An electrochemical cell

Abstract

An electrochemical cell 101 comprising a coupling member 120a which extends through and comprises a connection portion 121a at one side 115 of the cell. The connection portion 121a, which may be a fir

Description

BACKGROUND Batteries, such as those used in consumer devices, are typically formed of a plurality of battery cells (also referred to as electrochemical cells). Electrochemical cells (such as lithium-ion cells) come in various formats. Known electrochemical cells often have a cylindrical shape or a rectangular (or cuboid) shape. One type of rectangular electrochemical cell that is increasingly being used in devices is a pouch cell. A pouch cell includes a layered architecture contained within a flexible (i.e. non-rigid) pouch, which is commonly formed of a plastic-coated aluminium film. Tabs are typically provided at one end (or two opposite ends) of the pouch cell and extend to the exterior of the cell to provide terminals that allow electrical connection of the pouch cell to other pouch cells in a pouch cell stack (which forms the battery) or to other electrical components of a device. The tab or tabs provide the function of electrical connection to external interfaces, for example electrical connection to a tab of one or more other cells to form a battery comprising a plurality of such cells. To achieve this electrical connection to one or more other cells, the tabs of each cell are typically aligned and subsequently joined together by soldering. SUMMARY In a first aspect, there is provided an electrochemical cell (e.g. a pouch cell) for a battery, the electrochemical cell comprising: a coupling member extending through the cell from a first side of the cell to a second side of the cell that is opposite to the first side, the coupling member comprising a connection portion at the first side of the cell, the connection portion configured to engage with a connection portion of a further electrochemical cell. The further electrochemical cell may be similar or the same as the electrochemical cell of the first aspect. The connection portion of the further electrochemical cell may not necessarily be the same or similar to the connection portion of the electrochemical cell according to the first aspect. The electrochemical cell of the first aspect can be easily connected (e.g. physically connected / attached) to another electrochemical cell via the connection portion so that a battery can be formed. Further, the coupling member that extends through the electrochemical cell can, in some cases, be useful in aligning components of the electrochemical cell, such as layers therein. The connection portion may be configured to engage with a connection portion in a way that improves the resistance of the connection portion to shock or shear forces compared to a soldered connection. For example, the connection portion may be pushed into a connection portion of a further electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell may comprise electrode layers. A separator may be provided between each of the electrode layers. The electrode layers may comprise one or more pairs of electrode layers, each pair comprising an anode layer and a cathode layer. The anode layer may comprise a copper foil on which the anode is coated. The cathode layer may comprise an aluminium foil on which the cathode is coated. A plurality of pairs of anode layer and cathode layer may be provided. The plurality of pairs of anode layer and cathode layer may be stacked or rolled together. The plurality of pairs of anode layer and cathode layer may be stacked together in a stack direction. The stack direction may extend between the first side and the second side. The electrochemical cell may comprise electrolyte. The electrochemical cell may comprise a casing surrounding the electrode layers and the electrolyte. The electrochemical cell may be a pouch cell. The electrochemical cell may comprise a layered architecture (e.g. comprising electrode layers as described above). The electrochemical cell my comprise a pouch or pouch laminate (e.g. a flexible pouch) surrounding the layered architecture (i.e. the electrode layers). In some embodiments, the electrochemical cell may comprise one or more tabs. For example a tab may be electrically connected to the anode layer(s) (e.g. via the copper foil) and / or a tab may be electrically connected to the cathode layer(s) (e.g. via the aluminium foil) such that current generated by the electrochemical cell may be carried to the tab(s). In some embodiments, the tabs may provide electrical connection between the electrochemical cell and a further electrochemical cell, whilst the connection portion serves the function of aligning two or more electrochemical cells by providing physical connection to a connection portion of a further electrochemical cell. In this way, the tabs may be more easily aligned with and / or soldered to tabs of another electrochemical cell because of the alignment between the electrochemical cells which results from using the connection portions to physically connect the electrochemical cells together. The connection portion may be configured to provide electrical connection with the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell. For example, the connection portion may comprise an electrically conductive material. In this way, the connection portion may replace the use of a tab as described above. For example, each of the anode electrode layers may electrically connect to the coupling member. As a result, current may flow to / from the coupling member (depending on whether the battery is charging or discharging) and through the connection portion such that the current can flow to / from the further electrochemical cell. In this way, the tab connected to the anode layers of the cell may be replaced as an electrical connector. Alternatively, each of the cathode electrode layers may electrically connect to the coupling member, so that the tab connected to the cathode layers of the cell may be replaced as an electrical connector by the connection portion of the coupling member. In some embodiments, the tab(s) is not entirely replaced, but instead comprises significantly less surface area and / or does not extend to the exterior of the cell. In these embodiments, the coupling member may pass through the (smaller) tab and the tab may serve as a termination region for the plurality of anode or cathode layers. As a result, the surface area of the electrode layers within the cell may extend into some or all of the region previously occupied by the tabs. This means that the cell can store more electrical energy because the electrode layers are larger compared to when the tab is present and / or larger to allow soldering. In other words, the cell has a larger volumetric energy density. Alternatively, a smaller electrochemical cell can be used to provide the same capacity and / or voltage as a cell with larger tabs. Further, soldering may not be required between the connection portions of the electrochemical cell and the further electrochemical cell (as explained further below) due to the physical connection between connection portions. This improves the manufacturing process of a battery comprising the electrochemical cell and the further electrochemical cell. The coupling member may be configured to clamp the first side and the second side of the electrochemical cell therebetween (for example the layered architecture or the electrode layers of the electrochemical cell therebetween). For example, the coupling member may comprise a first clamping portion (e.g. plate or flange) which extends across the first side of the electrochemical cell and a second clamping portion (e.g. plate or flange) which extends across the second side of the electrochemical cell. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion may be movable relative to one another (e.g. during assembly) such that the distance between them is reduced and the electrochemical cell is clamped therebetween. The first clamping portion and the second clamping portion may be movable relative to one another in the stacking direction such that the plurality of electrode layers may be held in place when the coupling member clamps the first side and the second side of the electrochemical cell therebetween. The coupling member may comprise a bore extending in a direction between the first side and the second side of the cell (e.g. the stacking direction). The bore may extend entirely through the coupling member. In some embodiments the coupling member comprises a tube e.g. a cylindrical tube such as a thin-walled cylinder, wherein the bore is the interior of the tube. A bore extending through the coupling member between the first side and the second side of the cell may provide one or more of a variety of functions. For example, a tool may be passed through the bore to pull the first side and the second side of the electrochemical cell towards each other to achieve a clamping effect as described herein. Additionally or alternatively, cooling fluid such as air, water or another gas or liquid may flow through the bore when the electrochemical cell is in use. This may allow the cell to be cooled by passing cooling fluid through the cell (within the coupling member) where it is hotter, which effectively cools the electrochemical cell and improves cooling compared to electrochemical cells where cooling fluid passes around the exterior of the electrochemical cell. As described above, the connection portion may be engaged with the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell by being received in the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell. Alternatively, the connection portion may receive the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell. In other words, the connection portion and the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell may engage via a push-fit structure (for example involving an interference fit between the connection portions). The connection portion and the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell may be reversibly engageable (e.g. separable). The connection portion may comprise a protrusion configured to be received by the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell. The protrusion may extend away from the first side of the electrochemical cell. In this way, the connection portion of the electrochemical cell may be received by (e.g. within a recess or void) the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell (the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell may be a second connection portion as described below). This allows for simple physical connection between connection portions of different electrochemical cells which improves the manufacturing process of a battery compared to electrochemical cells which comprise tabs that require welding together. In embodiments in which the connection portion comprises a protrusion, the bore may extend through the protrusion. For example, the coupling portion may comprise a bore extending through its entire length. In some embodiments, the bore may extend through the entire length of the coupling portion including any the length of coupling portion that extends beyond a side of the electrochemical cell. At least a portion of the protrusion may be tapered. The taper may extend away from the first side of the cell such that the cross-sectional area of the portion of the protrusion reduces in a direction away from the first side of the electrochemical cell. The entire protrusion may be tapered. The protrusion (or a portion of the protrusion) may resemble a frustum such as a conical frustum. By providing at least a portion of the protrusion with a taper, the connection portion may be more easily located and secured to a receiving connection portion of the further electrochemical cell. In particular, in embodiments where the cross-sectional shape of the receiving connection portion is similar to that of the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion, the top of the protrusion (furthest from the first side) may be configured to have a smaller cross-sectional area (e.g. defined by the exterior of the protrusion) than that of the receiving connection portion, and the cross-sectional area of the protrusion (e.g. defined by the exterior of the protrusion) proximate the first side may be configured to be larger than that of the receiving connection portion. In this way, the battery may be assembled more easily and an interference fit may be achieved between connection portion to ensure the electrochemical cells of the battery are secured together. The electrochemical cell may comprise a plurality of coupling members. Each coupling member may be provided with two connection portions, one proximate the first side and one proximate the second side. The electrochemical cell may comprise a plurality of connection portions. The connection portion described above may be a first connection portion. Some or all of the plurality of connection portions may be the same as the first connection portion. Some of the plurality of first connection portions may be at the first side of the electrochemical cell (as described above) and other first connection portions of the plurality of first connection portions may be at the second side of the electrochemical cell. On the other hand, all of the plurality of first connection portions may be at the first side of the electrochemical cell. The electrochemical cell may comprise a second connection portion, different to the first connection portion. Specifically, the coupling member may comprise a second connection portion. The second connection portion may be at the second side of the cell. The second connection portion may be configured to engage with a connection portion of a further electrochemical cell (which may be different to the further electrochemical cell discussed above). By providing two different connection portions (the first and the second), assembly of the battery may be improved. The difference in connection portions of an electrochemical cell and thus the differences in connection portions of the further electrochemical cells can ensure that the electrochemical cells are correctly aligned and / or orientated during assembly of a battery. This advantage is further illustrated by various embodiments described next. Further, by providing a connection portion at a first side and a connection portion at a second side (opposite the first side), the electrochemical cell can be part of a battery comprising more than one other electrochemical cell. In some examples, a battery may comprise a plurality of electrochemical cells (e.g. the electrochemical cell and the / each further electrochemical cell described above). Each of the plurality of electrochemical cells may have at least one first connection portion at a first side and at least one second connection portion at a second side. In other words, each of the plurality of electrochemical cells may have at least one coupling member. The second connection portion of one or more of the plurality of electrochemical cells may be configured to engage with the first connection portion of a different one of the plurality of electrochemical cells (for example the further electrochemical cell). Further, in examples where the or each electrochemical cell comprises a plurality of first connection portions and a plurality of second connection portions, each of the first connection portions may be configured to engage with a respective one of the second connection portions of a different (e.g. further) electrochemical cell. In some examples, there is provided an electrochemical cell having a first connection portion and a further electrochemical cell, which is identical to the electrochemical cell having a second connection portion. The first connection portion may be configured to engage with the second connection portion of the further electrochemical cell that is identical to the electrochemical cell. In this way, a plurality of identical electrochemical cells may form a battery. For example, a battery may be formed from the electrochemical cell and the further electrochemical cell. Electrical and / or physical connection may be provided between the electrochemical cell and the further electrochemical cell via the first connection portion and / or the second connection portion. The second connection portion may be engaged with the connection portion of a further electrochemical cell by receiving said connection portion of the further electrochemical cell. Alternatively, the second connection portion may be received by the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell. In other words, the second connection portion and the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell may engage via a push-fit structure (for example involving an interference fit between the connection portions). The second connection portion and the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell may be reversibly engageable (e.g. separable). The second connection portion may define a void or a recess configured to receive the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell. For example, the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell may comprise a protrusion (for example, it may be the same as the first connection portion). The void or recess may be configured to receive the protrusion of a connection portion (e.g. the first connection portion). The void or recess may be a part (or region) of the bore of the coupling member. The first connection portion may comprise the first clamping portion discussed above. The second connection portion may comprise the second clamping portion discussed above. In this way, the first and second connection portions may also provide the first and second clamping portions. In an example, the first connection portion comprises a first flange and the second connection portion comprises a second flange, the first flange and the second flange being configured to clamp the cell therebetween. In embodiments, the coupling member comprises a plurality of components (e.g. component parts). For example, the coupling member may comprise a first component and a second component. The first component may comprise the first connection portion. The second component may comprise the second connection portion. The first component and the second component are engageable to form the coupling member. For example, the first component and the second component may be separable and / or moveably engageable such that the first component and the second component are moveable relative to each other. The first component and the second component may be moved together to an engaged position in which the cell is clamped by the first component and the second component. The bore of the coupling member may extend through both the first component and the second component. In some embodiments, one of the first component or the second component is received in the other one of the first component or the second component. For example, received in the portion of the bore formed by the first component or the second component. In embodiments where the coupling member comprises a tube, the first coupling member and the second coupling member may each comprise a tube. The first coupling member and the second coupling member may each comprise a tube of differing diameters such that one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member may be received (e.g. to achieve an interference fit) by the other one of the first coupling member and the second coupling member to form the tubular coupling member. The electrochemical cell may comprise a plurality of coupling members as described herein. For example, the electrochemical cell may comprise two, four or more coupling members. At least one of the plurality of coupling members may be an anode of the cell (e.g. an anode terminal), and at least one of the plurality of coupling members may be a cathode of the cell (e.g. a cathode terminal). In a second aspect there is provided a battery comprising: a first electrochemical cell according to the first aspect; and a second electrochemical cell according to the first aspect, wherein the connection portion of the first electrochemical cell is engageable with the connection portion of the second electrochemical cell. The battery according to the second aspect may be more easily assembled compared to known batteries. In particular, the electrochemical cells may be aligned more easily to ensure improved physical and electrical connection between cells as described herein. As described above, the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell may each comprise a plurality of coupling members. Each of the connection portions of the first electrochemical cell is engageable with a corresponding one of the connection portions of the second electrochemical cell. At least one of the plurality of the coupling members may be an anode of the cell (e.g. an anode terminal). At least one of the plurality of coupling members may be a cathode of the cell (e.g. a cathode terminal). The first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell may have any of the features described in respect of the electrochemical cell of the first aspect. For example, the second electrochemical cell may comprise a first connection portion and the first electrochemical cell may comprise a second connection portion, the first connection portion of the second electrochemical cell may be engageable with the second connection portion of the first electrochemical cell. In some examples, the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell may each comprise a plurality of coupling members. Each first connection portion of the second electrochemical cell may be engageable with a corresponding one of the second connection portions of the first electrochemical cell. At least one of the plurality of coupling members may be an anode of the cell (e.g. an anode terminal). At least one of the plurality of coupling members may be a cathode of the cell (e.g. a cathode terminal). The first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell of the battery according to the second aspect may be substantially identical or may be identical. In a third aspect there is provided a method of assembling a battery from a plurality of electrochemical cells. The method may comprise the steps of: providing a first electrochemical cell according to the first aspect; providing a second electrochemical cell according to the first aspect, and engaging the connection portion of the first electrochemical cell with the connection portion of the second electrochemical cell to form a battery. For example, the method may comprise the step of engaging the second connection portion of the first electrochemical cell with the first connection portion of the second electrochemical cell. The battery may be a battery according to the second aspect. Any of the aspects and / or features of aspects described herein may be combined with any other of the aspects and / or features of the aspects described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an example of a known electrochemical cell having terminals which are tabs. Figure 2 shows a cross-section view of the known electrochemical cell shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an electrochemical cell according to the first aspect. Figure 4 shows a cross-section view of the electrochemical cell shown in Figure 3. Figure 5 shows a detailed cross-section view of the coupling member of an electrochemical cell according to the first aspect. Figure 6 shows a cross-section view of a battery according to the second aspect. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 shows a tabbed electrochemical cell 1, specifically a pouch cell. The electrochemical cell 1 has a rectangular shape (i.e. is a cuboid) and the interior layered architecture of the electrochemical cell 1 is contained within a flexible pouch 2. The electrochemical cell contains an electrolyte gel. A first tab 3 extends from one end of the electrochemical cell 1. The first tab 3 is electrically connected to the anode layers of the interior layered architecture of the electrochemical cell 1 and provides an anode terminal for the electrochemical cell 1. At the opposite end of the electrochemical cell 1 to the first tab 3 is a second tab 4 extending away from the electrochemical cell 1. The second tab 4 is electrically connected to the cathode layers of the interior layered architecture of the electrochemical cell 1. The first tab 3 and the second tab 4 may be electrically connected to corresponding tabs of further electrochemical cells (for example by soldering) in order to form a battery comprising multiple electrochemical cells. To achieve this, all corresponding tabs of each electrochemical cells must be aligned and soldered together. Figure 2 shows a cross-section view of the known electrochemical cell 1 shown in Figure 1. Specifically, Figure 2 shows a portion of the electrochemical cell 1 proximate and including the first tab 3. The electrochemical cell 1 comprises a layered architecture of electrode layers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c, specifically anode layers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d. separated by cathode layers 6a, 6b, 6c such that the electrode layers alternate between anode layers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d and cathode layers 6a, 6b, 6c. To improve understanding, Figure 2 only shows some of the electrode layers which may form an electrochemical cell 1. Any number of electrode layers may be provided within the electrochemical cell 1, with each anode layer 5 having a corresponding cathode layer 6. Each of the electrode layers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c may be separated by separator layers 9. The anode layers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d each comprise a copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d on which the anode is coated. The copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d is connected to the first tab 3 and carries charge to / from the first tab 3 such that the first tab 3 acts as an anode terminal. As is shown in Figure 2, all the layers of copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d converge on the first tab 3 and are soldered to the first tab 3 at a solder region 41 so that they are electrically connected. The cathode layers 6a, 6b, 6c each comprise an aluminium foil 8a, 8b, 8c on which the cathode is coated. In a similar arrangement to the copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and the first tab 3 arrangement, the layers of aluminium foil 8a, 8b, 8c are connected to the second tab 4 (not shown in Figure 2) and carries charge to / from the second tab 4 such that the second tab 4 acts as a cathode terminal. Although not shown in the figures, all the layers of aluminium foil 8a, 8b, 8c converge on the second tab 4 and are soldered to the second tab 4 at a solder region so that they are electrically connected (in a similar way to the copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and the first tab 3). The first tab 3 and the second tab 4 extend through the flexible pouch to the exterior of the electrochemical cell to act as the anode and cathode terminals respectively. The flexible pouch 2 seal around the first tab 3 and the second tab 4 and comprise a sealing feature 10. This ensures that the contents of the electrochemical cell (the layered architecture and the electrolyte gel) are contained within the flexible pouch 2. Figure 3 shows a perspective view an electrochemical cell 101 according to the present disclosure. The flexible pouch is not shown for clarity. As explained further below, the length of the first tab 103 and the second tab 104 is shorter than the length of the first tab 3 and the second tab 4 extending outside of the flexible pouch 2 of the known electrochemical cell 1 described with respect to Figures 1 and 2. The electrochemical cell 101 comprises a plurality of coupling members 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, each having a first connection portion 121a, 121b, 121c, 121d at a first side 115 of the electrochemical cell 101 and a second connection portion 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d (not shown in Figure 3) at a second side 116 of the electrochemical cell 101. The embodiment shown in Figure 3 comprises four coupling members 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d, two of the coupling members 120a, 120b are located on the first tab 103 and two of the coupling members 120c, 120d are located on the second tab 104. Figure 4 shows a cross-section view of the electrochemical cell 101 shown in Figure 3. Specifically, Figure 4 shows a portion of the electrochemical cell 101 proximate and including the first tab 103. The flexible pouch 102 is also shown in Figure 4. The electrochemical cell 101 comprises the same layered architecture as described above with respect to the known electrochemical cell 1. Like features (such as electrode layers) are denoted with the same reference numerals used in Figure 2. In contrast to the known electrochemical cell 1 shown in Figure 2, the first tab 103 does not extend outside of the flexible pouch 102. Further, the coupling member 120a extends through the electrochemical cell 101 from the first side 115 to the second side 116. The coupling member 120a comprises a bore 130a which extends through the coupling member 120a in a direction between the first side 115 and the second side 116 (vertical in Figure 4). This may be referred to as the stacking direction, as it is the direction in which the electrode layers are stacked. The coupling member 120a extends beyond the first side 115 such that the first connection portion 121a comprises a protrusion 123a extending away from the first side 115 of the electrochemical cell 101. The bore 130a extends through the protrusion 123a. A portion of the protrusion 123a is tapered in a direction extending away from the first side 115 of the electrochemical cell 101 (upwards in Figure 4). The second connection portion 122a is shown in Figure 4 at the second side 116 of the electrochemical cell 101. The second connection portion 122a comprises a void 124a. The void 124a is formed from part of the bore 130a. The first connection portion 121a comprises a first flange 125a and the second connection portion 122a comprises a second flange 126a. The first flange 125a and the second flange 126a are configured to clamp the electrochemical cell therebetween. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the layers of copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d from the anode layers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are clamped between the first flange 125a and the second flange 126a. In this way, a stable electrical connection is formed between the copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d and the coupling member 120a. The other coupling members 120b, 120c, 120d which are not shown in Figure 4 are substantially identical to the coupling member 120a shown in Figure 4. The other coupling member 120b at the same end of the electrochemical cell 101 as coupling member 120a shown in Figure 4 is also connected to the copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d as shown in Figure 4. The coupling members 120c, 120d, at the opposite end of the electrochemical cell to the coupling member 120a shown in Figure 4 are connected to the aluminium foil 8a, 8b, 8c in the same way (i.e. the aluminium foil 8a, 8b, 8c is clamped between the first flange and the second flange of the coupling members 120c, 120d). In this way, two of the coupling members 120a, 120b form anode terminals of the electrochemical cell 101 and tow of the coupling members 120c, 120d at the opposite end of the electrochemical cell 101 form cathode terminals of the electrochemical cell 101. Figure 5 shows a detailed cross-section view of the coupling member 120a of the electrochemical cell 101. As can be seen in Figure 5, the coupling member 120a comprises a first component 127a and a second component 128a. The second component 128a is engaged with the first component 127a so that together they form the coupling member 120a. Specifically, the first component 127a comprises a hollow tubular portion 129a and the second component 128a has a hollow tubular portion 131a having an outer diameter which is smaller than the inner diameter of the hollow tubular portion 129a of the first component 127a so that the hollow tubular portion 131a of the second component 128a can be pushed into the hollow tubular portion 129a of the first component (as is shown in Figure 5). The second component 128a has a wider hollow tubular portion 132a between the hollow tubular portion 131a and the second flange 126a. The first component 127a comprises the first connection portion 121a and the second component 129a comprises the second connection portion 122a. The gap between the first flange 125a and the second flange 126a receives the layers of copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d (as is shown in Figure 4). Returning to Figure 4, the length L4 indicated which denotes the length of the electrochemical cell 101 which extends beyond the point of convergence of the copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d (e.g. the length of tab 103) is shorter than the length L2 indicated in Figure 2 which denotes the length of the electrochemical cell 1 which extends beyond the point of convergence of the copper foil 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d (e.g. the length of tab 3). In this way, as can be seen by comparing Figures 2 and 4 (e.g. by comparing length of L2 and L4), the length of the tab 3 in the tabbed electrochemical cell 1 is significantly longer than the length of the tab 103 of the electrochemical cell 101 of the invention. This means that a larger proportion of the electrochemical cell 101 can comprise the layered structure of electrode layers 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 6a, 6b, 6c than compared to the tabbed electrochemical cell 1, resulting in an electrochemical cell 101 with a greater volumetric energy density than the known electrochemical cell 1. Figure 6 shows a cross-section view of a battery 201 according to the present disclosure. The battery 201 comprises two electrochemical cells 301, 401 which are substantially identical to the electrochemical cell 101 described with respect to Figures 1 to 5. Fewer electrode layers are shown for clarity. As such, each of the electrochemical cells 301, 401 comprises four coupling members. In the cross-section view of Figure 6, only coupling member 320a of the first electrochemical cell 301 and coupling member 420a of the second electrochemical cell 401 are shown. The electrochemical cells 301, 401 are stacked on top each other such that the coupling members (e.g. coupling members 320a, 420a) are aligned. Like features of the layered architecture of the electrochemical cells 301, 401 are denoted with the same reference numerals used in respect of the known electrochemical cell 1. As shown in Figure 6, the first connection portion 421a of the second electrochemical cell 401 (specifically the protrusion 423a) is pushed into the second connection portion 322a of the first electrochemical cell 301 (specifically the void 324a of the second connection 5 portion 322a). Although not shown in the Figures, the same engagement of corresponding connection portions may be made with all other connection portions of the first electrochemical cell 301 and the second electrochemical cell 401. As a result, the first electrochemical cell 301 and the second electrochemical cell 401 are 10 aligned, physically connected / engaged and electrically connected. An external electrical component which may be powered by, or which may charge the battery 201 may be electrically connected to the free connection portions of the battery 201 such as the first connection portion 321a of the first electrochemical cell 301 or the second connection portion 421a of the second electrochemical cell 401. 15

Claims

1. An electrochemical cell for a battery, the electrochemical cell comprising:a coupling member extending through the cell from a first side of the cell to a second side of the cell that is opposite to the first side,the coupling member comprising a connection portion at the first side of the cell, the connection portion configured to engage with a connection portion of a further electrochemical cell.

2. The electrochemical cell according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is configured to provide electrical connection with the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell.

3. The electrochemical cell according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member is configured to clamp the first side and the second side of the electrochemical cell therebetween.

4. The electrochemical cell according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling member comprises a bore extending in a direction between the first side and the second side of the cell.

5. The electrochemical cell according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection portion comprises a protrusion configured to be received by the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell.

6. The electrochemical cell according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of the protrusion is tapered in a direction extending away from the first side of the cell.

7. The electrochemical cell according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the connection portion is a first connection portion and the electrochemical cell furthercomprises a second connection portion at the second side of the cell, the second connection portion configured to engage with a connection portion of a further electrochemical cell.

8. The electrochemical cell according to claim 7 wherein the second connection portion is configured to engage with the first connection portion of a further electrochemical cell that is identical to the electrochemical cell.

9. The electrochemical cell according to claim 7 or claim 8 wherein the first connection portion is configured to engage with the second connection portion of a further electrochemical cell that is identical to the electrochemical cell.

10. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the second connection portion defines a recess configured to receive the connection portion of the further electrochemical cell.

11. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first connection portion comprises a first flange and the second connection portion comprises a second flange, the first flange and the second flange being configured to clamp the cell therebetween.

12. The electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 7 to 11, wherein the coupling member comprises:a first component comprising the first connection portion; anda second component comprising the second connection portion, wherein the first component and second component are engaged to form the coupling member.

13. The electrochemical cell according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of coupling members.

14. The electrochemical cell according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling members is an anode of the cell, and at least one of the plurality of coupling members is a cathode of cell.

15. A battery comprising:a first electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6; anda second electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the connection portion of the first electrochemical cell is engageable with the connection portion of the second electrochemical cell.

16. The battery according to claim 15, wherein the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell each comprise a plurality of coupling members, and wherein each connection portion of the first electrochemical cell is engageable with a corresponding one of the connection portions of the second electrochemical cell.

17. The battery according to claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling members is an anode of the cell, and at least one of the plurality of coupling members is a cathode of the cell.

18. The battery according to claim 15, wherein:the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell are electrochemical cells according to any one of claims 7 to 12;wherein the first connection portion of the second electrochemical cell is engageable with the second connection portion of the first electrochemical cell.

19. The battery according to claim 18, wherein the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell each comprise a plurality of coupling members, and wherein each first connection portion of the second electrochemical cell is engageable with a corresponding one of the second connection portions of the first electrochemical cell.

20. The battery according to claim 19, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling members is an anode of the cell, and at least one of the plurality of coupling members is a cathode of the cell.

21. The battery according to any one of claims 15 to 20, wherein the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell are identical.

22. A method of assembling a battery from a plurality of electrochemical cells, the method comprising the steps of:providing a first electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6;providing a second electrochemical cell according to any one of claims 1 to 6; and engaging the connection portion of the first electrochemical cell with the connection portion of the second electrochemical cell to form a battery.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein the first electrochemical cell and the second electrochemical cell are electrochemical cells according to any one of claims 7 to 12 such that the method comprises:engaging the first connection portion of the second electrochemical cell with the second connection portion of the first electrochemical cell.Application No: GB2416554.0Examiner: Dr Shane HenryClaims searched: 1-23Date of search: 2 May 2025Patents Act 1977: Search Report under Section 17Documents considered to be relevant:Category Relevant to claims Identity of document and passage or figure of particular relevance X 1-23 US 2012 / 0156537 Al (MEINTSCHEL et al.) See Figures 22, 26, 27 &55, Page 12 para [0212-0213] X 1-23 US 2010 / 0273035 Al (KIM) See Figures 12 &13, Page 5 para [0083-0084] X 1-23 CN 112272895 A (HILTI AG) See Figure 1 &4, Page 6 para [0041-0042]) X 1-23 US 2010 / 0273043 Al (BIRKE et al.) See Figures 1 &2, Page 1 para [0014], Page 3 para [0042 &0046] X 1-13, 15-16, 18-19, 21-23 US 4668592 A (HARRIS et al.) See Figures 1 &2, Col 3 lines 7-15 X 1,3-13, 15-16, 18-19, 21-23 WO 2010 / 067833 Al (NGK INSULATORS LTD) Figures 1, 7 &8, Page 10 lines 15-25Categories:X Document indicating lack of novelty or inventive step A Document indicating technological background and / or state of the art. Y Document indicating lack of inventive step if combined with one or more other documents of same category. P Document published on or after the declared priority date but before the filing date of this invention. & Member of the same patent family E Patent document published on or after, but with priority date earlier than, the filing date of this application.Field of Search:Search of GB, EP, WO &US patent documents classified in the following areas of the UKCX :International Classification:Subclass Subgroup Valid From HO IM 0050 / 54 01 / 01 / 2021 HO IM 0050 / 105 01 / 01 / 2021 HO IM 0050 / 124 01 / 01 / 2021 HO IM 0050 / 178 01 / 01 / 2021 HO IM 0050 / 186 01 / 01 / 2021 HO IM 0050 / 533 01 / 01 / 2021 HO IM 0050 / 536 01 / 01 / 2021 HO IM 0050 / 553 01 / 01 / 2021 HO IM 0050 / 567 01 / 01 / 2021

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