Battery module with stacked cells having offset tabs

A method for manufacturing a battery module, the method comprising:

• providing a housing having a positive battery module terminal and a negative battery module terminal;
• mounting a plurality of battery cells in the housing, wherein:
• the plurality of battery cells are configured to store electrical energy;
• each of the plurality of battery cells has a positive battery cell terminal and a negative battery cell terminal disposed on opposing battery cell ends;
• and
• the positive battery cell terminal and the negative battery cell terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells are offset from a plane perpendicular to the opposing battery cell ends and passing through a center of the battery cell;
• arranging the plurality of battery cells as a plurality of groups with a common side, wherein the positive battery cell terminals and the negative battery cell terminals on the common side alternate about the plane in every other one of the plurality of groups;
• and
• electrically connecting the plurality of groups in series between the positive battery module terminal and the negative battery module terminal.

A battery pack for a vehicle, the battery pack comprising:

• a positive battery pack terminal;
• a negative battery pack terminal;
• and
• a plurality of battery modules electrically connected between the positive battery pack terminal and the negative battery pack terminal, wherein each of the plurality of battery modules includes:
• a housing having a positive battery module terminal and a negative battery module terminal, and
• a plurality of battery cells mounted in the housing, wherein:
• the plurality of battery cells are configured to store electrical energy;
• each of the plurality of battery cells has a positive battery cell terminal and a negative battery cell terminal disposed on opposing battery cell ends;
• the positive battery cell terminal and the negative battery cell terminal of each of the plurality of battery cells are offset from a plane perpendicular to the opposing battery cell ends and passing through a center of the battery cell;
• the plurality of battery cells are arranged as a plurality of groups with a common side;
• the positive battery cell terminals and the negative battery cell terminals on the common side alternate about the plane in every other one of the plurality of groups;
• and
• the plurality of groups are electrically connected in series between the positive battery module terminal and the negative battery module terminal.