Patent Description:
With the development of society, science and technology, batteries have been broadly applied to provide energy to high power apparatuses, such as electric vehicles. A battery includes a plurality of battery cells connected in series or parallel, so as to achieve high capacity or power. An electrode assembly of the battery cell includes a body portion and a tab. The body portion is configured to generate or store electrical energy. The tab is configured to electrically connect the body portion and an external mechanical part. A growing requirement for endurance capability of an electric vehicle inevitably leads to an increasingly high requirement for capacity of the battery cell, so the body portion of the electrode assembly becomes bigger correspondingly. However, as the sizes of the body portion increase, the tab generates heat severely, affecting safe use of the battery cell.

<CIT> disclose a prismatic battery cell housed in a battery casing and including a first adapting component to connect a first electrode terminal and a first tab. Comparable battery cells are known from any of <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

This application provides a battery cell, a battery, and an electric apparatus, to resolve a technical problem of severe heat generation by a tab.

An embodiment of this application provides a battery cell according to the features of claim <NUM>. The battery cell includes:
an electrode assembly, including a body portion and a first tab, where a first size L1 of the body portion in a length direction thereof is greater than a second size L2 of the body portion in a width direction thereof; the first tab is located on at least one end of the body portion in the width direction; the first tab has a third size L3 in the length direction; and the first size L1, the second size L2, and the third size L3 satisfy <NUM>.

The battery cell includes an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly includes a body portion and a first tab. The first tab is located on at least one end of the body portion in the width direction; Because the first size L1 of the body portion in the length direction is greater than the second size L2 of the body portion in the width direction, the size of the first tab disposed on an end surface of the body portion corresponding to the length direction is no longer restricted by the second size L2 of the body portion in the width direction, so that the third size L3 of the first tab in the length direction can be set greater than or equal to a half of the second size L2 of the body portion in the width direction. This helps improve current flow capacity of the first tab, to reduce the possibility of severe heat generation by the first tab due to insufficient current flow capacity.

In an embodiment of this application, the first size L1, the second size L2, and the third size L3 satisfy L2≥L3≥L1. In this way, the third size L3 of the first tab in the length direction may be greater than or equal to the second size L2 of the body portion in the width direction, thereby helping further improve the current flow capacity of the first tab.

In an embodiment of this application, the first size L1 and the second size L2 satisfy that a ratio of L1 to L2 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The battery cell further includes: a housing, where an electrode assembly is located inside the housing; a first end cap, located on a side of the electrode assembly in the length direction and configured to close a first opening of the housing; a first electrode terminal, disposed on the first end cap; and a first adapting component, configured to connect the first electrode terminal and the first tab.

In an embodiment of this application, the electrode assembly further includes a second tab with a polarity opposite to that of the first tab, the first tab and the second tab are disposed on a same end of the body portion in the width direction, and the first tab and the second tab are spaced apart in the length direction.

In an embodiment of this application, the first size L1, the second size L2, and the third size L3 satisfy <NUM>. 5L2≥L3<<NUM>. The second tab has a fourth size L4 in the length direction, and the first size L1, the second size L2, and the fourth size L4 satisfy <NUM>. 5L22:L4<<NUM>. In this way, in the length direction, the first tab and the second tab are not in contact with each other, ensuring that the first tab and the second tab are not short-circuited by each other while having sufficient current flow capacity.

In an embodiment of this application, the first adapting component includes a first adapting plate and a second adapting plate, the first adapting plate is configured to be connected to the first electrode terminal, and the second adapting plate is configured to be connected to the first tab.

The electrode assembly further includes a second tab with a polarity opposite to that of the first tab, the first tab includes two first sub-tabs, the two first sub-tabs are respectively located on two ends of the body portion in the width direction, the second tab includes two second sub-tabs, and the two second sub-tabs are respectively located on two ends of the body portion in the width direction.

The first sub-tab and the second sub-tab on a same end of the body portion are spaced apart in the length direction. The first tab is divided into two first sub-tabs and the second tab is divided into two second sub-tabs. This manner can effectively reduce the number of tabs disposed on one end of the body portion, thereby effectively lowering the possible difficulty in connecting the first tab and the second tab respectively to the first adapting component and the second adapting component caused by a great thickness resulted from a large number of the first tabs or the second tabs disposed on one end of the body portion. This manner can also effectively improve heat dissipation efficiency of the first tab and the second tab, reducing the possibility of severe heat generation by the first tab or the second tab caused by poor heat dissipation resulted from a large number of the first tabs or the second tabs.

In an embodiment of this application, the first adapting component includes a first adapting plate and two second adapting plates, the first adapting plate is configured to be connected to the first electrode terminal, and the two second adapting plates are configured to be respectively connected to the two first sub-tabs.

In an embodiment of this application, the two first sub-tabs and the two second sub-tabs are disposed in a staggered manner in the width direction.

In an embodiment of this application, the second adapting plate includes a body part and a bending part, the body part is configured to be connected to the first adapting plate, and the bending part is configured to be connected to the first tab. Before the bending part is bent, the first tab and the bending part may be connected and fastened, and then the bending part may be bent towards the body part to a predetermined position. This can lower the possible difficulty in connecting the first tab and the second adapting plate due to the second adapting plate being close to the body portion, making it easier to connect the first tab and the second adapting plate.

In an embodiment of this application, the battery cell further includes: a second end cap, located on the other side of the electrode assembly in the length direction and configured to close a second opening of the housing; a second electrode terminal, disposed on the second end cap; and a second adapting component, configured to connect the second electrode terminal and the second tab.

The battery cell in this embodiment of this application includes a housing and an electrode assembly. The electrode assembly is disposed inside the housing. A surface of the body portion of the electrode assembly parallel to the width direction faces towards a first opening of the housing. An end surface of the body portion parallel to the length direction faces towards a side wall of the housing. The first tab is disposed on the end surface of the body portion. The first tab is located between the end surface of the body portion and the housing. Therefore, the first tab is disposed on the end surface and the first size L1, the second size L2, and the third size L3 satisfy <NUM>. 5L2≥L3≥L1, so that the size of the first tab is no longer restricted by the second size L2 of the body portion in the width direction. This helps improve the current flow capacity of the first tab, to reduce the possibility of severe heat generation by the first tab due to insufficient current flow capacity. In this way, the overall length of the electrode assembly is no longer restricted by the current flow capacity of the first tab, so that an electrode assembly with a greater length but the same width can be processed and produced. This effectively increases energy density of the electrode assembly, and helps increase the energy density of the battery cell without increasing overall space occupancy of the battery cell in the width direction.

An embodiment of this application further provides a battery, including the battery cell according to the foregoing embodiments.

An embodiment of this application further provides an electric apparatus, including the battery cell according to the foregoing embodiments, where the battery cell is configured to supply electrical energy.

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

In the accompanying drawings, the figures are not drawn to scale.

The following further describes the embodiments of this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and implementations. The detailed description and accompanying drawings of the following embodiments are used to exemplarily illustrate the principle of this application, but are not intended to limit the scope of this application, that is, this application is not limited to the described embodiments.

In the descriptions of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise stated, "plurality" means two or more; and the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inside", "outside", and the like are merely intended to help the descriptions of this application and simplify the descriptions other than indicate or imply that the apparatuses or components must have specific orientations, or be constructed and manipulated with specific orientations, and therefore shall not be construed as limitations on this application. In addition, the terms "first", "second", "third", and the like are merely intended for a purpose of description, and shall not be understood as an indication or implication of relative importance. "Vertical" means being vertical with an allowable range of error other than being strictly vertical. "Parallel" means being parallel with an allowable range of error other than being strictly parallel.

The orientation terms appearing in the following descriptions all are directions shown in the figures, and do not limit the specific structure of the application. In the descriptions of this application, it should be further noted that unless otherwise specified and defined explicitly, the terms "installment", "link", and "connection" should be understood in their general senses. For example, the terms may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated connection, or may be a direct connection, or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. A person of ordinary skill in the art can understand specific meanings of these terms in this application based on specific situations.

The applicants have studied and analyzed a battery cell after discovering a problem of severe heat generation by a tab. The applicants have found that because a requirement for energy density of a battery cell is getting higher and space occupancy of the battery cell itself needs to meet requirements, the battery cell is made into a long-strip flat structure, so that the body portion of the electrode assembly is longer and in a long-strip flat structure. Usually, after the electrode assembly is disposed in a housing, the tab extends out from the body portion in a width direction. However, the tab extending out from the end surface of the body portion in the width direction has a problem of insufficient current flow capacity, failing to satisfy a demand for fast charging. The applicants improved the structure of the tab, for example, increasing the size of the tab. However, the tab still has the problem of insufficient current flow capacity after the size of the tab is increased in the width direction.

Based on the foregoing problem found, the applicants improved the structure of the battery cell. The following further describes the embodiments of this application.

For better understanding of this application, the following describes the embodiments of this application with reference to <FIG>.

An embodiment of this application provides an electric apparatus using a battery <NUM> as a power supply. The electric apparatus may be, but is not limited to, a vehicle, a ship, or a flight vehicle. Referring to <FIG>, an embodiment of this application provides a vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> may be an oil-fueled vehicle, a gas-powered vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle may be a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, or an extended-range electric vehicle. In an embodiment of this application, the vehicle <NUM> may include a motor 1a, a controller 1b, and a battery <NUM>. The controller 1b is configured to control the battery <NUM> to supply power to the motor 1a. The motor 1a is connected to wheels through a driving mechanism to drive the vehicle <NUM> forward. The battery <NUM> may be used as a driving power supply for the vehicle <NUM> to totally or partially replace fossil fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle <NUM>. In an example, a battery <NUM> may be disposed at the bottom, the front, or the rear of the vehicle <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be configured to supply power for the vehicle <NUM>. In the example, the battery <NUM> may be used as an operational power supply for the vehicle <NUM> for a circuit system of the vehicle <NUM>. Optionally, the battery <NUM> may be configured to supply power to meet the start, navigation, and driving requirements of the vehicle <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery <NUM> may include more than two battery modules <NUM>. In some optional embodiments, the battery <NUM> further includes a box body. The battery module <NUM> is disposed inside the box body. The more than two battery modules <NUM> are arranged inside the box body. The box body is not limited to a specific type. The box body may be frame-shaped, disk-shaped, or box-shaped. Optionally, the box body includes a first shell <NUM> configured to accommodate the battery modules <NUM> and a second shell <NUM> engaged to the first shell <NUM>. The first shell <NUM> is engaged to the second shell <NUM> to form an accommodating portion for accommodating the battery modules <NUM>.

To meet different requirements for power use, the battery module <NUM> may include one or more battery cells. Referring to <FIG>, a plurality of battery cells <NUM> may first be connected in series, parallel, or series and parallel to constitute a battery module, and then a plurality of battery modules <NUM> may be connected in series, parallel, or series and parallel to constitute a battery. Optionally, the battery may include a plurality of battery cells <NUM>, where the plurality of battery cells <NUM> may be connected in series, parallel, or series and parallel, and being connected in series and parallel means a combination of series and parallel connections. The plurality of battery cells <NUM> may be directly disposed inside the box body. To be specific, the plurality of battery cells may directly constitute a battery, or may first constitute a battery module, and then a plurality of battery modules constitute a battery. The battery cell <NUM> includes a lithium-ion secondary battery, a lithium-ion primary battery, a lithium-sulfur battery, a sodium-lithium-ion battery, or a magnesium-ion battery, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery cell <NUM> in an embodiment of this application includes a housing <NUM> and an electrode assembly <NUM> disposed inside the housing <NUM>. The housing <NUM> in this embodiment of this application is rectangular or of other shapes. The housing <NUM> has an internal space for accommodating the electrode assembly <NUM> and an electrolyte and a first opening <NUM> communicating with the internal space. The housing <NUM> may be made of materials such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, or plastics. The electrode assembly <NUM> in this embodiment of this application may be formed through stacking or winding of a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator located between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, where the separator is an insulator sandwiched between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate. The first electrode plate and the second electrode plate each include a coated area and an uncoated area. An active substance is applied to the coated area of the first electrode plate and the coated area of the second electrode plate. On the coated area, the active substance is applied on a current collector formed by metal sheets, while on the uncoated area, no active substance is applied. The electrode assembly <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> and a first tab <NUM>. After stacking, the coated area of the first electrode plate, the coated area of the second electrode plate, and the separator are stacked to form the body portion <NUM>. The uncoated areas of the first electrode plate are stacked to form the first tab <NUM>. The uncoated areas of the second electrode plate are stacked to form a second tab <NUM>. The first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> have opposite polarities. For example, when the first tab <NUM> is a positive tab, the second tab <NUM> is a negative tab. When the first tab <NUM> is a negative tab, the second tab <NUM> is a positive tab.

The embodiments of this application are described by using an example in which the electrode assembly <NUM> is a lamination structure, but this does not limit the protection scope of this application. Referring to <FIG>, the body portion <NUM> has a predetermined length, width, and thickness. Herein, the length is a size of the body portion <NUM> in a length direction X thereof, the width is a size of the body portion <NUM> in a width direction Y thereof, and the thickness is a size of the body portion <NUM> in a thickness direction Z thereof. A first size of the body portion <NUM> in the length direction X thereof is L1, and a second size of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y thereof is L2. The length direction X, the width direction Y, and the thickness direction Z are perpendicular to each other. The first size L1 of the body portion <NUM> is greater than the second size L2 of the body portion <NUM>. The body portion <NUM> has two ends disposed opposite each other in the width direction Y thereof, and each end has an end surface 321a. After the electrode assembly <NUM> is disposed inside the housing <NUM>, an end surface 321a of the body portion <NUM> faces towards the housing <NUM>. The first tab <NUM> extends out from an end surface 321a of the body portion <NUM>. A third size of the first tab <NUM> in the length direction X is L3. The first size L1, the second size L2, and the third size L3 satisfy <NUM>. For example, the third size L3 may be <NUM>. 5L2, <NUM>. 6L2, <NUM>. 7L2, <NUM>. 8L2, <NUM>. 9L2, L2, <NUM>. 1L1, <NUM>. 2L1, <NUM>. 3L1, <NUM>. 4L1, <NUM>. 5L1, <NUM>. 6L1, <NUM>. 7L1, <NUM>. 8L1, <NUM>. 9L1, L1, or the like.

The battery cell <NUM> in this embodiment of this application includes a housing <NUM> and an electrode assembly <NUM>. The electrode assembly <NUM> is disposed inside the housing <NUM>. A surface of the body portion <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> parallel to the width direction Y faces towards a first opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. An end surface 321a of the body portion <NUM> parallel to the length direction X faces towards a side wall of the housing <NUM>. The first tab <NUM> is disposed on the end surface 321a of the body portion <NUM>. The first tab <NUM> is located between the end surface 321a of the body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. Therefore, the first tab <NUM> is disposed on the end surface 321a, and the first size L1, the second size L2, and the third size L3 satisfy <NUM>. 5L2≥L3≥L1, so that the size of the first tab <NUM> is no longer restricted by the second size L2 of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y. This helps improve the current flow capacity of the first tab <NUM>, to reduce the possibility of severe heat generation by the first tab <NUM> due to insufficient current flow capacity. In this way, an overall length of the electrode assembly <NUM> is no longer restricted by the current flow capacity of the first tab <NUM>, so that an electrode assembly <NUM> with a greater length but the same width can be processed and produced. This effectively increases energy density of the electrode assembly <NUM>, and also helps increase the energy density of the battery cell <NUM> without increasing overall space occupancy of the battery cell <NUM> in the width direction Y.

When the battery cell <NUM> in this embodiment of this application is applied to the vehicle <NUM>, the width direction Y of the battery cell <NUM> is the same as a height direction of the vehicle <NUM>. Restricted by space of the vehicle <NUM> in the height direction, width of the battery cell <NUM> is also strictly restricted. As a result, when capacity of the battery cell <NUM> needs to be increased, the width of the battery cell <NUM> cannot be increased unlimitedly, but length of the battery cell <NUM> can be increased.

In some embodiments, the first size L1 of the body portion <NUM> in the length direction X and the second size L2 of the body portion <NUM> satisfy that a ratio of L1 to L2 ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. A value of the first size L1 ranges from <NUM> centimeters (cm) to <NUM> centimeters (cm).

In some embodiments, the first size L1, the second size L2, and the third size L3 satisfy L2≥L3≥L1. For example, the third size L3 may be L2, 2L2, 3L2, 4L2, 5L2, or the like. In this way, the third size L3 of the first tab <NUM> in the length direction X may be greater than or equal to the second size L2 of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y, thereby helping further improve the current flow capacity of the first tab <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the battery cell <NUM> in this embodiment of this application further includes a first end cap <NUM>, a first electrode terminal <NUM>, and a first adapting component <NUM>. The first end cap <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM> and closes a first opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. For example, the first end cap <NUM> may be connected to the housing <NUM> by welding. The first end cap <NUM> is located on a side of the electrode assembly <NUM> in the length direction X. In the length direction X, the first end cap <NUM> is disposed opposite a surface of the body portion <NUM> parallel to the width direction Y. The first electrode terminal <NUM> is disposed on the first end cap <NUM>. The first electrode terminal <NUM> may be round-shaped or square-shaped, which is not limited herein. The first electrode terminal <NUM> is electrically connected to the first tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> through the first adapting component <NUM>. In a case that the third size L3 of the first tab <NUM> in the length direction X is smaller than the first size L1 of the body portion <NUM> in the length direction X, the first tab <NUM> is disposed in an area of the body portion <NUM> closer to the first end cap <NUM>, thereby helping shorten connection distance to the first adapting component <NUM>.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the first adapting component <NUM> includes a first adapting plate <NUM> and a second adapting plate <NUM>. The first adapting plate <NUM> and the second adapting plate <NUM> form an L shape, and the first adapting plate <NUM> is configured to be connected to the first electrode terminal <NUM>. The second adapting plate <NUM> is configured to be connected to the first tab <NUM>. In an example, the second adapting plate <NUM> is connected to the first tab <NUM> by welding.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are respectively disposed on two ends of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y. The first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are separately disposed, so that the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> each can make full use of an area of an end surface 321a to select a size in the length direction X, thereby preventing the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> from interfering with each other in the length direction X.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the second tab <NUM> has a fourth size L4 in the length direction X. The first size L1, the second size L2, and the fourth size L4 satisfy <NUM>. For example, the fourth size L4 may be <NUM>. 5L2, <NUM>. 6L2, <NUM>. 7L2, <NUM>. 8L2, <NUM>. 9L2, L2, <NUM>. 1L1, <NUM>. 2L1, <NUM>. 3L1, <NUM>. 4L1, <NUM>. 5L1, <NUM>. 6L1, <NUM>. 7L1, <NUM>. 8L1, <NUM>. 9L1, L1, or the like.

The second tab <NUM> is disposed on an end surface 321a of the body portion <NUM>. The second tab <NUM> is located between the end surface 321a of the body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. Therefore, the second tab <NUM> is disposed on the end surface 321a, and the first size L1, the second size L2, and the fourth size L4 satisfy <NUM>. 5L2≥L4≥L1, so that the size of the second tab <NUM> is no longer restricted by the second size L2 of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y. This helps improve the current flow capacity of the second tab <NUM>, to reduce the possibility of severe heat generation by the second tab <NUM> due to insufficient current flow capacity. In this way, an overall length of the electrode assembly <NUM> is no longer restricted by the current flow capacity of the second tab <NUM>, so that an electrode assembly <NUM> with a greater length but the same width can be processed and produced. This effectively increases energy density of the electrode assembly <NUM>, and helps increase the energy density of the battery cell <NUM> without increasing overall space occupancy of the battery cell <NUM> in the width direction Y. In some embodiments, the third size L3 of the first tab <NUM> in the length direction X is equal to the fourth size L4 of the second tab <NUM> in the length direction X.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery cell <NUM> further includes a second end cap <NUM>, a second electrode terminal <NUM>, and a second adapting component <NUM>. The housing <NUM> further includes a second opening <NUM>. In the length direction X, the first opening <NUM> is disposed opposite the second opening <NUM>. The second end cap <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM> and closes the second opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. For example, the second end cap <NUM> may be connected to the housing <NUM> by welding. The second end cap <NUM> is located on the other side of the electrode assembly <NUM> in the length direction X. In the length direction X, the first end cap <NUM> is disposed opposite the second end cap <NUM>. In the length direction X, the second end cap <NUM> is disposed opposite a surface of the body portion <NUM> parallel to the width direction Y. The second electrode terminal <NUM> is disposed on the second end cap <NUM>. The second electrode terminal <NUM> may be round-shaped or square-shaped, which is not limited herein. The second electrode terminal <NUM> is connected to the second tab <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM> through the second adapting component <NUM>. In a case that the fourth size L4 of the second tab <NUM> in the length direction X is smaller than the first size L1 of the body portion <NUM> in the length direction X, the second tab <NUM> is disposed on an area of the body portion <NUM> closer to the second end cap <NUM>, thereby helping shorten connection distance to the second adapting component <NUM>. In an example, the second adapting component <NUM> includes a third adapting plate <NUM> and a fourth adapting plate <NUM>. The third adapting plate <NUM> is configured to be connected to the second electrode terminal <NUM>. The fourth adapting plate <NUM> is configured to be connected to the second tab <NUM>. In an example, the first adapting component <NUM> and the second adapting component <NUM> have the same structure, meaning that the first adapting plate <NUM> and the third adapting plate <NUM> have the same structure and the second adapting plate <NUM> and the fourth adapting plate <NUM> have the same structure. In an example, the fourth adapting plate <NUM> is connected to the second tab <NUM> by welding.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the second adapting plate <NUM> of the first adapting component <NUM> includes a body part <NUM> and a bending part <NUM>. The body part <NUM> is configured to be connected to the first adapting plate <NUM>. The bending part <NUM> is configured to be connected to the first tab <NUM>. Before the bending part <NUM> is bent, the first tab <NUM> and the bending part <NUM> may be connected and fastened, and then the bending part <NUM> may be bent towards the body part <NUM> to a predetermined position. In this way, space occupied by the second adapting plate <NUM> in the width direction Y can be reduced, and energy density is increased.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has a first opening <NUM>. The electrode assembly <NUM> is disposed inside the housing <NUM>. The first end cap <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM> and closes the first opening <NUM>. The first electrode terminal <NUM> and the second electrode terminal <NUM> are both disposed on the first end cap <NUM>. The first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are respectively disposed on two ends of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y. The first adapting component <NUM> and the second adapting component <NUM> are connected to the first electrode terminal <NUM> and the second electrode terminal <NUM>, respectively.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are disposed on a same end of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y, meaning that the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are disposed on a same end surface 321a. The first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are spaced apart in the length direction X. In the length direction X, the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are disposed in a staggered manner, meaning that in the length direction X, projections of the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> do not overlap. In some embodiments, the first size L1 of the body portion <NUM> in the length direction X, the second size L2 of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y, and the third size L3 of the first tab <NUM> in the length direction X satisfy <NUM>. 5L2≥L3<<NUM>. 5L1, and the first size L1 of the body portion <NUM> in the length direction X, the second size L2 of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y, and the fourth size L4 of the second tab <NUM> in the length direction X satisfy <NUM>. 5L2≥L4<<NUM>. In this way, in the length direction X, the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are not in contact with each other, ensuring that the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are not short-circuited by each other while having sufficient current flow capacity. In a case that the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are connected to the first adapting component <NUM> and the second adapting component <NUM> respectively, the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are bent in opposite directions, thereby helping reduce the possibility of short circuit caused by contact between the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM>.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the first tab <NUM> includes two first sub-tabs <NUM>. The two first sub-tabs <NUM> are respectively located on two ends of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y. The two first sub-tabs <NUM> respectively extend out from the two end surfaces 321a of the body portion <NUM>. The second tab <NUM> includes two second sub-tabs <NUM>. The two second sub-tabs <NUM> are respectively located on two ends of the body portion <NUM> in the width direction Y. The two second sub-tabs <NUM> respectively extends out from the two end surfaces 321a of the body portion <NUM>. In a case that the electrode assembly <NUM> has a high capacity, a current flow requirement can be met only when there are a large number of the first tabs <NUM> and the second tabs <NUM>. The first tab <NUM> is divided into two first sub-tabs <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> is divided into two second sub-tabs <NUM>. This manner can effectively reduce the number of tabs disposed on one end of the body portion <NUM>, thereby effectively lowering the possible difficulty in connecting the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> respectively to the first adapting component <NUM> and the second adapting component <NUM> caused by a great thickness resulted from a large number of the first tabs <NUM> or the second tabs <NUM> disposed on one end of the body portion <NUM>. This manner can also effectively improve heat dissipation efficiency of the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM>, reducing the possibility of severe heat generation by the first tab <NUM> or the second tab <NUM> caused by poor heat dissipation resulted from a large number of the first tabs <NUM> or the second tabs <NUM>.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the first sub-tab <NUM> and the second sub-tab <NUM> on a same side of the body portion <NUM> are spaced apart in the length direction X. In this way, in the length direction X, the first sub-tab <NUM> and the second sub-tab <NUM> are not in contact with each other, ensuring that the first sub-tab <NUM> and the second sub-tab <NUM> are not short-circuited by each other while having sufficient current flow capacity. In a case that the first sub-tab <NUM> and the second sub-tab <NUM> are connected to the first adapting component <NUM> and the second adapting component <NUM> respectively, the first sub-tab <NUM> and the second sub-tab <NUM> are bent in opposite directions, thereby helping minimize an overlap between the first sub-tab <NUM> and the second sub-tab <NUM> in the length direction X, and further reducing the possibility of short circuit resulted from contact between the first sub-tab <NUM> and the second sub-tab <NUM>.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the two first sub-tabs <NUM> are disposed in a staggered manner in the width direction Y, meaning that in the width direction Y, orthographic projections of the two first sub-tabs <NUM> do not overlap. The two second sub-tabs <NUM> are disposed in a staggered manner in the width direction Y, meaning that in the width direction Y, projections of the two second sub-tabs <NUM> do not overlap. In an example, a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator are stacked to form an electrode assembly <NUM>. A half of the total first electrode plates form one first sub-tab <NUM>, and the other half of the total first electrode plates form another first sub-tab <NUM>. For example, there are totally <NUM> first electrode plates, of which <NUM> first electrode plates form one first sub-tab <NUM>, and the other <NUM> first electrode plates form another first sub-tab <NUM>. Further, the first sub-tab <NUM> is formed by adjacent first electrode plates. Likewise, a half of the total second electrode plates form one second sub-tab <NUM>, and the other half of the total second electrode plates form another second sub-tab <NUM>. For example, there are totally <NUM> second electrode plates, of which <NUM> second electrode plates form one second sub-tab <NUM>, and the other <NUM> second electrode plates form another second sub-tab <NUM>. Further, the second sub-tab <NUM> is formed by adjacent second electrode plates.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG>, the first adapting component <NUM> includes a first adapting plate <NUM> and two second adapting plates <NUM>. The first adapting plate <NUM> is configured to be connected to the first electrode terminal <NUM>. The two second adapting plates <NUM> are configured to be respectively connected to the two first sub-tabs <NUM>. The two second adapting plates <NUM> are located on a same side of the first adapting plate <NUM>, making the first adapting component <NUM> a U-shaped structure. In an example, the first adapting plate <NUM> and the two second adapting plates <NUM> are an integrally formed structure.

In some embodiments, the second adapting component <NUM> includes a third adapting plate <NUM> and two fourth adapting plates <NUM>. The third adapting plate <NUM> is configured to be connected to the second electrode terminal <NUM>. The two fourth adapting plates <NUM> are configured to be respectively connected to the two second sub-tabs <NUM>. The two fourth adapting plates <NUM> are located on a same side of the third adapting plate <NUM>, making the second adapting component <NUM> a U-shaped structure. In an example, the third adapting plate <NUM> and the two fourth adapting plates <NUM> are an integrally formed structure.

Claim 1:
A battery cell (<NUM>), comprising:
an electrode assembly (<NUM>), comprising a body portion (<NUM>) and a first tab (<NUM>), wherein a first size L1 of the body portion (<NUM>) in a length direction thereof is greater than a second size L2 of the body portion (<NUM>) in a width direction thereof; and
the first tab (<NUM>) is located on at least one end of the body portion (<NUM>) in the width direction, the first tab (<NUM>) has a third size L3 in the length direction, and the first size L1, the second size L2, and the third size L3 satisfy <NUM>.5L2≤L3≤L1,
wherein the battery cell (<NUM>) further comprises:
a housing (<NUM>), wherein the electrode assembly (<NUM>) is located inside the housing (<NUM>);
a first end cap (<NUM>), located on a side of the electrode assembly (<NUM>) in the length direction and configured to close a first opening (<NUM>) of the housing (<NUM>);
a first electrode terminal (<NUM>), disposed on the first end cap (<NUM>); and
a first adapting component (<NUM>), configured to connect the first electrode terminal (<NUM>) and the first tab (<NUM>),
characterized in that
the electrode assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a second tab (<NUM>) with a polarity opposite to that of the first tab (<NUM>), the first tab (<NUM>) comprises two first sub-tabs (<NUM>), the two first sub-tabs (<NUM>) are respectively located on two ends of the body portion (<NUM>) in the width direction, the second tab (<NUM>) comprises two second sub-tabs (<NUM>), and the two second sub-tabs (<NUM>) are respectively located on two ends of the body portion (<NUM>) in the width direction, wherein
the first sub-tab (<NUM>) and the second sub-tab (<NUM>) on a same end of the body portion (<NUM>) are spaced apart in the length direction.