Battery module

A battery module, comprising:

• a first rechargeable battery and a second rechargeable battery electrically coupled in series to each other, the first rechargeable battery and the second rechargeable battery each including:
• a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal,
• a case that accommodates an electrode assembly that performs charging and discharging operations;
• a cap plate combined to an opening of the case, wherein the first electrode terminal is electrically connected a positive electrode of the electrode assembly and to the cap plate and the second electrode terminal is electrically connected to a negative electrode of the electrode assembly and electrically isolated from the cap plate;
• and
• a short-circuit member that deforms when an internal pressure of one of the first rechargeable battery and second rechargeable battery exceeds a predetermined pressure, the short-circuit member being located in a short-circuit hole that penetrates through the cap plate, the short-circuit hole being between the second electrode terminal and a vent hole of the cap plate such that every portion of the short-circuit hole is closer to the vent hole than every portion of the second electrode terminal;
• a fuse member outside the case, the fuse member including a first pad overlapping, contacting, and electrically coupled to the second electrode terminal of the second rechargeable battery, and a second pad coupled to the cap plate and overlapping the short-circuit member of the second rechargeable battery, the second pad being electrically insulated from the cap plate;
• a first drawn-out tab connected to the first electrode terminal of the first rechargeable battery, and a second drawn-out tab connected to the fuse member;
• and
• a plurality of fuses between the first pad and the second pad and the second drawn-out tab outside the case, wherein widths of the fuses are smaller than widths of the first and second pads,
• wherein the short-circuit member is deformable when an internal pressure inside the case exceeds a reference pressure such that in a state in which the short-circuit member is deformed, the short-circuit member physically contacts the second pad to electrically connect the second pad with the cap plate, short-circuiting a first electrode and a second electrode of the electrode assembly through the fuse member.