NOVELTY - The secondary battery (100) has a collecting plate (120) electrically connected to an electrode assembly (110). A case (150) with an opening is provided for accommodating the electrode assembly and collecting plate. A cap assembly (160) has a cap plate (161) for sealing the opening of the case. A short circuit component (130) is installed in the collecting plate and facing the cap plate. The short circuit component has a short circuit plate (131) spaced apart from the cap plate. The short circuit plate and cap plate are made of conductive materials, and configured to have different polarities.    USE - Secondary battery used in e.g. portable small-sized electronic device such as cellular phone and camcorder. Can also be used in a battery pack which is used as a power source for driving motors such as in electric scooters or hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).    ADVANTAGE - Provides a secondary battery with reduced manufacturing costs and number of manufacturing process steps. Ensures reduced overall weight and volume of the secondary battery by reducing the number of components of the secondary battery. Prevents short circuits due to external moisture contacting a short circuit component. Ensures efficient utilization of the internal space of the battery, which can improve assembling efficiency of the cap assembly. Ensures that the secondary battery can induce a short circuit according to a stimulus, such as excessive pressure or temperature, during overcharging. Ensures that when the secondary battery is overcharged or overcharging, a short circuit may be induced according to either pressure or temperature, further improving safety of the secondary battery.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - The short circuit component also has a sealing plate (132) made of insulating material. The short circuit component is made of shape memory allow selected from a group consisting of titanium-nickel (Ti-Ni), nickel-aluminum (Ni-Al), indium-titanium (In-Ti), titanium-nickel-iron (Ti-Ni-Fe), and their combinations.    DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S) - The drawing shows a cross-sectional view of the secondary battery.    Secondary battery (100)    Electrode assembly (110)    Collecting plate (120)    Short circuit component (130)    Short circuit plate (131)    Sealing plate (132)    Case (150)    Cap assembly (160)    Cap plate (161)