Flexible circuit for vehicle battery

A flexible circuit for a vehicle battery, the circuit comprising:

• at least a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer that are electrically separated by an insulating layer;
• at least one opening in the first conductive layer, the opening sized and shaped to provide access to at least a portion of a positive terminal of an electrochemical cell;
• a plurality of electrically conductive positive contact arms extending from the first conductive surface and into the at least one opening in the first conductive layer, the positive contact arms including at least one positive contact point configured to contact and electrically connect at least one positive terminal of an electrochemical cell;
• at least one opening in the second conductive layer, the opening sized and shaped to provide access to at least a portion of a negative terminal of an electrochemical cell;
• and
• a plurality of electrically conductive negative contact arms extending from the second conductive surface and into the at least one opening in the second conductive layer, the negative contact arms including at least one negative contact point configured to contact and electrically connect to at least one negative terminal of the electrochemical cell.

A method of manufacturing a vehicle battery, the method comprising:

• placing a plurality of rechargeable electrochemical cells into a first housing portion, the electrochemical cells having a top side and a bottom side, the top side having at least one positive terminal and at least one negative terminal disposed thereon;
• securing a positive bus bar and a negative bus bar to a second housing portion that is different from the first housing portion, the positive bus bar connected to a positive terminal post extending through the second housing portion, the negative bus bar connected to a negative terminal post extending through the second housing portion;
• electrically connecting the cells by placing a flex circuit against the top side of the cells, the flex circuit comprising:
• a first conductive surface in electrical contact with the positive terminal of at least one of the electrochemical cells;
• and
• a second conductive surface in electrical contact with the negative terminal of at least one of the electrochemical cells;
• wherein the second conductive surface is insulated from electrical contact with the first conductive surface;
• contacting the first and second housing portions such that the positive bus bar contacts and forms a direct electrical connection with the first conductive surface, and the negative bus bar contacts and forms a direct electrical connection with the second conductive surface;
• and
• sealing the first housing portion to the second housing portion.