IP Library Granted Patent US 12,015,171
Granted Patent B2
US 12,015,171 · App. 17/134,005 · Granted Jun 18, 2024

Battery module, battery pack, apparatus and failure treatment method

Inventors: Ye Xu (Ningde, CN); Xuan Chen (Ningde, CN); Di Zhou (Ningde, CN); Zengzhong Wang (Ningde, CN); Jianxian Lv (Ningde, CN)
Assignee: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
H01M50/503H01M50/204H01M50/249H01M50/51H01M50/529H01M2220/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,015,171
App. No.
17/134,005
Granted
Jun 18, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

This application relates to a battery module and a battery pack. The battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells, configured to be connected in series, where after the battery module fails, the plurality of battery cells include a failed battery cell and at least one non-failed battery cell adjacent to the failed battery cell; and a first connecting piece, configured to connect the failed battery cell to the at least one non-failed battery cell, where the first connecting piece includes a first connecting portion and a conductive portion connected to the first connecting portion, the first connecting portion is configured to be electrically connected to an enclosure of the failed battery cell, and the conductive portion is configured to be electrically connected to the at least one non-failed battery cell, so as to restore the battery module to work.

Claims (41)

1. A battery module, comprising:

a plurality of battery cells connected in series and comprising a failed battery cell and at least one non-failed battery cell adjacent to the failed battery cell, wherein each one of the battery cells comprises two electrode terminals and an enclosure; and

a first connecting piece, wherein the first connecting piece comprises a first connecting portion and a conductive portion connected to the first connecting portion, the first connecting portion is of the first connecting piece is electrically connected to the enclosure of the failed battery cell, and the conductive portion of the first connecting pieces is electrically connected to one of the two electrode terminals of the at least one non-failed battery cell, so as to restore the battery module to work,

wherein the failed battery cell is short-circuited in the plurality of battery cells;

and wherein the plurality of battery cells further comprises two adjacent non-failed battery cells, and the battery module further comprises a second connecting piece connecting the two adjacent non-failed battery cells, and the second connecting piece is not in contact with the enclosures of the two non-failed battery cells;

and the second connecting piece comprises:

two conductive portions, wherein each one of the two conductive portions is connected to one of the two electrode terminals of each one of the two adjacent non-failed battery cells;

a connecting portion connecting the two conductive portions,

a bending guide portion in each one of the two conductive portions, the bending guide portion is configured to guide the second connecting piece to bend and form a connecting portion configured to be electrically connected to the enclosure of one of the two adjacent non-failed battery cells when the one of the two adjacent non-failed battery cells becomes a failed battery cell.

2. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises a housing and a top cover connected to the housing; and

the first connecting portion is connected to the housing or the top cover of the failed battery cell.

3. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first connecting portion is bent, relative to the conductive portion, toward the enclosure of the failed battery cell, so that the first connecting portion is connected to the enclosure of the failed battery cell.

4. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein one of the first connecting portion and the enclosure of the failed battery cell is provided with a raised portion and the other is provided with a recessed portion; and

the raised portion is configured to be connected to the recessed portion.

5. The battery module according to claim 4 , wherein the raised portion is disposed in the enclosure, and the raised portion protrudes in a direction away from the enclosure;

the recessed portion is a through hole disposed in the first connecting portion; and

the raised portion is configured to plug into the through hole.

6. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first connecting portion is riveted or welded to the enclosure of the failed battery cell.

7. The battery module according to claim 1 , wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the conductive portion by using a second connecting portion.

8. A battery pack, comprising:

a case; and

a battery module housed in the case, the battery module comprising:

a plurality of battery cells connected in series and comprising a failed battery cell and at least one non-failed battery cell adjacent to the failed battery cell, wherein each one of the battery cells comprises two electrode terminals and an enclosure; and

a first connecting piece, wherein the first connecting piece comprises a first connecting portion and a conductive portion connected to the first connecting portion, the first connecting portion is electrically connected to the enclosure of the failed battery cell, and the conductive portion of the first connecting pieces is electrically connected to one of the two electrode terminals of the at least one non-failed battery cell, so as to restore the battery module to work,

wherein the failed battery cell is short-circuited in the plurality of battery cells,

wherein the plurality of battery cells further comprises two adjacent non-failed battery cells, and the battery module further comprises a second connecting piece connecting the two adjacent non-failed battery cells, and the second connecting piece is not in contact with the enclosures of the two non-failed battery cells; and

the second connecting piece comprises:

two conductive portions, wherein each one of the two conductive portions is connected to one of the two electrode terminals of each one of the two adjacent non-failed battery cells;

a connecting portion connecting the two conductive portions,

a bending guide portion in each one of the two conductive portions, the bending guide portion is configured to guide the second connecting piece to bend and form a connecting portion configured to be electrically connected to the enclosure of one of the two adjacent non-failed battery cells when the one of the two adjacent non-failed battery cells becomes a failed battery cell.

9. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the enclosure comprises a housing and a top cover connected to the housing; and

the first connecting portion is connected to the housing or the top cover of the failed battery cell.

10. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the first connecting portion is bent, relative to the conductive portion, toward the enclosure of the failed battery cell, so that the first connecting portion is connected to the enclosure of the failed battery cell.

11. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein one of the first connecting portion and the enclosure of the failed battery cell is provided with a raised portion and the other is provided with a recessed portion; and

the raised portion is configured to be connected to the recessed portion.

12. The battery pack according to claim 11 , wherein the raised portion is disposed in the enclosure, and the raised portion protrudes in a direction away from the enclosure;

the recessed portion is a through hole disposed in the first connecting portion; and

the raised portion is configured to plug into the through hole.

13. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the first connecting portion is riveted or welded to the enclosure of the failed battery cell.

14. The battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the conductive portion by using a second connecting portion.

15. An apparatus, comprising the battery pack according to claim 8 , wherein the battery pack is configured to provide electric energy.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 6, 2024
From: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
To: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY (HONG KONG) LIMITED
Reel/Frame 068338/0723 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 31, 2020
From: XU, YE; CHEN, XUAN; ZHOU, DI; WANG, ZENGZHONG; LV, JIANXIAN
To: CONTEMPORARY AMPEREX TECHNOLOGY CO., LIMITED
Reel/Frame 054787/0651 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTCN2020083334 · Apr 3, 2020
Related Publication 20210313654A1 · Oct 7, 2021