NOVELTY - The device (1) has a battery-monitoring unit (3) which is connected to the monitoring element arranged on the cell connector. The battery-monitoring unit continuously transmits the primary operating signal (S1) to the monitoring element and/or the monitoring element continuously transmits secondary operating signal to the battery-monitoring unit in trouble-free operation. A battery (2) is automatically discharged by discharge resistor (4) in the absence of primary operating signal and/or secondary operating signal.    USE - Device for automatically discharging battery such as lithium ion battery mounted in hybrid vehicle, electric vehicle and fuel cell vehicle (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The battery monitoring unit and/or the monitoring element sends the respective operating signals at regular intervals. The loading and unloading operations can be controlled during operation of the battery. The fire and/or explosion of the damaged battery can be avoided, so that hazard of vehicle occupants and rescuer can be avoided. The discharge resistor arranged within battery housing is protected from dirt and/or mechanical influences. The cell connector is designed as a cell connector circuit board, so that no separate components are required for connection of the electrochemical energy storage device. The poles of cell connector circuit board are not blockable due of size differences in the electrochemical energy storage, so that damage to the cell connector board is avoidable. The monitoring element and the balancing resistor are integrated into the cell connector board, so that the number of separate components of the device is reduced and compact structure is obtained. The electrical energy of the battery is converted into heat within few hours, so that dangerous overheating during the discharging of battery is avoided.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is included for method for automatically discharging battery.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a block diagram of the device for automatically discharging battery. (Drawing includes non-English language text)    Device for automatically discharging battery (1)    Battery (2)    Battery-monitoring unit (3)    Discharge resistor (4)    Primary operating signal (S1)