Patent ID: 7887952

Claim:
A secondary battery, comprising an electrode assembly having a winding including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator therebetween, the winding centered around a winding axis; a case receiving the electrode assembly, the winding axis being parallel to a longitudinal axis of the case; and first and second cap assemblies respectively sealing opposite ends of the case, the first and second cap assemblies respectively having positive and negative electrode terminals electrically coupled to the electrode assembly by respective lead terminal portions; wherein uncoated parts of the electrode assembly are arranged at opposite ends of the electrode assembly perpendicular to the winding axis; wherein the uncoated parts are welded together and directly respectively welded to the lead terminal portions of the positive and negative electrode terminals; wherein the electrode assembly is electrically connected to the cap assemblies by the lead terminal portions of the positive and negative electrode terminals arranged and fixed between the uncoated parts of the electrode assembly; wherein the uncoated parts of the electrode assembly are not coated with active materials and are closely adhered together into a unitary structure; and wherein a plurality of weld point penetrates through said uncoated parts of the electrode assembly to affix the lead terminal portions of the positive and negative electrode terminals to said uncoated parts of the electrode assembly.