# US 10,312,486 B2 · Rechargeable battery pack > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,312,486 B2 - Document ID: US10312486B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/227,888 - Filed: 2016-08-03 - Published: 2017-03-02 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-08-28 - Assignees: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Myung-Chul Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10312486B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/209: adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells (H01M50/216 takes precedence) - H01M 50/262: with fastening means, e.g. locks - H01M 50/271: Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings - H01M 2220/20: Batteries in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION ## Abstract A rechargeable battery pack according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention includes: unit cells including rechargeable batteries stacked along a first direction; rechargeable battery modules including the unit cells and electrically connected to each other, and including end plates at outermost ends of the rechargeable battery modules; and a combining member connecting the end plates of the rechargeable battery modules, wherein each of the end plates includes: a main body facing the unit cells; a flange bent from the main body and facing the combining member; a first fastening member connecting the flange to the combining member; and a handling opening in the main body at a side of the first fastening member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rechargeable battery pack comprising: unit cells comprising rechargeable batteries stacked along a first direction; rechargeable battery modules comprising the unit cells electrically connected to each other, and comprising end plates at outermost ends of the rechargeable battery modules; and a combining member connecting the end plates of the rechargeable battery modules, wherein each of the end plates comprises: a main body facing the unit cells; a flange bent from the main body and facing the combining member; a first fastening member for connecting the flange to the combining member; and a handling opening in the main body at a side of the first fastening member, wherein the flange is located above the handling opening, and wherein the flange is at an uppermost portion of the end plate. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, further comprising a second fastening member for connecting the combining member and the first fastening member, wherein the second fastening member is combined to the first fastening member through a fastening opening of the combining member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 2, wherein the first fastening member comprises a nut fixed to the flange and located at a first side of the handling opening, and wherein the second fastening member comprises a bolt combined to the first fastening member through the fastening opening of the combining member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a separation portion at an upper portion thereof, the separation portion being bent away from the outermost unit cell, and being configured to maintain separation from the outermost unit cell, and wherein the flange is at an outer side of the separation portion adjacent the upper portion of the main body. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 4, wherein a portion of the first fastening member is adjacent the separation portion or overlaps the separation portion. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 5, wherein a first bent line between the separation portion and the flange is adjacent an inner end of the flange, and wherein the handling opening is spaced apart from the first bent line. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 4, wherein the end plate further comprises: a bottom flange at a lower portion of the main body, bent away from the outermost unit cell to face the flange, and fixed to a pack bottom plate; and side flanges facing each other at lateral sides of the main body, bent away from the outermost unit cell, and fixed to a module side plate. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a separation portion at an upper portion of the main body bent away from the outermost unit cell, the separation portion being configured to maintain separation from the outermost unit cell, and wherein the flange is at an inner side and at an upper end of the separation portion. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 8, wherein the first fastening member overlaps with the separation portion at the outermost edge that is adjacent the main body, or at an inner side of the separation portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 9, wherein a first bent line between the separation portion and the flange is at an outer side at a distance from an inner end of the flange, and wherein the handling opening is defined by the separation portion and has a height from the first bent line to the flange. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a separation portion adjacent an upper portion of the main body, bent away from the outermost unit cell, and configured to maintain separation from the outermost unit cell, and wherein the flange overlaps an outer side and an inner side at an upper end of the separation portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 11, wherein the first fastening member is located at the outermost edge of the separation portion adjacent the main body. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 12, wherein a first bent line between the separation portion and the flange is between an inner end and an outer end of the flange, and wherein the handling opening is defined by the separation portion and has a height from the first bent line to the flange. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 7, wherein the bottom flange comprises an elastic portion that is bent vertically. ### Claim 15 (depends on 7) The rechargeable battery pack of claim 7, wherein the end plate further comprises a reinforcement rib that protrudes between the main body and the bottom flange.