BATTERY BACKUP COVER SYSTEM

• US 20140160715A1
• Filed: 12/11/2012
• Published: 06/12/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ESPI
• Original Assignee: ESPI
• Inventors: Wacker, Christopher T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,964,406 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/810
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/4257 Smart batteries, e.g. electronic circuits inside the housing of the cells or batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/10 Batteries in stationary systems, e.g. emergency power source in plant
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/251 specially adapted for stationary devices, e.g. power plant buffering or backup power supplies
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/264 for cells or batteries, e.g. straps, tie rods or peripheral frames
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/284 with incorporated circuit boards, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/567 by fixing means, e.g. screws, rivets or bolts
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 50/597 Protection against reversal of polarity
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/02 Arrangements of circuit components or wiring on supporting structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A battery backup unit (BBU) system and apparatus is provided for securing and communicating with a BBU for use with optical network terminals (ONTs) and/or residential gateways. In various aspects, the BBU system is configured to eliminate the possibility for reversing the polarity of the backup battery. The BBU system also provides an integrated communication circuit for receiving a variety of connectors.

Claims

1. A battery backup system comprising:

a battery; and

a battery holder comprising;

a battery holding arm;

a circuit housing holding a circuit board having a plurality of connectors;

at least one battery engagement tab; and

a battery connection lead;

wherein the at least one of the battery engagement tab and the battery connection lead engage the battery in a particular orientation to prevent a polarity reversal of the battery.

2. The battery backup system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of connectors comprises:

at least one Ethernet cable connector;

at least one two-pin receptacle;

at least one wire wrap post to receive a wire; and

a cable management system to secure at least one of the Ethernet cable, the two-pin plug, or the wire.

3. The battery backup system of claim 2, wherein the Ethernet cable connector receives a Category 5 cable.

4. The battery backup system of claim 1, wherein the circuit board further comprises at least one of an alarm indicator and a reset switch.

5. The battery backup system of claim 1, wherein the battery is a lithium-ion battery, a LiFePO4 battery or a rechargeable lead acid battery.

6. The battery backup system of claim 1, wherein the battery connection lead is a leaf-type contact prong or a spring-type contact prong.

7. The battery backup system of claim 1, wherein the circuit housing further comprises a housing base mechanically engaged with the circuit board and a removable access cover to provide access to the circuit board.

8. The battery backup system of claim 1, wherein the particular orientation prevents a connection between the battery and the holder wherein the polarity of the connection is reversed.

9. A battery cover to prevent a polarity reversal of a connected battery, the battery cover comprising:

a battery engagement tab to engage the battery; and

at least two battery connection leads to permit electrical communication with the battery, wherein the at least two battery connection leads are oriented within the battery cover such that battery can only be engaged in a particular orientation to prevent the polarity reversal.

10. The battery cover of claim 9 further comprising:

at least connector selected from an Ethernet connector or a two-pin receptacle.

11. The battery cover of claim 10 further comprising a wire-wrap connector.

12. The battery cover of claim 10, wherein the Ethernet connector receives a Category 5 cable.

13. The battery backup system of claim 10, wherein at least one of the battery connection leads is a leaf-type contact prong or a spring-type contact prong.

14. The battery backup system of claim 9, wherein the plurality of connectors comprises:

at least one Ethernet cable connector;

at least one two-pin input power receptacle; and

at least one wire wrap post to receive a wire.

15. The battery backup system of claim 9, further comprising a thermistor to detect a battery temperature.

16. The battery backup system of claim 15, wherein the thermistor is mounted on an exterior of the battery backup system.

17. The battery backup system of claim 15, wherein the thermistor regulates a voltage to charge the battery.

18. A battery backup system for use with an optical network terminal, the battery backup system comprising:

a battery for providing power to the optical network terminal when a utility power supply is interrupted; and

a battery holder engaged to the battery and in electrical communication with the battery to monitor and regulate a battery output power level, the battery holder comprising;

a battery holding arm to slidably engage the battery;

a battery engagement tab to secure the battery holder to the battery;

at least one battery connection lead to permit the electrical communication with the battery;

a thermistor to detect a battery temperature; and

a circuit housing containing at least one electrical circuit in electrical communication with the battery, the at least one electrical circuit comprising;

an Ethernet cable connector to receive an Ethernet cable; and

a seven-position receptacle to receive a cable.

19. The battery backup system of claim 18, wherein at least one of the battery connection leads is a spring-type contact prong.