Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to the field of batteries, and more specifically to a battery, a battery pack and an automobile.

In related art, in order to improve the capacity of a battery, multiple electrode cores are connected in series in a metal housing of the battery, and connecting parts of the electrode cores are easy to distort, break or the like in a use process of the battery. In addition, under the conditions of vibration and jolt, the multiple electrode cores are easy to move inside the metal housing, and relative displacement occurs between the electrode cores, causing damage to the electrode cores, for example, a current collector is damaged, a diaphragm is wrinkled, and an active material layer on an electrode piece falls off, the stability of the battery is poor, and safety problems are easy to occur.

The present disclosure is to resolve at least one of the technical problems in the related art.

To resolve the foregoing technical problem, a technical solution used in the present disclosure is as follows:
A first aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery, including a metal housing and multiple electrode core sets packaged in the metal housing. The electrode core sets are connected in series. The electrode core set includes a package diaphragm and at least one electrode core, the at least one electrode core being arranged in an accommodating cavity surrounded by the package diaphragm. An insulating separator is arranged between the two electrode core sets connected in series. A through hole is provided in the insulating separator. The electrode core set has a first electrode and a second electrode for leading out a current. The first electrode of one electrode core set of the two electrode core sets connected in series is connected to the second electrode of the other electrode core set, and a connecting part of the first electrode and the second electrode connected correspondingly is accommodated in the through hole. The insulating separator includes a peripheral surface facing an inner surface of the metal housing. A metal member is arranged on the peripheral surface of the insulating separator. The metal member is connected to the metal housing to fix the insulating separator with the metal housing.

Alternatively, a clamping groove is provided on the peripheral surface of the insulating separator. The metal member includes a matching piece and a connecting piece connected to the matching piece. The matching piece is clamped into the clamping groove. The connecting piece is exposed out of the peripheral surface of the insulating separator to be connected to the metal housing.

Alternatively, the metal member is of a groove structure, the shape of the clamping groove being matched with the shape of an opening of the groove structure. The side wall of the groove structure serves as the matching piece to be clamped into the clamping groove, and the bottom wall of the groove structure serves as the connecting piece to be connected to the metal housing.

Alternatively, the clamping groove and the matching piece are in interference fit to be fixed with each other.

Alternatively, the metal member is integrally formed with the insulating separator by means of insert molding, the metal member being made of aluminum material.

Alternatively, the metal member and the metal housing are fixed by means of welding.

Alternatively, the length of the battery extends in a first direction. The length of the electrode core set extends in the first direction. The multiple electrode core sets are arranged in the first direction. The two electrode core sets connected in series are two adjacent electrode core sets. The insulating separator is arranged between the two adjacent electrode core sets.

Alternatively, the insulating separator includes a first insert and a second insert. The first insert and the second insert are respectively arranged on two sides of the connecting part of the first electrode and the second electrode connected correspondingly, to jointly clamp the connecting part. A gap between the first insert and the second insert forms the through hole.

Alternatively, the first insert and the second insert are respectively bonded and fixed to the electrode core set.

A second aspect of the present disclosure provides a battery pack, including the above battery.

A third aspect of the present disclosure provides an automobile, including the above battery pack.

In comparison to the related art, the beneficial effects of the present disclosure are as follows.

According to the present disclosure, the insulating separator is arranged between the two electrode core sets connected in series, and the connecting part of the two electrode core sets connected in series are arranged in the insulating separator. Therefore, by using the insulating separator, each electrode core set can be better fixed, movement of the electrode core sets can be prevented, effective fixation of the connection between the electrode core sets can be maintained, and the strength of the connecting part can be enhanced, such that the connecting part between the electrode core sets can be prevented from distorting, breaking or the like during a use process of the battery, and the connection reliability between the electrode core sets can be improved. Meanwhile, the insulating separator includes a peripheral surface facing the inner surface of the metal housing, the metal member is arranged on the peripheral surface of the insulating separator, and the metal member is connected to the metal housing to fix the insulating separator with the metal housing, such that movement of the electrode core sets in the first direction can be prevented, the connection effectiveness between the electrode core sets can be maintained, the mechanical strength of the batter can be improved, and the battery can be prevented from distorting, breaking or the like during the use process of the battery.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below, and examples of the embodiments are shown in accompanying drawings, where the same or similar elements or the elements having same or similar functions are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals throughout the description. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary, and are intended to explain the present disclosure and cannot be construed as a limitation to the present disclosure.

In descriptions of the present disclosure, it should be understood that direction or position relationships indicated by terms such as "length", "width", "above", "below", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", and "outside" are direction or position relationships based on the accompanying drawings, and are used only for conveniently describing this disclosure and simplifying descriptions, instead of indicating or suggesting that a represented apparatus or component needs to have a particular direction or is constructed and operated in a particular direction, and therefore shall not be understood as limiting this disclosure.

In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are used merely for the purpose of description, and shall not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implying a quantity of indicated technical features. Therefore, features defining "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more such features. In the descriptions of the present disclosure, "a plurality of" means two or more than two, unless otherwise definitely and specifically limited.

In the present disclosure, unless expressly stated and defined otherwise, the terms "mounting", "connected", "connection", "fixed", etc. are to be construed broadly, for example, as fixed connection, detachable connection or integral connection, as mechanical connection or electrical connection, and as direct connection or indirect connection via an intermediary or communication inside two elements or interaction between two elements. A person of ordinary skill in the related art can understand specific meanings of the foregoing terms in the present disclosure according to a specific situation.

The present disclosure provides a battery, including a metal housing and multiple electrode core sets packaged in the metal housing. The electrode core sets are connected in series. The electrode core set includes a package diaphragm and at least one electrode core, the at least one electrode core being arranged in an accommodating cavity surrounded by the package diaphragm. An insulating separator is arranged between the two electrode core sets connected in series. A through hole is provided in the insulating separator. The electrode core set has a first electrode and a second electrode for leading out a current. The first electrode of one electrode core set of the two electrode core sets connected in series is connected to the second electrode of the other electrode core set, and a connecting part of the first electrode and the second electrode connected correspondingly is accommodated in the through hole. The insulating separator includes a peripheral surface facing an inner surface of the metal housing. A metal member is arranged on the peripheral surface of the insulating separator. The metal member is connected to the metal housing to fix the insulating separator with the metal housing.

According to the present disclosure, the insulating separator is arranged between the two electrode core sets connected in series, and the connecting part of the two electrode core sets connected in series is arranged in the insulating separator. Therefore, by using the insulating separator, each electrode core set can be better fixed, movement of the electrode core sets can be prevented, effective fixation of the connection between the electrode core sets can be maintained, and the strength of the connecting part can be enhanced, such that the connecting part between the electrode core sets can be prevented from distorting, breaking or the like during a use process of the battery, and the connection reliability between the electrode core sets can be improved. Meanwhile, the insulating separator includes a peripheral surface facing the inner surface of the metal housing, the metal member is arranged on the peripheral surface of the insulating separator, and the metal member is connected to the metal housing to fix the insulating separator with the metal housing, which can further prevent the electrode core sets from moving, and improve the anti-movement effect.

Referring to <FIG>, a battery <NUM> includes a metal housing <NUM> and multiple electrode core sets <NUM> packaged into the metal housing <NUM>, the electrode core sets <NUM> being connected in series. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the electrode core set <NUM> includes a packaging diaphragm <NUM> and at least one electrode core <NUM>, the at least one electrode core <NUM> being arranged in an accommodating cavity surrounded by the packaging diaphragm <NUM>. Alternatively, the packaging diaphragm <NUM> is an aluminum-plastic composite diaphragm or a high polymer material composite diaphragm. Further referring to <FIG>, the insulating separator <NUM> is arranged between the two electrode core sets <NUM> connected in series. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the insulating separator <NUM> is provided with a through hole <NUM>. The electrode core set <NUM> has a first electrode <NUM> and a second electrode <NUM> for leading out a current. One of the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> is a positive electrode, and the other is a negative electrode. The first electrode <NUM> of one electrode core set <NUM> of the two electrode core sets <NUM> connected in series is connected to the second electrode <NUM> of the other electrode core set <NUM>, and a connecting part therebetween is accommodated in the through hole <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the insulating separator <NUM> includes a peripheral surface <NUM> facing an inner surface <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>. A metal member <NUM> is arranged on the peripheral surface <NUM> of the insulating separator <NUM>. The metal member <NUM> is connected to the metal housing <NUM> to fix the insulating separator <NUM> with the metal housing <NUM>.

The connecting part between the electrode core sets <NUM> refers to the connecting part where the first electrode <NUM> of one electrode core set <NUM> of the two electrode core sets <NUM> is connected to the second electrode <NUM> of the other electrode core set <NUM>. The insulating separator <NUM> is arranged between the two electrode core sets <NUM> connected in series, and the connecting part of the two electrode core sets <NUM> connected in series is arranged in the insulating separator <NUM>. Therefore, by using the insulating separator <NUM>, each electrode core set <NUM> can be better fixed, movement of the electrode core sets <NUM> can be prevented, effective fixation of the connection between the electrode core sets <NUM> can be maintained, and the strength of the connecting part can be enhanced, such that the connecting part between the electrode core sets <NUM> can be prevented from distorting, breaking or the like during a use process of the battery, and the connection reliability between the electrode core sets <NUM> can be improved. In addition, the insulating separator <NUM> includes a peripheral surface <NUM> facing an inner surface <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>, the metal member <NUM> is arranged on the peripheral surface <NUM> of the insulating separator <NUM>, and the metal member <NUM> is connected to the metal housing <NUM> to fix the insulating separator <NUM> with the metal housing <NUM>, which can further prevent the electrode core sets <NUM> from moving, and improve the anti-movement effect.

In some embodiments, the length of the battery <NUM> extends in a first direction L. The thickness of the battery <NUM> extends in a second direction W. The length of the electrode core set <NUM> extends in the first direction L. The multiple electrode core sets <NUM> may form two electrode core strings, that is, the battery <NUM> may have two electrode strings therein. The two electrode core strings may be connected in series. For example, the two electrode core strings may be connected in a U shape, that is, corresponding electrodes of the two electrode core strings at the same end of the first direction L are connected in series, and the corresponding electrodes of the two electrode core strings at the other end of the first direction L respectively are positive and negative electrodes of the battery.

Each of the electrode core strings has multiple electrode core sets <NUM>. The two electrode core strings are arranged in the second direction W, and the multiple electrode core sets <NUM> in each of the electrode core strings are arranged in the first direction L. In addition, the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> of the electrode core set <NUM> are arranged at two opposite ends of the electrode core set <NUM> in the first direction L, and the two electrode core sets <NUM> connected in series are two adjacent electrode core sets <NUM>. That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, for the multiple electrode core sets <NUM> in each of the electrode core strings, the two adjacent electrode core sets <NUM> are connected in series. Therefore, the multiple electrode core sets <NUM> in each electrode core string are arranged by an end-to-end arrangement mode. Due to such arrangement mode, serial connection of each two of the electrode core sets <NUM> can be conveniently realized, and the connection structure is simple. In addition, due to such arrangement mode, the battery <NUM> with long length can be conveniently manufactured, such that when the battery <NUM> is installed in a battery pack housing, support structures such as beams and longitudinal beams do not need to be arranged, the battery <NUM> is directly installed on the housing of the battery pack by using the metal housing <NUM> of the battery <NUM> as a support, and thus the internal space of the battery pack can be saved, the volume utilization rate of the battery pack can be improved, and weight reduction of the battery pack is facilitated.

Certainly, in other embodiments, the battery <NUM> may also be provided with only one electrode core string, that is, all of the electrode core sets <NUM> in the battery <NUM> are sequentially arranged in the first direction L, and all of the electrode core sets <NUM> are connected in series to form one electrode core string.

When the multiple electrode core sets <NUM> are connected in series, the connecting parts of the electrode core sets <NUM> form weak parts of the whole battery, and are easy to distort or break during a use process of the battery, thereby causing connection failure. Meanwhile, since the multiple electrode core sets <NUM> are connected in series in the battery, the risk that the battery moves in the first direction L is increased. Therefore, according to the present disclosure, the insulating separator <NUM> is arranged between the two electrode core sets <NUM> connected in series, and the connecting part of the two electrode core sets <NUM> are arranged in the through hole <NUM> of the insulating separator <NUM>, such that the strength of the connecting part can be increased. Meanwhile, the insulating separator <NUM> includes a peripheral surface <NUM> facing the inner surface <NUM> of the metal housing <NUM>, the metal member <NUM> is arranged on the peripheral surface <NUM> of the insulating separator <NUM>, and the metal member <NUM> is connected to the metal housing <NUM> to fix the insulating separator <NUM> with the metal housing <NUM>, which prevents the electrode core sets <NUM> from moving in the first direction L, maintains connection effectiveness between the electrode core sets <NUM>, increases the mechanical strength of the battery <NUM>, and prevents the battery <NUM> from distorting, breaking or the like during the use process.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the metal housing <NUM> may be an aluminum housing, etc. Certainly, other metals may also be selected as required. Therefore, the metal housing <NUM> has enough strength and is prevented from being crashed or deformed, improving the safety of the battery <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the packaging diaphragm <NUM> is an aluminum-plastic composite diaphragm or a high polymer material composite diaphragm. The first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM> of the electrode core set <NUM> extend out of the packaging diaphragm <NUM>. That is, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the insulating separator <NUM> is an insulating separator <NUM> arranged outside the packaging diaphragm <NUM>. The connection reliability between the electrode core sets <NUM> is improved by arranging the insulating separator <NUM> outside the diaphragm.

The electrode core <NUM> mentioned in the present disclosure may also be understood as an electrode core commonly used in the field of power batteries. The electrode core and the electrode core set <NUM> are constituent parts inside the metal housing <NUM> of the battery <NUM> and cannot be understood as the battery itself. The electrode core <NUM> may be an electrode core formed by winding. The electrode core <NUM> generally refers to an assembly that is not fully sealed. Therefore, the battery referred to herein cannot be simply understood as a battery module or battery pack because the battery includes the multiple electrode cores <NUM>. In the present disclosure, the electrode core set <NUM> may be composed of an independent electrode core, and may also include multiple electrode cores, the multiple electrode cores being connected in parallel to form the electrode core set <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, when the battery <NUM> has two electrode core strings, that is, two electrode core sets <NUM> are arranged on each side of the insulating separator <NUM> in the first direction L. The number of the electrode core sets <NUM> can be increased, thereby increasing the electric capacity of the battery <NUM>.

In some other embodiments of the present disclosure, only one electrode core set <NUM> is arranged in the second direction W, and the multiple electrode core sets <NUM> extends in the first direction L, that is, only one electrode core set <NUM> is arranged on each side of the insulating separator <NUM> in the first direction L. Such situation can be understood as the situation where only one electrode core string is arranged in the battery <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, in order to facilitate fixation of the metal member <NUM> with the insulating separator <NUM>, a clamping groove <NUM> is provided on the peripheral surface <NUM> of the insulating separator <NUM>. The metal member <NUM> includes a matching piece <NUM> and a connecting piece <NUM> connected to the matching piece <NUM>. The matching piece <NUM> is clamped into the clamping groove <NUM>. The connecting piece <NUM> is exposed out of the peripheral surface <NUM> of the insulating separator to be connected to the metal housing <NUM>.

Therefore, the connection stability between the insulating separator <NUM> and the metal member <NUM> is improved through buckling fit of the clamping groove <NUM> and the matching piece <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the matching piece <NUM> is multiple matching sheets <NUM> extending perpendicularly from the periphery of the connecting piece <NUM>. Gaps are provided between the matching sheets <NUM>. For example, in the present embodiment, there are <NUM> matching sheets <NUM>, and gaps are provided between each two matching sheets <NUM>. Similarly, the clamping groove <NUM> is internally provided with buckling grooves <NUM> corresponding to the matching sheets <NUM>. For example, in the present embodiment, the clamping groove <NUM> may be internally provided with <NUM> buckling grooves <NUM>, and the six buckling grooves <NUM> are provided to fit the side wall of the clamping groove <NUM>. Each matching sheet <NUM> is correspondingly inserted into one buckling groove <NUM>.

Therefore, the matching sheets <NUM> allows the matching piece <NUM> to be more interchangeable, and are easier to be matched with the corresponding buckling grooves <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the metal member <NUM> is of a groove structure, the shape of the clamping groove <NUM> being matched with the shape of an opening of the groove structure. The side wall of the groove structure serves as the matching piece <NUM> to be clamped into the clamping groove <NUM>. The bottom wall of the groove structure serves as the connecting piece <NUM> to be connected to the metal housing <NUM>.

Therefore, the metal member <NUM> occupies less space, and the overall structure of the battery <NUM> is more compact.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the clamping groove <NUM> and the matching piece <NUM> are in interference fit to be fixed with each other.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the metal member <NUM> is integrally formed with the insulating separator <NUM> by means of insert molding, the metal member being made of aluminum material.

Therefore, the process of installing the metal member <NUM> is reduced, and the connection stability between the metal member <NUM> and the insulating separator <NUM> is better.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, referring to <FIG>, the metal member <NUM> is fixed to the metal housing <NUM> by means of welding, for example, laser welding. As shown in <FIG>, a laser weld <NUM> is formed between the metal member <NUM> and the metal housing <NUM>.

Therefore, the connection stability between the metal member <NUM> and the metal housing <NUM> is better, which can prevent the electrode core sets <NUM> from moving in the first direction L, maintain the connection effectiveness between the electrode core sets <NUM>, increase the mechanical strength of the battery <NUM>, and prevent the battery <NUM> from distorting, breaking or the like.

Referring to <FIG>, when the battery <NUM> internally has two electrode core strings, that is, when two electrode core sets <NUM> are provided on each side of the insulating separator <NUM> in the first direction L, the insulating separator <NUM> includes a first insulating piece <NUM>, a second insulating piece <NUM>, and a third insulating piece <NUM> sequentially arranged in the second direction W. The second insulating piece <NUM> is arranged between the first insulating piece <NUM> and the second insulating piece <NUM>. Clamping grooves <NUM> are respectively provided on the outer sides of the first insulating piece <NUM> and the third insulating piece <NUM>. A through hole <NUM> is formed between the first insulating piece <NUM> and the second insulating piece <NUM>, for the connecting part of one electrode core string to pass through. Another through hole <NUM> is formed between the second insulating piece <NUM> and the third insulating piece <NUM>, for the connecting part of the other electrode core string to pass through.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the two electrode core sets <NUM> connected in series are two adjacent electrode core sets <NUM>, the insulating separator <NUM> being arranged between the two electrode core sets <NUM>.

Therefore, the insulating separator <NUM> is arranged between each two adjacent electrode core sets <NUM>. The two adjacent electrode core sets <NUM> may be separated by the insulating separator <NUM>. The insulating separator <NUM> and the metal housing <NUM> are mutually positioned to prevent the electrode core set <NUM> from moving in the first direction L thereof.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the insulating separator <NUM> is a split insulating separator which is pre-molded and then installed between the electrode core sets <NUM>. The insulating separator <NUM> includes a first insert <NUM> and a second insert <NUM>. The first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> are respectively arranged on two sides of the connecting part connecting the first electrode <NUM> and the second electrode <NUM>, to jointly clamp the connecting part. A gap between the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> forms the through hole <NUM>. That is, the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> are respectively arranged on two sides of the connecting part between the electrode core sets <NUM>, and the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> abut against the connecting part, to jointly clamp the connecting part, and fix the connecting part in the insulating separator <NUM>. The space occupied by the connecting part in the insulation separator <NUM> is the through hole <NUM> in the insulation separator <NUM>.

The first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> are pre-molded and then assembled. For example, during assembly, after the electrode core sets <NUM> are connected, the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> are respectively fixed to two sides of the connecting part between the electrode core sets <NUM>, to realize assembly of the insulating separator <NUM> and the electrode core sets <NUM>.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> are respectively bonded and fixed to the electrode core sets <NUM>, that is, adhesive layers can be arranged in gaps between the insulating separator <NUM> and the electrode core sets <NUM> to fix the insulating separator <NUM> with the electrode core sets <NUM>. Therefore, fixation of each electrode core set <NUM> is facilitated, the electrode core set <NUM> can be better prevented from moving, the connection between the electrode core sets <NUM> is ensured, and the safety of the battery is improved.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> may be fixed to each other in a snap-fit manner, or the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> may be bonded and fixed to each other, or the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> may be bonded and fixed to the connecting part between the electrode core sets <NUM> in a bonding manner.

Therefore, the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> can be mutually positioned, and the matching effect of the first insert <NUM> and the second insert <NUM> is better, which is more beneficial to assembly of other elements.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery <NUM> is generally cuboid. The battery <NUM> is defined with a length L, a thickness W, and a height H, the length L being greater than the height H, and the height H being greater than the thickness W. The length of the battery <NUM> is <NUM>-<NUM>. The ratio of the length to the height of the battery <NUM> is <NUM>-<NUM>.

It should be noted that the battery <NUM> is generally cuboid. It could be understood that the battery <NUM> may be cuboid-shaped, cube-shaped, or partially special-shaped, but generally cuboid-shaped, cube-shaped. Or the battery partially has gaps, bulges, chamfers, arcs and bends, but the whole battery is approximately cuboid-shaped or cube-shaped.

The present disclosure further provides a battery module, including the multiple batteries <NUM> provided by the present disclosure.

The present disclosure further provides a battery pack <NUM>, including the multiply batteries <NUM> provided by the present disclosure or the battery module provided by the present disclosure.

As shown in <FIG>, the present disclosure further provides an automobile <NUM>. The battery pack <NUM> of the above embodiment is arranged on the automobile <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery pack <NUM> provided by the present disclosure includes a tray <NUM> and the batteries <NUM> arranged on the tray <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A battery, comprising a metal housing and a plurality of electrode core sets packaged in the metal housing, wherein the electrode core sets are connected in series, each electrode core set comprises a package diaphragm and at least one electrode core, and the at least one electrode core is arranged in an accommodating cavity surrounded by the package diaphragm;
an insulating separator is arranged between each two electrode core sets connected in series, a through hole is provided in the insulating separator, the electrode core set comprises a first electrode and a second electrode for leading out a current, the first electrode of one electrode core set of the two electrode core sets connected in series is connected to the second electrode of the other electrode core set, and a connecting part of the first electrode and the second electrode connected correspondingly are accommodated in the through hole; and
the insulating separator comprises a peripheral surface facing an inner surface of the metal housing, characterised in that
a metal member is arranged on the peripheral surface of the insulating separator, and the metal member is connected to the metal housing to fix the insulating separator with the metal housing.