Importance

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Abstract

A rechargeable battery module is disclosed that is particularly well adapted for use in multi-module battery packs. The module includes top and bottom cover plates. At least a portion of each cover plate is formed from electrically conductive materials so that when the battery module is integrated into a stack, the contacts between adjacent battery units are formed by the cover plates. A positive plate that has a positive surface is placed in electrical contact with a first cover plate. A negative plate having a negative surface is also provided. The negative plate is arranged in electrical contact with the second cover plate. The battery includes a plurality of active paste layers. Each active paste layer is applied to an associated surface. One or more separators are provided to isolate the paste layers. The first and second cover plates are electrically isolated by at least the paste layers and the separator means. The cover plates may be ribbed to provide structural support. The ribbing in the first cover plate is complementary to the ribbing in the second cover plate to facilitate stacking. In another preferred embodiment, the cover plates each have lips that serve as side contacts. The described modules may be arranged multidimensional arrays that form parallel connections between laterally adjacent modules and series connections with longitudinally adjacent modules.

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First Claim