Battery and manufacturing method therefor, top cover assembly, battery pack, electric device and energy storage device

Abstract

A battery (4) and a manufacturing method therefor, a top cover assembly (20), a battery pack, an electric device and an energy storage device. The battery (4) comprises: a case (10), which defines an accommodation space and is provided with an opening; a top cover assembly (20), which is arranged on the case (10), seals the opening, and comprises a top cover body (21), and a first connector (22) and a second connector (23), which can conduct electricity, wherein the first connector (22) comprises a first connection portion (221) and a first exposed portion (222) connected to the first connection portion (221), the second connector (23) comprises a second connection portion (231) and a second exposed portion (232) connected to the second connection portion (231), the first connection portion (221) and the second connection portion (231) each comprising a connection surface extending in a first direction, the first exposed portion (222) and the second exposed portion (232) being exposed outside the case (10); and an electrode assembly (30), which is accommodated in the accommodation space and comprises a positive tab (31) and a negative tab (32), which extend in the first direction, a first connection surface (221a) of the first connection portion (221) being in surface connection with the positive tab (31) or the negative tab (32), and a second connection surface (231a) of the second connection portion (231) being in surface connection with the positive tab (31) or the negative tab (32).

Description

Battery and manufacturing method thereof, top cover assembly, battery pack, power consumption and energy storage device

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This disclosure is based on the Chinese patent application with application number 202410254401.3, application date March 6, 2024, and invention name “Battery and its manufacturing method, top cover assembly, battery pack, power consumption and energy storage device”, and claims the priority of the Chinese patent application. The entire content of the Chinese patent application is hereby introduced into the present disclosure as a reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to a battery and a manufacturing method thereof, a top cover assembly, a battery pack, an electrical device, and an energy storage device. Background Art

[0004] New energy batteries are being used more and more widely in life and industry. For example, new energy vehicles equipped with batteries have been widely used. In addition, batteries are also being increasingly used in energy storage fields.

[0005] In new energy vehicles equipped with batteries, they can provide full or partial propulsion. In energy storage, batteries can be installed in energy storage boxes or directly at the user's side. These applications place increasing demands on battery reliability.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] To solve the above technical problems, the present disclosure provides a highly reliable battery that does not require bending tabs, a manufacturing method thereof, a top cover assembly, a battery pack, an electrical device, and an energy storage device.

[0008] The present disclosure is achieved through the following technical solutions.

[0009] A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery, comprising: a shell, which defines a storage space and has an opening on one side; a top cover assembly, which is arranged in the shell and closes the opening, the top cover assembly comprising a top cover body and a first conductive connector and a second conductive connector arranged in the top cover body, the first connector comprising a first connecting portion and a first exposed portion connected to the first connecting portion, the second connecting portion comprising a second connecting portion and a second exposed portion connected to the second connecting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion both comprising a connecting surface extending along a first direction, the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion being exposed to the outside of the shell; an electrode assembly, which is accommodated in the storage space, the electrode assembly comprising a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab extending along the first direction, the connecting surface of the first connecting portion being connected to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab surface, and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion being connected to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab surface not connected to the connecting surface of the first connecting portion.

[0010] Since the connecting surface of the first connecting part, the connecting surface of the second connecting part, the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly all extend along the first direction, the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly can respectively achieve a non-bending surface connection with the connecting surface of the first connecting part and the connecting surface of the second connecting part, thereby reducing the risk of breakage of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, and reducing the gap between the tabs (positive electrode tab, negative electrode tab) and the connecting surfaces of the connecting parts (first connecting part, second connecting part), making the connection more stable and improving battery reliability.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first connection portion is connected to the first exposed portion in a bending manner; and the second connection portion is connected to the second exposed portion in a bending manner.

[0012] The first connecting portion is bent and connected to the first exposed portion, and the second connecting portion is bent and connected to the second exposed portion, thereby reducing space occupation and providing more space for battery grouping.

[0013] In some embodiments, the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are both parallel to the top surface of the top cover body.

[0014] Since both the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are parallel to the top surface of the top cover body, space occupation is reduced and connection of the busbar components is facilitated, thereby improving battery grouping efficiency.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged side by side on the top cover body along the second direction, and / or the first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged side by side on the top cover body along the third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0016] By arranging the first connecting member and the second connecting member side by side, it is possible to more conveniently connect to the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, thereby improving the battery manufacturing efficiency; the first connecting member and the second connecting member can be arranged side by side in pairs in any direction of the second direction or the third direction, and can adapt to the position of the tabs of electrode assemblies of different specifications / types, with wide adaptability.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first connecting member further includes a third connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, and the third connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction; the number of the second connecting members is an even number.

[0018] By making the first connecting member have a connecting surface of the first connecting part and a connecting surface of the third connecting part, the first connecting member can be connected to two electrode ears. In combination with an even number of second connecting members, the connection between the top cover assembly and multiple electrode assemblies can be easily achieved, and it is also convenient for multiple electrode assemblies to be connected in parallel or in series with each other.

[0019] In some embodiments, the battery includes at least two electrode assemblies, the first connecting portion of the first connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab of one electrode assembly, the third connecting portion of the first connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab of another electrode assembly, and the tabs in each electrode assembly that are not connected to the first connecting member are respectively connected to the second connecting portion of the second connecting member.

[0020] At least two electrode assemblies without bent tabs can be connected in series or in parallel through a top cover, thereby improving connection reliability and enhancing battery grouping efficiency.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first connecting member further includes a third connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, the third connecting portion including a connecting surface extending along the first direction; the second connecting member further includes a fourth connecting portion connected to the second connecting portion, the fourth connecting portion including a connecting surface extending along the first direction.

[0022] By providing the first connector with a first connection surface and a third connection surface, and the second connector with a second connection surface and a fourth connection surface, the first and second connectors can each be connected to two tabs, making it easy to connect the top cap assembly to multiple electrode assemblies and to connect multiple electrode assemblies in parallel. By connecting at least two electrode assemblies without bent tabs in parallel through a single top cap, connection reliability is improved, thereby enhancing battery assembly efficiency.

[0023] In some embodiments, the battery includes at least two electrode assemblies, the first connecting portion of the first connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab of one electrode assembly, the third connecting portion of the first connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab of another electrode assembly, and the negative electrode tab of one electrode assembly and the negative electrode tab of the other electrode assembly are respectively connected to the second connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion of the second connecting member.

[0024] At least two electrode assemblies without bent tabs are connected in parallel through a top cover to improve connection reliability and enhance battery grouping efficiency.

[0025] In some embodiments, the first connection portion and the third connection portion are connected through the first bending portion, the first bending portion is bent relative to the first connection portion and the third connection portion, one end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to the first exposed portion, the other end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the first bending portion, the other end of the first bending portion is connected to one end of the third connection portion in the first direction, and the third connection portion extends parallel to the first connection portion.

[0026] The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion can form a roughly U-shaped structure through the first bend connection, which is convenient for maintaining the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion having connection surfaces extending along the first direction respectively, and is convenient for connection with the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab surfaces without bending, and the electrode assemblies are more reliably connected in series or in parallel, thereby improving battery reliability.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first connection portion is connected to the third connection portion through a first bending portion, the first bending portion is bent relative to the first connection portion and the third connection portion, one end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to the first exposed portion, the other end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the first bending portion, the other end of the first bending portion is connected to one end of the third connection portion in the first direction, and the third connection portion extends parallel to the first connection portion; the second connection portion is connected to the fourth connection portion through a second bending portion, the second bending portion is bent relative to the second connection portion and the fourth connection portion, one end of the second connection portion in the first direction is connected to the second exposed portion, the other end of the second connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the second bending portion, the other end of the second bending portion is connected to one end of the fourth connection portion in the first direction, and the fourth connection portion extends parallel to the second connection portion.

[0028] The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion are connected through the first bending portion to form a roughly U-shaped structure; the second connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are connected through the second bending portion to form a roughly U-shaped structure, which is convenient for maintaining that each connecting portion has a connecting surface extending along the first direction, and is convenient for connecting with the non-bending positive electrode tab and negative electrode tab surfaces of the electrode assembly respectively, and the parallel connection of the electrode assembly is more reliable, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0029] In some embodiments, an insulating shielding member is provided between the second connecting portions of two adjacent second connecting members.

[0030] The insulating shielding member can block the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab connected to the connection surfaces of the two second connection parts, thereby preventing series short circuit and improving battery reliability.

[0031] In some embodiments, the first exposed portion is connected to the first connecting portion via a first flow bottleneck; and / or the second exposed portion is connected to the second connecting portion via a second flow bottleneck.

[0032] The first overcurrent bottleneck portion and the second overcurrent bottleneck portion are respectively used to melt when the current passing through the first connecting member and the second connecting member is too large (when the current bottleneck is reached), thereby cutting off the first exposed portion and the first connecting portion, and the second exposed portion and the second connecting portion, respectively, eliminating the excessive current from spreading to the respective electrode assemblies, reducing the risk of thermal runaway, and improving battery reliability.

[0033] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion; and the cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion.

[0034] The cross-sectional area of ​​the bottleneck of the first overcurrent protection bottle is smaller than that of the first connecting portion. When the current flowing through the first connecting member is too large (when the current bottleneck is reached), the bottleneck of the first overcurrent protection bottle is melted first compared to the first connecting portion, thereby cutting off the first exposed portion and the first connecting portion; the cross-sectional area of ​​the bottleneck of the second overcurrent protection bottle is smaller than that of the second connecting portion. When the current flowing through the second connecting member is too large (when the current bottleneck is reached), the bottleneck of the second overcurrent protection bottle is melted first compared to the second connecting portion, thereby cutting off the second exposed portion and the second connecting portion; thereby, the excessive current is eliminated from spreading to the electrode assembly, the risk of thermal runaway is reduced, and the battery reliability is improved.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are respectively injection molded with the top cover body.

[0036] The first and second connectors form an integral injection-molded structure with the top cover body, providing a more stable connection and improving battery reliability. Furthermore, the integral molding structure is beneficial for improving production efficiency.

[0037] A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a top cover assembly, comprising: a top cover body; a first and a second conductive connector disposed on the top cover body, the first connector comprising a first connecting portion and a first exposed portion connected to the first connecting portion, the second connector comprising a second connecting portion and a second exposed portion connected to the second connecting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion both comprising a connecting surface extending along a first direction, the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion being exposed to the outside of the shell; the connecting surface of the first connecting portion being used to connect to the positive pole tab or the negative pole tab surface of the electrode assembly, the connecting surface of the second connecting portion being used to connect to the positive pole tab or the negative pole tab surface, wherein the extending direction of the connecting surface of the first connecting portion and the extending direction of the connecting surface of the second connecting portion are the same as the extending direction of the positive pole tab and the negative pole tab.

[0038] Since the connecting surface of the first connecting part, the connecting surface of the second connecting part, the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly all extend along the first direction, the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly can respectively achieve a non-bending connection with the connecting surface of the first connecting part and the connecting surface of the second connecting part, thereby reducing the risk of breakage of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, making the connection more stable, and improving battery reliability.

[0039] In some embodiments, the first connection portion is connected to the first exposed portion in a bending manner; and the second connection portion is connected to the second exposed portion in a bending manner.

[0040] The first connecting portion is bent and connected to the first exposed portion, and the second connecting portion is bent and connected to the second exposed portion, thereby reducing space occupation and providing more space for battery grouping.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are both parallel to the top surface of the top cover body.

[0042] Since both the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are parallel to the top surface of the top cover body, space occupation is reduced and connection of the busbar components is facilitated, thereby improving battery grouping efficiency.

[0043] In some embodiments, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged side by side on the top cover body along the second direction, and / or the first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged side by side on the top cover body along the third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0044] By arranging the first connecting member and the second connecting member side by side, it is possible to more conveniently connect to the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, thereby improving the battery manufacturing efficiency; the first connecting member and the second connecting member can be arranged side by side in pairs in any direction of the second direction or the third direction, and can adapt to the position of the tabs of electrode assemblies of different specifications / types, with wide adaptability.

[0045] In some embodiments, the first connecting member further includes a third connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, the third connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction, and the number of the second connecting members is an even number.

[0046] By making the first connecting member have a connecting surface of the first connecting part and a connecting surface of the third connecting part, the first connecting member can be connected to two electrode ears. In combination with an even number of second connecting members, the connection between the top cover assembly and multiple electrode assemblies can be easily achieved, and it is also convenient for multiple electrode assemblies to be connected in parallel or in series with each other.

[0047] At least two electrode assemblies without bent tabs can be connected in series or in parallel through a top cover, thereby improving connection reliability and enhancing battery grouping efficiency.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first connecting member further includes a third connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, the third connecting portion including a connecting surface extending along the first direction; the second connecting member further includes a fourth connecting portion connected to the second connecting portion, the fourth connecting portion including a connecting surface extending along the first direction.

[0049] By providing the first connector with a first connection surface and a third connection surface, and the second connector with a second connection surface and a fourth connection surface, the first and second connectors can each be connected to two tabs, making it easy to connect the top cap assembly to multiple electrode assemblies and to connect multiple electrode assemblies in parallel. By connecting at least two electrode assemblies without bent tabs in parallel through a single top cap, connection reliability is improved, thereby enhancing battery assembly efficiency.

[0050] In some embodiments, the first connection portion and the third connection portion are connected through the first bending portion, the first bending portion is bent relative to the first connection portion and the third connection portion, one end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to the first exposed portion, the other end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the first bending portion, the other end of the first bending portion is connected to one end of the third connection portion in the first direction, and the third connection portion extends parallel to the first connection portion.

[0051] The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion can form a roughly U-shaped structure through the first bend connection, which is convenient for maintaining the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion having connection surfaces extending along the first direction respectively, and is convenient for connection with the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab surfaces without bending, and the electrode assemblies are more reliably connected in series or in parallel, thereby improving battery reliability.

[0052] In some embodiments, the first connection portion is connected to the third connection portion through a first bending portion, the first bending portion is bent relative to the first connection portion and the third connection portion, one end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to the first exposed portion, the other end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the first bending portion, the other end of the first bending portion is connected to one end of the third connection portion in the first direction, and the third connection portion extends parallel to the first connection portion; the second connection portion is connected to the fourth connection portion through a second bending portion, the second bending portion is bent relative to the second connection portion and the fourth connection portion, one end of the second connection portion in the first direction is connected to the second exposed portion, the other end of the second connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the second bending portion, the other end of the second bending portion is connected to one end of the fourth connection portion in the first direction, and the fourth connection portion extends parallel to the second connection portion.

[0053] The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion are connected through the first bending portion to form a roughly U-shaped structure; the second connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion are connected through the second bending portion to form a roughly U-shaped structure, which is convenient for maintaining that each connecting portion has a connecting surface extending along the first direction, and is convenient for connecting with the non-bending positive electrode tab and negative electrode tab surfaces of the electrode assembly respectively, and the parallel connection of the electrode assembly is more reliable, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0054] In some embodiments, an insulating shielding member is provided between the second connecting portions of two adjacent second connecting members.

[0055] The insulating shielding member can block the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab connected to the connection surfaces of the two second connection parts, thereby preventing series short circuit and improving battery reliability.

[0056] In some embodiments, the first exposed portion is connected to the first connecting portion via a first flow bottleneck; and / or the second exposed portion is connected to the second connecting portion via a second flow bottleneck.

[0057] The first overcurrent bottleneck portion and the second overcurrent bottleneck portion are respectively used to melt when the current passing through the first connecting member and the second connecting member is too large (when the current bottleneck is reached), thereby cutting off the first exposed portion and the first connecting portion, and the second exposed portion and the second connecting portion, respectively, eliminating the excessive current from spreading to the respective electrode assemblies, reducing the risk of thermal runaway, and improving battery reliability.

[0058] In some embodiments, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion; and the cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion.

[0059] The cross-sectional area of ​​the bottleneck of the first overcurrent protection bottle is smaller than that of the first connecting portion. When the current flowing through the first connecting member is too large (when the current bottleneck is reached), the bottleneck of the first overcurrent protection bottle is melted first compared to the first connecting portion, thereby cutting off the first exposed portion and the first connecting portion; the cross-sectional area of ​​the bottleneck of the second overcurrent protection bottle is smaller than that of the second connecting portion. When the current flowing through the second connecting member is too large (when the current bottleneck is reached), the bottleneck of the second overcurrent protection bottle is melted first compared to the second connecting portion, thereby cutting off the second exposed portion and the second connecting portion; thereby, the excessive current is eliminated from spreading to the electrode assembly, the risk of thermal runaway is reduced, and the battery reliability is improved.

[0060] In some embodiments, the first connecting member and the second connecting member are respectively injection molded with the top cover body.

[0061] The first and second connectors form an integral injection-molded structure with the top cover body, providing a more stable connection and improving battery reliability. Furthermore, the integral molding structure is beneficial for improving production efficiency.

[0062] A third aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery pack, comprising: at least one battery; and at least one busbar component electrically connected to the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion to connect the batteries in series and / or in parallel.

[0063] Since the battery provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure can achieve connection between the tab and the connector without bending the tab, the risk of tab breakage is reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the battery and even the battery pack.

[0064] In some embodiments, the top cover assemblies of adjacent batteries are connected to each other, and each top cover assembly respectively closes the opening of the corresponding shell.

[0065] Each battery can first be connected to the top cover assembly through the tabs, and then connected into a group through their own top cover assemblies to form a battery pack. Compared with the traditional method of first grouping the batteries and then connecting the tabs and connectors, it is easier to connect the tabs and connectors, and the connection reliability is higher; and batteries can be easily added or removed as needed.

[0066] In some embodiments, among two adjacent top cover assemblies, one top cover assembly is provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion, and the other top cover assembly is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove, and the top cover assemblies of adjacent batteries are connected to each other through the snap-fit ​​cooperation between the snap-fit ​​protrusion and the snap-fit ​​groove.

[0067] By engaging the engaging protrusions of the top cover assemblies of adjacent batteries with the engaging grooves, multiple batteries can be grouped to form a battery pack, thereby improving grouping efficiency.

[0068] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure provides an electrical device comprising a battery or a battery pack for providing electrical energy.

[0069] A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides an energy storage device, including a battery or a battery pack, wherein the battery is capable of storing electrical energy and providing electrical energy.

[0070] A sixth aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery manufacturing method, comprising: forming a top cover assembly, forming a first conductive connector and a second conductive connector on a top cover body to form an integrated top cover assembly, wherein the first connector includes a first connecting portion and a first exposed portion connected to the first connecting portion, and the second connector includes a second connecting portion and a second exposed portion connected to the second connecting portion;

[0071] a tab connecting step of connecting one of the connecting surface of the first connecting portion and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion of the top cover assembly to the positive tab or the negative tab surface of the electrode assembly, and connecting the other to the positive tab or the negative tab surface of the electrode assembly not connected to the first connecting portion, wherein the positive tab, the negative tab, the connecting surface of the first connecting portion, and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion all extend along a first direction;

[0072] The electrode assembly is placed in the shell in a step of accommodating the electrode assembly connected to the top cover assembly from the opening of the shell into the accommodating space defined by the shell, and closing the opening by the top cover assembly, wherein the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are exposed to the outside of the shell.

[0073] In some embodiments, the top cover assembly forming step includes: the first connecting member, the second connecting member and the top cover body are formed into an integrated top cover assembly by injection molding.

[0074] Through the present disclosure, a bending-free connection between the tab of the electrode assembly and the top cover assembly can be achieved, thereby reducing the risk of tab breakage and improving the reliability of batteries, battery packs, and even electrical devices and energy storage devices. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] Various other advantages and benefits will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the preferred embodiment below. The accompanying drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to denote the same components. In the drawings:

[0076] FIG1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0077] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery pack provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0078] FIG3 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery with its housing removed provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0079] FIG4 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery with its housing removed from another perspective provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0080] FIG5 is a perspective exploded schematic diagram of a top cover assembly provided by some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0081] FIG6 is a schematic structural diagram of a top cover assembly provided in other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0082] FIG7 is a perspective exploded schematic diagram of a top cover assembly provided in some other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0083] FIG8 is a perspective schematic diagram of a top cover assembly provided in still other embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0084] FIG9 is a schematic diagram of the top cover assembly in FIG8 from another perspective;

[0085] FIG10 is an exploded perspective view of the top cover assembly in FIG8 ;

[0086] FIG11 is a schematic diagram of the bottom surface structure of the top cover body provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0087] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of top cover assemblies connected into groups according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0088] FIG13 is a flow chart of a battery manufacturing method provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0089] Description of Reference Numerals

[0090] Vehicle 1000; battery pack 100; controller 200; motor 300; battery 4; housing 10; top cover assembly 20; top cover body 21; engaging step 211; engaging protrusion 212; recessed portion 213; first connector 22; first connecting portion 221; first exposed portion 222; third connecting portion 223; first bent portion 224; second bent portion 224; first current flow bottleneck 225; second connector 23; insulating shield 25; second connecting portion 231; second exposed portion 232; fourth connecting portion 241; electrode assembly 30; positive electrode tab 31; negative electrode tab 32; first direction X; second direction Y; third direction Z. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0091] The following embodiments of the technical solution of the present disclosure are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are only used to more clearly illustrate the technical solution of the present disclosure and are therefore only examples and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0092] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs; the terms used herein are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure; the terms "including" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of the present disclosure and the above-mentioned figure descriptions are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.

[0093] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, technical terms such as "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and "fifth" are used solely to distinguish different objects and should not be understood to indicate or imply relative importance or to implicitly specify the quantity, specific order, or primary and secondary relationship of the technical features indicated. In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" means more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0094] References herein to "embodiments" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments may be included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. The appearance of this phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor does it constitute an independent or alternative embodiment that is mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood, both explicitly and implicitly, by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

[0095] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the term "and / or" is simply a description of the association relationship between associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0096] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the orientations or positional relationships indicated by technical terms such as "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", and "circumferential" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of the present disclosure and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, operated or used in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be understood as limiting the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0097] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, technical terms such as "installed," "connected," "connect," and "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; and can refer to internal connectivity between two components or interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments of the present disclosure based on specific circumstances.

[0098] In the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the technical term "contact" should be understood in a broad sense, and can be direct contact, contact through an intermediate medium layer, contact with essentially no interaction force between the two contacting parties, or contact with interaction force between the two contacting parties.

[0099] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail.

[0100] Currently, new energy batteries are increasingly being used in everyday life and industry. They are not only used in energy storage systems such as hydropower, thermal power, wind power, and solar power plants, but are also widely used in electric vehicles such as electric bicycles, electric motorcycles, and electric vehicles, as well as aircraft. As the application of power batteries continues to expand, market demand is also growing.

[0101] During the battery manufacturing process, it is sometimes necessary to electrically connect multiple electrode assemblies into groups. In the related art, the tabs of the electrode assemblies of multiple batteries are connected to each other in groups and then connected to the connectors (such as tabs) of the top cover assembly, and then the batteries are further connected into groups by connecting the busbar components to the connectors. The tabs of multiple electrode assemblies are usually welded to the connectors of the top cover assembly in a bent state (for example, bent 90 degrees). The stress concentration at the bending position of the tabs can easily lead to the risk of fracture, and gaps are likely to appear where the bent part overlaps with the connector, resulting in cold welding, which causes the problem of unreliable connection between the tabs and the connector.

[0102] In this regard, the present disclosure provides a battery, wherein a connector connected to the tab is designed on a top cover assembly, wherein the connector has a connecting surface extending in the same direction as the tab extends, thereby achieving a non-bending surface connection between the tab and the connecting surface.

[0103] Based on this design concept, the present disclosure provides a battery comprising: a shell, a top cover assembly, and at least one electrode assembly. The shell defines a storage space and has an opening on one side; the top cover assembly is provided on the shell and closes the opening, the top cover assembly comprises a top cover body and a first and second connectors that are electrically conductive and provided on the top cover body, the first connector comprising a first connecting portion and a first exposed portion connected to the first connecting portion, the second connector comprising a second connecting portion and a second exposed portion connected to the second connecting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion both comprising a connection surface extending along a first direction, the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion being exposed to the outside of the shell; the electrode assembly is accommodated in the storage space defined by the shell, the electrode assembly comprises a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab extending along a first direction, the connection surface of the first connecting portion is connected to the surface of the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab, and the connection surface of the second connecting portion is connected to the surface of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab that are not connected to the first connecting portion.

[0104] Since the extension direction of the connection surface of each of the first connector and the second connector is the same as the extension direction of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, and both extend along the first direction, the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab can be connected to the first connector and the second connector respectively without bending, reducing the risk of tab breakage, and reducing the gap between the connection surface of the tab (positive electrode tab, negative electrode tab) and the connecting part (first connecting part, second connecting part), making the welding more reliable and improving the battery.

[0105] The battery provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be used, but is not limited to, in electrical devices such as energy storage power systems, vehicles, ships, or aircraft. Because the tabs of the battery provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure can be connected without bending, the risk of tab breakage is reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the electrical device.

[0106] The batteries provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure can also be grouped together to form a battery pack. The battery pack can also be used in, but is not limited to, energy storage power supply systems, vehicles, ships, aircraft, and other electrical devices.

[0107] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide an electrical device including the above-mentioned battery or battery pack for providing electrical energy. The electrical device may be, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a tablet, a laptop computer, an electric toy, an electric tool, a battery-powered vehicle, an electric car, a ship, an aircraft, etc. The electric toy may include a fixed or mobile electric toy, such as a game console, an electric car toy, an electric ship toy, and an electric aircraft toy, etc. The aircraft may include an airplane, a rocket, a space shuttle, and a spacecraft, etc.

[0108] In the following embodiments, for the convenience of description, the electric device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is taken as an example of a vehicle 1000. The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0109] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle 1000 provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle 1000 may be a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or an extended-range vehicle, etc. As shown in Figure 1, a battery pack 100 is provided inside the vehicle 1000. The battery pack 100 may be provided at the bottom, head or tail of the vehicle 1000. The battery pack 100 may be used to power the vehicle 1000. For example, the battery pack 100 may serve as an operating power source for the vehicle 1000. The vehicle 1000 may further include a controller 200 and a motor 300. The controller 200 is used to control the battery pack 100 to power the motor 300, for example, for starting, navigating and operating power requirements of the vehicle 1000 during driving.

[0110] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery pack 100 can serve not only as the operating power source of the vehicle 1000, but also as the driving power source of the vehicle 1000, replacing or partially replacing fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle 1000.

[0111] FIG2 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery pack 100 provided in an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG2 , the battery pack 100 includes at least one battery 4. The battery pack may further include a case (not shown), and at least one battery 4 is accommodated in the accommodation space formed by the case. There may be multiple batteries 4, and the multiple batteries 4 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in mixed connection. Mixed connection means that the multiple batteries 4 are both connected in series and in parallel. The multiple batteries 4 may be directly connected in series, in parallel, or in mixed connection, and then the whole formed by the multiple batteries 4 is placed in the accommodation space formed by the case; of course, the battery pack 100 may also be a battery module formed by first connecting multiple batteries 4 in series, in parallel, or in mixed connection, and then the multiple battery modules are connected in series, in parallel, or in mixed connection to form a whole, and accommodated in the accommodation space formed by the case. The battery pack 100 may also include other structures. For example, the battery pack 100 may also include a busbar component for realizing electrical connection between the multiple batteries 4.

[0112] In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the battery may be a secondary battery. A secondary battery refers to a battery that can be recharged to activate active materials after being discharged and can be used continuously.

[0113] The battery can be a lithium ion battery, a sodium ion battery, a sodium lithium ion battery, a lithium metal battery, a sodium metal battery, a lithium sulfur battery, a magnesium ion battery, a nickel metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmium battery, a lead storage battery, etc., and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to this.

[0114] Batteries typically include an electrode assembly. This assembly includes a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator. During the battery's charge and discharge processes, active ions (such as lithium ions) are inserted and removed between the positive and negative electrodes. Separators, placed between the positive and negative electrodes, prevent short circuits while allowing the active ions to pass through.

[0115] In some embodiments, the positive electrode may be a positive electrode sheet, which may include a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material disposed on at least one surface of the positive electrode current collector.

[0116] As an example, the positive electrode current collector has two surfaces facing each other in its thickness direction, and the positive electrode active material is provided on either or both of the two facing surfaces of the positive electrode current collector.

[0117] As an example, the positive electrode current collector may be a metal foil or a composite current collector. For example, as the metal foil, aluminum or stainless steel with a silver surface treatment, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, nickel, carbon electrode, carbon, nickel or titanium, etc. may be used. The composite current collector may include a polymer material base layer and a metal layer. The composite current collector may be formed by forming a metal material (aluminum, aluminum alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, silver and silver alloy, etc.) on a polymer material substrate (such as a substrate of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyethylene, etc.).

[0118] As an example, the positive electrode active material may include at least one of the following materials: lithium-containing phosphates, lithium transition metal oxides, and their respective modified compounds. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these materials, and other traditional materials that can be used as battery positive electrode active materials may also be used. These positive electrode active materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Examples of lithium-containing phosphates may include, but are not limited to, at least one of lithium iron phosphate (such as LiFePO4 (also referred to as LFP)), a composite material of lithium iron phosphate and carbon, lithium manganese phosphate (such as LiMnPO4), a composite material of lithium manganese phosphate and carbon, lithium iron manganese phosphate, and a composite material of lithium iron manganese phosphate and carbon.

[0119] In some embodiments, a positive electrode may be a metal foam. The metal foam may be nickel foam, copper foam, aluminum foam, alloy foam, or carbon foam, among others. When a metal foam is used as the positive electrode, the surface of the metal foam may or may not be provided with a positive electrode active material. For example, a lithium source material, potassium metal, or sodium metal may be filled and / or deposited within the metal foam, where the lithium source material is lithium metal and / or a lithium-rich material.

[0120] In some embodiments, the negative electrode may be a negative electrode sheet, and the negative electrode sheet may include a negative electrode current collector.

[0121] As an example, the negative electrode current collector may be a metal foil, a metal foam, or a composite current collector. For example, as the metal foil, aluminum or stainless steel treated with silver, stainless steel, copper, aluminum, nickel, carbon electrode, carbon, nickel, or titanium, etc. may be used. The composite current collector may include a polymer material base layer and a metal layer. The metal foam may be nickel foam, copper foam, aluminum foam, alloy foam, or carbon foam, etc. The composite current collector may be formed by forming a metal material (copper, copper alloy, nickel, nickel alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, silver, and silver alloy, etc.) on a polymer material substrate (such as a substrate of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyethylene, etc.). In some embodiments, the material of the positive electrode current collector may be aluminum, and the material of the negative electrode current collector may be copper.

[0122] As an example, the negative electrode current collector has two surfaces facing each other in its thickness direction, and the negative electrode active material is provided on either or both of the two facing surfaces of the negative electrode current collector.

[0123] As an example, the negative electrode active material may adopt the negative electrode active material for battery cells that is well known in the art. As an example, the negative electrode active material may include at least one of the following materials: artificial graphite, natural graphite, soft carbon, hard carbon, silicon-based materials, tin-based materials, and lithium titanate. The silicon-based material may be selected from at least one of elemental silicon, silicon oxide compounds, silicon-carbon composites, silicon-nitrogen composites, and silicon alloys. The tin-based material may be selected from at least one of elemental tin, tin oxide compounds, and tin alloys. However, the present application is not limited to these materials, and other traditional materials that can be used as negative electrode active materials for battery cells may also be used. These negative electrode active materials may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0124] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly further includes a separator disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode.

[0125] In some embodiments, the separator is a separator. The present disclosure has no particular limitation on the type of separator, and any known separator with a porous structure having good chemical stability and mechanical stability can be selected.

[0126] As an example, the main material of the isolation membrane can be selected from at least one of glass fiber, non-woven fabric, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, and ceramics.

[0127] In some embodiments, the separator is a solid electrolyte, which is disposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode and serves to transport ions and isolate the positive and negative electrodes.

[0128] In some embodiments, the battery cell further includes an electrolyte, which acts as a conductor of ions between the positive and negative electrodes. This disclosure does not specifically limit the type of electrolyte, and the electrolyte may be selected based on needs. The electrolyte may be liquid, gel, or solid.

[0129] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is a wound structure, wherein the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are wound into the wound structure.

[0130] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is a laminate structure.

[0131] As an example, multiple positive electrode sheets and multiple negative electrode sheets can be provided respectively, and the multiple positive electrode sheets and the multiple negative electrode sheets can be alternately stacked.

[0132] As an example, a plurality of positive electrode sheets may be provided, and the negative electrode sheet may be folded to form a plurality of stacked folded segments, with a positive electrode sheet being sandwiched between adjacent folded segments.

[0133] As an example, both the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet are folded to form a plurality of stacked folded segments.

[0134] As an example, a plurality of separators may be provided, each of which is disposed between any adjacent positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets.

[0135] As an example, the separator may be provided continuously, and may be provided between any adjacent positive electrode sheets or negative electrode sheets by folding or winding.

[0136] In some embodiments, the shape of the electrode assembly can be cylindrical, flat, or polygonal.

[0137] In some embodiments, the electrode assembly is provided with tabs that can conduct current from the electrode assembly. The tabs include a positive tab and a negative tab.

[0138] In some embodiments, the battery may include a housing. The housing is used to house components such as the electrode assembly and electrolyte. The housing may be a steel shell, an aluminum shell, a plastic shell (e.g., polypropylene), a composite metal shell (e.g., a copper-aluminum composite shell), or an aluminum-plastic film.

[0139] As an example, the battery can be a cylindrical battery, a prismatic battery, a soft-pack battery or a battery of other shapes. Prismatic batteries include square-shell batteries, blade-shaped batteries, and polygonal batteries. Polygonal batteries are, for example, hexagonal batteries, etc. There is no special limitation in the present disclosure.

[0140] In some embodiments, the housing has an opening, and the end caps seal the opening to form a sealed space for accommodating the electrode assembly, electrolyte, and other substances. The housing may have one or more openings. One or more end caps may also be provided.

[0141] In some embodiments, the housing is provided with at least one electrode terminal, which is electrically connected to the tab. The electrode terminal may be directly connected to the tab or indirectly connected to the tab via an adapter component. The electrode terminal may be provided on the end cap or on the housing.

[0142] In some embodiments, a pressure relief mechanism is provided on the end cap to release the internal pressure of the battery cell.

[0143] The present disclosure also provides a battery pack comprising one or more batteries to provide a single physical module with higher voltage and capacity. When there are multiple batteries, the multiple batteries are connected in series, in parallel, or in hybrid mode via a busbar.

[0144] In some embodiments, the battery pack includes a case and batteries, wherein the batteries are housed in the case.

[0145] In some embodiments, the box body can be used as a part of the chassis structure of the vehicle. For example, part of the box body can become at least a part of the floor of the vehicle, or part of the box body can become at least a part of the cross beam and longitudinal beam of the vehicle.

[0146] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2 to FIG. 12 .

[0147] The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery 4, including: a shell 10, a top cover assembly 20, and an electrode assembly 30. The shell 10 defines a storage space and has an opening on one side; the top cover assembly 20 is provided on the shell 10 and closes the opening, and the top cover assembly 20 includes a top cover body 21 and a first conductive connecting member 22 and a second conductive connecting member 23 provided on the top cover body 21. The first connecting member 22 includes a first connecting portion 221 and a first exposed portion 222 connected to the first connecting portion 221, and the second connecting member 23 includes a second connecting portion 231 and a second exposed portion 232 connected to the second connecting portion 231. The first connecting member 221 and the second connecting member 233 are electrically conductive. The first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 are exposed to the outside of the shell 10; the electrode assembly 30 is accommodated in the accommodating space, and the electrode assembly 30 includes a positive electrode tab 31 and a negative electrode tab 32 extending along the first direction X. The connection surface 221a of the first connection portion 221 is connected to the surface of the positive electrode tab 31 or the negative electrode tab 32, and the connection surface 231a of the second connection portion 231 is connected to the surface of the positive electrode tab 31 or the negative electrode tab 32 that is not connected to the connection surface of the first connection portion 221.

[0148] The housing 10 may be a rigid housing or a soft housing. The housing 10 may have various shapes, depending on the structure of the electrode assembly 30. For example, the housing 10 may be circular, square, polygonal, or other shapes.

[0149] The top cover assembly 20 is disposed on the housing 10 and closes the opening, so as to enclose the electrode assembly 30 in the accommodation space defined by the housing 10 .

[0150] The first connector 22 and the second connector 23 can be made of a conductive metal material, such as copper, aluminum, steel, or a copper-aluminum alloy. The first connector 221 and the second connector 231 of the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 are respectively used to connect one of the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 of the electrode assembly 30 to the other. The first exposed portion 222 of the first connector 22 and the second exposed portion 232 of the second connector 23 are exposed to the outside of the housing 10 and are used to connect to an external busbar component to achieve electrical connection between multiple batteries 4, such as series connection, parallel connection, or hybrid connection. The first connector 22 and the second connector 23 are sometimes referred to as tabs or adapter tabs.

[0151] The connection surface of the first connection portion 221 is connected to the surface of the positive electrode tab 31 or the negative electrode tab 32, and the connection surface of the second connection portion 231 is connected to the surface of the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 that are not connected to the connection surface of the first connection portion 221. Optionally, the connection surface of the first connection portion 221 can be connected to the positive electrode tab 31, and the connection surface of the second connection portion 231 can be connected to the negative electrode tab 32; or the connection surface of the first connection portion 221 can be connected to the negative electrode tab 32, and the connection surface of the second connection portion 231 can be connected to the positive electrode tab 31.

[0152] The electrode assembly 30 includes stacked positive and negative electrode sheets. The positive electrode sheet includes a positive current collector and a positive lead connected to the end of the positive current collector, which serves as the positive electrode tab. The negative electrode sheet includes a negative current collector and a negative lead connected to the end of the negative current collector, which serves as the negative electrode tab. Alternatively, the positive lead is connected to a positive electrode adapter, so that the positive lead and the positive electrode adapter together form the positive electrode tab; the negative lead is connected to a negative electrode adapter, so that the negative lead and the negative electrode adapter together form the negative electrode tab.

[0153] The so-called "surface connection" may, for example, be that the connection surface 221a of the first connection portion 221 and the surface of the positive electrode tab 31 have an overlapping portion in a third direction Z (e.g., the left-right direction in the figure) perpendicular to the first direction X, achieving a bend-free connection in this overlapping portion and reducing the gap. In some embodiments, the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 extend from the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet in the electrode assembly 30 respectively along the first direction X, and the extended portions are unbent. Such unbent positive electrode tab 31 and negative electrode tab 32 are surface-connected to the connection surface of the first connection portion 221 and the connection surface of the second connection portion 231 respectively by welding.

[0154] Since the connection surface of the first connection part 221, the connection surface of the second connection part 231, the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 of the electrode assembly 30 all extend along the first direction X (for example, the up and down direction in the figure), the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 of the electrode assembly 30 are connected to the connection surface of the first connection part 221 and the connection surface of the second connection part 231 respectively without bending, thereby reducing the risk of breakage of the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32, and reducing the possibility of gaps between the connection surfaces of the tabs (positive electrode tab, negative electrode tab) and the connection parts (first connection part, second connection part), reducing the risk of cold welding, making the connection more reliable, and improving battery stability.

[0155] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5 , in the first connecting member 22 , the first connecting portion 221 is connected to the first exposed portion 222 by bending; in the second connecting member 23 , the second connecting portion 231 is connected to the second exposed portion 232 by bending.

[0156] The first connection portion 221 and the first exposed portion 222 may be connected in a bent manner, with an angle formed between the first connection portion 221 and the first exposed portion 222. In one example, the first connection portion 221 and the first exposed portion 222 are perpendicular to each other. The first connection portion 221 and the first exposed portion 222 may be located on opposite sides of the top cover body 21 in the first direction X, for example, as shown in FIG5 , the first connection portion 221 is located below the top cover body 21, and the first exposed portion 222 is located above the top cover body 21. In addition, depending on the specific circumstances, the first connection portion 221 and the first exposed portion 222 may also not be bent.

[0157] The second connection portion 231 and the second exposed portion 232 may be connected by a bend, with an angle formed between the second connection portion 231 and the second exposed portion 232. In one example, the second connection portion 231 and the second exposed portion 232 are perpendicular to each other. The second connection portion 231 and the second exposed portion 232 may be located on opposite sides of the top cover body 21 in the first direction X, for example, as shown in FIG5 , the second connection portion 231 is located below the top cover body 21, and the second exposed portion 232 is located above the top cover body 21. In addition, depending on the specific circumstances, the second connection portion 231 and the second exposed portion 232 may also not be bent.

[0158] Here, the bent structure can be realized, for example, by bending processing, and can certainly be realized by other suitable methods.

[0159] By bending and connecting the first connecting portion 221 and the first exposed portion 222 , and bending and connecting the second connecting portion 231 and the second exposed portion 232 , the space occupied by the first connecting member 22 and the second connecting member 23 on the battery is reduced, providing more space for battery grouping.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 are both parallel to the top surface of the top cover body 21 .

[0161] The first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 may extend in parallel along a third direction Z perpendicular to the first direction X.

[0162] The first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 may extend parallel to each other along the third direction Z, including the case where the first exposed portion 222 and / or the second exposed portion 232 are substantially flush with the top surface of the top cover body 21 , and also including the case where a table surface difference is formed relative to the top cover body 21 .

[0163] As shown in FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, a recessed portion 213 may be formed on the top surface of the top cover body 21 , so that the first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 are partially or completely submerged in the recessed portion 213 .

[0164] Since both the first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 are parallel to the top surface of the top cover body 21, it is convenient to connect multiple batteries via the busbar assembly to achieve series, parallel, or mixed connection. This also helps to reduce the space occupied by the first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 and the busbar assembly above the top cover body 21 (on the side facing away from the housing 10 along the first direction X).

[0165] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 6, the first connecting member 22 and the second connecting member 23 are arranged side by side on the top cover body 21 along the second direction Y, and / or, as shown in Figure 5, the first connecting member 22 and the second connecting member 23 are arranged side by side on the top cover body 21 along the third direction Z, and the first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 are arranged in pairs. Since each electrode assembly 30 includes two tabs (a positive tab 31 and a negative tab 32), each tab is correspondingly connected to a connector. In some embodiments, the number of electrode assemblies 30 is one, and the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 are respectively connected to the positive tab 31 and the negative tab 32 of the electrode assembly 30. In some embodiments, the number of electrode assemblies 30 is multiple, and each tab of each electrode assembly 30 is connected to a connector (the first connector 22 or the second connector 23). The paired first connector 22 and the second connector 23 can be arranged side by side on the top cover body 21 along the second direction Y; or arranged side by side on the top cover body 21 along the third direction Z. The arrangement direction and setting position of the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 can be set according to the arrangement position of the positive tab 31 and the negative tab 32 of the electrode assembly 30.

[0167] By arranging the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 side by side, it is possible to more conveniently connect to the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32, thereby improving the battery manufacturing efficiency; the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 can be arranged side by side in pairs in any direction of the second direction Y or the third direction Z, and can be adapted to electrode assemblies of different specifications / types, making the connection more flexible.

[0168] 6 , a pair of first connectors 22 and second connectors 23 are exemplarily shown disposed side by side on the top cover body 21 along the second direction Y. Referring to FIG. 5 , a pair of first connectors 22 and second connectors 23 are exemplarily shown disposed side by side on the top cover body 21 along the third direction Z.

[0169] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 7 , the first connecting member 22 further includes a third connecting portion 223 connected to the first connecting portion 221 , and the third connecting portion 223 includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction X; the number of the second connecting members 23 is an even number.

[0170] In the embodiment shown in FIG7 , the connector having the first connecting portion 221 and the third connecting portion 223 is referred to as the first connector 22, and the connector including only the connecting portion and the exposed portion is referred to as the second connector 23. That is, in the example shown in FIG7 , one first connector 22 and two second connectors 23 are shown. Of course, two or more first connectors 22 and four, six, or even more pairs of second connectors 23 may also be provided. Because the first connecting portion 221 of the first connector 22 is connected to the third connecting portion 223, a single connector 22 can electrically connect two tabs.

[0171] In some embodiments, the battery 4 includes at least two electrode assemblies, the first connecting portion 221 of the first connecting member 22 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 or the negative electrode tab 32 of one electrode assembly 30, the third connecting portion 223 of the first connecting member 22 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 or the negative electrode tab 32 of another electrode assembly 30, and the tabs in each electrode assembly 30 that are not connected to the first connecting member 22 are respectively connected to the second connecting portion of the second connecting member 23.

[0172] The first connector 22 can connect two tabs, and the second connector 23 can each connect one tab. For example, there are two second connectors 23. The first connector 221 of the first connector 22 and the second connector 231 of the second connector 23 are respectively connected to the positive tab 31 and the negative tab 32 of the same electrode assembly 30. The third connector 223 and the second connector 231 of another second connector 23 are respectively connected to the negative tab 32 and the positive tab 31 of another electrode assembly 30, thereby forming a series of electrode assemblies 30 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an "electrode assembly series"). In this case, the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the electrode assembly series can be respectively led out from the second exposed portion 232 of each of the two second connectors 23.

[0173] For another example, the number of second connectors 23 is two, the first connector 221 of the first connector 22 and the second connector 231 of the second connector 23 are respectively connected to the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 of the same electrode assembly 30, and the third connector 223 and the second connector 231 of another second connector 23 are respectively connected to the positive electrode tab 31 and the negative electrode tab 32 of another electrode assembly 30, thereby forming a parallel electrode assembly 30 (hereinafter sometimes also referred to as an "electrode assembly parallel body"). In this case, the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the electrode assembly parallel body can be respectively led out from the second exposed portion of the first connector 22 and the second exposed portion 232 of any second connector 23. It should be noted that the two second connectors 23 connected to the same-pole tabs can be electrically connected through a busbar component, etc.

[0174] Thus, a plurality of electrode assemblies without bent tabs can be connected in series or in parallel through a top cover assembly 20, thereby improving connection reliability, increasing series and parallel connection efficiency, and helping to reduce the number of components in the battery.

[0175] As an example, a first connector 22 and two second connectors 23 can constitute a connection group, and each connection group can connect two electrode assemblies in series or in parallel. Figure 7 exemplarily shows that a connection group is set on a top cover body 21, thereby connecting two electrode assemblies in series or in parallel. It can be understood that multiple connection groups can also be set side by side on a top cover body 21 to form multiple electrode assemblies in series or electrode assemblies in parallel.

[0176] 7 , the first exposed portion 222 is integrally formed with the first connecting portion 221 and the third connecting portion 223. The integral structure facilitates integration with the top cover body 21, reduces processing steps, and improves connection reliability.

[0177] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 7, the first connection portion 221 is connected to the third connection portion 223 through a first bending portion 224, the first bending portion 224 is bent relative to the first connection portion 221 and the third connection portion 223, one end of the first connection portion 221 in the first direction X is connected to the first exposed portion 222, the other end of the first connection portion 221 in the first direction X is connected to one end of the first bending portion 224, the other end of the first bending portion 224 is connected to one end of the third connection portion 223 in the first direction X, and the third connection portion 223 extends parallel to the first connection portion 221.

[0178] The first connection portion 221 and the third connection portion 223 are connected via the first bending portion 224 to form a substantially U-shaped integral structure, which facilitates integral molding with the top cover body 21 , reduces processing steps, and improves connection reliability.

[0179] Optionally, the first exposed portion 222 may be formed to be equal in length to the first connecting portion 221 in the second direction Y as shown in FIG. 5 , or may be formed to be shorter than the first connecting portion 221 in the second direction Y as shown in FIG. 7 .

[0180] When the first exposed portion 222 is shorter than the first connecting portion 221, the first exposed portion 222 can optionally be formed at one end of the first connecting portion 221 as shown in Figure 7, or can be formed in the middle part between the two ends of the first connecting portion 221 (not shown in the figure).

[0181] Optionally, the first connecting portion 221 can be arranged on the top cover body 21 with the first exposed portion 222 located near one end of the top cover body 21 along the second direction Y as shown in Figure 7, or it can be arranged on the top cover body 21 with the first exposed portion 222 located in the middle part of the top cover body 21 along the second direction Y (not shown in the figure).

[0182] In some embodiments, referring to FIG7 , two second connectors 23 are arranged side by side along the third direction Z, the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 are arranged side by side along the second direction Y, and the first electrode assembly and the second electrode assembly can be arranged side by side along the third direction Z. That is, the first connecting portion 221 of the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 located on the same side as the first connecting portion 221 along the third direction Z are respectively connected to the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the same electrode assembly (e.g., the first electrode assembly); the third connecting portion 223 of the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 located on the same side as the third connecting portion 223 along the third direction Z are respectively connected to the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of another electrode assembly (e.g., the second electrode assembly).

[0183] In some embodiments, an insulating shielding member 25 is disposed between the second connecting portions 231 of two adjacent second connecting members 23. The insulating shielding member 25 can be an independent component or a part of the top cover body 21.

[0184] The insulating shielding member 25 can block the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab connected to the connection surfaces of two adjacent second connecting portions 231 to prevent short circuit and improve battery reliability.

[0185] In some embodiments, referring to Figures 8 to 10, the first connecting member 22 includes, in addition to the first exposed portion 222 and the first connecting portion 221, a third connecting portion 223 connected to the first connecting portion 221, the first connecting portion 221 includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction X, and the third connecting portion 223 also includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction X; the second connecting member 23 includes, in addition to the second exposed portion 232 and the second connecting portion 231, a fourth connecting portion 241 connected to the second connecting portion 231, the second connecting portion 231 includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction X, and the fourth connecting portion 241 also includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction X.

[0186] The battery 4 may include at least two electrode assemblies 30, wherein the positive electrode tab 31 of one electrode assembly 30 may be connected to the first connecting portion 221 of the first connector 22, and the negative electrode tab 32 of the electrode assembly 30 may be connected to the second connecting portion 231 of the second connector 23. The positive electrode tab 31 of the other electrode assembly 30 may be connected to the third connecting portion 223 of the first connector 22, and the negative electrode tab 32 of the electrode assembly 30 may be connected to the fourth connecting portion 241 of the second connector 23. Thus, the two electrode assemblies 30 are connected in parallel to form a parallel electrode assembly. That is, the tab connected to the connecting surface of the first connecting portion 221 and the tab connected to the connecting surface of the third connecting portion 223 have the same polarity, and the tab connected to the connecting surface of the second connecting portion 231 and the tab connected to the connecting surface of the fourth connecting portion 241 have the same polarity.

[0187] A first connector 22 and a second connector 23, each including two connecting portions, can be considered as a connection group, and each connection group is used for a corresponding electrode assembly parallel body. More electrode assemblies 30 (e.g., 4, 6, 8) and more first connectors 22 (e.g., 4, 6, 8) and second connectors 23 (e.g., 4, 6, 8) can be used to form more electrode assembly parallel bodies connected by connection groups.

[0188] As an example, the multiple electrode assemblies 30 include a first electrode assembly and a second electrode assembly, one of the connecting surface of the first connecting portion 221 and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion 231 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of the first electrode assembly, and the other is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the first electrode assembly; one of the connecting surface of the third connecting portion 223 and the connecting surface of the fourth connecting portion 241 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of the second electrode assembly, and the other is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the second electrode assembly, the tab connected to the connecting surface of the first connecting portion 221 and the tab connected to the connecting surface of the third connecting portion 223 have the same polarity, and the tab connected to the connecting surface of the second connecting portion 231 and the tab connected to the connecting surface of the fourth connecting portion 241 have the same polarity.

[0189] Thus, at least two electrode assemblies without bent tabs are connected in parallel through one top cover assembly 20 , thereby improving connection reliability and enhancing parallel connection efficiency.

[0190] In one example, the connection surface of the first connection portion 221 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of the first electrode assembly, the connection surface of the second connection portion 231 is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the first electrode assembly, the connection surface of the third connection portion 223 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of the second electrode assembly, and the connection surface of the fourth connection portion 241 is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the second electrode assembly.

[0191] In another example, the connection surface of the first connection portion 221 is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the first electrode assembly, the connection surface of the second connection portion 231 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of the first electrode assembly, the connection surface of the third connection portion 223 is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the second electrode assembly, and the connection surface of the fourth connection portion 241 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of the second electrode assembly.

[0192] The first connecting member 22 and the second connecting member 23 can constitute a connecting group, and each connecting group can connect two electrode assemblies in parallel. Figure 10 exemplarily shows that a connecting group is set on a top cover body 21, thereby connecting two electrode assemblies in parallel. It can be understood that multiple connecting groups can also be set side by side on a top cover body 21, thereby connecting multiple electrode assemblies in parallel.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first connecting portion 221, the first exposed portion 222, and the third connecting portion 223 are integrally formed; and the second connecting portion 231, the second exposed portion 232, and the fourth connecting portion 241 are integrally formed. This facilitates and makes the connection with the positive and negative electrode tabs more reliable, improves battery reliability, and reduces the number of parts.

[0194] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 10, the first connection portion 221 is connected to the third connection portion 223 through the first bending portion 224, the first bending portion 224 is bent relative to the first connection portion 221 and the third connection portion 223, one end of the first connection portion 221 in the first direction X is connected to the first exposed portion 222, the other end of the first connection portion 221 in the first direction X is connected to one end of the first bending portion 224, the other end of the first bending portion 224 is connected to one end of the third connection portion 223 in the first direction X, and the third connection portion 223 extends parallel to the first connection portion 221.

[0195] The second connection portion 231 and the fourth connection portion 241 are connected through the second bending portion 234, and the second bending portion 234 is bent relative to the second connection portion 231 and the fourth connection portion 241. One end of the second connection portion 231 in the first direction X is connected to the second exposed portion 232, and the other end of the second connection portion 231 in the first direction X is connected to one end of the second bending portion 234, and the other end of the second bending portion 234 is connected to one end of the fourth connection portion 241 in the first direction X. The fourth connection portion 241 extends parallel to the second connection portion 231.

[0196] The first connection part 221 and the third connection part 223 are connected through the first bending part 224 to form a roughly U-shaped integrated structure; the second connection part 231 and the fourth connection part 241 are connected through the second bending part 234 to form a roughly U-shaped integrated structure, which is convenient for connecting with the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly respectively, and the parallel connection of the electrode assembly is more reliable, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 are arranged side by side along the second direction Y, the first connector 221 and the second connector 231 are located on the same side in the third direction Z, and the third connector 223 and the fourth connector 241 are located on the other side in the third direction Z. Thus, one top cover assembly 20 can connect two electrode assemblies that are arranged side by side along the third direction Z in parallel.

[0198] In addition, the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the embodiment shown in Figure 7, and the embodiment shown in Figure 10 can be combined with each other. The embodiment shown in Figure 5 can be used to form a series of electrode assemblies or a parallel electrode assembly; the embodiment shown in Figure 7 can be used to form a series of electrode assemblies or a parallel electrode assembly; and the embodiment shown in Figure 10 can be used to form a parallel electrode assembly. Therefore, the above embodiments can be used individually or in combination according to the requirements of series, parallel, or mixed connection of electrode assemblies.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first exposed portion 222 is connected to the first connecting portion 221 via a first flow bottleneck 225. And / or, the second exposed portion 232 is connected to the second connecting portion 231 via a second flow bottleneck.

[0200] Referring to Figure 7, the example of the first exposed portion 222 and the first connecting portion 221 being connected via the first overcurrent bottleneck 225 is explained. The first overcurrent bottleneck 225 is configured to melt when the current passing through the first connector 22 is too large (when it reaches the bottleneck), thereby disconnecting the first exposed portion 222 from the first connecting portion 221, eliminating the excessive current from spreading to the electrode assembly 30, reducing the risk of thermal runaway, and improving battery reliability. It can be seen that the so-called overcurrent bottleneck refers to the portion of the first connector 22 or the second connector 23 with the lowest current carrying capacity (the smallest current allowed to pass). When excessive current continues to pass through this portion, the portion may melt, thereby cutting off the current path.

[0201] In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow bottleneck 225 is smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion 221 .

[0202] Here, the cross-sectional area refers to the area of ​​the conductor's cross section perpendicular to the current direction. In the example shown in FIG7 , for the first current bottleneck 225 , the current direction is consistent with the first direction X, and the cross section is parallel to both the second direction Y and the third direction Z.

[0203] In the example shown in FIG7 , the first current flow bottleneck 225 is formed by two thin strips connected to the first connecting portion 221 and extending along the first direction X. The conductor between the two strips is removed. Of course, there may be only one thin strip. The current flow bottleneck may also be formed in other suitable forms.

[0204] The cross-sectional area of ​​the first overcurrent bottleneck 225 is smaller than that of the first connecting portion 221. When the current flowing through the first connecting member is too large, the first overcurrent bottleneck 225 will be melted before the first connecting portion 221, thereby cutting off the first exposed portion 222 and the first connecting portion 221, suppressing or eliminating the excessive current from spreading to the electrode assembly 30, and reducing the risk of thermal runaway.

[0205] Similarly, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion.

[0206] For example, the first flow bottleneck 225 includes an electrical connection portion narrower than the first exposed portion 222 and the first connection portion 221. The second flow bottleneck includes an electrical connection portion narrower than the second exposed portion and the second connection portion.

[0207] In some embodiments, the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 are respectively injection molded with the top cover body 21. Thus, the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 are integrated with the top cover body 21, and the connection is more stable, thereby improving battery reliability.

[0208] In some embodiments, a locking step 211 (as shown in FIG11 ) is provided on the bottom surface of the top cover body 21 away from the top surface along the first direction X. The top cover body 21 cooperates with the opening edge of the shell 10 through the locking step 211 to close the opening of the shell 10 .

[0209] The specific embodiments of the present disclosure are further described below.

[0210] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery, as shown in FIG7 , the battery includes: a shell 10, a top cover assembly 20 and an electrode assembly 30. The shell 10 defines a accommodating space and has an opening on one side; the top cover assembly 20 is provided on the shell 10 and closes the opening, the top cover assembly 20 includes a top cover body 21 and a first conductive connector 22 and two second connectors 23 spaced apart from each other and provided on the top cover body 21, the first connector 22 includes a first connecting portion 221 and a third connecting portion 223 connected to each other, and a first exposed portion 222 bent and connected to the first connecting portion 221; each second connecting portion 23 includes a second connecting portion 231 and a second exposed portion 232 bent and connected to the second connecting portion 231, the first connecting portion 221, the second connecting portion 231, and the two third connecting portions 223 all include a connecting surface extending along the first direction X, and the first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 are both exposed to the outside of the shell 10; The electrode assembly 30 is accommodated in the accommodating space, and two electrode assemblies are provided. Each electrode assembly 30 includes a positive electrode tab 31 and a negative electrode tab 32 extending without bending along the first direction X. The connection surface of the first connecting portion 221 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of one electrode assembly 30, and the connection surface of the second connecting portion 231 of a second connecting member located on the same side as the first connecting portion 221 along the third direction Z is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the one electrode assembly 30, the third connecting portion 223 is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of another electrode assembly 30, and the second connecting portion 231 of another second connecting member 23 located on the same side as the third connecting portion 223 along the third direction Z is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of the other electrode assembly 30, thereby realizing a top cover assembly 20 connecting two electrode assemblies 30 in series.

[0211] The top cover body 21 is provided with an insulating shielding member 25 located between the second connecting portions 231 of the two second connecting members 23 , for preventing the negative electrode tab 32 and the positive electrode tab 31 connected to the two second connecting portions 231 from short circuiting.

[0212] A first overcurrent bottleneck 225 is provided between the first exposed portion 222 and the first connecting portion 221, which is used to melt when the current passing through the first connecting member 22 is too large (when it reaches the bottleneck), thereby cutting off the first exposed portion 222 and the first connecting portion 221, eliminating the excessive current from spreading to the electrode assembly 30, reducing the risk of thermal runaway, and improving battery reliability.

[0213] 2 , multiple batteries 4 can be connected via a top cover assembly 20 and further grouped to form a battery pack 100 .

[0214] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery, as shown in FIG10 , comprising: a housing 10 , a top cover assembly 20 , and an electrode assembly 30 . The housing 10 defines a storage space and has an opening on one side; the top cover assembly 20 is disposed on the housing 10 and closes the opening. The top cover assembly 20 comprises a top cover body 21 and a first connecting member 22 and a second connecting member 23 that are electrically conductive and disposed on the top cover body 21 . The first connecting member 22 comprises a first connecting portion 221 and a third connecting portion 223 that are connected to each other, and a first exposed portion 222 that is bent and connected to the first connecting portion 221 . The second connecting member 23 comprises a second connecting portion 231 and a fourth connecting portion 241 that are connected to each other, and a second exposed portion 232 that is bent and connected to the second connecting portion 231 . The first connection part 221, the second connection part 231, the third connection part 223, and the fourth connection part 241 all include connection surfaces extending along the first direction X, and the first exposed part 222 and the second exposed part 232 are both exposed to the outside of the shell 10; the electrode assembly 30 is accommodated in the accommodating space, and there are two electrode assemblies. Each electrode assembly 30 includes a positive electrode tab 31 and a negative electrode tab 32 extending without bending along the first direction X. The connection surface of the first connection part 221 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of one electrode assembly 30, the connection surface of the second connection part 231 is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the one electrode assembly 30, the third connection part 223 is connected to the positive electrode tab 31 of the other electrode assembly 30, and the fourth connection part 241 is connected to the negative electrode tab 32 of the other electrode assembly 30, thereby realizing that one top cover assembly 20 is connected to the two electrode assemblies 30 in parallel.

[0215] The battery provided by the embodiment of the present disclosure is described above by way of example. In addition, the embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a top cover assembly 20 for the above-mentioned battery. The structure of the top cover assembly 20 is as described above and will not be further described here.

[0216] The present disclosure further provides a battery pack 100, comprising: at least one battery 4 as mentioned above; and at least one current collector component electrically connecting the batteries 4 by electrically connecting to the first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232. The batteries 4 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in a mixed connection.

[0217] Since the battery 4 provided in the embodiment of the present disclosure does not need to bend the tabs to achieve connection between the tabs and the connectors, the risk of tab breakage is reduced, thereby improving the reliability of the battery pack 100.

[0218] Although not shown in the figures, the battery pack 100 may further include a case for accommodating one or more batteries 4. In some embodiments, the case also includes a cover to enclose the space accommodating the batteries 4. In the battery pack 100, multiple batteries 4 may be arranged along the second direction Y and / or the third direction Z.

[0219] In some embodiments, referring to FIG. 2 , the top cover assemblies 20 of adjacent batteries 4 are connected to each other, and each top cover assembly 20 respectively closes the opening of its corresponding housing 10 .

[0220] In each battery 4, the tab is connected to the top cover assembly, and multiple top cover assemblies 20 are connected in pairs to form a battery pack 100. Compared with the traditional method of first grouping the batteries (electrode assemblies) and then connecting the tabs and connectors, it is convenient to connect the tabs and connectors, and reduces or even eliminates the risk of the tabs breaking due to bending, and the connection reliability is higher.

[0221] In some embodiments, among two adjacent top cover assemblies 20, one top cover assembly 20 is provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion 212 (as shown in Figure 5), and the other top cover assembly 20 is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove, and the top cover assemblies 20 of adjacent batteries 4 are connected to each other through the snap-fitting cooperation between the snap-fit ​​protrusion 212 and the snap-fit ​​groove.

[0222] As shown in FIG5 , one of the two end surfaces of the top cover body 21 in the third direction Z can be formed with a ridge extending in the second direction Y, and the other can be formed with a groove extending in the second direction Y. The ridge of one top cover body 21 mates with the groove of the adjacent other top cover body 21 to achieve the splicing of the two top cover bodies 21. The first exposed portion 222 and the second exposed portion 232 provided on the top cover body 21 can be connected by a busbar. This allows the batteries 4 to be arranged close to each other and electrically connected into groups.

[0223] The engagement of the engaging protrusions 212 of the top cover assemblies 20 of adjacent batteries 4 with the engaging grooves enables the battery pack 100 to be formed into a group, thereby improving the grouping efficiency.

[0224] In some embodiments, the battery pack 100 contains multiple batteries 4. The connection method (series or parallel) of the electrode assemblies of these batteries 4, as well as the shape and combination of the first connector 22 and the second connector 23 in the top cover assembly 20, can be the same or different.

[0225] The present disclosure further provides an electrical device, comprising at least one battery 4 or at least one battery pack 100 for providing electrical energy.

[0226] The present disclosure further provides an energy storage device, including at least one battery 4 or at least one battery pack 100 , wherein the battery is capable of storing electrical energy and providing electrical energy.

[0227] A battery manufacturing method provided by the present disclosure is described below.

[0228] 13 , the present disclosure provides a battery manufacturing method comprising:

[0229] S01: a top cover assembly forming step of forming a first conductive connector and a second conductive connector on the top cover body to form an integrated top cover assembly, wherein the first connector includes a first connecting portion and a first exposed portion connected to the first connecting portion, and the second connector includes a second connecting portion and a second exposed portion connected to the second connecting portion;

[0230] S02: a tab connecting step of connecting one of the connecting surface of the first connecting portion and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion of the top cover assembly to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab surface of the electrode assembly, and connecting the other to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab surface of the electrode assembly not connected to the first connecting portion, wherein the positive electrode tab, the negative electrode tab, the connecting surface of the first connecting portion, and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion all extend along the first direction;

[0231] S03 Electrode assembly into the shell step: the electrode assembly connected to the top cover assembly is accommodated in the accommodation space defined by the shell from the opening of the shell, and the opening is closed by the top cover assembly, wherein the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are exposed to the outside of the shell.

[0232] Since the extension direction of the connection surface of the first connecting part and the second connecting part is the same as the extension direction of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab can be connected to the first connecting part and the second connecting part respectively without bending, eliminating the step of bending the tabs, reducing the risk of tab breakage, improving connection reliability, and improving battery manufacturing efficiency.

[0233] In some embodiments, the step of forming the top cover assembly S01 includes:

[0234] The first connecting piece, the second connecting piece and the top cover body are formed into an integrated top cover assembly through injection molding.

[0235] The first connecting member, the second connecting member and the top cover body form an injection-molded integral structure, which makes the connection more stable, thereby improving the reliability of the battery.

[0236] In some embodiments, the step of connecting the tabs S03 includes:

[0237] Connecting one of the connecting surface of the first connecting portion of the first connector and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion of the second connector to the positive electrode tab of the first electrode assembly, and connecting the other to the negative electrode tab of the first electrode assembly;

[0238] One of the connecting surface of the third connecting portion in the first connecting member and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion in another second connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab of the second electrode assembly, and the other is connected to the negative electrode tab of the second electrode assembly, wherein the third connecting portion is connected to the first connecting portion, the polarity of the tab connected to the connecting surface of the first connecting portion is opposite to the polarity of the tab connected to the connecting surface of the third connecting portion, and the polarity of the tabs connected to the connecting surfaces of the second connecting portions of the two second connecting members are opposite.

[0239] Thus, at least two electrode assemblies without bent tabs can be connected in series through a top cover, thereby improving connection reliability and enhancing battery manufacturing efficiency.

[0240] In some embodiments, the step of connecting the tabs S02 includes:

[0241] Connecting one of the connection surface of the first connection portion and the connection surface of the second connection portion to the positive electrode tab of the first electrode assembly, and connecting the other to the negative electrode tab of the first electrode assembly;

[0242] One of the connecting surfaces of the third connecting part and the fourth connecting part of the top cover assembly is connected to the positive electrode tab of the second electrode assembly, and the other is connected to the negative electrode tab of the second electrode assembly, wherein the first connecting part is connected to the third connecting part, and the second connecting part is connected to the fourth connecting part, the tab connected to the connecting surface of the first connecting part has the same polarity as the tab connected to the connecting surface of the third connecting part, the tab connected to the connecting surface of the second connecting part has the same polarity as the tab connected to the connecting surface of the fourth connecting part, and the polarity of the tab connected to the first connecting part is opposite to the polarity of the tab connected to the second connecting part.

[0243] Thus, at least two electrode assemblies without bent tabs are connected in parallel through a top cover, thereby improving connection reliability and enhancing battery manufacturing efficiency.

[0244] In some embodiments, after the S02 electrode assembly shelling step, the method further includes: a battery grouping step: connecting the top cover assemblies of each battery in sequence.

[0245] Each battery can first be connected to the top cover assembly through the tabs, and then connected into groups through their own top cover assemblies to form a battery pack. Compared with the traditional method of first grouping the batteries and then connecting the tabs and connectors, it is easier to connect the tabs and connectors, and the connection reliability is higher.

[0246] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present disclosure, rather than to limit them. Although the present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or make equivalent replacements for some or all of the technical features therein. These modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and they should all be included in the scope of the claims and description of the present disclosure. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the various technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way. The present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions that fall within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery comprising: a housing defining a receiving space and having an opening on one side; a top cover assembly disposed on the housing and closing the opening, the top cover assembly comprising a top cover body and a first and a second conductive connector disposed on the top cover body, the first connector comprising a first connecting portion and a first exposed portion connected to the first connecting portion, the second connector comprising a second connecting portion and a second exposed portion connected to the second connecting portion, the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion each comprising a connecting surface extending along a first direction, the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion being exposed to the outside of the housing; An electrode assembly is accommodated in the accommodating space, wherein the electrode assembly includes a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab extending along the first direction, the connection surface of the first connecting portion is connected to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab surface, and the connection surface of the second connecting portion is connected to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab surface that is not connected to the first connecting portion.

2. The battery according to claim 1, wherein The first connecting portion is connected to the first exposed portion by a bending motion; The second connecting portion is connected to the second exposed portion by a bending motion.

3. The battery according to claim 2, wherein The first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are both parallel to the top surface of the top cover body.

4. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged side by side on the top cover body along the second direction, and / or the first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged side by side on the top cover body along the third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

5. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The first connecting member further includes a third connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, and the third connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction; the number of the second connecting members is an even number.

6. The battery according to claim 5, wherein The battery comprises at least two electrode assemblies. The first connecting portion of the first connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab of one electrode assembly, and the third connecting portion of the first connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab of another electrode assembly. The tabs in each of the electrode assemblies that are not connected to the first connector are respectively connected to the second connecting portion of the second connector.

7. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein The first connecting member further includes a third connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, and the third connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction; The second connecting member further includes a fourth connecting portion connected to the second connecting portion, and the fourth connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction.

8. The battery according to claim 7, wherein The battery comprises at least two electrode assemblies. The first connecting portion of the first connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab of one electrode assembly, and the third connecting portion of the first connecting member is connected to the positive electrode tab of another electrode assembly. The negative electrode tab of one of the electrode assemblies and the negative electrode tab of the other electrode assembly are respectively connected to the second connecting portion and the fourth connecting portion of the second connecting member.

9. The battery according to claim 5 or 6, wherein The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion are connected via a first bending portion, and the first bending portion is bent relative to the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion. One end of the first connecting portion in the first direction is connected to the first exposed portion, the other end of the first connecting portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the first bending portion, the other end of the first bending portion is connected to one end of the third connecting portion in the first direction, and the third connecting portion extends parallel to the first connecting portion.

10. The battery according to claim 7 or 8, wherein The first connection portion is connected to the third connection portion through a first bending portion, the first bending portion is bent relative to the first connection portion and the third connection portion, one end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to the first exposed portion, the other end of the first connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the first bending portion, and the other end of the first bending portion is connected to the One end of a third connecting portion in the first direction is connected, and the third connecting portion extends parallel to the first connecting portion; The second connection portion is connected to the fourth connection portion through a second bending portion, the second bending portion is bent relative to the second connection portion and the fourth connection portion, one end of the second connection portion in the first direction is connected to the second exposed portion, the other end of the second connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the second bending portion, the other end of the second bending portion is connected to one end of the fourth connection portion in the first direction, and the fourth connection portion extends parallel to the second connection portion.

11. The battery according to claim 5 or 6, wherein An insulating shielding member is provided between the second connecting portions of two adjacent second connecting members.

12. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein The first exposed portion is connected to the first connecting portion via a first flow bottleneck; and / or, The second exposed portion is connected to the second connecting portion through a second flow bottle neck.

13. The battery according to claim 12, wherein The cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion; The cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion.

14. The battery according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein The first connecting member and the second connecting member are respectively injection-molded with the top cover body.

15. A top cover assembly comprising: Top cover body; a first and a second conductive connecting member disposed on the top cover body, wherein the first connecting member includes a first connecting portion and a first exposed portion connected to the first connecting portion, and the second connecting member includes a second connecting portion and a second exposed portion connected to the second connecting portion, and each of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along a first direction; The connecting surface of the first connecting portion is used to connect to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab surface of the electrode assembly, and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion is used to connect to the positive electrode tab or the negative electrode tab surface, wherein the extension direction of the connecting surface of the first connecting portion and the extension direction of the connecting surface of the second connecting portion are the same as the extension direction of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab.

16. The roof assembly according to claim 15, wherein: The first connecting portion is connected to the first exposed portion by a bending motion; The second connecting portion is connected to the second exposed portion by a bending motion.

17. The roof assembly according to claim 16, wherein: The first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are both parallel to the top surface of the top cover body.

18. The top cover assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein: The first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged side by side on the top cover body along the second direction, and / or the first connecting member and the second connecting member are arranged side by side on the top cover body along the third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

19. The roof assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein: The first connecting member further includes a third connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, the third connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction, and the number of the second connecting members is an even number.

20. The roof assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein: The first connecting member further includes a third connecting portion connected to the first connecting portion, and the third connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction; The second connecting member further includes a fourth connecting portion connected to the second connecting portion, and the fourth connecting portion includes a connecting surface extending along the first direction.

21. The roof assembly according to claim 19, wherein: The first connecting portion and the third connecting portion are connected via a first bending portion, and the first bending portion is bent relative to the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion. One end of the first connecting portion in the first direction is connected to the first exposed portion, the other end of the first connecting portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the first bending portion, the other end of the first bending portion is connected to one end of the third connecting portion in the first direction, and the third connecting portion extends parallel to the first connecting portion.

22. The roof assembly according to claim 20, wherein: The first connecting portion is connected to the third connecting portion via a first bent portion, the first bent portion being bent relative to the first connecting portion and the third connecting portion, one end of the first connecting portion in the first direction being connected to the first exposed portion, the other end of the first connecting portion in the first direction being connected to one end of the first bent portion, the other end of the first bent portion being connected to one end of the third connecting portion in the first direction, and the third connecting portion extending parallel to the first connecting portion; The second connection portion is connected to the fourth connection portion through a second bending portion, the second bending portion is bent relative to the second connection portion and the fourth connection portion, one end of the second connection portion in the first direction is connected to the second exposed portion, the other end of the second connection portion in the first direction is connected to one end of the second bending portion, the other end of the second bending portion is connected to one end of the fourth connection portion in the first direction, and the fourth connection portion extends parallel to the second connection portion.

23. The roof assembly according to claim 19, wherein: An insulating shielding member is provided between the second connecting portions of two adjacent second connecting members.

24. The roof assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 23, wherein: The first exposed portion is connected to the first connecting portion via a first flow bottleneck; and / or, The second exposed portion is connected to the second connecting portion through a second flow bottle neck.

25. The roof assembly according to claim 24, wherein: The cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion; The cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow bottleneck is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion.

26. The roof assembly according to any one of claims 15 to 24, wherein: The first connecting member and the second connecting member are respectively injection-molded with the top cover body.

27. A battery pack comprising: At least one battery according to any one of claims 1 to 14; At least one busbar is electrically connected to the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion to connect the batteries in series and / or in parallel.

28. The battery pack according to claim 27, wherein: The top cover assemblies of adjacent batteries are connected to each other, and each top cover assembly respectively closes the opening of the corresponding shell.

29. The battery pack according to claim 27 or 28, wherein: Among the two adjacent top cover assemblies, one top cover assembly is provided with a snap-fit ​​protrusion, and the other top cover assembly is provided with a snap-fit ​​groove. The top cover assemblies of the adjacent batteries are connected to each other through the snap-fitting of the snap-fit ​​protrusion and the snap-fit ​​groove.

30. An electrical device comprising the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the battery pack according to any one of claims 27 to 29 for providing electrical energy.

31. An energy storage device comprising the battery according to any one of claims 1 to 14 or the battery pack according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the battery is capable of storing and providing electrical energy.

32. A method for manufacturing a battery, comprising: a top cover assembly forming step, forming a first conductive connector and a second conductive connector on the top cover body to form an integrated top cover assembly, wherein the first connector includes a first connecting portion and a first exposed portion connected to the first connecting portion, and the second connector includes a second connecting portion and a second exposed portion connected to the second connecting portion; a tab connecting step of connecting one of the connecting surface of the first connecting portion and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion of the top cover assembly to the positive tab or the negative tab surface of the electrode assembly, and connecting the other to the positive tab or the negative tab surface of the electrode assembly not connected to the first connecting portion, wherein the positive tab, the negative tab, the connecting surface of the first connecting portion, and the connecting surface of the second connecting portion all extend along a first direction; The electrode assembly is placed in the shell in a step of accommodating the electrode assembly connected to the top cover assembly from the opening of the shell into the accommodating space defined by the shell, and closing the opening by the top cover assembly, wherein the first exposed portion and the second exposed portion are exposed to the outside of the shell.

33. The battery manufacturing method according to claim 32, wherein: The steps of forming the top cover assembly include: The first connecting member, the second connecting member and the top cover body are integrated into the top cover assembly by injection molding.