# US 12,015,171 B2 · Battery module, battery pack, apparatus and failure treatment method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,015,171 B2 - Document ID: US12015171B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/134,005 - Filed: 2020-12-24 - Published: 2021-10-07 - Granted: 2024-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2020-04-03 - Assignees: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited - Applicants: Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited - Inventors: Ye Xu; Xuan Chen; Di Zhou; Zengzhong Wang; Jianxian Lv - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12015171B2 ## CPC - H01M 10/4207: {for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially} - H01M 50/503: characterised by the shape of the interconnectors - H01M 50/204: Racks, modules or packs for multiple batteries or multiple cells - H01M 50/209: adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells (H01M50/216 takes precedence) - H01M 50/249: specially adapted for aircraft or vehicles, e.g. cars or trains (constructional details of batteries specially adapted for electric vehicles B60L50/64) - H01M 50/51: Connection only in series - H01M 50/514: Methods for interconnecting adjacent batteries or cells - H01M 50/529: Intercell connections through partitions, e.g. in a battery casing - H01M 50/572: Means for preventing undesired use or discharge - H01M 50/588: outside the batteries, e.g. incorrect connections of terminals or busbars - H01M 2220/20: Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## 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 ### Claim 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) 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. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) 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. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting portion is riveted or welded to the enclosure of the failed battery cell. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the conductive portion by using a second connecting portion. ### Claim 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) 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. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the first connecting portion is riveted or welded to the enclosure of the failed battery cell. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the first connecting portion is connected to the conductive portion by using a second connecting portion. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) An apparatus, comprising the battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the battery pack is configured to provide electric energy.