Patent ID: 8546007

Claim:
A rechargeable battery, comprising: a current collecting plate; a plurality of electrode assemblies electrically connected substantially in parallel with each other via the current collecting plate, wherein each of the electrode assemblies comprises two opposing ends and an outer side formed between the two ends, and wherein the current collecting plate is electrically connected to one of the two ends of the electrode assemblies; a spacer; and a can configured to accommodate i) the current collecting plate, ii) the plurality of electrode assemblies and iii) the spacer, wherein the spacer is positioned at least between adjacent electrode assemblies, wherein the adjacent electrode assemblies and spacer have heights that are measured along a direction in which the electrode assemblies and the spacer are inserted into the can, wherein the height of the spacer is substantially the same as or greater than the height of the electrode assemblies, and wherein the spacer comprises at least one non-linear portion which contacts the outer side of at least one of the electrode assemblies, wherein the spacer has an integral one-piece structure which is substantially similar in shape to that of the can, wherein the spacer comprises a bottom, a top and a side, wherein the top and bottom are opposing each other, and wherein the side is substantially perpendicular to the top and bottom.