CN216213945U - Battery cell, battery and power consumption device - Google Patents

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a battery monomer, battery and power consumption device. The battery cell includes a case, an end cap assembly, at least two electrode assemblies, and a current collecting member. The housing has an opening. The end cap assembly includes an end cap and an electrode terminal. The end cover is used for covering the opening. The electrode terminal is disposed on the end cap. At least two electrode assemblies are accommodated in the case and arranged side by side in a width direction of the end cap. Each of the electrode assemblies includes a straight portion, a bent portion, and a tab. The bending part is arranged at the end part of the straight part along the thickness direction of the end cover. And an accommodating space is formed between the bent parts of the two adjacent electrode assemblies on the same side. The tab extends from the end of the flat portion in the length direction of the end cap. The current collecting member is used to electrically connect the tab and the electrode terminal. At least a portion of the current collecting member is received in the receiving space to reduce a height of the current collecting member additionally occupied in a thickness direction of the end cap, thereby improving energy density of the battery cell or capacity of the battery.

Description

Battery cell, battery and power consumption device

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of batteries, in particular to a battery monomer, a battery and an electric device.

Background

At present, a battery used for a vehicle is generally a lithium ion battery, and the lithium ion battery as a rechargeable battery has the advantages of small volume, high energy density, high power density, multiple recycling times, long storage time and the like.

For a general rechargeable battery, the structure of a battery cell may affect the energy density of the battery cell or the capacity of the battery. Therefore, how to increase the energy density of the battery cell or increase the capacity of the battery becomes an urgent problem to be solved in the battery technology.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a battery cell, a battery and an electric device, and aims to improve the energy density of the battery cell or the capacity of the battery.

A first aspect of the present application provides a battery cell including a case, an end cap assembly, at least two electrode assemblies, and a current collecting member. The housing has an opening. The end cap assembly includes an end cap and an electrode terminal. The end cover is used for covering the opening. The electrode terminal is disposed on the end cap. At least two electrode assemblies are accommodated in the case and arranged side by side in a width direction of the end cap. Each electrode assembly includes a straight portion, a bent portion, and a tab. The bending part is arranged at the end part of the straight part along the thickness direction of the end cover. And an accommodating space is formed between the bent parts of the two adjacent electrode assemblies on the same side. The tab extends from the end of the flat portion in the length direction of the end cap. The current collecting member is used to electrically connect the tab and the electrode terminal. At least a portion of the current collecting member is received in the receiving space.

In the above technical solution, the accommodating space 44 is formed by the bent portions at the same side of the two adjacent electrode assemblies, and since a part of the current collecting member overlaps with the accommodating space, the current collecting member is configured to be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space, and the accommodating space is fully utilized to reduce the extra height occupied by the current collecting member in the thickness direction of the end cap. On one hand, the saved space can be used for accommodating more active substances so as to achieve the effect of improving the energy density of the battery; on the other hand, the height of the battery cell in the thickness direction of the end cover can be reduced, namely the volume of the battery cell is reduced, so that when the battery cell is formed into a battery, the battery with the same volume can accommodate more battery cells, and the capacity of the battery is improved.

In some embodiments, the current collecting member includes a tab connection part and a terminal connection part. The pole lug connecting part is positioned on one side of the straight part along the length direction and is used for connecting pole lugs on the same side. The terminal connecting part is connected to the end part of the lug connecting part close to the end cover. The terminal connecting portion is at least partially received in the receiving space and is used to connect the electrode terminal.

In the technical scheme, the terminal connecting part is configured to be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space, the terminal connecting part is a part of the current collecting member overlapped with the projection of the accommodating space on the end cover, and at least part of the terminal connecting part can be accommodated in the accommodating space only by changing the shape or size of the terminal connecting part, so that the accommodating space is fully utilized, and the energy density of a battery cell or the capacity of the battery is improved. The tab connecting part is arranged on one side of the straight part along the length direction and used for connecting tabs on the same side, and the terminal connecting part is connected to the end part, close to the end cover, of the tab connecting part and used for connecting the electrode terminal, so that the function of electrically connecting the electrode terminal and the tabs by the current collecting component is realized.

In some embodiments, the terminal connection portion includes a solder portion and an interposer portion. The welding part is welded with the electrode terminal. The adapter part is used for connecting the tab connecting part and the welding part and is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space.

The adapter is configured to be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space, and the accommodating space is fully utilized to reduce the volume of the current collecting member outside the accommodating space, thereby reducing the extra height occupied in the thickness direction of the end cover. On one hand, the saved space can be used for accommodating more active substances so as to achieve the effect of improving the energy density of the battery; on the other hand, the size of the battery cell in the thickness direction of the end cover can be reduced, namely the size of the battery cell is reduced, so that when the battery cell forms a battery, more battery cells can be accommodated in the battery, and the capacity of the battery is improved.

In some embodiments, the dimension of the adapter portion in the width direction is smaller than the dimension of the tab connection portion in the width direction.

In the technical scheme, the size of the adapter part in the width direction is smaller than that of the tab connecting part in the width direction, so that the size of the adapter part in the width direction is smaller than that of the accommodating space in the width direction, and the adapter part is enabled to be accommodated in the accommodating space partially.

In some embodiments, the size of the adaptor portion in the thickness direction is larger than the size of the tab connecting portion in the thickness direction.

In the technical scheme, the size of the adapter part in the thickness direction is configured to be larger than that of the tab connecting part in the thickness direction, so that the space utilization rate of the accommodating space is improved, more space is saved, and the energy density of a battery monomer or the capacity of a battery is improved; meanwhile, the size of the adapter part in the width direction is reduced, and the size of the adapter part in the thickness direction is increased at the same time, so that the flow area is increased, and the flow rate is ensured.

In some embodiments, the cross-section of the transition portion in the first plane is triangular-like or circular-like. The first plane is a plane defined by both the width direction and the thickness direction.

In the technical scheme, the cross section of the adapter part on the first plane is configured to be triangular, so that the space utilization rate of the accommodating space can be improved, and the flow rate is ensured while at least part of the adapter part is accommodated in the accommodating space; the cross section of the adapter part on the first plane is configured to be similar to a circle, so that the adapter part is convenient to process and manufacture.

In some embodiments, the end cap assembly further comprises a first retention portion and a second retention portion. The first limiting part and the second limiting part are respectively arranged on two sides of the switching part along the width direction, so that the terminal connecting part is fixed in a preset area of the end cover assembly. The predetermined region is disposed opposite to the accommodating space in the thickness direction.

In the technical scheme, the adapter part is fixed in the preset area by the first limiting part and the second limiting part, and the preset area and the accommodating space are arranged oppositely to ensure that the adapter part assembled on the preset area of the end cover assembly can be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space.

In some embodiments, the interposer includes a conductive portion and an insulating portion. The conductive portion is used to connect the tab connection portion and the welding portion. The insulating part is attached to a surface of the conductive part facing the electrode assembly.

In the technical scheme, the conductive part is used for electrically connecting the tab connecting part and the welding part, and the insulating part is attached to the surface of the conductive part close to the electrode assembly, so that the insulation between the transfer part and the electrode assembly is realized, and the safety performance of the battery monomer is improved.

In some embodiments, the end cap assembly further comprises an insulator. The insulating member is provided on a side of the end cap facing the electrode assembly. The adaptor is attached to a surface of the insulator facing the electrode assembly. The end cover assembly is provided with a through hole. The through hole penetrates through the end cover and the insulating piece along the thickness direction. The electrode terminal covers the through-hole, and a surface of the electrode terminal facing the electrode assembly is farther from the electrode assembly than a surface of the insulating member facing the electrode assembly.

In the above-described aspect, the through-hole penetrates the end cap and the insulating member, the electrode terminal covers the through-hole, and a surface of the electrode terminal facing the electrode assembly is configured to be farther away from the electrode assembly than a surface of the insulating member facing the electrode assembly, so that the electrode terminal and a sidewall of the through-hole define a receiving cavity.

In some embodiments, the weld protrudes from the adapter in a direction away from the electrode assembly and is at least partially received within the through-hole.

In the technical scheme, the welding part is configured to protrude from the adapter part along the direction departing from the electrode assembly, so that at least part of the welding part is accommodated in the through hole, and the welding part does not occupy the height of the battery cell additionally. On one hand, the saved space can be used for accommodating more active substances so as to achieve the effect of improving the energy density of the battery; on the other hand, the height of the battery cell in the thickness direction of the end cover can be reduced, namely the volume of the battery cell is reduced, so that when the battery cell is formed into a battery, the battery with the same volume can accommodate more battery cells, and the capacity of the battery is improved.

A second aspect of the present application provides a battery including a case and a battery cell provided in the second aspect of the present application. The battery cell is accommodated in the case.

A third aspect of the present application provides an electric device including the battery provided in the third aspect of the present application.

According to the battery monomer, the battery and the electric device, the accommodating space is formed by the bent parts at the same side of the two adjacent electrode assemblies, the current collecting member is configured to be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space, the accommodating space is fully utilized, the extra height occupied by the current collecting member in the thickness direction of the end cover is reduced, and therefore the energy density of the battery monomer or the capacity of the battery is improved.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments of the present application will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious for a person skilled in the art to obtain other drawings based on the drawings without any creative effort.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 2 is an exploded view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a schematic view illustrating a partial structure of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is an exploded view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a current collecting member disclosed in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a top view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken at A-A of FIG. 6 in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of FIG. 7 at C in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view at C of FIG. 7 in another embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken at B-B of FIG. 6 in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of FIG. 10 at D in an embodiment of the present application;

in the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

Description of the labeling:

10-vehicle, 11-controller, 12-motor;

20-battery, 21-case, 211-first part, 212-second part, 22-containing cavity;

30-battery module, 31-bus member;

40-battery cell, 41-shell, 411-opening, 42-end cover component, 421-end cover, 422-electrode terminal, 423-insulating part, 4231-first limiting part, 4232-second limiting part;

43-electrode assembly, 431-straight, 432-curved, 433-tab;

44-a containment space;

45-current collecting member, 451-tab connection, 452-terminal connection, 4521-weld, 4522-transition, 45221-conductive, 45222-insulating;

46-through holes.

Detailed Description

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be derived by a person skilled in the art from the embodiments given herein without making any creative effort, shall fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs; the terminology used in the description of the application in the present application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application; the terms "including" and "having," and any variations thereof, in the description and claims of this application and the description of the above figures are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. The terms "first," "second," and the like in the description and claims of this application or in the above-described drawings are used for distinguishing between different elements and not for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.

Reference in the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the specification. The appearances of the phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "attached" are to be construed broadly, e.g., as meaning either a fixed connection, a removable connection, or an integral connection; they may be connected directly or indirectly through intervening media, or they may be interconnected between two elements. The specific meaning of the above terms in the present application can be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art as appropriate.

The term "and/or" in this application is only one kind of association relationship describing the associated object, and means that there may be three kinds of relationships, for example, a and/or B, which may mean: a exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character "/" in this application generally indicates that the former and latter related objects are in an "or" relationship.

In the embodiments of the present application, like reference numerals denote like parts, and a detailed description of the same parts is omitted in different embodiments for the sake of brevity. It should be understood that the thickness, length, width and other dimensions of the various components in the embodiments of the present application and the overall thickness, length, width and other dimensions of the integrated device shown in the drawings are only exemplary and should not constitute any limitation to the present application.

The appearances of "a plurality" in this application are intended to mean more than two (including two).

In the present application, the battery cell may include a lithium ion secondary battery, a lithium ion primary battery, a lithium sulfur battery, a sodium lithium ion battery, a sodium ion battery, a magnesium ion battery, or the like, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The battery cell may be a cylinder, a flat body, a rectangular parallelepiped, or other shapes, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The battery cells are generally divided into three types in an encapsulation manner: the cylindrical battery monomer, the square battery monomer and the soft package battery monomer are also not limited in the embodiment of the application.

Reference to a battery in embodiments of the present application refers to a single physical module that includes one or more battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. For example, the battery referred to in the present application may include a battery module or a battery pack, etc. Batteries generally include a case for enclosing one or more battery cells. The box can avoid liquid or other foreign matters to influence the charging or discharging of battery monomer.

The battery monomer comprises an electrode assembly and electrolyte, wherein the electrode assembly comprises a positive plate, a negative plate and an isolating membrane. The battery cell mainly depends on metal ions moving between the positive plate and the negative plate to work. The positive plate includes anodal mass flow body and anodal active substance layer, and anodal active substance layer coats in anodal mass flow body's surface, and the anodal mass flow body protrusion in the anodal mass flow body on the anodal active substance layer of coating of uncoated anodal active substance layer, and the anodal mass flow body on the anodal active substance layer of uncoated positive is as anodal utmost point ear. Taking a lithium ion battery as an example, the material of the positive electrode current collector may be aluminum, and the positive electrode active material may be lithium cobaltate, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, lithium manganate, or the like. The negative pole piece includes negative pole mass flow body and negative pole active substance layer, and the negative pole active substance layer coats in the surface of negative pole mass flow body, and the negative pole mass flow body protrusion in the negative pole mass flow body of coating the negative pole active substance layer not coating the negative pole active substance layer, and the negative pole mass flow body of not coating the negative pole active substance layer is as negative pole utmost point ear. The material of the negative electrode current collector may be copper, and the negative electrode active material may be carbon, silicon, or the like. In order to ensure that the fuse is not fused when a large current is passed, the number of the positive electrode tabs is multiple and the positive electrode tabs are stacked together, and the number of the negative electrode tabs is multiple and the negative electrode tabs are stacked together. The material of the isolation film may be PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene). In addition, the electrode assembly may have a winding structure or a lamination structure, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

The battery cell may further include a case and an end cap assembly covering the case to provide a sealed space for the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, the electrode assembly being electrically connected to the electrode terminals of the end cap assembly.

For a general battery cell, the structure of the battery cell may affect the energy density of the battery cell. For a general battery, the battery includes a battery cell, and the capacity of the battery may be affected by the structure of the battery cell.

The inventors have found that a portion of the current collecting member disposed between the end cap assembly and the electrode assembly is generally in the shape of a sheet, and occupies a certain size of the battery cell in the thickness direction of the end cap, thereby affecting the energy density of the battery cell and the capacity of the battery.

In view of this, embodiments of the present application propose a solution to reduce an extra size occupied by the current collecting member in a thickness direction of the end cap by accommodating at least a portion of the current collecting member in an accommodation space formed by bent portions of adjacent two electrode assemblies, thereby improving an energy density of a battery cell or improving a capacity of a battery.

The technical scheme described in the embodiment of the application is suitable for the battery cell, the battery and the electric equipment using the battery.

The electric equipment can be vehicles, mobile phones, portable equipment, notebook computers, ships, spacecrafts, electric toys, electric tools and the like. The vehicle can be a fuel oil vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new energy vehicle, and the new energy vehicle can be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle or a range-extended vehicle and the like; spacecraft include aircraft, rockets, space shuttles, and spacecraft, among others; electric toys include stationary or mobile electric toys, such as game machines, electric car toys, electric ship toys, electric airplane toys, and the like; the electric power tools include metal cutting electric power tools, grinding electric power tools, assembly electric power tools, and electric power tools for railways, such as electric drills, electric grinders, electric wrenches, electric screwdrivers, electric hammers, electric impact drills, concrete vibrators, and electric planers. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the above-mentioned electric devices.

For convenience of explanation, the following embodiments will be described by taking an electric device as an example of a vehicle.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle 10 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The interior of the vehicle 10 is provided with a battery 20, and the battery 20 may be provided at the bottom or at the head or tail of the vehicle 10. The battery 20 may be used for power supply of the vehicle 10, for example, the battery 20 may serve as an operation power source of the vehicle 10.

The vehicle 10 may also include a controller 11 and a motor 12, with the controller 11 being used to control the battery 20 to power the motor 12, for example, for start-up, navigation, and operational power requirements while traveling of the vehicle 10.

In some embodiments of the present application, the battery 20 may not only serve as an operating power source for the vehicle 10, but may also serve as a driving power source for the vehicle 10, instead of or in part of fuel or natural gas, to provide driving power for the vehicle 10.

Referring to fig. 2, fig. 2 is an exploded view of a battery 20 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, in which the battery 20 includes a case 21 and a battery cell 40, and the battery cell 40 is accommodated in the case 21.

The case 21 is used to provide the accommodating cavity 46 for the battery cell 40, and the case 21 may have various structures.

In some embodiments, the case 21 may include a first portion 211 and a second portion 212, the first portion 211 and the second portion 212 cover each other, and the first portion 211 and the second portion 212 together define a receiving cavity 22 for receiving the battery cell 40. The second part 212 may be a hollow structure with an opening 411 at one end, the first part 211 may be a plate-shaped structure, and the first part 211 covers the opening 411 side of the second part 212, so that the first part 211 and the second part 212 jointly define the accommodating cavity 22; the first portion 211 and the second portion 212 may be hollow structures each having a side opening 411, and the opening 411 of the first portion 211 is laterally covered on the opening 411 of the second portion 212. Of course, the case 21 formed by the first portion 211 and the second portion 212 may have various shapes, such as a cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, and the like.

In the battery 20, the number of the battery cells 40 may be plural, and the plural battery cells 40 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel, where in series-parallel refers to both series connection and parallel connection among the plural battery cells 4020. The plurality of battery monomers 40 can be directly connected in series or in parallel or in series-parallel, and the whole formed by the plurality of battery monomers 40 is accommodated in the box body 21; of course, a plurality of battery cells 40 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to form a battery module 30, and a plurality of battery modules 30 may be connected in series, in parallel, or in series-parallel to form a whole and accommodated in the box 21.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the battery module 30 shown in fig. 2. The battery 20 includes a plurality of battery modules 30, the battery module 30 includes a plurality of battery cells 40, and the plurality of battery cells 40 are connected in series or in parallel or in series-parallel to form the battery module 30. The plurality of battery modules 30 are connected in series or in parallel or in series-parallel to form a whole, and are accommodated in the case 21.

The plurality of battery cells 40 in the battery module 30 may be electrically connected to each other through the bus member 31, so as to realize parallel connection, series connection, or parallel connection of the plurality of battery cells 40 in the battery module 30.

Referring to fig. 4, fig. 4 is an exploded view of a battery cell 40 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Some embodiments of the present application disclose a battery cell 40 including a housing 41, an end cap assembly 42, at least two electrode assemblies 43, and a current collecting member 45. The housing 41 has an opening 411. The end cap assembly 42 includes an end cap 421 and an electrode terminal 422. The end cap 421 is used to cover the opening 411. The electrode terminal 422 is disposed on the end cap 421. At least two electrode assemblies 43 are accommodated in the case 41 and arranged side by side in the width direction of the end cap 421. Each electrode assembly 43 includes a straight portion 431, a bent portion 432, and a tab 433. The curved portion 432 is provided at an end portion of the straight portion 431 in the thickness direction of the end cap 421. And a receiving space 44 is formed between the bent portions 432 of the two adjacent electrode assemblies 43 on the same side. The tab 433 extends from the end of the straight portion 431 in the length direction of the end cap 421. The current collecting member 45 serves to electrically connect the tab 433 and the electrode terminal 422. At least a portion of the current collecting member 45 is accommodated in the accommodating space 44.

The case 41 may be a case of the battery cell 40 for accommodating the electrode assembly 43. The case 41 may have various shapes, for example, a hollow solid structure such as a hollow cylinder, a hollow rectangular parallelepiped, or the like, and the electrode assembly 43 is accommodated in the accommodating chamber 22 of the hollow solid structure. The shape of the case 41 may be determined according to the shape of the electrode assembly 43, for example, if the electrode assembly 43 has a cylindrical structure, the case 41 may have a hollow cylindrical structure; if the electrode assembly 43 has a rectangular parallelepiped structure, the case 41 may have a hollow rectangular parallelepiped structure. The material of the case 41 may be a conductive material such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, or an aluminum alloy, or may be an insulating material such as plastic or rubber.

The opening 411 may be provided on one or several faces of the housing 41. The opening 411 may be various shapes such as rectangular, circular, etc. After the shape of the housing 41 is determined, the shape of the opening 411 is determined accordingly. Alternatively, if the housing 41 is a hollow cylinder, the opening 411 is circular; if the housing 41 has a hollow rectangular parallelepiped structure, the opening 411 has a rectangular shape. The number of the openings 411 may be one or two. Optionally, when there is one opening 411, it may be disposed on any one surface of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped housing 41, or may be disposed on the top surface or the top surface of the hollow cylindrical housing 41; when there are two openings 411, they may be disposed on two opposite side surfaces of the hollow rectangular parallelepiped housing 41, or on the top surface and the bottom surface of the hollow cylindrical housing 41; when the number of the openings 411 is larger, it is determined as the case may be.

The end cap assembly 42 is used to close the opening 411 of the case 41 to form a closed accommodation chamber 22 inside the case 41, and the accommodation chamber 22 is used to accommodate the electrode assembly 43. The receiving chamber 22 may also be used to receive an electrolyte, such as an electrolyte solution.

The end cap assembly 42 may include an end cap 421, an electrode terminal 422. The end cap 421 may be made of an insulating material such as plastic or rubber.

The end cap assembly 42 may include an end cap 421, an electrode terminal 422, an insulator 423, and the like. The end cap 421 may be made of conductive material such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy.

The end cap assembly 42 serves as a component for outputting electrical energy of the electrode assembly 43, the electrode terminal 422 in the end cap assembly 42 is used for electrically connecting with the tab 433 of the electrode assembly 43, and optionally, the electrode terminal 422 and the tab 433 are connected by the current collecting member 45, so as to electrically connect the electrode terminal 422 and the tab 433.

If there is one opening 411 of the case 41, there may be one end cap assembly 42, and two electrode terminals 422 may be provided in the end cap assembly 42, the two electrode terminals 422 are respectively used for electrically connecting with the positive electrode tab 433 and the negative electrode tab 433 of the electrode assembly 43, and the two electrode terminals 422 in the end cap assembly 42 are respectively the positive electrode terminal 422 and the negative electrode terminal 422. If the number of the openings 411 of the housing 41 is two, for example, two openings 411 are disposed on two opposite sides of the housing 41, the number of the end cap assemblies 42 may also be two, and two end cap assemblies 42 respectively cover the two openings 411 of the housing 41. In this case, it may be that the electrode terminal 422 in one end cap assembly 42 is a positive electrode terminal 422 for electrical connection with the positive electrode tab 433 of the electrode assembly 43; the electrode terminal 422 in the other end cap assembly 42 is a negative electrode terminal 422 for electrical connection with the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly 43.

The end cap 421 is used to cover the opening 411 of the housing 41. The end cap 421 can be of various shapes such as circular, rectangular, etc. The shape of the end cap 421 depends on the shape of the housing 41, and if the housing 41 is a cylindrical structure, the end cap 421 may be circular; if the housing 41 has a rectangular parallelepiped structure, a rectangular end cap 421 can be used. The end cap 421 is a carrier of the electrode terminal 422 and other components. The end cap 421 may serve as an output electrode of the battery cell 40, where the output electrode is a part of the battery cell 40 that is connected to other components and outputs electric energy of the battery cell 40.

The electrode terminal 422 is disposed on the end cap 421. The number of the electrode terminals 422 may be one or more, and the material may be a conductive material such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy. The electrode terminal 422 conducts electric energy generated from the electrode assembly 43 to the powered device by electrically connecting the tab 433 and the powered device.

The electrode assembly 43 may include a positive electrode tab, a negative electrode tab, and a separator, which are wound to form a wound body. The positive pole piece comprises a positive current collector and positive active material layers coated on two opposite sides of the positive current collector. The negative pole piece comprises a negative current collector and negative active material layers coated on two opposite sides of the negative current collector. The isolating film is arranged between the positive plate and the negative plate and used for isolating the positive plate from the negative plate so as to reduce the risk of short circuit between the positive plate and the negative plate.

The at least two electrode assemblies 43 arranged side by side in the width direction of the end cap 421 may mean that a plurality of electrode assemblies 43 are arranged in a row in the width direction of the end cap 421 without being separated from each other, the straight portions 431 of the respective electrode assemblies 43 are aligned, the bent portions 432 are aligned, the tabs 433 of the same polarity are located at the same side, and no gap is left between the straight portions 431 of the adjacent two electrode assemblies 43.

The end part is a part close to the edge of the object. In one example, the flat 431 may have six ends. In the width direction of the end cap 421, two ends of the straight portion 431 are respectively provided with an end portion; the flat portion 431 has an end portion close to the end cap 421 and an end portion far from the end cap 421 in the thickness direction of the end cap 421; the flat portion 431 has an end portion at both sides in the length direction of the end cap 421.

The straight portion 431 and the bent portion 432 may be portions of the electrode assembly 43 corresponding to regions of the pole pieces coated with the active material layer. The straight portion 431 may be a flat portion in the winding body, the bent portion 432 may be a bent portion in the winding body, and the bent portion 432 may be provided at an end portion of the straight portion 431 in the thickness direction of the end cap 421. In some embodiments, the straight portion 431 may be a rectangular parallelepiped, and the curved portion 432 may be a semi-cylinder, and a side surface of the rectangular parallelepiped is engaged with a side surface of the semi-cylinder.

The tab 433 extends from the end of the straight portion 431 in the length direction of the end cap 421. The tab 433 may be a portion of the current collector corresponding to a region where the active material layer is not coated. When the polarity of the tab 433 is positive, the tab 433 may be a portion corresponding to a region of the positive electrode current collector not coated with the positive electrode active material layer; when the polarity of the tab 433 is negative, the tab 433 may be a portion corresponding to a region of the anode current collector where the anode active material layer is not coated.

The current collecting member 45 may be made of a conductive material such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, or an aluminum alloy.

Electrically connected may refer to the formation of an electrical pathway between two components. The electrical connection may be a direct connection or an indirect connection. In some embodiments of the present application, the tab 433 and the electrode terminal 422 are electrically connected by the current collecting member 45, an indirect connection is formed between the tab 433 and the electrode terminal 422, and a direct connection is formed between the tab 433 and the current collecting member 45, the electrode terminal 422 and the current collecting member 45.

The receiving space 44 may be a gap formed by the semi-cylindrical bent portions 432 of the adjacent two electrode assemblies 43 on the same side and a plane tangent to both the bent portions 432 at the same time.

When there are two electrode assemblies 43, one accommodation space 44 is formed between the same-side bent portions 432 of the two electrode assemblies 43; when there are three electrode assemblies 43, one accommodating space 44 is formed between the same-side bent portions 432 of every two adjacent electrode assemblies 43, and two accommodating spaces 44 are formed; when the number of the electrode assemblies 43 is N, one accommodating space 44 is formed between the same-side bent portions 432 of every two adjacent electrode assemblies 43, and N-1 accommodating spaces 44 are provided.

The accommodation of at least a portion of the current collecting member 45 in the accommodation space 44 may mean that a certain portion of the current collecting member 45 is entirely or partially accommodated in the accommodation space 44. When there are two electrode assemblies 43, at least a portion of the current collecting member 45 is received in the receiving space 44 formed by the bent portions 432 of the same sides of the two electrode assemblies 43; when the number of the electrode assemblies 43 is N, at least a part of the current collecting member 45 is accommodated in the accommodating space 44 formed by the bent portions 432 on the same side of every two adjacent electrode assemblies 43, and may be accommodated in all the accommodating spaces 44 or may be accommodated in a part of the accommodating space 44.

In the above technical solution, the accommodating space 44 is formed by the bent portions 432 on the same side of the two adjacent electrode assemblies 43, and since a part of the current collecting member 45 overlaps the accommodating space 44, the current collecting member 45 is configured to be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space 44, and the accommodating space 44 is fully utilized to reduce the volume of the current collecting member 45 outside the accommodating space 44, thereby reducing the extra height occupied by the current collecting member 45 in the thickness direction of the end cap 421. On the one hand, the saved space can be used for accommodating more active substances, so as to achieve the effect of improving the energy density of the battery 20; on the other hand, the height of the battery cell 40 in the thickness direction of the end cap 421 can be reduced, that is, the volume of the battery cell 40 can be reduced, so that when the battery cell 40 is assembled into the battery 20, the battery 20 with the same volume can accommodate more battery cells 40, thereby improving the capacity of the battery 20.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, fig. 5 is a schematic view of a current collecting member according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the current collecting member 45 includes a tab connection part 451 and a terminal connection part 452. The tab connecting portion 451 is located on one side of the straight portion 431 in the longitudinal direction and is used to connect the tabs 433 on the same side. The terminal connection portion 452 is connected to an end portion of the tab connection portion 451 near the end cap 421. The terminal connecting portion 452 is at least partially received in the receiving space 44 and serves to connect the electrode terminal 422.

The tab connection portion 451 may be a portion of the current collecting member 45 located at one side of the straight portion 431 in the length direction, and the tab connection portion 451 is connected to the tab 433 at the same side to electrically connect the terminal connection portion 452 and the tab 433. The tab connection part 451 may have various shapes. The tab connection portion 451 and the tab 433 may be welded to each other.

The terminal connection part 452 may be a portion of the current collecting member 45 between the end cap assembly 42 and the electrode assembly 43. The terminal connection portion 452 has one end connected to an end of the tab connection portion 451 near the end cap 421 and the other end welded to the electrode terminal 422 to electrically connect the electrode terminal 422 and the tab connection portion 451. The terminal connecting portion 452 is at least partially received in the receiving space 44, and optionally, the terminal connecting portion 452 may be partially received in the receiving space 44 or partially received in the receiving space 44.

The tab connection portion 451 and the terminal connection portion 452 may be integrally formed, or may be separately manufactured and then connected by welding or the like.

In the above technical solution, the terminal connection portion 452 is configured to be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space 44, the terminal connection portion 452 is a portion where the current collecting member 45 overlaps with the projection of the accommodating space 44 on the end cap 421, and at least a portion of the terminal connection portion 452 can be accommodated in the accommodating space 44 by only changing the shape or size of the terminal connection portion 452, so that the accommodating space 44 is fully utilized, and the energy density of the battery cell 40 or the capacity of the battery 20 is improved. The tab connection part 451 is provided at one side of the straight part 431 in the length direction and is used to connect the tab 433 at the same side, and the terminal connection part 452 is connected to the end part of the tab connection part 451 near the end cap 421 and is used to connect the electrode terminal 422, thereby achieving the function of electrically connecting the electrode terminal 422 and the tab 433 by the current collecting member 45.

With continued reference to fig. 4 and 5. In some embodiments, the terminal connection portion 452 includes a welding portion 4521 and an adaptor portion 4522. The welding portion 4521 is welded to the electrode terminal 422. The adaptor 4522 serves to connect the tab connecting portion 451 and the welding portion 4521 and is at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space 44.

The welding part 4521 may be a part where the terminal connection part 452 is welded to the electrode terminal 422.

The adaptor 4522 may be a portion connecting the weld 4521 and the tab connection portion 451. The adaptor 4522 may be partially accommodated in the accommodating space 44, or may be entirely accommodated in the accommodating space 44.

In the above technical solution, the adaptor 4522 is configured to be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space 44, and the accommodating space 44 is fully utilized to reduce the volume of the current collecting member 45 outside the accommodating space 44, so as to reduce the extra height occupied in the thickness direction of the end cap 421. On the one hand, the saved space can be used for accommodating more active substances, so as to achieve the effect of improving the energy density of the battery 20; on the other hand, the height of the battery cell 40 in the thickness direction of the end cap 421 can be reduced, that is, the volume of the battery cell 40 can be reduced, so that when the battery cell 40 is assembled into the battery 20, the battery 20 with the same volume can accommodate more battery cells 40, thereby improving the capacity of the battery 20.

Refer to fig. 5. In some embodiments, the dimension of the adaptor 4522 in the width direction is smaller than that of the tab connecting portion 451.

The dimension may be a length, a width, or a thickness. The dimension of the adaptor portion 4522 in the width direction is smaller than the dimension of the tab connection portion 451 in the width direction, that is, the length of the adaptor portion 4522 in the width direction is smaller than the length of the tab connection portion 451 in the width direction.

In the above-described embodiment, the dimension of the adaptor 4522 in the width direction is configured to be smaller than the dimension of the tab connecting portion 451 in the width direction, so that the dimension of the adaptor 4522 in the width direction is smaller than the dimension of the accommodating space 44 in the width direction, and it is ensured that the adaptor 4522 is sufficiently accommodated in the accommodating space 44.

Refer to fig. 5. In some embodiments, the dimension of the adaptor portion 4522 in the thickness direction is larger than the dimension of the tab connecting portion 451 in the thickness direction.

In the above technical solution, the size of the adaptor 4522 in the thickness direction is configured to be larger than that of the tab connection part 451 in the thickness direction, so as to improve the space utilization rate of the accommodating space 44, thereby saving more space and improving the energy density of the battery cell 40 or the capacity of the battery 20; meanwhile, the size of the adaptor 4522 in the width direction is reduced, and the size of the adaptor 4522 in the thickness direction is increased at the same time, so that the flow area is increased, and the flow rate is ensured.

Referring to fig. 6, 7, 8 and 9, fig. 6 is a top view of a battery cell 40 disclosed in an embodiment of the present application, fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of fig. 6 at a-a in an embodiment of the present application, fig. 8 is an enlarged view of fig. 7 at C in an embodiment of the present application, and fig. 9 is an enlarged view of fig. 7 at C in another embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, adaptor 4522 is triangular-like or circular-like in cross-section in the first plane. The first plane is a plane defined by both the width direction and the thickness direction.

The first plane may be a plane defined by the width direction and the thickness direction, that is, the width direction and the thickness direction respectively define a straight line, and the two straight lines may define a plane, which is the first plane.

The triangle-like shape can be an acute triangle, a right triangle, an obtuse triangle, or a figure obtained by local deformation of the acute triangle, the right triangle and the obtuse triangle.

The quasi-circle can be a circle, a semicircle or a fan shape, and can also be a graph obtained by local deformation of the circle, the semicircle or the fan shape.

In the above technical solution, the cross section of the adaptor 4522 on the first plane is configured to be triangle-like, so that the space utilization rate of the accommodating space 44 can be improved, and the flow rate is ensured while at least part of the adaptor 4522 is accommodated in the accommodating space 44; the cross section of the adaptor 4522 in the first plane is configured to be circular-like, so that the manufacturing is facilitated.

Referring to fig. 8 and 9, in some embodiments, the end cap assembly 42 further includes a first stop portion 4231 and a second stop portion 4232. The first stopper 4231 and the second stopper 4232 are respectively disposed at two sides of the adaptor 4522 in the width direction, so that the terminal connection portion 452 is fixed to a predetermined region of the end cap assembly 42. The predetermined region is disposed opposite to the accommodating space 44 in the thickness direction.

The first stopper portion 4231 and the second stopper portion 4232 may protrude from the surface of the end cap assembly 42 near the electrode assembly 43. The first position-limiting part 4231 and the second position-limiting part 4232 may have various shapes, and in some embodiments, the first position-limiting part 4231 and the second position-limiting part 4232 are both cylinder-like shapes, which may be cylinders, or shapes obtained by local deformation of cylinders; in other embodiments, the first and second stop portions 4231, 4232 are both wedge-shaped. The first stopper portion 4231 and the second stopper portion 4232 may have the same shape or different shapes.

The predetermined area may refer to the mounting location of the current collecting member 45 on the end cap assembly 42 prior to assembly of the end cap assembly 42, where the current collecting member 45 is mated with the end cap assembly 42. The first stopper portion 4231 and the second stopper portion 4232 may restrict the adaptor portion 4522 to a predetermined region. The predetermined area and the receiving space 44 are arranged to be opposite to each other so that the predetermined area is just opposite to the receiving space 44 after the end cap assembly 42 is assembled.

In the above technical solution, the first position-limiting portion 4231 and the second position-limiting portion 4232 fix the adaptor portion 4522 in a predetermined area, and the predetermined area is arranged opposite to the accommodating space 44, so as to ensure that the adaptor portion 4522 assembled on the predetermined area of the end cap assembly 42 can be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space 44.

Continuing with fig. 8 and 9. In some embodiments, interposer 4522 includes conductive portions 45221 and insulative portions 45222. The conductive portion 45221 is used to connect the tab connection portion 451 and the welded portion 4521. The insulating portion 45222 is attached to a surface of the conductive portion 45221 facing the electrode assembly 43.

The material of the conductive portion 45221 may be a conductive material such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, or an aluminum alloy. The cross section of the conductive portion 45221 in the first plane may be of various shapes.

The insulating portion 45222 may be made of an insulating material such as plastic or rubber. The cross section of the insulation 45222 in the first plane may be various shapes.

Attachment may refer to attachment of one object to the surface of another object to effect connection of the two objects, either in a detachable or non-detachable state. In some embodiments, the insulating portion 45222 is attached to the surface of the conductive portion 45221 facing the electrode cell, and may be in a separable state or a non-separable state.

In the above technical solution, the conductive portion 45221 is used to electrically connect the tab connection portion 451 and the welding portion 4521, and the insulation portion 45222 is disposed to be attached to the surface of the conductive portion 45221 close to the electrode assembly 43, so that insulation between the adaptor portion 4522 and the electrode assembly 43 is achieved, and safety performance of the battery cell 40 is improved.

Referring to fig. 10 and 11, fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view at B-B of fig. 6 in an embodiment of the present application, and fig. 11 is an enlarged view at D of fig. 10 in an embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, the end cap assembly 42 further includes an insulator 423. An insulator 423 is provided on a side of the end cap 421 facing the electrode assembly 43. The adaptor 4522 is attached to a surface of the insulator 423 facing the electrode assembly 43. The end cap assembly 42 is provided with a through hole 46. The through hole 46 penetrates the end cap 421 and the insulator 423 in the thickness direction. The electrode terminal 422 covers the through-hole 46, and the surface of the electrode terminal 422 facing the electrode assembly 43 is farther from the electrode assembly 43 than the surface of the insulating member 423 facing the electrode assembly 43.

The insulator 423 may be an insulating material such as plastic, rubber, etc. An insulating member 423 is disposed at a side of the end cap 421 facing the electrode assembly 43 to insulate between the end cap 421 and the electrode assembly 43.

The attachment of the adaptor 4522 to the surface of the insulator 423 facing the electrode assembly 43 may mean that the current collecting member 45 is assembled with the end cap assembly 42 before the end cap assembly 42 is assembled with the electrode assembly 43 and the case 41. The current collecting member 45 is assembled to a surface of the end cap assembly 42 facing the electrode assembly 43, that is, a surface of the insulator 423 facing the electrode assembly 43, such that the adaptor 4522 is attached to the surface of the insulator 423 facing the electrode assembly 43, and the adaptor 4522 is confined to a predetermined region by the first and second stopper portions 4231 and 4232, such that the adaptor 4522 may be at least partially accommodated in the accommodating space 44 when assembled.

The through-hole 46 may be various shapes. A through-hole 46 penetrates the end cap 421 and the insulator 423 so that the electrode terminal 422 may be welded with the welding portion 4521 to accomplish the electrical connection of the electrode terminal 422 and the tab 433.

The electrode terminal 422 covering the through-hole 46 may mean that the electrode terminal 422 is disposed at the through-hole 46 and covers the through-hole 46.

The surface of the electrode terminal 422 facing the electrode assembly 43 is farther from the electrode assembly 43 than the surface of the insulating member 423 facing the electrode assembly 43, i.e., the surface of the electrode terminal 422 facing the electrode assembly 43 is recessed in a direction away from the electrode assembly 43.

In the above-described embodiment, the through hole 46 penetrates the end cap 421 and the insulating member 423, the electrode terminal 422 covers the through hole 46, and a surface of the electrode terminal 422 facing the electrode assembly 43 is disposed to be farther away from the electrode assembly 43 than a surface of the insulating member 423 facing the electrode assembly 43, so that the electrode terminal 422 and a sidewall of the through hole 46 define the receiving chamber 22.

Continuing with fig. 10 and 11. In some embodiments, the weld 4521 projects from the adaptor 4522 in a direction away from the electrode assembly 43 and is at least partially received within the through-hole 46.

The protrusion of the welding portion 4521 from the adaptor 4522 in a direction away from the electrode assembly 43 may mean that the welding portion 4521 protrudes in a direction toward the electrode terminal 422 within the through-hole 46 so that the welding portion 4521 is at least partially received within the through-hole 46.

In the above technical solution, the welding portion 4521 is configured to protrude from the adaptor 4522 in a direction away from the electrode assembly 43, so that the welding portion 4521 is at least partially received in the through hole 46, and therefore the welding portion 4521 does not occupy the height of the battery cell 40 additionally. On the one hand, the saved space can be used for accommodating more active substances, so as to achieve the effect of improving the energy density of the battery 20; on the other hand, the height of the battery cell 40 in the thickness direction of the end cap 421 can be reduced, that is, the volume of the battery cell 40 can be reduced, so that when the battery cell 40 is assembled into the battery 20, the battery 20 with the same volume can accommodate more battery cells 40, thereby improving the capacity of the battery 20.

It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments in the present application may be combined with each other without conflict.

The above embodiments are merely for illustrating the technical solutions of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application, and those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement and the like made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims (12)

1. A battery cell, comprising:

a housing having an opening;

the end cover assembly comprises an end cover and an electrode terminal, the end cover is used for covering the opening, and the electrode terminal is arranged on the end cover;

the electrode assembly comprises a straight portion, a bent portion and a tab, wherein the bent portion is arranged at the end portion of the straight portion along the thickness direction of the end cover, an accommodating space is formed between the bent portions on the same side of two adjacent electrode assemblies, and the tab extends out of the end portion of the straight portion along the length direction of the end cover;

and a current collecting member for electrically connecting the tab and the electrode terminal, at least a portion of the current collecting member being received in the receiving space.

2. The battery cell as recited in claim 1, wherein the current collecting member includes a tab connecting portion located at one side of the straight portion in the length direction and for connecting the tabs at the same side, and a terminal connecting portion connected to an end portion of the tab connecting portion near the end cap, the terminal connecting portion being at least partially received in the receiving space and for connecting the electrode terminals.

3. The battery cell as set forth in claim 2, wherein the terminal connection part includes a welding part welded with the electrode terminal and an adapter part for connecting the tab connection part and the welding part and at least partially received in the receiving space.

4. The battery cell as recited in claim 3, wherein a dimension of the adapter portion in the width direction is smaller than a dimension of the tab connection portion in the width direction.

5. The battery cell as recited in claim 3, wherein the size of the adapter portion in the thickness direction is larger than the size of the tab connection portion in the thickness direction.

6. The battery cell as recited in claim 3 wherein the cross-section of the transition portion in a first plane is triangular-like or circular-like, the first plane being a plane defined by both the width direction and the thickness direction.

7. The battery cell according to claim 3, wherein the end cap assembly further includes a first limiting portion and a second limiting portion, the first limiting portion and the second limiting portion are respectively disposed on two sides of the adapter portion in the width direction, so that the terminal connection portion is fixed to a predetermined region of the end cap assembly, and the predetermined region and the accommodating space are disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction.

8. The battery cell according to claim 3, wherein the transfer portion includes a conductive portion for connecting the tab connection portion and the welding portion, and an insulating portion attached to a surface of the conductive portion facing the electrode assembly.

9. The battery cell as recited in claim 3 wherein the end cap assembly further comprises an insulator disposed on a side of the end cap facing the electrode assembly, the transition portion being attached to a surface of the insulator facing the electrode assembly;

the cap assembly is provided with a through-hole penetrating the cap and the insulator in the thickness direction, the electrode terminal covers the through-hole, and a surface of the electrode terminal facing the electrode assembly is farther from the electrode assembly than a surface of the insulator facing the electrode assembly.

10. The battery cell as recited in claim 9 wherein the weld projects from the transition in a direction away from the electrode assembly and is at least partially received within the through hole.

11. A battery comprising a case and the battery cell of any one of claims 1-10, the battery cell being housed in the case.

12. An electrical device comprising the battery of claim 11.

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