Patent Description:
This application relates to the technical field of batteries, and in particular, to a battery and an electrical device as defined by the appended claim set.

Batteries are widely used in the field of new energy such as electric vehicles and new energy vehicles, and the use of batteries has become a new trend in the development of the automotive industry.

In practical applications, the performance of an electrical device is greatly affected by an energy density and a lifespan of a battery. How to increase the energy density and lifespan of the battery is a problem that is constantly explored by a person skilled in the art. <CIT> describes a battery with arcuate end walls <NUM>. <CIT> describes a battery module <NUM> includes a module housing <NUM>, which has a bottom <NUM> and side walls <NUM>. <CIT> describes a power storage module <NUM> includes a plurality of power storage devices <NUM>, a plurality of bus bars <NUM> and a housing <NUM>.

This present invention aims to provide a battery and an electrical device as defined by the appended claim set to solve the problems of a low energy density and a short lifespan of the battery in the prior art.

Embodiments of this application are implemented in the following way:.

According to a first aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a battery, including:.

In the technical solution of this application, a plurality of electrode assemblies are directly mounted into a housing containing a plurality of accommodation cavities to form an integrated battery. In contrast to the prior art in which each electrode assembly is placed in a separate housing to form an independent battery cell, no housing is required to enclose each electrode assembly separately in this application. This is equivalent to an effect that a plurality of battery cells share a sidewall, thereby reducing the material consumed by the housing, and reducing a packing clearance between adjacent housings. In this way, the mass of the housing is decreased, the space occupied by the housing is decreased, the space of the chamber increases, the electrode assemblies and electrolytic solution that can be accommodated in the chamber are increased, and in turn, the mass percent and the volume percent of the electrode assemblies and electrolytic solution in the battery are increased, and the effect of increasing the energy density is achieved. In addition, when a position on an existing battery is compressed, the housing of the battery cell corresponding to the compressed position withstands the pressure independently, making the battery cell at this position prone to crush. In contrast, the cellular housing disclosed in this application forms a whole. When a position on the battery is compressed, the entire housing withstands the pressure jointly, thereby diffusing the pressure, alleviating the problem of damage to the battery caused by extrusion from an external force, and in turn, increasing the lifespan of the battery.

In an embodiment of this application, each chamber is filled with an electrolytic solution, and the electrolytic solutions in the plurality of chambers do not communicate with each other.

In the foregoing technical solution, each chamber in the housing is relatively independent without communication to any other chamber. Therefore, the electrode assembly in each chamber can be independently charged and discharged, thereby preventing uncontrolled reactions in one chamber from affecting other chambers.

In an embodiment of this application, shapes of the chambers are a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism, or a hexagonal prism.

In the foregoing technical solution, when each chamber is a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism, or a hexagonal prism, the plurality of chambers can be just closely spliced, without leaving any special-shaped vacancy that is smaller than a chamber in volume. In this way, the mass of the housing is minimized, and the energy density is increased. In addition, because all chambers are in the same shape without leaving any special-shaped vacancies, it is convenient to process the housing uniformly.

In an embodiment of this application, the housing includes partition walls and a peripheral wall around the partition walls. The partition walls divide a space defined by the peripheral wall into a plurality of chambers, and the partition walls and the peripheral wall are integrally formed.

In the foregoing technical solution, the peripheral wall and the partition walls form a cellular structure, and the peripheral wall and the partition walls are integrally formed, thereby stabilizing the structure and enhancing the strength.

In an embodiment of this application, a thickness of each of the partition walls is equal to a thickness of the peripheral wall.

When the wall thickness varies, a position at which the thickness is different can withstand a different stress. A relatively thin position is able to withstand a lower stress, and a relatively thick position is prone to heat concentration, both making the housing unevenly deformable. The unevenly deformed housing exerts uneven pressures on components inside the battery. The components inside the battery are prone to deformation or damage, resulting in safety hazards. In the foregoing solution, the thicknesses of the partition walls and the thickness of the peripheral wall are equal, thereby effectively alleviating the safety problem of the battery.

In the foregoing technical solution, a plurality of electrode assemblies are placed into chambers from corresponding openings at the same end of the housing, and the openings of the plurality of chambers are sealed simultaneously by the same end cap assembly, thereby facilitating assembling.

In the foregoing technical solution, the cover plate is fitted to the housing steadily and accurately through a plurality of bulges, so that each chamber is sealed effectively.

In an embodiment of this application, the bulges are polygonal annular bulges.

In the foregoing technical solution, each bulge is hollowed out to form a polygonal annular shape, thereby reducing the material consumed by the cover plate, increasing the volume of the chamber, and effectively increasing the energy density.

In an embodiment of this application, the housing includes partition walls and a peripheral wall around the partition walls. The partition walls divide a space defined by the peripheral wall into a plurality of chambers. The end cap assembly includes a cover plate. A welding guide slot is disposed on a side of the cover plate, where the side is oriented away from the housing. A projection of the welding guide slot coincides with projections of the partition walls on the cover plate along a thickness direction of the cover plate. A bottom wall of the welding guide slot is welded to the partition walls.

In the foregoing technical solution, the welding guide slot is formed on the cover plate. The cover plate can accurately cover the housing according to the corresponding welding guide slot and the partition wall, thereby facilitating assembling. The welding guide slot also serves a function of guiding a welding path, and facilitates the welding process. The cover plate in thickness at the position of the welding guide slot is thinner than other positions. Therefore, the cover plate at the position of the welding guide slot is more meltable under heat, and the cover plate material at the welding guide slot and the corresponding partition wall are connected together to form a weld seam, thereby further facilitating the welding process and reducing the welding difficulty effectively.

In an embodiment of this application, the end cap assembly includes a cover plate and a plurality of electrode terminals. The plurality of electrode terminals are mounted onto the cover plate, and insulated from the cover plate. The plurality of electrode terminals are correspondingly connected to the plurality of electrode assemblies.

In the foregoing technical solution, each chamber forms an independent power supply unit. Each power supply unit independently outputs electrical energy through a corresponding electrode terminal, without mutual interference between the power supply units.

According to a second aspect, an embodiment of this application provides an electrical device, including the battery described above.

The electrical device in the technical solution of this application is powered by a battery with a high energy density and longevity, and achieves high performance.

To describe technical solutions in embodiments of this application more clearly, the following outlines the drawings to be used in the embodiments. Understandably, the following drawings show merely some embodiments of this application, and therefore, are not intended to limit the scope. A person of ordinary skill in the art may derive other related drawings from the drawings without making any creative efforts.

Reference numerals: <NUM>-vehicle; <NUM>-controller; <NUM>-motor; <NUM>-battery; <NUM>-housing; <NUM>-opening; <NUM>-peripheral wall; <NUM>-partition wall; <NUM>-chamber; <NUM>-end cap assembly; <NUM>-cover plate; <NUM>-welding guide slot; <NUM>-bulge; <NUM>-rabbet; <NUM>-through-hole; <NUM>-electrode terminal; <NUM>-flat plate; <NUM>-groove; <NUM>-first insulation piece; <NUM>-second insulation piece; <NUM>-shield cover; <NUM>-electrode assembly; <NUM>-tab.

To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the following gives a clear description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of this application. Evidently, the described embodiments are merely a part of but not all of the embodiments of this application. All other embodiments derived by a person of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments of this application without making any creative efforts fall within the protection scope 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 are merely intended for describing specific embodiments but are not intended to limit this application. The terms "include" and "contain" and any variations thereof used in the specification, claims, and brief description of drawings of this application are intended as non-exclusive inclusion. The terms such as "first" and "second" used in the specification, claims, and brief description of drawings herein are intended to distinguish between different items, but are not intended to describe a specific sequence or order of precedence.

Reference to "embodiment" in this application means that a specific feature, structure or characteristic described with reference to the embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. Reference to this term in different places in the specification does not necessarily represent the same embodiment, nor does it represent an independent or alternative embodiment in a mutually exclusive relationship with other embodiments. A person skilled in the art explicitly and implicitly understands that the embodiments described in this application may be combined with other embodiments.

In the description of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and defined, the terms "mount", "concatenate", "connect", and "attach" are understood in a broad sense. For example, a "connection" may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection; or may be a direct connection or an indirect connection implemented through an intermediary; or may be internal communication between two components. A person of ordinary skill in the art understands the specific meanings of the terms in this application according to the context.

"A plurality of" referred to in this application means two or more (including two). Similarly, "a plurality of groups" means two or more groups (including two groups), and "a plurality of pieces" means two or more pieces (including two pieces).

In this application, a battery may include a lithium-ion secondary battery, a lithium-ion primary battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery, a magnesium-ion battery, or the like, and may be a solid-state battery, a half-solid-state battery, or the like, without being limited in embodiments of this application.

In the prior art, a battery generally means a stand-alone physical module that includes one or more battery cells to provide a higher voltage and a higher capacity. A battery typically includes a box configured to package one or more battery cells. The box can prevent liquid or other foreign matters from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cells.

A battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrolyte. When the electrolyte is a solid-state electrolyte, the electrode assembly includes a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate. When the electrolyte is a liquid-state electrolyte (that is, an electrolytic solution), the electrode assembly includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The battery cell works primarily by shuttling metal ions between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate includes a positive current collector and a positive active material layer. A surface of the positive current collector is coated with the positive active material layer. Of the current collector, a part not coated with the positive active material layer protrudes from a part coated with the positive active material layer, and the part not coated with the positive active material layer serves as a positive tab. Using a lithium-ion battery as an example, the positive current collector may be made of aluminum, and a positive active material may be lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, lithium manganese oxide, or the like. The negative electrode plate includes a negative current collector and a negative active material layer. A surface of the negative current collector is coated with the negative active material layer. Of the current collector, a part not coated with the negative active material layer protrudes from a part coated with the negative active material layer, and the part not coated with the negative active material layer serves as a negative tab. The negative current collector may be made of copper, and a negative active material may be carbon, silicon, or the like. In order to ensure passage of a large current without fusing off, the positive tab is plural in number, and the plurality of positive tabs are stacked together; the negative tab is plural in number, and the plurality of negative tabs are stacked together. The separator may be made of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or another material. In addition, the electrode assembly may be a jelly-roll structure or a stacked structure, without being limited herein.

In practical applications, the energy density and lifespan of a battery are essential indicators. The lifespan of the battery depends on a plurality of design factors, for example, energy density, cycle life, discharge capacity, charge rate, discharge rate, and other performance parameters.

An existing battery is usually made up of a plurality of battery cells. The plurality of battery cells are tightly packed into a group to improve the energy density. Through investigation, the inventor of this application finds that, in the battery constituted by a plurality of battery cells, the housing of each battery cell still occupies a space. In addition, a packing clearance exists between adjacent battery cells. Due to the existence of the packing clearance between adjacent housings of battery cells, the percentage of the electrode assemblies and the electrolytic solution in the entire space of the battery is relatively low, so that the energy density is relatively low. However, based on the prior art, it is difficult to enhance the energy density of existing batteries by further downsizing a battery cell housing and reducing the packing clearance between the housings.

In addition, when the existing battery is compressed, each battery cell withstands the pressure independently. The housing of the battery cell at the compressed position is prone to crush, thereby impairing the lifespan of the battery. In the prior art, there is a design in which the housings of a plurality of cylindrical battery cells are connected as a whole to enhance the pressure resistance of the battery. However, this design is essentially equivalent to increasing the material consumed by the housing. The added material fills the packing clearance between adjacent battery cells to connect the housings of the adjacent battery cells as a whole. This design increases the total mass of the battery and reduces the mass percent of the electrode assemblies and the electrolytic solution in the total mass of the battery, resulting in a further decrease in the energy density of the battery.

In view of this, in order to increase the energy density and lifespan of the battery, an embodiment of this application provides a technical solution. The battery includes a housing and a plurality of electrode assemblies. The housing is shaped as a cellular structure. Therefore, the housing includes a plurality of prismatic chambers. A plurality of electrode assemblies are accommodated in the plurality of chambers respectively, so that at least one electrode assembly resides in each chamber.

In other words, the electrode assembly and the electrolyte are disposed in each chamber of the housing directly, so that a plurality of power supply units capable of independently supplying power are formed in the housing. The plurality of prismatic chambers can be closely packed, without any packing clearance existent between adjacent chambers. The total size of the battery is reduced, and the percentage of the electrode assemblies and the electrolytic solution in the total volume of the battery is increased. In addition, the adjacent chambers share a sidewall, thereby further reducing the mass and volume of the housing, and further reducing the total volume and total mass of the battery. In this way, both the volume percent of the electrode assemblies and the electrolytic solution in the total volume of the battery and the mass percent in the total mass of the battery are further increased. Therefore, the energy density of the battery is increased by reducing the space occupied by the housing and the material consumed by the housing. In other words, in a case that the size of the battery in this embodiment is the same as that in the prior art, the battery in this embodiment saves the material of the housing, avoids the packing clearance between housings, reduces the mass of the housing, reduces the space occupied by the housing, increases the space of the chamber, and increases the electrode assemblies and electrolytic solution that can be accommodated in the chamber. Therefore, the mass percentage and the volume percentage of the electrode assemblies and electrolytic solution in the battery are increased, and the energy density of the battery is increased.

In addition, because the housing is designed as a cellular structure with prismatic chambers, when the battery is subjected to an external force along the height direction of the electrode assembly, all walls of the housing can jointly withstand the external force, so as to avoid damage caused by excessive local stress of the battery. The battery is more resistant to pressure, the components inside the battery are not prone to pressure-induced safety problems, and the battery life is longer.

All technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application are applicable to various battery-powered devices such as a mobile phone, a portable device, a laptop computer, an electric power cart, an electrical toy, an electric tool, an electric vehicle, a ship, and a spacecraft. The spacecraft includes an airplane, a rocket, a space shuttle, a spaceship, and the like.

Understandably, the technical solutions described in the embodiments of this application are not only applicable to the electrical devices described above, but also applicable to all battery-powered devices. However, for brevity, the following embodiments are described by using an electric vehicle as an example.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, which shows a vehicle <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application. The vehicle <NUM> may be an oil-fueled vehicle, a natural gas vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle may be a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, a range-extended electric vehicle, or the like. A controller <NUM>, a motor <NUM>, and a battery <NUM> may be disposed inside the vehicle <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is configured to control the battery <NUM> to supply power to the motor <NUM>. For example, the battery <NUM> may be disposed at the bottom, front, or rear of the vehicle <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be configured to supply power to the vehicle <NUM>. For example, the battery <NUM> may serve as an operating power supply of the vehicle <NUM> to power a circuit system of the vehicle <NUM>. For example, the battery may be configured to meet operating power usage requirements of the vehicle <NUM> that is being started or navigated or running. In another embodiment of this application, the battery <NUM> serves not only as an operating power supply of the vehicle <NUM>, but may also serve as a drive power supply of the vehicle <NUM> to provide driving power for the vehicle <NUM> in place of or partially in place of oil or natural gas.

<FIG> is a schematic front view of an external structure of a battery <NUM>; <FIG> is a schematic exploded front view of the battery <NUM>; and <FIG> is a schematic structural top view of a housing <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, and <FIG>, the battery <NUM> includes a housing <NUM>, an end cap assembly <NUM>, and a plurality of electrode assemblies <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> is a cellular structure, and the housing <NUM> includes a plurality of chambers <NUM>. Each chamber <NUM> is prism-shaped. The plurality of cavities <NUM> are configured to accommodate the electrode assemblies <NUM> respectively.

It is hereby noted that the shape of the electrode assembly <NUM> may be a quadrangular prism, a cylindrical shape, or the like. The electrode assemblies <NUM> in this embodiment are in the shape of cylinders. The electrode assemblies <NUM> expand during the charge-and-discharge cycles. After a cylindrical electrode assembly <NUM> expands, the peripheral face of the electrode assembly does not fully abut against the inner wall of the prismatic chamber <NUM>, and there is still remaining space between the electrode assembly <NUM> and the chamber <NUM>. The remaining space plays the role of releasing an expansion stress of the electrode assembly <NUM>, and can alleviate the problem of damage caused by excessive stress in the electrode assembly <NUM>, thereby avoiding performance fading of the battery <NUM>, and further improving the power supply performance and lifespan of the battery <NUM>.

An opening <NUM> is made on at least one end of each chamber <NUM> to allow loading of the electrode assembly <NUM>. On each chamber <NUM>, one opening <NUM> may be made, or two openings <NUM> may be made. When one opening <NUM> is made on each chamber <NUM>, the openings <NUM> of a plurality of chambers <NUM> may be located at the same end of the housing <NUM>. That is, the openings <NUM> of all the chambers <NUM> are located at the same end of the housing <NUM>. When one opening <NUM> is made on each chamber <NUM>, the openings <NUM> of a plurality of chambers <NUM> may be located at different ends of the housing <NUM> instead. That is, the openings <NUM> of some chambers <NUM> are located at one end of the housing <NUM>, and the openings <NUM> of other chambers <NUM> are located at the other end of the housing <NUM>. When two openings <NUM> are made on each chamber <NUM>, an opening <NUM> is made at both ends of the housing <NUM> at the positions that correspond to the chambers <NUM> respectively.

The number of end cap assemblies <NUM> is set depending on the arrangement of the openings <NUM> of the plurality of chambers <NUM>. The end cap assembly <NUM> includes a cover plate <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM> is configured to seal the openings <NUM> of the plurality of chambers <NUM>. In some embodiments, the opening <NUM> in communication with the chamber <NUM> is made at just one end of the housing <NUM>, and there is just one end cap assembly <NUM>. The end cap assembly <NUM> corresponds to one end of the housing <NUM>, and the cover plate <NUM> thereof seals the openings <NUM> of all the chambers <NUM>. In other embodiments, the openings <NUM> of the chambers <NUM> are made at both ends of the housing <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, two end cap assemblies <NUM> are disposed. The two end cap assemblies <NUM> correspond to the two ends of the housing <NUM> respectively. The cover plate <NUM> of one end cap assembly <NUM> seals the openings <NUM> of a plurality of chambers <NUM> at one end of the housing <NUM>. The cover plate <NUM> of the other end cap assembly <NUM> seals the openings <NUM> of the plurality of chambers <NUM> at the other end of the housing <NUM>.

Specifically, the housing <NUM> includes partition walls <NUM> and an peripheral wall <NUM>. Referring to <FIG>, the dashed line in <FIG> represents the partition walls <NUM>, and the solid line represents the peripheral wall <NUM>. It is hereby noted that in the drawings of this application, the dashed line and the solid line are made merely for ease of observation. When the housing <NUM> is viewed from top or from bottom, both the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> are visible. The peripheral wall <NUM> surrounds the partition walls <NUM>. The partition walls <NUM> divide the space defined by the peripheral wall <NUM> into a plurality of prismatic spaces, thereby forming a cellular structure. Each prismatic space is a chamber <NUM>.

The chambers <NUM> in <FIG> are shaped as hexagonal prisms. In other embodiments, the chambers <NUM> may be shaped as quadrangular prisms or triangular prisms instead. As shown in <FIG>, the chambers <NUM> are in the shape of quadrangular prisms. The projection of each chamber <NUM> along the height direction of the electrode assembly <NUM> is a parallelogram. As shown in <FIG>, the chambers <NUM> are in the shape of triangular prisms. The projection of each chamber <NUM> along the height direction of the electrode assembly <NUM> is a triangle. By disposing each chamber <NUM> as a triangular prism, a quadrangular prism, or a hexagonal prism, all the chambers <NUM> are identical in shape, without leaving any special-shaped vacancy between adjacent chambers <NUM>. In other words, the partition walls <NUM> have the same thickness in all positions. Therefore, it is convenient to process the housing <NUM>, the volume percent of the chambers <NUM> is high, and the energy density is high.

In a case that a position on the partition walls <NUM> is different in thickness, the capabilities of the thickness-different position in withstanding stress and conducting heat are different. Generally, a relatively thin position is less capable of withstanding stress, and a relatively thick position is prone to heat concentration. Consequently, uneven deformation tends to occur, and may lead to damage or thermal runaway of the battery <NUM> and result in safety hazards. In this embodiment, all positions on the partition walls <NUM> are identical in thickness, and therefore, the partition walls <NUM> are equally capable of withstanding stress and conducting heat in all positions, thereby effectively enhancing the safety performance and lifespan of the battery <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the thickness of the peripheral wall <NUM> is equal to the thickness of the partition walls <NUM>, thereby further alleviating the problems of uneven deformation and uneven heat dissipation, and enhancing the safety performance and lifespan of the battery <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> are formed separately, and then assembled and connected as a whole. Assembling clearances between the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> are sealed hermetically, so that the chambers <NUM> do not communicate with each other by means of the assembling clearances.

In some embodiments, the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> are integrally formed such as injection-molded, without leaving any clearance between sidewalls of the chambers <NUM>, so as to prevent communication between the chambers.

To prevent the chambers <NUM> from communicating with each other through the position of the opening <NUM>, when the cover plate <NUM> of the end cap assembly <NUM> is connected to the end of the housing <NUM>, each opening <NUM> at this end is sealed. <FIG> is a schematic top view of a battery <NUM>, in which the outer surface of the end cap assembly <NUM> (that is, the side of the cover plate <NUM>, which is oriented away from the housing <NUM>, or in other words, the side of the cover plate <NUM>, which is oriented away from the electrode assembly <NUM>) is visible.

For example, a binder is applied to the end of the housing <NUM>, or a binder is applied to the inner surface of the cover plate <NUM> (that is, the side of the cover plate <NUM>, which is close to the housing <NUM>, or in other words, the side of the cover plate <NUM>, which is close to the electrode assembly <NUM>), and then the cover plate <NUM> is aligned with and fitted to the housing <NUM> to implement bonding and fixing.

For another example, after the cover plate <NUM> is aligned with and fitted to the housing <NUM>, the cover plate <NUM> is hot-melted and welded to the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> at the positions corresponding to the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM>.

For ease of welding, as shown in <FIG>, a welding guide slot <NUM> is formed on the outer surface of the cover plate <NUM>. When the cover plate <NUM> is fitted to the housing <NUM>, the protection of the welding guide slot <NUM> at least coincides with the projections of the partition walls <NUM> on the cover plate <NUM> along the thickness direction of the cover plate <NUM>. In some embodiments, the projection of the welding guide slot <NUM> not only coincides with the projections of the partition walls <NUM> on the cover plate <NUM> along the thickness direction of the cover plate <NUM>, but also coincides with the projection of the peripheral wall <NUM> on the cover plate <NUM> along the thickness direction of the cover plate <NUM>.

In other words, the welding guide slot <NUM> extends along the projections of the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> on the cover plate <NUM> in the thickness direction of the cover plate <NUM>, and the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> are located on the back of a bottom wall of the welding guide slot <NUM>. By heating the bottom wall of the welding guide slot <NUM>, the cover plate <NUM> can be hot-melted and welded to the partition walls <NUM> or the peripheral wall <NUM>. Because the bottom wall of the welding guide slot <NUM> is thinner than other positions on the cover plate <NUM>, the bottom wall of the welding guide slot <NUM> is more hot-meltable under heat, thereby reducing the difficulty of welding the cover plate <NUM>, the partition walls <NUM>, and the peripheral wall <NUM> into a whole.

During the welding operation, the welding guide slot <NUM> further plays a role of guiding a welding path, thereby avoiding blind welding carried out without seeing the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM>, and further reducing the difficulty of the welding process.

In some embodiments, the width of the welding guide slot <NUM> is less than or equal to the thickness of the corresponding partition wall <NUM> or the peripheral wall <NUM>, thereby narrowing the easily hot-meltable region on the cover plate <NUM> and preventing the bottom wall of the welding guide slot <NUM> from being hot-melted and falling into the chamber <NUM>. This further ensures reliable welding of the bottom wall of the welding guide slot <NUM> to the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM>.

The plurality of chambers <NUM> are sealed under a joint action of the peripheral wall <NUM>, the partition walls <NUM>, and the cover plate <NUM>. The chambers <NUM> are independent of each other without communicating with each other. In other words, when an electrolytic solution fills in the plurality of chambers <NUM>, the electrolytic solution is not communicated between the plurality of chambers <NUM>. In this way, when reaction runaway occurs in a chamber <NUM>, the resulting heat, gas, and the like are prevented from flowing to other chambers <NUM>. Therefore, on the one hand, this cuts off the feeding of the reacting ingredient, reduces the probability of domino runaway reactions of active substances in other chambers <NUM> as affected, and minimizes the intensity of the runaway reaction. Even if occurring due to heat and impact generated by the runaway reaction in the runaway chamber <NUM>, the domino runaway reaction in other chambers <NUM> is deferred, thereby leaving more time for the user to respond, and effectively improving the safety performance of the battery <NUM>. On the other hand, because the runaway reaction is isolated in one chamber <NUM> and imposes little impact on the surrounding chambers <NUM>, the damage to the battery <NUM> is reduced to a relatively low level. After the runaway reaction stops, the chamber <NUM> in which the runaway reaction occurs stops functioning, and the remaining chambers <NUM> can still react in an orderly manner to provide some electrical energy, thereby extending the lifespan of the battery <NUM>.

To ensure accuracy of fitting the end cap assembly <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, the shaded parts in <FIG> indicate bulges <NUM>. A plurality of bulges <NUM> are disposed on the inner surface of the cover plate <NUM>. The plurality of bulges <NUM> are in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of chambers <NUM> on the housing <NUM>.

The projections of the prismatic chambers <NUM> on the cover plate <NUM> along the thickness direction of the cover plate <NUM> are in the same shape as the bulges <NUM>. That is, all the projections of the plurality of prismatic chambers <NUM> on the cover plate <NUM> along the thickness direction of the cover plate <NUM> are polygonal projections, all the plurality of bulges <NUM> are designed as polygonal bulges <NUM>, and the polygonal projections coincide with the polygonal bulges <NUM>.

A rabbet <NUM> is formed between adjacent bulges <NUM>. The width of the rabbet <NUM> is the same as the thickness of the partition wall. The rabbets <NUM> are configured to accommodate the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM>. Therefore, the rabbets <NUM> on the inner surface of the cover plate <NUM> correspond to the positions of the welding guide slots <NUM> on the outer surface of the cover plate <NUM>. In this way, in a process of fitting the cover plate <NUM> to the housing <NUM>, the welding guide slots <NUM> serve to guide the assembling. The cover plate <NUM> can accurately overlay the housing <NUM> by letting the welding guide slots <NUM> on the outer surface of the cover plate <NUM> correspond to the peripheral wall <NUM> and the partition walls <NUM>.

After the cover plate <NUM> is fitted to the housing <NUM>, the plurality of bulges <NUM> are inserted into the plurality of chambers <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence. A peripheral face of each bulge <NUM> is in abutment with an inner wall of the chamber <NUM> in which the bulge is inserted. The partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> are inserted into the rabbets <NUM>. The surfaces of the partition walls <NUM> and the peripheral wall <NUM> are in abutment with the inner wall of the rabbets <NUM>. The plurality of bulges <NUM> not only enable the cover plate <NUM> to be accurately and stably fitted to the housing <NUM>, but also further block the plurality of chambers <NUM>, thereby improving the sealing effect.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, each bulge <NUM> is hollowed out to form a ring shape. That is, the bulges <NUM> are shaped as polygonal annular bulges <NUM>. With the bulges <NUM> being shaped as polygonal annular bulges <NUM>, the cover plate <NUM> consumes less material, the bulges <NUM> occupy less space in the chambers <NUM>, the chambers <NUM> can accommodate a larger volume of the electrode assemblies <NUM> and the electrolytic solution, thereby increasing the energy density of the battery <NUM> effectively.

At least one electrode assembly <NUM> is disposed in each chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. Each chamber <NUM> is filled with the electrolytic solution, so that each chamber <NUM> forms an independent power supply unit. To ensure each power supply unit to supply power independently, a tab <NUM> is disposed at both ends of the electrode assembly <NUM> separately. Each end cap assembly <NUM> further includes a plurality of electrode terminals <NUM>. The plurality of electrode terminals <NUM> are in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of chambers <NUM>, and each electrode terminal is connected to a tab <NUM> at one end of an electrode assembly <NUM> in the corresponding chamber <NUM>. It is hereby noted that the electrolytic solution may be replaced with a solid electrolyte. The specific type of the electrolyte depends on the type of the battery <NUM>, and is not limited in this application.

As shown in <FIG>, the plurality of electrode terminals <NUM> are mounted on the cover plate <NUM>, and insulated from the cover plate (<NUM>). The positions of the plurality of electrode terminals <NUM> correspond to the positions of the plurality of chambers <NUM>. When the cover plate <NUM> is connected to one end of the housing <NUM> and seals the openings <NUM> of the plurality of chambers <NUM>, each electrode terminal <NUM> can be connected to the tab <NUM> at one end of the electrode assembly <NUM> in the corresponding chamber <NUM>. Therefore, the plurality of power supply units in the housing <NUM> can output electrical energy outward through the electrode terminals <NUM> respectively.

In some embodiments, after the cover plate <NUM> is fitted to the housing <NUM>, the plurality of electrode terminals <NUM> closely fit with the plurality of tabs <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence to implement electrical connection. As shown in <FIG> shows an example in which an electrode assembly <NUM> in a chamber <NUM> in the housing <NUM> is connected to an electrode terminal <NUM>. A through-hole <NUM> is formed on the cover plate <NUM> to allow passage of the electrode terminal <NUM>. The electrode terminal <NUM> is passed through the through-hole <NUM> so as to be mounted onto the cover plate <NUM>. One end of the electrode terminal <NUM> is located inside the chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and the other end is located outside the chamber <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. One end of the electrode terminal <NUM> contacts the tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> to output electrical energy from the other end.

When the cover plate <NUM> is made of a conductive material, the end cap assembly <NUM> further includes a first insulation piece <NUM> and a second insulation piece <NUM>. The first insulation piece <NUM> and the second insulation piece <NUM> are configured to mount the electrode terminal <NUM> onto the cover plate <NUM>, and insulated from the cover plate <NUM>;. The first insulation piece <NUM> extends inward along a clearance between the electrode terminal <NUM> and the cover plate <NUM> from the outer surface of the cover plate <NUM> (that is, the side of the cover plate <NUM>, which is oriented away from the housing <NUM> or away from the electrode assembly <NUM>), so as to separate the electrode terminal <NUM> from the hole wall of the through-hole <NUM> on the cover plate <NUM>. The second insulation piece <NUM> is located between the other end of the electrode terminal <NUM> and the inner surface of the cover plate <NUM>, so as to separate the electrode assembly <NUM> from the inner surface of the cover plate <NUM> (that is, the side of the cover plate <NUM>, which is close to the housing <NUM> or close to the electrode assembly <NUM>).

In some embodiments, one end of the electrode terminal <NUM>, which is close to the electrode assembly <NUM>, is enlarged in diameter to form a flat plate <NUM>. After the cover plate <NUM> is fitted onto the housing <NUM>, the flat plate <NUM> presses down tightly on the surface of the tab <NUM> to ensure effective contact between the electrode terminal <NUM> and the tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM>, and implement electrical connection.

In other embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, a plurality of through-holes <NUM> are formed on the cover plate <NUM>. A plurality of electrode terminals <NUM> pass through the plurality of through-holes <NUM> respectively. After the cover plate <NUM> is fitted onto the housing <NUM>, the plurality of electrode terminals <NUM> are in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of tabs <NUM>. The electrode terminals <NUM> are connected to the corresponding tabs <NUM> by means of penetration welding, butt fusion welding, and the like, so as to implement electrical connection.

When the cover plate <NUM> is made of a conductive material, the end cap assembly <NUM> further includes a first insulation piece <NUM> and a second insulation piece <NUM>. The first insulation piece <NUM> covers a part of the inner wall of the through-hole <NUM> and the outer surface that is of the cover plate <NUM> and that is close to the through-hole <NUM>. The second insulation piece <NUM> covers the inner surface of the cover plate <NUM> and the remaining inner wall of the through-hole <NUM>. In this way, the first insulation piece <NUM> and the second insulation piece <NUM> consecutively cover the entire inner wall of the through-hole <NUM>, separate the electrode assembly <NUM> from the inner surface of the cover plate <NUM>, and separate the electrode terminal <NUM> from the hole wall of the through-hole <NUM> on the cover plate <NUM>, so as to mount the electrode terminal <NUM> onto the cover plate <NUM>, and insulated from the cover plate <NUM>;.

In some embodiments, the electrode terminal <NUM> forms a structure on which a groove <NUM> is made. The position of the groove <NUM> corresponds to the position of the tab <NUM>. The groove <NUM> formed on the electrode terminal <NUM> reduces the thickness of a position that is on the electrode terminal <NUM> and configured to weld to the tab <NUM>, thereby facilitating the welding between the electrode terminal <NUM> and the tab <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, when the cover plate <NUM> is fitted to the housing <NUM>, the bottom wall of the groove <NUM> fits closely with the tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM>. The bottom wall of the groove <NUM> is welded to the tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> by welding such as butt fusion welding and penetration welding.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the electrode terminal <NUM> further includes a shield cover <NUM>. After the electrode terminal <NUM> is welded to the tab <NUM>, the shield cover <NUM> is connected to an end of the electrode terminal <NUM>, where the end is oriented away from the electrode assembly <NUM>. That is, the shield cover <NUM> is located at the opening position of the groove <NUM> to block the groove <NUM> and protect a junction between the electrode terminal <NUM> and the tab <NUM>. The shield cover <NUM> may be made of an insulation material or made of a conductive material.

Optionally, the battery <NUM> may further include other structures. For example, the battery <NUM> may further include a busbar component (not shown in the drawing). The busbar component is configured to implement electrical connection between the plurality of electrode terminals <NUM>, such as parallel connection, series connection, or series-and-parallel connection. Further, the busbar component may be fixed to the electrode terminals <NUM> by welding. Electrical energy of a plurality of power supply units may be further led out by a conductive mechanism. Optionally, the conductive mechanism may also belong to the busbar component.

For a battery <NUM>, main safety hazards come from a charging process and a discharging process. In addition, appropriate ambient temperature design is required. To effectively avoid unnecessary losses, the battery <NUM> according to an embodiment of this application further includes a switch element (not shown in the drawing). The switch element is an element that, when a temperature or resistance in the battery <NUM> reaches a given threshold, causes the battery <NUM> to stop charging or discharging.

The number of switch elements is plural. The plurality of switch elements are mounted in a plurality of chambers <NUM> of the housing <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence. When the temperature or resistance in a chamber <NUM> reaches a threshold, the corresponding switch element causes stoppage of charging or discharging of a power supply unit formed in the chamber <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> according to this embodiment of this application further includes a plurality of pressure relief mechanisms (not shown in the drawing). The pressure relief mechanisms mean elements or components that are actuated to relieve an internal pressure or temperature when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery <NUM> reaches a preset threshold. The threshold may vary depending on design requirements. The threshold may depend on the material of one or more of the positive electrode plate, the negative electrode plate, the electrolytic solution, or the separator in the power supply unit.

The number of pressure relief mechanisms is plural. All the plurality of pressure relief mechanisms are mounted on the cover plate <NUM>. When the cover plate <NUM> is fitted to the housing <NUM>, the plurality of pressure relief mechanisms are in one-to-one correspondence with the plurality of chambers <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. When the internal pressure or temperature in a chamber <NUM> reaches the preset threshold, a corresponding pressure relief mechanism is actuated to relieve the internal pressure or temperature of the chamber <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A battery (<NUM>), comprising:
a housing (<NUM>), wherein the housing (<NUM>) is a cellular structure and comprises a plurality of chambers (<NUM>), and the chambers (<NUM>) are prism-shaped; and
a plurality of electrode assemblies (<NUM>), wherein the plurality of electrode assemblies (<NUM>) are disposed in the plurality of chambers (<NUM>), and at least one electrode assembly (<NUM>) is disposed in each chamber (<NUM>);
wherein the battery (<NUM>) further comprises:
an end cap assembly (<NUM>), wherein the end cap assembly (<NUM>) is connected to the housing (<NUM>), and the end cap assembly (<NUM>) is configured to seal openings (<NUM>) that are of the plurality of chambers (<NUM>) and that are located at a same end;
wherein the end cap assembly (<NUM>) comprises a cover plate (<NUM>), a plurality of bulges (<NUM>) are disposed on a side of the cover plate (<NUM>) toward the housing (<NUM>), the plurality of bulges (<NUM>) are inserted into the plurality of chambers (<NUM>) in one-to-one correspondence, and a peripheral face of each bulge (<NUM>) is in abutment with an inner wall of the chamber (<NUM>) in which the bulge (<NUM>) is inserted.