Battery cells, battery devices and electrical equipment

Abstract

This application relates to a battery cell, a battery device, and an electrical appliance. The battery cell includes: a casing having a first wall; an electrode assembly disposed inside the casing, including a main body and tabs; an insulating member disposed inside the casing, along the thickness direction of the first wall, between the main body and the first wall; and a bracket disposed along the thickness direction of the first wall between the insulating member and the main body. A portion of the tabs is disposed between the bracket and the insulating member, and one end of the bracket is rotatably connected to the insulating member. In this application, the rotatable connection of one end of the bracket to the insulating member also serves to position the bracket, eliminating the need for secondary positioning and simplifying the assembly process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a battery cell, battery device, and electrical equipment. Background Technology

[0002] A battery cell typically includes a casing and an electrode assembly disposed inside the casing. The electrode assembly has tabs formed on it, which are electrically connected to electrode terminals on the casing to enable the battery cell's power output and input. After the tabs and electrode terminals are electrically connected, problems such as cracking and redundant insertion can easily occur during the battery cell's production, transportation, and cyclic use. Therefore, a support structure is usually installed inside the battery cell to improve the stability of the electrical connection between the tabs and electrode terminals.

[0003] However, the current assembly process of the support structure is relatively complex, which affects the overall production efficiency of the battery cells. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to address the issue that the current assembly process of the support structure is relatively complex, which affects the overall production efficiency of the battery cell, and to provide a battery cell, battery device, and electrical equipment.

[0005] In a first aspect, this application provides a battery cell, including a casing, an electrode assembly, an insulating member, and a support. The casing has a first wall; the electrode assembly is disposed inside the casing, and the electrode assembly includes a main body and a tab extending from the main body; the insulating member is disposed inside the casing, and along the thickness direction of the first wall, the insulating member is disposed between the main body and the first wall; the support is disposed along the thickness direction of the first wall between the insulating member and the main body, a portion of the tab is disposed between the support and the insulating member, and one end of the support is rotatably connected to the insulating member.

[0006] With the above structure, one end of the bracket is rotatably connected to the insulating component. This rotatable connection can position the bracket, eliminating the need for secondary positioning during assembly and simplifying the assembly process.

[0007] In some embodiments, the bracket has a first end and a second end disposed opposite to each other, the first end being rotatably connected to an insulating member, and the second end being detachably disposed from the insulating member. The bracket has an open position where the second end is separated from the insulating member and a closed position where the second end is connected to the insulating member.

[0008] With the above structure, the second end of the bracket can be separated from the insulating component, which facilitates welding operations between other structures in the battery cell, such as the tabs, adapters, and the casing, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0009] In addition, by rotating the bracket to the open position, welding operations can be performed between the electrode tab and the adapter plate or between the adapter plate and the first wall, improving operational efficiency. After the operation is completed, the bracket can be rotated to the connection position to provide stable support for the electrode tab.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second end is provided with a first connecting portion, and the insulating member is provided with a second connecting portion that connects and cooperates with the first connecting portion; when the bracket is in the open position, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are separated; when the bracket is in the closed position, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are connected.

[0011] Thus, by setting the first connecting part and the second connecting part, the bracket can be smoothly switched between the open position and the closed position to facilitate various operations in the battery cell assembly process.

[0012] In some embodiments, one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is configured as a slot, and the other is configured as a latch.

[0013] Thus, the above structure enables quick connection and quick disassembly between the second end of the bracket and the insulating component, facilitating assembly.

[0014] In some embodiments, the insulating member includes an insulating body and a hinge portion. The insulating body is disposed between the main body and the first wall, and the hinge portion protrudes from the surface of the insulating body away from the first wall. One end of the bracket is rotatably connected to the hinge portion.

[0015] The electrode assembly is configured to be supported on at least a portion of the hinge when the battery cell is inverted.

[0016] With the above structure, in addition to enabling the rotation of the bracket, the hinge can also support the electrode assembly when the battery cell is inverted, making the battery cell structure more stable.

[0017] In some embodiments, the hinge protrudes from the surface of the insulating body at a height not less than the thickness of the bracket along the thickness direction of the first wall.

[0018] Thus, the structure described above can minimize the space occupied by the support in the thickness direction of the first wall, thereby improving the space utilization rate inside the battery cell.

[0019] In some embodiments, the bracket is further provided with a hollow portion, which is opened through the thickness direction of the first wall.

[0020] Thus, by setting a hollow part on the bracket, on the one hand, the electrolyte can enter the battery cell more smoothly, improving the electrolyte injection efficiency; on the other hand, it can also reduce the overall weight of the bracket, thereby reducing the overall weight of the battery cell.

[0021] In some embodiments, the battery cell further includes an adapter piece, and an electrode terminal is provided on the first wall. The adapter piece has a first connecting end connected to the tab and a second connecting end connected to the electrode terminal. In a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first wall, at least a portion of the projection of the first connecting end falls within the range of the hollow portion.

[0022] Thus, in a plane perpendicular to the thickness of the first wall, at least part of the projection of the first connecting end falls within the range of the hollow portion, allowing the first connecting end of the adapter piece to be housed within the hollow portion. This eliminates the need to increase the height of the bracket in the height direction of the battery cell to avoid the adapter piece, thereby further improving the space utilization rate inside the battery cell.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first wall has a liquid injection hole extending through it along its thickness direction; in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first wall, the liquid injection hole is located within the area of ​​the hollow portion.

[0024] In this way, when electrolyte is injected into the battery cell through the injection hole, the electrolyte can flow in more smoothly and quickly through the hollow part, effectively improving the injection efficiency.

[0025] In some embodiments, the bracket is further provided with a plurality of flow holes along the thickness direction of the first wall, and each flow hole is spaced apart from the hollow portion along the length direction of the first wall.

[0026] In this way, the electrolyte can flow in more smoothly and quickly through the flow holes, effectively improving the injection efficiency.

[0027] In some embodiments, the electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the support includes two electrodes corresponding to the first electrode and the second electrode respectively; wherein, the ends of the two supports that are rotatably connected to the insulating member are arranged opposite to each other along the length direction of the insulating member.

[0028] With the above structure, the two brackets can support and fix the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab respectively, so that the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab can be more stably connected to the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal respectively.

[0029] Secondly, this application also provides a battery device, including the battery cell as described above.

[0030] Thirdly, this application also provides an electrical device, including the battery device described above.

[0031] In the aforementioned battery cells, battery devices, and electrical equipment, one end of the bracket is rotatably connected to the insulating component. When the bracket is rotatably connected to the insulating component, it can play a positioning role for the bracket, thus eliminating the need for secondary positioning of the bracket during assembly and simplifying the assembly process. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle according to one or more embodiments.

[0033] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of a battery device according to one or more embodiments.

[0034] Figure 3 This is an exploded structural diagram of a battery cell according to one or more embodiments.

[0035] Figure 4 This is an exploded structural diagram of a battery cell with a support according to one or more embodiments.

[0036] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the support in a battery cell according to one or more embodiments.

[0037] Figure 6 This is a partial assembly diagram of the electrode assembly and support in a battery cell according to one or more embodiments.

[0038] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly of electrode components and support in a battery cell according to one or more embodiments.

[0039] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to one or more embodiments.

[0040] Figure 9 for Figure 8 A magnified view of a portion of point A in the middle.

[0041] Figure 10 This is a first partial assembly drawing of the support and insulation components in a battery cell according to one or more embodiments.

[0042] Figure 11 This is a second partial assembly drawing of the support and insulation components in a battery cell according to one or more embodiments.

[0043] Figure 12 This is a third partial assembly drawing of the support and insulation in a battery cell according to one or more embodiments.

[0044] Figure 13 This is a partial assembly drawing of a battery cell with the support in the open position according to one or more embodiments.

[0045] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1000, vehicle; 100, battery device; 200, controller; 300, motor; 10, housing; 20, battery cell; 11, upper housing; 12, lower housing; 21, top cover; 22, shell; 23, electrode assembly; 24, insulating component; 25, bracket; 26, adapter piece; 211, first electrode terminal; 212, second electrode terminal; 213, liquid injection hole; 231, main body; 232, tab; 241, second connecting part; 242, insulating body; 243, hinge part; 251, first end; 252, second end; 253, hollow part; 254, flow hole; 256, first connecting part; 261, first connecting end; 262, second connecting end; a, thickness direction; b, length direction. Detailed Implementation

[0046] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, the specific embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application can be implemented in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of this application. Therefore, this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0047] In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing 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, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0048] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this application, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0049] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., 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, unless otherwise expressly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0050] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0051] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. If so, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this application are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0052] 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 used in electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars, as well as other fields. With the continuous expansion of the application areas of battery devices, the market demand is also constantly increasing.

[0053] A battery device consists of one or more battery cells. For each battery device, the multiple battery cells that make up it can be connected in series, in parallel, or in a mixed configuration. Among them, a mixed configuration means that multiple battery cells are connected in both series and parallel.

[0054] A battery cell is the smallest unit that makes up a battery device. A battery cell typically includes a casing and an electrode assembly. The casing may include a top cover and a housing, which together enclose a closed cavity in which the electrode assembly can be placed. Thus, the casing protects the electrode assembly.

[0055] Electrode components are the parts in a battery cell where electrochemical reactions occur, and typically include positive electrode plates, negative electrode plates, and separators that are stacked or wound together.

[0056] For an electrode assembly, the portion of the positive or negative electrode plate coated with active material constitutes the main body of the electrode assembly, while the portion of the positive or negative electrode plate not coated with active material constitutes the tab. When the electrode assembly is placed in the receiving cavity, the tab can be electrically connected to the electrode terminals on the top cover via an adapter to realize the output or input of power from the battery cell.

[0057] Once the tabs and electrode terminals are electrically connected, problems such as cracking and redundant insertion can easily occur with the tabs during production, transportation, and cyclic use of the battery cell. Therefore, a support structure is usually installed inside the battery cell to improve the stability of the electrical connection between the tabs and electrode terminals.

[0058] However, during the current assembly process, the support structure needs to be moved to the workbench first, its position is detected, and it is then repositioned to ensure that it can be accurately gripped and installed onto the specific position on the battery cell.

[0059] The assembly process described above is not only complex and affects overall production efficiency, but also requires additional detection and secondary positioning devices, and the equipment occupies a large space.

[0060] Based on the above considerations, in order to solve the problem that the current bracket structure has a relatively complex assembly process, which affects the overall production efficiency of the battery cell, one or more embodiments of this application provide a battery cell in which one end of the bracket is rotatably connected to an insulating component. When the bracket is rotatably connected to the insulating component, it can play a positioning role for the bracket, thereby eliminating the need for secondary positioning of the bracket during the assembly process and simplifying the assembly process.

[0061] It should be noted that the battery device 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, which are connected in series, parallel, or mixed connections via a busbar.

[0062] In some embodiments, a battery cell assembly is typically formed by arranging multiple battery cells. 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 a single module. As an example, a battery module can be formed by bundling multiple battery cells together with cable ties.

[0063] In some embodiments, the battery device may be a battery pack, which includes a housing and one or more individual battery cell assemblies housed within the housing.

[0064] 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.

[0065] As an example, battery cell assemblies can also be housed in a housing by directly fixing multiple battery cells to the housing.

[0066] The battery devices disclosed in this application can be used, but are not limited to, in electrical equipment such as vehicles, ships, or aircraft.

[0067] This application provides an electrical device that uses a battery as a power source. The electrical device can be, but is not limited to, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, electric toys, power tools, electric vehicles, electric cars, ships, spacecraft, etc. Electric toys can include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys, and electric airplane toys, etc. Spacecraft can include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, etc.

[0068] For ease of explanation, the following embodiments will use a vehicle as an example of an electrical device according to an embodiment of this application.

[0069] Please refer to Figure 1 The vehicle 1000 can be a gasoline-powered vehicle, a natural gas-powered vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. New energy vehicles can be pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, or range-extended electric vehicles, etc. A battery device 100 is installed inside the vehicle 1000, and the battery device 100 can be located at the bottom, front, or rear of the vehicle 1000. The battery device 100 can be used to power the vehicle 1000; for example, the battery device 100 can serve as the operating power source for the vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 may also include a controller 200 and a motor 300. The controller 200 is used to control the battery device 100 to supply power to the motor 300, for example, to meet the power needs of the vehicle 1000 during starting, navigation, and driving.

[0070] 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.

[0071] Please refer to Figure 2 The battery device 100 includes a housing 10 and a battery cell 20, with the battery cell 20 housed within the housing 10. The housing 10 provides a space for the battery cell 20 and can have various structures. In some embodiments, the housing 10 may include an upper housing 11 and a lower housing 12, which overlap each other, collectively defining a space for accommodating the battery cell 20. The lower housing 12 may be a hollow structure with one open end, and the upper housing 11 may be a plate-like structure, covering the open side of the lower housing 12 so that the upper housing 11 and lower housing 12 together define the space. Alternatively, both the upper housing 11 and lower housing 12 may be hollow structures with one open side, with the open side of the upper housing 11 covering the open side of the lower housing 12. Of course, the box 10 formed by the upper box 11 and the lower box 12 can be of various shapes, such as a cylinder, a cuboid, etc.

[0072] In the battery device 100, there can be multiple battery cells 20, which can be connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed configuration. A mixed configuration means that multiple battery cells 20 are connected in both series and parallel connections. Multiple battery cells 20 can be directly connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed configuration, and then the entire assembly of the multiple battery cells 20 is housed within the housing 10. Alternatively, the battery device 100 can also consist of multiple battery cells 20 first connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed configuration to form battery modules, and then these battery modules are connected in series, parallel, or in a mixed configuration to form a whole, which is also housed within the housing 10. The battery device 100 may also include other structures; for example, it may include a busbar component for electrical connection between the multiple battery cells 20.

[0073] Each battery cell 20 can be a secondary battery or a primary battery; it can also be a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-ion battery, or a magnesium-ion battery, but is not limited to these. The battery cell 20 can be cylindrical, flat, cuboid, or other shapes.

[0074] Please refer to Figure 3A battery cell 20 refers to the smallest unit that makes up a battery. A battery cell 20 typically includes a casing, electrode assembly 23, and other functional components. The casing includes a top cover 21 and a housing 22. The top cover 21 is a component that closes onto the opening of the housing 22 to isolate the internal environment of the battery cell 20 from the external environment. The shape of the top cover 21 can be adapted to the shape of the housing 22 to fit the housing 22. Functional components such as electrode terminals, also known as terminals, can be provided on the top cover 21. The electrode terminals can be used to electrically connect to the electrode assembly 23 for outputting or inputting electrical energy into the battery cell 20. In some embodiments, the top cover 21 may also be provided with a pressure relief mechanism for releasing internal pressure when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 reaches a threshold. In some embodiments, an insulating member may be provided inside the top cover 21. The insulating member can be used to isolate the electrical connection components within the housing 22 from the top cover 21 to reduce the risk of short circuits. Exemplarily, the insulating member can be made of plastic, rubber, etc.

[0075] The housing 22 is a component used to cooperate with the top cover 21 to form the internal environment of the battery cell 20. This internal environment can accommodate the electrode assembly 23, electrolyte, and other components. The housing 22 and the top cover 21 can be independent components. An opening can be provided on the housing 22, and the top cover 21 closes the opening to form the internal environment of the battery cell 20. Alternatively, the top cover 21 and the housing 22 can be integrated. Specifically, the top cover 21 and the housing 22 can form a common connecting surface before other components are inserted into the housing. When it is necessary to encapsulate the interior of the housing 22, the top cover 21 closes the housing 22. The housing 22 can have various shapes and sizes, such as cuboid, cylindrical, or hexagonal prism. Specifically, the shape of the housing 22 can be determined according to the specific shape and size of the electrode assembly 23.

[0076] Electrode assembly 23 is the component in the battery cell 20 where electrochemical reactions occur. The casing 22 may contain one or more electrode assemblies 23. Electrode assembly 23 mainly consists of a positive electrode, a separator, and a negative electrode. Specifically, positive and negative active materials are coated onto the current collector to form the positive and negative electrode, respectively. The positive and negative electrode are wound or stacked, with the separator positioned between them, thus forming electrode assembly 23. The portions of the positive and negative electrode with active material constitute the main body of electrode assembly 23, while the portions without active material each constitute a tab. The positive and negative tabs may be located together at one end of the main body or at opposite ends. During charging and discharging, the positive and negative active materials react with the electrolyte, and the tabs connect to the electrode terminals to form a current loop.

[0077] Please refer to the following: Figure 4 and Figure 5 One embodiment of this application provides a battery cell 20, including a casing, an electrode assembly 23, an insulator 24, and a support 25. The casing has a first wall, and the electrode assembly 23 is disposed inside the casing. The electrode assembly 23 includes a main body portion 231 and a tab 232 extending from the main body portion 231. The insulator 24 is disposed inside the casing, between the main body portion 231 and the first wall along the thickness direction of the first wall. The support 25 is disposed between the insulator 24 and the main body portion 231 along the thickness direction of the first wall. A portion of the tab 232 is disposed between the support 25 and the insulator 24, and one end of the support 25 is rotatably connected to the insulator 24.

[0078] It should be noted that the outer shell refers to the structure that encloses and forms a cavity for accommodating the electrode assembly 23 and can protect the electrode assembly 23. The outer shell has a first wall, which can be a top cover 21. The outer shell also includes a housing 22, one end of which is open. The top cover 21 is sealed at the opening so that the top cover 21 and the housing 22 together enclose and form a sealed cavity.

[0079] The electrode assembly 23, the insulating component 24, and the bracket 25 are all located within the receiving cavity. The insulating component 24 is made of insulating material and may be, but is not limited to, a lower plastic material. The insulating component 24 is disposed on the inner surface of the top cover 21 and can provide good insulation between the electrode assembly 23 and the top cover 21.

[0080] The electrode assembly 23 is the component in the battery cell 20 where the electrochemical reaction actually takes place. It typically includes a main body 231 and a tab 232. The tab 232 is further divided into a positive tab and a negative tab. The positive tab and the negative tab are electrically connected to the electrode terminals on the top cover 21 to realize the input and output of the battery cell 20.

[0081] The bracket 25 is located between the insulating member 24 and the main body 231 along the thickness direction a of the first wall. The thickness direction a of the first wall can be set as the height direction of the battery cell 20.

[0082] It should be noted that during the transportation, transfer, or cyclic use of the battery cell 20, the electrode assembly 23 may shift position within the receiving cavity. To ensure a smooth connection between the tab 232 and the electrode terminal, the tab 232 typically has a certain length redundancy and is folded.

[0083] This raises the risk that the tab 232 may crack or become redundantly inserted into the electrode plate during transportation, transfer, or recycling. Therefore, the tab 232 needs to be supported and fixed by the bracket 25 to make its structure more stable.

[0084] Under this premise, the bracket 25 is disposed between the insulating member 24 and the main body 231 along the thickness direction a of the first wall, and one end of the bracket 25 is rotatably connected to the insulating member 24, wherein, but not limited to, the rotatable connection to the insulating member 24 is via a rotating shaft.

[0085] Thus, through the above structure, one end of the bracket 25 is rotatably connected to the insulating component 24. When the bracket 25 is rotatably connected to the insulating component 24, the bracket 25 can be positioned, thus eliminating the need for secondary positioning of the bracket 25 during assembly and simplifying the assembly process.

[0086] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, in some embodiments, the bracket 25 has a first end 251 and a second end 252 disposed opposite to each other. The first end 251 is rotatably connected to the insulating member 24, and the second end 252 is detachably disposed from the insulating member 24. The bracket 25 has an open position where the second end 252 is separated from the insulating member 24 and a closed position where the second end 252 is connected to the insulating member 24.

[0087] Specifically, the first end 251 of the bracket 25 is rotatably connected to the insulating member 24, while the second end 252 is detachable from the insulating member 24. When the second end 252 is separated from the insulating member 24, welding can be performed between the tab 232 and the adapter piece 26, or between the adapter piece 26 and the top cover 21, to improve assembly efficiency. After welding is completed, the second end 252 is then connected to the insulating member 24 to support the tab 232.

[0088] Thus, the second end 252 of the bracket 25 can be separated from the insulating part 24, which makes it easier to perform welding operations between other structures in the battery cell 20, such as the tab 232, the adapter piece 26 and the casing, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0089] Furthermore, the bracket 25 can rotate around the pivot between the first end 251 and the insulator 24 to switch between an open position and a closed position. Specifically, when the bracket 25 is in the open position, the second end 252 is separated from the insulator 24. During the assembly of the battery cell 20, the bracket 25 can be set in the open position first, which makes it easier to weld the tab 232 and the adapter 26, and the adapter 26 and the top cover 21.

[0090] After the welding and other preparatory operations are completed, the bracket 25 is rotated around the pivot to the closed position. At this time, the second end 252 is connected to the insulating part 24, and the bracket 25 is fixed on the insulating part 24, which can support and fix the tab 232.

[0091] Thus, by rotating the bracket 25 to the open position, welding operations can be performed between the tab 232 and the adapter piece 26 or between the adapter piece 26 and the first wall, improving operational efficiency. After the operation is completed, the bracket 25 can be rotated to the closed position to provide stable support for the tab 232.

[0092] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, in some embodiments, the second end 252 is provided with a first connecting portion 256, and the insulating member 24 is provided with a second connecting portion 241 that connects and engages with the first connecting portion 256. When the bracket 25 is in the open position, the first connecting portion 256 and the second connecting portion 241 are separated. When the bracket 25 is in the closed position, the first connecting portion 256 and the second connecting portion 241 are connected.

[0093] Specifically, the bracket 25 can connect or separate its second end 252 from the insulating member 24 through its first connecting portion 256 and the corresponding second connecting portion 241 on the insulating member 24.

[0094] When the first connecting part 256 is connected to the second connecting part 241, the second end 252 of the bracket 25 is fixed to the insulating member 24, and the bracket 25 is in the closed position. When the first connecting part 256 is separated from the second connecting part 241, the second end 252 of the bracket 25 is detached from the insulating member 24, and the bracket 25 is in the open position.

[0095] Thus, by providing the first connecting part 256 and the second connecting part 241, the bracket 25 can be smoothly switched between the open position and the closed position to facilitate various operations in the battery cell 20 assembly process.

[0096] In some embodiments, one of the first connecting portion 256 and the second connecting portion 241 is configured as a slot, and the other is configured as a latch.

[0097] Specifically, the first connecting part 256 can be configured as a slot, and the second connecting part 241 can be configured as a latch. Alternatively, the first connecting part 256 can be configured as a latch, and the second connecting part 241 can be configured as a slot.

[0098] The buckle and the slot engage with each other to connect and disconnect the second end 252 of the bracket 25 from the insulating component 24.

[0099] Thus, the above structure enables quick connection and quick disassembly between the second end 252 of the bracket 25 and the insulating component 24, facilitating assembly.

[0100] like Figure 8 , Figure 9 as well as Figure 10As shown, in some embodiments, the insulating member 24 includes an insulating body 242 and a hinge portion 243. The insulating body 242 is disposed between the main body portion 231 and the first wall, and the hinge portion 243 protrudes from the surface of the insulating body 242 facing away from the first wall. One end of the support 25 is rotatably connected to the hinge portion 243. The electrode assembly 23 is configured to be supported on at least a portion of the hinge portion 243 when the battery cell 20 is inverted.

[0101] It should be noted that inverting the battery cell 20 means that the top cover 21 of the battery cell 20 is facing downwards. When the battery cell 20 is installed in electrical equipment such as a vehicle, the bottom of the inverted battery cell 20 is connected to the vehicle body floor, so that the space of the top cover output end of the battery device 100, such as the high voltage or exhaust, can be shared with the bottom ball space, thereby effectively improving the energy density.

[0102] In the inverted battery cell 20 structure, the electrode assembly 23 needs to be supported so that the electrode assembly 23 can be stably placed in the receiving cavity.

[0103] Based on this, a hinge portion 243 is formed protruding on the surface of the insulating member 24 away from the top cover 21. That is, a hinge portion 243 is formed protruding on the lower surface of the insulating member 24. The first end 251 of the bracket 25 is rotatably connected to the hinge portion 243 through a rotating shaft, thereby realizing the rotation setting of the bracket 25.

[0104] Based on this, when the battery cell 20 is inverted, the electrode assembly 23 can be supported on the hinge portion 243.

[0105] With the above structure, in addition to enabling the bracket 25 to rotate, the hinge 243 can also support the electrode assembly 23 when the battery cell 20 is inverted, making the structure of the battery cell 20 more stable.

[0106] In some embodiments, along the thickness direction a of the first wall, the hinge portion 243 protrudes from the surface of the insulating body 242 at a height not less than the thickness of the bracket 25.

[0107] Specifically, the height at which the hinge portion 243 protrudes from the surface of the insulating body 242 not only affects the stability of the battery cell 20 in supporting the electrode assembly 23 when it is inverted, but also affects the maximum angle when the bracket 25 is opened.

[0108] Along the thickness direction a of the first wall, the hinge portion 243 protrudes from the surface of the insulating body 242 at a height not less than the thickness of the bracket 25. Thus, when the second end 252 of the bracket 25 is connected to the insulating member 24, on the one hand, the electrode assembly 23 can be more stably supported on the hinge portion 243 when the battery cell 20 is inverted; on the other hand, the bracket 25 does not affect the installation space along the thickness direction a of the first wall, allowing for more space to accommodate the electrode assembly 23.

[0109] Thus, through the above structure, the space occupied by the support 25 along the thickness direction a of the first wall can be reduced as much as possible, thereby improving the space utilization rate inside the battery cell 20.

[0110] Please refer to Figure 11 , Figure 12 as well as Figure 13 In some embodiments, the bracket 25 is also provided with a hollow portion 253, which is opened through the thickness direction a of the first wall.

[0111] It should be noted that after the battery cell 20 is assembled, the top cover 21 usually has an injection hole 213, and electrolyte needs to be injected into the battery cell 20 through the injection hole 213.

[0112] Thus, by providing a hollow portion 253 on the bracket 25, on the one hand, the electrolyte can enter the battery cell 20 more smoothly, improving the electrolyte injection efficiency; on the other hand, the overall weight of the bracket 25 can be reduced, thereby reducing the overall weight of the battery cell 20.

[0113] Please refer to it again. Figure 4 , Figure 10 and Figure 11 In some embodiments, the battery cell 20 further includes an adapter piece 26, on which electrode terminals are disposed. The adapter piece 26 has a first connection end 261 connected to the tab 232 and a second connection end 262 connected to the electrode terminals. In a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first wall, at least a portion of the projection of the first connection end 261 falls within the area of ​​the cutout portion 253.

[0114] Specifically, adapter piece 26 refers to the component that is electrically connected between the tab and the electrode terminal.

[0115] Thus, in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first wall, at least part of the projection of the first connecting end 261 falls within the range of the hollow portion 253, and the first connecting end 261 of the adapter piece 26 can be housed in the hollow portion 253. There is no need to increase the height of the bracket 25 in the thickness direction a of the first wall to avoid the adapter piece 26, thereby further improving the space utilization rate inside the battery cell 20.

[0116] In some embodiments, a liquid injection hole 213 is provided through the first wall along its thickness direction. In a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first wall, the liquid injection hole 213 is located within the area of ​​the hollow portion 253.

[0117] Specifically, in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first wall, the injection hole 213 is located within the area of ​​the hollow portion 253.

[0118] In this way, when electrolyte is injected into the battery cell 20 through the injection hole 213, the electrolyte can flow in more smoothly and quickly through the hollow part 253, effectively improving the injection efficiency.

[0119] In some embodiments, a plurality of flow holes 254 are also provided through the support 25 along the thickness direction of the first wall, and each flow hole 254 is spaced apart from the hollow portion 253 along the length direction b of the first wall.

[0120] Specifically, all the flow holes 254 can provide flow channels for the electrolyte during the injection process. In this way, the electrolyte can flow in more smoothly and quickly through the flow holes 254, effectively improving the injection efficiency.

[0121] Please refer to it again. Figure 4 In some embodiments, the tab 232 includes a first tab and a second tab, and the support 25 includes two tabs corresponding to the first tab and the second tab, respectively. The ends of the two supports 25 that are rotatably connected to the insulating member 24 are positioned opposite to each other along the length of the insulating member 24.

[0122] Specifically, the top cover 21 has a first electrode terminal 211 and a second electrode terminal 212 spaced apart from each other along the length b of the first wall. The first electrode terminal 211 can be configured as a positive electrode terminal, and the second electrode terminal 212 can be configured as a negative electrode terminal. The first electrode tab is a positive electrode tab, and the second electrode tab is a negative electrode tab. The positive electrode tab is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal, and the negative electrode tab is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal.

[0123] One of the two supports 25 is disposed between the positive electrode tab and the positive electrode terminal along the thickness direction a of the first wall, and the other is disposed between the negative electrode tab and the negative electrode terminal along the thickness direction a of the first wall. In this way, one support 25 can support and fix the positive electrode tab, and the other support 25 can support and fix the negative electrode tab.

[0124] Furthermore, the first ends 251 of the two supports 25 are positioned opposite to each other along the length of the insulating member 24. That is, the first ends 251 of the two supports 25 are positioned opposite to each other along the length direction b of the first wall. In this way, the first ends 251 of the two supports 25 are both positioned outward along the length direction b of the first wall, which allows for a larger rotation angle of the supports 25 and facilitates installation and operation.

[0125] Furthermore, when the first ends 251 of both supports 25 are facing outwards, after the battery cell 20 is inverted, the hinge portion 243 on the insulating member 24 corresponds to the shoulder of the electrode assembly 23, so that the shoulder of the electrode assembly 23 can be supported on the hinge portion 243, which provides good support for the electrode assembly 23.

[0126] Understandably, in some other embodiments, the first ends 251 of the two supports 25 may also be arranged opposite each other, i.e., both facing inwards. Alternatively, the first ends 251 of the two supports 25 may both face left or right simultaneously.

[0127] In practical applications, any of the above embodiments can be selected and configured according to the actual situation, which will not be elaborated here.

[0128] With the above structure, the two brackets 25 support and fix the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab respectively, so that the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab are more stably connected to the first electrode terminal 211 and the second electrode terminal 212 respectively.

[0129] Based on the same concept as the battery cell 20 described above, this application also provides a battery device 100, including the battery cell 20 as described above.

[0130] Based on the same concept as the battery device 100 described above, this application also provides an electrical device including the battery device 100 as described above.

[0131] According to one or more embodiments, when this application is used, the insulating member 24 is first fixed to the inner surface of the top cover 21, the first end 251 of the bracket 25 is rotatably connected to the hinge portion 243 of the insulating member 24 via a rotating shaft, and the bracket 25 is rotated to the open position.

[0132] Furthermore, the positive electrode tab of the electrode assembly 23 is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal on the top cover 21 via the adapter 26, and the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly 23 is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal on the top cover 21 via the adapter 26. Then, the corresponding bracket 25 is rotated from the open position to the closed position, and the electrode assembly 23 is placed into the housing 22. The top cover 21 is then sealed at the opening of the housing 22, thus assembling the battery cell 20.

[0133] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0134] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementation methods of this application, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this application, and these all fall within the protection scope of this application. Therefore, the protection scope of this patent application should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell, characterized by, include: The outer shell has a first wall; An electrode assembly is disposed inside the housing, the electrode assembly including a main body and tabs extending from the main body; An insulating element is disposed inside the outer casing, along the thickness direction of the first wall, between the main body and the first wall; and A bracket is disposed between the insulating member and the main body along the thickness direction of the first wall, a portion of the electrode tab is disposed between the bracket and the insulating member, and one end of the bracket is rotatably connected to the insulating member.

2. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein, The bracket has a first end and a second end that are disposed opposite to each other. The first end is rotatably connected to the insulating member, and the second end is detachably disposed from the insulating member. The bracket has an open position where the second end is separated from the insulating element and a closed position where the second end is connected to the insulating element.

3. The battery cell of claim 2, wherein, The second end is provided with a first connecting part, and the insulating member is provided with a second connecting part that connects and cooperates with the first connecting part; when the bracket is in the open position, the first connecting part and the second connecting part are separated; when the bracket is in the closed position, the first connecting part and the second connecting part are connected.

4. The battery cell of claim 3, wherein, One of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is configured as a slot, and the other is configured as a buckle.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1, characterized in that, The insulating component includes an insulating body and a hinge portion. The insulating body is disposed between the main body and the first wall. The hinge portion protrudes from the surface of the insulating body away from the first wall. One end of the bracket is rotatably connected to the hinge portion. The electrode assembly is configured to be supported on at least a portion of the hinge when the battery cell is inverted.

6. The battery cell of claim 5, wherein, Along the thickness direction of the first wall, the height by which the hinge protrudes from the surface of the insulating body is not less than the thickness of the bracket.

7. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein, The support is also provided with a hollow section, which is opened through the thickness direction of the first wall.

8. The battery cell of claim 7, wherein, The battery cell also includes an adapter piece, and an electrode terminal is provided on the first wall. The adapter piece has a first connection end that connects to the tab and a second connection end that connects to the electrode terminal. In a plane perpendicular to the first wall thickness direction, at least a portion of the projection of the first connecting end falls within the range of the hollow portion.

9. The battery cell of claim 7, wherein, The first wall has a liquid injection hole extending through it along its thickness direction; in a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first wall, the liquid injection hole is located within the area of ​​the hollowed-out portion.

10. The battery cell of claim 7, wherein, The bracket is also provided with a plurality of flow holes along the thickness direction of the first wall, and each flow hole is spaced apart from the hollow part along the length direction of the first wall.

11. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein, The electrode includes a first electrode and a second electrode, and the support includes two electrodes respectively corresponding to the first electrode and the second electrode; The two brackets are rotatably connected to the insulating component at one end, and are positioned opposite to each other along the length of the first wall.

12. A battery device characterized by comprising: Includes the battery cell as described in any one of claims 1-11.

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

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