Secondary battery

Abstract

Disclosed is a secondary battery that enhances the safety and reliability thereof by preventing the danger of ignition and explosion when it is compressed or damaged due to an external impact. The secondary battery includes an electrode assembly including a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator; a can accommodating the electrode assembly; and a cap assembly covering a top opening of the can. The cap assembly includes a cap plate having a first hole at a central portion thereof and electrically connected to a first electrode tab protruding from the first electrode plate, an insulation plate located under the cap plate, a terminal plate located under the insulation plate, an electrode terminal penetrating the cap plate, the insulation plate, and the terminal plate and electrically connected to a second electrode tab protruding from the second electrode plate, and a short-circuit plate located under the cap plate. The short-circuit plate is disposed in a manner that the short-circuit plate contacts the terminal plate or the second electrode tab whenever a distorting pressure is applied to the secondary battery.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.