NOVELTY - A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises external electrode terminal and electrode assembly, which are electrically connected to each other via an electric conduction path having a pressure-sensitive elastic diaphragm (6) halfway. The pressure-sensitive elastic diaphragm deforms in accordance with an increase in a gas pressure in the battery; and the external electrode terminal includes a continuous hole connecting an outside of the battery and a space in contact with an outer side of the pressure-sensitive elastic diaphragm.    USE - Used as the power source for driving electric and hybrid vehicles.    ADVANTAGE - The battery has a pressure-sensitive elastic component with stable operation and little time degradation. The pressure-sensitive elastic component operates reliably and speedily when a desired operating pressure is reached to excel in usability and safety. The battery has a structure that allows the external electrode terminal to have not only the original function as an electrode terminal but also the function as a pressure release passage, simplifying the battery structure.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprises an outer can having an opening; an electrode assembly housed in the outer can, and comprising a positive electrode having a positive electrode current collector and a negative electrode having a negative electrode current collector; a sealing plate (3) sealing the opening; and an external electrode terminal projecting outside the sealing plate. The external electrode terminal and the electrode assembly are electrically connected to each other via an electric conduction path having a pressure-sensitive elastic diaphragm (6) halfway. The pressure-sensitive elastic diaphragm deforms in accordance with an increase in a gas pressure in the battery; and the external electrode terminal includes a continuous hole connecting an outside of the battery and a space in contact with an outer side of the pressure-sensitive elastic diaphragm. The pressure-sensitive elastic diaphragm deforms in accordance with the increase in the gas pressure in the battery to interrupt electrical connection between the external electrode terminal and the electrode assembly. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for a method of producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery comprising forming a membrane plug by injecting a resin solution into a vertical hole (1a) through an opening of a horizontal hole (1b) of external electrode terminal, the resin solution containing a solvent and a resin dissolved or dispersed in the solvent, and then volatilizing the solvent in the resin solution to form a resin film as the membrane plug.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing is an enlarged sectional view of a part of a battery.    Vertical hole (1a)    Horizontal hole (1b)    Sealing plate (3)    Pressure-sensitive elastic diaphragm (6)    Current collecting tab holder (7)