signals, and compare them with a preset temperature threshold and / or a preset pressure threshold, and issue a warning when the corresponding threshold is exceeded.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible monitoring body transmits the collected temperature signal and / or pressure signal of the intelligent battery to the intelligent warning device through a wire. The intelligent warning device performs a safety warning on the intelligent battery according to the temperature signal and / or pressure signal and the preset temperature threshold and / or preset pressure threshold.

[0062] Exemplarily, when the intelligent warning device determines that the temperature inside the intelligent battery reaches the preset temperature threshold of 140°C according to the temperature signal, it performs a safety warning on the intelligent battery. For example, it issues an audible and visual warning prompt to remind the user to intervene in the intelligent battery to prevent fire and explosion.

[0063] In this embodiment, the temperature signal and / or pressure signal collected are transmitted to the intelligent warning device through the flexible monitoring body. On the basis of reducing the damage to the battery body caused by the sensors for detection, more accurate signals collected are transmitted, so that the accuracy of the safety warning of the intelligent battery can be improved.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment, the thickness of the flexible monitoring body is less than a preset thickness, and the area of the flexible monitoring body is less than a preset area.

[0065] Exemplarily, the preset thickness is 50 micrometers, and the preset area is 3 square millimeters.

[0066] In this embodiment, by making the thickness of the flexible monitoring body less than the preset thickness and the area of the flexible monitoring body less than the preset area, the size of the flexible monitoring body is limited within a certain range, only a very small part of the volume in the battery body is replaced, and the normal charging and discharging of the battery are not affected. Further, the impact on the intelligent battery caused by integrating the monitoring body on the battery body is reduced.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, a method for preparing an intelligent battery is provided. This method for preparing an intelligent battery is used to prepare the intelligent battery as described in any one of the above embodiments. The method includes the following steps:

[0068] Step 402, prepare a flexible monitoring body and calibrate and calibrate the flexible monitoring body.

[0069] Exemplarily, if the prepared flexible monitoring body is a temperature sensor, there are two ways to calibrate and calibrate it. One is to compare the measurement signal of the temperature sensor with the standard measurement signal of the temperature sensors in the same batch, and the other is to compare the measurement signal of the temperature sensor with the measurement signal of a certain calibrated temperature measurement standard device.

[0070] Step 404, open a groove on the battery body that matches the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body.

[0071] Among them, the shape and size of the groove matching the flexible monitoring body means that the groove can just accommodate the flexible monitoring body arranged therein.

[0072] Exemplarily, the thickness of the groove is less than 50 micrometers, and the area of the groove is less than 3 square millimeters.

[0073] Step 406, place the flexible monitoring body in the groove, and lead out the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body through the ear of the battery body.

[0074] Among them, the electrode polarity of the flexible monitoring body is the same as the polarity of the ear.

[0075] Step 408: Assemble the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body with the separator of the battery body, and obtain an intelligent battery through liquid injection and encapsulation processes.

[0076] In this embodiment, first, a flexible monitoring body is prepared, and the flexible monitoring body is calibrated and adjusted; then, a groove matching the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body is formed on the battery body; after that, the flexible monitoring body is placed in the groove, and the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are led out through the electrode tabs of the battery body; finally, the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are assembled with the separator of the battery body, and an intelligent battery is obtained through liquid injection and encapsulation processes. When the method of this embodiment is used to prepare an intelligent battery, since the flexible monitoring body is placed in a groove with a matching shape and size, and the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are led out through the electrode tabs of the battery body, it is possible to avoid creating protruding parts in the thickness of the intelligent battery, thereby avoiding damage to the battery.

[0077] In an exemplary embodiment, the method for preparing an intelligent battery of the present application further includes: connecting the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body to an intelligent warning device through wires.

[0078] In this embodiment, connecting the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body to an intelligent warning device through wires can improve the accuracy of safety warnings when the intelligent warning device gives safety warnings for the battery. The specific method of using the intelligent warning device to give safety warnings for the battery refers to the above embodiment and will not be elaborated here.

[0079] It should be understood that although the steps in the flowcharts of the above-described embodiments are shown in sequence according to the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise clearly stated in this article, there is no strict order restriction for the execution of these steps, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least some of the steps in the flowcharts of the above-described embodiments may include multiple steps or multiple stages. These steps or stages are not necessarily executed at the same time, but can be executed at different times. The execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily sequential either, but can be executed alternately or in turn with at least some of the steps or stages in other steps or other steps.

[0080] Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be completed by instructing relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the embodiments of the above methods. Among them, any reference to a memory, database, or other medium used in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memories. Non-volatile memories can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tapes, floppy disks, flash memories, optical memories, high-density embedded non-volatile memories, resistive random access memories (ReRAM), magnetoresistive random access memories (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memories (FRAM), phase change memories (PCM), graphene memories, etc. Volatile memories can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memories, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can be in various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM), etc. The databases involved in the embodiments provided in the present application can include at least one of relational databases and non-relational databases. Non-relational databases can include distributed databases based on blockchain, etc., without limitation. The processors involved in the embodiments provided in the present application can be general-purpose processors, central processing units, graphics processing units, digital signal processors, programmable logic devices, data processing logics based on quantum computing, etc., without limitation.

[0081] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. For the sake of brevity of description, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, it should be considered as the scope described in this specification.

[0082] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation manners of the present application. The description is relatively specific and detailed, but it should not be construed as a limitation on the patent scope of the present application. It should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the concept of the present application, several modifications and improvements can still be made, and these all belong to the protection scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application should be subject to the appended claims.

Claims

1. An intelligent battery, characterized in that, the intelligent battery includes: a battery body and a flexible monitoring body; a groove matching the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body is formed on the battery body; the flexible monitoring body is arranged in the groove, and the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are led out through the tabs of the battery body.

2. The intelligent battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, the flexible monitoring body is an ultra-thin flexible sensor.

3. The intelligent battery according to claim 2, characterized in that, the ultra-thin flexible sensor is a temperature sensor and / or a pressure sensor.

4. The intelligent battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, the groove is formed at least at one position of the battery separator, the electrode plate and the battery end cap of the battery body.

5. The intelligent battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, the groove is formed on the electrode plate of the battery body; the electrode plate includes: a battery positive electrode, a battery negative electrode, a positive current collector and a negative current collector.

6. The intelligent battery according to claim 5, characterized in that, the intelligent battery further includes an intelligent warning device; the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are electrically connected to the intelligent warning device, and the polarities of the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body are the same as those of the tabs.

7. The intelligent battery according to claim 6, characterized in that, the flexible monitoring body transmits the collected temperature signal and / or pressure signal of the intelligent battery to the intelligent warning device through the wire; the intelligent warning device performs safety warning on the intelligent battery according to the temperature signal and / or the pressure signal and a preset temperature threshold and / or a preset pressure threshold.

8. The intelligent battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the flexible monitoring body is less than 50 micrometers, and the area of the flexible monitoring body is less than 3 mm 2 .

9. A method for manufacturing an intelligent battery, characterized in that, for manufacturing the intelligent battery according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the method includes the following steps: manufacture a flexible monitoring body, and calibrate and calibrate the flexible monitoring body; form a groove on the battery body that matches the shape and size of the flexible monitoring body; place the flexible monitoring body in the groove, and lead out the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body through the tabs of the battery body; assemble the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body with the separator of the battery body, and through liquid injection and encapsulation treatment, obtain the intelligent battery.

10. The method for manufacturing an intelligent battery according to claim 9, characterized in that, the method further includes: connect the electrodes of the flexible monitoring body to an intelligent warning device through a wire.

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