Rechargeable battery having current collector plate with protrusion

A rechargeable battery, comprising:

• an electrode assembly including first and second electrode plates, each of which includes an electrode uncoated portion, and a separator interposed between the first and second electrode plates, the electrode assembly having a direction;
• and
• at least one current collector plate, each current collector plate contacting one of the electrode uncoated portions of the first and second electrode plates,
• wherein each current collector plate includes:
• a base portion and a side portion, the side portion extending toward each electrode uncoated portion of the electrode assembly from peripheral edges of the base portion,
• a protrusion protruding toward the electrode assembly from the base portion and having a contact portion contacting one of the electrode uncoated portions, the contact portion of the protrusion being a first surface of the protrusion, and the first surface of the protrusion facing the separator in the electrode assembly,
• a slit in the contact portion extending through the side portion and disposed at a predetermined angle with respect to the direction of the electrode assembly, and
• a laser welding line in the first surface of the protrusion surrounding the slit.