Telescopic tab structure, battery and tab forming clamp

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of lithium ion batteries, and discloses a telescopic tab structure, a battery and a tab forming clamp. The tab structure comprises an exposed part exposed out of the battery cell; the exposed part comprises a flat welding section and an elastic wrinkle section; the welding section is arranged on one side, far away from the battery cell, of the wrinkle section and is used for welding a protection plate; and the wrinkle section is driven to deform, so that the exposed part can stretch or swing within a certain range. According to the tab structure provided by the utility model, the tabs can have certain elastic deformation and telescopic performance while the welding ends are kept flat, so that the problem that the tabs are fractured or welding spots are invalid due to stress is effectively solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of lithium-ion batteries, in particular to a retractable tab structure, a battery and a tab forming fixture. Background Art

[0002] Tabs are important electrode connectors in batteries. During battery production, tabs typically undergo multiple processing steps to ensure their electrical conductivity and mechanical properties. In particular, during the tab connection to the protective plate, the exposed end of the tab must remain flat to facilitate welding. However, in some applications, tabs also need to possess a certain degree of elasticity and flexibility to prevent stress-induced breakage or solder joint failure. For example, during battery assembly or use, tabs must be able to adapt to deformation, otherwise they are prone to breakage or solder joint failure.

[0003] Currently, tab processing methods typically flatten the tabs uniformly without addressing any treatment or structural design related to tab elasticity. Consequently, existing tabs struggle to meet elasticity requirements. Therefore, designing a tab that is both elastic and convenient for welding, as well as a fixture for preparing the tab, has become a pressing technical challenge.

[0004] The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure and is not a determination or admission that any of the above may be applicable as prior art with respect to the present disclosure. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the present utility model is to provide a retractable tab structure, a battery and a tab forming fixture, so as to solve or at least partially solve the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve this purpose, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a retractable tab structure, comprising an exposed portion exposed outside a battery cell; the exposed portion comprises a flat welding section and an elastic pleated section; the welding section is provided on a side of the pleated section away from the battery cell and is used for welding a protective plate;

[0008] The pleated section is driven to deform, so that the exposed portion can expand, contract or swing within a certain range.

[0009] Optionally, the pleated section is serpentine or wavy.

[0010] In a second aspect, the present invention further provides a battery, comprising a battery cell and a tab structure electrically connected to the battery cell, wherein the tab structure adopts a retractable tab structure as described above.

[0011] Optionally, the battery is a lithium-ion battery.

[0012] In a third aspect, the present invention further provides a tab forming fixture for preparing a retractable tab structure as described above, comprising a tab pressing die;

[0013] The tab pressing die comprises two pleat pressing blocks arranged opposite to each other, with a plurality of pressing teeth spaced apart on surfaces of the two pleat pressing blocks adjacent to each other. When the two pleat pressing blocks are brought closer together, the tab portion between the two pleat pressing blocks can be pressed into an elastic pleat segment.

[0014] The tab pressing mold also includes two flat pressing blocks arranged opposite to each other, and the surfaces of the two wrinkled pressing blocks close to each other are both set as flat pressing surfaces; when the two flat pressing blocks are close to each other, the tab part placed between the two flat pressing blocks can be pressed into a flat welding section.

[0015] Optionally, the tab forming fixture further comprises a base for mounting the tab pressing die, wherein the base comprises an upper mounting seat and a lower mounting seat that are arranged opposite to each other;

[0016] The upper mounting seat is equipped with one of the pleat pressing blocks; the lower mounting seat is equipped with another of the pleat pressing blocks;

[0017] When the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are brought close to each other, the pressing teeth on the two pleat pressing blocks engage with each other, pressing the tab portion located between the two pleat pressing blocks into a serpentine or wavy pleat segment.

[0018] Optionally, the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are each installed with one of the flattening pressing blocks;

[0019] An arc chamfer is formed on one side edge of the pressing surface close to the pleat pressing block.

[0020] Optionally, the upper mounting seat is connected to a driving assembly for driving the upper mounting seat to move toward and approach the lower mounting seat.

[0021] Optionally, the upper mounting seat is further provided with a tab cutting knife; the tab cutting knife is provided on a side of the flat pressing block away from the wrinkle pressing block and close to the flat pressing block, and is used to cut off the tab portion whose exposed portion exceeds a predetermined length;

[0022] When the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are brought closer to each other, the blade of the tab cutting knife contacts and cuts off the tab portion extending from between the two flattened pressing blocks.

[0023] Optionally, a plurality of first pressing teeth are arranged at intervals on one of the pleat pressing blocks, and a plurality of second pressing teeth are arranged at intervals on the other pleat pressing block;

[0024] The first pressing teeth and the second pressing teeth are staggered, and when the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are brought closer to each other, the first pressing teeth can just fit into a gap formed between two adjacent second pressing teeth.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] The tab forming fixture provided by the utility model can press a part of the exposed portion of the tab into a wrinkled shape during the tab cutting process, so that the tab has a certain elastic deformation and stretchability. At the same time, the end of the exposed portion is flattened and pressed to facilitate welding of the tab. During battery assembly or use, the wrinkled shape enables the tab to adapt to deformation, effectively solving the problem of tab breakage or solder joint failure caused by stress.

[0027] The present invention has other features and advantages, which will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and subsequent detailed descriptions incorporated herein, or will be described in detail in the accompanying drawings and subsequent detailed descriptions incorporated herein, which together serve to explain the specific principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a structural principle diagram of a tab forming fixture provided by an embodiment of the utility model.

[0030] Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of a battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention before the tab shaping process is performed.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a front view structural diagram of a battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention before the tab shaping process is performed.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of a battery after the tab shaping process provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] In the figure: 10, base; 20, pleat pressing block; 21, pressing teeth; 30, flat pressing block; 31, pressing surface; 311, arc chamfer; 40, tab cutting knife; 50, battery cell; 51, exposed part; 511, pleat section; 512, welding section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] In order to explain in detail the possible application scenarios, technical principles, specific solutions that can be implemented, and the purpose and effects of this application, the following is a detailed description of the specific embodiments listed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described herein are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of this application and are therefore only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0035] References to "embodiments" herein mean that the specific features, structures, or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the word "embodiment" in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it particularly limit its independence or relevance to other embodiments. In principle, in this application, as long as there are no technical contradictions or conflicts, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any manner to form a corresponding implementable technical solution.

[0036] Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs; the use of relevant terms herein is only for describing specific embodiments and is not intended to limit this application.

[0037] In the description of this application, the term "and / or" is used to describe a logical relationship between objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B means: A exists, B exists, and both A and B exist. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the objects before and after are in a logical "or" relationship.

[0038] In this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are merely used to distinguish one entity or operation from another entity or operation, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual quantity, priority or sequence relationship between these entities or operations.

[0039] Without further limitations, in this application, the words "include", "comprise", "have" or other similar expressions used in the sentences are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. These expressions do not exclude the presence of additional elements in the process, method or product including the elements, so that the process, method or product including a series of elements may include not only those defined elements, but also other elements not explicitly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method or product.

[0040] Consistent with the understanding in the Examination Guidelines, in this application, expressions such as "greater than," "less than," and "exceed" are understood to exclude the number itself; expressions such as "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the number itself. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means more than two (including two), and similar expressions related to "multiple" are also understood in this manner, such as "multiple groups," "multiple times," etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0041] In the description of the embodiments of the present application, the space-related expressions used, such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "vertical", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or position relationship based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the specific embodiments or drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the specific embodiments of the present application or facilitating the reader's understanding, and do not indicate or imply that the device or component referred to must have a specific position, a specific orientation, or be constructed or operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be understood as a limitation on the embodiments of the present application.

[0042] Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, in the description of the embodiments of the present application, the terms "installed", "connected", "connected", "fixed", "set", etc. used should be understood in a broad sense. For example, the "connection" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated setting; it can be a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; it can be the internal connection of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those skilled in the art of the present application, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0043] Example 1:

[0044] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a structural principle diagram of a tab forming fixture provided by an embodiment of the utility model.

[0045] The tab forming fixture includes a tab pressing die;

[0046] like Figure 1 As shown, the tab pressing die includes two pleated pressing blocks 20 arranged opposite to each other, and the side surfaces of the two pleated pressing blocks 20 are close to each other ( Figure 1 In the embodiment, a plurality of pressing teeth 21 are provided at intervals on the lower surface of the upper pleat pressing block 20 and the upper surface of the lower pleat pressing block 20; when the two pleat pressing blocks 20 are brought close to each other, the pressing teeth 21 on the two pleat pressing blocks 20 engage with each other, pressing the tab portion between the two pleat pressing blocks 20 into an elastic pleat segment 511;

[0047] Furthermore, the tab pressing die further comprises two flat pressing blocks 30 arranged opposite to each other, and the side surfaces of the two wrinkled pressing blocks 20 close to each other ( Figure 1 In the figure, the lower surface of the upper flat pressing block 30 and the upper surface of the lower flat pressing block 30 are both set as flat pressing surfaces 31; when the two flat pressing blocks 30 are close to each other, the two pressing surfaces 31 respectively fit the upper and lower surfaces of the tab, and the tab part placed between the two flat pressing blocks 30 is pressed into a flat welding section 512.

[0048] Specifically, the tab pressing die is mounted on the base 10;

[0049] like Figure 1 As shown, the base 10 includes an upper mounting seat and a lower mounting seat that are arranged opposite to each other; the upper mounting seat is equipped with a pleat pressing block 20; the lower mounting seat is equipped with another pleat pressing block 20;

[0050] For the convenience of description, the pressing teeth 21 provided on the upper side of the pleat pressing block 20 are defined as first pressing teeth, and the pressing teeth 21 provided on the lower side of the pleat pressing block 20 are defined as second pressing teeth;

[0051] The first pressing teeth and the second pressing teeth are staggered, and when the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are brought closer to each other, the first pressing teeth can just be embedded in the gap formed between the two adjacent second pressing teeth; in the process of the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat approaching each other, the first pressing teeth abut the upper surface of the pole ear and press the pole ear downward, so that the pole ear is gradually bent and pressed into the above-mentioned gap, and then the pole ear part placed between the two pleat pressing blocks 20 is pressed into a serpentine or wavy pleat section 511.

[0052] In addition, the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are each equipped with a flat pressing block 30;

[0053] Because during the process of pressing the tabs with the corrugated pressing block 20, the ends of the tabs for welding need to be flattened simultaneously, and considering that the tabs bend at the junction of the corrugated pressing block 20 and the flat pressing block 30, in this embodiment, a circular chamfer 311 is formed on the edge of one side of the pressing surface 31 close to the corrugated pressing block 20. The setting of the circular chamfer 311 can make the transition between the corrugated section 511 and the welding section 512 of the tab smoother, and can also prevent the tabs from being scratched or broken.

[0054] Furthermore, the upper mounting seat is connected to a driving assembly (not shown in the figure) for driving the upper mounting seat to move toward and approach the lower mounting seat.

[0055] Furthermore, the upper mounting seat is also equipped with a tab cutting knife 40; the tab cutting knife 40 is arranged on the side of the flat pressing block 30 away from the wrinkle pressing block 20 ( Figure 1 The right side of the flat pressing block 30 is provided close to the flat pressing block 30 and is used to cut off the tab portion of the exposed portion 51 that exceeds the predetermined length;

[0056] When the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are brought closer to each other, the blade of the tab cutting knife 40 contacts and cuts off the tab portion extending from between the two flat pressing blocks 30 .

[0057] For easier understanding, please refer to Figure 2-Figure 4 , Figure 2 This is a top view of a battery before the tab shaping process is performed, provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 This is a front view of a battery provided by an embodiment of the present invention before the tab shaping process is performed. Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of a battery after the tab shaping process provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0058] When the tabs are pressed using the tab forming fixture, the battery cells 50 need to be placed as follows: Figure 3 As shown in the figure, the battery cell is gradually pushed to the right toward the tab forming fixture so that the exposed portion 51 is Figure 1 The left side gradually extends into between the upper and lower wrinkle pressing blocks 20, and then to between the upper and lower flat pressing blocks 30. After the feeding of the tab is completed, the driving assembly can be started to drive the upper mounting seat to move toward the lower mounting seat and approach, thereby pressing out the exposed portion 51 of a predetermined shape. At the same time, the excess part of the tab can also be cut during the pressing process, which is very convenient.

[0059] It should be noted that the staff can set the length of the flattening pressing block 30 ( Figure 1In this way, the excess part can be accurately cut off in one step while the tab is being shaped, thereby improving production efficiency.

[0060] Example 2:

[0061] Please refer to Figure 4 , Figure 4 This is a top view of the structure of a battery after the tab shaping process provided by an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, this embodiment provides a retractable tab structure, including an exposed portion 51 exposed outside the battery cell 50; the exposed portion 51 includes a flat welding section 512 and an elastic pleated section 511; the welding section 512 is provided on the side of the pleated section 511 away from the battery cell 50, and is used for welding the protective plate;

[0063] The exposed portion 51 can be pressed by the tab forming fixture described in the first embodiment. Since the first embodiment has already described in detail how to use the tab forming fixture to press the tab, it will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0064] The tab adopts the above structural design. When the folded section 511 is driven to deform, the exposed portion 51 can expand and contract within a certain range (the expansion direction is Figure 4 lateral direction) or swing (swing direction is Figure 4 Longitudinal direction or perpendicular to Figure 4 direction of the paper).

[0065] Specifically, the fold section 511 is serpentine or wavy.

[0066] In summary, by adopting the above-mentioned tab structure, the tab can have a certain elastic deformation and stretching performance. At the same time, the end of the exposed part is still a flat structure, which makes the tab easy to weld; during the assembly or use of the battery, the wrinkled shape enables the tab to adapt to the deformation, effectively solving the problem of stress causing the tab to break or the weld failure. By adopting the above-mentioned tab structure, during the assembly or use of the battery, the wrinkled shape enables the tab to adapt to the deformation, effectively solving the problem of stress causing the tab to break or the weld failure.

[0067] Example 3:

[0068] This embodiment provides a battery comprising a cell 50 and a tab structure electrically connected to the cell 50. The tab structure adopts a retractable tab structure as described in Example 2. Since the tab structure has been described in detail in Example 2, it will not be repeated in this embodiment.

[0069] In this embodiment, the battery is a lithium-ion battery.

[0070] In summary, in the battery provided in this embodiment, during assembly or use of the battery, the tabs can adaptively deform according to the influence of stress and will not easily break or suffer weld failure, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0071] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some of the technical features therein. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A retractable tab structure, comprising an exposed portion (51) exposed outside a battery cell (50); characterized in that: The exposed portion (51) comprises a flat welding section (512) and an elastic fold section (511); the welding section (512) is provided on a side of the fold section (511) away from the battery core (50) and is used for welding the protective plate; The pleated section (511) is driven to deform, so that the exposed portion (51) can expand, contract or swing within a certain range.

2. The retractable tab structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pleated section (511) is serpentine or wavy.

3. A battery comprising a battery cell (50) and a tab structure electrically connected to the battery cell (50), characterized in that: The tab structure adopts a retractable tab structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2.

4. A battery according to claim 3, characterized in that: The battery is a lithium-ion battery.

5. A tab forming fixture for preparing a retractable tab structure as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: Including tab pressing mold; The tab pressing die comprises two pleated pressing blocks (20) arranged opposite to each other, and a plurality of pressing teeth (21) are provided at intervals on the surfaces of the two pleated pressing blocks (20) that are close to each other; when the two pleated pressing blocks (20) are brought close to each other, the tab portion between the two pleated pressing blocks (20) can be pressed into an elastic pleated segment (511); The tab pressing mold further comprises two flat pressing blocks (30) arranged opposite to each other, and the surfaces of the two wrinkled pressing blocks (20) on one side close to each other are both set as flat pressing surfaces (31); when the two flat pressing blocks (30) are close to each other, the tab portion placed between the two flat pressing blocks (30) can be pressed into a flat welding section (512).

6. The tab forming fixture according to claim 5, characterized in that: It also includes a base (10) for mounting the tab pressing die, the base (10) including an upper mounting seat and a lower mounting seat that are arranged opposite to each other; The upper mounting seat is provided with one of the pleat pressing blocks (20); the lower mounting seat is provided with another of the pleat pressing blocks (20); When the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are brought close together, the pressing teeth (21) on the two pleat pressing blocks (20) engage with each other, pressing the tab portion between the two pleat pressing blocks (20) into a serpentine or wavy pleat segment (511).

7. The tab forming fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are respectively equipped with a flattening pressing block (30); A circular chamfer (311) is formed on one side edge of the pressing surface (31) close to the wrinkle pressing block (20).

8. The tab forming fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper mounting seat is connected to a driving assembly for driving the upper mounting seat to move toward and approach the lower mounting seat.

9. The tab forming fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that: The upper mounting seat is also equipped with a tab cutting knife (40); the tab cutting knife (40) is arranged on a side of the flat pressing block (30) away from the wrinkle pressing block (20) and is arranged close to the flat pressing block (30) for cutting off the tab portion of the exposed portion (51) exceeding a predetermined length; When the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are brought closer to each other, the blade of the tab cutting knife (40) contacts and cuts off the tab portion extending from between the two flattening pressing blocks (30).

10. The tab forming fixture according to claim 6, characterized in that: A plurality of first pressing teeth are arranged at intervals on one of the pleat pressing blocks (20), and a plurality of second pressing teeth are arranged at intervals on the other of the pleat pressing blocks (20); The first pressing teeth and the second pressing teeth are staggered, and when the upper mounting seat and the lower mounting seat are brought closer to each other, the first pressing teeth can just fit into a gap formed between two adjacent second pressing teeth.

Images