CN219017777U

CN219017777U - Battery monomer, battery, electric equipment and device for preparing battery monomer

Info

Publication number: CN219017777U
Application number: CN202222870273.4U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈新祥; 林蹬华; 郑于炼; 王鹏; 金海族
Original assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-11-11
Filing date: 2022-10-28
Publication date: 2023-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-28
Also published as: WO2023082153A1; CN116508197A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a battery monomer, battery, consumer and prepare the device of battery monomer, this battery monomer includes: an electrode assembly; a housing; a cover plate covering the case to enclose the electrode assembly in the case, the cover plate and the bottom wall being disposed opposite to each other along a third direction, the first direction, the second direction and the third direction being perpendicular to each other; a first electrode terminal including a first portion and a second portion, the first electrode terminal being disposed at the first end of the case and extending in the second direction, the first portion being connected to the first tab; the shell is sunk in the edge area of the first end to form a first accommodating space outside the shell, and the second part penetrates out of the shell along the second direction and extends to the first accommodating space. According to the battery monomer, the battery, the electric equipment and the method and device for preparing the battery monomer, the space utilization rate of the battery monomer can be improved.

Description

Battery monomer, battery, electric equipment and device for preparing battery monomer

The present application claims priority from PCT application filed by chinese patent office, application number PCT/CN2021/130147, entitled "battery cell, battery, consumer, and method and apparatus for making a battery cell," at 11/11 of 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

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

Background

Energy conservation and emission reduction are key to sustainable development of the automobile industry. In this case, the electric vehicle is an important component for sustainable development of the automobile industry due to the advantage of energy conservation and environmental protection. For electric vehicles, battery technology is an important factor for development.

In order to adapt to the fast-paced travel of people, the battery needs to meet the fast-charging requirement in the use process, and therefore, the capacity of the battery monomer needs to be improved, the size of the battery monomer can be changed, and more accommodating space is occupied. Therefore, how to increase the space utilization of the battery cell is a problem to be solved.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a battery monomer, battery, consumer and the device of preparation battery monomer, can improve battery monomer space utilization.

In a first aspect, there is provided a battery cell comprising: an electrode assembly; a case including a pair of first side walls disposed opposite to each other in a first direction, a pair of second side walls disposed opposite to each other in a second direction, and a bottom wall having an area larger than the areas of the first side walls and the second side walls, the first tab of the electrode assembly being disposed at a first end of the case in the first direction; a cover plate covering the case to enclose the electrode assembly in the case, the cover plate and the bottom wall being disposed opposite to each other along a third direction, the first direction, the second direction and the third direction being perpendicular to each other; a first electrode terminal including a first portion and a second portion, the first electrode terminal being disposed at the first end of the case and extending in the second direction, the first portion being connected to the first tab; the shell is sunk in the edge area of the first end to form a first accommodating space outside the shell, and the second part penetrates out of the shell along the second direction and extends to the first accommodating space.

In this embodiment, since the first electrode terminal of the battery cell can be accommodated in the first accommodating space formed by the edge area of the first end of the housing along the first direction X, the first electrode terminal can be hidden, and the space of the battery cell in all directions is not required to be occupied, so that the space utilization rate is improved, and the popularization and the use of electric equipment are facilitated.

In one possible implementation, the battery cell further includes: and the insulating bracket is arranged at the first end and positioned between the electrode assembly and the shell, and is used for supporting the first tab and the first electrode terminal.

In this embodiment, through setting up insulating support in the battery monomer, can support first utmost point ear and first electrode terminal in the casing to reduce rocking of first utmost point ear and first electrode terminal, avoid the utmost point ear to be broken or first electrode terminal is not hard up, make the structure of battery monomer more firm.

In one possible implementation manner, the insulating support is provided with a receiving groove, a supporting portion is disposed in the receiving groove, the supporting portion is used for supporting the first tab and the first electrode terminal, the first portion is connected with the first tab in the receiving groove, and the second portion penetrates out of the side wall of the receiving groove to penetrate out of the shell and extend to the first receiving space.

In this embodiment, when the first tab is supported by the support portion in the accommodating groove of the insulating bracket, the first tab can share a space with the insulating bracket without occupying an unnecessary space, so that the structure of the battery cell is more compact, thereby improving the space utilization of the battery cell.

In one possible implementation, the insulating support abuts the electrode assembly in the first direction to fix the electrode assembly in the first direction.

In this embodiment, the electrode assembly is abutted against the insulating support in the first direction, so that the electrode assembly can be limited, and the structural stability of the battery cell is improved.

In one possible implementation, in the first direction, the length of the support portion is smaller than the length of the insulating support to form an avoidance space between the support portion and the electrode assembly, the avoidance space being used for avoiding the folded portion of the first tab.

In this embodiment, through the length of design supporting part in first direction and insulating support have the length difference in the length of first direction to form and be used for holding the space of dodging of the portion of drawing in of first utmost point ear in, can avoid causing the damage to first utmost point ear, improve single life of battery.

In one possible implementation manner, the first side wall of the housing at the first end includes a first facet, a second facet and a transition surface, the first facet and the second facet are connected by the transition surface, the first facet and the second facet are both perpendicular to the first direction, and the first facet is closer to an intermediate position of the housing in the first direction than the second facet, the first facet, the second facet and the transition surface form the first accommodating space, and the second portion passes through the transition surface in the second direction and extends to the first accommodating space.

In one possible implementation manner, the transition surface is provided with a first opening, the second portion extends to the first accommodating space through the first opening, and the battery cell further includes: and a sealing ring for sealing a gap between the second portion and the first opening.

The arrangement of the sealing ring can avoid the leakage of electrolyte in the shell, thereby improving the safety of the battery cell.

In one possible implementation, the inner side of the sealing ring protrudes beyond the outer side of the sealing ring in the axial direction, the inner side of the sealing ring being embedded into the first opening.

With this embodiment, the sealability of the seal ring can be further improved.

In one possible implementation manner, the first electrode terminal further includes a boss disposed between the first portion and the second portion, an outer dimension of a cross section of the boss is larger than a size of the first opening, the boss is disposed in the case, and the battery cell further includes: the clamping part is arranged outside the shell, clamped with the second part and matched with the boss to fix the first electrode terminal.

The boss and the clamping part are adopted to fix the first electrode terminal, so that the limit of the first electrode terminal can be realized, and the structural stability of the battery cell can be improved.

In one possible implementation manner, the second portion is provided with a clamping groove, the clamping portion is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second portion, and the inner periphery of the clamping portion is provided with a clamping block clamped with the clamping groove.

In one possible implementation, the first and second portions are sheet-like, with surfaces of the first and second portions being substantially parallel to the bottom wall of the housing.

In this embodiment, the first portion of the first electrode terminal connected to the first tab and the second portion of the first electrode terminal connected to the bus member are formed in a sheet shape, so that the first tab and the bus member are directly connected to the first electrode terminal, respectively, and no connecting member is required, thereby simplifying the parts and reducing the problems of increased resistance and unstable electrical connection caused by internal electrical connection switching. In addition, the occupied space of the connecting member is reduced, and the tab and the electrode terminal are facilitated to be made larger, so that the overcurrent capacity is higher.

The first part and the first tab are stacked in a flat plate structure after being assembled, so that the first part and the first tab can be connected in an ultrasonic welding mode, and generation of metal scraps can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the second tab of the electrode assembly is disposed at the second end of the case in the first direction, and the battery cell further includes: a second electrode terminal including a third portion and a fourth portion, the second electrode terminal being disposed at the second end and extending in the second direction, the third portion being connected to the second electrode tab; the shell is sunk in the edge area of the second end to form a second accommodating space outside the shell, and the fourth part penetrates out of the shell along the second direction and extends to the second accommodating space.

In this embodiment, both the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are hidden in the accommodation space in the embodiment of the present application, the space utilization rate of the battery cell can be effectively improved, and thus the energy density of the battery can be improved.

In one possible implementation, the first and second receiving spaces are symmetrically disposed with respect to a diagonal line of the housing or a center line of the housing in the first direction.

In one possible implementation, the first accommodating space penetrates the housing in a third direction.

In this embodiment, the first receiving space penetrates the case in the third direction, facilitating assembly between the battery cells. For example, a U-shaped bus bar member may be used to connect the second portions of the first electrode terminals of the adjacent two battery cells. The converging part can be completely hidden in the first accommodating space without occupying extra space.

In a second aspect, there is provided a battery comprising a plurality of battery cells of the first aspect and any one of the possible implementation manners of the first aspect, the plurality of battery cells being arranged along a third direction, the battery further comprising: and a bus member for connecting the second portions of the first electrode terminals of the adjacent two of the plurality of battery cells.

Through setting up the battery monomer in the first aspect and the arbitrary possible implementation manner of first aspect in the battery, be favorable to hiding the first accommodation space of converging the part in the battery monomer, need not additionally to occupy the free assembly space of battery to can improve the energy density of battery.

In one possible implementation, the bus member includes a body extending in the third direction and two connection parts bent from both ends of the body in the first direction, the two connection parts being connected with the second parts of the first electrode terminals of the adjacent two battery cells, respectively.

In one possible implementation, the two connection parts are formed by bending from both ends of the body along the first direction and away from the battery.

In this embodiment, the opening of the bus member is disposed toward the side away from the battery, and space occupation can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the second portion of the first electrode terminal is sheet-shaped, and a surface of the second portion is parallel to the bottom wall of the case; the two connection parts are respectively connected to adjacent surfaces, or opposite surfaces, or surfaces on the same side of the second parts of the first electrode terminals of the adjacent two battery cells in the third direction.

In this embodiment, since the bus member and the first electrode terminal are stacked in a flat plate structure after being assembled, they can be connected by ultrasonic welding, so that generation of metal chips can be reduced.

In one possible implementation, the thickness of the connection portion is smaller than the thickness of the body.

In this embodiment, since the thickness of the connection portion is smaller than that of the body, it is equivalent to thinning the two connection portions, and bending of the bus member is easier to achieve.

In one possible implementation, the body is provided with reinforcing ribs.

In this embodiment, the reinforcing ribs are provided at the body, so that the strength of the confluence member is improved.

In one possible implementation, the stiffener is parallel to the second direction.

In one possible implementation, the surface of the body facing the battery is provided with an insulating layer, or the body is wrapped with an insulating material.

In this embodiment, the surface of the body facing the battery is provided with an insulating layer or wrapped with an insulating material, so that electrical contact between the bus member and the first electrode terminal of the battery cell can be avoided, thereby improving the safety of the battery.

In one possible implementation, the insulating layer comprises an insulating patch or insulating coating.

In one possible implementation, the connection portion and the second portion are connected by ultrasonic welding.

In this embodiment, since the connection portion and the second portion are connected by ultrasonic welding, generation of metal dust can be reduced.

In a third aspect, there is provided a powered device comprising: the battery of the second aspect and any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect, is for providing electrical energy.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of preparing a battery cell, comprising: providing an electrode assembly; providing a shell, wherein the shell comprises a pair of first side walls, a pair of second side walls and a bottom wall, the first side walls are oppositely arranged along a first direction, the second side walls are oppositely arranged along a second direction, a first tab of the electrode assembly is arranged at a first end of the shell in the first direction, and the area of the bottom wall is larger than that of the first side walls and that of the second side walls; providing a cover plate covering the shell to seal the electrode assembly in the shell, wherein the cover plate and the bottom wall are oppositely arranged along a third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are mutually perpendicular; a first electrode terminal including a first portion and a second portion, the first electrode terminal being disposed at the first end of the case and extending in the second direction, the first portion being connected to the first tab; the shell is sunk in the edge area of the first end to form a first accommodating space outside the shell, and the second part penetrates out of the shell along the second direction and extends to the first accommodating space.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for preparing a battery cell, comprising: providing a module for: providing an electrode assembly; providing a shell, wherein the shell comprises a pair of first side walls, a pair of second side walls and a bottom wall, the first side walls are oppositely arranged along a first direction, the second side walls are oppositely arranged along a second direction, a first tab of the electrode assembly is arranged at a first end of the shell in the first direction, and the area of the bottom wall is larger than that of the first side walls and that of the second side walls; providing a cover plate covering the shell to seal the electrode assembly in the shell, wherein the cover plate and the bottom wall are oppositely arranged along a third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are mutually perpendicular; a first electrode terminal including a first portion and a second portion, the first electrode terminal being disposed at the first end of the case and extending in the second direction, the first portion being connected to the first tab; the shell is sunk in the edge area of the first end to form a first accommodating space outside the shell, and the second part penetrates out of the shell along the second direction and extends to the first accommodating space.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are needed 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 that other drawings may be obtained according to the drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a battery cell 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 structural view of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a schematic structural view of an insulating support disclosed in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 8 is a schematic structural view of an electrode assembly according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 is a schematic structural view of a seal ring according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 10 is a schematic structural view of an electrode terminal disclosed in an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural view of an engaging portion according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 13 is a schematic structural view of a bus member according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 14a is a schematic view showing mounting positions of a bus member and an electrode terminal according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 14b is a schematic view showing mounting positions of a bus member and an electrode terminal according to another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 14c is a schematic view showing mounting positions of a bus member and an electrode terminal according to still another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 15 is a schematic structural view of a bus member disclosed in another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 16 is a schematic structural view of a bus member disclosed in still another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 17 is a schematic structural view of a bus member disclosed in still another embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 18 is a schematic block diagram of a method of preparing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 19 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus for preparing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application.

In the drawings, the drawings are not drawn to scale.

Detailed Description

For the purposes of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more apparent, 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 apparent that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be made by one of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments herein without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the 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 herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application; the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof in the description and claims of the present application and in the description of the figures above are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. The terms first, second and the like in the description and in the claims or in the above-described figures, are used for distinguishing between different objects and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order.

The directional terms appearing in the following description are all directions shown in the drawings and do not limit the specific structure of the present application. In the description of the present application, it should also be noted that, unless explicitly specified and limited otherwise, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" are to be construed broadly, and may be either fixedly connected, detachably connected, or integrally connected, for example; can be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium. The specific meaning of the terms in the present application can be understood as appropriate by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Reference in the specification to "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of the application. The appearances of such phrases 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. Those of skill in the art will explicitly and implicitly understand that the embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments.

The term "and/or" in this application is merely an association relation describing an associated object, and indicates that three relations may exist, for example, a and/or B may indicate: there are three cases, a, B, a and B simultaneously. In this application, the character "/" generally indicates that the associated object is an or relationship.

The term "plurality" as used herein refers to two or more (including two), and similarly, "plural sets" refers to two or more (including two), and "plural sheets" refers to two or more (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 by the embodiment of the present application. The battery cells may be cylindrical, flat, rectangular, or otherwise shaped, as well as the embodiments herein are not limited in this regard. The battery cells are generally classified into three types according to the packaging method: the cylindrical battery cell, the square battery cell and the soft package battery cell are not limited thereto.

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, or the like. The battery generally includes a case for enclosing one or more battery cells. The case body can prevent liquid or other foreign matters from affecting the charge or discharge of the battery cells.

The battery cell comprises an electrode assembly and electrolyte, wherein the electrode assembly consists of a positive plate, a negative plate and a separation membrane. The battery cell mainly relies on metal ions to move between the positive and negative electrode plates to operate. The positive plate comprises a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer, wherein the positive electrode active material layer is coated on the surface of the positive electrode current collector, the current collector without the positive electrode active material layer protrudes out of the current collector coated with the positive electrode active material layer, and the current collector without the positive electrode active material layer is used as a positive electrode lug. 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 electrode sheet comprises a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer, wherein the negative electrode active material layer is coated on the surface of the negative electrode current collector, the current collector without the negative electrode active material layer protrudes out of the current collector with the coated negative electrode active material layer, and the current collector without the negative electrode active material layer is used as a negative electrode tab. 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 high current is passed without fusing, the number of positive electrode lugs is multiple and stacked together, and the number of negative electrode lugs is multiple and stacked together. The material of the diaphragm can be PP or PE. In addition, the electrode assembly may be a wound structure or a lamination structure, and the embodiment of the present application is not limited thereto.

A signal transmission assembly may also be included in the housing of the battery. The signal transmission assembly may be used to transmit signals such as voltage and/or temperature of the battery cells. The signal transmission assembly may include a bus member for making electrical connection between the plurality of battery cells, such as parallel, series, or series-parallel. The bus member may realize electrical connection between the battery cells by connecting electrode terminals of the battery cells. In some embodiments, the bus member may be fixed to the electrode terminals of the battery cells by welding. The bus component transmits the voltage of the battery cells, and a plurality of battery cells can obtain higher voltage after being connected in series, and correspondingly, the electric connection formed by the bus component can also be called as high-voltage connection.

In addition to the buss component, the signal transmission assembly may also include a sensing device for sensing the condition of the battery cells, e.g., the sensing device may be used to measure and transmit sensing signals of the temperature, state of charge, etc. of the battery cells. In embodiments of the present application, the electrical connection members within the battery may include a bussing component and/or a sensing device.

The bus member and the sensing device may be encapsulated in an insulating layer to form a signal transmission assembly. Accordingly, the signal transmission assembly may be used to transmit the voltage and/or sensing signals of the battery cells. The signal transmission assembly has no insulating layer at the connection with the electrode terminals of the battery cells, i.e., the insulating layer has openings therein so as to be connected with the electrode terminals of the battery cells.

The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are applicable to various devices using batteries, for example, mobile phones, portable devices, notebook computers, battery cars, electric toys, electric tools, electric vehicles, ships, spacecraft, and the like, and for example, spacecraft include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, spacecraft, and the like.

It should be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the above-described devices, but may be applied to all devices using batteries, but for simplicity of description, the following embodiments are described by taking an electric vehicle as an example.

For example, as shown in fig. 1, a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present application, the vehicle 1 may be a fuel-oil vehicle, a gas-fired vehicle or a new energy vehicle, and the new energy vehicle may be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or an extended range vehicle. The motor 80, the controller 60, and the battery 100 may be provided inside the vehicle 1, and the controller 60 is configured to control the battery 100 to supply power to the motor 80. For example, the battery 100 may be provided at the bottom or the head or the tail of the vehicle 1. The battery 100 may be used for power supply of the vehicle 1, for example, the battery 100 may be used as an operating power source for the vehicle 1, for circuitry of the vehicle 1, for example, for operating power requirements at start-up, navigation and operation of the vehicle 1. In another embodiment of the present application, battery 100 may not only serve as an operating power source for vehicle 1, but may also serve as a driving power source for vehicle 1, instead of or in part instead of fuel oil or natural gas, to provide driving power for vehicle 1.

To meet different power requirements, the battery may include a plurality of battery cells, where the plurality of battery cells may be connected in series or parallel or a series-parallel connection, and the series-parallel connection refers to a mixture of series and parallel connection. The battery may also be referred to as a battery pack. Optionally, the plurality of battery cells may be connected in series or parallel or in series-parallel to form a battery module, and then the plurality of battery modules are connected in series or parallel or in series-parallel to form a battery. That is, a plurality of battery cells may be directly assembled into a battery, or may be assembled into a battery module first, and the battery module may be assembled into a battery.

For example, as shown in fig. 2, a schematic structure of a battery 100 according to an embodiment of the present application, the battery 100 may include a plurality of battery cells 20. The battery 100 may further include a case (or housing) having a hollow structure therein, and the plurality of battery cells 20 are accommodated in the case. As shown in fig. 2, the housing may comprise two parts, herein referred to as a first part 111 of the housing and a second part 112 of the housing, respectively, the first part 111 of the housing and the second part 112 of the housing being snapped together. The shape of the first portion 111 of the case and the second portion 112 of the case may be determined according to the combined shape of the plurality of battery cells 20, and the first portion 111 of the case and the second portion 112 of the case may each have one opening. For example, the first portion 111 of the case and the second portion 112 of the case may each be a hollow rectangular parallelepiped and have only one face as an open face, the opening of the first portion 111 of the case and the opening of the second portion 112 of the case are disposed opposite to each other, and the first portion 111 of the case and the second portion 112 of the case are fastened to each other to form a case having a closed chamber. The plurality of battery cells 20 are connected in parallel or in series-parallel combination and then placed in a box body formed by buckling a first part 111 of the box body and a second part 112 of the box body.

Alternatively, the battery 100 may further include other structures, which are not described in detail herein. For example, the battery 100 may further include a bus member for making electrical connection between the plurality of battery cells 20, such as parallel or series-parallel connection. Specifically, the bus member may realize electrical connection between the battery cells 20 by connecting electrode terminals of the battery cells 20. Further, the bus member may be fixed to the electrode terminals of the battery cells 20 by welding. The electrical energy of the plurality of battery cells 20 may be further drawn through the housing by a conductive mechanism. Alternatively, the conductive means may also belong to the bus bar member.

The number of battery cells 20 may be set to any number according to different power requirements. The plurality of battery cells 20 may be connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel to achieve a larger capacity or power. Since the number of battery cells 20 included in each battery 100 may be large, the battery cells 20 may be arranged in groups for easy installation, and each group of battery cells 20 constitutes a battery module. The number of battery cells 20 included in the battery module is not limited, and may be set according to requirements.

As shown in fig. 3, a schematic structure of a battery cell 20 according to an embodiment of the present application, the battery cell 20 includes one or more electrode assemblies 22, a case 211, and a cap plate 212. The walls of the housing 211 and the cover 212 are referred to as the walls of the battery cells 20. The case 211 is determined according to the shape of the combined one or more electrode assemblies 22, for example, the case 211 may be a hollow rectangular parallelepiped or square or cylindrical body, and one face of the case 211 has an opening so that one or more electrode assemblies 22 may be placed in the case 211. For example, when the housing 211 is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped or square, one of the planes of the housing 211 is an opening surface, i.e., the plane has no wall body so that the inside and outside of the housing 211 communicate. When the housing 211 may be a hollow cylinder, the end surface of the housing 211 is an open surface, i.e., the end surface has no wall body so that the inside and outside of the housing 211 communicate. The cap plate 212 covers the opening and is connected with the case 211 to form a closed cavity in which the electrode assembly 22 is placed. The housing 211 is filled with an electrolyte, such as an electrolyte solution.

The battery cell 20 may further include two electrode terminals 214, and the two electrode terminals 214 may be disposed on the cap plate 212. The cap plate 212 is generally in the shape of a flat plate, and two electrode terminals 214 are fixed to the flat plate surface of the cap plate 212, the two electrode terminals 214 being a positive electrode terminal 214a and a negative electrode terminal 214b, respectively. One connection member 23, or may also be referred to as a current collecting member 23, is provided for each electrode terminal 214, which is located between the cap plate 212 and the electrode assembly 22, for electrically connecting the electrode assembly 22 and the electrode terminal 214.

As shown in fig. 3, each electrode assembly 22 has a first tab 221a and a second tab 222a. The polarities of the first tab 221a and the second tab 222a are opposite. For example, when the first tab 221a is a positive tab, the second tab 222a is a negative tab. The first tab 221a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 is connected to one electrode terminal through one connection member 23, and the second tab 222a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 is connected to the other electrode terminal through the other connection member 23. For example, the positive electrode terminal 214a is connected to the positive electrode tab through one connection member 23, and the negative electrode terminal 214b is connected to the negative electrode tab through the other connection member 23.

In the battery cell 20, the electrode assemblies 22 may be provided in a single unit, or in a plurality of units, as shown in fig. 3, according to actual use requirements, and 4 individual electrode assemblies 22 are provided in the battery cell 20.

As an example, a pressure release mechanism 213 may be further provided on one wall of the battery cell 20, such as the first wall 21a shown in fig. 3. For ease of illustration, the first wall 21a is separated from the housing 211 in fig. 3, but this does not limit the bottom side of the housing 211 to have an opening. The pressure release mechanism 213 is used to actuate to release the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 when the internal pressure or temperature reaches a threshold.

Alternatively, in one embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 3, in the case where the pressure release mechanism 213 is provided to the first wall 21a of the battery cell 20, the electrode terminal 214 is provided on the other wall of the battery cell 20, which is different from the first wall 21a.

Alternatively, a wall where the electrode terminal 214 is provided opposite to the first wall 21a. For example, the first wall 21a may be a bottom wall of the battery cell 20, and the wall provided with the electrode terminal 214 may be a top wall of the battery cell 20, i.e., the cap plate 212.

As can be seen from fig. 3, no matter on which wall of the battery cell 20 the electrode terminal 214 is disposed, the electrode terminal protrudes from the battery cell 20 itself, and the bus bar member connected to different battery cells 20 protrudes from the battery cell 20, so that the battery pack needs to occupy additional space of the battery case for placement, thereby affecting the energy density of the battery pack.

In view of this, this application embodiment provides a technical scheme, and the free casing of battery is in the marginal region of tip invaginated to form accommodation space in the outside of casing, electronic terminal sets up in this accommodation space, thereby can hide electrode terminal, need not to occupy extra space, thereby can improve the free space utilization of battery, and reduce the influence to the energy density of battery.

Fig. 4 shows a schematic exploded view of a battery cell 30 according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 4, the battery cell 30 includes: an electrode assembly 32, the electrode assembly 32 including a first tab 321 protruding along a first direction X; a case 31 for accommodating the electrode assembly 32, a first tab 321 of the electrode assembly 32 being disposed at a first end 311 of the case 31 in a first direction X, the case 31 being recessed in an edge region of the first end 311 to form a first accommodating space 312 at an outside of the case 31; the first electrode terminal 314 is disposed at the first end 311 of the housing 31, that is, the first electrode terminal 314 and the first tab 321 are disposed at the same end of the housing 31, the first electrode terminal 314 extends along the second direction Y, the first electrode terminal 314 includes a first portion 3141 and a second portion 3142, the first portion 3141 is connected to the first tab 321, and the second portion 3142 extends out of the housing 31 along the second direction Y and into the first accommodating space 312. The first direction X is parallel to the bottom wall 313 of the housing 31, the second direction Y is parallel to the bottom wall 313 of the housing 31, and the first direction X and the second direction Y are perpendicular to each other.

As an example, as shown in fig. 4, the case 31 of the battery cell 30 has a square structure, that is, the case 31 includes two first side walls 315 disposed opposite to each other in the first direction X, two second side walls 316 disposed opposite to each other in the second direction Y, and a bottom wall 313, and the battery cell 30 further includes: a cover plate 37 covering the case 31 to enclose the electrode assembly 32 within the case 31, the cover plate 37 and a bottom wall 313 of the case 31 being disposed opposite to each other in a third direction Z, and the first direction X, the second direction Y, and the third direction Z being perpendicular to each other.

Optionally, the area of the bottom wall 313 is larger than the area of the first side wall 315, and the area of the bottom wall 313 is also larger than the area of the second side wall 316. That is, the area of the cover plate 37 is larger than that of the first sidewall 315, and the area of the cover plate 37 is larger than that of the second sidewall 316.

Further, as shown in fig. 5, the first sidewall 315 disposed at the first end 311 of the housing 31 includes a first sub-surface 315a, a second sub-surface 315b and a transition surface 315c, the first sub-surface 315a and the second sub-surface 315b are connected by the transition surface 315c, the first sub-surface 315a and the second sub-surface 315b are perpendicular to the first direction X, and the first sub-surface 315a is closer to an intermediate position of the housing 31 in the first direction X than the second sub-surface 315b, the first sub-surface 315a, the second sub-surface 315b and the transition surface 315c together form the first accommodating space 312, and the second portion 3142 extends out of the transition surface 315c along the second direction Y and extends into the first accommodating space 312.

Optionally, the sum of the areas of the first facet 315a and the second facet 315b is smaller than the area of the second sidewall 316, and the sum of the areas of the first facet 315a and the second facet 315b is smaller than the area of the bottom wall 313, that is, the projected area of the first sidewall 315 along the first direction is smaller than the projected area of the bottom wall 313 and the second sidewall 316, and increasing the size of the housing 31 along the second direction has minimal influence on the change of the volume of the housing 31, so that the electrode terminal is hidden in the accommodating space formed by the first sidewall 315, which can further reduce the influence on the energy density of the battery.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the case 31 may be other structures, for example, a cylindrical structure, as long as the first receiving space 312 can be formed at the edge region of the case 31 and the first electrode terminal 314 is disposed in the first receiving space 312.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the first portion 3141 and the second portion 3142 of the first electrode terminal 314 are each sheet-shaped, and the surfaces of the first portion 3141 and the second portion 3142 are substantially parallel to the bottom wall 313 of the case 31.

The first portion 3141 of the first electrode terminal 314 connected with the first tab 321 and the second portion 3142 connected with the bus member are provided in a sheet shape, so that the first tab 321 and the bus member are respectively and directly connected with the first electrode terminal 314 without a connecting member, parts can be simplified, and problems of increased resistance and unstable electrical connection caused by internal electrical connection switching are reduced. In addition, the occupied space of the connecting member is reduced, and the tab and the electrode terminal are facilitated to be made larger, so that the overcurrent capacity is higher.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the first portion 3141 and the first tab 321 are stacked in a flat plate structure after being assembled, and thus, the first portion 3141 and the first tab 321 may be connected using ultrasonic welding, so that generation of metal chips may be reduced.

Fig. 6 shows another schematic exploded view of the battery cell 30 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 6, the battery cell 30 further includes: an insulating support 33, the insulating support 33 being disposed at the first end 311 and between the electrode assembly 32 and the case 31, the insulating support 33 supporting the first tab 321 and the first electrode terminal 314.

Through setting up insulating support 33 in battery cell 30, can support first utmost point ear 321 and first electrode terminal 314 in casing 31 to reduce rocking of first utmost point ear 321 and first electrode terminal 314, avoid utmost point ear 321 to be broken or first electrode terminal 314 not hard up, make the structure of battery cell 30 more firm.

Further, the insulating holder 33 serves to support the first tab 321 and the first portion 3141 of the first electrode terminal 314. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 6, the insulating holder is provided with a receiving groove 331, the receiving groove 331 is configured to receive the first tab 321, and the first portion 3141 is connected to the first tab 321 in the receiving groove 331, and the second portion 3142 of the first electrode terminal 314 is protruded from a sidewall of the receiving groove 331 to protrude from the case 31 and extend to the first receiving space 312.

When the first tab 321 is located in the accommodating groove 331 of the insulating bracket, the first tab 321 can share a space with the insulating bracket 33 without occupying an excessive space, so that the structure of the battery cell 30 is more compact, and the space utilization rate of the battery cell 30 is improved. And electrode terminal and utmost point ear shared the space that battery cell 30 took up in the first direction, and electrode terminal does not occupy the extra space in the first direction, has reduced the extra occupation to the box space of battery, has improved the energy density of battery.

Alternatively, the insulating holder 33 abuts against the electrode assembly 32 in the first direction X to fix the electrode assembly 32 in the first direction X when assembled. For example, as shown in fig. 7, the receiving groove 331 is provided with a supporting portion 3311 for supporting the first tab 321 and the first electrode terminal 314, the receiving groove 331 further includes two receiving groove side walls 3312 disposed opposite to each other in the second direction Y and a rear wall 3313, the supporting portion 3311 is parallel to the bottom wall 313 of the case 31, the rear wall 3313 is perpendicular to the first direction X and is close to the first side wall 315 of the case 31. The end of the first tab 321 of the electrode assembly 32 abuts against the rear wall 3313 of the insulating bracket 33, so that the electrode assembly can be limited, and the structural stability of the battery cell is improved.

Alternatively, some cavities may be provided in the insulating holder 33, as shown in fig. 7, to reduce the weight of the insulating holder 33, and thus the weight of the battery cell may be reduced.

When the insulating holder 33 abuts against the electrode assembly 32 along the first direction X, a portion of the tab 321 may be damaged, for example, a folded portion 321a of the first tab 321 shown in fig. 8. For this reason, in one implementation, as shown in fig. 7, the length of the support portion 3311 of the receiving groove 331 is smaller than the length of the insulating support 33 in the first direction, i.e., the support portion 3311 of the receiving groove 331 and the insulating support 33 have a length difference in the first direction, so that a space for avoiding the folded portion 321a of the first tab 321 may be formed between the support portion 3311 and the electrode assembly 32. In this way, by designing the support portion 3311 of the receiving groove 331 and the insulating bracket 33 to have a length difference in the first direction to form the escape space for accommodating the folded portion 321a of the first tab 321, damage to the first tab 321 can be avoided, and the service life of the battery cell 30 can be improved.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 4 to 6, the first accommodating space 312 may penetrate the housing 31 along a third direction Z, which is perpendicular to the bottom wall of the housing 31. In other words, the transition surface 315c included in the first side wall 315 of the housing 31 disposed at the first end 311 is a plane.

The first receiving space 312 penetrates the case 31 in the third direction, facilitating assembly between the battery cells 30. For example, the second portions 3142 in the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30 may be connected using a U-shaped bus bar member. The converging part can be completely hidden in the first accommodating space without occupying extra space. The connection between the battery cells 30 will be described in detail below, and is not described in detail herein.

In one implementation, as shown in fig. 4-6, the transition surface 315c may be perpendicular to the second direction Y.

In other implementations, the transition surface 315c may be non-perpendicular to the second direction, e.g., the transition surface 315c is not at an angle of 90 degrees to the first and

second facets

315a and 315 c.

Of course, in the embodiment of the present application, the first accommodating space 312 may not penetrate the housing 31 along the third direction Z. That is, the transition surface 315c included in the first side wall 315 of the housing 31 disposed at the first end 311 is an L-shaped folded surface. For example, an inverted stepped structure may be formed at the first end 311 of the housing 31 inwardly from the bottom wall 313 of the housing 31 in the third direction, the inverted stepped structure forming the first receiving space 312. In this embodiment, when assembling between the battery cells 30, the second portions 3142 in the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30 may also be connected using a U-shaped bus member that needs to cross the portion of the case 31 of the battery cell 30 that is not penetrated in the third direction.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 6, the transition surface 315c is provided with a first opening (not shown in the drawing), through which the second portion 3142 of the first electrode terminal 314 extends to the first accommodating space 312, and the battery cell 30 further includes: a seal 34, the seal 34 for sealing a gap between the second portion 3142 and the first aperture.

The sealing ring 34 can prevent the electrolyte in the housing 31 from leaking, thereby improving the safety of the battery cell.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, in order to further improve the tightness of the seal ring 34, as shown in fig. 9, the inner side 341 of the seal ring 34 may protrude from the outer side 342 of the seal ring 34 in the axial direction, and the inner side 341 of the seal ring 34 may be embedded into the first opening of the transition surface 315 c.

Optionally, as shown in fig. 10, the first electrode terminal 314 further includes a boss 3143, where the boss 3143 is disposed between the first portion 3141 and the second portion 3142, and an outer dimension of a cross section of the boss is larger than a size of the first opening of the transition surface 315c, and the boss 3143 is disposed in the case 31.

Further, as shown in fig. 6, the battery cell 30 further includes: and an engaging portion 35, wherein the engaging portion 35 is disposed outside the case 31, and the engaging portion 35 engages with the second portion 3142 and cooperates with the boss 3143 to fix the first electrode terminal.

Alternatively, in this embodiment, a clamping groove may be further disposed on the second portion 3142, and a clamping block 351 that is clamped with the clamping groove is disposed on the inner circumference of the clamping portion 35, as shown in fig. 11. The engaging portion 35 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second portion 3142, and the clamping block 351 is embedded in a clamping groove on the second portion 3142.

Alternatively, in embodiments of the present application, the first portion 3141, the second portion 3142, and the boss 3143 may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the first portion 3141 and the second portion 3142 are integrally formed, and the boss 3143 is a separate component, for example, the first boss 3143 may be the engaging portion 35 sleeved on the first portion 3141.

The boss 3143 and the engaging portion 35 are used to fix the first electrode terminal 314, so that the first electrode terminal 314 can be limited in the second direction Y, and the structural stability of the battery cell 30 can be increased.

Alternatively, in the present embodiment, since the boss 3143 is provided between the first portion 3141 and the second portion 3142 of the first electrode terminal 314, as shown in fig. 7, a stepped structure may be provided between the sidewall 3312 of the insulating support 33 near the receiving groove of the boss 3143 and the bottom wall 3311 of the insulating support 33, so that the boss 3143 may be received in a space formed by the stepped structure, so that the surfaces of the first portion 3141 and the second portion 3142 of the first electrode terminal 314 may be parallel to the bottom wall of the case 31, and the first tab 321 and the first portion 3141 may be brought into flat contact.

In addition, since the second portion 3142 of the first electrode terminal 314 needs to pass through the case, the sidewall 3312 of the receiving groove of the insulating support 33 also needs to be provided with a second opening 3314, and the second portion 3142 extends to the first receiving space 312 through the second opening 3314 and through a first opening (not shown) of the transition surface 315 c.

Alternatively, the engaging portion 35 may be plastic, that is, when the second portion 3142 extends from the first opening to the first accommodating space 312, glue may be applied along the outer portion Zhou Zhuru of the first opening, and after the glue is fixed, the position of the first electrode terminal 314 along the second direction Y is fixed together with the boss 3143.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 6, the housing 31 may have the same structure at both ends in the first direction X. For example, the second tab of the electrode assembly 32 is disposed at the second end of the case 31 in the first direction X, and the battery cell 30 further includes: a second electrode terminal including a third portion and a fourth portion, the second electrode terminal being disposed at the second end and extending in a second direction Y, the third portion being connected to the second electrode tab; the shell 31 is recessed in the edge area of the second end to form a second accommodating space outside the shell 31, and the fourth portion penetrates out of the shell 31 along the second direction Y and extends to the second accommodating space.

It should be noted that, the structure and assembly of the second electrode terminal may refer to the description of the first electrode terminal 314, and for brevity, the description is omitted.

It should be appreciated that the polarities of the first electrode terminal 314 and the second electrode terminal are opposite. That is, the first electrode terminal 314 may be a positive electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal may be a negative electrode terminal. Alternatively, the first electrode terminal 314 may be a negative electrode terminal, and the second electrode terminal may be a positive electrode terminal.

Both the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal are hidden in the accommodating space in the embodiment of the application, the space utilization rate of the battery cell 30 can be effectively improved, and thus the energy density of the battery can be improved.

Alternatively, as shown in fig. 4 to 6, the first and second receiving

spaces

312 and 312 are symmetrically disposed with respect to a diagonal line of the housing 31. In another implementation, the first accommodating space 312 and the second accommodating space are symmetrically disposed with respect to a center line of the housing 31 in the first direction X.

The embodiment of the application also provides a schematic structural diagram of the battery 100. As shown in fig. 12, the battery 100 includes a plurality of battery cells 30 described in the above-described various embodiments, the plurality of battery cells 30 being arranged in a third direction Z perpendicular to the bottom wall of the case 31, the battery further including: and a bus member 40 for connecting the second portions 3142 of the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30 among the plurality of battery cells 30.

By adopting the battery cell 30 of the embodiment of the application, the first accommodating space 312 of the confluence part 40 in the battery cell 30 is facilitated, and the assembly space of the battery cell 30 is not required to be additionally occupied, so that the energy density of the battery 100 can be improved.

Alternatively, the confluence part 40 may have a U-shaped structure. As shown in fig. 13, the bus member 40 includes a body 41 extending in the third direction Z and two connection parts 42 formed by bending from both ends of the body 41 in the first direction X, the two connection parts 42 being connected with the second parts 3142 of the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30, respectively.

With continued reference to fig. 12, the first accommodating space 312 may penetrate the housing 31 along the third direction Z. In the case where the first receiving space 312 penetrates the case 31 in the third direction Z, the bus bar 40 may be completely hidden in the first receiving spaces 312 of two adjacent battery cells 30 without occupying additional assembly space, so that the energy density of the battery 100 may be improved.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the first accommodating space 312 may not penetrate the housing 31 in the third direction Z, and the body 41 of the confluence part 40 may span the non-penetrated portion of the housing 31 in the third direction Z.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the two connection parts 42 are formed to be bent from both ends of the body 41 in the first direction X and away from the battery 100. That is, the opening of the confluence member 40 faces the side away from the battery 100 in the first direction X at the time of assembly.

The opening of the confluence part 40 is disposed toward the side away from the battery 100, and space occupation can be reduced.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the second portion 3142 of the first electrode terminal 314 of the battery cell 30 may be sheet-shaped, and the two connection parts 42 of the bus member 40 may also be sheet-shaped, and the second portion 3142 and the two connection parts 42 may be parallel or substantially parallel to the bottom wall 313 of the case 31.

Since the bus member 40 and the first electrode terminal 314 are stacked in a flat plate structure after being assembled, they can be connected by ultrasonic welding, so that the generation of metal chips can be reduced.

Fig. 14 a-14 c show schematic block diagrams of several possible positional relationships of the connecting portion 42 and the second portion 3142. As shown in fig. 14a, the two connection parts 42 of the bus member 40 may respectively connect the surfaces of the second portions 3142 of the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30 adjacent in the third direction Z. As shown in fig. 14b, the two connection parts 42 of the bus member 40 may respectively connect opposite surfaces of the second portions 3142 of the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30 in the third direction Z. As shown in fig. 14c, the two connection parts 42 of the bus member 40 may respectively connect the surfaces of the second parts 3142 of the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30 on the same side in the third direction.

In one embodiment, the thickness of the connecting portion 42 is less than the thickness of the body 41. In this way, the bending of the bus member 40 is easier to achieve, corresponding to the thinning of the two connection portions 42.

Further, as shown in fig. 15, a reinforcing rib 411 may be further provided on the body 41 of the confluence part 40 to increase the strength of the confluence part 40. The reinforcing ribs 411 may be parallel to the second direction Y, for example.

In one implementation, as shown in fig. 16, an insulating layer 412, which may be, for example, an insulating patch or an insulating coating, is provided on the surface of the body 41 of the bus member 40 facing the battery 100; alternatively, in another implementation, as shown in fig. 17, the body 41 of the current collecting member 40 is coated with the insulating material 413, and since the insulating layer 412 is disposed on the body 41 of the current collecting member 40 or the insulating material 413 is coated, it is possible to avoid electrical contact between the current collecting member 40 and the first electrode terminal 314 of the battery cell 30, thereby improving the safety of the battery 100.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a powered device, where the powered device may include the battery cell 30 in the foregoing embodiments, to provide the power for the powered device. Alternatively, the powered device may be a vehicle, a ship, or a spacecraft.

Through setting up the battery monomer 30 of the foregoing embodiment in the consumer, because the first electrode terminal 314 of battery monomer 30 can hold in the first accommodation space 312 that the marginal region of this casing 31 along the first 311 of first direction X falls into and forms to can hide this first electrode terminal 314, need not to occupy the space of battery monomer 30 in each direction, thereby improved space utilization, be convenient for the popularization and the use of consumer.

In addition, by providing the first portion 3141 and the second portion 3142 of the first electrode terminal 314 in the form of a sheet, it is possible to eliminate a connecting member, simplify parts, and reduce problems of an increase in switching resistance and unstable electrical connection due to internal electrical connection switching. In addition, since the second portion 3142 extends into the first accommodating space 312 along the second direction Y, the welding between the first tab 321 and the first portion 3141 in the housing 31 and the welding between the second portion 3142 of the housing 31 and the bus member 40 share the space in the first direction X (which may also be referred to as the length direction of the battery cell 30) of the battery cell 30, and no unnecessary space occupation occurs.

Having described the battery and the powered device according to the embodiments of the present application, a method and an apparatus for preparing a battery according to the embodiments of the present application will be described below, wherein the foregoing embodiments may be referred to in portions that are not described in detail.

Fig. 18 shows a schematic flow chart of a method 400 of preparing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 17, the method 400 may include at least some of the following.

S410, the electrode assembly 32 is provided.

S420, providing a housing 31, where the housing 31 includes a pair of first side walls 315 disposed opposite to each other along a first direction X, a pair of second side walls 316 disposed opposite to each other along a second direction Y, and a bottom wall 313, and the first tab 321 of the electrode assembly 32 is disposed at the first end 311 of the housing 31 in the first direction X, and the area of the bottom wall 313 is larger than the area of the first side walls 315 and the area of the second side walls 316.

S430, a cover 37 covers the case 31 to enclose the electrode assembly 32 in the case 31, wherein the cover 37 and the bottom wall 313 are disposed opposite to each other along a third direction Z, and the first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z are perpendicular to each other.

S440, providing a first electrode terminal 314, including a first portion 3141 and a second portion 3142, wherein the first electrode terminal 314 is disposed at the first end 311 of the case 31 and extends along a second direction Y, the first portion 3141 is connected to the first tab 321, the second direction Y is perpendicular to the first direction X, and the second direction Y is parallel to the bottom wall 313 of the case 31; the housing 31 is recessed in an edge area of the first end 311 to form a first accommodating space 312 outside the housing 31, and the second portion 3142 extends out of the housing 31 along the second direction Y and extends to the first accommodating space 312.

Optionally, upon preparing a plurality of cells 30 using the method 400, at least some of the following may continue.

The plurality of battery cells 30 are arranged in a third direction Z, which is perpendicular to the bottom wall 313 of the case 31 of the battery cell 30.

A bus member 40 is provided, the bus member 40 being for connecting the second portions 3142 of the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30 among the plurality of battery cells 30.

Fig. 19 shows a schematic block diagram of an apparatus 500 for preparing a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 18, the apparatus 500 includes a providing module 510 for: providing an electrode assembly 32; a housing 31 is provided, the housing 31 includes a pair of first side walls 315 disposed opposite to each other along a first direction X, a pair of second side walls 316 disposed opposite to each other along a second direction Y, and a bottom wall 313, a first tab 321 of the electrode assembly 32 is disposed at a first end 311 of the housing 31 in the first direction X, and an area of the bottom wall 313 is larger than an area of the first side walls 315 and an area of the second side walls 316. A cover plate 37 covering the case 31 to enclose the electrode assembly 32 in the case 31, the cover plate 37 and the bottom wall 313 being disposed opposite to each other along a third direction Z, the first direction X, the second direction Y and the third direction Z being perpendicular to each other; providing a first electrode terminal 314 including a first portion 3141 and a second portion 3142, the first electrode terminal 314 being disposed at the first end 311 of the case 31 and extending in a second direction Y, the first portion 3141 being connected to the first tab 321, the second direction Y being perpendicular to the first direction X, the second direction Y being parallel to the bottom wall 313 of the case 31; the housing 31 is recessed in an edge area of the first end 311 to form a first accommodating space 312 outside the housing 31, and the second portion 3142 extends out of the housing 31 along the second direction Y and extends to the first accommodating space 312.

Optionally, upon preparing a plurality of battery cells 30 using the apparatus 500, the apparatus 500 may further include the following modules: and an assembly module for arranging the plurality of battery cells 30 in a third direction Z perpendicular to the bottom wall 313 of the case 31 of the battery cell 30. And the providing module 510 is further configured to: a bus member 40 is provided, the bus member 40 being for connecting the second portions 3142 of the first electrode terminals 314 of the adjacent two battery cells 30 among the plurality of battery cells 30.

While the present application has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, various modifications may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present application. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the respective embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but encompasses all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A battery cell, comprising:

an electrode assembly;

a case including a pair of first side walls disposed opposite to each other in a first direction, a pair of second side walls disposed opposite to each other in a second direction, and a bottom wall, the first tab of the electrode assembly being disposed at a first end of the case in the first direction, the area of the bottom wall being greater than the area of the first side walls and the area of the second side walls;

A cover plate covering the case to enclose the electrode assembly in the case, the cover plate and the bottom wall being disposed opposite to each other in a third direction, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction being perpendicular to each other;

a first electrode terminal including a first portion and a second portion, the first electrode terminal being disposed at the first end of the case and extending in the second direction, the first portion being connected to the first tab;

the shell is sunk in the edge area of the first end to form a first accommodating space outside the shell, and the second part penetrates out of the shell along the second direction and extends to the first accommodating space.

2. The battery cell of claim 1, wherein the battery cell further comprises:

and the insulating bracket is arranged at the first end and positioned between the electrode assembly and the shell, and is used for supporting the first electrode lug and the first electrode terminal.

3. The battery cell according to claim 2, wherein the insulating holder is provided with an accommodating groove, and a supporting part is provided in the accommodating groove, the supporting part being used for supporting the first tab and the first electrode terminal; the first part is connected with the first tab in the accommodating groove, and the second part penetrates out of the side wall of the accommodating groove so as to penetrate out of the shell and extend to the first accommodating space.

4. The battery cell of claim 3, wherein the insulating support abuts the electrode assembly in the first direction to secure the electrode assembly in the first direction.

5. The battery cell as recited in claim 4, wherein a length of the support portion is less than a length of the insulating support in the first direction to form an avoidance space between the support portion and the electrode assembly, the avoidance space being for avoiding the gathered portion of the first tab.

6. The battery cell of claim 5, wherein the first sidewall of the housing at the first end includes a first facet, a second facet, and a transition surface, the first facet and the second facet being connected by the transition surface, the first facet and the second facet both being perpendicular to the first direction, and the first facet being closer to an intermediate position of the housing in the first direction than the second facet, the first facet, the second facet, and the transition surface forming the first receiving space, the second portion passing out of the transition surface in the second direction and extending into the first receiving space.

7. The battery cell of claim 6, wherein the transition face is provided with a first aperture through which the second portion extends to the first receiving space, the battery cell further comprising:

and a sealing ring for sealing a gap between the second portion and the first opening.

8. The battery cell of claim 7, wherein an inner side of the seal ring protrudes outside the seal ring in an axial direction, the inner side of the seal ring being embedded within the first aperture.

9. The battery cell of claim 7, wherein the first electrode terminal further comprises a boss disposed between the first portion and the second portion, an outer dimension of a cross section of the boss being greater than a dimension of the first aperture, the boss disposed within the housing, the battery cell further comprising:

and the clamping part is arranged outside the shell, clamped with the second part and matched with the boss to fix the first electrode terminal.

10. The battery cell according to claim 9, wherein the second portion is provided with a clamping groove, the clamping portion is sleeved on the outer periphery of the second portion, and the inner periphery of the clamping portion is provided with a clamping block clamped with the clamping groove.

11. The battery cell of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first portion and the second portion are sheet-like, and surfaces of the first portion and the second portion are substantially parallel to a bottom wall of the housing.

12. The battery cell of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a second tab of the electrode assembly is disposed at a second end of the housing in the first direction, the battery cell further comprising:

a second electrode terminal including a third portion and a fourth portion, the second electrode terminal being disposed at the second end and extending in the second direction, the third portion being connected to the second electrode tab;

the shell is sunk in the edge area of the second end to form a second accommodating space outside the shell, and the fourth part penetrates out of the shell along the second direction and extends to the second accommodating space.

13. The battery cell of claim 12, wherein the first and second receiving spaces are symmetrically disposed with respect to a diagonal of the case or a midline of the case in the first direction.

14. The battery cell according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first accommodation space penetrates the housing in the third direction.

15. A battery comprising a plurality of the battery cells of any one of claims 1 to 14, the plurality of battery cells being arranged along the third direction, the battery further comprising:

and a bus member for connecting the second portions of the first electrode terminals of the adjacent two of the plurality of battery cells.

16. The battery according to claim 15, wherein the bus member includes a body extending in the third direction and two connection parts formed by bending from both ends of the body in the first direction, the two connection parts being connected to the second portions of the first electrode terminals of the adjacent two battery cells, respectively.

17. The battery of claim 16, wherein the two connection portions are formed by bending from both ends of the body in the first direction and away from the battery.

18. The battery of claim 16, wherein the battery is configured to provide the battery with a plurality of cells,

the second portion of the first electrode terminal is sheet-shaped, the surface of the second portion being parallel to the bottom wall of the case;

The two connection parts respectively connect adjacent surfaces, or opposite surfaces, or surfaces on the same side of the second portions of the first electrode terminals of the adjacent two battery cells in the third direction.

19. The battery of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the thickness of the connection portion is less than the thickness of the body.

20. The battery according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the body is provided with a reinforcing rib.

21. The battery of claim 20, wherein the ribs are parallel to the second direction.

22. The battery according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein an insulating layer is provided on a surface of the body facing the battery, or the body is wrapped with an insulating material.

23. The battery of claim 22, wherein the insulating layer comprises an insulating patch or an insulating coating.

24. The battery of any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the connection is ultrasonically welded to the second portion.

25. A powered device comprising a battery as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 24, the battery being arranged to provide electrical energy to the powered device.

26. An apparatus for preparing a battery cell, comprising:

providing a module for:

providing an electrode assembly;

providing a housing, wherein the housing comprises a pair of first side walls, a pair of second side walls and a bottom wall, the first side walls are oppositely arranged along a first direction, the second side walls are oppositely arranged along a second direction, a first tab of the electrode assembly is arranged at a first end of the housing in the first direction, and the area of the bottom wall is larger than the area of the first side walls and the area of the second side walls;

providing a cover plate covering the shell so as to seal the electrode assembly in the shell, wherein the cover plate and the bottom wall are oppositely arranged along a third direction, and the first direction, the second direction and the third direction are mutually perpendicular;