Patent Description:
Energy conservation and emission reduction are keys to sustainable development in automobile industry. In this case, due to the advantage of energy conservation and emission reduction, electric vehicles have become an important part for sustainable development in automobile industry. For electric vehicles, battery technology is an important factor related to their development. In the development of the battery technology, in addition to performance improvement, safety is another non-negligible issue of batteries. If safety of a battery cannot be guaranteed, the battery is unusable. Therefore, how to improve safety of the battery requires an urgent solution in the battery technology.

<CIT> relates to an information handling system including a battery having a low temperature cell configured to operate over a lower temperature range and a high temperature cell configured to operate over a higher temperature range, a computational electronic circuit operable to dissipate waste heat as a consequence of performing computation, and a thermal conductor thermally coupled to the high temperature cell and to the computational electronic circuit but not to the low temperature cell.

<CIT> relates to a battery module that includes a housing having a stack of battery cells. Each battery cell of the stack of battery cells includes a terminal end having at least one cell terminal and a face oriented transverse to the terminal end. The battery module also includes adhesive tape disposed between a first face of a first battery cell of the stack of battery cells and a second face of a second battery cell of the stack of battery cells, and where the adhesive tape fixedly couples the first battery cell to the second battery cell, and where a first terminal end of the first battery cell is substantially aligned with a second terminal end of the second battery cell.

<CIT> relates to a battery pack comprising: a box configured to have a cavity structure; an exhaust channel disclosed at the bottom of the box; a plurality of cells stacked and accommodated in the cavity structure of the box, the plurality of cells being located on the end surface of the exhaust channel away from the bottom of the box, and the end surface of each cell facing the exhaust channel being provided with an explosion-proof valve, wherein the structural layer of the exhaust channel facing the explosion-proof valve is provided with a weak zone.

<CIT> relates to a thermal management device including: a thermal management loop attached to each cell and at least partially covering a part of a vent of each cell; a heat exchange member communicating with the thermal management loop; and a power component connected between the thermal management loop and the heat exchange member. A heat exchange medium with a fire-extinguishing function is provided within the thermal management loop. The thermal management loop is broken in a condition where at least one cell is subjected to thermal runaway such that the heat exchange medium flows into an explosion-proof port of the at least one cell.

In view of the foregoing problem, embodiments of this application provides a battery and an apparatus.

To implement the foregoing objectives, the embodiments of this application provide the following technical solutions.

A first aspect of the embodiments of this application provides a battery as set out in claim <NUM>.

Compared with the prior art, the battery provided in the embodiments of this application has the following advantages.

The battery provided in the embodiments of this application includes a first battery cell and a second battery cell, where an energy density of the second battery cell is less than that of the first battery cell, thermal stability of the first battery cell is lower than that of the second battery cell, and thermal failure reaction of the first battery cell is more violent than that of the second battery cell. After thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell, the first battery cell generates high temperature gas, and temperature of the first battery cell rises sharply. However, a first thermal insulation member is disposed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell, and the first thermal insulation member can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the first battery cell and the second battery cell, so as to effectively reduce a probability that the first battery cell triggers chain reaction of the second battery cell, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, the first thermal insulation member includes a hollow part, where in a thickness direction of the first thermal insulation member, the hollow part runs through the first thermal insulation member, and the hollow part is constructed to provide a space allowing the first battery cells and/or the second battery cells to swell. Therefore, when the first battery cell or the second battery cell swells, excess volume of the swelling first battery cell or second battery cell can be filled into the hollow part, so as to effectively buffer swelling force of the battery.

In some implementations, the first thermal insulation member is constructed as a square frame structure, facilitating preparation of the hollow part.

In some implementations, the first thermal insulation member further includes a filling member, configured to fill the hollow part. The filling member is elastic, so that it can reliably fasten the first battery cell and the second battery cell when no thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell and the second battery cell; and provides a space allowing the first battery cell and the second battery cell to swell and deform when thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell and the second battery cell.

In some implementations, the filling member is selected from at least one of foam, rubber, thermal insulation wool, or aerogel thermal insulation pad. The filling members made of various materials are available for selection based on a specific type of the first battery cell and the second battery cell, so that the filling member meets use requirements and safety requirements.

In some implementations, the ratio of the energy density E<NUM> of the first battery cell to the energy density E<NUM> of the second battery cell ranges from <NUM> ≤ E<NUM>/E<NUM> ≤ <NUM>. This can ensure use safety of the battery, and can also improve capacity of the battery.

In some implementations, the first battery cell and the second battery cell are alternately arranged in an arrangement mode of n first battery cells and m second battery cells, where n ≥ <NUM>, and m ≥ <NUM>. In this way, the first battery cell and the second battery cell that have different energy densities are alternately arranged, helping reduce thermal diffusion, and improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, at least two first battery cells are provided, and a second thermal insulation member is disposed between the two adjacent first battery cells. The second thermal insulation member can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the adjacent first battery cells, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the first battery cell triggers chain reaction of its adjacent first battery cell, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, at least two second battery cells are provided, and a third thermal insulation member is disposed between the two adjacent second battery cells. The third thermal insulation member can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the adjacent second battery cells and its adjacent second battery cell, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the second battery cell triggers chain reaction of its adjacent second battery cell, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

A first pressure relief mechanism is disposed on the first battery cell, and the first pressure relief mechanism is configured to be actuated when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell reaches a threshold, to release the internal pressure; a second pressure relief mechanism is disposed on the second battery cell, and the second pressure relief mechanism is configured to be actuated when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell reaches a threshold, to release the internal pressure; and an area of the first pressure relief mechanism is greater than an area of the second pressure relief mechanism. The first pressure relief mechanism is disposed on the first battery cell, so that when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell reaches the threshold, the first battery cell can release the internal pressure. The second pressure relief mechanism is disposed on the second battery cell, so that when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell reaches the threshold, the second battery cell can also release the internal pressure. An energy density of the first battery cell is greater than an energy density of the second battery cell, and thermal failure reaction of the first battery cell is more violent than thermal failure reaction of the second battery cell. The area of the first pressure relief mechanism is limited to be greater than the area of the second pressure relief mechanism, so that the first battery cell with more violent failure reaction can effectively release pressure in a timely manner by using the first pressure relief mechanism with a larger area, so as to effectively relieve the sharp temperature rise of the first battery cell and effectively reduce the probability of chain reaction triggered by thermal failure of the first battery cell, thereby improving overall use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, the battery further includes a discharge channel, where the discharge channel is disposed facing the first pressure relief mechanism and/or the second pressure relief mechanism, and the discharge channel is configured to collect emissions from the first battery cell when the first pressure relief mechanism is actuated, and/or collect emissions from the second battery cell when the second pressure relief mechanism is actuated. The discharge channel is disposed so that when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell reaches a threshold, the internal pressure of the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell can be released in a timely manner, making the battery safer to use.

In some implementations, at least two discharge channels provided, the discharge channels are spaced apart from each other, and the first pressure relief mechanism and the second pressure relief mechanism are disposed facing the different discharge channels respectively. Emissions from the first battery cell and the second battery cell can all be effectively discharged out of the battery in a timely manner, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the discharge channels are blocked by solid substances discharged by the first battery cell and the second battery cell, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, at least two first battery cells are provided, and the first pressure relief mechanisms of the two adjacent first battery cells are disposed facing the different discharge channels respectively. Therefore, different first battery cells can discharge emissions via the different discharge channels respectively, so that the emissions from the first battery cells can be effectively discharged out of the battery in a timely manner. In addition, a probability that thermal failure of one first battery cell causes thermal failure of its adjacent first battery cell can be effectively reduced, helping relieve chain reaction of thermal failure and improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, at least two second battery cells are provided, and the second pressure relief mechanisms of the two adjacent second battery cells are disposed facing the different discharge channels respectively. Therefore, the different second battery cells can discharge emissions via the different discharge channels respectively, so that the emissions from the second battery cells can be effectively discharged out of the battery in a timely manner. In addition, a probability of thermal failure of the adjacent second battery cell caused by thermal failure of one second battery cell can be effectively reduced, thereby helping relieve chain reaction of thermal failure and improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, the battery further includes a housing, where the housing has a plurality of walls, the plurality of walls are configured to enclose an accommodating cavity for accommodating the first battery cell and the second battery cell, a hollow chamber is provided in at least one of the plurality of walls, and the hollow chamber is configured to form the discharge channel. A box body is configured to protect the first battery cell and second battery cell that are placed in the accommodating cavity. The hollow chamber for forming the discharge channel is provided in at least one of the plurality of walls of the box body, so that when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell and the second battery cell reaches a threshold, emissions from the first battery cell and the second battery cell can be discharged into the hollow cavity. Therefore, emissions from the first battery cell and the second battery cell during thermal failure can be effectively discharged out of the battery in a timely manner, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, the plurality of walls include a bottom wall, where the bottom wall is configured to support the first battery cell and the second battery cell, and a hollow chamber is provided in the bottom wall. In this way, emissions in the first battery cell are discharged downwards and enter the hollow chamber at the bottom via the pressure relief mechanism, and emissions in the second battery cell are also discharged downwards and enter the hollow chamber at the bottom via the second pressure relief mechanism. With this arrangement mode of the battery, after the battery is placed in a battery compartment of a vehicle, the battery can discharge emissions to the bottom of the vehicle rather than discharging emissions to a passenger compartment that is located above the battery compartment, thereby further improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, the at least one wall is constructed to be broken when the first pressure relief mechanism and/or the second pressure relief mechanism is actuated, to cause the emissions from the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell to pass through the at least one wall and enter the corresponding discharge channel. In this way, when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell reaches a threshold, the first pressure relief mechanism of the first battery cell is actuated, and emissions in the first battery cell are discharged; and/or when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell reaches a threshold, the second pressure relief mechanism of the second battery cell is actuated, and emissions in the second battery cell are discharged, the emissions discharged by the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell may act on the at least one wall of the box body, so that a part of the box body facing the first pressure relief mechanism and/or a part of the box body facing the second pressure relief mechanism is broken. The hollow chamber of the box body communicates with the first pressure relief mechanism and/or the second pressure relief mechanism, so that the emissions in the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell can be effectively discharged into the discharge channel in a timely manner, thereby further improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, a first through-hole is provided in the at least one wall, and the first through-hole is constructed to communicate with the discharge channel, to allow the emissions from the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell to enter the corresponding discharge channel via the first through-hole when the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell is actuated. In this way, when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell reaches a threshold, the first pressure relief mechanism of the first battery cell is actuated, and emissions in the first battery cell is discharged; and/or internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell reaches a threshold, the second pressure relief mechanism of the second battery cell is actuated, and emissions in the second battery cell is discharged, the emissions discharged by the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell enter the hollow chamber of the box body via the first through-hole, so that the emissions in the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell can be effectively discharged into the discharge channel in a timely manner, thereby further improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, the battery further includes a thermal management part, configured to accommodate fluid to adjust temperature of the first battery cell and the second battery cell, where the thermal management part is disposed between the first battery cell and second battery cell and at least one wall, and the thermal management part is constructed to be broken when the first pressure relief mechanism and/or the second pressure relief mechanism is actuated, to allow the fluid to flow out. In this way, the emissions from the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell can enter the discharge channel via the broken thermal management part. In addition, with the thermal management part broken, the fluid can flow out, so that internal temperature of the battery is rapidly reduced through the fluid, helping relieve chain reaction of thermal failure, and improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, a second through-hole is provided in the thermal management part, and the second through-hole is constructed to communicate with the discharge channel, to allow the emissions from the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell to enter the corresponding discharge channel via the second through-hole when the first pressure relief mechanism and/or the second pressure relief mechanism is actuated. In this way, the emissions discharged by the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell can rapidly and smoothly enter the exhaust channel via the second through-hole, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

In some implementations, the second through-hole communicates with the discharge channel via the first through-hole. Therefore, the emissions discharged by the first battery cell and/or the second battery cell can rapidly and smoothly enter the first through-hole via the second through-hole, and then enter the exhaust channel, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

A second aspect of the embodiments of this application provides an apparatus, including the foregoing battery, where the battery is configured to supply electric energy.

The apparatus in this application is supplied with electric energy by using the foregoing battery. Therefore, the first thermal insulation member can be used to effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the first battery cell and the second battery cell, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the first battery cell triggers chain reaction of the second battery cell, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

A third aspect of the embodiments of this application, which is not part of the invention, provides preparation method of battery, including the following steps:.

In the preparation method of battery provided in this embodiment, the first battery cell with a higher energy density and the second battery cell with a lower energy density are configured; and the first thermal insulation member is configured between the adjacent first battery cell and second battery cell. In this way, even though the first battery cell has a lower thermal stability and more violent thermal failure reaction than the second battery cell, after thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell, the configured first thermal insulation member can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the first battery cell and the second battery cell, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the first battery cell triggers chain reaction of the second battery cell, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

A fourth aspect of the embodiments of this application, which is not part of the invention, provides a preparation apparatus of battery, including:.

In the preparation apparatus of battery in this embodiment, the first battery cell configuration module is used to configure the first battery cell; the second battery cell configuration module is used to configure the second battery cell, where the configured second battery cell is disposed adjacent to the first battery cell, and an energy density of the second battery cell is less than that of the first battery cell; and the first thermal insulation member configuration module is used to configure the first thermal insulation member, where the configured first thermal insulation member is disposed between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. In this way, even though the first battery cell has a lower thermal stability and more violent thermal failure reaction than the second battery cell, after thermal runaway occurs in the first battery cell, the first thermal insulation member can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the first battery cell and the second battery cell, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the first battery cell triggers chain reaction of the second battery cell, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

A battery is an apparatus of converting chemical energy into electric energy, and is widely applied to fields of new energy vehicles, energy storage power stations, and the like.

An existing type of battery includes a housing and a plurality of battery cells disposed in the housing, where the plurality of battery cells are connected in series and/or in parallel. The plurality of battery cells include a first battery cell and a second battery cell, where an energy density of the first battery cell is greater than an energy density of the second battery cell.

However, the inventors of this application have found through research that, thermal stability of the first battery cell is lower than thermal stability of the second battery cell, and when thermal failure occurs, failure reaction of the first battery cell is more violent than failure reaction of the second battery cell, that is, high temperature gas generated by the first battery cell is far more than high temperature gas generated by the second battery cell, which easily triggers chain reaction, leading to thermal diffusion, increased occurrence rate of dangers such as fire and explosion, and a use safety issue of the battery.

To resolve the problems of the first battery cell triggering chain reaction, and the resulting thermal diffusion, increased occurrence rate of dangers such as fire and explosion, and use safety issue of the battery, this application provides a battery, an apparatus, a preparation method of battery, and a preparation apparatus of battery. A first thermal insulation member is disposed between the adjacent first battery cell and second battery cell, so as to effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the first battery cell and the second battery cell. Therefore, when thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell, the first thermal insulation member can stop heat of the first battery cell from being transferred to the second battery cell, so as to effectively reduce the probability of chain reaction caused by the second battery cell absorbing heat generated by thermal failure of the first battery cell, thereby improving overall use safety of the battery.

The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of this application, so that the foregoing objectives, features and advantages of the embodiments of this application can be clearer. Apparently, the described embodiments are merely some but not all of the embodiments of this application.

Embodiments of this application provide an apparatus and a battery. The apparatus provided in this application includes the battery, where the battery is configured to supply electric energy. The apparatus provided in this application is, for example, a mobile phone, a portable device, a laptop, an electric scooter, an electric vehicle, a steamship, a spacecraft, an electric toy, or an electric tool. The spacecraft is, for example, an airplane, a rocket, a space shuttle, or a spaceship. The electric toy includes, for example, a fixed or mobile electric toy, such as a game console, an electric vehicle toy, an electric ship toy, and an electric airplane toy. The electric tool includes, for example, an electric metal cutting tool, an electric grinding tool, an electric assembly tool, and an electric railway-specific tool, such as an electric drill, an electric grinder, an electric wrench, an electric screwdriver, an electric hammer, an electric impact drill, a concrete vibrator, and an electric planer.

The battery described in this application is not limited to be applied to the electric apparatuses described above. However, for ease of description, the following embodiments are all described by using an electric vehicle as an example.

<FIG> is a simple schematic diagram of a vehicle <NUM> according to an embodiment. The vehicle <NUM> may be an oil-fueled vehicle, a gas-powered vehicle, or a new energy vehicle. The new energy vehicle may be a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid electric vehicle, an extended-range electric vehicle, or the like. A battery <NUM> may be disposed in the vehicle <NUM>. In a specific example, the battery <NUM> may be disposed at a bottom, vehicle head, or vehicle tail of the vehicle <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be configured to supply power to the vehicle <NUM>. For example, the battery may be used as an operational power supply for the vehicle <NUM>. The vehicle <NUM> may further include a controller <NUM> and a motor <NUM>. The controller <NUM> is, for example, configured to control the battery <NUM> to supply power to the motor <NUM>. The battery <NUM> may be configured to start and navigate the vehicle <NUM>. Certainly, the battery <NUM> may also be configured to drive the vehicle <NUM>, and replace or partly replace fuel oil or natural gas to supply driving power to the vehicle <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> mentioned in this embodiment may be a battery module shown in <FIG>, a battery pack shown in <FIG>, or the like. Basic structural units of the battery module and the battery pack are battery cells. A plurality of battery cells are connected in series and/or in parallel by using electrode terminals, for use in various electric apparatuses. The battery module protects the battery cells against external impact, heat, vibration, and the like. A specific quantity of battery cells are electrically connected together and placed into a frame to form the battery module. The battery pack is a final state of a battery system assembled in an electric vehicle. Most existing battery packs are formed by assembling various control and protection systems such as a battery management system and a thermal management part on one or more battery modules. With the development of technologies, the battery module may be omitted, that is, the battery pack is directly formed using battery cells. With this improvement, a weight energy density and a volumetric energy density of the battery system are improved, and the number of parts is remarkably reduced.

As shown in <FIG>, the battery <NUM> in this application includes: a first battery cell <NUM>, a second battery cell <NUM>, and a first thermal insulation member <NUM>, where the second battery cell <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the first battery cell <NUM>, an energy density of the first battery cell <NUM> is greater than an energy density of the second battery cell <NUM>, and the first thermal insulation member <NUM> is disposed between the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>.

The first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> in this application may be lithium-ion secondary batteries, lithium-ion primary batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, sodium-lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries, magnesium-ion batteries, or the like. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application. The first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> may be in a cylindrical shape, a flat body shape, a cuboid shape, or other shapes. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In terms of packaging modes, the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> are generally classified into three types: cylindrical battery cells, square battery cells, and soft package battery cells. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

As shown in <FIG>, the first battery cell <NUM> generally includes an electrode assembly (not shown) and an electrolyte (not shown), where the electrode assembly includes a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, and a separator disposed between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and the first battery cell <NUM> operates mainly depending on movements of metal ions between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate. The positive electrode plate includes a positive electrode current collector and a positive electrode active substance layer. The positive electrode active substance layer is applied on a surface of the positive electrode current collector. A current collector uncoated with the positive electrode active substance layer bulges out of a current collector coated with the positive electrode active substance layer, and the current collector uncoated with the positive electrode active substance layer is used as a positive tab. With the lithium-ion battery as an example, a material of the positive electrode current collector may be aluminum, and a positive electrode active substance may be lithium cobalt oxide, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium, lithium manganate oxide, or the like. The negative electrode plate includes a negative electrode current collector and a negative electrode active substance layer. The negative electrode active substance layer is applied on a surface of the negative electrode current collector. A current collector uncoated with the negative electrode active substance layer bulges out of a current collector coated with the negative electrode active substance layer, and the current collector uncoated with the negative electrode active substance layer is used as a negative tab. A material of the negative electrode current collector may be copper, and a negative electrode active substance may be carbon, silicon, or the like. To allow a large current to pass through without any fusing, a plurality of positive tabs are provided and stacked together, and a plurality of negative tabs are provided and stacked together. A material of the separator may be polypropylene (PP for short), polyethylene (PE for short), or the like. In addition, the electrode assembly may be of a winding structure or a laminated structure. There may be one or more electrode assemblies. This is not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application. The first battery cell <NUM> further includes a housing <NUM>, where the electrode assembly and the electrolyte are both packaged in the housing <NUM>, the housing <NUM> may be a hollow cuboid, cube, or cylinder, a material of the housing <NUM> may be aluminum or steel and its alloy, or may be plastic material or aluminum-plastic film. A positive electrode terminal <NUM> and a negative electrode terminal <NUM> are further disposed on the housing <NUM>, the positive tab is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal <NUM>, and the negative tab is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal <NUM>, so as to output electric energy.

It may be understood that the second battery cells <NUM> and the first battery cells <NUM> are the same in structure. This is not described herein again.

The battery <NUM> provided in this embodiment of this application includes the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, where an energy density of the second battery cell <NUM> is less than that of the first battery cell <NUM>, thermal stability of the first battery cell <NUM> is lower than that of the second battery cell <NUM>, and thermal failure reaction of the first battery cell <NUM> is more violent than that of the second battery cell <NUM>. After thermal runaway occurs in the first battery cell <NUM>, the first battery cell <NUM> generates high temperature gas, and temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> rises sharply. However, a first thermal insulation member <NUM> is disposed between the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, and the first thermal insulation member <NUM> can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, so as to effectively reduce a probability that the first battery cell <NUM> triggers chain reaction of the second battery cell <NUM>, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

It should be noted that, because thermal stability of the first battery cell <NUM> is lower than thermal stability of the second battery cell <NUM>, thermal failure usually occurs in the first battery cell <NUM> first. In this case, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> can stop heat generated by thermal failure of the first battery cell <NUM> from being transferred to the second battery cell <NUM>, so as to reduce the probability that the first battery cell <NUM> triggers chain reaction of the second battery cell <NUM>. However, this does not mean that thermal failure definitely occurs in the first battery cell <NUM> earlier than in the second battery cell <NUM>. When external force only acts on the second battery cell <NUM>, thermal failure may occur in the second battery cell <NUM> first. In this case, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> can also stop heat generated by thermal failure of the second battery cell <NUM> from being transferred to the first battery cell <NUM>, so as to reduce the probability that the second battery cell <NUM> triggers chain reaction of the first battery cell <NUM>. Herein, it is more likely that thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell <NUM> first, so for ease of brief description, description is provided by assuming that thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell <NUM> first.

In the battery of this application, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> includes a hollow part <NUM>, where in a thickness direction of the first thermal insulation member <NUM>, the hollow part <NUM> runs through the first thermal insulation member <NUM>, and the hollow part <NUM> is constructed to provide a space allowing the first battery cell <NUM> and/or the second battery cell <NUM> to swell. Therefore, when the first battery cell <NUM> or the second battery cell <NUM> swells, excess volume of the swelling first battery cell <NUM> or second battery cell <NUM> can be filled into the hollow part <NUM>, so as to effectively buffer swelling force of the battery <NUM>. In some implementations, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> is constructed as a square frame structure, facilitating preparation of the hollow part <NUM> of the first thermal insulation member <NUM>. In some other implementations, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> further includes a filling member (not shown in the figure), configured to fill the hollow part <NUM>, where the filling member is elastic. The filling member is selected from at least one of foam, rubber, thermal insulation wool, or aerogel thermal insulation pad. Therefore, a material of the filling member may be selected based on specific factors such as type and costs of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>.

In the battery <NUM> in this embodiment, the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> are alternately arranged in an arrangement mode of n first battery cells <NUM> and m second battery cells <NUM>, where n ≥ <NUM>, m ≥ <NUM>, and n and m are an integer each.

Values of n and m may be the same, or may be different. For example, in some implementations, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, values of n and m are both <NUM>, that is, n = <NUM> and m = <NUM>. In this case, the first battery cells <NUM> and the second battery cells <NUM> are arranged alternately to form a row or a column, that is, one second battery cell <NUM> is disposed between the two adjacent first battery cells <NUM>, and one first battery cell <NUM> is disposed between the two adjacent second battery cells <NUM>. For another example, in some implementations, as shown in <FIG>, values of n and m are both <NUM>, that is, n = <NUM> and m = <NUM>. In this case, six first battery cells <NUM> and six second battery cells <NUM> form an arrangement unit, three arrangement units are provided, the three arrangement units are arranged in a Y-axis direction shown in <FIG>, the six first battery cells <NUM> and the six second battery cells <NUM> in each arrangement unit are arranged in an X direction shown in <FIG>, and in the two adjacent arrangement units, first battery units <NUM> and the second battery cells <NUM> are arranged in a staggered manner. For another example, in some other implementations, as shown in <FIG>, a value of n is <NUM>, and a value of m is <NUM>, that is, n = <NUM> and m = <NUM>. In this case, the first battery cells <NUM> and the second battery cells <NUM> are arranged in a row or a column, with every two pairs of first battery cells <NUM> spaced by one pair of second battery cells <NUM>, that is, arrangement units, each including two first battery cells <NUM> and two second battery cells <NUM>, are arranged in a row or a column. It may be understood that values of n and m may alternatively be other values. This is not enumerated herein.

In some implementations, in the battery <NUM> of this application, when at least two first battery cells <NUM> are provided, that is, n ≥ <NUM>, a second thermal insulation member <NUM> is further disposed between the two adjacent first battery cells <NUM>. The second thermal insulation member <NUM> can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between one first battery cell <NUM> and its adjacent first battery cell <NUM>, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the first battery cell <NUM> triggers chain reaction of the adjacent first battery cell <NUM>, thereby improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

In some other implementations, in the battery <NUM> of this application, when at least two second battery cells <NUM> are provided, that is, m ≥ <NUM>, a third thermal insulation member <NUM> is further disposed between the two adjacent second battery cells <NUM>. The third thermal insulation member <NUM> can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between one second battery cell <NUM> and its adjacent second battery cell <NUM>, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the second battery cell <NUM> triggers chain reaction of the adjacent second battery cell <NUM>, thereby improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

It should be noted that, in some implementations, only the first thermal insulation member <NUM> may be disposed between the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>. In some implementations, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> may be disposed between the adjacent first battery cell <NUM> and second battery cell <NUM>, and the second thermal insulation member <NUM> is disposed between the two adjacent first battery cells <NUM>. In some implementations, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> may be disposed between the adjacent first battery cell <NUM> and second battery cell <NUM>, and the third thermal insulation member <NUM> is disposed between the two adjacent second battery cells <NUM>. In some implementations, the second thermal insulation member <NUM> is disposed between the two adjacent first battery cells <NUM>, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> is disposed between the adjacent first battery cell <NUM> and second battery cell <NUM>, and the third thermal insulation member <NUM> is disposed between the adjacent second battery cells <NUM>.

It should be noted that a structure of the second thermal insulation member <NUM> and a structure of the third thermal insulation member <NUM> may be the same as that of the first thermal insulation member <NUM>, or may be different from that of the first thermal insulation member <NUM>. For example, in some implementations, as shown in <FIG>, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> and the second thermal insulation member <NUM> are constructed as a square frame structure. Optionally, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> and the second thermal insulation member <NUM> further include a filling member, configured to fill the hollow part, where the filling member is elastic, and the filling member is selected from at least one of foam, rubber, thermal insulation wool, or aerogel thermal insulation pad.

As shown in <FIG>, in the battery <NUM> of this application, the first battery cell <NUM> further includes a first pressure relief mechanism <NUM>, where the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is configured to be actuated when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, to release the internal pressure of the first battery cell <NUM>; the second battery cell <NUM> further includes a second pressure relief mechanism <NUM>, where the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is configured to be actuated when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, to release the internal pressure of the second battery cell <NUM>; and an area of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is greater than an area of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM>.

The first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is a component or part that can be actuated when internal pressure or internal temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a preset threshold, to release the internal pressure and/or internal substances. The first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> may specifically be in a form of an explosion-proof valve, a gas valve, a pressure relief valve, a safety valve, or the like, or may specifically be a pressure-sensitive or temperature-sensitive component or structure. To be specific, when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a preset threshold, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> performs actions or a weak structure in the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is broken, so as to form an opening or channel for releasing the internal pressure.

It may be understood that the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is a component or part that can be actuated when internal pressure or internal temperature of the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a preset threshold, to release the internal pressure and/or internal substances. The second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> may specifically be in a form of an explosion-proof valve, a gas valve, a pressure relief valve, a safety valve, or the like, or may specifically be a pressure-sensitive or temperature-sensitive component or structure. To be specific, when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a preset threshold, the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> performs actions or a weak structure in the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is broken, so as to form an opening or channel for releasing the internal pressure.

The threshold in this application may be a pressure threshold or a temperature threshold. Design of the threshold varies depending on different design demands. For example, the threshold may be designed or determined based on an internal pressure or internal temperature value of the first battery cell <NUM> that is considered as having a danger or runaway risk. In addition, the threshold may, for example, depend on the material of one or more of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, an electrolyte, and a separator in the first battery cell <NUM>. For another example, the threshold may be designed or determined based on an internal pressure or internal temperature value of the second battery cell <NUM> that is considered as having a danger or runaway risk. In addition, the threshold may, for example, depend on the material of one or more of a positive electrode plate, a negative electrode plate, an electrolyte, and a separator in the second battery cell <NUM>.

The term "actuate" mentioned in this application means that the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> performs actions or is activated to a specific state, so that internal pressure of the first battery cell <NUM> can be released, and that the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> performs actions or is activated to a specific state, so that internal pressure of the second battery cell <NUM> can be released. The actions generated by the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> may include but are not limited to: rupturing, breaking, tearing, or opening at least part of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM>. When the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated, high-temperature and high-pressure substances in the first battery cell <NUM> are discharged as emissions out of the actuated part. In this way, the first battery cell <NUM> can release pressure in the case of controllable pressure or temperature, thereby avoiding potential and more serious accidents. The emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> mentioned in this application include but are not limited to: electrolyte, fragments of positive and negative electrode plates and separator because of dissolution or breaking, high-temperature and high-pressure gas and flames generated by reactions, and the like. The high-temperature and high-pressure emissions are discharged towards a direction in which the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the first battery cell <NUM>, and more specifically, may be discharged towards a direction of an actuated region of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM>. Power and destructive impact of the emissions may be quite large, and even may be large enough to break through one or more parts in this direction. Likewise, the actions generated by the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> may include but are not limited to: rupturing, breaking, tearing, or opening at least part of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM>. When the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated, high-temperature and high-pressure substances in the second battery cell <NUM> are discharged as emissions out of the actuated part. In this way, the second battery cell <NUM> can release pressure in the case of controllable pressure or temperature, thereby avoiding potential and more serious accidents. The emissions from the second battery cell <NUM> mentioned in this application include but are not limited to: electrolyte, fragments of positive and negative electrode plates and separator because of dissolution or breaking, high-temperature and high-pressure gas and flames generated by reactions, and the like. The high-temperature and high-pressure emissions are discharged towards a direction in which the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the second battery cell <NUM>, and more specifically, may be discharged towards a direction of an actuated region of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM>. Power and destructive impact of the emissions may be quite large, and even may be large enough to break through one or more parts in this direction.

In the first battery cell <NUM>, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> may be disposed in any position of the housing <NUM>. For example, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> may be disposed on the top, the bottom, or a side of the housing <NUM>, or the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> may be disposed between the positive electrode terminal <NUM> and the negative electrode terminal <NUM>. This is not specifically limited in this application, as long as the internal pressure of the first battery cell <NUM> can be released. Likewise, the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> disposed on the second battery cell <NUM> may be similar to the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> disposed on the first battery cell <NUM>.

In some implementations, the ratio of the energy density E<NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> to the energy density E<NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> satisfies: <NUM> ≤ E<NUM>/E<NUM> ≤ <NUM>. The energy density refers to energy released per unit mass or unit volume by the battery, namely a weight energy density or a volumetric energy density. In some implementations, the first battery cell <NUM> is, for example, a ternary lithium battery, such as a lithium nickel cobalt manganate battery or a lithium nickel cobalt aluminate battery. The second battery cell <NUM> is, for example, a lithium iron phosphate battery or a lithium cobalt oxide battery. It should be noted that an energy density of the first battery cell <NUM> is greater than an energy density of the second battery cell <NUM>, and thermal failure reaction of the first battery cell <NUM> is usually more violent than failure reaction of the second battery cell <NUM>. The first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> are arranged simultaneously, helping reduce chain reaction of thermal failure and relieve thermal diffusion, and further improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

In some implementations, a ratio of an area A<NUM> of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> to an area A<NUM> of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> satisfies: <NUM> ≤ A<NUM>/A<NUM> ≤ <NUM>, so that the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> both can effectively release energy in a timely manner, thereby improving use safety of the battery.

In the battery <NUM> provided in this embodiment of this application, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the first battery cell <NUM>, so that when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, the first battery cell <NUM> can release the internal pressure; and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is disposed on the second battery cell <NUM>, so that when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, the second battery cell <NUM> can also release the internal pressure. An energy density of the first battery cell <NUM> is greater than an energy density of the second battery cell <NUM>, and thermal failure reaction of the first battery cell <NUM> is more violent than thermal failure reaction of the second battery cell <NUM>. The area of the first pressure relief mechanisms <NUM> is limited to be greater than the area of the second pressure relief mechanisms <NUM>, so that the first battery cell <NUM> with more violent failure reaction can effectively release pressure in a timely manner by using the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> with a larger area, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the first battery cell <NUM> causes chain reaction due to failure to release the internal pressure in a timely manner, thereby improving overall use safety of the battery <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the battery <NUM> in the embodiments of this application further includes a discharge channel <NUM>, where the discharge channel <NUM> is disposed facing the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> and/or the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM>, and the discharge channel <NUM> is configured to collect emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated, and/or collect emissions from the second battery cell <NUM> when the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated. The discharge channel is disposed, allowing timely release of the internal pressure of the first battery cell <NUM> and/or the second battery cell <NUM> when the internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> and/or the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, making the battery <NUM> safer to use.

In some implementations, the discharge channel <NUM> is disposed facing the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM>, and the discharge channel <NUM> is configured to collect emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated. In some implementations, the discharge channel <NUM> is disposed facing the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM>, and the discharge channel <NUM> is configured to collect emissions from the second battery cell <NUM> when the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated. In some other implementations, as shown in <FIG>, the discharge channel <NUM> is disposed facing both the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM>, and the discharge channel <NUM> is configured to collect emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> are actuated. Correspondingly, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> is arranged right in the middle, as shown in <FIG>. Likewise, the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> is also arranged right in the middle.

In an implementation shown in <FIG>, at least two discharge channels <NUM> are provided, the discharge channels <NUM> are spaced apart from each other, and the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> are disposed facing the different discharge channels <NUM> respectively. For example, the first battery cells <NUM> and the second battery cells <NUM> are arranged in a column, and the first battery cells <NUM> and the second battery cells <NUM> may have substantially the same length and width, and may have the same thickness or different thicknesses. In addition, a distance from the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the first battery cell <NUM> to a side edge of the first battery cell <NUM> is one fourth of the width of the first battery cell <NUM>, and a distance from the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the second battery cell <NUM> to a side edge of the second battery cell <NUM> is one fourth of the width of the second battery cell <NUM>. The first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> are not colinear, that is, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the first battery cell <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the second battery cell <NUM> are staggered in an arrangement direction of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>. In this way, when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, emissions in the first battery cell <NUM> are discharged via one of the discharge channels <NUM>, and when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, emissions in the second battery cell <NUM> are discharged via one of the discharge channels <NUM>, so that the emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cells <NUM> can all be effectively discharged out of the battery <NUM> in a timely manner, thereby improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

Certainly, in an alternative implementation of the foregoing implementation, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a distance from the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the first battery cell <NUM> to a side edge of the first battery cell <NUM> is one half of the width of the first battery cell <NUM>, and a distance from the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the second battery cell <NUM> to a side edge of the secondary battery cell <NUM> is one fourth of the width of the second battery cell <NUM>. In this case, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the first battery cell <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the second battery cell <NUM> are not colinear, that is, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the first battery cell <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> on the second battery cell <NUM> are staggered in an arrangement direction of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>.

In some implementations, at least two first battery cells <NUM> are provided, and the first pressure relief mechanisms <NUM> of the two adjacent first battery cells <NUM> are disposed facing the different discharge channels <NUM> respectively. Therefore, the different first battery cells <NUM> can discharge emissions via the different discharge channels <NUM> respectively, so that the emissions from the first battery cells <NUM> can be effectively discharged out of the battery <NUM> in a timely manner. In addition, thermal failure of one first battery cell <NUM> caused by thermal failure of the adjacent first battery cell <NUM> can be effectively reduced, thereby relieving chain reaction and improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

In some implementations, at least two second battery cells <NUM> are provided, and the second pressure relief mechanisms <NUM> of the two adjacent second battery cells <NUM> are disposed facing the different discharge channels <NUM> respectively. Therefore, the different second battery cells <NUM> can discharge emissions via the different discharge channels <NUM> respectively, so that the emissions from the second battery cells <NUM> can be effectively discharged out of the battery <NUM> in a timely manner. In addition, thermal failure of the adjacent second battery cell <NUM> caused by thermal failure of one second battery cell <NUM> can be effectively reduced, so as to relieve chain reaction, thereby improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

In some implementations, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the battery <NUM> further includes a box body <NUM>. The box body <NUM> has a plurality of walls, the plurality of walls are configured to enclose an accommodating cavity for accommodating the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, a hollow chamber is provided in at least one of the plurality of walls, and the hollow chamber is configured to form the discharge channel <NUM>. The box body <NUM> may be sealed or unsealed. In a specific example, the box body <NUM> includes a top wall (not shown) located on the top, a bottom wall <NUM> located on the lower side, and an annular side wall <NUM> located on a periphery of the bottom wall <NUM>, where the top wall and the bottom wall <NUM> cover openings of two ends of the side wall <NUM> respectively, so as to enclose the accommodating cavity together with the side wall <NUM>. Certainly, the side wall <NUM> may be formed by connecting four secondary side walls end to end, or may be an integrated part. The box body <NUM> is configured to protect the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> that are placed in the accommodating cavity. The hollow chamber for forming the discharge channel <NUM> is provided in at least one of the plurality of walls of the box body <NUM>. This allows the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> to be disposed facing the corresponding hollow cavity, so that when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> can be discharged into the hollow cavity, and when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, emissions from the second battery cell <NUM> can be discharged into the hollow cavity, so as to effectively reduce a risk of fire and explosion, thereby improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

Further, the bottom wall <NUM> is configured to support the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, and the hollow chamber is provided in the bottom wall <NUM>. Correspondingly, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> are disposed at the bottom of their respective housings <NUM>. Therefore, emissions in the first battery cell <NUM> are discharged downwards and enter the hollow chamber at the bottom via the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM>, and emissions in the second battery cell <NUM> are discharged downwards and enter the hollow chamber at the bottom via the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM>. With this arrangement mode of the battery <NUM>, after the battery <NUM> is placed in a battery compartment of a vehicle <NUM>, the battery <NUM> can discharge emissions to the bottom of the vehicle <NUM> rather than discharging emissions to a passenger compartment that is located above the battery compartment, thereby further improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

In some implementations, to allow the emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> to be effectively discharged into the discharge channel <NUM> in a timely manner, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> are configured to be capable of communicating with the corresponding discharge channel <NUM>. A communication mode of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> and the hollow chamber for forming the discharge channel <NUM> on the box body <NUM> and a communication mode of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> and the hollow chamber for forming the discharge channel <NUM> on the box body <NUM> are described in the following two implementations. It should be noted that the following two implementations are merely examples of two feasible implementations, but not to limit the communication mode of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> and the hollow chamber and the communication mode of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> and the hollow cavity.

In an implementation, at least one wall of the box body <NUM> of the battery <NUM> is constructed to be broken when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated, to allow the emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> to pass through the at least one wall and enter the corresponding discharge channel <NUM>. In other words, the hollow chamber is provided in the at least one wall of the box body <NUM> that may be the top wall, the bottom wall <NUM>, or the side wall <NUM>. A part of the box body <NUM> facing the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> has a complete wall surface when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is not actuated, that is, a part of the box body <NUM> facing the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> does not have a hole structure communicating with the hollow chamber when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is not actuated. However, when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> is actuated, and the emissions in the first battery cells <NUM> are discharged, the discharged emissions of the first battery cell <NUM> may act on the at least one wall of the box body <NUM> and cause the part of the box body <NUM> facing the pressure relief mechanism of the first battery cell <NUM> to be broken (damaged or ruptured), so that the interior of the hollow chamber of the box body <NUM> communicates with the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM>. In this way, the emissions in the first battery cell <NUM> can be effectively discharged into the discharge channel <NUM> in a timely manner. Likewise, the at least one wall of the box body <NUM> of the battery <NUM> is constructed to be broken when the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated, allowing the emissions from the second battery cell <NUM> to pass through the at least one wall and enter the corresponding discharge channel <NUM>. The communication mode of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> and the hollow chamber is the same as the communication mode of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> and the hollow cavity.

In another implementation, a first through-hole <NUM> is provided in at least one wall of the box body <NUM> of the battery <NUM> that may be the top wall, the bottom wall <NUM>, or the side wall <NUM>. The first through-hole <NUM> is constructed to communicate with the discharge channel <NUM>, to allow the emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> to enter the discharge channel <NUM> via the first through-hole <NUM> when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated. When internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, the pressure relief mechanism of the first battery cell <NUM> is actuated, and the emissions in the first battery cell <NUM> are discharged, the discharged emissions of the first battery cell <NUM> enter the hollow chamber of the box body <NUM> via the first through-hole <NUM>. In this way, the emissions in the first battery cell <NUM> can be effectively discharged into the discharge channel <NUM> in a timely manner. Likewise, a first through-hole <NUM> is provided in at least one wall of the box body <NUM> of the battery <NUM> that may be the top wall, the bottom wall <NUM>, or the side wall <NUM>. The first through-hole <NUM> is constructed to communicate with the discharge channel <NUM>, to allow the emissions from the second battery cell <NUM> to enter the discharge channel <NUM> via the first through-hole <NUM> when the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated. The communication mode of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> and the hollow chamber is the same as the communication mode of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> and the hollow cavity.

The battery <NUM> further includes a thermal management part <NUM>, configured to accommodate fluid to adjust temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>. The thermal management part <NUM> is disposed between the first battery cell <NUM> and second battery cell <NUM> and the at least one wall. With arrangement of the thermal management part <NUM>, temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> can be adjusted, so that the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> can be more efficiently and safely charged and discharged. The fluid herein may be liquid or gas. To adjust temperature means to heat or cool the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>. In a case of cooling or lowering temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, the thermal management part <NUM> is configured to accommodate cooling fluid to lower temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>. In this case, the thermal management part <NUM> may also be referred to as a cooling part, a cooling system, a cooling plate, or the like, and the fluid accommodated therein may also be referred to as a cooling medium or cooling fluid, and more specifically, cooling liquid or cooling gas. In addition, the thermal management part <NUM> may also be configured to accommodate heating fluid to raise temperature of the battery cell <NUM>. This is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Optionally, the fluid may circulate, to implement a better temperature adjustment effect. Optionally, the fluid may be water, mixed liquid of water and glycol, air, or the like.

The thermal management part <NUM> is constructed to be broken (damaged or ruptured) when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> and/or the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated, to allow the fluid to flow out. To be specific, with the thermal management part <NUM>, when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold and a high-temperature and high-pressure gas needs to be released, emissions released by the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> act on the thermal management part <NUM> to damage the thermal management part <NUM>, so that the emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> can enter the discharge channel <NUM> (that is, the hollow chamber of the box body <NUM>) via the damaged thermal management part <NUM>. In addition, because the thermal management part <NUM> is damaged, the outflowing fluid such as cooling liquid absorbs a large amount of heat and is evaporated, so as to rapidly lower internal temperature of the battery <NUM>, thereby helping relieve chain reaction of thermal failure, and improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the thermal management part <NUM> is, for example, a water-cooled plate, a fluid channel is provided in the water-cooled plate, one end of the fluid channel forms a water inlet, and the other end of the water flow channel forms a water outlet. When the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> operate properly, water temperature in the water-cooled plate is adjusted to adjust ambient temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, so that the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> are charged and discharged within an appropriate temperature range, thereby improving charging efficiency and discharging efficiency of the battery <NUM>. When thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell <NUM>, or thermal failure occurs in the second battery cell <NUM>, or thermal failure occurs in both the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, internal pressure released by the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> damages the water-cooled plate, so that water in the water-cooled plate is evaporated to absorb heat of high-temperature gas released by the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, further reducing the probability of fire and explosion of the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, and improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

Optionally, a second through-hole <NUM> is provided in the thermal management part <NUM>, and the second through-hole <NUM> can be constructed to communicate with the discharge channel <NUM>, to allow the emissions from the first battery cell <NUM> and/or the second battery cell <NUM> to enter the corresponding discharge channel <NUM> via the second through-hole <NUM> when the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> and/or the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> is actuated. Optionally, an area of the second through-hole <NUM> may be set to be greater than or equal to an area of the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> disposed on the first battery cell <NUM>, and/or greater than or equal to an area of the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> disposed on the second battery cell <NUM>. Therefore, when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, the first pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the first battery cell <NUM> is actuated, and the emissions in the first battery cell <NUM> are discharged, the discharged emissions of the first battery cell <NUM> can rapidly and smoothly enter the exhaust channel <NUM> (that is, the hollow chamber of the box body <NUM>) via the second through-hole <NUM>, so that the emissions in the first battery cell <NUM> can be effectively discharged into the discharge channel <NUM> in a timely manner. Likewise, when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell <NUM> reaches a threshold, the second pressure relief mechanism <NUM> of the second battery cell <NUM> is actuated, and the emissions in the second battery cell <NUM> are discharged, the discharged emissions of the second battery cell <NUM> can rapidly and smoothly enter the exhaust channel <NUM> (that is, the hollow chamber of the box body <NUM>) via the second through-hole <NUM>, so that the emissions in the second battery cell <NUM> can be effectively discharged into the discharge channel <NUM> in a timely manner.

Further, a first through-hole <NUM> is provided in at least one wall of the box body <NUM>, and the first through-hole <NUM> is constructed to communicate with the discharge channel <NUM>. In this case, the second through-hole <NUM> communicates with the discharge channel <NUM> via the first through-hole <NUM>. The emissions discharged by the first battery cell <NUM> and/or the second battery cell <NUM> enter the exhaust channel <NUM> (that is, the hollow chamber of the box body <NUM>) via the second through-hole <NUM> and the first through-hole <NUM> in sequence. In this way, the emissions in the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM> can be effectively discharged into the discharge channel <NUM> in a timely manner.

It should be noted that, in the foregoing implementation, the second through-holes <NUM> need to be corresponding to the first through-holes <NUM> respectively. For example, two discharge channels <NUM> are provided in a bottom wall <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a plurality of first through-holes <NUM> communicating with two discharge channels <NUM> are provided in a bottom wall <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and correspondingly, a plurality of second through-holes <NUM> that are corresponding to the first through-holes <NUM> respectively are provided in a thermal management part <NUM> shown in <FIG>. For example, a discharge channel <NUM> is provided in a bottom wall <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a plurality of first through-holes <NUM> communicating with one discharge channel <NUM> are provided in a bottom wall <NUM> shown in <FIG>, and correspondingly, a plurality of second through-holes <NUM> that are corresponding to the first through-holes <NUM> respectively are provided in a thermal management part <NUM> shown in <FIG>.

The foregoing has described the battery <NUM> in the embodiments of this application with reference to <FIG>. The following will describe a preparation method and device of battery in the embodiments of this application that are not part of the invention. For a part that is not described in detail, reference may be made to the foregoing embodiments.

An embodiment of this application, which is not part of the invention, provides a preparation method of battery, including the following steps:.

In the preparation method of battery provided in this embodiment, the first battery cell <NUM> with a higher energy density and the second battery cell <NUM> with a lower energy density are configured; and the first thermal insulation member <NUM> is configured between the adjacent first battery cell <NUM> and second battery cell <NUM>. In this way, even though the first battery cell <NUM> has a lower thermal stability and more violent thermal failure reaction than the second battery cell <NUM>, after thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell <NUM>, the configured first thermal insulation member <NUM> can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the first battery cell <NUM> triggers chain reaction of the second battery cell <NUM>, thereby improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

In the preparation apparatus of battery in this embodiment, the first battery cell configuration module is used to configure the first battery cell <NUM>; the second battery cell configuration module is used to configure the second battery cell <NUM>, where the configured second battery cell <NUM> is disposed adjacent to the first battery cell <NUM>, and an energy density of the second battery cell <NUM> is less than that of the first battery cell <NUM>; and the first thermal insulation member configuration module is used to configure the first thermal insulation member <NUM>, where the configured first thermal insulation member <NUM> is disposed between the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>. In this way, even though the first battery cell <NUM> has a lower thermal stability and more violent thermal failure reaction than the second battery cell <NUM>, after thermal failure occurs in the first battery cell <NUM>, the first thermal insulation member <NUM> can effectively delay or stop thermal transfer between the first battery cell <NUM> and the second battery cell <NUM>, so as to effectively reduce the probability that the first battery cell <NUM> triggers chain reaction of the second battery cell <NUM>, thereby improving use safety of the battery <NUM>.

The preparation apparatus of battery in this embodiment which is not part of the invention, may be applied to the preparation method of battery in the foregoing embodiment. That is, the preparation method of battery in the foregoing embodiment may be specifically implemented by using the preparation apparatus of battery in this embodiment.

Claim 1:
A battery (<NUM>), characterized by comprising:
a first battery cell (<NUM>);
a second battery cell (<NUM>), disposed adjacent to the first battery cell (<NUM>), wherein an energy density of the second battery cell (<NUM>) is less than that of the first battery cell (<NUM>);
a first thermal insulation member (<NUM>), disposed between the first battery cell (<NUM>) and the second battery cell (<NUM>);
a first pressure relief mechanism (<NUM>) disposed on the first battery cell (<NUM>), and the first pressure relief mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to be actuated when internal pressure or temperature of the first battery cell (<NUM>) reaches a threshold, to release the internal pressure; and
a second pressure relief mechanism (<NUM>) is disposed on the second battery cell (<NUM>), and the second pressure relief mechanism (<NUM>) is configured to be actuated when internal pressure or temperature of the second battery cell (<NUM>) reaches a threshold, to release the internal pressure;
wherein an area of the first pressure relief mechanism (<NUM>) is greater than an area of the second pressure relief mechanism (<NUM>).