Battery, battery pack, power utilization device and energy storage device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a battery, a battery pack, a power utilization device and an energy storage device. The battery comprises a shell assembly, a top cover assembly and at least one battery cell. A containing space is formed in the shell assembly, and an opening is formed in the side, in the first direction, of the shell assembly. The top cover assembly is arranged on the shell assembly and seals the opening, the top cover assembly comprises at least two top covers which are arranged side by side in the second direction, each top cover comprises a top cover body and an electric connecting piece which is arranged on the top cover body and can conduct electricity, and the adjacent top covers are connected through fixing connecting pieces. At least one battery monomer is positioned in the accommodating space, and a tab of the battery monomer is connected with the electric connecting piece of the top cover. Wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction. According to the embodiment of the invention, the isolated installation of a plurality of battery monomers can be realized, and the risk of diffusion during thermal runaway of the battery monomers is reduced, so that the safety risk of the battery is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to batteries, battery packs, electrical devices and energy storage devices. Background Art

[0002] New energy batteries are being used more and more widely in life and industry. For example, new energy vehicles equipped with batteries have been widely used. In addition, batteries are also being increasingly used in areas such as energy storage.

[0003] During the use of battery cells, there may be a risk of thermal runaway due to overheating, short circuit, overcharging, self-heating or mechanical collision. In the case of thermal runaway, a large amount of gas and more heat will be generated. If these emissions continue to spread, they may further cause thermal runaway of other battery cells, resulting in a chain reaction that makes the thermal runaway more serious. Therefore, how to reduce the possibility of thermal runaway spreading to reduce the safety risk of batteries is one of the research topics in the industry. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present application provides a battery, a battery pack, an electrical device and an energy storage device that can isolate and install multiple battery cells to reduce the possibility of spread during thermal runaway.

[0005] This application is implemented through the following technical solutions.

[0006] A first aspect of the present application provides a battery, which includes a shell assembly forming a accommodating space, wherein the shell assembly has an opening on one side along a first direction; a top cover assembly, which is arranged on the shell assembly and closes the opening, and the top cover assembly includes at least two top covers arranged in parallel along a second direction, the top covers include a top cover body and an electrically conductive electrical connector arranged on the top cover body, and adjacent top covers are connected to each other by fixed connectors; and at least one battery cell is located in the accommodating space, and the pole ear of the battery cell is connected to the electrical connector of the top cover; wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0007] Since the top cover assembly includes at least two top covers, a plurality of battery cells can be accommodated in one battery shell assembly, thereby enabling the isolated installation of multiple battery cells of each battery without affecting the energy density of the battery. In this way, if thermal runaway occurs to a battery cell in a battery, the high-temperature emissions generated by the thermal runaway will be blocked in the shell assembly of the battery and will not spread to affect other batteries, thereby reducing the possibility that the emissions generated by the thermal runaway will affect multiple battery cells in other batteries or affect other components in the battery, effectively reducing the risk of thermal runaway spreading, thereby reducing the safety risk of the battery.

[0008] In addition, since the battery cells are arranged in the accommodation space of the shell assembly, the shell assembly can play a certain protective role on the battery cells, thereby reducing the risk of thermal runaway of the battery cells due to mechanical collision. Moreover, the top cover assembly can close the opening of the shell assembly, further protecting the battery cells in the accommodation space. At least two top covers of the top cover assembly are connected to each other by fixed connectors, which has a simple structure, high assembly efficiency, and can also improve the connection stability between the top covers.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fixed connector includes a snap-fit ​​connector.

[0010] The snap-fit ​​connector has a simple structure, is easy to install and disassemble, has high connection strength and good stability, and can withstand greater pressure and vibration, thereby enabling better connection stability between at least two top covers of the top cover assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments, the top cover includes a first top cover and a second top cover; the fixed connecting member includes a first connecting member and a second connecting member; the top cover body of the first top cover is formed with the first connecting member; the top cover body of the second top cover is formed with the second connecting member; wherein, when the adjacent top covers are the first top cover and the second top cover, the two are connected by the matching of the first connecting member of the first top cover and the second connecting member of the second top cover.

[0012] Therefore, by the mating connection of the first top cover and the second top cover, more battery cells can be accommodated in the shell assembly of a battery, thereby effectively improving the energy density of the battery, and effectively isolating multiple battery cells of each battery, reducing the risk of thermal runaway of the battery cells.

[0013] In some embodiments, the top cover includes a third top cover; the top cover body of the third top cover is formed with the first connecting member on one side along the second direction, and is formed with the second connecting member on the other side along the second direction; wherein, in the case where the adjacent top covers are two third top covers, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member and the second connecting member located between the third top covers; in the case where the adjacent top covers are the first top cover and the third top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member of the first top cover and the second connecting member of the third top cover; in the case where the adjacent top covers are the second top cover and the third top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the second connecting member of the second top cover and the first connecting member of the third top cover.

[0014] As a result, the top cover assembly can be provided with more top covers, and through the matching connection of multiple third top covers, the first top cover and the third top cover or the second top cover and the third top cover, more battery cells can be accommodated in the shell assembly of a battery, thereby effectively improving the energy density of the battery, and effectively isolating the multiple battery cells of each battery, reducing the risk of diffusion when the battery cells are thermally runaway.

[0015] In some embodiments, the top cover also includes a fourth top cover and a fifth top cover; the first connecting piece is formed on both sides of the fourth top cover opposite to each other along the second direction; the second connecting piece is formed on both sides of the fifth top cover opposite to each other along the second direction; wherein, when the adjacent top covers are the fourth top cover and the fifth top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting piece of the fourth top cover and the second connecting piece of the fifth top cover; when the adjacent top covers are the first top cover and the fifth top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting piece of the first top cover and the second connecting piece of the fifth top cover; when the adjacent top covers are the second top cover and the fourth top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the second connecting piece of the second top cover and the first connecting piece of the fourth top cover.

[0016] As a result, the top cover assembly can be provided with more top covers, and through the matching connection of the fourth top cover and the fifth top cover, the first top cover and the fifth top cover, or the second top cover and the fourth top cover, more battery cells can be accommodated in the shell assembly of a battery, thereby effectively improving the energy density of the battery, and effectively isolating the multiple battery cells of each battery, reducing the risk of diffusion when the battery cells are thermally runaway.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first connecting member is a protruding structure, and the second connecting member is a recessed structure.

[0018] Thus, the connection of adjacent top covers can be achieved through the cooperation of the convex structure and the concave structure, the structure is simple and easy to assemble. In addition, by configuring the first connecting member as a convex structure and the second connecting member as a concave structure, the first connecting member can be quickly positioned, which is more conducive to assembly.

[0019] In some embodiments, the protruding structure is configured as a buckle, and the recessed structure is configured as a locking hole.

[0020] Thus, the adjacent top covers can be connected in a simple and quick manner. Fewer parts are required for the connection, and during the connection process, the tabs of the battery cells connected to the electrical connectors are not easily affected, thereby reducing the risk of the tabs being bent and broken.

[0021] In some embodiments, the buckle includes a column and a head, the equivalent diameter of the head is larger than the equivalent diameter of the clip hole, and the head includes at least two spring pieces, which can be elastically deformed under the action of external force.

[0022] Thus, the buckle can be engaged in the engaging hole through the elastic deformation of the spring sheet, thereby achieving the connection of adjacent top covers in an engaging manner.

[0023] In some embodiments, a guiding slope is formed on a side of the elastic sheet facing away from the column.

[0024] As a result, the head of the buckle can be guided by the guide slope to enter the buckle hole more easily, thereby improving assembly efficiency and saving time costs.

[0025] In some embodiments, the latch hole comprises a through hole.

[0026] The through hole is easier to form. Setting the card hole as a through hole can effectively reduce the processing difficulty and save production costs without affecting the snap engagement.

[0027] In some embodiments, in the same top cover, there are multiple first connectors and multiple second connectors; each of the first connectors corresponds to and cooperates with each of the second connectors to connect adjacent top covers.

[0028] Thus, the connection strength between adjacent top covers can be further improved, and the possibility of loosening of the connection between adjacent top covers due to collision or vibration can be reduced.

[0029] In some embodiments, at least one through hole is formed on the top cover body of each of the top covers, and the through hole is used as a discharge channel for the exhaust generated by the battery cell in the event of thermal runaway to be discharged from the accommodation space.

[0030] Therefore, in the event of thermal runaway of a battery cell in the battery, the emissions generated by the thermal runaway will not erupt in all directions, but will erupt in a preset direction and position through the through holes formed on the top cover body, thereby achieving directional eruption of the battery cell during thermal runaway, making the eruption direction of the high-temperature emissions generated during thermal runaway controllable, further reducing the possibility of emissions affecting other battery cells or other components in the battery, thereby further reducing the safety risk of the battery.

[0031] In some embodiments, the electrical connector includes a connecting portion and an exposed portion connected to the connecting portion, the connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction, and the exposed portion is exposed to the outside of the shell assembly; wherein the pole ear of the battery cell extends along the first direction, and the pole ear is connected to the connecting surface of the connecting portion.

[0032] Since the connecting surface of the connecting portion of the electrical connector and the tab of the battery cell both extend along the first direction, the tab of the battery cell can be connected to the connecting surface of the connecting portion without bending, thereby reducing the risk of the tab breaking, making the connection more stable and improving the reliability of the battery cell.

[0033] In some embodiments, the battery cells include pouch battery cells.

[0034] Soft-pack battery cells are more susceptible to damage due to their soft packaging structure, and when thermal runaway occurs, the emissions generated by thermal runaway are more likely to scatter and erupt. Placing soft-pack battery cells in the shell assembly can provide good protection for the soft-pack battery cells, reduce the possibility of damage to the soft-pack battery cells, and help increase the service life of the soft-pack battery cells. Moreover, when the soft-pack battery cells are in thermal runaway, the emissions generated will be isolated in the shell assembly, so that they will not affect the soft-pack battery cells in other batteries, reducing the risk of thermal runaway spreading. In addition, by storing the soft-pack battery cells in the shell assembly, it is more conducive to the subsequent assembly of battery packs, improving assembly efficiency and reducing assembly difficulty.

[0035] A second aspect of the present application provides a battery pack, comprising: a case; and at least one battery according to the first aspect of the present application, wherein the battery is accommodated in the case.

[0036] Since the battery cells are located in the shell assembly, when forming a battery pack, they can be grouped in the same way as square shell batteries, making assembly easier. In addition, when the battery in the battery pack of the embodiment of the present application experiences thermal runaway, the emissions generated by the thermal runaway are not easy to spread everywhere, thereby effectively reducing safety risks.

[0037] The third aspect of the present application provides an electrical device, which includes the battery described in the first aspect of the present application or the battery pack described in the second aspect of the present application for providing electrical energy.

[0038] The electrical device provided in the embodiment of the present application uses a battery or battery pack with good performance as described above, thereby reducing the time spent on maintenance and having low safety risks.

[0039] The fourth aspect of the present application provides an energy storage device, which includes the battery described in the first aspect of the present application or the battery pack described in the second aspect of the present application for providing electrical energy.

[0040] The energy storage device provided in the embodiment of the present application uses the battery or battery pack with good performance as described above, thereby reducing the time spent on maintenance and having low safety risks.

[0041] Utility Model Effect

[0042] Through the present application, it is possible to achieve isolated installation of multiple battery cells, reduce the risk of diffusion when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cells, and thus reduce the safety risk of the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments and are not to be considered as limiting the present application. Moreover, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to represent the same components. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0045] Figure 2 A three-dimensional exploded schematic diagram of a battery pack provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0046] Figure 3 A partial exploded schematic diagram of a battery provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0047] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a planar structure of a battery provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0048] Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0049] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a first top cover provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0050] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a planar structure of a first top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0051] Figure 8 Another schematic plan view of the structure of the first top cover provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0052] Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of a second top cover provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0053] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the planar structure of a second top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0054] Fig.11 A schematic diagram of a planar structure of a third top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0055] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a planar structure of a fourth top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0056] Fig.13 A schematic diagram of a planar structure of a fifth top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application;

[0057] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of a planar structure of a battery cell provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0058] Fig.15 A schematic diagram of a three-dimensional structure of an electrical connector provided in some embodiments of the present application;

[0059] Fig.16 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a buckle provided in some embodiments of the present application.

[0060] Description of Reference Numerals

[0061] 1-shell assembly; 11-accommodation space; 12-opening; 2-top cover assembly; 21-top cover; 21a-top cover body; 21b-electrical connector; 211b-connecting portion; 2111b-connecting surface; 212b-exposed portion; 21c-insulating member; 211-first top cover; 212-second top cover; 213-third top cover; 214-fourth top cover; 215-fifth top cover; 3-battery cell; 3 1-ear; 4-fixed connector; 41-first connector; 42-second connector; 43-buckle; 431-column; 432-head; 4321-spring; 4322-guide ramp; 44-hole; 5-through hole; 100-battery; 200-controller; 300-motor; 400-battery pack; 401-box; 401a-cover; 401b-bottom plate; 1000-vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present application are described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present application, and are therefore only used as examples, and cannot be used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0063] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by technicians in the technical field 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 this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0064] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. are only used to distinguish different objects, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number, specific order or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the meaning of "multiple" is more than two, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0065] Reference to "embodiments" herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the phrase in various locations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It is explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0066] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is only a description of the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0067] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the orientation or position relationship indicated by technical terms such as "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They 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 referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed, operated or used in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0068] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed" and the like should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0069] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the technical term "contact" should be understood in a broad sense, and may be direct contact or contact through an intermediate medium layer. It may be contact with essentially no interaction force between the two contacting parties, or it may be contact with interaction force between the two contacting parties.

[0070] Below, this application is described in detail.

[0071] At present, new energy batteries are increasingly used in life and industry. New energy batteries are not only used in energy storage power systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power and solar power stations, but are also widely used in electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, electric cars, as well as aerospace and other fields. With the continuous expansion of the application field of power batteries, the market demand is also constantly expanding.

[0072] During the charge and discharge cycle, the battery cells in the battery cannot achieve complete conversion of chemical energy into electrical energy. Part of it will be converted into thermal energy. When the heat energy generated by the battery cells shows uncontrollable abnormal changes, it is called thermal runaway of the battery cells.

[0073] There are many factors that cause thermal runaway of battery cells, such as overheating, short circuit, overcharging, self-heating or mechanical collision, etc. In the case of thermal runaway, a battery cell will generate a large amount of gas and more heat. If these gases and heat are not well controlled, they will further spread to other battery cells around, thus causing a chain reaction and triggering thermal runaway of other battery cells, making thermal runaway more serious and seriously increasing the safety risk of the battery.

[0074] In the related art, when there are multiple battery cells in a battery, a bracket is usually used to isolate and install the multiple battery cells. However, the bracket cannot effectively prevent the diffusion of emissions generated when the battery cells experience thermal runaway. Once thermal runaway occurs in one of the multiple battery cells, the high-temperature emissions can easily diffuse to other surrounding battery cells, which may further cause thermal runaway of other battery cells, thereby causing damage to the entire battery.

[0075] In view of the problems existing in the above-mentioned related technologies, the present application proposes a battery. The battery includes a shell assembly, a top cover assembly and at least one battery cell. The shell assembly is formed with a accommodating space, and the shell assembly has an opening on one side along the first direction. The top cover assembly is arranged on the shell assembly and closes the opening, and the top cover assembly includes at least two top covers arranged in parallel along the second direction, and the top cover includes a top cover body and an electrical connector capable of conducting electricity and arranged on the top cover body, and adjacent top covers are connected to each other by fixed connectors. At least one battery cell is located in the accommodating space, and the pole ear of the battery cell is connected to the electrical connector of the top cover. Wherein, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0076] Since the top cover assembly includes at least two top covers, a plurality of battery cells can be accommodated in one battery shell assembly. Thus, the entire battery in the related art can be split into a plurality of separate batteries with a plurality of battery cells, so that the multiple battery cells of each battery can be installed in isolation without affecting the energy density of the battery. In this way, if a battery cell in a battery has thermal runaway, the high-temperature emissions generated by the thermal runaway will be blocked in the battery shell assembly and will not spread to affect other battery cells in other batteries. The possibility of the emissions generated by the thermal runaway affecting the multiple battery cells in other batteries or affecting other components in the battery is reduced, and the risk of thermal runaway spreading is effectively reduced, thereby reducing the safety risk of the battery.

[0077] In addition, since the battery cells are arranged in the accommodation space of the shell assembly, the shell assembly can play a certain protective role on the battery cells, thereby reducing the risk of thermal runaway of the battery cells due to mechanical collision. Moreover, the top cover assembly can close the opening of the shell assembly, further protecting the battery cells in the accommodation space. At least two top covers of the top cover assembly are connected to each other by fixed connectors, which has a simple structure, high assembly efficiency, and can also improve the connection stability between the top covers.

[0078] The battery provided in the embodiments of the present application can be used, but is not limited to, in energy storage power supply systems, electrical devices such as vehicles, ships or aircraft, and energy storage devices such as energy storage containers and energy storage cabinets.

[0079] The battery provided in the embodiment of the present application can also be used in groups as a battery pack. The battery pack can also be used, but not limited to, in energy storage power supply systems, electrical devices such as vehicles, ships or aircraft, as well as energy storage devices such as energy storage containers and energy storage cabinets. The use of a battery pack can provide a higher total energy. Moreover, the battery pack is formed by placing a plurality of grouped batteries in a box, thereby having more reliable dustproof and waterproof performance, and therefore can be used in scenes where the use environment is more severe, humid, or even submerged in water.

[0080] The embodiment of the present application provides an electric device including the above-mentioned battery or battery pack for providing electric energy, and the electric device includes but is not limited to mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toys, electric tools, battery cars, electric cars, ships, spacecraft, etc. Among them, electric toys can include fixed or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys and electric airplane toys, etc., and spacecraft can include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles and spacecraft, etc.

[0081] In the following embodiments, for the convenience of description, an electric device according to an embodiment of the present application is taken as an example of a vehicle 1000. The following is a description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] Figure 1 The schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle 1000 provided in some embodiments of the present application. The vehicle 1000 may be a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new energy vehicle, and the new energy vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or an extended range vehicle. Figure 1 As shown, a battery 100 is disposed inside the vehicle 1000, and the battery 100 can be disposed 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 be used as an operating power source for the vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 may also include a controller 200 and a motor 300, and the controller 200 is used to control the battery 100 to power the motor 300, for example, for starting, navigating, and operating power requirements of the vehicle 1000 during driving.

[0083] In some embodiments of the present application, the battery 100 can not only serve as an operating power source for the vehicle 1000, but also serve 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.

[0084] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a three-dimensional exploded view of a battery pack 400 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the battery pack 400 includes a box body 401 and at least one battery 100. The box body 401 includes a cover body 401a and a bottom plate 401b. The cover body 401a covers the bottom plate 401b, so as to form a storage space for the battery 100 between the bottom plate 401b and the cover body 401a.

[0085] In the battery pack 400, there can be multiple batteries 100, and the multiple batteries 100 can be connected in series, in parallel, or in a mixed connection. The mixed connection means that the multiple batteries 100 are both connected in series and in parallel. The multiple batteries 100 can be directly connected in series, in parallel, or in a mixed connection, and then the whole formed by the multiple batteries 100 is placed in the storage space formed by the bottom plate 401b and the cover 401a; of course, the battery 100 can also be a battery module formed by connecting multiple battery cells 3 in series, in parallel, or in a mixed connection, and then the multiple battery modules are connected in series, in parallel, or in a mixed connection to form a whole, and are contained in the storage space formed by the bottom plate 401b and the cover 401a. The battery pack 400 can also include other structures. For example, the battery pack 400 can also include a busbar component for realizing electrical connection between the multiple batteries 100.

[0086] Below, refer to Figures 3 to 16 Some embodiments of the present application are described in detail.

[0087] Figure 3 A partial exploded schematic diagram of a battery provided for some embodiments of the present application. Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the planar structure of a battery provided for some embodiments of the present application. Figure 5 A schematic cross-sectional view of a battery provided for some embodiments of the present application. Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a first top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application. Figure 7 A schematic plan view of the structure of a first top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application. Figure 8 Another planar structural schematic diagram of the first top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application. Fig. 9 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a second top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application. Fig.10 A schematic plan view of the structure of a second top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application. Fig.11 A schematic plan view of the structure of a third top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application. Fig.12 A schematic plan view of the structure of a fourth top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application. Fig.13 A schematic diagram of the planar structure of a fifth top cover provided for some embodiments of the present application. Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the planar structure of a battery cell provided for some embodiments of the present application. Fig.15 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of an electrical connector provided in some embodiments of the present application. Fig.16 A schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of a buckle provided in some embodiments of the present application.

[0088] In some embodiments of the present application, for the convenience of description, a first direction and a second direction are set, and the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other, but those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the case where the two directions are perpendicular to each other. Figures 3 to 14 As shown by the arrows in , the direction of arrow X is the first direction, and the direction of arrow Y is the second direction.

[0089] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the first aspect of the present application provides a battery 100. The battery includes a shell assembly 1, a top cover assembly 2 and at least one battery cell 3. The shell assembly 1 is formed with a accommodating space 11, and the shell assembly 1 has an opening 12 on one side along the first direction. The top cover assembly 2 is arranged on the shell assembly 1 and closes the opening 12. The top cover assembly 2 includes at least two top covers 21 arranged in parallel along the second direction. The top cover 21 includes a top cover body 21a and an electrical connector 21b capable of conducting electricity and arranged on the top cover body 21a. Adjacent top covers 21 are connected to each other by a fixed connector 4. At least one battery cell 3 is located in the accommodating space 11, and the pole ear 31 of the battery cell 3 is connected to the electrical connector 21b of the top cover 21. Wherein, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0090] In some embodiments, the length direction of the battery 100 may be a first direction, and the arrangement direction of the top cover 21 may be a second direction, and the second direction may also be consistent with the stacking direction of the electrode assembly in the battery cell 3. Figure 5 In the specific example shown, the up-down direction in the figure is the first direction in the embodiment of the present application, and the left-right direction in the figure is the second direction in the embodiment of the present application.

[0091] The shell assembly 1 is an external protective shell of the battery cell 3, and a receiving space 11 is formed inside. Since the battery cell 3 is arranged in the receiving space 11 of the shell assembly 1, the shell assembly 1 can play a certain protective role on the battery cell 3, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the battery cell 3 due to mechanical collision or thermal runaway, and improving the stability of the battery cell 3.

[0092] For example, the housing assembly 1 may be made of metal material, so that it has good pressure bearing capacity and can better protect the internal battery cells. The metal material includes but is not limited to copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, etc.

[0093] As another example, the housing assembly 1 can be integrally formed by injection molding of a plastic material. While meeting basic strength requirements, the plastic material itself is lighter in weight and has good insulation performance, and there is no need to install an additional insulation layer.

[0094] The shell assembly 1 of the present application can be cylindrical or prismatic. The prismatic shape includes square shell, blade shape, polygonal prism, and the polygonal prism is, for example, a hexagonal prism, etc., and the present application has no special limitation.

[0095] The battery cell 3 refers to a basic unit that can realize mutual conversion between chemical energy and electrical energy, and can be used to make a battery or a battery pack, so as to supply power to an electrical device or an energy storage device.

[0096] The battery cell 3 may be a secondary battery cell. A secondary battery cell refers to a battery cell that can be continuously used by activating active materials by charging after the battery cell is discharged.

[0097] The battery cell 3 can be a lithium ion battery cell, a sodium ion battery cell, a sodium lithium ion battery cell, a lithium metal battery cell, a sodium metal battery cell, a lithium sulfur battery cell, a magnesium ion battery cell, a nickel hydrogen battery cell, a nickel cadmium battery cell, a lead storage battery cell, etc., which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

[0098] The battery cell 3 may be a soft-pack battery cell.

[0099] Although not shown, the battery cell 3 includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is generally stacked in a thickness direction (second direction) of the battery cell 3. The electrode assembly is a component in the battery cell 3 where an electrochemical reaction occurs.

[0100] The electrode assembly includes a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and a separator. During the charge and discharge process of the battery cell, active ions (such as lithium ions) are embedded and released back and forth between the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet. The separator is set between the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet to prevent the positive and negative electrode sheets from short-circuiting, while allowing active ions to pass through.

[0101] In some embodiments, the positive electrode may be a positive electrode sheet, and the positive electrode sheet may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material disposed on at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector.

[0102] As an example, the positive electrode current collector has two surfaces facing each other in its thickness direction, and the positive electrode active material is disposed on either or both of the two facing surfaces of the positive electrode current collector.

[0103] As an example, the positive electrode current collector may be a metal foil or a composite current collector. For example, as the metal foil, aluminum or stainless steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, nickel or titanium with a silver surface treatment may be used. The composite current collector may include a polymer material base and a metal layer. The composite current collector may be formed by forming a metal material (aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, silver and silver alloy, etc.) on a polymer material substrate (such as a substrate of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyethylene, etc.).

[0104] As an example, the positive electrode active material may include at least one of the following materials: lithium-containing phosphates, lithium transition metal oxides, and their respective modified compounds. However, the present application is not limited to these materials, and other traditional materials that can be used as positive electrode active materials for batteries may also be used. These positive electrode active materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among them, examples of lithium-containing phosphates may include, but are not limited to, at least one of lithium iron phosphate (such as LiFePO4 (also referred to as LFP)), a composite material of lithium iron phosphate and carbon, lithium manganese phosphate (such as LiMnPO4), a composite material of lithium manganese phosphate and carbon, lithium iron manganese phosphate, and a composite material of lithium iron manganese phosphate and carbon.

[0105] In some embodiments, the positive electrode may be a foamed metal. The foamed metal may be a nickel foam, a copper foam, an aluminum foam, or a foamed alloy. When the foamed metal is used as the positive electrode, the positive electrode active material may not be provided on the surface of the foamed metal, but of course, the positive electrode active material may also be provided. As an example, a lithium source material, potassium metal or sodium metal may also be filled or / and deposited in the foamed metal, and the lithium source material is lithium metal and / or a lithium-rich material.

[0106] In some embodiments, the negative electrode may be a negative electrode sheet, and the negative electrode sheet may include a negative electrode current collector.

[0107] As an example, the negative electrode current collector may be a metal foil, a foamed metal or a composite current collector. For example, as a metal foil, aluminum or stainless steel, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, nickel or titanium with a silver surface treatment may be used. The composite current collector may include a polymer material base and a metal layer. The foamed metal may be a nickel foam, a copper foam, an aluminum foam, or an alloy foam. The composite current collector may be formed by forming a metal material (copper, copper alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, silver and silver alloy, etc.) on a polymer material substrate (such as a substrate of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyethylene, etc.). In some embodiments, the material of the positive electrode current collector may be aluminum, and the material of the negative electrode current collector may be copper.

[0108] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly further includes a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0109] In some embodiments, the separator is a separator. The present application has no particular limitation on the type of separator, and any known separator with a porous structure having good chemical stability and mechanical stability can be selected.

[0110] As an example, the main material of the isolation membrane can be selected from at least one of glass fiber, non-woven fabric, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and ceramics.

[0111] In some embodiments, the separator is a solid electrolyte, which is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and serves to transmit ions and isolate the positive and negative electrodes.

[0112] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is a wound structure, wherein the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are wound into the wound structure.

[0113] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is a laminate structure.

[0114] As an example, a plurality of positive electrode sheets and a plurality of negative electrode sheets may be provided respectively, and the plurality of positive electrode sheets and the plurality of negative electrode sheets may be alternately stacked.

[0115] As an example, a plurality of positive electrode sheets may be provided, and the negative electrode sheet may be folded to form a plurality of stacked folded segments, with a positive electrode sheet being sandwiched between adjacent folded segments.

[0116] As an example, both the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are folded to form a plurality of folded sections that are stacked.

[0117] As an example, a plurality of separators may be provided, each of which is provided between any adjacent positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets.

[0118] As an example, the separator may be disposed continuously, and may be disposed between any adjacent positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets by folding or winding.

[0119] In some embodiments, the shape of the electrode assembly can be cylindrical, flat, or polygonal.

[0120] In some embodiments, the battery cell 3 further includes an electrolyte, which plays a role in conducting ions between the positive and negative electrodes. The present application has no specific restrictions on the type of electrolyte, which can be selected according to needs. The electrolyte can be liquid, gel or solid.

[0121] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is provided with a tab 31, which can lead current out of the electrode assembly. The tab 31 includes a positive tab and a negative tab.

[0122] In some embodiments, the battery cell 3 may include a shell. The shell is used to encapsulate components such as electrode assemblies and electrolytes. The shell may be a steel shell, an aluminum shell, a plastic shell (such as polypropylene), a composite metal shell (such as a copper-aluminum composite shell) or an aluminum-plastic film. The shell of a soft-pack battery cell is soft.

[0123] In the embodiment of the present application, the battery 100 may also be a single physical module including one or more battery cells 3 to provide higher voltage and capacity. When there are multiple battery cells 3, the multiple battery cells 3 may be connected in series, in parallel or in mixed connection.

[0124] The top cover assembly 2 covers the opening 12 of the shell assembly 1 to form the accommodating space 11 , thereby further protecting the battery cells 3 in the accommodating space 11 and reducing the possibility of the battery cells 3 in the accommodating space 11 detaching from the shell assembly 1 from the opening 12 .

[0125] The shape of the top cover assembly 2 can be adapted to the shape of the opening 12 of the shell assembly 1. Optionally, the top cover assembly 2 can be made of a material with a certain hardness and strength, so that the top cover assembly 2 is not easily deformed when squeezed or collided, so that the battery 100 can have a higher structural strength.

[0126] The top cover assembly 2 includes a top cover 21 . The top cover 21 includes a top cover body 21 a and an electrical connector 21 b . The electrical connector 21 b is disposed on the top cover body 21 a .

[0127] Exemplarily, the material of the top cover body 21 a includes, but is not limited to, copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, resin, plastic, and the like.

[0128] The electrical connector 21b may be used to electrically connect to the tab 31 of the battery cell 3, so as to input or output electrical energy relative to the battery cell 3. The electrical connector 21b may also be called a tab or an adapter.

[0129] Exemplarily, the electrical connector 21 b is made of a conductive metal material, including but not limited to copper, aluminum, steel, steel-aluminum alloy, and the like.

[0130] In the embodiment of the present application, at least two electrical connectors 21b are disposed on the top cover body 21a. Fig.14 As shown, since each battery cell 3 includes two tabs 31 (a positive tab and a negative tab), each tab 31 is correspondingly connected to an electrical connector 21b. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the number, specific form and arrangement of the electrical connector 21b, and can be specifically set according to the number and position of the actually connected battery cells.

[0131] The tab 31 of the battery cell 3 refers to a portion that leads the electrode assembly in the battery cell 3 out to the outer shell of the battery cell 3 .

[0132] For example, the tab 31 of the battery cell 3 may be electrically connected to the electrical connector 21 b of the top cover body 21 a by welding.

[0133] In the related art, when a battery has multiple (more than two) battery cells, a bracket is usually used for connection to isolate and install the multiple battery cells. However, the bracket cannot effectively prevent the diffusion of emissions generated when the battery cells experience thermal runaway. Once thermal runaway occurs in one of the multiple battery cells, the high-temperature emissions can easily diffuse to other surrounding battery cells, which may further cause thermal runaway of other battery cells, thereby causing damage to the entire battery.

[0134] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, the top cover assembly 2 includes two top covers 21, and the two top covers 21 are connected by a fixed connector 4. Therefore, a plurality of battery cells 3 (at least two) can be accommodated in one shell assembly 1 of the battery 100. As a result, the entire battery with multiple battery cells in the related art can be split into multiple separate batteries 100 with multiple battery cells 3, so that the multiple battery cells 3 of each battery 100 can be installed in isolation without affecting the energy density of the battery 100. In this way, if a battery cell 3 in a battery 100 has thermal runaway, the high-temperature emissions generated by the thermal runaway will be blocked in the shell assembly 1 of the battery 100, so as not to spread and affect other batteries 100, thereby reducing the possibility that the emissions generated by the thermal runaway affect the multiple battery cells 3 in other batteries 100 or affect other components in the battery 100, effectively reducing the risk of thermal runaway spreading, thereby reducing the safety risk of the battery 100.

[0135] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the number of top covers 21. In some other embodiments, the number of top covers 21 may also be three, four or more, and can be specifically set according to the number of battery cells 3 actually required to be connected.

[0136] like Figure 5 As shown, in the embodiment of the present application, a top cover 21 can be connected to two battery cells 3, that is, four battery cells 3 can be accommodated in the shell assembly 1 of a battery 100, thereby effectively achieving isolated installation of every four battery cells 3, thereby effectively reducing the risk of diffusion of emissions generated by thermal runaway when thermal runaway occurs in the battery cells 3, thereby reducing the safety risk of the battery 100.

[0137] In some embodiments, the top cover 21 is further formed with an insulating member 21c, which is formed on one side of the top cover body 21a along the first direction toward the housing assembly 1, and the insulating member 21c extends along the first direction. Thus, when one top cover 21 is connected to two battery cells 3, the insulating member 21c can be spaced between the tabs 31 of the two battery cells 3 to prevent short circuits and improve the reliability of the battery 100.

[0138] The insulating member 21c may be formed as an integral structure with the top cover body 21a, or may be formed as a separate structure with the top cover body 21a and then assembled together.

[0139] Of course, those skilled in the art should understand that even if the top cover assembly 2 includes multiple top covers 21, the present application still does not specifically limit the number of battery cells 3 in the accommodation space 11 of the shell assembly 1 of the battery 100. There may be one battery cell, two battery cells, three battery cells or more battery cells in the accommodation space 11 of the shell assembly 1 of a battery 100.

[0140] In the embodiment of the present application, adjacent top covers 21 are connected by a fixed connector 4, which has a simple structure and high assembly efficiency. It can also improve the connection stability between the top covers 21 and reduce the possibility of looseness between the top covers 21 and the top covers 21.

[0141] Exemplarily, the fixed connector 4 includes but is not limited to a snap-on connector, a plug-in connector, a riveted connector, etc.

[0142] In some embodiments of the present application, the fixed connector 4 includes a snap-fit ​​connector.

[0143] The snap-fit ​​connector has a simple structure and is easy to install and disassemble. It also has high connection strength and good stability and can withstand greater pressure and vibration, thereby enabling better connection stability between at least two top covers 21 of the top cover assembly 2.

[0144] In some embodiments of the present application, Figures 6 to 10 As shown, the top cover 21 includes a first top cover 211 and a second top cover 212. The fixed connector 4 includes a first connector 41 and a second connector 42. The top cover body 21a of the first top cover 211 is formed with the first connector 41. The top cover body 21a of the second top cover 212 is formed with the second connector 42. Wherein, in the case where the adjacent top covers 21 are the first top cover 211 and the second top cover 212, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connector 41 of the first top cover 211 and the second connector 42 of the second top cover 212.

[0145] Therefore, by the mating connection between the first top cover 211 and the second top cover 212, more battery cells 3 can be accommodated in the shell assembly 1 of a battery 100, thereby effectively improving the energy density of the battery 100, and effectively isolating the multiple battery cells 3 of each battery 100, reducing the risk of diffusion when the battery cells 3 have thermal runaway.

[0146] Specifically, the first connecting member 41 is formed on either side of the top cover body 21a of the first top cover 211 along the second direction, and the second connecting member 42 is formed on either side of the top cover body 21a of the second top cover 212 along the second direction. The adjacent first top cover 211 and the second top cover 212 can be connected by the cooperation of their respective first connecting members 41 and second connecting members 42. The connection method is simple and easy to assemble.

[0147] In addition, the other side of the first top cover 211 along the second direction (the side where the first connecting member 41 is not provided) and the other side of the second top cover 212 along the second direction (the side where the second connecting member 42 is not provided) can be generally flat, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the top cover assembly 2 formed after the first top cover 211 and the second top cover 212 are assembled is generally flat. In this way, the possibility of interference between the battery 100 and other surrounding components can be reduced, and when multiple batteries 100 are grouped, the possibility of adverse situations such as damage to the battery 100 due to collision or friction between the batteries 100 can be reduced.

[0148] Exemplarily, the first connection member 41 may be formed as an integral structure with the first top cover 211 , and the second connection member may be formed as an integral structure with the second top cover 212 .

[0149] As another example, the first connecting member 41 and the first top cover 211 may be in a split structure and then assembled together, and the second connecting member 42 and the second top cover 212 may be in a split structure and then assembled together.

[0150] In some embodiments of the present application, Fig.11 As shown, the top cover 21 includes a third top cover 213. The top cover body 21a of the third top cover 213 is formed with a first connecting member 41 on one side along the second direction, and is formed with a second connecting member 42 on the other side along the second direction. Wherein, in the case where the adjacent top covers 21 are two third top covers 213, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42 located between the third top covers 213. In the case where the adjacent top covers 21 are the first top cover 211 and the third top cover 213, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member 41 of the first top cover 211 and the second connecting member 42 of the third top cover 213. In the case where the adjacent top covers 21 are the second top cover 212 and the third top cover 213, the two are connected by the cooperation of the second connecting member 42 of the second top cover 212 and the first connecting member 41 of the third top cover 213.

[0151] As a result, the top cover assembly 2 can be provided with more top covers 21, and the multiple top covers 21 can have more connection methods, and the connection is more flexible and clever, so that the user can choose a suitable top cover 21 for connection according to the number of battery cells 3 actually required to be arranged in a battery 100, which does not affect the energy density of the battery 100 and can also isolate and install multiple battery cells 3, thereby reducing the risk of diffusion when the battery cells 3 have thermal runaway.

[0152] For example, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may only include a plurality of third top covers 213, and the plurality of third top covers 213 are connected by the cooperation of the first connector 41 and the second connector 42. In this way, when the plurality of batteries 100 are subsequently grouped to form a battery pack, the plurality of batteries 100 may be connected to each other through the exposed first connector 41 or the exposed second connector 42 of the third top covers 213, making the connection easier.

[0153] As another example, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may include a first top cover 211, a second top cover 212 and a third top cover 213, and the third top cover 213 is disposed between the first top cover 211 and the second top cover 212. In this way, the outer peripheral surface of the top cover assembly 2 is relatively flat, and is not easy to interfere with other surrounding parts. When multiple batteries 100 are subsequently grouped to form a battery pack, it is not easy to collide or rub with other batteries 100 to cause damage to the battery 100.

[0154] As another example, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may include only the first top cover 211 and the third top cover 213 , or only the second top cover 212 and the third top cover 213 .

[0155] Those skilled in the art should understand that the number of the third top cover 213 between the first top cover 211 and the second top cover 212 can be one or more, and can be specifically set according to actual conditions.

[0156] In some embodiments of the present application, Fig.12 and Fig.13As shown, the top cover 21 also includes a fourth top cover 214 and a fifth top cover 215. The fourth top cover 214 is formed with a first connecting member 41 on both sides opposite to each other along the second direction. The fifth top cover 215 is formed with a second connecting member 42 on both sides opposite to each other along the second direction. Wherein, in the case where the adjacent top covers 21 are the fourth top cover 214 and the fifth top cover 215, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member 41 of the fourth top cover 214 and the second connecting member 42 of the fifth top cover 215. In the case where the adjacent top covers 21 are the first top cover 211 and the fifth top cover 215, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member 41 of the first top cover 211 and the second connecting member 42 of the fifth top cover 215. In the case where the adjacent top covers 21 are the second top cover 212 and the fourth top cover 214, the two are connected by the cooperation of the second connecting member 42 of the second top cover 212 and the first connecting member 41 of the fourth top cover 214.

[0157] As a result, the top cover assembly 2 can be provided with more top covers 21, and the multiple top covers 21 can have more connection methods, and the arrangement is more flexible and clever, so that the user can choose a suitable top cover 21 for connection according to the number of battery cells 3 actually required to be arranged in a battery 100, which does not affect the energy density of the battery 100 and can also isolate and install multiple battery cells 3, thereby reducing the risk of diffusion when the battery cells 3 have thermal runaway.

[0158] Exemplarily, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may include only the fourth top cover 214 and the fifth top cover 215, and the adjacent fourth top covers 214 and the fifth top covers 215 are connected by the cooperation of the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 between each other. In this way, when multiple batteries 100 are subsequently grouped to form a battery pack, the multiple batteries 100 can also be connected to each other through the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 exposed on the fourth top cover 214 and the fifth top cover 215, making the connection easier. The number of the fourth top cover 214 and the fifth top cover 215 can be one or more. When the number of the fourth top cover 214 and the fifth top cover 215 is more than one, the fourth top cover 214 and the fifth top cover 215 are arranged alternately along the second direction.

[0159] Also exemplarily, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may include only a first top cover 211 and a fifth top cover 215, which are connected by the cooperation of a first connector 41 and a second connector 42 with each other. The number of first top covers 211 may be one or two. When the number of first top covers 211 is two, the fifth top cover 215 is located between the two first top covers 211.

[0160] As another example, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may include only a second top cover 212 and a fourth top cover 214, which are connected by the cooperation of a first connector 41 and a second connector 42 with each other. The number of second top covers 212 may be one or two. When the number of second top covers 212 is two, the fourth top cover 214 is located between the two second top covers 212.

[0161] As another example, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may also include a third top cover 213 and a fourth top cover 214, which are connected by the cooperation of the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 with each other. The number of third top covers 213 may be one or two. When the number of third top covers 213 is two, the fourth top cover 214 is located between the two third top covers 213. Alternatively, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may also include a third top cover 213 and a fifth top cover 215, which are connected by the cooperation of the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 with each other. The number of third top covers 213 may be one or two. When the number of third top covers 213 is two, the fifth top cover 215 is located between the two third top covers 213.

[0162] As another example, the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may include a first top cover 211, a third top cover 213 and a fifth top cover 215, or the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may include a second top cover 212, a third top cover 213 and a fourth top cover 214, or the top cover assembly 2 of each battery 100 may include a first top cover 211, a second top cover 212, a fourth top cover 214 and a fifth top cover 215, etc.

[0163] Those skilled in the art should understand that as long as adjacent top covers 21 can be connected to each other through the first connecting member 41 and the second connecting member 42, the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the type of top cover 21 constituting the top cover assembly 2, and the type of top cover 21 to be matched therewith can be selected according to the type of the fixing connecting member 4 on the exposed side of the top cover 21 (i.e., the side that has not yet been connected and matched with other top covers 21). For example, when the type of the fixing connecting member 4 on the exposed side of a top cover 21 is the first connecting member 41, a top cover 21 having the second connecting member 42 can be selected to be matched therewith. Similarly, when the type of the fixing connecting member 4 on the exposed side of a top cover 21 is the second connecting member 42, a top cover 21 having the first connecting member 41 can be selected to be matched therewith.

[0164] In addition, when there are multiple batteries 100, the types of the top covers 21 of the top cover assemblies 2 of the various batteries 100 may be the same or different, and the numbers of the top covers 21 of the top cover assemblies 2 of the various batteries 100 may be the same or different.

[0165] In some embodiments of the present application, the first connecting member 41 is a convex structure, and the second connecting member 42 is a concave structure.

[0166] Thus, the connection of adjacent top covers 21 can be achieved through the cooperation of the convex structure and the concave structure, and the structure is simple and easy to assemble. In addition, by configuring the first connecting member 41 as a convex structure and configuring the second connecting member 42 as a concave structure, the first connecting member 41 can be quickly positioned, which is more conducive to assembly.

[0167] In some embodiments of the present application, the protruding structure is configured as a buckle 43 , and the recessed structure is configured as a locking hole 44 .

[0168] Thus, the adjacent top covers 21 can be snap-connected in a simple and quick manner.

[0169] Compared with riveting and other connection methods, snap-fitting requires fewer parts, and only needs to set a snap 43 and a snap hole 44 to achieve the snap-fit ​​connection. In addition, the snap-fitting connection method is easier, and only needs to align the snap 43 with the snap hole 44 and insert the snap 43 into the snap hole 44 to complete the snap-fitting operation. Therefore, in the process of snapping the adjacent top covers 21, it is not easy to affect the pole ear 31 of the battery cell 3 connected to the electrical connector 21b of the top cover body 21a, thereby reducing the risk of bending and breaking of the pole ear 31 and improving the reliability of the battery 100.

[0170] Exemplarily, the clamping hole 44 may be a stepped hole or a through hole.

[0171] The embodiment of the present application does not impose any specific limitation on the shapes of the buckle 43 and the hole 44 , as long as the buckle 43 and the hole 44 can be snap-fitted with each other.

[0172] In some embodiments of the present application, Fig.16 As shown, the buckle 43 includes a column 431 and a head 432 . The equivalent diameter of the head 432 is greater than the equivalent diameter of the hole 44 . The head 432 includes at least two spring pieces 4321 . The spring pieces 4321 can be elastically deformed under the action of external force.

[0173] The column 431 is connected to the top cover body 21 a of the top cover 21 , and the head 432 is formed on one side of the column 431 away from the top cover body 21 a along the second direction.

[0174] The equivalent diameter of the head 432 refers to the diameter of a circular cross section having the same area as the head 432. Similarly, the equivalent diameter of the clamping hole 44 refers to the diameter of a circular cross section having the same area as the clamping hole 44.

[0175] Since the equivalent diameter of the head 432 of the buckle 43 is larger than the equivalent diameter of the locking hole 44 , after the head 432 of the buckle 43 is inserted into the locking hole 44 , it can be locked in the locking hole 44 , thereby connecting the adjacent top covers 21 .

[0176] Specifically, the head 432 includes at least two spring pieces 4321, and the spring pieces 4321 can be elastically deformed under the action of external force, and the external force here refers to the squeezing force of the inner wall of the clamping hole 44 on the spring pieces 4321. Therefore, when the head 432 of the buckle 43 is inserted into the clamping hole 44, the spring pieces 4321 can be elastically deformed under the squeezing force of the inner wall of the clamping hole 44, shrink in the direction of approaching each other, and extend into the clamping hole 44, and can elastically abut against the inner wall of the clamping hole 44, so as to be engaged in the clamping hole 44, and then realize the connection of the adjacent top covers 21 in a clamping manner.

[0177] In the embodiment of the present application, the head 432 includes four spring clips 4321, and the four spring clips 4321 are arranged at intervals from each other. In some other embodiments, the head 432 may also include two, three or more spring clips 4321. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the number of spring clips 4321.

[0178] In some embodiments of the present application, a guiding inclined surface 4322 is formed on a side of the elastic piece 4321 facing away from the column 431 .

[0179] Therefore, when the head 432 of the buckle 43 is inserted into the hole 44, the guide slope 4322 can guide the head 432 of the buckle 43 to enter the hole 44 more easily, thereby improving assembly efficiency and saving time cost.

[0180] In some embodiments of the present application, the clamping hole 44 includes a through hole.

[0181] The through hole is easier to form. Setting the latch hole 44 as a through hole can effectively reduce the processing difficulty and save production costs without affecting the engagement of the buckle 43.

[0182] Specifically, Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, after the spring piece 4321 of the head 432 of the buckle 43 undergoes elastic deformation and passes through the clamping hole 44 formed as a through hole, the end surface of the head 432 facing the column 431 abuts against the top cover 21, thereby realizing the clamping connection of adjacent top covers 21.

[0183] In some embodiments of the present application, in the same top cover 21 , there are multiple first connecting members 41 and multiple second connecting members 42 . Each first connecting member 41 is matched with each second connecting member 42 to connect adjacent top covers 21 .

[0184] Since there are multiple first connectors 41 and second connectors 42 , the connection strength between adjacent top covers 21 can be further improved, the possibility of loose connection between adjacent top covers 21 due to collision or vibration can be reduced, and the reliability and stability of the battery 100 can be further improved.

[0185] The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the number of the first connecting members 41 and the second connecting members 42 , and can be set according to the specific size of the top cover 21 .

[0186] However, those skilled in the art should understand that, under normal circumstances, the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 should be arranged so as to avoid the area on the top cover 21 where the electrical connector 21b is provided. In this way, when the first connector 41 and the second connector 42 are matched, they are not easy to interfere with the tab 31 connected to the electrical connector 21b, thereby reducing the possibility of adverse situations such as damage to the tab 31.

[0187] In some embodiments of the present application, at least one through hole 5 is formed on the top cover body 21 a of each top cover 21 , and the through hole 5 is used as a discharge channel for the exhaust generated by the battery cell 3 in the case of thermal runaway to be discharged from the accommodating space 11 .

[0188] Therefore, in the event that a battery cell 3 in the battery 100 experiences thermal runaway, the emissions generated by the thermal runaway will not be scattered but will be ejected in a preset direction and position through the through hole 5 formed on the top cover body 21a, thereby achieving directional ejection of the battery cell 3 during thermal runaway, making the ejection direction of the high-temperature emissions generated during thermal runaway controllable, further reducing the possibility of the emissions affecting other battery cells 3 or other components in the battery 100, thereby further reducing the safety risk of the battery 100.

[0189] In the embodiment of the present application, there are multiple through holes 5, and the multiple through holes 5 are arranged at intervals on the top cover body 21a.

[0190] Exemplarily, a plurality of through holes 5 are concentratedly arranged on one side of the top cover body 21 a , and the electrical connector 21 b is arranged on the other side of the top cover body 21 a , thereby further guiding the eruption direction during thermal runaway.

[0191] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the number of through holes 5, and may include only one through hole 5, or may include two, three or more through holes 5, and may be specifically set according to the actual size of the top cover body 21a, as long as the through hole 5 does not affect the arrangement of the electrical connector 21b and other functional components on the top cover body 21a.

[0192] Although not shown in the figure, in some embodiments, the battery 100 can include a shielding member that shields the through hole 5 and is bonded to the outer surface of the top cover body 21a. Under the effect of the emissions generated by the thermal runaway of the battery cell 3, the shielding member is disconnected from the top cover body 21a, so that the through hole 5 is used as a discharge channel.

[0193] By providing a shielding member, the possibility of external impurities or emissions generated by other surrounding batteries 100 during thermal runaway entering the accommodating space 11 of the shell assembly 1 through the through hole 5 can be reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to the internal battery cells 3 or further aggravation of the battery thermal runaway.

[0194] In addition, since the shielding member blocks the through hole 5 by bonding, the connection strength between the shielding member and the top cover body 21a is low. Therefore, when the battery cell 3 in the shell assembly 1 undergoes thermal runaway, the emissions generated by the thermal runaway can easily break through the shielding member, causing the connection between the shielding member and the top cover body 21a to be disconnected, thereby allowing the emissions to be discharged through the through hole 5. Therefore, the shielding member will not affect the directional eruption of the battery cell 3 while realizing the shielding protection function.

[0195] Exemplarily, the material of the shielding member includes mica.

[0196] In some embodiments of the present application, Fig.15 As shown, the electrical connector 21b includes a connecting portion 211b and an exposed portion 212b connected to the connecting portion 211b, the connecting portion 211b includes a connecting surface 2111b extending along a first direction, and the exposed portion 212b is exposed outside the housing assembly 1. The tab 31 of the battery cell 3 extends along the first direction, and the tab 31 is connected to the connecting surface 2111b of the connecting portion 211b.

[0197] The connecting portion 211b of the electrical connector 21b is used to connect to the tab 31 of the battery cell 3. The exposed portion 212b is used to be exposed outside the housing assembly 1 so as to connect to an external busbar component to achieve electrical connection between the multiple batteries 100.

[0198] Since the connecting surface 2111b of the connecting portion 211b of the electrical connector 21b and the pole ear 31 of the battery cell 3 both extend along the first direction, the pole ear 31 of the battery cell 3 can be connected to the connecting surface 2111b of the connecting portion 211b without bending, thereby reducing the risk of the pole ear 31 breaking, making the connection more stable, and improving the reliability of the battery cell 3.

[0199] In some embodiments of the present application, the battery cell 3 includes a soft-pack battery cell.

[0200] Soft-pack battery cells are usually packaged in soft aluminum-plastic packaging. Due to the particularity of soft materials, there are usually no corresponding structures and positions for venting channels, safety valves and other components in soft-pack battery cells. Therefore, soft-pack battery cells cannot achieve directional eruption when thermal runaway occurs. The high-temperature emissions generated by thermal runaway will break through the plastic film and randomly erupt from the sealing edge to the surrounding area. Soft-pack battery cells are usually installed in isolation through brackets. Therefore, when thermal runaway occurs, it is easy to affect other surrounding battery cells and other components inside the battery. As the emissions generated by the thermal runaway spread, the thermal runaway may be aggravated, greatly increasing the safety risk of the battery 100.

[0201] Placing the soft-pack battery cell in the housing assembly 1 can provide good protection for the soft-pack battery cell, reduce the possibility of damage to the soft-pack battery cell, help to increase the service life of the soft-pack battery cell, and reduce the possibility of thermal runaway of the soft-pack battery cell.

[0202] Moreover, placing the soft-pack battery cells in the shell assembly 1 can also change the isolation method of multiple soft-pack battery cells, so that when the soft-pack battery cells are in thermal runaway, the emissions generated will be isolated in the accommodating space 11 of the shell assembly 1, thereby not affecting the soft-pack battery cells in other batteries 100, reducing the risk of thermal runaway spreading.

[0203] In addition, by accommodating the soft-pack battery cells in the housing assembly 1 , it is more convenient to assemble the battery pack 400 in the subsequent grouping, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and reducing the assembly difficulty.

[0204] A second aspect of the present application provides a battery pack 400 , which includes a box body 401 and at least one battery 100 according to the first aspect of the present application, wherein the battery 100 is accommodated in the box body 401 .

[0205] Since the battery cells 3 of the battery 100 are located in the housing assembly 1, when the battery pack 400 is formed into a group, it can be grouped in the same way as a square shell battery, making assembly easier. In addition, when the battery 100 in the battery pack 400 of the embodiment of the present application has thermal runaway, the emissions generated by the thermal runaway are not easy to spread everywhere, thereby effectively reducing safety risks.

[0206] The third aspect of the present application provides an electrical device, which includes the battery 100 described in the first aspect of the present application or the battery pack 400 described in the second aspect of the present application for providing electrical energy.

[0207] The electrical device provided in the embodiment of the present application uses the battery 100 or battery pack 400 with good performance as described above, thereby reducing the time spent on maintenance and having low safety risks.

[0208] The fourth aspect of the present application provides an energy storage device, which includes the battery 100 described in the first aspect of the present application or the battery pack 400 described in the second aspect of the present application for providing electrical energy.

[0209] The energy storage device provided in the embodiment of the present application uses the battery 100 or battery pack 400 with good performance as described above, thereby reducing the time spent on maintenance and having low safety risks.

[0210] Specific examples of some embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0211] As a specific example, the battery 100 includes a housing assembly 1 and a top cover assembly 2. The top cover assembly 2 includes at least a convex top cover (first top cover 211) and a concave top cover (second top cover 212), and the convex top cover is snapped into the concave top cover. Both the convex top cover and the concave top cover can be connected to two soft-pack battery cells, thereby realizing the connection of four or more soft-pack battery cells.

[0212] Specifically, the soft-pack battery cell is welded to the top cover assembly 2 through a transition aluminum bar (electrical connector 21b), and there is a buckle (first connector 41) on the convex top cover, and there is a buckle hole (second connector 42) on the concave top cover, and the convex top cover and the concave top cover are connected through the buckle hole, thereby realizing the isolated installation of four or more soft-pack battery cells.

[0213] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit them; although the present application is described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, a person skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the above embodiments can still be modified, or some or all of the technical features can be replaced by equivalents; and these modifications or replacements do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions deviate 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 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.

Claims

1. A battery, characterized in that: The battery comprises: A housing assembly is formed with a receiving space, and one side of the housing assembly along a first direction has an opening; A top cover assembly, disposed on the housing assembly and closing the opening, the top cover assembly comprising at least two top covers arranged in parallel along the second direction, the top covers comprising a top cover body and an electrical connector capable of conducting electricity and disposed on the top cover body, and adjacent top covers are connected to each other via a fixed connector; and At least one battery cell is located in the accommodation space, and a tab of the battery cell is connected to the electrical connector of the top cover; The first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

2. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that The fixed connection piece includes a snap-fit ​​connection piece.

3. The battery according to claim 1, characterized in that The top cover includes a first top cover and a second top cover; The fixed connection member includes a first connection member and a second connection member; The top cover body of the first top cover is formed with the first connecting member; The top cover body of the second top cover is formed with the second connecting member; Wherein, when the adjacent top covers are the first top cover and the second top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member of the first top cover and the second connecting member of the second top cover.

4. The battery according to claim 3, characterized in that The top cover includes a third top cover; The first connecting member is formed on one side of the top cover body of the third top cover along the second direction, and the second connecting member is formed on the other side of the top cover body along the second direction; Among them, when the adjacent top covers are two third top covers, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member and the second connecting member located between the third top covers; when the adjacent top covers are the first top cover and the third top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member of the first top cover and the second connecting member of the third top cover; when the adjacent top covers are the second top cover and the third top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the second connecting member of the second top cover and the first connecting member of the third top cover.

5. The battery according to claim 3, characterized in that The top cover also includes a fourth top cover and a fifth top cover; The first connecting members are formed on both sides of the fourth top cover that are opposite to each other along the second direction; The second connecting members are formed on two opposite sides of the fifth top cover along the second direction; Among them, when the adjacent top covers are the fourth top cover and the fifth top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member of the fourth top cover and the second connecting member of the fifth top cover; when the adjacent top covers are the first top cover and the fifth top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the first connecting member of the first top cover and the second connecting member of the fifth top cover; when the adjacent top covers are the second top cover and the fourth top cover, the two are connected by the cooperation of the second connecting member of the second top cover and the first connecting member of the fourth top cover.

6. The battery according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that The first connecting member is a convex structure, and the second connecting member is a concave structure.

7. The battery according to claim 6, characterized in that The protruding structure is configured as a buckle, and the recessed structure is configured as a locking hole.

8. The battery according to claim 7, characterized in that The buckle includes a column and a head, the equivalent diameter of the head is larger than the equivalent diameter of the clamping hole, and the head includes at least two spring pieces, which can be elastically deformed under the action of external force.

9. The battery according to claim 8, characterized in that A guiding inclined surface is formed on a side of the spring sheet facing away from the column.

10. The battery according to claim 7, characterized in that The clamping hole comprises a through hole.

11. The battery according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that In the same said top cover, The number of the first connecting members is plural, and the number of the second connecting members is plural; Each of the first connecting members corresponds to and cooperates with each of the second connecting members to connect adjacent top covers.

12. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that At least one through hole is formed on the top cover body of each of the top covers, and the through hole is used as a discharge channel for the exhaust generated by the battery cell in the case of thermal runaway to be discharged from the accommodation space.

13. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The electrical connector includes a connecting portion and an exposed portion connected to the connecting portion, the connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction, and the exposed portion is exposed outside the housing assembly; Wherein, the tab of the battery cell extends along the first direction, and the tab is connected to the connecting surface of the connecting portion.

14. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The battery cells include soft-pack battery cells.

15. A battery pack, characterized in that: The battery pack comprises: Cabinet; and At least one battery according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the battery being housed in the casing.

16. An electrical device, characterized in that: The electrical device comprises the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the battery pack according to claim 15 for providing electrical energy.

17. An energy storage device, characterized in that: The energy storage device comprises the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the battery pack according to claim 15 for providing electrical energy.

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