An interconnect board (ICB) assembly suitable for a battery module of horizontal stack structure including unidirectional battery cells stacked with cell leads facing each other includes an ICB frame in which cell leads of unidirectional battery cells are configured to be received such that the unidirectional battery cells having the cell leads at one end are configured to be placed facing each other with the cell leads facing each other, and busbars formed in the ICB frame and configured to be electrically connected to the cell leads, wherein the ICB frame is configured to be connected to another ICB frame with a hinge structure in a lengthwise direction of the ICB frame. A battery module including the ICB assembly and a method for fabricating the battery module are also provided.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for a structurally cross-tied energy cell are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, a battery comprises a plurality of battery cells, each comprising an anode layer and a cathode layer. The battery further comprises a plurality of anode cross ties electrically connected to at least some of the anode layers of the battery. Further, the battery comprises a plurality of cathode cross ties electrically connected to at least some of the cathode layers of the battery. In one or more embodiments, the anode cross ties and the cathode cross ties run through all of the battery cells of the battery. In at least one embodiment, the anode cross ties and the cathode cross ties are manufactured from an electrical conductor material. In some embodiments, the anode cross ties and the cathode cross ties each comprise conductive protrusions, which are located external to the battery.

According to an embodiment, there are provided a method for manufacturing a battery module for an electric vehicle and a battery module manufactured by the method. The method comprises preparing an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a plurality of electrode plates, a plurality of electrode tabs, and a separator, forming a plurality of electrode leads by friction-welding a copper piece and an aluminum piece, attaching a sealing film to each of the plurality of electrode leads, packing the electrode assembly in a pouch case, with the aluminum piece exposed to an outside of the pouch case, injecting an electrolyte into the pouch case, sealing the pouch case to form each of the plurality of battery cells, stacking the plurality of battery cells one over another, and connecting the aluminum pieces of the plurality of battery cells to each other via a sensing bus bar.

A battery cell includes: an electrode unit including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a current collector, and a separator; a housing unit accommodating the electrode unit; a first insulator disposed inside the housing unit and between the electrode unit and the housing unit, an internal terminal disposed inside the housing unit and electrically connected to the current collector; a second insulator disposed inside the housing unit and between the internal terminal and the housing unit; and an external terminal disposed outside the housing unit. A contact surface of the first insulator with the electrode unit has indented shape. The first insulator is fixed to the housing unit.

A battery cell includes: an electrode unit including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, a current collector, and a separator; a housing unit accommodating the electrode unit; a first insulator disposed inside the housing unit and between the electrode unit and the housing unit, an internal terminal disposed inside the housing unit and electrically connected to the current collector; a second insulator disposed inside the housing unit and between the internal terminal and the housing unit; and an external terminal disposed outside the housing unit. A contact surface of the first insulator with the electrode unit has indented shape. The first insulator is fixed to the housing unit.

A cell module has a plurality of electrochemical pouch cells. Each pouch cell has at least a first and second electrode, a separator arranged between the electrodes, and a flexible outer sleeve. Each pouch cell has a circular outer rim and a circular through-hole arranged in the center of the pouch cell. An outer cell terminal is arranged on the outer rim of each pouch cell, and an inner cell terminal is arranged on an inner rim of the through-hole. The cell module has an inner current collector in the form of a cylindrical rod and an outer current collector in the form of a cylinder jacket. The inner current collector extends along a mid-axis of the cell module, and the outer current collector is arranged concentrically with respect to the inner current collector.

A secondary battery includes: a cylindrical case; an electrode assembly in the cylindrical case; and a cap plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly and sealing the cylindrical case. The cap plate has a first flat portion at a center of the cap plate, a second flat portion outside the first flat portion, and a vent portion between the first flat portion and the second flat portion, and the vent portion has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the first flat portion or a thickness of the second flat portion.

A secondary battery includes: a cylindrical case; an electrode assembly in the cylindrical case; and a cap plate electrically connected to the electrode assembly and sealing the cylindrical case. The cap plate has a first flat portion at a center of the cap plate, a second flat portion outside the first flat portion, and a vent portion between the first flat portion and the second flat portion, and the vent portion has a thickness smaller than a thickness of the first flat portion or a thickness of the second flat portion.

A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel. Each battery cell includes a pair of positive and negative tabs extending from each of two opposing sides. The battery system also includes one or more pairs of adjacent joining pads, each pair connecting the positive and negative tabs of adjacent battery cells. The battery system also includes a terrace portion. The positive tab and the negative tab corresponding to one side of a battery cell at one end of the parallel connection extend out onto the terrace portion. A pair of bus-bars placed in the terrace portion allow the extension of the tabs. Each joining pad is made of a flexible material so as to allow the positive and negative tabs of adjacent battery cells to bend around the respective joining pad. The battery system can be configured in various shapes, such as curved.

A battery system includes a plurality of battery cells connected in parallel. Each battery cell includes a pair of positive and negative tabs extending from each of two opposing sides. The battery system also includes one or more pairs of adjacent joining pads, each pair connecting the positive and negative tabs of adjacent battery cells. The battery system also includes a terrace portion. The positive tab and the negative tab corresponding to one side of a battery cell at one end of the parallel connection extend out onto the terrace portion. A pair of bus-bars placed in the terrace portion allow the extension of the tabs. Each joining pad is made of a flexible material so as to allow the positive and negative tabs of adjacent battery cells to bend around the respective joining pad. The battery system can be configured in various shapes, such as curved.