Patent Description:
At present, the batteries mostly used by vehicles are generally lithium-ion batteries. As a rechargeable battery, the lithium-ion batteries have the advantages such as a small volume, a high energy density, a high power density, lots of cycles, and long storage time.

The rechargeable battery generally includes a housing, an end cover, and an electrode assembly, wherein the end cover is provided to cover the housing and provides a closed space for the electrode assembly and an electrolyte, and electric energy of the electrode assembly can be led out of the housing through an electrode terminal of the end cover.

In order to ensure the electrical safety and the electrical performance of the battery, various structures of the battery should be well insulated from each other, so as to reduce the risks of electricity leakage and internal short circuit of the battery.

Therefore, how to realize better insulation between various structures of the battery is an urgent problem to be solved in the battery technology. <CIT> relates to a lithium battery comprising a shell and an electrode assembly which is composed of at least one positive plate, a negative plate and a porous insulating film
<CIT> discloses a secondary battery including a positive electrode and a negative electrode that are laminated with a separator interposed therebetween, an electrode winding body having a wound structure, an electrolytic solution, and a positive electrode tab connected to the positive electrode accommodated in an outer can, in which an insulator is disposed in proximity to an end on a side of the positive electrode tab of the electrode winding body. <CIT> relates to an electrochemical cell with a collector assembly for sealing the open end of a cell container. The collector assembly includes a retainer and a contact spring with a peripheral flange, each having a central opening therein. A pressure release vent member disposed between the retainer and the peripheral flange of the contact spring seals the openings in the retainer and contact spring under normal conditions and ruptures to release pressure from within the cell when the internal pressure exceeds a predetermined limit.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a battery cell, a battery and a power consumption device, so as to solve the problem of poor insulating property of the existing battery cells.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery cell, including an electrode assembly, a housing, an end cover, and a first insulation member. The electrode assembly includes a first tab. The housing is configured to accommodate the electrode assembly, the housing has an opening, and a first limiting portion is formed on an inner circumferential wall of the housing. The end cover is configured to cover the opening, and in a thickness direction of the end cover, the first limiting portion is configured to limit movement of the end cover in a direction towards the electrode assembly. The first insulation member is at least partially provided between the first tab and the first limiting portion, so as to insulate and isolate (isolate in an insulated manner) the first tab from the first limiting portion. The electrode assembly further includes a main body portion, and the first tab protrudes from an end of the main body portion facing the end cover. The first insulation member further includes a second insulator and a third insulator, the second insulator is provided between the first tab and the first limiting portion, the third insulator is connected to the second insulator, and the third insulator is provided in a manner of surrounding an outer periphery of the main body portion, so as to separate the main body portion and the housing. In the thickness direction of the end cover, a gap is provided between the second insulator of the first insulator and the first limiting portion and between the second insulator of the first insulation member and the first tab.

In the above technical solution, in the thickness direction of the end cover, at least a part of the first insulation member is provided between the first tab and the first limiting portion, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab from the first limiting portion, and reduce the risk of safety problem caused by short circuit inside the battery cell due to electrical connection formed between the first tab and the first limiting portion caused by contact of the first tab with the first limiting portion as the first tab becomes loose towards the end cover.

In some embodiments of the first aspect, the battery cell further includes a second insulation member, the second insulation member is configured to isolate the end cover from the housing, the second insulation member includes an abutment body extending in the direction towards the electrode assembly, and the abutment body is configured to abut against the first insulation member, so that at least a part of the first insulation member is held between the first tab and the first limiting portion.

In the above technical solution, the abutment of the abutment body of the second insulation member against the first insulation member can make at least a part of the first insulation member to be held between the first tab and the first limiting portion, so that the first tab and the first limiting portion are insulated and isolated by the first insulation member, reducing the risk that the first tab cannot be insulated and isolated from the first limiting portion caused by movement of the first insulation member between the first tab and the first limiting portion.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, in the thickness direction of the end cover, the abutment body exceeds the first limiting portion in the direction facing the electrode assembly.

In the above technical solution, the abutment body exceeds the first limiting portion in the direction facing the electrode assembly in the thickness direction of the end cover, then when the abutment body abuts against the first insulation member, a gap always exists between the first insulation member and the first limiting portion, so that there is a gap between the first tab and the first limiting portion in the thickness direction, further reducing the risk of contact between the first tab and the first limiting portion.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the abutment body is of an annular structure.

In the above technical solution, as the abutment body is of an annular structure, an abutment area between the abutment body and the first insulation member can be increased.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the second insulation member further includes a first insulator connected to the abutment body, the first insulator is configured to isolate the end cover and the housing, and the abutment body extends from the first insulator in the direction towards the electrode assembly, so as to abut against the first insulation member.

In the above technical solution, the abutment body extends in the direction towards the electrode assembly, so that an abutment force of the abutment portion against the first insulation member is perpendicular to a plane where the first tab is located, the abutment against the first insulation member is more reliable, moreover, as the abutment body extends in the direction towards the electrode assembly, an extending path of the abutment body is the shortest, so that the abutment portion occupies the smallest space inside the battery cell.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the first insulator includes a first insulation portion and a second insulation portion that are connected; the end cover includes a body portion and an extension portion provided along an edge of the body portion, the second insulation portion is located between an outer circumferential wall of the extension portion and the inner circumferential wall of the housing, and in the thickness direction of the end cover, the first insulation portion is located between the first limiting portion and the extension portion, and the abutment body is connected to the first insulation portion.

In the above technical solution, the first insulator includes a first insulation portion and a second insulation portion that are connected, not only the insulation and isolation between the end cover and the first limiting portion can be realized, but also the insulation between the end cover and the housing can be realized.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the first insulator further includes a third insulation portion; and the third insulation portion is connected to the second insulation portion, and in the thickness direction of the end cover, the first insulation portion and the third insulation portion are located at two sides of the end cover, respectively.

In the above technical solution, the first insulator further includes the third insulation portion, the third insulation portion can form insulated protection on a side of the end cover facing away from the first insulation portion in the thickness direction, further reducing the risk of short circuit inside the battery cell.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the housing has a second limiting portion; and in the thickness direction of the end cover, the third insulation portion is located between the extension portion and the second limiting portion, and the second limiting portion and the first limiting portion are configured to jointly limit the movement of the end cover relative to the housing in the thickness direction of the end cover.

In the above technical solution, the second limiting portion and the first limiting portion cooperate to jointly limit the movement of the end cover relative to the housing in the thickness direction of the end cover, so that the end cover and the housing maintain a stable connection relationship.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the second limiting portion is a flanging structure of the housing folded inwards at the position of the opening.

In the above technical solution, the second limiting portion is a flanging structure of the housing folded inwards at the position of the opening, that is, the second limiting portion is a part of the housing, so that the second limiting portion can stably limit the end cover on the side of the end cover facing away from the electrode assembly. Moreover, as the second limiting portion is a part of the housing, the connection relationship of the housing also can be reduced, thus improving the structural strength of the housing.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the battery cell further includes a sealing member, and the end cover is in sealed connection with the housing through the sealing member.

In the above technical solution, the end cover is in sealed connection with the housing through the sealing member, so that the end cover, the housing, and the sealing member jointly form a closed space for accommodating the electrode assembly and the electrolyte, and reduces the risk of liquid leakage.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the sealing member is the second insulation member.

In the above technical solution, the sealing member is the second insulation member, so that the second insulation member not only functions to insulate and isolate the end cover from the housing, but also can have a sealing effect between the end cover and the housing, then it is unnecessary to additionally provide a sealing member between the end cover and the housing, thus reducing occupation of the internal space of the housing, and facilitating improving the energy density.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, a first concave portion recessed inward from an outer circumferential wall of the housing is formed on the housing, the first limiting portion protruding from the inner circumferential wall of the housing is formed at a position of the housing corresponding to the first concave portion, and the first concave portion and the first limiting portion are both of annular structures.

In the above technical solution, forming the first limiting portion on the inner wall of the housing is relatively difficult to process, while forming the first concave portion on the outer circumferential wall of the housing is less difficult than forming the first limiting portion directly on the inner circumferential wall of the housing, therefore, the difficulty in shaping the first limiting portion is reduced by forming the first limiting portion that protrudes from the inner circumferential wall of the housing at a position of the housing corresponding to the first concave portion.

In the above technical solution, the second insulator is provided between the first tab and the first limiting portion, so that the first tab is insulated and isolated from the first limiting portion, and the third insulator is connected to the second insulator and provided in a manner of surrounding the outer periphery of the main body portion, so as to insulate and isolate the main body portion and the housing, and prevent short circuit inside the battery cell, moreover, the third insulator is connected to the second insulator and provided in a manner of surrounding the outer periphery of the main body portion, then it is convenient to mount and fix the first insulation member.

In some embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure, the third insulator and the second insulator are of an integrally formed structure.

In the above technical solution, the third insulator and the second insulator are of an integrally formed structure, then it is convenient to manufacture the first insulation member, and the structural strength of the first insulation member can be improved.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a battery, including a plurality of battery cells provided according to the embodiments of the first aspect.

In the above technical solution, the first insulation member is provided between the first tab and the first limiting portion of the housing of the battery cell, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab from the first limiting portion, and reduce the risk of safety problem caused by short circuit inside the battery cell due to electrical connection formed between the first tab and the first limiting portion caused by contact of the first tab with the first limiting portion as the first tab becomes loose towards the end cover.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a power consumption device, including the battery provided according the embodiments of the second aspect.

In the above technical solution, the first insulation member is provided between the first tab and the first limiting portion of the battery, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab from the first limiting portion, and reduce the risk of safety problem caused by short circuit inside the battery due to electrical connection formed between the first tab and the first limiting portion caused by contact of the first tab with the first limiting portion as the first tab becomes loose towards the end cover, and improve the electrical safety.

A device for manufacturing a battery cell, includes a providing apparatus and an assembling apparatus. The providing apparatus is configured to provide an electrode assembly, a housing, an end cover, and a first insulation member; the electrode assembly includes a first tab, the housing has an opening, a first limiting portion is formed on an inner circumferential wall of the housing, the end cover is configured to cover the opening, and in a thickness direction of the end cover, the first limiting portion is configured to limit movement of the end cover in a direction towards the electrode assembly; the assembling apparatus is configured to assemble the electrode assembly, the housing, the end cover, and the first insulation member, so that the housing accommodates the electrode assembly, the end cover covers the opening, and at least a part of the first insulation member is provided between the first tab and the first limiting portion, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab and the first limiting portion.

The assembling apparatus can provide, in the thickness direction of the end cover, at least a part of the first insulation member between the first tab and the first limiting portion, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab from the first limiting portion, and reduce the risk of safety problem caused by short circuit inside the battery cell due to electrical connection formed between the first tab and the first limiting portion caused by contact of the first tab with the first limiting portion as the first tab becomes loose towards the end cover.

A method for manufacturing a battery cell, includes:.

In the thickness direction of the end cover, at least a part of the first insulation member is provided between the first tab and the first limiting portion, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab from the first limiting portion, and reduce the risk of safety problem caused by short circuit inside the battery cell due to electrical connection formed between the first tab and the first limiting portion caused by contact of the first tab with the first limiting portion as the first tab becomes loose towards the end cover.

In order to more clearly illustrate technical solutions of embodiments of the present disclosure, accompanying drawings which need to be used in the embodiments are introduced briefly below. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings below merely show some embodiments of the present disclosure, and thus should not be considered as limitation to the scope. Those ordinarily skilled in the art still could obtain other relevant accompanying drawings according to these accompanying drawings, without using any creative effort.

In order to make objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described clearly and completely below in conjunction with accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure, and apparently, the embodiments described are some but not all embodiments of the present disclosure. Generally, components in the embodiments of the present disclosure described and shown in the accompanying drawings herein may be arranged and designed in various different configurations.

It should be noted that the embodiments and the features in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be combined with each other without conflict.

It should be noted that similar reference signs and letters represent similar items in the following accompanying drawings, therefore, once a certain item is defined in one accompanying drawing, it is not needed to be defined or explained in subsequent accompanying drawings.

In the descriptions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, it should be noted that orientation or positional relationships indicated are based on orientation or positional relationships as shown in the accompanying drawings, or orientation or positional relationships of a product of the present disclosure when being conventionally placed in use, or orientation or positional relationships conventionally understood by those skilled in the art, merely for facilitating describing the present disclosure and simplifying the descriptions, rather than indicating or suggesting that related devices or elements have to be in the specific orientation or configured and operated in a specific orientation, therefore, they should not be construed as limitation to the present disclosure. Besides, terms such as "first", "second", and "third" are merely for distinguishing the descriptions, but should not be construed as indicating or implying importance in the relativity.

The term "a plurality of" appearing in the present disclosure means two or more (including two).

In the present disclosure, the battery cells may include lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion primary batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium/lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries or magnesium-ion batteries, etc., which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure. The battery cells may be cylindrical, flat, cuboid or in other shapes, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure, either. The battery cells are generally divided into three types according to the way of encapsulating: cylindrical battery cells, prismatic battery cells, and pouch battery cells, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure, either.

The battery mentioned in the embodiments of the present disclosure refers to a single physical module that includes one or more battery cells to provide a higher voltage and capacity. For example, the battery mentioned in the present disclosure may include a battery module or a battery pack, etc. The battery generally includes a case for encapsulating one or more battery cells. The case can prevent liquids or other foreign matters from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cell.

The battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrolytic solution, and the electrode assembly is composed of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator. The operation of the battery cell mainly relies on movement of metal ions between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive active material layer, the positive active material layer is coated on a surface of the positive electrode current collector, the current collector not coated with the positive active material layer protrudes from the positive electrode current collector coated with the positive active material layer, and the positive electrode current collector not coated with the positive active material layer is used as a positive electrode tab. Taking the lithium-ion battery as an example, a material of the positive electrode current collector may be aluminum, and the positive active material may be lithium cobaltate, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium or lithium manganate, etc. The negative electrode plate includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative active material layer, the negative active material layer is coated on a surface of the negative electrode current collector, the negative electrode current collector not coated with the negative active material layer protrudes from the negative electrode current collector coated with the negative active material layer, and the negative electrode current collector not coated with the negative active material layer is used as a negative electrode tab. A material of the negative electrode current collector may be copper, and the negative active material may be carbon or silicon, etc. In order to ensure that no fusing occurs when a large current passes, a plurality of positive electrode tabs are provided and stacked together, and a plurality of negative electrode tabs are provided and stacked together. A material of the separator may be PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene), or the like. The electrode assembly may be of a winding structure.

For the development of the battery technology, various design factors, for example, energy density, cycle lifetime, discharge capacity, C-rate and other performance parameters, need to be considered at the same time, and in addition, the safety of the battery should also be taken into consideration.

For the battery cell, one of the main safety problems is short circuit inside the battery cell. After the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the electrode assembly of the battery cell are electrically connected, the battery cell is short-circuited, and the short circuit of the battery cell may cause safety problems such as liquid leakage, explosion, and spontaneous combustion. The reasons for causing the internal short circuit of the battery cell are relatively complex, for example, manufacturing reasons or improper manufacturing processes, so that surfaces of the positive electrode plate and/or the negative electrode plate have burrs, and the burrs pierce the separator to cause short circuit of the positive and negative electrodes. For another example, the battery cell is too hot during use, and the separator is melted to cause short circuit. A further quite important reason is that contact of the tab with the housing of the battery cell causes failure.

In the prior art, the battery cell includes an electrode assembly, a housing, and an end cover. The electrode assembly includes a first tab located at one end in an axial direction. The housing is configured to accommodate the electrode assembly. The housing has an opening, and a first limiting portion is formed on an inner circumferential wall of the housing. The end cover is configured to cover the opening. In the thickness direction of the end cover, the first limiting portion is configured to limit the movement of the end cover in a direction towards the electrode assembly, and the first tab is configured to be electrically connected to the end cover. In order to facilitate welding the first tab and reducing an axial dimension of the electrode assembly, the first tab is kneaded flat in the axial direction of the electrode assembly, but the inventors found that the first tab kneaded flat is not fixed, and an elastic force accumulated in the kneading process will make the first tab loose towards the end cover, and finally the first tab may come into contact with the first limiting portion, thus causing short circuit inside the battery cell.

In view of this, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a technical solution. By providing at least a part of a first insulation member between the first tab and the first limiting portion along a thickness direction of the end cover, and insulating and isolating the first tab from the first limiting portion through the first insulation member, the risk of short circuit inside the battery cell caused by the fact that the first tab is lapped with the first limiting portion due to loosening of the first tab towards the end cover is reduced.

The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are applicable to batteries and power consumption devices using the batteries.

The power consumption device may be vehicles, mobile phones, portable apparatuses, notebook computers, ships, spacecrafts, electric toys, electric tools, etc. The vehicles can be a fuel-powered vehicle, a gas-powered vehicle or a new-energy vehicle, and the new-energy vehicle may be a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle or an extended-range vehicle, etc.; the spacecrafts include airplanes, rockets, space shuttles, spaceships, etc.; the electric toys include stationary or movable electric toys, for example, game machines, electric automobile toys, electric ship toys, electric plane toys, etc.; the electric tools include metal cutting electric tools, grinding electric tools, assembling electric tools, and railway electric tools such as electric drills, electric grinders, electric spanners, electric screwdrivers, electric hammers, electric impact drills, concrete vibrators, electric grooves etc. The embodiments of the present disclosure do not impose special restrictions on the foregoing power consumption devices.

For convenience of description, the following embodiments are described by taking an example in which the power consumption device is a vehicle.

Referring to <FIG> is a structural schematic view of a vehicle <NUM> provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. The vehicle <NUM> is provided therein with a battery <NUM>, and the battery <NUM> may be provided at the bottom or the head or the tail of the vehicle <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be used to supply power to the vehicle <NUM>, for example, the battery <NUM> can be used as an operation power supply of the vehicle <NUM>.

The vehicle <NUM> further may include a controller <NUM> and a motor <NUM>, wherein the controller <NUM> is configured to control the battery <NUM> to supply power to the motor <NUM>, for example, for a working power demand of the vehicle <NUM> during startup, navigation, and running.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the battery <NUM> may be used not only as an operation power supply for the vehicle <NUM> but also as a driving power supply for the vehicle <NUM>, replacing or partially replacing fuel or natural gas to provide driving power for the vehicle <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> is a structural schematic view of the battery <NUM> provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. The battery <NUM> includes a case <NUM> and battery cells <NUM>, and the battery cells <NUM> are accommodated in the case <NUM>.

The case <NUM> is configured to provide an accommodating space <NUM> for the battery cells <NUM>. In some embodiments, the case <NUM> may include a first part <NUM> and a second part <NUM>, and the first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM> cover each other, so as to define the accommodating space <NUM> for accommodating the battery cells <NUM>. Without doubt, a joint between the first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM> may be sealed by a sealing member (not shown in the drawings), and the sealing member may be a sealing ring, a sealing glue, etc..

The first part <NUM> and the second part <NUM> may be in various shapes, such as a cuboid, a cylinder, etc. The first part <NUM> may be of a hollow structure with one side open, the second part <NUM> also may be of a hollow structure with one side open, and the open side of the second part <NUM> covers the open side of the first part <NUM>, thus forming the case <NUM> with a closed space. Without doubt, it is also feasible that the first part <NUM> is of a hollow structure having an opening <NUM> at one side, the second part <NUM> is of a plate-like structure, and the second part <NUM> covers the open side of the first part <NUM>, thus forming the case <NUM> having the accommodating space <NUM>.

In the battery <NUM>, there may be one or more battery cells <NUM>. If there are a plurality of battery cells <NUM>, the plurality of battery cells <NUM> may be connected in series or in parallel or in a mixed manner, wherein the mixed manner refers to that the connection of the plurality of battery cells <NUM> includes both series connection and parallel connection. The plurality of battery cells <NUM> can be directly connected together in series, in parallel or in a mixed manner, and then the whole composed of the plurality of battery cells <NUM> is accommodated in the case <NUM>; without doubt, it is also feasible that the plurality of battery cells <NUM> are first connected in series or in parallel or in a mixed manner to form a battery module, and then a plurality of battery modules are connected in series or in parallel or in a mixed manner to form a whole and accommodated in the case <NUM>. The battery cells <NUM> may be cylindrical, flat, cuboid or in other shapes. <FIG> exemplarily shows the case in which the battery cells <NUM> are cylindrical.

In some embodiments, the battery <NUM> further may include a bus member (not shown in the drawing), and the plurality of battery units <NUM> may realize electrical connection via the bus member, so as to realize series connection or parallel connection or mixed connection of the plurality of battery units <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> is an exploded view of the battery cell <NUM> provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure. The battery cell <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, an electrode assembly <NUM>, and an end cover <NUM>. The housing <NUM> has an opening <NUM>, the electrode assembly <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM>, and the end cover <NUM> is configured to cover the opening <NUM>.

The housing <NUM> may be in various shapes, such as a cylinder and a cuboid. The shape of the housing <NUM> may be determined according to a specific shape of the electrode assembly <NUM>. For example, if the electrode assembly <NUM> is of a cylindrical structure, the housing <NUM> may be of a cylindrical structure; and if the electrode assembly <NUM> is of a cuboid structure, the housing <NUM> may be of a cuboid structure. <FIG> exemplarily shows a case in which the housing <NUM> and the electrode assembly <NUM> are cylindrical.

The housing <NUM> also may be made of various materials, such as copper, iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and aluminum alloy, which is not specially limited in the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The electrode assembly <NUM> may include a positive electrode plate (not shown in the drawing), a negative electrode plate (not shown in the drawing), and a separator (not shown in the drawing). The electrode assembly <NUM> may be of a winding structure formed by winding the positive electrode plate, the separator, and the negative electrode plate. The electrode assembly <NUM> further includes a positive electrode tab (not shown in the drawing) and a negative electrode tab (not shown in the drawing). The positive electrode current collector of the positive electrode plate not coated with a positive active material layer may act as the positive electrode tab, and the negative electrode current collector of the negative electrode plate not coated with a negative active material layer may act as the negative electrode tab.

The end cover <NUM> is configured to cap the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, so as to form a closed accommodating chamber configured to accommodate the electrode assembly <NUM>. The accommodating chamber is further configured to accommodate an electrolyte, for example, an electrolytic solution. The end cover <NUM> acts as a component for outputting electric energy of the electrode assembly <NUM>, an electrode terminal in the end cover <NUM> is used to be electrically connected to the electrode assembly <NUM>, that is, the electrode terminal is electrically connected to the tab of the electrode assembly <NUM>, for example, the electrode terminal is connected to the tab through the current collector (not shown in the drawing), so as to realize the electrical connection between the electrode terminal and the tab.

The end cover <NUM> is configured to cover the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The end cover <NUM> may be in various shapes, such as a circular shape and a rectangular shape. The shape of the end cover <NUM> depends on shapes of the housing <NUM> and the opening <NUM> of the housing <NUM>, and if the housing <NUM> is of a cylindrical structure, a circular end cover <NUM> can be selected; and if the housing <NUM> is of a cuboid structure, a circular end cover <NUM> may be selected. <FIG> exemplarily shows a case where the end cover <NUM> is circular.

It should be noted that, the housing <NUM> may have one or two openings <NUM>. If the housing <NUM> has one opening <NUM>, there also may be one end cover <NUM>, then two electrode terminals may be provided in the end cover <NUM>, the two electrode terminals are respectively configured to be electrically connected to the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly <NUM>, and the two electrode terminals in the end cover <NUM> are a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal, respectively. As shown in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> has one opening <NUM>, the opening <NUM> is provided at one end of the housing <NUM> in an axial direction, and there is also one end cover <NUM>. In this structure, one electrode terminal may be provided on the end cover <NUM>, and the electrode terminal is configured to be electrically connected to one of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab, the other of the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab is configured to be electrically connected to the housing <NUM>, and the end cover <NUM> is in insulated connection with the housing <NUM>, then the electric energy of the electrode assembly <NUM> is output through the electrode terminal on the end cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, respectively. If the battery cell <NUM> has only one end cover <NUM>, the end cover <NUM> also may be provided with two electrode terminals, and the two electrode terminals are configured to be electrically connected to the positive electrode tab and the negative electrode tab of the electrode assembly <NUM>, respectively.

In some embodiments, if the housing <NUM> has two openings <NUM>, for example, the two openings <NUM> are provided at two opposite sides of the housing <NUM>, there also may be two end covers <NUM>, and the two end covers <NUM> respectively cover the two openings <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. In this case, the electrode terminal of one of the two end covers <NUM> may be a positive electrode terminal, configured to be electrically connected to the positive electrode tab of the electrode assembly <NUM>; the electrode terminal of the other of the two end covers <NUM> is a negative electrode terminal, configured to be electrically connected to the negative electrode plate of the electrode assembly <NUM>. The two end covers <NUM> may be of the same or different structures.

In some embodiments, the electrode assembly <NUM> includes a main body portion <NUM> and a first tab <NUM>, and along the axial direction of the electrode assembly <NUM>, the first tab <NUM> is connected to one end of the main body portion <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, the battery cell <NUM> further includes a protective component <NUM>, the protective component <NUM> is provided between an outer circumferential wall of the main body portion <NUM> and an inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>, and the protective component <NUM> is configured to insulate and isolate the main body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. In some embodiments, the protective component <NUM> may be of a sleeve structure, the protective component <NUM> and the electrode assembly <NUM> are coaxially arranged, the protective component <NUM> may be provided in a manner of surrounding the outer circumferential wall of the main body portion <NUM> of the electrode assembly <NUM>, and exemplarily, the protective component <NUM> is a blue glue adhered to an outer circumferential surface of the main body portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the protective component <NUM> further may be fixed to an inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>. The first tab <NUM> may be a positive electrode tab or a negative electrode tab.

In some embodiments, the electrode assembly <NUM> further includes a second tab <NUM> having a polarity opposite to that of the first tab <NUM>, and the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> are connected to two ends of the main body portion <NUM> in the axial direction, respectively. In some other embodiments, the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> may be connected to the same end of the main body portion <NUM> in the axial direction.

In some embodiments, referring to <FIG> and <FIG> in combination, <FIG> is a sectional view of the battery cell <NUM> provided in some embodiments of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a part I in <FIG>. The battery cell <NUM> includes the electrode assembly <NUM>, the housing <NUM>, the end cover <NUM>, and a first insulation member <NUM>. The electrode assembly <NUM> includes a first tab <NUM>. The housing <NUM> is configured to accommodate the electrode assembly <NUM>, the housing <NUM> has an opening <NUM>, and a first limiting portion <NUM> is formed on the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>. The end cover <NUM> is configured to cover the opening <NUM>, and in the thickness direction A of the end cover, the first limiting portion <NUM> is configured to limit the movement of the end cover <NUM> in a direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM>. The first insulation member <NUM> is at least partially provided between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, so that the first tab <NUM> is insulated and isolated from the first limiting portion <NUM>.

In the thickness direction A of the end cover, at least a part of the first insulation member <NUM> is provided between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab <NUM> from the first limiting portion <NUM>, and reduce the risk of safety problem caused by short circuit inside the battery cell <NUM> due to electrical connection formed between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> caused by contact of the first tab <NUM> with the first limiting portion <NUM> as the first tab <NUM> becomes loose towards the end cover <NUM>.

Regarding the thickness direction A of the end cover mentioned in the embodiments of the present disclosure, if the end cover <NUM> is of a circular structure, the thickness direction A of the end cover is also the axial direction of the end cover <NUM>, and the thickness direction A of the end cover is also the axial direction of the electrode assembly <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, a first concave portion <NUM> recessed inward from an outer circumferential wall of the housing <NUM> is formed on the housing <NUM>, and a first limiting portion <NUM> protruding from the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM> is formed at a position of the housing <NUM> corresponding to the first concave portion <NUM>. Forming the first limiting portion <NUM> on the inner wall of the housing <NUM> is relatively difficult to process, while forming the first concave portion <NUM> on the outer circumferential wall of the housing <NUM> is less difficult than forming the first limiting portion <NUM> directly on the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>, therefore, the difficulty in shaping the first limiting portion <NUM> is reduced by forming the first limiting portion <NUM> that protrudes from the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM> at a position of the housing <NUM> corresponding to the first concave portion <NUM>. Besides, by forming the first limiting portion <NUM> at the position of the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM> corresponding to the first concave portion <NUM> in the process of forming the first concave portion <NUM> on the outer circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>, the first limiting portion <NUM> can be formed after the electrode assembly <NUM> is accommodated in the housing <NUM>, facilitating the mounting of the electrode assembly <NUM>. Without doubt, in some other embodiments, it is also feasible that in cases where the first concave portion <NUM> is not formed on the outer circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>, the first limiting portion <NUM> is formed on the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>.

The first limiting portion <NUM> includes a first connecting section <NUM>, a second connecting section <NUM>, and a third connecting section <NUM> connected in sequence, wherein an end of the first connecting section <NUM> facing away from the second connecting section <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM>, and an end of the third connecting section <NUM> facing away from the second connecting section <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM>. In the thickness direction A of the end cover, the first connecting section <NUM> and the third connecting section <NUM> are arranged opposite to each other. An outer surface of the first connecting section <NUM>, an outer surface of the second connecting section <NUM>, and an outer surface of the third connecting section <NUM> together define the first concave portion <NUM>. In the above, a surface of the first connecting section <NUM>, a surface of the second connecting section <NUM>, and a surface of the third connecting section <NUM> all refer to exposed surfaces of the first connecting section <NUM>, the second connecting section <NUM>, and the third connecting section <NUM>. The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion are in arc transition, and the second connecting portion and the third connecting portion are in arc transition, so that a connecting position of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion and a connecting position of the second connecting portion and the third connecting portion are prevented from forming edges to scratch structures inside the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first concave portion <NUM> is an annular groove formed on the outer circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>, and correspondingly, the first limiting portion <NUM> is an annular convex portion formed on the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>, i.e., the first concave portion <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> are both of annular structures, so that the first limiting portion <NUM> can limit movement of the end cover <NUM> in the direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM> at any position in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, the first concave portion <NUM> may include a plurality of grooves arranged at intervals along a circumferential direction of the housing <NUM>, a protrusion protruding from the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM> is formed at a position of the housing <NUM> corresponding to each groove, that is, a plurality of protrusions arranged at intervals are provided on the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM> in a protruding manner, the first limiting portion <NUM> includes a plurality of protrusions, and the plurality of protrusions jointly limit the movement of the end cover <NUM> in the direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM>.

The first insulation member <NUM> may be partially located between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, and the first insulation member <NUM> also may be completely located between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first tab <NUM> protrudes from one end of the main body portion <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>, the first insulation member <NUM> includes a second insulator <NUM> and a third insulator <NUM>, the second insulator <NUM> is provided between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, the third insulator <NUM> is connected to the second insulator <NUM>, and the third insulator <NUM> is provided in a manner of surrounding an outer periphery of the main body portion <NUM>, so as to separate the main body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM>. That is, in the thickness direction A of the end cover, the second insulator <NUM> of the first insulation member <NUM> is located between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>. The second insulator <NUM> is provided between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, so that the first tab <NUM> is insulated and isolated from the first limiting portion <NUM>. The third insulator <NUM> may be of a sleeve structure, the third insulator <NUM> is connected to the second insulator <NUM> and provided in a manner of surrounding the outer periphery of the main body portion <NUM>, so as to insulate and isolate the main body portion <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, and prevent short circuit inside the battery cell <NUM>, moreover, the third insulator <NUM> is connected to the second insulator <NUM> and provided in a manner of surrounding the outer periphery of the main body portion <NUM>, then it is convenient to mount and fix the first insulation member <NUM>.

In some embodiments, in cases where the protective component <NUM> is provided in a manner of surrounding the outer circumferential wall of the main body portion <NUM>, the protective component <NUM> and the third insulator <NUM> may be coaxially arranged, the third insulator <NUM> may be provided in a manner of surrounding an outer periphery of the protective component <NUM>, or in the thickness direction A of the end cover, and one end of the third insulator <NUM> facing away from the second insulator <NUM> abuts one end of the protective component <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>, or the protective component <NUM> is provided in a manner of surrounding an outer periphery of the third insulator <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the third insulator <NUM> and the second insulator <NUM> are of an integrally formed structure, facilitating the manufacturing of the first insulation member <NUM>, and being capable of improving the structural strength of the first insulation member <NUM>. In some other embodiments, the first insulation member <NUM> and the protective component <NUM> also may be of an integrally formed structure.

Without doubt, in some other embodiments, the first insulation member <NUM> may only include the second insulator <NUM>, and the second insulator <NUM> is completely located between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, that is, the first insulation member <NUM> is completely located between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the first insulation member <NUM> is attached to an end surface of the first tab <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>, which embodiment is not according to the present application. Specifically, the second insulator <NUM> is attached to the end surface of the first tab <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>, so that the first insulation member <NUM> always forms insulation and isolation between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>. In the above, attachment of the first insulation member <NUM> to the first tab <NUM> may be fixation of the first insulation member <NUM> on the end surface of the first tab <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM> in a manner such as bonding, or contact of the first insulation member <NUM> with the end surface of the first tab <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>.

The first insulation member <NUM> further may be attached to the surface of the first limiting portion <NUM> facing the first tab <NUM>, which embodiment is not according to the present applcation. For example, the second insulator <NUM> of the first insulation member <NUM> is attached to the surface of the first limiting portion <NUM> facing the first tab <NUM>, and the third insulator <NUM> is provided in a manner of surrounding the outer periphery of the main body portion <NUM>. Attachment of the first insulation member <NUM> to the surface of the first limiting portion facing the first tab <NUM> may be fixation of the first insulation member <NUM> to the surface of the first limiting portion <NUM> facing the first tab <NUM> in a manner such as bonding, or contact of the first insulation member <NUM> with the surface of the first limiting portion <NUM> facing the first tab <NUM> or fixation of the first insulation member <NUM> to the surface of the first limiting portion <NUM> facing the first tab <NUM>.

According to the present application, in the thickness direction A of the end cover, a gap exists between the second insulator <NUM> of the first insulation member <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> and between the second insulator <NUM> of the first insulation member <NUM> and the first tab <NUM>, that is, the second insulator <NUM> is neither in contact with the first limiting portion <NUM> nor in contact with the end surface of the first tab <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>.

The first insulation member <NUM> may be an insulating material such as tab glue paper.

In some embodiments, the battery cell <NUM> further includes a second insulation member <NUM>, the second insulation member <NUM> is configured to isolate the end cover <NUM> from the housing <NUM>, the second insulation member <NUM> includes an abutment body <NUM> extending in the direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM>, and the abutment body <NUM> is configured to abut against the first insulation member <NUM>, so that at least a part of the first insulation member <NUM> is held between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

With this structure, the abutment of the abutment body <NUM> of the second insulation member <NUM> against the first insulation member <NUM> can make at least a part of the first insulation member <NUM> to be held between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, so that the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> are insulated and isolated by the first insulation member <NUM>, reducing the risk that the first tab <NUM> cannot be insulated and isolated from the first limiting portion caused by movement of the first insulation member <NUM> between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

In some embodiments, in the thickness direction A of the end cover, the abutment body <NUM> exceeds the first limiting portion <NUM> in the direction facing the electrode assembly <NUM>. With this structure, when the abutment body <NUM> abuts against the first insulation member <NUM>, a gap can always exist between the first insulation member <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, so that there is a gap between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> in the thickness direction, further reducing the risk of contact between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

It should be noted that the abutment body <NUM> exceeding the first limiting portion <NUM> in the direction facing the electrode assembly <NUM> refers to that, in the thickness direction A of the end cover, a distance between an end surface of the abutment body <NUM> closest to the first tab <NUM> and the first tab <NUM> is less than a distance between a surface of the first limiting portion <NUM> closest to the first tab <NUM> and the first tab <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the abutment body <NUM> is configured to abut against the first insulator <NUM> and tightly compress the first insulator <NUM> on the end surface of the first tab <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>, so that the abutment body <NUM> not only can reduce the possibility of loosening the first tab <NUM> towards the end cover <NUM>, but also can prevent the first insulation member <NUM> from being separated from between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

Especially in cases where the first insulation member <NUM> includes the second insulator <NUM> and the third insulator <NUM>, the abutment body <NUM> abuts against the second insulator <NUM> and tightly compresses the second abutment body <NUM> on the end surface of the first tab <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>, and as the third insulator <NUM> is provided in a manner of surrounding the outer periphery of the main body portion <NUM>, when the electrode assembly <NUM> expands, the third insulator <NUM> may be deformed, so that the third insulator <NUM> has a certain pulling force to the second insulator <NUM>, and there is a risk of pulling the second insulator <NUM> out from between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, therefore, as the abutment body <NUM> of the second insulation member <NUM> abuts against the second insulator <NUM> and the second insulator <NUM> is tightly compressed on the end surface of the first tab <NUM> facing the end cover <NUM>, the risk that the second insulator <NUM> is removed from between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> under the effect of the pulling force of the third insulator <NUM> can be reduced.

In some embodiments, the abutment body <NUM> is of an annular structure, so that the abutment body <NUM> abuts against the first insulation member <NUM> at any position in the circumferential direction, which can increase an abutment area between the abutment body <NUM> and the first insulation member <NUM>, improve the abutment stability, and ensure the effectiveness of the first insulation member <NUM> in insulating and isolating the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the abutment body <NUM> further may include a plurality of abutment portions arranged at intervals around an axis of the electrode assembly, and each abutment portion is configured to abut against the first insulation member <NUM>, so that at least a part of the first insulation member <NUM> is held between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

In some embodiments, with continued reference to <FIG>, the second insulation member <NUM> further includes a first insulator <NUM> connected to the abutment body <NUM>, wherein the first insulator <NUM> is configured to isolate the end cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, and the abutment body <NUM> extends from the first insulator <NUM> in the direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM>, so as to abut against the first insulation member <NUM>.

The abutment body <NUM> extends in the direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM>, so that an abutment force of the abutment portion against the first insulation member <NUM> is perpendicular to a plane where the first tab <NUM> is located, the abutment against the first insulation member <NUM> is more reliable, moreover, as the abutment body <NUM> extends in the direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM>, an extending path of the abutment body <NUM> is the shortest, so that the abutment portion occupies the smallest space inside the battery cell <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first insulator <NUM> includes a first insulation portion <NUM> and a second insulation portion <NUM> that are connected; the end cover <NUM> includes a body portion <NUM> and an extension portion <NUM> provided along an edge of the body portion <NUM>, the second insulation portion <NUM> is located between an outer circumferential wall of the extension portion <NUM> and the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>, and in the thickness direction A of the end cover, the first insulation portion <NUM> is located between the first limiting portion <NUM> and the extension portion <NUM>, and the abutment body <NUM> is connected to the first insulation portion <NUM>. With this structure, the second insulation member <NUM> not only can realize the insulation and isolation between the end cover <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, but also can realize the insulation between the end cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first insulator <NUM> further includes a third insulation portion <NUM>; the third insulation portion <NUM> is connected to the second insulation portion <NUM>, and in the thickness direction A of the end cover, the first insulation portion <NUM> and the third insulation portion <NUM> are located at two sides of the end cover <NUM>, respectively. The third insulation portion <NUM> can form insulated protection on a side of the end cover facing away from the first insulation portion <NUM> in the thickness direction A, further reducing the risk of short circuit inside the battery cell <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> has a second limiting portion <NUM>; in the thickness direction A of the end cover, the third insulation portion <NUM> is located between the extension portion <NUM> and the second limiting portion <NUM>, and the second limiting portion <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> are configured to jointly limit the movement of the end cover <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> in the thickness direction A of the end cover. The second limiting portion <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> cooperate to jointly limit the movement of the end cover <NUM> relative to the housing <NUM> in the thickness direction A of the end cover, so that the end cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM> maintain a stable connection relationship.

In some embodiments, the second limiting portion <NUM> is connected to the housing <NUM>, and if the second limiting portion <NUM> is a conductor, the second limiting portion <NUM> may act as an electrode terminal of the battery cell <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the second limiting portion <NUM> is a flanging structure of the housing <NUM> folded inwards at the position of the opening <NUM>, that is, the second limiting portion <NUM> is a part of the housing <NUM>, so that the second limiting portion <NUM> can stably limit the end cover <NUM> on the side of the end cover <NUM> facing away from the electrode assembly <NUM>. Moreover, as the second limiting portion <NUM> is a part of the housing <NUM>, the connection relationship of the housing <NUM> also can be reduced, thus improving the structural strength of the housing <NUM>. With such structure, the second limiting portion <NUM> can act as an electrode terminal of the battery cell <NUM>.

The second limiting portion <NUM> may be of an annular structure, so that the second limiting portion <NUM> can limit the movement of the end cover <NUM> in the direction facing away from the electrode assembly <NUM> at any position in the circumferential direction.

In some embodiments, the battery cell <NUM> further includes a sealing member, and the end cover <NUM> is in sealed connection with the housing <NUM> through the sealing member. The configuration of the sealing member makes the end cover <NUM>, the housing <NUM>, and the sealing member jointly form a closed space for accommodating the electrode assembly <NUM> and the electrolyte, and reduces the risk of liquid leakage.

Taking the energy density of the battery <NUM> into consideration, in some embodiments, the sealing member is the second insulation member <NUM>, so that the second insulation member <NUM> not only functions to insulate and isolate the end cover <NUM> from the housing <NUM>, but also can have a sealing effect between the end cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, then it is unnecessary to additionally provide a sealing member between the end cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM>, thus reducing occupation of the internal space of the housing <NUM>, and facilitating improving the energy density.

Without doubt, other sealing structures further may be provided between the end cover <NUM> and the housing <NUM> according to actual needs.

In some embodiments, the electrode assembly <NUM> further includes a second tab <NUM>, wherein the second tab <NUM> has a polarity opposite to that of the first tab <NUM>, and the first tab <NUM> and the second tab <NUM> protrude from two ends of the main body portion <NUM> in the axial direction, respectively. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, <FIG> is a sectional view of the battery cell <NUM> provided in some other embodiments of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is an enlarged view of a part II in <FIG>. The housing <NUM> has two openings <NUM>, and the two openings <NUM> are provided at two opposite sides of the housing <NUM>. There are also two end covers <NUM>, and the two end covers <NUM> respectively cover the two openings <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. An electrode terminal of one of the two end covers <NUM> is configured to be electrically connected to the first tab <NUM>; and an electrode terminal of the other of the two end covers <NUM> is configured to be electrically connected to the second tab <NUM>. The two end covers <NUM> may be of the same or different structures. A third limiting portion <NUM> is formed on the inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>. In the thickness direction A of the end cover, the third limiting portion <NUM> is configured to limit the movement of the end cover <NUM> in the direction facing the electrode assembly <NUM>.

The battery cell <NUM> further includes a third insulation member <NUM>, and the third insulation member <NUM> is at least partially provided between the second tab <NUM> and the third limiting portion <NUM>, so as to insulate and isolate the second tab <NUM> from the third limiting portion <NUM>, and reduce the risk of safety problem caused by short circuit inside the battery cell <NUM> due to electrical connection formed between the second tab <NUM> and the third limiting portion <NUM> caused by contact of the second tab <NUM> with the third limiting portion <NUM> as the second tab <NUM> becomes loose towards the end cover <NUM>.

In the above, reference can be made to the first insulation member <NUM> for the structure and the arrangement manner of the third insulation member <NUM>, and reference can be made to the first limiting portion <NUM> for the structure and the arrangement manner of the third limiting portion <NUM>, which are not repeated herein.

The battery cell <NUM> further includes a fourth insulation member <NUM>, the fourth insulation member <NUM> is configured to isolate the end cover <NUM> from the housing <NUM>, the fourth insulation member <NUM> includes an abutment body <NUM> extending in the direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM>, and the abutment body <NUM> is configured to abut against the third insulation member <NUM>, so that at least a part of the third insulation member <NUM> is held between the second tab <NUM> and the third limiting portion <NUM>, thus reducing the risk that the second tab <NUM> and the third limiting portion <NUM> cannot be insulated and isolated due to the movement of the third insulation member <NUM> between the second tab <NUM> and the third limiting portion <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> is a structural diagram of a device <NUM> for manufacturing a battery cell. The device <NUM> is provided for manufacturing a battery cell, including a providing apparatus <NUM> and an assembling apparatus <NUM>. The providing apparatus <NUM> is configured to provide an electrode assembly <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, an end cover <NUM>, and a first insulation member <NUM>. The electrode assembly <NUM> includes a first tab <NUM>, the housing <NUM> has an opening <NUM>, a first limiting portion <NUM> is formed on an inner circumferential wall of the housing <NUM>, the end cover <NUM> is configured to cover the opening <NUM>, and in a thickness direction A of the end cover, the first limiting portion <NUM> is configured to limit movement of the end cover <NUM> in a direction towards the electrode assembly <NUM>. The assembling apparatus <NUM> is configured to assemble the electrode assembly <NUM>, the housing <NUM>, the end cover <NUM>, and the first insulation member <NUM>, so that the housing <NUM> accommodates the electrode assembly <NUM>, the end cover <NUM> covers the opening <NUM>, and at least a part of the first insulation member <NUM> is provided between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>.

The assembling apparatus <NUM> can provide, in the thickness direction A of the end cover, at least a part of the first insulation member <NUM> between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM>, so as to insulate and isolate the first tab <NUM> from the first limiting portion <NUM>, and reduce the risk of safety problem caused by short circuit inside the battery cell <NUM> due to electrical connection formed between the first tab <NUM> and the first limiting portion <NUM> caused by contact of the first tab <NUM> with the first limiting portion <NUM> as the first tab <NUM> becomes loose towards the end cover <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, it is further provided a method for manufacturing a battery cell <NUM>, wherein the method for manufacturing a battery cell <NUM> includes:.

Claim 1:
A battery cell (<NUM>), comprising:
an electrode assembly (<NUM>), comprising a first tab (<NUM>);
a housing (<NUM>), configured to accommodate the electrode assembly (<NUM>), wherein the housing has an opening (<NUM>), and a first limiting portion (<NUM>) is formed on an inner circumferential wall of the housing (<NUM>);
an end cover (<NUM>), configured to cover the opening (<NUM>), wherein in a thickness direction of the end cover (<NUM>), the first limiting portion (<NUM>) is configured to limit movement of the end cover (<NUM>) in a direction towards the electrode assembly (<NUM>); and
a first insulation member (<NUM>), at least partially provided between the first tab (<NUM>) and the first limiting portion (<NUM>), so as to insulate and isolate the first tab (<NUM>) from the first limiting portion (<NUM>);
wherein the electrode assembly (<NUM>) further comprises a main body portion (<NUM>), and the first tab (<NUM>) protrudes from an end of the main body portion (<NUM>) facing the end cover (<NUM>);
and wherein the first insulation member (<NUM>) further comprises a second insulator (<NUM>) and a third insulator (<NUM>), the second insulator (<NUM>) is provided between the first tab (<NUM>) and the first limiting portion (<NUM>), the third insulator (<NUM>) is connected to the second insulator (<NUM>), and the third insulator (<NUM>) is provided in a manner of surrounding an outer periphery of the main body portion (<NUM>), so as to separate the main body portion (<NUM>) and the housing (<NUM>),
characterized in that in the thickness direction of the end cover (<NUM>), a gap is provided between the second insulator (<NUM>) of the first insulator (<NUM>) and the first limiting portion (<NUM>) and between the second insulator (<NUM>) of the first insulation member (<NUM>) and the first tab (<NUM>).