Rechargeable battery

A rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a case, an electrode assembly received by the case, a cap plate combined with the opening of the case, a protective circuit board electrically connected with a first electrode of the electrode assembly, and a protective device attached on a top surface or side surface of the protective circuit board, electrically connected with a second electrode of the electrode assembly, and electrically connected with the protective circuit board.

BACKGROUND

The following description relates generally to a rechargeable battery. More particularly, the following description relates to a rechargeable battery including a protective circuit module having an improved (and/or simplified) structure.

2. Description of the Related Art

Unlike a primary battery that is not rechargeable, a rechargeable battery can be repeatedly charged and discharged. A small-capacity rechargeable battery is used for small portable electronic devices (such as mobile phones, notebook computers, camcorders, or the like), while a large-capacity rechargeable battery is used as a motor-driving power source or large-capacity power storage device for a hybrid vehicle, and the like.

The rechargeable battery can have an operation voltage of about 3.6V. Overcharge or over-discharge may occur while the rechargeable battery is repeatedly charged and discharged. Accordingly, gas or heat may be generated due to decomposition of an electrolyte solution of the rechargeable battery that is caused by the overcharge or over-discharge of the rechargeable battery, which may lead to deteriorated performance or damage of the rechargeable battery.

The protective circuit module is used to prevent (protect from) the over charge or over-discharge of the rechargeable battery.

The protective circuit module includes a protective device and a protective circuit board. The protective circuit board is electrically connected with the protective device and a bare cell to form a current path between the protective device and the bare cell.

For example, the protective device is electrically connected to a negative electrode of the rechargeable battery. The protective circuit board is electrically connected to a positive electrode of the rechargeable battery. The protective device and the protective circuit board are electrically connected to form the current path between the protective device, the protective circuit board, and the negative and positive electrodes.

In this case, the protective device and the protective circuit board are sequentially stacked and combined on a case. For example, the protective circuit module may be formed by disposing the protective device on a cap plate which is combined with an opening of the case and attaching the protective circuit board on the protective device.

In this case, there is no need for an additional element for connecting the protective device and the protective circuit board with the electrode terminals, respectively, in order to electrically connect the protective device and the protective circuit board with the negative and positive electrodes.

However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to combine the bare cell with the protective circuit module including the protective device and the protective circuit board.

Also, the additional structure, which is required to connect the bare cell with the protective device and the protective circuit board, may result in an increase in volume of the protective circuit module. Also, there is another problem in that a process of assembling the rechargeable battery may become complicated.

SUMMARY

An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a rechargeable battery including a protective circuit module having a small volume, where the protective device and the protective circuit board are easily combined.

Another aspect of an embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a rechargeable battery formed through a simplified process of assembling the bare cell and the protective circuit module.

A rechargeable battery according to an embodiment includes a case, an electrode assembly received by the case, a cap plate combined with the opening of the case, a protective circuit board electrically connected with a first electrode of the electrode assembly, and a protective device attached to a top surface or side surface of the protective circuit board, electrically connected with a second electrode of the electrode assembly, and electrically connected with the protective circuit board.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a rechargeable battery is provided. The rechargeable battery includes a bare cell and a protective circuit module. The bare cell includes a case for housing an electrode assembly and a cap plate for capping an opening of the case. The protective circuit module includes a protective circuit board electrically connected with a first electrode of the electrode assembly and a protective device. The protective device includes: a first protective device portion mounted to a first surface of the protective circuit board to be electrically connected with the protective circuit board, and a second protective device portion electrically connected with a second electrode of the electrode assembly and mounted on a second surface of the protective circuit board, the second surface facing oppositely away from the first surface.

In one embodiment, the rechargeable battery further includes a lead tab. The lead tap includes a protective circuit board connecting part electrically connected with the protective circuit board and a cap plate connecting part electrically connected with the first electrode.

In one embodiment, the rechargeable battery further includes a conductive connection member. The conductive connection member includes an electrode terminal part electrically connected with the second electrode and a protective circuit board combining part electrically connected with the second protective device portion.

In one embodiment, the conductive connection member further includes a body electrically connecting the electrode terminal part with the protective circuit board combining part, the body being a curved body curved toward the protective circuit board combining part to be overlapped and attached between the protective circuit board and the cap plate. The protective circuit board may be stacked on the curved body of the conductive connection member. The protective circuit board may include: a protective device connection pattern electrically connected with the first electrode on the first surface; and an electrode connecting part electrically connected with the second electrode via the conductive connection member on the second surface and insulated from the protective device connection pattern.

In one embodiment, the protective circuit board combining part is electrically connected with the second protective device portion on the second surface of the protective circuit board.

In one embodiment, the rechargeable battery further includes an insulation member between the protective circuit board and the cap plate, wherein the conductive connection member is disposed on the insulation member and attached between the protective circuit board and the insulation member. The insulation member may have a terminal combining hole, and the electrode terminal part of the conductive connection member may be connected with the second electrode via a second electrode terminal penetrating through the terminal combining hole.

In one embodiment, the protective device further includes a third protective device portion, and the first and second protective device portions extend from a same side of the third protective device portion along a same direction on the protective circuit board.

In one embodiment, the protective device further includes a third protective device portion mounted on a third surface of the protective circuit board to electrically connect the first protective portion with the second protective device portion, and the first surface of the protective circuit board is connected with the second surface of the protective circuit board via the third surface of the protective circuit board.

In one embodiment, the first protective device portion includes a protective device body and a protective device protrusion extending at one side of the protective device body and electrically connected with the first electrode on the first surface of the protective circuit board, the protective device body including a protective chip or lead; and the second protective device portion includes a fixing part electrically connected with the second electrode on the second surface of the protective circuit board.

In one embodiment, the third protective device portion includes a protective device body extending from and attached to the third surface of the protective circuit board and a protective device supporting part body; the protective device body includes a protective chip or lead; the protective device supporting part body supports a surface of the protective device body; the first protective device portion includes a protective device protrusion extending at one side of the protective device body and electrically connected with the first electrode on the first surface of the protective circuit board; and the second protective device portion includes a supporting part protrusion extending at one side of the protective device supporting part body and electrically connected with the second electrode on the second surface of the protective circuit board. The length (L2) of the protective circuit board may be less than the length (L1) of the protective circuit module, and/or the length (L1) of the protective circuit module may encompass both the length of the protective device body and the length (L2) of the protective circuit board.

In one embodiment, the third protective device portion includes a protective device body extending from and attached to the third surface of the protective circuit board; the protective device body includes a protective chip or lead; the first protective device portion includes a first protective device protrusion extending at one side of the protective device body and electrically connected with the first electrode on the first surface of the protective circuit board; and the second protective device portion includes a second protective device protrusion also extending at the one side of the protective device body, separated from the first protective device protrusion, and electrically connected with the second electrode on the second surface of the protective circuit board. The protective device body may be integrally provided with the first protective device protrusion and the second protective device protrusion.

In one embodiment, the protective circuit board includes an outer terminal for electrically connecting the electrode assembly to an external device. The rechargeable battery may further include an insulating member between the protective circuit board and the cap plate at where the outer terminal is positioned, to protect from a penetration of a lead between the protective circuit board and the cap plate.

In one embodiment, the rechargeable battery further includes a cover covering the protective circuit board and the protective device, and injection molded into a space between the bare cell and the protective circuit module.

In view of the above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a rechargeable battery having the protective device and the protective circuit board which are easily combined and to provide the protective circuit module with a small volume. Herein, the protective device and the protective circuit board constitute the protective circuit module.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a rechargeable battery formed through a simplified process of assembling the bare cell and the protective circuit module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings such that it may be easily carried out by those skilled in the art. However, the present invention may be implemented in various different ways, and is not limited to the following embodiments.

In the drawings, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will be understood that when a layer (or film) is referred to as being “on” another layer or substrate, it can be directly on another layer or substrate, or intervening layers may also be present. Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “under” another layer, it can be directly under another layer, and one or more intervening layers may also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. In the description and drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view illustrating a rechargeable battery according to a first embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 2is a cross-sectional view of the rechargeable battery taken along line II-II inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a rechargeable battery100according to an embodiment includes a bare cell10, a first insulation member20, a conductive connection member30, a protective circuit module including a protective circuit board40and a protective device50, a top cover60, a lead tab70, a second insulation member80, and a bottom cover90.

The bare cell10according to the embodiment may include a case11having a built-in electrode assembly (shown in dash lines), a cap plate12attached to an opening of the case11, an electrode terminal13attached to the cap plate12, a gasket14for insulating the electrode terminal13and the cap plate12, first and second combining parts15and16, and a gas outlet17.

More particularly, the case11has an approximately hexahedral shape and an opening at one side thereof. Accordingly, the case11may receive the electrode assembly including first and second electrodes and a separator between the first and second electrodes. Herein, the first electrode may be one of a positive electrode or a negative electrode, and the second electrode may be the other one of the positive electrode or the negative electrode.

However, the shape of the case11is not limited to the hexahedron, and the case11may have various suitable shapes, such as cylinder, pouch, or the like.

Also, the cap plate12may be composed of a thin plate material with electrical conductivity, and may be combined with the opening of the case11to close and seal the opening.

Herein, the cap plate12may be electrically connected to either the first electrode or the second electrode to have a positive or negative polarity. Hereinafter, for convenience, the case11and the cap plate12according to the embodiment will be described as being electrically connected to the first electrode.

In addition, the electrode terminal13may be electrically connected to the first or second electrode. Hereinafter, for convenience, the electrode terminal13according to the embodiment will be described as being electrically connected to the second electrode.

Furthermore, a gasket14which is composed of an insulation material (for example, rubber or resin) may be disposed between the electrode terminal13and the cap plate12to electrically insulate the electrode terminal13and the cap plate12.

Also, the first insulation member20according to the embodiment has a surface facing the cap plate12, which is applied with an adhesive, to be combined with the cap plate12. In this case, the electrode terminal13is inserted into a terminal combining hole21formed in the first insulation member20, and the cap plate12is combined with a body22of the first insulation member20where the terminal combining hole is not formed. Accordingly, the first insulation member20is disposed between the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12to electrically insulate the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12.

Also, the conductive connection member30according to the embodiment has one end combined with the electrode terminal13and the other end connected with the protective circuit board40to electrically connect the electrode terminal13with the protective circuit board40.

In this case, the conductive connection member30may be disposed on the first insulation member20and attached between the protective circuit board40and the first insulation member20.

The protective device50according to the embodiment may be attached on and electrically connected to the protective circuit board40.

Herein, the protective device50includes one or more wires formed of a material (for example, alloy of lead and tin) which has electrical conductivity and is melted over a certain temperature, and an insulating resin surrounding the wires.

In addition, the protective circuit board40may be electrically connected to the first electrode through the lead tab70.

More particularly, the lead tab70may include a protective circuit board connecting part71and a cap plate connecting part72. Accordingly, the protective circuit board connecting part71may be combined with a surface facing the cap plate12of the protective circuit board40, and the cap plate connecting part72may be combined with the cap plate12which is electrically connected to the first electrode.

Accordingly, according to the embodiment, a current path may be formed between the first electrode, the protective circuit board40, the protective device50, and the second electrode through both the conductive connection member30for electrically connecting the protective circuit board40with the electrode terminal13electrically connected to the second electrode, and the lead tab70for electrically connecting the protective circuit board40with the cap plate12electrically connected to the first electrode.

Accordingly, if an overcurrent flows inside the rechargeable battery100according to the embodiment so that the protective device50reaches a certain temperature, the protective device50is melted to block the current path between the bare cell10and the protective circuit module.

Accordingly, the second insulation member80according to the embodiment is attached between the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12to electrically insulate the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12.

Herein, the second insulation member80may have surfaces facing the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12, which are applied with an adhesive, to be combined with the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12, respectively.

Also, the top cover60according to the embodiment may be formed through a hot-melt process. Herein, the top cover60may be formed by injecting a resin heated at a certain temperature into a space between the bare cell10and the protective circuit module.

Also, the top cover60may have a terminal connecting part61and first and second combining holes62and63where first and second combining members64and65are combined, respectively.

Accordingly, the top cover60may be formed on the bare cell10to cover the protective circuit board40and the protective device50. The first and second combining members64and65may be inserted into the first and second combining holes62and63and thus inserted and fixed to the first and second combining parts15and16, which are formed on the cap plate12, through a hole formed in the cap plate connecting part72of the lead tab70.

The bottom cover90according to the embodiment may include a bottom cover adhesive part92and a bottom cover body91including one or more protrusion parts.

The bottom cover90may be formed of a conductive resin and combined with the bottom surface of the bare cell10using the bottom cover adhesive part92. Accordingly, the bottom cover90may insulate the bottom surface of the bare cell10.

FIG. 3is an exploded perspective view illustrating a protective device and a protective circuit board ofFIG. 1, andFIG. 4is a side elevational view illustrating combination of the protective device and the protective circuit board ofFIG. 3.

For more detailed description of the protective circuit board40according to an embodiment with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the protective circuit board40may include a protective circuit, an outer terminal41, one or more through holes42, a protective device connection pattern43, and an electrode connecting part44.

Herein, the outer terminal41may be connected to the protective circuit formed in the protective circuit board40, using soldering.

In this case, the second insulation member80is attached between the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12to prevent lead from being penetrated between the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12when the outer terminal41is connected to the protective circuit board40with soldering.

At least one through hole42may be formed through the protective circuit board40at one end of the protective circuit board40.

Also, the electrode connecting part44according to the embodiment may be formed by forming a groove at the bottom surface of the protective circuit board40and filling the groove with a conductive material.

Herein, the electrode connecting part44according to the embodiment may include a conductive connection member combining part44a, a protective device combining part44c, and an electrode connecting part body44bfor connecting the conductive connection member combining part44awith the protective device combining part44c.

Also, the protective device combining part44cmay be extended up to the top surface of the protective circuit board40through the through hole42.

The conductive connection member30may include an electrode terminal connecting part31, a body32, and a protective circuit board combining part33. The protective circuit board combining part33may be connected to the conductive connection member combining part44ain a method such as soldering.

Also, the protective circuit board40may be combined with a lead tab70at one end, and may be combined via the lead tab70with the cap plate12electrically connected to the first electrode.

The protective device50according to an embodiment may include a protective device body51and a protective device protrusion52extended at one side of the protective device body51.

The protective device protrusion52may be electrically connected with the protective device connection pattern43formed in the protective circuit board40. Herein, a gap between the groove formed in the protective device protrusion52and the protective device connection pattern43may be soldered to combine the protective device protrusion52with the protective device connection pattern43.

Finally, the protective device50may be combined with the protective device connection pattern43of the protective circuit board40to be electrically connected with the protective circuit board40. Thus, the protective device50may be electrically connected to the first electrode through the lead tab70electrically connected to the protective circuit board40.

Herein, the protective device body51is attached on a portion of the top surface of the protective circuit board40, where the through hole42is formed. Thus, the bottom surface of the protective device body51may be contacted with the electrode connecting part44along the through hole42of the protective circuit board40.

Accordingly, the protective device50may be electrically connected to the electrode terminal13through the electrode connecting part44.

In this case, the protective device body51is combined with the protective circuit board40, using soldering.

In addition, according to the embodiment, when the protective circuit board40is attached on the cap plate12, the body32of the conductive connection member30may be curved in a direction of the arrow shown inFIG. 3toward the protective circuit board combining part33.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 4, the protective circuit board combining part33and the body32of the conductive connection member30may be overlapped and attached between the protective circuit board40and the cap plate12.

Also, according to the embodiment, the protective device50may be attached on the protective circuit board40and electrically connected to the electrode connecting part44extended to the top surface of the protective circuit board40through the through hole of the protective circuit board40and the protective device connection pattern43formed on the protective circuit board40.

Accordingly, the protective device50may be attached on the protective circuit board40without an additional element for connection to the protective circuit board40and may be electrically connected to the protective circuit board40and the electrode terminal13.

Accordingly, according to the embodiment, since there is no need for the additional element for combining the protective circuit board40with the protective device50, the protective circuit board40and the protective device50may be easily combined to easily manufacture the protective circuit module.

Also, according to the embodiment, the protective device50is attached in direct contact with the protective circuit board40. Thus, there is no need for an additional element for combining the protective circuit board40with the protective device50.

Accordingly, according to the embodiment, it is possible to reduce volume in the protective circuit module including protective circuit board40and the protective device50.

Also, the protective circuit module may be assembled by stacking the protective circuit board40on the curved conductive connection member30and then stacking the protective device50on the protective circuit board40. Thus, it is also possible to simplify a process of assembling the protective circuit module and the bare cell10.

FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view illustrating a protective device and a protective circuit board according to a second embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 6is a side elevational view illustrating combination of the protective device and the protective circuit board ofFIG. 5.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment has the same configuration as the rechargeable battery100according to the first embodiment, other than a protective circuit board140and a protective device150.

Accordingly, a detailed description of the same configuration as the rechargeable battery100according to the first embodiment will not be provided again.

To provide a detailed description of the protective circuit board140according to the embodiment with reference toFIG. 5, the protective circuit board140may include a protective circuit, an outer terminal141, a protective device connection pattern143, and an electrode connecting part144.

However, the outer terminal141, the protective device connection pattern143, and the electrode connecting part144according to the embodiment may have the same configuration as the outer terminal41, the protective device connection pattern43, and the electrode connecting part44according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, a detailed description of the outer terminal141, the protective device connection pattern143and the electrode connecting part144of the protective circuit board140will not be provided again.

The electrode connecting part144according to the embodiment may include a conductive connection member combining part144a, a protective device combining part144c, and an electrode connecting part body144bfor connecting the conductive connection member combining part144awith the protective device combining part144c.

Also, the protective device150according to the embodiment may include a protective device body152, a protective device protrusion151extended at one side of the protective device body152, and a fixing part153curved and extended at the opposite of the surface where the protective device protrusion151is formed.

For example, the fixing part153according to the embodiment is extended in a direction approximately vertical to the bottom surface of the protective device body152and curved in a direction approximately parallel with the bottom surface of the protective device body152.

Referring toFIG. 6, the protective device protrusion151may be electrically connected to the protective device connection pattern143formed in the protective circuit board140. Herein, a gap between the groove formed in the protective device protrusion151and the protective device connection pattern143may be connected using soldering.

Also, the fixing part153of the protective device150may be inserted and fixed to one end of the protective circuit board140and thus positioned on the protective device combining part144c.

Accordingly, the protective device150may be electrically connected to the electrode connecting part144through the fixing part153of the protective device150.

Finally, according to the embodiment, the protective device body152and the protective device protrusion151may be attached on the top surface of the protective circuit board140, and the fixing part153is combined with the bottom surface of the protective circuit board140and thus combined with the electrode connecting part144. Thus, the protective device150may be electrically connected with the protective circuit board140and the electrode terminal13.

In view of the above, the protective circuit module includes the protective circuit board140and the protective device150. The protective circuit board140is electrically connected with the first electrode of the electrode assembly. The protective device150includes a first protective device portion mounted to a first surface of the protective circuit board140to be electrically connected with the protective circuit board140, and a second protective device portion (e.g., the fixing part153) electrically connected with the second electrode of the electrode assembly and mounted on a second surface of the protective circuit board140, the second surface facing oppositely away from the first surface.

Here, the protective device150further includes a third protective device portion, and the first and second protective device portions extend from a same side of the third protective device portion along a same direction on the protective circuit board. In one embodiment, the third protective device portion is mounted on a third surface of the protective circuit board140to electrically connect the first protective portion with the second protective device portion, and the first surface of the protective circuit board140is connected with the second surface of the protective circuit board140via the third surface of the protective circuit board140. In particular and as shown inFIG. 5andFIG. 6, the first protective device portion includes the protective device body152and the protective device protrusion151extending at one side of the protective device body152and electrically connected with the first electrode on the first surface of the protective circuit board140, the protective device body152including a protective chip or lead. The second protective device portion includes the fixing part153electrically connected with the second electrode on the second surface of the protective circuit board140.

Accordingly, according to the embodiment, there is no need for an additional element for combining the protective circuit board140with the protective device150, thereby easily manufacturing the protective circuit module, reducing volume in the protective circuit module, and simplifying a process of assembling the protective circuit module and the bare cell.

Also, the fixing part153of the protective device150is inserted and fixed to one end of the protective circuit board140, thereby easily combining the protective device150and the electrode connecting part144, and stably combining the protective device150and the protective circuit board140.

FIG. 7is an exploded perspective view illustrating a protective device and a protective circuit board according to a third embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 8is a side elevational view illustrating combination of the protective device and the protective circuit board ofFIG. 7.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, a rechargeable battery according to an embodiment has the same configuration as the rechargeable battery100according to the first embodiment, other than a protective circuit board240and a protective device250.

Accordingly, a detailed description of the same configuration as the rechargeable battery100according to the first embodiment will not be provided again.

To provide a detailed description of the protective circuit board240according to an embodiment with reference toFIG. 7, the protective circuit board240may include a protective circuit, an outer terminal241, a protective device connection pattern243, and an electrode connecting part244.

However, the outer terminal241, the protective device connection pattern243, and the electrode connecting part244according to the embodiment may have the same configuration as the outer terminal41, the protective device connection pattern43, and the electrode connecting part44according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, a detailed description of the outer terminal241, the protective device connection pattern243, and the electrode connecting part244of the protective circuit board240will not be provided again.

The electrode connecting part244according to the embodiment may include a conductive connection member combining part244a, a protective device combining part244c, and an electrode connecting part body244bfor connecting the conductive connection member combining part244awith the protective device combining part244c.

Also, the protective device250according to the embodiment may include a protective device body252, a protective device protrusion251extended at one side of the protective device body252, and a protective device supporting part253combined with the bottom surface of the protective device body252.

Herein, the protective device supporting part253may include a supporting part body253aand a supporting part protrusion253bextended at one end of the supporting part body253a.

Referring toFIG. 8, the protective device body252according to the embodiment may be attached to one end of the protective circuit board240, and the protective device protrusion251may be attached to the top surface of the protective circuit board240and electrically connected to the protective device connection pattern243.

Also, the supporting part253may be combined to the bottom surface of the protective device250.

More particularly, the supporting part body253aof the supporting part253may be combined to the bottom surface of the protective device body252, and the supporting part protrusion253bmay be combined to the protective device combining part244c.

Herein, the supporting part body253amay be combined to the bottom surface of the protective device body252using welding, and the supporting part protrusion253bmay be combined to the protective device combining part244cwith soldering.

The protective circuit body252of the protective device250according to the embodiment may be attached on a side surface of the protective circuit board240, not on the top surface of the protective circuit board240.

Accordingly, since the protective device body252is not attached to the top surface of the protective circuit board240according to the embodiment, the protective circuit board240may be designed to be relatively short in length, compared with when the protective device body252is combined to the top surface of the protective circuit board240.

That is, a length (L2) in a length direction of the protective circuit board240according to the third embodiment may be designed as being less than a length (L1) in a length direction of the protective circuit board140according to the second embodiment of the present invention (see alsoFIG. 5) by the length of the protective device body252.

Also, according to the third embodiment, the protective device body252may be attached on the side surface of the protective circuit board240, the protective device protrusion251may be attached on the top surface of the protective circuit board240, the supporting part body253ais combined with the bottom surface of the protective device body252, and the supporting part protrusion253bis combined with the electrode connecting part244. Thus, the protective device250may be electrically connected with the protective circuit board240and the electrode terminal13.

In view of the above, the protective circuit module includes the protective circuit board240and the protective device250. The protective circuit board240is electrically connected with the first electrode of the electrode assembly. The protective device250includes a first protective device portion mounted to a first surface of the protective circuit board240to be electrically connected with the protective circuit board, and a second protective device portion (e.g., the supporting part protrusion253b) electrically connected with the second electrode of the electrode assembly and mounted on a second surface of the protective circuit board240, the second surface facing oppositely away from the first surface.

Here, the protective device250further includes a third protective device portion, and the first and second protective device portions extend from a same side of the third protective device portion along a same direction on the protective circuit board240. In one embodiment, the third protective device portion is mounted on a third surface of the protective circuit board240to electrically connect the first protective portion with the second protective device portion, and the first surface of the protective circuit board240is connected with the second surface of the protective circuit board240via the third surface of the protective circuit board240. In particular and as shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, the third protective device portion includes: the protective device body252extending from and attached to the third surface of the protective circuit board, and the protective device supporting part body253a. The protective device body252includes a protective chip or lead. The protective device supporting part body253asupports a surface of the protective device body252. The first protective device portion includes the protective device protrusion251extending at one side of the protective device body252and electrically connected with the first electrode on the first surface of the protective circuit board240, and the second protective device portion includes the supporting part protrusion253bextending at one side of the protective device supporting part body252and electrically connected with the second electrode on the second surface of the protective circuit board240. Here, the length of the protective circuit board240is less than the length of the protective circuit module, and/or the length of the protective circuit module encompasses both the length of the protective device body252and the length of the protective circuit board240.

Accordingly, according to the embodiment, there is no need for an additional element for combining the protective circuit board240with the protective device250, thereby easily manufacturing the protective circuit module, reducing volume in the protective circuit module, and simplifying a process of assembling the protective circuit module and the bare cell.

Also, the supporting part253may be combined with bottom surfaces of the protective device body252and the protective circuit board240, thereby easily combining the protective device250and the electrode connecting part244, and stably combining the protective device250with the protective circuit board240.

FIG. 9is an exploded perspective view illustrating a protective device and a protective circuit board according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, andFIG. 10is a side elevational view illustrating combination of the protective device and the protective circuit board ofFIG. 9.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, a rechargeable battery according to the embodiment has the same configuration as the rechargeable battery according to the third embodiment, other than the protective device350.

Accordingly, a detailed description of the same configuration as the rechargeable battery according to the third embodiment will not be provided again.

Also, the protective device350according to the embodiment may include a protective device body351, and first and second protective device protrusions352and353extended at one side of the protective device body351and separated from each other.

The protective device body351according to the embodiment may be attached to the side surface of the protective circuit board240, which may be inserted between the first and second protective device protrusions352and353.

Accordingly, as shown inFIG. 10, the first protective device protrusion352may be combined with the top surface of the protective circuit board240and thus electrically connected with the protective device connection pattern243.

Also, the second protective device protrusion353may be combined with the bottom surface of the protective circuit board240and thus electrically connected to the protective device combining part244cof the electrode connecting part244.

In view of the above, the protective circuit module includes the protective circuit board240and the protective device350. The protective circuit board240is electrically connected with the first electrode of the electrode assembly. The protective device350includes a first protective device portion (e.g., the first protective device protrusion352) mounted to a first surface of the protective circuit board240to be electrically connected with the protective circuit board, and a second protective device portion (e.g., the second protective device protrusion353) electrically connected with the second electrode of the electrode assembly and mounted on a second surface of the protective circuit board240, the second surface facing oppositely away from the first surface.

Here, the protective device350further includes a third protective device portion, and the first and second protective device portions extend from a same side of the third protective device portion along a same direction on the protective circuit board240. In one embodiment, the third protective device portion is mounted on a third surface of the protective circuit board240to electrically connect the first protective portion with the second protective device portion, and the first surface of the protective circuit board240is connected with the second surface of the protective circuit board240via the third surface of the protective circuit board240. In particular and as shown inFIG. 9andFIG. 10, the third protective device portion includes a protective device body351extending from and attached to the third surface of the protective circuit board. The first protective device portion includes the first protective device protrusion352extending at one side of the protective device body351and electrically connected with the first electrode on the first surface of the protective circuit board240, and the second protective device portion includes the second protective device protrusion353also extending at the one side of the protective device body351. Here, the second protective device protrusion353is separated from the first protective device protrusion352, and electrically connected with the second electrode on the second surface of the protective circuit board240. In one embodiment, the protective device body351includes a protective chip or lead, and/or the protective device body351is integrally provided with the first protective device protrusion352and the second protective device protrusion353.

Accordingly, according to the embodiment, there is no need for an additional element for combining the protective circuit board240with the protective device350, thereby easily manufacturing the protective circuit module, reducing volume in the protective circuit module, and simplifying a process of assembling the protective circuit module and the bare cell.

In addition, according to the embodiment, the protective device350may be easily and stably connected with the protective circuit board240.

While embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, description, and drawings.