Battery cells, batteries and electrical equipment

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application provide a battery cell, a battery, and an electrical device with higher space utilization, the battery cell including a first surface having a first region of an edge recessed into a first recess, a second surface used for providing a first electrode terminal of the battery cell, the first surface and the second surface being perpendicular to a first direction, and a first electrode terminal protruding from the second surface in the first direction and facing the first recess, the depth of the first recess being greater than the height of the first electrode terminal, and the projected area of ​​the first recess on the first surface being greater than the projected area of ​​the first electrode terminal on the first surface.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This application claims priority to a Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on October 22, 2021, bearing application number 202122559769.5 and titled "Battery Cell, Battery and Electrical Equipment", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to battery cells, batteries and electrical equipment. [Background technology]

[0002] Energy saving and emission reduction are the keys to the sustainable development of the automotive industry. In this case, electric vehicles have become an important part of the sustainable development of the automotive industry due to their energy saving and environmentally friendly advantages. In the case of electric vehicles, battery technology is a key factor in their development.

[0003] To meet the fast pace of people's mobility, batteries need to be able to be charged quickly when in use. This requires the capacity of the battery cells to be increased. This may change the size of the battery cells, which will take up more storage space. Thus, how to improve the space utilization rate of the battery cells has become an issue that needs to be resolved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The present application provides a battery cell, a battery, and an electrical device that can increase the space utilization rate of the battery cell.

[0005] In a first aspect,

[0006] a first surface having a first region of an edge recessed into the first surface;

[0007] a second surface used for providing a first electrode terminal of a battery cell, the first surface and the second surface being perpendicular to a first direction;

[0008] a first electrode terminal protruding from the second surface in the first direction and facing the first recess,

[0009] A battery cell is provided in which, in the first direction, a depth of the first recess is greater than a height of the first electrode terminal, and a projected area of ​​the first recess on the first surface is greater than a projected area of ​​the first electrode terminal on the first surface.

[0010] According to this technical solution, a first recess is provided on an edge of a first surface of a battery cell, and a first electrode terminal of the battery cell is protruded onto a second surface opposite to the first surface. Therefore, when a plurality of battery cells are arranged along the protruding direction of the first electrode terminals, the first recess of another battery cell adjacent to the battery cell can accommodate the first electrode terminal of the battery cell, and the first electrode terminal of the battery cell does not need to take up additional space, thereby improving the space utilization rate of the battery cells.

[0011] In a possible embodiment, the difference between a dimension of the battery cell and a dimension of the first recess in the battery cell in the first direction is 2 mm or more.

[0012] In this embodiment, the battery cell has a dimension of 2 mm or more at a position corresponding to the first recess along a first direction in which the multiple battery cells are arranged so as to ensure accommodation space for components such as adapter components, plastic sheets, and electrode assemblies inside the battery cell while satisfying the dimensional requirements of the first recess.

[0013] In a possible embodiment, the first recess has a dimension along a second direction on the first surface that is 12 mm or more, the second direction being perpendicular to a third surface of the battery cell, and the third surface being perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface.

[0014] In this embodiment, since it is necessary to provide space for the first electrode terminal and its insulating coating layer, the rivet block of the battery cell, and the positioning of the rivet tool, the dimension along the second direction of the first recess of the battery cell on the first surface should be set within a reasonable range, for example, 12 mm or more.

[0015] In a possible embodiment, the first recess has a dimension along a third direction in the first surface that is 15 mm or more, the third direction being perpendicular to the first and second directions.

[0016] In a possible embodiment, the battery cell includes a case for housing an electrode assembly of the battery cell and an end cap covering the case to enclose the electrode assembly within the case, a bottom wall of the case forming the first surface of the battery cell and the end cap forming the second surface of the battery cell.

[0017] In a possible embodiment, the area of ​​the end cap corresponding to the electrode assembly protrudes away from the case to form a recessed groove on the side of the end cap facing the case.

[0018] In a possible embodiment, the recess is used to position the electrode assembly when it is assembled.

[0019] In a possible embodiment, the contour line between the edge region of the end cap and the recessed groove is used to position a welding track when welding the case and the end cap together.

[0020] In this embodiment, the area of ​​the end cap corresponding to the electrode assembly of the battery cell protrudes away from the case to form a groove on the side of the end cap facing the case, such that when the electrode assembly is assembled, the groove can not only position the electrode assembly, but also when the end cap is welded to the case, the contour line between the edge area of ​​the end cap and the groove can position the welding track.

[0021] In a possible embodiment, the depth of the groove is between 0.4 mm and 3 mm.

[0022] In this embodiment, the depth of the groove should not be too large so as not to affect the position of the welding tool during welding, and should not be too small to achieve the above-mentioned functions, so it is preferable that it is 0.4 to 3 mm.

[0023] In a possible embodiment, the distance between the contour line and the welding track is greater than 0.5 mm.

[0024] In a possible embodiment, a second region of an edge of the first surface is recessed as a second recess, the first region is located at a first end of the first surface in a second direction, the second region is located at a second end of the first surface in the second direction, a second electrode terminal of the battery cell protrudes from the second surface of the battery cell in the first direction and faces the second recess, and the second electrode terminal and the first electrode terminal have opposite polarities, wherein in the first direction, a depth of the second recess is greater than a height of the second electrode terminal, and a projected area of ​​the second recess on the first surface is greater than a projected area of ​​the second electrode terminal on the first surface.

[0025] In this embodiment, in addition to the first region of the edge of the first surface of the battery cell being recessed as the first recess, the battery cell further includes a second recess and a second electrode terminal. Here, the second region of the edge of the first surface of the battery cell is recessed as the second recess, and the second electrode terminal of the battery cell is protruded on a second surface opposite to the first surface. Therefore, when a plurality of battery cells are arranged along the protruding direction of the second electrode terminal, the second recess of another battery cell adjacent to the battery is formed in the second electrode terminal of the battery cell. Child Can accommodate, The second electrode terminal This improves the space utilization of the battery cells since no additional space is required.

[0026] In a second aspect, there is provided a battery comprising a battery cell according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect.

[0027] In a third aspect, there is provided a battery comprising a battery cell according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect.

[0028] In a fourth aspect, there is provided an electrical installation comprising a battery cell according to the first aspect or any possible embodiment of the first aspect for supplying electricity. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] In order to more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly describes the drawings to be used in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can further obtain other drawings based on these drawings without creative efforts.

[0030] [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0031] [Diagram 2] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0032] [Diagram 3]1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] [Figure 4] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] [Diagram 5] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0035] [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of a case in which adjacent battery cells are connected via a bus bar member according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0036] [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic diagram of a bus member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic diagram of a bus member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram of a bus member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] [Figure 10] 1 is a schematic diagram of a bus member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] [Figure 11] 4 is a schematic dimensional diagram of a bus bar member according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG.

[0041] [Figure 12] 4 is a schematic dimensional diagram of a bus bar member according to an embodiment of the present application. FIG.

[0042] [Figure 13] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] [Figure 14]2 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell grouping process according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a side view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0045] [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a side view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0046] [Figure 17] 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a groove in an end cap of a battery cell in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; FIG.

[0047] In the drawings, the drawings are not drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0048] The following will further describe the embodiments of the present application with reference to the drawings and examples. The detailed description of the following examples and the drawings are used to illustratively explain the principles of the present application, but cannot be used to limit the scope of the present application, i.e., the present application is not limited to the described examples.

[0049] In the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more, and the orientation or positional relationship of terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", etc., is intended only to facilitate and simplify the description of this application, and does not indicate or imply that the devices or elements shown have a particular orientation, are configured, or must operate in a particular orientation, and should not be understood as limiting this application. Also, terms such as "first", "second", "third", etc., are merely descriptive in purpose, and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. "Perpendicular" is not strictly perpendicular, but has a margin of error. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but has a margin of error.

[0050] All directional terms appearing in the following description are directional terms shown in the drawings and do not limit the specific structure of the present application. In the description of the present application, unless otherwise specified or limited, technical terms such as "attached", "connected", and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may be fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrated, and may be directly connected or indirectly connected via an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in the present application according to the specific situation.

[0051] The term "and / or" in this application merely describes the relationship between related objects, and means that there are three possible relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean three cases: simply A, both A and B, and simply B. In addition, " / " in this text generally indicates that the related objects before and after have an "or" relationship.

[0052] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present application. The terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof in the specification, claims and brief description of the drawings of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. The terms "first", "second" and the like in the specification, claims or drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to indicate a particular order or subordinate relationship.

[0053] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a combination of a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The term appears in various places in the present application not all necessarily referring to the same embodiment, nor does it mean that the embodiment is mutually exclusive, independent, or an alternative embodiment to other embodiments. It is understood by those skilled in the art, either explicitly or implicitly, that the embodiment described in the present application can be combined with other embodiments.

[0054] Although the present application has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made and the elements may be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present application. In particular, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment may be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural contradiction. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions within the scope of the claims.

[0055] In this application, a battery is a physical module that includes one or more battery cells for supplying electricity. For example, a battery in this application may include a battery module or a battery pack. A battery typically includes a housing for packaging one or more battery cells. The housing can prevent liquids and other foreign objects from affecting the charging and discharging of the battery cells.

[0056] Alternatively, the battery cells may include lithium ion secondary batteries, lithium ion primary batteries, lithium sulfur batteries, sodium lithium ion batteries, sodium ion batteries, magnesium ion batteries, etc., and examples of the present application are not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the battery cells are also referred to as battery cores.

[0057] The battery cell includes an electrode assembly consisting of a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and a separator, and an electrolyte. The battery cell is mainly operated by the movement of metal ions between the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet. The positive electrode sheet includes a positive electrode collector and a positive electrode active material layer, the positive electrode active material layer is applied to the surface of the positive electrode collector, the current collector on which the positive electrode active material layer is not applied protrudes from the current collector on which the positive electrode active material layer is applied, and the current collector on which the positive electrode active material layer is not applied is a positive electrode tab. Taking a lithium-ion battery as an example, the material of the positive electrode collector may be aluminum, and the positive electrode active material may be lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, or lithium manganate, etc. The negative electrode sheet includes a negative electrode collector and a negative electrode active material layer, the negative electrode active material layer is applied to the surface of the negative electrode collector, the current collector on which the negative electrode active material layer is not applied protrudes from the current collector on which the negative electrode active material layer is applied, and the current collector on which the negative electrode active material layer is not applied is a negative electrode tab. The material of the negative electrode collector may be copper, and the negative electrode active material may be carbon, silicon, or the like. The positive electrode tab is formed by stacking a plurality of pieces, and the negative electrode tab is formed by stacking a plurality of pieces, so that a large current can pass without melting. The material of the separator may be polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE), or the like. In addition, the electrode assembly may be a wound type structure or a stacked type structure, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0058] In order to meet different power needs, multiple battery cells of a battery can be connected in parallel / series / series-parallel, and series-parallel connection refers to a mixture of parallel and series connections. Alternatively, multiple battery cells can be connected in parallel / series / series-parallel to form a battery module, and then multiple battery modules can be connected in parallel / series / series-parallel to form a battery. That is, multiple battery cells can directly form a battery, or a battery module can be formed, and then the battery module can form a battery. The battery is further installed in an electrical equipment to supply electricity to the electrical equipment.

[0059] The battery housing may further include a signal transmission assembly. The signal transmission assembly may be used to transmit signals such as the voltage and / or temperature of the battery cells. The signal transmission assembly may include a busbar member for realizing an electrical connection between multiple battery cells, for example, a parallel connection / series connection / series-parallel connection. The busbar member enables the electrical connection between the battery cells by connecting to the electrode terminals of the battery cells. In some embodiments, the busbar member may be fixed to the electrode terminals of the battery cells by welding. The busbar member transmits the voltage of the battery cells, and when multiple battery cells are connected in series, the voltage becomes high, and accordingly, the electrical connection formed by the busbar member is also called a "high voltage connection".

[0060] In addition to the busbar member, the signal transmission assembly may further include a sensing member for sensing the state of the battery cell. For example, the sensing member may be used to measure and transmit sensing signals such as the temperature, charge state, etc. of the battery cell. In the embodiment of the present application, the electrical connection member in the battery may include the busbar member and / or the sensing member.

[0061] The bus bar member and the sensing member can be encapsulated in an insulating layer to form a signal transmission assembly. Correspondingly, the signal transmission assembly can be used to transmit the voltage and / or sensing signal of the battery cell. The signal transmission assembly does not have an insulating layer at the connection with the electrode terminal of the battery cell, i.e., the insulating layer here has an opening for connection with the electrode terminal of the battery cell.

[0062] The development of battery technology must simultaneously consider performance parameters such as energy density, cycle life, discharge capacity, charge / discharge ratio, etc. It is also necessary to consider the space utilization rate of the battery cell in order to reduce the volume of the battery and expand the application scenarios of the battery.

[0063] In view of this, the present application provides a technical solution in which a recess is provided at an edge of a first surface of a battery cell, and an electrode terminal of the battery cell is provided at a corresponding position on a second surface opposite to the first surface. For adjacent first and second battery cells, the recess of the second battery cell can be used to accommodate the electrode terminal of the first battery cell, so that the electrode terminal does not need to take up additional space. If the bus bar member is made to bypass the side wall of the second battery cell and both ends of the bus bar member are connected to the electrode terminals of the first and second battery cells, respectively, an electrical connection between the two battery cells can be realized.

[0064] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various devices that use batteries, such as mobile phones, portable devices, laptops, electric bicycles, electric toys, power tools, electric vehicles, ships, and spacecraft, for example, spacecraft including airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, spaceships, etc.

[0065] It should be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are applicable not only to the above-mentioned devices but also to all devices that use batteries. For the sake of simplicity, however, the following embodiments are all described using electric vehicles as examples.

[0066] For example, FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The vehicle 1 may be a gasoline vehicle, a natural gas vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a range extender electric vehicle, etc. A motor 40, a controller 30, and a battery 10 may be provided inside the vehicle 1. The controller 30 is for controlling the power supply of the battery 10 to the motor 40. For example, the battery 10 may be provided at the bottom, head, or rear of the vehicle 1. The battery 10 is applied to power the vehicle 1, and for example, the battery 10 can be used as an operating power source for the vehicle 1 and for the circuit system of the vehicle 1, for example, as a working power source when starting, navigating, and running the vehicle 1. In another embodiment of the present application, the battery 10 can provide driving force to the vehicle 1 not only as an operating power source for the vehicle 1, but also as a driving power source for the vehicle 1 as a replacement or partial replacement for gasoline or natural gas.

[0067] The battery 10 may include a plurality of battery cells. For example, FIG. 2 shows a structural schematic diagram of the battery 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. The battery 10 may include at least one battery module 200. The battery module 200 includes a plurality of battery cells 20. The battery 10 may further include a housing 11 having a hollow structure, and the plurality of battery cells 20 may be accommodated in the housing 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 11 may include two parts, which are referred to herein as a first part 111 (upper housing) and a second part 112 (lower housing), respectively, and the first part 111 and the second part 112 are fitted together. The shapes of the first part 111 and the second part 112 are determined by the shape of the plurality of battery cells 20 combined together. At least one of the first part 111 and the second part 112 may have an opening. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, both the first part 111 and the second part 112 may be hollow rectangular parallelepipeds each having only one open surface, and the opening of the first part 111 and the opening of the second part 112 are provided opposite each other, and the first part 111 and the second part 112 are joined to each other to form a housing 11 having a sealed cavity. Furthermore, for example, unlike that shown in FIG. 2, only one of the first part 111 and the second part 112 may be a hollow rectangular parallelepiped having an opening, and the other may be a plate-like body for covering the opening. For example, in the case where the second part 112 is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with only one open surface and the first part 111 is a plate-like body, the first part 111 covers the opening of the second part 112 to form a housing having a sealed cavity for accommodating a plurality of battery cells 20. The multiple battery cells 20 are combined in parallel / series / series-parallel connections with each other, and then are placed in a housing 11 formed by joining the housing of the first part 111 and the housing of the second part 112.

[0068] Optionally, the battery 10 may include other structures, but they will not be described here. For example, the battery 10 may further include a bus bar member for realizing electrical connection between the multiple battery cells 20, for example, parallel connection / series connection / series-parallel connection. Specifically, the bus bar member can realize electrical connection between the battery cells 20 by connecting to the electrode terminals of the battery cells 20. Furthermore, the bus bar member can be fixed to the electrode terminals of the battery cells 20 by welding. The electrical energy of the multiple battery cells 20 may further be drawn out from the housing via a conductive mechanism. Optionally, the conductive mechanism may belong to the bus bar member.

[0069] According to different power needs, the number of battery cells 20 may be set to any value. In order to realize a large capacity and high output, a plurality of battery cells 20 may be connected in the form of a series connection / parallel connection / series-parallel connection. Since the number of battery cells 20 included in each battery 10 may be large, the battery cells 20 may be grouped and the battery cells 20 of each group may form a battery module for convenience of installation. The number of battery cells 20 included in a battery module is not limited and can be installed as needed. The battery may include a plurality of battery modules. These battery modules may be connected in the form of a series connection / parallel connection / series-parallel connection.

[0070] For example, FIG. 3 shows a structural schematic diagram of a battery cell 20 according to an embodiment of the present application. The battery cell 20 includes one or more electrode assemblies 22, a case 211, and an end cap 212. The case 211 and the end cap 212 form a housing or battery box 21. The walls of the case 211 and the end cap 212 are collectively referred to as the walls of the battery cell 20. Here, in the case of a rectangular parallelepiped-type battery cell 20, the walls of the case 211 include a bottom wall and four side walls. The case 211 is determined by a shape formed by combining one or more electrode assemblies 22. For example, the case 211 may be a hollow rectangular parallelepiped, square, or cylinder, and one surface of the case 211 has an opening for allowing one or more electrode assemblies 22 to be disposed in the case 211. For example, when the case 211 is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped or square, one plane of the case 211 is an open plane, that is, the plane does not have a wall, so that the case 211 penetrates from the inside to the outside. When the case 211 is a hollow cylinder, the end surface of the case 211 is an open surface, that is, the end surface does not have a wall, and the case 211 is penetrated from the inside to the outside. The end cap 212 is connected to the case 211 while covering the opening, thereby forming a sealed cavity for placing the electrode assembly 22. The case 211 is filled with an electrolyte, for example, an electrolyte solution.

[0071] The battery cell 20 may further include two electrode terminals 214. The two electrode terminals 214 may be provided on the end cap 212. The end cap 212 is generally flat, and the two electrode terminals 214 are fixed to the flat surface of the end cap 212, and the two electrode terminals 214 are a positive terminal 214a and a negative terminal 214b, respectively. Each electrode terminal 214 is provided with a corresponding connecting member 23, also called a current collecting member 23, which is located between the end cap 212 and the electrode assembly 22 and electrically connects the electrode assembly 22 and the electrode terminal 214.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 3, each electrode assembly 22 has a first tab 221a and a second tab 222a. The polarities of the first tab 221a and the second tab 222a are opposite. For example, when the first tab 221a is a positive electrode tab, the second tab 222a is a negative electrode tab. The first tab 221a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 is connected to one electrode terminal via one connection member 23, and the second tab 222a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 is connected to another electrode terminal via another connection member 23. For example, when the positive electrode terminal 214a is connected to the positive electrode tab via one connection member 23, the negative electrode terminal 214b is connected to the negative electrode tab via another connection member 23.

[0073] According to actual usage needs, one or more electrode assemblies 22 may be provided in the battery cell 20. As shown in Fig. 3, four independent electrode assemblies 22 are provided in the battery cell 20.

[0074] The battery cell 20 may further be provided with a pressure relief mechanism 213 for relieving the internal pressure or temperature when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 reaches a threshold value.

[0075] The pressure release mechanism 213 may be any of various possible pressure release structures, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For example, the pressure release mechanism 213 may be a temperature-sensitive pressure release mechanism that is configured to melt when the internal temperature of the battery cell 20 in which the pressure release mechanism 213 is provided reaches a threshold, and / or the pressure release mechanism 213 may be a pressure-sensitive pressure release mechanism that is configured to burst when the internal air pressure of the battery cell 20 in which the pressure release mechanism 213 is provided reaches a threshold.

[0076] It should be understood that the multiple battery cells 20 included in the battery 10 in the embodiment of the present application can be arranged and positioned along any direction within the housing 11. For example, in the case of a rectangular parallelepiped battery cell 20 as shown in Fig. 3, the multiple battery cells 20 can be mounted vertically within the housing as shown in Fig. 3 so that the end caps 212 of the multiple battery cells 20 after mounting face the upper housing 111 and the bottom wall of the case 211 of the battery cell 20 faces the lower housing 112 as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, for example, unlike Fig. 2, the multiple battery cells 20 shown in Fig. 3 may be provided horizontally within the housing.

[0077] 3, if an external force such as an impact is applied during grouping, the battery cells 20 are likely to become misaligned with each other, the bus bar member will pull between the electrode terminals 214 of the battery cells 20, and the large side wall area of ​​the battery cells 20 will make them prone to deformation. For this reason, the battery cells 20 may be shaped like a blade; that is, by increasing the length of the battery cells, the cases 211 of the battery cells 20 will perform a certain support function and share some of the force, and further, by providing the electrode terminals 214 at the ends of the battery cells 20 in the longitudinal direction, the pulling between the electrode terminals 214 of the battery cells caused by the bus bar member will be reduced.

[0078] When the energy density of the battery cell 20 is constant, as the dimension of the battery cell 20 in the length direction increases, the dimension of the battery cell 20 in the thickness direction decreases, and the battery cell 20 becomes flatter. This is to prevent the capacity of the battery cell 20 from becoming too large, causing an excessive overcurrent at the electrode terminal, and causing the heat generated at the electrode terminal to exceed the temperature requirement during use of the battery cell 20. As the thickness of the battery cell 20 becomes thinner, when an electrode terminal 214 is provided at the end of the battery cell 20, the dimension of the electrode terminal 214 is limited, and if the dimension of the electrode terminal 214 is too small, it will not be possible to meet the overcurrent requirement.

[0079] For this reason, the embodiment of the present application may employ a blade-shaped battery cell 20 as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the battery cell 20 includes a first surface 251, a second surface 252, and a first electrode terminal 214a. A first region of an edge of the first surface 251 is recessed and formed as a first recess 241, and the second surface 252 is used to provide the first electrode terminal 214a of the battery cell 20, and the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 are perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0080] The battery cell 20 further includes a first electrode terminal. The first electrode terminal may be a positive electrode terminal 214a or a negative electrode terminal 214b, and the following description will be given taking the example of the first electrode terminal being the positive electrode terminal 214a. Here, the first electrode terminal 214a protrudes from the second surface 252 of the battery cell 20 in the first direction X and faces the first recess 241. The position of the positive electrode terminal 214a in FIG. 4 may be interchanged with that of the negative electrode terminal 214b, and the following description will be given taking the example of the electrode terminal at the corresponding position of the first recess 241 being the positive electrode terminal 214a.

[0081] The first surface 251 may be a bottom wall of the case 211 of the battery cell 20, and the first area of ​​the first surface 251 may be a In the first direction X The first recess 241 is located at an edge of the battery cell 20 in the first direction X. The second surface 252 may be a surface of the end cap 212 of the battery cell. Here, the depth of the first recess 241 in the first direction X is greater than the height of the first electrode terminal 214a, and the projected area of ​​the first recess 241 on the first surface 251 is greater than the projected area of ​​the first electrode terminal 214a on the first surface 251. In this manner, the first recess 241 can accommodate the first electrode terminal 214a of another battery cell 20 that is adjacent to the battery cell 20 in the first direction.

[0082] Specifically, FIG. 5 shows a side view of a battery 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. The battery 10 includes a housing 211 and a plurality of battery cells 20 housed in the housing 211. For example, the battery 10 includes a first battery cell 201 and a second battery cell 202 adjacent to each other. The plurality of battery cells 20 are arranged along a first direction X, and a first region of an edge of a first surface 251 of each of the plurality of battery cells 20 is recessed as a first recess 241. A first electrode terminal 214a of each battery cell 20 is provided to protrude from a second surface 252 of the battery cell 20. Here, the protruding direction of the first electrode terminal 214a is the first direction X.

[0083] The battery 10 further includes a first busbar member 26 for electrically connecting the first electrode terminals 214a of two adjacent battery cells 20. For example, the busbar member 26 between the first battery cell 201 and the second battery cell 202 is used to electrically connect the first electrode terminal 214a of the first battery cell 201 and the first electrode terminal 214a of the second battery cell 202. As shown in FIG. 6, the first busbar member 26 bypasses the sidewall of the second battery cell 202 parallel to the first direction X, so that a first end 261 of the first busbar member 26 is connected to the first electrode terminal 214a of the first battery cell 201 and a second end 262 of the first busbar member 26 is connected to the first electrode terminal 214a of the second battery cell 202. Here, the first end 261 of the first bus bar member 26 and the first electrode terminal 214 a of the first battery cell 201 are both housed in the first recess 241 of the second battery cell 202 .

[0084] A first recess 241 is provided on an edge of a first surface 251 of the battery cell 20, and a first electrode terminal 214a of the battery cell 20 is protruded from a second surface 252 opposite to the first surface 251. Therefore, when a plurality of battery cells 20 are arranged along the protruding direction of the first electrode terminal 214a, the first recess 241 of the second battery cell 202 in two adjacent battery cells can accommodate the first electrode terminal 214a of the first battery cell 201 and can accommodate a first bus bar member 26 for connecting the two battery cells 20. The first bus bar member 26 can bypass the side wall of the second battery cell 202 so that a first end 261 of the first bus bar member 26 is connected to the first electrode terminal 214a of the first battery cell 201 and a second end 262 is connected to the first electrode terminal 214a of the second battery cell 202. The multiple battery cells 20 are arranged along the protruding direction X of the respective first electrode terminals 214a, and the first electrode terminals 214a are housed in the first recesses 241 of the adjacent battery cells 20, so that there is no need to occupy space for module assembly, thereby improving the space utilization rate of the battery cells 20.

[0085] 7 , the first bus bar member 26 includes a first end 261, a second end 262, and a bent portion 263 located between the first end 261 and the second end 262. Here, the bent portion 263 is provided so as to be bent so that the first bus bar member 26 can bypass a side wall of the second battery cell 202 that is parallel to the first direction X.

[0086] In this way, by providing the bent portion 263 in the first bus bar member 26, when grouping multiple battery cells 20, the first bus bar member 26 can more easily bypass the side walls of the battery cells 20, making it easier to install the first bus bar member 26.

[0087] 7, the bend portion 263 includes a first bend region 2631, a second bend region 2632, and a middle region 2633. Here, the first bend region 2631 is used to bend to connect the first end 261 and the middle region 2633, and the second bend region 262 is used to bend to connect the second end 262 and the middle region 2633.

[0088] 7, the thickness of the first bent region 2631 and the thickness of the second bent region 2632 are smaller than the thickness of the intermediate region 2633. In this manner, the thickness of the first bent region 2631 and the thickness of the second bent region 2632 of the bent portion 263 of the first bus bar member 26 are smaller than the thickness of the intermediate region 2633, and the thickness of the first bent region 2631 and the thickness of the second bent region 2632 of the bent portion 263 of the first bus bar member 26 are smaller than the thickness of the intermediate region 2633. 2632 This corresponds to making the first bus bar member 26 thinner, making it easier to bend the first bus bar member 26.

[0089] In one embodiment, the intermediate region 2633 is perpendicular to the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 of the battery cell 20. Since the intermediate region of the bent portion of the first bus bar member 26 is perpendicular to the first surface 251 and the second surface 252 of the battery cell 20, the space occupied by the first bus bar member 26 is minimized in the direction perpendicular to the first surface 251 and the second surface 252, further improving the space utilization rate of the battery cell.

[0090] 8, a reinforcing rib 264 for improving the strength of the first bus bar member 26 may be formed in the intermediate region 2633. The reinforcing rib 264 may be parallel to the first direction X, for example.

[0091] In one embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9, an insulating layer 265 is provided on the surface of the bent portion 263 facing the battery cell 20, and the insulating layer may be, for example, an insulating patch or an insulating coating layer, or in another embodiment, the bent portion 263 is wrapped with an insulating material 266, as shown in Fig. 10. By providing the insulating layer 265 or wrapping the insulating material 266 around the bent portion 263, electrical contact between the first bus bar member 26 and the first electrode terminal 214a of the battery cell 20 can be avoided, thereby improving the safety of the battery 10.

[0092] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 , in the first direction X, the dimension H1 of the first recess 241 is greater than the sum of the height H3 of the first electrode terminal 214a and the dimension H2 of the first bus bar member 26, so that the first recess 241 of a battery cell 20 can accommodate the first electrode terminal 214a and the first bus bar member 26 of another adjacent battery cell 20.

[0093] For example, in the first direction X, the difference between the dimension H0 of the battery cell 20 (excluding the height H3 of the first electrode terminal 214a) and the dimension H2 of the first recess 241 of the battery cell 20 may be 2 mm or more, that is, H0-H1>2 mm. In this way, when the dimension of the position of the battery cell 20 corresponding to the first recess 241 in the first direction X is 2 mm or more, it is possible to ensure storage space for components inside the battery cell 20, such as the adapter component, plastic sheet, and electrode assembly 22, while satisfying the dimensional requirements of the first recess 241.

[0094] Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 12 , the first recess 241 has a dimension L0 along the second direction Y at the first surface 251 that is 12 mm or more, the second direction Y is perpendicular to the third surface 253 of the battery cell 20, and the third surface 253 is perpendicular to the first surface 251 and the second surface 252.

[0095] In the second direction Y, the dimension of the first recess 241 of the battery cell 20 on the first surface 251 along the second direction Y should be set within a reasonable range, for example, 12 mm or more, because it is necessary to prepare space for the first electrode terminal 214a and its insulating coating layer, the rivet block 27 of the battery cell 20, and the positioning of the rivet tool. Usually, in order to ensure the overcurrent requirement of the first electrode terminal 214a, the diameter D of the first electrode terminal 214a usually satisfies D≧5 mm. The dimension of one side of the rivet block 27 in the second direction Y can be, for example, L1≧2 to 3 mm, the thickness of one side of the insulating coating layer for enveloping the first electrode terminal 214a can be, for example, L2≧0.6 mm, and the gap on one side when the rivet jig is positioned can be, for example, L3≧1 mm. Therefore, the dimension L0 of the first recess 241 along the second direction Y must usually be greater than 5+(2+0.6+1)*2=12.2 mm.

[0096] Furthermore, for example, as shown in FIG. 12, the first recess 241 has a dimension L4 along the third direction Z on the first surface 251 of 15 mm or more in order to satisfy requirements such as the spacing between the two first electrode terminals 214a and the thickness of the insulating coating layer of each first electrode terminal 214a.

[0097] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the second region of the edge of the first surface 251 of each battery cell 20 is recessed and formed as a second recess 242. Here, the first region is located at a first end of the first surface 251 in the second direction Y, and the second region is located at a second end of the first surface 251 in the second direction Y. Here, the second electrode terminal 214b of each battery cell 20 protrudes from the second surface 252 of the battery cell 20, and the polarities of the second electrode terminal 214b and the first electrode terminal 214a are opposite. The position of the positive electrode terminal 214a in FIG. 13 may be interchanged with the negative electrode terminal 214b, and in this application, a case where the electrode terminal at the corresponding position of the second recess 242 is the negative electrode terminal 214b will be described as an example.

[0098] 14, the plurality of battery cells 20 further includes a third battery cell 203 adjacent to the second battery cell 202, and the battery 10 further includes a second busbar member 27 for connecting the second electrode terminal 214b of the second battery cell 202 and the second electrode terminal 214b of the third battery cell 203. Similarly, the second busbar member 27 eventually bypasses a sidewall of the third battery cell 203 parallel to the first direction X, so that a first end of the second busbar member 27 is connected to the second electrode terminal 214b of the second battery cell 202 and a second end of the second busbar member 27 is connected to the second electrode terminal 214b of the third battery cell 203. Here, the first end of the second bus bar member 27 connected to the second battery cell 202 and the second electrode terminal 214b of the second battery cell 202 are both accommodated within the second recess 242 of the third battery cell 203.

[0099] For details of the second recess 242 and the second busbar member 27, the above description related to the first recess 241 and the first busbar member 26 may be referred to, and for the sake of brevity, the description will be omitted here. A first electrode terminal is provided on the second surface 252 of the battery cell 20 at a position corresponding to the first recess 241, and a second electrode terminal is provided on the second surface 252 of the battery cell 20 at a position corresponding to the second recess 242, and the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal may be the positive electrode terminal 214a and the negative electrode terminal 214b, respectively, or the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal may be the negative electrode terminal 214b and the positive electrode terminal 214a, respectively.

[0100] The process of grouping a plurality of battery cells 20 will be described below by taking the connection between the first electrode terminals 214a of the first battery cell 201 and the second battery cell 202 as an example. After the installation of the first battery cell 201 is completed, the first end 261 of the first bus bar member 26 is welded to the first electrode terminal 214a at a corresponding position on the second surface 252 of the first battery cell 201. Next, the second surface 252 of the second battery cell 202 is welded to the first end 261 of the first bus bar member 26. 252are stacked toward the first surface of the first battery cell 201, and the first electrode terminal 214a of the first battery cell 201 is accommodated in the first recess 241 of the second battery cell 202. Furthermore, the first bus bar member 26 is bent to bypass the side wall of the second battery cell 202 parallel to the first direction X, and the second end 262 of the first bus bar member 26 and the first electrode terminal 214a of the second battery cell 202 are welded together. In this manner, the electrical connection between the first electrode terminals 214a of the first battery cell 201 and the second battery cell 202 is completed. Similarly, the electrical connection between the second electrode terminals 214b of the adjacent second battery cell 202 and the third battery cell 203 can also be realized. A plurality of battery cells 20 are grouped in a similar manner to form a battery 10.

[0101] 15 to 17, in one embodiment, Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the battery cell shown in Fig. 15 along direction AA, i.e., second direction Y, and Fig. 17 is a partially enlarged view of region B in Fig. 16. The region of the end cap 212 of the battery cell 20 corresponding to the electrode assembly 22 protrudes in a direction away from the case 211 so as to form a recessed groove 2121 on the side of the end cap 212 facing the case 211.

[0102] The groove 2121 allows for positioning of the electrode assembly 22 when assembling the electrode assembly 22. Furthermore, a contour line 2122 between the edge region of the end cap 212 and the groove 2121 is used for positioning a welding track when welding the case 211 and the end cap 212 together.

[0103] Optionally, in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the first direction X, the dimensions of the groove 2121 are equal to or greater than the dimensions of the electrode assembly 22 such that the electrode assembly 22 can be received in the groove 2121 .

[0104] 17, the depth R1 of the recessed groove 2121 in the first direction X is, for example, 0.4 mm to 3 mm. The depth of the recessed groove 2121 should not be too large so as not to affect the position of the welding tool during welding, and should not be too small so as to achieve the above-mentioned functions, so that it is preferably 0.4 to 3 mm.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 16, the distance R2 between the contour line 2122 and the welding trajectory may be, for example, greater than 0.5 mm, so as to ensure the position of the welding tool during welding, thereby not affecting the positioning requirements of the laser welding lens.

[0106] Thus, in the battery cell 20, the region of the end cap 212 corresponding to the electrode assembly 22 protrudes in a direction away from the case 211, forming a groove 2121 on the side of the end cap 212 facing the case 211. With this design, not only can the electrode assembly 22 be positioned by the groove 2121 when assembling the electrode assembly 22, but also the welding locus can be positioned by the contour line 2122 between the edge region of the end cap 212 and the groove 2121 when welding the case 211 and the end cap 212 together.

[0107] An embodiment of the present application further provides an electric device, which may include the battery 10 according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments for supplying electricity. Optionally, the electric device may be a vehicle, a ship, or a spacecraft.

[0108] By installing the battery 10 of the above embodiment in an electrical device, the electrode terminals of the battery cells 20 inside the battery 10 are housed in the recesses of the adjacent battery cells, thereby saving space, improving space efficiency, and facilitating the widespread use and use of the electrical device.

[0109] Although the present application has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications may be made and the elements may be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present application. In particular, the technical features mentioned in each embodiment may be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural contradiction. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 1 vehicle 10 batteries 11. Cabinet 20 Battery Cells 21 Battery box 22 Electrode Assembly 23 Connection parts 26 First busbar member 27 Second busbar member 30 Controller 40 Motor 111 First Part 112 Second Part 200 Battery Module 201 First Battery Cell 202 Second Battery Cell 203 3rd Battery Cell 211 cases 212 End cap 213 Pressure Relief Mechanism 214 Electrode terminal 214a first electrode terminal 214b second electrode terminal 221a Tab 1 222a 2nd tab 241 First recess 242 Second recess 251 First Surface 252 Second Surface 253 The Third Surface 261 First End 262 Second End 263 Bend section 264 Reinforcing rib 265 Insulating Layer 266 Insulating Materials 2121 Groove 2122 Contour 2631 First bending region 2632 Second bending region 2633 Intermediate area

Claims

1. a first surface having a first region of an edge recessed into the first surface; a second surface used for providing a first electrode terminal of a battery cell, the first surface and the second surface being perpendicular to a first direction; a third surface perpendicular to the first surface and the second surface, the second direction being perpendicular to the third surface; and a first electrode terminal protruding from the second surface in the first direction and facing the first recess, an edge of the first surface is an edge of the first surface along the second direction and a third direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the second direction, and the third direction being perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction; a depth of the first recess in the first direction is greater than a height of the first electrode terminal, and a projected area of ​​the first recess on the first surface is greater than a projected area of ​​the first electrode terminal on the first surface.

2. The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein a difference in the first direction between a dimension of the battery cell and a dimension of the first recess of the battery cell is 2 mm or more.

3. The battery cell according to claim 1 , wherein the first recess has a dimension along the second direction on the first surface of 12 mm or more.

4. The battery cell according to claim 3 , wherein the first recess has a dimension along the third direction on the first surface that is 15 mm or greater.

5. 3. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein the battery cell includes a case for accommodating an electrode assembly of the battery cell, and an end cap for covering the case to enclose the electrode assembly within the case, a bottom wall of the case forming the first surface of the battery cell, and the end cap forming the second surface of the battery cell.

6. 6. The battery cell of claim 5, wherein the area of ​​the end cap corresponding to the electrode assembly protrudes away from the case to form a recessed groove on the side of the end cap facing the case.

7. The battery cell according to claim 6 , wherein the recess is used to position the electrode assembly when the electrode assembly is assembled.

8. The battery cell according to claim 6 , wherein a contour line between the edge region of the end cap and the recessed groove is used to position a welding track when welding the case and the end cap.

9. The battery cell according to claim 6 , wherein the depth of the groove is 0.4 mm to 3 mm.

10. The battery cell according to claim 8 , wherein the distance between the contour line and the welding locus is greater than 0.5 mm.

11. The battery cell according to claim 6 , wherein in a cross section taken along a plane perpendicular to the first direction, a dimension of the groove is equal to or greater than a dimension of the electrode assembly.

12. a second region of an edge of the first surface is recessed to form a second recess, the first region is located at a first end of the first surface in a second direction, the second region is located at a second end of the first surface in the second direction, a second electrode terminal of the battery cell protrudes from the second surface of the battery cell in the first direction and faces the second recess, and the second electrode terminal and the first electrode terminal have opposite polarities; 3. The battery cell according to claim 1, wherein in the first direction, a depth of the second recess is greater than a height of the second electrode terminal, and a projected area of ​​the second recess on the first surface is greater than a projected area of ​​the second electrode terminal on the first surface.

13. A battery comprising the battery cell according to claim 1 or 2.

14. 3. An electrical installation comprising the battery cell according to claim 1 or 2 for supplying electricity.

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