Battery top cover structure and battery

Abstract

A battery top cover structure and battery comprising a top cover plate (1), pole posts (2), sealing member (3), and first insulating member (4). The pole post (2) comprises a column body (21) provided through the top cover plate (1), and there is a storage gap between the pole post (2) and the top cover plate (1). The sealing member (3) is fitted tightly onto the pole post (2), and a first projection (31) of the sealing member (3) is located within the storage gap. The first insulating member (4) is configured to fill the storage gap and insulate the pole post (2) from the top cover plate (1). The first insulating member (4) is provided with a first insertion portion (41), and at least one first projection is provided on the first insertion surface of the first projection (31). A first groove that engages with the first projection is provided on the second insertion surface of the first insertion portion (41).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention claims the priority of Chinese Utility Model Registration No. 202322041924.3, which was filed with the Chinese Patent Office on August 1, 2023, and all the contents of the invention are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This invention relates to the technical field of battery components, such as battery top cover structures and batteries.

Background Art

[0003] With the rapid development of large-scale energy storage, smart grids, and clean energy vehicles becoming the mainstream, the requirements for the reliability and safety of batteries are also increasing. However, during the production, transportation, and use processes, the phenomenon of battery short-circuit failures may occur. A single battery short circuit not only affects the performance and reliability of the entire battery pack but may also cause the battery pack to stop operating and other safety issues. One of the factors causing battery short circuits is the existence of metal wires that connect the pole post and the top cover body.

[0004] During the production process of battery top covers, extra metal wires may occur due to the cutting process, and the metal wires may also fall off due to friction during the use process of the battery. If the metal wires connect the pole post and the top cover body, a short-circuit risk will occur. Commercially available power battery top covers usually have an upper plastic part. By contacting and compressing the step between the boss of the upper plastic and the sealing ring, the communication between the pole post and the top cover body caused by metal wires is blocked. However, since metal wires are ductile, even if the metal wires are compressed by the upper plastic and the sealing ring, they can still stretch and move, and the concern of short-circuit connection between the pole post and the top cover body still cannot be eliminated, significantly increasing the risk of battery short circuits.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a battery top cover structure that effectively increases the creepage distance between the pole and the top cover plate, makes it more difficult to stretch the metal thread laterally, and reduces the risk of battery short circuits.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, a battery top cover structure is provided, comprising: a top cover plate; a pole column having a columnar body provided through the top cover plate and having a housing gap between it and the top cover plate; a sealing member fitted tightly onto the pole column and having a first projection provided thereon located within the housing gap; and a first insulating member configured to fill the housing gap and insulate the pole column from the top cover plate, and having a first insertion portion provided thereon for insertion and fitting with the first projection, wherein the first insertion surface of the first projection is provided with at least one first projection, and the second insertion surface of the first insertion portion is provided with a first groove that fits in a one-to-one correspondence with the first projection.

[0007] In one embodiment, the first insulating member is fitted onto the column, a portion of the bottom surface of the first insulating member is in close contact with the top surface of the top cover plate, and a portion of the side wall of the first insulating member is in close contact with the column.

[0008] In one embodiment, the battery top cover structure further comprises a pressing block, an annular locking groove is provided on the circumferential surface of the column, and the pressing block is fitted onto the column and engaged within the annular locking groove.

[0009] In one embodiment, the column body has an annular step formed at its corners, with chamfers provided.

[0010] In one embodiment, the first projection has an annular structure, and the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the first projection is rectangular or triangular.

[0011] In one embodiment, a plurality of the first protrusions are provided.

[0012] In one embodiment, the pole column further comprises a substrate, the column body protrudes from the substrate, a pole column hole is provided in the top cover plate, the column body is provided penetrating into the pole column hole, and the sealing member is provided between the substrate and the top cover plate.

[0013] In one embodiment, the battery top cover structure further comprises a second insulating member provided between the substrate and the top cover plate, wherein a portion of its side wall abuts against the sealing member and a portion of its side wall abuts against the side wall of the substrate.

[0014] In one embodiment, the sealing member is provided with a second protrusion, and the second insulating member is provided with a second insertion portion that fits into the second protrusion.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, a battery is provided comprising a battery cell, a case, and the above-described battery top cover structure, wherein the battery cell is provided inside the case and the battery top cover structure is capped on the case. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0016] [Figure 1] This is a cross-sectional view of the battery top cover structure according to the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a magnified view of portion A in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view of another battery top cover structure according to the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a magnified view of section B in Figure 3. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0017] 1...Top cover plate, 11...Polar column holes, 2... pole column, 21... column body, 211... annular locking groove, 212... chamfer, 22... base plate, 3...Sealing member, 31...First protrusion, 32...Second protrusion, 4...First insulating member, 41...First insertion part, 5...Second insulating member, 51...Second insertion part, 6...Pressing block. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0018] The present invention will be described below in combination with the drawings and embodiments. Needless to say, the embodiments described herein are merely for interpretation purposes and do not limit the present invention. For the sake of explanation, the drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, not all of the structure.

[0019] This invention provides a battery top cover structure that is used in batteries and not only achieves sealing of the battery case, but also plays an important role in the safe operation and protection of the battery.

[0020] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the battery top cover structure comprises a top cover plate 1, pole posts 2, a sealing member 3, and a first insulating member 4. The top cover plate 1 is configured to close the opening of the battery case and can also support and mount the pole posts 2. The pole posts 2 are provided with a columnar body 21, and there is a storage gap between the pole posts 2 and the top cover plate 1. In some embodiments, the storage gap is an annular gap. The sealing member 3 is fitted tightly onto the pole posts 2, and the sealing member 3 is provided with a first projection 31 located within the storage gap. The first insulating member 4 is provided within the storage gap, filling the storage gap and insulating the pole posts 2 from the top cover plate 1. The first insulating member 4 is provided with a first insertion portion 41, and the first insertion portion 41 fits with the first projection 31, enabling the sealing member 3 and the first insulating member 4 to be inserted and fitted together, thereby achieving a tight connection.

[0021] In the production process of the battery top cover, metal wires and metal chips are generated due to the cutting process, and metal wires may also fall off due to friction during the assembly process of the sealing member 3 and the first insulating member 4. Moreover, since the metal wires have ductility, during the use process of the battery, the friction between the sealing member 3 and the first insulating member 4 also moves the metal wires, resulting in a phenomenon that the pole column 2 and the top cover plate 1 are short-circuited. In contrast, instead of the connection method by the planar contact of the sealing member and the insulating member in the conventional battery top cover, by providing the first insertion portion 41 and the first protrusion 31, the creepage distance between the pole column 2 and the top cover plate 1 is increased, thereby making it difficult for metal wires and other metal chips that are likely to cause conduction between the pole column 2 and the top cover plate 1 to move through the gap between the sealing member 3 and the first insulating member 4, and reducing the risk of battery short circuit.

[0022] In order to increase the difficulty of lateral stretching of the metal wires and metal chips, as shown in FIG. 2, at least one first protrusion (not shown) is further provided on the first insertion surface of the first protrusion 31, and a first concave groove (not shown) that fits with the first protrusion is provided on the second insertion surface of the first insertion portion 41. In some embodiments, the number of the first protrusions and the first concave grooves are both plural, and they are correspondingly fitted one by one. By providing the first protrusions and the first concave grooves, the complexity of the gap between the sealing member 3 and the first insulating member 4 can be increased, increasing the hindrance to the movement of the metal wires, and at the same time, a part of the metal wires can be accommodated in the first concave groove, making it possible to keep the metal wires in the first concave groove and immobile, reducing the possibility of a short-circuit connection occurring between the pole column 2 and the top cover plate 1.

[0023] In some embodiments, the sealing member 3 is generally a rubber ring, and in some other embodiments, the sealing member 3 may be a plastic member of other shapes. In some embodiments, the first insulating member 4 is generally a plastic ring made of an insulating material.

[0024] The first protrusion 31 is an annular structure protruding from the sealing member 3. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the first protrusion 31 is rectangular. In some other embodiments, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the first protrusion 31 may be triangular or other regular or irregular shapes. Preferably, a plurality of first protrusions 31 may be provided. With the plurality of first protrusions 31, the movement of the metal wire can be more effectively blocked, and the communication between the pole column 2 and the top cover plate 1 caused by the stretching of the metal wire can be avoided.

[0025] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 2, the first protrusion provided on the first protrusion 31 is hemispherical. In some other embodiments, the first protrusion provided on the first protrusion 31 is triangular serrated or angular toothed, and can be set according to the needs of processing and production.

[0026] In order to completely insulate the column body 21 and the top cover plate 1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first insulating member 4 is fitted into the column body 21 of the pole column 2 such that a part of the bottom surface of the first insulating member 4 is in close contact with the top surface of the top cover plate 1, and a part of the side wall of the first insulating member 4 is in close contact with the column body 21. With such a configuration, the top surface of the top cover plate 1 and a part of the side wall surface of the column body 21 can be covered by the first insulating member 4, so that there is no extra space for accommodating metal wires or metal chips, nor any gap allowing the entry of metal wires or metal chips, and the short-circuit connection between the pole column 2 and the top cover plate 1 is effectively avoided.

[0027] The battery top cover structure according to the present invention comprises a top cover plate, poles, a sealing member, and a first insulating member. The poles have columnar bodies that penetrate the top cover plate, and there is a storage gap between the poles and the top cover plate. The sealing member is fitted tightly onto the poles, and a first projection of the sealing member is located within the storage gap. The first insulating member is configured to fill the storage gap and insulate the poles from the top cover plate. The first insulating member is provided with a first insertion portion, and at least one first projection is provided on the first insertion surface of the first projection. The second insertion surface of the first insertion portion is provided with a first groove that fits one-to-one with the first projection. The fitting of the first insertion portion and the first projection, as well as the first projection and first groove provided on the insertion surface, effectively increase the creepage distance between the pole column and the top cover plate, making it difficult for the metal thread to move laterally or longitudinally, and increasing the difficulty of stretching the metal thread laterally.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in order to fix the pole post 2 to the top cover plate 1, the battery top cover structure further includes a pressing block 6, an annular locking groove 211 is provided on the circumferential surface of the column 21, and the pressing block 6 is fitted onto the column 21 and engaged within the annular locking groove 211, thereby stably connecting the pole post 2 and the top cover plate 1. In some embodiments, the pressing block 6 is an aluminum block, and the aluminum block is crimped to the pole post 2.

[0029] The sources of metal threads in the battery top cover structure are, firstly, those generated by cutting the top cover plate 1 during the production process, and secondly, those generated during use or assembly. During the assembly of the battery top cover structure, the sealing member 3 and the first insulating member 4 are installed through the column 21, and the edges of the sealing member 3 or the first insulating member 4 rub against the end face edges of the column 21 on the pole column 2. Sharp edges wear down easily and generate metal threads. Therefore, as shown in Figure 1, an annular step (not shown) with a chamfer 212 at the corner is formed on the column 21. By providing the chamfer 212, it is not only easier to install the sealing member 3 and the first insulating member 4 so as to penetrate the column 21, but it is also possible to avoid the end face edges of the annular step on the column 21 becoming excessively sharp, thereby reducing the possibility of metal thread generation during the assembly process.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the pole column 2 further comprises a base plate 22, the column body 21 protrudes from the base plate 22, and the base plate 22 is fixedly connected to the end face of one end of the column body 21. The base plate 22 not only ensures insulation between the column body 21 and the top cover plate 1, but also serves to support the column body 21. A pole column hole 11 is provided in the top cover plate 1, the column body 21 is provided penetrating into the pole column hole 11, and the sealing member 3 is provided between the base plate 22 and the top cover plate 1. The sealing member 3 is in close contact with a part of the side wall of the column body 21 and a part of the top surface of the base plate 22, and by blocking the space between the base plate 22 and the top cover plate 1, contact between the base plate 22 and the top cover plate 1 is effectively avoided, and a short circuit between the pole column 2 and the top cover plate 1 is avoided.

[0031] Due to limitations in the size of the sealing member 3, it may not be possible to completely cover the top surface of the substrate 22, nor may it be possible to completely insulate the contact between the substrate 22 and the top cover plate 1. Therefore, the battery top cover structure further includes a second insulating member 5 provided between the substrate 22 and the top cover plate 1, with a portion of its side wall in contact with the sealing member 3 and a portion of its side wall in contact with the side wall of the substrate 22. This second insulating member 5 works in cooperation with the sealing member 3 to completely fill the gap between the substrate 22 and the top cover plate 1.

[0032] To increase the creepage distance between the substrate 22 and the top cover plate 1, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the sealing member 3 is provided with a second protrusion 32, and the second insulating member 5 is provided with a second insertion portion 51 that fits with the second protrusion 32. By providing the second insertion portion 51 and the second protrusion 32 instead of the conventional method of connecting the sealing member and insulating member by planar contact in a battery top cover, the complexity of the gap between the substrate 22 and the top cover plate 1 is increased, the difficulty of moving or stretching the metal thread in the longitudinal direction is increased, and the possibility of short-circuit connection between the pole 2 and the top cover plate 1 is reduced. In some embodiments, the second insulating member 5 is generally a plastic ring made of insulating material.

[0033] The second projection 32 is an annular structure protruding from the sealing member 3. In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the second projection 32 is rectangular, and in some other embodiments, the longitudinal cross-sectional shape of the second projection 32 may be triangular or other irregular shape. Preferably, there may be multiple second projections 32, and the multiple second projections 32 can more effectively prevent the movement of the metal thread and avoid communication between the substrate 22 and the top cover plate 1 caused by the stretching of the metal thread.

[0034] Furthermore, in order to increase the difficulty of stretching the metal thread in the longitudinal direction, the second projection 32 may be further provided with a second projection (not shown in the figure) of a different shape depending on the processing conditions and production needs. In some embodiments, the second projection may be hemispherical in shape, and in some other embodiments, the second projection may be triangular sawtooth or angular toothed.

[0035] This invention further provides a battery comprising a battery cell, a case, and the above-described battery top cover structure, wherein the battery cell is provided inside the case and the battery top cover structure is fixedly connected to an opening in the case. By using the above-described battery top cover structure in the battery, the difficulty of stretching the metal thread in the lateral or longitudinal direction is increased, effectively reducing the possibility of short-circuit connections between the pole 2 and the top cover plate 1, thereby reducing the risk of explosion due to a short circuit in the battery and extending the service life of the battery.

[0036] In this description of the present invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined and limited, the terms “connected,” “joined,” and “fixed” should be understood in a broad sense, for example, a fixed connection, a removable connection, or a single unit; a mechanical connection, an electrical connection; a direct connection, an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or an internal communication between two elements or an interaction relationship between two elements. Those skilled in the art will be able to understand the meaning of these terms in this invention depending on the context.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the presence of a first feature "above" or "below" a second feature may include direct contact between the first and second features, or it may include contact between the first and second features via other features between them without direct contact. Furthermore, the presence of a first feature "above," "above," and "on the top surface" of a second feature may include the first feature being directly above and diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is greater than the horizontal height of the second feature. The presence of a first feature "below," "below," and "on the bottom surface" of a second feature may include the first feature being directly below and diagonally below the second feature, or simply indicating that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than the horizontal height of the second feature.

[0038] In this description of the embodiment, terms such as "up," "down," and "right" refer to directions or positional relationships based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the drawings. These terms are merely for the convenience of explanation and to simplify operation, and do not indicate or suggest that such devices or elements necessarily have a specific direction, or must be configured and operated in a specific direction. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the present invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are merely for distinction in the description and do not have any special meaning.

Claims

1. Top cover plate (1), A pole column (2) is provided with a column (21) that penetrates the top cover plate (1), and there is a storage gap between it and the top cover plate (1), A sealing member (3) is fitted tightly onto the pole column (2), and a first protrusion (31) located within the housing gap is provided thereon. A first insulating member (4) is configured to fill the aforementioned housing gap and insulate the pole column (2) from the top cover plate (1), and has a first insertion portion (41) provided thereon that is inserted and fitted with the first protrusion (31), Equipped with, The first insertion surface of the first protrusion (31) is provided with at least one first projection, and the second insertion surface of the first insertion part (41) is provided with a first groove that fits in a one-to-one correspondence with the first projection. Battery top cover structure.

2. The first insulating member (4) is fitted onto the column (21), a portion of the bottom surface of the first insulating member (4) is in close contact with the top surface of the top cover plate (1), and a portion of the side wall of the first insulating member (4) is in close contact with the column (21). The battery top cover structure according to claim 1.

3. The assembly further comprises a pressing block (6), and an annular locking groove (211) is provided on the circumferential surface of the column (21). The pressing block (6) is fitted onto the column (21) and engages within the annular locking groove (211). The battery top cover structure according to claim 1.

4. The column (21) has an annular step formed at its corner, with a chamfer (212) provided at the corner. The battery top cover structure according to claim 1.

5. The first projection (31) has an annular structure, and the vertical cross-sectional shape of the first projection (31) is rectangular or triangular. The battery top cover structure according to claim 1.

6. Multiple first protrusions (31) are provided. The battery top cover structure according to claim 1.

7. The pole column (2) further comprises a substrate (22), the column body (21) protrudes from the substrate (22), the top cover plate (1) has a pole column hole (11), the column body (21) is provided penetrating into the pole column hole (11), and the sealing member (3) is provided between the substrate (22) and the top cover plate (1). The battery top cover structure according to claim 1.

8. The present invention further includes a second insulating member (5) provided between the substrate (22) and the top cover plate (1), wherein a portion of its side wall abuts against the sealing member (3) and a portion of its side wall abuts against the side wall of the substrate (22), The battery top cover structure according to claim 7.

9. The sealing member (3) is provided with a second protrusion (32), and the second insulating member (5) is provided with a second insertion portion (51) that is inserted and fitted into the second protrusion (32). The battery top cover structure according to claim 8.

10. The device comprises a battery cell, a case, and a battery top cover structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the battery cell is provided inside the case and the battery top cover structure is capped on the case. battery.

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