NOVELTY - The rechargeable battery (100) has an electrode assembly in a cabinet (26). A cap plate (20) seals an opening of the cabinet. The terminal portion (30) is electrically coupled to the electrode assembly and provided on the cap plate. A connecting element (70) extends from the terminal portion and spaced apart from the cap plate. The connecting element electrically couples the terminal portion and the cap plate. The connecting element includes a protruding portion (74) coupled to the cap plate and extended towards the cap plate.    USE - Rechargeable battery such as low-capacity rechargeable battery used in small portable electronic device e.g. mobile phone, notebook computer, and camcorder, and high-capacity rechargeable battery used as power source for driving motor of hybrid vehicle or high-capacity power storage device and electric vehicle.    ADVANTAGE - The electrode assembly is prevented from catching fire or exploding due to the residual short-circuit current after the short-circuit current path has ceased to exist due to the melting of the fuse portion, since the short-circuit current due to the short-circuit of the first and second electrodes which results from the penetration of the conductive material is sufficiently discharged to the outside of the electrode assembly through the short-circuit current path during the melting delay time of the fuse portion. The amount of the residual short-circuit current inside of the electrode assembly is minimized, since the rechargeable battery includes the connecting element and the short-circuit current is effectively dissipated through the connecting element that forms portion of the short-circuit current path between the first and second electrodes. The dissipation efficiency of the short-circuit current is improved in the connecting element, since the short-circuit current discharged from the electrode assembly passes through the sinuous bent portions.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows the perspective view of the rechargeable battery through which conductive materials penetrate.    Cap plate (20)    Cabinet (26)    Terminal portion (30)    Connecting element (70)    Protruding portion (74)    Rechargeable battery (100)