Patent ID: 8530073

Claim:
A battery module, comprising: first and second rechargeable batteries, each having an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator interposed therebetween, and a casing to accommodate the electrode assembly, the casing being comprised of a conductive metal, one of the first electrode and the second electrode being electrically connected to the casing, the casing having a bottom wall opposite to an opening at a top side and a sidewall extending from the bottom wall to the opening, the bottom wall of the casing corresponding to a bottom surface of each of the first and second rechargeable batteries, the first and second rechargeable batteries each including a cap assembly arranged within the opening of the casing to seal the electrode assembly within the casing, the cap assembly including an electrode cap on a top side thereof and being electrically connected to an other of the first electrode and the second electrode, the top side of the cap assembly corresponding to a top surface of each of the first and second rechargeable batteries, the sidewall of the casing together with a sidewall of the cap assembly corresponding to a side surface of each of the first and second rechargeable batteries; a first interconnection member including a body portion arranged on and covering an upper portion of the side surface of the first rechargeable battery and an engaging portion connecting the body portion to the electrode cap; and a second interconnection member connected to the first interconnection member and including a body portion arranged on and covering a lower portion of the side surface of the second rechargeable battery and being electrically connected to the casing of the second rechargeable battery, wherein the first and second interconnection members do not add any length to the battery module and are arranged between the top side of the cap assembly and the bottom wall of each of the first and second rechargeable batteries.