WO2023133749A1

WO2023133749A1 - Battery, electric apparatus, battery preparation method, and battery preparation apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2023133749A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/071724
Authority: WO
Inventors: 侯羽佳
Original assignee: 宁德时代新能源科技股份有限公司
Priority date: 2022-01-13
Filing date: 2022-01-13
Publication date: 2023-07-20
Also published as: CN116134669A; CN219086176U

Abstract

Provided are a battery (10), an electric apparatus, a battery preparation method (300), and a battery prepration apparatus (600). The battery (10) comprises: a case (11); a plurality of battery modules (100), wherein the plurality of battery modules (100) are arranged in a first direction and are accommodated inside the case (11), a fixing structure (102) is arranged at an end portion of the battery module (100) in a second direction, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, the fixing structure (102) is used for fixing the battery module (100) to the case (11), and a first clamping portion (301) is arranged on the fixing structure (102); and a connector (400), wherein the connector (400) is provided with a second clamping portion (401), and the second clamping portion (401) is clamped to the first clamping portion (301), so as to connect adjacent battery modules (100) among the plurality of battery modules (100) in the first direction. The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can improve the performance of the battery.

Description

Battery, electrical device, method and device for producing battery

technical field

The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, in particular to a battery, an electrical device, a method and a device for preparing a battery.

Background technique

With the increasing environmental pollution, the new energy industry has attracted more and more attention. In the new energy industry, battery technology is an important factor related to its development.

In battery technology, in addition to improving the power and energy density of the battery, the structural strength of the battery cannot be ignored. How to improve the structural strength of the battery is an urgent technical problem in battery technology.

Contents of the invention

The application provides a battery, an electrical device, a method and a device for preparing the battery, which can improve the structural strength of the battery and ensure the safety performance of the battery.

In a first aspect, a battery is provided, including: a box body; a plurality of battery modules arranged in a first direction and accommodated in the box body, wherein the battery modules are arranged in a second direction A fixing structure is provided at the end of the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the fixing structure is used to fix the battery module to the box body, and the fixing structure is provided with a first clamping joint part; a connector, the connector is provided with a second clamping part, and the second clamping part is clamped with the first clamping part, so as to connect the plurality of battery modules along the first direction adjacent battery modules.

In the embodiment of the present application, a plurality of battery modules are accommodated in the box along the first direction, and the ends of the battery modules in the second direction are provided with a fixing structure, and the battery modules are fixed to the box through the fixing structure, and the fixing structure is provided with The first clamping part is provided with a second clamping part on the connector, and the first clamping part and the second clamping part are clamped with each other to realize the connection between adjacent battery modules. The above arrangement connects the adjacent battery modules by clipping, which improves the overall structural strength of the battery and ensures the safety performance of the battery, and the connection method is convenient, fast and efficient.

In a possible implementation manner, the first clamping part is a card slot, and the second clamping part is a buckle, and the buckle is used to be locked into the card slot. By snapping the buckle into the slot, the clipping of the first clipping part and the second clipping part is realized.

In a possible implementation manner, the fixing structure includes a folded portion, and the folded portion is folded to form the card slot. The card slot is formed by the folding of the folded part. This process is simple in process, easy to operate, and simplifies the manufacturing process of the card slot.

In a possible implementation manner, the clip slot includes a limiting hole, the buckle includes a protrusion, and the protrusion is used to snap into the limiting hole to limit the buckle in the slot. move. By snapping the protrusion into the limit hole, the protrusion and the limit hole cooperate with each other to limit the position of the second clamping part and ensure the firmness of the clamping connection between the first clamping part and the second clamping part sex.

In a possible implementation manner, the connecting piece is a U-shaped connecting piece, and the two ends of the U-shaped connecting piece along the first direction are respectively provided with the second clamping parts for respectively connecting The fixing structure of adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules. In this way, one second clamping part of the U-shaped connector is clamped with the first clamping part of one battery module, and the other second clamping part is clamped with the second clamping part of the other of the two adjacent battery modules. A clamping part is clamped to realize the connection of adjacent battery modules.

In a possible implementation manner, the connecting element is an elastic connecting element. The connector is an elastic connector, so that when the first clamping part is not fully aligned with the second clamping part, the first clamping part can still be clamped with the second clamping part, thereby reducing the impact on machining accuracy and tolerance Requirements, reduced processing difficulty, reduced costs.

In a possible implementation manner, the battery module includes: N rows of battery cells, each row of battery cells in the N rows of battery cells includes a plurality of battery cells arranged along the second direction, The N rows of battery cells are arranged along the first direction, N is an integer greater than 1; N-1 separators, the separators extend along the second direction and are arranged in two adjacent rows of battery cells Between the bodies, the separator is fixedly connected to each battery cell in the two rows of battery cells; wherein, the end of the separator in the second direction is provided with the fixing structure, so The partition board is fixed to the box body through the fixing structure.

A separator is arranged between two adjacent rows of battery cells in the battery module, and the separator is fixedly connected to each battery cell in the two rows of battery cells, and a fixed structure is arranged at the end of the separator, and the separator It is fixed to the box by a fixed structure. In this way, each battery cell in the battery is fixed to the box by the separator and the fixing structure, so each battery cell can transmit its load to the box, ensuring the structural strength of the battery; in this case, There is no need to set up side panels on the outside of the battery module, and there is no need to set up beams and other structures in the middle of the box, which can maximize the space utilization inside the battery, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery.

In a possible implementation manner, the fixing structure includes a fixing plate, the fixing plate is fixedly connected to the end of the separator, and is connected to the battery cell located at the end of the separator. Fixedly connected, the first clamping part is arranged on the fixed plate.

The fixing plate is fixedly connected to the end of the separator, which can further strengthen the fixing effect on the battery cells. The first clamping portion is disposed on the fixing plate, and the first clamping portion and the second clamping portion are clamped to each other so as to connect adjacent fixing plates and further connect adjacent battery modules.

In a possible implementation manner, the fixing plate includes a first connecting portion, the first connecting portion is used to connect the box body, and the first clamping portion is disposed on the fixing plate away from the one end of the first connecting portion.

The fixed connection between the fixed plate and the box body can be realized by connecting the box body through the first connecting part; by setting the first clamping part on the end of the fixed plate far away from the first connecting part, the first clamping part and the second clamping part The ends away from the first connecting portion are engaged with each other, so that the adjacent battery modules are connected at the end away from the first connecting portion. In this way, the battery module is respectively fixed at the first connection part and the end of the fixing plate away from the first connection part, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the battery.

In a possible implementation manner, the first connecting part is arranged at an end of the fixing plate close to the bottom wall of the box, and the first clamping part is arranged at a first side of the fixing plate An end of the box away from the bottom wall of the box body, the first side is a side perpendicular to the bottom wall of the box body and adjacent to an adjacent battery module.

By connecting the bottom wall of the box through the first connecting portion, the fixed connection between the fixing plate and the bottom wall of the box can be realized, so that the load of the battery cell can be transferred to the bottom wall of the box, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the battery. The first clamping part is arranged at the end of the first side of the fixed plate away from the bottom wall of the box body, and the first clamping part and the second clamping part are locked together at the end far away from the bottom wall of the box body, so that One end of the bottom wall of the case is connected to adjacent battery modules. In this way, the battery module is respectively fixed at the bottom wall of the box body and at a place far away from the bottom wall of the box body, thereby ensuring the structural strength of the battery. The first side is perpendicular to the bottom wall of the box body and adjacent to the adjacent battery modules. By connecting the adjacent first sides, the two adjacent battery modules are connected, thereby improving the structural strength of the multiple battery modules.

In a possible implementation manner, the first connecting part is arranged at an end of the fixing plate close to the bottom wall of the box body, and the first clamping part is arranged at the second side of the fixing plate One end of the adjacent battery module is close to, and the second side is the side away from the bottom wall of the box body. By connecting the adjacent second sides and then connecting two adjacent battery modules at a position away from the bottom wall of the box body, the structural strength of the plurality of battery modules is improved.

In a second aspect, there is provided an electric device, including: the battery in the above first aspect or any possible implementation manner of the first aspect, where the battery is used to provide electric energy.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method for preparing a battery, including: providing a box body; providing a plurality of battery modules, the plurality of battery modules are arranged along a first direction, wherein the ends of the battery modules in the second direction The part is provided with a fixed structure, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the fixed structure is provided with a first clamping part; a connecting piece is provided, and the connecting piece is provided with a second clamping part; The plurality of battery modules are accommodated in the box, the battery modules are fixed in the box through the fixing structure, and the second clamping part is clamped with the first clamping part, so as to The first direction connects adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a device for preparing a battery, including: providing a module for providing a plurality of battery modules, a box body, and a connector; wherein, the plurality of battery modules are arranged along a first direction, and the battery The end of the module in the second direction is provided with a fixing structure, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, the fixing structure is provided with a first clamping part, and the connector is provided with a second clamping part part; an installation module, used for accommodating the plurality of battery modules in the box, fixing the battery modules in the box through the fixing structure, and connecting the second clamping part with the first A clamping portion is clamped to connect adjacent battery modules among the plurality of battery modules along the first direction.

In the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application, a plurality of battery modules are accommodated in the box along the first direction, and the end of the battery modules in the second direction is provided with a fixing structure, and the battery modules are fixed to the box through the fixing structure, and the fixing structure is provided with There is a first clamping part, and a second clamping part is provided on the connector, and the first clamping part and the second clamping part are mutually clamped to realize the connection between adjacent battery modules. The above arrangement connects the adjacent battery modules by snapping, which improves the overall structural strength of the battery and ensures the safety performance of the battery, and the connection method is efficient and fast.

Description of drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings that need to be used in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. Those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on the accompanying drawings on the premise of not paying creative efforts.

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of the vehicle of an embodiment of the present application;

2 is a schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a battery cell according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 4b is an enlarged schematic view of the A region in Figure 4a;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a clamping connection between a fixing structure and a connector according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 6 is a side view of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a fixing structure of an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a connector according to an embodiment of the present application;

9 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 10 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic flow chart of a method for preparing a battery according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 12 is a schematic block diagram of a device for preparing a battery according to an embodiment of the present application.

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

Detailed ways

The implementation manner of the present application will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments. The detailed description and drawings of the following embodiments are used to illustrate the principles of the application, but not to limit the scope of the application, that is, the application is not limited to the described embodiments.

In the description of the present application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the technical field of the present application; the terms used are only for describing specific The purpose of the embodiments is not intended to limit the present application; the terms "comprising" and "having" in the specification and claims of the present application and the description of the above drawings, as well as any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion; The meaning of "plurality" is more than two; the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner" and "outer" are only for the convenience of describing the present application and The description is simplified, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed in a specific orientation, and operate, and thus should not be construed as limiting the application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. "Vertical" is not strictly vertical, but within the allowable range of error. "Parallel" is not strictly parallel, but within the allowable range of error.

Reference in this application to an "embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the present application. The occurrences of this phrase in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. It is understood explicitly and implicitly by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described in this application can be combined with other embodiments.

The orientation words appearing in the following description are the directions shown in the figure, and do not limit the specific structure of the application. In the description of this application, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", and "connection" should be interpreted in a broad sense, for example, it can be a fixed connection or a flexible connection. Disassembled connection, or integral connection; it can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediary, and it can be the internal communication of two components. Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this application according to specific situations.

The term "and/or" in this application is only an association relationship describing associated objects, which means that there may be three relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and A and B exist alone. There are three cases of B. In addition, the character "/" in this application generally indicates that the contextual objects are an "or" relationship.

In the present application, the battery cells may include lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion primary batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium-lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, or magnesium-ion batteries, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The battery cell can be in the form of a cylinder, a flat body, a cuboid or other shapes, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. Battery cells are generally divided into three types according to packaging methods: cylindrical battery cells, square square battery cells and pouch battery cells, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The battery mentioned in the embodiments of the present application refers to a single physical module including one or more battery cells to provide higher voltage and capacity. For example, batteries mentioned in this application may include battery packs and the like. Batteries generally include a case for enclosing one or more battery cells. The box can prevent liquid or other foreign objects from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cells.

The battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrolyte, and the electrode assembly is composed of a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet, and a separator. A battery cell works primarily by moving metal ions between the positive and negative plates. The positive electrode sheet includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrode active material layer is coated on the surface of the positive electrode current collector. The current collector not coated with the positive electrode active material layer protrudes from the current collector coated with the positive electrode active material layer. The current collector coated with the positive electrode active material layer serves as the positive electrode tab. Taking lithium-ion batteries as an example, the material of the positive electrode current collector can be aluminum, and the positive electrode active material can be lithium cobaltate, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium or lithium manganate, etc. The negative electrode sheet includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active material layer. 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 from the current collector coated with the negative electrode active material layer. The current collector coated with the negative electrode active material layer serves as the negative electrode tab. The material of the negative electrode current collector may be copper, and the negative electrode active material may be carbon or silicon. In order to ensure that a large current is passed without fusing, the number of positive pole tabs is multiple and stacked together, and the number of negative pole tabs is multiple and stacked together. The material of the isolation film can be polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). In addition, the electrode assembly may be a wound structure or a laminated structure, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

In order to meet different power requirements, the battery may include multiple battery cells, wherein the multiple battery cells may be connected in series, in parallel or in parallel, and the hybrid connection refers to a mixture of series and parallel connections. Optionally, a plurality of battery cells can be connected in series, parallel or mixed to form a battery module, and then a plurality of battery modules can be connected in series, parallel or mixed to form a battery. That is to say, multiple battery cells can directly form a battery, or form a battery module first, and then form a battery from the battery module. The battery is further arranged in the electric device to provide electric energy for the electric device.

The development of battery technology should consider many design factors at the same time, such as energy density, cycle life, discharge capacity, charge and discharge rate, safety and so on. Among them, in the case of a certain internal space of the battery, improving the utilization rate of the internal space of the battery is an effective means to increase the energy density of the battery. However, while improving the utilization rate of the internal space of the battery, the structural strength of the battery may be reduced. For example, beams for mounting battery modules are usually provided inside the battery box, and side plates and end plates are also provided for the battery modules in the battery. The above-mentioned beams, side plates and end plates occupy the internal space of the battery while realizing the fixing of the battery. However, if beams, side plates, and end plates are not provided, the structural strength of the battery will be insufficient, which will affect the performance of the battery.

In view of this, the embodiment of the present application provides a technical solution, a plurality of battery modules are accommodated in the box along the first direction, a fixing structure is provided at the end of the battery module in the second direction, and the battery modules are fixed by the fixing structure In the box body, a first clamping part is provided on the fixed structure, and a second clamping part is provided on the connector, and the first clamping part and the second clamping part are clamped to each other to connect adjacent batteries in multiple battery modules module. In this way, the adjacent battery modules can be connected through a clamping connection, thereby improving the overall structural strength of the battery.

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

It should be understood that the technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the devices described above, but also applicable to all devices using batteries. However, for the sake of brevity, the following embodiments take electric vehicles as examples for illustration.

For example, as shown in Figure 1, it is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The vehicle 1 can be a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new energy vehicle, and the new energy vehicle can be a pure electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or Extended range cars, etc. A motor 40 , a controller 30 and a battery 10 can be arranged inside the vehicle 1 , and the controller 30 is used to control the battery 10 to supply power to the motor 40 . For example, the battery 10 may be provided at the bottom or front or rear of the vehicle 1 . The battery 10 can be used for power supply of the vehicle 1 , for example, the battery 10 can be used as an operating power source of the vehicle 1 , for a circuit system of the vehicle 1 , for example, for starting, navigating and running power requirements of the vehicle 1 . In another embodiment of the present application, the battery 10 can not only be used as an operating power source for the vehicle 1 , but can also be used as a driving power source for the vehicle 1 , replacing or partially replacing fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle 1 .

In order to meet different power requirements, the battery 10 may include multiple battery cells. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , which is a schematic structural diagram of a battery 10 according to an embodiment of the present application, the battery 10 may include a plurality of battery cells 20 . The battery 10 may further include a box body 11 , the inside of which is a hollow structure, and a plurality of battery cells 20 are accommodated in the box body 11 . For example, a plurality of battery cells 20 are placed in the case 11 after being connected in parallel, in series or in parallel.

Optionally, the battery 10 may also include other structures, which will not be repeated here. For example, the battery 10 may also include a confluence part, which is used to realize electrical connection between a plurality of battery cells 20 , such as parallel connection, series connection or mixed connection. Specifically, the current-combining component can realize the electrical connection between the battery cells 20 by connecting the electrode terminals of the battery cells 20 . Further, the bus member may be fixed to the electrode terminal of the battery cell 20 by welding. The electric energy of the plurality of battery cells 20 can be further drawn out through the box through the conductive mechanism. Optionally, the conduction means can also belong to the current-collecting part.

According to different power requirements, the number of battery cells 20 can be set to any value. Multiple battery cells 20 can be connected in series, in parallel or in parallel to achieve greater capacity or power. Since the number of battery cells 20 included in each battery 10 may be large, for the convenience of installation, the battery cells 20 may be arranged in groups, 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 can be set according to requirements. A battery may include a plurality of battery modules, which may be connected in series, in parallel or in parallel.

As shown in FIG. 3 , which is a schematic structural diagram 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 casing 211 and a cover plate 212 . The housing 211 and the cover plate 212 form the housing or battery compartment 21 . The walls of the casing 211 and the cover plate 212 are called the walls of the battery cell 20, wherein for the rectangular parallelepiped battery cell 20, the walls of the casing 211 include a bottom wall and four side walls. The housing 211 depends on the combined shape of one or more electrode assemblies 22. For example, the housing 211 can be a hollow cuboid or cube or cylinder, and one of the surfaces of the housing 211 has an opening so that one or more electrodes Assembly 22 may be placed within housing 211 . For example, when the housing 211 is a hollow cuboid or cube, one of the planes of the housing 211 is an open surface, that is, the plane does not have a wall so that the inside and outside of the housing 211 communicate. When the casing 211 can be a hollow cylinder, the end surface of the casing 211 is an open surface, that is, the end surface does not have a wall so that the inside and outside of the casing 211 communicate. The cover plate 212 covers the opening and is connected with the casing 211 to form a closed cavity for placing the electrode assembly 22 . The casing 211 is filled with electrolyte, such as electrolytic solution.

The battery cell 20 may further include two electrode terminals 214 , and the two electrode terminals 214 may be disposed on the cover plate 212 . The cover plate 212 is usually in the shape of a flat plate, and two electrode terminals 214 are fixed on the flat plate surface of the cover plate 212, and the two electrode terminals 214 are positive electrode terminals 214a and negative electrode terminals 214b respectively. Each electrode terminal 214 is respectively provided with a connecting member 23 , or also referred to as a current collecting member 23 , which is located between the cover 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 tabs 221a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 are connected to one electrode terminal through one connection member 23 , and the second tabs 222a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 are connected to another electrode terminal through another connection member 23 . For example, the positive electrode terminal 214 a is connected to the positive electrode tab through one connection member 23 , and the negative electrode terminal 214 b is connected to the negative electrode tab through the other connection member 23 .

In the battery cell 20 , according to actual usage requirements, the electrode assembly 22 can be arranged as a single one or in multiples. As shown in FIG. 3 , four independent electrode assemblies 22 are arranged in the battery cell 20 .

A pressure relief mechanism 213 may also be provided on the battery cell 20 . The pressure relief mechanism 213 is activated to release the internal pressure or temperature when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 reaches a threshold.

The pressure relief mechanism 213 may be various possible pressure relief structures, which are not limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, the pressure relief mechanism 213 may be a temperature-sensitive pressure relief mechanism configured to melt when the internal temperature of the battery cell 20 provided with the pressure relief mechanism 213 reaches a threshold; and/or, the pressure relief mechanism 213 may be a pressure-sensitive pressure relief mechanism configured to rupture when the internal air pressure of the battery cell 20 provided with the pressure relief mechanism 213 reaches a threshold value.

Fig. 4a is a schematic diagram of a battery according to an embodiment of the present application, and Fig. 4b is an enlarged schematic diagram of area A in Fig. 4a. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a clamping connection between a fixing structure and a connector according to an embodiment of the present application. The embodiment of the present application provides a battery 10 . The battery 10 includes a box body 11 , a plurality of battery modules 100 , and a connector 400 . A plurality of battery modules 100 are arranged along a first direction and accommodated in the case 11 . A fixing structure 102 is provided at the end of the battery module 100 in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction. The fixing structure 102 is used to fix the battery module 100 to the box body 11 , and the fixing structure 102 is provided with a first clamping portion 301 . The connecting member 400 is provided with a second engaging portion 401 , and the second engaging portion 401 is engaged with the first engaging portion 301 to connect adjacent battery modules 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 along the first direction.

A plurality of battery modules 100 are arranged along a first direction and accommodated in the case 11 , wherein the first direction may be a y direction. A fixing structure 102 is provided at the end of the battery module 100 in the second direction, wherein the second direction may be the x direction, and the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

The fixing structure 102 may be arranged at both ends of the battery module 100 in the x direction, and the fixing structure 102 is provided with a first engaging portion 301 . The connector 400 is provided with a second snapping portion 401 , and the first snapping portion 301 and the second snapping portion 401 are snapped together in the first direction, so as to connect adjacent battery modules 100 along the first direction. In this way, the structural strength of the battery 10 can be improved, the safety performance of the battery 10 can be guaranteed, and the clamping connection mode is more convenient, fast and efficient.

In some embodiments, the first locking part 301 is a slot, and the second locking part 401 is a buckle, and the buckle is used to be locked into the slot.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the first engaging portion 301 can also be a buckle, and the second engaging portion 401 is a groove, and the buckle is inserted into the groove to connect adjacent battery modules 100 .

By snapping the buckle into the slot, the clipping of the first clipping part and the second clipping part is realized.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a battery module according to an embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, the fixing structure 102 includes a folded portion 1021, and the folded portion 1021 is folded to form a card slot.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the folded portion 1021 is located at the end of the fixed structure close to the adjacent battery module 100, and the folded portion 1021 can be formed by folding away from the battery module 100 along the second direction. The slot can also be folded vertically toward the bottom wall of the box to form the slot. The card slot is formed by turning over part of the fixing structure 102, the manufacturing process is simple, easy to operate, and the manufacturing process of the card slot is simplified.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a fixing structure of an embodiment of the present application, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a connector of an embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, the slot includes a limiting hole 3011 , and the buckle includes a protrusion 4011 , and the protrusion 4011 is used to snap into the limiting hole 3011 to limit the movement of the buckle in the slot.

By snapping the protrusion 4011 into the limit hole 3011, the protrusion 4011 abuts against the limit hole 3011, which can limit the buckle and prevent the buckle from slipping out of the slot, thereby ensuring the distance between the buckle and the slot. The firmness of the card connection between.

In some embodiments, the connecting piece 400 is a U-shaped connecting piece, and the two ends of the U-shaped connecting piece along the first direction are respectively provided with second engaging parts 401 for respectively connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of battery modules 100. The fixing structure 102 of the battery module 100 . In this way, one second clamping part 401 of the U-shaped connector 400 is clamped with the first clamping part 301 of one battery module 100 , and the other second clamping part 401 is clamped with the first clamping part 301 of two adjacent battery modules 100 . The first clamping portion 301 of another battery module 100 is clamped to realize the connection of adjacent battery modules 100 .

In some embodiments, the connector 400 is an elastic connector. In this way, when the first engaging portion 301 is not fully aligned with the second engaging portion 401, the first engaging portion 301 can still be engaged with the second engaging portion 401 due to the elasticity of the connector 400, thereby reducing the need for machining. Accuracy and tolerance requirements reduce processing difficulty and cost.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a battery module 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, the battery module 100 includes N columns of battery cells 20 and N−1 separators 101 . Each row of battery cells 20 in the N rows of battery cells 20 includes a plurality of battery cells 20 arranged along the second direction, and the N rows of battery cells 20 are arranged along the first direction, where N is an integer greater than 1. The separator 101 extends along the second direction and is disposed between two adjacent rows of battery cells 20 , and the separator 101 is fixedly connected to each battery cell 20 in the two rows of battery cells 20 . A fixing structure 102 is provided at the end of the partition 101 in the second direction, and the partition 101 is fixed to the box body 11 through the fixing structure 102 .

Two adjacent rows of battery cells 20 can be respectively fixed on both sides of the separator 101 , that is to say, each battery cell 20 in two adjacent rows of battery cells 20 can be fixedly connected through one separator 101 . For example, the separator 101 is arranged vertically, that is, the separator 101 is arranged perpendicular to the first direction, and is arranged between two rows of battery cells 20 .

The separator 101 is disposed inside the battery module 100 , and the separator 101 is not provided outside the battery module 100 . For example, one separator 101 is arranged between two rows of battery cells 20 , two separators 101 are arranged between three rows of battery cells 20 , and so on. Through such an arrangement, fewer separators 101 can be utilized so that each battery cell 20 in the battery module 100 can be fixedly connected by the separators 101 .

Optionally, the separator 101 can be a metal plate, such as a steel plate or an aluminum plate, or a plastic plate, and the material of the separator 101 can also be a composite material, for example, other materials are coated on the surface of the metal plate. The embodiment does not limit this.

Optionally, the thickness of the separator 101 may be 0.1-0.5mm, for example, in one embodiment of the present application, the thickness of the separator 101 may be 0.2-0.4mm. The separator 101 with this thickness can reduce the space occupied by the separator 101 while ensuring the strength.

The fixing structure 102 is arranged at the end of the separator 101 in the second direction, and the separator 101 is fixed to the box body 11 through the fixing structure 102. In combination with the above, each battery cell 20 in the battery module 100 is covered by the separator 101 is fixedly connected, and each battery cell 20 is fixedly connected to the box body 11 through the fixing structure 102 . In this way, each battery cell 20 in the battery 10 is fixed to the box body 11 by the separator 101 and the fixing structure 102, so each battery cell 20 can transfer its load to the box body 11, ensuring the structure of the battery 10 strength. In this case, there is no need to install side panels on the outside of the battery module, and there is no need to install beams and other structures in the middle of the box, which can maximize the space utilization inside the battery, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery. In addition, because the first engaging portion 301 on the fixing structure 102 and the second engaging portion 401 of the connector 400 are engaged with each other, the connection of adjacent battery modules 100 is realized through the connector 400 , thus improving the internal stability of the battery 10 . The overall structural strength of the battery module 100. Therefore, the battery 10 has both higher structural strength and higher energy density.

In some embodiments, the fixing structure 102 includes a fixing plate 104, the fixing plate 104 is fixedly connected to the end of the separator 101, and is fixedly connected to the battery cell 20 located at the end of the separator 101, the first clamping portion 301 Set on the fixed plate 104.

Optionally, for example, for a rectangular parallelepiped battery cell 20, the fixing plate 104 may be vertically connected to the separator 101, and connected with the separator 101 to two adjacent side walls of the rectangular parallelepiped battery cell 20, thereby further Strengthen the fixing effect on the battery cell 20 .

Optionally, the fixing plate 104 can be made of the same material as the partition plate 101, for example, metal, plastic or composite material. The thickness of the fixing plate 104 may be the same as that of the partition plate 101 . The material or thickness of the fixing plate 104 may also be different from that of the separator 101 , for example, the fixing plate 104 may be set with higher strength or thickness, but this is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, the connection between the separator 101 and the fixing plate 104 can be connection methods such as resistance welding, resistance riveting, SPR riveting, locking bolts or clamping; the fixing plate 104 can also be connected by resistance welding, resistance riveting, or SPR riveting. , locking bolts, snap-fit and other connection methods are fixed to the box body, but this embodiment of the present application does not limit this.

Optionally, the fixing plate 104 and the battery cell 20 may be fixedly connected by bonding, for example, bonding by structural glue, but this is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The first engaging portion 301 is disposed on the fixing plate 104, for example, the first engaging portion may be disposed on the side of the fixing plate 104 close to the adjacent battery module 100. In this way, the first clamping portion 301 and the second clamping portion 302 are clamped to connect adjacent fixing plates 104 and further connect adjacent battery modules 100 .

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a battery module 100 according to another embodiment of the present application. In some embodiments, the fixing plate 104 includes a first connecting portion 105 for connecting the box body 11 , and the first clamping portion 301 is disposed at an end of the fixing plate 104 away from the first connecting portion 105 .

The fixing plate 104 includes a first connecting portion 105 extending in a second direction away from the battery module 100 , and the first connecting portion 105 is used for connecting to a wall of the box body 11 . Wherein, the first connecting portion 105 may be connected to the bottom wall of the box body 11 , or may be connected to the side wall of the box body 11 , which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The first connecting portion 105 may be parallel to the wall of the connected box 11 , for example, the first connecting portion 105 is parallel to the bottom wall of the box 11 . The area of the first connecting portion 105 can be set according to the way of fixing to the wall of the connected box 11 to meet the required fixing effect.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the first connecting portion 105 may be formed by bending the fixing plate 104 . For example, the first connecting portion 105 may be formed by bending an edge of the fixing plate 104 close to the wall to which it is connected in a direction away from the battery module 100 . Taking the bottom wall of the connecting box 11 as an example, the lower edge of the fixing plate 104 can be bent outward to form the first connecting portion 105 . In this way, the first connecting portion 105 is integrated with the main body of the fixing plate 104, so that the connection performance can be enhanced.

Connecting the wall of the box body 11 through the first connecting portion 105, the fixed connection between the fixing plate 104 and the wall of the box body 11 can be realized, so that the load of the battery cell 20 can be transferred to the wall of the box body 11, thereby ensuring that the battery 10 structural strength.

The end of the fixing plate 104 away from the first connecting portion 105 is provided with a first engaging portion 301 , the first engaging portion 301 and the second engaging portion 302 are engaged with each other, and can be positioned at the end far away from the first connecting portion 105 along the first engaging portion 301 . The adjacent battery modules 100 are connected in one direction, thereby connecting multiple battery modules 100 , which improves the overall structural strength of the multiple battery modules 100 .

Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the fixing plate 104 further includes a second connecting portion 107 extending in a direction away from the battery module 100 along the second direction. The second connecting portion 107 is used to connect the fixing plate 104 and the spacer. plate 101. For example, at the position where the fixing plate 104 is connected to the separator 101 , it can extend away from the battery module 100 , that is, extend outward to form a second connecting portion 107 , and the fixing plate 104 is fixedly connected to the separator 101 through the second connecting portion 107 .

Optionally, in addition to connecting the partition plates 101 , the second connecting portion 107 can also realize the connection between the fixing plates 104 at the same time. For example, each row of battery cells 20 in the battery module 100 is provided with a fixing plate 104 , and the separator 101 in the battery module 100 and the two fixing plates 104 corresponding to the two rows of battery cells 20 are fixed together through the second connecting portion 107 .

The second connection part 107 may be parallel to the partition 101 . The area of the second connecting portion 107 can be set according to the fixing method to meet the required fixing effect.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the second connecting portion 107 may be formed by bending the fixing plate 104 . For example, the second connecting portion 107 may be formed by bending an edge of the fixing plate 104 close to the separator 101 in a direction away from the battery module 100 . In this way, the second connecting portion 107 is integrated with the main body of the fixing plate 104, so that the connection performance can be enhanced.

Optionally, in one embodiment of the present application, the separator 101 can be integrally formed with the fixing plates 104 at both ends of one row of battery cells 20 in two adjacent rows of battery cells 20, so that only the other row of battery cells 20 is provided with a fixing plate 104; or, the separator 101 may be integrally formed with the fixing plates 104 corresponding to two adjacent rows of battery cells 20 .

In some embodiments, the first connecting portion 105 is disposed at one end of the fixing plate 104 close to the bottom wall of the box body 11 , and the first engaging portion 301 is set at the bottom wall of the first side 305 of the fixing plate away from the bottom wall of the box body 11 The first side 305 is the side perpendicular to the bottom wall of the case 11 and adjacent to the adjacent battery module 100 .

The first connecting portion 105 may be parallel to the bottom wall of the connected box 11 . The first side 305 may extend in a vertical direction and be perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. The end of the first side 305 away from the bottom wall of the box body 11 is provided with a first clamping portion 301 , for example, the first side 305 can be folded away from the adjacent battery module 100 to form a first clamping portion 301. The first clamping part 301 is clamped with the second clamping part 401 , so as to connect the adjacent battery modules 100 at an end away from the bottom wall of the box body 11 .

Through the above arrangement, the first connecting portion 105 is fixedly connected to the bottom wall of the box body 11, and the adjacent battery modules are connected at a position away from the bottom wall of the box body 11, thereby further ensuring that the plurality of battery modules 100 structural strength.

In some embodiments, the first connecting portion 105 is disposed on one end of the fixing plate 104 close to the bottom wall of the box body 11 , and the first locking portion 301 is disposed on the second side 306 of the fixing plate 104 close to the adjacent battery module. At one end of 100 , the second side 306 is the side away from the bottom wall of the box body 11 .

The second side 306 extends along the first direction and is perpendicular to the second direction, and an end of the second side 306 close to the adjacent battery module 100 is provided with a first engaging portion 301 . Optionally, in one embodiment, the second side 306 can be folded toward the bottom wall of the box body 11 to form the first engaging portion 301. The first clamping part 301 is clamped with the second clamping part 401 , so as to connect the adjacent battery modules 100 at an end away from the bottom wall of the box body 11 . In this way, the structural strength of the plurality of battery modules 100 is improved.

It should be understood that relevant parts in various embodiments of the present application may refer to each other, and details are not repeated for brevity.

An embodiment of the present application also provides an electric device, which may include the battery 10 in the foregoing embodiments. Optionally, the electrical device may be a vehicle 1, a ship, or a spacecraft, etc., but this is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

The battery 10 and the electrical device of the embodiment of the present application are described above, and the method and device for preparing the battery of the embodiment of the present application will be described below, and the parts that are not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic flowchart of a method 300 for preparing a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11, the method 300 may include:

310, providing the box body 11;

320. Provide a plurality of battery modules 100, where the plurality of battery modules 100 are arranged along a first direction, wherein a fixing structure 102 is provided at the end of the battery modules 100 in a second direction, and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, The fixing structure 102 is provided with a first locking part 301;

330, providing a connecting piece 400, the connecting piece 400 is provided with a second clamping portion 401;

340, accommodating a plurality of battery modules 100 in the box body 11, fixing the battery modules 100 to the box body 11 through the fixing structure 102, and locking the second clamping part 401 with the first clamping part 301, so as to The direction connects adjacent battery modules 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 .

FIG. 12 shows a schematic block diagram of a device 600 for preparing a battery according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12 , the device 600 for preparing a battery may include: a supply module 610 and an installation module 620 .

A module 610 is provided for providing a plurality of battery modules 100 , boxes 11 , and connectors 400 . A plurality of battery modules 100 are arranged along a first direction, a fixing structure 102 is provided at the end of the battery module 100 in a second direction, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and a first engaging portion 301 is provided on the fixing structure 102 , The connecting piece 400 is provided with a second engaging portion 401 .

The installation module 620 is used for accommodating multiple battery modules 100 in the box body 11, fixing the battery modules 100 to the box body 11 through the fixing structure 102, and locking the second clamping part 401 with the first clamping part 301, To connect adjacent battery modules 100 among the plurality of battery modules 100 along the first direction.

While the 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 application. In particular, as long as there is no structural conflict, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner. The present application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

A battery (10), characterized in that it comprises:

Box (11);

A plurality of battery modules (100), the plurality of battery modules (100) are arranged in the first direction and accommodated in the box (11), wherein the ends of the battery modules (100) in the second direction A fixing structure (102) is arranged on the part, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the fixing structure (102) is used to fix the battery module (100) to the box (11), so The fixing structure (102) is provided with a first clamping portion (301);

A connecting piece (400), the connecting piece (400) is provided with a second clamping part (401), and the second clamping part (401) is clamped with the first clamping part (301) so as to The first direction connects adjacent battery modules (100) among the plurality of battery modules (100).
The battery (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, the first clamping part (301) is a clamping groove, and the second clamping part (401) is a buckle, and the buckle is used for snap into the card slot.
The battery (10) according to claim 2, characterized in that the fixing structure (102) includes a folded portion (1021), and the folded portion (1021) is folded to form the card slot.
The battery (10) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, the clamping slot comprises a limiting hole (3011), the buckle comprises a protrusion (4011), and the protrusion (4011) is used for snap into the limiting hole (3011) to restrict the buckle from moving in the slot.
The battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the connector (400) is a U-shaped connector, and two sides of the U-shaped connector along the first direction The ends are respectively provided with the second clamping parts (401) for respectively connecting the fixing structures (102) of adjacent battery modules (100) among the plurality of battery modules (100).
The battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, the connecting member (400) is an elastic connecting member.
The battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the battery module (100) comprises:

N rows of battery cells (20), each row of battery cells (20) in the N rows of battery cells (20) includes a plurality of battery cells (20) arranged along the second direction, the N rows of battery cells (20) A row of battery cells (20) is arranged along the first direction, and N is an integer greater than 1;

N-1 separators (101), the separators (101) extend along the second direction and are arranged between two adjacent rows of battery cells (20), the separators (101) and the Each battery cell (20) in the two rows of battery cells (20) is fixedly connected; wherein,

The end of the partition (101) in the second direction is provided with the fixing structure (102), and the partition (101) is fixed to the box (11) through the fixing structure (102). ).
The battery (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that, the fixing structure (102) comprises a fixing plate (104), and the fixing plate (104) is connected to the end of the separator (101) It is fixedly connected, and is fixedly connected with the battery cell (20) located at the end of the separator (101), and the first clamping portion (301) is arranged on the fixing plate (104).
The battery (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that, the fixing plate (104) includes a first connecting portion (105), and the first connecting portion (105) is used for connecting the box body (11 ), the first clamping portion (301) is disposed at an end of the fixing plate (104) away from the first connecting portion (105).
The battery (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, the first connecting portion (105) is arranged at an end of the fixing plate (104) close to the bottom wall of the box (11), so that The first engaging part (301) is arranged on the first side of the fixing plate (104) at an end far away from the bottom wall of the box body (11), and the first side is perpendicular to the box body ( 11) and the side adjacent to the adjacent battery module (100).
The battery (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that, the first connecting portion (105) is arranged at an end of the fixing plate (104) close to the bottom wall of the box (11), so that The first clamping part (301) is arranged at an end of the second side of the fixing plate (104) close to the adjacent battery module (100), and the second side is far away from the box body (11). edge of the bottom wall.
An electrical device, characterized by comprising: the battery (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the battery (10) being used to provide electrical energy.
A method for preparing a battery, comprising:

providing (310) the casing (11);

Providing (320) a plurality of battery modules (100), the plurality of battery modules (100) being arranged along a first direction, wherein ends of the battery modules (100) in a second direction are provided with fixing structures (102 ), the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction, and the fixing structure (102) is provided with a first engaging portion (301);

providing (330) a connecting piece (400), the connecting piece (400) being provided with a second clamping portion (401);

accommodating (340) the plurality of battery modules (100) in the box (11), fixing the battery modules (100) to the box (11) through the fixing structure (102), snapping the second clamping portion (401) to the first clamping portion (301) to connect adjacent battery modules (100) among the plurality of battery modules (100) along the first direction ).
A device for preparing a battery, characterized in that it comprises:

A module (610) is provided for providing multiple battery modules (100), boxes (11), and connectors (400); wherein,

The plurality of battery modules (100) are arranged along a first direction, and the ends of the battery modules (100) in a second direction are provided with fixing structures (102), and the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction , the fixing structure (102) is provided with a first clamping portion (301), and the connector (400) is provided with a second clamping portion (401);

An installation module (620), configured to accommodate the plurality of battery modules (100) in the box (11), and fix the battery modules (100) to the box through the fixing structure (102) body (11), engage the second engaging portion (401) with the first engaging portion (301), so as to connect adjacent battery modules (100) in the first direction battery module (100).