Battery, manufacturing method and manufacturing system thereof, and power consumption device

Abstract

The present application provides a battery, a manufacturing method and system thereof, and a power consumption device. The battery of the present application includes a plurality of battery modules, each including a plurality of battery units stacked along a first direction. The battery units have first and second end faces facing each other along a second direction, with electrode terminals installed on the first end faces. The battery modules are stacked along a third direction, with the first, second, and third directions being perpendicular to each other. In this way, based on the spatial layout of the interior of a power consumption device, such as a vehicle, an appropriate number of battery units are installed in the first direction and an appropriate size and number of battery modules are installed in the third direction, thereby making full use of the space between the first and third directions. Furthermore, the electrode terminals are oriented in different directions in both the stacking direction of the battery units and the stacking direction of the battery modules, thereby reducing gaps along the stacking direction of the battery units and the stacking direction of the battery modules and improving the volumetric energy density of the battery.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly to batteries and manufacturing methods and systems thereof, and power consuming devices. [Background technology]

[0002] Batteries are widely used in power consuming devices, such as electrical cabinets, battery cars, electric vehicles, electric airplanes, electric steamships, electric toy cars, electric toy steamships, electric toy airplanes and electric tools, etc. The battery unit may include a cadmium nickel battery unit, a nickel hydrogen battery unit, a lithium ion battery unit, a secondary alkaline zinc manganese battery unit, etc.

[0003] With the development of battery technology, in addition to improving the performance of individual batteries, people pay more and more attention to the volume of power consuming devices and want the volume of power consuming devices to be as small as possible. This places new requirements on the internal layout of the battery. How to rationally and flexibly layout the internal structure of the battery is currently an issue that needs to be resolved urgently. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a battery, a manufacturing method and system thereof, and a power consumption device, which can improve the flexibility and rationality of the internal structure layout of the battery.

[0005] According to a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery, the battery including a plurality of battery modules, each battery module including a plurality of battery units stacked along a first direction, each battery unit having a first end face and a second end face arranged opposite to each other along the second direction, an electrode terminal is arranged on the first end face, and the plurality of battery modules are stacked along a third direction, the first direction, the second direction and the third direction being perpendicular to each other.

[0006] In the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the individual batteries are stacked in a first direction to form a battery module, and the battery modules are stacked in a third direction, so that an appropriate number of individual batteries are installed in the first direction and an appropriate size and number of battery modules are installed in the third direction based on the spatial layout inside the power consumption device, such as a vehicle, to fully utilize the space in the first direction and the third direction to improve the capacity of the battery. In addition, since the orientations of the electrode terminals are different from each other in the stacking direction of the individual batteries and the stacking direction of the battery modules, the gaps along the stacking direction of the individual batteries and the gaps along the stacking direction of the battery modules can be saved, and the volumetric energy density of the battery can be effectively improved.

[0007] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, each battery module includes a plurality of battery packs arranged in parallel along the second direction, each battery pack includes a plurality of battery units stacked along the first direction, and the second end faces of the battery units of two adjacent battery packs are arranged opposite to each other, which makes it easier to assemble the battery and to attach components such as a sampling wire harness. By arranging in this manner, the space in the second direction of the power consuming device, such as a vehicle, can be fully utilized, and the space utilization rate in the second direction can be improved.

[0008] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the side wall of the housing of the single battery includes two first side walls arranged opposite to each other and two second side walls arranged opposite to each other, in which the area of ​​the first side walls is larger than that of the second side walls, and the first side walls are perpendicular to the first direction, which is advantageous for improving the structural stability of the assembled battery formed by the single battery, and further improving the structural stability of the battery module and the battery.

[0009] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the maximum size of the battery module along the first direction is L1, and the maximum size along the second direction is L2, where L1=L2, which is favorable for making the battery module easily form a rectangular envelope and improving the flexibility of the battery module arrangement.

[0010] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the second end surfaces of the battery units of adjacent battery modules are perpendicular to each other, which is advantageous to improve the bonding strength between the adjacent battery modules and further improve the structural strength of the entire battery.

[0011] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the battery further includes a reinforcing plate disposed between two adjacent battery modules, which improves the overall structural strength of the battery by making the battery less susceptible to problems such as deformation and shifting.

[0012] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, a flow path is formed in the reinforcing plate, and a fluid for exchanging heat with the battery module is contained in the flow path. By exchanging heat with the battery module through the fluid in this manner, the battery module can be heated or cooled.

[0013] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the battery further includes a pipe for connecting the flow paths of the adjacent reinforcing plates along the third direction, which simplifies the structure in which the flow paths in the reinforcing plates are connected to the outside.

[0014] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the battery module further includes end plates installed on both sides of the stacked battery units along a first direction, and the battery further includes a frame installed around the outer periphery of the battery module, and the end plates are connected to the battery module and the frame. The installation of the end plates makes it easy to assemble the battery units, while the installation of the frame provides a certain degree of protection for the battery module, thereby improving the service life of the battery module.

[0015] In the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the end plate is formed with a first boss, the frame is formed with a second boss, and the first boss is engaged and connected to the second boss. This arrangement is advantageous for the connection between the end plate and the frame, and is also advantageous for the sealing performance of the battery after the connection between the two.

[0016] According to the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the battery includes a plurality of frames stacked and arranged along a third direction, and adjacent frames along the third direction are hermetically connected. By arranging the adjacent frames so that they are hermetically connected, it is possible to effectively prevent external water, oxygen, etc. from entering the inside of the battery module, and further to reduce the possibility that the external water or oxygen may cause a certain degree of corrosion to the battery unit.

[0017] The battery further includes a mounting rack, and the plurality of battery modules are connected to the mounting rack by a frame.

[0018] In the battery according to the embodiment of the present application, the mounting rack is formed with a mounting plate, and two adjacent layers of frames are connected by the mounting plate, which facilitates the positioning of the battery modules and frames, avoids the possibility of misalignment or deformation occurring during the process of connecting the battery modules and frames to the mounting rack, reduces the mounting error, and is favorable for improving the sealing performance of the battery.

[0019] According to a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for manufacturing a battery, the method including: providing a plurality of battery units, each of the battery units having a first end face and a second end face arranged opposite to each other along a second direction, with an electrode terminal arranged on the first end face; stacking and installing the plurality of battery units along the first direction to form a battery module; and stacking and installing the plurality of battery modules along a third direction, where the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0020] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery manufacturing system, the manufacturing system including: a providing module for providing a plurality of battery units, the battery units having first and second end faces arranged opposite to each other along a second direction, with electrode terminals arranged on the first end faces; a first assembly module for stacking and installing the plurality of battery units along the first direction to form a battery module; and a second assembly module for stacking and installing the plurality of assembly modules along a third direction, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction being perpendicular to each other.

[0021] In the battery and its manufacturing method and manufacturing system, and power consumption device according to the embodiments of the present application, the individual batteries are stacked in a first direction to form a battery module, and the battery modules are stacked in a third direction, so that an appropriate number of individual batteries are installed in the first direction and an appropriate number of battery modules are installed in the third direction based on the spatial layout inside the power consumption device, such as a vehicle, to fully utilize the space in the first direction and the third direction and improve the battery capacity. In addition, since the orientations of the electrode terminals are different from each other in the stacking direction of the individual batteries and the stacking direction of the battery modules, the gaps along the stacking direction of the individual batteries and the gaps along the stacking direction of the battery modules can be saved, and the volumetric energy density of the battery can be effectively improved. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the necessary accompanying drawings used in the embodiments of the present application. It is obvious that the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other accompanying drawings based on the accompanying drawings without exerting creative efforts. [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle according to some embodiments of the present application. [Diagram 2] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to some embodiments of the present application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to some other embodiments of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded schematic diagram of a single battery according to some embodiments of the present application. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery module connected to a frame according to some embodiments of the present application. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is an exploded schematic view of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 1 is a partially enlarged schematic diagram of a connection structure between a frame and an end plate according to some embodiments of the present application. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a local enlarged view of a portion A in FIG. 8. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded schematic view of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing a battery according to some embodiments of the present application. [Figure 12] 1 is a schematic block diagram of a battery manufacturing system according to some embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the following clearly describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, and not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without any creative effort are all within the scope of protection of the present application.

[0024] 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, and 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 "comprise" and "have" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application and the above-mentioned attached drawings are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of this application or the above-mentioned attached drawings are used only to distinguish different objects and are not used to describe a specific order or subordinate relationship.

[0025] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The appearance of the term in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it an embodiment that is exclusively separate from or an alternative to other embodiments.

[0026] In the description of the application, unless otherwise clearly specified or limited, the technical terms "attach", "connect", "connection" and "mount" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, they may be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, may be directly connected, may be indirectly connected via an intermediate medium, or may be in communication inside two elements. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the present application according to the specific situation.

[0027] The term "and / or" in this application merely describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist, for example, A and / or B may indicate three cases: A alone, a combination of A and B, and B alone. Also, the character " / " in this application generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0028] In the embodiments of the present application, the same drawing symbols indicate the same parts, and detailed descriptions of the same parts in different embodiments are omitted for brevity. It should be understood that the thickness, length, width, etc. of various parts in the embodiments of the present application shown in the accompanying drawings, and the overall thickness, length, width, etc. of the integrated device are merely illustrative, and should not constitute any limitation on the present application.

[0029] The term "plurality" as used herein means two or more (including two).

[0030] In the present application, the battery unit may include a lithium ion secondary battery unit, a lithium ion primary battery unit, a lithium-sulfur battery unit, a sodium lithium ion battery unit, a sodium ion battery unit, or a magnesium ion battery unit, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The battery unit may have a cylindrical body, a flat body, a rectangular parallelepiped, or other shape, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The battery unit is generally divided into three types, namely, a cylindrical battery unit, a prismatic battery unit, and a pouch battery unit, according to the packaging method, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0031] The battery referred to in the embodiments of the present application is a single physical module that includes one or more individual batteries to provide higher voltage and capacity. For example, the battery referred to in the present application may include an electrical cabinet or a battery pack, etc. The battery generally includes a housing for packaging one or more individual batteries. The housing can prevent liquids or other foreign objects from affecting the charging or discharging of the individual batteries.

[0032] The battery unit includes an electrode component and an electrolyte, and the electrode component includes a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and a separator. The battery unit operates mainly 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, and the positive electrode active material layer is applied to the surface of the positive electrode collector. The positive electrode collector includes a positive electrode collector portion and a positive electrode protrusion portion protruding from the positive electrode collector portion. The positive electrode collector portion is coated with the positive electrode active material layer, and at least a part of the positive electrode protrusion portion is not coated with the positive electrode active material layer, and the positive electrode protrusion portion is a positive electrode tab. Taking a lithium ion battery as an example, the material of the positive electrode collector may be aluminum, the positive electrode active material layer includes a positive electrode active material, and the positive electrode active material may be lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, or lithium manganate. The negative electrode sheet includes a negative electrode collector and a negative electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode active material layer is applied to the surface of the negative electrode collector. The negative electrode collector includes a negative electrode collector and a negative electrode protrusion protruding from the negative electrode collector. The negative electrode collector is coated with a negative electrode active material layer, and at least a part of the negative electrode protrusion is not coated with the negative electrode active material layer, and the negative electrode protrusion is a negative electrode tab. The material of the negative electrode collector may be copper, and the negative electrode active material layer includes a negative electrode active material, and the negative electrode active material may be carbon or silicon. In order to ensure that the electrode is not melted even when a large current passes through, the number of positive electrode tabs is multiple and stacked, and the number of negative electrode tabs is multiple and stacked. The material of the separator may be PP (polypropylene, polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene, polyethylene), etc. The electrode component may be a winding structure or a stacking structure, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0033] The battery unit may further include a housing component having an internal chamber, the internal chamber being an enclosed space that the housing component provides for the electrode component and the electrolyte.

[0034] For the battery unit, the main safety hazard comes from the charging and discharging process, and at the same time, there is a suitable environmental temperature design. In order to effectively avoid unnecessary losses, the battery unit generally has at least three protection means. Specifically, the protection means at least include a switch element, a properly selected separator material, and a pressure release mechanism. The switch element is an element that stops the charging or discharging of the battery when the temperature or resistance inside the battery unit reaches a certain threshold. The separator is used to separate the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet, and when the temperature rises to a certain value, the micropores on the micron order (nano order) attached to it will automatically dissolve, preventing metal ions from passing through the separator, and the internal reaction of the battery unit can be terminated.

[0035] The inventor discovered that in the process of assembling a battery, after a plurality of battery units are stacked and installed along a first direction, the stacked and installed plurality of battery units cannot be further stacked and installed, so that the internal space of the power consumption device cannot be fully utilized, and the internal space of the battery becomes a problem of wasted space. In order to meet the demand for the amount of power per unit area, the battery units need to be stacked and installed in multiple layers after being stacked and installed along the first direction, but the assembly operation of stacking the plurality of battery units in multiple layers after being stacked and installed along the first direction is relatively complicated.

[0036] In response to the above problems discovered by the inventors, the inventors have improved the structure of the battery. The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are applicable to the battery and the power consuming device using the battery.

[0037] The battery may be an electrical cabinet or a battery pack.

[0038] The power consumption device may be a vehicle, an energy storage electric cabinet, a steamship, a spacecraft, an electric toy and an electric tool, etc. The vehicle may be a gasoline automobile, a gas automobile or a new energy automobile, and the new energy automobile may be a pure electric automobile, a hybrid automobile or a range extender type automobile, etc. The spacecraft includes an airplane, a rocket, a space shuttle and a spaceship, etc. The electric toy includes a stationary or mobile electric toy, such as a game machine, an electric car toy, an electric steamship toy and an electric airplane toy, etc. The electric tool includes a metal cutting electric tool, a grinding electric tool, an assembly electric tool and a railway electric tool, such as an electric drill, an electric grinder, an electric wrench, an electric screwdriver, an electric hammer, an impact driver, a concrete vibrator, an electric planer, etc. The embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited to the above power consumption device.

[0039] In order to facilitate the explanation of the following embodiment, the power consuming device will be described as a vehicle 1 as an example.

[0040] Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle 1 according to some embodiments of the present application. 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 tail of the vehicle 1. The battery 2 may be used to supply power to the vehicle 1, for example, the battery 2 may be used as an operating power source for the vehicle 1.

[0041] The vehicle 1 may further include a controller 4 and a motor 5, the controller 4 being used to control a battery 2 which powers the motor 5, for example for start-up, navigation and operating power consumption needs of the vehicle 1 during driving.

[0042] In some embodiments of the present application, the battery 2 can provide driving power 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, in place of or in place of gasoline or natural gas.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, each is a structural schematic diagram of a different battery 2 according to an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 shows an exploded schematic diagram of a single battery 3 in the battery 2 according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0044] In the battery 2, the number of the battery unit 3 may be one or more. When there are more than one battery unit 3, the multiple battery unit 3 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel. The series-parallel connection means that some of the multiple battery unit 3 are connected in series and some are connected in parallel. The multiple battery unit 3 may be directly connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to configure the multiple battery unit 3 as a whole. Of course, the multiple battery unit 3 may first be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to configure a battery module 21, and the multiple battery modules 21 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to form a whole.

[0045] The multiple individual batteries 3 in the battery module 21 can be electrically connected to each other by bus bar components (not shown), allowing the multiple individual batteries 3 in the battery module 21 to be connected in parallel, in series, or in series-parallel.

[0046] The battery unit 3 according to the embodiment of the present application includes a housing component 31 and an electrode component 32 housed within the housing component 31 .

[0047] In some embodiments, the housing component 31 may further be used to house an electrolyte, such as an electrolyte solution. The housing component 31 may be of multiple construction types.

[0048] In some embodiments, the housing component 31 may include a housing 311 and a cover component 312, where the housing 311 is a hollow structure open on one side, and the cover component 312 caps the open portion of the housing 311 to form a sealed connection and form a chamber for containing the electrode component 32 and the electrolyte.

[0049] In some embodiments, the cover component 312 includes an end cover 3121 that caps an open portion of the housing 311. The end cover 3121 may have various structures, for example, the end cover 3121 is a plate-like structure, a hollow structure with one end open, etc. Illustratively, in FIG. 4, the housing 311 is a rectangular parallelepiped structure, the end cover 3121 is a plate-like structure, and the end cover 3121 is capped at an open portion at the top of the housing 311.

[0050] The end cover 3121 may be made of an insulating material (e.g., plastic) or a conductive material (e.g., metal). When the end cover 3121 is made of a metal material, the cover component 312 may further include an insulator located on one side of the end cover 3121 facing the electrode component 32 to insulate and separate the end cover 3121 and the electrode component 32.

[0051] In some embodiments, the cover component 312 may further include an electrode terminal 3122 attached on the end cover 3121. There are two electrode terminals 3122, and the two electrode terminals 3122 are defined as a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, respectively, and both the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are electrically connected to the electrode component 32 and used to output electrical energy by the electrode component 32.

[0052] In some other embodiments, the housing component 31 may have other structures, for example, the housing component 31 includes a housing 311 and two cover components 312, the housing 311 is a hollow structure with openings on both opposing sides, and one cover component 312 is capped corresponding to one opening of the housing 311 to form a hermetically sealed connection and form a receiving chamber for receiving the electrode component 32 and the electrolyte. In such a structure, two electrode terminals 3122 may be provided on one cover component 312, but no electrode terminals 3122 may be provided on another cover component 312, or one electrode terminal 3122 may be provided on each of the two cover components 312.

[0053] In the single battery 3, the number of electrode components 32 housed in the housing component 31 may be one or more. Illustratively, there are two electrode components 32 in FIG.

[0054] In a battery 2 according to an embodiment of the present application, the battery 2 includes a plurality of battery modules 21, and each battery module 21 includes a plurality of individual batteries 3 arranged in a stacked manner along a first direction X. The individual batteries 3 have a first end face 3121a and a second end face 311a arranged opposite each other along a second direction Y, and an electrode terminal 3122 is arranged on the first end face 3121a. The plurality of battery modules 21 are arranged in a stacked manner along a third direction Z. The first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

[0055] The first direction X and the second direction Y are directions determined based on the structure of the battery units 3 and the mounting positional relationship, and different battery modules 21 are installed in a stacked manner along the third direction Z. The battery modules 21 in different layers along the third direction Z can be installed such that the orientation of the first direction X is the same and the orientation of the second direction Y is also the same. The first directions X of the battery modules 21 in different layers along the third direction Z may be perpendicular to each other, and the second directions Y may also be perpendicular to each other.

[0056] Each battery module 21 includes a plurality of battery units 3 that are stacked along the first direction X, and the plurality of battery units 3 may be distributed in a single row or in a plurality of rows.

[0057] 5 shows an embodiment in which a plurality of battery elements 3 are distributed in two rows. FIG. 6 is an exploded schematic view of FIG.

[0058] The battery units 3 are arranged so as to be stacked along the first direction X, and the electrode terminals 3122 are arranged on one side of the battery unit 3 facing each other along the second direction Y, but the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular to each other, that is, the stacking direction of the battery units 3 and the orientation of the electrode terminals 3122 on the battery unit 3 are perpendicular to each other, making it easy for the battery units 3 to be stacked and arranged along the first direction X.

[0059] In some examples, the electrode terminal 3122 is provided only on the first end surface 3121a, and the electrode terminal 3122 includes a positive terminal and a negative terminal, both of which are provided on the first end surface 3121a.

[0060] In some other embodiments, an electrode terminal 3122 is provided on the first end surface 3121a, and an electrode terminal 3122 is provided on the second end surface 311a, and a positive terminal and a negative terminal are respectively provided on one of the first end surface 3121a and the second end surface 311a.

[0061] The battery units 3 stacked and installed along the first direction X may be connected to each other by an adhesive, directly attached to each other, or installed with a gap between them. The battery modules 21 stacked and installed along the third direction Z may be installed with a gap between them by an intermediate object, or may be installed without a gap between them by an intermediate object.

[0062] In the battery 2 according to the embodiment of the present application, the individual batteries 3 are stacked in the first direction X to form a battery module 21, and the battery modules 21 are stacked in the third direction Z, so that an appropriate number of individual batteries 3 are installed in the first direction X and an appropriate size and number of battery modules 21 are installed in the third direction Z based on the spatial layout inside the power consumption device, such as the vehicle 1, to fully utilize the space in the first direction X and the third direction Z and improve the electric capacity of the battery 2. In addition, since the orientation of the electrode terminals 3122 is different from the stacking direction of the individual batteries 3 and the stacking direction of the battery modules 21, it is possible to save the gaps along the stacking direction of the individual batteries 3 and the gaps along the stacking direction of the battery modules 21, and effectively improve the volumetric energy density of the battery 2.

[0063] In some embodiments, each battery module 21 includes a plurality of battery packs 211 arranged side by side along the second direction Y, and each battery pack 211 includes a plurality of battery units 3 stacked and installed along the first direction X, and the second end faces 311a of the battery units 3 of two adjacent battery packs 211 are installed facing each other.

[0064] By installing the battery module 21 so as to include a plurality of sets of assembled batteries 211 arranged side by side along the second direction Y, the space in the second direction Y of the power consuming device, for example, the vehicle 1, can be fully utilized, the space utilization rate in the second direction Y can be improved, and the electric capacity of the battery 2 can be improved. However, by installing the second end faces 311a of the single batteries 3 of two adjacent assembled batteries 211 so as to face each other, that is, by installing the electrode terminals 3122 of the single batteries 3 of the two adjacent assembled batteries 211 so as to face in opposite directions, it becomes easy to arrange the two adjacent assembled batteries 211 more closely, and it is advantageous to improve the space utilization rate of the assembled batteries 211 along the second direction Y. At the same time, it is possible to more conveniently assemble the batteries 2 and to more conveniently attach components such as a sampling wire harness.

[0065] In some embodiments, the side walls of the housing 311 of the single battery unit 3 include two first side walls 311b arranged opposite each other and two second side walls 311c arranged opposite each other, wherein the area of ​​the first side walls 311b is larger than the area of ​​the second side walls 311c, and the first side walls 311b are perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0066] The first side wall 311b is installed so as to be perpendicular to the first direction X, i.e., the first side wall 311b is installed so as to be perpendicular to the stacking direction of the single battery cells 3, and the first side walls 311b of adjacent single battery cells 3 are installed adjacent to each other along the first direction X. However, the area of ​​the first side wall 311b is larger than the area of ​​the second side wall 311c, i.e., the first side wall 311b is a surface of the single battery cell 3 having a relatively large area, so that the surfaces of the relatively large areas of adjacent single battery cells 3 stacked along the first direction X are installed adjacent to each other, which is advantageous for improving the structural stability of the assembled battery 211 formed by the single battery cells 3, and further for improving the structural stability of the battery module 21 and the batteries 2.

[0067] In some embodiments, the maximum size of the battery module 21 along one direction is L1, and the maximum size along the second direction Y is L2, where L1=L2.

[0068] The maximum size L1 of the battery module 21 along the first direction X is the longest distance connecting any two points along the first direction X of the battery module 21, and similarly, the maximum size of the battery module 21 along the second direction Y is L2, that is, the longest distance connecting any two points along the second direction Y of the battery module 21. By setting L1=L2, the rectangular envelope of the orthogonal projection perpendicular to the third direction Z of the battery module 21 can be a square, and the orientation of the electrode terminals 3122 of the individual batteries 3 of the battery module 21 can be set differently as needed, which is advantageous in improving the flexibility of the arrangement of the battery module 21.

[0069] In some embodiments, the second end faces 311a of the battery cells 3 of adjacent battery modules 21 are perpendicular to each other.

[0070] The second end faces 311a of the battery units 3 of adjacent battery modules 21 are arranged perpendicular to each other, i.e., the stacking directions of the battery units 3 of adjacent battery modules 21, i.e., the first direction X, are arranged perpendicular to each other. In this way, when the battery 2 is subjected to vibration or impact load, the modules of adjacent battery 2 are less likely to cause problems such as deformation or shifting, which is advantageous in improving the bonding strength between adjacent battery modules 21 and further improving the structural strength of the entire battery 2.

[0071] In some embodiments, L1=L2, and the second end faces 311a of the battery units 3 of adjacent battery modules 21 are arranged perpendicular to each other, thus improving the structural strength of the battery 2 and maximizing the space utilization rate of the battery 2 in the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0072] In some embodiments, the battery 2 further includes a stiffening plate 22 disposed between adjacent battery modules 21 .

[0073] Specifically, the reinforcing plate 22 may be installed between two adjacent battery modules 21 and on the outside of the outermost battery module 21 along the third direction Z, and the reinforcing plate 22 may be attached to the adjacent battery module 21, or may be installed at intervals along the third direction Z. By installing the reinforcing plate 22 in this manner, when the battery 2 is subjected to an external load such as vibration or impact, part of the load is received by the reinforcing plate 22, improving the load-bearing capacity of the battery 2 and making the battery 2 less susceptible to problems such as deformation and shifting, thereby improving the overall structural strength of the battery 2.

[0074] The reinforcing plate 22 may be a simple plate-like structure, and functions only to enhance the structural strength of the battery 2. In addition, the reinforcing plate 22 may have a corresponding structure by further integrating other functions, such as cooling.

[0075] In some embodiments, a flow passage (not shown) is formed in the reinforcing plate 22, and the flow passage contains a fluid for exchanging heat with the battery module 21.

[0076] Specifically, the fluid may be a liquid or a gas, and may be anything that can flow through the flow path and exchange heat with the battery module 21.

[0077] As can be understood, the battery module 21 itself needs to be maintained within a reasonable temperature range to operate better, and the fluid can be provided to have an appropriate temperature so that the fluid can heat or cool the battery module 21. In some embodiments, the battery 2 operates in an extremely cold environment, and the battery module 21 can only be properly operated by heating it. Therefore, a reasonable temperature of the fluid can be provided so that the battery module 21 can be heated in the process of flowing the fluid through the flow path.

[0078] In some other embodiments, when the battery 2 is operating in a normal environment, the battery module 21 needs to be cooled to ensure its normal operation, so a reasonable temperature of the fluid can be set so that the battery module 21 can be cooled during the process of the fluid flowing through the flow path.

[0079] In order to exchange heat between the fluid and the outside and to keep the fluid flowing inside the reinforcing plate 22 always within the corresponding temperature range, the flow paths in each reinforcing plate 22 may be installed so as to be directly connected to the associated piping 23 outside the battery 2, or the flow paths of some or all of the reinforcing plates 22 within the battery 2 may be installed so as to be connected to each other and then commonly connected to the outside.

[0080] In some embodiments, the battery 2 further includes a pipe 23 for communicating the flow paths of adjacent reinforcing plates 22 along the third direction Z.

[0081] Specifically, the flow paths of the reinforcing plate 22 inside the battery 2 are connected to the associated piping 23 outside the battery 2, facilitating heat exchange between the fluid in the flow paths and the outside. By installing in this manner, it is possible to simplify the structure in which the flow paths in the reinforcing plate 22 are connected to the outside.

[0082] In the process of assembling the battery unit 3 into the battery pack 211 or the battery 2 module, the battery unit 3 may be directly loaded or may be assembled together with the battery unit 3 by other structure.

[0083] In some embodiments, the battery module 21 further includes end plates 212 installed on both sides of the stacked battery units 3 along the first direction X. The battery 2 further includes a frame 24 installed around the outer periphery of the battery module 21, and the end plates 212 connect the battery module 21 and the frame 24.

[0084] Specifically, the end plates 212 are installed on both sides of the assembled battery 211 or the battery 2 module along the stacking direction of the unitary batteries 3. Each battery 2 module may correspond to two end plates 212, and each assembled battery 211 may be installed corresponding to two end plates 212. The end plates 212 are advantageous for assembling the unitary batteries 3 in the process of stacking and installing the unitary batteries 3, and the end plates 212 play a role in protecting the unitary batteries 3, reducing the risk of the unitary batteries 3 being damaged during assembly. However, installing the frame 24 can further protect the battery module 21 and improve the service life of the battery module 21.

[0085] As can be seen, in an embodiment where the end plate 212 is a part of the battery module 21 and the battery module 21 is installed such that L1=L2, the maximum size L1 of the battery module 21 along the first direction X and the maximum size L2 of the battery module 21 along the first direction X are the maximum sizes along the first direction X and the second direction Y, respectively, after the battery unit 3 and the end plate 212 are combined, and by installing in this manner, the structure after the battery unit 3 and the end plate 212 are assembled has a rectangular envelope.

[0086] The end plate 212 and the frame 24 may be in direct contact with each other, may be connected by a screw, or may be connected by an engagement.

[0087] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a local enlarged view of the connection structure between the frame 24 and the end plate 212. As shown in FIG.

[0088] In some embodiments, the end plate 212 is formed with a first boss 212a and the frame 24 is formed with a second boss 24b, which is matingly connected to the first boss 212a.

[0089] Specifically, the first boss 212a and the second boss 24b may be simultaneously protruded toward the first direction X or simultaneously protruded toward the second direction Y. As shown in Fig. 7, during the mounting process, the frame 24 is fitted to the periphery of the battery module 21, and the frame 24 is moved along the third direction Z to gradually bring the second boss 24b closer to the first boss 212a from the upper side of the first boss 212a, and when the two are partially overlapped in the first direction X, a tight fit is formed, and the second boss 24b continues to move along the third direction Z, and stops biasing the frame 24 until the second boss 24b passes through the first boss 212a and is positioned below the first boss 212a, and due to the locking action of the first boss 212a on the second boss 24b, the second boss 24b cannot return to the upper side of the first boss 212a unless an external force is applied, that is, the engagement connection between the first boss 212a and the second boss 24b is completed.

[0090] As can be understood, by setting up the engagement connection between the end plate 212 and the frame 24, it is possible to ensure that the end plate 212 and the frame 24 have a certain connection strength, and at the same time, it is possible to reduce the possibility of reducing the internal sealing of the battery 2 by setting up structures such as connection holes.

[0091] One battery module 21 of a battery 2 may be installed to correspond to one frame 24, or multiple or all battery modules 21 of a battery 2 may be installed to correspond to one frame 24, and this is not limited thereto.

[0092] In some embodiments, the battery 2 includes a plurality of frames 24 arranged in a stack along the third direction Z, and adjacent frames 24 along the third direction Z are hermetically connected.

[0093] One frame 24 may be installed only around one battery module 21, i.e., one frame 24 may be installed to correspond to one battery module 21, or one frame 24 may be installed around multiple battery modules 21, i.e., one frame 24 may be installed to correspond to multiple battery modules 21, and may be reasonably selected according to specific application circumstances. Adjacent frames 24 may be hermetically connected by applying a sealant, or a seal may be installed between them to achieve a hermetically connected connection. By installing adjacent frames 24 to be hermetically connected, it is possible to effectively prevent external water, oxygen, etc. from entering the inside of the battery module 21, and further reduce the possibility that external water or oxygen may cause a certain corrosion of the battery unit 3.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 8, it is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to another embodiment of the present application.

[0095] In some embodiments, the battery 2 further includes a mounting rack 25 , and the plurality of battery modules 21 are connected to the mounting rack 25 by a frame 24 .

[0096] Specifically, the overall structural pattern of the mounting rack 25 matches the overall structural pattern of the loaded battery modules 21. The battery modules 21 are installed so as to be connected to the mounting rack 25 by the frame 24, and the mounting rack 25 serves as a support structure for the battery modules 21, supporting the weight of the battery modules 21. When the batteries 2 are subjected to an impact, the mounting rack 25 blocks some of the impact and vibration load for the battery modules 21, reducing the possibility that the battery modules 21 will be damaged by external impact and vibration. Therefore, the installation of the frame 24 is advantageous in improving the overall structural strength of the batteries 2, facilitating the transportation and installation of the batteries 2, and improving the service life of the batteries 2.

[0097] In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the mounting rack 25 is formed with a mounting plate 251, and two adjacent layers of frames 24 are connected by the mounting plate 251.

[0098] The mounting plate 251 may be a straight plate, or an "L" shaped or other shaped plate, and may connect adjacent beam layer frames 24.

[0099] The mounting plate 251 may be integrally formed with the mounting rack 25 during the manufacturing process of the mounting rack 25, or may be separately formed and then attached to the mounting rack 25, and there is no limitation thereto.

[0100] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, the mounting plate 251 can be installed such that it has a first mounting hole 251a and the frame 24 has a second mounting hole 24a, and two adjacent frames 24 can be installed on either side of the mounting plate 251 along the third direction Z, and the two adjacent frames 24 can be installed such that they are connected to the first mounting hole 251a on the mounting plate 251 by the second mounting hole 24a.

[0101] As can be seen, the mounting rack 25 is formed with a mounting plate 251, and the mounting plate 251 is installed so that it is connected to the battery module 21 by the frame 24, so that an appropriate position for the connection plate can be set in advance based on the mounting positions of the frame 24 and the battery module 21. In this way, it is easy to set the positions of the battery module 21 and the frame 24, the possibility of misalignment or deformation occurring in the process of connecting the battery module 21 and the frame 24 to the mounting rack 25 is avoided, installation errors are reduced, and it is advantageous for improving the sealing of the battery 2.

[0102] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a unit cell 3 according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0103] A method for manufacturing the battery 2 according to an embodiment of the present application includes:

[0104] S10 provides a plurality of battery units 3, each of which has a first end face 3121a and a second end face 311a arranged opposite each other along a second direction Y, and an electrode terminal 3122 is arranged on the first end face 3121a.

[0105] S20, a plurality of battery units 3 are stacked and arranged along a first direction X to form a battery module 21.

[0106] S30, a plurality of battery modules 21 are stacked and installed along a third direction Z, where the first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

[0107] For the relevant structure of the battery 2 manufactured by the manufacturing method for the battery 2 described above, reference may be made to the battery 2 according to each of the above-described embodiments.

[0108] FIG. 12 is an example block diagram of a system 100 for manufacturing a battery 2 according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 12, a battery 2 manufacturing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application includes: The provision module 110 includes a provision module 110 for providing a plurality of battery units 3, the battery units 3 having a first end face 3121a and a second end face 311a arranged opposite each other along a second direction Y, and an electrode terminal 3122 arranged on the first end face 3121a, a first assembly module 120 for stacking and installing the plurality of battery units 3 along the first direction X to form a battery module 21, and a second assembly module 130 for stacking and installing the plurality of assembly modules along a third direction Z, the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z being perpendicular to each other.

[0110] For the relevant structure of the battery 2 manufactured by the manufacturing system 100, refer to the battery 2 according to each of the above embodiments.

[0111] In addition, if there is no conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments in this application may be combined with each other.

[0112] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to describe the technical solutions of the present application, but are not limited thereto. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art may still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments or make equivalent replacements to parts or technical features thereof, but it should be understood that 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1, vehicle; 2, battery; 21, battery module; 211, battery pack; 212, end plate; 212a, first boss; 22, reinforcing plate; 23, piping; 24, frame; 24a, second mounting hole; 24b, second boss; 25, mounting rack; 251, mounting plate; 251a, first mounting hole; 3, battery unit; 31, housing component; 311, housing; 311a, second end surface; 311b, first side wall; 311c, second side wall; 312, cover component; 3121, end cover; 3121a, first end surface; 3122, electrode terminal; 32, electrode component; 4, controller; 5, motor; 100, manufacturing system; 110, providing module; 120, first assembly module; 130, second assembly module; X, first direction; Y, second direction; Z, third direction. In the accompanying drawings, the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Claims

1. A battery, a plurality of battery modules, each of the battery modules including a plurality of individual batteries stacked and installed along a first direction, the individual batteries being installed opposite each other along a second direction and having a first end face and a second end face perpendicular to the second direction, an electrode terminal being installed on the first end face; the plurality of battery modules being stacked and installed along a third direction, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction being perpendicular to each other; The side walls of the housing of the single battery unit include two first side walls arranged opposite to each other and two second side walls arranged opposite to each other, and an area of ​​the first side walls is larger than an area of ​​the second side walls, and the first side walls are perpendicular to the first direction; A battery, wherein the stacking directions of the battery units of adjacent battery modules are perpendicular to each other.

2. 2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein each of the battery modules includes a plurality of battery packs arranged side by side along the second direction, each of the battery packs includes a plurality of the battery units stacked along the first direction, and the second end faces of the battery units of two adjacent battery packs are arranged opposite each other.

3. The maximum size of the battery module along the first direction is L １ and the maximum size along the second direction is L ２ And L １ = L ２ 3. The battery according to claim 1 or 2,

4. The battery according to claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing plate disposed between two adjacent battery modules.

5. The battery according to claim 4 , wherein a flow path is formed in the reinforcing plate, and a fluid for exchanging heat with the battery module is contained in the flow path.

6. The battery according to claim 5 , further comprising a pipe for communicating the flow paths of the reinforcing plates adjacent to each other along the third direction.

7. the battery module further includes end plates installed on both sides of the plurality of stacked battery units along the first direction, The battery according to claim 1 , further comprising a frame disposed around an outer periphery of the battery module, the end plate connecting the battery module and the frame.

8. 8. The battery of claim 7, wherein the end plate has a first boss formed thereon and the frame has a second boss formed thereon, the first boss being matingly connected to the second boss.

9. The battery according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the battery includes a plurality of the frames stacked and arranged along the third direction, and adjacent frames along the third direction are hermetically connected.

10. The battery of claim 7 , further comprising a mounting rack, the plurality of battery modules being connected to the mounting rack by a frame.

11. The battery of claim 10 , wherein the mounting rack is formed with a mounting plate, and two adjacent layers of the frames are connected by the mounting plate.

12. 12. A power consuming device including a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 11, said battery being adapted to provide electrical energy to the power consuming device.

13. A method for manufacturing a battery, comprising: A method for manufacturing a battery comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of battery units, each of which is disposed opposite to each other along a second direction, each of which has a first end face and a second end face perpendicular to the second direction, and each of which has an electrode terminal disposed on the first end face; forming a battery module by stacking a plurality of the battery units along a first direction; A plurality of the battery modules are stacked and installed along a third direction, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction being perpendicular to each other; The side walls of the housing of the single battery unit include two first side walls arranged opposite to each other and two second side walls arranged opposite to each other, and an area of ​​the first side walls is larger than an area of ​​the second side walls, and the first side walls are perpendicular to the first direction; The stacking directions of the battery units of adjacent battery modules are perpendicular to each other.

14. 1. A battery manufacturing system, comprising: a provision module for providing a plurality of single batteries, the single batteries being disposed opposite each other along a second direction, each having a first end surface and a second end surface perpendicular to the second direction, and an electrode terminal being disposed on the first end surface; a first assembly module for forming a battery module by stacking and installing a plurality of the battery units along a first direction; a second assembly module for stacking and installing a plurality of the assembly modules along a third direction, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction being perpendicular to each other; The side walls of the housing of the single battery unit include two first side walls arranged opposite to each other and two second side walls arranged opposite to each other, and an area of ​​the first side walls is larger than an area of ​​the second side walls, and the first side walls are perpendicular to the first direction; A battery manufacturing system, wherein the stacking directions of the battery units of adjacent battery modules are perpendicular to each other.

Images