High-capacity battery

Abstract

The utility model provides a high-capacity battery, which mainly solves the problems of potential safety hazard of the high-capacity battery and influence on the performance of the high-capacity battery caused by swelling deformation of a single battery in the existing high-capacity battery. The high-capacity battery comprises a shell and N single batteries arranged in the shell, a shared chamber is arranged in the shell, and the inner cavity of the shared chamber is communicated with the inner cavities of all the single batteries; and a first elastic piece capable of generating elastic deformation is arranged between at least one group of adjacent single batteries. And the first elastic piece is used for providing an expansion space for expansion deformation of the single battery, so that when the single battery is subjected to expansion deformation, the shell is not extruded, the problems of deformation and leakage caused by extrusion of the shell are avoided, and the performance and the safety of the high-capacity battery are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of batteries, and particularly relates to a large-capacity battery. Background Art

[0002] At present, multiple single cells are connected in parallel or in series to form a large-capacity battery (which can also be called a battery module or a battery pack). However, there are differences among the single cells in the above-mentioned large-capacity battery, resulting in great limitations on the capacity upper limit and the number of charge-discharge cycles of the entire large-capacity battery.

[0003] To solve the above problems, a large-capacity battery is provided. The large-capacity battery includes a housing and multiple single cells. The multiple single cells are arranged in the housing, and the differences among the single cells are reduced through a shared chamber in the housing, improving the consistency among the single cells to a certain extent, and thus improving the cycle life of the large-capacity battery to a certain extent.

[0004] The large-capacity battery with the above structure has the characteristics of high space utilization rate, high integration degree, high energy density, etc. However, during high-temperature storage or charge-discharge of the large-capacity battery, the single cells may bulge and deform. The extrusion force generated by the bulging and deformation squeezes the housing, causing the housing of the large-capacity battery to deform and leak, resulting in potential safety hazards and also affecting the performance of the large-capacity battery. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To solve the problems that in the existing large-capacity battery, the bulging and deformation of the single cells lead to potential safety hazards of the large-capacity battery and affect the performance of the large-capacity battery, the utility model provides a large-capacity battery.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the technical solution provided by the utility model is as follows:

[0007] A large-capacity battery includes a housing and N single cells arranged in the housing along the same x direction; a shared chamber is provided in the housing, and the inner cavity of the shared chamber is communicated with the inner cavities of all the single cells; avoidance holes are provided on the top plate of the housing corresponding to the polarity terminals of each single cell; the polarity terminals of each single cell extend out of the avoidance holes, and the area of the top plate of the housing corresponding to the avoidance holes is fixedly sealed with the housing of the single cell; at least one set of adjacent single cells is provided with a first elastic member capable of elastic deformation.

[0008] Further, among the N single cells, a first elastic member is provided between adjacent single cells.

[0009] Further, between the first single cell and the end plate of the housing and between the Nth single cell and the end plate of the housing, second elastic members capable of elastic deformation are respectively provided, wherein the end plate of the housing is parallel to the yz plane.

[0010] Further, third elastic members capable of elastically deforming are respectively provided between each single battery and the two side plates of the outer casing, wherein the two side plates of the outer casing are both parallel to the xz plane.

[0011] Further, the first elastic member is an elastic pad made of a material insoluble in the electrolyte.

[0012] Further, heat dissipation and weight reduction holes are provided on the elastic pad, or the elastic pad is of a hollow structure.

[0013] Further, the shared chamber includes an electrolyte shared chamber and a gas shared chamber; the electrolyte shared chamber is communicated with the electrolyte regions of each single battery; the gas shared chamber is communicated with the gas regions of each single battery, or the gas shared chamber is a gas passage located between the top plate of the outer casing and each single battery, and this gas passage covers the explosion relief parts of each single battery. When the explosion relief part of any single battery is broken through by the hot runaway flue gas in the inner cavity, the gas region of this single battery is communicated with the gas passage.

[0014] Further, an explosion relief mechanism communicated with the inner cavity of the outer casing is provided on the outer casing, and this explosion relief mechanism is communicated with both the electrolyte shared chamber and the gas shared chamber.

[0015] Further, clamping portions are provided at the parts where the polar terminals of each single battery extend out of the avoidance holes, the heat transfer tubes are fixedly arranged on the clamping portions of the polar terminals of each single battery one by one, and the heat transfer tubes are insulated from the polar terminals of each single battery; the clamping portion is a through groove or a through hole opened at the part where the polar terminal of each single battery extends out of the avoidance hole.

[0016] Further, an insulating and sealing glue layer is laid on the top plate of the outer casing, the heat transfer tubes are buried in the insulating and sealing glue layer, and the liquid inlet ports and liquid outlet ports of the heat transfer tubes extend out of the insulating and sealing glue layer. An insulating protective cover is provided at the top of the outer casing, and the polar terminals of each single battery are located inside the insulating protective cover.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the present utility model has the following advantages:

[0018] 1. The large-capacity battery of the present utility model includes a housing and N single cells arranged in the housing along the same x direction. A first elastic member capable of elastic deformation is provided between at least one group of adjacent single cells. When the single cells undergo bulging deformation, the first elastic member is squeezed by the single cells to generate elastic deformation. After the first elastic member undergoes elastic deformation, it can provide an expansion space for the expansion of the single cells, so that the expansion deformation of the single cells will not cause extrusion to the housing, avoiding the deformation and leakage problems caused by the extrusion of the housing, and thus improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery. At the same time, when the large-capacity battery is working normally, the first elastic member is arranged between two single cells. After the first elastic member generates elastic deformation, it can provide a certain pre-pressure to the single cells. The pre-pressure inhibits the deformation of the shells of two adjacent single cells caused by bulging, reducing the probability of dangerous accidents such as internal short circuit and thermal runaway caused by bulging, and further improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery.

[0019] 2. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, a first elastic member is provided between adjacent single cells. When multiple single cells in the housing expand and deform, the multiple first elastic members can provide sufficient expansion space for the expansion of the single cells, further improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery. In addition, a first elastic member is provided between adjacent single cells. When any single cell expands and deforms, it will not cause extrusion to the adjacent single cells, further improving the reliability of the large-capacity battery.

[0020] 3. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, second elastic members capable of elastic deformation are respectively provided between the first single cell and the end plate of the housing and between the Nth single cell and the end plate of the housing. The second elastic members prevent the expansion deformation of the two end single cells from extruding the housing, avoiding the deformation and leakage problems caused by the extrusion of the housing; at the same time, the second elastic members can inhibit the deformation of the two opposite sides of the first single cell and the Nth single cell that move away from each other due to expansion, reducing the probability of dangerous accidents such as internal short circuit and thermal runaway caused by bulging deformation; in addition, the second elastic members can also protect the housing and the single cells during installation, avoiding friction between the end plate of the housing and the single cells during installation, and thus preventing damage to the end plate of the housing and the single cells.

[0021] 4. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, third elastic members capable of elastic deformation are respectively provided between each single battery and the two side plates of the outer shell. When the single battery expands and deforms, the third elastic members can provide expansion space for the expansion of the single battery in the y direction, so that the expansion and deformation of the single battery will not cause extrusion to the outer shell, avoiding deformation and leakage of the outer shell caused by extrusion. At the same time, when the large-capacity battery is working normally, the third elastic members can provide a certain pre-pressure for each single battery in the y direction, inhibiting the bulging deformation of the single battery in the y direction, reducing the probability of dangerous accidents such as internal short circuit and thermal runaway caused by the bulging deformation, and further improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery. In addition, the third elastic members can also protect each single battery and the outer shell, avoiding friction between the side plates of the outer shell and the single battery during installation, and thus damaging the side plates of the outer shell and the single battery.

[0022] 5. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, the first elastic member, the second elastic member and the third elastic member can all be elastic pads. The elastic pads are made of a material insoluble in the electrolyte. The elastic pads have good elasticity and buffering performance, and are also convenient for manufacturing and installation.

[0023] 6. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, the elastic pad can also be set as a hollow structure, or there are a plurality of heat dissipation and weight reduction holes on the elastic pad. This structure can not only further enable the elastic pad to absorb the expansion force of the single battery to provide a larger expansion space for the single battery, but also further improve the heat dissipation effect of the single battery, and at the same time reduce the self-weight of the large-capacity battery.

[0024] 7. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, the shared chamber of the large-capacity battery includes an electrolyte shared chamber and a gas shared chamber. The electrolyte shared chamber is communicated with the electrolyte areas of each single battery, and the gas shared chamber is communicated with the gas areas of each single battery. By using the electrolyte shared chamber to communicate with the inner cavity electrolyte areas of each single battery located in the outer shell, and using the gas shared chamber to communicate with the inner cavity gas areas of each single battery located in the outer shell, gas balance is achieved, the difference between each single battery is reduced, the consistency between each single battery is improved to a certain extent, and thus the cycle life of the large-capacity battery is improved to a certain extent.

[0025] 8. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, a pressure relief mechanism communicated with the inner cavity of the outer shell is provided on the outer shell of the large-capacity battery. When both the electrolyte shared chamber and the gas shared chamber are communicated with the pressure relief mechanism, the large-capacity battery has two pressure relief channels. When any single battery has a thermal runaway, the thermal runaway flue gas is discharged from different pressure relief channels, and the heat and thermal runaway flue gas accumulated in the pressure relief channels and the single battery can be reduced in a short time, reducing the thermal runaway risk of the large-capacity battery.

[0026] 9. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, the heat transfer tube exchanges heat with the polar terminals of each single battery. The heat transfer tube conducts the heat of the polar terminals where the heat is most concentrated in the large-capacity battery to the outside for treatment to ensure that the large-capacity battery operates within the optimal temperature range. At the same time, the heat transfer tube is arranged in the through groove or through hole of the polar terminal and is in direct contact with the polar terminals of each large-capacity battery, so that the heat transfer tube and the polar terminal have a large contact area, further improving the heat exchange efficiency.

[0027] 10. In the large-capacity battery of the present utility model, an insulating and sealing adhesive layer is laid on the outer shell top plate of the large-capacity battery. When condensation occurs on the surface of the heat transfer tube on the polar terminal, under the block of the insulating and sealing adhesive layer, the condensation cannot penetrate into the gap between the polar terminal and the avoidance hole, thereby preventing the occurrence of short circuit of the large-capacity battery. In addition, the large-capacity battery uses an insulating protective cover to provide insulation protection for the polar terminal, avoiding potential safety hazards that may exist when the polar terminal is exposed during the operation of the large-capacity battery, and also avoiding the problem of short circuit of the large-capacity battery caused by some foreign objects in the external environment falling into the position of the polar terminal, improving the safety of the large-capacity battery.

[0028] Other advantages, objectives and features of the present utility model will be partially reflected by the following description and partially understood by those skilled in the art through the research and practice of the present utility model. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present utility model or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present utility model. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the large-capacity battery in Embodiment 1;

[0031] Figure 2 Exploded view of the large-capacity battery (with the first elastic member) in Embodiment 1;

[0032] Figure 3 Exploded view of the large-capacity battery (with N - 1 first elastic members) in Embodiment 1;

[0033] Figure 4 Exploded view of the large-capacity battery (with the second elastic member) in Embodiment 1 Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 5 Exploded view of the large-capacity battery (with the second elastic member) in Embodiment 1 Figure 2 ;

[0035] Figure 6 For the explosion of the high-capacity battery (with the third elastic member) in Embodiment 2 Figure 1 ;

[0036] Figure 7 For the explosion of the high-capacity battery (with the third elastic member) in Embodiment 2 Figure 2 ;

[0037] Figure 8 For the explosion diagram of the high-capacity battery in Embodiment 3;

[0038] Figure 9 For the structural schematic diagram of the high-capacity battery in Embodiment 3;

[0039] Figure 10 For the explosion diagram of the high-capacity battery in Embodiment 4;

[0040] Figure 11 For the structural schematic diagram of the high-capacity battery in Embodiment 4;

[0041] Reference numerals: 1 - outer shell, 2 - single cell, 3 - polar terminal, 4 - explosion relief mechanism, 5 - first elastic member, 6 - second elastic member, 7 - third elastic member, 8 - heat transfer tube, 9 - insulation protective cover, 10 - sealing connection member, 11 - electrolyte sharing chamber, 12 - gas sharing chamber, 13 - end plate, 14 - side plate, 31 - clamping portion. Detailed implementation manners

[0042] To make the above objects, features, and advantages of the present utility model more obvious and understandable, the following will describe the detailed implementation manners of the present utility model with reference to the accompanying drawings of the specification. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present utility model, rather than all embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts shall fall within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0043] In this specification, "in other embodiments" that appears in different places does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment that mutually excludes other embodiments. In the description of this specification, the terms "first", "second", and "third" are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. In the description of the present utility model, "a plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise clearly and specifically defined.

[0044] In the description of this specification, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the term "connection" 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 directly connected, indirectly connected through an intermediate member, or the internal communication of two components. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in this application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0045] At the same time, in the description of the present invention, it should be noted that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "top, bottom, inner, and outer" is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, so it cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0046] The present invention provides a large-capacity battery. The large-capacity battery includes a housing and N single cells arranged in the housing along the same x direction. The inner cavities of the single cells communicate with the shared chamber of the housing. The shared chamber reduces the differences between the single cells, improves the consistency between the single cells to a certain extent, and thus improves the cycle life of the large-capacity battery to a certain extent. During high-temperature storage or charge and discharge of the large-capacity battery, the internal pressure of the single cell increases or the volume of the battery core expands, causing the housing of the single cell to bulge and deform. The extrusion force generated by the bulging and deforming squeezes the housing, easily causing deformation or leakage of the housing of the large-capacity battery, creating potential safety hazards, and also affecting the performance of the large-capacity battery.

[0047] Based on this, the present invention provides a large-capacity battery. An elastic first elastic member is provided between at least one group of adjacent single cells of the large-capacity battery. When the single cell expands and deforms, the first elastic member is squeezed by the single cell to generate elastic deformation. After the first elastic member generates elastic deformation, it can provide an expansion space for the expansion of the single cell, so that the expansion and deformation of the single cell will not squeeze the housing, avoiding the problems of the housing being squeezed and deformed and leaking, and thus improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery. At the same time, when the large-capacity battery is working normally, the first elastic member is arranged between two single cells. After the first elastic member generates elastic deformation, it can provide a certain pre-pressure for the single cell, inhibiting the deformation of the housings of the adjacent two single cells caused by bulging, and thus reducing the degree of bulging and deformation of the single cell, reducing the probability of dangerous accidents such as leakage, internal short circuit, and thermal runaway caused by bulging and deformation, and improving the safety and reliability of the entire large-capacity battery.

[0048] Embodiment 1

[0049] As Figure 1As shown in the figure, this embodiment provides a large-capacity battery. The large-capacity battery includes a housing 1 and N single cells 2, where N is an integer greater than 1. The single cells 2 in this embodiment are square-shell batteries, and the quantity can be adjusted according to actual requirements. The inner cavity of each single cell 2 includes an electrolyte region and a gas region. The multiple single cells 2 are arranged in the same direction and placed in the housing 1. Usually, a rectangular housing 1 is adopted. For the convenience of description, the length direction of the housing 1 is defined as the x direction, the width direction of the housing 1 is defined as the y direction, and the height direction of the housing 1 is defined as the z direction.

[0050] As Figure 1 shown in the figure, in this embodiment, after the N single cells 2 are arranged in the housing 1 along the same x direction, avoidance holes are provided on the top plate of the housing 1 corresponding to the polarity terminals 3 of each single cell 2. The polarity terminals 3 of each single cell 2 extend out of the corresponding avoidance holes to serve as the polarity terminals 3 of the large-capacity battery (the polarity terminals of all the single cells on one side serve as the positive polarity terminals of the large-capacity battery, and the polarity terminals of all the single cells on the other side serve as the negative polarity terminals of the large-capacity battery). The area of the top plate of the housing 1 corresponding to the avoidance holes is fixedly sealed with the housing of the single cell 2, so that the gap between the polarity terminal 3 and the avoidance hole is sealed. Usually, a sealing connector 10 can be used to fixedly seal the area of the top plate of the housing 1 and the housing of the single cell 2. The sealing connector 10 can include a hollow member (similar to a hollow tube), and the hollow member is sleeved outside the polarity terminal 3 of the single cell 2; the bottom of the hollow member is hermetically connected to the area around the polarity terminal 3 of the upper cover plate of the single cell 2, and the top of the hollow member is hermetically connected to the area of the top plate of the housing corresponding to the avoidance hole. Among them, welding can be used to achieve the hermetic connection.

[0051] It should be noted that the polarity terminal 3 of the single cell 2 here can be the pole column of the single cell 2. If it is to prevent the pole column of the single cell 2 from not being able to smoothly extend out of the avoidance hole as the polarity terminal 3, a pole column adapter can also be connected to the pole column of the single cell 2, and the overall structure formed by the cooperation of the pole column of the single cell 2 and the pole column adapter is used as the polarity terminal 3 of the single cell 2.

[0052] The above-mentioned housing 1 is provided with a shared chamber, and the inner cavity of the shared chamber communicates with the inner cavities of all the single cells 2. By placing multiple single cells 2 in a housing 1 with a shared chamber and making the shared chamber communicate with the inner cavities of each single cell 2 located in the housing 1, the differences between the single cells are reduced, and the consistency between the single cells is improved to a certain extent, thereby improving the cycle life of the large-capacity battery to a certain extent. The shared chamber specifically includes the following types:

[0053] The shared chamber within the above-mentioned outer shell 1 can be the electrolyte shared chamber 11. The inner cavity of the electrolyte shared chamber 11 is in communication with the electrolyte regions in the inner cavities of all the single cells 2. Through the electrolyte shared chamber 11, each single cell 2 can be in a unified electrolyte environment, ensuring the uniformity of the electrolyte within each single cell 2, and improving the performance and charge-discharge cycle life of the large-capacity battery. It should be noted here that the above-mentioned electrolyte shared chamber 11 is an electrolyte containment chamber. After it is in communication with the electrolyte regions in the inner cavities of each single cell 2, it is necessary to ensure that the electrolyte in the entire large-capacity battery does not come into contact with the external environment.

[0054] The shared chamber within the above-mentioned outer shell 1 can be the gas shared chamber 12. The inner cavity of the gas shared chamber 12 is in communication with the gas regions in the inner cavities of all the single cells 2. Through the gas shared chamber 12, the gas balance of each single cell 2 can be achieved, and it can also improve the performance and charge-discharge cycle life of the large-capacity battery. In this structure, the upper cover plate of the single cell 2 is provided with a gas port that penetrates through the inner cavity of the single cell 2. At this time, the inner cavity of the gas shared chamber 12 is in communication with the gas regions in the inner cavities of each single cell 2 through this gas port. Based on the gas shared chamber 12, the gas regions of each single cell 2 can be connected to achieve gas balance.

[0055] The above-mentioned shared chamber can be a gas-liquid shared chamber. The inner cavity of the gas-liquid shared chamber is in communication with both the electrolyte region and the gas region in the inner cavities of all the single cells 2. Through one gas-liquid shared chamber, each single cell 2 can be in a unified electrolyte environment and gas environment, improving the performance and charge-discharge cycle life of the large-capacity battery. Specifically, when setting, a protrusion extending along the arrangement direction of the single cells 2 is provided on the side plate of the outer shell 1, and a gas-liquid shared chamber is formed at the protrusion part. The gas-liquid shared chamber is in communication with both the electrolyte region and the gas region of each single cell 2.

[0056] The above-mentioned shared chamber can also simultaneously include the electrolyte shared chamber 11 and the gas shared chamber 12. The inner cavity of the electrolyte shared chamber 11 is in communication with the electrolyte regions in the inner cavities of all the single cells 2, and the inner cavity of the gas shared chamber 12 is in communication with the gas regions in the inner cavities of all the single cells 2. The above-mentioned large-capacity battery places multiple single cells 2 inside an outer shell 1 having a shared chamber. By using the shared chamber to communicate with the inner cavities of each single cell 2 located within the outer shell 1, the electrolyte and gas of each single cell 2 are shared to ensure the consistency of each single cell 2. That is, the electrolytes and gases of each single cell 2 are connected, so that the electrolytes and gases of all single cells 2 are in the same system, reducing the differences between each single cell 2, and to a certain extent improving the consistency between each single cell 2, thereby to a certain extent improving the cycle life of the large-capacity battery.

[0057] The above-mentioned shared chamber may also include an electrolyte shared chamber 11 and a gas shared chamber 12 at the same time. The inner cavity of the electrolyte shared chamber 11 is communicated with the electrolyte areas in the inner cavities of all the single cells 2. The gas shared chamber 12 is a gas passage located between the top plate of the outer shell 1 and each single cell 2, and this gas passage covers the explosion relief parts (specifically, explosion relief membranes) of each single cell 2. At this time, the upper cover plate of the single cell 2 is provided with a gas port communicating with the inner cavity of the single cell 2, and an explosion relief membrane is provided at this explosion relief port to form an explosion relief part; when the explosion relief part of any single cell 2 is broken through by the hot runaway flue gas in the inner cavity, the gas area in the inner cavity of this single cell 2 is communicated with the inner cavity of the gas chamber. At this time, the gas shared chamber 12 is used as a shared explosion relief passage, improving the safety of this large-capacity battery.

[0058] The outer shell 1 provided with the gas shared chamber 12 and the electrolyte shared chamber 11 may be specifically implemented by the following structures:

[0059] 1) The outer shell 1 includes a cylinder body, an upper cover plate, and a lower cover plate; both the top and bottom of the cylinder body are open. The upper cover plate is hermetically fixed (welded) to the top of the cylinder body, and avoidance holes are opened on the upper cover plate to allow the pole columns of each single cell 2 to protrude. The lower cover plate is hermetically fixed (welded) to the bottom of the cylinder body. At the same time, the upper cover plate is provided with a protrusion extending along the arrangement direction of the single cells 2, and a gas shared chamber 12 is formed at the protrusion part. The lower cover plate is provided with a protrusion extending along the arrangement direction of the single cells 2, and an electrolyte shared chamber 11 is formed at the protrusion part.

[0060] 2) The outer shell 1 includes a U-shaped housing, a first cover plate, a third cover plate, and a second cover plate; the first cover plate and the third cover plate respectively cover two opposite open ends of the U-shaped housing; the second cover plate covers the open end at the top of the U-shaped housing and is hermetically connected to this open end, and avoidance holes are opened on the second cover plate to allow the pole columns of each single cell 2 to protrude. At the same time, the second cover plate is provided with a protrusion extending along the arrangement direction of the single cells 2, and a gas shared chamber 12 is formed at the protrusion part. An electrolyte shared chamber 11 is provided at the bottom of the U-shaped housing, and the electrolyte shared chamber 11 is a liquid passage provided between the bottom plate of the outer shell 1 and each single cell 2.

[0061] 3) The outer shell 1 includes a cylinder body, a first end plate, and a second end plate; both the front and rear of the cylinder body are open. The first end plate is hermetically fixed (welded) to the front of the cylinder body, and the second end plate is hermetically fixed (welded) to the rear of the cylinder body. Avoidance holes are opened on the top of the cylinder body to allow the pole columns of each single cell 2 to protrude. The top of the cylinder body is provided with a protrusion extending along the arrangement direction of the single cells 2, and a gas shared chamber 12 is formed at the protrusion part. An electrolyte shared chamber 11 is provided at the bottom of the cylinder body, and the electrolyte shared chamber 11 is a liquid passage provided between the bottom plate of the cylinder body or the support plate and the bottoms of each single cell 2.

[0062] Such as Figure 1As shown in the figure, in order to further improve the safety of the large-capacity battery during use, a pressure relief mechanism 4 communicating with the inner cavity of the outer shell 1 is provided on the outer shell 1 of the large-capacity battery. The pressure relief mechanism 4 specifically includes a pressure relief pipe and a pressure relief part. The pressure relief pipe is connected to the pressure relief port of the large-capacity battery, and the pressure relief part is provided on the pressure relief pipe or at the pressure relief port of the large-capacity battery. Among them, the pressure relief part can specifically be a pressure relief membrane or a pressure relief valve. This pressure relief mechanism can ensure that when the large-capacity battery undergoes thermal runaway, the thermal runaway flue gas inside it can be discharged smoothly, avoiding potential safety hazards such as explosion inside the outer shell of the large-capacity battery.

[0063] During specific connection, the pressure relief mechanism 4 is provided on the outer shell 1 and is connected to at least one of the electrolyte sharing chamber 11 and the gas sharing chamber 12. When both the electrolyte sharing chamber 11 and the gas sharing chamber 12 are connected to the pressure relief mechanism 4, two sets of pressure relief mechanisms 4 are provided on the outer shell 1, and the two sets of pressure relief mechanisms 4 are respectively connected to the electrolyte sharing chamber 11 and the gas sharing chamber 12. This setting enables the large-capacity battery to have two pressure relief channels. When any single battery 2 undergoes thermal runaway, the thermal runaway flue gas is discharged from different pressure relief channels, and the heat and thermal runaway flue gas accumulated in the pressure relief channels and the single battery 2 can be reduced in a short time, reducing the explosion risk.

[0064] As Figure 2 shown in the figure, to ensure that the expansion of the housing of the single battery 2 does not affect the outer shell 1, a first elastic member 5 is provided inside the outer shell 1 in this embodiment. Specifically, at least one set of adjacent single batteries 2 is provided with a first elastic member 5 that can undergo elastic deformation. The first elastic member 5 has the following functions:

[0065] First, when the single battery 2 undergoes expansion deformation, the first elastic member 5 is squeezed by the single battery 2 and undergoes elastic deformation. After the first elastic member 5 undergoes elastic deformation, it can provide an expansion space for the expansion of the single battery 2, so that the expansion deformation of the single battery 2 does not cause extrusion to the outer shell 1, avoiding the outer shell 1 from being extruded and deformed and leaking, thereby improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery;

[0066] Second, when the large-capacity battery is working normally, the first elastic member 5 is provided between two single batteries 2. After it undergoes elastic deformation, it can provide a certain pre-pressure to the single battery 2. The pre-pressure inhibits the deformation of the housings of two adjacent single batteries 2 caused by bulging, reducing the probability of dangerous accidents such as internal short circuit and thermal runaway caused by bulging deformation, and further improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery;

[0067] Thirdly, when the single cell 2 expands and deforms, the first elastic member 5 can provide an expansion space for the expansion of the single cell 2. The expanded single cell 2 will not exert extrusion on adjacent single cells 2, or can reduce the extrusion on adjacent single cells 2 to a certain extent, thereby improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery.

[0068] When the above-mentioned first elastic member 5 is specifically installed, it can be arranged between any adjacent single cells 2. That is, among the N single cells 2, the first elastic member 5 can be provided between any two adjacent single cells 2. At this time, the number of the first elastic members 5 is at least one, and the number can be set according to requirements. Figure 2 The large-capacity battery includes 13 single cells 2, and it is provided with 6 first elastic members 5, and each first elastic member 5 is arranged between any adjacent single cells 2.

[0069] Preferably, as Figure 3 shown, among the N single cells 2, the first elastic member 5 is provided between all adjacent single cells 2, that is, the number of the first elastic members 5 is N - 1, and the first elastic member 5 is provided between adjacent single cells 2. When the multiple single cells 2 arranged in the housing 1 expand and deform, this setting can provide a sufficient expansion space for the expansion of the single cells 2, further improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery. At the same time, when any single cell 2 expands, it will not exert extrusion on adjacent single cells 2, improving the reliability of the large-capacity battery.

[0070] On the basis of the above structure, as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a second elastic member 6 capable of elastic deformation may also be provided between the first single battery 2 and the end plate 13 of the outer casing 1, and between the Nth single battery 2 and the end plate 13 of the outer casing 1. That is, the second elastic member 6 is provided on the two end faces of the first single battery 2 and the Nth single battery 2 that are away from each other. The second elastic member 6 provides an expansion space, so that the expansion deformation of the outermost single batteries 2 will not cause extrusion to the outer casing 1, avoiding the problems of deformation and leakage caused by the extrusion of the outer casing 1. At the same time, the second elastic member 6 can suppress the deformation caused by expansion on the two side faces of the first single battery 2 and the Nth single battery 2 that are away from each other, reducing the probability of dangerous accidents such as internal short circuit and thermal runaway caused by bulging deformation. In addition, the second elastic member 6 can also protect the outer casing 1 and the single battery 2, avoiding friction between the end plate 13 of the outer casing 1 and the single battery 2 during installation, and further damaging the end plate 13 of the outer casing 1 and the single battery 2. Finally, since the second elastic member 6 is a component with elastic deformation, after installation, it can adjust the thickness of the second elastic member 6 according to the gap between the end plate 13 of the outer casing 1 and the first single battery 2 and the Nth single battery 2, so that the second elastic member 6 can position and install each single battery 2, avoiding the shaking of each single battery 2 in the outer casing 1, and further improving the safety of the large-capacity battery.

[0071] The above-mentioned first elastic member 5 and second elastic member 6 may have the same structure or different structures. The first elastic member 5 and second elastic member 6 in this embodiment may be specifically implemented by the following structures:

[0072] First, the first elastic member 5 and the second elastic member 6 are elastic pads;

[0073] The elastic pad may be specifically made of a material insoluble in the electrolyte. For example, it may be specifically an elastic rubber pad insoluble in the electrolyte. Preferably, the elastic pad may be made of a material insoluble in the electrolyte and flame-retardant, further improving the safety of the large-capacity battery;

[0074] Second, the first elastic member 5 and the second elastic member 6 include two Belleville spring washers, also called diaphragm springs; the two Belleville spring washers are installed back-to-back between adjacent single batteries 2;

[0075] Third, the first elastic member 5 and the second elastic member 6 include a first mounting plate and a second mounting plate, and a plurality of compression springs are fixedly installed between the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate. During installation, the first mounting plate and the second mounting plate are respectively in contact with the two opposite side faces of the adjacent single battery 2.

[0076] Compared with the first elastic member 5 and the second elastic member 6 of the first structure, the installation of the first elastic member 5 and the second elastic member 6 of the second structure is relatively complex. Moreover, after installation, the installation position of the disc spring is prone to deviation; the structure of the first elastic member 5 and the second elastic member 6 of the third structure is relatively complex, and after installation, it occupies a large space of the housing 1, reducing the density of the large-capacity battery.

[0077] In this embodiment, the first elastic member 5 and the second elastic member 6 are preferably elastic pads, which have good elasticity and buffering performance: the size of the elastic pad is the same as or slightly smaller than the long side wall size of the single cell 2. The long side wall of the single cell 2 refers to the side wall of the single cell parallel to the yz plane; at the same time, the thickness of the elastic pad is less than the gap between the long side walls of the adjacent single cells 2. After installation, the two end faces of the elastic pad are respectively in close contact with the two long side walls of the adjacent single cells 2 that are close to each other, and the adjacent single cells 2 exert extrusion on the elastic pad, and the elastic pad provides a pre-pressure for the adjacent two single cells 2.

[0078] In addition, the elastic pad in this embodiment can also be set as a hollow structure, or there are a plurality of heat dissipation and weight reduction holes on the elastic pad. The elastic pad being a hollow structure or having heat dissipation and weight reduction holes can not only further enable the elastic pad to absorb the expansion force of the single cell 2 to provide a larger expansion space for the single cell 2, but also improve the heat dissipation effect of each single cell 2, and at the same time reduce the self-weight of the large-capacity battery.

[0079] Embodiment 2

[0080] As Figure 6 and Figure 7 shown, the large-capacity battery in this embodiment is similar to the large-capacity battery in Embodiment 1. The difference is that in the large-capacity battery in this embodiment, third elastic members 7 capable of elastic deformation are respectively provided between each single cell 2 and the two side plates 14 of the housing 1. After installation, the third elastic members 7 are respectively in contact with the short side walls of each single cell 2 and the side plates 14 of the housing, wherein the two side plates 14 of the housing 1 and the short side walls of each single cell 2 are all parallel to the xz plane. [[ID=…]]

[0081] The structure of the above-mentioned third elastic member 7 is similar to the structure of the first elastic member 5 in Embodiment 1. In this embodiment, the third elastic member 7 can specifically be an elastic pad; at the same time, the size of the third elastic member 7 is slightly smaller than the size of the two side plates 14 of the housing 1. The third elastic member 7 between each single cell 2 and the two side plates 14 of the housing 1 has the following functions:

[0082] First, when the single cell 2 expands and deforms, the third elastic member 7 can provide an expansion space for the expansion of the single cell 2 in the y direction, so that the expansion and deformation of the single cell 2 will not cause extrusion to the outer shell 1, avoiding the deformation and leakage of the outer shell 1 caused by extrusion, and thus improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery;

[0083] Second, when the large-capacity battery is working normally, the third elastic member 7 can provide a certain pre-pressure for each single cell 2 in the y direction. The pre-pressure suppresses the bulging deformation of the single cell 2 in the y direction, reducing the probability of dangerous accidents such as internal short circuit and thermal runaway caused by the bulging deformation, and further improving the performance and safety of the large-capacity battery;

[0084] Third, the third elastic member 7 can also protect each single cell 2 and the outer shell, avoiding friction between the side plate 14 of the outer shell 1 and the single cell 2 during installation, and thus damaging the side plate 14 of the outer shell 1 and the single cell 2. At the same time, when the large-capacity battery is subjected to an external impact, the third elastic member 7 provides a buffering force and protection, which can effectively prevent the continuous intrusion of the impact force, reduce the impact force received by the single cell 2 blocks, and thus protect the single cells 2 inside the outer shell 1;

[0085] Fourth, the third elastic member 7 is a component with elastic deformation. After installation, it can adjust the thickness of the third elastic member 7 according to the gap between the side plate 14 of the outer shell 1 and each single cell 2, so that the third elastic member 7 can position and install each single cell 2, avoiding the shaking of each single cell 2 inside the outer shell 1.

[0086] Embodiment 3

[0087] To improve the safety of the above large-capacity battery during use, based on the large-capacity battery in Embodiment 1 or Embodiment 2, the large-capacity battery in this embodiment is provided with a heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit is mainly used for heat exchange with each large-capacity battery. The heat exchange unit can be a heat transfer plate or a heat transfer tube 8 that contacts the polar terminal 3 of the large-capacity battery or the outer shell 1. The above heat transfer plate or heat transfer tube 8 is connected to an external chiller or air conditioner through a temperature control pipeline assembly to control the temperature of the large-capacity battery.

[0088] Such as Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown in the figure, the heat exchange unit in this embodiment is the heat transfer pipe 8, which is mainly used to exchange heat with the polar terminals 3 of the large-capacity battery, thereby realizing the temperature control of the large-capacity battery. When the heat transfer pipe 8 is specifically installed, a clamping portion 31 is provided at the part where the polar terminals 3 of each single battery 2 extend out of the avoidance hole. Each heat transfer pipe 8 is fixedly connected to the clamping portion 31 of each single battery 2 one by one, so that the heat transfer pipe 8 is directly connected to the polar terminals 3 of each single battery 2, and the heat on the polar terminals 3 where the heat is relatively concentrated is timely exported to ensure that the large-capacity battery operates within the optimal temperature range. In addition, when the temperature of the large-capacity battery is lower than the set threshold, a heat transfer medium with a higher temperature is introduced into the heat transfer pipe 8 to heat up the large-capacity battery; by controlling the temperature of the heat transfer medium, it can be ensured that the large-capacity battery always operates at the normal working temperature.

[0089] As Figure 8 shown in the figure, in this embodiment, a through groove or a through hole is opened at the part where the polar terminal 3 of the single battery 2 extends out of the avoidance hole as the clamping portion 31; compared with the through hole, the through groove is more convenient for on-site installation and has relatively low requirements for installation. For the above-mentioned through groove setting, the cross-section of the through groove is in a C shape or a U shape. For the through groove with a C-shaped cross-section, the opening width is smaller than the widest part of the through groove. Such a design is conducive to the interference fit of the heat transfer pipe 8 in the through groove. The arc formed at both ends of the C-shaped through groove has a natural tension, which is conducive to tightly clamping the heat transfer pipe 8 in the through groove.

[0090] As Figure 8 shown in the figure, the above-mentioned heat transfer pipe 8 is a pipeline with a heat exchange function, and there is no requirement for the cross-sectional shape of the heat transfer pipe 8, as long as it can contact the polar terminal 3 of the single battery 2 for heat exchange. For example, a square pipe, an oval pipe, a circular pipe, etc. can be used. In this embodiment, the heat transfer pipe 8 is preferably a circular pipe, which is convenient for installation and can be made of existing metal pipes, and the cost is relatively low. At the same time, in order to improve the heat exchange effect, the heat transfer pipe 8 is made of a metal pipe with good thermal conductivity, such as an aluminum pipe, a copper pipe, etc. Preferably, the above-mentioned heat transfer pipe 8 uses an aluminum pipe with good heat conduction effect and relatively low cost.

[0091] After the above-mentioned heat transfer pipe 8 is connected to the polar terminal 3 of the large-capacity battery, in order to ensure the safety of the large-capacity battery during operation, insulation needs to be carried out between the heat transfer pipe 8 and the polar terminal 3 of the large-capacity battery. The following specific methods can be used to achieve this insulation:

[0092] First, perform insulation treatment on the polar terminal 3; specifically, an insulating layer is provided on the part where the polar terminal 3 of each single battery 2 contacts the heat transfer pipe 8;

[0093] Second, an insulating and heat-conducting member is provided between the polar terminal 3 and the heat transfer pipe 8; specifically, an insulating plastic pad, an insulating rubber pad, a heat-conducting ceramic pad, etc. are provided between the polar terminal 3 of each single battery 2 and the heat transfer pipe 8;

[0094] Third, insulate the heat transfer tube 8;

[0095] When insulating the heat transfer tube 8, the heat transfer tube 8 made of an insulating material can be used to achieve insulation. For example, a plastic tube or a ceramic tube, etc. However, for a metal tube, the thermal conductivity of a plastic tube or a ceramic tube is relatively poor. Therefore, the heat transfer tube 8 is preferably a metal tube. At this time, as Figure 8 and Figure 9 shown, an insulating layer or an insulating sleeve is provided on the metal tube to ensure the insulation between the metal tube and the large-capacity battery during use. When the insulating layer is provided on the metal tube, the insulating layer is formed on the tube wall of the metal tube. Here, the tube wall can be the outer tube wall of the metal tube or the inner tube wall, preferably the outer tube wall. Specifically, the insulating layer can be a ceramic coating (i.e., a high-temperature electrical insulating coating, such as a boron nitride or alumina, copper fluoride coating), insulating paint, an enamel insulating layer, or the aluminum tube is oxidized to form a hard anodized layer. The insulating sleeve can be specifically processed and made of an insulating material with good heat conduction performance, so that it has excellent heat conduction performance and good insulation performance at the same time. Specifically, the insulating sleeve uses a heat-conducting plastic sleeve or a heat-conducting rubber sleeve with good insulation performance and heat conduction performance, such as a heat-conducting silica gel sleeve, etc. Preferably, an insulating layer and an insulating sleeve are provided on the heat transfer tube 8 at the same time to form a double-insulation structure; this double-insulation setting enables the heat transfer tube 8 to maintain reliable insulation performance with the large-capacity battery even if one of the insulating layer or the insulating sleeve is damaged when the heat transfer tube 8 exchanges heat with the large-capacity battery, thereby improving the safety of the large-capacity battery during use.

[0096] Example 4

[0097] During the long-term use of the large-capacity battery, due to the temperature difference inside and outside the heat transfer tube 8, condensation will occur on the surface. When the condensation accumulates to a certain amount, it will seep into the gap between the polar terminal 3 of the single battery 2 and the avoidance hole, resulting in electrical conduction between the polar terminal 3 of the single battery 2 and the housing 1, and thus may cause a short circuit of the same single battery 2.

[0098] This embodiment optimizes the structure of the large-capacity battery in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 3. As Figure 10 and Figure 11 shown, by optimizing the top structure of the large-capacity battery, an insulating sealant layer is laid on the top plate of the housing 1 to overcome the above problems. The end faces of the polar terminals 3 of each single battery 2 protrude from the insulating sealant layer for connection with electrical connectors; the liquid inlet port and the liquid outlet port of the heat transfer tube 8 protrude from the insulating sealant layer. Among them, the electrical connector is a connecting device for realizing the parallel connection of each single battery 2, or a connecting device for realizing the series connection of two large-capacity batteries, or can also be a connecting device for connecting the large-capacity battery with an external load.

[0099] In this embodiment, an insulating and sealing adhesive layer is laid on the top plate of the outer shell 1, and partial areas of the polar terminals 3 of each single battery 2 are covered by the insulating and sealing adhesive layer, and the end faces of the polar terminals 3 of each single battery 2 protrude from the insulating and sealing adhesive layer and are connected to electrical connectors; the main body parts of the heat transfer tubes 8 are all covered by the insulating and sealing adhesive layer, and the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end of the heat transfer tubes 8 protrude from the insulating and sealing adhesive layer and are used to connect to the liquid inlet manifold tube and the liquid return manifold tube.

[0100] In some other embodiments, the thickness of the insulating and sealing adhesive layer can be smaller, lower than the main body part of the heat transfer tube 8, or only cover partial areas of the main body part of the heat transfer tube 8, as long as it is ensured that condensation cannot enter the gap between the polar terminal 3 of the single battery 2 and the avoidance hole.

[0101] The insulating and sealing adhesive adopted in this embodiment is generally the battery potting adhesive commonly used for batteries. For example, silicone thermal conductive potting adhesive can be used, as long as it has good functions such as sealing, insulation, vibration resistance, heat dissipation and waterproofing. In order to prevent the insulating and sealing adhesive liquid from overflowing, in the process of injecting the adhesive in this embodiment, a glue injection mold can also be added along the four peripheries of the top plate of the outer shell 1 to ensure that the insulating and sealing adhesive liquid can be smoothly injected. After the injection is completed, demolding can be carried out.

[0102] Such as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown in the figure, on the basis of the above structure, an insulating protective cover 9 is further arranged on the top of the large-capacity battery in this embodiment, so as to provide insulating protection for the polar terminal 3, avoiding potential safety hazards that may exist when the polar terminal 3 is exposed during the operation of the large-capacity battery, and also avoiding the problem that some foreign objects in the external environment fall into the position of the polar terminal 3 and cause a short circuit of the large-capacity battery, improving the safety of the large-capacity battery.

[0103] It should be noted that if the insulating protective cover 9 wraps the polar terminal 3 completely, it will cause difficulties in the electrical connection of such large-capacity batteries. Therefore, in this embodiment, a slit is opened on the side wall of the insulating protective cover 9, and through this slit, the electrical connector can be connected to the polar terminal 3 of the large-capacity battery, thereby realizing the electrical connection. It should also be noted that channels for the liquid inlet end and the liquid outlet end of the heat transfer tube 8 to protrude need to be opened on the side wall of the insulating protective cover 9.

Claims

1. A large-capacity battery, characterized in that, It includes a housing and N single cells arranged in the housing along the x direction; a shared chamber is provided in the housing, and the inner cavity of the shared chamber is communicated with the inner cavities of all the single cells; avoidance holes are provided on the top plate of the housing corresponding to the polarity terminals of each single cell; the polarity terminals of each single cell extend out of the avoidance holes, and the area of the top plate of the housing corresponding to the avoidance holes is fixedly sealed with the housing of the single cell; at least one set of adjacent single cells is provided with a first elastic member capable of elastic deformation.

2. The large-capacity battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, Among the N single cells, a first elastic member is provided between adjacent single cells.

3. The large-capacity battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, A second elastic member capable of elastic deformation is respectively provided between the first single cell and the end plate of the housing and between the Nth single cell and the end plate of the housing, wherein the end plate of the housing is parallel to the yz plane.

4. The large-capacity battery according to claim 1, wherein A third elastic member capable of elastic deformation is respectively provided between each single cell and the two side plates of the housing, wherein the two side plates of the housing are both parallel to the xz plane.

5. The large-capacity battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first elastic member is an elastic pad, and the elastic pad is made of a material insoluble in the electrolyte.

6. The large-capacity battery according to claim 5, wherein The elastic pad is provided with heat dissipation and weight reduction holes, or the elastic pad is a hollow structure.

7. The large-capacity battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The shared chamber includes an electrolyte shared chamber and a gas shared chamber; The electrolyte shared chamber is communicated with the electrolyte areas of each single cell; The gas shared chamber is communicated with the gas areas of each single cell, or the gas shared chamber is a gas channel located between the top plate of the housing and each single cell, and the gas channel covers the explosion venting part of each single cell. When the explosion venting part of any single cell is broken through by the hot runaway flue gas in the inner cavity, the gas area of the single cell is communicated with the gas channel.

8. The large-capacity battery according to claim 7, wherein, An explosion venting mechanism communicated with the inner cavity of the housing is provided on the housing, and the explosion venting mechanism is communicated with both the electrolyte shared chamber and the gas shared chamber.

9. The large-capacity battery according to claim 7, characterized in that, A clamping part is provided at the part where the polarity terminal of each single cell extends out of the avoidance hole, and a heat transfer tube is fixedly arranged on the clamping part of the polarity terminal of each single cell one by one, and the heat transfer tube is insulated from the polarity terminal of each single cell; the clamping part is a through groove or a through hole provided at the part where the polarity terminal of each single cell extends out of the avoidance hole.

10. The large-capacity battery according to claim 9, wherein An insulating and sealing glue layer is laid on the top plate of the housing, the heat transfer tube is buried in the insulating and sealing glue layer, and the liquid inlet port and the liquid outlet port of the heat transfer tube extend out of the insulating and sealing glue layer. An insulating protective cover is provided at the top of the housing, and the polarity terminals of each single cell are located in the insulating protective cover.

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