Terminal connection to cover plate for external tab of battery cell

Abstract

The invention relates to a terminal connection with a cover plate for an external tab of a battery cell. A battery cell includes a stack, an internal terminal, and a cap plate, the stack including: C cathode electrodes each including a cathode current collector, a cathode active layer, and an external tab; a anode electrodes each including an anode current collector, an anode active layer, and an external tab; and S separators, the internal terminal including a first slot through which an external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extends, and a cap plate in contact with the external tab of the one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extending through the first slot. An outer tab of the one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extending through the first slot is folded and laser welded between the cover plate and a surface of the inner terminal.

Description

[0001] Introduction

[0002] The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. To the extent described in this section, the works of the currently named inventors and aspects that may not constitute prior art at the time of filing are neither expressly nor impliedly considered prior art to the present disclosure. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to battery cells, and more particularly to internal terminals and cover plates for laser welding of external tabs for battery cells. Background Art

[0004] Electric vehicles (EVs) such as battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid vehicles, and / or fuel cell vehicles include one or more electric motors (e.g., motors) and a battery system including one or more battery cells, modules, and / or packs. A power control system is used to control charging and / or discharging of the battery system during charging and / or driving.

[0005] A battery cell includes a cathode electrode, an anode electrode, and a separator. The cathode electrode includes a cathode active material layer (including a cathode active material) disposed on a cathode current collector. The anode electrode includes an anode active material layer (including an anode active material) disposed on an anode current collector. Summary of the Invention

[0006] A battery cell includes a stack, an internal terminal, and a cover plate. The stack includes: C cathode electrodes, each including a cathode current collector, a cathode active layer disposed on the cathode current collector, and an external tab extending from the cathode current collector; A anode electrodes, each including an anode current collector, an anode active layer disposed on the anode current collector, and an external tab extending from the anode current collector; and S separators, where C, A, and S are integers greater than 1. The internal terminal includes a first slot, wherein an external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extends through the first slot. The cover plate contacts the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes that extends through the first slot. The external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes that extends through the first slot is folded and laser welded between the surface of the cover plate and the internal terminal.

[0007] In some examples, the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes is divided into a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group are folded in a first and a second direction respectively, and are laser welded between the surface of the cover plate and the internal terminal on opposite sides of the first slot.

[0008] In some examples, the internal terminal is "L"-shaped and includes a first portion and a second portion that extends laterally with respect to the first portion.

[0009] In some examples, the cover plate and the first and second portions of the internal terminal each have a rectangular shape, a first slot is defined in the second portion of the internal terminal, and the plane of the cover plate and the plane of the second portion of the internal terminal are each perpendicular to the extending direction of the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and A anode electrodes passing through the first slot.

[0010] In some examples, the internal terminal includes N first slots, where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0011] In some examples, the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and A anode electrodes is divided into N groups, the N groups respectively extend through the N first slots, and are folded and laser welded between the surface of the cover plate and the internal terminal.

[0012] In some examples, the cover plate includes a second slot, and at least a portion of the external tab is welded near the second slot of the cover plate.

[0013] In some examples, the cover plate includes M second slots, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0014] In some examples, the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and A anode electrodes is divided into M groups, and the external tabs of the M groups are respectively welded near the M second slots.

[0015] In some examples, the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and A anode electrodes extending through the first slot is edge welded between the surface of the cover plate and the internal terminal.

[0016] In some examples, the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and A anode electrodes extending through the first slot is overlap welded between the surface of the cover plate and the internal terminal.

[0017] In some examples, the first slot is open at the end. In some examples, the battery cell includes a housing and an external terminal of the housing, where the external terminal contacts the internal terminal.

[0018] In some examples, the stack includes a prismatic battery cell stack, and the housing is a can housing configured to encapsulate the prismatic battery cell stack.

[0019] In some examples, the battery cell includes a second internal terminal, which includes a second slot to receive the external tab of the other of the C cathode electrodes and A anode electrodes.

[0020] In some examples, a portion of the external tab of the other of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extending through the second slot is folded and laser welded to the surface of the second internal terminal.

[0021] A battery cell includes a stack and an internal terminal including a first slot and a second slot. The stack includes: C cathode electrodes, each including a cathode current collector, a cathode active layer disposed on the cathode current collector, and an external tab extending from the cathode current collector; A anode electrodes, each including an anode current collector, an anode active layer disposed on the anode current collector, and an external tab extending from the anode current collector; and S separators, where C, A, and S are integers greater than 1. The width of the first slot in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the internal terminal is different from the width of the second slot in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the internal terminal. The external tabs of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes are divided into a first group and a second group. The external tabs of the first group extend through the first slot and are folded and laser welded to the surface of the internal terminal at the side of the first slot, and the external tabs of the second group extend through the second slot and are folded and laser welded to the surface of the internal terminal at the side of the second slot.

[0022] In some examples, the battery cell includes a cover plate in contact with the external tabs of the first group and the second group, wherein the external tabs of the first group and the second group are laser welded between the cover plate and the surface of the internal terminal.

[0023] In some examples, the cover plate includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first portion has a width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cover plate, which is different from the width of the second portion in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cover plate.

[0024] In some examples, the width of the first portion of the cover plate corresponds to the width of the first slot of the internal terminal, and the width of the second portion of the cover plate corresponds to the width of the second slot of the internal terminal.

[0025] The present invention provides the following technical solutions.

[0026] Technical solution 1. A battery cell, comprising:

[0027] A stack, which includes:

[0028] C cathode electrodes, each including a cathode current collector, a cathode active layer disposed on the cathode current collector,

[0029] and an external tab extending from the cathode current collector;

[0030] A anode electrodes, each including an anode current collector, an anode active layer disposed on the anode current collector, and an external tab extending from the anode current collector; and

[0031] S separator pieces, where C, A, and S are integers greater than 1;

[0032] An internal terminal including a first slot, wherein an external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extends through the first slot; and

[0033] A cover plate that contacts the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extending through the first slot,

[0034] wherein the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extending through the first slot is folded and laser welded between the cover plate and the surface of the internal terminal.

[0035] Technical solution 2. The battery cell according to technical solution 1, wherein the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes is divided into a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group are folded in a first and a second direction respectively, and are laser welded between the cover plate and the surface of the internal terminal on opposite sides of the first slot.

[0036] Technical solution 3. The battery cell according to technical solution 1, wherein the internal terminal is in an "L" shape and includes a first part and a second part that extend laterally with respect to the first part.

[0037] Technical solution 4. The battery cell according to technical solution 3, wherein:

[0038] The cover plate and the first part and the second part of the internal terminal each have a rectangular shape;

[0039] The first slot is defined in the second part of the internal terminal; and

[0040] The plane of the cover plate and the plane of the second part of the internal terminal are each perpendicular to the extending direction of the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes through the first slot.

[0041] Technical solution 5. The battery cell according to technical solution 1, wherein the internal terminal includes N of the first slots, where N is an integer greater than 1.

[0042] Aspect 6. The battery cell according to Aspect 5, wherein the external tabs of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes are divided into N groups, the N groups respectively extend through the N first slots, and are folded and laser welded between the surface of the cover plate and the internal terminal.

[0043] Aspect 7. The battery cell according to Aspect 1, wherein the cover plate includes second slots, and at least a part of the external tabs is welded near the second slots of the cover plate.

[0044] Aspect 8. The battery cell according to Aspect 7, wherein the cover plate includes M of the second slots, where M is an integer greater than 1.

[0045] Aspect 9. The battery cell according to Aspect 8, wherein:

[0046] the external tabs of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes are divided into M groups; and

[0047] the external tabs of the M groups are respectively welded near the M second slots.

[0048] Aspect 10. The battery cell according to Aspect 1, wherein the external tabs of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes that extend through the first slots are edge welded between the surface of the cover plate and the internal terminal.

[0049] Aspect 11. The battery cell according to Aspect 1, wherein the external tabs of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes that extend through the first slots are overlap welded between the surface of the cover plate and the internal terminal.

[0050] Aspect 12. The battery cell according to Aspect 1, wherein the first slots are open at the ends.

[0051] Aspect 13. The battery cell according to Aspect 3, further comprising:

[0052] a housing; and

[0053] an external terminal of the housing, the external terminal being in contact with the internal terminal.

[0054] Aspect 14. The battery cell according to Aspect 13, wherein the stack includes a prismatic battery cell stack, and the housing is a can housing configured to encapsulate the prismatic battery cell stack.

[0055] Technical solution 15. The battery cell according to technical solution 1 further includes a second internal terminal, and the second internal terminal includes a second slot to receive the external tabs of the other one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes.

[0056] Technical solution 16. The battery cell according to technical solution 15, wherein a portion of the external tab of the other one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes that extends through the second slot is folded and laser welded to the surface of the second internal terminal.

[0057] Technical solution 17. A battery cell includes:

[0058] A stack, which includes:

[0059] C cathode electrodes, each of which includes a cathode current collector, a cathode active layer disposed on the cathode current collector, and an external tab extending from the cathode current collector;

[0060] A anode electrodes, each of which includes an anode current collector, an anode active layer disposed on the anode current collector, and an external tab extending from the anode current collector; and

[0061] S separators, where C, A, and S are integers greater than 1; and

[0062] An internal terminal, which includes a first slot and a second slot, wherein,

[0063] The width of the first slot in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the internal terminal is different from the width of the second slot in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the internal terminal,

[0064] The external tabs of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes are separated into a first group and a second group,

[0065] The external tabs of the first group extend through the first slot and are folded and laser welded to the surface of the internal terminal at the side of the first slot; and

[0066] The external tabs of the second group extend through the second slot and are folded and laser welded to the surface of the internal terminal at the side of the second slot.

[0067]

[0068] ​Technical Solution 18. The battery cell according to Technical Solution 17 further includes a cover plate that contacts the external tabs of the first group and the second group, wherein the external tabs of the first group and the second group are laser welded between the cover plate and the surface of the internal terminal.

[0069] Technical Solution 19. The battery cell according to Technical Solution 18, wherein:

[0070] the cover plate includes a first part and a second part; and

[0071] the first part has a width in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cover plate, and the width is different from the width of the second part in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the cover plate.

[0072] Technical Solution 20. The battery cell according to Technical Solution 19, wherein the width of the first part of the cover plate corresponds to the width of the first slot of the internal terminal, and the width of the second part of the cover plate corresponds to the width of the second slot of the internal terminal.

[0073] From the detailed description, the claims, and the drawings, additional application areas of the present disclosure will become apparent. The detailed description and specific examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0074] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the drawings, wherein:

[0075] Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a battery cell;

[0076] Figure 2 is a perspective view of an example of a prismatic battery cell according to the present disclosure, the prismatic battery cell including laser-welded internal terminals that contact external terminals;

[0077] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an example of a prismatic battery cell that includes an electrode with external tabs that will be laser welded to internal terminals;

[0078] Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating the engagement of the external tabs of the electrode with the inner surface of the internal terminal;

[0079] Figures 5A to 5D is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the connection of the external tabs to the terminals, wherein the cross-sectional plane is illustrated at Figure 3 A-A in;

[0080] Figure 5E and Figure 5F are examples of weld cross - sections where external tabs are welded to the pre - welded foil and not welded to the pre - welded foil, respectively;

[0081] Figures 6A to 6D is a perspective view and sequence showing an example of a cover plate according to the present disclosure, an internal terminal with one or more slots, and an external tab of an electrode laser - welded between the cover plate and the internal terminal in or through the one or more slots;

[0082] Figures 7A to 7D is a perspective view and sequence showing an example of a cover plate including multiple slots, an internal terminal with one or more slots, and an external tab of an electrode laser - welded between the cover plate and the internal terminal, where the laser beam irradiates the tab of the electrode through the slots in the cover plate;

[0083] Figures 8A to 8D is a perspective view and sequence showing an example of a cover plate including a single slot, an internal terminal with one or more slots, and an external tab of an electrode laser - welded between the cover plate and the internal terminal;

[0084] Figure 9A and Figure 9B is a top view showing examples of laser and joint setups for edge - welding and overlapping - welding external tabs between a cover plate and an internal terminal; and

[0085] Figures 10A to 10C is a perspective view showing an example of a stepped cover plate, an internal terminal with multiple slots having different widths, and an external tab of an electrode laser - welded between the cover plate and the internal terminal.

[0086] In the drawings, reference numerals may be reused to identify similar and / or identical elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0087] Although the battery cell according to the present disclosure is shown in the context of an electric vehicle, the battery cell can be used in stationary applications and / or other applications.

[0088] Some example embodiments described herein include a design for connecting an external tab (e.g., a battery electrode foil) of a battery cell to a terminal of the battery cell by inserting the external tab through the (one or more) slots in the terminal and welding the external tab between the surface of a cover plate (e.g., a top plate) and the terminal adjacent to the (one or more) slots. In some examples, the battery cell can be a prismatic battery cell for a vehicle.

[0089] The external tabs of the battery cell can be connected via, for example, laser edge welding or laser overlap welding, where the external tabs are folded and clamped between the cover plate and the internal terminals of the battery cell. In some examples, the internal terminals and / or the cover plate can include a plurality of slots to facilitate welding of multiple sets of external tabs. The sets of external tabs can be folded in the same or opposite directions.

[0090] Now referring Figure 1 , the battery cell 10 includes C cathode electrodes 20, A anode electrodes 40, and S separators 32 arranged in a predetermined order in the battery cell stack 12, where C, S, and A are integers greater than zero. The C cathode electrodes 20-1, 20-2,... and 20-C include cathode active material layers 24 disposed on one or both sides of the cathode current collector 26.

[0091] During charging / discharging, the A anode electrodes 40 and the C cathode electrodes 20 exchange lithium ions. The A anode electrodes 40-1, 40-2,... and 40-A include anode active material layers 42 disposed on one or both sides of the anode current collector 46. In some examples, the cathode active material layer 24 and the anode active material layer 42 include a coating that includes one or more active materials, one or more conductive additives, and / or one or more binder materials applied to the current collector.

[0092] In some examples, the cathode current collector 26 includes a metal foil, a metal mesh, a perforated metal, a three-dimensional (3D) metal foam, and / or an expanded metal. In some examples, the anode current collector 46 includes a roughened metal foil (e.g., a copper foil). In some examples, the current collector is made of one or more materials selected from the group consisting of copper, stainless steel, brass, bronze, zinc, aluminum, and / or their alloys.

[0093] The external tabs 28 and 48 are respectively connected to the current collectors of the cathode electrode and the anode electrode, and can be disposed on the same or different sides of the battery cell stack 12. The external tabs 28 and 48 are connected to the terminals of the battery cell, as will be further described below.

[0094] Now referring Figure 2 , the prismatic battery cell 100 includes a housing 110. In some examples, the housing 110 has a rectangular cross-section. The prismatic battery cell 100 includes external terminals 112 and 114 and an exhaust port cap 116.

[0095] A stack 115 of C cathode electrodes 20, A anode electrodes 40, and S separators 32 is disposed in the housing 110. As will be further described below, the anode current collector 46 and / or the cathode current collector 26 includes external tabs that are laser welded to internal terminals that contact the external terminals 112 and 114 of the battery cell 10.

[0096] Now referring to Figure 3 , the prismatic battery cell 200 includes a housing 210 and internal terminals 224 and 226 disposed at opposite ends of the housing 210. A stack 240 of C cathode electrodes, A anode electrodes, and S separators is disposed within the housing 210.

[0097] The anode current collector and / or the cathode current collector includes external tabs 244 and 246 extending therefrom, respectively. The external tabs 244 and 246 are laser welded to the internal terminals 224 and 226, respectively.

[0098] In Figure 4 , the internal terminal 226 includes a first portion 228 and a second portion 230 extending from the first portion 228. In some examples, the first portion 228 is "L"-shaped and forms an angle in the range from 80° to 100° (e.g., 90°) with respect to the second portion 230.

[0099] In some examples, the external tab 246 is laser welded to the inner surface 231 of the internal terminal 226, respectively. It is difficult to laser weld the external tabs 244 and 246 using this method. The internal terminal 226 contacts one of the external terminals 112 and 114 of the battery cell 10 to provide an external connection to the anode or cathode electrode.

[0100] Now referring to Figures 5A to 5F , an example of the connection of the external tab to the terminal is shown. In Figure 5A and Figure 5B , a plurality of external tabs 310 extending from the anode electrode and the cathode electrode are disposed between the terminals 312 and 314 and are welded (e.g., laser welded) as shown at 318.

[0101] In Figure 5C and Figure 5D , ultrasonic welding of the plurality of external tabs 310 can be performed before welding as shown at 328. For example, the plurality of external tabs 310 can be placed between a sonotrode 320 and an anvil 322 to perform ultrasonic welding of the plurality of external tabs 310 as shown in Figure 5C . The ultrasonically welded tab group can then be placed between the terminals 312 and 314 for welding (e.g., laser welding) as shown at 318 in Figure 5D .

[0102] In Figure 5E and Figure 5F , an enlarged illustration of an example weld between the external tab of the foil and the internal terminal is shown. Figure 5EIllustrated is an example weld between an external tab of the foil and an internal terminal, where the set of foils is pre-welded via ultrasonic welding, as Figure 5C illustrated therein. Figure 5F Illustrated is an example weld where the set of foils is not pre-welded before being welded to the internal terminal.

[0103] Now referring to Figures 6A to 6D , terminal 410 includes a first portion 412 and a second portion 416 that extends at an angle (e.g., substantially perpendicular) relative to the first portion 412. In some examples, the first portion 412 and the second portion 416 have a rectangular shape, although other shapes may also be used.

[0104] The second portion 416 of the terminal 410 includes a slot 422 that extends longitudinally on the second portion 416. In some examples, the slot 422 extends to the edge of the second portion 416 that is remote from the first portion 412. In other examples, the slot 422 ends before reaching the edge of the second portion 416.

[0105] In Figure 6B , a plurality of external tabs 426 are partially inserted into the slot 422. The plurality of external tabs 426 can be partially inserted into the slot by moving the plurality of external tabs 426 through the slot 422 in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the second portion 416, by dropping the slot 422 onto the plurality of external tabs 426, etc.

[0106] The ends 432 of the plurality of external tabs 426 extend outwardly. The ends 432 of the plurality of external tabs 426 are separated into a first tab group 434-1 and a second tab group 434-2 that are folded in opposite directions parallel to and against the outer surface of the second portion 416 (e.g., as Figure 6C shown therein). For example, the first and second tab groups can be bent at an angle of approximately 90 degrees after passing through the slot 422.

[0107] In Figure 6C , a cover plate 440 is disposed adjacent to the first tab group 434-1 and the second tab group 434-2 and is welded as Figure 6D shown therein. In other words, the cover plate 440 is welded to the first tab group 434-1, the second tab group 434-2, and the terminal 410.

[0108] For example, after the first tab group 434-1 and the second tab group 434-2 are inserted through the slot 422 and folded against the surface of the second portion 416 of the terminal 410, the cover plate 440 can be pressed against the folded first tab group 434-1 and the second tab group 434-2. The folded first tab group 434-1 and the second tab group 434-2 can then be welded between the terminal 410 and the cover plate 440, such as by laser edge welding, laser overlap welding, etc. The cover plate 440 can contribute to an increase in the stability of the welding between the terminal 410 and the folded first tab group 434-1 and the second tab group 434-2 (such as by providing another surface for welding, by applying an additional force against the first tab group 434-1 and the second tab group 434-2, by protecting the side of the folded first tab group 434-1 and the second tab group 434-2 opposite to the terminal 410, etc.).

[0109] Now referring to Figures 7A to 7D , the cover plate 510 includes a first slot 514-1 and a second slot 514-2 that extend longitudinally on the cover plate 510. In Figure 7C and Figure 7D , the cover plate 510 is arranged to contact and be welded to the first tab group 434-1 and the second tab group 434-2. In other words, the cover plate 510 is welded through the first slot 514-1 and the second slot 514-2 to the first tab group 434-1, the second tab group 434-2, and the terminal 410.

[0110] Now referring to Figures 8A to 8D , the terminal 610 includes a first portion 612 and a second portion 616 that extends at an angle (e.g., substantially perpendicular) relative to the first portion 612. In some examples, the first portion 612 and the second portion 616 have a rectangular shape, although other shapes can also be used.

[0111] The second portion 616 of the terminal 610 includes a first slot 622-1 and a second slot 622-2 that extend in the longitudinal direction on the second portion 616. In some examples, the first slot 622-1 and the second slot 622-2 extend to the edge of the second portion 616 that is remote from the first portion 612. In other examples, the first slot 622-1 and the second slot 622-2 end before reaching the edge of the second portion 616.

[0112] A first group of external tabs 626-1 and a second group of external tabs 626-2 are inserted into the first slot 622-1 and the second slot 622-2. The ends 632-1 and 632-2 extend from the first slot 622-1 and the second slot 622-2. In some examples, the ends 632-1 and 632-2 are folded in the same direction or in different directions.

[0113] InFigure 8C and Figure 8D In Figure 8D , the cover plate 640 includes a slot 644 that extends longitudinally on the second portion 616 of the terminal 610. The cover plate 640 is arranged to contact and be welded to the ends 632-1 and 632-2. In other words, the cover plate 640 is welded to the ends 632-1 and 632-2 and the terminal 610 through the slot 644, as shown in Figure 9A and Figure 9B shown. The slot 644 of the cover plate 640 may have a greater width than the first slot 514-1 and the second slot 514-2 of the cover plate 510 in Figure 7C and Figure 7D , which may facilitate additional space for welding the ends 632-1 and 632-2 of the first set of external tabs 626-1 and the second set of external tabs 626-2.

[0114] Figure 9A illustrates an example process for laser edge welding the ends 632-1 and 632-2 of the first set of external tabs 626-1 and the second set of external tabs 626-2. For example, the laser 652 can be oriented to perform laser edge welding of the ends 632-1 and 632-2 between the terminal 610 and the cover plate 650. Figure 9B illustrates the laser 652 oriented to perform laser overlap welding of the ends 632-1 and 632-2 between the terminal 610 and the cover plate 650.

[0115] Now referring to Figures 10A to 10C , the terminal 710 includes a first portion 712 and a second portion 716 that extends at an angle (e.g., substantially perpendicular) relative to the first portion 712. In some examples, the first portion 712 and the second portion 716 have a rectangular shape, although other shapes may also be used.

[0116] The second portion 716 of the terminal 710 includes a first slot 720 and a second slot 722. In some examples, the first slot 720 extends a distance d1 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. In some examples, the second slot 722 extends a distance d2 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. In some examples, d1 is greater than d2. For example, the first slot 720 and the second slot 722 may define a stepped configuration, where the first slot 720 is above the second slot 722 in the longitudinal direction of the second portion 716, and the edge of the first slot 720 may be offset from the edge of the second slot 722 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction.

[0117] The first plurality of electrodes 726-1 includes external tabs 732-1, and the second plurality of electrodes 726-2 includes external tabs 732-2. The external tab 732-1 extends through the first slot 720 and is laterally folded. The external tab 732-2 extends through the second slot 722 and is laterally folded.

[0118] In some examples, the positions of the external tabs 732-1 and 732-2 may correspond to the positions of the first slot 720 and the second slot 722, respectively. For example, the external tab 731-1 may be located above the external tab 732-2 in the longitudinal direction, and the external tab 731-1 may be offset from the external tab 732-2 in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction. The external tab 731-1 may be parallel to the external tab 732-2.

[0119] In Figure 10B and Figure 10C the cover plate 740 includes a first slot 742 and a second slot 746. In some examples, the cover plate 740 further includes a protrusion 748 and a protrusion 744 located above the first slot. In some examples, the protrusion 744, the first slot 742, and the second slot 746 define an inverted stepped surface.

[0120] In some examples, the depth of the second slot 746 is less than the depth of the first slot 742. The positions of the first slot 742 and the second slot 746 may correspond to the positions of the external tabs 732-1 and 732-2. In Figure 10C the cover plate 740 is welded to the second part 716 and the external tabs 732-1 and 732-2.

[0121] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the present disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the present disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Thus, while the present disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the present disclosure should not be so limited because other modifications will become apparent after studying the drawings, the specification, and the appended claims. It should be understood that one or more steps in a method can be performed in a different order (or simultaneously) without changing the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, although each of the embodiments is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the present disclosure can be implemented in any other embodiment and / or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and arrangements of one or more embodiments with each other are still within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0122] Spatial and functional relationships between components (e.g., between modules, circuit components, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected," "joined," "coupled," "adjacent," "next to," "on top of," "above," "below," and "disposed in." Unless explicitly described as "direct," when the relationship between a first component and a second component is described in the foregoing disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which no other intermediate components exist between the first and second components, but can also be an indirect relationship (spatially or functionally) in which one or more intermediate components exist between the first and second components. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be construed to represent the logic (A or B or C) using non-exclusive logic "or" and should not be construed to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

[0123] In the drawings, the direction of the arrow indicated by the arrow generally represents the information flow of interest in the illustration (such as data or instructions). For example, when component A and component B exchange various information, but the information transmitted from component A to component B is relevant to the illustration, the arrow can point from component A to component B. This one-way arrow does not mean that no other information is transmitted from component B to component A. In addition, for the information transmitted from component A to component B, component B can send a request for the information or receive an acknowledgment to component A.

[0124] In this application, including the following definitions, the term "module" or the term "controller" can be replaced by the term "circuit." The term "module" can refer to, be a part of, or include: an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuit; a digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuit; a combinatorial logic circuit; a field programmable gate array (FPGA); a processor circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes code; a memory circuit (shared, dedicated, or group) that stores code executed by the processor circuit; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0125] A module can include one or more interface circuits. In some examples, the interface circuit can include a wired or wireless interface connected to a local area network (LAN), the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a combination thereof. The functionality of any given module of the present disclosure can be distributed among multiple modules connected via the interface circuit. For example, multiple modules can allow load balancing. In another example, a server (also referred to as remote or cloud) module can perform some functions on behalf of a client module.

[0126] As used above, the term "code" can include software, firmware, and / or microcode, and can refer to programs, routines, functions, classes, data structures, and / or objects. The term "shared processor circuit" encompasses a single processor circuit that executes some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group of processor circuits" encompasses processor circuits that, in combination with additional processor circuits, execute some or all of the code from one or more modules. References to multiple processor circuits encompass multiple processor circuits on separate die, multiple processor circuits on a single die, multiple cores of a single processor circuit, multiple threads of a single processor circuit, or combinations of the above. The term "shared memory circuit" encompasses a single memory circuit that stores some or all of the code from multiple modules. The term "group of memory circuits" encompasses memory circuits that, in combination with additional memory, store some or all of the code from one or more modules.

[0127] The term "memory circuit" is a subset of the term computer-readable medium. As used herein, the term "computer-readable medium" does not encompass transitory electrical or electromagnetic signals propagated through a medium such as a carrier wave; thus, the term computer-readable medium can be considered tangible and non-transitory. Non-limiting examples of non-transitory, tangible computer-readable media are non-volatile memory circuits (such as flash memory circuits, erasable programmable read-only memory circuits, or mask read-only memory circuits), volatile memory circuits (such as static random access memory circuits or dynamic random access memory circuits), magnetic storage media (such as analog or digital magnetic tape or hard disk drives), and optical storage media (such as CDs, DVDs, or Blu-ray discs).

[0128] The apparatuses and methods described in this application can be implemented in part or in whole by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or more specific functions embodied in a computer program. The functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as software specifications, which can be translated into a computer program by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.

[0129] A computer program includes processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory, tangible computer-readable medium. A computer program can also include or rely on stored data. A computer program can encompass a basic input / output system (BIOS) that interacts with the hardware of the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with specific devices of the special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, and the like.

[0130] A computer program may include: (i) descriptive text to be parsed, such as HTML (HyperText Markup Language), XML (eXtensible Markup Language), or JSON (JavaScript Object Notation), (ii) assembly code, (iii) object code generated from source code by a compiler, (iv) source code executed by an interpreter, (v) source code compiled and executed by a just-in-time compiler, and so on. By way of example only, the source code may be written using the syntax of languages including the following: C, C++, C#, Objective-C, Swift, Haskell, Go, SQL, R, Lisp, Fortran, Perl, Pascal, Curl, OCaml, HTML5 (HyperText Markup Language version 5), Ada, ASP (Active Server Pages), PHP (PHP: Hypertext Preprocessor), Scala, Eiffel, Smalltalk, Erlang, Ruby, Visual Lua, MATLAB, SIMULINK, and

Claims

1. A battery cell, comprising: A stack comprising: C cathode electrodes, each comprising a cathode current collector, a cathode active layer disposed on the cathode current collector, and an external tab extending from the cathode current collector; A anode electrodes, each comprising an anode current collector, an anode active layer disposed on the anode current collector, and an external tab extending from the anode current collector; and S separators, wherein C, A and S are integers greater than 1; an internal terminal comprising a first slot, wherein the external tab of one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extends through the first slot; and a cover plate in contact with the outer tab of the one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extending through the first slot, wherein the outer tab of the one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes extending through the first slot is folded and laser welded between the cap plate and a surface of the inner terminal.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The external protrusions of the C cathode electrodes and one of the A anode electrodes are divided into a first group and a second group, the first group and the second group are folded in the first and second directions, respectively, and are laser welded between the cover plate and the surface of the internal terminal on opposite sides of the first narrow groove.

3. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The inner terminal is "L" shaped and includes a first portion and a second portion extending transversely relative to the first portion.

4. The battery cell according to claim 3, wherein: The cover plate and the first and second portions of the internal terminal each have a rectangular shape; The first slot is defined in the second portion of the inner terminal; and A plane of the cap plate and a plane of the second portion of the inner terminal are each perpendicular to an extending direction of the outer tab of the one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes through the first slot.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The inner terminal includes N first slots, where N is an integer greater than 1.

6. The battery cell according to claim 5, wherein: The external tabs of the one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes are divided into N groups, the N groups respectively extend through the N first slots, and are folded and laser welded between the cover plate and the surface of the internal terminal.

7. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein: The cover plate includes a second slot, and at least a portion of the external tab is welded adjacent the second slot of the cover plate.

8. The battery cell according to claim 7, wherein: The cover plate includes M second slots, where M is an integer greater than 1.

9. The battery cell according to claim 8, wherein: The outer tabs of the one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes are divided into M groups; and The outer tabs of the M groups are respectively welded near the M second slots.

10. A battery cell, comprising: A stack comprising: C cathode electrodes, each comprising a cathode current collector, a cathode active layer disposed on the cathode current collector, and an external tab extending from the cathode current collector; A anode electrodes, each comprising an anode current collector, an anode active layer disposed on the anode current collector, and an external tab extending from the anode current collector; and S separators, where C, A, and S are integers greater than 1; and An inner terminal comprising a first slot and a second slot, wherein The width of the first slot in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inner terminal is different from the width of the second slot in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the inner terminal, The outer tabs of the one of the C cathode electrodes and the A anode electrodes are separated into a first group and a second group, The outer tabs of the first group extend through the first slot and are folded and laser welded to the surface of the inner terminal at the sides of the first slot; and The outer tabs of the second set extend through the second slot and are folded and laser welded to the surface of the inner terminal at sides of the second slot.

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