Patent Description:
In a lithium ion battery production technology, a formation process, which is a very important step, is mainly a process of charging a battery cell for the first time so as to activate a lithium ion battery. During this process, a solvent and a lithium salt in an electrolyte solution undergo a side reaction, so that a layer of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film is formed at a negative electrode of the lithium ion battery, while the solvent and some additives in the electrolyte solution are reduced or decomposed to cause severe gas generation inside the battery. If a gas generated during formation cannot be discharged in a timely manner, bubbles will be formed between a positive electrode and the negative electrode, affecting intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions at the positive electrode and the negative electrode, and thus affecting the electrical performance of the battery. Document <CIT> discloses a pressurization device, which has a housing accommodating a plurality of battery cells and a plurality of spacers. The spacers can be expanded and contracted using air pressure provided by an air apparatus. In the expanded state the adjacent spacers pressurize the battery cells in the thickness direction. The pressurization device is capable of corresponding to a plurality of types of battery cells having different thickness.

The above said problems are solved, according to the invention, with a tray that is configured to carry a battery cell as claimed in claim <NUM>, as well as a method for using the tray as claimed in claim <NUM> and a battery production apparatus as claimed in claim <NUM>. Preferred embodiments of the invention are the subject-matter of the dependent claims.

The embodiments of the present application adopt the following technical solutions.

In a first aspect, provided is a tray configured to carry a battery cell. The tray comprises: a tray body; and a plurality of pressing bodies arranged at intervals in a first direction, wherein the pressing bodies are arranged on the tray body, the battery cell is placed between two adjacent pressing bodies, and each of the pressing bodies is provided with a flexible pressing portion configured to be in contact with the battery cell so as to press the battery cell.

The tray body is provided with a plurality of pressing bodies arranged at intervals in the first direction, so that when the tray is in use, the battery cell is placed between two adjacent pressing bodies, and the flexible pressing portions on the pressing bodies are in contact with the battery cell and flexibly press the battery cell; and when flexibly pressing the battery cell, the flexible pressing portions deform according to the shape of surfaces of the battery cell, decreasing the generation of dead space during pressing, improving the exhaust effect of the battery cell, decreasing the generation of black spots on an electrode interface, and reducing the risk of lithium precipitation.

In some embodiments, the pressing body comprises at least one deformable bladder, at least part of the bladder being formed as the flexible pressing portion.

By providing the bladders to press the battery cell, when the battery cell is being charged or discharged, the battery cell expands or contracts, and at the same time, the bladders are correspondingly deformed self-adaptively, so that the flexible pressing portions of the bladders always keep pressing on the surfaces of the battery cell, improving the group margin of the compressed battery cell S, and alleviating the crumpling phenomenon of a tab in the battery cell due to the volume change of the battery cell.

In some embodiments, the bladder is internally provided with a bladder cavity capable of being filled with a fluid medium, and the bladder is further provided with a bladder opening in communication with the bladder cavity.

By providing the bladder with the bladder cavity and the bladder opening, the volume of the bladder can be varied by using the bladder opening to adjust the amount of the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavity. In this way, when the tray is in use, it is possible to fill the bladder cavities with the fluid medium through the bladder openings only when the battery cell S needs to be pressed, to maintain the bladder cavities empty or to fill a small amount of fluid medium when the battery cell is loaded or unloaded, thereby facilitating removal and placement of the battery cell. In addition, it is also possible to adjust the amount of the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavities through the bladder openings, so as to adjust pressing forces of the bladders on the battery cell, and preventing the phenomenon that the battery cell is subjected to an excessively large force to cause poor appearance, such as depression of a shell, of the battery cell, or is subjected to an excessively small force to cause lithium precipitation. In addition, since the bladders can be self-adaptively deformed according to the shape of the surfaces of the battery cell, and the amount of the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavities can also be adjusted by means of the bladder openings, the compatibility of the tray for the thickness, shape, group margin, etc. of the battery cell is improved, and the uniformity of the forces applied to each battery cell is improved.

In some embodiments, the bladder comprises a rigid frame and a flexible skin for covering a frame opening on at least one side of the frame, wherein the frame and the flexible skin form the bladder cavity in an enclosing manner, and the flexible skin is formed as the flexible pressing portion.

By configuring the bladder to comprise the rigid frame and the flexible skin and by using the rigid frame as a framework, the flexible skin is supported and shaped, so that the flexible skin is kept open and stretched and is capable of being better in contact with and pressing the battery cell, decreasing the dead space during pressing. In addition, the rigid frame may also assist in mounting, or even the frame itself may be mounted as a connecting portion with the tray body, so as to improve the mounting convenience of the bladder.

In some embodiments, the bladder opening is formed in the frame and makes the bladder cavity open.

By forming the bladder opening in the rigid frame, the frame is not in direct contact with the battery cell S during pressing, so that it is possible to prevent the battery cell from blocking the bladder opening when the tray is in use, and the rigid frame is also used to shape the bladder opening, thereby facilitating docking with other components by means of the bladder opening, such as connection to an assembly for delivering a fluid medium, and promoting filling or discharging of the fluid medium.

In some embodiments, the tray further comprises a fluid delivery assembly in communication with the bladder cavity, wherein the fluid delivery assembly is arranged in the first direction.

Since the plurality of pressing bodies are arranged at intervals in the first direction, the fluid delivery assembly is correspondingly arranged in the first direction, and the fluid delivery assembly is in communication with the bladder cavities, so that the fluid medium flows into or out of each bladder cavity by means of the fluid delivery assembly.

In some embodiments, the fluid delivery assembly comprises a main channel and a plurality of sub-channels, wherein the plurality of sub-channels are each in communication with the main channel, and the sub-channels are in communication with the bladder cavities in one-to-one correspondence.

By providing the main channel and the plurality of sub-channels in communication with the main channel and by further configuring the plurality of sub-channels to communicate with the plurality of bladder cavities in one-to-one correspondence, one main channel can be in communication with all the plurality of bladder cavities, and the bladder cavities can be in communication with each other by means of the main channel and the sub-channels. By using the principle of communicating vessels, the pressing forces of the bladders on the battery cell can be balanced, and the uniformity of the forces applied to each battery cell can be improved. For example, when the pressing force of one bladder on the battery cell is excessively large, the fluid medium in the bladder cavity of the bladder flows out through the corresponding sub-channel and flows into the bladder cavities of other bladders through the main channel until the pressures in the bladder cavities are substantially the same, thereby balancing the pressing forces of the bladders on the battery cell.

In some embodiments, at least one end of the main channel is provided with a one-way valve.

By providing the one-way valve on the main channel, the fluid medium can only flow into the main channel through the one-way valve, but the fluid medium in the main channel cannot flow out through the one-way valve, so that even if the fluid medium is separated from a fluid medium source after the bladder cavities are filled with the fluid medium, the bladders can still continuously press the battery cell, thereby facilitating the transfer of the tray at different stations.

In some embodiments, the fluid delivery assembly is located on one side of the bladder in a second direction crossed with the first direction.

By arranging the fluid delivery assembly on one side of the bladder in the second direction, that is, by arranging the fluid delivery assembly and the bladder side-by-side in the second direction, it can be understood that the fluid delivery assembly is also arranged side-by-side with a carrying area located between two adjacent bladders and available for the loading of the battery cell, thereby preventing the carrying area from being occupied, which otherwise interferes with the placement of the battery cell.

In some embodiments, the tray further comprises a box, wherein the tray body is located in the box, and the fluid delivery assembly is located outside the tray body and fixed to the box.

By fixing the fluid delivery assembly to the box and locating the fluid delivery assembly outside the tray body, that is, by locating the bladder and the fluid delivery assembly respectively on inner and outer sides of the tray body, the fluid delivery assembly is prevented from interfering with the loading of the bladder and the battery cell.

In some embodiments, the tray body is provided with a receiving cavity, a receiving sub-cavity is further formed in the receiving cavity, the bladder is located in the receiving sub-cavity, and the fluid delivery assembly is fixed in the receiving cavity but located outside the receiving sub-cavity.

By providing the tray body with the receiving cavity, and by further providing the receiving cavity with the receiving sub-cavity, the bladder is located in the receiving sub-cavity, whereas the fluid delivery assembly is located outside the receiving sub-cavity, so that the bladder and the fluid delivery assembly are respectively located on inner and outer sides of the receiving sub-cavity, preventing the fluid delivery assembly from interfering with the loading of the bladder and the battery cell.

In some embodiments, the tray body avoids the bladder opening.

By configuring the tray body to avoid the bladder opening, the bladder opening is in an exposed state, and operations of delivering and transferring the fluid medium through the bladder opening are thus facilitated.

In some embodiments, the bladder opening is higher than the tray body.

By configuring the bladder opening to be higher than the tray body, the bladder opening is exposed outside the tray body to facilitate an operation on the bladder opening.

In some embodiments, the pressing body comprises two stacked bladders.

By configuring the pressing body to comprise two stacked bladders, the thickness of the pressing body can be increased by stacking the bladders, so as to adapt to battery cells of different thicknesses and improve the compatibility of the tray with different battery cells.

In some embodiments, the pressing body further comprises a partition plate sandwiched between the two bladders.

By providing the partition plate between the two bladders, the thickness of the pressing body is further increased by means of the partition plate so as to adapt to battery cells with smaller thicknesses. Moreover, since the partition plate is sandwiched between the bladders, the thickness of the pressing body can also be adjusted by withdrawing or replacing the partition plate, thereby improving the compatibility of the tray with the battery cells in different thickness ranges.

In some embodiments, the pressing body is further provided with a first connecting portion connected to the tray body.

By connecting the first connecting portion to the tray body, the pressing body is connected to the tray body, preventing any movement of the pressing body on the tray body, so that the battery cell placed between two adjacent pressing bodies is kept stable, reducing the influence of deviation of a single battery cell S on the positions of other battery cells, and thus alleviating the problem of an electrode terminal of the battery cell being misaligned with a probe on a production apparatus during the production of the battery cell.

In some embodiments, the tray body is provided with a plurality of first positioning portions arranged at intervals, and the first connecting portions are connected to the first positioning portions in one-to-one correspondence.

By connecting the first connecting portions to the first positioning portions on the tray body in one-to-one correspondence, the first positioning portions are used to control the directions and positions of the pressing bodies on the tray body, thereby achieving accurate control over a distance between two adjacent pressing bodies, and thus achieving control over the pressing pressures to the battery cell placed between the two adjacent pressing bodies.

In some embodiments, the first connecting portion is detachably connected to the tray body.

The pressing body can be detachably connected to the tray body by detachably connecting the first connecting portion to the tray body, so that the compatibility of the tray with different battery cells can be improved by replacing the pressing body to adapt to different types of battery cells.

In some embodiments, the first connecting portion comprises first insert members, wherein the first insert members are arranged at two opposite ends of the pressing body in the second direction crossed with the first direction, and the first insert members are in insertion fit with the tray body.

By arranging the first insert members at the two opposite ends of the pressing body in the second direction, the pressing body is in insertion fit with the tray body, thereby facilitating the replacement of the pressing body.

In some embodiments, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

By setting the first direction and the second direction to be perpendicular to each other, the structure is simplified, and the operability is improved.

The tray further comprises a plurality of carriers arranged between two adjacent pressing bodies, wherein the carrier is configured to carry the battery cell.

By providing the carriers, the compatibility of the tray with different battery cells can be improved. For example, when a battery cell has a larger size and may be directly loaded on the tray body, the battery cell may be directly placed between two adjacent pressing bodies; whereas when a battery cell has a smaller size, the battery cell may be carried by the carriers placed between the two adjacent pressing bodies. The carriers can limit the battery cell so as to prevent any movement of the battery cell. Moreover, the carriers lift and support the battery cell so that the battery cell can better correspond to the pressing bodies, facilitating restraint of the pressing bodies to the battery cell.

The carrier comprises a bottom pad and a pair of side pads arranged upright at two ends of the bottom pad, wherein the side pads and the bottom pad form the U-shaped carrier.

The U-shaped carrier is formed with the bottom pad and the side pads, and the battery cell is loaded by the U-shaped carrier while the battery cell is limited.

The bottom pad comprises a first bottom pad and a second bottom pad that are arranged parallel to each other and spaced from each other in a vertical direction, and a support rib connected between the first bottom pad and the second bottom pad, wherein the ends of the first bottom pad and the second bottom pad on one side are connected to one of the side pads, and the ends of the first bottom pad and the second bottom pad on the other side are connected to the other side pad.

By configuring the bottom pad to comprise the first bottom pad and the second bottom pad that are arranged in parallel and spaced from each other, the first bottom pad and the second bottom pad are connected to each other via the support rib, so that the bottom pad can meet the requirement for a supporting height of the battery cell, and the weight of the bottom pad is also controlled.

The first bottom pad and/or the second bottom pad are provided with heat dissipation holes.

By providing the first bottom pad and/or the second bottom pad with the heat dissipation holes, the heat dissipation effect of the carrier is improved.

In some embodiments, the carrier is further provided with a second connecting portion configured to be connected to the tray body.

By connecting the second connecting portion to the tray body, the carrier is connected to the tray body, thereby preventing any movement of the carrier on the tray body.

In some embodiments, the tray body is provided with a plurality of second positioning portions arranged at intervals, and the second connecting portions are connected to the second positioning portions in one-to-one correspondence.

By connecting the second connecting portions to the second positioning portions on the tray body in one-to-one correspondence, the directions and positions of the carriers on the tray body are controlled by using the second positioning portions, thereby achieving indirect control over the position of the battery cell mounted on the carrier.

In some embodiments, the second connection is detachably connected to the tray body.

The carrier can be detachably connected to the tray body by detachably connecting the second connecting portion to the tray body, so that the compatibility of the tray with different battery cells can be improved by replacing the carrier to adapt to different types of battery cells.

In some embodiments, the second connecting portion comprises second insert members, wherein the second insert members are arranged at two opposite ends of the carrier in the second direction crossed with the second direction, and the second insert members are in insertion fit with the tray body.

By providing the second insert members at the two opposite ends of the carrier in the second direction, the carrier is in insertion fit with the tray body, thereby facilitating the replacement of the carrier.

In some embodiments, the tray body further comprises a bottom plate, a pair of end plates, and a pair of side plates, wherein the pair of side plates, the pair of end plates and the bottom plate form, in an enclosing manner, a receiving cavity for receiving the pressing bodies and the battery cell.

By providing the bottom plate, the end plates and the side plates, the receiving cavity for receiving the pressing bodies and the battery cell is formed in an enclosing manner, so that the structure is simple and is convenient to manufacture.

In some embodiments, the tray further comprises a box, wherein the box is provided with at least one mounting recess, and the tray body is located in the mounting recess.

By providing the box to load the tray body, the box can be used to protect the tray body, and in particular, during transportation, the friction between the tray body and other components can be decreased, and thus the battery cell loaded on the tray body is protected.

In some embodiments, the tray body is detachably arranged in the mounting recess.

By detachably mounting the tray body in the mounting recess, replacement of the tray body is facilitated to adapt to different battery cells.

In some embodiments, the box is a non-metallic member.

By providing the box as the non-metallic member, not only can the total weight of the tray be reduced, the pressure of transportation be reduced, but also the manufacturing cost of the tray can be reduced.

In some embodiments, a second weight-reducing hole is formed in the box.

By providing the second weight-reducing hole, the total weight of the tray can be reduced, and the pressure of transportation can be reduced.

In some embodiments, the tray body further comprises a baffle located in the receiving cavity and extending in the first direction, wherein the baffle divides the receiving cavity into at least two receiving sub-cavities configured to receive the pressing bodies and the battery cell.

By dividing the receiving cavity into the plurality of receiving sub-cavities with the baffle, and by receiving the pressing bodies and the battery cell with the receiving sub-cavities, the tray body has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

In some embodiments, the baffle is detachably arranged in the receiving cavity.

By detachably mounting the baffle in the receiving cavity, the replacement of the baffle is facilitated to adapt to different battery cells.

In some embodiments, the baffle is connected to the end plate in an inserted manner; and/or the baffle is threadedly connected to the side plate.

By arranging the baffle in the receiving cavity with an inserted or threaded connection, the operation is simple, and the reliability is also high.

In a second aspect, provided is a method for using a tray configured to carry a battery cell. The tray comprises: a tray body; and a plurality of bladders arranged at intervals in a first direction, wherein the bladders are arranged on the tray body, the battery cell is placed between two adjacent bladders, and the bladder is configured to be in contact with the battery cell so as to press the battery cell; and the bladder is provided with a bladder cavity capable of being filled with a fluid medium and a bladder opening in communication with the bladder cavity; The method for using a tray comprises: inserting a battery cell between two adjacent bladders; and filling the bladder cavity with a fluid medium through the bladder opening such that the bladder is in contact with the battery cell.

When the tray is in use, it is only necessary to load the battery cell and fill the bladder cavities with the fluid medium, so that the operation is simple, and the reliability is high.

In some embodiments, the method for using a tray further comprises: discharging the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavity through the bladder opening so as to release the pressing of the bladder on the battery cell; and taking out the battery cell from between the two adjacent bladders.

When the tray is in use, the battery cell can be taken out only by discharging the fluid medium from the bladder cavities, so that the operation is simple.

In a third aspect, provided is a battery production apparatus, comprising the tray provided in the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application.

By using the tray provided in the first aspect of the embodiments of the present application, the battery production apparatus provided in the third aspect of the embodiments of the present application can flexibly press the battery cell to reduce the dead space during pressing.

In order to explain the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application more clearly, the accompanying drawings to be used in the descriptions of the embodiments or exemplary technologies will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are merely some embodiments of the present application, and a person of ordinary skill in the art would have obtained other drawings according to these drawings without involving any inventive effort.

In order to make the objective, technical solutions, and advantages of the present application clearer, the present application is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and the embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely used to explain the present application and are not intended to limit the present application.

It should be noted that when a component is referred to as being "fixed to" or "arranged at" another component, the component may be directly located on the another component or indirectly located on the another component. When a component is referred to as being "connected to" another component, the component may be directly or indirectly connected to the another component. The orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the drawings, and are only for convenience of description, rather than indicating or implying that the apparatus or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as limiting the present application. For a person of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the foregoing terms can be understood based on specific situations. The terms "first" and "second" are used for convenience of description only, and cannot be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features. The term "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly and specifically defined.

In order to explain the technical solutions provided in the present application, a detailed description will be made below with reference to specific drawings and embodiments.

As a rechargeable traction battery, a lithium ion battery has the advantages of high energy, high battery voltage, wide operating temperature range, prolonged storage life, etc. The lithium ion batteries have been widely applied to electronic products and electric vehicles, and are increasingly popular in military and aerospace applications.

In a lithium ion battery production technology, a formation process, which is a very important step, is mainly a process of charging a battery cell for the first time so as to activate a lithium ion battery. During this process, a solvent and a lithium salt in an electrolyte solution undergo a side reaction, so that a layer of solid electrolyte interphase film is formed at a negative electrode of the lithium ion battery, while the solvent and some additives in the electrolyte solution are reduced or decomposed to cause severe gas generation inside the battery. If a gas generated during formation cannot be discharged in a timely manner, it may cause swelling of the battery and decrease of a group margin, and the electrolyte solution in the battery cannot completely infiltrate the negative electrode, and a small dry black spot with no lithium intercalated may be formed at the insufficiently infiltrated location, and lithium precipitation may also occur around the black spot; moreover, lithium ions deintercalated from the positive electrode may easily precipitate around bubbles, thereby affecting the electrical performance of the battery.

In order to mitigate the influence of the gas on the batteries, in the related art, during formation, the batteries are fixed in a restraining tray, the gas generated inside the batteries is pressed out of the batteries by means of mutual pressing of the batteries in the restraining tray. However, most of the batteries are externally covered by hard housings such as steel housings or aluminum housings, and when the batteries are pressed against each other, the hard housings bump against each other, resulting in the existence of a dead space during pressing, and thus causing poor exhaust of the batteries.

In view of this, in order to solve the above problem, the inventors have investigated in detail and designed a tray in which a battery cell is pressed by using pressing bodies having flexible pressing portions, and the flexible pressing portions can be deformed according to the shape of surfaces of the battery cell when pressing the battery cell, thereby decreasing the generation of dead space during pressing and improving an exhaust effect.

The tray disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be applied to a battery production apparatus, such as a formation machine. The tray may also be applied to a battery test apparatus, such as a capacity tester.

According to some embodiments of the present application, reference is made to <FIG> and <FIG>, wherein <FIG> illustrate a tray <NUM> of an implementation, and <FIG> illustrate a tray <NUM> of another implementation. The embodiments of the present application provide a tray <NUM>. The tray <NUM> is configured to carry a battery cell S. The tray <NUM> comprises a tray body <NUM> and a plurality of pressing bodies <NUM>. The plurality of pressing bodies <NUM> are arranged at intervals in a first direction. The pressing bodies <NUM> are arranged on the tray body <NUM>. The battery cell S is placed between two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>. The pressing body <NUM> is provided with a flexible pressing portion <NUM>. The flexible pressing portion <NUM> is configured to be in contact with the battery cell S so as to press the battery cell S.

The battery cell S refers to a basic unit for implementing mutual conversion of chemical energy and electric energy, and comprises at least a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a separator, an electrolyte solution, a tab, and a housing. The battery cell S may include a lithium ion secondary battery cell, a lithium ion primary battery cell, a lithium-sulfur battery cell, a sodium-lithium ion battery cell, a sodium ion battery cell, a magnesium ion battery cell, etc., which will not be limited in the embodiments of the present application. The battery cell S may be in a cylindrical shape, a flat shape, a cuboid shape or another shape, which is also not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The battery cell S may be used in, but is not limited to, a power consuming device such as a vehicle, a ship or an aircraft.

The tray body <NUM> refers to a component for carrying the battery cell S. The tray body <NUM> may be a flat tray or a box-type tray as long as the tray can carry the battery cell S. The tray body <NUM> may be formed integrally or by means of assembling. The material of the tray body <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, metal, plastic, inorganic non-metal, or wood. Optionally, the tray body <NUM> is provided with a first weight-reducing hole <NUM>. For example, the first weight-reducing hole <NUM> is a hollow-out hole formed in the tray body <NUM>.

The pressing body <NUM> refers to a component for pressing the battery cell S. The flexible pressing portion <NUM> refers to a component that deforms when subjected to a force. The plurality of pressing bodies <NUM> refer to at least two pressing bodies <NUM>. For example, there may be three pressing bodies <NUM> or ten pressing bodies <NUM>. Optionally, the pressing body <NUM> comprises a flexible member made of a flexible material, such as a pressing block (not shown) made of silicone. The pressing block comprises a pressing body and an arc-shaped pressing bulge formed by outward protruding the pressing body. The arc-shaped pressing bulge is configured to be in contact with the battery cell S and press the battery cell S. Optionally, the pressing body <NUM> comprises a bladder including, but is not limited to, a gas bladder and a liquid bladder.

The first direction is an extension direction of a carrying surface for carrying a material on the tray body <NUM>. It can be understood that the surface may extend in a curved or horizontal manner, the extension directions of the surface typically include a plurality of different directions, and when the pressing body <NUM> is arranged on the tray body <NUM>, one of the extension directions may be selected to be the first direction. Optionally, in some implementations, the first direction is the Y direction in the figures. Of course, in some other implementations, the X direction in the figures may also be selected to be the first direction, which will not be limited herein.

The pressing body <NUM> is arranged on the tray body <NUM>, that is, the pressing body <NUM> is located on the tray body <NUM>. The pressing body <NUM> may be detachably mounted on the tray body <NUM>, or may be integrally arranged on the tray body <NUM>. The pressing body <NUM> may be directly connected to the tray body <NUM>, or may be indirectly connected to the tray body <NUM> by being supported on the tray body <NUM> via other components, such as a support seat.

In the tray <NUM> provided in the embodiments of the present application, the tray body <NUM> is provided with a plurality of pressing bodies <NUM> arranged at intervals in the first direction, so that when the tray <NUM> is in use, the battery cell S is placed between two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>, and the flexible pressing portions <NUM> on the pressing bodies <NUM> are in contact with the battery cell S and flexibly press the battery cell S; and when flexibly pressing the battery cell S, the flexible pressing portions <NUM> deform according to the shape of surfaces of the battery cell S, decreasing the generation of dead space during pressing, improving the exhaust effect of the battery cell S, decreasing the generation of black spots on an electrode interface, and reducing the risk of lithium precipitation.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pressing body <NUM> comprises at least one deformable bladder <NUM>. At least part of the bladder <NUM> is formed as the flexible pressing portion <NUM>.

The bladder <NUM> refers to a flexible container that can be filled with a medium and utilizes the pressibility and/or flowability of the medium to achieve elastic deformation. The bladder <NUM> herein may be deformed by adjusting the amount of the filled medium. For example, the bladder <NUM> may expand by means of inflation, and the bladder <NUM> may contract by means of deflation. It is also possible to achieve deformation by changing a state of the medium in the bladder <NUM>. For example, by increasing a temperature, water in the bladder <NUM> is vaporized, so that the bladder <NUM> expands and becomes larger; and by decreasing the temperature, steam in the bladder <NUM> is condensed, so that the bladder <NUM> contracts and becomes smaller. It should be noted that the medium may be a medium in a gaseous state at normal temperature, such as air, an inert gas, nitrogen, etc., and in this case, the bladder <NUM> is a gas bladder. It may also be a medium that is liquid at normal temperature, such as water, oil, etc., and in this case, the bladder <NUM> is a liquid bladder. It may even be a medium that is solid at normal temperature, such as paraffin which melts into a liquid upon heating. The bladder <NUM> may be of a flexible structure as a whole or partially as long as the flexible pressing portion <NUM> configured to be in contact with the battery cell S is flexible. The bladder <NUM> may be integrally manufactured or obtained by assembling a plurality of components.

Optionally, the pressing body <NUM> comprises one bladder <NUM>, and the battery cells S located on two sides of the bladder <NUM> are each pressed by the bladder <NUM>.

Optionally, the pressing body <NUM> comprises a plurality of bladders <NUM>, such as two bladders <NUM> stacked together in a back-to-back manner, and the two bladders <NUM> each press the battery cells S on the two sides thereof. The term "a plurality of" herein refers to two or more (including two).

In the embodiments of the present application, by providing the bladders <NUM> to press the battery cell S , and when the battery cell S is being charged or discharged, the battery cell S expands or contracts, and at the same time, the bladders <NUM> can be elastically deformed self-adaptively according to the shape of the battery cell S, so that the flexible pressing portions <NUM> on the bladders <NUM> always keep pressing on the surfaces of the battery cell S, improving the group margin of the compressed battery cell S, and alleviating the crumpling phenomenon of a tab in the battery cell S due to the volume changes of the battery cell S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a bladder cavity <NUM> capable of being filled with a fluid medium is formed in the bladder <NUM>. The bladder <NUM> is further provided with a bladder opening <NUM>, and the bladder opening <NUM> is in communication with the bladder cavity <NUM>.

The fluid medium refers to a medium that is fluid at normal temperature, such as a gaseous medium or a liquid medium. The bladder cavity <NUM> refers to a cavity that can contain a medium. The bladder opening <NUM> refers to a channel through which a medium can pass, including but not limited to a through hole.

When the tray <NUM> is in use, a battery cell S is first inserted between two adjacent bladders <NUM> when a small amount of the fluid medium is filled in the bladder cavities <NUM>, and the bladder cavities <NUM> are then filled with the fluid medium through the bladder openings <NUM>, so that the volumes of the bladders <NUM> expand and become larger, and the battery cell S is pressed. After formation or testing is completed, the fluid medium in the bladder cavities <NUM> may be discharged through the bladder openings <NUM>, the volumes of the bladders <NUM> contract and become smaller, and the battery cell S between the two adjacent bladders <NUM> is taken out after the pressing on the battery cell S by the bladders <NUM> is released.

By providing the bladder <NUM> with the bladder cavity <NUM> and the bladder opening <NUM>, the volume of the bladder <NUM> can be varied by using the bladder opening <NUM> to adjust the amount of the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavity <NUM>. In this way, when the tray <NUM> is in use, it is possible to fill the bladder cavities <NUM> with the fluid medium through the bladder openings <NUM> only when the battery cell S needs to be pressed, to maintain the bladder cavities <NUM> empty or to fill a small amount of fluid medium when the battery cell S is loaded or unloaded, thereby facilitating removal and placement of the battery cell S. In addition, it is also possible to adjust the amount of the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavities <NUM> through the bladder openings <NUM>, so as to adjust pressing forces of the bladders <NUM> on the battery cell S, and preventing the phenomenon that the battery cell S is subjected to an excessively large force to cause poor appearance, such as depression of a shell, of the battery cell S, or is subjected to an excessively small force to cause lithium precipitation.

The battery cells S vary in thickness, hardness, shape, group margin, etc. due to fabrication errors and the like in the manufacturing process. Due to these differences, a tray in the related art not only has poor compatibility when pressing the battery cells S, but also has a problem that the battery cells S are not uniformly stressed during pressing.

In the tray <NUM> provided in the embodiments of the present application, since the bladders <NUM> can be self-adaptively deformed according to the shape of the surfaces of the battery cell S, and the amount of the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavities <NUM> can also be adjusted by means of the bladder openings <NUM>, the compatibility of the tray <NUM> for the thickness, shape, group margin, etc. of the battery cell S is improved, and the uniformity of the forces applied to each battery cell S is improved.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the bladder <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> and a flexible skin <NUM>. The frame <NUM> is rigid, the flexible skin <NUM> covers a frame opening <NUM> on at least one side of the frame <NUM>, the frame <NUM> and the flexible skin <NUM> form the bladder cavity <NUM> in an enclosing manner, and the flexible skin <NUM> is formed as the flexible pressing portion <NUM>.

The frame <NUM> refers to a component having a border structure. It can be understood that with the border structure, the frame <NUM> is provided with a cavity surrounded by the border structure, and an opening in communication with the cavity, that is, the frame opening <NUM> is formed on at least one side of the border structure. That is to say, the frame opening <NUM> is formed on at least one side of the frame <NUM>. The material of the frame <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, metal, plastic, inorganic non-metal or wood.

Optionally, frame openings <NUM> are formed on two sides of the frame <NUM>. For example, the frame <NUM> comprises a first sub-frame <NUM> and a second sub-frame <NUM> that are each provided with a through hole, and the first sub-frame <NUM> and the second sub-frame <NUM> are superposed together to jointly form the frame <NUM>. When the frame openings <NUM> are formed on the two sides of the frame <NUM>, the bladder <NUM> comprises two flexible skins <NUM>, the two flexible skins <NUM> respectively cover the frame openings <NUM> on the two sides of the frame <NUM>. For example, one of the flexible skins <NUM> covers the opening of the first sub-frame <NUM> on the side away from the second sub-frame <NUM>, and the other flexible skin <NUM> covers the opening of the second sub-frame <NUM> on the side away from the first sub-frame <NUM>. In this case, the bladder <NUM> may be arranged in the middle of the tray body <NUM>, and the two sides of the bladder <NUM> may press the battery cell S. For convenience of subsequent reference, such a bladder <NUM> with two sides capable of pressing the battery cell S is referred to as a double-sided bladder. Of course, in another implementation, the frame <NUM> may be integrally formed, for example, by hollowing out a plate.

Optionally, the frame opening <NUM> is formed on only one side of the frame <NUM>. For example, the frame <NUM> comprises a first sub-frame <NUM> provided with a through hole, and a cover plate <NUM>, the first sub-frame <NUM> and the cover plate <NUM> are superposed together to jointly form the frame <NUM>, the cover plate <NUM> covers an opening on one side of the first sub-frame <NUM>, and an opening on the other side of the first sub-frame <NUM> forms the frame opening <NUM>. When the frame opening <NUM> is formed on only one side of the frame <NUM>, the bladder <NUM> comprises one flexible skin <NUM>, the cover plate <NUM> covers the frame opening <NUM> on one side of the frame <NUM>. For example, the flexible skin <NUM> covers the opening of the first sub-frame <NUM> on the side away from the cover plate <NUM>. In this case, the bladder <NUM> may be arranged at an end portion of the tray body <NUM>, and the battery cell S is pressed by using the side of the bladder <NUM> on which the flexible skin <NUM> is arranged. For convenience of subsequent reference, such a bladder <NUM> with only one side capable of pressing the battery cell S is referred to as a single-sided bladder. Of course, in another implementation, the frame <NUM> may also be integrally formed, for example, by inwardly recessing a plate.

The flexible skin <NUM> refers to a deformable component through which a medium is difficult to pass. The material of the flexible skin <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, silicone, cow leather, rubber or latex. The way of connecting the flexible skin <NUM> to the frame <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, bonding, welding, or clamping. For example, the flexible skin <NUM> is a silicone member, and the flexible skin <NUM> may be fixed to the frame <NUM> by means of a silicone vulcanization technique.

By configuring the bladder <NUM> to comprise the rigid frame <NUM> and the flexible skin <NUM> and by using the rigid frame <NUM> as a framework, the flexible skin <NUM> is supported and shaped, so that the flexible skin <NUM> is kept open and stretched and is capable of being better in contact with and pressing the battery cell S, decreasing the dead space during pressing. In addition, the rigid frame <NUM> may also assist in mounting, or even the frame <NUM> itself may be mounted as a connecting portion with the tray body <NUM>, so as to improve the mounting convenience of the bladder <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the bladder opening <NUM> is formed in the frame <NUM>, and the bladder opening <NUM> makes the bladder cavity <NUM> open.

The bladder opening <NUM> making the bladder cavity <NUM> open means that the bladder opening <NUM> is configured to communicate the bladder cavity <NUM> with the outside. Optionally, a single bladder <NUM> is provided with one bladder opening <NUM>. By providing one bladder opening <NUM>, it is possible to make the structure of the bladder <NUM> simple as much as possible and to improve the reliability of the bladder <NUM> while ensuring the circulation of the medium. Optionally, a plurality of bladder openings <NUM> are formed in a single bladder <NUM>, and the plurality of bladder openings <NUM> are distributed on the frame <NUM> at intervals. For example, there are two bladder openings <NUM>, and the two bladder openings <NUM> are respectively formed at two opposite ends of the frame <NUM>. The fluid medium may be rapidly filled in or discharged out of the bladder cavity <NUM> through the plurality of bladder openings <NUM> distributed at intervals, achieving rapid expansion and contraction of the volume of the bladder <NUM>.

By forming the bladder opening <NUM> in the rigid frame <NUM>, the frame <NUM> is not in direct contact with the battery cell S during pressing, so that it is possible to prevent the battery cell S from blocking the bladder opening <NUM> when the tray <NUM> is in use, and the rigid frame <NUM> is also used to shape the bladder opening <NUM>, thereby facilitating docking with other components by means of the bladder opening <NUM>, such as connection to an assembly for delivering a fluid medium, and promoting filling or discharging of the fluid medium.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray <NUM> further comprises a fluid delivery assembly <NUM>. The fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is in communication with the bladder cavity <NUM>, and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is arranged in the first direction.

The fluid delivery assembly <NUM> refers to a component for delivering the fluid medium. The fluid medium may flow into the bladder cavity <NUM> or out of the bladder cavity <NUM> by means of the fluid delivery assembly <NUM>. Specifically, one end of the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is connected to the bladder opening <NUM> so as to implement communication with the bladder cavity <NUM>. The fluid delivery assembly <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, a gas or liquid pipe.

The fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is arranged in the first direction, that is, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is arranged in the direction in which the plurality of pressing bodies <NUM> are arranged at intervals. Optionally, when the plurality of pressing bodies <NUM> are arranged at intervals in the Y direction, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is arranged in the Y direction. Of course, in other implementations, if the plurality of pressing bodies <NUM> are arranged at intervals in the X direction, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is arranged in the X direction. It should be noted herein that the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> may be in the form of a main pipeline and branch pipelines. Referring to <FIG>, the main pipeline is in communication with each branch pipeline; moreover, the main pipeline is configured to be in communication with a fluid medium source Q, such as a gas source, and the branch pipelines are each in communication with a respective bladder cavity <NUM>. The fluid delivery assembly <NUM> may also be in the form of parallel branch pipelines. Referring to <FIG>, the branch pipelines are each configured to be in communication with the fluid medium source Q and the bladder cavity <NUM>.

Since the plurality of pressing bodies <NUM> are arranged at intervals in the first direction, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is correspondingly arranged in the first direction, and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is in communication with the bladder cavities <NUM>, so that the fluid medium flows into or out of each bladder cavity <NUM> by means of the fluid delivery assembly <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> comprises a main channel <NUM> and a plurality of sub-channels <NUM>. The plurality of sub-channels <NUM> are each in communication with the main channel <NUM>, and the sub-channels <NUM> are in communication with the bladder cavities <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence.

It can be understood that the number of sub-channels <NUM> corresponds to the number of bladder cavities <NUM>, for example, if the number of bladder cavities <NUM> is <NUM>, the number of sub-channels <NUM> is also <NUM>.

The main channel <NUM> may be configured to be in communication with the fluid medium source Q, such as a gas source. When the bladder cavities <NUM> are filled with the fluid medium, the fluid medium first enters the plurality of sub-channels <NUM> through the main channel <NUM> and then enters the plurality of bladder cavities <NUM> through the plurality of sub-channels <NUM> respectively. Optionally, one end of the main channel <NUM> is connected to the fluid medium source Q. Of course, in another implementation, it is also possible that two ends of the main channel <NUM> are respectively connected to the fluid medium source Q.

Optionally, the main channel <NUM> extends in the first direction.

Optionally, the main channel <NUM> is a straight-through pipe, the sub-channel <NUM> is an elbow pipe, and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> further comprises an adapter, such as a three-way pipe, and the straight-through pipe and the elbow pipe are both connected to the adapter.

By providing the main channel <NUM> and the plurality of sub-channels <NUM> in communication with the main channel <NUM> and by further configuring the plurality of sub-channels <NUM> to communicate with the plurality of bladder cavities <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence, one main channel <NUM> can be in communication with all the plurality of bladder cavities <NUM>, and the bladder cavities <NUM> can be in communication with each other by means of the main channel <NUM> and the sub-channels <NUM>. By using the principle of communicating vessels, the pressing forces of the bladders <NUM> on the battery cell S can be balanced, and the uniformity of the forces applied to each battery cell S can be improved. For example, when the pressing force of one bladder <NUM> on the battery cell S is excessively large, the fluid medium in the bladder cavity <NUM> of the bladder <NUM> flows out through the corresponding sub-channel <NUM> and flows into the bladder cavities <NUM> of other bladders <NUM> through the main channel <NUM> until the pressures in the bladder cavities <NUM> are substantially the same, thereby balancing the pressing forces of the bladders <NUM> on the battery cell S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, at least one end of the main channel <NUM> is provided with a one-way valve <NUM>.

The one-way valve <NUM> refers to a component that can allow one-way flow of a fluid medium and cannot allow backflow. Optionally, one end of the main channel <NUM> is provided with a one-way valve <NUM>, and the main channel <NUM> is connected to the fluid medium source Q via the one-way valve <NUM>. Of course, in other embodiments, one-way valves <NUM> may be provided at two ends of the main channel <NUM>. Optionally, the one-way valve <NUM> is a valve core needle.

By providing the one-way valve <NUM> on the main channel <NUM>, the fluid medium can only flow into the main channel <NUM> through the one-way valve <NUM>, but the fluid medium in the main channel <NUM> cannot flow out through the one-way valve <NUM>, so that even if the fluid medium is separated from the fluid medium source Q after the bladder cavities <NUM> are filled with the fluid medium, the bladders <NUM> can still continuously press the battery cell S, thereby facilitating the transfer of the tray <NUM> at different stations. In addition, due to the arrangement of the one-way valve <NUM>, the fluid medium flowing into the main channel <NUM> does not flow back, and the total amount of the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavities <NUM> can be generally determined only if the amount of the fluid medium flowing into the main channel <NUM> is determined, so that the pressing force of each bladder <NUM> on the battery cell S can be well controlled.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is located on one side of the bladder <NUM> in a second direction crossed with the first direction.

The second direction being crossed with the first direction means that the second direction intersects with the first direction, that is, the second direction is not in the same or opposite relationship with the first direction. Optionally, the second direction and the first direction are in a perpendicular relationship. Optionally, the second direction is the X direction, and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is located on one side of the bladder <NUM> in the X direction, so that when the tray <NUM> is in use, the battery cell S can be directly withdrawn in the Z direction, preventing the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> from interfering with the withdrawal of the battery cell S.

Optionally, with reference to <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> is provided with a receiving cavity <NUM>, the plurality of bladders <NUM> are located in the receiving cavity <NUM>, and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is located outside the receiving cavity <NUM>. Of course, in other implementations, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> may also be located in the receiving cavity <NUM>.

By arranging the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> on one side of the bladder <NUM> in the second direction, that is, by arranging the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> and the bladder <NUM> side-by-side in the second direction, it can be understood that the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is also arranged side-by-side with a carrying area located between two adjacent bladders <NUM> and available for the loading of the battery cell S, thereby preventing the carrying area from being occupied, which otherwise interferes with the placement of the battery cell S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the tray <NUM> further comprises a box <NUM>. The tray body <NUM> is located in the box <NUM>, and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is located outside the tray body <NUM> and fixed to the box <NUM>.

The box <NUM> refers to a container having a loading function. The material of the box <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, metal, plastic, etc..

Optionally, the box <NUM> is provided with at least one mounting recess <NUM>, and the tray body <NUM> is located in the mounting recess <NUM>. The tray body <NUM> is provided with the receiving cavity <NUM>, the bladder <NUM> is located in the receiving cavity <NUM>, and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is located outside the receiving cavity <NUM> and fixed to the box <NUM>.

The mounting recess <NUM> and the receiving cavity <NUM> refer to spaces available for loading and receiving. The mounting recess <NUM> is configured to load and receive the tray body <NUM>, and the receiving cavity <NUM> is configured to load and receive the bladder <NUM> and the battery cell S. Optionally, the tray body <NUM> comprises a bottom plate <NUM>, side plates <NUM>, and end plates <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM>, the side plates <NUM>, and the end plates <NUM> form the receiving cavity <NUM> in an enclosing manner.

The fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is fixed to the box <NUM>. Optionally, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is mounted on a side wall of the mounting recess <NUM>.

By fixing the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> to the box <NUM> and locating the fluid delivery assembly outside the tray body <NUM>, that is, by locating the bladder <NUM> and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> respectively on inner and outer sides of the tray body <NUM>, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is prevented from interfering with the loading of the bladder <NUM> and the battery cell S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> is provided with the receiving cavity <NUM>, a receiving sub-cavity <NUM> is further formed in the receiving cavity <NUM>, the bladder <NUM> is located in the receiving sub-cavity <NUM>, and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is fixed in the receiving cavity <NUM> but located outside the receiving sub-cavity <NUM>.

The receiving cavity <NUM> refers to a space available for loading and receiving. Optionally, the tray body <NUM> comprises a bottom plate <NUM>, side plates <NUM>, and end plates <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM>, the side plates <NUM>, and the end plates <NUM> form the receiving cavity <NUM> in an enclosing manner. Optionally, the tray body <NUM> further comprises a baffle <NUM> for dividing the receiving cavity <NUM> into a plurality of receiving sub-cavities <NUM>, for example, two receiving sub-cavities <NUM>.

By providing the tray body <NUM> with the receiving cavity <NUM>, and by further providing the receiving cavity <NUM> with the receiving sub-cavity <NUM>, the bladder <NUM> is located in the receiving sub-cavity <NUM>, whereas the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is located outside the receiving sub-cavity <NUM>, so that the bladder <NUM> and the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> are respectively located on inner and outer sides of the receiving sub-cavity <NUM>, preventing the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> from interfering with the loading of the bladder <NUM> and the battery cell S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> comprises an end plate <NUM>. The end plate <NUM> extends in the second direction and is located at an end portion of the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> in the first direction, at least one end of the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is arranged on the end plate <NUM>, and the second direction is crossed with the first direction.

The second direction being crossed with the first direction means that the second direction is not in the same or opposite relationship with the first direction. Optionally, the second direction and the first direction are in a perpendicular relationship. Optionally, the second direction is the X direction.

Optionally, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> comprises a main channel <NUM> and a plurality of sub-channels <NUM> in communication with the main channel <NUM>. A least one end of the main channel <NUM> is provided with a one-way valve <NUM>, and the one-way valve <NUM> is mounted on the end plate <NUM>. The one-way valve <NUM> is fixed by mounting the one-way valve <NUM> on the end plate <NUM>.

Optionally, the end plate <NUM> is provided with a first blind hole <NUM> and a second blind hole <NUM> that are in communication with each other. The first blind hole <NUM> extends in the first direction, the first blind hole <NUM> is in communication with the main channel <NUM>, the second blind hole <NUM> extends in a third direction, the second blind hole <NUM> is connected to the one-way valve <NUM>, and the third direction is crossed with the first direction and the second direction.

The third direction being crossed with the first direction and the second direction means that the third direction is not in the same or opposite relationship with the first direction and the second direction. Optionally, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. Optionally, the first direction is the Y direction, the second direction is the X direction, and the third direction is the Z direction.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> avoids the bladder opening <NUM>.

Avoidance refers to giving way. The tray body <NUM> avoiding the bladder opening <NUM> means that the tray body <NUM> gives way to the bladder opening <NUM> so as not to cover the bladder opening <NUM>. Optionally, a hollow-out hole (not shown) or a slot corresponding to the bladder opening <NUM> is formed in the tray body <NUM> at the position corresponding to the bladder opening <NUM>. Optionally, the tray body <NUM> is kept lower than the bladder opening <NUM> in height. For example, the side plate <NUM> or the baffle <NUM> is lower than the bladder opening <NUM> in height.

By configuring the tray body <NUM> to avoid the bladder opening <NUM>, the bladder opening <NUM> is in an exposed state, and operations of delivering and transferring the fluid medium through the bladder opening <NUM> are thus facilitated.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the bladder opening <NUM> is higher than the tray body <NUM>.

By higher than means that among two which are compared based on the same reference plane, the one with the higher height is called higher than the other. The bladder opening <NUM> being higher than the tray body <NUM> herein consists in either that the bladder opening <NUM> is higher than a local area on the tray body <NUM> that corresponds to the bladder opening <NUM>, or that the bladder opening <NUM> is higher than the entire tray body <NUM>.

Optionally, the bladder opening <NUM> is formed in at least one end of the bladder <NUM>. The tray body <NUM> further comprises side plates <NUM>. The side plates <NUM> extend in the first direction and are distributed at opposite ends of the bladder <NUM>. The bladder opening <NUM> is higher than the side plate <NUM>.

The bladder opening <NUM> being higher than the side plate <NUM> means that the side plate <NUM> corresponding to the bladder opening <NUM> is lower than the bladder opening <NUM> in height. For example, only one end of the bladder <NUM> is provided with a bladder opening <NUM>, and a pair of side plates <NUM> are provided at two ends of the bladder <NUM> respectively. The side plates are respectively defined as a first side plate and a second side plate for ease of differentiation. The first side plate corresponds to the bladder opening <NUM>, and is set to be lower than the bladder opening <NUM> in height, and the second side plate may be higher than, lower than or even equal to the bladder opening <NUM> in height.

By configuring the bladder opening <NUM> to be elevated from the tray body <NUM>, the bladder opening <NUM> is exposed outside the tray body <NUM> to facilitate an operation on the bladder opening <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, the pressing body <NUM> comprises two stacked bladders <NUM>.

Specifically, in a thickness direction of the pressing body <NUM>, the pressing body <NUM> comprises two stacked bladders <NUM>. Optionally, at least one of the bladders <NUM> is a singled-sided bladder. For example, the two bladders <NUM> are both single-sided bladders, and the two single-sided bladders are arranged closely back to back, that is, a non-deformable rigid surface of one of the single-sided bladders is arranged closely to a non-deformable rigid surface of the other single-sided bladder, so that deformable flexible surfaces of the two single-sided bladders are each in contact with a battery cell S. Of course, in other embodiments, it is also possible that two double-sided bladders are stacked together to form the pressing body <NUM>.

By configuring the pressing body <NUM> to comprise two stacked bladders <NUM>, the thickness of the pressing body <NUM> can be increased by stacking the bladders <NUM>, so as to adapt to battery cells S of different thicknesses and improve the compatibility of the tray <NUM> with different battery cells S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, the pressing body <NUM> further comprises a partition plate <NUM>. The partition plate <NUM> is sandwiched between the two bladders <NUM>.

The partition plate <NUM> refers to a component for separating the two bladders <NUM>. The material of the partition plate <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, plastic, metal, etc. Optionally, the pressing body <NUM> is detachably arranged on the tray body <NUM>, for example, is inserted into the tray body <NUM>, in this case, the two bladders <NUM> may be in insertion fit with the tray body <NUM>, or the partition plate <NUM> and the two bladders <NUM> both may be in insertion fit with the tray body <NUM>.

By providing the partition plate <NUM> between the two bladders <NUM>, the thickness of the pressing body <NUM> is further increased by means of the partition plate <NUM> so as to adapt to battery cells S with smaller thicknesses. Moreover, since the partition plate <NUM> is sandwiched between the bladders <NUM>, the thickness of the pressing body <NUM> can also be adjusted by withdrawing or replacing the partition plate <NUM>, thereby improving the compatibility of the tray <NUM> with the battery cells S in different thickness ranges.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the pressing body <NUM> is further provided with a first connecting portion <NUM>. The first connecting portion <NUM> is connected to the tray body <NUM>.

The first connecting portion <NUM> is a component for achieving connection and limiting. The first connecting portion <NUM> may be integrally or detachably connected to the tray body <NUM>. Optionally, with reference to <FIG>, the pressing body <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM>, and part of the frame <NUM> forms the first connecting portion <NUM>. Optionally, with reference to <FIG>, the pressing body <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> is provided with a first insert member <NUM>, and the first insert member <NUM> forms the first connecting portion <NUM>. Optionally, the first insert member <NUM> is an insert plate.

By connecting the first connecting portion <NUM> to the tray body <NUM>, the pressing body <NUM> is connected to the tray body <NUM>, preventing any movement of the pressing body <NUM> on the tray body <NUM>, so that the battery cell S placed between two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM> is kept stable, reducing the influence of deviation of a single battery cell S on the positions of other battery cells S, and thus alleviating the problem of an electrode terminal of the battery cell S being misaligned with a probe on a production apparatus during the production of the battery cell S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> is provided with a plurality of first positioning portions <NUM> arranged at intervals, and the first connecting portions <NUM> are connected to the first positioning portions <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence.

The first positioning portion <NUM> refers to a component for limiting the orientation of an object connected thereto. Optionally, the plurality of first positioning portions <NUM> are arranged at equal intervals, and in this case, each battery cell S of the same model may be placed between two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>. Optionally, the spacings between the plurality of first positioning portions <NUM> are not equal, and in this case, each battery cell S of a different model may be placed between two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>.

By connecting the first connecting portions <NUM> to the first positioning portions <NUM> on the tray body <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence, the first positioning portions <NUM> are used to control the directions and positions of the pressing bodies <NUM> on the tray body <NUM>, thereby achieving accurate control over a distance between two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>, and thus achieving control over the pressing pressures to the battery cell S placed between the two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the first connecting portions <NUM> are detachably connected to the tray body <NUM>.

It can be understood that the first connecting portions <NUM> are detachably connected to the tray body <NUM>, that is, the pressing bodies <NUM> may be unloaded from the tray body <NUM> according to requirements. Optionally, the first connecting portions <NUM> are in snap-fit connection with the tray body <NUM>. Optionally, the first connecting portions <NUM> is connected to the tray body <NUM> in an inserted manner. Optionally, the first connecting portions <NUM> is threadedly connected to the tray body <NUM>.

Optionally, the tray body <NUM> is provided with first positioning portions <NUM>, and the first connecting portions <NUM> are detachably connected to the first positioning portions <NUM>.

Optionally, referring to <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> comprises a bottom plate <NUM>, and a pair of end plates <NUM> and a pair of side plates <NUM> arranged on the bottom plate <NUM>. The side plates <NUM> extend in the Y direction, and the end plates <NUM> extend in the X direction. The bottom plate <NUM>, the pair of end plates <NUM> and the pair of side plates <NUM> jointly form a receiving cavity <NUM> in an enclosing manner, and the receiving cavity <NUM> is configured to receive the pressing bodies <NUM>. In addition, the side plate <NUM> is further provided with first insertion grooves <NUM> extending in the Z direction. The first positioning portion <NUM> comprises the first insertion grooves <NUM>. Furthermore, the pressing body <NUM> is a bladder <NUM>. The bladder <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> and a flexible skin <NUM>, part of the frame <NUM> being inserted into the first insertion groove <NUM>. It can be understood that part of the frame <NUM> inserted into the first insertion groove <NUM> forms the first connecting portion <NUM>.

The pressing body <NUM> can be detachably connected to the tray body <NUM> by detachably connecting the first connecting portion <NUM> to the tray body <NUM>, so that the compatibility of the tray <NUM> with different battery cells S can be improved by replacing the pressing body <NUM> to adapt to different types of battery cells S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, the first connecting portion <NUM> comprises first insert members <NUM>. The first insert members <NUM> are arranged at two opposite ends of the pressing body <NUM> in the second direction. The first insert members <NUM> are in insertion fit with the tray body <NUM>. The second direction is crossed with the first direction.

The first insert member <NUM> may be a component capable of achieving insertion fit and provided with an insertion hole, an insertion groove, an insert post, an insert plate, an insert strip, etc. It can be understood that if the first insert member <NUM> is provided with an insertion groove, the tray body <NUM> is provided with an insert plate or an insert strip for insertion fit with the insertion groove.

The first insert members <NUM> are arranged at two opposite ends of the pressing body <NUM> in the second direction, and it can be understood that two ends of the pressing body <NUM> in the second direction are respectively connected to the tray body <NUM> in an inserted manner, and two sides of the pressing body <NUM> in the first direction are respectively used for pressing the battery cell S. Optionally, the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other. Optionally, the first direction is the Y direction, and the second direction is the X direction.

Optionally, the tray body <NUM> is provided with a first positioning portion <NUM>, and the first insert member <NUM> is in insertion fit with the first positioning portion <NUM>.

Optionally, referring to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> comprises a bottom plate <NUM>, and a pair of end plates <NUM> and a pair of side plates <NUM> arranged on the bottom plate <NUM>. The side plates <NUM> extend in the Y direction, and the end plates <NUM> extend in the X direction. The bottom plate <NUM>, the pair of end plates <NUM> and the pair of side plates <NUM> jointly form a receiving cavity <NUM> in an enclosing manner. The tray body <NUM> further comprises a baffle <NUM>. The baffle <NUM> is provided in the receiving cavity <NUM> and divides the receiving cavity <NUM> into two receiving sub-cavities <NUM>, and the receiving sub-cavities <NUM> are configured to receive the pressing bodies <NUM>. The baffle <NUM> is further provided with second insertion grooves <NUM> extending in the Z direction. The first positioning portion <NUM> comprises second insertion grooves <NUM>. Furthermore, the pressing body <NUM> is a bladder <NUM>. The bladder <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM> and a flexible skin <NUM>. First insert members <NUM> are further provided at two ends of the frame <NUM> in the X direction. The first insert members <NUM> are inserted into the second insertion grooves <NUM>. Optionally, a fourth weight-reducing hole <NUM> is formed in the first insert member <NUM>.

By arranging the first insert members <NUM> at the two opposite ends of the pressing body <NUM> in the second direction, the pressing body <NUM> is in insertion fit with the tray body <NUM>, thereby facilitating the replacement of the pressing body <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, the tray <NUM> further comprises a plurality of carriers <NUM> arranged between two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> is configured to carry the battery cell S.

The carrier <NUM> refers to a component for supporting an object. Specifically, the carrier <NUM> in the present application is configured to carry the battery cell S. The carrier <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, U-shaped or L-shaped. The material of the carrier <NUM> may be, but is not limited to, metal or plastic.

By providing the carriers <NUM>, the compatibility of the tray <NUM> with different battery cells S can be improved. For example, when a battery cell S has a larger size and may be directly loaded on the tray body <NUM>, the battery cell S may be directly placed between two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>; whereas when a battery cell S has a smaller size, the battery cell S may be carried by the carriers <NUM>, the carriers <NUM> being placed between the two adjacent pressing bodies <NUM>. The carriers <NUM> can limit the battery cell S so as to prevent any movement of the battery cell S. Moreover, the carriers <NUM> lift and support the battery cell S so that the battery cell S can better correspond to the pressing bodies <NUM>, facilitating restraint of the pressing bodies <NUM> to the battery cell S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, the carrier <NUM> comprises a bottom pad <NUM> and a pair of side pads <NUM>. The pair of side pads <NUM> are respectively arranged upright at two ends of the bottom pad <NUM>, and the bottom pad <NUM> and the side pads <NUM> form the U-shaped carrier <NUM>.

It can be understood that the carrier <NUM> formed has a U-shaped receiving groove for receiving the battery cell S. An end opening of the U-shaped receiving groove is formed in the end of the carrier <NUM> away from the bottom pad <NUM>, and the battery cell S may be loaded in the U-shaped receiving groove through the end opening. Two side openings of the U-shaped receiving groove are formed on two sides of the carrier <NUM>, and the pressing bodies <NUM> can press the battery cell S received therein through the side openings. Optionally, the U-shaped receiving groove is adapted to the battery cell S.

The U-shaped carrier <NUM> is formed with the bottom pad <NUM> and the side pads <NUM>, and the battery cell S is loaded by the U-shaped carrier <NUM> while the battery cell S is limited.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, the bottom pad <NUM> comprises a first bottom pad <NUM> and a second bottom pad <NUM> that are provided parallel to each other and spaced from each other in a vertical direction, and a support rib <NUM> connected between the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM>. The ends of the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> on one side are connected to one of the side pads <NUM>, and the ends of the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> on the other side are connected to the other side pad <NUM>.

Optionally, the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> are two plates of the same size. The support rib <NUM> is supported between the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM>. One or a plurality of support ribs <NUM> may be provided, and the term "a plurality of" refer to two or more, for example, three.

By configuring the bottom pad <NUM> to comprise the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> that are arranged in parallel and spaced from each other, the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> are connected to each other via the support rib <NUM>, so that the bottom pad <NUM> can meet the requirement for a supporting height of the battery cell S, and the weight of the bottom pad <NUM> is also controlled.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, the first bottom pad <NUM> and/or the second bottom pad <NUM> are provided with heat dissipation holes <NUM>.

Optionally, the first bottom pad <NUM> is provided with heat dissipation holes <NUM>. Optionally, the second bottom pad <NUM> is provided with heat dissipation holes <NUM>. Optionally, the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> are both provided with heat dissipation holes <NUM>.

By providing the first bottom pad <NUM> and/or the second bottom pad <NUM> with the heat dissipation holes <NUM>, the heat dissipation effect of the carrier <NUM> is improved.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the carrier <NUM> is further provided with a second connecting portion <NUM>, and the second connecting portion <NUM> is configured to be connected to the tray body <NUM>.

The second connecting portion <NUM> is also a component for achieving connection and limiting. The second connecting portion <NUM> may be integrally or detachably connected to the tray body <NUM>. The second connecting portion <NUM> may also be an insert plate, a snap strip, a snap hole, etc. provided on the side pad <NUM>, or even part of the side pad <NUM> forms the second connecting portion <NUM>.

By connecting the second connecting portion <NUM> to the tray body <NUM>, the carrier <NUM> is connected to the tray body <NUM>, thereby preventing any movement of the carrier <NUM> on the tray body <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second connecting portions <NUM> are detachably connected to the tray body <NUM>.

It can be understood that the second connecting portions <NUM> are detachably connected to the tray body <NUM>, that is, the carriers <NUM> may be unloaded from the tray body <NUM> according to requirements. The detachable connection between the second connecting portion <NUM> and the tray body <NUM> includes, but it not limited to, insert connection, snap-fit connection, or threaded connection.

Optionally, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the carrier <NUM> comprises a bottom pad <NUM> and a pair of side pads <NUM>. The pair of side pads <NUM> are each provided with a second insert member <NUM>, the second insert member <NUM> forms a second connecting portion <NUM>, and the second insert member <NUM> is in insertion fit with the tray body <NUM>.

The carrier <NUM> can be detachably connected to the tray body <NUM> by detachably connecting the second connecting portion <NUM> to the tray body <NUM>, so that the compatibility of the tray <NUM> with different battery cells S can be improved by replacing the carrier <NUM> to adapt to different types of battery cells S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> is provided with a plurality of second positioning portions <NUM> arranged at intervals, and the second connecting portions <NUM> are connected to the second positioning portions <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence.

The second positioning portion <NUM> also refers to a component for limiting the orientation of an object connected thereto. Optionally, the plurality of second positioning portions <NUM> are arranged at equal intervals. Optionally, the spacings between the plurality of second positioning portions <NUM> are not equal.

Optionally, the detachable connection between the second connecting portion <NUM> and the second positioning portion <NUM> includes, but it not limited to, insert connection, snap-fit connection, or threaded connection.

By connecting the second connecting portions <NUM> to the second positioning portions <NUM> on the tray body <NUM> in one-to-one correspondence, the directions and positions of the carriers <NUM> on the tray body <NUM> are controlled by using the second positioning portions <NUM>, thereby achieving indirect control over the position of the battery cell S mounted on the carrier <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the second connecting portion <NUM> comprises second insert members <NUM>. The second insert member <NUM> are arranged at two opposite ends of the carrier <NUM> in the second direction crossed with the first direction, and the second insert members <NUM> are in insertion fit with the tray body <NUM>.

Optionally, the second connecting portion <NUM> comprises the second insert members <NUM> arranged on the carrier <NUM>. Optionally, the second insert member <NUM> is an insert plate. Optionally, the second insert member <NUM> is arranged on the side of the side pad <NUM> away from the bottom pad <NUM>, that is, the side away from the U-shaped receiving groove. Optionally, a third weight-reducing hole <NUM> is further formed in the second insert member <NUM>. The tray body <NUM> further comprises baffles <NUM>. The baffles <NUM> are distributed at two opposite ends of the carrier <NUM> and extend in the first direction. The baffle <NUM> is provided with third insertion grooves <NUM>, and the second insert member <NUM> is in insertion fit with the third insertion groove <NUM>. The second positioning portion comprises third insertion grooves <NUM>.

By providing the second insert members <NUM> at the two opposite ends of the carrier <NUM> in the second direction, the carrier <NUM> is in insertion fit with the tray body <NUM>, thereby facilitating the replacement of the carrier <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> further comprises a bottom plate <NUM>, a pair of end plates <NUM> and a pair of side plates <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM>, the pair of end plates <NUM> and the pair of side plates <NUM> form a receiving cavity <NUM> in an enclosing manner, and the receiving cavity <NUM> is configured to receive the pressing bodies <NUM> and the battery cell S.

Optionally, the tray body <NUM> is integrally formed. For example, when the tray body <NUM> is a plastic member, the bottom plate <NUM>, the end plates <NUM>, and the side plates <NUM> may be integrally formed directly during injection molding.

Optionally, the tray body <NUM> is an assembled member that is obtained by assembling and combining the separate bottom plate <NUM>, end plates <NUM> and side plates <NUM> together.

It should be noted herein that the tray body <NUM> may comprise only the bottom plate <NUM> and the side plates <NUM> in other embodiments. For example, the side plates <NUM> are welded and fixed to the bottom plate <NUM>, the pressing bodies <NUM> are inserted to the side plates <NUM>, and the battery cell S is limited by using the pressing bodies <NUM> inserted to the side plates <NUM>, preventing the battery cell S from being separated from the tray body <NUM>, and in this case, the end plates <NUM> may be omitted. In some other embodiments, the tray body <NUM> may comprise only end plates <NUM> and side plates <NUM>, the pressing bodies <NUM> are threadedly fixed to the side plates <NUM> while the battery cell S is supported by providing supporting steps on the side plates <NUM>, and in this case, the bottom plate <NUM> may be omitted. In still other embodiments, the tray body <NUM> may also comprise only the end plates <NUM> and the bottom plate <NUM>.

By providing the bottom plate <NUM>, the end plates <NUM> and the side plates <NUM>, the receiving cavity <NUM> for receiving the pressing bodies <NUM> and the battery cell S is formed in an enclosing manner, so that the structure is simple and is convenient to manufacture.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray <NUM> further comprises a box <NUM>. The box <NUM> is provided with at least one mounting recess <NUM>, and the tray body <NUM> is located in the mounting recess <NUM>.

The box <NUM> refers to a container for loading the tray body <NUM>. The material of the box <NUM> includes, but is not limited to, metal, plastic, etc. The mounting recess <NUM> refers to a space available for loading and receiving. The box <NUM> is provided with at least one mounting recess <NUM>. For example, one mounting recess <NUM> or a plurality of mounting grooves <NUM> may be provided. The tray body <NUM> is located in the mounting recess <NUM>, and one tray body <NUM> may be arranged in one mounting recess <NUM>, or a plurality of tray bodies <NUM> may be arranged in one mounting recess <NUM>, which will not be limited herein.

The tray body <NUM> is located in the mounting recess <NUM>, consisting in either that the tray body <NUM> is integrally provided in the mounting recess <NUM>, or that the tray body <NUM> is detachably arranged in the mounting recess <NUM>.

Optionally, the mounting recess <NUM> is adapted to the tray body <NUM>, and an inner wall of a cavity of the mounting recess <NUM> may be directly used for supporting and limiting the tray body <NUM>.

Optionally, the capacity of the mounting recess <NUM> is greater than the volume of the tray body <NUM>. In this case, when the tray body <NUM> is loaded in the mounting recess <NUM>, a sufficient space is still left in the mounting recess <NUM>, and other components, such as the fluid delivery assembly <NUM>, can be received in the sufficient space. Optionally, a limiting block (not shown) for limiting the tray body <NUM> is further provided in the mounting recess <NUM>.

By providing the box <NUM> to load the tray body <NUM>, it is convenient to transfer and transport the tray body <NUM>.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> is detachably arranged in the mounting recess <NUM>.

The detachable arrangement means that the tray body <NUM> can be unloaded from the mounting recess <NUM> at any time. Optionally, the tray body <NUM> is snapped or inserted into the mounting recess <NUM>.

By detachably mounting the tray body <NUM> in the mounting recess <NUM>, replacement of the tray body <NUM> is facilitated to adapt to different battery cells S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the box <NUM> is a non-metallic member.

It can be understood that the box <NUM> is made of a non-metallic material. Optionally, the box <NUM> is a plastic member.

By providing the box <NUM> as the non-metallic member, not only can the total weight of the tray <NUM> be reduced, the pressure of transportation be reduced, but also the manufacturing cost of the tray <NUM> can be reduced.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a second weight-reducing hole <NUM> is formed in the box <NUM>.

The second weight-reducing hole <NUM> may be a blind hole or a through hole. Optionally, the second weight-reducing hole <NUM> is a through hole which is hollowed out in the box <NUM>. Of course, in some embodiments, the second weight-reducing hole <NUM> may also be an inwardly-recessed blind hole in the box <NUM>.

By providing the second weight-reducing hole <NUM>, the total weight of the tray <NUM> can be reduced, and the pressure of transportation can be reduced.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the tray body <NUM> further comprises a baffle <NUM>. The baffle <NUM> is located in the receiving cavity <NUM>, and the baffle <NUM> extends in the first direction. The baffle <NUM> divides the receiving cavity <NUM> into at least two receiving sub-cavities <NUM>, and the receiving sub-cavities <NUM> are configured to receive the pressing bodies <NUM> and the battery cell S.

The baffle <NUM> is integrally arranged in the receiving cavity <NUM> or is detachably arranged in the receiving cavity <NUM>. Optionally, two ends of the baffle <NUM> are respectively connected to the end plates <NUM>. Optionally, the baffle <NUM> is supported on the bottom plate <NUM>. Optionally, the baffle <NUM> is connected to the side plate <NUM>.

Optionally, a plurality of, for example, three, baffles <NUM> may be provided, and the plurality of baffles <NUM> are arranged at intervals. Of course, it is also possible to provide only one baffle <NUM>, and in this case, the receiving cavity <NUM> is divided into two by the one baffle <NUM>. Of course, the baffle <NUM> may uniformly divide the receiving cavity <NUM> into a plurality of receiving sub-cavities <NUM> of the same volume, and in this case, the sub-receiving cavities <NUM> may be configured to load the identical battery cells S. The baffle <NUM> may also divide the receiving cavity <NUM> into a plurality of receiving sub-cavities <NUM> of unequal volumes, and the receiving sub-cavities <NUM> of different volumes may be configured to load different battery cells S.

By dividing the receiving cavity <NUM> into the plurality of receiving sub-cavities <NUM> with the baffle <NUM>, and by receiving the pressing bodies <NUM> and the battery cell S with the receiving sub-cavities <NUM>, the tray body <NUM> has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the baffle <NUM> is detachably arranged in the receiving cavity <NUM>.

The detachable arrangement means that the baffle <NUM> can be unloaded from the receiving cavity <NUM> at any time. Optionally, the baffle <NUM> is snapped or inserted into the receiving cavity <NUM>.

By detachably mounting the baffle <NUM> in the receiving cavity <NUM>, the replacement of the baffle <NUM> is facilitated to adapt to different battery cells S.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the baffle <NUM> is connected to the end plate <NUM> in an inserted manner, and/or the baffle <NUM> is threadedly connected to the side plate <NUM>.

Optionally, the baffle <NUM> comprises a plurality of sub-baffles arranged in the receiving cavity <NUM>, and specifically comprises a pair of spaced first sub-baffles <NUM> and a second sub-baffle <NUM> arranged between the pair of first sub-baffles <NUM>. The first sub-baffles <NUM> and the second sub-baffle <NUM> are arranged in parallel. The first sub-baffle <NUM> is attached to a surface of a respective side plate <NUM> and is threadedly connected to the side plate <NUM>. For example, the first sub-baffle <NUM> is connected together to the side plate <NUM> by means of screws. Two ends of the second sub-baffle <NUM> are respectively connected to the end plates <NUM> in an inserted manner. Specifically, the end plate <NUM> is provided with an insertion groove <NUM>, and an end portion of the second sub-baffle <NUM> is inserted into the insertion groove <NUM>.

Optionally, the baffle <NUM> comprises only a second sub-baffle <NUM> arranged in the receiving cavity <NUM>. Two ends of the second sub-baffle <NUM> are respectively connected to the end plates <NUM> in an inserted manner.

By arranging the baffle <NUM> in the receiving cavity <NUM> with an inserted or threaded connection, the operation is simple, and the reliability is also high.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the bottom plate <NUM> comprises a bottom frame (not shown) in which a plurality of transverse beams (not shown) and a plurality of longitudinal beams (not shown) extending in the first direction are provided. The plurality of longitudinal beams are connected between the plurality of transverse beams and between the plurality of transverse beams and the bottom frame.

According to some embodiments of the present application, with reference to <FIG>, the embodiments of the present application further provide a method for using a tray <NUM>. The tray <NUM> is configured to carry a battery cell S. The tray <NUM> comprises a tray body <NUM> and a plurality of bladders <NUM>. The plurality of bladders <NUM> are arranged at intervals in a first direction. The bladders <NUM> are arranged on the tray body <NUM>. The battery cell S is placed between two adjacent bladders <NUM>. The bladder <NUM> is configured to be in contact with the battery cell S so as to press the battery cell S. The bladder <NUM> is provided with a bladder cavity <NUM> capable of being filled with a fluid medium and a bladder opening <NUM> in communication with the bladder cavity <NUM>. The method for using a tray <NUM> comprises:.

In step S10, the way of inserting the battery cell S between two adjacent bladders <NUM> may be a manual placement or a machine-aided automatic placement.

In step S20, optionally, the fluid medium is optionally a gas. For example, the gas is fed, by using a gas pump, into the bladder cavity <NUM> through the bladder opening <NUM>. When the bladder cavity <NUM> is filled with the fluid medium through the bladder opening <NUM>, a pressing force of the bladder <NUM> on the battery cell S can be controlled by regulating and controlling the flow rate and time of the fluid medium.

When the tray <NUM> is in use, the battery cell S can be restrained by simply placing the battery cell S between two adjacent bladders <NUM> and then filling the bladder cavities <NUM> with the fluid medium through the bladder openings <NUM>, so that the operation is simple, and the reliability is high.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the method for using a tray <NUM> further comprises:.

In step S40, discharging the fluid medium filled in the bladder cavity <NUM> through the bladder opening <NUM> comprises simply opening the bladder opening <NUM> so that the fluid medium in the bladder cavity <NUM> automatically flows out under the effect of a pressure difference, or comprises suctioning the fluid medium out of the bladder cavity <NUM> through the bladder opening <NUM> using a suction apparatus.

When the tray <NUM> is in use, the battery cell S can be taken out only by discharging the fluid medium from the bladder cavities <NUM>, so that the operation is simple, and the reliability is high.

According to some embodiments of the present application, the embodiments of the present application further provide a battery production apparatus, comprising the tray <NUM> described above.

Optionally, the battery production apparatus is a formation machine, that is, a machine for performing a formation treatment on a battery.

Optionally, the battery production apparatus is a capacity tester, that is, a machine for testing the capacity of a battery.

By using the tray <NUM>, it is possible to flexibly press the battery cell S so as to decrease the dead space during pressing.

With reference to <FIG>, the embodiments of the present application provide a tray <NUM>. The tray <NUM> comprises two tray bodies <NUM>, twenty-six bladders <NUM>, two fluid delivery assemblies <NUM> and one box <NUM>. The box <NUM> has two mounting recesses <NUM>, and the two tray bodies <NUM> are respectively inserted into the two mounting recesses <NUM> of the box <NUM>. Each tray body <NUM> has a receiving cavity <NUM>, and every thirteen bladders <NUM> are mounted in the receiving cavity <NUM> of one tray body <NUM>.

Specifically, the tray body <NUM> is a plastic member. The tray body <NUM> comprises one bottom plate <NUM>, two side plates <NUM> and two end plates <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> extends in the Y direction, the two side plates <NUM> also extend in the Y direction and are respectively arranged on two sides of the bottom plate <NUM>, and the two end plates <NUM> extend in the X direction and are respectively arranged at two ends of the bottom plate <NUM>. In order to reduce the weight, the bottom plate <NUM>, the side plates <NUM> and the end plates <NUM> are all provided with weight-reducing through holes. Each side plate <NUM> is correspondingly provided with thirteen first insertion grooves <NUM> extending in the Z direction, and the spacing between every two adjacent first insertion grooves <NUM> is set to the same. The thirteen bladders <NUM> are respectively inserted into the first insertion grooves <NUM> of the two side plates <NUM> and are accordingly arranged at equal intervals in the Y direction. A battery cell S is inserted between two adjacent bladders <NUM>. The Y direction, the X direction and the Z direction are in a mutually perpendicular relationship.

Specifically, the bladder <NUM> is a gas bladder. The bladder <NUM> comprises a hollow frame <NUM>, and frame openings on two sides of the frame <NUM> are covered by flexible skins <NUM>, thereby forming a bladder cavity <NUM> inside the bladder <NUM>. A laterally open bladder opening <NUM> is formed at the end of the frame <NUM> away from the bottom plate <NUM>, and the bladder opening <NUM> is a through hole penetrating the frame <NUM> and connected to the bladder cavity <NUM>. In detail, the frame <NUM> is a metal member, and the flexible skin <NUM> is a silicone member.

Specifically, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is a gas pipe assembly. The fluid delivery assembly <NUM> comprises a main channel <NUM> extending in the Y direction and thirteen sub-channels <NUM> in communication with the main channel <NUM>. Outlets of the thirteen sub-channels <NUM> are respectively in communication with the bladder openings <NUM> of the thirteen bladders <NUM>. One end of the main channel <NUM> is provided with a one-way valve <NUM>, and the one-way valve <NUM> is configured to be connected to a gas source. The main channel <NUM> is fixed in the box <NUM>, the one-way valve <NUM> penetrates the box <NUM>, one end of the one-way valve <NUM> is in communication with the main channel <NUM>, and the other end thereof passes out of the box <NUM>. In detail, the one-way valve <NUM> is a valve core needle, the main channel <NUM> is a straight pipe, and the sub-channel <NUM> is an elbow pipe, and the straight pipe and the elbow pipe are connected to each other by means of a connector.

Specifically, the box <NUM> is a plastic basket. In order to reduce weight, the plastic basket is provided with a plurality of hollowed-out holes.

When the tray <NUM> is in use, the bladders <NUM> are inserted into the first insertion grooves <NUM> of the tray body <NUM>, the battery cells S are each inserted between two adjacent bladders <NUM>, and the bladder cavities <NUM> are then filled, by means of the one-way valve <NUM>, with a gas through the bladder openings <NUM>, so that the volumes of the bladders <NUM> expand and become larger, and the battery cells S are pressed. Thereafter, the bladder openings <NUM> are opened to discharge the gas from the bladder cavities <NUM>, the volumes of the bladders <NUM> contract and become smaller, the pressing of the bladders <NUM> on the battery cells S is released, and the battery cells S can be each taken out from between two adjacent bladders <NUM>.

When the loaded battery cells S are to be replaced, the bladders <NUM> may also be withdrawn from the tray body <NUM> and replaced with different bladders <NUM> so as to adapt to different battery cells S, or even the tray body <NUM> may be withdrawn from the box <NUM> and replaced with a different tray body <NUM> so as to adapt to different battery cells S.

With reference to <FIG>, the embodiments of the present application further provide a tray <NUM>. The tray <NUM> comprises one tray body <NUM>, twenty-six bladders <NUM>, four fluid delivery assemblies <NUM> and twenty-four carriers <NUM>. The tray body <NUM> has two receiving sub-cavities <NUM>, and every thirteen bladders <NUM> and every twelve carriers <NUM> are mounted in one receiving sub-cavity <NUM>.

Specifically, the tray body <NUM> is a plastic member. The tray body <NUM> comprises one bottom plate <NUM>, two side plates <NUM>, two end plates <NUM> and three baffles <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> extends in the Y direction, the two side plates <NUM> also extend in the Y direction and are respectively arranged on two sides of the bottom plate <NUM>, and the two end plates <NUM> extend in the X direction and are respectively arranged at two ends of the bottom plate <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM>, the side plates <NUM> and the end plates <NUM> form a receiving cavity <NUM> in an enclosing manner. The three baffles <NUM> are arranged in the receiving cavity <NUM> and all extend in the Y direction, one of the baffles <NUM> is arranged in the middle of the receiving cavity <NUM> and two ends thereof are respectively inserted into the two end plates <NUM>, so as to divide the receiving cavity <NUM> into two receiving sub-cavities <NUM>; and the other two baffles <NUM> are attached to the side plates <NUM>, and two ends thereof are also respectively inserted into the two end plates <NUM>. Thirteen second insertion grooves <NUM> extending in the Z direction and twelve third insertion grooves <NUM> extending in the Z direction are correspondingly formed in the surface of each baffle <NUM>. The second insertion grooves <NUM> and the third insertion grooves <NUM> are arranged alternately, the spacing between every two adjacent second insertion grooves <NUM> is set to the same, and the spacing between every two adjacent third insertion grooves <NUM> is set to the same. The thirteen bladders <NUM> are respectively inserted into the second insertion grooves <NUM> of the two baffles <NUM> and are accordingly arranged in the receiving sub-cavities <NUM> at equal intervals in the Y direction. The twelve carriers <NUM> are respectively inserted into the third insertion grooves <NUM> of the two baffles <NUM> and are accordingly arranged in the receiving sub-cavity <NUM> at equal intervals in the Y direction, and each carrier <NUM> is arranged between two adjacent bladders <NUM>. The Y direction, the X direction and the Z direction are in a mutually perpendicular relationship.

Specifically, the bladder <NUM> is a gas bladder. The bladder <NUM> comprises a hollow frame <NUM>, and frame openings on two sides of the frame <NUM> are covered by flexible skins <NUM>, thereby forming a bladder cavity <NUM> inside the bladder <NUM>. Two laterally open bladder openings <NUM> are formed at the end of the frame <NUM> away from the bottom plate <NUM>, and the bladder openings <NUM> are through holes penetrating the frame <NUM> and connected to the bladder cavity <NUM>. In addition, the side of the frame <NUM> facing away from the bladder cavity <NUM> is integrally formed with a first insert member <NUM>. The first insert member <NUM> is inserted into the second insertion groove <NUM>. In detail, the frame <NUM> and the first insert member <NUM> are metal members, and the flexible skins <NUM> are silicone members.

Specifically, the fluid delivery assembly <NUM> is a gas pipe assembly. The fluid delivery assembly <NUM> comprises a main channel <NUM> extending in the Y direction and thirteen sub-channels <NUM> in communication with the main channel <NUM>. Outlets of the thirteen sub-channels <NUM> are respectively in communication with the bladder openings <NUM> of the thirteen bladders <NUM>. One end of the main channel <NUM> is provided with a one-way valve <NUM>, and the one-way valve <NUM> is configured to be connected to a gas source. The main channel <NUM> is fixed to the tray body <NUM>, and specifically, two ends of the main channel <NUM> are respectively connected to the end plates <NUM>. Moreover, the one-way valve <NUM> penetrates the end plate <NUM>, one end of the one-way valve <NUM> is in communication with the main channel <NUM>, and the other end thereof passes out of the box <NUM>. More specifically, the end plate <NUM> is provided with a first blind hole <NUM> and a second blind hole <NUM> that are in communication with each other, the first blind hole <NUM> extends in the Y direction and is in communication with the main channel <NUM>, the second blind hole <NUM> extends in the Y direction, and the one-way valve <NUM> is mounted on the second blind hole <NUM>. In detail, the one-way valve <NUM> is a valve core needle, the main channel <NUM> is a straight pipe, and the sub-channel <NUM> is an elbow pipe, and the straight pipe and the elbow pipe are connected to each other by means of a connector.

Specifically, the carrier <NUM> comprises a bottom pad <NUM> and a pair of side pads <NUM>. The pair of side pads <NUM> are respectively arranged upright at two ends of the bottom pad <NUM>, and the bottom pad <NUM> and the side pads <NUM> form the U-shaped carrier <NUM>. The bottom pad <NUM> comprises a first bottom pad <NUM> and a second bottom pad <NUM> that are provided parallel to each other and spaced from each other in a vertical direction, and a support rib <NUM> connected between the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM>. The ends of the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> on one side are connected to one of the side pads <NUM>, and the ends of the first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> on the other side are connected to the other side pad <NUM>. The first bottom pad <NUM> and the second bottom pad <NUM> are provided with heat dissipation holes <NUM>. The carrier <NUM> is further provided with second insert members <NUM>. Specifically, the second insert member <NUM> is arranged on the side of the side pad <NUM> away from the bottom pad <NUM>, and the second insert member <NUM> is in insertion fit with the third insertion groove <NUM>.

When the tray <NUM> is in use, the bladders <NUM> and the carriers <NUM> are first respectively inserted into the second insertion grooves <NUM> and the third insertion grooves <NUM> of the tray body <NUM>, the battery cells S are then respectively inserted into the carriers <NUM>, and the bladder cavities <NUM> are then filled, by means of the one-way valve <NUM>, with a gas through the bladder openings <NUM>, so that the volumes of the bladders <NUM> expand and become larger, and the battery cell S is pressed. Thereafter, the bladder openings <NUM> are opened to discharge the gas from the bladder cavities <NUM>, the volumes of the bladders <NUM> contract and become smaller, the pressing of the bladders <NUM> on the battery cells S is released, and the battery cells S can be each taken out from the carriers <NUM>.

When the loaded battery cells S are to be replaced, the carriers <NUM> may be withdrawn from the tray body <NUM> and replaced with different carriers <NUM> so as to adapt to different battery cells S, or the bladders <NUM> may be withdrawn from the tray body <NUM> and replaced with different bladders <NUM> so as to adapt to different battery cells S, or even the baffles <NUM> may be withdrawn and replaced with different baffles <NUM> so as to adapt to different battery cells S.

Claim 1:
A tray (<NUM>) configured to carry a battery cell (S) and comprising:
a tray body (<NUM>); and
a plurality of pressing bodies (<NUM>) arranged at intervals in a first direction, wherein the pressing bodies (<NUM>) are arranged on the tray body (<NUM>), the battery cell (S) is placed between two adjacent pressing bodies (<NUM>), and each of the pressing bodies (<NUM>) is provided with a flexible pressing portion (<NUM>) configured to be in contact with the battery cell (S) so as to press the battery cell (S), characterized by a plurality of carriers (<NUM>) each of which is arranged between two adjacent pressing bodies (<NUM>), wherein each of said carriers (<NUM>) is configured to carry the battery cell (S), wherein each of said carriers (<NUM>) comprises a bottom pad (<NUM>) and a pair of side pads (<NUM>) arranged upright at two ends of the bottom pad (<NUM>), wherein the side pads (<NUM>) and the bottom pad (<NUM>) form the U-shaped carrier (<NUM>); the bottom pad (<NUM>) comprises a first bottom pad (<NUM>) and a second bottom pad (<NUM>) that are arranged parallel to each other and spaced from each other in a vertical direction, and a support rib (<NUM>) connected between the first bottom pad (<NUM>) and the second bottom pad (<NUM>), wherein the ends of the first bottom pad (<NUM>) and the second bottom pad (<NUM>) on one side are connected to one of the side pads (<NUM>), and the ends of the first bottom pad (<NUM>) and the second bottom pad (<NUM>) on the other side are connected to the other side pad (<NUM>); and the first bottom pad (<NUM>) and/or the second bottom pad (<NUM>) are provided with heat dissipation holes (<NUM>).