BATTERY CELL, BATTERY, ELECTRICAL APPARATUS, AND METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY CELL

A battery cell, a battery, an electrical apparatus, and a method and a system for manufacturing a battery cell are provided. The battery cell comprises: a case having an opening; an electrode assembly provided within the case; an end cover assembly for closing the opening, wherein the end cover assembly comprises an end cover, an insulating member and a connection adapter member, the end cover is provided with an electrode terminal, and is configured to cover the opening and is connected to the case, the insulating member is provided on one side of the end cover facing the electrode assembly, and the connection adapter member is used for being electrically connected to the electrode terminal and to the electrode assembly; and a buffer member provided on one side of the insulating member facing the electrode assembly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular to a battery cell, a battery, an electrical apparatus, and a method and a system for manufacturing a battery cell.

BACKGROUND ART

With economic development, battery technology is widely used in various fields, especially in the field of vehicles such as electric vehicles. In the battery technology, the service life of a battery is directly related to the performance of a vehicle such as driving range, convenience of use, and the like.

When the service life of a battery is too short, it tends to affect the high speed movement of the vehicle, and ultimately affect its practicality. Therefore, it is of great significance and value to research the improvement of battery life.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present application provide a battery cell, a battery, an electrical apparatus, and a method and a system for manufacturing a battery cell, which can improve the service life of the battery.

In a first aspect, there is provided a battery cell comprising: a case having an opening; an electrode assembly provided within the case; an end cover assembly for closing the opening, wherein the end cover assembly comprises an end cover, an insulating member and a connection adapter member, the end cover is provided with an electrode terminal, and is configured to cover the opening and is connected to the case, the insulating member is provided on one side of the end cover facing the electrode assembly, and the connection adapter member is used for being electrically connected to the electrode terminal and to the electrode assembly; and a buffer member provided on one side of the insulating member facing the electrode assembly, wherein the buffer member is pressed against the connection adapter member for buffering connection adapter member when the battery cell vibrates.

According to the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, by providing the buffer member on one side of the insulating member facing the electrode assembly, and the buffer member being pressed against the connection adapter member, on the one hand, the connection failure between the connection adapter member and the electrode assembly is avoided, and on the other hand, the impact force exerted by the electrode assembly on the connection adapter member when the battery cell vibrates is effectively relieved, so that the failure of the electric connection between the electrode terminal and the electrode assembly due to the fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member is avoided, and the service life of the battery is improved.

In some embodiments, the connection adapter member comprises a first connection adapter part and a second connection adapter part in a folded state, the second connection adapter part is located on one side of the first connection adapter part facing the electrode assembly, the first connection adapter part is electrically connected to the electrode terminal, the second connection adapter part is electrically connected to the electrode assembly, and the buffer member is pressed against the second connection adapter part.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, the buffer member is pressed against the second connection adapter part, and the second connection adapter part is connected to the electrode assembly, which is beneficial to reducing the possibility of the connection between the second connection adapter part and the electrode assembly being disconnected due to the movement of the second connection adapter part relative to the electrode assembly, and at the same time, the buffer member can effectively relieve the impact force exerted by the electrode assembly on the second connection adapter part when the battery cell vibrates, so that the fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member is avoided, and the service life of the battery is improved.

In some embodiments, the insulating member comprises an insulating body and an extension portion which are connected to each other, the insulating body is configured to be connected to the end cover, the extension portion extends and protrudes from one side of the insulating body facing the electrode assembly and forms a concave portion recessed in a direction away from the electrode assembly, and the connection adapter member is at least partially accommodated in the concave portion.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, on the one hand, when assembling the battery cell, the extension portion can guide the end cover to cover the opening of the case, and on the other hand, the extension portion can form a protective isolation for the connection adapter member, and avoid the possibility of short circuit of the battery cell caused by contact with the case.

In some embodiments, the extension portion is a closed ring structure which extends continuously or an annular structure with a notch.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, where the extension portion is a closed ring structure which extends continuously, the extension portion can form a protective isolation for the connection adapter member, which is beneficial to further improving the isolation effect; and where the extension portion is an annular structure with a notch, the notch of the extension portion can provide an avoidance space for the connection adapter member when it is in an unfolded state, which can reduce the processing procedures of the connection adapter member.

In some embodiments, the buffer member is attached to one side of the insulating body facing the electrode assembly.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, the buffer member is attached to the side of the insulating body facing the electrode assembly to facilitate the installation of the buffer member.

In some embodiments, the material of the buffer member is an elastomeric material or a foamed material.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, the contact of the buffer member with the second connection adapter part is an elastic contact, so that the failure of the electric connection between the electrode terminal and the electrode assembly due to the fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member is avoided, and the service life of the battery is improved.

In some embodiments, the material of the buffer member comprises one or more of polypropylene, pearl wool, polyurethane foam and fluororubber.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, the contact of the buffer member made of the above-mentioned material with the second connection adapter part is an elastic contact, so that the fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member is avoided.

In some embodiments, at least a part of the insulating body is recessed in a direction away from the end cover, so as to protrude on the side of the insulating body facing the electrode assembly to form the buffer member.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, on the one hand, the buffer member can be integrally molded with the insulating body, so that the installation of the buffer member is omitted, and the assembling steps are simplified; and on the other hand, the buffer member is formed by the insulating body being recessed in a direction away from the end cover, so that the buffer member can maintain a certain elasticity, and the contact of the buffer member with the second connection adapter part is an elastic contact, thus avoiding the fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member.

In some embodiments, the buffer member is configured to be composed of at least one protrusion protruding on the side of the insulating body facing the electrode assembly.

In the above-mentioned technical solution, a buffer member composed of at least one protrusion protruding on the side of the insulating body facing the electrode assembly is used, which both maintains the elasticity of the buffer member and provides the buffer member with a certain strength, so that the buffer member can be pressed against the second connection adapter part to avoid the movement of the electrode assembly relative to the position of the end cover assembly.

In a second aspect, there is provided a battery comprising: the battery cell of the first aspect.

In a third aspect, there is provided an electrical apparatus comprising: the battery of the second aspect for providing electric energy.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method for manufacturing a battery cell, comprising:providing a case having an opening;providing an electrode assembly;providing an end cover assembly having an end cover, an insulating member and a connection adapter member, wherein the end cover is provided with an electrode terminal;providing a buffer member;placing the electrode assembly into the case;connecting the buffer member to the insulating member;electrically connecting the connection adapter member to the electrode terminal and to the electrode assembly, respectively; andcovering the opening with the end cover, with the end cover being connected to the case;wherein the insulating member is provided on one side of the end cover facing the electrode assembly, the buffer member is provided on one side of the insulating member facing the electrode assembly, and the buffer member is pressed against the connection adapter member.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a manufacturing system for a battery cell, comprising:a first providing means for providing a case having an opening;a second providing means for providing an electrode assembly;a third providing means for providing an end cover assembly having an end cover, an insulating member and a connection adapter member, wherein the end cover is provided with an electrode terminal;a fourth providing means for providing a buffer member; andan assembling means for placing the electrode assembly into the case; connecting the buffer member to the insulating member; electrically connecting the connection adapter member to the electrode terminal and to the electrode assembly, respectively; and covering the opening with the end cover, with the end cover being connected to the case;wherein the insulating member is provided on one side of the end cover facing the electrode assembly, the buffer member is provided on one side of the insulating member facing the electrode assembly, and the buffer member is pressed against the connection adapter member.

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

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to make the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described below in connection with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is clear that the embodiments described are part of the embodiments of the present application, but not all of them. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without involving creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used in the present application have the same meanings as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs; the terms used in the specification of the present application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present application; the terms “comprising” and “having” and any variations thereof in the specification and the claims of the present application as well as in the foregoing description of the drawings are intended to encompass non-exclusive inclusions. The terms “first”, “second” and the like in the specification and the claims of the present application as well as in the above drawings are used for distinguishing between different objects, rather than for describing a particular order or a primary and secondary relation.

Reference in the present application to “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be comprised in at least one embodiment of the present application. The presence of the phrase in various places in the specification does not necessarily mean the same embodiment, nor does it mean a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments.

In the description of the present application, it is to be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and restricted, the terms “installed”, “linked”, “connected” and “attached” should be understood in a broad sense, for example, as a fixed connection, or as a detachable connection, or as an integral connection; alternatively as a direct connection or as an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or as an internal communication between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific situations.

In the embodiments of the present application, the same reference numerals denote the same components, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of the same components are omitted in different embodiments. It should be understood that the thickness, length, width and other sizes of various components in the embodiments of the present application as well as the overall thickness, length, width and other sizes of integrated apparatuses shown in the drawings are only illustrative, and should not constitute any limitation to the present application.

The “a plurality of” appearing in the present application refers to more than two (including two).

In the present application, the battery cell may include a lithium-ion secondary battery, a lithium-ion primary battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery, or a magnesium-ion battery, etc., which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The battery cell may have a shape of cylinder, flat body, rectangular parallelepiped or other shapes, which are not limited either in the embodiments of the present application. Battery cells are generally divided into three types according to the encapsulating mode: cylindrical battery cell, square battery cell and soft pack battery cell, which are not limited either in the embodiments of the present application.

The battery mentioned in the embodiments of the present application refers to a single physical module comprising one or more battery cells for providing higher voltage and capacity. For example, the battery mentioned in the present application may include a battery module or a battery pack, etc. The battery generally comprises a box body for encapsulating one or more battery cells. The box body can prevent liquids or other foreign matter from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cells.

The battery cell comprises an electrode assembly and an electrolyte solution, wherein the electrode assembly is composed of a positive electrode sheet, a negative electrode sheet and a separator. The battery cell mainly relies on the movement of metal ions between the positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet to work. The positive electrode sheet 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 portion of the positive electrode current collector not coated with the positive electrode active material layer protrudes from the portion of the positive electrode current collector already coated with the positive electrode active material layer, and the portion of the positive electrode current collector not coated with the positive electrode active material layer serves as a positive tab. 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 cobalt oxide, 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 portion of the negative electrode current collector not coated with the negative electrode active material layer protrudes from the portion of the negative electrode current collector already coated with the negative electrode active material layer, and the portion of the negative electrode current collector not coated with the negative electrode active material layer serves as a negative 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 a large current is passed without fusing, there are a plurality of positive tabs which are laminated together, and there are a plurality of negative tabs which are laminated together. In addition, the electrode assembly may have a wound structure or a laminated structure, which are not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

At present, a battery cell generally comprises a case, an electrode assembly, and an end cover assembly which covers an opening of the case to provide an enclosed space for the electrode assembly and the electrolyte solution. For a typical battery cell, the end cover of the end cover assembly needs to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly through a connection adapter member in order for the end cover to act as an output electrode (positive output electrode or negative output electrode) of the battery cell.

The inventors have found that during the use of the battery cell, such as in a vehicle, the battery cell may vibrate when the vehicle is running, and the electrode assembly may be displaced relative to the end cover assembly during the vibration of the battery cell; since the connection adapter member is in a folded state, the connection adapter member is prone to fatigue fracture failure, resulting in that the end cover cannot be electrically connected to the electrode assembly normally, and thus the battery cell cannot be normally used, affecting the service life of the battery.

In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a technical solution, in which a battery cell comprises a case, an electrode assembly, an end cover assembly and a buffer member, wherein the end cover assembly comprises an end cover, an insulating member and a connection adapter member, the end cover is provided with an electrode terminal, the end cover is configured to cover an opening of the case and is connected to the case, the insulating member is provided on one side of the end cover facing the electrode assembly, the connection adapter member is used for being electrically connected to the electrode terminal and to the electrode assembly, the buffer member is provided on one side of the insulating member facing the electrode assembly, and the buffer member is pressed against the connection adapter member for buffering connection adapter member when the battery cell vibrates, so that the impact force on the connection adapter member when the battery cell vibrates is relieved, thereby avoiding fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member and improving the service life of the battery.

The technical solution described in the embodiments of the present application is applicable to batteries as well as electrical apparatuses.

The electrical apparatus may be a vehicle, a mobile phone, a portable device, a laptop, a ship, a spacecraft, an electric toy and an electric tool, etc. The vehicle may be a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new energy vehicle, and the new energy vehicle may be an all-electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle, an extended-range vehicle, and the like; the spacecraft includes an airplane, a rocket, a space shuttle, a spaceship, and the like; the electric toy includes a stationary electric toy or a mobile electric toy, such as a game machine, an electric car toy, an electric boat toy, an electric airplane toy, and the like; and the electric tool includes a metal cutting electric tool, a grinding electric tool, an assembling electric tool and a railway electric tool, such as an electric drill, an electric grinder, an electric wrench, an electric screwdriver, an electric hammer, an impact electric drill, a concrete vibrator, an electric planer, and the like. The above-mentioned electrical apparatuses are not specially limited in the embodiments of the present application.

For convenience of description, the following embodiments are illustrated by taking a vehicle1000as an example of the electrical apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application.

Referring toFIG.1, which is a schematic structural view of a vehicle1000according to some embodiments of the present application, in which a battery100is provided inside the vehicle1000, and the battery100can be provided at the bottom or the head or the rear of the vehicle1000. The battery100can be used to power the vehicle1000, for example, the battery100can be used as an operating power source for the vehicle1000.

The vehicle1000may further comprise a controller200and a motor300, and the controller200is used to control the battery100to power the motor300, e.g. for the operating power demand of the vehicle1000during start-up, navigation and driving.

In some embodiments, the battery100can be used not only as the operating power source for the vehicle1000, but also as a driving power source for the vehicle1000to replace or partially replace fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle1000.

In some embodiments, referring toFIG.2, which is a schematic structural view of a battery100according to some embodiments of the present application, in which the battery100comprises a box body10and a battery cell20accommodated within the box body10.

The box body10may be of various shapes, such as a cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, and the like. Of course, the box body10can have various structures.

In some embodiments, the box body10may comprise a first portion11and a second portion12, the first portion11and the second portion12are covered with each other to define an accommodating space13for accommodating the battery cell20. Of course, the junction of the first portion11and the second portion12can be sealed by a sealing member, which may be a sealing ring, a sealing glue, and the like.

The first portion11and the second portion12may be of various shapes, such as for example, a rectangular parallelepiped, a cylinder, and the like. The first portion11may be of a hollow structure with one side open, and the second portion12may also be of a hollow structure with one side open, and the open side of the second portion12covers the open side of the first portion11to form the box body10having the accommodating space13. Of course, it is also possible that the first portion11is of a hollow structure with one side open, the second portion12is of a plate-like structure, and the second portion12covers the open side of the first portion11to form the box body10having the accommodating space13.

In the battery100, there may be one or more battery cells20. If there are a plurality of battery cells20, the plurality of battery cells20may be connected in series or parallel or in a mixed connection, wherein the mixed connection means that the plurality of battery cells20are connected in both series and parallel. It is possible that a plurality of battery cells20are first connected in series or parallel or in mixed connection to form a battery module, and then a plurality of battery modules are connected in series or parallel or in mixed connection to form an integral body, which is accommodated within the box body10. It is also possible that all of the battery cells20are directly connected together in series or parallel or in mixed connection, and then an integral body formed by all of the battery cells20is accommodated within the box body10. The battery cell40may be of a cylindrical structure or a square structure having six faces, and the outer shapes and structures of the battery cells40are not limited here. In the embodiments of the present application, the battery cell40is exemplarily illustrated as having a cylindrical structure.

Referring toFIG.3, which is an exploded view of a battery cell20according to some embodiments of the present application, wherein a connection adapter member234is in an unfolded state, and the battery cell20may comprise a case21, an electrode assembly22and an end cover assembly23. The case21has an opening211, the electrode assembly22is accommodated within the case21, and the end cover assembly23is used for covering the opening211.

The case21may be of various shapes, such as for example, a cylinder, a rectangular parallelepiped, and the like. The shape of the case21can be determined according to the specific shape of the electrode assembly22. For example, if the electrode assembly22has a cylindrical structure, the case21may be chosen as having a cylindrical structure; and if the electrode assembly22has a structure of rectangular parallelepiped, the case21may be chosen as having a structure of rectangular parallelepiped.

Exemplarily, inFIG.3, the case21is of a hollow cylindrical structure with both ends open.

There are various materials for the case21, such as for example, plastic, copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, aluminum alloy, and the like, which are not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.

The end cover assembly23comprises an end cover231, an insulating member232, an electrode terminal233, and a connection adapter member234. The end cover231is configured to cover the opening211of the case21and is connected to the case21. For example, the end cover231can be connected to the case21by welding. The insulating member232and the electrode terminal233are both provided on the end cover231. The insulating member232is provided on one side of the end cover231near the inside of the case21. The electrode terminal233is electrically connected to the electrode assembly22through the connection adapter member234. In some examples, the number of the end cover assemblies23is two. Each of two opposite ends of the electrode assembly22is correspondingly provided with one end cover assembly23. The case21has two opposite openings211. Two end covers231respectively cover the two openings211and are both connected to the case21.

In the embodiments of the present application, referring toFIG.4andFIG.5, in whichFIG.4is a schematic structural top view of a battery cell20according to some embodiments of the present application, andFIG.5is a schematic structural sectional view taken along A-A inFIG.4, the battery cell20according to the embodiments of the present application comprises a case21, an electrode assembly22, an end cover assembly23and a buffer member24, wherein the case21has an opening211, the electrode assembly22is provided within the case21, the end cover assembly23is used for enclosing the opening211, and the end cover assembly23comprises an end cover231, an insulating member232and a connection adapter member234; an electrode terminal233is provided on the end cover231, the end cover231is configured to cover the opening211and is connected to the case21, the insulating member232is provided on one side of the end cover231facing the electrode assembly22, and the connection adapter member234is used for being electrically connected to the electrode terminal233and to the electrode assembly22. The buffer member24is provided on one side of the insulating member232facing the electrode assembly22, and the buffer member24is pressed against the connection adapter member234for buffering connection adapter member234when the battery cell20vibrates.

The end cover231is connected to the case21to enclose the electrode assembly22within the case21. The insulating member232can isolate the electrode assembly22from the end cover231. The buffer member24is provided on the side of the insulating member232facing the electrode assembly22, the connection adapter member234is connected to the electrode assembly22, the buffer member24and the electrode assembly22are jointly pressed against at least a part of the connection adapter member234, so that the connection adapter member234is not easily moved in position relative to the electrode assembly22, which is beneficial to reducing the possibility of the connection between the connection adapter member234and the electrode assembly22being disconnected due to the movement of the connection adapter member234relative to the electrode assembly22. At the same time, the buffer member24also causes that the electrode assembly22is not easily moved in position relative to the end cover assembly23, thus avoiding the possibility that when the battery cell20vibrates, the electrode assembly22moves relative to the end cover assembly23and exerts an impact force on the connection adapter member234to result in a fatigue fracture zone on the connection adapter member234.

It should be noted that exemplarily, there may be two buffer members24, symmetrically distributed on both sides of the connection adapter member234for being pressed against the connection adapter member234, and of course, it is also possible to provide a plurality of buffer members24on each side of the connection adapter member234.

According to the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, by providing the buffer member24on one side of the insulating member232facing the electrode assembly22, and the buffer member24being pressed against the connection adapter member234, on the one hand, the connection failure between the connection adapter member234and the electrode assembly22is avoided, and on the other hand, the impact force exerted by the electrode assembly22on the connection adapter member when the battery cell20vibrates is effectively relieved, so that the failure of the electric connection between the electrode terminal233and the electrode assembly22due to the fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member234is avoided, and the service life of the battery is improved.

In some embodiments, with continued reference toFIG.5, the connection adapter member231comprises a first connection adapter part2341and a second connection adapter part2342in a folded state, the second connection adapter part2342is located on one side of the first connection adapter part2341facing the electrode assembly22, the first connection adapter part2341is electrically connected to the electrode terminal233, the second connection adapter part2345is electrically connected to the electrode assembly22, and the buffer member234is pressed against the second connection adapter part2342.

The connection adapter member231is connected to the electrode terminal233through the first connection adapter part2341. For example, the first connection adapter part2341is connected to the electrode terminal233through a rivet post2331. The connection adapter member231is connected to the electrode assembly22through the second connection adapter part2342. For example, the second connection adapter part2342is connected to the electrode assembly22by welding. When assembling the battery cell20, the second connection adapter part2342is bent with respect to the first connection adapter part2341, so that after the assembly of the battery cell20is completed, the first connection adapter part2341and the second connection adapter part2342are in a folded state.

The buffer member24is pressed against the second connection adapter part2342, the second connection adapter part2342is connected to the electrode assembly22, and the buffer member24and the electrode assembly22are jointly pressed against the second connection adapter part2342, so that the second connection adapter part2342is not easily moved in position relative to the electrode assembly22, which is beneficial to reducing the possibility of the connection between the second connection adapter part2342and the electrode assembly22being disconnected due to the movement of the second connection adapter part2342relative to the electrode assembly22. At the same time, the buffer member24can effectively relieve the impact force exerted by the electrode assembly22on the second connection adapter part2342when the battery cell20vibrates, thus avoiding fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member234and improving the service life of the battery.

In some embodiments, with continued reference toFIG.5, the insulating member232comprises an insulating body2321and an extension portion2322which are connected to each other, the insulating body2321is configured to be connected to the end cover231, the extension portion2322extends and protrudes from one side of the insulating body2321facing the electrode assembly22and forms a concave portion2323recessed in a direction away from the electrode assembly22, and the connection adapter member234is at least partially accommodated in the concave portion2323.

The insulating member232is connected to the end cover231through the insulating body2321. The insulating member232can be connected and fixed to the end cover231in advance through the insulating body2321, and then the end cover231with the insulating member232is assembled with the case21. On the one hand, since the insulating member232has the extension portion2322, when assembling the battery cell20, the extension portion2322can guide the end cover231to cover the opening211of the case21. On the other hand, the connection adapter member234is at least partially accommodated in the concave portion2323, and exemplarily as shown inFIG.5, the connection adapter member234is accommodated in the concave portion2323, and the extension portion2322can form a protective isolation for the connection adapter member234, thus avoiding the possibility of short circuiting of the battery cell20caused by contact with the case21.

It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the extension portion2322can be pressed against the electrode assembly22, and acts jointly with the buffer member24, so that the electrode assembly22is not easily moved in position relative to the end cover assembly23. In some other embodiments, the extension portion2322may not be pressed against the electrode assembly22, but instead is pressed through the buffer member24against the second connection adapter part2342to avoid the positional movement of the electrode assembly22relative to the end cover assembly23.

In some embodiments, referring toFIG.6andFIG.7, in whichFIG.6is a schematic structural view of an end cover assembly23according to some embodiments of the present application;FIG.7is a schematic structural view of an end cover assembly23according to some other embodiments of the present application; and the extension portion2322is a closed ring structure which extends continuously or an annular structure with a notch23221.

In some embodiments,FIG.6schematically shows a state in which the connection adapter member234is connected to the electrode terminal233while the connection adapter member234is not bent. Where the extension portion2322is an annular structure with a notch23221, the notch23221of the extension portion2322enables avoidance of the connection adapter member234in an unfolded state. The connection adapter member234can pass through the notch23221, so that during the processing and manufacturing of the connection adapter member234, the first connection adapter part2341and the second connection adapter part2342of the connection adapter member234maintain a flat state, and the processing procedures of the connection adapter member234can be reduced.

In some embodiments,FIG.7schematically shows a state in which the connection adapter member234is connected to the electrode terminal233while the connection adapter member234is not bent. Where the extension portion2322is a closed ring structure which extends continuously, the first connection adapter part2341and the second connection adapter part2342of the connection adapter member234need to be bent during processing and manufacturing, thus enabling the connection adapter member234to avoid the extension portion2322after the first connection adapter part2341is connected to the electrode terminal233. Since the extension portion2322is a closed ring structure which extends continuously, a protective isolation can be formed for the connection adapter member234in a folded state, which is beneficial to further improving the isolation effect.

In some embodiments, with continued reference toFIG.5toFIG.7, the buffer member24is attached to one side of the insulating body2321facing the electrode assembly22. The buffer member24is attached to the insulating body2321, wherein the attachment means that the buffer member24can be fixedly connected to or detachably connected to the insulating body2321, and specifically, bonding or snap-fitting connection can be used. The buffer member24is attached to the side of the insulating body2321facing the electrode assembly22, which facilitates the installation of the buffer member24.

In some embodiments, the material of the buffer member24is an elastomeric material or a foamed material, so that the contact of the buffer member24with the second connection adapter part2342is an elastic contact, so that the failure of the electric connection between the electrode terminal233and the electrode assembly22due to the fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member234is avoided, and the service life of the battery is improved.

In some embodiments, the material of the buffer member24comprises one or more of polypropylene, pearl wool, polyurethane foam and fluororubber. The buffer member24can be prepared by selecting one or more of them according to design requirements, and the buffer member24is prepared by using one or more of polypropylene, pearl wool, polyurethane foam and fluororubber, so that the contact of the buffer member24with the second connection adapter part2342is an elastic contact, thus avoiding fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member234.

In some embodiments, referring toFIG.8, which is a schematic structural view of a battery cell20according to some other embodiments of the present application corresponding toFIG.5, in which at least a part of the insulating body2321is recessed in a direction away from the end cover231, so as to protrude from the side of the insulating body2321facing the electrode assembly22to form the buffer member24. The buffer member24is formed by the insulating body2321being recessed in the direction away from the end cover231, and the buffer member24can be integrally formed with the insulating body2321, so that the installation of the buffer member24is omitted, and the assembling procedures are simplified; the buffer member24protrudes from the side of the insulating body2321facing the electrode assembly22, while on the side facing the end cover231is recessed in the direction away from the end cover231, so that the buffer member24can maintain a certain elasticity, and the contact of the buffer member24with the second connection adapter part2342is an elastic contact, thus avoiding fatigue fracture of the connection adapter member234.

In some embodiments, referring toFIG.9, which is a schematic structural view of an insulating member232according to some embodiments of the present application, in which the buffer member24is configured to be composed of at least one protrusion241protruding on the side of the insulating body2321facing the electrode assembly22. Since a side portion2411of the protrusion241can function as a reinforcing rib, a buffer member24composed of a different number of protrusions241has a different number of side portions2411, so that the elasticity of the buffer member24composed of a different number of protrusions241is different. A buffer member24composed of at least one protrusion241protruding on the side of the insulating body2321facing the electrode assembly22is used, which both maintains the elasticity of the buffer member24and provides the buffer member24with a certain strength, so that the buffer member24can be pressed against the second connection adapter part2342to avoid the movement of the electrode assembly22relative to the position of the end cover assembly23.

Embodiments of the present application further provide a method for manufacturing a battery cell20; referring toFIG.10, which is a schematic flowchart of a method for manufacturing a battery cell20according to some embodiments of the present application, wherein the method for manufacturing a battery cell20comprises:S100: providing a case21having an opening211;S200: providing an electrode assembly22;S300: providing an end cover assembly23having an end cover231, an insulating member232and a connection adapter member234, wherein the end cover231is provided with an electrode terminal233;S400: providing a buffer member24;S500: placing the electrode assembly22into the case21;S600: connecting the buffer member24to the insulating member232;S700: electrically connecting the connection adapter member234to the electrode terminal231and to the electrode assembly22, respectively; andS800: covering the opening211with the end cover231, with the end cover231being connected to the case21;

wherein the insulating member232is provided on one side of the end cover231facing the electrode assembly22, the buffer member24is provided on one side of the insulating member232facing the electrode assembly22, and the buffer member24is pressed against the connection adapter member234.

In the above method, the order of step S100, step S200, step S300 and step S400 is not limited, such as for example, step S400 may be performed first, then step S300 is performed, then step S200 is performed, and then step S100 is performed.

It should be noted that the related structures of the battery cells20manufactured by the manufacturing method provided in the above embodiments can be found in the battery cells20provided in the foregoing embodiments, and the details will not be repeated here.

Embodiments of the present application further provide a manufacturing system2000for a battery cell20; referring toFIG.11, which is a schematic block diagram of a manufacturing system for a battery cell according to some embodiments of the present application, and the manufacturing system2000for a battery cell20comprises:a first providing means2100for providing a case21having an opening211;a second providing means2200for providing an electrode assembly22;a third providing means2300for providing an end cover assembly23having an end cover231, an insulating member232and a connection adapter member234, wherein the end cover231is provided with an electrode terminal233;a fourth providing means2400for providing a buffer member24;an assembling means2500for placing the electrode assembly22into the case21; connecting the buffer member24to the insulating member232; electrically connecting the connection adapter member234to the electrode terminal231and to the electrode assembly22, respectively; and covering the opening211with the end cover231, with the end cover231being connected to the case21;wherein the insulating member232is provided on one side of the end cover231facing the electrode assembly22, the buffer member24is provided on one side of the insulating member232facing the electrode assembly22, and the buffer member24is pressed against the connection adapter member234.

It should be noted that the related structures of the battery cells20manufactured by the manufacturing system2000provided in the above embodiments can be found in the battery cells20provided in the foregoing embodiments, and the details will not be repeated here.

While the present application has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments, various improvements can be made and components therein can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the present application. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any way as long as there are no structural conflicts. The present application is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed herein, but rather includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.