Batteries and Electrical Equipment

Abstract

The embodiment of the present application provides a battery (10) and an electrical device. The battery (10) includes a housing (11) including an electrical cavity (11a), a battery cell (20) accommodated in the electrical cavity (11a) and having a pressure release mechanism (213) on a first wall (21), and a support member (13) attached to the first wall (21), configured such that when the pressure release mechanism (213) is activated, the discharged product of the battery cell (20) passes through the support member (13) and is discharged from the electrical cavity (11a), the support member (13) being provided with a reinforcing structure (14). The technical solution of the present application can improve the safety of the battery (10).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to batteries and electrical equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] With the development of the times, electric vehicles have great market prospects due to their advantages such as high environmental protection, low noise, and low cost, and can effectively promote energy conservation and emission reduction, which is beneficial to the development and progress of society. Battery technology is a key factor in the development of electric vehicles.

[0003] In the development of battery technology, in addition to improving the performance of the battery, the safety issue is also an issue that cannot be ignored. If the safety issue of the battery cannot be ensured, the battery cannot be used. Therefore, how to improve the safety of the battery is an issue that needs to be solved urgently in battery technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a battery and an electric device that can improve the safety of the battery.

[0005] In a first aspect, a battery is provided that includes a housing including an electrical cavity, a battery cell housed in the electrical cavity and having a pressure release mechanism on a first wall, and a support member attached to the first wall, the support member being configured such that, upon activation of the pressure release mechanism, exhaust from the battery cell passes through the support member and is exhausted from the electrical cavity, the support member being provided with a reinforcing structure.

[0006] In the embodiment of the present application, the battery housing includes an electrical cavity for accommodating a battery cell, a first wall of the battery cell is provided with a pressure release mechanism, the battery further includes a support member attached to the first wall of the battery cell, and upon activation of the pressure release mechanism, the discharged matter of the battery cell is discharged from the electrical cavity through the support member, thereby avoiding the expansion of thermal runaway of the battery and improving the safety of the battery. In addition, the support member is provided with a reinforcing structure to improve the structural strength of the support member. In this way, the support member can better provide a supporting force for the battery cell, and when the battery is impacted from the outside, the support member has a structural strength that is more resistant to impact, and avoids the vibration of the battery cell in the housing, thereby ensuring the structural stability of the battery and further improving the safety of the battery. In other words, the technical solution of the present application avoids the expansion of thermal runaway of the battery, while ensuring the structural stability of the battery, and greatly improving the safety of the battery.

[0007] In one possible embodiment, the support member includes a first support wall arranged opposite the first wall, and the reinforcing structure is provided on a surface of the first support wall remote from the first wall.

[0008] The reinforcing structure is provided on a surface of the first support wall so that the first support wall provides a larger supporting force to support the battery cell, and the reinforcing structure is provided on a surface of the first support wall away from the first wall, thereby preventing the reinforcing structure from affecting the connection between the first support wall and the first wall.

[0009] In one possible embodiment, the support member further comprises two side walls connected to the first support wall, the reinforcing structure being disposed between the two side walls.

[0010] The two side walls of the support member can increase the impact resistance of the entire support member, especially when the housing is subjected to mechanical pressure or impact from the side, the two side walls can provide sufficient structural strength to resist the lateral pressure or impact, avoid vibration of the battery cells in the housing, and ensure the safety of the battery.

[0011] In one possible embodiment, the reinforcing structure is connected to the two side walls. The reinforcing structure is connected to the two side walls, further increasing the structural strength of the entire support member.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the first support wall forms an inverted "U" shaped structure with the two side walls.

[0013] The inverted "U" shaped structure can increase the structural strength of the support member as compared to a flat plate structure, and also facilitates connection between the first wall and the first support wall.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, the support member further includes a second support wall arranged opposite the first support wall, and the first support wall, the second support wall and the two side walls form a "L" shaped structure.

[0015] The support member has a second support wall opposite the first support wall, and the support member forming a "L"-shaped structure has greater structural strength, improving the structural strength while reducing the weight of the support member as much as possible.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, the reinforcing structure is connected to the first support wall and / or the second support wall, further improving the structural strength of the entire support member.

[0017] In one possible embodiment, the first support wall is provided with a pressure relief area, and upon activation of the pressure relief mechanism, exhaust from the battery cell passes through the pressure relief area and out of the electrical cavity.

[0018] The exhaust of the battery cells can be discharged from the electrical cavity through the pressure relief area, thereby avoiding the exhaust from entering the electrical cavity in large quantities and causing short circuits or thermal diffusion between the battery cells, thereby affecting the safety of the battery.

[0019] In one possible embodiment, the pressure relief area is offset from the reinforcing structure, which avoids the exhaust path of the battery cell exhaust passing through the pressure relief area to be blocked by the reinforcing structure, ensures that the battery cell exhaust is smoothly exhausted from the electrical cavity, avoids the expansion of thermal runaway, and improves the safety of the battery.

[0020] In one possible embodiment, the pressure relief area is a weakened area of ​​the first support wall, which is adapted to break upon activation of a pressure relief mechanism.

[0021] By providing the pressure release area as a weak area, when the pressure release mechanism is not activated, for example during normal use of the battery, the first support wall can be sealed, effectively protecting the pressure release mechanism and preventing it from being destroyed and broken by external forces. Also, when the pressure release mechanism is activated, the weak area can be destroyed, so that the discharge from the battery cell can be discharged from the electrical cavity through the weak area, avoiding the expansion of thermal runaway and improving the safety of the battery.

[0022] In one possible embodiment, the first support wall is provided with a recess corresponding to the pressure release mechanism, and the weakened area is provided in a bottom wall of the recess.

[0023] In one possible embodiment, the pressure relief area is a first through hole passing through the first support wall, the through hole being in the thickness direction of the first support wall.

[0024] When the pressure relief area is the first through hole, on the one hand, processing becomes easier, and on the other hand, the waste discharged through the pressure relief mechanism can be quickly released.

[0025] In one possible embodiment, the battery further includes a sealing member that is used to seal the first through-hole and that is broken upon activation of the pressure release mechanism.

[0026] When the pressure release area is the first through hole, the melting point of the sealing member can be reasonably set to, on the one hand, maintain the hermeticity of the electrical cavity during normal use of the battery cell and protect the pressure release mechanism from the influence of the external environment, and, on the other hand, when thermal runaway of the battery cell occurs, the sealing member can be instantly broken to expose the first through hole, so that the exhaust of the battery cell can be discharged from the electrical cavity through the first through hole, thereby avoiding the expansion of thermal runaway and improving the safety of the battery.

[0027] In one possible embodiment, the sealing member is provided within the first through hole to seal the first through hole.

[0028] If the sealing member is provided inside the first through hole, it is not necessary for the sealing member to occupy other space inside the housing, and the space utilization rate of the housing is improved.

[0029] In one possible embodiment, the sealing member is provided on a surface of the first support wall facing the first wall and / or the sealing member is provided on a surface of the first support wall facing away from the first wall.

[0030] When the sealing member is provided on the surface of the first support wall facing the first wall, the sealing member is close to the pressure release mechanism, so that it can be quickly broken by the discharge of the pressure release mechanism, avoiding affecting the operation of the pressure release mechanism, and the discharge can be quickly discharged. When the sealing member is provided on the surface of the first support wall away from the first wall, the distance between the pressure release mechanism and the sealing member can provide a deformation space for the operation of the pressure release mechanism, avoiding affecting the normal operation of the pressure release mechanism.

[0031] In one possible embodiment, the support member is integrally molded with the reinforcing structure, which saves processing time and improves processing efficiency. The integrally molded structure also provides the support member with higher structural strength.

[0032] In one possible embodiment, the housing further includes a collection cavity for collecting exhaust of the battery cells that is exhausted through the support member upon activation of the pressure release mechanism.

[0033] The collection cavity can collect and / or process the effluent in a centralized manner before discharging it to the outside of the battery. For example, the collection cavity can contain a liquid, such as a cooling medium, or a member for containing the liquid, thereby further cooling the effluent entering the collection cavity.

[0034] In one possible embodiment, the battery further includes an exhaust member, and exhaust from the battery cells in the collection cavity is exhausted from the housing through the exhaust member.

[0035] The exhaust of the battery cells is discharged from the housing through the exhaust member in a timely manner to avoid the spread of thermal runaway of the battery.

[0036] In one possible embodiment, the support member is provided with a second through hole and the housing is provided with a third through hole, a first end of the exhaust member is connected to the second through hole, and a second end of the exhaust member is connected to the third through hole.

[0037] An exhaust member is connected to the second through hole of the support member and the third through hole of the housing to exhaust exhaust from the battery cells in the collection cavity out of the housing.

[0038] In one possible embodiment, the exhaust member includes a cavity that communicates with the collection cavity, and exhaust from the battery cells in the collection cavity is exhausted from the housing through the cavity.

[0039] By connecting the cavity to the collection cavity, waste from the battery cells in the collection cavity is discharged through the cavity and out of the housing.

[0040] In a second aspect there is provided a battery installation comprising a battery according to the first aspect or any of the possible embodiments of the first aspect for supplying electrical energy.

[0041] In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, the battery housing includes an electrical cavity for accommodating the battery cell, a pressure release mechanism is provided on the first wall of the battery cell, the battery further includes a support member attached to the first wall of the battery cell, and upon activation of the pressure release mechanism, the discharged matter of the battery cell is discharged from the electrical cavity through the support member, thereby avoiding the expansion of thermal runaway of the battery and improving the safety of the battery. In addition, the support member is provided with a reinforcing structure to improve the structural strength of the support member. In this way, the support member can better provide a supporting force for the battery cell, and when the battery is impacted from the outside, the support member has a structural strength that is more resistant to impact, which avoids the vibration of the battery cell in the housing, thereby ensuring the structural stability of the battery and further improving the safety of the battery. In other words, the technical solution of the present application avoids the expansion of thermal runaway of the battery, while ensuring the structural stability of the battery, and greatly improving the safety of the battery. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0042] In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly describes the drawings to be used in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can further obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0043] [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 2] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 3] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a support member and a reinforcing structure according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a support member and a reinforcing structure according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the support member and reinforcing structure of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 10] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] The drawings are not drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0045] The following will further describe the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings and examples. The detailed description of the following examples and the drawings are used to illustratively explain the principles of the present application, but cannot be used to limit the scope of the present application, i.e., the present application is not limited to the described examples.

[0046] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more, and the orientation or positional relationship of terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", etc., is intended only to facilitate and simplify the description of this application, and does not indicate or imply that the devices or elements shown have a particular orientation, must be configured, or operate in a particular orientation, and should not be understood as limiting this application. Also, terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc., are merely for descriptive purposes, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. "Perpendicular" is not strictly perpendicular, but has a margin of error. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but has a margin of error.

[0047] All directional terms appearing in the following description are directional terms shown in the drawings and do not limit the specific structure of the present application. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified or limited, technical terms such as "attached", "connected", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrated, and may be directly connected or indirectly connected via an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in the present application according to the specific situation.

[0048] The term "and / or" in this application merely describes the relationship between related objects, and means that there are three possible relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean three cases: simply A, both A and B, and simply B. In addition, " / " in this text generally indicates that the related objects before and after have an "or" relationship.

[0049] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used in this specification are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. The terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof in the specification, claims and brief description of the drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification, claims or drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to indicate a particular order or subordinate relationship.

[0050] In the present application, the term "embodiment" means that a combination of a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the term in various places in the present specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it mean that the embodiment is mutually exclusive, independent, or an alternative embodiment to other embodiments. Those skilled in the art can understand, either explicitly or implicitly, that the embodiment described in the present application may be combined with other embodiments.

[0051] In the embodiment of the present application, the battery cell may include a lithium ion battery, a lithium sulfur battery, a sodium lithium ion battery, a sodium ion battery, or a magnesium ion battery, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. The battery cell may be cylindrical, flat, rectangular, or other shapes, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. Battery cells are generally broadly divided into three types, namely, cylindrical cells, square cells, and pouch cells, depending on the packaging method, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0052] A battery, as referred to in the embodiments of the present application, is a single physical module that includes one or more battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. For example, a battery, as referred to in the present application, may include a battery module or a battery pack. A battery typically includes a housing for packaging one or more battery cells. The housing can prevent liquids and other foreign objects from affecting the charging and discharging of the battery cells.

[0053] The battery cell includes an electrode assembly consisting of a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and a separator, and an electrolyte. The battery cell is mainly operated by the movement of metal ions between the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet. The positive electrode sheet includes a positive electrode collector and a positive electrode active material layer, the positive electrode active material layer is applied to the surface of the positive electrode collector, the positive electrode collector not coated with the positive electrode active material layer protrudes from the positive electrode collector coated with the positive electrode active material layer, and the positive electrode collector not coated with the positive electrode active material layer is a positive electrode tab. Taking a lithium-ion battery as an example, the material of the positive electrode collector may be aluminum, and the positive electrode active material may be lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, or lithium manganate, etc. The negative electrode sheet includes a negative electrode collector and a negative electrode active material layer, the negative electrode active material layer is applied to the surface of the negative electrode collector, the negative electrode collector not coated with the negative electrode active material layer protrudes from the negative electrode collector coated with the negative electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode collector not coated with the negative electrode active material layer is a negative electrode tab. The material of the negative electrode collector may be copper, and the negative electrode active material may be graphite, carbon, silicon, etc. The positive electrode tab is formed by stacking a plurality of pieces, and the negative electrode tab is formed by stacking a plurality of pieces, so that a large current can pass without melting. The material of the separator may be polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), etc. In addition, the electrode assembly may be a wound type structure or a stacked type structure, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0054] The development of battery technology requires simultaneous consideration of various design factors, including performance parameters such as energy density, cycle life, discharge capacity, and charge / discharge ratio, as well as battery safety.

[0055] For batteries, the main safety hazards come from the charging and discharging process, and in order to improve the safety of the battery, the battery cell is generally provided with a pressure release mechanism. The pressure release mechanism means an element or component that is activated to release the internal pressure or temperature when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell reaches a predetermined threshold. The predetermined threshold may be adjusted according to design requirements. The predetermined threshold is determined by one or more materials of the positive electrode sheet, the negative electrode sheet, the electrolyte, and the separator in the battery cell. The pressure release mechanism can adopt, for example, a pressure-sensitive or temperature-sensitive element or component. That is, when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell reaches a predetermined threshold, the pressure release mechanism is activated to form a path for releasing the internal pressure or temperature. Once the pressure release mechanism is activated, the high-temperature and high-pressure material in the battery cell is discharged from the pressure release mechanism as a discharge. In this way, the pressure of the battery cell can be released in a state where the pressure or temperature is controllable, and the occurrence of a potentially more serious accident can be avoided.

[0056] The current design solution of the pressure release mechanism mainly focuses on the discharge path of the waste inside the battery cell and the cooling process of the waste. For example, the pressure release mechanism is provided opposite to the thermal management component, and the thermal management component separates the inside of the battery housing into an electric cavity that accommodates the battery cells and a collection cavity that collects the waste. When the pressure release mechanism is activated, the thermal management component is partially destroyed, and fluid flows out to cool the multiple battery cells. Since the thermal management component needs to accommodate the fluid, the inside of the thermal management component is basically a hollow structure and has low structural strength. The thermal management component supplies fluid to cool the battery cells to avoid thermal runaway of the battery, but the structural strength of the thermal management component is low and it cannot provide sufficient support for the battery cells. In addition, when the battery is impacted, the battery cells in the housing are easily vibrated, which affects the stability of the battery structure and reduces the safety of the battery.

[0057] In view of this, the present application provides a battery, the housing of the battery includes an electrical cavity for accommodating a battery cell, a first wall of the battery cell is provided with a pressure release mechanism, the battery further includes a support member attached to the first wall of the battery cell, and when the pressure release mechanism is activated, the discharged matter of the battery cell is discharged from the electrical cavity through the support member, thereby avoiding the expansion of thermal runaway of the battery and improving the safety of the battery. In addition, the support member is provided with a reinforcing structure to improve the structural strength of the support member. In this way, the support member can better provide a supporting force for the battery cell, and when the battery is impacted from the outside, the support member has a structural strength that is more resistant to impact, and avoids the vibration of the battery cell in the housing, thereby ensuring the structural stability of the battery and further improving the safety of the battery. In other words, the technical solution of the present application avoids the expansion of thermal runaway of the battery, ensures the structural stability of the battery, and greatly improves the safety of the battery.

[0058] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various devices using batteries, such as mobile phones, portable devices, notebook computers, electric bicycles, electric toys, electric tools, electric bicycles, ships and spacecraft, and spacecraft includes airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, spaceships, etc.

[0059] It can be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are not only applicable to the above-mentioned devices, but also to all battery-based devices. For the sake of convenience, the following embodiments are all described using electric vehicles as examples.

[0060] For example, FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The vehicle 1 may be a gasoline vehicle, a gas vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a range extender electric vehicle, or the like. A motor 40, a controller 30, and a battery 10 may be provided inside the vehicle 1. The controller 30 is used to control the power supply of the battery 10 to the motor 40. For example, the battery 10 may be provided at the bottom, head, or rear of the vehicle 1. The battery 10 is applied to power the vehicle 1, and for example, the battery 10 can be used as an operating power source for the vehicle 1 and for the circuit system of the vehicle 1, for example, as a working power when starting, navigating, and running the vehicle 1. In another embodiment of the present application, the battery 10 can provide driving force to the vehicle 1 not only as an operating power source for the vehicle 1, but also as a driving power source for the vehicle 1 as a replacement or partial replacement for gasoline or natural gas.

[0061] According to different power needs, a battery may include multiple battery cells. The multiple battery cells may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel. The series-parallel connection refers to mixing the series and parallel connections. The battery is also called a battery pack. For example, multiple battery cells may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to form a battery module, and then multiple battery modules may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to form a battery. In other words, if the multiple battery cells can be directly formed as a battery, they can be formed into a battery module and then formed into a battery.

[0062] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a battery 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 2, the battery 10 includes a housing 11 including an electrical cavity 11a, a battery cell 20 housed in the electrical cavity 11a and provided with a pressure release mechanism 213 on a first wall 21, and a support member 13 attached to the first wall 21, configured such that, upon activation of the pressure release mechanism 213, exhaust from the battery cell 20 passes through the support member 13 and is exhausted from the electrical cavity 11a, and the support member 13 is provided with a reinforcing structure 14.

[0063] The reinforcing structure 14 refers to a structural member that can increase the structural strength of the support member 13, and can be connected to the support member 13 to provide a supporting force to the support member 13 and prevent the support member 13 from being deformed. For example, the reinforcing structure 14 can be a reinforcing rib, a reinforcing plate, etc., and the material of the reinforcing structure 14 can be the same as or different from the material of the support member 13. For example, the material of the reinforcing structure 14 can be steel, aluminum, mica, ceramic, composite material, etc.

[0064] As can be understood, the pressure relief mechanism 213 in the present embodiment refers to an element or component that is activated to relieve the pressure or temperature inside the battery cell 20 when the pressure or temperature inside the battery cell 20 reaches a predetermined threshold. The design of this threshold varies according to design requirements. The threshold may be determined by one or more materials of the positive electrode sheet, the negative electrode sheet, the electrolyte, and the separator in the battery cell 20.

[0065] The term "activation" as used herein means that the pressure relief mechanism 213 is activated or activated to a certain state so that the pressure and temperature inside the battery cell 20 are released. The activation of the pressure relief mechanism 213 includes, but is not limited to, at least a portion of the pressure relief mechanism 213 bursting, breaking, tearing, or opening. When the pressure relief mechanism 213 is activated, the high temperature and high pressure material inside the battery cell 20 is discharged from the activation position to the outside as a discharge. In this way, the pressure and temperature of the battery cell 20 can be released in a state where the pressure or temperature is controllable, and the occurrence of a potentially more serious accident can be avoided.

[0066] The emissions from the battery cell 20 referred to in this application include, but are not limited to, electrolyte, dissolved or split positive and negative electrode sheets, separator fragments, high temperature and high pressure gases caused by reactions, flames, etc.

[0067] The pressure release mechanism 213 in the embodiment of the present application is provided on the first wall 21 of the battery cell 20, and the pressure release mechanism 213 may be a part of the first wall 21 or may be a separate structure from the first wall 21, for example, fixed to the first wall 21 by welding. For example, when the pressure release mechanism 213 is a part of the first wall 21, the pressure release mechanism 213 may be formed by making a notch in the first wall 21, and the thickness of the first wall 21 corresponding to the notch is smaller than the thickness of other areas of the pressure release mechanism 213 other than the notch. The notch is the weakest position of the pressure release mechanism 213. If the battery cell 20 produces too much gas and the pressure inside the case 211 of the battery cell 20 rises and reaches a threshold value, or if the heat generated by the reaction inside the battery cell 20 causes the temperature inside the battery cell 20 to rise and reach a threshold value, the pressure release mechanism 213 can break at the notch to connect the inside and outside of the case 211, and the gas pressure and temperature are released to the outside by the rupture of the pressure release mechanism 213, thereby preventing the explosion of the battery cell 20.

[0068] Also, for example, the pressure release mechanism 213 may be a structure separate from the first wall 21, and examples of the pressure release mechanism 213 include an explosion-proof valve, a gas valve, a pressure release valve, or a safety valve. Specifically, the pressure release mechanism 213 may employ a pressure-sensitive or temperature-sensitive element or structure. In other words, when the pressure or temperature inside the battery cell 20 reaches a predetermined threshold, the pressure release mechanism 213 is activated, or a fragile structure provided in the pressure release mechanism 213 is destroyed, thereby forming an opening or passage that can be used to release the internal pressure or temperature.

[0069] As can be understood, as shown in Fig. 2, the electrical cavity 11a according to the embodiment of the present application is used to accommodate the battery cells 20, that is, the electrical cavity 11a provides an installation space for the battery cells 20. The electrical cavity 11a may be sealed or non-sealed. The shape of the electrical cavity 11a is determined by the one or more battery cells 20 and the bus bar members 12 to be accommodated. For example, Fig. 2 shows an example in which the electrical cavity 11a is a rectangular parallelepiped, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0070] The embodiment of the present application provides a battery 10. The housing 11 of the battery 10 includes an electrical cavity 11a for accommodating a battery cell 20, and a first wall 21 of the battery cell 20 is provided with a pressure release mechanism 213. The battery 10 further includes a support member 13 attached to the first wall 21 of the battery cell 20, and upon activation of the pressure release mechanism 213, the discharged matter of the battery cell 20 is discharged from the electrical cavity 11a through the support member 13, thereby avoiding the expansion of thermal runaway of the battery 10 and improving the safety of the battery 10. In addition, the support member 13 is provided with a reinforcing structure 14 to enhance the structural strength of the support member 13. In this way, the support member 13 can better provide a supporting force to the battery cell 20, and when the battery 10 is impacted from the outside, the support member 13 has a structural strength that is more resistant to impact and avoids the vibration of the battery cell 20 in the housing 11, thereby ensuring the stability of the structure of the battery 10 and further improving the safety of the battery 10. In other words, the technical solution of the present application prevents the expansion of thermal runaway of the battery 10, ensures the stability of the structure of the battery 10, and greatly improves the safety of the battery 10.

[0071] As can be understood, as shown in Fig. 2, the electrical cavity 11a according to the embodiment of the present application is also used to accommodate the bus bar member 12, that is, the electrical cavity 11a provides a mounting space between the battery cells 20 and the bus bar member 12. The bus bar member 12 is for realizing an electrical connection between the multiple battery cells 20, for example, a parallel connection, a series connection, or a series-parallel connection. The bus bar member 12 can realize an electrical connection between the battery cells 20 by connecting with the electrode terminals 214 of the battery cells 20. In some embodiments, the bus bar member 12 may be fixed to the electrode terminals 214 of the battery cells 20 by welding.

[0072] The battery cell 20 may include two electrode terminals 214, a positive terminal and a negative terminal, respectively. The electrode terminals 214 according to the embodiment of the present application are electrically connected to tabs of an electrode assembly inside the battery cell 20 and are used to output electrical energy. The two electrode terminals 214 according to the embodiment of the present application may be provided on the same wall of the battery cell 20 or on different walls.

[0073] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 of the embodiment of the present application may further include a collection cavity 11b for collecting the effluent of the battery cells 20 that is discharged through the support member 13 upon activation of the pressure release mechanism 213. The collection cavity 11b is used to collect the effluent and may be sealed or unsealed. In some embodiments, the collection cavity 11b may contain air or other gas. Optionally, the collection cavity 11b may contain a liquid, such as a cooling medium, or a member for containing the liquid may be provided, thereby further cooling the effluent entering the collection cavity 11b. Furthermore, optionally, the gas or liquid in the collection cavity 11b flows in a circulating manner.

[0074] 2, the support member 13 includes a wall shared by the electrical cavity 11a and the collecting cavity 11b. The support member 13 (or a part thereof) may be directly used as a wall shared by the electrical cavity 11a and the collecting cavity 11b. In this way, the distance between the electrical cavity 11a and the collecting cavity 11b can be reduced as much as possible, saving space and improving the space utilization rate of the housing 11.

[0075] As can be understood, the housing 11 according to the embodiment of the present application can be realized in various forms, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, referring to FIG. 2, the housing 11 may include a housing body 112 having an opening, and a top cover 111 that fits to cover the opening. The support member 13 is provided in the housing 11, and the support member 13 may be directly disposed on the bottom wall 1121 of the housing body 112, or may be disposed at a distance from the bottom wall 1121. The support member 13 may separate the housing 11 into two parts, one part of which is used to form the electrical cavity 11a, and the other part of which is used to form the collection cavity 11b. In some embodiments, the support member 13 may directly function as the bottom wall 1121 of the housing 11.

[0076] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support member 13 includes a first support wall 131 arranged opposite the first wall 21, and the reinforcing structure 14 is provided on a surface of the first support wall 131 away from the first wall 21.

[0077] The reinforcing structure 14 is provided on the surface of the first support wall 131 so that the first support wall 131 can provide a larger supporting force to support the battery cell 20. In addition, by providing the reinforcing structure 14 on the surface of the first support wall 131 away from the first wall 21, it is possible to avoid the reinforcing structure 14 affecting the connection between the first support wall 131 and the first wall 21.

[0078] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, with continued reference to Figures 2 and 3, the support member 13 further includes two side walls 132 connected to the first support wall 131, and the reinforcing structure 14 is provided between the two side walls 132.

[0079] The two side walls 132 of the support member 13 can increase the impact resistance of the entire support member 13, and particularly when the housing 11 is subjected to mechanical pressure or impact from the side, the two side walls 132 can provide sufficient structural strength to resist the lateral pressure or impact, prevent vibration of the battery cells 20 in the housing 11, and ensure the safety of the battery 10.

[0080] Alternatively, the two side walls 132 may be hollow, thereby reducing the weight of the support member 13; however, since the hollow structure reduces the structural strength of the side walls 132, reinforcing ribs may be provided in the internal cavities of the side walls 132 to increase the structural strength of the side walls 132.

[0081] Alternatively, the two side walls 132 of the support member 13 may be connected to the housing 11. For example, when the support member 13 is directly disposed on the bottom wall 1121 of the housing body 112, the two side walls 132 may be connected to the bottom wall 1121 of the housing body 112, for example, by adhesive connection, welding connection, rivet connection, etc. Also, for example, when the support member 13 is disposed at a distance from the bottom wall 1121, the two side walls 132 may be connected to the side walls of the housing body 112, for example, by adhesive connection, welding connection, rivet connection, etc. The present application is not limited thereto.

[0082] Optionally, in the present embodiment, the reinforcing structure 14 is connected to two side walls 132 to further improve the structural strength of the entire support member 13 .

[0083] As can be understood, the reinforcing structure 14 according to the embodiment of the present application can be realized in various forms, but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the reinforcing structure 14 may be connected to a surface of the first support wall 131 away from the first wall 21 of the battery cell, and may be provided between the two side walls 132 without being connected to the two side walls 132. For example, the reinforcing structure 14 may be a reinforcing rib and may be perpendicular to the two side walls 132. Also, for example, the reinforcing structure 14 may not be perpendicular to the two side walls 132. The present application is not limited thereto.

[0084] Optionally, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the battery 10 may include a plurality of battery cells 20 arranged along a first direction y, and the support member 13 extends along the first direction y and is provided with a plurality of reinforcing structures 14.

[0085] For example, the multiple reinforcing structures 14 may be spaced apart along a first direction y, and the reinforcing structures 14 may extend along a second direction x (perpendicular to the first direction y). Also, for example, the multiple reinforcing structures 14 may be spaced apart along the second direction x, and the reinforcing structures 14 may extend along the first direction y. The present application is not limited thereto.

[0086] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first support wall 131 forms an inverted "U"-shaped structure with the two side walls 132, and compared with a flat plate structure, the inverted "U"-shaped structure can improve the structural strength of the support member 13 and facilitate the connection between the first support wall 131 and the first wall 21.

[0087] As can be understood, when the support member 13 is an inverted "U" shaped structure, a sealing member may be provided to seal the opening of the inverted "U" shaped structure. In this manner, the support member 13 and the sealing member jointly form the collection cavity 11b. The sealing member may be connected to the support member 13 by a connection method such as adhesive connection, welding connection, riveting connection, etc. The present application is not limited thereto.

[0088] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the support member 13 further includes a second support wall 133 arranged opposite the first support wall 131, and the first support wall 131, the second support wall 133 and the two side walls 132 form a "mouth"-shaped structure.

[0089] The support member 13 is provided with a second support wall 133 opposite the first support wall 131, and the support member 13 forming a "M"-shaped structure has higher structural strength, and while improving the structural strength, the weight of the support member 13 is reduced as much as possible.

[0090] As can be understood, when the support member 13 has a "mouth"-shaped structure, a cavity surrounded by the first support wall 131, the second support wall 133, and the two side walls 132 can be the collection cavity 11b. The first support wall 131, the second support wall 133, and the two side walls 132 can be integrally molded into the collection cavity 11b by processing means such as press molding, die processing, or the like.

[0091] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, with continued reference to Figures 5 and 6, the reinforcing structure 14 is connected to the first support wall 131 and / or the second support wall 133, further improving the structural strength of the entire support member 13.

[0092] Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the support member 13 and the reinforcing structure 14 are integrally molded to save processing time and improve processing efficiency. The integrally molded structure also enhances the structural strength of the support member 13. The integrally molded structure of the support member 13 and the reinforcing structure 14 can be realized by means of press molding, die processing, etc., and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0093] As can be appreciated, the support member 13 and the reinforcing structure 14 may be fabricated separately and then assembled into a molded structure, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0094] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first support wall 131 is provided with a pressure release area 1311, and when the pressure release mechanism 213 is activated, the exhaust of the battery cell 20 is discharged from the electrical cavity 11a through the pressure release area 1311.

[0095] The pressure relief areas 1311 are arranged corresponding to the pressure relief mechanisms 213, and as can be understood, each pressure relief area 1311 provided in the first support wall 131 may correspond to one or more pressure relief mechanisms 213. For example, the first support wall 131 is provided with a plurality of pressure relief areas 1311 that correspond one-to-one to the pressure relief mechanisms 213 of the plurality of battery cells 20. Also, for example, the first support wall 131 is provided with one or more pressure relief areas 1311, and each pressure relief area 1311 corresponds to the plurality of pressure relief mechanisms 213. Taking FIG. 3 as an example, the first support wall 131 is provided with a plurality of pressure relief areas 1311 that correspond one-to-one to the pressure relief mechanisms 213 of the plurality of battery cells 20.

[0096] The discharged matter of the battery cells 20 can be discharged from the electrical cavity 11a through the pressure release area 1311, thereby preventing the discharged matter from entering the electrical cavity 11a in large quantities and causing a short circuit or thermal diffusion between the battery cells 20, thereby affecting the safety of the battery 10.

[0097] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, as shown in Fig. 3, the pressure relief area 1311 is offset from the reinforcing structure 14. This avoids the exhaust path of the exhaust of the battery cells 20 passing through the pressure relief area 1311 and being exhausted from the electrical cavity 11a being blocked by the reinforcing structure 14, ensures that the exhaust of the battery cells 20 is smoothly exhausted from the electrical cavity 11a, prevents the expansion of thermal runaway, and improves the safety of the battery 10.

[0098] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the pressure release area 1311 is a weakened area of ​​the first support wall 131, and the weakened area is used to be broken when the pressure release mechanism 213 is activated. Specifically, when the pressure release mechanism 213 is activated, the weakened area can be broken so that the exhaust from the battery cell 20 passes through the weakened area to be discharged from the electrical cavity 11a. For example, the exhaust can pass through the weakened area to enter the collection cavity 11b. By setting the pressure release area 1311 as a weakened area, when the pressure release mechanism 213 is not activated, for example, during normal use of the battery 10, the first support wall 131 can be in a sealed state to effectively protect the pressure release mechanism 213 and prevent the pressure release mechanism 213 from being broken and broken by an external force, and when the battery cell 20 experiences thermal runaway, the exhaust can be broken in a timely manner to be discharged from the electrical cavity 11a, which can avoid the expansion of thermal runaway and improve the safety of the battery 10.

[0099] As can be understood, when the pressure relief area 1311 is a weakened area, the weakened area may adopt various forms to facilitate breakage by the effluent, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto, and the following will be described by way of example. For example, the pressure relief area 1311 may be a thin area of ​​the first support wall 131, thereby weakening the strength of the pressure relief area to form a weakened area. In addition to adopting a thin-walled weakened area, the weakened area may be formed using a low melting point material so that it is easily melted by the effluent. That is, the weakened area may have a lower melting point than the rest of the first support wall 131. For example, the weakened area may use a material with a melting point of less than 400°C.

[0100] As can be understood, when the pressure relief area 1311 is a weakened area, the weakened area may be configured with both a low melting point material and a thin wall, that is, the two embodiments described above may be implemented separately or in combination, and the examples of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0101] Optionally, in the present embodiment, the first support wall 131 is provided with a recess corresponding to the pressure release mechanism 213, and the weakened area is provided in the bottom wall of the recess.

[0102] As can be understood, the recess according to the embodiment of the present application can be realized in various forms, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto. For example, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the opening of the recess faces the collecting cavity 11b, the bottom wall of the recess is close to the first wall 21 of the battery cell 20, and the weak area is provided on the bottom wall of the recess. Also, as shown in Fig. 7, the opening of the recess faces the pressure release mechanism 213, the bottom wall of the recess is away from the first wall 21 of the battery cell 20, and the weak area is provided on the bottom wall of the recess, and the inside of the recess can provide a deformation space for the pressure release mechanism 213.

[0103] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the pressure relief area 1311 is a first through hole penetrating the first support wall 131, and the penetrating direction is the thickness direction of the first support wall 131, e.g., the z direction in Figures 8 and 9.

[0104] When the pressure relief area 1311 is the first through hole, on the one hand, it is easy to process, and on the other hand, the waste discharged through the pressure relief mechanism 213 can be quickly released.

[0105] Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the battery 10 further includes a sealing member 15 that is used to seal the first through-hole and is broken upon activation of the pressure release mechanism 213.

[0106] The sealing member 15 is used to be broken when the pressure release mechanism 213 is activated, so that the discharged matter from the battery cell 20 can be discharged from the electrical cavity 11a through the through hole. The sealing member 15 may be a gasket, a sealant, a sealing film, etc., and the sealing member 15 may be polyethylene, polypropylene, rubber, polyurethane, etc. When the pressure release area 1311 is a first through hole, the melting point of the sealing member 15 can be reasonably set, on the one hand, to maintain the hermeticity of the electrical cavity 11a during normal use of the battery cell 20, and protect the pressure release mechanism 213 from the influence of the external environment. On the other hand, when the battery cell 20 experiences thermal runaway, the sealing member 15 can be broken in a timely manner to expose the first through hole, so that the discharged matter from the battery cell 20 can be discharged from the electrical cavity 11a through the first through hole, which avoids the expansion of thermal runaway and improves the safety of the battery 10.

[0107] Optionally, the position of the sealing member 15 according to the embodiment of the present application can be set according to the actual application. For example, the sealing member 15 may be provided in the first through-hole. On the one hand, the first through-hole is sealed, and on the other hand, the arrangement of the sealing member 15 in the first through-hole does not need to occupy other space in the housing 11, improving the space utilization rate of the housing 11. Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, the sealing member 15 is provided on the surface facing the first wall 21 of the first support wall 131, and / or as shown in FIG. 9, the sealing member 15 is provided on the surface away from the first wall 21 of the first support wall 131 to facilitate processing. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, when the sealing member 15 is provided on the surface facing the first wall 21 of the first support wall 131, the sealing member 15 is close to the pressure release mechanism 213, so that it is quickly broken by the discharge of the pressure release mechanism 213, which avoids affecting the operation of the pressure release mechanism 213, and the discharge can be discharged to the collection cavity 11b in a timely manner. As shown in FIG. 9 , when the sealing member 15 is provided on a surface of the first support wall 131 away from the first wall 21, the distance between the pressure release mechanism 213 and the sealing member 15 can provide a deformation space for the operation of the pressure release mechanism 213, and avoid affecting the normal operation of the pressure release mechanism 213.

[0108] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, the battery 10 further includes an exhaust member 16, and exhaust from the battery cell 20 in the collection cavity 11b is exhausted from the housing 11 through the exhaust member 16 to avoid the spread of thermal runaway of the battery 10.

[0109] Specifically, referring to FIG. 11, the exhaust member 16 may be, for example, an exhaust pipe, the exhaust member 16 includes a cavity 163, and a second through hole 134 may be provided in an area of ​​the first support wall 131 that does not contact the first wall 21 of the battery cell 20, and a first end 161 of the exhaust member 16 is connected to the second through hole 134 on the first support wall 131. A third through hole 113 is provided in the housing body 112, and a second end 162 of the exhaust member 16 is connected to the third through hole 113 on the housing body 112. The exhaust of the battery cell 20 in the collection cavity 11b first enters the cavity 163 through the second through hole 134, reaches the third through hole 113, and then is further discharged from the housing 11 through the third through hole 113. Optionally, a first end 161 of the exhaust member 16 is sealingly connected to the second through hole 134 and a second end 162 of the exhaust member 16 is sealingly connected to the third through hole 113 .

[0110] Optionally, in the embodiments of the present application, one exhaust member 16 may be provided to conserve space within the battery 10, or multiple exhaust members 16 may be provided to increase the exhaust rate of exhaust materials within the battery 10.

[0111] As can be understood, in the embodiment of the present application, one support member 13 may be provided in the housing 11, or multiple support members 13 may be provided. For example, as shown in Figs. 2 to 11, when one support member 13 corresponds to one row of battery cell groups consisting of multiple battery cells 20 arranged along the first direction y, and the battery 10 includes multiple rows of battery cell groups arranged along the second direction x, multiple support members 13 are provided in the housing 11 in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple rows of battery cell groups. In this case, the battery 10 is provided with multiple exhaust members 16 in one-to-one correspondence with the multiple support members 13, or each support member 13 of the multiple support members 13 corresponds to two exhaust members 16, and the two exhaust members 16 need to be close to both ends of the single support member 13 in the first direction y. Also, for example, as shown in Fig. 12, one support member 13 corresponding to the multiple rows of battery cell groups is provided in the housing 11. In this case, the battery 10 may be provided with one exhaust member 16 corresponding to one support member 13, or may be provided with two exhaust members 16 corresponding to one support member 13, with the two exhaust members 16 each adjacent to both ends of the one support member 13 in the first direction y.

[0112] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electric device, which may include the battery 10 according to the above embodiment. Optionally, the electric device may be a vehicle 1, a ship, a spacecraft, etc., but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0113] Although the present application has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made thereto and parts therein may be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present application. In particular, the respective technical features mentioned in each embodiment may be combined in any manner, provided there is no structural contradiction. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed in this specification, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A housing (11) containing an electrical cavity (11a); a battery cell (20) housed in the electrical cavity (11a) and having a pressure release mechanism (213) on a first wall (21); a support member (13) attached to the first wall (21), configured such that upon activation of the pressure release mechanism (213), exhaust from the battery cell (20) passes through the support member (13) and is exhausted from the electrical cavity (11 a), the support member (13) being provided with a reinforcing structure (14).

2. The battery (10) of claim 1, characterized in that the support member (13) includes a first support wall (131) arranged opposite the first wall (21), and the reinforcing structure (14) is provided on a surface of the first support wall (131) away from the first wall (21).

3. The battery (10) of claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the support member (13) further includes two side walls (132) connected to the first support wall (131), and the reinforcing structure (14) is provided between the two side walls (132).

4. The battery (10) of claim 3, wherein the reinforcing structure (14) is connected to the two side walls (132).

5. 5. The battery (10) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the first support wall (131) forms an inverted "U" shaped structure with the two side walls (132).

6. The battery (10) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the support member (13) further includes a second support wall (133) arranged opposite the first support wall (131), and the first support wall (131), the second support wall (133) and the two side walls (132) form a "R"-shaped structure.

7. 7. The battery (10) of claim 6, wherein the reinforcing structure (14) is connected to the first support wall (131) and / or the second support wall (133).

8. The battery (10) of any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the first support wall (131) is provided with a pressure release area (1311), and when the pressure release mechanism (213) is activated, exhaust from the battery cell (20) passes through the pressure release area (1311) and is discharged from the electrical cavity (11a).

9. The battery (10) of claim 8, wherein the pressure relief area (1311) is offset from the reinforcement structure (14).

10. The battery (10) of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the pressure release area (1311) is a weakened area of ​​the first support wall (131), the weakened area being adapted to break upon activation of a pressure release mechanism (213).

11. 11. The battery (10) of claim 10, wherein the first support wall (131) is provided with a recess corresponding to the pressure release mechanism (213), and the weakened area is provided in a bottom wall of the recess.

12. The battery (10) of claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the pressure release area (1311) is a first through hole penetrating the first support wall (131), and the penetrating direction is in the thickness direction of the first support wall (131).

13. The battery (10) of claim 12, further comprising a sealing member (15) used to seal the first through hole and which is broken when the pressure release mechanism (213) is activated.

14. The battery (10) of claim 13, wherein the sealing member is disposed within the first through hole to seal the first through hole.

15. the sealing member (15) is provided on a surface of the first support wall (131) facing the first wall (21); and / or 14. The battery (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the sealing member (15) is provided on a surface of the first support wall (131) remote from the first wall (21).

16. The battery (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support member (13) is integrally molded with the reinforcing structure (14).

17. The battery (10) of any one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the housing (11) further includes a collection cavity (11b) for collecting exhaust from the battery cell (20) that is discharged through the support member (13) upon activation of the pressure release mechanism (213).

18. The battery (10) of claim 17, further comprising an exhaust member (16), and exhaust from the battery cell (20) in the collection cavity (11b) is exhausted from the housing (11) through the exhaust member (16).

19. The battery (10) of claim 18, characterized in that the support member (13) is provided with a second through hole, the housing (11) is provided with a third through hole, a first end of the exhaust member (16) is connected to the second through hole, and a second end of the exhaust member (16) is connected to the third through hole.

20. The battery (10) of claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the exhaust member (16) includes a cavity that communicates with the collection cavity (11b), and exhaust from the battery cell (20) in the collection cavity (11b) is exhausted from the housing (11) through the cavity.

21. An electrical installation, characterized in that it comprises a battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 20 for supplying electrical energy.

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