Batteries and power-consuming devices

Abstract

The embodiments of the present application provide a battery and a power consuming device. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction, the plurality of battery cells including a first battery cell and a second battery cell adjacent to each other, and an insulating plate disposed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell, the insulating plate including a first insulating layer being a polymer matrix composite fiberboard. The technical solution according to the embodiments of the present application can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion in the battery, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] (CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202210467669.6, entitled "Battery and Power Consumption Device," filed on April 29, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and more particularly to batteries and power consuming devices. [Background technology]

[0003] Energy conservation and emission reduction are key to the sustainable development of the automotive industry. In this context, electric vehicles have become an important component of the sustainable development of the automotive industry due to their energy-saving and environmental advantages. For electric vehicles, battery technology is a key factor in their development.

[0004] In the development of battery technology, in addition to the improvement of battery performance, the problem of thermal runaway in batteries has become a problem that cannot be ignored. The diffusion of thermal runaway in batteries poses a significant safety risk. Therefore, how to reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion in batteries has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently in battery technology. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of the present application provide a battery and a power consuming device that can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion in the battery, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0006] According to a first aspect, there is provided a battery including: a plurality of battery cells including adjacent first and second battery cells arranged along a first direction; and an insulating board disposed between the first and second battery cells and including a first insulating layer that is a polymer matrix composite fiberboard.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present application, an insulating plate is installed between a first battery cell and a second battery cell. If one battery cell in a battery experiences thermal runaway, this insulating plate reduces the risk of the thermal runaway cell transferring heat to adjacent battery cells, thereby reducing the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery. Prior art has traditionally used aerogel blankets or other plates lacking structural strength as insulating plates. However, aerogel blankets and other plates lacking structural strength tend to deform and thin when pressed between battery cells, significantly reducing their insulating effectiveness. The insulating plate in the solution of the present application includes a first insulating layer that is a polymer matrix composite fiberboard. The polymer matrix composite fiberboard is a high-temperature-resistant, high-strength, rigid protective plate that is resistant to deformation even at high temperatures. When installed between battery cells, it effectively reduces the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery, thereby improving battery reliability.

[0008] In one possible embodiment, the polymer matrix composite fiberboard is a fiber reinforced resin composite board.

[0009] When a fiber-reinforced resin composite plate is manufactured using a resin in a polymer material as a matrix and as a protective plate, the fiber-reinforced resin composite plate has better high-temperature resistance, higher strength, and is less likely to deform than other polymer material matrices.

[0010] In one possible embodiment, the insulation plate is installed between a first wall of the first battery cell and a second wall of the second battery cell, the first wall being the wall of the first battery cell that has the largest surface area and is closest to the second battery cell, and the second wall being the wall of the second battery cell that has the largest surface area and is closest to the first battery cell.

[0011] The insulating plate is installed between the walls with the largest surface area of ​​two adjacent battery cells, which prevents the thermal runaway of the battery cells from spreading over a wider area, and is further advantageous in reducing the risk of thermal runaway spreading within the battery.

[0012] In one possible embodiment, the insulation board includes a second insulation layer arranged along the first direction and two of the first insulation layers, and the second insulation layer is located between the two first insulation layers.

[0013] The first insulation layer is a fiber-reinforced resin composite plate, which has the advantages of being strong and not deforming or breaking at high temperatures. The second insulation layer is placed between two first insulation layers to form a "sandwich" structure, which allows the first insulation layer to protect the second insulation layer from being compressed and deformed by the battery cells, allowing the second insulation layer to better perform its insulating role, and the insulation plate can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery.

[0014] In one possible embodiment, the ends of two of the first insulation layers in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction are connected.

[0015] The ends of the two first insulation layers are connected, and the second insulation layer is packaged between the two first insulation layers to protect the second insulation layer from being compressed and deformed by the battery cells. In addition, the ends of the two first insulation layers are connected, which improves the structural strength of the outer first insulation layer.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, in the second direction, the two first insulating layers are connected at at least one position other than the ends.

[0017] The two first insulation layers are connected at multiple locations, which improves the structural strength of the first insulation layer and provides better support for the second insulation layer placed between the two first insulation layers, preventing the second insulation layer from being compressed and deformed by the battery cells.

[0018] In one possible embodiment, the connection positions of two of said first thermal insulation layers are uniformly distributed in said second direction.

[0019] In one possible embodiment, the size L1 of the heat insulating plate in the first direction is 0.2 mm to 5 mm.

[0020] If the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction is too small, the insulating effect of the insulating plate will be low, and the strength of the insulating plate will be low, making it prone to deformation when pressed by the battery cells on both sides, reducing the insulating effect. If the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction is too large, it will occupy excessive space within the battery, reducing the energy density of the battery. Therefore, the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction is set to 0.2 mm to 5 mm to ensure high strength and insulating effect of the insulating plate and ensure high energy density of the battery.

[0021] In one possible embodiment, the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction is 3 mm.

[0022] The size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction is set to 3 mm, giving the insulating plate high strength, making it resistant to deformation when pressed, and not deforming even at high temperatures, resulting in a high insulating effect, effectively reducing the risk of thermal runaway diffusion in the battery, and ensuring that the battery has a high energy density without occupying excessive space within the battery.

[0023] In one possible embodiment, the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction and the energy Q of the battery cell are 2×10 -3 mm / Wh≦L1 / Q≦10 -2 Meets mm / Wh.

[0024] If the ratio of the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction to the energy Q of the battery cell is too small, that is, if the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction corresponding to the unit energy of the battery cell is too small, the insulating effect of the insulating plate will be low. When the energy Q of the battery cell is constant, the larger L1 / Q, i.e., the larger L1, the more excess space is occupied within the battery, reducing the energy density of the battery. Therefore, the ratio of the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction to the energy Q of the battery cell should be 2×10 -3 mm / Wh≦L1 / Q≦10 -2 This setting is made to satisfy the above requirement, ensuring that the insulating plate has a high insulating effect and that the battery has a high energy density.

[0025] In one possible embodiment, L1 / Q is 8×10 -3 mm / Wh.

[0026] The ratio of the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction to the energy Q of the battery cell is 8 × 10 -3 mm / Wh, which allows the insulating plate to have a high insulating effect, effectively reducing the risk of thermal runaway diffusion in the battery, and ensuring that the battery has a high energy density without occupying excessive space within the battery.

[0027] In one possible embodiment, the size L2 of the second insulating layer in the first direction and the size L1 of the insulating plate in the first direction satisfy 0.2≦L2 / L1≦0.6.

[0028] If L2 is much smaller than L1, i.e., if L2 / L1 is too small, the second insulating layer will be thinner than the first insulating layer, resulting in a weaker insulating effect. If L2 / L1 is too large, the second insulating layer will be thicker than the first insulating layer, i.e., the second insulating layer will occupy a large portion of the insulating plate, reducing the strength of the insulating plate and making it more susceptible to deformation under pressure from the battery cells, thereby affecting its insulating effect. Therefore, by setting the ratio 0.2≦L2 / L1≦0.6, the insulating effect of the insulating plate can be guaranteed and the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery can be effectively reduced.

[0029] In one possible embodiment, the size L3 of the first insulating layer in the first direction is 1 mm and the size L2 of the second insulating layer in the first direction is 1 mm.

[0030] In this way, the overall size of the insulation plate formed by assembling one first insulation layer and two second insulation layers is 3 mm in the first direction, which ensures high strength of the insulation plate, makes it less likely to deform, and guarantees excellent insulation effect, while preventing the insulation plate from occupying excessive space within the battery, ensuring that the battery has high energy density.

[0031] In one possible embodiment, the second insulating layer is an aerogel blanket.

[0032] Aerogel blankets are lightweight, easy to cut, have low density, inorganic fire retardant properties, are generally hydrophobic, and are environmentally friendly. The insulating effect of aerogel blankets is 2 to 5 times that of conventional insulating materials.

[0033] In one possible embodiment, the second insulating layer is an air sandwich.

[0034] In this case, a cavity is formed between the two first insulation layers, and the insulation plate of this structure not only has a certain structural strength and is resistant to deformation under pressure and high heat, but also has a certain insulation effect, which can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery.

[0035] In one possible embodiment, the first insulating layer includes a plurality of fiber-reinforced resin layers, each of which is formed by combining a fiber material and a resin material.

[0036] Fiber-reinforced resin composite materials have the properties of being lightweight, high strength, high rigidity, and high temperature resistance. Multiple fiber-reinforced resin layers form the first insulating layer, which has the properties of high strength and high temperature resistance, thereby ensuring that the insulating plate effectively reduces or prevents the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery.

[0037] In one possible embodiment, the resin material is a silica aerogel modified resin or a high temperature flame retardant resin.

[0038] The silica aerogel-modified resin has low thermal conductivity, and the high-temperature, flame-retardant resin has high-temperature resistance and low thermal conductivity. Compared to general resin materials, the silica aerogel-modified resin and the high-temperature, flame-retardant resin can be combined with fiber materials to form a fiber-reinforced resin composite material with better high-temperature resistance and higher strength. The first insulating layer formed by the fiber-reinforced resin composite material can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery.

[0039] In one possible embodiment, the fiber material is at least one of fibers such as glass fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon fibers, quartz fibers, high silica fibers, aluminum silicate fibers, mullite fibers, silicon carbide fibers, silicon nitride fibers, alumina fibers, boron nitride fibers, basalt fibers, brucite fibers, attapulgite fibers, boron fibers, carbon nanotube fibers, aramid fibers, polyimide fibers, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.

[0040] In one possible embodiment, the fibrous material is a ceramic fibrous material.

[0041] Ceramic fiber materials have better high-temperature resistance than other fiber materials, and materials formed by combining ceramic fiber materials with resin materials have better high-temperature resistance and high strength properties. A first insulating layer formed from this composite material can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery.

[0042] In one possible embodiment, the ceramic fiber material is silicon oxide or alumina.

[0043] The first heat insulating layer, which is manufactured by combining a ceramic fiber material using silicon oxide or alumina with a resin material, has the best high temperature resistance.

[0044] According to a second aspect, there is provided a power consumption device, the power consumption device including a battery of the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect, the battery being for providing electrical energy.

[0045] In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, an insulating plate is installed between adjacent first and second battery cells. If one battery cell in a battery experiences thermal runaway, the insulating plate reduces the risk of the thermal runaway battery cell transferring heat to the adjacent battery cell, thereby reducing the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery. In prior art, aerogel blankets or other plates lacking structural strength are often used as insulating plates. However, when pressed between battery cells, aerogel blankets and other plates lacking structural strength tend to deform, reducing their thickness and significantly reducing their insulating effectiveness. The insulating plate in the solution of the present application includes a first insulating layer that is a polymer matrix composite fiberboard. The polymer matrix composite fiberboard is a high-temperature-resistant, high-strength, rigid protective plate that is resistant to deformation even at high temperatures. When installed between battery cells, it effectively reduces the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery, thereby improving the reliability of the battery. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0046] In order to more clearly explain the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings that need to be used in the embodiments of the present application. It should be apparent that the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can obtain other drawings based on the drawings without any creative efforts. [Figure 1] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic exploded structural view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic exploded structural view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic exploded structural view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 5] 1 is a partial structural schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 6] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell and a heat insulating plate according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell and a heat insulating plate according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 8] 1 is a schematic exploded structural view of an insulating board according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic exploded structural view of an insulating board according to an embodiment of the present application; [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell and a heat insulating plate according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 11] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a battery cell and a heat insulating plate according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 12] 1 is a structural schematic diagram of a fiber-reinforced resin layer according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] The embodiments of the present application will be described in more detail below in conjunction with the drawings and examples. The detailed description of the following examples and the drawings are intended to exemplify the principles of the present application, but are not intended to limit the scope of the present application, i.e., the present application is not limited to the described examples.

[0048] It should be noted that in the description of this application, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more, and the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "up," "down," "left," "right," "inside," and "outside" does not indicate or imply that the depicted device or element must have a particular orientation or be configured and operated in a particular orientation. It is merely for the purpose of facilitating and simplifying the description of this application and should not be understood as a limitation of this application. Furthermore, terms such as "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance. "Perpendicular" does not mean perpendicular in the strict sense, but within a tolerance. "Parallel" does not mean parallel in the strict sense, but within a tolerance.

[0049] Any directions appearing in the following description refer to the directions shown in the drawings and are not intended to limit the specific structure of the present application. It should be further explained that in the description of the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "attached," "connected," and "connected" should be understood in a broad sense, and may refer to, for example, a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection, or may refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection via an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application according to the specific circumstances.

[0050] In the embodiments of the present application, the same reference numerals represent the same elements, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of the same elements in different embodiments will be omitted. In addition, the dimensions such as thickness, length, and width of each member in the embodiments of the present application and the overall dimensions such as thickness, length, and width of the integrated device shown in the drawings are merely illustrative and do not limit the present application.

[0051] In this application, 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., but are not limited to these in the embodiments of this application. The battery cells may be cylindrical, flat, rectangular, or have other shapes, but are not limited to these in the embodiments of this application. Battery cells are generally divided into three types based on their packaging: prismatic battery cells, rectangular battery cells, and pouch battery cells, but are not limited to these in the embodiments of this application.

[0052] The battery referred to in the examples of this application refers to a single physical module containing one or more battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. For example, the battery referred to in this application may include a battery module or a battery pack. The battery generally includes a housing for packaging one or more battery cells. The housing can prevent liquids or other foreign objects from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cells.

[0053] A battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrolyte, and the electrode assembly is composed of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The battery cell operates mainly through the movement of metal ions between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material layer is coated on the surface of the positive electrode current collector. The positive electrode current collector without the positive electrode active material layer protrudes from the positive electrode current collector coated with the positive electrode active material layer, and the positive electrode current collector without the positive electrode active material layer is called a positive electrode tab. Taking a lithium-ion battery as an example, the positive electrode current collector may be made of aluminum, and the positive electrode active material may be lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, lithium manganese oxide, etc. The negative electrode plate includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode active material layer is coated on the surface of the negative electrode current collector. The negative electrode current collector without the negative electrode active material layer protrudes from the negative electrode current collector coated with the negative electrode active material layer. The negative electrode current collector without the negative electrode active material layer is called a negative electrode tab. The material of the negative electrode current collector may be copper, and the negative electrode active material may be carbon or silicon. To prevent melting even when a large current is passed through the positive electrode tab, multiple positive electrode tabs are stacked, and multiple negative electrode tabs are stacked. The material of the separator may be polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). The electrode assembly may have a wound structure or a stacked structure, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0054] To meet various power demands, a battery may include multiple battery cells. Here, the multiple battery cells may be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel, and the series-parallel connection refers to a mixture of series and parallel connections. Optionally, multiple battery cells may first be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel to form a battery module, and multiple battery modules may then be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel to form a battery. That is, multiple battery cells may directly form a battery, or may first form a battery module, which may then form a battery. The battery is then installed in a power consuming device to provide electrical energy for the power consuming device.

[0055] At present, in view of the development of the market situation, the application of power batteries is becoming more and more widespread. Power batteries are not only applied to energy storage power systems such as hydroelectric power, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but also widely used in many fields such as electric transportation tools such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric cars, military equipment, and aerospace flight. With the continuous expansion of the application fields of power batteries, the market demand for them is also constantly expanding.

[0056] In the development of battery technology, in addition to the improvement of battery performance, the problem of battery thermal runaway has also become a problem that cannot be ignored. During the use of batteries, the risk of battery thermal runaway is extremely high, and the diffusion of thermal runaway poses a great safety risk, so how to reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion in batteries has become the focus of attention of those skilled in the art.

[0057] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a technical solution in which an insulating plate is installed between adjacent first and second battery cells. When some battery cells in a battery experience thermal runaway, the insulating plate reduces the risk of the thermal runaway battery cell transferring heat to adjacent battery cells, thereby reducing the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery. The insulating plate in the solution of the present application includes a first insulating layer which is a polymer matrix composite fiberboard. The polymer matrix composite fiberboard is a high-temperature resistant, high-strength, rigid protective plate that is resistant to deformation even at high temperatures. When installed between battery cells, it effectively reduces the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0058] The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various battery-powered devices, such as mobile phones, portable devices, laptops, electric scooters, electric toys, electric tools, electric vehicles, ships, and spacecraft, including, for example, airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spaceships.

[0059] It should be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are not only applicable to the devices described above, but also to all devices that use batteries. However, for the sake of simplicity, the following embodiments will be described using an electric vehicle as an example.

[0060] For example, FIG. 1 shows a structural schematic diagram of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The vehicle 1 may be a fuel oil vehicle, a gas vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, a range-extender vehicle, or the like. A motor 40, a controller 30, and a battery 10 may be installed inside the vehicle 1, and the controller 30 controls the battery 10 to supply power to the motor 40. For example, the battery 10 may be installed at the bottom, front, or rear of the vehicle 1. The battery 10 may be used to supply power to the vehicle 1. For example, the battery 10 may be used as an operating power source for the vehicle 1 and for the vehicle's electrical circuit system, such as for starting, navigating, and running the vehicle 1. In another embodiment of the present application, the battery 10 may not only be used as an operating power source for the vehicle 1, but also as a driving power source for the vehicle 1, providing driving power to the vehicle 1 instead of, or in place of, gasoline or natural gas.

[0061] To meet various power consumption needs, the battery 10 may include multiple battery cells. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, which is a structural schematic diagram of a battery 10 according to an embodiment of the present application, the battery 10 may include multiple battery cells 20. The battery 10 may further include a housing 11, the interior of which is hollow, and the multiple battery cells 20 are housed within the housing 11. For example, the multiple battery cells 20 are placed within the housing 11 after being combined by being connected in parallel, series, or series-parallel to each other.

[0062] Optionally, the battery 10 may further include other structures, but description thereof will be omitted here. For example, the battery 10 may further include busbar components for realizing electrical connection between the multiple battery cells 20, for example, parallel connection, series connection, or series-parallel connection. Specifically, the busbar components can be connected to the electrode terminals of the battery cells 20 to realize electrical connection between the battery cells 20. Furthermore, the busbar components can be fixed to the electrode terminals of the battery cells 20 by welding. Electrical energy from the multiple battery cells 20 can further be extracted through the housing by a conductive mechanism. Optionally, the conductive mechanism may belong to the busbar components.

[0063] The number of battery cells 20 may be set to any value depending on various power demands. Large capacity or power can be achieved by connecting multiple battery cells 20 in series, parallel, or series-parallel. Each battery 10 may contain a large number of battery cells 20. For ease of installation, the battery cells 20 may be grouped and installed, and each group of battery cells 20 may constitute a battery module. The number of battery cells 20 included in a battery module is not limited and may be installed according to demand. A battery may include multiple battery modules, and these battery modules may be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel.

[0064] 3 is 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 a cover plate 212. The case 211 and the cover plate 212 form a housing or battery box 21. The walls of the case 211 and the cover plate 212 are both referred to as walls of the battery cell 20. Here, for a rectangular parallelepiped battery cell 20, the walls of the case 211 include a bottom wall and four side walls. The shape of the case 211 is determined based on the shape after assembling one or more electrode assemblies 22. For example, the case 211 may be a hollow rectangular parallelepiped, cube, or cylinder, and one surface of the case 211 has an opening to allow one or more electrode assemblies 22 to be placed inside the case 211. For example, if the case 211 is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped or cube, one plane of the case 211 is an open plane, i.e., the plane has no wall and communicates between the inside and outside of the case 211. If the case 211 is a hollow cylinder, an end face of the case 211 is an open plane, i.e., the end face has no wall and communicates between the inside and outside of the case 211. The cover plate 212 covers the opening and is connected to the case 211 to form a sealed cavity for placing the electrode assembly 22. The case 211 is filled with an electrolyte, for example, an electrolyte solution.

[0065] The battery cell 20 may further include two electrode terminals 214, which may be installed on the cover plate 212. The cover plate 212 has a generally flat plate shape, and the two electrode terminals 214 are fixed on the flat surface of the cover plate 212, and the two electrode terminals 214 are a positive electrode terminal 214a and a negative electrode terminal 214b, respectively. A connecting member 23 (also called a current collecting member) is installed corresponding to each electrode terminal 214, and is located between the cover plate 212 and the electrode assembly 22 to establish an electrical connection between the electrode assembly 22 and the electrode terminals 214.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 3 , each electrode assembly 22 has a first tab 221a and a second tab 222a. The first tab 221a and the second tab 222a have opposite polarities. For example, if 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 connecting member 23, and the second tab 222a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 is connected to another electrode terminal via another connecting member 23. For example, the positive electrode terminal 214a is connected to the positive electrode tab via one connecting member 23, and the negative electrode terminal 214b is connected to the negative electrode tab via another connecting member 23.

[0067] The battery cell 20 may have one or more electrode assemblies 22 installed depending on the actual usage needs, but as shown in FIG. 3, four independent electrode assemblies 22 are installed in the battery cell 20.

[0068] A pressure relief mechanism 213 may also be installed on the battery cell 20. The pressure relief mechanism 213 is operable to release the internal pressure or temperature when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 reaches a threshold value.

[0069] The pressure relief mechanism 213 may be any possible pressure relief structure, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. For example, the pressure relief mechanism 213 may be a temperature-sensitive pressure relief mechanism configured to melt when the internal temperature of the battery cell 20 provided with the pressure relief mechanism 213 reaches a threshold, and / or the pressure relief mechanism 213 may be a pressure-sensitive pressure relief mechanism configured to burst when the internal air pressure of the battery cell 20 provided with the pressure relief mechanism 213 reaches a threshold.

[0070] 4 shows a structural schematic diagram of a battery 10 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the battery 10 includes a plurality of battery cells 20, including a first battery cell 21 and a second battery cell 22 adjacent to each other, arranged along a first direction x, and further includes an insulating board 101 installed between the first battery cell 21 and the second battery cell 22. Here, the insulating board 101 includes a first insulating layer 1011, which is a polymer matrix composite fiberboard.

[0071] Polymer matrix composite fiberboards are made by compounding polymer materials as a matrix with fibers as reinforcements, and have advantages such as high temperature resistance, high strength, and resistance to deformation.

[0072] An insulating plate 101 is installed between the first battery cell 21 and the second battery cell 22. If some of the battery cells 20 in the battery 10 experience thermal runaway, the insulating plate 101 reduces the risk of the thermally runaway battery cell 20 transferring heat to adjacent battery cells 20, thereby reducing the risk of thermal runaway diffusion. The insulating plate 101 includes a first insulating layer 1011, which is a polymer matrix composite fiberboard, installed between the battery cells 20. The polymer matrix composite fiberboard is effective in reducing the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery 10, thereby improving the reliability of the battery 10.

[0073] Optionally, in embodiments of the present application, the polymer matrix composite fiberboard is a fiber reinforced resin composite board.

[0074] Fiber-reinforced resin composite plates can withstand temperatures as high as 1500°C, will not shatter when pressed, can withstand stresses of 100 MPa, and have a thermal conductivity of 0.2 W / (K·m) to 1 W / (K·m), making them high-strength, high-temperature resistant insulation plates.

[0075] When a fiber-reinforced resin composite plate is manufactured using a resin in a polymer material as a matrix and as a protective plate, the fiber-reinforced resin composite plate has better high-temperature resistance, higher strength, and is less likely to deform than other polymer material matrices.

[0076] In an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 5 , the insulating plate 101 is installed between the first wall 211 of the first battery cell 21 and the second wall 221 of the second battery cell 22, and the first wall 211 is the wall with the largest surface area in the first battery cell 21, and the second wall 221 is the wall with the largest surface area in the second battery cell 22.

[0077] By installing the insulating plate 101 between the walls with the largest surface area of ​​two adjacent battery cells 20, the insulating plate 101 is further advantageous in preventing thermal runaway of the battery cells 20 from spreading over a wider area and reducing the risk of thermal runaway spreading within the battery 10.

[0078] The insulating plate 101 may be further installed between other walls of two adjacent battery cells 20, and if there are adjacent battery cells 20 around one battery cell 20, an insulating plate 101 facing the side wall may be installed on any of the four side walls of the adjacent battery cells 20. The insulating plate 101 may be installed depending on the arrangement of the battery cells 20 within the battery 10 and the space requirements, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto.

[0079] In an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 6 , the insulating plate 101 includes a second insulating layer 1012 and two first insulating layers 1011 arranged along a first direction x, and the second insulating layer 1012 is located between the two first insulating layers 1011.

[0080] The first insulating layer 1011 is a fiber-reinforced resin composite plate, which has the advantages of high strength, no deformation at high temperatures, and no damage. The second insulating layer 1012 is installed between two first insulating layers 1011 to form a "sandwich" structure, which allows the first insulating layer 1011 to protect the second insulating layer 1012 from being pressed and deformed by the battery cells 20, allowing the second insulating layer 1012 to better play its insulating role, and the insulating plate 101 can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery 10.

[0081] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in (a) of FIG. 7, the ends of two first insulating layers 1011 in a second direction y perpendicular to the first direction x are connected, and although (a) of FIG. 7 shows only an exemplary direction, the second direction y is not limited thereto.

[0082] The ends of the two first insulating layers 1011 are connected, and the second insulating layer 1012 is packaged between the two first insulating layers 1011, protecting the second insulating layer 1012 from being compressed and deformed by the battery cells 20. In addition, the ends of the two first insulating layers 1011 are connected, improving the structural strength of the outer first insulating layer 1011.

[0083] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in (b) of FIG. 7, in the second direction y, the two first insulating layers 1011 are connected at at least one position other than the ends.

[0084] In the embodiment of the present application, in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction x and the second direction y, it should be understood that the two first insulating layers 1011 can be connected at positions other than the ends and are connected at at least one position.

[0085] The two first insulating layers 1011 are connected at multiple locations, which improves the structural strength of the first insulating layer 1011 and provides better support for the second insulating layer 1012 placed between the two first insulating layers 1011, preventing the second insulating layer 1012 from being compressed and deformed by the battery cells 20.

[0086] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, still referring to FIG. 7(b), the connection positions of the two first thermal insulating layers 1011 are uniformly distributed in the second direction y.

[0087] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the ends of the two first thermal insulating layers 1011 in the third direction z are connected.

[0088] Specifically, as shown in Figure 8, the first insulating layer has a convex periphery and a concave central portion, and the ends of two first insulating layers 1011 in the second direction y are connected, and the ends of the two insulating layers 1011 in the third direction z are also connected. In other words, the four ends of the two first insulating layers 1011 are connected to form a sealed cavity. The second insulating layer 1012 is placed in this cavity, which means that the second insulating layer 1012 is completely enclosed by the first insulating layer 1011 and is isolated from the outside world, making it possible to more effectively prevent the second insulating layer 1012 from being pressed.

[0089] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 9, two first insulating layers 1011 whose ends in the third direction z are connected and one second insulating layer 1012 located between the two first insulating layers 1011 are arranged along the second direction y.

[0090] Specifically, the two first insulating layers 1011 are arranged along the second direction y, and the ends of the two first insulating layers 1011 in the third direction z are connected to form a "mouth" shape by surrounding the two first insulating layers 1011, and the second insulating layer 1012 is located between the two first insulating layers 1011, that is, the second insulating layer 1012 is surrounded by the two first insulating layers 1011 in both the second direction y and the third direction z. In this case, when the battery cells 20 press against the first insulating layer 1011 and the second insulating layer 1012, the first insulating layer 1011 has high strength and is not easily deformed, and its size in the first direction x basically does not change, so that the two adjacent battery cells 20 are less likely to approach the intermediate second insulating layer 1012, thereby not pressing against the second insulating layer 1012 and ensuring that the second insulating layer 1012 effectively plays its insulating role.

[0091] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the two first insulating layers 1011 may be integrally molded to form a "mouth" shaped structure, and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0092] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in FIG. 10, in the third direction z, the two first insulating layers 1011 are connected at at least one position other than the ends.

[0093] It should be understood that in the second direction y, the two first insulating layers 1011 may be connected at other positions than the ends, and are connected at at least one position.

[0094] The two first insulating layers 1011 are connected at multiple locations, which improves the structural strength of the first insulating layer 1011 and provides better support for the second insulating layer 1012 placed between the two first insulating layers 1011, preventing the second insulating layer 1012 from being compressed and deformed by the battery cells 20.

[0095] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the connection positions of the two first thermal insulating layers 1011 are uniformly distributed in the third direction z. Alternatively, the connection positions of the two first thermal insulating layers 1011 are uniformly distributed in the second direction y.

[0096] In the embodiment of the present application, the size L1 of the insulating plate 101 in the first direction x is 0.2 mm to 5 mm, as shown in Figures 6, 7 and 9 to 11. As shown in Figure 11, when the insulating plate 101 includes only the first insulating layer 1011, the size L1 of the insulating plate 101 in the first direction x is the size L3 of the first insulating layer 1011 in the first direction x.

[0097] If the size L1 of the insulating plate 101 in the first direction x is too small, the insulating effect of the insulating plate 101 will be low, the strength of the insulating plate 101 will be low, and the insulating plate 101 will be easily deformed by being pressed by the battery cells 20 on both sides, reducing the insulating effect. If the size L1 of the insulating plate 101 in the first direction x is too large, it will occupy excessive space within the battery 10, reducing the energy density of the battery 10. Therefore, the size L1 of the insulating plate 101 in the first direction x is set to 0.2 mm to 5 mm, which ensures that the strength of the insulating plate 101 is high, the insulating effect is high, and the battery 10 has a high energy density.

[0098] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the size L1 of the insulating plate 101 in the first direction x is 3 mm.

[0099] The size L1 of the insulating plate 101 in the first direction x is set to 3 mm, which gives the insulating plate 101 high strength, makes it difficult to deform when pressed, and does not deform even at high temperatures, has a high insulating effect, effectively reduces the risk of thermal runaway diffusion of the battery 10, and does not occupy excessive space within the battery 10, ensuring that the battery 10 has a high energy density.

[0100] In the embodiment of the present application, the size L1 of the heat insulating plate 101 in the first direction x and the energy Q of the battery cell 20 are 2×10 -3 mm / Wh≦L1 / Q≦10 -2 Meets mm / Wh.

[0101] The energy of a battery cell refers to the amount of energy stored in the battery cell, and is one of the important performance indicators for evaluating the performance of the battery cell.

[0102] If the ratio of the size L1 of the heat insulating plate 101 in the first direction x to the energy Q of the battery cell 20 is too small, that is, if the size L1 of the heat insulating plate 101 in the first direction x corresponding to the unit energy of the battery cell 20 is too small, the heat insulating effect of the heat insulating plate 101 is low. When the energy Q of the battery cell 20 is constant, the larger L1 / Q, i.e., the larger L1, the more excess space is occupied within the battery 10, reducing the energy density of the battery 10. Therefore, the ratio of the size L1 of the heat insulating plate 101 in the first direction x to the energy Q of the battery cell 20 is 2×10 -3 mm / Wh≦L1 / Q≦10 -2 mm / Wh, thereby ensuring that the heat insulating plate 101 has a high heat insulating effect and that the battery 10 has a high energy density.

[0103] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, L1 / Q is 8×10 -3 mm / Wh.

[0104] The ratio of the size L1 of the heat insulating plate 101 in the first direction x to the energy Q of the battery cell 20 is 8×10 -3 mm / Wh, so that the insulating plate 101 has a high insulating effect, which can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion in the battery 10, and also ensure that the battery 10 has a high energy density without occupying excessive space within the battery 10.

[0105] In the embodiment of the present application, the size L2 of the second insulating layer 1012 in the first direction x and the size L1 of the insulating plate 101 in the first direction x satisfy 0.2≦L2 / L1≦0.6.

[0106] If L2 is much smaller than L1, that is, if L2 / L1 is too small, the second insulating layer 1012 will be thinner than the first insulating layer 1011, and the insulating effect of the second insulating layer 1012 will be weak. If L2 / L1 is too large, the second insulating layer 1012 will be thicker than the first insulating layer 1011, that is, the second insulating layer 1012 will occupy a large portion of the insulating plate 101, reducing the strength of the insulating plate 101 and making it more susceptible to deformation under pressure from the battery cells 20, which will affect the insulating effect. Therefore, by setting the ratio 0.2≦L2 / L1≦0.6, the insulating effect of the insulating plate 101 can be guaranteed and the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery 10 can be effectively reduced.

[0107] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the size L3 of the first insulating layer 1011 in the first direction x is 1 mm, and the size L2 of the second insulating layer 1012 in the first direction x is 1 mm.

[0108] In this way, the overall size of the insulating plate 101 formed by assembling one first insulating layer 1011 and two second insulating layers 1012 in the first direction x is 3 mm, which ensures that the insulating plate 101 has high strength, is resistant to deformation, and has excellent insulating effect, while preventing the insulating plate 101 from occupying excessive space within the battery 10 and ensuring that the battery 10 has a high energy density.

[0109] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, second insulating layer 1012 is an aerogel blanket.

[0110] Aerogel blankets are lightweight, easy to cut, have low density, inorganic fire retardant properties, are generally hydrophobic, and are environmentally friendly. The insulating effect of aerogel blankets is 2 to 5 times that of conventional insulating materials.

[0111] Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the second insulating layer 1012 is an air sandwich.

[0112] In this case, a cavity is formed between the two first insulating layers 1011, and the insulating plate 101 with such a structure not only has a certain structural strength and is not easily deformed when pressed or exposed to high heat, but also has a certain insulating effect, which can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery 10.

[0113] Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the first insulating layer 1011 includes a plurality of fiber reinforced resin layers 1013, and the fiber reinforced resin layers 1013 are formed by combining a fiber material and a resin material.

[0114] The process for combining the fiber material and the resin material is not limited in any way in this application. For example, as shown in Figure 12, a fiber-reinforced resin layer 1013 can be produced by immersing a single fiber material layer 1013a in a resin material slurry, allowing the resin material slurry to fully penetrate the fiber voids 1013b of the single fiber material layer 1013a, and then baking at a temperature of 60 to 120°C for 3 to 30 minutes. The first to 20th fiber-reinforced resin layers 1013 are stacked and hot-pressed at a pressure of 0.1 to 10 MPa and a temperature of 100 to 200°C to produce a first insulating layer 1011.

[0115] Similarly, the present application does not impose any limitations on the manufacturing method of the resin material slurry. For example, in an embodiment of the present application, the resin material slurry may be composed of a water-based elastic coating material, a resin material, a flame retardant, a dispersant, a coupling agent, silica powder, and short fibers in a mass ratio of (35-55):(15-34):(15-20):(1-3):(0.5-3):(1-3):(0.5-3).

[0116] The fiber-reinforced resin material in the examples of this application is a dark brown material with good acid resistance, mechanical properties, and heat resistance, and can maintain its structural integrity and dimensional stability even at very high temperatures. It is widely used in corrosion prevention engineering, adhesives, flame retardants, etc.

[0117] Fiber-reinforced resin composite materials have the properties of being light weight, high strength, high rigidity, and high temperature resistance, and multiple fiber-reinforced resin layers form the first insulating layer 1011, so that the first insulating layer 1011 has the properties of high strength and high temperature resistance, thereby ensuring that the insulating plate 101 effectively reduces the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery.

[0118] Optionally, in embodiments of the present application, the resin material is a silica aerogel modified resin or a high temperature flame retardant resin.

[0119] The silica aerogel-modified resin has low thermal conductivity, and the high-temperature resistant flame-retardant resin has high-temperature resistance and low thermal conductivity. Compared with general resin materials, the silica aerogel-modified resin and the high-temperature resistant flame-retardant resin can be combined with fiber materials to form a fiber-reinforced resin composite material with better high-temperature resistance and high strength. The first insulating layer 1011 formed from the fiber-reinforced resin composite material can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion in the battery 10.

[0120] Optionally, in embodiments of the present application, the fibrous material is a ceramic fibrous material.

[0121] Specifically, the fibers may be one of glass fibers, carbon fibers, quartz fibers, high silica fibers, aluminum silicate fibers, mullite fibers, silicon carbide fibers, silicon nitride fibers, alumina fibers, boron nitride fibers, basalt fibers, brucite fibers, etc. Among various fiber materials, ceramic fibers have relatively excellent high-temperature resistance.

[0122] Ceramic fiber materials have better high-temperature resistance than other fiber materials, and materials formed by combining ceramic fiber materials with resin materials have better high-temperature resistance and high strength properties. A first insulating layer formed from this composite material can effectively reduce the risk of thermal runaway diffusion within the battery.

[0123] Optionally, in embodiments of the present application, the ceramic fiber material is silicon oxide or alumina.

[0124] The first heat insulating layer, which is manufactured by combining a ceramic fiber material using silicon oxide or alumina with a resin material, has the best high temperature resistance.

[0125] An embodiment of the present application further provides a power consumption device, which may include the battery 10 in the above embodiment. Optionally, the power consumption device may be a vehicle 1, a ship, a spacecraft, etc., but the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

[0126] The following describes examples of the present application. The examples described below are illustrative and are only for the purpose of interpreting the present application, and should not be understood as limitations on the present application. If no specific techniques or conditions are specified in the examples, they will be carried out in accordance with the techniques or conditions described in the technical literature or product instructions.

[0127] GB / T 1447-2005, Testing Methods for Tensile Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics, conducted tensile tests on the first insulation layer made of fiber-reinforced resin materials. The test results are shown in Table 1. GB / T 5258-2008, Testing Methods for In-Plane Compression Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics, conducted compression tests on the first insulation layer. The test results are shown in Table 2. GB / T 1449-2005, Testing Methods for Bending Performance of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics, conducted bending tests on the first insulation layer. The test results are shown in Table 3. GB / T 30969-2014, Testing Methods for Short Beam Shear Strength of Polymer Matrix Composites, conducted short beam shear tests on the first insulation layer. The test results are shown in Table 4. GB / T 1843-2008, Testing Standards for Determination of Impact Strength of Plastic Cantilever Beams, conducted impact tests on the first insulation layer. The test results are shown in Table 5.

[0128] [Table 1]

[0129] [Table 2]

[0130] [Table 3]

[0131] [Table 4]

[0132] [Table 5]

[0133] Furthermore, the test results of a hardness test on the first heat insulating layer having a thickness of 3 mm show that the Shore D hardness is 87 and the Barcol hardness is 46.

[0134] Although the present application has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various improvements may be made thereto and elements therein 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 included within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery (10), a plurality of battery cells (20) including adjacent first and second battery cells (21) and (22) arranged along a first direction (x); an insulating board (101) installed between the first battery cell (21) and the second battery cell (22), the insulating board (101) including a first insulating layer (1011) that is a polymer matrix composite fiberboard; Including, The heat insulating plate (101) includes a second heat insulating layer (1012) and two first heat insulating layers (1011) arranged along the first direction (x), and the second heat insulating layer (1012) is located between the two first heat insulating layers (1011); The ends of the two first thermal insulating layers (1011) in a second direction (y) perpendicular to the first direction (x) are connected; A battery (10), characterized in that in the second direction (y), the two first insulating layers (1011) are connected at at least one position other than the ends.

2. A battery (10), a plurality of battery cells (20) including adjacent first and second battery cells (21) and (22) arranged along a first direction (x); an insulating board (101) installed between the first battery cell (21) and the second battery cell (22), the insulating board (101) including a first insulating layer (1011) that is a polymer matrix composite fiberboard; Including, The battery (10) is characterized in that the first insulating layer (1011) includes a plurality of fiber-reinforced resin layers, and the fiber-reinforced resin layers are formed by combining a fiber material and a resin material.

3. 3. The battery (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the polymer matrix composite fiberboard is a fiber reinforced resin composite board.

4. The battery (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the insulating plate (101) is installed between a first wall (211) of the first battery cell (21) and a second wall (221) of the second battery cell (22), the first wall (211) being the wall in the first battery cell (21) that has the largest surface area and is closest to the second battery cell (22), and the second wall (221) being the wall in the second battery cell (22) that has the largest surface area and is closest to the first battery cell (21).

5. 2. The battery (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection positions of the two first insulating layers (1011) are uniformly distributed in the second direction (y).

6. 2. The battery (10) according to claim 1, wherein the size L1 of the heat insulating plate (101) in the first direction (x) is between 0.2 mm and 5 mm.

7. 7. The battery according to claim 6, wherein the size L1 of the heat insulating plate (101) in the first direction (x) is 3 mm.

8. The size L1 of the heat insulating plate (101) in the first direction (x) and the energy Q of the battery cell are 2×10 -3 mm / Wh≦L1 / Q≦10 -2 7. The battery according to claim 6, wherein the battery satisfies the following conditions: mm / Wh.

9. L1 / Q is 8 x 10 -3 9. The battery of claim 8, wherein the electrical conductivity is 100 Ω / mm / Wh.

10. The battery (10) of claim 6, wherein the size L2 of the second insulating layer (1012) in the first direction (x) and the size L1 of the insulating plate (101) in the first direction (x) satisfy 0.2≦L2 / L1≦0.

6.

11. The battery (10) of claim 10, characterized in that the size L3 of the first insulating layer (1011) in the first direction (x) is 1 mm, and the size L2 of the second insulating layer (1012) in the first direction (x) is 1 mm.

12. The battery (10) of claim 1, wherein the second insulating layer (1012) is an aerogel blanket.

13. The battery (10) of claim 1, wherein the second insulating layer (1012) is an air sandwich.

14. The battery (10) of claim 2, wherein the resin material is a silica aerogel modified resin or a high-temperature resistant flame-retardant resin.

15. 3. The battery (10) of claim 2, wherein the fibrous material is at least one of glass fibers, ceramic fibers, carbon fibers, quartz fibers, high silica fibers, aluminum silicate fibers, mullite fibers, silicon carbide fibers, silicon nitride fibers, alumina fibers, boron nitride fibers, basalt fibers, brucite fibers, attapulgite fibers, boron fibers, carbon nanotube fibers, aramid fibers, polyimide fibers, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibers.

16. 3. The battery (10) of claim 2, wherein the fiber material is a ceramic fiber material.

17. 17. The battery (10) of claim 16, wherein the ceramic fiber material is silicon oxide or alumina.

18. An electrical power consuming device, comprising a battery (10) according to claim 1 or 2, said battery (10) being for providing electrical energy.

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