Disclosed in at least one embodiment herein is a battery separator comprising a substrate that may be polymeric and porous. The substrate may have ribs, protrusions, or ribs and protrusions on one or both faces or surfaces thereof. On at least one surface or face of the substrate, a material layer may be formed. The material layer may contain a material with an oil absorption value equal to or greater than 15 g oil/100 g of material. The battery separator disclosed herein is useful in a lead acid battery, particularly in a flooded lead acid battery or a valve-regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery. The battery separator described herein has many benefits including helping mitigate or prevent issues such as acid stratification and others that may deteriorate battery performance or battery life.

In a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to one exemplary embodiment, a separator includes a substrate, a first filler layer containing phosphate particles and formed on at least one surface of the substrate, and a second filler layer containing inorganic particles and formed on a surface of the first filler layer on the side of the at least one surface of the substrate. The phosphate particles have a BET specific surface area of 5 m.sup.2/g or more and 100 m.sup.2/g or less.

A battery pack has bus bars at one end, freeing the other end of the battery pack for cooling or other arrangements. A plurality of battery cells has first terminals of the battery cells at first ends of the battery cells. Portions of second terminals of the battery cells are at the first ends of the battery cells. The first ends of the battery cells are in a coplanar arrangement. A plurality of bus bars is assembled proximate to the first ends of the battery cells. The bus bars are coupled to the first terminals and the second terminals of the battery cells at the first ends of the battery cells to place the battery cells in one of a series connection, a parallel connection or a series and parallel connection.

A battery with a laminate in which only the anode is exposed at least at one end or side. The laminate may be folded with the anode as the outermost layer. The battery may have a casing with a shoulder portion and an opposite opening for introduction of the laminate. The battery may have a pressure relieve channel extending in a plane of the wall portion. The battery may have a current interruption device positioned at least partly within a concave end cap for saving space.

A battery pack has bus bars at one end, freeing the other end of the battery pack for cooling or other arrangements. A plurality of battery cells oriented in the same manner in the battery pack has first terminals of the battery cells at first ends of the battery cells. Portions of second terminals of the battery cells are at the first ends of the battery cells. The first ends of the battery cells are in a coplanar arrangement. A plurality of bus bars is assembled proximate to the first ends of the battery cells. The bus bars are coupled to the first terminals and the second terminals of the battery cells at the first ends of the battery cells to place the battery cells in a series connection and a parallel connection.

A battery pack has bus bars at one end, freeing the other end of the battery pack for cooling or other arrangements. A plurality of battery cells has first terminals of the battery cells at first ends of the battery cells. Portions of second terminals of the battery cells are at the first ends of the battery cells. The first ends of the battery cells are in a coplanar arrangement. A plurality of bus bars is assembled proximate to the first ends of the battery cells. The bus bars are coupled to the first terminals and the second terminals of the battery cells at the first ends of the battery cells to place the battery cells in one of a series connection, a parallel connection or a series and parallel connection.

A battery pack has bus bars at one end, freeing the other end of the battery pack for cooling or other arrangements. A plurality of battery cells has first terminals of the battery cells at first ends of the battery cells. Portions of second terminals of the battery cells are at the first ends of the battery cells. The first ends of the battery, cells are in a coplanar arrangement. A plurality of bus bars is assembled proximate to the first ends of the battery cells. The bus bars are coupled to the first terminals and the second terminals of the battery cells at the first ends of the battery cells to place the battery cells in one of a series connection, a parallel connection or a series and parallel connection.

In a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery according to one exemplary embodiment, a separator includes a substrate, a first filler layer containing phosphate particles and formed on at least one surface of the substrate, and a second filler layer containing inorganic particles and formed on a surface of the first filler layer on the side of the at least one surface of the substrate. The phosphate particles have a BET specific surface area of 5 m.sup.2/g or more and 100 m.sup.2/g or less.

A battery connecting member, a battery, and a battery manufacturing method are provided. The battery connecting member is configured to be electrically connected to a cell and a battery casing, and the battery connecting member includes a first connecting portion, a second connecting portion, and a buffering portion. The first connecting portion is configured to be electrically connected to the cell, and the second connecting portion is configured to be electrically connected to the battery casing. Two ends of the buffering portion are respectively connected to the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion. An included angle is provided between the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion, such that a surface of the second connecting portion for electrical connection to the battery casing is inclined to a surface of the first connecting portion for electrical connection to the cell.

A battery pack has bus bars at one end, freeing the other end of the battery pack for cooling or other arrangements. A plurality of battery cells has first terminals of the battery cells at first ends of the battery cells. Portions of second terminals of the battery cells are at the first ends of the battery cells. The first ends of the battery cells are in a coplanar arrangement. A plurality of bus bars is assembled proximate to the first ends of the battery cells. The bus bars are coupled to the first terminals and the second terminals of the battery cells at the first ends of the battery cells to place the battery cells in one of a series connection, a parallel connection or a series and parallel connection.