A rechargeable battery includes a case accommodating an electrode assembly; a cap plate coupled to the case and having a short-circuit hole; a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal extending through the cap plate and electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a membrane fixed to the cap plate in the short-circuit hole and configured to electrically connect the first electrode terminal and the second electrode terminal to cause a short circuit; a connection plate electrically connected to the first electrode terminal and spaced from a side of a short-circuit member; a top insulating member located between the connection plate and the cap plate; and a fixing member fixed to the cap plate and supporting the top insulating member.

A battery module includes: a plurality of battery cells held in a case; and a collector plate disposed on one side or the other side of the plurality of battery cells. The collector plate includes connection terminals connected to a collector plate main body so that the plurality of connection terminals are disposed to face an electrode provided in each of the battery cells. In at least one of the electrodes, the plurality of the connection terminals facing the at least one electrode include a first connection terminal welded to the electrode and a second connection terminal not welded to the electrode.

A battery pack includes a plurality of battery units. Each battery unit includes a can, an electrode assembly accommodated in the can and including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator between the first and second electrode plates, and a cap plate closing the can. The battery units are arranged side by side in a first direction. A protective circuit module is placed on the battery units and electrically connected to the battery units. An upper cover is placed on the protective circuit module; and a lower cover is positioned under the battery units and opposite the upper cover. The lower cover includes shock preventing portions protruding outward at both ends thereof.

A vehicle traction battery assembly which may include an array of battery cells is provided. Each of the cells includes terminals of opposite polarity. Each of the terminals may have a plurality of segment layers, and at least one of the segment layers of each of the terminals may have a melting point less than that of adjacent segment layers on either side thereof. One of the cells may be electrically isolated from other of the cells in response to at least one of the segment layers of the terminals of the one of the cells melting. The assembly may also include a housing, and the segment layers having a melting point less than that of adjacent segment layers may be located outside of the housing. The segment layers having a melting point less than that of adjacent segment layers may be located within the housing.

Apparatus for increasing the efficiency and safety of a starter battery for a starter motor of an internal combustion engine in a battery pack arrangement with one or more lithium based cells. The invention includes a solid state switching configuration for high powered battery systems for protecting against over-charging, over-discharging and short circuiting of batteries, especially starter batteries for internal combustion engines. The invention is also useful as a portable jump starter for internal combustion engines, as well as a charger for batteries and battery-operated electronic devices.

An inversion plate short-circuits the positive electrode external terminal and the negative electrode external terminal to each other by changing its position. A temperature sensitive member is disposed adjacent to the inversion plate on the side opposite to a direction in which the inversion plate changes its position. The volume of temperature sensitive member increases due to a rise in temperature. The temperature sensitive member contains aluminum phosphite and calcium carbonate.

An electric work vehicle includes a plurality of battery mounting portions, a plurality of battery packs that can be detachably mounted to the battery mounting portions, a main body contact provided for each one of the battery mounting portions and electrically connected with the battery back mounted to the battery mounting portion, a power feeding circuit to which the main body contact is parallel connected, a battery switch configured to block flow of electric power from the battery pack to the power feeding circuit, a switch operating portion for operating the battery switch, a charged amount estimating portion for estimating a charged power of the battery pack mounted to the battery mounting portion, an electric motor driven by power fed from at least one battery pack via the power feeding circuit, and a driving wheel receiving power transmitted from the electric motor.

Disclosed herein is a battery pack including a power supply unit including two or more battery cells or battery modules electrically connected to each other, at least one pressure driven switch configured to cause a short circuit in a portion or the entirety of the battery pack upon detecting expansion in volume of the battery cells or the battery modules when the power supply unit malfunctions, a cut-off portion located at at least one series connection region between the battery cells or the battery modules to interrupt electrical connection in the battery pack when the short circuit occurs in the battery pack, and external input and output terminals connected to electrode terminals located at outermost sides of the power supply unit to supply power to an external device.

Provided are a finishing tape, which can prevent a short circuit while preventing impacts applied to an electrode assembly, and a secondary battery including the same. The secondary battery includes a case having an opening defining an internal space, an electrode assembly in the internal space of the case, and a cap assembly coupled to the opening of the case sealing the case. The electrode assembly may include a finishing tape on an outer surface of the electrode assembly between the case and the electrode assembly. The finishing tape may include a first substrate and a second substrate. The cap assembly may include a cap plate coupled to the opening of the case. The secondary battery may further include an insulation case between the electrode assembly and the cap assembly.

A secondary battery includes an electrode assembly, a battery case, and a cap assembly. The electrode assembly includes first and second electrodes. The battery case accommodates the electrode assembly therein and has an opened surface. The cap assembly seals the battery case and includes first and second terminal portions coupled to the respective first and second electrodes. In the secondary battery, at least one of the first and second terminal portions is coupled to a variable member including a plurality of variable plates. Accordingly, the path and resistance of current may be varied in the secondary battery, so that it is possible to reduce or prevent generation of heat caused by overcurrent. Thus, it may be possible to reduce or prevent an explosion and fire of the battery, thereby improving the safety of the battery.