Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus – product – and – Cell support for removable cell
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-14
2002-06-11
Chaney, Carol (Department: 1745)
Chemistry: electrical current producing apparatus, product, and
Cell support for removable cell
C429S152000, C429S153000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06403252
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a battery pack for an electrical apparatus, and more particularly to an improved battery card for an portable electrical apparatus.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At the present time, all portable electrical apparatus including portable information appliances use internal battery pack for energy source. Battery pack contains several battery cells in series and/or in parallel arrangement, making the desired capacity and voltage to operate the appliance.
Battery cells in battery pack for portable information appliances are of two major categories, i.e., nickel metal hydride (NiMH) and lithium ion (Li-ion), because of their relatively high energy density. Conventional battery cells are configured in cylindrical and/or prismatic structures.
FIG. 1
shows a cross-section view of a conventional battery cell in a cylindrical structure. As shown in
FIG. 1
, attaching media
11
with anode layer
12
and attaching media
13
with cathode layer
14
dissociated by a separator
15
are winded in a cylindrical can
16
, making the most popular battery cell in cylindrical structure.
FIG. 2
shows a cross-section view of a conventional battery cell in prismatic structure. As shown in
FIG. 2
, attaching media
21
with anode layer
22
and attaching media
23
with cathode layer
24
dissociated by a separator
25
are winded in a prismatic can
26
, making rectangular battery cell for special applications.
Generally speaking, battery pack structures are determined by battery cell configurations. Conventional battery packs are bulky, heavy, and expensive when multiple battery cells are integrated.
FIG. 3
shows an industry standard battery pack for notebook computers. The battery pack
3
contains several cylindrical Li-ion battery cells
31
, with a circuitry board
32
embedded to gauge fuel and to monitor voltage/current when charging and discharging. In addition, the battery pack
3
has a five-pin output jack
33
connected to the notebook computer. Two of them are terminals for power transmission, the “+” and the “−”. Others are reserved for communication between battery pack and computer (not shown) for battery cell temperature, battery cell data code, and voltage/current status of the battery pack. In
FIG. 3
there are nine cylindrical battery cells
31
arranged in the battery pack
3
, three in series and three in parallel. Each battery cell
31
sizes 18 mm in diameter, 65 mm in height, operating at 3.6V with a full capacity of 1.35 Ah. The battery pack
3
consisting of nine cylindrical battery cells
31
delivers 44 Wh (10.8V×4.05 Ah) with 150(W)×90(L)×21(T) mm in size and 490grams in weight. Such a battery pack
3
is able to operate a Pentium 300 notebook computer for approximately 3 hours (180 minutes).
Lately battery packs are designed as thin and light as possible in an attempt to fit slimmer and more compact appliances.
FIG. 4
shows a slim battery pack for notebook computers containing prismatic battery cells. As shown in
FIG. 4
, the battery pack
4
contains several prismatic Li-ion battery cells
41
, with a circuitry board
42
embedded to gauge fuel and to monitor voltage/current when charging and discharging. In addition, the battery pack
4
has a five-pin output jack
43
connected to notebook computer. Two of them are terminals for power transmission, the “+” and the “−”. Others are reserved for communication between battery pack
4
and computer for battery cell temperature, battery cell data code, and voltage/current status of the battery pack.
Compared to the battery pack
3
of
FIG. 3
, the battery pack
4
of
FIG. 4
has a reduced dimension in thickness because of using prismatic battery cells
41
, normally less than 10 mm. However, battery run time is compromised because less conducting materials are used in smaller battery cells. Users have found difficulty in maintaining power continuity. With more frequent power shortage, data integrity becomes vulnerable in some worst scenarios.
In general, notebook computers incorporate only one battery pack. For heavy users, however, there are notebook computers mounted with two battery packs. They are not considered practical as weight and inconvenience are in concern.
In addition, all battery packs are not interchangeable with each other because of the design limitation so that customers cannot replace the battery pack unless from original device maker. Users are confined by inflexible battery pack form factor. Appliance manufacturers, as a result, are able to control battery accessory market at hefty prices with limited availability.
Specifically designed battery packs usually present specific safety concerns when inadvertently used outside the manufacturer's recommended guidelines. Recently, in-seat power supply system on aircraft has drawn public attention because users rarely detect battery health before they charge their battery in flight. Manufacturers have recommended Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to place a moratorium on the use until safety issues can be resolved.
All listed disadvantages are obstacles to popularize portable information appliances. The present invention provides solutions with an entirely shifted paradigm.
SUGARY OF TEE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide standardized battery packs in light, thin, safe, and user-friendly card configuration to make interchangeability between appliances easy and possible.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a safe battery pack, by which issues of public safety can be minimized without adding any inconvenience to mobile users when battery packs are charged on a separate charger outside the appliance or a charger built-in the appliance.
It is still an object of the present invention to provide a battery pack having a safety design to prevent from shortage due to mishandling when the battery pack is not in use.
It is further an object of the present invention to provide a battery pack having higher weight and volume energy density which are designed easy to carry, to store, and to exchange.
The present invention provides a battery card which is adapted to be used with an electrical apparatus to be power-supplied by the battery card. The battery card of the present invention contains several power-supplying cells (at least one power-supplying cell) in series and/or in parallel arrangement, making the desired capacity and voltage to operate the electrical apparatus. The first power-supplying cell arranged in the battery card includes two first planar attaching media respectively attaching thereto a first cathode material and a first anode material, and a first planar separator separating the first attaching media on the one hand and communicating the two first attaching media with each other on the other hand. The second power-supplying cell arranged in the battery card also includes two second planar attaching media respectively attaching thereto a second cathode material and a second anode material, and a second planar separator separating the second attaching media on the one hand and communicating the second attaching media with each other on the other hand. There is a housing housing therein the first and the second power-supplying cells to form the battery card having a weight energy density larger than 40 watt-hours/kilograms and a volume energy density larger than 100 watt-hours/liter. In addition, two contacts are mounted on the housing and respectively electrically connected to the first and the second power-supplying cells for power-supplying the electrical apparatus therethrough.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the battery card preferably has a weight energy density larger than 80 watt-hours/kilograms and a volume energy density larger than 200 watt-hours/liter.
Preferably the electrical apparatus is a portable information appliance.
Preferably the housing has a major square plane, and more preferably the plane has either one of sides thereof shorter tha
Chiang Cyril C. K.
Rei Min Hon
Chaney Carol
Laff, Whitesel & Saret, Ltd.
Michael Best & Friedrich LLC
Whitesel J. Warren
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