Elastic support and pouch battery

Abstract

The present invention relates to an elastic support and a pouch battery. The pouch battery comprises a battery cell housing, a battery cell accommodated in the battery cell housing, and an elastic support. The elastic support is used for supporting the battery cell of the pouch battery. The elastic support comprises a main frame and a partition part connected to the main frame; the main frame comprises a side wall arranged in the circumferential direction; an accommodation space is formed on the inner side of the side wall; the partition part is located in the accommodation space and divides the accommodation space into a plurality of insertion slots or insertion holes used for inserting the battery cell. The provision of the elastic support reduces the weight of battery packs and facilitates assembly of battery cells.

Description

Flexible support and soft-pack battery Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of battery pack technology, and more particularly to a flexible support and a lightweight, easy-to-assemble soft-pack battery. Background Technology

[0002] In the prior art, battery packs that power electrical equipment mostly use cylindrical cells. As the energy density requirements of electrical equipment for battery packs are increasing, non-cylindrical cells have higher energy density. Therefore, using non-cylindrical cells in battery packs can improve battery pack performance and reduce battery pack weight.

[0003] Non-cylindrical battery cells are generally stacked and fixed with glue. However, using glue to fix the cells results in a heavier overall battery pack and makes it inconvenient to carry.

[0004] Therefore, it is indeed necessary to provide an improved battery pack to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide an elastic bracket and a battery pack that uses the elastic bracket to fix the battery cells, which can reduce the weight of the battery pack and facilitate the assembly of the battery cells.

[0006] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the problem of the prior art is: an elastic bracket for supporting the cells of a soft-pack battery. The elastic bracket includes a main frame and a partition connected to the main frame. The main frame includes a side wall arranged in the circumferential direction. An accommodating space is formed on the inner side of the side wall. The partition is located in the accommodating space and divides the accommodating space into a plurality of slots or holes for inserting the cells.

[0007] A further improvement is as follows: the partition includes multiple partition members, which are distributed side by side at equal intervals along a first direction in the accommodating space. The partition members are fixed to the main frame through their opposite ends along a second direction. Slots or holes are formed between adjacent partition members, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[0008] A further improvement is that the sidewalls at opposite ends along the first direction are respectively provided with slots or holes between them and their adjacent partition members.

[0009] A further improvement is that the partition includes 4-16 of the aforementioned partition members.

[0010] A further improvement is that the inserted battery cell at least partially abuts against the partition, and the contact surface between the partition and the battery cell is a non-smooth plane.

[0011] A further improvement is that the contact surface between the battery cell and the partition is a non-smooth plane.

[0012] A further improvement is that, along the first direction, the thickness of the partition is not less than 1 / 10 of the thickness of the battery cell.

[0013] A further improvement is that the thickness of the partition is 0.5mm-10mm.

[0014] A further improvement is that the main frame and the partition are integrally manufactured from an elastic material, such as foam, silicone, or rubber.

[0015] A further improvement is as follows: a battery pack includes a cell housing, a cell housed within the cell housing, and an elastic bracket. The elastic brackets are arranged in pairs at both ends of the cell. Each elastic bracket includes a main frame and a partition connected to the main frame. The main frame includes a side wall formed circumferentially. The inner wall surface of the side wall forms an accommodating space. The partition divides the accommodating space into a plurality of slots or holes for inserting the cell.

[0016] A further improvement is as follows: the elastic support includes a first support and a second support arranged opposite to each other, the first support and the second support respectively at least partially wrapping both ends of a cell assembly composed of multiple interconnected cells, the two ends of the cell assembly being supported by the cell housing; the sheet-like cell includes a tab extending outward from its end, the first support is provided with a corresponding first opening, and the tab passes through the first opening; the pouch battery includes an adapter plate disposed within the cell housing, and the tab is connected to the adapter plate.

[0017] A further improvement is as follows: a nickel sheet is provided on the adapter plate, and the electrode tab is welded to the nickel sheet.

[0018] A further improvement is as follows: the soft-pack battery includes a fixing plate disposed between the first bracket and the adapter plate, the fixing plate being provided with a second opening corresponding to the first opening, and the electrode tab passing through the first opening and the second opening and connecting to the adapter plate.

[0019] A further improvement is that the length of the electrode tab is greater than the sum of the longitudinal height of the first bracket, the thickness of the fixing plate, and the thickness of the adapter plate.

[0020] A further improvement is that the fixing plate is made of an elastic material.

[0021] A further improvement is as follows: the cell assembly includes multiple stacked sheet cells, which are housed within the cell housing; there are gaps without filler between adjacent sheet cells, wherein the gaps account for 5%-30% of the volume of the cell assembly, and the volume of the cell assembly accounts for 60%-70% of the volume of the battery pack.

[0022] A further improvement is that the nominal capacity of the sheet-like battery cell is 2Ah-6Ah, and the weight energy density of the sheet-like battery cell is in the range of 160-170Wh / Kg.

[0023] A further improvement is that the sum of the mass of the battery cell assembly and the bracket accounts for 50%-60% of the mass of the battery pack.

[0024] A further improvement is as follows: the battery pack includes a battery pack housing that houses the cell assembly and the cell casing, wherein the mass of the cell casing accounts for 40%-50% of the mass of the battery pack housing.

[0025] A further improvement is that the volume of the battery cell assembly and the total volume of the elastic support account for 60%-70% of the total volume of the battery pack.

[0026] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following advantages: the elastic support includes a main frame and a partition connected to the main frame. The main frame includes sidewalls arranged circumferentially, and an accommodating space is formed on the inner side of the sidewalls. The partition is located within the accommodating space and divides the accommodating space into multiple slots or holes for inserting the battery cells. The elastic support reduces the weight of the battery pack and facilitates the assembly of the battery cells. Attached Figure Description

[0027] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the battery pack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the battery pack shown in Figure 1 after the battery pack casing has been removed;

[0030] Figure 3 is a partial disassembly diagram of the battery pack shown in Figure 2;

[0031] Figure 4 is a disassembly diagram of the elastic support and cell assembly in the battery pack shown in Figure 3;

[0032] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the elastic support shown in Figure 4.

[0033] Meaning of reference numerals in the diagram: Cell housing 1; End cap 11; Sheet cell 21; Tab 22; Adapter plate 3; Nickel sheet 31; Fixing plate 4; Second opening 41; Elastic bracket 5; First bracket 51; Second bracket 52; First opening 53; Main frame 54; Side wall 541; Accommodation space 542; Slot / socket 543; Divider 55; Partition 551; Gap 56; Battery pack housing 6; First housing 61; Second housing 62; Terminal slot 63; Battery pack interface 7; Guide rail 71; Electrical connector 72 Detailed Implementation

[0034] The terminology used in this invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention. For example, terms such as "upper," "lower," "front," and "rear" that indicate orientation or positional relationship are based solely on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings and are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device / element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of the invention.

[0035] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5, which show a battery pack according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The battery pack can be detachably connected to an external device. The battery pack in this application is a pouch battery.

[0036] The external device can be an electrical appliance or a charger. When the battery pack is connected to an electrical appliance, the battery pack can provide power to the electrical appliance. Optionally, the electrical appliance can be a power tool, a household appliance, etc. The power tool can be a handheld power tool, such as an electric hammer, electric drill, angle grinder, etc., or a garden power tool, such as a hair dryer, chainsaw, smart lawnmower, etc. The household appliance can be a vacuum cleaner, mop, fan, etc., and this invention is not limited thereto. When the battery pack is connected to a charger, the charger connected to a power source can provide power to the battery pack.

[0037] Please refer to Figure 1. The battery pack includes a battery pack housing 6 and a battery pack interface 7 for connecting to external devices. The battery pack housing 6 includes a first housing 61 and a second housing 62 that are connected to each other and are secured to each other by screws.

[0038] Specifically, the battery pack interface 7 includes a pair of guide rails 71 and an electrical connector 72. The pair of guide rails 71 are disposed on the second housing 62 and are used to guide the battery pack to mechanically connect with an external device, allowing the battery pack to be detachably installed on the external device. The electrical connector 72 is disposed between the pair of guide rails 71 and includes a plurality of battery pack terminals for electrical connection with corresponding terminals of the external device to input or output electrical energy. The battery pack housing 6 is provided with a plurality of terminal slots 63, and the battery pack terminals are at least partially accommodated in the terminal slots 63. When the battery pack is connected to an external device, the battery pack terminals are inserted into the corresponding terminals of the external device, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the battery pack and the external device.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3. The battery pack includes a cell housing 1 and a cell assembly 2 housed within a battery pack housing 6. The cell housing 1 includes an end cap 11 and a casing. The end cap 11 is fixedly connected to the casing by screws to form an internal space. The cell assembly 2 is housed within the internal space formed by the end cap 11 and the casing.

[0040] Specifically, the battery cell assembly 2 includes multiple interconnected battery cells, which are non-cylindrical. In this embodiment, the battery cells are sheet-shaped cells that can be bent into an arc shape. The battery cells are sheet-shaped cells 21, and each sheet-shaped cell 21 extends along the longitudinal direction. Optionally, the longitudinal direction is set as the up-down direction shown in the figure.

[0041] Furthermore, multiple sheet-like cells 21 are stacked, and each sheet-like cell 21 is provided with a tab 22 extending outward from one longitudinal end. The tab 22 is bent so that adjacent sheet-like cells 21 overlap and are welded together. Specifically, the first direction in the following text is the stacking direction of the sheet-like cells 21, and the second direction is the direction perpendicular to the first direction and the longitudinal direction.

[0042] Please refer to Figures 2 to 5. The battery pack also includes elastic supports 5 disposed at both ends of the cell assembly 2. The elastic supports 5 include a first support 51 and a second support 52 disposed opposite to each other. The first support 51 and the second support 52 respectively at least partially wrap around both ends of the cell assembly 2, so that both ends of the cell assembly 2 can be stably supported inside the cell housing 1.

[0043] Specifically, the elastic support 5 includes a main frame 54 and a partition 55 connected to the main frame 54. The main frame 54 and the partition 55 separate multiple sheet cells 21 by a certain gap 56, and the gap 56 is not filled with any material. This allows the sheet cells 21 to have good heat dissipation under the premise of stable installation. Furthermore, there is no direct contact between adjacent sheet cells 21. Therefore, the safety performance of the battery pack is improved under the support of the elastic support 5.

[0044] Further, the main frame 54 includes circumferentially arranged sidewalls 541, the inner side of which encloses an accommodating space 542. A partition 55 is located within the accommodating space 542 and divides it into multiple slots or sockets 543 for inserting the chip-shaped battery cell 21. The partition 55 includes multiple partition members 551, which are equally spaced and arranged side-by-side in the accommodating space 542 along a first direction. Each partition member 551 is fixed to the main frame 54 via its two opposite ends along a second direction, and slots or sockets 543 are formed between adjacent partition members 551. The sidewalls 541 at opposite ends along the first direction respectively form the aforementioned slots or sockets 543 with their adjacent partition members 551. The partition 55 includes 4-16 partition members 551. The ends of the sheet-shaped battery cell 21 are sequentially inserted into the slot or socket 543. This installation method improves the convenience of assembling the battery cell assembly 2, thereby improving the installation efficiency of the battery cell.

[0045] After insertion, the battery cell at least partially abuts against the partition 551. The contact surface between the battery cell and the partition 551 is a non-smooth plane. Optionally, the contact surface between the battery cell and the partition 551 is wavy.

[0046] Specifically, the partition 55 and the main frame 54 are integrally manufactured from an elastic material, such as foam, silicone, or rubber.

[0047] Specifically, along the first direction, the thickness of the partition 551 is not less than 1 / 10 of the thickness of the battery cell, and the thickness of the partition 551 is 0.5mm-10mm. This ensures that there is a certain gap between the battery cells while allowing the battery cells to be stably supported between the elastic supports 5.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3. The battery pack includes an adapter plate 3 and a fixing plate 4 disposed within the cell housing 1. The adapter plate 3 is used to form an electrical connection with the cell assembly 2. The sheet-shaped cell 21 includes a tab 22 extending outward from its end. The tab 22 is connected to the adapter plate 3, thereby realizing the electrical connection between the cell assembly 2 and the adapter plate 3.

[0049] Specifically, the first support 51 of the elastic support 5 is provided with a first opening 53, and the electrode 22 is connected to the adapter plate 3 through the first opening 53. Typically, a nickel sheet 31 is provided on the adapter plate 3, and the electrode 22 is welded to the nickel sheet 31 of the adapter plate 3, improving the reliability of the welding.

[0050] Furthermore, to facilitate a better connection between the tab 22 and the adapter plate 3, the length of the tab 22 is set to be greater than the sum of the longitudinal height of the first bracket 51, the thickness of the fixing plate 4, and the thickness of the adapter plate 3. The fixing plate 4, located between the adapter plate 3 and the elastic bracket 5, is made of elastic material to prevent the tab 22 from being excessively stretched when the battery pack is subjected to impact. The fixing plate 4 also has a second opening 41 corresponding to the first opening 53 for the tab 22 to pass through. Optionally, foam can also be provided between the adapter plate 3 and the elastic bracket 5 to fill the gap caused by the length of the tab 22, thereby preventing damage to the tab 22 and improving the safety performance of the battery pack.

[0051] Battery energy refers to the electrical energy output by a battery when performing work under certain discharge conditions, and is usually expressed in watt-hours or kilowatt-hours. As the power source for power tools, the battery pack's energy and weight or size are two important factors affecting the user experience.

[0052] In this embodiment, the elastic support 5 includes a partition 551 extending to the gap 56. The applicant has found through research that in this embodiment, when the gap 56 accounts for 10%-30% of the volume of the cell assembly 2 and the volume of the cell assembly 2 accounts for 60%-70% of the volume of the battery pack, the electrical equipment can meet both the user's energy requirements and the user's volume requirements, and is conducive to the miniaturization and weight reduction of the electrical equipment.

[0053] In this embodiment, the nominal capacity of the sheet-like battery cell 21 is 2Ah-6Ah, and the weight energy density of the sheet-like battery cell 21 is in the range of 160-260Wh / kg. In one specific embodiment, when the nominal capacity of the sheet-like battery cell 21 is 4Ah, the weight energy density of the sheet-like battery cell 21 is 240Wh / kg. In another specific embodiment, when the nominal capacity of the sheet-like battery cell 21 is 6Ah, the weight energy density of the sheet-like battery cell 21 is 245Wh / kg.

[0054] The applicant discovered through research that, in the embodiments of this application, the weight energy density of the battery pack is in the range of 160-170Wh / Kg. At this point, under the same weight, the battery pack can provide more energy to electrical equipment, thereby improving working efficiency.

[0055] In this embodiment, the combined mass of the battery cell assembly 2 and the elastic support 5 accounts for 50%-60% of the total mass of the battery pack, which meets the overall lightweight requirements of the battery pack and improves the user experience.

[0056] The higher the voltage of the battery pack, the higher the power of the electrical equipment. The applicant has found that, in the embodiments of this application, setting the battery pack voltage to be greater than or equal to 35 volts can meet the operating requirements of the electrical equipment under most working conditions.

[0057] Through research, the applicant discovered that in the embodiments of this application, if the energy W of the battery pack is set to be greater than or equal to 400 watt-hours, and the mass M1 of the battery pack is less than or equal to 4 kilograms, the electrical equipment can meet both the user's energy requirements and the user's mass requirements, and is conducive to the miniaturization and weight reduction of the electrical equipment. In a specific embodiment, the energy of the battery pack is 403 watt-hours, and the mass of the battery pack is 2.5 kilograms.

[0058] As a mature energy storage device, battery packs are very difficult to modify in terms of structure or manufacturing process. The applicant found that in the embodiments of this application, setting the ratio of the battery pack's energy W to its mass M1 to satisfy 130 Wh / kg ≤ W / M1 ≤ 170 Wh / kg satisfies both the user's requirements for miniaturization and lightweight operation of the power tool 10, and avoids overly demanding requirements. In some embodiments, the ratio of the battery pack's energy W to its mass M1 can be set to 130.4 Wh / kg or 161.2 Wh / kg.

[0059] In this embodiment, the mass of the cell housing 1 accounts for 40%-50% of the mass of the battery pack housing 6. In some embodiments, the mass of the cell housing 1 can be set to 46% of the mass of the battery pack housing 6.

[0060] In this embodiment, the volume of the battery cell assembly 2 and the total volume of the elastic support 5 account for 60%-70% of the total volume of the battery pack. In some embodiments, the volume of the battery cell assembly 2 and the total volume of the elastic support 5 can be set to 66% of the total volume of the battery pack.

[0061] In this invention, the elastic support 5 includes a main frame 54 and a partition 55 connected to the main frame 54. The main frame 54 includes a side wall 541 arranged circumferentially, and the inner wall surface of the side wall 541 forms an accommodating space 542. The partition 55 divides the accommodating space 542 into a plurality of slots or holes 543 for inserting battery cells. The elastic support 5 reduces the weight of the battery pack and facilitates the assembly of battery cells.

[0062] This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. Those skilled in the art will readily understand that many alternative solutions for the battery pack of this invention can be found without departing from the principles and scope of the invention. The scope of protection of this invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. An elastic holder for supporting an electrode group of a pouch battery, characterized by comprising: The elastic support comprises a main frame and a partition connected to the main frame, the main frame comprises a circumferentially arranged side wall, an inner side of the side wall is provided with an accommodation space, the partition is located in the accommodation space and separates the accommodation space into multiple insertion slots or insertion holes for inserting the battery cell.

2. The elastic stent of claim 1, wherein, The partition comprises multiple partition members, multiple partition members are distributed in the accommodation space in the first direction, the partition members are fixed to the main frame through two opposite ends in the second direction, the insertion slots or insertion holes are formed between adjacent partition members, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The elastic stent of claim 2, wherein, The side wall at the opposite ends in the first direction is provided with the insertion slots or insertion holes between the adjacent partition members.

4. The elastic stent of claim 2, wherein, The partition comprises 4-16 partition members.

5. The elastic stent of claim 2, wherein, The battery cell after insertion at least partially abuts against the partition member, and the abutting surface between the partition member and the battery cell is a non-smooth plane.

6. The elastic stent of claim 2, wherein, In the first direction, the thickness of the partition member is not less than 1 / 10 of the thickness of the battery cell.

7. The elastic stent of claim 6, wherein, The thickness of the partition member is 0.5-10 mm.

8. The elastic stent of claims 1-7, wherein, The partition is made of elastic material.

9. The elastic stent of claim 8, wherein, The main frame and the partition are integrally manufactured from elastic material, and the elastic material is foam, silica gel or rubber.

10. A pouch battery, characterized by, The elastic support comprises a main frame and a partition connected to the main frame, the main frame comprises a circumferentially arranged side wall, an inner side of the side wall is provided with an accommodation space, the partition is located in the accommodation space and separates the accommodation space into multiple insertion slots or insertion holes for inserting the battery cell.

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