Abstract:
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly inside a case, a terminal post located entirely outside of, and protruding outwardly from, the case, a connection terminal having a portion that passes through the case, the connection terminal electrically coupling the electrode assembly and the terminal post; and a sealing member enveloping the portion of the connection terminal that passes through the case and electrically insulating the connection terminal from the case.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    The described technology relates generally to a rechargeable battery. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    A rechargeable battery can perform charging and discharging, unlike a primary battery, which cannot be charged. A small-capacity rechargeable battery may be used for a portable compact electronic device, such as a mobile phone, a laptop computer, and a camcorder. A large-capacity battery may be used as a motor driving power supply of a hybrid vehicle. 
         [0005]    Recently, a high power rechargeable battery using a non-aqueous electrolyte having high energy density has been developed. The rechargeable battery cells may be formed in a cylindrical shape, a square shape, or the like. A plurality of the high power rechargeable batteries may be configured to form a large-capacity battery module by connecting the rechargeable battery cells in series. The high power rechargeable battery may be used for devices that require a large amount of power, for example, a motor drive of an electric vehicle and the like. 
         [0006]    The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology 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 
       [0007]    According to an embodiment, there is provided a rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly inside a case, a terminal post located entirely outside of, and protruding outwardly from, the case, a connection terminal having a portion that passes through the case, the connection terminal electrically coupling the electrode assembly and the terminal post, and a sealing member enveloping the portion of the connection terminal that passes through the case and electrically insulating the connection terminal from the case. 
         [0008]    The case includes a cap plate closing the case. The terminal post may protrude outwardly from the cap plate. The connection terminal may pass through the cap plate. The sealing member may be disposed around part of the terminal post and may electrically insulate the connection terminal from the cap plate. 
         [0009]    The connection terminal may be electrically connected to the electrode assembly through a current collecting member. The connection terminal may include a terminal connection part in contact with the terminal post, a current collecting connection part coupled to the current collecting member, and an intermediate connection part formed between the terminal connection part and the current collecting connection part and curved at the terminal connection part and at the current collecting connection part. 
         [0010]    The terminal connection part and the current collecting connection part may be parallel to the cap plate. 
         [0011]    The terminal post may include a cylindrical terminal column and a terminal flange formed at a lower end of the terminal column. The terminal connection part of the connection terminal may include a connection terminal hole through which the terminal column passes. The connection terminal may be coupled to the terminal post by a nut fastened to the terminal column. 
         [0012]    The rechargeable battery may further include an upper insulation member disposed at a lower portion of the terminal post. The upper insulation member may electrically insulate the terminal post and the cap plate, and the sealing member may cover the upper insulation member and the lower portion of the terminal post. 
         [0013]    The cap plate may include a depression in which the upper insulation member is disposed. The sealing member may include an upper sealing part seated on the cap plate and a lower sealing part coupled to the cap plate through a terminal hole. 
         [0014]    The terminal post includes a terminal flange formed at the lower end of the terminal post facing the cap plate. An upper insulation member may be disposed at a lower end of the terminal post, the upper insulation member insulating the terminal flange and the cap plate. The upper sealing part may include an upper sealing part hole in which the terminal flange of the terminal post is disposed and an upper sealing part groove below the upper sealing part hole in which the upper insulation member is disposed and covered by the upper sealing part. 
         [0015]    The connection terminal may include a current collecting connection part. The lower sealing part may include a lower sealing part hole through which the connection terminal passes and a lower sealing part groove connected to the lower sealing part hole in which the current collecting connection part of the connection terminal is disposed. 
         [0016]    The current collecting connection part may be bonded to a connecting portion of the current collecting member. The lower sealing part may cover the current collecting connection part and the connecting portion of the current collecting member. 
         [0017]    The lower sealing part may include a support part supporting the connecting portion of the current collecting member and the current collecting connection part. The current collecting connection part and the connecting portion of the current collecting member may be disposed in a space defined by the support part. 
         [0018]    A circumference of the lower sealing part may include a lower sealing part groove engaging a protrusion protruding from an inside portion of the terminal hole. 
         [0019]    The protrusion may extend along a circumference direction at an interior circumference of the terminal hole. The lower sealing part groove may extend along the circumference of the lower sealing part. 
         [0020]    The connection terminal may include a terminal connection part in contact with the terminal post. The terminal connection part may be coupled to the terminal post by a nut fastened to the terminal post. The upper sealing part may be disposed to cover the terminal connection part and the nut. 
         [0021]    The connection terminal may include a terminal connection part in contact with the terminal post, an intermediate connection part curved at the terminal connection part and passing through the sealing member, and an electrode bonding part curved at the intermediate connection part to extend towards and to be bonded with a positive electrode uncoated region. 
         [0022]    The sealing member may be formed by insert molding. 
         [0023]    According to an embodiment, there is provided a rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly including a positive electrode and a negative electrode, a case having a space housing the electrode assembly, a cap plate coupled to the case, a terminal electrically connected to the electrode assembly and protruding to the outside of the cap plate, and a sealing member insulating the terminal and the cap plate from each other, the sealing member being formed by insert molding so as to cover the terminal at a terminal hole located at the cap plate. 
         [0024]    The terminal may be electrically connected to the electrode assembly through a current collecting member. The sealing member may cover a portion of the terminal and an upper portion of the current collecting member. 
         [0025]    An upper insulation member may be between the terminal and the cap plate. The sealing member may include a groove in which the upper insulation member is disposed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    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: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view showing a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a terminal and members coupled thereto of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded perspective view showing a cap plate and a sealing member of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  illustrates a cut perspective view of a sealing member of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-sectional view showing a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cut perspective view showing a sealing member and a connection terminal of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-sectional view showing a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment. 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cut perspective view showing a sealing member of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0037]    Korean Patent Application No. 10-2011-0113483, filed on Nov. 2, 2011, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Rechargeable Battery,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0038]    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 thereof to those skilled in the art. 
         [0039]    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. 
         [0040]    Spatially relative terms, such as “lower,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature relationship to another element(s) or feature(s). Such terms may be understood with reference to orientation of such elements or features in the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein may have different orientations in use or operation what is depicted in the figures. 
         [0041]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a rechargeable battery according to an exemplary embodiment and  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a rechargeable battery  101  according to an exemplary embodiment may include an electrode assembly  10  wound by interposing a separator  13  between a positive electrode (first electrode)  11  and a negative electrode (second electrode)  12 , a case  26  housing the electrode assembly  10 , and a cap assembly  30  coupled to an opening of the case  26 . 
         [0043]    The rechargeable battery  101  according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1  may be a lithium ion secondary battery and may have a square shape. However, in other implementations, various types of electrodes, such as the electrodes of a lithium polymer battery, and various shapes of electrodes, such as a cylindrical electrode, or the like, may be used. 
         [0044]    The positive electrode  11  and the negative electrode  12  may each include a coating region in which an active material is coated on a current collector formed by a thin-film metal foil and an uncoated region in which the active material is not coated. 
         [0045]    A positive electrode uncoated region  11  a may be formed at one side end of the positive electrode  11  along a length direction of the positive electrode  11 . A negative uncoated region  12   a  may be formed at the other side end of the negative electrode  12  along a length direction of the negative electrode  12 . In addition, the positive electrode  11  and the negative electrode  12  may be wound with the separator  13  as an insulator interposed therebetween. 
         [0046]    In other implementations, the electrode assembly  10  may be formed as a structure in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are formed as a plurality of sheets that are stacked with a separator interposed therebetween. 
         [0047]    The case  26  may be formed in a substantially cuboid shape. An opening may be formed at one surface thereof. The cap assembly  30  may include a cap plate  31  covering the opening of the case  26 , a positive electrode draw-out terminal or terminal post  21  disposed on the cap plate  31  and electrically connected with the positive electrode  11 , a negative electrode draw-out terminal or terminal post  22  disposed on the cap plate  31  and electrically connected with the negative electrode  12 , and a vent member  39  having a notch  39 a that may be broken according to a set internal pressure. 
         [0048]    The cap plate  31  may be formed as a thin metal plate. A sealing cap  38  sealing an electrolyte injection opening formed at one side thereof may be fixed and installed at the cap plate  31 . 
         [0049]    The positive electrode terminal post  21  may be electrically connected and installed with the positive electrode  11 . A connection terminal  25  may be fixed and installed on the positive electrode terminal post  21 . The connection terminal  25  may be electrically connected with the positive electrode  11  through a current collecting member  51 . An upper insulation member  27  into which a terminal flange  21   b  formed at the positive electrode terminal post  21  is inserted may be installed below the positive electrode terminal post  21 . A sealing member  40  partially covering the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the connection terminal  25  may be fixed and installed at the cap plate  31 . A positive electrode terminal may be configured by the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the connection terminal  25 . 
         [0050]    The negative electrode terminal post  22  may be electrically connected and installed with the negative electrode  12 , a connection terminal  24  may be fixed and installed at the negative electrode terminal post  22 , and the connection terminal  24  may be electrically connected with the negative electrode  12  through a current collecting member  52 . An upper insulation member  28  into which a lower end of the negative electrode terminal post  22  is inserted may be installed below the negative electrode terminal post  22 . A sealing member  50  partially covering the negative electrode terminal post  22  and the connection terminal  24  may be fixed and installed at the cap plate  31 . A negative electrode terminal may be configured by the negative electrode terminal post  22  and the connection terminal  24 . 
         [0051]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a terminal and members coupled thereto of a rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing a cap plate and a sealing member of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment. 
         [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the positive electrode terminal post and members coupled thereto will be described in detail. The negative electrode terminal post  22  and the members coupled thereto may be formed with a symmetrical structure with respect to the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the members coupled thereto. Therefore, the description of the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the members coupled thereto may be considered to also provide a description of the negative electrode terminal post  22  and the members connected thereto. 
         [0053]    The positive electrode terminal post  21  may be formed in a column shape and may include a terminal column  21   a  having a screw thread at an external circumference thereof and a terminal flange  21   b  formed below the terminal column  21   a.  The terminal column  21   a  may be formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. The terminal flange  21   b  may be formed so as to have a cross-sectional area larger than the terminal column  21   a . The upper insulation member  27  may be disposed between the cap plate  31  and the positive electrode terminal post  21  to insulate the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the cap plate  31 . The upper insulation member  27  may have a groove  27   a  into which the terminal flange  21   b  is inserted. 
         [0054]    The connection terminal  25  may be formed in a plate shape and may include a terminal connection part  25   a  having a hole  25   d  into which the terminal column  21   a  is inserted, a current collecting connection part  25   b  fixed to the current collecting member  51 , and an intermediate connection part  25   c  formed between the terminal connection part  25   a  and the current collecting connection part  25   b  and curved at the terminal connection part  25   a  and at the current collecting connection part  25   b.    
         [0055]    The terminal connection part  25   a  may fit around the terminal column  21   a  to be in contact with the terminal flange  21   b.  The terminal connection part  25   a  may be fixed to the positive electrode terminal post  21  by a nut  29  installed at the upper portion thereof. A protrusion  25   d  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that engages a corresponding indentation or hole in the current collecting member  51  may be formed at the current collecting connection part  25   b.  The current collecting connection part  25   b  may be bonded to the current collecting member  51  by welding. 
         [0056]    The intermediate connection part  25   c  may be curved at a substantially right angle at the terminal connection part  25   a  and at the current collecting connection part  25   b  to connect the terminal connection part  25   a  and the current collecting connection part  25   b.  The intermediate connection part  25   c  may be inserted to an opening  43  formed in the sealing member  40 . 
         [0057]    The terminal connection part  25   a  and the current collecting connection part  25   b  may be disposed to be parallel to the cap plate  31 . The intermediate connection part  25   c  may be disposed to be perpendicular to the terminal connection part  25   a  and the current collecting connection part  25   b.    
         [0058]    The sealing member  40  may include an upper sealing part  41  seated on the cap plate  31  and a lower sealing part  42  inserted into and fixed to a terminal hole  31   a  formed at the cap plate  31 . A hole  45  into which the terminal flange  21   b  is inserted may be formed at the upper sealing part  41 . A groove  48  covering the upper insulation member  27  may be formed below the hole  45 . 
         [0059]    An opening  43  into which the connection terminal  25  is inserted may be formed at the lower sealing part  42 . A groove  49  connected with the opening  43 , into which the current collecting connection part  25   b  is inserted, may be formed on the lower surface thereof. The opening  43  may be formed to pass through the cap plate. 
         [0060]    Further, a groove  47  may be formed on the upper surface of the lower sealing part  42 . A groove  46  that fits into a protrusion  31   b  protruding toward the inside from the terminal hole  31   a  may be formed at the circumference of the lower sealing part  42 . The protrusion  31   b  may be formed by to extend along a circumferential direction at an interior circumference of the terminal hole  31   a.  The groove  46  may be formed to extend along the circumference of the lower sealing part  42  so as to fit the protrusion  31   b . Accordingly, the sealing member  40  may be stably fixed to the cap plate  31 . 
         [0061]    The sealing member  40  may be formed by an insert molding method while the positive electrode terminal post  21 , the connection terminal  25 , and the upper insulation member  27  are installed on the cap plate  31 . Accordingly, the sealing member  40  may be formed and simultaneously, fixed and installed to the cap plate  31  and may be stably fixed on the cap plate  31  while covering the positive electrode terminal post  21 , the upper insulation member  27 , and the connection terminal  25 . 
         [0062]    The terminal connection part  25   a  may be fixed by the nut  29  and the current collecting connection part  25   b  may be fixed by the sealing member  40 . Accordingly, the connection terminal  25  may prevent an electrical connection of the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the connection terminal  25  from being deteriorated due to external vibration or impact. 
         [0063]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment and  FIG. 6  is a cut perspective view of a sealing member of the rechargeable battery according to this exemplary embodiment. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , since a rechargeable battery  102  according to this exemplary embodiment has substantially the same structure as the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , except for a structure of a sealing member  60 , a description of the similar features will not be repeated. 
         [0065]    The sealing member  60  installed at the positive electrode terminal post  21  may be formed with a symmetrical structure to a sealing member  70  installed at the negative electrode terminal post  22 . Accordingly, for a description of the sealing member  70  installed at the negative electrode terminal post  22 , one may refer to the description of the sealing member  60  installed at the positive electrode terminal post  21 . 
         [0066]    The sealing member  60  may include an upper sealing part  61  seated on the cap plate  31  and a lower sealing part  62  inserted and fixed to the terminal hole  31   a  formed at the cap plate  31 . A hole  65  into which the positive electrode terminal post  21  is inserted may be formed at the upper sealing part  61 , and a groove  68  covering the upper insulation member  27  may be formed below the hole  65 . 
         [0067]    An opening  63  into which the connection terminal  25  is inserted may be formed at the lower sealing part  62 . A support part  64  supporting and covering the current collecting connection part  25   b  and a connecting portion of the current collecting member  51  therebelow may be formed at the lower surface thereof. A space  64   a  may be formed at the inside of the support part  63 . The space  64   a  may be formed to be connected with the opening  63 . The current collecting connection part  25   b  and the connecting portion of the current collecting member  51  may be inserted to the space  64   a . The space  64   a  may be formed to cover a portion where the connection terminal  25  and the connecting portion of the current collecting member  51  are bonded with each other. An opening  69  communicating with the space  64   a  may be formed at the lower surface of the lower sealing part  62  so that the current collecting member  51  may protrude downwards. 
         [0068]    As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the sealing member  60  may be installed to cover the positive electrode terminal post  21 , the connection terminal  25 , and the connecting portion of the current collecting member  51 , such that it may be possible to reduce contact resistance between the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the connection terminal  25  and reduce contact resistance between the connection terminal  25  and the current collecting member  51 . 
         [0069]    The support part  64  of the sealing member  60  may stably support the electrode assembly  10  by supporting the current collecting member  51  at the upper portion, such that it may be possible to prevent the electrode assembly  10  from being damaged due to external impact or vibration. 
         [0070]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment and  FIG. 8  is a cut perspective view showing a sealing member and a connection terminal of the rechargeable battery according to this exemplary embodiment. 
         [0071]    Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , a rechargeable battery  103  according to the exemplary embodiment may have the same structure as the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , except for the structure of a sealing member  130  and a connection terminal  121 . Accordingly, a description of similar structures will not be repeated. 
         [0072]    The sealing member  130  and the connection terminal  121  installed at the positive electrode terminal post  21  may be formed with a symmetrical structure to a sealing member  140  and a connection terminal  122  installed at the negative electrode terminal post  22 . Accordingly for a description of the sealing member  140  and the connection terminal  122  installed at the negative electrode terminal post  22 , one may refer to the description of the sealing member  130  and the connection terminal  121  installed at the positive electrode terminal post  21 . 
         [0073]    The connection terminal  121  may include a terminal connection part  121  a having a hole  125  into which the positive electrode terminal post  21  is inserted, an intermediate connection part  121   b  curved at the terminal connection part  121   a  to be inserted in the sealing member  130 , and an electrode bonding part  121   c  curved at the intermediate connection part  121   b  to extend downwards and be bonded to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a.  The terminal connection part  121   a  may be disposed to be parallel to the cap plate  31 . The intermediate connection part  121   b  may be formed in a bent shape toward the electrode bonding part  121   c  at the terminal connection part  121   a.    
         [0074]    The sealing member  130  may include an upper sealing part  131  seated on the cap plate  31  and a lower sealing part  132  that is inserted into and fixed to the hole formed at the cap plate  31 . An opening  135  into which the positive electrode terminal post  21  is inserted may be formed at the upper sealing part  131 , and a groove  138  into which the upper insulation member  27  fits may be formed below the opening  135 . 
         [0075]    The lower sealing part  132  may be formed to cover the intermediate connection part  121   b.  A space  134  covering the intermediate connection part  121   b  may be formed at the lower sealing part  132 . Further, an opening  133  into which the intermediate connection part  121   b  is inserted may be formed at the upper end of the space  134  and an opening  139  may be formed at the lower surface of the space  134  so that the electrode bonding part  121   c  protrudes downwards. The electrode bonding part  121   c  may be curved in the lower sealing part  132  to extend downwards. 
         [0076]    As described above, according to the exemplary embodiment, the sealing member  130  may be formed to cover the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the connection terminal  121 . The electrode bonding part  121   c  bonded to the positive electrode uncoated region  11   a  may be formed at the connection terminal  121 , such that the sealing member  130  can stably support the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the connection terminal  121 . 
         [0077]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view showing a rechargeable battery according to another exemplary embodiment, and  FIG. 10  is a cut perspective view showing a sealing member of the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
         [0078]    Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , a rechargeable battery  104  according to the exemplary embodiment has the same structure as the rechargeable battery according to the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 , except for a structure of a sealing member  150 . Accordingly, a description of similar features will not be repeated. 
         [0079]    The sealing member  150  installed at the positive electrode terminal post  21  may be formed with a symmetrical structure with respect to a sealing member  160  installed at the negative electrode terminal post  22 . Accordingly, for a description of the sealing member  160  installed at the negative electrode terminal post  22 , one may refer to the description of the sealing member  150  installed at the positive electrode terminal post  21 . 
         [0080]    The sealing member  150  may include an upper sealing part  151  seated on the cap plate  31  and a lower sealing part  152  inserted into and fixed to the hole formed at the cap plate  170 . A hole  155  into which the positive electrode terminal post  21  is inserted may be formed at the upper sealing part  151 , and a groove  158  into which the upper insulation member  27  is inserted may be formed below the hole  155 . 
         [0081]    A support wall  153  covering the connection terminal  25  may be formed above the hole  155 , and a space  154  into which the terminal connection part  25   a  and the intermediate connection part  25   c  are inserted may be formed at the inside of the support wall  153 . A nut support part  157  partially covering a nut  29  fastened to the positive electrode terminal post  21  may be formed above the space  154 . A groove  159  into which the current collecting connection part  25   b  is inserted may be formed at the lower sealing part  62 . 
         [0082]    A groove  171  into which the upper insulation member  27  is inserted may be formed at the cap plate  170 . Accordingly, the upper insulation member  27  and the positive electrode terminal post  21  may be easily installed at a predetermined position. 
         [0083]    After the upper insulation member  27  is installed on the cap plate  170 , the positive electrode terminal post  21  may be fitted on the upper insulation member  27 . The sealing member  150  may be formed by insert molding with the connection terminal  25  and the nut  29  installed at the positive electrode terminal post  21 . Accordingly, the sealing member  150  may be easily formed so as to cover the upper insulation member  27 , the positive electrode terminal post  21 , the connection terminal  25 , and the nut  29 . According to the exemplary embodiment, when the sealing member  150  is formed so as to cover the positive electrode terminal post  21 , the connection terminal  25 , and the nut  29 , it may be possible to prevent the nut  29  from being released from the terminal due to external vibration, such that the positive electrode terminal post  21  and the connection terminal  25  may be more stably coupled to each other. 
         [0084]    By way of summation and review, a rechargeable battery may have a terminal protruding outside the case. Accordingly, it is desirable to stably seal between the terminal and a cap plate. If a gasket for sealing is installed between the terminal and the cap plate, an assembly process may be complicated and it may be difficult to achieve a stable sealing effect. 
         [0085]    The embodiments disclosed herein may advance the art by providing a sealing member that is installed to cover a terminal post and a connection terminal together, such that it may be possible to stably fix and seal the terminal post and the connection terminal. Further, the sealing member may be formed by insert molding, such that it may be possible to easily install the terminal and the sealing member at a cap plate. 
         [0086]    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.