# US 7,611,800 B2 · Battery module > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,611,800 B2 - Document ID: US7611800B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/699,543 - Filed: 2007-01-29 - Published: 2008-04-24 - Granted: 2009-11-03 - Earliest claimed: 2006-10-20 - Assignees: Samsung Mobile Display Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Tae-Yong Kim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7611800B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/213: adapted for cells having curved cross-section, e.g. round or elliptic (H01M50/209, H01M50/216 take precedence) - H01M 10/0431: {Cells with wound or folded electrodes (H01M10/045 takes precedence)} - H01M 50/503: characterised by the shape of the interconnectors - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product - Y10T 29/49108: Electric battery cell making - 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 - Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A battery module includes a plurality of unit batteries, each of which includes an electrode assembly having positive and negative electrodes and a separator interposed therebetween, a casing which has an opened top face and stores the electrode assembly, and a cap assembly disposed on top of the casing. The battery module has an interconnection member which interconnects first and second unit batteries out of a plurality of the unit batteries by connecting a lower portion of the first unit battery with an upper portion of the second unit battery. Peripheral portions of the interconnection member are engaged with a recessed portion formed by making a step in the casing of the first unit battery. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A battery module comprising: a first battery unit comprising a first end, a second end and a side surface interconnecting the first and second ends therebetween, the side surface comprising an electrically conductive recess in the vicinity of the second end; a second battery unit comprising a first end, a second end and a side surface interconnecting the first and second ends of the second battery therebetween, wherein the first and second battery units are arranged such that the second end of the first battery unit faces the second battery unit; and an electrically conductive coupler comprising a central portion and a peripheral portion, the central portion interposed between the first and second battery units, the peripheral portion physically and electrically contacting the electrically conductive recess such that the coupler receives a portion of the first battery unit near the second end thereof. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the recess comprises an inwardly retracted portion of the side surface of the first battery unit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The battery module of claim 2, wherein the second end of the first battery unit comprises a second end surface, and wherein the inwardly retracted portion of the side surface abuts the second end surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The battery module of claim 2, wherein the second end of the first battery unit comprises a second end surface, wherein the first battery unit further comprises an interconnecting surface interconnecting the second end surface and the side surface of the first battery unit, and wherein the inwardly retracted portion is connected to the second end surface via the interconnecting surface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the second end and the side surface of the first battery unit define one or more edges therebetween, wherein the one or more edges form a closed loop, and wherein the recess is formed along the one or more edges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the second end and the side surface of the first battery unit define one or more edges therebetween, wherein the one or more edges form a closed loop, and wherein, the recess is in a single closed loop along the closed loop of the one or more edges. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the side surface of the first battery unit comprises one or more additional recesses. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the first battery unit comprises a can, which comprises the second end and the side surface, and wherein the can has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of generally a circle, an oval, a rectangle and a polygon. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the first battery unit is fixed or bonded to the coupler. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the central portion comprises a surface contacting the second end of the first battery unit, and wherein the peripheral portion generally extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the central portion. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The battery module of claim 10, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a rim extending from the central portion in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the central portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The battery module of claim 11, wherein the peripheral portion surrounds the side surface near the second end of the first battery unit. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the coupler comprises one or more additional peripheral portions, and wherein each peripheral portion is integrated with the central portion via an arm. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The battery module of claim 13, wherein the peripheral portions generally surround the side surface near the second end of the first battery unit. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The battery module of claim 1, wherein the second end of the first battery unit comprises a second end surface facing the second battery unit, wherein the side surface of the first battery unit forms an outermost contour when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the second end surface, and wherein the coupler does not outwardly extend beyond the contour when viewed in the same direction. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The battery module of claim 15, wherein the contour is substantially circular with a radius, wherein the central portion of the coupler has a center, and wherein a distance from the center to an outermost surface of the peripheral portion in a plane perpendicular to the direction is substantially the same as or smaller than the radius. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) An automobile comprising the battery module of claim 1.