Battery monomer, end cover assembly, battery and power utilization device
By designing a honeycomb structure on the end cap assembly of the battery cell, the problems of insufficient residual space and increased expansion force in the battery cell under high energy density are solved, achieving a larger liquid injection volume and higher safety performance.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-17
AI Technical Summary
The existing battery cells have reduced residual space under high energy density requirements, resulting in a reduction in the amount of liquid injected, which affects long-term performance and safety. In addition, the gas expansion force increases, which may lead to module size deviation and frame structure damage.
The end cap assembly with a honeycomb structure increases the internal residual space of the battery cell by forming honeycomb grooves on the surface of the end cap element, provides gas storage space, absorbs expansion force, and improves safety performance.
Increasing the amount of electrolyte injected improves the long-term performance of individual battery cells, absorbs expansion forces, prevents battery expansion and valve opening, and enhances safety and structural strength.
Smart Images
Figure CN224005992U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of batteries, specifically to a battery cell, an end cap assembly, a battery, and an electrical device. Background Technology
[0002] Energy conservation and emission reduction are key to the sustainable development of the automotive industry, and electric vehicles, due to their energy-saving and environmentally friendly advantages, have become an important component of this sustainable development. For electric vehicles, battery technology is a crucial factor in their development.
[0003] With the rapid development of new energy technologies, the requirements for the energy density of battery cells are getting higher and higher. Sacrificing the internal residual space leads to a reduction in the amount of liquid injected, which affects the long-term performance of the battery cells. During the use of battery cells, the internal expansion force due to gas generation increases, causing the performance and lifespan of the battery cells to deteriorate. In severe cases, it may even lead to the module dimensions exceeding tolerance and damage to the frame structure. Utility Model Content
[0004] In view of the above problems, this application provides a battery cell, an end cap assembly, a battery, and an electrical device to overcome the above problems existing in the prior art.
[0005] One objective of this application is to provide a battery cell, end cap assembly, battery, and electrical device that can increase residual space, increase liquid injection volume, improve leakage problems, and optimize the long-term performance of the battery cell.
[0006] Another objective of this application is to provide a battery cell, end cap assembly, battery, and electrical device that can provide more storage space for the gas generated during the use of the battery cell, absorb and weaken some of the expansion force, avoid battery cell expansion and valve opening caused by large expansion force, and improve the safety performance of the battery cell.
[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides a battery cell comprising: a housing; an end cap assembly configured to cooperate with the housing to form an internal space; and a cell assembly housed within the internal space, the end cap assembly comprising:
[0008] A first end cap element, the lower surface of which includes a first honeycomb region, wherein a plurality of first honeycomb grooves are formed in the first honeycomb region; and
[0009] The second end cap element has an upper surface adjacent to the lower surface of the first end cap element. The upper surface of the second end cap element includes a second honeycomb region, which corresponds to the first honeycomb region. A plurality of second honeycomb grooves are formed in the second honeycomb region.
[0010] By forming a honeycomb structure on the end cap assembly, especially on the mating surfaces of the first and second end cap elements, the material required to form the end cap assembly can be reduced while maintaining its structural strength. This increases the internal space of the battery cell, allowing for greater electrolyte injection and improving the long-term performance of the battery cell. Furthermore, the honeycomb porous structure provides more storage space for gas, absorbing and weakening some expansion forces, preventing battery cell expansion and valve opening caused by excessive expansion forces, and improving the safety performance of the battery cell. The high rigidity of the honeycomb structure's contact points allows the end cap assembly to withstand greater impact forces, avoiding insufficient strength caused by excessive thinning of the end cap assembly.
[0011] In some embodiments of the battery cell, the size of the first honeycomb groove is different from the size of the second honeycomb groove.
[0012] The size of the first honeycomb groove is different from that of the second honeycomb groove, which is beneficial for the joining of the first end cap element and the second end cap element, and is also beneficial for adapting to the characteristics of the materials used to form the first end cap element and the second end cap element.
[0013] In some embodiments of the battery cell, the size of the first honeycomb groove is larger than the size of the second honeycomb groove.
[0014] In some embodiments of the battery cell, the wall length of the first honeycomb groove is greater than the wall length of the second honeycomb groove; the wall thickness of the first honeycomb groove is equal to the wall thickness of the second honeycomb groove; and / or the depth of the first honeycomb groove is equal to the depth of the second honeycomb groove. The wall length, wall thickness, and depth of the honeycomb groove can be selected and designed according to actual application needs.
[0015] In some embodiments of the battery cell, the first honeycomb grooves are uniformly distributed on the lower surface of the first end cap element, excluding the areas where the terminals and explosion-proof valves are located; and / or the second honeycomb grooves are uniformly distributed on the upper surface of the second end cap element, excluding the areas where the terminals and explosion-proof valves are located. The uniform distribution of the honeycomb grooves facilitates the formation of the honeycomb structure, simplifies manufacturing complexity, and reduces costs.
[0016] In some embodiments of the battery cell, the lower surface of the first end cap element includes a first edge region that extends along the edge of the lower surface of the first end cap element and surrounds the first honeycomb region; and / or the upper surface of the second end cap element includes a second edge region that extends along the edge of the upper surface of the second end cap element and surrounds the second honeycomb region.
[0017] The presence of the edge region ensures that the honeycomb region is a certain distance from the edge of the end cap element, which leaves enough space for the end cap assembly to be joined with the housing, such as by welding, to prevent insufficient bonding strength.
[0018] In some embodiments of the battery cell, the first honeycomb region is spaced apart from the area containing the poles and explosion-proof valve on the lower surface of the first end cap element; and / or the second honeycomb region is spaced apart from the area containing the poles and explosion-proof valve on the upper surface of the second end cap element.
[0019] In some embodiments of the battery cell, a gap is formed between adjacent walls of adjacent second honeycomb grooves. The gap is configured to receive the corresponding wall of the first honeycomb groove when the upper surface of the second end cap element is adjacent to the lower surface of the first end cap element, thereby facilitating the mating of the first and second honeycomb grooves.
[0020] In a second aspect, this application provides an end cap assembly for mating with the housing of a battery cell, the end cap assembly comprising:
[0021] A first end cap element, the lower surface of which includes a first honeycomb region, wherein a plurality of first honeycomb grooves are formed in the first honeycomb region; and
[0022] The second end cap element has an upper surface adjacent to the lower surface of the first end cap element. The upper surface of the second end cap element includes a second honeycomb region, which corresponds to the first honeycomb region. A plurality of second honeycomb grooves are formed in the second honeycomb region.
[0023] In a third aspect, this application provides a battery comprising a housing and battery cells as described above housed within the housing.
[0024] In a fourth aspect, this application provides an electrical device that includes the battery described in the above embodiments, the battery being used to provide electrical energy.
[0025] This application proposes an end cap assembly with a honeycomb structure. Honeycomb is a typical porous structure that consumes less material and is lighter in weight in the same space. The honeycomb structure has higher porosity and lower mass density than other materials, thus having high specific stiffness and specific strength. The rigid hinge at the honeycomb connection has high strength and can withstand greater impact force.
[0026] This structure uses minimal material to create a larger internal space within the battery cell compared to other structures, such as triangular or quadrilateral ones, increasing the electrolyte injection volume and thus improving the long-term performance of the battery cell. Furthermore, the honeycomb porous structure provides more storage space for gas, absorbing and weakening some of the expansion force, preventing battery cell expansion and valve opening caused by excessive expansion force, and improving battery cell safety. The high rigidity of the honeycomb structure's contact areas allows the end cap assembly to withstand greater impact forces, avoiding insufficient strength caused by excessive thinning.
[0027] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of this application. In order to better understand the technical means of this application and to implement it in accordance with the contents of the specification, and to make the above and other objects, features and advantages of this application more obvious and understandable, the following are specific embodiments of this application. Attached Figure Description
[0028] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:
[0029] Figure 1 These are schematic diagrams of the structure of a vehicle according to some embodiments of this application;
[0030] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of a battery according to some embodiments of this application;
[0031] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of a battery cell according to some embodiments of this application;
[0032] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the end cap assembly of a battery cell according to some embodiments of this application;
[0033] Figure 5 This is an exploded front view of the end cap assembly of a battery cell according to some embodiments of this application;
[0034] Figure 6 This is a bottom view of a first end cap element of a battery cell end cap assembly according to some embodiments of this application; and
[0035] Figure 7 This is a top view of the second end cap element of the end cap assembly of a battery cell according to some embodiments of this application.
[0036] The reference numerals in the detailed embodiments are as follows:
[0037] 1000 vehicles;
[0038] Battery 100, controller 200, motor 300;
[0039] Box 10, Part 11, Part 2 12;
[0040] Battery cell 20, end cap assembly 21, terminal post 21a, explosion-proof valve 21b, housing 22, cell assembly 23, tab 23a, liquid bladder 24;
[0041] First end cap element 30, upper surface 31, lower surface 32, first pole post area 31a, first explosion-proof valve area 31b, first edge area 33, first honeycomb area 34, first honeycomb groove 35;
[0042] The second end cap element 40 has an upper surface 41, a lower surface 42, a second pole post region 41a, a second explosion-proof valve region 41b, a second edge region 43, a second honeycomb region 44, and a second honeycomb groove 45. Detailed Implementation
[0043] The embodiments of the technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of this application and are therefore merely examples, and should not be used to limit the scope of protection of this application.
[0044] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains; the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the application; the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and foregoing description of the drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.
[0045] In the description of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish different objects and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the indicated technical features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "multiple" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly defined.
[0046] In this document, the term "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.
[0047] In the description of the embodiments in this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, and B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.
[0048] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple sets" refers to two or more (including two sets), and "multiple pieces" refers to two or more (including two pieces).
[0049] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the technical terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of this application and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the embodiments of this application.
[0050] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, technical terms such as "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.
[0051] Currently, judging from market trends, the application of power batteries is becoming increasingly widespread. Power batteries are not only used in energy storage systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but also extensively used in electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars, as well as in military equipment and aerospace. With the continuous expansion of power battery applications, market demand is also constantly increasing.
[0052] With the rapid development of new energy technologies, the requirements for the energy density of battery cells are getting higher and higher. Sacrificing the internal residual space leads to a reduction in the amount of liquid injected, which affects the long-term performance of the battery cells. During the use of battery cells, the internal expansion force due to gas generation increases, causing the performance and lifespan of the battery cells to deteriorate. In severe cases, it may even lead to the module dimensions exceeding tolerance and damage to the frame structure.
[0053] In view of this, this application provides an end cap assembly for cooperating with the housing of a battery cell to form the internal space of the battery cell. The end cap assembly has a honeycomb structure formed on it. The honeycomb structure is a typical porous structure, which reduces the amount of material required and lightens the weight of the end cap assembly compared to an equivalent end cap assembly without a honeycomb structure.
[0054] The end cap assembly may include two end cap elements, and a honeycomb structure may be formed on the adjacent surfaces of these two end cap elements. This maximizes the internal residual space of the battery cell with minimal material, increases the liquid injection volume, and is beneficial to the long-term performance of the battery cell. In addition, the honeycomb porous structure provides more storage space for gas and absorbs and weakens some of the expansion force.
[0055] The battery cells disclosed in this application can be used, but are not limited to, in electrical devices such as vehicles, ships, or aircraft. A power system for such an electrical device can be constructed using battery cells and batteries disclosed in this application, which helps improve the stability of battery performance and battery life.
[0056] This application provides an electrical device that uses a battery as a power source. The electrical device can be, but is not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toys, power tools, electric vehicles, electric cars, ships, spacecraft, etc. Electric toys can include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys, and electric airplane toys, etc. Spacecraft can include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, etc.
[0057] For ease of explanation, the following embodiments will be described using a vehicle 1000 as an example of an electrical device according to an embodiment of this application.
[0058] Please refer to Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle 1000 provided in some embodiments of this application. The vehicle 1000 can be a gasoline-powered vehicle, a natural gas-powered vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. New energy vehicles can be pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or range-extended electric vehicles, etc. A battery 100 is disposed inside the vehicle 1000, and the battery 100 can be located at the bottom, front, or rear of the vehicle 1000. The battery 100 can be used to power the vehicle 1000; for example, the battery 100 can serve as the operating power source for the vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 may also include a controller 200 and a motor 300. The controller 200 is used to control the battery 100 to supply power to the motor 300, for example, to meet the power needs of the vehicle 1000 during startup, navigation, and driving.
[0059] In some embodiments of this application, the battery 100 can not only serve as the operating power source for the vehicle 1000, but also as the driving power source for the vehicle 1000, replacing or partially replacing fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle 1000.
[0060] Please refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a battery 100 provided in some embodiments of this application. The battery 100 includes a housing 10 and a battery cell 20, with the battery cell 20 housed within the housing 10. The housing 10 provides a space for the battery cell 20 and can have various structures. In some embodiments, the housing 10 may include a first portion 11 and a second portion 12, which overlap each other, jointly defining a space for accommodating the battery cell 20. The second portion 12 may be a hollow structure with one open end, and the first portion 11 may be a plate-like structure, covering the open side of the second portion 12 so that the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 jointly define the space; alternatively, the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 may both be hollow structures with one open side, with the open side of the first portion 11 covering the open side of the second portion 12. Of course, the housing 10 formed by the first portion 11 and the second portion 12 can have various shapes, such as a cylinder, a cuboid, etc.
[0061] In battery 100, there can be multiple battery cells 20, which can be connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed manner. A mixed connection means that multiple battery cells 20 are connected in both series and parallel configurations. Multiple battery cells 20 can be directly connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed manner, and then the entire assembly of the multiple battery cells 20 is housed within the housing 10. Alternatively, battery 100 can also be composed of multiple battery cells 20 first connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed manner to form a battery module, and then multiple battery modules are connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed manner to form a whole, which is also housed within the housing 10. Battery 100 may also include other structures; for example, it may include a busbar component for electrical connection between the multiple battery cells 20.
[0062] Each battery cell 20 can be a secondary battery or a primary battery; it can also be a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-ion battery, or a magnesium-ion battery, but is not limited to these. The battery cell 20 can be cylindrical, flat, cuboid, or other shapes.
[0063] Please refer to Figure 3 , Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of a battery cell 20 provided in some embodiments of this application. The battery cell 20 refers to the smallest unit that makes up a battery. Figure 3 The battery cell 20 includes an end cap assembly 21, a housing 22, a cell assembly 23, and other functional components.
[0064] End cap assembly 21 refers to a component that covers the opening of housing 22 to isolate the internal space of battery cell 20 from the external environment. The shape of end cap assembly 21 can be adapted to the shape of housing 22 to fit it. Optionally, end cap assembly 21 can be made of a material with certain hardness and strength (such as aluminum or aluminum alloy), so that end cap assembly 21 is not easily deformed under pressure and impact, enabling battery cell 20 to have higher structural strength and improved safety performance. Functional components such as terminals 21a (also called electrode terminals) can be provided on end cap assembly 21. Terminals 21a can be used for electrical connection with cell assembly 23 to output or input electrical energy to battery cell 20. In some embodiments, end cap assembly 21 can also be provided with a pressure relief mechanism for releasing internal pressure when the internal pressure or temperature of battery cell 20 reaches a threshold. The material of end cap assembly 21 can also be various, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc., and this application embodiment does not impose special limitations on this. In some embodiments, an insulating element may also be provided inside the end cap assembly 21. The insulating element can be used to isolate the electrical connection components within the housing 22 from the end cap assembly 21 to reduce the risk of short circuits. Exemplarily, the insulating element may be made of plastic, rubber, etc.
[0065] The housing 22 is a component used to cooperate with the end cap assembly 21 to form the internal space of the battery cell 20. The formed internal space can accommodate the cell assembly 23, electrolyte, and other components. The housing 22 and the end cap assembly 21 can be independent components. An opening can be provided on the housing 22, and the end cap assembly 21 can close the opening to form the internal space of the battery cell 20. Alternatively, the end cap assembly 21 and the housing 22 can be integrated. Specifically, the end cap assembly 21 and the housing 22 can form a common connecting surface before other components are inserted into the housing. When it is necessary to encapsulate the interior of the housing 22, the end cap assembly 21 closes the housing 22. The housing 22 can be of various shapes and sizes, such as cuboid, cylindrical, hexagonal prism, etc. Specifically, the shape of the housing 22 can be determined according to the specific shape and size of the cell assembly 23. The material of the housing 22 can be various, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc., and this embodiment does not impose any special limitations on this.
[0066] The cell assembly 23 is the component in the battery cell 20 where the electrochemical reaction occurs. The casing 22 may contain one or more cell assemblies 23. The cell assembly 23 is mainly formed by winding or stacking positive and negative electrode plates, and typically a separator is provided between the positive and negative electrode plates. The portions of the positive and negative electrode plates containing active material constitute the main body of the cell assembly, while the portions of the positive and negative electrode plates without active material each constitute a tab 23a. The positive and negative tabs may be located together at one end of the main body or separately at both ends of the main body. During the charging and discharging process of the battery, the positive and negative active materials react with the electrolyte, and the tabs 23a connect to the electrode terminals to form a current loop. When there are two or more battery cell assemblies 23 in the housing 22, a liquid bladder 24 can be provided between adjacent battery cell assemblies 23. The liquid bladder 24 corresponds at least to the side wall of the battery cell assembly 23. Electrolyte can be contained in the liquid bladder 24, and a weak structure is provided on the liquid bladder 24 so that when the pressure in the liquid bladder 24 reaches a threshold, the electrolyte can break through the weak structure and flow out of the liquid bladder 24.
[0067] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the battery cell 20 includes a housing 22, at least one cell assembly 23, and at least one enclosed liquid bladder 24. The housing 20 is filled with electrolyte. The at least one cell assembly 23 is disposed within the housing 22. The at least one enclosed liquid bladder 24 contains electrolyte. The liquid bladder 24 is disposed within the housing 22 and is positioned at least corresponding to the sidewall of the cell assembly 23. However, Figure 3 The embodiments shown are not limiting, but exemplary. Those skilled in the art will understand that in some embodiments, the battery cell 20 may not include the liquid bladder 24, or the battery cell 20 may include only one cell assembly 23.
[0068] For ease of description and clarity, the coordinate system XYZ is indicated in the relevant figures below. Here, X represents the length direction of the battery cell 20 (and therefore the end cap assembly 21), also known as the first direction or longitudinal direction; Y represents the width direction of the battery cell 20 (and therefore the end cap assembly 21), also known as the second direction or transverse direction; and Z represents the height direction of the battery cell 20 (and therefore the end cap assembly 21), also known as the third direction or vertical direction.
[0069] The following will describe in detail some embodiments according to the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can clearly and completely understand the technical solutions of the present application.
[0070] According to some embodiments of this application, a battery cell 20 is provided, which may include: a housing 22; an end cap assembly 21 configured to cooperate with the housing 22 to form an internal space; and a cell assembly 23 housed within the internal space. The end cap assembly 21 may include: a first end cap element 30, the lower surface 32 of which may include a first honeycomb region 34, in which a plurality of first honeycomb grooves 35 may be formed; and a second end cap element 40, the upper surface 41 of which may be adjacent to the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30, the upper surface 41 of which may include a second honeycomb region 44, the first honeycomb region 34 corresponding to the second honeycomb region 44, in which a plurality of second honeycomb grooves 45 may be formed.
[0071] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the housing 22 is shown to have a cuboid shape, but those skilled in the art will understand that the housing 22 can be any other suitable shape to meet the needs of practical applications. Accordingly, when the housing 22 has a cuboid shape, the end cap assembly 21 has a generally rectangular shape. For ease of description, the following description uses a rectangular end cap assembly 21 as an example. The general principles of this application can also be applied to end cap assemblies 21 of other shapes.
[0072] refer to Figure 4 and Figure 5 , Figure 4 A perspective view of an end cap assembly 21 according to some embodiments of this application is shown. Figure 5 An exploded front view of an end cap assembly 21 according to some embodiments of this application is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the end cap assembly 21 has a generally rectangular shape, with its longitudinal dimension greater than its transverse dimension, i.e., its length greater than its width. The end cap assembly 21 can be in the form of a sheet or plate to fit with the housing 22 of the battery cell 20, for example, by means of laser welding, to form an internal space of the battery cell 20 for accommodating and enclosing components such as the cell assembly 23. Functional components may be provided on the end cap assembly 21 to be associated with, for example, the cell assembly 23 housed within the internal space of the battery cell 20.
[0073] The end cap assembly 21 may be provided with functional components such as terminal posts 21a. Terminal posts 21a can be used for electrical connection with the cell assembly 23 to output or input electrical energy from the battery cell 20. Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, two terminals 21a are provided on the end cap assembly 21, which are arranged longitudinally near the two ends of the end cap assembly 21. In some embodiments, an explosion-proof valve 21b may also be provided on the end cap assembly 21. As shown, the explosion-proof valve 21b may be arranged longitudinally at approximately the middle position of the end cap assembly 21, between the two terminals 21a. In the figure, the explosion-proof valve 21b is only schematically shown and its specific structure is not shown. The explosion-proof valve 21b prevents battery thermal runaway caused by overcharging, over-discharging or other abnormal conditions, thereby avoiding potential explosion risks. It can monitor the pressure changes inside the battery in real time. Once the internal pressure exceeds a set threshold, the explosion-proof valve will automatically open to release the accumulated pressure and ensure battery safety. At the same time, the explosion-proof valve 21b can also protect other components of the battery to a certain extent, thereby reducing the chain reaction caused by battery failure.
[0074] In some embodiments, the end cap assembly 21 may include at least two end cap elements, such as a first end cap element 30 and a second end cap element 40, which are joined together to form the end cap assembly 21. Both end cap elements may be in the form of a sheet or plate, have a generally rectangular shape, and are of approximately the same size, and can be joined by a variety of suitable means, such as by the engagement of pins and holes.
[0075] The first end cap element 30 can be made of a variety of suitable materials, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc., and this application embodiment does not impose any special limitations on this. The first end cap element 30 can be manufactured using a variety of forming processes, such as stamping, and this application embodiment does not impose any special limitations on this. Figure 5 As shown, the first end cap element 30 has an upper surface 31 and an opposing lower surface 32, both of which are parallel to the longitudinal and transverse directions and perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface 31 is configured to contact the external environment, meaning that after the battery cell 20 is assembled, the upper surface 31 of the first end cap element 30 is exposed to the outside. A terminal post 21a and / or an explosion-proof valve 21b can protrude outward from the upper surface 31, as shown. The lower surface 32 faces the internal space of the battery cell 20, as per an embodiment of this application, such as... Figure 6 As shown, a first honeycomb region 34 can be formed on the lower surface 32, and a plurality of first honeycomb grooves 35 can be formed in the first honeycomb region 34. The first honeycomb region 34 can cover the entire lower surface 32, or it can occupy only a part of the lower surface 32. Figure 6 In the illustrated embodiment, the first honeycomb region 34 is shown to substantially occupy most of the lower surface 32, with the honeycomb structure absent only at the edges of the lower surface 32 and around the locations corresponding to the pole post 21a and the explosion-proof valve 21b. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 6The embodiments described are exemplary and not limiting; other distributions of the first cellular region 34 are also possible.
[0076] The first honeycomb region 34 and its first honeycomb groove 35 can be symmetrically distributed along the centerline of the first end cap element 30. If the first end cap element 30 has, for example, a rectangular shape, the centerline can be a centerline extending in the longitudinal direction or a centerline extending in the transverse direction. The first honeycomb region 34 can include a plurality of first honeycomb grooves 35, each first honeycomb groove 35 having a regular hexagonal shape in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each first honeycomb groove 35 is surrounded by six other first honeycomb grooves 35. Adjacent first honeycomb grooves 35 can share a side of the regular hexagon, or adjacent first honeycomb grooves 35 can be spaced apart to form a gap. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that at the edge of the lower surface 32, the number of adjacent first honeycomb grooves 35 around the first honeycomb groove 35 may be less than six, and even the shape of the first honeycomb groove 35 itself may not be a complete hexagon, but rather a part of a hexagon.
[0077] The second end cap element 40 can be made of various suitable materials, such as plastic and rubber, and this application embodiment does not impose any special limitations on this. The second end cap element 40 can be manufactured using various molding processes, such as injection molding, and this application embodiment does not impose any special limitations on this. Figure 5 As shown, the second end cap element 40 has an upper surface 41 and an opposing lower surface 42, both of which are parallel to the longitudinal and transverse directions and perpendicular to the vertical direction. The upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40 is configured to face and abut or engage with the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30, allowing the first end cap element 30 and the second end cap element 40 to be combined to form an end cap assembly 21. The lower surface 42 of the second end cap element 40 faces the internal space of the battery cell 20 to contact and support, for example, the tabs 23a of the cell assembly 23, preventing the cell assembly from shaking during battery or battery cell use. Figure 7 As shown, a second honeycomb region 44 can be formed on the lower surface 42 of the second end cap element 40, and a plurality of second honeycomb grooves 45 can be formed in the second honeycomb region 44. The second honeycomb region 44 can cover the entire lower surface 32, or it can occupy only a part of the lower surface 42. Figure 7 In the illustrated embodiment, the second honeycomb region 44 is shown to substantially occupy most of the lower surface 42, with the honeycomb structure absent only at the edges of the lower surface 42 and around the locations corresponding to the pole post 21a and the explosion-proof valve 21b. Those skilled in the art will understand that... Figure 7The embodiments described are exemplary and not limiting; other distributions of the second cellular region 44 are also possible.
[0078] The second honeycomb region 44 and its second honeycomb grooves 45 can be symmetrically distributed along the centerline of the second end cap element 40. If the second end cap element 40 has, for example, a rectangular shape, the centerline can be a centerline extending in the longitudinal direction or a centerline extending in the transverse direction. The second honeycomb region 44 can include a plurality of second honeycomb grooves 45, each second honeycomb groove 45 having a regular hexagonal shape in a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. Each second honeycomb groove 45 is surrounded by six other second honeycomb grooves 45. Adjacent second honeycomb grooves 45 can share a side of the regular hexagon, or adjacent second honeycomb grooves 45 can be spaced apart to form a gap. Of course, those skilled in the art will understand that at the edge of the lower surface 42, the number of adjacent second honeycomb grooves 45 may be less than six, and even the shape of the second honeycomb groove 45 itself may not be a complete hexagon, but rather a part of a hexagon.
[0079] The characteristics of hexagonal honeycomb grooves are that the walls (sides of the hexagon) of every three grooves sharing a vertex form a rigid hinge, enabling the honeycomb structure to withstand greater impact forces. By forming a honeycomb structure on the end cap assembly, especially on the mating surfaces of the first and second end cap elements, the material required to form the end cap assembly can be reduced while maintaining its structural strength. This increases the internal space of the battery cell, allowing for greater electrolyte injection and improving the long-term performance of the battery cell. Furthermore, the porous honeycomb structure provides more storage space for gas, absorbing and weakening some of the expansion force, preventing battery cell expansion and valve opening caused by excessive expansion force, and improving the safety performance of the battery cell. The high rigid hinge strength at the contact points of the honeycomb structure allows the end cap assembly to withstand greater impact forces, avoiding insufficient strength caused by excessive thinning of the end cap assembly.
[0080] According to some embodiments of this application, the size of the first honeycomb groove 35 may be different from the size of the second honeycomb groove 45.
[0081] Here, the size of the honeycomb groove can be a conventional size, such as the cross-sectional size of the honeycomb groove, such as its cross-sectional area, or the volume of the honeycomb groove, etc. The size of the first honeycomb groove 35 is different from that of the second honeycomb groove 45, which is beneficial for the joining of the first end cap element 30 and the second end cap element 40, and is beneficial for adapting to the properties of the materials used to form the first end cap element 30 and the second end cap element 40.
[0082] According to some embodiments of this application, the size of the first honeycomb groove 35 is larger than the size of the second honeycomb groove 45.
[0083] As mentioned above, the dimensions of the honeycomb grooves can be dimensions in the conventional sense, such as the cross-sectional dimensions of the honeycomb grooves, such as their cross-sectional area, or the volume of the honeycomb grooves, etc. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the cross-sectional area of the first honeycomb groove 35 is larger than the cross-sectional area of the second honeycomb groove 45.
[0084] According to some embodiments of this application, the wall length of the first honeycomb groove 35 may be greater than the wall length of the second honeycomb groove 45; the wall thickness of the first honeycomb groove 35 may be equal to the wall thickness of the second honeycomb groove 45; and / or the depth of the first honeycomb groove 35 may be equal to the depth of the second honeycomb groove 45.
[0085] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the walls of a honeycomb groove can be the sides of the regular hexagons that make up the honeycomb groove. Therefore, the wall length of the honeycomb groove can be the side length of the regular hexagons that make up the honeycomb structure, the wall thickness of the honeycomb groove can be the thickness of the sides of the regular hexagons that make up the honeycomb structure, and the depth of the honeycomb groove can be the vertical dimension of the wall of the honeycomb groove. The wall length, wall thickness, and depth of the honeycomb groove can be selected and designed according to actual application needs.
[0086] In some embodiments, the wall length of the first honeycomb groove 35 can be in the range of 2 mm to 10 mm, 3 mm to 8 mm, 4 mm to 6 mm, or 5 mm. The wall thickness of the first honeycomb groove 35 can be in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, or 0.5 mm. The depth of the first honeycomb groove 35 can be in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, or 0.5 mm.
[0087] In some embodiments, the wall length of the second honeycomb groove 45 can be in the range of 0.5 mm to 5 mm, 0.7 mm to 3 mm, 0.8 mm to 2 mm, or 0.9 mm. The wall thickness of the second honeycomb groove 45 can be in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, or 0.5 mm. The depth of the second honeycomb groove 45 can be in the range of 0.2 mm to 1 mm, 0.3 mm to 0.8 mm, 0.4 mm to 0.6 mm, or 0.5 mm.
[0088] In some embodiments, the depth of the first honeycomb groove 35 can be one-tenth to one-half, one-eighth to one-third, one-sixth to one-quarter, or for example, one-fifth, of the thickness of the first end cap element 30. For example, the depth of the first honeycomb groove 35 can be 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the first end cap element 30 can be 2.5 mm. Similarly, the depth of the second honeycomb groove 45 can be one-tenth to one-half, one-eighth to one-third, one-sixth to one-quarter, or for example, one-fifth, of the thickness of the second end cap element 40. For example, the depth of the second honeycomb groove 45 can be 0.5 mm, and the thickness of the second end cap element 40 can be 1 mm.
[0089] According to some embodiments of this application, the first honeycomb groove 35 may be uniformly distributed in the area on the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30, excluding the area where the pole post and the explosion-proof valve are located; and / or the second honeycomb groove 45 may be uniformly distributed in the area on the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40, excluding the area where the pole post and the explosion-proof valve are located.
[0090] like Figure 6 As shown, the area on the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30 corresponding to the pole post 21a is called the first pole post area 31a, and the area corresponding to the explosion-proof valve 21b is called the first explosion-proof valve area 31b. Neither the first pole post area 31a nor the first explosion-proof valve area 31b has a honeycomb structure. In the areas other than the first pole post area 31a and the first explosion-proof valve area 31b, the first honeycomb grooves 35 can be uniformly distributed.
[0091] like Figure 7 As shown, the area on the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40 corresponding to the pole post 21a is called the second pole post area 41a, and the area corresponding to the explosion-proof valve 21b is called the second explosion-proof valve area 41b. Neither the second pole post area 41a nor the explosion-proof valve area 41b has a honeycomb structure. In the areas other than the second pole post area 41a and the explosion-proof valve area 41b, the second honeycomb grooves 45 can be uniformly distributed.
[0092] The uniform distribution of honeycomb grooves facilitates the formation of honeycomb structures, simplifies manufacturing complexity, and reduces costs.
[0093] According to some embodiments of this application, the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30 may include a first edge region 33, which may extend along the edge of the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30 and surround the first honeycomb region 34; and / or the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40 may include a second edge region 43, which may extend along the edge of the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40 and surround the second honeycomb region 44.
[0094] like Figure 6 As shown, the edge portion of the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30 forms a first edge region 33, which intersects with and surrounds the first honeycomb region 34. The first edge region 33 does not have a honeycomb structure and can be a flat surface. In some embodiments, the width of the first edge region 33 can be, for example, 1 mm to 2 mm, such that the first honeycomb region 34 is 1 mm to 2 mm away from the edge of the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30, to leave sufficient space for the connection (e.g., welding) between the end cap assembly 21 and the housing 22, preventing insufficient bonding strength.
[0095] like Figure 7 As shown, the edge portion of the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40 forms a second edge region 43, which intersects with and surrounds the second honeycomb region 44. The second edge region 43 does not have a honeycomb structure and can be a flat surface. In some embodiments, the width of the second edge region 43 can be, for example, 1 mm to 2 mm, such that the second honeycomb region 44 is 1 mm to 2 mm away from the edge of the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40.
[0096] According to some embodiments of this application, the first cellular region 34 is spaced apart from the region containing the pole post and explosion-proof valve on the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30; and / or the second cellular region 44 is spaced apart from the region containing the pole post and explosion-proof valve on the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40.
[0097] like Figure 6 As shown, on the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30, the portion surrounding the first pole post region 31a and the first explosion-proof valve region 31b may not have a honeycomb structure, for example, it may be formed as a flat surface, such that the first honeycomb region 34 is spaced apart from the first pole post region 31a and the first explosion-proof valve region 31b, for example, by a distance of 1 mm to 2 mm.
[0098] like Figure 7 As shown, on the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40, the portion surrounding the second pole post region 41a and the second explosion-proof valve region 41b may not have a honeycomb structure, for example, it may be formed as a flat surface, such that the second honeycomb region 44 is spaced apart from the second pole post region 41a and the second explosion-proof valve region 41b, for example, by a distance of 1 mm to 2 mm.
[0099] According to some embodiments of this application, a gap may be formed between adjacent walls of adjacent second honeycomb grooves 45, which may be configured to receive the corresponding wall of the first honeycomb groove 35 when the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40 is adjacent to the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30.
[0100] In some embodiments, on the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40, a gap is formed between adjacent walls of adjacent second honeycomb grooves 45. That is, adjacent second honeycomb grooves 45 no longer share one side of a regular hexagon, but rather two adjacent sides are spaced apart from each other. For example, these two sides can be parallel to each other and spaced apart, forming a gap between them. When the first end cap element 30 and the second end cap element 40 are joined together, this gap can accommodate the corresponding wall of the first honeycomb groove 35, that is, the wall of the first honeycomb groove 35 can be fitted into the gap formed by the second honeycomb groove 45. The width of the gap can match the wall thickness of the first honeycomb groove 35, for example, it can be slightly larger than the wall thickness of the first honeycomb groove 35. For example, if the wall thickness of the first honeycomb groove 35 is 0.5 mm, the width of the gap can be 1 mm, thereby facilitating the fitting of the first honeycomb groove 35 and the second honeycomb groove 45.
[0101] According to some embodiments of this application, an end cap assembly 21 is provided for cooperating with the housing 22 of a battery cell 20 to form an internal space of the battery cell 20. The end cap assembly 21 may include: a first end cap element 30, the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30 may include a first honeycomb region 34, in which a plurality of first honeycomb grooves 35 may be formed; and a second end cap element 40, the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40 may be adjacent to the lower surface 32 of the first end cap element 30, the upper surface 41 of the second end cap element 40 may include a second honeycomb region 44, the first honeycomb region 34 may correspond to the second honeycomb region 44, in which a plurality of second honeycomb grooves 45 may be formed.
[0102] According to some embodiments of this application, a battery 100 is provided, which may include a housing 10 and a battery cell 20 as described above housed within the housing 10.
[0103] The battery cell 20 may include: an end cap assembly 21 as described above; a housing 22 that cooperates with the end cap assembly 21 to form an internal space; and a cell assembly 23 that is housed within the internal space.
[0104] like Figure 3As shown, the housing 22 is used to cooperate with the end cap assembly 21 to form the internal space of the battery cell 20. This internal space can accommodate the cell assembly 23, electrolyte, and other components. The housing 22 and the end cap assembly 21 can be independent components. An opening can be provided on the housing 22, and the end cap assembly 21 can close the opening to form the internal space of the battery cell 20. Alternatively, the end cap assembly 21 and the housing 22 can be integrated. Specifically, the end cap assembly 21 and the housing 22 can form a common connecting surface before other components are inserted into the housing. When it is necessary to encapsulate the interior of the housing 22, the end cap assembly 21 closes the housing 22. The housing 22 can be of various shapes and sizes, such as cuboid, cylindrical, hexagonal prism, etc. Specifically, the shape of the housing 22 can be determined according to the specific shape and size of the cell assembly 23. The material of the housing 22 can be various, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, plastic, etc. This embodiment does not impose any special limitations on this.
[0105] According to some embodiments of this application, this application also provides an electrical device including the battery as described above, and the battery is used to provide electrical energy to the electrical device.
[0106] The electrical device can be a device or system that uses the battery described above.
[0107] This application proposes an end cap assembly with a honeycomb structure. Honeycomb is a typical porous structure that consumes less material and is lighter in weight in the same space. The honeycomb structure has higher porosity and lower mass density than other materials, thus having high specific stiffness and specific strength. The rigid hinge at the honeycomb connection has high strength and can withstand greater impact force.
[0108] This structure uses minimal material to create a larger internal space within the battery cell (compared to other structures such as triangular or quadrilateral ones), increasing the electrolyte injection capacity and thus improving the long-term performance of the battery cell. Furthermore, the honeycomb porous structure provides more storage space for gas, absorbing and weakening some expansion forces, preventing battery cell expansion and valve opening caused by excessive expansion forces, and improving battery cell safety. The high rigidity of the honeycomb structure's contact areas allows the end cap assembly to withstand greater impact forces, avoiding insufficient strength caused by excessive thinning.
[0109] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and not to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and they should all be covered within the scope of the claims and specification of this application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the embodiments can be combined in any way. This application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.
Claims
1. A battery cell (20) comprising: A housing (22); an end cap assembly (21) configured to cooperate with the housing (22) to form an interior space; and an electric cell assembly (23) housed within the interior space, characterized in that the end cap assembly (21) comprises: a first end cap element (30) whose lower surface (32) comprises a first honeycomb region (34) in which a plurality of first honeycomb grooves (35) are formed; and a second end cap element (40) whose upper surface (41) is contiguous with the lower surface (32) of the first end cap element (30), the upper surface (41) of the second end cap element (40) comprising a second honeycomb region (44) corresponding to the first honeycomb region (34), in which a plurality of second honeycomb grooves (45) are formed.
2. The battery cell (20) according to claim 1, characterized in that The first honeycomb grooves (35) have different dimensions than the second honeycomb grooves (45).
3. The battery cell (20) of claim 1, wherein, The first honeycomb grooves (35) have greater dimensions than the second honeycomb grooves (45).
4. The battery cell (20) of claim 1, wherein The first honeycomb grooves (35) have a greater wall length than the second honeycomb grooves (45); the first honeycomb grooves (35) have a wall thickness equal to that of the second honeycomb grooves (45); and / or the first honeycomb grooves (35) have a depth equal to that of the second honeycomb grooves (45).
5. The battery cell (20) of claim 1, wherein, The first honeycomb grooves (35) are uniformly distributed in the area of the lower surface (32) of the first end cap element (30) other than the area in which the pole and explosion relief valve are located; and / or the second honeycomb grooves (45) are uniformly distributed in the area of the upper surface (41) of the second end cap element (40) other than the area in which the pole and explosion relief valve are located.
6. The battery cell (20) of claim 1, wherein, The lower surface (32) of the first end cap element (30) comprises a first edge region (33) extending along the edge of the lower surface (32) of the first end cap element (30) and surrounding the first honeycomb region (34); and / or the upper surface (41) of the second end cap element (40) comprises a second edge region (43) extending along the edge of the upper surface (41) of the second end cap element (40) and surrounding the second honeycomb region (44).
7. The battery cell (20) of claim 1, wherein, The first honeycomb region (34) is spaced apart from the area of the lower surface (32) of the first end cap element (30) in which the pole and explosion relief valve are located; and / or the second honeycomb region (44) is spaced apart from the area of the upper surface (41) of the second end cap element (40) in which the pole and explosion relief valve are located.
8. The battery cell (20) of claim 1, wherein, Adjacent walls of adjacent second honeycomb grooves (45) form a gap configured to receive a corresponding wall of the first honeycomb grooves (35) when the upper surface (41) of the second end cap element (40) is contiguous with the lower surface (32) of the first end cap element (30).
9. An end cap assembly (21) for cooperating with a housing (22) of a battery cell (20), characterized in that The end cover assembly (21) includes: a first end cover element (30), a lower surface (32) of the first end cover element (30) including a first honeycomb region (34) in which a plurality of first honeycomb grooves (35) are formed; and a second end cover element (40), an upper surface (41) of the second end cover element (40) being contiguous with the lower surface (32) of the first end cover element (30), the upper surface (41) of the second end cover element (40) including a second honeycomb region (44) corresponding to the first honeycomb region (34), a plurality of second honeycomb grooves (45) being formed in the second honeycomb region (44).
10. A battery (100) characterized by The battery (100) includes a case (10) and the battery cell (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the battery cell (20) being housed in the case (10).
11. An electrical device, characterized by The power consuming device includes the battery (100) according to claim 10, the battery (100) being used to provide electric energy.