Battery cell and its manufacturing method, battery and power consumption device

Abstract

This application discloses a battery cell, a manufacturing method thereof, a manufacturing system thereof, a battery, and a power consuming device. The battery cell of the present application includes an electrode component, a case having an opening for accommodating the electrode component, an end cap for sealing the opening of the case, and a current collecting member for electrically connecting the electrode component and the end cap, wherein at least a portion of the current collecting member is located between the electrode component and the end cap and abuts the electrode component. The current collecting member has a first opening, which accommodates a portion of the electrode component and is used to bring the electrode component into contact with the wall of the first opening. The current collecting member abuts the electrode component and does not need to be connected to the electrode component by welding, thereby reducing metal particles remaining in the battery cell and the risk of short circuits. A portion of the electrode component extends into the first opening and contacts the wall of the first opening, thereby increasing the contact area between the current collecting member and the electrode component and improving overcurrent capability.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202110257260.7, filed on March 9, 2021, entitled "Battery Cell and Manufacturing Method and Manufacturing System Thereof, Battery and Power Consuming Device," the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly to a battery cell and manufacturing method and system thereof, a battery, and a power consuming device. [Background technology]

[0003] A battery cell includes an electrode component, which is generally electrically connected to an electrode terminal or an end cap via a current collecting member. The current collecting member is generally connected to the electrode component by welding. During the welding process, metal particles are generated, and the metal particles remain inside the battery cell, resulting in a risk of short circuit. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present application provides a battery cell and a manufacturing method thereof, as well as a manufacturing system thereof, a battery, and a power consuming device, capable of reducing the risk of short circuits. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect, a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application includes an electrode component, a case used to accommodate the electrode component and having an opening, an end cap for sealing the opening of the case, and a current collecting member for electrically connecting to the electrode component and the end cap, where at least a portion of the current collecting member is located between the electrode component and the end cap and abuts against the electrode component, the current collecting member has a first opening, the first opening accommodates a portion of the electrode component, and is used to increase the electrical connection area between the current collecting member and the electrode component by bringing the electrode component into contact with a hole wall of the first opening.

[0006] In the above embodiment, the current collecting member abuts against the electrode component and does not need to be connected to the electrode component by welding, thereby reducing the amount of metal particles remaining in the battery cell and reducing the risk of short circuit. By opening the first opening in the current collecting member, the strength of the current collecting member can be reduced. When the current collecting member and the electrode component are pressed against each other, the current collecting member can be locally deformed and tightly attached to the electrode component, thereby reducing the slit between the current collecting member and the electrode component and improving the overcurrent capacity. A part of the electrode component penetrates into the first opening and contacts the hole wall of the first opening, thus increasing the contact area between the current collecting member and the electrode component and improving the overcurrent capacity.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first apertures are disposed in a plurality of locations, and the plurality of first apertures can reduce the strength of the current collecting member such that the current collecting member is more likely to deform into intimate contact with the electrode component when pressed.

[0008] In some embodiments, the plurality of first apertures are equally spaced and distributed around a circumference of the current collecting member such that the current collecting member can more uniformly contact the electrode component and transmit electrical current outwardly more uniformly.

[0009] In some embodiments, the size of the first apertures along the circumference of the current collecting member gradually increases from the inside to the outside of the current collecting member, thus making the strength of the current collecting member uniform and reducing the risk of the current collecting member breaking.

[0010] In some embodiments, the current collecting member includes a base portion and a first protrusion portion connected to the base portion, the base portion is located between the electrode component and the end cap and abuts against the electrode component, the first aperture is formed in the base portion, and the first protrusion portion protrudes toward the electrode component relative to the base portion and is embedded in the electrode component. The first protrusion portion is disposed to increase the contact area between the current collecting member and the electrode component, and improve the overcurrent capability between the current collecting member and the electrode component.

[0011] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first protrusion perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base portion gradually decreases along a direction away from the base portion, thereby facilitating insertion of the first protrusion into the electrode component.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first protrusion is annular.

[0013] In some embodiments, the electrode component includes a body portion and a tab portion connected to the body portion. The current collecting member includes a base portion and a second protrusion portion connected to the base portion, the tab portion is located between the body portion and the base portion, the base portion abuts against the tab portion, a first aperture is formed in the base portion, and a portion of the tab portion projects into the first aperture and contacts a wall of the first aperture. The second protrusion protrudes toward the body portion relative to the base portion, and the second protrusion surrounds the outside of the tab portion. The second protrusion portion can serve to accommodate the tab portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the end cap has an electrolyte injection hole for injecting an electrolyte, and the current collecting member has a second aperture, the second aperture penetrating the current collecting member along a thickness direction of the current collecting member, and the second aperture is disposed opposite the electrolyte injection hole along the thickness direction. In the liquid injection process, the electrolyte can penetrate the second aperture and infiltrate the electrode component.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first aperture penetrates the current collecting member along the thickness direction of the current collecting member. The first aperture is a through hole, which is easy to form and can effectively reduce the strength of the current collecting member.

[0016] In some embodiments, the end cap includes a first surface facing the electrode component and a first recess recessed relative to the first surface, and at least a portion of the base is received in the first recess. By providing the first recess, the space occupied by the end cap and the current collecting member as a whole can be reduced, and the energy density of the battery cell can be improved. By providing the first recess, the positioning of the current collecting member can be further facilitated, which contributes to simplifying the assembly process of the end cap and the current collecting member.

[0017] In some embodiments, the current collecting member is welded to the end cap and / or the current collecting member has an interference fit with the first recess.

[0018] In some embodiments, the current collecting member contacts the electrode component via a conductive medium, and a conductive medium with relatively good electrical conductivity can be provided to output a stable current.

[0019] In a second aspect, a battery according to an embodiment of the present application includes at least one battery cell according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0020] In a third aspect, a power consuming device according to an embodiment of the present application includes a battery according to any one of the embodiments of the second aspect, the battery being used to provide electrical energy.

[0021] In a fourth aspect, a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application includes: providing an end cap, providing a current collecting member having a first opening, connecting the current collecting member to the end cap, providing an electrode component, providing a case having an opening, inserting the electrode component into the case through the opening, and connecting the end cap connected to the current collecting member to the case to seal the opening of the case and electrically connect the current collecting member to the electrode component and the end cap, wherein at least a portion of the current collecting member is located between the electrode component and the end cap and abuts against the electrode component, and the first opening is used to accommodate a portion of the electrode component and bring the electrode component into contact with the hole wall of the first opening.

[0022] According to a fifth aspect, a manufacturing system for a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application includes a first providing device for providing an end cap, a second providing device for providing a current collecting member having a first opening, a first assembly device for connecting the current collecting member to the end cap, a third providing device for providing an electrode component, a fourth providing device for providing a case having an opening, a second assembly device for inserting the electrode component into the case through the opening, and a third assembly device for connecting the end cap connected to the current collecting member to the case to seal the opening of the case and electrically connect the current collecting member to the electrode component and the end cap, wherein at least a part of the current collecting member is located between the electrode component and the end cap and abuts against the electrode component, and the first opening is used to accommodate a part of the electrode component and bring the electrode component into contact with the hole wall of the first opening. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] The following describes features, advantages, and technical effects of exemplary embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] [Figure 1]1 is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle according to some embodiments of the present application. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic diagram of a battery according to some embodiments of the present application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the battery module shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the battery cell shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an exploded schematic view of the battery cell shown in FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a battery cell according to some embodiments of the present application. [Figure 7] 7 is an enlarged schematic view of a block A of the battery cell shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a current collecting member of a battery cell according to some embodiments of the present application. [Figure 9] 9 is a schematic top view of the current collecting member shown in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the current collecting member shown in FIG. 9 taken along line BB. [Figure 11] 4 is a structural schematic diagram of a current collecting member of a battery cell according to some other embodiments of the present application. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a current collecting member of a battery cell according to still another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a battery cell according to some further embodiments of the present application. [Figure 14] 1 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to some embodiments of the present application. [Figure 15] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a battery cell manufacturing system according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0025] In the accompanying drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application are described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained based on the embodiments of the present application without the need for creative efforts by those skilled in the art are all within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all scientific and technical terms used in this application have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art. In this application, the terms used in the specification of the application are used only to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the application. The terms "include", "have" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above attached drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive "include". The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application or the above attached drawings are intended to distinguish different objects and are not intended to describe a specific order or a main-subordinate relationship.

[0028] When referring to an "embodiment" in this application, it means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearances of this phrase in various places in this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are they separate or alternative embodiments that exclude other embodiments.

[0029] In the description of the present application, it should be explained that unless otherwise clearly defined or limited, the terms "attached", "connected", "connected" and "externally attached" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, they may be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrated. They may be directly connected, indirectly connected via an intermediate medium, or the internal communication of both elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application according to the specific situation.

[0030] In this application, the term "and / or" is merely used to describe the relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B may represent three cases: A alone, a combination of A and B, and B alone. In addition, the character " / " in this application generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0031] In the embodiments of the present application, the same reference numerals represent the same components, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of the same components in different embodiments will be omitted. It should be understood that the dimensions such as thickness, length, width, etc. of each member in the embodiments of the present application and the overall dimensions such as thickness, length, width, etc. of the integrated device shown in the drawings are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the present application.

[0032] As used in this application, "plurality" means two or more (including two).

[0033] In the present application, the battery cell may include a lithium ion secondary battery cell, a lithium ion primary battery cell, a lithium sulfur battery cell, a sodium lithium ion battery cell, a sodium ion battery cell, or a magnesium ion battery cell, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The battery cell may be a cylinder, a flat body, a rectangular parallelepiped, or other shape, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. Generally, the battery cell is divided into three types according to the packaging manner, namely, a prismatic battery cell, a rectangular battery cell, and a soft package battery cell, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0034] The battery 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, the battery referred to in the present application may include a battery module or a battery pack. The battery generally includes a box for packaging one or more battery cells. The box can prevent liquid or other foreign matter from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cells.

[0035] The battery cell includes an electrode component and an electrolyte, and the electrode component is composed of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The battery cell is mainly operated by the movement of metal ions between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate includes a positive electrode collector and a positive electrode active material layer, and the positive electrode active material layer is applied to the surface of the positive electrode collector, and 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 plate 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 carbon or silicon. The number of positive electrode tabs is multiple and stacked on each other, and the number of negative electrode tabs is multiple and stacked on each other so that melting does not occur even when a large current flows. The material of the separator may be PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene), etc. Note that the electrode component may have a wound type structure or a stacked type structure, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0036] The battery cell further includes a housing for accommodating the electrode components and the electrolyte. The housing includes a case and an end cap connected to the case, and the case and the end cap form an accommodating cavity to accommodate the electrode components and the electrolyte. In a typical battery cell, the electrode components are generally electrically connected to the end caps via current collecting members or are installed on electrode terminals in the end caps, and the current collecting members are generally welded to the electrode components. The inventors have found that metal particles are generated during the welding process, and if the metal particles remain inside the battery cell, they may pose a risk of short circuit.

[0037] In view of this, the embodiment of the present application provides a technical solution, in which a battery cell includes an electrode component, a case used to accommodate the electrode component and having an opening, an end cap for sealing the opening of the case, and a current collecting member for electrically connecting the electrode component and the end cap, at least a part of the current collecting member is located between the electrode component and the end cap and abuts against the electrode component, the current collecting member has a first opening, the first opening accommodates a part of the electrode component, and the electrode component is in contact with the hole wall of the first opening, thereby increasing the electrical connection area between the current collecting member and the electrode component. The battery cell with this structure does not need to weld the electrode component and the current collecting member, thereby reducing metal particles remaining in the battery cell and reducing security risks.

[0038] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are applicable to batteries and power-consuming devices that use batteries.

[0039] The power consuming devices may be vehicles, mobile phones, portable devices, notebook computers, ships, spacecraft, electric toys, power tools, etc. The vehicles may be gasoline cars, gas cars, or new energy cars, and the new energy cars may be pure electric cars, hybrid cars, range extender cars, etc. The spacecraft may include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spaceships, etc. The electric toys may include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric ship toys, and electric plane toys, etc. The power tools may include metal cutting power tools, grinding power tools, assembly power tools, and railway power tools, such as electric drills, electric grinders, electric wrenches, electric drivers, electric hammers, electric impact drills, concrete vibrators, electric milling cutters, etc. In the embodiments of the present application, there is no particular limitation on the above power consuming devices.

[0040] In the following embodiment, for ease of explanation, the power consuming device is a vehicle.

[0041] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle 1 according to some embodiments of the present application. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a battery 2 is installed inside the vehicle 1, and the battery 2 may be installed at the bottom, head, or rear of the vehicle 1. The battery 2 may be used to supply power to the vehicle 1, for example, the battery 2 may be an operating power source for the vehicle 1.

[0042] The vehicle 1 may further include a controller 3 and a motor 4, the controller 3 for controlling the battery 2 to power the motor 4, for example for starting, navigation and operating power consumption needs of the vehicle 1 during driving.

[0043] In some embodiments of the present application, the battery 2 can be used not only as an operating power source for the vehicle 1, but also as a drive power source for the vehicle 1, providing drive power to the vehicle 1 in place of, or in place of, gasoline or natural gas.

[0044] 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of a battery 2 according to some embodiments of the present application. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the battery 2 includes a box 5 and a battery cell (not shown in FIG. 2), and the battery cell is housed in the box 5.

[0045] The box 5 is used to accommodate the battery cells, and the box 5 may have a variety of structures. In some embodiments, the box 5 may include a first box portion 51 and a second box portion 52, and the first box portion 51 and the second box portion 52 are capped with each other, and the first box portion 51 and the second box portion 52 limit the storage space for accommodating the battery cells. The second box portion 52 may have a hollow structure with one end open, and the first box portion 51 has a plate-like structure, and the first box portion 51 is capped on the opening side of the second box portion 52 to form the box 5 having the storage space. The first box portion 51 and the second box portion 52 may both have a hollow structure with one end open, and the opening side of the first box portion 51 is capped on the opening side of the second box portion 52 to form the box 5 having the storage space. Of course, the first box portion 51 and the second box portion 52 may have a variety of shapes, such as a cylindrical body, a rectangular parallelepiped, etc.

[0046] In order to improve the sealing property after the first box portion 51 and the second box portion 52 are connected, a sealing member, such as a sealant, a seal ring, etc., may be installed between the first box portion 51 and the second box portion 52.

[0047] Given that the first box part 51 is capped on the top of the second box part 52, the first box part 51 may be referred to as the upper box lid and the second box part 52 may be referred to as the lower box.

[0048] The battery 2 may have one or more battery cells. If there are multiple battery cells, the multiple battery cells may be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel, and series-parallel connection means that the multiple battery cells are connected in both series and parallel. The multiple battery cells may be directly connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel, and the entire configuration made up of the multiple battery cells may be housed in the box 5. Of course, the multiple battery cells may be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel to form a battery module 6, and the multiple battery modules 6 may be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel to form an integrated unit and housed in the box 5.

[0049] Fig. 3 is an exploded schematic view of the battery module 6 shown in Fig. 2. In some embodiments, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, a plurality of battery cells 7 are provided, and the plurality of battery cells 7 are first connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to form a battery module 6, and the plurality of battery modules 6 are then connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to form an integrated unit, which is then housed in a box.

[0050] In order to realize parallel connection, series connection, or series-parallel connection of the multiple battery cells 7 in the battery module 6, electrical connection can be realized between the multiple battery cells 7 in the battery module 6 via bus bar components.

[0051] Fig. 4 is a structural schematic diagram of the battery cell 7 shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is an exploded schematic diagram of the battery cell 7 shown in Fig. 4. For example, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the battery cell 7 according to an embodiment of the present application includes a housing 10 and an electrode component 20 accommodated in the housing 10.

[0052] From the perspective of the outer shape of the electrode component 20, the electrode component 20 includes a body portion 21 and a tab portion 22 connected to the body portion 21. In some embodiments, there are two tab portions 22, each extending from both ends of the body portion 21. The body portion 21 includes a positive electrode active material layer, a portion of the positive electrode current collector on which the positive electrode active material layer is applied, a negative electrode active material layer, a portion of the negative electrode current collector on which the negative electrode active material layer is applied, and a separator. The two tab portions 22 are a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, respectively. In some embodiments, the electrode component 20 has a wound structure, and correspondingly, each tab portion 22 is wound into a multi-layer structure.

[0053] In some embodiments, the housing 10 may further be used to house an electrolyte, such as an electrolyte solution. The housing 10 may be of several different constructions.

[0054] In some embodiments, the housing 10 may include a case 11 and an end cap 12, where the case 11 is a hollow structure having an opening, and the end cap 12 caps the opening of the case 11 to form a sealed connection and form a sealed space for containing the electrode component 20 and the electrolyte.

[0055] When assembling the battery cell 7, the electrode component 20 is first placed into the case 11, and then the end cap 12 is capped on the opening of the case 11, and an electrolyte can be injected into the case 11 through the electrolyte injection hole 121 in the end cap 12.

[0056] The case 11 may have a variety of shapes, such as a cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, and the like. The shape of the case 11 may be determined according to the specific shape of the electrode component 20. For example, if the electrode component 20 has a cylindrical structure, a cylindrical case can be used, and if the electrode component 20 has a rectangular parallelepiped structure, a rectangular parallelepiped case can be used. Of course, the end cap 12 may have a variety of structures, such as a plate-like structure, a hollow structure with one end open, and the like. Exemplarily, in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the case 11 has a cylindrical structure, the end cap 12 has a plate-like structure, and the end cap 12 caps the open portion of the case 11.

[0057] In some embodiments, the battery cell 7 further includes a sealing member 30, which separates the end cap 12 from the case 11. The sealing member 30 is used to seal the opening of the case 11 and improve the sealing performance of the battery cell 7. The material of the sealing member 30 may be PP, PE, PFA, or fluororubber. In some embodiments, the sealing member 30 is made of an insulating material and can electrically separate the end cap 12 from the case 11.

[0058] In some embodiments, the housing 10 includes a case 11 and two end caps 12. The case 11 is a hollow structure with openings on both sides facing each other. Each end cap 12 is capped at a corresponding one of the openings of the case 11 to form a sealed connection, thereby forming a sealed space for accommodating the electrode component 20 and the electrolyte. In some embodiments, one end cap 12 may be directly connected to the case 11, for example, welded to the case 11, and the sealing member 30 may insulatively separate the other end cap 12 from the case 11. In some embodiments, one tab portion 22 is located between the main body portion 21 and the one end cap 12, and the other tab portion 22 is located between the main body portion 21 and the other end cap 12. The two end caps 12 are electrically connected to the two tab portions 22, respectively, and the two end caps 12 can output the electric energy generated by the electrode component 20 as positive and negative electrode terminals of the battery cell 7, respectively.

[0059] In some other embodiments, the housing 10 includes a case 11 and one end cap 12, the case 11 is a hollow structure with one side open, and the end cap 12 caps the open portion of the case 11 to form a sealed connection. In some embodiments, one of the tab portions 22 is located between the body portion 21 and the end cap 12, and the other tab portion 22 is located between the body portion 21 and the bottom plate of the case 11. The end cap 12 and the case 11 are each electrically connected to the two tab portions 22, and the end cap 12 and the case 11 can output the electrical energy generated by the electrode component 20 as the positive and negative electrode terminals of the battery cell 7, respectively.

[0060] In some embodiments, at least one end cap 12 is provided with an electrolyte injection hole 121 penetrating the end cap 12 along the thickness direction of the end cap 12. During the liquid injection process of the battery cell 7, the electrolyte enters the inside of the battery cell 7 through the electrolyte injection hole 121. The battery cell 7 further includes a sealing plate 40, which is connected to the end cap 12 to cover the electrolyte injection hole 121 and is used to seal the electrolyte injection hole 121 after the liquid injection process is completed.

[0061] In some embodiments, the battery cell 7 further includes a current collecting member 50 for electrically connecting to the electrode component 20 and the end cap 12. The current collecting member 50 can transmit an electric current between the electrode component 20 and the end cap 12. In some embodiments, the current collecting member 50 is a metal sheet, such as a nickel sheet.

[0062] In some embodiments, the battery cells 7 are cylindrical and the current collecting members 50 are generally disc-shaped.

[0063] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the current collecting member 50 is located between the electrode component 20 and the end cap 12 and abuts against the electrode component 20. When the battery cell 7 is assembled, the end cap 12 presses the current collecting member 50 to abut against the electrode component 20, thereby maintaining contact between the current collecting member 50 and the end cap 12 and the electrode component 20. The current collecting member 50 is assembled to be tightly fitted between the end cap 12 and the electrode component 20, realizing current transmission between the electrode component 20 and the end cap 12. In this embodiment, the current collecting member 50 abuts against the electrode component 20 and does not need to be connected to the electrode component 20 by welding, thereby reducing metal particles remaining in the battery cell 7 and reducing the risk of short circuit.

[0064] The electrode component 20 has an end face facing the current collecting member 50, which is used to contact the surface of the current collecting member 50, and this end face is the surface of the tab portion 22 that is away from the body portion 21. However, the inventors have found that the flatness of the end face of the electrode component 20 is relatively poor (for example, in a wound-type electrode component 20, the tab portion 22 includes a metal foil material wound multiple times, and the free end of the metal foil material forms this end face, and due to the limitations of the winding accuracy, the flatness of this end face is relatively poor), there is a difference between the flatness of the end face of the electrode component 20 and the flatness of the surface of the current collecting member 50, and there may be a slit between the electrode component 20 and the current collecting member 50, which may result in poor adhesion and affect the overcurrent capacity.

[0065] Based on the above problems found by the applicants, the applicants have improved the structure of the battery cell 7, which will be described in detail below in conjunction with different embodiments.

[0066] 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a battery cell 7 according to some embodiments of the present application, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic diagram of a block A of the battery cell 7 shown in FIG.

[0067] For example, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, in a battery cell 7 of an embodiment of the present application, the current collecting member 50 has a first opening 51, and the first opening 51 is used to accommodate a portion of the electrode component 20 and to bring the electrode component 20 into contact with the hole wall of the first opening 51, thereby increasing the electrical connection area between the current collecting member 50 and the electrode component 20.

[0068] The end of the first opening 51 facing the electrode component 20 is open, and during the process of assembling the battery cell 7, the current collecting member 50 presses the end face of the electrode component 20, causing a part of the electrode component 20 to protrude into the first opening 51. Specifically, a part of the tab portion 22 of the electrode component 20 protrudes into the first opening 51 and comes into contact with the wall of the first opening 51.

[0069] In the battery cell 7 of the embodiment of the present application, the strength of the current collecting member 50 can be reduced by opening the first opening 51 in the current collecting member 50. Although there is a difference between the flatness of the end face of the electrode component 20 and the flatness of the surface of the current collecting member 50, when the current collecting member 50 and the electrode component 20 press against each other, the current collecting member 50 can be locally deformed and adhered to the electrode component 20, thereby reducing the slit between the current collecting member 50 and the electrode component 20 and improving the overcurrent capacity. A part of the electrode component 20 enters the first opening 51 and contacts the hole wall of the first opening 51, thus increasing the contact area between the current collecting member 50 and the electrode component 20 and improving the overcurrent capacity.

[0070] The first opening 51 may be a through hole that is open at both ends, or a via hole that is open at one end.

[0071] In some embodiments, the first opening 51 penetrates the current collecting member 50 along the thickness direction Z of the current collecting member 50. At this time, the first opening 51 is a through hole. The through hole is easier to form than a via hole, and can effectively reduce the strength of the current collecting member 50. In some embodiments, a part of the electrode component 20 protrudes into the first opening 51 and contacts the end cap 12, thus shortening the conductive path and improving the overcurrent capability.

[0072] In some embodiments, the current collecting member 50 includes a base portion 52 that is located between the electrode component 20 and the end cap 12 and abuts the electrode component 20, and a first aperture 51 is formed in the base portion 52. The base portion 52 is connected to the end cap 12. In some examples, the base portion 52 may be connected to the end cap 12 by a locking, interference fit, welding, or other manner.

[0073] In some embodiments, the base portion 52 is substantially flat, and illustratively, the base portion 52 is a circular flat plate. Two surfaces of the base portion 52 that are opposite to each other in the thickness direction of the base portion 52 are flat and face the end cap 12 and the electrode component 20, respectively. The surface of the base portion 52 that faces the electrode component 20 is used to contact an end surface of the electrode component 20.

[0074] In some embodiments, the tab portion 22 is located between the main body portion 21 and the base portion 52, the base portion 52 abuts the tab portion 22, and a portion of the tab portion 22 extends into the first opening 51 and contacts the hole wall of the first opening 51.

[0075] In some embodiments, the end cap 12 has a first surface 122 facing the electrode component 20 and a first recess 123 recessed relative to the first surface 122, and at least a portion of the base portion 52 is received in the first recess 123. In particular, the first recess 123 is recessed relative to the first surface 122 in a direction away from the electrode component 20. In some examples, the first surface 122 is flat.

[0076] The provision of the first recess 123 can reduce the space occupied by the end cap 12 and the current collecting member 50 as a whole, and improve the energy density of the battery cell 7. In addition, in the process of assembling the battery cell 7, the end cap 12 and the current collecting member 50 can be assembled in advance, and then assembled to the electrode component 20. The provision of the first recess 123 further facilitates the positioning of the current collecting member 50, and contributes to simplifying the assembly process of the end cap 12 and the current collecting member 50.

[0077] In some embodiments, the base portion 52 of the current collecting member 50 is connected to the end cap 12. The manner of connecting the base portion 52 to the end cap 12 can be selected according to needs.

[0078] In some examples, the base portion 52 is secured to the end cap 12 by an interference fit between the base portion 52 and the first recess 123. This assembly method is less likely to generate metal particles.

[0079] In some other examples, the base portion 52 is welded to the end cap 12, and during welding the laser can act on the side of the end cap 12 that faces away from the base portion 52, thus reducing the risk of metal particles from the weld getting inside the battery cell 7.

[0080] In some other examples, the base portion 52 is welded to the end cap 12 by being interference-fitted with the first recess 123, thus improving the overcurrent capability between the base portion 52 and the end cap 12. In addition, the present application may weld the end cap 12 to the base portion 52 when assembling the end cap 12 and the current collecting member 50, or may weld the end cap 12 to the base portion 52 from the outside after the assembly of the end cap 12 and the case 11 is completed.

[0081] In yet other examples, the base portion 52 may be adhered to the end cap 12 by a conductive paste.

[0082] In some embodiments, the current collecting member 50 may contact the electrode component 20 via a conductive medium. By providing a conductive medium with relatively good conductivity, a stable current can be outputted better. Exemplarily, the conductive medium may be a conductive paste, silver, or other materials. In some embodiments, the base portion 52 contacts the electrode component 20 via the conductive medium.

[0083] In some embodiments, the current collecting member 50 has a second opening 53, which penetrates the current collecting member 50 along a thickness direction Z of the current collecting member 50, and the second opening 53 is disposed opposite the electrolyte injection hole 121 along the thickness direction Z. In some examples, the second opening 53 is formed in the base portion 52. In the liquid injection process, the electrolyte can penetrate the second opening 53 and infiltrate the electrode component 20.

[0084] In some embodiments, along the thickness direction Z of the current collecting member 50 , the orthogonal projection of the electrolyte injection hole 121 is located within the orthogonal projection of the second aperture 53 .

[0085] In some embodiments, the current collecting member 50 further includes a first protrusion 54 connected to the base portion 52, the first aperture 51 is formed in the base portion 52, and the first protrusion 54 protrudes from the base portion 52 toward the electrode component 20 and is embedded in the electrode component 20. The first protrusion 54 protrudes from the surface of the base portion 52 facing the electrode component 20 and is embedded in the tab portion 22. By providing the first protrusion 54, the contact area between the current collecting member 50 and the electrode component 20 can be increased, and the overcurrent capability between the current collecting member 50 and the electrode component 20 can be improved.

[0086] In some examples, the first protrusion 54 may be a solid structure. In other examples, a second recess (not shown) is formed on the side of the first protrusion 54 that faces away from the electrode component 20, i.e., the first protrusion 54 is a convex hull, and the first protrusion 54 is formed by pressing.

[0087] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first protrusion 54 perpendicular to the thickness direction of the base portion 52 gradually decreases along the direction away from the base portion 52. The end of the first protrusion 54 away from the base portion 52 is a small end, which makes it easy to insert the first protrusion 54 into the tab portion 22 during the assembly process. The thickness direction of the base portion 52 is the same as the thickness direction Z of the current collecting member 50.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first protrusion 54 is annular. In some embodiments, the first protrusion 54 is provided in a plurality of portions, and the plurality of first protrusions 54 are provided at intervals along the radial direction of the base portion 52.

[0089] In some embodiments, the current collecting member 50 is a unitary structure. Illustratively, the current collecting member 50 is integrally formed by machining a metal sheet.

[0090] FIG. 8 is a structural schematic diagram of a current collecting member 50 of a battery cell 7 according to some embodiments of the present application, FIG. 9 is a top schematic diagram of the current collecting member 50 shown in FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the current collecting member 50 shown in FIG. 9 along line BB.

[0091] 7 to 10, in some embodiments, a plurality of first openings 51 are provided. The plurality of first openings 51 reduces the strength of the current collecting member 50, so that the current collecting member 50 is easily deformed to closely contact with the electrode component 20 when pressed. In the present application, the area of ​​each first opening 51 can be reduced and the number of first openings 51 can be increased, assuming that the total area of ​​the first openings 51 is constant.

[0092] In some embodiments, the multiple first openings 51 are distributed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction X of the current collecting member 50. Specifically, in some embodiments, the multiple first openings 51 are distributed at equal intervals on the base portion 52 along the circumferential direction of the base portion 52. The circumferential direction X of the current collecting member 50 is the same as the circumferential direction of the base portion 52. The base portion 52 includes the multiple first openings 51 and multiple partition regions 521 that are alternately arranged along the circumferential direction X. The first openings 51 are located between two adjacent partition regions 521. The partition regions 521 are used to abut against the tab portion 22. Since the multiple partition regions 521 are distributed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction X, the multiple partition regions 521 can contact the tab portion 22 more uniformly and transmit the current outward more uniformly.

[0093] In some embodiments, the base portion 52 includes a first annular region 522 and a second annular region 523, and the second annular region 523 surrounds the outside of the first annular region 522 and is spaced apart from the first annular region 522. A second opening 53 is formed in the center of the first annular region 522. A plurality of partition regions 521 are located between the first annular region 522 and the second annular region 523 and are connected to the first annular region 522 and the second annular region 523.

[0094] In some embodiments, in the radial direction of the current collecting member 50, the size of the first opening 51 along the circumferential direction X gradually increases from the inside to the outside. Specifically, the larger the size of the first opening 51 along the circumferential direction X, the smaller the size of the partition region 521 along the circumferential direction X. Since the circumferential length of the current collecting member 50 increases with an increase in radius, even if the size of the outer end of the first opening 51 along the circumferential direction X is increased, the size of the partition region 521 along the circumferential direction X can meet the requirements, thereby making the strength of the current collecting member 50 uniform and reducing the risk of the current collecting member 50 being cut. Exemplarily, the radial direction of the current collecting member 50 is the same as the radial direction of the base portion 52.

[0095] In some embodiments, the shape of the first aperture 51 may be a sector, a triangle, a trapezoid, or other shape. The shapes and sizes of the plurality of first apertures 51 are all similar.

[0096] In some embodiments, the partition region 521 is substantially rectangular, and its size along the circumferential direction X is constant. The multiple partition regions 521 all have the same shape and size.

[0097] 11 is a structural schematic diagram of a current collecting member 50 of a battery cell 7 according to some other embodiments of the present application. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, in some embodiments, the multiple first openings 51 of the current collecting member 50 are disposed substantially parallel to each other.

[0098] The base portion 52 includes a first annular region 522, a second annular region 523, and a plurality of partition regions 521, the second annular region 523 surrounding the outside of the first annular region 522 and spaced apart from the first annular region 522, and the plurality of partition regions 521 being disposed between the first annular region 522 and the second annular region 523. A first opening 51 is formed between adjacent partition regions 521.

[0099] The partition regions 521 are substantially striped, and the partition regions 521 are disposed substantially parallel to each other. Both ends of some of the partition regions 521 are connected to the inner side wall of the second annular region 523, and both ends of other partition regions 521 are connected to the inner side wall of the second annular region 523 and the outer side wall of the first annular region 522, respectively.

[0100] 12 is a structural schematic diagram of a current collecting member 50 of a battery cell 7 according to some other embodiments of the present application. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, in some embodiments, a plurality of first apertures 51 are arranged along a first direction to form a first aperture row, and a plurality of first aperture rows are arranged along a second direction, where the first direction intersects with the second direction. In some examples, the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

[0101] In some embodiments, the shape of first aperture 51 is rectangular, circular, triangular, trapezoidal, or other shape.

[0102] Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a local portion of a battery cell 7 according to some other embodiments of the present application. For example, as shown in Fig. 13, in some embodiments, the current collecting member 50 includes a second protrusion 55 connected to the base portion 52, the second protrusion 55 protrudes toward the main body portion 21 relative to the base portion 52, and the second protrusion 55 surrounds the outside of the tab portion 22. The second protrusion 55 extends from the edge of the base portion 52 in a direction approaching the main body portion 21.

[0103] The tab portion 22 includes a metal foil material wound in multiple turns, and the second protrusion 55 can serve to house the tab portion 22.

[0104] FIG. 14 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0105] For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a method for manufacturing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application includes the following steps: S100, providing an end cap; S200, providing a current collecting member having a first aperture; S300, connecting a current collecting member to an end cap; S400, providing an electrode component; S500, providing a case having an opening; S600, placing an electrode component into the case through an opening; S700 includes connecting an end cap connected to the current collecting member to the case to seal the opening of the case and electrically connecting the current collecting member to the electrode component and the end cap.

[0106] At least a portion of the current collecting member is located between the electrode component and the end cap and abuts against the electrode component, and the first opening is used to accommodate a portion of the electrode component and bring the electrode component into contact with the wall of the first opening.

[0107] It should be noted that for the relevant structures of the battery cell manufactured by the above battery cell manufacturing method, reference can be made to the battery cells according to the above embodiments.

[0108] When assembling a battery cell based on the above-mentioned battery cell manufacturing method, the steps do not have to be performed in the above-mentioned order, i.e., the steps may be performed in the order mentioned in the embodiment, or in an order different from the order mentioned in the embodiment, or some steps may be performed simultaneously. For example, steps S100 and S200 may be performed simultaneously, regardless of order, or steps S400, S500, and S600 may be performed before steps S100, S200, and S300.

[0109] FIG. 15 is a schematic block diagram of a battery cell manufacturing system according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0110] 15, the battery cell manufacturing system 8 of the embodiment of the present application includes a first providing device 81 for providing an end cap, a second providing device 82 for providing a current collecting member having a first opening, a first assembly device 83 for connecting the current collecting member to the end cap, a third providing device 84 for providing an electrode component, a fourth providing device 85 for providing a case having an opening, a second assembly device 86 for inserting the electrode component into the case through the opening, and a third assembly device 87 for connecting the end cap connected to the current collecting member to the case to seal the opening of the case and electrically connect the current collecting member to the electrode component and the end cap, where at least a part of the current collecting member is located between the electrode component and the end cap and abuts against the electrode component, and the first opening is used to accommodate a part of the electrode component and bring the electrode component into contact with the hole wall of the first opening.

[0111] For the relevant structure of the battery cells manufactured by the manufacturing system 8, reference may be made to the battery cells according to the above-mentioned embodiments.

[0112] It should be noted that, where not in conflict, the embodiments and features of the embodiments in the present application may be combined with each other.

[0113] Finally, it should be explained that the above embodiments are only used to explain the technical solutions of the present application, and are not limited thereto. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can still understand that the technical solutions described in the above embodiments can still be modified or some of the technical features thereof can be replaced with equivalents, and these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A battery cell, an electrode component including a body portion and a tab portion connected to the body portion; a case used to house the electrode component and having an opening; an end cap for sealing an opening of the case; a current collecting member for electrically connecting to the tab portion and the end cap, at least a portion of the current collecting member is located between the tab portion and the end cap, a surface of the current collecting member that deviates from the main body portion and the end cap are in close contact with each other, the end cap presses the surface of the current collecting member that deviates from the main body portion to bring the current collecting member into contact with the tab portion, the current collecting member is not welded to the tab portion, the current collecting member has a first opening, the first opening accommodates a portion of the tab portion, and the tab portion is brought into contact with a hole wall of the first opening to increase an electrical connection area between the current collecting member and the tab portion, a current collecting member including a base portion and a first convex portion connected to the base portion, the base being located between the tab portion and the end cap and abutting the tab portion, the first opening being formed in the base portion, and the first convex portion protruding from the base portion toward the tab portion and embedded in the tab portion.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein the first opening is provided in a plurality.

3. The battery cell according to claim 2 , wherein the first openings are distributed at equal intervals along a circumferential direction of the current collecting member.

4. The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein a size of the first opening along a circumferential direction of the current collecting member gradually increases from the inside to the outside in a radial direction of the current collecting member.

5. The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of ​​the first protrusion perpendicular to a thickness direction of the base portion gradually decreases along a direction away from the base portion.

6. The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein the first protrusion is annular.

7. The collecting member includes a base portion and a second convex portion connected to the base portion, the tab is located between the main body portion and the base portion, the base portion abuts against the tab portion, the first opening is formed in the base portion, a portion of the tab portion protrudes into the first opening and contacts a hole wall of the first opening, The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein the second protrusion protrudes from the base portion toward the main body portion, and the second protrusion surrounds an outer side of the tab portion.

8. 8. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the end cap has an electrolyte injection hole for injecting an electrolyte, and the current collecting member has a second opening, the second opening penetrates the current collecting member along a thickness direction of the current collecting member, and the second opening is disposed opposite the electrolyte injection hole along the thickness direction.

9. The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein the first opening penetrates the current collecting member along a thickness direction of the current collecting member.

10. 10. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the end cap has a first surface facing the electrode component and a first recess recessed relative to the first surface, and at least a portion of the base portion is received in the first recess.

11. the current collecting member is welded to the end cap; and / or The battery cell of claim 10 , wherein the current collecting member has an interference fit with the first recess.

12. The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein the current collecting member abuts against the electrode component via a conductive medium.

13. A battery comprising at least one battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. 14. A power consumer device comprising the battery of claim 13 for providing electrical energy.

15. A method for manufacturing a battery cell, comprising: Providing an end cap; providing a current collecting member having a first aperture; connecting the current collecting member to the end cap; providing an electrode component including a body portion and a tab portion connected to the body portion; providing a case having an opening; placing the electrode component into the case through the opening; and connecting the end cap connected to the current collecting member to the case to seal an opening of the case and electrically connect the current collecting member to the tab portion and the end cap. wherein at least a portion of the current collecting member is located between the tab portion and the end cap, a surface of the current collecting member that deviates from the main body portion and the end cap are in close contact with each other, the end cap presses the surface of the current collecting member that deviates from the main body portion to bring the current collecting member into contact with the tab portion, the current collecting member is not welded to the tab portion, and the first opening is used to accommodate a portion of the tab portion and to bring the tab portion into contact with a hole wall of the first opening, a current collecting member including a base portion and a first convex portion connected to the base portion, the base being located between the tab portion and the end cap and abutting the tab portion, the first opening being formed in the base portion, and the first convex portion protruding from the base portion toward the tab portion and embedded in the tab portion.

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