Patent ID: 9385355
Filing Date: 2016-07-05
CPC Classification: H01M,H01R,Y02E

Claim Text:
1. A battery module, comprising: a power assembly comprising a first battery cell and a second battery cell in a stacked orientation relative to each other, wherein the first battery cell comprises a first tab electrode extending therefrom, the second battery cell comprises a second tab electrode extending therefrom, the first tab electrode and the second tab electrode each comprise a first portion and a second portion, the first portions overlap with and conform to an outer surface of a coupling structure that is parallel to a first axis, and the second portions extend beyond the outer surface of the coupling structure in a first direction along a second axis cross-wise to the first axis such that the second portions do not contact the coupling structure; and an interconnect assembly configured to facilitate electrically coupling the first tab electrode with the second tab electrode with the first and second battery cells being in the stacked orientation, wherein the interconnect assembly comprises a crimping element disposed over the second portions of the first and second tab electrodes, wherein the crimping element is configured to apply a first compressive force to the second portions of the first and second tab electrodes in a second direction along the first axis and a second compressive force to the second portions of the first and second tab electrodes in a third direction opposite the second direction along the first axis such that the first and second tab electrodes are secured in electrical communication via direct contact of the second portions, and wherein the crimping element does not contact the coupling structure.