Patent Description:
At present, for achieving an equipotential connection between two electric conductors, one end of an equipotential metal sheet is generally fixed to one electric conductor through one bolt and then the other end of the equipotential metal sheet is fixed to the other electric conductor through another bolt, such that the two electric conductors reach a same potential. In such an equipotential structure, it is easy to cause poor contact of the equipotential metal sheet with the electric conductors, resulting in equipotential failure.

<CIT> provides an electrically conductive gasket and methods of manufacturing electrically conductive gaskets. In one embodiment, the gasket includes a core that supports an electrically conductive cover thereon. The electrically conductive cover may be attached to the core or portions of the core by one or more adhesives used to also affix the gasket to an electrically conductive object. In other embodiments, a mechanical fastener may be affixed to the core by the one or more adhesives employed to affix the electrically conductive cover to the core.

<CIT> provides a battery pack, which comprises a shell, a battery module and a water cooling plate, wherein the battery module and the water cooling plate are arranged in the shell, the water cooling plate comprises a water chamber and a heat exchange channel communicated with the water chamber, and a heat exchange medium in the water chamber can exchange heat with the battery module through the heat exchange channel; an elastic supporting pad is arranged between the outer wall of the heat exchange channel and the bottom wall of the shell, the lower surface of the elastic supporting pad protrudes out of the lower surface of the water chamber, positioning is realized between the water chamber and the bottom wall of the shell through a positioning pin and a positioning hole, and the diameter of the positioning hole is larger than that of the positioning pin; still be equipped with the electrically conductive piece of elasticity between the diapair of water-cooling board and casing, the electrically conductive piece of elasticity is the surperficial of butt casing and water-cooling board simultaneously. The battery pack can reduce the whole weight of the battery pack, and can realize good processing property and ensure the heat exchange property of the battery module.

Embodiments of the present application provide an equipotential structure, a battery and an electric device to improve, through the equipotential metal sheet, a situation in which equipotential failure is easily caused by the equipotential connection between two electric conductors.

According to a first aspect, embodiments of the present application provides an equipotential structure, including a first electric conductor, a second electric conductor and equipotential apparatus including an electrically-conductive member and an elastic support, where the electrically-conductive member is at least partially arranged on a surface of the elastic support, and the elastic support is configured to provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member so as to squeeze the electrically-conductive member to the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor to achieve an equipotential connection between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor; and where a first hole supplied for a connector to pass through is provided on the elastic support.

In the above solution, since the electrically-conductive member is at least partially arranged on the surface of the elastic support and the elastic support has the ability of performing an elastic deformation and recovering from the deformation, after being elastically deformed, the elastic support can provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member. Under the effect of the elastic support force, the electrically-conductive member can be made to be squeezed to the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor, such that the electrically-conductive member is in close contact with the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor, thereby achieving an equipotential connection between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor. A first hole is provided on the elastic support to facilitate penetration of the connector. By passing through the first hole through the connector, the elastic support can be stabilized between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor. Therefore, it is not easy to cause poor contact of the electrically-conductive member with the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor and equipotential failure of the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor.

In some embodiments, the electrically-conductive member is made of a flexible material.

In the above solution, the electrically-conductive member is made of the flexible material, such that the electrically-conductive member has a flexible deformation ability. Under the effect of the elastic support force provided by the elastic support, the electrically-conductive member is capable of adapting to the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor better, so as to effectively increase a contact area of the electrically-conductive member with the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor.

In some embodiments, the electrically-conductive member covers the surface of the elastic support at a complete circle along a circumferential direction.

In the above solution, the electrically-conductive member covers the surface of the elastic support at a complete circle along the circumferential direction. On one hand, the equipotential apparatus can be rapidly mounted between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor, without requiring excessive adjustment of the equipotential apparatus' orientation. On the other hand, the elastic support can apply an elastic support force to circumference of the electrically-conductive member and the elastic support can tighten the electrically-conductive member, such that it is not easy for the electrically-conductive member to fall off the elastic support.

In some embodiments, the electrically-conductive member includes one or more of a conductive cloth, a tin foil paper and an aluminum foil paper.

In the above solution, all of the conductive cloth, the tin foil paper and the aluminum foil paper have the ability of conducting electricity and are of favorable flexibility, such that under the effect of the elastic support force provided by the elastic support, they are capable of adapting to the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor better.

In some embodiments, the elastic support includes a first surface and a second surface that are opposite to each other; the electrically-conductive member includes a first conductive portion, a second conductive portion and a third conductive portion, the first conductive portion being connected to the second conductive portion through the third conductive portion; the first conductive portion covers the first surface and the first conductive portion is configured to be squeezed to the first electric conductor; and the second conductive portion covers the second surface and the second conductive portion is configured to be squeezed to the second electric conductor.

In the above solution, since the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion of the electrically-conductive member respectively cover two opposite surfaces (the first surface and the second surface) of the elastic support, the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion are made to be arranged oppositely. The elastic support can apply opposite elastic support forces to the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion, thereby squeezing the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion respectively to the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor.

In some embodiments, a second hole and a third hole supplied for the connector to pass through and located at two axial ends of the first hole are provided on the electrically-conductive member.

In the above solution, the second hole and the third hole located at the two axial ends of the first hole are provided on the electrically-conductive member. By passing through the second hole, the first hole and the third hole in order through the connector, the entire equipotential apparatus can be stabilized between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor. After passing through the second hole, the first hole and the third hole in order, the connector can perform a limiting function to the electrically-conductive member and the elastic support, thereby achieving the purpose of connecting the electrically-conductive member and the elastic support together.

According to a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide an equipotential structure, including a first electric conductor, a second electric conductor and the equipotential apparatus described above.

The elastic support is configured to provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member so as to squeeze the electrically-conductive member to the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor to achieve an equipotential connection between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor.

In the above solution, the elastic support of the equipotential apparatus can provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member, such that the electrically-conductive member is in close contact with the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor, thereby achieving the equipotential connection between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor. Therefore, it is not easy to cause poor contact of the electrically-conductive member with the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor and equipotential failure of the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor.

In some embodiments, the electrically-conductive member and the first electric conductor are connected to each other through a first conductive adhesive layer; and/or the electrically-conductive member and the second electric conductor are connected to each other through a second conductive adhesive layer.

In the above solution, connecting the electrically-conductive member to the first electric conductor through the first conductive adhesive can improve solidity of the electrically-conductive member, such that it is not easy to cause relative dislocation between the electrically-conductive member and the first electric conductor. Connecting the electrically-conductive member to the second electric conductor through the second conductive adhesive can improve solidity of the electrically-conductive member, such that it is not easy to cause relative dislocation between the electrically-conductive member and the second electric conductor.

In some embodiments, the equipotential structure further includes a connector, and the connector is configured to connect the equipotential apparatus between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor.

In the above solution, connecting the equipotential apparatus between the first electric conductor and the second electric conductor through the connector improves solidity of the entire equipotential apparatus after being mounted.

According to a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a battery, including a box, a battery unit, a thermal management member and the equipotential structure described above; the box includes the first electric conductor; the battery unit is accommodated in the box; and the thermal management member is used for managing a temperature for the battery unit and the thermal management member includes the second electric conductor.

In the above solution, the box of the battery includes the first electric conductor in the equipotential structure, and the thermal management member includes the second electric conductor in the equipotential structure, that is, the box and the thermal management member achieve equipotential through the equipotential apparatus, in which case, it is not easy to cause failure of equipotential between the box and the thermal management member, thereby reducing risks of electric shock and improving security of the battery.

According to a third aspect, embodiments of the present application further provide an electric device, including the battery described above.

In the above solution, it is not easy to cause failure of the equipotential structure in the battery of the electric device, thereby reducing risks of electric shock and improving security of the electric device.

To describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings required for describing the embodiments of the present application. Apparently, the accompanying drawings in the following description show merely some embodiments of the present application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

Of the accompanying drawings, the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual proportions.

REFERENCE SIGNS: <NUM>-box; <NUM>-box body; <NUM>-side wall; <NUM>-bottom wall; <NUM>-box cover; <NUM>-battery unit; <NUM>-thermal management member; <NUM>-equipotential structure; <NUM>-first electric conductor; <NUM>-contact surface; <NUM>-second electric conductor; <NUM>-equipotential apparatus; <NUM>-electrically-conductive member; <NUM>-first conductive portion; <NUM>-second conductive portion; <NUM>-third conductive portion; <NUM>-fourth conductive portion; <NUM>-second hole; <NUM>-third hole; <NUM>-elastic support; <NUM>-first surface; <NUM>-second surface; <NUM>-third surface; <NUM>-fourth surface; <NUM>-first hole; <NUM>-middle electric conductor;<NUM>-first conductive adhesive layer; <NUM>-second conductive adhesive layer; <NUM>-connector; <NUM>-fixing member; <NUM>-battery; <NUM>-controller; <NUM>-motor; and <NUM>-vehicle.

The following further describes the implementations of the present application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed description of the following embodiments and accompanying drawings are used to illustratively state the principles of the present application, but not to limit the scope of the present application, that is, the present application is not limited to the embodiments described.

In the descriptions of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise described additionally, "plural" means more than two; and the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "up", "down", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", and the like are merely intended to facilitate the descriptions of the present application and simplify the descriptions, but not intended to indicate or imply that the apparatuses or components mentioned must have specific orientations, or be constructed and operated for a specific orientation, and therefore shall not be understood as a limitation to the present application. In addition, the terms "first", "second" and "third" etc. are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as an indication or implication of relative importance. "Vertical" does not mean vertical in the strict sense, but to be vertical within a permitted range of an error. "Parallel" does not mean parallel in the strict sense, but to be parallel within a permitted range of an error.

The location words appearing in the following descriptions are all directions indicated in the drawings, but not to constitute any limitation to the specific structure of the present application. In the description of the present application, it should be further noted that unless otherwise prescribed and defined clearly, terms "mounting", "communicating" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense, which for example can be a fixed connection and can also be a detachable connection or an integral connection; or can be a direct connection and can also be a connection through an intermediary. A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand specific meanings of these terms in the present application based on specific situations.

The battery provided in embodiments of the present application refers to a single physical module including one or more battery units to provide higher voltage and capacity. For example, the battery mentioned in the present application can include a battery module or a battery pack etc. The battery generally includes a box for packaging one or more battery units. The battery unit includes one or more battery cells. If the battery unit includes a plurality of battery cells, the plurality of battery cells can be in series connection and/or parallel connection together through a converging piece. The box can prevent liquid or other foreign material from affecting charging or discharging of the battery cell.

In the present application, the battery cell can 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 by embodiments of the present application herein. The battery cell can be of such shapes as a cylinder, a flat body, a cuboid or other shapes, which are also not limited by embodiments of the present application. The battery cell is generally divided into three types according to a packaging manner: a column-shaped battery cell, a rectangle-shaped battery cell and a soft-package battery cell, which are also not limited by embodiments of the present application.

The battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrolytic solution, the electrode assembly being composed of an anode piece, a cathode piece and an isolating film. The battery cell mainly works by depending on movement of a metal ion between the anode piece and the cathode piece. The anode piece includes a positive current collector and a positive active substance layer, the positive active substance layer being coated on a surface of the positive current collector. The positive current collector without being coated with the positive active substance layer protrudes outside the positive current collector coated with the positive active substance layer and the positive current collector without being coated with the positive active substance layer serves as a positive tab. With the lithium-ion battery as an example, the material of the positive current collector can be aluminum and the positive active substance can be lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium or lithium manganese oxide etc. The cathode piece includes a negative current collector and a negative active substance layer, the negative active substance layer being coated on a surface of the negative current collector. The negative current collector without being coated with the cathode active substance layer protrudes outside the negative current collector coated with the negative active substance layer and the negative current collector without being coated with the negative active substance layer serves as a negative tab. The material of the negative current collector can be copper and the negative active substance can be carbon or silicon etc. In order to ensure pass of big current without occurrence of fusing, there are multiple positive tabs, which are stacked together, and there are multiple negative tabs, which are stacked together. The material of the isolating film can be PP (polypropylene) or PE (polyethylene) etc. In addition, the electrode assembly can be of a winding-type structure and can also be of a stack-type structure, which are not limited by embodiments of the present application.

For an electric device with a high voltage, it is generally required to perform protection against electric shock, such as an equipotential connection, to decrease the risks of electric shock occurring to the electric device. For achieving equipotential between two electric conductors, one end of an equipotential metal sheet is generally fixed to one electric conductor through one bolt and then the other end of the equipotential metal sheet is fixed to the other electric conductor through another bolt, such that the two electric conductors reach a same potential, thereby achieving an equipotential connection between the two electric conductors. When a human body contacts the two electric conductors, current will not be generated as no potential difference is present between the two electric conductors, thereby avoiding an electric shock accident.

The inventor finds: in such an equipotential structure, if the bolt is loose, it is easy to cause poor contact of the equipotential metal sheet with the electric conductors, resulting in equipotential failure.

In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide an electric device, a battery, an equipotential structure and an equipotential apparatus, to improve, through the equipotential metal sheet, a situation in which equipotential failure is easily caused by the equipotential connection between two electric conductors.

Embodiments of the present application provide an electric device, which can be a vehicle, a mobile phone, a portable device, a laptop computer, a ship, a spacecraft, an electric toy and an electric tool etc. The vehicle can be a fuel-engined automobile, a fuel gas automobile or a new energy automobile, and the new energy automobile can be a pure electric automobile or a hybrid power automobile or an extended-range automobile etc. The spacecraft includes an airplane, a rocket, a spaceship and a space vehicle etc. The electric toy includes a fixed or movable electric toy, such as a game console, an electric automobile toy, an electric ship toy and an electric airplane toy etc. The electric tool includes a metal cutting electric tool, a grinding electric tool, an assembling electric tool and an electric tool for a rail, such as an electric drill, an electric grinding machine, an electric wrench, an electric screwdriver, an electric hammer, an impact drill, a concrete vibrator and an electric planer etc. Embodiments of the present application do not make any special restriction to the above electric device.

For convenient statement, the following embodiments make a description with an example of taking the electric device as the vehicle.

Please referring to <FIG>, a battery <NUM> is provided inside a vehicle <NUM>, where the battery <NUM> can be provided at a bottom or a head or a tail of the vehicle <NUM>. The battery <NUM> can be used to power the vehicle <NUM>. For example, the battery <NUM> can serve as an operating power supply of the vehicle <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> further includes a controller <NUM> and a motor <NUM>, where the controller <NUM> is configured to control the battery <NUM> to power the motor <NUM>, for example, for working power requirements for starting, navigating and driving of the vehicle <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present application, the battery <NUM> can not only serve as an operating power supply of the vehicle <NUM>, but also serve as a driving power supply of the vehicle <NUM>, thereby replacing or partially replacing fuel oil or natural gas to provide a driving power for the vehicle <NUM>.

Please referring to <FIG>, the battery <NUM> provided in embodiments of the present application includes a box <NUM>, a battery unit <NUM>, a thermal management member <NUM> and an equipotential structure <NUM>.

The battery unit <NUM> is located in the box <NUM> and the thermal management member <NUM> is used to managing a temperature for the battery unit <NUM>.

Illustratively, the box <NUM> includes a box body <NUM> and a box cover <NUM>, the box cover <NUM> covers a top opening of the box body <NUM>, and the box cover <NUM> and the box body <NUM> form a sealing connection to provide a sealing environment for the battery unit <NUM>.

The thermal management member <NUM> functions to manage the temperature for the battery unit <NUM>, the thermal management member <NUM> and the battery unit <NUM> form a heat conducting connection, the thermal management member <NUM> and the battery unit <NUM> can directly contact each other to achieve a heat conducting connection, and the thermal management member <NUM> and the battery unit <NUM> can also achieve a heat conducting connection by conducting heat through a middleware. The thermal management member <NUM> can be a heat dissipation element for dissipating heat of the battery unit <NUM> and can also be a heating element for heating the battery <NUM>.

Illustratively, in <FIG>, the thermal management member <NUM> is a heat dissipation element for dissipating heat of the battery unit <NUM>, the thermal management member <NUM> can be a liquid cooling plate, and the liquid cooling plate can be mounted in the box <NUM>.

Please referring to <FIG>, the equipotential structure <NUM> provided in embodiments of the present application includes a first electric conductor <NUM>, a second electric conductor <NUM> and an equipotential apparatus <NUM>, where the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are connected to each other equipotentially through the equipotential apparatus <NUM>.

In the battery <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), the box <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) includes the first electric conductor <NUM> in the equipotential structure <NUM>. It can be understood that the first electric conductor <NUM> can be a part of the box <NUM>. The first electric conductor <NUM> can be a part of the box body <NUM> of the box <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM> can also be a part of the box cover <NUM> of the box body <NUM>. The first electric conductor <NUM> can be a metal conductor, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel and the like.

In the battery <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), the thermal management member <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) includes the second electric conductor <NUM> in the equipotential structure <NUM>. It can be understood that the second electric conductor <NUM> can be a part of the thermal management member <NUM>. The second electric conductor <NUM> can be a metal conductor, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel and the like.

It should be noted that through the equipotential apparatus <NUM>, equipotential of the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> is achieved, by directly or indirectly squeezing the equipotential apparatus <NUM> between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, such that the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are electrically connected to each other through the equipotential apparatus <NUM>, thereby achieving equipotential.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG>, the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is indirectly squeezed between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>. A middle electric conductor <NUM> is provided on the second electric conductor <NUM> and the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is directly squeezed between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the middle electric conductor <NUM>.

In an actual application, if the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are provided staggeredly, in this case, a middle electric conductor <NUM> may be provided on the second electric conductor <NUM> such that the middle electric conductor <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM> are provided oppositely to facilitate mounting of the equipotential apparatus <NUM>.

The middle electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> can be connected together through welding, bonding, bolt connection and the like, as long as electrical connection of the middle electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> can be achieved.

Illustratively, the middle electric conductor <NUM> is a conducting strip bent in a Z shape.

In other embodiments, according to the actual requirements, a middle electric conductor <NUM> may also be provided on the first electric conductor <NUM> only and the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is directly squeezed between the second electric conductor <NUM> and the middle electric conductor <NUM>. Certainly, a middle electric conductor <NUM> may also be provided on the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> and the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is directly squeezed between two middle electric conductors <NUM>.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG>, the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is directly squeezed between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, that is, the equipotential apparatus <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM> are directly squeezed with each other, and the equipotential apparatus <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are directly squeezed with each other.

In an actual application, if the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are provided oppositely, the equipotential apparatus <NUM> can be directly mounted between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

Please referring to <FIG>, the equipotential apparatus <NUM> provided in embodiments of the present application includes an electrically-conductive member <NUM> and an elastic support <NUM>. The electrically-conductive member <NUM> is at least partially arranged on a surface of the elastic support <NUM>, and the elastic support <NUM> is configured to provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member <NUM> so as to squeeze the electrically-conductive member <NUM> to a first electric conductor <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) and a second electric conductor <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) to achieve an equipotential connection between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

Since the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is at least partially arranged on the surface of the elastic support <NUM> and the elastic support <NUM> has the ability of performing an elastic deformation and recovering from the deformation, after being elastically deformed, the elastic support <NUM> can provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member <NUM>. Under the effect of the elastic support force, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> can be made to be squeezed to the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, such that the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is in close contact with the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, thereby achieving the equipotential connection between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>. Therefore, it is not easy to cause poor contact of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> with the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> or cause equipotential failure of the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

It should be noted that the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is squeezed to the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, and the electrically-conductive member <NUM> can be directly squeezed to the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> and can also be indirectly squeezed to the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>. For example, in a case where a middle electric conductor <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) is provided on the second electric conductor <NUM>, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is directly squeezed to the middle electric conductor <NUM>, thereby achieving that the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is indirectly squeezed to the second electric conductor <NUM>.

In embodiments of the present application, the elastic support <NUM> performs a support function for the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the elastic support <NUM> can be made of multiple materials. The elastic support <NUM> can be a foam, and an elastic rubber etc..

The elastic support <NUM> can be of multiple shapes, such as a cuboid, a gengon and a circle etc. The following embodiments describe the equipotential apparatus <NUM> in details with an example of taking the elastic support <NUM> as the cuboid.

In some embodiments, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is made of a flexible material, such that the electrically-conductive member <NUM> has a flexible deformation ability. Under the effect of the elastic support force provided by the elastic support <NUM>, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is capable of adapting to the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> better, so as to effectively increase a contact area of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> with the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

Please referring to <FIG>, with an example of taking a contact surface <NUM> of the first electric conductor <NUM> that is in contact with the elastic support <NUM> as an uneven curved surface, since the electrically-conductive member <NUM> has a flexible deformation ability, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> curves and deforms under the effect of the elastic support force of the elastic support <NUM> with the shape of the contact surface <NUM>, such that the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is tightly attached to the second electric conductor <NUM>, achieving the purpose of increasing a contact area of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM>.

The electrically-conductive member <NUM> can be one or more of a conductive cloth, a tin foil paper and an aluminum foil paper.

The elastic support <NUM> can be completely wrapped in the electrically-conductive member <NUM> or the electrically-conductive member <NUM> only covers a part of the elastic support <NUM>. The electrically-conductive member <NUM> can be completely located on a surface of the elastic support <NUM> and can also be partially located on the surface of the elastic support <NUM>.

Please referring to <FIG>, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> only covers a part of the elastic support <NUM>.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG>, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> covers a surface of the elastic support <NUM> at a non-complete circle along a circumferential direction.

Illustratively, the elastic support <NUM> includes a first surface <NUM> and a second surface <NUM> that are opposite to each other; the electrically-conductive member <NUM> includes a first conductive portion <NUM>, a second conductive portion <NUM> and a third conductive portion <NUM>, the first conductive portion <NUM> being connected to the second conductive portion <NUM> through the third conductive portion <NUM>. The first conductive portion <NUM> covers the first surface <NUM> and the first conductive portion <NUM> is configured to be squeezed to the first electric conductor <NUM> under the effect of the elastic support <NUM>. The second conductive portion <NUM> covers the second surface <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> is configured to be squeezed to the second electric conductor <NUM> under the effect of the elastic support <NUM>.

Since the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> respectively cover the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the elastic support <NUM> that are arranged oppositely, the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> are made to be arranged oppositely. The elastic support <NUM> can apply opposite elastic support forces to the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM>, thereby squeezing the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> respectively to the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

Upon actually mounting the equipotential apparatus <NUM>, if a gap between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> is fixed, since the elastic support <NUM> has a deformation ability, the equipotential apparatus <NUM> can be pressed, such that a distance between the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> decreases. After the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is placed between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is released and the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> are away from each other under the effect of the elastic support <NUM>, such that the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> are respectively squeezed to the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> tightly.

In the embodiment, the elastic support <NUM> further includes a third surface <NUM>, where the first surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> are connected in order, and the first surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> are three consecutive side surfaces of the elastic support <NUM>. The first conductive portion <NUM>, the third conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> are connected in order and the third conductive portion <NUM> covers the third surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG>, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> covers a surface of the elastic support <NUM> at a complete circle along a circumferential direction. On one hand, with such a structure, the equipotential apparatus <NUM> can be rapidly mounted between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, without requiring excessive adjustment of the equipotential apparatus' orientation. On the other hand, the elastic support <NUM> can apply an elastic support force to circumference of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the elastic support <NUM> can tighten the electrically-conductive member <NUM>, such that it is not easy for the electrically-conductive member <NUM> to fall off the elastic support <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the elastic support <NUM> further includes a fourth surface <NUM>, where the first surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM> are end-to-end connected in order, and the first surface <NUM>, the third surface <NUM>, the second surface <NUM> and the fourth surface <NUM> are four side surfaces of the elastic support <NUM>. The electrically-conductive member <NUM> further includes a fourth conductive portion <NUM>, and the fourth conductive portion <NUM> covers the fourth surface <NUM>. The first conductive portion <NUM>, the third conductive portion <NUM>, the second conductive portion <NUM> and the fourth conductive portion <NUM> are end-to-end connected in order, that is, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is a hollow structure with two ends thereof open.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG>, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is only partially located on a surface of the elastic support <NUM>.

The first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> respectively cover the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the elastic support <NUM>, the third conductive portion <NUM> is located in the elastic support <NUM>, and two ends of the third conductive portion <NUM> are respectively connected to the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> to achieve an electrical connection between the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM>.

Since the third conductive portion <NUM> is located in the elastic support <NUM> and two ends of the third conductive portion <NUM> are respectively connected to the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM>, when the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is not mounted between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, the elastic support <NUM> can apply an elastic support force to the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM>, thereby enabling the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> to jointly straighten the third conductive portion <NUM>. As a result, the third conductive portion <NUM> generates a traction effect on the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM>, such that the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> are tightly squeezed on the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> respectively, thereby ensuring favorable solidity of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the elastic support <NUM> before the equipotential apparatus <NUM> is mounted between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

In the above structure, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> is not necessarily required to be made of a flexible material as a whole, as long as the third conductive portion <NUM> is made of a flexible material. However, the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> can be made of rigid materials. For example, the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> are metal conductive sheets and the third conductive portion <NUM> is a conductive cloth. Certainly, the third conductive portion <NUM> can also be a wire.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG>, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM> are connected to each other through a first conductive adhesive layer <NUM>, and the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are connected to each other through a second conductive adhesive layer <NUM>.

Connecting the electrically-conductive member <NUM> to the first electric conductor <NUM> through the first conductive adhesive and connecting the electrically-conductive member <NUM> to the second electric conductor <NUM> through the second conductive adhesive can improve solidity of the electrically-conductive member <NUM>, such that it is not easy to cause relative dislocation between the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

The first conductive portion <NUM> of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM> are connected to each other through the first conductive adhesive layer <NUM>, and the second conductive portion <NUM> of the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are connected to each other through the second conductive adhesive layer <NUM>.

Certainly, it can also be a case where only the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM> are connected to each other through the first conductive adhesive layer <NUM>, and a case where only the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are connected to each other through the second conductive adhesive layer <NUM>.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG>, based on the above embodiment, the equipotential structure <NUM> further includes a connector <NUM>, where the connector <NUM> is configured to connect the equipotential apparatus <NUM> between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

Connecting the equipotential apparatus <NUM> between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> through the connector <NUM> can further improve solidity of the equipotential apparatus <NUM> after being mounted.

The connector <NUM> can be a bolt that performs a locking function and can also a locking pin that performs a locating function.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG>, when the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM>, and the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are not connected to each other through conductive adhesive layers (the first conductive adhesive layer <NUM> and the second conductive adhesive layer <NUM>), the equipotential apparatus <NUM> can also be directly connected between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> through the connector <NUM>, thereby achieving the purpose of fixing the equipotential apparatus <NUM>.

Please referring to <FIG>, a first hole <NUM> supplied for a connector <NUM> to pass through is provided on the elastic support <NUM>. Two ends of the first hole <NUM> respectively penetrate the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM> of the elastic support <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> only covers a local part of the first surface <NUM> and the second surface <NUM>.

In some embodiments, please referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a second hole <NUM> and a third hole <NUM> supplied for the connector <NUM> to pass through and located at two axial ends of the first hole <NUM> are provided on the electrically-conductive member <NUM>.

The second hole <NUM> and the third hole <NUM> are respectively provided on the first conductive portion <NUM> and the second conductive portion <NUM> of the electrically-conductive member <NUM>.

By passing through the second hole <NUM>, the first hole <NUM> and the third hole <NUM> in order through the connector <NUM>, the entire equipotential apparatus <NUM> can be stabilized between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>. After the connector <NUM> passes through the second hole <NUM>, the first hole <NUM> and the third hole <NUM> in order, the connector <NUM> can perform a limiting function to the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the elastic support <NUM>, thereby achieving the purpose of connecting the electrically-conductive member <NUM> and the elastic support <NUM> together.

In the embodiments, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> covers a surface of the elastic support <NUM> at a complete circle along a circumferential direction.

It can be known from the above embodiments that the equipotential apparatus <NUM> can be arranged between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> to achieve the equipotential connection between the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>, that is, the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> are respectively located at two opposite sides of the equipotential apparatus <NUM>. In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> can also be arranged at one same side of the equipotential apparatus <NUM>. In this case, one side of the equipotential apparatus <NUM> opposite to the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM> can abut against a fixing member <NUM>. Under the effect of the elastic support force of the elastic support <NUM>, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> can be squeezed to both the first electric conductor <NUM> and the second electric conductor <NUM>.

Illustratively, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> can only cover the second surface <NUM> of the elastic support <NUM> and the first surface <NUM> of the elastic support <NUM> is used for abutting against the fixing member <NUM>. Certainly, the electrically-conductive member <NUM> can be made of a flexible material and can also be made of a rigid material. The electrically-conductive member <NUM> can be bonded together with the elastic support <NUM> through conductive adhesives.

As shown in <FIG>, in the battery <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), the fixing member <NUM> can be a side wall <NUM> of the box body <NUM> and the first electric conductor <NUM> can be a metal conductor that protrudes outside the bottom wall <NUM> of the box body <NUM>.

It should be noted that the equipotential apparatus <NUM> provided in embodiments of the present application is not restricted to application to the battery <NUM> only, and the equipotential apparatus <NUM> provided in embodiments of the present application can be used to achieve equipotential of two electric conductors as long as a potential difference may occur between two electric conductors.

Claim 1:
A battery (<NUM>), comprising:
a box (<NUM>) comprising a first electric conductor (<NUM>);
a battery unit (<NUM>) accommodated in the box (<NUM>);
a thermal management member (<NUM>) for managing a temperature of the battery unit (<NUM>), the thermal management member (<NUM>) comprising a second electric conductor (<NUM>);
a middle electric conductor (<NUM>) provided on the first electric conductor (<NUM>) and/or the second electric conductor (<NUM>), wherein the middle electric conductor (<NUM>) is configured to be a conducting strip bent in a Z shape; and
an equipotential apparatus (<NUM>) comprising an electrically-conductive member (<NUM>) and an elastic support (<NUM>), wherein the electrically-conductive member (<NUM>) is at least partially arranged on a surface of the elastic support (<NUM>), and the elastic support (<NUM>) is configured to provide an elastic support force for the electrically-conductive member (<NUM>) so as to squeeze the electrically-conductive member (<NUM>) between the first electric conductor (<NUM>) and the middle electric conductor (<NUM>), or squeeze the electrically-conductive member (<NUM>) between the middle electric conductor (<NUM>) and the second electric conductor (<NUM>), or squeeze the electrically-conductive member (<NUM>) between the middle electric conductor (<NUM>) and the middle electric conductor (<NUM>) to achieve an equipotential connection between the first electric conductor (<NUM>) and the second electric conductor (<NUM>).