Abstract:
A battery includes a plurality of electrode assemblies, each having an electrode and an electrode uncoated region, such that the plurality of electrode assemblies together present a plurality of electrodes and electrode uncoated regions, an electrode terminal, and a current collecting member electrically connecting the electrode terminal and the plurality of electrodes of the electrode assemblies, the current collecting member including a terminal connection portion, and side plates, extending from lateral sides of the terminal connection portion, a plurality of current collecting plates, each current collecting plate contacting the electrode uncoated region of a respective one of the plurality of electrode assemblies, a plurality of supporting portions, each supporting portion connecting certain adjacent ones of the current collecting plates together, each of the side plates being coupled with at least one of the current collecting plates.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/546,644, filed on Oct. 13, 2011, and entitled: “Rechargeable Battery,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     Embodiments relate to a rechargeable battery. More particularly, embodiments relate to a rechargeable battery including a current collecting member. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A rechargeable battery is a battery that can be repeatedly charged and discharged, unlike a primary battery, which cannot be recharged. 
     A low-capacity rechargeable battery is used for a small portable electronic device such as a mobile phone, a laptop computer, and a camcorder. A large-capacity rechargeable battery is widely used as a power supply for driving a motor of a hybrid vehicle and the like. 
     Recently, a high-output rechargeable battery using a non-aqueous electrolyte solution with high energy density has been developed. The high-output rechargeable battery is configured of a large-capacity battery module in which a plurality of rechargeable batteries are connected to each other in series so as to be used to drive a motor of devices requiring large power, for example, an electric car, or the like. 
     The battery module is generally configured by the plurality of rechargeable batteries that are coupled with each other in series, and each of the rechargeable batteries may be formed in a cylindrical shape, a prismatic shape, and the like. 
     The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, there is provided a battery, including a plurality of electrode assemblies, each having an electrode and an electrode uncoated region, such that the plurality of electrode assemblies together present a plurality of electrodes and electrode uncoated regions, an electrode terminal, and a current collecting member electrically connecting the electrode terminal and the plurality of electrodes of the electrode assemblies, the current collecting member including a terminal connection portion, and side plates, extending from lateral sides of the terminal connection portion, a plurality of current collecting plates, each current collecting plate contacting the electrode uncoated region of a respective one of the plurality of electrode assemblies, a plurality of supporting portions, each supporting portion connecting certain adjacent ones of the current collecting plates together, each of the side plates being coupled with at least one of the current collecting plates. Each of the side plates may be coextensive and integral with one of the current collecting plates. 
     The terminal connection portion may include a fuse portion, the fuse portion being a region of reduced area in the terminal connection portion. The terminal connection portion may include an electrode terminal contacting portion and a side plate connecting portion. The terminal connection portion may include bent lateral sides. The bent lateral sides of the terminal connection portion in the electrode terminal contacting portion may form lateral edge portions of the electrode terminal contacting portion. The bent lateral sides of the terminal connection portion in the side plate connecting portion may form the side plates. 
     The fuse portion may include a hole that extends between the bent lateral sides of the terminal connection portion. 
     The supporting portions may connect selected pairs of the current collecting plates together. The supporting portions may contact respective adjacent ones of the electrode assemblies. The supporting portions may each include a connecting part and guiding portions at lateral side ends of the connecting part. The guiding portions may connect the connecting part to the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates. The guiding portions may contact inclined faces of the electrode assemblies. 
     The guiding portions may each be bent in a shape of an arc extending between the connecting part and the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates. The guiding portions may each form an inclined angle between the connecting part and the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates. The inclined angle of each guiding portion matches an angle of the inclined faces of the electrode assemblies. 
     The supporting portions may include upper supporting portions that connect the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates at a proximal end of the current collecting plates relative to one of the side plates and lower supporting portions that connect the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates at a distal end of the current collecting plates. 
     The adjacent ones of the current collecting plates may include welding bar portions welded to the electrode uncoated regions of one of the electrode assemblies, bent bar portions, in which the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates bend inwardly toward each other, and insertion tip portions at lower ends of the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates. Each of the bent bar portions may bend at an angle of about 5° to about 90° with respect to one of the welding bar portions. 
     The welding bar portions and insertion tip portions of the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates may be parallel to each other. A distance between the insertion tip portions of the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates may be less than a distance between the welding bar portions of the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates. 
     Each of the lower supporting portions may connect together the welding bar portions of the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates at a location adjacent to the bent bar portions. Each of the lower supporting portions may connect the insertion tip portions of the adjacent ones of the current collecting plates. 
     The battery may further include a case within which the plurality of electrode assemblies and the current collecting member are disposed, and insulating members on portions of the current collecting member facing an inside surface of the case. 
     The current collecting plates, supporting portions, side plates, and the terminal connection portion of the current collecting member may be formed of a same material and may be integral with one another. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line II-II. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a current collecting member and an electrode assembly of the rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a top view of the current collecting member and the electrode assembly of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a current collecting member and an electrode assembly of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of the current collecting member according to the exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of a current collecting member of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of a current collecting member of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a perspective view of a current collecting member of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a current collecting member of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, they may be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
     In the drawing figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment and  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 1 , taken along the line II-II. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a rechargeable battery  101  according to the exemplary embodiment may include an electrode assembly  10  formed by winding a positive electrode  11  and a negative electrode  12 , interposing a separator  13  therebetween, a case  30  in which the electrode assembly  10  is installed, and a cap assembly  20  coupled to the case  30 . 
     The rechargeable battery  101  according to the exemplary embodiment may be exemplarily described as a lithium ion secondary battery having a prismatic shape. However, in other implementations, the rechargeable battery  101  may be another type of battery, such as a lithium polymer battery or may have another shape, such as a cylindrical shape. 
     The positive electrode  11  and the negative electrode  12  may include coated regions where an active material is coated to a current collector formed of a thin metal foil and uncoated regions  11   a  and  12   a  where the active material is not coated. 
     The positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  may be formed at a first side end of the positive electrode  11  along a length direction of the positive electrode  11 , and the negative uncoated region  12   a  may be formed at a second side end of the negative electrode  12  along a length direction of the negative electrode  12 . The positive electrode  11  and the negative electrode  12  may be spirally wound, interposing the separator  13  therebetween. The separator  13  may be an insulator. 
     However, various other implementations may be possible. For example, the electrode assembly  10  may have a structure in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode, each formed of a plurality of sheets, are alternately layered, interposing a separator therebetween. 
     The case  30  may be approximately formed in the shape of a cuboid, and an opening may be formed one side thereof. The cap assembly  20  may include a cap plate  25  covering the opening of the case  30 , a positive terminal  21  protruding to an outer side of the cap plate  25  and electrically connected with the positive electrode  11 , a negative terminal  22  protruding to an outer side of the cap plate  25  and electrically connected with the negative electrode  12 , and a vent member  27  having a notch  27   a  formed to be broken according to a predetermined internal pressure. 
     The cap plate  25  may be formed of a thin plate. An electrolyte injection opening may be foamed at one side for injection of an electrolyte solution, and a sealing cap  23  is fixed to the cap plate  25  to seal the electrolyte injection opening. 
     The positive terminal  21  may be formed to penetrate the cap plate  25 . Accordingly, a first gasket  24  formed in an upper portion of the cap plate  25  and a second gasket  26  formed in a lower portion of the ca plate  25  may insulate the cap plate  25  and the positive terminal  21 . 
     The positive terminal  21  may be formed in the shape of a circular cylinder. A nut  29  may be formed in the positive terminal  21  to support the positive terminal  21  from an upper portion. A thread may be formed in an external circumference of the positive terminal  21  so as to be fastened with the nut  29 . 
     The positive terminal  21  may be electrically connected with the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  through a current collecting member  51 . A terminal flange that supports the positive terminal  21  and the current collecting member  51  may be formed in a lower end of the positive terminal  21 . 
     The negative terminal  22  may be formed penetrating the cap plate  25 . Accordingly, a first gasket  24  formed in an upper portion of the cap plate  25  and a second gasket  25  formed in a lower portion of the cap plate  25  may insulate the cap plate  25  and the negative terminal  22 . 
     The negative terminal  22  may be formed in the shape of a circular cylinder. A nut  29  may be formed in the negative terminal  22  to support the negative terminal  22  from an upper portion thereof. A thread may be formed in an external circumference of the negative terminal  22  so as to be fastened with the nut  29 . 
     The negative terminal  22  may be electrically connected with the negative electrode uncoated region  12   a  through a current collecting member  52 . A terminal flange may be formed in a lower end of the negative terminal  22  to support the negative terminal  22  and the current collecting member  52 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the current collecting member and electrode assembly of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 4  is a top view of the current collecting member and the electrode assembly of the according to the exemplary embodiment.  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the current collecting member and the electrode assembly according to the exemplary embodiment, and  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the current collecting member according to the exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , the current collecting member  51  may include a terminal connection portion  512  fixed to the positive terminal  21 , a side plate  517  formed bent from the terminal connection portion  512 , and current collecting plates  513  and  515  fixed to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . A fuse portion  512   b  having a smaller width than the periphery region may be formed in the terminal connection portion  512 . 
     The current collecting member  52  formed in the negative terminal  22  may be the same as or similar to the current collecting member  51  in structure, excluding the fuse portion  512   b . Therefore, a description of the similar features will not be repeated. 
     The terminal connection portion  512  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate. A hole  512   a  into which the positive terminal  21  is inserted may be formed in a center thereof. Further, the terminal connection portion  512  may be welded to the lower portion of the positive terminal  21 . The fuse portion  512   b  may have a smaller width than the peripheral region. For example, a hole  512   c  may be formed in the fuse portion  512   b . The hole  512   c  may be extended along a width direction (y-axis direction in  FIG. 3 ) of the terminal connection portion  512 . Ends of lateral sides the terminal connection portion  512  may be bent downward such that the terminal connection portion  512  may have an arc-shaped cross-section and portions protruding downward may be formed in the ends of the lateral sides of the terminal connection portion  512 . The hole  512   c  may be formed in a center of the terminal connection portion  512 , and the protruded portions may also be formed in the fuse portion  512   b . When the portions protruding downward are formed in the ends of the lateral sides of the terminal connection portion  512 , as in the present exemplary embodiment, the protruded portions may support a height directional stress of the current collecting member  51  so that breakage of the fuse portion  512   b  due to the fatigue stress may be prevented. 
     The side plate  517  may be perpendicularly bent toward the bottom of the case  30  from a width directional end of the terminal connection portion  512 . Accordingly, the side plate  517  may be disposed in parallel with the wide front side of the case  30 . 
     The side plate  517  may be bent at a corner formed by being extended along a direction (x-axis direction) that crosses the direction (y-axis direction) along which the fuse portion  512   b  is extended. The direction along which the fuse portion  512   b  is extended and the corner where then side plate  517  is bent may be perpendicularly crossed. 
     If the side plate were to be bent at a length directional end of the terminal connection portion, vertical directional stress applied to the fuse portion could be increased so that the fuse portion could be broken due to vibration or impact. Thus, for stable strength of the fuse portion in such a structure, the fuse portion may require a large width. However, when the fuse portion has a large width, a current generated in a short circuit may not be sufficient to melt the fuse. 
     However, when the side plate  517  is formed in the width directional end of the terminal connection portion  512  as in the present exemplary embodiment, the stress applied to the fuse portion  512   b  may be decreased and thus the thickness of the fuse portion  512   b  can be reduced so that the fuse portion  512   b  can be activated with a small amount of current. 
     A current collecting plate  515  may be formed by being extended from a lower portion of the side plate  517 . A current collecting plate  513  may be fixed to the current collecting plate  515  using supporting portions  516  and  518 . The current collecting plates  513  and  515  may be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangle. The current collecting plates  513  and  515  may be welded to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a.    
     The supporting portion  516  may be formed in upper portions of the current collecting plates  513  and  515  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. The supporting portion  518  may be formed in lower portions of the current collecting plates  513  and  515  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. 
     The supporting portion  516  provided in the upper portions of the current collecting plates  513  and  515  may include a connection portion  516   a  arranged opposite to the electrode assembly  10  and guiding portions  516   b  formed at lateral side ends of the connection portion  516   a  and fixed to the current collecting plates  513  and  516 . The guiding portions  516   a  may be bent in the shape of an arc. Accordingly, the supporting portion  516  may protrude toward a direction (x-axis direction) facing the electrode assembly  10  from the current collecting plates  513  and  515 . The connection portion  516   a  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate and the guiding plate  516   b  may be formed of a curved plate having an arc-shaped cross-section. 
     The supporting portion  518  provided in the lower portions of the current collecting plates  513  and  515  may include a connection portion  518   a  arranged opposite to the electrode assembly  10  and guiding portions  518   b  formed at lateral side ends of the connection portion  518   a  and fixed to the current collecting plates  513  and  515 . The guiding portions  518   b  may be bent in the shape of an arc. Accordingly, the supporting portion  518  may protrude toward a direction (x-axis) facing the electrode assembly  10  from the current collecting plates  513  and  515 . The connection portion  518   a  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, and the guiding portion  518   b  may be formed of a curved plate having an arc-shaped cross-section. 
     In the electrode assembly  10 , the uncoated region where the active material is not coated may be thinner than the coated region where the active material is coated. Therefore, an inclined face  10   a  may be formed in a portion where the uncoated region and the coated region are connected. 
     The guiding portions  516   b  and  518  may contact the inclined face  10   a  formed in the electrode assembly  10  to prevent the electrode assembly  10  from moving due to impact and vibration. Movement of the electrode assembly  10  due to vibration may cause an electrical contact failure between the current collecting member  51  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  or an electrical contact failure between the current collecting member  51  and the positive terminal  21 . In addition, if the electrode assembly  10  were to be severely moved, the electrode assembly  10  could contact the case  30 , thereby causing a short circuit. 
     However, according to the present exemplary embodiment, the current collecting member  51  may support the electrode assembly  10  to prevent movement of the electrode assembly  10 . Accordingly, safety of the rechargeable battery  101  may be improved. 
     Further, the supporting portions  516  and  518  may support the current collecting plates  513  and  515  to prevent the current collecting plates  513  and  515  from moving in a direction (y-axis direction) along which the electrode assembly  10  is layered. Thus, an electrical connection failure between the current collecting plates  513  and  515  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  may be prevented. 
     In the current collecting member  51 , insulating members  55  and  57  may be attached to portions facing the inside of the case  30 . The current collecting member  51  may include a protrusion  56  protruding further to the outside than the current collecting plates  513  and  515  from the terminal connection portion  512  and the side plate  517 . The insulating members  55  and  57  may be formed as a tape type insulating members so as to be respectively attached to each end of the protrusion  56  and the current collecting plate  513 . 
     As in the present exemplary embodiment, the insulating members  55  and  57  may be provided to prevent short circuit due to contact of the case  30  and the current collecting member  51 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a current collecting member of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     The rechargeable battery according to the present exemplary embodiment may be the same as or similar to the rechargeable battery of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 6 , excluding the structure of a current collecting member  53 . A description of similar features will not be repeated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the current collecting member  53  may include a terminal connection portion  532  fixed to a positive terminal  21 , a side plate  537  formed by being bent from the terminal connection portion  532 , and current collecting plates  533  and  535  fixed to a positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . In the terminal connection portion  532 , a fuse portion  532   b  having a smaller width than the periphery region may be formed. 
     The current collecting member provided in a negative terminal  22  may be the same as or similar to the current collecting member  53  in structure, excluding the fuse portion  532   b , and therefore a description of similar features will not be repeated. 
     The terminal connection portion  532  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, and a hole  532   a  into which the positive terminal  21  is inserted may be formed in a center of the terminal connection portion  532 . Further, the terminal connection portion  532  may be welded to a lower portion of the positive terminal  21 . The fuse portion  532   b  may have a smaller width than the peripheral region, and thus, a hole  532   c  may be formed in the fuse portion  532   b . The hole  532   c  may be formed to extend to a side end of the terminal connection portion  532  from lateral side ends of the fuse portion  532   b.    
     The side plate  537  may be perpendicularly bent toward the bottom of the case  30  from a width directional end of the terminal connection portion  532 . Accordingly, the side plate  537  may be disposed in parallel with a wide front side of the case  30 . 
     That is, the side plate  537  may be bent at a corner formed to extend in a direction crossing a direction in which the fuse portion  512   b  extends. The direction in which the fuse portion  532   b  extends and the corner at which the side plate  537  is bent may be perpendicularly crossed with each other. 
     If the side plate were to be bent at a length directional end of the terminal connection portion, a vertical directional stress applied to the fuse portion could be increased so that the fuse portion could be broken due to vibration or impact. 
     However, when the side plate  537  is formed in the width directional end of the terminal connection portion  532  as in the present exemplary embodiment, the stress applied to the fuse  532   b  may be decreased, and thus, the thickness of the fuse portion  532   b  may be decreased so that the fuse portion  532   b  may be activated with a small amount of current. 
     The current collecting plates  535  may be formed by being extended from a lower portion of the current collecting side plate  537 . A current collecting plate  533  may be formed in the current collecting plate  535  in a fixed manner using the supporting portions  536  and  538 . The current collecting plates  533  and  535  may be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate and may be welded to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a.    
     The supporting portion  536  may be formed in upper portions of the current collecting plates  533  and  535  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. The supporting portion  538  may be formed in lower portions of the current collecting plates  533  and  535  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. 
     The supporting portion  536  provided in the upper portions of the current collecting plates  533  and  535  may include a connection portion  536   a  arranged opposite to the electrode assembly  10  and guiding portions  536   b  formed at lateral side ends of the connection portion  536   a  and then fixed to the current collecting plates  533  and  536 . The guiding portions  536   a  may be bent in the shape of an arc. Thus, the supporting portion  536  may protrude toward a direction facing the electrode assembly  10  from the current collecting plates  533  and  535 . The connection portion  536   a  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate and the guiding plate  536   b  may be formed in the shape of a curved plate having an arc-shaped cross-section. 
     The supporting portion  538  provided in the lower portions of the current collecting plates  533  and  535  may include a connection portion  538   a  arranged opposite to the electrode assembly  10  and guiding portions  538   b  formed at lateral side ends of the connection portion  538   a  and fixed to the current collecting plates  533  and  535 . The guiding portions  538   b  may be bent in the shape of an arc. Accordingly, the supporting portion  538  may protrude toward a direction facing the electrode assembly  10  from the current collecting plates  533  and  535 . The connection portion  538   a  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, and the guiding portion  538   b  may be formed in the shape of a curved plate having an arc-shaped cross-section. 
     In the electrode assembly  10 , an uncoated region where an active material is not coated may be thinner than a coated region where the active material is coated. Therefore, an inclined face  10   a  may be formed in a portion where the uncoated region and the coated region are connected. 
     The guiding portions  536   b  and  538  may contact the inclined face  10   a  formed in the electrode assembly  10  to prevent the electrode assembly  10  from moving due to impact and vibration. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a current collecting member of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     The rechargeable battery according to the present exemplary embodiment may be the same as or similar to the rechargeable battery of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 6 , excluding a structure of a current collecting member  61 , and therefore, a description of similar features will not be repeated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the current collecting member  61  may include a terminal connection portion  612  fixed to a positive terminal  21 , a side plate  617  formed by being bent from the terminal connection portion  612 , and current collecting plates  613  and  615  fixed to a positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . In the terminal connection portion  612 , a fuse portion  612   b  having a smaller width than the periphery region may be formed. 
     The current collecting member provided in a negative terminal  22  may be the same as or similar to the current collecting member  61  in structure, excluding the fuse portion  612   b , and therefore, a description of similar features will not be repeated. 
     The terminal connection portion  612  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, and a hole  612   a  into which the positive terminal  21  is inserted may be formed in a center of the terminal connection portion  612 . Further, the terminal connection portion  612  may be welded to a lower portion of the positive terminal  21 . The fuse portion  612   b  may have a smaller width than the peripheral region, and thus a hole  612   c  may be formed in the fuse portion  612   b . The hole  612   c  may be extended in a width direction of the terminal connection portion  612 . Ends of lateral sides of the terminal connection portion  612  may be bent downward such that the terminal connection portion  612  may have an arc-shaped cross-section. Portions protruding downward may be formed in the ends of the lateral sides of the terminal connection portion  612 . The hole  612   c  may be formed in a center of the terminal connection portion  612 , and the protruded portions may also be formed in the fuse portion  612   b.    
     The side plate  617  may be perpendicularly curved toward the bottom of the case  30  from a width directional end of the terminal connection portion  612 . Thus, the side plate  617  may be disposed in parallel with a wide front side of the case  30 . 
     That is, the side plate  617  may be bent at a corner formed by being extended along a direction that crosses the direction along which the fuse portion  612   b  extends. The direction along which the fuse portion  612   b  extends and the corner where then side plate  617  is bent may be perpendicularly crossed. 
     If the side plate were to be bent at a length directional end of the terminal connection portion, vertical directional stress applied to the fuse portion could be increased so that the fuse portion  612   b  could be broken due to vibration or impact. 
     However, when the side plate  617  is formed in the width directional end of the terminal connection portion  612  as in the present exemplary embodiment, the stress applied to the fuse portion  612   b  may be decreased, and thus, the thickness of the fuse portion  612   b  may be reduced so that the fuse portion  612   b  can be activated with a small amount of current. 
     A current collecting plate  615  may be formed by being extended from a lower portion of the side plate  617 , and a current collecting plate  613  may be fixed to the current collecting plate  615  using supporting portions  616  and  618 . The current collecting plates  613  and  615  may be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangle. The current collecting plates  613  and  615  may be welded to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a.    
     The supporting portion  616  may be formed in upper portions of the current collecting plates  613  and  615  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. The supporting portion  618  may be formed in lower portions of the current collecting plates  613  and  615  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. 
     The supporting portion  616  provided in the upper portions of the current collecting plates  613  and  615  may include a connection portion  616   a  disposed facing the electrode assembly  10  and extended in a direction toward the other current collecting plate  615  from one current collecting plate  613  and guiding portions  616   b  provided at lateral side ends of the connection portion  616   a  and fixed to the current collecting plates  613  and  615 . The guiding portions  616   b  may be inclined with respect to the connection portion  616   a . Thus, the supporting portion  616  may protrude toward a direction facing the electrode assembly  10  from the current collecting plates  613  and  615 . The connection portion  616   a  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, and the guiding portions  616   b  may be inclined with respect to the current collecting plates  613  and  615  and the connection portion  616   a.    
     The supporting portion  618  provided in the lower portions of the current collecting plates  613  and  615  may include a connection portion  618   a  disposed facing the electrode assembly  10  and extended toward the other current collecting plate  615  from one current collecting plate  613  and guiding portions  618   b  provided at lateral side ends of the connection portion  618   a  and fixed to the current collecting plates  613  and  618 . The guiding portions  618   b  may be inclined with respect to the connection portion  618   a . The supporting portion  618  may be formed in the shape of a square plate or rectangle, and the guiding portions  616   b  may be inclined with respect to the current collecting plates  613  and  615  and the connection portion  616   a . The connection portion  618   a  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, and the guiding portions  618   b  may be inclined with respect to the current collecting plates  613  and  615  and the connection portion  616   a.    
     In the electrode assembly  10 , an uncoated region where an active material is not coated may be thinner than a coated region where the active material is coated, and therefore, an inclined face  10   a  may be formed in a portion where the uncoated region and the coated region are connected. 
     The guiding portions  616   b  and  618   b  may match up in parallel with the inclined face  10   a  formed in the electrode assembly  10  and may contact the same. The guiding portions  616   b  and  618   b  support the electrode assembly  10  in the inclined face  10   a  to prevent the electrode assembly  10  from moving due to impact or vibration. According to the present exemplary embodiment, the contact area between the guiding portions  616   b  and  681   b  and the inclined face  10   a  may be increased so that the guiding portions  616   b  and  618   b  may further stably support the electrode assembly  10 . 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a current collecting member of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     The rechargeable battery according to the present exemplary embodiment may be the same as or similar to the rechargeable battery of the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1 to 6 , excluding a structure of a current collecting member  62 , and therefore a description of similar features will not be repeated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the current collecting member  62  may include a terminal connection portion  622  fixed to a positive terminal  21 , a side plate  627  formed by being bent from the terminal connection portion  622 , and current collecting plates  623  and  625  fixed to a positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . In the terminal connection portion  622 , a fuse portion  622   b  having a smaller width than the periphery region may be formed. 
     The current collecting member provided in a negative terminal  22  may be the same as or similar to the current collecting member  62  in structure, excluding the fuse portion  622   b , and therefore a description of the similar features will not be repeated. 
     The terminal connection portion  622  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, and a hole  622   a  into which the positive terminal  21  is inserted may be formed in a center of the terminal connection portion  622 . Further, the terminal connection portion  622  may be welded to a lower portion of the positive terminal  21 . The fuse portion  622   b  may have a smaller width than the peripheral region, and thus a hole  622   c  may be formed in the fuse portion  622   b . The hole  622   c  may be extended in a width direction of the terminal connection portion  622 . Ends of lateral sides of the terminal connection portion  622  may be bent downward such that the terminal connection portion  622  has an arc-shaped cross-section, and portions protruding downward may be formed in the ends of the lateral sides of the terminal connection portion  622 . The hole  622   c  may be formed in a center of the terminal connection portion  622 , and the protruded portions may also be formed in the fuse portion  622   b.    
     The side plate  627  may be perpendicularly curved toward the bottom of the case  30  from a width directional end of the terminal connection portion  622 . Thus, the side plate  627  may be disposed in parallel with a wide front side of the case  30 . 
     That is, the side plate  627  may be bent at a corner formed by being extended along a direction that crosses the direction along which the fuse portion  622   b  extends. The direction along which the fuse portion  622   b  extends and the corner where then side plate  627  is bent may be perpendicularly crossed. 
     If the side plate were to be bent at a length directional end of the terminal connection portion, vertical directional stress applied to the fuse portion could be increased so that the fuse portion could be broken due to vibration or impact. 
     However, when the side plate  627  is formed in the width directional end of the terminal connection portion  622  as in the present exemplary embodiment, the stress applied to the fuse portion  622   b  may be decreased. Thus, the thickness of the fuse portion  622   b  can be reduced so that the fuse portion  622   b  can be activated with a small amount of current. 
     A current collecting plate  625  may be formed by being extended from a lower portion of the side plate  627 , and a current collecting plate  623  may be fixed to the current collecting plate  625  using supporting portions  626  and  628 . 
     The current collecting plates  623  may be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate, and may include a welding bar  623   a  welded to a positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , a bent bar  623   b  formed in a lower portion of the welding bar  623   a  and bent toward the opposite current collecting plate  625 , and an insertion tip  623   c  formed at an end portion of the bent bar  623   b . The bent bar  623   b  may be inclined in a direction to the outside from the center of the electrode assembly  10  to which the welding bar  623   b  is attached, and may be inclined with an angle of about 5° to about 90°. The insertion tip  623   c  may be formed at an end portion of the bent bar  623   b  and may spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . Thus, a distance between two facing insertion tips  623   c  may be smaller than a distance between facing welding bars  623   a . However, the insertion tip  623   c  may be disposed further inside than the interface between the electrode assemblies  10  so that the facing insertion tips  625   c  do not contact. 
     Thus, the current collecting member  62  can be easily inserted between the electrode assemblies  10  without causing damage to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . The insertion may be performed while the insertion tip  623   c  is spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a.    
     Further, since the welding bar  623   a  is designed to be closely attached to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , the insertion tip  623   c  may be inserted while being spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  when the welding bar  623   a  presses the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  so that the current collecting member  62  can be easily inserted. As described, when the current collecting member  62  is provided in a manner that makes the welding bar  623   a  press the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , the welding bar  623   a  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  may be closely attached to each other so that a contact failure between the current collecting member  62  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  due to external impact or vibration may be prevented. 
     The current collecting plates  625  may be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate, and may include a welding bar  625   a  welded to a positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , a bent bar  625   b  formed in a lower portion of the welding bar  625   a  and bent toward the opposite current collecting plate  623 , and an insertion tip  625   c  formed at an end portion of the bent bar  625   b . The bent bar  625   b  may be inclined in a direction to the outside from the center of the electrode assembly  10  to which the welding bar  625   b  is attached, and may be inclined with an angle of about 5° to about 90°. The insertion tip  625   c  may be formed at an end portion of the bent bar  625   b  and may be spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . Thus, a distance between two facing insertion tips  625   c  may be smaller than a distance between facing welding bars  625   a . However, the insertion tip  625   c  may be disposed further inside than the interface between the electrode assemblies  10  so that the facing insertion tips  623   c  do not contact. 
     Thus, the current collecting member  62  can be easily inserted between the electrode assemblies  10  without causing damage to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  because the insertion may be performed while the insertion tip  625   c  is spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a.    
     Further, since the welding bar  625   a  is designed to be closely attached to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , the insertion tip  625   c  may be inserted while being spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  when the welding bar  625   a  presses the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  so that the current collecting member  62  can be easily inserted. As described, when the current collecting member  62  is provided in a manner that makes the welding bar  625   a  press the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , the welding bar  625   a  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  may be closely attached to each other so that a contact failure between the current collecting member  62  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  due to external impact or vibration can be prevented. 
     The supporting portion  626  may be formed in upper portions of the current collecting plates  623  and  625  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. The supporting portion  628  may be formed in lower portions of the current collecting plates  623  and  625  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. Here, the supporting portions  626  and  628  may be respectively provided in upper and lower portions of the welding bars  623   a  and  625   a.    
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a current collecting member of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     The rechargeable battery according to the present exemplary embodiment may be the same as or similar to the rechargeable battery of the first exemplary embodiment, excluding a structure of a current collecting member  63 . Therefore, a description of the similar features will not be repeated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the current collecting member  63  may include a terminal connection portion  632  fixed to a positive terminal  21 , a side plate  637  formed by being bent from the terminal connection portion  632 , and current collecting plates  633  and  635  fixed to a positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . In the terminal connection portion  632 , a fuse portion  632   b  having a smaller width than the periphery region may be formed. 
     The current collecting member provided in a negative terminal  22  may be the same as or similar to the current collecting member  63  in structure, excluding the fuse portion  632   b . Therefore, a description of similar features will not be repeated. 
     The terminal connection portion  632  may be formed in the shape of a square or rectangular plate, and a hole  632   a  into which the positive terminal  21  is inserted may be formed in a center of the terminal connection portion  632 . Further, the terminal connection portion  632  may be welded to a lower portion of the positive terminal  21 . The fuse portion  632   b  may have a smaller width than the periphery region, and thus a hole  632   c  may be formed in the fuse portion  632   b . The hole  63   c  may extend in a width direction of the terminal connection portion  632 . Ends of lateral sides the terminal connection portion  632  may be bent downward such that the terminal connection portion  632  has an arc-shaped cross-section, and portions protruding downward may be formed in the ends of the lateral sides of the terminal connection portion  632 . The hole  632   c  may be formed in a center of the terminal connection portion  632 , and the protruded portions may also be formed in the fuse portion  632   b.    
     The side plate  637  may be perpendicularly curved toward the bottom of the case  30  from a width directional end of the terminal connection portion  632 . Thus, the side plate  637  may be disposed in parallel with a wide front side of the case  30 . 
     The side plate  637  may be bent at a corner formed by being extended along a direction that crosses the direction along which the fuse portion  632   b  extends. The direction along which the fuse portion  632   b  extends and the corner where then side plate  637  is bent may be perpendicularly crossed. 
     If the side plate were to be bent at a length directional end of the terminal connection portion, vertical directional stress applied to the fuse portion could be increased so that the fuse portion could be broken due to vibration or impact. 
     However, when the side plate  637  is formed in the width directional end of the terminal connection portion  632  as in the present exemplary embodiment, the stress applied to the fuse portion  632   b  may be decreased and thus the thickness of the fuse portion  632   b  may be reduced so that the fuse portion  632   b  can be activated with a small amount of current. 
     A current collecting plate  635  may be formed by being extended from a lower portion of the side plate  637 . A current collecting plate  633  may be fixed to the current collecting plate  635  using supporting portions  636  and  638 . 
     The current collecting plates  633  may be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate, and may include a welding bar  633   a  welded to a positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , a bent bar  633   b  formed in a lower portion of the welding bar  633   a  and bent toward the opposite current collecting plate  635 , and an insertion tip  633   c  formed at an end portion of the bent bar  633   b . The bent bar  633   b  may be inclined in a direction to the outside from the center of the electrode assembly  10  to which the welding bar  633   b  is attached, and may be inclined with an angle of about 5° to about 90°. The insertion tip  633   c  may be formed at an end portion of the bent bar  633   b  and may be spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . Thus, a distance between two facing insertion tips  633   c  may be smaller than a distance between facing welding bars  633   a . However, the insertion tip  633   c  may be disposed further inside than the interface between the electrode assemblies  10 , so that the facing insertion tips  633   c  do not contact. 
     Thus, the current collecting member  63  can be easily inserted between the electrode assemblies  10  without causing damage to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  because the insertion may be performed while the insertion tip  633   c  is spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a.    
     Further, since the welding bar  633   a  is designed to be closely attached to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , the insertion tip  633   c  may be inserted while being spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  when the welding bar  633   a  presses the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  so that the current collecting member  63  can be easily inserted. As described, when the current collecting member  63  is provided in a manner that makes the welding bar  633   a  press the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , the welding bar  633   a  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  may be closely attached to each other so that a contact failure between the current collecting member  63  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  due to external impact or vibration may be prevented. 
     The current collecting plates  635  may be formed in the shape of an elongated rectangular plate. The current collecting plates  635  may include a welding bar  635   a  welded to a positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , a bent bar  635   b  formed in a lower portion of the welding bar  635   a  and bent toward the opposite current collecting plate  633 , and an insertion tip  635   c  formed at an end portion of the bent bar  635   b . The bent bar  635   b  may be inclined in a direction toward the outside from the center of the electrode assembly  10  to which the welding bar  635   b  is attached, and may be inclined with an angle of about 5° to about 90°. The insertion tip  635   c  may be formed at an end portion of the bent bar  635   b  and may be spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a . Thus, a distance between two facing insertion tips  635   c  may be smaller than a distance between facing welding bars  635   a . However, the insertion tip  635   c  may be disposed further inside than the interface between the electrode assemblies  10  so that the facing insertion tips  633   c  do not contact. 
     Thus, the current collecting member  63  can be easily inserted between the electrode assemblies  10  without causing damage to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  because the insertion may be performed while the insertion tip  635   c  is spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a.    
     Further, since the welding bar  635   a  is designed to be closely attached to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , the insertion tip  635   c  may be inserted while being spaced apart from the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  when the welding bar  635   a  presses the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  so that the current collecting member  63  can be easily inserted. As described, when the current collecting member  63  is provided in a manner that makes the welding bar  635   a  press the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a , the welding bar  635   a  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  may be closely attached to each other so that a contact failure between the current collecting member  63  and the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  due to external impact or vibration can be prevented. 
     The supporting portion  636  may be formed in upper portions of the current collecting plates  633  and  635  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. The supporting portion  638  may be formed in lower portions of the current collecting plates  633  and  635  for connection therebetween in a fixed manner. Here, the supporting portion  636  may be fixed to upper portions of the welding bars  623   a  and  625   a , and the supporting portion  638  may be fixed to the insertion tips  633   c  and  635   c.    
     By way of summation and review, embodiments described herein may provide a rechargeable battery that is improved in safety. Supporting portions connecting the current collecting plates and contacting an inclined portion formed in the electrode assembly may supports the electrode assembly to prevent movement of the electrode assembly due to impact or vibration so that a short-circuit between the electrode assembly and the case can be prevented. 
     Example embodiments have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. In some instances, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art as of the filing of the present application, features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with a particular embodiment may be used singly or in combination with features, characteristics, and/or elements described in connection with other embodiments unless otherwise specifically indicated. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope as set forth in the following claims.