Battery cell, battery and electric device

Abstract

A battery cell (20), a battery (100) and a power utilization device (1000), which are suitable for use in the technical field of batteries. The battery cell (20) includes a case (20 '), an electrode assembly (23), an insulating member (24), and a support member (25). The shell (20 ') is provided with a first wall (22a), a second wall (22c) and a pressure relief mechanism (22b), the pressure relief mechanism (22b) is arranged on the first wall (22a), and the first wall (22a) and the second wall (22c) are arranged in an intersecting mode; the electrode assembly (23) is arranged in the shell (20 '); a first space (a) is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the electrode assembly (23) and the second wall (22c); an insulating member (24) provided inside the housing (20 ') and located between the first wall (22a) and the electrode assembly (23), a second space (b) being formed between the insulating member (24) and the pressure relief mechanism (22b); a second exhaust channel (25a) is formed in the supporting component (25); wherein a projection region of the support member (25) on the insulating member (24) is located in a region outside the first exhaust passage (24a), and a melting point of the support member (25) is greater than a melting point of the insulating member (24). According to the battery cell (20), the battery (100) and the power utilization device (1000), the risk of side weld cracking of the battery cell (20) can be reduced to a certain extent.

Description

Battery cells, batteries, and electrical devices Technical Field

[0001] The present application belongs to the field of battery technology, and in particular relates to a battery cell, a battery, and an electrical device. Background Art

[0002] Batteries are increasingly used. During use, batteries are repeatedly charged and discharged, generating high temperatures. When a battery experiences thermal runaway, the venting channel between the electrode assembly and the pressure relief mechanism of the battery cell can be closed, causing cracks in the side welds of the battery cell.

[0003] Application Contents

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present application is to provide a battery cell, a battery, and an electrical device, aiming to improve the technical problem that the side welds of the battery cell are prone to cracking in the event of thermal runaway. Technical Solutions

[0005] The technical solution adopted in the embodiment of this application is:

[0006] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery cell, comprising: a shell having a first wall, a second wall and a pressure relief mechanism, the pressure relief mechanism being arranged on the first wall, and the first wall and the second wall being arranged to intersect; an electrode assembly being arranged in the shell; a first space being formed between the outer peripheral wall of the electrode assembly and the second wall; an insulating member being arranged in the shell and located between the first wall and the electrode assembly, a second space being formed between the insulating member and the pressure relief mechanism, a first exhaust channel being provided on the insulating member; the first exhaust channel connecting the first space and the second space; and a supporting member being arranged in the shell and located between the first wall and the insulating member, a second exhaust channel being provided on the supporting member, the second exhaust channel being used to connect the first space and the second space; wherein the projection of the supporting member on the insulating member is located outside the first exhaust channel, and the melting point of the supporting member is greater than the melting point of the insulating member.

[0007] The battery cell provided in the embodiment of the present application has a first exhaust channel set in the insulating member, a support member with a melting point higher than that of the insulating member is added to the battery cell, and a second exhaust channel is set in the support member. In this way, the structural reliability of the support member can be higher than that of the insulating member, and the battery cell can be exhausted to the location of the pressure relief mechanism through the first exhaust channel in the early stage of thermal runaway. After the first exhaust channel is melted in the later stage of thermal runaway, exhaust can be achieved with the help of the second exhaust channel, so that the battery cell provided in this embodiment can continue to maintain the connection between the side cavity and the pressure relief mechanism in various stages of thermal failure, so as to reduce the risk of cracking on the side of the battery cell and improve the safety of the battery cell. Among them, the projection of the support member on the insulating member is located outside the first exhaust channel, which can avoid the setting of the support member blocking or obstructing the first exhaust channel, so as not to affect the discharge of gas in the shell in the early stage of thermal runaway.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first end surface of the electrode assembly in the first direction is spaced apart from the second wall, forming at least a portion of the first space therebetween. The support member is positioned corresponding to the first end surface. Using the solution provided in this embodiment, the support member can be positioned above at least a portion of the first space, allowing gas in the first space to quickly pass through the support member and enter the second space during hot melt, achieving rapid exhaust.

[0009] In some embodiments, the support member is spaced apart from the second wall, and the second exhaust passage extends through the support member along a second direction, wherein the second direction is parallel to or angled with the first direction. This allows the gas in the first space to quickly enter the second space through the second exhaust passage after the insulating member is melted, thereby achieving rapid exhaust.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first direction is the length direction of the electrode assembly. Under normal circumstances, the outer peripheral wall of the electrode assembly is formed by connecting two end faces in the length direction and two end faces in the width direction end to end. The above four end faces are generally spaced apart from the second wall of the shell. However, when the electrode assembly is fully charged, the two end faces in the width direction of the electrode assembly are generally in contact with the inner wall of the shell. At this time, only the two end faces in the length direction of the electrode assembly are spaced apart from the inner wall of the shell. Therefore, the first direction adopts the length direction of the electrode assembly, which can make the support member located above the end face in the length direction of the electrode assembly, so that in the hot melt state, the gas in the first space can enter the second exhaust channel through a shorter path to achieve rapid exhaust.

[0011] In some embodiments, the insulating member is provided with a receiving groove, and at least a portion of the support member is located in the receiving groove. The solution provided by this embodiment can reduce the volume of the assembly of the insulating member and the support member, facilitating the miniaturization design of the battery cell.

[0012] In some embodiments, the entire support member is located within the receiving groove. Compared to a configuration where a portion of the support member is located within the receiving groove and another portion is located outside the receiving groove, the solution provided by this embodiment can further reduce the volume of the assembly of the insulating member and the support member, facilitating the miniaturization of the battery cell design.

[0013] In some embodiments, the height of the support member and the depth of the receiving groove satisfy the following relationship: H1 / H2 = 1.0-1.6, where H1 is the depth of the receiving groove and H2 is the height of the support member. This embodiment facilitates assembly of the support member and provides a larger exhaust space, meeting operational requirements and achieving multiple goals at once.

[0014] In some embodiments, the length of the support member and the length of the receiving groove satisfy the following relationship: L1 / L2 = 1.0-1.3, where L1 is the length of the receiving groove and L2 is the length of the support member. This embodiment facilitates assembly of the support member and provides a larger exhaust space, meeting practical requirements and achieving multiple goals at once.

[0015] In some embodiments, the receiving groove includes: a first sidewall parallel to the length of the support member; a second sidewall disposed opposite the first sidewall and located on a side of the first sidewall away from the center of the insulating member; and two third sidewalls provided and spaced apart. The first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the two third sidewalls are all disposed on the bottom wall of the receiving groove and, together with the bottom wall, form a groove body with an open top. The receiving groove adopts the structure provided by this embodiment, which is simple in structure and easy to manufacture.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least one end of the second side wall extends outside the tank body, protruding from the corresponding third side wall, so that the size of the second side wall can be larger, making the structure of the receiving tank more stable.

[0017] In some embodiments, both ends of the second side wall extend outside the tank body, protruding from the corresponding third side wall, so that the size of the second side wall can be larger, making the structure of the receiving tank more stable.

[0018] In some embodiments, the battery cell further comprises an insulating sheet disposed within the housing, surrounding the electrode assembly and connected to the insulating member, for cooperating with the insulating member to electrically isolate the housing from the electrode assembly; the insulating sheet is connected to the second sidewall. This embodiment provides a larger connection area between the insulating sheet and the insulating member, resulting in a more stable connection structure.

[0019] In some embodiments, the support member is connected to the first wall, so that after the insulating member is melted, the position of the support member does not change, so that it can still be supported between the first wall and the main body of the electrode assembly to ensure the exhaust effect of the second exhaust channel.

[0020] In some embodiments, the support member has an opening disposed toward the bottom wall of the receiving groove, the opening being connected to the second exhaust channel to form an exhaust cavity. The solution provided by this embodiment facilitates welding operations between the support member and the first wall.

[0021] In some embodiments, the size of the opening in at least one direction is greater than or equal to 3 mm, which can meet the welding requirements of the support member and the first wall and facilitate smooth welding.

[0022] In some embodiments, a reinforcement portion is provided on the bottom wall of the receiving groove, and the reinforcement portion is used to enhance the mechanical strength of the bottom wall. The solution provided by this embodiment can improve the mechanical strength of the bottom wall, the receiving groove and the insulating member to a certain extent.

[0023] In some embodiments, the reinforcement portion protrudes from the bottom wall to form a convex portion, and the convex portion extends through the opening into the exhaust cavity. Using the solution provided by this embodiment, the height setting of the reinforcement portion can be less affected by the support member, making the height of the reinforcement portion larger and having a better reinforcement effect on the receiving groove.

[0024] In some embodiments, the height of the protrusion is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and is less than the distance between the top surface of the exhaust chamber and the bottom wall. By adopting the solution provided by this embodiment, the height of the protrusion can be made larger, thereby effectively reinforcing the structure of the receiving groove and the insulating member. Furthermore, the protrusion will not abut against the support member even if it is within the above-mentioned height range. Thus, the presence of the protrusion will not increase the volume of the assembly consisting of the support member and the insulating member, and will not occupy the installation space of the electrode assembly, thus achieving multiple goals at one stroke.

[0025] In some embodiments, the protrusion is connected to two opposite side walls of the receiving groove. This embodiment allows the protrusion to be connected to the side walls of the receiving groove. The provision of the reinforcement not only enhances the mechanical strength of the bottom wall of the receiving groove but also enhances the mechanical strength of portions of the side walls of the receiving groove to a certain extent, thereby making the structure of the receiving groove and the insulating member more stable.

[0026] In some embodiments, the reinforcement portion and the insulating member are integrally formed, which can stabilize the connection structure between the reinforcement portion and the insulating member and facilitate processing.

[0027] In some embodiments, the support member includes a first support portion connected to the first wall; and a second support portion disposed between the first support portion and the insulating member and connected to the first support portion, the second support portion and the first support portion forming the second exhaust passage. The support member adopts the structure provided in this embodiment, which is simple and easy to manufacture.

[0028] In some embodiments, the second support portion includes: a first sheet disposed opposite to the first support portion; and a second sheet connecting the first sheet and the first support portion. The second support portion adopts the structure provided in this embodiment, which is simple in structure and easy to process.

[0029] In some embodiments, the second sheet and the first sheet are capable of deforming under external force to enclose, together with at least a portion of the first support portion, a triangular-shaped exhaust channel. By employing the solution provided in this embodiment, in the event of thermal runaway, when the electrode assembly moves toward the first wall, the second sheet will not abut against the first support portion, thereby squeezing out the second exhaust channel. Instead, the first sheet, the second sheet, and the first support portion will form a triangular-shaped exhaust channel, providing stable support for the electrode assembly while maintaining the existence of the second exhaust channel. This can, to a certain extent, improve the safety of battery cells in the event of thermal runaway.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second sheet is integrally formed with the first sheet, so that the connection structure between the second sheet and the first sheet is stable.

[0031] In some embodiments, two second support portions are provided, and the two second support portions are spaced apart and disposed at both ends of the first support portion. With the structure provided in this embodiment, the above-mentioned opening can be formed between the two second support portions to facilitate welding of the support member to the first wall.

[0032] In some embodiments, the support member is made of the same material as the first wall. Since the support member and the first wall are generally connected by welding, the solution provided in this embodiment facilitates the welding operation between the support member and the first wall.

[0033] In some embodiments, two sets of first exhaust channels are provided, one on each side of the pressure relief mechanism. Two sets of support members are also provided, corresponding to the two sets of first exhaust channels. Compared to a solution in which both the first exhaust channels and the support members are provided in one set, the solution provided in this embodiment allows gas on the main body side of the electrode assembly to quickly reach the pressure relief mechanism through the first exhaust channels or the second exhaust channels on the support member in the event of thermal runaway, thereby improving the safety of the battery cells.

[0034] In some embodiments, each group of first exhaust channels includes two first exhaust channels, and the two first exhaust channels in the same group are spaced apart. The support member in any group is disposed between the corresponding two first exhaust channels. This embodiment provides a greater number of first exhaust channels, facilitating rapid exhaust in the early stages of thermal runaway.

[0035] In some embodiments, a gap exists between any group of the first exhaust passages and the sidewalls of the insulating member. Each group of the support members includes two support members, and the two support members in the same group are disposed on either side of the corresponding group of the first exhaust passages. This embodiment provides a larger number of support members, facilitating rapid exhaust in the later stages of thermal runaway.

[0036] In some embodiments, the insulating member has bosses at both ends of its length, projecting toward the electrode assembly. Each boss is provided with a set of the first exhaust channels and a set of the support members. Because the receiving groove can accommodate the entire support member, and the support member is provided with the second exhaust channels, the dimension of the support member in the normal direction of the first wall facing the support member is generally greater than the thickness of the main body of the insulating member. The solution provided in this embodiment can reduce the thickness of the main body of the insulating member, facilitating the lightweight design of the battery cell.

[0037] In some embodiments, the support member comprises a metal member. The structure provided by this embodiment makes the support member stable, strong and has a high melting point.

[0038] In some embodiments, the support member is an integrally formed structure. The solution provided by this embodiment makes the structure of the support member stable.

[0039] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a battery, including a battery cell provided by any of the aforementioned embodiments. The battery provided by embodiments of the present application, including a battery cell provided by any of the aforementioned embodiments, can maintain communication between the side cavity of the battery cell and the pressure relief mechanism at all stages of thermal failure, thereby reducing the risk of cracking of the side of the battery cell and improving the safety of the battery cell and the battery in use.

[0040] Thirdly, embodiments of the present application provide an electrical device, characterized by including a battery provided by any of the aforementioned embodiments. The electrical device provided by embodiments of the present application, including a battery provided by any of the aforementioned embodiments, can maintain communication between the side cavity of the battery cell and the pressure relief mechanism at all stages of thermal failure, thereby reducing the risk of cracking on the side of the battery cell and improving the safety of the battery cell, the battery, and the electrical device.

[0041] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present application, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the specific implementation methods of the present application are listed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present application. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same components. In the drawings:

[0043] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0044] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of a battery according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0045] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of a battery cell according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0046] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the front structure of the battery cell shown in FIG3 ;

[0047] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of a battery cell along the AA direction in FIG4 ;

[0048] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a partially enlarged structure of point A in FIG5 ;

[0049] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a partial cross-sectional structure of a battery cell according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0050] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the insulating member and the supporting member in FIG3 ;

[0051] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a partially enlarged structure of point B in FIG8 ;

[0052] FIG10 is a schematic structural diagram of the support member in FIG8 ;

[0053] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of battery cells according to other embodiments of the present application;

[0054] FIG12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the battery cell shown in FIG11 ;

[0055] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a partially enlarged structure of point C in FIG12;

[0056] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the insulating member and the supporting member in FIG11 .

[0057] The accompanying drawings in the specific implementation manner are as follows:

[0058] 1000. Vehicle;

[0059] 100, battery; 200, controller; 300, motor;

[0060] 10. Box body; 11. First part; 12. Second part;

[0061] 20. Battery cell; 20', housing; 21. End cap; 21a. Electrode terminal; 22. Housing; 22a. First wall; 22b. Pressure relief mechanism; 22c. Second wall; 23. Electrode assembly; 23a. Tab; 23b. Main body; 23c. First end surface; 24. Insulating member; 24a. First exhaust channel; 25. Support member; 25a. Second exhaust channel; 26. Insulating sheet; 27. Adapter sheet; 28. Bottom support plate; 29. ​​Wrapping paper;

[0062] 241, receiving groove; 242, bottom wall; 243, reinforcement portion; 244, boss; 251, opening; 252, first support portion; 253, second support portion;

[0063] 2411, first side wall; 2412, second side wall; 2413, third side wall; 2531, first sheet; 2532, second sheet;

[0064] H1, depth of the receiving groove; H2, height of the supporting member; L1, length of the receiving groove, L2, length of the supporting member; H3, height of the protrusion; X, first direction; Y, second direction; a, first space; b, second space. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application and are therefore only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0066] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned figure descriptions are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0067] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or implicitly specify the quantity, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, the meaning of "plurality" is more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0068] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0069] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0070] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "multiple" refers to more than two (including two). Similarly, "multiple groups" refers to more than two groups (including two groups), and "multiple pieces" refers to more than two pieces (including two pieces).

[0071] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or position relationship, are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0072] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, technical terms such as "installed," "connected," "connected," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; internal connections between two components or interactions between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application based on specific circumstances.

[0073] Currently, market developments indicate that power batteries are becoming increasingly widely used. They are not only used in energy storage systems such as hydropower, thermal, wind, and solar power plants, but are also widely used in electric vehicles like electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles, as well as in military equipment and aerospace. As power battery applications continue to expand, market demand is also growing.

[0074] Research on battery thermal runaway is becoming increasingly important. Battery thermal runaway refers to a cumulative increase in current and battery temperature during constant voltage charging, leading to gradual damage. This is mainly due to the fact that the heat generation within the battery is much higher than the heat dissipation rate, accumulating a large amount of heat inside the battery, causing a chain reaction, leading to battery fire and explosion. The factors that cause battery thermal runaway include internal factors and external factors. Among them, the main internal factors are: battery production defects leading to internal short circuits; improper battery use, resulting in the formation of lithium dendrites inside and causing short circuits between the positive and negative electrodes; external factors are mainly: external factors such as extrusion and needle puncture leading to battery short circuits; external short circuits of the battery causing excessive internal heat accumulation.

[0075] In order to reduce the risk of explosion in the event of thermal runaway of the battery, an explosion-proof valve is generally provided on the battery. In addition, an insulating component is generally provided between the electrode assembly of the battery and the explosion-proof valve. The insulating component is provided with an exhaust channel so that the gas on the electrode assembly side can quickly pass through the exhaust channel to the location of the explosion-proof valve in the event of thermal runaway, and exhaust is achieved through the explosion-proof valve so that the pressure can be released in time during the thermal runaway process of the battery.

[0076] However, the current insulating components have a low melting point and are easily melted in a thermal runaway state. At the same time, the electrode assembly is easily moved toward the side where the explosion-proof valve is located under the impact of the high-pressure airflow in the battery casing, thereby abutting against the side wall of the battery cell equipped with the explosion-proof valve, closing the exhaust channel between the electrode assembly and the explosion-proof valve, and hindering the rapid flow of gas in the side cavity to the exhaust below the explosion-proof valve, causing the side weld of the battery cell to burst and high-temperature metal particles to spray to adjacent battery cells, causing heat spread.

[0077] To improve the above-mentioned problem, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery cell, which has a first exhaust channel provided in an insulating member, a support member having a higher melting point than the insulating member, and a second exhaust channel provided in the support member. This allows the structural reliability of the support member to be higher than that of the insulating member, and allows the battery cell to exhaust gas to the location of the pressure relief mechanism through the first exhaust channel in the early stages of thermal runaway. After the first exhaust channel is melted in the later stages of thermal runaway, exhaust can be achieved through the second exhaust channel. As a result, the battery cell provided in this embodiment can maintain continuous communication between the side cavity and the pressure relief mechanism at all stages of thermal failure, thereby reducing the risk of cracking on the side of the battery cell and improving the safety of the battery cell.

[0078] The battery cells disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be used in electrical devices that use batteries as power sources or various energy storage systems that use batteries as energy storage elements. Electrical devices can include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toys, power tools, battery-powered vehicles, electric vehicles, ships, spacecraft, and the like. Electric toys can include fixed or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys, and electric airplane toys, and spacecraft can include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, among others.

[0079] For the convenience of description, the following embodiments are described by taking a vehicle 1000 as an example of an electrical device according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0080] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle 1000 provided in some embodiments of the present application. The vehicle 1000 can be a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle can be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or an extended-range vehicle, etc. A battery 100 is provided inside the vehicle 1000, and the battery 100 can be provided at the bottom, head or tail of the vehicle 1000. The battery 100 can be used to power the vehicle 1000. For example, the battery 100 can serve as an operating power source for the vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 may also include a controller 200 and a motor 300. The controller 200 is used to control the battery 100 to power the motor 300, for example, for starting, navigating and driving the vehicle 1000.

[0081] In some embodiments of the present application, the battery 100 can serve not only as an operating power source for the vehicle 1000, but also as a driving power source for the vehicle 1000, replacing or partially replacing fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle 1000.

[0082] Please refer to Figure 2, which is an exploded view of a battery 100 provided in some embodiments of the present application. The battery 100 includes a housing 10 and a battery cell 20, with the battery cell 20 housed within the housing 10. The housing 10 provides a storage space for the battery cell 20 and can have various structures. In some embodiments, the housing 10 can include a first portion 11 and a second portion 12, which overlap each other and together define a storage space for the battery cell 20. The second portion 12 can be a hollow structure with one end open. The first portion 11 can be a plate-like structure, with the first portion 11 overlapping the open side of the second portion 12, so that the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 together define a storage space. Alternatively, the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 can each be a hollow structure with one end open, with the open side of the first portion 11 overlapping the open side of the second portion 12. Of course, the housing 10 formed by the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 can have various shapes, such as a cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, etc. In some cases, the battery cells can also be directly installed in the vehicle without a box or shell, that is, there is no need to form a battery pack, and the structure of the vehicle body itself serves as the fixing structure of the battery cells.

[0083] In the battery 100, there may be multiple battery cells 20, and the multiple battery cells 20 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in a hybrid connection. A hybrid connection refers to a combination of series and parallel connections among the multiple battery cells 20. The multiple battery cells 20 may be directly connected in series, in parallel, or in a hybrid connection, and then the entire battery cell 20 may be housed within the housing 10. Alternatively, the battery 100 may be constructed by first connecting multiple battery cells 20 in series, in parallel, or in a hybrid connection to form a battery module, which is then connected in series, in parallel, or in a hybrid connection to form a complete battery module, and then housed within the housing 10. The battery 100 may also include other structures, such as a busbar assembly for electrically connecting the multiple battery cells 20.

[0084] Each battery cell 20 may be a secondary battery or a primary battery, and may also be a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-ion battery, or a magnesium-ion battery, but is not limited thereto. The battery cell 20 may be cylindrical, flat, rectangular, or in other shapes.

[0085] Please refer to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of the decomposed structure of the battery cell 20 provided in some embodiments of the present application. The battery cell 20 refers to the smallest unit that makes up the battery. As shown in Figure 3, the battery cell 20 includes an outer shell 20', an electrode assembly 23 and other functional components. Among them, the outer shell 20' is a closed structure that can form the internal environment of the battery cell 20, generally including an end cover 21 and a shell 22. The shell 22 and the end cover 21 can be two independent components. An opening can be set on the shell 22, and the outer shell 20' is formed by covering the opening with the end cover 21. Without limitation, the outer shell 20' can also be an integrated structure, that is, the end cover 21 and the shell 22 are integrated. Specifically, the end cover 21 and the shell 22 can form a common connection surface before other components are put into the shell. When the interior of the shell 22 needs to be encapsulated, the end cover 21 is covered with the shell 22.

[0086] The end cap 21 is a component that covers the opening of the housing 22 to isolate the internal environment of the battery cell 20 from the external environment. The shape of the end cap 21 can be adapted to the shape of the housing 22 to fit the housing 22. Optionally, the end cap 21 can be made of a material with a certain degree of hardness and strength, such as an aluminum alloy. This prevents the end cap 21 from deforming under pressure or collision, thereby enhancing the structural strength and safety of the battery cell 20. The end cap 21 can be provided with functional components such as electrode terminals 21a. The electrode terminals 21a can be used to electrically connect to the electrode assembly 23 to transmit or receive electrical energy from the battery cell 20. In some embodiments, the end cap 21 can also be provided with a pressure relief mechanism to release internal pressure when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 reaches a threshold. The end cap 21 can be made of a variety of materials, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc., and this is not particularly limited in the present embodiment. In some embodiments, an insulating member may be provided inside the end cap 21 to isolate the electrical connection components in the housing 22 from the end cap 21 to reduce the risk of short circuit. For example, the insulating member may be made of plastic, rubber, or the like.

[0087] The shell 22 is a component used to cooperate with the end cap 21 to form the internal environment of the battery cell 20, wherein the formed internal environment can be used to accommodate the electrode assembly 23, electrolyte and other components. The shell 22 can be of various shapes and sizes, such as a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylindrical shape, a hexagonal prism, etc. Specifically, the shape of the shell 22 can be determined according to the specific shape and size of the electrode assembly 23. The material of the shell 22 can be various, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not impose any special restrictions on this.

[0088] The electrode assembly 23 is a component in the battery cell 100 where electrochemical reactions occur. One or more electrode assemblies 23 may be contained in the housing 22. The electrode assembly 23 is mainly formed by winding or stacking positive and negative electrode sheets, and a separator is usually provided between the positive and negative electrode sheets. The parts of the positive and negative electrode sheets with active materials constitute the main body of the electrode assembly, and the parts of the positive and negative electrode sheets without active materials each constitute a tab 23a. The positive and negative electrode tabs may be located together at one end of the main body or respectively at both ends of the main body. During the charge and discharge process of the battery, the positive active material and the negative active material react with the electrolyte, and the tabs 23a connect the electrode terminals to form a current loop.

[0089] As shown in Figures 3 to 7, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery cell 20, which includes a housing 20', an electrode assembly 23, an insulating member 24, and a support member 25. The housing 20' has a first wall 22a, a second wall 22c, and a pressure relief mechanism 22b, which is disposed on the first wall 22a. The first wall 22a and the second wall 22c intersect. The electrode assembly 23 is disposed within the housing 20'. A first space a is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the electrode assembly 23 and the second wall 22c.

[0090] The insulating member 24 is disposed within the housing 20' and is located between the first wall 22a and the electrode assembly 23. A second space b is formed between the insulating member 24 and the pressure relief mechanism 22b. The insulating member 24 is provided with a first exhaust channel 24a. The first exhaust channel 24a connects the first space a and the second space b. The support member 25 is disposed within the housing 20' and is located between the first wall 22a and the insulating member 24. The support member 25 is provided with a second exhaust channel 25a. The second exhaust channel 25a is used to connect the first space a and the second space b. The projection of the support member 25 on the insulating member 24 is located outside the first exhaust channel 24a, and the melting point of the support member 25 is greater than the melting point of the insulating member 24.

[0091] As mentioned above, the outer shell 20' is a closed structure used to form the internal environment of the battery cell 20, and generally includes an end cover 21 and a shell 22. The shell 22 and the end cover 21 can be two independent components, or an integrated structure, which will not be repeated here. Among them, the shell 22 generally has multiple side walls and a bottom wall, and the end cover 21 is generally a single plate or a composite plate with a certain thickness. The first wall 22a can be a side wall in the shell 22 or the bottom wall of the shell 22, or it can be the end cover 21, and the specific setting can be based on the needs of use. The second wall 22c is one or more side walls connected to the first wall 22a. The pressure relief mechanism 22b can be an explosion-proof valve, or other mechanisms that can achieve pressure relief, such as providing a notch on the outer shell 20'. When the air pressure in the outer shell 20' is high, the gas can break through the notch to achieve pressure relief. At this time, the notch and the area surrounded by the notch are the pressure relief mechanism 22b.

[0092] The first exhaust passage 24a can be a hole, microporous structure, or opening formed on the insulating member 24, and can be determined based on specific needs. Through the first exhaust passage 24a, gas located on the side of the main body 23b of the electrode assembly 23 (i.e., within the first space a) can flow into the space between the insulating member 24 and the first wall 22a (i.e., the second space b). The main body 23b of the electrode assembly 23 comprises the portion of the electrode assembly 23 with the active material layer on the positive electrode sheet and the portion of the electrode assembly 23 with the active material layer on the negative electrode sheet, and is also the portion of the electrode assembly 23 excluding the tabs 23a.

[0093] The support member 25 can be used to support the main body of the electrode assembly 23 and the first wall 22a after at least part of the insulating member 24 is heat-melted, so that the gas on the side of the main body 23b of the electrode assembly 23 (i.e., the gas in the first space a) can flow to the location of the pressure relief mechanism 22b (i.e., the second space b) through the second exhaust channel 25a on the support member 25. Exemplarily, the support member 25 can be made of a material such as metal or ceramic having a melting point higher than that of the insulating member 24. The second exhaust channel 25a can be a hole, a microporous structure, an opening, etc. opened on the support member 25, which can be determined according to the specific needs of use. The second exhaust channel 25a is used to connect the first space a and the second space b, which means that in the initial state, that is, before the insulating member 24 is heat-melted, the second exhaust channel 25a can be blocked or exposed, as long as it can connect the first space a and the second space b after the insulating member 24 is heat-melted.

[0094] The projection of the support member 25 on the insulating member 24 is located outside the first exhaust channel 24a, which means that the projection area of ​​the support member 25 on the insulating member 24 falls outside the first exhaust channel 24a and does not overlap with the first exhaust channel 24a.

[0095] The melting point is the temperature at which a solid changes state (melts) from solid to liquid. The melting point of the support member 25 is the temperature at which the support member 25 changes state (melts) from solid to liquid, and the melting point of the insulating member 24 is the temperature at which the insulating member 24 changes state (melts) from solid to liquid.

[0096] The exhaust method of the battery cell 20 provided in the embodiment of the present application in the thermal runaway state is as follows:

[0097] In the initial state, the second exhaust channel 25 a on the supporting member 25 may be exposed outside the insulating member 24 or may be blocked by the insulating member 24 .

[0098] In the early stage of thermal runaway, the insulating component 24 has not melted and the first exhaust channel 24a still exists. At this time, the gas on the side where the main body of the electrode assembly 23 is located (that is, the gas in the first space a) can pass through the first exhaust channel 24a into the second space b and reach the position of the pressure relief mechanism 22b, and exhaust is achieved through the pressure relief mechanism 22b.

[0099] In the middle and late stages of thermal runaway, the temperature inside the shell 20' is greater than the melting point of the insulating member 24 but less than the melting point of the support member 25. At this time, the insulating member 24 melts, the first exhaust channel 24a disappears, and the second exhaust channel 25a is exposed. The support member 25 is supported between the electrode assembly 23 and the first wall 22a. The gas on the side where the main body of the electrode assembly 23 is located (that is, the gas in the first space a) can enter the second space b through the second exhaust channel 25a and reach the position of the pressure relief mechanism 22b, and exhaust is achieved through the pressure relief mechanism 22b.

[0100] The battery cell 20 provided in the embodiment of the present application has a first vent channel 24a disposed within the insulating member 24. A support member 25 having a higher melting point than the insulating member 24 is also provided within the battery cell 20, and a second vent channel 25a is also provided within the support member 25. This ensures that the structural reliability of the support member 25 is higher than that of the insulating member 24. This allows the battery cell 20 to vent gas to the location of the pressure relief mechanism 22b through the first vent channel 24a in the early stages of thermal runaway. In the later stages of thermal runaway, after the first vent channel 24a melts, gas can be exhausted through the second vent channel 25a. This allows the battery cell 20 provided in this embodiment to maintain continuous communication between the side cavity and the pressure relief mechanism 22b at all stages of thermal failure, reducing the risk of cracking in the side of the battery cell 20 and improving the safety of the battery cell 20. The projection of the support member 25 on the insulating member 24 is located outside the first vent channel 24a, preventing the support member 25 from blocking or obstructing the first vent channel 24a, thereby preventing the exhaust of gas from within the housing 20' in the early stages of thermal runaway.

[0101] As shown in FIG3 , in some embodiments, the first end surface 23 c of the electrode assembly 23 is spaced apart from the second wall 22 c in the first direction X, forming at least a portion of a first space a therebetween. The support member 25 is positioned corresponding to the first end surface 23 c.

[0102] The first direction X may be a length direction of the electrode assembly 23 or a width direction of the electrode assembly 23 .

[0103] The formation of at least part of the first space a between the two includes the following situations: first, the first space a is formed only between the end face of the electrode assembly 23 in the first direction X and the second wall 22c. At this time, the first end face 23c of the electrode assembly 23 in the first direction X and the second wall 22c form the entire second space; second, the first space a includes not only the space formed between the first end face 23c of the electrode assembly 23 in the first direction X and the second wall 22c, but also other spaces, such as the space formed between the other end faces of the electrode assembly 23 and the second wall 22c. At this time, the first end face 23c of the electrode assembly 23 in the first direction X and the second wall 22c form a part of the second space.

[0104] The position of the support member 25 corresponds to the position of the first end surface 23c, which means that the support member 25 is located above the first end surface 23c of the electrode assembly 23, which can be directly above or obliquely above, depending on the specific needs.

[0105] By adopting the solution provided in this embodiment, the support member 25 can be located above at least part of the first space a, so that the gas in the first space a can quickly pass through the support member 25 into the second space under hot melting conditions, thereby achieving rapid exhaust.

[0106] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, in some embodiments, the support member 25 is spaced apart from the second wall 22c. The second exhaust channel 25a penetrates the support member 25 along the second direction Y. The second direction Y is parallel to the first direction X or is arranged at an angle to the first direction X.

[0107] The support member 25 is spaced apart from the second wall 22c, meaning that they are not in contact. After the insulating member 24 is at least partially melted, the first space a can be connected to the second exhaust passage 25a through the gap between the support member 25 and the second wall 22c, thereby achieving communication with the second space. The second direction Y can be a straight line or a curved line.

[0108] The second direction Y is parallel to the first direction X or is set at an angle to the first direction X, so that the gas in the first space a can quickly enter the second space through the second exhaust channel 25a after the insulating component 24 is thermally melted, thereby achieving rapid exhaust.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the first direction X is the length direction of the electrode assembly 23 .

[0110] Under normal circumstances, the outer peripheral wall of the electrode assembly 23 is formed by connecting two end faces in the length direction and two end faces in the width direction end to end. The above four end faces are generally spaced apart from the second wall 22c of the shell 22. However, when the electrode assembly 23 is fully charged, the two end faces in the width direction of the electrode assembly 23 are generally in contact with the inner wall of the shell 22. At this time, only the two end faces in the length direction of the electrode assembly 23 are spaced apart from the inner wall of the shell 22. Therefore, the first direction X adopts the length direction of the electrode assembly 23, which can make the support member 25 located above the end face in the length direction of the electrode assembly 23. In this way, in the hot-melt state, the gas in the first space a can enter the second exhaust channel 25a through a shorter path to achieve rapid exhaust.

[0111] As shown in FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the insulating member 24 is provided with a receiving groove 241 , and at least a portion of the supporting member 25 is located in the receiving groove 241 .

[0112] The receiving groove 241 is a groove body for receiving at least part of the support member 25. It can be directly manufactured when the insulating member 24 is prepared, or it can be manufactured by cutting, stamping, etc. after the insulating member 24 is formed. The size of the receiving groove 241 can be determined according to the size of the support member 25 and its usage requirements.

[0113] By adopting the solution provided in this embodiment, the volume of the assembly of the insulating member 24 and the supporting member 25 can be reduced, which facilitates the miniaturization design of the battery cell 20 .

[0114] As shown in FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the entire support member 25 is located within the receiving groove 241 .

[0115] Compared with the case where part of the support member 25 is located inside the receiving groove 241 and the other part is located outside the receiving groove 241, the solution provided by this embodiment can further reduce the volume of the assembly of the insulating member 24 and the support member 25, thereby facilitating the miniaturization design of the battery cell 20.

[0116] As shown in FIG6 , in some embodiments, the height of the support member 25 and the depth of the receiving groove 241 satisfy the following relationship:

[0117] H1 / H2=1.0~1.6;

[0118] Here, H1 is the depth of the receiving groove 241 , and H2 is the height of the supporting member 25 .

[0119] If the ratio H1 / H2 is less than the above range, the depth of the receiving groove 241 is less than the height of the support member 25, that is, the size of the receiving groove 241 is small, and the support member 25 is difficult to operate when assembled into the receiving groove 241. If the ratio H1 / H2 is greater than the above range, if the size of the receiving groove 241 is fixed, the size of the support member 25 will be small, which may easily limit the exhaust space of the support member 25 (that is, the exhaust space of the second exhaust channel 25a). Therefore, the solution provided by this embodiment can make the support member 25 easier to assemble and the exhaust space larger, which can meet the actual needs and achieve multiple goals at one stroke.

[0120] As shown in FIG6 , in some embodiments, the length dimension of the support member 25 and the length dimension of the receiving groove 241 satisfy the following relationship:

[0121] L1 / L2=1.0~1.3;

[0122] Wherein, L1 is the length of the receiving groove 241 , and L2 is the length of the supporting member 25 .

[0123] If the ratio L1 / L2 is less than the above range, the depth of the receiving groove 241 is less than the height of the support member 25, that is, the size of the receiving groove 241 is small, and the support member 25 is difficult to operate when assembled into the receiving groove 241. If the ratio L1 / L2 is greater than the above range, if the size of the receiving groove 241 is fixed, the size of the support member 25 will be small, which may easily limit the exhaust space of the support member 25 (that is, the exhaust space of the second exhaust channel 25a). Therefore, the solution provided by this embodiment can make the support member 25 easier to assemble and the exhaust space larger, which can meet the actual needs and achieve multiple goals at one stroke.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, the receiving groove 241 includes a first sidewall 2411 , a second sidewall 2412 , and a third sidewall 2413 .

[0125] The first sidewall 2411 is parallel to the length of the support member 25. The second sidewall 2412 is disposed opposite the first sidewall 2411 and is located on a side of the first sidewall 2411 away from the center of the insulating member 24. Two third sidewalls 2413 are provided, spaced apart. The first sidewall 2411, the second sidewall 2412, and the two third sidewalls 2413 are all disposed on the bottom wall 242 of the receiving groove 241 and, together with the bottom wall 242, form a groove body with an open top.

[0126] Since the support member 25 is generally a body having a certain length, width, and thickness, in this embodiment, the first side wall 2411 and the second side wall 2412 are respectively provided along the length direction of the support member 25, and the third side wall 2413 is provided along the width direction of the support member 25. The first side wall 2411, the second side wall 2412, and the third side wall 2413 all have a certain thickness. The second side wall 2412 is located on the side of the first side wall 2411 away from the center of the insulating member 24, that is, on the outside of the first side wall 2411.

[0127] The accommodating groove 241 adopts the structure provided in this embodiment, which is simple in structure and easy to process.

[0128] As shown in FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, at least one end of the second side wall 2412 extends outside the tank body, protruding from the corresponding third side wall 2413 .

[0129] At least one end of the second side wall 2412 extending outside the tank means that the length of the second side wall 2412 is greater than the distance between the two third side walls 2413, and at least one end of the second side wall 2412 protrudes beyond one of the third side walls 2413. The length of the second side wall 2412 refers to the dimension of the second side wall 2412 in the direction in which the two third side walls 2413 are arranged. At least one end of the second side wall 2412 refers to at least one end of the second side wall 2412 in its own length direction.

[0130] In this way, the size of the second side wall 2412 can be larger, making the structure of the receiving groove 241 stable.

[0131] In some embodiments, both ends of the second side wall 2412 extend outside the tank body, protruding from the corresponding three side walls 2413 .

[0132] In this way, the size of the second side wall 2412 can be larger, making the structure of the receiving groove 241 stable.

[0133] As shown in Figures 3 and 9, in some embodiments, the battery cell 20 further includes an insulating sheet 26. The insulating sheet 26 is disposed within the housing 20'. The insulating sheet 26 surrounds the electrode assembly 23 and is connected to the insulating member 24. The insulating sheet 26 cooperates with the insulating member 24 to electrically isolate the housing 20' from the electrode assembly 23. The insulating sheet 26 is connected to the second sidewall 2412.

[0134] The material of the insulating sheet 26 can be the same as or different from that of the insulating member 24, as long as the insulating sheet 26 can cooperate with the insulating member 24 to achieve electrical isolation between the housing 20' and the electrode assembly 23. The insulating sheet 26 can be an integrally formed structure or composed of multiple sheets, depending on the specific application requirements.

[0135] The insulating sheet 26 is connected to the second side wall 2412 by hot-melt connection or adhesive connection.

[0136] By adopting the solution provided in this embodiment, the connection area between the insulating sheet 26 and the insulating member 24 can be made larger, and the connection structure is stable.

[0137] As shown in FIG. 6 , in some embodiments, the support member 25 is connected to the first wall 22 a .

[0138] The support member 25 and the first wall 22a can be connected by welding, integral molding, or the like.

[0139] In this way, after the insulating member 24 is melted, the position of the supporting member 25 does not change, so that it can still be supported between the first wall 22a and the main body of the electrode assembly 23 to ensure the exhaust effect of the second exhaust channel 25a.

[0140] As shown in FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, the support member 25 has an opening 251 disposed toward the bottom wall 242 of the accommodating groove. The opening 251 is connected to the second exhaust channel 25 a to form an exhaust cavity.

[0141] The opening 251 can be formed by removing a portion of the sidewall of the second exhaust passage 25a after the support member 25 is formed, or it can be formed directly on the support member 25 during its fabrication. This opening 251 connects the second sheet 2532 passage with the space outside the support member 25. Furthermore, the welding beam can enter the second exhaust passage 25a through this opening 251 and contact the portion of the support member 25 that contacts the first wall 22a, thereby achieving welding of the support member 25 to the first wall 22a. Therefore, the solution provided in this embodiment facilitates the welding operation between the support member 25 and the first wall 22a.

[0142] In some embodiments, the dimension of the opening 251 in at least one direction is greater than or equal to 3 mm.

[0143] This can meet the welding requirements of the support member 25 and the first wall 22a, facilitating smooth welding.

[0144] As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, a reinforcement portion 243 is provided on the bottom wall 242 of the receiving groove 241 . The reinforcement portion 243 is used to enhance the mechanical strength of the bottom wall 242 .

[0145] The reinforcing portion 243 may be integrally formed on the bottom wall 242 of the receiving groove 241, or may be connected to the bottom wall 242 of the receiving groove 241 by plugging, bonding, or the like. The reinforcing portion 243 may be a single component or multiple components, and may be of a regular or irregular shape, as long as it can achieve mechanical reinforcement of the bottom wall 242.

[0146] By adopting the solution provided in this embodiment, the mechanical strength of the bottom wall 242 , the receiving groove 241 and the insulating member 24 can be improved to a certain extent.

[0147] In some embodiments, the reinforcement portion 243 protrudes from the bottom wall 242 to form a convex portion, and the convex portion extends into the exhaust cavity through the opening 251 .

[0148] Since the reinforcing portion 243 and the bottom wall 242 are both components with a certain thickness or height, the reinforcing portion 243 protruding from the bottom wall 242 includes but is not limited to the following situations: first, a portion of the reinforcing portion 243 is located inside the bottom wall 242, and the other portion is located outside the bottom wall 242, and the portion located outside the bottom wall 242 is located inside the accommodating groove 241, and the top surface is higher than the top surface of the bottom wall 242; second, the reinforcing portion 243 is entirely located inside the accommodating groove 241, and the bottom surface of the reinforcing portion 243 is connected to the top surface of the bottom wall 242.

[0149] The convex portion extends into the exhaust cavity through the opening 251 , which means that the convex portion is located within the coverage area of ​​the opening 251 on the support member 25 , and can be inserted into the second exhaust channel 25 a through the opening 251 after the support member 25 is inserted into the receiving groove 241 .

[0150] By adopting the solution provided in this embodiment, the height setting of the reinforcing portion 243 can be less affected by the supporting member 25 , so that the height of the reinforcing portion 243 is larger, and the reinforcing effect on the receiving groove 241 is better.

[0151] In some embodiments, the height H3 of the protrusion is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and is smaller than the distance between the top surface of the exhaust cavity and the bottom wall 242 .

[0152] The height H3 of the protrusion refers to the dimension of the protrusion in the depth direction of the receiving groove 241. This height needs to take into account the assembly tolerance. The spacing between the top surface of the exhaust cavity and the bottom wall 242 refers to the vertical distance between the top surface of the exhaust cavity and the bottom wall 242.

[0153] Because the support member 25 is connected to the first wall 22a, after it is inserted into the receiving groove 241, a gap may exist between the bottom surface of the support member 25 and the bottom wall 242 of the receiving groove 241. The solution provided in this embodiment can increase the height H3 of the protrusion, thereby effectively reinforcing the structure of the receiving groove 241 and the insulating member 24. Furthermore, the protrusion within the aforementioned height range will not abut the support member 25. Therefore, the presence of the protrusion will not increase the volume of the assembly consisting of the support member 25 and the insulating member 24, nor will it occupy the installation space of the electrode assembly 23, thus achieving multiple goals at one stroke.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 9 , in some embodiments, the protrusion is connected to two opposite side walls of the receiving groove 241 .

[0155] The two side walls opposite to each other in the receiving groove 241 are the two side walls in the receiving groove 241 that are in contact with both ends of the protrusion and opposite to each other, such as the first side wall 2411 and the second side wall 2412 mentioned above.

[0156] By adopting the solution provided in this embodiment, the protrusion can be connected to the side wall of the accommodating groove 241. In this way, the setting of the reinforcement portion 243 can not only enhance the mechanical strength of the bottom wall 242 of the accommodating groove 241, but also enhance the mechanical strength of part of the side wall of the accommodating groove 241 to a certain extent, making the structure of the accommodating groove 241 and the insulating component 24 more stable.

[0157] In some embodiments, the reinforcement portion 243 is integrally formed with the insulating member 24 .

[0158] The reinforcing portion 243 and the insulating member 24 in this embodiment can be manufactured by an integral molding process such as injection molding and stamping, so that the connection structure between the reinforcing portion 243 and the insulating member 24 is stable and easy to process.

[0159] As shown in FIG10 , in some embodiments, the support member 25 includes a first support portion 252 and a second support portion 253. The first support portion 252 is connected to the first wall 22a. The second support portion 253 is disposed between the first support portion 252 and the insulating member 24 and is connected to the first support portion 252. The second support portion 253 and the first support portion 252 form a second exhaust passage 25a.

[0160] The first support portion 252 and the second support portion 253 are both part of the support member 25, wherein the first support portion 252 is the portion of the support member 25 used to connect with the first wall 22a, and the second support portion 253 is the portion of the support member 25 that does not contact the first wall 22a and is located on the first support portion 252 away from the first wall 22a.

[0161] The first support portion 252 and the second support portion 253 can each be composed of one component, such as a sheet, a plate, etc., or can each be composed of multiple components, such as two spaced-apart sheets, plates, etc., depending on the specific needs of use.

[0162] The first support portion 252 and the second support portion 253 may be integrally formed, or may be two separately prepared components, which may be connected by welding, plugging, or the like.

[0163] The supporting member 25 adopts the structure provided in this embodiment, which is simple in structure and easy to process.

[0164] As shown in FIG10 , in some embodiments, the second support portion 253 includes a first sheet 2531 and a second sheet 2532. The first sheet 2531 is disposed opposite to the first support portion 252. The second sheet 2532 connects the first sheet 2531 and the first support portion 252.

[0165] The first sheet 2531 and the second sheet 2532 are respectively part of the second support portion 253 , and the two can be integrally formed or can be two separately prepared sheets connected by welding, plugging, or the like.

[0166] The second supporting portion 253 adopts the structure provided in this embodiment, which has a simple structure and is easy to process.

[0167] In some embodiments, the second sheet 2532 and the first sheet 2531 can be deformed under the action of an external force to form an exhaust channel with a triangular cross-section together with at least a portion of the first support portion 252 .

[0168] In this embodiment, the second sheet 2532 can be tilted toward the side of the first support portion 252 under the action of the upward thrust, thereby forming an exhaust passage with a triangular cross-section with the first sheet 2531 and at least a portion of the first support portion 252. It is understood that the triangle can be a closed triangle or a triangle with a single opening 251. The triangle with a single opening 251 means that the second sheet 2532 and the first support portion 252 do not contact each other, and there is a gap between them to form the opening 251.

[0169] By adopting the solution provided in this embodiment, in the case of thermal runaway, when the electrode assembly 23 moves toward the first wall 22a, the second sheet 2532 will not fit into the first support portion 252 to squeeze out the second exhaust channel 25a. Instead, the first sheet 2531, the second sheet 2532 and the first support portion 252 will form an exhaust channel with a triangular cross-section, thereby achieving stable support for the electrode assembly 23 and ensuring that the second exhaust channel 25a still exists. This can improve the safety of the battery cell 20 in the case of thermal runaway to a certain extent.

[0170] In some embodiments, the second sheet 2532 and the first sheet 2531 are integrally formed, which can stabilize the connection structure between the second sheet 2532 and the first sheet 2531 .

[0171] As shown in FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, two second support portions 253 are provided, and the two second support portions 253 are spaced apart and disposed at both ends of the first support portion 252 .

[0172] The term "spaced arrangement" means that there is a certain interval between the two second support portions 253. The term "separated at both ends of the first support portion 252" means that the two second support portions 253 are respectively arranged at the two ends of the first support portion 252 in the length direction.

[0173] By adopting the structure provided in this embodiment, the opening 251 can be formed between the two second support portions 253 , so as to facilitate welding of the support member 25 and the first wall 22 a .

[0174] In some embodiments, the material of the support member 25 is the same as that of the first wall 22a.

[0175] Since the support member 25 is generally connected to the first wall 22a by welding, the solution provided in this embodiment facilitates the welding operation between the support member 25 and the first wall 22a.

[0176] As shown in FIG8 , in some embodiments, there are two groups of first exhaust channels 24a, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the pressure relief mechanism 22b, and there are two groups of support members 25, which are arranged corresponding to the two groups of first exhaust channels 24a.

[0177] The corresponding arrangement is that one group of first exhaust channels 24 a corresponds to one group of support members 25 , that is, the two groups of support members 25 are also arranged on both sides of the pressure relief mechanism 22 b .

[0178] Compared with the solution in which both the first exhaust channel 24a and the support member 25 are provided with a group, the solution provided in this embodiment can enable the gas on the side where the main body of the electrode assembly 23 is located to quickly reach the pressure relief mechanism 22b through the first exhaust channel 24a or the second exhaust channel 25a on the support member 25 in the event of thermal runaway, thereby making the battery cell 20 safer to use.

[0179] As shown in FIG8 , in some embodiments, each group of first exhaust channels 24 a includes two first exhaust channels 24 a , the two first exhaust channels 24 a in the same group are spaced apart, and any group of support members 25 is disposed between the corresponding two first exhaust channels 24 a .

[0180] For example, the two groups of first exhaust channels 24a are respectively the first group of exhaust channels and the second group of exhaust channels, and the two groups of support members 25 are respectively the first support member 25 and the second support member 25, wherein the first support member 25 corresponds to the first group of exhaust channels, and the second support member 25 corresponds to the second group of exhaust channels. Any of the above groups of support members 25 is disposed between two corresponding first exhaust channels 24a, meaning that the first support member 25 is located between the two first exhaust channels 24a in the first group of exhaust channels, and the second support member 25 is located between the two second exhaust channels 25a in the second group of exhaust channels.

[0181] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, a first exhaust channel 24a does not necessarily have only one exhaust channel. A first exhaust channel 24a may be composed of multiple exhaust channels. The multiple exhaust channels located in the same first exhaust channel 24a may be connected or arranged at intervals.

[0182] By adopting the solution provided in this embodiment, the number of first exhaust channels 24 a can be increased, which facilitates rapid exhaust in the early stage of thermal runaway.

[0183] As shown in Figures 11 to 14, in some embodiments, there is a gap between any group of first exhaust channels 24a and the side wall of the insulating member 24, and each group of support members 25 includes two support members 25. The two support members 25 in the same group are arranged on both sides of the corresponding group of first exhaust channels 24a.

[0184] For example, the two groups of first exhaust channels 24a are respectively the first group of exhaust channels and the second group of exhaust channels, and the two groups of support members 25 are respectively the first group of support members 25 and the second group of support members 25. The first group of support members 25 corresponds to the first group of exhaust channels, and the second group of support members 25 corresponds to the second group of exhaust channels. The two support members 25 in the same group are respectively disposed on either side of the corresponding group of first exhaust channels 24a, meaning that the two support members 25 in the first group of support members 25 are respectively disposed on either side of the first group of exhaust channels, and the two support members 25 in the second group of support members 25 are respectively disposed on either side of the second group of exhaust channels.

[0185] The solution provided in this embodiment enables a larger number of support members 25 , facilitating rapid exhaust in the later stages of thermal runaway.

[0186] As shown in FIG. 14 , in some embodiments, the insulating member 24 has bosses 244 at both ends in the length direction that protrude toward the electrode assembly 23 . Each boss 244 is provided with a group of first exhaust channels 24 a and a group of support members 25 .

[0187] The boss 244 is generally a block that protrudes from the side of the insulating member 24 facing the electrode assembly 23. One or more bosses 244 may be provided. The boss 244 may be integrally formed with the main body of the insulating member 24, or may be mounted to the main body of the insulating member 24 by plugging, snapping, or other means. The main body of the insulating member 24 refers to the portion of the insulating member 24 excluding the boss 244.

[0188] Since the accommodating groove 241 can accommodate the entire support member 25, and a second exhaust channel 25a is provided on the support member 25, the size of the support member 25 in the normal direction of the side of the first wall 22a facing the support member 25 is generally larger than the thickness of the main body of the insulating member 24. The solution provided by this embodiment can make the thickness of the main body of the insulating member 24 smaller, which is convenient for the lightweight design of the battery cell 20.

[0189] In some embodiments, support member 25 comprises a metal member.

[0190] The structure provided in this embodiment enables the support member 25 to have a stable structure, high supporting strength and a high melting point.

[0191] In some embodiments, the support member 25 is an integrally formed structure.

[0192] In this embodiment, the support member 25 can be manufactured through an integral forming process such as casting, molding, and bending.

[0193] The solution provided in this embodiment makes the structure of the support member 25 stable.

[0194] According to some embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides a battery, which includes the battery cell provided by any of the above embodiments.

[0195] The battery provided in the embodiments of the present application, including the battery cell provided in any of the above embodiments, can continuously maintain the connection between the side cavity of the battery cell and the pressure relief mechanism at various stages of thermal failure, so as to reduce the risk of cracking of the side of the battery cell and improve the safety of the battery cell and the battery use.

[0196] According to some embodiments of the present application, the present application further provides an electrical device, which includes the battery provided by any of the above embodiments.

[0197] The power-consuming device may be any of the aforementioned devices or systems using batteries.

[0198] The electrical device provided in the embodiments of the present application, including the battery provided in any of the above embodiments, can continuously maintain the connection between the side cavity of the battery cell and the pressure relief mechanism at various stages of thermal failure, so as to reduce the risk of cracking of the side of the battery cell and improve the safety of the battery cell, battery and electrical device.

[0199] Referring to Figures 3 to 14 , the present invention embodies a battery cell 20. The battery cell 20 includes a housing 20', an electrode assembly 23, an insulating member 24, and a support member 25. The housing 20' has a first wall 22a, a second wall 22c, and a pressure relief mechanism 22b, which is disposed on the first wall 22a. The first wall 22a and the second wall 22c intersect. The electrode assembly 23 is disposed within the housing 20'. A first space a is formed between the outer peripheral wall of the electrode assembly 23 and the second wall 22c.

[0200] The insulating member 24 is disposed within the housing 20' and positioned between the first wall 22a and the electrode assembly 23. A second space b is formed between the insulating member 24 and the pressure relief mechanism 22b. A first exhaust channel 24a is defined in the insulating member 24. The first exhaust channel 24a connects the first space a and the second space b. The support member 25 is disposed within the housing 20' and positioned between the first wall 22a and the insulating member 24. A second exhaust channel 25a is defined in the support member 25. The second exhaust channel 25a connects the first space a and the second space b.

[0201] The projection of the support member 25 on the insulating member 24 is located outside the first exhaust passage 24 a , and the melting point of the support member 25 is greater than that of the insulating member 24 .

[0202] In some embodiments, first wall 22a is end cap 21, and second wall 22c is one or more side walls connected to first wall 22a. Pressure relief mechanism 22b is an explosion-proof valve. First exhaust passage 24a can be a hole, microporous structure, or opening provided on insulating member 24, depending on the specific application.

[0203] The electrode assembly 23 has a first end surface 23c spaced apart from the second wall 22c in the first direction X, defining at least a portion of a first space a therebetween. The support member 25 is positioned corresponding to the first end surface 23c. The first direction X is the longitudinal direction of the electrode assembly 23. The support member 25 is spaced apart from the second wall 22c. A second exhaust passage 25a extends through the support member 25 along the second direction Y. The second direction Y is parallel to the first direction X.

[0204] The support member 25 is welded to the first wall 22 a . The insulating member 24 is provided with a receiving groove 241 , and the entire support member 25 is located in the receiving groove 241 .

[0205] The height of the support member 25 and the depth of the receiving groove 241 satisfy the following relationship:

[0206] H1 / H2=1.0~1.6;

[0207] Here, H1 is the depth of the receiving groove 241 , and H2 is the height of the supporting member 25 .

[0208] The lengthwise dimension of the support member 25 and the lengthwise dimension of the receiving groove 241 satisfy the following relationship:

[0209] L1 / L2=1.0~1.3;

[0210] Wherein, L1 is the length of the receiving groove 241 , and L2 is the length of the supporting member 25 .

[0211] The receiving groove 241 includes a first side wall 2411, a second side wall 2412 and a third side wall 2413. The first side wall 2411 is parallel to the length direction of the support member 25. The second side wall 2412 is arranged opposite to the first side wall 2411 and is located on the side of the first side wall 2411 away from the center of the insulating member 24. There are two third side walls 2413, which are arranged at intervals. The first side wall 2411, the second side wall 2412 and the two third side walls 2413 are all arranged on the bottom wall 242, and together with the bottom wall 242, they form a groove body with an open top. Both ends of the second side wall 2412 extend outside the groove body, protruding from the corresponding third side wall 2413.

[0212] The battery cell 20 also includes an insulating sheet 26. This sheet is positioned within the housing 20'. It surrounds the electrode assembly 23 and is connected to the insulating member 24. The insulating sheet 26 cooperates with the insulating member 24 to electrically isolate the housing 20' from the electrode assembly 23. The insulating sheet 26 is connected to the second sidewall 2412. The insulating sheet 26 is typically made of Mylar, a tough polyester polymer.

[0213] The support member 25 includes a first support portion 252 and a second support portion 253. The first support portion 252 is connected to the first wall 22a. The second support portion 253 is disposed between the first support portion 252 and the insulating member 24 and is connected to the first support portion 252. The second support portion 253 and the first support portion 252 enclose a second exhaust passage 25a. The second support portion 253 includes a first plate 2531 and a second plate 2532. The first plate 2531 is disposed opposite the first support portion 252. The second plate 2532 connects the first plate 2531 and the first support portion 252. The second plate 2532 and the first plate 2531 are capable of deforming under external force to form, together with at least a portion of the first support portion 252, an exhaust passage having a triangular cross-section. Two second support portions 253 are provided, spaced apart and located at either end of the first support portion 252. An opening 251 is formed between the two second support portions 253. The size of the opening 251 in at least one direction is greater than or equal to 3 mm.

[0214] A reinforcement portion 243 is provided on the bottom wall 242 of the receiving groove 241 to enhance the mechanical strength of the bottom wall 242. The reinforcement portion 243 protrudes from the bottom wall 242 to form a convex portion, which extends through the opening 251 into the second exhaust passage 25a. The height of the convex portion is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and is less than the distance between the top surface of the exhaust cavity and the bottom wall 242. The convex portion is connected to two opposing side walls of the receiving groove 241. The reinforcement portion 243 is integrally formed with the insulating member 24.

[0215] Two groups of first exhaust channels 24a are provided, with the two groups of first exhaust channels 24a being located on either side of the pressure relief mechanism 22b. Two groups of support members 25 are also provided, with the two groups of support members 25 corresponding to the two groups of first exhaust channels 24a. In some embodiments, each group of first exhaust channels 24a includes two first exhaust channels 24a, with the two first exhaust channels 24a in the same group spaced apart, and each group of support members 25 is located between the two corresponding first exhaust channels 24a. In other embodiments, a space is formed between each group of first exhaust channels 24a and the sidewall of the insulating member 24, and each group of support members 25 includes two support members 25, with the two support members 25 in the same group spaced apart on either side of the corresponding group of first exhaust channels 24a.

[0216] The insulating member 24 has bosses 244 at both ends in the length direction, which protrude toward the electrode assembly 23 . Each boss 244 is provided with a group of first exhaust channels 24 a and a group of support members 25 .

[0217] The supporting member 25 is an integrally formed metal member formed by bending a single sheet.

[0218] The supporting members 25 are mainly made of aluminum alloy, preferably Al 3003H18, to facilitate welding with the end cover 21. There are two groups of supporting members 25, which are respectively arranged at both ends of the end cover 21 in the longitudinal direction.

[0219] With the battery cell 20 provided in this embodiment, even if the insulating member 24 melts in the late stage of thermal runaway, the support member 25 can remain connected to the side cavity and the area below the pressure relief mechanism 22b, like a bridge, until the thermal runaway process ends. This can reduce the risk of cracking in the side welds of the battery cell and improve the safety of the battery cell.

[0220] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and specification of the present application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell, characterized in that: include: The housing comprises a first wall, a second wall and a pressure relief mechanism, wherein the pressure relief mechanism is arranged on the first wall, and the first wall and the second wall are arranged to intersect; an electrode assembly disposed in the housing; a first space is formed between an outer peripheral wall of the electrode assembly and the second wall; an insulating member disposed in the housing and between the first wall and the electrode assembly, wherein a second space is formed between the insulating member and the pressure relief mechanism, and wherein a first exhaust channel is provided on the insulating member; The first exhaust passage communicates with the first space and the second space; as well as a supporting member disposed in the housing and between the first wall and the insulating member, wherein the supporting member is provided with a second exhaust passage, the second exhaust passage being used to connect the first space and the second space; The projection of the supporting member on the insulating member is located outside the first exhaust channel, and the melting point of the supporting member is greater than the melting point of the insulating member.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein The first end surface of the electrode assembly in the first direction is spaced apart from the second wall, forming at least a portion of the first space therebetween. The position of the support member corresponds to the position of the first end surface.

3. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein: The support member is spaced apart from the second wall, and the second exhaust passage penetrates the support member along a second direction, and the second direction is parallel to the first direction or is arranged at an angle to the first direction.

4. The battery cell according to claim 2 or 3, wherein: The first direction is the length direction of the electrode assembly.

5. The battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The insulating member is provided with a receiving groove, and at least a portion of the supporting member is located in the receiving groove.

6. The battery cell according to claim 5, wherein: The entire supporting member is located in the receiving groove.

7. The battery cell according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that: The height of the support member and the depth of the receiving groove satisfy the following relationship: H1 / H2=1.0~1.6; Wherein, H1 is the depth of the receiving groove, and H2 is the height of the supporting member.

8. The battery cell according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that: The length dimension of the supporting member and the length dimension of the receiving groove satisfy the following relationship: L1 / L2=1.0~1.3; Wherein, L1 is the length of the accommodating groove, and L2 is the length of the supporting member.

9. The battery cell according to any one of claims 5 to 8, characterized in that: The receiving tank includes: a first side wall, parallel to the length direction of the support member; a second side wall disposed opposite to the first side wall and located on a side of the first side wall away from the center of the insulating member; and There are two third side walls, which are spaced apart from each other; The first side wall, the second side wall and the two third side walls are all arranged on the bottom wall of the accommodating groove, and together with the bottom wall form a groove body with an open top.

10. The battery cell according to claim 9, wherein: At least one end of the second side wall extends outside the tank body and protrudes from the corresponding third side wall.

11. The battery cell according to claim 9, wherein: Both ends of the second side wall extend outside the tank body and protrude from the corresponding third side wall.

12. The battery cell according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that: The battery cell further comprises: an insulating sheet disposed in the housing, the insulating sheet surrounding the electrode assembly and connected to the insulating member; The insulating sheet is used to cooperate with the insulating member to electrically isolate the housing and the electrode assembly; The insulating sheet is connected to the second side wall.

13. The battery cell according to any one of claims 5 to 12, characterized in that: The support member is connected to the first wall.

14. The battery cell according to claim 13, wherein: The supporting member has an opening disposed toward the bottom wall of the accommodating groove, and the opening is communicated with the second exhaust channel to form an exhaust cavity.

15. The battery cell according to claim 14, wherein: The size of the opening in at least one direction is greater than or equal to 3 mm.

16. The battery cell according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that: A reinforcement portion is provided on the bottom wall of the accommodating groove, and the reinforcement portion is used to enhance the mechanical strength of the bottom wall.

17. The battery cell according to claim 16, wherein: The reinforcement portion protrudes from the bottom wall to form a convex portion, and the convex portion extends into the exhaust cavity through the opening.

18. The battery cell according to claim 17, wherein: The height of the protrusion is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and is smaller than the distance between the top surface of the exhaust cavity and the bottom wall.

19. The battery cell according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that: The protrusion is connected to two side walls of the receiving groove that are opposite to each other.

20. The battery cell according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that: The reinforcement portion is integrally formed with the insulating member.

21. The battery cell according to any one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that: The support member comprises: a first supporting portion connected to the first wall; and The second supporting portion is provided between the first supporting portion and the insulating member and is connected to the first supporting portion. The second supporting portion and the first supporting portion form the second exhaust channel.

22. The battery cell according to claim 21, wherein The second supporting portion includes: a first sheet disposed opposite to the first supporting portion; and The second sheet connects the first sheet and the first supporting portion.

23. The battery cell according to claim 22, wherein: The second sheet and the first sheet can be deformed under the action of an external force to form an exhaust channel with a triangular cross section together with at least a portion of the first support portion.

24. The battery cell according to claim 22 or 23, wherein: The second sheet is integrally formed with the first sheet.

25. The battery cell according to any one of claims 21 to 24, characterized in that: There are two second supporting parts, which are spaced apart and respectively arranged at two ends of the first supporting part.

26. The battery cell according to any one of claims 13 to 25, characterized in that: The supporting member is made of the same material as the first wall.

27. The battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that: There are two groups of the first exhaust channels, which are respectively arranged on both sides of the pressure relief mechanism. There are also two groups of the support members, which are arranged corresponding to the two groups of the first exhaust channels.

28. The battery cell according to claim 27, wherein: Each group of the first exhaust channels includes two first exhaust channels. The two first exhaust channels in the same group are arranged at intervals, and the support member in any group is arranged between the corresponding two first exhaust channels.

29. The battery cell according to claim 27, wherein: There is a gap between any group of the first exhaust channels and the side wall of the insulating member. Each group of the support members includes two support members. The two support members in the same group are respectively arranged on both sides of the corresponding group of the first exhaust channels.

30. The battery cell according to any one of claims 27 to 29, characterized in that: The insulating member has bosses at both ends in the length direction that protrude toward the electrode assembly, and each of the bosses is provided with a group of the first exhaust channels and a group of the supporting members.

31. The battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 30, characterized in that: The support member includes a metal member.

32. The battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 31, characterized in that: The supporting member is an integrally formed structure.

33. A battery, characterized in that: A battery cell comprising the battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

34. An electrical device, characterized in that: Including the battery of claim 33.

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