Top cover assembly of battery and battery

Abstract

The utility model provides a kind of battery's top cover assembly and battery.The top cover assembly of the battery includes: top cover, including substrate and with the insulating part of substrate connection, substrate side away from insulating part is provided with explosion-proof valve, insulating part is provided with the mounting structure capable of being installed in the battery shell of battery, mounting structure is correspondingly set with explosion-proof valve, mounting structure includes first installation cavity, mounting structure is provided with first air inlet and gas outlet with first installation cavity intercommunication, explosion-proof valve is located on the exhaust path of first installation cavity;Monitoring module is installed in first installation cavity, and monitoring module includes air pressure detection part.The utility model's technical scheme, can solve the problem that existing battery is monitored when battery internal pressure, there is response lag, measurement accuracy is lower and the problem of poor reliability.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of battery technology, and more specifically, to a top cover assembly for a battery and a battery. Background Technology

[0002] Lithium-ion batteries may experience internal gas generation when subjected to improper charging, over-discharging, short circuits, or extreme temperature environments, leading to increased internal pressure. This change in internal pressure is a precursor to thermal runaway events, and if not detected and addressed promptly, it can cause serious safety problems such as battery bulging, rupture, or even fire and explosion.

[0003] Currently, most lithium-ion batteries monitor their internal pressure indirectly through external measurement. Pressure sensors or pressure contact sensors are installed on the outer wall of the battery casing or the top of the cover, and the internal pressure changes are indirectly inferred by monitoring the deformation of the outer casing. However, this external monitoring method has the following drawbacks: 1) Response lag: It can only be detected when the battery produces enough gas to cause visible deformation of the outer casing or top cover. By this time, the battery has already entered the irreversible stage of thermal runaway, losing the best time for safety warning; 2) Low measurement accuracy and poor reliability: The monitoring of external deformation is easily affected by various factors such as the characteristics of the battery casing material, stress during assembly, and battery stacking pressure, resulting in a large deviation between the measured pressure value and the actual internal pressure value of the battery, increasing the possibility of false alarms and missed alarms. Utility Model Content

[0004] The main objective of this invention is to provide a top cover assembly and a battery that can solve the problems of slow response, low measurement accuracy, and poor reliability in existing batteries when monitoring internal pressure.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, according to one aspect of the present invention, a top cover assembly for a battery is provided, comprising: a top cover, including a substrate and an insulating member connected to the substrate, an explosion-proof valve being disposed on the side of the substrate away from the insulating member, an installation structure being disposed on the insulating member capable of being installed in the battery casing of the battery, the installation structure being disposed corresponding to the explosion-proof valve, the installation structure including a first installation cavity, the installation structure being disposed with a first air inlet and an air outlet communicating with the first installation cavity, the explosion-proof valve being located on the exhaust path of the first installation cavity; and a monitoring module, installed in the first installation cavity, the monitoring module including an air pressure detection unit.

[0006] Furthermore, the mounting structure also includes a mounting body and a cover. The mounting body is connected to an insulating component. A first mounting cavity is disposed on the mounting body. At least one of the mounting body and the cover is provided with a first air inlet. The mounting body is provided with a mounting opening that communicates with the first mounting cavity. The cover has a closed state with the mounting opening closed and an open state with the mounting opening open.

[0007] Furthermore, the mounting body protrudes from the surface of the insulating component; and / or, a first air inlet is provided on the cover, the first air inlet is positioned toward the air pressure detection unit, and an air outlet is provided on the side wall of the first mounting cavity facing the explosion-proof valve.

[0008] Furthermore, the cover is detachably connected to the mounting body so that the cover can switch between a closed state and an open state.

[0009] Furthermore, along the width direction of the substrate, the cover has a first end and a second end that are disposed opposite to each other. Each of the first end and the second end of the cover is provided with at least one buckle. The mounting body is provided with at least one slot. At least one buckle and at least one slot are provided in a one-to-one correspondence. The buckle and the corresponding slot engage with each other.

[0010] Furthermore, the mounting structure also includes a receiving cavity that communicates with the first mounting cavity. The receiving cavity and the first mounting cavity are arranged along the width direction of the top cover, and a second air inlet is provided on the side wall of the receiving cavity.

[0011] Furthermore, a partition is provided inside the mounting body, dividing the inner cavity of the mounting body into a first mounting cavity and a receiving cavity.

[0012] Furthermore, the monitoring module also includes a gas flow rate detection unit; and / or, the monitoring module also includes a first conductive element, a second conductive element, and a power management unit electrically connected to the gas pressure detection unit. Along the length of the top cover, a positive terminal is provided at one end of the top cover, and a negative terminal is provided at the other end of the top cover. The power management unit is electrically connected to the positive terminal through the first conductive element, and the power management unit is electrically connected to the negative terminal through the second conductive element to supply power to the gas pressure detection unit.

[0013] Furthermore, when the monitoring module also includes a first conductive element, a second conductive element, and a power management unit electrically connected to the air pressure detection unit, the mounting structure has a first sidewall and a second sidewall arranged opposite to each other along the length direction of the top cover. A first opening is provided on both the first sidewall and the second sidewall. One end of the first conductive element is electrically connected to the power management unit, and the other end of the first conductive element extends out of the first mounting cavity through the first opening on its side and is electrically connected to the positive terminal. One end of the second conductive element is electrically connected to the power management unit, and the other end of the second conductive element extends out of the first mounting cavity through the first opening on its side and is electrically connected to the negative terminal.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery is also provided, comprising: a battery cell; a battery casing having a second mounting cavity and a second opening communicating with the second mounting cavity, wherein the battery cell is mounted in the second mounting cavity through the second opening; and a top cover assembly of the battery as described above, wherein the top cover is disposed on the second opening and is sealed to the second opening.

[0015] By applying the technical solution of this utility model, the monitoring module is installed in the first mounting cavity of the mounting structure. When the top cover is placed on the battery casing, the mounting structure is located inside the battery casing. The monitoring module includes a pressure detection unit, which is also located inside the battery casing. The first mounting cavity of the mounting structure is connected to the first air inlet and the first air outlet. When thermal runaway occurs in the battery cell inside the battery casing, the generated gas first enters the first mounting cavity through the first air inlet and then exits from the air outlet of the first mounting cavity. The explosion-proof valve opens. Since the explosion-proof valve is located on the exhaust path of the first mounting cavity, the gas exiting from the air outlet of the first mounting cavity can be discharged from the battery casing through the explosion-proof valve. The gas inside the battery casing can directly contact the pressure detection unit after entering the first mounting cavity through the first air inlet, realizing an instantaneous response to changes in the internal pressure of the battery casing. This eliminates the need to indirectly infer changes in the internal pressure of the battery casing by monitoring the deformation of the battery casing, significantly reducing the response time and enabling more timely detection of abnormal changes in the internal pressure of the battery casing. Meanwhile, the air pressure detection unit measures the actual air pressure inside the battery casing, rather than the indirect effects of external environmental pressure or casing deformation, which improves the accuracy of detection, reduces the possibility of false alarms and missed alarms, and thus improves the reliability of detection.

[0016] The top cover of this application integrates a pressure detection unit for detecting air pressure and an explosion-proof valve for pressure relief. This saves more internal battery space than installing two separate components. Furthermore, the explosion-proof valve is located on the exhaust path from the first air inlet to the air outlet in the first mounting cavity, enabling pressure relief. Therefore, the top cover assembly of this application integrates both active warning and passive pressure relief functions, and functions as a whole, facilitating subsequent assembly. Specifically, on the one hand, the pressure detection unit can detect changes in internal battery pressure in real time, enabling active warning; on the other hand, in abnormal situations (such as internal battery malfunctions causing a sudden pressure increase), the explosion-proof valve enables rapid passive pressure relief. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification, are used to provide a further understanding of this utility model. The illustrative embodiments and descriptions of this utility model are used to explain this utility model and do not constitute an undue limitation thereof. In the drawings:

[0018] Figure 1 An exploded view of the top cover assembly of the battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the insulating component at one angle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the top cover assembly of the battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0021] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the insulating component from another angle according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 5 It shows Figure 4 Enlarged view of point A;

[0023] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the installation structure according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 7 A partial structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0025] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of the top cover assembly of a battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0026] Figure 9 A cross-sectional view of the top cover assembly of the battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown (with the cover in the closed state).

[0027] Figure 10 A cross-sectional view of the top cover assembly of the battery according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown (with the cover in the open state).

[0028] The above figures include the following reference numerals:

[0029] 10. Top cover; 11. Substrate; 12. Insulating component; 13. Positive terminal; 14. Negative terminal; 20. Explosion-proof valve; 40. Mounting structure; 41. First mounting cavity; 411. Air outlet; 42. First air inlet; 43. Mounting body; 431. Slot; 44. Cover; 441. Buckle; 45. Receiving cavity; 451. Second air inlet; 46. First opening; 47. Partition; 50. Monitoring module; 60. First conductive component; 70. Second conductive component; 80. Battery cell. Detailed Implementation

[0030] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of this utility model can be combined with each other. The present utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0031] In existing technologies, at the battery module or pack level, pressure changes caused by battery bulging are indirectly sensed by installing pressure sensors or pressure contact sensors on the outer wall of the battery casing. This method measures the external deformation of the battery, not the actual internal gas pressure, resulting in a delayed response, low sensitivity, and inapplicability to rigid battery pack designs. Alternatively, in a laboratory environment, the test battery is placed in a sealed container, and the emitted gas is collected and analyzed using large equipment such as an external gas chromatograph. This method is limited to laboratory research and cannot be used for real-time and online monitoring of actual battery products. Another approach is to install sensors on the outer surface of the top cover (i.e., the atmospheric side). In this method, the sensor does not contact the internal environment of the battery and cannot directly measure the internal gas pressure; similarly, it can only sense slight deformation of the top cover caused by internal gas generation, resulting in poor accuracy and reliability.

[0032] As can be seen from the above, the existing technologies for monitoring the gas pressure inside the battery casing have the following drawbacks: 1) Delayed response and inability to provide early warning: External monitoring methods can only be detected when the battery produces enough gas to cause visible deformation of the outer casing or top cover. At this point, the battery may have already entered the early stage of irreversible thermal runaway, missing the best opportunity for safety warning. 2) Low measurement accuracy and poor reliability: Indirect measurements are easily affected by factors such as external mechanical structures, assembly stress, and stacking pressure, resulting in a low signal-to-noise ratio, inability to obtain accurate and true absolute values ​​of internal gas pressure, and high false alarm and false alarm rates. 3) Inability to achieve real-time online monitoring: Laboratory methods cannot be integrated into commercial battery products and cannot be used for the entire life cycle management of the battery.

[0033] To solve the above problems, see [reference] Figures 1 to 10 As shown, this utility model provides a top cover assembly for a battery. The top cover assembly includes: a top cover 10, including a base plate 11 and an insulating member 12 connected to the base plate 11. An explosion-proof valve 20 is provided on the side of the base plate 11 away from the insulating member 12. An installation structure 40 that can be installed in the battery casing of the battery is provided on the insulating member 12. The installation structure 40 is correspondingly provided with the explosion-proof valve 20. The installation structure 40 includes a first installation cavity 41. The installation structure 40 is provided with a first air inlet 42 and an air outlet 411 communicating with the first installation cavity 41. The explosion-proof valve 20 is located on the exhaust path of the first installation cavity 41. A monitoring module 50 is installed in the first installation cavity 41. The monitoring module 50 includes a pressure detection unit.

[0034] In this embodiment, the top cover 10 integrates a pressure detection unit for detecting air pressure and an explosion-proof valve 20 for depressurization. This saves more internal battery space than installing two separate components. Furthermore, the explosion-proof valve 20 is located on the exhaust path from the first air inlet 42 to the air outlet 411 of the first mounting cavity 41, enabling depressurization. Therefore, the top cover assembly of this application integrates both active warning and passive depressurization functions, and functions as a whole for convenient subsequent assembly. Specifically, on the one hand, the pressure detection unit can detect changes in internal battery pressure in real time, enabling active warning; on the other hand, in abnormal situations (such as internal battery malfunctions causing a sudden pressure increase), the explosion-proof valve 20 enables rapid passive depressurization.

[0035] The top cover assembly of this application is suitable for square batteries and needs to be placed on the battery casing during use. The top cover 10 includes a substrate 11 and an insulating member 12. The insulating member 12 is connected to the bottom surface of the substrate 11. After the top cover 10 is installed on the battery casing, the bottom surface of the substrate 11 faces the battery casing. An explosion-proof valve 20 is provided on the substrate 11. When the battery cell 80 inside the battery casing experiences thermal runaway, the explosion-proof valve 20 opens, and the gas inside the battery casing is discharged from the battery casing through the explosion-proof valve 20.

[0036] In this application, the monitoring module 50 is installed in the first mounting cavity 41 of the mounting structure 40. When the top cover 10 is placed on the battery casing, the mounting structure 40 is located inside the battery casing. The monitoring module 50 includes a pressure detection unit, which is also located inside the battery casing. The first mounting cavity 41 of the mounting structure 40 is connected to the first air inlet 42 and the air outlet 411. When the battery cell 80 in the battery casing experiences thermal runaway, the generated gas first enters the first mounting cavity 41 through the first air inlet 42 and then exits through the air outlet 411 of the first mounting cavity 41. The explosion-proof valve 20 opens. Since the explosion-proof valve 20 is located on the exhaust path of the first mounting cavity 41, the gas discharged from the air outlet 411 of the first mounting cavity 41 can be discharged from the battery casing through the explosion-proof valve 20.

[0037] The gas inside the battery casing can enter the first mounting cavity 41 through the first air inlet 42 and directly contact the pressure detection unit, enabling instantaneous response to changes in the internal pressure of the battery casing. This eliminates the need to indirectly infer internal pressure changes by monitoring casing deformation, significantly reducing response time and allowing for more timely detection of abnormal pressure variations. Furthermore, the pressure detection unit measures the actual internal pressure of the battery casing, rather than the indirect effects of external environmental pressure or casing deformation, improving detection accuracy, reducing the possibility of false alarms and missed alarms, and ultimately enhancing detection reliability.

[0038] See also Figures 1 to 10As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting structure 40 further includes a mounting body 43 and a cover 44. The mounting body 43 is connected to the insulating member 12. A first mounting cavity 41 is disposed on the mounting body 43. At least one of the mounting body 43 and the cover 44 is provided with a first air inlet 42. The mounting body 43 is provided with a mounting opening communicating with the first mounting cavity 41. The cover 44 has a closed state with the mounting opening closed and an open state with the mounting opening open.

[0039] In this embodiment, when the cover 44 is in the open state, the monitoring module 50 can be installed into the first mounting cavity 41 through the installation opening. When the cover 44 is in the closed state, the installation opening can be closed to prevent the monitoring module 50 from falling out of the first mounting cavity 41, thereby realizing the installation of the monitoring module 50.

[0040] In one embodiment, the cover 44 is pivotally connected to the mounting body 43, allowing the cover 44 to switch between an open state and a closed state.

[0041] It should be noted that the pivot connection can be implemented using existing technology structures, which will not be elaborated here.

[0042] In one embodiment, the cover 44 is slidably disposed on the mounting body 43 so that the cover 44 can switch between an open state and a closed state.

[0043] It should be noted that the structure for achieving the sliding fit between the cover 44 and the mounting body 43 can adopt existing technology, which will not be elaborated here.

[0044] See also Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting body 43 protrudes from the surface of the insulating member 12.

[0045] In this embodiment, the protruding mounting body 43 provides a clear positioning point for the installation of the monitoring module 50, reducing uncertainty and errors in the installation process, and also providing space for the wiring of the monitoring module 50.

[0046] See also Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a first air inlet 42 is provided on the cover 44, the first air inlet 42 is disposed toward the air pressure detection unit, and an air outlet 411 is provided on the side wall of the first mounting cavity 41 facing the explosion-proof valve 20.

[0047] In this embodiment, the first air inlet 42 is positioned towards the air pressure detection unit, ensuring that the gas inside the battery casing can quickly and unobstructedly reach the monitoring module 50, enabling the air pressure detection unit to quickly and accurately capture changes in air pressure inside the battery casing, thereby improving the monitoring accuracy and response speed.

[0048] A pressure conduction path is formed from the first air inlet 42 on the cover 44 to the air outlet 411 on the side wall of the first mounting cavity 41. When the battery experiences thermal runaway, the gas inside the battery casing can enter the first mounting cavity 41 through the first air inlet 42 and be discharged from the battery casing through the air outlet 411 and the explosion-proof valve 20. This also ensures that the pressure detection unit can detect an accurate pressure value before the explosion-proof valve 20 opens. Through the above settings, the pressure data before the explosion-proof valve 20 ruptures can be recorded, which is beneficial for accident tracing and root cause analysis.

[0049] See also Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the cover 44 is detachably connected to the mounting body 43 so that the cover 44 can switch between a closed state and an open state.

[0050] In this embodiment, the removable cover 44 makes the maintenance and replacement of the monitoring module 50 more convenient. When the barometric pressure detection unit needs cleaning, calibration, or replacement, it is not necessary to disassemble the entire top cover assembly; simply removing the cover 44 allows operation of the monitoring module 50, significantly reducing maintenance time and complexity, as well as lowering maintenance costs.

[0051] See also Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, along the width direction of the substrate 11, the cover 44 has a first end and a second end that are disposed opposite to each other. At least one buckle 441 is provided at both the first end and the second end of the cover 44. At least one slot 431 is provided on the mounting body 43. At least one buckle 441 and at least one slot 431 are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence, and the buckle 441 engages with the corresponding slot 431.

[0052] In this embodiment, the cover 44 can be securely installed on the mounting body 43 through the snap-fit ​​engagement of the buckle 441 and the slot 431, so that the cover 44 is in the closed state. At the same time, the above connection method does not require screws, glue or other complex fixing means, which not only simplifies the assembly process of the top cover assembly, but also enables the maintenance, upgrading or replacement of the monitoring module 50 to be completed quickly.

[0053] See also Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the first and second ends of the cover 44 are provided with two buckles 441, and the mounting body 43 is provided with four slots 431. The four buckles 441 and the four slots 431 are provided in a one-to-one correspondence, and the buckles 441 and the corresponding slots 431 are engaged and cooperated.

[0054] The above settings ensure the stability of the cover 44 during installation.

[0055] See also Figures 1 to 10As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the mounting structure 40 further includes a receiving cavity 45 communicating with the first mounting cavity 41. The receiving cavity 45 and the first mounting cavity 41 are arranged along the width direction of the top cover 10, and a second air inlet 451 is provided on the side wall of the receiving cavity 45.

[0056] In this embodiment, the gas inside the battery casing can also enter the receiving cavity 45 through the second air inlet 451. The receiving cavity 45 is connected to the first mounting cavity 41. Therefore, multiple paths are provided for the gas inside the battery casing to reach the pressure detection unit, which can ensure that the pressure detection unit can accurately capture the pressure information from different areas, thereby improving the comprehensiveness and reliability of the monitoring.

[0057] Meanwhile, when the battery experiences thermal runaway, the gas inside the battery casing can also enter the receiving cavity 45 through the second air inlet 451, then enter the first mounting cavity 41 from the receiving cavity 45, and finally exit the battery casing through the air outlet 411 of the first mounting cavity 41 and the explosion-proof valve 20, further improving the exhaust efficiency.

[0058] In one embodiment, the explosion-proof valve 20 is located on the exhaust path of the receiving cavity 45, which has an exhaust port, so that the gas in the receiving cavity 45 can be discharged through the exhaust port of the receiving cavity 45 and then discharged from the battery casing through the explosion-proof valve 20.

[0059] See also Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a partition 47 is provided inside the mounting body 43, which divides the inner cavity of the mounting body 43 into a first mounting cavity 41 and a receiving cavity 45.

[0060] In this embodiment, the partition 47 can enhance the structural stability of the mounting body 43. In particular, when the battery is subjected to external impact or vibration, the partition 47 can disperse and absorb some of the force. At the same time, the partition 47 can divide the inner cavity of the mounting body 43 into the first mounting cavity 41 and the receiving cavity 45, thereby realizing the division of different functional areas.

[0061] In one embodiment of this utility model, the monitoring module 50 further includes a gas flow rate detection unit.

[0062] In this embodiment, the addition of a gas flow rate detection unit enables the monitoring module 50 to simultaneously monitor the pressure and flow rate of the gas inside the battery casing, thereby obtaining more comprehensive information about the internal state of the battery. Abnormal changes in gas flow rate are often early signs of emergencies such as thermal runaway. The gas flow rate detection unit can monitor changes in gas flow rate in real time. Once an abnormal flow rate is detected, an early warning can be triggered immediately, prompting the system to take rapid response measures, thereby preventing more serious safety incidents from occurring.

[0063] See also Figures 1 to 10As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, the monitoring module 50 further includes a first conductive element 60, a second conductive element 70, and a power management unit electrically connected to the air pressure detection unit. Along the length of the top cover 10, a positive terminal 13 is provided at one end of the top cover 10, and a negative terminal 14 is provided at the other end of the top cover 10. The power management unit is electrically connected to the positive terminal 13 through the first conductive element 60, and to the negative terminal 14 through the second conductive element 70, so as to supply power to the air pressure detection unit.

[0064] With the above configuration, electrical energy can be directly drawn from the positive terminal 13 and negative terminal 14 of the battery, eliminating the need for a separate power supply for the monitoring module 50. This reduces the need for additional batteries or power modules, lowering costs. Simultaneously, this self-powered mode ensures the long-term stable operation of the monitoring module 50, eliminating concerns about power supply lifespan or maintainability.

[0065] In existing technologies, adding a large number of external sensors at the module or system level increases the complexity, weight, and overall cost of system wiring. To address these technical issues, [see reference...] Figures 1 to 10 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, when the monitoring module 50 further includes a first conductive element 60, a second conductive element 70, and a power management unit electrically connected to the air pressure detection unit, along the length direction of the top cover 10, the mounting structure 40 has a first sidewall and a second sidewall arranged opposite to each other. A first opening 46 is provided on both the first sidewall and the second sidewall. One end of the first conductive element 60 is electrically connected to the power management unit, and the other end of the first conductive element 60 extends out of the first mounting cavity 41 through the first opening 46 on its side and is electrically connected to the positive terminal 13. One end of the second conductive element 70 is electrically connected to the power management unit, and the other end of the second conductive element 70 extends out of the first mounting cavity 41 through the first opening 46 on its side and is electrically connected to the negative terminal 14.

[0066] The above-described configuration eliminates the need for complex internal wiring layouts and simplifies the wiring structure of the top cover 10. This design allows the power management unit (PMU) to establish a direct and efficient electrical connection with the battery cell 80, improving the integration and assembly efficiency of the top cover assembly and the entire battery system. Simultaneously, the direct extension of the first conductive element 60 and the second conductive element 70 reduces the space occupied within the first mounting cavity 41, providing more mounting space for other sensors and components.

[0067] In one embodiment, the first conductive element 60 and the second conductive element 70 may be made of wire or nickel strip.

[0068] In one embodiment, the air pressure detection unit uses an air pressure sensor, and the gas flow rate detection unit uses a gas flow rate sensor.

[0069] According to another aspect of the present invention, a battery is also provided, comprising: a battery cell 80; a battery casing having a second mounting cavity and a second opening communicating with the second mounting cavity, wherein the battery cell 80 is mounted in the second mounting cavity through the second opening; and a top cover assembly of the battery as described above, wherein a top cover 10 is disposed on the second opening and is sealed to the second opening.

[0070] In this embodiment, the top cover assembly of the battery has all the technical solutions and effects of the aforementioned top cover assembly, which will not be repeated here.

[0071] In one embodiment, the air pressure detection unit uses a MEMS air pressure sensor, and the gas flow rate detection unit uses a MEMS flow rate sensor.

[0072] In one embodiment, the pressure detection unit, gas flow rate detection unit, and power management unit are integrated into one unit for easy installation and disassembly. The explosion-proof valve 20 of this application has a precisely calculated groove design with an accurate burst pressure value.

[0073] In one embodiment, the power management unit includes an ultra-low step-down converter that can convert the cell voltage (2.5V-4.2V) into a stable 3.3V or 1.8V voltage to power the entire monitoring module. The monitoring module of this application operates in intermittent acquisition mode (e.g., waking up once per second to sample), and is in sleep mode the rest of the time, keeping power consumption at the microampere level, with negligible impact on cell capacity.

[0074] In one embodiment, the monitoring module further includes a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or LoRa chip, and the air pressure data collected by the air pressure detection unit and the flow rate data detected by the gas flow rate detection unit are encoded and modulated via the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) or LoRa chip.

[0075] In one embodiment, the battery also includes a main control receiver, located within the battery management system (BMS) or terminal device, for receiving, parsing, recording, and judging data. The monitoring module wakes up at preset intervals, measures air pressure and flow rate data, and wirelessly sends "heartbeat" packets containing information such as cell ID, air pressure, flow rate, and frame count. When the rate of increase in air pressure or flow rate exceeds a first threshold (software-configurable), or the absolute value of air pressure exceeds a safety threshold but is below the mechanical burst threshold of the explosion-proof valve, the monitoring module immediately switches to a high-frequency acquisition mode and sends a high-level alarm signal to the external BMS. When excessive pressure inside the second mounting cavity causes the explosion-proof valve plate to rupture, the monitoring module can still record and attempt to send the final pressure peak data in the instant before failure, providing crucial data support for safety analysis. The monitoring module can periodically perform self-checks, such as checking power supply voltage and signal strength, and can report its own health status.

[0076] The barometric pressure monitoring method in this application differs from existing technologies in the following ways:

[0077] 1) Measurement location comparison: Existing technologies perform indirect measurements outside the battery, while this application places the monitoring module directly inside the battery casing, in zero-distance contact with the gas source, thus achieving direct and real measurement.

[0078] 2) Timeliness comparison: Existing technologies have a slow response and cannot provide early warnings. This application can detect minute changes at the initial stage of gas production, providing valuable early warning time and transforming safety issues from "post-event remediation" to "pre-event prevention".

[0079] 3) Information richness comparison: Existing technologies can only provide "yes / no" or simple analog quantity changes, while this application can provide digital information such as time-stamped air pressure, flow rate trend data, and sensor health status, which greatly enriches the battery status data.

[0080] 4) System structure comparison: If existing technologies require monitoring, additional components need to be added at the system level, resulting in a complex structure. This application achieves high integration on the core structural components of a single battery cell, realizing an integrated "sensing-structure" design and simplifying the system architecture.

[0081] The top cover assembly of this application has the following advantages:

[0082] 1) Extremely high safety early warning value: It can issue an alarm in the early stage of thermal runaway and when abnormal gas production just appears inside, which can buy a valuable critical time window for starting safety measures such as fire protection, power outage and isolation, and fundamentally improve the safety of the battery system.

[0083] 2) Accurate and reliable measurement: Directly measures internal pressure, avoiding external interference, resulting in high data accuracy, strong reliability, and low false alarm rate.

[0084] 3) Highly integrated functions and space-saving: It makes full use of the original installation space and functions of the explosion-proof valve, realizing "one thing for multiple uses" without occupying additional internal or external battery space, which is in line with the design trend of high energy density of lithium batteries.

[0085] 4) Enable intelligent lifecycle management: The long-term stress data provided can be used as a new dimension parameter for assessing battery state of health (SOH), and can be used to predict battery life and optimize battery management system (BMS) algorithms.

[0086] 5) Facilitates large-scale application: The monitoring module can be prefabricated during the substrate manufacturing stage and provided to battery manufacturers as a standard part or optional accessory. It is easy to integrate into existing automated production lines and has good prospects for large-scale application.

[0087] From the above description, it can be seen that the above embodiments of this utility model achieve the following technical effects: The monitoring module is installed in the first mounting cavity of the mounting structure. When the top cover is placed on the battery casing, the mounting structure is located inside the battery casing. The monitoring module includes a pressure detection unit, which is also located inside the battery casing. The first mounting cavity of the mounting structure is connected to the first air inlet and the air outlet. When the battery cell in the battery casing experiences thermal runaway, the generated gas first enters the first mounting cavity through the first air inlet and then exits from the air outlet of the first mounting cavity. The explosion-proof valve opens. Since the explosion-proof valve is located on the exhaust path of the first mounting cavity, the gas exiting from the air outlet of the first mounting cavity can exit the battery casing through the explosion-proof valve. The gas inside the battery casing can directly contact the pressure detection unit after entering the first mounting cavity through the first air inlet, realizing an instantaneous response to changes in the internal pressure of the battery casing. It is not necessary to indirectly infer changes in the internal pressure of the battery casing by monitoring the deformation of the battery casing, which greatly reduces the response time and enables more timely detection of abnormal changes in the internal pressure of the battery casing. Meanwhile, the air pressure detection unit measures the actual air pressure inside the battery casing, rather than the indirect effects of external environmental pressure or casing deformation, which improves the accuracy of detection, reduces the possibility of false alarms and missed alarms, and thus improves the reliability of detection.

[0088] The top cover of this application integrates a pressure detection unit for detecting air pressure and an explosion-proof valve for pressure relief. This saves more internal battery space than installing two separate components. Furthermore, the explosion-proof valve is located on the exhaust path from the first air inlet to the air outlet in the first mounting cavity, enabling pressure relief. Therefore, the top cover assembly of this application integrates both active warning and passive pressure relief functions, and functions as a whole, facilitating subsequent assembly. Specifically, on the one hand, the pressure detection unit can detect changes in internal battery pressure in real time, enabling active warning; on the other hand, in abnormal situations (such as internal battery malfunctions causing a sudden pressure increase), the explosion-proof valve enables rapid passive pressure relief.

[0089] Obviously, the embodiments described above are only some embodiments of this utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort should fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0090] It should be noted that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments according to this application. As used herein, the singular form is intended to include the plural form as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, it should be understood that when the terms "comprising" and / or "including" are used in this specification, they indicate the presence of features, steps, operations, devices, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0091] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this utility model and is not intended to limit the utility model. Various modifications and variations can be made to this utility model by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this utility model should be included within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A top cover assembly for a battery, characterized in that, include: The top cover (10) includes a base plate (11) and an insulating member (12) connected to the base plate (11). An explosion-proof valve (20) is provided on the side of the base plate (11) away from the insulating member (12). An installation structure (40) capable of being installed in the battery casing of the battery is provided on the insulating member (12). The installation structure (40) is correspondingly provided with the explosion-proof valve (20). The installation structure (40) includes a first installation cavity (41). The installation structure (40) is provided with a first air inlet (42) and an air outlet (411) communicating with the first installation cavity (41). The explosion-proof valve (20) is located on the exhaust path of the first installation cavity (41). The monitoring module (50) is installed in the first mounting cavity (41), and the monitoring module (50) includes a pressure detection unit.

2. The top cover assembly of the battery according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting structure (40) further includes a mounting body (43) and a cover (44). The mounting body (43) is connected to the insulating member (12). The first mounting cavity (41) is disposed on the mounting body (43). At least one of the mounting body (43) and the cover (44) is provided with the first air inlet (42). The mounting body (43) is provided with a mounting opening communicating with the first mounting cavity (41). The cover (44) has a closed state of closing the mounting opening and an open state of opening the mounting opening.

3. The top cover assembly of the battery according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting body (43) protrudes from the surface of the insulating component (12); and / or, the cover (44) is provided with the first air inlet (42), the first air inlet (42) is disposed toward the air pressure detection unit, and the first mounting cavity (41) is provided with the air outlet (411) on the side wall of the side facing the explosion-proof valve (20).

4. The top cover assembly of the battery according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cover (44) is detachably connected to the mounting body (43) so that the cover (44) can switch between the closed state and the open state.

5. The top cover assembly of the battery according to claim 4, characterized in that, Along the width direction of the substrate (11), the cover (44) has a first end and a second end that are disposed opposite to each other. At least one buckle (441) is provided at both the first end and the second end of the cover (44). At least one slot (431) is provided on the mounting body (43). At least one buckle (441) and at least one slot (431) are disposed in a one-to-one correspondence. The buckle (441) engages with the corresponding slot (431).

6. The top cover assembly of the battery according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The mounting structure (40) further includes a receiving cavity (45) communicating with the first mounting cavity (41). The receiving cavity (45) and the first mounting cavity (41) are arranged along the width direction of the top cover (10). A second air inlet (451) is provided on the side wall of the receiving cavity (45).

7. The top cover assembly of the battery according to claim 6, characterized in that, The mounting body (43) is provided with a partition (47) that divides the inner cavity of the mounting body (43) into the first mounting cavity (41) and the receiving cavity (45).

8. The top cover assembly of the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The monitoring module (50) further includes a gas flow rate detection unit; and / or, the monitoring module (50) further includes a first conductive element (60), a second conductive element (70), and a power management unit electrically connected to the gas pressure detection unit. Along the length direction of the top cover (10), a positive terminal (13) is provided at one end of the top cover (10), and a negative terminal (14) is provided at the other end of the top cover (10). The power management unit is electrically connected to the positive terminal (13) through the first conductive element (60), and the power management unit is electrically connected to the negative terminal (14) through the second conductive element (70) to supply power to the gas pressure detection unit.

9. The top cover assembly of the battery according to claim 8, characterized in that, When the monitoring module (50) further includes a first conductive element (60), a second conductive element (70), and a power management unit electrically connected to the air pressure detection unit, along the length direction of the top cover (10), the mounting structure (40) has a first sidewall and a second sidewall arranged opposite to each other. A first opening (46) is provided on both the first sidewall and the second sidewall. One end of the first conductive element (60) is electrically connected to the power management unit, and the other end of the first conductive element (60) extends out of the first mounting cavity (41) through the first opening (46) on its side and is electrically connected to the positive terminal (13). One end of the second conductive element (70) is electrically connected to the power management unit, and the other end of the second conductive element (70) extends out of the first mounting cavity (41) through the first opening (46) on its side and is electrically connected to the negative terminal (14).

10. A battery, characterized in that, include: Battery cell (80); The battery casing has a second mounting cavity and a second opening communicating with the second mounting cavity, and the battery cell (80) is mounted in the second mounting cavity through the second opening; The top cover assembly of the battery as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the top cover (10) is disposed over the second opening and is sealed to the second opening.

Images