Patent ID: 12191530

Reference signs of the accompanying drawings: battery3; cell assembly2; cell1; housing31; cover32; electrode10; tab11; tab root110; first tab13; second tab12; length direction L; width direction W; thickness direction T; U-shaped notch130; first end131; internal side wall1301; first fillet1303; serrated notch135; wave notch132; square wave notch133; bevel notch134; adaptor piece320; welding zone3201.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following will illustrate clearly and completely technical solutions of implementations of the disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings of implementations of the disclosure. Implementations described herein are merely some implementations, rather than all implementations, of the disclosure. Based on the implementations of the disclosure, all other implementations obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort shall fall within a protection scope of the disclosure.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present disclosure. The terms used herein in the disclosure are for the purpose of describing implementations only and are not intended to limit the disclosure.

The terms “first”, “second”, and the like used in the specification, the claims, and the accompany drawings of the disclosure are used to distinguish different objects rather than describe a particular order. The words “one”, “a”, “the”, and similar words used in the disclosure do not indicate a numerical limitation but are only used to indicate existence of at least one. The words “includes”, “contains”, and similar words are intended to mean that an element or object preceding the word covers an element, object, or the equivalent appearing after the word, without excluding other elements or objects. The words “connected”, “coupled”, or similar words are not limited to physical or mechanical connections and may include electrical connections, whether direct or indirect.

The reference terms “an implementation”, “a specific implementation”, “an embodiment”, or the like described herein mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in conjunction with the implementations or embodiments may be contained in at least one implementation or embodiment of the disclosure. The exemplary expressions of the above terms appearing in the specification does not necessarily refer to the same implementation or embodiment. Furthermore, the particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described may be properly combined in any one or more implementations or embodiments.

An energy-storage device in the disclosure may be a battery, or may also be battery modules including batteries, a battery pack, a battery cluster, or other devices with an electricity-energy storage function. For example, a battery3illustrated inFIG.1will be described as follows.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the battery3includes a cell1, a housing31, and a cover32. The cell1is formed by winding an electrode10illustrated inFIG.3and a separator stacked with the electrode10. As illustrated inFIG.3, the electrode10is connected with a tab11at an end of the electrode10in a width direction W of the electrode10, where the tab11includes a first tab13and a second tab12. The first tab13is positioned adjacent to an end of the electrode10in a length direction L of the electrode10. As illustrated inFIG.4, the first tab13defines a U-shaped notch130.

It can be understood that, the end of the electrode10in the length direction L of the electrode10is denoted as a winding end position of the electrode10during winding. The winding end position of the electrode10can be determined through the U-shaped notch130of the first tab13during winding to execute corresponding control operations, thereby realizing winding automation.

For convenience of subsequent depiction, the width direction W and the length direction L are defined. As illustrated inFIG.3, the electrode10is in a long strip shape and has a length excessively longer than a width of the electrode10. The width direction W is a width direction of the electrode10, and the length direction L is a length direction of the electrode10.

It can be understood that, the first tab13being positioned adjacent to the end of the electrode10in the length direction L of the electrode10means that a distance between the first tab13and the end of the electrode10in the length direction L of the electrode10is shorter than a preset distance. When the U-shaped notch130of the first tab13is recognized, a corresponding control instruction may be generated, and the electrode10is cut in response to the control instruction, to obtain the cell1. Thus it is unnecessary to determine manually the winding end position, thereby realizing winding automation.

In an implementation, as illustratedFIG.4, the first tab13has a first end131away from the electrode10, and the U-shaped notch130extends from the first end131toward the electrode10. The U-shaped notch130has a width extending in the length direction L of the electrode10and a depth extending in the width direction W of the electrode10, where a ratio of the width to the depth of the U-shaped notch130is greater than 1.5 and less than 2.

It is easier for the U-shaped notch130to extend in a direction of the depth of the U-shaped notch130than in a direction of the width of the U-shaped notch130, and therefore the ratio of the width to the depth of the U-shaped notch130is limited to be greater than 1.5 and less than 2 in the disclosure. Thus it is convenient to define the U-shaped notch130on the first tab13, and it is possible to avoid an excessively great depth of the U-shaped notch130that causes insufficient spaces on the first tab13to be cut.

In an implementation, in the width direction W of the electrode10, the first tab13has a width less than a width of the second tab12, a ratio of the width of the first tab13to the width of the second tab12is greater than 0.5 and less than 1, and a difference between the width of the first tab13and the width of the second tab12is greater than or equal to2mm.

According to the above arrangement, overall identification of the first tab13is further improved, and recognition readiness of a recognition apparatus for the first tab13is further improved during winding of the electrode10, thus it is possible to further improve a qualification rate of the cell1that is formed by winding the electrode10, thereby greatly improving production benefits.

In an implementation, the first tab13has a first fillet1303connected between an internal side wall1301of the U-shaped notch130and the first end131. A ratio of a radius of the first fillet1303to the width of the U-shaped notch130is greater than 0.15 and less than 0.2, and a ratio of the radius of the first fillet1303to the depth of the U-shaped notch130is greater than 0.05 and less than 0.15.

According to arrangement of the first fillet1303, the U-shaped notch130is more convenient to be processed and is not prone to burrs. The electrode10is wound to form the cell1, and a possibility of falling metal particles from the first tab13is greatly reduced, thus it is possible to prevent metal particles from falling into the cell1to cause a short circuit, and prevent burrs from piercing an encapsulation film of the battery to cause liquid leakage.

FIG.5illustrates a schematic structural diagram illustrating a first tab in a second implementation of the disclosure. In the second implementation, the U-shaped notch130of the first tab13is omitted, in the width direction W of the electrode10, the first tab13has a width less than a width of the second tab12, a ratio of the width of the first tab13to the width of the second tab12is greater than 0.5 and less than 1, and a difference between the width of the first tab13and the width of the second tab12is greater than or equal to 2 mm. As such, processing of the first tab13can be further simplified. Since the width of the first tab13is less than the width of the second tab12, the ratio of the width of the first tab13to the width of the second tab12is greater than 0.5 and less than 1, and the difference between the width of the first tab13and the width of the second tab12is greater than or equal to 2 mm, the first tab13still has certain identification accuracy, and production of the first tab13can be simplified.

It can be understood that, in other implementations, the width of the first tab13being less than the width of the second tab12, the ratio of the width of the first tab13to the width of the second tab12being greater than 0.5 and less than 1, and the difference between the width of the first tab13and the width of the second tab12being greater than or equal to 2 mm can be omitted, only the U-shaped notch130of the first tab13is retained, but the first tab13still has certain identification accuracy.

As for specifically practical implementation processes, a type of the first tab13may be chosen according to actual production needs.

FIG.6illustrates a schematic structural diagram illustrating a first tab in a third implementation of the disclosure. Unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13defines a serrated notch135in the third implementation. It can be understood that, the serrated notch135has strong identification to enable the first tab13to be clearly distinguished from the second tab12, thereby greatly improving identification accuracy.

FIG.7illustrates a schematic structural diagram illustrating a first tab in a fourth implementation of the disclosure. Unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13defines a wave notch132in the fourth implementation. It can be understood that, the wave notch132also has strong identification to enable the first tab13to be clearly distinguished from the second tab12, and the wave notch132is easy and simple to be processed, thus it is possible to improve identification accuracy and is convenient to process the first tab13through the wave notch132.

FIG.8illustrates a schematic structural diagram illustrating a first tab in a fifth implementation of the disclosure. Unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13defines a square wave notch133in the fifth implementation. It can be understood that the square wave notch133also has strong identification to enable the first tab13to be clearly distinguished from the second tab12, and the square wave notch133is easy and simple to be processed, thus it is possible to improve identification accuracy and is convenient to process the first tab13through the square wave notch133.

FIG.9illustrates a schematic structural diagram illustrating a first tab in a sixth implementation of the disclosure. Unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, in the fifth implementation, the first tab13defines a bevel notch134at an end. It can be understood that the bevel notch134also has strong identification to enable the first tab13to be clearly distinguished from the second tab12, and the bevel notch134is easy and simple to be processed, thus it is possible to improve identification accuracy and is convenient to process the first tab13through the bevel notch134.

It can be understood that, unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13may also define a semi-circular notch, or the like, in other implementations.

It can be understood that, unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13may also define one of an injection-molded serrated notch, a wave notch, a square wave notch, or a semi-circular notch or a combination thereof, in other implementations.

It can be understood that, unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13is provided with an indentation with identification information in other implementations, where the identification information may be, but is not limited to, one of a square pattern, an oval pattern, a heart-shaped pattern, a trapezoidal pattern, or a specific pattern or a combination thereof.

The first tab13is provided with the indentation with the identification information, so that no metal particle falls and no burr is generated during processing of the first tab13, thus it is possible to avoid lots of secondary hazards and greatly improve a safety factor. Furthermore, the indentation on the first tab13enables that an apparatus is able to determine automatically a winding end position, thereby realizing winding automation.

It can be understood that, unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13is provided with an adhesive member with identification information in other implementations, where the identification information may be, but is not limited to, one of a square pattern, an oval pattern, a heart-shaped pattern, a trapezoidal pattern, or a specific pattern or a combination thereof, or one of a specific number, a word, or the like or a combination thereof.

When striking adhesive members are used, identification of the first tab13can be greatly improved, and it is unnecessary to process the first tab13to make the first tab13have a cut. The first tab13has a stronger structural strength, and thus no breakage occurs in subsequent operations of tab welding. As such, the adhesive member can protect the first tab13from secondary hazards, and can also be functioned as the winding end position, thereby realizing winding automation.

It can be understood that, unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13is provided with a coating pattern or printing pattern with identification information in other implementations, where the identification information may be, but is not limited to, one of a square pattern, an oval pattern, a heart-shaped pattern, a trapezoidal pattern, or a specific pattern or a combination thereof, or one of a specific number, a word, or the like or a combination thereof.

When striking coating patterns or printing patterns are used, identification of the first tab13can be greatly improved, and it is unnecessary to process the first tab13to make the first tab13have a cut. The first tab13has a stronger structural strength, and thus no breakage occurs in subsequent operations of tab welding. As such, the coating pattern or printing pattern can protect the first tab13from secondary hazards, and can also be functioned as the winding end position, thereby realizing winding automation.

It can be understood that, unlike the U-shaped notch130in the first implementation, the first tab13defines at least one identification hole arranged at intervals in other implementations. In the implementation, the identification hole is in a circular shape. It can be understood that, in other implementations, the identification hole is in a shape of one or more of square, oval, heart, trapezoid, or a hollow pattern. In an implementation, the identification hole needs to be spaced at a preset distance from a welding zone of the tab11, thereby preventing the first tab13from being broken during welding due to the U-shaped notch defined on the first tab13. In an implementation, the preset distance is greater than 0.5 mm.

A winding end position of the cell1can be identified as the identification hole, thus it is unnecessary to determine manually the winding end position, thereby realizing winding automation.

It can be understood that, in some optional implementations, a feature on the first tab13functioning in identification includes, but is not limited to, one of: one of the U-shaped notch130, the serrated notch135, the wave notch132, the square wave notch133, or the bevel notch134or a combination thereof, the indentation with the identification information, the adhesive member with the identification information, the coating pattern or printing pattern with the identification information, the identification hole, or the width of the first tab13being less than the width of the second tab12in the width direction W of the electrode10or a combination thereof

FIG.10illustrates a schematic isometric view of a cell in an implementation of the disclosure. The electrode10and the separator are wound to form the cell1, the tab11is disposed through stacking, and the first tab13is located at one side of the tab11away from a center of the tab11in a thickness direction T of the cell1. As illustrated inFIG.10, the thickness direction T of the cell1refers to a thickness direction T of a roll core formed by winding the electrode10, and the width direction W and the length direction L mentioned above each are perpendicular to the thickness direction T.

In the disclosure, the first tab13is an outermost tab and located at one side of the tab away from the center of the tab in the thickness direction T of the cell1. When the U-shaped notch130is recognized, winding ends.

FIG.11illustrates a schematic structural diagram illustrating a cell assembly in an implementation of the disclosure. A cell assembly2includes at least two cells1that are stacked, where the at least two cells1are coupled in series or in parallel.

Coupling of the at least two cells1in series or in parallel can increase a capacitance.

As illustrated inFIG.2,FIG.12, andFIG.13, the battery3includes a cell assembly2, a housing31, and a cover32, where the cell assembly2is received in the housing31, and the cover32is provided with an adaptor piece320. As illustrated inFIG.13, the tab11is welded with the adaptor piece320at a welding zone3201, and a distance between the U-shaped notch130and the welding zone3201is greater than 0.5 mm.

Since welding of the tab11is ultrasonic welding with great impact, arrangement of the U-shaped notch130is required to avoid the welding zone3201on the tab11, i.e., a distance therebetween is greater than 0.5 mm, thereby preventing the first tab13from being broken during welding due to the U-shaped notch130defined on the first tab13.

In an implementation, as illustrated inFIG.13again, the tab11has a tab root110at one side of the tab11on the electrode10, where a distance between the welding zone3201and one side of the adaptor piece320close to the tab root110is greater than or equal to 2 mm, and a distance between the welding zone3201and one side of the adaptor piece320away from the tab root110is greater than or equal to 10 mm. It can be understood that, the schematic diagram ofFIG.13is not a schematic diagram of a final form of the battery3but is a schematic diagram illustrating a distance relation between the welding zone3201and the adaptor piece320. In actual products, the electrode10is wound to form the roll core, multiple tabs11are stacked and bent from the tab root110to be approximately parallel to an end surface of the roll core, and the adaptor piece320attached to the multiple tabs11is welded with the multiple tabs11.

A distance D1between the welding zone3201and one side of the adaptor piece320close to the tab root110is greater than or equal to 2 mm, and a distance D2between the welding zone3201and one side of the adaptor piece320away from the tab root110is greater than or equal to 10 mm. As such, the welding zone3201is defined at a relatively central position of the adaptor piece320and may not be defined at an edge of the adaptor piece320. Thus it is possible to avoid poor contact caused by breaking the adaptor piece320due to vibration of ultrasonic welding, thereby improving reliability and safety of connection.

In an implementation, the adaptor piece320is approximately flush with the tab root110at an end of the adaptor piece320close to the tab root110in the width direction W, and a distance that the adaptor piece320extends beyond an end of the second tab12away from the tab root110in the width direction W is greater than or equal to 2 mm.

Projections of the tab11and the first tab13on a surface of the adaptor piece320completely fall on the adaptor piece320, so that the adaptor piece320has sufficient contact areas with the tab11, thereby further improving reliability of connection between the adaptor piece320and the tab11and the first tab13.

In an implementation, the battery3is one of a lithium iron phosphate battery, a ternary lithium battery, a lithium battery, or the like.

In an implementation, the housing31is one of an aluminum housing, a steel housing, a stainless steel housing, or the like.

In an implementation, the battery3is a square-housing battery.

An electrical apparatus is further provided in the disclosure. The electrical apparatus includes at least one energy-storage device, where the energy-storage device is configured to power the electrical apparatus.

Refer toFIG.14, which is a schematic flow chart illustrating a winding method in an implementation of the disclosure. The winding method is for manufacturing the energy-storage device mentioned above and includes the following.

At step141, the electrode10and the separator stacked with the electrode10are placed in a winding machine, and the electrode10and the separator are wound by the winding machine.

At step142, a sensor of the winding machine senses the U-shaped notch130of the first tab13and a position of the first tab13is determined.

At step143, the electrode10is cut at a position close to the first tab13in the length direction L of the electrode10to end winding.

In the disclosure, the first tab13defines the U-shaped notch130. A winding end position of the cell1is marked as the U-shaped notch130, and the winding end position is determined according to the U-shaped notch130in a process that the electrode10is wound to form the cell1. The winding end position of the cell1is recognized by recognizing the U-shaped notch130, and the electrode10is cut at the position close to the first tab13to end winding. Thus it is unnecessary to determine manually the winding end position, thereby realizing winding automation.

In the foregoing implementations, description of each implementation has its own emphasis. For the parts not described in detail in one implementation, reference may be made to related descriptions in other implementations.

It can be understood that, in one or more implementations provided in the disclosure, the implementations of the energy-storage device disclosed are merely illustrative and may also have other implementation forms.

The above are implementation manners of implementations of the disclosure, it should be noted that for those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the principles of implementations of the disclosure, various improvements and embellishments can also be made, where the improvements and embellishments are also considered in the scope of protection of the disclosure.