Battery belt

Abstract

Disclosed are a battery and a belt for the battery. The battery according to various embodiments includes a plurality of straps connecting a plurality of battery cells in series. The battery strip may pass through a cutout provided in the cell partition wall. The cutout and the strap may define a common headspace. The battery can be provided with five connecting bands and two end bands.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of January 26, 2018, the international application number PCT / US2018 / 015461, the national application number 201880007631.2, and the invention name “Battery Belt”.

[0002] Related applications

[0003] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 451,578, filed on January 27, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 454,274, filed on February 3, 2017. The entire contents of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 62 / 451,578 and 62 / 454,274 are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to batteries and, more particularly, to batteries and internal electrical connections in batteries. Background Art

[0005] It is known to provide batteries having one or more flat-plate battery cell elements that can be used for deep-cycle, SLI (starting, lighting, ignition), or other applications. Such known batteries generally include a variety of shapes and configurations. In batteries having multiple battery cell elements, the cells are connected in series via conductive ribbons. These ribbons comprise conductive material, which typically requires considerable additional material cost and weight. However, such known batteries do not implement certain advantageous features and / or combinations of features. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Thus, the disclosed battery ribbon connects multiple battery elements in series. Advantageously, the disclosed ribbon can allow for the connection of multiple battery cells while using less material than known batteries, thereby reducing material cost and weight. Furthermore, the disclosed ribbon can provide improved electrical conductivity compared to known batteries. Furthermore, the disclosed ribbon can allow for improved gas circulation within the battery.

[0007] The invention according to various embodiments is directed to a battery comprising six battery cells, wherein the cells are electrically coupled in series by five straps passing through grooves in the cell separators.

[0008] The present disclosure relates to batteries according to various embodiments, the battery comprising a housing having at least two cells and a cell wall disposed between the two cells, a plurality of battery elements disposed within the cells, a battery ribbon cast onto two of the battery elements and passing through the cell wall to directly connect the two battery elements in series, the cell wall defining a common top space, wherein the battery ribbon has a top surface having a front edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a rear edge, the first side edge and the second side edge being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front edge and the rear edge. The present disclosure also relates to a battery wherein the cell wall has a cutout, and the battery ribbon passes through the cutout to connect the two battery elements. The present disclosure also relates to a battery wherein the battery ribbon comprises a first connecting ribbon, a second connecting ribbon, a third connecting ribbon, a fourth connecting ribbon, and a fifth connecting ribbon. The present disclosure also relates to a battery wherein the first connecting ribbon, the second connecting ribbon, and the third connecting ribbon are disposed in a first row, and the fourth connecting ribbon and the fifth connecting ribbon are disposed in a second row opposite the first row. The present disclosure also relates to a battery wherein the second row further comprises two end ribbons. The present disclosure also relates to a battery, wherein the cutout has a cutout width, and the strip has a strip width, and the cutout width is greater than the strip width. The present disclosure also relates to a battery, wherein the cutout has a cutout height, and the strip has a strip height, and the cutout height is greater than the strip height.

[0009] The present disclosure, according to various embodiments, also relates to a battery comprising: a housing having cells and cell walls, each cell wall having a cutout; a plurality of battery elements disposed within the cells; a plurality of battery straps connecting the plurality of battery elements in series, each battery strap extending through the cell wall through the cutout; and a common top space defined by the cutout; wherein the battery strap has a top surface having a front edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a rear edge, the first side edge and the second side edge being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front edge and the rear edge. The present disclosure also relates to a battery wherein the cutout has a cutout width, and the strap has a strap width, and the cutout width is greater than the strap width. The present disclosure also relates to a battery wherein the cutout has a cutout height, and the strap has a strap height, and the cutout height is greater than the strap height. The present disclosure also relates to a battery wherein the battery strap includes five connecting straps and two end straps. The present disclosure also relates to a battery wherein the battery strap includes a first row having three connecting straps and a second row having two connecting straps and two end straps.

[0010] The present disclosure relates to batteries according to various embodiments, comprising: six cells, each cell being separated by a cell wall; seven straps, the straps being arranged in two rows, the first row having a first connecting strap, a second connecting strap, and a third connecting strap; the second row having a fourth connecting strap and a fifth connecting strap; the second row further comprising a first end strap and a second end strap; the first connecting strap, the second connecting strap, the third connecting strap, the fourth connecting strap, and the fifth connecting strap directly passing through the cell walls to connect the six cells in series.

[0011] The present disclosure also relates to a battery, wherein the cells are separated by five cell walls, each cell wall having a cutout. The present disclosure also relates to a battery, wherein each connecting strap passes through the cutout to connect adjacent battery cells. The present disclosure also relates to a battery, wherein the cutout height of each cutout is greater than the height of the connecting strap. The present disclosure also relates to a battery, wherein the cutout width of each cutout is greater than the width of the connecting strap.

[0012] These and other features and advantages of various embodiments of systems and methods according to the present invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of various devices, structures, and / or methods according to the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] Figure 1 Shown is a side oblique view of a battery with a battery strap according to various embodiments.

[0014] Figure 2 A top view of a battery with battery ribbons according to various embodiments is shown.

[0015] Figure 3 A battery strip is shown according to various embodiments.

[0016] Figure 4 A battery cover with a battery strap is shown according to various embodiments.

[0017] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of a battery having a battery ribbon according to various embodiments is shown.

[0018] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of a battery having a battery ribbon according to various embodiments is shown.

[0019] Figure 7 Shown is a side oblique view of a battery with a battery strap according to various embodiments.

[0020] Figure 8 A top view of a battery with battery ribbons according to various embodiments is shown.

[0021] Figure 9A side cross-sectional view of a battery having a battery strap according to various embodiments is shown.

[0022] Should be understood that these figures are not necessarily shown to scale. In some cases, details that are not necessary for understanding the present invention and details that make other details difficult to observe can be omitted. Of course, should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments shown here. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] According to various embodiments, the battery strap 123 connects multiple battery cells 107 (e.g., six battery cells) in series. According to various embodiments, the battery strap 123 may be a straight-path cast strap. The battery cells 107 may include several flat grids stacked together. The grids may have tabs extending from the top of the grids. The strap 123 may be understood as connecting the tabs of the grids in the cells 107 together.

[0024] Figure 1 An isometric view of a battery 101 with the battery straps 123 or conductive straps according to various embodiments is shown. The battery straps 123 may include connecting straps 125 and end straps 131. The battery 101 can be seen to include a plurality of flat grids stacked together and arranged in a plurality of cells 107.

[0025] The battery 101 includes a battery housing 103. The battery straps 123 disclosed herein according to various embodiments may be "cast straps." The straps may be "cast," where the straps are cast onto the tabs of the battery element tabs. Five connecting straps 125 are provided. Figure 1 Six battery elements are shown coupled in series. In the example shown, a positive terminal and a negative terminal (a first terminal 133, a second terminal 135) are shown on one side of the battery. The connecting strip 125 is formed integrally in the end strip 131. Figure 1 113, which are shown as parallel planes that pass through the cutouts 113 provided in the battery cell walls 111 to connect adjacent cell elements in series. In various embodiments, the connecting straps 125 can be considered to have a thickness such that the cell walls 111 are taller than the connecting straps 125. In particular, the connecting straps 125 can have a height 127 that is lower than the height 115 of the cutouts 113. Furthermore, the connecting straps 125 can have a width 117 that is smaller than the width 117 of the cutouts.

[0026] In various embodiments, the connecting strips 125 can be seen connecting the tabs of a battery plate of a battery element 109 having a first polarity to the tabs of a battery plate of a second battery element 109 having an opposite polarity. Figure 1As can be seen in FIG, a terminal 135 (e.g., a positive terminal) is provided at the lower right corner of the battery 101, the terminal 135 being connected to a terminal strip 131 having a certain polarity, the terminal strip 131 being connected to the tab of the plate of the battery element 109 having the same polarity (e.g., positive polarity). Similarly, according to various embodiments, Figure 1 Another terminal 133 (eg, a negative terminal) can be seen disposed at the lower left corner of the battery 101, which is connected to an end strap 131 that is connected to the tab of a plate (eg, a negative plate) of the battery element 107.

[0027] Figure 2 A top view of a battery 101 having ribbons 123 (e.g., cast ribbons) is shown according to various embodiments. A first row 119 and a second row 121 of battery ribbons 123 are shown. Figure 2 The first row 119 can be seen at the top, while the second row 121 can be seen at the Figure 2 1 and 2. As seen below the first row 119 in the drawings. In various embodiments, the first row 119 includes three connecting straps 125. The second row 121 - which has a first battery terminal 131 and an end strap 131 and a second battery terminal 135 and an end strap 131 - has two connecting straps 125, which are positioned parallel to the three connecting straps 125 in the first row 119. Although specific configurations are shown and described, variations thereon are also acceptable. For example, the positive terminal and the negative terminal can be on the first row or the second row or on both the first and second rows (e.g., one terminal on each row). The strap can be understood to be cast onto the positive tab or the negative tab provided in each battery element, which is separated from other battery elements by a partitioning cell wall 111.

[0028] from Figure 2 As can be seen, a cutout 113 or groove can be provided for the connecting strip 125, which can be found in a single location along each battery cell wall 111. In various embodiments, it can be seen that the cutout 113 is appropriately positioned relative to the tabs of the battery element 109 and the location of the connecting strip 125 attached to the tabs. The positioning of the connecting strip 125 and the cutout 113 is Figure 2 13 or grooves in the cell wall. This can advantageously allow for further open space (i.e., a common headspace 137) within the cell 101 cavity.

[0029] Figure 3 A battery strap 123 is shown on the exterior of the battery or battery housing according to various embodiments. It can be seen that the five connecting straps 125 have substantially the same shape. Similarly, the end straps with the terminals can be substantially the same shape. In various embodiments, the connecting straps 125 can be substantially rectangular when viewed from above. In various embodiments, the connecting straps 125 can be substantially rectangular prism-shaped. The battery straps 123 can widen from the top surface to the bottom surface. In various embodiments, the connecting straps 125 can have two protrusions 130 on the side of the casting strap.

[0030] It should be understood that the battery 101 may further include a battery cover 105 disposed on the housing 103 . Figure 4 A battery cover 105 is shown positioned relative to the battery strip 123 according to various embodiments. In various embodiments, the cover 105 can be sized to receive the strip 123 and the terminals 133, 135. The cover 105 can also include a battery element separator sized to accommodate the strip 123 disclosed herein. Additionally, in various embodiments, the cover 105 can be sized to receive the terminals 133, 135 disposed on opposite ends of the battery strip on one side. In various exemplary embodiments, a first terminal post (positive) and a second terminal post (negative) can be positioned in an area substantially proximate the intersection of the leading edge or the trailing edge with the first end and the second end (both terminals can be near the same edge).

[0031] Figure 5 A side view of a strip 123 (e.g., a casting strip) and a cell wall 111 having a cutout 113 is shown according to various embodiments. According to various embodiments, space can be seen on either side of the connecting strip 125 in the cutout (i.e., the strip width 129 can be less than the cutout width 117). Additionally, the strip can be sized to allow space (or headroom 137) above the strip, i.e., in various embodiments, the cutout height 115 can be less than the cutout height 127 of the connecting strip 125.

[0032] Figure 6 A side cross-sectional view of a battery having the casting strip (strip 123) is shown in accordance with various embodiments. Figure 6The connecting strip 125 can be seen on the tab of the left-hand side of the cutaway battery 101. In various embodiments, the terminal post and end strip 131 can be seen, the terminal post protruding through the battery cover 105. According to various embodiments, a common head space 137 can be seen between the side of the connecting strip 125 in the cutout 137 and the battery cover 105. According to various embodiments of the present invention, Figure 6 A cell wall 111 is shown having a groove through which the connecting or casting strap is disposed to connect adjacent battery cell elements, forming an open space or head space 137 between the strap 125 and the cell cover 105. According to various embodiments, Figure 6 The head space 137 shown in should be understood to result in a common head space 137 within the battery 101 .

[0033] According to various embodiments, the common headspace can be created by making the size of the connecting (casting) band 125 smaller than the size of the recessed portion or cutout 113 of the cell partition wall 111. Thus, in various embodiments, a path of open headspace 137 is formed between the cells, and a common space is formed between the housing 103 and the cover 105.

[0034] The common headspace 137 can provide certain advantages for the functionality and lifespan of the battery. For example, the common headspace 137 can allow gases to escape more easily from the battery. While the common headspace 137 is shown on one cell as an example, it should be understood that in various embodiments, the common headspace 137 is present at each cell wall 111. The common headspace 137 can be defined by the cutout 113 and the lid 105. The band width 129 and band height 127 of the connecting band 125 can be smaller than the cutout width 117 or the cutout height 115. This allows for more space around the band 125.

[0035] Figure 7 Also shown is an isometric view of a battery 101 having the battery straps 123 or conductive straps according to various embodiments. The battery includes a battery housing 103. The straps may be "cast" where the straps are cast onto the tabs of the battery element tabs. Five connecting straps 125 are provided at Figure 7 Six battery elements 109 are shown coupled in series. In the example shown, a positive terminal and a negative terminal are shown on one side of the battery 101, which are integrally formed in the end band 131. The connecting band 125 is Figure 7113 to connect adjacent cell elements in series. Similarly, in various embodiments, the ribbon can be seen to have a thickness or ribbon height 127 such that the cell wall 111 and the cutout 113 are taller than the ribbon, and the cutout height 115 is greater than the ribbon height 127. Furthermore, the cutout 113 can be seen to have a cutout width 117 that is greater than the ribbon width 129. In various embodiments, the ribbon 123 can be seen to connect the tab of the negative battery plate of a first cell element to the tab of the positive battery plate of a second cell element.

[0036] from Figure 8 As can be seen, a cutout 113 or groove can be provided for the battery strap 125, which can be found in a single location along each battery cell wall 111. In various embodiments, it can be seen that the cutout location is appropriately positioned relative to the location of the lug and connecting strap 125. It can be seen that the positioning of the strap and cutout forms an alternating pattern. Although a single cutout or groove is specifically disclosed, more than one cutout is also contemplated. In various embodiments, it will be understood that the strap is cast through the cutout or hole in the wall. The battery strap can be sized smaller than the cutout or groove in the cell wall (i.e., the connecting strap width 129 can be smaller than the cutout width 117). This can advantageously allow further open space in the battery cavity.

[0037] Figure 9 A side view of the connecting strip 125 according to various embodiments is shown. Furthermore, according to various embodiments, it can be seen that the size of the cutout 113 is larger than the size of the connecting strip 125 in all dimensions.

[0038] As is well known in the art, the various elements of the battery, the battery housing, the battery cover and the cell container can be made of a variety of materials. For example, the cover, the container and / or the various components can be made of any polymer (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, a material containing polypropylene, etc.) or composite material (e.g., glass reinforced polymer). For example, the container can be made of a material containing polypropylene (e.g., pure polypropylene, a copolymer containing polypropylene, polypropylene with additives, etc.). Such polymer materials have relative resistance to degradation caused by acids (e.g., sulfuric acid) provided within the container unit. The terminal post, the side terminal and the connecting member can be made of one or more conductive materials (e.g., lead or a lead-containing material). Similarly, the band member and the end band can be made of one or more conductive materials (e.g., lead or a lead-containing material).

[0039] In various embodiments, the strip member may comprise a lead alloy. In various embodiments, the alloy may be substantially pure lead, and in various embodiments, may include lead, tin, antimony, calcium, and combinations thereof. As non-limiting examples, the alloy may be a lead-tin alloy, wherein the tin content ranges from 1-4%, 1-2.25%, 1-1.5%, and the like. In various embodiments, the lead may be raw lead, high-purity lead, or highly purified recycled lead.

[0040] The battery strap can be cast directly onto the battery cell elements. Thus, the strap can couple the tabs of the battery plates together, with the coupled battery plates forming a battery cell element, which includes a positive plate and a negative plate. As described above, a separator can be provided between the positive plate and the negative plate. As previously described, the strap can connect the positive plates or the negative plates together. The strap can have an elongated body shape to properly couple adjacent battery cell elements together by passing through grooves provided in the cell walls.

[0041] As used herein, the terms "closely," "approximately," "substantially," and similar terms have a broad meaning and are consistent with the meanings commonly used and accepted by persons of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure relates. Those skilled in the art, having read this disclosure, will understand that these terms are intended to allow for an explanation of certain features described or claimed, rather than to limit the scope of such features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Therefore, insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or variations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0042] It should be noted that references to relative positions (e.g., "above" and "below") in this specification are intended only to identify the orientations of the various elements shown in the drawings. It should be understood that the orientation of a particular component may vary greatly depending on the application in which the component is used.

[0043] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" means that two elements are directly or indirectly coupled to each other. This coupling can be fixed or removable in nature. This coupling can be achieved by the two elements, or by the two elements and any additional intermediate elements that form a single unified entity with each other or with the two elements, or by the two elements and additional intermediate elements that are attached to each other. This coupling can be permanent or removable or releasable in nature.

[0044] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the systems, methods, and devices shown in the various embodiments are merely illustrative. Although only some embodiments are described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who are familiar with this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., changes in the size, dimensions, structure, shape, and proportions of the elements, parameter values, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without substantially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter. For example, the integrally formed elements shown may be made from multiple parts, or the elements shown as being composed of multiple parts may be formed in one piece, the operation of the interface may be reversed or otherwise changed, the structure and / or length and width of the system's components or connectors or other elements may vary, and the nature and number of adjustment positions provided between elements may vary (e.g., by varying the number or size of the engagement slots or the type of engagement). The order or sequence of any process and method steps may be changed or reordered according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, or omissions may be implemented in the design, operating conditions, and arrangements of the various embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0045] Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with the embodiments given above, various substitutions, modifications, variations, improvements and substantial equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art, regardless of whether they are known or currently foreseeable. Therefore, the embodiments of the present invention set forth above are intended to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is intended to cover all known or previously developed substitutions, modifications, variations, improvements and / or substantial equivalents.

[0046] The technical effects and technical problems in the specification are exemplary rather than restrictive. It is worth noting that the embodiments described in the specification may have other technical effects and may solve other technical problems.

Claims

1. A battery comprising: build; a housing defining a plurality of cells aligned in a single row, each cell separated by a cell wall having corresponding cutouts; a plurality of battery elements disposed within the plurality of cells; two rows of battery straps connecting the plurality of battery elements in series, each connected battery strap of the battery straps extending through a respective one of the cell walls through the respective cutout; a common headspace above the plurality of battery elements, the common headspace being defined by a path of open headspace around each respective battery strip and further defined by the cover; wherein each battery strip has a cross-section comprising a substantially rectangular prism shape, and each battery strip is configured to gradually narrow from a bottom surface to a top surface of the battery strip; as well as Each battery strip is designed to be smaller than the corresponding cutout to allow for the open head space around the battery strip. 2 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein each cutout has a cut width and each battery ribbon has a ribbon width, and wherein the cut width is greater than the ribbon width. 3 . The battery of claim 1 , wherein each cutout has a cutout height and each battery strap has a strap height, and wherein the cutout height is greater than the strap height. The battery of claim 1 , wherein the battery strap comprises five connecting straps. 5 . The battery of claim 4 , wherein the battery ribbon comprises a first row having three connecting ribbons and a second row comprising two connecting ribbons.

6. The battery of claim 1 , wherein each battery strip has a top surface having a front edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a rear edge, the first side edge and the second side edge being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front edge and the rear edge.

7. A battery comprising: a housing defining six battery cells aligned in a single row and having five cell walls separating the six battery cells, each cell wall having a cutout; a first row of battery straps, the first row of battery straps being arranged above a surface of the battery cells of the single row, the first row having a first connecting strap, a second connecting strap, and a third connecting strap; a second row of battery straps, the second row of battery straps being arranged above the surface of the battery cells of the single row, the second row having a fourth connecting strap and a fifth connecting strap; The second row further includes a first end strap and a second end strap; The first connecting strap, the second connecting strap, the third connecting strap, the fourth connecting strap, and the fifth connecting strap pass through the cell wall to directly connect the six battery cells in series; a common headspace for the six battery cells, the common headspace comprising a plurality of open spaces defined by the cutouts and the connecting strips; wherein each connecting ribbon has a cross-section comprising a substantially rectangular prism shape, and each battery ribbon is configured to gradually narrow from a bottom surface to a top surface of the connecting ribbon, and The size of each connecting strip is designed to be smaller than the corresponding cutout to allow the open space around the connecting strip.

8. The battery of claim 7, wherein each connecting strip has a top surface having a front edge, a first side edge, a second side edge, and a rear edge, the first side edge and the second side edge being parallel to each other and perpendicular to the front edge and the rear edge.

9. The battery according to claim 7, wherein each connecting ribbon passes through a corresponding cutout to connect adjacent battery elements.

10. The battery according to claim 7, wherein each cutout has a cutout height greater than a height of the connecting strap. The battery according to claim 7 , wherein each of the cutouts has a cutout width greater than a width of the connecting ribbon.

12. A battery comprising: a housing having at least two cells and a cell wall disposed between the two cells; a plurality of elements disposed within the at least two units; a common headspace defined by said cell walls; as well as A battery strip having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge, wherein the first side edge and the second side edge respectively extend along the length of the battery strip, and the second surface of the battery strip is cast onto two of the plurality of elements and directly connects the two of the plurality of elements in series through the cell wall, wherein the battery strip is configured to gradually narrow along the first side edge and the second side edge respectively, and wherein the thickness of the battery strip is uniform throughout the entire length of the battery strip.

13. The battery of claim 12, wherein the common headspace is at least partially defined by a cutout in the cell wall and the battery strap passes through the cutout to connect the two elements. 14 . The battery according to claim 12 , wherein the battery straps include a first connecting strap, a second connecting strap, a third connecting strap, a fourth connecting strap, and a fifth connecting strap. 15 . The battery according to claim 14 , wherein the first, second, and third connecting strips are arranged in a first row and the fourth and fifth connecting strips are arranged in a second row opposite to the first row.

16. The battery of claim 15, wherein the second row further comprises two end straps.

17. The battery of claim 12, wherein a cross-sectional area of the cutout is larger than a cross-sectional area of the battery ribbon.

18. The battery of claim 17, wherein the common headspace is further defined by a difference between a cross-sectional area of the cutout and a cross-sectional area of the battery strap.

19. A battery comprising: a housing having a plurality of cells and a plurality of cell walls, each cell wall having a cutout; a plurality of battery elements disposed within the plurality of cells; a common headspace defined by said cutouts; as well as A plurality of battery straps connecting the plurality of battery elements in series, each battery strap extending through a cell wall through a cutout, and each battery strap having a first surface, a second surface opposite the first surface, a first side edge, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge, the first side edge and the second side edge respectively extending along a length of the battery strap, and the second surface being cast onto the plurality of battery elements, wherein each battery strap is configured to taper along the first side edge and the second side edge respectively, and wherein a thickness of the battery strap is uniform throughout the length of the battery strap.

20. The battery of claim 19, wherein the cutout has a cut width and the battery ribbon has a ribbon width, and the cut width is greater than the ribbon width.

21. The battery of claim 19, wherein the cutout has a cutout height and the battery strap has a strap height, and the cutout height is greater than the strap height.

22. The battery of claim 19, wherein the battery strap comprises five connecting straps and two end straps.

23. The battery of claim 22, wherein the battery straps include a first row having three connecting straps and a second row including two connecting straps and two end straps.

24. A battery comprising: a housing defining six cells, each cell being provided with a plurality of battery elements and each cell being separated by cell walls, wherein each cell wall extends from a bottom surface of the housing to a plane continuous with a top edge of the housing; a cutout provided in each of said cell walls; seven connecting belts arranged in two rows; a first row having a first connecting strap, a second connecting strap, and a third connecting strap; a second row having a fourth connecting strap and a fifth connecting strap, the second row further comprising a first end strap and a second end strap; The first connecting belt, the second connecting belt, the third connecting belt, the fourth connecting belt and the fifth connecting belt pass through the cell walls and directly connect the six cells in series; Each connecting strip has a first side edge and a second side edge opposite the first side edge, the first side edge and the second side edge respectively extending along a length of the connecting strip, and each connecting strip is configured to taper along the first side edge and the second side edge respectively, and wherein a thickness of each connecting strip is uniform throughout the entire length of the connecting strip; as well as A common headspace is defined by the cutout and the connecting strip.

25. The battery of claim 24, wherein the six cells are separated by five cell walls, each cell wall having a cutout, and wherein the common headspace is at least partially defined by the cutouts in the cell walls.

26. The battery according to claim 25, wherein each connecting strip connects adjacent battery elements through the cutout.

27. The battery of claim 25, wherein a cutout height of each cutout is greater than a height of the connecting strap.

28. The battery of claim 25, wherein a cutout width of each cutout is greater than a width of the connecting ribbon.

29. The battery according to claim 25, wherein a cross-sectional area of each cutout is larger than a cross-sectional area of each connecting ribbon.

30. The battery of claim 29, wherein the common headspace is further defined by the respective differences between the cross-sectional area of each cutout and the cross-sectional area of each connecting strap.

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