Battery restraining device and battery production line

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of battery production, in particular to a battery restraining device and a battery production line. The battery restraining device is used for restraining a single battery, the single battery comprises an electrolyte, an electrode assembly and a shell, a containing cavity is defined by the shell, the electrolyte and the electrode assembly are both arranged in the containing cavity, and the battery restraining device comprises at least two extrusion assemblies. An accommodating position for accommodating the single battery is formed between two adjacent extrusion assemblies, the accommodating position is used for arranging the single battery, and the extrusion assemblies are used for extruding the single battery arranged in the accommodating position so as to drive the electrolyte in the shell to move from bottom to top along the height direction of the single battery. Through the arrangement of the extrusion assembly, the electrolyte in the shell can be moved upwards from the lower end of the electrode assembly through the extrusion assembly, forced convection is carried out on the electrolyte and the electrolyte in the middle of the electrode assembly, the uniform mixing time is obviously shortened, and an additive in the electrolyte is uniformly distributed.

Description

Battery restraint devices and battery production lines Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery manufacturing technology, and in particular to a battery restraint device and a battery production line. Background Technology

[0002] This section provides only background information relevant to this disclosure and is not necessarily prior art.

[0003] With the increasing maturity of new energy technologies, new energy vehicles and other electrical equipment are gradually entering the public eye. The core technology of new energy vehicles lies in the battery device, and the safety and stability of the battery device directly determine the performance of the entire vehicle.

[0004] During the production of battery devices, the concentration of electrolyte additives in the middle position of a battery cell in the height direction is lower than that in the edge position, making it impossible to achieve a uniform distribution of electrolyte additive concentration along the height direction of the battery cell. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, this application provides a battery restraint device and a battery production line, which solves the problem that the additives in the electrolyte in the battery cell cannot be evenly distributed along the height direction of the battery cell in the prior art.

[0006] A first aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a battery restraint device for restraining a single battery cell. The single battery cell includes an electrolyte, an electrode assembly, and a housing. The housing surrounds a receiving cavity, and the electrolyte and the electrode assembly are both disposed within the receiving cavity. The battery restraint device includes:

[0007] The extrusion assembly has at least two extrusion assemblies, wherein a receiving position for accommodating a battery cell is formed between two adjacent extrusion assemblies, and the extrusion assembly is used to extrude the battery cell disposed in the receiving position to drive the electrolyte in the casing to move from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell.

[0008] The battery restraint device of this application, by setting up a squeezing assembly, wherein the battery cell includes an electrolyte, an electrode assembly and a housing, the housing surrounds a receiving cavity, the electrolyte and the electrode assembly are both disposed in the receiving cavity, the number of squeezing assemblies is at least two, and a receiving position for accommodating the battery cell is formed between two adjacent squeezing assemblies, the squeezing assembly is used to drive the electrolyte in the housing to move from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell, so that the electrolyte in the housing can be moved from the lower end of the electrode assembly upward by the squeezing assembly, and forced convection with the electrolyte in the middle position of the electrode assembly, which significantly shortens the mixing time and makes the concentration of additives in the electrolyte uniformly distributed in the height direction.

[0009] The battery restraint device according to the embodiments of this application also has the following technical features:

[0010] In some embodiments of this application, the compression assembly includes an airbag. With a battery cell housed in the receiving position, the bottom of the airbag is flush with the lower end of the electrode assembly, or the bottom of the airbag is lower than the lower end of the electrode assembly. The airbag is configured to be inflated. When inflated, the thickness of the airbag is uneven along the height direction of the battery cell, with the bottom of the airbag having the greatest thickness. This configuration allows the airbag to act on the lower end of the electrode assembly, enabling the electrolyte at the lower end of the electrode assembly to move upwards, thereby forcing convection with the electrolyte in the middle of the electrode assembly.

[0011] In some embodiments of this application, when the airbag is inflated, at least a portion of the airbag's thickness gradually decreases from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell. This arrangement allows the airbag to act on the lower part of the electrode assembly, enabling the electrolyte in the lower part of the electrode assembly to gradually move upwards, thereby forcing convection with the electrolyte in the middle of the electrode assembly.

[0012] In some embodiments of this application, the compression assembly further includes a pressure detection component, which is provided on the outer and / or inner surfaces of the airbag. This configuration allows for the detection of the airbag pressure via the pressure detection component on the outer and / or inner surfaces, thereby facilitating pressure control of the airbag.

[0013] In some embodiments of this application, the pressure detection component includes a thin-film pressure sensor, which is adhered to the airbag. This configuration allows for the detection of pressure within the airbag using the thin-film pressure sensor. Furthermore, adhering the thin-film pressure sensor to the airbag ensures its secure attachment, reducing the likelihood of it detaching.

[0014] In some embodiments of this application, the compression assembly further includes a pressure display component connected to a thin-film pressure sensor. This configuration allows the thin-film pressure sensor to be connected to the pressure display component, enabling the user to observe the pressure inside the airbag through the pressure display component.

[0015] In some embodiments of this application, in the two compression assemblies constituting the same receiving position, two airbags are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the receiving position. This arrangement allows the symmetrically distributed airbags to simultaneously act on the battery cell from both sides in the thickness direction of the battery cell, resulting in balanced force on the battery cell and reducing the probability of asymmetrical force on the battery cell.

[0016] In some embodiments of this application, the airbag is further configured to have a deflated state and be able to switch between an inflated state and a deflated state, wherein the volume of the airbag in the inflated state is larger than the volume of the airbag in the deflated state to compress the battery cell. This configuration allows for compression of the battery cell during the pressurization process of switching from the deflated state to the inflated state. The compression component moves the electrolyte within the casing upwards from the lower end of the electrode assembly, pushing the electrolyte in the middle of the electrode assembly to flow out from the upper edge of the electrode assembly. Conversely, during the depressurization process of switching from the inflated state to the deflated state, the electrolyte within the electrode assembly moves downwards. Simultaneously, the loosening of the casing allows the electrode plates to draw electrolyte from the outer membrane of the electrode assembly into the electrode assembly, achieving electrolyte circulation and renewal within the electrode assembly.

[0017] In some embodiments of this application, the battery restraint device further includes a tray with an air vent that communicates with an airbag for inflating or deflating the airbag. This arrangement allows for the placement of individual battery cells via the tray and facilitates the inflation or deflation of the airbag via the air vent.

[0018] In some embodiments of this application, the battery restraint device further includes a gas source, a gas conduit, and a pressure pump. The pressure pump is mounted on the gas conduit, and both ends of the gas conduit are connected to the gas source and a gas port, respectively. This configuration allows the pressure inside the gas source to be transferred to the airbag or discharged from the airbag to the gas source via the pressure pump and the gas conduit, thereby controlling the pressure within the airbag.

[0019] In some embodiments of this application, receiving positions are formed on the tray. This arrangement facilitates the placement of individual battery cells.

[0020] In some embodiments of this application, the compression assembly further includes a mounting plate connected to the airbag, the mounting plate being disposed on the side of the airbag away from the receiving position. This arrangement allows the airbag to be fixed in place via the mounting plate, achieving stable placement of the airbag.

[0021] A second aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a battery production line, which includes the battery restraint device mentioned in the above embodiments.

[0022] 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

[0023] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. 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:

[0024] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electrical device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0025] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery device provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a battery cell provided in some embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the battery restraint device provided in some embodiments of this application in a usage state;

[0028] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the compression assembly of the battery restraint device shown in Figure 4 in an inflated state.

[0029] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the compression assembly of the battery restraint device shown in Figure 4 in the deflated state.

[0030] The attached figures are labeled as follows:

[0031] 1000, Vehicle; 100, Battery unit; 200, Controller; 300, Motor;

[0032] 10. Battery cell; 11. Electrode assembly; 111. Main body; 112. Terminal tab; 12. Adapter; 13. Top cover; 131. Electrode terminal; 14. Housing; 141. Receiving cavity; 15. Insulating film; 16. Electrolyte; 17. Base support;

[0033] 20. Box; 21. First box; 22. Second box; 23. Storage space;

[0034] 3. Battery restraint device;

[0035] 30. Extrusion assembly; 31. Mounting plate; 32. Airbag; 33. Pressure detection component; 34. Pressure display component;

[0036] 40. Gas source;

[0037] 50. Gas line tubing;

[0038] 60. Pressure pump;

[0039] 70. Pallet components; 71. Air vents;

[0040] 80. Accommodation position;

[0041] XX, the length direction of the battery cell;

[0042] YY, the thickness direction of the battery cell;

[0043] ZZ, the height direction of a single battery cell;

[0044] T, the thickness of the airbag. Detailed Implementation

[0045] 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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).

[0051] 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 do not 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.

[0052] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the 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. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0053] Currently, judging from market trends, the application of battery devices is becoming increasingly widespread. Battery devices are not only used in energy storage power systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but also widely applied 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 battery device applications, market demand is also constantly increasing.

[0054] The battery devices described in this application can be used, but are not limited to, in electrical equipment such as vehicles, ships, or aircraft. Such electrical equipment can be composed of battery cells and battery devices as described in this application.

[0055] In this application embodiment, the electrical devices using battery devices as power sources can be, but are not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toys, power tools, electric vehicles, electric cars, ships, spacecraft, etc. Among them, electric toys can include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys, and electric airplane toys, etc., and spacecraft can include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, etc.

[0056] It should be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application are not limited to the battery devices and electrical equipment described above, but can also be applied to all batteries including housings and electrical equipment using batteries.

[0057] The battery apparatus mentioned in the embodiments of this application may include one or more battery cell assemblies for providing voltage and capacity. A battery cell assembly may include multiple battery cells connected in series, parallel, or mixed connections via a busbar.

[0058] In some embodiments, a battery cell assembly is typically formed by arranging multiple battery cells.

[0059] As an example, a battery cell assembly can be a battery module, which is formed by arranging and fixing multiple battery cells together to form an independent module. As another example, a battery module can be formed by bundling multiple battery cells together with cable ties.

[0060] In some embodiments, the battery device may be a battery pack, which includes a housing and one or more individual battery cells housed within the housing.

[0061] As an example, the battery cell assembly can be a battery module, which can be housed in a housing by fixing the battery module in the housing.

[0062] As an example, battery cell assemblies can also be housed in a housing by directly fixing multiple battery cells to the housing.

[0063] As an example, the enclosure may include a first enclosure and a second enclosure. The first enclosure and the second enclosure are fastened together to form a closed space inside the enclosure to house the individual battery cells. Here, "closed" refers to covering or closing, and can be either sealed or unsealed. The first enclosure may be a top cover or a bottom plate.

[0064] As an example, the enclosure may include a top cover, a frame, and a bottom plate. The top cover and bottom plate are connected to the frame, creating an enclosed space inside the enclosure to house the individual battery cells.

[0065] In some embodiments, the housing may be part of the vehicle's chassis structure. For example, a portion of the housing may be at least a part of the vehicle's floor, or a portion of the housing may be at least a part of the vehicle's crossbeams and longitudinal beams.

[0066] A battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrolyte. The electrode assembly consists of a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The battery cell primarily functions by the movement of metal ions between the positive and negative electrodes. The positive electrode includes a positive current collector and a positive active material layer. The positive active material layer is coated on the surface of the positive current collector. Current collectors without the positive active material layer protrude beyond those with the coating. These uncoated current collectors are stacked together to form the positive electrode tab. Taking a lithium-ion battery as an example, the positive current collector can be made of aluminum, and the positive active material can be lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, or lithium manganese oxide, etc. The negative electrode includes a negative current collector and a negative active material layer. The negative active material layer is coated on the surface of the negative current collector. Current collectors without the negative active material layer protrude beyond those with the coating. These uncoated current collectors are stacked together to form the negative electrode tab. The negative current collector can be made of copper, and the negative active material can be carbon or silicon, etc. The separator can be made of PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene), etc. Furthermore, the electrode assembly can be a wound structure or a stacked structure; this application does not limit this.

[0067] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application are applicable to various electrical devices that use individual battery cells, such as mobile phones, portable devices, laptops, electric vehicles, electric toys, power tools, vehicles, ships, and spacecraft. For example, spacecraft include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft.

[0068] During the production of battery devices, the concentration of electrolyte additives in the middle position of a battery cell in the height direction is lower than that in the edge position, making it impossible to achieve a uniform distribution of electrolyte additive concentration along the height direction within the battery cell.

[0069] To address this problem, embodiments of this application propose a battery restraint device. The battery restraint device includes a compression assembly. Each battery cell includes an electrolyte, an electrode assembly, and a housing. The housing encloses a receiving cavity, and the electrolyte and electrode assembly are both disposed within the receiving cavity. The number of compression assemblies is at least two, wherein a receiving position for accommodating a battery cell is formed between two adjacent compression assemblies. The compression assemblies are used to compress the battery cell disposed in the receiving position to drive the electrolyte within the housing to move from bottom to top along the height direction.

[0070] The battery device in the embodiments of this application can be used in electrical equipment such as vehicles, or can be installed in electrical equipment that requires a battery device in advance, such as emergency equipment. The battery restraint device is used in the production process of the battery device.

[0071] The structures in the embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0072] As shown in Figure 1, 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 device 100 is installed inside vehicle 1000, which can be located at the bottom, front, or rear of vehicle 1000. The battery device 100 can be used to power vehicle 1000; for example, it can serve as the operating power source for vehicle 1000. Vehicle 1000 may also include a controller 200 and a motor 300. The controller 200 controls the battery device 100 to supply power to the motor 300, for example, to meet the power needs of vehicle 1000 during starting, navigation, and driving.

[0073] In some embodiments of this application, the battery device 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.

[0074] As shown in Figure 2, an embodiment of this application also provides a battery device 100, including a battery housing 20 and a battery cell 10. The battery housing 20 has a receiving space 23, and the battery cell 10 is installed in the receiving space 23.

[0075] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2, the battery housing 20 may include a first housing 21 and a second housing 22, which are mutually capped, and together define a receiving space 23 for accommodating the battery cell 10. Both the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 may be hollow structures with one open end, with the second housing 22 capping the open side of the first housing 21, so that the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 together define the receiving space; alternatively, the second housing 22 may be a plate-like structure, and the first housing 21 may be a hollow structure with one open side, with the second housing 22 capping the open side of the first housing 21. Of course, the battery housing 20 formed by the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 may be of various shapes, such as a cylinder or a cuboid.

[0076] The battery cell 10 can be a secondary battery or a primary battery, and 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 10 can be cylindrical, flat, cuboid, or other shapes.

[0077] As shown in Figure 3, an embodiment of this application also proposes a battery cell 10, which includes an electrode assembly 11. The electrode assembly 11 includes a tab 112 and an adapter 12. These are common components of the battery cell 10, and the function and role of each component will not be described in detail here.

[0078] It is understood that the battery cell 10 also includes components such as a housing 14, an insulating film 15, and a top cover 13. The electrode assembly 11 is located in the space enclosed by the top cover 13 and the housing 14. The insulating film 15 covers the outer surface of the housing 14, and the top cover 13 is equipped with electrode terminals 131.

[0079] Electrode assembly 11 is a component in the battery cell 10 where an electrochemical reaction occurs. The housing 14 may contain one or more electrode assemblies 11. Electrode assembly 11 includes a main body 111 and tabs 112 protruding from the main body 111. The main body 111 includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator. The first and second electrodes have opposite polarities, and the separator is used to insulate and isolate the first and second electrodes. The first electrode, second electrode, and separator can be formed by winding or by stacking. The first electrode includes a first coating area coated with a first active material layer, and the second electrode includes a second coating area coated with a second active material layer. Tabs 112 can be positive or negative tabs, wherein the positive and negative tabs can be located together at one end of the main body 111 or respectively at both ends of the main body 111. During the charging and discharging process of the battery cell 10, the first and second active materials react with the electrolyte, and the tabs 112 connect to the electrode terminals 131 to form a current loop.

[0080] In addition, the adapter 12 here can be in the form of a sheet, strip, block, or other shapes, as long as it can electrically connect the tab 112 to the electrode terminal 131.

[0081] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the battery cell 10 also includes an electrolyte 16, and the housing 14 surrounds a cavity 141, in which the electrolyte 16 and the electrode assembly 11 are both disposed.

[0082] The embodiments of this application also propose a battery restraint device 3 for restraining a battery cell 10. The battery restraint device 3 further includes a compression assembly 30, with at least two compression assemblies 30. A receiving position 80 for accommodating the battery cell 10 is formed between two adjacent compression assemblies 30. The compression assembly 30 is used to compress the battery cell 10 disposed in the receiving position 80 to drive the electrolyte 16 within the casing 14 to move from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell 10. In Figure 3, the thickness direction of the battery cell 10 is the YY direction, the height direction is the ZZ direction, and the length direction is the XX direction. The compression assembly 30 is used to compress the battery cell 10 to drive the electrolyte 16 within the casing 14 to move from bottom to top along the height direction ZZ through compression.

[0083] The accommodating space 80 here is the space between two adjacent extrusion assemblies 30, which can accommodate the battery cell 10. It should be noted that not every two adjacent extrusion assemblies 30 have an accommodating space 80. Here, two adjacent extrusion assemblies 30 form a group, and two accommodating spaces 80 are formed between four extrusion assemblies 30. That is, when there are four extrusion assemblies 30, the four extrusion assemblies 30 are arranged sequentially along the thickness direction of the battery cell 10. Among them, an accommodating space 80 is formed between the first extrusion assembly 30 and the second extrusion assembly 30, and another accommodating space 80 is formed between the third extrusion assembly 30 and the fourth extrusion assembly 30.

[0084] The battery restraint device 3 of this application embodiment, by providing a squeezing assembly 30, wherein the battery cell 10 includes an electrolyte 16, an electrode assembly 11 and a housing 14, the housing 14 surrounds a receiving cavity 141, the electrolyte 16 and the electrode assembly 11 are both disposed in the receiving cavity 141, and the battery cell 10 is provided with squeezing assemblies 30 on both sides along the thickness direction, the number of squeezing assemblies 30 is at least two, wherein a receiving position 80 for accommodating the battery cell 10 is formed between two adjacent squeezing assemblies 30, the squeezing assembly 30 is used to squeeze the battery cell 10 disposed in the receiving position 80, so as to drive the electrolyte 16 in the housing 14 to move from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell 10, so that the electrolyte 16 in the housing 14 can be moved upward from the lower end of the electrode assembly 11 by the squeezing assembly 30, and forced convection with the electrolyte 16 in the middle position of the electrode assembly 11, which significantly shortens the mixing time and makes the concentration of additives in the electrolyte 16 uniformly distributed in the height direction.

[0085] Optionally, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, the extrusion assembly 30 includes an airbag 32. When the battery cell 10 is provided in the accommodating position 80, the bottom end of the airbag 32 is flush with the bottom end of the electrode assembly 11 or the bottom end of the airbag 32 is lower than the bottom end of the electrode assembly 11. The airbag 32 is configured to be in an inflated state. When the airbag 32 is in the inflated state, the thickness of the airbag 32 is uneven along the height direction of the battery cell 10, wherein the bottom end of the airbag 32 has the maximum thickness.

[0086] In Figure 5, the bottom end of the airbag 32 is set below the bottom end of the electrode assembly 11. That is, the bottom end of the airbag 32 protrudes from the bottom end of the electrode assembly 11, so that the electrolyte 16 at the bottom end of the electrode assembly 11 can move upward under the action of the airbag 32. The arrow in Figure 5 indicates the direction of movement of the electrolyte 16. The high-concentration electrolyte 16 at the bottom end of the electrode assembly 11 moves upward under the squeezing action of the airbag 32. On the one hand, it can force convection with the electrolyte 16 in the middle position of the electrode assembly 11. On the other hand, it can also push the electrolyte 16 upward, so that the low-concentration electrolyte 16 in the middle position is squeezed out from the upper edge of the electrode assembly 11, so that the high-concentration electrolyte 16 and the low-concentration electrolyte 16 are mixed evenly.

[0087] It should be added that the airbag 32 can exist independently, and an accommodating position 80 is formed between two adjacent airbags 32. In order to achieve stable placement of the airbag 32, the circumferential edge of the airbag 32 can be made of a rigid material, which has a certain supporting performance.

[0088] Optionally, when the airbag 32 is in an inflated state, at least a portion of the thickness of the airbag 32 gradually decreases from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell 10. In Figure 5, the thickness of the airbag 32 is represented by T. As can be seen from Figure 5, at least a portion of the thickness of the airbag 32 gradually decreases from bottom to top, thereby enabling the airbag 32 to act on the lower part of the electrode assembly 11, allowing the electrolyte 16 at the lower part of the electrode assembly 11 to gradually move upward, thereby enabling forced convection with the electrolyte 16 at the middle position of the electrode assembly 11.

[0089] It should be added that the cyclic extrusion action of the extrusion component 30 can improve the uniformity of the additive concentration in the electrolyte 16, making the electrolyte 16 concentration in the electrode assembly 11 more uniform along the height direction of the battery cell 10. Compared with the solution of diffusion by concentration difference, the forced convection of the electrolyte 16 can shorten the mixing time of the electrolyte 16 along the height direction. While meeting the production cycle of the electrode assembly 11, it can also improve the problems of edge lithium plating and cycle drop of the electrode assembly 11.

[0090] Optionally, as shown in Figure 5, the compression assembly 30 further includes a pressure detection component 33, which is provided on the outer surface and / or inner surface of the airbag 32. The pressure detection component 33 can be a pressure sensor, capable of directly or indirectly detecting the pressure inside the airbag 32.

[0091] The battery restraint device 3 of the embodiments of this application can detect the pressure of the airbag 32 by means of the pressure detection component 33 provided on the outer surface and / or inner surface of the airbag 32, thereby facilitating the control of the pressure of the airbag 32.

[0092] Optionally, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the pressure detection component 33 includes a thin-film pressure sensor, which is adhered to the airbag 32.

[0093] A thin-film pressure sensor is a sensor that uses the piezoelectric effect to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. It uses thin-film materials to make the sensing element and can convert pressure into an electrical signal output.

[0094] The embodiments of this application can detect the pressure inside the airbag 32 using a thin-film pressure sensor. In addition, the thin-film pressure sensor is adhered to the airbag 32, which can fix the thin-film pressure sensor on the airbag 32 and reduce the probability of the thin-film pressure sensor falling off.

[0095] In addition, the pressure detection component 33 here can also monitor the pressure inside the airbag 32 in real time, quickly realize the monitoring of abnormal battery cells 10, and can be directly processed after the formation process, reducing the chance of them flowing into the market.

[0096] Optionally, as shown in Figure 4, the extrusion assembly 30 further includes a pressure display component 34, which is connected to a thin-film pressure sensor. It should be noted that there can be one pressure display component 34, connected to one thin-film pressure sensor, thereby displaying the pressure monitored by that sensor. Alternatively, there can be multiple pressure display components 34, each connected to a separate thin-film pressure sensor, thereby displaying the pressure data monitored by each sensor.

[0097] The pressure display component 34 here can be a pressure gauge or other type of pressure gauge, which can display the pressure data detected by the diaphragm pressure sensor.

[0098] The embodiments of this application provide a pressure display component 34 and connect the pressure display component 34 to a thin-film pressure sensor, thereby enabling the thin-film pressure sensor to be connected to the pressure display component 34, making it convenient for the user to observe the pressure inside the airbag 32 through the pressure display component 34.

[0099] Optionally, in the two extrusion assemblies 30 constituting the same accommodating position 80, two airbags 32 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the accommodating position 80. After the battery cell 10 is arranged in the accommodating position 80, the airbags 32 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the battery cell 10 along the thickness direction.

[0100] As shown in Figure 5, the airbags 32 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the battery cell 10 along the thickness direction, which means that airbags 32 are respectively provided on both sides of the battery cell 10 along the thickness direction, and the two airbags 32 are symmetrically distributed with respect to the battery cell 10.

[0101] In the embodiments of this application, by symmetrically arranging two airbags 32 on opposite sides of the receiving position 80, the receiving position 80 can accommodate the battery cell 10 so that the two airbags 32 are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the battery cell 10 along the thickness direction. This allows the two symmetrically distributed airbags 32 to act on the battery cell 10 simultaneously from both sides of the battery cell 10's thickness direction, resulting in balanced force on the battery cell 10 and reducing the probability of asymmetrical force on the battery cell 10.

[0102] Optionally, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the airbag 32 is also configured to have a deflated state and be able to switch between an inflated state and a deflated state, wherein the volume of the airbag 32 in the inflated state is greater than the volume of the airbag 32 in the deflated state to compress the battery cell 10. The deflated state is the original state of the airbag 32, and the inflated state is the state after the airbag 32 has expanded.

[0103] In the embodiments of this application, the battery cell 10 can be squeezed during the pressurization process of the airbag 32 switching from the deflation state to the inflation state. The squeezing component 30 drives the electrolyte 16 in the housing 14 to move upward from the lower end of the electrode assembly 11, pushing the electrolyte 16 in the middle position of the electrode assembly 11 to flow out from the upper edge of the electrode assembly 11. During the depressurization process of the airbag 32 switching from the inflation state to the deflation state, the electrolyte 16 in the electrode assembly 11 can move downward. At the same time, the relaxation of the housing 14 will allow the electrode to draw the electrolyte 16 from the outer membrane of the electrode assembly 11 into the electrode assembly 11, realizing the circulation and renewal of the electrolyte 16 in the electrode assembly 11, making the concentration of the electrolyte 16 in the electrode assembly 11 more uniform.

[0104] It should be added that the airbag 32 switches between inflation and deflation states during operation. The process of switching from deflation to inflation is a pressurization process, and the process of switching from inflation to deflation is a depressurization process. The switching frequency between these two states can be determined according to the product type of the electrode assembly 11. For example, in the actual control process, it can be determined according to the group margin of the electrode assembly 11, the viscosity and diffusion coefficient of the electrolyte 16, etc. For example, the switching process between inflation and deflation states can be completed in 1 minute, and the switching process between deflation and inflation states can be completed in 30 seconds.

[0105] Optionally, as shown in Figure 4, the battery restraint device 3 also includes a tray 70, on which an air port 71 is provided. The air port 71 is connected to the airbag 32 and is used to inflate or deflate the airbag 32.

[0106] The tray 70 here is a component used to place the battery cell 10. The number of air ports 71 is the same as the number of airbags 32, and each airbag 32 can be inflated or deflated through one air port 71.

[0107] The embodiments of this application enable the placement of the battery cell 10 via the tray 70, and facilitate the inflation or deflation of the airbag 32 via the air vent 71.

[0108] Optionally, as shown in Figure 4, the battery restraint device 3 also includes an air source 40, an air conduit 50, and a pressure pump 60. The air conduit 50 is equipped with the pressure pump 60, and both ends of the air conduit 50 are connected to the air source 40 and the air port 71, respectively.

[0109] The gas source 40 here is a component for placing gas. The pressure pump 60 on the gas conduit 50 can transfer gas from the gas source 40 to the gas port 71, or from the gas port 71 to the gas source 40.

[0110] The embodiments of this application can transfer gas from the gas source 40 to the airbag 32 or discharge gas from the airbag 32 to the gas source 40 through the pressure pump 60 and the air conduit 50, thereby controlling the pressure inside the airbag 32.

[0111] Optionally, as shown in Figure 4, a receiving position 80 is formed on the tray member 70. That is, the tray member 70 is provided with multiple receiving positions 80 for placing battery cells 10. The multiple battery cells 10 are arranged in a multi-row, multi-column structure, and each battery cell 10 is placed on a receiving position 80 of the tray member 70.

[0112] The embodiments of this application can simultaneously place multiple battery cells 10 through multiple accommodating positions 80, and can simultaneously compress each of the multiple battery cells 10, thereby improving the working efficiency of the battery restraint device 3.

[0113] The accommodating position 80 is formed on the tray 70 to facilitate the placement of the battery cell 10.

[0114] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the battery cell 10 also includes a base 17, which is located on the upper surface of the bottom of the housing 14. The electrode assembly 11 is placed on the base 17, which can support the electrode assembly 11.

[0115] Optionally, as shown in FIG4, the compression assembly 30 further includes a mounting plate 31 connected to the airbag 32, the mounting plate 31 being disposed on the side of the airbag 32 opposite to the receiving position 80.

[0116] Specifically, the airbag 32 can be embedded in the mounting plate 31, and the mounting plate 31 can fix the airbag 32 and achieve stable placement of the airbag 32.

[0117] Alternatively, the airbag 32 can also be connected to the mounting plate 31 by means of adhesive bonding, so that the airbag 32 can be stably installed through the mounting plate 31.

[0118] Embodiments of this application also propose a battery production line, which includes the battery restraint device 3 mentioned in the above embodiments. The battery restraint device 3 is used in the formation process of the battery device 100. The battery production line also includes welding equipment and winding equipment, etc., which are capable of producing the battery device 100.

[0119] 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.

[0120] A first aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a battery restraint device 3 for restraining a battery cell 10. The battery cell 10 includes an electrolyte 16, an electrode assembly 11, and a housing 14. The housing 14 encloses a receiving cavity 141, and the electrolyte 16 and the electrode assembly 11 are both disposed within the receiving cavity 141. The battery restraint device 3 includes a compression assembly 30, and the number of compression assemblies 30 is at least two. A receiving position 80 for accommodating the battery cell 10 is formed between two adjacent compression assemblies 30. The compression assembly 30 is used to compress the battery cell 10 disposed in the receiving position 80 to drive the electrolyte 16 in the housing 14 to move from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell 10. Further, the extrusion assembly 30 includes an airbag 32. With the battery cell 10 disposed in the receiving position 80, the bottom end of the airbag 32 is flush with the bottom end of the electrode assembly 11, or the bottom end of the airbag 32 is lower than the bottom end of the electrode assembly 11. The airbag 32 is configured to be inflated. When the airbag 32 is inflated, its thickness is uneven along the height direction of the battery cell 10, with the bottom end of the airbag 32 having the maximum thickness. Further, when the airbag 32 is inflated, at least a portion of the airbag 32 gradually decreases in thickness from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell 10. Further, the extrusion assembly 30 also includes a pressure detection component 33, which is provided on the outer and / or inner surface of the airbag 32. Further, the pressure detection component 33 includes a thin-film pressure sensor, which is adhered to the airbag 32. Further, the extrusion assembly 30 also includes a pressure display component 34, which is connected to the thin-film pressure sensor. Furthermore, in the two compression components 30 constituting the same accommodating position 80, two airbags 32 are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the accommodating position 80. Furthermore, the airbags 32 are configured to have an inflated state and a deflated state, and are capable of switching between the inflated and deflated states, wherein the volume of the airbag 32 in the inflated state is greater than the volume of the airbag 32 in the deflated state to compress the battery cell 10. Furthermore, the battery restraint device also includes a tray 70, which has an air port 71 communicating with the airbag 32. Furthermore, the battery restraint device 3 also includes an air source 40, an air conduit 50, and a pressure pump 60, with the pressure pump 60 provided on the air conduit 50, and both ends of the air conduit 50 communicating with the air source 40 and the air port 71, respectively. Furthermore, the accommodating position 80 is formed on the tray 70. Furthermore, the compression assembly 30 also includes a mounting plate 31 connected to the airbag 32, the mounting plate 31 being located on the side of the airbag 32 opposite to the receiving position 80.

[0121] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery restraint device for restraining a single battery cell, the single battery cell comprising an electrolyte, an electrode assembly, and a housing, the housing enclosing a receiving cavity, the electrolyte and the electrode assembly being disposed within the receiving cavity, characterized in that, The battery restraint device includes: a compression assembly, the number of which is at least two, and a receiving position for accommodating the battery cell is formed between two adjacent compression assemblies. The compression assembly is used to compress the battery cell disposed in the receiving position to drive the electrolyte in the housing to move from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell.

2. The battery restraint device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The compression assembly includes an airbag. With the battery cell disposed in the receiving position, the bottom end of the airbag is flush with the bottom end of the electrode assembly or the bottom end of the airbag is lower than the bottom end of the electrode assembly. The airbag is configured to be inflated. When the airbag is inflated, the thickness of the airbag is uneven along the height direction of the battery cell, wherein the bottom of the airbag has the maximum thickness.

3. The battery restraint device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, When the airbag is in the inflated state, at least a portion of the airbag gradually decreases in thickness from bottom to top along the height direction of the battery cell.

4. The battery restraint device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The compression assembly further includes a pressure detection component, which is provided on the outer and / or inner surface of the airbag.

5. The battery restraint device as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The pressure detection component includes a thin-film pressure sensor, which is adhered to the airbag.

6. The battery restraint device as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, The extrusion assembly also includes a pressure display component, which is connected to the thin-film pressure sensor.

7. The battery restraint device as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, In the two compression assemblies constituting the same receiving position, the two airbags are symmetrically arranged on opposite sides of the receiving position.

8. The battery restraint device as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The airbag is also configured to have a deflated state and be able to switch between the inflated state and the deflated state, wherein the volume of the airbag in the inflated state is larger than the volume of the airbag in the deflated state to compress the battery cell.

9. The battery restraint device as described in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The battery restraint device also includes a tray with an air port that communicates with the airbag and is used to inflate or deflate the airbag.

10. The battery restraint device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The battery restraint device further includes an air source, an air conduit, and a pressure pump. The pressure pump is installed on the air conduit, and both ends of the air conduit are connected to the air source and the air port, respectively.

11. The battery restraint device as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that, The receiving position is formed on the tray.

12. The battery restraint device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that, The compression assembly also includes a mounting plate connected to the airbag, the mounting plate being disposed on the side of the airbag opposite to the receiving position.

13. A battery production line, characterized in that, Includes the battery restraint device as described in any one of claims 1 to 12.

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