Cover plate apparatus, battery, and electric device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of batteries. Disclosed are a cover plate apparatus, a battery, and an electric device. A first end of a cover plate body of the cover plate apparatus is used for electrical connection to a tab of one of two adjacent cells, and a second end of the cover plate body is used for electrical connection to a tab of the other of the two adjacent cells; a first assembly is disposed at the first end of the cover plate body and is connected to the first end, and the first assembly is used for connection to a housing of one of the two adjacent cells; and a second assembly is disposed at the second end of the cover plate body and is connected to the second end, and the second assembly is connected to a housing of the other of the two adjacent cells. The cover plate apparatus provided in the embodiments of the present application can eliminate the welding and assembly process of a cover plate assembly between two adjacent cells, improve the assembly efficiency between cells, and thus enhance the overall assembly efficiency of the battery.

Description

Cover plate device, battery and electric device

[0001] The present application claims priority to the Chinese patent application No. 202422335703.1, filed on September 24, 2024, and entitled "Cover plate device, battery and electric device", the whole content of which is incorporated herein by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates to the technical field of battery, in particular to a cover plate device, a battery and an electric device. BACKGROUND

[0003] The battery is the main functional device of the electric device. The performance of the battery will directly affect the performance of the electric device. For example, the power consumption, heat generation and volume of the battery will all affect the performance of the electric device.

[0004] The battery is generally composed of a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are connected in series or in parallel to form the battery. The battery cells can be connected through welding between the poles to realize series connection and parallel connection of the plurality of battery cells, and assembled into the battery.

[0005] However, the connection efficiency between the battery cells in the above related technology is low, which reduces the assembly efficiency of the battery. SUMMARY

[0006] The purpose of the present application is to provide a cover plate device, a battery and an electric device, which solve the technical problem of low connection efficiency between two battery cells in the above related technology, which reduces the assembly efficiency of the battery.

[0007] In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiments of the present application provide the following technical solutions:

[0008] In a first aspect, the present application discloses a cover plate device, comprising:

[0009] a cover plate body comprising a first end and a second end, the first end being used for electrical connection with a tab of one of two adjacent battery cells, and the second end being used for electrical connection with a tab of the other of the two adjacent battery cells;

[0010] a first component disposed at and connected with the first end of the cover plate body, the first component being used for connection with a shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells;

[0011] a second component disposed at and connected with the second end of the cover plate body, the second component being connected with a shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells.

[0012] The application discloses a cover plate device, which comprises a cover plate body, a first assembly and a second assembly. The cover plate body is used for electrically connecting the tab on two adjacent battery cells instead of the pole column in the prior art, and the cover plate body is connected with the two adjacent battery cells through the first assembly and the second assembly, so that the welding assembly process of the cover plate assembly between the two adjacent battery cells can be avoided, the assembly efficiency between the battery cells is improved, and the assembly efficiency of the battery is improved.

[0013] In addition, the tab on the two adjacent battery cells is electrically connected through the cover plate body, the tab and the pole column are avoided, the surface area of the cover plate body is larger than that of the pole column in the prior art, the current carrying capacity of the cover plate body is improved, the electric energy loss at the cover plate body is reduced, and the power consumption of the battery is reduced.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the maximum distance between the first end and the second end of the cover plate body in the thickness direction of the cover plate body is greater than or equal to 1 mm.

[0015] In this way, by making the distance from the first end to the second end of the cover plate body greater than or equal to 1 mm, the tab can be prevented from causing the cover plate body to be deformed or welded through when being welded with the cover plate body, the durability of the cover plate body and the yield of the cover plate device are improved, and the welding success rate between the cover plate device and the tab is improved.

[0016] In a possible implementation, the first assembly comprises a first insulating piece.

[0017] The first insulating piece is used to insulate the cover plate body and the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells.

[0018] In this way, the first assembly comprises the first insulating piece, so that the cover plate body is connected with the shell of the battery cell through the first insulating piece, and the cover plate body and the shell of the battery cell are prevented from being electrically connected and causing short circuit.

[0019] And / or, the second assembly comprises a second insulating piece.

[0020] The second insulating piece is used to insulate the cover plate body and the shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells.

[0021] In this way, the second assembly comprises the second insulating piece, so that the cover plate body is connected with the shell of the battery cell through the second insulating piece, and the cover plate body and the shell of the battery cell are prevented from being electrically connected and causing short circuit.

[0022] In a possible implementation, the first insulating piece has a first flange on the outer periphery.

[0023] In this way, by arranging the first flange on the outer periphery of the first insulating member, the first connecting surface of the first flange can abut against the shell end of the battery cell, so as to limit the height direction of the shell of the battery cell by the first flange, improve the connection stability between the first assembly and the battery cell, and limit the displacement of the shell of the battery cell in the height direction.

[0024] The thickness of the first flange is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm.

[0025] In this way, by making the thickness of the first flange greater than or equal to 0.4 mm, the thickness of the first flange can be prevented from being too thin. For example, if the thickness of the first flange is 0.1 mm, the first flange is prone to damage, and the first flange is prone to cracking during welding.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the outer periphery of the second insulating member has a second flange;

[0027] In this way, by arranging the second flange on the outer periphery of the second insulating member, the second connecting surface of the second flange can abut against the shell end of the battery cell, so as to limit the height direction of the shell of the battery cell by the second flange, improve the connection stability between the second assembly and the battery cell, and limit the displacement of the shell of the battery cell in the height direction.

[0028] The thickness of the second flange is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm.

[0029] In this way, by making the thickness of the second flange greater than or equal to 0.4 mm, the thickness of the second flange can be prevented from being too thin. For example, if the thickness of the second flange is 0.1 mm, the second flange is prone to damage, and the second flange is prone to cracking during welding.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first insulating member has a first through hole, and the second insulating member has a second through hole;

[0031] The cover plate body includes a third flange, the third flange is pressed between the two opposite end faces of the first insulating member and the second insulating member, and the third flange is arranged on the first through hole and the second through hole;

[0032] The region on the cover plate body corresponding to the first through hole and / or the second through hole is used for electrical connection with the tab of the battery cell.

[0033] In this way, by arranging the first through hole on the first insulating member, and pressing the third flange on the cover plate body between the two opposite end faces of the first insulating member and the second insulating member, the first insulating member and the second insulating member can be limited in the height direction of the battery cell, and the displacement of the cover plate body in the thickness direction can be limited, so as to improve the compactness of the cover plate device.

[0034] Further, since the third flange is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the cover plate body, the cross-sectional moment of inertia of the cover plate body is increased, thereby improving the bending resistance of the cover plate body, so as to increase the overall rigidity of the cover plate body and prevent the cover plate body from being deformed when subjected to external force.

[0035] The third flange can also help to disperse and redistribute the stress applied on the cover plate body, reduce the stress concentration points, and thus reduce the risk of local failure.

[0036] In addition, by extending the tab to the inside of the first through hole and / or the second through hole, and electrically connecting the area on the cover plate body corresponding to the first through hole and / or the second through hole to the tab on the two adjacent battery cells, compared with the prior art which uses a pole to extend into the inside of the shell of the battery cell and then electrically connects to the tab, the cover plate body can avoid occupying a large space inside the shell, reduce the space occupancy rate of the cover plate assembly inside the shell of the battery cell, and increase the capacity of the battery cell under the condition that the volume of the battery cell remains unchanged. Or under the condition that the capacity remains unchanged, the length of the battery cell can be reduced, thereby facilitating the reduction of the volume of the battery.

[0037] In a possible implementation, along the radial direction of the first through hole, the distance from the outer edge of the third flange to the outer edge of the first flange is h1;

[0038] The surface of the first flange away from the second flange is a first connecting surface;

[0039] The distance from the first connecting surface of the first flange to the end surface of the first insulating piece facing the cover plate body is h2, and h1+h2≥1.6 mm.

[0040] In this way, the cover plate body can have a long enough creepage distance between the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells, thereby avoiding high-voltage breakdown between the battery cell and the cover plate body and improving the safety of the battery.

[0041] In a possible implementation, along the radial direction of the second through hole, the distance from the outer edge of the third flange to the outer edge of the second flange is h3;

[0042] The surface of the second flange away from the first flange is a second connecting surface;

[0043] The distance from the second connecting surface of the second flange to the end surface of the second insulating piece facing the cover plate body is h4, and h3+h4≥1.6 mm.

[0044] Similarly, in this way, the cover plate body can have a long enough creepage distance between the shell of the other one of the two adjacent battery cells, so as to avoid high-voltage breakdown between the battery cell and the cover plate body, and improve the use safety of the battery.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first component further includes a first metal ring, which is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the first insulating piece and connected with the first flange surface;

[0046] The first metal ring is used to be connected with the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells.

[0047] In this way, by using the first metal ring to weld and connect the first insulating piece and the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells, the problem that the shell is damaged due to the melting point of the first insulating piece being higher than that of the shell when the first insulating piece is directly welded with the shell can be avoided, and the weldability between the cover plate device and the shell of the battery cell is improved.

[0048] And / or, the second component further includes a second metal ring, which is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the second insulating piece and connected with the second flange;

[0049] The second metal ring is used to be connected with the shell of the other one of the two adjacent battery cells.

[0050] In this way, by using the second metal ring to weld and connect the second insulating piece and the shell of the other one of the two adjacent battery cells, the problem that the shell is damaged due to the melting point of the second insulating piece being higher than that of the shell when the second insulating piece is directly welded with the shell can be avoided, and the weldability between the cover plate device and the shell of the battery cell is improved.

[0051] In a second aspect, the present application discloses a battery, which includes

[0052] A plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells are arranged along a first direction, and each of the battery cells includes a shell and a tab in the shell;

[0053] And a cover plate device as described above, which is located between two adjacent battery cells;

[0054] A first end of the cover plate body in the cover plate device is electrically connected with the tab of one of the two adjacent battery cells, and a second end of the cover plate body in the cover plate device is electrically connected with the tab of the other one of the two adjacent battery cells.

[0055] The first component of the cover plate device is connected to the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells, and the second component of the cover plate device is connected to the shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells.

[0056] In this way, the end portions of the two connected battery cells are connected by using the cover plate device, and the assembly of the multiple battery cells can be realized. The assembly efficiency of the battery can be improved, and the power consumption and the heat generation of the battery can be reduced.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the end cap is further provided, and the end portion of the outermost battery cell is provided with the end cap in the first direction.

[0058] In this way, the tab of the outermost battery cell is electrically connected to the end cap to form a complete path by providing the end cap at the end portion of the outermost battery cell.

[0059] In a possible implementation, the end cap includes a metal cover, an insulating member, and a metal ring; the insulating member is located between and connected to the metal cover and the metal ring.

[0060] The metal cover is connected to the tab of the battery cell, and the metal ring is connected to the shell of the outermost battery cell.

[0061] In some embodiments, the metal cover in the end cap is electrically connected to the tab of the battery cell, which can reduce the space occupation of the metal cover in the shell of the battery cell compared to the welding of the pole and the tab in the related art, further reduce the overall volume of the battery cell while ensuring the capacity of the battery cell, and further reduce the volume of the battery.

[0062] In a third aspect, the present application discloses a battery including a plurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells are arranged along a first direction.

[0063] Each of the battery cells includes a shell, a tab, and an end cap, wherein the end cap is connected to the shell and is electrically connected to the tab in the shell.

[0064] In the first direction, the end caps of the two adjacent battery cells are connected to electrically connect the tabs of the two adjacent battery cells.

[0065] In this way, the two adjacent battery cells are electrically connected by using the welding of the two end caps, which can improve the current carrying capacity of the end cap, reduce the current loss at the end cap, reduce the heat generation, and improve the power of the battery compared to the method of electrically connecting the two pole plates in the related art.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the end cover comprises a metal cover, an insulating piece and a metal ring; the insulating piece is located between and connected with the metal cover and the metal ring;

[0067] The metal cover is connected with the tab of the battery cell, and the metal ring is connected with the shell of the battery cell.

[0068] In the first direction, the metal covers in the end covers of the two adjacent battery cells are welded and connected.

[0069] In this way, by using the metal cover to be welded with the tab, compared with the mode of using the pole to be electrically connected with the tab in the prior art, the space occupancy of the metal cover in the shell of the battery cell can be reduced, and thus the capacity of the battery cell can be increased while the volume of the shell of the battery cell is unchanged, so as to improve the space utilization in the shell of the battery cell.

[0070] In a fourth aspect, the application discloses a power consumption device, which comprises a power consumption apparatus and a battery,

[0071] The battery is the battery described above, and the battery is used to provide electric energy for the power consumption apparatus.

[0072] The application discloses a power consumption device, which can reduce the loss and heat generation of the power consumption device, improve the endurance and working stability of the power consumption device, and improve the assembly efficiency of the power consumption device by using the battery. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0073] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the application or the background art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments of the application or the background art will be described below.

[0074] FIG. 1 is a structural schematic view of a cover device according to some embodiments of the application;

[0075] FIG. 2 is a sectional structural schematic view of a cover device according to some embodiments of the application;

[0076] FIG. 3 is a structural schematic view of a battery cell module according to some embodiments of the application;

[0077] FIG. 4 is a structural schematic view of a battery cell module according to some embodiments of the application;

[0078] FIG. 5 is a structural schematic view of an end cover according to some embodiments of the application;

[0079] FIG. 6 is a connection structural schematic view of two end covers between two adjacent battery cells according to some embodiments of the application;

[0080] FIG. 7 is a structural schematic view of another battery cell module according to some embodiments of the application.

[0081] Explanation of reference signs: 1-battery; 10-cover plate device; 20-cell; 30-cell module; 40-end cover; 41-metal cover; 42-insulating piece; 43-metal ring; 100-cover plate body; 110-first end; 120-second end; 130-third flange; 200-first assembly; 210-first insulating piece; 220-first metal ring; 211-first flange; 212-first connecting surface; 213-first through hole; 221-first abutting surface; 222-first welding side surface; 300-second assembly; 310-second insulating piece; 320-second metal ring; 311-second flange; 312-second connecting surface; 313-second through hole; 321-second abutting surface; 322-second welding side surface. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0082] As described in the background, the connection efficiency between the cells in the related art is low, which reduces the assembly efficiency of the battery. The reason for this problem is that, in the related art, when electrically connecting multiple cells, the poles of the end portions of two cells are connected by welding to achieve the electrical connection of multiple cells. However, this method requires welding between the poles of the end portions of each adjacent two cells once, which results in low connection efficiency between the cells and reduces the assembly efficiency of the battery.

[0083] To solve the above technical problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a cover plate device, a battery and an electrical equipment. The cover plate device comprises a cover plate body, a first assembly and a second assembly. The cover plate body is used to electrically connect the tabs on the adjacent two cells instead of the pole in the related art, and the cover plate body is connected to the adjacent two cells through the first assembly and the second assembly, thereby avoiding the welding assembly process of the cover plate assembly between the adjacent two cells, improving the assembly efficiency between the cells, and further improving the assembly efficiency of the battery.

[0084] In addition, by using the cover plate body to electrically connect the tabs on the adjacent two cells, the use of the pole to connect the tabs can be avoided, and since the surface area of the cover plate body is larger than that of the pole, the current carrying capacity of the cover plate body can be improved, the electrical energy loss at the cover plate body can be reduced, and the power consumption of the battery can be reduced.

[0085] In order to make the above objectives, characteristics and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative work fall within the scope of the present application.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the embodiments of the present application can include providing a cover plate device 10, which can include a cover plate body 100, a first assembly 200 and a second assembly 300.

[0087] The cover plate body 100 can include a first end 110 and a second end 120 opposite in the thickness direction (as shown by the arrow x in FIG. 2), the first end 110 is used for electrical connection with the tab of one of the two adjacent battery cells 20, and the second end 120 is used for electrical connection with the tab of the other of the two adjacent battery cells 20.

[0088] The first end 110 and / or the second end 120 can be electrically connected with the tabs on the two adjacent battery cells 20 by welding. Specifically, the welding process can adopt laser penetration welding process.

[0089] In some embodiments, the cover plate body 100 can be prepared by stamping forming, and the material of the cover plate body 100 can be aluminum, steel, copper-aluminum composite material, steel-aluminum composite material, steel-nickel plated material, or copper-nickel plated material. The cover plate body 100 does not react with the electrolyte.

[0090] By using the cover plate body 100 to electrically connect with the tabs on the two adjacent battery cells 20, the use of the pole connected with the tab can be avoided, and since the surface area of the cover plate body 100 is larger than the surface area of the pole, the current carrying capacity of the cover plate body 100 can be improved, and the power loss at the cover plate body 100 can be reduced, thereby reducing the power consumption of the battery 1.

[0091] The first assembly 200 is arranged at and connected with the first end 110 of the cover plate body 100, and is used for connecting with the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells 20. The first assembly 200 can be connected with the shell of one of the battery cells 20 by welding.

[0092] The second assembly 300 is arranged at and connected with the second end 120 of the cover plate body 100, and is connected with the shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells 20. The second assembly 300 can be connected with the shell of the other of the battery cells 20 by welding.

[0093] The embodiment of the present application provides a cover plate device 10 which can comprise a cover plate body 100, a first assembly 200 and a second assembly 300. The cover plate body 100 is used to electrically connect the tab on two adjacent battery cells 20 instead of the pole column, and the cover plate body 100 is connected to the two adjacent battery cells 20 through the first assembly 200 and the second assembly 300, so that the welding assembly process of the cover plate assembly between the two adjacent battery cells 20 can be avoided, the assembly efficiency between the battery cell 20 and the battery cell 20 is improved, and then the assembly efficiency of the battery 1 is improved.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the maximum distance between the first end 110 and the second end 120 of the cover plate body 100 in the thickness direction of the cover plate body 100 (as shown by h0 in FIG. 2) can be greater than or equal to 1 mm. For example, h0 can be one of 2 mm, 3 mm and 5 mm.

[0095] In this way, by making the distance h0 from the first end 110 to the second end 120 on the cover plate body 100 greater than or equal to 1 mm, the tab can be prevented from causing the cover plate body 100 to be welded to deform or be welded through when being welded to the cover plate body 100, the durability of the cover plate body 100 and the yield of the cover plate device 10 are improved, and the welding success rate between the cover plate device 10 and the tab is improved.

[0096] In specific implementation, when the tabs on the two battery cells 20 connected to the cover plate body 100 are both copper tabs, h0 can be between 2.1 mm and 3.1 mm. When the tabs on the two battery cells 20 connected to the cover plate body 100 are both aluminum tabs, h0 can be between 4 mm and 6 mm. When the tabs on the two battery cells 20 connected to the cover plate body 100 are one copper tab and the other is an aluminum tab, h0 can be between 3.0 mm and 4.6 mm.

[0097] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the first assembly 200 can comprise a first insulating piece 210. The first insulating piece 210 is used to insulate between the cover plate body 100 and the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells 20.

[0098] In this way, the first assembly 200 can comprise the first insulating piece 210, so that the cover plate body 100 is connected to the shell of the battery cell 20 through the first insulating piece 210, thereby avoiding electrical connection between the cover plate body 100 and the shell of the battery cell 20 and causing short circuit.

[0099] The first insulating piece 210 can be arranged on the outer circumferential side of the cover plate body 100, so that the outer circumferential side of the cover plate body 100 is insulated from the shell of the battery cell 20 through the first insulating piece 210. The first insulating piece 210 and the cover plate body 100 can be connected through welding.

[0100] Similarly, the second assembly 300 can also include a second insulation piece 310. The second insulation piece 310 is used to insulate the cover plate body 100 and the shell of the other one of the two adjacent battery cells 20.

[0101] In this way, the second assembly 300 can include the second insulation piece 310, so that the cover plate body 100 is connected to the shell of the battery cell 20 through the second insulation piece 310, thereby avoiding electrical connection between the cover plate body 100 and the shell of the battery cell 20 and causing short circuit.

[0102] The second insulation piece 310 can be arranged on the outer circumferential side of the cover plate body 100, so that the outer circumferential side of the cover plate body 100 is insulated from the shell of the battery cell 20 through the second insulation piece 310. The second insulation piece 310 can be connected to the cover plate body 100 by welding.

[0103] The first insulation piece 210 and the second insulation piece 310 can be made of the same material, for example, the first insulation piece 210 and the second insulation piece 310 can be made of ceramic, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) injection material, or glass.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the outer circumferential side of the first insulation piece 210 has a first flange 211, and the first flange 211 has a first connecting surface 212. The first connecting surface 212 is located on the side of the first flange 211 in the thickness direction and faces away from the second assembly 300. The first connecting surface 212 faces the shell of the battery cell 20, and the first connecting surface 212 can be used to abut and connect to the end of the shell of the battery cell 20.

[0105] In this way, by arranging the first flange 211 on the outer circumferential side of the first insulation piece 210, the first connecting surface 212 of the first flange 211 can abut the end of the shell of the battery cell 20, so as to limit the height direction of the shell of the battery cell 20 through the first flange 211, improve the connection stability between the first assembly 200 and the battery cell 20, and limit the displacement of the shell of the battery cell 20 in the height direction.

[0106] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the thickness (indicated as L1 in FIG. 2) of the first flange 211 is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm. For example, the thickness L1 of the first flange 211 can be 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, or 1.5 mm.

[0107] In this way, by making the thickness L1 of the first flange 211 greater than or equal to 0.4 mm, the thickness L1 of the first flange 211 can be prevented from being too thin, for example, when the thickness L1 of the first flange 211 is 0.1 mm, the first flange 211 is prone to damage, and in the welding process, the first flange 211 is prone to cracking.

[0108] With reference back to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the outer circumferential side of the second insulating piece 310 has a second flange 311, and the second flange 311 has a second connecting surface 312. The second connecting surface 312 is located on the side of the thickness direction of the second flange 311 and faces away from the first assembly 200. The second connecting surface 312 faces the shell of the battery cell 20, and the second connecting surface 312 can be used to abut and connect with the end of the shell of the battery cell 20.

[0109] In this way, by providing the second flange 311 on the outer circumferential side of the second insulating piece 310, the second connecting surface 312 of the second flange 311 can abut the end of the shell of the battery cell 20, so as to limit the height direction of the shell of the battery cell 20 by the second flange 311, improve the connection stability between the second assembly 300 and the battery cell 20, and limit the displacement of the shell of the battery cell 20 in the height direction.

[0110] With reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the thickness of the second flange 311 is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm (as shown by L2 in FIG. 2). For example, the thickness L2 of the second flange 311 can be 0.5 mm, 0.6 mm, or 1.5 mm. The thickness L1 of the first flange 211 and the thickness L2 of the second flange 311 can be the same.

[0111] In this way, by making the thickness of the second flange 311 greater than or equal to 0.4 mm, the thickness of the second flange 311 can be prevented from being too thin, for example, when the thickness of the second flange 311 is 0.1 mm, the second flange 311 is prone to damage, and in the welding process, the second flange 311 is prone to cracking.

[0112] With reference to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the first insulating piece 210 has a first through hole 213, and the second insulating piece 310 is provided with a second through hole 313. The first through hole 213 and the second through hole 313 can be oppositely arranged, and the first through hole 213 and the second through hole 313 can be coaxially arranged, so as to facilitate the manufacturing of the first insulating piece 210 and the second insulating piece 310, and facilitate the assembly of the cover plate body 100, the first insulating piece 210, and the second insulating piece 310.

[0113] The cover plate body 100 can include a third flange 130, which is tightly pressed between the two opposite end faces of the first insulating piece 210 and the second insulating piece 310, and covers the first through hole 213 and the second through hole 313.

[0114] The region on the cover plate body 100 corresponding to the first through hole 213 and / or the second through hole 313 is used for electrical connection with the tab of the battery cell 20.

[0115] In some embodiments, the cover plate body 100 can have two protrusions, which can be respectively arranged in the first through hole 213 and the second through hole 313, and the protrusions can be used for electrical connection with the tab on the battery cell 20. The height of the protrusion in the thickness direction of the cover plate body 100 is less than the height of the first through hole 213 or the second through hole 313, so as to avoid occupying the space inside the shell of the battery cell 20.

[0116] In this way, by opening the first through hole 213 on the first insulating piece 210 and pressing the third flange 130 on the cover plate body 100 on the two end faces of the first insulating piece 210 and the second insulating piece 310, the first insulating piece 210 and the second insulating piece 310 are limited in the height direction of the battery cell 20, and the displacement of the cover plate body 100 in the thickness direction is limited, so as to improve the compactness of the cover plate device 10.

[0117] In addition, since the third flange 130 is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the cover plate body 100, the cross-sectional moment of inertia of the cover plate body 100 is increased, thereby improving the bending resistance, so as to increase the overall rigidity of the cover plate body 100 and prevent it from being deformed under external force.

[0118] The third flange 130 can also disperse and distribute the stress applied on the cover plate body 100, reduce the stress concentration point, and thus reduce the risk of local failure.

[0119] In addition, by extending the tab to the inside of the first through hole 213 and / or the second through hole 313, and electrically connecting the region on the cover plate body 100 corresponding to the first through hole 213 and / or the second through hole 313 with the tabs on the two adjacent battery cells 20, compared with the mode of extending the pole to the inside of the shell of the battery cell 20 and then electrically connecting with the tab, the cover plate body 100 can avoid occupying a large space inside the shell, reduce the space occupancy rate of the cover plate assembly inside the shell of the battery cell 20, and improve the capacity inside the battery cell 20 under the condition that the volume of the battery cell 20 is unchanged. Or under the condition that the capacity is unchanged, the length of the battery cell 20 can be reduced, thereby facilitating the reduction of the volume of the battery 1.

[0120] Specifically, by using the cover plate body 100 instead of the pole, the height of the shell inside the battery cell 20 saved in the height direction of the cover plate body 100 can be between 5.4 mm and 22.8 mm.

[0121] If the pole is a ceramic pole, the saved height is between 14.6mm and 22.8mm. If the saved height is lower than 14.6mm, the material cost of the cover plate body 100 is higher, and the space utilization in the shell of the battery cell 20 is lower. If the saved height is higher than 22.8mm, the structural strength and the manufacturability of the cover plate body 100 are poorer.

[0122] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, along the radial direction of the first through hole 213, the distance from the outer edge of the third flange 130 to the outer edge of the first flange 211 is h1. The distance from the first connecting surface 212 of the first flange 211 to the end surface of the first insulating piece 210 facing the cover plate body 100 is h2, and h1+h2≥1.6mm. It can be understood that the sum of h1 and h2 can be the creepage distance from the shell of the battery cell 20 to the outer edge of the cover plate body 100. The creepage distance can be 2mm, 3mm or 4mm.

[0123] In this way, it can be ensured that there is a long enough creepage distance between the cover plate body 100 and the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells 20, avoiding high voltage breakdown between the battery cell 20 and the cover plate body 100, and improving the use safety of the battery 1.

[0124] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, along the radial direction of the second through hole 313, the distance from the outer edge of the third flange 130 to the outer edge of the second flange 311 is h3, and the distance from the second connecting surface 312 of the second flange 311 to the end surface of the second insulating piece 310 facing the cover plate body 100 is h4, and h3+h4≥1.6mm. It can be understood that the sum of h3 and h4 can be the creepage distance from the shell of the battery cell 20 to the outer edge of the cover plate body 100. The creepage distance can be 2mm, 3mm or 4mm.

[0125] Similarly, in this way, it can be ensured that there is a long enough creepage distance between the cover plate body 100 and the shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells 20, avoiding high voltage breakdown between the battery cell 20 and the cover plate body 100, and improving the use safety of the battery 1.

[0126] Referring to FIG. 2, in some embodiments, the first assembly 200 can further include a first metal ring 220, which is arranged on the outer circumferential side of the first insulating piece 210, and the first metal ring 220 is connected with the first connecting surface 212. The first metal ring 220 can be connected with the first connecting surface 212 by welding.

[0127] The first metal ring 220 is used to connect with the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells 20. In some embodiments, the inner side wall of the first metal ring 220 can also be connected with the outer side wall of the first insulating member 210, so as to improve the connection stability between the first insulating member 210 and the first metal ring 220.

[0128] In this way, by using the first metal ring 220 to weld the first insulating member 210 and the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells 20, the problem of damage to the shell caused by the higher melting point of the first insulating member 210 than the shell when the first insulating member 210 is directly welded with the shell can be avoided, and the weldability between the cover plate device 10 and the shell of the battery cell 20 is improved.

[0129] In some other embodiments, the second assembly 300 can further include a second metal ring 320, which is arranged at the outer circumferential side of the second insulating member 310 and connected with the second connecting surface 312. The second metal ring 320 can be connected with the second connecting surface 312 by welding.

[0130] The second metal ring 320 is used to connect with the shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells 20. In some embodiments, the inner side wall of the second metal ring 320 can also be connected with the outer side wall of the second insulating member 310, so as to improve the connection stability between the second insulating member 310 and the second metal ring 320.

[0131] In this way, by using the second metal ring 320 to weld the second insulating member 310 and the shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells 20, the problem of damage to the shell caused by the higher melting point of the second insulating member 310 than the shell when the second insulating member 310 is directly welded with the shell can be avoided, and the weldability between the cover plate device 10 and the shell of the battery cell 20 is improved.

[0132] In some embodiments, one end of the first metal ring 220 towards the shell of the battery cell 20 can have a first abutting surface 221 and a first welding side surface 222. The first abutting surface 221 abuts the end edge of the shell of the battery cell 20, and the abutting part can limit the displacement of the first metal ring 220 in the height direction of the battery cell 20, and enable the shell to support the first metal ring 220 and the first insulating member 210 in the height direction. The first welding side surface 222 is towards the inner side wall of the shell, and enables the shell to be connected with the first welding side surface 222 by laser penetration welding.

[0133] Similarly, in some embodiments, the second metal ring 320 can have a second abutting surface 321 and a second welding side surface 322 at one end of the housing of the battery cell 20, the second abutting surface 321 abuts the end edge of the housing of the battery cell 20, the abutting part can limit the displacement of the second metal ring 320 in the height direction of the battery cell 20, and the housing supports the second metal ring 320 and the second insulating part 310 in the height direction. The second welding side surface 322 faces the inner side wall of the housing, and the housing is connected to the second welding side surface 322 by laser penetration welding.

[0134] Referring to FIG. 4, the embodiments of the present application also provide a battery 1, which can include a plurality of battery cells 20 arranged along a first direction (as shown by the arrow x in FIG. 4), and each battery cell 20 can include a housing and a tab in the housing, and the above-mentioned cover plate device 10 is located between two adjacent battery cells 20.

[0135] The first end 110 of the cover plate body 100 in the cover plate device 10 is electrically connected to the tab of one of the two adjacent battery cells 20, and the second end 120 of the cover plate body 100 in the cover plate device 10 is electrically connected to the tab of the other of the two adjacent battery cells 20. The first assembly 200 of the cover plate device 10 is connected to the housing of one of the two adjacent battery cells 20, and the second assembly 300 of the cover plate device 10 is connected to the housing of the other of the two adjacent battery cells 20.

[0136] In this way, by using the above-mentioned cover plate device 10 to connect the end portions of the two connected battery cells 20, the assembly of the plurality of battery cells 20 can be realized. The assembly efficiency of the battery 1 can be improved, and the power consumption and the heat generation of the battery 1 can be reduced.

[0137] In a specific embodiment, if the size of the battery 1 is 1380mmx648mmx13.5mm, and the plurality of battery cells 20 are connected in series and parallel by using the pole, the battery pack can need 144 battery cells 20 connected in series and parallel. If the plurality of battery cells 20 are connected in series to form a battery pack by using the cover plate device 10 of the present application, only 48 battery cell modules 30 connected in series and parallel are needed, and three batteries 1 are connected in series and parallel inside each battery cell module 30. The space utilization rate can be improved by 2.96%-4.62%. If the capacity of the single battery cell 20 is 54x3=162ah, the total capacity can be improved by 29.4%-40.1%.

[0138] In some embodiments, the battery 1 can be a cylindrical battery, a square battery, or a "blade battery".

[0139] In some embodiments, the plurality of battery cells 20 can be electrically connected into one battery cell module 30 by the cover plate device 10. The battery 1 can have a plurality of battery cell modules 30, and the plurality of battery cell modules 30 can be arranged along a second direction (as shown by the arrow Y in FIG. 4).

[0140] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in some embodiments, the battery 1 can further include an end cover 40. In the first direction, the end of the outermost battery cell 20 is provided with the end cover 40. In this way, by providing the end cover 40 at the end of the outermost battery cell 20, the tab of the outermost battery cell 20 can be electrically connected to the end cover 40 to form a complete path.

[0141] Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the end cover 40 can include a metal cover 41, an insulating piece 42, and a metal ring 43. The insulating piece 42 is located between and connected to the metal cover 41 and the metal ring 43. The metal cover 41 is connected to the tab of the battery cell 20, and the metal ring 43 is connected to the shell of the outermost battery cell 20.

[0142] In some embodiments, by using the metal cover 41 in the end cover 40 to electrically connect to the tab of the battery cell 20, compared to using the pole to weld with the tab, the space occupied by the metal cover 41 in the shell of the battery cell 20 can be reduced. In the case of ensuring the capacity of the battery cell 20 does not change, the overall volume of the battery cell 20 is further reduced, thereby reducing the volume of the battery 1.

[0143] With continued reference to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7, the present embodiments further provide a battery 1, which can include a plurality of battery cells 20 arranged along a first direction. Each battery cell 20 can include a shell, a tab, and an end cover 40 connected to the shell and electrically connected to the tab in the shell. In the first direction, the end covers 40 of two adjacent battery cells 20 are connected to electrically connect the tabs of the two adjacent battery cells 20 through the end covers 40.

[0144] In this way, by using the welding of two end covers 40 to electrically connect two adjacent battery cells 20, compared to the related art method of using the poles on two cover plate devices 10 to electrically connect, the current carrying capacity at the end cover 40 can be improved, the current loss at the end cover 40 can be reduced, and the heat generation can be reduced, thereby improving the power of the battery 1.

[0145] Referring to FIG. 5, in some embodiments, the end cover 40 can include a metal cover 41, an insulating piece 42, and a metal ring 43. The insulating piece 42 is located between and connected to the metal cover 41 and the metal ring 43. The metal cover 41 is connected to the tab of the battery cell 20, and the metal ring 43 is connected to the shell of the battery cell 20. In the first direction, the metal covers 41 in the end covers 40 of two adjacent battery cells 20 are welded and connected.

[0146] In this way, by using the metal cover 41 to be welded with the tab, compared with the manner of using the pole to be electrically connected with the tab in the related art, the space occupancy of the metal cover 41 in the shell of the battery cell 20 can be reduced, and thus the capacity of the battery cell 20 can be increased to improve the space utilization inside the shell of the battery cell 20 while the volume of the shell of the battery cell 20 is unchanged.

[0147] The embodiments of the present application also provide a power utilization device, which can include a power utilization apparatus and the battery 1. The battery 1 is the battery 1 as above, and the battery 1 is used to provide electric energy for the power utilization apparatus.

[0148] The embodiments of the present application provide a power utilization device. By using the battery 1 as above, the power utilization device can reduce the loss and heat generation of the power utilization device, improve the endurance and working stability of the power utilization device, and improve the assembly efficiency of the power utilization device.

[0149] In some embodiments, the power utilization device can be a vehicle or a power storage device. The vehicle can be an electric vehicle (EV), a pure electric vehicle (PEV / BEV), a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a range extended electric vehicle (REEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or a new energy vehicle.

[0150] The embodiments or implementations in the specification are described in a progressive manner, and each embodiment focuses on the difference from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the embodiments can be referred to each other.

[0151] It should be noted that the terms "in a specific implementation", "in some embodiments", "in the present embodiment", "exemplarily" and the like in the specification mean that the described embodiments can include the specific features, structures or characteristics, but not necessarily every embodiment includes the specific features, structures or characteristics. In addition, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. In addition, when a specific feature, structure or characteristic is described in combination with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to realize such feature, structure or characteristic in combination with other embodiments that are explicitly or implicitly described.

[0152] In general, terminology can be understood at least in part from usage in context. For example, and as used herein, the term "one or more" can describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in the singular or can describe combinations of features, structures, or characteristics, in the plural, depending on the context in which such terms are used. Similarly, terms, such as "a," "an," or "the," again, can be understood to convey a singular usage or to convey a plural usage, depending on the context in which such terms are used.

[0153] It will be readily understood that the terms "on," "above," and "over," in the present disclosure, are to be interpreted in the broadest context possible so that "on" means not only "directly on" but also includes the meaning of "on with intervening features or layers therebetween," and "above" or "over" includes not only the meaning of "above" or "over" but also can include the meaning of "above" or "over" with no intervening features or layers therebetween (i.e., directly on).

[0154] In addition, spatially relative terms, such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "above", "upper", and the like, can be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientations depicted in the figures. The devices can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0155] Finally, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely intended to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, but not to limit the same; even though the present application has been described in detail with reference to the above-described embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions recorded in the above-described embodiments, or equivalent replacements can be made to some or all of the technical features thereof; and such modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A cover plate device, comprising: a cover plate body (100) comprising a first end (110) and a second end (120), the first end (110) being configured to electrically connect with a tab of one of two adjacent battery cells (20), and the second end (120) being configured to electrically connect with a tab of the other of the two adjacent battery cells (20); a first assembly (200) disposed on and connected with the first end (110) of the cover plate body (100), the first assembly (200) being configured to connect with a shell of the one of the two adjacent battery cells (20); a second assembly (300) disposed on and connected with the second end (120) of the cover plate body (100), the second assembly (300) being configured to connect with a shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells (20).

2. The cover arrangement of claim 1, wherein, In a thickness direction of the cover plate body (100), a maximum distance between the first end (110) and the second end (120) of the cover plate body (100) is greater than or equal to 1 mm.

3. The cover arrangement of claim 1, wherein, The first assembly (200) comprises a first insulating member (210); The first insulating member (210) is configured to insulate the cover plate body (100) from the shell of the one of the two adjacent battery cells (20); and / or The second assembly (300) comprises a second insulating member (310); The second insulating member (310) is configured to insulate the cover plate body (100) from the shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells (20).

4. The cover arrangement of claim 3, wherein, An outer periphery of the first insulating member (210) has a first flange (211); A thickness of the first flange (211) is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm.

5. The cover arrangement of claim 4, wherein, An outer periphery of the second insulating member (310) has a second flange (311); A thickness of the second flange (311) is greater than or equal to 0.4 mm.

6. The cover arrangement of claim 5, wherein, The first insulating member (210) has a first through hole (213), and the second insulating member (310) has a second through hole (313); The cover plate body (100) comprises a third flange (130) that is pressed between two end faces of the first insulating member (210) and the second insulating member (310) and covers the first through hole (213) and the second through hole (313); An area of the cover plate body (100) corresponding to the first through hole (213) and / or the second through hole (313) is configured to electrically connect with the tab of the battery cell (20).

7. The cover arrangement of claim 6, wherein, In a radial direction of the first through hole (213), a distance from an outer edge of the third flange (130) to an outer edge of the first flange (211) is h1; A surface of the first flange (211) facing away from the second flange (311) is a first connecting surface (212); and / or A distance from the first connecting surface (212) of the first flange (211) to an end surface of the first insulating member (210) facing the cover plate body (100) is h2, and h1+h2≥1.6 mm.

8. The cover arrangement of claim 7, wherein, A distance from an outer edge of the third flange (130) to an outer edge of the second flange (311) in a radial direction of the second through hole (313) is h3; A surface of the second flange (311) facing away from the first flange (211) is a second connecting surface (312); A distance from the second connecting surface (312) of the second flange (311) to an end surface of the second insulating member (310) facing the cover plate body (100) is h4, and h3+h4≥1.6 mm.

9. The cover arrangement according to any of claims 5-8, wherein The first assembly (200) further comprises a first metal ring (220) disposed on an outer circumferential side of the first insulating member (210) and connected with the first flange (211); The first metal ring (220) is used to be connected with a shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells (20); And / or, the second assembly (300) further comprises a second metal ring (320) disposed on an outer circumferential side of the second insulating member (310) and connected with the second flange (311); The second metal ring (320) is used to be connected with a shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells (20).

10. A battery comprising: a plurality of battery cells (20) arranged in a first direction, each of the battery cells (20) comprising a shell and a tab in the shell; and the cover plate device (10) of any one of claims 1 to 9, the cover plate device (10) being located between two adjacent battery cells (20); a first end (110) of the cover plate body (100) in the cover plate device (10) is electrically connected with the tab of one of the two adjacent battery cells (20), and a second end (120) of the cover plate body (100) in the cover plate device (10) is electrically connected with the tab of the other of the two adjacent battery cells (20); a first assembly (200) of the cover plate device (10) is connected with the shell of one of the two adjacent battery cells (20), and a second assembly (300) of the cover plate device (10) is connected with the shell of the other of the two adjacent battery cells (20).

11. The battery of claim 10, further comprising: an end cover (40) is provided on an end of the battery cell (20) located at an outermost side in the first direction.

12. The battery of claim 11, wherein, The end cover (40) comprises a metal cover (41), an insulating member (42), and a metal ring (43); the insulating member (42) is located between and connected with the metal cover (41) and the metal ring (43); The metal cover (41) is connected with the tab of the battery cell (20), and the metal ring (43) is connected with the shell of the outermost battery cell (20).

13. A battery comprising a plurality of battery cells (20), the plurality of battery cells (20) being arranged along a first direction; Each battery cell (20) comprises a shell, a tab, and an end cover (40), the end cover (40) being connected with the shell and being electrically connected with the tab in the shell; In the first direction, the end covers (40) of two adjacent battery cells (20) are connected, so that the tabs of the two adjacent battery cells (20) are electrically connected through the end covers (40).

14. The battery of claim 13, wherein, The end cover (40) comprises a metal cover (41), an insulating member (42), and a metal ring (43); the insulating member (42) is located between and connected with the metal cover (41) and the metal ring (43); The metal cover (41) is connected with the tab of the battery cell (20), and the metal ring (43) is connected with the shell of the battery cell (20); In the first direction, the metal covers (41) in the end covers (40) of two adjacent battery cells (20) are welded and connected.

15. An electric device comprising an electric device and a battery (1), The battery (1) adopts the battery as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 14, and the battery (1) is used to provide electric energy for the electric device.

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