Battery and its manufacturing method and electrical device

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a battery, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electric device. The battery comprises: a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and having two first sides facing in the first direction, two second sides facing in the second direction, an upper surface and a bottom surface facing in the third direction, and two electrode terminals, wherein two of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are each orthogonal to each other, and the area of ​​the first side is larger than the area of ​​the second side; and a cooling member comprising a cooling portion formed in a plate shape by a first cooling wall and a second cooling wall facing in the first direction and disposed between two adjacent battery cells, and an integration portion, wherein a flow path for the refrigerant to flow is formed between the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, and wherein the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall are provided with a weak portion that ruptures to release the refrigerant when an abnormality occurs in the battery.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular, to a battery, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electric device. Background Technology

[0002] With the advancement of science and technology and the development of the new energy industry, interest in thermal safety design is growing. In particular, as energy density in batteries continues to increase in response to consumer demand, battery safety design has become a major challenge.

[0003] In conventional technology, batteries typically comprise a battery unit in which multiple battery cells are stacked. When thermal runaway occurs in one or more battery cells, a critical design focus is on how to suppress heat propagation over a wide area of ​​the battery. In conventional designs, battery cells are in close contact with each other; therefore, if thermal runaway occurs in any one or more cells, the contact surface of the cells becomes the largest heat transfer surface. To ensure that heat propagation does not occur between battery cells, batteries are generally designed to block heat propagation by adding insulation pads between the contact surfaces of the cells. However, as the energy density of battery cells improves, the temperature of the cells rises when thermal runaway occurs, and the demands on insulation space and insulation capacity between cells increase accordingly. Since this undoubtedly poses a significant threat and challenge to the design requirements for battery energy density, finding new insulation methods has become an urgent task. The problem to be solved

[0004] Considering the above-mentioned problems, the present application aims to provide a battery, a method for manufacturing the same, and an electrical device capable of not only effectively extracting heat from within the battery during normal use but also rapidly blocking heat propagation when thermal runaway occurs in the battery to achieve rapid cooling of the battery. means of solving the problem

[0005] In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a battery comprising: two first sides arranged facing in the first direction, two second sides arranged facing in the second direction, an upper surface and a bottom surface arranged facing in the third direction, and two electrode terminals, wherein two of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are each orthogonal to each other, and the area of ​​the first side is larger than the area of ​​the second side; a cooling member comprising a cooling portion formed in a plate shape by a first cooling wall and a second cooling wall facing in the first direction and disposed between two adjacent battery cells, and an integration portion, wherein a flow path through which the refrigerant flows is formed between the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall; wherein the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall are provided with a vulnerable portion that ruptures to release the refrigerant when an abnormality occurs in the battery.

[0006] According to the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, during the use of the battery, heat generated during use is more rapidly drawn out by utilizing a cooling section between battery cells under normal usage conditions, thereby rapidly lowering the temperature of the battery, increasing the heat dissipation capacity of the product, and improving rapid charging performance. In addition, when an abnormality such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery, the cooling section located between the battery cells and in sufficient contact with the battery cells can significantly reduce heat transfer to the contact surface of the battery cells, thereby greatly mitigating the risk of heat diffusion / heat propagation between battery cells. Furthermore, by utilizing a weak point provided in the two cooling walls of the cooling section, rapid cooling is achieved by rupturing the weak point so that the refrigerant flowing inside the cooling section is rapidly released and spreads rapidly to various parts of the battery cell surface when an abnormality such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery. This allows for rapid response to emergency situations where thermal runaway, or even combustion and explosion, occurs in the battery, thereby ensuring safety and simultaneously protecting the heat dissipation, stability, and safety of the battery.

[0007] In some embodiments, the vulnerable portion includes a thin wall portion whose wall thickness is thinner than the wall thickness of other parts of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall. This allows the vulnerable portion to be more easily punched through or leaked when a malfunction occurs in the battery. Additionally, since the thin wall portion can be formed simply by reducing the wall thickness of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, the vulnerable portion can be implemented with a simple operation without the need for a complex manufacturing process.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, each having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, have a thin wall portion formed by thinning the wall thickness at their respective inner wall surfaces. By doing so, by thinning the wall thickness at the inner wall surface, the outer wall surface can be in close contact with an adjacent battery unit without damaging the flatness of the outer wall surface. Therefore, when a malfunction occurs in the battery unit, the entire surface of the outer wall surface is in close contact with the battery cell, so heat generated from the battery is rapidly transferred to the thin wall portion, which can cause rupture.

[0009] In some embodiments, the thickness of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall is the same at 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the thin wall portion is 0.2 mm or less. Based on the premise of ensuring the reliability of normal operation of the refrigerant and normal use of the battery, the thickness of the thin wall portion is made as thin as possible. For example, by making the thickness of the thin wall portion 0.2 mm or less compared to the thickness of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall (0.2 to 1.5 mm), it is made so that it can be more easily punched through or leaked in the event of a malfunction in the battery.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall are each provided with a through hole, and the cooling portion further includes a film covering at least the through hole, and the vulnerable portion is formed by the through hole and the film. By perforating the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall and bonding the film, the vulnerable portion can be implemented with only a simple manufacturing process without the need for a complex manufacturing process. In addition, by forming the vulnerable portion by covering the through hole with a film, the covered film can rupture more easily than the thin wall portion formed by the thinning described above, thus allowing for a more rapid response to changes in battery temperature.

[0011] In some embodiments, the thickness of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall is the same at 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the film is 0.1 to 0.3 mm. Based on the premise of ensuring the reliability of normal operation of the refrigerant and normal use of the battery, the thickness of the film is made as thin as possible. For example, by making the thickness of the film (m) thin to 0.1 to 0.3 mm compared to the thickness of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall (0.2 to 1.5 mm), it is possible to ensure that it can be punched through or leaked more easily in the event of a malfunction in the battery. In addition, by perforating the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall and bonding the film, the applicability is more flexible because, compared to the process of thinning the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, a film (m) of various thicknesses can be selected according to actual conditions to suit various battery types and various usage environments.

[0012] In some embodiments, the outer wall surface of each of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall is provided with a linear wall flow path that is recessed inward from the outer wall surface, and in the plan view from the first direction, the wall flow path partially overlaps with the weak portion. By providing a linear wall flow path, it may be more advantageous for the flow of refrigerant ejected from the ruptured weak portion when an abnormality occurs in the battery, and the ejected refrigerant may spread more quickly to the surface of the battery cell.

[0013] In some embodiments, in the plan view from the first direction, the linear wall flow path is configured as a grid pattern or a radial pattern centered on the weak point. By designing the linear wall flow path to have a grid pattern or a radial pattern centered on the weak point, it may be more advantageous for the flow of refrigerant ejected from the ruptured weak point, and the emitted refrigerant may be allowed to spread more quickly to the surface of the battery cell.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall are further provided with a wall recess that is recessed inward from the outer wall surface so as to provide an expansion space in which the battery cell expands on each of the first wall surfaces, and in the second direction, the distance from the edge of the wall recess to the nearest edge of the outer wall surface is 3 to 20% of the length of the outer wall surface in the second direction and is greater than 2 mm, and in the third direction, the distance from the edge of the wall recess to the nearest edge of the outer wall surface is 3 to 20% of the length of the outer wall surface in the third direction and is greater than 2 mm, or the area of ​​the wall recess occupies 60 to 90% of the outer wall surface and the depth of the wall recess is 10 to 90% of the wall thickness, and the weak portion is provided in the wall recess. In this way, by providing wall recesses on the outer surfaces of the first and second cooling walls, respectively, the flow of the refrigerant can be more favorable, and the released refrigerant can spread more quickly to the surface of the battery unit. Additionally, the wall recesses can be utilized to provide an expansion space for the battery cell to expand. Furthermore, when a malfunction occurs in the battery, there is no case where the ruptured weak point is blocked by the battery cell, preventing the smooth release of the refrigerant; thus, the release of the refrigerant can be favorable, allowing the released refrigerant to spread more effectively to the surface of the battery cell.

[0015] In some embodiments, the weak point is one and is located close to the upper surface of the battery cell in the third direction. In this way, it is more favorable for the flow of the refrigerant, and when a malfunction occurs in the battery and the weak point ruptures, the refrigerant released from the ruptured weak point can spread more rapidly to the surface of the battery cell by the action of gravity.

[0016] In some embodiments, the vulnerable parts are numerous, and the number of vulnerable parts near the upper surface of the battery cell in the third direction is greater than the number of vulnerable parts at other locations. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the ejected refrigerant covers a wide surface of the battery cell more quickly and cools the battery more quickly, which can be more advantageous for the flow of the refrigerant and allow the ejected refrigerant to spread rapidly across the surface of the battery cell.

[0017] In some embodiments, the shape of the weak portion is circular, triangular, or rectangular. In this way, it may be more advantageous for the flow of refrigerant, and when a malfunction occurs in the battery and the weak portion ruptures, the refrigerant released from the ruptured weak portion can spread more quickly to the surface of the battery cell.

[0018] In some embodiments, the cooling unit is multiple and is disposed between any two adjacent battery cells. In this way, by disposing of multiple cooling units according to the number of battery cells, the cooling unit is provided between any two adjacent battery cells, thereby allowing the battery to dissipate heat more effectively. At this time, when a malfunction occurs in the battery, the cooling unit can handle the malfunction regardless of which side of any battery cell the malfunction occurs on, thus allowing the battery to dissipate heat more effectively.

[0019] In some embodiments, the plurality of battery cells are divided into a plurality of battery units each containing the same number of battery cells, and the cooling unit is a plurality and is placed between any two adjacent battery units. In this way, by placing a cooling unit between battery units equipped with a plurality of battery cells according to actual conditions, taking into account cost factors, assembly efficiency, rapid charging, and insulation requirements, assembly efficiency can be increased and manufacturing costs can be reduced.

[0020] In some embodiments, the two electrode terminals are disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell or on each of the two second sides of the battery cell, and the integration part is one and is disposed on the bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells across the plurality of battery cells according to the first direction and is in communication with the cooling part. In this way, by providing the integration part at the bottom of the battery according to the placement position of the electrode terminals, taking into account the overall size and grouping of the battery, the battery (10) can be better heat dissipated and cooled.

[0021] In some embodiments, the two electrode terminals are each disposed on the two second sides of the battery cell, and the integrating parts are two in number and are disposed across the upper surface and the bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells along the first direction, respectively, and are in communication with the cooling parts. In this way, when electrode terminals are disposed on both sides of the battery cell, a cooling part may be provided between the battery cells and one integrating part may be provided at the bottom of the battery, and additionally, another integrating part may be provided at the top of the battery, thereby allowing the battery to be better heat-dissipated and cooled from the top and bottom through the two integrating parts.

[0022] In some embodiments, a thermal conductive layer is further disposed between the cooling portion and the battery cell. In this way, the battery can be heat dissipated more effectively.

[0023] In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application further provides an electric device comprising a battery according to a first aspect of an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application comprises: providing a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and having two first sides positioned opposite to the first direction, two second sides positioned opposite to the second direction, an upper surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the third direction, and two electrode terminals, wherein two of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are each orthogonal to each other, and the area of ​​the first side is larger than the area of ​​the second side; and providing a cooling member that accommodates a refrigerant for cooling the battery cells, and includes a cooling portion formed in a plate shape by a first cooling wall and a second cooling wall facing the first direction, and an integrated portion, wherein a flow path for the refrigerant to flow is formed between the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall; and forming a vulnerable portion on the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, respectively, which ruptures to release the refrigerant when an abnormality occurs in the battery. A method for manufacturing a battery is further provided, comprising the step of placing the cooling unit between two adjacent battery cells. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0025] The attached drawings described herein are part of the present application and are intended to provide further understanding of the application, and exemplary embodiments and descriptions thereof are merely for the purpose of illustrating the application and are not an unreasonable limitation thereof. FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the basic structure of a battery according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 3 is a front view of a battery according to one embodiment of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a battery according to one embodiment of the present application, cut along line AA of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the structure of a battery cell according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the structure of a cooling unit according to one embodiment of the present application. FIG. 7 is a front view of a cooling unit according to one embodiment of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to one embodiment of the present application, cut along line AA of FIG. 7. Figure 9 is a partial enlarged view of circular part B of Figure 8. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the structure of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the structure of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 12 is a front view of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another embodiment of the present application, cut along line AA of FIG. 12. Figure 14 is a partial enlarged view of circular area B of Figure 13. FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the structure of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 16 is a front view of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 17 is a side view of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application, viewed from a second direction (Y direction). FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another embodiment of the present application, cut along the CC line of FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another embodiment of the present application, cut along line AA of FIG. 16. Figure 20 is a partial enlarged view of circular part B of Figure 19. FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the structure of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 22 is a front view of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 23 is a side view of a cooling unit according to another embodiment of the present application, viewed from a second direction (Y direction). FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another embodiment of the present application, cut along the CC line of FIG. 23. FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another embodiment of the present application, cut along line AA of FIG. 22. Figure 26 is a partial enlarged view of circular part B of Figure 25. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the structure of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application. FIG. 28 is a front view of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 29 is a side view of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application, viewed from a second direction (Y direction). FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another variation of the present application, cut along the CC line of FIG. 29. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another variation of the present application, cut along line AA of FIG. 28. Figure 32 is a partial enlarged view of circular area B of Figure 31. FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the structure of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application. FIG. 34 is a front view of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 35 is a side view of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application, viewed from a second direction (Y direction). FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another variation of the present application, cut along the CC line of FIG. 35. FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another variation of the present application, cut along line AA of FIG. 34. Fig. 38 is a partial enlarged view of circular section B of Fig. 37. FIG. 39 is a perspective view of the structure of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application. FIG. 40 is a front view of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 41 is a side view of a cooling unit according to another variation of the present application, viewed from a second direction (Y direction). FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another variation of the present application, cut along the CC line of FIG. 41. FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of a cooling portion according to another variation of the present application, cut along line AA of FIG. 40. Fig. 44 is a partial enlarged view of circular part B of Fig. 43. FIG. 45 is a perspective view of the basic structure of a battery according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 46 is a front view of a battery according to another embodiment of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the basic structure of a battery according to another embodiment of the present application. FIG. 48 is a front view of a battery according to another embodiment of the present application, viewed from a first direction (X direction). FIG. 49 is a schematic diagram of a method for manufacturing a battery according to one embodiment of the present application. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0026] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the technical solution of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The following embodiments are used merely to more clearly explain the technical solution of the present application and are intended for illustrative purposes only; they should not be used to limit the scope of protection of the present application.

[0027] All technical and scientific terms used in this document, unless otherwise defined, have the meaning generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this application pertains; the terms used in this document are merely for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit this application; and the terms “comprising” and “having,” and any variations thereof, in the specification, claims, and brief description of the drawings of this application are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusions.

[0028] In describing the embodiments of the present application, technical terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used merely to distinguish different objects, and in describing the embodiments of the present application, "multiple" refers to two or more unless otherwise explicitly and specifically limited.

[0029] The term "Examples" as used herein indicates that specific features, structures, or characteristics described in relation to the Examples may be included in at least one Example of this Application. Such phrases located at various points in the specification do not necessarily refer to the same Example, nor do they refer to separate or alternative Examples that are mutually exclusive from other Examples. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, expressly and implicitly, that the Examples mentioned herein may be combined with other Examples.

[0030] In describing the embodiments of the present application, the term "and / or" is used to describe the association between related objects and indicates that there may be three types of relationships; for example, A and / or B indicates three cases, such as A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the " / " character in this text generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship.

[0031] In describing the embodiments of the present application, the term “multiple” indicates two or more (including two), similarly, “multiple groups” indicates two or more groups (including two groups), and “multiple sheets” indicates two or more sheets (including two sheets).

[0032] In describing the embodiments of the present application, technical terms such as “center,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inside,” “outside,” “clockwise,” “counterclockwise,” “axial,” “radial,” “circular,” etc., indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships depicted in the drawings. These terms are intended merely for the convenience and simplification of the description of the embodiments of the present application and do not indicate or imply that the mentioned devices or components must necessarily have a specific orientation or be configured and operated in a specific orientation; therefore, they should not be understood as limitations on the embodiments of the present application.

[0033] In describing the embodiments of this application, technical terms such as “installation,” “combination,” “connection,” and “fixing” should be understood in a broad sense, for example, they may be fixed connections, detachable connections, or integral connections; they may also be mechanical connections or electrical connections; they may be direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and they may be internal communication between two components or interaction relationships between two components. The specific meaning of the above terms in this application will be understood by those skilled in the art according to the specific circumstances.

[0034] The battery mentioned in the embodiments of the present application refers to a single physical module comprising a plurality of battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. The battery may include a box and a plurality of battery modules electrically connected to one another, wherein the plurality of battery modules are arranged within the space of the box. The box is generally a sealed box.

[0035] The above battery module may include a plurality of battery cells and a frame, and the frame is formed integrally by surrounding and fixing the plurality of battery cells. Generally, the frame serves to fix the plurality of battery cells rather than to serve a sealing function.

[0036] A battery cell comprises an electrode assembly and an electrolyte, and the electrode assembly includes a cathode plate, an anode plate, and a separator. The battery cell operates primarily through the movement of metal ions between the cathode plate and the anode plate. The cathode plate includes a cathode current collector and a cathode active material layer, and the cathode active material layer is coated on the surface of the cathode current collector. A current collector without the cathode active material layer coating protrudes beyond the current collector coated with the cathode active material layer, and the current collector without the cathode active material layer coating is used as a cathode tab. Taking a lithium-ion battery as an example, the material of the cathode current collector may be aluminum, and the cathode active material may be lithium cobaltate, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, or lithium manganate, etc. The anode electrode plate comprises an anode current collector and an anode active material layer, and the anode active material layer is coated on the surface of the anode current collector. A current collector not coated with the anode active material layer protrudes beyond the current collector coated with the anode active material layer, and the current collector not coated with the anode active material layer is used as an anode tab. The material of the anode current collector may be copper, and the anode active material may be carbon or silicon, etc. To prevent melting caused by high current, the number of cathode tabs is multiple and they are stacked together, and the number of anode tabs is multiple and they are stacked together. The material of the separator may be PP or PE, etc. Additionally, the electrode assembly may have a wound structure or a stacked structure, and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0037] In addition, battery cells can be cylindrical, flat, rectangular, or have other shapes. Battery cells are generally classified into three types based on the encapsulation method: cylindrical battery cells, prismatic battery cells, and soft package battery cells.

[0038] In the advancement of battery technology, many design elements, such as performance parameters like energy density, cycle life, discharge capacity, and charge / discharge rate, must be considered simultaneously, and the heat dissipation, stability, and safety of the battery must also be considered.

[0039] Batteries used in electric devices, such as electric vehicles, are typically composed of tens to thousands of battery cells, which are stacked to form a battery unit. The inventor discovered that since batteries generate a significant amount of heat during use, they require timely heat dissipation. Failure to dissipate heat properly can drastically shorten battery life, significantly impact charging performance, and lead to reduced battery stability. Furthermore, thermal runaway may occur in one or more battery cells due to improper use. If thermal runaway is not suppressed in a timely manner, heat propagation occurs between the cells, causing the battery temperature to far exceed the actual operating temperature, potentially damaging the battery and even leading to combustion or explosion. Therefore, thermal insulation pads are generally added between the contact surfaces of the battery cells to block heat propagation.

[0040] However, as consumer demand increases day by day, the energy density of batteries and battery cells is steadily rising. When thermal runaway occurs in a battery cell, the temperature rises further, and the requirements for insulation space and insulation capacity between cells are also increasing. However, the conventional design approach of simply adding insulation pads between the contact surfaces of battery cells is insufficient to cope with the thermal runaway situations of today's high-energy-density battery cells.

[0041] In light of this, the present application provides a battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and having two first sides facing in the first direction, two second sides facing in the second direction, an upper surface and a bottom surface facing in the third direction, and two electrode terminals, wherein two of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are each orthogonal to each other, and the area of ​​the first side is larger than the area of ​​the second side; and a cooling member comprising a cooling portion and an integration portion formed in a plate shape by a first cooling wall and a second cooling wall facing in the first direction, and disposed between two adjacent battery cells, wherein a flow path through which the refrigerant flows is formed between the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, wherein the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall are provided with a vulnerable portion that ruptures to release the refrigerant when an abnormality occurs in the battery.

[0042] Here, the abnormality that occurs in the battery is a case where the temperature of the battery far exceeds the critical temperature it can withstand due to reasons such as excessive use of the battery, improper use of the battery, use of the battery in extreme environments, or failure, and even thermal runaway such as battery explosion and battery combustion occurs.

[0043] According to this technical solution, a cooling member comprising an integrated part and a plate-shaped cooling part is placed in the battery, a refrigerant for cooling the battery cell is contained in this cooling member, and the plate-shaped cooling part is placed between two adjacent battery cells. By utilizing the cooling part between the battery cells during normal operation, heat generated in the battery during use is drawn out more quickly, thereby rapidly lowering the temperature of the battery, increasing the heat dissipation capacity of the product, and improving rapid charging performance. In addition, since the cooling part is formed in a plate shape by two cooling walls and placed between two adjacent battery cells to be in close contact with the battery cells, sufficient contact with the battery cells is possible. Therefore, when an abnormality such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery, the cooling part located between the battery cells and in sufficient contact with the battery cells can significantly reduce heat transfer to the contact surface of the battery cells, thereby greatly mitigating the risk of heat diffusion / heat propagation between battery cells. In addition, the two cooling walls of the cooling section are equipped with weak points, and when an abnormality such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery, these weak points rupture more easily than other parts of the cooling walls. By rupturing them, the refrigerant flowing inside the cooling section is rapidly released and spreads rapidly to various parts of the battery cell surface, thereby achieving rapid cooling. This allows for quick response to situations where thermal runaway, even combustion and explosion occur in the battery, thereby ensuring safety and simultaneously protecting the heat dissipation, stability, and safety of the battery.

[0044] Some embodiments of the present application provide an electric device comprising a battery for providing electrical energy. Optionally, the electric device may be a vehicle, a ship, or an aircraft, etc.

[0045] The technical solution described in the embodiments of the present application is applicable to various devices such as mobile phones, portable devices, laptops, electric bicycles, electric toys, power tools, electric vehicles, ships, and aircraft (e.g., airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft).

[0046] The technical solution described in the embodiments of this application may be applied not only to the device described above but also to any device using a battery; however, for the sake of brevity, all of the following embodiments will be described using electric vehicles as examples.

[0047] For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a vehicle (1) according to one embodiment of the present application. The vehicle (1) may be a gasoline / diesel vehicle, a natural gas vehicle, or a new energy vehicle, and the new energy vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, or an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV), etc. A motor (20), a controller (30), and a battery (10) may be arranged inside the vehicle (1), and the controller (30) controls the battery (10) to supply power to the motor (20). For example, the battery (10) may be placed at the bottom of the vehicle (1) or at the front or rear of the vehicle. The battery (10) may supply power to the vehicle (1), and for example, the battery (10) may be used as an operating power source for the vehicle (1) and may be used for the electrical circuit system of the vehicle (1), for example, for the operating power demand during starting, navigation, and driving of the vehicle (1). In another embodiment of the present application, the battery (10) may not only be used as an operating power source for the vehicle (1), but may also provide driving power to the vehicle (1) by replacing or partially replacing fuel oil or natural gas as a driving power source for the vehicle (1).

[0048] To meet different power requirements, the battery may comprise a plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells may be connected in series, in parallel, or in a mixed manner, and a mixed connection refers to a combination of series and parallel connections. The battery may also be referred to as a battery pack. Optionally, the plurality of battery cells may first be assembled into a battery module by connecting them in series, in parallel, or in a mixed manner, and then the plurality of battery modules may be assembled into a battery by connecting them in series, in parallel, or in a mixed manner. In other words, the plurality of battery cells may be assembled directly into a battery, or they may first be assembled into a battery module and then assembled into a battery using the battery module.

[0049] Additionally, the battery may further include a box and an end plate, and both the battery unit (battery module) and the end plate are disposed within the box, and the end plate may be disposed between the battery cell (battery module) and the inner wall of the box. For ease of understanding, descriptions of components that may obscure the essence of the application, such as the box, are omitted in the following description.

[0050] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the present application provides a battery (10) comprising a plurality of battery cells (100) and a cooling member (200). The plurality of battery cells (100) are arranged along a first direction (X) (thickness direction of the battery (10)), and each battery cell (100) has two first sides (101) positioned oppositely in the first direction (X), two second sides (102) positioned oppositely in the second direction (Y) (length direction of the battery (10)), an upper surface (103) and a bottom surface (104) positioned oppositely in the third direction (Z) (height direction of the battery (10)), and two electrode terminals (E). Two of the first direction (X), the second direction (Y), and the third direction (Z) are each orthogonal to each other, and the area of ​​the first sides (101) is larger than the area of ​​the second sides (102). Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, the cooling member (200) includes a cooling section (201) and an integration section (202), and the cooling member (200) accommodates a refrigerant for cooling a battery cell (100) (battery (10)). The cooling section (201) is formed in a plate shape by a first cooling wall (2011) and a second cooling wall (2012) facing in a first direction (X), and is positioned between two adjacent battery cells (100). A passage through which the refrigerant flows is formed between the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012). Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 8, the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) are each provided with a vulnerable part (2013), and the vulnerable part (2013) can be ruptured so that a refrigerant is released when an abnormality occurs in the battery (10). Here, in FIG. 2, one cooling part (201) is shown separately on the far right for convenience of understanding, and in the actual assembled battery (10), the cooling part (201) is located between two adjacent battery cells (100) (as shown in FIG. 4), and it should be understood that FIG. 2 is merely a schematic diagram showing the cooling part (201) separately on the far right for convenience of explanation.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present application, for example, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a specific embodiment of the battery cell (100) of the present application, and as shown in FIG. 5, the battery cell (100) is approximately rectangular in shape, the first side (101) is the side with the largest area of ​​the battery cell (100), and both electrode terminals (E) are disposed on the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100). Here, the placement of both electrode terminals (E) on the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100) is merely an example, and as shown in FIG. 45 to 48 to be described later, the two electrode terminals (E) may each be disposed on the second side (102) of the battery cell (100). Additionally, for convenience of explanation, the length of the battery cell (100) is denoted as L, the thickness as W, and the height as H. That is, the first direction (X) is the thickness direction (W direction) of the battery cell (100), the second direction (Y) is the length direction (L direction) of the battery cell (100), and the third direction (Z) is the height direction (H direction) of the battery cell (100), and both of the first direction (X), the second direction (Y), and the third direction (Z) are orthogonal to each other.

[0052] Additionally, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a specific embodiment of the assembly structure of the battery (10) of the present application, specifically a cross-sectional view along line AA of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4, a plate-shaped cooling section (201) formed by a first cooling wall (2011) and a second cooling wall (2012) facing in a first direction (X) is located between two adjacent battery cells (100). The first cooling wall (2011) of the cooling section (201) is in close contact with the first side (101) of one of the two adjacent battery cells (100), and the second cooling wall (2012) of the cooling section (201) is in close contact with the first side (101) of the other of the two adjacent battery cells (100).

[0053] By placing a plate-shaped cooling section (201) between two adjacent battery cells (100) and bringing the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) of the cooling section (201) into close contact with the first side (101) of the adjacent battery cell (100), heat generated from the battery (10) in use can be drawn more quickly by utilizing the cooling section (201) between the battery cells (100) in a normal usage state, thereby rapidly lowering the temperature of the battery (10), increasing the heat dissipation ability of the product, and improving rapid charging performance.

[0054] Additionally, the cooling section (201) is formed in a plate shape by two cooling walls (first cooling wall (2011) and second cooling wall (2012)) and is positioned between two adjacent battery cells (100) such that the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) are each in close contact with the first side (101) of the adjacent battery cell (100), thereby allowing the cooling section (201) to be in sufficient contact with the battery cell (100). When an abnormality such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery (10), the cooling section (201), which is positioned between the battery cells (100) and in sufficient contact with the battery cell (100), can significantly reduce heat transfer to the contact surface of the battery cell (100), and thereby significantly mitigate the risk of heat diffusion / heat propagation between the battery cells (100).

[0055] In some embodiments of the present application, the cooling member (200) is connected to an external water-cooled cooler (not shown) as a cooling system, and by pressurizing the cooling member (200) through the water-cooled cooler, the refrigerant flows from one end of the cooling member (200) to the cooling section (201) and the integration section (202), passes between the battery cells (100), and flows out to the other end of the cooling member (200) to realize the circulation of the refrigerant. By rapidly cooling the battery cells (100) using the refrigerant, the temperature balance of the battery cells (100) can be secured, thereby strengthening the overcurrent heat dissipation of the battery cells (100) and improving rapid charging performance. At the same time, when an abnormality occurs in the battery cells (100), heat transfer between the battery cells (100) along the contact direction of the battery cells (100) can be delayed, and the ideal battery cells (100) can be rapidly heat dissipated, thereby reducing the risk of heat diffusion of adjacent battery cells (100).

[0056] Additionally, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 9, the vulnerable part (2013) is provided in the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), and the vulnerable part (2013) can be ruptured so that the refrigerant is released when an abnormality occurs in the battery (10).

[0057] Here, as described above, the abnormality occurring in the battery (10) is a case where the temperature of the battery far exceeds the critical temperature that can be withstood due to reasons such as excessive use of the battery, improper use of the battery, use of the battery in an extreme environment, or failure, and even thermal runaway such as battery explosion and battery combustion occurs. At this time, a vulnerable part (2013) is provided in each of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), so that the mechanical strength of the part where the vulnerable part (2013) is provided in the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) is smaller than the mechanical strength of other parts of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), and thus this vulnerable part (2013) becomes a local vulnerable part of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012). At this time, when the battery (10) is used normally, the vulnerable part (2013) (local vulnerable part) is not damaged due to the heat generated in the battery (10). However, when the above-described abnormal situation, such as thermal runaway, occurs in the battery (10), damage (e.g., thermal melting or thermal melting) occurs in the vulnerable part (2013) (local vulnerable part) due to the large amount of heat emitted from the battery (10). Consequently, the vulnerable part (2013) ruptures, and the refrigerant flowing inside the cooling part (201) is continuously ejected from the ruptured vulnerable part (2013) or ejected from the ruptured vulnerable part (2013) by the pressurized drive of the water-cooled cooler, and is sprayed onto the surface of the adjacent battery cell (100) where thermal runaway occurs and other parts where abnormalities have occurred inside the battery (10). At this time, since the refrigerant undergoes a rapid phase change when it encounters a high-temperature interface, the refrigerant ejected from the ruptured weak part (2013) can absorb a large amount of heat and achieve the effect of rapidly cooling the battery (10).

[0058] Additionally, in some embodiments, the cooling member (200) may be connected to a battery alarm system (not shown) as a cooling system. Specifically, when the alarm system detects a situation where a risk such as thermal runaway occurs inside the battery (10), the output of the water-cooled cooler can be increased by controlling the output to increase the circulation rate of the refrigerant inside the cooling member (200). Consequently, while improving the heat dissipation rate of the product, the weak point (2013) is also breached due to the increased back pressure between the cooling walls caused by the increased flow rate of the refrigerant. As a result, the weak point (2013) ruptures, and the refrigerant inside the cooling member (200) is ejected from the weak point (2013), thereby achieving rapid cooling of the product.

[0059] As can be seen from this, in the technical solution described above according to the present application, during the use of the battery, the heat generated during use is more rapidly drawn out by utilizing the cooling section between the battery cells under normal usage conditions, thereby rapidly lowering the temperature of the battery, increasing the heat dissipation capacity of the product, and improving rapid charging performance. Furthermore, when an abnormality such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery, the cooling section located between the battery cells and in sufficient contact with the battery cells can significantly reduce heat transfer to the contact surface of the battery cells, thereby greatly mitigating the risk of heat diffusion / heat propagation between the battery cells. In addition, by utilizing the weak points provided in the two cooling walls of the cooling section, when an abnormality such as thermal runaway occurs in the battery, the weak points are ruptured to rapidly release the refrigerant flowing inside the cooling section and rapidly spread to various parts of the battery cell surface, thereby achieving rapid cooling. This allows for rapid response to emergency situations where thermal runaway, or even combustion and explosion, occurs in the battery, thereby ensuring safety and simultaneously protecting the heat dissipation, stability, and safety of the battery.

[0060] In some embodiments of the present application, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the vulnerable portion (2013) may also include a thin wall portion (p), and the wall thickness of the thin wall portion (p) is thinner than the wall thickness of other portions of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012).

[0061] As a method for forming the thin wall portion (p), for example, a method of locally thinning the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) (for example, thinning the vulnerable portion (2013)) can be considered on the premise of ensuring the reliability of the normal operation of the refrigerant and the normal use of the battery, and thus, when an abnormality occurs in the battery, this thin wall portion (p) can be easily punched through or melted. In addition, since the thin wall portion (p) can be formed solely by thinning the wall thickness of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), the vulnerable portion (2013) can be implemented with only a simple operation without the need for a complex manufacturing process.

[0062] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIG. 9, the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) are each provided with an inner wall surface (a) and an outer wall surface (b), and the thickness is reduced on the inner wall surface (a) of each of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) to form a thin wall portion (p).

[0063] By making the wall thickness thin on the inner wall surface (a), the outer wall surface (b) can be attached to an adjacent battery unit (100) without damaging the flatness of the outer wall surface (b). Therefore, when a malfunction occurs in the battery unit (100), the heat generated from the battery is rapidly transferred to the thin wall portion (p) and can cause a rupture because the entire surface of the outer wall surface (b) is attached to the battery cell (100).

[0064] In some embodiments of the present application, the thickness of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) is the same, ranging from 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the thin wall portion (p) is 0.2 mm or less. Based on the premise of ensuring the reliability of normal operation of the refrigerant and normal use of the battery, the thickness of the thin wall portion (p) is made as thin as possible. For example, by making the thickness of the thin wall portion (p) 0.2 mm or less compared to the thickness (0.2 to 1.5 mm) of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), it is possible to ensure that it is more easily punched through or leaked in the event of an abnormality in the battery.

[0065] In addition, as a specific example, to account for the limited spacing between battery cells and to improve the heat dissipation effect, the cooling unit may preferably be formed by assembling two thin aluminum plates by welding, and a channel through which a liquid refrigerant can flow is designed between the two aluminum plates. Preferably, the thickness of the channel is 0.5 to 5 mm, and more preferably, the thickness of the channel is 2 mm. Furthermore, the refrigerant used in the cooling unit is preferably a cooling water with good cold resistance and a large specific heat capacity, such as a glycol-water type, ethanol-water type, or glycerin-water type. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and the above content is merely an example for convenience of explanation, and various modifications are possible based thereon.

[0066] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIGS. 10 to 14, a first cooling wall (2011) and a second cooling wall (2012) are each provided with a through hole (C), and the cooling portion (201) further includes a film (m) that at least covers the through hole (C), and the vulnerable portion (2013) is formed by the through hole (C) and the film (m).

[0067] By perforating and film bonding the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), the vulnerable part (2013) can be implemented with only a simple manufacturing process without the need for a complex manufacturing process. In addition, by forming the vulnerable part (2013) by covering the through hole (C) with a film (m), the covered film (m) can rupture more easily than the thin wall part (p) formed by the thinning described above, so it can respond more quickly to changes in battery temperature.

[0068] A preferred solution of the present embodiment is that a through hole (C) of 1 to 5 mm is provided in each of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), and a plastic film made of a material such as polypropylene plastics (PP), perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA), or polyimide plastics (PI) is covered as a film (m) on the surface of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), and the thickness of the plastic film is 0.1 to 0.3 mm. In addition, it is more preferable that an adhesive layer is provided on the contact surface of the plastic film with the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012).

[0069] In some embodiments of the present application, the thickness of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) is the same, 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the film (m) is 0.1 to 0.3 mm.

[0070] Based on the premise of ensuring the reliability of normal operation of the refrigerant and normal use of the battery, the thickness of the film (m) is made as thin as possible. For example, by making the thickness of the film (m) 0.1 to 0.3 mm thin compared to the thickness (0.2 to 1.5 mm) of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), it is possible to ensure that it can be punched through or leaked more easily in the event of a malfunction in the battery. In addition, by perforating and film bonding the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), the applicability is more flexible because films (m) of various thicknesses can be selected according to actual conditions to suit various battery types and various usage environments compared to the thinning process of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012).

[0071] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 32, the outer wall surface (b) of each of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) is provided with a linear wall channel (T) that is recessed inward from the outer wall surface (b), and in a plan view from the first direction (X), the linear wall channel (T) partially overlaps with the vulnerable part (2013).

[0072] By providing a linear wall channel (T), the flow of refrigerant ejected from the ruptured vulnerable part (2003) when an abnormality occurs in the battery can be facilitated, and the ejected refrigerant can spread more quickly to the surface of the battery cell (100).

[0073] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIGS. 15, 21 and 27, in a plan view from a first direction, the linear wall channel (T) is configured in a grid pattern or a radial pattern centered on a vulnerable part (2013).

[0074] By designing a linear wall channel (T) to have a radial pattern centered on a grid pattern or a weak point (2013), it may be advantageous for the flow of refrigerant ejected from the ruptured weak point (2013) and allow the ejected refrigerant to spread more quickly to the surface of the battery cell (100).

[0075] Here, FIGS. 15 to 20 illustrate an example in which a linear wall channel (T) has a grid pattern and the number of vulnerable parts (2013) is one, FIGS. 21 to 26 illustrate an example in which a linear wall channel (T) has a grid pattern and the number of vulnerable parts (2013) is multiple (four are exemplarily shown in the drawings), FIGS. 27 to 32 illustrate an example in which a linear wall channel (T) has a radial pattern centered on the vulnerable part (2013) and the number of vulnerable parts (2013) is one. However, the examples illustrated in the drawings are merely examples and the present application is not limited thereto, and the pattern of the linear wall channel (T) and the number of vulnerable parts (2013) may be modified as needed.

[0076] In one embodiment, preferably the width of the linear wall channel is 0.5-5 mm, more preferably 2 mm, and these dimensions are merely examples and the present application is not limited thereto.

[0077] In some embodiments of the present application, as illustrated in FIGS. 33 to 44, the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) are further provided with a wall recess (D) that is recessed inward from the outer wall surface (b) so as to provide an expansion space in which a battery cell (100) expands on each outer wall surface (b). The distance from the edge of the wall concave portion (D) in the second direction (Y) to the edge of the nearest outer wall surface (b) is 3 to 20% of the length of the first wall surface (2011) in the second direction (Y) and is greater than 2 mm, and the distance from the edge of the wall concave portion (D) in the third direction (Z) to the edge of the nearest outer wall surface (b) is 3 to 20% of the length of the outer wall surface (b) in the third direction (Z) and is greater than 2 mm, or the area of ​​the wall concave portion (D) occupies 60 to 90% of the total area of ​​the outer wall surface (b), and the depth of the wall concave portion (D) (distance in the first direction (X)) is 10 to 90% of the wall thickness, and the vulnerable portion (2013) is provided in the wall concave portion (D).

[0078] Here, by providing a wall concave portion (D) on the outer wall surface (b) of each of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), the flow of the refrigerant can be more advantageous, and the released refrigerant can spread more quickly to the surface of the battery unit (100).

[0079] Additionally, during the process of using the battery, the battery cell (100) inevitably expands and deforms, causing the overall volume of the battery (10) to increase. As a result, the box containing the battery cell (100) is compressed and deformed, and even the battery cell (100) may be damaged due to the pressure between the battery cell (100) and the box, which may affect the assembly and lifespan of the battery (10). Here, a wall recess (D) that is inwardly recessed is provided on the outer wall surface (b) of each of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), thereby enabling the provision of an expansion space in which the battery cell (100) expands using the wall recess (D).

[0080] Additionally, as described in the above-described embodiment, the vulnerable part (2013) can be ruptured to release the refrigerant when a malfunction occurs in the battery, simply by being provided with a vulnerable part (2013) in the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012). However, since the cooling part (201) is located between two adjacent battery cells (100), the first side (101) of the battery cell (100) and the part of the cooling part (201) where the vulnerable part (2013) is provided are in close contact, and there may be cases where the vulnerable part (2013) becomes blocked. In this case, even if the vulnerable part (2013) is ruptured when a malfunction occurs in the battery (10), the ruptured vulnerable part (2013) cannot smoothly release the refrigerant due to the blockage of the first side (101) of the battery cell (100). Here, a wall surface recess (D) that is inwardly recessed is provided on the outer wall surface (b) of each of the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012), and a vulnerable part (2013) is placed in the wall surface recess (D), so that when the cooling part (201) is placed between two adjacent battery cells (100), the first side (101) of the battery cell (100) is not directly in contact with the wall surface recess (D) where the vulnerable part (2013) is placed in the cooling part (201), that is, there is a gap in the first direction (X) between the first side (101) of the battery cell (100) and the vulnerable part (2013), so that when an abnormality occurs in the battery (10), the ruptured vulnerable part (2013) is blocked by the first side (101) of the battery cell (100), and thus there is no situation in which the refrigerant cannot be smoothly discharged. Therefore, this design is advantageous for the release of the refrigerant and can better allow the refrigerant to spread to the surface of the battery cell (100).

[0081] In some embodiments of the present application, as illustrated in FIG. 8, FIG. 11, FIG. 20, FIG. 32 and FIG. 38, etc., the number of vulnerable parts (2013) is one, and the vulnerable part (2013) is close to the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100) in the third direction (Z).

[0082] By positioning the vulnerable part (2013) closer to the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100) in the third direction (Z), the vulnerable part (2013) can be positioned higher, which is more advantageous for the flow of refrigerant, and when a malfunction occurs in the battery (10) and the vulnerable part (2013) ruptures, the refrigerant released from the ruptured vulnerable part (2013) can spread more quickly to the surface of the battery cell (100) by the action of gravity.

[0083] Additionally, in some embodiments of the present application, when there is only one vulnerable part (2013), preferably the distance to both edges of the first wall (2011) closest in the second direction (Y) is equal (i.e., located at the halfway point of the first wall (2011) in the second direction (Y)), and the distance to the edge of the first wall (2011) closest to the top surface (103) in the third direction (Z) is at least 1 / 4 of the length of the first wall (2011) in the third direction (Z) (as illustrated in FIG. 8, FIG. 18, FIG. 30 and FIG. 36), so that the refrigerant ejected from the ruptured vulnerable part (2013) can be better secured to flow rapidly over most of the surface area (first side (101)) of the battery cell (most of the large area of ​​the battery cell) by the action of gravity.

[0084] In some embodiments of the present application, as illustrated in FIG. 24, FIG. 42, etc., the vulnerable portions (2013) are numerous, and the number of vulnerable portions (2013) that are close to the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100) in the third direction (Z) is configured to be greater than the number of vulnerable portions (2013) located at other positions.

[0085] As one specific example thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 24, the first cooling wall (2011) and the second cooling wall (2012) of the cooling section (201) are each provided with four vulnerable sections (2013), where three vulnerable sections (2013) are spaced apart at equal intervals and are close to the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100) in the third direction (Z) (e.g., located at the 1 / 4, 2 / 4, and 3 / 4 points in the length direction (second direction (Y)) of the battery cell (100) respectively), and one vulnerable section (2013) is located below the three vulnerable sections (2013) in the height direction (third direction (Z)). Additionally, preferably, in a plan view from the first direction (X), this one vulnerable part (2013) located below is positioned at the center of the first cooling wall (2011) (second cooling wall (2012)).

[0086] By arranging multiple vulnerable parts (2013), it is possible to ensure that the ejected refrigerant covers the wide surface of the battery cell more quickly, thereby allowing the battery to be cooled more quickly. Additionally, by arranging multiple vulnerable parts (2013) and making the number of vulnerable parts (2013) closer to the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100) in the third direction (Z) greater than the number of vulnerable parts in other locations, it may be more advantageous for the flow of the refrigerant and allow the ejected refrigerant to spread quickly to the surface of the battery cell. Furthermore, considering the difficulty of heat dissipation, it is preferable to place the vulnerable parts closer to the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100) in the third direction (Z), then place the vulnerable parts at the location where it is most difficult to dissipate heat in the battery (the center of the surface with a large area of ​​the battery), and third place the vulnerable parts at a location where the refrigerant cannot flow quickly (e.g., the corner of the battery cell).

[0087] It should be understood that the specific structure shown in the drawing is merely a specific example for convenience of explanation, and the number of vulnerable parts (2013) and the positional relationship of each vulnerable part (2013) are not limited to those shown in the aforementioned drawing, and the number of vulnerable parts (2013) and the positional relationship of each vulnerable part (2013) can be designed and changed in various ways according to actual needs.

[0088] In some embodiments of the present application, the shape of the vulnerable portion (2013) is circular (as shown in FIG. 18 et al.), triangular, or rectangular.

[0089] By setting the specific shape of the vulnerable part (2013) in this way, it is more advantageous for the flow of refrigerant, and when a malfunction occurs in the battery (10) and the vulnerable part (2013) ruptures, the refrigerant released from the ruptured vulnerable part (2013) can spread more quickly to the surface of the battery cell (100).

[0090] It should be understood that the specific shape of the vulnerable part (2013) shown in the drawing is merely a specific example for convenience of explanation, and the shape of the vulnerable part (2013) is not limited to that shown in the aforementioned drawing, and the shape of the vulnerable part (2013) can be designed and changed in various ways according to actual needs.

[0091] In some embodiments of the present application, the cooling unit (201) is a plurality and is each disposed between any two adjacent battery cells (100).

[0092] As described above, the battery cells (100) included in the battery (10) are typically multiple, and the multiple battery cells (100) are arranged along a first direction (X) (the thickness direction of the battery (10)). Here, by arranging multiple cooling units (201) according to the number of battery cells (100), the cooling units (201) are provided between any two adjacent battery cells (100), thereby allowing the battery to dissipate heat more effectively. At this time, when an abnormality occurs in the battery (10), the cooling units (201) can handle all abnormalities regardless of which side of any battery cell (100) of the battery (10) occurs, thereby allowing the battery (10) to dissipate heat more effectively.

[0093] In some embodiments of the present application, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 45, etc., a plurality of battery cells (100) are divided into a plurality of battery units (U) each containing an equal number of battery cells (100), and a cooling unit (201) is a plurality and is disposed between any two adjacent battery units (U).

[0094] As a specific example thereof, referring to FIGS. 2 and FIGS. 45, six battery cells (100) are divided into three battery units (U), each containing two battery cells (100) (each battery unit (U) contains two battery cells (100)), and a cooling unit (201) is placed between any two adjacent battery units (U).

[0095] In the actual use process, due to differences in the battery's usage environment and energy density, there is no need to place a cooling unit (201) between every two battery cells (100). Additionally, considering cost factors, assembly efficiency, rapid charging, and insulation requirements, multiple battery cells (100) are divided into multiple battery units (U) containing the same number of battery cells (100). By placing one cooling unit (201) between any two adjacent battery units (U), the cooling unit (201) can be placed between battery units (U) having multiple battery cells (100) as needed, thereby improving assembly efficiency and reducing manufacturing costs.

[0096] It should be understood that the number of battery units (U) and the number of battery cells (100) in each battery unit (U) shown in the drawings are merely specific examples for convenience of explanation, and the number of battery units (U) and the number of battery cells (100) in each battery unit (U) are not limited to those shown in each drawing, and the number of battery units (U) and the number of battery cells (100) in each battery unit (U) can be designed and changed in various ways according to actual needs.

[0097] In some embodiments of the present application, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 45, etc., two electrode terminals (E) are disposed on the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100) or on two second sides (102) of the battery cell (100), respectively, and the integration part (202) is one and is disposed on the bottom surface (104) of the battery cell (100) across the battery cell (100) in the first direction (X) and is in communication with the cooling part (201).

[0098] Considering the overall size and grouping of the battery, it may be considered to design the integrated portion (202) of the cooling member (200) at the bottom of the battery (10). In a specific example, as shown in FIG. 2, both electrode terminals (E) are placed on the upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100), and the battery (10) can be better heat dissipated and cooled by placing the cooling portion (201) between the battery cells (100) and the integrated portion (202) at the bottom of the battery (10). In another specific example, as shown in FIG. 45, the two electrode terminals (E) are each placed on the two second sides (102) of the battery cell (100), and the battery (10) can be better heat dissipated and cooled by placing the cooling portion (201) between the battery cells (100) and the integrated portion (202) at the bottom of the battery (10). It should be understood that the present application is not limited thereto and may consider placing the integration part (202) on any surface of the battery (10) that is not electrode-free.

[0099] In some embodiments of the present application, as shown in FIG. 47, two electrode terminals (E) are each placed on two second sides (102) of a battery cell (100), and there are two integration parts (202), each placed on the upper surface (103) and bottom surface (104) of a plurality of battery cells (100) across a plurality of battery cells (100) in a first direction (X), and each is in communication with a cooling part (201).

[0100] In the actual use process, the placement position of the electrode terminals of the battery is different due to differences in the usage environment and energy density, and when the electrode terminals (E) are placed on both sides (second side (102)) of the battery cell (100), a cooling portion (201) is provided between the battery cells (100), and one integrated portion (202) is provided on the lower part of the battery (10) (bottom surface (104) of the battery cell (100)), and in addition, another integrated portion (202) is provided on the upper part of the battery (10) (upper surface (103) of the battery cell (100)), so that the battery (10) can be better heat-dissipated and cooled from the upper and lower parts through the two integrated portions (202).

[0101] In some embodiments of the present application, a heat-conducting layer may be further provided between the cooling portion (201) and the battery cell (100).

[0102] In order to improve the heat dissipation effect of the cooling member, a thermal conductive layer is additionally provided between the cooling member (201) and the battery cell (100), thereby allowing the battery (10) to dissipate heat more effectively. Here, in some embodiments, the thermal conductive layer may be composed of a thermal conductive adhesive or a thermal conductive pad with excellent thermal conductivity performance, but the present application is not limited thereto, and the specific material of the thermal conductive layer may be designed and changed according to actual needs.

[0103] Additionally, one embodiment of the present application further provides a device capable of including a battery (10) according to each of the above embodiments for supplying electrical energy. Optionally, the device may be a vehicle, a ship, or an aircraft.

[0104] Hereinafter, a method for manufacturing a battery according to embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to FIG. 49, and any parts not described in detail herein may be referred to in each of the aforementioned embodiments.

[0105] FIG. 49 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a method for manufacturing a battery (10) according to an embodiment of the present application. A method for manufacturing a battery according to one embodiment of the present application is as follows:

[0106] A step (S1) of providing a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and having two first sides positioned opposite to the first direction, two second sides positioned opposite to the second direction, an upper surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the third direction, and two electrode terminals, wherein two of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are each orthogonal to each other, and the area of ​​the first side is larger than the area of ​​the second side;

[0107] A step (S2) of providing a cooling member comprising a cooling portion formed in a plate shape by a first cooling wall and a second cooling wall facing in the first direction, wherein a cooling portion and an integrated portion are included, and a flow path through which the cooling portion flows is formed between the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, wherein a cooling portion for cooling the battery cell is accommodated, and the cooling portion is formed in a plate shape by the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall.

[0108] Step (S3) of each manufacturing a vulnerable part in the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall that ruptures to release the refrigerant when an abnormality occurs in the battery; and

[0109] The method includes the step (S4) of placing the cooling unit between two adjacent battery cells.

[0110] It can be understood that the method for manufacturing a battery according to the present application is not limited to the order of steps S1, S2, S3, and S4 described above, and, for example, may be in the order of steps S2, S1, S3, and S4, or in the order of steps S2, S3, S1, and S4.

[0111] Finally, it should be noted that the present application is not limited to the embodiments described above. The embodiments described above are merely examples, and any embodiments having substantially the same configuration as the technical concept and achieving the same effect within the scope of the technical solution of the present application will be included within the technical scope of the present application. Furthermore, various modifications to the embodiments that a person skilled in the art could conceive without departing from the gist of the present application, as well as other forms configured by combining some of the components of the embodiments, will also be included within the scope of the present application.

Claims

Claim 1 A plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and having two first sides positioned opposite to the first direction, two second sides positioned opposite to the second direction, an upper surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the third direction, and two electrode terminals, wherein both of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are each orthogonal to each other, and the area of ​​the first side is larger than the area of ​​the second side; A cooling member comprising: a cooling portion formed in a plate shape by a first cooling wall and a second cooling wall facing in a first direction and disposed between two adjacent battery cells, wherein a refrigerant for cooling the battery cell is received, and an integration portion, wherein a flow path through which the refrigerant flows is formed between the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall; wherein the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall are provided with a weak portion that ruptures to release the refrigerant when an abnormality occurs in the battery, wherein the weak portion includes a thin wall portion having a wall thickness thinner than the wall thickness of other parts of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, and the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, each having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, have their wall thickness thinned at their respective inner wall surfaces to form the thin wall portion. Claim 2 A battery according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall is the same at 0.2 to 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the thin wall portion is 0.2 mm or less. Claim 3 In claim 1, the outer wall surface of each of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall is provided with a linear wall flow path that is recessed inward from the outer wall surface, and in the plan view from the first direction, the linear wall flow path partially overlaps with the vulnerable part, the battery. Claim 4 In claim 3, in the plan view from the first direction, the linear wall flow path is configured in a grid pattern or a radial pattern centered on the vulnerable part, a battery. Claim 5 In claim 1, the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall are further provided with a wall recess that is recessed inward from the outer wall surface so as to provide an expansion space in which the battery cell expands on each of the outer wall surfaces, wherein in the second direction, the distance from the edge of the wall recess to the nearest edge of the outer wall surface is 3 to 20% of the length of the outer wall surface in the second direction and is greater than 2 mm, and in the third direction, the distance from the edge of the wall recess to the nearest edge of the outer wall surface is 3 to 20% of the length of the outer wall surface in the third direction and is greater than 2 mm, or the area of ​​the wall recess occupies 60 to 90% of the outer wall surface and the depth of the wall recess is 10 to 90% of the wall thickness, and the weak portion is provided in the wall recess. Claim 6 In claim 1, the above vulnerable part is one, and the battery is close to the upper surface of the battery cell in the third direction. Claim 7 A battery according to claim 1, wherein the vulnerable parts are numerous, and the number of vulnerable parts close to the upper surface of the battery cell in the third direction is greater than the number of vulnerable parts at other locations. Claim 8 A battery according to claim 1, wherein the shape of the vulnerable part is circular, triangular, or rectangular. Claim 9 A battery according to claim 1, wherein the cooling portions are plurality and are each disposed between any two adjacent battery cells. Claim 10 In claim 1, the plurality of battery cells are divided into a plurality of battery units each comprising an equal number of battery cells, and the cooling unit is a plurality and is disposed between any two adjacent battery units. Claim 11 A battery according to claim 1, wherein the two electrode terminals are disposed on the upper surface of the battery cell or are disposed on the two second sides of the battery cell respectively, and the integrating part is one and is disposed on the bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells across the plurality of battery cells according to the first direction and is in communication with the cooling part. Claim 12 A battery according to claim 1, wherein the two electrode terminals are each disposed on the two second sides of the battery cell, and the integrating part is two, disposed across the upper surface and the bottom surface of the plurality of battery cells along the first direction, and each is in communication with the cooling part. Claim 13 A battery according to claim 1, wherein a thermal conductive layer is further disposed between the cooling portion and the battery cell. Claim 14 An electric device comprising a battery according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for providing electric energy. Claim 15 A step of providing a plurality of battery cells arranged along a first direction and having two first sides positioned opposite to the first direction, two second sides positioned opposite to the second direction, an upper surface and a bottom surface positioned opposite to the third direction, and two electrode terminals, wherein two of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are each orthogonal to each other, and the area of ​​the first side is larger than the area of ​​the second side; a step of providing a cooling member that accommodates a refrigerant for cooling the battery cells and includes a cooling portion formed in a plate shape by a first cooling wall and a second cooling wall facing the first direction, and an integrated portion, wherein a flow path for the refrigerant to flow is formed between the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall; and a step of fabricating a vulnerable portion on the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, respectively, which ruptures to release the refrigerant when an abnormality occurs in the battery. A method for manufacturing a battery, comprising the step of placing the cooling portion between two adjacent battery cells; wherein the cooling portion comprises a thin wall portion having a wall thickness thinner than the wall thickness of other parts of the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall, and the first cooling wall and the second cooling wall each having an inner wall surface and an outer wall surface, wherein the wall thickness is thinned at their respective inner wall surfaces to form the thin wall portion. Claim 16 delete Claim 17 delete Claim 18 delete Claim 19 delete

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