End cap assembly, energy storage device, and electric appliance

Abstract

The application discloses an end cover assembly, an energy storage device and an electric equipment. The end cover assembly comprises an end cover and an insulating piece. The end cover is provided with an explosion-proof valve. The insulating piece comprises an insulating body and a first protrusion. The insulating body has a first surface facing away from the end cover. The first protrusion is protruded on the first surface. The first protrusion has a gas permeable channel. The gas permeable channel penetrates through the first protrusion along a first direction. The first direction is the length direction of the end cover. The gas permeable channel has a bottom wall away from the end cover. The bottom wall is recessed to form a first gap in the first direction towards the direction close to the explosion-proof valve. The first gap is communicated with the gas permeable channel.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of energy storage technology, and more specifically, to an end cap assembly, an energy storage device, and an electrical appliance. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, with the rapid development of new energy vehicles, energy storage systems, and consumer electronics, lithium-ion batteries have been widely used due to their advantages such as high energy density and long cycle life. However, batteries may experience adverse reactions under overcharging, short circuits, mechanical abuse, or high-temperature environments, leading to the generation of a large amount of gas inside the battery. The rapid accumulation of this gas can cause a sharp increase in internal pressure, which, if not released in time, may cause the battery casing to rupture or even explode, seriously threatening user safety. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides an end cap assembly, an energy storage device, and an electrical device to solve the problem of thermal runaway gas not being released in a timely manner in related technologies.

[0004] The end cap assembly of this application includes an end cap and an insulating component, wherein the end cap is provided with an explosion-proof valve.

[0005] The insulating component includes an insulating body and a first protrusion. The insulating body has a first surface facing away from the end cap. The first protrusion protrudes from the first surface and has a venting channel that extends through the first protrusion along a first direction, which is the length direction of the end cap.

[0006] The ventilation channel has a bottom wall away from the end cap, and the bottom wall is recessed in the first direction toward the explosion-proof valve to form a first notch, which is connected to the ventilation channel.

[0007] In the end cap assembly of this application embodiment, the first protrusion of the insulating member has a venting channel, and the bottom wall of the venting channel is recessed to form a first notch, which communicates with the venting channel. When pressure is released, the gas generated by the electrode assembly can quickly flow through the first notch and the venting channel in sequence. The gas flow is smooth, reducing the influence of the first protrusion of the insulating member on the gas flow rate, ensuring that the gas can be released in a timely manner, avoiding the explosion of the energy storage device, and improving reliability. In addition, the bottom wall of the venting channel can ensure the structural strength of the first protrusion, thereby improving the stability of the first protrusion abutting against the electrode assembly.

[0008] According to some embodiments of this application, the first protrusion has a first vertical section extending along the width direction of the end cap; the first vertical section has a first side and a second side disposed opposite to each other in the first direction, and the ventilation channel penetrates the first side and the second side along the first direction; the bottom wall has a third side and a fourth side disposed opposite to each other in the first direction; the distance between the first side and the second side is L1, and the distance between the third side and the fourth side of the bottom wall is L2, where 2mm≤L1-L2≤5mm.

[0009] In the embodiments of this application, L1-L2 satisfies: 2mm≤L1-L2≤5mm, which ensures that the bottom wall has sufficient width to give the first protrusion sufficient structural strength, and also ensures that the first gap has a sufficiently large flow area so that the gas can pass through the first gap smoothly.

[0010] According to some embodiments of this application, the insulating body has a second notch at a position corresponding to the venting channel in a third direction. The second notch penetrates the insulating body along the third direction and communicates with the venting channel. The third direction is the thickness direction of the end cap.

[0011] In the embodiments of this application, during depressurization, the gas can not only flow through the vent channel along the side of the first surface of the insulating body, but also pass through the second notch along the side of the insulating body opposite to the electrode assembly. By increasing the number of gas flow paths, the gas flow is made smoother, ensuring timely gas release.

[0012] According to some embodiments of this application, the insulating member further includes a second protrusion and a flow guide portion, the second protrusion and the flow guide portion protruding from the first surface, the flow guide portion being located between the second protrusion and the first protrusion; the insulating body has a second surface facing the end cap, the insulating body having a groove on the side facing the end cap, the groove being recessed from the second surface along the thickness direction of the end cap into the second protrusion; the groove has a first groove sidewall and a second groove sidewall, the first groove sidewall and the second groove sidewall being disposed opposite to each other along the first direction; the flow guide portion is located on the side of the first groove sidewall away from the second groove sidewall;

[0013] The first groove sidewall has a through first vent hole and a second vent hole, the flow area of ​​the first vent hole is larger than the flow area of ​​the second vent hole; the first vent hole and the flow guide each have no overlapping areas on the orthographic projection of the first vent hole and the flow guide each have overlapping areas on the orthographic projection of the second vent hole and the flow guide each have overlapping areas on the target plane, and the target plane is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0014] In this embodiment, a first vent with a larger flow area is positioned at a location that does not overlap with the flow guide, while a second vent with a smaller flow area is positioned at a location that overlaps with the flow guide. In this way, when the gas flows in a branching pattern, the first vent with a larger flow area corresponds to a large flow of gas, while the second vent with a smaller flow area corresponds to a small flow of gas, thereby improving the efficiency of gas release.

[0015] According to some embodiments of this application, the first groove sidewall has at least one first vent hole and at least one second vent hole, and the second groove sidewall has at least one through third vent hole.

[0016] According to some embodiments of this application, the second groove sidewall has a plurality of the third vent holes, which are spaced apart along a second direction; the second direction is the width direction of the end cap.

[0017] According to some embodiments of this application, the position where the insulating body connects to the sidewall of the second groove also has at least one through third perforation, and at least one of the third perforations is directly connected to at least one of the third vent holes.

[0018] In the embodiments of this application, the third perforation is connected to the third vent hole, so that the second groove sidewall of the insulating member forms an opening that allows a large flow of gas to pass through, thereby increasing the flow of gas through the insulating member and further reducing the influence of the insulating member on the smooth release of gas.

[0019] According to some embodiments of this application, the insulating body further has a first through hole and a second through hole at the position where it connects to the side wall of the first groove. The first through hole is directly connected to the first vent hole, and the second through hole is directly connected to the second vent hole.

[0020] In the embodiments of this application, the first perforation is connected to the first vent hole, and the second perforation is connected to the second vent hole, so that the first groove sidewall of the insulating member forms an opening that allows a large flow of gas to pass through, thereby increasing the flow of gas through the insulating member and further reducing the influence of the insulating member on the smooth release of gas.

[0021] According to some embodiments of this application, the end cap has a through injection hole, the insulating body has a through hole corresponding to the position of the injection hole, and the flow guide is disposed at the opening of the through hole on the side away from the end cap and covers the through hole.

[0022] According to some embodiments of this application, the insulating member includes two first protrusions, which are respectively located at both ends of the insulating body along the first direction. Each first protrusion has a first vertical segment extending along the width direction of the end cap, and the first vertical segment has a first side away from the explosion-proof valve in the first direction. The length of the end cap is L3, and the distance between the first sides of the two first protrusions is L4, where L4 < L3.

[0023] In the embodiments of this application, when the gas generated by the electrode assembly flows toward the insulator, since L4 < L3, the portion of the end cap extending from the first side is more conducive to guiding the gas flow toward the venting channel.

[0024] According to some embodiments of this application, 5mm≤L3-L4≤10mm.

[0025] The energy storage device of this application embodiment includes a housing, an electrode assembly, and the aforementioned end cap assembly. The housing is a hollow structure with an opening; the electrode assembly is disposed inside the housing, and the end cap assembly seals the opening of the housing.

[0026] The electrical equipment in this application embodiment includes the energy storage device described in any of the above claims, and the energy storage device is used to supply power to the electrical equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application. It is obvious that the drawings described below are merely some embodiments of this disclosure, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on these drawings without any inventive effort.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an energy storage system.

[0029] Figure 2 This is an exploded schematic diagram of an energy storage device.

[0030] Figure 3 It is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of an insulating component from one perspective.

[0031] Figure 4 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of the insulating component from another perspective.

[0032] Figure 5 This is a bottom view of the assembled insulating components and end caps.

[0033] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of an electrical device.

[0034] The reference numerals in the attached figures are explained as follows:

[0035] 100. Outer shell; 101. Opening;

[0036] 200. Electrode assembly;

[0037] 300. End cap; 301. Injection port;

[0038] 400. Insulating component; 410. Insulating body; 411. First surface; 412. Second notch; 413. Second surface; 414. Third perforation; 415. First perforation; 416. Second perforation; 417. Through hole; 418. Clearance groove; 420. First protrusion; 4201. First vertical section; 4202. Second vertical section; 4203. Arc-shaped section; 421. Ventilation channel; 422. First side surface; 423. First contact surface; 424. Second side surface; 425. First notch; 30. Bottom wall; 431. Second abutment surface; 432. Third side surface; 433. Fourth side surface; 440. Second protrusion; 450. Groove; 451. First groove side wall; 4511. First vent hole; 4512. Second vent hole; 452. Second groove side wall; 4521. Third vent hole; 453. First hollow structure; 4531. First through hole; 454. Second hollow structure; 4541. Second through hole; 455. Third hollow structure; 4551. Third through hole; 460. Guide section;

[0039] 500. Explosion-proof valve. Detailed Implementation

[0040] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, these exemplary embodiments can be implemented in many forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, they are provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the exemplary embodiments to those skilled in the art. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote the same or similar structures, and therefore their detailed description will be omitted.

[0041] It is understood that the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the embodiments of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or components inherent to these processes, methods, products, or devices.

[0042] For ease of explanation, the terms "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction" are used in the specific embodiments of this application. These terms simply refer to a feature having one of the aforementioned directions being perpendicular to a feature having another direction, and do not require that they be implemented according to the "first direction," "second direction," and "third direction" described in the embodiments. In the embodiments, the first direction, second direction, and third direction are mutually perpendicular.

[0043] Because the energy people need is highly time- and space-dependent, in order to make rational use of energy and improve energy efficiency, it is necessary to use a medium or device to store one form of energy in the same way or by converting it into another form of energy, and then release it in a specific form of energy based on future application needs.

[0044] Currently, the generation of green electricity generally relies on solar, wind, and hydropower. However, wind and solar power are generally characterized by strong intermittency and large fluctuations, which can cause grid instability, insufficient power during peak demand periods, and excessive power during off-peak periods. Unstable voltage can also damage the power grid. Therefore, insufficient electricity demand or insufficient grid capacity may lead to the problem of "wind and solar curtailment." Solving these problems requires energy storage. This involves converting electrical energy into other forms of energy through physical or chemical means and storing it. When needed, this energy can be converted back into electrical energy and released. Simply put, energy storage is like a large "power bank," storing electrical energy when solar and wind power are abundant and releasing the stored electricity when needed.

[0045] Taking electrochemical energy storage as an example, this solution provides an energy storage device for use in energy storage systems. The energy storage device is equipped with a set of chemical batteries, which mainly use the chemical elements in the batteries as energy storage media. The charging and discharging process is accompanied by the chemical reaction or change of the energy storage media. Simply put, the electrical energy generated by wind and solar energy is stored in the chemical batteries. When the use of external electrical energy reaches its peak, the stored electricity is released for use, or transferred to places with a shortage of electricity for use.

[0046] Current energy storage applications are quite widespread, including generation-side energy storage, grid-side energy storage, and consumption-side energy storage. The corresponding types of energy storage devices include:

[0047] (1) Large-scale energy storage power stations applied to wind power and photovoltaic power stations can assist renewable energy power generation in meeting grid connection requirements and improve the utilization rate of renewable energy. As a high-quality active / reactive power regulation power source on the power supply side, energy storage power stations can achieve load matching of power in time and space, enhance the absorption capacity of renewable energy, reduce instantaneous power changes, reduce the impact on the power grid, improve the absorption of new energy power generation, and are of great significance in power grid system backup, alleviating peak load power supply pressure and peak regulation and frequency regulation.

[0048] (2) Energy storage containers applied on the grid side mainly function as peak shaving, frequency regulation and grid congestion relief. In terms of peak shaving, they can realize peak shaving and valley filling of electricity load, that is, charging the energy storage battery when the electricity load is low and releasing the stored electricity during the peak electricity load period, thereby achieving a balance between power production and consumption.

[0049] (3) Small energy storage cabinets applied to the electricity consumption side mainly function as self-consumption of electricity, peak-valley price arbitrage, capacity cost management, and improvement of power supply reliability. Depending on the application scenario, electricity consumption side energy storage can be divided into industrial and commercial energy storage cabinets, household energy storage devices, energy storage charging piles, etc., which are generally used in conjunction with distributed photovoltaics. Industrial and commercial users can use energy storage for peak-valley price arbitrage and capacity cost management. In the electricity market implementing peak-valley pricing, by charging the energy storage system when the electricity price is low and discharging the energy storage system when the electricity price is high, peak-valley price arbitrage can be achieved, reducing electricity costs. In addition, industrial enterprises subject to two-part tariffs can use energy storage systems to store energy during off-peak hours and discharge during peak loads, thereby reducing peak power and the maximum demand declared, achieving the goal of reducing capacity charges. Household photovoltaics with energy storage can improve the level of self-consumption of electricity. Due to high electricity prices and poor power supply stability, the demand for household photovoltaic installations is driven. Given that photovoltaic power generation occurs during the day, while user load is generally higher at night, configuring energy storage can better utilize photovoltaic power, improve self-consumption levels, and reduce electricity costs. Furthermore, energy storage is needed in areas such as communication base stations and data centers for backup power.

[0050] In some embodiments, see Figure 1 , Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an energy storage system according to an embodiment of this application, and Figure 1 Taking the shared energy storage scenario on the power generation / distribution side as an example, the energy storage device in this application is not limited to the power generation / distribution side energy storage scenario.

[0051] This application provides an energy storage system, comprising: a high-voltage cable 2, a first power conversion device 3, a second power conversion device 4, and the energy storage device 1 provided in this application. In some embodiments of the power generation scenario, the second power conversion device 4 can be a wind power conversion device. Since the electricity generated by wind power conversion is volatile, random, and intermittent, the unstable electricity output by the wind power conversion device can be stored in the energy storage device 1 through grid connection. The energy storage device 1 is connected to the high-voltage cable 2 and outputs smooth electricity to the power consumption side of the distribution network, realizing peak shaving and frequency regulation, and ensuring stable grid operation; or, the wind power conversion device is always connected to the high-voltage cable 2. High-voltage cable 2 connects the wind power conversion device to the power distribution network under normal power generation conditions. When the current power load is low and the wind power conversion device generates excess power, the excess power is first stored in energy storage device 1 to reduce wind and solar curtailment and improve the absorption of new energy power generation. When the power load is high, the power grid issues an instruction to transmit the power stored in energy storage device 1 in conjunction with high-voltage cable 2 in grid-connected mode to the power consumption side. This provides the power grid with various services such as peak shaving, frequency regulation, and backup, giving full play to the peak shaving function of the power grid, promoting peak shaving and valley filling, and alleviating the power supply pressure on the power grid.

[0052] In some embodiments on the distribution network side, the first power conversion device 3 can be a photovoltaic power conversion device. The energy storage device 1 is connected to the high-voltage cable 2 and installed downstream of the high-voltage cable 2 between the user load and the high-voltage cable 2. The power output of the photovoltaic power conversion device is stored in the energy storage device 1, which can respond in time to act as a backup power source when the power grid / distribution network fails. Alternatively, it can provide power supply support to alleviate line blockage when the high-voltage cable 2 transmission line is blocked, and to delay the economic pressure caused by the expansion of the power grid / distribution capacity when the power grid is planned to be expanded.

[0053] Optionally, the first power conversion device 3 may include, but is not limited to, a wind power conversion device, and the second power conversion device 4 may include, but is not limited to, a photovoltaic power conversion device. The first power conversion device 3 and the second power conversion device 4 can convert at least one of solar energy, light energy, wind energy, thermal energy, tidal energy, biomass energy and mechanical energy into electrical energy.

[0054] Optionally, the energy storage device 1 may include, but is not limited to, energy storage applications such as energy storage power stations, hydropower / thermal / wind power generation systems, solar power generation systems, mobile power systems, smart home systems, or temporary power supply systems, and may also be applied in multiple fields such as data centers, military equipment, aerospace, charging piles, and electric vehicles.

[0055] Optionally, the energy storage device 1 can be, but is not limited to, a single battery (secondary battery), a battery module composed of single batteries, a battery pack, an energy storage cabinet, an energy storage container, etc. The actual application form of the energy storage device 1 provided in this application embodiment can be, but is not limited to, the listed products, and can also be other application forms. This application embodiment does not strictly limit the application form of the energy storage device 1.

[0056] The individual battery cells can be lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, sodium-lithium-ion batteries, lithium metal batteries, sodium metal batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, magnesium-ion batteries, nickel-metal hydride batteries, nickel-cadmium batteries, lead-acid batteries, etc. Individual battery cells can be cylindrical, flat, cuboid, etc., and this application does not limit the specific form. The following description uses a cuboid individual battery cell as an example for energy storage device 1.

[0057] like Figure 2 As shown, the energy storage device 1 includes a housing 100, an electrode assembly 200, and an end cap assembly. The housing 100 is a hollow structure with an opening 101. The electrode assembly 200 is disposed inside the housing 100, and the end cap assembly covers the opening 101 of the housing 100. The end cap assembly includes an end cap 300 and an insulating member 400, with the insulating member 400 located between the electrode assembly 200 and the end cap 300. The insulating member 400 is made of insulating material and is used to electrically isolate the electrode assembly 200 and the end cap 300. Furthermore, when the battery is inverted, the insulating member 400 can also abut against the electrode assembly 200 to support the electrode assembly 200.

[0058] It should be noted that "abutment" refers to the contact between the insulating component 400 and the electrode assembly 200, and there is an interaction force between the insulating component 400 and the electrode assembly 200. The insulating component 400 can abut against the electrode assembly 200 directly or indirectly.

[0059] In one embodiment, the end cap 300 can be connected to the housing 100 by welding or crimping to seal the opening of the housing 100.

[0060] The outer shell 100 is a rectangular parallelepiped. Optionally, the outer shell 100 can be a steel shell, an aluminum shell, a plastic shell (such as a polypropylene shell), a composite metal shell (such as a copper-aluminum composite shell), or an aluminum-plastic film, etc.

[0061] The electrode assembly 200 includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. The single-cell battery primarily operates by the movement of metal ions between the positive and negative electrode plates. 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, and the uncoated positive current collector protrudes beyond the coated positive current collector, serving as 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, and the uncoated negative current collector protrudes beyond the coated negative current collector, serving as 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 material of the separator can be PP or PE, etc. Furthermore, the electrode assembly 200 can be a wound structure or a stacked structure; the embodiments of this application are not limited to these.

[0062] Please continue reading. Figure 2 The end cap 300 is also equipped with an explosion-proof valve 500. The explosion-proof valve 500 is used to burst and discharge the gas generated inside the outer casing 100 when the gas pressure of the energy storage device reaches a certain pressure threshold, so as to avoid battery bulging or even explosion, thereby improving the safety of the energy storage device.

[0063] The end cap 300 is also provided with an injection hole 301, which penetrates the end cap 300 along the third direction Z. Electrolyte can be injected into the outer casing 100 through the injection hole 301. In this embodiment, the third direction Z is the thickness direction of the end cap 300.

[0064] The inventors of this application discovered during their research that the insulating component 400 in related technologies is typically made of plastic, such as polypropylene. When a battery experiences thermal runaway, a large amount of high-temperature, high-pressure gas is generated inside the casing 100. Before the temperature inside the casing 100 reaches the melting point of the insulating component 400, the gas needs to pass through the insulating component 400 to reach the explosion-proof valve 500. Ultimately, the gas breaks through the explosion-proof valve 500 and is discharged from the casing 100. However, because the insulating component 400 obstructs the gas to some extent, the gas cannot be released in time, potentially causing the casing 100 to rupture or even explode.

[0065] Therefore, in order to accelerate the gas release rate and thus improve the reliability of the battery, the structure of the insulating component 400 is optimized in this application embodiment.

[0066] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the insulating component 400 includes an insulating body 410 and two first protrusions 420. The insulating body 410 has a first surface 411 facing away from the end cap 300. The two first protrusions 420 protrude from the first surface 411 and are located at both ends of the insulating body 410 along a first direction X. The first protrusions 420 can abut against the electrode assembly 200. The first protrusion 420 has a venting channel 421 that extends through the first protrusion 420 along the first direction X. The first direction X is the length direction of the end cap 300. The venting channel 421 has a bottom wall 430 away from the end cap 300. The bottom wall 430 is recessed in the first direction X toward the direction close to the explosion-proof valve 500 to form a first notch 425, which communicates with the venting channel 421.

[0067] In the energy storage device of this embodiment, the first protrusion 420 of the insulating member 400 has a venting channel 421, and the bottom wall 430 of the venting channel 421 is recessed to form a first notch 425, which communicates with the venting channel 421. When pressure is released, the gas generated by the electrode assembly 200 can quickly flow through the first notch 425 and the venting channel 421 in sequence. The gas flow is smooth, reducing the influence of the first protrusion 420 of the insulating member 400 on the gas flow rate, ensuring that the gas can be released in a timely manner, avoiding the explosion of the energy storage device, and improving the reliability of the energy storage device. In addition, the bottom wall 430 of the venting channel 421 can ensure the structural strength of the first protrusion 420, thereby improving the stability of the first protrusion 420 abutting against the electrode assembly 200.

[0068] In one embodiment, the insulating body 410 is a plate-like structure, and further, the insulating body 410 is a rectangular plate-like structure.

[0069] In one embodiment, the bottom wall 430 has a flat plate structure and is parallel to the insulating body 410, but this is not a limitation.

[0070] The first protrusion 420 is provided on the first surface 411 of the insulating body 410. It can be that the first protrusion 420 and the insulating body 410 are separately provided, and the first protrusion 420 is connected to the first surface 411; or, the first protrusion 420 and the insulating body 410 are an integral structure, and the first protrusion 420 is provided on the first surface 411.

[0071] like Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the first protrusion 420 includes a first vertical segment 4201, two second vertical segments 4202, and two arc-shaped segments 4203. The first vertical segment 4201 is elongated and extends along a second direction Y, which is the width direction of the end cap 300. A ventilation channel 421 passes through the first vertical segment 4201 along a first direction X. One end of each of the two arc-shaped segments 4203 is connected to both ends of the first vertical segment 4201 along the second direction Y, and one end of each of the two second vertical segments 4202 is connected to the other end of each of the two arc-shaped segments 4203.

[0072] Of course, in other embodiments, the first protrusion 420 may also be elongated in shape.

[0073] The number of ventilation channels 421 on the first protrusion 420 can be one or more. When there are multiple ventilation channels 421, the multiple ventilation channels 421 can be set on the first vertical section 4201 and arranged at intervals along the second direction Y.

[0074] like Figure 4 As shown, the first protrusion 420 also has a first abutment surface 423 facing the electrode assembly 200, and the bottom wall 430 has a second abutment surface 431 facing the electrode assembly 200. The first abutment surface 423 and the second abutment surface 431 are flush.

[0075] In this embodiment of the application, the first abutting surface 423 of the first protrusion 420 is flush with the second abutting surface 431 of the bottom wall 430. When the first protrusion 420 abuts against the electrode assembly 200, the first abutting surface 423 and the second abutting surface 431 can simultaneously contact the electrode assembly 200, thereby increasing the contact area between the first protrusion 420 and the electrode assembly 200 and improving the stability of the contact between the insulating member 400 and the electrode assembly 200.

[0076] Of course, in other embodiments, the first abutment surface 423 and the second abutment surface 431 may not be flush.

[0077] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the first vertical segment 4201 of the first protrusion 420 has a first side 422 and a second side 424 arranged opposite to each other in the first direction X. In the first direction X, the second side 424 is closer to the explosion-proof valve 500, while the first side 422 is farther away from the explosion-proof valve 500. The second side 424s of the two first protrusions 420 are arranged face to face in the first direction X. The venting channel 421 passes through the first side 422 and the second side 424 along the first direction X1.

[0078] The bottom wall 430 has a third side surface 432 and a fourth side surface 433 disposed opposite to each other in the first direction X1 (see Figure 5Along the first direction X1, the third side 432 is close to the explosion-proof valve 500, and the fourth side 433 is away from the explosion-proof valve 500. The second side 424 is flush with the third side 432.

[0079] In this embodiment of the application, the third side 432 of the bottom wall 430 is flush with the second side 424 of the first protrusion 420. Under the premise that the size of the first protrusion 420 along the first direction X remains unchanged, the size of the bottom wall 430 is increased, thereby improving the structural strength of the first protrusion 420.

[0080] Of course, in other embodiments, the third side 432 and the second side 424 may not be flush. For example, the third side 432 may be lower than the second side 424; or the third side 432 may be higher than the second side 424.

[0081] like Figure 3 As shown, the insulating body 410 has a second notch 412 at a position corresponding to the venting channel 421 in the third direction Z. The second notch 412 penetrates the insulating body 410 along the thickness direction (third direction Z) of the end cap 300 and communicates with the venting channel 421.

[0082] In the embodiments of this application, during depressurization, the gas can not only flow through the venting channel 421 and along the side where the first surface 411 of the insulating body 410 is located, but also pass through the second notch 412 and flow along the side of the insulating body 410 facing away from the electrode assembly 200. By increasing the number of gas flow paths, the gas flow is made smoother, ensuring that the gas is released in a timely manner.

[0083] like Figure 3 As shown, the insulating body 410 has a clearance groove 418 on the side facing the end cap 300 for avoiding the explosion-proof valve 500.

[0084] In this embodiment of the application, at least a portion of the explosion-proof valve 500 can be accommodated within the relief groove 418 to prevent the explosion-proof valve 500 from compressing the insulating body 410 of the insulating member 400.

[0085] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the insulating component 400 further includes a second protrusion 440 and a flow guide 460. Both the second protrusion 440 and the flow guide 460 protrude from the first surface 411 and are located between two first protrusions 420. The flow guide 460 is located between the second protrusion 440 and one of the first protrusions 420. The second protrusion 440 and the explosion-proof valve 500 at least partially overlap in the third direction Z. The insulating body 410 has a through hole 417 corresponding to the position of the injection hole 301. The flow guide 460 is disposed at the opening of the through hole 417 on the side away from the end cap 300 and covers the through hole 417.

[0086] The insulating body 410 has a second surface 413 facing away from the electrode assembly 200. The side of the insulating body 410 facing away from the electrode assembly 200 has a groove 450. The groove 450 is recessed from the second surface 413 into the second protrusion 440 along the thickness direction of the end cap 300. The groove 450 has a first groove sidewall 451 and a second groove sidewall 452. The first groove sidewall 451 and the second groove sidewall 452 are arranged opposite to each other along the first direction X. The flow guide 460 is located on the side of the first groove sidewall 451 away from the second groove sidewall 452.

[0087] The first groove sidewall 451 has a through first vent 4511 and a second vent 4512. The flow area of ​​the first vent 4511 is larger than the flow area of ​​the second vent 4512. The first vent 4511 and the guide part 460 do not overlap in their orthogonal projections on a target plane. The second vent 4512 and the guide part 460 overlap in their orthogonal projections on the target plane. The target plane is perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0088] like Figure 5 As shown, when the gas flows along the first direction X, it is affected by the diversion effect of the guide section 460, and the gas will flow in a bifurcated manner. That is, most of the gas flow will flow past the through hole 417, while a small portion of the gas flow will not flow through the area where the through hole 417 is located.

[0089] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first vent 4511 with a larger flow area is positioned at a location that does not overlap with the guide portion 460, while the second vent 4512 with a smaller flow area is positioned at a location that overlaps with the guide portion 460. In this way, when the gas flows in a branched manner, the first vent 4511 with a larger flow area corresponds to a large flow of gas, while the second vent 4512 with a smaller flow area corresponds to a small flow of gas, thereby improving the efficiency of gas release.

[0090] In one embodiment, the number of first vent holes 4511 can be one or more, and the number of second vent holes 4512 can be one or more. For example, the number of first vent holes 4511 and second vent holes 4512 is two each, the two first vent holes 4511 and the two second vent holes 4512 are arranged in the second direction Y, and the two second vent holes 4512 are located between the two first vent holes 4511.

[0091] Furthermore, the shapes of the first vent 4511 and the second vent 4512 can also be implemented in various ways. For example, both the first vent 4511 and the second vent 4512 can be rectangular holes, with the same dimensions along the third direction Z, but the size of the first vent 4511 is larger than the size of the second vent 4512 along the second direction Y; or, both the first vent 4511 and the second vent 4512 can be circular holes, with the diameter of the first vent 4511 being larger than the diameter of the second vent 4512; or, the first vent 4511 can be a rectangular hole, while the second vent 4512 can be a circular hole, with the flow area of ​​the rectangular hole being larger than that of the circular hole.

[0092] like Figure 3 As shown, the second groove sidewall 452 has at least one through third vent hole 4521.

[0093] In one embodiment, the second groove sidewall 452 has a plurality of third vent holes 4521, which are arranged at intervals along the second direction Y.

[0094] Furthermore, the second groove sidewall 452 has at least three third vent holes 4521, which are arranged at equal intervals along the second direction Y. Figure 5 As shown, since no guide section 460 is provided on the side where the second tank sidewall 452 is located, the gas on that side will not split. Therefore, at least three third vent holes 4521 on the second tank sidewall 452 can be arranged at equal intervals.

[0095] In one embodiment, the first groove sidewall 451 has at least one first vent hole 4511 and at least one second vent hole 4512, and the second groove sidewall 452 has at least one through third vent hole 4521; the flow area of ​​the at least one third vent hole 4521 is equal to the sum of the flow areas of the at least one first vent hole 4511 and the at least one second vent hole 4512.

[0096] In this embodiment of the application, the flow area of ​​all openings in the first groove sidewall 451 is equal to the flow area of ​​all openings in the second groove sidewall 452. During depressurization, the gas flow rate through the first groove sidewall 451 is basically the same as the gas flow rate through the second groove sidewall 452, thereby enabling both gases to flow smoothly into the groove 450. This avoids the larger flow rate of one gas blocking the smaller flow rate of the other gas from entering the groove 450, ensuring that the gas at both ends of the insulation member 400 in the length direction can flow smoothly into the groove 450 and eventually converge to the explosion-proof valve.

[0097] like Figure 3As shown, the insulating body 410 also has a first through hole 415 and a second through hole 416 at the position where it connects with the first groove sidewall 451. The first through hole 415 is directly connected to the first vent hole 4511, and the second through hole 416 is directly connected to the second vent hole 4512.

[0098] In the embodiments of this application, the first perforation 415 is connected to the first vent 4511, and the second perforation 416 is connected to the second vent 4512, so that the first groove sidewall 451 of the insulating member 400 forms an opening that allows a large flow of gas to pass through, thereby increasing the flow of gas through the insulating member 400 and further reducing the impact of the insulating member 400 on the smooth release of gas.

[0099] In one embodiment, the position where the insulating body 410 connects to the second groove sidewall 452 also has at least one through third perforation 414, and the at least one third perforation 414 is directly connected to at least one third vent hole 4521.

[0100] In this embodiment of the application, the third perforation 414 is connected to the third vent hole 4521, so that the second groove sidewall 452 of the insulating member 400 forms an opening that allows a large flow of gas to pass through, thereby increasing the flow of gas through the insulating member 400 and further reducing the impact of the insulating member 400 on the smooth release of gas.

[0101] like Figure 5 As shown, the bottom wall of the groove 450 has a through first hollow structure 453 and a second hollow structure 454; along the first direction X, the position of the first hollow structure 453 corresponds to the position of the first vent 4511, and the position of the second hollow structure 454 corresponds to the position of the second vent 4512; the flow area of ​​the second hollow structure 454 is greater than the flow area of ​​the second hollow structure 454.

[0102] During depressurization, the first vertical gas stream passing through the first perforated structure 453 can change the direction of the first horizontal gas stream passing through the first vent hole 4511, causing the first vertical and first horizontal gas streams to converge and flow towards the explosion-proof valve 500. Similarly, the second vertical gas stream passing through the second perforated structure 454 can change the direction of the second horizontal gas stream passing through the second vent hole 4512, causing the second vertical and second horizontal gas streams to converge and flow towards the explosion-proof valve 500.

[0103] In the embodiments of this application, the first vent 4511 with a larger flow area is matched with the first hollow structure 453 with a larger flow area, and the second vent 4512 with a smaller flow area is matched with the second hollow structure 454 with a smaller flow area, so that the flow rate of the vertical gas is matched with the flow rate of the horizontal gas, thereby enabling the vertical gas to better achieve the effect of changing the direction of the horizontal gas.

[0104] In one embodiment, the bottom wall of the groove 450 also has a through third perforated structure 455. Along the first direction X, the position of the third perforated structure 455 corresponds to the position of the third vent 4521. The third vertical gas passing through the third perforated structure 455 can change the direction of the third horizontal gas passing through the third vent 4521, so that the third vertical gas and the third horizontal gas converge and flow towards the explosion-proof valve 500.

[0105] The first hollow structure 453 may include one or more first through holes 4531, the second hollow structure 454 may include one or more second through holes 4541, and the third hollow structure 455 may include one or more third through holes 4551.

[0106] The first through hole 4531, the second through hole 4541 and the third through hole 4551 may have the same or different shapes and / or sizes.

[0107] For example, the first through hole 4531, the second through hole 4541, and the third through hole 4551 are all circular holes, and the circular holes are the same size. The first hollow structure 453 includes three first through holes 4531, the second hollow structure 454 includes one second through hole 4541, and the third hollow structure 455 includes two third through holes 4551.

[0108] In one embodiment, the first through hole 4531 and the second through hole 4541 are arranged along the second direction Y and form a row. A plurality of third through holes 4551 are arranged along the second direction Y and form another row.

[0109] like Figure 5 As shown, the distance between the first side 422 and the second side 424 of the first protrusion 420 is L1, and the distance between the third side 432 and the fourth side 433 of the bottom wall 430 is L2, where 2mm≤L1-L2≤5mm.

[0110] In the embodiments of this application, L1-L2 satisfies: 2mm≤L1-L2≤5mm, which ensures that the bottom wall 430 has sufficient width to give the first protrusion 420 sufficient structural strength, and also ensures that the first notch 425 has a sufficiently large flow area so that the gas can pass through the first notch 425 smoothly.

[0111] like Figure 5 As shown, the dimension of the venting channel 421 along the second direction Y is W1, and the dimension of the insulating member 400 along the second direction Y is W2. When the first protrusion 420 is provided with multiple venting channels 421, the ratio of the sum of the multiple W1s to W2 is between 1 / 3 and 1 / 2. At this ratio, both the flow rate of gas passing through the first protrusion 420 and the structural strength of the first protrusion 420 can be guaranteed.

[0112] like Figure 5 As shown, the length of the end cap 300 is L3, and the distance between the first side surfaces 422 of the two first protrusions 420 is L4, where L4 < L3.

[0113] In the embodiments of this application, when the gas generated by the electrode assembly 200 flows toward the insulating member 400, since L4 < L3, the portion of the end cap 300 extending out of the first side 422 is more conducive to guiding the gas flow toward the venting channel 421.

[0114] In one embodiment, 5mm ≤ L3-L4 ≤ 10mm. For example, L3-L4 are 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, and 10mm.

[0115] like Figure 6 As shown, this application also provides an electrical device 5, including an energy storage device 1 of any of the above embodiments, the energy storage device 1 being used to supply power to the electrical device 5.

[0116] It is understood that the various embodiments / implementations provided in this application can be combined with each other without creating contradictions, and will not be described one by one here.

[0117] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance; the term "multiple" refers to two or more unless otherwise expressly defined. The terms "install," "connect," "link," and "fix" should be interpreted broadly. For example, "connect" can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; "link" can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0118] In the description of the embodiments of the application, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", etc., 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 the application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or unit 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 the application.

[0119] In the description of this specification, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "specific embodiment," etc., refer to a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example, which is included in at least one embodiment or example of the claims. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0120] The above are merely preferred embodiments of the application examples and are not intended to limit the application examples. For those skilled in the art, the application examples can have various modifications and variations. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the application examples should be included within the protection scope of the application examples.

Claims

1. An end cap assembly, comprising an end cap and an insulating component, wherein the end cap is provided with an explosion-proof valve; characterized in that: The insulating component includes an insulating body and a first protrusion. The insulating body has a first surface facing away from the end cap. The first protrusion protrudes from the first surface and has a venting channel that extends through the first protrusion along a first direction. The first direction is the length direction of the end cap; The ventilation channel has a bottom wall away from the end cap, and the bottom wall is recessed in the first direction toward the explosion-proof valve to form a first notch, which is connected to the ventilation channel.

2. The end cap assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first protrusion has a first vertical section extending along the width direction of the end cap; the first vertical section has a first side and a second side arranged opposite to each other in the first direction, and the ventilation channel passes through the first side and the second side along the first direction; the bottom wall has a third side and a fourth side arranged opposite to each other in the first direction; the distance between the first side and the second side is L1, the distance between the third side and the fourth side is L2, and 2mm≤L1-L2≤5mm.

3. The end cap assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating body has a second notch at a position corresponding to the venting channel in the third direction. The second notch penetrates the insulating body along the third direction and communicates with the venting channel. The third direction is the thickness direction of the end cap.

4. The end cap assembly according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The insulating component further includes a second protrusion and a flow guide portion, the second protrusion and the flow guide portion protruding from the first surface, the flow guide portion being located between the second protrusion and the first protrusion; the insulating body has a second surface facing the end cap, the insulating body having a groove on the side facing the end cap, the groove being recessed from the second surface along the thickness direction of the end cap into the second protrusion; the groove has a first groove sidewall and a second groove sidewall, the first groove sidewall and the second groove sidewall being disposed opposite to each other along the first direction; the flow guide portion is located on the side of the first groove sidewall away from the second groove sidewall; The first groove sidewall has a through first vent hole and a second vent hole, the flow area of ​​the first vent hole is larger than the flow area of ​​the second vent hole; the first vent hole and the flow guide each have no overlapping areas on the orthographic projection of the first vent hole and the flow guide each have overlapping areas on the orthographic projection of the second vent hole and the flow guide each have overlapping areas on the target plane, and the target plane is perpendicular to the first direction.

5. The end cap assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first groove sidewall has at least one first vent hole and at least one second vent hole, and the second groove sidewall has at least one through third vent hole.

6. The end cap assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second groove sidewall has a plurality of the third vent holes, which are spaced apart along a second direction; the second direction is the width direction of the end cap.

7. The end cap assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that, The insulating body also has at least one through third perforation at the location where it connects to the side wall of the second groove, and at least one of the third perforations is directly connected to at least one of the third vent holes.

8. The end cap assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The insulating body also has a first through hole and a second through hole at the position where it connects to the side wall of the first groove. The first through hole is directly connected to the first vent hole, and the second through hole is directly connected to the second vent hole.

9. The end cap assembly according to claim 4, characterized in that, The end cap has a through injection hole, the insulating body has a through hole corresponding to the position of the injection hole, and the flow guide is disposed at the opening of the through hole on the side away from the end cap and covers the through hole.

10. The end cap assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating element includes two first protrusions, which are respectively located at both ends of the insulating body along the first direction. Each first protrusion has a first vertical section extending along the width direction of the end cap, and the first vertical section has a first side away from the explosion-proof valve in the first direction. The length of the end cap is L3, and the distance between the first sides of the two first protrusions is L4, where L4 < L3.

11. The end cap assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, 5mm≤L3-L4≤10mm.

12. An energy storage device, characterized in that, include: The outer shell is a hollow structure with an opening; Electrode assembly, disposed within the housing; as well as The end cap assembly according to any one of claims 1-11, sealing the opening of the housing.

13. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, The device includes the energy storage device of claim 12, which is used to supply power to electrical equipment.

Images