Rechargeable battery

Abstract

A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, a case coupled to the first electrode to receive the electrode assembly and including an opening to expose the electrode assembly, a cover plate bonded to the case to cover a peripheral area of the opening and including a through-hole to expose a central area of the opening, a terminal plate disposed between the cover plate and the electrode assembly to cover the central area of the opening and coupled to the second electrode, and a sealing portion disposed between and bonded between the cover plate and the terminal plate, wherein the terminal plate includes a flange portion overlapping the cover plate, and a terminal portion protruding from the flange portion corresponding to the through-hole, a height of an end portion being different from a height of a surface of the cover plate.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rechargeable battery. BACKGROUND

[0002] Generally, a rechargeable battery can be repeatedly charged and discharged.

[0003] Recently, with the recent increase in demand for wearable devices such as headsets, earbuds, smartwatches, and medical devices that can be attached to the body, using radio communication such as Bluetooth technology, demand for very small rechargeable batteries mounted on wearable devices is also increasing.

[0004] A very small rechargeable battery can be mounted on a wearable device and can have high structural stability to resist external impact applied to the rechargeable battery when the wearable device is used and is overturned or dropped. SUMMARY

[0005] The present invention has been made in an effort to provide a rechargeable battery having high structural stability to resist external impact by preventing a short circuit from being generated between a cathode and an anode when external impact occurs.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a rechargeable battery, including: an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode; a case connected to the first electrode to receive the electrode assembly, and including an opening to expose the electrode assembly; a cover plate bonded to the case to cover a peripheral area of the opening, and including a through-hole to expose a central area of the opening; a terminal plate disposed between the cover plate and the electrode assembly to cover the central area of the opening, and connected to the second electrode; and a sealing part disposed between the cover plate and the terminal plate and bonded between the cover plate and the terminal plate, wherein the terminal plate includes a flange part overlapping the cover plate, and a terminal part protruding from the flange part corresponding to the through-hole, an end of which has a height different from a height of a surface of the cover plate.

[0007] The flange part can have a larger area than the terminal part.

[0008] The flange part can be in contact with the sealing part, and the terminal part can be out of contact with the sealing part.

[0009] The flange part can be parallel to the cover plate.

[0010] An end of the terminal part can have a height from the electrode assembly lower than a height of a surface of the cover plate from the electrode assembly.

[0011] An end of the terminal portion can be higher than a surface of the cover plate from the electrode assembly.

[0012] The terminal portion can be integrally formed with the flange portion.

[0013] A thickness of the terminal portion can be greater than a thickness of the flange portion.

[0014] The terminal plate can include forged aluminum.

[0015] A thickness of the terminal portion can be the same as a thickness of the flange portion.

[0016] The terminal plate can include drawn stainless steel.

[0017] A first end of the electrode assembly can face the case, and a second end of the electrode assembly can face the flange portion.

[0018] The electrode assembly can further include a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first electrode tab for connection between and contact with the first electrode and the case, and a second electrode tab for connection between and contact with the second electrode and the flange portion.

[0019] The flange portion can be disposed between the second electrode tab and the sealing portion.

[0020] The sealing portion can insulate between the cover plate and the terminal plate.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the rechargeable battery has high structural stability to resist external impact by preventing a short circuit between the cathode and the anode when the external impact is generated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] Figure 1 A perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment is shown.

[0023] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view with respect to line II-II in Figure 1 is shown.

[0024] Figure 3 An enlarged cross-sectional view of part A in Figure 2 is shown.

[0025] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment is shown.

[0026] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] The present application will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the application are shown. As this description will be of a somewhat descriptive and explanatory nature, it should be appreciated that the accompanying drawings are not to be considered in a limiting sense in any way. The embodiments described are presented by way of example only and should not be taken as limiting the present application.

[0028] Unless explicitly described to the contrary, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" will be understood to imply the inclusion of stated elements but not the exclusion of any other elements.

[0029] Reference will now be made to Figures 1 to 3 A rechargeable battery according to an embodiment is described.

[0030] The rechargeable battery according to an embodiment is a very small rechargeable battery, which can be a coin cell or a button cell, and is not limited thereto, which can be a cylindrical cell or a needle cell.

[0031] The coin cell or button cell is a battery in a thin coin shape or a button shape, and it denotes a battery in which a ratio (H / D) of a height (H) to a diameter (D) of the battery is equal to or less than 1, but is not limited thereto.

[0032] The coin cell or button cell can have a circular cross-section in a horizontal direction, and is not limited thereto, and the cross-section in the horizontal direction can be an elliptical or a polygonal shape.

[0033] Figure 1 A perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 2 A cross-sectional view with respect to Figure 1 line II-II in FIG. 1.

[0034] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the rechargeable battery 1000 includes an electrode assembly 100, a case 200, a cover plate 300, a terminal plate 400, and a sealing part 500.

[0035] The electrode assembly 100 is received into the case 200. A first end 101, which is a bottom of the electrode assembly 100, faces a lower portion of the case 200, and a second end 102, which is a top of the electrode assembly 100, faces a flange portion 410 of the terminal plate 400 to cover an opening 210 of the case 200. The first end 101 and the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100 can have a planar shape parallel to each other, and are not limited thereto.

[0036] The electrode assembly 100 includes a first electrode 110, a second electrode 120, a separator 130, a first electrode tab 140, and a second electrode tab 150.

[0037] The first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120 are spaced apart from each other, and the separator 130 containing an insulating material is located between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120. The first electrode 110 can be an anode, and the second electrode 120 can be a cathode, and is not limited thereto, the first electrode 110 can be a cathode, and the second electrode 120 can be an anode.

[0038] The first electrode 110 has a band shape extending in one direction, and includes an anode coated area representing an area in which an anode active material layer is coated to a metal film (for example, a copper foil) current collector, and an anode uncoated area representing an area in which the active material is not coated. The anode uncoated area can be located at one end of the first electrode 110 in the extending direction.

[0039] The second electrode 120 has a band shape extending in one direction spaced apart from the first electrode 110, and includes a cathode coated area representing an area in which a cathode active material layer is coated to a metal film (for example, an aluminum foil) current collector, and a cathode uncoated area representing an area in which the cathode active material layer is not coated, wherein the separator 130 is located between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120. The cathode uncoated area can be located at one end of the second electrode 120 in the extending direction.

[0040] The separator 130 extends in one direction between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120, and prevents short circuiting between the first electrode 110 and the second electrode 120.

[0041] The first electrode 110, the separator 130, and the second electrode 120 are sequentially stacked to be wound in a jelly-roll shape, and are not limited thereto, they can have various shapes. The first electrode 110, the second electrode 120, and the separator 130 can contain various types of materials known to those skilled in the art.

[0042] The first electrode tab 140 extends from the first electrode 110 located on the first end 101 of the electrode assembly 100 to the case 200. The first electrode tab 140 is connected between the first electrode 110 and the case 200. The first electrode tab 140 is in contact with the first electrode 110 and the case 200. Through the first electrode tab 140, the case 200 has the same polarity (for example, an anode) as the first electrode 110.

[0043] The second electrode tab 150 extends from the second electrode 120 located on the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100 to the case 200. The second electrode tab 150 is connected between the second electrode 120 and the terminal plate 400. The second electrode tab 150 is in contact with the second electrode 120 and the terminal plate 400. Through the second electrode tab 150, the terminal plate 400 has the same polarity (for example, a cathode) as the second electrode 120.

[0044] A center pin passing through the center of the electrode assembly 100 in the vertical direction can be located on the center portion of the electrode assembly 100.

[0045] The case 200 receives the electrode assembly 100. The case 200 includes an opening 210 for exposing the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100. The lower portion of the case 200 is connected to the first electrode 110 located on the first end 101 of the electrode assembly 100 by the first electrode tab 140 to have the same polarity (e.g., anode) as the first electrode 110. The case 200 has a cylindrical shape for receiving the jelly-roll type electrode assembly 100, and is not limited thereto, and it can have various shapes known to those skilled in the art.

[0046] The case 200 can receive various types of electrolyte solutions known to those skilled in the art as well as the electrode assembly 100.

[0047] Figure 3 An enlarged sectional view of part A of Figure 2 in FIG. 1 is shown.

[0048] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , the cover plate 300 is coupled to the case 200 to cover the peripheral region of the opening 210. The cover plate 300 includes a through-hole 310 for exposing the central region of the opening 210. The cover plate 300 is coupled to the sidewall of the case 200 forming the opening 210 of the case 200 by a welding process to cover the peripheral region of the opening 210. The cover plate 300 has a ring shape by the through-hole 310 formed in the center, and is not limited thereto. The cover plate 300 is coupled to the case 200 to have the same polarity (e.g., anode) as the first electrode 110.

[0049] The terminal plate 400 is located between the cover plate 300 and the electrode assembly 100. The terminal plate 400 is located in the receiving space formed by the cover plate 300 and the case 200. The terminal plate 400 covers the central region of the opening 210 of the case 200 exposed by the through-hole 310 of the cover plate 300. Since the terminal plate 400 covers the central region of the opening 210, and the cover plate 300 covers the peripheral region of the opening 210, the opening 210 of the case 200 is completely covered by the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300. The terminal plate 400 is connected to the second electrode tab 150 located on the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100, and to the second electrode 120 of the electrode assembly 100. The terminal plate 400 has the same polarity (e.g., cathode) as the second electrode 120.

[0050] The terminal plate 400 includes a flange portion 410 and a terminal portion 420.

[0051] The flange portion 410 is positioned between the cover plate 300 and the electrode assembly 100 and overlaps the cover plate 300. The flange portion 410 has a larger area than the terminal portion 420. For example, with respect to the terminal plate 400, the diameter of the flange portion 410 can be greater than the diameter of the terminal portion 420. The top of the flange portion 410 is in contact with the sealing portion 500, and the bottom of the flange portion 410 is in contact with the second electrode tab 150. The lower surface 411 of the flange portion 410 is a plane parallel to the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, and is not limited thereto. The flange portion 410 is positioned between the second electrode tab 150 and the sealing portion 500 and is bonded to the cover plate 300 through the sealing portion 500.

[0052] The flange portion 410, which is a cathode, overlapping the cover plate 300, which is an anode, has a larger area than the terminal portion 420, is positioned between the second electrode tab 150 of the electrode assembly 100 and the cover plate 300, and is bonded to the cover plate 300 through the sealing portion 500, thus the separation of the terminal plate 400 from the cover plate 300 is inhibited when an external impact is generated, and the contact of the second electrode tab 150 with the cover plate 300 is prevented by the flange portion 410, thus the generation of a short circuit between the second electrode tab 150, which is a cathode, and the cover plate 300, which is an anode, is prevented. The second electrode tab 150 can be in contact with the terminal portion 420 and can be in contact with the flange portion 410, thus the degree of freedom of the contact position of the second electrode tab 150 to the terminal plate 400 can be increased. For example, when the second electrode tab 150 is welded to be connected to the terminal plate 400, the welding process can become easy.

[0053] The terminal portion 420 protrudes from the flange portion 410 corresponding to the through-hole 310 of the cover plate 300 and is inserted into the through-hole 310. The terminal portion 420 is exposed to the outside through the through-hole 310. The terminal portion 420 does not overlap the cover plate 300 and has a smaller area than the flange portion 410. The terminal portion 420 is not in contact with the sealing portion 500. The end surface 421 located at the uppermost portion of the terminal portion 420 is positioned in the through-hole 310. The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 can be positioned at the bottom of the through-hole 310. The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 has a first height (H1) from the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100, which is smaller than a second height (H2) of the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300 from the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100. The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 has a planar shape parallel to the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, and is not limited thereto.

[0054] An end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 as a cathode, which does not overlap the cover plate 300 as an anode, is positioned lower than the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, thus preventing a short circuit between the terminal portion 420 and the cover plate 300 when the cover plate 300 is overturned and dropped on a conductive foreign object or when the conductive foreign object comes into contact with the cover plate 300.

[0055] The terminal portion 420 is integrally formed with the flange portion 410, and the thickness of the terminal portion 420 is greater than the thickness of the flange portion 410. The terminal plate 400 can include forged aluminum, and is not limited thereto.

[0056] The sealing portion 500 is positioned between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400, and is bonded between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400. The sealing portion 500 includes an insulating material, and insulates between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400. The sealing portion 500 can be thermally fused between the cover plate 300 and the flange portion 410 of the terminal plate 400 by using heat or a laser beam, or can be inserted between the cover plate 300 and the flange portion 410 of the terminal plate 400, and is not limited thereto. The sealing portion 500 can include various types of known materials for bonding and insulating between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400. When the sealing portion 500 is bonded between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400, the opening 210 of the case 200 is completely sealed by the cover plate 300, the terminal plate 400, and the sealing portion 500.

[0057] As described, since the terminal plate 400 as a cathode is connected to the second electrode tab 150 as a cathode of the electrode assembly 100 between the cover plate 300 as an anode and the electrode assembly 100, and the sealing portion 500 is bonded between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400, the rechargeable battery 1000 according to an embodiment suppresses separation of the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300 due to an external impact, and prevents contact of the second electrode tab 150 with the cover plate 300, thereby preventing a short circuit between the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300.

[0058] In detail, regarding the rechargeable battery 1000, the flange portion 410 overlapping the cover plate 300 has a greater area than the terminal portion 420, is positioned between the second electrode tab 150 of the electrode assembly 100 and the cover plate 300, and is bonded to the cover plate 300 by the sealing portion 500, thus the flange portion 410 suppresses separation of the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300 when an external impact is generated, and the flange portion 410 prevents contact between the second electrode tab 150 and the cover plate 300

[0059] The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420, which is a cathode, not overlapping the cover plate 300, which is an anode, is positioned lower than the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, and thus the rechargeable battery 1000 prevents a short circuit between the terminal portion 420 and the cover plate 300 when the cover plate 300 comes into contact with an external conductive foreign object.

[0060] That is, the rechargeable battery 1000 having high structural stability is provided to resist an external impact by preventing a short circuit between a cathode and an anode when the rechargeable battery 1000 is overturned or dropped and an external impact is generated.

[0061] A rechargeable battery according to another embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 4 A rechargeable battery according to another embodiment will now be described with reference to

[0062] A rechargeable battery according to another embodiment will now be described with reference to

[0063] Figure 4 A rechargeable battery according to another embodiment will now be described with reference to

[0064] A rechargeable battery according to another embodiment will now be described with reference to Figure 4 The rechargeable battery 1002 according to another embodiment includes an electrode assembly 100, a case 200, a cover plate 300, a terminal plate 400, and a sealing portion 500.

[0065] The terminal plate 400 is positioned between the cover plate 300 and the electrode assembly 100. The terminal plate 400 is positioned in the receiving space formed by the cover plate 300 and the case 200. The terminal plate 400 covers the central region of the opening 210 of the case 200 exposed by the through-hole 310 of the cover plate 300. Since the terminal plate 400 covers the central region of the opening 210 and the cover plate 300 covers the peripheral region of the opening 210, the opening 210 of the case 200 is completely covered by the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300. The terminal plate 400 is connected to the second electrode tab 150 positioned on the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100 and to the second electrode 120 of the electrode assembly 100. The terminal plate 400 has the same polarity (e.g., cathode) as the second electrode 120.

[0066] The terminal plate 400 includes a flange portion 410 and a terminal portion 420.

[0067] The flange portion 410 is positioned between the cover plate 300 and the electrode assembly 100, and overlaps the cover plate 300. The flange portion 410 has a larger area than the terminal portion 420. The top of the flange portion 410 is in contact with the sealing portion 500, and the bottom of the flange portion 410 is in contact with the second electrode tab 150. The lower surface 411 of the flange portion 410 is a plane parallel to the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, and is not limited thereto. The flange portion 410 is positioned between the second electrode tab 150 and the sealing portion 500, and is bonded to the cover plate 300 through the sealing portion 500.

[0068] The terminal portion 420 protrudes from the flange portion 410 corresponding to the through-hole 310 of the cover plate 300, and is inserted into the through-hole 310. The terminal portion 420 is exposed to the outside through the through-hole 310. The terminal portion 420 does not overlap the cover plate 300, and has a smaller area than the flange portion 410. The terminal portion 420 is not in contact with the sealing portion 500. The end surface 421 positioned at the uppermost portion of the terminal portion 420 is positioned in the through-hole 310. The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 can be positioned at the bottom of the through-hole 310. The first height (H1) of the end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 from the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100 is less than the second height (H2) of the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300 from the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100. The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 has a planar shape parallel to the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, and is not limited thereto.

[0069] The terminal portion 420 is integrally formed with the flange portion 410, and the thickness of the terminal portion 420 is equal to the thickness of the flange portion 410. The terminal plate 400 can include drawn stainless steel, and is not limited thereto.

[0070] As described, since the terminal plate 400 as a cathode is connected to the second electrode 120 as a cathode of the electrode assembly 100 between the cover plate 300 as an anode and the electrode assembly 100, and the sealing portion 500 is bonded between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400, the rechargeable battery 1002 according to another embodiment suppresses separation of the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300 generated by external impact, and prevents contact of the second electrode tab 150 with the cover plate 300, thereby preventing a short circuit between the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300.

[0071] In detail, regarding the rechargeable battery 1002 according to another embodiment, the flange portion 410 overlapping the cover plate 300 has a larger area than the terminal portion 420, is positioned between the second electrode tab 150 of the electrode assembly 100 and the cover plate 300, and is coupled to the cover plate 300 through the sealing portion 500, thus the flange portion 410 inhibits separation of the terminal plate 400 from the cover plate 300 when an external impact is generated, and the flange portion 410 prevents a short circuit between the second electrode tab 150 and the cover plate 300.

[0072] The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 as a cathode, which does not overlap the cover plate 300 as an anode, is positioned lower than the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, thus the rechargeable battery 1002 prevents an impact from being directly applied to the terminal portion 420 when an external impact is generated, and prevents a short circuit from being generated between the terminal portion 420 as a cathode and the cover plate 300 as an anode.

[0073] That is, the rechargeable battery 1002 having high structural stability is provided to resist an external impact by preventing a short circuit between a cathode and an anode when the rechargeable battery 1002 is overturned or dropped and an external impact is generated.

[0074] Reference will now be made to Figure 5 a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment will be described.

[0075] Now, a portion different from the above-described rechargeable battery according to an embodiment will be described.

[0076] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to another embodiment is illustrated.

[0077] Referring to Figure 5 , the rechargeable battery 1003 includes an electrode assembly 100, a case 200, a cover plate 300, a terminal plate 400, and a sealing portion 500.

[0078] The terminal plate 400 is positioned between the cover plate 300 and the electrode assembly 100. The terminal plate 400 is positioned in a receiving space formed by the cover plate 300 and the case 200. The terminal plate 400 covers a central region of the opening 210 of the case 200 exposed by the through-hole 310 of the cover plate 300. Since the terminal plate 400 covers the central region of the opening 210 and the cover plate 300 covers a peripheral region of the opening 210, the opening 210 of the case 200 is completely covered by the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300. The terminal plate 400 is connected to the second electrode tab 150 positioned on the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100, and is connected to the second electrode 120 of the electrode assembly 100. The terminal plate 400 has the same polarity (e.g., cathode) as the second electrode 120.

[0079] The terminal plate 400 includes a flange portion 410 and a terminal portion 420.

[0080] The flange portion 410 is positioned between the cover plate 300 and the electrode assembly 100, and overlaps the cover plate 300. The flange portion 410 has a larger area than the terminal portion 420. A top of the flange portion 410 is in contact with the sealing portion 500, and a bottom of the flange portion 410 is in contact with the second electrode tab 150. A lower surface 411 of the flange portion 410 is a plane parallel to the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, and is not limited thereto. The flange portion 410 is positioned between the second electrode tab 150 and the sealing portion 500, and is coupled to the cover plate 300 through the sealing portion 500.

[0081] The terminal portion 420 protrudes from the flange portion 410 corresponding to the through-hole 310 of the cover plate 300 and passes through the through-hole 310. The terminal portion 420 is exposed to the outside through the through-hole 310. The terminal portion 420 does not overlap the cover plate 300, and has a smaller area than the flange portion 410. The terminal portion 420 is not in contact with the sealing portion 500. An end surface 421 positioned at an uppermost portion of the terminal portion 420 is positioned outside an upper portion of the through-hole 310. The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 is positioned at a third height (H3) from the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100, which is greater than a second height (H2) of the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300 from the second end 102 of the electrode assembly 100. The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 has a planar shape parallel to the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, and is not limited thereto.

[0082] The terminal portion 420 is integrally formed with the flange portion 410, and a thickness of the terminal portion 420 is greater than a thickness of the flange portion 410. The terminal plate 400 can include forged aluminum, but is not limited thereto, and can include drawn stainless steel, such that the thickness of the terminal portion 420 and the flange portion 410 can be constant.

[0083] As described, since the terminal plate 400, which is a cathode, is connected to the second electrode tab 150, which is a cathode of the electrode assembly 100, between the cover plate 300, which is an anode, and the electrode assembly 100, and the sealing portion 500 is coupled between the cover plate 300 and the terminal plate 400, the rechargeable battery 1003 according to another embodiment prevents separation of the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300 due to an external impact, and blocks contact of the second electrode tab 150 with the cover plate 300, thereby preventing a short circuit between the terminal plate 400 and the cover plate 300.

[0084] In detail, the flange portion 410 overlapping the cover plate 300 has a larger area than the terminal portion 420, is positioned between the second electrode tab 150 of the electrode assembly 100 and the cover plate 300, and is coupled to the cover plate 300 by the sealing portion 500, and thus when an external impact is generated, the rechargeable battery 1003 inhibits separation of the terminal plate 400 from the cover plate 300 and prevents contact of the flange portion 410 between the second electrode tab 150 and the cover plate 300.

[0085] The end surface 421 of the terminal portion 420 as the cathode, which does not overlap the cover plate 300 as the anode, is positioned higher than the upper surface 301 of the cover plate 300, and thus when the cover plate 300 contacts an external conductive foreign matter, the rechargeable battery 1003 prevents a short circuit between the terminal portion 420 and the cover plate 300. That is, the rechargeable battery 1003 having high structural stability is provided to resist an external impact by preventing a short circuit between the cathode and the anode when the rechargeable battery 1003 is overturned or dropped and an external impact is generated.

[0086] While the present application has been described with respect to the embodiments currently considered to be the best mode for the purpose of practicing the application, it is to be understood that the application is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements. Therefore, other modifications and embodiments can occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description and appended claims, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the application.

[0087] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0088] Electrode assembly 100

[0089] Housing 200

[0090] Cover plate 300

[0091] Terminal plate 400

[0092] Flange portion 410

[0093] Terminal portion 420

[0094] Sealing portion 500

Claims

1. A rechargeable battery comprising: an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode spaced apart from the first electrode; a case connected to the first electrode to receive the electrode assembly and including an opening to expose the electrode assembly; a cover plate bonded to the case to cover a peripheral area of the opening and including a through-hole to expose a central area of the opening; a terminal plate disposed between the cover plate and the electrode assembly to cover the central area of the opening and connected to the second electrode; and a sealing portion disposed between and bonded between the cover plate and the terminal plate, wherein the terminal plate includes: a flange portion overlapping the cover plate, and a terminal portion protruding from the flange portion corresponding to the through-hole, an end portion having a height different from a height of a surface of the cover plate, wherein the sealing portion is disposed entirely under the cover plate, wherein the flange portion is in contact with the sealing portion and the terminal portion is not in contact with the sealing portion, wherein the height of the end portion of the terminal portion from the electrode assembly is lower than the height of the surface of the cover plate from the electrode assembly, wherein the cover plate is bonded to the case to have the same polarity as the first electrode, and wherein the end portion of the terminal portion is disposed in the through-hole.

2. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the flange portion has a larger area than the terminal portion.

3. The rechargeable battery of claim 2, wherein the flange portion is parallel to the cover plate.

4. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the terminal portion is integrally formed with the flange portion.

5. The rechargeable battery of claim 4, wherein a thickness of the terminal portion is greater than a thickness of the flange portion.

6. The rechargeable battery of claim 5, wherein the terminal plate comprises wrought aluminum.

7. The rechargeable battery of claim 4, wherein a thickness of the terminal portion is the same as a thickness of the flange portion.

8. The rechargeable battery of claim 7, wherein the terminal plate comprises drawn stainless steel.

9. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein a first end of the electrode assembly faces the case and a second end of the electrode assembly faces the flange portion.

10. The rechargeable battery of claim 9, wherein the electrode assembly further includes: a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; a first electrode tab for connection between and in contact with the first electrode and the case; and a second electrode tab for connection between and in contact with the second electrode and the flange portion.

11. The rechargeable battery of claim 10, wherein the flange portion is disposed between the second electrode tab and the sealing portion.

12. The rechargeable battery of claim 1, wherein the sealing portion is insulated between the cover plate and the terminal plate. ​ ​

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