IP Library Granted Patent US 12,057,590
Granted Patent B1
US 12,057,590 · App. 18/525,461 · Granted Aug 6, 2024

End cover assembly, energy storage apparatus, and electricity-consumption device

Inventors: Jinyun Liang (Guangdong, CN); Feng Wang (Guangdong, CN)
Assignees: Shenzhen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.; Xiamen Hithium Energy Storage Technology Co., Ltd.
H01M50/186H01M50/148H01M50/552
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,057,590
App. No.
18/525,461
Granted
Aug 6, 2024
Kind
B1
Abstract

An end cover assembly, an energy storage apparatus, and an electricity-consumption device are provided in the disclosure. The end cover assembly includes a top cover, a lower plastic member, a sealing member, and a terminal post. The lower plastic member is fixed to the top cover and defines a hollow hole and a first flow passage. The hollow hole extends through the lower plastic member in a direction from the lower plastic member to the top cover. One end of the first flow passage is in communication with a side wall of the hollow hole, and another end of the first flow passage is in communication with an outside. The sealing member includes a first sealing portion disposed in the hollow hole. The terminal post has a flange portion.

Claims (39)

1. An end cover assembly, comprising:

a top cover;

a lower plastic member, wherein the lower plastic member is fixed to the top cover and defines a hollow hole and a first flow passage, the hollow hole extends through the lower plastic member in a direction from the lower plastic member to the top cover, one end of the first flow passage is in communication with a side wall of the hollow hole, and another end of the first flow passage is in communication with an outside;

a sealing member comprising a first sealing portion disposed in the hollow hole; and

a terminal post comprising a flange portion, wherein the flange portion is disposed on one side of the first sealing portion facing away from the top cover and covers the first sealing portion, the flange portion and the top cover cooperatively compress the first sealing portion, and the flange portion is insulated and separated from the top cover by the lower plastic member;

wherein the lower plastic member further defines a second flow passage, one end of the second flow passage is in communication with the first flow passage, and another end of the second flow passage is in communication with the outside, the second flow passage is connected to the first flow passage in a bent manner, and the first flow passage is curvedly connected to the second flow passage.

2. The end cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein a recess in communication with the hollow hole is defined at an edge of the hollow hole to serve as the first flow passage.

3. The end cover assembly of claim 1 , wherein the lower plastic member has an end surface facing away from the top cover and further defines an accommodating recess, the accommodating recess is recessed from the end surface and in communication with the hollow hole, and the flange portion is received in the accommodating recess.

4. The end cover assembly of claim 3 , wherein the lower plastic member has a first surface, the first surface serves as a side surface of the accommodating recess, and the second flow passage is defined on the first surface.

5. The end cover assembly of claim 3 , wherein: the flange portion is provided with a fool-proof portion, and the accommodating recess is provided with a fitting portion matching the fool-proof portion; and

the lower plastic member has a first surface serving as a side surface of the accommodating recess and abutting against the flange portion of the terminal post.

6. The end cover assembly of claim 3 , wherein the lower plastic member has a second surface, a part of the second surface serves as a bottom surface of the accommodating recess, the lower plastic member further defines a recess recessed from the second surface, and the recess is annular and is in communication with the hollow hole to form a step structure.

7. The end cover assembly of claim 6 , wherein the first flow passage is recessed from the second surface and is in communication with the recess.

8. The end cover assembly of claim 3 , wherein when the sealing member is assembled in the hollow hole of the lower plastic member and is not compressed, a gap is defined between an outer peripheral surface of the first sealing portion and a side surface of the hollow hole, a thickness of the first sealing portion is H1, the lower plastic member has a second surface and a third surface that abuts against a surface of the top cover, a part of the second surface serves as a bottom surface of the accommodating recess, and a distance between the second surface and the third surface is H2, wherein H1 is greater than H2.

9. The end cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein a reduction in a thickness of the first sealing portion subject to compression deformation is H1−H2, and a size of the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first sealing portion and the side surface of the hollow hole is H3, wherein 0.9≤(H1−H2)/H3≤1.6.

10. The end cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the thickness H1 of the first sealing portion ranges from 0.8 mm to 3 mm.

11. The end cover assembly of claim 8 , wherein the size of the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the first sealing portion and the side surface of the hollow hole ranges from 0.05 mm to 1.85 mm.

12. The end cover assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a metal block, wherein the metal block is disposed on one side of the top cover facing away from the lower plastic member, the top cover defines a through hole facing towards the hollow hole, the terminal post further comprises a post body protruding from one side of the flange portion, and one end of the post body facing away from the flange portion extends through the through hole to connect to the metal block.

13. The end cover assembly of claim 12 , wherein the sealing member further comprises a second sealing portion protruding from one side of the first sealing portion, and the second sealing portion extends through the through hole and is sleeved on an outer periphery of the post body.

14. An energy storage apparatus comprising an electrode assembly, a housing, and an end cover assembly, wherein

the end cover assembly comprises:

a top cover;

a lower plastic member, wherein the lower plastic member is fixed to the top cover and defines a hollow hole and a first flow passage, the hollow hole extends through the lower plastic member in a direction from the lower plastic member to the top cover, one end of the first flow passage is in communication with a side wall of the hollow hole, and another end of the first flow passage is in communication with an outside;

a sealing member comprising a first sealing portion disposed in the hollow hole; and

a terminal post comprising a flange portion, wherein the flange portion is disposed on one side of the first sealing portion facing away from the top cover and covers the first sealing portion, the flange portion and the top cover cooperatively compress the first sealing portion, and the flange portion is insulated and separated from the top cover by the lower plastic member;

 wherein the lower plastic member further defines a second flow passage, one end of the second flow passage is in communication with the first flow passage, and another end of the second flow passage is in communication with the outside, the second flow passage is connected to the first flow passage in a bent manner, and the first flow passage is curvedly connected to the second flow passage; and

the electrode assembly is received in the housing, and the end cover assembly is electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

15. The energy storage apparatus of claim 14 , wherein a recess in communication with the hollow hole is defined at an edge of the hollow hole to serve as the first flow passage.

16. The energy storage apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the lower plastic member has an end surface facing away from the top cover and further defines an accommodating recess, the accommodating recess is recessed from the end surface and in communication with the hollow hole, and the flange portion is received in the accommodating recess.

17. The energy storage apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the lower plastic member has a first surface, the first surface serves as a side surface of the accommodating recess, the second flow passage is defined on the first surface.

18. An electricity-consumption device comprising an energy storage apparatus being configured to power the electricity-consumption device and comprising an electrode assembly, a housing, and an end cover assembly, wherein the end cover assembly comprises:

a top cover;

a lower plastic member, wherein the lower plastic member is fixed to the top cover and defines a hollow hole and a first flow passage, the hollow hole extends through the lower plastic member in a direction from the lower plastic member to the top cover, one end of the first flow passage is in communication with a side wall of the hollow hole, and another end of the first flow passage is in communication with an outside;

a sealing member comprising a first sealing portion disposed in the hollow hole; and

a terminal post comprising a flange portion, wherein the flange portion is disposed on one side of the first sealing portion facing away from the top cover and covers the first sealing portion, the flange portion and the top cover cooperatively compress the first sealing portion, and the flange portion is insulated and separated from the top cover by the lower plastic member;

wherein the lower plastic member further defines a second flow passage, one end of the second flow passage is in communication with the first flow passage, and another end of the second flow passage is in communication with the outside, the second flow passage is connected to the first flow passage in a bent manner, and the first flow passage is curvedly connected to the second flow passage; and

wherein the electrode assembly is received in the housing, and the end cover assembly is electrically connected to the electrode assembly.

19. The energy storage apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the lower plastic member has a first surface and a second surface connected to and surround by the first surface, the first flow passage is defined on the second surface, and the second flow passage is defined on the first surface.

20. The electricity-consumption device of claim 18 , wherein the lower plastic member has a first surface and a second surface connected to and surround by the first surface, the first flow passage is defined on the second surface, and the second flow passage is defined on the first surface.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 3, 2025
From: SHENZHEN HITHIUM ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.; XIAMEN HITHIUM ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
To: HITHIUM TECH HK LIMITED
Reel/Frame 070384/0015 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2023
From: LIANG, JINYUN; WANG, FENG
To: SHENZHEN HITHIUM ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.; XIAMEN HITHIUM ENERGY STORAGE TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 065731/0909 →
Priority Claims (1)
CN 202310091084.3 · Feb 9, 2023 · national