RECHARGEABLE BATTERY PACK
5 BACKGROUND
1. Field
[OOOI] Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a
rechargeable battery pack.
10 2. Description of the Related Art
[0002] A two (2)-wheel vehicle and a four (4)-wheel vehicle are generally provided
with a battery pack for starting their engines.
[0003] A lead (Pb) storage battery is generally used (or utilized) as the battery pack
for starting an engine.
15 [0004] The pack of the lead storage battery is sealed by ultrasonic welding to reduce
(e.g., prevent) moisture permeation.
[0005] However, a structure formed by the ultrasonic welding makes it difficult to
disassemble the pack when repair work on the pack is performed.
[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for
20 enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and
therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known
to a person of ordinary skill in the art.
SUMMARY
25 [0007] Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a
rechargeable battery pack utilized for starting an engine of a two (2)-wheel or four
(4)-wheel vehicle.
[0008] Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed toward a
rechargeable battery pack that is capable of allowing easy disassembly for repair work
5 and water resistant (e.g., waterproof) performance during operation.
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
rechargeable battery pack including: a cell holder configured to accommodate unit
battery cells; a lower case configured to accommodate the cell holder; an upper case
attached to an opening of the lower case and covering the cell holder and the unit battery
10 cells; a tab having an end portion drawn out of a through-hole of the upper case to be on
an outer surface of the upper case while coupling the unit battery cells; and a terminal
electrically coupled to the end portion of the tab while overlapping therewith and
attached to the upper case while covering the through-hole.
[OOIO] The tab and the terminal may make surface contact with each other outside of
15 the upper case.
[OOII] The tab and the terminal may be spaced from the through-hole and fastened
to the upper case by a fastening member such that the tab and the terminal make
surface contact with each other.
[0012] The upper case may include a plate-shaped supporting portion configured to
20 support the end portion that is bent from the tab, and the terminal may include a tab
connection portion on the end portion to make surface contact with the end portion.
[0013] The upper case may include a first supporting protrusion that protrudes to
cover the through-hole from above, and the tab connection portion of the terminal may
be supported by the first supporting protrusion above the through-hole.
25 [0014] The upper case may include a first insertion groove corresponding to the tab
connection portion below the first supporting protrusion.
[0015] The first insertion groove and a lateral end of the tab connection portion
combined with the first insertion groove may respectively have circular shapes at
cross-sections perpendicular to an insertion direction of the tab connection portion.
[0016] The upper case may include a coupling groove corresponding to a load
connection portion that is coupled to the tab connection portion, and the load connection
5 portion may further include a coupling portion that is bent from the tab connection portion
and configured to be coupled to the coupling groove.
[0017] The terminal may include a load connection portion that crosses the tab
connection portion at one side thereof, and the load connection portion may be bent in a
vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a vertical direction.
10 [0018] The upper case may further include a pressing portion protruding toward the
inside of the lower case and may be configured to press the tab and the unit battery cells
together.
[0019] The upper case may include a first supporting protrusion that protrudes to
cover the through-hole from above and a second supporting protrusion that protrudes at
15 an opposite side of that of the first supporting protrusion, and a tab connection portion
may be supported by the first and second supporting protrusions.
[0020] The upper case may include a first insertion groove that corresponds to the
tab connection portion below the first supporting protrusion, and a second insertion
groove that corresponds to the tab connection portion below the second supporting
20 protrusion.
[0021] The terminal may include a tab connection portion on the end portion to make
surface contact therewith, and the tab connection portion may include a moisture
discharging groove at an outer part of the through-hole.
[0022] As described above, in the example embodiments, the tab to which the unit
25 battery cells are coupled is drawn out of the through-hole to be bent on the outer surface
of the upper case, and the terminal is on the tab to be electrically coupled thereto and to
be combined with the upper case while covering the through-hole.
[0023] That is, in the rechargeable battery pack according to embodiments of the
present invention, the terminal may be separable from the tab and the upper case may
5 be separable from the lower case.
[0024] Accordingly, example embodiments of the present invention make the
disassembly and assembly work easier during repair work, and the terminal covers the
through-hole of the upper case, thereby implementing water resistance when the
rechargeable battery pack is used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery pack according to a first
example embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the rechargeable battery pack
15 shown in FIG. 1.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which unit battery cells are
assembled in a cell holder.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the unit battery cells are
coupled by a tab after the state shown in FIG. 3.
20 [0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state in which insulating tapes are
attached to the tab after the state shown in FIG. 4.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cell assembly is
inserted into a lower case and then an upper case is assembled.
[0031] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tab and a terminal according to
25 the first example embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the first example embodiment shown in FIG. 1.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the line IX-IX.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the line X-X.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the line XI-XI.
[0036] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a rechargeable battery pack according to a
second example embodiment of the present invention.
5 [0037] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 taken along the line XIII-XIII.
[0038] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12 taken along the line XIV-XIV.
[0039] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery pack according to a
third example embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a rechargeable battery pack according to a fourth
10 example embodiment of the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 taken along the line XVII-XVII.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to
15 the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the present invention
are shown.
[0043] As those skilled in the art would realize, the described embodiments may be
modified in various different ways, all without departing from the spirit or scope of the
present invention.
20 [0044] The drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and
not restrictive. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout the
specification.
[0045] Spatially relative terms, such as "beneath", "below", "lower", "downward",
"above", "upper", "horizontal", "vertical", and the like, may be used herein for ease of
25 description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or
feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative
terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation
in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the
figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or
features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the
exemplary term "below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The
5 device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the
spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
[0046] When a first element is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to a
second element, the first element may be directly "coupled" or "connected" to the second
element, or one or more other inte~eninge lements may be located between the first
10 element and the second element.
[0047] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery pack according to a first
example embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of
the rechargeable battery pack shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing
a state in which unit battery cells are assembled in a cell holder.
15 [0048] Referring to FIGS. I, 2, and 3, a rechargeable battery pack 100 according to a
first example embodiment includes: a cell holder 20 for accommodating unit battery cells
10; a lower case 30 for accommodating the cell holder 20; an upper case 40 combined
with (e.g., attached to) the lower case 30; a tab 50 coupling the unit battery cells 10; and
a terminal 60 coupled to the tab 50.
20 [0049] The unit battery cells 10 used (or utilized) for the first example embodiment
include cylindrical rechargeable batteries.
[0050] Since disclosed rechargeable batteries that may be used (or utilized) as the
unit battery cells 10 should be apparent to those skilled in the art, a detailed description
of them will not be provided.
25 [0051] Alternatively, the unit battery cells may include (e.g., may consist of)
prism-shaped or pouch-shaped rechargeable batteries.
[0052] The cell holder 20 may be handled as a single cell assembly that
accommodates a plurality of unit battery cells 10.
[0053] For example, the cell holder 20 includes (e.g., consists of) an upper holder 21
and a lower holder 22 that are combined with each other in a length (e.g., a vertical
5 length) direction, and is configured to accommodate eight cylindrical rechargeable
batteries, as an example.
[0054] The cell holder 20 is provided with receiving holes corresponding to outward
shapes (e.g., cylindrical or prismatic shapes) of the unit battery cells 10.
[0055] The lower case 30 accommodates the cell holder 20 as the cell assembly in
10 which the unit battery cells 10 is accommodated, and the lower case is combined with
the upper case 40, thereby forming an outward shape of the rechargeable battery pack
100.
[0056] As an example, the upper case 40 is provided with a hook 41 (or a plurality of
hooks), which is combined with a catching groove 31 that is formed in an opening of the
15 lower case 30.
[0057] By combining the hook 41 with the catching groove 31, the upper case 40
maintains its combined state with the opening of the lower case 30.
[0058] A disassembly and assembly capable structure of the catching groove 31 and
the hook 41 makes it easier to disassemble and assemble the rechargeable battery pack
20 100 when repair work is performed.
[0059] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state in which the unit battery cells are
coupled by the tab after the state shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing
a state in which insulating tapes are attached to the tab after the state shown in FIG. 4,
and FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cell assembly is inserted
25 into the lower case and then the upper case is assembled thereto.
[0060] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, in assembly, the tab 50 electrically couples the
unit battery cells 10, and is drawn out of through-holes 42 that are provided in the upper
case 40 such that the tab 50 is bent outside of the upper case 40 to be located on an
outer surface thereof.
[0061] The tab 50 couples the unit battery cells 10 in series or in parallel by welding,
and may have various suitable shapes for this purpose.
5 [0062] In FIG. 4, among the unit battery cells 10, the tab 50 is formed to couple eight
battery unit cells in series by coupling two unit battery cells in parallel.
[0063] In the first example embodiment, the tab 50 is formed with a 4-cell reception
tab 51 for coupling four unit battery cells 10 and a 2-cell reception tab 52 for coupling two
unit battery cells 10.
10 [0064] That is, at a lower part of FIG. 4, two 4-cell reception tabs 51 respectively
couple four battery cell units at lateral sides.
[0065] At an upper part of FIG. 4, one 4-cell reception tab 51 couples four
intermediate cell units 10, and two 2-cell reception tabs 52 respectively couple two unit
battery cells 10 at lateral sides.
15 [0066] The two 2-cell reception tabs 52 electrically couple the two unit battery cells
10, and are drawn out of the through-holes 42 of the upper case 40 such that they are
outside of the upper case 40 on the outer surface thereof as a bent end portion 53.
[0067] Referring to FIG. 5, insulating tapes 80 are on upper and lower parts of the cell
holder 20 such that they are respectively attached to top and bottom surfaces of the tab
20 50.
[0068] The insulating tapes 80 reduce (e.g., prevent) inflow of alien materials to
reduce (e.g., prevent) a short-circuit between the unit battery cells 10.
[0069] The insulating tape 80 is provided with a first through-hole 81 through which
the end portion 53 of the tab 50 penetrates, and a second through-hole 82 through which
25 a fastening member (or fastener) 70, described later, penetrates.
[0070] Referring to FIG. 6, the cell holder 20 is inserted into the lower case 30
through an opening of the lower case 30, while accommodating the unit battery cells 10
so that the cell holder 20 and the unit battery cells 10 are accommodated in the lower
case 30.
[0071] In this case, the unit battery cells 10 are electrically coupled to each other
through the tab 50, and the tab 50 remains coated by the insulating tape 80.
5 [0072] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 2, while the unit battery cells 10 are accommodated
in the lower case 30, the upper case 40 is combined with (e.g., attached to) the opening
of the lower case 30.
[0073] In this case, the tab 50 is drawn out of the upper case 40 through the
through-hole 42 provided in the upper case 40.
10 [0074] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the drawn-out end portion 53 of the tab 50 is bent
outside the upper case 40 to be located on the outer surface thereof.
[0075] The terminal 60 is located on the bent end portion 53 of the tab 50 so as to be
electrically coupled thereto.
[0076] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the tab and the terminal according to
15 the first example embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the
first example embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8
taken along the line IX-IX.
[0077] Referring to FIGS. 7,8, and 9, the terminal 60 is combined with (e.g., attached
to) the upper case 40 while covering the through-hole 42.
20 [0078] In this case, the tab 50 may make surface contact with the terminal 60 outside
of the upper case 40.
[0079] To this end, a plate-shaped supporting portion 43 is provided at the upper
case 40 so as to support the bent end portion 53 of the tab 50.
[0080] The terminal 60 includes a tab connection portion 61 that is overlapping the
25 end portion 53 of the tab 50 above the supporting portion 43 for surface contact.
[0081] Further, the terminal 60 further includes a load connection portion 62 that
crosses the tab connection portion 61 at one side thereof to be continuously bent (e.g.,
sequentially bent) in a vertical direction (z-axis direction), a horizontal direction (y-axis
direction), and a vertical direction (z-axis direction) for connection with an external load.
[0082] The tab 50 and the terminal 60 are spaced apart from the through-hole 42 by a
distance D (e.g., a predetermined distance D) at one side such that they are fastened to
5 the upper case 40 by the fastening member 70.
[0083] In this case, the fastening member 70 penetrates through the tab connection
portion 61 of the terminal 60 and the end portion 53 of the tab 50 such that the end
portion 53 of the tab 50 is fastened to the supporting portion 43 of the upper case 40.
[0084] By a fastening force of the fastening member 70, the end portion 53 of the tab
10 50 and the tab connection portion 61 of the terminal 60 may make surface contact with
each other above the supporting portion 43.
[0085] That is, the tab 50 and the terminal 60 may be able to form and maintain a
structure for stable electrical connection.
[0086] Referring to FIG. 9, according to other embodiments of the present invention,
15 when being elongated enough to penetrate through the insulating tape 80, the fastening
member 70 may penetrate through the second through-hole 82 and still be electrically
separated from the tab 50.
[0087] Further, the upper case 40 is provided with a first supporting protrusion 441
that protrudes to cover the through-hole 42 from above, and the terminal 60 is supported
20 by the first supporting protrusion 441 at the tab connection portion 61 at a side of the
through-hole 42.
[0088] The tab connection portion 61 of the terminal 60 is supported by the first
supporting protrusion 441 by covering the through-hole 42, and makes surface contact
with the end portion 53 of the tab 50 for electrical connection, thereby being fixed to the
25 fastening member 70.
[0089] That is, in the upper case 40 exposed outside, a part to which the terminal 60
is fixed and the through-hole 42 through which the tab 50 is drawn out are separated
from each other, and the through-hole 42 is covered by the first supporting protrusion
441.
[0090] Accordingly, when the rechargeable battery pack 100 is used (or utilized),
moisture permeation through the through-hole 42, through which the tab 50 is drawn out,
5 can be reduced (e.g., prevented).
[0091] That is, the rechargeable battery pack 100 with water resistance is
implemented.
[0092] The tab connection portion 61 of the terminal 60 is inserted (e.g., inserted by
sliding) on the supporting portion 43 such that its one end is supported by the first
10 supporting protrusion 441.
[0093] Then, the other end of the tab connection portion 61 is coupled to the end
portion 53 of the tab 50 by the fastening member 70 so as to be fixed to the supporting
portion 43.
[0094] Thus, the tab connection portion 61 may be able to make stable surface
15 contact with the end portion 53 above the supporting portion 43.
[0095] Further, the upper case 40 is formed with a first insertion groove 451
corresponding to the tab connection portion 61 below the first supporting protrusion 441.
[0096] The first insertion groove 451 causes the tab connection portion 61 to be
inserted (e.g., inserted by sliding) in the first supporting protrusion 441 such that the tab
20 connection portion 61 is more firmly supported by the first supporting protrusion 441, and
may be able to further maintain the insertion state.
[0097] As such, a structure in which the tab connection portion 61 is combined (e.g.
combined by sliding) with the first supporting protrusion 441 and the first insertion groove
451 and in which the tab connection portion 61 is combined with the end portion 53 of the
25 tab 50 by the fastening member 70 makes disassembly and assembly of the
rechargeable battery pack 100 easier when doing repairs.
[0098] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the line X-X, and FIG.
11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 taken along the line XI-XI.
[0099] Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, 10, and I I, the upper case 40 is formed with a
coupling groove 46 corresponding to the load connection portion 62.
5 [OOIOO] For its corresponding portion, the load connection portion 62 further includes a
coupling portion 621 that is bent in a horizontal direction of the tab connection portion 61
to be combined with the coupling groove 46.
[ O O I O I ] When the tab connection portion 61 is combined (e.g., combined by sliding)
with the first supporting protrusion 441 and the first insertion groove 451, the coupling
10 portion 621 of the load connection portion 62 is combined (e.g., combined by sliding)
with the coupling groove 46 of the upper case 40.
[00102] Accordingly, the load connection portion 62 is firmly combined with the upper
case 40 in the terminal 60, and may be able to maintain a stable electrical connection
when a load is coupled.
15 [00103] A coupled structure (e.g., a structure coupled by sliding) between the coupling
portion 621 of the terminal 60 and the coupling groove 46 not only makes the
disassembly and assembly of the rechargeable battery pack 100 easier when doing
repairs, but also makes the surface contact between the tab connection portion 61 of the
terminal 60 and the end portion 53 of the tab 50 more stable.
20 [00104] The upper case 40 is further provided with a pressing portion 47 at its inner
lower part.
[00105] The pressing portion 47 protrudes toward inside of the lower case 30 to press
the tab 50 and the unit battery cells 10 accommodated in the lower case 30 while being
coupled therewith.
25 [00106] For example, the pressing portion 47 presses the insulating tape 80 provided
on a top surface of the tab 50 to reduce (e.g., prevent) movement of the unit battery cells
10 inside the lower and upper cases 30 and 40 while maintaining an electrical
connection between the tab 50 and the unit battery cells 10.
[00107] Various example embodiments will now be described.
[00108] A description of the same constituent elements as the first example
embodiment and the aforementionedexample embodiments will not be provided again.
5 [00109] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the rechargeable battery pack according to a
second example embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view
of FIG. 12 taken along the line XIII-XIII, and FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 12
taken along the line XIV-XIV.
[OOIIO] Referring to FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, in a rechargeable battery pack 200
10 according to the second example embodiment of the present invention, an upper case
240 is provided with a first supporting protrusion 441 that protrudes to cover the
through-hole 42 at one side, and a second supporting protrusion 442 that protrudes at
the other side to face the first supporting protrusion 441.
[OOIII] A terminal 260 is supported by the first and second supporting protrusions 441
15 and 442 with a tab connection portion 261.
[00112] Thus, the tab connection portion 261 may be able to maintain stable surface
contact with the end portion 53 on the supporting portion 43.
[00113] The upper case 240 is provided with a first insertion groove 451 corresponding
to the tab connection portion 261 below the first supporting protrusion 441, and a second
20 insertion groove 452 corresponding to the tab connection portion 261 below the second
supporting protrusion 442.
[00114] The first and second insertion grooves 451 and 452 cause the tab connection
portion 261 to be inserted (e.g., inserted by sliding) in the first and second supporting
protrusions 441 and 442 such that the tab connection portion 261 is more firmly
25 supported by the first and second supporting protrusions 441 and 442, and may be able
to further maintain the insertion state.
[00115] As such, when the tab connection portion 261 is combined (e.g., combined by
sliding) with both the first and second supporting protrusions 441 and 442 and the first
and second insertion grooves 451 and 452, the coupling portion 621 of the load
connection portion 62 is combined (e.g., combined by sliding) with a coupling groove 46
of the upper case 240.
5 [00116] Accordingly, the load connection portion 62 is firmly combined with the upper
case 240 in the terminal 260, and may be able to maintain a stable electrical connection
when a load is coupled.
[00117] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery pack according to a
third example embodiment of the present invention.
10 [00118] Referring to FIG. 15, in a rechargeable battery pack 300 according to the third
example embodiment of the present invention, a first insertion groove 453 and a lateral
part of a tab connection portion 361 combined with the first insertion groove 453
respectively have circular shapes in cross-sections perpendicular to an insertion
direction of the tab connection portion 361.
15 [00119] The first insertion groove 453 causes the tab connection portion 361 to be
inserted (e.g., inserted by sliding) in the first supporting protrusion 443 such that the tab
connection portion 361 is more firmly supported by the first supporting protrusion 443,
and may be able to further maintain the insertion state.
[00120] When the tab connection portion 361 of a terminal 360 is combined with both
20 the first supporting protrusion 443 and the first insertion groove 453, the coupling portion
621 of the load connection portion 62 is combined (e.g., combined by sliding) with a
coupling groove 46 of an upper case 340.
[00121] Accordingly, the load connection portion 62 is firmly combined with the upper
case 340 in the terminal 360, and may be able to maintain a stable electrical connection
25 when a load is coupled.
[00122] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a rechargeable battery pack according to a fourth
example embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of
FIG. 16 taken along the line XVII-XVII.
[00123] Referring to FIGS. 16 and 17, in the rechargeable battery pack 400 according
to a fourth example embodiment, a terminal 460 of a tab connection portion 461 is
5 provided with a dew discharging groove 476 at an outer part of the through-hole 42.
[00124] The dew discharging groove 476 is formed outside the upper case 40 and at
an outer side of the terminal 460 to direct dew and other moisture collected in the
terminal 460 in a direction away from the through-hole 42, thereby reducing a chance of
(e.g., preventing) a short-circuit between the unit battery cells 10 due to the dew.
10 [00125] While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently
considered to be practical example embodiments, it is to be understood that the present
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to
cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and
scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
15
Description of Symbols
10: unit battery cell
20: cell holder
21: upper holder
20 22: lower holder
30: lower case
31: catching groove
40,240,340: upper case
41: hook
25 42: through-holes
43: supporting portion
46: coupling groove
47: pressing portion
50: tab
51: 4-cell reception tab
52: 2-cell reception tab
5 53: end portion
60, 260, 360, 460: terminal
61, 261, 361, 461: tab connection portion
62: load connection portion
70: fastening member
10 80: insulating tape
81, 82: first, second through-holes
100, 200, 300, 400: rechargeable battery pack
441,443: first supporting protrusion
442: second supporting protrusion
15 451, 453: first insertion groove
452: second insertion groove
476: dew discharging groove
621 : coupling portion
D: distance
20
WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A rechargeable battery pack comprising:
a cell holder configured to accommodate unit battery cells;
a lower case configured to accommodate the cell holder;
an upper case attached to an opening of the lower case and covering the cell
holder and the unit battery cells;
a tab having an end portion drawn out of a through-hole of the upper case to be on
an outer surface of the upper case while coupling the unit battery cells; and
a terminal electrically coupled to the end portion of the tab while overlapping
therewith and attached to the upper case while covering the through-hole.
15 2. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the tab and the terminal make surface
contact with each other outside of the upper case.
3. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the tab and the terminal are spaced
from the through-hole and are fastened to the upper case by a fastening member such
20 that the tab and the terminal make surface contact with each other.
4. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the upper case comprises a
plate-shaped supporting portion configured to support the end portion that is bent from
the tab, and the terminal comprises a tab connection portion on the end portion to make
25 surface contact with the end portion.
5. The battery pack of claim 4, wherein the upper case comprises a first
supporting protrusion that protrudes to cover the through-hole from above, and the tab
connection portion of the terminal is supported by the first supporting protrusion above
the through-hole.
5
6. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein the upper case comprises a first
insertion groove corresponding to the tab connection portion below the first supporting
protrusion.
7. The battery pack of claim 6, wherein the first insertion groove and a lateral
end of the tab connection portion combined with the first insertion groove respectively
have circular shapes at cross-sections perpendicular to an insertion direction of the tab
connection portion.
15 8. The battery pack of claim 6, wherein the upper case comprises a coupling
groove corresponding to a load connection portion that is coupled to the tab connection
portion, and the load connection portion further comprises a coupling portion that is bent
from the tab connection portion and configured to be coupled to the coupling groove.
9. The battery pack of claim 5, wherein the terminal comprises a load
connection portion that crosses the tab connection portion at one side thereof, and the
load connection portion is bent in a vertical direction, a horizontal direction, and a vertical
direction.
25 10. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the upper case further comprises a
pressing portion protruding toward the inside of the lower case and configured to press
the tab and the unit battery cells together.
11. The battery pack of claim 1, wherein the upper case comprises a first
supporting protrusion that protrudes to cover the through-hole from above and a second
5 . supporting protrusion that protrudes at an opposite side of that of the first supporting
protrusion, and a tab connection portion is supported by the first and second supporting
protrusions.
12. The battery pack of claim 11, wherein the upper case comprises a first
10 insertion groove that corresponds to the tab connection portion below the first supporting
protrusion, and a second insertion groove that corresponds to the tab connection portion
below the second supporting protrusion.
13. The battery pack of claim I, wherein the terminal comprises a tab
15 connection portion on the end portion to make surface contact therewith, and the tab
connection portion comprises a moisture discharging groove at an outer part of the
through-hole.