Battery assembly and method of making same

摘要

The present invention relates to a battery assembly (10) designed to include a plurality of cells (34) positioned parallel to each other. A frame (16) including end supports (18,20) positions the cells (34) appropriately. Each of the cells (34) includes a first terminal (40) and a second terminal (42). Two buses (46) are positioned over all of the first terminals (40) and all of the second terminals (42). Each of the buses (46) includes slots (48) allowing the terminals (40,42) to extend therethrough. Once through, the terminals (40,42) are bent over the bus bar (46). A slide (54) is then positioned over the terminals (40,42) protecting the terminals and maintaining the terminals (40,42) in electrical contact with each other. This battery assembly (10) allows more than three cells (34) to be connected to each other and is versatile enough to allow the removal of certain cells (34) to enhance the airflow through the battery assembly (10).