Sealing rivet applied to battery monomer and battery monomer

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides a sealing rivet applied to a battery monomer and the battery monomer. The sealing rivet comprises a pipe cap, the pipe cap is provided with a through hole and comprises a rivet body part and a brim part which are integrally connected, the rivet body part is used for being arranged in a liquid injection hole of a single battery, and the brim part is used for abutting against the outer edge of the liquid injection hole under the pushing action of an abutting body of a hand riveter; the rivet core is arranged in the penetrating hole and comprises a rivet head part, a connecting part, a breakpoint part, a polished rod part and a threaded rod part which are sequentially arranged and integrally connected, the rivet head part is used for abutting against the rivet body part, the threaded rod part is used for being clamped by a clamping jaw of a hand riveter, and the length ratio of the threaded rod part to the polished rod part is not smaller than 2 / 3 and not larger than 1; in the process that a hand riveter is operated to pull the rivet core to be disconnected from the breakpoint part, the rivet body part expands and deforms under extrusion of the rivet head part to abut against the inner edge of the liquid injection hole in a sealed mode. According to the scheme of the embodiment of the invention, the production efficiency of the liquid injection hole sealing process can be improved, and the production cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a sealing rivet applied to a battery cell and a battery cell. Background Technology

[0002] A battery cell is the smallest unit in a battery that provides energy. The main structure of a battery cell generally includes a housing and a cover that enclose a cavity, a cell assembly housed within the cavity, terminals located in the cover, and electrolyte filling the cavity through an injection hole in the cover. During manufacturing, the cell assembly is first placed inside the housing, then the cover is welded to the housing. Next, electrolyte is injected into the cavity through the injection hole in the cover, and then the injection hole is sealed using a sealing structure.

[0003] With the rapid development of the battery industry in recent years, the requirements for the production efficiency and quality of battery cells have become increasingly stringent. In the production process of battery cells, how to improve the production efficiency of the liquid injection hole sealing process and reduce production costs is a technical problem that urgently needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content

[0004] This disclosure provides a sealing rivet and a battery cell for use in battery cells, in order to improve the production efficiency of the liquid injection hole sealing process and reduce production costs.

[0005] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a sealing rivet for a battery cell is provided, comprising a cap and a core, wherein: the cap has a through hole and includes an integrally connected rivet body and a cap brim, wherein the rivet body is disposed in an injection hole of the battery cell, and the cap brim is used to abut against the outer edge of the injection hole under the pushing action of the abutment body of a rivet gun; the core is disposed in the through hole and includes a head, a connecting part, a break point, a smooth shank, and a threaded shank, which are sequentially arranged and integrally connected, wherein the head abuts against the rivet body, and the threaded shank is used to be clamped by the jaws of the rivet gun, the length ratio of the threaded shank to the smooth shank is not less than 2 / 3 and not greater than 1, and during the process of operating the rivet gun to pull the core out from the break point, the rivet body expands and deforms under the pressure of the head to seal against the inner edge of the injection hole.

[0006] In some embodiments, the nominal diameter of the threaded shank is not less than 1.6 mm and not more than 1.8 mm.

[0007] In some embodiments, the end of the threaded shank away from the smooth shank has a frustum or a cone tip.

[0008] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the thread on the threaded shank is triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, or sawtooth.

[0009] In some embodiments, the perforation is a through hole, and the rivet head is used to abut against the open end of the rivet body that is away from the brim.

[0010] In some embodiments, the axial length of the injection hole is not less than 0.6 mm and not more than 0.8 mm, and the sum of the axial length of the rivet body and the axial height of the rivet head is not less than 4.5 mm and not more than 5.5 mm.

[0011] In some embodiments, the perforation is a stepped blind hole, which has an abutting surface facing away from the brim, and the nail head is used to abut against the abutting surface.

[0012] In some embodiments, the axial length of the injection hole is not less than 0.6 mm and not more than 0.8 mm, and the axial length of the rivet body is not less than 4.5 mm and not more than 5.5 mm.

[0013] In some embodiments, the sealing rivet further includes a sealing ring, wherein the sealing ring is disposed on the surface of the cap brim for abutting against the outer edge of the injection hole, or the sealing ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the rivet body and adjacent to the inner edge of the injection hole, or the sealing ring is sleeved on the outer periphery of the rivet body and located inside the injection hole.

[0014] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a battery cell is provided, comprising a housing and a cover forming a receiving cavity, a cell assembly disposed within the receiving cavity, an electrode post disposed within the cover, and an electrolyte filling the receiving cavity, wherein the electrode post is electrically connected to the tab of the cell assembly, and the cover has an injection hole, and a sealing rivet is provided at the injection hole according to any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0015] According to any embodiment of this disclosure, the design of the sealing rivet can extend the service life of the rivet gun's jaws and reduce the frequency of jaw replacement, thereby improving the production efficiency of the liquid injection hole sealing process in battery cell production and reducing production costs.

[0016] It should be understood that the description in this section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings exemplify embodiments and form part of the specification, serving together with the textual description to explain exemplary implementations of the embodiments. The illustrated embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the claims. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to similar but not necessarily identical elements.

[0018] Figure 1A This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sealing rivet according to some embodiments of the present disclosure (the cap 220 is shown as a cross-sectional structure);

[0019] Figure 1B This is a schematic diagram of a sealing rivet before and after riveting, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 2A This is a structural schematic diagram of a sealing rivet according to other embodiments of the present disclosure (the cap 220 is shown as a cross-sectional structure);

[0021] Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram of a sealing rivet before and after riveting, according to other embodiments of this disclosure;

[0022] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of a sealing rivet sealing an injection hole according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram of a sealing rivet sealing an injection hole according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3C This is a schematic diagram of a sealing rivet sealing an injection hole according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure label:

[0027] 100-cell battery;

[0028] 10 - Shell;

[0029] 20-Cap;

[0030] 30 - Battery cell assembly;

[0031] 40-Pole Column;

[0032] 201 - Injection Hole;

[0033] 22-Sealing rivet;

[0034] 220-pipe cap;

[0035] 221 - Rivet body;

[0036] 222 - Brim of the hat;

[0037] 223 - Perforation;

[0038] 2230 - Abutment surface;

[0039] 230-nail core;

[0040] 231 - Nail head;

[0041] 232-Connecting part;

[0042] 233 - Breakpoint section;

[0043] 234 - Bare rod section;

[0044] 235 - Threaded rod section;

[0045] 236-Frustum;

[0046] 240 - Sealing ring;

[0047] 500-Rivet Gun;

[0048] 510-Grippers;

[0049] 520-Butt body. Detailed Implementation

[0050] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, including various details of the embodiments to aid understanding, and should be considered merely exemplary. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Similarly, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted in the following description.

[0051] In this disclosure, unless otherwise stated, the use of terms such as "first," "second," etc., to describe various elements is not intended to limit the positional, temporal, or importance relationships of these elements; such terms are merely used to distinguish one element from another. In some examples, the first element and the second element may refer to the same instance of that element, while in other cases, based on the context, they may refer to different instances.

[0052] The terminology used in the description of the various examples in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular examples only and is not intended to be limiting. Unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise, an element may be one or more unless the number of elements is specifically limited. Furthermore, the term "and / or" as used in this disclosure covers any one of the listed items and all possible combinations thereof.

[0053] Sealing the electrolyte filling hole is a crucial step in the battery cell manufacturing process. Some technologies employ laser welding of sealing pins to seal the filling hole, which not only results in high production costs but also directly impacts production yield due to weld quality issues and the possibility of irreparable weld defects. Other technologies utilize riveting sealing, which overcomes some drawbacks compared to laser welding, but suffers from rapid wear and short lifespan of the riveting gun's grippers, requiring frequent replacements. This not only reduces production efficiency and increases workload but also raises gripper replacement costs.

[0054] In view of this, the present disclosure provides a sealing rivet and a battery cell for use in battery cells, so as to improve the production efficiency of the filling hole sealing process and reduce the production cost. The embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0055] like Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, some embodiments of this disclosure provide a sealing rivet 22 for use in a battery cell, which includes a cap 220 and a core 230.

[0056] The cap 220 has a perforation 223 and includes an integrally connected riveted portion 221 and a brim portion 222. For example... Figure 1B As shown, the rivet body 221 is used to be disposed in the liquid injection hole 201 of the battery cell, and the cap 222 is used to abut against the outer edge of the liquid injection hole 201 under the pushing action of the abutment body 520 of the rivet gun 500.

[0057] The rivet core 230 is disposed in the through hole 223 and includes a rivet head 231, a connecting portion 232, a break portion 233, a smooth shank portion 234, and a threaded shank portion 235, which are sequentially arranged and integrally connected. The radial dimension of the rivet head 231 is larger than the dimensions of the other parts, and it is used to abut against the rivet body portion 221. Figure 1B As shown, the threaded rod portion 235 is used to be clamped by the jaws 510 of the rivet gun 500, and the ratio of the length L1 of the threaded rod portion 235 to the length L2 of the smooth rod portion 234 is not less than 2 / 3 and not greater than 1.

[0058] like Figure 1B As shown, during the process of operating the rivet gun 500 to pull the rivet core 230 to break it from the break point 233, the rivet body 221 expands and deforms under the pressure of the rivet head 231 until it seals against the inner edge of the injection hole 201.

[0059] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the "outer edge of the injection hole 201" can be understood as a portion of the outer surface of the cover 20 of the battery cell surrounding the injection hole 201, and the "inner edge of the injection hole 201" can be understood as a portion of the inner surface of the cover 20 of the battery cell surrounding the injection hole 201. The outer surface and the inner surface are defined with reference to the receiving cavity of the battery cell. The side of the cover 20 closer to the receiving cavity is its inner surface, and the side of the cover 20 further away from the receiving cavity is its outer surface.

[0060] The sealing rivet 22 of this embodiment cooperates with the rivet gun 500 to seal the electrolyte injection hole 201 of the battery cell during the battery cell manufacturing process. Figure 1BAs shown, the actuating end structure of the rivet gun 500 includes a jaw 510 and an abutment body 520. During the operation of the rivet gun 500, the abutment body 520 abuts against the brim 222 that is in contact with the outer edge of the injection hole 201, applying a force F1, thereby abutting the brim 222 against the outer edge of the injection hole 201. The jaw 510 holds the threaded rod 235 and pulls the nail core 230 in a direction away from the brim 222, applying a force F2, so that the rivet body 221 expands and deforms under the pressure of the nail head 231 until it seals against the inner edge of the injection hole 201.

[0061] In related technologies, the core of the sealing rivet adopts a smooth rod design, which does not include the threaded rod. In order to meet the required clamping friction, the clamping jaws need to apply a greater clamping force, which leads to faster wear of the clamping jaws, shorter lifespan, and higher frequency of clamping jaw replacement. This not only affects production efficiency and increases the workload of personnel, but also increases the cost of clamping jaw replacement.

[0062] According to the design of the sealing rivet 22 in the embodiments of this disclosure, the design of the threaded shank 235 can increase the clamping friction between it and the jaw 510. Even if there is some wear on the clamping surface of the jaw 510, the rivet core 230 can be reliably clamped. In this way, compared with related technologies, the service life of the jaw 510 can be extended, the frequency of replacing the jaw 510 can be reduced, thereby improving the production efficiency of the sealing process of the injection hole 201 in the production of battery cells and reducing the production cost.

[0063] In this embodiment, the ratio of the length L1 of the threaded rod portion 235 to the length L2 of the smooth rod portion 234 is not less than 2 / 3 and not greater than 1. On the one hand, this can generate a sufficiently large clamping friction between the threaded rod portion 235 and the jaw 510, so that the nail core 230 is reliably clamped, thereby facilitating the application of axial tensile force F2 by the jaw 510. On the other hand, the appropriate length ratio between the threaded rod portion 235 and the smooth rod portion 234 helps to reduce the operation time for assembling the two, thereby improving the assembly efficiency.

[0064] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the specific thread type of the threaded shank 235 is not limited. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the thread of the threaded shank 235 (which is orthogonal to the extension direction of the thread) can be triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal or sawtooth, etc., as long as it can cooperate with the jaws 510 and be reliably clamped by the jaws 510.

[0065] In some embodiments, the nominal diameter of the threaded shank 235 is not less than 1.6 mm and not more than 1.8 mm. The nominal diameter of the threaded shank 235 can be understood as the major diameter of the external thread, that is, the diameter of the imaginary cylinder tangent to the crest of the external thread. A suitable nominal diameter for the threaded shank 235 allows the jaws 510 to grip the nail core 230 more reliably and conveniently.

[0066] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the end of the threaded shank 235 away from the smooth shank 234 has a frustum 236 or a cone tip (not shown in this embodiment). The frustum 236 or cone tip can provide alignment guidance for the jaws 510 to hold the nail core 230, which facilitates the jaws 510 to accurately apply axial force to the nail core 230 and also facilitates the machining of the nail core.

[0067] This disclosure does not limit the specific structural form of the cap 220. For example... Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, in some embodiments, the perforation 223 can be designed as a stepped blind hole with an abutment surface 2230 facing away from the cap 222, wherein the nail head 231 is used to abut against the abutment surface 2230. That is, in these embodiments, the cap 220 covers the nail head 231 of the nail core 230. The material hardness of the nail core 230 is greater than that of the cap 220, and the nail core 230 can be inserted into the perforation 223 by compression. In some embodiments, the nail head 231 can be chamfered to facilitate the assembly of the nail core 230 and the cap 220.

[0068] Reference Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the axial length c of the injection hole 201 is not less than 0.6 mm and not more than 0.8 mm, and the axial length g of the riveting body 221 is not less than 4.5 mm and not more than 5.5 mm (the dimensions c and g in the figure are for illustration only and are not intended to represent actual dimensions or proportions). The axial length c of the injection hole 201 is related to the thickness of the cover 20 of the battery cell 100 around the injection hole 201. A suitable axial length g for the riveting body 221 not only ensures a reliable seal for the injection hole 201 but also facilitates the operation of the rivet gun 500 and reduces the volume occupied by the sealing rivet 22 at the injection hole 201 after riveting.

[0069] like Figure 2A and Figure 2B As shown, in some other embodiments of this disclosure, the perforation 223 may be designed as a through hole, wherein the nail head 231 is used to abut against the open end of the rivet body 221 away from the brim 222. That is, in these embodiments, the cap 220 wraps around at least a portion of the connecting portion 232 of the nail core 230. In these embodiments, the nail core 230 can pass through the perforation 223 from the open end of the rivet body 221 away from the brim 222.

[0070] Reference Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs shown in these embodiments of the present disclosure, the axial length c of the injection hole 201 is not less than 0.6 mm and not more than 0.8 mm, and the sum e of the axial length of the rivet body 221 and the axial height of the rivet head 231 is not less than 4.5 mm and not more than 5.5 mm (the dimensions c and e in the figure are for illustration only and are not used to represent actual dimensions or proportions). The axial length c of the injection hole 201 is related to the plate thickness of the cover 20 of the battery cell 100 around the injection hole 201. Appropriately designed axial dimensions for the rivet body 221 and the rivet head 231 not only achieve reliable sealing of the injection hole 201, but also facilitate the operation of the rivet gun 500, and reduce the volume occupied by the sealing rivet 22 at the injection hole 201 after riveting.

[0071] like Figure 3A As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the sealing rivet 22 further includes a sealing ring 240, which is disposed on the surface of the cap brim 222 for abutting against the outer edge of the injection hole 201. Thus, through the elastic sealing effect of the sealing ring 240 between the cap brim 222 and the outer edge of the injection hole 201, the sealing performance of the sealing rivet 22 on the injection hole 201 can be increased, thereby further improving the reliability of the battery cell product.

[0072] like Figure 3B As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the sealing rivet 22 further includes a sealing ring 240, which is fitted around the outer periphery of the rivet body 221 and adjacent to the inner edge of the injection hole 201 before the rivet body 221 deforms. When the rivet body 221 expands and deforms, the sealing ring 240 is located between the expanded rivet body 221 and the inner edge of the injection hole 201. Thus, through the elastic sealing effect of the sealing ring 240 between the deformed rivet body 221 and the inner edge of the injection hole 201, the sealing performance of the sealing rivet 22 on the injection hole 201 can be increased, thereby further improving the reliability of the battery cell product.

[0073] like Figure 3C As shown, in some embodiments of this disclosure, the sealing rivet 22 further includes a sealing ring 240, which is sleeved on the outer periphery of the rivet body 221 and located inside the injection hole 201. Before riveting, during the process of inserting the rivet body 221 into the injection hole 201, the sealing ring 240 is simultaneously pushed into the injection hole 201. Through the elastic sealing effect of the sealing ring 240 between the rivet body 221 and the hole wall of the injection hole 201, the sealing performance of the sealing rivet 22 on the injection hole 201 can be increased, thereby further improving the reliability of the battery cell product.

[0074] like Figure 4As shown, according to some embodiments of this disclosure, a battery cell 100 is also provided, which includes a housing 10 and a cover 20 surrounding a receiving cavity, a cell assembly 30 disposed within the receiving cavity, an electrode post 40 disposed on the cover 20, and an electrolyte filling the receiving cavity. The electrode post 40 is electrically connected to the tabs of the cell assembly 30. The cover 20 has an injection hole 201, and a sealing rivet 22 according to any of the foregoing embodiments is provided at the injection hole 201. As described above, based on the design of the sealing rivet 22, the production efficiency of the sealing process of the injection hole 201 in the production of the battery cell 100 can be improved, and the cost and manpower required for changing the rivet gun clamps can be reduced.

[0075] While embodiments or examples of this disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be understood that the methods, systems, and devices described above are merely exemplary embodiments or examples, and the scope of this utility model is not limited by these embodiments or examples, but only by the granted claims and their equivalents. Various elements in the embodiments or examples may be omitted or replaced by their equivalents. Furthermore, the steps may be performed in a different order than that described in this disclosure. Further, various elements in the embodiments or examples may be combined in various ways. Importantly, as technology evolves, many elements described herein can be replaced by equivalents that appear after this disclosure.

Claims

1. A sealing rivet applied to a battery cell, characterized in that, include: A cap having a perforation and comprising an integrally connected rivet body and a brim, wherein the rivet body is for placement in the electrolyte injection hole of a battery cell, and the brim is for abutting against the outer edge of the electrolyte injection hole under the pushing action of the abutment of a rivet gun; and The rivet core is located in the through hole and includes a rivet head, a connecting part, a break point part, a smooth part, and a threaded part that are arranged sequentially and integrally connected. The rivet head is used to abut against the rivet body part, and the threaded part is used to be held by the jaws of the rivet gun. The length ratio of the threaded part to the smooth part is not less than 2 / 3 and not greater than 1. During the process of operating the rivet gun to pull the rivet core to break it from the break point part, the rivet body part expands and deforms under the pressure of the rivet head until it seals against the inner edge of the injection hole.

2. The sealing rivet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The nominal diameter of the threaded shank is not less than 1.6 mm and not more than 1.8 mm.

3. The sealing rivet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The end of the threaded shank away from the smooth shank has a frustum or cone tip.

4. The sealing rivet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional shape of the thread in the threaded shank is triangular, rectangular, trapezoidal, or sawtooth.

5. The sealing rivet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The perforation is a stepped blind hole, which has a contact surface facing away from the brim, and the nail head is used to contact the contact surface.

6. The sealing rivet according to claim 5, characterized in that, The axial length of the injection hole shall be no less than 0.6 mm and no more than 0.8 mm, and the axial length of the rivet body shall be no less than 4.5 mm and no more than 5.5 mm.

7. The sealing rivet according to claim 1, characterized in that, The perforation is a through hole, and the nail head is used to abut against the open end of the rivet body that is away from the brim.

8. The sealing rivet according to claim 7, characterized in that, The axial length of the injection hole shall be no less than 0.6 mm and no more than 0.8 mm, and the sum of the axial length of the rivet body and the axial height of the rivet head shall be no less than 4.5 mm and no more than 5.5 mm.

9. The sealing rivet according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, It also includes a sealing ring, in which, The sealing ring is located on the surface of the cap brim that abuts against the outer edge of the injection hole; or The sealing ring is fitted around the outer periphery of the rivet body and adjacent to the inner edge of the injection hole; or The sealing ring is fitted around the outer periphery of the rivet body and located inside the injection hole.

10. A single battery cell, characterized in that, The device includes a housing and a cover that form a cavity, a battery cell assembly disposed within the cavity, an electrode post disposed on the cover, and an electrolyte filling the cavity, wherein the electrode post is electrically connected to the tab of the battery cell assembly, and the cover has an injection hole, and a sealing rivet is provided at the injection hole according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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