Battery and electric device containing same

A battery, including a battery cell and a housing assembly accommodating the battery cell. The battery cell includes a first tab. The housing assembly includes a first housing body and a second housing body. The first housing body and the second housing body define an accommodation space to accommodate the battery cell. The first housing body and/or the second housing body include an installation portion provided with a via hole. A conductive member is disposed on an inner surface or an outer surface of the housing assembly and electrically connected to the first tab. In a through direction of the via hole, a projection of the conductive member is at least partially located in the via hole. The conductive member can avoid occupying internal space of the housing assembly, and increase the energy density of the battery. An electric device containing the battery is provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to a battery and an electric device containing the battery.

BACKGROUND

Batteries are widely used in fields such as a mobile electronic device due to the portability. A battery usually includes a housing body, a top cover, a battery cell, and the like. The battery cell is located inside the housing body, and the top cover is located at an opening at an upper end of the housing body. An electrode post is disposed to penetrate through the top cover and electrically connect to the battery cell for powering an external device.

However, to meet installation requirements, the electrode post in the prior art needs to be H-shaped. That is, the electrode post includes an electrode post body and electrode post pads located on both sides of the electrode post body. The two electrode post pads are arranged on two surfaces of the top cover respectively. To electrically insulate the electrode post from the top cover, a layer of insulation spacer needs to be disposed between each of the two electrode post pads and the top cover. Therefore, along a direction perpendicular to the top cover, two layers of electrode post pads and two layers of insulation spacers totaling four layers are added in a place where the electrode post is disposed additionally on the top cover, thereby increasing an overall thickness of the top cover and reducing an energy density.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing situation, it is necessary to provide a battery capable of increasing the energy density.

In addition, it is necessary to provide an electric device containing the battery.

This application provides a battery, including a battery cell and a housing assembly accommodating the battery cell. The battery cell includes a first tab. The housing assembly includes a first housing body and a second housing body. The first housing body and the second housing body define an accommodation space to accommodate the battery cell.

The first housing body and/or the second housing body include an installation portion provided with a via hole. A material of the installation portion is an insulation material.

The battery further includes a conductive member electrically connected to the first tab. The conductive member is disposed on an inner surface or an outer surface of the housing assembly. In a through direction of the via hole, a projection of the conductive member is at least partially located in the via hole.

In some embodiments of this application, the first housing body includes a bottom wall and a sidewall. The sidewall is disposed on a periphery of the bottom wall, and forms the accommodation space together with the bottom wall. The via hole is located on the bottom wall, the sidewall, or the second housing body.

In some embodiments of this application, the sidewall includes a first surface facing away from the bottom wall. The first housing body further includes a first protruding portion. The first protruding portion is disposed protrusively on the first surface, and forms an accommodation groove together with the first surface. The second housing body is disposed on the first surface. An edge of the second housing body is accommodated in the accommodation groove.

In some embodiments of this application, the first housing body further includes a second protruding portion. The second protruding portion is formed by horizontally extending the first protruding portion from an end away from the first surface toward a central axis of the battery. The second protruding portion, the first protruding portion, and the first surface together form the accommodation groove. The second protruding portion is further connected to a surface of the second housing body facing away from the battery cell.

In some embodiments of this application, the insulation material is selected from one or more of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyimide, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic, polycarbonate, polyamide, and ceramics.

In some embodiments of this application, the conductive member is disposed on a surface selected from the group consisting of a surface of the second housing body, a surface of the bottom wall and a surface of the sidewall, wherein the surface faces away from the battery cell.

In some embodiments of this application, the conductive member is disposed on a surface selected from the group consisting of a surface of the second housing body, a surface of the bottom wall and a surface of the sidewall, wherein the surface faces the battery cell.

In some embodiments of this application, the battery further includes an adapter member, and the adapter member is electrically connected to the conductive member and the first tab.

In some embodiments of this application, a thickness of the conductive member is 0.01 mm to 2 mm.

In some embodiments of this application, the battery cell further includes a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a second tab whose polarity is different from that of the first tab. The first tab is electrically connected to the first electrode plate. The second tab is electrically connected to the second electrode plate. The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate are stacked or wound to form the battery cell. A material of the first housing body is a conductive material. The second tab is electrically connected to the first housing body.

In some embodiments of this application, the conductive material is selected from one or more of a steel alloy, an aluminum alloy, an iron alloy, a copper alloy, a nickel alloy, and stainless steel.

In some embodiments of this application, the conductive member fully overlays the via hole.

In some embodiments of this application, the first housing body and/or the second housing body further include a conductive portion connected to the installation portion.

In some embodiments of this application, a material of the first housing body and/or the second housing body is an insulation material.

This application further provides an electric device, containing the battery described above.

In this application, the conductive member is disposed, and the first tab is electrically connected to the conductive member. In this way, the polarity of the first tab can be led out after an external electrical connecting member is connected to the conductive member. According to this application, the first housing body and/or the second housing body include an installation portion provided with a via hole. A material of the installation portion is an insulation material. The conductive member is disposed on an inner surface or an outer surface of the housing assembly. In a through direction of the via hole, a projection of the conductive member is at least partially located in the via hole. Therefore, the conductive member may be configured to replace the electrode post in the prior art. In addition, no insulator needs to be disposed between the conductive member and a to-be-installed object (the first housing body or the second housing body). In contrast with the circumstance in the prior art in which additional four layers need to be added in a place where the electrode post is disposed on the housing assembly, this application only increases a thickness of one layer of the conductive member to be added on the housing assembly, thereby reducing the thickness of the housing assembly and helping to increase the energy density of the battery when an overall volume of the battery is constant. In addition, the battery containing no electrode post in this application can effectively avoid the risks of short circuits or electrolyte leakages caused by an extrusion of the electrode post to the interior of the battery.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

This application is further described below with reference to the following specific embodiments and the foregoing drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The following clearly and fully describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the drawings hereof. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely a part of but not all of the embodiments of this application.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as usually understood by a person skilled in the technical field of this application. The terms used in the specification of this application herein are merely intended for describing specific embodiments but are not intended to limit this application.

The following describes some embodiments of this application in detail with reference to drawings. To the extent that no conflict occurs, the following embodiments and the features in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

Referring toFIG.1, this application provides a battery100. The battery100includes a battery cell10and a housing assembly20. The battery cell10includes a first tab101. The housing assembly20includes a first housing body21and a second housing body22. The first housing body21and the second housing body22define an accommodation space210to accommodate the battery cell10. The first housing body21and/or the second housing body22include an installation portion (without a reference numeral) provided with a via hole201. A material of the installation portion is an insulation material. The battery100further includes a conductive member30electrically connected to the first tab101. The conductive member30is disposed on an inner surface or an outer surface of the housing assembly20. In a through direction of the via hole201, a projection of the conductive member30is at least partially located in the via hole201. In this embodiment, the conductive member30fully overlays the via hole201, so that the battery cell10is sealed in the housing assembly20. The via hole201is located on the installation portion made of an insulation material. Therefore, electrical isolation can be implemented between the conductive member30and the first housing body21or the second housing body22when (i) the conductive member30is disposed on the inner surface or the outer surface of the housing assembly20and (ii) in the through direction of the via hole201, a projection of the conductive member30is at least partially located in the via hole201.

In an embodiment, the material of the second housing body22is an insulation material, and therefore, the installation portion provided with the via hole201belongs to a partial region of the second housing body22. Alternatively, the second housing body22may be a combination of an installation portion made of an insulation material and a conductive portion made of a conductive material. For example, the second housing body22is a cover, and the cover includes an installation portion located at a center and a conductive portion surrounding the installation portion, wherein the conductive portion is made of a conductive material. Alternatively, the via hole201may be disposed on the first housing body21, or disposed on the bottom wall211or the sidewall212of the first housing body21. The material of the bottom wall211or the sidewall212of the first housing body21may be an insulation material, or the first housing body may be a combination of an installation portion made of an insulation material and a conductive portion made of a conductive material.

In an embodiment, the conductive member30overlays a part of the via hole201. In this case, the battery cell10needs to be sealed in the housing assembly20by using other seals. Alternatively, the conductive member30may fully overlays the via hole201.

In this application, the conductive member30is disposed, and the first tab101is electrically connected to the conductive member30. In this way, the polarity of the first tab101can be led out after an external electrical connecting piece is connected to the conductive member30. Therefore, the conductive member30may be configured to replace the electrode post in the prior art. In contrast with the circumstance in the prior art in which additional four layers need to be added in a place where the electrode post is disposed on the housing assembly, this application only increases a thickness of one layer of conductive member30to be added on the housing assembly20, thereby reducing the thickness of the housing assembly20and helping to increase the energy density of the battery100when an overall volume of the battery100is constant, in addition, preventing the electrode post from penetrating the electrode plate of the battery100during a crush test, and thereby avoiding short circuits. In this embodiment, the battery cell10is a stacked battery cell, but in other embodiments, the battery cell may be a wound battery cell, details of which are omitted here. Referring toFIG.2, the first housing body21includes a bottom wall211and a sidewall212. The sidewall212is disposed on a periphery of the bottom wall211, and forms the accommodation space210together with the bottom wall211. The via hole201is located at the bottom wall211, the sidewall212, or the second housing body22(referring toFIG.1toFIG.10). The sidewall212includes a first surface2121facing away from the bottom wall211.

In an embodiment, referring toFIG.2, the first housing body21further includes a first protruding portion213. The first protruding portion213is disposed protrusively on the first surface2121, and forms an accommodation groove214together with the first surface2121. The second housing body22is disposed on the first surface2121, and an edge of the second housing body22is accommodated in the accommodation groove214. The second housing body22is fixed hermetically to the first housing body21by melt-embedding or by bonding. In this way, a problem of the shrinkage of a separator (not shown in the drawing) inside the battery100is avoided, wherein the problem is caused by laser welding between the first housing body21and the second housing body22(inside the housing assembly20, the separator is closer to the sealing region of the housing assembly20, and, if the sealing is performed by welding the two housing bodies, a high temperature in the welding process will cause the separator to shrink and lead to a short circuit due to a contact between a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate), and processing costs can be reduced.

In another embodiment, referring toFIG.3, the first housing body21further includes a second protruding portion215. The second protruding portion215is formed by horizontally extending the first protruding portion213from an end away from the first surface2121toward a central axis Z of the battery100. The second protruding portion215, the first protruding portion213, and the first surface2121together form the accommodation groove214. The second protruding portion215may also be connected to a surface of the second housing body22facing away from the battery cell10. The second protruding portion215is disposed to further strengthen the connection between the first housing body21and the second housing body22and ensure the reliability of the sealing of the housing assembly20. The second protruding portion215is parallel to the bottom wall211.

The material of the first housing body21may be an insulation material or a conductive material. The thickness of the first housing body21is in the range of from 0.05 mm to 2 mm. Optionally, the thickness of the first housing body21is 0.2 mm.

The material of the second housing body22may be an insulation material or a conductive material. The thickness of the second housing body22is in the range of from 0.05 mm to 2 mm. Optionally, the thickness of the first housing body21is 0.15 mm.

The insulation material is selected from but not limited to one or more of polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyester (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyimide (PI), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyamide (PA), and ceramics. The conductive material is not limited to one or more of a steel alloy, an aluminum alloy, an iron alloy, a copper alloy, a nickel alloy, and stainless steel.

The conductive member30may be bonded to or embedded into the second housing body22.

In an embodiment, referring toFIG.2toFIG.5, the conductive member30is disposed on a surface selected from the group consisting of a surface of the second housing body22, a surface of the bottom wall211and a surface of the sidewall212, wherein the surface faces away from the battery cell10. That is, the conductive member30is located outside the housing assembly20, and may be directly used as an external port. The battery100generates gas inside the housing assembly20during normal operation, thereby increasing internal pressure. When the internal pressure exceeds a preset value, the conductive member30will burst open, and will be detached from the housing assembly20, so as to achieve a purpose of pressure relief, prevent explosion of the battery100, and ensure the safety of the battery100. In addition, the first tab101runs through the via hole201and is electrically connected to the conductive member30. The polarity of the first tab101can be led out of the housing assembly20after an external electrical connecting member is connected to the conductive member30.

In another embodiment, referring toFIG.6toFIG.8, the conductive member30is disposed on a surface selected from the group consisting of a surface of the second housing body22, a surface of the bottom wall211and a surface of the sidewall212, wherein the surface faces the battery cell10. That is, the conductive member30is located inside the housing assembly20. Therefore, the overall shape of the housing assembly20is flat, the exterior of the battery100is more regular, and a height difference exists between the conductive member30and a top surface of the housing assembly20, thereby avoiding external short circuits. In addition, the external electrical connecting member can be connected to the conductive member30through the via hole201, so that the polarity of the first tab101can be led out of the housing assembly20.

Referring toFIG.1, further, the battery100further includes an adapter member31. The adapter member31is electrically connected to the conductive member30and a plurality of a first tabs101. In this way, by means of the adapter member31, a plurality of the first tabs101are electrically connected to the conductive member30. Through the conductive member30, the first tabs are led out of the housing assembly20. In this embodiment, the adapter member31is located in the housing assembly20. In other embodiments, the battery cell may also be a wound cell. Only one first tab is disposed on the wound cell, so that no adapter member31is required and the first tab101is directly electrically connected to the conductive member.

Referring toFIG.9, the battery100further includes an external connecting member40. The external connecting member40is disposed on a surface of the conductive member30faces away from the battery cell10. The external connecting member40is welded to the conductive member30to implement electrical connection to the conductive member30. In this way, the external connecting member40is disposed so that the polarity of the first tab101can be led out of the housing assembly20.

Specifically, referring toFIG.9, the external connecting member40includes a first external connecting portion401, a second external connecting portion402, and a third external connecting portion403connected between the first external connecting portion401and the second external connecting portion402. The first external connecting portion401and the second external connecting portion402are disposed on a surface of the second housing body22facing away from the battery cell10. The third external connecting portion403is disposed on a surface of the conductive member30facing away from the battery cell10. The third external connecting portion403is welded to the conductive member30.

In an embodiment, the external connecting member40may be fixed to the second housing body22by melt-embedding.

Further, referring toFIG.9, the battery100further includes a bonding member50. The bonding member50is disposed between the first external connecting portion401and the second housing body22, and/or disposed between the second external connecting portion402and the second housing body22.

In this embodiment, the material of the conductive member30may be metal. For example, the material of the conductive member30may be a steel alloy, an aluminum alloy, an iron alloy, a copper alloy, a nickel alloy, or the like. Optionally, the material of the conductive member30is stainless steel. The thickness of the conductive member30is in the range of from 0.01 mm to 2 mm. Optionally, the thickness of the conductive member30is 0.15 mm.

The shape of the conductive member30may be a circle, a square, an ellipse, a triangle, a polygon, or the like. The shape of the via hole201may be a circle, a square, an ellipse, a triangle, a polygon, or the like. The shape of the conductive member30may be identical to or different from the shape of the via hole201.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.10, the battery cell10further includes a second tab102whose polarity is different from that of the first tab101. When the material of the first housing body21is a conductive material, the second tab102is electrically connected to the first housing body21, and the first housing body21can exhibit an electrical polarity identical to that of the second tab102. Because the first tab101is electrically connected to the conductive member30, the conductive member30can exhibit an electrical polarity identical to that of the first tab101. Because the conductive member30is electrically insulated from the second housing body22, the conductive member30and the first housing body21can exhibit opposite electrical polarities.

In this embodiment, the first tab101is a positive tab, and the second tab102is a negative tab. The second tab102may be electrically connected to the first housing body21by welding, and the first tab101may be electrically connected to the conductive member30by welding.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.10, the battery cell10further includes a first electrode plate11and a second electrode plate12. The first tab101is electrically connected to the first electrode plate11. The second tab102is electrically connected to the second electrode plate12. The first electrode plate11and the second electrode plate12are stacked or wound to form the battery cell10. Specifically, the first electrode plate11includes a first current collector and a first active material layer formed on the first current collector. The second electrode plate12includes a second current collector and a second active material layer formed on the second current collector. The first tab101and the second tab102may be electrically connected to the first current collector and the second current collector by welding, respectively. The first electrode plate11and the second electrode plate12are stacked or wound to form the battery cell10. More specifically, a separator (not shown in the drawing) is further disposed between the first electrode plate11and the second electrode plate12.

Referring toFIG.11, an electric device1contains the battery100. The electric device1may be a consumer electronic product, such as a smart phone, in other embodiments, the electric device1may also be an electric tool, an energy storage device, a power device, or the like. For example, the electric device1may also be an electric vehicle.

The following describes the battery100in this application in detail with reference to embodiments.

Referring toFIG.1, the battery100includes a battery cell10, a housing assembly20configured to accommodate the battery cell10, and a conductive member30.

Referring toFIG.1, the battery cell10includes a first electrode plate11, the second electrode plate12, a first tab101, and a second tab102. The first electrode plate11and the second electrode plate12are stacked to form the battery cell10. The first tab101is electrically connected to the first electrode plate11. The second tab102is electrically connected to the second electrode plate12. In other embodiments, referring toFIG.10, the battery cell10may be formed by winding the first electrode plate11and the second electrode plate12.

Referring toFIG.1, the housing assembly20includes a first housing body21and a second housing body22. The material of the second housing body22is an insulation material.

Referring toFIG.2, the first housing body21includes a bottom wall211, a sidewall212, and a first protruding portion213. The sidewall212is disposed on a periphery of the bottom wall211, and forms an accommodation space210together with the bottom wall211. The battery cell10is accommodated in the accommodation space210. The second tab102is further electrically connected to the first housing body21.

Referring toFIG.2, the first protruding portion213is disposed protrusively on the first surface2121, and forms an accommodation groove214together with the first surface2121. The second housing body22is disposed on the first surface2121, and an edge of the second housing body22is accommodated in the accommodation groove214.

Referring toFIG.1andFIG.2, the second housing body22is provided with a via hole201. The conductive member30is disposed on a surface of the second housing body22and fully overlays the via hole201, wherein the surface faces the battery cell10, so that the battery cell10is sealed in the housing assembly20. The conductive member30is electrically connected to the first tab101.

In Embodiment 1, the battery100is a button battery.

Embodiment 2 differs from Embodiment 1 in a structure of the first housing body21.

In contrast with Embodiment 1, referring toFIG.3, the first housing body21in Embodiment 2 further includes a second protruding portion215. The second protruding portion215is formed by horizontally extending the first protruding portion213from an end away from the first surface2121toward a central axis Z of the battery100. The second protruding portion215, the first protruding portion213, and the first surface2121together form the accommodation groove214. The second protruding portion215may also be connected to a surface of the second housing body22, wherein the surface faces away from the battery cell10. The second protruding portion215is parallel to the bottom wall211.

Embodiment 3 differs from Embodiment 1 in the locations of the via hole201and the conductive member30.

In Embodiment 3, referring toFIG.4, the via hole201is located on the bottom wall211. The material of the first housing body21is an insulation material. The conductive member30is disposed on a surface of the bottom wall211and fully overlays the via hole201, wherein the surface faces the battery cell10.

Embodiment 4 differs from Embodiment 3 in the locations of the via, hole201and the conductive member30.

In Embodiment 4, referring toFIG.5, the via hole201is located on the sidewall212. The conductive member30is disposed on a surface of the sidewall212and fully overlays the via hole201, wherein the surface faces the battery cell10.

Embodiment 5 differs from Embodiment 1 in the location of the conductive member30.

In Embodiment 5, referring toFIG.6, the conductive member30is disposed on a surface of the second housing body22and fully overlays the via hole201, wherein the surface faces away from the battery cell10.

Embodiment 6 differs from Embodiment 3 in the location of the conductive member30.

In Embodiment 6, referring toFIG.7, the conductive member30is disposed on a surface of the bottom wall211and fully overlays the via hole201, wherein the surface faces away from the battery cell10.

Embodiment 7 differs from Embodiment 4 in the location of the conductive member30.

In Embodiment 7, referring toFIG.8, the conductive member30is disposed on a surface of the sidewall212and fully overlays the via hole201, wherein the surface faces away from the battery cell10.

Embodiment 8 differs from Embodiment 1 in that the battery100in Embodiment 8 further includes an external connecting member40and a bonding member50.

In Embodiment 8, referring toFIG.9, the external connecting member40includes a first external connecting portion401, a second external connecting portion402, and a third external connecting portion403connected between the first external connecting portion401and the second external connecting portion402. The first external connecting portion401and the second external connecting portion402are disposed on a surface of the second housing body22, wherein the surface faces away from the battery cell10. The third external connecting portion403is disposed on a surface of the conductive member30, wherein the surface faces away from the battery cell10. The third external connecting portion403is welded to the conductive member30. The bonding member50is disposed between the first external connecting portion401and the second housing body22, and disposed between the second external connecting portion402and the second housing body22.

The foregoing descriptions are merely exemplary embodiments of this application, but are not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made without departing from the spirit and principles of this application shall fall within the protection scope of this application.