Adapter, battery, energy storage apparatus, and electric device

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and particularly to an adapter, a battery, an energy storage apparatus, and an electric device. The adapter comprises a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion; the second connecting portion comprises a first end and a second end in a first direction; the first end is connected to the first connecting portion at an angle, and the second end is provided with a slot extending in the first direction; the slot is configured to have two opposite sidewalls in a second direction, and the slot has a bottom wall surface in the thickness direction of the second connecting portion, so that the thickness difference is formed between the part of the second connecting portion at the slot and the parts of the second connecting portion on two sides of the slot in the second direction. By forming the slot, the stress generated by the thermal deformation of the adapter can be effectively reduced, so that the adapter is prevented from pulling a tab due to thermal deformation and causing the tab to break, thereby preventing the failure of a current path, and further improving the yield and safety performance of a battery.

Description

Adapters, batteries, energy storage devices and electrical equipment

[0001] Related cross-references

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2024226084977, filed on October 28, 2024, entitled “Adapter Piece, Battery, Energy Storage Device and Electrical Equipment”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of battery technology, and in particular to an adapter, a battery, an energy storage device, and an electrical device. Background Technology

[0004] A typical prismatic battery consists of a top cover assembly, a casing, and battery cells housed within the casing. The casing and top cover assembly are welded together to form a sealed enclosure. The top cover assembly mainly includes a positive terminal, a negative terminal, an explosion-proof valve, a electrolyte filling hole, adapter plates, and an insulating layer. During normal charging and discharging, the battery cells repeatedly heat up and cool down. Since the cells are connected to the adapter plates, the cell's heat is conducted to the adapter plates, causing them to repeatedly heat up and cool down. This can lead to the adapter plates deforming due to heat, stretching the tabs, and potentially damaging the battery cells. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned shortcomings in the prior art, this application provides an adapter plate, a battery, an energy storage device, and an electrical device, which can effectively alleviate the stress caused by the thermal deformation of the adapter plate and avoid pulling on the electrode tabs.

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, in a first aspect, this application provides an adapter for a battery, comprising:

[0007] A first connection portion, configured to be connected to the terminal of the battery;

[0008] The second connection portion is configured to connect to the tab of the battery. The second connection portion includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end is connected to the first connection portion at an angle. The second end is provided with a groove that extends through the edge of the second end of the second connection portion in a first direction. The groove is configured to have two opposing sidewalls in a second direction and a bottom wall surface in the thickness direction of the second connection portion, so that the portion of the second connection portion at the groove and the portions located on both sides of the groove in the second direction form a thickness difference.

[0009] The second direction intersects with the first direction.

[0010] During normal charging and discharging of the battery, the cell repeatedly heats up and cools down, causing the adapter plate to be repeatedly heated and cooled, resulting in thermal stress. Since the portion of the second connecting part located on both sides of the groove along the second direction is thicker than the portion of the second connecting part at the groove itself, and the groove of the second connecting part is an open groove extending through the edge, it effectively mitigates the stress generated by the thermal deformation of the adapter plate, preventing the adapter plate from deforming due to heat and pulling on the tabs, thus avoiding current path failure and improving battery safety and yield. Simultaneously, the thinner thickness of the groove in the second connecting part causes deformation under thermal stress first, achieving stress relief and reducing the possibility of warping at the two corners of the adapter plate at the second end, which could damage the cell. Furthermore, the groove design allows for more accurate positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter plate, effectively improving battery assembly efficiency and precision. The groove design does not increase the overall volume of the adapter plate, which is beneficial for improving the utilization of internal battery space and cell energy density.

[0011] In addition, since the groove of the second connecting part is an open groove that runs through the edge, the assembly tool can insert the adapter piece along the direction from the second end to the first end, so that the assembly tool can clamp the adapter piece. This is beneficial for the assembly tool to better insert into the groove to clamp the adapter piece, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and assembly accuracy of the battery.

[0012] Secondly, this application also discloses a battery, including a top cover assembly, a battery cell, and an adapter plate as described in the first aspect above. The top cover assembly includes a terminal post, the battery cell includes a battery cell body and a tab disposed on the battery cell body, the terminal post is connected to the first connecting portion of the adapter plate, and the tab is connected to the second connecting portion of the adapter plate.

[0013] Batteries equipped with the adapter plates described in the first aspect can effectively mitigate the stress caused by thermal deformation of the adapter plates, preventing the pulling action of the tabs and thus avoiding current path failure, thereby improving battery safety and yield. Simultaneously, the adapter plate design allows for more accurate positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter plate, effectively improving battery assembly efficiency and precision, as well as increasing the utilization rate of internal battery space and battery energy density. Furthermore, the adapter plate also guides and transmits current within the battery cells, facilitating efficient energy transfer between batteries.

[0014] Thirdly, this application also discloses an energy storage device, including the battery as described in the second aspect above.

[0015] Energy storage devices equipped with the batteries described in the second aspect above can also effectively mitigate the stress caused by thermal deformation of the adapter plates, avoiding the pulling effect on the electrode tabs and thus preventing current path failure, thereby improving battery safety and yield. Simultaneously, the adapter plate design allows for more accurate positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter plate, effectively improving battery assembly efficiency and precision, as well as increasing the utilization rate of the battery's internal space and its energy density. Therefore, this contributes to improving the safety and energy density of the energy storage device.

[0016] Fourthly, this application also discloses an electrical appliance, including the energy storage device as described above by the third party.

[0017] Electrical equipment equipped with the energy storage device described in the third aspect above can also effectively mitigate the stress caused by the thermal deformation of the adapter plate, avoiding the pulling effect on the electrode tabs and thus preventing current path failure, thereby improving battery safety and yield. Simultaneously, the adapter plate design allows for more accurate positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter plate, effectively improving battery assembly efficiency and precision, as well as increasing the utilization rate of the battery's internal space and its energy density. Therefore, it contributes to improving the safety and energy density of the electrical equipment. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the adapter plate in the related technology;

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first type of adapter plate disclosed in the embodiment of this application;

[0021] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first type of adapter plate disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0022] Figure 4A is a front view of the first type of adapter plate disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0023] Figure 4B is a front view of another arrangement of the groove disclosed in the embodiment of this application;

[0024] Figure 4C is a front view of another arrangement of the groove disclosed in the embodiment of this application;

[0025] Figure 5 is a front view of the second type of adapter disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0026] Figure 6 is a front view of the third type of adapter plate disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0027] Figure 7 is a front view of the fourth type of adapter disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0028] Figure 8 is a front view of the fifth type of adapter disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0029] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the battery structure disclosed in an embodiment of this application;

[0030] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the energy storage device disclosed in the embodiments of this application;

[0031] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical equipment disclosed in the embodiments of this application.

[0032] Key reference numerals: a-Adapter piece; b-Reinforcing rib; 100-Adapter piece; 1-First connecting part; 11-Through hole; 2-Second connecting part; 2a-First end; 2b-Second end; 21-Groove; 211-First sidewall; 212-Second sidewall; 213-First side edge; 214-Second side edge; 215-Bottom wall surface; 22-First surface; 23-Second surface; 3-Angle space; 101-Positive adapter piece; 102-Negative adapter piece; 200-Battery; 201-Top cover assembly; 201a-Terminal post; 2011-Positive terminal post; 2012-Negative terminal post; 202-Cell; 202a-Cell body; 202b-Taper; 2021-Positive terminal post; 2022-Negative terminal post; 300-Energy storage device; 301-Protective shell; 400 - Electrical equipment; 401 - Power conversion device; 402 - First user load; 403 - Second user load; F1 - First direction; F2 - Second direction. Detailed Implementation

[0033] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0034] In this application, the terms "above" and the like indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. These terms are primarily for the purpose of better describing this application and its embodiments, and are not intended to limit the indicated device, element, or component to having a specific orientation, or to be constructed and operated in a specific orientation.

[0035] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0036] Furthermore, the terms "set up," "equipped with," and "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0037] Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., are primarily used to distinguish different devices, elements, or components (which may be the same or different in specific type and construction), and are not intended to indicate or imply the relative importance or quantity of the indicated devices, elements, or components. Unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0038] As a green and clean energy source, batteries possess the characteristics of being environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and rechargeable, playing a crucial role in the pursuit of lightweight design and long battery life in consumer electronics and in the new energy vehicle industry. A battery generally consists of a top cover assembly, a casing, and the battery cells housed within the casing. The casing and top cover assembly are welded together to form a sealed enclosure. The top cover assembly mainly includes positive and negative terminals, an explosion-proof valve, a filling port, adapter tabs, and an insulating layer. Adapter tabs are used for the tabs of the battery cells and the terminals of the top cover assembly, thereby guiding and transporting the current to the battery electrodes.

[0039] During battery manufacturing, the tabs need to be bent to align with the surface of the adapter plate opposite to the cell, and then welded together to facilitate current transmission. However, during bending and welding, the adapter plate is susceptible to deformation due to bending forces and welding thermal stress, causing the corners of the adapter plate to warp and puncture the cell's separator, resulting in an internal short circuit. Using assembly fixtures to support the tabs and adapter plate during bending increases the overall space occupancy of the battery, leading to reduced utilization of the battery's internal space.

[0040] In addition, during normal charging and discharging of the battery, a chemical reaction occurs inside the cell, generating a certain amount of heat. This heat is conducted to the adapter plate connected to the cell. The adapter plate is repeatedly heated and cooled, causing metal creep inside the adapter plate. The adapter plate needs to release internal stress by deforming. If the mechanical strength of the adapter plate is low, it will cause a large amount of deformation, which will pull on the tabs connected to the adapter plate, causing the tabs to break, and thus causing the current path of the battery to fail.

[0041] To address the aforementioned issues, please refer to Figure 1. In most related technologies, a reinforcing rib b is formed on one side surface of the adapter piece a. By adding the reinforcing rib b, the mechanical strength of the adapter piece a can be effectively improved, thereby reducing its deformation and preventing problems such as deformation and warping of the edges and corners, thus improving battery safety and yield. However, this design increases the overall thickness of the adapter piece a, resulting in a larger size and reduced utilization of the battery's internal space.

[0042] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide an adapter plate, a battery, an energy storage device, and an electrical device, which can effectively alleviate the stress generated by the thermal deformation of the adapter plate, prevent the adapter plate from stretching the tabs due to thermal deformation and causing the tabs to break, thereby avoiding current path failure and improving battery safety and stability. Simultaneously, it can provide higher mechanical strength to the corners of the adapter plate, reducing the possibility of warping of the two sides of the adapter plate and damaging the battery cell when the adapter plate deforms due to heat. Furthermore, it can make the positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter plate more accurate, thereby effectively improving battery assembly efficiency. The groove design reduces material usage without increasing the overall volume of the adapter plate, which is beneficial for improving the utilization rate of the battery's internal space and the energy density of the battery cell.

[0043] The technical solution of this application will be further described below with reference to the embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the first type of adapter disclosed in this application embodiment, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the first type of adapter disclosed in this application embodiment. In a first aspect, this application embodiment discloses an adapter 100 applied to a battery. The adapter 100 includes a first connecting portion 1 and a second connecting portion 2. The first connecting portion 1 is configured to connect with a terminal post 201a, and the second connecting portion 2 is configured to connect with a tab 202b. The second connecting portion 2 includes a first end 2a and a second end 2b opposite to each other. The first end 2a is connected to the first connecting portion 1 at an angle, and the second end 2b is provided with a groove 21. The groove 21 penetrates the edge of the second end 2b of the second connecting portion 2 along a first direction F1. The groove 21 is configured to have two opposing sidewalls (a first sidewall 211 and a second sidewall 212) in a second direction F2, and along the thickness direction of the second connecting portion 2, the groove 21 has a bottom wall surface 215, so that the portion of the second connecting portion 2 at the groove 21 forms a thickness difference with the portions located on both sides of the groove 21 in the second direction F2. In this case, the second direction F2 intersects with the first direction F1.

[0045] As mentioned above, during the normal charging and discharging process of battery 200, the cell 202 repeatedly heats up and cools down, causing the adapter piece 100 to be repeatedly heated and cooled, resulting in thermal stress on the adapter piece 100. Since the portions of the second connecting part 2 located on both sides of the groove 21 along the second direction F2 are thicker than the portion of the second connecting part 2 at the groove 21, and the groove 21 of the second connecting part 2 is an open groove penetrating the edge, it can effectively alleviate the stress generated by the thermal deformation of the adapter piece 100, preventing the adapter piece 100 from deforming due to heat and pulling on the tab 202b, causing the tab 202b to break, thereby avoiding current path failure and improving the safety performance and yield of battery 200. Simultaneously, the thinner thickness of the groove 21 of the second connecting part 2 allows for deformation under thermal stress, achieving stress relief and reducing the likelihood of warping of the corners of the adapter piece 100 at the second end 2b, which could damage the cell 202. In addition, by setting the groove 21, the positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter piece 100 can be more accurate, thereby effectively improving the assembly efficiency and assembly accuracy of the battery 200. Moreover, the design of the groove 21 will not increase the overall volume of the adapter piece, which is conducive to improving the utilization rate of the internal space of the battery 200 and the energy density of the cell 202.

[0046] In addition, since the groove 21 of the second connecting part 2 is an open groove that extends through the edge, the assembly tool can be easily inserted into the adapter piece 100 from the opening edge of the groove 21, so that the assembly tool can clamp the adapter piece 100. This is beneficial for the assembly tool to better insert into the groove 21 to clamp the adapter piece 100, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and assembly accuracy of the battery 200.

[0047] Optionally, the second connecting portion 2 may be a long strip. It is understood that the first direction F1 can be the length or width direction of the second connecting portion 2, and the second direction F2 can be the width or length direction of the second connecting portion 2. This application does not limit the specific direction of the first direction F1 to the length direction of the second connecting portion 2 and the second direction F2 to the width direction of the second connecting portion 2; or, the first direction F1 to the width direction of the second connecting portion 2 and the second direction F2 to the length direction of the second connecting portion 2.

[0048] Referring to Figure 4A, which is a front view of the first type of adapter disclosed in this application embodiment. For example, when the first direction F1 is the length direction of the second connecting portion 2, the groove 21 passes through the edge of the second end 2b of the second connecting portion 2 along the length direction of the second connecting portion 2. At this time, the second direction F2 is the width direction of the second connecting portion 2, and the groove 21 has two opposing sidewalls along the width direction of the second connecting portion 2.

[0049] Referring to Figures 4B-4C, Figure 4B is a front view of another arrangement of the groove disclosed in the embodiment of this application, and Figure 4C is a front view of yet another arrangement of the groove disclosed in the embodiment of this application. For example, when the first direction F1 is the width direction of the second connecting portion 2, the groove 21 extends through the edge of the second end 2b of the second connecting portion 2 along the width direction of the second connecting portion 2. In this case, the second direction F2 is the length direction of the second connecting portion 2, and the groove 21 has two opposing sidewalls along the length direction of the second connecting portion 2.

[0050] It is understood that, since the second end 2b is the end of the second connecting portion 2 away from the first connecting portion 1, the groove 21 is provided at the second end 2b of the second connecting portion 2. That is, the groove 21 can be provided on the side of the second connecting portion 2 away from the first connecting portion 1, or the groove 21 can also be provided on the side of the second connecting portion 2 away from the first connecting portion 1 and opposite to it along the second direction F2, or the groove 21 can also be provided on the other side of the second connecting portion 2 away from the first connecting portion 1 and opposite to it along the second direction F2. This application does not limit this.

[0051] Optionally, the first connecting portion 1 is provided with a through hole 11, which is connected to the terminal post 201a of the top cover assembly 201, so that the current generated by the cell body 202a can be conducted from the electrode tab 202b of the cell 202 to the second connecting portion 2 connected to the electrode tab 202b, and then from the second connecting portion 2 to the first connecting portion 1 and the terminal post 201a, thereby realizing the current transmission function of the adapter 100 to the battery 200, and thus improving the conversion efficiency of the battery 200.

[0052] Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, an angled space 3 is formed between the first end 2a and the first connecting portion 1, and a groove 21 is provided on one side surface of the second connecting portion 2 located in the angled space 3. Since the tab 202b is connected to the side surface of the second connecting portion 2 opposite to the angled space 3, and the groove 21 is provided on the side surface of the second connecting portion 2 located in the angled space 3, that is, the groove 21 is provided on the first surface 22, while the tab 202b is connected to the second surface 23 opposite to the first surface 22, the connection area between the tab 202b and the second connecting portion 2 can be avoided, so that the assembly tooling is aligned with the groove 21 position on the first surface 22, providing a precise positioning function for the adapter piece 100. Meanwhile, the groove 21 is provided on the first surface 22. The assembly tooling can better utilize the position of the groove 21 to provide support force for the adapter piece 100 from the first surface 22 to the second surface 23, so as to avoid the adapter piece 100 from deforming during the welding of the tab 202b, thereby damaging the cell body 202a located in the included angle space 3, and improving the yield and safety performance of the battery 200.

[0053] Referring again to Figure 2, optionally, the first end 2a and the second end 2b are the two ends of the second connecting portion 2 along the first direction F1. The groove 21 has a first sidewall 211 and a second sidewall 212 along the second direction F2. Both the first sidewall 211 and the second sidewall 212 are inclined so that the groove 21 is formed as a flared groove that gradually widens from the first end 2a to the second end 2b in the second direction F2. Therefore, this flared groove design makes the opening size of the groove 21 at the second end 2b larger than the opening size of the groove 21 at the first end 2a. This allows the assembly tool to be inserted more easily into the groove 21 when it is inserted from the second end 2b to the first end 2a, thereby improving the positioning efficiency and positioning accuracy of the assembly tool.

[0054] Please refer to Figures 4A and 5 together. Figure 5 is a front view of the second type of adapter plate disclosed in the embodiments of this application. It can be understood that, in addition to the aforementioned first sidewall 211 and second sidewall 212 both being inclined, other examples are also possible, such as only the first sidewall 211 being inclined, or only the second sidewall 212 being inclined. The above examples can all make the groove 21 a flared groove that gradually widens from the first end 2a to the second end 2b in the second direction F2, so that the opening size of the groove 21 at the second end 2b is larger than the opening size of the groove 21 at the first end 2a. That is to say, the shape of the projection of the groove 21 onto one side surface along the thickness direction of the second connecting portion 2 can be an isosceles trapezoid, a general trapezoid, a right trapezoid, etc., all of which can satisfy the purpose to be achieved by the embodiments of this application.

[0055] Of course, as other embodiments, the shape of the projection of the groove 21 toward the side surface along the thickness direction of the second connecting portion 2 can also be a square, a rectangle (refer to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 is a front view of the third type of adapter piece disclosed in the embodiment of this application), etc., and this application does not specifically limit it.

[0056] Optionally, the groove 21 has a first side 213 and a second side 214 opposite to each other along the first direction F1, that is, the projection of the groove 21 onto the first surface 22 has a first side 213 and a second side 214 opposite to each other along the first direction F1. Furthermore, in the second direction F2, the length ratio of the first side 213 to the second side 214 is 1 / 2 to 7 / 8. Exemplarily, it may include, but is not limited to, 1 / 2, 5 / 8, 3 / 4, 7 / 8, etc., and this embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0057] When the length ratio of the first side 213 to the second side 214 is too low, the length of the first side 213 is shorter than the length of the second side 214, making it difficult for the assembly tool to provide good support for the adapter piece 100 after insertion; when the length ratio of the first side 213 to the second side 214 is too high, the flare of the groove 21 will be smaller, making it difficult for the assembly tool to provide good positioning efficiency and positioning accuracy when inserted from the second end 2b to the first end 2a.

[0058] Optionally, in the second direction F2, the length W1 of the first side 213 is 5mm-7mm, and for example, it may include, but is not limited to, 5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, etc. When the length W1 of the first side 213 is too low, it is difficult for the assembly tool to provide good support for the adapter piece 100 after insertion; when the length W1 of the first side 213 is too high, it will reduce the mechanical strength of the adapter piece 100, thereby increasing the possibility of deformation and warping of the adapter piece 100, and thus affecting the stability and safety of the battery 200.

[0059] Optionally, the length W2 of the second side 214 is 8mm-10mm, and for example, it may include, but is not limited to, 8mm, 8.5mm, 9mm, 9.5mm, 10mm, etc. When the length W2 of the second side 214 is too low, that is, the edge opening of the groove 21 at the second end 2b of the second connecting portion 2 is small, it will be difficult to accurately position the assembly tool when it enters the groove 21, thereby reducing the assembly efficiency of the battery 200. When the length W2 of the second side 214 is too high, that is, the area of ​​the portion of the second connecting portion 2 located on both sides of the groove 21 is small, the edge portion of the second connecting portion 2 is small, the mechanical strength of the adapter piece 100 is reduced, and the problem of deformation and warping of the adapter piece 100 is increased.

[0060] It should be noted that the value ranges of the first side 213 and the second side 214 in this embodiment are only examples and can be adjusted according to actual needs. No special restrictions are imposed here.

[0061] In some embodiments, the thickness ratio between the portion X0 of the second connecting part 2 of the adapter piece 100 at the groove 21 and the thickness X1 of the portions located on both sides of the groove along the second direction F2 is 1 / 3-5 / 7. Exemplary values ​​may include, but are not limited to, 1 / 3, 3 / 7, 11 / 21, 13 / 21, 5 / 7, etc., and this application embodiment does not specifically limit this. That is to say, the thickness ratio between the portion X0 of the second connecting part 2 of the adapter piece 100 at the groove 21 and the thickness X1 of the portions located on both sides of the groove 21 along the second direction F2 satisfies the above-mentioned value range. This achieves both a reduction in the material used in the adapter piece 100 and meets the mechanical strength requirements of the adapter piece 100, thereby improving the resistivity and conductivity of the adapter piece 100, which in turn helps to improve the conversion efficiency and service life of the battery 200.

[0062] In some embodiments, the groove 21 is located in the middle of the second connecting portion 2 along the second direction F2. The groove 21 on the adapter piece 100 is positioned in the middle, which helps to improve the guiding and positioning function of the assembly tooling, thereby improving assembly accuracy and efficiency. Furthermore, since the groove 21 is located in the middle of the second connecting portion 2 along the second direction F2, the areas of the portions of the second connecting portion 2 on both sides of the groove 21 along the second direction F2 are equal. This allows the portion of the second connecting portion 2 without the groove 21 to evenly distribute deformation stress, avoiding stress concentration in a specific area of ​​the adapter piece 100, thereby improving the stability and safety of the adapter piece 100.

[0063] Please refer to Figures 7 and 8 together. Figure 7 is a front view of the fourth type of adapter disclosed in the embodiments of this application, and Figure 8 is a front view of the fifth type of adapter disclosed in the embodiments of this application. For example, in addition to what has been mentioned above, the groove 21 may also be located on one side of the second connecting portion 2 along the second direction F2, or the groove 21 may also be located on the other side of the second connecting portion 2 along the second direction F2. The embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0064] It is understood that the groove 21 in the embodiments of this application can be formed by pressing in one step or by milling, and this application does not limit it in this way.

[0065] Please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of the battery structure disclosed in an embodiment of this application. In a second aspect, this application also discloses a battery 200, which includes a top cover assembly 201, a battery cell 202, and an adapter plate 100. The top cover assembly 201 includes a terminal post 201a, and the battery cell 202 includes a cell body 202a and a tab 202b disposed on the cell body 202a. The terminal post 201a is connected to a first connecting portion 1 of the adapter plate 100, the cell body 202a is connected to the tab 202b, and the tab 202b is connected to a second connecting portion 2 of the adapter plate 100. The battery 200 with the adapter plate 100 described in the first aspect can also effectively alleviate the stress generated by the thermal deformation of the adapter plate 100, avoiding the pulling effect on the tab 202b, thereby preventing current path failure and improving the safety performance and yield rate of the battery 200. Meanwhile, the design of the adapter piece 100 enables more accurate positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter piece 100, effectively improving the assembly efficiency and precision of the battery 200, as well as increasing the utilization rate of the internal space and the energy density of the battery 200. Of course, the adapter piece 100 also guides and transmits the current in the cell 202, facilitating efficient energy transfer between batteries 200.

[0066] In some embodiments, an angled space 3 is formed between the first connecting portion 1 and the second connecting portion 2. When the cell body 202a is disposed in the angled space 3, the tab 202b of the cell 202 is connected to the surface of the second connecting portion 2 on the side away from the angled space 3. This can prevent the protruding solder joints after the tab 202b is welded to the adapter piece 100 from damaging the separator of the cell 202, reduce the occurrence of current short circuits, and thus help improve the yield and safety performance of the battery 200.

[0067] It is understood that the second connecting portion 2 has a first surface 22 and a second surface 23 that are opposite to each other along the thickness direction. The second surface 23 is the side surface of the second connecting portion 2 that is opposite to the included angle space 3, and the first surface 22 is the side surface of the second connecting portion 2 that is opposite to the second surface 23 along the thickness direction. That is, the tab 202b is connected to the second surface 23, and the groove 21 is provided on the first surface 22.

[0068] Referring to Figure 9, in some embodiments, the terminal 201a includes a positive terminal 2011 and a negative terminal 2012, the tab 202b includes a positive tab 2021 and a negative tab 2022, and the adapter 100 includes a positive adapter 101 and a negative adapter 102. The positive adapter 101 is connected to both the positive terminal 2011 and the positive tab 2021, and the negative adapter 102 is connected to both the negative terminal 2012 and the negative tab 2022. The thickness of the second connecting portion 2 of the positive adapter 101 is greater than or equal to the thickness of the second connecting portion 2 of the negative adapter 102. Since the positive adapter 101 needs to withstand a large current, a thicker second connecting portion 2 of the positive adapter 101 can effectively improve conductivity and structural stability. In addition, the thinner second connection portion 2 of the negative electrode adapter 102 can reduce internal resistance, thereby improving the overcurrent capacity of the battery 200, which in turn helps to improve the conversion efficiency and service life of the battery 200.

[0069] Optionally, the thickness ratio of the portion of the second connecting part 2 of the positive electrode adapter 101 at the groove 21 to the portions on both sides of the groove 21 along the second direction F2 is 3 / 5-5 / 7.

[0070] For example, the thickness ratio of the second connecting portion 2 of the positive electrode adapter 101 at the groove 21 to the portions on both sides of the groove 21 along the second direction F2 is, but is not limited to, 3 / 5, 22 / 35, 23 / 35, 24 / 35, 5 / 7, etc., and this application embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0071] Optionally, the thickness ratio of the portion of the second connecting part 2 of the negative electrode adapter 102 at the groove 21 to the portions on both sides of the groove 21 along the second direction F2 is 1 / 3 to 3 / 5.

[0072] For example, the thickness ratio of the second connecting portion 2 of the negative electrode adapter 102 at the groove 21 to the portions on both sides of the groove 21 along the second direction F2 is, but is not limited to, 1 / 3, 2 / 5, 7 / 15, 8 / 15, 3 / 5, etc., and this application embodiment does not specifically limit it.

[0073] It is understood that the adapter piece 100 includes a positive electrode adapter piece 101 and a negative electrode adapter piece 102. The thickness ratio of the portion of the second connecting part 2 of the adapter piece 100 at the groove 21 to the portions on both sides of the groove 21 along the second direction F2 satisfies the above-mentioned value range. This can reduce the material used in the adapter piece 100, meet the mechanical strength requirements of the adapter piece 100, and improve the resistivity and conductivity of the adapter piece 100, thereby improving the conversion efficiency and service life of the battery 200.

[0074] Optionally, the thickness of the portion of the second connection part 2 of the positive electrode adapter 101 without the groove 21 is 2.5mm-3.5mm. For example, it may include, but is not limited to, 2.5mm, 2.6mm, 2.7mm, 2.8mm, 2.9mm, 3.0mm, 3.1mm, 3.2mm, 3.3mm, 3.4mm, 3.5mm, etc.

[0075] Optionally, the thickness of the portion of the second connection part 2 of the negative electrode adapter 102 without the groove 21 is 1.5mm-2.5mm. For example, it may include, but is not limited to, 1.5mm, 1.6mm, 1.7mm, 1.8mm, 1.9mm, 2.0mm, 2.1mm, 2.2mm, 2.3mm, 2.4mm, 2.5mm, etc.

[0076] When the positive electrode adapter 101 and negative electrode adapter 102 meet the above-mentioned requirements, they can improve the capacity and energy density of the battery 200, as well as the internal resistivity and conductivity of the battery 200, thereby improving the charge and discharge performance of the battery 200, extending the service life of the battery 200, and improving the stability and safety of the battery 200. If the thickness of the positive electrode adapter 101 and negative electrode adapter 102 is too large, the internal resistance of the battery 200 increases, and the space occupied by the battery 200 increases, thus affecting the current transmission efficiency of the battery 200. If the thickness of the positive electrode adapter 101 and negative electrode adapter 102 is too small, the mechanical strength of the adapter 100 will decrease, and the positive electrode adapter 101 and negative electrode adapter 102 will be easily deformed by heat, resulting in poor contact between the tab 202b and the positive electrode adapter 101 and negative electrode adapter 102, thus affecting the stability and safety of the battery 200.

[0077] Please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the energy storage device disclosed in the embodiment of this application. In a third aspect, this application discloses an energy storage device 300, which includes a battery 200. The energy storage device 300 with the battery 200 is beneficial to improving the safety and stability of the energy storage device 300. The energy storage device 300 with the battery 200 described in the second aspect can also effectively mitigate the stress generated by the thermal deformation of the adapter piece 100, avoiding the pulling effect of the tab 202b, thereby preventing current path failure and improving the safety performance and yield of the battery 200. Simultaneously, the design of the adapter piece 100 allows for more accurate positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter piece 100, effectively improving the assembly efficiency and accuracy of the battery 200, as well as increasing the utilization rate of the internal space of the battery 200 and the energy density of the battery 200. Therefore, it is beneficial to improve the safety and energy density of the energy storage device 300.

[0078] Optionally, the energy storage device 300 includes a protective shell 301 and a plurality of batteries 200 disposed within the protective shell 301. The plurality of batteries 200 are connected in series or in parallel, which helps to improve the safety and stability of the energy storage device 300.

[0079] The number of energy storage devices 300 can be multiple, and the multiple energy storage devices 300 can be connected in series or in parallel. The multiple energy storage devices 300 are supported and electrically connected by an isolation plate (not shown). In this embodiment, "multiple" means two or more. An energy storage box can also be provided on the outside of the energy storage device 300 to house the energy storage device 300.

[0080] Optionally, the energy storage device 300 may include, but is not limited to, a single battery cell, a battery module, a battery pack, or a battery system. The actual application form of the energy storage device 300 provided in this application embodiment may be, but is not limited to, the listed products, and may also be other application forms. This application embodiment does not strictly limit the application form of the energy storage device 300. This application embodiment only uses a multi-cell battery as an example for illustration. When the energy storage device 300 is a single battery cell, it can be at least one of cylindrical batteries, prismatic batteries, etc.

[0081] The following is a brief explanation of the use of the adapter piece 100 in the battery 200 assembly process:

[0082] First, the top cover assembly 201 is placed upside down into the fixture. The first connecting portions 1 of the positive electrode adapter 101 and the negative electrode adapter 102 are connected to the positive electrode post 2011 and the negative electrode post 2012 of the top cover assembly 201, respectively, forming a receiving space between the top cover assembly 201, the positive electrode adapter 101, and the negative electrode adapter 102. Then, the assembly fixture is inserted into the groove 21 from the second end 2b to the first end 2a of the second connecting portion 2, providing support for the adapter 100 during the subsequent bending and welding of the tab 202b. Finally, the cell body 202a is placed into the receiving space from the second end 2b to the first end 2a. The positive electrode tab 2021 is welded to the positive electrode adapter 101, and the negative electrode tab 2022 is welded to the negative electrode adapter 102, thereby forming the battery 200 used in the energy storage device 300.

[0083] Please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of the electrical device disclosed in the embodiment of this application. In a fourth aspect, this application also discloses an electrical device 400, which includes an energy storage device 300. The electrical device 400, having the energy storage device 300 described in the third aspect, can also effectively mitigate the stress generated by the thermal deformation of the adapter piece 100, avoiding the pulling effect on the tab 202b, thereby preventing current path failure and improving the safety performance and yield of the battery 200. Simultaneously, the design of the adapter piece 100 allows for more accurate positioning of the assembly tooling and the adapter piece 100, effectively improving the assembly efficiency and accuracy of the battery 200, as well as increasing the utilization rate of the internal space and the energy density of the battery 200. Therefore, it is beneficial to improve the safety and energy density of the electrical device 400.

[0084] This application uses a home energy storage scenario in electrical equipment 400 as an example for illustration, but the electrical equipment 400 in this application is not limited to the home energy storage scenario.

[0085] This application provides an electrical device 400, which includes a power conversion device 401 (photovoltaic panel), a first user load 402 (streetlight), a second user load 403 (e.g., household appliances such as air conditioners), and an energy storage device 300. The energy storage device 300 is a small energy storage box that can be wall-mounted to an outdoor wall. Specifically, the photovoltaic panel can convert solar energy into electrical energy during periods of low electricity prices, and the energy storage device 300 is used to store this electrical energy and supply it to streetlights and household appliances during peak electricity prices, or to provide power during power outages / power interruptions.

[0086] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.

Claims

1. An adapter for a battery, characterized in that, The adapter plate includes: A first connection portion, configured to be connected to the terminal of the battery; The second connection portion is configured to connect to the tab of the battery. The second connection portion includes a first end and a second end opposite to each other. The first end is connected to the first connection portion at an angle. The second end is provided with a groove that extends through the edge of the second end of the second connection portion in a first direction. The groove is configured to have two opposing sidewalls in a second direction and a bottom wall surface in the thickness direction of the second connection portion, so that the portion of the second connection portion at the groove and the portions located on both sides of the groove in the second direction form a thickness difference. The second direction intersects with the first direction.

2. The adapter plate according to claim 1, characterized in that, An angled space is formed between the first end and the first connecting portion, and the groove is provided on one side surface of the second connecting portion located in the angled space.

3. The adapter plate according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first end and the second end are the two ends of the second connecting portion along the first direction. The groove has a first sidewall and a second sidewall along the second direction. The first sidewall and / or the second sidewall are inclined so that the groove is formed as a flared groove that gradually widens from the first end to the second end in the second direction.

4. The adapter plate according to claim 3, characterized in that, The groove has a first side and a second side opposite to each other along the first direction, and in the second direction, the length ratio of the first side to the second side is 1 / 2 to 7 / 8.

5. The adapter plate according to claim 4, characterized in that, In the second direction, the length of the first side is 5mm-7mm, and / or the length of the second side is 8mm-10mm.

6. The adapter plate according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The thickness ratio of the portion of the second connecting part of the adapter plate at the groove to the portions located on both sides of the groove along the second direction is 1 / 3 to 5 / 7.

7. The adapter plate according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The groove is located in the middle of the second connecting portion along the second direction.

8. A battery, characterized in that, The device includes a top cover assembly, a battery cell, and an adapter plate as described in any one of claims 1-7. The top cover assembly includes a terminal post, the battery cell includes a battery cell body and a tab disposed on the battery cell body, the terminal post is connected to the first connecting portion of the adapter plate, and the tab is connected to the second connecting portion of the adapter plate.

9. The battery according to claim 8, characterized in that, When an angled space is formed between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, the tab is connected to the surface of the second connecting portion facing away from the angled space.

10. The battery according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The electrode post includes a positive electrode post and a negative electrode post, the electrode tab includes a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, and the adapter plate includes a positive adapter plate and a negative adapter plate. The positive adapter plate is connected to the positive electrode post and the positive electrode tab respectively, and the negative adapter plate is connected to the negative electrode post and the negative electrode tab respectively. The thickness of the second connecting portion of the positive adapter plate is greater than or equal to the thickness of the second connecting portion of the negative adapter plate.

11. The battery according to claim 10, characterized in that, The thickness ratio of the portion of the second connecting part of the positive electrode adapter plate at the groove to the portions located on both sides of the groove along the second direction is 3 / 5-5 / 7; and / or, The thickness ratio of the portion of the second connecting part of the negative electrode adapter at the groove to the portions on both sides of the groove along the second direction is 1 / 3 to 3 / 5.

12. The battery according to claim 11, characterized in that, The thickness of the portion of the second connecting part of the positive electrode adapter plate without the groove is 2.5mm-3.5mm; and / or, The thickness of the portion of the second connecting part of the negative electrode adapter without the groove is 1.5mm-2.5mm.

13. An energy storage device, characterized in that, Includes the battery as described in any one of claims 8-12.

14. An electrical appliance, characterized in that, Including the energy storage device as described in claim 13.

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