CN219717206U - Connector and secondary battery - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of secondary batteries, and in particular relates to a connecting piece and a secondary battery, comprising the following components: a first welding area; a second welding area; a weak portion located between the first and second weld areas; and the deformation part is positioned between the weak part and the first welding area or the second welding area. The deformation part can generate certain prestress on the weak part, so that when the weak part is about to be fused, the weak part is broken under the action of the prestress, and the weak part is not completely changed into a fused state at the moment, so that slag can be prevented from falling onto a battery cell, and secondly, after the weak part is broken, the two broken ends can be mutually separated due to the rebound effect of the deformation part, so that the risk of re-contact of a connecting piece is avoided.

Description

Connector and secondary battery

Technical Field

The utility model belongs to the technical field of secondary batteries, and particularly relates to a connecting piece and a secondary battery.

Background

In order to improve the safety of electric vehicles, a Fuse (Fuse) is generally provided in a battery pack or a battery module, and is an alloy material with high conductivity and low melting point, and the Fuse can be quickly fused under high current to cut off the electrical connection between the power cores.

The fire disaster of the lithium ion battery is usually burnt by the fire after the thermal runaway of the battery core, and then adjacent battery cores are further triggered until the thermal runaway of the module, and fuses are added at the level of the battery core, so that a battery core loop can be opened intermittently at the first time when the battery core is short-circuited, the current is cut off, and the safety of the lithium ion battery is greatly improved.

At present, a fuse design of a lithium ion battery core generally establishes a soft connection structure between a pole post and a pole lug of the battery core, and the safety of the battery core is improved by means of a fusing cut-off circuit of soft connection during short circuit. However, the design mode of local fusing of the soft connection still has the risk of re-contacting after the soft connection is fused, the cell loop can not be effectively disconnected, and fragments can be generated when the soft connection is fused and fall on the cell.

The other design is to add the spring piece in the flexible connection, after the flexible connection melts, the flexible connection piece is disconnected fast by the elastic force of the spring, so as to avoid re-contact, however, the design can increase the manufacturing cost of the flexible connection piece, increase the quality of the flexible connection piece, and influence the energy density of the battery cell.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above-described drawbacks of the prior art, an object of the present utility model is to provide a connector and a secondary battery capable of reliably disconnecting a cell circuit when a short circuit occurs in the battery.

To achieve the above and other related objects, the present utility model provides a connection member for electrically connecting a terminal with a battery cell, the connection member comprising:

a first welding area;

a second welding area;

a weak portion located between the first and second weld areas;

and the deformation part is positioned between the weak part and the first welding area or the second welding area.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the deformation portion is configured to elastically deform and generate a shear stress and/or a tensile stress acting on the weak portion when the connection member is welded between the terminal and the cell.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the deformation comprises an arched boss on the connector, and/or,

the first welding area and the second welding area are respectively in a flat plate shape and are positioned on two sides of the arched boss.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the vertical distance from the top surface of the arched boss to the first welding zone and/or the second welding zone is 3-5 times the thickness of the connector.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the width of the arched boss is 5mm-10mm, or the width of the arched boss is 3-10 times the thickness of the connector.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the angle between the two sides of the arched boss and the first welding zone and/or the second welding zone is 30-60 degrees.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the cross-sectional area of the weakened portion is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the other regions of the connector.

In an alternative embodiment of the present utility model, at least one side of the connecting member is provided with a notch, and a region of the connecting member corresponding to the notch forms the weak portion.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the connector is made of a resilient metallic material.

In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the connection piece is made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy or copper.

To achieve the above and other related objects, the present utility model also provides a secondary battery including the connecting member; and

the outer shell of the shell is provided with a plurality of grooves,

the top cover is provided with a pole;

the battery cell is accommodated in the shell and provided with a tab;

the first welding area is welded and fixed with the pole, and the second welding area is welded and fixed with the pole lug.

The utility model has the technical effects that: the deformation part can generate certain prestress on the weak part, so that when the weak part is about to be fused, the weak part is broken under the action of the prestress, and the weak part is not completely changed into a fused state at the moment, so that slag can be prevented from falling onto a battery cell, and secondly, after the weak part is broken, the two broken ends can be mutually separated due to the rebound effect of the deformation part, so that the risk of re-contact of a connecting piece is avoided.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a secondary battery provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present utility model in a natural state;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a connection member provided by an embodiment of the present utility model prior to connection with a pole;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a connector provided in an assembled state according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a connection member according to an embodiment of the present utility model after connection with a pole;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a broken state of a connector provided by an embodiment of the present utility model;

fig. 7 is a side view of a broken state of a connector provided by an embodiment of the present utility model.

Reference numerals: 10. a connecting piece; 11. a first welding area; 12. a second welding area; 13. a weak portion; 131. a notch portion; 14. a deformation section; 20. a pole; 30. a top cover; 40. a tab; 50. a housing; 60. and a battery cell.

Detailed Description

Other advantages and effects of the present utility model will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following disclosure, which describes the embodiments of the present utility model with reference to specific examples. The utility model may be practiced or carried out in other embodiments that depart from the specific details, and the details of the present description may be modified or varied from the spirit and scope of the present utility model. It should be noted that the following embodiments and features in the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

It should be noted that the illustrations provided in the following embodiments merely illustrate the basic concept of the present utility model by way of illustration, and only the components related to the present utility model are shown in the illustrations, not according to the number, shape and size of the components in actual implementation, and the form, number and proportion of each component in actual implementation may be arbitrarily changed, and the layout of the components may be more complex.

The connector described in the utility model can be suitable for a secondary battery, a battery module, a battery pack or electric equipment using the secondary battery, wherein the electric equipment can be an electric automobile, a mobile phone, an electric tool and other portable equipment, and for convenience of explanation, the following embodiment is used for describing the technical scheme of the utility model in detail by combining a power battery of the electric automobile.

The power battery generally includes a battery pack, and in some embodiments, the battery pack may be formed by a plurality of battery modules, for example, a battery module is a combination body formed by stacking a plurality of secondary batteries according to a certain rule, and in other embodiments, the battery pack may also be directly formed by combining a plurality of secondary battery cells.

Referring to fig. 1, the secondary battery includes a housing 50, a top cover 30 and a battery cell 60, wherein the battery cell 60 is provided with a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, the battery cell 60 is installed in the housing 50, the top cover 30 is provided with a positive electrode tab and a negative electrode tab, hereinafter, for convenience of description, the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab are collectively referred to as a tab 40, the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab are collectively referred to as a tab 20, and the connecting piece 10 of the present utility model is located between the tab 20 and the tab 40 to realize electrical connection between the positive electrode tab and electrical connection between the negative electrode tab and the negative electrode tab. In the actual production process, the connecting piece 10 is provided with a weak part, when the battery is short-circuited, the weak part is fused before other parts, so that the battery cell 60 is disconnected from an external circuit of the battery, however, the conventional connecting piece 10 still has the risk of re-contacting after fusing and can not effectively disconnect a circuit of the battery cell 60.

In the embodiment of the present utility model, the connection member 10 is a component of a battery, and the tab 40 and the pole 20 are particularly suitable for connection between the tab 40 and the pole 20 of a square-shell battery, and the square-shell battery generally includes a housing 50 and a battery cell 60, wherein an opening is provided at an upper end of the housing 50, a top cover 30 is provided at the opening, a plurality of battery cells 60 are stacked in the housing 50, each battery cell 60 is connected in series or parallel with each other, the tab 40 refers to a sheet-like structure on the battery cell 60 for outputting or inputting current, and the tab 40 of each battery cell 60 is electrically connected with one end of the connection member 10 after being stacked with each other, wherein the top cover 30 is provided with the pole 20, and the other end of the connection member 10 is connected with the pole 20. The following describes the technical scheme of the present utility model in detail with reference to specific examples.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, a connector 10 according to an embodiment of the present utility model includes a plate-shaped body made of a conductive material, the plate-shaped body including a first bonding area 11, a second bonding area 12, a weak portion 13 and a deformed portion 14; in a preferred embodiment, the first welding area 11, the second welding area 12, the weak portion 13 and the deformation portion 14 may be formed as a single structure, for example, the first welding area 11, the second welding area 12, the weak portion 13 and the deformation portion 14 are sequentially formed on a sheet metal by a stamping process, it should be understood that in other embodiments, the first welding area 11, the second welding area 12, the weak portion 13 and the deformation portion 14 may be formed separately and then assembled as a single structure, for example, the first welding area 11, the second welding area 12, the weak portion 13 and the deformation portion 14 formed separately are connected together by welding.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, in the embodiment, the first welding area 11 is configured as a flat plate structure, the first welding area 11 is used for connecting the pole 20 on the battery top cover 30, and the first welding area 11 and the pole 20 may be connected by welding, for example, it should be noted that, due to the deformation portion 14, the first welding area 11 cannot be attached to the pole 20 in a natural state, so before welding the first welding area 11 and the pole 20, the first welding area 11 needs to be pressed against the end surface of the pole 20, and this process can deform the deformation portion 14, thereby generating a certain prestress.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, in a specific embodiment, the second bonding area 12 is configured as a plate structure, the second bonding area 12 is used for connecting the tab 40 of the battery 60, and the second bonding area 12 and the tab 40 may be connected by welding, for example.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the weakened portion 13 is located between the first welding area 11 and the second welding area 12; it will be appreciated that the weakened portion 13 is the region of the connector 10 where the through-flow cross-section is minimal, so that when the current increases in the connector 10, the weakened portion 13 heats up most quickly and fuses most easily. In a specific embodiment, the notch 131 may be provided on one side or both sides of the weak portion 13 to reduce the through-flow cross section of the weak portion 13, or the weak portion 13 may be thinned or scored to reduce the through-flow cross section, and in the illustrated embodiment, the through-flow cross section is preferably reduced in the first embodiment.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the deformation portion 14 is located between the weak portion 13 and the first welding area 11 or the second welding area 12; in a specific embodiment, it is preferable that the deformation portion 14 is disposed between the weak portion 13 and the second welding area 12, when the connecting piece 10 is connected to the pole 20, the deformation portion 14 abuts against the bottom surface of the top cover 30, and as the first welding area 11 gradually approaches the pole 20, the side of the deformation portion 14 near the pole 20 gradually deforms until the side is attached to the bottom surface of the top cover 30, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, at this time, the deformation portion 14 can generate a certain prestress F on the weak portion 13, and in the illustrated embodiment, the prestress includes both tensile stress and shear stress.

As shown in fig. 6 and 7, it should be understood that, since the deformation portion 14 generates a certain prestress to the weak portion 13, when the weak portion 13 is about to be fused, the weak portion 13 will be broken under the action of the prestress, and the weak portion 13 is not yet completely melted, so that the slag can be prevented from falling onto the battery cell 60, and then, after the weak portion 13 breaks, the two broken ends can be separated from each other due to the rebound of the deformation portion 14, as shown in fig. 5 and 6, and the risk of re-contacting the connector 10 is avoided.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, in a specific embodiment, the deformation portion 14 includes an arch-shaped boss formed on the plate-shaped body, and the first welding area 11 and the second welding area 12 are respectively flat and are respectively disposed on two sides of the arch-shaped boss. In a preferred embodiment, the arched boss is formed by bending a plate-like body; referring to fig. 2, a vertical distance H from the top surface of the arched boss to the first welding area 11 and/or the second welding area 12 is 3-5 times the thickness of the plate-shaped body; the width of the arched boss is 5mm-10mm or 3-10 times the thickness of the platy body; the included angle alpha between the two sides of the arched convex platform and the first welding zone 11 and/or the second welding zone 12 is 30-60 degrees. It should be understood that the over-high prestress may cause the connection member 10 and the pole 20 to be unwelded, and the over-low prestress may not break the weak portion 13 before the weak portion 13 is completely melted, so that the slag may drop. In an alternative embodiment of the utility model, the plate-like body is made of a resilient metal material, preferably the plate-like body is made of aluminium, an aluminium alloy or copper.

Based on the above-mentioned connection member 10, the present utility model further provides a secondary battery including the above-mentioned connection member 10, especially a square-case battery, and it should be noted that the present utility model aims at improving the connection member 10 between the post 20 and the tab 40 in the battery, and other structures of the battery can refer to the existing design, so the present utility model does not limit other structures of the battery and is not repeated.

In summary, the deformation portion 14 of the present utility model can generate a certain prestress to the weak portion 13, so when the weak portion 13 is about to be fused, the weak portion 13 will be broken under the action of the prestress, and the weak portion 13 is not yet completely melted at this time, so that the slag can be prevented from falling onto the battery cell 60, and then, after the weak portion 13 breaks, the two broken ends can be separated from each other due to the rebound of the deformation portion 14, so as to avoid the risk of the connecting member 10 contacting again.

The above embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present utility model and its effectiveness, and are not intended to limit the utility model. Modifications and variations may be made to the above-described embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the utility model. Accordingly, it is intended that all equivalent modifications and variations of the utility model be covered by the claims, which are within the ordinary skill of the art, be within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the utility model. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the utility model can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, components, methods, components, materials, parts, and so forth. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the utility model.

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "a particular embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment, and not necessarily all embodiments, of the present utility model. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," or "in a specific embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics of any specific embodiment of the present utility model may be combined in any suitable manner with one or more other embodiments. It will be appreciated that other variations and modifications of the embodiments of the utility model described and illustrated herein are possible in light of the teachings herein and are to be considered as part of the spirit and scope of the utility model.

It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements shown in the figures may also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed because of inoperability in certain circumstances or provided because it may be useful depending on the particular application.

In addition, any labeled arrows in the drawings/figures should be considered only as exemplary, and not limiting, unless otherwise specifically indicated. Furthermore, the term "or" as used herein is generally intended to mean "and/or" unless specified otherwise. Combinations of parts or steps will also be considered as being noted where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.

As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless otherwise indicated, "a", "an", and "the" include plural references. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, unless otherwise indicated, the meaning of "in …" includes "in …" and "on …".

The above description of illustrated embodiments of the utility model, including what is described in the abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the utility model to the precise forms disclosed herein. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, the utility model are described herein for illustrative purposes only, various equivalent modifications are possible within the spirit and scope of the present utility model, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize and appreciate. As noted, these modifications can be made to the present utility model in light of the foregoing description of illustrated embodiments of the present utility model and are to be included within the spirit and scope of the present utility model.

The systems and methods have been described herein in general terms as being helpful in understanding the details of the present utility model. Furthermore, various specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the utility model. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the utility model can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, assemblies, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, and/or operations are not specifically shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the utility model.

Thus, although the utility model has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosures, and it will be appreciated that in some instances some features of the utility model will be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope and spirit of the utility model as set forth. Therefore, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the essential scope and spirit of the present utility model. It is intended that the utility model not be limited to the particular terms used in following claims and/or to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this utility model, but that the utility model will include any and all embodiments and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the utility model should be determined only by the following claims.

Claims (11)

1. A connector for electrically connecting a terminal with a cell, the connector comprising:

a first welding area;

a second welding area;

a weak portion located between the first and second weld areas;

and the deformation part is positioned between the weak part and the first welding area or the second welding area.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein the deformation is configured to elastically deform and create a shear stress and/or a tensile stress on the weak portion when the connector is welded between a terminal and a cell.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the deformation comprises an arcuate boss on the connector, and/or,

the first welding area and the second welding area are respectively in a flat plate shape and are positioned on two sides of the arched boss.

4. A connector according to claim 3, wherein the vertical distance from the top surface of the arcuate boss to the first or second weld area is 3-5 times the thickness of the connector.

5. A connector according to claim 3, wherein the arcuate boss has a width of 5mm to 10mm or 3 to 10 times the thickness of the connector.

6. A connector according to claim 3, wherein the angle between the sides of the arcuate projections and the first and/or second weld areas is 30 ° -60 °.

7. A connector according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of the weakened portion is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the other regions of the connector.

8. The connector of claim 7, wherein at least one side of the connector is provided with a notch, and a region of the connector corresponding to the notch constitutes the weak portion.

9. The connector of claim 1, wherein the connector is made of a resilient metallic material.

10. The connector of claim 9, wherein the connector is made of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, or copper.

11. A secondary battery comprising the connecting member according to any one of claims 1 to 10; and

the outer shell of the shell is provided with a plurality of grooves,

the top cover is provided with a pole;

the battery cell is accommodated in the shell and provided with a tab;

the first welding area is welded and fixed with the pole, and the second welding area is welded and fixed with the pole lug.