# US 12,183,956 B2 · Battery module, battery pack, apparatus, and failure handling method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,183,956 B2 - Document ID: US12183956B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/125,839 - Filed: 2020-12-17 - Published: 2021-05-13 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-31 - Assignees: Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited - Applicants: Contemporary Amperex Technology (Hong Kong) Limited - Inventors: Di Zhou; Ye Xu; Bin Zhao; Rongcai Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183956B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/588: outside the batteries, e.g. incorrect connections of terminals or busbars - H01M 10/4207: {for several batteries or cells simultaneously or sequentially} - 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 50/51: Connection only in series - H01M 50/572: Means for preventing undesired use or discharge - H01M 50/59: characterised by the protection means - H01M 2220/20: Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane - H02J 7/54: Passive balancing, e.g. using resistors or parallel MOSFETs - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract This application relates to a battery module, a battery pack, an apparatus, and a failure handling method. The battery module includes: a plurality of battery units configured to be serially-connected, where the plurality of battery units include a failed battery unit and at least one non-failed battery unit after the battery module fails; and a conductive part, electrically connected to the at least one non-failed battery unit, and configured to make a current bypass an electrode assembly of the failed battery unit so that the battery module resumes working. This application simplifies a maintenance process of the battery module, reduces maintenance cost, and improves working efficiency of the battery module. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A battery module, wherein the battery module comprises: a plurality of battery units configured to be serial-connected, wherein the plurality of battery units comprise a failed battery unit and at least one non-failed battery unit after the battery module fails, each battery unit comprises two electrode terminals and a top cover; a first conductive part comprising a first connecting section, and a second connecting section, wherein the first connecting section is electrically connected to one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit, the second connecting section is electrically connected to the top cover between the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit; and a second conductive part comprising a third connecting section, and a fourth connecting section, wherein the third connecting section is electrically connected to the other one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit, the fourth connecting section is electrically connected to the top cover between the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit; wherein the first conductive part, the second conductive part, and the top cover make a current bypass an electrode assembly of the failed battery unit so that the battery module resumes working; wherein the at least one non-failed battery unit comprises two non-failed battery units that are located upstream and downstream of the failed battery unit respectively, and the first conductive part and the second conductive part serial-connect the two non-failed battery units; wherein the battery module further comprises: a plurality of connecting plates, configured to serial-connect the electrode terminals of the plurality of battery units; and the first conductive part and the second conductive part serial-connect the two non-failed battery units through at least one of: the connecting plate connecting to at least one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit, or at least one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit; wherein at least one of the first connecting section, the second connecting section, the third connecting section, and the fourth connection section comprises a plurality of metal straps connected to the at least one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit or the connecting plate that connects to the at least one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, wherein an end of the first conductive part is sheet-shaped, and the end is interconnected to the connecting plate by partly overlapping or by no overlapping, so that the first conductive part is interconnected to the connecting plate. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, wherein a clamping part is disposed at an end of the first conductive part, and the clamping part is configured to clamp the first connecting plate, so that the first conductive part is interconnected to the connecting plate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The battery module according to claim 3, wherein the clamping part comprises a first arm and a second arm that are respectively disposed on two sides of the connecting plate to clamp the connecting plate. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the first arm and the second arm are disposed on two sides of the connecting plate in an overlapped or staggered manner. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The battery module according to claim 4, wherein the clamping part comprises a position limiting part configured to prevent a relative movement of the first conductive part in relation to the connecting plate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The battery module according to claim 6, wherein the position limiting part is connected to at least one of the first arm or the second arm, and the position limiting part is contiguous to a sidewall of the connecting plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A battery pack, wherein the battery pack comprises: a container, having an accommodation cavity; and the battery module according to claim 1, wherein the battery module is accommodated in the accommodation cavity. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) An apparatus, comprising: the battery pack according to claim 8, wherein the battery pack is configured to provide electrical energy. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive part and the second conductive part are discretely disposed. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive part further comprises a first transition section interconnecting the first connecting section and the second connecting section, the first transition section is in arc shape and at a preset distance from the top cover, and the first transition section is configured to be deformed under an external force, so as to buffer an impact received by the first conductive part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The battery module according to claim 11, wherein the first transition section is disposed obliquely along a height direction of the battery module. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The battery module according to claim 1, wherein the second conductive part further comprises a second transition section interconnecting the third connecting section and the fourth connecting section, the second transition section is in arc shape and at a preset distance from the top cover, and the second transition section is configured to be deformed under an external force, so as to buffer an impact received by the first conductive part. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The battery module according to claim 13, wherein the second transition section is disposed obliquely along a height direction of the battery module. ### Claim 15 A failure handling method, configured to handle a failed battery unit of a battery module, wherein after failing, the battery module comprises the failed battery unit and two non-failed battery units respectively located upstream and downstream of the failed battery unit, the failed battery unit comprises two electrode terminals and a top cover, and the failure handling method comprises: providing a first conductive part, wherein the first conductive part comprises a first connecting section, and a second connecting section, providing a second conductive part, wherein the second conductive part comprises a third connecting section, and a fourth connecting section welding the first connecting section to one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit, welding the second connecting section to the top cover between the two electrode terminals, welding the third connecting section to the other one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit, welding the fourth connecting section to the top cover between the two electrode terminals, and making a current bypass an electrode assembly of the failed battery unit so that the battery module resumes working. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The failure handling method according to claim 15, wherein welding the first connecting section to the one of the two electrode terminals of the failed battery unit further comprises welding the first connecting section to a connecting plate electrically connected to the one of the two electrode terminals. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The failure handling method according to claim 15, wherein the first conductive part further comprises a first transition section interconnecting the first connecting section and the second connecting section, the first transition section is in arc shape and at a preset distance from the top cover after the first connecting section and the second connecting section are welded on the failed battery unit, and the first transition section is configured to be deformed under an external force, so as to buffer an impact received by the first conductive part. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The failure handling method according to claim 15, the second conductive part further comprises a second transition section interconnecting the third connecting section and the fourth connecting section, the second transition section is in arc shape and at a preset distance from the top cover after the third connecting section and the fourth connecting section are welded on the failed battery unit, and the second transition section is configured to be deformed under an external force, so as to buffer an impact received by the second conductive part.