# US 9,520,585 B2 · Assembled battery and cell connection method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,520,585 B2 - Document ID: US9520585B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/003,492 - Filed: 2012-02-27 - Published: 2014-02-27 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2011-03-10 - Assignees: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. - Applicants: Toshiya Shimizu; Kiyoshi Shibata; Yasuhiro Kohara; Yasuhiro Asai; Takashi Seto; Daiki Uchiyama - Inventors: Toshiya Shimizu; Kiyoshi Shibata; Yasuhiro Kohara; Yasuhiro Asai; Takashi Seto; Daiki Uchiyama - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9520585B2 ## CPC - H01M 50/516: by welding, soldering or brazing - H01M 50/209: adapted for prismatic or rectangular cells (H01M50/216 takes precedence) - H01M 50/503: characterised by the shape of the interconnectors - H01M 50/55: on the same side of the cell - H01M 50/553: Terminals adapted for prismatic, pouch or rectangular cells - Y02E 60/10: Energy storage using batteries - 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 - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An assembled battery comprises: multiple cells 30 each having external terminals including a negative electrode terminal 50 and a positive electrode terminal; a bus bar 40 which connects the external terminal of one of two adjacent cells 30 and that of the other thereof; an electrically-conductive connecting member 70 which connects the external terminal and the bus bar 40 by welding to the external terminal and the bus bar 40; a welding portion 80 welded to the bus bar 40 and the connecting member 70; and a welding portion 82 welded to the external terminal and the connecting member 70. The connecting member 70 comprises an intervening portion 70b connected to the welding portion 80, and a main body portion 70a extending from the intervening portion 70b to the welding portion 82. The intervening portion 70b has a thickness that is smaller than that of the main body portion 70a. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An assembled battery comprising: a plurality of cells each including external terminals provided to a casing; and a terminal connection member configured to electrically connect the external terminal of one of two adjacent cells to the external terminal of the other of these adjacent cells, wherein the external terminal and the terminal connection member are connected to each other by means of welding, the terminal connection member comprises an intervening portion connected to a welding portion connected to the external terminal, and a main body portion extending from the intervening portion toward the external terminal side of the adjacent cell, the intervening portion is configured to have a thickness that is smaller than that of the main body portion and is in a direct contact with the external terminal, and the external terminal comprises an electrode terminal having a terminal main body portion protruding from the casing and a flange portion provided on an outer edge of the terminal main body portion, wherein the intervening portion is in a direct contact with the flange portion. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the terminal connection member has a through hole, the external terminal is arranged such that a part thereof is positioned within the through hole, and the terminal connection member and the external terminal are welded within the through hole. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein a tapered portion is provided between the intervening portion and the main body portion such that its thickness gradually increases approaching the main body portion side from the intervening portion side. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the intervening portion has a tapered portion in a predetermined region extending from its end that is in contact with the welding portion connected to the terminal connection member, configured such that its thickness gradually reduces approaching the main body portion side from the aforementioned end of the intervening portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the terminal connection member has a first surface and a second surface which is opposite to the first surface and is in contact with the external terminal, the first surface has a step in which the intervening portion and the main body portion are connected. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the terminal connection member is band-shaped and has the intervening portion at each end of the terminal connection member, the external terminal of one of the two adjacent cells being welded to one end of the terminal connection member, and the external terminal of the other of the two adjacent cells being welded to the other end of the terminal connection member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The assembled battery according to claim 1, wherein the intervening portion is in direct contact with the external terminal.