Electrode assembly and its manufacturing method, battery cell, battery, and power consumption device

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of batteries, and in particular to an electrode assembly and its manufacturing method, a battery cell, a battery, and a power consuming device. Here, the electrode assembly includes a first electrode plate, which includes a plurality of first stacks in which the first electrode plate is connected and stacked in sequence by folding back and forth in a first direction, and a second electrode plate, which has a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate and includes two second stacks in which the first electrode plate is connected to each other by folding back and forth in a second direction perpendicular or parallel to the first direction, and the second stacks and the first stacks are stacked in sequence alternately. Based on this, the production efficiency of stacked batteries can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of batteries, and specifically to electrode assemblies and methods for manufacturing the same, battery cells, batteries, and power consumption devices.

Background Art

[0002] Currently, the applications of batteries are becoming increasingly widespread. They are not only applied to energy storage power systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but also widely applied to multiple fields such as electric transportation vehicles like electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles, military equipment, and aerospace.

[0003] The laminated battery is an important type of battery, but due to the limitations of its structure, the production efficiency of the laminated battery is relatively low.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides an electrode assembly, a battery cell, a battery, a power consumption device, and a method for manufacturing the electrode assembly that improve the production efficiency of laminated batteries.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the electrode assembly according to this application includes a first electrode plate including a plurality of first laminates that are reciprocally folded along a first direction, whereby the first electrode plates are sequentially connected and laminated; and a second electrode plate having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate, being folded once along a second direction that is perpendicular or parallel to the first direction, whereby the second electrode plate includes two second laminates that are connected to each other, and the second laminates and the first laminates are sequentially laminated alternately.

[0006] Based on the above arrangement, by shortening the time of the cutting process and improving the lamination efficiency, the production efficiency of the laminated battery can be effectively improved.

[0007] In some embodiments, the tabs of the first electrode plate are located on edges other than the bent portion of the first electrode plate, and / or the tabs of the second electrode plate are located on edges other than the bent portion of the second electrode plate. When the tabs of the first electrode plate and / or the second electrode plate are located on edges other than the bent portion, the tabs are less likely to be damaged during the folding process, resulting in relatively high structural reliability.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, the tab of the first electrode plate is located at the edge adjacent to the bend of the first electrode plate, and the tab of the second electrode plate is located at the end away from the bend of the second electrode plate. Based on this, the tab extension method employed for the first and second electrode plates is along the folding direction of the second electrode plate in an orthogonal "Z+U" stacking configuration, which facilitates the extension of tabs from the same or different sides in the second direction for the first and second electrode plates, and satisfies the design requirements of battery cells where the positive and negative electrode terminals are located on the same or different sides.

[0009] In some embodiments, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and only one of any two adjacent first laminates has a tab, while the bent portion of the second electrode plate encloses the first laminate that does not have a tab. In this way, the positive and negative tabs are easily separated physically and short circuits between the positive and negative tabs are prevented.

[0010] In some embodiments, the second direction is parallel to the first direction, the tab of the first electrode plate is located on the edge adjacent to the bend of the first electrode plate, and the tab of the second electrode plate is located on the edge adjacent to the bend of the second electrode plate. Based on this, the first and second electrode plates employ a tab extension method perpendicular to the folding direction of the second electrode plate in an orthogonal "Z+U" stacking configuration, which facilitates the extension of tabs from the same or different sides of the first electrode plate in the longitudinal direction, and satisfies the design requirements of battery cells where the positive and negative electrode terminals are located on the same or different sides.

[0011] In some embodiments, the tabs of the first electrode plate and the tabs of the second electrode plate are located on the same side or on opposite sides. When the tabs of the first electrode plate and the tabs of the second electrode plate are located on the same side, it is easier to satisfy the design requirements of a battery cell in which the positive and negative electrode terminals are located on the same side. When the tabs of the first electrode plate and the tabs of the second electrode plate are located on opposite sides, it is easier to satisfy the design requirements of a battery cell in which the negative electrode terminals are located on opposite sides.

[0012] In some embodiments, the tabs of the first and second electrodes are located on the same side, while the tabs of the first and second electrodes are offset in the first direction. In this way, the positive and negative tabs can be effectively separated, and mutual interference between the positive and negative tabs located on the same side can be prevented.

[0013] In some embodiments, at least one of the two second laminates of the second electrode plate has a tab. When only one of the two second laminates of the second electrode plate has a tab, the structure is simple. When both of the two second laminates of the second electrode plate have tabs, the electrical energy transmission efficiency is higher and the operational reliability is higher.

[0014] In some embodiments, the second electrode plate has an inert region, which includes a bent portion of the second electrode plate, and the inert region is not coated with active material. Based on this, it is easier to control the size of the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate.

[0015] In some embodiments, an insulating material is provided on the surface of the inert region of the second electrode plate facing the first electrode plate. This is advantageous in improving the insulation between the first and second electrode plates and improving safety performance.

[0016] In some embodiments, folding guides are provided on the first and / or second electrode plates to guide them into folding. The guiding action of the folding guides allows the first and / or second electrode plates to be easily folded, which is advantageous in further improving the production efficiency of stacked batteries.

[0017] In some embodiments, the folding guide section includes notches or folds. Both the provided notches or folds effectively serve as folding guides, making folding easier.

[0018] In some embodiments, the folding guide portion exhibits either a continuous or discontinuous line configuration. When the folding guide portion exhibits a continuous line configuration, it has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. When the folding guide portion exhibits a discontinuous line configuration, the area occupied by the folding guide portion is relatively small, which is advantageous for easily folding the electrode plate, while also maximizing the structural strength of the electrode plate.

[0019] In some embodiments, the folding guide section exhibits intermittent lines with equal spacing. Intermittent lines with equal spacing are easier to manufacture compared to other types of intermittent lines.

[0020] In some embodiments, the folding guide section is represented by a dotted or dashed line. This makes it easier to manufacture the folding guide section with intermittent lines at the same intervals.

[0021] In some embodiments, the folding guide portion is parallel to the width direction of the first electrode plate and / or the second electrode plate, or the folding guide portion is inclined with respect to the width direction of the first electrode plate and / or the second electrode plate. When the folding guide portion is parallel to the width direction of the first electrode plate and / or the second electrode plate, the manufacturing of the folding guide portion is easy. When the folding guide portion is inclined with respect to the width direction of the first electrode plate and / or the second electrode plate, it is advantageous in reducing the risk of lithium deposition and improving safety performance.

[0022] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly includes a separator that divides a first electrode plate from a second electrode plate, and two separators located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the same second electrode plate are both folded over and cover the edges of the second electrode plate where tabs are not installed. Based on this, the risk of short circuits can be reduced and safety performance can be improved.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first electrode plate is a negative electrode plate and the second electrode plate is a positive electrode plate. In this way, it is easier to make the area of the negative electrode plate larger than the area of the positive electrode plate, and the occurrence of the lithium deposition phenomenon can be effectively prevented.

[0024] The battery cell according to the present application includes a housing and further includes the electrode assembly of the embodiment of the present application, and the electrode assembly is installed in the housing. Since the production efficiency of the electrode assembly is improved, the production efficiency of the battery cell including the electrode assembly can be improved.

[0025] In some embodiments, the tab of the second electrode plate is located at an end away from the bent portion of the second electrode plate, and the bent portion of the second electrode plate contacts the inner wall of the housing. In this way, the electrode assembly can contact the housing and transfer heat, improving the heat dissipation performance of the battery cell.

[0026] In some embodiments, the surface of the bent portion of the second electrode plate away from the first electrode plate faces the direction of gravity. In this way, the second electrode plate can easily contact the inner wall of the housing sufficiently under the action of gravity, and a better heat dissipation effect can be realized.

[0027] The battery according to the present application includes a package box and further includes the battery cell of the embodiment of the present application installed in the package box. Since the production efficiency of the battery cell is improved, the production efficiency of the battery including the battery cell can be improved.

[0028] The power consumption device according to the present application includes a main body and further includes the battery cell or battery of the embodiment of the present application, and the battery cell provides electrical energy to the main body. Based on this, the production efficiency of the power consumption device can be effectively improved.

[0029] The manufacturing method of the electrode assembly according to the present application includes providing a first electrode plate, and by reciprocally folding the first electrode plate along a first direction, including a plurality of first laminates in which the first electrode plates are sequentially connected and laminated, providing a second electrode plate having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode plate, and by folding the second electrode plate once along a second direction perpendicular or parallel to the first direction, including two second laminates in which the second electrode plates are connected to each other, and inserting the second electrode plate into the first electrode plate, including that the second laminate and the first laminate are sequentially laminated alternately.

[0030] Adopting the above method to manufacture the electrode assembly has a relatively high efficiency.

[0031] In some embodiments, before folding the second electrode plate once along the second direction, two separators are further installed on both opposite sides along the thickness direction of the second electrode plate, and both of the two separators located on both opposite sides in the same thickness direction of the second electrode plate are folded back and cover the edge where the tab of the second electrode plate is not installed.

[0032] Before folding the second electrode plate, by using the two separators to wrap the edge where the tab of the second electrode plate is not installed with two layers of edge wrapping, it is easier to fold the second electrode plate, and the safety performance of the electrode assembly can be effectively improved.

[0033] In the present application, the first electrode plate of the electrode assembly is folded in a Z - folding manner, the second electrode plate is folded in a U - shaped middle - folding manner, and the folded second electrode plate is inserted into the first electrode plate. Such a lamination method has a relatively high efficiency compared with the single - lamination method and is beneficial to improving the production efficiency of the laminated battery.

[0034] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present application. In order to understand the technical means of the present application more clearly, it can be implemented according to the content of the specification. In order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present application clearer and more understandable, the following will specifically describe the specific embodiments of the present application. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0035] The drawings described herein are provided to provide a further understanding of this application and constitute part of this application. The exemplary embodiments and descriptions herein are used to interpret this application and do not constitute an unreasonable limitation. In the drawings, [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a power consumption device in an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the battery in the embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view of a battery cell in the first embodiment of this application. [Figure 4] This is a front view of a battery cell in the first embodiment of this application. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view AA in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of I in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a localized enlargement of section II. [Figure 8] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of BB. [Figure 9] Figure 8 is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of section III. [Figure 10] This is a schematic diagram of the lamination process of the first and second electrodes in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a side view of Figure 10. [Figure 12] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a localized enlargement of IV. [Figure 13] Figure 11 is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of V. [Figure 14] This is a schematic perspective view of a battery cell in the second embodiment of this application. [Figure 15] This is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of a battery cell in the second embodiment of this application. [Figure 16] This is a front view of the electrode assembly in the second embodiment of the present application. [Figure 17]This is a schematic diagram of the lamination process of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in the second embodiment of this application. [Figure 18] This is a side view of Figure 17. [Figure 19] This is a side view of the electrode assembly in the second embodiment of the present application. [Figure 20] Figure 19 is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of VI. [Figure 21] Figure 19 is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of VII. [Figure 22] This is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of the area where the electrode assembly in the second embodiment of this application contacts the case. [Figure 23] This is a schematic perspective view of the electrode assembly in the third embodiment of this application. [Figure 24] This is a schematic diagram of the lamination process of the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate in the third embodiment of this application. [Figure 25] This is a schematic perspective view of the second pole plate, which is provided with a folding guide portion in the embodiment of this application, when it is in the unfolded state. [Figure 26] Figure 25 shows a modified example of the second electrode plate. [Figure 27] Figure 26 is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of the cut in the second electrode plate. [Figure 28] Figure 25 shows a modified example of the second electrode plate. [Figure 29] Figure 28 is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of M. [Figure 30] Figure 25 shows a modified example of the second electrode plate. [Figure 31] Figure 30 is a localized, enlarged schematic diagram of N. [Figure 32] Figure 25 shows a modified example of the second electrode plate. [Figure 33] This is a schematic diagram showing how the separator in the embodiment of this application surrounds the second electrode plate. [Figure 34] This invention illustrates a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly in an embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0036] The following describes in detail embodiments of the technical proposal of this application, linked to the drawings. The following embodiments are provided solely to clarify the technical proposal of this application and are used only as examples; they do not limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art relating to the present application. The terms used herein are solely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application. The terms “including” and “having” and any variations thereof in the description of the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are intended to intentionally cover the non-exclusive “including.”

[0038] In the descriptions of the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as "first," "second," etc., are used solely to distinguish between different subjects and should not be understood as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number, specific order, or hierarchical relationship of the indicated technical features. In the descriptions of the embodiments of this application, "plural" means two or more unless otherwise clearly and specifically limited.

[0039] The “Examples” as used herein mean that certain features, structures, or characteristics described in conjunction with the Examples may be included in at least one Example of this Application. The appearance of this phrase at each location in the Specification does not necessarily refer to the same Example, nor does it mean that each Example is mutually exclusive or alternative to the others. Those skilled in the art will understand, both explicitly and implicitly, that the Examples described herein can be combined with other Examples.

[0040] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" merely describes a relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent three cases: A alone, a combination of A and B, or B alone. In this specification, the letter " / " generally indicates that the preceding and succeeding related objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0041] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the term "multiple" refers to two or more (including two), similarly, "multiple sets" refers to two or more sets (including two sets), and "multiple sheets" refers to two or more sheets (including two sheets).

[0042] In the description of the embodiments of this application, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by technical terms such as "center," "vertical direction," "horizontal direction," "length," "width," "thickness," "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inside," "outside," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial direction," "radial direction," and "circumferential direction" are orientations or positional relationships shown based on the drawings and are merely used to simplify the description of the embodiments of this application. They do not indicate or imply that the mentioned devices or elements have a specific orientation or must be configured and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limitations on the embodiments of this application.

[0043] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise explicitly defined or limited, technical terms such as "attachment," "connection," "bonding," and "fixing" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they may refer to fixed connections, removable connections, integral connections, mechanical connections, electrical connections, direct connections, indirect connections via an intermediate medium, internal communication between two elements, or interaction relationships between two elements. Those skilled in the art will be able to understand the specific meaning of these terms in the embodiments of this application, depending on the specific circumstances.

[0044] With the rapid development of electronic products and power-consuming devices such as electric vehicles, the applications of batteries are expanding day by day. They are not only used in energy storage power systems such as hydroelectric, thermal, wind, and solar power plants, but also in electric transportation tools such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles, as well as in multiple fields such as military equipment and aerospace. As the application fields of power batteries expand, the market demand is also constantly increasing, which presents a higher demand for battery production efficiency.

[0045] Stacked batteries are an important type of battery because, compared to wound batteries, they have a more flexible and open structure, higher utilization of internal space, and higher energy density, making them a structural form that deserves widespread adoption. However, currently, during the production of stacked batteries, it is necessary to stack multiple positive and negative electrodes alternately in sequence, resulting in relatively low production efficiency. This has already become a significant limiting factor in the development of stacked batteries. Therefore, improving the production efficiency of stacked batteries is extremely important.

[0046] To improve the production efficiency of stacked batteries, this application provides a power consumption device, a battery, a battery cell and an electrode assembly, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0047] Figures 1-34 show power consumption devices, batteries, battery cells, and electrode assemblies, as well as methods for manufacturing the same, in some embodiments of this application.

[0048] Next, the present application will be explained in conjunction with Figures 1-34.

[0049] Figure 1 illustrates the structure of the power consumption device 100.

[0050] Referring to Figure 1, the power consumption device 100 is a device that uses a battery cell 20 as a power source, and it includes the battery cell 20 and a main body 105, and the battery 10 is installed in the main body 105 and provides electrical energy to the main body 105, or the power consumption device 100 includes a main body 105 and a battery 10 including a battery cell 20, and the battery 10 is installed in the main body 105, and the battery cell 20 of the battery 10 provides electrical energy to the main body 105.

[0051] Here, the power consumption device 100 may be various power consumption devices such as mobile phones, tablets, laptop computers, electric toys, power tools, battery cars, electric vehicles, steamships, and aerospace aircraft. Here, electric toys may include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game consoles, electric car toys, electric steamship toys, and electric airplane toys. Aerospace aircraft may include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft.

[0052] The power consumption device 100 includes a power source, the power source includes a battery 10, and the battery 10 provides driving force to the power consumption device 100. In some embodiments, the driving force of the power consumption device 100 is entirely electrical energy, in which case the power source includes only the battery 10. In some other embodiments, the driving force of the power consumption device 100 includes electrical energy and other energy (e.g., mechanical energy), in which case the power source includes the battery 10 and other equipment such as an engine.

[0053] Let's take the case where the power consumption device 100 is a vehicle 101 as an example. Referring to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the power consumption device 100 is a new energy vehicle such as a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or a range extender vehicle, and includes a battery 10, a controller 102, and power equipment 103 such as a motor 104, and the battery 10 is electrically connected to the controller 102 and power equipment 103 such as the motor 104, so that the battery 10 can supply power to power equipment 103 such as the motor 104 under the control of the controller 102.

[0054] As can be seen, the battery 10 and its battery cells 20 are important components of the power consumption device 100.

[0055] Figure 2 illustrates the structure of battery 10.

[0056] Referring to Figure 2, the battery 10 includes a package box 30 and battery cells 20 installed in the package box 30. The package box 30 includes a housing 301 and a housing lid 302. The housing 301 and housing lid 302 engage with each other to form a sealed housing space inside the package box 30 to house the battery cells 20. To provide more electrical energy and meet higher power consumption demands, the number of battery cells 20 in the package box 30 may be at least two. Each battery cell 20 in the battery 10 is electrically connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel configurations to achieve a relatively large capacity or power. For illustrative purposes, a simplified representation of the battery cells 20 is used in Figure 2.

[0057] As can be seen, the battery cell 20 is the smallest battery unit for providing electrical energy, and it is a core component of the battery 10 and the power consumption device 100. Its performance directly affects the performance of the battery 10 and the power consumption device 100, and its production efficiency also directly affects the production efficiency of the power consumption device 100 and the battery 10. Improving the production efficiency and performance of the battery cell 20 is beneficial for improving the production efficiency and performance of the power consumption device 100 and the battery 10.

[0058] The battery cell 20 may be any type of battery cell, such as a lithium-ion battery, and may have any shape, such as a square or cylindrical shape.

[0059] Figure 3-33 illustrates the structure of a battery cell.

[0060] Referring to Figure 3-33, the battery cell 20 includes a housing 202, an electrode assembly 201, an adapter 205, and electrode terminals 206.

[0061] Here, the housing 202 is used to house and protect components located inside the housing 202 (e.g., electrode assembly 201 and adapter 205). The housing 202 includes a case 203 and an end cap 204. The end cap 204 is fitted over the opening at the end of the case 203, forming a sealed space inside the housing 202 for housing the electrode assembly 201 and the like.

[0062] The electrode assembly 201 is used to generate electrical energy and is installed inside the housing 202. It provides electrical energy by undergoing an electrochemical reaction with the electrolyte injected into the housing 202. The electrode assembly 201 includes electrode plates and comprises two electrode plates, a first electrode plate 1 and a second electrode plate 2, which are combined. The first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are electrode plates of opposite polarity, with one being the negative electrode plate 14 (also called the anode plate) and the other being the positive electrode plate 24 (also called the cathode plate). The thickness of the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 is 0.05 to 0.2 mm. After combining the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2, a laminated structure is formed and separated by a separator 3 to prevent short circuits between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2. Both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 have tabs 15, which transmit the electrical energy generated by the electrode assembly 201 to the outside through the tabs 15. For easy distinction, the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are called the first tab 12 and the second tab 22, respectively.

[0063] Tab 15 is the portion of the positive and negative electrode plates of the electrode assembly 201 that is not coated with the active material 29. It extends outward from the portion of the positive and negative electrode plates coated with the active material 29 and is electrically connected to an external circuit via the adapter 205 and electrode terminals 206, thereby enabling the transmission of electrical energy to the outside. Here, the tab 15 of the negative electrode plate 14 is called the negative tab 13, and the tab 15 of the positive electrode plate 24 is called the positive tab 23.

[0064] The adapter 205 is installed inside the housing 202 and is located between the tab 15 of the electrode assembly 201 and the electrode terminal 206. It is used to establish an electrical connection between the electrode assembly 201 and the electrode terminal 206, and to transmit the electrical energy generated by the electrode assembly 201 to the electrode terminal 206. Here, the adapter 205 corresponding to the positive tab is called the positive adapter, and the adapter 205 corresponding to the negative tab is called the negative adapter.

[0065] The electrode terminals 206 are electrically connected to the electrode assembly 201 via the adapter 205, connected to an external circuit, and used to transmit the electrical energy generated by the electrode assembly 201 to the outside of the battery cell 20. Here, the electrode terminal 206 corresponding to the negative tab 13 is called the negative electrode terminal 20a, and the electrode terminal 206 corresponding to the positive tab 23 is called the positive electrode terminal 20b.

[0066] As can be seen, the electrode assembly 201 is a crucial component of the battery cell 20 and is key to the battery cell 20 being able to provide electrical energy.

[0067] There are mainly two methods for combining the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 in the electrode assembly 201: the wound method and the stacked method. When the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are combined using the wound method, the corresponding battery cell 20 is called a wound battery, while when the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are combined using the stacked method, the corresponding battery cell 20 is called a stacked battery. Stacked batteries lack the corners of wound batteries, resulting in a more flexible and open structure, higher utilization of internal space, and higher energy density, thus offering relatively good future application potential.

[0068] However, the current development of stacked batteries is severely constrained by the problem of relatively low production efficiency.

[0069] The electrode assembly 201 of a stacked battery cannot be rapidly wound and molded like the electrode assembly 201 of a wound battery. In related technologies, the electrode assembly 201 of a stacked battery can only employ a single-stack method, that is, by stacking the cut first electrode plate 1 and second electrode plate 2 one by one, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are stacked alternately in sequence and separated by a separator 3. In such a single-stack method, each independent electrode plate must be cut, and it is unavoidable that metal burrs and metal debris will be generated from the cut metal edges. If these metal burrs and debris enter the inside where the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are stacked, there is a risk that the electrode plates will be pierced and short-circuited. Furthermore, because each plate must be stacked one by one, there is a problem of relatively low production efficiency.

[0070] In response to the above situation, this application improves the structure and manufacturing method of the electrode assembly 201 of the battery cell 20, further improving the safety performance of the stacked battery and improving the production efficiency of the stacked battery.

[0071] Figure 3-33 illustrates the structure of the battery cell 20 and its electrode assembly 201.

[0072] Referring to Figure 3-33, in this application, the electrode assembly 201 includes a first electrode plate 1 and a second electrode plate 2. By folding the first electrode plate 1 back and forth along a first direction X, the first electrode plate 1 includes a plurality of first laminates 11 that are sequentially connected and stacked. The second electrode plate 2 is of opposite polarity to the first electrode plate 1 and is folded once along a second direction Y, thereby the second electrode plate 2 includes two second laminates 21 that are connected to each other. The second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular or parallel. The second laminates 21 and the first laminates 11 are sequentially stacked alternately.

[0073] The first electrode plate 1 is folded back and forth along the first direction X, resulting in a Z-shaped (or S-shaped or W-shaped) folding method, while the second electrode plate 2 is folded once along the second direction Y, resulting in a U-shaped (or V-shaped) middle-folding method. Therefore, in the above installation method, the electrode assembly 201 employs a "Z+U" type stacking method.

[0074] In the "Z+U" type stacking method, there is no need to stack electrode plates one by one. The first electrode plate 1 is folded in a Z shape, and multiple second electrode plates 2 are each folded in the middle in a U shape. Then, the folded second electrode plates 2 are simultaneously and directly inserted into the first electrode plate 1. This allows the second stack 21 and the first stack 11 to be stacked alternately in sequence. Compared to the single stacking method, this method effectively improves the production efficiency of the electrode assembly 201, battery cell 20, battery 10, and power consumption device 100.

[0075] Here, the first electrode plate 1 employs a Z-folding method, and each first laminate 11 is connected, eliminating the need to pre-cut the first electrode plate 1 into individual first laminates 11. Similarly, the second electrode plate 2 employs a U-folding method, and the two second laminates 21 are connected, eliminating the need to pre-cut the second electrode plate 2 into two second laminates 21. Thus, the corresponding cutting steps are omitted, the time required for the cutting process is reduced, and production efficiency can be improved.

[0076] Furthermore, the second electrode plate 2 employs a U-shaped folding method, and during the lamination process, dozens of the second electrode plates 2 are simultaneously manipulated to be inserted into the first electrode plate 1, completing the assembly with the first electrode plate 1. This eliminates the need to stack the second laminated body 21 onto the first laminated body 11 one by one, which is advantageous in terms of improving production efficiency.

[0077] As can be seen, the "Z+U" type stacking method adopted in this application can effectively improve the production efficiency of stacked batteries by reducing the time of the cutting process and improving stacking efficiency.

[0078] Furthermore, in the "Z+U" type lamination method, there is no need to cut between each first laminate 11 of the first electrode plate 1, nor between the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2. Compared to the single lamination method, where each laminate is cut from each other and there are cuts, the number of cuts can be effectively reduced. This reduction in the number of cuts reduces the probability of burr formation, reduces the risk of short circuits, and improves operational safety. The more cuts there are, the higher the probability of burr formation, and the easier it is for burrs to pierce the separator 3, causing a short circuit between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2. Therefore, the higher the risk of short circuits, the lower the operational safety. In this application, both the first laminate 11 and the second laminate 21 only need to be cut on three sides, not all four sides. This reduces the number of cuts in both the first laminate 11 and the second laminate 21, thus reducing the risk of short circuits and improving operational safety.

[0079] As can be seen here, this application provides an electrode assembly 201 that is formed using a "Z+U" type stacking method, which can effectively improve the production efficiency of stacked batteries and also effectively improve the operational safety of stacked batteries.

[0080] Furthermore, the "Z+U" stacking method adopted in this application facilitates improvement of the heat dissipation performance of the battery cell 20. For example, referring to Figure 22, in some embodiments, the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located at an end away from the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2, and the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 is in contact with the inner wall of the housing 202.

[0081] It is easy to understand that the bent portion 25 refers to the part where the electrode plate is folded. Specifically, the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1 is the part where the first electrode plate 1 is folded, or the part where two adjacent first laminates 11 are connected to each other after the first electrode plate 1 has been folded. The bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 is the part where the second electrode plate 2 is folded, or the part where two second laminates 21 are connected to each other after the second electrode plate 2 has been folded. Referring to Figure 9, in some embodiments, the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1 takes on an arc shape, so the entire first electrode plate 1 takes on an approximately S shape. Referring to Figure 12, in some embodiments, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 takes on an arc shape, so the entire second electrode plate 2 takes on an approximately U shape.

[0082] In related technologies, an insulating support plate is generally provided between the electrode plate and the housing 202 for housing the electrode assembly 201, creating a gap between them and preventing direct contact. Here, the insulating support plate supports the electrode assembly 201 and is generally made of an insulating material such as a polymer material. In such cases, the heat generated by the electrode assembly 201 is not easily released rapidly, and heat accumulates inside the housing 202, making it prone to safety accidents such as overheating explosions.

[0083] Unlike related technologies, in the above embodiment, no insulating support plate is installed between the electrode assembly 201 and the housing 202. The folded portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 of the electrode assembly 201, which employs a U-shaped folding method, is brought into contact with the inner wall of the housing 202. Thus, the second electrode plate 2 is generally manufactured from a material with relatively good thermal conductivity, such as a metal material, and the housing 202 for housing the electrode assembly 201 is generally manufactured from a material with relatively good thermal conductivity, such as a metal material (e.g., aluminum). Furthermore, the number of second electrode plates 2 Because there are many bent portions 25 of the second electrode plates 2 that are in contact with the inner wall of the housing 202, and the total contact area is relatively large, the bent portions 25 of the second electrode plates 2 are in contact with the inner wall of the housing 202, enabling a direct contact heat dissipation process with high thermal conductivity and a large area between the electrode assembly 201 and the housing 202. This allows the heat generated by the electrode assembly 201 to be rapidly discharged to the outside of the housing 202, thereby effectively improving the heat dissipation performance of the battery cell 20, reducing the risk of heat buildup causing safety accidents, and improving operational safety.

[0084] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 contacts the inner wall of the housing 202, the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is placed at an end away from the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2. As a result, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 that contacts the housing 202 does not have the tab 15, and the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located on the opposite side of the bent portion 25. The advantage is that the bent portion 25 without such a tab 15 is more likely to contact the housing 202, while the contact between the bent portion 25 and the housing 202 does not affect the electrical connection between the tab 15, the adapter 205, and the electrode terminal 206.

[0085] As can be seen, by positioning the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 at an end away from the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 comes into contact with the inner wall of the housing 202. Assuming that this does not affect the electrical energy transmission function of the second electrode plate 2, highly efficient heat dissipation between the electrode assembly 201 and the housing 202 can be achieved, effectively improving the heat dissipation performance of the battery cell 20.

[0086] Referring to Figure 22, in some embodiments, the surface of the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 that is away from the first electrode plate 1 faces in the direction of gravity. Based on this, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 can make better contact with the inner wall of the housing 202 due to gravity, enabling more efficient heat transfer, which is advantageous in further improving the heat dissipation performance of the battery cell 20.

[0087] As described above, in this application, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are electrode plates with opposite polarity. In some embodiments, the first electrode plate 1 is a positive electrode plate 24, and the second electrode plate 2 is a negative electrode plate 14. In some other embodiments, the first electrode plate 1 is a negative electrode plate 14, and the second electrode plate 2 is a positive electrode plate 24. When the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are a negative electrode plate 14 and a positive electrode plate 24, respectively, the first electrode plate 1 employs a Z-shaped folding method and the second electrode plate 2 employs a U-shaped center-folding method. This makes it easier to design the area of ​​the first electrode plate 1 to be larger than the area of ​​the second electrode plate 2, and thus it is easier to make the area of ​​the negative electrode plate 14 larger than the area of ​​the positive electrode plate 24. In this way, the negative electrode plate 14 can have a position sufficient to receive lithium ions, which is advantageous in preventing the occurrence of lithium deposition.

[0088] Here, lithium deposition refers to the phenomenon in which there are no positions on the negative electrode plate to receive lithium ions, and lithium ions are deposited on the surface of the negative electrode plate.

[0089] The charging and discharging process of a lithium-ion battery involves the absorption and release of energy through the intercalation and release of lithium ions at the positive and negative electrode plates. When a lithium-ion battery is charged, lithium ions are generated on the positive electrode plate. These generated lithium ions move to the negative electrode plate via the electrolyte, combine with electrons, and are intercalated within the active material of the negative electrode plate. The more lithium ions intercalated, the higher the charging capacity. When a lithium-ion battery is discharged, the lithium ions intercalated on the negative electrode plate are released and move back to the positive electrode plate. The more lithium ions that return to the positive electrode, the higher the discharge capacity. However, if there are no positions on the negative electrode plate to receive lithium ions, the lithium ions will deposit on the surface of the negative electrode plate (i.e., lithium will be deposited), forming lithium dendrites. If these lithium dendrites pierce the separator and come into contact with the positive electrode plate, it can cause a short circuit in the battery, leading to ignition and ultimately an explosion. As can be seen, the occurrence of lithium deposition affects the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries.

[0090] When the negative electrode plate 14 employs a Z-shaped folding method and the positive electrode plate 24 employs a U-shaped center-folding method, it is easier to make the area of ​​the negative electrode plate 14 larger than the area of ​​the positive electrode plate 24, which is advantageous in preventing the occurrence of lithium deposition and further improving the operational safety of the stacked battery.

[0091] Furthermore, when stacking, the folding direction of the first electrode plate 1 and the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 may be perpendicular or parallel; in other words, the first direction X and the second direction Y may be perpendicular or parallel.

[0092] Here, when the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular, the folding direction of the first electrode plate 1 and the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 are perpendicular, and the stacking method in this case may be called the orthogonal "Z+U" type stacking method. In such an orthogonal "Z+U" type stacking method, after the second electrode plate 2 is folded in the middle and inserted into the folded first electrode plate 1, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 wraps around one edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1, and the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 can perform a certain stopper action on the first electrode plate 1 in the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 (i.e., the second direction Y), while the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1 is... The edges adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the body are wrapped around the first electrode plate 1, providing a certain stopper effect to the second electrode plate 2 in the folding direction of the first electrode plate 1 (i.e., the first direction X). Furthermore, the two adjacent first laminates 11 of the first electrode plate 1 sandwich one of the second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 in between, providing a certain stopper effect to the second electrode plate 2 in a third direction Z (the stacking direction of each first laminate 11) which is perpendicular to both the first direction X and the second direction Y. As can be seen, when a "Z+U" type stacking method with orthogonal elements is adopted, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 can stop each other, and stoppers can be realized in multiple directions between them, resulting in strong stopper reliability.

[0093] When the first direction X and the second direction Y are parallel, the folding direction of the first electrode plate 1 and the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 are parallel, and the stacking method in this case may be called a parallel "Z+U" type stacking method. In such a parallel "Z+U" type stacking method, after the second electrode plate 2 is folded in the middle and inserted into the folded first electrode plate 1, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 spans over and wraps around the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1, and can perform a certain stopper action on the first electrode plate 1 in the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 (i.e., the second direction Y), and two adjacent first stacks 11 of the first electrode plate 1 sandwich one of the second stacks 21 of the second electrode plate 2 in between, and can perform a certain stopper action on the second electrode plate 2 in the stacking direction of each first stack 11 (i.e., the third direction Z). As can be seen, when a parallel "Z+U" shaped stacking system is adopted, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 can act as stoppers for each other. At the same time, such a parallel "Z+U" shaped stacking system is easy to assemble.

[0094] As can be seen, when adopting a "Z+U" type stacking method, whether it is an orthogonal stacking method where the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular, or a parallel stacking method where the first direction X and the second direction Y are parallel, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 can stop each other. This mutual stopping action between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 is advantageous in improving the structural reliability of the electrode assembly 201, making it easier to control the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes from the positive electrode plate, and further improving the safety performance of the stacked battery.

[0095] The portion of the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate is also called an overhang, and it is a concept that was proposed primarily to improve the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries.

[0096] As mentioned above, if the area of ​​the negative electrode plate that receives lithium ions is insufficient during charging of a lithium-ion battery, lithium will be deposited, and if the dendrites from which lithium has been deposited pierce the separator, it will cause a short circuit in the battery cell, leading to an explosion or fire. Therefore, in order to improve the safety of lithium-ion batteries and to ensure that the negative electrode plate has a sufficient area to receive lithium ions, the negative electrode plate is generally designed to be oversized, meaning that the area of ​​the negative electrode plate is larger than the area of ​​the positive electrode plate. As a result, the edge of the negative electrode plate generally extends beyond the edge of the positive electrode plate, forming a portion of the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate.

[0097] As can be seen, the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate is designed with a size difference. This size difference design can create physical separation between the positive and negative electrodes, preventing lithium ions from precipitation on the surface of the negative electrode plate and forming lithium dendrites, thereby reducing the risk of short circuits between the positive and negative electrodes and effectively improving the safety performance of lithium-ion batteries.

[0098] However, a challenge has existed in the design process of the portion of the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate: it is difficult to control the area of ​​the portion that extends beyond the positive electrode plate. In addition to the large number of electrodes and the difficulty in aligning the positive and negative electrode plates of different layers, the relative position between the positive and negative electrode plates is prone to change due to factors such as loosening of the topping rubber, making it relatively difficult to control the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate. If the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate cannot be effectively controlled, the area of ​​the portion that extends beyond the positive electrode plate tends to be too small or too large, negatively affecting battery performance. For example, if the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate is too small, the portion that extends beyond the positive electrode plate disappears when the positive and negative electrode plates shift, and the short-circuit prevention effect is lost. Furthermore, for example, if the area of ​​the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate is too large, the negative electrode plate will have to occupy too much of the internal space of the lithium battery, leading to wasted space, a low space utilization rate, and affecting the improvement of energy density.

[0099] As this illustrates, effectively controlling the area of ​​the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate is an important but difficult problem.

[0100] In the "Z+U" type stacking method of this application, the stopper action of the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 relative to the first electrode plate 1 makes it easier to control the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate.

[0101] For example, referring to Figures 6 and 12, in some embodiments, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are configured as a negative electrode plate 14 and a positive electrode plate 24, respectively, and the second electrode plate 2 is configured to have an inert region 26, the inert region 26 includes a bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2, and the inert region 26 is not coated with the active material 29. Here, exemplary, the size of the inert region 26 in the second direction Y (half the width of the inert region 26 in the unfolded state) is 1 to 18 mm, and for example, in some embodiments, the size of the inert region 26 in the second direction Y is 3 to 4 mm.

[0102] Since the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2 is not coated with the active material 29, the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2 forms an inactive region and does not participate in the electrochemical reaction during charging and discharging. In this case, the portion of the first electrode plate 1 that extends into the corresponding inert region 26 is the portion that protrudes beyond the second electrode plate 2. At this time, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are the negative electrode plate 14 and the positive electrode plate 24, respectively. Therefore, the portion of the first electrode plate 1 that extends into the corresponding inert region 26 is the portion of the negative electrode plate 14 that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate 24, and lithium deposition does not occur, thus forming the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate. At this time, the size of the area of ​​the portion of the corresponding negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate depends on the size of the area of ​​the inert region 26. Therefore, it is only necessary to control the size of the area of ​​the uncoated active material 29 at one end of the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2. In other words, by controlling only the size of the area of ​​the inert region 26, effective control of the size of the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate can be achieved, which is simple, easy, and has relatively high control accuracy. Specifically, when assembling, if the second electrode plate 2, which already has the inert region 26 processed, is inserted into a predetermined position within the first electrode plate 1, the size of the portion of the negative electrode plate 14 that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate 24 can be controlled, and furthermore, accurate control of the size of the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate can be easily achieved.

[0103] It should be explained that in Figure 6, the blank area between the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 and the end of the first laminate 11 is actually filled with separator 3, but the corresponding separator portion is not depicted in the figure. In other words, in the process of inserting the second electrode plate 2 into the first electrode plate 1, the second electrode plate 2 is inserted directly to the bottom, and the distance between the edge of the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 and the edge of the first electrode plate 1 that is wrapped by the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 is approximately the thickness of separator 3 or a multiple of the thickness of separator 3.

[0104] Furthermore, the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2 allows for easier control of the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that extends beyond the positive electrode plate, and also facilitates improvement of the insulation reliability between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2. For example, referring to Figure 12, in some embodiments, an insulating material 27 is provided on the surface of the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2 facing the first electrode plate 1. As an example, the insulating material 27 is a ceramic coating or an insulating adhesive (e.g., insulating paste or insulating topping rubber).

[0105] Regardless of whether the second electrode plate 2 is a positive electrode plate 24 or a negative electrode plate 14, when an insulating material 27 is provided on the surface of the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2 facing the first electrode plate 1, the inert region 26 and the first electrode plate 1 can be insulated via the separator 3 and also via the insulating material 27. This results in better insulation between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2, more reliably preventing short-circuit accidents, and thereby further improving operational safety. Since no active material 29 is provided in the inert region 26, the insulating material 27 is provided in the inert region 26, and the insulating material 27 does not affect the normal electrochemical reaction. As can be seen, by providing an insulating material 27 on the surface of the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2 facing the first electrode plate 1, the insulation between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 can be further improved without affecting the normal electrochemical reaction, and operational safety can be more effectively improved.

[0106] In this application, the tab extension method for the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 may vary.

[0107] For example, referring to Figure 3-24, in some embodiments, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is located on an edge other than the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1. In this case, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is not located on the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1 and is folded, making it less susceptible to damage. Therefore, it is relatively more reliable than when the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is located on the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1.

[0108] Furthermore, referring to Figure 3-24, for example, in some embodiments, the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located on an edge other than the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2. In this case, the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is not located on the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 and is less likely to be damaged because it is folded, thus providing higher reliability compared to the case where the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located on the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2. When the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located on an edge other than the bent portion 25 and is not located on the bent portion 25, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 is in contact with the inner wall of the housing 202 and heat is easily transferred. At the same time, since the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is not located on the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2, it is easier to use the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 to stop the first electrode plate 1. Generally, the tab 15 has a long extension length and is soft in hardness. Therefore, when the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located at the bent portion 25, the bent portion 25 needs to extend for a long distance and be soft in hardness. In such cases, it is difficult for the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 to effectively act as a stopper against the first electrode plate 1.

[0109] Furthermore, referring to Figure 3-24, for example, in some embodiments, the tabs 15 of both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are located on edges other than the bent portion 25. In such cases, the reliability is higher because the tabs of both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are less likely to be damaged by folding.

[0110] As an example in which the tabs 15 of both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are located on edges other than the bent portion 25, refer to Figure 3-20. In this case, the second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is located on an edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1, and the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located at an end away from the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2.

[0111] In the above example, since the second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular, the "Z+U" type lamination method, which involves orthogonal lamination, is employed between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2. At the same time, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is located at the edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1, and the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located at the end away from the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2. Therefore, the extension direction (abbreviated as tab extension direction) of the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 is aligned with the folding direction (i.e., the second direction Y) of the second electrode plate 2. As can be seen, in the electrode assembly 201 of the above example, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 employ a tab extension method along the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 in a orthogonal "Z+U" type stacking system. In such a case, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 can have tabs extending from the same side or different sides in the second direction Y, which easily satisfies the design requirements of battery cells where the positive and negative electrode terminals are located on the same side or different sides.

[0112] Referring to Figures 3-13 as a specific embodiment of the above example, in some embodiments, the second direction Y and the first direction X are perpendicular, and only one of any two adjacent first laminates 11 has a tab 15, while the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 encloses the first laminate 11 that does not have a tab 15. Based on this setup, the first electrode plate 1 employs a method of extending tabs at intervals, that is, one tab 15 extends from every other first laminate 11. In this case, the first laminate 11 from which the tab 15 does not extend can secure space relative to the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2. If the direction of tab extension of the first laminate 11 from which the tab extends is opposite to the direction of tab extension of the second electrode plate 2, that is, if the tabs extend from both sides of the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 that are facing each other in the second direction Y, the positive and negative tabs can be physically separated, preventing short circuits between the positive and negative tabs, and is simple and easy.

[0113] Another example in which the tabs 15 of both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are located on edges other than the bent portion 25 is shown in Figures 23-24, where the second direction Y and the first direction X are parallel, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is located on an edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1, and the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located on an edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2.

[0114] In the above example, since the second direction Y and the first direction X are parallel, a parallel "Z+U" type lamination method is employed between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2. At the same time, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is located on the edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1, and the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is located on the edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2. Therefore, the tab extension directions of both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are perpendicular to the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 (i.e., the second direction Y, which in this example is also the first direction X). As can be seen, in the electrode assembly 201 of the above example, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 employ a tab extension method perpendicular to the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 in an orthogonal "Z+U" type stacking system. In such a case, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 extend tabs from the same or different sides in directions perpendicular to the second direction Y (in this example, the second direction Y coincides with the first direction X) and the third direction Z, which easily satisfies the design requirements of a battery cell in which the positive and negative electrode terminals are located on the same or different sides.

[0115] As can be seen, regardless of whether it is an orthogonal "Z+U" stacking system or a parallel "Z+U" stacking system, the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 can be located on the same side or on opposite sides. In other words, both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 can extend tabs from the same side or different sides, thus easily meeting the design requirements for battery cells in which the positive and negative electrode terminals are located on the same side or different sides.

[0116] Here, when the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are located on the same side, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 comes into contact with the inner wall of the housing 202, facilitating heat transfer. At this time, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 can be offset in the first direction X to prevent mutual interference between the positive and negative tabs.

[0117] Referring to Figures 6-32, in this application, at least one of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 has a tab 15, that is, only one of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 has a tab 15, or both of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 have tabs 15. Here, if only one of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 has a tab 15, the two second laminates 21 are in contact with each other via a bent portion 25, so the two second laminates 21 can transmit electrical energy to the outside by sharing one tab 15, and the second laminate 21 without a tab 15 can transmit electrical energy via the bent portion 25 to the second laminate 21 with a tab 15, and the second laminate 21 with a tab 15 can transmit it to the outside by the tab 15 of the second laminate 21 with a tab 15. In such cases, the second electrode plate 2 has a simple structure because it can transmit electrical energy to the outside with only one tab 15. If both of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 have tabs 15, the second electrode plate 2 can transmit electrical energy to the outside through two tabs 15, resulting in higher electrical energy transmission efficiency. Furthermore, the tabs 15 of the two second laminates 21 can serve as backups for each other, and if one of the tabs 15 of the second laminate 21 fails, the second electrode plate 2 can still transmit electrical energy normally through the tab 15 of the other second laminate 21. Thus, the operational reliability of the second electrode plate 2, electrode assembly 201, battery cell 20, battery 10, and power consumption device 100 can be effectively improved.

[0118] In each of the embodiments described above, assembly requires folding both the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2. To facilitate the folding of the first electrode plate 1 and / or the second electrode plate 2, as shown in Figure 25-32, in some embodiments, a folding guide portion 28 is provided on the first electrode plate 1 and / or the second electrode plate 2 to guide them into folding.

[0119] The guiding action of the folding guide section 28 allows the first electrode plate 1 and / or the second electrode plate 2 to be easily folded, which is advantageous in improving the production efficiency of stacked batteries.

[0120] Here, the structure of the folding guide section 28 can vary. For example, referring to Figure 25-32, in some embodiments, the folding guide section 28 includes a notch 281 or a fold 282. The installed notch 281 or fold 282 can effectively perform a folding guide function, thereby allowing the first pole plate 1 and / or the second pole plate 2 to be folded along the corresponding notch 281 or fold 282, enabling the folding to be completed quickly and minimizing deviations in the folded position. As can be understood, the notch 281 is an engraved mark, which is recessed downward from the engraved surface and becomes a weak point with a certain depth. The fold 282 is a folded mark, which is not recessed downward from the folded surface and has no depth.

[0121] Furthermore, the shape of the folding guide portion 28 can vary. For example, referring to Figures 25-32, in some embodiments, the folding guide portion 28 exhibits a continuous line or a discontinuous line.

[0122] In this case, if the folding guide portion 28 exhibits a continuous line, the folding guide portion 28 has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. For example, a folding guide portion 28 exhibiting a continuous line is a continuous straight line or a continuous curve.

[0123] When the folding guide portion 28 exhibits a discontinuous line pattern, the area occupied by the folding guide portion 28 is relatively small, which is advantageous for easily folding the electrode plate, and also improves the structural strength of the electrode plate as much as possible. For example, the folding guide portion 28 exhibiting a discontinuous line pattern exhibits a dotted line pattern; for example, referring to Figure 28-31, in some embodiments, the folding guide portion 28 exhibits a dotted or dashed line pattern. Compared to other types of discontinuous lines, discontinuous lines with the same spacing are easier to process, and in particular, dotted and dashed lines are easier to process.

[0124] The folding guide portion 28 installed in each of the above embodiments may be parallel to the width direction of the first pole plate 1 and / or the second pole plate 2, or it may be inclined with respect to the width direction of the first pole plate 1 and / or the second pole plate 2. To make it clear, the width direction of the first pole plate 1 and / or the second pole plate 2 means the direction of extension of the short side of the surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first laminate 11 and / or the second laminate 21, and is also called the transverse direction of the first pole plate 1 and / or the second pole plate 2, and is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the first pole plate 1 and / or the second pole plate 2. The longitudinal direction of the first pole plate 1 and / or the second pole plate 2 is the direction of extension of the long side of the surface perpendicular to the thickness direction of the first laminate 11 and / or the second laminate 21. With respect to the first pole plate 1, its width direction is also the direction of extension of the two edges adjacent to the folding portion 25 of the first laminate 11. With respect to the second electrode plate 2, its width direction is also the relative arrangement direction of the two edges adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the second laminate 21.

[0125] Referring to Figures 25-31, the folding guide portion 28 is easier to manufacture if it is parallel to the width direction of the electrode plate where it is located.

[0126] Referring to Figure 32, when the folding guide portion 28 is inclined with respect to the width direction of the electrode plate, the folding guide portion 28 has a deflection angle and guides the electrode plate to be deflected and folded in the middle, thereby shifting two adjacent laminates obtained by folding in the width direction. When such a deflected folding guide portion 28 is installed on the second electrode plate 2 of the positive electrode plate 24, the two second laminates 21 of the positive electrode plate 24 can be shifted in the width direction. In this way, the two second laminates 21 are not perfectly aligned and bonded together, making it easy to insert the second electrode plate 2 into the first electrode plate 1, and after inserting the second electrode plate 2 into the first electrode plate 1, it is easy to control the relative positional relationship between the second electrode plate 2 and the first electrode plate 1, and the two second laminates 21 of the positive electrode plate 24 are at the discontinuous end of the negative electrode plate 14. By keeping the positive electrode plate 24 as far away as possible from the negative electrode plate 14 and as close as possible to the continuous end of the negative electrode plate 14, that is, by keeping the two second laminates 21 of the positive electrode plate 24 as close as possible to the bent portion 25 of the negative electrode plate 14 and away from the open end of the negative electrode plate 14, the positive electrode plate 24 is less likely to protrude beyond the negative electrode plate 14 in the width direction, which is advantageous in preventing the positive electrode plate 24 from protruding beyond the negative electrode plate 14 in the width direction and causing lithium deposition problems, thereby further improving operational safety.

[0127] As mentioned above, a separator 3 is provided between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2. The separator 3 prevents a short circuit between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 by separating them. However, during actual operation, the separator 3 may be punctured by foreign matter (for example, edge burrs or detached edge dressing generated during the electrode plate cutting process, and dendrites that grow during charging), potentially causing a short circuit. For example, during charging, lithium ions detach from the positive electrode plate 24 and enter the negative electrode plate 14. The negative electrode plate 14 expands after absorbing lithium ions, and the positive electrode plate 24 expands after detaching lithium ions. Therefore, during charging, the expansion of the positive and negative electrode plates presses down on the separator 3 between them. In such cases, foreign matter located on the positive and negative electrode plates can easily puncture the separator, causing a short circuit and leading to a safety accident.

[0128] To further improve safety performance, as shown in Figure 33, in some embodiments, two separators 3 located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the same second electrode plate 2 are both folded back and cover the edges of the second electrode plate 2 where the tabs 15 are not installed.

[0129] In related technologies, the separator 3 is located only between the surfaces perpendicular to the thickness direction of two adjacent electrode plates and does not enclose the edges of the electrode plates. In such cases, foreign matter on the edges of the electrode plates is likely to cause short-circuit problems. In the embodiment of this application, by having the separator 3 enclose the edge of the second electrode plate 2, the separator 3 can be used to block electrical conduction between the positive and negative electrodes due to foreign matter on the edges, thereby effectively reducing the risk of foreign matter on the edges causing short-circuit accidents.

[0130] Furthermore, in the embodiment of this application, not only does one separator 3 wrap around the edge of the second electrode plate 2, but two separators 3 on both sides in the thickness direction of the second electrode plate 2 also wrap around the edge of the second electrode plate 2. Therefore, even if foreign matter on the edge of the first electrode plate 1 and / or the second electrode plate 2 pierces the single layer of separator 3 wrapped around the edge, the other layer of separator 3 wrapped around the edge will block it, thus more reliably preventing short circuits and more effectively improving safety performance.

[0131] At the same time, the separator 3 encloses the edges of the electrode plates, and since the separator 3 is a structure originally present in the battery cell 20, there is no need to add other structural members to enclose the edges of the electrode plates, resulting in a simple structure. More importantly, if other structural members are used to enclose the edges of the electrode plates, these members are likely to affect the normal transmission of lithium ions, blocking the transmission of lithium ions in the enclosed area and leading to a loss of overall capacity of the electrode assembly 201 and the battery cell 20. Furthermore, when other structural members enclose the edges of the positive electrode plate, lithium can still detach normally from the edges of the enclosed area, creating a risk of lithium deposition in the corresponding negative electrode plate area, thus easily leading to safety risks. In this application, wrapping the edges of the electrode plates with separator 3 effectively solves the corresponding problems. Since separator 3 does not block lithium ion transmission, it does not cause a loss of overall capacity of the electrode assembly 201 and battery cell 20, nor does it increase the risk of lithium deposition. On the contrary, after separator 3 wraps the edges of the positive electrode plate 24, it slows down the lithium ion transmission rate in the wrapped region of the positive electrode plate 24's edge, reducing the amount of lithium ions absorbed in the edge region. Thus, it is advantageous in reducing the risk of edge lithium deposition.

[0132] Furthermore, in this application, since the first electrode plate 1 employs a Z-shaped folding method and the second electrode plate 2 employs a U-shaped center-folding method, it is easier and simpler to use the separator 3 to wrap around the edge of the second electrode plate 2 compared to the case where the separator 3 wraps around the edge of the first electrode plate 1.

[0133] At the same time, the edges of the second electrode plate 2, which are enclosed by the two separators 3, are the edges where the tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are not installed, and therefore do not affect the normal extension of the tabs to the second electrode plate 2.

[0134] As can be seen, by folding back both separators 3 located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the same second electrode plate 2 and covering the edges of the second electrode plate 2 where the tabs 15 are not installed, it is possible to more reliably block short-circuit accidents caused by foreign matter on the edges, based on a simpler structure, without affecting the overall capacity output or increasing the risk of lithium deposition, thereby more effectively improving safety performance.

[0135] Here, when the two separators 3 wrap around the edges of the second electrode plate 2, they can wrap around all edges of the second electrode plate 2 that do not have tabs 15 installed. As a result, all edges of the second electrode plate 2 other than those with tabs 15 can be wrapped by the hemming 31 of the two layers of separators 3, achieving a fully sealed wrapping of all free edges of each second laminate 21, thereby further enhancing safety performance.

[0136] When combining the separator 3 and the second electrode plate 2, methods such as thermocompression bonding or adhesive bonding can be used to composite the separator 3 onto the second electrode plate 2, thereby enhancing the robustness of the packaging. Furthermore, the degree of lithium ion absorption and desorption at the edges of the electrode plates can be adjusted by controlling the thermocompression bonding or adhesive bonding process.

[0137] In some embodiments, to facilitate folding the second pole plate 2, the separator 3 wraps around the edges of the second pole plate 2 where the tabs 15 are not installed before folding the second pole plate 2.

[0138] Next, we will introduce further examples shown in Figure 3-33.

[0139] To simplify the description and make it easier to understand, in the following description, up, down, left, and right are defined based on the up, down, left, and right of Figure 5, where the up, down, left, and right of Figure 5 correspond to the up, down, left, and right of Figure 14, satisfying the orientation and positional relationship when the battery cell 20 and battery 10 are normally installed in the vehicle, where up is the direction opposite to the direction of gravity, and down is the direction in the same direction as the direction of gravity.

[0140] Furthermore, it should be explained that, in order to clearly show the relationship between the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2, the separator 3 is not shown in some of the drawings, for example, Figures 10-12, 17-18, and 23-24.

[0141] First, we will introduce the first embodiment shown in Figures 3-13.

[0142] As shown in Figures 3-13, in this first embodiment, the battery cell 20 is a rectangular stacked battery, which transmits electrical energy outward from opposite sides.

[0143] Here, as shown in Figures 3-7, in this first embodiment, the housing 202 of the battery cell 20 is rectangular, and one end cap 204 is provided at each of the left and right ends of the case 203. These two end caps 204 are detachably connected to the left and right ends of the case 203, thereby forming a sealed space inside the housing 202 for housing the electrode assembly 201 and electrolyte, etc.

[0144] Since electrode terminals 206 are provided on both end caps 204, the two electrode terminals 206 of the battery cell 20 are located on both the left and right sides of the housing 202. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the negative electrode terminal 20a is installed on the left end cap 204, and the positive electrode terminal 20b is installed on the right end cap 204.

[0145] To achieve electrical connection with the two electrode terminals 206 on both the left and right sides, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, the tabs 15 of the electrode assembly 201 are installed on both the left and right sides of the electrode assembly 201. Specifically, as can be seen from Figures 5-6, the negative tab 13 is installed on the left side of the electrode assembly 201 and is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 20a located on the left side via an adapter 205 located on the left side. As can be seen from Figures 5 and 7, the positive tab 23 is installed on the right side of the electrode assembly 201 and is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 20b located on the right side via an adapter 205 located on the right side. In this way, the electrical energy generated by the electrode assembly 201 can be transmitted to the outside from both opposing sides in the left-right direction.

[0146] Figures 5-13 show the structure and lamination process of the electrode assembly 201 in this embodiment.

[0147] As shown in Figures 5-13, in this embodiment, the electrode assembly 201 includes a first electrode plate 1, a second electrode plate 2, and a separator 3. The first electrode plate 1, the second electrode plate 2, and the separator 3 are stacked alternately in a stacking manner to form the electrode assembly 201, which is also generally called a battery core.

[0148] As can be seen from Figures 5-13, in this embodiment, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are a negative electrode plate 14 and a positive electrode plate 24, respectively. In this case, the active material 29 coated on the surface of the first electrode plate 1 is a positive electrode active material, and is one or more of the following: lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2), lithium manganese oxide, lithium iron phosphate, and nickel cobalt manganese metal oxide (NCM). The current collector for supporting the active material 29 of the first electrode plate 1 is a positive electrode current collector such as aluminum foil. The tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is a negative tab 13. The active material 29 coated on the surface of the second electrode plate 2 is a negative electrode active material such as graphite. The current collector for supporting the active material 29 of the second electrode plate 2 is a negative electrode current collector such as copper foil. The tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is a positive tab 23.

[0149] As shown in Figures 5-13, in this embodiment, the first electrode plate 1 employs a Z-shaped folding method, and the second electrode plate 2 employs a U-shaped center-folding method. The folding direction of the first electrode plate 1 (i.e., the first direction X) is aligned vertically, and the center-folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 (i.e., the second direction Y) is aligned horizontally, so that the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular to each other, forming a perpendicular "Z+U" type stacking system. After folding the first electrode plate 1 in a Z shape, multiple first stacks 11 are formed, connected via the bent portion 25. After folding the second electrode plate 2 in a U shape, two second stacks 21 are formed, connected via the bent portion 25. By inserting the multiple folded second electrode plates 2 into the first electrode plate 1, each first stack 11 and each second stack 21 are stacked alternately in sequence along the third direction Z. The third direction Z is along the thickness direction of each laminate, and specifically, in this embodiment, the third direction Z is perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0150] As can be seen from Figures 5-13, in this embodiment, the first electrode plate 1, which is configured as the negative electrode plate 14, employs a method of extending tabs at intervals. That is, in each first laminate 11 of the first electrode plate 1, one tab 15 extends between each first laminate 11, and of two adjacent first laminates 11, only one first laminate 11 has a tab 15. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5-6 and 10-11, in this embodiment, the first laminate 11 on which the tab 15 is provided extends the tab from only one side in the second direction Y. Thus, the first electrode plate 1 extends the tab from only one side in the second direction Y, and in this case, the tab extension method of the first electrode plate 1 is to extend the tab from a single side. Specifically, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 are all located at the left end of the first electrode plate 1, and more precisely, each tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is located at the left edge of each first laminate 11. As can be seen from Figures 6 and 10 together, in this embodiment, the left edge of the first laminate 11 is the edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1 of the first laminate 11, and as can be seen, in this embodiment, the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 are located at the edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1. In this embodiment, the first electrode plate 1 is a negative electrode plate 14, so the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is a negative tab 13, and by placing the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 on the left side, it is easy to electrically connect the negative tab 13 to the negative electrode terminal 20a located on the left side of the battery cell 20.

[0151] Continuing to refer to Figures 5-13, in this embodiment, only one of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2, which constitutes the positive electrode plate 24, has a tab 15. The tab 15 is located at the end of the second laminate 21 away from the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2. In this case, since the two second laminates 21 are connected via the bent portion 25, electrical energy can be transmitted smoothly to the outside even if each of the second electrode plates 2 is provided with only one tab 15. Furthermore, as can be seen in Figures 5-7, in this embodiment, all the bent portions 25 of the second electrode plates 2 face to the left and wrap around the left edge of the first laminate 11 where the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is not installed, and all the tabs 15 of the second electrode plates 2 are located at the right end of the second electrode plate 2, that is, the tab 15 of each second laminate 21 is located at the right edge of the corresponding second laminate 21. In this embodiment, the second electrode plate 2 is a positive electrode plate 24. Therefore, the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is a positive tab 23. By placing the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 on the right side, it is easy to electrically connect the positive tab 23 to the positive electrode terminal 20b located on the right side.

[0152] In this embodiment, the first electrode plate 1 employs a method of extending tabs at intervals from one side, and the second electrode plate 2 employs a method of extending a single tab from one side. Furthermore, the tab extension direction of the first electrode plate 1 is opposite to that of the second electrode plate 2, and they are located on opposing sides in the second direction Y, extending to the left and right, respectively. As a result, the positive and negative tabs do not interfere with each other, making it easy to electrically connect them to the positive and negative electrode terminals on both the left and right sides, thus satisfying the design requirements of a battery cell that has electrode terminals on both the left and right sides. Of course, referring to Figure 7, in this embodiment, tabs 15 may be provided on both the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2. In this embodiment, since the first electrode plate 1 does not extend tabs on the side from which the tabs of the second electrode plate 2 are extended, the tabs of the first electrode plate 1 do not interfere with the tabs of the second electrode plate 1, even if neither of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 extends tabs. When tabs 15 are provided on both of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2, the conductivity efficiency is higher and the conductivity reliability is stronger.

[0153] As can be seen in Figures 6 and 11-12, in this embodiment, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2, and some straight portions located near both ends of the bent portion 25, are configured as inert regions 26. The active material 29 is not applied to the surface of the inert region 26 facing the first electrode plate 1, and insulating treatment is performed by using an insulating material 27 such as a ceramic coating, paste, or topping rubber.

[0154] In this embodiment, since the second electrode plate 2 is a positive electrode plate 24, the folded portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 that encloses the first electrode plate 1 and the surrounding area are configured as an inert region 26. This prevents the generation of lithium ions in the corresponding inert region 26. As a result, the portion of the first laminate 11 extending into the corresponding inert region 26 protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate 24 of the negative electrode plate 14, that is, it protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate of the negative electrode plate. This fundamentally solves the lithium deposition problem caused by the folded portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 protruding from the first electrode plate 1, and effectively improves operational safety. Furthermore, by controlling the size of the area of ​​the inert region 26, the size of the area of ​​the portion of the corresponding negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate can be effectively controlled. This is simple and easy, and cleverly solves the problem of difficulty in controlling the size of the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate.

[0155] By further installing insulating material 27 in the inert region 26, the insulation between the positive and negative plates can be enhanced, preventing short circuits between the positive and negative plates more reliably and improving safety performance more effectively.

[0156] As shown in Figures 10-11, in this embodiment, when assembling the electrode assembly 201, the first electrode plate 1 is folded back and forth along the first direction X, the multiple second electrode plates 2 are folded in the middle, and the multiple folded second electrode plates 2 are inserted into the positions of each first laminate 11 where the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 do not extend, from the side of the first electrode plate 1 adjacent to the bent portion 25 and where the tabs 15 are not installed, thereby completing the orthogonal stacking process of the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plates 2. Since this stacking process is simple and easy, and the cutting process is also simple, the production efficiency of the electrode assembly 201, battery cell 20, battery 10 and power consumption device 100 can be effectively improved, which is of great significance for the widespread application of laminated batteries.

[0157] Here, after folding each second electrode plate 2 in half, the two second laminated bodies 21 are not completely bonded together, but are left open at a certain angle, making it easy to insert the second electrode plate 2 into the first electrode plate 1.

[0158] Next, we will introduce a second embodiment shown in Figures 14-22. To simplify the description, we will mainly introduce the differences between this second embodiment and the first embodiment, and other parts not mentioned can be understood by referring to the first embodiment.

[0159] As shown in Figures 14-22, in this second embodiment, the battery cell 20 is still a rectangular stacked battery, and its electrode assembly 201 still employs an orthogonal "Z+U" stacking method, but instead of employing a method in which tabs and electrode terminals extend from both the left and right sides, a method is adopted in which tabs and electrode terminals extend from the top.

[0160] Specifically, as can be seen from Figures 14-15, in this embodiment, the housing 202 has only one removable connected end cap 204, which is removablely connected to the top of the case 203. The two electrode terminals 206, namely the negative terminal 20a and the positive terminal 20b, are both mounted on this top end cap 204 and extend upward from this top end cap 204 to the outside of the housing 202. Specifically, the negative terminal 20a is located on the left side of the top end cap 204, and the positive terminal 20b is located on the right side of the top end cap 204.

[0161] As shown in Figures 16-20, in this embodiment, the folding direction of the first electrode plate 1, which employs a Z-shaped folding method (i.e., the first direction X), is along the left-right direction, while the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2, which employs a U-shaped center-folding method (i.e., the second direction Y), is upward. Thus, the first direction X and the second direction Y are orthogonal, forming an orthogonal "Z+U" type stacking system. Multiple first stacks 11 formed by folding the first electrode plate 1 and multiple second stacks 21 formed by center-folding all the second electrode plates 2 are stacked alternately in sequence along a third direction Z. The third direction Z is along the thickness direction of each stack and, in this embodiment, is perpendicular to the first direction X and the second direction Y.

[0162] As can be seen from Figures 16-20, in this embodiment, the first electrode plate 1 is configured as a negative electrode plate 14. It does not employ a method of extending tabs at intervals from a single side, but rather a method of continuously extending tabs from a single side. Specifically, in each first laminate 11 of the first electrode plate 1, one tab 15 is provided in each first laminate 11, and all tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 are located at the top edge of a particular first laminate 11. Since the first electrode plate 1 in this embodiment is a negative electrode plate 14, the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 are negative tabs 13. By placing the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 at the top edge of the first electrode plate 1, it is easy to electrically connect the negative tabs 13 to the negative electrode terminal 20a located at the top of the battery cell 20. As shown in Figure 17, in this embodiment, the top edge of the first laminate 11 is the edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1 of the first laminate 11, and as can be seen, in this embodiment, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 is located at the edge adjacent to the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1.

[0163] Continuing to refer to Figures 16-20, in this embodiment, the second electrode plate 2 is configured as a positive electrode plate 24, and instead of employing a method of extending a single tab from one side, it employs a method of extending a debut tab from one side, that is, tabs 15 are provided on both of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2, and all tabs 15 are located at the ends of the second laminate 21 away from the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2. In this embodiment, the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2 is upward, so the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 is downward, and the end of the second electrode plate 2 away from the bent portion 25 is the top edge of the second laminate 21, so in this embodiment, all tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are located at the top edge of the second electrode plate 2. In this embodiment, the second electrode plate 2 is a positive electrode plate 24, so the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 is a positive tab 23, and by placing the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 on the top edge of the second electrode plate 2, the positive tab 23 can be easily electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 20b located at the top of the battery cell 20.

[0164] In this embodiment, since the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are both located at the top, the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are located on the same side in the first direction X. In such a case, in order for the positive and negative tabs to not interfere with each other, as shown in Figure 17, in this embodiment, the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are offset in the folding direction of the first electrode plate 1 (i.e., the first direction X). Specifically, as shown in Figure 17, in this embodiment, the tabs 15 are provided on the edge near only one of the two adjacent bent portions 25 of the first electrode plate 1, and the tabs 15 are not provided on the edge near the other bent portion 25. All the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 are located close to the bent portions 25 of the first electrode plate 1, but all the tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are located away from the bent portions 25 of the first electrode plate 1. Thus, the tab 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the tab 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are completely offset in the first direction X and do not overlap each other, so when the positive and negative tabs are placed on the same side, mutual interference between the positive and negative tabs can be effectively prevented.

[0165] The positive and negative tabs are offset in the first direction X, and since the first direction X is aligned in the left-right direction, as shown in Figure 15-16, the positive and negative tabs are offset in the left-right direction, so that all negative tabs 13 are located on the left side of the top and all positive tabs 23 are located on the right side of the top, making it easy to electrically connect the positive and negative tabs to the negative terminal 20a on the left side of the top and the positive terminal 20b on the right side of the top, respectively, and meeting the design requirements for battery cells that extend electrode terminals from the top.

[0166] As described above, in this embodiment, all the bent portions 25 of the second electrode plates 2 are facing downwards. In such a case, to improve the heat dissipation performance of the electrode assembly 201 and the battery cell 20, referring to Figure 22, in this embodiment, all the bent portions 25 of the second electrode plates 2 are in contact with the inner surface of the bottom wall of the housing 202. Because the second electrode plates 2 in this embodiment are arranged vertically, the orientation of the bent portions 25 of the second electrode plates 2 is the same as the direction of gravity, or more precisely, the surface of the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plates 2 that is away from the first electrode plates 1 faces the direction of gravity. Therefore, after the electrode assembly 201 is placed in the housing 202, the second electrode plates 2 can naturally sink due to gravity, achieving natural contact between the bent portions 25 of the second electrode plates 2 and the inner surface of the bottom wall of the housing 202. The bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 can be compressed and deformed after contacting the bottom wall of the housing 202, so that the surface of the bent portion 25 that separates from the first electrode plate 1 changes from an arc shape to a nearly rectangular shape, thereby facilitating sufficient contact between the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 and the bottom wall of the housing 202.

[0167] Since both the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 and the housing 202 are made of metal material, they have good thermal conductivity, and the contact area of ​​all the bent portions 25 of the second electrode plate 2 of the electrode assembly 201 with the bottom wall of the housing 202 is relatively large, and can occupy almost half of the inner surface area of ​​the bottom wall of the housing 202, in this embodiment the electrode assembly 201 can efficiently and sufficiently contact the housing 202 to transfer heat, thereby quickly releasing the heat generated by the electrode assembly 201 to the outside of the housing 202 and improving operational safety.

[0168] In this second embodiment, the second electrode plate 2 is also provided with an inert region 26 including a bent portion 25, and an insulating material 27 is provided in the inert region 26 to further insulate and prevent lithium deposition. This effectively controls the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate, thereby improving safety. Specifically, please refer to the relevant description in the first embodiment for further explanation, and will not be explained further here.

[0169] Next, we will introduce a third embodiment shown in Figures 23-24.

[0170] As shown in Figures 23-24, in this third embodiment, the electrode assembly 201 does not employ an orthogonal "Z+U" stacking method, but rather a parallel "Z+U" stacking method. That is, the folding direction of the first electrode plate 1, which folds in a Z shape (first direction X), is parallel to the folding direction of the second electrode plate 2, which folds in a U shape (second direction Y). After stacking is complete, the stacking direction of each stack (i.e., the third direction Z) is perpendicular to the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the vertical direction of the first electrode plate 1. At this time, the vertical direction of the first electrode plate 1 is perpendicular to the second direction Y (first direction X) and the third direction Z.

[0171] As shown in Figures 23-24, in this embodiment, the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are the negative electrode plate 14 and the positive electrode plate 24, respectively. The bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 encloses the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1, and any two adjacent second electrode plates 2 are located on opposite sides of the first electrode plate 1 along the first direction X, enclosing different bent portions 25 of the first electrode plate 1. Here, the two second electrode plates 2 form a pair and enclose two continuous bent portions 25 of the first electrode plate 1, but between two adjacent pairs of second electrode plates 2, there is one bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1. That is, after two continuous bent portions 25 of the first electrode plate 1 are enclosed, one bent portion 25 is not enclosed, then the other two continuous bent portions 25 are enclosed, and then another bent portion 25 is not enclosed, and so on. To make it easier to understand, in Figure 24, only one pair of second plates 2 are subjected to explosive treatment, while the other multiple pairs of second plates 2 are shown in the state when they are covering the first plate 1.

[0172] At the same time, as shown in Figures 23-24, in this embodiment, the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 are both located on edges adjacent to the bent portion 25, have the same tab extension direction, and are both located on the same side of the first electrode plate 1 in the longitudinal direction (or longitudinal direction), thereby satisfying the design requirement of extending the tabs and electrode terminals from the same side of the battery cell. Here, one tab 15 is provided on each of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2. One tab 15 is also provided on each of the first laminates 11 of the first electrode plate 1. All the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and all the tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are offset in the first direction X to prevent mutual interference between the positive and negative tabs. Specifically, in this embodiment, the tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 are all located at the ends of the edges adjacent to the bent portion 25, away from the bent portion 25, while all the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 are located at the ends of the edges connected to the bent portion 25, close to the bent portion 25. In this embodiment, the bent portion 25 of the second electrode plate 2 wraps around the bent portion 25 of the first electrode plate 1. Therefore, after installation in this manner, all the tabs 15 of the first electrode plate 1 and all the tabs 15 of the second electrode plate 2 can be offset in the first direction X.

[0173] As can be seen, Figures 23-24 illustrate a parallel "Z+U" type stacking method, using the case where the first electrode plate 1 and the second electrode plate 2 extend tabs from the same side as an example. However, it should be understood that in the adopted parallel "Z+U" type stacking method, the tab extension direction of the first electrode plate 1 and the tab extension direction of the second electrode plate 2 are opposite and may be located on opposing sides in the longitudinal direction of the first electrode plate 1.

[0174] Figure 25-32 illustrates the structure of the second electrode plate 2 in this application.

[0175] The second electrode plate 2 is foldable, and its state before and after folding is called the unfolded state and the folded state, respectively. In the finished battery cell 20, the second electrode plate 2 is in the folded state, and this folded state is already shown in Figures 6-24. Figures 25-32 show the structure of the second electrode plate 2 in the unfolded state, that is, the structure of the second electrode plate 2 when it is not folded.

[0176] Here, Figure 25 shows a first example of the second electrode plate 2. As shown in Figure 25, in this example, an inert region 26 is provided on the second electrode plate 2, and since no active material 29 is installed on the surface of this inert region 26, this inert region 26 is a current collector portion that is not actually covered by the active material 29. By providing an insulating material 27 on the surface of the inert region 26, the insulation between the positive and negative electrode plates can be improved.

[0177] As shown in Figure 25, in this example, a folding guide portion 28 is provided on the second electrode plate 2, which is located within the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2, and is specifically a fold line 282. Here, the fold line 282 is a straight fold line that extends from one edge of the second electrode plate 2 in the width direction to another edge of the second electrode plate 2 in the width direction, and the direction of extension is parallel to the width direction of the second electrode plate 2. Based on this, if necessary, the second electrode plate 2 can be folded in the middle along the fold line 282 to complete the U-shaped inward folding of the second electrode plate 2, and the folding process is simpler and easier compared to when the second electrode plate 2 is not provided with a folding guide portion 28. After folding, the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 are aligned in the width direction and are not deflected. At the same time, since the fold 282 is located within the inert region 26, after folding, the inert region 26 includes a bent portion 25 that connects the two second laminates 21, and the inert region 26 makes it easier to control the area of ​​the portion of the negative electrode plate that protrudes beyond the positive electrode plate, thereby improving safety.

[0178] Figures 26-27 show a second example of the second electrode plate. As shown in Figure 26, in this example, a folding guide portion 28 is still provided within the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2. However, the difference from the first example shown in Figure 25 is that the folding guide portion 28 is a notch 281 instead of a fold 282. In this example, the notch 281 is a continuous straight notch that extends from one edge in the width direction of the second electrode plate 2 to another edge in the width direction of the second electrode plate 2, with the extension direction parallel to the width direction of the second electrode plate 2. Thus, by folding the second electrode plate 2 along the notch 281, the U-shaped folding of the second electrode plate 2 can be completed, which is simple and easy. Since the notch 281 has a certain depth in the thickness direction of the second electrode plate 2 compared to the fold 282, guiding and folding are easier, and the second electrode plate 2 can be guided more accurately to fold in the middle along the notch 281, making deviation less likely. Furthermore, since the notch 281 can be obtained by processing it directly during the production process of the second electrode plate 2, without having to be pre-folded after processing the second electrode plate 2, the processing process for the notch 281 is also easy.

[0179] Figures 28-29 show a third example of the second electrode plate. As shown in Figures 28-29, in this example, the folding guide portion 28 within the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2 is still a notch 281, and the notch 281 still extends along the width direction of the second electrode plate 2, but in this example the notch 281 is changed from a continuous straight notch to a dotted notch, which consists of a number of small holes spaced apart and arranged in parallel along the width direction of the second electrode plate 2. These small holes may be through holes or blind holes. Based on this, the folding of the second electrode plate 2 can be easily completed.

[0180] Figures 30-31 show a fourth example of the second electrode plate. As shown in Figures 30-31, in this example, the intermittent line cuts placed within the inert region 26 of the second electrode plate 2 are still parallel to the width direction of the second electrode plate 2 and are spaced at the same intervals. However, the difference from the third example shown in Figures 28-29 is that in this example, the intermittent line cuts 281 are changed from dotted line cuts to dashed line cuts. Based on this, the folding of the second electrode plate 2 can be easily completed.

[0181] Figure 32 shows a fifth example of the second electrode plate. As shown in Figure 32, the main difference between this example and the examples shown in Figures 25-31 is that the folding guide portion 28 is not parallel to the width direction of the second electrode plate 2, but has an angle with the width direction of the second electrode plate 2; in other words, in this example, the folding guide portion 28 is deflected with respect to the width direction of the second electrode plate 2. Thus, after folding, the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 are not aligned in the width direction but are deflected, and the second electrode plate 2 opens at a certain angle after folding, which not only makes it easier to insert into the first electrode plate 1, but also makes it easier to prevent each second laminate 21 from protruding beyond the first laminate 11 after the second electrode plate 2 is assembled with the first electrode plate 1, thereby reducing the risk of lithium deposition.

[0182] It should be explained that the folding guide section 28 shown in Figure 32 is a continuous straight line, but alternatively, this deflected folding guide section 28 may adopt other structural forms such as a dotted or dashed line, and this deflected folding guide section 28 may also be a fold line 282 or a notch 281.

[0183] As can be seen in Figures 25-32, in some of these examples, tabs 15 are provided at both ends of the second electrode plate 2, that is, both of the two second laminates 21 of the second electrode plate 2 have tabs 15, and the method used for the second electrode plate 2 is to extend the debut tab from one side. However, it should be understood that this does not constitute a limitation on this application, and when a tab 15 is provided at only one end of the second electrode plate 2, or when a tab 15 is provided at only one of the two second laminates 21, the various folding guide portions 28 described above may be installed on the second electrode plate 2.

[0184] Figure 33 shows an example where the edges of the second electrode plate 2 are wrapped by two separators 3.

[0185] As shown in Figure 33, in this embodiment, two separators 3 located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the same second electrode plate 2 are both folded back to form hemming 31, and the hemming 31 of the two separators 3 covers all edges of the second electrode plate 2 where the tabs 15 are not installed, so that all edges of the second electrode plate 2 where the tabs 15 are not installed are wrapped by the hemming 31 of the two layers of separators 3. The hemming 31 covers a region of 1-20 mm near the edges of the second electrode plate 2. In the covering process, first, the separator 3 located on the first side of the second electrode plate 2 is folded back, and the hemming 31 formed by the fold extends beyond the surface of the second electrode plate 2 corresponding to the edge, arrives at the second side of the second electrode plate 2, covers a 1-20 mm area on the surface of the second side close to the edge, and forms an inner layer edge covering. Then, the separator 3 located on the second side of the second electrode plate 2 is folded back, and the hemming 31 formed by the fold extends beyond the surface of the second electrode plate 2 corresponding to the edge, arrives at the first side of the second electrode plate 2, covers a 1-20 mm area on the surface of the first side close to the edge, and forms an outer layer edge covering that is wrapped outside the inner layer edge covering. In this way, a two-layer edge covering of the separator is obtained. After completing the edge covering of each layer of separator, the covered area of ​​the separator edge can be fixed by methods such as heat sealing or adhesive bonding. The relevant edge covering process can be completed before folding or cutting the second electrode plate 2.

[0186] The two-layer edge wrapping of the installed separator does not affect the overall capacity output, does not increase the risk of lithium deposition, and more reliably prevents short-circuit accidents caused by foreign matter on the edges. Therefore, the safety performance can be effectively improved compared to the case where the separator 3 does not wrap the edges of the second electrode plate 2.

[0187] Referring to Figure 34, based on the embodiments described above, the present application further provides a method for manufacturing an electrode assembly, the method for manufacturing an electrode assembly comprising: S100, providing a first electrode plate 1 and including a plurality of first laminates 11 in which the first electrode plates 1 are sequentially connected and stacked by folding the first electrode plate 1 back and forth along a first direction X; S200, providing a second electrode plate 2 having the opposite polarity to the first electrode plate 1 and including two second laminates 21 in which the second electrode plates 2 are connected to each other by folding the second electrode plate 2 once along a second direction Y which is perpendicular or parallel to the first direction X; and S300, inserting the second electrode plate 2 onto the first electrode plate 1 so that the second laminates 21 and the first laminates 11 are sequentially stacked alternately.

[0188] By employing the above method, electrode assemblies can be manufactured with relatively high efficiency, effectively improving the production efficiency of electrode assemblies, battery cells, batteries, and power consumption devices.

[0189] Here, the order in which steps S100 and S200 are performed is not restricted; step S100 may come first and step S200 may come second, or step S200 may come first and step S100 may come second, or steps S100 and S200 may be performed simultaneously.

[0190] In some embodiments, before folding the second electrode plate 2 once along the second direction Y, two separators 3 are placed on opposing sides along the thickness direction of the second electrode plate 2, and both separators 3 located on opposing sides along the thickness direction of the same second electrode plate 2 are folded back and cover the edges of the second electrode plate 2 where the tabs 15 are not installed.

[0191] Before folding the second electrode plate 2, two separators 3 are used to wrap the edges of the second electrode plate 2 that do not have tabs 15 with a double layer of edge wrapping. This makes it easier to fold the second electrode plate 2 and effectively improves the safety performance of the electrode assembly.

[0192] Each of the protection themes and features in each embodiment described above in this application can be referenced from one another, and where the structure is permissible, those skilled in the art can flexibly combine the technical features in different embodiments to form more embodiments.

[0193] This specification has described the principles and embodiments of the present application by applying specific examples, but the above description of examples is used solely to support the understanding of the method and core idea of ​​the present application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make several improvements and modifications to the present application without departing from the principles of the present application, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the scope of protection of the claims of the present application. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0194] 100 Power consumption equipment 101 vehicles 102 Controllers 103 Power equipment 104 Motor 105 Main Unit 10 batteries 20 battery cells 201 Electrode Assembly 202 Housing 203 cases 204 End Cap 205 Adapter 206 Electrode terminal 20a negative terminal 20b Positive terminal 30 package boxes 301 cabinet 302 Casing cover 1. First electrode plate 11. First layer 12 First Tab 13 Negative tab 14 Negative plate 15 tabs 2. Second electrode plate 21 Second layer 22 Second tab 23 Regular tab 24 Positive plate 25 Folded section 26 Inactive area 27 Insulating materials 28 Folding guide section 281 cuts 282 folds 29 Active material 3 Separators 31 Heming X First direction Y Second direction Z Third direction

Claims

1. Electrode assembly (201), A first electrode plate (1) comprising a plurality of first laminates (11) which are folded by reciprocating along a first direction (X), thereby connecting and stacking the first electrode plates (1) in sequence, The second electrode plate (2) is the opposite polarity to the first electrode plate (1), and includes two second laminates (21) which are folded once along a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X) so that the second electrode plate (2) is connected to each other, and the second electrode plate (2) is formed by stacking the second laminates (21) and the first laminates (11) alternately in sequence. The electrode assembly (201) includes a separator (3) which separates the first electrode plate (1) and the second electrode plate (2), and the two separators (3) located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the same second electrode plate (2) are both folded back and cover the edges of the second electrode plate (2) where the tab (15) is not installed, and do not cover the edges of the second electrode plate (2) where the tab (15) is installed. The separator (3) does not cover the edge of the first electrode plate (1), Folding guide portions (28) are provided on the first electrode plate (1) and / or the second electrode plate (2) to guide the first electrode plate (1) and / or the second electrode plate (2) to fold, The folding guide portion (28) is inclined with respect to the width direction of the first pole plate (1) and / or the second pole plate (2), An electrode assembly (201) characterized by the above.

2. The electrode assembly (201) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tab (15) of the first electrode plate (1) is located on an edge other than the bent portion (25) of the first electrode plate (1), and / or the tab (15) of the second electrode plate (2) is located on an edge other than the bent portion (25) of the second electrode plate (2).

3. The electrode assembly (201) according to claim 2, characterized in that the tab (15) of the first electrode plate (1) is located on an edge adjacent to the bent portion (25) of the first electrode plate (1), and the tab (15) of the second electrode plate (2) is located at an end away from the bent portion (25) of the second electrode plate (2).

4. The electrode assembly (201) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tab (15) of the first electrode plate (1) and the tab (15) of the second electrode plate (2) are located on the same side or on opposing sides.

5. The electrode assembly (201) according to claim 4, characterized in that the tab (15) of the first electrode plate (1) and the tab (15) of the second electrode plate (2) are located on the same side, and the tab (15) of the first electrode plate (1) and the tab (15) of the second electrode plate (2) are offset from each other in the first direction (X).

6. The electrode assembly (201) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one of the two second laminates (21) of the second electrode plate (2) has a tab (15).

7. The electrode assembly (201) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second electrode plate (2) has an inert region (26), the inert region (26) includes a bent portion (25) of the second electrode plate (2), and the inert region (26) is not coated with an active material (29).

8. The electrode assembly (201) according to claim 7, characterized in that an insulating material (27) is provided on the surface of the inert region (26) of the second electrode plate (2) facing the first electrode plate (1).

9. The electrode assembly (201) according to claim 1, characterized in that the folding guide portion (28) includes a notch (281) or a fold (282).

10. The electrode assembly (201) according to claim 1 or 9, characterized in that the folding guide portion (28) exhibits a continuous line or an intermittent line.

11. The electrode assembly (201) according to claim 10, characterized in that the folding guide portion (28) exhibits intermittent lines with equal spacing.

12. The electrode assembly (201) according to claim 11, characterized in that the folding guide portion (28) is represented by a dotted or dashed line.

13. The electrode assembly (201) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the first electrode plate (1) is a negative electrode plate (14) and the second electrode plate (2) is a positive electrode plate (24).

14. A battery cell (20) comprising a housing (202), further comprising an electrode assembly (201) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the electrode assembly (201) is installed within the housing (202).

15. The battery cell (20) according to claim 14, characterized in that the tab (15) of the second electrode plate (2) is located at an end away from the bent portion (25) of the second electrode plate (2), and the bent portion (25) of the second electrode plate (2) is in contact with the inner wall of the housing (202).

16. The battery cell (20) according to claim 15, characterized in that the surface of the bent portion (25) of the second electrode plate (2) that is away from the first electrode plate (1) faces in the direction of gravity.

17. A battery (10) comprising a package box (30), further comprising a battery cell (20) according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein the battery cell (20) is installed inside the package box (30).

18. A power consumption device (100) including a main body (105), further comprising a battery cell (20) according to any one of claims 14 to 16 or a battery (10) according to claim 17, wherein the battery cell (20) provides electrical energy to the main body (105).

19. A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly (201), The invention provides a first electrode plate (1), and includes a plurality of first laminates (11) in which the first electrode plates (1) are sequentially connected and stacked by folding the first electrode plate (1) back and forth along a first direction (X), The present invention provides a second electrode plate (2) having the opposite polarity to the first electrode plate (1), and includes a second laminate (21) in which the second electrode plates (2) are connected to each other by folding the second electrode plate (2) once along a second direction (Y) perpendicular to the first direction (X). The process includes inserting the second electrode plate (2) into the first electrode plate (1), thereby alternately stacking the second laminate (21) and the first laminate (11) in sequence. The electrode assembly (201) includes a separator (3) which separates the first electrode plate (1) and the second electrode plate (2), and the two separators (3) located on opposite sides in the thickness direction of the same second electrode plate (2) are both folded back and cover the edges of the second electrode plate (2) where the tab (15) is not installed, and do not cover the edges of the second electrode plate (2) where the tab (15) is installed. The separator (3) does not cover the edge of the first electrode plate (1), Folding guide portions (28) are provided on the first electrode plate (1) and / or the second electrode plate (2) to guide the first electrode plate (1) and / or the second electrode plate (2) to fold, The folding guide portion (28) is inclined with respect to the width direction of the first pole plate (1) and / or the second pole plate (2), A method for manufacturing an electrode assembly (201) characterized by the above.

20. The manufacturing method according to claim 19, characterized in that, before folding the second electrode plate (2) once along the second direction (Y), two separators (3) are placed on opposing sides along the thickness direction of the second electrode plate (2), and both of the separators (3) located on opposing sides along the thickness direction of the same second electrode plate (2) are folded back and cover the edges of the second electrode plate (2) where the tab (15) is not installed.

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