Top cover assembly and battery device

Abstract

The invention provides a top cover assembly and a battery device. The top cover assembly comprises a top cover, a pole and a collector plate. The top cover comprises a first side and a second side which are opposite in the thickness direction. The pole penetrates through the top cover and protrudes relative to the first side and the second side. The flow collecting disc is arranged on the first side of the top cover. The flow collecting disc comprises a first face and a second face which are opposite in the thickness direction, the first face is closer to the first side of the top cover than the second face, the second face is sunken towards the first face so that a protruding part can be formed on the side where the first face is located, and a sunken part can be formed on the side where the second face is located. And the top wall of the lug boss is connected with the bottom of the pole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, specifically to a top cover assembly and a battery device. Background Technology

[0002] Battery devices, such as individual battery cells, are widely used as the main power source for electrical equipment due to their recyclability. As the demand for battery devices gradually increases, people also have higher and higher requirements for their performance in various aspects.

[0003] However, during the assembly of the top cover assembly of the battery device, the current collector needs to be bent twice, which poses a challenge to the assembly accuracy of the assembly equipment and makes the structure of the assembly equipment more complex. The more complex the structure of the assembly equipment, the lower its assembly stability will be, affecting the stability of mass production. On the other hand, because the current collector needs to be bent twice, centered and inserted into the shell, many processes are not conducive to high-speed production and reduce the production efficiency of the top cover assembly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above problems, this application provides a top cover assembly and a battery device.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a top cover assembly. The top cover assembly includes a top cover, an electrode post, and a collector plate. The top cover includes a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the thickness direction. The electrode post passes through the top cover and protrudes relative to both the first and second sides. The collector plate is disposed on the first side of the top cover. The collector plate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other in the thickness direction, the first surface being closer to the first side of the top cover than the second surface, and the second surface being recessed from the first surface to form a protrusion on the side containing the first surface and a recess on the side containing the second surface. The top wall of the protrusion is connected to the bottom of the electrode post.

[0006] In the above technical solution, the current collector is welded to the electrode post through a protrusion. The protrusion shortens the connection distance between the current collector and the electrode post, allowing the current collector to connect to the electrode post without bending. On the one hand, since the assembly equipment does not need to perform a bending process, the structure of the assembly equipment is simplified, and the assembly stability is guaranteed. Correspondingly, the stability of mass production of the top cover assembly is also guaranteed. On the other hand, the reduction of the current collector bending process is conducive to high-speed production of the top cover assembly, improving the production efficiency of the top cover assembly. Furthermore, since the current collector does not need to be bent, the current collector of this application is more material-efficient compared to current collectors that require bending, thereby saving production costs of the top cover assembly. Moreover, the fact that the current collector does not need to be bent reduces the risk of short circuits caused by accidental contact between the current collector and other components of the top cover assembly (such as the top cover).

[0007] As an optional technical solution of this application, the first surface protrudes away from the second surface and has a spacer portion formed thereon, the spacer portion being higher than the protrusion portion.

[0008] In the above technical solution, a spacer portion is formed on the first surface protruding away from the second surface, and the spacer portion is higher than the protrusion. When the internal air pressure of the battery device is high and impacts the current collector, the spacer portion can support the lower plastic of the top cover assembly. On the one hand, the spacer portion can provide a support point for the lower plastic, improving the installation stability of the lower plastic; on the other hand, the spacer portion can ensure that there is always a venting space for gas flow between the first surface of the current collector and the lower plastic, preventing gas from being unable to flow to the explosion-proof valve and thus failing to achieve pressure relief. Furthermore, when the top cover assembly is subjected to external forces due to impact or compression, the spacer portion can support the lower plastic and prevent the lower plastic from deforming. At the same time, the spacer portion can withstand most of the external forces, preventing the external forces from being concentrated and transmitted to the protrusion, causing the electrical connection between the protrusion and the terminal post to fail.

[0009] As an optional technical solution of this application, the spacers are evenly distributed around the center of the protrusion.

[0010] In the above technical solution, the spacers are evenly distributed around the center of the protrusion, which can more evenly bear the transmitted external forces, prevent stress concentration in local areas of the manifold, and thus reduce the risk of local cracking or deformation. The evenly distributed spacers also allow the manifold to provide more uniform and comprehensive support to the lower plastic, thereby improving the assembly stability of the entire top cover assembly. Furthermore, the even distribution of the spacers simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces the difficulty of the manufacturing process.

[0011] As an optional technical solution of this application, the collector plate is further provided with a first through hole penetrating the first surface and the second surface. The collector plate includes a plurality of first regions and a plurality of second regions. The plurality of first regions and the plurality of second regions are arranged alternately around the center of the protrusion. The first region is provided with the spacing portion and the first through hole, and the first surface of the second region is recessed into the second surface of the second region to form a receiving groove.

[0012] In the above technical solution, the receiving groove formed by the recess of the first surface of the second region into the second surface of the second region allows the second surface of the first region to maintain a certain gap with the internal structure of the battery device (such as the battery cell within a single battery cell). When the internal gas pressure of the battery device increases due to a fault, the gap provides additional space to store more gas, preventing the battery from rapidly expanding and exploding. Furthermore, the gap can also serve as a gas venting path. The bottom of the receiving groove protrudes into the battery device, guiding gas to converge at the first through-hole, allowing gas to enter the venting space from the first through-hole. Further, the design of the receiving groove increases the distance between the first surface of the second region and the lower plastic layer, thus increasing the volume of the venting space. When the internal gas pressure of the battery device increases due to a fault, the venting space can store more gas, preventing the battery device from rapidly expanding and exploding. Furthermore, since the first through hole and the spacer are both located in the first zone, the distance between the first through hole and the spacer is relatively small. Even if the exhaust space partially collapses due to external force, the spacer can still support a certain space around the first through hole to allow gas to flow to the explosion-proof valve, thereby achieving the purpose of depressurization and improving the safety of the battery device.

[0013] As an optional technical solution of this application, the top wall of the protrusion and the bottom of the pole are welded by ultrasonic torque welding.

[0014] In the above technical solutions, ultrasonic torque welding can weld a larger area than conventional welding, so the current-carrying capacity of the protrusion and pole is better after welding. In addition, ultrasonic torque welding does not require the use of additional welding materials or flux, which can reduce the production cost of the top cover assembly.

[0015] As an optional technical solution of this application, the cross-section of the protrusion obtained by the plane along the thickness direction of the top cover is a trapezoid with a smaller top and a larger bottom.

[0016] In the above technical solution, when the top cover assembly is subjected to force due to impact or compression, the trapezoid can distribute the force more evenly. Especially when subjected to force in the thickness direction, the wider side of the trapezoid can provide a larger support area, thereby reducing the force per unit area. Furthermore, when the trapezoid is subjected to oblique force (i.e., at a certain angle to the thickness direction Z), the hypotenuse of the trapezoid can provide support, preventing cross-sectional distortion due to the force, thus avoiding torsional deformation of the protrusion and ensuring the stability of the electrical connection between the protrusion and the pole.

[0017] As an optional technical solution of this application, the outer periphery of the collector plate is provided with a positioning notch.

[0018] In the above technical solution, during the assembly of the top cover assembly, the positioning notch provides a clear positioning point for the collector plate, facilitating its installation and improving the assembly speed of the top cover assembly. The positioning notch has a specific shape compared to the outer periphery of the collector plate, which helps to achieve precise alignment during installation, ensuring the correct placement of the collector plate within the top cover assembly. Furthermore, the positioning notch can also serve as a gas venting channel. When the internal pressure of the battery device increases due to a fault, gas can enter the venting space above the collector plate through the positioning notch, thereby preventing the battery device from rapidly expanding and exploding.

[0019] As an optional technical solution of this application, the top cover assembly further includes an upper plastic, a lower plastic, and a sealing member surrounding the post. The upper plastic is installed on a first side of the top cover, sandwiched between the top cover and the post. The lower plastic is installed on a second side of the top cover, sandwiched between the top cover and the post. In the thickness direction of the top cover, the sealing member is disposed between the flange portion of the top cover and the post; in the length / or radial direction of the top cover, the sealing member is located between the post and the lower plastic.

[0020] In the above technical solution, the upper and lower plastic components have good insulation properties, which can prevent internal short circuits in the battery device and improve the safety of the battery device. The seal is located between the top cover and the flange of the terminal post, which can provide a good sealing effect, prevent electrolyte leakage inside the battery device, and also prevent external moisture and impurities from entering the battery device.

[0021] As an optional technical solution of this application, the top cover is provided with an explosion-proof hole, and the lower plastic part is provided with a second through hole. The second through hole communicates with the explosion-proof hole. In the thickness direction of the top cover, the second through hole is offset from the spacing portion on the manifold. The top cover assembly also includes an explosion-proof valve, which is installed on the top cover and covers the explosion-proof hole.

[0022] In the above technical solution, when the internal pressure of the battery device increases due to a malfunction, the gas flows from inside the battery device to the gap between the manifold and the internal structure of the battery device. This gap serves as a pressure relief path for the gas, guiding it to converge at the first through-hole of the manifold. The gas then enters the exhaust space above the manifold through the first through-hole. In the exhaust space, the gas converges and concentrates. When a certain pressure is reached, the gas can flow out through the second through-hole, then rush out through the explosion-proof hole, and break through the explosion-proof valve to release pressure, preventing the battery device from exploding due to rapid expansion. The second through-hole is offset from the spacer on the manifold, preventing the spacer from occupying the space near the second through-hole and avoiding obstruction of the gas path to the explosion-proof valve.

[0023] As an optional technical solution of this application, in the direction from the first side to the second side of the top cover, the outer contour dimension of the lower plastic remains unchanged at first, and then gradually decreases.

[0024] In the above technical solution, the outer contour dimensions of the lower plastic component remain unchanged at first, and then gradually decrease to form a guide angle. During the battery assembly process, the guide angle can reduce interference between the lower plastic component and other components, which is beneficial for installing the lower plastic component into the correct position of the top cover assembly.

[0025] Secondly, this application provides a battery device. The battery device includes the top cover assembly described in any of the above embodiments.

[0026] In the above technical solution, the current collector of the top cover assembly is welded to the terminal post through a protrusion. The protrusion shortens the connection distance between the current collector and the terminal post, allowing the current collector to connect to the terminal post without bending. On the one hand, since the assembly equipment does not need to perform a bending process, the structure of the assembly equipment is simplified, and the assembly stability is guaranteed. Correspondingly, the stability of mass production of the top cover assembly is also guaranteed. On the other hand, the reduction of the current collector bending process is conducive to high-speed production of the top cover assembly, improving the production efficiency of the top cover assembly. Furthermore, since the current collector does not need to be bent, the current collector of this application uses less material compared to current collectors that require bending, thereby saving production costs of the top cover assembly. Moreover, the fact that the current collector does not need to be bent reduces the risk of short circuits caused by accidental contact between the current collector and other components of the top cover assembly (such as the top cover).

[0027] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the following are specific embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0028] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of the top cover assembly according to some embodiments of this application;

[0030] Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded perspective view of the top cover assembly shown;

[0031] Figure 3 for Figure 1A schematic diagram of the planar structure of the manifold in the top cover assembly shown;

[0032] Figure 4 for Figure 1 A cross-sectional schematic diagram of the top cover assembly shown;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a battery cell according to some embodiments of this application;

[0034] Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of a battery according to some embodiments of this application;

[0035] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the planar structure of an electrical device according to some embodiments of this application.

[0036] The reference numerals in the detailed embodiments are as follows:

[0037] 10,000 electrical devices; 1,000 batteries; 100 battery cells;

[0038] Top cover assembly 10; Top cover 11; First side 111; Second side 113; Explosion-proof hole 115; Terminal post 13; Bottom 131; Flange 133; Column 135; Pressing block 14; Collector plate 15; First surface 151; Second surface 152; Protrusion 153; Top wall 1531; Spacing part 154; First through hole 155; First zone 156; Second zone 157; Receiving groove 158; Positioning notch 159; Upper plastic 16; Lower plastic 17; Second through hole 171; Seal 18; Explosion-proof valve 19; Housing 30; Battery box 300; Box body 310; Box body 330. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0040] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0041] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.

[0042] In this document, the term "implementation" means that a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an implementation may be included in at least one implementation of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same implementation, nor is it a separate or alternative implementation mutually exclusive with other implementations. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the implementations described herein can be combined with other implementations.

[0043] In the description of the embodiments in this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0044] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple groups" refers to two or more (including two groups), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).

[0045] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "level", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0046] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the technical terms such as "installation", "connection", "linking", and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they can refer to mechanical connections or electrical connections; they can refer to direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components.

[0047] Please see Figure 1 and Figure 2This application provides a top cover assembly 10. The top cover assembly 10 includes a top cover 11, an electrode post 13, and a collector plate 15. The top cover 11 includes a first side 111 and a second side 113 opposite to each other in the thickness direction Z. The electrode post 13 passes through the top cover 11 and protrudes from both the first side 111 and the second side 113. The collector plate 15 is disposed on the first side 111 of the top cover 11. The collector plate 15 includes a first surface 151 and a second surface 152 opposite to each other in the thickness direction Z. The first surface 151 is closer to the first side 111 of the top cover 11 than the second surface 152. The second surface 152 is recessed toward the first surface 151 to form a protrusion 153 on the side where the first surface 151 is located and a recess on the side where the second surface 152 is located. The top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 is connected to the bottom 131 of the electrode post 13.

[0048] Specifically, please combine Figure 5 The top cover assembly 10 is used to seal the opening of the housing 30 of the battery cell 100 and provide necessary electrical connections and mechanical protection. The cross-sectional shape of the top cover assembly 10 (the plane intercepted by a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction Z) can be determined according to the shape of the opening of the housing 30; that is, the cross-sectional shape of the top cover assembly 10 can be circular, square, polygonal, or other shapes. For example, if the opening is circular, the corresponding cross-sectional shape of the top cover assembly 10 can be circular; if the opening is rectangular, the corresponding cross-sectional shape of the top cover assembly 10 can be rectangular. In this application, a top cover assembly 10 with a circular cross-sectional shape is described, and the diameter direction of the top cover assembly 10 is radial R.

[0049] The protrusion 153 is used to connect the collector plate 15 and the pole post 13. The collector plate 15 also includes a body portion, and the protrusion 153 protrudes from the center of the body portion. In some embodiments of this application, the protrusion 153 is a protrusion structure formed by the second surface 152 of the collector plate 15 recessing into the first surface 151, that is, the protrusion 153 and the body portion are integrally formed. In other embodiments of the application, the protrusion 153 can be a protrusion structure disposed on the body portion and separately formed from the body portion. That is, the protrusion 153 and the body portion are two different structures. In one example, the protrusion 153 and the body portion can be joined together by a detachable connection method, including but not limited to snap-fit ​​connection or threaded connection. In another example, the protrusion 153 and the body portion can be joined together by a non-detachable connection method, including but not limited to bonding or welding. It is understood that the pole post 13, the body portion, and the protrusion 153 are all made of conductive materials, including but not limited to copper, aluminum alloy, etc. In one embodiment where the manifold 15 is formed separately from the protrusion 153 and the body, the materials used to make the pole post 13, the body, and the protrusion 153 can be the same. For example, the pole post 13, the body, and the protrusion 153 can all be made of aluminum alloy. Since the same materials have similar electrical properties, compatibility issues do not need to be considered when manufacturing the top cover assembly 10, simplifying the manufacturing process. In another embodiment where the manifold 15 is formed separately from the protrusion 153 and the body, the materials used to make the pole post 13, the body, and the protrusion 153 can all be different, or two can be the same and the other different, thus allowing the top cover assembly 10 to have the advantages of different materials. For example, the pole post 13 and the body can both be made of aluminum alloy, which is lightweight and reduces the weight of the top cover assembly 10, while the protrusion 153 can be made of copper. Copper has high tensile strength and hardness, providing good support for the pole post 13 and increasing the mechanical strength of the protrusion 153, preventing deformation under stress.

[0050] The outer contour shape of the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 can be circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrilateral, or other polygonal. Correspondingly, the outer contour shape of the bottom 131 of the pole post 13 can also be circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrilateral, or other polygonal. In one embodiment, the shape of the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 is the same as the shape of the bottom 131 of the pole post 13. In another embodiment, the shape of the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 is different from the shape of the bottom 131 of the pole post 13. Using a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction Z as the projection plane, the projected area of ​​the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 projected onto the projection plane can be smaller than the projected area of ​​the bottom 131 of the pole post 13 projected onto the projection plane; or, the projected area of ​​the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 projected onto the projection plane can be equal to the projected area of ​​the bottom 131 of the pole post 13 projected onto the projection plane; or, the projected area of ​​the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 projected onto the projection plane can be larger than the projected area of ​​the bottom 131 of the pole post 13 projected onto the projection plane. In the embodiments of this application, the projected area of ​​the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 projected onto the projection plane is smaller than the projected area of ​​the bottom 131 of the pole post 13 projected onto the projection plane.

[0051] In the above technical solution, the collector plate 15 is welded to the pole post 13 via a protrusion 153. The protrusion 153 shortens the connection distance between the collector plate 15 and the pole post 13, allowing the collector plate 15 to be connected to the pole post 13 without bending. On the one hand, since the assembly equipment does not need to perform a bending process, the structure of the assembly equipment is simplified, and the assembly stability is guaranteed. Correspondingly, the stability of mass production of the top cover assembly 10 is also guaranteed. On the other hand, the reduction of the bending process of the collector plate 15 is conducive to the high-speed production of the top cover assembly 10, improving the production efficiency of the top cover assembly 10. Furthermore, since the collector plate 15 does not need to be bent, the material of the collector plate 15 in this application is more economical compared to collector plates that require bending, thereby saving the production cost of the top cover assembly 10. Moreover, since the collector plate 15 does not need to be bent, the risk of short circuit caused by accidental contact between the collector plate 15 and other components of the top cover assembly 10 (such as the top cover 11) is reduced.

[0052] Please see Figure 2 As an optional technical solution of this application, the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 and the bottom 131 of the pole post 13 are ultrasonically torque welded.

[0053] Specifically, the welding needle of the ultrasonic torque welding can pass through the core hole in the middle of the core inside the battery cell 100, and then perform ultrasonic torque welding between the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 and the bottom 131 of the terminal post 13. This is a bottom-up welding process, that is, welding from the top wall 1531 of the protrusion 153 to the bottom 131 of the terminal post 13. The conventional technical solution is to weld from the bottom of the terminal post to the top wall of the protrusion.

[0054] In the above technical solution, ultrasonic torque welding can weld a larger area than conventional welding, so the current flow capacity of the protrusion 153 and the pole post 13 is better after welding. In addition, ultrasonic torque welding does not require the use of additional welding materials or flux, which can reduce the cost of the top cover assembly 10.

[0055] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 As an optional technical solution of this application, the cross section of the protrusion 153 cut by the plane along the thickness direction of the top cover 11 is a trapezoid with a smaller top and a larger bottom.

[0056] Specifically, the plane along the thickness direction Z of the top cover 11 is a plane that passes through the center of the top cover 11 and is parallel to the thickness direction Z. The cross-section of the protrusion 153 cut by the plane along the thickness direction of the top cover 11 is a trapezoid with a smaller top and a larger bottom. The side that contacts the pole post 13 is the narrower side of the trapezoid.

[0057] In the above technical solution, when the top cover assembly 10 is subjected to force due to impact or compression, the trapezoid can distribute the force more evenly. Especially when subjected to force in the thickness direction Z, the wider side of the trapezoid can provide a larger support area, thereby reducing the force per unit area. In addition, when the trapezoid is subjected to oblique force (i.e., at a certain angle to the thickness direction Z), the hypotenuse of the trapezoid can provide support, preventing cross-sectional distortion due to the force, thereby preventing the protrusion 153 from twisting and deforming, and ensuring the stability of the electrical connection between the protrusion 153 and the pole post 13.

[0058] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 As an optional technical solution of this application, the second surface 152 protrudes away from the first surface 151 to form a spacer portion 154, and the spacer portion 154 is higher than the protrusion portion 153.

[0059] Specifically, the spacer 154 is used to support structures located on the side of the first surface 151 of the collector plate 15, such as the top cover 11 located on the side of the first surface 151 of the collector plate 15. In this application, a lower plastic 17 is also provided between the top cover 11 and the collector plate 15, and the spacer 154 is higher than the protrusion 153, therefore, the spacer 154 is used to support the lower plastic 17. The outer contour shape of the top wall 1531 of the spacer 154 can be circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrilateral or other polygonal shapes. There can be one or more spacers 154. When there are multiple spacers 154, the shapes of the top walls 1531 of the multiple spacers 154 can be the same, partially different, or all different, and are not limited in this application. In some embodiments of this application, the spacer 154 is a protrusion structure integrally formed with the main body. In other embodiments of the application, the spacer 154 can be a protrusion structure provided on the main body and separately formed from the main body. That is, the spacer 154 and the main body are two different structures. In one example, the spacer 154 and the main body can be joined together by a detachable connection, including but not limited to snap-fit ​​connections or threaded connections. In another example, the spacer 154 and the main body can be joined together by a non-detachable connection, including but not limited to bonding or welding. Furthermore, the spacer 154 can be a solid structure or a hollow structure; there is no limitation on this.

[0060] When the protrusion 153 and the body are molded separately, since the spacer 154 abuts against the lower plastic 17, and the lower plastic 17 itself is an insulating material, the spacer 154 can be made of either a conductive or non-conductive material. Conductive materials include, but are not limited to, copper and aluminum alloys, while non-conductive materials include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), or polycarbonate (PC). In one embodiment where the protrusion 153 and the body are molded separately, the materials used to make the spacer 154 and the body can be the same; for example, both the body and the spacer 154 can be made of aluminum alloy. Since the same materials have similar electrical properties, compatibility issues do not need to be considered when manufacturing the top cover assembly 10, simplifying the manufacturing process. In another embodiment, the materials used to make the body and the spacer 154 can be different, allowing the top cover assembly 10 to benefit from the advantages of using different materials. For example, the main body can be made of aluminum alloy, which is lightweight and can reduce the weight of the top cover assembly 10. The spacer 154 can be made of copper, which has high tensile strength and hardness, providing good support for the lower plastic 17 and improving the mechanical strength of the spacer 154, thus preventing the spacer 154 from deforming under stress.

[0061] In the above technical solution, the first surface 151 protrudes away from the second surface 152 to form a spacer portion 154, and the spacer portion 154 is higher than the protrusion 153. When the air pressure inside the battery device is high and impacts the collector plate 15, the spacer portion 154 can support the lower plastic 17 of the top cover assembly 10. On the one hand, the spacer portion 154 can provide a support point for the lower plastic 17, improving the installation stability of the lower plastic 17; on the other hand, the spacer portion 154 can ensure that there is always an exhaust space for gas flow between the first surface 151 of the collector plate 15 and the lower plastic 17, preventing gas from being unable to flow to the explosion-proof valve 19 and thus failing to achieve pressure relief. Furthermore, when the top cover assembly 10 is subjected to external forces due to impact or compression, the spacer portion 154 can support the lower plastic 17, preventing the lower plastic 17 from deforming. Meanwhile, the spacer 154 can withstand most of the external force, preventing the external force from being concentrated and transmitted to the protrusion 153, which would cause the electrical connection between the protrusion 153 and the pole post 13 to fail.

[0062] Please see Figure 3 As an optional technical solution of this application, the spacer portion 154 is evenly distributed around the center of the protrusion portion 153.

[0063] Specifically, when there are multiple spacers 154, the spacers 154 are evenly distributed around the center of the protrusion 153. In one example, the spacers 154 are arranged in a ring, meaning that the circumferential spacing between the multiple spacers 154 is equal, and each spacer is located on a circle centered on the center of the protrusion 153. In another example, the spacers 154 are arranged in multiple rings, with the rings concentrically distributed around the center of the protrusion 153. In yet another example, the spacers 154 are distributed in fan-shaped regions, each fan-shaped region having an equal area, and the spatial distribution of the spacers 154 within each fan-shaped region is identical. Furthermore, there are other cases of uniform distribution, which will not be listed here.

[0064] In the above technical solution, the spacers 154 are evenly distributed around the center of the protrusion 153, which allows the spacers 154 to more evenly bear the transmitted external forces, preventing stress concentration in local areas of the manifold 15, thereby reducing the risk of local cracking or deformation. The evenly distributed spacers 154 also enable the manifold 15 to provide more uniform and comprehensive support to the lower plastic 17, thereby improving the assembly stability of the entire top cover assembly 10. The even distribution of the spacers 154 also simplifies the manufacturing process of the spacers 154 and reduces the difficulty of the process.

[0065] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 3 As an optional technical solution of this application, the collector plate 15 is further provided with a first through hole 155 penetrating the first surface 151 and the second surface 152. The collector plate 15 includes a plurality of first regions 156 and a plurality of second regions 157. The plurality of first regions 156 and the plurality of second regions 157 are arranged alternately around the center of the protrusion 153. The first region 156 is provided with a spacer 154 and a first through hole 155. The first surface 151 of the second region 157 is recessed into the second surface 152 of the second region 157 to form a receiving groove 158.

[0066] Specifically, the collector plate 15 can be divided into multiple fan-shaped regions, each fan-shaped region extending outward from the center of the protrusion 153 to the edge of the collector plate 15. Each fan-shaped region further includes a first region 156 and a second region 157. In this application, the collector plate 15 is equally divided into six fan-shaped regions, each fan-shaped region further including a first region 156 and a second region 157. That is, the collector plate 15 includes six first regions 156 and six second regions 157, with the first regions 156 and multiple second regions 157 arranged alternately around the center of the protrusion 153. The areas of the first regions 156 and the second regions 157 can be the same or different. In this application, the area of ​​the first region 156 is larger than the area of ​​the second region 157, thereby providing a larger forming space for the spacer 154 and the first through hole 155. The spacer 154 and the first through hole 155 are provided within the first region 156. Within a first region 156, there can be one or more spacers 154, and the number of first through holes 155 can also be one or more. The number of spacers 154 can be the same as or different from the number of first through holes 155. In this application, a first region 156 includes one spacer 154 and two first through holes 155. The centers of the spacers 154 and the first through holes 155 are triangularly distributed, thereby making full use of the space of the first region 156. Within a first region 156, in a projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction Z, the projected area of ​​the spacer 154 can be greater than, equal to, or less than the projected area of ​​the first through hole 155, and is not limited thereto. In this application, the projected area of ​​the spacer 154 is greater than the projected area of ​​a single first through hole 155, thereby ensuring the supporting function of the spacer 154.

[0067] The first surface 151 of the second region 157 is recessed towards the second surface 152 of the second region 157 to form a receiving groove 158. In a projection plane perpendicular to the thickness direction Z, the shape of the projection plane of the receiving groove 158 can be circular, elliptical, triangular, quadrilateral, or other polygonal shapes. In this application, the receiving groove 158 is approximately racetrack-shaped. Within one second region 157, there can be one or more receiving grooves 158. In this application, one second region 157 includes one receiving groove 158. The shapes of the projection planes of the receiving grooves 158 in different second regions 157 can be the same or different.

[0068] Please combine Figure 5In the above technical solution, the receiving groove 158 formed by the recess of the first surface 151 of the second region 157 towards the second surface 152 of the second region 157 allows the second surface 152 of the first region 156 to maintain a certain gap with the internal structure of the battery device (e.g., the battery cell in the battery cell 100). When the internal gas pressure of the battery device increases due to a fault, the gap can provide additional space to store more gas, preventing the battery from rapidly expanding and exploding. In addition, the gap can also serve as a gas depressurization path. The bottom of the receiving groove 158 protrudes into the battery device, which can guide the gas to converge at the first through hole 155, allowing the gas to enter the exhaust space from the first through hole 155. Furthermore, the setting of the receiving groove 155 increases the distance between the first surface 151 of the second region 157 and the lower plastic 17, that is, increases the volume of the exhaust space. When the internal gas pressure of the battery device increases due to a fault, the exhaust space can store more gas, preventing the battery device from rapidly expanding and exploding. Furthermore, since the first through hole 155 and the spacer 154 are both located in the first region 156, the distance between the first through hole 155 and the spacer 154 is relatively small. Even if the exhaust space partially collapses due to external force, the spacer 154 can still support a certain space around the first through hole 155 to allow gas to flow to the explosion-proof valve 19, thereby achieving the purpose of depressurization and improving the safety of the battery device.

[0069] Please see Figure 2 or Figure 3 As an optional technical solution of this application, the outer periphery of the collector plate 15 is provided with a positioning notch 159.

[0070] Specifically, the positioning notch 159 is used for positioning during the installation of the manifold 15. The shape of the positioning notch 159 can be fan-shaped, semi-elliptical, triangular, quadrilateral, or other polygonal shapes. There can be one or multiple positioning notches 159. Multiple positioning notches 159 can have the same or different shapes.

[0071] In the above technical solution, during the assembly of the top cover assembly 10, the positioning notch 159 provides a clear positioning point for the collector plate 15, facilitating its installation and improving the assembly speed of the top cover assembly 10. The positioning notch 159 has a specific shape compared to the outer periphery of the collector plate 15, which helps the collector plate 15 achieve precise alignment during installation, ensuring that the collector plate 15 is correctly positioned within the top cover assembly 10. Furthermore, the positioning notch 159 can also serve as a gas venting channel. When gas is generated inside the battery device due to a malfunction, the gas can enter the venting space above the collector plate 15 through the positioning notch 159, thereby preventing the battery device from rapidly expanding and exploding.

[0072] Please see Figure 2 and Figure 4 and Figure 5As an optional technical solution of this application, the top cover assembly 10 further includes an upper plastic 16, a lower plastic 17, and a sealing member 18 surrounding the post 13. The upper plastic 16 is installed on the first side 111 of the top cover 11, and is sandwiched between the top cover 11 and the post 13. The lower plastic 17 is installed on the second side 113 of the top cover 11, and is sandwiched between the top cover 11 and the post 13. In the thickness direction Z of the top cover 11, the sealing member 18 is disposed between the top cover 11 and the flange portion 133 of the post 13, and in the length / or radial direction of the top cover 11, the sealing member 18 is located between the post 135 and the lower plastic 17.

[0073] Specifically, the upper plastic 16 and the lower plastic 17 are both components in the top cover assembly 10 used to provide insulation. The upper plastic 16 and the lower plastic 17 can be made of the same insulating material or they can be made of different insulating materials. Insulating materials include, but are not limited to, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, or polycarbonate. The top cover assembly 10 also includes a pressure block 14, which is disposed between the upper plastic 16 and the pole post 13 to fix the pole post 13.

[0074] In the above technical solution, the upper plastic 16 and the lower plastic 17 have good insulation properties, which can prevent short circuits inside the battery device and improve the safety of the battery device. In the thickness direction Z of the top cover 11, the sealing element 18 is disposed between the top cover 11 and the flange portion 133 of the terminal post 13. In the length / or radial direction of the top cover 11, the sealing element 18 is located between the post 135 and the lower plastic 17, which can provide a good sealing effect, prevent electrolyte leakage inside the battery cell 100, and also prevent external moisture and impurities from entering the battery device.

[0075] Please see Figure 2 As an optional technical solution of this application, the top cover 11 is provided with an explosion-proof hole 115, and the lower plastic 17 is provided with a second through hole 171. The second through hole 171 is connected to the explosion-proof hole 115. In the thickness direction Z of the top cover 11, the second through hole 171 is offset from the spacer portion 154 on the manifold 15. The top cover assembly 10 also includes an explosion-proof valve 19, which is installed on the top cover 11 and covers the explosion-proof hole 115.

[0076] Specifically, the explosion-proof hole 115 can be a variety of shapes such as round, oval, triangular, quadrilateral or other polygons.

[0077] In the above technical solution, when gas is generated inside the battery device due to a malfunction, the gas flows from inside the battery device to the gap between the manifold 15 and the internal structure of the battery device. The gap serves as a pressure relief path for the gas, guiding it to converge at the first through-hole 155 of the manifold 15. The gas then enters the exhaust space above the manifold 15 through the first through-hole 155. The gas converges and concentrates in the exhaust space, and when it reaches a certain pressure, it can flow out through the second through-hole 171, then rush out through the explosion-proof hole 115, and break through the explosion-proof valve 19 to relieve pressure and prevent the battery device from exploding due to rapid expansion. The second through-hole 171 is offset from the spacer on the manifold 15, which avoids the spacer occupying the space near the second through-hole 171 and prevents obstruction on the path of the gas to the explosion-proof valve 19.

[0078] Please see Figure 4 As an optional technical solution of this application, in the direction from the first side 111 to the second side 113 of the top cover 11, the outer contour dimension of the lower plastic 17 remains unchanged at first, and then gradually decreases.

[0079] In the above technical solution, the outer contour dimensions of the lower plastic 17 remain unchanged at first, and then gradually decrease to form a guide angle. During the battery assembly process, the guide angle can reduce interference between the lower plastic 17 and other components, which is beneficial for positioning the lower plastic 17 in the correct position of the top cover assembly 10.

[0080] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 This application provides a battery device. The battery device includes a top cover assembly 10, as described in any one of the above.

[0081] Specifically, the battery device can be a single cell 100 or a battery 1000 composed of one or more single cells 100. The functions of the battery device include, but are not limited to, energy storage, energy dispatch, and energy storage power stations. Specifically, in some applications, the battery device can convert electrical energy into chemical energy for storage to meet electricity demand during peak periods, thus playing the role of energy storage. In other applications, the battery device can flexibly adjust the supply and demand of electrical energy to achieve energy balance and dispatch, improving energy utilization efficiency, thus playing the role of energy dispatch. In still other applications, the battery devices can form energy storage power stations to store and dispatch energy on a large scale, providing a reliable energy supply, thus playing the role of energy storage power stations.

[0082] Please refer to the following: Figure 5 and Figure 6When the battery device is a battery 1000 composed of multiple battery cells 100, the battery 1000 includes battery cells 100 and a battery box 300. A battery cell 100 is the smallest unit for storing and releasing electrical energy. The battery 1000 can store and release energy by connecting and controlling the battery cells 100. Multiple battery cells 100 can be connected in series, parallel, or in a hybrid configuration; a hybrid configuration means that multiple battery cells 100 are connected in both series and parallel. Multiple battery cells 100 can be directly connected in series, parallel, or in a hybrid configuration, and then the entire assembly of the multiple battery cells 100 is housed within a carrier (e.g., the battery box 300). The battery 1000 may also include other structures; for example, the battery 1000 may also include a busbar (not shown) for electrical connection between multiple battery cells 100. It is understood that the number of battery cells 100 in the battery 1000 can be adaptively adjusted according to the application scenario and capacity.

[0083] The battery cell 100 includes a top cover assembly 10, a housing 30, and a battery cell (not shown). The housing 30 has an opening, and the top cover assembly 10 is mounted on the housing 30 and closes the opening. The battery cell is housed within the housing 30. The housing 30 is a structure for mounting the battery cell. The cross-section of the housing 30 (the plane intercepted by a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction Z) may, but is not limited to, be circular, elliptical, square, or other polygonal. The material of the housing 30 includes, but is not limited to, metal or non-metal, wherein metals include aluminum, iron, steel, aluminum alloys, or iron alloys, and non-metals include, but are not limited to, plastics. In this application, the cross-section of the housing 30 is circular, which facilitates integration into a cylindrical battery cell 100. The material of the housing 30 is aluminum alloy, which, while ensuring rigidity, also makes the battery cell 100 lighter and easier to transport.

[0084] A battery cell is the core structure of a single battery cell 100 that converts electrical energy into chemical energy through a chemical reaction for charging and discharging. A battery cell is generally made by winding electrode assemblies onto a core rod. The electrode assembly mainly includes a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and a separator. In one possible design, the negative electrode, separator, and positive electrode are sequentially stacked and attached to the core rod by adhesive or thermal bonding, and then wound to form the battery cell. After formation, the battery cell has gaps through which electrolyte can enter. The electrolyte is used to wet the battery cell, ensuring that ions can move freely during charging and discharging. The electrolyte includes, but is not limited to, lithium salts, organic solvents, and additives. The negative electrode includes a negative current collector (e.g., copper foil) and a layer of negative active material (e.g., carbon or silicon) coated on the surface of the negative current collector. The positive electrode includes a positive current collector (e.g., aluminum foil) and a layer of positive active material (e.g., ternary materials, lithium iron phosphate, or lithium cobalt oxide) coated on the surface of the positive current collector. The separator is located between adjacent negative and positive electrodes to separate them.

[0085] The battery box 300 is a structure for holding battery cells 100. The cross-section of the battery box 300 (the plane intercepted by a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction Z) may, but is not limited to, be circular, elliptical, square, or other polygonal. The material of the battery box 300 includes, but is not limited to, metal or non-metal, wherein metals include aluminum, iron, steel, aluminum alloys, or iron alloys, and non-metals include, but are not limited to, plastics. In this application, the cross-section of the battery box 300 is rectangular. The material of the battery box 300 is aluminum alloy, thus, while ensuring strength, it also makes the battery 1000 lighter and easier to transport.

[0086] The battery box 300 includes a box body 310 and a cover 330. The box body 310 and the cover 330 are combined to form a receiving cavity, in which a battery cell 100 is received. The box body 310 is the component in the battery box 300 that loads and supports the battery cell 100. One end of the box body 310 is closed, and the other end has an opening for the battery cell 100 to be inserted into the receiving cavity. The cover 330 is the component in the battery box 300 that covers the opening. The connection between the box body 310 and the cover 330 can be detachable or non-detachable. Detachable connections include, but are not limited to, screw connections, snap-fit ​​connections, or a combination of screw connections and snap-fit ​​connections. Non-detachable connections include, but are not limited to, adhesive connections, welding, or a combination of adhesive connections and welding connections. In this application, the box body 310 and the cover 330 are detachably connected.

[0087] Furthermore, when the battery box 300 includes a body 310 and a cover 330, the battery box 300 may not be made of a single material. For example, the body 310 and the cover 330 may be made of the same material, aluminum alloy. The battery box 300 may also have different components made of different materials. For example, the body 310 may be made of metal, while the cover 330 may be made of plastic. Of course, the materials of the body 310 and the cover 330 can also be combined in other ways, which will not be listed here.

[0088] Furthermore, the battery device disclosed in this application can also be an electrical device 10000 that uses the battery 1000 as a power source. The electrical device 10000 can be, but is not limited to, electric vehicles, power tools, mobile phones, ships, or spacecraft, etc. Spacecraft can include drones, rockets, space shuttles, etc. This application only uses a vehicle as an example for illustration. The vehicle can be a gasoline vehicle, a natural gas vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. New energy vehicles can be pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or range-extended electric vehicles, etc. The battery 1000 is installed inside the vehicle and can be located at the bottom, front, or rear of the vehicle. The battery 1000 can be used to power the vehicle; for example, the battery 1000 can serve as the vehicle's operating power source. The vehicle can also include a controller and a motor. The controller is used to control the battery 1000 to power the motor, for example, for the vehicle's starting, navigation, and driving power needs. In some embodiments, the battery 1000 can not only serve as the vehicle's operating power source but also as the vehicle's driving power source, replacing or partially replacing gasoline or natural gas to provide driving power to the vehicle.

[0089] In the above technical solutions, please combine Figures 1 to 4 The collector plate 15 is welded to the pole post 13 via a protrusion 153. The protrusion 153 shortens the connection distance between the collector plate 15 and the pole post 13, allowing the collector plate 15 to connect to the pole post 13 without bending. On the one hand, since the assembly equipment does not need to perform a bending process, the structure of the assembly equipment is simplified, and the assembly stability is guaranteed. Correspondingly, the stability of mass production of the top cover assembly 10 is also guaranteed. On the other hand, the reduction of the bending process of the collector plate 15 is conducive to the high-speed production of the top cover assembly 10, improving the production efficiency of the top cover assembly 10. Furthermore, since the collector plate 15 does not need to be bent, the material of the collector plate 15 in this application is more economical compared to collector plates that require bending, thereby saving the production cost of the top cover assembly 10. Moreover, the fact that the collector plate 15 does not need to be bent reduces the risk of short circuits caused by accidental contact between the collector plate 15 and other components of the top cover assembly 10 (such as the top cover 11).

[0090] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this 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. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A top cover assembly, characterized in that, include: Top cover, the top cover including a first side and a second side opposite to each other in the thickness direction; A terminal post, which passes through the top cover and protrudes relative to both the first and second sides; and A collector plate is disposed on the first side of the top cover. The collector plate includes a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other in the thickness direction. The first surface is closer to the first side of the top cover than the second surface. The second surface is recessed from the first surface to form a protrusion on the side where the first surface is located and a recess on the side where the second surface is located. The top wall of the protrusion is connected to the bottom of the pole post.

2. The top cover assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first surface protrudes away from the second surface and has a spacer portion formed thereon, the spacer portion being higher than the protrusion portion.

3. The top cover assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The spacers are evenly distributed around the center of the protrusion.

4. The top cover assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, The collector plate is also provided with a first through hole penetrating the first surface and the second surface. The collector plate includes a plurality of first areas and a plurality of second areas. The plurality of first areas and the plurality of second areas are arranged alternately around the center of the protrusion. The first area is provided with the interval portion and the first through hole. The first surface of the second area is recessed into the second surface of the second area to form a receiving groove.

5. The top cover assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top wall of the protrusion is welded to the bottom of the pole by ultrasonic torque welding.

6. The top cover assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-section of the protrusion, obtained by the plane along the thickness direction of the top cover, is a trapezoid with a smaller top and a larger bottom.

7. The top cover assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer periphery of the collector plate is provided with a positioning notch.

8. The top cover assembly according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The top cover assembly also includes: The upper plastic is installed on the first side of the top cover and sandwiched between the top cover and the pole post; The lower plastic insert is installed on the second side of the top cover and is sandwiched between the top cover and the pole post; and A seal surrounding the column body of the pole post is disposed between the flange portion of the top cover and the pole post in the thickness direction of the top cover, and between the column body and the lower plastic in the length / radial direction of the top cover.

9. The top cover assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, The top cover is provided with an explosion-proof hole, and the lower plastic is provided with a second through hole. The second through hole is connected to the explosion-proof hole. In the thickness direction of the top cover, the second through hole is offset from the spacing part on the collector plate. The top cover assembly further includes an explosion-proof valve, which is installed on the top cover and covers the explosion-proof hole.

10. The top cover assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that, In the direction from the first side to the second side of the top cover, the outer contour dimension of the lower plastic remains unchanged at first, and then gradually decreases.

11. A battery device, characterized in that, The battery device includes the top cover assembly as described in any one of claims 110.

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