BATTERY PACK AND CONNECTOR

• US 20100310931A1
• Filed: 08/28/2009
• Published: 12/09/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Ligtenberg, Chris, Raff, John, Coish, Robert L., Hopkinson, Ron
• Granted Patent: US 8,309,245 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 429/186
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/0525 Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodes; Lithium-ion batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/224 Metals
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/227 Organic material
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/233 characterised by physical properties of casings or racks, e.g. dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/244 Secondary casings; Racks; Suspension devices; Carrying devices; Holders characterised by their mounting method
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/247 specially adapted for portable devices, e.g. mobile phones, computers, hand tools or pacemakers
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/271 Lids or covers for the racks or secondary casings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49108 Electric battery cell making

Abstract

By being embedded in a portable computing device, a battery pack is made essentially inaccessible to unauthorized users, thereby allowing for a battery pack that can be made smaller and of lighter construction material, thereby facilitating greater component density within the portable computing device, lower cost to manufacture, and more environmentally secure.

Claims

1. A lightweight, compact, high charge capacity battery pack that can be embedded into a portable computing device, comprising:

a battery pack frame configured to provide structural support to battery pack components included therein, wherein the battery pack frame comprises a recessed portion arranged to provide additional space for internal components of the portable computing device other than those related to the battery pack; and

a battery pack cover secured to the battery pack frame, wherein the battery pack is configured to be secured to the portable computing device by way of at least one tamper resistant fastener that can only be removed by an authorized user.

2. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, further comprising an electrical connector arranged to electrically connect circuits external to the battery pack with circuits and battery cells internal to the battery pack.

3. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, further comprising a thin protective layer over the battery pack components in the recessed portion.

4. The battery pack as recited in claim 3, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 0.1 mm.

5. The battery pack as recited in claim 3, wherein the protective layer comprises Mylar.

6. The battery pack as recited in claim 3, wherein the protective layer comprises stainless steel.

7. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the battery pack cover is secured to the battery pack frame with adhesive.

8. The battery pack as recited in claim 1, wherein the battery pack cover has a thickness of less than about 1.3 mm.

9. A method of embedding an assembled battery pack having a battery pack frame securely fastened to a battery pack cover by at least one tamper-resistant fastener into a small computing device housing having a housing comprising a single piece back portion and a single piece front portion, wherein the single piece front portion has a cavity into which internal components are placed during assembly, wherein the single piece front portion provides support for a plurality of user interaction components, wherein the battery pack frame is configured to support a plurality of battery pack components including at least one battery cell and electrical interconnections, the method comprising:

electrically coupling the battery pack to an electrical component of the computing device;

placing the battery pack into the cavity of the single piece front portion;

securing the battery pack to the single piece front portion using the at least one tamper-resistant fastener; and

securing the single piece back portion to the single piece front portion.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein the battery pack is placed into the cavity with the battery pack cover exposed before securing the single piece back portion to the single piece front portion.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, the battery pack cover includes at least one specially shaped recess arranged to accommodate the at least one tamper-resistant fastener in such a way as to prevent an unauthorized user from gaining meaningful access to the at least one tamper resistant fastener.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein an electrical connector is used to electrically couple the battery pack to the electrical component of the computing device before placing the battery pack into the cavity and the electrical connector is positioned underneath the battery pack when the battery pack is placed into the cavity.

13. The method as recited in claim 9, wherein an underside of the battery pack comprises a thin protective layer having a thickness of about 0.1 mm or less.

14. A computing device, comprising:

a housing having a single piece front portion secured to a single piece back portion;

electrical components of the computing device; and

an embedded battery pack electrically coupled to the electrical components of the computing device, wherein the battery pack is secured to the single piece front portion with at least one tamper-resistant fastener.

15. The computing device as recited in claim 14, wherein the at least one tamper-resistant fastener can be manipulated only by a customized tool.

16. The computing device as recited in claim 14, wherein the battery pack comprises at least one battery cell having a shape and size customized to fit in a cavity of the single piece front portion.

17. The computing device as recited in claim 14, wherein the battery pack has a thickness of less than about 14 mm.

18. The computing device as recited in claim 14, further comprising an electrical connector for electrically coupling the battery pack to the electrical components of the computing device, wherein the electrical connector is positioned between the battery pack and the single piece front portion.

19. The computing device as recited in claim 14, wherein the battery pack comprises a protective layer adjacent electrical components of the computing device, wherein the protective layer has a thickness of about 0.1 mm or less.

20. The computing device as recited in claim 14, wherein the battery pack includes at least one specially shaped recess arranged to accommodate the at least one tamper-resistant fastener in such a way as to allow meaningful access to the at least one tamper resistant fastener only with a customized tool.