Electrode assembly, battery and electric equipment

Abstract

The utility model relates to an electrode assembly, a battery and electric equipment, and relates to the technical field of batteries, the electrode assembly comprises a battery cell and a thermal shrinkable sleeve, the battery cell extends to form a tab, and the thermal shrinkable sleeve is sleeved on the tab. According to the electrode assembly and the battery, when an external short circuit occurs in the battery cell, the tabs can generate heat, and the thermal shrinkable sleeve is heated and shrunk, so that the tabs are broken, a circuit is cut off in time, and the overall safety of the battery is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

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

[0002] When a battery is operating normally, the internal resistance of the cell should be as low as possible to improve energy conversion efficiency. However, because the internal resistance of the battery is low, when an external short circuit occurs, a large amount of heat is generated inside the cell, which can lead to thermal runaway and explosion. Therefore, it is difficult to balance the energy efficiency and safety performance of a battery. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide an electrode assembly and a battery that can promptly disconnect the circuit when an external short circuit occurs in the battery cell, ensuring the overall safety of the battery.

[0004] In a first aspect, an electrode assembly is provided, comprising:

[0005] The battery cell has protruding tabs;

[0006] A heat-shrink sleeve is fitted onto the electrode tab.

[0007] According to a first aspect of this application, the heat-shrink sleeve includes a heat-shrinkable portion and a connecting portion that are connected to each other, the heat-shrinkable portion and the connecting portion being distributed along the length direction of the tab, and the heat-shrinkable portion being closer to the battery cell than the connecting portion.

[0008] According to a first aspect of this application, the heat shrink ratio of the heat shrinkable portion is greater than the heat shrink ratio of the connecting portion.

[0009] According to a first aspect of this application, along the width direction of the tab, the width of the heat-shrinkable portion is less than the length of the connecting portion.

[0010] According to a first aspect of this application, the tab is provided with a notch, and at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable portion is embedded in the notch.

[0011] According to a first aspect of this application, along the length direction of the tab, the distance between the two opposite ends of the notch is greater than the length of the heat-shrinkable portion.

[0012] According to a first aspect of this application, the tab includes a root region and a welding region, the root region being connected to the battery cell, the welding region being used for electrical connection with the electrode post and being spaced apart from the root region, and the heat shrink sleeve being disposed between the welding region and the root region.

[0013] According to a first aspect of this application, the tab includes a welding area for connection with an electrode post, and a portion of the heat shrink sleeve covers the welding area.

[0014] According to a first aspect of this application, the number of electrode tabs is multiple, and the same heat shrink sleeve is applied to multiple electrode tabs.

[0015] According to a first aspect of this application, the number of tabs is multiple, the number of heat-shrink sleeves is the same as the number of tabs, and each tab is fitted with one heat-shrink sleeve.

[0016] According to a first aspect of this application, the number of electrode tabs is multiple, the number of heat shrink sleeves is multiple, and at least some of the electrode tabs are fitted with the same heat shrink sleeve.

[0017] Secondly, a battery is also provided, comprising:

[0018] case;

[0019] The electrode assembly as described in the previous embodiment is disposed within the housing;

[0020] A top cover assembly is connected to the housing, and the pole of the top cover assembly is connected to the pole tab.

[0021] Thirdly, an electrical device is also provided, including a battery as described in the previous embodiments.

[0022] The electrode assembly and battery provided in this application embodiment receive heat generated by the tabs through a heat shrink sleeve. When a short circuit occurs in the cell, the current in the tabs increases, and the tabs generate a large amount of heat. The heat shrink sleeve is heated by the heat generated by the tabs and its temperature rises. When the temperature of the heat shrink sleeve reaches a predetermined temperature, the heat shrink sleeve contracts, generating a contraction force on the tabs, causing the tabs to break. In this way, the circuit can be cut off in time, avoiding thermal runaway of the cell and ensuring the overall safety of the battery. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this application will become more apparent from the more detailed description of the embodiments of this application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings are provided to further illustrate the embodiments of this application and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of this application to explain this application and do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings, the same reference numerals generally represent the same components or steps.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrode assembly provided for an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly provided for an exemplary embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Enlarged diagram of point A in the middle.

[0027] Reference numerals: 100-Electrode assembly; 110-Cell; 111-Taper; 1111-Notch; 1112-Root area; 1113-Welding area; 120-Heat shrink sleeve; 121-Heat shrink part; 122-Connecting part. Detailed Implementation

[0028] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments according to this application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments of this application. It should be understood that this application is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrode assembly provided in an exemplary embodiment of this application. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an electrode assembly provided for an exemplary embodiment of this application. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the electrode assembly 100 provided in this application embodiment may include a battery cell 110 and a heat shrink sleeve 120. A tab 111 extends from the battery cell 110, and the heat shrink sleeve 120 is sleeved on the tab 111.

[0030] It should be noted that the heat shrink sleeve 120 will rapidly shrink when heated to a predetermined temperature. In practical applications, when a short circuit occurs in the cell 110, the current through the tab 111 increases, generating a large amount of heat. The heat shrink sleeve 120 is heated by the heat generated by the tab 111, and its temperature rises. When the temperature of the heat shrink sleeve 120 reaches a predetermined temperature (which varies depending on the material used in the heat shrink sleeve 120), the heat shrink sleeve 120 shrinks, exerting a contraction force on the tab 111, causing the tab 111 to break. This can promptly cut off the circuit, prevent thermal runaway of the cell 110, and ensure the overall safety of the battery.

[0031] In one embodiment, the heat-shrinkable material selected for the heat-shrinkable sleeve 120 may include PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PE (polyethylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), TPE (thermoplastic elastomer), etc.

[0032] Figure 3 for Figure 2 An enlarged view of point A in the diagram. (See diagram below.) Figure 3 As shown, the heat shrink sleeve 120 includes a heat shrinkable part 121 and a connecting part 122 connected to each other. The heat shrinkable part 121 can shrink when a preset temperature is reached. The heat shrinkable part 121 and the connecting part 122 are along the length direction of the tab 111. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As indicated by the arrows E and F, the heat-shrinkable portion 121 is closer to the battery cell 110 than the connecting portion 122.

[0033] It should be understood that when the battery cell 110 is short-circuited and the tab 111 generates a large amount of heat, the heat-shrinkable portion 121 heats up to a predetermined temperature and contracts, exerting a contractile force on the tab 111. This causes the tab 111 to break at the corresponding location on the heat-shrinkable portion 121, thus cutting off the circuit. Because the heat-shrinkable portion 121 is closer to the battery cell 110, it can cut off the current along a shorter path between the tab 111 and the battery cell 110, preventing current flow, reducing the duration of the short circuit and the damage caused, and minimizing the damage to the battery cell 110.

[0034] In one embodiment, the heat-shrinkable portion 121 may also be further away from the battery cell 110 relative to the connecting portion 122.

[0035] It should be noted that the heat shrinkage ratio of the heat-shrinkable part 121 (the ratio of the degree of shrinkage of the material when heated to its original size) is greater than that of the connecting part 122. When the heat-shrinkable part 121 and the connecting part 122 are heated to the same temperature, the size of the heat-shrinkable part 121 after shrinkage is significantly smaller than that of the connecting part 122. Thus, when the battery cell 110 is short-circuited and the tab 111 generates a large amount of heat, on the one hand, the heat-shrinkable part 121 heats up to the predetermined temperature and shrinks, generating a contraction force on the tab 111, causing the tab 111 to break at the corresponding part of the heat-shrinkable part 121, cutting off the circuit; on the other hand, the connecting part 122 does not shrink significantly after being heated, and the connecting part 122 can wrap around the part of the tab 111 above the breakage point, forming a net-like shape, thereby making it less likely for the part of the tab 111 above the breakage point to stick together with the part of the tab 111 below the breakage point, improving the circuit cutting effect.

[0036] In one embodiment, the heat-shrinkable material selected for the heat-shrinkable part 121 may include materials with a relatively large heat shrinkage, such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PE (polyethylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber), and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer); while the material selected for the connecting part 122 may include materials with a relatively small heat shrinkage, such as FTFE (fluorinated ethylene propylene copolymer) and FKM (fluororubber).

[0037] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, along the width direction of tab 111 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3In the direction indicated by arrows B and C, the width of the heat-shrinkable portion 121 is smaller than the length of the connecting portion 122. This not only makes it easier for the heat-shrinkable portion 121 to cause the tab 111 to shrink and break, but also allows the wider connecting portion 122 to better hold the portion of the tab 111 above the breakage point after the tab 111 breaks, preventing the portion of the tab 111 above the breakage point from forming a secondary adhesion with the portion of the tab 111 below the breakage point.

[0038] like Figure 3 As shown, the tab 111 has a notch 1111, and at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable portion 121 is embedded in the notch 1111. It should be understood that the cross-section of the tab 111 corresponding to the notch 1111 is reduced, resulting in a higher resistance. When the cell 110 is short-circuited, the temperature rise rate at the notch 1111 is the fastest, making it easier for the heat-shrinkable portion 121 to reach the predetermined temperature. The heat-shrinkable portion 121 shrinks within the notch 1111, making it easier for the tab 111 to break at the notch 1111, thereby increasing the breaking rate of the tab 111 and achieving the effect of quickly cutting off the circuit.

[0039] In one embodiment, the entire heat-shrinkable portion 121 may be embedded in the notch 1111; or, a portion of the heat-shrinkable portion 121 may be embedded in the notch 1111.

[0040] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, along the length direction of the tab 111 ( Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the direction indicated by the middle arrows E and F, the distance between the two opposite ends of the notch 1111 is greater than the length of the heat-shrinkable part 121. This makes it easier for the heat-shrinkable part 121 to be embedded in the notch 1111, so that the heat-shrinkable part 121 can press against the inner wall of the notch 1111. This allows the heat-shrinkable part 121 to apply a contraction force to the inner wall of the notch 1111 in time when it is heated to the preset temperature, thereby increasing the breaking rate of the tab 111 at the notch 1111.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the tab 111 includes a root region 1112 and a welding region 1113. The root region 1112 is connected to the battery cell 110, and the welding region 1113 is used for electrical connection with the electrode post (not shown in the figure). The welding region 1113 and the root region 1112 are distributed at intervals, and the heat shrink sleeve 120 is sleeved between the welding region 1113 and the root region 1112.

[0042] It should be noted that the structural strength of the tab 111 in the area between the welding area 1113 and the root area 1112 is weaker than that in the root area 1112, and it is prone to breakage under the shrinkage force of the heat shrink sleeve 120.

[0043] In one embodiment, a portion of the heat shrink sleeve 120 may also cover the welding area 1113. The portion of the heat shrink sleeve 120 covering the welding area 1113 can protect the solder marks in the welding area 1113 and prevent solder slag from falling off.

[0044] In one embodiment, there are multiple tabs 111, and the same heat shrink sleeve 120 is fitted onto multiple tabs 111. In this way, when the battery cell 110 is short-circuited and multiple tabs 111 generate a large amount of heat, the heat shrink sleeve 120 is heated to a preset temperature and shrinks, which can cause multiple tabs 111 to break simultaneously, thereby timely cutting off the circuit connected by multiple tabs 111.

[0045] In one embodiment, there are multiple tabs 111, and the number of heat shrink sleeves 120 is the same as the number of tabs 111. Each tab 111 is fitted with a heat shrink sleeve 120. In this way, when the battery cell 110 is short-circuited, the current passing through each tab 111 will increase, and each tab 111 will generate a large amount of heat. When the corresponding heat shrink sleeve 120 reaches a preset temperature, the corresponding tab 111 can be broken, thereby cutting off the circuit connected by multiple tabs 111 in a timely manner.

[0046] In one embodiment, there are multiple tabs 111 and multiple heat-shrink sleeves 120, with at least some tabs 111 covered by the same heat-shrink sleeve 120. Thus, in the event of a short circuit in the battery cell 110, the current flowing through each tab 111 increases, generating a large amount of heat. The heat-shrink sleeve 120 on some of the tabs 111 reaches a preset temperature, causing the corresponding portion of the tab 111 to break. After some tabs 111 break, they can contact other tabs 111 that are not covered by heat-shrink sleeves 120, causing these other tabs 111 to melt and break, thereby promptly cutting off the circuit connecting multiple tabs 111.

[0047] This application embodiment also provides a battery, which includes a housing, an electrode assembly 100, and a top cover assembly. The electrode assembly 100 is disposed inside the housing, and the housing can protect the motor assembly. The top cover assembly is connected to the housing, and the terminal post of the top cover assembly is connected to the tab 111. The tab 111 can transmit current to external electrical components through the terminal post.

[0048] It should be understood that the battery provided in this application embodiment has all the functions of the electrode assembly 100 described in the foregoing embodiment, and the beneficial effects of the battery can be referred to the beneficial effects of the foregoing electrode assembly 100.

[0049] This application also provides an electrical device comprising multiple batteries as described in any of the foregoing embodiments. The multiple batteries can directly power the electrical device, or they can be connected in parallel, series, or a hybrid configuration to form a power supply device, such as a battery module, to power various electrical devices. The electrical device can take many forms, such as mobile phones, portable devices, laptops, electric vehicles, electric cars, ships, spacecraft, electric toys, power tools, or various household appliances. For example, spacecraft include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft. Electric toys include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys, and electric airplane toys. Power tools include metal cutting power tools, grinding power tools, assembly power tools, and railway power tools, such as electric drills, electric grinders, electric wrenches, electric screwdrivers, electric hammers, impact drills, concrete vibrators, and electric planers.

[0050] In this embodiment, the electrical equipment is described using a vehicle as an example. The vehicle's interior contains multiple batteries, which are connected in parallel, series, or a hybrid configuration to form a battery module. This battery module is located at the bottom, front, or rear of the vehicle. The vehicle can be a gasoline-powered vehicle, a natural gas-powered vehicle, or a new energy vehicle, such as a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or a range-extended electric vehicle. The battery module not only serves as the vehicle's operating power source but also as its driving power source, replacing or partially replacing gasoline or natural gas to provide propulsion.

[0051] The basic principles of this application have been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, it should be noted that the advantages, benefits, and effects mentioned in this application are merely examples and not limitations, and should not be considered as essential features of each embodiment of this application. Furthermore, the specific details disclosed above are for illustrative and facilitative purposes only, and are not limitations. These details do not limit the application to the necessity of employing the aforementioned specific details for implementation.

[0052] The block diagrams of devices, apparatuses, devices, and systems involved in this application are merely illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that they must be connected, arranged, or configured in the manner shown in the block diagrams. As those skilled in the art will recognize, these devices, apparatuses, devices, and systems can be connected, arranged, and configured in any manner. Words such as “comprising,” “including,” “having,” etc., are open-ended terms meaning “including but not limited to,” and are used interchangeably with them. The terms “or” and “and” as used herein refer to the terms “and / or,” and are used interchangeably with them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term “such as” as used herein refers to the phrase “such as but not limited to,” and is used interchangeably with it.

[0053] It should also be noted that in the apparatus, equipment, and methods of this application, the components or steps can be disassembled and / or recombined. These disassemblies and / or recombinations should be considered as equivalent solutions of this application.

[0054] The above description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use this application. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other aspects without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

[0055] The above description has been given for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, this description is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the forms disclosed herein. Although numerous exemplary aspects and embodiments have been discussed above, those skilled in the art will recognize certain variations, modifications, alterations, additions, and sub-combinations thereof.

Claims

1. An electrode assembly, characterized in that, include: A battery cell (110) having tabs (111) extending out; A heat shrink sleeve (120) is fitted onto the tab (111); The heat shrink sleeve (120) includes a heat shrinkable part (121) and a connecting part (122) connected to each other. The heat shrinkable part (121) and the connecting part (122) are distributed along the length direction of the tab (111), and the heat shrinkable part (121) is closer to the battery cell (110) than the connecting part (122).

2. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heat shrink ratio of the heat shrinkable part (121) is greater than that of the connecting part (122).

3. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, Along the width direction of the tab (111), the width of the heat-shrinkable part (121) is smaller than the length of the connecting part (122).

4. The electrode assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tab (111) has a notch (1111), and at least a portion of the heat-shrinkable part (121) is embedded in the notch (1111).

5. The electrode assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, Along the length of the tab (111), the distance between the two opposite ends of the notch (1111) is greater than the length of the heat-shrinkable part (121).

6. The electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The tab (111) includes a root region (1112) and a welding region (1113). The root region (1112) is connected to the battery cell (110). The welding region (1113) is used to electrically connect to the electrode post and is distributed at intervals with the root region (1112). The heat shrink sleeve (120) is sleeved between the welding region (1113) and the root region (1112).

7. The electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The tab (111) includes a welding area (1113) for connection with the pole post, and a portion of the heat shrink sleeve (120) covers the welding area (1113).

8. The electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, There are multiple tabs (111), and the same heat shrink sleeve (120) is fitted onto multiple tabs (111).

9. The electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, There are multiple tabs (111), and the number of heat shrink sleeves (120) is the same as the number of tabs (111). Each tab (111) is fitted with a heat shrink sleeve (120).

10. The electrode assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, There are multiple tabs (111) and multiple heat shrink sleeves (120), and at least some of the tabs (111) are fitted with the same heat shrink sleeve (120).

11. A battery, characterized in that, include: case; The electrode assembly as described in any one of claims 1 to 10 is disposed within the housing; The top cover assembly is connected to the housing, and the pole of the top cover assembly is connected to the tab (111).

12. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, Includes the battery as described in claim 11.

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