Patent attributes
An electric power generating element of a battery is covered with an electric conductor including a positive conductor member electrically connected to a positive plate, a negative conductor member electrically connected to a negative plate, and a separating member. An electric resistance per unit length of at least one of the positive and negative conductor members is made smaller than that of positive and negative current collectors of the positive and negative plates electrically connected to the positive and negative conductor members, respectively. For example, by making a thickness of the positive conductor member larger than that of the positive current collector, the electric resistance per unit length of the positive conductor member is made smaller than that of the positive current collector. Accordingly, large current occurring during internal short-circuiting can be rapidly distributed between the positive and negative conductor members, and excessive heat generation of a battery is prevented.