Abstract:
A protection device for preventing swelling or breakage of a battery cell in response to over-charging and/or an over-current condition. The protection device is connected between an internal electrode and an external electrode within the battery cell and includes an electrically insulating casing and an electrically insulating and flexing lid member for sealing an inner portion of the casing. A breakable electrically conductive member is positioned within the sealed inner portion that electrically connects wiring members. The lid member includes a projection which abuts against a central portion of the electrical conductive member. In an over-charge or over-current condition, increased pressure within the battery cell causes the projection of the lid member to press against the electrically conductive member, thereby causing the electrically conductive member to break such that the electrical connection between wiring members is broken.

Description:
This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 08/499,051, filed Jul. 6, 1995, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,928. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a protection device used for assuring a safe operation of a rechargeable battery, such as a secondary cell or the like, and a battery cell provided with this protection device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     When a charging is further continued even after the charging is completed in a rechargeable battery cell or when a charging is carried out with a higher level of current than that of a predetermined current, it sometimes occurs that an abnormal state is generated in the battery cell to produce gas within the battery cell, either an air pressure or a temperature within the battery cell is increased and extrusion of electrolyte caused by expansion or cracks of the battery cell corrode equipment assembled with the battery cell. In addition, a continuation of this use of the battery cell under such a condition even though corrosion may not occur causes a possibility in which the battery cell is bulged out, a crack or a breakage is generated in the battery cell and so the use of the battery cell in which a certain abnormal state is produced should be stopped immediately. 
     In view of the foregoing, a rechargeable battery cell is provided with various kinds of safety countermeasures such as a safety valve arranged in it to discharge gas in the battery cell in response to an increased air pressure within the battery cell or alternatively means arranged out of the battery cell for sensing the increased temperature and preventing an electric current from flowing to an electrical circuit to which the battery cell is connected. 
     However, in the case that the safety valve was required to be installed in the battery cell, a piping or the like in the battery cell had to be considered and this became a restriction on designing the battery cell or in the case of the type in which an increasing of temperature within the battery cell was detected, there was a possibility in which the battery cell was used again when the temperature was decreased as time elapsed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention has been completed in view of the foregoing, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a protection device and a battery cell using this protection device in which a degree of freedom in design of the battery cell can be improved and a use of the battery cell having an abnormal state of increased air pressure within the battery cell can be positively terminated. 
     As a first means for accomplishing the aforesaid object, the protection device of the present invention is provided with a casing and a lid member one of which has a flexibility, wherein each of the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member are electrically conductive, an electrical conducting passage is arranged between the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member, the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member are electrically connected by the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is broken so as to cut off an electrical conduction between the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member. 
     As a second means for accomplishing the aforesaid object, the protection device of the present invention is provided with a casing and a lid member one of which has a flexibility characteristic, each of the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member has an insulating characteristic, an electrical conductive passage is arranged between the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member, a pair of wiring members are arranged in the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, the aforesaid pair of wiring members are extended out of the aforesaid casing, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is broken under a flexing of either the aforesaid casing or the aforesaid lid member caused by the external pressure and then the electrical conduction between said pair of wiring members is cut off. 
     In addition, as a third means for accomplishing the aforesaid object, the protection device of the present invention is comprised of an electrical conductive hollow casing, an electrical conductive passage stored in the aforesaid casing, a holding member having resiliency and insulating characteristics stored in the aforesaid casing and holding the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, and a lid member having flexibility, wherein the aforesaid casing is connected to the aforesaid lid member through the aforesaid holding member is such a way that the hollow part of the aforesaid casing is sealingly closed, and at the same time, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is held by the aforesaid lid member and the aforesaid casing, the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member are electrically connected by the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, the aforesaid lid member is provided with a projection at a location oppositely faced to a point near a central part of the aforesaid electrical conductive passage while being abutted against the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, the aforesaid projection breaks the aforesaid electrical conductive passage so as to cut off an electrical conduction between the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member. 
     In addition, as a fourth means for accomplishing the aforesaid object, the protection device of the present invention is comprised of an insulating hollow casing, an electrical conductive passage stored in the aforesaid casing, a pair of wiring members connected to the aforesaid electrical conducting passage and electrically connected through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, a holding member having resiliency and insulating characteristics stored in the aforesaid casing and for holding the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, and a lid member having flexibility and insulating characteristics, wherein the aforesaid lid member is connected to the aforesaid holding member through the aforesaid holding member in such a way as the hollow part of the aforesaid casing is sealingly closed, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is held by the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid holding member, the aforesaid wiring members are extended out of a space sealingly closed by the aforesaid casing, the aforesaid holding member and the aforesaid lid member, the aforesaid lid member is provided with a projection while being abutted against the aforesaid electrical conductive passage at a location opposing against a part near a central part including the central part of the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, the aforesaid projection breaks the aforesaid electrical conductive passage under a flexing of the aforesaid lid member with an external pressure so as to cut off an electrical conduction between the aforesaid pair of wiring members. 
     In addition, at the third and fourth means, a bottom surface of the aforesaid lid member is formed with a projection part projected inwardly of the aforesaid casing at a position opposing against the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, and the aforesaid projection is provided with a convex part. 
     In addition, in the third means, each of the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member is provided with an electrical conductive foil so as to cause an electrical conduction to be attained and the aforesaid metallic foil is applied as an external pulling-out terminal in the aforesaid electrical conductive passage. 
     In addition, in the fourth means, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is made such that an electrode is formed at the surface of a ceramic substrate. 
     In addition, in the fourth means, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage and the aforesaid wiring members are integrally formed. 
     In addition, the protection device in the third means is installed within the battery cell, the internal and external electrodes of the aforesaid battery cell are connected to the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member so as to cause the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode to be electrically conductive through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage. 
     In addition, the protection device in the fourth means is arranged within the battery cell, the aforesaid wiring members are connected to the internal and external electrodes of the aforesaid battery cell, and the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode are made electrically conductive through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage. 
     According to the aforesaid first means, it is possible to break the aforesaid electrical conductive passage and to cut off an electrical conduction between the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member under flexing of either the aforesaid casing or the aforesaid lid member with the external pressure. 
     In addition, according to the aforesaid second means, it is possible to cut off an electrical conduction between said pair of wiring members by breaking the aforesaid electrical conductive passage with flexing of either the aforesaid casing or the aforesaid lid member under application of the external pressure. 
     According to the aforesaid third means, it is possible to cut off an electrical conduction between the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member under a breakage of the aforesaid electrical conductive passage by the projection part arranged in the aforesaid lid member. 
     According to the aforesaid fourth means, it is possible to cut off an electrical conduction between the aforesaid pair of wiring members by breaking the aforesaid electrical conductive passage with the projection arranged in the aforesaid lid member under application of an external pressure. 
     In addition, in the third and fourth means, it is possible to reduce a rigidity force of the aforesaid lid member by forming a projection projecting inwardly of the aforesaid casing at a location opposing against the central part of the aforesaid electrical conductive passage of the aforesaid lid member and by arranging a convex part at the aforesaid projection. 
     In addition, in the third means, each of the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member is provided with a conductive foil to cause them to be conductive to each other, the aforesaid metallic foil is applied as an external pulling terminal of the aforesaid conductive passage, thereby its connection with the external device can be facilitated. 
     In addition, in the fourth means, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage forms an electrode on the surface of a ceramic substrate, thereby the aforesaid convex part arranged at the aforesaid lid member can break the aforesaid electrical conductive passage. 
     In addition, in the fourth means, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage and the aforesaid wiring members are integrally arranged, thereby the number of component parts and the number of steps can be reduced. 
     In addition, the protection device in the third means is arranged within the battery cell, the internal and external electrodes in the aforesaid battery cell are connected to the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member, the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode are made electrically conductive through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, thereby an increased gas pressure within the battery cell is accepted as an external pressure, the aforesaid lid member is flexed, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is broken and then an electrical conductive state between the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode can be broken. 
     In addition, the protection device in the fourth means is arranged within the battery cell, each of the aforesaid pair of wiring members is connected to the internal and external electrodes in the aforesaid battery cell, the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode are made electrically conductive through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, thereby an increased gas pressure within the battery cell is accepted as an external pressure, the aforesaid lid member is flexed, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is broken and then an electrical conductive state between the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode can be broken. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view for showing a protection device of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view for showing an electrical conductive passage which is a composing element of the protection device of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view as viewed from a rear surface of a holding member which is a composing element of the protection device in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view in a longitudinal direction of the protection device in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS.  5 (A) and  5 (B) are sectional views in a width-wise direction of the protection device in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein  5 (A) is a view taken at a central part of the device and  5 (B) is a view taken at an end part of the device; 
     FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view for showing a battery cell to which the protection device of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is fixed; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view for showing a state in which the electrical conductive passage in the protection device of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is broken; 
     FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken in a longitudinal direction of the protection device in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view as viewed from a rear surface of a casing which is an composing element of the protection device in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective view for showing the protection device of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken in a longitudinal direction of the protection device of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken at a central part in a width-wise direction of the protection device in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view for showing the protection device in the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view as viewed from a rear surface of the holding member of the composing element of the protection device in the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken in a longitudinal direction of the protection device in the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIGS.  16 (A),  16 (B) and  16 (C) are sectional views taken in a width-wise direction of the protection device of the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein  16 (A) is a view taken at one end,  16 (B) is a view taken at a central part and  16 (C) is a view taken at the other end; 
     FIG. 17 is a perspective view for showing the protection device of the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 18 is an enlarged top plan view for showing an upper surface of the holding member which is a composing element of the protection device of the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken in a longitudinal direction of the protection device of the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken in a width-wise direction at a central part of the protection device of the fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to FIGS. 1 to  20 , the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described as follows. 
     FIGS. 1 to  7  illustrate the protection device of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The first preferred embodiment will be described, wherein the protection device  1  is comprised of a casing  2 , an electrical conductive passage  5 , a holding member  9  and a lid member  12 . 
     The casing  2  made of material such as aluminum, having an electrical conductive characteristic and hollow inner part is comprised of an upper surface  2   a  and side surface  2   b , a central part of the upper surface  2   a  is provided with a projection part  3  projecting upwardly in a rectangular shape so as to form a concave part  4  inside the casing  2 . 
     As shown in FIG. 2, the electrical conductive passage (breakable member)  5  is comprised of a cuboid insulating member  6  made of material such as ceramics, having insulating characteristic and which can be cracked with an external pressure; an electrical conductive part (layer)  7  formed by coating electrical conductive material such as silver on an entire upper surface, a part of the side surfaces and a part of the lower surface of the insulating member  6 ; and an insulating part (layer)  8  formed by coating the insulating material on the electrical conductive part  7  formed on the upper surface of the insulating member  6  with the pulling-out part (terminal)  77   a  being left, wherein the electrical conductive part  7  formed on the upper surface of the insulating member  6  is constructed such that the pulling-out part (terminal)  7   a  and a pulling-out part  7   c  arranged at a lower surface of the insulating member  6  by a connecting part  7   b  at an opposite side of the pulling-out part  7   a  are connected. 
     This electrical conductive passage  5  is normally set such that the pulling-out parts  7   a  and  7   c  are communicated to each other and in the case that the insulating member  6  is cracked with the external pressure, the electrical conductive part  7  formed on the upper surface of the insulating member  6  is broken and the electrical conduction between the pulling-out parts  7   a  and  7   c  is broken. 
     Then, the electrical conductive passage  5  is formed to be longer than a longitudinal size of the concave part  4  of the casing  2  as shown in FIG.  4  and is formed to be shorter in a short direction size of the concave part  4  as shown in FIG.  5 . The electrical conductive passage  5  is bridged in a longitudinal direction so as to cover the concave part  4 , and stored in the casing  2  while both ends of the upper surface, i.e. the pulling-out part  7   a  and the insulating part  8  are abutted against the inner wall of the upper surface  2   a  of the casing  2 . In addition, when stored, the electrical conductive passage  5  is positioned over the concave part  4  in a short direction as shown in FIG. 5, both ends of the electrical conductive passage are provided with clearances and can be immersed into the concave part  4 . The depth of the concave part  4  is set to such a size as one in which the electrical conductive passage  5  can be cracked. 
     A casing-like holding member  9  made of rubber material, having an insulating characteristic and a hollow inside part is comprised of an upper surface  9   a  and side surfaces  9   b , wherein as shown in FIG. 3, the upper surface  9   a  is provided with an opening  10  which is slightly larger than an outer shape of the electrical conductive passage  5 , and the inner wall of the upper surface  9   a  is provided with ridges  11  along both edges in a longitudinal direction of the opening  10 . 
     This holding member  9  is stored in an inner hollow part formed by the upper surface  2   a  and the side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2 , each of the outer walls of the upper surface  9   a  and the side surfaces  9   b  is abutted against the inner walls of the upper surface  2   a  and the side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2 . In addition, when the holding member  9  is stored in the inner hollow part of the casing  2 , the electrical conductive passage  5  is positioned at its opening  10 , and movements of the electrical conductive passage  5  in both longitudinal and width-wise directions as well as vertical direction are restricted by the opening  10  and the ridges  11  in such a way that the electrical conductive passage  5  and the casing are contacted to each other at the predetermined position. 
     The lid member  12  made of material such as aluminum which can be flexed and have an electrical conductive characteristic is provided with a concave part  14  projecting downwardly at its entire circumference so as to form a ship-like shape with its edges  13  being left, a bottom surface  15  of the concave part  14  can be flexed upwardly while receiving an external pressure. Each of both ends of the bottom surface  15  is formed with a pair of spaced-apart projections  16  and  17  projecting upwardly in a short direction and the central part of the bottom surface  15  is formed with one projection  18  projecting upwardly. 
     This lid member  12  is stored in the holding member  9  in such a way that the edges  13  are abutted against the inner wall of the upper surface  9   a  of the holding member  9 , the projections  16  and  18  are respectively abutted against one end of and the central part of the electrical conductive passage  5  and the projections  17  are abutted against the pulling-out part  7   c  at the lower surface of the electrical conductive passage  5 . Then, this lid member  12  is supported while the edges  13  are closely contacted and held by the inward bent side surfaces  9   b  and the upper surface  9   a  of the holding member  9 . 
     In addition, the holding member  9  is fixed in such a way that its side surfaces  9   b  are bent by the inward bent side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2 , the outer wall of the upper surface  9   a  is abutted against the upper surface of the casing  2  and the holding member  9  is held by the upper surface  2   a  and the side surfaces  2   b . As a result, each of the upper surfaces  9   a  and the side surfaces  9   b  is closely contacted without any clearance against the inner walls of the upper surface  2   a  and the side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2  under a resiliency of the holding member  9  by itself, thereby an inside part enclosed by the casing  2 , the holding member  9  and the lid member  12  is sealingly closed and the electrical conductive passage  5  is positioned inside it. 
     As a result, the upper surface of the electrical conductive passage  5  is pressed toward the concave part  4  of the casing  2  with the projections  16 ,  17  and  18  of the lid member  12 , its pulling-out part  7   a  is always contacted with the inner wall of the upper surface  2   a  of the casing  2 , the pulling-out part  7   c  is always contacted with the projections  17  of the lid member  12 , and the casing  2  and the lid member  12  are electrically conductive through the electrical conductive passage  5 . 
     In addition, the protection device  1  is provided with rectangular electrical conductive foils  19 ,  20  acting as the external pulling-out terminals of the electrical conductive passage  5 . As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electrical conductive foil  19  is projected symmetrically around the central part of the projection part  3  in a longitudinal direction at the outer wall of the projection  3  of the casing  2 , the foil is projected from one end of the projection  3  in the width-wise direction, positioned not to be projected out of the other end and fixed by an ultrasonic wave melting and fixing. At the outer wall of the concave part  14  of the lid member  12 , the electrical conductive foil  20  is positioned in the same manner as that above in such a way that it may be symmetrical around the central part of the concave part  14  in a longitudinal direction and in such a way that it may be projected from one end where the electrical conductive foil  19  of the projection  3  is projected in a width-wise direction, it may not be projected out of the other end and then the foil is fixed by an ultrasonic wave melting and fixing process. 
     The electrical conductive foils  19  and  20  are electrically conductive, an electrical current can pass from the electrical conductive foil  19  to the casing  2  and flow to the electrical conductive passage  5 , further the current can pass from the electrical conductive passage  5  to the lid member  12  and flow to the electrical conductive foil  20 , and vice versa. 
     Then, an assembling method for the protection device  1  will be described, wherein at first, the holding member  9  is stored within the inner hollow part of the casing  2 , each of the upper surface  9   a  and the side surfaces  9   b  is abutted against the upper surface  2   a  and the side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2 , the electrical conductive passage  5  is inserted into the opening  11  of the holding member  9 , the pulling-out part  7   a  of the electrical conductive part  7  formed on the upper surface of the electrical conductive passage  5  and the insulating part  8  are mounted on the upper surface  2   a  of the casing  2 . 
     Then, when the lid member  12  is fed into the inner hollow part of the holding member  9  and the edges  13  are abutted against the upper surface  9   a  of the holding member  9  in such a way that the four corners of the edges  13  are coincided with the four corners of the inner wall of the upper surface  9   a  of the holding member  9 , each of the projections  16 ,  18  is abutted against one end of and the central part of the lower surface of the electrical conductive passage  5  and the projections  17  are abutted against the pulling-out part  7   c  of the lower surface of the electrical conductive passage  5 . 
     Thereafter, then the side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2  are bent inwardly, the side surfaces  9   b  of the holding member  9  are also pushed by the side surfaces  2   b  and bent in such a way that the edges  13  of the lid member  12  are held by the upper surface  9   a  of the holding member  9 . Then, when the side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2  are bent inwardly, the holding member  9  holds and supports the edges  13  of the lid member  12  with the bent side surfaces  9   b  and the upper surface  9   a  and at the same time, it is held by the bent side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2  and its upper surface  2   a , i.e. it is press fitted and fixed. 
     Lastly, the rectangular electrical conductive foil  19  is positioned in such a way that it may become symmetrical around the central part of the projection  3  of the casing  2  in a longitudinal direction and in such a way that it is projected out of one end of the projection  3  in a short direction and not projected out of the other end, but fixed to the outer wall of the projection  3  with an ultrasonic wave welding and fixing. The rectangular electrical conductive foil  20  is positioned in the same manner as that described above in such a way that it may become symmetrical around the center of the concave part  14  of the lid member  12  in a longitudinal direction and in such a way that the electrical conductive foil  19  of the projection part  3  of the casing  2  is projected out of one end opposite to the projected end in a width-wise direction, but not projected out of the other end, thereby it is fixed to the outer wall of the concave part  14  of the lid member  12  with an ultrasonic wave welding and fixing. 
     In this way, assembling of the protection device  1  is completed, and after assembling operation, the inside part of the protection device  1  is set such that the upper surface  9   a  and the side surfaces  9   b  are closely contacted with the edges  13  of the lid member  12  by resiliency of the holding member  9  by itself and closely contacted without any clearance to the inner walls of the upper surface  2   a  and the side surfaces  2   b  of the casing  2 , thereby an inside part enclosed by the casing  2 , the holding member  9  and the lid member  2  is sealingly closed. 
     The protection device  1  assembled in this way is assembled within the battery cell such as lithium ion secondary battery cell or nickel-hydrogen secondary battery cell or the like. FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic state of the battery cell as an example of lithium ion secondary battery cell, wherein a hollow cylinder  21  having a bottom part with its upper end being opened has an opening at its bottom surface  21   a , its opening is sealingly closed by an electrical conductive negative electrode can  22  made of stainless steel. An electrical positive electrode lid  23  made of stainless steel is an external electrode so as to sealingly close the upper end of the cylinder  21 , thereby an inside part of the cylinder  21  is sealingly closed. 
     Then, within the cylinder  21  are assembled the positive electrode  24  made of lithium oxide cobalt acting as an internal electrode, a negative electrode  25  made of carbon, a separator  26  for preventing a short circuit between the positive electrode  24  and the negative electrode  25 , and the protection device  1 . The protection device  1  is connected to the positive electrode lid  23  through the electrical conductive foil  19  and further connected to the positive electrode  24  through the electrical conductive foil  20 . In addition, the negative electrode  25  is arranged to oppositely face against the positive electrode  24  with the separator  26  being held thereat and then connected to the negative electrode can  22 . In addition, the inner part of the cylinder  21  is filled with electrolyte. 
     When a specified current flows between the positive electrode lid  23  and the negative electrode can  22  of the lithium ion secondary battery cell constructed as described above, a chemical reaction occurs between the positive electrode  24  and the negative electrode  25  so as to perform a charging operation. 
     During the charging operation, an electrical current in the protection device  1  flows from the positive electrode lid  23  to the electrical conductive foil  19 , the casing  2 , the electrical conductive passage  5 , the lid member  12  and the electrical conductive foil  20 , in sequence, and fed out to the positive electrode  24 . That is, the electrical current flows to the casing  2  which is integral with the electrical conductive foil  19 , passes from the pulling-out part  7   a  of the electrical conductive passage  5  abutting against the inner wall of the upper surface  2   a  of the casing  2  to the connection part  7   b , is fed out to the pulling-out part  7   c  at the lower surface of the electrical conductive passage  5 , is fed out to the pulling-out part  7   c  and the lid member  12  abutted against the projections  17  and further the electrical current is fed out of the lid member  12  to the positive electrode  24  through the electrical conductive foil  20 . 
     At this time, when the electrical current continues to flow even after completion of the charging operation and an excessive charging is carried out or when the charging is carried out with an electrical current larger than the specified current, an abnormal state occurs in the batter cell to cause either a pressure or a temperature within the battery cell to be increased. 
     As the pressure within the battery cell is increased, it is transmitted to the protection device  1  as an external pressure. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, this external pressure flexes the bottom surface  15  of the lid member  12  in an inward direction, deforms it and the projection  18  formed at the bottom surface  15  of the lid member  12  pushes the electrical conductive passage  5  in an upward direction. The electrical conductive passage  5  of which movement in a longitudinal or short direction and a vertical direction is pushed into the concave part  4  of the casing  2  with the projection  18  of the lid member  12  and deforms when a pressure within the battery cell is increased and its pressure reaches a specified pressure, the lid member  12  receives this pressure. At this time, the electrical conductive part  7  constituting the electrical conductive passage  5  is broken, an electrical conduction between the pulling-out parts  7   a  and  7   c  is cut off, thereby the protection device  1  breaks an electrical current flowing between the positive electrode lid  23  and the positive electrode  24  so as to terminate a further charging and at the same time, the lithium ion secondary battery cell may not be acted as the battery cell. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, since the insulating part  8  on the upper surface of the cracked electrical conductive passage  5  is kept abutted against the concave part  4  of the casing  2 , the electrical conduction of the broken electrical conductive part  7  is cut, and the broken electrical conductive part  7  is not electrically connected by the concave part  4 . Accordingly, in the present invention, pressure generated within the battery cell is uniformly applied at any location within the battery cell, resulting in that the protection device  1  can be installed at any location within the battery cell, and further it is possible to improve a degree of freedom in designing the battery cell in view of arranging a safety mechanism in it. In addition, the protection device  1  enables its function acting as a battery cell showing an abnormal state to be positively prohibited, resulting in that when the battery cell having the abnormal state is assembled in equipment, it is possible to prevent corrosion of equipment caused by extrusion of electrolyte under cracks or breakage of the battery cell. 
     In the aforesaid preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid member  12  has a flexing characteristic, although the casing  2  may have a flexing characteristic. 
     The protection device shown as the second preferred embodiment in FIGS. 8 and 9 is comprised of a casing  27 , wiring members  34 ,  35 , an electrical conductive passage  36  and a lid member  39 . 
     A casing  27  having a hollow inner side made of insulating material such as polybutylene terephthalate is comprised of an upper surface  27   a , longitudinal side surfaces  27   b  and  27   c  and short side surfaces  27   d ,  27   e  and as shown in FIG. 9, this casing is constructed to have an integral assembly of the casing  2  and the holding member  9 , and it is formed by molding operation. The upper surface  27   a  is provided with rectangular dimples  28   a ,  28   b  which are formed to be symmetrical in a longitudinal direction in respect to the central part of it. A projection  29  projecting upwardly in a rectangular form is arranged between the receiving portions  28   a  and  28   b , thereby a concave part  30  for connecting the receiving portions  28   a  and  28   b  is arranged within the casing  27 . In addition, the inner wall of the upper surface  27   a  is provided with projections  33  extending along both edges in a longitudinal direction of the concave part  30 . 
     Wiring members  34 ,  35  which can be bent and have an electrical conduction characteristic have a rectangular shape. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, the wiring members  34 ,  35  are integrally arranged under formation with the casing  27 , one end of each of the wiring members is fed out of the receiving parts  28   a ,  29   a  of the casing  27  and positioned at the concave part  30  without being extruded. 
     An electrical conducting passage (breakable member)  36  is comprised of an insulating member  73  having the same constitution as that of the insulating member  6  shown in the first preferred embodiment, an electrical conducting part  37  formed to be coated with electrical conductive material such as silver on the entire surface of the insulating member  73 , and an insulating part  38  formed to be coated with insulating material with the pulling-out parts (terminals)  37   a ,  37   b  being left on the electrical conducting part  37 , wherein the electrical conducting passage  36  is made such that the pulling-out parts  37   a ,  37   b  are electrically conductive, although when the insulating member  73  is cracked with the external pressure, the electrical conductive part  37  formed on the insulating member  73  is broken, the electrical conduction between the pulling-out parts  37   a ,  37   b  is broken. The electrical conductive passage  36  is bridged in a longitudinal direction so as to extend across the concave part  30  of the casing  27 , each of the pulling-out parts  37   a ,  37   b  is abutted against one end of each of the wiring members  34 ,  35  and stored in the groove  28  of the casing  27 , then, the wiring members  34 ,  35  are electrically conductive through the electrical conductive passage  36 . Further, when stored, it is positioned above the concave part  30  in a short direction and both ends are provided with clearances and at the same time it can be immersed in the concave part  30 . Then, a depth of the concave part  30  is set to have a size enabling the electrical conductive passage  36  to be cracked in it. In this case, movements of the electrical conductive passage  36  in its longitudinal and short directions as well as its vertical direction are restricted by the receiving portions  28   a ,  28   b  and the projections  33  in such a way that it may be contacted with one end of each of the wiring members  34 ,  35  at a predetermined position. 
     The flexible lid member  39  having an insulating characteristic has the same structure as that of the lid member  12  shown in the first preferred embodiment. The lid member  39  is abutted at its edge  40  against the inner wall of the upper surface  27   a  of the casing  27 , its projections  41 ,  42 ,  43  are abutted against the lower surface of the electrical conductive passage  36  and stored in the inner hollow part of the casing  27 . Then, the lid member  39  is held and fixed while being closely contacted at the edges  40  with the inward bent longitudinal side surfaces  27   b ,  27   c  and short side surfaces  27   d ,  27   e  and the upper surface  27   a . With such an arrangement as above, an inner part enclosed bt the casing  27  and the lid member  39  is sealingly closed and then the electrical conductive passage is positioned in it. 
     Although not shown in the drawing, this protection device is also constructed such that as shown in FIG. 6, the wiring members  34 ,  35  are connected to the positive electrode lid  23  and the positive electrode  24  and assembled in the lithium ion secondary battery cell, wherein in the case that an over-charging is carried out or when a charging is carried out with an electrical current larger than the specified current, the lid member  39  is flexed inwardly due to an increased pressure within the lithium ion secondary battery cell and then the electrical conductive passage  36  is broken to cause an electrical current flowing between the positive electrode lid  23  and the positive electrode  24  to be cut off. Accordingly, also in the second preferred embodiment, it is possible to terminate the over-charging and to prevent the lithium ion secondary battery cell from being operated as a battery cell and further it is possible to prohibit bad influence caused by extrusion of electrolyte under expansion or crack of the battery cell for the equipment to which the lithium ion secondary battery cell is assembled. In this preferred embodiment, since the lid member  27  is constructed such that the lid member  2  shown in the first preferred embodiment and the holding member  9  are integrally assembled, the number of component parts, the number of assembling steps and a product cost can be decreased as compared with those of the first preferred embodiment. 
     Also in the second preferred embodiment, the lid member  39  is of a flexible one, although it may be applicable that the casing  27  has a flexibility. 
     The protection device shown in FIGS. 10 to  12  as the third preferred embodiment is comprised of a casing  44 , a holding member  48 , an electrical conductive wiring  50  and a lid member  51 . 
     A casing  44  with an inner hollow part made of insulating material is comprised of an upper surface  44   a  and side surfaces  44   b , has the same constitution as that of the casing  2  disclosed in the first preferred embodiment, a central part of the upper surface  44   a  is provided with a projection  45  projected upwardly in a rectangular form, thereby a concave part  46  is arranged within the casing  44 . Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the projection  45  is provided with a projection  47  projected into the casing  44  with a certain width in a longitudinal direction and as shown in FIG. 12, having a saw-tooth like section in a width-wise direction. 
     A casing-like holding member  48  with inner hollow part made of rubber material is comprised of an upper surface  48   a  and side surfaces  48   b , has a constitution in which the projection  11  in the holding member  9  shown in the first preferred embodiment is eliminated, and its upper surface  48   a  is provided with an opening  49 . 
     An electrical conductive wiring  50  comprised of a rectangular metallic foil which can be broken is arranged to oppositely face against the projection  47  of the casing  44 . As shown in FIG. 10, the electrical conductive wiring  50  is integrally formed with the holding member  48  through molding, bridged over the opening  49  of the holding member  48  in a short direction and at the same time both ends of the opening  49  are provided with clearances. In addition, both ends  50   a ,  50   b  of the electrical conductive wiring  50  in a longitudinal direction are fed out of the lower ends of the side surfaces  48   b  of the holding member  48 , and both ends  50   a  and  50   b  are electrically conductive. 
     This holding member  48  is constructed such that each of the outer walls of the upper surface  48   a  and the side surfaces  48   b  is abutted against the inner walls of the upper surface  44   a  and the side surfaces  44   b  of the casing  44 , respectively, and the holding member is stored in an inner hollow part constituted by the upper surface  44   a  and the side surfaces  44   b  of the casing  44 . In addition, in the case that the holding member is stored in the inner hollow part of the casing  44 , the electrical conductive wiring  50  is abutted and positioned against the part just below the projection  47  as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 and can be immersed into the concave part  46 . 
     The lid member  51  which can be flexed and has a insulating characteristic has a constitution in which projections  16 ,  17 ,  18  in the lid member  12  in the first preferred embodiment are removed, a concave part  53  projecting downwardly is arranged with edges  52  being left over an entire circumference of it, formed into a ship-like shape, a bottom surface  54  of the concave part  53  can be flexed upwardly with the external pressure being applied thereto and a broken-away projection  55  projecting upwardly is fixed to the central part of the bottom surface  54  with adhesive agent or the like. As shown in FIG. 11, the broken-away projection  55  is made such that its width in a longitudinal direction is equal to a width of the projection  47  of the casing  44  in a longitudinal direction, and as shown in FIG. 12, it is formed to be engaged with a valley  47   a  of the projection  47  of the casing  44 . Then, this lid member  51  is stored in the inner hollow part of the holding member  48  with its edges  52  being abutted against the inner walls of the upper surface  48   a  of the holding member  48 . When it is stored, the broke-away projection  55  is positioned to face against the valley  47   a  of the projection  47  of the casing  44 , its extremity end is contacted with the electrical conductive wiring  50  and when the bottom surface  54  is flexed upwardly with the external pressure, the broken-away projection  55  is engaged with the valley  47   a  of the projection  47  of the casing  44  to break the electrical conductive wiring  50  so as to cut off the electrical conduction between both ends  50   a  and  50   b.    
     This lid member  51  is supported such that its edges  52  are held under their close contacted state by the side surfaces  48   b  of the holding member  48  bent inwardly and by its upper surface  48   a.    
     In addition, the holding member  48  is fixed such that its side surfaces  48   b  are bent with the inward bent side surfaces  44   a  of the casing  44 , the outer wall of the upper surface  48   a  is abutted against the upper surface  44   a  of the casing  44 , and the holding member  48  is held by the upper surface  44   a  and the side surfaces  44   b . As a result, each of the upper surface  48   a  and the side surfaces  48   b  is closely contacted without any clearance to the inner walls of the upper surface  44   a  and the side surfaces  44   b  of the casing  44  with a resiliency of the holding member  48  by itself, thereby an inner part enclosed by the casing  44 , the holding member  48  and the lid member  51  is sealingly closed. 
     Also not illustrated in this case, the protection device is constructed such that as shown in FIG. 6, each of both ends  50   a ,  50   b  of the electrical conductive wiring  50  is connected to the positive electrode  24  and a positive electrode lid  23  within the battery cell and mounted in the same manner as that of the first preferred embodiment, wherein the lid member  51  is flexed inwardly due to an increased pressure within the battery cell, the broken-away projection  55  fixed to the lid member  51  is engaged with the valley  47   a  of the projection  47  of the casing  44 , thereby the electrical conductive wiring  50  is broken to cut off an electrical current flowing between the positive electrode lid  23  and the positive electrode  24 . 
     In the third preferred embodiment of the present invention, the electrical conductive passage  5  and the electrical conductive foils  19 ,  20  in the first preferred embodiment can be eliminated, the number of component parts can be reduced and at the same time a step for forming the electrical conductive passage  50  and another step for welding and fixing each of the electrical conductive foils  19 ,  20  to the casing  2  and the lid member  12  can be eliminated. 
     In addition, although the third preferred embodiment is constructed to have a flexing lid member  51 , it may also be applicable that the casing  44  has a flexibility characteristic. 
     The protection device shown in FIGS. 13 to  16  as the fourth preferred embodiment is comprised of a casing  56 , an electrical conductive passage  36 , a holding member  59 , wiring members  64 ,  65  and a lid member  66 . 
     The casing  56  having an inner hollow part made of material such as stainless steel is comprised of an upper surface  56   a  and side surfaces  56   b , it has the same constitution as that of the casing  2  illustrated in the first preferred embodiment, a central part of the upper surface  56   a  is provided with a projection  57  projecting in a rectangular form so as to cause the inner side of the casing  56  to be provided with concave part  58 . 
     A casing-like insulating holding member  59  with an inner hollow part made of rubber material is comprised of an upper surface  59   a  and side surfaces  59   b , and as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the upper surface  59   a  is provided with an opening  60 , the extending portions  61   a  and  61   b  extending from both edges of the opening  60  in a short direction into the opening  60  are arranged with clearances  62   a ,  62   b  being spaced apart without being contacted with both edges in a longitudinal direction of the opening  60 , and further each of the extending ends of the extending portions  61   a ,  61   b  is integrally formed with the cuboid projections  63   a ,  63   b , respectively. 
     Wiring members  64 ,  65  having electrical conducting characteristic which can be bent have a rectangular shape, and the lead portions  64   a ,  65   a  extending from one side end in a rectangular form are integrally formed. As shown in FIG. 14, the lead part  64   a  of the wiring member  64  is bent, abutted against the inner walls of the side surfaces  59   b , the upper surface  59   a  of the holding member  59  and the extending part  61   a  and positioned within the inner hollow part of the holding member  59 . The lead part  65   a  of the wiring member  65  is fed out from the clearance  62   b  of the holding member  59  into the inner hollow part of the holding member  59 , bent to cause its extremity end to be abutted against that inner wall of the extending part  61   b  and at the same time it is bent along the outer walls of the upper surface  59   a  and the side surfaces  59   b.    
     Then, this holding member  59  is stored in the inner hollow part of the casing  56 , each of the outer walls of the upper surface  59   a  and the side surfaces  59   b  is abutted against the inner walls of the upper surface  56   a  and the side surfaces  56   b , the projections  63   a ,  63   b  of the extending portions  61   a ,  61   b  are positioned within the concave part  58  of the casing  56  and the abutted against the inner wall. 
     The electrical conducting passage  36  is set such that each of the pulling-out parts  37   a ,  37   b  is abutted against the lead parts  64   a ,  65   a  of the wiring members  64 ,  65 , positioned on the opening  60  of the holding member  59  and stored within the inner hollow part. As a result, the wiring members  64 ,  65  are electrically conductive through the electrical conducting passage  36 . Then, when the electrical conducting passage is pushed upwardly with the external pressure, its both ends are supported by the extending portions  61   a ,  61   b  and split at its central part. 
     A flexible lid member  66  is formed into a ship-like shape by arranging a downward projecting concave part  68  with the edge  67  being left at its entire circumference, the bottom surface  69  of the concave part  68  can be flexed upwardly under an application of the external pressure. Each of both ends of the bottom surface  69  is formed with a pair of projections  70 ,  71  which are spaced apart to be projected upwardly in a short direction, a projection  72  projecting upwardly in an ellipse shape is formed at the central part of the bottom surface  69  and at the same time a projection  74  projecting upwardly is arranged at the central part. 
     Accordingly, since the bottom surface  68  is flexed inwardly in advance by the projection  72 , it is possible to restrict rigidity of the bottom surface  68  and facilitate its flexing as compared with that of the first to third preferred embodiments and further to cause the bottom surface to receive the external pressure and make a rapid flexing. 
     This lid member  66  is constructed such that its edges  67  are abutted against the inner wall of the upper surface  59   a  of the holding member  59  and at the same time, as shown in FIG. 16, its projections  70 ,  71 ,  74  are abutted against the lower surface of the electrical conduction passage  36  and then the lid member is stored in the inner hollow part of the holding member  59 . Then, the lid member  66  is held and supported while its edges  67  are closely contacted with the side surfaces  59   b  bent inwardly and the upper surface  59   a  of the holding member  59 . 
     In addition, the holding member  59  is fixed while its side surfaces  59   b  are bent by the inward bent side surfaces  56   b  of the casing  56 , the outer wall of the upper surface  59   a  is abutted against the upper surface  56   a  of the casing  56  and then the holding member  59  is held by the upper surface  56   a  and the side surfaces  56   b . As a result, each of the upper surface  59   a  and the side surfaces  59   b  is closely contacted with the inner walls of the upper surface  56   a  and the side surfaces  56   b  of the casing  56  by resiliency of the holding member  59  without any clearance, thereby an inner part enclosed by the casing  56 , the holding member  59  and the lid member  66  is sealing closed and the electrical conductive passage  36  is positioned in it. 
     Also not illustrated in the figure, this protection device is set such that the wiring members  64 ,  65  are connected to the positive electrode lid  23  and the positive electrode  24  and assembled in the lithium ion secondary battery cell as shown in FIG. 6, the lid member  66  is flexed inwardly due to an increased pressure within the lithium ion secondary battery cell, and an electrical current flowing between the positive electrode lid  23  and the positive electrode  24  is shielded by breaking the electrical conductive passage  36 . 
     Also in the fourth preferred embodiment, the lid member  66  is constructed to have a resiliency, although the casing  56  may be constructed to have a resiliency. 
     The protection device illustrated as a fifth preferred embodiment in FIGS. 17 to  20  is comprised of a casing  75 , a holding member  79 , an electrical conduction passage  36 , electrical conducting members  84 ,  85  and a lid member  87 . 
     The casing  75  with an inner hollow part made of material such as aluminum is comprised of an upper surface  75   a  and side surfaces  75   b , has the same constitution as that of the casing  2  shown in the first preferred embodiment, the central part of the upper surface  75   a  is provided with a projection  76  projecting upwardly in a rectangular shape and then a concave part  77  is provided in the casing  75 . Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the projection  76  is integrally formed with a row of three columns  78  spaced apart by a certain distance in a longitudinal direction. 
     A casing-like insulating holding member  79  with an inner hollow part made of rubber material is comprised of a lower surface  79   a  and side surfaces  79   b , and as shown in FIG. 18, the lower surface  79   a  is provided with a rectangular opening  80 , the inner wall of the lower surface  79   a  is formed with projections  81  along the entire edges of the opening  60 , thereby grooves  82  are formed between the inner walls of the side surfaces  79   b  and the projections  81 . An extending part  83  extending from one end in a short direction of the projection  81  is arranged to cover a part of the opening  80 . 
     The holding member  79  stores the casing  75  within the inner hollow part and the grooves  82  are closely contacted and fitted to the side surfaces  75   b  of the casing  75 . In addition, the extending part  83  is abutted against the upper surface  75   a  of the casing  75  and an extremity end of the extending part  83  is fed out into a concave part  77  of the casing  75 . 
     Electrical conducting connecting members  84 ,  85  which can be bent have a U-shaped section. The connecting member  84  is mounted on the pulling-out part  37   a  of the electrical conducting passage  36  and fixed by a soldering  86   a . In addition, the connecting member  85  is fitted with the electrical conducting passage  36  at the pulling-out part  37   b  and fixed by a soldering part  86   a  while the pulling-out part  37   b  of the electrical conducting passage  36  is being pulled out at its lower surface. 
     Under this condition, the electrical conducting passage  36  is stored in the opening  80  of the holding member  79 , bridged in a longitudinal direction over a concave part  77  of the casing  75 , the connecting member  84  is pushed against the projections  81  of the holding member  79  and against the inner wall of the upper surface  75   a  of the casing  75 , abutted thereto while being deformed and further a connecting member  85  is abutted against the projections  81  and extending part  83  of the holding member  79 . In addition, there are provided clearances at both ends of the concave part  77  in a width-wise direction in the same manner as that of the first and second preferred embodiments and then it can be immersed into the concave part  77 . A depth of the concave part  77  is set to such a size as one enabling the electrical conducting passage  36  to be cracked in it. And in this case, movements of the electrical conducting passage  36  in its longitudinal or width-wise direction as well as its vertical direction are restricted by the projections  81  in such away that it may be contacted with the casing  75  and the extending part  83  of the projections  81  at a predetermined location through the connecting members  84 ,  85 . 
     A casing-like lid member  87  made of electrical conducting material such as aluminum which can be flexed is comprised of a lower surface  87   a  and side surfaces  87   b , wherein the lower surface  87   a  can be flexed inwardly with the external pressure, both ends of the lower surface  87   a  are formed with a pair of spaced-apart projections  88 ,  89  projecting upwardly in its short direction, and the central part of the lower surface  87   b  is formed with one projection  90  projecting upwardly. 
     This lid member  87  stores the holding member  79  in it, and each of the inner walls of the lower surface  87   a  and the side surfaces  87   b  is abutted against the outer walls of the lower surface  79   a  of the holding member  79  and the side surfaces  79   b . In addition, when the holding member  79  is stored, the projections  88 ,  90  of the lid member  87  is abutted at a central part against one end of the lower surface of the electrical conducting passage  36 , and the projection  89  of the lid member  87  is abutted against the connecting member  85  fitted to the electrical conduction passage  36 . 
     In addition, the holding member  79  is fixed while it is closely contacted to the side surfaces  87   b  of the lid member  87 , side surfaces  75   b  and upper surface  75   a  of the casing  75  by a method wherein the side surfaces  79   b  are bent by the inward bent side surfaces  87   b  of the lid member  87 . With such an arrangement as above, an inner part enclosed by the casing  75 , the holding member  79  and the lid member  87  is sealingly closed and then the electrical conducting passage  36  is positioned in it. 
     As a result, the upper surface of the electrical conducting passage is pushed toward the concave part  77  of the casing  75  by projections  88 ,  89 ,  90  of the lid member  87 , the pulling-out part  37   a  is always contacted with the inner wall of the upper surface  75   a  of the casing  75  through the connecting member  84 , the pulling-out part  37   b  is always contacted with the projection  89  of the lid member  87  through the connecting member  85 , resulting in that the casing  75  and the lid member  87  are made electrically conductive through the electrical conducting passage. 
     In addition, the protection device is provided with rectangular electrical conductive foils  91 ,  92  acting as external pulling-out terminals of the electrical conducting passage  36 , and as shown in FIG. 20, the electrical conducting foil  91  has its bore part  91   a  inserted into the column  78  of the casing  75 , the column part  78  is struck to be deformed and fixed to the upper surface  75   a  of the casing  75 . In addition, the electrical conductive foil  92  is fixed to the outer walls of the side surfaces  87   b  of the lid member  87  by an ultrasonic wave melting and fixing. 
     Also not shown in the figure, this protection device is set such that the electrical conductive foils  91 ,  92  are connected to the positive electrode lid  23  and the positive electrode  24  as shown in FIG.  6  and assembled in the lithium ion secondary battery cell, the lid member  87  is flexed inwardly due to an increased pressure within the lithium ion secondary battery cell so as to crack the electrical conductive passage  36  and to shield an electrical current flowing between the positive electrode lid  23  and the positive electrode  24 . 
     Also in the fifth preferred embodiment, the lid member  87  is constructed to have a flexibility, although the casing  75  may have a flexible characteristic. 
     The protection device in the present invention as described above is constructed such that either the electrical conducting casing or the lid member has a flexible characteristic, so that it is possible to break the electrical conducting passage to cut off an electrical conduction between the casing and the lid member due to the flexing of either the casing or the lid member with the external pressure. 
     In addition, the protection device in the present invention enables an electrical conduction between a pair of wiring members arranged in the electrical conducting passage to be shielded by breaking the electrical conducting passage with flexing of either the casing or the lid member under the external pressure due to the fact that either the insulating casing or the insulating lid member has a flexible characteristic. 
     In addition, the protection device of the present invention is constructed such that the electrical conductive casing and the electrical conductive and flexing lid member are connected to each other through the holding member in such a way that the inner part of the casing is sealingly closed, the electrical conductive passage is positioned within the sealingly closed space so as to cause the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member to be electrically conductive to each other and at the same time, the aforesaid lid member is provided with a projection at a position opposing against the central part of the aforesaid electrical conducting passage while being abutted against the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, the aforesaid projection breaks the aforesaid electrical conductive passage by a flexing of the aforesaid lid member with the external pressure, thereby an electrical conduction between the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member can be broker by breaking the aforesaid electrical conductive passage with the aforesaid projection. 
     In addition, the protection device of the present invention is constructed such that the insulating casing and the lid member having an insulating characteristic and a flexibility are connected to each other through the holding member in such a way that the inner part of the aforesaid casing is sealingly closed, the electrical conductive passage is positioned in the sealingly closed inner part, a pair of wiring members are extended out of the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, a projection is arranged at a position of the aforesaid lid member opposing against the center of the aforesaid electrical conductive passage while being abutted against the electrical conductive passage, the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is broken by the aforesaid projection due to the flexing of the aforesaid lid member with the external pressure, thereby the electrical conduction between the aforesaid pair of wiring members can be cut off. 
     In addition, the protection device having the aforesaid inner part sealingly closed is constructed such that the bottom surface of the aforesaid lid member is formed with the projection projecting inwardly of the aforesaid casing at the position opposing against the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, the projection is provided with the aforesaid projection, thereby the aforesaid lid member is flexed in advance, so that it is possible to reduce a rigidity of the aforesaid lid member and further to facilitate its flexing against the external pressure. 
     In addition, the protection device in which the aforesaid inner part is sealingly closed and the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member are electrically conductive through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is constructed such that each of the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member is provided with the electrical conductive foil so as to cause them to be electrically conductive, the aforesaid metallic foil is applied as the external pulling-out terminal in the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, thereby its connection with the external device can be facilitated. 
     In addition, the protection device in which the aforesaid inner part is sealingly closed and the aforesaid pair of wiring members are extended out of the device is constructed such that the aforesaid electrical passage is formed with an electrode at the surface of the ceramic substrate, thereby the aforesaid projection arranged at the aforesaid lid member can break the aforesaid electrical conductive passage through flexing of the aforesaid lid member with the external pressure. 
     In addition, the protection device in which the aforesaid inner part is sealingly closed and the aforesaid pair of wiring members are extended out of the device is constructed such that the aforesaid electrical conductive passage and the aforesaid pair of wiring members are integrally arranged to enable the number of component parts and the number of manufacturing steps to be reduced. 
     In addition, the protection device in which the aforesaid inner part is sealingly closed and the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member are electrically conductive through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is installed within the battery cell, the internal electrode and the external electrode of the aforesaid battery cell are connected to the aforesaid casing and the aforesaid lid member, the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode are electrically conductive through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, thereby an increased gas pressure within the battery cell is received as the external pressure to cause the aforesaid lid member to be flexed and thus the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is broken to enable the electrical conduction between the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode to be broken. 
     In addition, the protection device in which the aforesaid inner part is sealingly closed and the aforesaid pair of wiring members are extended out of the device is installed in the battery cell, the aforesaid pair of wiring members are connected to the internal electrode and the external electrode of the aforesaid battery cell, the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode are electrically conductive through the aforesaid electrical conductive passage, thereby the increased air pressure within the battery cell is received as the external pressure to cause the aforesaid lid member to be flexed and the aforesaid electrical conductive passage is broken and the electrical conduction between the aforesaid internal electrode and the aforesaid external electrode can be broken. 
     As a result, since the increased air pressure within the battery cell is uniformly transmitted into the battery cell, the aforesaid protection can be located at any position within the battery cell, a degree of freedom in designing the battery cell can be improved, and at the same time the protection device having the aforesaid sealingly closed inner part is assembled in the battery cell, thereby it is possible to provide the protection device and the battery cell having the protection device in which a use of the battery cell having the increased air pressure can be positively prohibited.